Chapter Six: Fishing disaster
Late in the afternoon, Tamahome and Miaka decided to go fishing. Miaka invited Hotohori to go with them, which disappointed Tamahome. So he has no choice but to agree. They went to a small lake where they kept their fishes. Tamahome and Miaka both had fishing rods so they started already.
"Don't worry, Rei. I'll give you all the fish I would catch," Miaka said.
"That's if you can get any," Tamahome teased.
Minutes passed but still no fish were caught. The minutes stretched into hours. Miaka got bored and threw her fishing rod onto the water.
"I think the fish hates me," she grumbled. She lied on the grassy meadow.
"You just need patience that's it," Hotohori remarked smiling brightly.
"You speak as if you've done this before, have you?" Tamahome asked.
"Haven't." Hotohori answered him truthfully.
"Well, I dare you to try this then," Tamahome said as he picked up Miaka's fishing rod and handed it to Hotohori. He smiled inwardly. "Now, I'll bring out your stupidity," Tamahome thought.
"Sure, I accept." Hotohori replied formally. He sat down beside Tamahome as Tamahome explained how. Soon both of them were waiting for the fish to bite their bait.
59 Minutes later….
"Damn it!" Tamahome shouted in disappointment. It was nearly an hour (hey, isn't it obvious…there are 60 minutes in an hour, right?) but he still hasn't caught a fish. Hotohori smiled a little.
"You shouldn't make such a noise again. You're scaring the fishes away," Hotohori said. Tamahome just smirked.
9 minutes and 9 seconds passed…
"Rei, wow, I remember you said you haven't experienced this yet? How come you even caught one before Tamahome does?" Miaka asked eagerly when she saw Hotohori's big fish.
"I'm just fortunate that I got one fist. I'm sure Tama-chan could catch up, right?" Hotohori replied.
"And just who gave you the permission to call me by my nickname?" Tamahome thought bitterly. "Yeah, of course if catch up," he answered while smiling brightly.
Unfortunately, Tamahome wasn't able to do it…the fish really hates him…(as much as I do!)
Now, now, let's give chance to Tamahome.
Tamahome felt a little movement on his rod. He stood up in excitement and pulled it.
"I told ya I'm gonna catch up! Here it goes! Miki wait till you see-"
Unfortunately, when he lifted it, he saw that it was just a tangled string that's why he had a hard time pulling it. His face turned crimson.
"I'm gonna get one next time," he said as he put another bait on the hook.
Hotohori, on the other hand, caught another fish. This time, it was bigger.
Tamahome waited patiently. He felt another movement again. He got excited once more and pulled the rod harder.
"Ha ha! See, I told you! This is a big one!" he shouted happily at the sight of his fish. When he was about to get it already, he realized that it was just a toy. Not a real one.
He tried again. This time, he got a big one. He happily put it into his pail. While he was walking, he tripped on a boulder and stumbled on the grass. The fish inside the pail he was holding was thrown back to the water.
"NO! This can't be! I'm doomed!" he shouted in disappointment.
Miaka decided to cheer up her best friend.
"Oh c'mon, Tama-chan, you don't have to cry over that fish. Rei caught three. That's enough for us," she said.
"And so?" Tamahome replied.
He was still lying on his chest. Miaka extended her hand to help him up. He didn't grab her hand, which disappointed Miaka.
"Hey, Obake-chan! I just wanted to cheer you up and you'll answer me like that! I hate you!" Miaka shouted then she walked away.
Tamahome immediately got up and ran after her. Hotohori stared at the two. He was thinking if those two always have petty quarrels. He just sat down and waited until those two come back.
"Anyway, they left their things here," he said to himself. He started to roast the fish under the fire he made. It was already night. "Time does fly…"
He stared at the Southern constellations. His star and Tamahome's are shining brightly. Hotohori wondered if Tamahome really knows his mission. He was also thinking if Tamahome has feelings for Miki, when he suddenly felt his heart beating faster than usual. He saw Miaka/Miki's face as he closed his eyes. He held on his chest.
"Could this be…love? Am I in love with Miki? No…I can't exchange Miaka for anyone…I love her more than anything. But, what if she's already dead?"
Hotohori shivered as he imagined poor little Miaka's body cold and with blood splattered all over. He slowly opened his eyes when he realized Miaka's eyes were staring at him curiously.
"I thought you were sleeping…did I disturb you?" she asked.
"N…no…not really…where's Tamahome anyway?" he asked when he noticed that Tamahome was nowhere to be found.
"Forget about him. He's such a childish stupid …I don't really know what he is…just let him do whatever he wants. He's old enough anyway."
"Are you always like that? Having petty quarrels?"
"Well, most of the time, yes. But, I don't get mad with him…really. It's hard for me…especially when I see those eyes of his…they look so honest…my heart beats so fast when I catch his gaze…"
Miaka held her hand on her mouth when she realized she has talked too much. She also covered her face when she realized she was blushing. She turned her back at Hotohori. She breathed slowly then turned around to face Hotohori. She was startled when she realized that her face was so near to his. Hotohori continued to move forward. This time he touched her cheek.
"W-what's happening? What's he gonna do? Is he gonna kiss me? Oh for goodness sake! What should I do?"
Miaka slowly closed her eyes. She could feel his breath. He continued to brush on her cheek. Suddenly, she felt his hand move away. She opened her eyes.
"Did I frighten you or something? I just got this ant on your cheek. It would've bitten you, you know?" he said smiling.
Miaka blushed.
"Goodness me! What was I thinking! And just why would a guy so handsome like him kiss me anyway? I'm so stupid! And…it was so embarrassing…I hope he kissed me anyway…" Miaka thought as she smiled to herself.
"Let's eat!" she suggested.
"How about Obake-chan?" Hotohori asked.
Miaka chuckled. "I can't believe you would call him that way! Anyway, don't wait for him. I'm sure he won't have the nerve to go back. A while ago, I saw him enter the farmhouse and his uncle told him to work. Actually, I requested Mr. Mao to make him work so that he won't bother me anymore."
"Okay then."
They ate with gusto as they stared at the night sky. They suddenly remembered their past…
"Miaka…where are you? Oh Suzaku, please help me find her…I'll do and give up anything…please…I hope she's just alright…if she's still alive…"
"Hotohori, I hope you're here with me…I hope you're just okay wherever you are…I hope those pirates who attacked your ship will be found and punished soon…I hope to see you now…and be with me forever…"
They stopped dreaming when they realized they were holding each other's hand. They immediately let go of each other's hand.
"I'm sorry…" they said to each other. Hotohori smiled at her while Miaka blushed lightly.
Ha ha ha…Obake-chan is Tamahome…suits him anyway, right? Sorry it took quite some time for me to post this…Well, what do you think? REVIEW!