Hi all! Don't beleive the rumors that I had been kidnapped by rabid hamsters or something because it wasn't true. A little something called school happened and I couldn't write ;_; So now as they say, here's the rest of the story.

Same as before, I don't own yadda yadda yadda...

Chapter Seven: A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed

"C'mon Taka-san ya could at least OFFER to help me out!" Tasuki, who now was shining due to the grease, complained as he emptied the second of four large grease traps.

"But I'm having too much fun watching you." Taka grinned as he moved his straw up and down making an annoying sound much to Tasuki's dismay. "And you look so CUTE with slicked back hair."

"Watch it little ghost or you're gonna get a wad of lard stuffed down yer throat."

"Are you threatening a customer Tasuki?" Nakago questioned from his office. "Such a temper you have, haven't you learned your lesson yet?"

"I hate him I hate him I hate him." Tasuki grumbled as he began work on the third vat. "Stop smiling Taka, I hate you too."

"Aw but I love you Tasuki."

"Watch it guys or you're going to turn into a Yaoi romance." Mitsukake said walking into the burger joint, he was still in his scrubs and judging by the circles under his eyes had had a long day. He walked behind the counter and grabbed a glass. "Hey Nakago I'm getting a soda, take it out of Tasuki's check okay?"

"Done."

"Why the hell am I always the one getting dumped on?!?"

"Relax, why do you think I'm here?" Mitsukake said starting work on the final grease trap. "The sooner we get done here the sooner we can go out on the town with our man Taka."

"I'm up for that." Taka grinned.

"Hey Nakago, you'll give Tasuki the rest of the night off right?"

"Done."

Tasuki grinned. "Yeah buddy!"

Taka went to refill his glass. "Hey Nakago, add another soda to Tasuki's tab."

"Done."

Tasuki leapt up and caught Taka in a grease laden hug. "And guess who'll be the last one to take a shower ol' buddy. Sorry, the water is going to be pretty damn cold by then."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"To our buddy Tamahome, er, Taka!" Chiriko held up his glass of soda and toasted his friend. "May his visit be one to remember!"

"Here here!" Mitsukake raised his wine.

"Even if he can be a bozo sometimes." Tasuki smirked.

"Forever our brother, no da!" Chichiri clinked glasses with the others. "And may we never wait so long in between visits again."

"Thanks guys, I'm touched." Taka was visably moved as he sipped his own wine. "And I'm sorry it's been so long since I've made contact but class and my situation with Miaka... Well, time slipped away."

"It's understandable, but always remember you have family with us Taka- san." Mitsukake clinked glasses with his friend then looked over his menu. "I reccommend the fois gras, it's fantastic."

"Dang it, they don't have burgers here!" Tasuki was appalled.

"Um, Tasuki-san you work at a burger place, why would you want to order one?" Chriko asked.

"I want to know what a rich people burger tastes like." Tasuki answered. "Who's paying the bill anyways?"

"I am, no da." Chichiri said flashing a credit card. "Opening up that second yoga parlor has been quite profitable, no da."

"Ah, then ya won't mind if I get another bottle of wine huh?"

"You guys sure have adapted well." Taka said, he was greatful but at the same time he was almost jealous that his life was not going as he had hoped. "Speaking of which, have you heard from Hotohori lately?"

"Not since he got back from his last tour. We need to give him a call sometime soon - poor guy, he can't go out anywhere without being mobbed." Mitsukake said.

"I'm a member of his fanclub... Well. I actually STARTED it." Chiriko smiled showing off his laminated membership card. "I was the one that got people calling him the Crimson Emperior."

"You're a smart guy Chiriko, keep a place open for me when you start hiring guys in your company." Taka grinned. "I could be a master of the custodial arts."

"What about school? I thought you were going to be a scholar of Chinese Mythology - you could become a curator at some wonderful museum!"

"To be honest, I'm just floating around at the moment. Might take a semester or two off... I'm not sure of anything at the moment." Taka sighed. "Sometimes I wish I could remember what it was like to be Tamahome, he wasn't a jerk like I am."

The former Suzaku warriors didn't know what to say. They tried their best to keep their reunion party in high spirits but with their guest of honor in such a low state they shifted their motives, if Taka needed an ear he had eight, ten if you counted Nakago. When their meal arrived things got better, the laughter started back up and for a while all was right with the world.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Miaka woke up the next morning to the scent of sandlewood and soft breath on her neck. She couldn't remember what had happened in detail the night before but she did remember falling asleep in Nuriko's arms, something she now realized she had wanted to happen for the longest time. It had all been innocent: laughter and kisses and embraces that lasted for hours on end, Nuriko was not one to pressure. Despite the fact that Miaka had now made her decision it did not erase the fact that she was still fresh off of a broken relationship. For now Nuriko was just proud to have Miaka at his side and he knew that Miaka felt the same.

Wanting to do something nice for Nuriko, Miaka decided to make a breakfast to die for. Her love was so blind she nearly forgot that she couldn't cook... Until Nuriko was roused from his sleep by the smell of burning toast and eggs. He walked into the kitchen still in his PJs to find Miaka cowering in the corner.

"Smells... Cajun!" Nuriko smiled but when Miaka did not turn around he placed a hand on her back. "You okay?" When he turned to face him with tears in her eyes he was worried. "Miaka..?"

"I cut myself." Miaka said holding up her index finger, the cut was almost nonexistant but her tears were real. "And I ruined your breakfast."

Nuriko took her injured finger and kissed it. "Don't worry love, I prefer brunch."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Taka accompanied Chichiri to one of his Yoga parlors, as expected the place had a zen feeling, everything carefully placed the way any feng suei expert would have advised. He was also greeting by another special friend.

"Tama old buddy!" Taka scooped up the cat in his arms and pet his stomach. Tama purred and rubbed against Taka's jacket, he leapt on top of his shoulder and remained there while Chichiri gave Taka the grand tour.

"It's amazing how many clients I have, no da. I never dreamed that people in this world were so health concious." Chichiri said as they watched a class of about two dozen being taught. "You were always good at this stuff weren't you Taka?"

"Never as good as you but I did practice."

"Want a job?"

"You mean it?"

"Of course I do. I know that it's hard for you right now Taka-san, perhaps you just need a change of scenery, no da." Chichiri motioned Taka to follow him to his locker where he grabbed proper Yoga attire and handed it to him. "You can't base what's right in one world to be right in another, no da. I mean look at Tasuki and Nakago, enimies in one world but here... Well, maybe not the best example, no da."

"I understand what you're saying Chichiri, thanks."

"Get dressed, you need to get warmed up, no da." Chichiri smiled. "First class in half an hour."

'how did he know I'd accept?' Taka thought as he changed into the new clothes. He exhaled slowly and began to stretch.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Good as new." Nuriko announced as he wrapped a bandage around the cut finger. "Now get plenty of rest and be sure to call me in the morning."

"What about if I just stay here? I might need around the clock care." Miaka grinned.

"When do you have to go back to school?"

"Day after tomorrow."

"What does your mother think about you staying over here?"

"She thinks I'm over at Yui's"

"Miaka!"

"Huh?"

"You shouldn't lie to your mother. While I love the fact that you are here with me you should be honest with her." Nuriko kissed Miaka's forehead. "So when do I get to meet mommy?"

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah, it'd be nice to be around a mother. I don't even remember mine."

"How about dinner tonight?"

"Around seven-thirty would be great." Nuriko smiled as he walked Miaka to the door. "Now if you excuse me I need to get going."

"Where do you think you're off to?" Miaka huffed in a cute fashion.

"Gotta plan for tonight." Nuriko winked and closed the door.