Chapter 2 The Story Begins

Kamei floated in a sea of green light, gently cradled by the current. She was going somewhere and she let herself be carried along. It feels so warm...so safe...so free

Voices brushed past her as she lay there dreaming, intruding into her private sanctuary.

Responsibility...responsibility...responsibility...

Her mother's voice sounded like a broken record player.

Kamei! How do you do this problem? Kamei! Did you get those tickets for me? Kamei! Help me study for the test! Kamei! Can I ask you a favor...?

A million voices called out to her. She tried to sheild her ears, but the voices persisted.

I'm not your personal answering machine! I'm not your personal servant! I don't want the responsibility!! I'm sick of everyone depending on me!

The cold air hit with a jolt. She crashed into the cold hard ground that was already covered by at least five inches of snow. The ice crystals burned into her bare legs and bare arms. She was still wearing what she had put on that day; T-shirt and shorts with sandals.

The frigid wind blew down on her mercilessly, carrying with it more frost to cover her already frozen form.

Kamei crouched where she had landed, not understanding what just happened to her. Then, the immediate problem with the snow made her get up. She couldn't just kneel there, freezing to death.

She struggled along, not knowing what she was doing or where she was going. She knew that she had to keep moving. Her mind was too muddled to think straight.

What if I'm going in circles?

After what seemed like an eternity, it stopped snowing. Moonlight pierced through the heavy clouds, opening a gate to heaven. The stars were in full glory tonight and Kamei wished she could enjoy this. Even when it wasn't snowing, it must have been a couple of degrees below zero. She was amazed that she was still moving considering the fact that there was almost nothing to protect her from the elements.

Then was when realization dawned. All of her senses came back with a vengeance. Shock, pain, and numbness all came at once, and Kamei toppled over on her back, lying on the snow.

She laid there, not being able to move. Her bones must have been turned to ice already. She stared up at the beautiful sky.

What a way to die...

Her roaming eyes found the North Star, shining brightly over her, watching her.

"Where the hell am I?" she asked in a whispered and slipped into unconsciousness.

He rode through the snow, his mount picking its way along the familiar terrain. He wasn't able to sleep tonight and so decided to go for a ride after it stopped snowing. He loved riding, at night, under the moon, when all the snowy landscape was covered by a silvery glow.

Tonight though, he wasn't just wandering, he was going somewhere.

Just when he was going to head back, saying to himself that he was being silly, he saw something in the snow. At first, it looked like a dead animal, but when he drew closer, he saw that it was a human. A girl to be exact. Her black hair was spread out on the fresh fallen snow, her eyes closed. By his standards, she was barely wearing anything at all; her arms and legs exposed.

What a foolish creature, outside at this time in that.

He bent down, expecting to find an already dead corpse, but when he touched the girl, there was still some warmth left in her.

Foolish or not, she has all the luck in the world...

Hastily, he wrapped his cloak around her and picked her up. He got back on the horse with great ease, still holding her in his arms, showing that he was a very apt horseman indeed.

As he made his way back toward civilization, he looked at the pale face of this strange girl. She was certainly not wearing any clothes that he had ever seen. Could it be...? Could she be the one sent to us?

Kamei opened her eyes slowly. She stared up at a beautiful canopy made by wooden frames carved with tiny intricate designs. She was resting in a very comfortable bed. The sheets felt like satin against her skin and layers of blanket covered over her. It felt so comfortable, so warm... Thin curtains hung around the bed with beautiful embroidery of a design that seemed to never end.

Have I died and gone to heaven...? Kamei wondered sleepily.

There was movement outside of the curtains and she gasped. She hugged herself and realized she had nothing on. Cold fear gripped her and her stomach turned to putty.

A hand drew open the curtains and she stared into honey brown eyes. The young male's eyes widened a little in surprise. His golden brown bangs hung down into his face, falling into his eyes here and there. His hair was cut at the nape of his neck with a strange rectangular, flat cap to top it off, but it went with the rest of his strange costume. Kamei stared back at him and clutched the sheets closer.

Note: His cap...imagine Kaika's hat...its something like that because he's from about the same region. If you don't know who Kaika is...it would be a spoiler so I'm not saying ^.^' or you can't remember what Kaika's 'hat' looked like, you'll have to do the best with my poor descriptions ^-^'

"Oi," he called to someone, "She's awake."

Two others appeared beside her bed to Kamei's dismay and looked in on her. One was shorter than the other two. He was a light-built young man, as far as she could tell. His hair was long and layered, the longest section barely reaching his shoulders. His silvery blond hair was matched by silvery eyes, and his face was beautiful enough to belong to a woman. He gently pried one of her wrists away from her. Kamei was about to resist until she realized that he was only taking her pulse.

"Pulse normal," the young man said.

"Don't worry. We won't hurt you. We're all honest men here," the third young man told her when she clenched her hands.

The one that just spoke had dark bottomless eyes and dark blue hair that was almost black. His hairstyle was also kind of long, narrowing down until it stopped at his shoulders. His right hand rested casually on the hilt of a sword that hung at his waist.

The two tall men looked anywhere from eighteen to early twenties. The shorter one looked about her age. All three of them were dressed in some foreign costume that has not been seen anywhere but in museums.

"If you're all honest men, then I guess I should leave," the first one who opened the curtains said, jokingly, "I wouldn't trust myself around such a pretty girl." He patted Kamei on the head.

She could do nothing but blink at the three.

"Can you speak? Can you understand us?" the one with the bluish black hair asked, brows a little furrowed.

"She must be confused," the short one said, his voice was soothing. "I suggest we let her rest more."

"Well, you heard him," the guy wearing the rectangular hat smiled at her, "Get some more rest. You were very lucky to have been found."

"Thank you," Kamei said and sank back in the bed. The curtain closed and she was left alone. Without realizing it, she drifted off and fell into a deep sleep.

Kamei floated in green light again. She felt safe with the green glow about her. Something suddenly intruded into her peace, dissipating her sense of security.

Streaks of blue light battled with the green. A figure ahead, walked towards her, silhouetted by the blue light. The face of her brother came into view and Kamei cried out with joy. She ran to embrace him.

Toka was different though; he seemed to have grown taller than she was, but before, they had been about the same. He wore a strange armor and his eyes were cold as they regarded her.

"Toka?" she looked up into her brother's face.

He smirked, his light brown hair rustling and a blue glow was shining on his left temple. He pushed her roughly and Kamei fell down. He raised his arms, a blue spear appearing between his hands, and lowered it towards her.

"Noo!" Kamei screamed, "Toka!"

"Shhhh," someone was stroking her hair, "It's all right. You're safe."

Kamei found herself sitting up, sobbing against somebody's shoulder. Kamei, remembering that she was unclothed, clutched the sheets closer to herself, and the other let go.

"Thank you," Kamei said, her head down.

"Bad dream?" the light tenor voice asked.

She nodded her head.

"You are safe here with us, Genbu no Miko," the person said and she looked up. It was the young man with the silvery hair.

"Genbu no Miko?" Kamei asked him.

"All things will be explained in a while. First, let me introduce myself," he told her. "My name is Lin Seisin, but what I go by is Urumiya."

"Urumiya..." Kamei repeated, "My name is Okuda Kamei." She was staring at a green glow on his forehead. It was just like the one Toka had, only a different color and different position.

Following her gaze, he smiled and lifted his bangs that were parted a little over it. Kamei looked closer and realized that there was a kanji written there, the kanji for 'danger'.

Now she was more confused than ever. Who were these people and what happened? She had so many questions that she didn't even know where to start.

Sensing her confusion, Urumiya took her hand, "Don't worry Kamei-sama. You will understand soon enough. Are you rested?" Kamei nodded her head. "Very well, then, we shall introduce you to the Emperor of Hokkan."

"Emperor of Hokkan...?" Kamei uttered.

A moment later, three girls entered the room and Urumiya left her. Almost immediately, the girls began pulling away the blankets. Kamei clutched her sheets with an iron clasp as one of the girls began pulling at them.

"What are you doing?" Kamei asked.

"We are going to help you get ready to meet the Empre..." the girl quickly covered her mouth and the other two glared at her. "Kamei-sama, we have been told to get you ready to meet the Emperor," she said, putting faint emphasis on the word 'Emperor'.

"I can dress by myself," Kamei told them and stood up, wrapping the sheets about her. To her dismay, her knees buckled and she fell to the ground.

The girls cried out and gathered around to help her up, "Please Kamei-sama, it is our job as servants."

"Servants?" Kamei asked. What land has she ended up in and how did she get here?

Taking advantage of her confusion, one of the girls unwrapped her sheets, leaving Kamei standing there, embarrassed. She shivered in the cold air, but the girls immediately began dressing her in odd garments. They draped a robe over her shoulders, and then several layers of other garments on her. By the time they where done, she felt relatively warm. Next, she sat at a mirror as they pulled her hair back into a bun, and put beautiful trinkets in her hair. Then, they selected some jewelry for her to put on as well. Her clothing looked like something between a robe and a dress, it looked like something she saw at an Ancient Chinese exhibit. The garment was green and she wore earrings and bracelets made of jade stones to go with it. When she was putting on the earrings, Kamei realized she still had her emerald earrings on. Actually, just one earring, who knows where the other went? Kamei chained it as a charm on her necklace, and put the other earrings on. Staring at her reflection, she blinked a few times. Who was this woman staring back at her? She didn't look like a high school student; she looked like a lady in some ancient court of the Emperor.

There was a knock at the door and the wood framed door opened. Kamei stood to see that it was the brown haired young man with the rectangular cap.

"I have come to escort you to the Emperor, Kamei-sama," the young man bowed.

Kamei blushed. Now she realized that they had tagged on the deferential name 'sama' behind her name. Usually, only someone with a very high status, like an emperor, or even a god, was called with such respect.

"Please, just Kamei is fine," she told him.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Kamei," he smiled and offered an arm, "My name is Kou Moro, but I usually go by Hatsui."

Kamei stepped towards him to take his arm, but instead, she tripped on the long train of her dress. Hatsui was quick to react and caught her before she fell.

"Looks like I need to learn how to walk," she said sheepishly.

"Don't worry," he grinned into her face, "You can lean on me, I'll support you."

She blushed at how close their faces were and hastily balanced back on her feet. They walked outside into the torch-lit hall and Kamei followed Hatsui in silence. After walking through so many winding hallways that she felt like her head was spinning, they arrived at a grand metal door with carvings on it. A gong suddenly sounded, making Kamei jump. The doors opened smoothly despite the heavy size and her mouth fell open.

Hatsui grinned at her astonished face, "That's what most people's expression is like when they first see the throne room."

A plush carpet led from the door to the high dais at the other end. On two raised stairs sat a throne made out of stone, covered by beautiful fur and weaving. Stone pillars rose to either side of the carpet and a grand tapestry was shown right above the throne, illuminated by the torches in the chamber. Kamei stopped dead in her tracks as she stared at it. The tapestry was green, and on it, a familiar image. The animal looked like a turtle and a snake twining around each other, a better illustration than that on Takiko's wall, but the similarity was unmistakable.

The room was empty except for guards. Two people stood below the throne. She saw Urumiya and the other blue-black haired man that she saw earlier. Hatsui left her side and joined the two. Kamei's eyes slowly traveled up the steps, to the throne, and finally to the Emperor's face. Kamei bowed, not knowing what she had to say or do. She took a closer look at the Emperor and stifled a gasp. He was...young, maybe even younger than she was. His features still looked like a young boy's and his garment was what made him look mature. He looked down at her steadily. The crown that he wore on his head looked like what she had seen in a Chinese culture exhibit. Pieces began putting themselves together. The odd dress, the different building and furniture...could it be? Was she in ancient China? Then, that would have to mean...

"Welcome to Hokkan, girl from another world," the Emperor said in a high male voice, "What is your name?"

"My name is Okuda Kamei," she told the Emperor.

"Okuda?" one delicate brow was raised at the mention of her last name. What was with her last name that made people react so? "Guards, bring her a comfortable chair!" The order was followed swiftly and Kamei situated herself in it. "I'm sorry Kamei, but this is going to take a lot of explaining," the Emperor told her with a rueful smile. He didn't look so strict when he smiled, she thought.

"How do I begin?" The Emperor brought out a green scroll. "Okuda Kamei, I will read you this scroll and maybe I can start explaining from there." The Emperor started reading from the scroll, "When the country is at the edge of destruction, a young girl from another world appears. She opens the portal to the other world and acquires the divine power of Genbu, one of the gods of four gods of heaven and earth. The girl, who acquired the divine power of Genbu, shall use this power to lead the country. This girl becomes Genbu no Miko and by herself, she needs to search for the Genbu Shichi Seishis. The Genbu Shichi Seishis shoulder the destiny to protect their Miko and give her strength. When the Northern Genbu Shichi Seishis gather together, Hokkan Country's guardian Genbu will appear and pass on to the Miko the divine power to grant three wishes."

The Emperor stopped there and looked up, "The scroll goes on to give clues about every seishi and the details of the Summoning Ceremony. This Scroll of Genbu, prophecies made by the King of the Sky, has been passed down to rulers of Hokkan Country."

"What your majesty is implying is that," Kamei said in a half-trance, "I'm Genbu no Miko?"

"Okuda Kamei, you are a girl from another world, am I right?" the Emperor asked and Kamei slowly nodded. Everything made sense now, although in a weird way that made her think that she was crazy. "Our country is in dire need of divine intervention. It all started when Konan country summoned their god, Suzaku, and Kutou summoned its got Seiryuu. Kutou was trying to take over Konan and the Shichi Seishis of Suzaku and Seiryuu battled. During war, the Kutou shogun assassinated the Kutou Emperor. I don't know the exact details of the war, but I know that Konan won and Kutou was thrown into series of civil war. That was fifteen years ago. Now, Konan has a strong army, under the wise rule of Emperor Boushin, and Kutou has finally settled down. The Emperor of Kutou, however, is a power-hungry man and wants to take over all of his neighboring countries. Konan is strong, and he doesn't want to go against them. Sailo country is still being protected by Byakko's powers. Hokkan country's protection by Genbu, however, is starting to fade due to some unknown reason. Genbu no Miko came one hundred years earlier than Byakko no Miko. That was more then three hundred some years ago. Maybe time is taking its toll..."

The Emperor looked at Kamei to see her reaction to all of this. "That's where you come in Okuda Kamei. The previous Genbu no Miko was Okuda Takiko, a relative of yours, I assume. That might have been the reason you were chosen, it might not, I do not know. What I do know is that we need you Kamei. Please become Genbu no Miko and save this country."

The Emperor's voice was quiet and pleading as he said the last part.

Kamei was stunned and speechless. If she got everything right, she must have been sucked into the book 'Shijin Tenchi Sho', however absurd the idea was. What the Emperor had said matched the prologue of the book. The full load of her responsibility fell down on her. The whole destiny of this country depended on her ability to summon their god, Genbu. She met the eyes of the three young men standing by the Emperor, and met the eyes of some of the guards.

How can I say no...? It's another unwanted responsibility...but...

Kamei had never learned to say "no".

"Kamei," the Emperor said and she looked up, "I don't know any way to get you back to your world. All of the previous Mikos I've heard about went back to their world after they summoned their god. I'm sorry to lay this on you, but we need your help."

Kamei was in a daze, but she smiled up at him with more confidence than she felt, and she saw his face relax, "I will serve you to the best of my ability your majesty."

The next morning, after a breakfast of rich food that made her mouth water, she sat at a table with the Emperor, Hatsui, Urumiya, and that dark-blue haired youth whose name she did not know. She was wearing a simpler garment, but one that was made of good quality fabric that was probably worn by the higher class.

Kamei studied the scroll in front of her. Since she had studied Chinese, she could read most of the Genbu Scroll. She found the place where it told about the Shichi Seishis of Genbu and read aloud. "Northern Genbu Shichi Seishis... 'Hikitsu' ice/trainer, 'Iname' piccolo/herder, 'Uruki' lore/maiden, 'Tomite' bow/hunter, 'Urumiya' perception/prophet," Kamei looked up at Urumiya. "That's you? You're one of the Seishis of Genbu?"

Urumiya nodded once his kanji, 'danger', flashing on his forehead for a brief second, "My power is to see the possible futures, to be able to see into the hearts of people, and foretell oncoming danger."

"He's not a bad fighter either, although he looks short," Hatsui teased him, "I wouldn't go one on one with him."

"Hatsui energy/teller," Kamei read.

"I am one of the Seishi. I am in charge of the treasury of Hokkan, so if you want a favor, better be nice to me!" he teased, "I don't look like an old clerk do I? I still don't know how I ended up with this job," he shrugged. Hatsui pulled out a beautiful whip. "This is my favorite weapon. I can concentrate my ki the best with this." A green character, the kanji 'room', glowed on his left cheek, and green light started gathering around the whip, crackling like electricity.

"Please Hatsui, don't play with your toys in the palace," the Emperor said.

"Oh, gomen Emperor," he said and put it away.

Kamei read the last name on the scroll with the kanji meaning 'wall', "Namame blade/sentinel..."

"My name is Azuma Heki but I am better known as Namame," the dark-blue haired young man stood up and bowed to her. "I have no great powers to boast of, but I will offer my service to you, Miko-sama, as a Seishi of Genbu."

"Why are you being so modest Namame," Hatsui poked him in the side, "We all know that you are the best swordsman in the whole country. Even without your deadly sword, you can kill a man barehanded."

Namame looked at Hatsui, "It's not besetting to boast and it is a man's greatest weakness."

"Don't worry," Hatsui told Kamei, "Usually he's serious, but get him to drink a few kegs of liquor and he's a whole different person."

Namame threw a punch at the side of Hatsui's face and he flew across the room, cracking the wall he landed against. Kamei gasped at Hatsui's dazed look when Urumiya put a hand on hers.

"Don't worry," he said with a lopsided smile, "They're like this all the time, and Hatsui can't resist putting on a show."

"I was just kidding," Hatsui protested and stuck his tongue out at Namame.

Kamei heard giggling and saw that it was the Emperor. He sounded like...a girl. Realizing Kamei's eyes were on him, the Emperor suddenly sobered, clearing his throat, his face turning red.

"Emperor, I think it is safe to tell her now. She has already sworn herself to Genbu and our country," Urumiya addressed the Emperor.

The Emperor nodded and stood up. "Kamei, please come with me."

Kamei followed the Emperor to a grand bedroom, she guessed that this was his.

"Leave us," the Emperor told the maids and they were left alone.

Kamei turned back toward the Emperor as she watched the door close and was clutched into a tight hug.

"Thank you Kamei, for what you are doing..." the Emperor said gratefully.

"No need to say thank..." Kamei trailed off as she felt something severely wrong. Because the Emperor hugged her so tight, she could feel two lumps on the Emperor's chest. Either he was fatter than he seemed or he had... "Ano, your majesty..."

The Emperor let go and saw Kamei's expression and burst out laughing.

"Don't worry, it's not what you think," he said and took off his crown. His hair was gathered into a tight bun and he let that loose, his long crimson hair falling down about him.

Kamei's jaw dropped to the floor. The Emperor was a...she! Kamei must have looked like a fish stranded on land as she opened and closed her mouth, not knowing what to say.

"Sit down Kamei," she smiled, "And I'll tell you a little story," she said in an unmistakably feminine voice. Kamei did as she was bid. "About two years ago, the former Emperor died. He had two children, twins, a boy called Kouryuu and a girl named Seika. The twins' mother was already dead, the Emperor had not taken any other empress, and so, power fell onto the laps of Kouryuu, the boy. Just so happens, not long after coronation, he befell a horrible fate. While out hunting, he got killed. The people of the palace are loyal and so they let the girl, Seika have the power. However, if a woman ruled any kingdom, surely every nation in the world will be trying to conquer it. That is how the girl Seika died instead of Kouryuu, the girl looked enough like her brother to take on his identity. This is the great secret of Hokkan palace." The Empress' face looked grave and sad as she told the story.

"I'm so sorry," Kamei found tears dripping out of her eyes and saw that the same thing was happening to the Empress. Without thinking, she hugged the other woman to give her some comfort. Kamei was surprised at herself since she rarely did this.

"Thank you Kamei," the Empress said again.

[Chapter1][Chapter3][Main]

Note:

So...what do you think so far? Please tell me!! Mail me at fuuiin@hotmail.com

This section will be probably posted on 6/21/99. If you have any questions, I'll try to explain them, but somethings I won't explain because I made it so that everything's not revealed yet..actually we'll all find out what happens as I go along ^.^

I tried to make things a little funny...
READER: There's humor in this???
Me: ^o^'
Is it too mean to be beating up Hatsu-chan??

Well, I'll go for now. If you've read this far, you gotta keep reading K?

fuuiin-chan