Disclaimer. Fushigi Yuugi belongs to Watase Yuu, Tokyo Television, Bandai, Flower Comics, Pioneer, Viz Comics, and others. No infringment was intended in the writing of this fanfic.

"Suzaku no Miko," Hotohori-sama said in a loud voice, "has returned safely to her world. But she has promised that she will return as soon as she is well."

Everyone seemed saddened by the news. Was I the only one who was glad she was gone?? My ladies neared me. "That is just terrible," one said. The other agreed. "I hope she returns soon. I will miss her." For some reason tears stung my eyes. This was getting on my nerves.

"Come," I said, rather sharply. "I want to get changed out of these clothes."

I started off for my rooms. I had to get away from all this dreadiness. Honestly! All this over a 14 year old girl! My ladies followed. In my chamber, they helped take off my outer clothes. Then, as I always did, I went behind my dressing screen to continue undressing. Over the past year, my ladies had gotten used to my paculiar ways.

"Would you like us to bring you something to eat," one asked. The other handed me my dressing robe over the screen.

"No. I would like to bathe first. Get the dirt from this journey off me. I'll eat after."

Once I tied the sash on the robe, I came out from behind the dressing screen. I sat down in front of my mirror. One stood behind me and began to brush my hair before braiding it. "It must have been so hard on you," she said. "All that traveling. You must be weary! Making a lady go on such a trip."

"I am a seishi," I said, admiring my reflection. "And I have a duty as such. And it was Hotohori-sama's order that I go."

"'Hotohori-sama', is it," the other stated. "And when did the Emperor become 'Hotohori-sama'?"

I blushed. "I meant, 'the Emperor'." I sighed. "I've gotten used to him being 'Hotohori-sama' during this trip."

They both smiled teasingly. My hair was soon braided and pinned up into place. One of my ladies went to order my lunch, while the other walked with me to the bath. We walked into the bath. My lady set a drying cloth down on a bench and left.

It was another paculiarity of mine that they had gotten used to. They always enjoyed teasing me about my "shyness". "And what kind of Empress would you be, if you are too shy to be seen naked in front of anyone," they'd always ask, with a twinkle in their eyes.

I disrobed and scrubbed myself clean. Only then did I slip into the bath and sink down up to my neck. The warm water was just the thing I needed after such a weary journey. And such a miserable one at that! I could have stayed there all day, but the growling of my stomach told me it was time to eat.

"I'm beginning to be like Miaka," I said, laughing. Miaka. Why did I suddenly feel so sad? So empty? I shook the feeling away and got out of the bath. I grabbed the drying cloth and wrapped it around me. "Hmph! One would think I actually missed that overly cheerful, annoying, sweet, caring...Ooooohhhhh! Snap out of it! She's gone and now things can get back to normal!"

I put my robe on and walked out. I looked around. Hmmmm. Where was my lady? Maybe she went back to my chamber. But when I arrived, no one was there. This was strange. Neither of them were around. All that was in my room was a tray of food. Maybe they weren't expecting me to be done so soon, so they went off to get some other things done. I waited, but they never came. What was going on?

After I ate, I went behind my dressing screen and got myself dressed. Walking back to the mirror, I looked at myself. If felt good to be in a dress again, instead of the riding outfit I had to wear. I left my rooms and wandered around the court, but I just couldn't find my ladies. I decided to go to Hotohori-sama and complain. He was alone in his meeting hall.

"Hoto...er, Emperor," I said, when I entered.

"Ah, Nuriko. What do you want?"

"Sire. I can't find my ladies. They weren't waiting after my bath, and they weren't in my chambers."

"Ah, I figured that's what you were here for." Eh? "Your ladies were here not too long ago. They asked to work somewhere else in the court." Doshite? Hotohori-sama gave me a sympathetic look. "They said they didn't want to attend a man."

"Na...ni", I asked weakly. "They know? But how?"

"I don't know, Nuriko. I didn't say anything, but somehow it became known." He sighed. "It's probably all over the court by now. I'm sorry, Nuriko. Do you wish me to find you some other attendants? Men, maybe?"

"I...uh...no, sire. Thank you for your concern. I managed by myself before I came to court. I'll manage now." I was devestated by the news, but the sympathetic look that he gave me, brought some comfort. But I also notice a look of extreme sadness. "Excuse my boldness, sire, but are you alright?

He smiled sadly. "The sunshine has gone, Nuriko. It's vanished and I don't know when it'll return." Eh? What was he talking about? There wasn't a cloud in the sky! He shook his head and gave a sad, little laugh. "Don't mind me, Nuriko. If you need anything, let me know."

I left the meeting hall and made my way slowly back to my chambers. I could feel the eyes of others on me as I walked by. Everyone knew now. It was bad enough that Hotohori-sama found out, but now. After what felt like hours, I finally made it to my chambers.

I sat down in front of my mirror and slowly began to take the pins out of my hair. I caught the long braid as it came down and started undoing it. Picking up my brush, I brushed it all out. The chamber was quiet. I was used to my ladies being there to brush and style my hair. I was used to them being there to talk to.

But that was over now. I knew that things would never be as they once were. I was still puzzled by Hotohori-sama's statement. What did he mean by the sunshine being gone? Didn't he notice the sun shining outside? I shook my head. Everyone was acting strange, especially Tama-chan. Tama-chan. I made a promise to myself to watch over him. The way he was acting, I knew he was going to need a friend around.