April 4, 2002: Ok! Many additional but the sense is same still, just a bit modified. It wouldn't hurt to read it again, would it? ^_~ And review afterwards, of course! I added, I think, a total of 300 words.
Author's Notes:
Here I am again with my million excuses for not following this fic up sooner. Gomen for that c",). I've been receiving less and less reviews so I'm kinda wondering if you guys are still there ^_^. I really need what you guys think. I may not be able to finish this… Keeping my fingers crossed!
A thousand thanks to CeresAngel, Tskino Neko, demon-neko, Stormlight, Valy, suzaku no miko , bcaprz and to more of you out there!!!! You rock, guys! *_____*
Still Loving You…
By: g3ozLizh
Chapter 11
Miaka can barely open her eyes as she wearily trudged along the dirt path. Her clothes were starting to feel uncomfortable and her water bottle had long gone been empty. A small part of her regretted not staying with Tasuki. Still, she went on. Heavy eyelids glanced at the piece of paper in her hand, noting that she still have about three hours to go --- well, that's according to her crude calculation. She was never good in being accurate anyway, mathematics just isn't her thing. That's Yui's ----
She halted, as did her feet. "I wonder how she's doing right now? Where are you, Yui?" she thout out loud, brows creasing.
They never got to resolve the many misunderstandings they had with one another and since a year has already passed by, Miaka thought that maybe, they'd never have that chance.
That's why I should stop talking to myself and focus my attention on one thing: finding Tamahome. And after that, we'll look for Yui. She felt determined and inspired once more that tiredness was quickly out of the picture.
The dead silence of the night being the only one accompanying her at that moment, her thoughts began to wander to her childhood days.
Playing hide and seek with Yui
Making sandcastle together with Yui.
Beating the crap out of a boy who was bullying Yui.
Arguing with Yui.
Making lame jokes of which Yui finds it dumb because ahem, she's way smart --- much to Miaka's exasperation.
Cheating with Yui during Math class --- well, for her part anyway but Yui lets her cheat so… that makes them both cheaters. Miaka can't help but smile at the thought.
Yui this, Yui that.
It was always with, to, for Yui one way or the other.
That's why she just can't accept that everything is falling apart after a certain man came into the their life. Why did it have to be Tamahome anyway? Better yet, she could have Hotohori and Yui could have Tamahome for all she cares…
It's her heart that's above it all.
Why did Yui have to choose him and not fall in love with Nakago or one of the twin brothers, Suboshi and Amiboshi instead? Then she thought that they are way sinister for Yui to be with let alone love --- well, except for Amiboshi who's way better than the other members of the group. Still in the end, she ruled the three ones out.
But wait! Doesn't Suboshi love Yui? It seems that way… and he seems good enough the guy as long as he won't let his immaturity get in the way and be more like his brother.
So why pick Tamahome at all? Why? Miaka silently asked Yui, looking up the sky like as if her friend… best friend can hear her. Yui is still her true blue after all. They hadn't really called it quits yet. Deep down, Miaka can discern that Yui's feeling the same way as she's feeling: longing to be close friends again --- even if Yui tries to act not like it every time, much to Miaka's despair. Can't they talk about the whole thing over like civilized people? Why do they have to completely scorn each other? It's making the entire situation worse; communication is a key after all.
Well, why did you pick Tamahome? Why him at all? A voice at the back of her head shot back, answering her inquisition with a question. Weird… but right all the same.
It's so stupid to ask why one loves another person. It's the same like saying: Why do you get mostly three wishes? Why not four or eight?
Because that's just the way it works. Simple as that. Period.
Much to her probing and delving thinking, it still led her to square one.
Okay, so maybe this brain-wracking activity on trying to comprehend why a particular event turned out the way they did had done more harm than good. It's nothing new to her. She was perpetually bad at analyzing things anyway.
Miaka heaved a downhearted sigh. Going all of these through her gray matter was giving her a big headache… and weighing her down. Maybe she should just focus her energy on staying on her feet until she reaches her destination. Then she can relax, think things over and finally --- hopefully --- be with Tamahome again. After all the pain, she's gonna give him a piece of her mind all right.
A not so mellow wind wafted through her. Cold and biting, making her shiver in her blouse and shorts and reminding her how hungry she was. There was no food so no warmth came from the inside of her body.
She speculated if that had any underlying meaning to it.
It had. And she doesn't want to ponder about it.
Next to Tamahome, food came second to her list of priorities. No wonder Miaka's walk shifted from that of a slow walk to a double-paced one.
But even that didn't last. Her enervated and famished body refused to go beyond its limits so she was back to the slow walk again. Time and time again, her mind would wander to the things left behind… to a certain individual close to her heart who she relinquished.
Hotohori.
The name sounds so distant now but the feel of it rolling through her tongue and out of her mouth was still familiar. So familiar it scared her. It's like there's this unerring entity that wouldn't let go of it, that somehow her parting him wasn't the last time she'll be able to see him.
No. Not at all.
Which brought her to the inevitable: Why not Hotohori?
He's virtuous, benevolent, mindful, a great emperor, a warm friend, a good listener, understanding --- no, more than understanding. Compassionate and generous… not to mention good looking.
Hmm… I think the adjective beautiful would be the more appropriate word. Miaka chuckled despite the sad things her thoughts were leading to.
All of these traits make up her dream guy. Well, okay. Every girl's dream.
So why isn't she falling head over heels in love with him now and not staying to be by his side???
Maybe because that's all there is to the dream guy concept. A dream. Someone too good to be true.
Oh, but he's most definitely real… Miaka admitted and thinking about the way he makes ---made her feel, she added, and alive.
To her it didn't work with Hotohori having a big fault she can't accept or him being just a figment of her wildest dream or imagination. No. It's her love for him that would never happen --- a love that will overpower her love for Tamahome --- that will never happen.
It seemed to her that their love, Tamahome and hers, was written in the stars, carved on the great heavens, destined on any lifetime. Yes, a love written in the stars yet a devotion that is forbidden… much impossible. See, it was also carved up on the high heavens that the Maiden and her Protector can never be together. How ironic is that? So why mark it somewhere in the first place if it's all impossible?
There goes that big why again.
Why? Why?? WHY???
Miaka oh so bid the high heavens above to drop her a book that will put a period to all her question marks. Life would be less complicated then.
How she wished.
Lack of energy and warmth. It had taken its toll for the next thing she knew, she passed out.
~ * @@@ * ~
Sweet tinkling melodies awoke her from her slumber. The ground felt different somehow. Clean, almost warm and good for her back. Comforting.
Which is not how a ground should feel like. How can it be this cozy if the ground that's being discussed about here is one that's full of dirt, grass, worms, icky little insects, pebbles --- Miaka then thought, Of course, almost all grounds are the same, you get the picture? Unless it's the other ground we're talking about like school grounds… but uncomfortable still.
A stream of sunlight flashed against her face, as if a curtain had been drawn open by a gentle wind. Her eyes fluttered open a tiny peek, unwilling to get out from its peaceful slumber. Seems like her eyes won over for she curled up closer under the covers…
Covers?! What covers?! Miaka then was jolted awake. Her eyes snapped open without a moment's hesitation.
The first thing her eye met was the ceiling of what looked to be… a tent. Okay, a gray tent. A big one at that. It looked familiar and the feel of the surroundings too.
Then it hit her, like a bucketful of cold water.
She sat upright, all the while clutching the covers closer to her body as if any moment, Nakago would appear and try… something on her again. She quickly glanced down to her body and was very grateful to know that she was fully clothed. Still, she can't take any chances; she has to be cautious… and alert… and prepared.
More than anything, she wanted to bolt right out of the tent. Whoever placed her here might have another intention besides that of saving her and her regaining back her strength. She could hear through the tent covers that someone was talking outside.
Maybe, if I pretended that I'm still asleep, they would leave me for awhile and I can have a chance to escape. She was thinking this more to convince herself that wherever she is and whatever predicament she's gotten herself into again, she's gonna come out alive, untouched and unscathed, then search for Tamahome.
She quietly slipped back under the covers and shut her eyes, faking sleep. Her ears were straining to hear what was being talked about outside. Unfortunately, all she heard were murmurs --- or what it sounded like to her from inside. In these minutes, Miaka sensed that she must have been coming down with a cold. Her nose felt funny and her eyes were watering.
She groaned inwardly, rolling her eyes. Ugh! What great timing.
After about what seemed like an eternity of waiting and strenuous listening to Miaka, the talking stopped and she could here the steps retreat getting far and far away. At last when not a footfall was heard, she crept out of the bed, not even bothering to check her reflection in the mirror, which she passed by. She has to gather her bearings. It was too much of a coincidence for the whole place to look exactly like the one she had been.
Pausing in front of the flap of the tent, she noticed thin lovely silver metals hanging arranged in a stylish way. They must be the ones responsible for the tinkling sound she heard earlier. A Lilliputian smile found it's way to her lips.
Before going out, she glanced right and left, suspecting that there might be someone on guard. Boy, I'm very cautious, all right. More cautious than I've ever been in my entire life. Past experiences have instructed her well and she wasn't about to make the same mistakes again. No, not anymore. She intends to learn from them not follow. Besides, experiences and time taught her much. Much more than she could take in on one year alone of her life.
What her clogged nose this time failed to inform her, her eyes did.
Directly in line with her vision to her right side, a low table was set filled with various dishes. They were still hot considering the wisps of steam coming up from them. They all look… exquisite --- not to mention good factors to fill her raging empty stomach.
She reasoned with herself as to why she should dine first and not seize the very moment for her chance to flee. Eesh! If they planned to kill me, they could have done it while I was still asleep. And maybe I'm just jumping to conclusions all these time. The people or person who saved me must have good intentions from the beginning. Who knows? Aaah, to heck with reason! I'm following my stomach's instincts. She grinned, musing, As always. She walked over or the low table with a hand on her tummy. And right now, this guru of a stomach is telling me that I might pass out again if I don't get enough nourishment and… god knows where I'll end up next!
Yes, that's Miaka. Always the optimistic one when food was involved. Some things never change.
As soon as her butt hit the floor --- she sort of just plopped down --- her hand reached for the nearest dish while the other one gulped down what tasted to be peach juice.
"Ah, the joy of eating for free… and to heart's content!" She couldn't help muttering as she was halfway through.
When she was finished, she leaned back a bit with both arms supporting her --- as if she has all the time in the world --- and burped a healthy burp. Seeing to it that no drop of liquid or a bit of food is left to be wasted, she stood up, invigorated.
Walking towards the flap, she lifted it open a bit, scanned the area --- which was a clearing in a forest --- and as soon as she was assured that no one would see her going out, she stepped outside.
No sooner had she took the first step when she heard a voice so accustomed to her hearing that she drew in a sharp breath… and it acknowledged her saying,
"Miaka."
Author's Notes:
Okay, gomen nasai for the cliffhanger but I'm so into it. Hehehe… ^_^ Makes the fic more luring, ne? Anyway, sorry for the upload error. And again, REVIEW. I mean it when I say I need to know what you guys think. Tell me if the fic is going fine or if I should just drop it. Then that would save us both the time and effort. ^_~ Feedbacks and suggestions are most welcome as they improve the quality of the fic and correct my mistakes as an author.
Chapter 12 is on the way!!!!!
