Okay kiddies here we go again. Thanks to those who reviewed. I really,
really, really, rrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllyyyyyyy
appreciate it! And sorry if the format came out a little screwy! Here's
the next installment. Hope you like it!
Miaka found herself running across the open palace grounds, Tamahome's wails chasing after her. Blinded by the tears that had begun to fill her eyes Miaka didn't see the large stone on the ground in front of her until it was too late. She went sprawling to the ground in a heap and cloud of dust.
"Walk much?" a familiar voice asked.
Miaka wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up in confusion. The young man that stood before her had short, dark almost violet hair and was well built without being too muscular. His face was clean shaven and decorated with small, deep, scars from countless battles. The voice sounded so familiar, yet the face did not match.
"You don't talk much do you? Hey Korine! Come over here!"
Korine? But that was...Nuriko's dead sister. What was going on? A young woman who appeared about the same age of the young man came to stand in front of her. They were almost identical in appearenc except where one wore their hair short the other had long flowing locks that trailed down their back.
"N-Nuriko?"
"Huh? Do I know you?"
Nuriko bent down to get a closer look the girl on the ground. She didn't look familiar, but then again a lot of strange people had been caught wandering around the palace grounds lately. But there was something different about this one. Something that set her apart from the others. He just couldn't place his finger on it.
"Well? Answer me!"
"No, I guess you don't," Miaka replied sadly.
"Then how do you know me?"
"Look at her robe. She's probably his majesty's new consort."
"Most likely, though I didn't think he would ever replace Lady Houki."
"I never knew he liked them so young."
"Well, whatever the case, as the Emperor's guard it is our duty to escourt her back to his chambers."
"You don't understand! I'm not-"
"Quiet! You can tell the Emperor himself why his consort was discovered coming out of the prison."
It was at that moment, when Nuriko pulled Miaka roughly to her feet that she really noticed him and his sister. They both wore red armor with a sword belted loosely in place at their side. Carved into the armor was the symbol for Suzaku, the gaurdian of the south. She followed quietly behind them, unsure of what to think. Nuriko had never been a part of the Emporer's gaurd and Korine...well, she had never lived to become the young woman Miaka now saw. She looked fragile and almost delicate next to her brother, but the look in her eyes was a haunting one. Something, or someone had scared her badly, and somehow it didn't seem likely that that person had survived.
Miaka was brought back to the palace and taken directly to Hotohori's chambers. It wasn't exactly Miaka's number one place to be at the moment.She wasn't quite sure that she could face Hotohori after seeing Tamahome. They were all so different. None of them were the same. But then again, maybe this was her punishment for failing.
"What has happened?" Hotohori asked when the trio entered his chambers.
"Your highness, we found this girl wandering the yard. We thought you might be looking for her," Nuriko said, shoving Miaka roughly forward.
"Oh? And what was she doing wandering the grounds alone?"
"We don't quite know sire. She came running out of the palace dungeon when we found her," Korine replied.
"Indeed. Leave us. I will deal with this matter myself."
"But your majesty-"
"But nothing. I will deal with this Nuriko. Return to your posts."
"Yes your majesty."
Miaka watched in stunned silence as the sister and brother walked out of Hotohori's chambers and returned to their duty.The old Nuriko wouldn't have given up so easily. He would've kept nagging until something happened. The Nuriko she had known wasn't so cold and distant. Then again, this wasn't the same Nuriko. Something had changed. This whole place was different.
"Miaka, please join me. Tell me of your visit with Tamahome."
Miaka looked to where the Emperor wanted her to sit and came very close to saying no, but the look in his eyes made her heart ache. This Hotohori had experienced so much pain. She felt almost obligated to sit beside him and pour her heart out to him. After all, it wasn't exactly like there was anyone else she could really talk to about this anyway.
"It didn't go very well."
"What didn't?"
"My visit to Tamahome. He's-he's so different. The Tamahome I knew was caring and friendly. The man you have in the dungeon doesn't even come close to resembling the man I knew. Sure, he looks like Tamahome, and even talks like him, but it's not him."
"Perhaps it is a sign," Hotohori replied, gently placing his hand over Miaka's.
"What do you mean? What kind of sign?"
"Perhaps you were not meant to be with him. Perhaps there is another with whom you are meant to share your love."
"I'm not sure what you mean," Miaka said, scooting a little farther away from the Emperor.
"Then allow me to show you."
Before she could so much as blink, Hotohori pulled Miaka into his arms and kissed her deeply and passionately. Miaka's heart pounded in her chest like a wild animal trapped in a cage. When Hotohori released her, she was breathless. Hotohori watched her with careful eyes, his hands still gently gripping her arms.
"Are you alright Miaka?"
"Yeah, fine."
"I am sorry if I have caused you some sort of discomfort. It was not my intent."
"It's not big deal Hotohoir, really. You just caught me off gaurd. That's all."
"I see."
The silence that followed was thick with discomfort. Miaka had forgotten that even the Hotohori she had known before had had feelings for her. Why should this one be different? Her mind was swirling with heavy thoughts. She truly did love Tamahome, but she could pretend she hadn't heard Hotohori's words. And she couldn't pretend that it didn't hold some semblence of truth. What if it was a sign? What if she truly wasn't meant to be with Tamahome? But how could that be? She loved him so much, how could she not be with him? There had to be a way to fix this.
"I'm sorry, it's getting late, I've gotta go."
Before Hotohori could say a word, Miaka was out the door and half way to her own chambers. She really did not feel like continuing her conversation with Hotohori. She wanted to try and get through to Tamahome again.There had to be a way to get him to believe her. Because if this wasn't meant to be, if she and Tamahome weren't meant to be together, she did not think she could bring herself to truly love Hotohori, or anyone else for that matter. Tamahome was her heart and soul. He could not be replace. Not by the emperor, bot by anyone.
"You're not the Emperor's new consort are you?"
Miaka whirled in surprise to find Nuriko and Korine standing behind her. She looked at the duo and felt a pang of sadness. If only the Nuriko she had known could see what a beautiful young woman his sister had become. He would be so proud.
"No. I'm not."
"Then what are you doing at the palace? Are you some sort of relative?"
"No."
Nuriko and Korine exchanged a glance. What was this strange girl doing here? And why was the emperor making such a big deal about her presence.
"Come on, I'll explain everything," Miaka said, heading for her chambers.
Once they were safely inside the bedchambers Hotohori had given her, Miaka told Korine and Nuriko everything that she had previously told Hotohori. She watched their saddened reactions as she told them of their lives and their deaths.
"This isn't possible. It can't be true."
"But it is! I swear on my life it's true."
"I'm not quite sure why, but for some reason, I believe you," Korine replied.
"How can you say that?" Nuriko demanded angrily.
"Come now brother. Don't you think it's a little strange that that cart just happened to stop only inches away from me? If what she says is true, then I shouldn't be here. I would never have had to endure the things I have."
At that last, Korine's voice dropped to nearly a whisper and tears began to fill her eyes. Something told Miaka that Korine had experienced a deep pain that still ahced today. Someone had done her great wrong, and she never should have endured it.
"True...but you are here. And I am greatful for it. You should count yourself lucky to still be here." Nuriko said.
"In all honesty, I think I would have preferred to die."
Nuriko looked shocked and deeply saddened by this. He loved his sister greatly. They had always been so close as children. The thought of her not being there to grow up with caused him great pain.
"I have to return to duty."
And with that, Nuriko quickly exited the quiet chamber. Miaka had bever seen anyone look so hurt.It broke her heart to see her friend hurting.
"What were you talking about when you said you never would have endured the things you have? If you don't mind me asking that is."
Korine gave Miaka a soeculative look, trying to make up her mind about her. As if she weren't quite sure of what to make of this strange girl.
"Very well. But what I tell you must not leave this room. For only Nuriko and I know of these events."
"I promise. I won't say a word."
"Alright then. Several months back Nuriko and I were sent into Kutou to free some of our men that had been taken hostage. We managed to get our soldiers out of the dungeon and Nuriko was leading them out. I had nearly made it out of the dungeon when i was grabbed from behind. I was taken prisoner by the general of the Kutou army. A cruel and unfeeling man named Nakago. For 4 months I was held hostage. Nakago spent every free moment with me in the dungeon raping and torturing me. He didn't care about the damage he was doing. He only cared about the fact that it would torment my brother to know what he had done to me. he returned me to the palace here in Konan, beaten and bloody, just outside the palace gates. Nuriko was only told that I was beaten, although I'm sure he knows what was done. I have tried to spare him of the greusome details."
"I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say."
"Do not apologise. It was not your fault. It was my own carelessness that got me captured. I should have been more careful of my actions.Now if you will excuse me, I must also return to duty. "
As she reached the door Korine turned to face Miaka.
"Oh, and Miaka?"
"Yeah?"
"I wish you great luck with Tamahome. I'm not sure why, but something tells me that you will succeed. If you found him once, I am sure you can make him understand."
"Thanks."
Of course, that was easier said than done. Tamahome always had been stubborn. Getting him to listen may not be as easy as anyone thought. Gathering up what courage she had in her Miaka quickly changed into her freshly mended clothes and headed once more to the dungeon. There had to be a way to get through to him. There just had to be. Besides, where there was a will, the was a way, right?
The dungeon was nearly void of all sounds as Miaka made her way down the stone steps. Most of the cells were empty, its former occupants long gone. A few still held criminals, but not many. Konan always had been one of the cities with the lowest amount of crimes. She didn't look up as she passed by the few cells that held prisoners, and even managed not to say any of her own scathing remarks when the prisoners decided to start with the cat calls and smart remarks.
"What are you doing here? I thought I told you to leave?" Tamahome said angrily, when Miaka approached his cell.
"And I told you that I didn't care and I still loved you," Miaka replied.
"Love me? You don't even know me! You're just some nut that the emperor picked up to try and make a fool of me. Well I'm not falling for it!"
"Damn it Tamahome, I'm not kidding! Everything I have told you since I first came down here earlier is true! I convinced the emperor to let me come down here earlier to bandage your wounds! He doesn't even know I'm here now. I came back for you! To see you!"
"Why?"
"I've told you. Because I love you."
Tamahome looked her over again. She was definitely strange, but for some reason a part of him believed her. A part of him desperately hoped that her words were true. He had spent too many years alone, too many years wondering when the loneliness and solitude would disappear.
"Tell me again."
"What?"
"The story you told me earlier. Tell it to me again...Please."
Miaka's eyes widened in shock. Maybe it was the fact that he had said please, or maybe because she wanted to believe that she was getting through to him, but she couldn't deny his request. Once again Miaka told Tamahome of what things were like before, when they had all fought together, laughed together, and loved together. When she finally had the courage to look up, Miaka saw that Tamahome's eyes had filled with tears, which he quickly tried to hide.
"Thank you."
"Your welcome," Miaka replied, uncertain of what to do.
"You better get back to your room. The emperor might come looking for you."
"You're right, but...I'll still see you tomorrow...Goodnight Tamahome."
"Goodnight Miaka."
There was still so much left unsaid between them. So much that needed to be said. With a less heavy heart, Miaka headed back to the palace rooms. The sun had already set and night time was well underway. So much time had passed while she was talking to Tamahome, and she hadn't even noticed. That night, as Miaka lay sleeping, loud, brash cries echoed across the palace grounds.
"Sound the alarm! The prisoner has escaped!"
Just as Miaka sat up in bed, a hand came down over her mouth, silencing any cries she may have had.
So what did you think? Good? Bad? Needs a little work? Please R&R! See ya next time kiddies!
Miaka found herself running across the open palace grounds, Tamahome's wails chasing after her. Blinded by the tears that had begun to fill her eyes Miaka didn't see the large stone on the ground in front of her until it was too late. She went sprawling to the ground in a heap and cloud of dust.
"Walk much?" a familiar voice asked.
Miaka wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up in confusion. The young man that stood before her had short, dark almost violet hair and was well built without being too muscular. His face was clean shaven and decorated with small, deep, scars from countless battles. The voice sounded so familiar, yet the face did not match.
"You don't talk much do you? Hey Korine! Come over here!"
Korine? But that was...Nuriko's dead sister. What was going on? A young woman who appeared about the same age of the young man came to stand in front of her. They were almost identical in appearenc except where one wore their hair short the other had long flowing locks that trailed down their back.
"N-Nuriko?"
"Huh? Do I know you?"
Nuriko bent down to get a closer look the girl on the ground. She didn't look familiar, but then again a lot of strange people had been caught wandering around the palace grounds lately. But there was something different about this one. Something that set her apart from the others. He just couldn't place his finger on it.
"Well? Answer me!"
"No, I guess you don't," Miaka replied sadly.
"Then how do you know me?"
"Look at her robe. She's probably his majesty's new consort."
"Most likely, though I didn't think he would ever replace Lady Houki."
"I never knew he liked them so young."
"Well, whatever the case, as the Emperor's guard it is our duty to escourt her back to his chambers."
"You don't understand! I'm not-"
"Quiet! You can tell the Emperor himself why his consort was discovered coming out of the prison."
It was at that moment, when Nuriko pulled Miaka roughly to her feet that she really noticed him and his sister. They both wore red armor with a sword belted loosely in place at their side. Carved into the armor was the symbol for Suzaku, the gaurdian of the south. She followed quietly behind them, unsure of what to think. Nuriko had never been a part of the Emporer's gaurd and Korine...well, she had never lived to become the young woman Miaka now saw. She looked fragile and almost delicate next to her brother, but the look in her eyes was a haunting one. Something, or someone had scared her badly, and somehow it didn't seem likely that that person had survived.
Miaka was brought back to the palace and taken directly to Hotohori's chambers. It wasn't exactly Miaka's number one place to be at the moment.She wasn't quite sure that she could face Hotohori after seeing Tamahome. They were all so different. None of them were the same. But then again, maybe this was her punishment for failing.
"What has happened?" Hotohori asked when the trio entered his chambers.
"Your highness, we found this girl wandering the yard. We thought you might be looking for her," Nuriko said, shoving Miaka roughly forward.
"Oh? And what was she doing wandering the grounds alone?"
"We don't quite know sire. She came running out of the palace dungeon when we found her," Korine replied.
"Indeed. Leave us. I will deal with this matter myself."
"But your majesty-"
"But nothing. I will deal with this Nuriko. Return to your posts."
"Yes your majesty."
Miaka watched in stunned silence as the sister and brother walked out of Hotohori's chambers and returned to their duty.The old Nuriko wouldn't have given up so easily. He would've kept nagging until something happened. The Nuriko she had known wasn't so cold and distant. Then again, this wasn't the same Nuriko. Something had changed. This whole place was different.
"Miaka, please join me. Tell me of your visit with Tamahome."
Miaka looked to where the Emperor wanted her to sit and came very close to saying no, but the look in his eyes made her heart ache. This Hotohori had experienced so much pain. She felt almost obligated to sit beside him and pour her heart out to him. After all, it wasn't exactly like there was anyone else she could really talk to about this anyway.
"It didn't go very well."
"What didn't?"
"My visit to Tamahome. He's-he's so different. The Tamahome I knew was caring and friendly. The man you have in the dungeon doesn't even come close to resembling the man I knew. Sure, he looks like Tamahome, and even talks like him, but it's not him."
"Perhaps it is a sign," Hotohori replied, gently placing his hand over Miaka's.
"What do you mean? What kind of sign?"
"Perhaps you were not meant to be with him. Perhaps there is another with whom you are meant to share your love."
"I'm not sure what you mean," Miaka said, scooting a little farther away from the Emperor.
"Then allow me to show you."
Before she could so much as blink, Hotohori pulled Miaka into his arms and kissed her deeply and passionately. Miaka's heart pounded in her chest like a wild animal trapped in a cage. When Hotohori released her, she was breathless. Hotohori watched her with careful eyes, his hands still gently gripping her arms.
"Are you alright Miaka?"
"Yeah, fine."
"I am sorry if I have caused you some sort of discomfort. It was not my intent."
"It's not big deal Hotohoir, really. You just caught me off gaurd. That's all."
"I see."
The silence that followed was thick with discomfort. Miaka had forgotten that even the Hotohori she had known before had had feelings for her. Why should this one be different? Her mind was swirling with heavy thoughts. She truly did love Tamahome, but she could pretend she hadn't heard Hotohori's words. And she couldn't pretend that it didn't hold some semblence of truth. What if it was a sign? What if she truly wasn't meant to be with Tamahome? But how could that be? She loved him so much, how could she not be with him? There had to be a way to fix this.
"I'm sorry, it's getting late, I've gotta go."
Before Hotohori could say a word, Miaka was out the door and half way to her own chambers. She really did not feel like continuing her conversation with Hotohori. She wanted to try and get through to Tamahome again.There had to be a way to get him to believe her. Because if this wasn't meant to be, if she and Tamahome weren't meant to be together, she did not think she could bring herself to truly love Hotohori, or anyone else for that matter. Tamahome was her heart and soul. He could not be replace. Not by the emperor, bot by anyone.
"You're not the Emperor's new consort are you?"
Miaka whirled in surprise to find Nuriko and Korine standing behind her. She looked at the duo and felt a pang of sadness. If only the Nuriko she had known could see what a beautiful young woman his sister had become. He would be so proud.
"No. I'm not."
"Then what are you doing at the palace? Are you some sort of relative?"
"No."
Nuriko and Korine exchanged a glance. What was this strange girl doing here? And why was the emperor making such a big deal about her presence.
"Come on, I'll explain everything," Miaka said, heading for her chambers.
Once they were safely inside the bedchambers Hotohori had given her, Miaka told Korine and Nuriko everything that she had previously told Hotohori. She watched their saddened reactions as she told them of their lives and their deaths.
"This isn't possible. It can't be true."
"But it is! I swear on my life it's true."
"I'm not quite sure why, but for some reason, I believe you," Korine replied.
"How can you say that?" Nuriko demanded angrily.
"Come now brother. Don't you think it's a little strange that that cart just happened to stop only inches away from me? If what she says is true, then I shouldn't be here. I would never have had to endure the things I have."
At that last, Korine's voice dropped to nearly a whisper and tears began to fill her eyes. Something told Miaka that Korine had experienced a deep pain that still ahced today. Someone had done her great wrong, and she never should have endured it.
"True...but you are here. And I am greatful for it. You should count yourself lucky to still be here." Nuriko said.
"In all honesty, I think I would have preferred to die."
Nuriko looked shocked and deeply saddened by this. He loved his sister greatly. They had always been so close as children. The thought of her not being there to grow up with caused him great pain.
"I have to return to duty."
And with that, Nuriko quickly exited the quiet chamber. Miaka had bever seen anyone look so hurt.It broke her heart to see her friend hurting.
"What were you talking about when you said you never would have endured the things you have? If you don't mind me asking that is."
Korine gave Miaka a soeculative look, trying to make up her mind about her. As if she weren't quite sure of what to make of this strange girl.
"Very well. But what I tell you must not leave this room. For only Nuriko and I know of these events."
"I promise. I won't say a word."
"Alright then. Several months back Nuriko and I were sent into Kutou to free some of our men that had been taken hostage. We managed to get our soldiers out of the dungeon and Nuriko was leading them out. I had nearly made it out of the dungeon when i was grabbed from behind. I was taken prisoner by the general of the Kutou army. A cruel and unfeeling man named Nakago. For 4 months I was held hostage. Nakago spent every free moment with me in the dungeon raping and torturing me. He didn't care about the damage he was doing. He only cared about the fact that it would torment my brother to know what he had done to me. he returned me to the palace here in Konan, beaten and bloody, just outside the palace gates. Nuriko was only told that I was beaten, although I'm sure he knows what was done. I have tried to spare him of the greusome details."
"I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say."
"Do not apologise. It was not your fault. It was my own carelessness that got me captured. I should have been more careful of my actions.Now if you will excuse me, I must also return to duty. "
As she reached the door Korine turned to face Miaka.
"Oh, and Miaka?"
"Yeah?"
"I wish you great luck with Tamahome. I'm not sure why, but something tells me that you will succeed. If you found him once, I am sure you can make him understand."
"Thanks."
Of course, that was easier said than done. Tamahome always had been stubborn. Getting him to listen may not be as easy as anyone thought. Gathering up what courage she had in her Miaka quickly changed into her freshly mended clothes and headed once more to the dungeon. There had to be a way to get through to him. There just had to be. Besides, where there was a will, the was a way, right?
The dungeon was nearly void of all sounds as Miaka made her way down the stone steps. Most of the cells were empty, its former occupants long gone. A few still held criminals, but not many. Konan always had been one of the cities with the lowest amount of crimes. She didn't look up as she passed by the few cells that held prisoners, and even managed not to say any of her own scathing remarks when the prisoners decided to start with the cat calls and smart remarks.
"What are you doing here? I thought I told you to leave?" Tamahome said angrily, when Miaka approached his cell.
"And I told you that I didn't care and I still loved you," Miaka replied.
"Love me? You don't even know me! You're just some nut that the emperor picked up to try and make a fool of me. Well I'm not falling for it!"
"Damn it Tamahome, I'm not kidding! Everything I have told you since I first came down here earlier is true! I convinced the emperor to let me come down here earlier to bandage your wounds! He doesn't even know I'm here now. I came back for you! To see you!"
"Why?"
"I've told you. Because I love you."
Tamahome looked her over again. She was definitely strange, but for some reason a part of him believed her. A part of him desperately hoped that her words were true. He had spent too many years alone, too many years wondering when the loneliness and solitude would disappear.
"Tell me again."
"What?"
"The story you told me earlier. Tell it to me again...Please."
Miaka's eyes widened in shock. Maybe it was the fact that he had said please, or maybe because she wanted to believe that she was getting through to him, but she couldn't deny his request. Once again Miaka told Tamahome of what things were like before, when they had all fought together, laughed together, and loved together. When she finally had the courage to look up, Miaka saw that Tamahome's eyes had filled with tears, which he quickly tried to hide.
"Thank you."
"Your welcome," Miaka replied, uncertain of what to do.
"You better get back to your room. The emperor might come looking for you."
"You're right, but...I'll still see you tomorrow...Goodnight Tamahome."
"Goodnight Miaka."
There was still so much left unsaid between them. So much that needed to be said. With a less heavy heart, Miaka headed back to the palace rooms. The sun had already set and night time was well underway. So much time had passed while she was talking to Tamahome, and she hadn't even noticed. That night, as Miaka lay sleeping, loud, brash cries echoed across the palace grounds.
"Sound the alarm! The prisoner has escaped!"
Just as Miaka sat up in bed, a hand came down over her mouth, silencing any cries she may have had.
So what did you think? Good? Bad? Needs a little work? Please R&R! See ya next time kiddies!