Title: Sweet Love (7)

Title:  Sweet Love (7)

Author:  Yih

Written:  April 22, 2001               Format Revision: April 24, 2001 (why ff.n suddenly start doublespacing everything?!)

Dedication:  To the following Reviewers-  Lavender, Trista, Terri Lee Kelly, dragonlady, SailorCereCere, Livlie, Usagi Tsukino, Jen-chan, Rymsie, Iona, and Cyberkitten#13. 

Disclaimer:  All rights are Watase Yu.

Part 7:  Sweet Confessions

Hotohori was about to demand that Tamahome let him go in first when Nuriko emerged from Miaka's room and launched herself into his arms.  Tamahome smirked and went into Miaka's room before Hotohori could do anything.  Hotohori was trying to breath as Nuriko forgot that she has the strength of a seishi and was literally squeezing all the air out of the Emperor. 

"Nuriko!" cried out Hotohori.  "You're hurting me!" 

Nuriko let go of Hotohori and giggled.  "I'm just so happy!  I knew that you loved me!  I'm just so happy to hear the Priestess of Suzaku confirm my suspicions!  Why don't we go to your room!" 

Hotohori's mind was whirling after Nuriko had gotten through her burst of words.  What the hell is she talking about?  Why would Miaka confirm that Nuriko was right in her guess that she was the object of my affections--unless Miaka herself thought that I loved Nuriko!  But that couldn't be… could it?  I thought I was pretty clear when I was declaring my love for her. 

Or maybe this is her way of rejecting me instead of telling me face to face. 

I remembered that I said to her: "She began to take up even more of my imagination.  She has become my life.  I wouldn't dream of living without her again.  I couldn't live without her.  I don't want to live without her, actually.  I knew I was supposed to be with her for my entire life…" 

And even if she doesn't love me, I need a definite answer from her! 

Then she ran away after I told her: "But what has made me so miserable is that I don't know if she loves me.  I just want to know how she feels about me." 

So it could be that this is her answer to my question.  That she doesn't love me…  And that hurts me so much.  But I never DID tell her I was talking about her.  So it is PLAUSIBLE that she could have thought I was talking about Nuriko.  And if that's possible that would explain why she ran away from me!  She must have been heartbroken if she felt the same way about me!

"Hotohori-sama?" Nuriko asked.  "Where are you going?"

Hotohori was moving toward Miaka's bedroom chambers. 

"I need to talk to Miaka," he explained. 

"Why?  I have so many things to tell you," she exclaimed loudly. 

"Go to your rooms," he commanded her. 

"Will you join me later?" she inquired. 

"No." 

"But--"

"Because you aren't the one I love," he finished. 

Her eyes widen with shock, and she ran away from him.  The tears were apparent even though she turned away quickly.  They trickled down her beautiful face.  Hotohori felt a pang of regret as he told her that so coldly.  He should have been kinder to her.  After all she had been in the Seraglio, and the maidens there were groomed to adore him.  He shouldn't have said something so cruel to her. 

"Miaka?" murmured Tamahome as he entered the room.  "Are you okay?" 

Miaka sat on her bed and nodded her head.  "I think I overreacted." 

"Over something Hotohori said?" 

"Yes," she answered. 

"What did he say?" he asked gently, sitting down next to her. 

"He said that he loved Nuriko!" she cried out. 

"Did he?" he questioned.  "But why did you run away when he said that?" 

"I DON'T KNOW WHY!" 

"You like him, don't you?" he queried painfully. 

I love him, she thought.  But I shouldn't tell Tamahome that, especially since I know that he feels something for me.  After all, why would he want to kiss me?  And I still haven't repaid him for saving my life three times! 

"Yes," she responded lamely. 

"I thought so.  I just needed to know." 

"Oh." 

"I'll leave you now.  Okay?" 

"Goodnight, Tamahome." 

"Sweet dreams, Miaka.  Be sure to get a good rest okay?" 

She nodded and snuggled into her warm bed.  She had forgotten how kind and caring Tamahome was.  Why can't I fall for a guy that likes me? she thought. 

Tamahome quietly closed her door, lifting his face up suddenly he was surprised to see Hotohori sitting outside her room.  He sat down next to Hotohori and muttered, "she loves you." 

"She thinks I love Nuriko." 

Tamahome burst out laughing at Hotohori's solemn tone. 

"I love her."

"I know." 

"But I want both of you to be happy." 

"She doesn't deserve someone like me," Hotohori said tiredly.  "You've done so much for her." 

"You don't choose who you love.  She's inside looking so sad because she thinks you don't love her." 

"…" 

"Go inside and tell her how you feel," Tamahome urged, his face betrayed his intentions. 

"I'm sorry, Tamahome." 

Hotohori knocked politely on Miaka's door and let himself in once she said, "come in." 

Tamahome murmured to him, "don't be sorry.  You don't choose who you fall in love with." 

"Miaka?" whispered Hotohori.  "I'm sorry about earlier." 

"What?!" she blurt out.  "I thought you were Tamahome!"

"It's me, Hotohori." 

"What are you doing here?" she cried out with panic in her voice. 

I can't believe he's here and I'm looking so bad!  Why couldn't he come at another time?  Even though I know he loves Nuriko, he still shouldn't have to see his Priestess looking so awful!  And I bet I still probably have red eyes from my crying earlier!  Miaka thought. 

"I'm just here to tell you something." 

"Well, spill it," she said, trying to sound cheerful. 

He's going to tell me he's going to marry Nuriko.  Why oh why does this have to happen in front of me at this time after I just cried over him? 

"Okay…" Hotohori responded reluctantly. 

How am I going to tell her this?  He thought.  This is so hard because I don't really know if she'll accept my love.  What if Tamahome's wrong? 

"Well?" she asked. 

Why am I asking him to tell me about that?  she thought wearily. 

I better just say it.  It isn't going to get easier, he told himself. 

"When I was talking earlier," he began. 

He's going to say that he confessed to Nuriko and she told him YES!  Miaka thought with a grown. 

"I was talking about you." 

WHAT?! 

Miaka sat up and glanced at his face.  Her gaze going up and down like crazy.  She blurt out, "aren't you going to ask Nuriko to marry you?" 

He laughed weakly.  "No.  She's not the one I want to marry." 

She smiled feebly.  "Oh." 

"You're the one I love, Miaka." 

I think he just stopped my heart, she thought excitedly. 

This silence is killing. 

"I love you, too!" she cried out and leapt into his arms.  "I thought that you loved Nuriko!" 

"I guess I wasn't very clear was I?" Hotohori flashed her a beautiful grin. 

"No, you weren't!" 

He kissed her on the nose, then kissed both of her cheeks and her forehead.  His last kiss was for her sweet mouth. 

"I'll try to keep everything much clearer, next time." 

"Can I get a room next to yours?" Miaka asked suddenly then blushed horribly. 

"We'll arrange that tomorrow." 

"Sweet dreams!" 

"You, too," he murmured. 

Hotohori quietly closed her door and stood outside for a long time contemplating the sweet knowledge that she loved him. 

I have loved since before I knew her

I have dreamt of her before I can remember

She has been my fantasy and my lover in my sleep

And now that I've finally known her

I can only say

I love her more than ever. 

Author's Note:  That's such killing sap.  Can anybody give me a summary on what happens when the EVIL Miaka turns up?  As detailed as possible please and I'll change things to fit the story, thanks for reading! 

Livlie's Review

Very nicely written but it seems a bit rushed. The people who are reading this must be ready to kill me. It's great that you are writing chapters at this pace but it can also be seen in your stories. This is what I tell everyone, "Don't pressure yourself." If you feel comfortable with the speed you're going then continue, if not slow down. Yes I like the idea of a Hotohori and Miaka fic. And yes, there are so few stories with this couple. I'm also in the same predicament as you. I also only have the first volume, but I have seen the series. If you can not get your hands on the manga copies, try the anime instead. It's not all that different, although they did cut out some major stuff. There was once a site that contained all the manga translations, but now, the site has possibly closed down. I tried going into it for you, but the site seemed to have disappeared. Sorry. There are lots sites scattered all over the net that contains translations. If you have not looked at www.anipike.com, you might try it since some of the sites have either started or have some part of the manga. If everything else fails, try the anime. Okay then, keep at it and I'll see you later. Bye.

My Response:  The chapters should be getting better since I'm taking a break on my "DA Project R" which was on the same schedule as FY's Sweet Love.  That fanfic is being scaled down because I don't feel like writing it anymore, although AU-wise it's so unique I'll probably end up finishing it.  Probably one of my strongest plotwise "fanfics" would be CCS Reminiscent.  And I have been to DOZENS of FY sites and I think I've found my translations at Tetris no Miko's site.  I feel so bad cuz I'm obsessed with Imadoki at this point and need more of it!  And now I'm falling in love of Hanakazari no Kimitachi!  Damn you nice mangas, leave me alone!!! (off to read manga translations and ponder where I can buy the real deal).