Lola: Look, another chapter!

Lupi: Lola, you cease to amaze.

Lola: Uh huh. I know. Cuz I'm SO COOL!

Lupi: You just keep on believing that. Well, I have to admit, you did do me a big favor in this chapter, so I'll give you that.

Lola: Dang right I did! TMM, the disclaimer!

TMM: Lola-gurl doesn't own Fushigi Yugi. She also doesn't own the DVDs of Fushigi Yugi she's been watching-

Lola: Yea, true. They belong to the library, I'm too frugal.

TMM: I'm gonna continue now. She does however own Kumiko Inoai, and her family and all that. Mischa Yuki belongs to Paris-Rose and Rei Hikagi belongs to Lupine-Eyes. There. I'm done. You can move on now.

Lola: Good. Now I believe I have some people to thank (Kaeru Soyokaze, Mercury Moon, Bronze Dagger, Azure Angel Venus, Phunky Phish and many many many more ( and of course Lupi and Paris) Thank you. I love you all so much for reviewing. It's people like you that make me want to continue writing. I'm just so glad I make you happy…well, at least I hope I do. ' With that, let's start the fic:

Shi Jin no Miko

Chapter 11- Unrequited Love

Kumiko uttered one word.

"Rei."

Rei looked at her sheepishly. "Hi Kumiko. Feeling better?"

"REI! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE! I SWEAR WHEN I GET BACK I'M GONNA KICK KENSUKE AND TETSUYA'S ASSES FOR NOT DISTRACTING YOU! DAMN THEM!" Kumiko yelled, throwing a fit. She punched the mattress underneath her, making the whole think shake.

"Kumiko, calm down, it's alright! It's not their fault. That Tetsuya guy went off to show me a book or something and I snuck off right after he went down a different aisle. I saw you go into the book. Keisuke couldn't have stopped me anyway, I grabbed the book from him and got sucked in on my own accord," Rei said soothingly, sitting down on the bed.

"Rei, we have to make sure you get out, I mean it. There's already too many people involved. You could get hurt, or worse." Kumiko began, but stopped as Rei laughed.

"Kumiko, it's much too late for that. They've already made me the new priestess of Biyakko."

"No that can't-" Kumiko stopped and blinked in confusion. "Wait, new? What?"

"There was a priestess of Biyakko many years ago. She left this world and returned home and has since died. She was apparently unfulfilled. They believe I am her reincarnation. The splitting image of her."

"Mischa said the emperor of Genbu told her the same." Kumiko whispered.

Rei nodded solemnly. "Yes. I have taken the duty willingly. Three of my Senshi are here with me. Tokaki, Subaru and Tatara. Many have been reborn, and I just have to find them. And don't worry Kumiko, I'll be just fine, don't give me that look." It was true, Kumiko was giving her a pleading look. Hastily changing the subject, Rei said, "So, how did you get into this mess in the first place?"

"Miaka and Yui never showed up that day. I went to find them at the library and well…ended up here, as the Priestess of Four Gods."

"Tasuki told me how you got injured. That bastard Nakago….I swear, he better die a horrible death." Rei clenched her fist as she said this.

"I'm worried…about Yui," Kumiko confessed. "She's totally unaware of what could happen to her. I…I don't want her believe his lies any longer. I just can't take it."

Rei patted her back. "Don't worry. Once we all summon our gods, we can wish for anything we want, right? We'll make sure things turn out ok."

Rei stood up suddenly and said, "I should get going. The Emperor probably wants to meet with me once again, you know?"

Kumiko nodded. "Oh, by the way, my room is nearby the alter to Biyakko, to the left and down the hallway. It's the first door on the right.

"Ok," Kumiko said listlessly, not entirely paying attention.

"Come if you need anything at all." She hugged her friend tightly, then left the room.

For a minute Kumiko sat in silence. She had never wanted Rei to be dragged into all of this. "It's….my own foolishness," she whispered to herself. There was a sudden knock on the door. "Come in," She said, sitting up straight. Tasuki poked his head in.

"How'd it go? Didn't sound so good at first, if I do say so myself."

Kumiko laughed. "What do you want?" She asked him, still smiling.

"I brought you some breakfast. After all, it was hard to snag. Miaka and Tamahome came back. God knows where they were. Miaka apparently had a run in with a few of the Seiryuu senshi, as well as Tamahome."

"Miaka's back?" Kumiko said, excited.

Tasuki nodded. "Yea, but I think you should take one thing at a time," He thrust a tray of steaming hot food into her hands.

Cheeks tingeing slightly, she muttered, "T-thank you. You're too nice to me, Tasuki."

He grinned at her. "Nah. You deserve it," he looked at her sincerely, making her quiver. "Oh great priestess of four gods," He added, making her laugh.

He's so…perfect. Even his faults, they make him more loveable. He's everything I want in a guy, and everything I'd least expect…Kumiko thought, staring at him as he looked out the window.

"You may not fall in love, for if you do, you cannot concentrate on your duty…" Tai Itsukun's words sounded in her head as a small frown crossed her face.

I'm afraid it's too late for that, Tai Itsukun. If only you had said that sooner…much sooner.

"Hey, what's wrong? Is the food bad or something? I'll go torch somebody-" Tasuki began as he saw the look on Kumiko's face.

"No, it's fine. Really. I was just thinking about something." She smiled lightly and took a sip of the miso soup. "It's very good!" She assured him.

"Good," He said, sounding pleased.

After finishing, Kumiko decided it was about time she 'got her ass out of bed and got around a little bit', as she so bluntly put it. "Are you sure?" Tasuki asked her uncertainly.

She nodded vigorously. "I don't want to be like my mom, remember?" Slowly, she pushed herself to the edge of the bed and stood up. She was a little uneasy, and her stomach muscles were uneasy. Wobbling, she began to topple over.

"Don't fall," Tasuki said teasingly, catching her arms. She looked up at him gratefully.

"Thanks."

"No problem," He said. "But I think you should wait until later to try walking."

"But Tasuki! I want to walk around! I want to go outside!" She urged him.

He clapped a hand over her mouth and said, "Not now you damn idiot. You're still too weak. I promise you that tomorrow I will go outside with you. Deal?" A sudden look of disgust passed his face as he released his hand from Kumiko's face. "Kumiko!" He yelled, wiping his hands on his pants.

"Hey, you're fault. You were the one who decided to put your hand on my mouth. I do it to everyone. Even if it was somebody like Nakago, I'd still lick his hand. Ask Miaka, it's happened to her tons of times."

"I don't wanna know about your weird customs of your world," he said, closing the door.

After getting rest, Miaka, Tamahome and the rest of the senshi stopped by to visit. Needless to say, talking and socializing all day wore Kumiko out. The tired girl yawned and curled up in a little ball, instantly falling fast asleep.

The next morning came soon enough. After bringing her breakfast once again, Tasuki sat and talked with Kumiko. What she hadn't told him was that she tried walking around the moment she woke up. Surprisingly, nothing ached or hurt anymore. So, she had every intention of holding him to his promise. "Tasuki, you promised!" She urged him.

"Yea, well, it's raining! I don't want to go out when it's raining!" He said irritably.

"Aww, is Tasuki-kun afraid of the rain too?" She asked, cooing at him as if he were a child.

"No, I just don't want to go out in the freezing cold rain, that's all."

"Well, the first step is to confront your fear, and now's the time," Kumiko said ignoring his protest. He was silent, not willing to argue back. She went over to where he was sitting and kneeled down beside him. He avoided her eyes, as he usually did. For some reason he just…. couldn't look at them.

Kumiko quickly got an idea as she snatched up his Tessin and said, "C'mon, if you won't keep your promise I'm just gonna have to blackmail ya. If you want it back, come get it. Otherwise it's MINE." Tasuki sighed; there was no way around this. He stood up to walk over to her. He tried to seize it back, but she backed away. "Nope. Come outside first."

He put his thoughts to words. "Why are you doing this?" "Because. I'm bored and I want to help you get over your fear. Besides, I'm not wearing a white shirt so it's all good!"

He followed her down the hallways of the palace, trying to get his tessin the whole way. "You blackmailing bitch," he muttered.

"Glad to hear you complementing me so much. It's flattering," She joked, smiling. Finally, they reached the doors to the palace garden, which was the closest exit to Kumiko's room. After all, the palace was huge.

At first, he flinched. But after realizing the soft pitter-patter of the rain could do him know harm, he opened his eyes. Kumiko smiled. "See? Not that bad is it?" Tasuki shook his head. "I like rain. I like the sound it makes." Kumiko danced around on the soft, wet ground softly humming to herself. Then she broke into a song Tasuki didn't know and began to dance around dramatically.

"I never knew you were so talented"

She stopped and said, "You didn't ask. Besides, not may people know. Or care." She gave a soft smile. "And besides, my mother wouldn't let me use my 'talent' for anymore than making myself miserable." She let out a small laugh and continued, "when I was a little girl, I wanted to be an actress. I wanted to be a big movie star and have lots of fans and money. But my mother wouldn't stand for it. 'What's the use of that'? She said. 'What foolish dreams, be practical Kumiko.'" She felt a pair of warm arms wrap around her. She blushed furiously but didn't pull away.

"If that's what YOU want to do, then do it. Don't let anyone stand in your way," Tasuki said softly.

Kumiko looked up at him. "You know you're right." At that, she pulled him closer to her and softly pressed her lips against his. She could feel warmth spread through her veins, and all the heat go to her cheeks. She pulled apart from him, embarrassed, and she could see that his face was also flushing. "I…" She started, but then pulled herself out of his hold and ran. Tasuki stood in stunned silence. He had felt fire before, but none, ever…like that.

Tasuki shook the feeling and ran after her into the palace. He knew that she had a head start ahead of him, and she would probably be in her room by now.

He burst through her door and called, "Kumi-" He stopped. "ko." She was nowhere to be seen. Where had she gone? Suddenly he spotted her: She was in a corner of the room, hidden from him, with her head against her knees. "Kumiko," He whispered as he knelt beside her.

She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears of embarrassment. "Tasuki, I'm sorry. I.." She couldn't find the words, and she knew if she did, she could never be able to get them to come out.

"No." Tasuki shook his head and touched her hand softly, heart pounding hard against his chest. "Don't be." He then kissed her, but with much stronger emotion than before. Kumiko didn't resist, but instead fell into the kiss and wrapped her arms around him. It seemed to last forever and Kumiko would have sworn she could stay that way. She almost didn't want to let go of him; it felt so…right.

When at last they drew apart she realized that the feeling of dizziness and butterflies didn't go away. Tears of unknown emotions poured down her face. She didn't know why she was crying, or why she couldn't stop. She just rested her head on his shoulder and cried.

"Kumiko, why are you crying?" He whispered.

"Because I love you," She said between her muffled sobs. Realization of the situation almost stunned him; this was no inflammation between the two, it was love. He couldn't put his feelings to words, although he truly wanted to.

"Oh," was all he could awkwardly manage. Seconds passed, though they seemed like minutes. 'Oh'? What does that mean? Does he not accept me? I guess…he doesn't feel that way… Kumiko thought, a knot tightening in her stomach as a sickening feeling clenched her.

"Tasuki," She said softly, voice almost sounding angelic, "you faced your fear today…" she stopped awkwardly, then continued, "And I've faced mine. And it isn't as bad as I thought it would be." She lifted her head off of his shoulder and released her arms from around his neck. His eyes grew slightly wider. What the hell does tha- wait… She can't possibly…not unrequited love! He thought. "But…I need some time to think. I'm going to go find Rei." She stood up silently. She didn't look at him, but if she would (and could) have, she would have seen that she was wrong. She closed the door behind her, a feeling of regret now overtaking her.

She found Rei's room and knocked softly. "Rei?" Her voice sounded squeaky and unfamiliar.

Rei answered from inside, "Yea, I'm here. Come on in!" Kumiko opened the door and closed it behind her. Rei stood up and said in surprise, "Kumiko, you're walking again! That's great!" Kumiko slumped against the floor as Rei surveyed Kumiko's uneasy expression. "What's wrong?" She said as she knelt beside her friend. Kumiko looked at her with pained eyes.

"I did something incredibly stupid." She put her head against her knees.

"Tell me," Rei said.

Kumiko shook her head. "It's way too embarrassing."

"Please?" Rei begged.

"Promise you won't laugh or make fun?" Kumiko asked.

"Course not. I'm your friend. I'm here for you." Rei said smiling.

Kumiko sighed and looked away from her friend. "I kissed Tasuki."

She raised her eyebrows and replied, "Whoa. Well…"

"Well what?" Kumiko asked, looking back at her.

"Did he kiss you back?" She asked.

Kumiko blinked. "Sorta," she answered truthfully.

"Sorta? What do you mean sorta?" Rei asked.

"Well not at first. I left and he followed me. Then he kissed me."

"Uh huh. I see. So?" Rei said, trying to follow the story line.

"So what?" Kumiko said, confused.

"So what was it like?" Rei asked, grinning slightly.

"I dunno. Emotional I guess. I…showed him how I felt," Kumiko said softly.

"Was it good?" Rei pushed, her grin growing wider.

"Yes," Kumiko said blushing deeply.

"Any Tongue?"

"REI!"

Rei gave a laugh and said, "Sorry, I had to ask."

"That's okay."

There was a slight silence then:

"But was there?"

"NO REI, THERE WASN'T, OK!"

"Oh, good for you. That's not so bad. Just cuz' you like each other. What's so embarrassing about that?" Kumiko didn't answer, only looked down at her feet.

"That's not all, is it?" she asked, looking over at Kumiko.

She shook her head. "I cried. I don't know why. I just…did. When he asked my why, I told him it was because I loved him. And he…and he…" She grew softer, until her voice was nothing.

"He didn't say it, did he?" Rei asked sympathetically.

Kumiko nodded. "No. All he said was 'oh'. Almost uncomfortably. Like…he didn't know how to deal with me. Like…he didn't feel that way at all. Like….my feelings…are unrequited. God, why am I so stupid? How could I fall in love with him! He doesn't-" "

Oh yes he does!" Kumiko you know Tasuki. He isn't the type of guy who can tell a girl he loves her like that. God, no guy can. They can't manage three simple words. They can't even say one! You'd think even Aishiteru wouldn't be that hard!" Rei said, shaking her friends shoulders.

"I'm just confused." Kumiko admitted.

"Go back to Tasuki. See how things play out. Don't waste your time her talking with me." Rei said.

Kumiko sighed. "You're right," She said finally. She hugged Rei and thanked her for all her help.

"No problem. Any time you want to come and visit. I'm bored here all by myself with nobody else. I mean, the only other person who comes to bother me is Tatara, and he picks on me to no end."

Kumiko nodded in reply and stood up. "I'll tell you about it later, I promise."

"Kumiko!" Tasuki ran towards her and hugged her as she once again returned to her room. "I'm sorry Kumiko, I am. I know I couldn't say it before… but I really do l-"

She held up her hand and quickly replied, "I know that now. You don't even need to apologize. I should, for being so irrational. I never wanted to make you worry about me. I wasn't even angry…just confused." She put her head against his chest.

"Well, who's to saythis isnot supposed to be?" he asked, smiling.

"Tasuki?"

"Yes?"

Kumiko blushed slightly and said, "This may sound extremely cliché, but when did you know?"

He looked at her. "You mean when did I know that I loved you?" She nodded, blushing. "It's hard to say. Whenever you were in danger, I never really realized how important you were to me, only that I was utterly devoted to protecting both you, and Miaka. But when you got amnesia…seeing you so helpless and lost…it hurt. And being away from you for those four months hurt even more." He put his arm around her. "Even though you're stubborn, indecisive, temperamental, slightly bitchy, trouble causing, psychotic-"

"Ok, I get the point," She said bluntly, folding her arms.

"Even though you're all that, you still got me to love you, didn't ya?"

She giggled. "I suppose so. Wanna know when I first loved you?"

He shrugged. "If you want to bore me to death, sure, why not."

She punched him playfully and said, "it was before I went home, when we were traveling with the group. You were sleeping, having bad dreams. Just looking at you like that…I knew."

A knock on the door interrupted the two. The look on Tasuki's face simply read 'let's keep our mouth's shut for now' Mischa came in the room and in a sing songy voice, recited, "Tasuki and Kumiko, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes lo- ah! Don't kill me!"

Lola: Well isn't that a happy ending to my chapter. Kumiko's going to kill Mischa.

Paris: Hey, Ix-nay on killing MY characters… Ay.

Lola:….You suck at Pig Latin.

Paris: Yea, well….peachy ducky!

Lola: Don't steal my saying, jerk! Err…well anyway, thank you everyone for reading. I finally got to the romance The next chapter will be more humorous, I assure you. I'll give you a hint: It involves Kumiko, Mischa, Rei, Suboshi, his yo-yo's of death and ….a horse's feed bag. (You'll have to read and find out) Don't forget to review, mwhahaha!