Disclaimer: I don't own them and the idea for the role reversal came from the debate on the fyfanfictionML. Idea for Miboshi was stolen in part from WingSong2003, who graciously betaed this for me. Fuuka and Yuuma are from Shugyoku Den, the Tamahome Novel.
Notes: AU; role reversal of the Suzaku and Seiryuu no Seishi.
Tetsuya had just finished setting the table when he heard Miaka scream from the bedroom. Dropping the extra napkins he was holding, he ran to the bedroom and flung the door open. "Miaka!?" He cursed when he couldn't see her in the room. He checked the adjoining bathroom and every other room in the small apartment. Realizing that the only other way out of the room was through the bedroom window, Tetsuya felt his blood run cold. /She wouldn't ... no one could survive that./
He pulled hard on the window. It was locked, from the inside. Sighing, he collapsed against the windowsill. /She couldn't have gone that way. But then where the hell is she?/
"Miaka, this isn't funny. You know Yui and Keisuke will be mad when they get back." He rechecked the apartment twice before returning to the bedroom and sitting on the bed. "Sheesh, Miaka, quit acting like a kid and come out already. I admit defeat. You win." That was when he noticed the red leather-bound book lying on the floor.
"This is the book Yui had when I picked her up earlier. She said it belonged to some guy at her school." He picked it up and looked it over for a moment, before looking back toward the living room. Unconsciously, he carried it with him into the living room and sat down on the couch, deciding that the girls were playing some kind of joke on him, like they used to when they were younger. /Keisuke has to know what they're doing. He always does./
A few minutes later, the door opened, revealing Keisuke and a tall young man with dark brown hair. "We're back," Keisuke replied.
The other man rolled his eyes and nodded to Tetsuya. "Kajiwara. Tell me, you're his best friend, how can you stand being around this guy all the time? I only have two classes with him and he's about to drive me crazy."
"Practice," Tetsuya replied, a small smile crossing his face briefly. He stood, nodding to Kyoshi. "Trust me, you hang around long enough, you'll learn to ignore him as well as we have."
Keisuke made a face at his friend. "Where are the girls?" he asked, looking around the apartment.
"That's what I'd like to know." Tetsuya grabbed Keisuke's arm, pulling him toward the kitchen. Once they were far enough away, he glared at the elder Yuuki. "Enough games, Keisuke. Call them, find them, whatever. Just tell them to come out now and stop acting like children."
Keisuke raised an eyebrow. The look in his friend's eyes made him back up a step. "Whoa. What ARE you talking about?"
Tetsuya glared at the other man. "The girls, genius. I can't find them anywhere. Now where are they? And what have they got planned this time?"
"If they're up to something, I'm not in on it, I swear."
Kyoshi walked over to the couch, picking up the red book from where Tetsuya had laid it. He glanced through the first few pages, then at the other two boys. "I knew you guys were weird, but writing Miaka and Yui into a Chinese fairy tale? That's strange even for you, Keisuke."
"Fairy tale? Kyoshi what are you talking about?" Keisuke used the momentary distraction to get away from his agitated best friend. He looked at the book in the other man's hands and froze.
// ... following Miaka into the National Library's Reference room ...
... a flash of red light ...
... "Miaka!" ...//
Tetsuya placed a hand on Keisuke's shoulder. "Kei? You okay, man?"
Keisuke shook himself from his thoughts. Visions he had always chalked up to dreams suddenly came crashing down into reality. He took a few slow steps toward his sister's fiancee. "Not again ..."
~~~~~~~~~~
Yui jumped slightly when she heard a knock at the door of the small cottage and immediately hid. Soi smiled at her as she moved to answer. "Don't worry. They're friends," she replied. She opened the door to admit a rather tall man in armor, his long grey hair soaked from the rain. She used her hand to hide her smile at his appearance. "Tomo, it's good to see you again."
"I still don't understand why you choose to live out here, Soi. It's much safer for you at the palace. Although, I'm sure we have you to thank for this little storm," Tomo replied. He took the offered towel from the woman and quickly wrung the water from his hair. In his haste to leave the palace, he failed to secure the tie properly and the short trip on horseback had only succeeded in plastering the wet locks to his face.
Soi smiled, glancing toward the bedroom where Yui had ran to, only moments before. "I've had my reasons, old friend." She motioned for him to sit. "How is the Emperor doing? And none of that stuff his courtiers tell everyone."
Tomo raised an eyebrow at the slightly older woman. "Since when do you care about the Emperor? It's not like you've ever been a fan of his." He sat at the small table and scrutinized his hands, wiping away imaginary dirt that only he seemed to see. "But since you asked, the Emperor is well. It is on his behalf that I came here."
"No it isn't. You came here looking for the Miko." Soi chuckled at the stunned look on the other's face. "Don't play dumb with me, Tomo. I know more of your secrets than you do. He sent you to find the Miko, didn't he?"
Tomo chuckled softly. "Yes, he did. He sensed her arrival, but couldn't tell me where to search. So, I ... thought that you could help."
Soi nodded, disappearing into the bedroom. She returned a few moments later, followed by a young blonde in the strangest clothes Tomo had ever seen. "Tomo, this is Hongo Yui ... Seiryuu no Miko."
Tomo looked at Yui, quickly rising to his feet. "Soi, are you ... sure? Is it really her?"
Soi shrugged. "Unless you can find me another girl that appeared out of nowhere in a flash of blue light, I'd say she's our best choice." She glanced at the younger woman, hoping she would say nothing of her friend.
Tomo moved forward, bowing. "My lady, we have been awaiting your arrival."
Yui backed up slightly. "Don't ... do that, please. I'm just a high school student." There was another knock on the door and two young men came into the house, smiling slightly. At first, they looked identical, but upon closer examination, one had blue eyes, the other, green.
"Lord Tomo, sorry about this, but ... it's getting kind of wet out there," the blue eyed youth replied.
Rising to his feet, Tomo looked at the two boys and chuckled slightly. "Sorry about that. Come in, gentlemen. I have two ladies I'd like you to meet." He walked over to the two virtually identical boys and smiled, placing a hand on the shoulder of each boy as he spoke. "Lady Soi, Lady Yui, I'd like for you to meet Kotoku," the young man with blue eyes, "and Shunkaku," with green eyes.
Soi smiled at the two young men. "It is a pleasure to meet you both. I have heard a lot about both of you from Lord Tomo." /Better not mention the fact that they're Seishi right now. I doubt Lady Yui could handle all that information at once./
Yui smiled at the two men, her attention lingering for a moment on the one called Shunkaku. /That boy ... I know him. But, from where?/
"Well, as soon as the rain stops, we'll leave for the palace. I assume you'll have no problem going with us, this time, Soi?" Tomo caught the towels she threw at him and handed one each to the boys. "Go clean yourselves up, boys. We can't have the Emperor's guards looking like wet street rats, now can we?"
"Emperor's guards?" Yui looked at the two young men as they left then turned to her other companions. "They seem so young. Younger than me."
Tomo nodded. "They are in training. Have been since they were about seven. Soon, they'll be full members of the guard. Until then, they don't make a move unless I say so."
Yui nodded. She wasn't sure, but there was something about Tomo and even the boys that seemed ... wrong. Almost as if they weren't who they were supposed to be. /Miaka ... where did you go? And are you coming back?/
~~~~~~~~~~
As Keisuke finished explaining all of the details to his two friends, he watched them for signs that they didn't believe him. Last thing he needed right now was to have someone on their side who thought he was absolutely crazy.
"So, Miaka AND Yui were sucked into that thing," Tetsuya replied, pointing to the book. When the other man nodded, he started rubbing the bridge of his nose, forcing back the headache he knew was coming. "Ok ... if all of this is true, which I still have my doubts, how do we get them out?"
"We can't," Keisuke replied. The other two men glared at him and he threw up his hands in self-defense. "Not until the story is over. Only after they have summoned the Beast Gods can they return to our world. They've already been in too long for the other ways to work."
Tetsuya raised an eyebrow. "Other ways?"
Keisuke sighed. "Last time, Taitsukuun said that their will to return home would have been strong enough to send them back, but only at first. That was how Yui made it back the first time, I guess. Miaka ... was apparently distracted and didn't figure it out."
Kyoshi, who had remained silent until now, reached for the book. "Then, if what you're saying is true ... we have to keep reading. That's the only way to know what's happening to them, right?"
Keisuke placed a hand on his soon-to-be brother-in-law's arm. "Be careful, Kyoshi. I don't know what's going on, but the last time Miaka was in the book was right before she ... She may not come back the same woman you proposed to." /Not if she remembers Tamahome./
The brunette nodded, opening the book hesitantly. Remembering what Keisuke had said about the pages being blank until they found the right spot, he kept turning pages until he saw words starting to form.
"As the priestess of Suzaku was taken into the palace with the other prisoners, the Emperor was listening to a report from his brother, the Shogun. ..."
~~~~~~~~~~
"And you are certain of this, brother?"
Hotohori nodded. "Absolutely. I was beginning to have doubts, myself, but I received word from Suuon this morning. The bride you chose for him will suit our brother well, Heika." /But should something happen to him, her loyalties will lie elsewhere. Are you so certain that they will be with you, Tendoh?/
Tendoh sighed and placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "How many times must I tell you, Saihitei? When we are alone, you don't have to call me that. Am I such an ogre that you can't step out of your role as Shogun and just be my brother?"
"Of course not, 'Nii-san," Hotohori replied, smirking. /For now, I will be your brother. But soon, I shall be the one they call Emperor./ "It's just that I have become so accustomed to it that it is second nature. That, and we hardly have any time alone anymore."
"A problem I intend to fix once this business with Ougi is over with. Our brother seems to be forgetting his place. And just who it is that really rules this country. After all, as Emperor, it is my duty to ensure that Konan has proper heirs. And how can I do that without finding you a wife? I would find one for Yasuo, but he seems to think he is married to the Shrine."
Hotohori frowned. "Not this again, Tendoh, please. How many times must I tell you that I am not interested in marrying? Besides, Konan has it's heirs, your three sons and daughter. And I hear that two more of your concubines are expecting soon. So why do you worry over my marriage bed?" /Really, I thought mother died years ago./
Tendoh sighed, collapsing into the throne. "Because, brother ... I will not be around forever. And you, as a Suzaku Seishi, are in grave danger. I do not want to leave this country in the hands of the petty women of my harem, or of our dear brother."
"Then name an Empress," the younger Royal replied. "Once that is done, you will not have to worry about the petty quarrels of the harem. And don't say that none of them are worthy ... Houki, although of low birth, would make a fine choice. She is a strong woman that would not bend to the whims of courtiers and councillors. And she has already given you a son. What more could an Emperor ask? Do not make the mistake our father made and let the mothers of your children try to decide the future of your Empire."
The Emperor remained silent for several moments as he pondered his brother's advice. He then turned back to the younger man. "You may be right, Saihitei. But what of these prisoners you brought with you? I didn't think you ever took prisoners."
/I wondered when he would get to them./ Hotohori frowned. "I don't. There was something ... strange about those peasants. Especially the young girl. She must have been a traveler, those clothes were definitely not of Konan origin."
"Ah, then the rumors aren't true. My brother does notice women as well as men." Tendoh chuckled as that comment brought a slight blush to the Shogun's face that he would forever deny. He then thought about the rest of what he had heard. "You said her clothes were not of Konan origin? Did she say where she was from?"
Hotohori shrugged, disinterested. "Some place called ... Tokyo, Japan. No one seems to have ever heard of it, though. It's almost as if she-"
"Fell out of the sky?" Tendoh immediately jumped to his feet, pulling his younger brother with him as he quickly left of the room. "Take me to this girl. I want to see her NOW!"
~~~~~~~~~~
The Empire of Konan, though small in comparison to it's neighbors Hokkan and Sairou, is still vast enough that all four of the Emperor's sons could have taken a fourth of the land to govern and still lived quite happily. However, due to politics within his harem when his children were still young, he was forced to concede full control of Konan to his eldest son, Tendoh, while his younger brother, Ougi, acted as governor over the Western lands. The other sons chose to remain loyal to their eldest brother, Saihitei becoming his closest advisor and Shogun, while their youngest brother, Yasuo, hid in the wings, as a priest.
Though their mothers had never agreed on anything, the brothers had somehow managed to form something akin to an alliance, Ougi keeping an eye on the neighboring land of Sairou, keeping them in check after years of slow encroachment; while Tendoh continued his advances against the lands of Nyosei and Kutou. Saihitei kept order within Konan, while the youngest kept up the hopes of the people that the Suzaku no Miko would soon arrive. All in all, it was a pretty good set up for all four. As long as one brother never sought to exceed his limitations, all were happy.
Ougi glanced up from his advisors and motioned them to leave. "Send me my wife and my personal guards. I have no more use for you and your ridiculous prattle."
The advisors left his sides, being replaced moments later by his wife, a tall woman, with long black hair and brilliant green eyes. Fuuka bowed to her husband before moving to his side. "You called, husband?"
Ougi nodded. "I have something I wish to take care of. But first I wanted to make sure that you are well protected." He noticed the door open again and a group of men entered the room, all wearing black uniforms, emblazoned with the gold symbol of Ougi's court. Each man bowed before the Royal couple, then moved to stand off to the side. Ougi carefully counted the men, frowning when he noticed that two were missing. "Where are they, this time, Captain?"
The Captain stepped forward. "Still in Suuon, my Lord. They have found more conspirators in the latest assassination attempts from Sairou."
"Very well. As soon as they return, have them prepare for a journey. I want them to escort me to Eiyou." Seeing the stunned looks on everyone's faces, Ougi couldn't help but smirk. "The rest of you will stay here and guard the palace and my Lady wife."
"My Lord, forgive me, but ... the trip to Eiyou is a dangerous one. Surely you will need more than two guards." Fuuka would have never dared speak to Emperor Tendoh in such a way, but her husband had already proved that he was nothing like his elder brother. Ever since they had wed, she was treated with the same respect as his advisors. Anyone that dared mock her words on the basis of her womanhood was left to the mercies of the 'Emperor's favorites', a pair of young men that were deadly in battle, but could charm the ice off a mountain if necessary.
"Worry not, wife. I go there, not as the Western Emperor, but merely as a man to see his family. However, if you are so concerned, you may choose one other guard to go with me." Ougi leaned back in his throne, watching the faces of his guards.
He was slightly startled when Fuuka pointed to the young man next to the captain, without hesitation. "That one. I have seen him fight and I would trust him with my life and the lives of my family."
"Would you not then, want him here with you?"
Fuuka shook her head. "I will be safe within the walls of the palace. Any of our enemies would be fools to try and harm me with the entire Western Army stationed outside our walls. No, it would be better if he went with you."
Ougi smiled, kissing his wife's hand. He then turned to the guards. "You heard the Empress. Take your posts. And while I am gone, no one passes you. No matter whether friend or foe." He waited until they were gone, then looked back to his wife. "How can you have seen him fight? He has been away since your arrival here and only returned three days ago."
Fuuka smiled, dropping her eyes to the floor. "He is from the same village as I, my Lord. Yuuma was one of the best fighters I have ever seen. When I was younger, he and I ... he taught me how to fight. A trait, I'm surprised to say, that helped me survive in your brother's harem." She glanced up when he started chuckling.
"But surely there is more to it than that, if you give your trust so completely. All of my men are excellent fighters, my personal guards the best among them. He seemed rather unsurprised when you chose him. Almost as if he had been expecting it," he stood, taking her hand and walking to his personal balcony. "There's nothing I should be questioning you about, is there, wife?"
"No, my Lord," Fuuka replied, smiling. "Yuuma is my elder brother. I was rather pleased to find he was here, as well. I have not seen him in many years, but I know that he will serve you as well as if it were I that were going with you."
Smiling, Ougi kissed her hand. "Then I shall be as safe as the child within your womb. And I promise you, wife, I will be back long before our son is born."
~~~~~~~~~~
Tomo glanced at his companions and smiled slightly. Shunkaku had insisted that Lady Yui ride with him and Soi was on his own horse, so Kotoku had volunteered to ride a little ways ahead, watching for any signs of trouble. Last thing they needed right now was spies from Konan discovering Lady Yui's presence. Another reason he had insisted both women be cloaked. /The main reason,/ he sighed to himself, /is this damnable rain./
"Soi, are you sure there is nothing you can do?"
Soi chuckled, shaking her head. "I told you, I didn't start this storm. Stopping them takes more of my power than I am willing to use in Lady Yui's presence right now." She smiled, hearing him grumble about his hair again. She had helped him braid it to keep it out of his face, but now the braid was also coming loose.
Shunkaku heard him as well and was hard pressed to force back a smile. The last time he had done that in Lord Tomo's presence, he woke with nightmares for a week. "Lord Tomo," he replied, forcing his voice to sound even. "Perhaps we should have waited until the rain completely stopped?"
Tomo sighed, shaking his head. "I have no doubt the Emperor would have sent more guards to find us by then. We will just have to make ourselves as presentable as possible." He glanced up when he heard Yui giggle, smiling. "Did I say something funny, my Lady?"
"No," she replied. "But with your hair in that state ... presentable will be hard to do."
The others remained silent, waiting to see the illusionist's reaction. They visibly seemed to relax when he started laughing, not the irritating cackle he was known to use in battle, but a deep rich laugh. Yui smiled, watching the grey haired man as he pushed some stray locks from his face. She gasped slightly as they turned a corner and came into full view of the palace. It was larger than anything Yui had ever seen, but just like her companions, seemed vaguely familiar. /It's almost like this is some kind of weird dream I've had before./
She continued to stare in awe at her surroundings as they dismounted and met up with Kotoku, heading deeper into the palace. They walked for some time, seeming almost to be giving her time to get accustomed with her surroundings. She heard a noise off to the side and turned, freezing in place as she stared directly at golden figure of a dragon. /Seiryuu.../
Soi placed a hand on her arm and the younger woman nearly jumped. "Lady Yui, I promise to show you around personally after dinner. But first ..."
"The Emperor," Yui replied, quietly. She turned away from the statue, swearing to herself that is was NOT alive, it had merely been a trick of the light. She followed the others, her eyes now on the floor. /Is it ... true, then? Am I really Seiryuu no Miko?/ Though the rational side of her mind screamed that it wasn't possible, she found some small part of her hoping that it was true. As she heard Tomo's voice calling her by name, she glanced up, straight into the same blue eyes she had been seeing in her dreams for the last two years.
"My Lord Haotian, may I present Lady Yui of Japan." Tomo held out his hand to the young woman, his other hand reaching to lower her hood.
The young Emperor stood, watching them. He gasped slightly when he saw that the woman was like him, with dark blonde hair and blue eyes. /The same ones from my dream./ "Welcome to Kutou ... Priestess of Seiryuu."
