The Second Chapter of Suzaku
Neptune Princess

Chapter five: The Fight

Tasuki jumped out of the way and dodged Tamahome's first attack, but he wasn't luck enough to dodge his tornado spin kick.

"Ah." Tasuki flew into the tree behind him. "Tasuki!" Miaka screamed.

"Hey, you promised you wouldn't cry," Tasuki said with a small smile. Tasuki looked up just in time to see Tamahome charge at him again with a punch. Tasuki moved to the right and Tamahome ended up punching the tree. Tasuki moved like lightning, he kneed Tamahome in the stomach, and then karate chopped him to the ground. Tasuki thought that he was down, but Tamahome grabbed Tasuki's ankles and dragged him down.

Miaka could only watch on in horror at the scene before her. She promised Tasuki she wasn't going to cry and she meant to keep that promise. Tamahome quickly got back on his feet and kicked the already bleeding Tasuki in the stomach.

Tamahome let Tasuki get to his feet before he kicked he in the face. Miaka let out a gasp and almost ran out to Tasuki.

" Miaka, stay back," Hotohori said noticing the look on her face. " None of us would forgive ourselves if you got hurt because of us." Hotohori's expression held love and pain. He knew that Miaka's heart now belonged to Tasuki, and that's exactly what pained him.

Meanwhile, Tasuki had finally managed to get to his feet and punch Tamahome a few times. Tamahome and Tasuki both launched at each other and met in the air. Tamahome had a thin cut along his left cheek, but that was nothing compared to Tasuki.

Blood trickled down the side of his head. Tasuki's flaming orange hair was matted down with sweat and a small patch was crusted with his blood. Tasuki was turning around, about to launch another attack, when he saw Tamahome inches away in the air prepared for a kick. SMACK!!!

Tamahome connected with Tasuki's chest and sent him flying into a rock. At that moment Miaka totally lost it. " Tasuki, Tasuki!!" she screamed as she frantically ran down the stairs to him. Tamahome stood back breathing hard. He watched as Miaka ran over to the unconscious Tasuki.

Tears flowed freely of of her eyes while she sat down and placed Tasuki's head on her lap. " Tasuki, Tasuki, please wake up, wake up." Miaka's voice rang through Tamahome's ears. He could tell, with just that simple sentence, that she truly cared for Tasuki. Maybe even more than she had him.

Miaka sat sobbing quietly, holding Tasuki's head, gently caressing him. Tamahome stepped forward.

" Miaka,"

" Don't talk to me right now," Miaka said quietly, but with such curtness Tamahome backed up and went up the steps to Hotohori and Nuriko.

" I think it would be better if you don't talk to Miaka or Tasuki for a while," Nuriko said in a tone that suggested sympathy, but at the same time anger. Tamahome walked past them towards the circle shaped doorway that lead into his room.

' What was I thinking.' He thought as he plopped down on his bed. ' I've ruined mine and her life. Miaka and Tasuki probably hate me. Man, Miaka makes me do the craziest stuff! I don't know why I did that! I have Chi Fong and Kegani. So why would I rather be with Miaka? That's it, at supper I'm telling them I'm going back to Sairou to my family.'

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By the time the fight was over breakfast was cleared off of the dining hall table, but Miaka didn't care. (Amazing) Right after Tamahome got into his room Hotohori went to get the doctor for Tasuki.

Nuriko picked Tasuki up gently and walked to his room, followed anxiously by Miaka. Hotohori and the doctor rushed into Tasuki's room, the doctor rushing straight to Tasuki to tend to his wounds. After a few minutes of bandaging the doctor told them that all he needed was rest.

Miaka knelt by the bed and held Tasuki's hand. Tears could be seen flowing down her cheeks and her shoulders shook slightly. Hotohori and Nuriko knew that Miaka wanted to be alone with Tasuki and pushed the doctor out on their way to their rooms.

Tasuki's other hand twitched and immediately Miaka stopped crying. Tasuki's eyes slowly opened as he said, "You promised you wouldn't cry Miaka."

Miaka gasped and smiled. "Oh thank god you're okay," she said jumping up and hugging him.

"Owww! I may look invincible, but I'm not."

" Oh I'm so sorry. It's just I was so worried; I love you."

Tasuki's eyes softened as he looked up at Miaka. "I love you too." Tasuki sat up carefully and kissed Miaka on the forehead.

"You're really beautiful, you know that?" Tasuki raised his hand and brushed an auburn lock out of her face. Her hair was in its regular two buns, but her bangs were constantly in her face. Miaka looked into his eyes and knew that he was being completely truthful.

"Arigato Tasuki, and now, what do you think you were doing?! Tamahome could've killed you!"

" You're wrong, he couldn't have killed me because I'm a Suzaku seishi, and," he paused a little, " I have you. As long as you're okay, I don't care what happens to me."

" But I do, please don't ever do that again. I need you." Miaka's stomach growled making Tasuki chuckle slightly. ' She'll never change out of that habit ' he thought.

" I guess I also need food."

" You did miss breakfast, and it is lunchtime."

" Okay, since you're already well enough to sit up, I'll go get you and me some lunch and bring it back here." Miaka stood up slowly, not wanting to leave, but she was hungry so she had to leave.

Tasuki leaned back, fully content with himself. He had done it. He had stood up to Tamahome, and though he lost to him, he won Miaka. He watched her silhouetted in the doorway, she looked extremely beautiful as she looked back, smiled, and walked away.

Tasuki sighed and was about to close his eyes when he saw Tamahome in the doorway.

" Tasuki, before you say anything I just want to apologize to you. I'm sorry I was such a jerk, I guess I still love Miaka. But I know she loves you and well, who could resist such a cute girl."

At this statement Tasuki lost it. " She's no mere girl Tama. She's grown into a woman. I know you still love her, I see it every time you look at her, but you gotta control 'em Tama. You think she's only a girl that'll do whatever you want, but she's not. She has a mind of her own that works really well."

" I know Tasuki, I 'll try harder to control 'em, and about that girl part, It slipped. I guess I better spend a little time away from her then."

" That would be a good idea," Tasuki said with a hint of spite in his voice.

" You know I think Miaka's changing you Tasuki. You're becoming a softy."

" The hell I'm not! I just can't beat the crap out of you right now. You better leave before Miaka sees you here, she'll be back soon."

Tamahome turned around and started heading out of the door when he looked back. " Take good care of her Tasuki."

" Hey you're one of her protectors too, so you gotta take good care a' her too."

" You're right, but now you are her main protector instead of me. Well ja na!" And with that Tamahome disappeared from Tasuki's sight. A few more minutes passed before Miaka walked into the room carrying two plates. Miaka's plate was filled with food. There was so much on it, you couldn't tell what she was carrying.

Tasuki's plate, on the other hand, had a considerable amount less than Miaka's. Miaka sat down on the chair next to Tasuki's bed and handed him his food. They ate in silence, but Tasuki didn't care. Miaka was here in his room with him sharing a meal.