For once we'll skip the AN's! Here's the revamped chapter seven. I hope it's better than the original version!!
We Will Meet Again
Chapter Seven: Friends, and "Friends"
Miaka lay in bed staring at the ceiling. She hadn't slept very well. She had kept replaying the entire scene with Taka the evening before in her head all night long. After thinking it over for the millionth time, Miaka finally came to the decision that she had been too hard on him, and much too short. It was just… she had been so mad. Ever since she could remember, Tamahome, and Taka after that, had seemed to be able to sweet talk their way out of trouble with her. She loved him – she did – and the things he said to her were undeniably sweet and heartfelt. It was just that after having had the same thing happen to her so many times… It just made her feel like she was being manipulated.
She knew Taka wasn't that kind of a guy and that he was only doing it to save his own skin, but it really didn't make Miaka feel very good about herself. And then, when she realized that she had been sweet talked out of being mad again, she never could figure out how to bring it up with him without starting a brand new fight that would end the exact same way. It was an annoying circle of wills, and she always seemed to be the loser. Gods she hated that.
It was almost like how their relationship had been going for a while now. Things were fine when they were together. Miaka loved Taka and Taka loved Miaka. Their caring about one another hadn't really changed; though sometimes Miaka wondered if it had slumped into a more brother/sister type of affection. It was just that… some of the little things that Taka did, and didn't realize he was doing, or not doing in some cases, bothered her. And Miaka didn't know how to tell him without starting a fight, which Taka would wiggle out of. She was beginning to think that Taka didn't know how to deal with his problems any way other than to ignore it, get others (her for example) to forget about it, and then not deal with it at all.
Geez. He was like a little kid.
Although, considering how she had acted last night, she wasn't acting much better. Miaka frowned, I can still say it's all his fault. She groused to herself, Because it is!
Okay so it really wasn't, but it made her feel better to pretend, so… That's what she was going to believe for the time being.
Now where had her thoughts been a moment ago? Ah yes. Her current love life which was quickly becoming far more complicated than she really ever wanted it to ever be… She had told Taka last night that he had better start thinking of himself as single, but she hadn't really meant it to be permanent; only for the time being. Taka would likely know that, seeing as he had dated her for how many years now? They had broken up several times depending on the circumstances, or simply because one of them needed the space, and they had always gotten back together again. Miaka knew in her heart that Taka knew she wouldn't stay mad at him for very long. She never did.
So. Where did that leave her and Andy? She wanted to spend more time with him; she had also told herself last night that she was going to give him a chance which she knew he greatly deserved. But what if she didn't feel the same way about him as he did about her? She didn't want to lead him on if she wasn't going to be able to love him back as much as he deserved. Miaka knew from her time in the book that Hotohori had loved her unconditionally with all his heart, and she would be the most heartless person in the world if she hurt him. She didn't want that.
Miaka rolled over and pulled her pillow over her head, hoping that if she suffocated she wouldn't have to deal with any of this anymore. You know what? Men suck. Maybe I should just become a lesbian? Nah… Then I'd not only have to deal with my own hormonal fluctuations, I'd have to deal with someone elses too… I hate my life…
Just ignoring what Andy was offering her would be the smartest choice. She should make up with Taka and just stay friends with the former Emperor of Konan. He had been married to another woman. He'd probably end up with the reincarnated version of Houki. All Miaka had to do was stand back and let fate take its course. Besides, why would the former Emperor, now a famous pop star, want her of all people?
She wasn't that pretty. She was clumsy. She still acted like a kid half of the time. No self respecting guy in his right mind would want to date her. Well… except maybe Taka…
She swallowed. Hotohori probably hadn't really loved her, ever. He had told her once that he'd been in love with the Suzaku no Miko of legend since he was a child. Miaka felt her heart shift uncomfortably. So it had all been a thing of circumstance. He probably would have fallen in love with Yui if she had ended up as Suzaku no Miko instead of me, she thought. Yui is the refined, intelligent, beautiful one. She'd have made a great Empress. Just like Houki. The words left a somewhat bitter feeling in her heart.
Miaka shook her head. Yes, it was true that Yui and Houki were alike in their quiet and refined mannerisms and almost regal bearing, but something about picturing either of them with Hotohori – Andy now, made Miaka want to cringe. Though she loved her best friend and probably would have become good friends with Houki if she'd been given the chance, something about Hotohori loving them as completely as he had always told Miaka he had loved her seemed… weird, and kind of a little bit wrong somehow.
They're too… Alike. Miaka decided after thinking it over for a while. While either of them would have been an excellent choice for an Empress, and that Houki had, in the end, borne Hotohori a wonderful son, their personalities were so much on par with the Emperors own that it seemed a relationship between Hotohori and one of the two of them would be quite… boring. Miaka smiled slightly as she remembered how Hotohori had always been such a quiet and refined person, unapproachable by most, and had had such an air about him that made him seem almost as though he weren't human.
Which, Miaka hypothesized, was what an Emperor was supposed to seem like. She also recalled how, whenever she had spoken to him, that he had almost immediately lost that unapproachable demeanor and become more like the eighteen year old boy he was. She realized now that she really shouldn't have ever treated him as she did, she had, by most standards, not treated Hotohori with the respect an Emperor deserved. Something that she knew that Houki did do, and that Yui would have done.
And in doing so would likely have never really known the real Hotohori.
Miaka mentally slapped herself. What are you thinking? Houki was good woman and I'm sure that Hotohori loved her! How could you even think that he wouldn't? I didn't say he didn't love her, I was just thinking that maybe, as much as they loved each other, that they simply weren't right for one another. You know? Two poles with the same charge usually repel each other and opposites attract…Okay, shut up right now. I am getting out of bed, and I am not going think anymore until I've eaten.
Of course, one can never really stop thinking, so Miaka's resolution lasted only a few second before her overactive brain was back to frantically trying to figure out her life.
Miaka sighed. Alright. Rewind and summarize. Now that she had figured out that she had treated Taka unfairly and that she should apologize to him, but she had also decided that she was going to give Andy a chance which would really not make Taka very happy, and… Okay. Still too complicated.
First things first. She was going to talk to Taka and attempt to get him to actually listen to her. It was best to try and iron things out with him first before she made any moves about getting into – or even thought about getting into – another relationship with anyone. Especially Andy.
Finally having the motivation to roll herself out of bed, Miaka got dressed and brushed her hair and then looked at the clock. Argh. Ten-thirty. She had class in not too long. Did she really want to set herself up for being stressed out the rest of the day by talking to Taka right now? She eventually decided that it was better to just get it all out of the way as soon as possible, and after plugging the phone back in, (she had unplugged it in order to avoid any calls from Taka the night before) picked up the receiver and dialed Taka's cell phone number.
"Eh? Oh, hold on Tetsuya, someone's calling me." Taka held up his hand to silence his friend, set down his bowl of ramen, and answered his phone. "Hello?" After Miaka's slight tantrum (which he realized he couldn't exactly blame her for) last night, he had gone to Tetsuya's house to stay since Miaka had been less than pleased with him at the time. Besides, sleeping on the doorstep was out of the question.
"Taka?"
Taka felt relief flow through him. He'd known that Miaka couldn't stay angry at him for long, but he hadn't expected her to forgive him this soon. "Hi! How are you?"
"Better. Look, I realize that I was very short with you last night, and I apologize for my rude behavior, but…" she trailed off, unsure how to phrase what she wanted to say next. Darn it. Why was it that she could never voice exactly what was in her head? She had thought it all out this morning, and now she couldn't remember half of it.
Taka smiled slightly, imagining his girlfriend's gorgeous green eyes narrowing and her face scrunching up cutely in thought. She was so cute when she was thinking something profound and couldn't figure out how to say it. "Go on."
Miaka sighed, "We need to talk. I'm sorry I yelled at you last night, but what I said was true. Lately I've been feeling as if you don't trust me very much. I've also felt as though whatever I say goes right in one ear and out the other. I'm also sorry about not telling you about Hotohori, I mean, Andy. It was just such a surprise to see him again and…and…"
Taka nodded on his end of the phone. He understood, he'd even realized some of what she was saying himself. He knew they needed to work some things out, but he was confident that everything would be alright in the end. "Alright Miaka. We'll talk. Do you want me coming over there, or do you want to come here?"
"Eh heh… yeah. About that… Do you know how to fix a car?"
Half an hour later, Taka was at Miaka's apartment with a bunch of tools he'd borrowed off of Tetsuya and managing to get grease all over himself as he attempted to fix the car. "Geez, Miaka. What'd you do to this thing? Set a bunch of gremlin's loose in the engine?"
Miaka frowned and gave the hood a good swat, smiling in satisfaction when she heard it hit Taka's head with a hearty THUD. "Just fix it will you? I need to get to class later and then I have work."
Taka peered around the hood, rubbing his head with his free hand; the other was covered in oil and grease. He would have yelled under other circumstances, but he supposed she still needed to vent a little anger. "I can give you a ride you know. It's not like just because you're mad at me you can't accept rides…"
"I don't want to bother you. Besides, if you showed up at the Clinic I don't think you'd get out of the parking lot alive."
Looking perplexed, Taka stuck his head back under the hood, "Why's that?"
She laughed, "Well, you know how you've cancelled a lot of dates lately and how I blew up last night? Guess who hears about all of the stuff that I blew up about last night right after it actually happens? Yumiko and Hayai in particular think you're a real jerk."
Taka looked wounded as he held out his hand, "Wrench." Miaka handed him the tool, wondering idly if he'd actually meant 'wench' and been referring to the other girls, "I'm so glad you've built up such a wonderful image of me for your co-workers…"
"That time you came to surprise me and thought that Yumiko was me? That didn't really win you any brownie points with her. She threatened to castrate you if you ever made that mistake again."
He flushed and closed the hood, wiping his hands on an already greasy towel, "What's the big deal? All I did was hug her and say 'I love you.'" He muttered defensively as he turned the key to check and see if the car was fixed yet. To his delight the car started and purred like a happy kitten being scratched under the chin.
Miaka placed her hands on her hips, "She's never had a boyfriend. Having some strange guy come up while she's bent over cleaning out a crate and hugging her from behind whispering 'I love you' in her ear must have been rather traumatizing." At his extremely embarrassed expression, Miaka took pity on him and hugged him, grease and all. "Thank you for fixing my car. I owe you."
Taka grinned mischievously and brought a greasy hand up to cup her cheek. She made a face at him for getting grease on her. "Yes. You do." The way he said it sent chills up her spine and the way he looked at her made her heart throb painfully in remembrance of how things used to be, but when she tilted her head back and stood on her tiptoes for a kiss, he simply placed a soft, chaste kiss on her forehead before pulling away.
Disappointed that Taka had not taken the opportunity for what could have been a redeeming moment, Miaka picked up the greasy towel and flung it playfully at his head. "Okay. Now that's what I'm talking about."
He caught the towel effortlessly, "What do you mean?"
"Something's missing." The light hearted moment had suddenly taken a dive straight down.
An eyebrow rose, "Like what?"
Miaka threw her hands in the air, "I don't know…" she ran a hand through her hair nervously, "It's like… the fire died or something. We kiss, we do couple things like hold hands and go on dates… but there's nothing there anymore."
Taka looked confused, "Miaka, I love you. Make no mistake about that."
"I know you love me. But is it the right kind of love? Like that kiss. There was really nothing to it. It was physical contact. Like you felt you were obligated to do it. Nothing else."
Taka looked thoroughly insulted by that. "Not every kiss has to be hot and heavy, Miaka."
"That's not what I mean!" why couldn't she just say it? It was something she couldn't seem to voice. It was there, but she didn't really know what it was telling her. "You've been treating me, in different ways, more like a little sister than a girlfriend. You always have. Frankly, it's annoying and frustrating because you never seem to take me seriously." Miaka could feel her eyes burning and her throat convulsing wildly. What she was about to say would be treading on very think ice, but she felt that it needed to be said. "I've only known Andy for a few days, and he seems to take me more seriously than I even take myself."
"I do so take you seriously. Why would I be working my butt off to make sure we can have a comfortable life if I wasn't serious about us being together?" Taka gripped her arms now. Miaka wasn't sure when he'd moved, but she didn't really want him so close at the moment. She wanted to hold onto her thought process, thank you very much. "What about Hotohori?"
"But I don't care about having a comfortable life! I don't care about being high standing in society! Those are things you want. All I've ever wanted was someone I could just be with and be happy because I'm with them!" Miaka wriggled out of Taka's grasp and continued, "You used to make me happy. I used to be able to just forget about everything when I was with you, but not anymore, and Andy makes me feel the way you used to." Miaka felt her throat convulse and she swallowed. She would not cry. She would not look weak in front of Taka. Not now. "Money doesn't make you happy. Love makes you happy. Friendship makes you happy. You seem to have forgotten that."
Taka's mind was a blank. He couldn't think of a single thing to say that would negate what she had just said. Then, "So I guess the fact that this guy happens to be a rich mega-star has nothing to do with it?"
Miaka's jaw dropped, she was scandalized at what Taka had just suggested. "You certainly know me better than that! You think I'd just be after his money? When did I ever care that Hotohori was the Emperor? He was my friend. And he still is." And maybe, he could be more.
Fishing in her pocket, Miaka pulled out a twenty, "Thanks for fixing the car. I'll see you later. I have things I need to do." She held it out to him and watched dispassionately as he took it and pocketed it. Without another word she turned and started up the steps. What she really wanted at the moment was for Taka to come after her. Apologize and tell her that he would try to change, that maybe she had been wrong and that Taka still held in him that passion that she had fallen in love with.
When she got to the door she stopped and turned to look at him over her shoulder, not wanting to leave everything on such a cold note, "Taka, I think it would be best if maybe we took a break for a while. I need some time to sort some things out, and" she looked pointedly at him, "I want you to think about what I've said." With that, she opened the door a stepped inside.
Taka watched as Miaka walked away from him up. He knew that he'd been spending too much time at work and that he'd been neglecting Miaka, but apparently she was mad at him for something else. He sat down and began to think. He began replaying everything that had happened since they'd met in his head. More like a sister than a girlfriend was how she'd said he treated her. Was she right?
When they'd first met, that was how he had seen her. Like a younger sibling that needed protection. Then he'd seen her as more of his responsibility when it had been discovered that she was the Suzaku no Miko. He was born to protect her, and so he had. He had eventually fallen in love with her. He loved the way she smiled, the way she laughed, but most of all, he loved her heart. The way she was so open and caring about the world. How she had been strong enough to take a stand in order to help a country that she had no real attachments to. He had teased her mercilessly, much like he had done with his younger siblings.
After the book, they had been romantic for a while, but not much past just kissing. After time, even that had dwindled to little more than nothing what with both of their lives being so busy. It was like neither one had time for the other anymore. And sadly, it seemed that the only one unwilling to make time had been him. And now, even as much as they still loved each other, it seemed that that once passionate love had faded into something little more than a very close friendship without either of them really noticing.
Was that was she had been trying to get at? Had the fire really died?
With that revelation, Taka collected Tetsuya's tools and climbed back into his car. He had a lot to think about.
"Andy, where are we going?" Miaka had lived in Tokyo all her life, but she had absolutely no idea where the singer was taking her. She had asked at least three times and every time Andy would simply smile in that infuriatingly calm way that was very reminiscent of his former self and say, "Just wait and see."
"Andy. Where are we going?" she pleaded. Sheesh. The man had come and kidnapped her from work. Just plain hauled her up from the puppy room and out the front door without so much as letting her punch out first. As she had been ushered out the front door, Miaka had seen Arashi punch out her time card for her, and Kieru – who was running the front desk – to wave her goodbye.
Again, that infuriatingly calm smile and a mischievous glint in the golden eyes, "Just wait and see." Miaka made a mental note that instead of killing Andy for keeping whatever it was from her, she would kill her co-workers for conspiring with Andy in order to desperately confuse her.
Miaka gritted her teeth. It was like watching a particularly good movie with someone who'd seen it already and wanting to know what happens next, but they refuse to tell you anything. She pouted, crossing her arms and leaning against the window in an attempt to force him to feel bad about not telling her and relent, but he steadfastly refused to give in.
The jerk.
For someone who had only been in Tokyo for two days, Andy sure seemed to know where he was going. As the driver went up and down seemingly random streets, Miaka wondered idly where Andy thought he was taking her. When they finally stopped, Miaka looked to see where Andy had taken her.
…and just her luck, the place didn't have a sign. Geez. What'd he decide to do? Take her in through the back door?
The world likes to torture me… she groused as she allowed Andy to tow her inside the small establishment.
Andy grinned as he watched Miaka's face go from slightly out of breath, to completely speechless.
"what… why…." Miaka stuttered, unable to find words to express all of the thoughts wheeling inside her head.
Andy had just brought her to the most expensive dress boutique in town. Turning to look at the sneak, Miaka shook her head, still dumbfounded. "Why are we here? And don't you dare say that you think you're buying me anything because I will not let you spend that much money on me!"
Andy smiled sheepishly and held up his hands in defeat, "Alright. You win." There go my plans… he groused inwardly.
Miaka was still staring at him incredulously. "Again. I ask, why?" She had been debating on whether or not to tell him about what she had decided about giving him a chance, but this killed any and all thoughts of doing anything of the sort. Apparently, Andy didn't care whether she had a boyfriend or not. Like Hotohori, he lo- liked her, (the L-word it seemed was going a little too far even though she knew that it was Hotohori) and he was going to make that very clear to her whether or not she could reciprocate his feelings. It almost made her want to cry. She clamped down on the tears. Enough crying damnit. He's going to think you do nothing but cry.
He looked down and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, he really hoped she liked it…"Well, I realize that I asked you to go with me to the publicity event on very short notice so…" he trailed off; he had not been sure how Miaka would react to what he had in mind. Apparently she wasn't the type of girl that liked it when you bought expensive things for her.
"I thought I'd compensate by buying you a dress to wear." He finished, trying to look as pathetic as possible. He already knew that the puppy eyes were the surest way to get out of trouble with Miaka. "I thought I was being nice."
Miaka sighed and took his hand, squeezing it reassuringly so that he would know that she wasn't mad, "I know… it's a very sweet gesture, but this is just too expensive! I can't let you spend this much on me. It wouldn't feel right." Not to mention that I would feel incredibly guilty for the remainder of my natural life…
Andy sighed heavily, he'd only wanted to please her. It seemed that he couldn't even do that properly. Somehow, this thought seemed to bring with it a flood of feelings that he knew he shouldn't be having after such a short amount of time. He felt almost like he'd been rejected. Multiple times. "Fine. I won't buy anything today. But since we're here… why don't you try something on? Just for the fun of it?" He grinned when she gaze him a sort of sideways look. "What?"
She shook her head, "Nothing. You just… sounded like someone I used to know." She grinned evilly and added, "He was gay." She snickered when Andy's jaw dropped in a falsely wounded expression. Well. He had just been asking for that one. Who would have thought that Hotohori would like to shop? He was reminding her a little of Nuriko at the moment, only much less flamboyant. It was amazing how much more open Andy was than his former incarnation, although not really all that surprising.
Andy sniffed, still feigning injury, "What are you implying? You do know that that was quite dirty of you? Very low blow."
She grinned broadly, "Well, you shouldn't leave yourself open like that." She cocked her head, "And then there's the hair… and the pretty-boy thing you've got going on…"
Andy's hands flew to his head, "What about my hair? Does it look okay?" the panicked look on his face was just too much.
Too easy… thought Miaka. "Here." She shifted the two or three dresses she had picked up to one arm and reached up as though she were going to fix whatever was wrong with his hair. So trusting… She grinned as she petted his hair a few times. It was then that the evil glint appeared in her eye again and she ruffled it all obscenely before skipping off to the dressing room.
Andy stood there, shocked that she could be so… evil, underhanded, and sneaky! He was going to have to watch it around her. He made a mental note to never trust her with a pair of scissors, though he knew that she wouldn't ever really be quite that mean. Still in shock, and pouting at the sudden loss of his dignity, Andy preened until every single hair was back in place.
And who's she calling a pretty-boy? I'm not pretty, I'm beautiful! Andy shook his head at his train of thought. Just don't let her hear you say that out loud… She'll really think you're gay then.
Andy looked up when he heard the door to the dressing room open. And stared.
He had always thought Miaka was beautiful. However, it wasn't only her physical beauty that he loved. She was one of those people that he felt that he could see her very soul shining from her whenever he looked at her, and that that was what made her beautiful. Seeing her auburn hair bounce with her easy, happy movements and her glittering green eyes sparking with spirit always seemed to be able to make him drop the façade of "untouchable pop star" and become a normal person and just make him happy to be alive. He hadn't felt that for anyone else for as long as he could remember.
Which was why, when he saw her in that dress, it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that it showed off her figure perfectly and emphasized every physical aspect that a man usually liked on a woman. Andy closed his eyes tight for a second and then opened them again. Nope. It wasn't a dream. The vision of loveliness was still there. Down boy… he coached himself.
Miaka blushed at the completely stupefied expression on Andy's face, "So, I gather you like it?" she titled her head and he noticed that she had taken her hair down out of the pony-tail she'd been wearing earlier. She looked nervous, and unaccountably shy; like she hadn't been sure of coming out of the dressing room or not.
He smiled and, after picking up the shattered remains of his 'you look good but I am not going to drool over you' air and strode over, smiling from ear to ear. "Beautiful," He said as he circled her, somewhat like a curator studying a particularly interesting piece of art.
"Yes, isn't it?" Indeed, Miaka had to agree that the dress was very beautiful. The red satiny fabric sported a V neckline, which, to Miaka's relief, had a filmy gold piece of fabric draped there, minimizing the feeling that she was exposed to the world. The shoulders were gathered, so that the fabric draped elegantly. Miaka's favorite part of the dress was that, from each shoulder, there were three separate veils which all came out at slightly different angles, doing a wonderful job of covering Miaka's shoulders and uppers arms, which she felt slightly uncomfortable having exposed. They reminded her of wings in a way, which had made her feel almost as if she were cos-playing as a female Suzaku.
Andy chuckled, she apparently hadn't understood. "Miaka, I was complementing you. Not the dress." He tentatively reached out and readjusted the veils, liking how the fabric felt against his fingers, and liking even more the way Miaka's face reddened when he touched her.
Miaka stuttered slightly, "L-liar." She grinned to cover up her nervousness.
A bit emboldened by her shyness, Andy raised his hands to cup her face. "I'm not lying. I think you are one of the most wonderful, beautiful people I've ever met. Inside and out."
Miaka tried to look away, but it seemed that his eyes were magnets or something to that effect, because Miaka could not tell herself to look away from those wondrous golden depths. "Andy…"
"Miaka…" Wow. Suddenly it seemed that they were floating in a land of pink bubbles and golden lights that contained only the two of them. The evil, sarcastic part of Andy's mind scoffed. Psh. Andy see pretty girl. Andy have attention span of butterfly...
The moment was ruined by what had to be the most annoying sound in the universe. Ayame's screeching.
Happy bubble land was suddenly gone. Andy could almost hear an audible POP.
"Oh my God! Andy! Andy Wong!"
The two jumped apart, not realizing that their faces had begun to creep closer and closer together until the moment had been broken. Miaka blinked and picked up her jacket from a nearby chair, holding it in front of her like a shield. She didn't mind wearing it for Andy, but having someone else she knew see her in it made her feel… uncomfortable.
The dark haired girl exploded out of a nearby rack of dresses and nearly tackled Andy. "How are you? It's been so long! I missed you!"
Miaka refrained from gagging, and after raising an eyebrow at the singer lying prone on the floor with a hyperactive teenybopper sitting on his midriff, turned to go put on her normal clothes. Andy wasn't going anywhere. And it would be interesting to see how he handled his rabid fans. Actually, Miaka was surprised that this didn't happen more often with his being so famous and all.
Andy smiled politely up at the insane girl. "Eh… Hi. I'm perfect. How are you?" Please get off of me… "Could you… eh… please… move, perhaps?" It just so happened that the girl was sitting somewhere that was causing the poor man much pain.
Ayame shifted and climbed off of him, allowing the singer to stand up and brush himself off. She looked up at him with big liquid eyes and sighed. He was so beautiful. So perfect. She loved him to no end. She would do anything for him is he so much as asked.
"Are you going to be in Tokyo too much longer? Hey! We could hang out! I mean, you don't live here so I'm sure you'd need someone to show you around and all…" she twittered and Andy had to resist from rubbing his ear so as not to appear rude.
"That's very kind of you Ayame, but… I've already got a sort of guide…" he started, he glanced at the door to the dressing room, hoping that Miaka would just get done dressing and get her butt out here and save him from this lunatic.
Ayame's eyes dropped and she looked infinitely sad, "Oh. I see. Who?"
At that moment, Miaka finally opened the door to the dressing room. "Oh hi Ayame!" she smiled brightly at her co-worker. "I didn't realize you were here." She frowned, "Didn't you call in sick to work today?"
The other girl giggled, "Yeah… but I was, you know, playing hooky. I need a new dress."
Miaka's eyes widened, "From here? Good grief where are you going?" How is she going to pay for it?
The girl dug her toe into the carpet. "Just a thing my family is being dragged to. My daddy's a reporter you know."
Andy paled. He had an idea of what the girl was going to. Please no, please no, please no… "The Publicity event this Friday? You're father is going to be covering it?"
Ayame smiled brightly, "Uh huh." She chirped, "And I get to go with him."
Miaka smiled, "Well, I guess I'll see you there, then." She really didn't want Ayame's feelings to be hurt over this. After countless days of listening to the girl blather on about how much she loved Andy and how much she knew about him, Miaka felt undeniably awful about what Ayame would probably see as encroaching on her territory.
Dark eyes snapped from Andy's face to Miaka, "What?"
Andy stepped closer to Miaka and placed a hand on her shoulder. Trying to be a sort of buffer between Miaka and Ayame if tempers flared. Ayame was a nice girl, but she seemed like the sort to kid of lose her head over certain things. Kind of like Shiko, he observed. Shiko was probably the one crew member that Andy could talk as a friend, but he knew that she wanted them to be more than that which he just couldn't do. She didn't interest him in that way. She also had a hell of a temper that even he was kind of afraid to mess with. He'd eaten the last croissant a while back and… it hadn't been pretty. "Miaka has been kind enough the last couple of days to show me around Tokyo. She also agreed to go with me on Friday." He smiled down at the top of Miaka's head, trying to gauge out of the corner of his eye Ayame's reaction.
Ayame suddenly backed away a little. Until now she had been standing close enough that Andy felt his bubble was being invaded, but now she backed up respectfully to a farther distance. Although she looked less than happy about it. "That's great. I guess I'll see you two there then?" The two nodded and breathed a sigh of relief as Ayame disappeared through more racks of clothes.
The two didn't even need to say anything as Miaka hung up the dresses she tried on (the one was the only one she'd felt comfortable letting Andy see on her) and allowed Andy to take her arm as he steered her towards the door they had come in through.
"Andy?"
"Shiko?"
Oh joy. Though Miaka as the dark haired, nicely curved woman appeared out of one of the numerous racks of clothing. Just what we need. Another neurotic… I don't even know what to call her!
Shiko's eyes ran up and down Andy a few times, "My dear, you look so much better in Armani. I do hope you're not wearing that to the publicity event? Mr. Kimoto would have an aneurysm." She was referring to what Miaka thought were rather nice looking jeans and a dark t-shirt and a leather jacket that Miaka desperately wanted to have. Shiko's eyes traveled to the intersection of Miaka and Andy's arms, glaring as though it offended her greatly. "And who is this little friend of yours, again?"
Andy seemed oblivious to the girls rude behavior while Miaka seethed, "This is Miaka. Please don't mention to Mr. Kimoto that you saw us here. He'd blow a fuse."
Shiko smiled in a pouty fashion, "What will you give me? I don't do favors for free you know."
He raised an eyebrow, he was used to Shiko's behavior, though he was a little wary of what she might attempt to do next, "Like what?"
The dark haired vixen reached up casually and snagged a bit of Andy's long hair, pulling him forward just enough so that she could kiss him on the forehead. "That will do for now. Don't worry." She rolled her eyes at Andy as he rubbed the spot she'd kissed him, trying to make sure that her dark lipstick hadn't left any marks. "I won't tell anyone that you and your new little friend were gallivanting about unsupervised. You know. You're only a super star that people could kidnap and hold for ransom…" she trailed off and quirked her lips up in a half smile, "Just don't do anything stupid like spend too much time around people with camera's."
Both Andy and Miaka eyed her, Miaka trying her hardest not to attack the girl, "What?"
She waved nonchalantly as she browsed the racks, "If you ever read the newspaper you'd know what I was talking about."
Miaka sighed as she and Andy stared at the front page of the newspaper. There was picture of both of them on the street holding hands. However, it appeared that Mr. Kimoto had paid someone off to blur Andy's face out, because Miaka was the only one you could really tell who she was.
"Look at it this way," Miaka suggested as Andy glared around, as though daring another reporter to take a picture, "at least you haven't been chased down the street yet by a million rabid fan girls, yet."
"Yes. That is most definitely a plus…"
Miaka watched Andy out of the corner of her eye. She had told him only a day ago that she just wanted to be friends. But with her recent decisions regarding where she and Taka stood, and all of the buried feelings that the singer had begun to stir up, Miaka was wondering if she really wanted to cross the line now and tell Andy that she was willing to try being a little more than just friends.
She had almost gathered up enough courage to do so when Andy snagged her hand and squeezed it. "Miaka…"
The way he said her name made a shiver race down her spine, but she covered it up, "Yeah?"
He turned to her, his dark hair falling in his eyes as he looked into her eyes, trying to see something that would tell him whether or not he really had a chance with this girl that had seemed to instantly capture his heart. He knew it likely sounded silly, and just a little bit crazy, but something in the back of his head was telling him that he couldn't let this girl go. Who cared if she had a boyfriend? And that that confounded ring was still on her finger? Something told Andy that he had waited far too long to simply give up without a fight. She had told him that she just wanted to be friends, but he had a feeling that if he just kept at it, let her know in any way no matter how small, that she might just change her mind.
Andy wasn't sure if some evil part of his mind that he liked to pretend he didn't have had actually been working on this plan for the last day or so, or if maybe fate was playing a role and he was only being spontaneous. Either way, that movie theater was right there, and they were right across the street. And, was it just him, or did she just look like she wanted to go and see a romantic movie?
It was worth a shot.
After she said yes, as he'd known she would, they crossed the street and Andy – joyously – had yet to let go of her hand. It was as they were coming up to buy their tickets that a thought occurred to him.
"You'd save me from the rabid fan-girls, right?"
The movie had been great. It had left both Miaka and Andy with that happy, uplifted, slightly mushy feeling one gets after watching one of those all-time classic romances.
Miaka wasn't stupid. Andy hadn't really been too subtle about the movie. Once they'd sat down he'd, of course, been a complete gentleman as he always was. Though sometime around the first meeting of the two main characters he'd been bold enough to sneak his arm around her shoulders and continued to hold her hand throughout the entire feature.
And she had let him.
That was the one thing that was at the forefront of Andy's mind as they chatted about everything from everyday things such as work to more personal subjects such as their families. She had gradually been letting him get closer and closer to her all night. It was a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn from where they'd been a day or so ago when she'd been the one so adamant about maintaining a certain distance.
Had she changed her mind?
Though a bit unsure, Andy decided to voice his thoughts to Miaka. When he did, she had the decency to blush in slight embarrassment at being caught going back on her word.
She couldn't seem to look him in the eye and focused instead on the interesting design on his t-shirt. "Well… you see, Andy…" she glanced up and wasn't sure whether she was relieved or not to find two piercing golden eyes peering down at her interestedly through dark wisps of hair. "I was trying to decide whether or not to tell you this but…" she trailed of once again. Unsure of how to explain it to him.
Sure. She could just come out and tell him that the reason she wanted to give him a chance was because he was the reincarnation of one of the Suzaku Seven that he'd read about in legends. Or that he'd been in love with her in his past life and that was the whole reason he was having such a strong attraction to her at present. But that would be the easy way out.
Not to mention he'd think she'd gone insane…
"I like you." She started, "I really do. And well… you've told me right out that you're attracted to me… and…" she faltered, her face going red. Why, oh why couldn't she be more like Yui? She'd bet anything that Yui wouldn't have gotten this embarrassed over anything! "Well… the reason I was wanting to stay just friends with you was because of my boyfriend, but… we've been having some… problems as of late and well…" Suzaku, her face felt like it was going to melt right off, "We're taking a break because we're not really sure how we feel about each other any more and…" she broke off again and looked up, hoping that Andy wasn't thinking her a complete idiot for not even being able to string a sentence together.
Andy, who had been sitting in the seat directly across from Miaka, leaned forward, his lovely hair spilling over his shoulders and placed his hand over both of Miaka's which were clenched tightly in her lap, "Take your time, Miaka. I'm in no hurry."
Yeah easy for you to say. You're the one who gets to sit and watch me make a fool out of myself. Now I realize how much respect I should have for Hotohori for being able to do this several times and then get rejected and do it again. Suzaku if I get out of this alive I swear I'll never joke about you being a large red chicken ever again… Miaka smiled at Andy's words, "Thanks…" she murmured before continuing, "Well. I'm not really sure how I do, or could feel about you and…" she hadn't thought it was possible to get any redder than she already was, but she had just proved herself wrong.
Andy was startled to say the least. He had not expected such a revelation from Miaka so soon after having known her for such a short amount of time. He was shocked, to say the least, at what she was saying to him, but he was also extraordinarily pleased.
As she continued to attempt to explain to him what she wanted to say, Andy felt the hope that he had locked away inside of him suddenly spring free and begin making his heart quicken. He dared not hope. Not until he actually heard the words, but it seemed that he had been waiting to hear these words for far longer than the mere three days he had known Miaka. He did not know why he felt so strongly for the girl so soon. In all truth it was frightening, how much he was feeling, but he also knew that was he was feeling was nothing, if not right.
Andy drew in shallow breaths as she rambled on. He could tell she was nervous, and what he really wanted to do was reach over and wrap her in his embrace and never let go. He wanted to tell her that she could stop torturing herself. That he understood what she was trying to say, but the evil, rational part of him wouldn't allow it. It was the small selfish part of him that tried to guard his heart. It was telling him that he shouldn't get his hopes up until he heard the words. Until he knew.
Slowly, not wanting to scare her into silence, Andy reached over and placed his hand over hers. He told her a complete lie. He desperately wanted to hear what she had to say, and he wanted to hear it now, but forcing it out of her would do no good. After all, wasn't it said that good things come to those who wait?
Andy's golden eyes searched her face as she smiled, grateful for the short respite he had offered her. Then she continued, "I want to find out, if that's alright with you."
Andy could have sworn his heart stopped for a moment. Had he actually just heard what he thought he'd heard? Knowing that his ears had not deceived him, Andy grinned broadly as he reached forward, pulling Miaka into a massive bear hug murmuring almost soundless thank you's into her hair as she allowed him to hold her to him. He still wasn't quite sure why this mere girl that he'd only just met had the power to make him feel so blissfully happy just by saying that she wanted to give him a chance to see how she felt about him, but he wasn't going to question it any longer.
She made him feel more alive and happier than anyone else he could ever remember. Whatever the reasons for that, no matter how insane they could turn out to be, he was grateful for.
Miaka giggled at how Andy was acting. He reminded her of a little boy who'd gotten everything he wanted for Christmas, and his giddiness was actually contagious.
With that, the two sat next to each other the rest of the way to Miaka's apartment, Andy, now feeling that he had the right, with his arm comfortably around Miaka and his head leaning against the top of hers as they talked.
"So what are you doing tomorrow?" asked Miaka, enjoying the feel of Andy's warmth pressed to her side. If she still hadn't felt a little like she was betraying Taka, she would have likely snuggled into it without a second thought.
"I have to meet with my manager again. Hopefully he's not planning on dismembering another song of mine and rearranging it…" he trailed off miserably. "I'd much rather spend time with you. Does the clinic need any help?" he asked jokingly.
"I still say you should just push for your own music. I still don't understand how he can have so much control over what you sing." Miaka said quietly, gripping Andy's hand and playing idly with his fingers.
"He supposedly knows what the public wants. Although, truthfully, since he was hired my sales haven't really seen any improvement. Some people still have no clue who I am. Though sometimes that's a good thing." He chuckled slightly. He hadn't meant to sound so full of himself, he'd only meant it to show that his manager wasn't as good as he was supposed to be.
Miaka gave up. She could see that she wasn't going to get anywhere at present. That was when the car pulled up in front of her families apartment. Miaka opened the door and got out. Andy followed close behind her.
Andy walked her to her door. Miaka thought briefly that he must have had super glued their hands together or something because she could count the number of times they hadn't been holding hands that night on one hand.
Andy gazed down at Miaka, taking in her soft hair and pale skin. In the light from the apartments and the cool autumn air he thought she looked like some sort of fairy tale creature, possibly one of the Fae, come to Earth with the purpose of making mortal men want what he could not have. As he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, Andy thought wistfully that he would count himself lucky if he managed to capture just one more taste of her lips before he had to leave Tokyo.
Not even realizing that he had moved, Andy had leaned down far enough that before he knew what he was doing, he had captured Miaka's lips with his own. Miaka's eyes widened in surprise that he had kissed her, and then slipped closed of their own accord.
Andy expected her to pull back; to flinch, to do something, anything that would tell him that he needed to stop, or that she was unsure about what was going on.
Miaka almost let herself melt into the kiss, but a quick reminder from the back of her mind not to go too fast shot that idea out of the sky. Quickly, if a little reluctantly, Miaka pulled away from Andy, cheeks colored like sakura blossoms as she bowed her head and smiled, bidding him a quick goodbye before disappearing swiftly into the safety of her apartment.
He probably should have felt a little cheated. Or maybe a bit insulted that Miaka had pulled away so quickly. But he felt nothing of either sort.
He was just happy.
As Andy walked back to the car, he glanced up towards Miaka's apartment just in time to see the curtain's fall back into place and a male figure to move away from the window. Golden eyes narrowed slightly as a purely male smirk crept across his face. He assumed it was Miaka's brother, watching out for his baby sister. Probably fuming that she was out with someone that he didn't know. Well, thought Andy, if things work out the way the voice in the back of my head wants them too…. He'll get to know me, eventually.
To Be Continued…
ANs: Okay. I really want to know… How'd I do?? I liked this a lot better than the original version. Nel and a bunch of others were right, and I thank the lot of you for giving me the "kick in the ass" as Anwe calls it, and telling me that. I really hope that I fixed whatever was wrong with it, because the last one bugged me, and this one doesn't, so, in my eyes… it's fixed. And if you don't like it… well, that's your problem. *nod* So… flames? Praises? "Finish the Damn Story So I can Have some Peace of Mind"'s?
