QoH: *keels over* gah... @_@ 2 jobs... excuse me while I die...
All: Not just yet, you don't! *scary glares*
QoH: O_O() *nervous laughter* eheheh... ok, all right! here goes another chappy then!
Chapter 4: Concern And Longing
Hotohori wandered aimlessly through his gardens that night, as he often did when he was troubled. Choosing his favorite stone bench, which offered a glorious view of the city, he sat down and closed his eyes for a moment. Leaning his elbows on his knees, Hotohori bowed his head and studied his fingers, usually so well kept. These days, he'd let his appearance slip a little, not bothering with "perfection" anymore. What would be the point, without the hope that she would see it? To most everyone, he still looked the same, their "beloved Heika-sama." But then, none of them had ever really cared to look beneath the fancy clothes for the lonely man he truly was.
Even now, his life was being planned for him. His well-meaning, but amazingly dense (considering their positions) advisors were already busy ordering the servants around, getting the palace ready for the upcoming festivities. He sighed and sat up to survey the changes to his home. His outdoor sanctuary had even been redone; all the hedges and bushes were strung with bright ribbons and lanterns hung at measured intervals, so that no part of the grounds would be left in shadows. No amount of prettily done decorations or lights will lift the darkness in my heart, he thought gloomily as he lifted his hand to gently caress a pink rosebud that sprang from the large bush at his side, Only Miaka can do that.
He smiled slightly as he cupped the young flower in his hand, careful not to damage it, or break it from its fellows. Her skin smelled like this, he remembered, breathing deep, felt like this...
~You are the life to my soul.~
****
A monk and an ex-bandit watched over their emperor from a safe distance among some trees, discussing his declining condition in low, worried tones. Normally, two of such different backgrounds never would have crossed paths, but for a war and one determined young woman. Now, the two comrades stood locked in indecision over the right course of action for their fellow seishi, for it was their bond of friendship that both stayed their hands, and yet forced them.
"Well, whaddya suggest we do, huh?" the fiery Tasuki exclaimed impatiently, tired of Chichiri's eternal "wait and see" attitude. Naturally, he was all for the "headlong approach," diving into the situation with so little tact he would most likely come out sounding like a complete baka, not to mention quite insensitive.
"I realize we are left with limited options, no da," his elder companion replied somewhat tersely, "But what would you have us do? Run up to him and tell him to get married and forget about Miaka? Even with all the eager young ladies out there, we both know Hotohori too well to even think for a moment that such a thing would work!" He eyed his temperamental friend a bit warily, as though he were concerned Tasuki would do just that.
Offended, he scowled at him and shifted his tessen into a more comfortable position on his back, "Ya know, if ya were just about anyone else, y'd be roasted by now."
Chichiri smirked, crossing his arms as he surveyed his friend, "Particularly if I were… Tamahome, right?"
Tasuki snorted at that and shrugged, "Yeah, y've got me there. Never did see the sense in Miaka fallin' for that guy."
"Well, he did save her and Yui when they first came to our world, no da?" was the monk's bland answer, as if that should explain everything.
The flame-haired bandit-turned-warrior flung up his hands in a show of exasperation, "Haven't we all? For Suzaku's sake, even Seiryuu have saved her life!"
Chirichi chuckled, shaking his head, "And each one of us would happily do it again, you know that as well as I."
"Bah." Tasuki turned away sulkily. I hate it when he's right, which is always.
He leaned on his staff, the rings clinking softly as he raised a brow, "You don't have to pretend, no da."
"What're ya talkin' about?" he looked over his shoulder in annoyance.
"You know what I mean," replied Chichiri, his penetrating gaze seeming to read Tasuki's very soul.
****
Miaka leaned against the side of her bed as she sat on the floor, looking at floral arrangements. Each seemed to be more expensive than the last, despite all her efforts to find a middle ground between her and Taka's ideas of the "perfect wedding." "Arg!" she pulled at her hair in frustration, dropping her head back against the blanket to glare at the ceiling.
"Miaka?" her mother knocked on the door, smiling, "I brought something that might cheer you up a little. I know you've been looking through those catalogues for hours." She grinned and produced a plate of cookies from around the corner.
Perking up, she bounded to her feet and hugged her, "Thanks, Mom! Ooh, peanut butter! Cool!"
Yuuki-san (gomen ^_^() can't figure out anything else to call her) smiled and surrendered the platter to her excitable daughter, who was already happily munching away on the treat as she picked her way through the magazines back to her bed. She looked around at the clutter and laughed, "Miaka, I know you're trying to get ready for your wedding, but don't you think turning your room into a landfill is a bit much?"
She shook her head, blinking as she mumbled through a full mouth, "Nope. I can clean it later, can't I?"
Miaka's mom shrugged, smiling to herself. My baby girl, completely guiless. "Mind if I join you?"
The teenager grinned and scooted to the side to make room for her, "Sure."
Skirting gingerly around the mess in the middle of the floor, Yuuki-san sat down, "I take it from that outburst a moment ago that you're having a hard time trying to compromise with Taka?"
"You don't know the half of it, Mom," she sighed and gazed pensively at the cookie in her hand, suddenly not very hungry, "I've been having the strangest dreams lately, and I don't have a clue what they mean."
The elder woman raised her brows in concern, "Oh? How so?"
Miaka turned a troubled expression to her, "I have the most horrible feeling that someone I care for is in pain, maybe even in danger, but I don't know who it is, or what that threat might be."
Oh, dear. Yuuki-san frowned, getting a chill, herself. I hope it's no one from that "book world." I don't ever want her to go back there again. She needs to stay here, with her family and friends, not running and putting herself in harm's way!
QoH: ^_~ hehe well, ok, I don't remember if her mom knows about all that or not, but I figured since Keisuke does… *shrugs* reviews would be greatly appreciated! :D