Disclaimer: I think you get the message. I just own my original characters and the story. Also, any song lyrics I use belong to their writers/artists. I will post where I got them as well.
Basic story notes: "Talking." 'Thoughts.' Any speaking with a star (*) in front of it is in English. All other speech is in Japanese.
Comments: All right, I'm posting again. If y'all review, great, if not, oh well. I know some people like my story so that's good enough for me. If you wanna tell me this suck, go ahead, just tell me why it sucks. It doesn't do much good if ya just tell me it's bad. I need to know why. Well, here I go again. (No, I don't like Miaka or Taka. Yes, there will be lots of bashing. You have been warned. If not in this chapter, in the ones to follow.)
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After a two-week ride back to the capital, the girls made themselves at home in the palace. Kei found it easy to pass the time by annoying Tasuki. Even if she wanted to go home, she really didn't mind staying in a palace.
During the 3rd week of being in Konan, Tasuki found Kei sleeping in her room. She was wearing a loose shirt and pant set she had gotten in town.
Tasuki sat on a chair next to the bed and brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. 'So Chibi-chan, what are you hiding? I know you're not everything you appear to be…' He smiled as she turned over and her hair slid over her face again. 'No, you're much more… What are you hiding?' Tasuki got up and started to leave. Kei woke up and saw him.
"Tasuki? Is that you?" She sleepily pushed her hair out of her face and rubbed her eyes. "What are you doing in here?"
"Wha? Yeah, it's me. Did I wake you?" Tasuki glanced back.
"What? No…I don't sleep for very long during the day. Now why are you here?"
"Just checking up on you?"
Kei grinned. "And why were you doing that?"
Tasuki blushed and turned away again. "No real reason. Just making sure you're adjusting to palace life okay."
Kei hopped out of bed and skipped up next to Tasuki. "You like me, don't you?"
"Wha? I do not like you! Get real! I don't like women! I had enough of girls growing up!" Tasuki snapped back.
Kei grinned again. "So you're gay?"
Tasuki's face went pale. "What the hell? NO! I'm not gay! I just don't wanna ever get married! Especially not to someone like you!"
Kei giggled. "You liar! You do so like me and you know it! I know you want me!" She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You can't lie to me, Bandit Boy!"
Tasuki was pissed off. "Is it your personal goal in life to annoy me to death?"
"Now that you mention it, it is!" Kei stood up on her toes and kissed Tasuki on the cheek. "See ya later, Bandit Boy!" Before he could answer, Kei let him go and ran down the hall to Lily's room.
Tasuki stood confused in her doorway. "Damn… What is it with her?" Tasuki brushed his fingers across his cheek. 'I'm not even supposed to like women… Why does she suddenly pop into my life like this? Makin' stupid comments like that… But if she keeps acting the way she has been, I'll have to change my opinion of women. I gotta admit, she's hot… Damn I gotta stop thinkin' like that…' He grinned and headed back to his room.
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"I'll never understand you, Kei. You said last week that you hated Tasuki!" Lily sat on her bed, exasperated by her young friend after she told Lily what she had just done.
"I did not!"
"Did too! I quote 'That asshole Tasuki is so stupid! I hate him so much!' end quote. Your opinion of people changes more than the stock market." Lily lowered her sunglasses and stared at Kei.
"Well, maybe it does change a lot, but I do like him." Kei clasped her hands behind her head.
"You need help. Tasuki doesn't like women, remember?"
"Whatever. I'll make him come around…" Kei walked out of the room.
"Kei! I wouldn't!" She was already gone. "That girl, sometimes I swear…"
"Swearing isn't nice, no da!" A chibi Chichiri popped up in her face.
"Chi…Chi…Chichiri-san? How'd you get in here? I didn't see you come in!" Lily was, to say the least, startled by the monk's sudden appearance.
"Teleportation is a wonderful mode of transportation, na no da!" Chichiri sat cross-legged on the bed next to her.
Lily giggled. "Well, you'll have to show me sometime. I've never done it before."
Chichiri felt his cheeks burn as Lily lightly brushed her fingers down his arm. "Ah…Um…Of…of course I'll show you how it's done one of these days…"
Lily smiled. Even though it was mean, she liked making Chichiri nervous. He was so cute when he got nervous around her. "Just kidding, Chichiri-san. You don't have to if you don't want to." Lily regained control of her flirty side and smiled sweetly at him.
"Ah, no problem, no da. It wouldn't bother me to show you someday." Chichiri smiled back.
"Was there anything you wanted, Chichiri-san?"
"No. Not really, na no da. I just felt like talking."
"Oh, alright. That's cool."
Lily and Chichiri sat together in her room talking.
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Taki was standing outside in the palace gardens in one of the small gazebo. Kei ran outside with Huan-Lang and joined her friend.
"Hey, Taki! Whatcha doin' out here?" Kei jumped up onto the railing and faced Taki. Kei pulled a cigarette and lighter out of a pocket and started smoking.
"You shouldn't smoke. It's bad for you. But I was just out here thinking." Taki was leaning on the railing and gripping it until her knuckles turned white. Kei noticed it. Huan-Lang nudged Taki's hand with his nose.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing…really."
Kei sighed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure, and that's why your knuckles are whiter than that swan over there." Kei pointed across the gardens.
"Look, it isn't important. I don't feel like talking right now."
Kei looked around again. She noticed Hotohori with some of his advisors. "*I'll bet you'd talk if Hotohori was around." Kei grinned evilly.
Taki turned bright red. "What the hell is that suppose to mean?!" Taki glared at Kei.
"Exactly what you think it means! It isn't that hard to see that you like him!" Kei got off the railing and was waving her hands in the air. Huan-Lang sat obediently next to his mistress and looked up at Taki.
Taki turned away and blushed. "Are you insane? I do not! I will not fall for another guy! Especially not Hotohori!" Taki gripped the rail again.
"Why not?! Hotohori is such a nice guy! He'd never hurt you and you know it!"
Taki frowned. "Whatever. I don't wanna fall in love. It isn't worth it anymore." Taki walked away for Kei. "I said it once and I'll say it again, 'Never again will I let myself fall for a guy,' no exceptions. End of discussion" Taki went back to her room.
Kei frowned. 'Yeah right…maybe I'll just play matchmaker. They'd make such a cute couple. I can't pass up the chance. Taki hasn't been out with a gut in years. She needs to get out.' Kei grinned and ran her fingers through Huan-Lang's fur. 'This is far from over. I'll get those two together if it's the last thing I do.'
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Hikari collected a few things from around her room and started to head out the door. Tai Itsukun appeared in her giant mirror again.
"Hikari-sama, where are you going?"
"I need some things from my room in my daughter's home. I will watch Kei from there. Go away."
"You know I can't do that."
"You sure as Hell could try. You're going to kill my only granddaughter."
"It wasn't my choice. The condition of this world is growing worse. When Miaka kept coming and going, it quickly worsened the rifts. Kei has to fulfill her destiny!"
"Destiny! Destiny? She'll die! You call that a destiny? She doesn't even know!" Hikari was angered by Tai Itsukun's cruel way of going on about Kei.
"But she does know! She's known for years! Ever since she was 8!"
"What? She's known for over 10 years? How? Why wouldn't she say anything?" Hikari was totally surprised but a bit angry.
"Because you were trying protect her from the truth! She didn't want to spoil that! How could she have told you that she knew she'd die early? She has an enormous amount of responsibility on her and she didn't want you to know she knew! How can you be mad at her for that?" Tai Itsukun yelled back.
"I suppose you're right. But I still have to try to help her! I don't want to be the one to explain to her mother what happened to her! Sora has been fiercely protective of her since her real father's death. Sora doesn't even believe in Konan. She'll never believe that Kei was carrying the soul of a goddess inside her!"
"Hikari-sama, please just calm down. The seishi will protect her for now. She'll be fine."
"I wish I could believe that. We both know that can't be true. But maybe I can force myself to believe it for some time." Hikari waved her hand at Tai Itsukun and her image faded away before she could say another word. Hikari sighed and ran her finger through her jet-black hair. She had no choice but to hope for the best. After she grabbed a few more things, she left the house and drove to Kei's home, about an hour and a half away.
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Kei was still standing in the gardens with Huan-Lang, finishing her cigarette. Tasuki was walking near the gazebo and noticed her. He decided to sneak up on her. He quietly crept up behind her. He was so quiet Huan-Lang didn't even notice him. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her backwards. Kei screamed when she fell backwards. Tasuki couldn't stop laughing while holding her.
"Tasuki! You stupid bastard! What the hell was that for?" Kei regained her balance, pulled herself out of his arms, and glared at him.
He was still laughing. "I…I couldn't resist…you were standing there, so I did what any other guy would do…the look on your face was priceless…oh man…ha ha…oh jeez…that was good."
"Not fair! I was thinking! I can't believe you!"
Tasuki grabbed her in a flash and pulled her to him again. "Hey, it wasn't that bad, was it?" Tasuki whispered in her ear.
Kei was surprised at his sudden closeness. She had to admit she didn't mind being close to the fiery-haired bandit, so she decided to play along. "No, I guess it wasn't, Tas-chan." She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck.
At first Tasuki was surprised but then played along like her. "I knew you'd like it Kei-chan." He chuckled and buried his face against her neck.
Kei gasped when she felt his hair against her neck. It was hardly uncomfortable. "Mmmm, Tasuki, you'd better stop…I might get used to it…I thought you hated women."
"I hate most women… You're not exactly most women, Kei-chan." Tasuki pushed her against one of the posts of the gazebo. He stared into her eyes. "And with you around, I think I'll have to change my opinion."
Kei smiled and rested her head against the taller man's chest. "That's what I'm here for." She sighed deeply. "I love making people change their minds." Kei took a deep breath. Tasuki smelled strongly of burnt cedar and sake. She liked it a lot.
Tasuki ran his fingers through her long black hair. He was right. Kei wasn't like any other woman he'd met before. She thought for herself, could hold her own in a fight, and was over all, different. He really did like her, but he was still unsure. He pulled away "Kei-chan, we really should stop…I'd rather not lose what little self-control I have left, thanks to you." He slowly let go of her and stepped back.
Kei looked up at him and sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Too bad though…don't you think?" Kei smirked at him.
He smirked back. "Yeah, you're right." He began to walk away. "I'll finish what I started later. Count on it."
Kei knelt down to Huan-Lang. She rubbed his head. "So, boy, what the hell just happened here? Am I falling for that bandit? And why didn't you growl at him? You always did before…"
Huan-Lang just wagged his tail as if he knew something she didn't.
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Tasuki's POV
Oh, man what the hell is wrong wit' me? I can't believe I just did that! I stare at my self in the mirror. I can't help but wonder if I'm under some kinda spell, I normally wouldn't do anything like that… Heh, Kouji'd be laughing at me if he saw me now…Rightly so, I guess…Kei's drivin' me crazy, though I can't say I dun like it… I look at myself again. I haven't changed much in the years since Miaka was last here…at least I don't think I have.
I sit on bed and hold my head in my hands. Oh man, I'm thinkin' too much…I need a drink. I reach for a bottle of sake I always keep on my bed stand. I take a long drink. It burns on the way down, but I really don't care. I always drink when I don't feel like dealin' wit' the real world…I put the bottle back and lie down. Exhaust soon overtakes me and I drift of sleep…I dun feel like worryin' now.
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Taki's POV
I find myself wandering around the palace. It's such a big place I can never find my way around, though it isn't that bad…I need time to think…Kei's comment really got me thinking…I don't wanna fall for another guy, especially Hotohori…he's not even real, right? He's just a character in a book. I mean, the whole reason I became a model was because I wanted to be above and beyond all the men who hurt me in the past, but Hotohori's been so nice lately. I think maybe I'm not worried about myself anymore. Maybe I don't want to hurt him… He's above me, an emperor for God's sake! It's easy to see he likes me, but he shouldn't…He deserves better that some stupid bitch like me…
I'm out in the gardens again; I like it out here…kinda like my mom's before I left. I climb up on the roof of the gazebo where I was with Kei earlier. It's already dark…I stare down into the small lake that partly surrounds it. A full moon is out and my hair is shining in the moonlight. A cool, gentle breeze blows past and pushes my hair in front of my eyes. I shiver. I have to close them and push it back. While doing that, I hear footsteps nearby.
"Taki-san, why are you up there?" It's Hotohori… Damn I don't exactly want to see him. I wasn't done thinking…
"Nothing, really… Just thinkin'…" He's gonna ask about what, don't let him ask about what, please don't…
"About what?" Damn, called it…I really don't want to say, but he's always so comforting…sometimes I really wonder…
"I don't suppose you'll let me off if I just said everything, would you?"
"Probably not." He chuckles a bit. Damn, I love the sound of his voice…
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Hotohori's POV
Taki laughed after my comment. Her voice is so beautiful. She's been avoiding me today… I hope I haven't done anything to offend her…I'm leaning on the rail of the gazebo, looking at both out reflections. "Are you mad at me?"
I see that she is surprised at my question. She tilts her head to one side. "No. What makes you think that, Hotohori-san?"
"You've been avoiding me all day. I was just wondering…" She looks almost hurt and interrupts me.
"I'm sorry…I haven't been in a very social mood today…" She slides off the roof and walks over next to me. "It's not you. It's me." She leans over the railing of the gazebo and sighs.
"Oh, I see…" She is looking into the water. I'm looking at her and she knows it. I want to touch her so bad. She knows that, too. These past few nights, I'm ashamed about what I've been dreaming about her. It isn't anything appropriate. (Author's note: I hope y'all can figure out what he's dreaming about. If not, get someone to spell it out for you.)
"Was I making you worry?" Her voice is soft. Almost lost in the darkness. Taki looks up at me. Her icy eyes pierce straight through me. I've never met anyone like her.
"A bit, I suppose. I thought I had offended you in some way."
She smiles. "Oh. Well, if you had, you'd know it. I let people know when I'm offended."
I can't help but smile back. Another cool breeze comes…colder than the one before. Taki wraps her arms around herself. She's not wearing much…I believe she calls her clothes tank tops and shorts. Not the most appropriate clothing for this time of year in Konan. She steps closer to me, encouraging me to hold her. I give in and pull close to me. I can stop myself from resting my chin on her head. She's wearing some flowery perfume that smells very nice. She looks like a goddess in the moonlight.
"Thanks." Her voice is muffled against my robe. She's trying to get closer to me, to get warmer. I have to remember she's only trying to get warmer, nothing else. I pull her closer…
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Taki's POV
…I curl my fingers in Hotohori's robe, trying to convince myself it's for the warmth, not any emotional reason, but my brain is losing the battle to my heart…
"Any time…" I can barely hear his voice…I'm lost in him, his presence, his scent, his touch. His arms are holing me tightly. My head is on his chest…right over his heart…I don't deserve this…He's better than me…deserves better… "Are you alright now?" He moves his head and forces me to look at him. Again, lost, I can barely respond.
"Not yet…don't let go…I want more…" I press myself against him again. I want more. I want to feel him, be near him, anything, as long as he's there with me.
"As you wish…" His voice is breathy, as if he's losing control… Oh God, if he lost control, I know I wouldn't be far behind. My body obeys my heart, betraying my brain, and my arms are wrapped around his neck. I raise my head and I stare into his eyes again, losing myself. There isn't much space between out faces…
I can't stop myself. "Kiss me…" It's a quiet demand…I can barely speak, but he obeys and closes the space between us.
It's absolute heaven. His soft lips, pressed against mine. His long hair, falling against my face. His strong arms, wrapped around my slim waist…I swear, I'm totally intoxicated by him… Every part of me screams for more except that one part of my brain is still pleading with me to let go, that this is a bad idea…I know it is, but I want it so bad…
Soon I feel his tongue against my lower lip, begging for entrance…I give in to that too… He's so good at it…I don't want it to end. But we have to. We stay like that for what seems like forever. I only break away when I need to breath… This is wrong.
We're both gasping for air… It felt so good though…I stare at him again, tears forming in my eyes, he looks confused when he sees my face. I don't wanna get hurt again, or hurt him. But I think it's too late for that now. I close my eyes and turn my head.
"I'm so sorry, Hotohori-san."
I turn around and run out of the gardens. My heart screams to go back, but my brain wins this time and I get back to my room. He stayed only a few steps behind me the whole way.
He softly knocks on the door. "Taki, what's wrong?"
I've totally broken out in tears. I can't bear it. He sounds hurt. Most likely he is. I'm such a bitch. "Please go, Hotohori. I…I…just go." I can't face him.
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Hotohori's POV
I can't believe it! Just a second ago I was in the gardens kissing Taki like there was no tomorrow, now she's crying. What did I do?
As if she read my thoughts, I heard her voice again. "You didn't do anything Hotohori-san, it's me again… I just…I can't do it…you deserve better than me…" She can barely speak she's upset, I don't understand.
"Please, Taki-san, open the door…" I think I could open it on my own, but I don't want to intrude.
"I can't…I don't really understand myself, please go…I just wanna be alone…" Her voice cracked. I hear her slide down against the door and cry. It hurts so much to hear her like this, I want to be in there and comfort her, but she won't let me…I step away from the door…
"Alright, I'll leave you alone…Just…just remember, I'll always be here if you need anything…" I feel like crying myself. I can't bear to see her like this…I've only know her a few weeks, but I love her…I wish she could understand…
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Taki's POV
I don't understand! I'm such an idiot… How could I do that?! I feel terrible as I hear Hotohori slowly walk away from the door. I've hurt him. Badly, I think. But I have to remember the past… Every man in my life has left voluntarily, my father, my uncles, and every boyfriend I've ever had. Why, how could this be any different? He's just another man… No, he isn't…he's more.
I pick my self up off the floor and lie down on the bed, face down. What the hell do I do now? How can I face him now? I cry into the pillow until I can't anymore. Sleep soon comes, and it's very welcome.
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Lily's POV
I saw it all…Taki and Hotohori in the gardens, the discussion outside the door… I guess it'll be my secret…I feel so sorry for both of them…Hotohori doesn't understand because he doesn't know what's happened in Taki's life…Taki doesn't understand what real love is and that it's right in front of her…She can't let go of the past so soon.
I wander down a hallway to my room…still thinking. There has to be a way to show Hotohori the past, he has to know, he has to understand, to know he need to give her time. Otherwise their only chance for true love will be gone and neither one will be happy.
I laugh at myself…me, talking about true love…I never used to believe in it and I don't think I do now. So why am I talking about it? I don't even think it's real, do I? If I do, could I possibly be thinking about Chichiri-san? No…that's insane…we're friends…friends who happen to talk about thing with each other we'd never talk about with anyone else.
I shake my head. It's stupid… I'm stupid. I'm hear for Kei and only for that reason…I think…
~*~TBC~*~
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Well, any opinions? It really doesn't matter anymore, but I'd like more reviews… Comments, questions, and constructive critical remarks are welcome. Straight out flames, marshmallows and candles.
I dunno when I'll write again…Hopefully I'll get another chapter up in the next couple of weeks if I don't get writers' block.
~*~Shadow Hawk~*~