Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play
Season 2
Chapter 13
Night of the Stars
: Or:
Hey. Don't I know you?
By:
NightMare
With
whoopee cousins and wrong numbers from:
Annikia Valentine
Dedicated to:
The Mighty Royal Trumpet Loving Frog
--
Author's CD: The soundtrack from Bicentennial Man. Not much singing but really pretty writing music and a cool song from Celine Dion, ' Then You Looked at Me.'
--
Tama-neko sighed. He was bored, he wished he'd gone out to the festival with the others, but no, he'd decided to stay here and look after the tall one. The tall one didn't need the company. He was busy being beaten by a kitten at Chinese chess. For a human kitten, that boy sure was smart. The golden one wasn't much fun either. All he did was talk to himself, look into mirrors, and sparkle occasionally. The loudmouth, the miko, the strong one and the manipulator had gone to the festival. The only two left were his namesake and Chichiri. The monk, apparently, was having a catnap sitting up and Tama-neko knew better then to disturb a nap. No matter how friendly that individual might be, it was not wise. So with only one option left for company, Tama-neko went in search of Tama-man.
He found Tama-man walking forlornly down the halls as if he had lost his best friend. He needed comfort, he needed companionship, he needed…a cat.
"Mrow," Tama-neko said, coming up to Tama-man's side. Tama-man smiled down at him and held out his arm. The cat jumped to his arm, then his shoulder and sat comfortably by his head. Warm. He could comfortably fall asleep here provided Tama-man didn't want to talk to him.
"You seem happy," said Tama-man. "Of course you're a cat, so it's not like you have any idea what's going on."
Tama-neko restrained himself from biting the man's ear. Humans were an ungrateful bunch and a cat must always show restraint...well at least up to a point.
"I wonder why Sharon's acting like this," Tama-man continued. "Before we tried to summon Suzaku it was like we were made for each other. Now she's acting like nothing ever happened." That was the trouble with humans, Tama-neko decided. Too afraid, too afraid to get hurt, too afraid of hurting others. It was quite sad really.
"Maybe…" said Tama-man distantly. Tama-neko's ear twitched. He smelled an epiphany coming on. Suddenly he was lifted rudely around the middle and practically dropped on the floor.
"Sorry, kitty, I have something to do," Tama-man said, before bolting down the hallway. Tama-neko flicked his ears back and licked the ruffled fur back in place as if he hadn't been abused at all. Humans!
--
The little group had separated. Ann was with Nuriko and Sharon with Tasuki. The cross-dresser was more then a little annoyed with the bandit. Not so much at what he'd asked, but how hard he'd laughed afterwards. Sharon rolled her eyes. Bandits…oy.
"So…what do ya wanna do?" Tasuki asked, still limping a little.
"I dunno. What can we do?" she asked. There seemed to be people selling things everywhere but she didn't see anything in the way of entertainment. Of course it was damned hard to see through the thick forest of people they were currently plowing through. Tasuki shrugged and Sharon narrowed her eyes. Oh yeah. That was helpful. The crowd thinned a little and she caught faint strains of music. Sharon followed them to see a few musicians playing on the street corner. There were a few musicians by a street corner. She stopped to listen. One was playing a flute. He played it well, but not as well as Chiko could. Chiko…even though he was a Seiryuu seishi she felt like she had to do something to honor his death. She kind of missed him even now.
"Hey, what's goin' on over there?" Tasuki's voice broke into her thoughts. Sharon looked and saw a crowd of people gathered around a raised platform. There were people on the platform too, though they didn't look to be doing anything in particular.
"Looks like they're going to do a play or something," she said, craning her neck to see better.
"Let's go see," Tasuki said. Sharon nodded, following him to the edge of the large crowd. There were a few richly dressed people clustered around the sides of the stage, in fancy carrying chairs. The people on the stage were standing around and looking nervous.
"What's going on?" Sharon asked a portly man standing next to her. The man didn't answer right away as if he wasn't aware that she was talking to him so Sharon asked again, giving him a little tap on the shoulder to get his attention.
"What do you think it is?" he said, somewhat grumpily. "Haven't you ever been to a star watching festival before?"
Geez, well he didn't have to take that attitude. Then again, maybe he'd been asked that question all night. No use getting annoyed at him. Tasuki tensed and looked as if he was about to say something. Sharon spoke first.
"This is my first time," she said with a smile.
"Indeed," the man said, glancing over her with a critical eye. "You must be from the country."
"What is that supposed ta mean?" Tasuki fairly growled. Sharon rolled her eyes, though a little touched that he was so defensive. But sheesh. Maybe she did look like she was from the country.
"Anyone from the city would know about it," said the portly man with a sniff. "I don't think I like your attitude, young man."
"Don't mind him," Sharon said, again before Tasuki could speak. "He was just beat up by a girl." Okay well not technically. But it was much better than saying cross dresser and the mood Nuriko was in right now, Sharon didn't trust him not to pop out of the crowd and clobber her into a brick wall. He was scary when he was angry. Tasuki gave her an annoyed look and opened his mouth again, ready, she knew, to rush to his defense.
"So what is this festival about, anyway?" she cut in again, she could feel Tasuki glaring at her and decided to ignore it. She was pretty sure he didn't want to be beaten up again by an enraged Nuriko either. The man sniffed, folding his hands inside his expensive looking robes.
"The festival is held in honor of the shichi seishi and the Suzaku no Miko who protect our kingdom." He gave her a sideways glance. "Really, even a bumpkin like yourself should know that."
"Look, old man-!" Tasuki said.
"You had better watch yourself before you say another word," said the old man. "I am a personal retainer to Lord Hong himself! He who has personal connections to the seishi."
"Yer this close to having a personal connection from a seishi yerself," Tasuki said, raising a fist. Sharon rolled her eyes. He was not about to get in a fight with an old man right here. With a sigh, she grabbed his hand and began to drag him deeper into the knot of people. Surprisingly he didn't even try to struggle. It was then she realized she was…holding…she was holding his hand.
Oh frickin gah. Sharon pulled her hand away quickly, pretending it didn't happen and not looking at all near Tasuki's direction. What was wrong with her lately? Suddenly she wanted it to be Tamahome's hand. To have him be there just to hold onto. To look up and to see his eyes shining down at her, letting her know she was the only one in the world…
But that was impossible. That was impossible and he wanted to marry her and that just freaked her out, not to mention she wasn't even supposed to be with a man in the first place, not in that way.
"So what's this play thing about anyway?" Tasuki asked, saving her from her line of thought. "They don't look like they're even doin' anything."
"Oh, no," said a woman nearby. "They're still choosing the seishi. Every year we pick people from the crowd to be the seishi and miko. The plot of the play is always the same, of course, but with different people every year it's always a little bit different." She smiled at Sharon and Sharon smiled back. Finally someone Tasuki wouldn't argue with.
"I can tell this year is going to be an interesting one!" the woman said. Sharon giggled. Yes, this was going to be interesting all right.
"Yeah?" Tasuki said, "Who's who?"
"That big man by the end of the stage," the woman pointed to a huge, muscle bound man who looked just like a bouncer. "That's Nuriko."
"That's Nuriko?" Tasuki said, and burst into laughter. Sharon laughed to, imagining him in a flimsy purple wig over his shiny bald head. Nuriko would die if he knew, after sending someone into orbit. She tried to calm herself, looking over the various selection of "seishi". Her eyes rested on a thin man with a bushy mustache and quick, nervous movements.
"Who's the weasely looking guy?" she asked.
"Tasuki-sama," the woman said with a sigh.
"What?!" the bandit yelled.
"Seems like a pretty good representation to me," Sharon said with a giggle.
"You had better be joking, little girl," Tasuki grumbled, folding his arms. Sharon stuck her tongue out at him. The woman gave them strange looks over her fan but in the end, seemed to put it out of her mind.
"That tall man is Chichiri-sama," she said, pointing to a mean looking man on the right who was sitting on the end of a stage and sharpening a knife. Sharon's eye twitched. Wow. They really had no idea did they? There was no part of that in her Chichiri. "That's the last one we have so far," said the woman. Tucking a strand of hair over her ear. "They're debating on who should be called next."
Sharon saw two men dressed in black, hunched over a large scroll. One of them finally broke away and raised his hands. Immediately, the crowd settled.
"The next seishi's constellation is the second to come out in the early evening. This seishi is one of courage and loyalty. The constellation is the crab, the sign is the ogre and the name is Tamahome. Who will step up to fill this part?"
Figures it had to be Tamahome. He hadn't even been picked yet. Sharon tried to keep smiling, even as her heart twisted. Why did she have to keep feeling so bad about it?
"You should try," said the woman and it took Sharon a moment to realize she was talking to Tasuki. Sharon glanced at the bandit, expecting him to scoff. He looked as if he hadn't heard, but he must have because he was staring at the stage, his arms still folded. A light wind ruffled through red-gold hair. A strange smirk lifted his face and a fang poked over his lower lip. To her amazement, he started up to the stage.
"It's for Tamahome!" she called after him, just in case he hadn't heard. He waved over his shoulder. She stared, eyes wide. Just…just what in the world was he doing?
"We decide the seishi, you know, the crowd, I mean, "said the woman in a low voice. "So just clap for your young man and I will too. Let's see if we can get him into the part."
That depends on why he wants the part, Sharon thought, but nodded anyway. She couldn't imagine what the hell Tasuki was up to. Three others came up on stage for Tamahome, an old man with shaking knees, a dark eyed teenager and a twelve year old with the cutest little face.
As the men stepped up the crowd shot them questions. After about a dozen or so, the announcer would ask for a vote. The cheers were loud for the teenager and for the twelve-year-old. Then Tasuki stepped up.
"Hey, haven't seen you around here. Where are you from?" a voice called from the crowd.
"The mountains."
"Ever seen the miko?" another voice asked.
"Yeah."
"And?" the voice said. Sharon folded her arms and dared him to say something insulting. He looked straight at her and grinned.
"She's all right…for a girl."
"And why do you want to be Tamahome?" the announcer asked when all the questions had finished. Tasuki looked at her, then somewhere else, but she had the feeling he wasn't looking at anything in particular.
"Because of all the shit that's been going on, I'm sure the miko's pretty upset right now and I was thinkin', if there's a chance that she's in this crowd, that me being stuck in this role would amuse the hell out of her."
Tasuki. Sharon bit her lips to keep them from wobbling all over the place. That was…that was… She smiled, caught halfway from laughing and crying. Tasuki focused on her once more, grinning widely.
"Plus I'm just about as good as that son-of-a-bitch in any fight."
Sharon laughed and tears rolled down her cheeks. Because she was laughing. Just because she was laughing. When the time for voting came, Sharon and the woman cheered as loud as they could. The others in the crowd seemed to feel the same way, their voices sweeping around her in a huge roaring wave.
Once the crowd settled down, other seishi were chosen. Mitsukake was about forty years old and was shorter then most of the others and Chiriko was the twelve-year-old who had tried out for Tamahome earlier. Sharon couldn't believe the others were missing this. Maybe she should go get them. Did she even have time?
"Finally," the announcer said again. "Last, but certainly not least, it is time to cast our beloved emperor. Who will fill this most honored roll?"
--
Twenty people for Hotohori. Ann sweatdropped as a twenty-first struggled to get up on the stage but was shoved back by the second announcer who had procured a big staff from somewhere. Well this was certainly a popular roll. Not that she could blame them. The actors ranged in age from old men in expensive clothes to younger men in expensive clothes.
"Huh. Is it just me, or do you see a pattern too?" she asked Nuriko.
"It's always like this," Nuriko said with a sigh, flicking open his fan with a practiced air. "All the nobles want to be Hotohori-sama in hopes he will look on them with favor. He really doesn't care and has made it known… I have no idea why they bother."
"None of them are half as gorgeous," Ann said, though several of them were cute, none could reach that level of perfection. Not, that she was obsessing, because that would be bad. Anyway, the emperor did have his flaws. A lot of flaws. He was just beautiful, and brave, and insanely loyal, and warm and she was not obsessing. Buhh.
"None of them will ever be," Nuriko said confidently and Ann agreed with him. They watched for awhile as noble after noble came up to answer questions. The answers were convoluted and flowing with poetry. Ann rolled her eyes. She hadn't seen this much brown-nosing since…well…since the last time she saw Hotohori-sama with his court actually. A voice began to call above the clapping crowd.
"Ryuuen! Ryuuen!" Nuriko turned and Ann did as well. A man with dark purple hair was making his way up to them. There wasn't a doubt in her mind who he was. He looked almost exactly like Nuriko. Ann's eyebrows quirked. Brother? Sister? Long lost cousin?
"Rouku. It's not like you to come into the city at night," Nuriko said when the man was standing in front of him. Rouku smiled and embraced him briefly. Ann smiled. Brother definitely…. Or sister. She wasn't about to assume anything where Nuriko's family was concerned.
"I thought you might be here." He pulled back and looked at Nuriko. "So, you've finally stopped dressing as a woman." He glanced at Ann and smiled. "Is she your wife?"
Ann laughed and shook her head.
"No. I'm just his friend."
"Women still don't interest me, big brother…sorry," Nuriko said, tapping him lightly on the head with his fan. Rouku sighed in a resigned way and nodded. Then, as if remembering he had company, smiled politely at Ann.
"Are you planning to introduce us, Ryuuen?" he asked.
"Of course." Nuriko said. "Ann, this is Rouku, my big brother. Rouku, this is Ann, the miko's friend."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ann," he said, inclining his head to her with a smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Rouku-san," she said, returning the favor. The three fell silent and continued to watch the candidates for Hotohori.
"I see the selections are abysmal…as always," Rouku said.
"Well, why don't you try out? You look a lot like him," Ann said. The man laughed and shook his head.
"No. I don't like to get in front of people," Rouku said. Nuriko smiled and looped an arm through his in a comforting show of sibling affection. Daww.
"Come on, Rouku," he said. "People are tired of the nobles year after year. Go up there."
"Ryuuen…you know how nervous I get… Besides…the last time…everyone laughed," Rouku stammered. Nuriko sweatdropped.
"They laughed because you were only eleven, they thought it was cute. Even I knew that. Just go on up."
"No. I refuse."
Nuriko sighed. Ann tried to stifle her smile as Nuriko easily lifted his older, taller brother into the air and set him on the stage.
"Ryuuen," Rouku all but growled. Before he had a chance to get off, the announcer came up to him.
"It's pleasant to see a new face. You're Chou Rouku aren't you? The cloth merchant?"
"N…no… Well…yes…b…but…"
"This man is no noble," the announcer shouted. "How many of you would like to have to festival play to have someone untitled as the emperor?" The crowd cheered louder then it had for most of the seishi. Rouku shot a withering look at them.
"You know, if he didn't want to go, you probably shouldn't have forced him," Ann said.
"Maybe…but Rouku is afraid of everything. Maybe if I make him face one fear, he'll have the courage to face the rest. For instance, when he was younger, a boy named Chang always used to pick on him. Now Chang is the captain of the guards and Rouku won't even visit because he's afraid of him. It's ridiculous…"
"I see what you mean…"
--
Sharon liked the pick for Hotohori. The name sounded familiar too. Where had she heard it before? The announcer came forward a final time.
"Now in the past years, we have chosen a male for the position for the miko, as we all know females are not built for acting. Tonight, in celebration of finally having the miko. A female will play the part. Who will step up to fill this sacred and honored roll?" Sharon grinned. Why not? It might be fun. She hid her hands in her sleeves as she saw the other women do and walked up on stage. A familiar looking girl with 'the Miaka look' for a hairstyle was standing next to her.
"Why am I not surprised," Ann said. Sharon grinned.
"What? I couldn't resist." She lined up with the other girls and came within speaking distance of the one who played Hotohori. His face looked really familiar.
"Excuse me…you wouldn't happen to be related to Nuriko would you?"
"So, you know Ryuuen too, do you?" he asked in a heated voice. Sharon blinked. Ryuuen?
"He's Nuriko's older brother," Ann said in a whisper. "Nuriko kind of gave him a…helping hand that he didn't appreciate."
"But I thought Ryuuen was the one that died…" she murmured to herself. Ann gave her a strange look.
"What are you talking about?" she asked. Sharon shook her head. It really wasn't any of her business anyway. It was definitely time to change the topic of conversation.
"So… What will you do if you're picked?" Sharon asked. Ann's hazel eyes sparkled and Sharon was immediately filled with the sensation she was not going to like this at all.
"I will do justice to you. I will hang all over Ta-suki and fight with Tama-homie," Ann said pleasantly. Oh no, she was not to be trusted. Sharon snorted.
"Reverse that would you?"
"Are you sure?" Ann said in mock surprise, batting her eyes.
"Yes," Sharon grumbled.
"Absolutely sure?"
"Positive."
"Fine, then I'll fight with Ta-suki and hang all over Tama-homie."
"Thank you." Sort of.
"Oh well, what do you know." Ann clapped a hand to her cheek. "Just look who's playing Tama-homie. Could that be…Ta-suki?" She gasped. "Isn't that interesting? So in reality…you want me…as you…to hang all over Ta-suki? Well Sharon I had no idea." Sharon's face darkened and she sweatdropped.
"I hate you."
"Why, thank you," Ann said with a smile.
The crowd cheered for a beautiful lady. Then it was Sharon's turn. She stepped up, unsure of what was going to happen. A hush fell over the crowd as they stared at her. She flushed…a little embarrassed at the attention.
--
Tasuki grinned. Everyone was in awe of her, as they should be. She was, after all, the Suzaku no Miko, and a damned good one too.
"Come on," rang a familiar voice from the back. It was that man. The one they had run into earlier. Hong's person. Tasuki scowled. He better not make Sharon upset again.
"She isn't half as beautiful as the miko should be!" the man said. The redhead curled his hands into fists. That bastard! He didn't care what Sharon said. Next chance he got, he was going to fry him. The crowd murmured softly, almost as if in agreement.
"Give her a chance," came another voice. Yeah, Tasuki thought.
"Are you educated, girl?" came a voice.
"Yeah." The crowd murmured again, it didn't sound very approving.
"What do you think of our country?"
"Enough with the questions," said the Hong guy before Sharon could even answer. "Isn't it obvious that she isn't suitable for the miko? Her voice is too loud and her answers too simple. If we must have a woman representing the Suzaku no Miko tonight at least give us one we can be proud about! Like Lady Hong!"
"Who me?" A thin lady stepped onto center stage, almost right in front of Sharon. Tasuki glared at her back. If she wasn't a woman… How could she do this? What the hell was wrong with these people? Couldn't they see that the little girl was the miko? Didn't they know how much it would hurt her to be pushed aside like this.
"Well, if you insist," she said, bowing.
"Non ones decided anything yet," Tasuki snapped. He wasn't about to let anyone get away with this that easily.
"Well then let's decide right now," said the Hong guy. "All for the most beautiful woman in Konan?"
The applause was too loud. Shit. Even from here he saw Sharon's shoulder's stiffen. Shit shit shit.
"Hey, little girl," he came up behind her and reached out hesitantly to touch her shoulder. She looked back and smiled, but it wasn't a happy smile by any stretch of the imagination. "Look, we can tell 'em…"
"We're not going to tell them anything, it's just a stupid play." She was smiling still but he could see the truth. He had a feeling she wouldn't give in either. But…but it wasn't fair. They weren't even giving her a chance.
"And now if the other candidates will leave the stage," said the announcer. "We will take a few moments to prepare."
Like hell. Tasuki wasn't about to prepare anything. Sharon clapped her hands.
"Welp, that's over. While you guys are getting ready, I'm going to go wander around."
She couldn't go. It was dangerous out there. Besides if he let her wander all around by herself, she was just going to get sad and depressed about the ceremony and whatever the hell had gone on between her and Tama-boy. He wasn't about to let her go without him whatever she said. He straightened. He wouldn't be swayed. She grinned at him, seeming genuinely happy this time and said:
"I can't wait to see your Tamahome."
Aw, hell…
--
Sharon pushed through the crowded streets, not really paying attention. A miko to be proud of. Well they were going to be in for a disappointment. She should have never gone up on the stage in the first place. It was a stupid idea. She could add that to her list of stupid ideas. It was growing longer by the day. Anyway, it was all right.
She passed by the musicians again. The high song of a flute played over the others. Amiboshi…. She had to do something for him. Otherwise it didn't seem right. What could she do? There wasn't anything that would ever seem like enough.
"Would you like a flower?" came a gentle voice behind her. Sharon turned and saw a young woman standing there with a basket full of them. "You look so sad; I thought you might like one," the woman said. She held out a pink flower to her. "It's on the house," she said with a smile.
"Are you selling those?"
"Yes, although I'm afraid it hasn't been doing very well. People don't seem to want simple flowers any more."
Sharon looked over them and picked out a handful of the prettiest. Then she gave the woman two coins.
"Oh. Thank you, miss, but that's far too much."
"That's, ok. Keep the change."
"Have a pleasant night, miss."
"You too."
Sharon walked away, the flowers clutched in her hand. She walked until she came to the bridge. The water below looked so cold. Did…did he feel cold when he…when he died? Did…did he suffer? It shouldn't have happened. Tears stung her eyes again and she wiped them away. Stupid tears. Crying wouldn't bring him back. Crying wouldn't solve anything.
"For you, Chiko, may you rest in peace," she said. She buried her face in the flowers, inhaling the sweet fragrance. Then let them drop over the side. They hit the water softly, causing a few ripples. The flowers floated for a moment before finally sinking slowly into the dark. With him. All alone. Why did he have to…to…
Turning she wandered away from the bridge. She should probably be starting back soon before something bad happened. Trouble seemed to follow her no matter where she went. A hand clapped on her shoulder. Sharon shrieked, grabbing the hand on pure adrenaline instinct, ready to flip whoever it was into the gutter.
"Oh no you don't."
Sharon only barely registered the voice as Tamahome's before his arm slipped around her waist, trapping her close to his body. Sharon dropped her hand from his and put it against her chest where she could feel her heart trying to beat it's way out.
"Geez, Squash-boy, don't scare me like that!" She twisted her head to look up at him and found he was giving her an annoyed frown. She frowned right back. What did he look so mad about? "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"I should give you more then that," he grumbled. "What are you thinking wandering around this area alone at night?" He poked her lightly on the head with his index finger. "You could have been kidnapped or worse!" Poke, poke. "Use some foresight for once, okay?"
Sharon batted his hand away, scowling at him. Then she sighed and turned and relaxed back against him, feeling the steady warmth of his chest. She wanted to let him know why she'd come out here, but she didn't want to look into his face when she said it. She might not be able to hold on then.
"This…" Gah. Her voice was wavery. It shouldn't be. She swallowed hard. "This is where…"
"Amiboshi died," he said. Sharon nodded. Tamahome's other arm wrapped around her shoulders and she clutched at it, pulling at the cloth a little with her fingers. He kissed the top of her head in a way that made tingles race all the way down to her toes.
"Tamahome…" she murmured, just to say his name. He was so—Wait a minute. Gah! No this was a bad thing! She couldn't be wrapped up in this right now! What was she thinking?
"Wait, wait, wait," she said, disentangling herself from him. It took more effort than she had expected and when she was finally free, she had the feeling it was only because he'd let her go. She turned to face him, folding her arms.
"Look, Tamahome," she started, voice stern. A few stray strands of hair decided to slip onto her face at that moment and she had to pause to blow them away. Tamahome smiled.
"You look cute in that," he said.
"Don't change the subject!" she said even as she felt her face heat. She was mad at him. She had to remember that. She was mad at him and he wanted to marry her and that was just freaky. Wasn't it? Yes it was! His smile slipped away and he seemed angry, too, clenching and unclenching his hands.
"Why…why did you say no?" he flinched as if he didn't mean to ask that, but then straightened and looked at her, expecting an answer. Sharon sighed heavily, looking away from him and out over the water. Fireworks crackled on the street somewhere. Did that mean the play was starting? She hoped not. She'd promised Tasuki after all.
"Do we really have to go through this again, Squash-boy?" she went to the bridge's edge and put her hands on the railing. "I all ready told you."
"There's more to it then that, though, isn't there?" Tamahome asked. Sharon tried not to flinch. She scratched her nails absently against the stone. She didn't want to go through this. She did not want to go through this at all.
"You keep avoiding me and when I try to touch you…"
"Maybe," her throat tried to close on her even as she spoke. She would go through it anyway. It was better in the long run. It really was. "Maybe I don't love you anymore."
Silence. Nothing but the rush of the river and the distant murmuring of the crowds. Someone laughed high, a woman it sounded like, her voice carrying. She was glad that someone was having a good time.
"You're lying," Tamahome said. There was no doubt on his voice. He came to sit on the edge of the bridge, staring away from her. She didn't look at him, though the temptation was strong. He just had to make this difficult, didn't he?
"How do you know what I feel, huh? Are you a psychic or something?" she turned away from him. Maybe if she ran for it, she could get away from this for a little while.
"I know because I know, because everything that's happened so far has told me."
"You read way too far into things. But you know what? I don't care. I am not having this conversation again," And that was that. Sharon straightened her shoulders, brushed her hair from her face and started to walk away. She was going to go and he wasn't going to stop her. There was nothing he could do. He grabbed her arm. Sharon scowled. Darn him. Why didn't he give up?
"Do we really have to do this again? I mean, do we really have to?"
He sighed and for a moment, she thought he was going to let her go. Almost as if he really was psychic, his grip tightened on her arm, not hard but enough to keep her in place. She bit her lip.
"I think that I scared you," Tamahome said softly, unexpectedly. "I didn't mean to. I just…don't want to lose you, no matter what."
That was the way life was, though, right? Nothing was definite. She glanced at the river. What was there one day was…was gone the next. Besides…besides they couldn't be together. Not right now. Not after Suzaku was summoned. It just wouldn't work.
"Tell me the truth," he said. "Whatever it is. I can handle it. I promise."
Sharon opened her mouth to say she didn't love him anymore, to confirm it, to drive him away. But…but… Maybe…maybe if she told it to him this way, he might find someone else. Someone who he could love. Someone who he could be with.
"Taiitsukun said that I have to be a virgin," she said softly. "She said that I had to be pure and untouched. The line between the miko and seishi could not be crossed."
"Oh," Tamahome said, letting her go. Sharon rubbed her arm anxiously but didn't turn to look at him.
"It all works out this way right?" Sharon said, smiling a little even though she wanted to do the exact opposite. "After all why would you want to go out with someone you can't kiss or touch or anything?"
"Because it's you," Tamahome said and her heart melted into a soupy little puddle. But she would not give in. She would not be romanced by him…again.
"Because," Tamahome continued. "I would do anything for you, even if I didn't get to touch you. I'll think of other ways to show my love…"
He truly was impossible. How was she supposed to resist something like this? How?!
"You're absolutely nuts, Tamahome," she said, turning around to face him but not smiling. Not. Maybe just a little twitch but she was not going to encourage this. "Any other guy would have ditched me in a second."
"I doubt it. There are very few women who are as priceless as you are." He was smiling too and she couldn't help but smile back, as much as she didn't want to. Gaah. How is it he always did this to her. She felt like she was floating on feathers. It wouldn't last for long, she knew. As pretty as his words were, she was always waiting for reality to come crashing back down around her ears.
"Whatever you say, Tamahome. I'm still not going to marry you," she said. He grinned. Why was he grinning? That was a bad statement. He shouldn't be grinning, unless he had something to trump her with. Sharon had a sinking feeling. He'd better not say anything. She'd won this round and there was nothing he could say that—
"You also said you were never going to admit you loved me," he said, folding his arms in a cocky way. "And we all know how well that one turned out."
Gah! Damn him for having a point.
"You're impossible!" she said, throwing her hands up in the air but still smiling. Smiling, smiling, smiling. She was too warm on the inside not to.
"I know, but you love me anyway."
"A bit arrogant aren't we?"
"A bit in love aren't we?"
Sharon shook her head. She would really have to stop walking into that one. She looked at Tamahome. He was smiling now and happy. She was happy too. This was all going to end very badly, she just knew it.
"Well, the play is about to start, so I'm going to round everyone up and see if they want to come." She hadn't really intended on it, but now that she said it, it seemed like a goo idea. She might be a little late but it would be nice if everyone could watch. It would be a hoot to watch them watch themselves.
"I'll come with you," Tamahome said. Sharon shook her head.
"Could you go and hold my place?" she asked, giving him big, batty eyes just in case he was thinking about saying no. "And let Tasuki know that I'm coming." She wanted to get everyone herself but she didn't want the bandit to feel as if he was being left out.
"All right, but be careful. Walk that way," he pointed to a lighted street. "Stay in the crowd and try to stay out of trouble."
"All right, all right," she said, with a laugh, putting a hand on his arm and risking a kiss on his cheek. A friendly kiss on his cheek. That didn't count right? Still, she hurried off, in case she was tempted to do a little more.
--
Tamahome watched Sharon go, her kiss still burning on his cheek. It would be a long while before he would be able to hold her the way he wanted to…but it would be worth it. He didn't care how long he had to wait for her. One day they would be together in every possible way and just to think about that bright future made the present seem even brighter.
--
Sharon couldn't keep the smile from her face as she walked toward the palace, keeping in the lighted areas like she promised. Somehow she felt happier than she had in days. How did he always do this to her? Now she couldn't help but be happy. She tried to feel annoyed but just couldn't dredge up the emotion. Damn him.
She pushed her hair back from her face and heard the muffled clink of the money shifting on her wrist. Thinking about Tamahome…there was something she wanted to buy. She glanced anxiously at the stage, but she couldn't see it very well through the crowd. No, there wasn't time right now. She couldn't be too late. There would be time later.
She hurried on, getting through the people was a chore but she didn't mind. Nothing could upset her right now. The wall opened up to a road lined with sweet blossoming trees. A couple was walking together the branches, holding hands and talking softly to each other. Sharon watched them dreamily for a moment. That could be her and Tamahome some day. She knew she was obsessing. Right now, she didn't care.
"It's getting late," the woman said. "I don't think he'll come."
"Don't worry, maybe if we wait a little while longer," the man said.
"No. I know the journey was exhausting for you and we have to leave early tomorrow. Let's just go," the woman said. Sharon narrowed her eyes. Hmm. They sounded familiar. She wondered over to them. Not wanting to intrude. When she got close to get a good look at them her eyes widened.
They were the ones who'd let her stay with them before she went to Kutou the first time! She couldn't believe she'd run into them. On the other hand, now that she thought of it, hadn't they had said they were going to the star watching festival? Either way it was so strange to run into them!
"Hi! Yumi and Makoto right?" she called. They turned. Makoto gave her a strange look.
"Umm. Do I know you?" he asked.
"You're that girl, aren't you?" the woman said, clapping her hands. "The one who wanted to go to Kutou. Sharon, right?"
"Yep! Nice to see you again!"
"Oh yeah," the man said. "I remember you…sort of."
"Don't mind him," Yumi said with a smile. "He has the memory of a sheep. Come…walk with us for a bit."
"Umm," The play was probably started by now. Still she couldn't say no to these people who'd been so kind to her. "For a little bit, sure."
They started to walk down the road, Makoto still casting her strange looks now and again until Yumi elbowed him in the side.
"Did you make it to Kutou all right?" Yumi asked.
"Yep," Sharon said. Getting out was the problem.
"What did you want to go there for?" Makoto asked. Sharon waved her hand.
"Oh…personal reasons." Another memory poked to the surface. "Oh yeah, you guys are honeymooning right? Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Oh yes," said Yumi with a happy sigh. "This festival is wonderful."
"Were you waiting for someone?" Sharon asked. Yumi gave her a blank stare and Sharon smiled sheepishly. "Er…I kinda overheard your conversation. Something about someone being late?"
"Oh," Yumi frowned. "Well it's a little silly, but I thought the Emperor might be making an appearance. I did so want to see him."
That's right. She had mentioned that too. Well since Sharon had to go to the palace anyway, she would be able to kill two birds with one stone.
"Hey," Sharon said, coming to step in front of them and smiling wide. "Remember how I said I was gonna pay you back for helping me?"
"Oh don't worry about it," Makoto said with a smile.
"We were happy to help!" Yumi added.
"It's my pleasure," Sharon said. "Come with me. I wanna show you something."
--
Yumi followed the girl. She wondered what Sharon was going to show her. She remembered when Sharon had told her she was the Suzaku no Miko. She still didn't believe her. It was just an unwed teenager's fantasies.
Sharon led them to the palace. The palace? How did the girl intend to get in? Perhaps she was a noble or something. The guards bowed as the girl walked by. Definitely a noble then. The palace was so large; the woman had never seen something so big before. She walked closer to her husband, looking around nervously. She felt so…out of place, in her peasant clothes and unkempt hair. She hoped Sharon wasn't going to introduce her to anyone important. The girl paused before a door and motioned for them to wait. Yumi clung to Makoto's arm.
"I don't know about this," she said, glancing up at her husband.
"Don't worry, honey. It's probably not someone terribly important. Probably just a noble."
"Just a noble?" the woman whispered. Makoto patted her hand consolingly. The girl poked her head out of the room making the couple jump.
"Come in."
Yumi smoothed her hair down with a nervous hand and entered the large room. Perhaps her husband was right. How important could they be? Then she saw just who exactly it was, and froze. He…he…he was so beautiful! She felt her husband tugging at the hem of her dress and realized what she was doing. She dropped to her knees and bowed to her emperor.
--
"Why did you want me to meet them?" Hotohori asked. Sharon grinned.
"'Member the first time I went off to Kutou? These people helped me out. Gave me free dinner and board and even found me a ride to the border. They were very nice to me."
"You may rise," he said. Makoto rose to his knees but kept his head bowed. "To your feet, both of you." They both, reluctantly, did so.
"Miss Yumi really wanted to see you," Sharon whispered to him. Hotohori went up to the nervous woman.
"Thank you," he said, taking her hand gently. The sixteen-year-old had to stifle a giggle as it looked like the woman would pass out. "For taking care of our miko, you will be rewarded."
"It was nothing, Your Majesty," Makoto said, his voice practically a squeak. "We were just helping out a stranger. We really didn't know she was the miko…"
"Then that is an even more noble gesture," he released Yumi's hand and smiled at them both in that warm way he had. Sharon put a hand to her face. Hori-kun… He really was so wonderful. She would have to totally glomp him after this.
"What is it you wish?" Hotohori asked. The couple looked at each other.
"A silk dress for my wife," Makoto said, putting his arm around the Yumi's shoulders. Both of their faces were beet red and there were tears in Yumi's eyes but she was smiling.
"Then you shall have it," Hotohori said with a graceful nod. As if that was some sort of prompt, the old servant, Keiki shuffled out of the shadows and bowed to them.
"This way please," he said, and started to lead the couple from the room.
"Wait," the woman said. "I wanted to tell Your Majesty something."
"Yes?"
For a moment it didn't look as if Yumi would say anything, seeming too stunned by her own words. Finally, still blushing, she said:
"You…you are as beautiful as I imagined, Your Majesty."
Hotohori smiled and started to sparkle softly.
"I…" he started. Sharon shot him a glare. If he said "I know", she would kill him. He caught her look and adjusted himself.
"I thank you," he corrected himself, without losing a shred of dignity. Yumi half bowed and left the room. Sharon smiled. It was so good to make someone feel better. Still she waited until they had left the room before giving Hotohori a big hug. He smiled and shifted to hold her back, one hand on her hair.
"You are so kind," he said, voice soft.
"So are you," she said, giving him an extra squeeze, then stepped back a little, taking his long elegant hands in hers and squeezing them.
"So, whatcha doin' tonight, Hori-kun?"
"Unfortunately, I have a meeting."
"Aww." Sharon tried not to look too disappointed. "Could you get out of it?"
"Would that I could, sadly this is fairly important."
"Well, if it's done before too long, do you want to come out to the festival?" She gave him a cute, pleading face, exaggerating it by batting her eyelashes and puckering her lips. He chuckled.
"We shall see," he said. Well that was about as close to a yes as she was going to get. Anyway, he did have important stuff to do, running the country and all. Standing up on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek.
"I'll see you out there," she said, then waved to him and skipped out of the room, looking for anyone else who might want to come.
--
Chichiri was meditating, resting his mind from the day. He usually didn't do it until much later in the night since there was always something going on. Tonight, however, was a festival and, though the miko was out in the mix, with three seishi guarding her, she should be safe. He relaxed slowly in the perfect stillness, feeling the air on his face, the soft clothes on his body, his heart beating steadily in his chest. All was silent. All was still.
"Chiri-kun!" a voice squealed.
"Da!" he yelped, startling in spite of himself. There was the sound of running feet and felt someone flop down beside him. He would open his eye but he'd already figured it out who it was.
"Back from the festival all ready, no da?"
"Kinda," the miko said. "I wanted to know if you wanted to come out with me."
"I don't think I'm in the mood for festivals tonight, no da." Though he hated to tell her no. The enthusiasm was evident in her voice. But he was strangely tired and ready to take the mask off for the day. "Perhaps if you talked to Tamahome?"
"Nah, he's all ready there." She sounded a little sad. Was it really that important to her that he be out there? "Well, if you change your mind, I'll be waiting for you."
"All right, no da." He opened his eye and looked at her through the mask, smiling as he always did. "Have fun, no da. But be careful."
"Aren't I always?" She grinned and flipped her hair over her shoulder dramatically.
"More careful than usual, no da," he said, deciding not to answer that statement directly. "Much more careful."
"All right, all right," she said with a laugh. "See you later, 'Chiri." She waved and left the room. He watched her go then went back to meditating. Or tried to. Even as he sat here with his eye closed, he could hear the sounds of the festival drifting over the palace walls. He hadn't been to a festival in a long long time. This might be the first and last time he would ever be able to share a festival with the miko. Maybe… maybe…
--
Mitsukake looked at the piece, looked at the boy, looked at the piece, looked at the boy, then slowly moved the piece. The boy's face betrayed nothing as he watched him. He just sat; chin cupped in hands, and stared at the tall healer in contemplation. Mitsukake sat back and waited for Chiriko to make his move. The boy just sat there.
"It's your turn," the healer said after a while.
"I've already won."
Mitsukake sweatdropped and stared at the board. The younger seishi was right, but how…. He'd planned so carefully. "You set yourself up," Chiriko said. "All I had to do was move my pieces just so and let you do the rest."
"Are you tired yet?" he asked the boy.
"No."
"Do you want to play one more game?"
"I would but…well…" Chiriko looked down, pushing a piece around with his finger. "It's just that the last ten games I've beaten you and I feel pretty bad about it. If…if you want we can play something simpler. Like…marbles. I don't know how to play that very well."
Mitsukake gave the boy a hard look unsure if that was supposed to be an insult or not. The boy looked up at him with an expression of pure innocence. It was that look that had kept Mitsukake from cheating once or twice. That and Chiriko watched the board like a hawk. Mitsukake, however, was determined. He would win a game. Chiriko might be more intelligent than most people he knew, but Mitsukake had age on him, damnit and he wasn't about to give up.
"Just one more game," Mitsukake said.
"All right, if you insist," Chiriko said with a worried smile. Mitsukake did and they began to set up the board once more.
"Hey Mitsie-chan! 'Ko!" a voice blasted into the room. Mitsukake and Chiriko both jumped, pieces falling and bouncing off the floor. Mitsukake turned in his chair to see the miko standing in the doorway behind him. He nodded in greeting and she smiled at him brightly.
"Hello, Sharon-sama," Chiriko said.
"Whatcha doin'?" she asked, coming into the room and picking up a black piece, holding it to the light.
"Playing chess," Chiriko said.
"Oh yeah?" the miko said, plunking the piece on the board. "Who's winning?"
Chiriko paused, giving Mitsukake a hesitant look. Mitsukake continued to set up his side of the board and pretended he didn't notice.
"Mitsukake-san's…getting better," Chiriko said after a moment. Mitsukake snorted.
"You're kicking his butt aren't you?" the miko said.
"Only a little bit."
"Heh. Way to go Chiriko," she said and patted him on the head. "So…ya wanna go to the star watching festival with me?"
"I'm sorry, Sharon-sama but we were going to play one more game…and I'll probably be tired after that."
"I'll take that to mean you too," Sharon said to Mitsukake. He nodded. She sighed heavily. "Okay. Okay, no problem. I'll just go back out now. Have fun." She left and they continued to set up another game.
"Mitsukake-san," Chiriko said after a bit, "have you ever been to a star watching festival?"
"No, have you?"
The boy shook his head.
--
Sharon approached the crowd in front of the stage. It looked like the play had started. She frowned a little and went to find her seishi and friend. She spotted Nuriko's long braid and made her way toward it. It took some doing since some people were reluctant to move. After a while of squirming and apologizing, she reached the edge of the stage where Nuriko and Ann were standing. Tamahome was nowhere in sight. Huh. That was odd. Ann caught sight of her and tugged her closer.
"Are you ok?" Ann asked with a frown. Sharon wondered at the question and then remembered the miko choosing thing. Oh right. Well, if she didn't think about it she was okay with it.
"Yeah. I'm fine," She waved a hand. "Where's Tamahome?"
"I haven't seen, Tama-kins all evening," Nuriko said. Really strange. Maybe he'd gotten lost along the way.
"He should be glad he's missing this charade," Ann said dully.
"That bad, huh?" Sharon asked, glancing at the stage. Everyone seemed to be waiting for something.
"Worse" Ann said with a sigh. "Poor Rouku has a bad case of stage fright. He can barely say anything without stuttering."
"Well at least he's speaking now," Nuriko said, putting a hand to his cheek. "When it first started he just kind of froze… Maybe putting him up there wasn't such a good idea…"
"Well it's a bit late for that…" Ann said.
"What about the one who plays Nuriko?" Sharon asked. A pained expression came over Ann's face.
"Well…"
"Just look at him!" the purple haired man said, hands on hips. "He doesn't even look like me and he's hardly strong enough and…"
"He's just mad because he keeps referring to Hotohori as girly boy," Ann muttered out of the corner of her mouth.
"I am not! I mean, that's not the reason."
"Anyway," Ann said, ignoring him. "The one who plays Chiriko is constantly getting cut off in mid sentence, Mitsukake keeps trying to hit on the women in the crowd, the one who plays Ta-suki constantly gets into these long winded monologues, every other word out of Chichiri's mouth is blood, death, or kill them all and Ta-suki is being like Tama-homie for once and just sulking."
"And the miko?" Sharon asked. The Hong woman stepped out onto the stage. She was even prettier in the soft lantern light of the stage. Her hair was a dark blue and fell down to her heels in waves. Her skin was pale, and her hands were long and elegant.
"So that's what they want for a miko?" Sharon said, half to herself. Ann winced.
"I hope not."
"Oh! Where is everyone?! I ran away and now I can't find them!" the Hong girl cried, putting a hand to her head. "Where are they?! Why don't they come save me?! Oh please! Help! Somebody!" the woman collapsed into a heap of dramatic sobs. Sharon sweatdropped.
"Uuuh," was all Sharon could think of to say.
"This is…how many times now, Nuriko?" Ann asked.
"Sixteen, but who's counting."
The 'miko' continued to sob as her 'seishi' stood on stage and looked at each other as if wondering what to do. Tasuki looked bored out of his mind. He was glancing out over the crowd and suddenly seemed to spot her, tensing. Sharon smiled and waved. His eyes lit and he smiled, a bit of fang poking over his lower lip.
"Oh help!" the 'miko' screamed. "A monster is attacking me!" A rather garish looking costume plopped out onto the stage. The 'miko' cried and shivered back in terror.
"I've seen less ham in a pig farm," Ann muttered and Sharon was inclined to agree.
"W…w…we have t…to save her," 'Hotohori' said quietly, so quietly that Sharon could barely understand him.
"Maybe we can trick-" 'Chiriko' started.
"I will kill him! I will use my bright sword and spill his insides to the ground!" 'Chichiri' snarled.
"The monster looks female. He's probably gay or something. I don't like gay boys…I get first dibs," 'Nuriko' said.
"Oniisan…" Ann said in a warning voice. "This is a play. Calm down." The real Nuriko looked about ready to murder someone.
"I will vanquish this monster miko!" 'Tasuki' said.
"Not again," Ann muttered.
"Listen well you monster! I will use this fan given to me in gratitude by Suzaku himself to send you back to the hellish place where you belong. Look upon the face of the one who will kill you! Look upon the face of the one who will…." Suddenly the fake Tessen disappeared from his hands.
"REKKA SHIEN!" 'Tamahome' yelled, swinging the fan. The monster collapsed in a heap. 'Tasuki' looked at his empty hands in surprise.
"Why…why you…impudent…that was to be my great victory."
"Yeah, yeah. By the time ya finished yer damned speech the monster would be cleanin' his teeth."
"You…you…how dare you! I am the leader of the bandits and I will…"
"Ha! Leader?! I'm a better bandit then you are you sorry excuse for a man!"
"That is it! I have had it! I will make sure you are punished for this!"
"What are ya gonna do? Rob me? Oh, I'm scared!" 'Tasuki' growled and charged 'Tamahome' who laughed and ran out of his way. Sharon grinned. The play had just gotten interesting.
