Title: Sweet Love (9)

Title: Sweet Love (9)

Author: Yih

Written: May 2001

Dedication: To the following Reviewers- Terri Lee, Rymsie, Caramia, Celestial Phoenix, Miburui Tsuki, and Flashing Swords.

Eek! Please review…

Disclaimer: All rights are Yu Watase.

Part 9: Uncovering the Secret

Miaka's eyes widen as she lifted her head from Nuriko's flat chest. She moved her hands around Nuriko's chest trying to digest the information that had suddenly come to hand. Oh my god… oh my god… Nuriko couldn't be?! She couldn't be… a man!!!

"Are you two okay?" asked Tamahome as he lifted Miaka up from Nuriko. He then turned to help Nuriko, but he found the disheveled girl already on her feet. He hadn't expected to find Nuriko with Miaka, and he felt an urgency to tell Miaka what he felt for her. He knew he couldn't do that until Nuriko had left. He didn't want Nuriko to spread this to the Emperor.

"Miaka," muttered Nuriko quickly, "we need to talk privately."

"We do," she replied. "We'll see you later, Tamahome."

He saw the looks exchanged between Nuriko and Miaka. He was wondering what was going on. He was tempted to spy on them, but he reluctantly admitted that was no way to win Miaka's affections. And he wanted to win her affections more than anything else in the world. He had to really try to respond graciously, "you can find me in the gardens whenever you two are finish."

She nodded and they both walked up the steps of the gazebo, sitting at the marble table. They waited until Tamahome had disappeared into the distance before Nuriko murmured softly, "you know my secret now."

"You're a man."

"Yes, that I am." Nuriko laughed with a bitter edge. "You now find yourself suddenly more suitable for the Emperor than I am."

"I'm sorry about telling you what I thought was true," Miaka apologized again.

"It's not your fault," Nuriko admitted. "It doesn't make me feel any better to tell you this, but you two are perfect for each other. You both brighten up when you're around each other. I've never seen the Emperor as happy as I've seen him in the last few days. It doesn't change the way I feel however. I've decided I won't stand in the way of your love if you promise me that you won't tell my secret."

Miaka thought about what Nuriko had offered. She nodded slowly and asked, "but why?"

"I don't want to discuss that right now," Nuriko answered quietly.

"I understand. It hurts too much?"

A tear fell down Nuriko's beautiful face.

"You make a beautiful woman," Miaka added when she felt a sorrow descend over Nuriko.

"Thanks," said Nuriko hesitantly. "You're not so bad yourself."

Miaka laughed. She knew that was the closest thing to a compliment that Nuriko was ever going to give her. But she was glad that they had become friendlier. "You should consider becoming a man again. It's good to remember whatever happened in the past to make you behave this way; however, I'm sure that moving on won't hurt the memory. You can still remember without living this kind of life."

"Do you think it's wrong?"

"No," she responded.

"I stay this way because I like it."

"Well, you do a really good job," she complimented Nuriko.

Nuriko blushed a light pink. "You won't tell?"

"No, I don't do that to friends."

Nuriko shook her head with amazement. "With the way I treated you at first, I can't believe we could even be friends…"

"You saved my life… I don't see anything wrong with that," Miaka said, leaving out any past bad details.

Nuriko studied the Priestess' face carefully. "You're perfect for Hotohori-sama, Miaka. You only see the positive side of things; you think of everyone before yourself. He needs that in his life because I don't think he's ever had that."

"I'm glad you feel that way."

"Let's see what Tama-chan wanted," Nuriko murmured with a twinkle in her eyes. "You know, he really likes you."

"I know that."

"And from the look of his face before we sent him away, I'd say he has something important to tell you."

"I hope not."

"You don't mind me focusing my attentions on Tama-chan, do you?"

Miaka stopped walking. "No, why?"

"Because he likes you and all." When Nuriko saw the blank expression on her face, she explained further, "some women don't like other women taking men that they like or that like them even if it's more than one."

"I don't mind."

"So you don't mind while I distract him, so you can sneak off to Hotohori-sama?" asked Nuriko devilishly.

"You would do that?" Miaka queried with a pining hope in her voice.

"I'm very good at hanging on a man's arm. I got good practice at the Seraglio," exclaimed Nuriko.

"I really do want to see him…"

"Then it's settle. I'll distract Tama-chan, and you'll sneak off to visit your illicit lover!"

"It's not like that," Miaka said back anxiously.

"You're too easy to tease," Nuriko remarked.

"Are you two done?" questioned Tamahome as he strolled toward them.

"Ready?" Nuriko asked. "1, 2, 3…"

"Miaka…" Tamahome began.

"Tama-chan! I've been wanting to see you all day! I just want to tell you how good you've been to me, and I'd really like to take a walk in this garden with you! I can't believe how strong and handsome you are! I've been dreaming of you all night! You can't deny me this pleasure to walk with you!" Nuriko insisted. She dragged Tamahome away from Miaka and toward the gardens.

"But… Miaka…" trailed off Tamahome as he was pulled away from the Priestess by the strong Nuriko.

"You two have fun!" cried out Miaka happily. "Make sure you don't do anything improper!"

"You should be the one talking!" screamed Nuriko back.

Miaka smiled. Something wonderful had happened. She now had a girl friend, albietedly a male that was dressed as a female. She didn't care; she had someone to discuss her feelings for Hotohori! Because she knew that Nuriko would understand her… they both felt the same way! Now, she needed to find someone to ask where Hotohori was. She couldn't wait to see him. She didn't know why, but she had this excitement building up inside of her ever since Nuriko had made the suggestion. She had to find Hotohori! But where was she to start in such a majestic Palace.

"Oh! I remember, he told me to ask anyone, and he'd know where to find Hotohori. Now to find someone to ask," Miaka muttered to herself.

Author's Note: I'll be taking off for the next 2 weekends so that I can study for my AP exam and finals. Gomen! I'll try to finish this series, but it looks like it will be pretty massive, I might skip the scenes that won't help strengthen "Miaka's" and "Hotohori's" relationships. Thanks for your support! Ja ne!