autumnleaf16

Alright, due to being busy I didn’t get time to type out my other blog entries yet, they are some of the stuff that has been happening in my daily life. I guess the reason is I have been giving my diary more priority then my blog, but putting this story up is easier because it’s all typed up already, I just need to type in a introduction for it. But hopefully I should be updating this weekend again.
I forgot to mention this but this is a fan fiction, so I own nothing. Also, if you actually like my stories then please go to fanfiction.net, and search for autumn_leaf16 as that site has all my fan fictions that are…properly written (random ones in my mind doesn’t count). 

By the way, something that I really like Watase-sensai is her attitude to fanfiction. Not only does the encourage them, she believe in their creativity: she wrote in one of her author’s note in Fushigi Yugi that she believe that when someone write a fanfiction, they are actually writing their own work. Even if it is based on her own creation. She really like to read fanfiction as well, and even claim that she want to read them. This is what she said in one of the author’s note: “Some people send me fanfictions, it’s really fun! ‘There must be a lot of people who send these to you.’ That is not true, everyone is just being sneaky by enjoying it themselves (laugh). Some people say ‘The author will get angry!’ I tell you, everyone is different…so it doesn’t matter (laugh)! Everyone be brave!!! If I was in Japan I would love to write letters to her.

What else…oh yes, I thought I better mention now that Yui would not be coming out until the very end, and her role is that of a pure observer who reads the book, basically she is doing the role of Miaka’s brother.
Alright…part two! the official first chapter.

What happened last time: Houki Yuri arrived in the universe of the four gods and through a twist of fate, she ended up as one of the concubines for the emperor, and upon seeing her, Hotohori immediately felt in love with her. The two of them married after three months, when Yuri realized that she loved him as well. Now, two years had passed since the day they married…




She knelt down in front of the statue and clasped her hands together, bending her head down reverently. Despite her status she was dressed very simply in a plain dress, with her long hair brushed, but unbound.
Even as she prayed, tears made their way down her cheeks. She had begun to cry alone again, for the fear of distressing Hotohori with her tears. But she had to weep, as she was starting to fall into a depression.
When she married Hotohori and became the Houkigou, she thought that she would always be happy because she was in love with one who loved her so much too. Her mistake was that she forgot that while the emperor was above all, he was also bound to each and every one of his people. In a way he was in charge of every one’s freedom, but yet he lacked his own freedom.
Thus he must fulfil the duty to his people: to produce an heir.
Although Hotohori loved her deeply, he could not prevent the rumours that were spreading around, that she was barren. As after one and a half year, there was no sign of her being pregnant at all. One and a half year…that was when she began to loss her original great happiness.
Once again, she begged Suzaku to give her a child, as she had done for the past three months. She was sure that he had the power to grant her wish, as he was the one to give all this to her. Yuri wasn’t even praying for a son, she was just praying for a child: as that would show Konan that she was capable of producing a child.
The worst part was that Hotohori’s advisors were constantly pressuring him to elect a more fertile concubine, after his blunt refusal they actually turned to her, begging her to persuade him for the greater good of Konan.
How could any one expect a woman who loves her husband to tell him to be with another woman? Especially not her, who was from a society that forbid bigamy. (1)
It was beneath her dignity but she had lost her temper and ended up throwing a vase at the most outspoken advisor. Hotohori had held her very tightly that night and promised her that he would never do such a thing.
But she was still afraid, because it was his duty to produce an heir, and if he really had to then there would be nothing that she could do to stop him.
She did not even wanted to think about such a thing, that he would be making love to another woman, even if it was just for the sake of conceiving a child, and that another woman would gave him what she so desperately wanted to give him herself.
Deep down in her heart she began to wander whether she was punished for not telling Hotohori her real origin and therefore failing to be the priestess of Suzaku, could this be her punishment? But as always, she pretended that was not possible.
He placed his hand gently on her shoulder, and used the other one to drape one of her finest robes onto her, he then knelt in front of the altar beside her.
“You finished court very early today.” she forced her voice to remain very calm, and hoped that the tear stains were gone.
“I am required to go on a procession later, so the court ended a bit early.” He answered gently, taking her hands into his. “I went to your chambers and your maids told me that you are praying here. They also said…” the sadness in his voice was easily audible to her. “That you have spent the past three months praying to Suzaku when I leave you to go to court every morning.”
Yuri bent her head down, feeling the urge of crying again due to the tenderness in his voice, and the love in his eyes.
“I am very worried for you, Yuri.” He stated quietly. “I can tell that you have been crying even if you do not do it in front of me, and…”
“I am not sick.” She interrupted quickly.
“Not in body, no. But you are depressed, and that might lead to serious illness. I talked to the royal physician last night,” Hotohori admitted. “He told me about your body condition and he also,” he kissed her gently, drawing her into his embrace, “told me that there is no indication of you being barren at all. I believe, no, I know that you will bear our child. Did you not tell me once that your mother had your very late, when she was in her mid thirties? Maybe you will be like that as well.”
Her soft mutterings to his hair did not escape him.
“I don’t want you to be with any one else, even if I can not bear a child.”
“We will have children. Also, I have told my advisors that I will not select another concubine. I cannot share you, so you will not share me either. Yuri, please believe me. Do you remember what I promised you on the eve of our wedding night? Not even my kingdom will take me away from you.”
Hotohori was pestered as much as Yuri during the six months, it began six months ago as that was when they first realized the danger that Konan is facing from another kingdom. He knew that by logic, due to his duty, he should be consenting to his advisor’s wish. (2)
But that idea truly sickened him, because he would imagine Yuri being with another man if he was with another woman, although he knew that she would never do such things. Because of that, he realized he could not do so himself, even if it meant not obeying all of his duty to his kingdom.
His love for Yuri was a crazy thing, and maybe even a bit troublesome for a man in his role, but nonetheless he was glad for her. She gave him pure happiness just by being there.
With her in his embrace he could ignore all these problems, the threat of external and internal war, the possibility of having no heir just yet. The head who wore the crown does bear a heavy weight. He truly wished that he could just live with her as ordinary peasants, being together every day instead of only see her at the evening because of the state.
“Stay with me a bit longer.” Yuri said as she kissed him, “I feel so peaceful here.”
He nodded, and the two of them continued to kneel in front of the statue, holding onto each other, free from the pressure that constantly pestered them just because they were who they were.

The empress’ two maids both loved their mistress devotedly, for not only had she been their friends before she even become the emperor’s consort, she had not forgot them or even held a grudge for what their father had tried to do. She even liberated them from the empty fate they would suffer as the unwanted concubines of the emperor.
Naturally, they were both upset at the depression that had begun to grow in Yuri.
“Mistress!” much to their surprise she returned from the altar with a slight smile on her face, the two of them immediately went up to her and took her hands, guiding her to her dressing table. “You seem happy!”
At her two faithful maids Yuri gave them a deeper smile, she loved these two girls as sisters…she always wished that she could love her half-siblings but she had no chance as her “stepmother” hated her, and so forbid her children to even talk to her.
She was truly happy in this world, not only were Hotohori and her in love, she had two sisters who loved her back too. All she wanted was a child, then there would be no threat to her happiness…
“Hotohori reassures me that he loves me, and will not elect another.” she said almost dreamily. “He will wait for me.” (3)
“We are so glad that you are happy!” one of the maids said with the other nodding fervently, the two of them knelt down in front of Yuri. “We both hate seeing you cry!”
“Oh, I have worried you two as well,” Yuri gently patted the two girls’ head affectionately. “Do not worry for me, I will be fine. The emperor believes in me, so I will believe in myself.”
Her gaze suddenly rested onto the sword that hung in one corner and ever observant, one of her maids quickly ran and took it for her.
Lovingly, Yuri fingered the sheath, before she drew the sword out. This was yet another of the numerous gifts that she had received from Hotohori, but this was perhaps the most unorthodox present. On top of that, he would actually teach her in one of the rare spare times he had.
She actually became very skilful with wielding a sword, as she used to spend half of her mornings when Hotohori was at court to practise with her sword in the armoury with the sword master, who only taught her due to Hotohori’s orders, as it was truly highly unconventional for the empress to ‘play’ with a sword. Her skill grew greatly not only because Hotohori was an excellent teacher, but also because she was filled with the desire of pleasing him.(4)
The sword felt a bit heavier due to the three months’ neglect and she was very tempted to use it again, but she had to sheath it and order her maid to hang it back.
“Do you not wish to practise, mistress?”
“I wish to but I cannot, the royal physician told me to not engage myself in any sort of over active activity.” Yuri explained.
Perhaps she should practise her calligraphy instead, that was what she would do in the other half of her morning, and this was something that Hotohori would teacher her as well, which naturally made her a most hard working pupil. Due to calligraphy she gained a great knowledge of most of Konan’s character, and could actually compose letters herself without summoning a scribe to do it for her.
She quitted school as soon as she could, and even when she was at school she did not join any club as she would be working. She was very knowledgeable in the art of making herself appear older, she had been practising since her twelfth birthday.
The only club that she joined was ikebana, which was before her mother’s death when she was very little. She had took great delight in showing her mother the flowers that she arranged, and her mother had placed them in front of the doorway, the space where it would be seen the most often. It must have been one of her mother’s worse relationship periods as Yuri recollected how there were a lot of men whom her mother showed the flowers to.
The art of calligraphy was something completely new to her but Hotohori made it easier then it seemed. He would write a character out for her and taking her hand he would trace the character with her finger, then held her hand as she wrote it herself.
If only she did not have to worry about not being able to be pregnant. Hotohori reassured her but she was still worried.

Hotohori was pondering about the strange girl that he had captured today, along with her companion. The red light that surrounded her was especially puzzling, could she actually be the priestess of Suzaku?
But she was nothing like what he imagined the priestess would be, as he told Yuri he had once imagined her to be the perfect woman. It was true that it would be impossible as to him, Yuri was the symbol of perfection but still, he did not expect the priestess to be so…foolish? (5)
That would be the right description, he had been truly shocked at the boldness of someone who dared to walk right up to him and talk to him as if he really was just a nobody…but then the priestess was meant to be from another world, so maybe that was why, as to her he really would be a nobody.
“Your majesty.” Yuri’s two maids knelt as was required by the rituals that always surrounded him.
“How is your mistress today?” he asked, by this time he knew that whenever they come out of Yuri’s private chamber to greet him, it meant that their mistress was resting.
“She is happy today.” They said eagerly.
Nodding lightly, he dismissed them. Inside, he found her sitting on her dressing table, her chin supported by one hand, while her other hand held a book. Obviously she had wanted to wait for him.
Tenderly, he pricked the book from her loose fingers and carried her to her bed. Laying her down he began to undo her hair, even though he was filled with a slight regret that she was not awake, he did not want to wake her up, as she had been suffering from insomnia lately.
If the girl was indeed the priestess of Suzaku then all of their problems would be gone. He would see Yuri smiling and happy again, as she had been the first one and half year of their wedding.
“I must find it out quickly then.” He vowed.

As chance would have it, Hotohori found the girl soon by pure accident. He had been waiting for Yuri outside his quarters when the girl wandered in. He offered to give her a ‘tour’ around the palace, hoping to discover more of her.
The result was certainly rewarding.
“You are not from this world?” he chocked out, beyond this, everything else she said was lost to him. He only recollected some mumbling replies that he managed to make up.
He saw Yuri in his mind, happy at the news as it meant that Konan would be safe, he would be safe too, and she would no longer be harassed by his advisors for not being pregnant and…
“Are you alright?” he finally noticed that the girl Miaka was actually rather quiet, pretty unusual for some one who talked to a stranger so energetically.
“It is just that you are so beautiful!” Miaka mumbled.
At this he couldn’t help but so smile, a compliment on top of good news?
“That is what everyone says…” he began, only to hear the sound of the guards approaching. (6)
“There you are…” the guard began, but upon seeing her companion he immediately knelt down.
“Your majesty!”
“Your majesty?” Miaka’s companion, the youth she called Tamahome repeated dumbly, before he too quickly knelt down.
“Hotohori, you are the empress?” Miaka mumbled.
“Miaka, you idiot, that is the emperor!” Tamahome whispered, and not for the first time, he cursed having met this girl. She probably just signed their death warrant.
“A man?” with her eyes wide open Miaka approached Hotohori and touched his chest, then began to move her hand around. “…it’s not there.
“What about below…” she half muttered to herself. (7)
Hotohori was tempted to burst out laughing, but that would be a too undignified a thing to do. He decided that he’ll restrain himself and only laughed at this later on, when he was alone with Yuri. At this thought he smiled, that would be good, to see her smile naturally again. He was too aware that she would force herself to be happy in order to spare him any worries. But how could that be? He would always sense sadness in her, because he loves her so much.
“Take them to the court.” He ordered.

By the time Yuri woke up it was noon, and she figured that Hotohori would have finished court now, and even if he wasn’t, she would wait for him outside. She suddenly had an urge to see him right now, if she was lucky she could probably spend a brief time with him before he get occupied again. Very rarely, he would have time for her during the afternoon.
Her maids dressed her in one of her most fancy gowns among her now many elaborate dresses, then she wove the strand of pearls into her hair. For good measure she took her fan with her, she still found it so hard to believe that she was an empress! The most important woman of the kingdom!
The fan in her hand had been a gift to Hotohori from one of his states upon hearing the news of the royal marriage, and in turn he gave it to her. He also wrote out a poem to her on the fine fabric and even signed his name on it. Giving her all the more reason to treasure this fan even more. (8)
A poem that promises unlimited love and eternal happiness, a suitable gift to a bride.
“His court is not finished yet, it seems.” She shrugged, it was one of her special privilege as the empress to be able to stand right outside the court. Unlike the rest of the concubines and serving girls she had great freedom in the palace, although she rarely exercised that power. (9)
“Hear this,” she smiled at Hotohori’s voice, it was almost strange how he could sound so serious to everyone else but be so tender and gentle to her. But her smile did not last long.
“This girl is now the Suzaku priestess.”
“Suzaku priestess?” at this she actually walked in through the door.
‘Mistress, you are not allowed to go in!” her maids reminded her urgently, pulling at the wide sleeves of her dress.
But Yuri seemed to be in a complete daze. She continued walking until she could see the half turning face of the girl who stood in front of the kneeling courtiers.
“Oh my gosh…” Yuri whispered, “Miaka…how did you come to be here?”
Then without any warning she fell down into a dead faint.
Her two maids exchanged a nervous glance before nodding, knowing the part that they must play. Half dragging, half carrying her, they took her to the door way. It should be alright if anyone found them there. They knew that the emperor loved their mistress very deep but still, rules were rules.
“What possessed her to go in?” one of her maid asked. “She usually doesn’t even come here.”
“I don’t know…oh, our poor lady.” Her sister replied, pressing a handkerchief against Yuri’s forehead. “I never thought she would faint like this.”
“What is all this?” one of the courtier demanded. “The emperor is at court, there should be no disturbance! You two should not even be here.”
“We accompanied the empress outside!” the two girls said together. “The empress then fainted, and we could not leave her lying outside, so we took her here!”
Within seconds the emperor he himself hurried out, followed by Miaka and Tamahome, but neither of them managed to have a good look at Yuri as Hotohori took her into his arms the moment he saw her lying there.
“Why…” Hotohori asked her, truly shocked. Yuri was slender and rather delicate, and she had a break down before that almost caused her to faint, but he never expected her to suddenly faint like this.
“I will take the empress back to her chambers, you,” he ordered, “will make sure that the Suzaku priestess and the celestial warrior are comfortable in the palace.”
“Who is that?” Miaka asked, watching Hotohori leaving with the two girls on either side of him.
“That is Houkigou, the emperor’s consort with her two maids.”
“Houki?” she said out aloud, unaware of the courtier’s hiss of: “Houkigou!” “How come that sounds so familiar? I am sure I heard of the name before.”
But she quickly forgets all about it when she was led to very fancy room with the promise of a meal very soon. (10)


1 In China until the 20th century you were allowed to have bigamy, and the children wouldn’t actually be regarded as a bastard or anything, and they would be allowed to inherit.
2 Personally I don’t really think not being pregnant after one and half year is a long time, but since both Konan and Hotohori are in danger it kind of make sense that the advisors felt a strong need of the emperor to produce an heir immediately.
3 Once again, she really should be calling Hotohori by his title or your majesty even in private as it seems not even the empress will be allowed to call the emperor just by his name. but that will make this story way too…awkward? She will just call him by his first name when they are alone.
4 It seems that Hotohori’s power as a celestial warrior is being a master swordsman, so I always think that he can actually beat Tamahome in fencing. Tamahome is excellent in all the eighteen traditional weapon as the author said, but Hotohori should be better as sword fighting is his special skill.
5 Miaka’s foolishness truly frustrate me sometime! Example, just following a random stranger- who turned out to be a slaver, as well as just charging up to the emperor.
6 I realize that when I write fan fiction I don’t really like to write about the bit that the authors themselves had already write, cause these bits are already what every one knows. I guess this is another example. So sorry about the rest of the incident, I will just cut to the court scene really quick.
7 When I first read Fushigi Yugi, like Miaka I thought Hotohori was a female too, and Miaka’s reaction had always crack me up, so I just thought I’ll still put that in. 
8 I think that states often send gift to the emperor as a gesture of good will, and sometimes it is their duty. In any case I think every state would be required to give the emperor something on such an occasion.
9 Realistically, I really don’t think this would be possible. Even though she is the empress, I think the line will probably be drawn in front of the court. She probably would have more freedom by being able to go to any part of the inner palace where the concubines are kept, and maybe to the emperor’s quarters, but I’m not that sure, but it is highly unlikely that she would be allowed to stand right outside the court. Hey, but this is only a story, a fan fic on top of that, so pardon my historical inaccuracies.
10 Author’s Note: While this story is ultimately focusing on Hotohori and Yuri, Miaka will come out more in the next chapter, and Nuriko will be coming out as well. And Yuri will finally be talking to Miaka.