The Promise: A Tasuki and Miaka Love Story
By: KittyLynne
Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yûgi or its characters- they belong to the amazing Ms. Watase and a host of media companies with very long names. I do claim ownership of the ideas, dialogue, characters and plots that are products of my imagination and hard work. Please do not borrow them in part or in whole without obtaining my written permission. Taking someone's ideas and work without permission and giving theproper accreditation isstealing- don't do it.
Author's Notes: Chapter Rating: 15 + for swearing and suggestive content. Mild Sap. As always, italics or single quotation marks denote a character's unspoken thoughts.
Chapter Seventeen: Choices
Miaka parked the Lexus with great care and went to double check on the muggers. It was merely a formality, as Tasuki had done an excellent job of making sure they wouldn't be going anywhere until the police arrived. They were baby faced and looked scared, but she didn't feel one bit sorry for them. There was no one to blame but themselves, and they were darn lucky Tasuki hadn't had his tessen with him.
She hurried into the apartment building, made a dash for the open elevator waiting in the lobby and pushed the button to close the doors, feeling grateful that there were no other riders to slow her ascent.
The trip was only a few seconds long, but thinking of what could be transpiring as far as conversation between her mother and Tasuki, it wasn't fast enough. She didn't wait for the elevator panels to open fully before slipping between them. After a brisk walk down the corridor, she paused outside to the apartment that had been her home for as long as she could remember. She removed her shoes before opening the door, then carried them into the entryway and closed the door without making a sound.
So far, so good. Hopefully she'd get an idea as to how her mother and her seishi were getting along before her presence was detected.
The sound of raised voices echoed into the hall. She tensed, but then quickly relaxed at discerning Tasuki's cheerful, teasing tone and the corresponding sounds of amusement coming from her mother. No fires to be put out so far- it seemed like the conversation in the kitchen was going very well indeed.
She grinned at hearing her mother's infectious laughter ring out, then stiffened once again- this time in delayed shock- as the full significance of that sound struck her. This was amazing. Keisuke's visits aside, she couldn't recall the last time she'd heard her mother genuinely laugh out loud. All she could recall was the contrived chuckle and forced amusement in responses to the awful jokes told by the businessmen she had occasionally dated. Even someone as handsome and charming as Taka had failed to coax more than a smile from her.
'Mom's susceptible to fangs and badass hero charisma. Never would have guessed that in a million years.'
Smirking, Miaka tiptoed down to the kitchen entrance and peeked into the room. The badass hero was seated on a barstool at the breakfast counter, watching intently while Mrs. Yuuki poured him a large glass of milk. As his hand lifted and he took a bite out of the gooey square of chocolate he held, Miaka's breath caught. 'Unbelievable! She's feeding him sweets! I know he rescued her, but this is just weird! It took her close to a month to warm up enough to make a treat for Taka!'
Sensing her presence, Tasuki turned and then stood up quickly at seeing her standing in the entrance. Treat still in hand, he tried to speak...and then stopped as he realized his mouth was too full.
"I see you've been introduced to Mom's triple fudge brownies!" She said, grinning as she walked into the kitchen and over to him. "Pretty good, aren't they?"
He chewed, swallowed, and then declared, "They're th' best things I've ever tasted!"
Mrs. Yuuki inclined her head in thanks. "I am happy you like them, Kou-san. Please have some more."
"You can count on that, but only if ya use my first name." The redhead said. "Kou-san is my father. I'm Shun'u...or Tasuki, that's my nickname."
Miaka blinked, impressed by her warrior's quick thinking. 'Clever,' she thought. 'If I call him Tasuki now, she won't think anything of it.'
"All right." Mrs. Yuuki's reply held a smile. "Please have some more, Shun'u."
"I'd like that, ma'am. Thank you."
Miaka sidled closer to her seishi as her mother moved to get more brownies. "So you've found a treat you like better than rice wine?"
Tasuki took a small bite and narrowed his eyes as if considering the matter, then nodded vigorously and took a bigger bite. His priestess couldn't help giggling at the look of pure ecstasy on his face.
"Chocolate is awesome. Especially when it's melting in your mouth." She said. Without thinking, she swiped some frosting from the top of his brownie with the tip of her forefinger, then stuck it in her mouth for a taste. "Mmmm. Heavenly." She said, reaching for a napkin to wipe the finger dry.
When she finished, she saw Tasuki was staring at her. Realizing the implication of what she'd done and how it must have looked, Miaka blushed and hastily looked away.
"No need to steal his frosting dear, there's one for you too." Her mother said, patting her daughter's arm to get her attention. She indicated the plate and glass she had set on the counter. "Please excuse me, I have to make those phone calls and then I'll be back to join you."
"Do you need me to help with anything?" Tasuki stated.
Miaka moved to the counter and sat down, highly conscious of the warmth and strength of the ex-bandit's body as he seated himself next to her. Quickly turning her attention to the plates in front of them, she smirked in amusement. Tasuki had been given two enormous chocolate squares, she only had one, and that was half the size of one of his!
His cheeks took on a tinge of red as he followed the direction of her gaze. "Wanna share?" He offered quickly, pushing his plate closer to hers.
Once again, she grinned at him. "Thanks, but no. You've earned every single bite and then some!"
Out in the living room, Mrs. Yuuki hung up the phone with a heavy sigh and the fervent hope that proper justice had been served.
As she had expected, the mothers of the two teenagers who had attacked her had been both horrified and irate about what their sons had tried to do. They had also been terribly grateful that she hadn't involved the police, but instead shared her suspicions as to the cause of their behavior. The positive responses she had gotten to her suggestion had satisfied her that not only would both boys be disciplined, but put under long term supervision in a good drug rehabilitation program.
With that thought, she took a moment to give silent thanks for how well her own children had turned out. Both had given her some bad moments in the past, but those problems seemed trifling compared to what these mothers were going to have to go through. She knew how hard these particular mothers worked and that they had managed to keep their children completely out of harm's way up until just recently. There was no shame in good parents needing someone to step in at a time like this; the boys themselves were still young enough that they would have to submit to a firm hand pushing them down the correct path until they were capable of choosing it themselves.
Mrs. Yuuki sent out another silent prayer that the unpleasant aftereffects of the thrashing they had gotten would persuade the would be thugs to submit to rehabilitation. Then her thoughts zeroed in on the beautiful young man who had adminstered that thrashing.
The heroic Shun'u...that she approved of him was shocking considering she'd been aware of his existence for less than an hour! Appearance wise, he was not the companion she'd envisioned for her daughter. He was clearly not a conservative, and it showed that he'd grown up on a farm. Nevertheless, there was no denying this young man had made a hugely positive impact upon her thus far.
Was it the gallantry and courage he'd displayed in rescuing her that had impressed her? Was it his friendly, open manner and that adorable fanged grin that had won her over? Or seeing the tenderness and respect in how he communicated with her daughter that had earned her trust?
Maybe she was getting a bit soft, mellowing out with the passage of time.
'It's all of those things combined,' Mrs. Yuuki decided, after a long minute of reflection.
She'd always been vocal about Miaka finishing college before settling down. She had no idea what Shun'us future prospects were, or what part Miaka might play in them. She knew this, yet found herself devoid of her usual motherly apprehensions and objections on that score. It was strange, but from the moment she'd seen him, something had told her that Shun'u was a young man destined for great things.
An instinct? Yes, but one that was also rooted in experience. She certainly had dated enough corporate and administrator types to recognize that the young man's confident bearing and the way he asserted himself without bluster were earmarks of a leader in the making.
'He's protective and kind. He's funny but serious. Clearly Miaka and her feelings are important to him. Why shouldn't I approve of her going out with someone like that?'
Of course, there was the issue of Taka. That relationship couldn't have been severed yet or she would know. She hadn't been blind or deaf to the signs that her daughter and Taka had become lovers, though Miaka seemed to think that she was. Keeping silent on the subject and accepting that her daughter was old enough to make her own choices were the most difficult things she had ever done- and doubly so, when it became increasingly evident that Taka would always do things his way, with little or no consultation with her daughter. Regardless of what her relationship with Shun'u was becoming, Miaka's relationship with Taka was longstanding, complex and of an intimate a nature- not something that was to be summarily dismissed.
The Japanese woman frowned as she thought of the last conversation she'd had with her son. His emotional description of how Taka had chosen to leave Miaka for six months and the strong censure in his voice while he discussed it had greatly surprised her. After all, Keisuke had held Taka in the highest regard from the start, sometimes to the point of treating him like a storybook hero. Nevertheless, her son had made it abundantly clear in last night's phone call that his sister's well being came above all else. As a mother she'd been proud and gratified to hear that Keisuke felt such strong sibling loyalty, but the feeling was sidetracked by her dismay over the unfortunate situation with Taka.
Though she hadn't often shown it, she had grown very fond of the young man in the four years that she'd known him. He was kind, intelligent, industrious, and dependable. He had always treated her with the greatest respect, even when she had objected to his relationship with Miaka, and demanded that it be curtailed if it affected their academic progress.
Taka's academic achievements had been outstanding and though she didn't quite understand his decision to pursue a career in the military, she admired his selflessness in wanting to serve their country. But the disregard Taka had shown for Miaka's studies and her career and her feelings about his choices on more than a few occasions brought doubts as to if he cared more about doing and getting what he wanted than making sure it was what her daughter wanted too. It was distressing to see Miaka trying to live up to the young man's expectations at the expense of her own, especially knowing from bitter experience and failed marriage that having one's future managed by one's husband was no guarantee to keeping a marriage together.
Laughter floated out into the hallway, diverting her from the grim track her thoughts had taken. Drawn to the warmth of the sound, Mrs. Yuuki quietly moved to one side of the kitchen entrance. As she peeked into the room, her eyes crinkled with silent amusement at the tableau unfolding in front of her.
Shun'u was holding his last brownie in front of her giggling daughter, insisting that she take the rest of it. Miaka was shaking her head in a vehement refusal- an astonishing sight in itself, her mother thought with fond amusement. After a minute of unsuccessful cajoling, the young man abruptly gave up and reached over to cup Miaka's face with one large hand, applying gentle pressure to her cheeks to part her lips. When at last they did, he poked the treat into her mouth, grinning in triumph as she accepted his offering with an expression of bliss and no further fuss.
'He definitely has his own way of making her happy!' Mrs. Yuuki thought wryly. 'I should start worrying about what else he knows!'
A quiet clearing of the throat alerted them to her presence.
"Oh! Mom!"
Miaka was embarrassed, but her companion was unfazed at being caught indulging in horseplay.
"Are ya all right, ma'am?" He asked seriously. "Did everythin' go okay?"
Mrs. Yuuki smiled at him. "Yes, thank you. Everything's fine, Shun'u."
Her chance to find out more about her flame-haired visitor finally came when Miaka excused herself to use the bathroom.
After her daughter had safely exited the kitchen, sat down next to her rescuer and gave him a stern look. "Young man, I want you to know that I am very aware of your interest in my daughter. What are your intentions?"
To his credit, he didn't bat an eye or lower his gaze.
"I'm gonna make her as happy as she can be, if she'll let me." He stated calmly.
"Does that include supporting her making decisions like finishing her schooling and having a job outside the home before she settles down?"
He looked genuinely surprised at the question. "Well yeah, if that's what she decides she wants t'do! What's important to her is important to me."
Mrs. Yuuki's stare softened. "And what are you planning to do for a living?"
The direct gaze finally wavered. "I have a government job t'go back to that pays well... but it involves a lot of travelin' around the country. Depending on what she decides to do, I figure I'll get somethin' else after we're mar-ah, I mean…" he broke off, growing flustered.
Mrs. Yuuki had to struggle to remain stern as Shun'u's face reddened. "So. Your intentions are that serious. are they?"
He nodded.
"If turned out that she reciprocated those feelings, would I be welcome to visit the two of you?"
Her tone was light, but the intensity in her eyes revealed that the question wasn't entirely a teasing one.
Tasuki looked down for a moment, considering his reply.
When he finally looked up, his motherly interrogator was astonished to see the shine of moisture in his eyes. That astonishment grew when he unexpectedly reached out and took her hand, grasping it tightly in both of his as he answered.
"You're a nice lady. If it's possible, I'd want ya to come an' visit us as often an' whenever you want."
Her eyes were beginning to flood now. There was something so pure and passionate about the way the young man spoke, and his unaffected sincerity touched her heart. "Thank you, Shun'u."
"Your daughter is th' most important thing in my life, an' she always will be." He added firmly. "You an' me just met today, but ya can trust me when I say this."
Mrs. Yuuki smiled. The strength of the young man's devotion was most impressive. "I believe you."
They stayed that way, holding hands, silent and unmoving until the telephone had the audacity to ring. As Miaka raced by the doorway yelling that she'd answer it, their hands parted.
"Just so ya know, I'm a lot different than the guy she's been goin' with." Tasuki admitted in an undertone. "I've got a quick fuse, I can be impulsive an' tactless, I cuss too damn much, and-"
His hostess interrupted. "Shun'u?"
"Yeah?"
"No one is perfect, but love can redeem us. What we think is lacking in ourselves can always be found in caring for another."
Amber eyes widened. "This monk I know told me almost the same thing once."
Mrs. Yuuki smirked. "Then it's my opinion that you should listen to him. He's a very smart man."
Tasuki grinned as Miaka's voice filtered in from the hallway. "Mom, it's Mrs. Hongo! She wants to know if she can come over for tea!"
"Tell her I'll be right there!" Mrs. Yuuki called back, getting up. rose with her, and she gave him an approving smile as she left the kitchen.
"Is it all right if he helps me pack a few things to take over to Keisuke's?" Miaka asked when her mother drew near.
"You really don't have to ask, Miaka." Mrs. Yuuki said. "I've realized that you're old enough to have a young man pay a visit to your room without my leave."
Though the words were matter-of-fact, something in her mother's gaze made Miaka put an arm around her. "I know. But I will always ask out of respect and love for you. I will always heed what you've taught me, no matter where I end up."
"You have done me proud, honey." Mrs. Yuuki replied softly. "Of course you know I think that you're far too young to settle down and that your schooling is a first priority...but for whatever it's worth, I do approve of your new boyfriend."
Miaka's expression registered her elation as she impulsively hugged her mother. "It's worth a lot, Mom. Thank you so much!"
"My goodness! You're welcome!" Mrs. Yuuki exclaimed, surprised and gratified by the display of affection. It had been years since Miaka had hugged her with such childlike abandon, and she found herself returning it.
When the two women drew back, they exchanged misty-eyed smiles.
"Only you know if this man is the right one for you, " Mrs. Yuuki said quietly. "You already know how intense a new love can be. Please promise me that you'll make very sure of your feelings before you commit to being with him."
Miaka nodded solemnly. "I promise, Mom."
"Well, here we are!" Miaka said moments later, as she led the way into her bedroom.
"It's nice." Tasuki said, and looked around him with frank curiosity, taking in the distinctly feminine room from top to bottom; the shelves filled with stuffed animals and assorted souvenirs, the desk in one corner, the dresser strewn with jewelry and cosmetics, the pink draped bed underneath a small window with matching curtains, and finally, the night table sitting next to the bed.
Miaka blushed in dismay when she saw her seishi's gaze remain riveted on the large framed photo of Taka that took up much of the table's surface. She had forgotten it was there.
"That's a real nice likeness of him. Did ya take it yourself?"
"Ah, no. A professional photographer did that one." She murmured. Was it guilt or an overactive imagination that caused her to see a glint of animosity in Taka's eyes? "Um...I guess I'll go and get my bags, they're in the closet."
Turning quickly, she walked to the bi-fold door set into the wall behind her. After tugging it open, she crouched down, tossed aside a few pairs of shoes, and then dragged out two large suitcases.
"Need help?" Her companion asked cheerfully. Not waiting for an answer, he moved to take the cases from her.
Miaka smiled, glad that the awkward moment had passed. "Thank you! You can set them on top of the bed."
Tasuki did as he was told, making sure both bags were open. "What's next?"
She sighed. "Now I have to decide on what kind of clothes to bring."
"The nights can get cold on Mount Reikaku." Tasuki observed. Seeing her startled look, he hastened to explain. "Um…y'see, I was kinda thinkin' that since you were wonderin' about Kouji earlier, you might not mind droppin' in at the Stronghold t'say hi." As her face clouded with apprenhension, he added quickly, "I know what you're thinkin', but ya don't hafta worry about Eiken 'cause th' bastard's dead! He bought it during our battle with the Kutou army."
Though she knew she should try, Miaka found it impossible to feel regret at the news. What the man had tried to do to her was inexcusable, and in her opinion, to call him a pig would have been a grievous insult to pigs everywhere. "Well, at least he died an honorable death." She offered. Her expression lightened. "It would be fun to see everyone again! Um... that is, as long as Kouji doesn't mind putting up with me."
"Mind? Are ya kiddin' me? Reikaku bandits always appreciate their visitors!"
She laughed at his gleeful leer. "Yes, I just bet they do!"
"So. I should pack a few warm things." Miaka said, looking thoughtful.
"Yeah, good idea." Tasuki said briefly, hiding his jubilation. 'Don't get too excited.' He cautioned himself. 'It's a damn good sign that she's willin' to go there, but I ain't gonna pressure her to love everythin'. Gotta let her have fun in her own way.'
As Miaka began to scavenge items from her closet, he watched in silence, amazed by the volume and variety of clothing she produced from its depths. It wasn't long before one bag was filled with an assortment of cool weather garb. To that collection, she added a robe, an array of t-shirts and shorts, and finally, some skirted, one piece garments he knew were called dresses.
"You gonna be changin' your clothes three times a day?" He teased.
"No! I was planning on four!" She retorted.
Grinning, he watched her move to her dresser and open a drawer. A faint floral scent drifted into the air. "Somethin' smells good."
"It's this sachet- see?" Miaka showed him the perfumed bag, then set it aside and began pulling panties out of the drawer's depths with the panache of a magician pulling scarves from a hat.
Tasuki stared, feeling his body temperature rising a bit more with each flimsy scrap of colored silk or lace that appeared. When the drawer had been emptied, she shut it, then turned and offered him the folded stack of silken undergarments. "Would you mind packing these for me, Tasu-chan?"
Realizing his mouth was hanging open, the bandit seishi quickly snapped it shut. "Sure thing!" He said, his hearty tone at odds with his expression as he stretched out his hands, and the underwear was placed upon his upturned palms. Holding the pile an arm's length from his body, he strode to the open suitcase and placed it inside with all the care of a man handling fine porcelain. As the task was completed, he blew out a sigh of relief, then promptly sucked it back in as he heard his hostess opening another drawer. "Okay, I think this is the last one."
Common sense was shouting that he'd better not look, that things were hard enough without adding more fuel-
"Oh goody! I forgot I bought these!"
Even knowing it wasn't a good idea, he couldn't not take a peek. Miaka was happily pulling forth some long and delicate looking pieces of material that she referred to as nighties. These were followed by stockings of assorted colors. To those, she added some of the strange looking chest harnesses he knew girls of her world wore under their clothes, ahd which he couldn't help eyeing with resentment. He'd never understand the reasons for having to wear such a restrictive garment. The binding was unnatural and looked to be a torturous practice, not to mention frustrating as hell for the guy who had no idea how to take it off...
The image of a long ago night filled his mind, and he quickly pushed it away.
'Stupid garment. Could hurt yourself puttin' it on wrong. An' with straps that long an' stretchy it would do damn better as a double barreled slingshot!'
A chuckle escaped him.
"What's so funny?" Miaka asked, pausing in the midst of her folding.
"What? Oh nothin'." His expression was innocence personified, but when his gaze strayed to the garment dangling from her hand, the flare of his nostrils and the twitching of his lips gave him away. Green eyes narrowed with comprehension.
"You find my brassieres amusing?"
"Well...yeah. Kinda." He admitted. "I mean, with a fancy name like that...an' they're pretty much just like slingshots... "
'So much for wowing him with my expensive lingerie.' Miaka thought with irritation as Tasuki shook with laughter.
Shutting the last empty drawer with her hip, she went to the suitcase and placed her undergarments inside. Bending over, a sudden smile curled her lips as a plan for revenge popped into her mind. It would involve acting in a scandalous manner, but her seishi's reaction was sure to be more than worth any embarrassment it caused her. Even better if it would teach him not to laugh at her pretty and rather expensive underwear ever again!
She turned to face her unsuspecting seishi. "Would you be so kind to give me your opinion on something?"
He responded between chuckles. "Sure! What is it?"
Grabbing the bottom of her t-shirt, she yanked it up to her neck.
Her seishi's laughter died on a gasp. "Miaka! What the hell are ya doin'?"
"Showing you my brasserie," She replied sweetly.
"W-Why?" He sputtered.
"To get your opinion! I want to know if you think it looks as funny when I'm wearing it."
A sense of wicked satisfaction enveloped her as she watched Tasuki's eyes take an extended tour of the lace that enfolded the gentle swells of her breasts. She inhaled to expand the lace a bit more. "Be honest. Does it really look that funny?"
He was trying hard to form a coherent response, but it was an impossible task considering how much blood had drained out of his head in the last few seconds. His fingers curled into the palms of his hands, and his eyes closed in self-defense. As intriguing as the white silky one he'd seen long ago had been, this one was purple. With lace. And it didn't cover nearly as much...
"Tasuki?"
His eyes opened again as his name was spoken, and an inarticulate sound came from his throat as he saw that his temptress had moved forward, putting herself and her luscious mounds within quick and easy reach. He forced himself to look at her face. "Y-Yeah?"
She gazed up at him with an expression that sparkled with challenge. "What's your verdict? Funny looking or not funny looking?"
Oh, so not funny. Sexy as hell. He couldn't look down at them. Looking led to touching, and he couldn't do that now. He'd focus on her face and nowhere else.
"You're not laughing." She prompted softly.
His face was now as hot as his blood. Her eyes were full of teasing, sensual promise. He could drown in those eyes if he wasn't careful. "You're not playin' fair!" He said in desperation.
"Are you lodging a protest?" She inquired, leaning in closer so that her softness briefly brushed against him.
His eyes closed, then opened. "No! I mean, yes!" His arms started to lift, and then fell to his side with a slapping noise. "Criminy, woman, have a heart! I can't think straight seein' ya like that!"
"Oh all right." Relenting, she pulled her top back down to her waist. "I'm covered. Satisfied?"
"You know that I ain't!"
Her smug smile faded."What do you mean?"
He held her gaze as he reached for her hand. Placing it on the front placket of his jeans, he boldly conformed her fingers to his hardness.
"This." He said huskily. "This is what I mean."
She looked at her hand, then dropped her gaze to a place near their feet and swallowed hard.
"Better get used to it, Green Eyes, " He continued, "'cause this is gonna happen every time I think about ya wearin' that damn purple slingshot!"
Though his voice sounded raspy, there was humor in it. He wasn't mad, he was teasing her. Miaka relaxed and sent a sheepish glance upwards. "I...I'm not sure what to say... except...that... it's the biggest compliment you've never given me?"
He laughed, then gritted his teeth as his length was involuntarily pressed into her palm.
"Tasuki? Are you okay?"
He didn't dare laugh again. "No. Ya gotta let go."
"Oh!" She yanked back her hand, blushing to the roots of her hair.
But she didn't apologize.
A few minutes later and Miaka was almost done with her packing; only her toiletries and a few personal items remained to be gathered. Tasuki had observed everything she placed in the bags with interest, occasionally asking questions as to what things were or how they worked. She had enjoyed the exchange and his sincere admiration of the little things she took so much for granted.
"My camera, some batteries and film, a few family photos, a bunch of books I've been wanting to read, and my journal," she recited as she placed the items in the suitcase. "Lotion, make-up…oh, I need to get some things from the bathroom- hang on, I'll be right back."
Tasuki wandered around for a few minutes after she had left the room, taking a closer look at items he had been too shy to scrutinize in her presence. He smiled as he spotted a framed picture of the Suzaku Seven on her desk. 'She'll be wantin' that. I'll pack it for her.'
He picked up the snapshot, walked to the suitcase and tucked the frame amongst a soft bunch of stockings, arranging them to protect the glass panel from getting scratched. As he did so, his gaze fell on the jumbled collection of bras that had been shoved to a corner of the bag. He eyed them with distaste until an idea occurred to him that had him smiling in a way that exposed his fangs to their fullest.
There was very little time to carry out his plan of revenge, so he wasted no time in taking action. After grabbing the undergarments, he quickly looked about the room for a safe place to hide them. The closet! He thought. She won't be needin' to go back in there! He strode to the bi-fold door and yanked it open. 'The top shelf will work fine. Looks dusty- bet she can't reach it!'
One by one he rolled the brassieres into a tight ball and tossed them to the very back corner of the shelf, only hesitating in the grab-roll- throw motion when he got to the very last one. It was dyed a rich crimson, felt delightfully smooth, and most importantly, was extremely skimpy. 'This one is damn sexy. Guess I'll let her take it.'
Chuckling evilly, he closed the closet door and went to replace the bra in her bag, making sure he shifted the contents to fill in the gap he had left.
When Miaka entered the room a few minutes later, she found Tasuki sitting at her desk perusing a paperback book, the cover of which depicted a passionately embracing couple.
"What do you think of my book?" She asked, gesturing at the book as he glanced at her.
"Kinda interestin' picture on it." He replied honestly. "Never saw anythin' like it before. Did you like readin' it?"
It was the last thing she'd expected to hear, and Miaka blinked in surprise. The most blatantly masculine person she knew wanted to know more about a romance novel that she had read and liked! "Oh yes! It's a really good story!" She assured him with genuine enthusiasm. "I'll bring it along if you want to hear it. I can read out loud."
Tasuki half-smiled. "Sure, I'm willin' t'give it a shot. Won't take up much room, easier to carry than a buncha scrolls, that's for sure."
"Definitely!" Miaka agreed with a laugh.
After watching her tuck the novel into her bag, Tasuki relaxed. Miaka hadn't noticed that a few of her unmentionables had gone missing.
"All ready?" He asked, quickly standing up, as she closed the suitcase.
"Mm… I think so, but let me do a final check." She walked around the room, taking a visual inventory.
"I packed that picture ya had of all of us on the boat." He told her, when her gaze pinpointed her desk. "Thought you'd want it."
"That was very thoughtful of you, Tasuki. Thank you."
Her smile warmed him to the soles of his feet. His answering smile dimmed as he saw her eyes straying to the table where his rival's likeness sat, and disappeared entirely at the sadness that appeared in her expression.
"Did ya want to take Taka's picture along too?" He asked gruffly. He supposed he could be gracious about her wanting to bring it, even though he disliked the thought of her waking up next to it in Konan every morning.
"No. I think it's best if I leave it here." Miaka deliberately turned away from the photo. She wasn't teary eyed, but the small wobble in her voice gave away the emotion lying beneath the decision.
"Ya sure?"
She nodded.
Without another word, Tasuki walked over to her and embraced her from behind. She gave a start, then leaned back against his warmth, covering his crossed forearms with her hands as she accepted the comfort and support he offered. And speaking of comfort and support...
"There's one more thing that I want to bring," she confessed shyly, " but you have to promise not to tease me if I show it to you."
"I won't tease ya, I swear."
He released her, and she moved to the head of her bed. Pulling up one of the pillows, she extracted the small, furred object that had been lying beneath it and cuddled it to her chest while she sent her patiently waiting seishi an embarassed smile. "I know it's childish, but I needed a replacement for the little bear I gave Hotohori."
Tasuki held out a hand. "Lemme see it."
She moved to stand by him, placed the stuffed toy in his hands, and then watched silently as he examined it. She'd never shown the toy to Taka. Apart from its significance, he would have questioned her being attached to a stuffed animal at the ripe old age of twenty-one. Would the very manly Tasuki be of a like mind?
"A wolf doll." He said, running a hand over the sleek red-gold fur, and examining its distinctive face. The amber-colored glass eyes seemed to glow with life, and the grinning mouth showed tiny white fangs. "Interestin' choice," he murmured. "Did ya give it a name?"
"It's a 'him'." She said. "And I did."
"So what's his name?" Tasuki prompted, when it became evident that information would not be volunteered.
Though her lips wore a faint smile, Miaka wouldn't meet his gaze as she answered. "I named him...'Genrou'."
He could only stare at her, rendered speechless by the tidal wave of emotions that were crashing over him. His hands unconsciously caressed the toy animal as he sorted through the myriad of sensations he was experiencing. Astonishment. Elation. Arousal. Humility. Tenderness.
All of that. And so much more.
"Do ya sleep with him?" He asked, in his gentlest tone.
She nodded, keeping her eyes knowledge of how closely he was watching her was written in her blushing face. "Every night that I'm home."
"How long have ya had him?"
"I bought him close to three years ago."
His eyes widened. "After the-"
"Right after the last time we were all together." She confirmed. "He was in a window display for a toy store, and I couldn't resist. He reminded me of you, and having him around made me feel like you weren't so far away. No one but Yui knows that I have him. I know it's silly for someone my age, but it really did help."
"It's okay to look at me, Green Eyes. I ain't gonna make fun of ya."
She raised her head to meet his gaze. He stared into her eyes, passion seething within him.
"I want ya to know that you couldn't have honored me more than to have this little guy here at your side." He said. Holding out his thumb and forefinger so that they were almost touching, he continued,"and I'm this close to not giving a damn if your mother and her friend are within hearin' distance of this room! Understand what I'm sayin'?"
Her eyes were soft and shining. "Y-yes."
He brought the wolf's ear to his lips, whispered something, nodded at it, and then handed the toy back to her.
"Just told Genrou that he's gonna have t'share ya if he wants to come with us." He explained, seeing the mute inquiry in her gaze.
"And what was his answer?"
The real Genrou's eyes danced with mischief.
"He says fine, but he'll bite me in the ass if I don't do right by ya."
In the living room, conversation paused at the warm sound of shared laughter drifted down the hall.
"Sounds like they really enjoy each other's company," Mrs. Hongo commented.
"They certainly do." Mrs. Yuuki smiled over her cup. "I haven't heard Miaka laugh out loud like that for a long time. Kou Shun'u seems to be good for my daughter."
"It certainly sounds that way." Mrs. Hongo agreed, then sighed and shook her head. "Taka's an intelligent, polite and wonderfully industrious young man! I can't help but feel sorry if things aren't working out for Miaka and him."
"It appears they may not." Mrs. Yuuki replied, after taking a long sip of tea. "Taka is all of those things, but having admirable qualities doesn't necessarily mean a man will be a good husband. It's better for Miaka to find that out before marriage. If she can avoid the mistakes that I made with her father, I will be thankful."
"Aw c'mon, man! Leave it for one night, willya?Last night to howl and raise hell before we ship out!"
Taka looked up from the study carrel to see his three bunkmates grinning at him from the open doorway. "Thanks, but I've got a lot of work here, and-"
"And what? Your girl coming here tonight to give you a private send off?"
"'Cause that's the only excuse we're gonna accept!"
"Woo yeah, can't blame a guy for wantin' some of that sugar..."
Taka's grin bordered on a grimace. He hadn't seen any need to share the details of his and Miaka's separation with his cohorts, not wanting the pity or the advice or the commiserating that would inevitably follow a revelation like that. But even so, maybe he shouldn't stay in tonight. The idea of a temporary hiatus in his relationship-even if that was all it was going to be - was eating at him enough that it was taking away his focus anyway. Why couldn't he go out and have a good time with the guys and forget his troubles for a while?
Decision made, he turned to the waiting men. "Nope, no private send off this time. I'll meet you downstairs in fifteen."
"Taka's in! It's time to Parrrr-Tayyyy!"
Whoops of elation echoed down the hallway and then faded away. Taka slammed down his pen, closed his textbooks, and then hesitated, staring at his open notebook. Slowly his hand reached for the discarded pen, and then he began to write.
Ten minutes later he carefully tore two sheets of paper from the notebook, folded them in half and went in search of an envelope. He found one, tucked the paper inside and sealed the envelope. Turning it over, he wrote a single name- 'Miaka'.
He'd talk the driver into dropping by Keiske's apartment, Taka thought, as he combed his hair and grabbed his dress coat off the hanger by his bed. Knowing how Keisuke felt about 'that damn book', he was certain his friend would be more than happy to pass the note along to Miaka... and perhaps champion Taka's cause with her as well.
To be continued
Author's notes:
Hello there! I thought about it at great length, and decided it was best to issue a pre-warning for the next two next chapters, which are going to contain some sexual content. They will stay in the realm of an R rating, of course but I know I have some underage readers, I humbly ask those that are under 17 to use responsible discretion. If your parents/guardians do not approve of you reading that sort of material- I ask that you either don't, or have them pre-read it before you do. I don't dwell on explicit anatomical details, instead I prefer to focus on the beauty of the emotions that have led to the love scene and what they show about the relationship between the characters and the characters themselves. You never can tell, knowing I write from that perspective, perhaps they won't object to you reading the chapter.
As always, thank you for reading and reviewing my story. I welcome c and c's…the more detailed the better. It's nice to know what you like and don't like so I can do better for you!
All the best,
KittyLynne