CAST:
Miakaede: Kaede Rukawa (Miaka)
Tamakira: Akira Sendoh (Tamahome)
Hotosashi: Hisashi Mitsui (Hotohori)
Nurikenji: Kenji Fujima (Nuriko)
Chirikoshino: Hiroaki Koshino (Chiriko)
Chichitoru: Toru Hanagata (Chichiru)
Mitsugami: Ryoji Ikegami (Mitsukake)
Taskuragi: Hanamichi Sakuragi (Taski)
Yohei Mito (Reader)
Tetsuo (Reader)
Makigo: Shinichi Maki (Nakago)
Kiyuita: Kiyota Nobunaga (Yui)
Soi-ichiro: Soichiro Jin (Soi)
Miyaboshi: Ryota Miyagi (Amiboshi)
Moroboshi: Dai Morohoshi (Suboshi)
Tomoichi: Hikoichi Aida (Tomo)
PART VIII
In the kingdom of Hotosashi,
Rukawa was finding it very hard to cope with everyone for he was becoming more irritable each day. He didn't like their custom, clothing, accent and sometimes even the food. Though it was a hard situation, he managed to be glad at times every time the emperor talked to him. He didn't care much if the lady Nurikenji was with him very often but the fact that the two will soon be married enraged him.
Kuso! I have to take Hisashi away from that cross dressing freak, he's been a great hindrance between me and, argh…whatever, I will have him if that's the last thing I'd do and bring him back to where we were.
He was then walking along the gardens when he saw two tall figures on a small bridge among the mini pond. The shorter figure was holding an umbrella while the taller one was holding the other's left hand with both of his.
"Lady Nurikenji, fairest in this world, most beloved of your people, you are the stars that illuminate all the darkness in this world and I am not but a being who looks up to you. Never would I deserve you nor your greatness not even in my second lifetime for it is only the emperor who deserves you." Tamakira told Nurikenji.
"Does it matter, my lord? What makes you think that my love has no chance against this barrier? Tell me, what can I do to win your heart for I have never felt anything like this for anyone—even for the emperor. Do you hear me, Tamakira?" Pause for effect. "I am the Lady of Shoyokkaido and I love you. I am willing to give up what I have: my title, my riches, and even the emperor's love. I don't care what he would think of this but as long as I am with you…" Nurikenji's words trailed off, the corner of his eyes were filled with tears but nothing fell. Tamakira let go of his hand.
"My lady, I love you but no more than I love the emperor himself, for the love that you ask of me I save for someone else." Tamakira answered, his voice was very sad but he said this with conviction. Tears began to stream from Nurikenji's eyes. Tamakira wiped them off gently. "My lady, the emperor awaits, he-" before Tamakira could finish, Nurikenji turned away from him and made his way to the palace. Tamakira sighed sadly and leaned on the railing of the bridge watching the pond.
Rukawa stood there, he didn't hear anything nor did he know what they had talked about for he didn't bother hearing. For him, everything was clear, that the two were lovers.
What the hell is he thinking? He's gay…they're both gay. Whatever, good for me that Kenji or Nurikenji wouldn't go hitting on my Hisashi. Rukawa thought viciously. He stood there still for he was waiting for Tamakira to leave and he didn't want to be seen.
At last, Tamakira left. He watched as he entered the palace. Rukawa turned to go and when he did, he was surprised to see Hotosashi standing before him. He stared at the emperor for awhile, Rukawa's face still expressionless though his heart was almost out of his chest. Hotosashi spoke,
"My lady, why do you stand here alone? Are you waiting for a certain someone, Tamakira for instance?"
Rukawa almost twitched at this but he managed to shake his head.
"I see, then will you go with me and give you a tour of the city? The Lady Nurikenji had just refused my offer…just you and me in the carriage, will you?" Hotosashi, blushing slightly, asked him almost pleadingly.
Rukawa didn't know how to answer though he was more than glad to exclaim 'yes' with a couple of exclamation marks. However, he just nodded. He wasn't really pleased with the fact that Hotosashi asked Nurikenji first.
He already dumped you for Tamakira, that Nurikenji. He almost blurted out if he was the type of person. Whatever, I think he's asking me out… yeah I think he's asking me out. Such thought swam in his head as he followed the emperor to the carriage.
Inside, Rukawa longed to put his arm around Hotosahi's shoulder but thought better of it, he knew it would be rude to do such foolishness, all the same he watched him intently as their carriage passed through the woods. The emperor was very silent and his glance was afar, he seemed to be slightly troubled.
Could it be that he knew of Nurikenji and Tamakira's treachery? Is it the reason of this strange behavior of his and that he is in deep pain? What made him fall in love with that girly lad when he has me or he can have me anytime? We've been in the same team and practice session everyday, ever since he rejoined the club, it wouldn't be rational if he fell in love with Shoyo's ace, and they've seen each other twice in their lives only and we…we were together for like, forever already. Oh Hisashi that Nurikenji is no good for you…Rukawa's mind was raving with such ridiculous thoughts, it was the first time he experienced such difficulty when he was in confusion, until,
"Would you like to walk in the woods of Shohokuto? It's wonderful, this you should see," Hotosashi asked Rukawa as he held his hand to lead him out of the carriage. As they walked deeper in the vast forest of Shohokuto, Hotosashi halted and so did Rukawa, the emperor leaned closer to him as Rukawa's insides convulsed with butterflies.
"Miakaede, is there something between you and my steward, Tamakira?"
It was the first time Hotosashi called him by the name alone.
"Something what?" Rukawa returned a stupid question for he didn't get it.
"Has love grown between you?"
Rukawa wanted to wring Hotosahi's neck but quickly recovered. Whatever, he's just jealous. "Hell no." he answered flatly. Although Hotosashi had never heard such answer before he understood what Rukawa meant.
"I see, then I must be fortunate-I mean-mistaken," the emperor said.
Is he hitting on me? Rukawa thought joyfully and passionately. Yeah, I think he's hitting on me… But before he could continue his nonsense daydreaming Hotosashi had held him very close to his face and before he could react Hotosashi's lips touched his very own. Rukawa seemed as though he was going to faint, his knees were as soft as jellyfish. He's hitting on me all right. He thought as he returned his kiss wanting to stay like that forever. Hisashi, I knew you felt the same way. Before he could cherish the moment any longer,
"Well, well, well, look at this, lovers under the sun doing what they're not supposed to," a voice said in maximum volume and extremely rude tone.
Rukawa turned away from the emperor quickly, he was so disturbed that he didn't realize that the voice was very familiar. Hotosashi turned to look who it was.
Three figures appeared behind the bushes, one of them was remarkably tall, even taller than Rukawa. From the shadows they stepped forward.
TBC
A/N: If you review, we'll keep posting.