"Death Is Always Cruel"
By: Shi-chan
Rating: PG
Warnings: Blood, Fluffiness, evil Yui!
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Fushigi Yuugi. The *wonderful* Yu Watase owns it. *starts crying* WHY?! WHY CAN'T *I* OWN FUSHIGI YUUGI?! Oh, yeah, and I don't own the song in this fic. The wonderful Celine Dion does.
Author's Corner!!
Shi-chan: Kon'nichi wa minna-chan! This is my first Fushigi Yuugi fanfiction, so please hold the flames. Plus, I've only read to the 6th manga, so my knowledge on this anime/manga is very limited. Much apologies!!
Tamahome: Is this gonna be bad??
Shi-chan: *.~ You'll just have to wait and find out, won't you?
Hotohori: If you do anything unjust to Miaka, I swear I'll-
Shi-chan: *rolls eyes* Can it, Hotohori-chan. I'm a fan of *you* plus Miaka, remember??
Hotohori: Ooh, really now? Hmm. . . *considers this*
Tamahome: NANI?!?!?!?!?!?!
Shi-chan: Ack! On with the fic!
***NOTE*** Nuriko will be referred to as a she in this fanfiction. I am aware that Nuriko is indeed a he.
***NOTE*** Yes, I *am* a Tamahome+Miaka fan, and I'm just fine with that couple, but I like Hotohori+Miaka even better so I'm sorry if this pairing offends you at all. My many apologies. He's just so hot with his hair down!
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/Wish I could be the one/
Yui crept into Tamehome's room silently. "If you must be Miaka's, then you must go to jigoku!!" She screamed, clutching her steel sword. She put her fingers on the jeweled edge and glared at the sleeping man. "Shi ne, Tamahome!" She yelled, finally stabbing him.
/The one who could give you love/
"What's going on?!" Chichiri, Tasuki, Mitsukake, Chiriko, Nuriko, and Miaka exclaimed, suddenly running into the Celestial Warrior's room. "Oh, kami- sama!" Miaka cried, fainting. Before the group was Tamahome laying on his bed with a bloodied sword through his chest. Hotohori lifted Miaka into his arms and carried her over to Tamahome's bed. "What happened? No da!" Chichiri demanded. Tamahome smiled in spite of his pain. "Yui. . . she was here. She stabbed me. . . Tell Miaka. . . I'm sorry. I love her. Goodbye. . ." He trailed off and his arm fell limp. "Miaka will be crushed. . ." Tasuki whispered.
/The kind of love you really need/
"Wh. . . where am I?" Miaka asked, turning to Hotohori as she regained consciousness. "It's alright. You're in my quarters, that's all." Hotohori told her, slowly brushing some of her hair from her face. Miaka smiled. "Where's Tamahome? I had a horrible dream. . . He was stabbed to death. . . by Yui. . ." She whispered, burying her face in the Emperor's silky clothes. He bit his lip and wrapped his arms around Miaka. "It was no dream." He replied softly, closing his eyes and letting a small crystal tear fall for her. Miaka drew away from him, her eyes wide. "Nani. . . what do you. . . But it was a dream!" She cried, placing her hand at her face. Hotohori slowly shook his head. "I'm not lying, Miaka. I don't want to hurt you; you know that. His funeral is tomorrow. Apparently, Yui managed to infiltrate our shields. She was angered that you managed to get Tamahome back, and she stabbed him. I'm so sorry Miaka. . ." He trailed off, once again pulling the Suzaku no Miko into an embrace. Miaka hugged him back, realizing in the back of her mind that, indeed, Hotohori wouldn't lie to her. "He's gone. . . he's really gone. . ." She snifled.
/Wish I could say to you/
"We bury here today one of the Suzaku no Miko's Celestial Warriors, Tamahome. Though a perilous warrior, he managed to fall. Not in a battle, however. By murder. His assassin was the Seiryu no Miko, Yui. Once again, he was a great man, and a brave warrior. If you have got something to say about this wonderful person, please step forward and do so now." The priest told everyone attending the royal funeral. Hotohori turned to Miaka, thinking she might want to say something for Tamahome. Much to his surprise however, she only leaned her head against the emperor, sobbing. "Doushite, Hotohori? Doushite?" She whispered. Hotohori sighed and wrapped his arms around the other-worldly girl, picking her up and beginning to walk back to the palace. "Your majesty! Where are you going?!" The priest demanded. Hotohori glared at the offending man. "Miaka does not feel well. We are leaving." He told him, continuing towards the palace.
/That I'll always stay with you/
Nuriko, Tasuki, Chichiri, Mitsukake, and Chiriko stared after their miko and fellow Celestial Warrior. "Poor Miaka. . . No da. . . She must be devastated over Tamahome's death. . ." Chichiri commented sadly. He did so much hate to see the bubbly girl cry. "Hmm." Taskui, Chiriko, and Mitsakake nodded in response. Nuriko on the other hand, stared after the pair with hatred. With or without Tamahome the little brat just seemed to get whatever she pleased. . .
/But baby that's not me/
Miaka had fallen asleep during the quarter-mile walk to the palace, so Hotohori went on ahead and went to Miaka's room so she could sleep there. As he laid her down, he sighed and brushed her bangs away gingerly. "It's not fair, Miaka." He told the sleeping. Though Tamahome was gone and dead, the emperor cared about the Suzaku no Miko too much to see this as an opportunity to get closer to her. He knew that something of the sort would only make Miaka resent him, and he would not have that. Hotohori let out a frustrated sigh. He felt foolish, like an idiot for loving her so much. She wouldn't ever return his love, and yet he constantly poured his heart out to her. "Why can't you take me away from this loneliness?" He asked her in a hushed voice, pulling the covers over her, and then slowly leaving the room.
/You need someone willing to give their heart and soul to you/
The next morning, when Miaka awoke, she found herself in her own bed with a sleeping Hotohori on the chair next to her. She stared at him a moment and then smiled. "So kawaii. . ." She said out loud. She suddenly gasped. "What am I thinking?! Tamahome just died, and here I am, thinking Hotohori is kawaii. . .!" She mentally smacked herself, only to find that once again, she was smiling.
/Promise you forever, baby that's something I can't do/
"Why are you always so nice to me? I thought if you loved someone you were supposed to be jealous of their love. Doushite?" She asked herself, pulling the satin red covers off, and walking over to the vanity. She poked around in the drawers a moment, trying to find something to wear, when she saw a beautiful pink kimono with sakura blossoms on it. "The one Hotohori gave me. . ." She whispered, smiling once again. The Suzaku no Miko skipped off to the bathroom so she could put the clothes on, whistling happily. After she had changed into the kimono, and put some actual sakura blossoms in her hair, she returned to her room.
/Oh I could say I'll be all you need/
Hotohori was standing up, staring in shock at the girl. "But I thought you didn't like that kimono. . ." He trailed off, then suddenly gasped. He just told her that he had overheard he and Tamahome's conversation!! Miaka withdrew her hand from her side and placed it over her mouth. "Ano. . . Hotohori, I was lying. Tamahome was mad because you gave me this kimono and it was something he'd never be able to get me, so he told me it looked strange, and asked me if I really like it. I didn't want to upset him further so I told him it wasn't my style. . . I'm sorry. . ." Miaka whispered in response. Her eyes began welling up with tears, for fear that the Emperor would never want to speak to her again. 'Wait a minute. . .' She thought to herself. 'Hotohori's always been important to me. . . but I was never even *this* worried whether or not Tamahome hated me. . . When did you become so important to me?'
/But that would be a lie/
The Emperor of Hong-nan (That's what it's called, right?? I haven't read it in awhile. . .) slowly began progressing towards the Suzaku no Miko. "That's good, Miaka. Besides, it would've been a waste for you not to wear it. It looks beautiful on you." He told her. As Miaka was about to reply, Hotohori began walking to the door. "I'll see you at supper with the Celestial Warriors, right? Or are you. . . still too depressed?" Miaka shook her head and beamed at the eighteen year-old emperor. "No. I actually. . . think I'm over it. I've gotta move on, right? I'll be down in about an hour or so."
/But that would be a lie/
As Hotohori left Miaka's room, he couldn't help but get a strange feeling. He was quite aware of the fact that Miaka trusted and depended on him, but she seemed somehow, more *open* to him. He shook his head. She was just trying to make him happy by saying she was over Tamahome's death. There was no way she had fallen in love with him!
/I know I'd only hurt you/
Miaka took the ribbons out of her hair and sat brushing it out for awhile, humming a song to herself. It was a pretty popular song for awhile in her time. It was called, 'I Love You, Goodbye' by an American woman named Celine Dion. When she finally sat the brush down and looked in the mirror, she began what was with the sudden change of heart towards Hotohori. 'Could it be that, maybe. . . I've fallen in love with him?' She picked up a hair pen and reapplied the sakura blossoms to her hair, smiling happily. "I suppose so." She said to herself, adding a touch of pink gloss to her lips. She then stood up, realizing that it had already been forty-five minutes, and prepared to leave.
/I know I'd only make you cry/
"Going so soon, Miaka?" A familiar voice asked her. Miaka turned around and saw Nuriko glaring at her from her bed. "Nuriko! Hello. What are you doing in here? It's almost time for dinner, you know. We can't be late for *that*." Nuriko rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Can it, Miko. You're not going anywhere. I've noticed your blooming relationship with Hotohori, and I've got news for you. Suzaku no Miko or not, you're *not* going to be his Empress."
/I'm not the one you're needing/
Miaka backed up against the wall of her room and Nuriko came towards her. "You've always gotten what you want, ever since you came here. You had Tama- baby and Hotohori kneeling before you, willing to do anything. And then the love of your life *dies* at the hand of the Seiryu no Miko and your first reaction is, 'Oh, well I'll just replace him with Hotohori!' Right? Wrong. You're *not* getting him . . . not now, not *ever*." Nuriko slapped Miaka across the face. "You just remember that, wench. I don't care if I'm your guardian or not. I'll kill you if it's *at all* necessary." With that, Nuriko smiled and left the room, leaving a scared and heavily-breathing Miaka to faint.
/I love you, goodbye/
"Miaka! Miaka where are you, no da?!" Chichiri cried, skipping down the palace halls. He came across Miaka's room finally and decided to check if she was in there. She never came down for supper, and Hotohori and the other Warriors got really worried when that happened. Hotohori had even asked the cooks to prepare her favorite meal!
/I hope someday you can/
"Miaka! NO DA?!" Chichiri screamed, seeing the unconscious girl lying on the floor. "Miaka! Miaka!" He said, trying to get his Miko awake. After a few minutes, she began to stir, and sat up. "Where am I?" She asked shakily. She turned her head towards Chichiri, making him gasp. "Your face! It's all red! What happened to you, no da?" Miaka held her hand over her face and smiled. "I guess I'm just tired. I probably fell asleep and hit my face on the floor." She lied. Chichiri gave her a strange look. He may act pretty dumb for the most part, but he could tell when the Miko was lying. There was more to this, and Nuriko's odd, overly-worried behavior, and Hotohori and Miaka's new, closer relationship all seemed to be very suspicious to him. "Miaka. . . was Nuriko in here?" He asked. Miaka withdrew her hand from Chichiri's, which he had taken and shook her head. "What. . . makes you think that?" Chichiri shrugged. "I don't know. No da. Just. . . tell me or Hotohori or something if Nuriko seems to be acting oddly, okay?" Miaka slowly nodded and stood up.
/Find some way to understand I'm only doing this for you/
GRRRRRRROOOOOWWWWLLLL. . .
/I don't really wanna go/
Miaka blushed severely. "I guess. . . I'm hungry." She declared. Chichiri got a sweat drop and stood up as well. "We left some food for you, so come on, no da!" He told her, dashing off towards the kitchen.
/But deep in my heart I know this is the kindest thing to do/
"So where was she?!" Tasuki demanded when Chichiri told him, Chiriko and Mitsukake that he had found the missing Miko. Chichiro furrowed his eyebrows together and replied, "I found her unconscious in her bedroom. I think. . . this has something to do with her and Hotohori. Haven't you guys noticed that they're a little closer since Tamahome died?" The other three nodded silently. "Well, no da, I think Nuriko is quite upset about it because Miaka's face was strangely red when I found her. No da, Nuriko might have threatened her about Hotohori." Tasuki balled up his fist angrily. "If she does anything to hurt Miaka, I swear, I'll murder her!" Mitsukake and Chiriko sat silently, analyzing the situation. "I think you're right." Chiriko said, nodding in agreement with Chichiri. "No da! But. . . Miaka was so upset when Tamahome died! She should be happy, and if being with Hotohori is what will make her happy, Nuriko had better understand that! No da! I mean, Nuriko should want Hotohori to be happy too, right?" Tasuki nodded. "Let's go pound it into the gender-issued thing's head!" He announced, about to run off and complete his mission. Mitsukake grabbed the idiotic man and threw him on the ground. "Shut up."
/You'll find someone who'll be the one that I could never be/
"Chichiri, Mitsukake, Tasuki, Chiriko, hello." Miaka said, suddenly coming into the room. "I'm nice and full now. What are y'all up to?" The group shrugged, and Miaka got a sweat drop. "Well in any case, do you know where Hotohori is? I haven't seen him for awhile. . ." When no one answered, Chiriko spoke up. "He had asked us to find you earlier because he had to go to a meeting with some of the Hong-nan council. You'll probably find him in the throne room." Miaka grinned. "Thank you, Mitsukake!" She cried, running off.
/Who'll give you something better/
"Hotohori! Hotohori!" The Suzaku no Miko screamed, coming into the throne room. She ran straight forwards, jumping on top of the council's table, and jumping into Hotohori's surprised arms. "Miaka! There you are. . .are you alright? We were so worried when you didn't come down for dinner. I would've helped Chichiri and them look for you but I had to be at this meeting. . ." Miaka turned and smiled at the Hong-nan council. "Hello again everyone, sorry to intrude on this meeting but I just wanted to see Hotohori for a little while. . ." She turned back to Hotohori and placed a kiss on his lips, then got up and walked to the door. "Bye, bye! I'll see you later, Hotohori!" She yelled after herself, leaving the Emperor and his council, extremely shocked.
/Than the love you'll find with me/
Hotohori walked quickly down the hallway past Miaka's room. She knew how to disappear so conveniently. . .! "Your majesty, if you're looking for Miaka, she's out by Tamahome's grave, crying." The Emperor turned around and saw Nuriko smiling at him. "Well, then I'll have to go make sure she's alright." He told her, sensing her jealousy. But in his mind, he wanted to hit himself. 'She's crying over Tamahome, eh? Then that kiss must've been nothing. . .' "No!" Nuriko yelled. Hotohori turned back around. "And why not?" He asked. Nuriko bit her lip. "Uh. . . because she asked me to tell everyone not to disturb her." The Ruler of Hong-nan nodded. "Nuriko, you *will* leave me alone. Don't let me catch you coming near Miaka and I." He commanded, exiting the palace. Nuriko glared after him. "MIAKA!!!!!!!!" She screamed angrily.
/Oh I could say that I'll be all you need/
Miaka put her finger in the water. "I wonder if Chichiri told Hotohori to meet me out here by the lake. . . It's been over an hour. . ." She trailed off and sighed, standing up. As she was about to go back to the palace, she gasped. Nuriko! She must've done something. . . Surely Hotohori would've come if he *knew* Miaka had been waiting for him. "Hotohori! Hotohori! Hotohori!" She screamed, running towards the palace. Along the way, she passed the cemetery, and saw Hotohori staring at her, wide-eyed. "Oh, Hotohori! That's where you are! Why didn't you come?" She demanded, throwing her arms around them. "Come where?" He asked, putting his arms around her as well. Miaka looked up at him with shaky eyes. "I asked Chichiri to tell you. . . to meet me by the lake. Didn't he tell you?" Hotohori furrowed his eyebrows together. "I haven't seen him for a few hours. I was looking for you, to talk, and Nuriko said you were out by Tamahome's grave."
/But that would be a crime/
Miaka clenched her teeth angrily. "There's something I need to tell you something, Hotohori. Yesterday. . . when I fainted, it was because Nuriko came in my room." Hotohori's eyes got wide. "What did she do to you?!" He demanded, holding her tighter. The Suzaku no Miko looked down. "She warned me to stay away from you and to try and carry out her death threat, she hit me, and out of shock, I fainted." Hotohori looked at the brunette, confused. "But she's always been jealous. Why would she suddenly be so intent about it?" Miaka smiled and stood on her toes so she could whisper in his ear, "You know how I kissed you earlier? Would you mind if. . . I kissed you again?" Hotohori gasped, shocked. "Wha. . . what do you-" His voice was cut off by Miaka's lips on his. "Hotohori, I don't care what Nuriko or anyone says. I know Tamahome just died, and I should be sad. . . and I am but. . . It made me realize that I love you."
/I know I'd only hurt you/
Hotohori stood silent for a minute, and Miaka looked up from his shirt worriedly to find, that he had fainted on her. "Hotohori!" She cried, kneeling down and laying his head in her lap. "Wake up, wake up!" She said, shaking him.
/I know I'd only make you cry/
"What's going on?!" Tasuki demanded, suddenly appearing before the priestess. She looked up and smiled, "Hotohori's just a little tired, that's all. Don't worry. Do you think you could help me carry him to the palace?" Tasuki gave the blushing girl a strange look, but nodded and lifted Hotohori over his shoulder. As the pair began walking towards the palace, Tasuki thought, 'He's lighter than Miaka!!!!'
/I'm not the one you're needing/
"Mm. . ." The Emperor of Hong-Nan rubbed his eyes tiredly as he lifted up from his bed. "How. . . how did I get here?" He asked himself out loud. He looked around his room a moment then decided to get dressed in something different, and go confront Miaka.
/I love you, goodbye/
He didn't even have to go anywhere, however, because when he emerged from his dressing room, Miaka was sitting on his bed, wearing another kimono that she had found in her wardrobe. "Good morning, sleepyhead! You fainted last night, so Tasuki helped me carry you in." Hotohori looked at Miaka a second, then turned his head, blushing. "Uh. . . Miaka. . .About last night. . . Did you mean what you said?" He asked her. Miaka smiled and turned pink. "Y-yes." She told him, looking at the red satin bed. A moment later, she felt more weight on the bed and she looked beside her, where Hotohori sat smiling back at her. "I'm glad. But. . . what about. . . Tamahome?" He questioned her. Miaka gave him a small sad grin. "I suppose I was confused this whole time. . . Tamahome told me something when we first met. He said, 'I'll be your big brother'. I suppose that upon hearing that. . . I thought I was in love with him. I was mistaken and now that he's gone. . . I realize I loved you most."
/Leaving someone when you love someone/
Hotohori pulled the girl into a hug. "Suzaku no Miko, I am glad." He gave her a light kiss on the forehead and said, "Miaka, my Suzaku no Miko, will you be my Empress of Hong-nan?" Miaka looked up at the Emperor with shining, teary eyes.
/Is that hardest thing to do/
In the back of her mind, she wanted to say no for Tamahome, but her heart said she was in love with the Emperor. "Yes. I will!" She cried, jumping on him, and embracing him tightly. 'I'm never going to throw your love away again. . .' She thought happily as Hotohori kissed her.
/When you love someone as much as I love you/
"Do you, Yuki, Miaka promise to love and care for his Majesty, Hotohori, for all of eternity? To be his willing friend, wife, and Empress?" The priest asked the girl, waiting for her answer. Miaka grinned at her love. "Of course!" She yelled, jumping on Hotohori. "Uh. . . you may kiss the bride." He replied with a sweat drop. And so, well, they kissed.
/Oh I don't wanna leave you/
"Hotohori?" Miaka asked once they were through.
"Hm?"
"When's the reception? I'm hungry."
Hotohori shook his head and looked into her brown eyes. "Not long." And, they kissed again.
/Baby it tears me up inside/
"Now, your highness, if you'll please sign here, this needs the Emperor's signature as well so please do hurry." A business man from the biggest market in the city told her. The Empress of Hong-nan stuck her tongue out at the man and threw her pen at him. "Stop rushing me or I won't sign it! It's not my fault I read slow!"
/But I'll never be the one you're needing/
"Miaka, calm down. Just sign it and I'll do the reading, alright?" A deep voice suddenly asked. She looked up and blushed, seeing Hotohori in front of her. "Oh. . . okay." She replied, a sweat drop forming on the side of her head. She signed the paper and handed it to Hotohori, throwing a glare at the man again. "Uh, Hotohori, what should I be doing now?" She asked. Hotohori looked up from the paper and responded, "Well, you first need to go back to your time and you said you were going to explain to your mother and brother that you're staying here and you don't want to leave, then Tai- Yi Jun (Sp?!) wants to speak with you about a new way to summon Suzaku since. . . Tamahome died." Miaka nodded and hugged Hotohori. "I'll be back soon, okay?" Hotohori nodded and gave Miaka a kiss. "First, go change out of that. Your mother might freak."
/I love you, goodbye/
"SHE WHAT?!" The Seiryu no Miko slammed her fist into the wall, creating a large dent on the beige color of it. "The Suzaku no Miko married Hotohori, the Emperor of Hong-nan, and since their dragon warrior died, they are already concocting a plan to summon Suzaku." The guard replied. Yui gritted her teeth and furrowed her eyebrows together. "SHE'LL DIE FOR THIS!!!!!" She screamed, once again hitting the wall with her fist.
/Baby it's never gonna work out/
"What do you mean you're going to go to Ancient China to live with your husband, the Emperor, and summon their Bird God to save their country?!" Miaka's mother demanded. The girl nodded and pulled out her suitcase. "See? Here's the kimono Hotohori bought me in honor of our wedding. It's so beautiful!" She cried, dancing around the kitchen, holding it over her. Miaka's mother balled her fist up. "What drugs are you on child?! You are aware that you *can't* go to Ancient China!! And where have you been the past day?! GET INTO YOUR ROOM AND STUDY, NOW!" She screamed.
/I love you, goodbye/
Miaka shook her head. "Hotohori and the Celestial Warriors will be worried about me. Bye, bye!" With that, Miaka put the pastel green kimono back in her suitcase and kissed her mother's cheek, heading for her brother room. "Bye Keisuke! I'm going back to Ancient China!"
/I love you, goodbye/
Nuriko sunk to her knees sadly. "IT'S NOT FAIR! IT'S JUST NOT FAIR! WHY DOES HOTOHORI HAVE TO LOVE MIAKA?!?!?!?!" She screaming, letting her tears fall from her face. "It's just not fair. . . I've loved Hotohori since childhood. . . And she just got here. . .'
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Author's Corner!!
Shi-chan: Well, that's certainly different than some of my other fanfictions. Kinda refreshing. ^_^;;; What do y'all think? Should I finish Fushigi Yuugi myself or do y'all hate it? IF YOU SAY YOU HATE IT JUST BECAUSE IT'S HOTOHORI+MIAKA, FORGET YOU!! I even *said* support Miaka and Tamahome. . .
Hotohori: I liked it.
Tamahome: Well, I, for one, didn't!
Shi-chan: *hits Tamahome with pan* Can it. We're aware you didn't like it, sheesh.
~Shi-Chan Meows~
=^o^=
By: Shi-chan
Rating: PG
Warnings: Blood, Fluffiness, evil Yui!
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Fushigi Yuugi. The *wonderful* Yu Watase owns it. *starts crying* WHY?! WHY CAN'T *I* OWN FUSHIGI YUUGI?! Oh, yeah, and I don't own the song in this fic. The wonderful Celine Dion does.
Author's Corner!!
Shi-chan: Kon'nichi wa minna-chan! This is my first Fushigi Yuugi fanfiction, so please hold the flames. Plus, I've only read to the 6th manga, so my knowledge on this anime/manga is very limited. Much apologies!!
Tamahome: Is this gonna be bad??
Shi-chan: *.~ You'll just have to wait and find out, won't you?
Hotohori: If you do anything unjust to Miaka, I swear I'll-
Shi-chan: *rolls eyes* Can it, Hotohori-chan. I'm a fan of *you* plus Miaka, remember??
Hotohori: Ooh, really now? Hmm. . . *considers this*
Tamahome: NANI?!?!?!?!?!?!
Shi-chan: Ack! On with the fic!
***NOTE*** Nuriko will be referred to as a she in this fanfiction. I am aware that Nuriko is indeed a he.
***NOTE*** Yes, I *am* a Tamahome+Miaka fan, and I'm just fine with that couple, but I like Hotohori+Miaka even better so I'm sorry if this pairing offends you at all. My many apologies. He's just so hot with his hair down!
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/Wish I could be the one/
Yui crept into Tamehome's room silently. "If you must be Miaka's, then you must go to jigoku!!" She screamed, clutching her steel sword. She put her fingers on the jeweled edge and glared at the sleeping man. "Shi ne, Tamahome!" She yelled, finally stabbing him.
/The one who could give you love/
"What's going on?!" Chichiri, Tasuki, Mitsukake, Chiriko, Nuriko, and Miaka exclaimed, suddenly running into the Celestial Warrior's room. "Oh, kami- sama!" Miaka cried, fainting. Before the group was Tamahome laying on his bed with a bloodied sword through his chest. Hotohori lifted Miaka into his arms and carried her over to Tamahome's bed. "What happened? No da!" Chichiri demanded. Tamahome smiled in spite of his pain. "Yui. . . she was here. She stabbed me. . . Tell Miaka. . . I'm sorry. I love her. Goodbye. . ." He trailed off and his arm fell limp. "Miaka will be crushed. . ." Tasuki whispered.
/The kind of love you really need/
"Wh. . . where am I?" Miaka asked, turning to Hotohori as she regained consciousness. "It's alright. You're in my quarters, that's all." Hotohori told her, slowly brushing some of her hair from her face. Miaka smiled. "Where's Tamahome? I had a horrible dream. . . He was stabbed to death. . . by Yui. . ." She whispered, burying her face in the Emperor's silky clothes. He bit his lip and wrapped his arms around Miaka. "It was no dream." He replied softly, closing his eyes and letting a small crystal tear fall for her. Miaka drew away from him, her eyes wide. "Nani. . . what do you. . . But it was a dream!" She cried, placing her hand at her face. Hotohori slowly shook his head. "I'm not lying, Miaka. I don't want to hurt you; you know that. His funeral is tomorrow. Apparently, Yui managed to infiltrate our shields. She was angered that you managed to get Tamahome back, and she stabbed him. I'm so sorry Miaka. . ." He trailed off, once again pulling the Suzaku no Miko into an embrace. Miaka hugged him back, realizing in the back of her mind that, indeed, Hotohori wouldn't lie to her. "He's gone. . . he's really gone. . ." She snifled.
/Wish I could say to you/
"We bury here today one of the Suzaku no Miko's Celestial Warriors, Tamahome. Though a perilous warrior, he managed to fall. Not in a battle, however. By murder. His assassin was the Seiryu no Miko, Yui. Once again, he was a great man, and a brave warrior. If you have got something to say about this wonderful person, please step forward and do so now." The priest told everyone attending the royal funeral. Hotohori turned to Miaka, thinking she might want to say something for Tamahome. Much to his surprise however, she only leaned her head against the emperor, sobbing. "Doushite, Hotohori? Doushite?" She whispered. Hotohori sighed and wrapped his arms around the other-worldly girl, picking her up and beginning to walk back to the palace. "Your majesty! Where are you going?!" The priest demanded. Hotohori glared at the offending man. "Miaka does not feel well. We are leaving." He told him, continuing towards the palace.
/That I'll always stay with you/
Nuriko, Tasuki, Chichiri, Mitsukake, and Chiriko stared after their miko and fellow Celestial Warrior. "Poor Miaka. . . No da. . . She must be devastated over Tamahome's death. . ." Chichiri commented sadly. He did so much hate to see the bubbly girl cry. "Hmm." Taskui, Chiriko, and Mitsakake nodded in response. Nuriko on the other hand, stared after the pair with hatred. With or without Tamahome the little brat just seemed to get whatever she pleased. . .
/But baby that's not me/
Miaka had fallen asleep during the quarter-mile walk to the palace, so Hotohori went on ahead and went to Miaka's room so she could sleep there. As he laid her down, he sighed and brushed her bangs away gingerly. "It's not fair, Miaka." He told the sleeping. Though Tamahome was gone and dead, the emperor cared about the Suzaku no Miko too much to see this as an opportunity to get closer to her. He knew that something of the sort would only make Miaka resent him, and he would not have that. Hotohori let out a frustrated sigh. He felt foolish, like an idiot for loving her so much. She wouldn't ever return his love, and yet he constantly poured his heart out to her. "Why can't you take me away from this loneliness?" He asked her in a hushed voice, pulling the covers over her, and then slowly leaving the room.
/You need someone willing to give their heart and soul to you/
The next morning, when Miaka awoke, she found herself in her own bed with a sleeping Hotohori on the chair next to her. She stared at him a moment and then smiled. "So kawaii. . ." She said out loud. She suddenly gasped. "What am I thinking?! Tamahome just died, and here I am, thinking Hotohori is kawaii. . .!" She mentally smacked herself, only to find that once again, she was smiling.
/Promise you forever, baby that's something I can't do/
"Why are you always so nice to me? I thought if you loved someone you were supposed to be jealous of their love. Doushite?" She asked herself, pulling the satin red covers off, and walking over to the vanity. She poked around in the drawers a moment, trying to find something to wear, when she saw a beautiful pink kimono with sakura blossoms on it. "The one Hotohori gave me. . ." She whispered, smiling once again. The Suzaku no Miko skipped off to the bathroom so she could put the clothes on, whistling happily. After she had changed into the kimono, and put some actual sakura blossoms in her hair, she returned to her room.
/Oh I could say I'll be all you need/
Hotohori was standing up, staring in shock at the girl. "But I thought you didn't like that kimono. . ." He trailed off, then suddenly gasped. He just told her that he had overheard he and Tamahome's conversation!! Miaka withdrew her hand from her side and placed it over her mouth. "Ano. . . Hotohori, I was lying. Tamahome was mad because you gave me this kimono and it was something he'd never be able to get me, so he told me it looked strange, and asked me if I really like it. I didn't want to upset him further so I told him it wasn't my style. . . I'm sorry. . ." Miaka whispered in response. Her eyes began welling up with tears, for fear that the Emperor would never want to speak to her again. 'Wait a minute. . .' She thought to herself. 'Hotohori's always been important to me. . . but I was never even *this* worried whether or not Tamahome hated me. . . When did you become so important to me?'
/But that would be a lie/
The Emperor of Hong-nan (That's what it's called, right?? I haven't read it in awhile. . .) slowly began progressing towards the Suzaku no Miko. "That's good, Miaka. Besides, it would've been a waste for you not to wear it. It looks beautiful on you." He told her. As Miaka was about to reply, Hotohori began walking to the door. "I'll see you at supper with the Celestial Warriors, right? Or are you. . . still too depressed?" Miaka shook her head and beamed at the eighteen year-old emperor. "No. I actually. . . think I'm over it. I've gotta move on, right? I'll be down in about an hour or so."
/But that would be a lie/
As Hotohori left Miaka's room, he couldn't help but get a strange feeling. He was quite aware of the fact that Miaka trusted and depended on him, but she seemed somehow, more *open* to him. He shook his head. She was just trying to make him happy by saying she was over Tamahome's death. There was no way she had fallen in love with him!
/I know I'd only hurt you/
Miaka took the ribbons out of her hair and sat brushing it out for awhile, humming a song to herself. It was a pretty popular song for awhile in her time. It was called, 'I Love You, Goodbye' by an American woman named Celine Dion. When she finally sat the brush down and looked in the mirror, she began what was with the sudden change of heart towards Hotohori. 'Could it be that, maybe. . . I've fallen in love with him?' She picked up a hair pen and reapplied the sakura blossoms to her hair, smiling happily. "I suppose so." She said to herself, adding a touch of pink gloss to her lips. She then stood up, realizing that it had already been forty-five minutes, and prepared to leave.
/I know I'd only make you cry/
"Going so soon, Miaka?" A familiar voice asked her. Miaka turned around and saw Nuriko glaring at her from her bed. "Nuriko! Hello. What are you doing in here? It's almost time for dinner, you know. We can't be late for *that*." Nuriko rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Can it, Miko. You're not going anywhere. I've noticed your blooming relationship with Hotohori, and I've got news for you. Suzaku no Miko or not, you're *not* going to be his Empress."
/I'm not the one you're needing/
Miaka backed up against the wall of her room and Nuriko came towards her. "You've always gotten what you want, ever since you came here. You had Tama- baby and Hotohori kneeling before you, willing to do anything. And then the love of your life *dies* at the hand of the Seiryu no Miko and your first reaction is, 'Oh, well I'll just replace him with Hotohori!' Right? Wrong. You're *not* getting him . . . not now, not *ever*." Nuriko slapped Miaka across the face. "You just remember that, wench. I don't care if I'm your guardian or not. I'll kill you if it's *at all* necessary." With that, Nuriko smiled and left the room, leaving a scared and heavily-breathing Miaka to faint.
/I love you, goodbye/
"Miaka! Miaka where are you, no da?!" Chichiri cried, skipping down the palace halls. He came across Miaka's room finally and decided to check if she was in there. She never came down for supper, and Hotohori and the other Warriors got really worried when that happened. Hotohori had even asked the cooks to prepare her favorite meal!
/I hope someday you can/
"Miaka! NO DA?!" Chichiri screamed, seeing the unconscious girl lying on the floor. "Miaka! Miaka!" He said, trying to get his Miko awake. After a few minutes, she began to stir, and sat up. "Where am I?" She asked shakily. She turned her head towards Chichiri, making him gasp. "Your face! It's all red! What happened to you, no da?" Miaka held her hand over her face and smiled. "I guess I'm just tired. I probably fell asleep and hit my face on the floor." She lied. Chichiri gave her a strange look. He may act pretty dumb for the most part, but he could tell when the Miko was lying. There was more to this, and Nuriko's odd, overly-worried behavior, and Hotohori and Miaka's new, closer relationship all seemed to be very suspicious to him. "Miaka. . . was Nuriko in here?" He asked. Miaka withdrew her hand from Chichiri's, which he had taken and shook her head. "What. . . makes you think that?" Chichiri shrugged. "I don't know. No da. Just. . . tell me or Hotohori or something if Nuriko seems to be acting oddly, okay?" Miaka slowly nodded and stood up.
/Find some way to understand I'm only doing this for you/
GRRRRRRROOOOOWWWWLLLL. . .
/I don't really wanna go/
Miaka blushed severely. "I guess. . . I'm hungry." She declared. Chichiri got a sweat drop and stood up as well. "We left some food for you, so come on, no da!" He told her, dashing off towards the kitchen.
/But deep in my heart I know this is the kindest thing to do/
"So where was she?!" Tasuki demanded when Chichiri told him, Chiriko and Mitsukake that he had found the missing Miko. Chichiro furrowed his eyebrows together and replied, "I found her unconscious in her bedroom. I think. . . this has something to do with her and Hotohori. Haven't you guys noticed that they're a little closer since Tamahome died?" The other three nodded silently. "Well, no da, I think Nuriko is quite upset about it because Miaka's face was strangely red when I found her. No da, Nuriko might have threatened her about Hotohori." Tasuki balled up his fist angrily. "If she does anything to hurt Miaka, I swear, I'll murder her!" Mitsukake and Chiriko sat silently, analyzing the situation. "I think you're right." Chiriko said, nodding in agreement with Chichiri. "No da! But. . . Miaka was so upset when Tamahome died! She should be happy, and if being with Hotohori is what will make her happy, Nuriko had better understand that! No da! I mean, Nuriko should want Hotohori to be happy too, right?" Tasuki nodded. "Let's go pound it into the gender-issued thing's head!" He announced, about to run off and complete his mission. Mitsukake grabbed the idiotic man and threw him on the ground. "Shut up."
/You'll find someone who'll be the one that I could never be/
"Chichiri, Mitsukake, Tasuki, Chiriko, hello." Miaka said, suddenly coming into the room. "I'm nice and full now. What are y'all up to?" The group shrugged, and Miaka got a sweat drop. "Well in any case, do you know where Hotohori is? I haven't seen him for awhile. . ." When no one answered, Chiriko spoke up. "He had asked us to find you earlier because he had to go to a meeting with some of the Hong-nan council. You'll probably find him in the throne room." Miaka grinned. "Thank you, Mitsukake!" She cried, running off.
/Who'll give you something better/
"Hotohori! Hotohori!" The Suzaku no Miko screamed, coming into the throne room. She ran straight forwards, jumping on top of the council's table, and jumping into Hotohori's surprised arms. "Miaka! There you are. . .are you alright? We were so worried when you didn't come down for dinner. I would've helped Chichiri and them look for you but I had to be at this meeting. . ." Miaka turned and smiled at the Hong-nan council. "Hello again everyone, sorry to intrude on this meeting but I just wanted to see Hotohori for a little while. . ." She turned back to Hotohori and placed a kiss on his lips, then got up and walked to the door. "Bye, bye! I'll see you later, Hotohori!" She yelled after herself, leaving the Emperor and his council, extremely shocked.
/Than the love you'll find with me/
Hotohori walked quickly down the hallway past Miaka's room. She knew how to disappear so conveniently. . .! "Your majesty, if you're looking for Miaka, she's out by Tamahome's grave, crying." The Emperor turned around and saw Nuriko smiling at him. "Well, then I'll have to go make sure she's alright." He told her, sensing her jealousy. But in his mind, he wanted to hit himself. 'She's crying over Tamahome, eh? Then that kiss must've been nothing. . .' "No!" Nuriko yelled. Hotohori turned back around. "And why not?" He asked. Nuriko bit her lip. "Uh. . . because she asked me to tell everyone not to disturb her." The Ruler of Hong-nan nodded. "Nuriko, you *will* leave me alone. Don't let me catch you coming near Miaka and I." He commanded, exiting the palace. Nuriko glared after him. "MIAKA!!!!!!!!" She screamed angrily.
/Oh I could say that I'll be all you need/
Miaka put her finger in the water. "I wonder if Chichiri told Hotohori to meet me out here by the lake. . . It's been over an hour. . ." She trailed off and sighed, standing up. As she was about to go back to the palace, she gasped. Nuriko! She must've done something. . . Surely Hotohori would've come if he *knew* Miaka had been waiting for him. "Hotohori! Hotohori! Hotohori!" She screamed, running towards the palace. Along the way, she passed the cemetery, and saw Hotohori staring at her, wide-eyed. "Oh, Hotohori! That's where you are! Why didn't you come?" She demanded, throwing her arms around them. "Come where?" He asked, putting his arms around her as well. Miaka looked up at him with shaky eyes. "I asked Chichiri to tell you. . . to meet me by the lake. Didn't he tell you?" Hotohori furrowed his eyebrows together. "I haven't seen him for a few hours. I was looking for you, to talk, and Nuriko said you were out by Tamahome's grave."
/But that would be a crime/
Miaka clenched her teeth angrily. "There's something I need to tell you something, Hotohori. Yesterday. . . when I fainted, it was because Nuriko came in my room." Hotohori's eyes got wide. "What did she do to you?!" He demanded, holding her tighter. The Suzaku no Miko looked down. "She warned me to stay away from you and to try and carry out her death threat, she hit me, and out of shock, I fainted." Hotohori looked at the brunette, confused. "But she's always been jealous. Why would she suddenly be so intent about it?" Miaka smiled and stood on her toes so she could whisper in his ear, "You know how I kissed you earlier? Would you mind if. . . I kissed you again?" Hotohori gasped, shocked. "Wha. . . what do you-" His voice was cut off by Miaka's lips on his. "Hotohori, I don't care what Nuriko or anyone says. I know Tamahome just died, and I should be sad. . . and I am but. . . It made me realize that I love you."
/I know I'd only hurt you/
Hotohori stood silent for a minute, and Miaka looked up from his shirt worriedly to find, that he had fainted on her. "Hotohori!" She cried, kneeling down and laying his head in her lap. "Wake up, wake up!" She said, shaking him.
/I know I'd only make you cry/
"What's going on?!" Tasuki demanded, suddenly appearing before the priestess. She looked up and smiled, "Hotohori's just a little tired, that's all. Don't worry. Do you think you could help me carry him to the palace?" Tasuki gave the blushing girl a strange look, but nodded and lifted Hotohori over his shoulder. As the pair began walking towards the palace, Tasuki thought, 'He's lighter than Miaka!!!!'
/I'm not the one you're needing/
"Mm. . ." The Emperor of Hong-Nan rubbed his eyes tiredly as he lifted up from his bed. "How. . . how did I get here?" He asked himself out loud. He looked around his room a moment then decided to get dressed in something different, and go confront Miaka.
/I love you, goodbye/
He didn't even have to go anywhere, however, because when he emerged from his dressing room, Miaka was sitting on his bed, wearing another kimono that she had found in her wardrobe. "Good morning, sleepyhead! You fainted last night, so Tasuki helped me carry you in." Hotohori looked at Miaka a second, then turned his head, blushing. "Uh. . . Miaka. . .About last night. . . Did you mean what you said?" He asked her. Miaka smiled and turned pink. "Y-yes." She told him, looking at the red satin bed. A moment later, she felt more weight on the bed and she looked beside her, where Hotohori sat smiling back at her. "I'm glad. But. . . what about. . . Tamahome?" He questioned her. Miaka gave him a small sad grin. "I suppose I was confused this whole time. . . Tamahome told me something when we first met. He said, 'I'll be your big brother'. I suppose that upon hearing that. . . I thought I was in love with him. I was mistaken and now that he's gone. . . I realize I loved you most."
/Leaving someone when you love someone/
Hotohori pulled the girl into a hug. "Suzaku no Miko, I am glad." He gave her a light kiss on the forehead and said, "Miaka, my Suzaku no Miko, will you be my Empress of Hong-nan?" Miaka looked up at the Emperor with shining, teary eyes.
/Is that hardest thing to do/
In the back of her mind, she wanted to say no for Tamahome, but her heart said she was in love with the Emperor. "Yes. I will!" She cried, jumping on him, and embracing him tightly. 'I'm never going to throw your love away again. . .' She thought happily as Hotohori kissed her.
/When you love someone as much as I love you/
"Do you, Yuki, Miaka promise to love and care for his Majesty, Hotohori, for all of eternity? To be his willing friend, wife, and Empress?" The priest asked the girl, waiting for her answer. Miaka grinned at her love. "Of course!" She yelled, jumping on Hotohori. "Uh. . . you may kiss the bride." He replied with a sweat drop. And so, well, they kissed.
/Oh I don't wanna leave you/
"Hotohori?" Miaka asked once they were through.
"Hm?"
"When's the reception? I'm hungry."
Hotohori shook his head and looked into her brown eyes. "Not long." And, they kissed again.
/Baby it tears me up inside/
"Now, your highness, if you'll please sign here, this needs the Emperor's signature as well so please do hurry." A business man from the biggest market in the city told her. The Empress of Hong-nan stuck her tongue out at the man and threw her pen at him. "Stop rushing me or I won't sign it! It's not my fault I read slow!"
/But I'll never be the one you're needing/
"Miaka, calm down. Just sign it and I'll do the reading, alright?" A deep voice suddenly asked. She looked up and blushed, seeing Hotohori in front of her. "Oh. . . okay." She replied, a sweat drop forming on the side of her head. She signed the paper and handed it to Hotohori, throwing a glare at the man again. "Uh, Hotohori, what should I be doing now?" She asked. Hotohori looked up from the paper and responded, "Well, you first need to go back to your time and you said you were going to explain to your mother and brother that you're staying here and you don't want to leave, then Tai- Yi Jun (Sp?!) wants to speak with you about a new way to summon Suzaku since. . . Tamahome died." Miaka nodded and hugged Hotohori. "I'll be back soon, okay?" Hotohori nodded and gave Miaka a kiss. "First, go change out of that. Your mother might freak."
/I love you, goodbye/
"SHE WHAT?!" The Seiryu no Miko slammed her fist into the wall, creating a large dent on the beige color of it. "The Suzaku no Miko married Hotohori, the Emperor of Hong-nan, and since their dragon warrior died, they are already concocting a plan to summon Suzaku." The guard replied. Yui gritted her teeth and furrowed her eyebrows together. "SHE'LL DIE FOR THIS!!!!!" She screamed, once again hitting the wall with her fist.
/Baby it's never gonna work out/
"What do you mean you're going to go to Ancient China to live with your husband, the Emperor, and summon their Bird God to save their country?!" Miaka's mother demanded. The girl nodded and pulled out her suitcase. "See? Here's the kimono Hotohori bought me in honor of our wedding. It's so beautiful!" She cried, dancing around the kitchen, holding it over her. Miaka's mother balled her fist up. "What drugs are you on child?! You are aware that you *can't* go to Ancient China!! And where have you been the past day?! GET INTO YOUR ROOM AND STUDY, NOW!" She screamed.
/I love you, goodbye/
Miaka shook her head. "Hotohori and the Celestial Warriors will be worried about me. Bye, bye!" With that, Miaka put the pastel green kimono back in her suitcase and kissed her mother's cheek, heading for her brother room. "Bye Keisuke! I'm going back to Ancient China!"
/I love you, goodbye/
Nuriko sunk to her knees sadly. "IT'S NOT FAIR! IT'S JUST NOT FAIR! WHY DOES HOTOHORI HAVE TO LOVE MIAKA?!?!?!?!" She screaming, letting her tears fall from her face. "It's just not fair. . . I've loved Hotohori since childhood. . . And she just got here. . .'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Corner!!
Shi-chan: Well, that's certainly different than some of my other fanfictions. Kinda refreshing. ^_^;;; What do y'all think? Should I finish Fushigi Yuugi myself or do y'all hate it? IF YOU SAY YOU HATE IT JUST BECAUSE IT'S HOTOHORI+MIAKA, FORGET YOU!! I even *said* support Miaka and Tamahome. . .
Hotohori: I liked it.
Tamahome: Well, I, for one, didn't!
Shi-chan: *hits Tamahome with pan* Can it. We're aware you didn't like it, sheesh.
~Shi-Chan Meows~
=^o^=
