Historian's notes: This takes place before the events of the Fushigi Yuugi anime. Also, this takes place sometime after MoonPrincess, Lazidog, and Richard Powell's parts, where Ryu-Oh has become the Tree of Lemon, turning the members of the AFC Kindgom into hentai's. This story also takes place during the Ken-Ohki's part.

Somewhere, in the vast uncharted deserts bordering the AFC Kingdom, a lone figure walked through a canyon. Coming across a large boulder, the figure picked it up with ease, throwing it over the canyon wall without breaking a sweat. Then, in frustration...

"Where the hell am I!" a feminie voice shouted, only to be answered by her echo:

"You're the hell here."

The echo faded.

"That's strange," Nuriko found herself saying for the umpteenth time after arriving in the Internet World.

Nuriko was a member of the Suzaku Seven, a collection of warriors whose sole purpose was to protect the Priestess of Suzaku. Not that anyone knew who the Priestess of Suzaku was. Come to think of it, Nuriko did not even know who the other members of the Suzaku Seven were. Not that it mattered. She was more interested in Hotohori, Emperor of Konan, than some fairy tale...

Until Taiisukun, the creator of Nuriko's dimension, came to visit. Taiisukun told Nuriko about the Multiverse of the Three Sisters, setting of stories shrouded in mystery and legend. The creator asked Nuriko to serve as an ambassador to a small realm know as the AFC Kingdom, in order to promote good relations between the Pioneer anime realms.

Now if only Nuriko could find the blasted place.

One would think that a virtual goddess like Taiisukun would think to give Nuriko directions, or failing that, a cloud by day or fire by night. Heck, Nuriko would settle for a bright star shining the way, anything at all to stop this incessant wandering.

One also would think that goddesses are universally benevolent and do not have vengeful senses of humor.

One would also like to believe in impossibilities like pigs that can fly and that hell will freeze over.

And, with nothing left to do, Nuriko walked...

...Over the windswept dunes of the Arid Extra-Dry Desert, through the triple forests of Limewood, Cherrywood, and Bloodberrywood, down the Gorge of Eternal Peril, across the Eye of the World...

...Over the windswept dunes of the Arid Extra-Dry Desert...

"Lost, aren't you?"

"Who's there?" the Suzaku Seishi challenged.

A cloaked figure, unmistakably female, strolled towards the warrior. "Just a traveler, young Willow."

"How did you know that?" Nuriko demanded, taken aback by the stranger's use of her constellation sign. (The Suzaku Seven each have a tatoo of a different character representing a different constellation in the sky. Nuriko has a tatoo of the Chinese character for willow on her chest.)

"Are you not Nuriko, strong and sturdy Willow of the Suzaku Seven?"

"How did you know that?"

The Stranger turned, and with a twinkle in her eye and a wag of her finger replied, "That...is a secret."

"Did Taiisukun drop me off at Software Sculptors by mistake?"

"Never mind. You do know you are far from the Universe of the Four Gods, Nuriko of the Suzaku Seven. You might say that you've passed into another dimension." The Stranger took a moment to pull stands of blue hair away from her eyes.

"I already know that. Now if you could please tell me where I am and where the AFC Kingdom is from here," Nuriko replied.

"You are in a desert, but if you follow me, I can lead you to where you seek." With that, Nuriko's mysterious companion began walking.

The Suzaku warrior chased after her. "Hey, wait up!"

The pair walked through the desert in silence. The Stranger set a constant, but undemanding pace. And much to Nuriko's surprise, the heat did not affect either traveler.

Only once was the silence broken. Nuriko had heard the rhythmic clacking of worry balls. Since her curiosity had been aroused, Nuriko asked her companion what they were for.

"I have a...friend who is on a journey of his own. I hope he's safe."

"A boyfriend?"

"Not quite." Then, to change the subject: "Well, here we are. The city is over that dune." The Stranger pointed out the way.

"What city? I though you were leading me to the AFC Kingdom."

"The Kingdom is the city. Ask to speak with Ayeka Masaki Jurai." With that, the stranger turned and walked away.

"Aren't you coming with me?" Nuriko asked.

"There are others that need my help."

"Well, then thank you for your help, Miss-"

"You can call me Seiche." With that, the Stranger turned and walked away from Nuriko.

"What a strange person," Nuriko muttered before walking over the dune...

And into a couple.

"Hey, watch it," the Suzaku warrior snapped, turning to face whoever she collided with.

"Princess Ayeka, are you alright?" a man asked his companion.

"I will be fine, Jinnai," came the dignified response.

"Ayeka? As in 'Ayeka Masaki Jurai?'"

"As in Princess of Jurai and Sovereign of the AFC Kingdom," Jinnai snapped.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. I am Chou Ryuuen of the Konan Empire, and Warrior of Suzaku, although most people call me 'Nuriko.'"

"We aren't that formal around here, Nuriko. You can call me Ayeka, and he's known as Jinnai."

"How did you know Ayeka's full name?" Jinnai asked.

"It was weird. There I was, wandering through the desert when I met this person who led me here. She said that you would be able to help me."

"Help you? With what?" Ayeka asked.

"How should I know? She spent more time confusing me than answering questions."

"Excuse me, could you tell us anything about who brought you here?" Jinnai interrupted Nuriko's musing.

"She called herself 'Seiche.'"

"'Seiche?' That doesn't sound familiar," Ayeka replied.

"We don't know anyone named 'Seiche.' Besides, that's a geological term for the waves that follow a tsu-" Jinnai answered. "Tsunami! Lady Ayeka, it must have been Tsunami!"

"I don't get it. What does a tidal wave have to do with my sister?"

"It's a play on words. In Japanese, Tsunami is a Lady of Mystery, but in English, tsunami is a tidal wave."

"I don't get it," Nuriko said, shrugging her shoulders.

"It must lose something in the translation," Ayeka muttered.

The conversation faded into uncomfortable silence until it was rent asunder by the cry of:

"SPANKACHUUUU!"

"What was that?!" Nuriko shouted.

"Oh, no! Sasami!" Ayeka exclaimed, somewhat fearfully. "Please, Miss Nuriko, help me help my sister."

"Sure."

The trio dashed into the city, rushing to save Sasami from whatever fate had befallen her.

With that, the Suzaku warrior found herself to be a full member of the AFC Kingdom, and soon-to-be bodyguard of Princess Sasami. But the latter is another story...