The Promise: A Tasuki and Miaka Love Story
By: KittyLynne
Disclaimer: Fushigi Yûgi does not belong to me! It is the exclusive property and domain of Watase Yû, and a host of mass media companies whose names are impossible for me to pronounce. Any original plots and characters belong to me, however, and may not be used without my permission. I receive no compensation from this fic, save for the joy of writing and pleasing my readers.
Author's notes: Chapter Rating: 15+ for adult situations and a bit of strong language. Additional Author's notes at the end of the chapter.
Chapter 21- Something to Talk About
It was, without a doubt, the most embarrassing moment in her life.
The searing heat of a blush singed Miaka's ears, face and neck as she stared at her brother, whose seething outrage seemed to fill the room. Not knowing what else to do, she reached over to the alarm clock and switched off the music. The silence that followed was more deafening than any heavy metal tune ever aspired to be.
Tasuki gently rolled off to the side of Miaka, taking care to keep her covered with the blanket, and then pushed himself up to a sitting position to scowl at their intruder. "Hey! Ain't ya ever heard of knockin'?"
Keisuke's eyes narrowed at the challenge. "Didn't know what was going on in here or I would have!"
"You didn't, huh? Then why are ya holdin' that?" Tasuki stabbed his forefinger at the t-shirt scrunched in the other man's fist. "Not only that, but ya came chargin' in here like ya had a pack of wolves on your heels! Seems pretty damn obvious to me ya knew what was goin' on and wanted t'stop it!"
The two men glowered at each other. Keisuke opened his mouth…and promptly closed it again, appearing to have second thoughts about what he had been going to say. Instead, he turned his glare upon the shirt he was holding, as if blaming it for his predicament.
Miaka sat up and tucked the comforter in high around her chest as the silence in the room stretched to ominous proportions. In spite of what he had shouted, she knew her brother didn't really want to be privy to what she and Tasuki had been about to do. She also knew that Keisuke would be extremely wary of saying or doing anything that could earn him a permanent spot on Tasuki's infamous 'shit list'. However, considering their present situation, it didn't make any sense to put off a confrontation she knew had been lurking in the background ever since her return from Konan.
"Was there something you wanted to say, Keisuke?"
"Yes!" Her brother's gaze flicked to Tasuki, and then back to her. "No. At least, not now."
Miaka recoiled from the anger in his tone, but managed to remain resolute. If she was ever going to stand on her own two feet, as he had wanted her to do, now was the time.
"I'm sorry you had to find out about us like this, but I'm not going to apologize for what I've done." Her chin lifted and her voice rose in volume. "Nothing you say will change the fact that I love Tasuki! You will just have to deal with it!"
"I'm fully aware of that!" Keisuke stated curtly. "And I also know you broke up with Taka!"
His sister stared at him. "How could you? It just happened this afternoon!"
Her sibling sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yui wanted Chichiri to try ice cream, so we went to that parlor where Taka used to work, and he happened to be there saying goodbye to some of his old work friends. I told him we all felt bad about how things went down, and I asked him if he'd try to see you before you left. He told me he had come here and tried to talk some sense into you, but failed, and that he's now thinking he won't return to Japan when his gig in the States is up."
Tasuki bowed his head, hiding his expression behind a curtain of fiery bangs. Even so, his hunched shoulders and clenched hands gave the state of his emotions away.
Miaka's eyes filled with tears as she looked at him, and then back to the man standing a few feet away.
"Keisuke..." Her voice wobbled; she steadied it and started again. "Keisuke, things haven't been going well between Taka and me for a long time. I didn't want to admit it because I didn't want to be a disappointment to him...or to anyone else." Bending her knees, she leaned forward to rest her chin upon them, her arms clasped loosely around her shins. "Taka's a wonderful person. He deserves far better than this, but what else could I do? It wouldn't be fair or right for me to lie to him about my feelings for Tasuki, yet that doesn't make what I've done any less hurtful."
Keisuke's expression softened slightly. Despite his aggravation, his sister's pose strongly reminded him of how she used to look in her adolescent days, the days when she'd come into his room, plop down on his bed, and pester him for advice about everything from homework to boys. Sometimes she'd come in because she was lonely, sometimes because he was a safe harbor in her stormy relationship with their mother. More often than not he'd acted annoyed with her for invading his teenage sanctuary, but deep down he had enjoyed her company and their discussions.
That Miaka had always treated him as a kind of surrogate dad, though he was barely three years older than her, wasn't surprising. While they were growing up, he was the only male that had maintained a consistent presence in Miaka's life. No matter how much he complained about her bugging him, he'd relished that role. She was the only one who really listened to him back then, the only one who took him and his advice seriously. It had been nice being put up on a pedestal, if only for a little while.
Now, like any father, he was having to face the fact that Miaka was an independent woman, capable of making important life choices without any input from him. How ironic it was that only yesterday he'd had to encourage her about becoming that very thing. He should have been glad that she'd listened, but being confronted with visual evidence of her sexuality had made him realize that he was the one who wasn't ready to let go of the past.
A part of him would always see her as his ten-year old baby sister...which was why he'd felt like screaming bloody murder the minute he'd walked in and had seen Tasuki lying on top of Miaka.
Strangely though, the urge to scream had abruptly died at seeing the look his sister and the warrior had been exchanging in that moment. That look had spoken clearly of mutual trust, joy, and a love as deep and profound as two people could share. Seeing it had cut through to the most elemental levels of his masculine soul, instilling a fierce yearning for the chance to share that same kind of love with one very special woman.
Had Taka experienced that kind of exchange with Miaka? Keisuke found himself close to hoping that his friend hadn't. Seeing all that in a woman's eyes, and then having to let her go? Dear God, it would be absolutely devastating.
His thoughts had now come full circle; thinking of Taka reminded him of the duty he had come to carry out on his friend's behalf. Tossing the crumpled t-shirt aside, he pulled an envelope out of his back pocket and then moved to the side of the bed to offer it to his sibling.
"Taka asked me to give you this." He stated, ignoring Tasuki's glare.
Miaka reached out and grasped the envelope, taking quick note of the fact that was sealed, then turned it over to stare at the bold characters that spelled out her name. "Thank you."
Tasuki's eyes moved from Keisuke to the envelope, giving every appearance of trying to burn it to ashes with his gaze as Miaka turned to him.
"There's no need for you to worry, Tasu-chan." She said softly. "I won't keep anything from you."
His expression lightened a bit. "I trust ya. Ya don't have t'show me." He replied gruffly.
"But I want to."
As Miaka reached over and lovingly brushed his bangs away from his eyes, the ex-bandit said nothing, but the look he gave her could have melted an iceberg. Keisuke watched the byplay between his sister and her seishi in silence, feeling both jealous and in awe of the passionate bond they so clearly shared.
He was also surprised to find that the full head of steam he had built up had dispersed. Instead of anger, he felt superfluous, petty...and alone.'I should be used to it by now. Taka, and now Tasuki. Two legendary guys, and both of them have claimed one of the two sure things in my life.'
"Excuse me."
All eyes turned to the doorway. where Yui had made a sudden appearance. The blonde's cheeks turned a bright red as her eyes darted from the couple occupying the bed to Keisuke's extremely disgruntled expression.
"Um...hi." She said. "Um...we're back earlier than I thought..."
Miaka spoke quickly as her friend's voice faded. "It's my bad! I completely lost track of the time."
"No, we should have called you about the change in plans." Yui said with an apologetic grimace. "My cel battery died, and Tetsuya forgot his." She cast a meaningful sideways glance at Keisuke. "And someonewas in too much of a hurry to get here to make a stop at a pay phone! I'm really sorry."
"There's no need to apologize, Yui-chan!" Miaka told her warmly. "We had a good time."
"Yeah!" Tasuki agreed. "We owe ya!"
The blonde broke into a big smile. "I'm glad it worked out."
Keisuke eyed them all with growing suspicion. By the sounds of it, it seemed that Yui might have conspired with his sister to give Miaka more time alone with Tasuki. But how could that be? They hadn't discussed the sightseeing trip until after Miaka and Tasuki had left, so there was no way the two of them would have known the apartment was going to be empty. And he'd been the one who drained the iPhone of juice so Yui couldn't text. It was just the luck of the draw.
But then again, maybe not. In their younger days, Yui and Miaka had been pretty good at hatching plans to ditch classes without getting caught.
"Where's Tetsuya?" He asked abruptly. Experience had taught him that it was useless trying to extract any information from the girls, but he was confident his roommate could give him some answers.
"He and Chichiri went down to the corner store to get more beer and soda." Yui told him, with a guileless look. "While they're gone, I thought I could put the pizza into the oven, and get out the extra section for your table, with your leave."
"No way! That thing weighs a ton!" Keisuke exclaimed. "Don't you try lifting it! I'll take care of it."
"Okay, if you think that's best." Yui said sweetly. "I'm so glad to have you to rely on when Tetsu-kun's not here."
Miaka hid a grin as she watched Keisuke's chest swelling with manly pride. Yui had always known how to stroke her brother's ego, and had often used it to maximum advantage when they were younger. Plotting and subterfuge hadn't been necessary for quite some time, but thankfully her friend hadn't lost the knack.
A smile lingered on her face as she watched as her brother walk to the door, but it disappeared as he came to a sudden halt and turned back to face her.
"Miaka, I guess I do have something to say to you."
She eyed him warily, trying not to fidget under his solemn-eyed stare. "All right. What is it?"
Although he was still struggling for calm, Keisuke made sure to speak respectfully. No matter what his feelings about the situation, alienating his sister at such a crucial time would be a foolish thing to do.
"What happened between you and Tasuki in this bedroom is none of my business. I realize that you're beyond the age of consent and entitled to make your own choices." He paused to weigh his words, and then continued. "I won't interfere, except to ask you for one thing; that you'll give consideration to the fact that whatever you did in this room would have consequences for me and our Mom if it ends up producing a child."
After he had finished speaking, the silence that fell was so deep that the sounds of breathing could clearly be heard. Satisfied that his message had struck home, Keisuke left the room without another word. A noticeably subdued Yui followed him out, shutting the door behind her.
Keisuke pushed the extra leaf into place with a grunt, and then watched silently as Yui began to set the table for dinner. Soon he began to follow her, straightening plates and lining up glasses as she set them in place.
After the final place setting had been laid and then readjusted, Yui could stand it no longer. "You look like you have something on your mind, Keisuke-kun. What is it?"
To her surprise, that one question was all it took to get him to vent.
"Unbelieveable! Yesterday Miaka was sitting on my sofa crying her eyes out because Taka was going to be leaving her! Twenty- four hours later, I walk into her room and find her pitching a pup tent with Tasuki!"
Yui gaped at him. "You just barged in? When they...right in the middle of…"
She stopped, unable to voice the thought. Her face went a brilliant scarlet and so did Keisuke's.
"It wasn't in the middle." He muttered. "More like the start of it. But the point is, they would have been going at it for sure if I hadn't stopped them."
"Aside from the embarrassing aspect, why does that bother you? You said yourself that they're both adults." Yui pointed out reasonably. "And they're definitely in love. Don't you think it's natural for them to express their love in a physical way after having to hide it from themselves and others for so long?"
"Not in my house!" Keisuke shot back at her. "As far as I'm concerned, 'expressing' themselves means Miaka will want leave this reality for his, and that my sister will be lost to me forever!"
Yui flinched. She didn't want to admit it, but she couldn't deny the truth of Keisuke's words. Although it was her firm belief that the world in the book was as real as the one she lived in now, there were still rules about who could and could not cross over. That knowledge weighed heavily on her own emotions, even as she struggled to argue Miaka's case.
"We would have the scroll, and the book's still in the library as a backup," she offered weakly. "From what we learned in the past, we know we can communicate through those mediums, and keep tabs on how she's doing."
"That was true then, but maybe not this time." Keisuke countered. "We don't know what's going to happen since no one from this world has ever been allowed to stay there. If the rules and Miaka's role in the book have been altered, there's no guarantee the scroll and the book won't disappear, or that the story will even continue to be written once Miaka vanishes from this world!" He rubbed a hand over his forehead, as if trying to rid himself of a headache. "Right now I wish to high heaven you two never found the damn thing!"
"I know the feeling." The blonde replied softly. "But we did find it, and there's no going back. All we can do is love Miaka, and try to support her in a manner that will help her to be strong when she makes the decisions she needs to make."
Keisuke silently berated himself as he got a glimpse of the misery lurking in his friend's eyes. Gently, he took her arms and pulled her into a hug.
"Please forgive me, Yui-chan. This whole situation has to be extra tough for you after all the hell you went through in the book."
She stiffened for only a moment, then relaxed and returned the hug, reminding herself that she didn't need to worry about this man. Keisuke was the complete anithesis of Nakago, there wasn't an ulterior motive underlying this embrace. He was only trying to comfort her, as any good friend would do. "The reason I went through hell is because I didn't know how to let go of my hate!" She said firmly. "Miaka went through hell to save our friendship- she believed in me right to the end, and I will never forget that! That's why I'm supporting her now, even if it means us parting for good. When it comes to loyalty, trust and love, Miaka's been an outstanding teacher, and I've learned my lessons well."
Gently pushing herself out of his arms, Yui looked up at her companion with beseeching eyes.
"Keisuke-kun, it's very important that you don't let your own fears or the things that happened to me in Kutou as the Priestess of Seiryu color your judgment in this matter. This is an entirely different set of circumstances." She smiled reassuringly. "Just take it one step at a time. For now, just think of it as Miaka going on a trip. She loves Konan almost as much as she loves Japan, and I think she'd be very happy spending a month there. And she'd be as safe as she could be with Chichiri and Tasuki guarding her."
"Yeah, I know that." Keisuke muttered. "But who's going to protect her from Tasuki?"
"It's a beautiful, prosperous country and she's already made many friends there." Yui continued, deeming it prudent to ignore the question. "Who knows, maybe she'll get the chance to teach, or even start up her own elementary school! That would be so neat!"
She picked up a stack of napkins and began to fold them to disguise the trembling of her hands as she spoke.
"I'm sure she'd be able to do lots of good things for the people there."
As much as she wished for her friend's happiness, it was still gut-wrenching to think that they would never see each other for the rest of their lives. Miaka was closer to her than even a sister would have been; she couldn't imagine a life without Miaka in it. Yui pressed her lips together as a small sob threatened to escape, and the napkin she was folding fluttered to the floor. Shooting a quick glance at Keisuke, she breathed a sigh of relief at seeing that he had turned the other way and hadn't seen her small slip. He appeared to be seriously considering what she had said, so it was crucial that she didn't let her emotions get the best of her.
Inhaling and exhaling slowly, she gradually regained control over her wayward feelings by reminding herself that her credibility as a cool headed and logical thinker was at stake.
"I know Miaka will love visiting her old friends and meeting the challenge of doing something all on her own terms." Keisuke finally said. "But what happens when the novelty of living in an ancient civilization wears off? What if her feelings for Tasuki are only physical, and they don't get along on a day-to-day basis? If she stayed, it's not like she can pack a suitcase and go home to mother if things go wrong!"
Yui had to smile at the analogy. "Don't you think that's exactly why Taiits-kun gave Miaka time to think it over? A month is enough time to get a good look at everything that's in store for her so she can make an informed decision."
"That's true," Keisuke admitted grudgingly. "Actually living the life of the ancients would put things in perspective-" He broke off and a gleam appeared in his eyes . "But now that she's fallen for Tasuki, it's gonna be difficult to impossible for Miaka to judge things objectively. Maybe she'll need someone along to play devil's advocate, someone that can point out the pitfalls and shortcomings of living that life."
Yui's mouth went agape. He couldn't be saying- "Oh no!"
"Oh yes!" Keisuke replied smugly.
"You're crazy!"
He grinned. "Probably."
"There's no way! You can't!"
"Why not? It'll just be for a month- it's perfect timing since I was going to take some time off to travel before looking for a job!" Keisuke's grin turned sly. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to apply my Chinese studies at the most practical level…and you could stay here in the apartment with Tetsuya while I'm gone."
Yui crumpled the napkin she had picked up from the floor and threw it at him. "Never mind me, baka! What about your mother? Don't you think she'll notice and wonder why both her children are missing for a month, let alone one?"
"That's easy! All I have to do is tell Mom that I got accepted for a graduate scholarship program in China and that Miaka is going to go with me for the month."
"Okay, I guess I can buy that…" Yui said slowly, "but just how are you planning to get into Konan? You don't exactly have an invitation!"
Keisuke was unflappable. "I'm already a part of the story, so all I need is to make another entrance. Grabbing a ride on the Chichiri Express will do nicely."
Yui shook her head in a helpless fashion.
"Why?" She protested softly. "Why do you want to do this?"
"I want to see what's it's like for myself." Keisuke told her, as his eyes glowed with determination. "All issues with reality versus fantasy aside, I want to make sure Miaka doesn't end up being a wandering nomad, or a resident den mother to a bunch of wayward bandits, or anything equally as crazy while she's there!"
"Your brother thinks we did it." Tasuki murmured, a few moments after Yui had closed the bedroom door behind her.
Miaka grimaced. They'd been so close to becoming one, it probably had looked as if they had been. "I can't believe he charged in on us like that!"
"Next time I'm gonna bolt the door!" Tasuki declared, then grinned as she colored prettily. "It's a bit late for blushin', don'tcha think?"
"I can't help it!" She sighed, then a tiny smile tilted her lips. "I'm just a very shy girl who's been seduced by a rogue."
His grin took on a devilish edge as he captured her hand and brought it to his mouth. "Hmph. For bein' shy, ya sure catch on real quick."
Taking in the tip of her forefinger, he suckled on it suggestively.
"Because you're a good teacher!" She teased. "Hands-on learning really helps!"
Her companion gawked at her, and then laughed. "Good one, Green Eyes!"
"Thanks." She responded, with a credible attempt at a leer. "It was good for me too."
Tasuki laughed harder. "Criminy, I never knew ya had it in ya!"
"That's because I didn't!" She shot back without missing a beat. "Thanks a bunch, Keisuke!"
They both cracked up then, laughing away the stress of the situation.
"Keisuke did give us somethin' important to think about." The bandit seishi said, when they had lapsed into a comfortable silence. "Havin' a kid on the way would sure change a lot of things, don'tcha think?"
"There's no need to be concerned about that." Miaka replied quietly. "I'm positive I won't get pregnant." She averted her gaze, only to have her chin forced up by Tasuki.
"That's a pretty bold statement, Green Eyes." He growled. "How do ya know? Are ya thinkin' that I can't-"
"No! It's not that!" She broke in hastily, at seeing his face darken. "Keisuke didn't know this, but I'm taking medicine that keeps me from conceiving a child."
Amber eyes went wide. "Ya have medicine for that in this world?"
"Yes." She ducked her head, more than a little uncomfortable at having to explain such a personal thing. "I actually started taking it for medical reasons other than birth control. I was under a lot of stress with school and studying for college entrance exams, and had these erratic and really painful monthly cycles. Mom took me to the doctor, and he prescribed the Pill to regulate them."
"Is it dangerous medicine to take?"
"Not at my age."
"Did it help ya with the pains?"
She simply nodded.
"That's good." Tasuki said. Now that the surprise had worn off, he could feel his face starting to burn with embarrassment. Joking around about sex was one thing, but having a woman take the time to seriously explain things of an intimate nature to him was awkward and strange.
He knew about monthlies, of course; one couldn't live in a house with a mother and five sisters and not find out about how the female body functioned. After he left home, what he didn't glean from spying on his sisters had been taken care of at the brothel where he had lost his virginity. Thanks to those experiences, he also knew methods of preventing a pregnancy... but if truth be told, he hadn't cared about taking any precautions with Miaka. Having a baby would mean that they would have to stay together. Which was a very good thing, even though it would take away the choice Miaka had wanted to make on her own…and he'd always wonder if she only stayed with him because of the baby…not to mention it being hurtful to Yuuki-san.
Kuso! He couldn't do it, he just couldn't deliberately trap her into marriage like that! It wouldn't be fair, most of all to the innocent kid. It was better that Miaka stayed on the medicine...although he now wished she hadn't told him about taking it. Knowing that she was 'safe' at all times meant he'd be wanting to bed her every waking minute of the day. Even now his flesh was stirring to life at the thought of it.
Her next question didn't dissuade that feeling a bit.
"Tasu-chan...do you think you might like to be a father some day?" The burning intensity in her eyes told him that complete honesty was required.
"Yeah, I guess I would." He admitted. "I've always liked little kids, and it'd be nice to have some t'call my own. Problem is, I don't know if they'd really take to me." Briefly baring his teeth, he pointed to his tilted canines. "These and the red hair tend to scare th' hell out of most kids I meet. Can't really do nothin' about the hair, but I've thought about havin' the teeth filed down." He blinked, taken aback by her look of horror. "What? What's th' matter?"
"Don't you ever let me hear you say that again!" She cried. "I adore your fangs, and so will your children!"
"Tell that to that kid we met in Hokkan!" He scoffed.
"You mean the one who called you 'Scary Face' when you tried to play with him?" As he nodded sulkily, Miaka hid her smile with her fingers. "That really upset you, didn't it?"
"Sorta." He admitted. "Frickin' kid made me feel like some kinda big, ugly monster!"
Miaka's smile faded. Though her seishi was downplaying it, it the hurt he had experienced at the rejection came through loud and clear. "I'm sorry, Tasuki."
"Don't be. It's not your fault th' kid didn't know a good thing when he saw it."
He spoke lightly, but she could tell his smile was forced. After a moment of thought, she said, "I don't know if this will help make it better…but I can tell you that there were a lot of young women in that camp who thought that you were extremely handsome. They were always pestering me for stories and information about you whenever they could."
She was happy to see that his smile was genuine this time. "That's good t'know." He said. "Sorry for th' trouble, though. If they wanted to know stuff, why didn't ya just tell them to talk to me, Mi-chan?"
She shrugged, not quite meeting his eyes. "Don't be sorry. It wasn't any trouble, and I suppose I didn't think it would be a good idea anyway, since you were always saying how much you disliked girls." 'Or maybe I just didn't want you to fall in love with anyone even then.' She admitted silently. 'Even though I loved Tamahome, I really hated the thought of losing you.'
To her relief, Tasuki accepted the explanation. "I did say that a lot an awful lot around ya, didn't I?" He agreed wryly. "No wonder that I shocked ya so bad when I tried to-" He stopped and looked away. "Eh, sorry. I wasn't gonna mention that again."
"You can talk about it to me whenever you want." She reached out for his hand. "But I think we've finally gotten past it, don't you think?"
He took her hand, brought her palm to his lips and kissed it. "Oh yeah."
Her smile held relief and regret. "I suppose we'd better get dressed before Keisuke decides to do a follow up visit."
"What are ya gonna do about Taka's letter?"
"I...don't know." She gnawed on her lower lip, wracked with indecision.
"It's probably best if ya open it now, Mi-chan."
He released her hand to throw off the comforter and scooted to the edge of the bed. She crawled after him, dragging the comforter around her nude form as she did so. "Where are you going?"
"I'm gonna get dressed, and then I'm gonna leave th' room so that you can read th' damn thing in peace."
As he leaned forward to retrieve his underwear from the floor, Miaka seized the opportunity to kneel behind him and slip her arms around his waist. "You don't have to leave."
The bandit seishi shivered as he felt her soft warmth pressing against his back, and then groaned as her fingers began to caress his abdomen.
When she began to drop persuasive kisses along the side of his neck, he almost gave in. "Mi-chan...damn, that feels good..."
"Please don't go." She whispered the words between kisses. "Stay with me."
"It's for th' best." He barely managed to get the words out, as she nuzzled, lipped and nibbled at his ear. "Mmmm…that feels…good….anyway, I know Taka …didn't mean for me to see…mmmm…. what he's written to ya, and…ahhhhh….I don't think I need t'hear it...with things the way they-ahhh!"
In desperation, he stopped her hands, which were roaming dangerously close to his gender. "Dammit Miaka, ya gotta stop or Keisuke really will have somethin' t'squawk about!"
Realizing her seishi would not be swayed from his noble cause, she gave up and rested her chin on his shoulder. "I guess you're right."
"Of course I'm right!" His voice contained its usual brash assurance, fueled by the knowledge that his priestess wouldn't have done the things she had with him if she didn't love him.
He gently removed her arms from his waist. Miaka sat back as he rose from the bed, and watched unashamedly as he pulled on his briefs, and then his jeans. The t-shirt was last, and she heaved an unconscious sigh of disappointment as the wrinkled white fabric covered his chest and flat belly. A pleased smile curved the ex-bandit's lips as he surveyed her rapt expression.
"Am I that hard for ya to resist?" He asked, only half-teasing. "That's quite a look you're givin' me!"
Miaka looked away from him as self-consciousness doused her rising passion. She had never been so blatant with Taka when it came to revealing her needs and wants- why was it different with Tasuki? Why couldn't she control herself, and what must he think of her? He had made it so plain in the past that he disliked aggressive females...
"Am I so obvious?" She asked. "I...I'm sorry if I was. I keep forgetting that in your world, it's probably not proper for a woman to be so bold about wanting...that."
She could hear Tasuki padding over to the bed, but didn't dare to look up. A warm hand cupping her chin gently forced her to do so, and his amber eyes held hers captive as he spoke.
"I don't give a damn if it's proper! I like it when ya look at me that way!"
"But-"
"No buts! The only problem you an' me are ever gonna have is if ya try holdin' back on me!"
Miaka had no reply; she could only blush and stare, transfixed by the heat in his gaze and the sensual grin that curved his shapely lips. When those lips began to move towards hers, her lashes lowered to her cheeks as she waited for their mouths to touch. It was just like when they had been alone in his hideout, but unlike that fateful night, she no longer harbored any thought of resistance.
His kiss was possessive, and carried a fiery promise of passion yet to come. She knew nothing in that moment save the taste of Tasuki's mouth, the scent of his body and the wet warmth of his tongue teasing her closed lips. The hand holding her face gentled, then slid back to the nape of her neck as she deepened the contact between their mouths. An aching hunger filled her belly, the kind that wouldn't be assuaged by a mere kiss, no matter how passionate. The envelope fluttered from her hand as she reached out for him, pulling him over her as she lay back on the bed.
Tasuki groaned as he felt her white hot response, and in an instant, an answering fire had kindled within him. His free hand reached for the blanket that covered her, then abruptly stopped himself as the sound of raised voices drifted through the closed door.
He couldn't do this. They were no longer alone in the apartment. Exerting tremendous willpower, he broke off the kiss and rose to his feet, looking down and away from her to hide his frustration.
"I gotta go, Mi-chan. There's too many people around for us to be doin' this."
"Oh...okay…."
Her voice was so soft, Tasuki looked at her in concern, but the sight of her kiss reddened lips and her dreamy expression had his frown giving way to a pleased smile.
"Don't forget to put some clothes on, Green Eyes." He advised huskily. He reached for the torn scrap of lace that had landed near the end of the bed. "But you're gonna need a different pair of these, though." He added, dangling it from one finger.
Teasing snapped Miaka out of her daze, and he chuckled as she snatched the ruined undergarment away from him. "That was my favorite pair!" She huffed.
"It was an accident." His attempt to look apologetic failed. "Try goin' without any, an' ya won't have t'worry about losin' 'em." He added, turning away from her, but not quickly enough to hide the beginnings of a grin.
"You're so full of it!" She accused. "You did it on purpose! From the moment we met, you couldn't look me in the eye when you were fibbing!"
"I don't know what th' hell ya mean."
"Get back here!" She demanded.
He swaggered to the door, opened it, and then turned to face her. "Tell ya what, Mi-chan-if it'll make ya feel better, I'll let ya rip off my underwear next time!"
"You wish!"
"You're the Priestess of Suzaku, so that'd be your job!"
"Oh...I...oh, you!"
The redhead dodged the pillow that was thrown at him, chuckling nastily at seeing the thrower's frustration at having missed. Then, wearing a broad grin, he walked out the door, pulling it shut behind him. As he did so, Miaka impulsively stuck out her tongue and made a rude gesture. She giggled triumphantly, certain that she had gotten the last laugh until a muffled voice coming from beyond the closed door it told her differently.
"That ain't a nice way of tellin' me, Mi-chan, but I'll be sure t'take ya up on it later!"
There was no chance for a comeback, so she just sat staring into space, grinning broadly, and thinking that no one had ever made her smile as much as Tasuki had, either before or now. Though he had his darker moments, he had always been a positive force in her life.
She lifted a hand to her lips, which still throbbed from their last kiss, a kiss that had been a potent reminder of why she felt she belonged with him. Tasuki drew out her deepest feelings, the most hidden aspects of her personality, the truth of who she was. With Tamahome and then Taka, she had kept those traits hidden as she strived to become the kind of girl they would want for a girlfriend and wife. Tasuki loved her just as she was, quirks, flaws and all. Having his love gave her freedom to be herself without any shame or fear of rejection.
It occurred to her then that she owed Suzaku prayers of deepest thanks for all the blessings he'd bestowed on her, and she took a moment to do that. Afterwards, her thoughts strayed to Tamahome, the first man she had been given the privilege to love.
Striving to meet someone's expectations wasn't always a limiting thing, she admitted to herself. She had become a much better person in trying to earn Tamahome's respect as well as his heart, and he had rewarded her tenfold with a love that had crossed two worlds and two lives. She had loved Taka as much as Tamahome, which is why it had shocked her to find out how resentful he was of his past incarnation.
What was he feeling right now? What was Suzaku's purpose in contacting him? Would Taka ever accept his past as her warrior so they could keep a friendship alive? What he'd written to her might hold the answers to those questions. Or it might not. After what she'd seen and heard from him today, she had realized that the man she thought she knew so well was an enigma.
Miaka looked down at the unopened letter lying next to her, then carefully pushed it aside and got out of bed. Suddenly, she felt a strong need to be properly dressed while she read it.
When Tasuki walked into the kitchen, the last thing he expected to see and hear was a smiling Keisuke offering him a beer. Though he wasn't really thirsty, he accepted out of politeness, and a sense of relief. Apparently, Miaka's big brother wasn't the type to hold a grudge for long.
Yui was there as well, but was occupied with checking on something in a big metal box with a small window. A wave of heat flowed into the room when she opened it, so he assumed it was some kind of oven. Two meat and cheese-covered round shapes resided within, and the smell emanating from them made his mouth water. 'Huh, guess I've worked up a Mi-chan sized appetite.' He half smiled at the thought, then said aloud, "So what are those? They smell great!"
Yui shut the door and stood up. "They're called pizzas!" She said, smiling at him. "I bet you're going to love them!"
"That's what Mi-chan said." The ex-bandit took a sip from the opened can of beer. "Thanks, this is good." He said, belatedly remembering his manners.
"Glad you like it." Keisuke replied, smiling as if he hadn't a care in the world.
Tasuki took a deep breath. "Listen, I'm sorry for barkin' at ya. You got every right to be mad at me."
Keisuke's smile slipped a little, then solidified. "No I don't. I was rude for barging in." He opened his beer with a flourish. "Let's just forget it and move on. What do you say?"
"Hell yeah!" Tasuki raised his can in an impromptu toast, and the two men drank.
"Where's Miaka?" Yui asked.
"In the bedroom, reading a letter. She'll be out when she's done." Tasuki replied, then took a long swig of beer.
Yui blinked, and then cast a sharp-eyed look at Keisuke. "And what letter would that be?"
"The one from Taka," the Japanese man confessed, sounding sheepish. "He asked if I'd pass it along to Miaka right away. I didn't have the heart to refuse him."
Yui glared at him. "You gave it to her now?" Her accusing eyes added, r'ight in front of Tasuki?' "Couldn't it at least have waited until after we had dinner?"
Keisuke had the grace to look abashed. "I suppose it could. But since he's leaving for-"
Tasuki broke in. "S'okay. I'm all right with it. " He declared, before taking another long swig of beer.
'Uh-huh, sure you are! That's why that beer you just opened is almost gone!' Yui said silently.
She would have liked nothing better than to have slapped Keisuke upside the head for his insensitivity while reassuring Tasuki ... but fear of breaking the fragile truce between the two men kept her from it.
"So what place are you taking them to tonight, Keisuke?" She asked instead.
"I thought we would start out at Croaker's," he replied, with a concilitory glance at Tasuki. "There's a lot of other good places in that area if you feel like bar hopping, but I think you might want to just stay put once we get to Croaker's. Awesome food, wild and funky decor, a fun host who won't ask questions, and the drink prices are reasonable. What do you think?"
"Sounds great!" Tasuki said, though he could only muster a halfhearted smile. At one time he'd have been over the moon about the prospect of checking out the nightlife in this world, but now partying held no appeal. All he wanted was to fill his belly with pizza and then go back to bed with Miaka. Or even better, go back to bed and take the food with them...
Lost in pleasant thoughts about hand feeding a naked Miaka, he gave an abrupt start when Yui nudged his foot with her toe. Blinking in surprise, he realized that Keisuke had been speaking to him.
"…and you can get a shower before we leave, Tasuki. We'll get you into some modern clothes after that."
'Whaddaya mean, get a shower? It ain't rainin' indoors!' Tasuki thought with a frown, but pride wouldn't let him give voice to the question.
"Miaka can show you how showering works after we eat dinner," Yui said, sensing his confusion. "It's a quicker way to get clean than having to draw a bath. We have have towels and soap, and everything else you'll need too."
She winked at the ex-bandit, who was looking surprised. Sheesh! How do they always know what I'm thinkin'?
"Okay. Thanks, Yui." He replied, relaxing enough to give her a faint smile.
At that point the front door flew open and Tetsuya walked into the apartment. He was followed by…another Tetsuya.
"Watch this, guys." Yui's smile was reminiscent of her days with Nakago. "Those two have been trying to trick me all day, but it hasn't worked yet. They forget I've had prior experience with telling twins apart."
Tasuki grinned. "Amiboshi and Suboshi?"
Yui looked pleased at this easy acceptance of her past. "Yes, exactly."
"Yuiiiiiiii, I'm home!" The two Tetsuyas chorused, a la Ricky Ricardo.
Keisuke snorted in amusement. "They're up to something. Don't get sucked into it, Yui!"
But it was too late; Yui was already walking into the living room.
"Hi boys!" She walked up to one of the Tetsuyas and removed his sunglasses, peered at him closely, and then shook her head. "Nope, sorry." She put his sunglasses back on and turned away.
Tasuki grinned as he saw acute disappointment blooming in the first Tetsuya's face. Was it the real thing, or was it Chichiri doing one hell of an acting job?
He and Keisuke watched with avid interest as Yui strolled over to the second Tetsuya, who tensed and suddenly looked like he wanted to run. After a moment of checking him out, she flung herself against him and wrapped her arms about his neck, saying throatily, "I'm so glad you're back, sweet one! I missed you so much."
Then she kissed him full on the mouth.
The onlookers gawked as the image of Tetsuya flickered violently and then died, leaving one unmasked and very shocked looking monk in its place. Keisuke began to laugh as he saw the real Tetsuya whip off his own sunglasses to glare at Yui, and Tasuki joined in when Chichiri's arms began to flail, as if he didn't know what he should be doing with them. Yui's eyes were closed, which provided an explanation as to why she hadn't spotted the mistake and let him go, but Tasuki suspected she knew exactly what was going on. More surprisingly, Chichiri seemed to have lost all power to turn chibi, which was his usual defense when any female glomped on to him. Tasuki laughed harder. Chiri's embarrassed as hell, but he's enjoying it…
"Yui! You've got the wrong guy! I'm over here!" Tetsuya shouted at last, as the kiss went on and on.
Yui slowly opened her eyes, and then quickly drew back from the monk with a look of pink-cheeked confusion. "Oh dear! I was sure you were Tetsuya!" Reaching up, she gently wiped a smear of lipstick from his mouth, and then bowed deeply. "I'm so very sorry, Chichiri! I hope you can forgive me for being so forward."
"Ah, daaaa..." Chichiri stammered. "I forgive you."
Tasuki and Keisuke exploded in loud guffaws. The monk turned a one-eyed glare upon them. "And what are you two finding so amusing?"
"We're laughin' 'cause th' fox got outfoxed!" Tasuki chortled.
"Yeah, you sure did." Keisuke was still chuckling. "Sorry."
"Well I don't think it's so funny!"
The atmosphere of hilarity quickly faded as all eyes turned to the real Tetsuya.
"I just lost a bet on what should have been a sure thing!" He complained. "I can't believe you couldn't tell the difference between us, Yui! You'd been getting it right all day, so why not now?"
The blonde walked over to give him a hug. "I'm really sorry, Tets-kun." She said sweetly, then added with a sigh, "I guess we should just be glad I didn't do any of the things I usually do to welcome you home."
At that, Chichiri's jaw dropped and a wordless, high pitched sound escaped his lips.
"I can tell this is going to cost me more than a bottle of sake." Tetsuya said ruefully after the second round of laughter had died down. "Oh well- at least we know his illusion won't be detected."
"Most definitely!" Yui concurred, casting a smile in the direction of the furiously blushing monk. "I think Chichiri did a great job of being you!"
Tetsuya also turned to grin at Chichiri. "Yeah, I gotta say I'm flattered. Thanks, man!"
The monk smiled, but seemed to be avoiding looking directly at anyone. "No need to thank me. It was just good practice, you know."
"You're selling yourself short, man! Anyone who can fool Yui like that is brilliant!"
"Th' poor bastards don't get it, do they?" Tasuki observed in an undertone to Keisuke, as the good natured arguement commenced.
"Nope!" Keisuke agreed with a smirk. "They're clueless."
A buzzer went off in the kitchen. Tasuki gave a violent start, but forced himself to stay calm.
"That's the timer," Yui said cheerfully. "It means the pizzas are done! I'll get them on the table. Would someone go tell Miaka we're ready to chow down?"
"I'll go." After abandoning his beer on the nearest flat surface, Tasuki headed straight for the bedroom.
Tetsuya gave a low whistle after the seishi was out of earshot. "Man, someone's really got the hots for our Miaka."
Relieved that the focus had shifted from him, Chichiri laughed and agreed.
Keisuke looked down at his beer as if it had suddenly gone flat. "Yeah, he certainly does."
Miaka had just picked up her brush when she heard a soft knocking on the door. Running from the dresser to the bed, she quickly picked up the unopened letter and stuffed it in her shorts pocket before replying.
"Come in."
Tasuki entered the room. "Hey Mi-chan, the food's all ready! We're havin' that pizza thing you were talkin' about-" He stopped, taking in her short shorts, and the cropped pink shirt that left a portion of her midriff exposed. "Whoa."
Miaka held out her arms to the sides. "Do you like?" Her smile said she already knew his answer as he eyes took in her curves and the sliver of flesh revealed by the gap between her top and shorts.
"Yeah. I like." He said, with masculine understatement.
She lowered her arms, picked up a brush and began to tidy her hair, highly conscious of the amber gaze that avidly followed her every move. Heat course through her at the thought of how many times in the past that he'd watched as she brushed her hair. Back then, she hadn't thought anything of it, other than he had nothing better to do. But now...
"So... is everythin' all right ?" Tasuki asked. There was no sign of the envelope, and she seemed to be doing fine. Still, he wanted to be sure.
She busied herself with binding her hair into a high ponytail as she answered. "Everything's fine. It's just a goodbye and good luck note." She barely held back a grimace; even to her own ears, she sounded far short of convincing.
Her seishi stared at her for a moment as she fussed with a few loose tendrils.
"You didn't read it." He stated.
She opened her mouth to deny it, but he stopped her with a warning look. "Don't bullshit me! You didn't, did ya?"
She dropped the brush on the dresser and pulled the letter out of her pocket. "No, I haven't read it."
Tasuki folded his arms. "What's the problem?" He asked sternly.
"I don't know!" She exclaimed. "I tried, I really did, but something is stopping me. I'm afraid something bad will happen if I open it!" She pulled the letter out of her pocket and thrust it at him. "Here! Read the damn thing yourself!"
His eyes widened at her unusual display of bad temper. "Miaka-"
"I'm sorry." Her voice softened. "Would...would you mind reading it?"
"I dunno, Mi-chan. Somethin' tells me that's a bad idea-"
Her eyes implored him.
"Fine! Give it here!" After grabbing the envelope out of her extended hand, he tore open the flap and reached in to pull out a sheet of folded notebook paper. He unfolded it with quick, jerky movements, and then muttered a curse as his eyes roamed the length of the written message.
Miaka's gaze was wide with apprehension. "Tasuki? What's wrong?"
"Nothin'!" He stated gruffly, squinting at the characters. "But his writin's just a buncha chicken scratches! Beats me how anybody supposed t' read it!"
To be continued….
Author's notes:
Hello Everyone!
Well, after twenty plus chapters, it finally happened; I got a flame regarding my writing the Tasuki and Miaka pairing. I have deleted it, and here's the explanation as to why.
The first reason I chose to write this pairing instead of Tamahome x Miaka was because Watase-sama has already written that love story, and done it far better than anyone ever could.
The second was because as much as I loved watching the unfolding romance between Tama and Miaka in the canon series, as an author, I wanted to explore some new ground. One of the things I like best about writing fanfiction is the challenge of trying to create a story that's from a fresh and different pov, while still keeping it true to the characterizations and spirit of the established series.
Last but not least, I happen to believe this particular pairing is an exciting and very credible one, (for a number of reasons I won't go into here- if you want to know them, private message me) and therefore I've found a tremendous amount of inspiration in writing it. As Fang Boy might say, 'that's the way it's gonna be, and it ain't gonna change!' :)
I realize and respect the fact that people in this fandom have definite preferences in couplings, which is why I titled this story in the way I did, and put in an 'alternate pairing' warning at the start of the story (just in case anyone didn't catch the title! ) If this particular pairing would upset someone, then I certainly wouldn't ever want to subject them to reading about it. That is why I've made the markers very, very clear. If you choose to ignore them it's at your own risk. If you flame me because of my choice of pairing, I will remove your review and ban you from commenting further. I will also remove any flames having to do with the reviewer's personal prejudices against certain characters. Again, if you don't like who or what I write about, then there's no reason for you to be reading what I write.
As an author that's the same age as the mothers of many of my readers, I don't have the inclination or the patience to deal with immaturity and rudeness. I do, however, welcome and value honest and constructive criticism at all times.
A huge thank you to the rest of my reviewers for being courteous and constructive in offering their comments and suggestions. :)
Take care!
KittyLynne