Himawari: YAY! A new screenname! I just had to get a new one! I think I was high when I put the first one down! neway, thanks for all of your great reviews and I'm sorry if I'm not a great writer... but I shall try to give you all my best! thanks everyone! kk, here!

Tasuki's plan

Miaka tossed and turned in her bed that night, finding it impossible to get any sleep with her buissy mind. When she didn't find herself waking in a cold sweat from nightmares, she found herself fighting off another onslaught of tears. She just couldn't clear her thoughts long enough to get any decent sleep. Miaka choked back another round of sobs and turned to her alarm clock, her brown hair loose about her face.

She groaned when she saw the red neon numbers... 3:30 am. Miaka sighed and stared at her ceiling for a while, trying to distract herself, but all she could think about was Taka. She shook with tremors as she remembered again that she had brilliantly waited too long... and now it was too late. Miaka felt an extra sting in her chest when she thought of how Taka hadn't even tried to talk to her after their conversation... he hadn't even been by the house to see if she was all right. Finally,Miaka shovedherself up, slipping into her pink fuzzy slippers and headed out her door.

There was no way in hell she was going to get any sleep tonight. Miaka glanced down the hallway towards Tasuki's room, biting her lip momentarily. She imagined how fitfully he must be sleeping, and longed to go into his room.

'Maybe...' she started, but shook her head and blushed at the strange idea that had popped into her head. 'C'mon Miaka. Like he'd really let you sleep in there with him. He just got here, so let him get some sleep at least.'

She made her way softly down the stairs and towards the kitchen. Miaka had to fumble with the light switches for a few minutes, considering she couldn't even see where they were in the first place, but finally managed to flick on the kitchen lights. Miaka froze when she saw that she wasn't the only one who decided to find an early... early morning snack. Tasuki looked up from thetub of icecreamhe had been munching,a suprised look on his face, beforehe grinnedup at his friend.

"Oh, mornin' Miaka," he greeted her warmly. He tried to keep his eyes off of the way that Miaka's light pink nightgown clung to her skin slightly. If he actually looked, he knew he'd be able to see her entire figure easily. But, out of respect, Tasuki kept his eyes on her face."Couldn't sleep?"

"Not really," Miaka answered, smiling a little sheepishly. "How about you?"

"Not really," Tasuki grinned again, his fangs showing. He motioned to a chair, holding up the icecream invitingly. "Care to join me?"

Miaka smiled again and fished another spoon out of the kitchen drawer before settling herself down across from him. She hadn't noticed that those golden eyes had watched her every move.Tasuki nudged the icecream to the middle of the table so that they could both reach it. They sat together in silence for a while, eating spoonfuls of icecream now and then. Tasuki looked Miaka over calmly. Her eyes were red and slightly puffed, as if she'd been crying. Tasuki ground his teeth as he saw a look of supressed pain in those brown depths, and swore that he wouldn't let Taka get away with hurting Miaka. Finally, Tasuki found he couldn't hold back anymore... he had to ask!

"So, uh, Miaka?" he started, getting the brunettes attention. She looked up at him with those big brown eyes that always made him melt.

"Yeah?" she responded curiously.

"What happened?" Tasuki kept his voice gentle, desperately fighting the anger rising in his gut. Miaka immediately went stiff and Tasuki could see the hurt that sprang to her eyes. Oh yes, Taka would pay! Miaka sighed and started tracing the wood of the table with her fingers. She refused to look back up at him, and he could see her hands were shaking slightly.

"Well..." another sigh. "Taka... he's... he's getting... m-married... to that Yui chick. He told me about it when I went to meet him."

"Miaka..." her name came as a sigh barely escaping his lips. Now Tasuki fully understood.

"When we were talking... he sounded... so, so... happy! And... he was... expecting me to be happy for him! All this time... he just... couldn't... c-couldn't see... that I..." Miaka's voice broke as fresh tears poured down her face. Tasuki walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, offering what comfort he could. Miaka just leaned against him, crying openly into his shirt.

"I'm sorry, darlin'," Tasuki said, gently rubbing Miaka's back. He kissed her hair and leaned his head against hers.

"You want me to beat the shit out of him for you?" he asked her, pleased whena slight chuckle escaped her. Miaka leaned back so that she could look at him.

"No," she said, wiping her face and taking a deep breath. "That's ok."

Tasuki rubbed her back again, letting her know that he was there for her... no matter what. Miaka offered him a weak smile.

"Thanks, Tasuki," she sighed. He nodded and kissed her forhead before embracing her again. Miaka felt another onslaught of tears as she reburied her face in Tasuki's shoulder.

"C'mon, darlin'. You gotta go to get some rest," Tasuki crooned, stroking her hair. Miaka nodded weakly and allowed Tasuki to pick her up and head upstairs.

"Hey Tasuki..." Miaka started weakly as Tasuki headed up the stairs. She had managed to stop the flow of tears, for now.

"Hmm?" Tasuki responded absentmindedly.

"Have you always called me that?"

Tasuki paused to look into Miaka's eyes, slightly confused before continuing to climb the steps.

"Called you what?"

"Darling," Miaka elaborated for him. She was suprised to see a slight pink shade Tasuki's cheeks.

"Well... I've started callin' some of my friends at school that... who're girls... and, I dunno... I didn't really notice," he answered, going into Miaka's room. "Is that ok?"

"It's fine, I was just wondering is all," Miaka answered in a half-yawn as Tasuki settled her back into bed. He smiled agian, smoothing back her hair before sitting down next to her.

"You know, Miaka, I was thinkin'," he started. "What are yer plans after you graduate? It's comin' up soo ain't it?"

"Oh, yeah... In about a month or so," Miaka answered, her expression going somber. "Well, I was going to go to the same college as Taka... but I don't think I could stand it now. Not if he'll be there... with... her. Why?"

"See, after I saw somethin' was botherin' you earlier... I figured that's what you'd say. So," Tasuki seemed a little unsure, but plunged ahead all the same. "What if you transferred to my college? That way, you could still be with a friend an' all... but you won't have to face Taka... and my college is offerin' alot of courses I know you'd be interested in."

Miaka was speechless. She hadn't really had time to think about it... but what Tasuki had said made alot of sense. And, his college had actually been her second choice of schools. Miaka looked up at Tasuki and saw an oddly hopeful glint in his golden eyes. He certainly seemed to want her there. And he could help her find a place and could show her the ropes.

"Well?" Tasuki checked, bringing Miaka from her thoughts.

"Well, I'd have to talk to mom... but that sounds great," Miaka sighed... it suddenly felt likea large burden had been lifted off of her shoulders. "Thank you so much Tasuki."

"No problem," Tasuki grinned, obviously pleased. He placed another kiss on Miaka's forhead. "Good night, darlin'."

As Tasuki stood to leave, Miaka realized... she didn't want him to go. Before she could think, she reached out and grabbed Tasuki's hand. He turned around, startled, as he looked down at the brunette. Miaka blushed before taking her hand back.

"Um, Tasuki... could you... sleep in here?" she was certain her face was about the shade of a tomato, but Tasuki didn't comment on it. His confused gaze softened. He turned back to the bed and Miaka scooted over for him. Without a word, he slid in next to her, keeping a respectable distance between them and turning on his stomach.

"Sure," he asnwered with a small chuckle. "'night, Miaka."

"Good night," she answered, laying back down and falling asleep. Tasuki smiled to himself as soon he could hear Miaka snoring slightly. Laughing silently to himself, he too, closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Himuwari: kk, sorry, I guess it's a little short. Btw, if you think Miaka's getting over Taka awefully fast... that's my fault... and besides... nothing happens between them until there's (what I think) is a resonable time passed. and the next chapter is a planned HotohoriXNuriko... although I currently have no clue what I'm going to do! kk, night everyone (12:14 pm.) and PLEASE REVIEW!