Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi and its characters. The Japanese Manga series was written and illustrated by none other than Yuu Watase
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Chapter 8
Friday
Rafael couldn't sleep. Looking at the alarm clock on the night table it was 3:02am. His thoughts kept wondering to what happened at the beach yesterday evening. Wearing only the trousers of his pajamas, he got up from bed and stepped out to the balcony. The cool sea breeze caressed his skin. There was no use attempting to sleep since every time he would close his eyes all he would see is a pair of hazel colored eyes.
The name of his sweet tormentor
Miaka..
She was a mystery to him and he wanted to find out more about her. The reaction she had inadvertently caused when he held her that brief moment took him unawares that he didn't have time to react and he didn't have a choice but go with the flow. There was something about her that attracted him like a moth to a flame and he really didn't give damn if he got burned. That's what worried Rafael, he has never been that reckless, especially with a girl he barely met. He couldn't remember meeting her in the past yet, his heart, mind and soul somehow recognized her and was urging him to abandon logic and take her as his own.
Tomorrow will tell me more. He thought as he turned and went back into his room. Laying down in bed he closed his eyes and dreamt of a particular russet haired girl with sparkling hazel eyes.
-/-
It was 3am and she could not sleep. Miaka was still in shock. She had just met her former Seishi, the Former Emperor of Hong Nan. Hotohori's reborn! Suzaku had allowed her second seishi to be reborn! But why!? She racked her brain for answers. When she saw him, it took all her strength not to throw her arms around him. He looked the same albeit older, more mature, but he was as beautiful as ever. He still had that air of authority that surrounds him, that commanding presence that he had when he was the Emperor of Hong Nan. It made Miaka wonder how much of his qualities did he take from his former life. But she knew she was going get some of her questions answered tomorrow.
It was already established that Hotohori's reborn didn't remember his past life and that saddened Miaka. His name now is Rafael. She thought, Suzaku, you have allowed Taka to be reincarnated in this world. Now my second seishi, Hotohori, has been reincarnated!? I know it's a miracle but why have you allowed it? Would it be too much to ask to have all my Seishis reborn too?
Burying her face in her pillow, Miaka let out a shout to release the tension. After which, she grabbed her cellphone she called Yui's number.
"Hello" a sleepy voice answered.
"Yui, sorry to wake you. I needed to talk to someone." Miaka said.
" Miaka, it's past three in the morning. Couldn't this wait?" Yui's sleepy, irritated voice filtered thru.
"Hotohori was reborn." Miaka said.
In her bed, Yui, sat up suddenly. All the sleep gone from her after her best friend's revelation.
"What?! Are you certain it's him?" Yui asked.
"Yes." The girl on the other line said. "But he doesn't remember who he was in the book. His name is Rafael."
Taking a deep breath, Yui tried to calm down. If Miaka's seishis were allowed to be reborn in this world, is it possible that her own seishis be reborn too? Yui shook the thought out of her head.
It's been years since they have traveled in and out of the book, but she chose not to remember everything that happened in it, Relegating the memories in the deepest recesses of her mind. She didn't want to remember how her own weakness and hatred ruined her and almost destroyed her friendship with Miaka. It took a long time for her to finally forgive herself, even if Miaka had forgiven her long ago. So Yui swore to protect her best friend no matter what. When Tamahome was reborn as Taka in their world, she was truly happy for the both of them. But when Taka had left her best friend. She had held her and cried with her. She saw how her heart broke. Now, she was a little apprehensive about the appearance of another of Miaka's seishi she didn't know what his appearance portends.
"Miaka, so what are you planning to do?" Yui asked keeping her voice neutral.
"Well, he had asked me to meet up with him again so we're meeting up tomorrow at 1pm." Miaka replied.
1pm? Is it a whole afternoon thing? Because remember we have to meet up for practice at 530pm." She reminded Miaka.
"Oh dang it! I forgot about that!" Miaka groaned.
"Hey! I have an idea! Why don't you bring him to practice?" Yui suggested.
"Ooooook, so you expect me to drag the former emperor of Hong Nan to our practice!" Miaka screeched "are you crazy!"
"Shush! It's too early for your loud voice!" Yui chided and explained to her best friend "he does not remember that he's a former emperor, Miaka. I think it would be safe enough to bring him and that way the whole group could meet him. If he doesn't go with you, fine. If he does, then it's fine too."
"Are you sure?" Miaka said doubtful about the whole thing.
"Yes, I'm sure. I'll let the others know to expect that you're bringing someone. Also I'll let Keisuke know." Yui said
"Oh right. My brother has to know." Miaka stated in a bored tone. But she knew her best friend was right. It was her brother who was reading the book when Hotohori and Tamahome were fighting for her attention and love.
"Ok then. I'll keep you updated." Miaka said
"Ok then. Bye" Yui replied ending the call.
Miaka then whispered softly a prayer for everything to go well and finally closed her eyes.
-/-
12 noon
Rafael stepped out of shower. And walked over to door of the walk in closet in order to get ready to meet with the girl who unknowingly made his heart turn and somersault as if it was doing a Cirque du Soleil show in his chest. He started to dress himself. Picking a crimson polo shirt, black slim fit denims and black leather boots. He decided to bring his black Letterman leather jacket just in case. Combing his waist length hair he secured it in a half ponytail and assessed how he looked, He knew that he carried himself very well and that he was definitely good looking, but for some reason it was Miaka's opinion that would matter to him.
"Bloody hell, it's not like I'm going on a date! I'm just meeting the girl" he told himself
Then there was a knock on his bedroom door.
"Come in." He said.
"Sir, are you going to be home for dinner?" John, the butler inquired.
"I don't think so, John. But have Emile make something for dinner, just in case." Rafael answered.
"Very well Sir." The butler replied and excused himself.
One final look on the mirror. He took his wallet and his cellphone from the night table and stepped out of his room. Checking his Piaget watch it indicated that it was 12:24pm. He headed downstairs to take the keys to the BMW Z4. Revving up the engine, Rafael drove off.
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A/N sorry for the late update... I got busy with work and my son that I could barely even type. Also, I suffered a little writer's block. Now I'm happy that I'm over it.
I'm sorry that for the past chapters i haven't had anyone beta for me since my cousin has been busy. Still, I hope you enjoy reading :)
