Hotohori was stunned. He never thought that kind and gentle Houki would confront him about such a thing. Houki looked equally surprised at herself. Her head dropped. "Oh Suzaku, how could I have...Highness, I, I... please forgive me! I diddnt mean to talk to you like that!" her voice slipped off as tears began to role down her cheeks. Hotohori decided that it was time to leave. He left some money and took Houki by the hand. They had to talk. Alone.
They walked out of the restaurant and into a small alley-type area. Houki was still crying. If she had made such a remark in Konan, she would have been beaten. Hotohori was much to kind to beat her, wasn't he? Hotohori sighed and leaned up against the wall. "I would never hit you Houki," he said, remembering the way that the girls in Konan had been treated. "Your majes-I mean Hotohori, please forgive me. I should never have said anything." She said, as she looked up at him. He was crying.
"No, it's not that Houki. You were right. It's just that I have always loved Miaka. Ever sense I was a small child, I have dreamed about the priestess of Suzaku and what she would be like. She never loved me back. Not in the way that I wanted her to love me. When I found you, I felt as if my life was complete. I had found the one that I was truly meant to be with. I love you more than life its self, Houki, but I don't think I could ever erase the feelings that I had for Miaka. Even now, I know that in whichever world we are in, if I were a celestial warrior or an ordinary man, I would have found you, and loved you. " He leaned closer to her, "You understand that, don't you Houki?" she looked up into his eyes. He was so perfect. She loved everything about him. "Yes. I think I do" He kissed her cheek, and tasted the salty tears running down it. He wrapped his arms around her.
"Houki" he spoke softly. "Yes" she answered him. He chuckled. "You, you called me Highness. Like you used to do." She blushed. "I suppose I was just to worked up to--" he cut her off with a kiss. It wasn't soft and tender like the first, but passionate- the kind of kiss that makes you forget everything else and enter you own little world. Hotohori broke the kiss and looked deep into her eyes. "You know how much I like it when you call me highness"
The two climbed back into the car. Hotohori hoped the kids were already in bed. He had other things on his mind....
Chichiri snapped out of his usual meditation position. "Bou-Shin, I think its time for you to go to bed no da!" he said franticly. "But I want to see who's coming" the boy exclaimed, as Chichiri literally dragged him up the stairs. Chichiri had also sensed a power, and he saw how Bou-Shin had thought it was only one person. He diddnt want to put a spell on the young boy, but it was the only thing he could do as he heard Hotohori and Houki enter the house.
Hotohori quietly opened the door his home. He diddnt want to wake up the children, if there was any possibility that they were already asleep. Houki slipped in the door beside him. "They're asleep," she said quietly, smiling at him.
Chichiri heard her remark. I know! He thought to himself, closing his eyes. Suddenly, a small piece of paper appeared on the desk next to Hotohori. The younger seishi saw it, and picked it up. "Sorry no da, but I had to run off to get some scrolls I left at the Monastery," he read aloud, "I figured you would be home soon, and everyone's already asleep no da! Sorry if I worried you!" Hotohori folded the note and threw it over his shoulder. Chichiri couldn't help but chuckle at Hotohori's action. "Thank goodness that worked out no da," he said under his breath, as he vanished into his kesa.
Hotohori ran his fingers through Houki's hair. She was so beautiful. That was one of the only times he forgot his own beauty-when he was looking at her. She fell into his arms. "I just, I just can't help but be jealous of her," she cried. He lifted her chin, and kissed her. "Don't be. I could never love her the way I love you Houki." He whispered into her ear. The couple disappeared into their bedroom...
**Meanwhile on Tamahome and Miaka's honeymoon**
Tamahome slowly drifted out of his peaceful slumber. He yawned and his mouth curved into a smile as he thought of the night before. He turned over to wake Miaka up, but the bed was empty. "She must be awake already," he thought out loud. He reached over and switched the light on. His heart stopped at he looked at Miaka's side of the bed.
"Blood?!? Miaka!!!" he jumped out of the bed, already in fighting stance. There was blood...all over Miaka's pillow. "What the Hell is going on here???" he yelled. Tamahome ran into the sitting area. The curtains were pulled and rain was pouring down outside.
A flash of lightning lit up the room. He barely saw it in the flickering light- - -a flash of blond. He cautiously felt his way to a lamp and turned it on. He had thought correctly. Standing with his hands on Miaka's shoulders was Nakago. There was an evil smirk on his face.
You could tell Miaka had been beaten. There were bruises all over her body, and her pajamas were ripped in many places. There were several purple areas on her face, some covered in dried blood. She started to cry when she saw her husband. "LET HER GO!!!" he yelled, trying to control his anger, "Let her go NOW or else!!!"
A smile spread across Nakago's face. "And to think you believed that I had lost my memory! I've been waiting far too long for this moment, Tamahome." Tamahome started towards Nakago. He spoke with authority, "Let her go now, Nakago. I have the power of Suzaku on my side. You cannot win." Nakago began to chuckle, " You think I have let all of these years go to waste? Ha! Don't be so naïve!"
The two men barely noticed it, but a dim red light was surrounding Miaka. She spoke for the first time, "He... he killed her. All she wanted was to be loved, and he killed her!" Tamahome had no clue what she was talking about. Nakago's lips again curved into a smile as Tamahome raised his hands. "You asked for it, bastard!" he yelled, sending a powerful chi blast in Nakago's direction. He waited for it to hit, but it diddnt. Something, some kind of barrier, had stopped his blast from hitting Nakago. The blond warrior broke into a fit of insane laughter.
"You're still incredibly weak," he told the younger warrior, "Look's like I'll keep your lovely wife in here with me for awhile." Miaka whimpered. She looked at Tamahome, "He has no heart. She was always kind to him! You could tell from the way she acted." Tamahome became even more confused with Miaka's words. Nakago laughed even harder. "Yes, I suppose your priestess is correct. But as always, her body was the only thing useful to me." He said, running his fingers through Miaka's hair.
Tamahome cringed. He walked as close as he could to the silver-black wall separating him from them. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "If you must know, the barrier you see in front of you is the only thing that remains of the former celestial warrior Soi." Nakago answered. Tamahome gasped, "You mean to tell me that you turned her body into a barrier for your own purpose?" "You could say that. Both of us had been gaining enormous amounts of strength ever sense we were reincarnated in this world. She preferred physical strength, I preferred gaining power in the mental areas. I found that it was very easy to receive power from the anger of others. Of course, Soi helped me increase my strength, but I believe that the anger she held for so many people that lives inside this barrier is more useful to me than her body," he explained.
Tamahome boiled with anger. How could this be possible? He concentrated all of his power on Nakago. Every single bit of energy he had was pulled together into a blast more powerful than he had ever released before. The force hit the barrier at full speed. Nakago looked impressed. "Humph, you aren't as weak as I thought you to be" he said, toughing the barrier with both his hands. Tamahome could see the area thicken, erasing all of the damage he had just done. Nakago put his hands back on Miaka's shoulders. Tamahome ran at the barrier, and fell instantly to the ground, paralyzed.
Tamahome could only lift his head and watch. He saw Nakago lower his mouth and kiss Miaka's neck. She shivered and tried to pull away, but was too weak from being beaten. "You hate it, don't you Tamahome. Seeing my lips on her. It kills you, doesn't it? Not being able to help the one you love." Nakago said, looking pleased with himself. He slid his hands around her waist. Tamahome could tell Miaka was in pain. She was crying silently. Nakago was right. It killed him to see anyone touching her like that. He wanted to help her, to make Nakago suffer for his actions, but he was stuck. Slowly, he started to move towards the barrier. Nakago saw him coming.
"You want your precious priestess? Go ahead, come get her," he said, throwing Miaka to the ground. Tamahome used all of his force to pull himself up. He saw Nakago stand above Miaka, then drop to his knees over her. Miaka tried to turn away, but he slapped her, re-opening a cut on her face. Tamahome couldn't watch. Nakago was kissing his wife! The fair-haired seishi ran his hand down Miaka's chest. Tamahome saw her flinch and try with all of her strength to get away, only to be struck with another blow to her face. Tamahome had to stop it. He flung himself at the barrier, and was suspended in its power.
Miaka slowly turned over in bed. She looked up at her husband, and saw a look of pain on his face. He was crying in his sleep! She felt rather warm, and lifted the covers off of herself. She looked over at Tamahome again. He was sweating all over the place! He must be having a nightmare, she thought to herself. She started shaking him, trying to wake him up, but he wouldn't come around!
Tamahome felt something pulling at him. What is it now? Some force from the barrier? Is Nakago going to kill me now? He thought. He opened his eyes to see... Miaka??? What? He was in his bed! Miaka was there, no bruises or cuts! He grabbed onto her so tightly that she almost lost her breath. "You're alright!" he said, exasperated, "I thought he was going to kill you!" Miaka looked deep into his eyes. "It was just a nightmare, Tamahome. Everything is alright," she explained.
"What???" Tamahome yelled, sitting up, " No way! There is no way in Hell that was a dream!!!" Miaka saw how much this was upsetting him, and grasped onto his hand. "What happened Tamahome?" she asked. He sighed, and started to explain. "Well, I woke up and looked over at your pillow, and it was bloody. When I went into the living room Nakago was there, and he had beaten you up really bad. I tried to blast him, but a barrier stopped it. It turned out that he had turned Soi's body into a barrier and it was too strong for me to break through! Nakago started kissing your neck, mocking me, teasing me about how much he knew it bothered me. I ran at the barrier, and was stunned. Nakago threw you on the ground and started kissing you again, touching you. I threw myself at the barrier, but I couldn't break through!" Tamahome started crying again.
"It was so real Miaka! It was too real!" he murmured. She wrapped her arms around him. "It's alright Tamahome. We're ok! Nothing is going to happen to us," she comforted him. "I know, I just don't feel safe," he told her. Miaka got out of bed and found Chichiri's kasa. "If it bothers you that much then it's worth waking up Chichiri for" she said, handing him the hat. "Ok, I guess that might make me feel better," he replied. Tamahome sighed, and called for Chichiri.
**Returning to Hotohori's residence in Tokyo**
{: Tamahome no miko has been having a little trouble with this part! I don't know why, I guess its just "deeper" then any other parts of my fics have ever gotten (if ya know what I mean!). Thanks to Pepper 4 helping me chose option 1 over option 2... dah... just read It:}
Houki carelessly pulled her hair out of the band that held it above her head. This was her best feature, or so Hotohori thought. It fell to about around her knees, but she mostly wore it up so no one really noticed. He reached out and ran his fingers through the long, lavender strands. "You're so beautiful Houki..." he whispered, kissing her gently. Houki closed her eyes. A memory started playing in her mind. She was sitting in a garden... the garden of the palace, in Konan. Houki remembered the moment well. She had finally escaped the havoc of the palace and was able to relax and lay among the wildflowers. She watched herself pick a flower and scatter the petals in the pond beside her.
Houki took her husbands hand. "Do you remember that day by the pond?" she asked him. He grinned. "I could never forget it." He replied, slipping into a memory world of his own. He saw himself walking through the gardens. He was skipping a meeting with his advisors, and he knew it. He spotted a young woman lying by one of the ponds. She was scattering flower petals in the water. He remembered his thoughts...she must be one of my potential empresses.
Hotohori held her closer. " I knew there was something special about you when we met that day" he said, gazing deep into her eyes, "The way you looked with the flowers..." Houki giggled slightly. She saw herself jump and turn around when she heard the emperor. She heard her own voice, "Your majesty! I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting... well, you startled me!" "Don't worry, it's alright. Are you one of the women in my imperial court?" he had asked. "Yes sire." She had replied. "What is your name?" "I am called Houki". She watched as Hotohori, as she remembered, sat down on the ground beside her. "What brings you to the gardens, Houki? I know that you are not usually allowed outside the palace." He had said.
"I'm sorry highness... its just that, sometimes I need to get away from everything and think" she said, getting up, "I shall go now. I am sorry to have disturbed you, highness" She had started to leave, but then felt his hand on her shoulder. "No, wait. I know exactly how you feel..." and that was how it began. They talked, and found out how much they had in common. Fairly soon after that, they were in love.
Houki snapped out of her memory. She was still in Hotohori's arms. She blushed. He cradled her head in his hand, and gave her a deep, passionate kiss.
***Tamahome and Miaka***
Tamahome was fairly shocked by the sight in the hat. He had been expecting a sleeping monk, but what he got was Hotohori, minus his shirt, leaning over Houki, whose shirt was nearly off as well. Tamahome was obviously in way over his head.
Hotohori bent forward and kissed Houki again. "Chichiri?" a familiar voice called. Hotohori turned around, saw no one, looked down, and... "Hotohori?!?" Tamahome yelled. The older man blushed, not knowing what to say. He saw Miaka look over Tamahome's shoulder, then fall back laughing. Houki also turned a bright shade of pink as she buttoned her shirt. Tamahome sighed. How do I get myself into these situations?
Hotohori tried to pull himself together. "Are you alright Tamahome? Is something wrong?" he asked, looking into the hat. Miaka jumped back up from behind Tamahome. "Tama had a really creepy dream," she said, calling him by his pet name, "and I thought that we should ask Chichiri about it." "Well, I believe he forgot his kesa," Hotohori said, turning red again. "Yeah, I noticed," Tamahome muttered, seeming rather annoyed. The group grew rather quiet-they were all in an awkward position.
"So... how is your honeymoon going?" Houki asked, breaking the silence, "are you having a good time?" Tamahome coughed. "Obviouslynotasmuchasyouare" Miaka tried to ignore her husbands comment. "Yeah! Its great! Besides that run in with Nakago and Soi..." Miaka cut herself off as she saw Tamahome cringe. Hotohori got the idea. "So this dream was about..." "Yeah. It was so real. I really think Chichiri needs to hear about it." Tamahome explained. Suddenly, a large object came out of the floor.
"Chichiri!" Miaka exclaimed. "Hi!" Chichiri said happily. He looked from Tamahome and Miaka in the hat, to Hotohori and Houki on the bed. He blushed. "Please your majesty, show some modesty!" Hotohori then realized that he wasn't wearing a shirt, and quickly scooped his off the floor. Chichiri turned to face the kesa. He picked it up, and spoke to Hotohori. "I'll be through with this is a minute no da. You can leave the kesa outside your room." Hotohori blushed, but nodded as Chichiri slipped the hat over his head.
Within an instant, Chichiri appeared before Miaka and Tamahome. You could tell that he knew something was wrong. "What's up no da?" he asked, trying to sound like he wasn't worried. Tamahome shifted his weight and prepared to tell the story again. Chichiri listened closely to the dream, asking questions all along the way. When Tamahome was through, Chichiri got up from the chair he had been sitting in.
He took a deep breath. "Tamahome, you probably had this dream because you saw Nakago again and were frightened, but there is a possibility that you had it because something similar might happen, and the Gods were trying to warn you no da." He explained. Tamahome leaned back. "Can you tell if he's really lost his memory, or is it impossible to know?" he asked. "Well, I could find out, but only if you saw him again, which is highly unlikely sense you're coming home tomorrow night no da." Chichiri continued, "And anyways, I think Tamahome could handle him, right?" They laughed. Chichiri looked at his watch. "Oops! I have to go no da! I have to be back by 5:00 to wake the others at the Monastery! See you all in another day no da!"
He pulled the hat back over his head, and appeared outside Hotohori and Houki's room. He immediately transported himself to the Monastery, where hundreds of papers awaited his approval. The blue haired monk sighed and sat down. He loved his work, but his heart was calling out for something else...
That's the end of chapter 3! Sorry it took so long! I had sooo much work to do! Anyways, what do you think? Do you have any questions of ideas? I would really like to hear them if you do. As always, please review. Also- I would like to dedicate this chapter to all of my best friends--- Laur-chan (AKA: Legacy lost), Pepper-chan, Dai-chan, Milan, Kjersti, Cat (AKA: Adakie), Emi, Chloe (AKA: Saledis), Su-chan and all my other homies out there... well that's about it! Thanks
Oh yeah! I forgot! I have a dilemma I need solved! Next year I have a choice of being in plays or rowing on the crew team. What should I do? Please help me!
---Your loving author,
Tamahome no miko
(the one and only)
They walked out of the restaurant and into a small alley-type area. Houki was still crying. If she had made such a remark in Konan, she would have been beaten. Hotohori was much to kind to beat her, wasn't he? Hotohori sighed and leaned up against the wall. "I would never hit you Houki," he said, remembering the way that the girls in Konan had been treated. "Your majes-I mean Hotohori, please forgive me. I should never have said anything." She said, as she looked up at him. He was crying.
"No, it's not that Houki. You were right. It's just that I have always loved Miaka. Ever sense I was a small child, I have dreamed about the priestess of Suzaku and what she would be like. She never loved me back. Not in the way that I wanted her to love me. When I found you, I felt as if my life was complete. I had found the one that I was truly meant to be with. I love you more than life its self, Houki, but I don't think I could ever erase the feelings that I had for Miaka. Even now, I know that in whichever world we are in, if I were a celestial warrior or an ordinary man, I would have found you, and loved you. " He leaned closer to her, "You understand that, don't you Houki?" she looked up into his eyes. He was so perfect. She loved everything about him. "Yes. I think I do" He kissed her cheek, and tasted the salty tears running down it. He wrapped his arms around her.
"Houki" he spoke softly. "Yes" she answered him. He chuckled. "You, you called me Highness. Like you used to do." She blushed. "I suppose I was just to worked up to--" he cut her off with a kiss. It wasn't soft and tender like the first, but passionate- the kind of kiss that makes you forget everything else and enter you own little world. Hotohori broke the kiss and looked deep into her eyes. "You know how much I like it when you call me highness"
The two climbed back into the car. Hotohori hoped the kids were already in bed. He had other things on his mind....
Chichiri snapped out of his usual meditation position. "Bou-Shin, I think its time for you to go to bed no da!" he said franticly. "But I want to see who's coming" the boy exclaimed, as Chichiri literally dragged him up the stairs. Chichiri had also sensed a power, and he saw how Bou-Shin had thought it was only one person. He diddnt want to put a spell on the young boy, but it was the only thing he could do as he heard Hotohori and Houki enter the house.
Hotohori quietly opened the door his home. He diddnt want to wake up the children, if there was any possibility that they were already asleep. Houki slipped in the door beside him. "They're asleep," she said quietly, smiling at him.
Chichiri heard her remark. I know! He thought to himself, closing his eyes. Suddenly, a small piece of paper appeared on the desk next to Hotohori. The younger seishi saw it, and picked it up. "Sorry no da, but I had to run off to get some scrolls I left at the Monastery," he read aloud, "I figured you would be home soon, and everyone's already asleep no da! Sorry if I worried you!" Hotohori folded the note and threw it over his shoulder. Chichiri couldn't help but chuckle at Hotohori's action. "Thank goodness that worked out no da," he said under his breath, as he vanished into his kesa.
Hotohori ran his fingers through Houki's hair. She was so beautiful. That was one of the only times he forgot his own beauty-when he was looking at her. She fell into his arms. "I just, I just can't help but be jealous of her," she cried. He lifted her chin, and kissed her. "Don't be. I could never love her the way I love you Houki." He whispered into her ear. The couple disappeared into their bedroom...
**Meanwhile on Tamahome and Miaka's honeymoon**
Tamahome slowly drifted out of his peaceful slumber. He yawned and his mouth curved into a smile as he thought of the night before. He turned over to wake Miaka up, but the bed was empty. "She must be awake already," he thought out loud. He reached over and switched the light on. His heart stopped at he looked at Miaka's side of the bed.
"Blood?!? Miaka!!!" he jumped out of the bed, already in fighting stance. There was blood...all over Miaka's pillow. "What the Hell is going on here???" he yelled. Tamahome ran into the sitting area. The curtains were pulled and rain was pouring down outside.
A flash of lightning lit up the room. He barely saw it in the flickering light- - -a flash of blond. He cautiously felt his way to a lamp and turned it on. He had thought correctly. Standing with his hands on Miaka's shoulders was Nakago. There was an evil smirk on his face.
You could tell Miaka had been beaten. There were bruises all over her body, and her pajamas were ripped in many places. There were several purple areas on her face, some covered in dried blood. She started to cry when she saw her husband. "LET HER GO!!!" he yelled, trying to control his anger, "Let her go NOW or else!!!"
A smile spread across Nakago's face. "And to think you believed that I had lost my memory! I've been waiting far too long for this moment, Tamahome." Tamahome started towards Nakago. He spoke with authority, "Let her go now, Nakago. I have the power of Suzaku on my side. You cannot win." Nakago began to chuckle, " You think I have let all of these years go to waste? Ha! Don't be so naïve!"
The two men barely noticed it, but a dim red light was surrounding Miaka. She spoke for the first time, "He... he killed her. All she wanted was to be loved, and he killed her!" Tamahome had no clue what she was talking about. Nakago's lips again curved into a smile as Tamahome raised his hands. "You asked for it, bastard!" he yelled, sending a powerful chi blast in Nakago's direction. He waited for it to hit, but it diddnt. Something, some kind of barrier, had stopped his blast from hitting Nakago. The blond warrior broke into a fit of insane laughter.
"You're still incredibly weak," he told the younger warrior, "Look's like I'll keep your lovely wife in here with me for awhile." Miaka whimpered. She looked at Tamahome, "He has no heart. She was always kind to him! You could tell from the way she acted." Tamahome became even more confused with Miaka's words. Nakago laughed even harder. "Yes, I suppose your priestess is correct. But as always, her body was the only thing useful to me." He said, running his fingers through Miaka's hair.
Tamahome cringed. He walked as close as he could to the silver-black wall separating him from them. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "If you must know, the barrier you see in front of you is the only thing that remains of the former celestial warrior Soi." Nakago answered. Tamahome gasped, "You mean to tell me that you turned her body into a barrier for your own purpose?" "You could say that. Both of us had been gaining enormous amounts of strength ever sense we were reincarnated in this world. She preferred physical strength, I preferred gaining power in the mental areas. I found that it was very easy to receive power from the anger of others. Of course, Soi helped me increase my strength, but I believe that the anger she held for so many people that lives inside this barrier is more useful to me than her body," he explained.
Tamahome boiled with anger. How could this be possible? He concentrated all of his power on Nakago. Every single bit of energy he had was pulled together into a blast more powerful than he had ever released before. The force hit the barrier at full speed. Nakago looked impressed. "Humph, you aren't as weak as I thought you to be" he said, toughing the barrier with both his hands. Tamahome could see the area thicken, erasing all of the damage he had just done. Nakago put his hands back on Miaka's shoulders. Tamahome ran at the barrier, and fell instantly to the ground, paralyzed.
Tamahome could only lift his head and watch. He saw Nakago lower his mouth and kiss Miaka's neck. She shivered and tried to pull away, but was too weak from being beaten. "You hate it, don't you Tamahome. Seeing my lips on her. It kills you, doesn't it? Not being able to help the one you love." Nakago said, looking pleased with himself. He slid his hands around her waist. Tamahome could tell Miaka was in pain. She was crying silently. Nakago was right. It killed him to see anyone touching her like that. He wanted to help her, to make Nakago suffer for his actions, but he was stuck. Slowly, he started to move towards the barrier. Nakago saw him coming.
"You want your precious priestess? Go ahead, come get her," he said, throwing Miaka to the ground. Tamahome used all of his force to pull himself up. He saw Nakago stand above Miaka, then drop to his knees over her. Miaka tried to turn away, but he slapped her, re-opening a cut on her face. Tamahome couldn't watch. Nakago was kissing his wife! The fair-haired seishi ran his hand down Miaka's chest. Tamahome saw her flinch and try with all of her strength to get away, only to be struck with another blow to her face. Tamahome had to stop it. He flung himself at the barrier, and was suspended in its power.
Miaka slowly turned over in bed. She looked up at her husband, and saw a look of pain on his face. He was crying in his sleep! She felt rather warm, and lifted the covers off of herself. She looked over at Tamahome again. He was sweating all over the place! He must be having a nightmare, she thought to herself. She started shaking him, trying to wake him up, but he wouldn't come around!
Tamahome felt something pulling at him. What is it now? Some force from the barrier? Is Nakago going to kill me now? He thought. He opened his eyes to see... Miaka??? What? He was in his bed! Miaka was there, no bruises or cuts! He grabbed onto her so tightly that she almost lost her breath. "You're alright!" he said, exasperated, "I thought he was going to kill you!" Miaka looked deep into his eyes. "It was just a nightmare, Tamahome. Everything is alright," she explained.
"What???" Tamahome yelled, sitting up, " No way! There is no way in Hell that was a dream!!!" Miaka saw how much this was upsetting him, and grasped onto his hand. "What happened Tamahome?" she asked. He sighed, and started to explain. "Well, I woke up and looked over at your pillow, and it was bloody. When I went into the living room Nakago was there, and he had beaten you up really bad. I tried to blast him, but a barrier stopped it. It turned out that he had turned Soi's body into a barrier and it was too strong for me to break through! Nakago started kissing your neck, mocking me, teasing me about how much he knew it bothered me. I ran at the barrier, and was stunned. Nakago threw you on the ground and started kissing you again, touching you. I threw myself at the barrier, but I couldn't break through!" Tamahome started crying again.
"It was so real Miaka! It was too real!" he murmured. She wrapped her arms around him. "It's alright Tamahome. We're ok! Nothing is going to happen to us," she comforted him. "I know, I just don't feel safe," he told her. Miaka got out of bed and found Chichiri's kasa. "If it bothers you that much then it's worth waking up Chichiri for" she said, handing him the hat. "Ok, I guess that might make me feel better," he replied. Tamahome sighed, and called for Chichiri.
**Returning to Hotohori's residence in Tokyo**
{: Tamahome no miko has been having a little trouble with this part! I don't know why, I guess its just "deeper" then any other parts of my fics have ever gotten (if ya know what I mean!). Thanks to Pepper 4 helping me chose option 1 over option 2... dah... just read It:}
Houki carelessly pulled her hair out of the band that held it above her head. This was her best feature, or so Hotohori thought. It fell to about around her knees, but she mostly wore it up so no one really noticed. He reached out and ran his fingers through the long, lavender strands. "You're so beautiful Houki..." he whispered, kissing her gently. Houki closed her eyes. A memory started playing in her mind. She was sitting in a garden... the garden of the palace, in Konan. Houki remembered the moment well. She had finally escaped the havoc of the palace and was able to relax and lay among the wildflowers. She watched herself pick a flower and scatter the petals in the pond beside her.
Houki took her husbands hand. "Do you remember that day by the pond?" she asked him. He grinned. "I could never forget it." He replied, slipping into a memory world of his own. He saw himself walking through the gardens. He was skipping a meeting with his advisors, and he knew it. He spotted a young woman lying by one of the ponds. She was scattering flower petals in the water. He remembered his thoughts...she must be one of my potential empresses.
Hotohori held her closer. " I knew there was something special about you when we met that day" he said, gazing deep into her eyes, "The way you looked with the flowers..." Houki giggled slightly. She saw herself jump and turn around when she heard the emperor. She heard her own voice, "Your majesty! I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting... well, you startled me!" "Don't worry, it's alright. Are you one of the women in my imperial court?" he had asked. "Yes sire." She had replied. "What is your name?" "I am called Houki". She watched as Hotohori, as she remembered, sat down on the ground beside her. "What brings you to the gardens, Houki? I know that you are not usually allowed outside the palace." He had said.
"I'm sorry highness... its just that, sometimes I need to get away from everything and think" she said, getting up, "I shall go now. I am sorry to have disturbed you, highness" She had started to leave, but then felt his hand on her shoulder. "No, wait. I know exactly how you feel..." and that was how it began. They talked, and found out how much they had in common. Fairly soon after that, they were in love.
Houki snapped out of her memory. She was still in Hotohori's arms. She blushed. He cradled her head in his hand, and gave her a deep, passionate kiss.
***Tamahome and Miaka***
Tamahome was fairly shocked by the sight in the hat. He had been expecting a sleeping monk, but what he got was Hotohori, minus his shirt, leaning over Houki, whose shirt was nearly off as well. Tamahome was obviously in way over his head.
Hotohori bent forward and kissed Houki again. "Chichiri?" a familiar voice called. Hotohori turned around, saw no one, looked down, and... "Hotohori?!?" Tamahome yelled. The older man blushed, not knowing what to say. He saw Miaka look over Tamahome's shoulder, then fall back laughing. Houki also turned a bright shade of pink as she buttoned her shirt. Tamahome sighed. How do I get myself into these situations?
Hotohori tried to pull himself together. "Are you alright Tamahome? Is something wrong?" he asked, looking into the hat. Miaka jumped back up from behind Tamahome. "Tama had a really creepy dream," she said, calling him by his pet name, "and I thought that we should ask Chichiri about it." "Well, I believe he forgot his kesa," Hotohori said, turning red again. "Yeah, I noticed," Tamahome muttered, seeming rather annoyed. The group grew rather quiet-they were all in an awkward position.
"So... how is your honeymoon going?" Houki asked, breaking the silence, "are you having a good time?" Tamahome coughed. "Obviouslynotasmuchasyouare" Miaka tried to ignore her husbands comment. "Yeah! Its great! Besides that run in with Nakago and Soi..." Miaka cut herself off as she saw Tamahome cringe. Hotohori got the idea. "So this dream was about..." "Yeah. It was so real. I really think Chichiri needs to hear about it." Tamahome explained. Suddenly, a large object came out of the floor.
"Chichiri!" Miaka exclaimed. "Hi!" Chichiri said happily. He looked from Tamahome and Miaka in the hat, to Hotohori and Houki on the bed. He blushed. "Please your majesty, show some modesty!" Hotohori then realized that he wasn't wearing a shirt, and quickly scooped his off the floor. Chichiri turned to face the kesa. He picked it up, and spoke to Hotohori. "I'll be through with this is a minute no da. You can leave the kesa outside your room." Hotohori blushed, but nodded as Chichiri slipped the hat over his head.
Within an instant, Chichiri appeared before Miaka and Tamahome. You could tell that he knew something was wrong. "What's up no da?" he asked, trying to sound like he wasn't worried. Tamahome shifted his weight and prepared to tell the story again. Chichiri listened closely to the dream, asking questions all along the way. When Tamahome was through, Chichiri got up from the chair he had been sitting in.
He took a deep breath. "Tamahome, you probably had this dream because you saw Nakago again and were frightened, but there is a possibility that you had it because something similar might happen, and the Gods were trying to warn you no da." He explained. Tamahome leaned back. "Can you tell if he's really lost his memory, or is it impossible to know?" he asked. "Well, I could find out, but only if you saw him again, which is highly unlikely sense you're coming home tomorrow night no da." Chichiri continued, "And anyways, I think Tamahome could handle him, right?" They laughed. Chichiri looked at his watch. "Oops! I have to go no da! I have to be back by 5:00 to wake the others at the Monastery! See you all in another day no da!"
He pulled the hat back over his head, and appeared outside Hotohori and Houki's room. He immediately transported himself to the Monastery, where hundreds of papers awaited his approval. The blue haired monk sighed and sat down. He loved his work, but his heart was calling out for something else...
That's the end of chapter 3! Sorry it took so long! I had sooo much work to do! Anyways, what do you think? Do you have any questions of ideas? I would really like to hear them if you do. As always, please review. Also- I would like to dedicate this chapter to all of my best friends--- Laur-chan (AKA: Legacy lost), Pepper-chan, Dai-chan, Milan, Kjersti, Cat (AKA: Adakie), Emi, Chloe (AKA: Saledis), Su-chan and all my other homies out there... well that's about it! Thanks
Oh yeah! I forgot! I have a dilemma I need solved! Next year I have a choice of being in plays or rowing on the crew team. What should I do? Please help me!
---Your loving author,
Tamahome no miko
(the one and only)