Chapter 14: If Given the Chance
A few days past with such peace. The journey for the Shinzaho had been delayed because of serious stroms. The warriors grew restless, but still the "Perfect Warriors" seemed ready and willing to fight. It seemed that Nuriko went out of his way to prepare a feast in honor of the rising powers of the Priestess, which he was in charge of. Hotohori and Nuriko, the two men that loved the Lady Kibou, often saw each other in the halls of the kingdom, and words were exchanged, mostly on plans for the pending journey. But it was obvious, even though the two were very good friends, that there was still a bit of competition for the girl. Kibou watched a few conversations and seemed unchanged by any devotion that was spoke of her.
The Senshi had been there more than 4 months and they seemed to have grown on the people of Konan, but especially on the Miko of Suzaku. Miaka cared deeply for all of her seishi, her friends. But she was honored to be protected by the Guardians.
"Kenjitsu?" Tamahome asked as the girl passed him in the hallway. He still couldn't get used to the serious look on her face.
"Yes?" She smiled slightly, and that surprised him, she never smiled as Kenjitsu. "What is it, Tamahome?"
*Tamahome?! She used my seishi name! Maybe it's what Taiitsu-kun said, they can switch back and forth from Warrior to Guardian.* Tamahome's eyes flashed at her sudden smile. "Do you feel that?" He looked at her face and saw her bright eyes.
"Huh?!" She blushed intensely. "You mean that feeling between us?" She froze in place and saw his eyes search hers, with a soft longing. Something was happening between them,
"Yeah--" He came closer to her. "That kind of pull that leads us too each other." Their faces were merely inches apart. Stars shone in his eyes and he seemed more attractive then ever, especially so close.
"I think I know what, you--" her words were drown out as his lips came so close to hers. "--mean." Tenshi's face flashed through her head and Miaka's did through Tamahome's.
They drew back, suddenly surprised by the few moments of intensity. "Oh, wow! I don't know where that came from." Tamahome blushed and hesitated.
Kenjitsu's purple eyes closed and she allowed herself to fall into Tamahome's arms. She clung to him, could hear the race of heart beat. Stars pierced her eyes. "I have to tell you something, Tamahome..." She tightened her grip on his waist.
He could not deny that he felt a strong bond to her, but like this?! "I--Uh--" He paniced. *Miaka could see us and think--* No! He didn't want to think that. He couldn't even consider not being able to love Miaka and get her love in return. He wanted to struggle, wanted to push her away, wanted to run away so she couldn't tell him--
"I think I'm in love with you...Tamahome..." She pulled him closer to her. She noticed and took it to heart that he didn't respond. A sigh silently escaped her lips, and his eyes were stunned in a daze. "It's okay--you don't have to say anything, I just needed to get that off my shoulders." With each passing moment she became more and more herself. "Just say you think about it."
He hesitated and tried not to alarm her. "--I can't." He gently pushed her from his arms and forced her eyes to his. "I can't do that, Kenjitsu--" Little did they know, that the Lady Priestess, Miaka stood just on beyond the corner. She had been following Tamahome, wanting him to hold her, even though it was against the wishes of Taiitsu-kun, and stumbled upon her beloved and her friend. "--I love Miaka." Miaka's eyes widened when she saw the smile that creased Tamahome's lips. "I'm sorry, but I can't return your feelings." Kenjitsu's gems became very dark in color, a notion that she was sad, or disappointed.
"I know, but--" she fought desprately to hide her tears but still they stun her face. She rarely cried, and when she did, she was really hurting. Inside her heart crumbled, a feeling she had never felt before, and it scared her, almost as much as she hated it. "But--Please, just think about it. Me, over Miaka?!" She hide her eyes, and her voice was at a whisper, "I care for Miaka very much, but--and I would never want to hurt her, but--I want you. And I want you to need me as much as I need you. Tamahome--" He took her hand and brought it to his face, the other followed.
"I care for you as well, but Miaka is the only woman I want in my life. I love her."
"But I love you." She pleaded and her cheeks flushed with the saltiness of her tears.
Miaka's heart cried for Tamahome, but also for her friend. *I had no idea! But Tamahome can't possibly stop loving me for her--could he?* Suddenly she was filled with doubt. She knew that he wanted her. He wanted her body, wanted to couple with her. And she knew that now they couldn't even touch one another, let alone make love. Part of her had always wanted to surrender herself to Tamahome, to his desires, but she couldn't, because if she did then it would mean the end of everything they had worked so hard to keep. And she would never be able to summon Suzaku, never had her wishes made, never be able to keep her promise of peace to Hotohori, never wish to have Yui see the truth and go home with her best friend, never be able to spend forever with the one man she loved. She knew that Tamahome could hardly control himself from taking her, forcing her to his bed, and driving himself inside her. The thought made heat sway in her stomach. She knew that Kenjitsu was able to lose her virginity without consequences. She knew that Tamahome could have her if she wanted to. *Tamahome...*
But her eyes went to slits as Tamahome's lips touched Kenjitsu's forehead. They stayed like that for an eternity. Miaka's heart fell into oblivion and she dropped to her knees. *Tamahome. Tamahome!!!!!!!!!!!!* Sharp tears poured from her eyes and thoughts and memories flashed in her head:
*"Can't you see that I'm in love with you?" he had told her.
"Of course, that's why I came back in the first place," she had responed.
And then he had kissed her.............
......................"I love you"...........................................
"I want to be you're bride, Tamahome--"
"And then I can always keep you safe"............................................................
"I love you, Tamahome, I have always loved you."*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kenjitsu clung to Tamahome with a need that Miaka had never had the chance to show. She seemed almost dependent on him, just to keep her breathing, just to keep her believing, just to keep her alive. "I know you don't love me, but please just hold me, this one time."
"Alright, just this once." A strong sigh escaped his lips. "I love her, only Miaka."
When Miaka heard her name she sat up stunned to see what was not. She had been so surprised by the affection Tamahome was showing for Kenjitsu she had mistaken his kindness for passion. "Tamahome?"
"Huh?! He whirled around. Both Kenjitsu and Tamahome watched the Priestess sigh slightly, tears still fell down her cheeks. "Miaka! This is not what it seems!!" Tamahome cried afraid she might think the impossible.
"I know Tamahome... My love..." She smiled slightly and within moments she was close the arms of Tamahome. Kenjitsu's eyes watched with hesitation. She wanted to push Miaka away from Tamahome, but part of her wanted to keep the two like that. Inside she was hurting, but also, rejoicing.
*I'm so confused.*
Miaka reached his arms and their lips met. Tamahome's once hidden desires sky-rocketed. *Miaka!*
*I love you.* Miaka forced herself not to be afraid of his heat, of his body. Just for a moment, if just for a moment they could be together without any interruptions, no outside forces. Miaka parted his mouth with her tongue, and it made them both ecstastic. He allowed her to touch him, to feel his body.
*As do I, my beloved. But we can't.* It was Tamahome who ended the kiss this time. And when he turned his head he could see that Miaka was completely breathless. "Miaka."
"Tamahome..." The just looked at each other for so long. Miaka nodded and slowly walked away. *I know we shouldn't have just done that, but I just couldn't help myself. You have no idea how much I want to be with you Tamahome. If only we could be just ordinary people, you and me, then maybe--*
*Maybe we could have loved each other completely. Maybe then we would be free to marry and start a family. And once that happens--that night I will make love to you, and it will be like nothing you have ever felt before. I promise this to you, Miaka...* Tamahome's attention then focused on the girl near him. With glassy eyes, as if she was completely unaware of where she was, the lady wept. Tears streamed down her cheeks and the sunlight bounced off the droplets like prisms. Suddenly he realized the intense aura radiating off of her, and it scared him. *She loves me?!*
Before he could speak to her, she ran away, and secretly his heart cried out to her... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chiriko walked beside Kibou. He had to smile at the bright day the night had brought. The storm had finally cleared, and dew formed on the plants, throughout the kingdom. Birds chirped and flew overhead. Everything had seemed so perfect. The boy stood about 6 inches shorter than the lady, and he counted her a good friend of his. The blessed ritual would be tonight and Chiriko was sure some new light would be shed on the place.
Kibou's voice murmured softly, "Dokun--do you think this is a mistake?" Something was odd about the way she said it, like she was afraid or confused.
"What do you mean?" He asked, curious to what it was she was asking. His green-blue eyes flashed at her eyes as she cast them onto him.
"I mean about this whole 'Perfect Warrior' thing. I feel so calm and peaceful like this, like I could do anything. I suffer no pain, no anger, no jealously." She clenched her fists. "But I don't understand the love I once had for Saihitei... And I want too."
Chiriko smiled, "The way I see it, Kibou and Mirakuru are one in the same. They both feel the same, both look the same, both care so passionately about the people they love. So Kibou or not, you are Mirakuru Tenno, of the Suzaku warriors." The gems flashed.
"Yes, but Saihitei,I--Mirakuru loves him, and it's overwhelming. And I don't know what to do."
"You have to make that decision yourself. Do what makes you happy. This way you don't feel pain or sadness or have to worry about suffering. You do not have to decide between Saihitei and Ryuuen," Chiriko responded to her silent plea for understanding.
"Dokun, I--"
"Do not try to deny it Kibou," he saw her hiding the brightly lite jewels from sight. "I see the way you look at both of them. Which one do you truly love? Nuriko or Hotohori?"
She been placed on the spot again. Even though she was sure she loved Hotohori, even though she promised to marry him, even though she wanted Hotohori, secretly she still cared so much for Nuriko. She shook her head and her eyes flashed. "I promised Saihitei I would be his Empress. I love him, and only him."
Chiriko's thoughts were whirling around in his head. I wonder if she was telling the truth. Nuriko is a better choice if she wants to always have excitement in her life...* He couldn't help but smile at that the thought of Nuriko's reckless happiness, even after facing such rejection. But with his Majesty, she would always be safe. "Really-I'm not so sure."
"I love Saihitei!" The blueness in her eyes returned and the gems flashed increasingly bright. He could tell that there was some unseen anger in her heart, so unseen power. And within moments, she found herself running in the direction her heart was leading her, on the path that fate had set for her.
Even though it was against everything she her conscious told her was right, even though she knew soon enough she'd have to leave the man she called her koi, even though she felt the fleeting absence of world she once knew as home, even though she knew all too well that she could die, even though the whole world had turned it's back on her, she ran to the man she loved. Her eyes searched the grounds from the highest tower on the palace grounds for the jade eyes and forest colored hair. But something allowed her to stray from her determination. A pair of violet eyes found hers, and her hands shook. "Ryuuen?!"
His body swayed, or so it appeared through the sakura that blew between them. He pushed his body closer to hers, forcing her to sit on the railing, making her slightly taller than he. He wasn't very tall, but he still was so much larger than she. Her thin waist traveled down until it met her wide hips and then her long legs. Looking down at her feet he slowly moved his eyes over the sensual curves of her body: up her thighs, over her torso, pausing at her breasts, and then rising to her face.
A moment of silence fell over the two. All there was, were the sounds of the wind, and the swaying of long, long hair. Her dark eyes settled on him and then realized that there was no getting away from him. Part of her wanted to run, part of her wanted to stay, part of her wanted to fall backwards of the railing, to the ground below, so maybe no one would have to suffer on her account.
The events of the night she came to his room, unfolded in his mind...
Flashback
He deepened the kiss when she did not react, and even as he bared his feelings to her at last she did not act. His hand swept over her. It was then that she reacted to him, but not the way Nuriko had expected. His body came so incredibly close to her and when his weight finally met hers, she let out a sigh. "Nuriko-"
"Don't say anything."
"..." *Not like this...* Her palms hit his chest with such force, that he swore his heart stopped for a moment. "Nuriko-we can't."
"Miracle..." He then held her in his arms. It was like that the rest of night until finally he fell asleep and she escaped to the safety of her room.
Present
"I have a confession..." He then dropped to his knees, his head in her lap as he pulled her down with him. His hand then strayed to where it wasn't suppose to be, it caressed her legs underneath her dress, and then up to her inner legs to her silky panties. A sigh escaped her lips as he touched her, but then she pulled his hand way and he got the message. She was rarely rough, or angry with him. And it seemed that she was holding back her protests, afraid she might hurt him more than he already hurt. "I want to feel your body next to mine."
"Nuriko..." His name... She said his name... It seemed a stranger to her voice, but then again came as easily as breathing, which ironically came in gasps now. His eyes seemed stunned when he heard his name.
"If it's wrong to love you, then my heart just won't let me be right." Something in his words stirred her to embrace him. "If you gave me just one night with you-I'd-You'd see me differently."
********************************************************************************
"Saihitei?" She had surprised him with her visit. He had been making last arrangements for the journey when she had walked up behind it. The council was very aware of the engagement, that Kibou would be the wife of the Emperor, the Empress and finally the king could finally produce and heir. "Could I see you?" His eyes seemed dazzled when he heard the word, "Alone?"
He motioned the council away with a wave of his hand and he gently pushed the various papers, maps, and scrolls to the middle of the table. His hair was up in a bun, completely out of his eyes, so he could not hide the emotions lurking within them. And secret fires burned there. "Yes, Lady Kibou what is it?" He was pleased with her visit, but was unaware of what would happen in the next few minutes. As he pushed on last scroll away he then realized that she had moved his chair closer to the table and jumped when it hit the back of his ankles. He felt clumsy falling backwards with a soft thud. Feeling like a child, his face flushed when she sat in his lap. Compared to Nuriko, he was enormous, 6 feet tall against Nuriko's 5'5". She herself was about 5'2".
"My name is Mirakuru." She said with a slight grin. Something told him that she was back to her normal self and with that her then pushed her upward and she landed on the table. Her body was sprawled out, her legs spread and he leaned in close to her, his own body position between her knees. With heat igniting inside of him, and rising, he kissed her lips once, gently. And then again. Each time their eyes met as they backed away slightly. And then again. "Hotohori." And then again, until he could have kissed her into submission if he wished. But he did wish. He did, he could no longer deny that.
"Mirakuru-" His breathing was uneven and hot, he held her too him. "Mirakuru, my fiancée." She smiled at his words, but then heard his voice again, "If given the chance, I would show you the glory of coupling with a man. And know that, you're mine, I will not let you go." Something sexual was in his voice. "Let me see you. I want to see your body."
With innocence in her eyes, her clothes were shed. He then brushed his lips softly against her stomach, leaning her back further then before. Goosebumps shivered up her body as a cool breeze swept in between them. Her bra and panties were the only things stopping him from having intercourse with her. "I'm-" she breathed a sigh, "I'm afraid, Saihitei-"
"I have to admit that I am too." Her drew back and looked into her dark eyes. Just then they seemed a shade of gray, as if something had changed, like she was stronger, more of a women. "What are we afraid off though?"
"I think each other…" She pulled him back to her. "Make me unafraid." He trembled at her statement. She was never one to admit her feelings, at least no that often, and she had basically just said: make love to me… Sliding her panties off he kissed each part of her legs, his tong tasting each delicious part.
"You better believe that I will," he murmured. He teased her skin as her unfastened her bra hiding her breasts from him. And then she could see the heat in his eyes, as he looked her over. When he came back up to her eyes, she shook, "Glorious-" And with their eyes locked she hardly noticed him undo his robes. And he forced her to her to back as he crawled on top of her. And as he held himself poised above her, she whispered his name.
"Hotohori-Koi-" She closed her eyes and waited for him to take away the child inside of her. But then he told her to-
"Open your eyes and look into mine." She did. And in a rush of heat and emotion he nearly drove himself within her but then she heard her name.
"Mirakuru!!!!!" Terrified eyes found hers and in moments she found herself covered completely in Hotohori robes, in his arms. Still even with the efforts of her love, she still felt completely naked. Nuriko's state of shock could have frozen time and all grew silent. His body became deathly still and heart then died. Inside the two friends were screaming for each other.
*I'm so sorry-you weren't suppose to know.* Suddenly all the desire that had just filled her body disappeared. Tears formed in the man's eyes and she could taste the bile in her throat. *Nuriko and I would never be together,* she told herself over and over. *I love Hotohori, but Nuriko-Nuriko, he, is my strength, if he doesn't believe in me, then I can't believe in myself--*
Within moments Nuriko had dashed away, tears in his eyes, and heart breaking. He knew that she didn't return his feelings, and that she loved Hotohori, but still, he loved her. He still cared for her more then his own life.
A few days past with such peace. The journey for the Shinzaho had been delayed because of serious stroms. The warriors grew restless, but still the "Perfect Warriors" seemed ready and willing to fight. It seemed that Nuriko went out of his way to prepare a feast in honor of the rising powers of the Priestess, which he was in charge of. Hotohori and Nuriko, the two men that loved the Lady Kibou, often saw each other in the halls of the kingdom, and words were exchanged, mostly on plans for the pending journey. But it was obvious, even though the two were very good friends, that there was still a bit of competition for the girl. Kibou watched a few conversations and seemed unchanged by any devotion that was spoke of her.
The Senshi had been there more than 4 months and they seemed to have grown on the people of Konan, but especially on the Miko of Suzaku. Miaka cared deeply for all of her seishi, her friends. But she was honored to be protected by the Guardians.
"Kenjitsu?" Tamahome asked as the girl passed him in the hallway. He still couldn't get used to the serious look on her face.
"Yes?" She smiled slightly, and that surprised him, she never smiled as Kenjitsu. "What is it, Tamahome?"
*Tamahome?! She used my seishi name! Maybe it's what Taiitsu-kun said, they can switch back and forth from Warrior to Guardian.* Tamahome's eyes flashed at her sudden smile. "Do you feel that?" He looked at her face and saw her bright eyes.
"Huh?!" She blushed intensely. "You mean that feeling between us?" She froze in place and saw his eyes search hers, with a soft longing. Something was happening between them,
"Yeah--" He came closer to her. "That kind of pull that leads us too each other." Their faces were merely inches apart. Stars shone in his eyes and he seemed more attractive then ever, especially so close.
"I think I know what, you--" her words were drown out as his lips came so close to hers. "--mean." Tenshi's face flashed through her head and Miaka's did through Tamahome's.
They drew back, suddenly surprised by the few moments of intensity. "Oh, wow! I don't know where that came from." Tamahome blushed and hesitated.
Kenjitsu's purple eyes closed and she allowed herself to fall into Tamahome's arms. She clung to him, could hear the race of heart beat. Stars pierced her eyes. "I have to tell you something, Tamahome..." She tightened her grip on his waist.
He could not deny that he felt a strong bond to her, but like this?! "I--Uh--" He paniced. *Miaka could see us and think--* No! He didn't want to think that. He couldn't even consider not being able to love Miaka and get her love in return. He wanted to struggle, wanted to push her away, wanted to run away so she couldn't tell him--
"I think I'm in love with you...Tamahome..." She pulled him closer to her. She noticed and took it to heart that he didn't respond. A sigh silently escaped her lips, and his eyes were stunned in a daze. "It's okay--you don't have to say anything, I just needed to get that off my shoulders." With each passing moment she became more and more herself. "Just say you think about it."
He hesitated and tried not to alarm her. "--I can't." He gently pushed her from his arms and forced her eyes to his. "I can't do that, Kenjitsu--" Little did they know, that the Lady Priestess, Miaka stood just on beyond the corner. She had been following Tamahome, wanting him to hold her, even though it was against the wishes of Taiitsu-kun, and stumbled upon her beloved and her friend. "--I love Miaka." Miaka's eyes widened when she saw the smile that creased Tamahome's lips. "I'm sorry, but I can't return your feelings." Kenjitsu's gems became very dark in color, a notion that she was sad, or disappointed.
"I know, but--" she fought desprately to hide her tears but still they stun her face. She rarely cried, and when she did, she was really hurting. Inside her heart crumbled, a feeling she had never felt before, and it scared her, almost as much as she hated it. "But--Please, just think about it. Me, over Miaka?!" She hide her eyes, and her voice was at a whisper, "I care for Miaka very much, but--and I would never want to hurt her, but--I want you. And I want you to need me as much as I need you. Tamahome--" He took her hand and brought it to his face, the other followed.
"I care for you as well, but Miaka is the only woman I want in my life. I love her."
"But I love you." She pleaded and her cheeks flushed with the saltiness of her tears.
Miaka's heart cried for Tamahome, but also for her friend. *I had no idea! But Tamahome can't possibly stop loving me for her--could he?* Suddenly she was filled with doubt. She knew that he wanted her. He wanted her body, wanted to couple with her. And she knew that now they couldn't even touch one another, let alone make love. Part of her had always wanted to surrender herself to Tamahome, to his desires, but she couldn't, because if she did then it would mean the end of everything they had worked so hard to keep. And she would never be able to summon Suzaku, never had her wishes made, never be able to keep her promise of peace to Hotohori, never wish to have Yui see the truth and go home with her best friend, never be able to spend forever with the one man she loved. She knew that Tamahome could hardly control himself from taking her, forcing her to his bed, and driving himself inside her. The thought made heat sway in her stomach. She knew that Kenjitsu was able to lose her virginity without consequences. She knew that Tamahome could have her if she wanted to. *Tamahome...*
But her eyes went to slits as Tamahome's lips touched Kenjitsu's forehead. They stayed like that for an eternity. Miaka's heart fell into oblivion and she dropped to her knees. *Tamahome. Tamahome!!!!!!!!!!!!* Sharp tears poured from her eyes and thoughts and memories flashed in her head:
*"Can't you see that I'm in love with you?" he had told her.
"Of course, that's why I came back in the first place," she had responed.
And then he had kissed her.............
......................"I love you"...........................................
"I want to be you're bride, Tamahome--"
"And then I can always keep you safe"............................................................
"I love you, Tamahome, I have always loved you."*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kenjitsu clung to Tamahome with a need that Miaka had never had the chance to show. She seemed almost dependent on him, just to keep her breathing, just to keep her believing, just to keep her alive. "I know you don't love me, but please just hold me, this one time."
"Alright, just this once." A strong sigh escaped his lips. "I love her, only Miaka."
When Miaka heard her name she sat up stunned to see what was not. She had been so surprised by the affection Tamahome was showing for Kenjitsu she had mistaken his kindness for passion. "Tamahome?"
"Huh?! He whirled around. Both Kenjitsu and Tamahome watched the Priestess sigh slightly, tears still fell down her cheeks. "Miaka! This is not what it seems!!" Tamahome cried afraid she might think the impossible.
"I know Tamahome... My love..." She smiled slightly and within moments she was close the arms of Tamahome. Kenjitsu's eyes watched with hesitation. She wanted to push Miaka away from Tamahome, but part of her wanted to keep the two like that. Inside she was hurting, but also, rejoicing.
*I'm so confused.*
Miaka reached his arms and their lips met. Tamahome's once hidden desires sky-rocketed. *Miaka!*
*I love you.* Miaka forced herself not to be afraid of his heat, of his body. Just for a moment, if just for a moment they could be together without any interruptions, no outside forces. Miaka parted his mouth with her tongue, and it made them both ecstastic. He allowed her to touch him, to feel his body.
*As do I, my beloved. But we can't.* It was Tamahome who ended the kiss this time. And when he turned his head he could see that Miaka was completely breathless. "Miaka."
"Tamahome..." The just looked at each other for so long. Miaka nodded and slowly walked away. *I know we shouldn't have just done that, but I just couldn't help myself. You have no idea how much I want to be with you Tamahome. If only we could be just ordinary people, you and me, then maybe--*
*Maybe we could have loved each other completely. Maybe then we would be free to marry and start a family. And once that happens--that night I will make love to you, and it will be like nothing you have ever felt before. I promise this to you, Miaka...* Tamahome's attention then focused on the girl near him. With glassy eyes, as if she was completely unaware of where she was, the lady wept. Tears streamed down her cheeks and the sunlight bounced off the droplets like prisms. Suddenly he realized the intense aura radiating off of her, and it scared him. *She loves me?!*
Before he could speak to her, she ran away, and secretly his heart cried out to her... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chiriko walked beside Kibou. He had to smile at the bright day the night had brought. The storm had finally cleared, and dew formed on the plants, throughout the kingdom. Birds chirped and flew overhead. Everything had seemed so perfect. The boy stood about 6 inches shorter than the lady, and he counted her a good friend of his. The blessed ritual would be tonight and Chiriko was sure some new light would be shed on the place.
Kibou's voice murmured softly, "Dokun--do you think this is a mistake?" Something was odd about the way she said it, like she was afraid or confused.
"What do you mean?" He asked, curious to what it was she was asking. His green-blue eyes flashed at her eyes as she cast them onto him.
"I mean about this whole 'Perfect Warrior' thing. I feel so calm and peaceful like this, like I could do anything. I suffer no pain, no anger, no jealously." She clenched her fists. "But I don't understand the love I once had for Saihitei... And I want too."
Chiriko smiled, "The way I see it, Kibou and Mirakuru are one in the same. They both feel the same, both look the same, both care so passionately about the people they love. So Kibou or not, you are Mirakuru Tenno, of the Suzaku warriors." The gems flashed.
"Yes, but Saihitei,I--Mirakuru loves him, and it's overwhelming. And I don't know what to do."
"You have to make that decision yourself. Do what makes you happy. This way you don't feel pain or sadness or have to worry about suffering. You do not have to decide between Saihitei and Ryuuen," Chiriko responded to her silent plea for understanding.
"Dokun, I--"
"Do not try to deny it Kibou," he saw her hiding the brightly lite jewels from sight. "I see the way you look at both of them. Which one do you truly love? Nuriko or Hotohori?"
She been placed on the spot again. Even though she was sure she loved Hotohori, even though she promised to marry him, even though she wanted Hotohori, secretly she still cared so much for Nuriko. She shook her head and her eyes flashed. "I promised Saihitei I would be his Empress. I love him, and only him."
Chiriko's thoughts were whirling around in his head. I wonder if she was telling the truth. Nuriko is a better choice if she wants to always have excitement in her life...* He couldn't help but smile at that the thought of Nuriko's reckless happiness, even after facing such rejection. But with his Majesty, she would always be safe. "Really-I'm not so sure."
"I love Saihitei!" The blueness in her eyes returned and the gems flashed increasingly bright. He could tell that there was some unseen anger in her heart, so unseen power. And within moments, she found herself running in the direction her heart was leading her, on the path that fate had set for her.
Even though it was against everything she her conscious told her was right, even though she knew soon enough she'd have to leave the man she called her koi, even though she felt the fleeting absence of world she once knew as home, even though she knew all too well that she could die, even though the whole world had turned it's back on her, she ran to the man she loved. Her eyes searched the grounds from the highest tower on the palace grounds for the jade eyes and forest colored hair. But something allowed her to stray from her determination. A pair of violet eyes found hers, and her hands shook. "Ryuuen?!"
His body swayed, or so it appeared through the sakura that blew between them. He pushed his body closer to hers, forcing her to sit on the railing, making her slightly taller than he. He wasn't very tall, but he still was so much larger than she. Her thin waist traveled down until it met her wide hips and then her long legs. Looking down at her feet he slowly moved his eyes over the sensual curves of her body: up her thighs, over her torso, pausing at her breasts, and then rising to her face.
A moment of silence fell over the two. All there was, were the sounds of the wind, and the swaying of long, long hair. Her dark eyes settled on him and then realized that there was no getting away from him. Part of her wanted to run, part of her wanted to stay, part of her wanted to fall backwards of the railing, to the ground below, so maybe no one would have to suffer on her account.
The events of the night she came to his room, unfolded in his mind...
Flashback
He deepened the kiss when she did not react, and even as he bared his feelings to her at last she did not act. His hand swept over her. It was then that she reacted to him, but not the way Nuriko had expected. His body came so incredibly close to her and when his weight finally met hers, she let out a sigh. "Nuriko-"
"Don't say anything."
"..." *Not like this...* Her palms hit his chest with such force, that he swore his heart stopped for a moment. "Nuriko-we can't."
"Miracle..." He then held her in his arms. It was like that the rest of night until finally he fell asleep and she escaped to the safety of her room.
Present
"I have a confession..." He then dropped to his knees, his head in her lap as he pulled her down with him. His hand then strayed to where it wasn't suppose to be, it caressed her legs underneath her dress, and then up to her inner legs to her silky panties. A sigh escaped her lips as he touched her, but then she pulled his hand way and he got the message. She was rarely rough, or angry with him. And it seemed that she was holding back her protests, afraid she might hurt him more than he already hurt. "I want to feel your body next to mine."
"Nuriko..." His name... She said his name... It seemed a stranger to her voice, but then again came as easily as breathing, which ironically came in gasps now. His eyes seemed stunned when he heard his name.
"If it's wrong to love you, then my heart just won't let me be right." Something in his words stirred her to embrace him. "If you gave me just one night with you-I'd-You'd see me differently."
********************************************************************************
"Saihitei?" She had surprised him with her visit. He had been making last arrangements for the journey when she had walked up behind it. The council was very aware of the engagement, that Kibou would be the wife of the Emperor, the Empress and finally the king could finally produce and heir. "Could I see you?" His eyes seemed dazzled when he heard the word, "Alone?"
He motioned the council away with a wave of his hand and he gently pushed the various papers, maps, and scrolls to the middle of the table. His hair was up in a bun, completely out of his eyes, so he could not hide the emotions lurking within them. And secret fires burned there. "Yes, Lady Kibou what is it?" He was pleased with her visit, but was unaware of what would happen in the next few minutes. As he pushed on last scroll away he then realized that she had moved his chair closer to the table and jumped when it hit the back of his ankles. He felt clumsy falling backwards with a soft thud. Feeling like a child, his face flushed when she sat in his lap. Compared to Nuriko, he was enormous, 6 feet tall against Nuriko's 5'5". She herself was about 5'2".
"My name is Mirakuru." She said with a slight grin. Something told him that she was back to her normal self and with that her then pushed her upward and she landed on the table. Her body was sprawled out, her legs spread and he leaned in close to her, his own body position between her knees. With heat igniting inside of him, and rising, he kissed her lips once, gently. And then again. Each time their eyes met as they backed away slightly. And then again. "Hotohori." And then again, until he could have kissed her into submission if he wished. But he did wish. He did, he could no longer deny that.
"Mirakuru-" His breathing was uneven and hot, he held her too him. "Mirakuru, my fiancée." She smiled at his words, but then heard his voice again, "If given the chance, I would show you the glory of coupling with a man. And know that, you're mine, I will not let you go." Something sexual was in his voice. "Let me see you. I want to see your body."
With innocence in her eyes, her clothes were shed. He then brushed his lips softly against her stomach, leaning her back further then before. Goosebumps shivered up her body as a cool breeze swept in between them. Her bra and panties were the only things stopping him from having intercourse with her. "I'm-" she breathed a sigh, "I'm afraid, Saihitei-"
"I have to admit that I am too." Her drew back and looked into her dark eyes. Just then they seemed a shade of gray, as if something had changed, like she was stronger, more of a women. "What are we afraid off though?"
"I think each other…" She pulled him back to her. "Make me unafraid." He trembled at her statement. She was never one to admit her feelings, at least no that often, and she had basically just said: make love to me… Sliding her panties off he kissed each part of her legs, his tong tasting each delicious part.
"You better believe that I will," he murmured. He teased her skin as her unfastened her bra hiding her breasts from him. And then she could see the heat in his eyes, as he looked her over. When he came back up to her eyes, she shook, "Glorious-" And with their eyes locked she hardly noticed him undo his robes. And he forced her to her to back as he crawled on top of her. And as he held himself poised above her, she whispered his name.
"Hotohori-Koi-" She closed her eyes and waited for him to take away the child inside of her. But then he told her to-
"Open your eyes and look into mine." She did. And in a rush of heat and emotion he nearly drove himself within her but then she heard her name.
"Mirakuru!!!!!" Terrified eyes found hers and in moments she found herself covered completely in Hotohori robes, in his arms. Still even with the efforts of her love, she still felt completely naked. Nuriko's state of shock could have frozen time and all grew silent. His body became deathly still and heart then died. Inside the two friends were screaming for each other.
*I'm so sorry-you weren't suppose to know.* Suddenly all the desire that had just filled her body disappeared. Tears formed in the man's eyes and she could taste the bile in her throat. *Nuriko and I would never be together,* she told herself over and over. *I love Hotohori, but Nuriko-Nuriko, he, is my strength, if he doesn't believe in me, then I can't believe in myself--*
Within moments Nuriko had dashed away, tears in his eyes, and heart breaking. He knew that she didn't return his feelings, and that she loved Hotohori, but still, he loved her. He still cared for her more then his own life.