Here's Chapter 2!
Standard disclaimer apply.
Still Loving You…
By: g3ozLizh
Chapter 2
Then Tamahome remembered. Oh yeah. I was out last night, having the wild night of my life… the first … An image came to his mind. And surely the last. That thought gave him enough energy to swing his legs to the side of the bed and fight the overwhelming pain in his head. Why did I ever drink the night away anyway? That's not usually me. He smiled, knowing the answer to his own question. Hah! I must be loosing my mind, talking to myself. He pushed himself up from his sitting position and walked to his left to take a bath. Tonight is the night, Miaka…
~ * @@@ * ~
The scenes are so ironic. While Tamahome is whistling happily right now inside the bathroom, Miaka is doing the death march. I know that today, my love for one of them will have to die… or I would be in confusion forever and I won't be able to love one of them whole-heartedly. The love that a person you're going to spend your lifetime with deserves. She raised her head and took a deep breath to clear her mind. Each step she took towards Hotohori's room is like tearing a part of her away while fulfilling the other part of her heart. She balled her fists and closed her eyes tightly, trying to conjure an answer as to who does her heart really belong. Oh, Suzaku, give me strength. Something snapped at the back of her head that made her open her eyes. Somebody said that line before… I don't know! She heaved another sigh. Why is it that I'm putting color to everything that comes into my mind? She pulled on her hair, exasperated.
As she did that, Nuriko passed by. "Ouch! Easy girl!" Palm rubbing on the forehead. "Even though I can carry a rock with just one hand that doesn't mean I'm made of steel or something…" His or rather her --- whatever!--- voice faltered, seeing the troubled look on Miaka's normally cheerful features.
It took a moment for Miaka to digest who she just hit with her elbow. "Oh it's you, Nuriko." She patted down her tangled hair. "I'm sorry but I'm just so spaced out today."
Miaka tried to look and sound buoyant but she couldn't fool Nuriko. "There you go again, Miaka." Nuriko said with that "motherly" voice of his. He crossed his arms in front when Miaka tried to deny what he's already suspecting she's feeling. "When will you ever learn that you can't always deny what you're feeling, may it be sad or happy, especially in front of me?"
"Nuriko, I'm fine." She saw the look of determination and firmness in his eyes that's telling her that Nuriko will not believe in any of her excuses. Still, she persisted. "I'm no open book. Besides, I just lack sleep." Miaka gave Nuriko a weary smile to show that she is sleepy and continued walking when Nuriko didn't say anything. "See 'ya!'" She waved as she shifted into a jog.
Nuriko just stared at her retreating form with a knowing frown. You can't always be happy, Miaka.
~ * @@@ * ~
Tamahome toweled the last drop of water on his body and went out of the bathroom, wrapping his towel around his hips. As he was getting dressed, a knock came from his door followed by a crash. Tamahome swirled around to see who it was. "Nuriko!" He exclaimed, annoyed, his face reddening since he hasn't tied the string of his undergarment yet. He hastliy finished it.
"Ooops! Sorry. Guess I forgot my own strength." He giggled that girlish giggle, covering her mouth.
"Yeah, remind me next time to tell you every now and then that when you come barging toward the door, do it softly." He turned his back and continued to put his clothes on. He finds it confusing at times on how to react around Nuriko. He couldn't quite push a button on when to consider Nuriko a man and when to treat him --- her--- like a lady.
"Oh pish-posh!" Nuriko waved a hand in front of his face dismissively. "I'm a man too, you know."
Tamahome turned to face him, buttoning his shirt as he did. "That's the problem! I don't know when to treat you like a man or a girl." He pointed out, voicing what he had just been thinking.
"That's no problem. You can treat me either way, I don't care." He shrugged his shoulders in a carefree way. "I'm both anyway."
"Oh yeah? Then why did you imply that I consider you a man just now when you're telling me you don't care." Tamahome reasoned out, hands on hips.
"Really, Tamahome? So that's why you turned beet red." Nuriko batted her eyelashes and seductively struck a pose by the door. "Tamahome…" He teased.
"Knock it off, already. Just tell me the reason why you're here." Tamahome squared his shoulders and crossed his arms in front of his chest, ready to listen. He looked straight to Nuriko's eyes as if challenging him to come up with a good excuse.
Those words brought Nuriko back to reality as to the reason why he came to Tamahome's room. "Oh, I was just meaning to ask you why Miaka told me she lacked sleep last night." A mischievous sparkle came to his eyes. "Did you get some action last night?" He eyed Tamahome's reaction intently.
Tamahome laughed. "No but I wish we did. Even though, why would I tell you anything anyway?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Well, for the reason that I am your friend and can be trusted." Nuriko did a little bow on the waist.
"In a couple of years, maybe." He made one final touch with his appearance. "Anyway, even if I'm obliged to talk to you right now, I have to go. I have a very important matter to undertake." He patted Nuriko on the shoulder and strode out of the room.
~ * @@@ * ~
A hand softly caressed the creased photo of a man dressed in black. Affectionately tracing a line across his handsome features, a small bittersweet smile formed at the corners of her mouth. Suddenly, the hand shook. Slowly at first but as seconds tick by, the trembling doubled. A lone tear splattered exactly on the face of the man. Another tear fell, then another and another until the picture was in smudges, especially around the face. The crying grew a little louder. As if unaware of the tears at first, seeing what has happened with the pic, the hand immediately wiped the photo dry. The effort was not paid for the photo is now spoiled. Choking back a sob, she scolded herself for not being too careful. She raised the picture up to the light. All she can make out was the background, which is as good as nothing at all. The only thing I have of him is now destroyed… Tears started to well up in her eyes again. She stood up, clutching the picture to her heart and glanced out the window. All was a blur for tears continuously rolled down her cheeks as if they had a will of their own. You don't know how much you mean to me… The clear blue cloudless sky outside with nature in its loveliest was a sharp contrast to her stormy heart. The hand around the photo clenched into a fist, her expression changed from heartsick to revengeful determination. But I won't give up that easily. A negligible smile showed itself. I will not…
Author's Notes:
C'mon, review it so that I may know if you, the readers, like it. I already have the whole story made up in my mind and all I need is encouragement. And believe me, this story is different from the others. You won't find anything like it. *-* And yeah, I don't own Fushigi Yuugi so don't sue me.
