The Promise: A Tasuki and Miaka Love Story

By KittyLynne

(Please insert the usual Watase Yuu/ Shogakukan Comics/TV Toyko/Studio/Pierrot/Pioneer ownership disclaimers in this space.)
Author's note: Spoiler warning for TV episodes. Chapter Rating: 14+ (For coarse language, slight sexual innuendo)

Chapter Four: Reality Check

Keisuke handed his sister a tissue, and then waited patiently as she wiped her eyes and blew her nose.

"I won't ask you if you feel any better." He said. "But did it help to vent?"

"Yes, it did." Miaka wadded up the tissue with a grimace. "Thanks for listening. And always being here for me."

"That's what big brothers are for!"

"And you're the absolute best!" Miaka declared, and threw her arms around him.

Keisuke returned the hug while feeling a sharp stab of conscience. Having been wrapped up in his academic struggles, he had actually paid little attention as to how his sister had been faring the past few weeks. She'd definitely lost some weight…and felt almost fragile, a word he would normally never have associated with her. It was time to pay attention, before things got out of hand.

He began as gently as he could. "I'll always try to be the best brother to you that I can be. And that's why I would be remiss if I wasn't honest about how I see things right now."

She leaned back to look at him. "What do you mean?"

"It pretty much starts and ends with what I think is going wrong with you and Taka." Keisuke said. "So please, Sis, just hear me out?"

He expected an angry diatribe, but she simply nodded. But even though she wasn't making a fuss, her resigned expression was still a bit alarming. It was almost as if she'd given up, another thing that was uncharacteristice of her. " I think you need a break. This can wait-"

"No time like the present." She managed a smile.

"It's probably not going to be what you want to hear."

"It's all right. I really want to know what you think."

"All right." He shifted uneasily, took a breath. "As I see it, you and Taka have a problem that's only going to get bigger- the lack of honest communication about what you need from him spells big trouble." He sighed. "I know that I've got no room to talk about relationships, not having a serious girlfriend, but what I'm seeing with you and Taka is something I've witnessed and has led to break ups in all the couples I've known- including Mom and Dad. Pushing your feelings aside only leads to resentment...and estrangement. If you don't believe me, just ask Mom why they got divorced."

"But you were the one that told me the power of love could overcome all obstacles." Miaka stated sadly. "I love him, that should be all I need."

Keisuke reached out to grasp her hand. "Love did bring you and Taka together against all odds. It's the most powerful force. But what happened to bring him here doesn't mean that's it, there won't be any problems in your relationship. Loving means a duty talk and share and support each other. I don't think you realize that you have feelings that should matter and so should your dreams!"

"But I do! Why do you think I worked so hard at Yotsubadai? I wanted to attend the university!"

Keisuke eyed her. "And once you got here, you discovered you wanted to be a teacher, right?"

"Yes! More than anything! But-"

"Have you ever told Taka how important becoming a teacher is to you?"

"N-no. But I-"

"Has he ever asked about it?"

Miaka frowned. "No, but he's been busy-"

"Did you ever ask him why he didn't consult you about signing up for military training?"

"It wasn't my decision to make."

"Oh really? You didn't think it was relevant for him to know the military was the last place you wanted to see him end up after going through fighting in a war yourself?" Keisuke asked pointedly. "The book counts, you know."

"I did mention it, but he said, and rightly so, that there's no way this country is going go to war in these economic times!" Miaka asserted. "He feels it's an occupation that will always be needed, and there's room for advancement. Job stability and steady income has always been important to Taka. Whether as Tamahome, or in this world, he's never had an assurance that kind of security-"

Keisuke cut her off. "He could have had that working at a bank, so that doesn't excuse him, Miaka. As long as you two have been together, I can't remember Taka ever asking you for your opinion on decisions that would affect the both of you. You think that he's shouldering responsibility, but to him that means doing what he wants and expecting you to go along with it!"

"I thought you liked him!"

"I do! He's a good guy, and a great friend, and I care about him. But you are my sister, and your welfare comes first. I've watched you grow up. I've known you longer and better than anyone else in your life, except Mom, and that's why I say that you're going to have regrets someday in not letting Taka know you're not happy about this and why! I can guarantee he'll never realize the errors he's been making unless you stand up to him!"

Miaka rubbed a hand across her eyes. "How can I deny him?" She murmured. "I might have the regrets you say, but none would be worse than taking something away from him just because I find it inconvenient to deal with!"

"Isn't that what he's doing with you by ignoring the repurcussions of your having to leave school?" Keisuke sighed. " Keeping silent means you're willing to live a lie. Could it hurt to ask him to wait until you've graduated?"

"That means two more years living apart. And he says they'll find a job for me."

"Are you afraid that if you don't go right away he'll find someone else in America?"

She stared down at her interlocked fingers. "No, I'm not afraid of that. He sacrificed everything so he could be with me as a man of this world. How could I doubt him after that?"

"Taka is his own person. Kowtowing to him now because of what he did as Tamahome is doing it for the wrong reason." Keisuke stated, giving her a hard stare as she quickly looked up. "But if we're talking about past obligations here, you were also willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for both Tamahome and Taka on more than one occasion."

Her gaze fell.

"You did what you thought was right. You were never told that being Priestess and summoning Suzaku could have resulted in your death until you had to choose whether or not to do it, and you made that choice to save us all. But if it turned out that choice had been taken away from you without your consent or knowledge, how would that make you feel?"

"Betrayed. Unsure. " She paused, thinking back to that time where all had seemed lost. "Useless."

"And how did you feel when Mom was pushing you into going to Jonan even though you didn't want that? Or when Tamahome went to Kutou without telling you, or when he decided to dump you without telling you why?"

"Upset and angry." She cleared her throat. "Heartbroken."

"So let's review." Keisuke said. "The words betrayed, unsure, useless, upset, angry and heartbroken are the best descriptions of your feelings when we're talking about no one being willing to discuss decisions with you that involved your future?"

Miaka slowly nodded.

"Strong words, aren't they? I don't sense a lot of positivity in those words."

"There isn't."

"Would any of those words describe how you feel about Taka's current decision?"

Miaka sighed. "Yes."

Keisuke sat forward. "Look Miaka, I'm not saying Taka is doing the wrong thing in being a soldier, or that you shouldn't want to make him happy. What I'm saying is that he should care about what makes you happy, and not keeping you out of the loop in his making decisions that affect you. You might think it's okay right now, but once that pattern is established, it's going to be hard for either of you to break out of it. Irritation will become anger. Resentment will become bitterness." As a fresh round of tears welled in his sister's eyes, Keisuke decided to ease up. "I'm sorry for being harsh. It comes from having to stand by too many times while you went through a hell you didn't deserve." Putting an arm about her shoulders, he drew her to him. "You always give those you love the very best of yourself, Miaka, and that's what I want for you in return. The best."

"I... I know you do. You've given me good insight." She sniffled and swabbed the dampness from her cheeks with a fresh tissue. "I've done enough crying, and I've got a lot of thinking to do." She sighed, then gave a weak laugh. "If only my priestess power could allow me to see into the future...or have something like Taiits-kun's mirror to guide me to the right place."

Keisuke gave her a playful smirk. "No matter what you do, I can tell what Taka will be doing for the next six months. Those three- a -day cold showers and counting the days until he'll can indoctrinate you into the 'Mile High Club' - OW!"

"Idiot!" Miaka exclaimed. "You know, you remind me of Tasuki when you say things like that!"

"Glad to see my sis hasn't lost her killer right!" Keisuke retorted, rubbing his arm where she'd slugged it.

"You better believe it!"

"Speaking of Tasuki," he went on, "reminds me I've been wanting to ask you what happened to him. I mean, being a hero on the right side of the law, I wonder if going back to runnning a bandit gang would have been problematic-" His voice broke off as his sibling's mouth abruptly curved downward. "What? What's the matter?"

"I don't know what he's doing. I haven't read the book in ages." She said. "I hope that he and Chichiri are happy."

Keisuke made a dismissive gesture. "Not to worry. With Chichiri's awesome magic, and Tasuki's speed and the tessen, they're two guys who can definitely take care of business!"

Miaka held her tongue with an effort. Her concerns about the welfare of her seishi were real, but not realistic when it came to being able to act on them. To confess to Keisuke that she thought of and wondered about the people in that other world all the time would only cause him more worry and trouble on her behalf.

She was probably better off not knowing, like Taka said, considering the bittersweet feelings that arose within her whenever she thought of her last time inside the book. The victory over Tenkou should have given her satisfaction and closure, but the events leading up to it had left her unable to come to terms with the feelings she'd developed regarding her relationship with Tasuki and how it had ended.

In the three years since she'd left him, she could still feel the warmth of his hand on her head, ruffling her hair as he bid her farewell. And her conscience rebuked her at the memory, as it always did.

'He told me to go with a beautiful smile on his face, but his eyes looked so sad. If only I could have found a way to let him know how I felt...giving him my backpack was so lame. He'd be too honorable to use it. Better that I could have saved him from hurt.'

She'd never shared these particular feelings with anyone, not even Yui-chan. Sweet and painful, the secret regret would remain safely hidden in her heart and in the harmless dreams that accompanied the nights she spent alone. Fueled by good memories of their friendship, her admiration for him and a matured viewpoint on his actions, her feelings for the bandit had shifted towards something she was loath to analyze too deeply. It was too late for second guesses, and there wasn't any point in dragging up one more thing to increase her dissatisfaction with how things had been going in her life.

'I have Taka. He's all I need to make me happy.' Repeating the silent mantra had kept doubts in check for the last three years, but now she could find no reassurance in it. It was if Taka's decision had finally loosed the restless spirit that had been prodding her with unanswered questions about the past even as her conscience kicked her for her doubts about the present. It wasn't a comforting sort of feeling, and she was glad that Keisuke chose that moment to interrupt her thoughts.

"So, Miaka, when you decided to stop reading the scroll Taiits-kun gave you, was it going to be for good?"

She nodded. "I thought that was for the best."

"There's no danger in reopening it since you've successfully completed your duties as Priestess, right?"

"Right, but I decided once I found out the others had been reborn, I would stop so I didn't upset Taka."

"Did he say that it was upsetting him?"

"I took it that he was when I gave him the news about Chiriko, Nuriko, Mitsukake and Hotohori being born into new bodies, and he said that he was glad, because it meant it was time for us to move on like they had."

Keisuke pondered the information. "Yeah, then I would say he didn't like it. And now that you mention it, I have noticed Taka hasn't talked about the book since Tenkou's defeat. He even quit going to our Ancient China club meetings."

"As far as he is concerned, the story is done." Miaka confirmed.

"And how about for you?" Her brother asked. "How do you feel about that?"

"I have mixed feelings. I know I should leave it alone...but ever since he left for basic training, I've been so tempted to take a peek." She confessed.

"If you want to know, my looking at it can't hurt, can it?"

"It could, depending on what you see." She sighed. "That's the reason I gave you the scroll, because I know you wouldn't tell me anything about it if I asked you not to. Taka would know if I was reading it because I'm a terrible liar, and if I knew that Chichiri or Tasuki were unhappy or in some kind trouble, I'd be going crazy knowing it 's not possible for me to help them." She hesitated, then blurted, "and that's also why I'm not sure it's a good thing that I discovered a way to check on them that didn't involve the book or the scroll."

Keisuke was wide-eyed. "How's that work?"

"You know there's a connection between the priestess and her guardians, right? Well, it seems I've retained the ability to sense their life forces on this side. I don't know what Tasuki and Chichiri are doing or exactly where they are, but if I concentrate on our connection through the pictures I have, I can definitely feel their chi. It seems very strong right now, which means they're all right." She bit her lip. "The bad part is the idea that I would know if something bad happened, but I can't be sure until it does..."

Keisuke's expression was as bland as he could make it, considering he felt like he'd been hit with a bolt of lightning. He was glad to hear things were all right, but what did maintaining that connection mean for the future and Miaka's peace of mind? Maybe Taka was right in worrying about it. Something in his sister's face and tone told him that she would rather have this contact with her surviving warriors in person.

"I'm glad they're doing well. They're great guys, both of them." He murmured, stalling for time. He needed to think about this, or he'd end up putting his foot in his mouth. Pushing himself to his feet, he added, "talking's made me thirsty, I'm gonna go get a beer. You want anything?"

"No thank you. I'll wait until Yui and Tetsuya get back."

After blinking in astonishment at her refusal, Keisuke wandered off to the kitchen. It was probably just as well she didn't want a snack, he thought wryly, as he opened the refrigerator and scanned its mostly empty shelves. Grabbing a beer, he called out over the door, "I think I know why Taka said that. Have you ever thought that maybe Suzaku could bring you back? You helped to seal away Tenkou, but you never got a chance to see the end result of his demise. There could be unfinished business..."

Miaka's smile was wistful as she listened to her brother's cheerful hypothesizing. Maybe if she'd followed her initial impulse, she would have been living in Konan and known how her friends were faring.

"I've thought about that," She said in answer to Keisuke's question. "But I don't see how it would happen. I've used up all my wishes, and Taiits-kun said the cycle of priestesses was at an end with Kutou no longer a threat. Unless some related danger came to light, it would seem the legend and my part in it is done." 'Even knowing that, I'd try to do something to help if they needed it.' She added to herself. 'Chichiri and Tasuki and the reborn seishi are still there. As long as I live, I am their priestess and their friend, and I 'll always honor my commitments. I could do something for them in return for all they did for me.'

Although common sense told her that it was too much to hope for, her heart was insisting that it couldn't hurt to try. Shutting her eyes and clasping her hands, Miaka offered a silent prayer on the chance that it might somehow pass through the realm of time and space and be heard by Konan's patron god.

'Great Suzaku, I'm so very grateful for all you have done for me, and or us. I have no right to ask this…'

She paused, thinking hard. It seemed so selfish to ask for something without giving in return, and she decided to put that thought into her prayer.

'I would so like to see my friends again, just to make sure they're all right. If I could do something for you in return, would you grant me that wish? I will gladly offer myself in your service. Your will be done.'

As she ended the supplication, heat flowed through her body. Though the sensation was familiar, it wasn't nearly as intrusive as the last time she'd experienced it. Instead of overwhelming her, it had the effect of a soothing soak in a hot spring; easing her tautly strung nerves, while calming her turbulent emotions.

Miaka smiled. The connection she had with Suzaku was very much alive, and, in fact, stronger than ever.

And getting stronger by the second.

Green eyes widened with comprehension, just before a brilliant red light filled the room.

"Suzaku!"

At the sound of his sister's outcry, Keisuke turned from the fridge, and then promptly dropped his unopened beer and a container of leftovers. "Miaka!" He shouted. "What's happening? What is that?"

Even as he demanded an answer, he had a sinking feeling that he already knew. His big mouth had done it again...

Miaka was lost in the wonder of seeing the magnificent phoenix that had materialized directly in front of her. When the bird changed form to that of a very tall and muscular scarlet-haired man, she slid off the sofa and knelt, touching her forehead to the floor in reverent homage to the Konanese god of love and fire. She spoke loudly, wanting to be heard over her thundering heartbeats.

"Suzaku-sekun! You honor us with your divine presence! Thank you for responding to my prayer!"

Why had she been praying to Suzaku? The question was screaming to be asked, but Keisuke held his tongue, not wanting to incur the ire of his sister or the displeasure of the god standing in the middle of his living room in all his shimmering glory.

"Rise, my Priestess!" The god spoke in a low, melodious voice. "There is no need to humble yourself before me. We have been one, and I promised that I would never forsake you, did I not?"

"Yes, Suzaku-sekun." She responded, obediently getting to her feet. "And I promised I would never forsake you or my friends in Konan-" As a thought struck her, she gasped and paled. "What has happened? Tasuki- Chichiri- has something terrible happened that I am needed?"

"Do not be concerned." Suzaku told her kindly. "They and the reborn ones are alive and well. The peace you brought to our lands has held, yet I am here because our world still has great need of you. Could you find it in your heart to aid us once again, my Priestess?"

Miaka started to agree, but immediately stifled the response after a quick glance at her scowling sibling.

Keisuke, who had been about to lodge a protest, was stopped cold by the understanding and sadness in his sister's expression. She had wished for this meeting, and this chance...but was ready to give it up if he objected.

And how hypocritical it was for him to object! Hadn't he just spent the last few minutes lecturing her about Taka's insensitivity to what she wanted? Telling her she couldn't go or making her feel guilty about it would undermine everything he had just said to Miaka about asserting herself. This was a good chance for her to see what she can do when she was out on her own. She had to wait on Taka for six months regardless, so where' was the harm?

"Keisuke?"

He spoke the words before he could talk himself out of uttering them. "Don't look at me! It's your life, and your choice to make!"

Miaka's eyes shone bright with love and joy as she smiled at her brother. True to his words, Keisuke had just cleared the way for her to assume control of her own life. This was the way to do it, and there was no doubt that she would, although it meant putting her cozy, well ordered life into a state of flux for awhile. Taka, this is the way it has to be. I made a commitment to the people of Konan, and I intend to keep it.

Her expression was serene as she put her hands together and gave a low bow. "My life is in your service, O Suzaku-sekun. What would you require of me?"

"If you will permit it, I will return you to Taiits-kun, who will explain what is required of you." The Phoenix-god replied.

Miaka bowed her head. "I understand. I will do as you ask."

"I also ask you to consider your response to what she will ask of you. Your promise is irrevocable, and will change the course of other lives besides your own."

Keisuke was hovering somewhere between awe and outright panic. 'What the hell does that mean, irrevocable? This priestess thing wasn't supposed to be a permanent gig! He's not going to try to mate with her again or anything, is he? I mean, he's a god of mythological proportions, and she's a human...he doesn't need a wife, does he?'

But it was too late for second guessing. Miaka had already risen to her feet and came forward to wrap him up in a tight hug. He had no choice but to believe that whatever it was, she would choose to do the right thing for herself.

"Keisuke, if I have to be gone for awhile, would you explain to Taka what happened and tell him that I'll contact him as soon as I get back? And Yui too?"

"Of course." He promised in a voice made thick by his emotions. "We'll keep tabs on you through the scroll."

Releasing her, he backed away, shading his eyes as the phoenix spread its wings and the dazzling red light surrounding his sister grew more intense.

"Lasting peace or not, you need to be extra careful!" He shouted, then gasped at the reply that reasonated in the space between his ears. If anything, Suzaku's psychic communication was even more tranquil and modulated.

'Do not worry. She is going to a safe place.'

'Easy for you to say.' Keisuke thought resentfully. 'You're a god.'

The voice sounded amused as it replied. 'Point taken. But I speak the truth. It's your choice whether to believe in me...or not.'

Fair enough.

Celestial wings fluttered outwards, then folded inward to envelop Miaka's body in a protective cocoon.

Keisuke thought his sister looked like an angel.

'An apt analogy.' Suzaku agreed. The forms of the bird god and his priestess were starting to grow transparent. "Be well, brother of my priestess. She shall return when the time is right."

"I will come back, Keisuke!" Miaka called, her voice sounding as if she were inside a tunnel. "Thank you, I love you…"

"I love you, Sis! Be safe!" Keisuke yelled into the opening void.

He put an arm across his eyes to guard against the blinding flash of light that followed. Seconds later it had dissipated, and he could see that the vision of his sister and Suzaku had been replaced by the sight of a redfaced and panting Tetsuya and Yui, who had bolted from the parking lot and taken the stairs in pursuit of a floating crimson bird.

"Keisuke! I saw-" Tetsuya began.

"Was that-" Yui gasped at the same time.

"Suzaku came and took Miaka back into the book world." Keisuke confirmed with calmness he was light years from feeling. "And I decided I'm not in the mood for takeout chicken. Would you go shut the door, and dig up Taiits-kun's scroll while I order us a pizza?"

To Be Continued!