Author's Note: I saw there weren't too many of these on the Internet, so I
decided that I'd be a charitable person! I was listening to Pink's song
"My Vietnam" (which is a PERFECT song for Nuriko, by the way) when I wrote
this, so ignore the cheesiness and slow pace. Ah- and I know some people
haven't read or seen up to where the Seishi go into Genbu country, but just
know it's cold there. There is a lemon version of this, but it's for my
own and my friends enjoyment, but if you REALLY want it, e-mail me for it.
However, I think in this particular case it makes the fic better to make
the emotions more focused rather than the sex.
Warnings- deals with Yaoi (male/male sexual relationships) and spoilers
Disclaimer- Don't own anything but the sappy tidbits of (rather nonexistent) plot. Well, maybe I don't own Nuriko... but as for Hotohori... lol.
Cold
Chapter 1- Prelude to the Prologue's End
It was quiet. Nuriko had wanted it that way on purpose, and had left the noisy dining hall where Miaka was attempting to calm Tamahome down after Tasuki had slipped some strange black magic medicine called Exlax into his sushi.
'I remember the stars were bright the night I made Miaka find that "earring" for me...'
Nuriko sighed and tried to asses the memories and feelings that left someone wondering... And yet, it felt good to be gazing at the stars. There was a slight swishing as someone came up from behind and a stately clearing of the throat signified who it was.
"Oh your Highness!" gushed Nuriko as the Emperor shuffled (A/N: like he can do anything else in those horrid duck shoes of his!) to the side of the balcony overlooking the royal gardens and ponds. There was silence. More silence... But it wasn't the peaceful kind like before, it was strong and carried an intense and masculine air to it. Not that Nuriko was truly bothered by it, but just trying to talk to Hotohori made a headache come on.
"Well, I guess I'd better be going inside, we wouldn't want Tamahome and Tasuki to get to out of hand! Ha ha... ha..." Nuriko's offhand laughter was met with stern silence.
"Nuriko, I believe you are perfectly aware that everyone has now retired to their rooms." said Hotohori firmly as he stepped closer to Nuriko...
'Beautiful.' his mind whispered softly... 'Stop that.' he chided himself. 'You know the situation you are in, and it will not change.' The silence turned tense and painful.
"Nuriko..." Hotohori started, but was cut off because his voice wouldn't come, and Nuriko had tears spilling down, glistening like the pearl earrings that Nuriko liked to wear in his presence.
"Stop. You don't need to say this." choked out Nuriko as the delicate Seishi tried to pass Hotohori.
~
"Kang Lin-sama, let's go back, if somebody finds you here, you'll be scolded...."
"That's the Suzaku no Miko that everyone's been talking about..."
"Y- yes."
"Although she's not a princess, she's close to the emperor...
~
"You're right. There is to be no reasoning with you. I am sorry." It had been coldly and unfeelingly said. Nuriko had rehearsed what to say in this situation at least a hundred, no, a thousand times- flash a quick and understanding smile, and cheerfully go find something mindless to do. Not now... A conversation between faceless relatives lingered...
~
"It's sweet they're so close, but really. He gets so angry whenever something doesn't go Kang Lin's way."
"Anger is a powerful thing, but it makes me wonder what he will do when the time comes for him to be jealous of the suitor's Kang Lin will have."
"Jealously can be even worse than poison! Why, remember my cousin Suong- ho? I still remember when his wife ran away with that horse trader and he went mad and drowned himself 3 days later..."
~
'The memory fades...'
"What? That's all? I don't even deserve a raised voice or even a contemptuous glance? I guess it doesn't bother you that you know what I feel, what I go through- I can see it! The way you look at Miaka and watch her from afar because you'll never be close! EVER! She pushes you away! CAN YOU TELL ME YOU LIKE HOW IT FEELS?" Nervousness enclosed Nuriko, and sweat was working its way towards the usually perfect purple bangs. The front of the kimono fell slightly open, revealing Nuriko's icy pale chest was heaving from anger and mental injury. Hotohori inwardly smiled. He expected Nuriko to try and feign a way out, meanwhile Nuriko had surprised him by bursting out instead. His musing were interrupted when the jolt of a twisted and tormenting memory was reawakened.
"REMEMBER OUR FIRST TIME, HOTOHORI-SAMA?" spat Nuriko in a furiously mocking manner. "When your precious Miaka was all alone and the good Highnesses offers of kindness were rejected? You came to me! Oh wasn't I the pretty little obedient one. I made you forget everything! Oh wait- I'm just a plaything! Fine! If you hate me so much, get rid of me! Tell me to leave!" Futile attempts...
"Do not be rash. You are an important member to this kingdom. We could not summon Suzaku without you."
'Cold...'
"Cold... my hands are cold..." Someone was talking. Who? "...I think we should stop for some hot chocolate! I brought some with me! My brother gets something from the store called Suiisu Miisu! It's good! Oh! And we can get some tasty buns too! Are there any bakeries around here?"
'Miaka.'
Nuriko cringed silently. As much as Miaka was considered a dear friend, it was hard to forget Hotohori's mad obsession with her. Miaka once mentioned how it was like something she'd read in a book called Gone With the Wind. Some guy named Rhett Waitress or something was in love with someone who wasn't in love with him but someone else was in love with him. Painful reality...
"NUUUUURRRRRRRRIIIIIIIKKKKKKKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" pierced the air. "WAKE UP!!! WE HAVE TO GO SEARCH FOR THE BENTO COW!!!"
"It's Shentso-Pao, Miaka! No wonder you're failing all your classes, dummy."
"Oh Tamahome!"
"Miaka!"
"Tamahome!!"
"Miaka!!"
"TaMaHoMe!!!"
"MiAkA!!!"
"TAMAHOME!!!"
"MAIKA!!!"
"TAMAH- OOF!" Miaka doubled over as a certain someone chucked a saddle bag at her head.
"We don't have time for this! The horses are freezing and can't keep going without some proper warmth! We told Hotohori-sama that... that..." Nuriko stopped. The memory of Hotohori hurt. Grimacing, the lecture must go on. "That we'd be back in 14 days! It's been 3 already! Get your butt in gear and let's go!"
"She seems to be up and at 'em this morning." Tamahome lightly commented to Miaka. Miaka smiled, tragically oblivious to everything except the Pocky she had stashed in her saddlebag. Selective feelings...
******
Warnings- deals with Yaoi (male/male sexual relationships) and spoilers
Disclaimer- Don't own anything but the sappy tidbits of (rather nonexistent) plot. Well, maybe I don't own Nuriko... but as for Hotohori... lol.
Cold
Chapter 1- Prelude to the Prologue's End
It was quiet. Nuriko had wanted it that way on purpose, and had left the noisy dining hall where Miaka was attempting to calm Tamahome down after Tasuki had slipped some strange black magic medicine called Exlax into his sushi.
'I remember the stars were bright the night I made Miaka find that "earring" for me...'
Nuriko sighed and tried to asses the memories and feelings that left someone wondering... And yet, it felt good to be gazing at the stars. There was a slight swishing as someone came up from behind and a stately clearing of the throat signified who it was.
"Oh your Highness!" gushed Nuriko as the Emperor shuffled (A/N: like he can do anything else in those horrid duck shoes of his!) to the side of the balcony overlooking the royal gardens and ponds. There was silence. More silence... But it wasn't the peaceful kind like before, it was strong and carried an intense and masculine air to it. Not that Nuriko was truly bothered by it, but just trying to talk to Hotohori made a headache come on.
"Well, I guess I'd better be going inside, we wouldn't want Tamahome and Tasuki to get to out of hand! Ha ha... ha..." Nuriko's offhand laughter was met with stern silence.
"Nuriko, I believe you are perfectly aware that everyone has now retired to their rooms." said Hotohori firmly as he stepped closer to Nuriko...
'Beautiful.' his mind whispered softly... 'Stop that.' he chided himself. 'You know the situation you are in, and it will not change.' The silence turned tense and painful.
"Nuriko..." Hotohori started, but was cut off because his voice wouldn't come, and Nuriko had tears spilling down, glistening like the pearl earrings that Nuriko liked to wear in his presence.
"Stop. You don't need to say this." choked out Nuriko as the delicate Seishi tried to pass Hotohori.
~
"Kang Lin-sama, let's go back, if somebody finds you here, you'll be scolded...."
"That's the Suzaku no Miko that everyone's been talking about..."
"Y- yes."
"Although she's not a princess, she's close to the emperor...
~
"You're right. There is to be no reasoning with you. I am sorry." It had been coldly and unfeelingly said. Nuriko had rehearsed what to say in this situation at least a hundred, no, a thousand times- flash a quick and understanding smile, and cheerfully go find something mindless to do. Not now... A conversation between faceless relatives lingered...
~
"It's sweet they're so close, but really. He gets so angry whenever something doesn't go Kang Lin's way."
"Anger is a powerful thing, but it makes me wonder what he will do when the time comes for him to be jealous of the suitor's Kang Lin will have."
"Jealously can be even worse than poison! Why, remember my cousin Suong- ho? I still remember when his wife ran away with that horse trader and he went mad and drowned himself 3 days later..."
~
'The memory fades...'
"What? That's all? I don't even deserve a raised voice or even a contemptuous glance? I guess it doesn't bother you that you know what I feel, what I go through- I can see it! The way you look at Miaka and watch her from afar because you'll never be close! EVER! She pushes you away! CAN YOU TELL ME YOU LIKE HOW IT FEELS?" Nervousness enclosed Nuriko, and sweat was working its way towards the usually perfect purple bangs. The front of the kimono fell slightly open, revealing Nuriko's icy pale chest was heaving from anger and mental injury. Hotohori inwardly smiled. He expected Nuriko to try and feign a way out, meanwhile Nuriko had surprised him by bursting out instead. His musing were interrupted when the jolt of a twisted and tormenting memory was reawakened.
"REMEMBER OUR FIRST TIME, HOTOHORI-SAMA?" spat Nuriko in a furiously mocking manner. "When your precious Miaka was all alone and the good Highnesses offers of kindness were rejected? You came to me! Oh wasn't I the pretty little obedient one. I made you forget everything! Oh wait- I'm just a plaything! Fine! If you hate me so much, get rid of me! Tell me to leave!" Futile attempts...
"Do not be rash. You are an important member to this kingdom. We could not summon Suzaku without you."
'Cold...'
"Cold... my hands are cold..." Someone was talking. Who? "...I think we should stop for some hot chocolate! I brought some with me! My brother gets something from the store called Suiisu Miisu! It's good! Oh! And we can get some tasty buns too! Are there any bakeries around here?"
'Miaka.'
Nuriko cringed silently. As much as Miaka was considered a dear friend, it was hard to forget Hotohori's mad obsession with her. Miaka once mentioned how it was like something she'd read in a book called Gone With the Wind. Some guy named Rhett Waitress or something was in love with someone who wasn't in love with him but someone else was in love with him. Painful reality...
"NUUUUURRRRRRRRIIIIIIIKKKKKKKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" pierced the air. "WAKE UP!!! WE HAVE TO GO SEARCH FOR THE BENTO COW!!!"
"It's Shentso-Pao, Miaka! No wonder you're failing all your classes, dummy."
"Oh Tamahome!"
"Miaka!"
"Tamahome!!"
"Miaka!!"
"TaMaHoMe!!!"
"MiAkA!!!"
"TAMAHOME!!!"
"MAIKA!!!"
"TAMAH- OOF!" Miaka doubled over as a certain someone chucked a saddle bag at her head.
"We don't have time for this! The horses are freezing and can't keep going without some proper warmth! We told Hotohori-sama that... that..." Nuriko stopped. The memory of Hotohori hurt. Grimacing, the lecture must go on. "That we'd be back in 14 days! It's been 3 already! Get your butt in gear and let's go!"
"She seems to be up and at 'em this morning." Tamahome lightly commented to Miaka. Miaka smiled, tragically oblivious to everything except the Pocky she had stashed in her saddlebag. Selective feelings...
******