Embrace the Memory
Chapter Five
Comfort
"Chichiri?" Miaka asked as her eyes fluttered open. Chichiri's head rested on the side of her mattress sleeping peacefully. Her hands were clasped in his. Miaka's heart suddenly began to pound. 'Chichiri... He stayed with me the whole night... Ah, Chichiri... Arigatou... Why is my heart pounding...?'
'Miaka...' Chichiri's groggy voice murmured, 'Miaka... Wo ai ni...' His grip on her hands tightened, almost positively. Miaka's breath caught in her throat.
'W-wo ai ni...?' Miaka shook her head. 'He... Loves me? Why would he...? I'm not very lovable, Tamahome proved that...'
"MI-A-KA!" Nuriko's cheerful voice called from the doorway.
"Miaka-chan!" Tasuki grinned, "You're alive! Unlike Y-" To this, Nuriko responded by bashing him into the nearest wall.
"What he meant to say was we're so happy you're awake!" Nuriko smiled again, though this time it was forced.
"Unlike Yui-chan..." Miaka finished for Tasuki. Tears started making their way down her cheeks. Her sobs woke Chichiri up. Chichiri sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He took one look at Miaka's face before glaring over at Tasuki in fury.
"Tasuki, what did you say to her?" Chichiri asked in a serious, though calm, tone.
"It's alright, Chichiri. Will you take a walk with me? It's so pretty out today," Miaka took Chichiri's hands and led him outside. As soon as they left they heard Nuriko holler.
"TA-SU-KI YOU BAKA!!!" Nuriko made the room it's very own Tasuki-shaped window. Miaka and Chichiri sweatdropped.
Miaka and Chichiri wandered into a forest on their walk.
"Chichiri...?" Miaka asked in a rather timid tone.
"Yes, no da?" Chichiri was puzzled by Miaka's withdrawn attitude.
"Well... You were sleep-talking and I was wondering..." Miaka trailed off.
"Go on, no da," Chichiri encouraged her to continue.
"Well, you said 'wo ai ni', At this point, Chichiri inhaled sharply. Miaka ignored that and continued, "I was wondering if you really meant it..." Chichiri was silent for a moment. Miaka was afraid he would deny it. She held her breath as she awaited an answer.
"...I meant it," Chichiri responded at last, "But I don't expect you to feel the same, no da. You've just been though quite an ordeal and-" Miaka cut him off.
"I... I'm not sure... But I think I love you to..." Miaka cast her eyes down. She was blushing furiously.
"Let's test your theory, no da," Chichiri whispered in a lower voice than he usually used. Miaka had to admit it was quite seductive as well. Chichiri tilted Miaka's head to face him and brought her lips to his own, locking them in a passionate kiss. Miaka returned the kiss without hesitation. Their hearts joined as one in that moment of eternity. When the kiss broke both were breathless and blushing.
"I think you're theory is right, no da," Miaka just blushed.
Somewhere in the treetops nearby Tamahome hid, observing the new couple. He smiled a bitter smile. A smile of loss and pain. He shook his head sadly and reverted his smile to a genuine one.
"Be happy, Miaka.."
~Owari (for once)