The Promise: A Tasuki and Miaka Love Story
By KittyLynne
(All rights to Fushigi Yugi and its characters belong to Yû Watase/Shogakukan Shoujo Comics/TV Tokyo/ Studio Pierrot / Pioneer Entertainment.)
Author's Notes: Contains spoilers for first and second OVA. Individual Chapter Rating: 15+ (for language)
Chapter Seven: The Proposal
In a short time Miaka, Chichiri and Tasuki found themselves sitting side-by-side in a lovely room that featured several comfortable cushions, an elaborate floor fountain, and dozens of different species of flowering bonzai trees. As Taiits-kun joined them, they eyed her questioningly, but maintained a respectful silence.
The Ancient One bowed her head in a brief moment of contemplation, then lifted it to fix her unblinking gaze upon the young woman in front of her.
"To begin, Miaka, I want make sure it's clear that you have fulfilled your duties as Priestess of Suzaku, and that you are no longer under any obligation to him or to Konan-"
"I know that," Miaka interrupted, with a glance at Tasuki and Chichiri. "I'm not here because I felt obligated, I'm here because I wanted to be."
"That's good, but please let me finish," Taiits-kun's admonishment was made gentle by her tone of approval. "There are no expectations of you this time. The choice should be made of your own free will. Should you agree to do what is going to be asked of you, then your choice would constitute a binding lifelong contract. If you agree, it means accepting a permanent role in this world, as well as any obligations or duties that may come along with it. Only upon your demise will another be ordained to carry on in your place. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Miaka replied. "Suzaku wants me to act as his priestess again?"
Taiits-kun regarded her with calm intent, apprasing and assessing the mixture of apprehension and excitement she could sense within the young woman. "It is not just Suzaku who wants you, Miaka." She said. "The four gods of this universe have conferred, and have agreed that what I am about to share with you is the best way to ensure that evildoers like Tenkou will never be able to cross the line and put our two worlds back in peril again."
Chichiri was shaking his head and staring at his mentor.
"Is something troubling you?" She asked.
"Forgive me my impertinence, but it's hard to believe that those four would agree on sharing one priestess after what happened between the priestesses and seishi of Seiryuu and Suzaku!" He said with asperity.
"Indeed." The Oracle looked amused. "It is an unprecendented occurrence, but nevertheless, it is true. After the witnessing how effectively their priestesses and Celestial warriors banded together to fight Tenkou, the gods felt that presenting a united front to those in their charge was the wisest and most prudent way to ensure they would never have to do battle with each other again."
"So what th' hell does that have to do with Miaka?" Tasuki broke in angrily. "Already I don't like the sound of this! What, do they expect her t' fight th' bad guys for them? They're friggin' gods, for cryin' out loud- they had the power to seal away Tenkou and to grant wishes! Shouldn't they be able to take care of any evil that's out there and threatening our worlds by themselves?"
Chichiri cast a grim look at his brother seishi. "Tasuki, would you please try to keep calm-"
"I won't, dammit, so don't gimme any crap!" The redhead snapped, glaring back. "'Fulfilled obligations' or not, Miaka's the priestess, and I'm one of her seven guardian stars, which means I have the right to speak up about anythin' regardin' her welfare! It ain't fair that she'd have to take on the burden of worryin' about two worlds all by herself-"
As he paused for a breath, Miaka seized his hand.
"I have to tell you that hearing that means everything to me, Tasuki." She said. "You've always been there when I needed you."
It would have been an understatement to say that the bandit seishi looked surprised, Chichiri thought. 'Thunderstruck' would be a more apt description. And the look Miaka was giving Tasuki at the moment was a rather special one, the kind that, if memory served, she had once reserved exclusively for Tamahome.
I wonder if Taka knows she's here? The monk silently speculated, then turned his attention back to the conversation.
"I think we should hear Taiits-kun out before we question the gods' intentions." Miaka was saying. "It's only fair to get all the facts first, don't you think?"
"You're thinkin' that they're gonna play nice an' give ya a fair shake?"
"There's no reason for them not to."
The bandit looked mutinous. Chichiri held his breath.
"Fine." Tasuki muttered. "I'll wait until she's done to start gripin'."
Chichiri exhaled in relief as their Priestess smiled.
"Think of this, Tasuki. They wouldn't want their plan to fail, so I'm sure they wouldn't ask me if it was something that I can't handle, or for which I'm not qualified." She said.
"Maybe so, but you're not gonna be takin' it on all alone!" He declared. "Whatever they want, no matter who's involved, I'm gonna be with ya!"
Fresh color crept across Miaka's cheeks, as her eyes shimmered with emotion."Thank you. I...I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Damn straight ya wouldn't." The wing seishi's grin flashed like the sun, and he seemed unaware that his hand had turned to entwine his fingers with hers.
Chichiri smiled to himself. Tasuki was wearing his heart on his sleeve, which came as no surprise and wasn't a bad thing. In the monk's opinion, falling in love with Miaka had made his brother warrior a better man.
What was a surprise was the way their priestess was speaking and reacting. If he was reading her right, she was receptive to Tasuki in ways she hadn't been before.
He glanced inquiringly at Taiits-kun, who was also assessing the couple with narrowed, interested eyes.
"Miaka, what Tasuki says is not too far off the mark." She announced. "The gods do need you to keep the 'bad guys' from entering this world, but not in the predictably violent manner that Flamehead was thinking. All it requires is accepting the role of Priestess of the Four Gods and agreeing to living in this world for the rest of your natural life for a protective barrier to be finally put into place."
There was a long break in conversation as her guests digested what she'd told them. Tasuki was the first to recover his voice, though his eyes were rather unfocused looking as he spoke. "Miaka'd be Priestess of all four of the gods?"
The Oracle nodded. "That is the plan."
"I'd become a permanent resident of this world?" Miaka asked.
"Correct." Taiits-kun replied.
"I...see." Miaka murmured. Stunned as she was by that prospect, it had held an immediate and instinctive appeal that it probably shouldn't have had for a woman in her situation. She glanced at Tasuki, whose expression had gone oddly blank, and then turned to speak to her oldest seishi. "So you knew all about this, Chichiri?"
"Only that you would be asked to stay as priestess." The monk clarified. Casting a reproachful look at his teacher, he added, "I had no idea it was going to involve all four gods."
"It is right that Miaka should hear of it before anyone." The Oracle stated. "She has been chosen to serve in a way that no other has before her."
The mage seishi inclined his head deferentially. "I understand."
Tasuki was silent, and his expression had gone blank. The elation brought on at the thought of Miaka becoming a day-to-day fixture in his life was damn difficult to contain, but contain it he would. Taiits-kun had the ears of a fox and the eyes of a hawk, so it was best not to do anything until he was sure he could keep that excitement from showing.
Of course, he should have known that she wouldn't give him a chance to hide after his previous outburst.
"Why so quiet, Flamehead?" She prodded. "I thought you'd have something to say."
He shrugged. "Whaddaya want me to say?"
"Do you like the idea of Miaka returining to live here?"
Tasuki frowned, then opened his mouth, but a flash of crimson from his forearm precluded any answer he might have made. He stared at it, exchanged a wide-eyed look with Miaka and then glanced away quickly as he released her hand.
A rare smile lifted the corners of Taiits-kun's drooping cheeks as she observed his futile attempt to hide the telltale glow behind his back.
"May I take your symbol's appearance as an indication of your approval, Tasuki?" She asked the red-faced seishi.
"I'd approve if it's what she wants!" He retorted, avoiding contact with her shrewd gaze. "That's all that matters."
"Not so. You are one of Miaka's two surviving guardians, and her giving consent to this plan will have direct influence upon your future. There can be no doubts or hesitation in your mind. How you honestly feel about resuming your duties as her guardian?"
"I'm good with it."
"You're quite sure?"
"If ya mean 'sure' as in, 'I'd be honored to be hangin' with Dumplin' Head for the rest of my life', then yeah!"
Wondering at the dead quiet that followed his words, Tasuki took a glance around him. 'Why does everyone look shocked?' He thought, fidgeting under their collective perusal, his expression darkening. "What? Did I say somethin' wrong?"
Taiits-kun snorted. "Clueless as always."
Tasuki glared at her. "About what?"
His tone bespoke of a fraying temper. Miaka snapped out of her daze and quickly sought to distract him.
"Tasuki, I'm very flattered." She told him with purposely overdone awe. "To think that I'd get a proposal from you- I...I really don't know what to say! It's so...unexpected!"
Chichiri blinked, then turned away to hide a grin.
"Eh?" The ex-bandit sat bolt upright and turned to her, his gaze anxious as the full implication of what he had just said hit him. "No, no! Er...ya got it wrong! I wasn't askin'...I don't mean it like... hell, I was just tryin' to-"
He broke off, growing even more flustered at the sight of laughing green eyes and a mischievous grin.
"I'm only teasing you!" She informed him kindly- and unnecessarily."I understand what you meant, and I feel the same way." Giggling a little at his chagrined expression, she leaned over and hugged him. "I really have missed you, Tasuki!"
"Ungrateful little wretch." He muttered, tugging on a strand of her hair before wrapping one arm about her. "Yankin' poor ole Tasuki's chain like that. Fer shame."
Chichiri watched the impromptu embrace with wry amusement. Miaka was as wonderfully demonstrative as ever, and it was clear that despite his chagrin, Tasuki wasn't going to miss the opportunity to reciprocate her hug with a squeeze of his own. And even as the blushing bandit grumbled and tried to look cool, the monk knew that that hearing Miaka say she had missed him meant more to the redhead than she'd ever know.
Of even greater interest was the fact that Miaka wasn't in any hurry to separate herself from Tasuki. When she finally did, both of their expressions held an awareness of each other that made Chichiri suspect Taka's prior claim on the priestess' heart was in serious jeopardy.
Taiits-kun had noticed too, he thought, glancing at his mentor. Her countenance was sharp and intent. The mage seishi gave a sympathetic wince, guessing that Tasuki was about to be subjected to some serious soul searching.
Confirming his supposition, the Ancient One said, "Please look at me, Tasuki of Suzaku."
Her tone brooked no resistance. With a sigh of exasperation, Tasuki complied, barely managing to conceal his resentment at the imperious command as he did so.
Piercing eyes locked with his for what seemed an eternity, keeping him immobile as Taiits-kun thoroughly prodded and searched what felt like the innermost depths of his psyche. Though the infiltration of his private thoughts made him angry, he didn't put up a fight. She was the Controller of the World after all, and it was inevitable that she would get whatever she sought from him.
But what was it that she was seeking to find out? She'd never bothered with reading him before. Why would she be interested in his feelings or the petty little details of his life now?
The answer dropped into his mind like a boulder falling off a cliff.
'Dammit, I forgot th' nosy old bat keeps track of us with those mirrors of hers! Which means she knows what happened at the inn in Kahou…and I bet she knows that I'm in love with Miaka! Shit, shit, shit!'
He stared at the Oracle's ugly visage, allowing a desperate appeal to show in his eyes before he closed them. Concentrating harder than he ever had before, he willed her to pick up on his thoughts. 'Please don't say anythin' about it! I won't touch her like that again, I swear! Please, I'm beg-'
"As usual, you misunderstand my intentions!" Taiits-kun said suddenly, interrupting his silent plea. "It's not my way to meddle in these kinds of affairs, although my personal opinion is that you should tell her how you-"
"No thanks!" Tasuki retorted, quickly opening his eyes.
"Why not?"
"I just don't want to, okay?"
"Given the present situation, don't you think it would be better if she knew-"
"NO!"
As a stare down commenced between Oracle and seishi, Miaka decided it was high time she interrupted. She didn't understand what was transpiring between the two, but she did know that Tasuki was in some sort of emotional distress and needed help. "Excuse me, Taiits-kun? May I ask you something?"
"Of course, child. What is it?"
"I was just wondering…why would the Four Gods pick me to be their priestess? I'm average in just about everything- I'm not a brain or a warrior or a leader!"
Tasuki breathed a sigh of relief as old woman's attention was diverted from him. 'Thanks, Miaka. I owe ya one!'
"The Four Gods chose you because of the love you bear in your heart for humanity." Taiits-kun replied. "You have proven to have the rare gift for transcending social and political barriers. You were accepted and willingly served by celestial warriors other than your own guardians, something that has never been achieved by any other priestess. This was a significant factor in the gods' decision, along with having witnessed or personally experienced the strength of your will."
Chichiri nodded in agreement. "She withstood wielding the power of Suzaku." He murmured.
"Yes, and that indomitable spirit is what will keep her from losing herself to any of the gods should she ever need to summon them for a wish." The Oracle continued. "Miaka, it is also important for you to recognize that strength of will is a trait that is passed on from mother to daughter, a legacy that is vital to plans of the Four Gods."
"Why is that?" Miaka asked.
Taiits-kun's hesitation before answering was slight, but noticeable. "Because part of the plan requires that you find a worthy man and produce female offspring to continue the position you will hold."
"Oh, that's nice! They want to make her their harem girl?" Tasuki sneered, as Miaka blushed. "What business is it of theirs? Maybe she doesn't wanna have kids!"
"It is their business because a daughter of Miaka's would become priestess by right of succession," Taiits-kun replied. "Ensuring a line of succession for the Priestess of the Four Gods, who would then be served by the warriors from all four quadrants, would make it unnecessary for any more priestesses from the other world to be called. The passage between our two worlds could then be protected by the chosen guardian, who would prevent the discovery and infiltration by ne'er-do-wells from either world."
"So my offspring would have an inheritance of responsibility," Miaka said, "to keep the two worlds apart."
"Exactly."
Chichiri was puzzled. "Then why would the passage need a guardian? Couldn't we just seal it?"
"This plan has to have an escape clause for the event that Miaka or any of her descendants cannot fulfill their duty." Taiits-kun explained. "The gods have decided to completely abstain from the selection process and have asked me to find a guardian that I know will act without prejudice towards any regime. If something happened to prevent Miaka or any of her descendants from having a daughter or daughters, the guardian of the portal would be the one charged with finding a proper replacement for the priestess. To maintain security, only the guardian will have the power to pass through the seal."
"But what about my family back home?" Miaka asked, then bit her lip to keep it from trembling. She really wanted to help, but did Taiits-kun really have any idea what she was truly giving up? World peace or not, it was asking a lot for her to turn her back on the existence she had known for one that amounted to becoming a character in a book, not to mention assigning a future to children born into the story. The notion was sobering, to say the least. "If I chose to live here, would I be allowed go to visit the other world?"
"Putting the two worlds in direct contact and the priestess at risk is what we are trying to avoid. The more you go back and forth, the greater the chance there is of someone finding out about what you are doing, not to mention the stress transporting would place on your physical being." The oracle replied gently. "Suzaku did prevail upon the others to give you sufficient time to consider everything before you make a decision. He realizes that it will be extremely difficult for you to have to break ties with your world."
"What about Taka?" Chichiri asked. "As a reborn seishi, he'd be an exception, wouldn't he?"
"That's correct." The Oracle confirmed. "Taka, as the reincarnation of Tamahome, would of course be allowed to return here permanently if he and Miaka would so desire."
Chichiri nodded his approval. "I'd say that's only fair, you know." He glanced at Tasuki, who made a noncommittal sound.
"That's good to know." Miaka said hesitantly. Taka being allowed to come and live in Konan would alleviate her worries of abandoning him, but yet it also presented her with a quandry. How could she reasonably ask him to move back into the book after all he'd given up to be with her in her world?
'But this is my decision to make. I've been honored in being asked to do this. They think I'm the best one for the job, that I can make the worlds safe and secure. If Taka and I can stay together while I'm doing that, why shouldn't I at least consider the option?'
Wrapped up inr contemplation, Miaka jerked in surprise and then blushed when she felt Chichiri taking hold of her hand. The unmasked monk was kneeling before her, his good eye meeting her anxious gaze.
"This is a critical, life altering decision for you, and one that shouldn't be quickly made." He advised in a somber tone. "You should think long and hard about what you want to do, you know? This time, you need to figure out what's best for you."
"Only you know what is gonna be right for ya." Tasuki added. "All we want is for ya is to be happy as you can be wherever ya decide to live."
Miaka's smile was unsteady. "Thank you. If you wouldn't mind staying with me, I'd like to take the full time I'm allowed to think things through."
Chichiri smiled. "I don't mind, you know. How about you, Tasuki?"
"Sounds great, as long as someone else does the cookin'!"
"What? Oh you!" Miaka removed her hand from Chichiri's to slug the chuckling redhead in the arm. "So how long do I get to think about it?" She asked, turning to the Oracle.
"You will have a month to ponder your decision." Taiits-kun informed her. "Delaying a decision for any longer than that would be needlessly stressful to you and everyone involved. Use the time to reflect on the true reasons for making your choice, and do not be distracted by the mundane details of your world. Should you decide to accept your new role, you will be allowed ample time to set your affairs in order before assuming your duties here."
"One month." Miaka murmured, mostly to herself. "One month to think about what I'm going to do with the rest of my life."
"I have the power to return you to your world long enough for you to explain your absence to those closest to you, and for you to gather what is necessary for your stay in this world. Chichiri and Tasuki will accompany you to ensure your safety there and on the return trip." The Oracle added.
"I'm going to be staying in this world for the entire month?" Miaka asked, looking dazed. "I can't go back there to decide?"
"Spending the time here will help you make an informed decision as to if you'll be able to acclimate to living in this world. It will enable you to get to know yourself better, without any filters. And there are other reasons that will soon become clear to you." Though Taiits-kun's gaze was sympathetic, her tone held a note of finality. "You will leave in the morning. A good night's sleep will make the trip easier on all of you."
"Grandma's sending us on a road trip!" Tasuki cheered. "Looks like we'll get t' check out the bars in Miaka's world after all, Chiri!"
"Don't get too excited," Chichiri cautioned him. "Looking the way we do, we can't just go running all over the place or people will start asking questions, you know?"
"In that noisy place? It'd be easy to get lost in the crowd!" The bandit seishi scoffed. "An' I betcha Miaka's brother knows places where we can blend in an' get good food and drink! Am I right, Miaka?"
She laughed at the eager look he gave her. "Yes, Keisuke does know a lot of the popular night life spots in Tokyo. It'd be easy to get you both a change of clothes, and I'm sure there are some places where your hair colors wouldn't really raise any eyebrows."
Grinning triumphantly, Tasuki thumbed his nose at Chichiri.
"What about Taka, you know?" The monk asked, patiently ignoring him.
Miaka blinked. "Taka?"
"It'll be great to see him again- don't you agree, Tasuki?"
Tasuki's grin had vanished, but reappeared at the monk's pointed nudge. "Yeah, sure, that'd be great." He said. "It'd be just like old times." There was a tinge of genuine enthusiasm in his voice; Taka was his good friend, after all, and it would be fun to hang out with him again...as long as he and Miaka kept the lovey dovey stuff to a minimum.
"It's a wonderful thought, but it probably won't happen." Miaka said without any inflection. "They might not let him off the base before he leaves."
Her smile was gone and she had lost her sparkle. Tasuki stared at her, then clenched his jaw. 'Dammit! She's lookin' hurt. Son of Little Ghost musta done somethin' he shouldn't have.' "Whaddaya mean, he's leaving? Where the hell is he going?" He demanded.
"It's nothing bad. Taka's been selected as an elite special operative of our country's military, and will be going overseas to train for the position." Her smile reappeared, but looked strained as she added, "He's worked hard, and it's a huge honor for him. He loves what he's doing, the pay is wonderful, and his potential for promotion is excellent…"
"But it means he has to go away?" Chichiri prompted.
"It's a classified, very high-risk position, which means he can't tell me where he's going or what he's going to be doing on any given day. All he could tell me is the name of the country he's being trained in-" Miaka stopped, consternation crossing her features. "And I've just realized something. How am I going to explain to him what's going on here when I don't know where he is or be allowed any contact with him for the next six months?"
"Six months?" The two seishi exclaimed in unison.
"Approximately." Miaka's face had lost color and shadows had appeared beneath her eyes. "He'll send for me as soon as his training is complete. He's sure I'd like it there; says there's funded housing available and some good universities where he'll be stationed. If I'm not there to take the call, then he's-" She broke off, flustered."Never mind. I'm just borrowing trouble, as my grandmother used to say."
Tasuki exchanged a long look with Chichiri. The disbelief and deep concern etched in the monk's face reflected his own. There were so many questions- why would Taka take on a job that wouldn't allow him to be with Miaka? How could he keep Miaka safe and happy if he was working as a spy? What about his duty as a seishi?
"It's ironic to think that my moving back to Konan would mean giving up the same things that Tamahome did to come to my world. " Miaka continued, so softly that her warriors had to lean forward to hear her. "Is it fair of me to think he'd give up everything again to go back to the beginning?" She was smiling again, but it was clear that tears were looming on the horizon. "I'm being silly. Forget what I just said."
In that moment, her two warriors reached an unspoken agreement that the questions that were begging to be asked could and would wait. By virtue of their bond with their priestess, they could sense when she was emotionally drained. She'd been through a lot in one day. Now was not the time for an inquisition.
Chichiri slipped on his mask and stood up. "Miaka, we'll figure out a way to get in touch with Taka while we're there. It's going to be a long day tomorrow, and I think we all should get some rest."
Tasuki promptly agreed, though he had never felt more awake in his life.
Miaka's expression was rueful. "I'm hoping I can relax enough to sleep. There's so much to think about..."
"You've got a month, you know." Chichiri reminded her.
"An' we're gonna have some fun!" Tasuki added. Now that he had the luxury of a little time on his side, he didn't mind waiting to satisfy his curiosity as to what had been going on with Miaka and Taka in the past three years. He'd rather concentrate on making her laugh than on ranting about the stupidity of the man who made her look this sad. Of course Taka would give everything up to be with Miaka! And when he came back to Konan, he'd have some things to answer for...
"I've had rooms prepared," Taiits-kun interjected. "Try your best to sleep, and do not hasten in rising. I have other things I must attend to, and will have you summoned when I'm ready to send you back."
Miaka bowed. "Thank you, and please forgive me, Your Eminence. It's inappropriate for me to go on about my problems when- "
The Oracle held up a hand. "It is not necessary for you to apologize, Miaka. Being able to share your feelings with others is a quality that will serve you well in the days ahead."
"Well then, if you wouldn't mind...um...I do have a small favor to ask of you."
Taiits-kun's expression was benevolent as she regarded the young woman. "What is it, child?"
Miaka smiled sheepishly as a feral-sounding growl emitted from her stomach. "Do you have any kind of snack available? I'm starving!"
To be continued…:)