Tasuki sighed with pleasure and sank into her chair and then smiled across the aisle to Miaka. "First class is so much nicer then economy." The miko smiled at her fire seishi and snuggled a bit more into her seat. "You rode economy the whole way here?" Tasuki nodded and then glanced up as Chichiri finished putting their bags in the overhead compartment and smiled down at Tasuki. "You were roughing it, no da." Tasuki burst into laughter and scooted her legs a bit towards her seat as the monk crawled over her and sat in the chair beside her. "I am just surprised you got me a first class seat also."
Hotohori turned in his seat to face her. "We switched your seats when we booked our own, Tasuki. We couldn't be all stuck up here in first class and have you back there with the commoners, could we?" The group burst into laughter and Chichiri shook his head at the ex emperor. Some things just never change.
The conversation flowing between the seishi and their miko was light hearted and it wasn't until they were in the air and the plane was halfway to Los Angeles that Chichiri questioned Tasuki on her mother.
"Tas-chan?"
The redhead looked up from her book and smiled at Chichiri. "Yes love?" The smile faded at the serious look on her fiancee's face. "what is it, Chichiri?"
The monk cast a glance around at their friends, but the rest of their group was conversing amongst themselves and he turned his attention back to her. "I know you had a conversation with you mother last night, no da." Her face fell slightly and she looked down at her lap.
"I felt the distress in your ki, Tas-chan."
She sighed softly and placed a hand over her still flat abdomen. "I told her about the baby, Chichiri." She glanced up, tears in her eyes. "I couldn't leave and then tell her over the phone. This was too important to not say face to face."
Chichiri gave a nod. "So, what was her response?" Tasuki looked at her fiancee and gave a slight smile. "I am glad I informed her of our past before I revealed that we are having a baby. She only yelled a bit." Her smile fell a bit and the book was put away for good before she turned back to the monk. "Do you think I am different, Chichiri?"
The monk frowned slightly "Different how?" Tasuki shrugged "I feel more girly all of a sudden. I fuckin' don't like it much." She frowned, fangs peaking out of her lower lip. The blue haired seishi chuckled. "More girly? Well, you are pregnant, I don't think you can get much more girly then that, no da." Tasuki shrugged and looked past him to gaze out the window into the clouds that surrounded the plane. "Even Kouji commented on it. That I am less brash then I was before I originally left for Japan. My vocabulary is cleaning up some and I feel more calm with my life." She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and smiled slightly.
Chichiri frowned. "Where is this going? Do you feel like you are losing yourself in this form, no da?" Tasuki blinked and rounded on him, twisting her body in the seat. "Yes, sometimes I think I am. Even when I was Genrou and in love with you in our past life, I was still a man's man. Honorable... well as much as a bandit could be" fanged grin at this "But it was more of the fact that in our past life I felt like I was the protector in our relationship. I protected you and was the more masculine member of our relationship. Now we are here and the role I am comfortable with is not mine to take. I wonder if our relationship is going to be the same as it is now or if after our child is born will I try and slip back into the role I occupied in our last life."
She glanced at him. "I know, that's very strange coming from the body of a woman. Especially one who is carrying your child. But I never felt very comfortable in this body before, sometimes I still don't. I will never get the whole high heels and short skirt thing. I'm more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt. I don't think I have owned a dress willingly since I was 4, if then. I wonder if you see me in this form now and think 'Woman, I must protect her.' And while the female part of me, gods that feels weird just saying it, but the female part of me loves you for the protection. But the deeper me, the Tasuki from before, brash, hotheaded, mountain bandit cries out in irritation at the weaknesses in this form that call for you to be in charge."
She sighed "Do I even make any sense or is this just a pregnancy hormonal thing going on?"
Chichiri chuckled and swept a piece of hair that had fallen into her eyes and pushed it back, smiling into her eyes. "Ah, Tasuki. I will admit, you are correct in your assumptions of our past relationship. You were definately in charge in certain areas and the stronger of us personality wise when dealing with others about our relationship. I just stood back and went with what you said and did in accordance to our relationship. Now, don't get me wrong, you never did anything I disagreed with, but it was easier and more comfortable to step back and let you assume this role. I will admit that after I was reawakened, I would imagine our life together after you were found and it looked very similiar to our past life. But now here you are, in a very different form and society says that it is I who must lead our relationship, at least outwardly. Do I think you have been changed? Yes, you are in a woman's body now. Even though your inner self is the same, your upbringing and the way we were both raised in this time says that our relationship will be different then before. We have seen that it is socialably acceptable for the man to lead the relationship in public situations, where as if the woman is seen being forceful, she is ridiculed and called names."
He smiled at her and kissed her nose, as she was looking a bit down. "But really, Tasuki, that is just the outside world, no da. In our past life, when we were just us, in our home, our union was just that, a union. Neither you nor I were in control, we complimented each other. Now we do the same, as before. When we are around our friends, we are able to share the burden of being in charge. Do I feel more protective of you physically? Yes, I do. You seem more fragile to me in this form and every fiber of my being says that you are to be protected and watched over. However, maybe that is just the man in me coming out. You were always physically protecting me in our last life, even though we both knew I didn't need it. I know you can defend yourself in this life, although now with the baby coming it is good to be cautious, but usually you are strong and can watch yourself and I know this. But you are the love of my life and I will do everything to protect you." By this point, Tasuki is sobbing softly at his words, her heart overfilled with love for this man. Chichiri gathered her into his arms. "Ah, I love you Tasuki. Don't fight the differences in yourself from your past life. I have differences in my life. I don't carry the pain and hurt on my soul and the scars on my person that I did in my last life, na no da. Those differences had formed me into a different person then what I was in my last life. Luckily my memories have not caused me any pains when they were returned. I just took who I was and fit it into who I am in this life. I think you have done the same. You were more brash before, I saw a little of this, but your family and Kouji confirmed this. And remember, no da, Genrou grew up in our last life. I think you are compairing your current self to the way you were as Genrou at this age. But you have the memories of Genrou being more restrained and mature in his later years. You are also female in this life. Your hormones are different, you react differently then Genrou would have, no da. When you add in the memories of a tamed Genrou from later in life and then the body of a woman and add that to your current persona, add in the environmental elements that go with raising a young woman and of course you are not going to be the same."
Tasuki gave a nod and wiped her tears, smiling lovingly at him. "And besides, I like this new Tasuki. You are both a comfort and reassuring presence in my life and a complete enigma. I am sure there are new things about myself that you are learning that have only cropped up in this life, na no da." Tasuki gave a nod. She suddenly smirked at him "Like how sexy you look in jeans."
The monk blushed bright red at this. "Gah, Tas-chan. I am trying to have a serious conversation with you and you have to say stuff like that." She burst into giggles at this and laid her head on his shoulder. "Actually I needed the laugh. I am sorry. I have been fighting it that I am giving up the control I use to have in our relationship from before. However, I see you are as new to your role in 'us' as I am. We will just take this together and learn as we go. Besides, I love how you protect me."
Chichiri smiled and kissed her nose. A voice from across the aisle sounded out. "Now, flame boy, if you are all done being sentimental, maybe you could answer the question on how your mom took the news that you are pregnant." The two were pulled out of their private little world and Tasuki's amber eyes narrowed at Tamahome as they realized that the whole group had been listening to their conversation.
"Baka, I was having a very nice conversation with Chichiri and you ruined it." She frowned playfully at him. "Fine, my mom is a bit upset. Her main worry was that Chichiri only proposed because of the baby. When I had convinced her that this was not the case, the worry turned to me finishing college and Chichiri's job. On the upside, my mother is totally thrilled about having a grandchild and has told me that she hopes that this will be her first of many." She frowned at this thought. "I told her that I was hoping Tad could contribute to that 'many' cause I was only giving her a few." The group burst into laughter and the conversation turned towards the upcoming wedding of Chichiri and Tasuki. Both seishi agreed that they really only wanted something small and they could do a reception in New Mexico next time they went. Just the warriors and their miko to be present for the vows.
As the plane landed in Los Angeles, Chichiri leaned close to his love. "Don't worry darling. My job will be fine. You are no longer my student and we will be married as soon as possible, before you become obvious. They really can't do or say anything about it." Tasuki gave him a nod. "If they try, then we will just deal with it together. I do want to finish college though." The monk nodded as the pilot turned off the seatbelt sign and the seishi stayed seated to let the 'commoners', as Hotohori referred to them, off the plane. "We will see you with a diploma, na no da." The others agreed to this and finally as a group, gathered their carry on bags and filed off the plane to catch their connecting flight to Tokyo.
The group had a 4 hour layover in the Los Angeles airport and Hotohori got them into a club he was a member of and they relaxed over appetizers and non alcoholic drinks. Chiriko and Tasuki were discussing their schedules for the next semester and Miaka and Nuriko were talking about girl stuff, who knows. Hotohori and Mitsukake were talking about Mitsukake's hunt for Shoka, seeing as Tasuki had Kouji with her. Shoka should be around somewhere. Chichiri and Taka were also talking about school, but from the teaching aspect. The moment was perfect, the group comfortable to just be together.
Time came for them to leave and catch their next flight and they stood, gathering bags and paying for the meal. Tasuki stretched and looked around her group, the comfortable way they helped each other, talked with each other. No one was ever left out here. She smiled to herself and caught Chichiri's eye. "What are you grinning about, no da? You look like the cat that just ate the canary."
She grinned and kissed his cheek. "Just so glad to be with you guys, that's all." The group heard her words and all smiled in agreement. They made their way towards the terminal. Suddenly Tasuki let out a yelp. All turned to her. "I have to pee."
The group burst into laughter as she turned and walked back towards the bathroom they had just passed, Miaka and Nuriko turning to follow her. "Same here."
The guys shook their heads and stopped to wait for the ladies. A few minutes later the girls returned, giggling together. Chichiri smiled at the sight of Tasuki giggling with Miaka and Nuriko. If it had been with any other women, the sight would have frightened him, but with the miko and willow seishi, it was natural.
The group was soon on the air plane, settling back into first class seats and chatting comfortably. The flight back to Japan was long and the group all slept at one point, Tasuki leaning on Chichiri's shoulder, his head resting on the window, their hands twined together.
They were able to gather luggage quickly in Tokyo and Hotohori had called for a limo and then group rode back towards the school in style, dropping off Tasuki and Chiriko first, so they could unpack. The group decided to just seperate for the evening and then catch up in the morning, seeing as it was about 8 pm when they landed. It took a bit of arguing, but Tasuki was allowed to carry her bag to her room, claiming she could do it just fine. They all sighed and told her to take it easy after that.
Tasuki sighed to herself and she dropped her bag at her door and opened her door. She sighed softly as Suki glanced up, having already returned to the dorm. The girl was all talking and giggling and Tasuki listened with half an ear to the girls excited chatter. She had just unpacked her bag and had changed out of her clothes into a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt when a knock on the door had Suki bounding towards it so sure it was for her. Tasuki wasn't really paying much attention and was pulling on a pair of thick socks as she pondered whether she was tired enough to sleep despite being hungry. "Who are you?"
Tasuki glanced up at Suki's question to see Chiriko at her door. "Dokun?" She used his correct name due to Suki. He gave her a grin. "I was hungry and thought you would be too." She smiled slightly. "I am, just a bit. I was standing here deciding if I was too tired to eat, but I think I can stay awake for some food." The youngest seishi smiled at her. "Good. Let's get moving."
She pulled her shoes on and gave a wave to the flabbergasted Suki, who looked like she wanted an invite. Grabbing her coat, she shut the door behind her, telling her roomie to not wait up. "So, where are we eatting?"
Chiriko smiled "A restraunt." She laughed and followed him out into the cold of the night. She came up short and grinned at her waiting friends. "Come on you two. It's cold and I'm starving." Nuriko yelled. Chiriko and Tasuki laughed and joined their friends. Seeing as they were still on campus and she could almost feel Suki's eyes on the group, she kept a respectable distance with Chichiri and joined in on the joking of Miaka wiping out a buffet style restraunt. Miaka took the ribbing good naturedly but then turned it on Tasuki. "Well, Tasuki is eatting for two now, so she will be eatting as much as I do soon." Tasuki stared open mouthed in shock at her miko. The group laughed at her expression. She finally recovered. "Miaka, if I was to eat as much as you, I would gain way to much weight." She grinned then at Taka "But man, Tamahome, can't you just imagine the grocery bills you will have when Miaka gets pregnant?" Taka gulped and paled noticeably the thought of all that money wasted on food to feed his wife making him shake a bit. The group just laughed at his obvious distress.
The restraunt wasn't far from the campus and the group settled around a table and Tasuki gave Chichiri a small grin, pleased to be next to him, even after the long flight. Their hands linked under the table and she leaned comfortably towards him, their hands resting on his knee. Their food had just been ordered and they were laughing and remembering their trip when Tasuki suddenly pulled away from Chichiri and sat straight. He gave her a confused look, as did Nuriko, who saw Tasuki pull away. "Suki is here."
"The roomie from hell?" Tasuki nodded at Nuriko's words. "Yeah, she just came in through the door" she groaned "And she is coming over here." The group almost seemed to sigh at these words and Suki arrived right behind Chiriko, who sat across from Tasuki. "Hi Gen-chan."
Tasuki turned an impassive look on the other girl. "Hello Suki, can we help you?"
The girl nodded "I was going to join you but didn't catch up to you in time. Where can I sit?" Tasuki was staring at the girl, in shock of her audacity. "You weren't exactly invited, Suki. Plus the table is full and this is a private conversation." Suki's eyes narrowed and she glanced at Chichiri. "Hello Ri-sensei." Chichiri's voice was calm. "Hello." Suki got a slightly twisted grin on her face and gave a bow to the group. "Excuse me for intruding. I will leave you to your meal then."
With that the girl left the restraunt and Tasuki thumped her head on the table. "Not good." Chichiri nodded "I think we might want to step up the process of our marraige." The group nodded and Hotohori's cell phone came out and he dialed a number and stepped away from the table and went to have a private conversation. Miaka and Nuriko turned towards Tasuki. "Do you think she knows?"
Tasuki nodded "She saw me leaning towards Chichiri, although our hands were under the table, I'm sure she knows. Plus she is a snoop, she has probably seen my sketches of you guys. She's not stupid, just flaky, she knows something is going on." She glanced at her lover. "I don't want Chichiri to lose his job."
Hotohori returned at this point and sat down. "If you are married before she can report you, then nothing can be said or done."
Chichiri nodded "Yes, that is true, but how are we to get married before she reports it, no da?"
The group turned to look at the smug smile on the ex emperor. "Taken care of. It will take most of the day tomorrow to do paperwork, especially since Tasuki is american, but you two can be married by tomorrow evening." Chichiri turned and stared at his lover. She looked shocked. She turned her head to stare at him and suddenly burst into a wide smile and launched herself at Chichiri. "Yes, let's do it." He burst into laughter and caught her, kissing her softly. The group sat back and smiled at each other. Tomorrow was to be Chichiri and Tasuki's wedding day.
After supper, the group walked back towards the campus, where their vehicles were parked and Chiriko and Tasuki bid their friends goodnight and walked towards their dorms, sleep being top on the list for the coming days activities.
Tasuki paused at her door and sighed, opening it. Suki was sitting on her bed, smirking at her roommate and Tasuki closed the door and met her gaze. "Hello."
Suki raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you are talking to me now?" Tasuki gave her a cold gaze. "It didn't have to come to that, Suki." The girl smirked. "What, you shagging your teacher?" Tasuki frowned. "You saw me sitting next to him in a group of people at a crowded restraunt, eatting. Where did shagging come into it? And besides, Ri-sensei is no longer my teacher. I am starting with Sakuna-sensei for those classes this semester."
Tasuki quickly changed into pajama's and sat on her bed while the roommate continued to smirk. "Then what about those pictures?" Tasuki glanced up. "What pictures?"
Suki waved Tasuki's sketch book under her nose. "The ones in here of Ri-sensei, dressed in those weird monk clothes. There is even a redhead in here that looks like you." Tasuki growled and tapped her seishi speed and snatched the book away from the girl. "Haven't you ever learned to not touch other people's things? I drew those pictures in high school."
"Yeah right. You drew Ri-sensei in high school, years before you got here, right?"
Tasuki sighed and rubbed her head. "I see even your friend Dokun is in here, all those people you had supper with tonight are there. Coincidence?"
Tasuki nodded "The people in my sketch are not my friends here, just an amazing resemblence. The blue haired monk is named Chichiri, not Ri Houjun."
"OH, Houjun. Do you call Ri-sensei that?" Tasuki frowned and rubbed her head, a headache forming. "No, I don't call him Houjun. And don't give me that look, his name is in the faculty listing."
Suki leaned back against the wall and Tasuki laid down, turning her back on her roommate. "OH, don't you think about ignoring me again. You will regret not being friends with me. By this time tomorrow night, everyone will know about you and Ri-sensei. He will be fired and your foreign ass will be back on a flight to the United States before you can even say "K'so."
Tasuki rolled over and raised an eyebrow, her features calm. "Did you just threaten me with some meaningless threat? Since when was it against the law of the university to be friends with a teacher? I'm friends with Sukunami-sensei too, and you haven't said anything about that."
"Sukunami-sensei is married."
Tasuki sighed, the conversation past the point of annoying. "Fine, say whatever you like. It won't matter. Ri-sensei will still be teaching here this semester and I will still be attending classes. Try your best."
With that, Tasuki reached out and flicked off the lamp and rolled over, ignoring the maniacal laugh of her roommate and the soft mutterings as the jetlag (and pregnancy hormones) caught up to her. She slipped into a peaceful sleep, for tomorrow she would be Mrs. Houjun Ri and then the school couldn't fire Chichiri for loving her nor send her home for being in love with the former monk.