A/n: This chapter is dedicated to AnimeFreak.
Chapter 5: The Mix-up
"Time to spice things up."
Tasuki made a smooth entrance using the flower bud as his microphone. "What do you think? I could be Poppy Spice." He struck a pose a la Spice Girls.
"You don't have the curves, no da," commented Chichiri blandly. "Now get back to work. Night will not last forever. Put a drop of poppy dew in Tamahome's eyes."
Tasuki grudgingly went to work. "Hmm, which one is Tamahome, again?" Tasuki looked around, but Chichiri was gone. "Looks like I have three choices here. I could wait for Smiling Monk Man to pop back, I could use the eeny- meeny-miney-moe method, or I could do this."
Tasuki dripped poppy dew into Hotohori's eyes then walked over to Tamahome and did the same. That should do it he thought as he walked off to find a spot to finish his nap.
~*~ Midnight, or so said the full moon. A cool breeze to revive sleeping lovers.
Tamahome woke with a soft sigh. "Miaka," he said with a smile even before he opened his eyes. His arm closed in for a hug but only touched air. "Miaka?" Now he was fully awake. "Miaka! Where are you?" Tamahome unnecessarily checked their makeshift bed. The girl was nowhere to be seen. Tamahome widen his search drawn by a whisper of movement.
The longer he followed the closer he got. Pretty soon a figure was in sight. Tamahome increased his speed and called out to the mystery girl. She turned and his eyes locked onto the young woman's hazel eyes. Fireworks went off in his heart.
"Oh Nuriko," he greeted, the lustful intent clearly evident. In a second he was beside her running his hands over her arms.
"Get your hands off me, Tamahome." When he didn't stop she continued, "I'm warning you. Don't make hurt you."
"My sweet, you could never hurt me."
"Wanna bet?" Nuriko's hands fisted at her side. What had gotten into Tamahome? With a quick shrug she escaped his light hold.
"My love is strong. She plays hard to get."
"Get a grip, Tamahome." Then remembering his touch added, "maybe not. Just keep your distance, okay?"
"Okay. Anything you want, Princess." He paused as if some great secret had been revealed to him. "That's right. You're a princess. Princesses have a lot of money, don't they?"
"Only you could think of money at a time like this." ~*~
Meanwhile Miaka dreamed of her dear Tamahome and of waking in his arms. Her body responded to the thought by producing a lustful sigh and restoring consciousness to Miaka. Her hands were the first to gain function. Her fingers walked over Tamahome's chest caressing warm flesh.
Something was wrong. Something felt different. Her eyes fluttered open. The first thing they saw was bare chest. Lots of it. Oh my. She had heard of overnight growth spurts, but this was ridiculous. Her eyes traveled down to bellybutton. It was hairy. Then her gaze went upward. Long dark hair curled around broad shoulders. Hair that shimmered like.
"Hotohori," she gasped in shock.
What am I doing sleeping with Hotohori? Where is Tamahome? Was he all right? What is going on? The thoughts came all at once running into each other. The most important one was to find Tamahome. She needed to make sure he was fine. Carefully, she got up off Hotohori and embarked on her quest.
~*~
Miaka grabbed Tamahome's hand. She was shocked by the expression he had when he turned to look at her.
"Do I know you?" he said derisively.
"Tamahome," she sobbed softly to the back of his hand. He had returned his attention to Nuriko. "Tamahome, why are you doing this?" she pleaded.
He was ignoring her, for he only had eyes for the purple goddess before him. Realizing this Miaka turned her attention to Nuriko.
"Nuriko? What kind of spell have you cast on Tamahome?"
"Get real, Miaka. You're the Priestess of Suzaku, not me."
Miaka found that hard to believe when Tamahome was trying to devour Nuriko's beauty mark with sloppy kisses. He had one hand alternating between cradling the back of Nuriko's head and blocking Nuriko's attempts to get his lips off her face while the other was straining against the death hold Miaka had on it. She had refused to let go of it when he disregarded her.
While Miaka was trying to hold on to Tamahome, Nuriko was trying to do the exact opposite. All her attempts however could not dissuade Tamahome's ardent advances. Finding no other choice, Nuriko hit him on the head. He went down like a sack of lead hormones. Seeing her chance to escape Nuriko took it without even a cursory goodbye.
Miaka didn't even notice, for now she could tend her errant love in peace. "Once you wake up, we'll realize this is all just a bad, bad dream," she cooed as she stroked the hair off his brow.
~*~
Nuriko found a small pool of water. "Great! I can wash Tamahome's drool off my face." She wondered how Miaka could stand it. The guy had serious morning breath.
The water felt cool against Nuriko's skin. It was refreshing and relaxing at the same time. The water was so inviting. Nuriko took a long deep breath of the fresh night air. It was actually quite warm. A quick dip in this secluded pool would help ease the tension that was building up in her neck and shoulders. She needed to be calm and serene when she found the Emperor again. If Miaka could seduce him with her rash, tomboyish ways, she could lure him back with perfect noble grace. Princess Kourin could be just as tempting as the Priestess of Suzaku.
These were the thoughts and plans that occupied Nuriko's mind as she stripped. "Ahhh," she sighed with pleasure as she walked into the pool. The water greeted her like a lover, hugging her every curve and touching every inch of skin beneath its rippling surface.
~*~
Soft splashing and feminine laughter drew Hotohori towards the pond. He had woken early with a nasty headache. He couldn't quite remember how he had got the headache or what he was doing in the forest. All he knew was that he was searching for something, someone - a special someone. With that mission in mind, Hotohori stepped into the clearing surrounding a tennyo's moonlit pool.
Hotohori was stopped in his tracks. "Can it be?" For surely this water nymph must be real. "It must be true. There is one as beautiful as me, and it is she." Hotohori's heart was skipping and so were his feet. At the sound the creature turned to directly face him, and Hotohori knew he was not dreaming.
"Princess Kourin," he called to her, his arms outstretched ready to embrace as soon as she was within reach. Without a care he lifted the naked Nuriko out of the water.
Nuriko's heart fluttered. She wasn't sure whether it was desire or indignation. But, oh, Hotohori was so strong, wasn't he. The muscular arms which held sword in battle were now caressing her.
With regret Nuriko regained her senses. This must some sort of joke. Just an hour ago Hotohori was with Miaka. They were trying to make a fool out of her. Why did they have to hit where she was most vulnerable? Why?
"Your Majesty, please don't do this. Let me go."
"Why? I've finally found what I've been searching for. It's you, my love."
Words like that chipped at Nriko's resolve. How she wanted to believe his words, but they could not possibly be true. Still she would not believe Hotohori could be so cruel. Nuriko shivered at the thought.
Thinking his precious princess was cold, Hotohori stripped off his outer coat and wrapped it around her. Nuriko had to hide a laugh despite the situation. On Hotohori, the cloak fell full length, so now that she was wearing it several inches of cloth piled at her feet. Nuriko had always dreamed of having Hotohori give her something this personal, but she had never considered this particular detail.
Hotohori took advantage of her lighten mood by leaning in for a kiss. Nuriko stopped him, his lips a breath away. "We can't," she whispered half- heartedly, fantasy battling with reality.
"Whatever you say, my lovely dove. We could stay right here and admire ourselves all night." To prove his sincerity, he pulled Nuriko down with him as he lounged by the edge of the water. "Don't we make a beautiful couple."
Hotohori was being such a gentleman. How could she have suspected him of trickery, Nuriko asked herself. Giving in to her longing, she moved closer to Hotohori. He tucked a damp strand of purple hair behind her ear and whispered a wicked suggestion.
"Emperor!" Nuriko stood in shock, but a deep blush colored her cheek.
"You can call me Hori Hori."
"Hey. That's my pet name for you," Miaka exclaimed from behind them. She was being dragged by Tamahome, whose hand was still firmly cluthched in her own.
"Nuriko. Princess, I've been looking everywhere for. I like a girl who plays hard to get." He gave her a lecherous wink.
"Hey!" cried an insulted Miaka. She turned her attention to her so-called friend. "Nuriko, wasn't Tamahome enough? Why did you have to take Hotohori as well?"
"What about you?" Nuriko snapped back. "What were you doing sleeping with Hotohori. You know I like him." She finished the retort by repeating Maika's own words, "Wasn't Tamahome enough?"
Miaka turned red with embarrassment and guilt. They were unnecessary as Tamahome and Hotohori were blivious to their conversation.
Indeed, they both seemed to be bewitched by Nuriko. Each held one of her hands and was looking at her with puppy dog eyes.
"Nuriko," Tamahome beckoned as he pulled her towards him.
"Kourin," Hotohori countered.
"Princess." *tug*
"Queen of my heart." *yank*
"My love." *jerk*
"My lovely dove." *wrench*
Miaka was left to gawk as the two men began a tug of war with Nuriko playing the role of rope.
Taiitsu-kun: And so ends the fourth act in this Scandalous Play.
A/n: I finally got done with this chapter. There are just not enough hours in a day. Now that you know the power of the poppy flower, it's time to vote. Who ends up with whom? You help decide.
Thanks to Miaka Sukunami and Violettegal for giving me a push to finish this chapter. Keep the reviews coming.
Q/A: there is a reason for all this madness. The course of true love never did run smoothly.so read on to find out.
Chapter 5: The Mix-up
"Time to spice things up."
Tasuki made a smooth entrance using the flower bud as his microphone. "What do you think? I could be Poppy Spice." He struck a pose a la Spice Girls.
"You don't have the curves, no da," commented Chichiri blandly. "Now get back to work. Night will not last forever. Put a drop of poppy dew in Tamahome's eyes."
Tasuki grudgingly went to work. "Hmm, which one is Tamahome, again?" Tasuki looked around, but Chichiri was gone. "Looks like I have three choices here. I could wait for Smiling Monk Man to pop back, I could use the eeny- meeny-miney-moe method, or I could do this."
Tasuki dripped poppy dew into Hotohori's eyes then walked over to Tamahome and did the same. That should do it he thought as he walked off to find a spot to finish his nap.
~*~ Midnight, or so said the full moon. A cool breeze to revive sleeping lovers.
Tamahome woke with a soft sigh. "Miaka," he said with a smile even before he opened his eyes. His arm closed in for a hug but only touched air. "Miaka?" Now he was fully awake. "Miaka! Where are you?" Tamahome unnecessarily checked their makeshift bed. The girl was nowhere to be seen. Tamahome widen his search drawn by a whisper of movement.
The longer he followed the closer he got. Pretty soon a figure was in sight. Tamahome increased his speed and called out to the mystery girl. She turned and his eyes locked onto the young woman's hazel eyes. Fireworks went off in his heart.
"Oh Nuriko," he greeted, the lustful intent clearly evident. In a second he was beside her running his hands over her arms.
"Get your hands off me, Tamahome." When he didn't stop she continued, "I'm warning you. Don't make hurt you."
"My sweet, you could never hurt me."
"Wanna bet?" Nuriko's hands fisted at her side. What had gotten into Tamahome? With a quick shrug she escaped his light hold.
"My love is strong. She plays hard to get."
"Get a grip, Tamahome." Then remembering his touch added, "maybe not. Just keep your distance, okay?"
"Okay. Anything you want, Princess." He paused as if some great secret had been revealed to him. "That's right. You're a princess. Princesses have a lot of money, don't they?"
"Only you could think of money at a time like this." ~*~
Meanwhile Miaka dreamed of her dear Tamahome and of waking in his arms. Her body responded to the thought by producing a lustful sigh and restoring consciousness to Miaka. Her hands were the first to gain function. Her fingers walked over Tamahome's chest caressing warm flesh.
Something was wrong. Something felt different. Her eyes fluttered open. The first thing they saw was bare chest. Lots of it. Oh my. She had heard of overnight growth spurts, but this was ridiculous. Her eyes traveled down to bellybutton. It was hairy. Then her gaze went upward. Long dark hair curled around broad shoulders. Hair that shimmered like.
"Hotohori," she gasped in shock.
What am I doing sleeping with Hotohori? Where is Tamahome? Was he all right? What is going on? The thoughts came all at once running into each other. The most important one was to find Tamahome. She needed to make sure he was fine. Carefully, she got up off Hotohori and embarked on her quest.
~*~
Miaka grabbed Tamahome's hand. She was shocked by the expression he had when he turned to look at her.
"Do I know you?" he said derisively.
"Tamahome," she sobbed softly to the back of his hand. He had returned his attention to Nuriko. "Tamahome, why are you doing this?" she pleaded.
He was ignoring her, for he only had eyes for the purple goddess before him. Realizing this Miaka turned her attention to Nuriko.
"Nuriko? What kind of spell have you cast on Tamahome?"
"Get real, Miaka. You're the Priestess of Suzaku, not me."
Miaka found that hard to believe when Tamahome was trying to devour Nuriko's beauty mark with sloppy kisses. He had one hand alternating between cradling the back of Nuriko's head and blocking Nuriko's attempts to get his lips off her face while the other was straining against the death hold Miaka had on it. She had refused to let go of it when he disregarded her.
While Miaka was trying to hold on to Tamahome, Nuriko was trying to do the exact opposite. All her attempts however could not dissuade Tamahome's ardent advances. Finding no other choice, Nuriko hit him on the head. He went down like a sack of lead hormones. Seeing her chance to escape Nuriko took it without even a cursory goodbye.
Miaka didn't even notice, for now she could tend her errant love in peace. "Once you wake up, we'll realize this is all just a bad, bad dream," she cooed as she stroked the hair off his brow.
~*~
Nuriko found a small pool of water. "Great! I can wash Tamahome's drool off my face." She wondered how Miaka could stand it. The guy had serious morning breath.
The water felt cool against Nuriko's skin. It was refreshing and relaxing at the same time. The water was so inviting. Nuriko took a long deep breath of the fresh night air. It was actually quite warm. A quick dip in this secluded pool would help ease the tension that was building up in her neck and shoulders. She needed to be calm and serene when she found the Emperor again. If Miaka could seduce him with her rash, tomboyish ways, she could lure him back with perfect noble grace. Princess Kourin could be just as tempting as the Priestess of Suzaku.
These were the thoughts and plans that occupied Nuriko's mind as she stripped. "Ahhh," she sighed with pleasure as she walked into the pool. The water greeted her like a lover, hugging her every curve and touching every inch of skin beneath its rippling surface.
~*~
Soft splashing and feminine laughter drew Hotohori towards the pond. He had woken early with a nasty headache. He couldn't quite remember how he had got the headache or what he was doing in the forest. All he knew was that he was searching for something, someone - a special someone. With that mission in mind, Hotohori stepped into the clearing surrounding a tennyo's moonlit pool.
Hotohori was stopped in his tracks. "Can it be?" For surely this water nymph must be real. "It must be true. There is one as beautiful as me, and it is she." Hotohori's heart was skipping and so were his feet. At the sound the creature turned to directly face him, and Hotohori knew he was not dreaming.
"Princess Kourin," he called to her, his arms outstretched ready to embrace as soon as she was within reach. Without a care he lifted the naked Nuriko out of the water.
Nuriko's heart fluttered. She wasn't sure whether it was desire or indignation. But, oh, Hotohori was so strong, wasn't he. The muscular arms which held sword in battle were now caressing her.
With regret Nuriko regained her senses. This must some sort of joke. Just an hour ago Hotohori was with Miaka. They were trying to make a fool out of her. Why did they have to hit where she was most vulnerable? Why?
"Your Majesty, please don't do this. Let me go."
"Why? I've finally found what I've been searching for. It's you, my love."
Words like that chipped at Nriko's resolve. How she wanted to believe his words, but they could not possibly be true. Still she would not believe Hotohori could be so cruel. Nuriko shivered at the thought.
Thinking his precious princess was cold, Hotohori stripped off his outer coat and wrapped it around her. Nuriko had to hide a laugh despite the situation. On Hotohori, the cloak fell full length, so now that she was wearing it several inches of cloth piled at her feet. Nuriko had always dreamed of having Hotohori give her something this personal, but she had never considered this particular detail.
Hotohori took advantage of her lighten mood by leaning in for a kiss. Nuriko stopped him, his lips a breath away. "We can't," she whispered half- heartedly, fantasy battling with reality.
"Whatever you say, my lovely dove. We could stay right here and admire ourselves all night." To prove his sincerity, he pulled Nuriko down with him as he lounged by the edge of the water. "Don't we make a beautiful couple."
Hotohori was being such a gentleman. How could she have suspected him of trickery, Nuriko asked herself. Giving in to her longing, she moved closer to Hotohori. He tucked a damp strand of purple hair behind her ear and whispered a wicked suggestion.
"Emperor!" Nuriko stood in shock, but a deep blush colored her cheek.
"You can call me Hori Hori."
"Hey. That's my pet name for you," Miaka exclaimed from behind them. She was being dragged by Tamahome, whose hand was still firmly cluthched in her own.
"Nuriko. Princess, I've been looking everywhere for. I like a girl who plays hard to get." He gave her a lecherous wink.
"Hey!" cried an insulted Miaka. She turned her attention to her so-called friend. "Nuriko, wasn't Tamahome enough? Why did you have to take Hotohori as well?"
"What about you?" Nuriko snapped back. "What were you doing sleeping with Hotohori. You know I like him." She finished the retort by repeating Maika's own words, "Wasn't Tamahome enough?"
Miaka turned red with embarrassment and guilt. They were unnecessary as Tamahome and Hotohori were blivious to their conversation.
Indeed, they both seemed to be bewitched by Nuriko. Each held one of her hands and was looking at her with puppy dog eyes.
"Nuriko," Tamahome beckoned as he pulled her towards him.
"Kourin," Hotohori countered.
"Princess." *tug*
"Queen of my heart." *yank*
"My love." *jerk*
"My lovely dove." *wrench*
Miaka was left to gawk as the two men began a tug of war with Nuriko playing the role of rope.
Taiitsu-kun: And so ends the fourth act in this Scandalous Play.
A/n: I finally got done with this chapter. There are just not enough hours in a day. Now that you know the power of the poppy flower, it's time to vote. Who ends up with whom? You help decide.
Thanks to Miaka Sukunami and Violettegal for giving me a push to finish this chapter. Keep the reviews coming.
Q/A: there is a reason for all this madness. The course of true love never did run smoothly.so read on to find out.