Title: Sweet Love (3)

Title: Sweet Love (3)

Author: Yih

Written: March 2001

Dedication: To the following Reviewers- Moon Angel, Stormlight, Iona, Rhymsie, and Celestial Phoenix.

Review please !_! (or I won't write anymore)

Disclaimer: All rights are Yu Watase.

Part 3: The Pains of Love

"When it's time to cry, cry with all your heart, Miaka. It's the first step toward feeling better. And I have a special offer for you, free of charge…"

Hotohori froze outside the room he had personally chosen for Miaka from the palace because of the exquisiteness of the room. He held his breath as he waited for Tamahome to continue what he was saying. What he personally wanted to know why Tamahome was even in the room. He didn't know why he felt this way…

Could I be jealous? He thought, a slightly perplexed smile on his face. I never had anything to be jealous of before. I've had everything I could ever ask for… no that's not true. A frown appeared on Hotohori's forehead. I never really had a friend or someone to care about. But--now that's all changed, hasn't it? My dreams have become reality. The Priestess of Suzaku is here. And even though she knew Tamahome first, I will be the one who will win her heart. But it won't be easy. She has already bonded to him.

"I"ll be your big brother, all right?" Tamahome murmured to her.

Hotohori let out his breath shakily. He had been fearing the worse, but he had been hoping for the best. The result wasn't the best; however, it wasn't the worse. He could survive this challenge for the girl he had been waiting for all his life. If not anything, he had learned to be patient. He knew when it was best to play his cards. He was the emperor after all!

He decided it was time he cut in on the intimate moment before Miaka grew too close to Tamahome. He knocked politely on the door before opening, carrying an ancient scroll. It took every bit of his self control not to visually show his surprise at seeing Miaka in Tamahome's embrace. After getting over his initial shock, he felt a tearing emotion in him when he saw a tear fall down Miaka's cheek.

"What's wrong, Miaka?" asked Hotohori in a concerned voice.

Miaka looked up at him, moving away from Tamahome. "Oh, nothing. Nothing at all."

"She's homesick," Tamahome explained.

Hotohori's face expressed his regret and understanding. "Miaka, I'm sorry that we have pulled you from your family. But… there is always a way to get back to them."

"Really?!!" cried out Miaka, jumping in front of him.

"Yes," he smiled indulgently. "All you have to do is acquire the power of the Suzaku. Then all your wishes will be granted… isn't that why you came here, to have a wish granted?"

Miaka has a faraway look in her eyes. "Yes," she replied, "I wanted a wish granted. I never thought that the book was actually going to keep it's word on it. I read it because--because I'm a dreamer."

Hotohori reached up to caress Miaka's cheek. "To be a dreamer is not a bad thing. For a dreamer has the most hope in the future and belief is a very powerful thing. Don't ever doubt yourself. You'll never know until you try, will you?"

"No, I guess not," Miaka responded, smiling a little more hopefully.

"How will she be able to acquire the power of the Suzaku?" Tamahome asked in a voice that was colder than Hotohori remembered it being a few moments before. His opinion was confirmed when Miaka's eyes widen a bit at the tone of Tamahome's voice.

Hotohori cleared his throat and waved the ancient scroll in his hands. "I"ve been doing some research before I came here, actually. This is a book of prophecies called the Universe of the Four Gods and it says--"

"Hey!" Miaka exclaimed. "That's the book we're in!"

Both Tamahome and Hotohori gave her a puzzled look before Hotohori continued, "in the book there are 28 holy constellations of heaven--the 28 celestials. Each of the four cardinal points: north, south, east, and west claims seven of the constellations. And each of them have their own Gods, of course and their own seishi. The southern constellations--Konan's constellations are called 'the Suzaku.' The name of the constellations are Chichiri, Tamahome, Nuriko, Hotohori, Chiriko, Tasuki, and Mitsukake."

"Tamahome and Hotohori?"

"Yes, that's right," he smiled gently, showing her his sign. "I am Hotohori, the water snake. Tamahome is cancer. The seven constellations must protect the Priestess of Suzaku so that she can obtain her magical powers."

Miaka turned to Tamahome and asked, "did you know about this, Tamahome?"

Tamahome gave her an innocent look. "Hey! All I knew was that my name came from a constellation… so I'm suppose to protect you, huh?"

"According to the book, the young lady who gathers together the "seven constellations of Suzaku" will have her every wish granted—"

"So there are five other people that should have signs like that appearing on their body?" Miaka asked.

"Yes, but you must find the other five seishi and gather them together or you will not be able to obtain the powers of the Suzaku. It says so right here," murmured Hotohori pointing at the text.

"No way!!!" cried out Miaka, frustratedly. "Constellation number three, where art thou?"

Hotohori had an amused smile on his face. "Miaka…"

Miaka stopped her direction of running and turned back to face him.

"There is a clue in the book."

"What is it?" queried Miaka eagerly.

"The third constellation is referred to by the characters 'gong' and 'wu'. The first means palace and the second means strength," he responded.

"So all we have to do is find a man in the palace that is really strong?"

Hotohori nodded. "Appears that way."

Tamahome threw a dazzling grin at Miaka. "Don't worry, Miaka. I'll personally make sure that we find the third constellation, fighting's my forte. Anyone who can beat me has to be the man we're looking for, right? Anyway, the sign doesn't appear because the person wants it too, so fighting me will be a test of sorts."

Hotohori stifled a sigh when he saw a hopeful look appear on Miaka's face. I don't think this will work. But is it because I'm jealous of the attentions Miaka gives this man or is it his proposed plan? I don't know… it might be both or it might just be one of them.

The next day, Hotohori ordered that his advisors find the most valiant men in the palace to appear before him. Beside him stood Miaka and Tamahome was right next to her. For Miaka's sake he hoped that Tamahome's plan worked.

"Your majesty, as instructed we have selected the finest warriors within the palace," said a bowed advisor.

Hotohori nodded and glanced at Tamahome. "Ready?"

Tamahome cracked his knuckles. "I'm ready, but I'd really prefer that the next seishi be a hot babe. I guess a seishi with the attributes as the Universe of the Four Gods states would have to be a man, wouldn't he? Step up men, for your test in strength."

The soldiers gazed at each other with dubious expressions. Did that man really think he could defeat all of them--the finest soldiers in the palace? When Tamahome saw the expressions on their faces, he didn't wait for them to make the first move but made it himself. His body moved with the grace of a panther with the skills of the expertise in his field, the symbol of the ogre blazing on his forehead for brief moments in the battle.

"TAMAHOME!" exclaimed Hotohori loudly.

Tamahome glanced backed to see the warriors all on the ground, groaning with pain. "The point of this was not to show off your superior fighting skills. And it's obvious that even a man with considerable strength couldn't compete with your speed and skills, so how are we suppose to know if one of them is the third constellation?"

"Looks like it's my turn," Miaka blurt out.

"And actually do you have in mind?" queried Hotohori.

"Well… the only thing my teachers every complimented me on was my speed. Besides, a truly valiant man would never hit a lady, would they?" said Miaka reasonably before she turned to the group of men. "Don't just stand there! Come and get me!"

The group of men shook their heads. "Your eminence, we wouldn't dare harm you."

"Give me a break," muttered Miaka. "Admit it… you guys are just a bunch of losers! You're peeing in your pants because I'm from another world and you're scared of me! You're afraid of what I could do you guys! And you call yourself warriors? Please!!! You're just a bunch of scaredy cats! Hiding behind your armor and beards! Idiots! Morons! Weaklings! I bet you can't catch me!"

"Why you little…"

"No warrior would stand that sort of insults!!!"

The expressions of reverance on the warriors faces quickly turned into burning rage as they rushed toward the Priestess, regardless of the fact she was the lady that would save their countries. The only thing on their mind was getting revenge for those debasing remarks. Miaka yelled, "why are you all getting mad for???"

"Who wouldn't get upset over that?" screamed Tamahome.

Miaka was already running like her life depended on it, and indeed it did. She had ran into an outdoor building when huge rocks were hurled at the columns that held up the roof by the angry men. Tamahome was running to Miaka, trying to protect her as the columns broke, the force of the rocks cracking them, breaking them. He shouted, "Miaka! Get away from there! It's falling apart!"

Hotohori who had rushed to Miaka's side during the confrontation between her and the warriors had been enraged at the pettiness of his warriors. When he had heard Tamahome's warning it had already been too late for them to escape, the roof came crashing down and he quickly shielded Miaka with his body, nothing was more important than protecting the girl who would save his empire… and it wasn't only that… I want to save her. She can't die. She must live…

The pain of the crushing force of the falling roof hit Hotohori squarely on his back as he used his arms as his support to prevent any of the debris from hurting Miaka. I think she's still alive. I'd give my life to keep her safe.

"Hotohori," murmured Miaka, stunned at what he had sacrificed to keep her safe. "Hotohori! You'll be crushed! Stop it!"

He managed to smile slightly. "You forget… I am one of your protectors. I am just doing my duty…"

The smile left his face as the overwhelming pain fought to break him, not just his body but his determination to keep Miaka safe. I must… keep her safe. No matter what.

Miaka reached up with her free hand and caressed Hotohori's blazing seishi symbol, leaning up to kiss his mouth, thinking:

We might die, but we'll die together.

Side Note: Thank you, Stormlight for giving me this idea (although I had been thinking about it), you made it reality! (Hotohori protecting Miaka instead of Tamahome).

Author's Note: Don't you dare complain about the cliffhanger… this is almost double the size of the other two chapters, so don't complain! Anyway, I'd like to see more reviews because am I just writing this for five people? Without reviews… I don't feel obligated to keep this weekly (b/c a series I thought no one liked has picked up 10+ reviews, yaya! I might make that weekly and this biweekly instead of the other way around.) With the hits taken off… I really have no idea how many people are reading it without some kind of reviews (and also… horrors be… I don't have Manga Volume 2 so I'll have to do my researching for the series to get accurate details from Manga translations, does anyone know a good site?)

Remember: Reviewing is Doing the Giving to Caring authors Slaving over Working on Writing fanfics!