Title: The Sound Of Music
Author: kajamiku
Disclaimer: Fushigi Yugi does not belong to me
Pairing: Amiboshi x Miaka
Summary/Notes: Written from a challenge a friend gave me. Nuriko searches and finds something unexpected.
The Sound Of Music
It was the flute music that drew him.
It was the music that sent Nuriko re-treading his steps down a hall he had already checked once before, searching for the others to take them to the Emperor for a meeting, it was the music that was a little too far away to be clear or recognisable. But it was definitely a flute, and flute music that sounded as pretty as that couldn't lead to anyone but Amiboshi.
Following the trail of cascading notes as they echoed along the corridors, it was one of the open courtyards that Nuriko found, and he paused in the shadow of one of the arches when he realised who it was that was sitting on the grass there.
Amiboshi was sitting near the base of the small garden's sakura tree, his legs drawn up beside him, his arms raised and fingers moving skilfully as he played, evidently to lull the other occupant. The musician's eyes were half closed, but they were quite obviously watching his audience, though whether for silent praise or another reason, Nuriko couldn't say.
That other person was Miaka. She was sitting with her back against the tree's bark, her body relaxed and her eyes completely closed, a slight smile to her lips.
For a moment, Nuriko just watched the two sitting under the tree, seemingly suspended in their moment of peace and calm together, leaning his cheek against the cool stone of the arch he was hiding behind.
Then there was suddenly silence.
In the instant that Nuriko stood straight and went to move into the courtyard, the music stopped. Amiboshi lowered the flute from his lips, his eyes opening fully as he smiled over at Miaka who, Nuriko suspected, had fallen asleep some time during the song.
The quiet was strange, empty without the sweet lingering notes that had filled it so well only seconds ago, and even Nuriko, who usually complained about the constant music that surrounded the green-haired boy, found himself missing the sound.
Amiboshi raised himself onto his knees and shuffled towards the sleeping Miaka, his flute held lightly in his right hand. He stopped the moment his knees came into contact with the girl's legs and Nuriko watched as he leant over her, the hand holding the flute supporting him with its knuckles against the tree trunk. He remained there, his face mere inches from her face, for so long that Nuriko impatiently shifted his feet, watching the situation with anxious eyes.
Then, slowly, the musician leaned forward, lowered his head and gently pressed his mouth to Miaka's.
Nuriko slapped his hands across his own mouth to keep from making a sound and revealing himself, hiding a little more behind the arch's side even though it was clear that there was no way either of the courtyard's occupants would have spotted him at this point. He remained where he was however, crouching behind the stone pillar, wondering whether he should interrupt or turn around and pretend he hadn't found them in such a compromising position.
Then again, Nuriko mused as the gentle kiss continued, it wasn't as if Miaka was awake. It was totally one-sided… until Miaka's hand snaked up and around the boy's arm and slid into the hair at the back of his head, lacing her fingers in the green strands as she returned the kiss.
Nuriko span around, cheeks burning, and tried to convince himself not to spy on them any more. He could wander the palace for another half an hour without His Majesty getting too impatient, right?