There's something about the look in your eyes.....
Something I noticed when the light was just right.....
It reminded me twice that I was alive.....
And it reminded me you are so worth the fight.....
Your biggest fear will be the rescue of you.....
Strange how it turns out that way, yeah.....
Could you show me, dear.....
Something I'm not seeing....
Something infinately interesting.....
Lyrics: Echo by Incubus
A procession of people trekked through the forest as the midday sun beat down upon the land. Under the shade of the trees, the temperature wasn't too bad, and the atmosphere around the little group was cheerful. Tasuki was talking to Chichiri and Nuriko about something, Miaka was glued to Tamahome as usual, and Mitsukake happily pet Tama-neko, who was perched on his shoulder.
Seika was at the back, due to her injury. She took each step with care, trying not to step rocks and tree roots. She found herself staring absent mindedly at the back of Chichiri's head. She smirked. ::His hair is as blue as the clear sky today.:: she thought. ::Total contrast to my hair....:: she thought. Her own dark brown hair was blowing freely in the breeze. ::It's a really beautiful color...:: Seika shook her head. ::Baka. You're becoming infatuated with the back of someone's head...::
Suddenly Chichiri turned around, a look of concern on his face. "Is your leg still alright, no da?" he asked.
Seika froze in her steps and blushed a bright red. ^^;; "Uh huh! Don't worry, I'm fine." ::What are you doing? Blushing!? Stop that! AHOU!::
Seika continued walking behind the rest of the group. ::Hn. I don't appreciate myself calling me a moron.:: -.-;
Author's Note: WHAT?!?!?! If anyone can interpret that last sentence, please let me know...so I can get you mental help....
She reflected as walked. ::Why the hell was I blushing anyway...? I'm going crazy....::
Around 2:00, the group stopped in a clearing for lunch. The field was green and beautiful, mixed in with the tall grass were numerous types of fragrant and colorful wildflowers.
Sieka was lying in the grass with her eyes closed. She smiled at the warm sunshine on her face, and the fragrance of flowers that was all around her. She sat up and watched as Tamahome gave Miaka a bouquet of the brightly colored flowers. Miaka's face lit up as took them from his hands. ::Awww...they're so cute....::
"OI! Warugaki-chan! Aren't you hungry???" Tasuki yelled breaking the peaceful silence.
"Yeah, I coming." she called. "AND I'M NOT A BRAT YOU FUCKIN' JERK!!!"
"WELL I'M NOT A JERK YA FUCKIN' BRAT!" Tasuki yelled back.
WHAM!
On her way to the food, Sieka 'accidently' punched Tasuki in the gut. She smirked. "What you deserve always comes your way sooner or later...." she said as she walked by. "Did I forget to say that I can fight?"
"That didn't hurt ya fuckin' brat!" Tasuki yelled.
Seika ignored him. ::Ya know, the reason you don't like him is because his personality is so similar to yours. Likes repel....oh well.:: Seika sat down between Chichiri and Nuriko. She helped herself to what little food there was left, as Hurricane Miaka had already hit.
At the exact same time, Seika and Chichiri reached for the same piece of bread. "Gomen nasai. You have it." Seika said.
Chichiri shook his head. He picked it up and placed it in her hand. "You have it, no da. I'm not really that hungry anyway, na no da."
Before she could argue that he should have it, Chichiri had gotten up and walked away.
Nuriko smirked. "You're blushing."
Seika barely heard him. She was staring at the piece of bread, and his voice sounded distant. She finally realized what he had said. "What? Blushing.....? No, I-I've just got a bit of a sunburn....that's all Nuriko-san...." she answered.
Nuriko shrugged. "Whatever you say Seika. And you don't have to use -san all the time, just call me Nuriko or use -chan."
''Um, okay...." she said uncertainly. "Um, I know! Can I call ya Nuri-chan?" she asked. She giggled. "I think it sounds cute."
Nuriko laughed. "Sure, Nuri-chan is fine." [sweatdrop]
Seika didn't hear what he had said, as she had shoved the whole piece of bread into her mouth instead of listening to him. "Whaf wuv fhat, Nuwi-chaa??" she asked with her mouth full.
[sweatdrop] "Nothing Seika, nothing...."
Meanwhile, Chichiri sat in another part of the field smiling to himself. ::t's a beautiful day...:: he thought for no reason in particular. ::A very beautiful day.....::
* * *
Nightfall neared, and they still hadn't reached the next village. Nuriko shook his head. "I don't understand it....We should have been there by now....."
Seika patted him on the shoulder. "Daijobu, Nuri-chan. It's impossible to be correct all the time, ne? Perhaps we should set up camp and spend the night here? It's getting dark...."
"No, let's keep walking, there's nowhere suitable for a camp around here." Nuriko told her.
Miaka nodded. "It can't be far now, ne?"
They were still walking when the sun sank over the low rolling hills. Suddenly, Miaka heard something. It was a beautiful melody.....the sound of a flute....?
"Ne," she asked ".....does anyone else hear that music?"
Tasuki shrugged. "I didn't hear anything."
"Me either." Nuriko said.
Mitsukake shook his head and Seika just shrugged and looked at Miaka inquisitively.
Tamahome smiled at her. "You must just be hungry and your mind is playing tricks on you, ne?"
Miaka nodded. She could barely see everyone in the dim light.
"Da! Look, there's the village, no da!" Chichiri announced. It was true, the sparkling lights that signaled some sort of life lie just ahead of them. Within the hour they had reached the town.
When they reached the nearest vacant inn, there was only limited space, so Sieka and Miaka ended up sharing a room.
"Well, let's get some sleep!" Miaka said cheerfully.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Tomorrow, we'll look around town and see if Chiriko's here. We'll stay tomorrow night, and the next day we're off again."
Everyone went to their respective rooms. Sieka had given the bed to Miaka, and was lying on the floor under two thin blankets. They were both silent for a long while, until finally Seika spoke.
"You really are in love with Tamahome, aren't you?" she said as she stared at the roof.
Miaka blushed. "Hai....he's everything to me....."
Seika nodded. "You're very lucky, you know, to find love so young. I can tell how much he loves you too....the way he holds you and looks at you.....he's deeply in love with you too." she was silent for a moment. "I can't say I know the feeling though." Seika shrugged. She turned over under her covers so her back faced Miaka. "Well, oyasumi nasai, Miko-sama."
Miaka was about to say something, but decided not to. She lay in her bed thinking about what Seika had said, occasionally glancing at her unmoving figure on the ground. Eventually Miaka drifted off to sleep and dreamed sweet dreams of her koibito, Tamahome.
* * *
".......ka.......Miaka, it's time to get up." came a soft voice somewhere far away from her.
Miaka slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room. Seika was standing above her, already fully dressed. Morning sunlight filtered in through the open shutters. Miaka sat up, yawned, and stretched. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Seika-chan."
"Ohayo Miko-sama. Your clothes are on the chair over there, I'm going down to breakfast with the others. Ja matta!"
Miaka laid back down for a minute and closed her eyes. She heard Seika's footsteps, which were slightly uneven due to her limp, echo through the room, and then the sound of door creaking as it opened, and then close again.
Miaka sat up and stretched, then got up and walked over to where clothes sat on the chair. She couldn't help but smile. Her clothes were neatly folded, her hair ribbons sat on top of her shirt, and her shoes were underneath the chair. Attached to her clothes was a note that read:
Good morning Miko-sama.
If you leave your pajamas on the chair,
I will wash them for you later today.
Anything else you need washed you may leave here too.
-Seika
Miaka changed and left her pajamas and a few other things where her school fuku had been. She folded the note up and placed it in her pocket. She left the room and walked down to where everyone sat around a table.
"G'mornin!" Tasuki yelled cheerfully. "Ya hungry Miaka, there's lotsa food!"
Miaka smiled. "Do you really need to ask if I'm hungry?"
Miaka sat down to breakfast with the others, and an hour later they were all outside. "Okay, let's go minna, if we get near where Chiriko is, Taitsu-kun's mirror will show us. C'mon, lets go!!!"
They passed the day going through the town, and somewhere around lunch they ended up split up. Miaka was with Tamahome and Mitsukake, while Seika, Chichiri, Tasuki and Nuriko had gotten lost somewhere in the crowded market.
Miaka finally stopped and realized she was missing three seishi and a tsukebito. "Ne, minna wa doko?" she asked.
"We lost them about 15 minutes ago." Mitsukake commented.
"Oh.....really....?" Miaka asked. Mitsukake and Tamahome nodded. Miaka took out the mirror and consulted it again. Nothing..... ~Grrrrrr...stupid thing....~ Suddenly Miaka heard it. It was the melody.....the flute music from the night before..... "Do you hear it!?" Miaka exclaimed excitedly. "There it is!" Miaka took off into the crowded market place without another word to either of them.
"Matte! What are you talking about, Miaka?" Tamahome called as he dashed into the crowd after her. "Where are you going!?"
Miaka followed the faint sweet melody of the flute music as she ran through the marketplace. She couldn't even hear the sound of the people in the crowd, all she could hear was the music....
The sound grew louder and finally, she came to a place in the market where people were gathered around in a cirlcle. Miaka pushed her way trough to the front.
In the centre of the circle sat a young boy playing a flute. He had sandy-blond hair, and his eyes were closed in concentration. The rest of the world seemed to be melting away as he played. All the people listening were completly silent.
Tamahome and Mitsukake finally caught up and found Miaka in the crowd. "Miaka, what are you--" Tamahome started, but was abruptly cut off when several people 'shhhh-ed' him. Tamahome was about to get angy, but suddenly, the emotion seemed to disappear. Tamahome felt as if he was in a trance as he listned to the music.
The boy stopped playing and put down the flute. A few people put some money where the boy was sitting before they left, and the crowd soon disappeared. The boy was collecting his things to leave when Miaka walked up to him.
"A-ano, sumimasen.....?"
He looked up at her. "Hai?" he asked.
"Well, I was just wondering....that music....."
He smiled. "I have a special talent with music. It made you feel calm, ne?"
"Hai. You're very good." she said.
The boy picked up the change from where he had been sitting and was about to leave when he dropped some.
"Let me get that for you." Miaka offered. The boy didn't hear her, and bent down to pick it up himself. Then Miaka spotted something on the top of his hand....a red mark, slightly blurred....and then she realize what it was. "You-you're a Suzaku Seishi!!!!! She exclaimed loudly.
The boy looked up at her. "Hai, the one called Chiriko." he said, looking puzzled.
Miaka threw her arms around him happily, then withdrew and apologized. "Gomen, Chiriko. My name is Yuuki Miaka, I'm Suzaku no Miko." ::Now I can finally call Suzaku and get Yui-chan back....:: She thought. ::Finally, we can be friends again....::
* * *
Tasuki came over to the cart where Nuriko, Chichiri, and Seika were standing. Chomping on the snack he had bought from one of the various food stalls, he leaned over Nuriko's shoulder. "Watcha lookin' at?" he asked.
Nuriko and Seika ignored him. "What do you think of this one?" Nuriko asked Seika.
"Hm....I dunno....I kinda like this one better." said, pointing to a necklace with a shiny black stone.
Chichiri sweatdropped. "You would, wouldn't you, no da?" then he turned to Tasuki. "They want to buy a necklace for Miaka, na no da."
Tasuki raised an eyebrow. "Aren't we supposed to be looking for Chiriko?"
Chichiri glacnced at Tasuki. "You're one to talk. You're the one who went to that food cart, no da. We were just waiting for you when they got distracted, no da." he said, pointing at Nuriko and Seika.
"It's rude to point, Chichiri." Seika said without even glancing upward as she studied the necklace Nuriko liked a bit closer.
o.O "Da...how....how did you...." a li'l sd Chichiri stammered.
Seika merely shrugged. "How many of this one do you have?" Seika asked, addressing the man at the stall, pointing to one of the necklaces on the black fabric.
The particular necklace she had selected was consisted of a black leather chord and a lovely red stone.
The merchant pulled out a cloth from the back of the stall. He unfolded the cloth revealing 10 necklaces exactly the same as the one on display. "How many do you wish to purchase?" he asked her.
"I'll take nine." she replied.
Sieka's three companions looked at her. "What're ya doin ya crazy brat!?" Tasuki exclaimed.
"Are you sure...?" The merchant asked.
"Of course." Seika replied calmly as she emptied the contents of her purse. "Is that enough?" she asked.
The merchant quickly added up the coins. "Hai, that's the right amount." he said. He removed one neclace from the cloth, then folded it back up and handed the package to her. "There you are miss, have a nice day."
Seika smiled. "Hai, I will." she said walking away from the stall.
Nuriko, Tasuki, and Chichiri ran up behind her. "Hm. Maybe we should find Miaka..."
"What was that all about!?" Nuriko exclaimed.
Seika looked puzzled. "What was what about?"
"Wha d'ya think, ahou! Wha'd ya buy NINE necklaces for."
"Good luck." she replied. "You see, there's one Miko, seven seishi, and then there's one for myself. These will bring all of us good luck." Seika unfolded the cloth and handed one to Nuriko, Tasuki, and Chichiri.
"Thanks...but don't think it means I like ya, just cause I thanked ya." Tasuki grumbled as he fastened the clip in the back.
Seika waved a finger at him. "Now Tasuki....Who said I liked you in the first place? It'd just be really mean if I got a present for everyone but you."
"Brat..."
"Arigato!" Nuriko exclaimed excitedly as he put his on.
Chichiri studied the stone. It was smooth and perfect. The color was astonishing and it was polished so that he could see his own reflection in it, however distored it was....
Seika's heart dropped when Chichiri didn't put his on or even get a thank you. Even Tasuki had shown he was grateful. "Don't you like it Chichiri?" she asked, a note of disapointment in her voice.
Chichiri looked up at Seika. She looked upset. "Arigato gozaimasu, no da." he told her. "Gomen nasai. I was just admiring your excellent taste." he said as he put it on in a an attempt to make her smile. It worked better than he had expected.
Seika brightend immeadiatly and threw her arms around Chichiri. "Glad ya like it." she said happily.
Chichiri was so surprised that he nearly lost his balance and got knocked over. This was the first time she had hugged him since she had mistaken him for her friend, and it at least seemed a little less akward. He hugged her back, for lack of anything else to do. "Here, let me help you do yours up, no da..." Chichiri offered.
"Sure." Seika replied. She took her own necklace from the cloth and handed it to Chichiri. He moved her hair out of the way, and did up the clasp for her. "There, no da." he said.
"Arigato." Seika smiled. "C'mon minna, let's go find Miaka, Tamahome, and Mitsukake."
As the others kept walking, Nuriko stood and watched. He shook his head. "They like each other and they know it....baka-chans....." A mischievious smile played across Nuriko's face. "They just need a little help...."
* * *
By dinner, everyone had met the new seishi, Chiriko. Everyone was very pleased and relieved. After the calling of Suzaku, everyone could return to their normal lives.
Seika pulled the cloth out of her pocket. "I almost forgot," she said as she unfolded it. "When we were in the market today, I bought necklaces for everyone, as good luck." she said as she handed one to Chiriko, Mitsukake, Tamahome and Miaka. "One for Miko-sama, one for each seishi, and one for myself." she explained.
"Sugoiiiiiii!" Miaka exclaimed. "Wai! Arigato Seika-chan!!!!" she said as she grabbed Seika in a death-grip hug.
Seika laughed. "I'm glad you like it Miko-sama."
"My name's Miaka, not Miko. You don't have to call me Miko-sama all the time!"
"Er.....okay, but Miaka......?"
"Hai?"
"I can't breathe........"
Miaka looked at Seika, who's face was now turning rather blue. [sweatdrop] "Oops....gomen nasai, Seika...." she said, letting go.
When Nuriko was sure Seika was distracted, he walked over to where Chichiri was sitting and pulled out the chair beside him. "Komban wa, Chichiri-chan."
"Komban wa Nuriko, no da." Chichiri replied.
"Chichiri, I come with a message from an angel for you."
"Tenshi, no da....?" Chichiri asked, visibly confused.
"Hai, tenshi." Nuriko said. "Seika wants you to meet her in the garden down the street an 9 o'clock tonight." he said with a smile.
"Huh? Why would she want to meet me at 9 o'clock in the garden, no da?" he asked.
Nuriko shrugged and flashed a secretive smile. "You figure it out." With that he walked away and sat where he had previously been sitting. "Phase one complete." he muttered.
* * *
Seika was walking down the hall towards her room. A hand tapped her hard on the shoulder. "Itaaaaaaaiiiiiiii!" she wailed as she spun around. "Nurikoooooo! What're ya tryin' to doooooo? Dislocate my shoulder?"
Nuriko sweatdropped. "I only tapped you lightly....."
@_@ "Well try extra-light next time....."
"Er....anyway....I came to tell you something."
"Huh...? What is it?" she asked.
"Um.....now what was it? Oh, yes...Chichiri wishes to meet you in the garden down the street from the inn at 9 o'clock."
Seika blushed a faint rose. "Chichiri......want's to meet me in the garden....Wh-why does he want to see me....?" she said as her cheeks went even redder.
Nuriko shrugged. "Who knows, but it's nearly 9 o'clock, Seika-chan."
Her eyes widened. "Oh, you're right! It's almost nine!" Seika started running down the hall. She paused and looked back at Nuriko. "Arigato, Nuri-chan!"
Nuriko smiled. "I've done more for you than you think, Seika."
* * *
Seika sat on the bridge that streched across the pond. Her feet dangled over the edge as she watched the Koi swimming in the water below. They were barely visable, but their scales picked up on what little light there was. In her hand she held a flower she had picked. She absent mindedly picked the petals off of it and watched as they floated down to rest upon the water's surface. ::Just like me.:: She thought. ::Randomly floating through life, no particular direction....and when I land, I never have any solid ground to stand on.::
Suddenly she heard footsteps on the bridge. She turned around to see Chichiri. This time she blushed even more than she had when Nuriko had told her to come here to meet him. "K-komban wa Chichiri."
"Er.....komban wa Seika, no da...." he said.
".....Nuriko said you wanted to talk to me about something." she said, looking at down at the pond.
"Huh? But Nuriko said you wanted to see me, no da." Chichiri said.
Seika suddenly looked up. Part of her was disapointed that Chichiri hadn't invited her on his own, but part of her was relieved. At least she could look him straight in the eyes now. "I think a certain cross-dresser is trying to play matchmaker." Seika said. She glanced over to the wall that surounded the garden, and sure enough, there was Nuriko, trying not to be seen. "And there he is...." Seika said.
"Oh." Chichiri said. "Well....I suppose we should go back to the inn then, no da...."
A playful smile crossed Seika's face. "I have a better idea. Let's put on a little act for our good friend Nuriko....We can act like his plan suceeded, and then tomorrow, when Nuriko asks, we can just say that one of us never showed up, and he'll think he's going crazy! And he'll deserve it for setting this up too..."
Chichiri couldn't help smiling. "Why not, no da." Chichiri said. He took her hands and helped her to her feet.
Seika smiled. "Arigato."
He held her hand as they walked - slowly, to cater to Seika's limp - around the garden and talked, deliberatly going by Nuriko's wall twice. As they walked by Nuriko, Chichiri would pick flowers for Seika, or whisper something to her. Eventually, they sat down on the grass and gazed at the stars.
"Oh, Chichiri, this is so romantic...." she said loudly.
"Hai, no da. I couldn't imagne spending this night without you. I enjoy being with someone who matches it's beauty, na no da."
Seika blushed at that. "You're so sweet..." she replied.
A few times they did that, but most of the the time they were quiet enough that Nuriko couldn't hear them, and just talked and joked. At one point, Chichiri took off his mask.
It was the first time Seika had seen him without the mask. She looked at the massive scar for a moment, then looked away. It was rude to stare. She could only wonder how he had gotten it. Though somehow, she found herself thinking that it made him look....very attractive....
Chichiri noticed that Seika was avoiding eye-contact with him. "If it makes you uncomfortable, no da, I can put the mask back on."
Seika laughed. "Gomen. It's just that if I keep looking at you, I might actually fall for ya. Now I know why you wear the mask; if you didn't you'd be mobbed by females everywhere you went."
Chichiri's cheeks flushed red. "When you compliment people, you compliment well, no da." he said with a laugh.
An hour passed and then another, and the two just kept on talking. Their conversation was filled with laughter, and Chichiri found that he was happier than he had been in a long time. Seika was great company, and always managed to say just the right thing at the right time. And it seemed that the more they sat, the less it became an act.
Seika shivered slightly in the cold night air. Chichiri took off his kesa and wrapped it around her. He smiled. "You would be cold with what you're wearing, no da." he commented as she pulled it tightly around her body.
"Hai...I know." she said smiling at him. "Arigato."
By this time, Seika and Chichiri were sitting close together. Chichiri had his arm around her and her head was leaning against his shoulder.
Seika was lost in her thoughts.......she was beyond happiness, and couldn't believe that she wasn't dreaming. She was lost somewhere halfway between her real feelings and acting. "It's cold." she said. "Maybe we should go inside."
"Hai, it is a bit chilly, no da." Chichiri agreed as he stood up. He held out his hand to help her to her feet.
Seika took it gladly, and forced herself to her feet, still clutching the edges of the kesa with one hand. For a moment she just stood there staring into his dark brown eye.
Chichiri didn't know what made him do it. Everything seemed to freeze for a moment, and in that moment, he noticed every detail that made her beautiful. The silver moonlight on her hair, her beautiful brown eyes, her blushing cheeks, and the hairpin....It's beauty was outdone by her own.....
He didn't even think about what he was doing. One second he had been a foot away from her, and the next, he found himself kissing her, with his arms wrapped around her slender waist. Seika put her arms around him, letting the kesa fall to the ground. It had been a long time since he had held anyone this way, let alone kiss someone. Her lips were soft and warm.....they tasted sweet.....like honey.....
Seika was surprised at first, but it soon faded. Everything around her became a blur. Kissing him felt wonderful.... She felt a strange sensation......it seemed to start in her heart and ripple throughout the rest of her body. She didn't even realize she had dropped the kesa, his body was so warm....When he stopped kissing her, she felt herself collapse into his chest. It felt as if her entire body had gone numb, and her knees refused to hold her weight. Chichiri embraced her tighter to prevent her from falling.
Seika tried to pull herself together....this was just acting, it didn't mean anything....but if she was acting, then what was that feeling?
"Chichiri....." she whispered softly into his chest. She felt his hand lightly caressing her hair.
"What is it, no da?" he asked.
* * *
"Miko's tsukebito and one of her seishi, Chichiri, stood in the garden, embracing each other in the moonlight...." Kesike paused and shook his head. "Just what this story needs.....another couple.....Miko's tsukebito suddenly came back to reality....." Keiske continued aloud as he read 'The Four Gods Sky and Earth' in the dim light of the Library's Important Documents room.
* * *
Seika was suddenly pulled out of her dream-like state without warning, and realized just what was happening. She pulled away from him. "I-Iie, nanimo desu." she smiled and winked at him. "I'm a pretty good actress, ne?" she yawned. "Well, I'm going back to the inn. Oyasumi nasai, Chichiri." she lowered her voice. "And remember, tomorrow, none of this happened. It'll drive Nuriko insane." Seika turned and left the garden. She just caught a glimpse of Nuriko as he ran around the corner to the inn. ::Baka.:: she told herself. ::A guy you like just kissed you, and you.....you.....You're just an idiot...::
Chichiri stood alone in the garden. He sighed. "So that's how it is? It was all just an act, no da?" he asked aloud as he put his mask back on. He picked up the kesa and studied it for a moment. He shook his head. "Tenshi, ne Nuriko? It was foolish to kiss her anyway, na no da." he said to himself with a sigh. "You knew she was acting, no da." he told himself. Chichiri left the garden and went back to the inn.
* * *
Seika crept down the hallway past the room as quietly as possible. Suddenly a door to her right burst open. Seika was so scared she tripped and hit the wall, then she realized who it was. Tasuki was standing there in his pajamas pointing his tessen at her face.
Seika flattened herself against the wall. "Er....komban wa Tasuki-chan...."
"Oh. It's you. What're ya doin walkin around in the hall this late?" he asked suspiciously.
"Er...you see......bathroom! Yeah, I had to get up and go to the bathroom!"
Tasuki raised an eyebrow. "And you were sleepin in yer clothes, ne?" he asked. "And why're you still pressed againt the damn wall!?" Seika pointed to his tessen. He looked down at it. "What, this?" he said with a grin. He recalled that she had kept her distance from it when he was fooling around with it in the field two days before. "So, what's wrong with the tessen?"
Seika's eyes moved from from him to the tessen. "K-kowaii desu....."
Tasuki chuckled. "Heh. Now I know how to shut ya up. Go to bed." he commanded.
Seika nodded obediantly, and limped down the hall as fast as she could to her room. She opened the door and peeked in. Miaka was asleep. She quickly changed into her pajamas and slipped into her make-shift bed on the floor.
"Seika...?" came Miaka's voice.
Seika's eyes widened. "Gomen ne, Miaka.....I thought you were asleep." she said as she sweatdropped.
"Seika, where were you?" she asked as she leaned over the edge of the bed.
"I wasn't kissing anyone!" she exclaimed, panicing. ".....I mean.....Nowhere!"
"Kissing!? Kissing who? Tell me!" Miaka yelled excitedly.
Seika turned bright red. "No one! No one!"
"Alright then....you're my tsukebito, ne?" Miaka asked her.
"Hai....."
"And you're supposed to do whatever I ask you to do, ne?"
Seika could see where this was headed. "....Hai...."
^-^ "So tell me who you kissed!" she said.
"It......it was Chichiri." she confessed.
"Chichiri? Really? Awwwww! That's so cuuuute!"
"You don't get it....we were acting."
"Huh?" Miaka asked. "What do you mean, 'acting'?"
"Nuriko set us up, and he was watching, so we decided to play a little joke on him. Tomorrow, whatever happened tonight didn't happen."
"Oh...." Miaka said, not fully grasping the concept.
Seika yawned. "Good night Miaka."
"Good night....."
* * *
Miaka got up the next morning and walked down the hall. She stopped at a door and knocked on it. No answer came. "Tamahome?" she asked. "Tamahome, it's Miaka."
No answer. "Tamahome?" she asked worriedly. "Please open up, we need to leave soon." Miaka tried the doorknob. The baka was probably still asleep. The door wouldn't budge. "That's odd. Nuriiiiiiiikooooooo!!!!!!" Miaka called. "Nuriko, I need your help with something!"
Nuriko walked up behind her. "Hai Miaka?"
"Nuriko, I need you open Tamahome's door for me. It's stuck and Tamahome's not answering."
"No problem Miaka." Nuriko grabbed the doorknob, and with no effort at all, pulled it off it's hinges."
Miaka peeked into the room. It was empty, except for a note on his pillow. Miaka picked it up, but couldn't read the complex characters. "Nuriko, what does it say?" she asked curiously as she handed the note to him.
Nuriko studied it for a moment. He looked up at Miaka sympathetically. "Tamahome's gone."
Finding my way back to sanity again....
Dont wanna really know what I'm gonna do when I get there...
Take a breath and hold on tight.....
Spin 'round one more time.....
And gracefully fall back to the arms of grace....
'Cause I am hanging on every word you say....
And even if you dont wanna speak tonight, that's all right, all right with me....
'Cause I want nothing more than to sit outside heavens door....
And listen to you breathing, that's where I wanna be...yeah.....
Where I wanna be......
Lyrics: Breathing by Lifehouse
Something I noticed when the light was just right.....
It reminded me twice that I was alive.....
And it reminded me you are so worth the fight.....
Your biggest fear will be the rescue of you.....
Strange how it turns out that way, yeah.....
Could you show me, dear.....
Something I'm not seeing....
Something infinately interesting.....
Lyrics: Echo by Incubus
A procession of people trekked through the forest as the midday sun beat down upon the land. Under the shade of the trees, the temperature wasn't too bad, and the atmosphere around the little group was cheerful. Tasuki was talking to Chichiri and Nuriko about something, Miaka was glued to Tamahome as usual, and Mitsukake happily pet Tama-neko, who was perched on his shoulder.
Seika was at the back, due to her injury. She took each step with care, trying not to step rocks and tree roots. She found herself staring absent mindedly at the back of Chichiri's head. She smirked. ::His hair is as blue as the clear sky today.:: she thought. ::Total contrast to my hair....:: she thought. Her own dark brown hair was blowing freely in the breeze. ::It's a really beautiful color...:: Seika shook her head. ::Baka. You're becoming infatuated with the back of someone's head...::
Suddenly Chichiri turned around, a look of concern on his face. "Is your leg still alright, no da?" he asked.
Seika froze in her steps and blushed a bright red. ^^;; "Uh huh! Don't worry, I'm fine." ::What are you doing? Blushing!? Stop that! AHOU!::
Seika continued walking behind the rest of the group. ::Hn. I don't appreciate myself calling me a moron.:: -.-;
Author's Note: WHAT?!?!?! If anyone can interpret that last sentence, please let me know...so I can get you mental help....
She reflected as walked. ::Why the hell was I blushing anyway...? I'm going crazy....::
Around 2:00, the group stopped in a clearing for lunch. The field was green and beautiful, mixed in with the tall grass were numerous types of fragrant and colorful wildflowers.
Sieka was lying in the grass with her eyes closed. She smiled at the warm sunshine on her face, and the fragrance of flowers that was all around her. She sat up and watched as Tamahome gave Miaka a bouquet of the brightly colored flowers. Miaka's face lit up as took them from his hands. ::Awww...they're so cute....::
"OI! Warugaki-chan! Aren't you hungry???" Tasuki yelled breaking the peaceful silence.
"Yeah, I coming." she called. "AND I'M NOT A BRAT YOU FUCKIN' JERK!!!"
"WELL I'M NOT A JERK YA FUCKIN' BRAT!" Tasuki yelled back.
WHAM!
On her way to the food, Sieka 'accidently' punched Tasuki in the gut. She smirked. "What you deserve always comes your way sooner or later...." she said as she walked by. "Did I forget to say that I can fight?"
"That didn't hurt ya fuckin' brat!" Tasuki yelled.
Seika ignored him. ::Ya know, the reason you don't like him is because his personality is so similar to yours. Likes repel....oh well.:: Seika sat down between Chichiri and Nuriko. She helped herself to what little food there was left, as Hurricane Miaka had already hit.
At the exact same time, Seika and Chichiri reached for the same piece of bread. "Gomen nasai. You have it." Seika said.
Chichiri shook his head. He picked it up and placed it in her hand. "You have it, no da. I'm not really that hungry anyway, na no da."
Before she could argue that he should have it, Chichiri had gotten up and walked away.
Nuriko smirked. "You're blushing."
Seika barely heard him. She was staring at the piece of bread, and his voice sounded distant. She finally realized what he had said. "What? Blushing.....? No, I-I've just got a bit of a sunburn....that's all Nuriko-san...." she answered.
Nuriko shrugged. "Whatever you say Seika. And you don't have to use -san all the time, just call me Nuriko or use -chan."
''Um, okay...." she said uncertainly. "Um, I know! Can I call ya Nuri-chan?" she asked. She giggled. "I think it sounds cute."
Nuriko laughed. "Sure, Nuri-chan is fine." [sweatdrop]
Seika didn't hear what he had said, as she had shoved the whole piece of bread into her mouth instead of listening to him. "Whaf wuv fhat, Nuwi-chaa??" she asked with her mouth full.
[sweatdrop] "Nothing Seika, nothing...."
Meanwhile, Chichiri sat in another part of the field smiling to himself. ::t's a beautiful day...:: he thought for no reason in particular. ::A very beautiful day.....::
* * *
Nightfall neared, and they still hadn't reached the next village. Nuriko shook his head. "I don't understand it....We should have been there by now....."
Seika patted him on the shoulder. "Daijobu, Nuri-chan. It's impossible to be correct all the time, ne? Perhaps we should set up camp and spend the night here? It's getting dark...."
"No, let's keep walking, there's nowhere suitable for a camp around here." Nuriko told her.
Miaka nodded. "It can't be far now, ne?"
They were still walking when the sun sank over the low rolling hills. Suddenly, Miaka heard something. It was a beautiful melody.....the sound of a flute....?
"Ne," she asked ".....does anyone else hear that music?"
Tasuki shrugged. "I didn't hear anything."
"Me either." Nuriko said.
Mitsukake shook his head and Seika just shrugged and looked at Miaka inquisitively.
Tamahome smiled at her. "You must just be hungry and your mind is playing tricks on you, ne?"
Miaka nodded. She could barely see everyone in the dim light.
"Da! Look, there's the village, no da!" Chichiri announced. It was true, the sparkling lights that signaled some sort of life lie just ahead of them. Within the hour they had reached the town.
When they reached the nearest vacant inn, there was only limited space, so Sieka and Miaka ended up sharing a room.
"Well, let's get some sleep!" Miaka said cheerfully.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Tomorrow, we'll look around town and see if Chiriko's here. We'll stay tomorrow night, and the next day we're off again."
Everyone went to their respective rooms. Sieka had given the bed to Miaka, and was lying on the floor under two thin blankets. They were both silent for a long while, until finally Seika spoke.
"You really are in love with Tamahome, aren't you?" she said as she stared at the roof.
Miaka blushed. "Hai....he's everything to me....."
Seika nodded. "You're very lucky, you know, to find love so young. I can tell how much he loves you too....the way he holds you and looks at you.....he's deeply in love with you too." she was silent for a moment. "I can't say I know the feeling though." Seika shrugged. She turned over under her covers so her back faced Miaka. "Well, oyasumi nasai, Miko-sama."
Miaka was about to say something, but decided not to. She lay in her bed thinking about what Seika had said, occasionally glancing at her unmoving figure on the ground. Eventually Miaka drifted off to sleep and dreamed sweet dreams of her koibito, Tamahome.
* * *
".......ka.......Miaka, it's time to get up." came a soft voice somewhere far away from her.
Miaka slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room. Seika was standing above her, already fully dressed. Morning sunlight filtered in through the open shutters. Miaka sat up, yawned, and stretched. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Seika-chan."
"Ohayo Miko-sama. Your clothes are on the chair over there, I'm going down to breakfast with the others. Ja matta!"
Miaka laid back down for a minute and closed her eyes. She heard Seika's footsteps, which were slightly uneven due to her limp, echo through the room, and then the sound of door creaking as it opened, and then close again.
Miaka sat up and stretched, then got up and walked over to where clothes sat on the chair. She couldn't help but smile. Her clothes were neatly folded, her hair ribbons sat on top of her shirt, and her shoes were underneath the chair. Attached to her clothes was a note that read:
Good morning Miko-sama.
If you leave your pajamas on the chair,
I will wash them for you later today.
Anything else you need washed you may leave here too.
-Seika
Miaka changed and left her pajamas and a few other things where her school fuku had been. She folded the note up and placed it in her pocket. She left the room and walked down to where everyone sat around a table.
"G'mornin!" Tasuki yelled cheerfully. "Ya hungry Miaka, there's lotsa food!"
Miaka smiled. "Do you really need to ask if I'm hungry?"
Miaka sat down to breakfast with the others, and an hour later they were all outside. "Okay, let's go minna, if we get near where Chiriko is, Taitsu-kun's mirror will show us. C'mon, lets go!!!"
They passed the day going through the town, and somewhere around lunch they ended up split up. Miaka was with Tamahome and Mitsukake, while Seika, Chichiri, Tasuki and Nuriko had gotten lost somewhere in the crowded market.
Miaka finally stopped and realized she was missing three seishi and a tsukebito. "Ne, minna wa doko?" she asked.
"We lost them about 15 minutes ago." Mitsukake commented.
"Oh.....really....?" Miaka asked. Mitsukake and Tamahome nodded. Miaka took out the mirror and consulted it again. Nothing..... ~Grrrrrr...stupid thing....~ Suddenly Miaka heard it. It was the melody.....the flute music from the night before..... "Do you hear it!?" Miaka exclaimed excitedly. "There it is!" Miaka took off into the crowded market place without another word to either of them.
"Matte! What are you talking about, Miaka?" Tamahome called as he dashed into the crowd after her. "Where are you going!?"
Miaka followed the faint sweet melody of the flute music as she ran through the marketplace. She couldn't even hear the sound of the people in the crowd, all she could hear was the music....
The sound grew louder and finally, she came to a place in the market where people were gathered around in a cirlcle. Miaka pushed her way trough to the front.
In the centre of the circle sat a young boy playing a flute. He had sandy-blond hair, and his eyes were closed in concentration. The rest of the world seemed to be melting away as he played. All the people listening were completly silent.
Tamahome and Mitsukake finally caught up and found Miaka in the crowd. "Miaka, what are you--" Tamahome started, but was abruptly cut off when several people 'shhhh-ed' him. Tamahome was about to get angy, but suddenly, the emotion seemed to disappear. Tamahome felt as if he was in a trance as he listned to the music.
The boy stopped playing and put down the flute. A few people put some money where the boy was sitting before they left, and the crowd soon disappeared. The boy was collecting his things to leave when Miaka walked up to him.
"A-ano, sumimasen.....?"
He looked up at her. "Hai?" he asked.
"Well, I was just wondering....that music....."
He smiled. "I have a special talent with music. It made you feel calm, ne?"
"Hai. You're very good." she said.
The boy picked up the change from where he had been sitting and was about to leave when he dropped some.
"Let me get that for you." Miaka offered. The boy didn't hear her, and bent down to pick it up himself. Then Miaka spotted something on the top of his hand....a red mark, slightly blurred....and then she realize what it was. "You-you're a Suzaku Seishi!!!!! She exclaimed loudly.
The boy looked up at her. "Hai, the one called Chiriko." he said, looking puzzled.
Miaka threw her arms around him happily, then withdrew and apologized. "Gomen, Chiriko. My name is Yuuki Miaka, I'm Suzaku no Miko." ::Now I can finally call Suzaku and get Yui-chan back....:: She thought. ::Finally, we can be friends again....::
* * *
Tasuki came over to the cart where Nuriko, Chichiri, and Seika were standing. Chomping on the snack he had bought from one of the various food stalls, he leaned over Nuriko's shoulder. "Watcha lookin' at?" he asked.
Nuriko and Seika ignored him. "What do you think of this one?" Nuriko asked Seika.
"Hm....I dunno....I kinda like this one better." said, pointing to a necklace with a shiny black stone.
Chichiri sweatdropped. "You would, wouldn't you, no da?" then he turned to Tasuki. "They want to buy a necklace for Miaka, na no da."
Tasuki raised an eyebrow. "Aren't we supposed to be looking for Chiriko?"
Chichiri glacnced at Tasuki. "You're one to talk. You're the one who went to that food cart, no da. We were just waiting for you when they got distracted, no da." he said, pointing at Nuriko and Seika.
"It's rude to point, Chichiri." Seika said without even glancing upward as she studied the necklace Nuriko liked a bit closer.
o.O "Da...how....how did you...." a li'l sd Chichiri stammered.
Seika merely shrugged. "How many of this one do you have?" Seika asked, addressing the man at the stall, pointing to one of the necklaces on the black fabric.
The particular necklace she had selected was consisted of a black leather chord and a lovely red stone.
The merchant pulled out a cloth from the back of the stall. He unfolded the cloth revealing 10 necklaces exactly the same as the one on display. "How many do you wish to purchase?" he asked her.
"I'll take nine." she replied.
Sieka's three companions looked at her. "What're ya doin ya crazy brat!?" Tasuki exclaimed.
"Are you sure...?" The merchant asked.
"Of course." Seika replied calmly as she emptied the contents of her purse. "Is that enough?" she asked.
The merchant quickly added up the coins. "Hai, that's the right amount." he said. He removed one neclace from the cloth, then folded it back up and handed the package to her. "There you are miss, have a nice day."
Seika smiled. "Hai, I will." she said walking away from the stall.
Nuriko, Tasuki, and Chichiri ran up behind her. "Hm. Maybe we should find Miaka..."
"What was that all about!?" Nuriko exclaimed.
Seika looked puzzled. "What was what about?"
"Wha d'ya think, ahou! Wha'd ya buy NINE necklaces for."
"Good luck." she replied. "You see, there's one Miko, seven seishi, and then there's one for myself. These will bring all of us good luck." Seika unfolded the cloth and handed one to Nuriko, Tasuki, and Chichiri.
"Thanks...but don't think it means I like ya, just cause I thanked ya." Tasuki grumbled as he fastened the clip in the back.
Seika waved a finger at him. "Now Tasuki....Who said I liked you in the first place? It'd just be really mean if I got a present for everyone but you."
"Brat..."
"Arigato!" Nuriko exclaimed excitedly as he put his on.
Chichiri studied the stone. It was smooth and perfect. The color was astonishing and it was polished so that he could see his own reflection in it, however distored it was....
Seika's heart dropped when Chichiri didn't put his on or even get a thank you. Even Tasuki had shown he was grateful. "Don't you like it Chichiri?" she asked, a note of disapointment in her voice.
Chichiri looked up at Seika. She looked upset. "Arigato gozaimasu, no da." he told her. "Gomen nasai. I was just admiring your excellent taste." he said as he put it on in a an attempt to make her smile. It worked better than he had expected.
Seika brightend immeadiatly and threw her arms around Chichiri. "Glad ya like it." she said happily.
Chichiri was so surprised that he nearly lost his balance and got knocked over. This was the first time she had hugged him since she had mistaken him for her friend, and it at least seemed a little less akward. He hugged her back, for lack of anything else to do. "Here, let me help you do yours up, no da..." Chichiri offered.
"Sure." Seika replied. She took her own necklace from the cloth and handed it to Chichiri. He moved her hair out of the way, and did up the clasp for her. "There, no da." he said.
"Arigato." Seika smiled. "C'mon minna, let's go find Miaka, Tamahome, and Mitsukake."
As the others kept walking, Nuriko stood and watched. He shook his head. "They like each other and they know it....baka-chans....." A mischievious smile played across Nuriko's face. "They just need a little help...."
* * *
By dinner, everyone had met the new seishi, Chiriko. Everyone was very pleased and relieved. After the calling of Suzaku, everyone could return to their normal lives.
Seika pulled the cloth out of her pocket. "I almost forgot," she said as she unfolded it. "When we were in the market today, I bought necklaces for everyone, as good luck." she said as she handed one to Chiriko, Mitsukake, Tamahome and Miaka. "One for Miko-sama, one for each seishi, and one for myself." she explained.
"Sugoiiiiiii!" Miaka exclaimed. "Wai! Arigato Seika-chan!!!!" she said as she grabbed Seika in a death-grip hug.
Seika laughed. "I'm glad you like it Miko-sama."
"My name's Miaka, not Miko. You don't have to call me Miko-sama all the time!"
"Er.....okay, but Miaka......?"
"Hai?"
"I can't breathe........"
Miaka looked at Seika, who's face was now turning rather blue. [sweatdrop] "Oops....gomen nasai, Seika...." she said, letting go.
When Nuriko was sure Seika was distracted, he walked over to where Chichiri was sitting and pulled out the chair beside him. "Komban wa, Chichiri-chan."
"Komban wa Nuriko, no da." Chichiri replied.
"Chichiri, I come with a message from an angel for you."
"Tenshi, no da....?" Chichiri asked, visibly confused.
"Hai, tenshi." Nuriko said. "Seika wants you to meet her in the garden down the street an 9 o'clock tonight." he said with a smile.
"Huh? Why would she want to meet me at 9 o'clock in the garden, no da?" he asked.
Nuriko shrugged and flashed a secretive smile. "You figure it out." With that he walked away and sat where he had previously been sitting. "Phase one complete." he muttered.
* * *
Seika was walking down the hall towards her room. A hand tapped her hard on the shoulder. "Itaaaaaaaiiiiiiii!" she wailed as she spun around. "Nurikoooooo! What're ya tryin' to doooooo? Dislocate my shoulder?"
Nuriko sweatdropped. "I only tapped you lightly....."
@_@ "Well try extra-light next time....."
"Er....anyway....I came to tell you something."
"Huh...? What is it?" she asked.
"Um.....now what was it? Oh, yes...Chichiri wishes to meet you in the garden down the street from the inn at 9 o'clock."
Seika blushed a faint rose. "Chichiri......want's to meet me in the garden....Wh-why does he want to see me....?" she said as her cheeks went even redder.
Nuriko shrugged. "Who knows, but it's nearly 9 o'clock, Seika-chan."
Her eyes widened. "Oh, you're right! It's almost nine!" Seika started running down the hall. She paused and looked back at Nuriko. "Arigato, Nuri-chan!"
Nuriko smiled. "I've done more for you than you think, Seika."
* * *
Seika sat on the bridge that streched across the pond. Her feet dangled over the edge as she watched the Koi swimming in the water below. They were barely visable, but their scales picked up on what little light there was. In her hand she held a flower she had picked. She absent mindedly picked the petals off of it and watched as they floated down to rest upon the water's surface. ::Just like me.:: She thought. ::Randomly floating through life, no particular direction....and when I land, I never have any solid ground to stand on.::
Suddenly she heard footsteps on the bridge. She turned around to see Chichiri. This time she blushed even more than she had when Nuriko had told her to come here to meet him. "K-komban wa Chichiri."
"Er.....komban wa Seika, no da...." he said.
".....Nuriko said you wanted to talk to me about something." she said, looking at down at the pond.
"Huh? But Nuriko said you wanted to see me, no da." Chichiri said.
Seika suddenly looked up. Part of her was disapointed that Chichiri hadn't invited her on his own, but part of her was relieved. At least she could look him straight in the eyes now. "I think a certain cross-dresser is trying to play matchmaker." Seika said. She glanced over to the wall that surounded the garden, and sure enough, there was Nuriko, trying not to be seen. "And there he is...." Seika said.
"Oh." Chichiri said. "Well....I suppose we should go back to the inn then, no da...."
A playful smile crossed Seika's face. "I have a better idea. Let's put on a little act for our good friend Nuriko....We can act like his plan suceeded, and then tomorrow, when Nuriko asks, we can just say that one of us never showed up, and he'll think he's going crazy! And he'll deserve it for setting this up too..."
Chichiri couldn't help smiling. "Why not, no da." Chichiri said. He took her hands and helped her to her feet.
Seika smiled. "Arigato."
He held her hand as they walked - slowly, to cater to Seika's limp - around the garden and talked, deliberatly going by Nuriko's wall twice. As they walked by Nuriko, Chichiri would pick flowers for Seika, or whisper something to her. Eventually, they sat down on the grass and gazed at the stars.
"Oh, Chichiri, this is so romantic...." she said loudly.
"Hai, no da. I couldn't imagne spending this night without you. I enjoy being with someone who matches it's beauty, na no da."
Seika blushed at that. "You're so sweet..." she replied.
A few times they did that, but most of the the time they were quiet enough that Nuriko couldn't hear them, and just talked and joked. At one point, Chichiri took off his mask.
It was the first time Seika had seen him without the mask. She looked at the massive scar for a moment, then looked away. It was rude to stare. She could only wonder how he had gotten it. Though somehow, she found herself thinking that it made him look....very attractive....
Chichiri noticed that Seika was avoiding eye-contact with him. "If it makes you uncomfortable, no da, I can put the mask back on."
Seika laughed. "Gomen. It's just that if I keep looking at you, I might actually fall for ya. Now I know why you wear the mask; if you didn't you'd be mobbed by females everywhere you went."
Chichiri's cheeks flushed red. "When you compliment people, you compliment well, no da." he said with a laugh.
An hour passed and then another, and the two just kept on talking. Their conversation was filled with laughter, and Chichiri found that he was happier than he had been in a long time. Seika was great company, and always managed to say just the right thing at the right time. And it seemed that the more they sat, the less it became an act.
Seika shivered slightly in the cold night air. Chichiri took off his kesa and wrapped it around her. He smiled. "You would be cold with what you're wearing, no da." he commented as she pulled it tightly around her body.
"Hai...I know." she said smiling at him. "Arigato."
By this time, Seika and Chichiri were sitting close together. Chichiri had his arm around her and her head was leaning against his shoulder.
Seika was lost in her thoughts.......she was beyond happiness, and couldn't believe that she wasn't dreaming. She was lost somewhere halfway between her real feelings and acting. "It's cold." she said. "Maybe we should go inside."
"Hai, it is a bit chilly, no da." Chichiri agreed as he stood up. He held out his hand to help her to her feet.
Seika took it gladly, and forced herself to her feet, still clutching the edges of the kesa with one hand. For a moment she just stood there staring into his dark brown eye.
Chichiri didn't know what made him do it. Everything seemed to freeze for a moment, and in that moment, he noticed every detail that made her beautiful. The silver moonlight on her hair, her beautiful brown eyes, her blushing cheeks, and the hairpin....It's beauty was outdone by her own.....
He didn't even think about what he was doing. One second he had been a foot away from her, and the next, he found himself kissing her, with his arms wrapped around her slender waist. Seika put her arms around him, letting the kesa fall to the ground. It had been a long time since he had held anyone this way, let alone kiss someone. Her lips were soft and warm.....they tasted sweet.....like honey.....
Seika was surprised at first, but it soon faded. Everything around her became a blur. Kissing him felt wonderful.... She felt a strange sensation......it seemed to start in her heart and ripple throughout the rest of her body. She didn't even realize she had dropped the kesa, his body was so warm....When he stopped kissing her, she felt herself collapse into his chest. It felt as if her entire body had gone numb, and her knees refused to hold her weight. Chichiri embraced her tighter to prevent her from falling.
Seika tried to pull herself together....this was just acting, it didn't mean anything....but if she was acting, then what was that feeling?
"Chichiri....." she whispered softly into his chest. She felt his hand lightly caressing her hair.
"What is it, no da?" he asked.
* * *
"Miko's tsukebito and one of her seishi, Chichiri, stood in the garden, embracing each other in the moonlight...." Kesike paused and shook his head. "Just what this story needs.....another couple.....Miko's tsukebito suddenly came back to reality....." Keiske continued aloud as he read 'The Four Gods Sky and Earth' in the dim light of the Library's Important Documents room.
* * *
Seika was suddenly pulled out of her dream-like state without warning, and realized just what was happening. She pulled away from him. "I-Iie, nanimo desu." she smiled and winked at him. "I'm a pretty good actress, ne?" she yawned. "Well, I'm going back to the inn. Oyasumi nasai, Chichiri." she lowered her voice. "And remember, tomorrow, none of this happened. It'll drive Nuriko insane." Seika turned and left the garden. She just caught a glimpse of Nuriko as he ran around the corner to the inn. ::Baka.:: she told herself. ::A guy you like just kissed you, and you.....you.....You're just an idiot...::
Chichiri stood alone in the garden. He sighed. "So that's how it is? It was all just an act, no da?" he asked aloud as he put his mask back on. He picked up the kesa and studied it for a moment. He shook his head. "Tenshi, ne Nuriko? It was foolish to kiss her anyway, na no da." he said to himself with a sigh. "You knew she was acting, no da." he told himself. Chichiri left the garden and went back to the inn.
* * *
Seika crept down the hallway past the room as quietly as possible. Suddenly a door to her right burst open. Seika was so scared she tripped and hit the wall, then she realized who it was. Tasuki was standing there in his pajamas pointing his tessen at her face.
Seika flattened herself against the wall. "Er....komban wa Tasuki-chan...."
"Oh. It's you. What're ya doin walkin around in the hall this late?" he asked suspiciously.
"Er...you see......bathroom! Yeah, I had to get up and go to the bathroom!"
Tasuki raised an eyebrow. "And you were sleepin in yer clothes, ne?" he asked. "And why're you still pressed againt the damn wall!?" Seika pointed to his tessen. He looked down at it. "What, this?" he said with a grin. He recalled that she had kept her distance from it when he was fooling around with it in the field two days before. "So, what's wrong with the tessen?"
Seika's eyes moved from from him to the tessen. "K-kowaii desu....."
Tasuki chuckled. "Heh. Now I know how to shut ya up. Go to bed." he commanded.
Seika nodded obediantly, and limped down the hall as fast as she could to her room. She opened the door and peeked in. Miaka was asleep. She quickly changed into her pajamas and slipped into her make-shift bed on the floor.
"Seika...?" came Miaka's voice.
Seika's eyes widened. "Gomen ne, Miaka.....I thought you were asleep." she said as she sweatdropped.
"Seika, where were you?" she asked as she leaned over the edge of the bed.
"I wasn't kissing anyone!" she exclaimed, panicing. ".....I mean.....Nowhere!"
"Kissing!? Kissing who? Tell me!" Miaka yelled excitedly.
Seika turned bright red. "No one! No one!"
"Alright then....you're my tsukebito, ne?" Miaka asked her.
"Hai....."
"And you're supposed to do whatever I ask you to do, ne?"
Seika could see where this was headed. "....Hai...."
^-^ "So tell me who you kissed!" she said.
"It......it was Chichiri." she confessed.
"Chichiri? Really? Awwwww! That's so cuuuute!"
"You don't get it....we were acting."
"Huh?" Miaka asked. "What do you mean, 'acting'?"
"Nuriko set us up, and he was watching, so we decided to play a little joke on him. Tomorrow, whatever happened tonight didn't happen."
"Oh...." Miaka said, not fully grasping the concept.
Seika yawned. "Good night Miaka."
"Good night....."
* * *
Miaka got up the next morning and walked down the hall. She stopped at a door and knocked on it. No answer came. "Tamahome?" she asked. "Tamahome, it's Miaka."
No answer. "Tamahome?" she asked worriedly. "Please open up, we need to leave soon." Miaka tried the doorknob. The baka was probably still asleep. The door wouldn't budge. "That's odd. Nuriiiiiiiikooooooo!!!!!!" Miaka called. "Nuriko, I need your help with something!"
Nuriko walked up behind her. "Hai Miaka?"
"Nuriko, I need you open Tamahome's door for me. It's stuck and Tamahome's not answering."
"No problem Miaka." Nuriko grabbed the doorknob, and with no effort at all, pulled it off it's hinges."
Miaka peeked into the room. It was empty, except for a note on his pillow. Miaka picked it up, but couldn't read the complex characters. "Nuriko, what does it say?" she asked curiously as she handed the note to him.
Nuriko studied it for a moment. He looked up at Miaka sympathetically. "Tamahome's gone."
Finding my way back to sanity again....
Dont wanna really know what I'm gonna do when I get there...
Take a breath and hold on tight.....
Spin 'round one more time.....
And gracefully fall back to the arms of grace....
'Cause I am hanging on every word you say....
And even if you dont wanna speak tonight, that's all right, all right with me....
'Cause I want nothing more than to sit outside heavens door....
And listen to you breathing, that's where I wanna be...yeah.....
Where I wanna be......
Lyrics: Breathing by Lifehouse