Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yugi. Well, that's obvious, or I wouldn't be posting this on the Internet, you'd be watching it on TV. Also, this is my very first Fushigi Yugi fic ever, so PLEASE be nice. I only want constructive criticism, no flaming. If you wish to Flame, do it elsewhere. I'd appreciate suggestions and ways to make my story better (and compliments are always good ) Later on, this story will become Tasuki/OC, just so you're 'warned'. Thanks!

Oh yea, and by the way, if you're wondering about the title, the translation (if I did it right) is The Priestess of Four Gods.

Key:

Italics-Thoughts

Bold AND Italics- Flashbacks

Shi Jin no Miko

Chapter 1: Legends Come to Life

Music blaring from her headphones, Kumiko Inoai leaned against the bus window and closed her eyes. She couldn't wait to see Miaka and Yui again; after all she only got to visit when she had break at her boarding school. It was a long ride on the bus from Kyoto, but Kumiko knew it was worth the trip to see them. When the bus stopped she got off and went to their appointed meeting place. Kumiko twisted a strand of her hair impatiently, as she did when she was nervous or excited. She had gotten her hair cut recently and it was hard to twirl because of its new length. She hoped her two best friends would like it.

"Oh COME ON guys," It had been at least an hour and a half and neither girls showed up. "You better have a good reason this time, Miaka." She dialed Miaka's number on her cell phone and waited for it to ring.

"Hi, you've reached the Yuki residents. We're not available right now-"

"Dammit Miaka!" She hung up and put her cell phone back in her bag. Maybe they just forgot, she thought halfheartedly. Kumiko left to the library, knowing that was Miaka and Yui's main hangout.

When she arrived she didn't see either of her friends. She did however see two familiar faces reading an old musty book. "Hey, Keisuke, long time no see." She smiled brightly at Miaka's older brother and his friend Tetsuya, who seemed surprised to see her.

"Hey, it's nice to see ya again." Keisuke closed the book so Kumiko couldn't see what he was reading.

"Have you seen Miaka? She was supposed to meet me at the bus junction but she and Yui never showed up. Besides, I'm only in town today."

He shook his head. "Nope haven't seen them."

"Oh." Kumiko's smile turned into a sudden frown. "So, watcha reading anyway?" She asked, walking over to get a look at the front cover. "The Universe of the Four Gods hmm…sounds interesting enough. What is it, Mythology or something?"

Kumiko tried to open the book, but Keisuke kept it from her reach. "No, I can't let you read it," He said firmly.

"Oh come on Keisuke, I'm not stupid! Just because I'm not a college student doesn't mean I can't handle a book you're reading. Going to Seikoro Prep. has got to be good for something!" She tugged the book from his grasp and opened it to the middle. "Chapter 12, The Priestess of Four Gods. Oh cool, a priestess! Does she save the world or something?" Suddenly, the book started to glow luminous colors. "What's up with this book, Keisuke?" But before he could answer a pull as strong as gravitation itself pulled Kumiko inside it.

"Crap. That's Three." Keisuke mumbled.

Kumiko felt as if she was doing somersaults. A sensation of nausea washed over her as she clenched her stomach. Her head started to ache and she felt the dizziest she had ever been. All of the sudden, the dizziness stopped as she hit hard ground. "Ow." She lay flat on her back unwilling to move. When she finally felt well enough to sit up, she did so, and brushed the dirt off of her school uniform. "Mom is so gonna kill me if I get this dirty." She then for the first time looked to see where she was. She was no longer in the cool and quiet library building, but instead in front of a small temple surrounded by lush deciduous trees. A small fire filled with smoldering embers lay embedded in the granite floor.

Kumiko slowly got up and looked wildly around. This place was in no way familiar…. or was it? It was almost as if she had been here before, but she couldn't pinpoint where or when. But wherever she was, she definitely wasn't in the national library…. or anywhere near it.

"This is sooo not cool. I'm going to kick Keisuke's ass when I get back. If I get back." She picked up her bag and stepped inside the temple. "Hello? Is anybody here?" There was no answer. Her footsteps echoed against the ground as she looked for a sign of anyone near by. She suddenly stopped, for she reached a giant tapestry above her written in Chinese. It had a wild array of colors and illustrated four majestic looking animals: A turtle, tiger, dragon and phoenix. In between the four regal beasts was a woman wearing a long dress with many ribbons and bows. "Wow," Kumiko breathed in awe.

The sound of footsteps awoke her from her state of admiration. She wildly turned around to see two burly men swaggering in. 'They look wasted,' Kumiko thought, slightly amused.

"Heysweetheartwhassyurrname?" One slurred. 'Yup, they're smashed,' Kumiko concluded.

"Leave. You two have no right to be in this temple, especially if you're not sober. This temple is for silent prayer, now I suggest you leave!" Kumiko ordered, getting angry at there presence.

"Or what?" The other man said.

"Or else I'll make you leave." She raised her head up boldly, not feeling quite as brave as she was playing out to be. Both men laughed.

"You make us leave? The only way we're leavin' is with you!" One exclaimed, his drunken friend rolling on the floor with laughter.

"Chauvinistic pigs," Kumiko smirked. Maybe she wouldn't be able to take them, but she could trick them. She reached into her bag and took out her cell phone. "See this? It's a weapon that powerful sorcerers use and if you two don't want to disappear forever I suggest you go now!" She dialed her own number and the phone started to ring.

"She's powering it up, let's go!" After pulling his companion to his feet, the man led his friend out of the temple and out of Kumiko's site.

Kumiko laughed. "Bakas!" She put her cell phone back in her back with a look of utmost satisfaction on her face.

"That was quite something you did just now. You have a strong heart." Kumiko turned her head back towards the tapestry to see a small old woman standing by the Kotatsu.

"Who, who are you?" Kumiko felt the woman could do her no harm, unless she thought her a dangerous foreigner.

"People call me many things, Oracle, Preeminent Person, Tai Yi-Jun, old hag. But you can call me Tai Itsukun." Kumiko walked towards her and smiled slightly.

" I'm Pleased to meet you. My name is Kumiko Inoai." She bowed slightly, knowing that if the woman was called an Oracle or Preeminent that she was much more powerful and important than herself. Besides, it was good manners anyway.

"It was very brave and very clever to protect the temple that way young lady. Although, I am not accustomed to the item you used." Tai Itsukun said.

"Oh, My cell phone!" Kumiko took it out of her bag and showed her. Tai Itsukun examined it closely.

"How strange…" She said softly, and then handed it back to Kumiko. 'I wonder where I am, and how to get home…' Kumiko thought wistfully.

"I was wondering, could you tell me where we are? I seemed to be a bit lost."

Tai Itsukun laughed. "You're from outside the book aren't you?"

Kumiko blinked. "How did-"

"I know because currently there are two priestesses here from another world." Tai Itsukun answered.

"Priestesses? Of what?" Kumiko asked.

"Of one of each of these gods." Tai Itsukun pointed to the tapestry. "Genbu, the turtle, is the God of Hokkan, the country to the north. Biyakko, the Tiger, is the guardian to Sairou in the west. Seiryu, the Dragon, is the God of Kuto to the east. And finally, there is Suzaku, the phoenix, the guardian of Konan to the south."

"So who's the girl in between them?" Kumiko pointed to the figure with the flowing hair in between the four beasts.

"That's the priestess of four gods. She keeps peace within this world, and between the four gods," Tai-Itsukun said proudly.

"I see. So, what do you mean that there are priestesses from another world?" Kumiko sat down on a cushion that was seated in front of the alter to the tapestry.

"The priestesses of Suzaku and Seiryu have both come to find their senshi and revive their gods. The priestess of Suzaku is Miaka Yuki and her rival, the priestess of Seiryu is named Yui Hongo." Kumiko stood up.

"That's impossible! They're both my friends, they'd never become enemies! I know them both very well and that'd never happen!"

Tai Itsukun took out a small mirror, and it grew until it was taller than Kumiko. "See for yourself." The mirror flashed scenes that had been. Pictures that showed the pain and agony of both Miaka and Yui as their friendship split apart and shattered into pieces.

"No…they can't, no way." Tears began to well up in Kumiko's eyes, as she couldn't bear to watch any longer. "No, please…I don't want to watch anymore of this." The mirror flashed and was gone.

"Is there anything I can do? Can I see them?" Kumiko looked at Tai Itsukun with eager eyes.

"I can have you brought to Konan, to see the priestess of Suzaku, but I'm afraid it would be hard to get into Kuto at the moment. Nakago, head of Kuto's guard and army as well as a Seiryu senshi, is keeping foreigners out and citizens in while the priestess is looking for her senshi." Kumiko nodded.

"Alright. Please, take me to Miaka." Suddenly another feeling of nausea started as she was pulled faster than the speed of light across the countryside. The feeling suddenly stopped as they stopped moving.

"Here we are." Tai Itsukun said. "This is the palace, where the emperor Hotohori lives."

"It's nice," Kumiko said, looking up the grand steps. The building was indeed grand, but not as grand as the feeling Kumiko had that she was about to see her friend. She was jerked out of her state when someone shoved passed her, almost knocking her down. "Watch where you're going ass hole," She called.

"Screw off," the man called back.

"You first!" Kumiko yelled, sticking up her middle finger and waving goodbye with her other hand. Tai Itsukun grabbed her hand and forced down her middle finger.

"You'll want to watch your behavior, and your language," Tai-Itsukun warned, "You're about to go into the regal emperor's palace." Kumiko nodded.

They walked up the grand marble steps and were let through by the royal guards. Tai Itsukun led her to a courtyard where a small group of people were idling. Suddenly, a girl under the shade of a mulberry tree squinted and got up.

"Kumiko! Is that you?"

She ran towards Kumiko and gave her a hug. "Miaka! It's SOOO good to see you! I was going to meet you and Yui today at the junction but-" Kumiko was interrupted by Miaka.

"Oh no! Today was the day, wasn't it? I haven't been keeping track. I've been here so long," Miaka looked down at her feet.

"What do you mean?" Kumiko asked her friend.

"I've been here for over two months. I have to stay here until my job is done. Time moves slower in the real world." She replied.

"Miaka, I'm sorry. I feel bad for getting mad at you and Yui for not showing up. I understand, I, I'm real sorry." Miaka shook her head and smiled brightly.

"Don't be. Oh! Hey, lemme introduce you to my senshi. But first, we'll get you out of your school uniform. It looks like you fell in dirt or mud or something." She took Kumiko's hand and led her to a room where she could dress. Tai Itsukun followed. "Here," Miaka handed her a simple robe-like Kimono.

"Thanks," Kumiko went behind the small curtain and started to change.

"Kumiko!" Miaka exclaimed. "You didn't tell me you got a tattoo!"

Kumiko blushed slightly and said, "Oh yea. Nobody else knew about it. I got it a while ago. Mom doesn't know about it yet." A thought suddenly hit her. "Wait…how can you see through the curtain?" She asked.

"Well, it's sorta got fluorescent colors, Kumiko." Miaka said, seeing only the colors through the screen.

"But Miaka, it's only black ink. There's no color."

"Let me see it!" Tai Itsukun demanded, pushing past the curtain.

"Hey, don't peep on me!" Kumiko shrieked, grasping her cloths to her body, leaving only the tattoo showing.

"Child why didn't you tell me you had the mark of the four gods on your back?" She demanded.

"I didn't find it important, sorry."

"Well it is important. Do you know what this means!" Kumiko shook her head. "It means that you are the priestess of four gods," Tai Itsukun said unblinking.

"Me? The priestess of four gods? No way, that's not possible." Kumiko said, laughing nervously.

"But it' s true. The legend says that the priestess of four gods will come with a marking of them on her back." Tai Itsukun said insistently.

"But it's just a tattoo! Anybody can get them in my world."

"But I don't think other people's glow with the powers of the gods, do they?" Kumiko was silent. She just couldn't imagine herself as that beautiful woman between the four gods bringing peace. She could hardly contain peace between her emotions and decisions.

"Wait, does this mean Kumiko has to become my enemy?" Miaka said, her voice wavering. Tai Itsukun shook her head.

"On the contrary. Kumiko's job as the priestess of four gods is to bring peace between the gods."

"And how am I supposed to do that?" Kumiko asked uncertainly.

"Oh, you have to get seven senshi and summon-" Miaka was interrupted by Tai Itsukun's voice,

"No. She has no gods to summon. Instead of seven senshi, she has four guardians from each god to protect her."

"Wait, what's are you all talking about?" Kumiko was beginning to get irritated at the whole situation.

"Normally, a priestess for each of the four gods will have seven senshi, or warriors, to defend her from harm. You know that they're a senshi because of a marking they have on their body. When all seven are found, the god can be summoned and the country saved," Miaka explained.

"Okay, so I only have four? And what do I do with them?" Kumiko asked.

"Well, more or less they protect you as your power grows stronger. You'll have to have a lot of power to control all four gods," Tai Itsukun said.

"Hey, you never said anything about controlling them," Kumiko said warningly. "Don't worry. When you have the power, you will control them. But we have other things to worry about. Like finding the Suzaku guardian that will protect you."

After putting on the kimono, Kumiko, Miaka and Tai Itsukun went back to the courtyard. "How will I know which one is my 'guardian'?" Kumiko asked Tai Itsukun. "The portion of your marking with the phoenix on it will start to glow red and will cause you great pain. It will go away as quickly as it comes, but it works as a warning to let you know who the guardian is," she answered. Kumiko nodded. Miaka started to introduce her senshi one by one. "This is Tamahome," She said, grabbing his arm tightly and forcing him to shake hands with Kumiko.

"Nice to meet you." Tamahome said, shaking hands with the smiling Kumiko.

Next she was introduced to the emperor Hotohori, who was also a senshi. Then Nuriko, who at first Kumiko thought was a woman. "Don't be fooled," Miaka whispered to her, "He's a guy. He tricked me too."

"Is this another priestess, no da?" Chichiri, the next of Miaka's senshi, asked looking at her oddly, cocking his head to one side.

"Sorta," Kumiko said, "I'm the priestess to all four gods. It's confusing and I don't quite understand it."

"Well it's nice to meet you anyway, no da." She was introduced to Mitsukake, who had the power to heal all wounds, and Chiriko, the youngest senshi who was very happy to meet her.

"This kid is practically a genius," Miaka beamed, ruffling his hair.

"Well, I'm not all that bright, but-" he began but Miaka interrupted by bragging to Kumiko how he had taken college exams given by the government.

"Well you seem to be quite the little Albert Einstein," Kumiko said. Chiriko gave her a puzzled look and she laughed. "I'm sorry, I forgot, you wouldn't know who he is. Never mind."

Miaka pulled Kumiko aside. "So, who the guardian?" She asked eagerly.

"I don't know, I never felt a pain," Kumiko answered, slightly worried.

"How can that be…oh wait! Tasuki isn't here. Where is he?" Miaka rushed over to Tamahome and whispered something in his ear. Tamahome said something back, and Miaka ran back to Kumiko. "Trust Tasuki to be missing in action when we need him. He's probably down at a bar someplace-" But before she could finish the one who was obviously Tasuki appeared.

"Oh. Hell. No." Kumiko said flatly. This Tasuki was the guy that had bumped into her before.

"Oh Tasuki, I'm glad you showed up!" Miaka said. "Kumiko, this is Tasuki. Tasuki, this is my good friend Kumiko!"

"We've met," He said briefly. Kumiko gave him a look that plainly said his presence wasn't welcome. Suddenly she felt a strong burning sensation in her back and she winced.

"Tai Itsukun said the pain would be strong, but not this strong," She said through clenched teeth. It hurt so badly Kumiko almost fell to her knees. But just as Tai Itsukun said, the pain was suddenly gone as quickly as it had come. Tasuki raised an eyebrow.

"Well, now we know which one's the guardian," Miaka said, trying to look at the bright side. "So now what, I find the other four and get strong and all that stuff?"

Kumiko sighed. "I wanna go home."

"I know, but right now it's not an option, for either of us." Miaka said to her friend in empathy.

"Will somebody mind telling me what the hell is going on?" Tasuki asked impatiently.

"Kumiko here has been named the priestess of four gods by Tai Itsukun. She has four senshi guardians from each god to protect her and help her powers grow stronger. You just happen to be the one for Suzaku." Miaka explained.

Tasuki gave her a weary look. "Do I have to? Do you know that she gave me the finger!" Miaka gave Kumiko a look of disbelief while Kumiko slightly blushed and only shrugged.

"His fault. He told me to screw off." It was now Tasuki's turn to get Miaka' s look of disbelief.

"Yea but-"

Miaka held up her hand.

"No, I don't want to hear it. You two are going to have to get along, whether you like it or not." The two glared at each other.

"Tai Itsukun, what do I do now? How do I find the other senshi from the three other gods? For all I know one of them could be dead!" Kumiko complained slightly.

"If you go back to the temple where you first appeared, you will be able to create a spell to find the rest of them," Tai Itsukun answered her.

"But I don't even know where we were. How am I supposed to find it again?" Kumiko asked.

"The temple is at the meeting point of all four countries, and it is called the Kyoto temple.

"Kyoto! That's where I live in my world!" Suddenly Kumiko remembered why the temple looked so familiar. The Kyoto Temple was also a temple in her world, and she had visited it once before.

"Alright," Kumiko said calmly, "I will go back to the temple and find the other guardians." Then she quietly told herself. "And I will find a way to go home."

Tasuki turned to Miaka. "Do I have to?" He asked her pleadingly.

Miaka gave him a look of disappointment and nodded. "Do it for Konan." The emperor Hotohori stepped forward to Kumiko.

"Before you leave, you'll need weapons to protect yourself," He said, motioning for them to follow. He led them to an armory, filled with many weapons that Kumiko could easily see in a museum.

"Cool," She said looking around the many swords, cross bows and knives.

"I'm fine with my Tessin," Tasuki said, leaning up against the wall. Kumiko grabbed a sword and took it from its sheath. It shown brightly, even in the dark arsenal.

"I like it." She said, putting it back. Then she laid eyes on the most beautiful thing she had seen yet. "Woa," With trembling hands, she picked up the bow and admired its beautiful mahogany shimmer. She touched the slender arrows that were beautiful, yet very dangerous. "Kick ass," She grinned.

After loading everything into packs and onto horses. The two reluctantly started off. "By Miaka! Don't worry, I'll be fine!" Kumiko called as she waved goodbye to Miaka, who was growing smaller in the distance.

Tamahome put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't be worried about her. She's tough," he said, trying to sooth her nerves. Miaka shook her head.

"She may seem tough, but she gets homesick easily. Lately, she hides everything under her harsh exterior. She didn't used to." Miaka gripped Tamahome's hand tightly. "Be safe, Kumiko," she whispered.

Immediately after they were out of the city, Kumiko turned to Tasuki and said, "Ok, I'm going to listen to my CD player now, so don't bug me." She reached into her bag, which was hung on her shoulder, and grabbed it.

"What is it?" Tasuki asked listlessly.

"It's called a Compact Disk player. You listen to music that was recorded on a disk." Kumiko rolled her eyes.

"But what-" Tasuki didn't bother finishing, for Kumiko was already listening to her music.

Tasuki gave a sigh of disdain. Women were so selfish and ignorant. Yet easy to fool because of there stupidity…he grinned. "Kumiko," He called over her loud music. She took off her headphones and looked at him in extreme annoyance.

"What?" She asked crossly.

"It's this way," he pointed up towards the mountain path.

"Whatever," Kumiko followed him, and his grin grew wider. In reality, he had no clue how to get to the Kyoto temple, but at least this way he'd get to see Kouji.

This is so pointless, why must I follow this idiot? Kumiko thought to herself. Because, he's your Suzaku Guardian and he knows Konan better than you do, her voice of reason answered. The high altitude brought colder weather, and when they stopped to rest for the night, Kumiko was getting cold. "It's never this cold in Kyoto," She said, hugging the silk Kimono closer to her skin and wishing it was wool.

"Well, we're not in Kyoto, your highness," Tasuki said annoyed as he took out an iron fan that shimmered slightly.

"And what in the name of hell is that?" Kumiko asked pointing to the fan.

Tasuki gave a small chuckle and said, "It's my tessin. This baby can turn anything into ashes in a second flat."

Kumiko gave a laugh of mockery. "I highly doubt it. It's a frickin' piece of metal. It can't do that."

"Wanna bet?"

Kumiko was starting to annoy him, and Tasuki was about ready to use his tessin for more than just lighting a fire for warmth. "Go ahead and try, baka."

"REKKA SHIN'EN!" He wasn't lying. Kumiko screamed, a burning flame singeing her scalp. Suddenly, a cooling sensation overcame her and the pain went away. Tasuki stared in astonishment. "What the hell? What kind of magic tricks are you playing?" She looked at him quizzically.

"What?"

"That thing would have, SHOULD have charred your head. You…stopped it or something." Tasuki shrugged and made a fire with his tessin by shouting the same spell.

Tai Itsukun was right: My powers have started to grow, Kumiko thought. Her stomach gave a hasty rumble. She quickly grabbed her bow and arrow. The sun was slowly creeping behind the horizon, so Kumiko knew if she wanted to catch anything to eat, then she would have to do it now.

"You know, you're holding that upside-down." Kumiko turned to look at Tasuki.

"I'm left handed, moron. It's my predominant hand and this just happens to be a left handed bow." She spotted a small rabbit nibbling grass. It wasn't big, but it would easily make a meal.

"Sorry lil' guy." She pulled back and let the arrow fly, hitting the rabbit straight in the side. Kumiko grinned: That would shut Tasuki up. When she retrieved the rabbit and the arrow Tasuki gave a small laugh.

"What's so funny?" Kumiko asked.

"We have food." He broke into hysterics, thoroughly enjoying the situation.

"Well you could have told me that BEFORE I had to waste the poor innocent bunny's life!" Kumiko suddenly felt she could not eat the rabbit; for she had taken its life when she hadn't needed it. Instead, she buried it beneath the tree where it had met its death.

"Women are so stupid," Tasuki muttered.

Kumiko lay down on the soft ground with a blanket and her bag of things that had made the trip with her without eating a bite. Kumiko looked through her bag and found the picture of her family she kept in a pocket. "Goodnight," She said softly, putting it back. Tasuki stayed awake and tended the fire. The smoldering wood was almost mesmerizing and helped him to forget the task that lay before him.