Only One Wish
By Tenshi xx TsubasaChapter Four
Miaka opened her eyes. She looked around her. Memories of the previous night flooded her head. She gasped. What happened? The last thing I remember is a blinding red light. …That's right…Tamahome came back. Hotohori went to battle him and risked his life…I was stupid enough to still care about Tamahome, even when he holds so much hatred for me within him. Then he went and fought Hoto— She gasped. …Is Hotohori all right? She scrambled out of bed and dashed out of her room, not caring a bit that she was in her sleeping robe. Glancing wildly around her in the misty air of early morning, she noticed afar in a pavilion near the lake stood a silent clouded silhouette. Hotohori? Her heart pounded and she made her way towards him. He was poised gracefully and stood gazing into the vastness of the lake with a troubled look in his eyes. "Hotohori!" He turned to her, surprised.
"Miaka!" Hotohori replied, relief flooding his face. "Are you well?" Here he is, having only concern for me after I nearly caused him to be killed yesterday! Miaka was slightly frustrated at him that.
"Yes, I'm fine" she replied hurriedly "…but I'm more worried about you!" Her eyes took on a wet sheen, and she stared down at her feet, her heart beating painfully against her chest. "Hotohori…I'm sorry. I've caused you so much trouble. I refused to follow your orders to stay in the room and not interfere. I nearly got you killed by Tamahome! I'm so sorry!" she whispered, her voice filled with guilt and remorse. Hotohori was momentarily stunned at her sudden outpouring of grief and quickly attempted to console her.
"Miaka…" he whispered soothingly to her and took her by the shoulders. "Please, do not blame yourself for this turn of events. Mitsukake has healed me. Tamahome has been rendered powerless, a unique ward placed over him by Chichiri. He will not harm us further…we dare not to kill him--he is a celestial warrior of Suzaku…" He paused, struggling slightly to gather himself. "…And in your heart," he finished. He glanced down at her and his brilliant golden eyes dimmed ever so slightly, a faraway look of longing in them. She knows naught of what heartache she brings upon me…it is her pure innocence and radiant soul that deeply draws me…but her heart belongs to another. I can only hope to ease her heartbreak as a faithful friend.
"…Hotohori." He was interrupted from his daydreams by Miaka's quiet voice that hinted at sadness. "After all this, I realize…he may be merely a crush, I suppose…I looked up to him, always seeked his support and would rely on Tamahome to protect me, ever since the day we met, but that…that is all a sort of…" She was struggling to retain her composure. This was difficult for her to admit this and face the facts that had always stood blatantly before her, but she had never accepted. "…A sibling type of love, I suppose. He was my first love, buthe has never held as much as my heart as I had once believed. And…with the suffering we have all endured at his hands…" She looked up at Hotohori, sadness in her eyes. "…I think I can move on." Hotohori gazed intently at her, bewilderment and confusion apparent on his face. Miaka… There. She had said it. She had summoned up what courage she had in her and blurted it out. It had nearly killed her, to face the truth. She was genuinely surprised…it was the first time she had been able to get her thoughts across clearly, without stumbling over words and saying stuff she didn't mean and confusing others into a state of insanity. It was difficult, sure but now she refreshed…her heart felt lighter and she had less things weighing heavily on her mind.
Hotohori gazed out at the beauty of the palace grounds, darkened with the night. He softly let out a soft breath and closed his eyes for a moment. The rush of events that had occurred so suddenly had overwhelmed him. Tamahome…betraying Miaka in such a way. Miaka…summoning up the courage to say such things. He had to admit, though, her confession had flared up some hope in him…maybe chance for him…? In her life? He quickly shook those thoughts from his head. It was selfish of him to be thinking of such fantasies while such chaos surrounded him and others were troubled so deeply. He proceeded back to his chambers, but not before smiling sadly at the pale moon that hung above.