Author's Note: Hey everyone, long time no update....again....But now, the (possibly) long awaited update—chapter 8!! Once again, I apologize, but I seriously doubt I'll be updating again for awhile, 1) because I've been so busy this summer that I have to do all my summer reading within a week or two, while band camp is going on and, 2) because I believe I've only got a chapter or two more that I've already written...so, please enjoy this chapter, and I hope it'll be good enough to hold you all over till the next one! R.A.

Disclaimer: Not mine....

Review Thanks:

Hinote Kitsune Nikore: Well, it's good to know that someone thinks I leave cliffhangers . Anyway, I'm really glad you liked it and I hope you keep reading (sorry if it takes a really long time to get the whole thing posted....)

Devil: Ah, believe, I kinda considered that, but I think it's more amusing to have Tasuki and Miki together because, let's face it; I'm a sucker for couples that bicker. Plus, I figured that Nuri and Miki would have a friendship bond with their common ground: cross dresser. (Not to mention I've got other things in mind for Nuriko) That's just my take on it, but I hope you'll continue reading even though it's not a Nuri/Miki fic.

Chapter 8: Fun on the Town

"Alright, the coast is clear. Let's go!"

Nuriko and Miki sprinted across the palace gardens to a small side gate. The gatekeeper, who was a friend of Nuriko's, let them out without a word.

Silently, Nuriko led Miki to a small house near the palace. He knocked a pattern on the door, and it was immediately opened by and elegant old woman.

"Ko-chan! Come in! It's so good to see you!" the old woman exclaimed as she led the two into a modest sitting room. "Is this your friend?"

"Hai. This is Miki, Li-chan. Miki, this is my friend Lili."

Lili winked at Miki. "I found out Ko-chan much the way he found out you. Your secret will be safe with me."

"Thank you so much, Lili-san," said Miki, sighing with relief.

Lili shook her head, "No, no, my dear, call me Li-chan."

"Alright....Li-chan."

"Good! Now I understand you want to go shopping for girls' clothes, but you haven't any with you to wear at the moment."

Miki nodded, and Nuriko piped up, "We were hoping you had kept your vast clothes collection from your days with the harem. We just need something to get us into the market."

Li-chan chuckled, "I think I could find something."

Nuriko nudged Miki, "koffclotheshorsekoff"

Miki snickered while Li-chan pretended to look offended. "You're still an imp, I see, Ko-chan."

Nuriko grinned cheekily.

"Alright, let's get Miki some clothes, ok?"

In thirty minutes, a newly re-feminized Miki and cross-dressing Nuriko left Li-chan's house and headed for the crowded market place.

Miki stared at all the stalls and people as she let Nuriko drag her through the maze of color to his favorite clothing stall—for women's clothing, that is. The girl gasped in delight at all the pretty clothes, and she soon had two piles (one in her arms, the other in Nuriko's) of beautiful robes and skirts and such to try on.

At first, only Miki was trying on clothes, but she was having so much fun that Nuriko just had to join in. The two friends were soon giggling and posing for each other, having their own fashion show. What they didn't realize was that they were causing a traffic jam—whenever the two came out of the changing stalls to show each other their clothes, anyone who happened to be passing by could see them, too. Needless to say, word spread quickly and soon practically all the men who were in the marketplace were standing outside Miki and Nuriko's stalls, waiting for the two beautiful "women" to come out again.

Even though they were totally oblivious to their audience, they were such natural models (and of course beauties) that they gained a gaggle of admirers.

It just so happened that our favorite little pyro-maniac also chanced upon the news of the impromptu "fashion show". Now, Tasuki was sulking because he hadn't had anything to do at the palace—everyone was busy or had disappeared /somewhere/. So, since he had nothing better to do, he had gone to the market. Luckily for him, he'd run into Kouji.

It was when they were wandering around that the two bandits heard of the two beauties. However, it was all Kouji could do to convince Tasuki that they should check it out.

Kouji growled in frustration, "Damn! We're never gonna get ta see /anything/! Come on, Gen!" He pushed roughly through the crowd, dragging a grumbling Tasuki behind him.

Suddenly he stopped short, causing Tasuki to crash into him. Kouji let out a low whistle, "Shit, man! They /are/ gorgeous! Especially the short one...yowza!"

Tasuki dusted himself off and took a look at the two women......and burst into hysterical laughter. Kouji glared at him. "Wha'so funny?"

"Tha-that's Nuriko! Holy flamin' Suzaku!!! You've got the hots fer /Nuriko/!!"

Kouji looked indignant, "And......."

Tasuki just shook his head, "Come wi' me." He led Kouji over to Nuriko. "Yo, Nuri! Whatcha doin' man?"

Nuriko, who had been showing off a kimono to Miki, turned around, "Huh? What're you doing here, Tasuki?"

The bandit rolled his eyes. "Figgers. Din'cha know you an' yer frien' 'ave captured the hearts of every man in the city wi' yer lil' fashion show?"

Nuriko's eyes widened and he stared at Miki. The two then stared out at the crowd. "Aaaaahhhh!!!!" The "models" dove into their dressing room. Tasuki and Kouji followed at a more sedate pace.

"Really, Nuriko, you should.....know....better...." Tasuki trailed off, having finally taken a good look at Nuriko's friend. He blushed, "Nuriko, who's yer frien'?"

Nuriko turned to Miki, giving her a wink as he pulled the girl forward.

Miki whispered urgently, "What if he recognizes me?"

The seishi gave her a look, "Puh-leese....it's /Tasuki/!" Then he said in a normal voice, "This is my friend....Mikaela. Mikaela, this is Tasuki."

Miki looked down, suddenly shy, "Nice to meet you, Tasuki."

Tasuki blushed some more, elbowing Kouji when he snickered, "It's my pleasure, Mikaela."

Kouji cleared his throat, "If yer done droolin', Gen, why don' ya introduce me to Nuriko. And tell me wha's so damn funny while yer at it!"

Tasuki snorted, "Nuri, this 'ere's Kouji. Kouji, Nuriko."

Nuriko batted his eyelashes cutely, "Hi, Kouji."

The red-haired seishi rolled his eyes, "Don' lead 'im on, Nuriko. He doesn't remember you."

Kouji looked puzzled, "Remember her? Why would I?"

"Yer a bloody genius, aren' ya Kouji...Don' ya 'member when you'n the gang captured Miaka?"

Kouji shrugged, "Yeah, so?"

Tasuki sighed, "Alrigh'...I'll make it easy. Imagine Nuriko in guy's clothes."

The bandit was silent for a minute, then he looked at Nuriko, then seemed to be concentrating really hard for another five minutes. All of a sudden he yelled, "Oh!"

Tasuki, Nuriko, and Mikaela sweatdropped. "D'ya unnerstand what was amusin' now, Kouji?" asked Tasuki.

"Yeah! Nuriko's a feminist who likes to wear boy's clothes!"

"D'oh! NO!! Nuriko is... a... MAN!!" Tasuki yelled in frustration.

"Really?" Kouji eyed Nuriko. "I guess she's a little flat..."

Nuriko sighed, "Yoo-hoo! I /am/ still here, ya know. And yes, I am male and I do cross-dress from time to time. But someone as pretty as me should wear pretty things. Gotta problem with it?"

Kouji gulped as Nuriko cracked his knuckles menacingly, "No, o' course not!"

Said cross-dresser grinned, "Ok, now that that's fixed, let's move on! Hey, Kaela, you want to go to a different set of stalls where we're not so...uh...famous?"

Mikaela sighed in relief, "Yes!! Let's split!"

Nuriko cocked an eyebrow at Tasuki. "You boys coming or not?"

A/N: Ok, even though Nuriko cross-dresses, I still think of him as a man. Though of course, Nuriko is Nuriko, so it doesn't really matter: He's just so freakin' lovable! Anyway, sorry if some parts caused any confusion. Hope this chapter is long enough for you guys, cuz it turns out it's actually the last one I have written! Eek!!R.A.