Author's Note: Here's the new installment to my much awaited (ahem!) fic. *He-he…* Anyway, I've noticed that I'm moving quite

slow as to the progress of the plot so I decided to just get on with the real story. No need to dwell on the minimal

things. I may reach 20 chapters or more if I will. _ Look to your right, my note ends here! I won't be boring you

with long notes!

Also, why is it that my fic in doc format, its italic property doesn't work? Can anyone tell me? I'll really be grateful!

Just email me at caress149@white-star.com. And yeah, I changed my email add. I'm also starting to build a site of my

own so tips on where to get great stuff for it are most welcome! --- Okay, okay! I get it!

Sorry, I kept you from reading the story again. I'll really stop talking now. *_*

Disclaimers: Can I borrow Fushigi Yuugi? Really?! Thanks! Yeah, I know, it's not mine.

Still Loving You…

By: g3ozL!zh

Chapter 7

Miaka felt her heart hammer like a racehorse. She wanted the tension to be broken. If only I can take my eyes away from Hotohori. But she can't. She felt rooted to the spot. I thought we're over this already? A voice at the back of her head added, Duh! How can you assume everything will be back to normal? It hasn't even been a day yet.

"Miaka…?"

She brought back her attention to Hotohori. "Yes?" That went out right. But it sounded more like a gush of air. Then she realized that she had been holding her breath. Oh, me!

Hotohori had this funny expression on his face. "I was just going to ask you if you want some… tea?"

Miaka stared at Hotohori as if he'd grown another head.

I can't tell her. I made a promise to myself… to her.

For a moment there, Hotohori had looked serious. Miaka's brow creased. What's going on? For a minute there I thought he was going to say something… but not this. He now had a faraway look on his face. Tea? Miaka chuckled silently, relaxing a bit. If the situation was any different, she could have just laughed out loud at the funny --- weird --- turn of events.

When she saw that Hotohori was out from his reverie, she answered. "Okay!" Wasn't that too cheerful?

Hotohori was a bit taken a back by her sudden outburst. He flinched a bit but then after a moment, he smiled.

~ * @@@ * ~

Hotohori just dimissed whatever it was that he was about to say so off goes Miaka from the room, feeling a little better that Hotohori's (enough with the Emperor thing) willing to help find Tamahome. Where could he be off to? That man, the first thing I'm going to do when I find him is pound him to bits! Miaka softened as she came by a thought. Of course! Not before I give him a big, rib-crushing hug. That seemed to lighten up her mood a bit.

~ * @@@ * ~

So on Miaka went with her life, the thought that any day now, Tamahome would be knocking on her door and giving her a pathetic excuse for disappearing all of a sudden. Deep down, Miaka can't help but feel a sense of foreboding. She can't ignore the feeling that kept gnawing her heart… something's not right. Knowing Miaka, she tried to act too cheerful than she really is. Partly because she doesn't want to dwell too much on that thought, My imagination must be running wild again… I'm hungry. And partly for the fact that she doesn't want to alarm anybody, that she thinks she's going mad with all the nightmares she's been having.

I'm fine, nothing's wrong. It's only been… she paused as if to count the days, but it was more like dreading it. … three days, she finally said. Tamahome hadn't been away from her for that long without a very valid reason. Really, I'm okay…

Was she ever wrong. Weeks, months had passed and still no sign of Tamahome, not even a word about him. He seemed to have just disappeared into thin air. When Miaka couldn't hold the bottle of emotions anymore, she broke down and cried.

~ * @@@ * ~

"Your Highness," One of his trusted servants suddenly came rushing toward him. He recognized that this was Keika Sodiro.

The guards automatically blocked her way. "Show some respect, commoner."

Keika tried to get past the guards. "Please, I need to talk to His Excellency," Her face was a picture of both anxiousness and excitement. "I have information about Master Tamahome's whereabouts."

At this, Hotohori rose from his throne chair. "Let her pass."

A grateful look crossed her expression. She stared at the guards as if to question her intentions but the guards were back to their posts. She then walked hurriedly towards Hotohori and made a swift bow. The news in her is ready to burst. "Emperor Hotohori," She paused to catch her breath. Beaming, she concisely told Hotohori the news, the latter listening very intently.

"So you see, Emperor Hotohori, Tamahome's still in the neighboring countries. My brother's just unfortunate not to catch him."

"Thank you, Keika," He gestured to one of the guards. Seeing the questioningly look on her features, he said, "I'll be talking to Miaka now."

"Oh, right. Okay!" The young vibrant girl of sixteen then skipped her way out of the palace. She seemed to b e very pleased with herself --- … just like Miaka was. For the past few months, Miaka seemed not to be herself, always in her own world and her cheerfulness was forced. She ate less and loss a considerable weight. It tugged at Hotohori's heart to see her in such condition and blamed himself for not trying hard enough to make her laugh again.

But Suzaku, you know how much I tried, you saw it all. He placed a hand over his forehead, brows creased. Nothing I do seems to be enough for her. When will I ever realize that I can never the one who can fill that big hole in her heart, the one that Tamahome brought with him as he left. He quickened his pace, suddenly energized by the news he held. But not anymore, Miaka. I won't be the bearer of bad news for you. I won't anymore speak to you every night with that hopeful expression on your face just to be shattered by the words: Still no news about him, Miaka. I have just the thing to cheer you up. For the first time in this past few months, Hotohori felt better.

~ * @@@ * ~

Miaka, for the millionth time, was again staring at the picture if her and Tamahome. So frequent was this that she memorized every crease, every detail there was to it. Given the right equipment, she can draw it with eyes closed. Suddenly, there came a knock on the door. Miaka hastily stuffed the picture under her covers and wiped the stray tears on her cheeks. She heaved a deep breath, trying to clear her mind and her throat. "Come in."

The door opened.

Miaka was not surprised to see Hotohori. It was almost a routine for them. "Oh, Hotohori, it's you." Miaka used all the energy she had left to force some life into her smile. She was almost disappointed to see that it was only Hotohori and not Tamahome --- Oh, stop it! What gave you the idea that it would be him? --- but pleased at the same time. If there was one person who never got tired of cheering her up and believed that there's still hope in her, it was Hotohori.

Hotohori can easily detect the fog of depression in the room. He ignored it and reminded himself that no sooner than later, the happy rate of this room will go up.

Miaka hopelessly tried to straighten her uncombed red locks. It really isn't necessary. Hotohori had seen her in a much worse state but it wouldn't be also bad to at least do an effort to look presentable in front of him. He's the Emperor of Konan, after all and she, the Maiden of Suzaku. Her hair didn't obey her and now it looked uglier that before. In her peripheral vision, she saw Hotohori smile. She glanced at him and smiled sheepishly.

Hotohori walked toward her and she was suddenly conscious of her what she was wearing --- her white uniform blouse. But Hotohori seemed to be oblivious to this and Miaka noticed for the first time since he entered the room, that his expression was light, not somber. Not the usual face that greeted her every time he informs her of the current Tamahome case. She stopped right there. Waitaminute! Her eyes widened with the slight flicker of hope and excitement. Could this mean ---

"Good news, Miaka." Hotohori smiled down at her.

She stared back, breathlessly waiting for the next few words that might just turn her life right back on track.

"Tamahome was just recently seen on one of the nearby countries and I have a team fol --- "

Not waiting for the sentence to end, Miaka flung herself onto Hotohori's arms, barely suppressing her new-found happiness. Had this news been given to her months earlier, she would not be exhibiting this kind of reaction but after all those fruitless attempts on finding Tamahome, the news couldn't be better.

Miaka hugged him tightly before pulling away to look at him in the face.

She's smiling again. The sparkle was slowly returning to her eyes and the color of life creeping towards her pale cheeks.

In that short span of time, of good news, Hotohori almost completely forgot his own feelings for Miaka.

Author's Notes: Oi, people! Another chapter finished. Hi, there, Dimps-chan! In case you didn't read your guestbook, yes, I agree

to your posting my fic in your site. Arigatou! Anyway, I hope I'm not boring the readers with my stories. _ And

before I forgot, for those of you who couldn't review the chapters due to my stupidity (I accidentally enabled the no-

anonymous review button), you can come back and review it again. Onegai. I really want to know what you guys think.

Domo arigatou!!!!