"Hearts Divided"

Chapter 3



Author's Note: Ok Sorry I left the last chapter like I did.but wasn't it just a peachy cliff hanger? Anyways..this chapter will be a bit longer than the previous ones. I'm still not sure to make this a Miaka/Tama fic or a Miaka/ Tasuki one. I'm partial to Tasuki myself but I'll let you guys decide, right now it can go either way. ^_^



Tasuki stood, staring at the tree he sat under none too long ago, tears streaming uncontroably down his face. He pulled his fist back and rammed it into the trunk of the tree.

"Argh! Dammit! Why?! Why her Suzaku?!" he pulled his fist back and shook it a few times. He hardly felt the pain in his bloody, bruised knuckles over the pain in his heart. He grimaced slightly then punched the tree repeatedly screaming "Why?!" each time his fist struck the tree.

He was too busy taking his frustrations out on the tree, he didn't notice someone step into the clearing. He stopped for a moment and wiped the tears and sweat from his face with the sleeve of his shirt as he dropped his injured hand to his side.

"Oh Tasuki, you're bleeding." He heard Miaka's soft voice behind him. He raised his injured hand and looked at it. The knuckles were scraped badly, blood was running down his hand, also they were black and blue with bruises.

"Ain't nothin' Miaka.what are ya doin' here? I mean I figured you'd be with Chichiri and them plannin' how to get Tama's memory stones back." He turned to face her and raised a fiery eyebrow in question. "And I wouldn't of thought you'd still be in you're jammies." He chuckled softly, turning his back on her when he caught the hint of a blush on her cheeks.

"Well, I was trying to sleep and well, not like I expected to come back here." He heared her sigh and looked curiously over his shoulder. "I couldn't sleep and started thinking.I guess I came back because I wish I had someone to talk to." He turned to face her as her eyes met his.

"What do ya have to talk about that ya couldn't talk to Tama or yer friend.er.what's her name?" Tasuki blinked a few times, confused, as Miaka turned away.

"It's nothing really.so I hear that some girl has stolen your heart Tasuki." She looked back at him with a bright smile. Though, he could still tell that something was on her mind, he didn't try and press the subject He shifted uneasily at her comment, not too sure how to approach the subject.

"Don't worry about that Miaka.she has someone already." He laughed nervously. "Reminds me about why I try and stay away from girls." He said off handedly as he began to walk towards camp. Miaka grabbed his arm lightly as he went by her.

"You must be hurting Tasuki."She gave him a warm smile. "Why don't you unburden yourself and talk to me about it? Maybe I can help." She sat on the ground, gently pulling on his arm, urging him to sit with her. Once he did so, she smiled brightly. "Tell me.what is she like? What kind of girl can win the heart of a bandit leader?" He looked down at his hands as he felt a blush tint his cheeks.

"Ah.let's not.I'm sure that the others are getting' worried. You've been gone awhile." He stood helping her up.

"But.but." He smiled as he looked at the bewildered expression on her cute face.

"Maybe I'll tell ya when we get back." In truth, he wanted to avoid that discussion altogether, but he felt it was hard to deny Miaka anything. He kept that smile in place as they headed back towards the camp.



Miaka poked the campfire with a stick, sighing softly. Tasuki and Chichiri were fast asleep and she was still wide awake.

"Too much on my mind." She mumbled as she pulled her knees up to her chest. Sure Taka saved her from falling off the school roof, but if everyone fully depended on him to protect her, she would have been dead a few times over. She sighed once more, tossing the stick to the side. Perhaps Taka isn't the same one she fell in love with after all.There was a slight rustling, then a heavy sigh.

"That is like the tenth time ya sighed Miaka." She turned to see Tasuki propped up on an elbow, watching her. "What's up? And.why aren't ya asleep? Ya need your strength for the journey tomarrow." Miaka looked away and shrugged.

"I.just have a lot on my mind." After a moment, she looked over when she felt someone sit next to her.

"Is it about Tamahome?" He asked leaning back on his hands.

"Yeah.part of it anyway." She sighed softly, and turned her gaze back to the fire. Perhaps she could talk to Tasuki after all about this..or atleast part of it. After all, he's been the one that's really been there for her lately. "He seems different.like he cares for me, but not as much as he used to." She heard Tasuki grumble under his breath then look over at her.

"Ya want to know what I think?"



A/N: Yeah another cliff hanger..sorry about that guys. But I'll pump out the next chapter as soon as I can! Don't forget to let me know who should end up with Miaka!!