Okay, I am so hyper right now so here is another lovely chapter!!! Thanks again to everyone who reviews!! Enjoy!
"You said you wanted to talk so talk."
"I wanted to apologize to you. This whole time you've been watching out for me haven't you? And you've been so kind to me, but I've been…"
"You've been what? Absolutely horrible? A pain in the ass? Unbearable to even speak to?"
The moment he said it Tamahome wished he hadn't. He saw the hurt fill Miaka's eyes, but he had been angry. She had hurt him, whether she knew it or not, and he wanted to hurt her back. It was childish to be o cruel and he knew it, but the aching in his heart wouldn't let him be kind.
"I know I've been horrible but you don't have to rub it in my face! I came here because I wanted to apologize for hurting you but if you aren't going to let me I might as well leave!"
"You didn't want to apologize to me. You just wanted to cause more trouble didn't you? Do you have any idea why I've been watching over you? Do you?"
During this small speech Tamahome had moved forward and gripped Miaka's wrists holding her tightly against him.
"No…"She said fighting back tears," I don't…I don't know anything!"
"Then I'll tell you…Since the moment I found you in that alley I have been able o think of nothing and no one else. I don't know how or why, but the reason I have been trying to protect you…is because I love you."
"What?"
Miaka couldn't believe her ears! He loved her. He really loved her! But…could she give her heart as freely?
"I said, I love you Miaka. Even if you don't love me."
"Tamahome I-"
Tamahome kissed her then, stopping her words. He didn't care about anything but the feel of her lips against his, the warmth of her body as he held her, and the beat of their hearts.
"Now get out," Tamahome said, shoving her away.
"I don't understand."
"I said get out!"
Before Tamahome had a moment to realize what he was doing, he had raised his hand and slapped her directly in the face. Miaka stood, shocked. Her mind was having trouble processing the realization that Tamahome had hurt her.
Tamahome stared at his hand, a shocked look similar to Miaka's. He knew then he would have no chance of ever being with her. Not now.
"Miaka…"
He took a step toward her, but she pulled away.
"Don't….just don't…"
With tears in her eyes Miaka ran from Tamahome, a piece of her dying. She looked up from the passing granite beneath her to find herself staring at Nuriko. It made her stop dead in her tracks. Nuriko. She had been so horrible to him. He had only tried to be her friend.
"I believed everything you said and you lied to me!"
She remembered those awful words. Technically Nuriko hadn't lied to her. He just hadn't gotten around to telling her the truth. Then a thought struck her. He was afraid. He didn't tell her, because he had been afraid she would run like so many others in the past had run. She needed to make it up to him. To make amends for her horrible behavior. She approached the young man, watching for any sign of anger.
"Nuriko…I…" she took a deep breath to steady her voice" Nuriko I'm so sorry for what I said to you earlier. I know you didn't lie to me, not really. I shouldn't have been so cruel to you and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Nuriko was completely dumb founded. Here he was on his way to apologize to her when she apologizes to him! Technically, they were both to blame for this afternoon.
"Miaka. I owe you an apology too. I should have told you what I was sooner. But I saw the way you reacted to the others and you looked like you needed a friend. I figured if I didn't tell you, you would get out whatever was bothering you."
"Nuriko!"
Miaka hugged the young man, tears sliding down her face. He didn't hate her. It was okay! At least he wasn't angry with her.
"So you don't hate me?"
"Of course not! It takes a little more than a silly argument to make me hate you."
Miaka brushed the tears away and felt a stinging sensation when her hand brushed her cheek. Tamahome. Why had he been so cruel?
"Miaka, what happened to your cheek?"
"Huh? Oh, uh nothing, I fell."
"You fell?" Nuriko paused a moment then looked toward the direction from which she had come," Tamahome hit you."
He said it as a statement more than a fact.
"Please don't be angry with him. I deserved it, really. Just let him cool down."
"Fine. But if he ever touches you again I'm gonna do a lot more than hit him."
Miaka watched the angry cross dresser disappear around the corner. Oh no! What time was it? She was supposed to meet Hotohori! The thought of seeing the emperor again made her heart race a little faster.
As she headed toward Hotohori's chambers she tried to think of a story about her face. She couldn't tell on Tamahome. Not to Hotohori.
She wrapped lightly on the door to the emperor's chambers.
"Come in."
To be Continued…mwa ha ha!! Please review.
