Disclaimer: Fushigi Yuugi (and anything else I care to use) is not mine, plain and simple.
Well... hi. I know it's been a month (or so...), but my report card wasn't the best, restricting my already limited computer time. Add in play practice... and homework... and other stuff... writer's block... yeah. But I hope this makes up for it!
Oh yeah... one small note... everyone (meaning the seishi... the ones alive) all remember. If that part was confusing, sorry! And now...
~~~~~~~~~~~
Running to the door, I checked my apartment for any misplaced things that could be picked up in a matter of moments. Finding nothing on my floor, I hastily opened the door, almost afraid I had kept it shut for too long. Seeing the looks on the faces from behind the door, my fears were soon diminished.
"Hey!" I gave them a smile as I let the two in, and eagerly waited to see what they had brought. Tasuki flourished a bag in front of me, and I tried to snatch it away from him, but Nuriko grabbed it from him, and held onto it.
"He wouldn't let me get 'Gladiator'," Tasuki said, sulking. "Instead, we got that." I opened the bag, trying to see what 'that' was, but Tasuki continued. "Honestly, I can't understand why 'Moulin Rouge' is such a good movie. All it's about is love."
"How can you be so sure?" I sighed at the two, listening to them bicker. They were just as bad as they were before, which was comforting for me. I missed every little thing about them, and seeing how the little traits they had so long ago had changed was interesting in it's own way. Everyone had told me that I had been way too quiet around them lately, but it was because of how much each of them had matured, as well as seeing them now here after all these years of living the same world as me. I know for a fact they wouldn't have turned out the way they were today if they had just been put here without any warning- I had seen Tamahome wander around in a daze, amazed at everything he saw. But, despite everything I had seen from them, it was just a relief seeing and being with them again, even though it wasn't the same as before. Each of us had matured, and since there was no Tamahome with me anymore...
"Honestly! Would you just put the movie in!" Snapping back into reality, I saw the small fight between my two guests had bloomed into almost a shouting match, stopped by the yell awaking me from my dream state. I giggled at the two, seeing how the maturity they each gained had not stretched to their old friendship, seeing how they acted as if they were five instead of in their twenties!
Sighing again, I took the tape from Nuriko, and put it into the VCR, hoping it would stop the growing argument between the two. It died once the movie started, but while the movie was fast-forwarding through the commercials, they continued fighting over nothing, much to my dismay- easily revealed by my few worthless tries to quiet them down.
When the fighting did die down, the three of us spent the next two hours enchanted by the movie. I've only seen it a few times, but it's still as good as it was the first time I saw it. The three of us had a blast watching the movie, singing with the sings, and sometimes throwing popcorn at the TV (actually... only one of us did, although I didn't see who), and doing other stupid things I rarely do outside the company of family or close friends. None of us cared about making such idiots out of ourselves, since we were so close from the past experiences that we were practically family.
"So..." Nuriko and I stared at Tasuki, waiting to see his thoughts about the movie. He stared at us in return, and we received no answer from him. Groaning, I stood up, and threw the pillow I was holding back onto the couch. As I stretched out my arms, I watched the two throw small insults at each other and smiled. No one understood how good it was just to be here... among everyone. It was just a feeling of pure happiness, and I was glad to be granted such a gift.
"Hey... who's hungry?" I looked at the two, who nodded at the question. "What do you want?" Tasuki had an almost nervous look on his face.
"Umm... why don't we order out?" Nuriko looked curious to see why Tasuki would say that, while I understood the meaning of what he said almost immediately.
"I'm a better cook!"
"I'll pay!" I agreed silently to Tasuki, while throwing my hands into the air, claiming defeat. Tasuki almost jumped up from where he was sitting, and walked into the kitchen, all the while saying someone's number (which I assumed was the number to some place with food), leaving Nuriko and I in the living room alone. Nuriko stood up, and stretched, while the two of us heard Tasuki's booming voice order a pizza.
"So... how'd your brother get in?" I snapped back into reality when I heard Nuriko's voice.
"Just fine. At least I think." As I noted Nuriko's confused manner, I continued. "I told him to call me if anything went wrong."
"Makes sense." Tasuki barged into the room during Nuriko's last word, and declared to us the pizza would come in about half an hour.
During that half hour waiting period, the three of us spent our time swapping stories we hadn't yet told, and laughing about the few past memories we shared that hadn't dug up yet. We were laughing about something small when the pizza arrived, and continued our stories as we ate to our hearts content. All the while, through the laughs, I remained in my own little world half the time. I had no idea why I was drifting off, only guessing that it was digging up the past. I rejoined reality each time someone said my name or made a noise loud enough for me to jump, which happened every so often. And every time it did, I'd end up apologizing for drifting off, and not paying attention.
"Miaka, don't apologize. You've done enough of that," were the words I heard after I was caught drifting again.
"But..."
"Look, it's fine. Just don't apologize again." I stared from one to the other, both their eyes sharing the same emotion. They... understand? But why? How can they? Am I underestimating them? Or have we spent too much time together?
"I- I'm... well..." I glanced around, trying to find a good way to get out of the mess, while dodging the eyes of the two curious men in my apartment.
"Miaka, as much as I hate to say this, I gotta go." Nuriko stopped me from my attempt to apologize, reminding me of the fact that he had to go back to work. I nodded at him, and the three of us got up.
"Hey, can I hitch a ride?" Nuriko nodded at Tasuki request as the three of us cleaned up the floor and put everything in the kitchen. After reassuring the two I could take care of all our dishes, they walked to the door, me behind them.
"Next time, we're renting something else." Tasuki muttered under his breath as he put the video back into the box, his words causing Nuriko and I to lightly giggle. "Something other than some damn love story."
Before the two left, the three of us briefly talked about something Hotohori had mentioned that all of us should do later. Not really wanting them to leave, I remained silent. Even if it was for the sake of being with someone- even if we didn't say a word- I had no desire to be alone.
"Hey... are you alright?" I nodded at his question, and saw the other leaving, waving to me, and motioning for him to hurry up. "Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"I'm positive I'll be fine!" Putting on a fake air of confidence, I continued. "I promise that if I need anything or to talk to anyone, I'll call you fir-"
He stopped me there, doing something I hadn't expected to happened; him connecting our lips together. After the first few seconds of shocked passed, he pulled back, and stared into my face intently. Slightly smirking, he claimed my lips again, this time with a force much more gentle than his first kiss. I stood, rooted to the ground, until impose took over, and I did the unthinkable- at least in my opinion. I kissed him back.
As the time ticked away, we remained rooted to the spot, letting our emotions go, until he broke away suddenly. My eyes fluttered open as his lips brushed my forehead, and he muttered a promise about calling me later. As I stared into his eyes, they held a strange look, like there was a long lost dream that he had that was suddenly coming true. Then, without a look back at me, he left my apartment, shutting the door quietly behind him. While I watched him leave, my thoughts came creeping back into my head, until I realized what happened.
"Did I just..." Walking in a daze, I cleaned up the mess we had left in the kitchen, while talking to myself, sorting out my confused mind. My thoughtless rambling continued as I finished the few dishes in the sink. There was no pattern to my words, just a common theme: what happened?
Finally, when all the dishes were done, the daze of what happened finally sunk in. He kissed me, and I kissed him. Plain and simple. However, the rest of my mind didn't accept what I was saying about it being simple. Falling onto my couch, I sighed, wondering why it had happened, wondering why it was me. I mean, after all, we met when I was fifteen, you fell in love with me, and then after a few years of separation, I find you again- right after my husband, one of your best friends, died. What an ironic twist of fate.
So... what to do? And what are my choices? Tell him no? He's my friend... I could never tell him to go away. I care too much about him to just say that. And why did I kiss him back? Did all my common sense just disappear, and tell my subconscious to just do whatever it wanted to do to its heart's content. Or was it the mind and subconscious working together... I have no idea! Hadn't I dealt with his feelings a while ago? Or was I forced to just say, oh well? I know you love me, but there's too much going on.
Sighing again, I sat up, trying to figure out each little emotion running through my head. Unfortunately for me, there were way too many crazy, contradicting emotions, each bumping into the other, fighting to figure out what they each meant together. I sighed again, wondering why I was so confused about everything. Then, it hit me. What about Taka? I mean, he may not be with me, but still. Did he just kiss me because of old flames and the fact Taka isn't around to hold my heart? And why does one simply kiss have to be so confusing?
Wait... didn't he say he'd call me? Umm... oh boy. How weird is it going to be, talking on the phone with him? It was only weird like that once, and that was after... Can't I just skip his call? I have an answering machine. But, knowing him, he'll just tell me to pick up. We know each other too well. But he might explain why he kissed me, so I should pick up. And it's him! I've known him how long? He's always been there for me! Why should things be any different, just because we kissed?
Because it just wasn't any old kiss. You both meant it, and you know it, just as well as he does. You saw it in his eyes.
Sighing, I laid down again, grabbing the blanket from off the floor, and threw it under my head. I need a nap, and maybe I might figure out something. And if he does call, I'll wake up from the phone. And then he can tell me why he kissed me. But until then... just let me dream. Maybe something good will come from it.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Umm... if you're wondering... I made it that way. Unless you guess right, you don't know who kissed her. But, you've got two choices. Sorry! I'm so mean, but I kinda wish I could see your faces right now! But that was a mean joke. And, knowing me, it'll get worse. And, if you really wish to know... I know some people wanted it to get sappy. I want it to be sappy too, but I really don't think Miaka is really over Taka yet. Sorry!
tamababymiko-chan: Trust me. You don't want me starting with a song. With the stuff I listening to (right now, I'm typing to stuff from 'Guys and Dolls', and I sing Fiddler 24/7), it'd end up being very angsty (half the time, when the music's in English, it's Dashboard!). Unless you (or anyone else for that matter...) has an idea of a song... I'll try it. And Shane is Ho-ri. And thank you!!!
Cerise: Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank you! I'm still not saying who kissed Miaka, but...
akira: I'm not telling! But he does have a chance...
Phoe-kun and Leena: Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeello! Thaaaaaaaaaaank you! And yes, you are right. Nuriko is the best (as stated in my many emails!). And thank you for alllllllllll the stuff I already thanked you for in my emails. And you are right- cliffhangers are a very good way to assure readers!
Chi: I'm sorry for not updating! Life got in the way. I actually have no idea if she (or any of the other girls) will remember, but I'm still thinking about that idea. But thank you!
And thank you for reading! Reviews are always welcomed... thank you! Love ya!
~Frenchie
Well... hi. I know it's been a month (or so...), but my report card wasn't the best, restricting my already limited computer time. Add in play practice... and homework... and other stuff... writer's block... yeah. But I hope this makes up for it!
Oh yeah... one small note... everyone (meaning the seishi... the ones alive) all remember. If that part was confusing, sorry! And now...
~~~~~~~~~~~
Running to the door, I checked my apartment for any misplaced things that could be picked up in a matter of moments. Finding nothing on my floor, I hastily opened the door, almost afraid I had kept it shut for too long. Seeing the looks on the faces from behind the door, my fears were soon diminished.
"Hey!" I gave them a smile as I let the two in, and eagerly waited to see what they had brought. Tasuki flourished a bag in front of me, and I tried to snatch it away from him, but Nuriko grabbed it from him, and held onto it.
"He wouldn't let me get 'Gladiator'," Tasuki said, sulking. "Instead, we got that." I opened the bag, trying to see what 'that' was, but Tasuki continued. "Honestly, I can't understand why 'Moulin Rouge' is such a good movie. All it's about is love."
"How can you be so sure?" I sighed at the two, listening to them bicker. They were just as bad as they were before, which was comforting for me. I missed every little thing about them, and seeing how the little traits they had so long ago had changed was interesting in it's own way. Everyone had told me that I had been way too quiet around them lately, but it was because of how much each of them had matured, as well as seeing them now here after all these years of living the same world as me. I know for a fact they wouldn't have turned out the way they were today if they had just been put here without any warning- I had seen Tamahome wander around in a daze, amazed at everything he saw. But, despite everything I had seen from them, it was just a relief seeing and being with them again, even though it wasn't the same as before. Each of us had matured, and since there was no Tamahome with me anymore...
"Honestly! Would you just put the movie in!" Snapping back into reality, I saw the small fight between my two guests had bloomed into almost a shouting match, stopped by the yell awaking me from my dream state. I giggled at the two, seeing how the maturity they each gained had not stretched to their old friendship, seeing how they acted as if they were five instead of in their twenties!
Sighing again, I took the tape from Nuriko, and put it into the VCR, hoping it would stop the growing argument between the two. It died once the movie started, but while the movie was fast-forwarding through the commercials, they continued fighting over nothing, much to my dismay- easily revealed by my few worthless tries to quiet them down.
When the fighting did die down, the three of us spent the next two hours enchanted by the movie. I've only seen it a few times, but it's still as good as it was the first time I saw it. The three of us had a blast watching the movie, singing with the sings, and sometimes throwing popcorn at the TV (actually... only one of us did, although I didn't see who), and doing other stupid things I rarely do outside the company of family or close friends. None of us cared about making such idiots out of ourselves, since we were so close from the past experiences that we were practically family.
"So..." Nuriko and I stared at Tasuki, waiting to see his thoughts about the movie. He stared at us in return, and we received no answer from him. Groaning, I stood up, and threw the pillow I was holding back onto the couch. As I stretched out my arms, I watched the two throw small insults at each other and smiled. No one understood how good it was just to be here... among everyone. It was just a feeling of pure happiness, and I was glad to be granted such a gift.
"Hey... who's hungry?" I looked at the two, who nodded at the question. "What do you want?" Tasuki had an almost nervous look on his face.
"Umm... why don't we order out?" Nuriko looked curious to see why Tasuki would say that, while I understood the meaning of what he said almost immediately.
"I'm a better cook!"
"I'll pay!" I agreed silently to Tasuki, while throwing my hands into the air, claiming defeat. Tasuki almost jumped up from where he was sitting, and walked into the kitchen, all the while saying someone's number (which I assumed was the number to some place with food), leaving Nuriko and I in the living room alone. Nuriko stood up, and stretched, while the two of us heard Tasuki's booming voice order a pizza.
"So... how'd your brother get in?" I snapped back into reality when I heard Nuriko's voice.
"Just fine. At least I think." As I noted Nuriko's confused manner, I continued. "I told him to call me if anything went wrong."
"Makes sense." Tasuki barged into the room during Nuriko's last word, and declared to us the pizza would come in about half an hour.
During that half hour waiting period, the three of us spent our time swapping stories we hadn't yet told, and laughing about the few past memories we shared that hadn't dug up yet. We were laughing about something small when the pizza arrived, and continued our stories as we ate to our hearts content. All the while, through the laughs, I remained in my own little world half the time. I had no idea why I was drifting off, only guessing that it was digging up the past. I rejoined reality each time someone said my name or made a noise loud enough for me to jump, which happened every so often. And every time it did, I'd end up apologizing for drifting off, and not paying attention.
"Miaka, don't apologize. You've done enough of that," were the words I heard after I was caught drifting again.
"But..."
"Look, it's fine. Just don't apologize again." I stared from one to the other, both their eyes sharing the same emotion. They... understand? But why? How can they? Am I underestimating them? Or have we spent too much time together?
"I- I'm... well..." I glanced around, trying to find a good way to get out of the mess, while dodging the eyes of the two curious men in my apartment.
"Miaka, as much as I hate to say this, I gotta go." Nuriko stopped me from my attempt to apologize, reminding me of the fact that he had to go back to work. I nodded at him, and the three of us got up.
"Hey, can I hitch a ride?" Nuriko nodded at Tasuki request as the three of us cleaned up the floor and put everything in the kitchen. After reassuring the two I could take care of all our dishes, they walked to the door, me behind them.
"Next time, we're renting something else." Tasuki muttered under his breath as he put the video back into the box, his words causing Nuriko and I to lightly giggle. "Something other than some damn love story."
Before the two left, the three of us briefly talked about something Hotohori had mentioned that all of us should do later. Not really wanting them to leave, I remained silent. Even if it was for the sake of being with someone- even if we didn't say a word- I had no desire to be alone.
"Hey... are you alright?" I nodded at his question, and saw the other leaving, waving to me, and motioning for him to hurry up. "Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"I'm positive I'll be fine!" Putting on a fake air of confidence, I continued. "I promise that if I need anything or to talk to anyone, I'll call you fir-"
He stopped me there, doing something I hadn't expected to happened; him connecting our lips together. After the first few seconds of shocked passed, he pulled back, and stared into my face intently. Slightly smirking, he claimed my lips again, this time with a force much more gentle than his first kiss. I stood, rooted to the ground, until impose took over, and I did the unthinkable- at least in my opinion. I kissed him back.
As the time ticked away, we remained rooted to the spot, letting our emotions go, until he broke away suddenly. My eyes fluttered open as his lips brushed my forehead, and he muttered a promise about calling me later. As I stared into his eyes, they held a strange look, like there was a long lost dream that he had that was suddenly coming true. Then, without a look back at me, he left my apartment, shutting the door quietly behind him. While I watched him leave, my thoughts came creeping back into my head, until I realized what happened.
"Did I just..." Walking in a daze, I cleaned up the mess we had left in the kitchen, while talking to myself, sorting out my confused mind. My thoughtless rambling continued as I finished the few dishes in the sink. There was no pattern to my words, just a common theme: what happened?
Finally, when all the dishes were done, the daze of what happened finally sunk in. He kissed me, and I kissed him. Plain and simple. However, the rest of my mind didn't accept what I was saying about it being simple. Falling onto my couch, I sighed, wondering why it had happened, wondering why it was me. I mean, after all, we met when I was fifteen, you fell in love with me, and then after a few years of separation, I find you again- right after my husband, one of your best friends, died. What an ironic twist of fate.
So... what to do? And what are my choices? Tell him no? He's my friend... I could never tell him to go away. I care too much about him to just say that. And why did I kiss him back? Did all my common sense just disappear, and tell my subconscious to just do whatever it wanted to do to its heart's content. Or was it the mind and subconscious working together... I have no idea! Hadn't I dealt with his feelings a while ago? Or was I forced to just say, oh well? I know you love me, but there's too much going on.
Sighing again, I sat up, trying to figure out each little emotion running through my head. Unfortunately for me, there were way too many crazy, contradicting emotions, each bumping into the other, fighting to figure out what they each meant together. I sighed again, wondering why I was so confused about everything. Then, it hit me. What about Taka? I mean, he may not be with me, but still. Did he just kiss me because of old flames and the fact Taka isn't around to hold my heart? And why does one simply kiss have to be so confusing?
Wait... didn't he say he'd call me? Umm... oh boy. How weird is it going to be, talking on the phone with him? It was only weird like that once, and that was after... Can't I just skip his call? I have an answering machine. But, knowing him, he'll just tell me to pick up. We know each other too well. But he might explain why he kissed me, so I should pick up. And it's him! I've known him how long? He's always been there for me! Why should things be any different, just because we kissed?
Because it just wasn't any old kiss. You both meant it, and you know it, just as well as he does. You saw it in his eyes.
Sighing, I laid down again, grabbing the blanket from off the floor, and threw it under my head. I need a nap, and maybe I might figure out something. And if he does call, I'll wake up from the phone. And then he can tell me why he kissed me. But until then... just let me dream. Maybe something good will come from it.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Umm... if you're wondering... I made it that way. Unless you guess right, you don't know who kissed her. But, you've got two choices. Sorry! I'm so mean, but I kinda wish I could see your faces right now! But that was a mean joke. And, knowing me, it'll get worse. And, if you really wish to know... I know some people wanted it to get sappy. I want it to be sappy too, but I really don't think Miaka is really over Taka yet. Sorry!
tamababymiko-chan: Trust me. You don't want me starting with a song. With the stuff I listening to (right now, I'm typing to stuff from 'Guys and Dolls', and I sing Fiddler 24/7), it'd end up being very angsty (half the time, when the music's in English, it's Dashboard!). Unless you (or anyone else for that matter...) has an idea of a song... I'll try it. And Shane is Ho-ri. And thank you!!!
Cerise: Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank you! I'm still not saying who kissed Miaka, but...
akira: I'm not telling! But he does have a chance...
Phoe-kun and Leena: Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeello! Thaaaaaaaaaaank you! And yes, you are right. Nuriko is the best (as stated in my many emails!). And thank you for alllllllllll the stuff I already thanked you for in my emails. And you are right- cliffhangers are a very good way to assure readers!
Chi: I'm sorry for not updating! Life got in the way. I actually have no idea if she (or any of the other girls) will remember, but I'm still thinking about that idea. But thank you!
And thank you for reading! Reviews are always welcomed... thank you! Love ya!
~Frenchie
