�S-Suzaku no Miko!?� Miaka stuttered, trying hard to grasp what was happening. She woke up in a strange land, was mugged, saved by a sexy man with orange hair, got lost in an empire, and was found by the emperor himself. She rubbed her eyes and opened them again, praying it was a dream. It wasn�t. When her personal light show (AN: You know, when you rub your eyes and you see all those colors�. ^-^;;) was done, she could still clearly see Hotohori, who nodded.
�Hai. You are the Suzaku no Miko.� He stated again. She continued to stare at him, as did Genrou.
�Maybe it would be best to get to a more, private setting. I will discuss things there.�
Miaka and Genrou nodded, following. The crowd parted as Hotohori walked through, and threw envious glances at Miaka. It was a quick walk, less than five minutes, before they were in the throne room. Nervously, Miaka situated herself on a red pillow in front of Hotohori�s chair. Genrou followed soon after.
�Now, should I start from the beginning?�
Miaka nodded. She had no idea what was going on, and it would be better to find out everything she could.
�There is a legend, that a girl from another world would come to the Konan empire. She would be known as the Suzaku no Miko. Once she obtained the power of Suzaku, she would be able to make three wishes. So�as you can see�you are that girl from legend. You were sent here to save Konan.�
�N-nani!? Me? Look, you�ve got the wrong girl!�
Miaka giggled nervously. She looked up at the emperor, expecting a scowl, but instead found him smiling.
�You have been chosen by Suzaku himself. He came to you. Your destiny is as the Suzaku no Miko. And you can have any wishes you want, granted that one wish is for the Konan empire.�
Miaka sat in stunned silence. No one around her said anything, nor moved. She hadn�t noticed the guards surrounding both sides, and wondered how long they�d been there. Shrugging it off, she looked up. If what Hotohori said was true, then she could at least help.
�Yoshi! I�ll do it!�
�Nani!?�
Genrou looked over at Miaka, wide eyed. Clearly he did not expect her to accept. He was praying that she didn�t accept. Because if she did�that would mean she�d find out that he was really�
�Tasuki.�
Genrou�s head shot up and he glared at the emperor. Hotohori paid no mind to it and turned back to Miaka.
�He is one of your seishi. As I am.�
Hotohori pulled down his collar a bit and a red symbol flared to life. Miaka�s eyes widened in awe. He then turned to Genrou and pointed.
�Show her your mark.�
�Like hell I will!�
Genrou was desperately trying to cover the already glowing mark under his shirtsleeve. Finally, having noticed Hotohori�s glare and Miaka�s confusion, he gave up. He pulled back his sleeve and unwrapped the bandage from around his arm. Underneath was a symbol. Miaka gasped lightly and scooted over to him.
�Nani?�
He watched as Miaka came to a seat next to him and gently traced the mark with her finger. He shuddered under her touch.
�Sugoi!�
She pulled back and smiled. Genrou blinked and just stared at the strange girl before him. Shaking his head, he turned back to Hotohori.
�So, you�re both my seishi?�
Both men nodded. She frowned slightly. What was all this? A bad joke?
�Can you elaborate? How do I become the Suzaku no Miko?�
�Well, there are other mikos. Genbu no Miko, Byakko no Miko, and Seiryu no Miko. Right now, Seiryu is looking for their miko. Once they have found her, they will launch an attack on Konan. We need you to gather the other five seishi. Only once all are gathered can Suzaku be summoned.�
Miaka nodded, trying to store the information in her brain for later use.
�So�I have to go find the remaining seishi, wish for peace, and then I get the last two wishes to myself?�
�Hai.�
�Can I wish for anything?�
�Anything.�
�Yoshi! Let�s get going guys!�
�Nani!?�
Genrou stared at her in shock. All he wanted to do was go back to the gang. He didn�t want to stay around with this so-called Suzaku no Miko.
�Gomen, Miaka. I can�t leave. It is my duty as emperor to watch over Konan.�
�Oh��
�But Tasuki will go with you.�
�I will?�
�Okay! Let�s go�eh�What should I call you, Gen-chan?�
�Tasuki, I guess. Genrou is just a nickname I have.�
Miaka nodded happily. Tasuki just shrugged and stood next to her. Hotohori smiled and stood.
�Let it be known! Yuuki Miaka is the Suzaku no Miko!�
Miaka and Tasuki watched in awe as the guards in the room fell down to one knee. A curtain was drawn and Miaka let out a startled gasp. Rows and rows of armored men kneeled, heads bowed in respect.
�Hotohori�how do I know who a seishi is?�
�Ahh�I almost forgot. Before you go, let�s check all of Konan. The more seishi you have, the better. Guards! Get the civilians lined up on the streets!�
�Hai!�
A mob of guards rushed out, their swords clanging against the armor. Miaka watched them leave, and then turned to Hotohori.
�You must be weary after learning all of this. Why don�t you both go rest? I will wake you when everything is situated.�
�Arigatou, Hotohori!�
Miaka chirped and skipped up to the emperor. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before hopping off towards the door, where two attendants stood, ready to show their guests to their rooms. Tasuki couldn�t help but glare at the blushing emperor. He shrugged off the feelings and followed Miaka.
~*^-^*~