Chapter 2:The Making of a Fool
People, I am really sorry (am I apologizing every time?) that I haven't updated recently. Really worried about my marks, I studied and studied. So I was busy. Anyways, thanks for those who reviewed…really appreciate it.
Happy Summer, people!
"Get out of my way!"
"Your Highness, this is really unnesce-"
"I said, get off my way!"
"As you wish, Your Highness."
"Bring out the blankets…and mop out the puddles!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Hotohori swayed around to face the ancient advisor who questioned him. "Are you going to do it right away?" The advisor, so old and fragile, merely shook his head in approval. "I intend to." Hotohori didn't trust that mockery in that voice but was reminded of the wet bundle in his arms. Nuriko. The guy was really wet and it created big pools of water everywhere. "And it soiled His Highness' robes…" the advisor tsk-ed as he saw the young emperor walk away quickly. What puzzled him the most, is that why would the Emperor spend his time with a person that is…an…ummm…with a…oh Suzaku, he forgot the word. Okay, let's just call the person Nuriko a…another person, that had gotten the Emperor's eye. "No!" he smacked his head. That's not even a person! Nuriko is unfit, and he well knows it, for the Emperor. But would Hotohori turn his beautiful head around? The advisor didn't know for sure, but he isn't giving up yet. He needs a plan, a plan that would secure an heir and an empress with the Emperor. Suddenly, a light bulb appeared on top of his baldy head and the advisor smiled. I know what just to do the advisor chuckled evilly. "Hehehe…it won't be long 'till the Emperor got a taste of the married life. HAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAhchooo! Ahchoooooo!" The advisor tried to laugh, and tried. But instead of laughing his ass off, he ended up sneezing and coughing instead.
A few seconds later…"HAHAHAHAhchooooooooooooo! Okay, try that again…HAHAHAhchooooo! Why is it not working!" (doesn't give up, does he?) Fortunately, (whew!) a servant who happened to pass by the ancient advisor carrying some woolen towels, widened her eyes as she saw the advisor trying to laugh but ended up coughing instead. When the advisor tried to laugh again, this time, the servant dropped the towels she was holding and pinched her nose. Of course, the advisor took offence in that and demanded, "What do you want, servant girl?" The girl just looked at him from head to toe and replied in a disgusted manner, "For you to at least brush that stinking smell off!"
……………………………..:…………………………………
Inside the royal chamber, Hotohori replaced one washcloth to another, as he dabbed affectionately on poor, soaking wet Nuriko's brow: lying unconscious on his bed. His bed. The phrase rang in his head as his body began to act like something possessed. It created a feeling deep inside him, something he couldn't urge to quiet down. That feeling had the nerve to tell his brain to touch Nuriko. Touch him, touch him. The Emperor now was shocked. He leaped off the bed and began to put his hands to his ears. He didn't know that it was his brain. "I am not listening…I am not listening…I am not listening to you…" he said to himself, like a sacred chant. "Not listening…not listening…whoever you are, you're crazy…" Poor Emperor, he's talking to himself.
"I'm not listening to you…I'm the Emperor, and I don't want to listen to you…You're crazy, haha…I'm not listening…" (And I thought I talk too much.)
Nuriko finally awakened to a dancing Hotohori on the foot of the bed and pretty much talking to himself. "Oh Suzaku." He whispered, staring wide-eyed at the handsomest-human going insane. As Nuriko tried to sit up, he discovered he wasn't in his original clothes anymore. These robes he had on now, were much too regal for his tastes, and much too silky. Why would anyone put these on me…then the truth hit him, hard. Hotohori had replaced the wet ones with his own, to keep him warm. Nuriko finally gave up any hope of sitting up and decided to snuggle closer to the bed. It didn't matter now that the clothes weren't to his liking, or the bed to his comfort. Just as long as the person who used the robe and the bed was…
"Hotohori?"
"Wait. That's not me." Nuriko again flipped his eyes open and saw an undignified person he doesn't want to see ever again. Oh Suzaku, tell me I'm dreaming. He wished hopefully, but the situation had gotten out of hand and the cheeky feminine voice appeared in human form of…Miaka.
At last, Hotohori stopped his dances with emperors and straightened himself to greet the woman. "Oh, Hotohori! I am so glad to see you!" Miaka greeted and rushed open-armed to Hotohori. That bastard returned the greeting with also much enthusiasm as Miaka and hugged her gratefully. "I won't stand to listen to these two babble all day." He muttered and quietly sneaked off the bed. He then tiptoed, hoping that they wouldn't notice him-
"Nuriko? What are you doing here?"
"Shit! Shit, shit, shit, damn bitch!" he cursed violently and turned around with a forced happy face. "What? Not happy to see me, dearest miko?" he asked mockingly. Obviously, Miaka didn't catch that tone. She hugged him too with much fierceness and whispered to his ear. "Are you mad at me?" As sure as hell I am. "If I did, I won't last that long, miko." He feigned a smile. Can't be too careful to let her see you're planning to kill her! Miaka returned the smile with a sigh of relief.
Nuriko plastered a grin to his surprise-strickened face. "What the hell was this bitch doing here? Bursting into Hotohori's bedchamber like…"
Suddenly, the realization hit him…hard.
"Is Miaka sleeping with Hotohori?" he thought.
Indignation swept over him. No fair! I want him to experience it first with me…until I ask Taiitsukun to change me into a woman…no fair!
It was such a surprise that Nuriko was able to keep a simple grin to his face when his nerves were screaming to kill the miko, Miaka. At breakfast, he barely got food inside, with fear that he might burst right then and there. So, he sipped the tea instead through stuck-together teeth. While he was doing this, Nuriko watched annoyingly as Miaka gulped down every ounce of food laid out on the table without a care for manners. Hotohori only managed to get a bit or two until Miaka turned puppy-eyed on him. Nuriko rolled his eyes as he glanced at her empty plate. THAT'S why.
"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease…" Miaka begged, "it is soo good. Would you resist your miko with just ounce of carbohydrates?"
With great reluctance, Hotohori gave Miaka the noodles he was about to eat. Okay, Nuriko, keep your cool down…But he was already fed up. He was fed up with this whole "blah" about Hotohori giving up everything he has to save his miko. A miko who wouldn't choose him over Tamahome, that is! Even though he was destined to protect her, it didn't mean he would salvage his life for her!
Nuriko often wondered why wouldn't Hotohori see him, Nuriko, and spare him a single glance of affection, like what Hotohori often gives Miaka. The funny thing is, whenever this happens, Tamahome starts to get possessive and gives Hotohori the evil eye. As an emperor, he silently gives in and makes up a lame excuse to get out of the room without Miaka. Being Nuriko, he would often chase after Hotohori and act as a confidante. Couldn't they be much more?
Hothori and Miaka stopped their musings and turned to Nuriko who is now standing up with hands in his ears, looking fed up. Being Miaka, she thought it was a game…"Ooooooooooohhhh, charades! I LOVE charades! Okay, me turn!" Then, Miaka started snorting around the table . She stopped when both guys were staring at her with horror.
"You don't know? It's a pig, silly! I'm acting like a pig. Okay, next one!"
"Oh Suzaku…" the embarrassed Emperor sighed when he saw Miaka scratching herself on the head and chest. He covered his eyes with his hand, then turned to Nuriko, mouthing a "let's go."
They left in silence, while Miaka scratched and scratched; that her skin turned bright pink and howled in pain.
Author's Note: What do you think? Funny enough? Tell me what you think by sending in a review.