The Promise: A Tasuki and Miaka Love Story
By: KittyLynne
(Please insert the usual Watase Yû/ Shogakukan Comics/TV Toyko/Studio/Pierrot/Pioneer have ownership of FY disclaimer in this space.) Chapter Rating: 14+ for some coarse language and mild sexual innuendo
Chapter 12: The Journey Begins
There was a long pause as Tasuki stared at the Oracle.
"An' what's that supposed to mean, Grandma?" He snarled.
"Why don't you tell me, Flamebrain?" She cackled.
Miaka stepped forward and laid a hand on Tasuki's arm.
"Please don't get mad!" She pleaded, under the cover of their hostess' laughter. "She's only teasing-"
"Don't think so!" He retorted, casting a baleful look at Taiits-kun. "It's pretty damn obvious she's sayin' she knows about you an' me!"
Miaka frowned. "Well if she does...what's so terrible about that? She's the Creator, so isn't it kind of her job to know what's going on?"
"Not if she's gonna make a habit outta bein' a nosy, interferin' old coot! I don't want her lurkin' around, sticking her ugly mug in our-"
"Tasuki! Hush!"
Miaka sent another apprehensive glance at their hostess, but her caution was unwarranted. As good fortune would have it, Nyan Nyan had chosen that moment to appear, and the sprite's highly energetic prattle had completely diverted Taiits-kun's attention from Tasuki's behavior.
With a sigh of relief, she turned her attention back to the fuming man at her side. "Listen, could you make sure you're showing her a little more respect? I know she can be difficult to deal with, but would you? For my sake?"
As he turned a fierce glare upon her, she held her ground, staring straight back at him.
"I didn't mean it as disrespectful." Tasuki acknowledged with reluctance. "An' yeah, I guess she's gonna know what she knows. But I'm tellin' ya, if she starts in with th' commentary, I ain't makin' promises that I won't-OW!" The jangling impact of metal rings brought his rant to a halt. He put a hand to the back of his head, which had just taken the brunt of a downsized shakajou. "Dammit, Chiri! What the hell was that for?"
"For acting like a blathering idiot!" A muffled voice snapped. "Quit flapping your gums so we can get a move on!"
"We can't go anywhere yet, ya big dummy! Taiits-kun's gotta send us, an' she's busy!"
"Well then, get her attention! It's hot and cramped inside this bag, you know!"
The ex-bandit smirked. "What's th' problem? I thought squirrels liked findin' warm, tight spaces to store their nuts-OW! Fu-" He was forced to bite off the expletive as he dodged the staff that swung violently above his head. "Okay, stop! I'm shuttin' up!"
As Chichiri winked at her over Tasuki's shoulder, Miaka smiled broadly, and then chuckled as the chibi-sized monk burrowed his way into the backpack. "Ohhh...that's so cute!"
Tasuki paused in the midst of taking a grab at his tormentor to look at her.
"What is?" He asked.
"Chichiri!" She replied happily.
The wing seishi's arm dropped to his side and he straightened. "Huh. Yeah, he always did make you smile when he was turnin' small, didn't he?"
His flat tone made the question more of a statement.
Miaka giggled. "Oh, yes! He reminds of the teddy bear I brought along the first time I was here!" She confided. "Remember that?"
"Sure. The bear doll ya slept with an' gave to Hotohori." Tasuki's smile didn't quite reach his eyes as she nodded. "So how's that, Mi-chan? Other than bein' small, I hafta say I don't see any resemblance."
As Miaka considered her reply, a pink-faced Chichiri was grinning within the canvas confines of the backpack.
'I'm keeping quiet!' He thought. 'Sounds like Tasuki's not taking very kindly to that comparison!'
"It's not that they look alike, it's that he gives off the same kind of cuddly, warm feelings that holding the bear did." Miaka finally said, her expression displaying the deep affection she held for her oldest seishi. "I feel secure in having him near me."
During the ensuing silence, Chichiri sank down even further into the canvas confines of the backpack and put a hand over his mouth to stifle a laugh. 'You've really done it now, Miaka. Tasuki's not the kind of man who will back away from any challenge when it comes to you!'
"So Chiri makes ya feel warm an' safe, huh?"
The distinct note of displeasure in the ex-bandit's voice was the only warning Miaka received before his arms wrapped around her shoulders and yanked her in close. She looked up into eyes filled with fire, and her heart thumped wildly as comprehension dawned that she'd made him jealous.
"Yes! And so do you, Tasuki-"
Her voice failed as her seishi pulled her so close not even a sliver of daylight could have fit between them. She supposed she should have been objecting, but any coherent thoughts had drained away as her brain savored the warmth of the masculine chest beneath her splayed hands, and the hard muscles pushed up against the yielding curves of her body. She couldn't recall Taka being so bold in touching her front of others- not even Tamahome would have dared!
"Feelin' all warm and fuzzy now, are we?"
Her breath caught as hands slid down her back, and a pelvis pressed intimately against hers. "Um..."
"Thinkin' about cute 'lil Chichiri?" The inquiry was accompanied by another forward shift of his pelvis, and a smile that could only be described as dangerous.
"N-Noooo... " Her admission was tinged with shocked pleasure. "Tasuki..."
"Tasuki, that's right. That's good thinkin'."
She was hopelessly enthralled by his growl of a voice, which sent shivers of delight down her spine. With quickened breathing, she watched as his smoldering gaze lowered to her mouth. Her lips parted under his scrutiny; the urge to moisten them was almost unbearable.
When his head lifted and his gaze abruptly shifted their focus to the side, she exhaled on a sigh, unsure if she was relieved or annoyed that he'd been distracted.
"Well, well…" He muttered. "It seem like Grandma is really gettin' into us bein' like this...no, don't look right at her!" He whispered urgently as she started to turn. "Look sideways, don't let her know you're lookin'."
Without moving her head, Miaka took a careful glance out of the corner of her eye. Sure enough, Nyan Nyan was nowhere to be seen and Taiits-kun was observing them with an avid expression, unmindful of the fact that the pink ribbon that always encircled her body had floated away due a rare lapse in concentration. "You're right, Tasu-chan. She does seem awfully interested."
"Taiits-kun's a hentai!" He whispered, his face full of mischief. "She's a pervy old lady who likes watchin' while I slip ya some tongue!"
"Tasuki! That's an awful thing to say!"
As shocked as she was by the thought of a 'Pervy Taiits-kun', Miaka still couldn't help smiling at the irreverent comment. Tasuki returned it, then lowered his head until his mouth was merely inches from her ear.
"Awful, but true." He purred wickedly. "She'd be yellin' at us for not payin' attention if she wasn't curious an' gettin' a kick outta seein' what I'm gonna do next."
"I don't think she would- "
"Sure she would! It probably gets borin' around here, even with all the Nyan Nyans runnin' around. Might as well give her a thrill, don'tcha think?"
"What do you mean, a thrill?"
"This..."
Miaka sucked in a sharp breath as his mouth moved away from her ear to a place where it was hovering just above hers.
Despite her misgivings, her eyes closed, and her lips parted, inviting a full fledged kiss from him even as she chided herself for her weakness. Was he really going to do it? What about their promise to hold back?
A split second later her questions were answered as her seishi, still holding her, swung toward Taiits-kun and bellowed,
"HEY GRANDMA! WHATCHA LOOKIN' AT?"
Miaka gawked, then covered her mouth as the Oracle gave a violent start. Deep inside the backpack, the all-but-forgotten Chichiri cringed, but remained stoically silent. Whatever asinine stunt Tasuki was pulling, the monk was determined to stay out of the proceedings. As far as he was concerned, it was imperative that someone stay in Taiits-kun's good graces…
Feeling quite pleased with himself, a grinning Tasuki glanced at Miaka for her reaction. His glance became a double take of dismay at seeing her hand over her mouth, her red face and her hunched shoulders. But as soon as she raised her eyes to his and he spotted the laughter lurking in their depths, he knew he was in good shape. What a relief and how great it was that she understood and could even appreciate his warped brand of humor!
"Got her good, didn't I?" He whispered conspiratorially. "Serves th' old busybody right!"
Miaka simply nodded, not trusting herself to speak for fear she would break out in giggles. She'd never thought anyone would actually get up the nerve- much less be successful - in playing a prank on Taiits-kun! It was a really bad idea to laugh at such an important and powerful personage, but knowing that couldn't prevent a soft snort from escaping as she watched her seishi executing a very flamboyant bow to the Oracle...who did not look amused.
I can't laugh. It's disrespectful. She bit her lip in an attempt to compose herself, but Tasuki's ingratiating expression only added fuel to her suppressed mirth.
"Forgive me, Yer Supreme Divineness!" He stated dramatically. "I beg ya for indulgence! I was only kiddin' around- had no idea I would scare the crap outta ya like that!"
"Such impertinence! I'm sure that's exactly what you meant to do!" Taiits-kun snapped, as she sent an affronted glare around the room to locate the errant ribbon. When she spotted it floating near the ceiling, a swift, impatient hand gesture brought the material fluttering back down into its proper place.
When she was satisfied all was in order, the Oracle turned the full force of her glare upon the red-faced young woman standing before her. "Enough nonsense! We need to get down to business!" She declared. " Before I cast the spell, I must be sure of one thing. Miaka, am I correct in assuming that you will know what you need to do in order to return all of you to Konan in case Chichiri cannot summon enough power to do so himself?"
"Yes ma'am, I do. I have kept Chiriko's scroll intact, and in a safe place."
"Excellent. If it becomes necessary, use the incantation you used with Suzaku to unseal its powers. Do you remember it?"
In an instant, Miaka's grin vanished. Use the scroll? Did that mean she had had the power to come back all along? No, I wouldn't have known it needed the incantation to be unsealed. She reminded herself. That's why I didn't get transported before when I tried opening it. I wonder if it's the same with the book?
"Yes, ma'am. It's 'kai-jin'." She said aloud to Taiits-kun. As if I'd ever forget!
"Very good. And where shall you be returning?"
Miaka found herself balking at the question. Where should she go? If Keisuke had been keeping track of her in the scroll the entire time since she left- and she was certain he had - then he already knew about the tough decision she had to make, the kiss in the garden and about her newly discovered feelings for Tasuki. 'After our conversation about Taka and me, how will I ever make him understand that I'm not using the book to run away from a difficult situation this time? He's not going to be happy...'
"What is your answer?" The Oracle prompted.
"To my brother's apartment, I guess." Miaka murmured. More doubts were beginning to assail her. After fighting so hard to get back to her own world, how was she going to justify to the ones she loved that she now might choose to leave it behind? She'd been so caught up in her feelings for Tasuki that she hadn't given any further thought as to how to break the news to Taka! What if she wasn't able to reach Taka before she had to return to this world? What on earth was she going to tell her mother?
This was not good! She needed more time to prepare!
Or did she? There was time before she needed to decide, so Taka didn't really need to know right away. And Keisuke, Yui and Tetsuya would already know of her plans from reading the scroll, and would take care of her mother and cover for her on other things. Why go back and stir things up for no reason when no decision had been made?
"Your Eminence, is it really necessary for me to go back?" She asked. "The spring semester at University is finished, I'm done with exams, and I don't have a job lined up yet, so there's really no need. My brother already knows I'm here, and I'm sure I could get someone to loan me some clothes-"
"Yes, Miaka. It is necessary." Taiits-kun interrupted, with a stern look. "This journey must be taken for your own sake as well as for the sake of all those you love." Beady eyes gleamed with a knowing light. "In this, there can be no half measures. You must be very sure of your heart, for you cannot have it both ways."
Tasuki started to speak, but was stopped by Chichiri hissing in his ear,
"Keep quiet! It's got to be her decision or it won't mean anything, you know?"
Tasuki clenched his jaw. The monk was right. He had to do his best to rein in his impulses and his temper for the next month. He had far too much to lose if he didn't.
"Fine, I'll keep quiet." He muttered.
Oblivious to the tense exchange going on at her side, Miaka answered Taiits-kun. "Obviously I have to talk to Taka about Tasuki." She said. "I never thought...I never knew that...I could ever make a decision like that..."
She stopped as emotion squeezed her throat.
Tasuki shifted restlessly.
"I hate sounding like a coward." Miaka said at last. "It's … it's just that… I'm not sure I'll be able to explain to anyone I love in that world why being in this one is so important to me."
The Oracle's expression seemed to soften. "It is not cowardice to say you have doubts. Did I not tell you that being able to honestly share your feelings would serve you well? You have to understand how you feel about it yourself before you can make others understand."
"I don't want to choose to hurt anyone."
"It's an unavoidable consequence of following your heart."
"Will they believe I want to do this, when the thought of leaving them makes me cry?"
"An understandable concern." Taiits-kun agreed. "That is why you are being given ample time to consider your options. If your apprehensions cannot be assuaged after spending time living in our midst, then perhaps it's best that you would choose to remain in your world. "
Tasuki decided he couldn't keep quiet any longer. "It ain't gonna be easy, but you're strong, Mi-chan! You can do this!" Holding up his arm so that his sleeve fell back, he displayed his glowing wing kanji. "An' don't forget that you're not alone! Anyone who gives ya a bad time is gonna answer to me!"
He shot a defiant stare at Taiits-kun, who blew out a sigh of exasperation and rolled her eyes heavenward.
Inside the back pack, Chichiri put a hand over his eyes and prayed for patience.
Miaka touched Tasuki's forearm to draw his attention. "I'm just glad you'll be there. You make me think I can do anything."
"Believe it, 'cause ya can." He said, looking away from her as his arm fell to his side.
Miaka eyed her seishi's downcast profile. She was not offended by this apparent withdrawal; Tasuki had always tried to hide his emotional state from prying eyes. However, she had discovered long ago that the rest of his body language usually gave him away, and this time was no exception; the relaxing of his shoulders and the uplifted curve of his cheek told her that he was pleased with what she'd said to him.
Her pensive gaze turned to Taiits-kun, wishing she could emulate the peaceful aura of the Ancient One, which spoke of a being who was truly in command of their existence. For now, all she could do towards that end was take to heart the life lessons the old woman had instilled, not the least of which included the knowledge that part of becoming an adult was taking responsibility for one's actions, and looking one's problems in the eye instead of denying or running away from them.
But this time there would be no doppelganger test or lectures. Taiits-kun was a guiding light and a force to be reckoned with, and yet she was clearly not imposing her will in this matter- quite the opposite, in fact. Miaka Yuuki was going to be on her own in standing at the crossroads between worlds, and she couldn't move on without making a choice. There was no easy answer for the situations that had just presented themselves to her, but it was her choice to make, and no one else's.
It was time to test her wings; whether she flew or fell, at least she had made the attempt.
"If there's one thing I learned in being Priestess of Suzaku, it's that living life to its fullest sometimes means letting go of the things you love and saying goodbye." She told the Oracle. "You're right, this is something I have to do for myself. So even if it hurts...and even if I break down and cry... I'm ready to face all of it."
The strength of her determination sent a thrill of admiration through her listening warriors.
"That has a very familiar sound to it, you know." Chichiri observed, speaking softly from the depths of the backpack. "Remember Tasuki? Doesn't she sound like she did right after the summoning?"
"Yeah, she does. It's just like that time." Tasuki agreed, his eyes lingering on his priestess' glowing countenance. 'Except she's even more beautiful.'
Taiits-kun was nodding approvingly. "Very good. Keep the principles of conflict firmly in mind and you'll be fine."
"Know yourself, believe in yourself, and then overcome yourself." Miaka recited. "I've had to do it before, and I can do it again!"
"That's the spirit, Mi-chan!" Tasuki encouraged. "Give 'em some holy hell!"
"All right! I will!" Miaka could feel herself blushing under his admiring gaze. 'It's now or never! From now on, I'm in charge of my life! I will show the others I can take care of myself!'
Determined to make a start, she took a deep, calming breath and then expelled it in a sigh as a masculine arm established a protective circle around her. "Tasuki, you don't have to-"
"Yes I do." He told her. "Part of your bein' on your own means acceptin' that I'm gonna protect you, no matter what."
As wonderful as declaring her independence felt, it was equally as wonderful to have the support and concern of a man like Tasuki in that quest for independence. With that thought in mind, she gave into the impulse to lay her head on his chest, her eyes closing in contentment as she listened to the strong, rhythmic beating of his heart.
Tasuki rested his chin on the top of Miaka's head, resigned to the sweet torture of knowing that he wouldn't have a chance to do anything else but hold her close for the next few hours. There was a time where he'd have resented the gods for making Miaka go through this trial, but those same gods were the ones responsible for them being together. No matter how he felt about their request as a whole, he should be thankful that it had brought her back to him, and that he'd been given a second chance. The possibility of having the right to hold her for the rest of his life superceded everything, even having to float through the mysterious nothingness again.
To be with Miaka, he'd do it a million times.
Together, they watched in respectful silence as Taiits-kun bowed her head and made several subtle hand gestures while reciting a mystical chant. In a very short time, a familiar red light began to surround their bodies, signaling the beginning of their journey back to Miaka's world.
Miaka tensed and lifted her head. "It's beginning. Here we go..."
Tasuki blinked in surprise at the pronounced quaver he heard in her voice. Was Miaka anxious about the jump between worlds too? Of all the times he'd seen her appear and disappear, he'd never noticed it before.
"Hang on, Mi-chan." He assured her, infusing the words with an abundance of cheer. "Everythin' will be fine!"
"Oh, I'll be hanging on, all right," she responded faintly, "for dear life, since this is something that always scared the crap out of me!"
While Taiits-kun uttered the final words of the incantation, Miaka proved the truth in her words by burying her face in the curve of her warrior's shoulder and solidifying her grip on his tunic. 'Well, this is a really great start to taking care of myself.' She thought ruefully. 'But at least I was honest. Admitting I'm scared is the first step to taking charge of myself.'
As the portal began tugging at them from the inside out, Tasuki laid his cheek against his Priestess' hair and hugged her shivering form tightly to his with both arms. Any anxieties he had about making the jump were rapidly slipping away in the face of hers, and he wasn't surprised that this was so. The deep love he held for her along with the all-powerful desire to protect her had carried him through a lot worse situations than this one.
"No need t'worry, Miaka." He told her firmly, as the red light expanded and completely engulfed them. "You can do this. I'm with ya, an' I swear I won't let ya go!"
To be continued...