“‘-would have shot down the final sun too, but the Emperor advised that to do so would forever remove light from the world. The sole surviving sun was thus spared. The world was saved but through his actions, Hou Yi gained a terrible enemy. The God of the Eastern Heaven was furious that Hou Yi killed nine of his boys. In revenge, he banished Hou Yi from-’ Oh, yeah yeah… we all know about that. But what about-?” The soft murmur from behind the door she approached - which was closed largely because he had the habit of talking to himself as he studied, like he was doing now - cut off at her knock. Bent over his desk, intently studying a fairly-old looking text through thin, wire-rimmed spectacles was a pretty normal position for Elijah Rossel, and his roommate should not be surprised that, instead of getting up or removing his nose from the book, he simply called out, “I’m decent! Come in!” Even as she let herself in, his fingers marched across his desk top without oversight on his part, blindly seeking a pencil, and after a bit more rummaging, pulling toward him another book, this one elaborately bound in gilded leather, with a bright-feathered phoenix emblazoned across the front, amongst ancient Chinese characters. “But what has the death of the suns to do with- hey!” An absent motion had pulled the book open, with the intention of making notes inside - his often-snarky but generous roommate had presented it to him after a trip she’d made, indicating that she thought it looked his style, and that he might store his notes for his dissertation in it - but a soft, shimmering light caught his attention, causing him to lay the pencil aside in surprise, as small characters began to form on the page before his eyes. “... hey, Miz? Thought you said this was an empty book…?”

OOC: Meian cameo


IC:

“Taiitsukun-sama? Who is that?”

“She is known as the Creator. The exact extent of her powers are unknown, but she is very strong and very wise. It is believed that she is the one who summons Miko into this world. Why am I not surprised that you know her?”

Meian smirked as soon as Haru finished talking, “I know everything, you should be used to it by now.” He then said on a more serious note, “I think it might be best if I go on that journey while Hotoi-chan recovers and does some sight-seeing around the area. That way I can probably catch up with you on your trip to the Imperial Palace.

Isamu nodded at him and said, “I will make an itinerary list for you so that you know where we will be and for how long and that should give you an idea of where to catch up.” He then said, “Any crucial information if you can notify us with Aka we would be grateful.”

“Certainly. And I promise I won’t stop anywhere, except for maybe just to stock up on supplies here.” He grinned at Haru.

“I'm simply the son of a humble innkeeper, I don’t have many stories to tell… You know most of them already, but I might entertain little Hotori-chan with them… There is something I do need to share with you all now, however. You see… I was adopted.”

Meian smirked, “Who are you kidding Haru, you have more anecdotes than anyone else I have ever known, especially with those fluffy ears of yours, whenever you fancy to use them. No rumours escape you.” He rubbed the back of his head in order to encourage his wolf ears to come out as he had seen one of his family members in the past.

“You have adoption here? That’s so sweet. My great aunt adopted me when I was little and my parents died…”

Yes, my story is something like that. you see, my mother and father were wolf spirits, and… When they could no longer look after me, I was found by my human mother and father, the ones I introduced you to, when we arrived.”

“You are a wolf spirit? I didn’t know those were real…”

“Just like my little sisters, and all of their children… I tend to live as a human so that I do not attract hunters,but my inclination is to travel in this form or my wolf form because my senses are just a bit more acute. Of course, if we are in a town, I will appear human, and if you are not comfortable with this, I will keep them hidden.”

Isamu smirked and shook his head when Hotori got all excited and began to touch Haru’s ears and tail as if he were her little pet. He was not sure how Meian seemed to know that as well, but having him as a fellow Seishi was certainly a good thing. Meian tugged Haru’s ear gently while giving him a reproachful look, “Do you honestly think we would all be horrified and tell you to stick with your human form, I’ve known you were one for ages and I still talk to you.” He smirked.

Isamu nodded, “Please feel free to use whichever form is more comfortable for you, I have known forest spirits in the past and they are the most peaceful people I have met.”

“I was going to suggest… I know of a village that isn’t too far from here that is large enough to have most everything we should need for our journey. I was thinking that I may set out in the morning and head there to get what we need. Perhaps a cart or wagon would be easier to travel with, for Hotori-chan, than simply on horseback or by foot, and of course I would get any other supplies you think we’ll need… That would also give Hotori-chan a few more days to rest up before we have to set out on the trip.”

Both Meian and Isamu nodded, the former General then said, “It makes sense since Meian will also travel to gather information. We will wait for Haru to return and then we will resume our travels, that should give you time to get a head start, Meian, and hopefully join us soon.” The assassin nodded, “It's settled then!”

“You just hope I’ve got more cookies in my room…”

Meian smirked, “Come on papa, you cannot blame me, I’ve been a good boy. Besides I know you always hide them so I wont find them.” Isamu smirked as he watched the two Seishi leave his room and then he turned his attention toward his Miko.

“Thank you for everything, Isamu-kun. I hope you sleep well.”

Isamu nodded at Hotori and took back his cloak, “Sweet dreams, Hotori.”

Meian thanked Haru for the cookies and slept for a couple of hours on a small sofa in Haru’s room. As soon as he had his fill of sleep he got up, left a note for Haru to thank him for the cookies and always letting him stay for free at the Inn and wished him good luck on his errands, although he did tease him a little stating he might meet his other half. Of course he did not know that but he always wanted to wish him luck and maybe making him read it to himself will elicit the desire and wish and that might be answered by Suzaku. Who knew, but he would give it a go.

He then climbed up the roof and entered Hotori’s bedroom to leave her a little note to say to have fun and not give Isamu-kun heart attacks. He also left a cookie for her and he ensured she was well covered by the blanket and smiled down at his little sister before he left her room and packed his supplies and then got on his horse and left at full gallop while everyone else was still asleep.

Well, nearly everyone… Isamu had been sitting on his windowsill playing his shamisen and watched Meian leave, he nodded at the young man wishing him a safe trip. He closed his eyes for a moment before the day began and he went to get breakfast for himself and Hotori. He had a warm meal but assumed she would need a longer rest so he got room temperature food for her and went back to his room. He placed the food on the table and was working for a long while on some adjustments to the trip. He seemed to lose track of time when he seemed to hear movement in Hotori’s room and he looked at the food on his table.

He picked it up and walked to her room and was about to knock when he heard her scream. He kicked the door open, “Hotori!” It was then he noticed she was unharmed and there was no one else in the room, “What…” As his eyes looked into her own questioningly he realised she was yet to get dressed and he blushed deeply as his eyes looked at her for a brief moment before he turned his back to her and closed the door. “I’m sorry I heard the scream.. I didn’t know….”

It was then he saw a mouse walking toward him and he picked him up by the tail, “Are you scared of mice?” He found it somewhat hilarious but he waited for her to be dressed before he offered her the food. “I’ll set him free and he shan't bother you.”

ooc: as usual, flipping my responses so that they are in the order you guys posted, because it’s easier for me that way. lol

ic:
Misery giggled when she heard her roommate muttering to himself - again - with what sounded like frustration. Hearing him call out to her, she opened the door and let herself in, smirking as she crossed to his desk to set his food down on a clear corner. “Decent, decent. you’re always decent. How are you ever going to snag a cute guy if you keep dressing and acting decent?” She looked at him for a moment as she set the food down before gently nudging his bare shoulder. “Thought you said your were decent? I think I may go blind from all the pale…”

She really did love to tease the much shier young man, though in truth she would never want him to change in any way. Although it was still hard to believe how they had managed to find each other in a country that wasn‘t home to either of them, she would forever be glad of that failed first date that gave her the best friend she had ever had. “You’d better eat up. You know how you hate it once it gets cold…”

She had just turned to take her leave - deciding she’d come back after she finished her own dinner to make sure he had eaten - when a note of surprise in his voice stopped her short. “Huh? yeah, totally empty. I flipped through it several times while I was on the plane ride back. I didn't see a single mark anywhere inside. Just that awesome phoenix and that golden symbol for “star” on the front cover. why?” Turning back to him, she could see that there did seem to be writing in the book. She moved up behind him and placed her hands on the back of his chair in order to lean forward to read over his shoulder. “Hey, isn’t that your name in English?” She pointed to a string of letters that looked very out of place amidst the ancient Chinese. She was fluent at speaking English, but she was still not the best at reading and writing it. Still, it looked like the same letters he used to sign his name on things. “Weird. Yeah, I… didn’t see any of that when I bought it…”

~ ~ ~

Haru swam for a while before he decided to transform into his wolf form. Though he was a grown man, he still found a childish joy in swimming in his canine form. It was something he rarely got to do now, so he enjoyed the little break. as he did, he thought back to telling his companions that he was a wolf spirit, the night before. Meian had - of course - found a way to tease him by making his ears and tail pop out before he had the chance to tell them himself. He’d playfully shoved the younger man while blushing faintly, but… well, everyone had taken the news so well. Maybe someday he could trust them with his other secret, though Meian already knew - he always knew. He wondered if such things were more common in Hotori’s time. They seemed to be a more advanced culture, so perhaps they were more accepting. Even if they were not, he had the feeling his sweet little Miko would accept him no matter what.

Feeling optimistic, he finally pulled himself out of the water and gave his body a great, all over shake to knock most of the water from his fur. He would still need to dry off in his human form, but that was always a good place to start.

~ ~ ~

”Hotori! what…”

Hotori jumped slightly when the door burst open, and she finally looked away from the mouse, staring - stunned - up at Isamu. Their eyes met for a long moment, and only then did she seem to recover the ability to speak, even a little. “Isamu? I…”

“I’m sorry I heard the scream.. I didn’t know….”

Hotori noticed his embarrassment, and finally looked around her as if trying to figure out the source. She finally glanced down at herself and realized she was still only wearing her undergarments. “Oh!” Blushing darkly, she pushed to her feet and looked around for somewhere to hide. It was a small room, however, and it quickly became clear that the best thing she could do was to pull the dress on over her head. Picking up the lovely dark green and black qipao, she quickly pulled it on, deciding to worry about fixing her hair and getting shoes and all later. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t think… I just… it startled me, and I reacted, and I forgot I wasn’t…” She blushed more and didn’t look in his direction until he spoke again.

“Are you scared of mice? I’ll set him free and he shan't bother you.”

Hotori reached to accept the food from Isamu, but she watched the little mouse. “I… I don’t think I am. I think it just… it startled me. I’ve never seen a real one before, and… and it looked so much bigger under my bed…” She blushed darkly, feeling foolish for screaming over such a little mouse. He was actually kind of cute, now that she could see him properly in the light. He was a little light gray mouse that didn’t seem to be very old or very threatening. In fact, as Isamu handed her the food, she noticed the mouse’s little nose began to sniff eagerly.

She couldn’t help it, she giggled. “Look at his little nose. I think he was just hungry.” She looked at her food, and then looked at Isamu. “Do you think there’s any harm in giving him some food? He is so little, I don’t know if he could make it to find food on his own, if you put him outside, and I would hate for Hinari-san’s cat to get him.” Haru’s mother had an old tom cat that wasn’t very friendly, though he seemed to like Hotori well enough. The older woman had said the cat didn’t have a name, but was mostly kept around to catch mice. “This little guy must be lucky if he survived the mean old cat already…”

For his part, the tiny mouse gave little squeaks to protest being held up by his tail. He wiggled and squirmed, but he also occasionally stopped to watch the green haired girl and sniff at the food she was holding.

She wouldn’t be surprised at the distracted tone of his response, as it was quite common for him, when he was deeply in thought. “Unless he is from ancient China and can explain the origins of the phoenix legend, I am far too busy at the moment to concern myself with finding a cute guy. And if he is, my shirt being on or off ought to have no bearing on the kind of conversation I’d like to pursue with him… so far the only luck I’m having is the origins of the sun god… which is quite another matter altogether.” Her other commentary made him shrug the bare shoulder she’d nudged, answering casually. “Too hot for shirts, in this weather - and it’s not like I can just go for a swim to cool off.” He gives her his eyes only for a second, with a smirk. “You could always borrow my shades…” Discussion turned to the book soon enough though, and his dinner lay forgotten as he turned his eyes down to the place she’d indicated, and he gasped, seeing his own name, printed in English characters amongst all the Chinese. “It… it is. That-” His gaze, intensely blue, met hers again, looking suspicious. “Is this your idea of some kind of weird joke?” A moment of thought. “Haiju put you up to it, didn’t he? I swear…”



His eyes trailed down the page, and he scoffed as he read aloud the title. “The Seven Constellations of Suzaku, the legendary-” Disbelief faded, and his jaw dropped as he read on. “... the… legendary phoenix of Konan.” He cleared his throat, and turned his eyes back to Misery. “... this… are you sure this isn’t a joke, Miz?” He couldn’t help allowing his gaze to trail back to the book once more though, and he read on. “Seven Constellations, enthroned in the heavens by the power of the mighty Suzaku, to defend his chosen priestess, include the following: the chariot, the wings, the willow, the ghost, the well, the extended net, and the-” He paused, startled, and his fingers blindly found the symbol on the front of the book. “... the star.” He cleared his throat once more before continuing. “These constellations are personified by-” All at once, a clatter and a smash of porcelain marked the mug of blood crashing to the floor, as the room was bathed in bright red light… and when it faded, the young vampire was gone.

~~~~~

Water droplets scattered from the wolf’s fur, but in the process, he seemed to attract a far more troublesome condition, in that a tall, thin young man dropped from the sky with a half-shriek of surprise, and collided with him, with all his weight. Unable to control his fall - and completely bewildered by this sudden development - Eli cracked his head sharply against the wolf’s thick skull, and then against a large riverside stone when inevitably the startled animal jerked away. The effect stunned him soundly, leaving his body draped half in and half out of the river as he blinked groggily and tried to make sense of what had just happened. Surely, he hadn’t fallen out of his chair and hit that hard…? He brought a hand shakily to his face then, rubbing it slowly… and giving a startled cry at the deep, dermal pain that seared his senses, at his own touch. Squinting up, he immediately spotted the problem, though thanks to the blow to his head, his mind was slow to fully realize it. The sun… With a soft curse, he pulled his arm up over his face, and attempted to roll… but alas his coordination was not at peak, and before he quite understood what was happening, he rolled with a giant splash right into the waters of the river he’d landed in.

“Isamu? I…”

Isamu was still rather surprised and his body seemed unwilling to cooperate with his attempt to recover form the sock and embarrassment. It wasn’t befitting of a bodyguard and an ex General to look at his protégée in such state of undress, even though he had not done so on purpose, it was still something that could damage the trust a charge places on the protector. He was trying to find the right words to say when her voice woke him up from his own musings. He decided then it was much more important to ensure her safety now and apologise later.

“Oh!”

Isamu was relieved when his Miko realised her level of undress and put on a lovely dress. Once it was safe to do so he turned to look back at her just to ensure she was unharmed. He still felt a bit embarrassed but he took a deep breath and finally managed to regain composure. Hotori was a beautiful woman and he did not want her to think he wished to take advantage of her, as the eldest Seishi he knew that the responsibility of her safety weighted heavier on his shoulders. He lifted her chin gently just to make sure she was unharmed, “Are you al right?”

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t think… I just… it startled me, and I reacted, and I forgot I wasn’t…”

Isamu felt his cheeks redden slightly at her own embarrassment but he rubbed the back of his neck looking away for a moment before he said, “Think nothing of it. Your safety is of outmost importance and that is why I barged in when I heard you scream. I hope you know I held no ill intent and, I also wanted to bring you breakfast.” He finally looked down at her, he wondered how someone like her could inspire such tender and youthful feelings on someone who had lived much despite his young age and who had suffered greatly. But Hotori inspired so many emotions in him he was not sure what to do with them all. Part of him knew that he was a bodyguard and getting close to his charge was nothing out of the ordinary but part of him relished on the joy and sweetness of temper Hotori seemed to possess. It reminded him of happier days when his family was still alive and well and no darkness had ensured.

“I… I don’t think I am. I think it just… it startled me. I’ve never seen a real one before, and… and it looked so much bigger under my bed…”

“What a troublesome little Miko…” The answer was a bit too much for the veteran General and his shoulders began to shake as he did his best to contain the laughter that threatened to give away his sudden amusement at her trail of thought. He looked away trying to contain the laughter and was not entirely sure why he found it so humorous but then he poked her forehead, “Surely a lady of your stature and age would not draw conclusions and scream over such a small mouse.” He could not stop himself from teasing her a little bit. He dried his tears of laughter as he allowed the mouse to rest on his palm, it was true that he mainly had a way with birds, but he could easily tame any animal given enough time and the right treats. Finding a tiny piece of cheese from Hotori’s place he picked it and they locked gaze for a moment before the mouse sat back and obediently took the piece of cheese.

“Look at his little nose. I think he was just hungry. Do you think there’s any harm in giving him some food? He is so little, I don’t know if he could make it to find food on his own, if you put him outside, and I would hate for Hinari-san’s cat to get him. This little guy must be lucky if he survived the mean old cat already…”

Isamu smirked as the mouse moved from his hand to sit on his shoulder, “What are we going to do with you Hotori. one minute you are shocked and afraid and the next you are giggling and thinking of making a wild mouse your pet.” His eyes softened for a moment as he looked at Hotori as she examined the mouse. He then looked at her plate and said, “I think he must have had his fill of food earlier, but you should be fine to give him another tiny portion of cheese and then build up your energy if you still want to walk around today.” To her comment about the cat he shook his head, “Mice are very smart and they have an astounding sense of self preservation so they won’t be easily caught by cats and if this little mouse got all the way upstairs unnoticed that means he is very intelligent indeed.” The mouse looked away as if to look smug at how Isamu described him and he then gently placed the mouse on Hotori’s shoulder so she could give him the cheese.