Sequel to: Purple for the Purple Haired Maiden:
By LTS

[ Players Only Love You When You're Playin' ]

Rated: PG-13

Warnings: Angst, Angst, & more Angst; Drama, bits of Humor; Sap, Shounen-Ai

....
Part One


Ne, Nuriko-san, if you're not going to eat the rest of your rice cakes, can I have them?

Sighing softly, Nuriko barely nodded, but slide the plate of steaming breakfast to Miaka anyway. Miaka's eyes sparkled and she devoured the stack within minutes, choking out a thank-you' somewhere in between. Nuriko's heavy eyes wandered back to his hands, and he sat silent.

A scruffy haired Tamahome entered the room, yawning and scratching one eye with his fist.

Is it morning already? he wandered over to Miaka and plopped down beside her, his eyes still half closed.

Unfortunately it is, no da, Chichiri remarked, to the left of Miaka. But No Miko was hungry, so if we wanted anything to eat when she got up, we had to get up too, no da.

Miaka growled and threw her plate at the sneaky monk. He caught it just in time.

Heh, heh! Gomen, no da!

Tamahome glanced at Nuriko and yawned again.

Have you seen Hotohori-sama? He owes me money!

Nuriko was silent and didn't look up.

Now that Tamahome noticed it, Nuriko wasn't his usual self. His hair was undone and uncombed. His collar was ruffled and...

Nuriko?? Do you have BAGS under your eyes, no da??? Chichiri gasped, finishing Tama's sentence.

This time Nuriko side glanced Chichiri, narrowing his eyes and scowled.

No I haven't seen... Hotohori-sama, and it was kind of HARD TO GET ANY SLEEP WITH TAMAHOME SNORING SO LOUD LAST NIGHT!!!

Tamahome blinked. I snore?

Both Chichiri and Miaka sweatdropped and looked away from him.

Of course it was only the partial truth. Nuriko stood up from the breakfast table, and headed for the outside corridor.

Nuriko-san's not hungry today? Does that mean Miaka gets more!?! Miaka excitedly dished herself more rice cakes and eggs, while Nuriko moved towards the door.

Chichiri glanced after him, but said nothing.

/I did hear Tamahome sleeping, but that was only because I was awake,/ Nuriko thought. Sighing, he exited to the corridor, but jumped suddenly as he saw two bright eyes staring at him.

AHHHH! Don't scare me like that!!! Gasping, Nuriko glared at the red-headed bandit who casually leaned against the wall with his arms crossed in a demeaning manner.

What? I didn't do anything!

Nuriko started to breathe again and Tasuki smirked.

What do you think you're doing out in this hallway, trying to shorten my lifeline?! Nuriko closed his eyes and scowled.

You can't fool me, Nuriko. Maybe I was spying on you. Heh, you can fool the others, but that phony laugh won't fool ME. Nuriko looked at Tasuki with confusion and he laughed, suddenly, feeling nervous.

What phony laugh? Ha, ha, ha... heh. He swallowed hard, hearing his own phony laugh echo back to him in embarrassment. /Spying? Why would Tasuki be spying on me? Maybe he was just joking--/

Nuriko turned to leave, but felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around quickly.



Don't even try to fucking lie to me Nuriko...

Nani? I'm not lying-! Now if you excuse me--

The anger in Tasuki's eyes softened, and so did his grip.

Look... Nuriko... I saw you last night... I saw you crying outside of Miaka's room...

Nuriko's eyes widened and his mouth ran dry. Shock swiftly severed his veins, and he stood, frozen, unable to move or speak. He took an intake of air, swallowing it so hard he nearly choked.

Saw... me...? he sputtered, suddenly terribly aware and nervous. /Tasuki saw me last night? Gods... No one was supposed to see me like that.../

Tasuki's voice lowered. I saw you run from the palace... I followed you to the river...

/That's right.../ Nuriko's shoulders began to shake with embarrassment and he closed his eyes remembering when he ran frantically from the palace and towards the water. /I wanted to throw myself in... I wanted to drown... but I've sworn my allegiance to Suzaku No Miko... and my honor to Hotohori-sama.../

Tasuki put his hand on Nuriko's other shoulder and shook him slightly. The other man's shaking, gave Tasuki shivers of his own.

Nuriko! I saw you last night! So don't you dare fucking tell me you are all right! Or... that you are not pretending-- I... I know something's happened, dammit!

Nuriko slowly opened up his eyes, avoiding Tasuki's burning gaze.

I... I am fine. But it doesn't matter. I'm mad at you. It wasn't like him, but there was nothing else he could do. He had to pull the tight security of a facade around him. He suddenly turned from Tasuki's arms and crossed his own. Tasuki, you shouldn't have been spying on me!! It was partially true, he was mad; mad at himself for letting anyone see him that night.

Tasuki scowled at him and stood silent for a moment. /Demo... that wasn't all I saw... I saw you run from the Emperor-sama's bed chamber last night... the tears already falling from your face, baka! I saw you... half dressed... don't give me this crap, Nuriko! Something happened and I won't let it go!--/

Nuriko turned from Tasuki and haughtily pulled his robe tighter over his shoulder.

Whatever you saw, Tasuki-kun, doesn't matter. There's-- there's nothing you can say about it. Yes, I cried... but it is truly none of your business. Besides, a gay man like me should never cry, right? That is what you expected and what gave you shock. So now you know I am weak hearted-- but I could STILL KICK YOUR ASS IF YOU BREATHE A WORD OF IT TO THE OTHERS!!!

Tasuki jumped back, squished into the wall from Nuriko's loud words. When he looked back up, Nuriko was out of sight.

Weak hearted... Nuriko-kun...

Something was not right, and the fiery Seishi could sense it. He started after Nuriko, but froze. /He'll never tell me... nevertheless open up to me... But I know what I saw... and if Hotohori-sama hurt him--/ Tasuki's face reddened and he balled a hand into a fist, slamming it into the wall.



* * *

The candlelight flickered creating shadows and shapes against the Shrine. Flowing dark hair cradled against his back and the Emperor opened his eyes as he said the last words of prayer to Suzaku. Instead of sharing his morning moments with the rest of the Seishi and Miaka, Hotohori spent the early hours bowing against the alter, bidding his prayers and worship But this morning was different.

Now all he could do was lock his jaw and grit his teeth, no matter what he tried, he could not free his mind. That look burned his eyes, as if it were immobilized in his memory. Fear and regret wallowed in his heart. He bit his tongue, tasting blood.

Hotohori shuddered, his face flushed with pain. He could see Nuriko's shock, the pain smeared on his face, and the moment Hotohori reached to comfort him-- he was gone. Too late.

/Dammit... what have I done!?/

If only, if only I had run after him... They were useless words, and he knew it. It was as though he had to say them to make himself feel better, which was just another lie. Hotohori closed his eyes, a moment of last night's charade playing back to him like a movie. He felt Nuriko's tight embrace, after they had laid gasping together... and Hotohori's flushed face, so red with passion...

/I did it for you Nuriko... yet I felt something... pleasure maybe... It felt cruel and cold and heartless at the time... when I love Miaka-sama.../ But it was true, he knew it. It was passion.

The pang of guilt pressed tightly against the Emperor's chest and he fell to his knees, as if Suzaku had pushed him there. Tears of pain were scorching his eyes.

Shit! Shit! Miaka! Miaka! Nuriko-kun! Uhhhngh! A breeze entered the Shrine and the candles were blown out. There was a moment of deathly darkness and silence filled the chamber, except for Hotohori's gasping.

Y-you! Shit! Hotohori struggled and cried out in pain as the clashing power of chi exploded against his already burning chest.

The blonde man chuckled and Hotohori could no longer keep his eyes open as the final pain set in. He tasted the blood on his lips.

Shit... Nuriko...