The Secrets that Last
Ch. 13
"What is it?" Ren looked between his two friends with a serious expression in his eyes.
"We have a problem," Touji stated. Tasuki nodded, arms crossed.
Ren raised a brow skeptically. "And that would be?"
Touji fixed Ren with a scrutinizing look. "Hotohori-sama and Chichiri-san have begun to fight." He said matter-of-factly.
"We've just finished taming Tamahome's fierce temper. And this happens." Tasuki added, his brow twitching in annoyance.
Ren frowned slightly. "Do either of you know why they bicker?" He asked slowly.
Tasuki shrugged. "Jealousy?" He offered flatly.
Touji nodded. "Hai. Jealousy."
Ren gave them each looks of curiosity. "And how do you figure that?" he asked innocently.
Touji rolled his eyes. "Ren, we all know Usagi is quite attractive. You and I both know that it is nearly impossible for mortal men to resist the temptation of such an exotic blonde female."
Tasuki blushed under Ren's gaze which penetrated him more than he wished to admit.
"Is that so?" Ren asked, staring straight at the red head.
Tasuki's face turned scarlet. "Ne, I dunno." He coughed, looking away.
Touji rolled his eyes at the exchange between the two men.
"Both of you shuddup!" He looked exasperated. "Now listen, Ren, what should we do about this?"
Ren shrugged. "Well I don't really care how you handle it. Everyone is entitled to their own emotions and ways of thinking. But if they keep at it, tell them to stop fighting and tell them that if they don't remain pure of harsh thoughts Chaos might exploit it as a weakness and influence them through their impure thoughts."
They nodded. "Very well."
"Now I must take my leave of you my friends. It is time to take Tamahome into the Zone." Ren smiled, leaving the two men to discuss their orders.
&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*& In the Zone
Tamahome gaped at Usagi with his eyes bulging.
"Gah! Are you serious?! You mean all this time I've been getting jealous of a chick?!" He fell over.
"I am such a baka." He mumbled into the blackness.
Usagi blinked at his toppled form. "Ne, Tamahome-kun, would you mind composing yourself?" She gave him a wary look.
He jumped up, crossing his arms before him and giving her a dashing smile. "Tell me, Usa-chan, how will you train me?" Genuine curiosity appeared in his eyes.
Usagi smiled up at him. "Well actually Tamahome-kun, you can choose to be trained by either Ren or Usagi. The body is up to you because your training calls for a skill which both of my sides are equal in."
"Usagi." Tamahome said quickly, blushing at the rushed tone in his voice as he jumped at the prospect of her company for the following year.
Usagi smiled sweetly, apparently not noticing the tone. "K dokey! Why don't I give you your first task then?" She grinned, hovering in the air above him. They were in the same black void that Chichiri had first appeared in.
Tamahome grinned. "I'm ready for whatever you've got!" he announced confidently.
Usagi smirked. "Good, then take this!"
Youma appeared all around him. Tamahome's eyes widened as he was forced to fight the hideous creatures.
Usagi's laughter echoed around him. "Tama-kun, you must fight these creatures until there is not a single one remaining. When you have defeated them, I shall return to train you further." She disappeared.
Tamahome cried out for her to return but his efforts were only rewarded with more youma appearing. To him it seemed as if each time he destroyed one, out of its ashes rose an even more hideous creature with more strength than its predecessor. He quickly forgot about anything except the fight.
)()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()(
Usagi gazed at her trainee as he fought the youma. The four gods stood behind her. They watched her, admiring the curve of her neck and body as she bent to stare into the mirror. Suzako approached her, placing a warm hand on her shoulder and neck.
She turned to him with a smile.
"I missed you." He smiled.
"And I you." She said softly, the statement going out to all four.
"He is a strong one." Genbu said powerfully, watching as Tamahome continued to defeat the youma.
"Hai, he is." Usagi smiled softly, admiringly at the man in the mirror. "He isn't even noticing that the youma are becoming more developed and powerful as he does. Once he has regained the Warrior Stone as a part of himself, he shall be fighting high class youma of all levels." She smiled.
Seiryuu sent Suzako and icy glare and took Usagi's hand, pressing his chilling lips to her palm. She shivered at the intimacy portrayed in his cold blue eyes that seemed to burn every time they touched her. Whether the gesture was out of mutual affection, or intimidation, she did not know. Seiryuu smiled at the reaction and pulled her gently to his chest. Usagi quickly chose affection as she felt his heartbeat pound in time with her own. Each of the gods had this intimate connection with her. Their hearts pulsed in sync so they could always feel one another. Usagi closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his comforting embrace as he rocked her soothingly into a gentle lull. Seiryuu smiled softly down at her and admired the perfection of her face. Byakko and Suzako exchanged looks.
"Seiryuu-san," Suzako began. "I think it would be best that we left Usagi to rest." He said quietly, though sternly. With his accompanying glare, Seiryuu reluctantly agreed.
Usagi watched her four companions disappear in their own unique ways until all that was left was herself, the mirror, and Cye. The falcon watched her closely.
"Usa-chan," he began after a moment's pause.
"Hai Cye-chan?" She was pretty sure she knew what was playing on her friend's mind.
"You have fallen in love." So simply stated.though the results of this could be devastating.
Usagi gazed at the creature that she had loved and respected for so many years. He was so magnificent she couldn't believe that he had barely changed since the first day so very many years ago when they had first met. No, not years, lifetimes. For a split moment, she envisioned this creature's form shifting into that of a feline, white with a golden crescent marking his brow.then to the human form she had been so loved by. She sighed at the memories from so long ago.
"What ever do you speak of?" She sighed tiredly, her weariness and worry peeking through the façade of awareness that she kept prominent in the presence of others. But not Cye, not the one who knew her so well.
"You love the men you've trained. Three of whom you are in love with." Cye eyed her almost sadly. Her face glowed with fatigue and worry. Her silver aura pulsed gently in time with her heart as it attempted to comfort her. It was obvious that her careworn frame had been through great stress lately. Cye was worried about her. She wouldn't admit it, but she was practically rigid about the idea of fighting Chaos again. In her past lifetime, it had been a battle that almost killed her, even with the help of the senshi. But now, now there were only the senshi of this world and there was nothing to do but wait for Chaos to crawl out of his human shell. He knew everything they did and they had to assume that that meant he would be prepared to fight the Suzako warriors. The warriors that Usagi had developed quite an affection for.
"Don't deny this to me, Usagi-chan; we've known each other far too long to lie to each other."
Usagi shook her head, her exotic tresses seeming to almost droop as she lowered her eyes.
"It is a sin to confess emotions such as these when I am bound to the Four Gods. I am deeply in love with them, so these frivolous feelings for the others must be no more than lust or perhaps a trick from Chaos to distract me from those who I serve as Bride."
Cye shook his head in a bird-like manner. "You know that's not true Usagi- chan."
Usagi raised her face to meet his piercing gaze. She smiled brightly, returning to her previous façade.
"Time for me to train Tama-kun! Ja ne!!" She waved and disappeared in a flash of silver light.
Cye sighed as he peered into the mirror just as Tamahome finished off the final youma.
"Is it true?" A deep, rich voice broke through Cye's thoughts.
The falcon stared in shock as the gentle god Byakko appeared before him.
"Pardon?" He managed after a moment, finally regaining his thoughts.
"Is it true? That Usagi-sama has found her heart's fulfillment in the arms of another man?"
"She has in deed fallen in love with the Suzako seishi." Cye confessed, looking back into the mirror. Byakko was the youngest god out of the four. He was a timid man with strong emotions, but no way of expressing them. Cye had been good friends with him since Usagi and he had first joined the Four Gods in this high place. And Cye was the only one who knew of the relationship between his mistress and this mysterious man of such pale attire and melancholy disposition. He knew that they shared a very deep, very passionate bond.
"It does not surprise me that my brother's warriors would capture her heart. She is so open to the world and its inhabitants.so innocent after all these years. She trusts without restrain even though she tries to keep up this fake strength and mystery."
"I see that her heart is no mystery to you dear Byakko."
He smirked handsomely, a becoming gesture. "It is not so hard to understand. She and I are much alike. We both are bound to something that keeps us locked in this golden cage with bars so thin that they tempt us with their frailty."
Cye gazed at him for a long moment.
"What will your brothers say?" he asked finally.
"They shall not learn of this." Byakko stated simply. "I shall not discuss the matter further than this exchange." He closed his eyes. "If Usagi-sama chooses to remain with the mortals, I will allow it. All I want is her happiness. To see her smile will be worth the tears of my brothers." He opened his cold blue eyes and smiled at Cye.
"And you, Artemis, are you ready to let her grow up?"
Cye coughed as much as a bird could do so. "We shall see Byakko-sama, we shall see."
)()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()(
Tamahome's clothes were torn and sweaty. His hair was matted to his face and neck. His teeth were clenched as he breathed raggedly. He waited for more of these odd creatures to appear and challenge him but after a moment of nothing but silence he wiped the sweat from his brow and relaxed some.
"Very nice." Usagi complimented. "I thought you would be a fast learner." She smiled as she reappeared before him.
Tamahome glared at her slightly. "Why did you leave me there?" He demanded. "How did you know that I could defeat them? What if I hadn't survived?" He was upset.
Usagi smiled slightly at him, a cool reaction. "I knew you could do it." She smiled. "The exercise was developed especially for you. It would not have resulted in your death." She assured him.
Tamahome gave up arguing and glanced at her sideways. "So now what hell are you planning to put me through?" He grumbled, sitting down in the abyss and staring up at her.
Usagi descended from her suspended position and sat with him. She smiled. "Well frankly, you have all of your ways of fighting down. Your endurance and defense is a big focus point though. We'll be working on your defensive tactics and endurance, having you dodge shots for long periods of time or simply put you through an exercise similar to the one you just experienced. This time you'll be prepared though. So are you ready to train or would you like a break for a moment. Perhaps you have some questions?" she asked casually.
Tamahome closed his eyes. "What-what were those things?" he asked quietly.
Usagi sighed, her face darkening. "Youma."
"Like that one in Konan?" he asked.
She nodded. "Hai. Demo, they are all different. The youma you fought just now were lower classes. The youma I will let you fight later will be much stronger. When it comes to the end, you will find that you can blast the lower classes away and the highest class will be the only ones offering a challenge."
Tamahome's eyes seemed to mist over. He gazed into the nothingness that the two were engulfed in and waited in a comfortable silence for Usagi to speak again.
She finally decided that he had nothing further and stood up. "Ne, it is time to begin again. We'll start with a change of scenery." She flicked her wrist and the black was instantly gone. Tamahome found himself sitting on the dirt ground of a training zone. All around them was training weaponry and exercise equipment. Tamahome stood at the sudden change and looked around surprised. He watched Usagi pick up a roll of boxing tape. She tossed it to him and he silently understood. They bound their hands.
She wore silver fighter pants and a black tank top. The loose pants were held in place by a black belt and her hair was in a tight French braid. She wore black calf boots and at Tamahome's blank look she nodded to him. He looked down to find himself in similar attire. He wore the same thing except instead of silver his pants were blue. He looked at her in awe.
"Honto-"
"This is a punching bag," Usagi interrupted him, winking mysteriously. She showed him the named item and demonstrated its use. They spent the evening "detouring the facility".
Training began quickly. Usagi was pleasantly surprised at how easily Tamahome picked things up. He had a loud mouth with a sinful ego, but he knew what he could do and he knew what he was good at. He and Usagi developed a close relationship over time and after several months they talked as if they'd known each other for years. Well, when they weren't training that is. Usagi would often times summon youma that Tamahome wasn't prepared for, and he would have to get assistance. She did it to keep him in his place she said, but really, she did it to keep him on guard and aware. Even when he slept, which wasn't very often.
He went through training greatly similar to Hotohori and Chichiri's. He fought constantly and when he was resting he engaged in intimate conversation with his female companion. It was during one of these talks that had become a habit that Usagi spoke the words that Tamahome would never forget.
*(*)*(*)*(*)*(*)*(*)*(*)*(*)*(*)*
"Tama-kun," Usagi called softly, lying next to him in the grass. He didn't bother opening his eyes.
"Hai Usa-chan?"
"Why do you love Miaka?"
The question caught him off guard and he bolted upright. His eyes darted to her. She was startled to find them filled with shock and bewilderment.
Tamahome grunted. "I-I haven't thought about her in so long." He mused to himself. "I can barely remember the simple image of her face." He shook his head.
"I don't know." He answered finally.
Usagi glanced away, kicking herself for what she was about to say. "Do you ever wonder what it would be like if you weren't her seishi and you didn't have to protect her?"
"What do you mean?" Tamahome tried to hide the interest in his voice.
"Well, you see, you and Miaka seem to act in a way that is more like siblings than that of lovers. You love her and she loves you, and I hesitate to ask, but," she shoved her cares away. "Are you sure that you are *in* love with her?"
Tamahome's breath caught in his throat and his eyes widened. It was true. He loved Miaka dearly and he would never let anything happen to her. He wanted her to be happy too. He realized something in that instant that would change the future forever. He wasn't *in* love with Miaka, he simply felt a brotherly affection. He was loyal to her because of her position as priestess and he protected her like any brother would. But he was not in love with her. He.he was in love with someone else.
Ch. 13
"What is it?" Ren looked between his two friends with a serious expression in his eyes.
"We have a problem," Touji stated. Tasuki nodded, arms crossed.
Ren raised a brow skeptically. "And that would be?"
Touji fixed Ren with a scrutinizing look. "Hotohori-sama and Chichiri-san have begun to fight." He said matter-of-factly.
"We've just finished taming Tamahome's fierce temper. And this happens." Tasuki added, his brow twitching in annoyance.
Ren frowned slightly. "Do either of you know why they bicker?" He asked slowly.
Tasuki shrugged. "Jealousy?" He offered flatly.
Touji nodded. "Hai. Jealousy."
Ren gave them each looks of curiosity. "And how do you figure that?" he asked innocently.
Touji rolled his eyes. "Ren, we all know Usagi is quite attractive. You and I both know that it is nearly impossible for mortal men to resist the temptation of such an exotic blonde female."
Tasuki blushed under Ren's gaze which penetrated him more than he wished to admit.
"Is that so?" Ren asked, staring straight at the red head.
Tasuki's face turned scarlet. "Ne, I dunno." He coughed, looking away.
Touji rolled his eyes at the exchange between the two men.
"Both of you shuddup!" He looked exasperated. "Now listen, Ren, what should we do about this?"
Ren shrugged. "Well I don't really care how you handle it. Everyone is entitled to their own emotions and ways of thinking. But if they keep at it, tell them to stop fighting and tell them that if they don't remain pure of harsh thoughts Chaos might exploit it as a weakness and influence them through their impure thoughts."
They nodded. "Very well."
"Now I must take my leave of you my friends. It is time to take Tamahome into the Zone." Ren smiled, leaving the two men to discuss their orders.
&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*& In the Zone
Tamahome gaped at Usagi with his eyes bulging.
"Gah! Are you serious?! You mean all this time I've been getting jealous of a chick?!" He fell over.
"I am such a baka." He mumbled into the blackness.
Usagi blinked at his toppled form. "Ne, Tamahome-kun, would you mind composing yourself?" She gave him a wary look.
He jumped up, crossing his arms before him and giving her a dashing smile. "Tell me, Usa-chan, how will you train me?" Genuine curiosity appeared in his eyes.
Usagi smiled up at him. "Well actually Tamahome-kun, you can choose to be trained by either Ren or Usagi. The body is up to you because your training calls for a skill which both of my sides are equal in."
"Usagi." Tamahome said quickly, blushing at the rushed tone in his voice as he jumped at the prospect of her company for the following year.
Usagi smiled sweetly, apparently not noticing the tone. "K dokey! Why don't I give you your first task then?" She grinned, hovering in the air above him. They were in the same black void that Chichiri had first appeared in.
Tamahome grinned. "I'm ready for whatever you've got!" he announced confidently.
Usagi smirked. "Good, then take this!"
Youma appeared all around him. Tamahome's eyes widened as he was forced to fight the hideous creatures.
Usagi's laughter echoed around him. "Tama-kun, you must fight these creatures until there is not a single one remaining. When you have defeated them, I shall return to train you further." She disappeared.
Tamahome cried out for her to return but his efforts were only rewarded with more youma appearing. To him it seemed as if each time he destroyed one, out of its ashes rose an even more hideous creature with more strength than its predecessor. He quickly forgot about anything except the fight.
)()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()(
Usagi gazed at her trainee as he fought the youma. The four gods stood behind her. They watched her, admiring the curve of her neck and body as she bent to stare into the mirror. Suzako approached her, placing a warm hand on her shoulder and neck.
She turned to him with a smile.
"I missed you." He smiled.
"And I you." She said softly, the statement going out to all four.
"He is a strong one." Genbu said powerfully, watching as Tamahome continued to defeat the youma.
"Hai, he is." Usagi smiled softly, admiringly at the man in the mirror. "He isn't even noticing that the youma are becoming more developed and powerful as he does. Once he has regained the Warrior Stone as a part of himself, he shall be fighting high class youma of all levels." She smiled.
Seiryuu sent Suzako and icy glare and took Usagi's hand, pressing his chilling lips to her palm. She shivered at the intimacy portrayed in his cold blue eyes that seemed to burn every time they touched her. Whether the gesture was out of mutual affection, or intimidation, she did not know. Seiryuu smiled at the reaction and pulled her gently to his chest. Usagi quickly chose affection as she felt his heartbeat pound in time with her own. Each of the gods had this intimate connection with her. Their hearts pulsed in sync so they could always feel one another. Usagi closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his comforting embrace as he rocked her soothingly into a gentle lull. Seiryuu smiled softly down at her and admired the perfection of her face. Byakko and Suzako exchanged looks.
"Seiryuu-san," Suzako began. "I think it would be best that we left Usagi to rest." He said quietly, though sternly. With his accompanying glare, Seiryuu reluctantly agreed.
Usagi watched her four companions disappear in their own unique ways until all that was left was herself, the mirror, and Cye. The falcon watched her closely.
"Usa-chan," he began after a moment's pause.
"Hai Cye-chan?" She was pretty sure she knew what was playing on her friend's mind.
"You have fallen in love." So simply stated.though the results of this could be devastating.
Usagi gazed at the creature that she had loved and respected for so many years. He was so magnificent she couldn't believe that he had barely changed since the first day so very many years ago when they had first met. No, not years, lifetimes. For a split moment, she envisioned this creature's form shifting into that of a feline, white with a golden crescent marking his brow.then to the human form she had been so loved by. She sighed at the memories from so long ago.
"What ever do you speak of?" She sighed tiredly, her weariness and worry peeking through the façade of awareness that she kept prominent in the presence of others. But not Cye, not the one who knew her so well.
"You love the men you've trained. Three of whom you are in love with." Cye eyed her almost sadly. Her face glowed with fatigue and worry. Her silver aura pulsed gently in time with her heart as it attempted to comfort her. It was obvious that her careworn frame had been through great stress lately. Cye was worried about her. She wouldn't admit it, but she was practically rigid about the idea of fighting Chaos again. In her past lifetime, it had been a battle that almost killed her, even with the help of the senshi. But now, now there were only the senshi of this world and there was nothing to do but wait for Chaos to crawl out of his human shell. He knew everything they did and they had to assume that that meant he would be prepared to fight the Suzako warriors. The warriors that Usagi had developed quite an affection for.
"Don't deny this to me, Usagi-chan; we've known each other far too long to lie to each other."
Usagi shook her head, her exotic tresses seeming to almost droop as she lowered her eyes.
"It is a sin to confess emotions such as these when I am bound to the Four Gods. I am deeply in love with them, so these frivolous feelings for the others must be no more than lust or perhaps a trick from Chaos to distract me from those who I serve as Bride."
Cye shook his head in a bird-like manner. "You know that's not true Usagi- chan."
Usagi raised her face to meet his piercing gaze. She smiled brightly, returning to her previous façade.
"Time for me to train Tama-kun! Ja ne!!" She waved and disappeared in a flash of silver light.
Cye sighed as he peered into the mirror just as Tamahome finished off the final youma.
"Is it true?" A deep, rich voice broke through Cye's thoughts.
The falcon stared in shock as the gentle god Byakko appeared before him.
"Pardon?" He managed after a moment, finally regaining his thoughts.
"Is it true? That Usagi-sama has found her heart's fulfillment in the arms of another man?"
"She has in deed fallen in love with the Suzako seishi." Cye confessed, looking back into the mirror. Byakko was the youngest god out of the four. He was a timid man with strong emotions, but no way of expressing them. Cye had been good friends with him since Usagi and he had first joined the Four Gods in this high place. And Cye was the only one who knew of the relationship between his mistress and this mysterious man of such pale attire and melancholy disposition. He knew that they shared a very deep, very passionate bond.
"It does not surprise me that my brother's warriors would capture her heart. She is so open to the world and its inhabitants.so innocent after all these years. She trusts without restrain even though she tries to keep up this fake strength and mystery."
"I see that her heart is no mystery to you dear Byakko."
He smirked handsomely, a becoming gesture. "It is not so hard to understand. She and I are much alike. We both are bound to something that keeps us locked in this golden cage with bars so thin that they tempt us with their frailty."
Cye gazed at him for a long moment.
"What will your brothers say?" he asked finally.
"They shall not learn of this." Byakko stated simply. "I shall not discuss the matter further than this exchange." He closed his eyes. "If Usagi-sama chooses to remain with the mortals, I will allow it. All I want is her happiness. To see her smile will be worth the tears of my brothers." He opened his cold blue eyes and smiled at Cye.
"And you, Artemis, are you ready to let her grow up?"
Cye coughed as much as a bird could do so. "We shall see Byakko-sama, we shall see."
)()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()(
Tamahome's clothes were torn and sweaty. His hair was matted to his face and neck. His teeth were clenched as he breathed raggedly. He waited for more of these odd creatures to appear and challenge him but after a moment of nothing but silence he wiped the sweat from his brow and relaxed some.
"Very nice." Usagi complimented. "I thought you would be a fast learner." She smiled as she reappeared before him.
Tamahome glared at her slightly. "Why did you leave me there?" He demanded. "How did you know that I could defeat them? What if I hadn't survived?" He was upset.
Usagi smiled slightly at him, a cool reaction. "I knew you could do it." She smiled. "The exercise was developed especially for you. It would not have resulted in your death." She assured him.
Tamahome gave up arguing and glanced at her sideways. "So now what hell are you planning to put me through?" He grumbled, sitting down in the abyss and staring up at her.
Usagi descended from her suspended position and sat with him. She smiled. "Well frankly, you have all of your ways of fighting down. Your endurance and defense is a big focus point though. We'll be working on your defensive tactics and endurance, having you dodge shots for long periods of time or simply put you through an exercise similar to the one you just experienced. This time you'll be prepared though. So are you ready to train or would you like a break for a moment. Perhaps you have some questions?" she asked casually.
Tamahome closed his eyes. "What-what were those things?" he asked quietly.
Usagi sighed, her face darkening. "Youma."
"Like that one in Konan?" he asked.
She nodded. "Hai. Demo, they are all different. The youma you fought just now were lower classes. The youma I will let you fight later will be much stronger. When it comes to the end, you will find that you can blast the lower classes away and the highest class will be the only ones offering a challenge."
Tamahome's eyes seemed to mist over. He gazed into the nothingness that the two were engulfed in and waited in a comfortable silence for Usagi to speak again.
She finally decided that he had nothing further and stood up. "Ne, it is time to begin again. We'll start with a change of scenery." She flicked her wrist and the black was instantly gone. Tamahome found himself sitting on the dirt ground of a training zone. All around them was training weaponry and exercise equipment. Tamahome stood at the sudden change and looked around surprised. He watched Usagi pick up a roll of boxing tape. She tossed it to him and he silently understood. They bound their hands.
She wore silver fighter pants and a black tank top. The loose pants were held in place by a black belt and her hair was in a tight French braid. She wore black calf boots and at Tamahome's blank look she nodded to him. He looked down to find himself in similar attire. He wore the same thing except instead of silver his pants were blue. He looked at her in awe.
"Honto-"
"This is a punching bag," Usagi interrupted him, winking mysteriously. She showed him the named item and demonstrated its use. They spent the evening "detouring the facility".
Training began quickly. Usagi was pleasantly surprised at how easily Tamahome picked things up. He had a loud mouth with a sinful ego, but he knew what he could do and he knew what he was good at. He and Usagi developed a close relationship over time and after several months they talked as if they'd known each other for years. Well, when they weren't training that is. Usagi would often times summon youma that Tamahome wasn't prepared for, and he would have to get assistance. She did it to keep him in his place she said, but really, she did it to keep him on guard and aware. Even when he slept, which wasn't very often.
He went through training greatly similar to Hotohori and Chichiri's. He fought constantly and when he was resting he engaged in intimate conversation with his female companion. It was during one of these talks that had become a habit that Usagi spoke the words that Tamahome would never forget.
*(*)*(*)*(*)*(*)*(*)*(*)*(*)*(*)*
"Tama-kun," Usagi called softly, lying next to him in the grass. He didn't bother opening his eyes.
"Hai Usa-chan?"
"Why do you love Miaka?"
The question caught him off guard and he bolted upright. His eyes darted to her. She was startled to find them filled with shock and bewilderment.
Tamahome grunted. "I-I haven't thought about her in so long." He mused to himself. "I can barely remember the simple image of her face." He shook his head.
"I don't know." He answered finally.
Usagi glanced away, kicking herself for what she was about to say. "Do you ever wonder what it would be like if you weren't her seishi and you didn't have to protect her?"
"What do you mean?" Tamahome tried to hide the interest in his voice.
"Well, you see, you and Miaka seem to act in a way that is more like siblings than that of lovers. You love her and she loves you, and I hesitate to ask, but," she shoved her cares away. "Are you sure that you are *in* love with her?"
Tamahome's breath caught in his throat and his eyes widened. It was true. He loved Miaka dearly and he would never let anything happen to her. He wanted her to be happy too. He realized something in that instant that would change the future forever. He wasn't *in* love with Miaka, he simply felt a brotherly affection. He was loyal to her because of her position as priestess and he protected her like any brother would. But he was not in love with her. He.he was in love with someone else.