"Only You" - continued from chapter 1

~ ~ ~

Miaka was waiting for them just outside, looking happy and refreshed in the cool winter sunlight. As the sounds of their voices drew nearer, the girl turned, blushed a fierce red...Nuriko grimaced inwardly. The way she was looking at him...

//She knows.\\

He knew it instantly, without thought or consideration--Miaka knew. She'd overheard, or she'd guessed, or she'd figured it out just from what he'd said yesterday...but, whatever the case...she knew. He resisted the initial urge to run in the other direction, resisted even the urge to pull her aside and explain it to her--make her understand that he wasn't going to try for her, that he wanted her to be with Tamahome because being with him made her happy...but, no...no, it was all right. Already feeling himself calming, Nuriko drew in a long, cool breath of the frigid morning air, let it out slowly through his nostrils. No. He didn't have to say anything right now, because...because, Miaka didn't look angry. She didn't look irritated or upset or even embarrassed...no. She was smiling--a warm, pleasant, friendly smile...a thankful smile.

Abruptly, he realized that Tamahome had spoken...and, a moment later, realized just what he'd said. He reached forward, dragged the younger man close. "Baaaka," he breathed, smiling softly. "I told you, nothing's going to change. What's holding you up?" The violet-haired seishi cleared his throat lightly, released his grip on Tamahome's ear and moved to mount his horse. "I'll go get the shinzaho," he announced witha slight smile. "You two find Chichiri and the others."

A moment later, he sat firmly on the back of his horse, fingers wrapped lightly around the reigns, ready to dig his heels into the leathery flank and be on his way...but, then, there was a warm hand on his arm, the weight of Tamahome's presence just beside him.

"No," the younger man said firmly, His eyes were dark and solemn, his voice low...steady...solid. "Nuriko...stay with Miaka. I'll go get the shinzaho."

Nuriko frowned. "Tama..."

"Daijobu," Tamahome countered with a slight smile, rising up onto his own horse with a quick, deft leap. "You had enough excitement yesterday, didn't you? Besides," he added with a slight grimace, "your arm..."

"Is fine," Nuriko interjected, still frowning slightly. He raised his left arm, made a show of stretching it, bending it, rotating it at the shoulder. "See? It's fine."

Abruptly, though, he realized that Miaka was staring at him with wide, concerned eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line of worry. "Nuriko, your arm," she murmured. "...I forgot..." She shook her head slightly, came forward and leaned against the side of his horse. "Ne, let Tamahome go get the shinzaho...onegai?"

The concern in her voice...the soft touch of her hand against his arm...Nuriko sighed, hung his head slightly. "All right, all right," he muttered at last. "I'll stay."

His feet thudded into the wispy layer of snow a moment later, and he felt a shiver of cold work its way through his spine, make him momentarily thankful that he wouldn't have to be climbing any mountains today... After a moment of standing by, watching Miaka and Tamahome exchange their goodbyes, Nuriko drew in a long breath, stamped forward and placed his hands on his hips. "You be careful," he warned, his voice low and hard, his gaze latched on the other man's eyes. "We don't have the flare anymore, so if something happens..." He trailed off, shook his head. "Watch yourself, Tamahome."

Tamahome nodded. "Hai, Nuriko. I will."

The two stared at each other for a long moment, caught up in their own thoughts and considerations...then, finally, Nuriko let out a soft breath of air through parted lips, smiled. "Don't forget," he said quietly, that soft smile still bending his mouth upwards. "When you get back...you promised me."

Miaka binked. "Ne, promised what?"

Smiling, Tamahome stared down at his two friends, lifted a hand in farewell. "I won't forget, Nuriko." Then, tugging on the reigns, Tamahome turned the horse towards the city gates, started it ambling forwards. "Keep watch over Miaka!" he called over his shoulder.

"Hai!" Nuriko returned.

Nodding slightly, Tamahome dug his heels into the flank of the horse, and was soon rocketing forward, the wind sweeping the hair back from his forehead, making it fly wildly about his face. A few moments later, he'd passed through the city gates, turned towards the far-off rise of Mount Black...and then, he was completely out of sight around the edge of the city wall, only the rhythmic thud of horse's hooves and the darkened imprints in the snow to mark his passing.

Nuriko stared after him for a long moment, arms folded lightly over his chest, a slight frown creasing at his brow.

//Be careful, Tamahome,\\ he prayed silently. //If you get yourself killed...I'll never forgive you.\\

~*~*~

It had been a long, hard climb...but now, finally, he was at the top. The air was fresh and clear, biting deeply into his lungs, making him feel awake and aware and alive...and irritated. He glared again at the heavy boulder, pressed his fists lightly against his hips and let out an exasperated sigh. He'd come all this way...and, Nuriko was the only one who could move the damn boulder. Which meant, naturally, that he had another pleasant journey over the snowy mountain side ahead of him...another twenty minutes of slipping and sliding and falling and freezing...gah. What a day.

As he turned to begin the long trek back down, he thought he caught a glimpse of movement, a streak of dark fur...but, by the time he managed to swing his head around to look at it, it was gone. Tamahome frowned, staring into the frigid stillness for another moment, hoping the movement would be repeated...but, there was nothing, just the bright streaks of sunlight, the light patter of snowflakes against his skin. Shaking his head slightly, the dark-haired seishi tugged the cloak more tightly around his body, drew in a long breath...and began the descent. It was just as cold and unpleasant as he'd expected.

~ ~ ~