Disclaimer: I do not claim this series or any of these characters as my
own, they all belong to their creators, their production companies, yadda
yadda yadda so don't sue me.
Sweet Bitterness
by: Shoujo Priestess
Chapter Two - Parting
"Oh my, that's going to stain. Taka, where do you keep your towels?" Nuriko asked after seeing what he had done. He reached down to pick up the broken pieces of glass and began to place them into one of the other bags. "I need to get this up or else you'll have that spot forever."
"Uh, they're in the hall closet." Taka said looking dazed, not knowing what else to say or do.
"Nuriko this isn't what it looks like." Miaka said running for a towel. "Taka and I were..."
"Miaka that's not what I'm worried about right now." Nuriko said half laughing taking the yellow towel from her and mopping up the scarlet liquid. "Dear me I think your carpet might be ruined after all..."
"Nuriko look at me!"
"Miaka can't you see I'm busy?"
Miaka grabbed Nuriko's arms and made him look her in the eye. "Please just for a second, I want you to listen to me!"
Nuriko smiled and held up the now orange tinted towel. "Sure thing, but it's only going to be harder to clean once it sets in."
Miaka opened her mouth to speak but could say nothing, now that she had Nuriko's attention she was at a loss for the right words. "I want you to know that Taka and I are sorting things out like you wanted, and what you saw was..."
"That was none of my business, I should have knocked." Nuriko said without batting an eye.
"You've got that right." Taka mumbled under his breath.
Miaka looked up at Taka. "What was that?"
"Nothing, just trying to make conversation." Taka said weakly.
Nuriko heard what Taka had said but decided not to say anything about it. Why should he? Taka had every right to be pissed over everything, and Nuriko knew that he would have probably felt the same way if the tables were turned. But in a way aren't they? No, you only had one date. A single evening does not begin to compare to years no matter how much it meant, to either of you. Nuriko finished mopping up the wine and placed the soiled towel in the sink.
"I think I should leave, it's a bit crowded." He said quietly.
"Nuriko don't be so serious, stay and have dinner with us." Taka said. No matter what the situation and no matter how upset he might have been over the unexpected visit he still considered the man to be one of the best friends he had ever, or would ever, have. He offered his hand. "We'll all go out, my treat."
Nuriko looked at Taka's hand and after a moment accepted it in a less than firm handshake. "Thanks for the offer but I have other things to do." He looked down and frowned at the wine stains on the knees of his pants. "I seem to have made a bigger mess than I thought."
"Oh... Okay then, see you around I guess." Taka said. He had done his part and wasn't going to cry a river if Nuriko declined the offer.
"Guess so, see you two later." Nuriko said smiling at the couple, he did not make eye contact with either one for fear that they could break thru the shell he was constructing to protect himself.
He was halfway down the hall before Miaka finally caught up to him.
"Please stay, it could be fun." Miaka said grabbing his arm.
Nuriko smiled warmly and shook his head. "No, you need time alone with each other, I don't want to be in the way."
"But... I, I'm afraid." Miaka said holding his arm tighter.
"Of what?"
"It scares me to think that we've been apart for some time now, but all it took was a single afternoon to..." Miaka broke off, she hung her head shamefully. "Just a few hours to..."
Nuriko put his arms around her and rested his head on top of hers. "You see why I wanted you to talk things out? It could have never worked between us if you were undecided... You know in your heart that you're still in love with him."
"Sometimes I hate myself for being so weak willed." Miaka said, her voice cracking with emotion. "In so many ways I connect with you more than anyone else, like you're a part of me, but with Taka all it took was a single look and I found myself back at his place."
"Don't hate yourself, no one else does." Nuriko said into her head, then he added with a forced smile. "And if anyone says they do send them over to me, I'll beat them up."
Miaka laughed a bit and wiped her eyes with a free hand. "So where do we go from here?"
"We are like we always were, or I could always go back to being your best girlfriend." Nuriko teased with a wink.
"Don't you dare!" Miaka caught the joke and playfully shoved him.
"Well I seem to have no luck with women in this place." Nuriko said, the truth cutting into him like a blade. "And I have a great figure to flaunt..."
"Nuriko don't ever say anything bad about yourself." Miaka said. There was a certain sadness in her voice, like one has at the end of an eventful summer, knowing that you can never relive the moments completely. "I haven't gone back to Taka, and I may not... But I have to find out what I feel. You were right about that, you seem to always be right about these things."
"We have company." Nuriko stated simply seeing Taka standing in the doorway of his apartment. He closed and locked the door behind him before walking towards the pair slowly to make sure that they had finished talking.
"Miaka?"
"Give me a second." Miaka said not turning around.
"Fine, I'll be waiting downstairs." Taka said walking past them and towards the steps.
"You need to get going." Nuriko told Miaka.
"A few more minutes won't hurt."
"Quit stalling, it's not very becoming."
Miaka sighed and gave Nuriko a soft hug. "I'm so glad you're in my life, I don't know what I'd do without you."
Nuriko took the elevator down to the lobby by himself, Miaka had to go back for her jacket and shoes in Taka's apartment. It hurt Nuriko a bit to see that even though the pair had not been together for sometime Miaka still had a key to the apartment, an innocent keepsake perhaps but in Nuriko's eyes it meant that the girl had probably never given up hope completely on reconciliation. What does it matter to you anyway? He thought as the doors opened.
He saw Taka sitting in one of the couches set up for waiting visitors. He motioned for Nuriko to come over to which Nuriko complied, he took a seat in a chair across from him and declined the drink that Taka offered. Taka shrugged and added the contents into his own glass and sat back further and relaxed.
"Where's Miaka?"
"Getting her things."
"Good, I figured a candlelit dinner and a walk would be nice." Taka said taking a sip.
Nuriko shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, that sounds nice."
"She and I are meant to be you know."
"Yes... I know..."
"So don't get any ideas about you two being together." Taka said shaking the ice around in his glass, he looked at Nuriko and smiled. "You can't fight what's meant to be."
Nuriko swallowed hard. "I'm beginning to see that."
"Good, because I still think we're good friends. Hell, after all we've been through we're practically brothers in my book." Taka sighed. "But that doesn't mean I'll overlook anything that I consider an attack against me."
"I've never done anything of the sort..."
"I never said you did, I'm just trying to make polite conversation." Taka smiled.
"I see... I best be on my way, that is, if you've got nothing else to say?" Nuriko asked rising to his feet.
"I'm about done." Taka said still sitting down. "You should come around more often, we could hang out and maybe find someone cute for you."
"I doubt that." Nuriko said sourly leaving the building. What has happened to him? He's nothing like the Tamahome I remember... But then again technically Tamahome doesn't exist anymore right? But... Taka should have at least some of the traits that won Miaka's heart... Nuriko wondered unlocking his car and taking one last look into the lobby of the building before speeding away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Miaka walked into the lobby a few minutes later wearing her jacket and shoes, she had taken a few extra minutes to run her fingers thru her hair to make herself appear halfway presentable. She checked her watch and saw that it was only six thirty, but it seemed much later than that, the day had felt like a year in her tired mind. She was oblivious to the conversation that had just taken place and met Taka with a smile.
"Want a drink?" Taka asked holding up a glass.
"No thanks, you'd better watch yourself in that department. I don't want you getting sick." She scolded.
"I'm fine." Taka laughed standing up and slipping on his own coat. It was true that he enjoyed a good drink but he was always careful not to go overboard, especially at this time, he didn't want to give Miaka any reason not to choose him. "How about Italian food?"
"Sounds great to me." Miaka said. Taka started to put his arm around her but she stopped him. "Taka... Let's have a fun evening, let's not mess this up okay?"
Taken a bit aback Taka huffed and once again stuffed his hands into his pockets as they walked towards the small Italian diner four blocks away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nuriko did not go straight home. The night was young, he had a full tank of gas, a head full of questions he could not answer, and a lot of time on his hands.
He drove around blindly until he found a small out of the way cafe that appeared to be almost desolate. Figuring that a good meal would do him good, he stopped and walked in to the cramped smokey den that had only about five or six other patrons. He took a seat in a booth and glanced at the menu while waiting for service, pretty soon a young waitress appeared with pad and paper in hand.
"Take your order chief?"
Nuriko furrowed his brow but did not comment. "I'll have the special and a cup of coffee, and a glass of water with lemon." The waitress smiled and disappeared into the kitchen.
While waiting Nuriko rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. What a day it had been, and he could hardly wait for the days after. Just when he thought things might actually be improving in his life everything shatters, then again he was used to hardships and probably handled it better than anyone he knew.
At the bar two other customers, two girls, were giggling and staring at Nuriko and then back at a magazine between them. They were probably young teens and both were unaccompanied. Nuriko, who was tired of the giggling, motioned them over to which they followed, carrying the magazine with them.
"What's so funny?" He asked.
"Well it's just that... We've never seen a celebrity before!" One of the girls said, she appeared to be on a caffeine trip because she never seemed to stand still.
"Celebrity? I'm not..."
"We're just SO psyched to be here next to you!" The other girl said. She was not as hyper as the other girl, but it was obvious that she tried to make herself look older with makeup and short cut clothing.
"What are you talking about?"
The hyper girl laid down the magazine and pointed at a picture. "That's you isn't it?"
Nuriko's eyes widened as he saw himself staring back up at him. It was a picture of him when he and a few others had gone down to the beach for a quiet weekend. The picture showed him, Hotohori, and Tasuki playing volleyball, the rest of the picture had been cropped. Nuriko knew this because he had the same exact picture at his house, they had been playing against Kensuke, Chichiri, and Taka... Miaka had taken the picture.
Underneath the picture the caption read: "World famous recording star 'Hotohori' having fun in the sun with model friends."
So I'm a model??? Nuriko held back laughter and looked up at the two girls who were obviously smitten with him. "You two fans of Hotohori?"
"Oh yeah! But we think you and the other guy are super hot too!"
Nuriko smiled at the comment and offered the girls a seat at his booth. They slid in across from him and they began to talk about things that weren't really important, but the conversation was enjoyed by Nuriko, he liked the openness of the girls and their laughter helped him forget about his problems if only for a little while.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"What's on your mind?" Taka asked putting down his fork and looking at his date.
"Nothing, I'm just a little tired that's all." Miaka said staring into her pasta. "And I feel a little guilty about cutting class today." Is that all youire feeling guilty about? Is that even a reason little girl?
"Well tomorrow is Saturday so you have plenty of time to catch up right?"
You can catch up but you can't make up what you've done to a perfectly good relationship can you??? Look at you, sitting here when you could be at his place, or any other place for that matter! Miaka nodded and agreed. "I needed a break anyway, one day isn't going to matter."
Taka sipped his wine silently, he knew that deep down Miaka was still fighting an internal battle. He also knew that there was no way he was going to lose, not while he still had breath in his body would he allow himself to ever lose Miaka again. "So you want to go for a walk after this?"
"I don't think I'm up to it." Miaka said pushing her plate away. "I think I'm going to call him tonight and make sure he's okay."
Taka scowled. "Why did you have to bring him up?"
"Because I care about him, he's my friend."
"He wants to be more than that."
"He was there for me when I needed someone."
"I'm here for you too!"
"You were the reason I needed someone!" Miaka said, once again seeing the side of Taka she did not like.
"Damn it Miaka I said I was sorry" Taka almost yelled. "What else do you want me to do???"
"Oh Taka..." Miaka put her head in her hands and sighed. "I just don't know... I'm just not sure about anything anymore..."
"Well, I just don't like the fact that we can't even get thru a meal without you reminding me how I fucked up."
"Language!" Miaka narrowed her eyes, she hated that word with a passion.
"Sorry." Taka sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Look... I think that right now we're too high strung to even be around one another. I think in a way that you want us to blow up at each other."
"How can you say that?"
Taka took another sip before answering. "I'm not stupid Miaka, you couldn't even look at me a few hours ago, how can I expect you to be like always if you can't even face me?"
"I think I should just go, before we say something hateful." Miaka said with annoyance.
"I'll give you a call in a few days, after you've cooled down." Taka said taking the bill from their waitress. "Your share is going to be $22.50"
"Huh?"
"We're only friends remember?" Taka said sourly placing his share of the money on the table. "I only pay for my dates."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was around ten when Nuriko decided that the two girls were out too late for their own good, as much as he enjoyed their company he knew it was nothing more than a false happiness, pretty soon he would be jolted back into reality.
"Oh come on it's not that late! Tell us more about you guys!" The not so hyper one asked. She was cute Nuriko admitted, her face was like a doll.
"I don't really like to talk about myself." Nuriko said biting into the lemon wedge. "I'm not too interesting."
"We think you are." The other girl said. "And don't worry about the time, my pop's girlfriend is taking us home after she closes up, she owns this place."
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Huh?"
"Come on, you've got to have one!"
Nuriko looked down and bit into the second lemon wedge. "No, I don't..."
The two girls looked at each other and clasp their hands together. "We can be your girlfriends if you want!"
"Uh... It's okay, the life of a bachelor suits me fine." Nuriko declined politely. "Besides I'm sure that you each have a long list of boys wanting to go out with you."
"Boys our age aren't fun." The hyper one stuck her tongue out in disgust.
"Give them a few years, they'll learn." Nuriko smiled slipping out of the booth. "I thank you both for a lovely evening, maybe I'll see you around. I'll tell Hotohori about you." He winked.
The two girls fell over at this and cried out in delight. The pretty one held up the magazine, "Could you get him to sign this for me next time you see him?"
Nuriko took the magazine and smiled. "I'l try my best, you two take care."
"W love you Nuriko!!!"They called out in unison.
Nuriko chuckled to himself as he paid the bill and left the cafe. Getting back into his car he stared at the picture and remembered what a great day that had been and how he had not seen Hotohori for the longest time. It was then that he decided to give his old friend a call, he needed to talk to someone and he knew that Hotohori would understand because he too had lost Miaka to Tamahome.
Nuriko smiled as he dialed the number, Hotohori wasn' touring and he knew that he would be at home, the man loved his fans but he loved his privacy even more.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After a long shower Miaka sat down beside her bed clad only in a towel. She sat down beside the phone and called Nuriko's place and was a bit saddened when there was no answer. She hung up and quickly dialed his cel phone and received a busy signal. She hung up and waited a few minutes and dialed the number again only to discover that the phone had been turned off, she couldn'teven put a message on the machine.
" I hurt him so bad..." Miaka sighed as she hung up the phone.
~*~ end chapter two ~*~
Sweet Bitterness
by: Shoujo Priestess
Chapter Two - Parting
"Oh my, that's going to stain. Taka, where do you keep your towels?" Nuriko asked after seeing what he had done. He reached down to pick up the broken pieces of glass and began to place them into one of the other bags. "I need to get this up or else you'll have that spot forever."
"Uh, they're in the hall closet." Taka said looking dazed, not knowing what else to say or do.
"Nuriko this isn't what it looks like." Miaka said running for a towel. "Taka and I were..."
"Miaka that's not what I'm worried about right now." Nuriko said half laughing taking the yellow towel from her and mopping up the scarlet liquid. "Dear me I think your carpet might be ruined after all..."
"Nuriko look at me!"
"Miaka can't you see I'm busy?"
Miaka grabbed Nuriko's arms and made him look her in the eye. "Please just for a second, I want you to listen to me!"
Nuriko smiled and held up the now orange tinted towel. "Sure thing, but it's only going to be harder to clean once it sets in."
Miaka opened her mouth to speak but could say nothing, now that she had Nuriko's attention she was at a loss for the right words. "I want you to know that Taka and I are sorting things out like you wanted, and what you saw was..."
"That was none of my business, I should have knocked." Nuriko said without batting an eye.
"You've got that right." Taka mumbled under his breath.
Miaka looked up at Taka. "What was that?"
"Nothing, just trying to make conversation." Taka said weakly.
Nuriko heard what Taka had said but decided not to say anything about it. Why should he? Taka had every right to be pissed over everything, and Nuriko knew that he would have probably felt the same way if the tables were turned. But in a way aren't they? No, you only had one date. A single evening does not begin to compare to years no matter how much it meant, to either of you. Nuriko finished mopping up the wine and placed the soiled towel in the sink.
"I think I should leave, it's a bit crowded." He said quietly.
"Nuriko don't be so serious, stay and have dinner with us." Taka said. No matter what the situation and no matter how upset he might have been over the unexpected visit he still considered the man to be one of the best friends he had ever, or would ever, have. He offered his hand. "We'll all go out, my treat."
Nuriko looked at Taka's hand and after a moment accepted it in a less than firm handshake. "Thanks for the offer but I have other things to do." He looked down and frowned at the wine stains on the knees of his pants. "I seem to have made a bigger mess than I thought."
"Oh... Okay then, see you around I guess." Taka said. He had done his part and wasn't going to cry a river if Nuriko declined the offer.
"Guess so, see you two later." Nuriko said smiling at the couple, he did not make eye contact with either one for fear that they could break thru the shell he was constructing to protect himself.
He was halfway down the hall before Miaka finally caught up to him.
"Please stay, it could be fun." Miaka said grabbing his arm.
Nuriko smiled warmly and shook his head. "No, you need time alone with each other, I don't want to be in the way."
"But... I, I'm afraid." Miaka said holding his arm tighter.
"Of what?"
"It scares me to think that we've been apart for some time now, but all it took was a single afternoon to..." Miaka broke off, she hung her head shamefully. "Just a few hours to..."
Nuriko put his arms around her and rested his head on top of hers. "You see why I wanted you to talk things out? It could have never worked between us if you were undecided... You know in your heart that you're still in love with him."
"Sometimes I hate myself for being so weak willed." Miaka said, her voice cracking with emotion. "In so many ways I connect with you more than anyone else, like you're a part of me, but with Taka all it took was a single look and I found myself back at his place."
"Don't hate yourself, no one else does." Nuriko said into her head, then he added with a forced smile. "And if anyone says they do send them over to me, I'll beat them up."
Miaka laughed a bit and wiped her eyes with a free hand. "So where do we go from here?"
"We are like we always were, or I could always go back to being your best girlfriend." Nuriko teased with a wink.
"Don't you dare!" Miaka caught the joke and playfully shoved him.
"Well I seem to have no luck with women in this place." Nuriko said, the truth cutting into him like a blade. "And I have a great figure to flaunt..."
"Nuriko don't ever say anything bad about yourself." Miaka said. There was a certain sadness in her voice, like one has at the end of an eventful summer, knowing that you can never relive the moments completely. "I haven't gone back to Taka, and I may not... But I have to find out what I feel. You were right about that, you seem to always be right about these things."
"We have company." Nuriko stated simply seeing Taka standing in the doorway of his apartment. He closed and locked the door behind him before walking towards the pair slowly to make sure that they had finished talking.
"Miaka?"
"Give me a second." Miaka said not turning around.
"Fine, I'll be waiting downstairs." Taka said walking past them and towards the steps.
"You need to get going." Nuriko told Miaka.
"A few more minutes won't hurt."
"Quit stalling, it's not very becoming."
Miaka sighed and gave Nuriko a soft hug. "I'm so glad you're in my life, I don't know what I'd do without you."
Nuriko took the elevator down to the lobby by himself, Miaka had to go back for her jacket and shoes in Taka's apartment. It hurt Nuriko a bit to see that even though the pair had not been together for sometime Miaka still had a key to the apartment, an innocent keepsake perhaps but in Nuriko's eyes it meant that the girl had probably never given up hope completely on reconciliation. What does it matter to you anyway? He thought as the doors opened.
He saw Taka sitting in one of the couches set up for waiting visitors. He motioned for Nuriko to come over to which Nuriko complied, he took a seat in a chair across from him and declined the drink that Taka offered. Taka shrugged and added the contents into his own glass and sat back further and relaxed.
"Where's Miaka?"
"Getting her things."
"Good, I figured a candlelit dinner and a walk would be nice." Taka said taking a sip.
Nuriko shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, that sounds nice."
"She and I are meant to be you know."
"Yes... I know..."
"So don't get any ideas about you two being together." Taka said shaking the ice around in his glass, he looked at Nuriko and smiled. "You can't fight what's meant to be."
Nuriko swallowed hard. "I'm beginning to see that."
"Good, because I still think we're good friends. Hell, after all we've been through we're practically brothers in my book." Taka sighed. "But that doesn't mean I'll overlook anything that I consider an attack against me."
"I've never done anything of the sort..."
"I never said you did, I'm just trying to make polite conversation." Taka smiled.
"I see... I best be on my way, that is, if you've got nothing else to say?" Nuriko asked rising to his feet.
"I'm about done." Taka said still sitting down. "You should come around more often, we could hang out and maybe find someone cute for you."
"I doubt that." Nuriko said sourly leaving the building. What has happened to him? He's nothing like the Tamahome I remember... But then again technically Tamahome doesn't exist anymore right? But... Taka should have at least some of the traits that won Miaka's heart... Nuriko wondered unlocking his car and taking one last look into the lobby of the building before speeding away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Miaka walked into the lobby a few minutes later wearing her jacket and shoes, she had taken a few extra minutes to run her fingers thru her hair to make herself appear halfway presentable. She checked her watch and saw that it was only six thirty, but it seemed much later than that, the day had felt like a year in her tired mind. She was oblivious to the conversation that had just taken place and met Taka with a smile.
"Want a drink?" Taka asked holding up a glass.
"No thanks, you'd better watch yourself in that department. I don't want you getting sick." She scolded.
"I'm fine." Taka laughed standing up and slipping on his own coat. It was true that he enjoyed a good drink but he was always careful not to go overboard, especially at this time, he didn't want to give Miaka any reason not to choose him. "How about Italian food?"
"Sounds great to me." Miaka said. Taka started to put his arm around her but she stopped him. "Taka... Let's have a fun evening, let's not mess this up okay?"
Taken a bit aback Taka huffed and once again stuffed his hands into his pockets as they walked towards the small Italian diner four blocks away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nuriko did not go straight home. The night was young, he had a full tank of gas, a head full of questions he could not answer, and a lot of time on his hands.
He drove around blindly until he found a small out of the way cafe that appeared to be almost desolate. Figuring that a good meal would do him good, he stopped and walked in to the cramped smokey den that had only about five or six other patrons. He took a seat in a booth and glanced at the menu while waiting for service, pretty soon a young waitress appeared with pad and paper in hand.
"Take your order chief?"
Nuriko furrowed his brow but did not comment. "I'll have the special and a cup of coffee, and a glass of water with lemon." The waitress smiled and disappeared into the kitchen.
While waiting Nuriko rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. What a day it had been, and he could hardly wait for the days after. Just when he thought things might actually be improving in his life everything shatters, then again he was used to hardships and probably handled it better than anyone he knew.
At the bar two other customers, two girls, were giggling and staring at Nuriko and then back at a magazine between them. They were probably young teens and both were unaccompanied. Nuriko, who was tired of the giggling, motioned them over to which they followed, carrying the magazine with them.
"What's so funny?" He asked.
"Well it's just that... We've never seen a celebrity before!" One of the girls said, she appeared to be on a caffeine trip because she never seemed to stand still.
"Celebrity? I'm not..."
"We're just SO psyched to be here next to you!" The other girl said. She was not as hyper as the other girl, but it was obvious that she tried to make herself look older with makeup and short cut clothing.
"What are you talking about?"
The hyper girl laid down the magazine and pointed at a picture. "That's you isn't it?"
Nuriko's eyes widened as he saw himself staring back up at him. It was a picture of him when he and a few others had gone down to the beach for a quiet weekend. The picture showed him, Hotohori, and Tasuki playing volleyball, the rest of the picture had been cropped. Nuriko knew this because he had the same exact picture at his house, they had been playing against Kensuke, Chichiri, and Taka... Miaka had taken the picture.
Underneath the picture the caption read: "World famous recording star 'Hotohori' having fun in the sun with model friends."
So I'm a model??? Nuriko held back laughter and looked up at the two girls who were obviously smitten with him. "You two fans of Hotohori?"
"Oh yeah! But we think you and the other guy are super hot too!"
Nuriko smiled at the comment and offered the girls a seat at his booth. They slid in across from him and they began to talk about things that weren't really important, but the conversation was enjoyed by Nuriko, he liked the openness of the girls and their laughter helped him forget about his problems if only for a little while.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"What's on your mind?" Taka asked putting down his fork and looking at his date.
"Nothing, I'm just a little tired that's all." Miaka said staring into her pasta. "And I feel a little guilty about cutting class today." Is that all youire feeling guilty about? Is that even a reason little girl?
"Well tomorrow is Saturday so you have plenty of time to catch up right?"
You can catch up but you can't make up what you've done to a perfectly good relationship can you??? Look at you, sitting here when you could be at his place, or any other place for that matter! Miaka nodded and agreed. "I needed a break anyway, one day isn't going to matter."
Taka sipped his wine silently, he knew that deep down Miaka was still fighting an internal battle. He also knew that there was no way he was going to lose, not while he still had breath in his body would he allow himself to ever lose Miaka again. "So you want to go for a walk after this?"
"I don't think I'm up to it." Miaka said pushing her plate away. "I think I'm going to call him tonight and make sure he's okay."
Taka scowled. "Why did you have to bring him up?"
"Because I care about him, he's my friend."
"He wants to be more than that."
"He was there for me when I needed someone."
"I'm here for you too!"
"You were the reason I needed someone!" Miaka said, once again seeing the side of Taka she did not like.
"Damn it Miaka I said I was sorry" Taka almost yelled. "What else do you want me to do???"
"Oh Taka..." Miaka put her head in her hands and sighed. "I just don't know... I'm just not sure about anything anymore..."
"Well, I just don't like the fact that we can't even get thru a meal without you reminding me how I fucked up."
"Language!" Miaka narrowed her eyes, she hated that word with a passion.
"Sorry." Taka sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Look... I think that right now we're too high strung to even be around one another. I think in a way that you want us to blow up at each other."
"How can you say that?"
Taka took another sip before answering. "I'm not stupid Miaka, you couldn't even look at me a few hours ago, how can I expect you to be like always if you can't even face me?"
"I think I should just go, before we say something hateful." Miaka said with annoyance.
"I'll give you a call in a few days, after you've cooled down." Taka said taking the bill from their waitress. "Your share is going to be $22.50"
"Huh?"
"We're only friends remember?" Taka said sourly placing his share of the money on the table. "I only pay for my dates."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was around ten when Nuriko decided that the two girls were out too late for their own good, as much as he enjoyed their company he knew it was nothing more than a false happiness, pretty soon he would be jolted back into reality.
"Oh come on it's not that late! Tell us more about you guys!" The not so hyper one asked. She was cute Nuriko admitted, her face was like a doll.
"I don't really like to talk about myself." Nuriko said biting into the lemon wedge. "I'm not too interesting."
"We think you are." The other girl said. "And don't worry about the time, my pop's girlfriend is taking us home after she closes up, she owns this place."
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Huh?"
"Come on, you've got to have one!"
Nuriko looked down and bit into the second lemon wedge. "No, I don't..."
The two girls looked at each other and clasp their hands together. "We can be your girlfriends if you want!"
"Uh... It's okay, the life of a bachelor suits me fine." Nuriko declined politely. "Besides I'm sure that you each have a long list of boys wanting to go out with you."
"Boys our age aren't fun." The hyper one stuck her tongue out in disgust.
"Give them a few years, they'll learn." Nuriko smiled slipping out of the booth. "I thank you both for a lovely evening, maybe I'll see you around. I'll tell Hotohori about you." He winked.
The two girls fell over at this and cried out in delight. The pretty one held up the magazine, "Could you get him to sign this for me next time you see him?"
Nuriko took the magazine and smiled. "I'l try my best, you two take care."
"W love you Nuriko!!!"They called out in unison.
Nuriko chuckled to himself as he paid the bill and left the cafe. Getting back into his car he stared at the picture and remembered what a great day that had been and how he had not seen Hotohori for the longest time. It was then that he decided to give his old friend a call, he needed to talk to someone and he knew that Hotohori would understand because he too had lost Miaka to Tamahome.
Nuriko smiled as he dialed the number, Hotohori wasn' touring and he knew that he would be at home, the man loved his fans but he loved his privacy even more.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After a long shower Miaka sat down beside her bed clad only in a towel. She sat down beside the phone and called Nuriko's place and was a bit saddened when there was no answer. She hung up and quickly dialed his cel phone and received a busy signal. She hung up and waited a few minutes and dialed the number again only to discover that the phone had been turned off, she couldn'teven put a message on the machine.
" I hurt him so bad..." Miaka sighed as she hung up the phone.
~*~ end chapter two ~*~
