Still Loving You...
By: g3ozL!zh
Author's Notes: To all Hotohori fans, don't think that I am dead set on pairing Miaka with Tamahome. I have a couple
twists in my mind. Just stick around and I know that both Hotohori and Tamahome lovers alike will
not regret reading this story.
Disclaimer: Here I go again... I don't own FY but I wish someone generous enough would give it to me. ^_^
Chapter 4
"Hmmm...mmm...hmmm..." Tamahome hummed a few notes as he strolled along the busy streets of Konan. Hands on pockets, he nodded to several people who greeted him, recognizing that he is one of the Suzaku warriors. As he rounded a corner, he spotted the little shop that he went to last night where he spied a beautiful necklace, just the right gift to give to Miaka during his proposal. I was unfortunate not to get it last night. He quickened his pace, determined to have it this time. But now, it's going to be in my hands.
The store's little bells above the door clinked with one another, making a soft, light melodious sound as Tamahome entered. A middle-aged man greeted him with a smile, leaning behind a counter. "How may I help you?"
Stopping just in front of the jewelry counter, Tamahome said, "How much is that necklace by the window?" He turned around the waist just a bit to point out the necklace. It was of a rare milky white pearl that blushes a glittering pink under the light. At its center is a small diamond drop to make the finishing touch. It looks exquisite!
"Ah, nice choice you got there. That necklace costs 88 gold coins." The man smiled broadly, his eyes crinkling at the sides.
Boy! That's a lot of money. But for Miaka, it's worth it! He smiled at the thought. Focusing back to the man, he exclaimed, "I'll take it!" He produced the money form his pocket.
Taking the money, the man went and got the necklace out from the show window. Placing it inside a delicately carved wooden box, he gave it to Tamahome. "Must be for someone very special, I suppose?"
Tamahome, entranced by the thing he was holding, took a moment longer for him to notice that the man was talking to him. Looking up abruptly, he said, "Yes... yes, indeed!" He then walked out of the shop. I can't hardly wait.
~ * @@@ * ~
Miaka went back to her room when she found out that Tamahome went out earlier. She laid down on her bed and tried to absorb everything that had happened just this morning. I had finally made my decision. She only smiled a little, thinking about the sadness Hotohori must be feeling right now. Feeling lost once again, she decided to go to the west side pavilion to have a time to think and clear out the fog that's forming in her mind. She went on a leisure walk, taking her time, trying to feel the gentle caress of the wind against her skin. Ahh... this is relaxing.
When she arrived at the pavilion, she found a nice spot to sit on. Bracing her legs towards her chest, she let her eyes wander over the natural beauty of the site. I'm so thankful Hotohori and Tamahome doesn't have to have a sword fight over me. But deep down inside, a voice was telling her that she did want to try to see who will win between them. No! That would mean the death of the other. I wouldn't want that and neither would the others. She sighed, leaning her chin on her closed fist. She can't help but feel that even though she is now *free*, the sadness inside of her was overwhelming. What! Don't tell me that I made a big mistake back there. Miaka shook her head persistently. A headache was forming so she stopped. ...or did I? Aggravated with herself, she decided to lean on the tree just behind her, to get a few winks before she go and try to see Tamahome again. Just as she was drowsing off, she heard a twig snap and rustling of the bushes. She sat bolt upright and looked to her left and right. When she found nothing, she whispered to herself, "That's strange. Who would be crazy enough to hide from me?" She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. Maybe just one of the servant guards who thought he was disturbing my privacy. When she touched her chin, she found it to be with saliva. "Or maybe he did." She grinned, not caring in the world that she, the Maiden of Suzaku, would be caught dead drooling. It's not my fault anyway and I don't usually drool when I sleep. I guess I didn't expect that I was *this* sleepy. Getting up and dusting off the blades of grass that stuck to her dress, she decided to go back to her room. Then maybe I'll go check on Tamahome again. She brightened up a little at the thought. He's just what I need to lighten up my day. With that, she skipped the way back to the palace.
~ * @@@ * ~
After what seemed like infinity, Hotohori decided to get out of his room. He felt like he was choking inside. Maybe I am. True, he had given up Miaka even though it was against his will but that doesn't mean that everything's alright now. I shouldn't have... but... But what can he do? It was pretty obvious that Miaka loved Tamahome more than him and wasn't it Miaka who told him that one can't force somebody to feel something if he doesn't feel anything? Or something like that. His mind was in jumbles. Closing his eyes and trying to massage his throbbing temples, he tried his best to relax, even just a little. But of course, it was pretty obvious that *that* would be a very hard thing to do right now, considering what had just happened to him. And to my whole life, for that matter. He sarcastically added. I've let it happen --- ended whatever Miaka and I had once, for goodness sake! It will probably take me years to forget about her. He sighed forlornly. Another headache *materialized* in his head. It took him a couple of seconds to ease the pain. Yeah, and my councils will start to bother me again about having an empress. The headache subsided a bit after a few massage. He chuckled half-heartedly. If only I can do that to my aching heart and the pain will subside. He realized that he had been thinking a lot lately so when he tried to center his mind on the surroundings, he realized that he still hadn't moved from where he sat. Yes, he did decide to go out but that's it --- he just decided --- he didn't actually do it. Now I'm losing control over my brain. As he stood up and took a deep breath, he felt a fresh pang of pain in his heart. It was like as if, if he took one step forward, he would be one step nearer to actually accepting the fact that Miaka can never be his anymore. A step would mean that he have to move on, *without* her. Can I? Can I really go on? Okay, maybe he can do the stuff that he usually do... but does that mean that he had moved on? Is being able to do things that you usually do, monotonously and mechanically, as if you're only doing it because you have to, without your usual enthusiasm --- meant that you've actually moved on with your life? He looked out the window, stared at a dove flying form tree to tree, butterflies of different colours fluttering around... the answer was crystal clear --- No.
Author's Notes: Don't worry, next chapter will be better. I was just filling the gap.
By: g3ozL!zh
Author's Notes: To all Hotohori fans, don't think that I am dead set on pairing Miaka with Tamahome. I have a couple
twists in my mind. Just stick around and I know that both Hotohori and Tamahome lovers alike will
not regret reading this story.
Disclaimer: Here I go again... I don't own FY but I wish someone generous enough would give it to me. ^_^
Chapter 4
"Hmmm...mmm...hmmm..." Tamahome hummed a few notes as he strolled along the busy streets of Konan. Hands on pockets, he nodded to several people who greeted him, recognizing that he is one of the Suzaku warriors. As he rounded a corner, he spotted the little shop that he went to last night where he spied a beautiful necklace, just the right gift to give to Miaka during his proposal. I was unfortunate not to get it last night. He quickened his pace, determined to have it this time. But now, it's going to be in my hands.
The store's little bells above the door clinked with one another, making a soft, light melodious sound as Tamahome entered. A middle-aged man greeted him with a smile, leaning behind a counter. "How may I help you?"
Stopping just in front of the jewelry counter, Tamahome said, "How much is that necklace by the window?" He turned around the waist just a bit to point out the necklace. It was of a rare milky white pearl that blushes a glittering pink under the light. At its center is a small diamond drop to make the finishing touch. It looks exquisite!
"Ah, nice choice you got there. That necklace costs 88 gold coins." The man smiled broadly, his eyes crinkling at the sides.
Boy! That's a lot of money. But for Miaka, it's worth it! He smiled at the thought. Focusing back to the man, he exclaimed, "I'll take it!" He produced the money form his pocket.
Taking the money, the man went and got the necklace out from the show window. Placing it inside a delicately carved wooden box, he gave it to Tamahome. "Must be for someone very special, I suppose?"
Tamahome, entranced by the thing he was holding, took a moment longer for him to notice that the man was talking to him. Looking up abruptly, he said, "Yes... yes, indeed!" He then walked out of the shop. I can't hardly wait.
~ * @@@ * ~
Miaka went back to her room when she found out that Tamahome went out earlier. She laid down on her bed and tried to absorb everything that had happened just this morning. I had finally made my decision. She only smiled a little, thinking about the sadness Hotohori must be feeling right now. Feeling lost once again, she decided to go to the west side pavilion to have a time to think and clear out the fog that's forming in her mind. She went on a leisure walk, taking her time, trying to feel the gentle caress of the wind against her skin. Ahh... this is relaxing.
When she arrived at the pavilion, she found a nice spot to sit on. Bracing her legs towards her chest, she let her eyes wander over the natural beauty of the site. I'm so thankful Hotohori and Tamahome doesn't have to have a sword fight over me. But deep down inside, a voice was telling her that she did want to try to see who will win between them. No! That would mean the death of the other. I wouldn't want that and neither would the others. She sighed, leaning her chin on her closed fist. She can't help but feel that even though she is now *free*, the sadness inside of her was overwhelming. What! Don't tell me that I made a big mistake back there. Miaka shook her head persistently. A headache was forming so she stopped. ...or did I? Aggravated with herself, she decided to lean on the tree just behind her, to get a few winks before she go and try to see Tamahome again. Just as she was drowsing off, she heard a twig snap and rustling of the bushes. She sat bolt upright and looked to her left and right. When she found nothing, she whispered to herself, "That's strange. Who would be crazy enough to hide from me?" She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. Maybe just one of the servant guards who thought he was disturbing my privacy. When she touched her chin, she found it to be with saliva. "Or maybe he did." She grinned, not caring in the world that she, the Maiden of Suzaku, would be caught dead drooling. It's not my fault anyway and I don't usually drool when I sleep. I guess I didn't expect that I was *this* sleepy. Getting up and dusting off the blades of grass that stuck to her dress, she decided to go back to her room. Then maybe I'll go check on Tamahome again. She brightened up a little at the thought. He's just what I need to lighten up my day. With that, she skipped the way back to the palace.
~ * @@@ * ~
After what seemed like infinity, Hotohori decided to get out of his room. He felt like he was choking inside. Maybe I am. True, he had given up Miaka even though it was against his will but that doesn't mean that everything's alright now. I shouldn't have... but... But what can he do? It was pretty obvious that Miaka loved Tamahome more than him and wasn't it Miaka who told him that one can't force somebody to feel something if he doesn't feel anything? Or something like that. His mind was in jumbles. Closing his eyes and trying to massage his throbbing temples, he tried his best to relax, even just a little. But of course, it was pretty obvious that *that* would be a very hard thing to do right now, considering what had just happened to him. And to my whole life, for that matter. He sarcastically added. I've let it happen --- ended whatever Miaka and I had once, for goodness sake! It will probably take me years to forget about her. He sighed forlornly. Another headache *materialized* in his head. It took him a couple of seconds to ease the pain. Yeah, and my councils will start to bother me again about having an empress. The headache subsided a bit after a few massage. He chuckled half-heartedly. If only I can do that to my aching heart and the pain will subside. He realized that he had been thinking a lot lately so when he tried to center his mind on the surroundings, he realized that he still hadn't moved from where he sat. Yes, he did decide to go out but that's it --- he just decided --- he didn't actually do it. Now I'm losing control over my brain. As he stood up and took a deep breath, he felt a fresh pang of pain in his heart. It was like as if, if he took one step forward, he would be one step nearer to actually accepting the fact that Miaka can never be his anymore. A step would mean that he have to move on, *without* her. Can I? Can I really go on? Okay, maybe he can do the stuff that he usually do... but does that mean that he had moved on? Is being able to do things that you usually do, monotonously and mechanically, as if you're only doing it because you have to, without your usual enthusiasm --- meant that you've actually moved on with your life? He looked out the window, stared at a dove flying form tree to tree, butterflies of different colours fluttering around... the answer was crystal clear --- No.
Author's Notes: Don't worry, next chapter will be better. I was just filling the gap.
