How it all began ** Seriyuu Group

“I’ll have them ordered in the morning. Thank you, Aka-chan.”

She nodded, she could not deny she was eager to get started on growing her own cacao beans but she would have to find a most suitable spot in the gardens first and since she did not wish to appear weird she bottled up her excitement. After all, she was nor sure what people thought of those who enjoyed gardening as much as Akahana but, where she came from, she would be given a stare were she not in Japan. Furthermore, it gave her something to dfo and she would not be in this Palace hoping to get something that will help her pass the time.

“Zenshi is a mostly mountainous land with water on three sides, and a border with Konan - just south of here - on the fourth. You should be able to spot it there on the map. I believe it has a small gemstone symbol to mark the capital. The nation is rich in many natural minerals, and has made quite the name for itself, despite being so small.”

“Sounds like a beautiful place, it would be nice to visit someday.” Truth be told, she wanted to do travelling because she had never had the chance to go sight-seeing before and that was something she did not want to miss now that the opportunity has risen for ehr to do so without worrying about a certain tyrant who always had tasks for her to do and never granted her a day off. She had been so jealous of everyone else, they all received time off work to enjoy themselves, with the exception of Akahana. Perhaps now things had changed for the better and she would be able to live a more normal life away from the darknes of murder and intrigue. Maybe she could speak with the librarian once she finished her other books and read more about the far away lands and ask Fumiko to see some of the maps for these islands.

“There. You may write down any questions that come to you, or make any other notes you wish. If you need more ink, or more than one journal, please let me know. And if you would prefer a brush to a quill, I can have a set brought to you in the morning. Many of my older advisors still prefer to write with brushes, but I find these quills to be far more accurate and less messy.”

Anyone else would have felt overwhelmed at the sight of the amount of thick and heavy books that the EMperor placed in front of her but her eyes sparkled with pure joy at learning the mythology and history of Kutou. She took one in her hand and began to look through some of the pages, lucky for her she was well versed in some languages like ancient Chinese so she could read this. One of the many things she self-taught herself but it had been difficult at first. She smiled and then accepted everything Shun granted her, “Thank you, I shall get right on it.” She would probably not get much sleep anyway as she found herself for the first time in her life free to do as she pleased, free to live a live in the company of those who welcomed and accepted her, yes, she would spend the night studying, of course she would not tell them such for she feared they might worry and disapprove. She could not help it though, knowledge was her world. “I think I would prefer quills.” She was curious as to how it would feel to use a quill as they used pens in her world but that was a topic for another day.

“I confess, I do not know all of the ingredients. I never had the attention span for learning to mix such things. I generally just trust Dr. Gensai, and the healing knowledge of a contact of Kenji-san - A Suzaku Seishi with an extensive knowledge of healing by the name of Haruyoshi. I have never yet met him, but I have invited him time and again to come take up a position as Gensai’s apprentice.”

Maybe she could speak with the physician later in the week and see if they could come up with a way to make Chisaka’s medicine actually enjoyable for her. So there were Seishi in other kingdoms? That must mean there were Miko there as well. That was intriguing, the more she learned about this the more she enjoyed it. She wondered if at some point she would get to meet the other Miko. Shealso wondered what they were like and if they came from different parts of her world.

“Right, Shun… it’s official. I like her.”

“I have come to believe that it is the privale of a friend to smack you when you are being stupid, and to help you up after you have fallen down… once that friend is finished laughting at you, of course.”

Ryou smirked. “Funny, you never laugh at Chi-chan, when she falls down…”

Shun cleared his throat, darting a glance at Chisaka. “That is different. I owe her my life - a debt that I will never be able to repay.” He recovered the more jovial mood with a tease. “All I owe the two of you are several headaches and a few interestingly shaped scars…”

“At least one of which…” Ryou chuckled. “Is not fit for mixed company. Which reminds me, it has been far too long since we all vacationed at those springs…”

Akahana gave Chisaka a warm smile back although she noticed she looked tired. It might be best if they all retired to their rest. Although at the mention of holidays and Springs she could not stop herself from saying, “Maybe it would be a good idea to organise a vacation of sorts to those springs.” She was not usually granted many chances to go to hot springs back at home and the thought of having a holiday sounded absolutely intriguing. She wanted to try different local food, try the springs and relax. She could not remember the last time she could relax…

“But of course. I believe the meeting is scheduled for just after breakfast, but if you would like, I can have Hina-san come get you with enough time to join me in my study for breakfast. We could talk then.”

Akahana smiled and nodded, “Sounds good.” She would have to set all her plans ready so she can show them to Shun and see what he thinks. She could hardly wait for the surprise to be built for Chisaka, it would make her life easier and she was certain it would also improve her health. She definitely would not sleep much that night but then again she seldom slept for long.

”Nothing special? My dear Akahana, you are perhaps the single most important woman in all of Kutou, for accepting the role for Seriyuu no Miko. Legend says that when our nation is in great need, the Seriyuu no Miko will come from another world to help save us. While I suspect I know at least part of the great need we are under… I suspect that there is more going on. I’ve heard that ll for Miko have been summoned here, and that is as of yet unheard of.”

“That is also something we can discuss in the morning, when we’ve all had plenty of rest… Please look over the information, and let us answer any questions before you officially accept. I do not want to drag you into danger without letting you fully grasp all that we know.”

“The most important?” She blushed deeply. Even though she was aware that as the Miko the fate of the Kingdom rested on her shoulders, she still did not feel deserving of this task or the praise she was given. Nevertheless, she would do her best to live up to what is expected of her. She did not wish to insist that such words were not befitting of her as they seemed so insistent.

“He speaks dismissively of the maps, but he’s quite protective of them, especially the ones Fumiko makes.”

“There is a difference… Between being protective, and not wanting a certain general to tear them up. Kaoru-chan can treat them more delicately than her father, and she is only three years of age.”

“Honestly, rip one map when you’re thirteen…”

Akahana laughed softly and then thought that, as long as she was needed in Kutou, she would do her best to help and to enjoy her time here although she would want to stay, to be honest. Akahana smiled at Shun and nodded, she still could not believe they seemed to like her. But it seemed they did, “I look forward to it as well.” She heard him speaking of his mother and she smiled, a warm bath would be ideal.

“It is the room that Hiden-san stays in, when he accompanies Yori-chan from Hokkan, when she visits my sisters. Perhaps you could show her to her room?”

“I’m afraid the gifting of scars and headaches may have to wait until tomorrow, my friends. I should see our Miko to her room and ensure she is settled before my evening rounds with the guards… and perhaps start a rumor or two about the “detainment” of a well-armed stranger in town that trounced several men of ill-repute. Probably an infiltrator, testing our defenses... just until we are prepared for the general populace to be made aware that our Miko has been found.”

Akahana looked back at Shian and blushed lightly at his tease of the way she defeated the drunkards back when she first arrived in Kutou. She supposed it was not the way the Miko would usually appear in their world and chuckled bashfully, “I guess that story would seem more believable than the actual truth.” Regarding advisors making a fuss about Akahana’s arrival she was hoping it would not be what she was fearing, she had no experience whatsoever in the event of ceremonies and dances to commemorate events. She would definitely need a bit of help then.

“If you’re ready…?”

Akahana turned to smile at Shian and stood up to gently take his offered arm. She felt her cheeks blush lightly but she turned to smile at everyone else, “Thank you once again for your warm welcome, I will speak to you tomorrow.” She then began to walk with Shian holding the bag with books and quills and parchments with her other hand. It would have been a bit difficult to carry everything with one hand but she smiled and swung the back on her shoulder and held the rest of the stuff against her chest and she looked through the windows at the sparkling stars as they walked on. She smiled up at Shian as she looked at his face as the moonlight shone upon them whenever they walked by a window, “Thank you for escorting me, I confess I should be a lost mouse in such a place.” Maybe she wouldn’t be that lost being an assassin but she still did not know what room was hers.

She was about to ask him something as they walked alongside one another when she felt as if someone were watching them. She felt her body tense and she stopped walking, Akahana… She looked around for a moment thinking that maybe someone had called back to her but she decided that maybe she had been through a lot that day. As she moved to resume walking the voice called her name again, it was a stronger voice this time and it reminded her of a voice she had heard before, Akahana, you cannot escape me… She looked behind herself again and gasped, that sounded a lot like Zuku. But how could that be? She had been taken into the book when she was out on a mission, there was no chance he would find out she was here so soon, least of all find the means to call out to her even though she could not see or sense him here. She tentatively turned to look at Shian to see if he had heard something but it was likely that he hadn’t, or did he? She realised she was feeling a bit dizzy but assumed that it was because of the recent events. Part of her wanted to dismiss all that mainly because she was too afraid that Zuku might have actually found a way into the book.