The Promise : A Tasuki and Miaka Love Story

By KittyLynne

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Fushigi Yugi but I do claim the original characters, plot and ideas presented in this story. Please don't use them without my written consent.

Author's notes: Some spoilers for TV series and OVA episodes. Italics indicate a character's unspoken thoughts. Rated M for language and adult situations and/or dialogue.

There are also a couple of terms used in this chapter that you may not know:

Da Dao: A long spear favored by ancient warriors. If you want to see what one looks like, they are shown in episodes 45 and 46 of the FY TV series (the war episodes).

Obi: A sash worn around the waist.

Chapter 20- A Matter of Honor

At the top of Mount Reikaku, the wispy clouds drifting over the Stronghold had finally given way to the heat of mid-afternoon, revealing a patch of teal-blue sky that stretched as far as the eye could see.

The sun shone like a blessing upon the compound's practice field, and the naked shoulders of the two men standing face to face in the center of it. Each of them held replicas of a da dao, the Reikaku bandit's weapon of choice; wooden blades were attached to the end of the poles instead of the usual sharpened metal ones, for practice and safety's sake. The torsos of both men were shiny with sweat, and their labored breathing were the only sounds that filled the courtyard, for there were no onlookers, save for the guards posted high atop the thick log walls. The rest of the bandits were nocturnal in nature and preferred to sleep through the hours where the sun reached its zenith-or if not, to at least stay within the darker and cooler confines of the Stronghold's thick walls.

Kouji usually enjoyed his daily practices with his mentor, the Stronghold's weapons master, who in his younger days had been a comissioned and decorated soldier of the Empire. One would never guess in watching him in combat with his students that Shing was nearing the age of fifty. The older man's body was as toned and agile as a man in his late twenties, and his remarkable endurance had not waned an iota through the passing years.

Today, however, the bandit leader had other things on his mind besides besting his sensei in a sparring match. As a result, his movements bordered on graceless and his jabs and parries lacked intensity.

"You're lagging!" Shing barked. Thick strands of iron-gray hair slipped free of his braid as he easily deflected his opponent's blows. "Concentrate!"

"Yes, Sensei!" Panted Kouji. Setting his jaw, he forced his attention back to the lesson, only to be driven back as the older man launched a maelstrom of blows that his much younger pupil barely managed to counter.

"You are fighting me, not your weapon!" Shing admonished, as Kouji's grip on his staff slipped. "Clear your mind and open your heart!"

"I'm tryin', dammit!" The younger man gasped and then grimaced as his opponent struck a sharp blow to his lower ribcage, just above his sweat drenched blue obi. "OW! That fuckin' hurt!"

"Of course it did!" His tutor retorted unsympathetically. "Are you going to yield?"

Kouji scowled, thinking that he had never yielded to anyone no matter how badly he was doing, and that he was damned if he was going to start now. He turned a purposeful glare upon his opponent. "No way! I'm gonna whip yer ass!"

Shing lunged without warning, and then laughed at his student's feeble, last second deflection of the thrust to his exposed belly. "Bah ha ha! Talk does not cook rice!"

"Better laugh while ya can, old man, cause now yer done for!" Snarled Kouji.

With a Herculean effort, the bandit leader cleared his mind of everything save for how he was wielding the weapon in his hands. Once he did so, his movements began to flow in a familiar, exquisite rhythm as the staff became an extension of himself. Finding his balance, he spun, jabbed and drove forward all at once, until he had backed the weapons master into the corner between the main building and the wall surrounding it.

"Much, much better!" His instructor stated approvingly, while lowering his own staff. "You were not up to your usual standards today, Kouji, but you made a most impressive recovery."

"My thanks, Sensei." His student wiped a forearm across his brow to clear off the excess sweat that had collected below his headband. "I'll do a lot better tomorrow, I swear!"

"Let us hope you do," Shing responded sternly. "In the meantime, pray that you don't encounter the enemy when you're in such an unfocused state."

"Yes Sensei." Kouji took the reprimand with uncharacteristic humility.

The two men exchanged bows and then fell into step, heading for the cool, darkened interior of the central pagoda.

"So who is she?" Shing asked abruptly.

Kouji cast him a blank look. "Who's who?"

"The woman who has captured your thoughts, of course."

"What makes ya think it's a woman?"

Shing chuckled quietly at his leader's alarmed expression. "In all my years of training, there's only one thing that I've seen that can throw a man off his stride; when he's obsessed with a beautiful woman…" he paused, then added, "or in certain cases, a beautiful man."

Kouji gaped at his mentor, then smirked. "Yer a real wise ass, old man."

"So I've been told." The weapon master's grin deepened the creases in his tanned face. "So is it a female that's troubling you?"

"Well…kinda, but not exactly…"

"I see." Shing nodded, looking wise. "You're confused about which gender you prefer. You might want to consult with Benjaro, he had that same dilemma back when His Majesty was being held here by mistake-"

"It's not that!" Kouji sputtered, frantically waving his hand. "I mean, it does have to do with a woman, but not the way you're thinkin'!"

"Then how is it?"

"Genrou's gonna be bringin' a woman here, and it's been weighin' on my mind, because it means we need extra security. She just happens to be a treasure of the Empire, an' I wanna make sure none of our enemies can get at her."

"You've been planning a kidnapping? How romantic!"

Kouji snorted at the notion. "Not very damn likely, considerin' th' lady happens to be the Priestess of Suzaku!"

Shing's expression went slack with disbelief, much to his leader's great satisfaction. Usually it was next to impossible to shake the old man, but this piece of news had apparently done the trick. "The Priestess is here in Konan? But that's not possible is it? The legend clearly states she had to return to her own world after summoning Suzaku!"

"She did, but she's been brought back fer some reason. Genrou is gonna fill me in when he an' Chichiri bring her here to stay."

"This is very good news! We are favored by Suzaku to have His chosen one among us!" The older man's voice was filled with joyful reverence, but as he went on, his expression hardened. "Perhaps now that accursed band of Kaou thugs will see the light and cease their desecration of Reikaku, if the Priestesss and her warriors are in our midst."

"Wouldn't count on it," Kouji advised grimly. "We got favor, respect, and good standin' with the heir and th' Empress, an' they lost face by not fightin' against Kutou. They'd like nothin' better than to take us down a few pegs, an' stealin' the Priestess away from us would do it."

Shing scowled. "I've been wondering about their new boss. Have you dispatched scouts to gather information?"

"Yeah, I did as soon as I heard about th' change. Thought it was important, 'cause even those bumbling morons can get lucky if the right person is leading 'em!"

"That is most true. We must take every precaution." The older man pondered a moment. "What accomodations will the Priestess have when she arrives?"

"I'm gettin' Hakurou's suite fixed up. Figured she deserves th' best we got to offer."

Though the young bandit leader acted nonchalant, the suppressed excitement in his voice betrayed him.

"As I remember, she was a feisty little beauty," mused Shing, watching his pupil closely. "Exotic auburn tresses, large, sparkling eyes, a lovely smile..."

"Yeah, she was pretty." Kouji said shortly.

"And I suppose a pretty young thing like that will have been married for quite awhile by now. Possibly to the warrior Tamahome?"

The bandit leader shook his head. "She was with him when she was first here, but I don't think they could stay together. An' I'm sure Genrou would have said somethin' t'me about her gettin' married to someone in her world after her last visit."

"Ah, then perhaps she's returned because she finds the men in Konan to be much more to her liking, ne?"

As Shing grinned at him, Kouji looked down at the ground and shrugged. "Maybe." Genrou said she was pretty hung up on that Taka guy, but maybe that's over if she's back. "Genrou said that girls in Miaka's world got a lot more things goin' on, like goin' to school and workin'. Guess it's even common that they don't get married and have kids until they're eighteen or older."

The weapons master's eyebrows arched upwards. "So she won't marry a man simply for his family status or an ability to take care of her? She will choose her own spouse and share the burden of making a home with him?"

"I guess."

"The Priestess truly is a remarkable person!" Shing declared. "I will always remember her challenge to us regarding Eiken, her sweet and modest refusal of our homage, and how very forgiving she was regarding her treatment at our hands."

"Yeah, it was pretty amazin' that she wouldn't hate us for what we put her through!" Kouji agreed. "When she left, I told Genrou that I couldn't figure out if she was genuinely good or an idiot!" He smiled at the memory. "Genrou told you all about it too, right? How genuine goodness an' that lovin' heart of hers won the day?"

"He did indeed, and she certainly deserves our deepest and sincerest expressions of thanks." Shing replied, taking note of his leader's unusually soft-eyed demeanor. "Having the old leader's rooms redone for the Priestess' comfort is a good and proper start of making amends, as well as a fitting tribute to Hakarou." He paused, then added delicately, "the third level is also the best choice for dissuading intruders, whether from outside or within."

Kouji's smile flattened. "Whaddaya mean, from within? Do ya suspect spies?"

"There are no spies amongst us." The older man said with certainty. "Nevertheless, there is still a risk. Although we are no longer saddled with Eiken's shameful perversions, praise be to Suzaku, there are those among us who might have difficulty denying themselves...shall we say... the pleasures of pursuing a uniquely beautiful young lady?"

The leader of the Reikaku bandits looked thunderous. "I'll take care of any man that tries to mess with her!" He growled. "I walked away once when Miaka needed my help, an' I ain't lettin' her down like that again!"

Shing blinked, startled by the self-condemnation in Kouji's voice. Slowing his loose- limbed stride, he reached out and placed a paternal hand upon the young man's broad shoulder. "As I've told you in da dao practice, remembering and learning from a past mistake will ensure that you do not repeat it." He offered quietly. "Just keep in mind that it is far easier to dodge the spear in front of you than the arrow shot from behind."

Kouji frowned as he mulled over his elder's typically obscure advice. 'I suppose he's tryin' to tell me somethin' important. I wish he'd just say what he fuckin' means instead of always makin' me figure it out!' "Yes, Sensei, I'll be sure t'remember that." He replied, trying hard to look as if he had fully understood.

"That is good." Shing smiled to himself and briefly squeezed the well-muscled shoulder beneath his hand before letting his arm, and the subject, drop. He does not understand what's in his own heart yet, but he will. I hope that he'll make a good choice when that day arrrives.

The two men maintained a comfortable silence as they entered the Stronghold's headquarters and the corridor leading to the armory. After greeting the two men standing guard over the armory's lethal contents, Kouji and Shing went into the windowless, torch lit room. They wiped down the da dao staffs, then hung them on the huge rack that ran the length of one wall, which also held a wide assortment of wooden swords and katanas also used for weapons and martial arts training. Kouji glanced around the chamber, assessing the ample supply of arms with satisfaction until he spied the gaping fissure in the wall where a stone had once been. A closer inspection showed the missing rock lying in chunks next to a neatly stacked pile of jewel encrusted katanas. The bandit leader swore loudly at the sight, and then turned to his mentor with a look of frustration.

"Tryin' to maintain this place is getting' t'be a fuckin' nightmare! We gotta step up repairs, or I swear it's gonna fall in on our heads!"

"It's an ancient structure and things like this are bound to happen." Shing said calmly. "For me, it's well worth the effort. There's nowhere else I'd rather live than here on Reikaku."

Kouji's scowl vanished. " For me too." He said, squaring his shoulders. "So, do ya wanna get a look at Hakarou's suite now, or wait until after a bath?"

"Now is best." The Weapons Master stated. "The sooner I see the layout, the sooner I will have the safety measures set in place for Her Eminence." A glimmer of pride appeared in his hazel eyes. "The Priestess will never come to any harm while she is within my care-this I do swear to you."

Kouji nodded somberly. "I'm grateful to ya."

"There is no need to express gratitude." Shing stated firmly. "Protecting our Priestess will be a matter of honor for both of us."

Tasuki stirred and then awakened, as the urgent, passionate tones of a female vocalist pulled him from the shroud of slumber.

The first thing he noticed, as awareness quickly returned to him, was that he was naked, except for his socks. The second thing he noticed was how relaxed and content he felt, and the third, that an incredibly soft and sweet smelling body was pressed against his side. Keeping his eyes closed, he carefully disengaged his hand from what felt like a mass of hair, and then ran it over the form lying next to him. It giggled, and he smiled.

"Miaka?"

"Yes, Tasu-chan?" Her voice was slurred with sleep.

"Are ya really here with me?"

"Yes I am." She stroked her hand over his stomach to prove it.

Tasuki stretched out his legs and made sounds of drowsy pleasure. "Mm...that feels nice." He murmured, then opened his eyes to see his beloved lifting her head from his chest to smile at him. He smiled back, taking full measure of the hair tumbling around her bare shoulders and her expression of sleepy contentment. "Ya look sexy when you're mussed up." He added softly, as his free hand went to brush wayward strands of auburn away from her face.

Miaka blushed and averted her eyes. "Thank you."

The hand that had touched her hair cupped her chin and gently tilted it upwards. "Do ya regret what we did?"

Tasuki's smile had gone, and in its place was a look of heart-wrenching dread. Miaka's heart gave an answering lurch. "I don't regret anything!" She stated firmly, all her shyness quashed under the need to reassure. "It was beautiful, even more so than I'd imagined." A glowing warmth spread through her as she watched her love's expression transforming to joy. "And I'd do all of it again in a heartbeat!" She concluded, for good measure.

"You would, huh?"

She answered his question with a vigorous nod.

"Then how 'bout now?"

Miaka let out a loud gasp at suddenly finding herself lying flat on her back with her seishi hovering over her. As he lowered his body, her thighs automatically parted to receive his weight, and her cheeks burned when she felt his erection pressing into the front of her panties. "Tasuki, we can't! There' s not enough time!" Her hands came up and pushed gently against his chest. "The others are going to be back soon…"

Her protest and the strength of her pushes faded to nothing as his mouth lowered to a point just above hers. "I was just gonna kiss ya." He stated softly. "Anything else is up to you."

She sighed, more out of sense of disappointment than relief. "You can kiss me, but that's all."

Closing her eyes, she offered her lips. There was a pause, and then the light, fleeting press of a closed mouth upon her own. She waited with breathless expectancy for more, but nothing was forthcoming. Slowly, her lids parted to see the bandit warrior smirking at her. "What's wrong?"

A suppressed chuckle rippled the muscles in his abdomen. "Nothin'! Ya said one, an' that's what I gave ya!"

She stared at him with growing annoyance. "You call that a kiss?"

"Yeah." Tasuki stared back at her, grin still in place. "What? Are ya sayin' ya wanted somethin' more?"

"I was just thinking there'd be a little more to it than that."

Amber eyes laughed at her. "Just like a woman not t'answer a direct question!"

"I did too answer!"

"No, ya didn't- ah, the hell with it! Here's th' deal, plain n' simple! Do ya want more, yes or no?"

"But-"

"No buts! Yes or no?"

"YES!" She shouted.

"Then why didn't ya just say so in th' first place?"

The Priestess of Suzaku could only let out a whimper as her comeback was smothered by a deep and full-hearted kiss. Her paltry resistence soon faded under the tender onslaught; doubling her arms around her warrior's neck, she drew him closer to her willing flesh while their kiss escalated into insatiable passion. This was right, and nothing was going to stop it.

The emotive chords of a rock n' roll ballad filled the room. All sense of time and place slipped away as the couple entwined on the bed allowed desire to overcome caution. Miaka arched her back and moaned softly as facile lips forged a worshipful trail of kisses across her breasts. Her hands clutched rounded shoulders, then slid down the taut, flexing muscles of a powerful back to fondle firm buttocks.

Shivering with pleasure from her caresses, Tasuki lifted his head. "If ya want me to stop, Mi-chan, it's gotta be now!" He rasped.

Drawing her knees up, she cradled his hips between her thighs, holding him in place. "No stopping." She said clearly, meeting his gaze with eyes that blazed with passion. "No more waiting! I want you now!"

His smile was the most sensual thing she'd ever seen. "As my lady commands..."

Their mouths reconnected and their hands continued to explore. Only one scrap of satin and lace lay between them and becoming as one. Hard male hips undulated against their feminine counterparts as Tasuki strained to breach the cloth barrier that kept him from joining with his heart's desire. The ineffectual probing made him impatient, and his hands dove beneath her to find the edges of the garment that was frustrating him. After gripping the material, he gave an experimental tug, testing to see how much force was required for ripping it from her body. Miaka felt the pull and guessed what he was about to do, but was enjoying his kiss and her exploration of the intriguing curves and hollows of his backside far too much to care.

There was a quick yank and a loud tearing sound. Tasuki's hand emerged from under the blanket clutching a small wad of material, which he sent flying through the air. Then his fingers were gripping her hips, sliding her into the proper position beneath him. As his tip brushed her entrance, Miaka gasped into his mouth and her hands lifted to clutch at his biceps. In response, her warrior broke off the kiss. Pushing himself up on his hands, he stared down at her with bright eyes.

"I'm never gonna forget what this means." He vowed, his voice shaking with passionate intensity. "Not even after I die."

"Me too." She affirmed softly. Her gaze swept down to the place where their bodies were about to merge, then rose to his. "Wo ai ni, my Tasuki..."

One by one, his hands moved to capture hers. "Wo ai ni...my Miaka..."

Their fingers interlocked. The music thundered along with their heartbeats, drowning out the sounds of tortured breathing, as anticipation of their first joining rose to a crescendo. Lost in a world of their own making, neither of them heard the faint voice calling their names, or the loud click of a door being opened.

However, neither could fail to hear what happened next.

"MIAKA! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"

The priestess and her seishi froze in place as mutual shock shattered the mood.

Tasuki was the first to move. With a groan wrenched from the depths of his gut, he slumped forward and buried his face in the fragrant curve of his beloved's neck. Heart pounding from a combination of arousal and fright, Miaka lifted her head and peered cautiously over the slope of his shoulder. The sight that met her eyes made them grow round with horror.

Keisuke was standing in the doorway, Tasuki's discarded T-shirt clenched in one hand, staring at them with a look of astonished fury.

To be continued…

Author's notes:

'Wo Ai Ni' translation: Chinese for 'I love you' (like most of you didn't know that already! lol)

As always, constructive critiques are welcomed! A heartfelt thank you to all who have read and/or reviewed!

KittyLynne