*The Palace, Sailo Country*
*Amefuri is kneeling and then looks up*
Amefuri: O-Sama, we have returned Byakko no Miko. Please, allow me to escort her in to meet you.
King: Of course, Amefuri, show her in. *Amefuri leaves the room and returns with Kerry, they bow*
Kerry: It is an honor to meet you, O-Sama.
King: What is your name?
Kerry: *looking up* Kerry Gibbons, O-Sama.
King: That's an unusual name, Gibbons-sama.
Kerry: It's not too unusual for where I come from, O-Sama.
King: I see. Gibbons-sama, stand up, please. *Kerry stands full height* Will you agree to fulfill the duties of the miko of the god Byakko and help the people of Sailo with your three wishes? Will you take responsibility for the consequences of these wishes? And will you face whatever problems that may arise during your journey to call the god, Byakko, and liberate the people of Sailo?
Kerry: *taking a deep, cleansing breath* I will. I will become Byakko no Miko!
*The Palace, Konan Country, The Throne Room*
Hotohori: What was that?
Chichiri: What's the matter, Hotohori-sama, no daa?
Hotohori: It felt as though…oh, never mind.
Chiriko: It seems that we've all been getting a lot of strange feelings lately…well, I mean more than usual, at least.
Hotohori: Yeah. Maybe that has something to do with the new mikos.
Tatara: *perking up* WHAT new mikos?
Hotohori: Oops.
Chichiri: *sarcastically* That was real smart, no daa.
Hotohori: Hey!
Chiriko: Wait, what's going on? *suddenly, a guard opens the doors of the Throne Room, kneeling*
Hotohori: Yes, guard, what is it?
Guard: There are people here to see you, O-Sama.
Hotohori: People? What kind of people?
Guard: They say…they say…*looking up, a look of fear plastered across his face* They say they are the Suzaku seishi!
Hotohori: Nani?
Guard: *putting his head back down* Shall I turn them away, O-Sama?
Hotohori: *thinking* No. No, let them in.
Guard: *surprised* Damo…
Hotohori: Let them in!
Guard: *standing and bowing* Ho.
*The Palace Gates, Konan Country*
*the guard aforementioned arrives and whispers to his commanding officer, who reacts accordingly*
Commander: You…You may enter.
Ekoin: Really?! *getting his composure* I mean…really.
Jeniju: Come on, guys. It's time to meet our destiny, and when the others arrive, we'll be ready.
Seiki: *tearing* Oh, guys, I'm nervous. I've never met an emperor before!
Chuki: *scoffing* Leave it to Miss Girlie to be nervous.
Seiki: You're not very polite!
Chuki: Excuse me, but I was in the middle of my first date when we were "called" by our "absolute destiny" thingi!
Seiki: *tearing, she wipes her face* Well, let's go inside.
*The Palace, Konan Country, The Throne Room*
Hotohori: Don't worry guys, I know what I'm doing.
Chichiri: There is an immense group of powers coming here, Hotohori-kun no daa!
Hotohori: Yes. I was right. They're so powerful that you didn't notice them until just now!
Guard: *motioning towards the door from outside* Right this way. *Chuki, Seiki, Ekoin, and Jeniju enter the Throne Room, and bow onto their knees, as is customary*
Jeniju: O-Sama, we are the Suzaku seishi, Tamahome, Tasuki, Hotohori, and Chichiri, here to serve Konan Country. Please, give us a task for our nation.
Hotohori: Which one is Hotohori?
Seiki: I am, O-Sama. (a single, shining tear rolls down her left cheek)
Hotohori: Please, stand up, and come here.
Seiki: *shaking, she stands and walks over to Hotohori, holding her head high* Yes, O-Sama?
Hotohori: I have something for you.
Seiki: *astonished* O-Sama?
Hotohori: *calling guard over, the guard runs out of the Throne Room* It will be just a minute. May I ask your real name, Hotohori?
Seiki: Seiki, O-Sama.
Hotohori: I see. *the guard comes back, with a wrapped package* Ah, here we are. *stops* Do you have a sword, Hotohori?
Seiki: I…I…no, O-Sama.
Hotohori: Well, that could cause some problems, couldn't it, Hotohori?
Seiki: I suppose so, O-Sama.
Hotohori: Well, this sword *he begins to unwrap the package* was given to me by Taiitsu-kun. *he looks down at the sword* It is the Deity Sword. *he hands it to Seiki* I, in my time was never able to use it to its full potential or power. But, I'm sure that if you have it, you'll put it to much better use than I did.
Chichiri: *whispering into Hotohori's ear* Hotohori-kun, are you sure it's wise to just give away the Deity Sword to someone when you're not really sure if she's the true Hotohori no daa?
Hotohori: Trust me, Chichiri. She's Hotohori.
Seiki: O-Sama, I don't know what to say! *the tears start free-flowing* I just…I just…*she falls to the floor*
Hotohori: Seiki-sama! *he runs to her to see what's the matter, and the other seishi are in shock, not moving* *Meanwhile, Mitsukake finally comes strolling into the Throne Room, half asleep*
Mitsukake: Hey, Chichiri, Chiriko, Hotohori-sama! What's for breakfast?
Hotohori: Are you all right?! Mitsukake! Get over here and help her! PLEASE!
Mitsukake: *waking up* Oh! Right away! *he runs over and gives Seiki some of his chi to help her come to, which she does*
Seiki: What? What? Where am I?
Hotohori: You're in the Palace? Are you all right? What happened?
Jeniju: Hotohori? Hotohori? *he gets up and runs over*
Seiki: The Palace?! NO! It can't be! I have to go home! Tomorrow's…
Jeniju: We're here to save all of Konan, REMEMBER!?
Seiki: Yes, but can't it wait a day?!
Jeniju: Hotohori, what's wrong with you?
Seiki: No! I just want to go home! I just want to…*out of exhaustion, she faints into Hotohori's arms*
Jeniju: Hotohori!!
Chuki: Oh wow. That sucks.
Ekoin: Show some compassion, Tamahome!
Chuki: I don't see you running over there to help her, Tasuki!
Jeniju: Will you two stop fighting for just one minute!
Chuki; He started it!
Ekoin; You know I didn't, you little brat!
Jeniju: Why did she faint again?
Mitsukake: Don't worry, it's probably just from exhaustion. She'll be fine, but just to be sure, I'll check on her every fifteen minutes. I'll take her to Kerry's room. She can stay there for now. *Mitsukake picks Seiki up and heads out the door, escorted by a guard*
Jeniju: I mean no disrespect, O-Sama, but what is going on?
Hotohori: Well…It's complicated. Chiriko? You care to explain?
Chiriko: We are the former Suzaku seishi. I'm Chiriko. The man that just left was Mitsukake, that's Chichiri, and the emperor is Hotohori.
Jeniju: N…n...nani?!
Chichiri: It's true, no daa! We tried to keep that aspect of it quiet after most of us died.
Jeniju: D…d…died?!
Hotohori: Yeah! I died, Chiriko died, Mitsukake died, Tamahome died, I think…was it? 3 times?
Chiriko; I think that's right.
Hotohori: And Nuriko died. Oh, and our miko died. But we all came back to life.
Ekoin: Ano…do we have to die?
Chuki: Wimp.
Ekoin: What did you call me?
Chuki: I called you a chicken-licking wimp.
Ekoin: Oooh! I'm getting so mad!
Chuki: *sarcastically* Oh, I'm scared!
Hotohori: Let me show you to your rooms. We all have things to give you, I think.
