Disclaimer: Fushigi Yuugi and its characters belong to Yuu Watase and associates. I'm not Yuu Watase, and I'm not one of her associates. I think you can do the math.

                Author's Note: Lookie! It's chapter three! Isn't it sad how I have nothing better to do than type all day?  Well, I do have homework stuffs… ::looks guilty:: It's easy tho'! I can get it done quickly! Honto! o.O 

Again, thanks for the reviews! ^-^v I'm always happy when I see a new one. ((Teresa is away at a sleep-away camp, but I'm sure she'll be happy when she sees the reviews too ^-^;;)) Keep reviewing, and I promise there'll be more fic. ^_~

                g3ozlizh: Wai! Thanks for reading the ficcy! ^_^ 3 Demo…it looks like it cut your second review off…? o.O I don't know if there was more, but was it supposed to end at "."? ((Actually, whenever I use those characters on this site it cuts whatever I'm doing off…that's why I'm wondering. ^^;;)) And I love ANC! ::beams:: I only own the first DVD and manga, and the artbook…but Teresa ((best buddy and co-author of fic)) brought her DVDs over to my house when she visited for Otakon, so I got to see the whole series. ((It was an abbreviated version, since we fast-forwarded through a bit…but aw well, it was good. ^-^;; Teresa-chaaan…next time, we watch more Kenshin…I'm having Kenshin withdrawal. ;.; I need more Sano/Megumi and Kenshin/Kaoru! ::flails arms around:: ))

                Stormlight: Wheee! Ureshii, two of my fave fanfic authors reviewed! ^_^ Arigatou! And I know what you mean by there not being enough Hoto/Miaka fics out there…along with Nuri/Miaka (and Sano/Megumi in RK fandom), they're in short supply…-.- ::sigh:: Is there no one else out there that likes these pairings?

                And I have a Hotohori! ^-^v ::beams and huggles stuffed panda bear:: ::notices odd looks from readers:: What? I named him Hotohori! All right, so it's not quite the same…;.; But I can say that I sleep with Hotohori every night! Bwahaha! ^___^ ::coughs and sweatdrops:: Ahem…on with the fic, then…

Chapter Three: Memories and a Promise

                "Its been a while…Saihitei…"

                Hotohori stared at the man, numb—not believing his eyes. After a few silent moments, he spoke, quietly…

                "…Akira…"

                Miaka noticed Hotohori's expression, shifting her gaze first from the disbelieving emperor, then to the dark-haired man who now stood, looking up at Hotohori. "Akira"…? Who… She took a closer look at Akira, and was startled. He looks…like…

                The smile on Akira's face quickly changed to one of kindness; but his deep grey eyes showed otherwise.

"So…Aniki turns around, and Otooto-san has grown up…I've been meaning to see you for some time now, Saihitei, but I've been busy with other matters…I hope you don't mind my visiting…?"

Hotohori's face was completely emotionless; he was too numb to feel anything just then.

It's…him. He's here…my…brother…why? Finally he spoke, almost as if to himself. "Why? Why are you here? Why now?"

                Akira shrugged slightly, waving his hand dismissively. "Just to see how you're doing, really…you truly expected your own brother to never visit you? 'Ttaku Saihitei, you may have changed in appearance, but underneath…" He looked up at Hotohori again, and then to his left and right, noticing the seishi and Miaka for the first time. His dark eyes widened slightly, then relaxed—but with a new glint in them. "…or have you…?" he added under his breath.

                Nuriko, standing to Hotohori's left side, noted the brothers' interaction, half-glaring at Akira. Aniki? He's Hotohori's aniki? They may look similar, but there's a huge change when it comes to personality, from what I can tell...

                Miaka was almost as surprised as Hotohori that Akira was there. His brother…I never even knew Hotohori had siblings…I don't like the look in his eyes…

                Tasuki, meanwhile, was completely unimpressed by Akira, and scowled. "Yeah, so…ya gonna introduce yerself ta us, 'r what?" he asked, snarling slightly, in his usual impolite manner. The sardonic smile returned to Akira's face, and, continuing to address Hotohori, he spoke.

                "Ah, your…friends, I presume…"

                He turned to the others, bowing slightly. "Forgive my being so rude…I am Seishuku Akira, 20 years of age…I am Saihitei's half-brother, being of the same father…" He rose from his bow, turning back to Hotohori. "…Would you be so kind as to introduce these kind people to me, Saihitei?"

                Hotohori was fairly uneasy; it was obvious from Akira's tone that he was mocking them, even if only slightly. However, he nodded, motioning first to Chichiri.

"This is Suzaku no Seishi, Ri Houjun, nicknamed Chichiri."

Akira looked the monk over, apparently amused by the mask and hair, then nodded briefly in his direction. Chichiri nodded back; not sure if he should say anything, he remained silent.

Motioning to Tasuki, Hotohori continued. "Suzaki no Seishi, Kou Shun'u, nicknamed Tasuki."

The mountain bandit continued to glare at Akira, making a slight, faint growling sound in his throat. ((A/N: Ookami…^_~)) Akira merely smiled at this, even more amused. "Charmed…" he said quietly, a hint of sarcasm in his deep voice.

Still uneasy, Hotohori went on, now motioning to Nuriko.

"Suzaku no Seishi, Chou Ryuuen, nicknamed Nuriko."

This time, Akira smiled, bowing slightly. "What a lovely lady…" he remarked. "…I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."

Nuriko made no attempts to return the smile; rather, he glared at him.

"I'm a man, you idiot."

Akira was visibly surprised, and straightened from his bow; looking Nuriko over again, his expression became twinged with disgust.

"So I see…forgive me, I was misled by your…feminine appearance."

Be glad I don't take this to heart, or else I would've punched your pretty face in, slimeball, Nuriko thought to himself, continuing to glare at Akira.

Observing these exchanges in silence, Hotohori motioned finally to Miaka.

"And last, Suzaku no Miko, Miaka Yuuki…"

Akira turned his gaze to Miaka, a look of surprise on his face. All contempt was gone from his features; rather, he seemed contemplative. When he spoke, his voice was quiet, and thoughtful.

"Then this is her…you always were talking about it…"

Smiling more kindly, he bowed, addressing Miaka. "Hajimemashite, Miko-sama. I've heard many stories about you." Slightly surprised by the change in behavior, Miaka was fairly uneasy. However, trying to remain polite, she returned the greeting, somewhat hesitantly. "A…hajimemashite…" She glanced at Hotohori, unsure what to make of Akira.

More than just slightly annoyed by Akira's interactions with the seishi, Hotohori turned to his brother; his expression didn't give away any emotion, but his eyes were darker than usual. Finally he spoke—very quietly, but firmly.

"These are my friends, and you will treat them with respect…I do not care if you are my half brother, if anything happens to them that is your fault I will make you pay…" The seishi and Miaka were slightly shocked by this, but Akira only chuckled.

"Of course, Otooto-san…nothing less from my younger brother…" He paused, then his expression and tone became serious. "…however, I did not mean to insult. If that's the case, I apologize sincerely. If you wish, I will leave immediately…" The last sentence was spoken with a tinge of guilt, causing Hotohori to look slightly guilty himself.

"We did not intend to make you uneasy…we were merely stating that while you're here, you will act appropriately, understood?" Hotohori's voice was weary as he spoke, as if bearing an ancient weight. Akira bowed his head in respect—acting completely different from the way he had on first impression.

"Hai, of course…I understand." He looked up again, before continuing. "If you do not mind…I would like to speak to you alone…it's been a very, very long time since we've talked…" Pausing, he lowered his voice, so that no one could hear his next words, "Too many years…and distance between us, always…but that's how it is…"

Hotohori nodded. "Of course…" Turning to the seishi and Miaka, he added, "If you would please excuse us for a while." The four left without a word, slightly confused by the sudden change in personality from Akira, but not questioning Hotohori's wishes. Akira watched them leave, then turned to Hotohori; he smiled, but his eyes remained emotionless as he spoke.

"You seem to be doing well…and it looks as though the ancient prophesy has come true, has it not? You always did say you would make Suzaku no Miko love you…I see it in that girl's eyes." He chuckled softly. "I envy you, Saihitei."

Hotohori shook his head slightly. "I didn't make her love me…" he said quietly. "I admit that at first, I forced myself on her…I stopped after a while, almost giving up…but something…I don't know what…happened, and now she loves me…She's not mine, I don't own her…her spirit is too wild to be owned…yet she stays here…with me, and the seishi…and for that…I am grateful."

                Akira looked at him a moment in silence, then replied, softly.

                "I congratulate you, Saihitei…" He paused, then continued, even more quietly, "…your dreams were realized…" He stood for a while without saying anything, then spoke more loudly. "I suppose there is an heir, then? As you're 18, your advisors must be pressuring you more…but seeing as you've found someone you love that deeply, I'm sure if she is not already your empress, both these things will come with time…hopefully soon, for your sake…"

                Hotohori looked away.

                "No, there isn't an heir. I don't even know if she would want to be my empress…but I do know that I can't put it off for that much longer, my advisors request that I have an heir…and it is needed for my country…there's nothing I can do about that no matter how I try…" He trailed off, then continued, more to himself than to Akira. "I have considered choosing another as my empress…and I could never do that. I love Miaka, and no one else could ever make me feel the way she does…I just don't want to hurt her, or force the subject on her. I did that once before, and I know now not to do it again…" After he had finished, he stood there in silence—quiet, thoughtful. Akira listened to everything he was saying, an unreadable expression on his face.

                "Then…she must be very important to you…if you would risk that, for her sake…"

                Hotohori nodded. "…She is…even before she loved me, she was the first one who was able to see past the emperor to me, the man…" I don't want to have anything forced on her like it was for me…

                Akira contemplated this in silence; then, after a while, he spoke, bowing. "Gomen nasai…I'm afraid I've been keeping you too long…I shall see you later, then? Your attendants have already informed me as to where my room is, I think I'll be able to find it on my own…take care." At that, he walked out of the room, not waiting for a reply. Hotohori watched him leave, deep in thought.

                Why is he here? He never cared before; why should he care now? Why did he want to know about Miaka? He's my brother…my aniki…yet I haven't seen him for at least half a decade, if not longer…

* * *

                "Excuse me…can you inform me of where Suzaku no Miko-sama is?"

                Walking down the hall, Akira had stopped to get instructions from a passing attendant. After being pointed in the right direction, he nodded in thanks before starting off down the hall again. He stopped in front of the door to Hotohori's chambers and knocked.

                "Sumimasen…Miko-sama? I'd like to have a word, if you don't mind…"

                Miaka was unpacking her belongings from her room; she looked up at the sound of the knock, surprised. Akira-san? Why is he here? Wasn't he just with Hotohori? "Um…hai, come in."

                Akira opened the door, walking into the room and bowing slightly. "Konnichiwa, Miko-sama. I'm sorry if I've come at a bad time."

                Miaka was slightly uneasy; from just the introduction in the throne room, she wasn't sure what to make of him.

                "Um…no, that's all right…demo, weren't you just with Hoto—er, Saihitei? What did you want to see me for?" I guess he wouldn't know him by Hotohori…

                Akira nodded. "Hai, I was just talking to him…about you, in fact." He sighed, continuing more quietly. "You know…Saihitei always got his way…his happiness…do you think I'll be content to watch as he continues his life this way? That's why I came here…" Seeing her shocked expression, he waved his hand dismissively, smirking slightly. "Oh, I don't plan on doing anything just yet…demo…I thought I'd tell you something that may be of interest to you…"

                Miaka could barely believe what she was hearing. This man—his own brother—was openly telling her that he was planning on doing something to Hotohori? A look of disgust crept onto her features, and she shook her head fiercely, pointing to the door.

                "You come in here, tell me that, and expect me to listen to more? I can report you to the guards now, and I will if you don't get the hell out of here…" She didn't care if it was unlike her to say something like that; she was mad, and wanted him to leave—the sooner the better.

                The sardonic grin from earlier returned to Akira's face.

                "Is that so? Then I suppose you already know the exact position he's in right now…without an heir, and an empress…you realize his advisors are pressuring him more every day? If it weren't for the fact that he loves you so much…if it weren't for the fact that he doesn't want to hurt you, his advisors would undoubtedly already have chosen a woman to bear a son for him…do you realize what he sacrifices…all for your sake?"

                Miaka absorbed what he was saying in silence. An heir…? Empress? I'd…never really thought about that…except for the few times he had mentioned it when I first came here…and…sacrifices…then, just so I'm not…hurt… Confusion apparent in her hazel eyes, she shook her head. "What do you…what do you mean…?"

                Akira continued to smile, and replied quietly. "I'm sure…that you are able to figure that out, Miko-sama…I bid you good day, and perhaps farewell, as I may not speak to you again…" He lowered his voice before continuing. "…but I will be here…until I've completed what I came for…" Once he had finished, he turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

                Why…? He wants to hurt Hotohori, doesn't he…but…what he said…I know he's not lying…what he told me… Miaka lay down on the bed, gazing up at the ceiling, a blank expression on her face. …was true…

* * *

                The sun had just set, the shades of red and pink fading into a deep midnight blue, and finally into velvety black. Hotohori walked down the corridor, stopping in front of his room and knocking on the door. "Miaka…are you in there? Can I come in?" It feels sort of strange to knock on my own door, but…it wouldn't be right to just open the door and walk in…

                Miaka looked up at the sound of Hotohori's voice, and got under the covers of the bed, shivering slightly. "Oh…hai…" I can't go out there…not if Akira's still here…I just can't, knowing that…what he said…

                Hotohori entered the room, seeing Miaka under the covers of the bed. "Are you all right? You weren't around all day…" I was getting lonely…I missed you when you weren't there…

                "Un…I just don't feel well, that's all…I thought I'd rest for a while…" Miaka replied quietly. I should tell him…what he said…but…

                Hotohori looked at her, concerned. I don't know what it is…but somehow your eyes tell me that it is something else… "Are you sure that's all it is? I don't know how to say this…but the look in your eyes tells me a different story…"

                Miaka looked up at him; when she spoke, her voice was soft, quiet. "Hotohori…stay away from him, please…"

                Him? She means Akira…doesn't she? Hotohori walked over to the bed, a confused look on his face. "You mean Akira? Why?"

                Miaka looked down, thinking back to what Akira had told her. "…do you think I'll be content to watch as he continues his life this way…?" "He wants to hurt you…that's all he came here for…just stay away from him…" She closed her eyes to keep a tear from escaping, the latter part of what he'd said circulating through her mind. Hotohori…is it true? That just so you won't hurt me…

                Hotohori was becoming more concerned by the minute. "Miaka, what's wrong? Something's not right…did he say anything to you…?"

                After a few moments, Miaka opened her eyes again, speaking softly. "Why didn't you tell me…how much your advisors are pressuring you…about an heir, and an empress…" She paused. "He said you did it so you wouldn't hurt me…why…would it hurt me…?"

                Hotohori jumped at that, startled. "He told you about…about their pressuring for an heir…?"

                Miaka looked down. "Hai, he told me…and I know he wasn't lying about it, either…" She looked back up at him, her eyes seeking a truthful reply. Hotohori looked down at the floor, turned slightly away from the bed. When he spoke, his voice was quiet. "I didn't want to push you too fast…I didn't want to make you feel as though it was your job…or your fault…or blame yourself for anything…I pushed you before, and I would never want to do that again…I know what it's like to be forced into something that changes your whole life forever…and I would never want to have you go through anything like that…that's why…"

                Miaka sat up slightly and looked down at her hands. "I…when I first started having feelings for you, I never gave any thought to that at all…demo…" She paused, not sure how to put her thoughts into words. "…I wouldn't…feel like I was being forced…because…" She trailed off, not looking up at him; then, after a few moments in silence, she continued again. "I love you…I finally realize that now…and I want to stay with you…"

                Hotohori spoke his thoughts out loud, slightly sad. "You love me…demo…would that be your choice, or would you just be agreeing with my advisors…saying that if I don't have an heir soon, the whole country will be at risk of losing their empire…? Would you willingly put aside your whole life…just to be with me…for me…? I don't want to force you into anything…never should anyone be forced into anything…especially not you…"

                Miaka stayed silent, then climbed out of the bed; embracing him from behind, she wrapped her arms around him, her head against his back. She spoke softly, her voice filled with emotion. "Hotohori…Saihitei…even if you weren't emperor…even if your advisors never said a word…I belong here, with you…forever…"

                Hotohori seemed to melt within her embrace, his heart melting as well. "Miaka…aishiteru…zutto, aishiteru…" He closed his golden eyes, to keep tears from escaping. Miaka remained silent a moment; taking a breath, she began speaking again.

                "I…when he told me…I was afraid that maybe…your advisors had pressured you enough to make you choose someone else…since it's an immediate need…and that was why you didn't want to hurt me…"

                "I would never do that…I love you…and I couldn't ever push myself to choose someone else, because I wouldn't want to hurt them by not loving them…or hurt you because I gave up on you…If I had done that, I'd never forgive myself, so I had to endure lecture after lecture from my advisors about this…it's an immediate need, like you said…but I got through it…for you…for you, I'm willing to make any sacrifice I can…that's how much I love you."

                Miaka closed her eyes, resting against him, content just to hear his voice. "You'll have a beautiful son…he'll have your kindness…your strength…your love for your people…kitto…"

                "He'll have your determination…your inner beauty…and your free spirit…kitto…" Hotohori smiled gently, feeling the warmth of her resting against him, and shut his eyes.

                "Then…are you going to tell your advisors…? So they won't pressure you anymore…"

                Hotohori still stood, his eyes closed and a gentle smile on his face. "Yes…I will talk to them and tell them…arigatou, Miaka…"

                Miaka shook her head. "Iie…I should be the one thanking you…for helping me see what I was too blind to understand before…for helping me find myself…arigatou…" Suddenly remembering the encounter earlier with Akira, Miaka sat down on the bed, looking down at the floor. "Hotohori…I'm afraid…Akira wants…to ruin your happiness…I can't go back out there…not with him still here…"

                Hotohori turned around to face her, a look of sadness of his face.

                "I won't force you to go back…demo…I can't make him leave…his is my brother, whether I like it or not…and I can't force him to leave…he hasn't done anything that he can be charged with…"

                Miaka lay down and closed her eyes. "I know…I know. Just promise me that whatever he does, you won't let him hurt you…I don't want to see you hurt…" She continued more quietly. "If he does hurt you…I don't care if he's your brother…he'll pay, I'll make sure of it…" She opened her eyes again, thinking. Akira…he must have a reason why he wants to hurt Hotohori…but I don't care what it is…he's nothing like Hotohori, nothing. Just by looking in their eyes, you can see how truly different they are…"

                Hotohori's expression softened, a sad smile coming to his face. "I wish that things could be different between the two of us…" Looking out the window to see the moon, Hotohori lay down on the bed beside Miaka. My brother…he's come back…never in all the world would I have expected him to be here…yet I know he's up to something… A slightly troubled expression came over his features.

                Miaka pulled the covers over herself, shivering slightly. "Hotohori…were you two ever close? I never even knew you had siblings, until he came…" It doesn't look like they had a close relationship…if they did, he wouldn't want to hurt him…

                Hotohori replied quietly, his voice sad. "When I was small, he was…different. I remember that when I was lonely, being a prince, he was there to be my friend, because he was in the same situation as me. But over the years…I guess he thought that I was always better off, and he became jealous of me…yet I know that no matter what, he was better off than I was…I have other siblings…yet, if they remember me at all, they're probably jealous too…making them keep their distance…" One day, Akira just wasn't there anymore…no one would tell me where he went… Thinking out loud, sadly and quietly, he continued. "Everyone was always jealous of me…they don't know how much luckier they were…"

                Miaka turned over to look at him; his features were lit in a beam of moonlight, making him look sad and frail, as if he were still the young, lonely boy he spoke of. She touched his hand lightly, speaking in a quiet, gentle tone, tinged with a slight sadness. "Demo…if you hadn't been who you were, who you are…you would never have met any of the seishi…and I never would have met you…" She spoke the next sentence even more quietly. "I never want you to be lonely again…that's why I'm here…and right here…is where I'll always be…"

                Hotohori looked over at her, a gentle smile on his features again; pulling her into an embrace, he spoke. "I will never be lonely again…because you make all the shadows go away…like a beam of light…and this is where you'll always be…" He took her hand and put it on his chest, right over his heart. "…right next to my heart…always…"

                And with that, the couple fell asleep in each others arms…

End Chapter Three

Aniki: older brother

Otooto: younger brother

Hajimemashite: nice to meet you

Gomen nasai: I'm sorry

Un: yeah

Hai: yes

Demo: but

Aishiteru: I love you

Zutto: always

Kitto: surely