Miaka ran out of her chambers in a new lilac silken gown, sweeping divinely down the balcony floor; her smile and giggle echoing throughout the palace walls reaching Hotohori who was slowly walking at the other end.

She latched onto Hotohori who caught her and swept her off her feet as he turned around to place her down. In a mist of birds and foliage Hotohori and Miaka smiled at each other as she reached up to kiss the emperor.

"Morning, my sunshine," he exclaimed with cheerful eyes.

He was so well spoken and so generously minded.

"Morning! "she nodded in a happy chirp.

"My, aren't we looking lovely today:" the emperor placed a hand over her shoulder

"I knew it would suit my bride."

Miaka smiled, but lowered her head. bride until a while ago, she promised herself to Tamahome and knowing they would no longer be together she gritted her teeth and let out a sigh under her breath.

Hotohori lightly placed his index finger and thumb under her chin and gently lifted it-

"Smile my dear; we have the world to ourselves now"

She was relaxed by his soothing voice, but a little discontent with herself in this present world. After all she had been through with Tamahome… the blood, loss and pain of losing the backbone of the Suzaku Seven- was this really what she wanted?

(Britney Spears- Everytime)

:Tamahome: So let's go.

Miaka: Imbecile. You can't do business here anymore. And what's worse! You could have been hurt.

Why…Why would you do that!... Go that far- for..for me!

Tamahome: Let's go

Miaka: ANSWER ME!

Tamahome: It's not important

His voice quiet and dismissive, his back turned to Miaka)

Miaka: It IS IMPORTANT! –it is…. Because I….I…….I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU!

Tamahome : Sorry, I don't feel the same. I protect Suzaku No Miko. Let's go home. The emperor will be worried.

Overwhelmed by his rejection, she reaches out for him but her vision blurs. She tries to call out to him but her head is hot and she faints and falls to the ground.

Tamahome rushes to her side, hysterically screaming her name.

Miaka: I've found myself in love and I have already lost him.

No, the backbone of the Suzaku Seven, the one she cared most about was her backbone…the one that - had gone. She shook her head back into focus of her reality. Ironically, the scenery she now stared out to used to be a surreal adventure through a book. Now it was to be her home. In this chaotic serenity that was her palace. What was she talking about- this WAS a palace! Tamahome had left her and was not coming back. He had forgotten her- left for her and Hotohori to be at peace.

But if she knew, that deep inside, she would have returned to Tamahome, why did he leave, did he not want her anymore?

Hotohori's face is nothing but bright lit and happy. He smiled as he glided away- both hands enclosed and the sleeves of his robes symmetrically fallen centre of his being and the sashes fluttering in the wind.

Miaka headed back to her room; like every other day; where she would sit and ponder the meaning of her life.

The day both Tamahome and Hotohori challenged each other to a battle to earn her heart- was this the day that made her heart ache.choose.desire?

: Miaka: Hotohori! STOP!

Tamahome yields his arm to prevent her from coming any closer

Hotohori facing Tamahome: If you want to talk, I'll listen, but if you give me excuses, I won't forgive you.

Tamahome: I'll make no excuses. But let me say this. I love Miaka. I won't hand her over to anybody, including you- even if you are the Emperor.

Tamahome and Hotohori face off in the pouring rain. The battle consumes the two under the pit of anger.

Hotohori's sword comes close to piercing Tamahome's neck.

He forfits his attack and lowers his sword.

Hotohori: I am impressed that you would be so honest to battle me as your companion and Emperor for the sake of Miaka.

He retreats his sword and leaves the battle ground- but not before sharing a statement.

Hotohori: Miaka, I am the one who loves you.

Tamahomechibi-deformed: 'I was so scared! Hotohori looked so scary!'

Miaka: You Stupid! You could've gotten yourself KILLED, do you know that? He is an emperor! The head of this country!

Evening broke into a thousand crows darting about into the moon from the darkened trees around the enclosed palace.

She nestled cosily into her canopy bed, drew over silky blankets and coversed herself up for warmth.

A knock echoed from the entrance and the emperor stepped in.

"My sunshine, at last- it has been a hard day, and I've missed you so. Night has fallen and day is hiding with you and has kept you locked up in here-"

Miaka frowned at his slightly humorous attempt to imply her security required her that she safely keep within palace walls.

Hotohori's hair has soaken wet, the thickened, clumped strands of his hair follow the contour of his body as he undresses and slips into the bed with her.

There is an uncontrolled sensation that starts with the tingling of her toes. She is warmed up by the heat of his body over hers as they wrap around together.

The emperor stared into her eyes and caressed her face with his right hand- smearing away the droplets that fell over her face from his hair. His left hand gently paced her legs apart as his manhood slowly warms her thighs.

Miaka's breaths become short winded. Hotohori hushes her with gentle sounds and whispers. He sings the theme to their song as his manhood slowly rises and hardens right at her slightly moistened entrance.

Tamahome grabs Miaka and sits her on the bed.

Tamahome: Were you're concerned, do you think I give a damn!

His symbol of the ogre glows a luminescent red

Tamahome: Do you know what the character on my forehead means?

Miaka: Ogre!

Tamahome: Nope, wrong. When I was little, everyone teased me about it, but now, I know it means protecting you, and living for you.

Miaka's eyes fill with tears and grabs Tamahome in a tight hug..

Miaka thinks to herself: 'I can't be apart from him because I love him so much.'

Miaka: Can you be with me forever? I'll never part from you,

Tamahome: Of course, you idiot .

Miaka: I have only you. I have only you.

Miaka: 'I'm sorry Yui.. sorry Hotohori'.

"Miaka….Miaka…" he coarsely whispered.

Miaka's eyes slowly awaken as she wiped away the moist heat from her ears.

"Please don't sleep yet- I have a surprise for you…"

Miaka- speckled pink with tiredness, rubbed her eyes and stared up at Hotohori whose hands were cupped in

a tight fist. She quickly sat up on the bed, bought her knees up to her chest and pulled her warm

blankets over them.

She stared cross-eyed at the little something hidden away in his palms, gently poking and prodding at the super-surprise which obviously caughther attention. He lifted the tips of his fingers- and a small silver glint gleamed into her pupils which dilated ever so fast when he unveiled the rest of her surprise.

"Oh….its beautiful….it looks just like… like…"

"The one you threw away in a fit of confusion?"

Miaka's face exploded into a puff of red, clenched her fist and pouted her face.

Hotohori laughed it off and stroked her head. "I'm kidding...just kidding"

Together they both spent an hour gazing at the large and flawless diamond ring encrusted with speckles of moonstone glass and silver.

"It's so fancy..."

Hotohori put his hands on her shoulder and leant down to kiss her. She reciprocated and they teased each other's tongues, sliding them around. Miaka's fingers trailed up his heated body as they found their way in amoungst his hair and twirled them until they tangled knots.

"Miaka... " he hoarsely whispered, it was almost as pleading as a lost boy's cry. "Miaka, I want to see you."

Bringing his hand up to the back of her neck, he eased his way down so that she lay on her backside and he came out on top. The intensity rose as his arms tightened around her. The contour of his body fit perfectly into her and was devoid of any icy chill.Their rhythm grew with each embrace and the warmth of his body increased as they both pressed closer into each other.Miaka felt a pressing object up against her thigh and spread them a little to give her more comfort. Hotohori's manhood hardend and swelled red; aching to be given attention and slid back so that his thigh was in between hers and his hands enclosed on her vagina. He slowly twirled his way through and stroke the moistened wetness of her inside.

Miaka arched her back as she felt a finger slip through and pull out rhythmically. The sensations, wild and fierce engulfed into flames as he pressed deeper into her, feeling his finger around. He pulled out his index and felt the liquids before licking it and inserting his middle finger in alongside it. Miaka breathed in and gasped as Hotohori pressured gently to let his fingers through. He moved both fingers around to loosen some of the tenseness that came with opening a new bud; like a virgin. As Hotohori moved his mouth from her lips, he kissed a trail from her cheek to the under of her neck, slowly down between her breasts and over her stomach, below to her shaven vaginal region. He slowly...teasingly lapped his tongue on her clitoris, concentrating on flicking his tongue back and forth to send heat waves to her senses.

Miaka's insides contracted with each thrust he made with his finger countered by several suckles to her clitoris. Miaka's breaths shortened and her patience elevated as she whimpered under the intensity of Hotohori's tongue lapping at her entrance to pick up any liquids that he left behind in foreplay. She cried out and he placed his manhood at her entrance, gently caressing her face, Miaka stared up at him and bit her lip. Hotohori licked his lips before sliding his tongue back into her mouth, his manhood slowly tapping at her entrance now wet with arousal.

Hotohori was beyond knowing all the sensations that spun around his heart and mind as he slowly rocked a rhythm into both their bodies, groaning and aching for more. He slipped more of himself into her with each rhythm and when his bulbous tip was consumed he held her head close to his heart, held his head high and thrusted with all his might into her soft, supple skin. Miaka's eyes sprung open and she cried and bucked at the force and intensity of the pain and shock that came overher. A rapid sensation tingled inside and she found herself rocking to Hotohori's pace, being led deeper and deeper as the pain subsided and a new ecstatic sensation engulfed her.

Beads of sweat cumulated over his forehead and he found himself closer and near release. Hotohori's pace quickened as his hips rocked hers harder and faster, moaning and grunting with each pounding thrust. She lifted her legs wider and wrapped them over Hotohori's back, her huffs trying to keep up as the rocking turned into more forceful pelvic thrusts. Pressure built within his groans, breathing hard under Miaka who lay still, panting. A shiver ran through the back of Hotohori's spine as he arched back into an eruption; his echoing moan, shaking throughout the palace walls.

His face glowed as he faced Miaka, her eyelids heavy- written with tiredness and satisfaction. He slid to her side and bend down to kiss her as she fell asleep. " I love you so much" she breathed into the cold air.

"I am just glad you have chosen me, Miaka"

She sighed at her new found happiness.

"I'm sorry Hotohori"…She whispered as she fell asleep in his arms.