April 28, 2004
A/N: To Sweetest Taboo: Thanks for the review and also for the list of Tamahome's siblings. Huhuhu... What I expect is that no one will post a review about my story (Tears threatening my eyes. I'm being *madrama na tuloy*.), like on my other fic here. Well, I made up my mind, and I already removed it "there". Maybe sometime, I will post it here *na lang*.
I also have a new e-mail ad: aikyonoaru15@yahoo.com
By the way, I'm already rating my story PG-13 because of some situations and words in this chapter (And on the following chapters too.).
QUESTION: What is the name of the mountain where Miaka, Nuriko, and Hotohori, found Tasuki? (In the series.) I already forgot it *na eh*.
Chapter III: Remembering
-Past ten years...-
The sky is starting to relieve its blue color from its dark, gray hue from the rain. Rain clouds started to disappear, replaced by thick, white clouds. The sun is now showing itself, after hiding its kingly light. Trees, lining the pathway are soaking wet, beads of water dropping from its leaves, and birds are rearranging their nests. Mud puddles are made in the pathway beside the stream, looking like small ponds.
Miaka is slowly walking in the pathway, her hands holding an old doll tightly, as if she can't live without it. It is given by her father when she's still three years old, the first toy she ever had.
She stopped on her tracks when she heard some rustlings on a bush near a big tree. Then, three boys appeared from it and moved in front of her, blocking the pathway.
"Well, well, well... It's the peasant girl, Miaka." One of the boys said.
"What do you want from me, Jin?" Miaka said bravely. She knew very well that Jin's group will play a trick on her again.
"Me? I want something from you? Talk about nonsense. You're poor, so poor, and I couldn't get anything from you. Besides, I can have all that I want because my family is rich, not like you, peasant girl." Jin said, his voice with sarcasm.
"Ohhh my... Poor you. You're a farmer, a poor girl and nothing more. Nanananana..." Taisen said while laughing mockingly at Miaka.
"And pity you, farmer girl. Guys, look at her rag dress. It looks very much alike the rag at our mansion." Kago added.
"I must be the one pitying the three of you. You define yourselves as sons of noble families here and yet, you're nothing but a shame." Miaka said, her voice stern, but her body is trembling with nervousness of what might Jin's group do to her.
"Look who's talking, guys. You're a peasant girl and that's it. Hahahahaha..." Kago said.
Jin slowly moved closer to Miaka and grabbed her doll from her hands.
"Give me that." Miaka said while trying to reach Jin's hand, the one grasping her doll.
"I'm not. Hey, why don't we play a game, guys?" Jin said, looking at Taisen and Kago. A mischievous look is painted on his face.
"Sort of what?" Taisen asked.
"Here, catch." Jin said, throwing the doll to Taisen.
"Ohhh... We will play catch. Here, Kago." Taisen throwed the doll to Kago.
"Nice throw, Taisen. Well, Miaka. Do you want to join us?" Kago said. "We already have a ball to use,... your doll. Hahahahaha..."
"Give me back my doll. Give it back!" Miaka said, tears starting to sparkle in her eyes. "I'll tell my brother about this!"
"Your brother? Ahhh... Keisuke, your peasant brother." Jin said.
"Do you mean the peasant boy, Jin? Hahahahaha..." Taisen said.
The three boys are now around Miaka, her doll being used like a ball. She can't control herself not to cry.
"Please, give it back. Please..." Miaka said, tears flowing like a waterfall from her eyes.
"We're having fun, crybaby. Why will we give it back to you? Here, Jin. Catch." Kago said.
Kago threw the doll to Jin, but Jin didn't catched it. Instead, the doll landed on a mud puddle.
"M-my doll." Miaka said as she stares at the doll, dumbfound.
"Ooops... I can't move my hands so I didn't catched the doll." Jin said throatily.
"What will we do now? Our "ball" is already dirty. Hahahahaha..."
Miaka removes her doll from the mud puddle, tears still trailing her pale cheeks.
"Look at what you did to my doll!" Miaka yelled, at the same time, crying.
"We can't see it. Hahahahaha..." The three boys chorused in laughing.
---
- In some other place, near the stream...-
"Taka, don't ride your horse too fast!" Tasuki yelled, also riding a horse, following him.
"You think I'm so fast because you're so slow. You're such a slowpoke! You can't even catch up with me. Haha..." Taka yelled back, teasing Tasuki.
"Oh yeah?! I"ll catch up with you sooner or later! I challenged you!"
"I bet I'll win for sure! Hya!" Taka answered, tightening his grip on the horse's rail.
They raced through the meadows near the stream. Taka is trained very well in horse riding since he's still five. His skills are improving more and more by practicing everyday. While Tasuki, he likes to compete with Taka on anything, always... He even challenged Taka in archery, thinking he would win over Taka. What he didn't know is that Taka is also skilled in archery, two bull's eye to zero.
"Ho... ho... Easy boy. " Taka commanded the horse to stop.
"You're really good. I really need more practice." Tasuki said. "So, the next time we race again, I'll win over you."
They are now resting under a tree, sitting on the ground. The sun is now shining brightly.
"Then... You mean to say that I still need to wait for ten years more before we'll be able to race again, friend. I already warned you that I'll win." Taka said, poking fun at Tasuki.
"Why you?!" Tasuki reacted, trying to pound Taka.
"Calm down. I'm only joking. I only mean... Wait... Can you hear that?" Taka asked. He heard someone crying near them.
"What?" Tasuki asked.
"Someone is crying. I think it's a girl. And, there are also voices of boys. It's coming over there." Taka said. "Let's take a look."
"Why do we need to bother? Our companions might be looking for us." Tasuki questioned.
"But, we need to see who it is. Maybe we can help. After all, we know the way back to the palace. They need not to worry. Come on."
"Alright. What can I do?!"
- At the pathway...-
Miaka is trying to get out from Jin and his company. She can't bear anymore the foul and insulting words given to her.
"And where do you think you're going, peasant girl?" asked Jin, grabbing her right arm.
"I-I'm going h-home." Miaka said between her sobs.
"Ohhh... you're not. We still want to play with you."
"But, I-I want to go home now." Miaka said while crying.
"Don't be stubborn, peasant girl. We want to play with you... after all, right guys?"
They didn't know that someone is watching them, hiding in the bushes. Taka's fist clenched because of anger.
"We need to help her. Come now, Tasuki." Taka said.
Then...
"Stop that, scuffle persons!" A voice yelled. Jin slowly turned around to look who it is.
Standing yards away, behind the bushes is a boy. His hair is dark blue, his eyes brooding. Behind him is a red-haired boy. Miaka just looked at them, still crying. Taka and Tasuki came face to face with Jin, Taisen and Kago, keeping Miaka far away from them.
"And who do you think you are to call us scuffle persons?!" Jin said.
"Yeah! You want a fight, petty boys?!" Taisen challenged.
"You don't have the right to call us petty boys. You don't know who you are talking to." Tasuki answered.
"Arrogant boys!" Kago said. "Don't try to push yourself here or else..."
"or else what, arrogant boys?!" Taka asked.
"We'll fight with you, fair play. The three of us and the two of you." Kago said.
"I don't fight for a childish reason. Are you already satisfied hurting a helpless girl, doing nothing to you?" Taka said, looking at his back, where Miaka is.
"And you call that "fair"! Such imbeciles, you're acting like a jackass, a stupid donkey. We're only two and there are three of you." Tasuki said annoyingly.
"Tasuki! Don't talk like that. You're forgetting your etiquette." Taka said.
They didn't notice that Jin is already aiming a punch when he's the one punched by Tasuki to stop him. Jin stumbled and fell down in a mud puddle, his hand touching his face.
"Serves you right, grouch. You're slow, very slow." Tasuki said. Jin is grumbling with anger, mud all over his body.
Taisen and Kago moved to kick Tasuki when Taka stopped them.
"You've asked for this." Taka said as he punched both Taisen and Kago. They also landed on a mud puddle.
"Look at yourselves. You look like pigs on a pig pen. Losers! Hahahahaha..." Tasuki laughed.
"You two will pay for this." Jin said, standing, anger on his face. "Let's go!"
Jin's group left, whispering cursing words. "Damn it. They will pay for this. They will..."
Then, Taka and Tasuki came to Miaka.
"Are you alright? Did they hurt you?" Taka asked Miaka, his eyes full of concern.
"Those bad words.." Tasuki said.
Miaka is still crying, covering her face with her mud covered hands from her doll. She slowly looked up to look at her rescuers. At the same time, Taka looked at her and their eyes met, locked.
"I can help you clean yourself. Your body has some spots of mud." Taka said. Then he noticed Miaka's doll on her hands. "I can also help clean your doll."
"I'm alright. You don't need to because I can do it myself. Thank you for helping me." Miaka said.
"What are you talking about? We will help you." Tasuki said.
"If you really want to." Miaka said, the three of them going to the stream.
"Use this handkerchief to wipe off the mud." Taka said, extending his arm to give Miaka his handkerchief.
"Thank you." Miaka said shyly. She caught the scent of Taka's handkerchief; it smells like sweet flowers mixed with his male scent.
"I'll clean your doll." Tasuki volunteered, washing away the mud from it.
The three of them are sitting at the grass near the stream's water. Silence took place and Taka felt uneasy, so he started a conversation.
"Why are they making fun of you?" asked Taka.
"I'm helping my mother and my brother in the fields. They call me the "peasant girl"." Miaka explained, while cleaning herself. Tears are threatening again in her eyes. "I don't understand. They look little at me, and my family too. Why?"
"Don't believe what they've said. All people are important, including their roles in everyday life. Farmers are important, very important. Do you think the people in the city will have something to eat, other than meat and poultry, if there are no farmers? ... Of course not, even the family of those bad boys. They don't have the right to insult you. Understand?" Taka said, while his eyes are looking intently at Miaka.
*His eyes are so beautiful...* Miaka thought. She can't take away her eyes from his gaze.
"You're right." Miaka said, a smile slowly forming on her lips.
"Always smile. You look more beautiful, when you're smiling." Taka said, looking at Miaka's young, charming face. Even at her young age, her rare beauty can be noticed. "Ummm... there's still mud on your face. I'll wipe it off."
He took his handkerchief from Miaka's hand, as his fingers slightly made contact with hers. Taka gently wiped the mud from her face, while different emotions are starting to flood his mind, his young heart...
"Here's your doll, kid." Tasuki said, giving the doll to Miaka. Taka lowered his hand from Miaka's face and blushed slightly.
"My name is T-..." Taka started as voices interrupted.
"Young masters?! Young masters?!" Voices yelled. Several men, riding horses are approaching.
"We're here!" Tasuki yelled. "Hey, come on. We need to go back now." Tasuki said to Taka.
"I know, just a second." Taka answered, still looking at Miaka.
"Wait here. We'll just get our horses." Taka said, standing and fixing his composure. His handkerchief fell from his hand and landed on the ground. Miaka saw it and took it... to keep...
*The two of them are called young masters, and that only means... I thought I can already have friends... *
Taka and Tasuki walked to the pathway. Taka stopped for a while, to look at Miaka. He doesn't know why he wants to be assured that Miaka is still there. And... their eyes met again, like talking without words, just the feelings reflected in their eyes' depths.
*I need to go now... We'll see each other again, someday. Maybe, here again... And then, I'll have the chance to know your name.* Miaka thought sadly, as she slowly stood and walked away, without being noticed.
Taka regretted looking back again, after looking at Miaka. After getting their horse, Taka hurriedly went to where they just left Miaka.
"She already left..." Taka whispered, his words failing him.
"You don't need to worry about her anymore, pal." Tasuki said, placing his hand on Taka's shoulder. "I'm sure she'll be home safely. Let's keep going now."
*I'll see you again... We'll meet again...*
- Present...-
"I'm still waiting for the second chance... of seeing you again..." Miaka said to herself, while staring at the clear water, imagining those dark, blue eyes of her hero. She placed her hand on her pocket, and gently took an old handkerchief from it (Already clean. Ok?!)
"I think I must go home now. Mother is waiting for me."
A/N: Jin, Taisen, and Kago are my imaginary characters. I tried to write this chapter without using any names for them, but... I got tired of typing one of the boys, another boy, the boy etcetera etcetera...
Jin- person and inhabitant... * Taisen- means great war... * Kago- cage...* *in Nippongo
Jin's group, in my story, is "An inhabitant of a great war in a cage."
It's very also very hard for me to write this chapter because it's hard thinking of the right words for their conversations. They are still youngsters in this chapter, especially Miaka. She's still five here. Sighs... Next chapter is I'm Tamahome...
A/N: To Sweetest Taboo: Thanks for the review and also for the list of Tamahome's siblings. Huhuhu... What I expect is that no one will post a review about my story (Tears threatening my eyes. I'm being *madrama na tuloy*.), like on my other fic here. Well, I made up my mind, and I already removed it "there". Maybe sometime, I will post it here *na lang*.
I also have a new e-mail ad: aikyonoaru15@yahoo.com
By the way, I'm already rating my story PG-13 because of some situations and words in this chapter (And on the following chapters too.).
QUESTION: What is the name of the mountain where Miaka, Nuriko, and Hotohori, found Tasuki? (In the series.) I already forgot it *na eh*.
Chapter III: Remembering
-Past ten years...-
The sky is starting to relieve its blue color from its dark, gray hue from the rain. Rain clouds started to disappear, replaced by thick, white clouds. The sun is now showing itself, after hiding its kingly light. Trees, lining the pathway are soaking wet, beads of water dropping from its leaves, and birds are rearranging their nests. Mud puddles are made in the pathway beside the stream, looking like small ponds.
Miaka is slowly walking in the pathway, her hands holding an old doll tightly, as if she can't live without it. It is given by her father when she's still three years old, the first toy she ever had.
She stopped on her tracks when she heard some rustlings on a bush near a big tree. Then, three boys appeared from it and moved in front of her, blocking the pathway.
"Well, well, well... It's the peasant girl, Miaka." One of the boys said.
"What do you want from me, Jin?" Miaka said bravely. She knew very well that Jin's group will play a trick on her again.
"Me? I want something from you? Talk about nonsense. You're poor, so poor, and I couldn't get anything from you. Besides, I can have all that I want because my family is rich, not like you, peasant girl." Jin said, his voice with sarcasm.
"Ohhh my... Poor you. You're a farmer, a poor girl and nothing more. Nanananana..." Taisen said while laughing mockingly at Miaka.
"And pity you, farmer girl. Guys, look at her rag dress. It looks very much alike the rag at our mansion." Kago added.
"I must be the one pitying the three of you. You define yourselves as sons of noble families here and yet, you're nothing but a shame." Miaka said, her voice stern, but her body is trembling with nervousness of what might Jin's group do to her.
"Look who's talking, guys. You're a peasant girl and that's it. Hahahahaha..." Kago said.
Jin slowly moved closer to Miaka and grabbed her doll from her hands.
"Give me that." Miaka said while trying to reach Jin's hand, the one grasping her doll.
"I'm not. Hey, why don't we play a game, guys?" Jin said, looking at Taisen and Kago. A mischievous look is painted on his face.
"Sort of what?" Taisen asked.
"Here, catch." Jin said, throwing the doll to Taisen.
"Ohhh... We will play catch. Here, Kago." Taisen throwed the doll to Kago.
"Nice throw, Taisen. Well, Miaka. Do you want to join us?" Kago said. "We already have a ball to use,... your doll. Hahahahaha..."
"Give me back my doll. Give it back!" Miaka said, tears starting to sparkle in her eyes. "I'll tell my brother about this!"
"Your brother? Ahhh... Keisuke, your peasant brother." Jin said.
"Do you mean the peasant boy, Jin? Hahahahaha..." Taisen said.
The three boys are now around Miaka, her doll being used like a ball. She can't control herself not to cry.
"Please, give it back. Please..." Miaka said, tears flowing like a waterfall from her eyes.
"We're having fun, crybaby. Why will we give it back to you? Here, Jin. Catch." Kago said.
Kago threw the doll to Jin, but Jin didn't catched it. Instead, the doll landed on a mud puddle.
"M-my doll." Miaka said as she stares at the doll, dumbfound.
"Ooops... I can't move my hands so I didn't catched the doll." Jin said throatily.
"What will we do now? Our "ball" is already dirty. Hahahahaha..."
Miaka removes her doll from the mud puddle, tears still trailing her pale cheeks.
"Look at what you did to my doll!" Miaka yelled, at the same time, crying.
"We can't see it. Hahahahaha..." The three boys chorused in laughing.
---
- In some other place, near the stream...-
"Taka, don't ride your horse too fast!" Tasuki yelled, also riding a horse, following him.
"You think I'm so fast because you're so slow. You're such a slowpoke! You can't even catch up with me. Haha..." Taka yelled back, teasing Tasuki.
"Oh yeah?! I"ll catch up with you sooner or later! I challenged you!"
"I bet I'll win for sure! Hya!" Taka answered, tightening his grip on the horse's rail.
They raced through the meadows near the stream. Taka is trained very well in horse riding since he's still five. His skills are improving more and more by practicing everyday. While Tasuki, he likes to compete with Taka on anything, always... He even challenged Taka in archery, thinking he would win over Taka. What he didn't know is that Taka is also skilled in archery, two bull's eye to zero.
"Ho... ho... Easy boy. " Taka commanded the horse to stop.
"You're really good. I really need more practice." Tasuki said. "So, the next time we race again, I'll win over you."
They are now resting under a tree, sitting on the ground. The sun is now shining brightly.
"Then... You mean to say that I still need to wait for ten years more before we'll be able to race again, friend. I already warned you that I'll win." Taka said, poking fun at Tasuki.
"Why you?!" Tasuki reacted, trying to pound Taka.
"Calm down. I'm only joking. I only mean... Wait... Can you hear that?" Taka asked. He heard someone crying near them.
"What?" Tasuki asked.
"Someone is crying. I think it's a girl. And, there are also voices of boys. It's coming over there." Taka said. "Let's take a look."
"Why do we need to bother? Our companions might be looking for us." Tasuki questioned.
"But, we need to see who it is. Maybe we can help. After all, we know the way back to the palace. They need not to worry. Come on."
"Alright. What can I do?!"
- At the pathway...-
Miaka is trying to get out from Jin and his company. She can't bear anymore the foul and insulting words given to her.
"And where do you think you're going, peasant girl?" asked Jin, grabbing her right arm.
"I-I'm going h-home." Miaka said between her sobs.
"Ohhh... you're not. We still want to play with you."
"But, I-I want to go home now." Miaka said while crying.
"Don't be stubborn, peasant girl. We want to play with you... after all, right guys?"
They didn't know that someone is watching them, hiding in the bushes. Taka's fist clenched because of anger.
"We need to help her. Come now, Tasuki." Taka said.
Then...
"Stop that, scuffle persons!" A voice yelled. Jin slowly turned around to look who it is.
Standing yards away, behind the bushes is a boy. His hair is dark blue, his eyes brooding. Behind him is a red-haired boy. Miaka just looked at them, still crying. Taka and Tasuki came face to face with Jin, Taisen and Kago, keeping Miaka far away from them.
"And who do you think you are to call us scuffle persons?!" Jin said.
"Yeah! You want a fight, petty boys?!" Taisen challenged.
"You don't have the right to call us petty boys. You don't know who you are talking to." Tasuki answered.
"Arrogant boys!" Kago said. "Don't try to push yourself here or else..."
"or else what, arrogant boys?!" Taka asked.
"We'll fight with you, fair play. The three of us and the two of you." Kago said.
"I don't fight for a childish reason. Are you already satisfied hurting a helpless girl, doing nothing to you?" Taka said, looking at his back, where Miaka is.
"And you call that "fair"! Such imbeciles, you're acting like a jackass, a stupid donkey. We're only two and there are three of you." Tasuki said annoyingly.
"Tasuki! Don't talk like that. You're forgetting your etiquette." Taka said.
They didn't notice that Jin is already aiming a punch when he's the one punched by Tasuki to stop him. Jin stumbled and fell down in a mud puddle, his hand touching his face.
"Serves you right, grouch. You're slow, very slow." Tasuki said. Jin is grumbling with anger, mud all over his body.
Taisen and Kago moved to kick Tasuki when Taka stopped them.
"You've asked for this." Taka said as he punched both Taisen and Kago. They also landed on a mud puddle.
"Look at yourselves. You look like pigs on a pig pen. Losers! Hahahahaha..." Tasuki laughed.
"You two will pay for this." Jin said, standing, anger on his face. "Let's go!"
Jin's group left, whispering cursing words. "Damn it. They will pay for this. They will..."
Then, Taka and Tasuki came to Miaka.
"Are you alright? Did they hurt you?" Taka asked Miaka, his eyes full of concern.
"Those bad words.." Tasuki said.
Miaka is still crying, covering her face with her mud covered hands from her doll. She slowly looked up to look at her rescuers. At the same time, Taka looked at her and their eyes met, locked.
"I can help you clean yourself. Your body has some spots of mud." Taka said. Then he noticed Miaka's doll on her hands. "I can also help clean your doll."
"I'm alright. You don't need to because I can do it myself. Thank you for helping me." Miaka said.
"What are you talking about? We will help you." Tasuki said.
"If you really want to." Miaka said, the three of them going to the stream.
"Use this handkerchief to wipe off the mud." Taka said, extending his arm to give Miaka his handkerchief.
"Thank you." Miaka said shyly. She caught the scent of Taka's handkerchief; it smells like sweet flowers mixed with his male scent.
"I'll clean your doll." Tasuki volunteered, washing away the mud from it.
The three of them are sitting at the grass near the stream's water. Silence took place and Taka felt uneasy, so he started a conversation.
"Why are they making fun of you?" asked Taka.
"I'm helping my mother and my brother in the fields. They call me the "peasant girl"." Miaka explained, while cleaning herself. Tears are threatening again in her eyes. "I don't understand. They look little at me, and my family too. Why?"
"Don't believe what they've said. All people are important, including their roles in everyday life. Farmers are important, very important. Do you think the people in the city will have something to eat, other than meat and poultry, if there are no farmers? ... Of course not, even the family of those bad boys. They don't have the right to insult you. Understand?" Taka said, while his eyes are looking intently at Miaka.
*His eyes are so beautiful...* Miaka thought. She can't take away her eyes from his gaze.
"You're right." Miaka said, a smile slowly forming on her lips.
"Always smile. You look more beautiful, when you're smiling." Taka said, looking at Miaka's young, charming face. Even at her young age, her rare beauty can be noticed. "Ummm... there's still mud on your face. I'll wipe it off."
He took his handkerchief from Miaka's hand, as his fingers slightly made contact with hers. Taka gently wiped the mud from her face, while different emotions are starting to flood his mind, his young heart...
"Here's your doll, kid." Tasuki said, giving the doll to Miaka. Taka lowered his hand from Miaka's face and blushed slightly.
"My name is T-..." Taka started as voices interrupted.
"Young masters?! Young masters?!" Voices yelled. Several men, riding horses are approaching.
"We're here!" Tasuki yelled. "Hey, come on. We need to go back now." Tasuki said to Taka.
"I know, just a second." Taka answered, still looking at Miaka.
"Wait here. We'll just get our horses." Taka said, standing and fixing his composure. His handkerchief fell from his hand and landed on the ground. Miaka saw it and took it... to keep...
*The two of them are called young masters, and that only means... I thought I can already have friends... *
Taka and Tasuki walked to the pathway. Taka stopped for a while, to look at Miaka. He doesn't know why he wants to be assured that Miaka is still there. And... their eyes met again, like talking without words, just the feelings reflected in their eyes' depths.
*I need to go now... We'll see each other again, someday. Maybe, here again... And then, I'll have the chance to know your name.* Miaka thought sadly, as she slowly stood and walked away, without being noticed.
Taka regretted looking back again, after looking at Miaka. After getting their horse, Taka hurriedly went to where they just left Miaka.
"She already left..." Taka whispered, his words failing him.
"You don't need to worry about her anymore, pal." Tasuki said, placing his hand on Taka's shoulder. "I'm sure she'll be home safely. Let's keep going now."
*I'll see you again... We'll meet again...*
- Present...-
"I'm still waiting for the second chance... of seeing you again..." Miaka said to herself, while staring at the clear water, imagining those dark, blue eyes of her hero. She placed her hand on her pocket, and gently took an old handkerchief from it (Already clean. Ok?!)
"I think I must go home now. Mother is waiting for me."
A/N: Jin, Taisen, and Kago are my imaginary characters. I tried to write this chapter without using any names for them, but... I got tired of typing one of the boys, another boy, the boy etcetera etcetera...
Jin- person and inhabitant... * Taisen- means great war... * Kago- cage...* *in Nippongo
Jin's group, in my story, is "An inhabitant of a great war in a cage."
It's very also very hard for me to write this chapter because it's hard thinking of the right words for their conversations. They are still youngsters in this chapter, especially Miaka. She's still five here. Sighs... Next chapter is I'm Tamahome...