~An American Miko~
Worry & Exams
Chapter Twenty-Nine
A few weeks after Suboshi had come to join them, Myst Nuriko and the twins were sitting in one of the gardens talking quietly. It had taken some time for Suboshi to really start trusting them, but after much patients and friendly equal manner, he had finally come around and was more used to life here with people who truly seemed to love and accept him. He had a small rivalry going with Tasuki, but it was almost as if a brotherly thing. The Sou children seemed to love him and he had finally gotten used to holding Boushin every now and then. He was still nervous around children, but he smiled every time he saw them. Even his brother had noticed the great change in him. How much more calm and gentle he seemed to be now. It quite frankly was a relief.
Shunkaku laughed at something that was said and said, "Do you know how many times as a child that he said he would do just that? I can't believe you actually finally did it Aniki!"
Kotoku blushed and Myst elbowed him in the ribs lightly and said, "Neither can I. Let me tell you Saihitei was sure shocked!"
Nuriko giggled. "I've never seen His Majesty laugh so hard in hi life."
Myst laughed again. "Neither have I. It was memorable though."
Nuriko smiled. "Do you think."
Myst's face suddenly went blank and she stood up with a far off, stunned look on her face.
Worried, the other three stood up too. "Myst? Myst what's wrong?"
Myst suddenly gave a cry and doubled over clutching at her head. Nuriko saw the red feather clutched in her hand and went over to stand behind her and hold her shoulders supportively. "She's having another vision."
Shunkaku looked over at Kotoku. "Vision?"
Kotoku nodded. "She has them when Suzaku wants to show her something. It's how she knew who I was and about us. Evidently they've been getting worse and having a worse and worse effect on her."
As if on cue, Myst seemed to be thrown back and arched her back in Nuriko's arms, letting out a painful scream. The scream was choked off as she shook and convulsed once, twice, and then finally went limp in Nuriko's strong gentle arms.
Nuriko looked into her face. Her mouth hung slack and open and her eyes were half lidded and fluttering, showing the whites of her eyes since they had rolled back. Nuriko hugged her to him for a moment and closed his eyes as a few tears fell. "This is the worst one yet. I just wish it didn't hurt her so much. Why does it have to hurt?"
Kotoku stepped up beside Nuriko and put a caring hand on the fey seishi's head, gently smoothing his hair. Nuriko looked up and smiled gratefully. Kotoku smiled back and wiped the tears from his friend's cheeks. "No more tears."
Nuriko smiled and nodded, then his smile faded and he looked down at his unconscious miko. "Lets take her to Hotohori."
Shunkaku, who had stepped forward and picked up one of Myst hands said, "But isn't he in an audience session?"
Nuriko nodded. "Yes, but we're seishi. We have the highest clearance and right in the country to see him. We can see him if we want, at any time or any place. We are even welcome to sit in and help on these sessions if we wanted."
All Shunkaku said was, "Oh."
Nuriko swept Myst up in his arms and, flanked by the twins, walked steadily to the mail hall of the palace, not stopping at anyone's reactions to the fact that he was carrying a dead looking empress.
When they walked passed the guards and through the double doors, they saw Hotohori sitting regally as always on the throne, though to the trained eyes of his friends looking extremely bored, as one of the heralds read off the terms of a random document. Nuriko didn't even pause as he walked steadily and straight-faced up the center of the red carpet with the twins on either side of him and one step behind.
Hotohori raised his eyes at the movement and leaned forward sharply with a shocked look on his face. He sat for only a moment and then propelled himself out of his throne and down the dais with a cry, stopping the herald in mid-sentence and scarring the people who were there for the audience. "Myst! Nuriko what happened?" He reached them and touched Myst's face looking at her with almost panicked worry.
Nuriko spoke in a slightly worried voice as well. "A vision Your Majesty. It came on suddenly as always. Hotohori nodded and saw the feather still clutched lightly in her fist. "Let's get her to bed. Seneschal, clear my schedule and take care of the business that you can. I expect full reports."
A man at the side of the dais bowed. "Yes Your Majesty."
Hotohori turned and lead the way out of the room, letting Nuriko keep hold of his wife. Once safely in the royal bedchambers Hotohori pulled the blankets on the bed back and Nuriko gently laid his precious burden down.
The twins stood to the side, silently watching. Nuriko stepped back and Hotohori tucked the blankets around his love. He sat beside her on the edge of the bed and brushed some of her golden bangs out of her pale, lovely face.
Nuriko knelt next to him and laid a gentle hand on Hotohori's leg. "Her visions are getting stronger Your Majesty."
Hotohori sighed and pulled the pin on his hair-box, taking it off and letting his rich brown hair cascade around his shoulders and down his back. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. "I know dear friend. I just wander what will happen if they keep getting worse."
There was a groan from the pillow and a quiet, "I'll live with it, that's what will happen."
They all looked at Myst as he eyelids fluttered, trying to open. Hotohori reached down and brushed his fingers over Myst's brow. "Shhh. gently. Just lay still and rest for a moment."
Myst groaned again. "Ohhh. That's painful. I'd rather go through having a baby again." She opened her eyes and saw that she was in bed and then quietly, yet quickly added, "Um. I didn't mean that." She smiled and looked into Hotohori's eyes. "At least not right now."
Hotohori smiled back and reached under the blanket, retrieving her hand into his. "Are you feeling better now beloved? We were worried about you."
Myst nodded and he helped her to sit up a little against the mound of pillows. She looked at the twins who were still standing and patted the bed. "Come. You're welcome to sit."
They looked at each other, still not used to being treated so informally by royalty. Back in Kutou, they would never even think about sitting on the Emperor's bed, let alone be invited to. They sat and Shunkaku leaned forward, a little worried frown creasing his brow below the ever-present blue headband he and his brother always wore. "Are you sure you're all right Empress?"
Myst smiled and nodded as she saw more evidence of the change in him since he had been here. "More than all right Shun-chan, my friend. I have a good hint as to where to find the final seishi. Saihitei, love, would you run through the high scores for the Kakyou exam? The second part to be more specific."
Hotohori gestured with his free hand. "I have already looked through them. Is there one in particular you would like to know about?"
Myst nodded. "I was not given a name, but I was told he did exceptionally well on the exam and that when I first arrived here he was only thirteen. That would make him fourteen now. We should be able to find him very close to the capital. Is that enough information?"
Hotohori nodded. "I should be able to find him from the high score and the age. I'll look into it personally."
Myst smiled and lifted his hand to kiss it. "Thank you my love."
"You're very welcome. Would you like me to look now?"
Myst smiled again. "A.S.A.P. would be nice love. I fear that something is coming soon."
Hotohori nodded and rose. He looked at the other three seishi. "Would you like to help? It would make it much easier and I can show you what to look for."
The twins nodded and stood as one. Nuriko shook his head and edged closer to the bed. "No. I'd like to stay here with Myst if that's all right."
Hotohori nodded. "Of course. It would be better if someone would stay with her, and who better than one she's trusts and loves so much." He smirked then. "Also, just in case she has a sudden, 'need to snuggle' fit."
Nuriko playfully saluted. "Yes sir, Your Majesty, sir! I'll do my damnedest sir!"
Before leaving, Hotohori twirled his hair with practiced ease back into a tight bun in his head, covered and pinned it in the ornamental hairbox, since it was inappropriate for the emperor to be seen with his hair down in public during the day, and bent to kiss his wife tenderly. "Get some rest Mistyc. These visions truly are getting very hard on you. I love you."
Myst smiled happily and caressed her husband's smooth face tenderly. "I love you too my handsome Emperor. Always and forever."
He smiled and kissed her again before straitening and turning to leave, giving Nuriko's cheek a soft caress on the way.
The door closed behind the three and Nuriko turned back to Myst, catching her in a yawn. He smiled and watched her for a moment until she turned her eyes to him. He smoothed her golden bangs some more and said softly, "Do you want to change out of your clothes, or do you just want to sleep like that?"
She looked up at him tiredly. "I think I want my clothes off. I'll get too hot like this."
Nuriko nodded and helped her sit up and strip. Once she was lying back down, she turned onto her side to look at him with eyes full of such warmth and love. "Would you like to join me little love?"
Nuriko though about it for a moment and then nodded. "Sure. I could use a little more sleep. I like the contact too."
Myst nodded and blinked as her eyes drooped sleepily. "Mmm. me too. We are very tactile people you and I. And you're so good to snuggle with."
Nuriko chuckled and stood, untying his sash and letting the red silk dressing robe slip down his shoulders and arms. He hung the garment on a hook by one of the bedposts and sat on the bed dressed only in cream colored, flowing, silk pants. The silk sheet whispered as he slid between them. He got himself settled and drew Myst into his arms to lie partially across his slim, smooth chest.
Myst wrapped her arms around Nuriko's small waist and pillowed her head against his collarbone. She sighed happily. "I love you Nuriko."
He kissed her head and shut his eyes. "I love you too Myst." He said it even though he knew she was already mostly asleep. He smiled and closed his eyes, relaxing and finally letting sleep take him.
*****
Hotohori trudged back to his room, extremely tired. He nodded to the guard at attention outside and slipped quietly in. In the light of the moon out the window he saw the two figures in the bed, cuddled in sleep. 'They must have been really tired to still be asleep after so long.' He began to disrobe to change into sleeping garments when he heard a hushed voice from the bed. He started a bit since he had thought they were asleep.
The voice said, "I was starting to wonder when you'd be in."
Hotohori didn't look over but his smiling profile could be seen in the pale moonlight as he changed. "So you are awake Nuriko."
The soft voice once again floated to him. "Yes Your Majesty."
Hotohori went on as he walked to the wardrobe. "I didn't want to come to bed until I had found something. Has she awakened at all since she went to sleep?"
"No Your Majesty. She's been sleeping peacefully since you left. At least I don't think she awakened while I slept. She's hasn't changed position at all. So I take it you found something?"
Hotohori now walked over to his vanity and took off his hairbox, running a soft-bristled brush through his long hair, then tying it tightly back to the base of his skull. "I believe I have found who the vision was about, but I'll talk more about it tomorrow." He walked over to the bed. "Make some room. All I want to do right now is sleep."
Nuriko moved. Gently since he still held Myst in his arms and held up the covers for Hotohori to slide under. "I can move to my room if you wish."
Hotohori shook his head and settle himself down. Silence dropped around them. After a few moments of complete stillness, Hotohori shifted again and tapped Nuriko's elbow. "Do you mind?"
The meaning was clear to the smaller seishi and Nuriko lifted his arm for Hotohori to climb underneath.
Hotohori settled right up against Nuriko's side and laid his head down on his collarbone, mirroring Myst.
Nuriko smiled and brought his arm down to hold Hotohori tenderly. Hotohori wrapped his own left arm over Nuriko's taut abdomen and around Myst's hips to lay his palm flat on her back. He yawned contentedly and snuggled his cheek against the smooth silky skin of Nuriko's chest. "Goodnight dear brother."
Nuriko chuckled softly and kissed Hotohori's head. "Goodnight Hotohori, and thank you." Nuriko stayed awake for sometime and listened to the two sleeping against him in his arms. He finally fell into a peacefully sleep, lulled by the sound and the feel of their even breathing.
**********
A.N.: AAHHHH!!!! *bows deeply to the readers* Gomen! Sorry for taking so long! Lots of things just popped up so suddenly! I finally got this chapter done though!!!! YAY! Thank you to everyone who kept reading! Also, a special thank you to those who were worried about me because I didn't post for so long! Missy, you're one of them! Thank you for checking up on me and always reviewing!!! TaMiKo/RuMiKo/KiMiKo RuKaWa, damn. long name. *smiles* You're the other! Always posting and checking on me directly! It means so much to me! Thank you to all the other's who review too! I'm also sorry if I haven't gotten around to anyone who reviewed! I'll try harder next time, so keep doing it ne?!?!?! Don't know when the next chapter will be up, so guys. Keep e-mailing me and kicking me so I'll keep off my lazy ass and write more ne?! You guys prodding me so much are the only reasons I've kept up writing this. A few of my other fics are laying half finished because no one responds to them no da. Well, thank you again. I love hearing from you! JA! And ENJOY!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman
A few weeks after Suboshi had come to join them, Myst Nuriko and the twins were sitting in one of the gardens talking quietly. It had taken some time for Suboshi to really start trusting them, but after much patients and friendly equal manner, he had finally come around and was more used to life here with people who truly seemed to love and accept him. He had a small rivalry going with Tasuki, but it was almost as if a brotherly thing. The Sou children seemed to love him and he had finally gotten used to holding Boushin every now and then. He was still nervous around children, but he smiled every time he saw them. Even his brother had noticed the great change in him. How much more calm and gentle he seemed to be now. It quite frankly was a relief.
Shunkaku laughed at something that was said and said, "Do you know how many times as a child that he said he would do just that? I can't believe you actually finally did it Aniki!"
Kotoku blushed and Myst elbowed him in the ribs lightly and said, "Neither can I. Let me tell you Saihitei was sure shocked!"
Nuriko giggled. "I've never seen His Majesty laugh so hard in hi life."
Myst laughed again. "Neither have I. It was memorable though."
Nuriko smiled. "Do you think."
Myst's face suddenly went blank and she stood up with a far off, stunned look on her face.
Worried, the other three stood up too. "Myst? Myst what's wrong?"
Myst suddenly gave a cry and doubled over clutching at her head. Nuriko saw the red feather clutched in her hand and went over to stand behind her and hold her shoulders supportively. "She's having another vision."
Shunkaku looked over at Kotoku. "Vision?"
Kotoku nodded. "She has them when Suzaku wants to show her something. It's how she knew who I was and about us. Evidently they've been getting worse and having a worse and worse effect on her."
As if on cue, Myst seemed to be thrown back and arched her back in Nuriko's arms, letting out a painful scream. The scream was choked off as she shook and convulsed once, twice, and then finally went limp in Nuriko's strong gentle arms.
Nuriko looked into her face. Her mouth hung slack and open and her eyes were half lidded and fluttering, showing the whites of her eyes since they had rolled back. Nuriko hugged her to him for a moment and closed his eyes as a few tears fell. "This is the worst one yet. I just wish it didn't hurt her so much. Why does it have to hurt?"
Kotoku stepped up beside Nuriko and put a caring hand on the fey seishi's head, gently smoothing his hair. Nuriko looked up and smiled gratefully. Kotoku smiled back and wiped the tears from his friend's cheeks. "No more tears."
Nuriko smiled and nodded, then his smile faded and he looked down at his unconscious miko. "Lets take her to Hotohori."
Shunkaku, who had stepped forward and picked up one of Myst hands said, "But isn't he in an audience session?"
Nuriko nodded. "Yes, but we're seishi. We have the highest clearance and right in the country to see him. We can see him if we want, at any time or any place. We are even welcome to sit in and help on these sessions if we wanted."
All Shunkaku said was, "Oh."
Nuriko swept Myst up in his arms and, flanked by the twins, walked steadily to the mail hall of the palace, not stopping at anyone's reactions to the fact that he was carrying a dead looking empress.
When they walked passed the guards and through the double doors, they saw Hotohori sitting regally as always on the throne, though to the trained eyes of his friends looking extremely bored, as one of the heralds read off the terms of a random document. Nuriko didn't even pause as he walked steadily and straight-faced up the center of the red carpet with the twins on either side of him and one step behind.
Hotohori raised his eyes at the movement and leaned forward sharply with a shocked look on his face. He sat for only a moment and then propelled himself out of his throne and down the dais with a cry, stopping the herald in mid-sentence and scarring the people who were there for the audience. "Myst! Nuriko what happened?" He reached them and touched Myst's face looking at her with almost panicked worry.
Nuriko spoke in a slightly worried voice as well. "A vision Your Majesty. It came on suddenly as always. Hotohori nodded and saw the feather still clutched lightly in her fist. "Let's get her to bed. Seneschal, clear my schedule and take care of the business that you can. I expect full reports."
A man at the side of the dais bowed. "Yes Your Majesty."
Hotohori turned and lead the way out of the room, letting Nuriko keep hold of his wife. Once safely in the royal bedchambers Hotohori pulled the blankets on the bed back and Nuriko gently laid his precious burden down.
The twins stood to the side, silently watching. Nuriko stepped back and Hotohori tucked the blankets around his love. He sat beside her on the edge of the bed and brushed some of her golden bangs out of her pale, lovely face.
Nuriko knelt next to him and laid a gentle hand on Hotohori's leg. "Her visions are getting stronger Your Majesty."
Hotohori sighed and pulled the pin on his hair-box, taking it off and letting his rich brown hair cascade around his shoulders and down his back. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. "I know dear friend. I just wander what will happen if they keep getting worse."
There was a groan from the pillow and a quiet, "I'll live with it, that's what will happen."
They all looked at Myst as he eyelids fluttered, trying to open. Hotohori reached down and brushed his fingers over Myst's brow. "Shhh. gently. Just lay still and rest for a moment."
Myst groaned again. "Ohhh. That's painful. I'd rather go through having a baby again." She opened her eyes and saw that she was in bed and then quietly, yet quickly added, "Um. I didn't mean that." She smiled and looked into Hotohori's eyes. "At least not right now."
Hotohori smiled back and reached under the blanket, retrieving her hand into his. "Are you feeling better now beloved? We were worried about you."
Myst nodded and he helped her to sit up a little against the mound of pillows. She looked at the twins who were still standing and patted the bed. "Come. You're welcome to sit."
They looked at each other, still not used to being treated so informally by royalty. Back in Kutou, they would never even think about sitting on the Emperor's bed, let alone be invited to. They sat and Shunkaku leaned forward, a little worried frown creasing his brow below the ever-present blue headband he and his brother always wore. "Are you sure you're all right Empress?"
Myst smiled and nodded as she saw more evidence of the change in him since he had been here. "More than all right Shun-chan, my friend. I have a good hint as to where to find the final seishi. Saihitei, love, would you run through the high scores for the Kakyou exam? The second part to be more specific."
Hotohori gestured with his free hand. "I have already looked through them. Is there one in particular you would like to know about?"
Myst nodded. "I was not given a name, but I was told he did exceptionally well on the exam and that when I first arrived here he was only thirteen. That would make him fourteen now. We should be able to find him very close to the capital. Is that enough information?"
Hotohori nodded. "I should be able to find him from the high score and the age. I'll look into it personally."
Myst smiled and lifted his hand to kiss it. "Thank you my love."
"You're very welcome. Would you like me to look now?"
Myst smiled again. "A.S.A.P. would be nice love. I fear that something is coming soon."
Hotohori nodded and rose. He looked at the other three seishi. "Would you like to help? It would make it much easier and I can show you what to look for."
The twins nodded and stood as one. Nuriko shook his head and edged closer to the bed. "No. I'd like to stay here with Myst if that's all right."
Hotohori nodded. "Of course. It would be better if someone would stay with her, and who better than one she's trusts and loves so much." He smirked then. "Also, just in case she has a sudden, 'need to snuggle' fit."
Nuriko playfully saluted. "Yes sir, Your Majesty, sir! I'll do my damnedest sir!"
Before leaving, Hotohori twirled his hair with practiced ease back into a tight bun in his head, covered and pinned it in the ornamental hairbox, since it was inappropriate for the emperor to be seen with his hair down in public during the day, and bent to kiss his wife tenderly. "Get some rest Mistyc. These visions truly are getting very hard on you. I love you."
Myst smiled happily and caressed her husband's smooth face tenderly. "I love you too my handsome Emperor. Always and forever."
He smiled and kissed her again before straitening and turning to leave, giving Nuriko's cheek a soft caress on the way.
The door closed behind the three and Nuriko turned back to Myst, catching her in a yawn. He smiled and watched her for a moment until she turned her eyes to him. He smoothed her golden bangs some more and said softly, "Do you want to change out of your clothes, or do you just want to sleep like that?"
She looked up at him tiredly. "I think I want my clothes off. I'll get too hot like this."
Nuriko nodded and helped her sit up and strip. Once she was lying back down, she turned onto her side to look at him with eyes full of such warmth and love. "Would you like to join me little love?"
Nuriko though about it for a moment and then nodded. "Sure. I could use a little more sleep. I like the contact too."
Myst nodded and blinked as her eyes drooped sleepily. "Mmm. me too. We are very tactile people you and I. And you're so good to snuggle with."
Nuriko chuckled and stood, untying his sash and letting the red silk dressing robe slip down his shoulders and arms. He hung the garment on a hook by one of the bedposts and sat on the bed dressed only in cream colored, flowing, silk pants. The silk sheet whispered as he slid between them. He got himself settled and drew Myst into his arms to lie partially across his slim, smooth chest.
Myst wrapped her arms around Nuriko's small waist and pillowed her head against his collarbone. She sighed happily. "I love you Nuriko."
He kissed her head and shut his eyes. "I love you too Myst." He said it even though he knew she was already mostly asleep. He smiled and closed his eyes, relaxing and finally letting sleep take him.
*****
Hotohori trudged back to his room, extremely tired. He nodded to the guard at attention outside and slipped quietly in. In the light of the moon out the window he saw the two figures in the bed, cuddled in sleep. 'They must have been really tired to still be asleep after so long.' He began to disrobe to change into sleeping garments when he heard a hushed voice from the bed. He started a bit since he had thought they were asleep.
The voice said, "I was starting to wonder when you'd be in."
Hotohori didn't look over but his smiling profile could be seen in the pale moonlight as he changed. "So you are awake Nuriko."
The soft voice once again floated to him. "Yes Your Majesty."
Hotohori went on as he walked to the wardrobe. "I didn't want to come to bed until I had found something. Has she awakened at all since she went to sleep?"
"No Your Majesty. She's been sleeping peacefully since you left. At least I don't think she awakened while I slept. She's hasn't changed position at all. So I take it you found something?"
Hotohori now walked over to his vanity and took off his hairbox, running a soft-bristled brush through his long hair, then tying it tightly back to the base of his skull. "I believe I have found who the vision was about, but I'll talk more about it tomorrow." He walked over to the bed. "Make some room. All I want to do right now is sleep."
Nuriko moved. Gently since he still held Myst in his arms and held up the covers for Hotohori to slide under. "I can move to my room if you wish."
Hotohori shook his head and settle himself down. Silence dropped around them. After a few moments of complete stillness, Hotohori shifted again and tapped Nuriko's elbow. "Do you mind?"
The meaning was clear to the smaller seishi and Nuriko lifted his arm for Hotohori to climb underneath.
Hotohori settled right up against Nuriko's side and laid his head down on his collarbone, mirroring Myst.
Nuriko smiled and brought his arm down to hold Hotohori tenderly. Hotohori wrapped his own left arm over Nuriko's taut abdomen and around Myst's hips to lay his palm flat on her back. He yawned contentedly and snuggled his cheek against the smooth silky skin of Nuriko's chest. "Goodnight dear brother."
Nuriko chuckled softly and kissed Hotohori's head. "Goodnight Hotohori, and thank you." Nuriko stayed awake for sometime and listened to the two sleeping against him in his arms. He finally fell into a peacefully sleep, lulled by the sound and the feel of their even breathing.
**********
A.N.: AAHHHH!!!! *bows deeply to the readers* Gomen! Sorry for taking so long! Lots of things just popped up so suddenly! I finally got this chapter done though!!!! YAY! Thank you to everyone who kept reading! Also, a special thank you to those who were worried about me because I didn't post for so long! Missy, you're one of them! Thank you for checking up on me and always reviewing!!! TaMiKo/RuMiKo/KiMiKo RuKaWa, damn. long name. *smiles* You're the other! Always posting and checking on me directly! It means so much to me! Thank you to all the other's who review too! I'm also sorry if I haven't gotten around to anyone who reviewed! I'll try harder next time, so keep doing it ne?!?!?! Don't know when the next chapter will be up, so guys. Keep e-mailing me and kicking me so I'll keep off my lazy ass and write more ne?! You guys prodding me so much are the only reasons I've kept up writing this. A few of my other fics are laying half finished because no one responds to them no da. Well, thank you again. I love hearing from you! JA! And ENJOY!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman