Look at the bright side… this chapter is long! Super long! And we're getting closer… closer… to the beginning of the end of the original plot!!
Okay, I confused myself. Oh well, this chapter has some extra junk in it… Like the discovery of Kori's secret… you'll find out about that…
Once again, you know the disclaimer, so I'm not gonna bother writing one, sorry!
~Taryn Eithne
So, on with the story…
Chapter Ten: A Prelude to Love
Kori nearly screamed as half the Kuto army appeared before them. A girl was standing in front of them.
"Yui!" Miaka cried, stepping forward.
"It's been a while... Miaka," the girl stated back. "You look like you're in fine spirits."
"Fools! You hide all your chi away except the Priestess's?" Nakago asked threateningly.
"We hid Miaka's chi!" Kori shouted. Nakago smiled a very unnerving smile as he looked at her.
"Well, even if you had hidden all the chi, the noise you made gave you away," he countered calmly.
"That's it! Miaka, get back!" Tasuki shouted finally. "Rekka Shin'en!"
Nothing happened at all.
"You must be Tasuki." Nakago laughed again. "What a shame for you. All your attacks have been disabled. Now... how shall be the first to die?"
"Wait a moment, Nakago!" Yui stated, almost mockingly. Nakago turned to her. "Don't you think we should enjoy this more? They are guests after all. We should prepare a welcome for them." Miaka sweat-dropped.
"Very well," Nakago replied. "Escort them to the dungeon!"
A mumble of "Yes, sir!" waved through the crowd. Miaka looked at Kori, who nodded. Miaka dived at Nakago, knocking the wind out of him.
"Miaka!" Kori shouted, not really having intended Miaka to do that. Kori followed Miaka, knocking Nakago down right before he caught wind again and got hold of Miaka. Miaka stood and helped Kori.
"Chichiri, Tasuki! Get out of here!!" Chichiri and Tasuki both hesitated. "Now!" Miaka cried again as the nearby soldiers got hold of she and Kori.
"Stop!" Tasuki cried as he and Chichiri faded out while Kori and Miaka struggled against the guards.
"They found a weakness in the barrier! Search the palace grounds!" Nakago ordered, turning angrilly to the restrained Priestess and the bandit. "And you!" He pointed to the guards restraining the two. "Take them away!"
"Yui!" Miaka shouted wildly as she was pulled away. "Tamahome... where's Tamehome!?" Yui paused and turned back.
"How should I know??' she snapped. "Sleeping in his room, maybe."
"You're lying! He promised to meet me under this tree... Tamahome... Tamahome!!"
"Miaka, he's not coming!" Kori shouted back. The guards pulled them a long, long, way. They finally reached a dark, dingy dungeon and the two were thrown in.
"Now be quiet!" the nearby guard shouted, slaming the door roughly.
"Like fun I will!" Miaka shouted back. She charged the door and began shouting, "Tamahome! Tamahome!"
"Shut. Up!" The guard shouted back.
"What'll I do now??" Miaka mumbled, having forgotten her cell mate. "Chichiri and Tasuki can't help... Tamahome's probably in the dungeon too. I have to go look for him. Yui... Your eyes were so cold... I finally got to see you... But I guess those days are gone forever..."
Kori was finally fed up with Miaka and tapped her shoulder roughly.
"Lemme alone!" Miaka shouted. "Can't you see I'm in fond recollection!?"
"Well, I hate to break it to ya, but we gotta get out of here first!" Kori retorted back roughly. "I have an idea. Come here." Miaka leaned in and the two plotted something inconspicuously.
"No!" Miaka cried, causing the guard to glance them. Kori gave him an innocent smile.
"Fine," she stated, "I will." Kori then grinned and began to remove her shirts.
"Who'd have thought you were actually a girl!" Miaka giggled as Kori removed the last of her disguise shirts. Her bright orange tank was now shining bright. Kori grinned and Miaka giggled again.
"I thought you had figured it out when I helped you with your math. I'm way passed that at home. I live in America. You're from Japan, right?"
"Yeah. Hey, let's move!" Kori nodded and lifted her shirt seductively.
"Oh mister studly guard..." she whined loudly, looking through the bars. The guard looked at her oddly.
"Wren't you just…" he stated stupidly, already half distracted by Kori's lefted tank.
She nodded seductively." Yeah, I have this itch right here..." Kori pointed to just beneath her breasts. "And I can't see it. Could you see what it is?" The guard blushed crimson and looked around wildly.
"Y'mean me!?" he asked and Kori nodded seductively.
"Please, mister..." Kori whined. "I really can't take it anymore!"
"O-O-Okay..." the guard grinned dumbly and inched into the cell. Kori leaned back and he leaned forward and she took his shoulder. She grinned and he continued bending down. 'Now, Miaka...' she thought as the guard got a little too near to her...
WHAM! The guard suddenly found himself face-to-floor where Miaka had knocked him down. He screamed as she whacked his head against the ground and he was knocked unconscious.
"Good hit, Miaka. Now... can we just kinda... not mention any of this Earthy-feminine stuff?" Kori noted, putting her collection of shirts back on. Miaka nodded and the two rushed out of the dungeon.
Meanwhile, Chichiri joyfully observed as the guards all followed the sound of a distant scream. "They're gone," he noted to Tasuki, who was pouting nearby on the same branch. "What are you so happy about, Tasuki?" he asked.
"I'm angry!" Tasuki shouted back very, very loudly. "Ya just went and left Miaka and Kori behind!!" He huffed and crossed his arms, turning away.
"We had no choice. Without being able to use our abilities, we'd never have handled so many soldiers. It was all I could do to escape." Chichiri sighed and continued. "Our best move now is to block our chi and check things out."
"How can you be so laid back?? If Miaka or Kori were hurt, we couldn't live it down! Especially Miaka!" Tasuki grumbled some more before Chichiri replied.
"You don't have to worry about Miaka. She won't be killed. I have the feeling that girl won't let anything happen to her. It's Kori I worry about. There's no telling what they'll do to him."
***
"Miaka has escaped!?"
"The bandit as well, your Eminence. The cell was empty... and the guard was unconscious." The soldier speaking bowed low.
"It's just as well," Yui grinned maliciously. "I know what to do."
"Tamahome, where are you!?" Miaka huffed, leaning over. Kori paused behind her and caught her breath as well.
"This place is too big!" Kori sighed and stood up tall. "We've got to keep going." She turned to run off in another direction, but Miaka was frozen on the spot. "What's wrong, Miaka?"
"Wha... what is that incredible fragrance!?" Miaka pulled away. "I mustn't! Now is not the time! Finding Tamahome comes first!"
"Yeah, finding Tamahome!" Kori added, but sighed helplessly as Miaka's losing fight continued. She eventually took off after the food and Kori was forced to follow. "Miaka!" she finally shouted just outside a closed door. Miaka looked back, grinning like an idiot, just before she squeaked the door open.
"W-Wh-What is this feast!?" she asked disbelieveingy, staring at the large arrangement of food before her. Kori sweat-dropped.
"Miaka, it's not for you... we've got to go find Tamahome and the others..."
"Welcome to my dinner party, Miaka." Miaka whirled around.
"Oh, no! Yui!!" she cried. Kori stepped up, ready to defend the Priestess.
"You haven't changed at all." Yui smiled and offered a seat to Miaka. "You could never resist a well cooked meal." Miaka looked at the seat fearfully. "What's that face for? I had this prepared especially for you!" Kori nodded as Miaka glanced at her. She sat down gently across from Yui and Kori stood behind her. "Please go ahead and eat. It's very good. They even provided wine." Yui laughed when Miaka even inspected the food. "Don't worry, it's not poisoned."
Miaka smiled and within seconds all the food was gone. "You're right. It was yummy!" she stated, licking the last of the bowls. Yui chuckled lightly, then began laughing. "Yui!" Miaka stated happily. "You're laughing... have you forgiven me?" Yui continued laughing. "S-Say, Yui..."
Yui suddenly stopped laughing. "Let me make one thing clear... You'll never have Tamahome back. A traitor like you doesn't deserve him."
Miaka and Kori both gasped. Kori stepped towards Miaka protectively. Yui continued. "I thought I might have you killed. But that would be too easy, so I'm letting you live. I'll even spare you you're little bandit buddy." Kori growled lightly, but Yui ignored it and sipped her wine.
"I-I know what you went through..." Miaka cried suddenly. "And I don't know how to apologize..." She would have continued, but Yui had slung her wine all over Miaka. Kori was about to retaliate, but a shocked Miaka held her back.
"Nothing you say will change anything!!" Yui cried. "You didn't save me! While I was going through hell, your little brain was filled with Tamahome!"
Miaka blinked. "Yui... I love Tamahome. It's true that part of me wanted to come back to see him. But..." Miaka sighed. "I would have come back even if Tamahome never exsisted. You're my best friend. I came back here to find you."
"No more!" Yui was trembling, and looked as if she were about to hit Miaka. "Stop playing the goody two shoes! You're always like that! For years you've been the obedient, perfect girl! I had to work my heart out to be a good student! And you! You do nothing but still you captured everyone's attention! Since I came to this world, I came to a realization. Deep down in my heart, I've always envied you!" Miaka gasped at Yui's outburst.
"What!?" Miaka cried back. "Why!?! I always envied you! You're so smart! You're so mature! Whenever the teachers got mad, they'd make you the example of the perfect student! You're in the student council! Everyone, even the dropouts, admired you. I always wanted to be like you..." Miaka looked down sadly.
"Well..." Yui huffed angrilly. "It's all too late. I won't forgive you until the day this wound heals. I won't let you have Tamahome. You'll never get him back!"
"Wait! Where is Tamahome!?" Miaka threw her hands on the table. "Please! Tell me where he is!" Yui was turning to go, but Miaka stopped her.
"I don't know where! Let me go!!" Miaka refused to let go. "Let me go!"
"Miaka!" Kori cried as Miaka was sent flying back. She flew right into somebody standing in the doorway, and Kori froze.
"Tamahome!" Miaka asked, looking at the guy in disbelief.
"Miaka...??" Tamahome asked back. Tears began to well up in Miaka's eyes. She flew at him.
"Ta...Tamahome! You don't know how much I wanted to see you!" Miaka shouted into his chest. Kori and Yui both watched in disbelief as he hugged her back.
"Miaka..." he whispered. "It's the same for me..." By the time Kori spotted the nunchucks, it was too late. "I wanted to see you, too," Tamahome stated, whipping the nunchucks around. They flew into Miaka's arm and she pulled back in disbelief. Kori took her other arm quickly and stood over her protectively.
"Tama... home...?" Miaka looked from behind Kori.
"Who the hell do you think you are? You filthy little bitch!" he cried.
"This... can't be..." Miaka whispered, falling against the wall.
"Miaka!" Kori cried, looking at the heartbroken girl.
"You need a lesson. You'll learn never to come near me again!" Tamahome grinned maliciously as Miaka blinked blankly.
"This can't be tr--IT'S NOT TRUE!" Miaka cried.
"Miaka!" Kori cried, pulling the girl down before the nunchucks hit her again. "You bastard!" Kori cried to Tamahome as he smirked.
"Tsk... I missed," he chuckled as Miaka fell to the floor sadly, ignoring Kori and her comment.
Yui then whispered something and Tamahome turned to her. "What's the matter... Yui?" he asked warmly, smiling at her. Kori growled again. She stood, ready to attack him. Unfortunately for her, he noticed.
"Hey!" he shouted to the guards just outside. Many rushed through the door. "Take that eye-sore and her stupid friend away!"
"Tama...home..." Miaka whispered again. "How... How could this be?" Guards seized both she and Kori.
"Tamahome!" both girls shouted. "Why!? How could you!?" The only difference was the tone: anger and dispair.
"Tamahome!!" Miaka shouedt again aways down the hall. "I don't understand, please!!"
"Miaka!" Kori shouted. "Miaka, hush!"
"No!" Miaka shouted back. "Let me go! Let me go!" she shouted again, struggling against the guards. Kori joined her and more guards were forced to help those restraining them. "I need to see Tamahome!" she continued.
"Shut up!" the guard shouted, hitting Miaka upside the head.
"Leave her alone!" Kori shouted.
"Or what!?" the guard snapped. "You're both going back to your cell!"
"Argh!" Kori shouted again, struggling even harder against the guards. They were now having dificulty restraining her and the Priestess.
"You stupid little twerp! Move it, girlie!"
"Quite an escort for one small girl and a feminine bandit," a sarcastic voice sounded behind them.
"I'm no girl!" Kori shouted, but the guard shut her up quickly. Miaka couldn't help but grin slightly. However, the solemn mood quickly changed her.
"General!?" one of the guards cried.
"Nakago...!? A Seiryu Celestial Warrior!" Miaka shouted (completely off-subject, btw).
"I could kill you both now, but..." Nakago smiled. "You are the Priestess of Suzaku--and you're her friend, I suppose--so I shall arrange a suitable death."
Nakago seized Miaka's wrist roughly, then took Kori's wrist as well.
"L--Let us go!" Kori shouted, trying to fight back, but she was just too weak.
"Return to your duties! I'll see to these two!" Nakago ordered.
"Let me go!" Miaka cried down the hall.
"Let us go!" Kori added, pulling even harder on her restrained wrist.
"I need to go back to see Tamahome! I have to go talk to him!" Miaka shouted, pulling and dragging her feet. Nakago pulled her even harder.
"'Go back'? Do you expect him to be waiting under that tree? If you do not keep quiet, your friends may suffer greatly."
"Leave me alone!" Kori shouted.
"Not you, pest!" Nakago shouted back.
"You mean... Tasuki and Chichiri...?" Miaka asked, thinking about her two seishis. Nakago pulled them around a corner and pointed with his Kori hand.
"Observe." He pointed to a distant column. Miaka and Kori both gasped to see Chichiri and Tasuki tied up.
"Tasuki!" Kori shouted, trying to run at him. He tried to say something (curses, most likely), but it was muffled by his gag.
"Oh, no!!" Miaka cried. She looked at Nakago fearfully. He threw Kori down with all his might and aimed his hand at Miaka.
"Miaka!" Kori cried, trying to stand in time to stop Nakago.
"Tamahome!" Miaka cried as Nakago took steady aim.
"Just kidding!" Nakago stated suddenly, ruffling Miaka's hair. Kori paused mid-attack and stared blankly.
"'Just kidding'!? Is that supposed to mean..." Nakago was suddenly looking a lot like Chichiri. "Chichiri!?" Miaka screamed along with Kori.
"Sure is! No da!" Chichiri gave a victory sign and Kori looked ready to kill him. Tasuki, meanwhile, managed to wiggle his gag off.
"Chichiri! I ain't gonna stand fer this treatment! An' what's th'deal with th'fake Chichiri hostage here!?" he cried loudly.
"With all your talk about a frontal attack, you just wouldn't listen... What did you think of my Nakago, Miaka? No da?" Chichiri was back as Nakago and turned to Miaka, who had fainted on the floor. Kori sweat-dropped. "Guess I was pretty convincing..." Chichiri chuckled.
"It's good to see that you two are okay!" Kori stated suddenly.
"Ta see that we're okay!? Yer the one that was trapped in th'dungeon!" Tasuki shouted. Kori began untying the ropes that bound him.
"Hey! We were fine! Look, Miaka's waking up..."
"You scared the daylights out of me!" Miaka shouted as soon as she was up. "I thought you were the real Nakago!"
"I'm sorry! I figured I wouldn't arouse any suspicious among the guards that way. No da." Chichiri explained. He was himself again. But he suddnely had hold of Miaka's collar and was Nakago again. "Forgive my foolishness! No da!"
"You're scaring me again!!" Miaka cried; Kori and Tasuki rolled their eyes simultaneously.
"Ferget him! Whattsa problem with yer arm, Miaka??" Tasuki had suddenly looked up and went to touch her arm.
"Easy, Tasuki!" Kori shouted as he touched the crushed arm and Miaka pulled back quickly. "Her arm's crushed!"
"Who did this to you!?! No da!?"
"Nobody!" Miaka shouted quickly, looking pleadingly at Kori. "We haven't seen anybody! I fell when we escaped from the dungeon!"
"How couldya let that happen t'her!?" Tasuki shouted at Kori, who flinched.
"It wasn't my fault!" Kori shouted back. "She fell! How was I to stop it!?"
"Nevermind it!" Chichiri shouted. "You should go back and have Mitsukake fix it." He turned to leave. "I'll go into the palace to find Tamahome. No da."
"He's right! Let Chichiri take care o'Tamahome, an' let's get that bleedin; stopped." Tasuki took out a cloth from his jacket and began to wrap up Miaka's injured arm, with Kori's help. "That'll fix ya up!" Tasuki stated after a moment.
"What the heck can that be!?" Miaka cried suddenly, pointing at some unseen onbject in the distance. Kori and Tasuki both turned to see what she was pointing at. Before either could react, Miaka had Tasuki tied back to the column. She began to run in another direction.
"Are you outtayer mind!?!" Tasuki shouted after her.
"Forgive me, Tasuki!" Miaka shouted as she headed off. Kori went to follow her, but remembered the helpless Tasuki.
"I can't believe I fell for the same trick twice!!" Tasuki shouted as Kori untied him. She rolled her eyes and pulled him after her to follow Miaka.
"Where could she be!?" Kori shouted helplessly. They had been looking for what seemed like ages now.
"Th'tree!" Tasuki shouted suddenly. Kori nodded and they headed off.
"Tasuki! Kori! My cover's blown! We gotta get outta--where's Miaka!?" Chichri appeared before the two of them and they nearly jumped out of their skin.
"At the tree, we think!" Kori replied quickly, continuing her sprint. She heaved a quick breath: she couldn't remember ever running like this in America... but why was she suddenly remembering her past, past life? She was a Suzaku Guardian's guardian... kind of.
"Shit!" Kori shouted as she spotted Tamahome and Miaka near the tree.
"What the hell's he doin'!?" Tasuki shouted as he watched Tamahome bring out his nunchucks. "No!" Before Kori or Chichiri could react, Tasuki had dashed over and taken Miaka up, taking the blow himself.
"Tasuki!!" Kori cried, dashing over to where he had landed. He was setting Miaka down gently.
"Are you okay? No da?" Chichiri asked him and he nodded.
"I'm fine! But Miaka..." He shook her gently. "Open yer damn eyes, Miaka!"
"The Celestial Warriors of Suzaku. Good! You saved me the effort of finding you. I can kill you all now!" Tamahome laughed and Kori stood up quickly.
"Tamahome!? What's wrong with you? No da?" Chichiri asked.
"He's gone nuts!" Kori spat. Tamahome sneered at her.
"So yer the one..." Tasuki stated. "Who broke Miaka's arm!" Tamahome said nothing. "I'm right, ain't I?"
"Hold on, Tasuki! Calm down!" Kori pleaded. He ignored her.
"It ain't just Miaka's arm you crushed! You crushed her hopes! You ground her soul inta dust! I don't care what yer reasons are... Yer not gettin' away with it!" Kori finally gave up and took out her bow and arrows.
"What're you gonna do about it?" Tamahome asked Tasuki.
"DO? I'm gonna pound yer head in!"
***
Go Tasuki! *sigh* He's my fav… can you tell? Okay, since I'm posting two, this message'll be short…
So Miaka knows Kori's secret now, doesn't she? Can she keep it? And what will she do, now that she knows? What will Kori do?
Wait and find out! I have school (sigh… two weeks isn't long enough) tomorrow, so I may not post, but next time, you'll get your two chapters, I promise!
So stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Secrets Best Left Alone (my favorite chappies are next, too!), Chapter Eleven: A Duel Without Mercy!!!
~Taryn Eithne
Here's a teaser for ya:
"'I... I can't take it anymore!' Kori cried…"