Treading in the Mist…

Disclaimer: I shall hereby declare that I do not own Fushigi Yuugi or any of the characters in that series. They all belong to Yuu Watase. But I do lay claim over Aredhel, who happens to be a creation of mine. If somebody wishes to use her…do they? Really? Who needs a Topology Student anyway?... they need to ask me first as being her creator, I rule supreme! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!! Ahem… okay… on with the story!

Author’s Notes:

Hello there folks! Most of you might not know of it... but there's a war going on in Sri Lanka. And a lot of people are getting the short end of the rope there. If you could pray for the civilians who are stuck there (any other form of help will also be appreciated!), I'm sure it will mean a lot to the ones suffering there! Now, on with the story!

I’d like to thank the following reviewers! Thanks a bunch people! I love you all! *group huggle*

Veronicastefan: Thank you for the favs and I hope you like this chapter! :D

kt: Aww... Thank you! And enjoy!

hermonine: Ah! Hisashiburi desu ne! It's great to hear from you again! Hope you like the new chappie!

luciana: I know what you mean about the emperor of Khutou... Oh well... hopefully things will work out for our Aredhel! Hope you like this chapter!

sophie-21: I've updated! And do let me know what you think!

karina: Here you go! Hope you like it!

Lady Seiryu: Oh yes! You will know what is happening in your domain... Don't you worry, milady! Oh... while you're at it, can you please get me some of Seiryu's Chocolate pocky? He refuses to share!

Warrior-of-the-Flames: Ah! procastination... such a wonder word! LOL I'm doing the same here! Got loads of reports to write and I'm only halfway through! Hang in there! The best is yet to come! ;D

Miorochi: And your questions will be answered... She'll soon find out ne...;D

Aoihand: believe me, I'm always glad to have the approval of my readers! :D And hope you like this installment just as well!

On with the story now!

Note to self No.15:
An idol’s only an idol!

I drew breath laboriously as I stood there before the idol, my fists clenched close…

I then turned to my left once more… hoping that perhaps Seiryuu wasn’t there… perhaps I was hallucinating? Perhaps I needed a good bonk up the head? But when I did turn my eyes to the left, I found Seiryuu standing there, his glare suggesting he was not happy with whoever… or whatever was occupying his place in the shrine.

This cannot be!

Seiryuu must’ve heard what I thought, being a God, and smiled bitterly.

“I am afraid it is so, Miko.”

I turned to stare at my seishi wondering if any of them had heard Seiryuu speak. They were still mutely staring at the idol and at the imposter who resided within. They weren’t able to hear him?! I glanced back at the dragon god, wondering what was going to happen.

“It is not I who is being worshipped here anymore… and the blind cannot be taught to see.” And with that, he vanished.

“Aredhel-sama, aren’t you praying?” I heard Soi ask.

I nodded as I turned towards the idol once more.

I know you are not Seiryuu and I do not offer my respects to you… whoever you are!

I barely tilted my head downwards and the next moment, I turned around. The last thing I wanted was to be seen worshipping this thing!

And soon, we were out of the shrine.

“What did you pray for, Aredhel-sama?” Suboshi now walked beside me. He was smiling.

“Ah… what else would I pray for? For peace to prevail in all four lands, of course!”

Someone coughed at this and when I turned back, I found Tomo trying a little too hard to control his mirth. I sighed. If I expected my seishi to accept my idea for peace between Khonan and Khutou, I would be expecting too much… too soon. But then again, I was the Seiryuu no Miko. They could not gainsay what I proposed. And I was glad for the first time that my word would be the ultimate decision.

Or so I hope!

“Your Eminence, you do jest well!” Tomo had spoken.

“Oh do I, Tomo? Why thank you! Humor does lighten one’s burden, they say! But I’m very serious about peace to prevail, my friend!” I turned back and winked at him, earning an irritated stare. I knew he wanted me to be irked. But I couldn’t afford to let my seishi have any reasons to stop co-operating.

“Nakago.” The general turned as he heard his name. I smiled at him.

“Maybe you could have dinner with me? It would be awfully lonely having dinner alone!”

His stare was a calculating one. I wondered what went on behind those cerulean eyes. He was silent for a while before replying,

“It would be an honor, Aredhel-sama.” He bowed.

I nodded satisfied and turned to the corridor to the left. If there was one thing that being in Hotohori’s palace taught me, it was to identify corridors and rooms quickly in this maze of a palace. And Shoukitei had gone through great pains to make this palace as grand as possible!

I then turned to Soi only to find her sad and her eyes downcast. This caused my brows to shoot up.

“Soi… are you alright?” I asked her. She started back to reality before fixing her gaze upon me.

“It is nothing, Aredhel-sama.” She cast her eyes downwards again and sighed.

There was something that seemed to bother her and I wanted to know what.

“Say… Soi… could you accompany Nakago for dinner? I would dearly like to know how you met each other before I came! On second thought, I want all the seishi to come if possible.”

“Er…Miko-sama, I am afraid I need to perform for the emperor tonight!” Tomo cooed. I smiled as I nodded,

“That is okay, Tomo-san! Maybe some other time then!”

“Miko-sama, I do not think you should tax yourself so. Arranging a meeting tonight will be a little too much on your health. Right after the incident in the morning, you need rest.”

I smiled at the shogun who had spoken.

“Your concern over my health is really amicable, Nakago. Oh well… then Soi and Nakago shall be free at least?”

The seishi remained silent as Nakago nodded in acquiescence.

“Much better! Maybe the ‘boshi’s can have dinner with me tomorrow? You know… dinner with the Miko! We could chat and get to know each other better ne?” I smiled at Amiboshi who blushed and rubbed his neck.

I was aware of how Tomo and Miboshi glared at the young seishi.

Sigh… achieving harmony is going to be a loooooong process, isn’t it!

Dinner with the Miko…Idiot!

I mentally smacked myself as I stared at the plate in front of me. The shogun sat beside me and Soi on my other side! It had been an hour since they’d come and the most uncomfortable silence still reigned over us.

Soi kept giving Nakago furtive glances every now and then and Nakago seemed really interested in what was on his plate.

I sighed…

“Nakago, keep staring at your plate for much longer and your olives would sprout legs and run away!” I stated wryly. He merely chuckled as he placed his chopsticks down.

“What else does Aredhel-sama suggest I do?”

I smiled as I replied earnestly, “Second helpings anyone?” And as though summoned, a maid servant appeared out of nowhere, ready to serve the rice. It was a good thing I was used to this kind of appearances…

Nakago shook his head as he took up his goblet.

“I have had my fill, thank you.”

I smiled as I turned to Soi.

She nodded meekly and allowed the servant girl to serve her some rice. As the girl was about to vanish again, I called out,

“Thank you, Meilin!” She gasped as she bowed low and retreated with a visible light footedness in her steps.

“Your eminence seems to indulge rather too much in the servants and their welfare!” Nakago stated albeit sardonically.

I shrugged as I took up my own goblet and sipped from it.

“They are not my slaves, Nakago. They merely work for me for a wage the emperor pays. And I daresay he doesn’t pay them much. They are independent people who make up this country. And they are the ones I should be protecting. They are the purpose of my existence. So… I think it’s rather a required protocol that I treat them with respect.”

I raised my goblet in a toast.

“Your eminence thinks in ways that are quite alien to us.” Soi’s voice sounded softly. I smiled. Who was I kidding if I thought they’d appreciate my democratic opinions so quickly and without complains?

“And it seems there are many old ways that need to be changed, Soi.” I smiled.

Soi did smile back but I did not miss the dark look that was forming on the Shogun’s face.

There were fireworks exploding in the night sky as I walked out to my balcony.

“Celebrations?” I mused only to hear Nakago chuckle.

“It is for you, Aredhel-sama… to celebrate your arrival…” I was a little taken aback as I heard that!

“To celebrate my arrival?”

He merely nodded. There were sounds of exhalation from beside me. I turned to look at the shogun beside me. He seemed tired… his hair was still as glorious as I had ever remembered, he still carried himself with the pride of a snow leopard… but still… he seemed tired. And it surprised me when I noticed that I could read this man so much more than I could read Hotohori. Was it because of the bond we shared?

“Nakago…” he turned to give me his trademark look. One that was as stoic as the faces of the mountains.

Silence dragged for a while. A smile slowly crept up his face as he fully turned to face me.

I smiled a little embarrassed. I didn’t know what I would tell him. But I just needed to talk to someone… And for some reason, I felt Nakago would be the best person to do that.

“Aredhel-sama is tired.” He stated. I nodded.

“You must rest. I shall leave you now.” He’d turned to go when I grabbed onto one corner of his cape. His footsteps drew to a halt as I tugged at it. I looked down a little down as I clutched onto the cape even tighter. Someone sighed and Nakago was walking back towards me.

I looked up to find him staring at me. But I found myriad emotions in those eyes that day. I’d just expected him to be smiling a little amused… or a little angry even! But he stood there, staring at the cape and my hand with a tinge of sadness and confusion.

And it struck me. Even after the fiasco that was ‘Dinner with Miko’, I hardly knew anything about him. And I needed to know his past… I had been complaining that I was feeling lonely. But one look at the shogun and I suddenly realized… I wasn’t the loneliest.

I smiled as I walked up to him and left the hold I had over his cloak. He still stared at me, confused.

“Good night, Nakago…” I reached up to hug him, and he bent down to return the hug.

It wasn’t a hug that was shared between lovers… nor one between siblings… It was something out of this world and it brought me peace – almost like all my sorrows were dissipating into the night air! When we broke up, I smiled up at the shogun and for some reason; I couldn’t keep the tears away.

“Aredhel-sama… what is the-?”

“It’s nothing, Nakago.” I stroked his hands that I still had in my grasp.

“Thank you, Nakago. I’m glad we could talk.” I did realize my voice was clearer and more cheery. He lowered his eyes as though he didn’t want me to see what ran in his mind. But I couldn’t care less at the moment. Slowly I shall win over all my seishi… we would be a family. I would save Khutou. And save it from the imposter who now resided in the shrine.

It was a surprise what a small gesture like a hug could do to people. It would be many days before I would begin to understand just how much!

Author’s Note: That brings us to the end of yet another chapter folks! I found the moment between the Shogun and the Miko a joy to write! ^__^! So many emotions! So many secrets… Oh! LOL I might just write a fic where Nakago is the central character…wait… he is the central character here ne? Oh well! Wait and watch how the story shall unfold! And keep those reviews coming! ;D

Yours in fellowship,

Anarya of Lorien