Chapter 10: Tenshi no Yume (Dreams of an Angel)
Daikonsen's eyes fixed on a figure. It was that of a man she guessed. He was tall and his eyes found hers. A dark color, somewhere between crimson and topaz, with a hint of gold. His hair was that of fire and so was his soul. She approached him and looked into his eyes with wonder. These weren't the eyes of anyone she'd ever seen before. *Not like eyes--* They weren't like eyes she'd ever known, ever granted the moment to see. *I've seen before.*
"Lady Daikonsen..."
"It's you..." She said recognizing his voice. "The voice I heard during the battle. It's you."
He smiled softly and nodded.
"You were the one who gave me the will to fight Seiryu to save my allies." Her eyes flicked in the light of fires that suddenly surrounded them.
"No, that was you're own will..." He grinned. "I was only the one to help you see it." She blinked at him for a minute or two taking in his handsome features and fiery aura.
"Why did you help me?"
"I wanted to..." he said in a sexy way that made her blush.
"Oh." Her face went redder.
"You're getting so strong and you don't even know it, do you?" He came closer to her, making her a little uneasy, but in away overjoyed. "Don't you see, you have awakened to my--" he flinched. "--to the power of Suzaku. You're power is awesome."
"My power?!" She gripped her chest and felt her heart race. "My power!"
"Hmm... I'll help you see." He pointed a hand at her and her feet no longer touched the ground. Daiko gasped. "Close you eyes, little firefly." She looked at him with wide eyes.
*What are you doing to me?!* She shook her head.
"What's the matter don't you trust me?" He grinned and smirked at her just daring her to do it. "Or are you afraid?..." He chuckled under his breath and she frowned as she flashed him a look of determination.
"I'm not afraid!!" She said with sterness to her voice.
"Then close you're eyes. Let me show you." His voice was more gentle this time she noticed and part of her did trust him." Her eyes closed and at first all their was was pitch darkness but then she saw her friends fighting Seiryu again. This time it was slightly different, all of the warriors were standing ready to fight. Tamahome's eyes were filled with passion as he began fighting along side Mirakuru with martial arts. Mirakuru's gems grew brighter in color and the character appeared on the seishi's bodies.
Within moments they were beaten and the slide back barely catching their ground. Hotohori's attention seemed focused on that of Mirakuru who gripped her shoulder with one hand and one eyes was clenched shut. "You alright?" he asked her.
"Yeah," she said with a smile. Nuriko then joined Hotohori, and Tasuki with a triple attack. Strength, sword, and tessin. They as were thrown back but this time they were badly hurt. "Nuriko!! Tasuki!! Hotohori!!" her breath was caught and she rushed to their sides, stopping first by Nuriko and Hotohori. "Nuriko! Damn them, you're hurt. Hotohori! Everyone watch it," she said with tears in her eyes. "We can't lose to them!"
"We're--" Nuriko stumbled to get up and then helped the Emperor up.
"--Fine." Hotohori finished as he reached his feet.
"Right! We have to fight back!" Densetsu cried and ran towards them. "We musn't give in, I have faith in our power so let's use it!!!!!" Immediately Miaka joined in on the motavational speech.
"Come on, we are of Suzaku and we can win--we have to win!!!!!" Kakusei came close up behind her along with Chiriko, Chichiri, and Mitsukake.
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Within seconds they were all crying out in agonizing pain. She saw the tears escaping Mirakuru's eyes as she saw them all cry out and scream. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Daikonsen watched in horror as the sword reentered her friends flesh. The others could do nothing to help themselves let alone their friends.
*Mirakuru!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The same action happened to Kakusei, following Densetsu. *Kakusei!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Densetsu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!* And then the other seishi. *Chiriko!!!!!!! Mitsukake!!!!!!! Hotohori!!!!!!! Chichiri!!!!!!! Tasuki!!!!!!! Nuriko!!!!!!!
Miaka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tamahome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*
Immediately the strange man watched as sparks formed around her and shot through the air. And then a flame and an outburst of power surged and made the entire area red. Daikonsen's body shook and tears raged from her eyes. The twin gems on her forehead burned and Suzaku's character glazed her forehead. It burned, oh it burned with the fire of a thousand suns. Almost as if it were alive. "I couldn't save them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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Her eyes flickered open and she saw that the same man was sitting beside her watching her as she pushed herself to her knees. Mad tears rushed out of her eyes and she cried a river. She lept into his arms and she found him waiting. "I couldn't save them... I couldn't save--"
"Shh..." He hushed her. "It's okay--that was only a false vision." He held her there tightly to him as if he were the one ready crying. "Sorry I put you through that but now you know that you do have the power, and next time you will be able to save them."
She found his eyes. "It was all fake? That was a test?" She ran her hand across her face to dry her tears, but still little salty droplets formed around the corners of her eyes, falling to her rosey cheeks. Wide, strong hands touched her face and he took away her tears. "Why?..." Violet eyes turned to stars as she looked up at him, more sweetly this time. "What is your name?..."
"My name?!" He seemed startled. *I can't tell her who am, atleast not yet...* He hesitated, but then she spoke.
"Tenshi... You're like a tenshi..."
"Tenshi?..." he asked her.
"Angel," she smiled. And then his hestatent look turned into a smile.
"Tenshi it is then."
"Then you're my Firefly..."
"Firefly?" She glaced down into thin air talking to him shyly. "I really don't think that fits me. Fireflies are so beautiful. They are the stars of hope, the only light to--" His lips touched her forehead and she gasped lightly, as her breath caught. "--pierce the darkness." As hips slipped away from her forehead Suzaku glowed there, between the bright stars of twin gems. Her breath then rushed out and she almost clasped in his arms, such a burning fire, but it was only warmth that she felt. "I think I know who you are... but I'm not sure who..."
"Who do you think I am, Firefly?" He licked his lips.
"I don't know yet." She touched his face, "But," and smiled. "I'll tell you when I do." Their lips brushed as she reached out to touch his mouth with hers. His eyes closed as did hers but he then stopped her.
"Another night, Daikonsen..." He sighed to himself but then smiled softly at her. "Another night..." He lifted her up into his arms and just looked at her for the longest time.
"Tenshi, I--" He hushed her.
"Hush now." He kissed her cheek and then her forehead. "Close your eyes again." She did, this time trusting him completely without really knowing why. "Remember what your name means..."
"Total choas?"
"Yes," he said. "That will happen if we go to fast. And we don't want that do we?"
"No," she sighed. "Not at all, just absolute ecstasy."
"Exactly. Now," he whispered. "Meet me when you're dreaming..." His voice faded away and she was again in her own bed.
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'Be my wife--' The words were remembered by a restless young woman. 'Be my Emperess,' were the words he had said to her. She lay there wrapped up in the arms of the man she loved but his voice filled her thoughts. 'I love you.' He had told her that indeed he did love her. Finally she had him, finally his aching heart wasn't lonely, finally loved him for more than an Emperor, but a man. *Hotohori?*
She looked up at him, *He really looks sweet when he's sleeping. Like an angel, just like Nuriko did that day--* Her eyes went wide and then almost to tears. *Nuriko!!* Her heart hurt, she loved him too, so much. He was just like her big brother, always watching out for her. She slipped out of Hotohori's sleeping embrace and crept away from him. *Sorry love, I need to see him.* He looked almost like a child sleeping curled up and he looked small against the emense size of the bed. His hair was tied loosely but it still tumbled over his shoulders reaching the middle of his back.
"Love," she smiled, "See you in the morning," she whispered and then kissed his lips.
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Nuriko's face looked up at the stars. He couldn't sleep at all that night so he stood just outside his room waiting restlessly and impatiently for the day to come so he could see his wounded friend. "She stayed in Hotohori's room tonight, I guess." He sighed wishing he could have watched over her instead of his friend. "I hope she makes it okay. I don't know what I'd do without that silly smiling face of hers." He grinned and closed his eyes to see her in his mind. "Such a sweet person, she is. She doesn't know just how much she is loved and cherished. She doesn't see the enormous strength inside of her." Crickets cripped and the air smelt of lilac and honeysuckle, with a hint of cherry blossems.
His hair was braided, as always and blew softly in the warm, night breeze. Dark eyes watched as fireflies danced in the twilight. The full moon shone on the water of the stream that flowed through the palace. Slender fingertips reached for a small cherry blossem that had flew stray from it's roots. He held the small flower in his hand and smoothed the tips. It's scent was so sweet and he fell for the dear innocence, but strength of the flower. *All beauty, all lushiosness, all sweetness, all love, from this flower.* "From this single flower. Just like somebody I know.*
Arms wrapped around his chest. "Nuriko," a familiar shy voice whispered. "Hi."
"Hey there..." He realized it was none other than the one he was wishing for. Nuriko stayed where he was, leaning against the railing, but looked over his shoulder catching a whisp of dark, dark, blue eyes. "What are you doing up this late at night?"
There was a brief pause in Mirakuru's voice. "I wanted to see you."
"Oh, I see." He turned away from her and looked back down at the flower in his hands. Softly the wind swept it away from him. He then turned to her as she had let go of him and took a place beside him. A smile couldn't help but curl upon his lips as he noticed what she was wearing. Black pants and a red shirt that was one she had borrowed from Hotohori no doubt, which was enormous hid her upper body from sight except for the bit of cleavage showed in the opening. The shirt dangled loosely at her thighs and the sleeves were rolled up to just below her elbows. Her hair was undone and he saw just how long it was, reaching further than his own. "How are you doing?" He said implying her wounds.
"Okay--I guess." She answered with a slight smile.
"Could I see?" Nuriko asked turning to face her completely and watched her cheeks flush.
"You mean my chest and waist?" She focused on the ground and her cheeks went even redder.
"Of course silly!" he said playfully pulling her head back up with with strong hands. "Well?"
"Um..." She held her breath. "Okay..." Air rushed out of her lungs.
He slowly undid her shirt, which was actually Hotohori's and the bandages were a dark pink-red. "Geez! You need to change these right away!" he told her. "Here. I have some with me." He pulled some out of his pocket and without really thinking yanked off her bandages. Quickly she let out a yelp and wrapped her arms around herself.
"Nuriko!!"
"Oops!" he smiled slightly. "Doesn't matter anyway it's just me and you, and plus I've done this to Miaka once or so."
"If you say so." She grinned and let him redress her wounds. Mirakuru prayed no one would see them and her prayers were answered. Carefully and neatly he dressed her wounds each wrap he watched her eyes. *Why are you looking at me like that?*
*I want to look at you, without pretending anymore,* he said silently to himself and tied the last band around her waist. She grabbed the shirt she had taken from Hotohori and covered herself. They remained just looking at each other for several long and serious minutes until she had gathered enough courage to speak.
"Thank you," she whispered gently.
He looked at her in a puzzeled way and then let out a laugh. "You're welcome but I don't mind at all." He continued to laugh as if trying to avoid something that he wanted to say or do.
*You're hiding something from me.* She frowned slightly and then she turned away from him, seeing a light turn on on the other side of the palace. "You should be quiet, you're gonna wake everybody up. And trust me you don't want to see a grumpy Daikonsen." She smiled and then his arms went round her shoulders. As he did her shirt feel lower on her chest, and she gasped sharply.
"It's okay," he whispered. "Just let me hold you, Mirako. I almost lost you today, please stay with me a few moments longer." He tightened his grip on her as if she would try to escape from her. "I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to you, Mirakuru." He sighed. "Thanks to you I am still here breathing, feeling, and living. It's a miracle you finally awake to the power that I always knew as inside of you. You're my Miracle, you know that?"
"Nuriko..." she whispered his name with her heart shaking. *What is it?*
"My Miracle..." He smiled and her eyes shined. "My Miracle..."
Daikonsen's eyes fixed on a figure. It was that of a man she guessed. He was tall and his eyes found hers. A dark color, somewhere between crimson and topaz, with a hint of gold. His hair was that of fire and so was his soul. She approached him and looked into his eyes with wonder. These weren't the eyes of anyone she'd ever seen before. *Not like eyes--* They weren't like eyes she'd ever known, ever granted the moment to see. *I've seen before.*
"Lady Daikonsen..."
"It's you..." She said recognizing his voice. "The voice I heard during the battle. It's you."
He smiled softly and nodded.
"You were the one who gave me the will to fight Seiryu to save my allies." Her eyes flicked in the light of fires that suddenly surrounded them.
"No, that was you're own will..." He grinned. "I was only the one to help you see it." She blinked at him for a minute or two taking in his handsome features and fiery aura.
"Why did you help me?"
"I wanted to..." he said in a sexy way that made her blush.
"Oh." Her face went redder.
"You're getting so strong and you don't even know it, do you?" He came closer to her, making her a little uneasy, but in away overjoyed. "Don't you see, you have awakened to my--" he flinched. "--to the power of Suzaku. You're power is awesome."
"My power?!" She gripped her chest and felt her heart race. "My power!"
"Hmm... I'll help you see." He pointed a hand at her and her feet no longer touched the ground. Daiko gasped. "Close you eyes, little firefly." She looked at him with wide eyes.
*What are you doing to me?!* She shook her head.
"What's the matter don't you trust me?" He grinned and smirked at her just daring her to do it. "Or are you afraid?..." He chuckled under his breath and she frowned as she flashed him a look of determination.
"I'm not afraid!!" She said with sterness to her voice.
"Then close you're eyes. Let me show you." His voice was more gentle this time she noticed and part of her did trust him." Her eyes closed and at first all their was was pitch darkness but then she saw her friends fighting Seiryu again. This time it was slightly different, all of the warriors were standing ready to fight. Tamahome's eyes were filled with passion as he began fighting along side Mirakuru with martial arts. Mirakuru's gems grew brighter in color and the character appeared on the seishi's bodies.
Within moments they were beaten and the slide back barely catching their ground. Hotohori's attention seemed focused on that of Mirakuru who gripped her shoulder with one hand and one eyes was clenched shut. "You alright?" he asked her.
"Yeah," she said with a smile. Nuriko then joined Hotohori, and Tasuki with a triple attack. Strength, sword, and tessin. They as were thrown back but this time they were badly hurt. "Nuriko!! Tasuki!! Hotohori!!" her breath was caught and she rushed to their sides, stopping first by Nuriko and Hotohori. "Nuriko! Damn them, you're hurt. Hotohori! Everyone watch it," she said with tears in her eyes. "We can't lose to them!"
"We're--" Nuriko stumbled to get up and then helped the Emperor up.
"--Fine." Hotohori finished as he reached his feet.
"Right! We have to fight back!" Densetsu cried and ran towards them. "We musn't give in, I have faith in our power so let's use it!!!!!" Immediately Miaka joined in on the motavational speech.
"Come on, we are of Suzaku and we can win--we have to win!!!!!" Kakusei came close up behind her along with Chiriko, Chichiri, and Mitsukake.
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Within seconds they were all crying out in agonizing pain. She saw the tears escaping Mirakuru's eyes as she saw them all cry out and scream. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Daikonsen watched in horror as the sword reentered her friends flesh. The others could do nothing to help themselves let alone their friends.
*Mirakuru!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The same action happened to Kakusei, following Densetsu. *Kakusei!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Densetsu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!* And then the other seishi. *Chiriko!!!!!!! Mitsukake!!!!!!! Hotohori!!!!!!! Chichiri!!!!!!! Tasuki!!!!!!! Nuriko!!!!!!!
Miaka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tamahome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*
Immediately the strange man watched as sparks formed around her and shot through the air. And then a flame and an outburst of power surged and made the entire area red. Daikonsen's body shook and tears raged from her eyes. The twin gems on her forehead burned and Suzaku's character glazed her forehead. It burned, oh it burned with the fire of a thousand suns. Almost as if it were alive. "I couldn't save them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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Her eyes flickered open and she saw that the same man was sitting beside her watching her as she pushed herself to her knees. Mad tears rushed out of her eyes and she cried a river. She lept into his arms and she found him waiting. "I couldn't save them... I couldn't save--"
"Shh..." He hushed her. "It's okay--that was only a false vision." He held her there tightly to him as if he were the one ready crying. "Sorry I put you through that but now you know that you do have the power, and next time you will be able to save them."
She found his eyes. "It was all fake? That was a test?" She ran her hand across her face to dry her tears, but still little salty droplets formed around the corners of her eyes, falling to her rosey cheeks. Wide, strong hands touched her face and he took away her tears. "Why?..." Violet eyes turned to stars as she looked up at him, more sweetly this time. "What is your name?..."
"My name?!" He seemed startled. *I can't tell her who am, atleast not yet...* He hesitated, but then she spoke.
"Tenshi... You're like a tenshi..."
"Tenshi?..." he asked her.
"Angel," she smiled. And then his hestatent look turned into a smile.
"Tenshi it is then."
"Then you're my Firefly..."
"Firefly?" She glaced down into thin air talking to him shyly. "I really don't think that fits me. Fireflies are so beautiful. They are the stars of hope, the only light to--" His lips touched her forehead and she gasped lightly, as her breath caught. "--pierce the darkness." As hips slipped away from her forehead Suzaku glowed there, between the bright stars of twin gems. Her breath then rushed out and she almost clasped in his arms, such a burning fire, but it was only warmth that she felt. "I think I know who you are... but I'm not sure who..."
"Who do you think I am, Firefly?" He licked his lips.
"I don't know yet." She touched his face, "But," and smiled. "I'll tell you when I do." Their lips brushed as she reached out to touch his mouth with hers. His eyes closed as did hers but he then stopped her.
"Another night, Daikonsen..." He sighed to himself but then smiled softly at her. "Another night..." He lifted her up into his arms and just looked at her for the longest time.
"Tenshi, I--" He hushed her.
"Hush now." He kissed her cheek and then her forehead. "Close your eyes again." She did, this time trusting him completely without really knowing why. "Remember what your name means..."
"Total choas?"
"Yes," he said. "That will happen if we go to fast. And we don't want that do we?"
"No," she sighed. "Not at all, just absolute ecstasy."
"Exactly. Now," he whispered. "Meet me when you're dreaming..." His voice faded away and she was again in her own bed.
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'Be my wife--' The words were remembered by a restless young woman. 'Be my Emperess,' were the words he had said to her. She lay there wrapped up in the arms of the man she loved but his voice filled her thoughts. 'I love you.' He had told her that indeed he did love her. Finally she had him, finally his aching heart wasn't lonely, finally loved him for more than an Emperor, but a man. *Hotohori?*
She looked up at him, *He really looks sweet when he's sleeping. Like an angel, just like Nuriko did that day--* Her eyes went wide and then almost to tears. *Nuriko!!* Her heart hurt, she loved him too, so much. He was just like her big brother, always watching out for her. She slipped out of Hotohori's sleeping embrace and crept away from him. *Sorry love, I need to see him.* He looked almost like a child sleeping curled up and he looked small against the emense size of the bed. His hair was tied loosely but it still tumbled over his shoulders reaching the middle of his back.
"Love," she smiled, "See you in the morning," she whispered and then kissed his lips.
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Nuriko's face looked up at the stars. He couldn't sleep at all that night so he stood just outside his room waiting restlessly and impatiently for the day to come so he could see his wounded friend. "She stayed in Hotohori's room tonight, I guess." He sighed wishing he could have watched over her instead of his friend. "I hope she makes it okay. I don't know what I'd do without that silly smiling face of hers." He grinned and closed his eyes to see her in his mind. "Such a sweet person, she is. She doesn't know just how much she is loved and cherished. She doesn't see the enormous strength inside of her." Crickets cripped and the air smelt of lilac and honeysuckle, with a hint of cherry blossems.
His hair was braided, as always and blew softly in the warm, night breeze. Dark eyes watched as fireflies danced in the twilight. The full moon shone on the water of the stream that flowed through the palace. Slender fingertips reached for a small cherry blossem that had flew stray from it's roots. He held the small flower in his hand and smoothed the tips. It's scent was so sweet and he fell for the dear innocence, but strength of the flower. *All beauty, all lushiosness, all sweetness, all love, from this flower.* "From this single flower. Just like somebody I know.*
Arms wrapped around his chest. "Nuriko," a familiar shy voice whispered. "Hi."
"Hey there..." He realized it was none other than the one he was wishing for. Nuriko stayed where he was, leaning against the railing, but looked over his shoulder catching a whisp of dark, dark, blue eyes. "What are you doing up this late at night?"
There was a brief pause in Mirakuru's voice. "I wanted to see you."
"Oh, I see." He turned away from her and looked back down at the flower in his hands. Softly the wind swept it away from him. He then turned to her as she had let go of him and took a place beside him. A smile couldn't help but curl upon his lips as he noticed what she was wearing. Black pants and a red shirt that was one she had borrowed from Hotohori no doubt, which was enormous hid her upper body from sight except for the bit of cleavage showed in the opening. The shirt dangled loosely at her thighs and the sleeves were rolled up to just below her elbows. Her hair was undone and he saw just how long it was, reaching further than his own. "How are you doing?" He said implying her wounds.
"Okay--I guess." She answered with a slight smile.
"Could I see?" Nuriko asked turning to face her completely and watched her cheeks flush.
"You mean my chest and waist?" She focused on the ground and her cheeks went even redder.
"Of course silly!" he said playfully pulling her head back up with with strong hands. "Well?"
"Um..." She held her breath. "Okay..." Air rushed out of her lungs.
He slowly undid her shirt, which was actually Hotohori's and the bandages were a dark pink-red. "Geez! You need to change these right away!" he told her. "Here. I have some with me." He pulled some out of his pocket and without really thinking yanked off her bandages. Quickly she let out a yelp and wrapped her arms around herself.
"Nuriko!!"
"Oops!" he smiled slightly. "Doesn't matter anyway it's just me and you, and plus I've done this to Miaka once or so."
"If you say so." She grinned and let him redress her wounds. Mirakuru prayed no one would see them and her prayers were answered. Carefully and neatly he dressed her wounds each wrap he watched her eyes. *Why are you looking at me like that?*
*I want to look at you, without pretending anymore,* he said silently to himself and tied the last band around her waist. She grabbed the shirt she had taken from Hotohori and covered herself. They remained just looking at each other for several long and serious minutes until she had gathered enough courage to speak.
"Thank you," she whispered gently.
He looked at her in a puzzeled way and then let out a laugh. "You're welcome but I don't mind at all." He continued to laugh as if trying to avoid something that he wanted to say or do.
*You're hiding something from me.* She frowned slightly and then she turned away from him, seeing a light turn on on the other side of the palace. "You should be quiet, you're gonna wake everybody up. And trust me you don't want to see a grumpy Daikonsen." She smiled and then his arms went round her shoulders. As he did her shirt feel lower on her chest, and she gasped sharply.
"It's okay," he whispered. "Just let me hold you, Mirako. I almost lost you today, please stay with me a few moments longer." He tightened his grip on her as if she would try to escape from her. "I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to you, Mirakuru." He sighed. "Thanks to you I am still here breathing, feeling, and living. It's a miracle you finally awake to the power that I always knew as inside of you. You're my Miracle, you know that?"
"Nuriko..." she whispered his name with her heart shaking. *What is it?*
"My Miracle..." He smiled and her eyes shined. "My Miracle..."