CHAPTER 10

"You may enter," said Prince Miskito, "I very well know what you are up to."

"How did you catch me?" said Ryuka, entering.

"I saw you with the hawk," said Miskito, sneering, "Friend of the Miko, are you? Give me one reason not to take your head off charged with guilty for treason."

"I have done nothing against your country," replied back Ryuka, "I am working only in the best wishes of my Lord."

"Fraternizing with the enemy equally treason," said Miskito, "I must admit you have a lot of guts."

"What do you want from me?" asked Ryuka, "Had you wanted to expose me you would already have done so."

"You are clever," said Miskito, "Both your lord and I have the same intention. Take this message," he gave him a note, "And send it to your Lord. That will be all."

Late that night, he opened the note. It's a waste of time sending this to Nakago, he thought. Honestly, to think these princes were thinking of using Nakago to achieve their stupid political means. The only thing his Lord was now interested in was Lady Miaka, and what he heard that time in the morning… he had to stop those two from getting back together.

"Taka," said Miaka, coming in his room, "we need to talk."

Yui and Taka sprung apart as if electrocuted. "And here I was thinking we still may have a chance…" said Miaka.

"Looks like you're more eager to get into Yui's pants than me in Nakago's", said Miaka, sitting down on the bed, smirking, "Why that's a surprise!"

"Look, what do you want?" said Yui.

"I've come hear to speak to my fiancé," said Miaka, "Alone."

"What?" protested Yui, "Why of all the…"

"Please Yui," interrupted Taka, "Leave."

Finally the two ex-lovers were alone. "So, you want to patch things up?" asked Taka.

"Do you think I'm so dense?" asked Miaka, "That was my initial intention but after what I saw, I'm thinking of something else."

"And that is?" asked Taka, "Will you finally get to the point?"

"Its not possible for us to get back together again," she said, "but I was just thinking if it's possible to just pretend to be a couple in front of the others. Till, we finally have peace, that is, till we call on Suzaku."

There was a pause. Miaka continued, "I care a lot about the seishis. They have enough on their minds, I really don't want to add on to their worries. They think of us together, as a ray of hope. We did a lot of impossible feats together, after all."

"Yes," said Taka, "We were something together after all, weren't we? Love conquers everything, hmm…. But as they say, all good things come to an end."

They looked at each other. For a while, Miaka searched in Taka's eyes for the man she fell head over heals with, but she was met with only emptiness.

"Good night, then,' said Miaka going out, "Don't forget our deal ok?"

"Fine" said Taka, "But what happens after?"

"Both of us are free to do whatever we want," said Miaka, "Until then…"

That night Miaka couldn't sleep. She felt as if she finally said her good-by to Taka. This was for the best, for everyone's sake. Taka had taken a major part of her life, and the thought of actually living on without him was what drove her in the Book. But he was back. A small flame of hope of getting together with Taka had finally extinguished.

"Suzaku," she whispered, tears falling from her eyes, "help me."

&

The next morning the seishis saw Miaka and Taka coming in together. Smiling, just like old times. Seeing them smile, the rest of the seishis smiled. Yui was seen nowhere in the background, she had been thoroughly warned not to appear and ruin their 'happy-family' atmosphere.

But somewhere along the background, Ryuka stood. They could see the couple smiling and laughing amongst their friends, yet they seemed more like interested in others than each others. They never once held hands. But among all of them Hotohori was absent.

Somewhere along the far depths of the castle, there stood a man, long haired, often considered to be the God of Rock music in Japan.

"You wanted to see me here,' he said, "Why? And why all the secrecy?"

Yui came out. "I heard you were the one assigned to find the spy, I presume?" she said, smirking devilishly, "Well I have news for you, Hotohori-san."

"News?" said Hotohori, "Then why wouldn't you say it outside, in front of the others? What are you trying to say?"

"Hmm…" said Yui, "You wouldn't believe me, but you can ask Miaka herself about it. Well…"

After Yui completed, Hotohori ran. Ran to the one person he trusted the most, in both of his lives. Ran to confront his maiden.

Meanwhile, the note from Prince Miskito had finally reached Nakago. He read it at a glance and threw in the fire. He then opened a jewelery box, and took out a ring. It was beautiful with a blue Sapphire in the center. He wrapped it with a piece of satin, and after writing a note he attached it to Sheeka's leg. He watched as the bird flew into the depths of dawn.

A/N: Sorry for the MiakaXTaka fans out there. But this a MiakaXNakago centered story. Very soon there will be romance between them. Please continue to read.