Chapter 22: Sora and Kaze--Will We Be Like Them, Tenshi? Can We Beat the Odds, Hotaru?

"I've decided!" Mirakuru stood up confidently. Nuriko focused on her, his feminine eyes watching her with interest and amusement. A strand of his hair curled around his finger and he continued to to twirl it.

"To what?"

She turned to him with a soft smile, "I'm going to ask Chichiri to help me communicate with Hotohori!" Nuriko blinked in a state of surprise and sat up more fully.

"Really?" Her short brunette hair hung in her eyes and she made a joyful nod. His heart smiled and his soul lit up with pride. He was proud of her--she was afraid to face him, but know she had overcome her fears. "Are you going to tell him the truth about me and you?" Nuriko said after a moment.

"The truth..." Her expression weaked.

"That we're not together," he grinned reassuringly. "That you and I are no more than friends." Violet eyes cast a hynotizing glare and she tugged on her waist band. "That you love him."

"Nuriko?..." She whispered and hid her eyes beneath her hair. "I'm not--"

"Sit down." Compassion and sympathy rang free in his voice. Unwillingly she sat down but her eyes couldn't find his. He sighed and watched her hair gently shift with the rocking of the boat. "Why do you always get so depressed and down on yourself?" His eyes did a quick look around him. "Everything is fine. Tasuki and Kakusei are back together. Miaka and Tamahome are obviously trying very hard to avoid going against Tiitskun's words... Miaka must be a virgin in order to call Suzaku--you know that. You don't need to be--we can send you back to Konan once we get to Houkkon. You can be with Majesty again. Isn't that what you want?"

Her blue eyes finally met his, and weakly she smiled. "Yeah--something like that." *But what about you Nuriko?* He smiled back at her reassuringly. *I'm sick and tired of listening to the sound of my tears. You told me you loved me. But I didn't say it back, because of Hotohori... The truth is, I love him, but part of me wishes that I could love you in return. You deserve to have someone that loves you.* "You're such a good person Nuriko, and you've always been so supportive of me. But I know that because of me you'll always be left with the heart ache I caused you. I wanted you to be a man, and you were in love with Hotohori then too. I think that you've become a man, and I'm proud of you for that Nuriko... You're obviously don't have the same feelings about him."

"No, but I still care for him. He's a gentle, kind-hearted man--by far the best Emperor Konan's ever had.

Her smile grew more confident. "You're so strong, and me--I'm just an imperfect girl. I don't have the perfect smile, maybe I'm just too shy. I'm not a beauty queen--I always hated the way my picture came out on the cover of magazines. But there's something no one can deny."

"What's that?" He grinned. *That's my girl!*

"I rise above this perfect world, and from now on, I'll be strong too."

Swiftly he took her into his arms. His voice came softly and hushed. "I believe when you say that, Mirakuru." She savored his warmth, took in his soul, felt his breath warm against her face. "Can I tell you something?"

"...Okay..." She breathed weakly. His right hand covered hers and lifted it. He slide it beneath his shirt, her heart beginning to race. *I'm--scared.* Mirakuru felt his chest and the gentle beating of his heart. Softly a warmth came to her palm.

"Feel that?" His character was emitting light and heat. The girl nodded. "I've never told anyone this before... but I consider this mark the window to my soul. It's so close to my heart, and, you're their too." He whispered and in the back of her mind a song quitely began.

Deep in my soul, a love so strong, it takes control. Know we both know, the secrets bared, the feelings show. Driven far apart, I'll make a wish, on a shooting star. There will come a day, somewhere far away, in your arms, I'll stay.

"I love you." His lips brushed her ear, his feminine voice softly sounded. "You have no idea how much." Her eyes were wide and her cheeks were flushed, as if she had just ran for a long time. The raspberry color clashed with her eyes, making them look almost purple. *Mirakuru, if only it didn't have to be this way. If only I didn't love you, it could be like it was, like it was suppose to be, you and me, like brother and sister. I want it like that, but--* "I know this hard for you to hear, but I just needed to tell you again. You don't have to say anything, Mirakuru. I already know. You are in love with Hotohori." The gem stones on her wrists flickered and then light comepletely. "He's good to you, and he can give you much more than I can. More importantly he loves you and he makes you happy. I want you to be happy and live a long and sweet life with him. Marry him. Become his wife." And he finally whispered,"Give him the most precious gift you could ever give anyone... Give him your innocence."

Her eyes wideded even more. "Nuriko, I--" His grip on her tightened, silencing her.

"Promise me something..." Her hand was let loose and it slipped away, gently resting over his arms. "Promise me that'll you be happy... and that you'll have no regrets."

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"He's with Kouran." Kakusei regrettedly told Densetsu. Her hair fell into her eyes as it always did. But her face was not shadowed like Densetsu's was. Kakusei had come to her as she washed dishes, humming a tune of one of their songs.

...Love was always such a difficult thing for me to learn, but now that I have you to teach me, I know it'll come much more easily... I love you...

Her friend's face was hidden. Gradually she had came to the point of the words. 'Chichiri is cheating on you... He's with Kouran.' The room was dead silent. Densetsu's breathing stopped, her heart too. She hadn't thought--

*Another heart break. That's all it is. It's happened before, the guy would find someone new, better, smarter, prettier, someone who he could use.* She'd been used, one too many times--for money, for fame, for--acts she didn't want to admit. Her cheeks reddened with an intense wave of despair and anger.

"Densetsu," Kakusei sighed, "I'm sorry. I didn't think that he'd--"

"So--it's not like I care. He can have whoever he wants. I'm too good for him anyway!" Kakusei felt the anger in her voice and reached a hand out to touch her best friend's shoulder. But before she could, Densetsu pulled away. "Leave me--I have a job to do." She scrubbed the dish in her hand harder and harder and harder.

The Lady of Secrets and Visions shoulders dropped and her eyes pleaded for the pain for her friend to end. Ever since they'd known each other, Densetsu had always respond to break ups with strength and determination. But then again, she had never truely been in love. Was Chichiri somehow any different from all the others?

With a grave sigh, Kakusei exited the small room and walked out into the sunlight. She stretched out her tight muscles from making love to Tasuki. Her body still tingled and she could hear his laughter somewhere on the other end of the ship. Tamahome's laugher came too, as well as Miaka's. Daikonsen peered at her from her place at a railing. Their eyes met. Somehow they both knew that Densetsu needed some alone time, no matter how much they wanted to support her. It had to be left to her.

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Finally the tears came, no matter how much she tried to fight them, they came. But she did not sob, even though the pain inside was so great. All the hope and plans she had made came crashing down. She couldn't speak, couldn't move, couldn't breath, couldn't weep. Her body went limp and she fell to the ground, the dish in her hand shattering as it hit the floor. *What's wrong with me? It's just another dead relationship!* She kept telling herself this. Chichiri's words spun around... 'A thousand angels dance around you... I am complete now that I've found you.' *Chi... Chiri...*

She never cared that he was so much older than she was, never cared that his face was disfigured, never cared that he had once been engaged, that he was a character in a book, that he was very aware of how much he meant to her. She never cared about any of those things. Even if she had wished that he didn't where his mask because she thought he was handsome the way he was, it didn't matter now. All that did was the fact her gem stones were burning, literally--she could feel the pain and heat digging into her skin. It was sharp and hot, but the grief inside was thousands of times more unbareable. Densetsu had never felt this much sorrow before, she now understood why Mirakuru cried so much and was depressed a lot. Pain hurts--and it was all her fault--for not keeping a closer hold on her relationship with Chichiri. Kouran was the enemy and she would never forgive her. But there was one person she had just learned to love even more. The more pain she felt, the more she loved him and the more she loved him, the more she hated him.

"I hate you--I hate you Chichiri......."

A yearning ignited inside of her, deep inside. She wanted him--

*Damn it,* she silently cursed and brushed away her tears. She stood up and found her reflection in the water of the sink. Her hair was in her eyes and she was discusted with the way she looked. The knife to the left of her caught her attention and then her hair again in the water's reflection.

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*No regrets?...* Mirakuru thought to herself. *Is that possible?* Her heart was in two different places--did she actually believe that she could keep up a happy face for Nuriko even when she wanted to be with Hotohori? Could she be with Hotohori if she wanted to fight along side the others--along side Daikonsen... along side Nuriko? Daikonsen seemed in her own world since her night spent with Suzaku. Mirakuru hadn't been able to talk to anybody and everything was being bottled up inside. She didn't like that feeling of being alone, and even all the warm smiles of everyone wasn't enough to break the wall she was building around herself. *...Daiko-chan, we haven't spoken like we used to in so long, and I miss it. Suzaku is all you see, not anything else anymore. I know your not doing it purposely, but I miss you. Smile at me, and not into thin air at your daydreams.......... I almost regret coming here... I want to go home. I want to go home!*

"Hello there..." She blinked to the screen in front of her. Hotohori's smile lite up her eyes and brought a rose color to her cheeks. "It's been a while, Lady Mirakuru."

Mirakuru couldn't speak, her heart was beating much too fast. Chichiri grinned. "You alright, Mirakuru?" He leaned over but so her eyes were lost to space. His face was happy but his spirit wasn't. What he had done--well--Densetsu may never forgive him. Kouran just--she just--

*................................Ho.........to.........ho..........ri.....................* Tears burned in her eyes. Suddenly the pain she felt to go home was now that yearning she felt for Hotohori's arms. The screen was allowing her to look into his chambers. The big bed with red and gold trim. The same bed they'd slept in together, the same bed were they almost made love for the second time. But there was something unusual about the air around him. It was warm, almost too warm.

"Why are you not saying anything?" Hotohori cocked his head to one side. He then saw the tears falling down her cheeks and pressed his hands to the screen. His mouth was ready to ask her what was wrong, but it didn't matter.

Her eyes looked up at him, more tears. Her gems flickered and her body was bathed in the red light of Suzaku. The character of the pheonix appeared on her forehead, her hair gently moving with the energy she has conjured.

"Mirakuru?" Hotohori's voice collided with her silent pleas him. Her breathing ceased and finally her eyes found his. She wasn't trying to hide her tears this time... She was ashamed of herself, but the overwhelming sense to reach out and just touch him overrided every thread of reality.



She wasn't thinking of Nuriko--no, her thougths were empty, completely blank. She couldn't think. But her body--it wanted Hotohori. Her soul--it needed him. Her heart--well, that was easy to guess--she loved him, she had always loved him. But there was something in the air, it was thick and hot. Something demanding and controlling... Something longing and restless...

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"Daikonsen..." Suzaku whispered beneath his breath. He shuttered beneath Taiitsu-kun's gaze.

She had confronted the god about his affair with the girl.

"Did you really think I wouldn't find out? I can't believe this--it's not ethical. God's do not have relationships with mortals!" Taiitsu-kun faced away but stood away from the standing god.

"I did not choose to be who I am! You created me to be the god of the south--not me. I am entitled to certain rights as are every other living thing!" He waited for her response, but got none. Instead three other men appeared overhead.

The one dressed in green grinned down at him. "Now, now, Suzaku. You should know better. Remember what happened last time that happened?" Genbu grinned at him, his green eyes daring him to take a chance.

"...Yes... Suzaku, he's right." A blond spoke softly. He was Byakko, his eyes between gold and orange. "Kaze was not very wise to fall for a mortal."

"He was foolish!!" Taiitsu-kun snapped. "Kaze was the one I thought would be the supreme god. His powers of wind and spirits were unparalleled. Until the priestess came."

"Miko no Kaze... Sora...," Seiryuu hissed, "that's what they called her. She was beautiful, eh Taiitsu-kun?"

Taiitsu-kun's back was away from Suzaku, but he could see her anger. "Yes, she was very beautiful. Very attactive. Very young, very naive... She was a fool and so was Kaze." She turned to Suzaku. "They were written out of history, do you want that to happen to you?! More importantly, do you want that to happen to your precious Daikonsen?!?!"

"No! But I--" He was so frustrated, so stressed. "I don't... I just--I just can't help it anymore." His head fell forward, like a dolls would if not held up.

"...I understand your frustration, Suzaku." Taiitsu-kun said in a calmer voice. "It was not my decision to make it that way. It is by the law of nature--Gods and mortals should not and can not be together, under any circumstance, whatsoever."

It wasn't exactly what her wanted to hear, but it was conforting that Taiitsu-kun was making an effort to make the situation easier... Kaze had been the god of Spirits and Wind. His hair was a soft, snowy white and his eyes, a startling shade of purple. The character on his forehead glowed in a light shade of violet, and a tattooed tear drop caressed the skin under his left eye. His personality was clam, understanding, peaceful, mellow, but as you got to know him, he could be a very restless person, easily falls under too much stress, hence the tear on his check. But the girl, the priestess, Sora, brought out his highest limits--made him stronger, wiser, more open.

Sora Suki, the very first priestess lived over 500 years ago inside the book and in the outside world would have been in the early 1900's. Because the book was written and made in China (or so we think) than Sora lived in China. But one fateful day--the pages of the Fushigi Yuugi legend unfolded beneath baby blue eyes. Long blond hair and bright, loving eyes, fit her outgoing, positive, and upbeat personality. Sora and Kaze were not immediately drawn together. The warriors were gathered and Kaze was summoned. That's were they first met--face to face. Kaze and Sora coupled--and not just that but their souls touched--and they made love.

They loved each other without question, and tried to be together. Sora's wish was to make the warriors normal people so they would not have to worry about fighting or war or protecting their priestess. The second was to take away their memories of each other and of her. And the third--was to be with Kaze--instead of returning to her home.

500 years ago

"And my final wish will be--" Sora looked up at the beautiful Kaze floating in the sky. His hands prepared for the wish he had expected--for her to return to her world. And as her did it, hot tears stung his eyes, but he did not speak, neither refuse, nor accepted the fact. "To be with you, Kaze!!!!"

Violet eyes flashed. "So........... Ra..............."

She spoke to the world... "In my mind, and all my rationality, I know this is wrong, but in my heart and soul, this is what I want, and what I need. I want to be with Kaze forever, always by at his side, to warm and protect him. He deserves to be happy, more than anyone else. I want to be the one to make him happy--so happy." She spoke to Kaze... Their eyes melted into each others. "I want to be with you... You are--"

And together. "THE ONE............................................................."

Present

Suzaku was then left alone, every one disappeared.

He settled himself and exhauled deeply. Lying on his back, he watched the air float past. *This is so confusing... Funny... I almost feel human...* He chuckled softly to himself. *If only it were that easy...* And then he thought further. It could be that easy.............*