Picking Up the Pieces
Disclaimer: Do not own anything, no matter how much I wish on stars and birthday candles...
A/N: Ok...so...rewatching the series and the what ifs started flowing again. I have a good bit of time right now... So I thought, why not be creative and get those art juices flowing! Also, helps me kinda get into a meditative state and work things out. So the big stuff... Thinking A/U for this, kinda... Touching base with growing up, being with the same person forever and the doubts and problems that can come along. Defiantly reincarnating a few different warriors... Let s see how this plays out, ne?
Chapter 1
Miaka sighed as she hit that red end call button. Her arm fell limply at her side. It s been strained between her and Taka lately... But not in an arguing or fighting kind of way. She felt as if he became comfortable, like... They were simple friends, best friends, but friends rather than two people who moved heaven and Earth to be with each other. She turned, and walked over to the kitchen, putting his dinner away. Taka had just cancelled on her, instead, going out to dinner with Keisuke and Tetsuya. Closing the fridge, she looked at her phone and grinned.
"Well, if they are gonna go out and have fun..." She scrolled through her contacts and found Yui. She tapped it and lifted it to her ear as it started to ring.
Miaka looked at Yui as she tugged on the hem of the dress her friend put her into. It was shorter, coming about mid thigh, and pretty clingy. The heels she put her in were a bit higher, about 3 inches. She was decked out in sequined red. Apparently, Yui thought it was cute, about 10 years after their adventures in the Universe of the Four Gods, still dressing in their respective colors. Her excuse? "Aww, but Miaka... These colors just look so good on us!" She would always say with a giggle. She was shaken from her reverie by Yui grabbing her wrist with a heavy sigh.
"Come out of the clouds Miaka. You wanted to go out to escape those thoughts. Come on. I hear from some of the girls at work there is a really hot bartender that started a while ago." She chuckled as she led her friend in. "They come just to see this guy!"
Miaka couldn't help but smile. Yui was trying really hard to cheer her up. She gave a small laugh. "Ok ok...just be careful...I ll fall in these death traps you call shoes!"
"Oh quit whining Miaka! You look amazing, you need to own it." She stopped at the bar and sat Miaka in a seat. "Now, time to enjoy yourself! Have fun, flirt a bit and forget about Taka being a self-centered jerk." Miaka looked around the barroom as Yui slid into the seat next to her. It was an upscale bar, full of lights, and a dance floor. Probably closer to a club than a bar, people dressed similar to her and Yui, everything pristine and shining. She barely heard Yui s gasp, before she stiffened, hearing a voice come from behind the bar.
"What can I get ya two?" Miaka slowly turned around and locked eyes with a very familiar pair of amber eyes.
"I...ah..." Thankfully Yui was there to take up the slack for her...as usual.
"Two cosmos please."" She answered, giving him a smile. "I apologize for my friend here...she doesn't get out much..." He nodded once, then turned, slowly looking away from Miaka's gaze, getting back to work.
Yui looked over at Miaka wide-eyed. "I swear I had no idea he looked like that Miaka..."
"T-Tasuki..." Miaka whispered as she watched him walk away.
Yui gave her pale friend a concerned look. "Should...we leave? You want me to call Taka for you?"
Miaka shook her head slowly. "Their relationship was strained at best. It wouldn t be good if he noticed he was also reincarnated. I... I think I want to stay." She gave Yui a bright smile. "I mean even if he doesn't remember who he once was or who I am, who else better to cheer me up? She sighed and looked at her hands. Tasuki and Nuriko were always the one to look out for me and cheer me up when something happened with Tamahome." She looked over at Yui, who she knew didn t have good memories of her time there. Instead of her usual haunted look, she gave Miaka a warm smile.
" Well, then I did know just what would cheer you up!" There was a clink as the two martini glasses were set down on the bar. The bartender cleared his throat and looked at Miaka.
"Ya good now? Looked a little faint a minute ago...like ya just saw a ghost." Miaka nodded as she picked up the drink taking a sip.
"Yeah. Just had a bit of a shock. I m good now though." The man grinned and nodded back, his hair, the color of fire, moving with every slight movement of his head.
"A'ight. Mind if I ask you beautiful ladies a question?" He rubbed the back of his head, blushing faintly. "Before I do...I don't always do this. Girls are a royal pain in my ass...always changing their minds...never playing fair. But I saw you two come in and somethin I dunno...clicked I guess?" He looked to the side, obviously embarrassed. He looked at Miaka from the corner of his eye when she giggled a bit.
"Ask away." She gave him a warm smile. It was as if he never changed. Exactly the same but obviously not as violent. Sure his hair was shorter and he was more tanned, less jewelry and more like jeans, combat boots, and a button up shirt.
Still blushing, he leaned forward, dropping his voice, "I know it's gonna sound like a pick up line, but what are ladies like you two doing out by yourselves?"
Yui cleared her throat and took that opportunity to take a long drink, downing half of it in one go. Miaka looked away biting her lower lip gently.
"Oh well...that is quite a long story..." She whispered playing with her own glass. He glanced around, eyes assessing the goings on. Satisfied, he nodded.
"It's pretty slow, I have time. Pretty ladies like yerself shouldn't look sad. Ya look like you re on the verge of tears. Someone like you cryin would just break m'heart." He gave her a warm smile. "Atleast fess up to what caused you t'come out t night. Not that I'm complainin' or anythin'." He shrugged, eyes closed. "I am a bartender after all. They are like the world s cheapest shrinks."
Miaka smiled softly, still playing with the glass. He was so much like his old self, it was kinda hard to remember this wasn't Tasuki, bandit leader and Suzaku warrior standing in front of her. This was...ah...
"I can't tell you all that!" She exclaimed softly. "I don't even know you!"
Yui slid out of her seat. "Miaka, Tetsuya's calling me. I gotta take it really quick. I'll be right back." She answered her phone, trying to find a quieter spot.
The bartender, who had a striking resemblance to her former friend, warrior, and protector, blinked a few times looking confused, then shook his head.
"I should've introduced m'self. It s just that...I dunno...I felt like I ve known ya forever." He held his hand out. "I'm Talin. I know weird name. My parents were pretty weird. New Agey and all that."
A/N: Yay! Chapter one done! Chapter two is already working in my head!
