A Legend Reborn
Chapter 4
"My priests have been informing me that the gods have
become restless. There has been a great
disturbance...."
"I have become aware of it as well, no daa."
"My father was one of the warriors along with
Chichiri and Tasuki... In the end only three of the
seven survived... Tamahome, Tasuki, and Chichiri... I
have been told that my father died courageously in
battle while I was still in my mother�s womb...,"
Boushin reaches for his collar. He pulls it down to
reveal a red symbol. "I have been given the mark of
Hotohori, the sea snake, my father�s seishi name....
You, Ryunosuke, you are the new Tamahome...."
"How.... how did you know...?" Ryunosuke asks.
"When you saved Chisa, I saw the mark appear on your
forehead."
"Your highness," Shyoka says, showing him her open
palm, a red symbol appears.
"I see... You are the new Mitsukake..... Five of the
seven have already been gathered quite
effortlessly...."
Chisa seems to be deep in thought.
"Chisa...."
A voice breaks into her thoughts.
"Chisa, are you willing....?"
"Willing.....?"
"Willing to become the Suzaku no miko of the second
legend and save Konan?" the emperor asks staring
straight into Chisa�s eyes.
Chisa diverts her eyes from his glare. Her eyes
wander around the room for a moment, across the faces
of each person in the room.
"Would... would you mind... if I had a little time to
think this over....?"
"I understand... in the meantime, I would like for you
all to stay here, in the palace, as my personal
guests."
"Really?!"
"Here in the palace?"
"I�ll have your rooms prepared right away...."
"Staying in the palace.... I never dreamed I would
ever even see the inside.....!" Shyoka says.
"Feel free to explore as much as you like...."
"Thank you for your most gracious hospitality, your
highness," Shyoka says, bowing.
"Please, you may call me Boushin...."
Shyoka blushes again.
The emperor departs, leaving the five of them alone.
"I think I�m going to take a walk," Shyoka says, "Do
you want to come with me, Chisa?"
Chisa watches as Ryunosuke exits.
"Uh... no, thank you... I�ve got a lot on my mind and
I need to go do some thinking alone...."
"All right... I guess I�ll see you later then.... Just
don�t get lost!" Shyoka smiles.
***
"Please tell me that�s all we have to climb! I�m
pooped..."
Tamahome pulls Miaka up to a landing spot on the
mountain.
"It shouldn�t be much further...."
"Come on, Yui...," Tamahome takes hold of Yui�s hand
and helps her up as well.
"Thanks....."
"Is this the right mountain?"
"It better be! I�m not going to climb up every single
one of them, ya know!"
"I expected you three would come sooner or later..."
"Aaah!" Tamahome whirls around to come face to face
with the wrinkled face of Taiis-kun, "It�s the old
hag!"
"Nice to see you, too, Tamahome...."
"Taiis-kun! It�s really you!"
"Hey, you guys!"
Miaka hears a voice from behind Taiis-kun.
"We didn�t expect to see you back here......"
"And Nuriko and Hotohori and Chiriko and Mitsukake...
it�s great to see you all again...," she says
excitedly, "You all still look so young......"
"Well, we are dead after all, Miaka...," Hotohori
says.
"And you all look so..... old.....," Nuriko says.
"Miaka, you remind me of my mom...!" Chiriko laughs,
"All wrinkled and everything....."
Miaka shoots an annoyed look at Chiriko.
"Miaka! Tamahome! Yui! You�re here!!" Nyan-nyan
appears suddenly, hugging Miaka.
"Nyan-nyan! You look so much older.....!"
"Everyone�s grown some," she says, "except for the
ghosts over there...."
"How are Chisa and Misao?" Mitsukake asks.
"Actually, we don�t really know.....," Miaka says.
"Something happened and now..... they�re in this
world...," Yui explains.
"What?!"
"But what about the seal that Chichiri put on the
book? It was the strongest seal he could possibly
create!" Chiriko says.
"We don�t know... We were hoping Taiis-kun and the
rest of you could help us figure this out.....,"
Tamahome says.
"Come with me and I�ll explain as much of this as I
can...," Taiis-kun says. She begins to lead them up to
her temple high on top of the mountain.
***
"That must be the pond, over there, where the girl...
my mother.... almost drowned... I wonder which room
was hers....."
Day has faded into night as Chisa meanders around the
grounds of the palace, gazing at the beautiful
scenery, watching the sky as the stars come out
one-by-one, the moonlight dancing on the surface of
the water.
"What am I gonna do....? I�m just a normal
twenty-first century girl... How can I be expected to
take on something like this....?" Chisa holds the red
bird on her necklace on the tips of her fingers,
"Mom... it�s times like this I wish she was around to
tell me what to do... She would know.... and Dad,
too.... They went through all this... I still find it
somewhat hard to believe that the people in that story
were.... my parents... Where are they....? Didn�t they
come looking for me...? They must be worried.... And
what about Misao.....? What could have happened to
her?"
Not watching where she�s going, Chisa suddenly bumps
into someone.
"Hey! Watch where you�re goi...."
"Oops! Sorry about that....."
The someone was Ryunosuke.
"Did.... did I hurt you at all...?"
"Of course not....."
"I�m sorry... It just seems like I�m bumping into a
lot of things lately....," Chisa says.
Ryunosuke smiles causing Chisa to smile in return.
"I... I was just walking around the palace.... you can
join me..... if you want.....," Ryunosuke offers.
"Well...... all right....."
The two of them wander about the palace together,
neither of them saying a word.
"I�ve gotta say something.....," Chisa thinks.
"Umm...."
Suddenly she has Ryunosuke�s attention. His stare
makes her nervous.
"Uh... I meant to thank you.... for helping me earlier
today....," she stutters, "I guess I kinda forgot
about it..."
"It�s no problem...."
"No...., really..... you saved my life....."
The two stand in silence again.
"Gotta find something to talk about....! These
silences are too uncomfortable..." Chisa thinks. "Do
you mind if I ask, where are you from?"
"I�m from a little village just outside the city,"
Ryunosuke says, "So, what about you?"
"He�s going to think I�m a total nutcase... that is,
if he doesn�t already...," Chisa thinks, "Should I
really tell him...?" "Well, if you really want to
know... I�m from another world... twenty-first century
Japan... to be exact..."
"Oh....," Ryunosuke says, "I knew you were from
another world.... I just didn�t really know
where....."
"How.... how did you know....?"
"Well, if those legends are really true and you�re
really the priestess of those legends, then you
wouldn�t be from this world," he explains, "That�s
what the legend says anyway....."
"So... you... you don�t think I�m out of my mind...?"
"Why should I....?" he shrugs, "I mean, except for the
way you seem to keep running into things you seem like
a sane person....."
"Is that supposed to be some sort of compliment?!"
Chisa thinks.
Ryunosuke sits down on a step to a small pavilion near
the pond.
Hesitating a little, Chisa sits next to him.
".....beautiful....."
"What?!" Chisa whips her head around.
"...the stars... the Suzaku constellations are really
bright tonight......"
"...yeah.....the stars.....," Chisa says with relief.
"Look at them...," Shyoka thinks watching Ryunosuke
and Chisa from a distance, "After knowing each other
not even a full day.... I kinda hate to disturb them,
but..." "Hey, you two!"
"Hi, Shyoka! What�s up?"
"Well, the cook�s got dinner ready if your
interes...."
"Dinner?!" Chisa exclaims, "Good I�m starving! Well,
c�mon, Ryunosuke! Let�s go already! It�s time to eat!"
Chisa grabs him by the arm and drags him back to the
palace, all the way to the grand dining hall.
Shyoka smiles to herself.
***
Night has also fallen on Mt. Taikyaku. Taiis-kun has
set up bedding for Tamahome, Miaka, and Yui.... but
that doesn�t mean that any of them are really able to
sleep...
Yui lays in her bed dreaming.
"Mommy!"
"Misao?!"
"Mommy! Help me! Don�t let it get me! Mommy!"
"Misao! No.......!"
"....mommy......"
"NO!"
Rivers of tears begin to stream down Yui�s face. She
holds her wrist.
"You won�t get Misao... I won�t let you take her from
me...., Seiryuu......."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A Legend Reborn
Chapter 5
Chisa rubs her eyes, the bright morning sun
practically forcing them open. She sits up in her bed,
yawns, and stretches.
She takes a moment to look over her surroundings.
"I almost forgot where I was....," she thinks out
loud, "If I was home I�d probably be racing out the
door right about now...."
She dresses, this time in the clothes the emperor left
for her, and heads outside for a stroll around the
palace. She sees Shyoka sitting outside on a step.
"Oh.... Morning, Shyoka!"
"Morning!" she replies.
"So, do you know if breakfast�s ready yet?"
"Not yet, but it should be in a little while...."
"...mew..."
Suddenly, Mii-chan�s head pops out of Shyoka�s
sleeve.
"Oh! I didn�t realize you brought your cat with you."
"Yeah. He was asleep in the saddle bag on my horse! I
couldn�t have just left him at home by himself."
"Well hello there, Mii-chan!" Chisa says scratching
the cat�s head, he purrs loudly.
"Have you seen the emperor this morning?" Shyoka
asks.
"No, I haven�t. Why?"
"I was just curious....."
"I think he said he was going to be busy this
morning. Didn�t he say something about some meeting
with some officials....?"
"Oh, yeah...."
"Mornin�...."
"Ryunosuke.... Good morning...."
"They sent me to tell you breakfast is ready."
"It�s about time!" Chisa takes off.
Shyoka still sits on the steps with her cat.
"Uh.... Shyoka.... are you coming....?" Ryunosuke
asks.
"... Yeah, I�m coming...," Shyoka picks up her cat,
who had been chasing a butterfly, and follows
Ryunosuke back into the palace.
***
"Wake up! Wake up!"
"Huh....? Oh.... Nyan-Nyan....," Miaka groans.
"Good morning, Miaka! Good morning, Tamahome! Good
morning, Yui!" the sprite-like girl says cheerfully.
"It can�t be morning.....," Tamahome yawns.
"It is! Just look outside! The sun�s shining bright!
Wake up! Wake up!"
"It�s too early...."
"You can�t stay in bed all day!"
"Yes I can.... I�m warm and I�m comfortable...,"
Miaka says, "Tamahome, what about you?"
"I don�t mind if you don�t... Let�s just stay like
this all day....."
"Oh, Tamahome....."
"Miaka........"
The couple snuggle closer together.
"Some things never change......"
"It�s amazing... They�ve been married almost eighteen
years and they *still* act like a couple of love-sick
teenagers!" Yui says.
"Makes ya kinda sick. Huh, Yui?"
"Shut up, Nuriko!" Miaka snaps.
"Just ignore them, Miaka.....," Tamahome says.
"All right, now it�s REALLY time to go up! *clink*"
Nuriko clinks his bracelets together and takes hold of
one end of the mattress.
"NURIKO!!"
"PUT THE MATTRESS DOWN!!"
"WE�LL GET UP! REALLY WE WILL.....!"
*THUD*
Miaka and Tamahome find themselves in a heap on the
floor.
"Owwwww!! That hurt, Nuriko!"
"NURIKO!!!! Grrrrrr... If you weren�t a ghost and I
could get my hands on you.....!" Tamahome growls.
"Don�t you even remember what you�re here for?"
"Aaah!" Tamahome turns to face Taiis-kun again,
"Would you stop sneaking up on me like that,
Taiis-kun?!?!"
"Oh! So you do know my name, Tamahome! Listen, we
have a lot to do and much to discuss."
"I know....."
"You�re right... Let�s get started right now!...
Well, after breakfast anyway......"
***
"Chichiri, Tasuki, are you leaving?" Chisa asks
seeing the two men saddling their horses.
"We have some business to attend to, in the
mountains, no daa."
"We�ll be back in a day or two," Tauski says as he
straps his bags onto his horse.
"All right.... have a nice trip....."
"Bye!"
"...Okay... Now will you tell me what this is all
about....?" Tasuki waits till they are a safe distance
from the palace.
"Taiis-kun is summonsing us to Mt. Taikyaku, no daa."
"Really? Why just us and not Chisa and the others,
too?"
"I don�t know, no daa."
"What do you mean you don�t know?!"
"All I know is that now I sense familiar chis that I
haven�t sensed in a long time, no daa."
"You mean......?"
Chichiri nods.
"What are we waiting for then?! Come on! Let�s go!"
Tasuki speeds his horse into a gallop.
***
"*yawn* What time is it, Keisuke?" Tetsuya asks
rubbing his eyes.
"uh..... about three in the morning...," Keisuke
squints at his wristwatch.
"Really? How about we take a break? We�ll just leave
the book laying open right there. It should be fine
for a couple of hours."
"I have no problem with that..... *yawn*"
"How long has she been asleep?"
"I don�t know.... I guess I should get something to
cover her up with...."
"Keisuke.....?"
"Oh! She lives! Mornin�, Rei."
"*yawn* Is it really morning?"
"About three....."
"Have you two been up all this time?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, I know all of this is really important, but you
need sleep. Why don�t you let me read while you two
rest for a while?"
"Really? Thanks, Rei."
"You boys just get some sleep."
"I really appreciate you helping out, honey."
"It�s no problem."
"G�night...."
"Good night, you two."
Rei fixes herself a cup of coffee and then returns
with it to the living room. She picks up the book and
begins to skim through it a little.
"�The young girl tells the emperor of her decision to
accept her role as the Suzaku no miko...,�" she reads,
"What?! Where is this coming from?! I bet the pages
got turned on accident. I better go back a little so I
can figure this out... Ah... That should do it... A
carnival, huh....?"
***
"A carnival?"
"It�s an annual thing. You wanna go?"
"Do I?! Of course!"
"Great!"
The hours pass by slowly until the sun finally sets
and it�s time for the festival.
*knock knock*
"Chisa! Are you ready yet?" Shyoka says.
"Come on in!" Chisa calls through the door.
"Wow! You look fantastic!"
"Thanks. So do you, Shyoka! That dress is absolutely
beautiful!"
"Well, let�s go!"
They come upon Ryunosuke in the hallway.
"Aren�t you going to the carnival, Ryunosuke?"
"I didn�t even think about it...."
"You wanna come with us?"
"I guess so...," he shrugs, "Just let me get
changed."
"Great! Looks like everybody�s going....."
"Except..... the emperor...."
Chisa thinks for a minute and then takes off.
"Where are you going, Chisa?"
"I�m going to ask Boushin if he�s wants to go!"
"The emperor....? But Chisa.....!"
"We can�t just leave him by himself, the poor guy!"
Chisa says, "Don�t worry. I�ll be back in a sec!"
"....oh Chisa...." Shyoka sighs.
Chisa comes to the emperor�s chamber door and gently
raps.
"Enter...."
"Um... Hi, Boushin...," Chisa says carefully pushing
the door open.
"Oh! Hello, Chisa! What brings you here?"
"Well, the rest of us were headed to the festival in
the city tonight and.... well.... we were wondering if
you wanted to come, too..."
".....I don�t think that would be possible......"
"Why not? Just because you�re the emperor doesn�t
mean you can�t have a little fun! You need to get out
and see the city!" she says, "Here....," Chisa hands
him a mask, "You can wear this. No one will recognize
you!"
Boushin looks over it thoughtfully.
"....All right.... I�ll go....."
"Good! Now everybody�s going!"
"Please allow me to change quickly and I will join
you shortly."
"Of course...."
Shyoka waits impatiently for Chisa to return.
"So....?"
"I had to kinda convince him, but he�s coming!"
"Really?!"
"Who? The emperor? Is that really such a good idea?"
"He�ll be wearing a mask, Ryunosuke. No one will
recognize him!"
"Well, how do I look?"
They turn to see the emperor standing behind them in
traditional festival clothing.
"You look great, your highness!"
"Thank you, Shyoka...."
"So is everybody ready?"
They respond with a �yes� in unison.
"Well, let�s go!"
The four of them head out to the main street of Konan
where the carnival is being held. All kinds of Chinese
lanterns and other decorations adorn the various
booths, shops, and restaurants. They walk up and down
the street, sampling food and playing the games,
laughing, talking, and just having fun.
"Even at night this city is full of life.... The
people... all of them... young and old.... They each
have their own life..... their own thoughts... their
own dreams...," Chisa thinks, "They may not be so
peaceful forever... If this legend stuff is really
true... then... I don�t want to think about this...
I�ve been trying to hide it, but this priestess thing
has really been worrying me.... I�m here to have
fun... I don�t want to think about it... But... how
many of these people could die... because I was too
selfish..., too busy trying to forget about them
instead of helping them...? This is such a big
task.... Am I really up to it...? It may be... my only
way home..."
"Chisa? Chisa!"
"....Hmmmmmm? Oh! Shyoka....."
"What are you doing just standing there?! Come on!
The guys are waiting!"
"All right...."
***
"I never imagined my first double date would be to an
ancient Chinese carnival!" Chisa giggles to herself,
"*yawn* I�m beat.... I�m definitely ready to hit the
sack!..... I wonder what time it is anyway....."
Chisa peeks out her window to see Boushin and Shyoka
still outside talking.
"...They seem to be getting along pretty well... Oh!
They�re coming in... I better shut this so it doesn�t
seem like I was spying or anything...." She blows out
her candles and lays down on her bed.
There�s a knock on her door.
"Hold on!" Chisa quickly throws a robe on over her
night gown and answers the door, "Emperor
Boushin....."
"I just wanted to thank you Chisa.... for tonight... I
appreciate the invitation... I must say I enjoyed
myself..."
"Well, I�m glad! You see? You need to get out every
once in a while.... And with that mask no one
recognized you!"
"You would not mind if.... if I were to keep it....?"
"Go ahead! It�s yours....."
"Thank you...."
"If you�ll excuse me, your highness, I�m extremely
tired....."
"Certainly.... Good night, Chisa....."
"G�night...."
Boushin turns to walk away.
"Uh..... Boushin.....?"
"Yes, Chisa....?"
"Is.... is that priestess job still open......?"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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