Fushigi Yuugi OC AU/Rewrite

Chapter 5. Bewildered Heartbeat

Hotohori had called on the Royal doctor to treat Ice once she and the others returned from town. She laid in bed as the doctor had her take some medicine for her weakened state. Her face was red and her breathing was heavy as if her entire body had hit exhaustion by this point. "Oh, Ice..." Hotohori looked at her sympathetically as Tamahome clenched his fist, feeling as if he was responsible for this situation. "I'm sorry, your highness. This is all my fault." Hotohori stood up from her bedside with a deep frown on his face. "Tamahome, tell me all that happened outside this court. I need to know the circumstances before I determine your punishment."

Tamahome thought back on their argument and the insults that they threw at each other. "I wish I had never met you!" "You're just like a damn emotionless doll!" He took a deep breath before answering, hanging his head so his bangs covered his face. "I saved her from a bunch of gangsters... That's all there was to it." Hotohori thought for a moment before the doctor spoke to him. "Excuse me Sire, I'm very troubled. The Priestess is very weak and and I can only surmise that the commission of Suzaku might be too big a burden for her. She's suffering from extreme exhaustion and is incredibly stressed. Mentally as well as physically. Her physical health should recover, however mentally... it is uncertain."

"So she may not ever get better, then." Hotohori inquired. "It is difficult to say, Sire." They noticed Ice begin talking in her sleep, mumbling about her sister and her friends. "You do... wanna go back-" "Back to your own world..." Hotohori finished Tamahome's sentence, a solemn look on his face. "Tamahome, Nuriko." "Sire?" They responded at once. "I must speak with you at once." The Emperor pulled them aside to speak with them privately.

In the Emperor's study, Hotohori sat and leaned against his hands as he tried to think of what to do. "We have to do something, otherwise Ice may never get better." "Considering the circumstances, I think we should send her back to wherever she came from, your Highness." Nuriko, who had picked up a plate of grapes to eat, chimed in. Tamahome scoffed. "You would think that." "However, who knows how to accomplish such a feat? ... Ah, Taiitsukun!" "The Taiitsukun?" They responded in unison, looking at him in surprise. "That's correct. Taiitsukun is the great master who's hermitage is lodged in Mt. Taikyoku. It is Taiitsukun who bestowed upon us the book of The Universe of the Four Gods, and who might know how to send Ice home, back to her own world."

Hotohori stood up and called for his attendants. "Attendants, heed! Bring me the Universe of the Four Gods, at once!"

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"God, you're so frustrating, sometimes I wish I'd never even met you!" "Well you're no better. You just a damn emotionless doll!" I groaned as I slowly opened by eyes, thinking back on the argument for what must have been the thousandth time. 'Where... Where am I...?' As I opened my eyes I realized I wasn't in my room. The memory once again came crashing back in and I rolled over, pulling the covers over my head. 'I cannot believe I said that... How could I be so foolish? He was my only friend in this world and I went and said a thing like that... How am I supposed to face him after that?' My eyes began to water but I shut them tight to keep any tears from escaping, now isn't the time to be crying.

I heard the door open and I quickly sat up in the bed. "Who's there?" My response probably sounded a bit defensive, but I couldn't help still being a bit on edge. I saw the shadow of a person coming towards me and as they stepped into the light I saw it was the Emperor, Hotohori. "Ice." "Oh, Hotohori." I still felt a bit awkward around him from our last interaction, but right now I was just happy he wasn't Tamahome. "How are you?" He asked me as he sat on the edge of the bed, but still giving me plenty of space. "I'm fine, still a little tired but it'll pass." He smiled at my response, clearly relieved that I was doing somewhat better. "Things will be okay Ice. We think we have found a way to send you back to your own world."