The Promise: A Tasuki and Miaka Love Story

By KittyLynne

Please insert the usual Watase Yû/ Shogakukan Comics/TV Toyko/Studio/Pierrot/Pioneer ownership disclaimers in this space.)
Author's note: Italics denote characters' unspoken thoughts. Chapter Rating: 15+ for foul language. Thanks for reading!

Chapter Two: The Stronghold

The moon had risen high into the heavens when Suzaku Seishi Chichiri returned to the bandit stronghold on Mount Reikaku. The night air was balmy and still; perfect conditions for traveling to a celebration.

The monk hovered just above the ground, then touched down lightly while a smile of satisfaction spread across his face at having appeared exactly where he'd intended; just outside the gathering hall that was at the very heart of the fortress. Given some of the precarious- not to mention downright embarrassing- landings he'd experienced here in the past, it was gratifying to know that his extra practice sessions were finally showing results.

He walked up the steps and entered the Stronghold. The torchlit, stone walled hallway in front him was deserted, save for two guardsmen at its entrance, but the boisterous sounds of revelry drifting into the hall through the Great Hall's carved double doors pinpointed the location of the majority of the Stronghold's inhabitants. He exchanged pleasantries with the two watchmen, who had obviously been told to expect him. Then, wrinkling his nose in anticipation of the pungent odor of booze and sweaty bodies that would soon be assaulting his nostrils, Chichiri pulled open one of the massive doors and walked into the pandemonium inside.

As expected, the celebratory feast and frolic marking 'The Triumphant Return of The Phantasm Wolf' was in full swing, though the guest of honor was nowhere in sight. A significant number of bandits now littered the dining hall floor along with dozens of empty jugs and bottles, and the men that were still standing seemed to be either engaged in a raucous card game, or in doing their level best to achieve the status of their fallen comrades.

The monk wryly surveyed the disorder about him until a very recognizable voice bellowed a welcome to him above the chaos and clamor.

"ABOUT TIME YA GOT HERE, CHIRI! ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES A MONK DULL, YA KNOW!"

The other bandits in the room broke into guffaws at the wit of their former leader, Genrou, who had left that position to fulfill his destiny as the Suzaku Seishi Tasuki. Chichiri laughed along with them, but more out of relief at seeing Tasuki in a solidly upright position. It would have been too much to hope that his party loving friend was still stone cold sober, of course, but at least he was mobile and lucid- which would make Taiits-kun's message a whole lot easier to relay.

"THE NIGHT'S STILL YOUNG, UNLESS YOU'RE GOING TO BED EARLY!" He shouted back, earning more guffaws from those around him and a chortle of appreciation from the seishi with flaming red hair.

No one in the universe had a grin quite like Tasuki, Chichiri thought fondly; fanglike incisors, paired with laughing, amber-colored eyes, gave his brother warrior the look of a mischievous wolf.

The redhead made an exaggerated beckoning gesture. The monk acknowledged the invitation with a salute, and Tasuki returned to the private back room he'd just exited.

It was slow going to join his friend. As Chichiri stepped over drunks and avoided smashed crockery, he exchanged brief but friendly greetings with the men still standing along the way. When he finally reached his destination, he entered quickly and closed the door against the merry mayhem he'd left behind.

He released a sigh of relief into the quiet, and surveyed his surroundings with appreciation.

Even without the elaborate gold symbol mounted outside its entrance, the room's plush but comfortable decor made it clear that this was the private den of the fearsome Bandit Leader of Mount Reikaku, and any guests that were lucky enough to be deemed worthy of its comforts. At present, in two of the four comfortable looking armchairs set in front of a huge stone fireplace were occupied by Tasuki and Kouji. Jugs of sake and half eaten platters of food were placed on the mahogany serving table between them.

As he drew closer to the two men, Chichiri announced his arrival to an atypically silent Kouji in the comical manner the young man preferred.

"Knock-knock! Who's there? Chichiri! Chichiri who? Chichiri the Celestial Warrior, that's who! Oh, excuse me, come right in and set yer heroic, wanderin' ass down! Why thank you , I believe I will!"

Tasuki was laughing, but his companion remained silent. Perplexed by the lack of response, the monk walked over to the overstuffed chair, then stopped short. Kouji was cradled between the chair's arms, dark head lolling over one, and booted feet hanging over its opposite. The young man's mouth hung wide open, his bandana drooped over one closed eye, and the gold dangles in his ears were knocked askew. The handle of an oversized silver tankard still clung to the fingers of the hand that dangled over the arm of the chair; the other hand laid on a half-exposed chest, still clutching an enormous turkey drumstick that was spreading a hideous grease stain upon one side of an expensive silk tunic (although it was highly doubtful that it had been paid for in the first place.)

As he watched a thin trickle of drool emerge from the corner of the bandit leader's mouth, Chichiri let out a soft laugh. It wasn't a surprise to find that Kouji had indulged himself, given that he presently had his best friend and former leader around to keep an eye on things. Even so, it was funny to see the normally handsome and dashing young bandit looking like a way-past-his-prime derelict. Too bad I don't have Miaka's picture-taking gadget right now. "I see you've done a number on poor Kouji."

Tasuki was unrepentant. "Yep, he's out for th' night. Didn't even make nine chimes."

"He's going to have one heck of a hangover when he wakes up!"

"Feh. Th' dumbass deserved it." Tasuki flapped his arm in a dismissive gesture as his amber eyes sparkled with wicked glee. "Ain't my fault no one can beat me when it comes to drinkin' or flame throwin', or havin' a- " A huge yawn mercifully cut off the listing of Kouji's manly shortcomings.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that, you know. You look like you're getting ready to join him."

Tasuki's sleepy countenance immediately changed to a ferocious glare. "Fuck sleep!"

"If you say so," the monk said, hiding a smile.

"Yer damn right I say so!" The bandit declared. Fangs flashed in a sly grin. "Three years of travelin' with a holy man, an' I'm still as bad-ass as they come!"

"If you say so," Chichiri repeated, giving his brother seishi a shrewd look.

Tasuki's grin faded and his gaze shifted downward to the table in front of him.

"There's still plenty of nosh left." He said quickly. "And some decent sake, or we got the good hard stuff." The redhead started to stand as he spoke, but another jaw-splitting yawn had him dropping back into his chair. "Ehhh...shit!"

"Stay put and I'll help myself." The monk suggested cheerfully. He didn't relish the idea of hard liquor, but the scent of the food cooking in front of the fire and the low, persistent rumbling in his stomach reminded him that he hadn't eaten since daybreak. Grabbing two relatively clean plates and some chopsticks from the table, he went and knelt before the fireplace to scoop up generous amounts of succulent looking meats, vegetables and potatoes from several iron pots sitting on the hearth.

"Damn, those are Miaka-size portions!" Tasuki exclaimed, eying the heavily laden plates as Chichiri sank down with a contented sigh in the cushion strewn chair next to him. "Never could figure out how that girl stayed so tiny, eating as much as she did…" he added, half to himself.

Behind the shield of his mask, the monk's lone eye took note of the subtle tightening of his friend's mouth and the shadows darkening his fire-bright eyes. "I'm starved, you know!" He complained, digging into the his food with alacrity. "I think sometimes Taiits-kun forgets that I'm a mere mortal who needs to eat!"

"So what did Grandma want?" Tasuki asked, as soon as the monk had taken the last bite of his meal. "You were gone a long time."

Chichiri glanced up at hearing his friend's deadly serious tone. Following a sudden hunch, he glanced at the jugs of sake on the table. To his astonishment, only one jug showed signs of having been opened, and that was the one sitting next to the unconscious Kouji. Furthermore, the goblet Tasuki had been drinking from was more than half full.

The redhead fidgeted under the older man's crescent- shaped stare as it turned upon him. "What?"

"You could have drunk up all of that saké, you know! But you've barely touched a drop!"

Tasuki shrugged. "Wasn't in the mood after gettin' the word that Taiits-kun had sent for ya. Thought it was best I stayed sober, just in case."

The monk gave him an approving look. "Good thinking, you know. Did the others give you grief?"

"Nah. I just pretended I was drinkin'. It's not hard to fool these guys once they're blind stinkin' drunk." The bandit seishi turned his head and stared moodily into the fire. "So c'mon, what did th' old lady have to say? Is Konan in danger or somethin'?"

"No, Konan is safe." Chichiri replied carefully. "But it did have to do with Miaka."

Tasuki sat bolt upright in his chair.

"What's happened, dammit?" He demanded. "Are she an' Taka-"

"They're fine!" Chichiri assured him. "They're not in trouble, and their world's not in danger."

The wing seishi relaxed, then grew tense as he struggled to suppress the unwanted memories, then flopped back in his chair and abruptly gave up the effort. When it came to Miaka his self-control wasn't any better than his swimming ability, for it was still allowing him to flounder and drown in bittersweet recollections of the only girl he'd ever loved.

"Glad to hear it." He mumbled. "Taka swore t'me that he'd take care of her an' make her happy."

The monk smiled. "I know."

Closing his eyes, Tasuki let out a barely audible sigh. Talking about his feelings for Miaka was like rubbing dirt in a wound that refused to heal. It was the kind of pain that no drug or drink could dull- but he was determined he'd learn to live with it or die trying.

'I don't care if it hurts. I deserve to feel like shit for tryin' to fuck things up between her and Taka.'

It was a hard burden to bear, the knowledge that his feelings for his priestess had led him to betray her trust when she'd needed him most. The Tenkou debacle proved once and for all that he had no right to be with her, but yet he couldn't seem to stop wishing for and wanting that very thing. The only thing he could do to make amends is make sure nothing hurt her ever again. If only there was some way to find out for sure if Taka had kept his promise! If there was, and she was, he could rest easier...

An impatient voice and a sharp tapping on his arm forced him back to reality. "Tasuki! Are you listening to me, you know?"

"Sorry, Chiri, run that by me again?"

"Taiits-kun is asking us to represent all of the other Suzaku Seishi in implementing a plan that could ensure eternal peace for our world." The mage repeated, not missing the unmistakable signals of the unrequited love his friend bore for their priestess. 'I hope the Holy One knows what she's doing in insisting that Tasuki falls in with this plan. He's been unbelievably brave in letting Miaka go, loving her the way he does...but even the courageous have their breaking points.'

Tasuki frowned. "What's that got t'do with Miaka? Her part is done."

Chichiri took a deep breath. "There's no easy way to tell you this, so I'll just give it to you straight. Suzaku has gone to Miaka to ask if she will return to Konan to help the gods implement the plan. " He paused, watching his friend's expression closely. To say the the bandit looked shocked was an understatement. "If she agrees to return, as her only surviving guardians, we would be needed. Taiits-kun would like us to stay by her side for the entire time she is here in Konan. However, this time it's not going to be a requirement. It's your choice."

Tasuki's changing expression made his thoughts quite clear to his brother warrior. Whatever his personal reservations, and despite his struggle in coming to grips with his angst-riddled past with Miaka, there was no question as to what Tasuki would do now.

"If Miaka's comin' back, I'll be there."

Chichiri nodded, not surprised but still greatly pleased by his friend's immediate acceptance of his old duties. "It is possible she might not return. Taiits-kun stressed to me that it's going to be Miaka's choice whether or not she wants to help-"

"She'll help." Tasuki stated flatly.

The monk nodded. "Yes. I think so too."

"So how long will I ...we...ahh...how long will she be stayin' with us?"

"I'm not sure, but it didn't sound like a short term commitment."

Tasuki nodded. "What about Taka?"

"I don't really know." The mage responded, carefully setting down the plate he had been holding. "Taiits-kun didn't say he was part of the plan, but neither did she say that he wasn't. Everything really hinges on what Miaka decides to do, you know."

"He'll come." Tasuki said. "He's her guardian."

"And her boyfriend." Chirchiri said gently.

"That too." Tasuki half smiled. "Little Ghost the Second." He thought he'd made a good job of sounding offhand, but the brilliant flash of crimson from the symbol on his arm gave him away. Muttering curses, he made a move to cover it up, but Chichiri stayed his hand.

"Dammit, Chiri! The damn thing acts like she never left!" He spat the words out while roughly pulling his arm out of his friend's grasp. "I'm fuckin' pathetic! It's been three fuckin' years! Why can't I get over it?"

Chichiri yanked off his mask, a violent action that instantly silenced the ranting bandit. Fixing a stern eye on the younger man, he leaned forward and spoke to him with quiet intensity.

"You're not pathetic! There's absolutely no shame in showing that you care for Miaka, and especially not in front of me! It's natural! You have feelings for her that are unresolved-"

"-and always will be, dammit!" Tasuki interrupted bitterly. "Talk about a hopeless cause!"

"It's not hopeless! It's because you haven't forgiven yourself for falling in love with her when you knew she was taken!" The monk declared. "I'll say this as many times as you need to hear it! It isn't wrong for you to love Miaka, just as long as you respect her feelings! Instead of fighting what you feel, try concentrating on accepting the fact that it's all right for you to love her! Once you can do that, I'm sure you'll be able to move on with your life!"

The crackling of burning logs and Kouji's intermittent snores were the only sounds in the room for a long moment.

"So how do I do that?" Tasuki finally asked, speaking in the gentler tone he reserved for those who mattered to him. "When do you think I'm finally gonna get what love and all this other crap is about?"

"You already get it, you know." The monk said kindly. Slipping on his mask, he added, "the thing you have to work on is attaining peace through acceptance. Talking about your feelings to Miaka when she's here might help, when you feel comfortable in doing that. But it's okay if you don't right now. Like I said, you're excessively hard on yourself. Being in love is scary for even the bravest of souls, you know."

"That's for damn sure! Women have brought me nothin' but pain an' trouble an' heartbreak!"

"And yet you're still willing to give up everything for Miaka."

Amber irises glimmered with a mixture of sadness and humor. "Yeah. Which means I'm a fucking glutton for punishment, huh?"

As the redhead leapt from his chair and began to pace, Chichiri watched him silently. He'd gotten to know his brother warrior well enough in the last few months to recognize that this kind of incessant movement always precipitated some sort of personal revelation. He watched, calmly waiting for what he suspected was coming.

This time it came quicker than expected. After only a few passes, Tasuki stopped in mid-stride to spit out in frustration, "Ya know, my ma and my five sisters were always yippin' at me from the time I could talk that unless I changed my way of thinkin' and bein', I'd never be a good enough man for anyone!"

"That must have been very difficult thing to deal with." The monk responded in a quiet voice.

"No kiddin'! It's th' main reason I ran away from home at fifteen!" Twin fangs reappeared in a tight smile that didn't reach fierce looking eyes. "The bitch of it is that they're probably right! Celestial Warrior or not, I ain't exactly lived a respectable life! Even if Miaka woulda stayed, and even if I'd had a shot with her, it wouldn't change what I've done and that I got nothin' to offer her."

Chichiri regarded his friend with a thoughtful look.

"I must disagree with that, you know." He said seriously. "No matter how you might have made a living in the past, you're a good man now. And, for what it's worth, I think you do have what it takes to make Miaka happy."

The wing seishi's glance held his thanks.

"But I also think it's going to be hard for you to take care of her when you're not happy." Chichiri added.

"Don't ya worry 'bout that! I ain't gonna let this thing I have about her get in the way of doin' the right thing! If she needs me, I'm gonna be there. If she's with Taka and they're happy, then I'm gonna be happy for them an' that's that."

As if the words spurred him into action, the redhead strode over to a corner where his prized tessen rested, still sheathed in its custom-made holster. Grabbing hold of his favorite weapon, the bandit seishi slung it over a shoulder with practiced ease, and then turned to face his friend.

"Count on me, Chiri! I'll have my shit together way before we see th' woman!"

"You'll have to start gathering it quick." The monk advised him calmly.

Tasuki's eyes narrowed; after countless hours on the road with the older man, he had gotten good at sensing when a smile was lurking beneath the impassive mask. "Whaddaya mean? Just how soon is this all happenin'?"

"A lot sooner than you think, obviously." Chichiri's reply held a hint of a chuckle.

"Ya damn monk! Quit messin' around an' tell me!"

"Providing she agreed to return, I'd say it shouldn't be more than...oh, a couple of hours from now, you know."

"A couple- you mean, we're meetin' her tonight?"

The monk simply nodded.

There was a clanking of metal as Tasuki plunked down on the floor.

"Well, damn."

To be continued