Written by: Hoshihikari4ever
Disclaimer: I finally noticed I forgot to put one. Whops! Just to let you guys know, none of this belongs to me. I don't own anything!
Summary:
Sequel to The Untold Legend (please read that)
Only two of her Seishi remain. Seiryuu is forever sealed. Miaka takes on the heavy burden of being both empress and Miko. Everything seems to be going smoothly. Hopes of summoning Suzaku rise again. However when a mysterious person shows up at the palace, disasters begin to strike. Dark secrets of the past are revealed…ones, which were meant to remain hidden forever. Now with his secret revealed… the whole Universe of Four Gods is thrown of course… the whole story is forever altered.
Spoilers Warning: Just to be safe…everything…including side stories…major spoiler from the following: Suzaku Hi Den ( Hotohori's Gaiden novel…I've only read the summary), Seiran Den (Nagako's Gaiden Novel), end of episode 52, Eikoden
Rating: Please note…for this chapter, I've rasied it so that its between PG 13 and R. There is no graphic sex, but it is implied towards the characters.
Please Read and Review!
Parings: Miaka /Hotohori Miaka / Shou Tendo
Chapter 11
Hotohori slipped inside the palace, leaving the horse outside its walls. Knowing the palace, by heart, he navigated through it's passageways. Finally he stood right outside his own chamber. He noted that the window was slightly ajar and that a light was coming from within. Squinting, he could make out a lone shape of a women sitting close to the window. Slowly he creapt up, and within a few inches of the window, he jumped in.
The woman was startled, as she saw a shape enter her room. Without thinking, she opened her mouth as if ready to scream. Hotohori immediately rushed forward, placed a gently hand on her lips, and silenced her.
"Sh….Miaka….It's me…." He saw her eyes widen. The next thing he knew, she had pulled him close to her. Then in a small and questioning tone, she asked. "Hotohori….?"
"Hotohori???!!" She whispered, a bit unbelieving, as she stared at the cloaked man before her. He gave her a curt nod, before slowly gracefully removing the hood, allowing his beloved to see her.
"Oh God….Thank Suzaku….it really is you…..it really is you…." She murmured, as she raised her hand to touch his cheeks, pinching it slightly to make sure that he was really there.
"Miaka….Miaka…." he gently overlap her hand. "You're hurting me….." he said, taking her hand off his cheek, and holding it close to his heart. "Anno…Gomen….I've missed you so much…..I'm afraid…I'm afraid you'll disappear from me again…..You just don't know how much I've missed you…how much I wanted to see you…."
See Nagako! Miaka didn't change. Ha! I was right. I knew it…"Especially since…. especially…. since he…he…." Miaka trailed off suddenly, as she realized what she had just said. Her free hand clasped over her mouth. She watched as Hotohori's eyes narrowed briefly, as his face darkened, before resuming his smiling worried face.
He??? He?? Dare? It couldn't be him could it? Please Suzaku, don't let there be a man who could have taken my beloved's heart away from me…especially not that guy, whoever he is…who already married her.
He pulled her close. "Miaka…..I've missed you too…." he continued, as though he had not heard her last statement. He felt her shift uncomfortably under his touch. Anger slowly brewed within him.
You will pay…whoever you are. I don't care if you are now the emperor. I swear you will pay for even attempting to take my beloved away from me.
"I would have come sooner if I could…. If it wasn't for some personal business…. family business…" he added, which in turn caused Goosebumps to run down Miaka's spine.
What kind of business. What could have been more important to him then me? He said family business…so is it possible that he knows…Oh…Kami-sama…I hope he doesn't.
"So….Miaka…..How are you….Have you been well? Is everything alright…" he asked, trying once more to keep them in a conversation mode. At those words, she couldn't bring herself to look directly at him.
* * *
He sat up with a start. An uncomfortable feeling ran throughout his body. His senses told him that something was wrong, something was wrong with Miaka. Taking his staff and keza, he slipped quietly out of his room and headed quicky towards Miaka's chambers.
He halted as he came closer to the room. Peering inside, he couldn't tell any difference…the shadow of a woman looked perfectly fine. Still, his senses had told him that something was to happen. Deciding to wait a bit longer, to observe the scene, he jumped onto a nearby tree, making sure that he was well hidden.
Silence came here and there as he watched the few remaining guards come and go. As the last guard disappeared, behind the corner, he caught a glimps of a shadow who jumped into the ajar window. Without thinking, the man slipped out of his hiding place and slipped next to the window. He too was about to jump in and fight the intruder, when he stopped as he heard the voices coming from within.
"Sh….Miaka….It's me…." Came a deep voice.
His heart pounded loudly as he too recognized the voice.
"Hotohori….?" Miaka replied.
Hotohori no da…That was Hotohori??!!
"Oh God….Thank Suzaku….it really is you…..it really is you…."
The man smiled slightly to himself. Knowing that it would be alright, he decided to wait on top of the tree. Somehow he knew that Hotohori wouldn't be staying long, though he could not quite explain the reason. He knew that man would leave, and before his friend disappeared, he wanted to confront the man, even if reunion wasn't going to be too long.
* * *
He looks so angry. He seems to be really pissed at something. Perhaps for my sake, he's trying to hide it. But it won't work. I've known him too long, too well for him to try to hide his feelings from me. It looks as though something's bothering him…looks as though there's much on his mind. He's not saying much…he seems so distant.
Her act is defiantly getting annoying. What the hell is she trying to hide? She says she's happy to see me, that she misses me…however…there is no feeling to it or emotion in it. It's so dull. She even flinches at my touch; she even can't look directly at me. What is she playing at? Doesn't she know that words, empty words don't mean a thing…? Her body's saying it all. It's as if she doesn't even want to see me…doesn't even want me to touch her. Perhaps…perhaps Nagako was right. Perhaps I shouldn't have come back…Yes…I know I shouldn't have…Nagako was right…It would have been for the best. We should have just taken our separate paths…Dam him. Dam that man who stole her from me.
"Miaka…." He said this time letting her go. The relived expression made his anger grow even more. Finally unable to bear the silence that he was receiving, he grips her sholder with both hands. "Miaka…." She didn't look at him. "Miaka…look at me…." He said, raising his voice a bit, before forcing his graze on her. "I've heard rumors…." He began. "I've heard rumors from a friend…he's told me much of what's happened at the palace…." Miaka's eyes widened briefly. "Is it true…you remarried….no…I shouldn't be selfish….we never did officially marry in the first place….howev….." "Hotohori….." "No…Miaka…answer me…." He said softly. Not knowing what to do, she pulled her gaze away from him. "I take that as a yes then…."
Bending down, he kissed her on the lips, surprising her slightly, before she accepted it, and willing returned one. Feeling a response, Hotohori pulled away. "Does this mean anything….does that kiss mean anything at all…." Miaka wanted to answer yes, but for some reason no words came out. She stared at him, not knowing what surprised her the most, his actions or his words…
Seeing no reply, he released his grip on her. "Miaka….I'm sorry…." He muttered once more, knowing that he may have hurt her, with his words and actions. "You don't have to look for me….Don't bother….you won't find me….this time…after I leave…It will be forever…..Go and be happy with your new life…" Without taking another look at her, he headed for the window.
* * *
He quietly approached the chamber. From a distance, he could tell that there were two people inside. Not wanting to make an unnecessary appearance, he too decided to hide himself in a nearby bush.
Sai…you better not make me make an appearance for your sake…
* * *
He felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist, before a body pressed against his back.
"Hotohori….I'm sorry….Please….Please don't leave me….please….stay with me…." Hotohori noticed that her voice sounded slightly desperate, with emotion and meaning in it. "Miaka…." There was a brief pause, as he felt the pair of arms tighten themselves around him. "Please don't make it harder then it is…" "I'm not….Hotohori…I love you…and there will never be another man that can replace you….please…." She pulled him down so that she could whisper into his ear. "Just forget about it…..forget about everything else…..Just for tonight….just pretend that nothing happened….and…and I'll be yours….forever….." she said the last words shyly, but without hesitation or thought.
Hotohori spun over quickly, and his heart melted slightly, seeing that the women before her truly meant what she said. "Yes….Miaka…you're right….tonight….tonight you shall be mines…..I've waited too long….I won't any longer….especially since times have changed….." Miaka gently took his hand and led him to the bed. "yes…" she agreed. "Times have changed….and who knows what the future may hold….perhaps the need to summon Suzaku will become unnecessary." Hotohori nodded his head. "Very well Miaka…. tonight…." he gently laid her onto the bed. "I shall humor you…"
* * *
An hour slowly crept by. The monk, listened amussed at the sounds he was hearing.
Anno…it is their choice…They shall live with the consequences…
However, the monk did smile warmly, happy for the reuion that had been waited for, for so long….
Two hours came and went. Slowly, one after another, the hours came and went. Glancing at the window, he noticed that more and more guards began to gather outside the chamber. Obviously, the couple inside were making a bit of noise, aside from the moans, there were rhythmic thumping.
The monk sighed. He knew that the lovely couple wouldn't want to be disturbed, but he couldn't help but feel that since he was here, he might as well get rid of the men. However he did not have to think long, or worry much as drastic action took place in front of him.
Another figure had jumped out of nowhere, startling the guards. Instantly spears were pointed directly at the man.
"Intruder!!! He must be one of the men who's here to attack her highness. Kill him!!" One of the men said, taking the role of the leader. The others followed his lead, as they tried to harm the man.
Glancing at the man, Chichiri tried to make out who it was. Under the dim moon light, he could see nothing. The clouds high above, blocked most of his light. All he could tell was that the man swinging what seemed to be a whip.
A whip. I wonder who it is. Is he a friend or an enemy? Dare desu ka no da.
More and more men came; however, none seemed to be the figure's match. By now, there were people shouting everywhere. "Kill him!! Kill the intruder!" "Protect the empress!!"
A battle broke out in front of the monk. Chichiri pondered if he should help the lone figure. Yet he hesitated, for he had no clue who the intruder was. He didn't want to be convicted, if caught, saying that he let the man escape. Still, he had a feeling that he should still help out.
"Die you bastards!!" The figure said softly. He flung the whip around him, hitting every target.
Hm…he's good no da…He doesn't need help.
The monk's thoughts came true, for soon there were only a three men who were left standing.
"Gather reinforcements!! Gather reinforcements!!" One of the men yelled. The two others dashed off. The figure not wanting more people to get involved, swung his whip directly at the men, before killing them instantly. "No…no one is going to leave here alive…." The figure said. Now, there were only two people left, the lone figure, and the leader of the guards. "I'll send your regards to your emperor…." The figure said, before swinging at the man. The man dodged it. The whip flew here and there, however, the leader of the guard was able to stay alive. "I have no patience with you….now die…." The figure raised his right arm above him. The leader wondered briefly what was happening. Then, from out of nowhere, he felt the whip strike him. He gasped in pain, as he jumped back a few feet before turning to leave. The figure stood still, as it watched the man disappear before him.
The figure stood still for a long, long time. Finally he took out a scrap of paper, wrote something on it, tied it onto his whip and swung it at the window.
* * *
"Hotohori……" "Hm….??" "Anno…stay with me…stay with me forever….." "I will Miaka…..I willl…." He breathed, hard, as pleasure senations filled his body. "I….I won't….won't leave you….." he muttered.
Crack! A sound distracted the two. Hotohori instantly got up, before he used his eyes to search around the room for any changes. He didn't notice anything in particular.
"Hey…look…what's that…" Miaka said, pointing to the window. Hotohori wrapped a blanket around his waist before he walked towards the window. His body shivered as he saw the small battlefield outside. At his side, was a note tied to a whip.
"Get out now…." There wasn't any names, just the three words. However, to Hotohori, he knew who it was that had written it.
Thank you Nagako…Thank you…
"Miaka, I must be going now….I don't want to get caught here…..I promise you…I promise I'll return…." Taking his clothes, he jumped out of the window. Miaka watched as he held the whip close to his body, before disappearing into the night.
Uh hem!! Hotohori heard a cough. He took a glance to his right, to discover a figure standing there. "Come on…lets go…" Hotohori nodded, as he hurried towards the man. "You first…I'll be right behind you…." "Ayruu…thank you…." He muttered. "Talk later Sai…lets get out first…." The man jerked his head back at the dead guards. "Yeah…." Hotohori said before taking the lead, to leave the palace. The figure stayed behind a bit. He glanced around, before his eyes came into contact with another.
"You….you shall keep your mouth shut….Chichiri….you will keep your mouth shut…." He muttered, surprising the monk a bit. Chichiri watched as the figured disappeared outside the palace walls.
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Done!! Review!!