Title: Sweet Love
(8)
Author: Yih
Written: April 2001
Dedication: To the following Reviewers- ~, Lavender, Dragonlady, Alexendriia, Miburui Tsuki, Moon Angel, Celestial Phoenix, Chibi-Claudia, SailorCereCere, TINA, Iona, Sailor wolfie, and Jen-chan.
Disclaimer: All rights are Yu Watase.
Part 8: Trouble in Paradise
"MIAKA!" screamed Nuriko the next morning as she burst into Miaka's room.
She narrowed her eyes when she saw that Miaka wasn't in her room. She swept her gaze throughout the room and didn't find a sign that the Priestess had ever lived in the room. She growled deeply before she slammed the door so hard it seemed like the building shuddered for a few seconds after the impact. Nuriko stared at the sky for a long time before she thought she knew where Miaka would be.
"Where could that girl be?" she said softly.
What was I thinking? Tamahome groaned when he thought of the insight he had given the
Emperor the other day. Even as much
as he might love her, I love her too. And she might just be all caught up in the 'riches' that he's the
Emperor of Konan. He can't marry her;
she's not royal enough for him. And
when he tells her he can't… I'll be there for her because I care for her. But I know I can't stand in Hotohori's way,
but I can always take advantage of anything he does that might hurt her…
I wonder where she is right now…
Miaka was awestruck by the glamour of the room Hotohori had given her next to his personal suites. He had smiled with pleasure when he had seen the expression on her face. He was glad she obviously liked her rooms.
"Are these suitable?" he asked for confirmation.
"Are these suitable!?" she exclaimed back incredulously. "It's gorgeous! I've never seen something this extravagant! It's beautiful!"
"I'm happy that you like it," he murmured throatily. "Any time you need me, you can always come next door…"
"It won't bother you?" she asked hesitantly.
"You could never bother me," he said meaningfully. "Never think that."
He pulled her close to him and held her against him. He reveled in the warmth that generated from her. It had been so long since he had felt close to someone like he felt close to this beautiful girl. He had been waiting for this moment all of his life. He couldn't wait to declare to the world that she was his. But how to tell her that? Especially since she was from another world.
"Hotohori?" She formed his name slowly with her lush lips.
"Yes?"
"Could you--"
"AW HAA! I found you!" yelled Nuriko as she crashed through the door.
Hotohori whirled around, loosening his grip on Miaka, but to Nuriko's dissatisfaction he didn't let go of his embrace with the Priestess. Nuriko glowered at Miaka with a look of pure hatred. Nuriko proceeded to vent all of her frustration and anger at Miaka until Hotohori asked sharply, "what are you doing here Nuriko?"
"May I speak to Miaka privately, your majesty?" she inquired with a deceptively sweet voice.
Hotohori thought he had dreamt of the ugly scowl that had marred Nuriko's face. He nodded his assent and let go of Miaka unwillingly. He whispered into her ear, "I'll see you later. I'll be discussing some affairs with my advisors, ask anyone and they'll know where to find me. I'll miss you until then."
Miaka blushed and responded, "I'll miss you, too."
Hotohori left Miaka with Nuriko with a joyful smile
plastered on his exquisite face, but even that didn't stop him from thinking
about what Nuriko was up to. I need
to remember to talk to her privately, he thought. I must apologize for last night. I was such a brute to her. I can only blame it on the fact that Miaka was the most important thing
on my mind--and that still doesn't excuse it. There aren't any excuses for my actions.
"MIAKA!" screamed Nuriko once Hotohori was out of the hearing range. "YOU LIED TO ME!"
Miaka had visible sweatdrops pouring down her forehead. She had totally forgotten that she had told Nuriko that she thought Hotohori loved Nuriko!
What to do--what do to… she thought in a panic. I was so happy that Hotohori confessed
his feelings for me that I totally forgot about Nuriko! And I so want to be friends with her. What do to--what do to… I'd feel devastated if I was in her place…
that must be the way she's feeling. And
she does really like Hotohori, maybe even love him like I love him! I did think that he did love her from the
way he was talking, how could I have been so blind? I can see now that he was clear, but I wanted it so much that I
couldn't believe it even when he said it clearly to me.
Nuriko was ticked to a further degree when she saw that
Miaka was getting all wrapped up in her emotional thoughts. Whatever she's thinking about, she
thought venemously, it's probably about Hotohori. She keeps sighing and murmuring 'hanyan.' Isn't it enough that she stole him from
me? Now she has to show it up to me at
my face! I just needed more time with
Hotohori, and he'll see how wrong this chit is for him! He's the emperor; he needs someone like
me!
"I'm sorry, Nuriko. I really thought he did love you," Miaka apologized profusely.
"I don't care! You lied to me!" Nuriko yelled. "You aren't good enough for him. You aren't pretty enough for him! You aren't anything but a stranger from another world that just happens to be a Priestess of Suzaku! You haven't been here watching him, adoring him, worshipping him, and loving him for as long as I have! I deserve him!"
Miaka's face soften up with pity just before Nuriko leapt at Miaka, knocking her down to the ground.
Miaka threw her hands up to block Nuriko's descent onto her.
Miaka must be around here somewhere, thought
Tamahome. Where are you, Miaka?
Whatever he had been expecting when he turned the corner, he
wasn't prepared to watch Nuriko launch herself at Miaka. He felt his breath catch in his throat as he
watched both of them tumble down the steep steps of the gazebo. He was breathing heavily when he tried to
reassure himself that nothing bad had happened. He did managed to think it was slightly ironic justice that
Nuriko was pinned underneath Miaka since she was the one that had caused the
incident. He was just relieved that
they were both okay.
Wow! Nuriko is
really bony… I wonder what they feed them in the Seraglio… Her chest is sooo
flat, Miaka thought. It's like
she doesn't have one!!!!!!!!!
DAMMIT!!
