Disclaimer: ..."Miaka akachan no umi hebii!" Yeah like it says, I dont own FY characters.
The Search, Damsel in Distress:
The morning air cool against his skin, Nuriko woke up to birds singing, and… the trickling of… water? He woke up and realized that they
had stayed at the river the entire night. He turned to look at Miaka to find that she was still asleep. He couldn't help but gaze at her sleeping
form; smiling he remembered their previous night…
"Nuriko… thank you for bringing me here, … it's beautiful..." blushing at the memory he gently shook Miaka awake. "Miaka…"
nothing happened, sighing he only did what he could do, "Miaka! Miaka's a little baby pit viper!" he chimed loudly. Miaka cringed at the
noise. 'That got her up' he smirked. Opening her eyes slowly she blinked back the morning sun's light… "Nuriko?" And then realizing
where they were, looked around and gasped. "Oh my god Nuriko! We were here the entire night!" Miaka said as she stood up, a bit too
fast as she almost fell to the ground from the blood rush. Instantly Nuriko materialized in front of her and caught her. "Are you alright
Miaka?" He asked. "I just need," she yawned, "Some breakfast…"She finished, rubbing her eyes groggily.
Nuriko sweat dropped… "Heh, that's the Miaka that I know," he sighed holding his temple, then looked at her with a smile. "We should
head back to the inn. The others will worry if we're not back at the inn." He finished as he helped her get up; he blushes as he held her hand
in his, before letting go,then the two quickly headed back to the inn.
The morning light crept its way over the fiery bandit's eyes. It's morning already he thought, as he got out of bed. Scratching his head with
his hand he yawned, his fang slightly showing as he did this. Stretching he went over to shower.
Remembering the previous night… "Nuriko… thank you for bringing me here…it's beautiful…" furrowing his brow, he scrubbed his
body and hair, unaware of how hard he was scrubbing. Turning off the water he emerged out of the bathroom. With a towel tightly wrapped
around his hips he washed his face. Miaka…today maybe I'll just have to take you somewhere to cheer you up over Tama…he knew
that deep down she still loved Tamahome. I never would've seen the day that girly boy goes after a girl, not just any girl though…
my… Miaka…wiping his face, he went to get dressed.
"Good morning everyone," Chiriko yawned. Mitsukake came out after him, his hair still wet from his shower. "Good morning na no da,"
Chichiri popped in his chibi form. "Today we should find the shinzaho's where about," Mitsukake stated. The nodded and headed into the
restaurant; sweat dropping, Nuriko and Miaka were already there… with several plates on the table. "It's a good thing I asked for more
funds no da…" he sweat dropped, and sat down next to Nuriko. Chiriko taking Miaka's side begin to order breakfast for the three of
them, as Mitsukake sipped his tea next to him.
"Osu!" Tasuki greeted, spotting everyone at the table. "Good Morning Tasuki-san, Miaka-san, Nuriko-san," Chiriko beamed. "Lets eat!"
Tasuki replied as he sat next to Chichiri. "I may not be Miaka, but I'm starved!" He said as he begin to wolf down some food that Miaka
ordered. "Hey Tasuki! that's mine!" Miaka whined. "Sorry Miaka but you and Nuriko had enough time eating I think," then thought
annoyed, 'and other things…' He continued," Plus Chichiri increased our travel funds," and with that continued eating. Miaka pouting for
a second smiled and continued her plate.
During breakfast, Miaka took quick glances at Nuriko while he spoke with Tasuki, and found herself blushing. 'The previous night was so
great, and… Nuriko looked really cute when he blushed too,' she thought as she turns to Mitsukake. "I never got to thank you for fixing
both Nuriko and my injuries, Mitsukake," she smiled. "Thank you." Mitsukake gave her a warm smile back, "Your welcome Miaka."
Nuriko hearing his name, "Yeah, thanks Mitsukake," he rotated his arms and examined his shoulder, "I feel great!" Mitsukake smiled again,
"Happy to be of service."
After breakfast the group went outside, "Now, we should go into groups again and find the last shinzaho no da," Chichiri suggested. Tasuki
looked over to Miaka, "I'll go with Miaka, he stated with a smirk. "Gotta have someone watching out fer her," he finished. "Thanks
Tasuki," she smiled. "Then if it's alright, can I go with you Mitsukake-san?" Chiriko asked shyly. "Of course, he answered." Nuriko
inwardly sighed, but smiling, "Then I'll go with Chichiri." After getting into pairs, "Here everyone," Chiriko passed out 2 flares. " I bought
more flares so if we ever lose or have a use for one, then you'll still have the other to signal the other groups." He stated smiling, deep down
he didn't want anyone else to suffer the fate that Tamahome had, so bought extras to keep the group safe.
"Ok lets go and be careful everyone…,"she paused, "I don't want…" she hesitated; couldn't finish.
Nuriko thinking the same thing, went over to Miaka and held her face in his hands, "Miaka, don't worry," he smiled reassuring her. "We
won't leave you," he finished, then winking parted ways to join Chichiri.
Miaka staring after him only blushed, as she shook the dizziness out of her head. "Lets go Tasuki!" Wrapping one arm around his, led him in
the opposite direction while blushing crimson, Tasuki nodded and soon everyone parted ways.
Looking back as he followed Chichiri, he was worried for Miaka. "Nuriko-kun, don't worry about Miaka no da, Tasuki can keep her safe
no da…"Chichiri stated his eyes still in front of him. "You're right Chichiri…" Nuriko agreed, but didn't look up from the ground either.
"It's interesting no da," Chichiri started. "What is?" Nuriko asked; wanting to know what the blue haired monk thought, but Chichiri said
nothing and stayed silent. 'This is so interesting no da,' Chichiri smiled knowingly. 'Tamahome and Heika… And now whether he
knows it or not, Tasuki, and… Nuriko too no da.
"Mitsukake-san, do you think Miaka-san is ok? Chiriko turned to ask. "Miaka is suffering internally over the loss of Tamahome…" he
stated but then smiled, "However, she is a strong girl and will recover in time." Chiriko nodded and continued his search with Mitsukake.
Seiryuu camp site in Sairou Koku:
"Nakago, what is the status on finding the shinzahos?" Yui asked. "Yui-sama, we have found the location to Byakko no shinzaho…" he
paused. "But I am afraid Suzaku no miko has Genbu no shinzaho…" Nakago answered. "What! Then we must hurry and get to the last
shinzaho Nakago!" Yui replied hotly. "I can't have anymore set backs…" she silently said. Miaka… I will make sure that you will never
see Tamahome, then I'll wish for Suzaku to be sealed and you and I will return to our world!
Yui looked up from her thoughts, "Nakago, make no more mistakes," then turned and left. "As you wish… Yui-sama," he smiled darkly.
"Miboshi…take care of Suzaku no miko and her seishi, he said to the figure in the dark."
"Hai… Nakago-sama.." disappearing from site.
"Whoa man! I didn't know that Miaka-chan's friend Yui could be such a bitch! Tetsuya stated out loud. Keisuke looked at him after that
statement, "She had her reasons…boy did she have reasons he thought. Tetsuya only scratched his head before continuing to read.
After an hour's search, Tasuki became impatient, "Where th #$#$ is the $#$#$# shinzaho at!" he said irritably. "Tasuki, be patient," Miaka
started. "There must be someone who might know about Byakko no shinzaho," she reasoned. Somewhere along the way, they heard a loud
growl. "What was that?" Tasuki looked around; his tessen ready at a moments notice. Miaka scratching her head sweat dropped, "Umm
I'm hungry, she said with a silly face. Tasuki sheathed his tessen and sighed, "Man, Miaka… you are hopeless," he noogied her. "I can't
help it if I have a higher metabolism than everyone else!" she answered hotly. "Yeah like a horse," he joked. "Mouu.. Tasuki!" She lightly
punched him in the chest. Tasuki could only stand there and smile, 'You are too cute when you pout' he thought to himself.
Miaka turning around, caught him looking at her, watched him blush. "Tasuki, you're a bit red in the face," Miaka giggled.
Tasuki hesitantly huffed, "It's only the sake from yesterday Miaka." He averted his eyes to the sky. Miaka only giggled harder as she heard
Tasuki's excuse, until she heard a horse whinny behind her.
Tasuki unaware of the carriage was blinded by the smog that was produced by some carriage. Coughing he waited till the smog cleared, but
found that Miaka was missing. Looking back at the run-away carriage, he saw Miaka struggle in the carriage. "Miaka!" He yelled chasing after her.
In the carriage:
"We'll fetch a fine price for her," a cloaked figure said as he knocked her unconscious. "Don't forget that I get her first before we sell her,"
a sleazy voice stated. "Not if I get her first," he said as he drove the carriage.
Tasuki spotting a horse, quickly climbed on and sped towards the fading carriage, his mind only on one thought, 'Miaka!' Cracking the
whip harder to make the horse run faster, he caught up with the carriage. Tasuki ran the horse closer to the carriage then swiftly jumped off
the horse and onto the carriage roof.
Kicking the door open he knocked the two men out and jumped off the carriage with Miaka tucked safely in his arms. As soon as they
landed on the ground, Tasuki held her, "Miaka! Miaka!" he tapped her face awake.
Regaining consciousness, Miaka opened her eyes and saw Tasuki holding her in his arms. Tasuki feeling relieved that she was ok gave her a
tight hug before putting her on the ground. "Thank you… Tasuki…" She replied. His cheeks flushed red, Tasuki scoffed and led Miaka back to the city, inwardly smiling, 'Any time Miaka… Any time…'
Another Chapter done. So Isn't Tasuki just the hottest? Or do you prefer Nuriko's Quiet Romantic side more? You decide, and what do you think? Does Chichiri know all or doesn't he? And yes... the Whom I am still trying to fit somewhere... will probably be in the next chapter. So let's see how that goes.
As always Thanx for the reviews!
Now On to the Next Scene! Lights, Camera, Action!