An: Gomen for not writing in a loooonnnnngggg time! I couldn't find my notebook. Hehe, high school is so much more work than I thought it would be. Well hope you like this chapter:)





The Second Chapter of Suzaku

Neptune Princess

Chapter six: Visions

Yui, Tetsuya, and Keisuke, especially Keisuke, stood in shock as they looked at the book. " Who'd a thought that she would fall for Tasuki instead," Yui said with a smile. She had met Tasuki before and knew the temper he had.

Keisuke most of all was surprised by his little sister's action. When he had seen her and Tamahome, they seemed to be so much in love. " I guess all that time apart broke them up," he said aloud.

" It's okay though," Yui said, " She has Tasuki now. I remember when I considered her my enemy, how Tasuki reacted to her and looked at her. Any ways, let's continue reading."

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Miaka and Tasuki finished lunch and after that Miaka took the plates back and returned. Tasuki waited impatiently for Miaka to return. ' God I love her so much I can't seem to spend much time away from her without missing her.' Tasuki was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed Miaka come in, sit next to him, and stare at him.

He came back to his senses and saw Miaka staring at him.

" Nani?" she asked.

" I was just thinking," he said, " of how I love you so much that I can't be away from you." Miaka and Tasuki smiled at each other and, despite the pain he was in, kissed.

" You're such a sweet guy Tasuki," she said as she curled up in his arms. They stayed that way and slept until supper.

Hotohori parted ways with Nuriko and went to his own chambers. It pained him to know that Miaka was gone once more, but he was glad she was happy. He sank down on his bed and remembered the dream he had had. It was a vision from Suzaku of what would happen if he and Miaka were together.

***Dream***
Hotohori stood next to Miaka with his imperial robes on and she did as well. They seemed happy, but at a closer look he could see that Miaka was crying and he was comforting her. The image faded and he was surrounded by a new one. This time he saw him on a bed dead. Miaka and Prince Boushin were at his side. He could hear Miaka wail, " Why did you leave me Hotohori?! I loved you, why? I have loved you since the very first time we met. Long ago when I was with Tamahome, I still loved you, and even through Tasuki. You were supposed to stay with me!" At this Hotohori dropped his jaw. He didn't have a chance to think because he suddenly saw Miaka kill herself. " No!" he yelled, but of course she couldn't hear him. That image also disappeared and Hotohori saw Kutou and Konan at war again, even worse than before.

Suzaku appeared and said, " I know that you love her very deeply, but Tasuki's is even deeper. She loves you, but she would choose Tasuki over you. You see why you cannot be together? Miaka must rule Kutou with Tasuki and only him. I can only tell you this much, Tasuki will allow you to care and protect her for one week. She will tell you everything so that your mind will be at ease. I am sorry, but the emperor of Konan and the empress of Kutou must remain separate to keep the peace. Now that you know please rest your mind." Suzaku disappeared and Hotohori was left alone
***End Dream***

' Why must it be this way?' He thought. He sat there for a few minutes when he saw Miaka pass his door with plates in her hands.

" Miaka," he called. Miaka stopped and turned.

" Oh Konichiwa Hotohori. What's the matter?" She asked as she set the plates down and sat next to him. Hotohori decided to be honest and said, " You, Miaka."

" Nani?" She asked in surprise. " Me, what about me?" Miaka knew immediately as she saw that somber look on his face what it was. ' He still loves me after all this time.'

" Miaka, after all this time, I know it's pathetic, but I still love you." He took her hands in his and said, " I know we can never be together, and I am deeply sorry about that. I had a vision from Suzaku about what would happen if we were together and I would never want it that way. I want to be with you, but I don't want you to kill yourself over me." He saw Miaka's eyes widen and said, " Gomen, I saw that I was dead, again, and you killed yourself because I was gone. Be happy with Tasuki ne? As long as you're happy, I will be as well."

He knew what her reaction would be and anticipated it. He was right, she threw her arms around him and to his surprise she kissed him. She released, took the plates, and dashed away.

" Miaka..." Hotohori whispered as he brought his fingers to his lips. He smiled and knew that all would work out.

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The day passed by quickly and supper came. Of course Miaka was first there and Tasuki managed to walk with her to the dining hall. They sat together and had a few minutes before Tamahome, Hotohori, and Nuriko joined them. All three of which looked at Miaka and blushed as they entered. Tasuki, noticing this, pulled Miaka closer to him and hugged her.

Tamahome sat on Miaka's left and glared at Tasuki on her right. Hotohori sat down at the head of the table in his emperor's chair and Nuriko sat straight across from Miaka . The servants brought in the food and as soon as they laid the plates down Miaka attacked. The others, anticipating this, just laid back until she was done.

" Thanks for leaving some food for us Miaka, " Nuriko said with a smile as he reached for a bun. Tasuki clapped a hand on her shoulder, " That's my Miaka." At this everyone grew silent.

' This is so uncomfortable.' Miaka thought as she ate. ' Oh wait, I better tell them about our new mission.'

" Minna, I have news. I had a vision from Suzaku and Seiryu. Apparently we must go to Sairou to start our mission. Nakago had a twin brother named Zakago who is planning to avenge his brother's death on me. We have to find Mitsukake, Chiriko, and Chichiri. See, Suzaku and Seiryu told me that they were alive again. That's why you're back." Miaka said looking at Hotohori and Nuriko.

" They didn't tell me anymore, they just told me to find them and go to Sairou."

' Damn,' Tamahome thought. ' I wanted to go to Sairou to be with my family, but now I still have to be with Miaka. Suzaku, why? Why do you torture me?'

Miaka looked at Tamahome an saw the pain and frustration on his face, and looked away. She decided to ask him about it later.

" Any ways, I just wanted to tell you all. We should leave as soon as possible to find the other three seishi."

" Miaka's right," Hotohori said. " We shall leave after tomorrow." The rest of the supper was quiet. When she was done, Miaka yawned. " Ahhh...I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed now."

"Me too," Tasuki said as he stood up. The other three seishi watched on as Miaka walked out with Tasuki's arm around her. At that moment, Hotohori, Nuriko, and Tamahome all wished death upon the mountain bandit.

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That night Tamahome had a vision.

***Dream***

" Suzaku, why must I stay with her? I still love her and it's stronger than my love for Chi Fong. It's difficult, but I am trying to kill those feelings by staying away from her."

" Tamahome, you will be alone with Miaka and Chi Fong for one week. During that week you must choose between them. Either stay near the Priestess and serve her forever, or finish the mission and go back to Chi Fong. I am sorry that you cannot be with Miaka as her emperor, but must clear your mind of these confused feelings.

" What do you mean ' her emperor' ?!"

Just then a blue light appeared and out of that light appeared Seiryu. " Suzaku, you fool. He was not to know."

" Gome," the handsome red haired man said, bowing slightly.

" Well, since you already told him, we might as well tell him. Okay, Miaka wasn't brought back just because Suzaku needed her to summon him again. She needs to rule Kutou once Zakago is destroyed."

" Why not Yui?!"

" She has no future here. Miaka does. Tasuki. He has loved her since the first time he saw her, he just didn't realize it, and since then his love has only grown. You caught a glimpse of it the last time Miaka was here. Only Miaka, with the help of Tasuki, can restore the peace Kutou had a thousand years ago. We tried to change that when we saw you and her together, but you always made her cry and we knew it would never work."

" I see now. What about Hotohori and Nuriko? They love her too."

" All four of you love her, but Tasuki is the only one that loves her enough that even death could not stop him. Yours, Nuriko's, and Hotohori's is enough to comfort her in this life, but death will stop you in your tracks and you will leave her forever. The only thing that will clear all of this and help you move on is for all five of you to sit down in a room and each take turns telling Miaka your feelings. Then after you are done, all will be normal. The pain will still be there, but it will be much easier to go on. Until then, she will tell you her feelings one at a time. We must go now, good-bye." And with that both Suzaku and Seiryu disappeared. The rest of Tamahome's night was undisturbed.

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As soon as the gods were done with Tamahome, they went to Nuriko.

***Dream***

"Nuriko," Suzaku said.

"Matte Suzaku, I know why you are here, and I understand."

"Do you really Nuriko?"

"Yes, I know Tasuki must be with Miaka. She needs him to be stronger, and he needs her to change his ways. I am trying really hard to move on, but it's painful."

"Nuriko, next to Tasuki, if for some reason he died, you would rule with Miaka."

" Nani! But Hotohori loves her more. How could I help her rule?"

" Hotohori is the ruler of Konan. He can never rule Kutou."

" This is difficult, Suzaku why is this happening?"

" Well, we never expected all four of you to love her. We were prepared for Hotohori's and Tamahome's confession of love, but yours and Tasuki's, we weren't. But the thing is, you and Tasuki would help and love Miaka the most. You are more understanding than any of the others, besides Tasuki."

" We must tell you what is going to happen now because our time is short. Miaka will pull you aside at one point in time and tell you her feelings for you. Then all five of you will be in a room alone and you four seishi will take turns confessing your feelings to her. After this you will all be able to move on. You will always love Miaka, but you will learn to control it. We must leave now, sayonara." As Seiryu finished both gods disappeared.

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When the gods were done talking to Nuriko they tried to contact Tasuki, but he was still awake in his room with Miaka. " Miaka, why are you here?" Tasuki asked with a hint of hope in his voice.

" I wanted to stay with you tonight," she said as ten shades of red crept into her cheeks. " I don't feel sake in my room anymore."

Tasuki chuckled slightly and walked over to Miaka at the table. He put his arms around her and whispered, " Are you really scared or do you want to be with me?" Miaka knew she couldn't hide anything from Tasuki anymore. They had a connection and could sense when they were hiding something.

"I guess I just wanted to be with you. I...I...I love you so much I don't want to see you get hurt!" Miaka practically screamed as she turned around and hugged him in return, tears falling down her cheeks. Tasuki felt a few sharp pains but ignored them. Miaka was there in his arms and nobody else's. They stayed that way for a few minutes and then Tasuki pulled away.

"Miaka, you should get some rest. Tomorrow we are preparing to go to Sairou. You can have my bed if you want. I'll stay up until you fall asleep, and I'll find somewhere."

" Eh...Tasuki, there's no need for that," Miaka said as her face started to flush. "The bed is more than enough for me, you could take one side while I take the other." By the time she finished her sentence both of their faces were bright red.

" O...Okay then," he said.

" Uh...Tasuki?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't have a night shirt, and I don't feel like going back to my room to change."

"Uh...Well here use this," he said throwing her a clean white button up shirt from his drawers.

"Thanks Tasuki." She walked into the bathroom and changed. (AN: there are bathrooms in all the bedrooms cuz I say so.) While she was changing Tasuki also changed. Usually he slept shirtless(:P) but for the sake of Miaka he would wear one tonight. He pulled the pants he wore to bed on and threw a white shirt over his perfectly chiseled chest. Just as he finished Miaka stepped out.

Tasuki turned his head and stared. 'She's even more beautiful now than at the festival.' Miaka looked at him and noticed him staring. She blushed, 'He's so hot' she thought. Then, at the same moment they both snapped out of their daydreams.

" Well, I'll take the right," Miaka declared as she walked around and got in under the covers.

"Guess I got the left. I got to warn you though, I move around a lot."

" Well hopefully you won't crush me."

" I would never do that, " he said as he hugged her before he too laid back on his side of the bed. Then they both drifted off to sleep.

***Tasuki's Dream***

"Tasuki, what have you been doing?! We have been waiting for you!" Suzaku said angrily.

"I was with Miaka."

"In your room, how dare you! You must respect the Priestess!"

"Relax, we didn't do anything. And what did you mean "we"?"

"I am here as well," Seiryu said stepping forward.

"Ha," Tasuki yelled jumping back and reaching for his fan when he realized he was asleep.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Relax Tasuki, we have news for you. We know you know that Miaka is going to stay here once she summons me, but what you don't know is that when Miaka is the empress of Kutou she will need an emperor to rule with her. That's where you come in."

"Nani?" Tasuki said in surprise. "Me? I thought she and Hotohori would rule together. Or even Tamahome."

"Tasuki, it was written in the stars that you would marry Miaka and rule with her over Kutou. When we saw Miaka with Tamahome we tried to change that, but it would not work. You and Miaka were destined to be together. Hotohori cannot rule with her because the empress of Kutou and the emperor of Konan must stay separate, otherwise there would be chaos beyond comprehension. We have spoken to Miaka, but she does not completely know that you will rule with her so do not tell her. Let the prophecy come true by itself. Well that's it we have to go now. Sayonara Tasuki." And they left.

***End Dream***

The rest of Tasuki's night was peaceful, mostly because he was surprised and happy at the same time

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