Chapter 2
"Nuriko, have you seen Tamahome today?" an inquisitive Miaka asker her loyal seishi and one of her best friends. The two were walking along the finished floorboards of the palace's elegant boardwalk, with no particular destination in mind. Tasuki and Chiriko had joined Chichiri on a short trip to the river for some fishing. Mitsukake would have gone as well had he not felt that the fish were unneeded, unnecessary, and thus pointless cruelty toward the animal.
"Can't say that I have," Nuriko replied. He looked above Miaka in thought, tapping a finger on the side of his face. "Come to think about it, I haven't seen his majesty, either."
"Hotohoti's always busy," smiled the Miko. "He's probably off doing whatever it is that emperors do." Nuriko smiled back and nodded to his friend.
"I bet Tamahome went with Chichiri and the others and forgot to tell us. You know how that boy can be." Nuriko ruffled Miaka's hair, which she wore down today. "Hey, I bet you're hungry. Wanna head out for some grub?"
Miaka clapped her hands together and grinned from ear to ear. "Would I!" She grabbed Nuriko's arm playfully, tugging the super-strength seishi as best she could. "What are you waiting for? Let's go!" She giggled. Nuriko couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, alright!" And with that, he let the girl pull him as she ran to the palace gates.
"Are they gone?" a soft voice whispered.
"I think so," replied an equally quiet voice. "I think they just left."
Hotohori let out a sigh of relief, as Tamahome stood from his kneeling position in front of the shoji. The emperor was leaning back on Tamahome's bed, his waist wrapped in the soft, ivory-colored sheets. Tamahome stood with his chest bare in front of the elegant Hotohori.
"I felt for sure they would come in," Hotohori smiled, finally relaxing on the wall that the bed lay against. Tamahome grinned and sat down next to the man.
"I want to thank you again for staying with me last night, Hotohori," Tamahome smiled. The other used this time to lean against Tamahome, resting a head on his shoulder. "It 's all so surreal, last night." A quiet, breathy laugh came from the blue-haired man. "I can't express how much that meant to me."
"I should be the one thanking you. You've really opened my eyes, you let me into your soul." The elegant emperor sat up and faced the other. A soft hand guided a stray bang from Tamahome's handsome face. "I only wish you had told me sooner." Hotohori's cheeks became flushed, tears welling up in his eyes. A look of fear crossed Tamahome's face.
"What do you mean by that..." he tried to smile. Hotohori shook his head and stood up as Tamahome's mind flooded with mixed signals and confusion. The emperor began to redress, and Tamahome just stared. Hotohori remained silent, never looking at Tamahome's questioning face. When he was done dressing, he bowed slightly to the other, and began to talk to the room's exit. Tamahome shot up, grabbing the emperor's arm and pulling him around to look him in the eye. "What did you mean by that, Hotohori?" he asked more firmly, his brow quivering as he stared into those two golden pools.
"I must go," the emperor simply responded. "There is no doubt that people are wondering where I am." He stared back into the other's eyes with a sense of both formality and sadness. Tamahome released his hold on Hotohori's arm and dropped his hand to his side. He looked down to the floor, unable to took into Hotohori's intense gaze any longer. The other sighed sadly and moved close to Tamahome, lightly placing a kiss on his cheek. "I'm sorry," he whispered, then turned and left the room.