*dances around while doing the happy dance*

Whee! Here it is! Chapter nine! You've not been waiting, but I'm posting anyway! Thanks, by the ways, goies to Inuyasha lover and goku-chan for reviewing the 2 last chapters! Hey! We're almost there! Time for plot change, ne?

Oh, and I know about the… *sniffles* death of all the guys… and half-girl. I didn't like it one bit, so this story will get a happy ending, although everybody knows that they all can't get away unscathed… but who cares, right? As long as the guys (and half-girl) are okies!

Um… I'm not in the mood for a disclaimer. You know what it is.

~Taryn Eithne

Soon with the story…

Chapter Nine: Love Trap

"Given a right triangle with sides of 4 cm, 5 cm, and 6 cm, if the 6 cm side is the base. Calculate the height of the triangle? Huh?"

"Well, Miaka. This one is rather simple. See the triangle there?"

"Yeah. That doesn't help, Kori."

"Okay, add a line down the center to be the height, see?" Kori demostrated and Miaka looked at the picture closely. "Do you see any triangles in the triangle itself?" Miaka looked again and nodded.

"Yeah, that one. And if I could use the Pythagorean Theorem... then that'll give me the height!" Miaka smiled victoriously and gave the sign. Kori grinned. (I know, I know… the math is all woring, but it was in the comic, too!!)

"Not that hard after all, huh?"

"I still have to check my answer," Miaka noted grimly. She opened the answer book and smiled broadly. "Wow! My answer's correct!"

"And you expected what else?" Kori grinned again.

"You're really good at this. I never imagined a bandit would know so much..." Miaka grinned knowingly. "Nor did I expect one to be attacked when bats were ordered to attack the Earth-girl."

"Hehe... I grew up in a smart house... you know, struggle to succeed," Kori stated, chuckling and scratching the back of her head (anime-style).

"Hey, but if I can figure out a tough problem in my worst subject, it's a good omen!" Miaka cried, forgetting Kori. "Meeting Tamahome will be a breeze!"

Kori turned around to see Nuriko sneaking up. She smiled as Miaka leaned back and found Nuriko in her face. Nuriko grinned and Miaka flipped over. She suddenly became enraged and flipped the work table onto Nuriko. Kori smiled innocently and snuck out the door before Miaka faced her. She let out a deep sigh snuck down the hall quickly and quietly. Hopefully, Miaka hadn't figured out her secret.

***

"She always takes forever, doesn't she?" Kori rolled her eyes as they all waited on Miaka, again.

"Here I am," Miaka stated behind the group. All turned.

"Take the utmost care," Hotohori stated as Chichiri prepared for the travel.

"Can't we go with her?" Chiriko whined, but Chichiri shook his head.

"We gotta keep the party small. No da. Yesterday, when I connected with her and Tamahome... I noticed there was a magic barrier attached to both him and his room. No matter how skilled you may be, there are those of the enemy who can detect your presence. No da."

"I'm goin'!" Everybody heard behind them. All turned to see Tasuki standing very firmly, weapon in its strap behind his back.

"Tasuki?" Kori asked questioningly.

"Nobody'd pick up on me! I been hearin' all about this Tamahome guy. I figger it's about time t'meet 'im."

"Didn't you hear what Chichiri just said?" she asked harshly.

"I heard, but if I was goin' along..." Tasuki grinned and turned to Miaka, "I'd fix ya up with th'most yummy dumplings y'ever gobbled!" He sighed dramatically. "But it ain't gonna happen, huh?"

"We have to let the poor guy come!" Miaka cried to Chichiri suddenly. Kori rolled her eyes. Chichiri nodded fearfully and pulled himself free.

"We'll go to the part of the castle where the barriers are at their weakest. No da," Chichiri stated, preparing their portal.

"I'll see you guys later!" Miaka called a she jumped into the portal, following Tasuki. Kori watched her jealously, and right as Chichiri lept in and gave his signature, "No da," Kori lept in, too.

***

"Chichiri," Miaka stated earnestly, "It's really amazing how you can transport us so quickly, but..." She sighed. "Can't you pick a better place to land!?" She cried as three people fell out of the tree. Chichiri floated down easily.

"Are you all right? No da?" he asked as he floated down gently.

"If all right is all wrong..." Kori mumbled underneath both Tasuki and Miaka.

"What the..." Tasuki shouted, pouncing up immediately and looking for what had spoken. Kori sat up and shook her head.

"Kori!?" Miaka asked, sitting up as well. "What are you doing here!?"

"He snuck in while I was coming. No da," Chichiri answered.

"Hey, I'm no Suzaku Warrior or anything, so it can't hurt, right?"

"He has a point..." Miaka noted.

"And it's too late now..." Kori added hopefully. Chichiri nodded thoughtfully.

"I guess, since you shouldn't send out any specific chi..."

"Yay!!!" Kori lept in the air and whooped. "Now..."

"Tamahome said there was a tall tree by a patch of sweet smelling flowers. How are we going to find it?" Miaka looked around.

"Why don't we do it the traditional way? How 'bout looking?" Kori offered. "We have a while, don't we?"

"About fifteen minutes... looking would be the best solution." Kori rolled her eyes at Chichiri's reply. "Let's go this way!"

A few minutes passed while the group searched.

"Hey... could that be it?" Kori pointed at a tall tree surrounded by many, many flowers.

"Yeah, there! I finally get to see him!" Miaka smiled and gave a victory sign. She ran up to the tree. She immediately began looking around.

"It's...uh... it's gotta be at least fifteen after, Priestess," Kori stated after much waiting. Miaka sighed.

"Tama... home's... not here... It is well past the time we agreed on..."

"Why!?" Kori asked incredulously.

"What kinda guy stands a lady up like that!?" Tasuki added. "Or mebbe he's just too chicken t'escape."

"Tamahome is no coward!" Miaka cried loudly. "He's coming. He will." She looekd wistfully into the distance. "He'll show up saying, 'Sorry I'm late,' with a big grin on his face. Please, Tamahome..."

The four suddenly heard the crunching of leaves behind them. All four turned expectantly as the bushes were removed.

***

Still familiar, isn't it? *sighs* Well, we're getting ever closer to the big change… but I guess half of you already know what it is.

There's also no romance yet, is there? Besides, of course, the disgusting displays by Miaka (poor Hotohori, I say)… not that there's anything wrong with Tamahome!!

You know what, I'll just keep updating and shut up now…

~Taryn Eithne

Stay tuned for the next part of Secrets Best Left Alone, Chapter Ten: A Prelude to Love!!!

Here's the teaser line:

"Kori grinned and began to remove her shirts."