Chapter 3, Caught in the Act

Here is the third installment of my fanfic. Thanks for all those who waited, and wanted more. Well, here it is folks. (Little Author Note: This chapter is entirely dialogued on Hotohori's thoughts. So if you see these() those are on his mind.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi or any of the characters' "abnormal ness".

After that little "scene" at the table, Hotohori had left an overreacting Miaka with Nuriko. At first, Nuriko was ecstatic to have Hotohori all by himself, then as time passed, he changed his mind when Hotohori started talking nonsense about the weather. Who cares about the weather anyway when you have the most handsome man in the whole world beside you? Soon thereafter, Nuriko would time and time again scowl his mouth and reply a politely "Yes, your Highness" Now, it seemed that having a perfect companion beside you was even boring than having a normal one. But it never stopped Nuriko from wanting Hotohori ---- for himself. They were strolling through the garden (the same garden he earlier fell in) and stopped by the benches to rest. After a squeaky silence, Hotohori rested his forearms on his knees and looked at a bored Nuriko, whose face was on his up drawn knees. "You're really different from anyone I've ever met." At this, Nuriko just yawned. "Of course I'm an original piece. One of a kind." Hotohori must've known that he was mentioning Miaka for he added. "You're no Miaka at all." Of course you dumb, dumb! Nuriko thought She's a pig of a female, miko and in love with Tamahome. Look at me! his mind tried telepathically connect with Hotohori's

I'm pining for you! Look at me. I'm special too!

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Nuriko tried unsuccessfully to send silent messages to Hotohori's mind for some…7 minutes, until Hotohori got up and added cheerily. "She must be done by now," Who's done? Nuriko wondered, then frowned "Oh her." He wondered for a minute if he ever was going to spend some special "quality" time with Hotohori, not worrying about some stupid miko.

Back at the table, a grumbling Miaka massaged her arms carefully over the red blotches. She later found out, much to her disappointment, that Hotohori and Nuriko had gone and left her. She was having entirely too much fun to see that her "audience" had gone. She threw the wet cloth down. Damn! Why does that queer have to influence so much on Hotohori when everything is all about her!

It wasn't fair. Even though she loved Tamahome, she wanted just to play along with Hotohori. It would be good to see 2 men fighting over her. She then smiled.

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Hotohori did nothing all day but listened as Miaka rambled and rambled on ways how to summon Suzaku. Sitting on his desk, Hotohori watched as the priestess and Nuriko (my dear confidante) battled with words, with Nuriko disagreeing to every suggestion Miaka requested.

"Hey, why don't we lure the god with food?"

"Gods don't expect food, they expect sacrifices!"

"But isn't giving up your piece of food a sacrifice?"

"In what way?"

"In case they're hungry."

"That's in your case!"

Hotohori just had to sigh. Obviously, Miaka isn't thinking straight at all…probably not taking her task more seriously. As Saihitei's eyes wandered on the walls, a certain painting caught his eye: a landscape of Genbu, Byakko, Seiryuu and Suzaku centered a slim priestess whose hands were holding an orb. Hotohori looked closely. For some strange reason, the priestess bore an uncanny resemblance on Miaka. During his childhood, he had heard a lot of myths and legends from his Father's counselors and advisors. One myth struck his fancy though, about one priestess who will one day summon all 4 Gods and bring power no one has seen before. Then by just glancing at Miaka one more time, an idea struck him. (It might be…just might be…)

As Hotohori prepared himself to ride his horse, he felt a hand clap his right shoulder. At first touch, Hothori might've thought it came from Tamahome but as he turned around to look at the person, he saw it none other than Nuriko

"Got a problem?"

Nuriko looked at him expectantly. He shyly glanced away, shrugging (as typical of him) . "Not much, but not too big either." But as Nuriko, he didn't believe him. He just stared at Hotohori like he was expecting something from him. Hotohori knew he couldn't stand long stares so he asked, "What do you want?"

To his surprise, Nuriko smiled. (So odd)

"I want to know what's bothering you." He softly replied back. "I want to be of help, since you're not acting you're typical self today. You're pushing me…away-"

Hotohori closed his eyes in desperation. He knew long ago that Nuriko had set his sights on him. (Not again, Suzaku)

"-besides, not to mention you're pushing away Miaka too. She's concerned you know." At that, Hotohori opened his eyes, much to Nuriko's annoyance.

"So you better speak up, Saihitei."

No one had called Hotohori by his original name before, and coming from Nuriko's lips just sounded so…right. He smiled at Nuriko's audacity.

"You sure know how to get what you want."

Nuriko blushed, lightly what the hell, was THAT? "Don't toy with me, Hotohori. I'm your confidante, remember?"

"Yes, a job's a job." He smiled. This was one of the things he had never done since childhood: to smile as you meant it. What was it with Nuriko that made him be someone he longed to be? What was it?

"It's just that…it's odd that Miaka closely looks like-"

"The priestess in the picture? Right ahead of you."

Hotohori blinked. None had dared to interrupt him, like what Nuriko just did. Then again, Nuriko isn't anyone. "You are?"

Nuriko snorted. "Sure, been thinking the same thing myself."

"Then you believe she might be the-"

"Don't push your luck, Hotohori." Nuriko warned. "She might look like it, but it's never going to come true. They're MYTHS."

Nuriko did had a point but, Hotohori wondered, why Nuriko was upset that he suggested that Miaka might be the one?

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Along the road, Miaka had suggested to stop a couple of times before their destination, which fed up Nuriko who turned his horse around. He then bumped into Tamahome's who was right behind him, knocking Tamahome off his horse.

"Oh Tamahome, are you alright? Aww, Nuriko! Look what you did!"

Miaka leapt off the horse she was sharing with Hotohori to tend Tamahome. Nuriko grunted. This was supposed to be a quest to find the other seishi, not to take a "promenade" through the woods!

"Can't we stop? I'm tired, and Tamahome looks hurt."

"Nearly there, priestess, so please get back to your horse."

"But I don't see it!"

Nuriko glared at Miaka. "Because you're too busy whining than looking!"

That was when Hotohori took up the hint. "Why don't we all stop for the night?"

All Hotohori got was a "tsk, tsk" from Nuriko.

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Hotohori led the group to a small stream, when Nuriko complained, "HERE! Are you crazy Hotohori? There are dangers here!" That spoiled Miaka, however, replied nonchalantly "Don't you see? Hotohori is the smartest person here, and he knows whats best! Tamahome'ss hurt, I'm tired, and you don't seem to care!"

Sighing, Nuriko did a satcastic bow to the priestess. "Oh, I'm so SORRY, my miko."

He knew he can't handle one more moment with Miaka, let alone talk to her, so he went deeper into the woods to look for something to use for a campfire.

Miaka busied herself with the accommodations for the group, like the tent and food. Saihitei on the other hand, led the horses to the stream and helped Miaka with the accommodations. It looked like Miaka wasn't the only one exhausted for Tamahome had curled up inside one of the cloth tents and slept. It left Hotohori with Miaka. Alone.

Nuriko had gotten back with a much more cheerful mood. He brought back barks and sticks for the campfire, which Miaka was only too eager to set up in a tepee shape. Nuriko ALSO had the fire going, which irritated Miaka more that Nuriko could know so much, for as low as him. Nurko noticed when Miaka started complaining more than usual.

"It's too cold!"

"Here's a blanket" Hotohori gratefully offered.

Nuriko glared. "Then you're the one who's going to be cold and get cold!"

Out of frustration, Nuriko left with great reluctance. Oh god! I'm leaving that bitch with him!

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Miaka, happy now that Nuriko just got out of the big picture, looked at Hotohori's face from across the fire. She wasn't cold, at all. She just wanted to irritate Nuriko. With great ease, she took off the blanket and sat closer to Hotohori giving it to him instead. "Here," she started "I'm not cold anymore." Hotohori merely looked deep into her and took the blanket from her hands. To his surprise, the hands felt cold to his touch. "Yes you are."

She silently slipped her hands free and placed them over the fire. "It doesn't matter." She looked at him briefly again. "As long as you aren't."

But Hotohori refused to listen and snatched her hands from the glistening red fire. He held her delicate hands in his soft ones and began to caress them. Instead of seeing Miaka smiling in satisfaction, he saw her shaking. "Why…are…you…shaking?"

Miaka blurted, "You're tickling me!"

Hotohori felt himself smile a genuine smile that he was able to satisfy his priestess. Without thought, he tugged the hands closer that…

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Noo….It can't be…please, tell me I'm dreaming… Nuriko bit back tears of sadness and displeasure as he saw Miaka and Hotohori…kissing. He watched from the shadows as the person he loved just destroyed any hope for him and Hotohori. Resentment filled over him as he slumped to his knees and cried. Why couldn't he love me for what I'm not?

Author's Note: Umm……………………………….sorry about the last part, people……it IS supposed to be comedy with romance in it………….but it does give the story a little twist, right?