Chapter 1: Realizing the Loss

Hey again everyone!!! Here's my second fanfic (squeals). The first one, I think, was just bleahhhhhh so I decided to write about something you are much more familiar with. (Tatara-Suzuno??? what the hell??) But if you don't know these 2 lovers I just wrote about and are interested, well you just going to have to wait and see since lately I got writer's block. I have chapter 2 on the way…plus chapter 3 and working on chapter 4…I've been lazy and had writer's block lately. Gosh, I talk too much.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Fushigi Yuugi or any of its characters. Please do not sue me…(sniff)

Standing on the terrace watching a brand new day pop up from the sky, Nuriko wondered what would his life be from now on. A blabbermouth miko, a charming and dashing emperor, a fang boy, a dumb monk, a little kid…hmmm…what else…oh yeah, a thief and a healer…with such an annoying cat!!! Sheeesh…my life is so…cracked up??? "Ok, Nuriko. You're freaking talking to yourself. You are freaking me out!!!" he said while raising his fist and thumping his head with it. He only stopped when his head begun to throb with pain. "Shit!"

So, the usually happy, good-ol-friend Nuriko now slumped at the canopy bed he had just slept on earlier, stared at the open terrace that was now bathed in bright orange hue, and really thinking over what his life would be from now on. Yesterday was exciting, if it weren't for the blabbermouth and evil Miaka spilling his dirty little secret. Now, the emperor, Hotohori, might be thinking twice about courting him, now he knows that him is not a she. Who would've thought an emperor, and a really good-looking one at that, would be interested in a purple-haired man that's not even as good looking as the emperor himself. And worse, he couldn't provide him the emperor a lot of bloody heirs.

And, it's that Miaka's entire freaking fault for giving him misery. Acting like such a vixen and languishing on Hotohori, while glancing over the emperor's shoulder and telling Nuriko he's not fit for Hotohori, because the emperor needs a she not a she-wannabe. "Boy did that hurt." Nuriko groaned as he flipped over his side and recalled the other day's events. There's no turning back, now the damage has been done. It doesn't mean though that Nuriko will just stand there and be ridiculed by the world. The only way to get him out of this misery is if he faces it. He may act and pretend to be a woman, but deep inside he has a dignity and a being of a man.

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To clear his mind off a bit, Nuriko decided that a walk through the imperial gardens might relax him a bit. There's no use now dressing in those woman robes now the secret is out. "But you got to admit, they are pretty comfortable, and stylish." So he dressed up in a normal robe and braided his hair down. But no longer had he walked a few feet from the steps he met the man himself. Saihitei. The Emperor. The man he, Nuriko, had worked so hard to pretend and loved too much.

"Nice day for a walk, Your Highness." Nuriko stammered, as he tried to figure out why his voice came out as raspy, rough, and …well…a bit too…sensual. Saihitei, or as he is called, Hotohori glanced at Nuriko and assessed him with those all-too-knowing light brown eyes of his. Such a Narcissist!!! Nuriko thought and tried not to shuffle his feet by the heat of Hotohori's gaze. "I often come here a lot. Don't you like the surroundings?" Obviously, this was not one of the options Nuriko had decided to visit this place. He completely forgot that the Emperor liked coming here and doing what he likes best: gazing at himself at the pond. You are such a dumb-dumb!

Nuriko took a step forward and looked at the scenery Hotohori had mentioned. It was beautiful enough, but not compared to the seemingly attractive emperor himself. Not to mention a great swordsman. "They are…stunning. And… original." Nuriko managed a sheepish smile as Hotohori raised an arched brow and looked at him. Oh…so close, so close! At this message in his brain, Nuriko immediately stepped backward, lost his balance…

SPLASHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

"Oh my god…" he shrieked as he tried to regain composure, knowing all-too-well that Hotohori is probably smiling at his idiot ness. But that changed as a gentle arm held Nuriko's hand and lifted him. That person's gentle hand also reached out and carried him ashore, where he laid Nuriko on his back and comforting him. That feels so nice… Nuriko thought as he succumbed to the enveloping darkness that surrounded him.

Author's Note: Great, huh? I'm sorry if its not really that funny, but bear with me people. Also, I would like to know: is my timeline all mushed up and cracked up, and inaccurate? I need help.

Also, I would like to know some ideas on what chapter 5 should be on my other fanfic, A World Apart. Please R&R!!!!!