Disclaimer: Now appearing on this corner… Now, On with the Show!

Three Men, One Confession:

Hotohori suddenly rage and jealousy filled him as he held his sword up to Nuriko's neck; the same way Hotohori held up Tamahome. "You

may explain yourself Nuriko…"he said in a deadly calm voice, his anger hidden within him. "Hotohori-sama…" Nuriko started as he

remembered what his mind thought to do before being interrupted. Deciding not the back down anymore, he fixed his composure,

hardening his appearance as he looked at Miaka then at Hotohori.

Miaka felt her heart had been torn from the sight of them. Standing there she blushed, embarrassed and frightened of what was going to

happen to the two friends. "My actions are plain and simple…" he breathed again as he filled his lungs with air, closing his eyes, "I…love

Miaka…." he started. "And …if it came down to it, I will fight for her," he finished. Hotohori now coming to the realization of Nuriko's

closeness and protectiveness of her, he finally saw that Nuriko really was in love with her as well.

Lowering his sword, he suddenly sheathed his sword, "I have to say that I am surprised Nuriko…your change in your personality shows

how much you've grown over the journey for the shinzahos.' He stated then continued. "From here on we fight as men," he said before

turning to Miaka.

"Miaka, I love you. I've always loved you," Hotohori gazed into her eyes making her blush. "And I will not give you up… without a fight."

Giving another determined stare at Nuriko, who returned the stare, he turned his heels and left her chambers.

Nuriko after realizing just what he had said, looked at Miaka. "Nu…Nuriko…" Miaka began as her mouth opened and closed, not

knowing what to say she looked at him. Smirking he turned to face Miaka, "heh… I guess there's no use hiding it from you now," he said,

looking back at her. "Miaka…" Nuriko said pausing to avert his eyes to the ceiling, "During our search for the two shinzahos, my heart

became so confused and wondered what I was feeling about you. At first I saw you as a dumb, gluttonous strange girl who came from a

different world, who stole my Hotohori-sama…" Smiling he continued, "Then my feelings for you grew after the trip to Mt. Taikyoku," he

paused and smiled, "Who would've thought there was more to you then your horrible eating habits and clumsiness," he laughed to himself

then straightened. "When you came back to this world Miaka, I still loved Hotohori-sama, but I began to see you as a friend. Soon I grew

to know your strength, kindness, forgiveness, and love for the people you met along the way, finding our remaining seishi, and before I

knew it, my heart slowly turned into that of a mans."

Looking at her he continued. "When we started our journey to Hokkan, my feelings for you grew into close friendship, and as I spent more

and more time with you, I've realized that something inside me changed." Smiling he approached her, "Miaka, during the storm, where you,

Tamahome, and I were sheltered in the fishing cave. That time, I really did mean to play around with you by pretending to kiss you," he

paused as he went to hold her chin in his hand, "Until I looked into your eyes…" he said, while turning her face closer to his. "At that

moment I felt something that I never felt before and I knew that you had something to do with it. At Hokkan Koku in the restaurant, Tasuki

and Tamahome's comment angered me because they bluntly stated that I was too prissy to protect you, and so I cut my sister's hair, then

later, I started to carry feelings for you as a man," he confessed then with a pained expression he continued. "When you were attacked by

Ashitare, my heart stopped, That day I felt like protecting you, even risk my life to save you… That was the day I confessed to myself that I

was in love with you…" And from then on no one… other than Tamahome knows, that I've been carrying feelings for you…" Nuriko's

eyes darkened as he gazed into Miaka's hazel eyes. "Until…just now," he whispered as he closed the gap between them, and gently placed

his lips upon hers.

Miaka's whole world just seemed to stop when she felt his lips touch hers, shocked over the confession, Miaka just stood there, her face

crimson as he continued to kiss her. Feeling his kisses on her lips she felt something touch deep within her. She slowly felt lulled into

accepting his kiss as her heart kept beating loudly, closing her eyes she responded to him.

Nuriko felt his heart leap when he felt Miaka respond to his kiss. Suddenly feeling an uncontrollable sense of bliss within his heart, he

concentrated his whole feelings into his kiss. His hand cupped her face as he caressed her cheek, pulling her closer he deepened his kiss. In

his mind he felt so complete, so at peace, he felt like he had just died, and went to the heavens.

Outside Miaka's door Tasuki heard every word his friend and now competition confessed towards Miaka. Rage and jealousy flowed in him

as he turned away to cool his thoughts. 'Heika, and Nuriko…I won't lose to you…' he said to himself as he rounded the corner and out of

sight.

Walking back to his room he was met by Tasuki. "Tasuki-chan, what are you doing here?" Nuriko asked. Tasuki controlling his anger

towards his friend, only smirked in distaste, "Nuriko I was actually about to ask you, WHERE you were," he stated his eyes unreadable.

"Oh, I was just going for a wal…" Tasuki then harshly laughed. "Nuriko, do you find me that stupid, I know where you JUST came from

you #$#$#$ traitor…" Tasuki cut him off. Nuriko realizing what must've happened turned to Tasuki, "Tasuki…I know that you are upset

about me lying about where I was… and I know that I've told you that I decided to remain ONLY friends with Miaka…" he started, only

to be cut off with Tasuki. "Heh, I knew that you couldn't just leave things the way they were…" Tasuki smirked. "It'll $#$#$# suck that I

have to go against both you and Heika," Tasuki then grinned, "But then again, this will become more interesting, now that you are back in,"

he smugly said as he looked into his friends eyes. "Nuriko, as Heika said, we are now just men. And I'll be damned if I step aside for both

you and Heika," he smirked challengingly. "Tasuki…" Nuriko started, then with an understanding smile, "Thanks for understanding Tasuki,

but know that I won't give her up," he smirked back. Before heading back to his room Tasuki stopped, "Nuriko, just one more thing…" he

paused then seeing Nuriko turn he punched him hard. Nuriko stumbled back. Holding his now reddened cheek he smirked. "I guess I

deserve that," he smiled. Tasuki then with a determined smile turned around and walked back to his chambers.

Royal Rumble... Literally, so after Amiboshi was turned down our three bachelors are at daggers end, as they try to win Miaka's heart. Now I wonder how Hotohori-sama is taking the challenge?

Lets go find out!

Now On with the Next Scene!