Disclaimer: Fushigi Yuugi is not mine but from the talented Yu Watase. Still doing this just for fun.

Chapter 7

The following morning Miaka and Mei were in the galley preparing breakfast. Mei spent most of her time trying to fix up a dish that Miaka managed to ruined. Finally the frustrated demi-goddess suggested that Miaka stick to setting up the table.

"I'm all done!" Miaka said cheerfully as she came up to Mei. "Umm ... that smells good. Maybe I should take Tamahome's breakfast to his room."

" Um…I'll go with you. Here, let me get that. " Mei said in a rush as she grabbed the tray from Miaka.

"Oh, no need to do that. I can carry it." Miaka made a move for the tray, but the other girl took it out of her reach.

"Are you kidding me?" Mei asked incredulously. "Just in the past half an hour. You've manage to break two glasses and three plates. If you want the food to get to Tamahome's room, then let me carry the tray."

"I suppose. I mean, what's the point of having a maid if I don't make you do things for me right?"

"I'm not your maid, Miaka," Mei replied in a flat tone.

The priestess laughed at her friend's reaction. "I know, I'm just teasing you. Come on, let's go."

When they reached Tamahome's room the girls found him still asleep. Mei quietly walked over to the table as Miaka whispered something about the boy being so sloppy. She paused and smiled as the priestess gently replaced the blanket over her seishi. Mei turned around to put the tray down, but quickly looked back at Miaka when she heard the priestess gasp. "Miaka what are you doing?" Mei fiercely whispered.

"It's not my fault!" she whispered back. "He's the one that grabbed me."

"Well, get off him before he wakes up. You're not suppose to…"

Both girls tensed as Tamahome's eyes slowly opened, then became round as a saucer when he saw Miaka on him. Then he noticed Mei watching them a few feet away and his jaw unhinged. With lighting speed movement, Tamahome pushed Miaka off him and moved away as far as he could from both girls.

"You…what…pervertes!"

"What?!", yelled out both girls.

"It wasn't what you think!" Mei explained all red in the face.

Miaka was also red, but she was more angry then embarrassed. "You started it! We just came in to bring you breakfast, then you started sleep hugging me!"

Suddenly the door burst open and Nuriko rushed inside the room, who was quickly followed by Tasuki.

"What happened? We heard yelling." Nuriko looked from one face to another.

"Nothing." Mei quickly said. She quickly averted her eyes when she noticed Tasuki looking at her, obviously surprise to see her in Tamahome's room.

"It was just a misunderstanding." Mei held up the tray of food, hoping to distract everyone. "Anyone want to eat? We brought Breakfast!"

"Cool! We Don't have to go all the way to the galley to get grub!" exclaimed Tasuki as he sat at the table and began eating.

"Wait a minute!" Miaka cried out. "That's for Tamahome."

"Relax Miaka," Mei reassured the priestess. "There's enough for everybody. Nuriko? Tamahome?"

******

"Miaka is something wrong?" Mei looked at her friend as she tensed up suddenly. They had just finished their meal and were talking about their plans once they reached Hokkan when Mei sense that something was happening with Miaka.

The priestess slowly stood up and now even all three of the suzaku seisis looked worried. Mei opened her mouth to say something when she heard a faint voice call out Miaka's name.

"Keisuke?" Miaka whispered suddenly.

This time Mei was sure she heard somebody reply to Miaka. She looked around to see if the others have heard it too, but realized they hadn't when she heard Tamahome's question.

"Who are you talking to, Miaka?"

The priestess continued to ignored the others as Mei concentrated in determining who Miaka was talking to. She almost gasp out loud when she felt the link to Miaka's world. The demi-goddess carefully focused her chi and sharpened her senses to hear the mysterious speaker.

"I think she's finally lost it," Tasuki said with a smirk.

"What's wrong Miaka?" asked Nuriko. "Did you eat bad fish or something?"

By this time even Mei was oblivious to their comments. The mysterious speaker was telling Miaka that she was in danger of getting killed if she stayed in the Universe of the Four Gods. The man, Mei was certain this time, was trying to convince Miaka to go home. But to Mei's surprise her friend unselfishly chose to stay and help.

Miaka plucked a hair from her head held it out to Tasuki, and look at him with determination.

"Tasuki, I want you to burn this."

"Huh? Whatever you say," said the confused seishi.

Mei stopped herself in time from telling her not to do it. She didn't want Miaka to severe her only link to her home, but following up on that action might result in the others finding out who she is. So with a heavy heart Mei watched as Tasuki burned the hair and realized that her friend had just signed her death warrant. She didn't understand why Miaka would so such a thing.

'Is it because of Tamahome?' Mei thought. 'Is she foolish enough to die because of one boy ?' The demi-goddess took a closer look at the girl as Miaka explained to them what happened. 'No,' Mei told herself. 'She didn't do it for Tamahome. She did it for everybody - out of loyalty and the goodness of her heart. The demi-goddess did not know whether to feel sad for Miaka or to be proud of her.

Mei sighed and looked out the window. She frowned when she saw how cloudy it got all of a sudden. As if on cue, Mei immediately sensed the presence of an evil chi.

"Hey, what's the matter with you?" Tasuki asked Mei, successfully bring out the demi-goddess from her thoughts. "Don't tell me you're going to start acting all weird too. Girls. Jeez, why do they always have to…" Tasuki abruptly stopped when everyone felt the entire ship shudder.

"What was that?" Nuriko asked.

"Come on, lets head up and see what's going on!" Tamahome shouted.

When they emerged from the stairs everyone saw that a full blown storm had started and that a mast was on fire.

"Chichiri!" Miaka called out to the monk. "What happened?"

"Lighting struck it, no da."

"Everybody, hold on to something!" Mitsukake shouted, pointed to a huge wave. "We're about to get hit by that wave."

Both girls and the seishis managed to grab on to something just before the wave crashed onto them. Tasuki shook the wet hair out of his eyes and looked over to where Mei and Miaka sat, holding on to a railing.

"Mei!" Tasuki cried out. "Take Miaka and yourself below deck until the storm clears!"

The young demi-goddess nodded and pulled the priestess with her. Both girls had only taken a few steps when they saw another wave come towards them.

Tasuki watched as the girls halted on their tracks. He turned his head and saw what caused their action. Thinking of only saving Mei and Miaka, Tasuki ran towards them and tried to grab hold of both girls before the wave hit. Unfortunately the wave came too soon and the three were thrown overboard.

Author's notes: Thanks for the reviews! My apologies to Shimao-Chan and Jashi if you both think that Mei Woo is a lame name for a demi-goddess. I am open to suggestions though if you want me to change her name. I'm considering the name Sumiko Seiyu. What do you all think? Just e-mail me or write it in a review and I'll see about replacing her name.