A/N: I'm stating the disclaimer now. The poem is mine. Fushigi Yugi is not, and as much as I want it to, will never be mine.

To Cry on a Loved One's Shoulder

"I'm so glad . . . I met you all," he whispered. "To be with you together . . . to fight side by side with you . . . to comfort you . . . to laugh with you . . . to simply spend life as a time waster . . . no, as a time to understand each other more.

"Miaka . . ." he looked to her. A weak smile spread across his face. "Thank you . . . for teaching me so many things . . . Good-bye . . . and know I will be watching over you . . ."

His voice faded as his life slipped away and he closed his magenta eyes for the very last time. He died smiling.

A single tear rolled down Tamahome's cheek.

Life slips slowly away like sand
So be here with me as I stand
Together under the fading light
To watch as our dreams take flight

She woke crying. She lay still, tears dripping down to soak in the sheets. Her heart felt so empty . . . she sat up and looked around. Everyone was asleep. The blank space in the midst of their group stood out like a horrible tattoo. A pang of grief lanced through her heart. That used to be where he slept, she thought. Everyone's just too used to this layout; no one's filling in the space. But then again, no one would really want to. He'd been a friend to everyone, and too many memories lay with him, up alone on the mountaintop, an oh-so-peaceful smile forever playing on his lips.

You saw my eyes meet yours
With your key you opened my heart's doors
And with that the ice has melted away
And your smiling face is here to stay

A soft hand touched her shoulder. She looked up. Tamahome's grey eyes met hers.

"You still thinking of him?" he asked hoarsely.

She nodded.

"I miss him," she managed to croak out.

"So do I." His voice sounded painfully tight. "So does everyone else. He is . . . was . . . a great friend. No one could forget him. I sure won't."

"He used to be so mean." She confessed, trying to swallow the painful lump in her throat. "And then he was really nice. And now he's . . . ."

Tamahome held her tightly as she was overwhelmed with tears.

When you passed on my tears were for you
I heard your voice as the wind blew
I will never forget our days of bliss
But without you here my life is amiss

That morning as they moved on, she gazed back at the mountain. He's up there . . . somewhere, she thought. Reluctantly she turned to face the front. The six remaining Suzaku Seishi and the Priestess of Suzaku rode in silence. Wind whispered past her ear.

"I'm right here . . ."

It's him. She knew immediately that it was.

Farewell. We're going to miss you.

Thank you . . . for being there with me.

Farewell, Celestial Warrior of Suzaku.

Farewell, Seishi of the Willow,

Farewell . . . Nuriko.

For your sake, I will carry on
Even though you are forever gone
Your face, your voice, will stay till the end
I am proud to call you my very best friend