New Life Old Bonds

By Babbling Brook42

Rating: R – for language

Disclaimer: See Prologue

Japanese words uses:

Hai – Yes

Iie – No

Kawaii – cute

Thanks to Moonlady for beta-reading for me.

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Chapter 6 – New Semester Surprises (Tasuki's POV)

I glance around the classroom to see if there is anyone I know.  There are a few I recognize from last semester's business class.

Sweet Suzaku, it's Tamahome!  Tamahome is my teacher.

I force myself not to show a reaction but chuckle internally.  The fun I can have with him.  His eyes sweep over the class.  They glance over me but swiftly return.  I give him a blasé look and fight to keep from howling with laughter at his shocked face.   To his credit, he recovers quickly and starts class.  He called the names on his list.  He gets to mine.  I give him one of my daring grins as I acknowledged the call. 

Through the lecture, I cold not believe my luck.  I have been trying to figure out how to find Miaka and if she had been in the book yet.  Now the key to my answers stands before me.  They obviously had returned from their final visit because he was older than when I last saw him.

How long do I keep Tamahome in the dark?  Maybe a week or two.  Not too long, 'cause it will be great to talk to someone else about the past.

He watches me as I exit.  As soon as I get outside, I start laughing my head off.  His look was priceless.  I should receive one like it when I do tell him I remember.  I rub my hands together at my plan and let out an evil chuckle.  I always did love messing with him.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

The right moment finally shows itself.  I read over the quiz and my answers one more time while I wait for everyone else to turn theirs in and exit.  I know he watches me even though he tries to not be obvious about it.

I stand and approach his desk.  I place my paper on top of the others.

"Rekka Shinen," I whisper.

His head whips up.  Wide eyes lock onto me searching me for hidden knowledge.  I almost loose it then.

Keep a straight face.  Don't laugh.  Only a few more moments.

"What did you say?" he asks.

I keep a straight face.

"I didn't say anything."

He doesn't seem to believe me as he continues to scrutinize me.  I give.

"What's a matter Obake-chan, see a ghost?" I grin showing both fangs.

 "Tasuki!  You remember?" he tentatively asks.  Hope clear in his eyes.

"Hai," I manage before folding over laughing.  "Ya should 'ave seen y'r face.  Priceless!" I manage to gasp between laughs.  They slow, and I wipe the moisture from the corner of my eye.

I am soon enveloped in a warm long lost friend embrace.

"If I was not so happy to see you, I would be kicking your butt right now for that stunt," he says as he thumps my back in welcome.  He releases me and leans back on his desk.  "I knew it was you that first day.  Miaka's going to be thrilled," he says.  "I told her you were in my class and had to physically restrain her from seeking you out."

I chuckle.

"How is Miaka?"

"She is doing well.  Why don't you come over tonight for dinner or something?  We can surprise her." he says.

I check my mental calendar.

"I'm free.  When and where?"

Tamahome jots down an address, as well as, their home number on a paper.  I stuff it into my book bag and note the time.

"Shit, I'll be late for my next class.  See ya tonight," I wave to Tamahome as I sprint out the door.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

I arrive at their apartment at the agreed upon time.  Tamahome opens the door.  I enter and hear Miaka's voice call from the other room.

"Taka, is that your student?"

"Hai," he says as I follow him into the living area.  He motions for me to stand behind him and winks before addressing his wife.

I catch a glimpse of her setting the table.

"Miaka, meet our guest."  She looks up, and he steps aside.  "Kou Genrou."

She drops the napkin she was folding and gasps.  She starts to utter Tasuki but catches herself.  Her eyes dart from me to Tamahome for a clue how to act.  I could not leave her in turmoil for long.  Three large steps and I sweep her up in a hug and swing her around.

"Miaka, it's so damn good to see ya again," I tell her.

"Tasuki, Tasuki," she squeals in my ear.  I stop twirling her and set her feet back on the ground.  She buries her face into my shoulder.  "You remember… you remember," she mutters.  I can feel her tears soaking through my shirt.

"Don't cry," I whisper.  "I hate it when ya cry."

She pulls back.  Joy and happiness enfold me through her tears.

"I'm just so happy to see you," she says.  "How are you?  What's your life like?  How'd you die?  Do you know where any of the others are?"

"Miaka," Tamahome calls smiling from his post at the doorway, "Don't steamroller him with questions.  We have the evening to sort it all out."

She turns to acknowledge his suggestion and that is when I notice something I missed earlier.

"Miaka, you're pregnant," I ask/state in shock.

 She looks back at me slightly blushing.

"Hai, I'm due in less than three months," she beams.

Tamahome wrapped his arms around her lovingly just as happy about the fact as she is.

"Congratulations, that's great," I say.  I know I am beaming as much as the parents at the news.

We sit down to eat.  They start with telling me what has happened in their lives since I last saw them because it would be a shorter tale than my own.  After dinner, we sit around their small living room and I begin my story.

"Once more I have been born as Kou Shun'u," I start.  "I changed my name as a kid.  I never did like that shitty name.  Still have five fucking older sisters that drive me damn nuts."

Miaka giggles.

"What?" I demand.

"Your colouful vocabulary has not changed," she points out merrily.

"Hell no," I agree. 

I tell them of growing up, Kouji, running track, and my hopes with receiving the scholarship.  I rant about my sister.  Then I finally tell them about getting my memory back, Chichiri, and my search for the others.

"So you knew that first day," Tamahome demands.

"Hai," I grin. 

He looks ready to attack me, but Miaka stops him with a hand on his shoulder.

"He didn't make us wait too long," she points out.  "Only two weeks."

Tamahome calms.

"So Chichiri's a teacher too.  Does he remember?" she asks.

"Suzaku, no, but I wish he would fucking hurry up and remember," I bemoan.

They are both slightly shocked by the passion behind the demand.  I let out a large sigh and start on the condensed version of our past life together. 

"After you left, Chichiri and I became lovers," I tell them.

"Ohh," Miaka squeals in delight.  "You two make such a kawaii couple!"

Before I know it, she is glomping me and giggling in my ear.  I give her an appreciative squeeze before pushing her away. 

"We had a good life together before he died."  The sorrow of loosing him is evident in my statement.

"How did he die?" Miaka hesitantly asks.

"Something like damn pneumonia when he was sixty four," I answer.  "We had a long life together, which is fucking better than some people, but it still hurt like hell when he left."  I could feel the tears collecting anxious to fall.

"When did you die?" she gently prods.

"Five shitty years later.  I promised him I would live till I died of fucking natural causes.  I guess a damn broken heart is a natural cause." 

With that the dam cracked letting rivulets of water run over the surface of my face.

"Oh, Tasuki," Miaka whispers gathering me into her arms.

At her touch I cry into her shoulder mourning once more for my lost love.  She rubs my back and coos softly in my ear.  I don't know how long I sobbed, but I feel better when I pull away.  Tamahome, obviously uncomfortable with the emotional display, hands me a tissue.  I dry my eyes and blow my nose pulling myself back together.

Miaka pushes back my fiery bangs in a mothering way and places a kiss on my forehead.

"It will work out," she promises.

I sniffle in response.

"What you need to do is ask him out," Miaka happily announces.  "Make him fall in love with you all over again."

"Since I remember, I want him to remember too," I protest.  It would make it a whole lot easier.  "I don't know how to approach him this time around especially with him being a teacher."

Miaka jumps up and hovers before Tamahome.

"Taka, Taka, Taka, could you invite Chichiri over for dinner.  I promise to not give anything away.  We could have Tasuki over too, only I would have to remember to call him Genrou, and they could get to know each other.  It would be great!  Please, Taaakkkkaaa!"

He kisses her to halt her barrage.

"I will see what I can do," he says obviously not able to tell his love no.  "But he works in a different department so it might take a bit."

"Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!" she bubbles hanging from his neck.  "We're going to hook up Tasuki and Chichiri," she sing-songs letting go of Tamahome.

"I think you hung out with gay-boy too fucking much," I tell her.

She grins bigger at me.

"Have you found him?" she suddenly asks.

"Iie, not yet," I answer. 

Miaka looks disappointed.  I hate that.

"I am sure I will find him sooner or later," I tell her to cheer her up.  "Since Chichiri, myself, and Mitsukake have our original names, I have slowly been making searches for both Nuriko and Hotohori's given names."

"Where's Chiriko?" she asks.

"I found his name in the school directory, but I have not actually seen him to verify he is our Chiriko."

From there talk turns to more mundane topics before we call it a night.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

A knock at my door interrupts my studying.  I toss my pen onto my book.  I stand grumbling as my body protests sitting hunched over my books for too long.  There is another knock before I wrench the door open.

"You are in," says Miaka standing in my doorway with a large grin on her face.  "I was hoping you would be."  She is suddenly hugging me.

I glance up and down the hallway for any witnesses.  I step into my room pulling Miaka in with me and close the door.

"Is something wrong?" I ask being the most important on my list.

"No," she answers before letting me go.

I scowl at her.  She laughs.

"I wanted to assure myself you weren't a dream."

I can't keep the gentle smile from forming.  I bring one hand up near my head and extend the other slightly before me as I strike a pose with my head tilted upward. 

"I may be dream material, but I'm real," I say giving her a cheeky lopsided grin.

She giggles and hugs me once more before hopping around the room rejoicing that she now has two of her Seishi returned to her.  Her coat, she was carrying, falls to the floor.

"Did ya come all the way here just to see me?"

"I had lunch with Taka and decided it would be a good time to visit you."

"Glad ya did," I say sitting on my desk chair.

She starts taking inventory of my room as she settles down on my bed.  She sees my open books.

"Am I interrupting your studies?"

"Yeah," I taunt, "but I need a break."

She grins strengthening my pledge to protect her happiness.

"You want to get some ice-cream?" she asks.

"Y'r fucking nuts!  It's freezing out," I say gesturing out the window at the winter landscape.  "And, didn't ya just have lunch?"

"Well, I am eating for two now," she says patting her slightly bulging belly.

"All right," I cave easily, "but how about something warmer."

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

We walk and talk on our way to the coffee shop not far from my dorm.

Miaka's eyes grow large and drool gathers at the corner of her mouth as she scans the sugary sweets.  She orders a relatively small amount of goodies for her, and I order a hot chocolate.  She swiftly inhales the treats.  I watch her over the edge of my mug I am sipping from.

She may still be acting like she is a teenager, but I see glimpses of the strong mature woman she is as we talk.  When I was writing my "story," I realized why Miaka was not consumed by Suzaku while Yui was – something I had never pondered till then.  It was because of all the hardships we went through – from her travels to gathering her warriors to the insurmountable obstacles and loss always in our path.  Each step gave her courage, resolve, strength and purpose to fight.  That is why she was not consumed.  Yui on the other hand had it all handed to her.  She did not have to gather her warriors, Nukoga did it for her.  She was coddled and kept from harm never once struggling to achieve her goal.  She was not allowed to grow the way Miaka had.  But that is the past.  The end result is that we helped develop character and drive that helps Miaka here. 

It is good to be with her again.

I turn from tossing out our trash and find her missing.

"Miaka?" I say while glancing around for any sign of her.

Her small waving hand catches my eye, and I stalk in her direction.

"You fucking scared me," I growl.

She ignores me and pulls me into the bookstore that is adjoined to the coffee shop.  After she purchases two mangas, we return to my dorm.

"Do you have anyplace you have to be soon?" she asks.

"Not till after dinner," I answer.

"Tasuki, may I hang out with you till Taka gets done teaching?  It can get lonely at home alone," she says.  Her fingers play with the end of her scarf.

I hem and haw about it, but there is no way I can refuse her.

She calls Tamahome and arranges for him to meet her at my dorm after his last class.  She insists I finish my homework because she doesn't want to be the cause of me receiving poor grades.  She assures me she will be content reading her manga.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

Kouji returns from his class to find me working on schoolwork and Miaka stretched out on my bed reading.

"Who…?" he sputters pointing to Miaka.

Miaka puts down her book.

"Kouji, it's good to meet you.  Ta…a…Genrou has told me much about you," she says sitting up.

Kouji looks at me then back at Miaka.  His mind obviously struggling at the fact there is a girl in our room – in my bed – and I am allowing it.

"That's Miaka, an old friend," I supply.

I do not know how I will explain that to my best friend.  He knows all my friends.

"Oh," he says before Miaka buries him with questions.

~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

Miaka becomes a regular visitor to my dorm.  It is to the point that Tamahome will call and see if she is here before he heads home.  We take walks, go out and do things, but often just hang out in my room.  I work on homework while she occupies herself with other things or falls asleep.  I figure she needs the sleep to support her growing child.

"What's this?" Miaka asks poking through last semester's books on her second visit.

I glance over to see what she holds.

"That's the story I had to write for my writing class last semester," I answer ready to take it from her.

She turns as I grab for it and flips through the red report binder.

"Tasuki, Legendary Warrior.  It's your story," she gasps as I manage to tug it from her grasp.

"Yeah, so…," I reply sharply.  "I started writing it before I got my memories back."

"May I read it?" she coyly asks.

Her face borders between anticipation and hesitation.  She waits hopefully for my answer.  Hell, I can't tell her no.

"Knock yourself out," I gruffly answer handing the binder back to her.

She lets out an ear-piercing squeal of delight and hangs from my neck.

"Thank you, Tasuki."

"It's hard to tell you no, you know it?"

She kisses my cheek before snuggling into the blankets on my bed.  She swiftly opens my manuscript.  With it propped open on her lap, she is lost in the Universe of the Four Gods once more.  I watch her lips mouth the words as she reads.  Nothing short of food will pull her from the trance she is in.  I turn back to the business assignment Tamahome gave us yesterday.

Hours later, Kouji enters surprised to find Miaka once more entrenched in my bed.  He drops his bag on his bed before leaning over to see what she is reading.

"I think Kouji is the best supporting character in the whole story," he says startling Miaka from her absorbed state.

"Kouji," she shakily smiles.  "I didn't hear you come in."

"Ya must know each other really well for Genrou ta let ya read that," Kouji says pointing at the text.  "He won't let many others read it, especially his sister."

"Have you read it?" she asks.

"Sure did.  I was his proofreader," Kouji grins proudly jabbing his thumb at his chest.  "I still think that I deserved more screen time," he pouts shooting me a glare.

"You came to help in the big battle," I point out.

He gives grudgingly.

"But the rest of the story centers on ye'r blue haired obsession," he digs.  "Ya know," he motions to me with his thumb, "that monk is based on Genrou's crush."  He laughs at telling my "secret."  "Our history teacher from last semester."

Miaka giggles at Kouji's running mouth.

"Has it really bad for the guy too," he continues waiting for me to pound him for the disclosure.

Miaka smirks.  "I know," she says.

"Ya know?" he gasps in shock and sputters.

Miaka nods.

Kouji looks between us not understanding why I would let this unknown girl into my very privet life.  He scrutinizes Miaka.  He slaps his knee as he takes in the story in her lap.

"I got'et.  Ye're the Miko," he says leaning back on his bed.

She nods with a large smirk.

"Knew I recognized y'r name from somewhere."

Kouji relaxes with the new knowledge.  He now has proof that I knew Miaka before the other day even if he does not know when I met her.  Our obvious closeness is now acceptable.

"Says a lot that y'r the only well portrayed female in his story."

"That's Genrou for you," Miaka says.

 ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~  ~=88=~

A few weeks later, Miaka has me skating around the local outdoor rink on a Saturday afternoon.  The outing was going to be the three of us, but Tamahome's department chair called an emergency meeting.  So, Miaka and I went to the movie together and plan to meet Tamahome for dinner at their place.  After the movie, Miaka spotted the rink and pulled me to it.  After much assuring and pleading on her part, I reluctantly let her skate pregnant knowing Tamahome would beat me into an inch of my life if I let anything happen to his precious wife.  

We circle the rink once more.  I am always close beside her to catch her if she falls.  She laughs with joy as we skate.

"I think we should go," I say. 

She gives me the most innocent pleading look asking to go around once more.

"Tamahome will be expecting us home soon," I point out.

She concedes at that news and allows me to guide her out of the rink.  We exchange our skates for our shoes.

"I'm hungry," she says.

No great shock there.

"I'm going to get a snack."  She stands with her statement and motions to the small canteen by the rink.

I nod.  I return the rented skates while watching her make her purchase.  I finish and she is walking back towards me with a hotdog in each hand.

A group of boys passes between us obscuring her from my site momentarily.  Miaka walks past them.  The last boy in the group, lagging behind the others, turns and steps up behind her.  I instantly know he means trouble.  Fury smolders in me that he dare touch my Miko, my Miaka.  If he puts one finger on her, he is so fucking dead.

 I feel my symbol flare and my aura rise to an almost visible level.  As swift as I ever was in my previous life, I move between Miaka and her attacker.  He seems shocked at my sudden interference.

"What do ya think y'r doing?" I ask not hiding my displeasure and baring my fangs.

Miaka turns.

"Tasuki, what..." she asks as she moves beside me.

The little fucking bastard moves to snatch her purse, but he is not fast enough.  I catch his wrist in a steal grip.  My anger swells with new fuel.

"Miaka stay behind me!" I growl.

Her eyes are wide, and she bites her lip as my command sinks in.  She slips behind my bigger frame.

 "Get the hell out of here ya piece of shit," I tell the boy. 

I tug at his wrist to get his attention and scowl at him being sure he understands.

"And ya are sure as hell never to touch her," I venomously spit out.

I shove him away.  He stumbles backwards and falls on his ass.  He looks at me with hate and scorn.  I could fucking care less what he thought.

During my "friendly" talk with the boy, his friends turned back.

Miaka gasps and clings to the back of my coat as they approach closing us in.  I reach for my tessen to make a quick end of this, and cuss when my hand meets empty air. 

They circle us like wolves.  Some flash weapons in an effort to intimidate me.  I watch weighing their skill.  Like any pack of wolves, they go for the weakest victim.  I intercept the attack directed at Miaka and counter with a kick to his chest.  I barely turn in time to stop another. 

I search for an opening to carry Miaka out through, even though I prefer to pound their sorry asses into the ground.  I would too if I did not have to worry about Miaka, but she comes first.

They close in.  I am ready to fight tooth and nail to protect her.

Suddenly there is a tactile shift in power.  I turn at the sound of combat beside me.  The wolves fall to allow a welcome sight to enter.

Chichiri flanks Miaka's other side.

"Need a hand?" he asks.

"Chichiri," Miaka gasps happily.

"I won't refuse," I grin.

He nods with a solemn expression.  His hand settles before him with his thumb linked around the prayer beads I gave him.  His lips move in a silent incantation.

I pull my eyes away as I deflect another series of attacks and wonder if he has remembered.

A red pulse of light swiftly passes me caressing me with warmth.  As it contacts my opponents, they fall back unconscious.  I look around, they have all fallen.

"Just like old times," I murmur and grin.

I turn to thank Chichiri and find Miaka clutching him tightly.  He looks shocked at her sudden attachment to him.  He politely asks her to release him.  Obviously he does not remember the past yet.  If he had he would be returning her hug with as much enthusiasm.

"Miaka-chan, Miaka," I gently say pulling at her shoulders.  "Let go of Ri-san," I add emphasizing his name.

It sinks in.  She lets go apologizing.

"It's quite alright," he says tenderly smiling down at her.

"Thanks for your aid, Ri-san," I say and bow.

He shifts expectantly. 

"You and your lady friend were in need of aid, so I came," he says.

"Good thing you happened to be near by," Miaka cheerfully says.  She suddenly clasps Houjun's hand between hers.  "Please come have dinner with us as a thank you for your help."

"I would not want to intrude," he says looking between us.

"You would not be intruding," she insists.  "Right, Tas…"

I clear my throat in warning.

"Genrou," she amends.

"Right," I add my assurance.

Houjun still looks doubtful of joining us, and I so desperately want him to.

"Do you have other plans," Miaka asks eyes filling with tears.

"No, I don't," he answers.

"Please join us," she begs tugging at his arm.

I can see his resolve wavering under Miaka's endearing assault.  He will not be able to refuse his Miko, and I grin.         

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Author's notes and review responses:

I sit here typing my responses and watch the snow flutter by in medium size fluffy flakes.  I can still see tufts of grass poking through the white covering here and there.  Snow is so beautiful. 

This chapter is my holiday gift to you and "… may your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmas' be white."

Merry Christmas – Happy Holidays!

Babbling Brook

As always, thank you for your reviews.

Rath: We have a ways to go before Chiri gets his memory back.

As for DK – I have now read 10 & 11 … Oh my…  O_O things are crumbling around them.

Moonlady: I was hoping Chibi's advice would sound like Chichiri.

Riina: chuckle Very cute scenario you put in you review.  ^_^  I have no plans for the Seiryuu seishi in this story. 

Ambika-san: Thank you.  Hikou has really good instincts, plus knowing Houjun for so long and being close friends, that is why he knew it was a "him."  Glad you like the chibi-voice.  I just hope he does not make Houjun sound like he is insane.

Chibi-Kaz: I considered writing stories for their second and third lives.  Honestly, I am more taken with writing their second life over their third and would probably never get around to writing their third.  So, if you want to take the idea and run with it, be my guest.  I do have a bit more planned out than what was in my review response.

Before you do start on it… I have not studied much on medieval Ireland and have not gotten around to researching it yet.  Would you critique the slightly more fleshed out story line of their third life that I created?

Akirasamoki: Chibi and Ri-san have their interesting moments.  ^_^  hee, hee, hee I hoped the readers would realize that the clanging was the Shakujou.  Kouji will get his memory back later, but I have not figured out how just yet.  And, yes the others will show up.

Kouryou Samomi: Another good quote from Lewis Carroll.  I am partial to the "Jabberwocky" and its mimsy borogoves  ^_~

Hugs Tasuki   He is just so adorable – so much like a little school boy.   

Arsronus Liadon: I am glad you like it and grew used to my writing style.  I was trying something different with this story and found I like writing from first person point of view.  It allows me to get inside their heads.