Meant to be Together
Disclaimer : Although the plot is made by myself, I don't own Fushigi Yuugi characters; that credit goes to YuWatase.
Chapter 1. Reunion
The former Suzaku no Miko got out of bed after throwing her loudly ringing alarm clock. She went into the washroom and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were red, and heavy dark circles covered them. Ever since she broke up with her one and only love, Taka, Miaka cried herself to sleep and woke up feeling exhausted. 'Why, Tamahome? You've told me in your past life that you would protect me forever. Was that a lie?' After washing her face and changing her clothes, she walked slowly down the stairs to the kitchen putting on a forced smile. "Good morning, Keisuke."
"Good morning, Miaka," her brother smiled at her only for a second. 'You've cried again, right?' his narrowed eyes asked silently.
Miaka turned her head to avoid eye contact with Keisuke. He knew her too well; he always immediately knew how his younger sister was feeling. Once again she forced herself to smile. "What a nice weather! I think I should skip breakfast and walk to school. I don't want to miss this beautiful sunshine." Before he could pretest, Miaka kissed him on the cheek and ran outside. Before Miaka and Taka broke up, Taka was always waiting for her in front of the house, and they walked together to school. Now she was all alone walking by herself. 'No, it's over now. I shouldn't think about him.' Tears ran down her cheek as she ran to school.
"Miaka!"
Miaka turned to see who called her. "Yui!" She quickly brushed the tears away and ran to her best friend.
"Where were you last night? I tried to reach you but you didn't answer."
"Oh, I was…sleeping. Yes, I slept early yesterday," she looked away to hide her lie.
Yui looked at her with disbelief. "I phoned you at five. You usually eat dinner at six."
Miaka laughed nervously. "I must have been tired."
"Miaka, I know you more than you think I do. I have known you since we were in kindergarten. Don't try to lie in front of me and expect me to believe you." Yui caught Miaka's hand and spun her around. Just as Yui suspected, Miaka was crying. "Miaka," Yui tried to comfort her friend.
"It hurts, Yui. It really hurts." Miaka buried her face in Yui's shoulder. "Tamahome left. He just left me."
"Miaka." Yui did know this but did not understand why he suddenly broke up with Miaka.
"It's my second sayonara to Tamahome. I didn't want it to happen again."
Yui clearly remembered their first goodbye. Tamahome was intoxicated and did not recognize his lover. He even hurt Miaka. 'It was my fault, but what about now?'
"I feel like I can't go on, Yui. I really do."
Yui saw her once-energetic friend and was hurt to see her very weak. She suddenly slapped her best friend on her cheek. "Baka! When did you become so weak? You are not Miaka. Real Miaka is always bright, brave, and courageous."
"Yui…"
"Do you remember when I was desperate like you? I thought I really loved Tamahome, and that without him, I would die. However, I was wrong. Look at me! I'm without Tamahome yet I'm alive. I also found new love. When I found out how much Tetsuya loved me and I him, I realized that there are always second chances. Even though my love with Tamahome never achieved, I've found Tetsuya, and I love him even more than I loved Tamahome."
"Yui chan…"
Yui hugged her friend. "I'm sure you're going to make it. You will find new love and will realize that there is always someone waiting just for you."
Miaka held Yui's hands. "Arigato, Yui chan," she sincerely smiled at her best friend. This smile was broken into laughter when Miaka's stomach growled. "Ah, I did not eat breakfast!"
The two friends walked to school together and separated to get to their own class. Miaka walked into her classroom and saw how the class was excited. She asked Yuri, a girl who sat in front of her, what was going on.
"I heard that there is a new student joining our class."
"She?"
Yuri nodded. "I also heard that she is the most beautiful girl a guy has ever seen. The boys are obviously excited."
Miaka became very curious. "Did you see her?"
Yuri shook her head. "No, but Momoko chan told me she has a gorgeous violet hair."
'Violet hair? Could it be…'
Suddenly the door opened and Ms. Kishuu, Miaka's homeroom teacher, appeared. The students stood up and bowed. "Good morning, class," Ms. Kishuu said with a beautiful smile, "We are very fortunate to have a new student joining us. Please come in."
Miaka stood up to get a better look at the new student. 'N…Nuriko?'
"Hello, my name is Nuriko."
"Wow, she's a bambie!" one guy yelled.
Miaka noticed Nuriko glaring at him.
"Nuriko, why don't you take a sit next to Miaka? That's the only spot left. Besides, Miaka is an excellent student, and she is smart, so if you have any question, ask her," Ms. Kishuu smiled.
The boys in the class watched Nuriko in awe as she walked swiftly across the room. "Bambie, call me tonight. Here's my phone number," the guy who yelled out a few seconds ago gave Nuriko a piece of folded paper. Nuriko ignored the boy and walked toward Miaka.
Miaka felt her heart beat increase. 'Nuriko… how come you are reincarnated? I thought you died in the past life. You died for me,' she felt tears gathering in her eyes. The image of Nuriko walking toward her was now blurring.
Nuriko noticed this immediately and raised her hand.
"Yes, Nuriko?" Ms. Kishuu asked.
"Miaka is not feeling well. Can I take her to a school infirmary?"
"Oh? Are you alright Yuuki?"
Without answering, Miaka just nodded her head.
Ms. Kishuu looked worried. "Why don't you take her to the nurse. Miaka knows the way. Just make sure she doesn't faint or something."
The boys all looked at Nuriko with respect and love. "She's amazing! I've never seen such a beautiful angel!"
Nuriko wrapped his one arm around Miaka to support her. He still did not say a word to her.
"Nuriko," Miaka whispered. She raised her hand and touched Nuriko's cheek. "Is this real or am I just dreaming?" Miaka cried, whispering Nuriko's name over and over again.
Nuriko looked at Miaka. She still looked the same except she lost some weight. "Miaka," he finally talked, "I've missed you."
The two reached the nursing station and was greeted by Mrs. Kasumi. "Miaka!" She looked really surprised.
"Mrs. Kasumi."
"Don't talk. You look really pale. Lie down on the bed over there."
Nuriko carried her to the bed.
"You must be the new student."
"Yes, Mrs. Ka…"
"Kasumi. And you are?"
"Nuriko, Mrs. Kasumi."
"Nuriko, will you help me by getting some cold water?"
"Certainly." Nuriko left the room, looking back to see if Maika was okay.
"Mrs. Kasumi," Miaka said, "I'm okay."
Mrs. Kasumi shook her head. "No, you are not. I…I heard from Yui about the… misfortune. She told me you would visit me soon, and there you are." She smiled pleasantly. "It's not a physical damage. It is more mental struggle. I know exactly how it feels like when someone you love leaves."
"Karen san…" Miaka used Mrs. Kasumi's first name when no one was around.
"Miaka, I've experienced it myself. Actually, he didn't left me. I told him to go. He had a family," Karen smiled bitterly to herself. "Aoki san…"
Just then, Nuriko entered. He handed Karen a bucket of water. Karen wet the towel with the water and put it on Miaka's forehead. "What you need is lot of resting," Karen said to Miaka.
"Karen san… Can I talk to Nuriko in private for just a minute?"
Karen looked surprised that Miaka has already made a good friend with a new student. She knew Miaka was bright and friendly, but she only met Nuriko for about five minutes. "I'll be outside."
Miaka looked at Nuriko. Slowly she opened her mouth and said, "I've missed you. The day you died… I wanted to die too. Fortunately, Tama….Tamahome stopped me. So did Mitsukake and others." She closed her eyes for a few seconds and opened them again. "Tamahome… he was reincarnated too. His name here is Taka." She faintly smiled as she said the name, but her face darkened. "Taka…he told me a weak ago that he wanted to break up with me. I haven't seen him since." Tears started to run down. "I know I can make it. Yui chan helped me there is hope. But pain lingers. I don't know what to do. And you came. Now I'm both happy and sad at the same time, I don't know what to do." She sat up and leaned into Nuriko. "I've missed you."
"Miaka," Nuriko said and repeated her name.
"Well… Past is past and present is present. I should recover really soon," Miaka hugged her once long-lost seishi. "Thank you, Nuriko, for coming into my life again."