Words Unspoken
It was a dark clear night as Hotohori stood outside and looked at the sparkling stars, trying to sort out what had happened.
Hotohori opened the door to Miaka's room to find Tamahome on top of her in her bed.
"Hotohori-sama," Tamahome said, getting up.
The emperor drew his sword and pointed it at Tamahome's throat.
"Hotohori, stop it!" Miaka pleaded.
Tamahome raised an arm, gesturing for Miaka to stay out of it.
"If you have an explanation, then I wish to hear it, Tamahome. Know this though, whatever the excuse, I will not forgive you!" Hotohori threatened.
"I have no excuse to give. However, please let me say one thing. I love Miaka! And that's why I won't let anyone else have her!" Tamahome glared at Hotohori.
"You show great courage in the face of your country's leader. Don't worry. You're one of the Suzaku Seven. I can't kill you. However, if you weren't one of the Suzaku Seven anymore, if you became an ordinary man, then I, too, would become an ordinary man. Miaka, only one man can ever love you." With that said, Hotohori sheathed his sword and turned to exit, leaving the pair alone behind closed doors.
Strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind, bringing Hotohori out of his thoughts.
"You really love her, don't you?" a soft feminine voice asked.
"Nuriko…" The arms released their hold and Nuriko stepped in front of Hotohori. Sadly, Nuriko rested his head against Hotohori's chest.
"I guess it's pretty silly for me to be in love with someone who doesn't feel a thing for me," Nuriko pulled away.
"I'm sorry, but I just can't give you what you want."
"I see," Nuriko turned and silently walked away. The tears that fell from his eyes went unnoticed.
Time passed quickly, Nuriko never mentioning that starry night, and soon they had found all of the Suzaku Seven. The one they thought was Chiriko had betrayed them and they found they needed to go to Genbu to get the Shentso-Pao.
Nuriko left Miaka and Tamahome to go to the mountain the Shentso-Pao was hidden inside of. Once there, he found a huge rock was blocking the door. He went to move it, but heard a growling coming from behind him. Turning around, Nuriko found Ashitare, half his face burnt and distorted.
Ashitare attacked Nuriko and they began fighting each other. Nuriko thought the fight was going well until Ashitare speared him through the chest with his long nails. Nuriko, bleeding profusely, broke the beast's neck and went to move the bolder.
"Nuriko!" he heard Miaka scream as he put the bolder down and toppled over.
Miaka was talking to him as he lay on the snow covered ground. He tried to comfort her by saying he would be fine, but the darkness was overtaking him and soon he slipped into blackness.
Hotohori felt Nuriko pass from this world and suddenly felt sick. He quickly walked into his bedroom and fell on the floor. From inside his clothes, Hotohori took the photograph of everyone and gazed at it.
Tears began running down his face as he choked out, "I'm so sorry Nuriko. I should have told you this. I fell in love with someone else Nuriko. I fell in love with you. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you."
Hotohori stayed on his bedroom floor sobbing and thinking about the words left unspoken.