Written by: Hoshihikari4ever
Summary:
Sequel to The Untold Legend (please read that)
According to Suzaku's legend, when the Konan is about to fall, a priestess will appear, gather the seven Seishi, summon Suzaku and save Konan, from destruction. According to Hotohori, the faceless Miko in his dreams was his destined mate, destined to bring him out of his loneliness as emperor, fall in love with him and become his empress.
Before either of these legends was fulfilled, disaster fell upon Konan. Now Miaka must learn to cope with the losses. Is Konan going to decline? Is it too late to save Konan and fulfill the legends, or is there still hope?
Spoilers Warning: OVA 3
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Parings: Miaka and Hotohori
Chapter 1 Empress
Miaka slowly woke up to the sound of singing birds. Her eyes were swollen, and red from crying. She slowly sat up, not realizing where she was, until she saw Hotohori, eyes closed, resting on his bed, a smile across his face.
"Hotohori…. time to wake up…." She mumbled. There was no response. She felt his hand, and it was cold, even colder then ice. His lips were purple. She leaned her head on his chest and noticed that his heart did not beat, nor did his pulse. By the looks of it, he had been dead for more then a couple of hours.
Fresh tears rolled down Miaka's checks, landing on the emperor's face, as she recalled how she had lost two of her Seishi in one night.
Why, why was I so stupid? Why didn't I listen to Chichiri and Tasuki? Why didn't I follow my heart and choose the one I loved.
Miaka blamed herself for what had happened to Tamahome and Hotohori. How she couldn't be there for them, when they needed it the most. How she had relied on her Seishi, for everything.
They've e done so much for me risked everything for my sake. I've only seemed to cause trouble. I never had done anything right. I owe, my Seishi so much. So much, that I won't be able to do anything to repay them.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Who….who…is it….?" She choked on the words, not wanting anyone to see her in this condition. "Miaka….do you mind if we come in no da…." "We completely understand if you don't." Tasuki added. They sounded extremely concerned. Miaka heaved a sigh, and then opened the door. She was surprised to see many people standing outside.
Miaka, dried her tears, seeing Tasuki, Chichiri carrying a dead Tamahome, and Hotohori's whole assembly of advisors, all looking grave. "Umm…umm…come in…" Miaka mumbled, not knowing what else to do, unable to find herself to decline to the groups presence.
Miaka sat down on the bed, with Hotohori's head on top of her lap. No one spoke for a while. Chichiri and Tasuki laid Tamahome's body down on the side of the room.
"They look so sweet together don't you think so…." One of the advisors spoke up. "Yes, they do, Heika-sama looks as if he's sleeping, so peaceful, he even has a smile…" Miaka did not speak, wondering why they were all here, perhaps to pay last respects to the emperor.
"He was so admirable, so honorable, putting the whole country ahead of himself. He did so much, exceeding our expectations." The others nodded in agreement. "Meeting you all, the Seishi has made him this much happier. Knowing you all, and the Miko…." The speaker glanced at Miaka, his voiced trailing off near the end.
Chichiri herd this and so took this chance to change the subject. "Miaka how are you…" She didn't reply. She wanted to say she was fine, but couldn't. "I…I…I…." was all she managed before bursting into tears. "I'll take that as a no….no da…" "I'm fine….I really am…." Miaka didn't want to show how weak she was now, not in front of everyone.
"It's alright Suzaku no Miko, it's alright to cry…" Miaka stared at the advisor who seemed to be the oldest. he paused. "I've known Heikia-sama since he was a young child, I'm sure he will say the same." Miaka only nodded, keeping silent. The silence prevailed awhile, until one by one they kneeled before her and the emperor. Miaka did not seem to notice, since she thought, there were being respectful toward their emperor.
"I know this isn't the best time no da…." "but Miaka we hope you will agree." "Would you Suzaku no Miko save Konan…." Miaka seemed speechless at the sudden change. Though only three spoke, she felt that this was probably rehearse before they came. "I can't even summon Suzaku…. how can I save Konan? I'm sorry, I've failed you all haven't I, lost 5 of the Seishi, and the emperor…." The oldest advisor shook his head. "No, you have done to the best of your ability's and we do not blame you…." "yes, do not blame yourself either Miaka…." "There is so much ahead of us, we must move on. Move on, for the sake of Konan, for the sake of the people…no da…." "but what can I do, I screw up. I can't do anything, I never did anything but get myself into danger!"
"No, that is not true. You showed us how to love, to live life to it's fullest…" "you held our bond between Seishi and Miko. You kept us together during our toughest times, gave us hope and courage." "I messed up….though, I screw up everything!" "you told us never to give up, you showed us to persuade in our dreams, our goals, to never give up, to fight to the end. You place everyone before you…." "well maybe, I suppose…."
"And now Miaka, we ask for a favor, no da…" "A favor… What kind…." "On behalf of the people in Konan, on behalf of the passed emperor…." "we would be greatly honored…." "Honored no da….if you would step on onto the throne…." "and rule Konan at his side….at Hotohori-sama's side…as his beloved wife…." Miaka sat there stunned, unable to reply; instead, she glanced down at the man who lay on top of her. She stroke his hair letting her hand land on his neck, to the place where his mark was.
"Please Suzaku no Miko, we beg you to do so…." The group bowed down over and over again. "I…I…I" "please accept Miaka…." "Yes, Miaka no da…for the sake of Konan, for the sake of the citizens who live here…and for Hotohori-sama…grant his last wish…his only wish…." "Hotohori…." Miaka whispered. "For his sake, for your sake, for the people's sake, please Miaka…" "he died protecting his people, he died protecting you….it is his dream, please all we ask is to fulfill it…." "save Konan…save Konan please….we humbly ask you to…."
Miaka sighed. She fully understood their prospective. Konan had lost nearly everything. It was on the road of declination. She was their hope, the light that flickered in the darkness, threaten by Kuto, threaten to be distinguished. In a way, she was trilled to be empress. She did belive it was now up to her to save Konan as much as possible.
"but if I agree…." All heads tilted up, with hope. "well, you see I'm only 15." "So what, Hekia-sama became emperor when he was 13, 14 years of age." "yeah, but he had help, he had you guys to guide him…" The advisors smiled. "Ah yes, you have no idea of how to rule do you." "well we will help you, guide you as we have done with Hekia-sama…." "We swear, the day we first met, to serve you, as Suzaku no Miko, knowing full well, that you will one day become empress." "how did you know…." They smiled. "He's practicality dreamed you to life… the women in his dreams, the one to bring him out of lioness, to see him as a man and not just the next emperor…." "Oh, Hotohori…." She mumbled quietly. Of course she knew he loved him from the start, but she never really had time to register that thought, since she had been wrapped up in Tamahome.
"So you agree, Suzaku no Miko…" Miaka slowly nodded. "Yes, I will be Konan's empress…." "Thank you…thank you sire…" Miaka giggled at being addressed that way, but pulled herself together, not wanting to be embarrassed.
"Umm…well, first things first…" she touched Hotohori, hugging him. "I think, I think they need to be buried…" then added with an extra thought. "properly buried…" "yes…I agree….no da….." "A proper ceremony would be set up…." "thanks…."
* * *
"Here on this grieving day, we bury two fallen warriors." The priest spoke softly. "The Suzaku King, and his fellow warrior Tamahome."
Miaka stood in between the bandit and the monk, slightly in front, clutching onto each of their hands for support. Chichiri's mask was off, letting tears run freely from the uninjured eye. Tasuki too was crying, his face wet with tears.
"The fourth emperor of Konan, Saihitei Seishuku died protecting his country till the end, protecting his Miko….and Tamahome died, in hopes of protecting the emperor…." There was no mention of past and recent events. Most of the truth was covered up.
The priest continued. "Both died at the hands of our enemies, the Kuto Shogun and Seiryuu Seishi Nagako…" Miaka's eyes lit up, as that was mentioned. She did not hear anymore as she let her thoughts wonder.
Nagako! That is right! This is his fault! Without him, we would have summoned Suzaku in the first place. Without him, there will be no more deaths at all. Nagako, you will pay for this! I swear, Suzaku, I swear he will die! I swear I will kill him.
"Hekia-sama…" Miaka looked at the priest. "The ceremony is over, shall I leave you and the Seishi here alone?" Miaka nodded. The rest bowed before leaving.
Miaka, Tasuki and Chichiri walked up to the grave. Miaka touched Hotohori's tombstone. Staring at it, as if transfixed, and unbelieving that it was there. Finally she lifted her hand and touched Tamahome's tombstone.
"Hotohori, Tamahome…." She whispered. "I swear, I swear, from today on, I will fight." The two Seishi looked at her, wide eyed at first, but relaxed, seeing Miaka's determined face. "I will fight Nagako, I will fight Yui. I will fight to protect. I will fight for Konan. I swear Hotohori, I swear, I will have revenge, I swear I'll avenge all of the Seishi's death." She paused. "I shall fight to my end, I shall fight to the day I die, to the day, I can be reunited to you." Miaka glanced at her two Seishi, waiting for a reaction. "and we swear Hotohori no da…" "we swear to guide Miaka, to protect and serve her for eternity. We swear to remain loyal forever." "We swear to fight no da, to fight at Miaka's side to fight till the end…."
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Done! Tell me what you think! Is it good, is it bad? Should I continue? Reviews greatly appreciated. READ/REVIEW! ^_^