Okay, I would just like to note now that thi schapter is old. I mean Taiitsukun old. So please don't be offended by its overall horribleness. Or its not-so-overall horribleness. I kind of is, after all, just a comic relief and a nice little break from all the dramatic tension… yeah. We've been studying Macbeth in Literature. You've just gotta love the porter, ne?

A shout-out to… nobody!?!?

Well, fine, I wont even put a disclaimer then… that and I'm lazy…

So let's just get on with the story…

Chapter Twenty: Newcomer's Preparations

"So… Our relationship with Genbu's country is… what?" Kori asked Hotohori cautiously. The two were taking somewhat of a stroll as Hotohori reviewed Kori's responsibilities.

"Not as hostile as our relationship with Kuto, but not friendly, either," Hotohori replied. "We will have to travel stealithily through the country."

"And how far into the country do we have to go?"

"Almost to the center, where the temple resides."

"Should I feel guilty about having second thoughts about this whole Priestess thing?" Hotohori laughed at this last one.

"Of course not! Even Miaka was hesitant about her travels."

"That's good. Not that I'm dropping out!"

"I never suspected you of such. I am still trying to convince myself that you have been a girl this whole time. I will admit that you seemed terribly… feminine for a bandit, but your masculine disguise was excellent!"

"Thanks, Your Majesty—"

"Hotohori, please!"

"Sorry… it still feels weird. I'm not used to this whole friends with the most powerful teenager in the world thing…"

Hotohori laughed again.

"I imagine it would be," he chuckled again and wiped a tear from his eye.

"Excuse me." An attendant was in the doorway. She bowed deeply and looked up. "The horses are ready for departure."

"Horses?" Kori cocked an eyebrow and looked at Hotohori questioningly.

"We will ride to the edge of the country and travel by foot when we reach the borders. At leaast until we reach the great river; then we will travel by boat."

"Ah. All is understood."

"We will depart after we eat. Send for the cook," Hotohori waved the attendant away. She nodded and bowed, disappearing behind the door.

"Oo… I'm getting all tingly inside!" Kori laughed and rubbed her arms. "We even get a big feast!"

"To save us from Miaka's complaints," Hotohori explained.

"I really can't blame you. Say, how's it going with the bottomless pit anyway?" Kori glanced at Hotohori and hoped she hadn't hit a sore spot.

"I let her go…" Hotohori whispered, averting his eyes.

"Wha…?"

"I… I knew I could never have her, so I let her go…"

"Your Majesty—Hotohori, I'm so sorry…"

"It is all right. I stood no chance, anyway."

"Is there anything I can do…?"

Hotohori turned and looked deep into Kori's eyes, his searching for something that Kori wasn't quite sure of. She smiled a light, comforting smile and he grinned back. He shook his head through his grin.

"Okay. If you ever need anything, though, just call me, okay?" She paused just as her stomach gave a growl. "Hey! Are you hungry! I could eat a horse!"

"We don't eat horses here… Do you where you come from?"

"No!" Kori laughed this time. "It's just an expression. It means that I'm starving. We don't eat horses, either."

"That's good. Horses make excellent travelling means."

"Um… sure, whatever. Does the gong mean dinner?"

"It should." Kori grinned as he finished his statement and took Hotohori's hand warmly, pulling him towards where they could eat.

"Finally, food!" Miaka nearly shouted as she wolfed down a large chicken… er, turkey… er, something… leg.

"Are you going to let us have any?" Kori asked, smirking in a disgusted manner at Miaka. Miaka shook her head. "Expected…"

"I wonder how much more we'll have to do after we retrieve the Shinzaho from Genbu's country?" Chiriko stated randomly.

"I'm taking a wild stab at fetching something from Byakko's country, then who knows?" Nuriko. replied He sipped his wine.

"Makes sense," Kori affirmed. "Guess we'll just have to wait and see! I'm finished…" She pushed her plate away and the others, excluding Miaka, all pushed theirs away, too. Miaka looked longingly at hers.

"I'm still stocking up for the trip!" she whined through her tofu-ish dish.

"Who said you were coming?" Kori asked, looking at Miaka sternly.

"Bu' I haffa go wish yoo!" Miaka whined again though her food.

Kori looked at her with the sternest look she could muster, then burst into peals of laughter.

"Were this anyone else, I would say no, but I can't break Tama's heart now, can I!?" She ruffled Tamahome's hair playfully and he grinned. "You'll just have to take care of yourself at least a little bit!"

"I can take care of myself!" Miaka stated, standing up. Kori rolled her eyes and placed a piece of meat onto a chopstick. She aimed and flicked it at Miaka, who shrieked as the food went qhizzing at her. Luckily for her, Tamahome caught it easily with his own chopsticks.

"That's what I mean," Kori stated seriously. "Tamahome, can you at least teach her the basics of martial arts on our trip?"

"Sure thing, Your Eminence," Tamahome replied, ruffling Miaka's hair and handing her the meat that had come so close to ruining her hair.

"Sounds like fun!" Miaka grinned and ate the meat a little too quickly.

"Beh…" Kori glanced down at Tasuki, who was facing the other direction at the other end of the table. She sighed dejectedly, but managed a smile.

About half an hour passed, and Miaka was still eating. She had, as a matter-of-fact, just finished her twenty-third course. The others had chatted merrily for a while, but were now staring at Miaka with wide eyes, agape mouths, and rasied eyebrows. Tamahome was the first to speak again.

"Are you… almost finished?"

"Finished!" Miaka shouted in reply, licking the last empty plate.

"Great!" Kori stood. She made a ball with her fist and smiled. "Let's go!"

***

… I almost don't even want to comment on this one. But I want to get it up as soon as possible and just get the plot moving, you know? I'm sick of nothing happening!!! So yeah… that was Chapter Twenty. I apologize and I wanna promise that the nexy chapter'll be a bit longer and better, but there's no garuntees.

So now that I've scared you away, come back and see how the next installment of Secrets Best Left Alone turns out!! Next chapter, Chapter Twenty One: Departure of a New Beginning!!!!

~Taryn Eithne

Teaser line? Oh yeah!! Here it is…

"'I let her go…'

'Oh… Look—'"

Ew… crap teaser… but you hafta wonder…