Hey all! thnxs again for the lovely review! and b/c you wrote such a lovely review on with the story! haha, I already wrote this chapter in advance but I wanted to see if I could get some feedback on what you guys thought of the story..so here goes! Enjoy and please keep those reviews coming!

Disclaimer: I do not own fishugi yuugi, Yuu watase does..love her (I hope I could meet you one day)

This Chapter is dedicated to: "Chichiri's Angel" Thnxs for the review!

Chapter 2: Miaka's Struggle

She was sleeping. Miaka had stayed asleep in the hospital for 4 whole hours. The faithful and loyal Tasuki, never leaving her side for a moment. Yui finally arrived as she ran through the doorway and froze. She grieved at the sight of her beloved friend.

"Miaka..." she whispered, then glanced at Tasuki.

"Tasuki, what happened?" Yui asked still in utter shock of what could've possibly happened to her. Tasuki was completely lost and appeared to be distraught.

"I don't know Yui...I really don't...I had called her...and...I just knew something was wrong...so I came to visit her...and...I found her passed out on the living room floor" He replied his voice only coming little above a whisper.

Tasuki winced a little at the pain grieving him in his heart.

"If I had been there sooner, I could've prevent this from happening" He said allowing his pain to reveal itself. Yui began to sympathize for him. He slammed his fist on the table next to Miaka's hospital bed where he was sitting. Yui grabbed a chair and sat next to him. She placed her hand on his shoulder, hoping to let him know that she grieved with him as well. What scared the both of them, now at any given moment could become a reality. All they could do was pray and hope that she would awake from her unconscious state, and soon.

"I promised you didn't I? That I would make you the happiest bride in the world?" Tamahome stated to his beloved Miaka.

"Tamahome" Miaka said as she embraced him closely. The warmth of his body cloaking her like a sheild that could do no more harm to her. She was safe. The world would no longer hurt her. Suddenly Tamahome was receding from her embrace. He was disappearing.

"No.." She muttered into the darkness. Tamahome was gone. She felt cold. She heard an echo of a mans voice behind her.

"YOU DAMN SLUT!" Taka yelled at her. She winced at the sight of her own memory.

"No! Tamahome would never!-" Miaka yelled into the darkness of her own memory. Miaka froze. She was alone. The feeling washed over her like an ice cold blanket that seemed to seep deep into her bones. There was no warmth. She walked and walked but still found no one.

"Tamahome...where are you?...I love you..." She continued to mutter into the darkness, hoping Tamahome would come out with that cheery smile he would always have plastered on his face whenever she became sad. She then crawled into a ball holding her knees close to her chest. Calling out Tamahomes name, over and over. But no one came. Then grief took its toll on her. She cried. The tears flowing through her, like a river that was still burning thirsty to cry some more. Her body was cold, it lacked the warmth of a companion. Of the man she loved.

"MIAKA!!" a male voice yelled.

Miaka's head shot up, still being completely consumed by the depression that cloaked her.

"Who's...calling...me?" she mumbled to herself.

"MIAKA PLEASE COME BACK!" a womans voice yelled. She stood, wiping the tears from her face. She thought to herself. Nothing being said, she knew who those voices were. A smile now playing upon her lips, and a ray of hope shone through her eyes once more. She looked forward, with redefined determination and hope.

"My friends...Wait just a little longer guys! I'm coming!" She yelled into the darkness. A ray of light shone in front of her. Miaka, knowing that was where she would be able to return to her friends calling her, began to run forward towards the light. It encapsulated her until she was no longer seen in the room of darkness.

"mmm...uh.." Miaka mumbled as she awoke from her deep slumber to the sight of her beloved friends.

Chiriko, Nuriko, Chichiri, Mitsukake, Hotohori, Tasuki, Yui, Keisuke, and Tetsuya. She rose against the bed frame of the hospital bed and took a moment to notice all her loving friends were here, letting her know that no matter what or where they all are or were, they still care about her and loved her. She smiled a great big smile, her eyes lighting up with joy as she then said to her friends.

"C'mon guys? why the long faces?!". Everyone exclaimed in utter joy and relief.

"Thank the heavens" Hotohori said. Nuriko then walked up to her bed standing right next to her.

"Damn Miaka, you really do know how to scare the hell outta us!" Nuriko said as he then nudged her in her head lovingly. Yui shot up from the chair and embraced her.

"Miaka! I was so scared, don't ever do that again...Otherwise I'm going to have to get Keisuke to beat you up" Yui said.Chichiri approached Miaka and caressed her head rubbing her hair.

"Its good ta have ya back, ya know?" he said a smile revealing. Tasuki remained silent but even in his own silence was just as relieved as everyone else. She glanced down at herself and noticed the bandaged wounds she had all over herself.

("it really did happen") she thought. Silence encapsulated the room. Someone had to ask.

"What happened Miaka?" Keisuke asked. She stood stone still. She chose her words carefully.

("I can't tell them"). She thought before she spoke. She clumsily placed her hand behind her head and replied.

"Oh, uh I was attacked. I left the door unlocked and someone came in and attacked me...I think I was robbed...but really its no big deal...". Tasuki eyed her. She could feel his eyes on her, but ignored his glance.

("I can never tell them") she thought.

"He didn't...rape you or anything...did he?" Yui asked cautiously.

"Oh no...he just attacked me...I'm pretty sure I was robbed..." Miaka began to say until Chichiri interrupted her.

"do you remember what he looked like?" he asked. She pursed her lips thinly. They were drawing closer, she had to ware them off.

"C'mon guys! I'm okay now so you shouldn't have to worry about it anymore, I learned my lesson I'll just remember to lock the door and be more careful-" Miaka continued to say.

"Miaka, the man that attacked you..." Yui began to say but stopped, attempting to find the right words. She breathed a heavy sigh.

"He fractured your rib cage and if your not careful, it can puncture your lungs and you could die!" Yui said her voice beginning in a civil tone but then rose slightly hoping her friend would realize the seriousness of the situation. Miaka looked down, distraught.

(Flashback

"YOU DAMN SLUT!" he yelled kicking her, and continued until he got tired.Miaka writhing underneath every blow for almost hours at a time. He grabbed her by her hair so she would face him.

"I'll be damned if you think you can get away with this" he said simply, showing no emotion in his voice.

End Of Flashback)

She winced at the memory, nearly cried. She shook her head.

"No he couldn'tve-" she began to say.

"Well he did" Keisuke said. Everyone was silent for a few moments. Hotohori's cell phone rang breaking the silence. He proceeded outside of the room to take the phone call. Shortly afterwards everyone decided to return home, but someone had to stay behind to make sure Miaka was alright.

"I'll stay, you guys go" Tasuki said volunteering to stay behind. They all left leaving Tasuki and Miaka behind. Tasuki sat next to Miaka who was still lying in the hospital bed. Miaka was not sleep she was staring off on the other side away from Tasuki. He stared at her intently. She looked so sad. The life seemed to drain from those big green eyes of her. He couldn't stand the look in her eyes any longer.

"Miaka.." he asked Miaka his voice near a gentle whisper. She turned to face him.

"hm? what?" she said returning the same gentle whisper. He stopped.

"What happened Miaka. I mean what really happened?" he asked, anger and slight frustration rising in his voice. He wasn't mad at her. He was mad at himself. He knew that if he would've been there sooner he could've prevent this from happening to her. He had failed her. Could he protect nothing that mattered to him? was he not worthy to call himself a Suzaku warrior? And he ONCE had the honor to call himself a Suzaku warrior. Miaka avoided his question.

"I don't know what your talking about Tasuki, I already told you all what happene-" he banged his fist on the table, he then rose up from the chair next to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. He shook her slightly, completely aware of the damage that had been done to her.

"Miaka, when I found you...The door was LOCKED...you came to the door to open it for me...and then you passed out. NOTHING WAS TAKEN!!! SO EITHER YOUR LYING TO ME OR YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, BUT I'M PRETTY DAMN WELL SURE YOU KNOW!" he yelled at her his eyes glowing brightly, staring down at her. She looked into his eyes. His eyes conveyed everything. He was worried and scared, but there was something else that his eyes told but couldn't pin point what it was. He was only a mere few inches away from her. She looked away from him, she couldn't tell him. She couldn't tell anyone. Then she remembered.

("How did I get here in the first place?") She faced him again.

"Tasuki, how did I-" she cut her words short remembering what Tasuki had said only a few moments ago.

("you came to the door to open it for me...and then you passed out"). She blinked, realizing that he saw her. Her beaten broken down body from hours of Taka's torment.

"Oh Tasuki" she said simply attempting to hold back tears, realizing the failure that was now her relationship with Taka. He blinked as she said his name, his face softened. They stared into each others eyes for what may have seemed like a few minutes. Her heart began to beat rapidly, as that warm feeling enveloped her. It had been ages since her body had felt this alive before. He loosened his grip on her shoulders and placed his hand over her face, sweetly and gently caressing her cheek.

"Miaka..." he said with such a loving tone. Miaka placed her hand on Tasuki's hand that was caressing her cheeks, allowing a small smile to play on her lips, enjoying the feeling that enveloped her. Tasuki drew closer to her, but then froze as he saw the sight of her marriage ring and instantly broke off. He proceeded to walk towards the hospital window, and stood there. Miaka now completely awoke sat up against the board of the hospital bed and stared at Tasuki. She hadn't really looked at him, not like this. He was a man now, when she met him she was only 15 and he was only 18. Now Miaka is a full grown 21 year old woman and Tasuki is now 24 years. She continued to stare at him for what have seemed like hours but was only for a few minutes, noticing his broad shoulders and muscular figure that showed through his black collared shirt, and fiery orange hair that reflected in the moonlight that shone through the window making him appear much more handsome. Shaking the thoughts from her mind she proceeded.

"Tasuki you brought me here?" She said little above a gentle whisper. He breathed a heavy sigh.

"yes Miaka, I did" he replied simply. She stopped and smiled, the thought comforted her. He cared about her.

"I guess I should thank you" she said silently, still smiling. He turned towards Miaka and leaned against the dashborad of the window and tilted his head back slightly, allowing his jewelry and whatnot to be reflected against his tanned skin. His eyes were closed, and took a few moments before he spoke.

"no Miaka. Don't thank me." He stopped before he spoke again.

"I...I failed you..." he said silently, shaking his head in frustration admitting to his failure.

"Tasuki" she said sympathetically as she attempted to rise from the hospital bed, walking towards Tasuki. Suddenly a sharp pain shot her right ribcage it felt like the piercing of a knife on fire. As the pain shot she lost her balance and was going to fall on her right side.

Flashback

("He fractured your rib cage and if your not careful, it can puncture your lungs and you could die!")

End

She remembered what Yui said as she was falling. "

MIAKA!" Tasuki yelled as he ran to catch her before she could hit the ground. He caught her moments before she was about to impact the cold ground. He held her tightly.

"Are you alright? Why are you so damn stubborn sometimes!" He began to yell at her. She winced at the pain, it was getting worse. The burning sensation wouldn't stop. But her friend was more important.

"I just wanted to help! Its not your fault! Its mine!" She yelled at him even though she was in excruciating pain, hurting to take a breath. She thought about Taka when she yelled at Tasuki. It was her fault why he did this to her. It had to be, why? was it something she wasn't doing. Or was it something she WAS doing. She could feel Tasuki's eyes on her.

"If I had only been there sooner...I could'v-" he began to say but was cut off abruptly as Miaka placed her index finger on his lips to silence him. Her heart began to beat rapidly again. His lips were soft and warm. She quickly pulled her finger away from his lips and turned away from his gaze. He looked at her softly.

"Miaka" he said so she would face him.

"I promise I will find who did this to you. And make him pay for the pain he's caused you." He said seriously. She knew he meant it.

"I am still your seshi right?" he added playfully, hoping to make her smile. She looked away from him and smiled. Her pain had receded, for now. He picked her up bridal style and gently placed her back in the hospital bed. She looked over at him.

"you should get some sleep you need all the energy you can get." he said smiling warmly at her. He kneeled next to her.

"and don't worry I'm right here" he said comforting and reassuring. Miaka smiled, really smiled.

"Thank you Tasuki, your a great friend" she said simply as she turned away from him attempting to fall asleep. He sat there for a few moments checking to make sure she was asleep. He chuckled under his breath.

"Yeah friend..." He breathed a deep sigh. He looked over at her sleeping innocently.

"I love you too...Miaka..." He muttered to himself. As he laid his head on whatever room was left on the bed, and fell asleep next to Miaka.

TO BE CONTINUED

Hey hey hey guys! I hope you enjoyed chapter 2! I worked really hard on this one so please review and constructive critiscm is most definitly welcome for discussion, please no flames! My first fic ever...Thnxs again for those who reviewed! Thnxs again "Chichiri's Angel!"

and here's a preview for the next chapter!

"She finally gets out of the hospital but is now completely unsure if she should go home or not. Still being petrefied willingly walks back into their home attempting once more to mend their already broken relationship. But whats worse? Coming home to something she never would've expected. Tasuki finally sees the truth between Miaka and Taka's relationship. Tasuki slowly but surely attempts to mend Miaka's broken heart, but Tasuki can't help but feel as if hes taking advantage of her. Tasuki's love for Miaka is killing him. Stay tuned for the next chapter!!"

-Stargal