The Promise: A Tasuki and Miaka Love Story
By KittyLynne
Fushigi Yuugi is owned by Watase Yû/Shogakukan Comics/TV Tokyo/ Studio Pierrot / Pioneer Entertainment. Original story plot, dialogue,and characters belong to the author, KittyLynne, and may not be used without written permission. The quote about love paraphrased by Chichiri in this chapter is from A Book of Life by Martin Gray.
Author's Notes: Chapter Rating: 14+ for a fair amount of cursing. Spoilers for second OVA. Angst warning, and Taka lovers be cautioned- there won't be any Taka bashing, but he's understandably not going to be on his best behavior in this chapter. As always, italics in the text denote a character's unspoken thoughts.
Chapter 15- The Past Could Be the Future
Yui subtly nudged the man sitting by her knees. "Don't you think this might be a good time for you to show our guests around the apartment, Tetsu-kun?"
"Yes, I think it is." Tetsuya immediately got to his feet. "How about it, guys? Want to see the rest of this place?"
"I would!" Chichiri answered quickly. "Tasuki?"
"Go ahead, I'll catch up to ya."
The redhead barely glanced up as he replied, and his expression made it clear that his attention was completely focused upon the woman he was holding. The monk hesitated, concern evident in his face.
"I'll stay." Yui said, meeting his gaze. The message in her blue eyes reassured Chichiri, who smiled and nodded his thanks.
As the other men followed a solemn-faced Keisuke out of the room, Tasuki stood and pulled his priestess to her feet. "It's gonna be okay, Green Eyes! You can do this, and I'll be right here if ya need me."
Miaka simply nodded and slipped from his grasp.
Despite his encouraging words, the bandit seishi felt more than a little apprehensive as she approached the shiny tabletop and the thing lying on it that held Taka's voice. He watched closely as she brought one end of the mechanism to her ear and began to talk into the other, then frowned as he realized she was speaking so softly he couldn't distinguish her words. 'This phony tell thing is a fuckin' stupid idea! Why th' hell does it let everyone in th' place know someone's callin' if a conversation is supposed to be private?'
His eyes narrowed in thought, then widened as inspiration struck. Reading lips was a skill he'd learned as part of his surveillance training at Mount Reikaku. Unfortunately, the plan required him to have a clear view of the person's mouth, and the curtain of hair she'd tucked behind her ear had fallen forward as she bowed her head, concealing her face as she spoke.
'Dammit Mi-chan!'
He didn't realize his hands had clenched into fists of frustration until he felt a light touch on his arm. Startled, he turned and looked down into the compassionate gaze of the former Priestess of Seiryu.
"Please try not to worry, Tasuki. I foresee lots of good times ahead for you and Miaka." She said kindly.
"Huh? How did -" He broke off as comprehension dawned. "Ahhh, that's what all the whisperin' with you two was about!"
Yui's smile was unrepentant. "Yes, that was that, or should I say, you're all that!" She giggled at Tasuki's baffled expression. "But even if Miaka hadn't confirmed it I still would have known something was going on." She paused, then answered his unspoken question. "I mean, it's just so obvious when she looks at you!"
A shy smile flitted over the ex-bandit's lips. "How is it that she looks at me?"
"Like she wants you for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the rest of her life!"
Fangs bracketed the corners of a grin. "Ya really think I got a chance?"
"Definitely!" Yui replied emphatically. To Tasuki's surprise and discomfort, tears were collecting in the blonde's shrewd blue eyes. "Miaka has shown me countless times that love has the power to heal the deepest wounds and to overcome the greatest wrongs. Keep believing it will happen… and I know things will work out for the two of you."
"I will." The Suzaku warrior promised soberly. "You're a good person t' say that."
Yui was incapable of reply- she was too busy blinking and swallowing in an attempt to keep from crying. A moment later, a watery smile replaced her tears as a oblong piece of linen was abruptly thrust in front of her face. She took the cloth and dabbed carefully at her eyes, trying not to stain it with her cosmetics. When she was finished, she handed back the scarf, which the seishi promptly stuffed back inside his tunic. "Thank you, Tasuki. Mi-chan was right, you're very gallant!"
"Yeah sure. Just can't stand seeing a woman cry, that's all." Despite his offhand tone, the color in the Suzaku warrior's cheeks and the light in his eyes told Yui her words had been taken to heart. "Thanks for th' encouragement. " He added quickly. "I know it ain't an easy thing t'say, considerin' what happened with you an' Miaka an' Tamahome."
Yui's cheeks heated up, but she ignored the discomfort of remembered shame. Embarrassment was a small price to pay for understanding and an olive branch. "Because of how I acted before, I know you have every right to be suspicious of my motives...but I hope you will believe me when I say the past feelings I held for Tamahome are playing no part in my support of you and Miaka getting together."
Tasuki blinked in surprise. "Of course I believe ya! I mean, Taka ain't Tamahome, is he? He's Tama reborn an' all, but he's still a different guy. " He smiled. "The way I see it, Seiryu devouring ya and Miaka bringin' ya back means you were reborn too. Ya may look like my former enemy, but everythin' inside ya has changed." His smile broadened. "I bet fallin' in love for real had somethin' to do with that too, didn't it? Kinda amazin' how much that can change a person, ain't it?"
This was unexpected insight from a man she knew liked to let his fists do the talking. Yui was impressed, and her expression showed it. "For sure! Nevertheless, I will always regret how hateful I was to all of you when I was Priestess of Seiryu!"
"There was a time or two where we called ya a bitch!" The wing seishi admitted with a cheerful grin. "But then ya defied Nakago, an' sacrificed yourself to give Miaka the power to summon Suzaku! Let me tell ya, as far as I'm concerned, that redeemed ya big time!"
Though it was an awkward subject, Yui couldn't help but smile at the redhead's unflinching honesty. "Well thank you, but if I had trusted Miaka and not him in the first-"
"That's over an' done with!" Tasuki interjected. "Miaka believes that everyone deserves a second chance and so do I!" Sticking out a hand, he vigorously ruffled the hair on top of her head. "So whaddaya say, Yui? Are we friends now?"
The former priestess laughed aloud, not minding a bit that her once perfectly combed coiffure was under attack. "Yes! Friends to the end!"
"All right! That's what I like t'hear-" Tasuki's hand stopped and dropped away as his grin faded. "Uh-oh."
"Is something wrong?" Yui asked, watching in concern as he began to shift uncomfortably.
"Uh...no. " Despite his best efforts not to appear embarrassed, the seishi's cheeks reddened. "I mean, sorta. It's just kinda urgent an' I need t'ask ya somethin' personal."
"Don't worry. Just ask."
Tasuki leaned forward. "Do ya got any sorta outhouse or latrine around here?" He asked in a loud whisper. "The beer I had is gonna be makin' a second appearance pretty damn soon."
Yui blinked, and managed to answer without so much as a smirk. "It's called a bathroom, and there's one very close by. I'll quickly show you how the faucets and toilet work first though. Oh, and the toilet makes weird noises when you flush it, so don't freak out, okay?"
"Um, sure. Okay." Tasuki agreed, frowning. 'What the hell? Figures that taking a leak in this world is gonna be as complicated as everythin' else looks!'
Despite his misgivings, he dutifully turned to follow Yui, but paused when his gaze happened to catch Miaka's. The smile she gave him was genuine, but it didn't fool him into thinking all was well- not when she was twisting a lock of her hair around her forefinger as she spoke, a habit he knew from past observations only made an appearance when she was under stress.
Watching her finger winding and unwinding the strand, the wing seishi couldn't help reflecting back on the occasions he'd witnessed that revealing little gesture. How many times had he seen it paired with a chipper smile and the fighting spirit that kept her on her feet and moving forward even when it was obvious her heart was close to breaking?
Witnessing those moments had brought his admiration for his priestess to the fore, and had strengthened his determination to fight for her happiness. Even if it ended up costing him a friendship he held dear, he wouldn't walk away from the chance to be with Miaka, to cherish and pleasure her for the rest of their lives, if that was her wish.
With other bodily needs now forgotten, he continued to regard her with eyes burning with longing to make that offer, and the frustration of knowing that he didn't yet have the right to ask.
"Miaka, you've gotten awfully quiet. Everything all right there?"
The concern in Taka's voice brought Miaka back to the present. "Everything's fine." She fibbed. "Tell me more about your new assignment!"
As Taka's voice filled in the details on his new rank and position, she twisted a strand of hair around her finger, all too conscious that a certain redhead's eyes closely followed her every move. Unaware that she was giving away her anxiety, she smiled at him, but her attempt at reassurance failed. Jaw set, Tasuki crossed his arms over his chest and planted his feet, giving every indication that it would take nothing short of an earthquake to dislodge him from his post.
In desperation, she turned away from him, but it was impossible for her to think about anything but Tasuki and his hot, hungry stare. She glanced back, her gaze unconsciously pleading with him to stop distracting her. He narrowed his eyes in uncompromising rebellion, glaring at her until Yui reappeared. A self-conscious grimace replaced the glare as she tugged on his arm and whispered something to him, and he quickly turned and followed the blonde down the hallway.
After he had gone, Miaka was chagrined to discover that Tasuki's absence was even more of a distraction than his presence had been. She stared at the spot where he had been standing, wondering what Yui had said, what he was doing, and barely cognizant of the phone in her hand or the man on the other end of the connection.
"Honey, are you still there?"
The irritation in Taka's voice succeeded in snapping her attention back to him once again. "I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something I needed to tell you." She said with forced calm. "So much has happened in the last twenty- four hours, I don't even know where to begin-"
Before she could continue, Taka intervened. "I take it you've seen Suzaku."
"Yes!" She exclaimed, shocked. "But how in the world did you-"
"Suzaku appeared to me out on the obstacle course today."
Miaka clutched the phone in both hands to keep from dropping it, and weakly leaned back against the counter. "Why? What did he say?"
"Not much of a conversation. He gave me a scroll and asked me to give careful consideration to what was in it and left. Do you know what it said?"
"I have no idea," Miaka said truthfully. "Haven't you read it?"
"Not yet, but I have it with me. Should I open it now?"
"I think you better."
"Yeah. Might as well get it over with."
Miaka swallowed nervously as she heard the sounds of a seal being broken and parchment being unrolled, then braced herself for the outburst she suspected was coming. A long silence fell across the line as Taka silently read its message, and as that silence lengthened, she felt her nerves being stretched tighter and tighter with apprehension.
"Taka? What does it say?" She finally prompted.
"It says that the four gods have chosen you to be their Priestess, if you choose to accept that position." He recited in a monotone. "It says that accepting that role will require you living in that world for the rest of your life, and that your female descendants will become the Priestess to ensure peace for future generations."
"Yes, that's the same proposal that was put to me." She confirmed, cringing at the hard edge his voice had acquired.
"It also says that as the reincarnation of your former seishi, Tamahome," Taka went on, "I am welcome to return with you to Konan for the purpose of resuming those duties, or simply for the reason that the Priestess might wish me to be with her."
"So...what do you think, Taka?" Miaka asked hesitantly, after a short, simmering silence.
He gave a mirthless laugh. "Well, reading between the lines, I think it says that since my powers are long gone, Suzaku is okay with me being your breeding stud in order to get you back there."
She gasped. "No, it's not like that! You shouldn't talk that way about-"
"I damn well can and will!" Taka interrupted her. "You've fulfilled your obligations! We gave up our lives to save the worlds, and the gods gave us a choice of which one we wanted to live in! We made our choice, and things were square! Why can't they leave us in peace?"
"They're not demanding anything, they're asking for our help! We have a choice!"
"Yeah right!" Taka scoffed. "Is that what it said in your scroll, Miaka?"
"No! I mean …I didn't get a scroll," she admitted. "Suzaku appeared to me and took me straight to Taiits-kun. She asked me."
"A thoughtful and very personal touch!" Taka's voice was heavy with sarcasm. "She understands that we have lives here that we want to get on with, doesn't she?"
Miaka kept control of her voice in spite of the jolt of anger that had stiffened her spine. "She understands. That's why she insisted on giving me an entire month to think things over before I make a decision."
"Kindness is your downfall." Taka's chuckle held affection. "I love you for it, but you'll be a target for every salesperson around if you don't learn it's okay to say no when you can't or don't want to do something."
Miaka took a breath, feeling a deep sense of disappointment adding fuel to her rising anger. Taka's attitude toward her decision was a manifestation of the shortcomings in their relationship. It didn't matter how much she had matured since her experiences in the book, he still saw her as a hapless young woman who wasn't able to be serious about anything. Why else would he think that she would abandon her responsibility as Priestess as soon as it became inconvenient? Why else would he assume that she would quickly dismiss a chance to help those who had helped and taught her so much- and worse, disregard their friends, the men who put their lives at stake to bring them together and save their world- a world of which they knew nothing, but wanted to protect because it was her and Taka's home!
"I know I could do it. Whether I want to do it or not is the question, and that's why I took the needed time to think about it." She said firmly. "I also wanted to discuss it with you before making such a monumental decision, even though you've been neglecting to extend that courtesy to me!"
"Ah." Taka's voice softened. "That's it. You're upset about my taking the assignment in America." When she remained silent, he continued, "I would have if there was time to talk to you about it, but there wasn't. I had to act before they withdrew the offer, and knowing that you trust me, I went for it. Six months will go by in no time, you'll see! I'll send for you the day I'm done with training! And we'll have a house and everything we need!"
"Yes, I read that in your letter."
"Then you know that taking this assignment means I can provide for us, not to mention security for our country and the world!"
"That's exactly what accepting the gods' proposal would do!" Miaka countered. "Except I would be providing a secure future for two worlds instead of one!"
"I wasn't aware this was a competition." Taka said, a bit sharply. "And come on, honestly, are you telling me you'd be happy living in a backwards place and time like that for the rest of your life?"
"And what would you say if I would be?"
"I'd say you're either kidding yourself...or that you care more about a damn scarlet peacock than me!"
"That's unfair, Taka!"
"Oh, is it?" He snapped. "Again let me state that when we last left that world, it was with the understanding that we could live the rest of our lives together in peace! It's ludicrous for Suzaku to presume upon you to return, and I bet Tasuki and Chichiri would agree with me if you asked them!"
Miaka counted to ten. "Why don't you ask them yourself?"
"I- huh?"
"Tasuki and Chichiri are here! They met me at Taiits-kun's palace and traveled back to Tokyo with me as my escorts."
"They did?" Taka asked, sounding unsure for the first time. "Do they already know about-"
"Yes!" Miaka replied angrily. "But I'll let them speak for themselves. If you'll excuse me a moment I'll get them and then put you all on the speaker."
"All right, but you'll have to make it fast. I only have about ten minutes before I have to leave for class."
"Understood. It will take less than a minute."
Miaka stuck her head into the hallway and called for her warriors in a quavering voice. They came at once, followed by Yui, Tetsuya and Keisuke. All of them stared in deep concern at the trembling body and flushed face of the Priestess of Suzaku as they waited for her to make her wishes known.
"Taka would like to speak with Chichiri and Tasuki. I am going to put him on the speaker phone. When I push this button, just talk like you would normally in a conversation to me and he'll hear you, and when he talks, you'll be able to hear him."
Yui, Tetsuya and Keisuke exchanged glances full of worry and then moved back into the hallway, leaving the visitors from Konan standing alone with Miaka.
'About time.' Tasuki thought in grim satisfaction. 'Always told Tama that if he gives her a hard time, he'd have to answer to me!'
Chichiri watched in trepidation as Miaka jabbed at a button on the telephone, sensing in the violent gesture all the anger, frustration and tension simmering within his Priestess. Glancing over at Tasuki presenting another unpromising sight; the redhead's clenched jaw, stiff posture and lowered eyebrows said without words that the Tasuki was close to losing his temper. 'Nothing good can come from this type of encounter.' The monk thought. 'We should be talking face to face with Taka about this. He deserves to see the truth as well as hearing it.'
"All right Taka, they're here." Miaka said clearly.
"Hey guys, how are you? It's been awhile!"
Taka's disembodied voice filled the room, and Chichiri smiled sadly at the slightly defensive note it contained. He sounds exactly like Tamahome used to after he made a colossal blunder with Miaka. "Hi Taka! I'm doing well. It's good to hear your voice again, you know."
"Hey, Taka." Tasuki's greeting was so half-hearted that Chichiri gave him a warning look. The ex-bandit shrugged in response, and then tried again. "How's army life been treatin' ya?"
"Really great!" Taka answered with enthusiasm. "My prospects are looking good. I've already been promoted!"
The straight line of Tasuki's mouth turned downward. "Yeah, Miaka told us about that," he said coolly. "And that it means you'll be leavin' for six months-"
Taking his cue from Miaka's look of panic, Chichiri hastily interrupted. "Congratulations, Taka! It sounds like your future is a secure one!"
"Thanks. I'm doing my best to see that it is!" The former seishi replied. "Man, this sucks! I wish I had more time to catch up with you guys, but I can't be late to class. The only excuses they accept around here are life threatening situations or death."
"That's all right, we understand, you know."
Tasuki's expression said just the opposite, but he agreed. "Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. We didn't exactly give ya warnin' we were droppin' by."
There was an awkward pause, then Taka said, "Before I go, I was wondering if I could ask a favor of you guys."
Chichiri glanced questioningly at Miaka, who merely bit her lip and averted her gaze. "What can we do for you, Taka?" He asked.
"To make a long story short, Suzaku appeared to me and gave me a scroll that outlines a proposal involving Miaka returning to Konan for good and my coming along for the ride." Taka explained. "She says she's thinking about it, even though I'm turning it down and not going back with you. I've committed to my mission here, and I really need you guys to help me make her see that it would be lunacy for her to leave me, her family and everything good here to go back to being a priestess. What kind of life would that be?"
"But as the reincarnation of Tamahome, you'd be a part of it!" Miaka interjected. "You're a descendant of one of my guardians! Doesn't that deserve consideration?"
"Why should it, Miaka? There's a reason I'm a man of this world, I've got a chance to make something great of myself right here, and I'm not about to throw it away on your whim! There's plenty to see and do in the States to keep you busy and happy!"
Tasuki could not keep silent. "That's what you think, ya-"
Chichiri cut off the ex-bandit's diatribe by clamping a firm hand over his mouth, and spoke quickly.
"Taka, with all due respect, this is not simply about a whim of Miaka's. The wish she's being asked to grant is one that holds serious importance for both of our worlds." He paused to direct a meaningful stare at Tasuki, who had quieted under his imposed restraint. At the redhead's curt nod, the monk removed his hand and continued. "As Celestial Warriors of Suzaku, we all are sworn to support and defend the Priestess, no matter what she decides to do. I am sure you understand that oath, and that Tasuki and I are going to support her as she decides for herself."
There was a tense silence.
"I think I do understand." Taka finally replied. "Miaka's coming to live in Konan would greatly benefit the both of you."
Chichiri shook his head at Tasuki, who was opening his mouth. "What do you mean?" He asked calmly.
"She's kind of your meal ticket, right? You can't act as Celestial Warriors without a Priestess."
"Stop!" Miaka cried, breaking in before either seishi could respond. "Taka, hHow can you talk to Tasuki and Chichiri so disrespectfully after all they have done for us? You of all people should be able to understand the position they're in! Didn't you take a vow to serve, protect and defend when you entered the military? Well, this is no different! As Chiri said, it's nothing personal- they're just doing their duty as my seishi! How can you blame them for that? If there's anyone you should be upset with, it's me!"
There was a pregnant silence, then the crackling sound of Taka's static filled exhalation hissing into the room. "You're right, Miaka." He acknowledged quietly. "Chichiri, Tasuki, I'm sorry. This whole thing has me completely thrown. I thought that things were settled, and that Miaka and I were going to finally be able to start the wonderful life together that everyone wished for us!"
Tasuki clenched his hands but remained silent, held in check by the look of torment on his priestess' face.
"It's all right, Taka. After everything that we've experienced with the two of you, Tasuki and I do understand that feeling, you know." Chichiri responded carefully. "I want to make sure I've got this right- am I correct in saying you aren't considering ever returning to Konan?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying!" Taka declared passionately. "You wouldn't even ask if you knew how long it took me to reconcile my past life with who I am now! Trying to accept the limitations that I have living as a reincarnation of Tamahome, saddled with his painful memories and a mere fraction of his supernatural power...do you know what it feels like to know you're only half the man you should be? No, of course you wouldn't! How could you know, being you're still a full-blooded Celestial Warrior? How could you possibly understand how hard I've been working to step out from under Tamahome's shadow, and now that I have, I don't intend to go crawling back under that rock?"
Deeply shocked by Taka's outburst, Miaka could only whisper his name. Had he always felt this bitterness towards his past self? If so, why hadn't she felt it…or seen it? Why hadn't he been able to tell her how he felt? Didn't it count that she had chosen to make love with him over Tamahome?
'The final merging with Yosui and getting his memories back didn't bring him peace after all…and he's been fighting this battle with himself all along…all alone.'
"Why, Taka?" She asked quietly. "Why didn't you tell me instead of hiding it away? After all we went though to be together, why couldn't you tell me how you really felt?"
"After all we went through, I didn't think I needed to! The present is where I belong, and it's where you belong too, Miaka! You belong in this time, this world, with me!"
Miaka stared at the phone console, feeling all of her anger evaporating, leaving only the pain of knowing how very deeply she had hurt Taka.
She would never have any regrets about loving him; he was a wonderful, amazing man. But living a lie and pretending that everything was fine was wrong. Staying with him simply out of a sense of obligation would destroy the love she bore for him, turning it to bitterness and resentment. If there was any chance of salvaging any kind of a connection with Taka, she had to be honest about everything.
No matter what lay ahead, she had to follow this path to its natural conclusion. No matter how things turned out, she would find peace in the knowledge that she had stayed true to herself. She cast a sidelong look at Tasuki. He immediately edged closer to her, his eyes sending her silent encouragement. "I need to find out, once and for all, where I belong. I hoped you would understand and support me in that journey, just as I have tried to understand and support you in the journey you have chosen for yourself."
Taka's voice was heavy. "Sounds to me like you're talking about more than being a Priestess."
"I don't understand."
"There's another reason you're considering this plan, isn't there? It's for who, rather than for what."
"What do you mean-"
"I know you as well as I know myself! If you're not turning this down, if you're not giving me or my feelings one iota of consideration, it's because of another guy!"
Miaka's heart sank even as anger rose within her that he thought so little of her. She hated the way this was coming out, but she couldn't turn back just because she found it upsetting.
"That wasn't the reason why I went with Suzaku." She replied, steeling herself for the inevitable. "But I can't live a lie."
"Here it comes!" Tasuki whispered to Chichiri as Miaka hesitated in her reply. "She's gonna tell him now and the shit's gonna fly!"
The monk gave a weary shrug. "It had to happen." He murmured. "It may as well be right now, you know?"
"Yeah I know… but what a bad way to find out." Tasuki rubbed the back of his neck which was knotted with tension. "Suzaku, I hate this! Why does it have to hurt this much? Why does anyone have to get hurt?"
Chichiri sighed. "Because hurt is always a part of love, you know."
"So I'm right?" Taka prompted icily, putting an end to the quiet conversation in the room.
Miaka clenched her hands. "Yes, there is someone that I have feelings for... the kind of feelings that I can't dismiss, though I have tried for a long time and very hard to do that. I went with Suzaku not realizing that...but now that I have, it's part of the reason I need this month to figure out where my destiny lies. I didn't want to keep you in the dark about it, I wanted to tell you in person-" She stopped at Taka's short, harsh laugh and exchanged apprehensive looks with her seishi.
"It's someone from the Universe of the Four Gods, right? Let's see if I can figure out who the lucky guy is!"
"Taka, I don't want to make-"
"No, no, let me guess." Taka admonished in a light tone. "I'm pretty sure you haven't had time or the chance to see Amiboshi. And Mitsukake, Hotohori, Nuriko and Chiriko have probably been reborn and are too young for you."
Chichiri was frowning. "Taka, this is not a good idea, you know-"
"I beg to differ!" Taka said. "You're off the hook as you've chosen the life of a wandering monk, Chichiri, so unless you've renounced your reasons for remaining homeless and chaste, that would leave Tasuki as the viable candidate." Silence greeted his pronouncement. "Hello? Am I right, Miaka? Should I be congratulating Fang Boy on getting over his hatred of women?"
Tasuki broke in before she could reply. "Listen Taka, it's not like any of us knew this was gonna happen-"
"Don't give me that bullshit!" Taka snapped, his voice now seething with bitterness. "It all started that night at the inn- yes, Miaka, I knew how devastated you were when Mr. Chivalrous turned his tessen on himself! Almost losing him forever probably made you realize you really wanted him, right? Maybe you had already had a change of heart before I arrived to find you in bed with him!"
Miaka went white to the lips. "H-How c-can you say that? He stopped before-nothing happened with us that night! I was a v-virgin when I came to you!"
As tears born of humiliation and hurt began to trickle from her eyes, a surge of outrage obliterated Tasuki's guilt. Moving closer to the crying priestess, he placed a protective arm about her shaking shoulders. "You bastard!" He ranted. "How dare you! After all Miaka's done for ya-"
"NO! How dare YOU!" Taka shot back just as savagely. "What a joke! The guy who claims he hates women knowing exactly what to do to get his good friend's woman into his bed! That one night wasn't enough for you! "
"Nothin' happened between Mi-chan and me that night or any other night!" Tasuki ground out through clenched teeth. "She's loved ya since the day she first met ya! She chose to become a woman by you! How do ya got the nerve to question her loyalty after she gave ya a precious gift like that?" His voice grew louder. "She was willin' to give up everythin' for you, even her life, and still all you do is make her cry! If ya had the time to be here, I'd be kickin' your ass for it!"
"I'm sure you'd try!" Taka spat. "You just love showing off for her, you hypocritial son of a bitch! She cries on your shoulder, and you have an excuse to put your thieving hands on her one more time-"
"That's enough!" Chichiri snapped, casting a worried glance at the fury darkening Tasuki's face. Placing a restraining hand on the redhead's arm, he continued in a soothing but firm voice that said he wouldn't tolerate any argument from either man. "Taka, I know this has been a huge shock to you, but don't jump to conclusions! Let's talk this over like adults, face to face. I can transport us to wherever you are-"
"No. I'm going to class now." Taka interrupted with chilly dignity. "I'm not going to shirk my responsibilities just because you three need to ease your guilt!"
The monk's masked expression conveyed hurt and anger at the rude dismissal. "As you wish."
"We have to talk about this!" Miaka pleaded.
"There's nothing further to discuss." Taka's words dropped like stones into the deathly silent room. "I guess you're going to do what you have to do, but that won't change the fact that I have started a career that I intend to stick with no matter what or who you decide you want! Go ahead and run back to your little fantasy world! Enjoy it and him all you want! Just do me one favor-leave me the hell out of it! "
"Taka!" Miaka cried. "Don't go! Not like this!"
He ignored her plea. "Chichiri- I could say it's been a pleasure hearing from you, but it hasn't. Tasuki, enjoy her while it lasts. I know I did."
Tasuki was shaking with anger, but he held his tongue. Despite his rage, he empathized with Taka. This kind of torment was all too familiar to him, and he was damned if he'd give in to heaping more misery upon the man he'd once considered a close friend.
"Please Taka, wait!"
But Miaka's tearful entreaty was drowned out by a loud dial tone as the connection was abruptly severed. With a quivering hand, she hung up the receiver and pushed the 'speaker off' button.
"Who am I to call myself a Priestess of Suzaku?" She whispered into the shock filled silence. "I've betrayed a man who did the impossible just to be at my side. I've ruined the friendship you two shared with him…and I've just destroyed the unshakeable bond between all of us in the space of a few minutes." She buried her face in her hands. "All of you sacrificed so much for the two of us to be here…and now…I've…"
As his priestess cried, Tasuki wrapped his other arm around her waist, all the while casting a speaking look at Chichiri. The monk nodded and discarded his mask.
Miaka felt gentle fingers prising her hands away from her face. When they were gone, a hand cupped her trembling chin, compelling her to look up at its owner. Even when seen through a wash of tears, the tenderness in Chichiri's expression and the loving intensity shining in his good eye were clear to her. Gradually her sobs quieted, as the spiritual, savage beauty of her seishi's scarred face held her in thrall.
"You haven't destroyed anything, Miaka-chan." He stated firmly. "You know better than anyone that true friends can hurt each other deeply, but will remain friends in the end as long as one doesn't give up on the other. And rest assured, we're not going to give up on Taka! Right now he's hurt and angry and his first instinct is to lash out...but after he's had some time to think about things, I know he'll be willing to talk to you. We just have to be patient while he sorts out his feelings. He knows you have a month to think it over, it's good that he has that time to think about things too."
Miaka took a shuddering breath. "I...I hope you're right. He deserves to be happy no matter what happens with me."
Chichiri fingers released her chin and moved to brush away the teardrops falling from her lashes with a tender swipe of his fingertips. "Miaka, a wise man once said to me, 'It is not love to hold another back. It is love to want the other to bloom, and to follow the natural course of life. " He smiled down at her. "You and Taka both have a destination that leads to purpose and happiness. Good intentions often lead to taking a bad detour. Your paths have diverged until he realizes where he went astray."
"He's been waylaid by anger." Tasuki said to Miaka. "Toward th' guy stealin' his happiness."
"You haven't stolen anything!" She clenched her hands. " What Taka said was uncalled for! He knows full well that we've been nothing but the best of friends in the past!"
"But he's right! Most likely he knew all along how I felt about ya, but he was trustin' in me as a brother warrior and as his friend that I wouldn't act on those feelings." Tasuki's smile was tight.
"You didn't act!" Miaka protested fiercely. She rested her clenched fists on his chest. "You didn't do anything! I was the one who forced the issue! It was what I wanted!"
"Baka! Quit makin' it sound like you made me kiss ya at swordpoint or somethin'!"
"I begged you to do it-that's practically the same thing!"
"Nothin' doin'! You asked me to kiss ya and I made the choice t'do it! Ya wouldn't even say that if you knew how long I've been-"
The ex-bandit broke off his tirade, mortified by his slip of the tongue and the realization that his raised voice was probably also raising the eyebrows of the people listening from the end of the hallway. "Eh, never mind."
"Don't stop now - it was just getting interesting, you know!" Chichiri said brightly.
Tasuki glared at him, a blush staining his face. "Shaddup, willya?"
In spite of her upset, Miaka was smiling. "Something tells me I'd really like hearing the rest of that sentence."
When Tasuki looked at her, her smile died and fresh tears sprang to her eyes at the pain etched in his face.
"I can't, Miaka." He said quietly. "Not with you wearin' his ring."
His arms tightened about her as she uncurled the hand that wore the ring, laying it flat against the strap that crossed his chest. The white gold band gleamed under the fluorescent light, its solitary stone sparkling with dubious clarity. An inexpensive trinket, purchased from a street vendor. It had brought her such happiness... and was infinitely more precious to her than the largest, most perfect diamond her world had to offer. She stared down at it, gnawing at her lip as the seconds ticked by.
"What should I do?" She asked, after a time. "Apart from all else, this ring is a holy shinzaho. It was on my hand both times I summoned Suzaku. It would be irresponsible and very wrong of me to leave it here while I'm in Konan. Taiits-kun would have a fit if I did!"
"Yeah, she would. " Tasuki answered with grim certainty. "Like ya said, you hafta bring it along. There's no tellin' what could happen if ya left it here!"
His priestess regarded him with unhappy eyes. "But if I keep wearing it-"
Chichiri interrupted. "I have a solution to your dilemma, you know."
"You do?" Miaka asked, turning to him with eagerness. "What is it?"
Tasuki said nothing, but his hopeful expression spoke volumes.
The monk clasped his palms together. It wasn't a matter of taking sides- as a celestial guardian, this was the one way he could think of to ensure Miaka would choose a course of her own free will. "Priestess of Suzaku," he said, bowing his head to her in respect, "until the time comes that you make your final decision, I humbly request the honor of protecting the shinzaho."
To be continued…
Note from the author: Whew! I think this chapter is the angstiest thing I've written.
I know I am notoriously slow in getting out chapters, (and there are and have been a variety of real life reasons for that that I won't go into here.) I could update more often if I were willing to slap chapters together without thought or any proofreading...but I'm not. The results of that would not be enjoyable for me to post or for you guys to read. What it boils down to is a sense of responsibility, pride, and plain old stubborness in refusing to do less than my best for you all. I may be as slow as molasses on a Minnesota winter morning, but I promise you that I will keep going until I finish this story.
As always, thank you to all the people who are reading and reviewing 'The Promise'. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to let me know what you think. :)