CHAPTER:2

Disclaimer: We don't own Fushigi Yuugi. If we did, I'de partying with Tasuki and my Beta reader would be the Empress of Khonan.

SECRETS…RULES.

Once her ear was to the door she could hear clearly as if the door were wide open she could only imagine what the speaker looked like.

INSIDE:

"But your highness." The speaker was tall, with turquoise blue hair, bangs sticking out at odd angles, clad in simple Khaki shorts and a tee shirt to match his hair.

His face though had the lightest marks of a fading scar right across his left eye. Excluding that he was down right dishy. His voice, which would have usually sounded squeaky and jolly, was now deep and serious.

His hands held out in the air gave the signs of protest as his brown eyes eyed the guy standing in front of him with his hands crossed across his chest.

He was tall too. Brown hair, chopped short but long enough to show its satin finish and bounciness when he moved his head. Amazing Orbs of golden brown for eyes, and perfect looks for the roll of Prince Charming…he looked just too beautiful to be a guy.

But he definitely was the guy of importance at the minute…, which was shown in his erect posture not even allowing a fold of his blue shirt with the rolled up sleeves to be seen.

"Chichiri." The guy shot out at once. "I told you don't call me that."

"Hotohori. Think about what you're saying." Chichiri continued. "This is the book we're talking about. He's still a character in it. And he's not human outside it."

"That's just a load of nonsense. How come Taka was real when he came here for Miaka? And Tasuki was just as human as anyone else during the summoning? Explain that to me hot shot."

Chichiri fell silent thinking of an answer, but some one else spoke up.

"Heika-" Hotohori glared at the speaker.

A tall female, lavender hair and just as lavender eyes, showed that she was beautiful… but every thing else would point out that she was a he had it not been for the long hair.

The Grey Track suit, the firm build and up tightness would easily qualify her for a him. But this was her.

"Nuriko. Are you stupid or something? I just finished telling him not to call me that a minute ago." Hotohori replied frustrated and then glared at the rest of the people sitting in the room.

All the Suzaku Seishi and his priestess were present but for one. He was the topic of discussion. Tasuki.

"Okay. Hotohori. Fine? What's the point in bringing him here anyway? We're normal here. He can't fight or use his beloved Tessen here. He's more suited for Konan. He'll get bored here and feel out of place. And besides we're all here because we reincarnated." She told him with an air of bossiness. "There is a reason why he isn't here."

"Dear Cousin…that reason is no reason to keep him there. It's down right silly."

He replied in the same irritated manner.

"But it is important Hotohori." His priestess answered. His eyes softened when he looked at her sitting there in a pair of shorts and a simple tee shirt holding her beloved Taka with her other free hand. She was just as beautiful as he knew her. Same beautiful brown hair…green eyes and she was the same beautiful person. But he reminded himself of the person sitting by her side in the couch holding her close to him. Taka Sukunami.

"Are you really telling me that's a good reason to keep him there Miaka." He couldn't keep the softness out of his voice. "Are you telling me that?"

She seemed taken aback.

"But he hasn't found love. And he won't here either. If I were right I'd say he is a misogynist." Taka answered coming to her aid.

"Well you're wrong."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Have you fallen in love then Nuriko? And What about Chiriko here?" he shot a glance at the brown hared 13- year-old sitting there absorbed in his book.

"What?" he looked up.

"Nothing kid. We were just puzzling over why they made you shorter here." Taka Laughed out as Chiriko scowled. But this got him a sharp whack on his hand from miaka.

"Well." Hotohori turned back to Nuriko.

"I suppose so." She turned red.

"And who might that be with?" Hotohori's eyes glinted with mischief. He loved getting the kick out of the past like this,

"You know. Supposedly you… thank god I am in my senses not to do that now." She smirked seeing his trick.

"Back to the point." Chichiri interrupted them. "We can't bring him here just like that. There are rules as to who can pass through the book into this world and who cannot."

"We'll take care of that. But the reason is still stupid Chichiri."

"I know. But he hasn't found a true love for himself. I doubt he will. I've known the guy for quite a while and he's a bandit through and through."

"Maybe we can change that here. Maybe he can find love here. There's always a chance. Anything is possible."

"I agree." Miaka nodded.

"Come on guys. This is Tasuki. Not any nut on the road. Okay. Yes Tasuki's the nut. But he won't go for it. He would have by now if he were interested. Not that I want to admit it…but he is one hot looking guy. To top that he's a bandit with skills." Taka nodded thoughtfully.

"Don't ask me why Hotohori. I'd rather you asked Taiitskun. He has to find love."

"TO leave her there alone and reincarnate here again in the middle of his life. I don't think so. I'd rather he found a suitable girl for himself here. He has better chances here. And besides we're all here. It's not fair he should be left there." Hotohori replied in the irritated tone he had in the beginning.

"But-"

"No buts. AS your Heika, if you still think that of me. You will all agree and help me bring him here."

There was silent and every one nodded somberly. "Yes Heika."

"Oi." He sighed to himself at this. "When are they going to learn? I'm Just Hotohori you guys, please. Don't let the secret out. Call me anything but that. Now we'll talk about this later… I have a project to get to. You have lives of your own I'm sure."

"Project?" Nuriko's brows were raised with curiosity.

"Yes. With my partner."

"I'd have thought you'd become a beautician Hori." She chortled. "You did care so much for the way you looked."

"Yeah, Fates turned their plates and I'm a Physics student with a project to do. So kindly…" he turned and gestured to the door. But at that moment they heard a soft thud outside.

Curious to know what made that noise, Nuriko walked to the door and swung it open, only to stand surprised.

"Hello." She grinned amused. "Can I help you?"

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