We Will Meet Again

Chapter 15: I SO cheaped out on a scene. Forgive me! wail

Yumiko Kaze

Miaka stuffed the note in her pocket and closed the door. Tonight I die. Right. Whatever. Next time she saw any of her neighborhood kids she was going to be completely paranoid trying to figure out which little brat had been the one messing with her.

"Wrong apartment!" she called to her mother. She definitely didn't want her mother finding out about the strange notes. Her mother was pretty cool compared to a lot of other mothers, but that didn't mean that she wouldn't take some stupid kids joke seriously if it sounded like it was threatening to her daughter. Miaka wanted to throttle whoever it was, but even she wasn't so cruel as to let them face the wrath of her mother.

"Again? Huh." Her mother answered absentmindedly, "So. When do I get to meet this guy?"

Miaka froze. Damnit. She wasn't getting off scott-free. Rats!

"Just because I'm a cool enough mommy to let you make your own choices and trust your judgment about people doesn't mean that I don't want to double check to make sure." Mrs. Yuuki peered around the doorway of the kitchen to look at Miaka, "What? Did you think I was going to let you run off with some guy that I'd never even met? This may sound biased, but since he is one of those famous rock star types I'd feel better if I met him first."

Defeated, Miaka sighed and nodded her agreement, "Alright. Should I invite him over for lunch or something then?"

"Superb idea!" Mrs. Yuuki exclaimed, "Great! I'll take off work and you can call in sick and we'll have a nice little get together over some lunch!"

Suddenly, the rapid thudding of four tiny paws interrupted them as Tasuki zipped down the hallway and skidded into the kitchen. He made a squeaking noise as he slipped on the linoleum floor and ran straight into Mrs. Yuuki's legs.

Mrs. Yuuki glanced down, "And who is this little guy?" she knelt down to get a better look at the fuzzball, "Awww!" she cooed. Tasuki was giving her his best I-haven't-eaten-in-a-week expression complete with watery eyes and ears that alternately flicked back and forth. "Oh! Look at his ears! They're like little antennae!"

"Uh, mom…" Miaka started to explain that Tasuki wasn't just an overnighter when Keisuke chose that moment to stumble into the kitchen stretching and yawning loudly.

He looked down and saw how enamored Mrs. Yuuki was with Tasuki, "Oh hey mom. Guess you don't mind that he's now a permanent resident, eh?"

Miaka pursed her lips and smacked Keisuke on the shoulder.

"Ow! Hey, what was that for?" he whined, rubbing the injured body part like it was going to leave a large welt.

The adoring look quickly melted off of Mrs. Yuuki's face, "Miaka, what did I tell you about getting a dog?" she stood and fisted her hands on her hips and looked sternly at her daughter, "We don't have the time or money to have a pet."

Tasuki had wandered back over to Miaka and put a paw against her leg, asking to be picked up. She obliged him, all the while arguing her case to her mother, "But mom. I already paid for him. I got a discount since I work at the clinic and they gave him his shots and I bought food and everything!"

"I don't want a dog right now, Miaka." Her mother said.

"But…mom. He's already six months old. He's been there since he was a puppy. No one even looks at him. The owners of the clinic even sent him to another city to see if anyone there wanted him and he got sent back because no one wanted him there either!" she held Tasuki up to her mother and put on her best puppy eyes, "Look at that face. How can you resist that?"

Mrs. Yuuki tried not to let the dog's sweet face get to her and failed miserably. "Oooh. Miaka. That's cheating. Alright, look. You can keep him, but when you move out he goes with you. Got it?"

Miaka hummed to herself as she and her mother tidied up the house. She had called in sick today and had helped her mother make the house "Presentable" for when Andy was due to arrive around noon. Not that he hadn't already seen it in its usual disarray…

As it was, she was wanting to go on tour with Andy terribly badly. However, she had a feeling that unless her mother approved of him that she wouldn't be going anywhere no matter how badly she wanted to go. Tasuki trailed Miaka around like a shadow everywhere she went and if she wasn't lost in her thoughts, she talked to him.

"I really wish that he would just remember. That would make everything so much easier. As far as he knows we just met barely a week ago and now I'm already ready to go on tour with him? He must think I'm easy or something." Deep down she knew that wasn't true. But that niggling thought was there nonetheless.

"There she goes again." Miaka sighed, glancing at her mother out of the corner of her eye. She'd been watching her mother all morning. Since she hadn't gotten a very big reaction from her mother about Andy she suspected that her mother was trying to keep her thoughts and feelings to herself. Her mother placed a great deal of pride in being strong. She'd been strong when Miaka's father had been arrested and taken to jail, and she'd been strong when the neighbors ridiculed them for it.

Miaka could tell that her mother was trying to hold it together, but she noticed that every once in a while, Mrs. Yuuki would cast a nostalgic look her way before quickly rubbing her face as though ridding her eyes of tears.


Miaka glanced sideways at Andy for what seemed to her the umpteenth time. Her green eyes narrowed in slight annoyance as she saw him glancing nervously around the room. They'd only been there for about an hour, but Miaka could count on one hand the number of times that Andy hadn't been acting like a cat surrounded by hunting dogs.

What's he so nervous about?? She thought, still eyeing him suspiciously. She jumped when he finally felt her gaze on him and turned those mesmerizing golden eyes on her. Miaka actually had to close her eyes for a second to keep from getting lost in them.

"Is something wrong?" he asked her, looking genuinely concerned and then glancing around quickly as though there were enemies behind every corner.

Miaka looked around, wondering what he was looking for. "Well, it's just that you seem kind of preoccupied. My mom didn't upset you or anything did she?"

He laughed, "Of course not! I expected her to act the way that she did. She's a mother. In fact, I kind of expected her to be worse since I was basing her off of my mom."

Miaka nodded slightly in understanding. Hayai's family was pretty controlling, so Miaka had an idea of what Andy was talking about. Although, she really would like to meet his parents before she made any judgments.

Andy had spent the entire afternoon with Miaka and her mother. Mrs. Yuuki had taken a quick liking to Andy (because Yumi is sadly getting lazy and PROMISED Hayai this would be up in the morning because she's had a bad week) and though she hadn't promised that Miaka could go on tour with Andy, things were looking at least hopeful.

After lunch and much conversation, Miaka's mother had pulled out the photo album. Once Miaka had been thoroughly embarrassed, it was time for the two of them to get ready for the party. Andy had surprised Miaka with the dress from the shop they'd visited earlier that week, and Miaka's mother had helped her get ready.

Once both of them were ready, Miaka's mother had done the typical photo crazy thing before the limo that Andy had arranged to come and get them arrived. Once it finally came, Mrs. Yuuki waved them off with a reminder to have fun.

As Andy mingled with people Miaka could tell he really didn't want to be mingling with, Miaka trailed along behind him. She tugged nervously on her dress, wishing that she wasn't so noticeable while wearing it. She felt so… exposed. Miaka tried to ignore it, she supposed it was another effect of being around people she didn't know and wondering what they thought of her, but she had the strangest feeling that she was being watched.

She glanced around, feeling as though she were looking for a ghost. Come on, Miaka. You're being paranoid and stupid. Nobody important here probably even notices you. You could dance naked on the refreshment table and no one would notice you. Just… be invisible. Yeah. You do it all the time.

Wasn't working. She still felt those eyes!

"Are you alright?"

Startled, Miaka jumped and squeaked. Her hand flew to her chest and she could feel her heart thudding a little more rapidly than normal. She sighed in relief when she realized who had spoken. "Yes of course. Why wouldn't I be, Andy?" she waved him off, trying to be as nonchalant about the weird feeling she was getting as possible. She didn't want to worry Andy. Which was exactly why she hadn't been telling him about the notes.

Even though she hadn't told him about the notes, Miaka could still sense that something was on his mind. Since he was so quiet and had hardly spoken to her so far that night (not that he'd had the time with all the people wanting his attention) her mind began to race. What could he be thinking? Was he worried that she might not decide to go with him on the tour after all? Was he worried that maybe she didn't have as strong of feelings for him as he did for her? Or maybe… maybe he'd decided that she wasn't good enough for him after all. Had he decided that he didn't want her? Did he want Shiko?

Miaka mentally slapped herself.

Now you're just being ridiculous!

It's possible!

Is not.

Is so.

Not infinity.

Damn you.

Even with her overactive imagination, Miaka knew that that wasn't it. This was Andy, Hotohori's reincarnation. If there was anything she could be sure of, it was him and his feelings.

She squeezed Andy's hand; wishing that he would remember, but knowing that he likely never would. The thought of that nearly killed her, but she knew that it was likely for the best.

"What's wrong?" Andy's golden eyes looked at her with concern and Miaka smiled.

"Nothing. Just thinking." Yeah. Like I'm going to tell you I'm mourning your lost memories of a past life. Please. Give me a little credit here!

A sly look came over Andy's features. Coming from someone such as Andy, the expression should have just looked wrong, or maybe even creepy. However, it only seemed to make him look sexier than he already was. "About what?" He leaned down so that his nose was nearly brushing hers.

Blush. "Nothing." Miaka looked down.

He let out a soft laugh, his breath tickling her ear as he leaned even closer and whispered huskily, "About what might happen on the road?"

Miaka felt her entire face go beet red as a flash of heat swept over her body. In a fit of righteous retribution, she swatted Andy across the chest just hard enough to hear a satisfying SMACK as she half hissed and half laughed in embarrassment, "You!"

Feigning injury, Andy put a hand to where she'd hit him, "Me? You've scarred my perfect skin!"

"Miaka!"

Andy and Miaka both turned at the sudden intrusion of a gravelly elderly woman's voice. Andy was surprised and delighted to see that it was the lady who had sold him the bouquet of flowers earlier that week.

But how did she know Miaka?

He glanced at Miaka, expecting an explanation when the girl suddenly squealed and leaped on the elderly woman with a muffled shout of "Taitsukun!"

Miaka released the crone and stared. "What are you doing here?" she just couldn't figure it out. Why would Taitsukun be in Tokyo? Miaka then realized that the Creator was holding a basket full of boutonnières and corsages'made of all kinds of different flowers.

"Hello, Miaka. How are you?" The old woman smiled in what could almost be considered a sneaky way and held out a corsage with a group of purple orchids on it.

"F-fine." Stuttered Miaka. "What are you doing here?" Was the world going to end? Was something wrong in the Universe of the Four Gods?

"Why what does it look like? I'm giving out flowers!" she answered crankily. It was then that she looked past Miaka at Andy, "And you! How did that young lady like those flowers that I helped you pick out?"

Andy grinned and put an arm around Miaka's shoulders and gave her a small squeeze, "She loved them, right Miaka?"

Miaka smiled and nodded, "Yes, they were gorgeous." She eyed Taitsukun, Why are you selling flowers

Taitsukun "ahhed" appreciatively and then clapped her hands together, "This is the girl they were for? How wonderful!" she leaned towards Andy—causing him lean farther away—"You see, I used to be Miaka's babysitter! Oh the stories I could tell you…" she rattled on as she fastened the boutonnière to Andy's suit jacket.

Miaka stared, Babysitter? Well. I suppose that could be considered half true…

"Ow!" Andy yelped as Taitsukun jabbed him with the pin.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" she said, holding back a grin, "Didn't mean to."

Miaka didn't think that was an accident. Maybe Taitsukun was getting Andy back for his previous incarnations first reaction to her? Miaka sighed, she was so confused...

"Ah! There's Kimoto! Let's go meet him." Guiding her with one warm hand placed lightly in the small of her back, which was wreaking havock on Miaka's senses, Andy took her to meet the man that until now she had only heard about.

As they neared where Kimoto stood Miaka could see that he really wasn't all that impressive. He was short, Miaka thought that she might even have an inch or two on him, with a stocky build, slightly chubby, balding, and with a handle bar mustache. Miaka was alternately reminded of Danny DeVito, and Hitler simply because of the mustache and the way he treated Andy. Though now that she saw the guy Miaka had a hard time understanding how someone like Andy could let him get away with anything. He'd faced down bandits, zombies, and Nakago for Suzaku's sake!!

Since she had heard form Andy that the guy was such a totalitarian kind of man, Miaka resolved to keep her mouth shut. Andy loved his music, and the last thing Miaka wanted to do was get him fired because she couldn't keep quiet.

"Kimoto-san!" Andy greeted the man cheerily and Miaka pasted on a smile as she and Andy came to a halt within conversation distance of Kimoto. She stood as close to Andy as she could, shivering slightly because she could feel the heat radiating off of his body.

Kimoto turned from speaking with someone that Miaka pegged as a reporter. He caught sight of Miaka first and raised an eyebrow as though wondering what she wanted. Then he caught sight of Andy and immediately smiled and with a loud roar of a "Hello my boy! Andy!" slapped him on the back heartily causing Andy to nearly be knocked over. He then turned to Miaka with obvious faked politeness, took her hand, and asked, "And who is this lovely young flower?"

Miaka felt like hurling when he kissed her hand, but held it back and smiled as Andy introduced her. She struggled to maintain a pleasant face. Miaka had always had a good sense of people and what they were like after her experiences in the Book World and Kimoto was radiating "slime ball." She resisted wiping her hand off on her dress.

"Ah! Miaka! Andy's told me so much about you. I'm delighted to meet you!"

Miaka tried not to roll her eyes. Yeah right. Nonetheless, she smiled, "Really? I've heard lots about you too!"

"Andy, DAHrling!"

Miaka twitched.

Miaka turned to see Shiko literally draped around Andy, a hand playing with his bangs. She cleared her throat noisily and glared at Shiko when the other girl looked at her.

Shiko simply ignored her and went back to cooing in Andy's ear. Finally Andy managed to wiggle away from her as politely as he could and then moved closer to Miaka as if for protection.

Shiko gave Miaka a dirty look and then moved closer to Kimoto in order to greet him. Afterwards she stood next to Kimoto and shot Miaka dirty looks when she thought no one was looking.

Miaka ignored her.

Andy and Kimoto made small talk involving the future of Andy's career while Miaka tried to look like she understood at least some of what was going on. Shiko gave her opinion every once in a while, earning praise from Kimoto and giving Miaka triumphant looks that Miaka wanted nothing more than to swat off of her perfectly made up face.

"ANDY!" Miaka sensed Andy tense up beside her and brace himself as though he expected to be tackled. Miaka blinked, trying to remember where she knew that voice. It finally registered mere seconds before Ayame popped out of the woodwork and latched onto Andy's arm. "Dance with me!"

Andy glanced at Miaka as though he were asking if it was alright if he danced with another girl, but Miaka saw sheer panic in his expression. She was about to make up some sort of excuse when Kimoto guffawed and shoved Andy and Ayame towards where a small band was playing and a few couples were dancing.

"Go on son, dance with the pretty lady." He smiled and looked at Miaka, "I'd like a chance to get to know Miaka better anyway."

Shiko's eyes narrowed and shot daggers at Ayame's back and for once Miaka was in perfect agreement with her. She was sure that if she'd had an X-gene that something terrible would have happened to Ayame by now.

Andy sighed in resignation and allowed Ayame to drag him to the dance floor, all the while looking as though he were being led to his own execution. Miaka was reminded of Proteus from the movie Sinbad.

When Andy was out of earshot, Kimoto turned to Miaka and gestured towards the refreshment table, "Walk with me. Talk with me."

Miaka would rather go bungee jumping without a cord, but as long as there was food involved… She could eat something crunchy and not have to listen! She glanced longingly back towards Andy, missing his presence already, but followed Kimoto nonetheless.

"So. How did you and Andy meet?"

Miaka answered, all the while giving Kimoto sidelong glances, wondering why exactly he wanted to know. Did he have something up his sleeve?

The whole time Kimoto questioned her, Miaka answered truthfully. However, she noticed with annoyance that Shiko insisted on following them everywhere.

"I can see that Andy really likes you. You must be a special girl to have kept him interested this long." He bit into a leg of chicken, the juices dribbling down his chin, "You do realize though that he's leaving in a couple days, right? Long distance relationships haven't usually been known to work out too well."

Shiko piped up, "Andy invited her along on the tour!"

Kimoto's eyebrow's disappeared into his receding hairline, "Oh really?" he looked at Miaka, "Is this true?"

Miaka nodded excitedly. "Yes he did! And I can't wait to meet his family!" she was nearly bouncing in her happiness, "He says he has a couple weeks off in a few months and he wants me to meet his brother." She noticed Kimoto's face twisting into a strange expression, "Why? Is that bad?"

Kimoto laughed unconvincingly, "Bad? Of course it's not bad! Why would it be bad?" he finished his chicken leg and put it back on the plate he'd gotten it from. Miaka wrinkled her nose but didn't say anything.

He appeared to be thinking about how to tell her whatever was on his mind when he burped and then began speaking, "Well. First of all, having an extra mouth to feed would cost me money. Do you have any qualities that could possibly benefit the show? Can you dance? Do you sing?"

Miaka shook her head.

"Well then I'm afraid I can't let you go with. You see, not only would you be useless to me, but for the past week or so, Andy has been… argumentative. Moody." He looked at Miaka, "and I think it's because of you."

Miaka blinked, "Me?

"Yes. Before he met you, he never acted like that. I'm sorry, but I think you're a bad influence on him." He moved to Shiko and put an hand on her shoulder, "Besides, Shiko here's my niece, and I'd like nothing better than for her and Andy to get together. I've been working on it for months! See, Shiko is in the music business. So she understands Andy better than you ever could. Not only that, but they'd make a great marketing couple."

Miaka was flabbergasted. What right did this man think he had to try and control everyone else like that? Since he'd started talking, Miaka had felt her fuse getting shorter and shorter and her face getting hotter and hotter. Her brain told her to stay quiet but her mouth wasn't listening.

"Listen, you pompous, moronic, pig! I know Andy just fine. I can say without a doubt that I understand him better than anyone else. Especially you!" she jabbed Kimoto in the chest, "Or you!" she glared at Shiko. "Did you know that his favorite color is red? That his favorite food is chicken and cheese enchiladas? How about that his birthday is April second? He has two brothers and two sisters and he's closer to his family's nanny that he is to his parents because they were so busy when he was little that he never had the chance to get attached to them?"

Kimoto's deep set eyes widened and he raised his hand as though to hit Miaka, but Shiko grabbed his arm before he could make a move. Miaka wasn't sure if Shiko was protecting another girl from being hit, or if she was protecting Kimoto from getting sued.

Either way, she was on a roll now and would have kept on ranting, but she saw Andy coming back towards them with Ayame on his heels. Miaka shoved past Shiko and Kimoto and walked as fast as she could towards Andy and grabbed his arm, holding in the angry tears she could feel burning her eyes.

Andy followed her without question, seeing that she was upset, but not really knowing why. As soon as they were out of the lobby, Andy directed her to the stairs, planning to take her upstairs to his room where they could have some privacy. When they had climbed to the third floor, Miaka finally let it out.

"That. Man. Is. The . Biggest. Bastard. I. Have. Ever. Met." she growled as they climbed the stairs.

Andy sighed, "I know. I know."

"It's not fair! Why can't you just get a new manager?"

"Because Kimoto has the power to ruin my career anyway. He could spread all sorts of rumors and probably pay enough people off to agree with him that anything he said would be considered fact."

They'd reached Andy's room and Andy locked the door behind them. That would keep Shiko out-hopefully. Other than that he could only hope that Kimoto didn't send security up. He didn't relish the idea of having his door knocked in.

Miaka made an aggravated sound. "So what?" she turned to Andy, taking off her uncomfortable high heeled shoes as she did so. When he opened his mouth to respond, Miaka cut him off, "I get it that you love the music. I do. I also get that he could ruin it for you." She straightened up, "But I can't help but feel that your unwillingness to ftell him what you want and to shove what he wants up his ass is just a little bit cowardly."

Andy looked hurt and Miaka felt slightly ashamed. The purpose of her rants wasn't to hurt his feelings. She just wanted him to feel he had the power to run his own life.

She sighed and then started pacing. "I don't want to be mean. I really don't. But you've got to get a backbone. In fact… you remind me of someone I used to know." She glanced at Andy and saw that he was simply watching her with those eyes of his. He looked like he was listening, so Miaka went on.

"He was one of my best friends. The one in the picture you saw earlier that looked like you? He was a leader. He knew exactly how to help everyone else get what they want. He was always willing to help everyone else. But he was like you in that he never seemed to want to stand up and do something for himself." She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, "Gods. He was one of the most selfless people I've ever known." She blushed and paused, "He, he was in love with me. But I was with Taka and couldn't return his feelings. Do you know how guilty I feel about that? The one thing that he ever wanted for himself, and I was too selfish to think about him." She wiped away a tear that had sneaked down her cheek and saw that Andy was still watching her. "And the thing is, I think I really did love him."

What was she thinking? Here she was with Andy and even though he was Hotohori for all he knew she was talking about some other guy! She flushed, embarrassed and grabbed her shoes.

Heaving a sigh she started towards the door, all the while apologizing. She didn't know where she was going to go, but she felt as though she just had to leave, immediately. "I'm sorry Andy. Look, I'll just go. I'm sorry. I'll… I'll just go now. Goodbye"


Andy blinked as Miaka started towards the door. In truth, he had been listening to what she was saying, but that dress she was wearing was so very distracting… not to mention that she was fascinating to watch when she got all riled up like she was now.

The red material clung to her curves as she paced across the room and Andy could feel his thoughts taking a less righteous road than they should have. He watched her, feeling like a hunting cat waiting for the right moment to pounce on its unsuspecting prey.

Wait. She was heading toward the door. She wasn't allowed to leave!!


Miaka reached for the chain to unlock the door only to have a large hand cover hers and stop her. She looked over her shoulder only to come face to face with Andy, who was so close that he was nearly pressed up against her.

"Actually. I was hoping that I could convince you… spend the night?

A jolt shot through her at the suggestive tone in his voice and that strange energy that had been building in her for half the night seemed to explode as she turned around and covered Andy's lips with her own.

Taking that as a "yes" Andy scooped Miaka up and carried her back to his bed where she would fall prey to his "suggestions" for the rest of the night.


AN: Nya! Tranquility Storm and Rae can kill me now! I used the word SEXY!!! Mwahaha! Wondering why they gave the publicity event in the hotel lobby? Because Kimoto's a cheep bastard that's why. I don't remember if I mentioned where this was supposed to be held in previous chapters… So if I did, sorry. I screwed up. Hehe. Also, with Miaka's mom and her accepting Tasuki so easily… This is almost over and I didn't have time for more drama. If I'd maybe thought of adding the dog in earlier I could have done something with that, but as of now it's really too late to do much with it. Sorry drama lovers!! Same thing goes for Mrs. Yuuki and the mothers blessing scene. I forgot about the fact that Miaka would have to deal with her sooner or later early on and didn't remember until I read Kittlynne's The Promise where she did a brilliant job of characterizing Mrs. Yuuki and showing us where Miaka got her personality as well as keeping her in a perfect mother-esque frame. (I love and hate you for that Lynne! jealousjealous ) Also, my romance mojo sorta died, so the last bit is kinda crappy, as well as any other mushy part that should have been in this chapter. As well as basically just giving you guys an outline for the whole Andy meeting Miaka's mother thing. Ah well. Seeing as I'll be rewriting it, I can fix that later. Besides, I WANT TO GET TO THE NEXT CHAPTER SO SO SO BADLY!!! So, pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease forgive me! I know I just committed like a cardinal sin and all, but… but… I want to FINISH and then FIX everything! Anyways… heaves a sigh Almost done!! And then it's time for the sequel…. faint Why do I do this to myself???