Fushigi Yugi: Dansei Tsure By Ten-Faced Paladin Chapter 6: Dangerous Love
Yui was a girl in distress. Here she was out in public and she somehow got blood on her skirt and the watch that Matthew had given her. At the moment she was stomping into a public washroom with a sour look on her face. Her two friends weren't that far behind.
"Um, Yui?" asked one friend. "That blood on your skirt...it's not your time of the-"
"No!" Yui snapped in slight embarassment. "And I'm not injured either. I don't know how it got there or on my watch."
"Well, whatever it is could you wash it off?" asked the other friend. "It's grossing me out!"
"Gladly!" Yui sighed as she went directly for the sink.
She took the watch off her wrist and began to run it under the water since the blood still looked wet. She was thankful that the mechanism was waterproof. She scrubbed at the watchband and felt her ire rise when not even a drop of the stuff was coming off. The frustraton must have been showing in her face because her friends started asking about it.
"Why so bent over a watch anyway?" Yui's friend asked.
"Didn't you hear?" gasped the other. "Matthew was the one who gave it to her!"
"You mean that foreign guy? A lot of the girls talk about him but a lot of people are kind of scared to actually talk to him."
"Well that same scary guy gave that watch to Yui for a birthday present! He had only been in Japan for a few weeks remember? I think that was incredibly sweet of him."
The two girls then turned their gaze to Yui. Her face was a nice crimson as they talked about how she got that watch. It was pretty plain to see where their trains of thought were heading.
"So Yui," they both began. "How long have you and Matthew been going out?"
"What?!" Yui shrieked, turning around. "Me and Matthew?"
"You have to admit," her friend shrugged. "He's nice when you get to know him. Haven't you said that several times to us?"
"Yeah," the other friend nodded. "I think he's grade 'A' boyfriend material. I mean, a tall guy like him? He's got to be naturally athletic! Not to mention he's got a foreign charm about him."
"Well," Yui blushed, remembering other events concerning Matthew, like the slavers. "It...it's not like I don't or can't see myself with him. It's just that I'm in the middle of studying and all that."
"Oh please," the girls sighed. "You are a genius so you can pass easily. You could just have some 'late night study sessions' with him to be on the safe side."
"Okay, that's enough!" Yui snapped as she turned around. "What goes on between Matthew and me is none of your business!"
"Uh...Yui?" asked one girl, "The stain on your skirt is gone."
Yui stopped in mid rant as she looked down at her skirt. Sure enough, the large red stain in the fabric had vanished. Yui couldn't help but just stare at what just happened. She looked up at her watch to find that the blood stains were also gone.
"What...just happened?" she asked out loud.
--------------------------------------------------
Matthew held up his watch in satisfaction. Now that the bloodstains were gone he felt like he could wear the thing again. He had spent a good hour in his room trying to clean it.
"About damn time," he smiled. "I didn't think I was ever going to get it out."
Matthew looked over to his bandaged arm and gently put the watch onto his wrist. He longed to scratch it but he really didn't want to aggrivate his wound any more than it already was. It had been messy enough when he got pulled out of the rubble. Xong-Sui and Ko-Long were fussing enough as it was.
He was brought out of his thoughts by a shrill scream that echoed through the halls. Matthew immediately stormed out of his room and headed for the source. He raced down the hallways and narrowly avoided three head-on collisions with servants before he ended up in front of Miaka's room.
"Is everyone okay?" he demanded in concern before his eyes bugged out at the scene he had walked in on.
Miaka was sitting on a stool in nothing but her panties. She was blushing furiously while desperately trying to cover herself. Tamahome was sprawled on the ground with some kind of fabric wrapped around his feet. On the other end of the fabric was Nuriko, with a smile on her face.
"Well if it isn't Miaka!" Nuriko giggled. "So sorry to intrude."
Nuriko then got a grip on the fabric before beginning to drag him out of the room. Tamahome seemed pretty intent on staying where he was.
"This man is so shy!" Nuriko giggled. "Come, Tama-baby, we're leaving."
She then turned around to leave when she was met face to face with Matthew. He seemed to have witnessed the event and was staring strangely at both her and Tamahome.
"Oh! Matthew!" Nuriko smiled. "Just the man I was going to see next. Some of the girls in the Inner Seraglio were hoping that you would join them for dinner. Xong-Sui and Ko-Long are still very worried about you!"
"Uhh...sure," Matthew nodded before he glanced at Tamahome. "Is he okay?"
"Oh Tama-baby's fine!" Nuriko giggled before she began dragging the unfortunate male away. "He's tough!"
Nuriko then giggled again before she vanished around the corner. Matthew just watched them go as he continued to stare strangely at them.
"Is everyone just going crazy or is it me?" he asked out loud.
"Get out!" Miaka shrieked as she hurled her stool at Matthew, knocking him into the wall opposite of Miaka's door. Message recieved, loud and clear.
--------------------------------------
Matthew was still feeling a little stuffed in his new clothes. Hotohori had provided them when he said that the girls of the Inner Seraglio had requested his presence. The emperor had been oddly calm about him hanging out with his consorts, even friendly about it. When Matthew had asked him if it was okay, he had just replied that the women were free to pick and choose who they spent time with to their hearts desire. Besides, he hadn't actually been there before.
Matthew was donned in a white chinese shirt that had black edges on it. He wore a gold sash with white pants. It didn't quite feel like his colors but he really didn't have anything else to go in so he had no choice.
Matthew steepped to the doors and knocked on them to ask for entrance. The door slid open and there was Xong-Sui. She was in red clothes this time and her hair was in a braid. A smile instantly came to her face.
"Matthew!" she cried in delight. "Oh thank-you for joining us! It means so much to us!"
Matthew could only nod before Xong-Sui grabbed him by the arm and brought him inside. He looked around and found that it was a gorgeous place that these girls lived in. It was almost its own building. There were several women all preparing for dinner too. They were all very beautiful and were about Hotohori's age, if not a year or two older or younger.
"Everyone!" Xong-sui called, getting everyone's attention. "This is Matthew. He's the one who's friends with the emperor and helped saved the priestess of Suzaku!"
Matthew flushed under the gazes of the collected women. It didn't really seem that big a deal to him.
"Matthew!" Ko-Long smiled from the crowd. "Sit down here!"
Matthew suddenly found himself ushered from his spot to a seat at a table. He found that most of the girls were keeping an eye on him. For whatever reason he really couldn't understand.
"I heard that you were almost crushed by rubble while helping save the priestess," said one girl suddenly. "Is it true?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Matthew nodded while revealing his bandages. "I have the wounds to prove it too. It wasn't an experience I want to repeat."
The girls giggled and some sighed dreamily. They were no doubt daydreaming about how heroic the scene was. Two men leaping into danger to save a damsel in distress.
"Is it true you came from another world?" asked Ko-Long.
"Yes it is," Matthew nodded as he dug in. "Miaka and I come from the same world."
"Then how come you didn't become the priest of Suzaku?" asked another girl.
"Simple," Matthew smiled. "It's because in my opinion, Miaka would make a better priestess than I would be a priest."
"So humble," Xong-Sui giggled.
The dinnner wore on as conversation continued. Matthew answered as many of the girls' questions as he ould. They were actually very curious about him. They asked about why his eyes were a bit wider than most peoples and how he had gotten so tall for someone his age. Other girls asked how well he knew the emperor. It was a somewhat smooth night until someone decided to ask something a bit more personal.
"Matthew," she began. "Tell us, do you have anyone special in your life?"
Matthew almost choked on what he was chewing on. For some reason his mind flashed to Yui for a brief moment. Shaking that away, he turned to the girl that asked. She only seemed a year older than him at least. It was little wonder that she was curious.
"Um..well," Matthew sputtered. "I really haven't been considering finding anyone. Wh-why do you ask?"
"Well, it's just that we never see the emperor so it gets a little lonely," she replied with a sigh. "And we rather enjoy your company with us."
Matthew's eye twitched as he considered what she was saying. He really didn't expect these women to be asking these kinds of questions.
"Matthew?" asked Ko-Long. "Are you okay? You seem a little pale."
Thinking fast, Matthew decided to make an excuse, "I'm fine. Really."
"Are you sure?" asked another girl. "We have a bed in case you need to rest."
That set alarm bells off in Matthew's head. He quickly stood up as he prepared to make a break for it.
"Oh that won't be necessary," he laughed nervously. "I must thank you for dinner. I very much enjoyed your company. I do have a rather full evening ahead of me so I must make my leave."
"So soon?" asked Xong-Sui. "But it feels like you just sat down."
"Well time flies when one has fun," Matthew laughed nervously as he inched for the door. "Again, thank-you for a wonderful evening. I must be going now, goodbye!"
Matthew then quickly slipped through the doors and made a running break down the hall. As he rounded a corner, he smashed face-first into someone who was running around the same corner.
"Gah!" Matthew groaned as he sat up, shaking the stars from his eyes. He looked to see who he had run into. "Tamahome?"
"Ugh," Tamahome groaned as he sat up. "Matthew? I thought you were with the girls in the Seraglio."
"I was," Matthew sighed. "Only I left when they started prying into my personal affairs."
"And here most guys would kill to get where you were," Tamahome snickered.
"Those same guys would also kill just to get a few moments alone with Nuriko," Matthew retalliated, fighting fire with fire. "What happened to her anyway?"
"Gave her the slip," Tamahome smirked proudly. "To be honest, she's just plain crazy."
"I think it's contagious," Matthew sighed. "Those other girls were acting kinda weird too."
"Oooooh Tama-baby!" Nuriko's voice called from apparently nowhere.
Both men looked up and saw none other than Nuriko standing there with a pleasant smile on her face. She was also holding the sash that she had been using to confine Tamahome in her hand.
"There you are!" she giggled. "It's awfully mean of you to keep running away from me like that."
"Eep!" Tamahome squeaked.
As he tried to run again, Nuriko managed to catch him with her sash again. He met the ground face-first yet again as she came closer.
"Oh! Hello Matthew," Nuriko smiled. "Back so soon from the Seraglio? I thought the girls would try to hold you longer than that."
"What can I say?" Matthew laughed. "I'm an escape artist."
"You must be," Nuriko smiled. "Ah well, If you'll excuse me. Tama-baby and I have many things to do."
"Just don't break him," Matthew warned. "We'll need him to summon Suzaku."
"Of course," Nuriko nodded as she walked away while dragging Tamahome behind her.
Matthew just watched them go with a half-smile on his face. He knew he should of done something to help Tamahome, but his will to live was stronger. No way was he going to try and get between a super-powered woman and her cuddle toy.
Thinking about Nuriko and Tamahome together like that gave him a sudden chill. He thought that a sudden breeze blew through as he went back to his room to get some rest. He needed some after his night.
---------------------------------------------------
They day wasn't really that much more refreshing as it turned out. Apparently Miaka had made herself Nuriko's servant the night before. So far, Nuriko was making the job a living hell for the hapless preistess. Matthew figured that out when he saw Miaka wiping the floor and Nuriko dropping more dirt on it wherever she went.
"Okay," Matthew sighed. "I've seen enough."
He walked over to where Nuriko was keeping Tamahome tied up and hoisted him to his feet, "Come on you. We'd better stop this before they kill each other or something."
Tamahome nodded as he and Matthew made their way over to Nuriko who somehow managed to 'accidentally' throw a small table at Miaka.
"That's enough!" Tamahome snapped. "Quit pickin' on Miaka! I just hate-"
"Me!??" Nuriko sobbed, tears forming on her eyes.
"Hey, hold on," Matthew said, trying to defuse the situation.
"You two don't like me!" Nuriko continued to sob. "Tamahome likes the flake! He wants the little twit! Matthew! I thought we were friends!"
"Now hold on a sec!" Tamahome paniced. "We never said we didn't like you!"
"Yeah!" Matthew quickly nodded.
"Then...then you like me?!" Nuriko sniffed.
The next move Nuriko made caught the two boys by surprise. She leaped forward and caught Matthew and Tamahome in bone-crunching hugs. Literally, the two victims could actually hear their bones shifting.
"I'm so happy!" Nuriko squealed.
"My spine!" Tamahome gasped.
"I can't feel!" Matthew groaned in pain.
All the while that this was happpening, Miaka was watching. She began growling to herself when she saw the boys try to get Nuriko to stop crying. It was when she hugged the boys did Miaka reach her breaking point. Her growls grew larger as she gripped the table that Nuriko had thrown at her.
"You jerks!" she shouted as she hurled the table at the boys.
Her aim was true as the piece of furniture collided with the back of the two boys' heads. They both slumped unconcious in Nuriko's arms. Miaka didn't even wait for anyone to react before she dashed away. She just continued runnning until she felt that she had run enough. Seeing that she was in the courtyard. Seeing that she was also alone, she slumped to the stairs and took a seeat.
"That Nuriko is such a pain in the butt!" Miaka frowned. "She must really like Tamahome though. How did Matthew get to be friends with her?"
Her grumblings were caught short as she heard something shuffling towards her. She turned to look at the source and found the two boys who helped get her so upset in the first place. Tamahome was still trussed up in the fabric while Matthew seemed to be trying to get the feeling back into his legs. Both of them had large bumps on their heads. At first Miaka was happy to see Tamahome, but she remembered that she was mad at the two of them.
"I thought you two had passed out?" she asked sourly.
"We faked it," Tamahome huffed. "We then laid low until she left the room. We then made a break for it."
"You must be psyched to have a babe like that drooling after you," Miaka huffed. "And you Matthew, getting to hang out with the women of the Inner Seraglio. A boy's dream."
"Don't be a moron! You actually think I'm enjoying this?" asked Tamahome as he began getting out of the fabric "I'm only being nice because she's a woman and one of the warriors!"
"A boy's dream?" asked Matthew incrediously. "Maybe a perverts but not mine. Those girls probably picked up on Nuriko's craziness. They kept trying to pry into my personal life."
"Now, the cute little Miaka would say 'oh Tamahome, I'm just lost without you,'" Tamahome said in a high voice to imatate Miaka before he reached over and noogied her slightly. "Let's see a little more of that!"
"Ahh!" Miaka cried as she tried to get away. She took about one step before her leg buckled and she fell to the ground. Tamahome was instantly at her side.
"Why'd you fall down?" he asked in concern.
"It's nothing!" Miaka denied vehemently.
"You don't fall down for nothing," Matthew replied as he stepped closer. "Now what's wrong?"
"I know," Tamahome realised as he lifted Miaka's leg, much to her embarrassment. "She's bleeding again. Do you still have the extra bandages I gave you?"
"Yeah," Matthew nodded as he pulled the white bundle out of his pocket. "Always be prepared."
"You guys had better not look up my skirt!" Miaka said, her face flushed.
"Relax," Matthew sighed. "Your wound kind of takes priority."
Tamahome kneeled in front of Miaka and let her leg rest on his shoulder, "Don't move."
"O-okay," Miaka nodded, he face adopting a cute blush.
While Tamahome was tending to the wound, Miaka felt like she was in her own world with him. She had to admit that she was feeling just a little bit guilty. Nuriko would have been furious if she had seen her and Tamahome together like this.
"So, do you like Nuriko?" Miaka asked out of the blue.
"No way!" Tamahome denied furiously. "I only met her yesterday. Besides, she's not my type."
"Really?" Miaka gasped. 'So you have no feelings for her whatsoever?"
"The man just told you that," Matthew snickered. "Nuriko has a few lessons to learn in subtlty."
Tamahome didn't really hear the last statement as he suddenly started laughing, "I see! I get it!"
He then leaped to the nearby railing and struck a dramatic pose. He even let his voice seem a little more mach as he spoke.
"I realise that I am a kind, macho, beefcake of a martial artist, but money is my first love," He grinned. "So careful girl. I'm a heartbreaker."
"I was almost impressed by that," Matthew snickered. Miaka had a less than amused reply for him.
"I was not jealous!" Miaka snapped.
That's what she was telling herself anyway. She just reasoned to herself that she was feeling sorry for Nuriko. Her feelings were never going to be returned. She just kept telling herself that she wasn't jealous over Tamahome. What none of them knew was that the woman who was causing them grief was listening in just around the corner. She also had a sour look on her face.
----------------------------------------------
Later that night, Matthew decided to see what Hotohori was up to. He found the young emperor gazing out into the night with his two advisors pestering him over something.
"I was saying that your majesty is now eighteen," explained one advisor. "It is time to consider marriage."
"Our public officials have gone to great trouble to collect beautiful women from all over the empire. Why do you ignore the women of the Inner Seraglio?" asked the second advisor.
"I'll tell you why," Matthew replied as he stepped closer. "It's because they'll corner you like a rodent before they pounce. Trust me on this one guys. It's not safe to be a male in there."
"I sense that your visit to the Inner Seraglio was not what most men dream it to be?" asked an amused Hotohori.
"They were hospitible enough," Matthew smiled nervously. "Very nice too. They just tried to move a little too quickly for me."
The advisors seemed a little shocked at what Matthew had just said, "You have been inside the Inner Seraglio?! Your majesty, how could you let this boy just enter the Inner Seraglio like a commoner?!"
"Several reasons," Hotohori replied. "The women there had requested for his company last night. How was I to deny them a little companionship? I can also tell that Matthew is an honorable and trustworthy young man. I knew that he wouldn't do anything to those women. A final reason was that he asked my permission to enter since the women had requested his presence."
"Ahh, I think you might be thinking too much of me," Matthew smiled.
"Your modesty is most refreshing my friend," Hotohori smiled.
"I...I see," an advisor nodded. "My apologies Lord Matthew. Anyway, should we not be concentrating on the affairs of the empire?"
"That's right," agreed the second advisor. "What about that girl Nuriko?"
"Nonsense," Hotohori replied. "She is one of the seven celestial warriors and has been released from the Seraglio to serve Miaka."
"She's not exactly what I'd call wife material anyway," Matthew muttered under his breath.
Hotohori looked to the stars outside as a faraway look came to his face, "Since childhood, we've had an image. We know the face of our ideal woman. And she is..."
"BOO!" came Miaka's cry as she suddenly leaped in front of Hotohori. The advisors were down for the count due to the shock. Matthew and Hotohori just sweatdropped at the display.
"If I wasn't so used to her pulling this stunt with me or Yui, I'm pretty sure I'd be having a heart attack by now," Matthew laughed.
"Miaka, what are you doing there?" asked Hotohori.
"I was actually on my way to do a favor for Nuriko. I'm kinda passing through," Miaka replied with a smile.
"Are you not getting along?" wondered Hotohori.
"Like cats and dogs," Matthew sighed. "With me and Tamahome caught in the middle."
Hotohori was slightly surprised at the response, "If that is the case then I can just order her to-"
"No, We're fine," Miaka interrupted. "Besides, you can't order someone's feelings to change."
Hotohori was struck surprised at the conviction in Miaka's words. Matthew nodded in agreement. He looked to see Miaka heading out.
"Hey Miaka!" he called. "Need a hand?"
Miaka turned around, as she considered Matthew's offer. She then smiled and nodded, "Sure, but you better not slow me down!"
"Perish the thought," Matthew grinned as he leaped over the rail. "Later Hotohori!"
The two set out along a path that led out to a pond. Miaka shivered in the cold air as she peered into the murky depths.
"Just what is Nuriko making you come out here for anyway?" asked Matthew.
"She said that she lost an earing out here," Miaka replied. "She wants me to find it. If I do then she'll join the celestial warriors."
"Okay," Matthew nodded. "What's this thing supposed to look like?"
"Nuriko says it's supposed to be clear crystal so it's hard to see," Miaka explained. "It is supposed to glow at night so that makes it easier to find."
"So why can't Nuriko come out here and get it?" Matthew asked sourly.
"Something about the women of the Inner Seraglio not being alowed to be out this far," Miaka replied.
This little reply got Matthew to stop in his tracks. To him, the entire story that Nuriko had fed Miaka had seemed a little fishy now.
"Wait a sec..." he began, but was soon cut off.
It was Miaka's shrill scream that cut him off. He turned to where he last saw Miaka and found her hand just sinking below the water.
"Crap!" Matthew cursed before he dove underneath the water after her.
----------------------------------------------
Yui sighed as she stepped inside her house. She didn't really bother to announce her arrival since no one was home. She had other things on her mind at the moment.
"Just what was that stuff?" she asked herself. "It really looked like blood, but why did it vanish like that?"
As she pulled off her jacket, her body started feeling wet. She looked to her uniform and gasped to find that it was soaking wet.
"What the-?!" she gasped. "What is this? What's going on?"
Thinking about her watch, she checked her wrist for it. It was still there and seemed to be just as soaked. The only thing was that it had soaked itself much like the uniform had. For some reason, Yui began to get the feeling that Matthew might somehow be involved in what was happening. That alone unnerved her slightly.
Before she could even consider what this might mean, the phone rang and she ran to get it.
"Hello, Hongo residence," Yui answered.
"Yui?" asked the voice on the other end. "It's Miaka's mother. Did Miaka wind up over there? She ran out of the house and hasn't come back since!"
Yui gasped in shock, "No mam. I haven't seen her at all! I'll call some of our other friends and see if they know."
"Please hurry!" Miaka's mother fretted. "I don't know what happened to her and I'm so worried!"
Yui quickly hung up the phone before she started dialing. She knew one person she could call right now that she was very much hoping that was home.
"Hello?" asked a woman's voice as she picked up the phone.
"Hello?" asked Yui. "My name's Yui Hongo, I'm a friend of Matthew's from school. Are you his landlady?"
"Yes I am," the woman confirmed. "I'm sorry but you just missed him. He left earlier saying he was going on a trip. He said that he was going to ask you to come with him. Didn't he get there?"
"Um," Yui sputtered, thinking quickly. "Yes, actually. I had to turn him down though. I was actually hoping he hadn't finished packing yet so I could catch him. It's okay though, it's not important."
Yui finished her call and hung up the phone. She was now extremely worried. Matthew did take tiurist trips every now and then but he must have been crazy to take one when the high school exams were coming up. Miaka was missing too.
"Could...those two have gone togther?" Yui asked herself.
For some reason, that thought made a soft pain in her chest appear.
-----------------------------------
For Miaka and Matthew, things were not so calm for them at the moment. As it turns out, Miaka had gotten herself caught on some seaweed when she fell into the pond. She was tugging and pulling but it was difficult. Matthew was already down there, ripping at the seaweed, trying to get it to break.
'It's got me good,' Miaka thought darkly. 'Matthew can't get it all by himself. He needs help. TAMAHOME!!'
Miaka's silent cry was not heard by the ears of anyone, but the call continued. It went with purpose and it quickly found it's target.
In his bed, Tamahome was sleeping, exhausted by the crazy events of the day. He seemed rather peaceful and relaxed for a change. That quickly changed when his eyes snapped open and his face took on a slight frown of concern.
"Miaka?" he asked as he sat up.
Not liking the feeling he was getting, he quickly got out of bed and began running down the halls. He knew he would feel better if he knew where she was.
"Damn," he cursed. "Where did she run off to? Maybe Matthew knows."
As he was passing by Nuriko's room, he heard her laughing. Curious, and thinking that she was torturing Miaka again, Tamahome decided to listen in.
"What a fool that girl was," Nuriko giggled. "I sent her on a wild goose chase for a nonexistant earing. I was restricted to the inner buildings. How could I have dropped it out there? She'sprobably freezing to death out there right now."
Tamahome had heard enough. He slammed open the door to the room and angrily stomped inside. He didn't say a word until he grabbed Nuriko's arm and made it so she was looking straight at him.
"Did you just say what I think you said?!" he asked in suprise and rising anger.
Nuriko's stunned silence was all the answer he needed. Tamahome instantly turned and began running for the door. He didn't even get two steps when he felt Nuriko's arms holding him in place.
"Hey!" Tamahome snapped. "Leggo you muscle-bound broad!"
"No!" Nuriko cried. "I'll never let you go so you can just run to her!"
Tamahome's anger rose as he turned at Nuriko, "Don't you realise just how hard Miaka is trying to be friends with you?!"
"Well I don't like her!" Nuriko shrieked. "She's got you and the emperor wrapped around her little finger! I've been in the Inner Seraglio for a year and he's never even glanced my way!"
Tamahome wasn't listening as he tried to get away. Nuriko's grip was unfortunately proving as strong as the rest of her. She didn't seem to be ready to end her temper tantrum either.
"She just comes out of nowhere and the emperor just dotes on her!" Nuriko continued. "She just gets the royal treatment without questions. What's so great about her about being from another world! So I've decided to get my revenge by stealing you!"
"So that's it," a soft voice spoke.
Tamahome and Nuriko stopped their argument to see who was at the door. Miaka and Matthew were both there and they were both soaking wet. Miaka had soem seaweed sticking to her leg while Matthew's fingers were slightly muddy. Matthew was looking royally P.O.ed as well.
"Miaka! Matthew! You guys okay?" Tamahome asked, slightly shocked.
"Yeah," Matthew growled. "But Nuriko's not going to be in a minute!"
"Eep!" Nuriko squeaked, seeing his glare.
"It all makes sense now," Miaka continued, drawing everyone's attention. "Nuriko, you're in love with Hotohori, his majesty, aren't you?"
Nuriko was sputtering as Miaka stepped closer while bringing up her hand. She opened it to reveal a small rock the size of a pearl. It had small crystals all over it, letting it glitter in the light.
"There was no earring," Miaka explained. "I found this rock though. Isn't it pretty?"
"You little idiot!" Nuriko snapped. "You actually went into the pond? I was lying!"
"We know that," Matthew replied darkly.
"Your story didn't add up. We both knew that you weren't allowed outside the building." Miaka smiled.
Nuriko's temper couldn't seem to take anymore as she slapped Miaka hard across the cheek. "I will not be mocked!"
"Tag! Your it!" Miaka replied as sheslapped Nuriko just as hard.
Nuriko was absolutely shocked that someone would raise a hand against her. She twirled around and held her sleeves to her face, trying not to reveal the tears coming to her eyes.
"So you were jeleous of me!" Miaka smiled. 'Don't worry. There's nothing going on betweeen Hotohori and me."
"What am I?" asked Tamahome. "Chopped liver?"
"Just let it go," Matthew advised with a sigh. "Lest you get involved in a catfight."
"You know," Miaka offered as she turned Nuriko around. "I could talk to Hotohri if you want."
Nuriko's mood instantly did a one-eighty. She was clasping Miaka's hands with sparkles in her eyes.
"Really?" Nuriko gasped. "You'd do that for me?"
"Uh, yeah," Miaka nodded, sweatdropping, not that anyone could see it.
--------------------------------------------
Later,in Hotohori's private chamber, Miaka was talking about the girls of the Inner Seraglio to him. Hotohori listened politely as Miaka made her statement. He was in his robe and he couldn't help but notice Miaka'sfigure since she was in the same. When Miaka finished speaking, Hotohori started his reply.
"I understand what you're saying," Hotohori nodded. "Matthew has said something along those lines in his regards to meeting with the women."
"Exactly!" Miaka smiled. "It would be nice if you were a little more considerate towards them. I mean,there are probably dozens of women here who are in love with you."
"What about you?" Hotohori asked, his gaze turned towards his window. "Is there a man that you are in love win?"
"M-m-me?" Miaka sputtered, he mind turning to Tamahomefor a moment. "Oh, don't worry about me! I just wanted to recommend someone to you."
Hotohori turned his gaze to Miaka. She felt slightly entranced by his gaze.
"I already have someone," was his reply.
Miaka then found herself gently pulled into Hotohori's gentle arms. She was then laid down on Hotohori's bed. His hand was gentley caressing his cheek.
"Since before I can remember," Hotohori said gently. "She has been someone who I have cherished without question."
'HUH' was the only thought that Miaka could get out coherently.
She just prayed to Suzakau and every god from where she was back to Japan that no one was seeing this.
To Be Continued...
A/N: Hello everyone! I'm back again. Things are progressing smoothly and this chapter is done. I hope you guys are still enjoying the story. I keep aiming to update this story when I can. I hope to hear from you guys. Thanks for the support!