Chapter 2:Uneasy Guest

Tasuki

My eyes slowly opened from the gleaming sun. I rubbed my amber orbs, annoyed from the sun's light. Thoughts about yesterday suddenly flooded my mind; I sighed. Nuriko's statements were annoyingly teasing as usual. But there was some point in them. Then agian, why should the girl die? Why was that creature after her anyway? Once again I let out a distilled sigh. Most likely Chiriko or Chichiri would've had an answer anyway. Before I had gone to bed I walked in on them chatting it up about the subject.

Finally I lazily pushed myself off the bed landing on the floor. There was a sudden sound of muffled giggling in my doorway. And before I got the chance to look at the culprit they had disappeared. My annoyance raised slightly.

I stumbled through the chambers, yawning all the while. A bright chipper voice suddenly chirped behind me.

"Tasuki!" Breakfast is ready!"Miaka smiled brightly as I turned around.

"Yeah Yeah, I'll be there soon."

She sniffed and walked away. As I made my way towards the dining room I caught a

glimpse of Mikomi looking about as groggy as I imagine I looked. She shuffled towards the dining room, to where I headed. Until she turned the wrong way. I quickly followed her and put a hand on her shoulder; she spun back, surprised.

"U-um..."

"If your goin towards the Dining room your headin the wrong way."

"Oh...ok"

"Just follow me an you won't get lost."

She simply nodded towards me and I sighed. What a somber girl.

"Good morning Mikomi! Tasuki!" Nuriko smiled as we entered the room. Miaka had already devoured down her food as well as Tamahome's. The other's seemed a bit busy

eating...or at least keeping their food away from Miaka.

"Mornin" I said dazed.

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Tamahome

"Well I'm sure it said nothing in the book." Miaka stated. It was breakfast time and we had gathered to talk about what had happened in the days past. How the mysterious guest came to be in Konan, and more importantly why she was here.

"Maybe the story is supposed to go on." Miaka piped again. "Like a sequel?"

"I'm not sure about that..."

It was strange to see an uneasy gaze in Chichiri's normally masked joyous face...disturbing even. Then again this whole situation was disturbing.

With a fluttered sigh Nuriko kicked back.

"This is all so confusing..."

I rubbed my temples, feeling the beginning of a headache to come on.

"Well it's no use trying to figure this thing out on an empty stomach. We need brain food right Miaka? Well...at least I need mine considering you ate both mine and yours..."

I glanced at Miaka who grinned at me with undeniable glee. With the mere hint of food Miaka could brighten up at any moment. That's part of the reason I loved her. A smile painted my face.

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Mikomi

I had not been interested with the other's talk of the book and how I got here, Nor had I been interested in the feast that was prepared. I never had that much of a knack for food. I could go for quite awhile without food. At last I got tired of the other's idle chatter and stood up.

"I'm not hungry, sorry."

The chair scraped along the ground, and I pushed it back.

"Where are you going?"

I merely flashed at Nuriko and shook my head.

Leaving, I never glanced back as I walked around randomly without a destination.

Lazily walking by a certain pond every Fushigi Yugi fan should know of I stared out at the morning vista; the smell of country air filling up my nostrils. Suddenly I awoke from my momentary trance as I heard soft footsteps among the chirping of birds. Spinning around I met the gaze of the man known as Hotohori. His amber orbs settled upon me quietly. He was very tall, much taller than I was anyway, making me turn my head upwards. His casual garments still were quite royal. Even when he didn't seem to want to look elegant he had a hint of grace within him, which didn't exclude him even now.

"What is it!? I already told them I wasn't hungry."I snapped a tad bit crudely making me fill up with regretful guilt.

"I came to see if you were alright." I frowned as I felt all the more guiltier. Eyeing his wound that was caused during the battle I sighed.

"I apologize for my rudeness.... I'm alright...are you?"

"I'll be fine. As a Suzaku seishi I've been through much worse."

A slight smile tugged at my lips; he was very kind. I had assumed all emperors and kings and such were very self-centered, which was a bad accusation. I punished myself for being stereotypical. Then a question came to mind.

"Um...Mr. Hotohori....Your Highness....may I please ask you something?"

He turned toward me and smiled warmly.

"You may ask me anything that you wish."

"Is it hard?...Being an emperor, that is."

He wavered for a second, as if pondering about the question.

"If your question is answered, will you consider eating with the rest of us?"

I sneered, annoyed with his proposition.

"....Just forget it..."

"If I must." He turned to leave, and all I was left with was mixed emotions.

I couldn't have that...I didn't need to be so unnecessarily unpleasant. Nor anyone disliking me,

"Wait."

He turned slowly, the same warm expression in his face.

"Yes?"

"I'll go...I'll eat with you... But you have to tell me your answer right after okay?"

A smile.

"Of course."

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Tamahome

As usual, Miaka was stuffing her face with food at breakneck speed.

Hotohori and Mikomi entered the room. Mikomi looked upset...I wondered why.

"I'm really sorry I started without you!" Miaka chirped brightly to the late pair. Food was hanging from her cheeks. From the corner of my eye, I saw Mikomi scoff. It made me feel... uncomfortable.

"Hey Mikomi! Sit by me, Fang boy here won't mind!"

Nuriko grinned with mischief in her eyes at Tasuki as he returned with a glare. Nuriko playfully shoved the flame-haired bandit off his seat and urged Mikomi to sit. I could see the uncomfortable yet amusing smug look of her face plainly. Interesting how a person's features could change so quickly.

Nevertheless, the conversation continued on.

"Mikomi, we were just speaking on the matter of how you made your presence here, correct Chichiri?"

Chirchiri nodded to Hotohori.

"Yes, But a conclusion was not reached Na no da....So we decided that we need to go pay a visit to Tai Itsukun noda!"

"Tai Itsukun...?" Mikomi's face was bathed in confusion."Who....is that?"

"It's an oracle" A childish voice spoke. Though a wise one at that."Our oracle"

"Ah....what will she do?"

"She may know what has happened. Why or how anyway."

"Oh I see...what will happen if she doesn't know what to do?"

"We'll just have to find out"

"Oh..." The look on Mikomi's face was discouraged.

"Don't worry! Most likely she'll know what to do Noda!"

I looked amidst my companion's faces, each one of them with a look of wonderment. I looked at Miaka's cheerful face, then at Chichiri's now joyful expression. Chiriko's wide yet cute eyes, and Hotohori's gentle expression. Mitsukake's quiet facade. Nuriko's mischievousness as well as Tasuki's gumpy grimace. And finally my own expression. Despite it al,l I knew we were all wondering the same thing. What adventure would this bring us all to this time?

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End Chapter 2.

Sorry, I just had to put that there XD

Ah, well, not much action in Chapter two at all! Fairly short too But I know the next chapter will have much more action But I'd just like to explain one thing before I continue. Why Mikomi's attitude....Why? Good character development!. Lol , I planned for her to be not so kind and regretful and angsty, But surly that will change as time goes on- Kind of like an anti-hero, or Anti-Miaka. And it may seem that I despise Miaka and Tamahome, and have an obsession with Tasuki and Hotohori....But that's not true at all! I like Tamahome and Miaka, But I didn't like Miaka until recent. At first I despised her OO;;, but over time I thought, Why shouldn't I like her? She's always upbeat, she cares a great amount for her friends, and she's willing to make sacrifices for others. So I think she's decent- And Yes I do have an obsession With Hotohori and Tasuki XD The negativity is due to...(once again) character development! So there ya have it! This explanation is due to my paranoia! XD Till next time! Thank you for Reading Hope and Escape!

Jenn-Bugg, a.k.a Oniookami.