Chapter 24
"Sexual preferences and guys."
Whom.
At first Kioko slapped her thigh and laughed hard at her sister. Until she noticed that she had actually fainted. "…Hana? Suzaku, I didn't think she was that shy…oops. Erm…" Kioko poked Hana in the arm.
No response.
"Hana?" Kioko poked her a little harder.
No response.
Kioko gulped, pushed up her sleeves and gently took Hana's shoulders in her hands.
Before ragging her about from side to side. "WAKE UP HANA!"
"AH!" Hana's sapphire eyes snapped open, looking around wildly, until they came to focus on Kioko.
"Oh thank Suzaku. I thought something was wrong with you." Kioko just smirked, rubbing her nose with one finger lightly as Hana got her bearings again.
"No I just…well…erm…" Her creamy cheeks became flustered again, and she looked down shyly.
"Never mind." Kioko chuckled, when Hana looked absolutely relieved she wouldn't have to have that conversation with her. Because both topics, had the same answer.
Chichiri, through and through.
Chichiri was the guy, and the preference. Though it overloaded her system to even conceive saying that aloud. "So…next topic? You ask me something Hana. I'm as open as a book." Kioko folded her arms, and one leg over the other on the bed. Hana simply tucked her feet to one side, her knees together elegantly and cupped her hands on her lap.
"How about we talk about something important? Like the wishes?" Kioko blinked. She hadn't even thought about that.
"What about them? We're wishing for Prince Boushin to get better, right?"
"Yes." Hana nodded slightly. "But there are three wishes. That is only one."
"Oh, yeah it is. Well, I hadn't really thought about the other wishes. Have you?"
"Well actually…" Hana took a deep breath, hoping Kioko wouldn't mind. "I have. The first wish is for Boushin, of course. But the second and third…I was hoping, that the second wish, could be for us. For us to go home."
Kioko was silent at that.
Home? Yes, she knew she would have to go home eventually. But…why did the thought of leaving…unnerve her. And Suzaku has other plans for me, now doesn't he? Kioko chuckled nervously, choosing to address that another time.
"And the third?"
"Well, yes, you see." Hana gulped, looking down at her fumbling hands. please say ok, please say ok. "I have…promised the last wish to someone. Before I knew about you, that is." Kioko chuckled loudly, making Hana look up with a questioning brow raised.
"Chichiri, right?" When Hana blushed, Kioko chuckled again. "No problem. What is he going to wish for?"
"I don't really know. But he deserves it, after all he's done, all he's been through…" Kioko smirked, and then nodded.
"Sure, why not? I'm not about to use it."
"Oh, you meant that? You really don't mind?" Her eyes brightened up immediately, looking bright and overjoyed, directly at her sister and not her lap.
How could she refuse?
"Of course I do! I always mean what I say." She then paused. "Most of the time."
"Oh thank you." Hana threw herself at Kioko, hugging her tightly. "That means a lot to me Kioko. it really does."
"Well, you mean a lot to me." Hana slowly looked up, and smiled softly.
"You mean a lot to me too, Kioko. I think, I will like having you as a sister very much." She would never know, but those words, touched Kioko, and dispelled all her fears.
Hana wanted her as a sister, accepted her. All her worries seemed silly now.
"Me too Hana, me too."
Bored, bored, bored. Why are we still 'ere again?
Tasuki was sat back in a plush chair, no doubt worth more than his life, bored to tears with his boots resting on the table in front of him, also probably expensive. He sighed loudly, for the third time in the last 5 minutes, folded his arms, and sulked with a fangy pout. Like only Tasuki could. Chichiri seemed just as bored as he was, repeating for the third time every little detail of their journey, making sure to spend plenty of time explaining the Emperor's health and situation, and his reasons for not coming with them.
Chichiri wasn't actually bored. He was just anxious to get back to a certain Miko with sapphires for eyes. He didn't want to let her out of his sight, so this was obviously distressing him, being so close to her at last, and yet unable to just get up and go to her, like he wanted to so badly.
And he wasn't the only one who wanted to go check on their Miko. Tasuki still hadn't had chance to talk to Kioko about the whole 'Surrogate Miaka' thing yet. And until he did, Kioko would still think he only wanted to be her friend because of her similarities to the first Miko. Little did she knew, she was far from being like Miaka.
There was only one Miaka, just as there was only one Kioko. And he wouldn't change her for the world.
He decided, it was time to say his piece.
"I'm going to check on Kioko."
Well, there was no point beating about the bush. To hell what they thought of him; he was at the end of his leash at the moment and couldn't care less.
Tasuki stood up, dusted off his long blue trench coat and grey trousers, straightened his Tessen strap and turned on his heel to leave.
"Wait, I'll come with you, you know!" Chichiri jumped at the chance to leave, scuttling over to Tasuki in his chibi form, launching himself at the bandit's fiery orange head, and sitting there.
"Humph. Do ya have ta sit on my head 'chiri?"
"Yep, I sure do, you know." Chichiri grinned, still miniature thanks to his magic, and allowed a scowling Tasuki to leave the baffled Empress Houki in her chambers, and headed towards the two girls.
Tasuki thought about what he was going to do when he got there.
He would have to wait until he could get Kioko alone, before explaining the situation, and how he felt about her.
Then he blushed madly.
Not that I', gonna tell 'er I love 'er or anythin'. Just that she means a lot ta me, that's all.
Where as Chichiri, couldn't stop grinning. He was finally going to get to spend time with Hana, just watch her happy and safe. That alone would keep him content.
It had been a long time since he had felt this way, and he wasn't going to treat this so lightly this time. He loved Hana, and Hana loved him.
And this time, he was not going to let love slip through his fingers for any reason.
Both men stopped outside the room where the two girls were, and Chichiri jumped off, made a 'poof' sound, and stood in his adult form again.
His Shakujo jingled pleasantly, announcing their arrival, and rousing the girls. Chichiri saw them in a meaningful embrace, and beamed, despite the absence of his mask.
"Are we interrupting something? We could come back if you want us to, you know."
"No!" Hana piped up, and then blushed madly. She didn't mean to say it that loud. "I mean, erm, well."
"She means, she was just about to leave to find you anyway." Hana raised an eyebrow at Kioko, who was smirking at her. "See, Hana doesn't know where your room is. So she was hoping you'd take her. Weren't you Hana?" Hana was left blushing, but smiling shyly.
Thank you Kioko. Hana bowed her head to her sister, before looking bashfully towards Chichiri, her sapphire eyes sparkling and her lips curved into a heavenly smile.
That look alone, was enough to make him want to run at her. But Chichiri controlled himself.
"Well, I would be more than happy to escort you to your room Suzaku no Miko, you know." Hana was about to question the use of her title, when she caught him glance over at Tasuki.
Tasuki had decided to stay quiet, leaning against the wall in the background. If he just let this happen, fate would allow him to be alone with Kioko.
Hana smiled with understanding, and leaned over to whisper in Kioko's ear.
"Thank you, and remember what we talked about before. Love makes the world go round, but forgiveness gives love wings." Kioko blushed, and pouted in the other direction.
"Yeah, whatever. Just…" She smirked evilly. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Hana looked like she was about to faint again, but somehow managed to get to her feet, and walk gracefully walk over to the Monk.
"Please lead the way, Chichiri-sama." Her head bowed forward respectively, her hands together before her, and submissively followed Chichiri out the room and down the hall.
But not before Kioko saw her cast a blushing glance over at her and smiled softly.
oo0oo
Finally with the opening he had been looking for, Tasuki pulled away from the wall, and closed the door.
This was somehow significant, and very intimidating for Kioko, with the utterly determined look on Tasuki's face. She even gulped, and decided to distract herself by smoothing out her white linen trousers, making sure they were still tucked into her low heeled maroon boots, tugging at her gypsy looking white, off the shoulder linen shirt, packed tightly into a cleavage enhancing maroon sleeveless jacked. It gave the appearance she wasn't wearing a shirt underneath, that part she hadn't been able to get over just yet. Happy with that, she looked up, only to realise that Tasuki had placed himself right where Hana had been sat, and quickly retuned to checking her outfit.
Yes, the long beaded necklaces were in place, both of them, and her red feathers hadn't vanished, that was good. Oh, and look, she had blonde hair! When did that happen?
She pulled out the long braid Nuriko had done for her out, twisting locks of it around her fingers in fascination, completely absorbed in her curling task, too absorbed, to notice how close Tasuki was getting.
At least, that is what she told her self.
"Kioko." She froze. His voice had been so desperate, and yet so commanding. He was both begging, and demanding she look at him and pay attention. No, I will not. I will not. But her treacherous turquoise eyes rose from her curling fingertips, to his big amber eyes. And he trapped her there. "Kioko…" His voice was softer then, his tanned skin looking like cinnamon in contrast to his honey amber eyes. He just looked so delicious… no, no he does not! She mentally screamed, begging her eyes to close, or at least have the decency to stop letting him see her stare blatantly at him.
"I-"
"Shhhh." Tasuki cooed softly, making her blush vividly. This was a side of him she had never seen before. And…she liked it.
He shuffled even closer to her, until the length of his outer thigh, was flush against hers. "Kioko, I need to tell you something."
Her heart pounded in her chest with anticipation. But what of? What was she longing to hear?
"Y you do?" He looked deep into her turquoise eyes, seeing vulnerability, and something else that made him smile.
"Ye, I do." He took one lock of her golden hair from her fidgeting fingers, and played with it himself. "Kioko, you are like no other person I've ever met. An' I don't just mean 'coz you're a twin or a Miko. Listen te me Kioko, you, are, no-thing, like, Miaka."
"But-"
"Kioko." He cut her off, his pleading eyes proving he was telling the truth. "Nuriko told ya I loved Miaka."
"He-"
"Didn't meant it like that." Tasuki persisted, determined to get back Kioko back. Being distanced from her like this, hurt. "He meant I would do anythin' for her, like you would for Hana, right? You would, wouldn't ya? If she asked ya ta do somethin', an' started cryin', you'd do it, right?"
"…yes."
"Well then!" Tasuki grabbed her shoulders, desperate to pull her closer, but resisting. "An' I did that for Miaka. And you. But…not for the same reasons." Tasuki suddenly seemed nervous, like he hadn't quite planned this far ahead. "I, well. Miaka was really somethin', but you are really somethin' else! Ya different Kioko, one of a kind, an' tellin' ye tha truth…" Kioko gasped as Tasuki did pull her closer, pressing his forehead lightly against hers. She placed her hands on his chest on instinct, gulping.
Suzaku, he was so damn close to her, she had to fight not to blush. But…why? "…Ye mean more to me than Miaka did." Tasuki bit his lips, making Kioko look at his fangs, and chuckle at the memory of their past adventures. Fang boy.
Hope kindled in his amber eyes at the sound of her laughter. It felt so good to hear her laugh again. "Ye special ta me Kioko. I'd never change ye, not for tha world Ye mean so much ta me Kioko, so much…" Tasuki forgot himself, so deep inside his own confessions and emotions, he cupped her face, and smoothed his own lips over hers passionately.
When he kissed her before, it was good, really good.
But she was drunk, and it felt almost wrong.
But this…with her very sober and aware…felt right. And it wasn't good, it was AMAZING!
Kioko's eyes widened, her hands trembling on his jacket, creeping their way up his chest, and stopped on his neck. The feel of her hands on his neck, his bare skin, was electric. Sparks of pleasure spread throughout his body, and as if an actual charge, powered him forward, until he tilted his head to one side, and parted his lips against hers. With Kioko unprepared for this, this meant he opened her lips as well, and was immediately bombarded with the slick feeling of his adventurous tongue inside her mouth. He slid his tongue against hers attentively, trying to goad her into responding to him. When she flicked the tip of her tongue against his, Tasuki moaned deeply, rumbling from his throat and vibrating through her mouth. He ran one of his hands back into her free hair, sending jolts of hot desire through her in wild ripples. She gripped fists of his coat collar, pulling him closer, over her, letting her tongue passionately dance with his as he laid her back onto the bed. He kept one hand in her lush hair, the other hand moulded to her hip, starting to cover her body with his own. Tasuki tore his mouth away, only to drag his hot tongue over her lips and cheek, leaving a slightly cool trail of saliva behind. The contrasting temperatures were just another tease to this whole situation, pushing them closer and closer to the forbidden.
Especially when Kioko gasped in ecstasy, and inadvertently arched her hips to his, arousing him further. Sharp fangs heavily traced the side of her neck, nipping and grazing every so slightly. Soon, she could physically feel how aroused he was, the ridge of his erection trapped within his pants making her blush in her ardour and subconsciously part her legs slightly. Pleasure wracked her body sinfully, with sensations she had never felt before.
Never before.
Not even with…
When Tasuki's venturing hand slipped under her jacket and shirt, smoothing over her bare hip, five scarlet feathers glowed and burned angrily, raising up to scorch the Wing senshi.
"AH!" Tasuki recoiled back, staggering to his feet before her with a hand on his neck.
There was one burn mark, where a feather had caught him.
At first, Tasuki was hurt, thinking Kioko had done that to him. But when he saw the confusion and shock (also mixed in with lusty desire), he relaxed.
It must have been a defence mechanism, protecting the Miko's purity. In a way, he was glad. He had almost taken it further, so far he would never be able to go back and make it right again.
If he had taken her…and tainted her purity…he could have ruined everything. "Kioko…I'm sorry."
"Don't be." She said so quickly, she shocked herself. But, she couldn't seem to control her own mouth. "I'm not."
Tasuki seemed stunned at first, before he broke out in an all out beaming smile. Not a grin, but a smile. He even tried to step closer to her, but before he could even get within arm's reach of her, a bubble shaped red energy field appeared, pushing him back.
"Huh?" He poked it, and recoiled with a burnt finger. "Iteh! That hurt!"
"I, I don't understand." Kioko looked to the floating feathers on her necklace. "I'm not doing anything." she then scowled. But I bet I know who is. She was then shocked with herself. She was scowling, because Suzaku had intervened between her and Tasuki. But…she was Suzaku's soul mate…wasn't she?
Kioko looked back up at Tasuki, who was sucking on his abused finger, and sulking slightly. She couldn't stop the smile on her face.
And even now, her heart was still racing, her skin tingling from his touches, and her body aching for more.
She had never felt that with Suzaku. Not even once.
Which meant only one thing.
I…I can't be…his…
"Well…I'm still sorry." Snapped out of her thoughts, she raised a golden brow at Tasuki, who looked utterly ashamed of himself. He still held the side of his neck loosely, but looked down to the side in disgrace. "I didn't mean ta force myself on ya. An' I understand if ya angry with me now too…"
"I'm not angry Tasuki." Kioko chuckled, lifting his trampled spirits.
"But I almost-"
"And I almost let you." Kioko then thoroughly bushed. "S s so it's both our faults!" She squeaked, looking away and trying to find something to focus on. "So, erm, we'll just have to, erm, be more, well, careful."
"I was gonna go with restrained." Tasuki chuckled, leaning against the wall again. "But I like your way betta." Tasuki then gave a very sincere, warming smile. "I'll be next door if ya need me. I would stay…but…" he then forced a cough, and pivoted his pelvis away from her curious gaze.
She had to chuckle, and it did nothing for his pride. He even sulked. "Stop that!"
"Oh, sorry!" Kioko waved her hands at him submissively. "I just don't know how to react to, erm, 'exciting' someone. It's never happened to me before." She then resembled a cherry, she was blushing that much, and looked away again.
"Yeah, well." Tasuki bit the inside of his cheek, realising he needed to get away from her, and calm down. Or he was most likely to jump her again. "I'll be next door." He walked over to the other side of the room, and opened an interconnecting door. "If ya need me, even in the night…please come ta me. K?"
"I promise."
And she meant it. He knew this, and smiled silently to himself.
"I'll see ya tomorrow then."
"You will, it's a date." It was only then, she realised what she said. "I mean-"
"A date it is."
And Tasuki walked into his room, and closed the door.
Kioko was so shocked, she kept playing over and over in her mind what just happened.
And she still couldn't believe it. She brought a hand up to her lips, and smiled softly, very Hana worthy. Tasuki…
"-but she insisted that we told her everything, you know? So that's the only reason I took so long in-"
"Chichiri." Hana giggled softly behind her hand, beaming up at him brightly. "Don't apologise, I understand." Chichiri smiled, and looked forward.
"Ok. And our room is this way, you know?" Chichiri gently took her hand, making her blush bashfully, and led her round the corner, and to the end of the walk way. He only released her hand, when they arrived at their destination, and slid the door open. "Would you like anything Hana?"
"No think you. Oh…" She felt rather cheeky asking this. "…I am a little hungry. I haven't been eating as well as I should have recently…"
"Right away! I'll get you something, you know." But Chichiri walked inside with her, slid the door shut and pulled off his Kasa from around his neck. "What would you like Hana?"
"I don't really mind." She smiled, walking over to the bed and sinking into the plush sheets. Man, ancient china sure knew how to make decent beds… "…just a little slice of heaven."
"Well, I don't think I can get you that, you know." He chuckled, and Hana flustered with a start.
"Oh, I didn't mean, I was talking about." She closed her mouth like a floundering fish. "Never mind." She then started fumbling with her hands on her lap, and didn't notice him walk over and sit next to her.
"Tell me what you'd like Hana, you know. I can give you whatever you want." Hana blushed madly, she was sure she was the only one looking into that a little more deeply than it was intended, and gasped when he took her hands. "Anything at all, you know."
"Cookies." It was the first thing she could think of, having just discussed the topic of food with her sister only moments before.
"What are…?" Chichiri chuckled, and held his hat upside down for her. "Reach in Hana, and think about what you want. You'll get it, you know."
"Thank you." Hana closed her eyes, reached inside the Kasa, and sure enough, her fingertips brushed against the crumbly surface of what could only be a giant cookie. "Yum!" She forgot herself, pulled out the massive chocolate chip cookie, and began nibbling on it.
"Ah…so that's a Cookie." Hearing his voice chuckle at her, she stopped her immature nibbling immediately. Seeing her obvious embarrassment, Chichiri chuckled again. "Go on, eat it. I wouldn't want you getting ill because you didn't eat enough Hana, you know."
"Would you like some?" Hana broke it in half, and offered it to him. "I've already nibbled around the edge…" she blushed madly. "-but it should be ok, if you don't mind my mouth being-"
All words stopped, as Chichiri took the offered piece of confectionary food, and licked where her mouth had been.
"Mmm, yum indeed."
Hana lost her voice entirely, nibbling away at her half of the giant cookie silently. She kept glancing up at him as he ate his half, and he appeared to be enjoying it. I'll have to tell Kioko later that I have converted Chichiri into a cookie lover.
The image of the BLUE cookie monster, and then the BLUE HAIRED Chichiri in a cookie monster suit popped into her head. She couldn't help herself; she just had to laugh.
Chichiri stopped and smiled at her reaction, loving her melodic chuckle. He waited until they were both finished, before wrapping his arms around her suddenly. "Hana." He exhaled on a deep, and long awaited sigh of utter relief. It was just so good to feel her there, pressed against him in his loving embrace. Especially since she immediately held onto his Gi front as well. She nuzzled against the opening of his Gi, rubbing her cheek against the bottom of his neck. "Hana, are you alright? There are no injuries or anything you need to tell me about, is there? I can heal you if-"
"Stop fussing." She giggled against his neck, sending pleasant vibrations through him. "I'm alright. All I need is to be with you and I'm happy, Chichiri." Her cheeks burned red, but she lifted her head to look happily into his mahogany eye. The soft smile that grew on his lips drew her attention, and he caught her looking.
"In that case, I will always be with you."
"Always?"
"Always." Chichiri moved one hand to hold the small of her back, and the other between her shoulder blades. "Oh Hana. You don't know how much I have suffered without you." He kissed her forehead tenderly, his eye closed. "You are my sun, and without your light, I have been dark. Without your loving warmth, have been cold. And without your bright smile…I have been dead." Hana sniffled, gripping the front of his Gi tight. "I don't know what I would have done if I didn't find you Hana."
"Shhhh." Hana cupped his face and brought it to her chest, cradling him there. Chichiri shuffled back, and then let her rest his head on her lap. She stroked his cerulean prongs lovingly, refusing to let her watery eyes leak even one tear. He really had been suffering, just like she had. "Forget about that Chichiri, don't let it upset you anymore. You did find me, and I'm not going anywhere. Everything is fine now." She ran her fingers through his prongs, back over his fuzzy head, and twiddled his slim ponytail around her finger. He smiled, her hands playing with his hair and scalp soothing him into sighing softly and snuggling on her lap. Hana giggled, and brushed his cheek with the tip of the lock she was playing with.
"That tickles, you know." He chuckled, opening his mahogany eye to look up into both of her sapphire ones.
"I know, that was the point." She giggled. When he pouted up at her playfully, she just closed her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him slightly.
His hair slipped out of her fingers as he moved swiftly, sitting up once again, both hands on either side of her on the bed, and he darted his tongue out to meet hers. Hana snapped her eyes open, a shy hue of pink glowing on her cheeks, making her seem even more radiant to him. Chichiri held her chin, and slid the tip of his tongue down the side of hers. The other hand rested on her knee, and her hands soon fisted at his Gi again. Softly, yet surely, Chichiri slid his tongue down hers all the way into her mouth, and sealed his lips to hers hungrily.
There was no damn ordained, oversized pigeon to stop him this time.
Hana groaned softly, as he licked the roof of her mouth teasingly. The hand that held her chin, smoothed up to cup her face lovingly as he kissed her more deeply. Hana couldn't help but tense slightly as his other hand slipped down the length of her leg, into dangerous territory. Very soon, his chest pressed against hers, loving the feel of her ample breasts tightly packed against his own pecks. That other adventurous hand, crept its way up the outside of her thigh to her hips, and then her waist.
Under the shirt.
Hana tensed even more yelping as his skilful hands 'magically' brushed the back of his fingertips over her navel, and then up the centre of her ribs. If she had worn a dress this morning, this wouldn't have been possible. But she was still wearing Amiboshi's trousers and big shirt, so the possibilities were endless.
His lips had yet to leave hers, growing more hungry and savage by the minute, all his desperate love for her gushing out of his fortified dams, and pouring into kissing and touching Hana in ways she had never been exposed to.
Exposed, that was an appropriate word for this situation.
Had this been any other man, Hana would have wanted to flee and scream for help.
But this was Chichiri touching her, smoothing both hands round the curved dip of her hips, and up her back, until she arched into him in bliss.
Finally, he broke off for air, only to latch onto her neck, lick a part of her neck there heavily, only to trail light butterfly kisses over the same spot torturously.
Hana was starting to breath a little heavier, her fingers trembling in their iron like grip of his Gi. She turned her head to the side, and caught the side of his face with hers. This got his attention, as his devilish lips resumed sucking and licking at her own, before crashing his entire mouth into hers. It was as if he were trying to consume her.
And that thought, excited her to no end.
She arched to him again involuntarily, and built up the nerve to bring on hand away from his shirt, and roam it through his hair. It seemed he like this, as he immediately moaned loudly inside her mouth, kissing her with even more passion, if that was possible. She was losing the fighting battle to stay upright, and it seemed Chichiri was losing the fight to keep her upright. Even though, with each arch of her body against his, with each erotic whimper and stroke of his tongue, the 'holy man', was being replaced by a desire driven beast of passion, hell bent on devouring the young, pure virgin temptress in his arms.
So when she actually leaned back, and pulled him with her, Chichiri almost lost all control of himself right there. As her back met with the bed, Chichiri slammed both fists at either side of her head, thought he was going to explode with the ecstasy of their grinding bodies.
But he somehow managed to tear his entire body away from hers, and open his lust gleaming mahogany eye.
Hana was sprawled out beneath him, her golden hair fanned out in a dishevelled manner around her heavenly face, her lips parted with quickened breathing, and her eyes batted open, sapphire, dark with passion.
It was just too tempting, sinfully tempting.
"Chichiri…"
"We…I can't…not yet." He panted. But as she licked her lips quite innocently, he couldn't resist diving in and licking them for her. They kissed again, her fingers interlocking with his now messy cerulean hair, and his tongue dancing with hers. Oh he was just drugged on her, absolutely intoxicated.
It wasn't fair. "Great Suzaku." Chichiri panted heavily, pushing himself up, and walking away from her unsteadily. His entire world was spinning in his passionate stupor, wanting to run back at her right now! "You need to summon Suzaku. Pure, you have to be pure. I can't…not yet. I can't touch you like that yet, Hana." But he seemed to be telling himself, more than her.
But she certainly needed telling.
First she got drunk (thanks to Kioko, she now knew), and did all sorts of things that could have ruined everything, as well as herself…
…and now she almost did it again, when she was in the right state of mind, and were no excuses for her actions.
But it felt so good. It felt so right to have Chichiri hold her, kiss her, love her…make love to her…
"Oh gosh." She blushed madly. He hadn't made love to her, but part of her really wished he had, was, will, oh she didn't know what she was thinking! She still couldn't think clearly as it was! Her world had been put on its axis, and spun around and around for the hell of it.
But she still seemed to be able to focus on Chichiri, only Chichiri.
She heard him sigh, and reach for the door. What he needed, was to get away for her until he could ahem calm down to a trustworthy state, and figure out a way to apologise to her.
He had to smile though.
At least he knew after all this time, he still had 'it' in him.
He opened the door, and prepared to leave.
Hana wasn't ready for him to leave yet, and ran after him. She crashed into his back, threw her arms around his middle, and buried her face into his back. "Chichiri, please sleep with me tonight."
"Wh wha huh!" If only she wasn't the Miko. He would have jumped at that. "But you need to be pure to-"
"No, no I didn't mean…that." She blushed, and held him tighter. "I mean sleep. Lay in the same bed with me, hold me while I sleep, let me hold you. Nothing more. Just…" Chichiri looked over his shoulder at her, slowly sliding the door shut again. "…I don't want to wake up and you be gone, Chichiri. But if I can see you there with me when I wake up, I'll know you're ok, and that this day hasn't been a wonderful dream. Please…"
"I will sleep with you tonight, Hana. It would be an honour."
"Thank you Chichiri. Suzaku, I love you so much Chichiri." Hana sniffled, letting him turn in her arms, and hold her too.
"And I you, my beloved." Chichiri kissed her forehead again, not trusting himself to do anything more and still have control of his actions. He then looked up and out the window.
It was getting darker earlier with the season, and it was late as it is. "Perhaps we should go to bed. You have had quite a stressful time, you know." He chuckled and beamed a smile, which only she could draw from him.
"Ok." She blushed, but reached up and kissed him on the lips regardless. She had intended only to give him a brief peck on the lips…but Chichiri grabbed her shoulders and held her their.
Though he didn't press any further, he just basked in the loving contact, before finally sliding his hands down her arms, and slowly pealing his lips from hers.
"But after you have summoned Suzaku, I will sleep with you." He whispered huskily, only to blush and wave his hands at her. "That is, if you want to, you know! I would never force you to-"
"I know." Hana gulped, and stepped into his arms, loving the heat of his body as she held him. "And…you wouldn't have to force me to do anything…my love." Chichiri raised her chin again, and kissed her deeply.
"Then it is a promise. After you have summoned Suzaku, I will give myself, my all, to you." He punctuated it as fact, with another kiss to her kiss swollen lips.
"And I will give myself, wholly and entirely to you, Chichiri."
"Well, in that case…" Chichiri seemed reluctant for a moment, but then came to his decision. He took her hands, and led her back over to the bed. Hana sat down like instructed, and her sapphire eyes went as wide as saucers, when he lowered to one knee. "In that case, will you be my wife once you have summoned Suzaku? Hana Hoshi, Suzaku no Miko, will you marry me?" Hana was stunned.
She was 15, nearly 16, and she had just been proposed to, for the second time. But this time…
Hana opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She looked like a fish. Damn it Hana, not now! Don't you dare have a coward attack right now, not now! This is important! Say it now! Hana screamed at herself mentally, but still, no sound came out. "…Hana? Are you alright." Oh hell! Time to take a page out of Kioko's page! Be brave! She threw herself at him, toppling him to the floor, and planted kisses all around his face constantly, with one word intervals.
"I (kiss) will (kiss) definitely (kiss) marry-" Chichiri cupped her face and kissed her passionately, until all her worries and anxiety ebbed away into nothingness. "…you…yes I will…Chichiri…"
"You will?"
"Yes." Hana only had a second, before she was pulled to her feet and lifted up in the air. Chichiri wrapped his arms around her middle, held her to him, and span her around in circles with the biggest grin in the world. She almost thought he had found his mask again.
"YES!" He shouted, making her laugh and cry at the same time. He eventually lowered her back to her feet, but refused to let her go. Kissing her tears away literally, Hana sniffled happily, and hugged him. She blinked when Chichiri took one of her hands, kissed it, and then guided it gently into his Kesa. She felt something cold around her fingers, before she pulled her hand back.
Shenlong's ring had gone.
And in its place…was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. It was a slender gold ring, with a gorgeous amethyst gem in the centre. As she marvelled it, Chichiri held her close and smiled. "In the village I was born in, those gems were of abundance, you know. We were famous for them, and our huge mines with them inside. This is the only thing I kept from my town…I gave it to Kouran." Hana looked to him. this belonged…to his first fiancé. "If I let you wear this…will you swear to always be safe? To never die or leave me? Do you promise to-" Hana covered his mouth with her wedding hand, and smiled brightly. It melted his heart.
"I promise to never leave you, and I will always love you." Chichiri sighed happily, his concerns now taken care of, and he kissed the underside of the ring on her finger.
"Good. Because I intend to hold you to that, you know."
For a long time, they just embraced, more content than they had ever been.
Hana however, refused to think about anything more than the here and now at the moment.
She didn't want to think about the fact that she had to go home to her father, and Chichiri couldn't go with her. She didn't want to think about what her father would say when he found out she had married as well as run away, as he wouldn't believe that she got transported to another world. How could he? Would you in his place?
And most of all…she didn't think about the fact that somewhere, heartbroken and furious, was a certain Seiryu Emperor, who had finally finished punishing Soi until she couldn't stand up on her own, or even feed herself. The same Emperor, who now had BOTH the Shinzaho, and no Miko/fiancé. He had found her necklace left behind, along with him.
He knew one thing for sure. He hadn't meant to kill Chichiri the first time.
"But this time, I will not rest until his mangled corpse grows cold in a pool of his own blood, by my hands. This is my oath. This is my vow cause. If I must go to war to achieve this, I will. Chichiri…" A servant, who had only come in to change the bed sheets, was starting to attract flies, hunched over against the wall with a snapped neck, lifeless eyes, and no physical signs of violence.
No…he didn't need to touch people to kill them. Just a thought, a furious thought and a little proximity…and you were dead. "You will die for this, Monk. I swear it."