Disclaimer: I own Fushigi Yuugi NOT.
Chapter 2 - Sudden Turn
True to their words, the Suzaku Celestial Warriors did arrive in the cafe and Yui was overwhelmed by their appearances; seeing them-especially the handsome Emperor, Hotohori-in casual modern clothing like theirs was an unusual but not unwelcome sight to her. They looked so comfortable, light and expressive compare to how they were in the back during those days their opposing forces tried ripping each other's heads off.
And as the blonde watched Tasuki interact happily with Miaka-it was still obvious that he is attracted to her-Yui was unable to suppress the uneasy and sad feeling rising inside her. Sighs, she could not exactly picture out such things happening between her and the Seiryu Seven, in fact, she didn't think they were really into her with the sole exception of Suboshi.
If she would be given another chance, how she wanted to get to know her warriors more without any bloodshed and have fun with them, and be friends with them too.
"Why the sad face?"
The question pulled her out of the sentimental train she was riding in her head, tearing her gaze away from Miaka, she look up at the beautiful amber eyes of the silver haired God.
"Oh, uh…" What was his name again?
The silver haired deity chuckled lightly, "I am Byakko if you are unsure, I rule the West and my form is that of a huge white tiger."
"Thank you for letting me know" Yui felt her face warmed up in embarrassment at not being fully aware of his identity.
"I understand if you do not really know who I am, after all, you belonged to my brother, Seiryu" Byakko responded casually, leaning against the wall with a glass of soda in hand. "I like this occasion, everyone is having fun"
She wanted to tell him that she no longer belongs to Seiryu but Yui decided not to voice it out anymore and just agreed with his second statement, "I agree, they look so different and relaxed" The whole second floor was lit up with decorations and the playlist Miaka arranged was playing in a moderate volume on the pair of speakers nearby. There were lots of foods, laughter and conversation.
"But why do you look sad then?" Byakko returned his gaze on her, taking a sip from the glass. "Everyone looks happy and yet you are solemn, Yui-san"
Yui lowered her gaze, focusing on the long sleeves button up white polo that he was wearing instead. "What are you talking about? Of course I am happy, it's my best friend's birthday!" She feigned a cheery smile, in hope that it will mask what she really feels from within.
The silver haired deity stared, "Are you certain of what you say?" Without a word, his fingers touched her chin and lifted her face up to make her look up at him. "Because your eyes are showing the opposite"
Yui got startled but did not show it visibly, at this situation the last thing she wanted to happen is to get unwanted attention just 'cause she was being irrationally lonely and deep inside envious again of her best friend's bond with the Suzaku Seven.
"I assure you that I am okay, Byakko-san" She pulled away from him and took steps backwards, "I do not know what you are talking about," She gave him a small smile before walking away to another table where Nuriko and Hotohori was.
XXX
"If stares could kill, our brother would be a mess on the floor right now, Seiryuu"
Despite the amused voice from his left, Seiryuu remained unmoving and unfazed in the table where he and Suzaku sat, plates with half eaten food still on their table but he was just too delved in what he was seeing that he almost forgot to finish what's left on it.
"Remember what Genbu-niisan said, we should behave while we are here" Suzaku added, amusement evident in his tone as he went on with eating his meal.
When Yui left Byakko to join the others in their conversation, Seiryuu finally turned away from the sight and spoke to his flame haired brother, "I am being behave, you do not need to rub it on my face, brother. I do not intend in doing anything unlikely"
Suzaku raised a brow, "Oh really? Why is it that I'm unconvinced?"
"Because you are thinking of many nonsense things right now"
"Even if it's obvious how much you wanted to pull your miko close to you?"
Seiryuu could only scoff and rolled his eyes on his brother, "Do not get me wrong, I did say that I look forward in getting to know her more but it doesn't mean anything deep, she's just plain entertaining"
"You made it sound like she is a mere toy, Seiryuu, that is totally wrong" Suzaku sighed heavily, rubbing his temples.
"I am a God, Suzaku, I do not share the sentiments of humans and will never understand how they comprehend things" The blue haired deity retorted, he's now starting to get annoyed with the flow of conversation with his brother. Suzaku made it sound like he's jealous with Byakko earlier wherein fact he was not, never, not at all. No way in Hell. Why would he be? There's nothing really special with his miko except the entertainment she provided him in the book and today; sure, she looks more beautiful now and that he really liked but it was not like it affected him. No. She was not the only female he met in his immortality, there were others and no way really that out of thousands, it would be her to have such a lasting impact on him. The God of Wars to be precise.
"We are Gods but even perfection is nonexistent in us," Suzaku answered back, still calm and unaffected. "We would not go here in the first place if we are perfect, brother, if we are then it means we should already have everything we need but unfortunately no"
Seiryuu did not say anything more, he began eating in silence as he subtly watched the blonde girl talk to the others; why did they come here again? He did not plant the seed of idea in Genbu, it was Suzaku who initiated the call after knowing that his priestess is going to celebrate along with the other warriors and the other two went with it because they wanted to do something new aside from their everyday Godly tasks.
But maybe coming with them is a bad idea, he should just stay at home in their palace that way he would never chance to see his miko again and saw the beautiful change she became.
"I am going out for a bit" Seiryuu rose up from his seat without waiting for Suzaku and not bothering to listen to whatever the hell he will say, he went out of the cafe.
"Why did Seiryuu left?" Yui came, holding a plate with a slice of cake and glass of juice on both hands.
Suzaku glanced at her and saw the sad look that sketched on her pretty face but she was quick to school her features, "Do not mind him, Yui, he's always like that, grumpy and all, he will come back later"
"Well I was planning to give him the cake, Miaka and the others started taking their portion" She looks down at the double chocolate fudge slice of cake on the plate, unsure of what she'd do.
Suzaku smiled, "Let us eat it then so it'd not go to waste, okay?" He gently pulled her closer and made her sit on the chair that Seiryu vacated.
"Alright, it's big enough for two anyway" The blonde placed the plate down before them. "How are you guys feeling so far?"
"Good" Suzaku took a portion with his fork and put it in his mouth, "Wow this is delicious"
A smile lit Yui's face, "I am glad you like it, I bought the cake, Miaka likes sweet"
"And you look more beautiful with a smile on, Yui" Suzaku reached out, a thumb touching the side of her lips as he wiped a remnant of the chocolate and licked it off his thumb with a mischievous smile.
"That does not have anything to do with the cake and you could have said I have a chocolate on my face you know!" Her cheeks reddened at the gesture.
The mischief on the red haired deity was still obvious, "No, at least it gave me the opportunity to rid it for you, right?"
"But that's not an appropriate way of removing it" Yui murmured while looking down, she continued eating her part in the cake without looking up at Suzaku; at the back of her mind she concluded how much of a playful guy this God could be, not to mention…flirty. She wondered if it comes with being the God of Love.
"Well, aren't you two getting comfy there, hm?!" Suddenly, the birthday girl popped out of nowhere and teased her best friend, "You hooking up with Suzaku now, Yui-chan?! I don't really mind though-"
"What the hell are you saying?! I am not doing anything! We are just eating!" The blush on Yui's face went 1,000 times redder as she covered Miaka's mouth to prevent her from saying anything more weirder that could give out insane ideas to the handsome god with them and his brothers and the others in the room. Ugh. What a crazy birthday bash.
Miaka took off Yui's hand from her mouth, still grinning like a madwoman. "Ne, Suzaku, my best friend is still single until now if you want to get to know her better that will be cool and you guys plan in staying here right?"
Yui was not sure what she wants to do first-jump from second floor to first floor of the cafe or throw Miaka out of the window because of her loud mouth, now she could not look at Suzaku straight in the eyes anymore.
"Now that you mention it, little one, we actually plan in staying for awhile" It was the eldest of the brothers who answered, standing beside Byakko in the opposite side. "Our Mother allowed us to stay for a month as a vacation also because of the bond you have with your warriors, they are now granted permission to come here anytime they want"
Tasuki was first to react at what Genbu stated, "HOLY HELL ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! SO WE ARE NOT JUST GOING TO BE HERE FOR TODAY?"
Suzaku shook his head and smiled, "Just like what Nii-san said, you all have freedom to go where you want to go; if you want to settle down here for good then it's your choice we will not stop you."
"That's a great idea," Hotohori smiled, "I will bring Houki and Boshin here, they will surely enjoy it here"
Chichiri nodded in agreement, "I second the motion, I'd want to try a new life without being a celestial warrior or any war on my back. Are you okay with this set up, Tamahome?" He turned to their friend who was standing near the cake holding a knife.
"Yes of course! I am glad to have you all here if you will choose to!" Taka said.
"Yay! I am so happy to hear that! Thank you!" Miaka hugged the black haired deity out of excitement and Genbu laughed a bit at her reaction.
Meanwhile amidst the chattering and laughters, Yui stood dumbstruck at what she heard from the Gods. They will stay there for 1 month, and the others will have an option to stay permanently if they want to.
"Wow" Was the only thing that she was able to say after processing everything in her mind.
Suzaku stood up and walked closer to the blonde girl, "Do not worry, it's not so bad to have us around here, Yui" He whispered in her ear.
XXX
Miaka's birthday celebration was a success, the bubbly brunette couldn't have been more happy with how it turned out not to mention the number of presents she got from her friends are fully appreciated. But what she loved the most was that they could all stay there now, no boundaries between two worlds. No barrier to prevent them from being away from each other.
"Did you enjoy, Yui-chan?" Miaka asked while she holds onto Yui's arm as they walked side by side, it was already late afternoon when the party ended, Taka was still in the cafe with the rest of Suzaku Seven, Miaka will just go back there to meet him after walking her friend home.
Yui smiled genuinely, "Of course, Miaka and long as you are happy with it then so am I! It's good that the others could stay here, they should start looking for a job or apartment for them to settle in to"
"I know right! I am quite excited about it! Tasuki said he plans in buying an apartment near our place so that way he wouldn't have to be so far away from me, isn't he sweet?!"
The blonde wondered if Miaka was still too clueless not to notice that the fire fan wielder still has an obvious attraction towards her, "Right, that's good"
"Seiryuu went out though, sad that he did not get to be in the group picture" Miaka pouted, "Did you know where he go?"
"No, I don't" Yui's face turned solemn at the mention of the blue haired God, "It's his loss for not being present, don't mind him" And Seiryuu hasn't come back yet which she found odd, although a part of her concluded that he probably went back in the book already because of boredom. Maybe mingling with them humans wasn't really his thing.
Suddenly, she accidentally bumped her shoulder with someone and it was hard that she instantly lose her balance; Yui thought she'll literally fall flat on the ground but a strong pair of arms caught her and Miaka had her hold tightened around her arm.
"I am sorry, it's my fault, are you alright?" A smooth and soothing masculine voice, it felt like rain and water, strange metaphor but that was the only thing she could describe how it sounded to her.
Yui looks up at the face of the stranger and found herself looking at a pair of dark indigo eyes on a handsome and serene face. He was wearing glasses but it did not make him look dork, he looks smart and good. His hair reaches around his neck in shade of grayish white.
"Oh, I'm fine, it's okay really" She straightened herself after realizing she's been staring at him like hell. Wow, just how many more gorgeous will she meet? Is this her biological clock ticking? But she's too young, she hasn't reached the end of the calendar yet! Yui mentally kicked all weird voices in her head and bowed her head curtly, "Do not worry I am perfectly fine, it was my fault too, I wasn't paying attention"
The white haired stranger smiled politely, "Good to know that you are okay, although I think I've seen you at school some time, you're quite familiar"
"Oh! Do you attend Tokyo University?!" Miaka asked out loud, looking at him with wide brown eyes.
He nodded, "That's right, currently I'm in my junior year and taking Literature course but I am also a member of the Music Club"
"We also go to Tokyo U, I'm Miaka!" The brunette shot out her hand.
"I am Sasame, hajinemashite" Sasame took her hand and shook it lightly.
Yui also did the same thing, "I am Yui, and I am really sorry about earlier, Sasame-san"
"What a lovely name, Yui and please do not think much about it" Sasame also took her hand and shook it but did not let go yet, "If it weren't for that, we wouldn't have a chance to know each other"
The blonde noticed how Sasame held her hand and it made her feel uncomfortable, "Well nice meeting you" She was first to pull her hand away, "We must be going, see you around, Sasame-san"
"Bye! Take care!" Miaka waved at him before they both turned the corner.
Sasame stood still as he watched the girls walked away but his eyes are really just focused in one.
A mysterious smile curved his lips. "Yui Hongou"
~ TO BE CONTINUED ~
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and an FYI that I do not own Sasame (and the following characters who will appear in the future chapters) he rightfully belongs to the Universe where he came from which is PRETEAR. He is the handsome Knight of Sound there, I like him a looot so I decided to borrow him for this story. More will come! And please expect that when I say more, as in more good looking characters for y'all to feast your eyes on! XD More support to our beloved Miko.