The Promise: A Tasuki and Miaka Love Story
By:KittyLynne
Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Fushigi Yûgi (Mysterious Play)-the marvelous Watase-san does, as do the media conglomerates with which she's affiliated. I do claim the rights to the original elements of this story, be they character or storyline related. Please do not post, use, borrow or copy any part of this story without my written permission. Thank you.
Chapter Rating: T for Tasuki language and some innuendo. Mild sap alert.
Chapter 24-Love is a Journey
Taiits-kun adjusted the plush cushions that rested beneath her and stared into the largest of her enchanted mirrors with an unfocused gaze. At present, the images moving within the gilded frame had ceased to hold her interest.
Showing such total disregard for her daily inspection of the Four Gods' domain was a rare occurence- an almost unimaginable one, actually- but in this case it was both excusable and necessary. Stirrings in the Void were always a matter of highest priority. Though it was more than probable Miaka and the two Suzaku warriors were the cause, she prefered to err on the side of caution; a hard lesson learned after the crossover debacle with Tenkou. The countless lives shown day after day in the Big Mirror of Observation depended on the Priestess of Legend, and Taiits-kun was determined not to shirk her own duty in getting the young woman to this world in one piece.
After a moment of fixed contemplation, she blinked irritably. The scenes within the mirror refused to fade away, and the flickering from the rapid changes in location was becoming an annoyance. With a wave of her wrinkled hand the glass went dark. Then, just to ensure there were no other distractions, she shut her eyes tightly, concentrating all her formidable power upon the solid ball of chi that quickly manifested within her inner eye. The cloudy mass swirled and contorted into strange patterns under the force of her will, then quickly began to separate into more distinct, human-shaped forms.
As the forms solidified, the drooping corners of the Oracle's mouth lifted in recognition of three familiar souls, and then turned sharply downwards at sensing the two additional chi signatures that were completely foreign to her. She honed in on them, increasing the scope of her power to its limits, but the effort was doomed. All she could discern from this great distance was that one of the unfamiliar auras was male, and that it didn't belong to the reborn Tamahome.
With a prolonged exhalation, Taiits-kun opened her eyes and ended the connection. Turning her beady gaze upwards, she glared at the high, sloping bamboo ceiling that blocked her view of the heavens. 'What are you doing, Suzaku, in allowing these complete strangers access into our world? What purpose can they serve, other than to cause trouble? Have you already forgotten the destruction and death that Tenkou and his minions wrought? Why did you not consult with me? Am I simply to be a glorified doorkeeper, subject to your whims?'
It felt good to vent her displeasure even if no one was there to acknowledge it, but the Ancient One allowed herself only a few seconds to rant before bowing resigning herself to the inevitable. Suzaku-sekun was an excellent judge of character, and of course he would have excellent reasons for permitting the newcomers entrance into this Universe.
In any case, losing her temper with the Phoenix had always been a complete waste of time.
Still, it wouldn't hurt to indulge in a small tantrum the next time she saw the bird, if only to get him to placate her with a ride on his back through her beloved mountains. She enjoyed spending time with all of her children, but soaring through the skies with Suzaku was a special joy. In fact, the recollection of past excursions with the patron god of Konan was expunging her last traces of anger...
She had never pronounced a hasty judgement upon anyone her celestial children deemed worthy of transport, and she wasn't going to change that policy now. Though the thought of having to harbor uninvited drop-ins vexed her greatly, she'd take the 'wait and see' approach. It was clear that Suzaku had purposefully granted Chichiri the immense power needed to transport a such a large group through the gates of two worlds. If the Phoenix-god thought having these extra mortals along was of that much importance, then she would extend a welcome to them.
Now that the matter had been decided, the Oracle sent out a call for her nimble-bodied assistant in magic. Nyan-Nyan appeared in a flash of pink smoke, and promptly earned her Mistress' displeasure by multiplying herself and regaling the old woman from all sides with incessant, high pitched chattering and rapid-fire questions. Unable to answer, or even get a single word in edgewise, Taiits-kun was obliged to resort to her usual method of commanding attention.
After sending the legion of Nyan-Nyans spiraling into the stratosphere with a well placed chi-blast, she gathered up her composure and the shawl that had fallen from her slight shoulders.
Time was of the essence, and she had much to do to prepare for her unexpected guests.
The languid, floating feeling she was experiencing could have been quite soothing, if not for the fact that she had no idea where the heck she was or where she was headed.
Mrs. Yuuki held tight to her daughter and battled the urge to slip into unconsciousness; doing so simply wasn't an option when her children's lives were at stake. Her other hand clutched a large fistful of the tunic sleeve that hung off the back of a masculine arm.
The other arm, wrapped securely about her waist, administered a hearty, reassuring squeeze.
With trepidation, she cracked open one eyelid, then the other, then raised her head to look up at Kou Shun'u, who gave her a smile and a wink that under any other circumstances would have had her blushing like a schoolgirl. As things were, she merely found comfort in the cheerful brashness of it. It would have been ungrateful not to do so, for it hadn't escaped her notice that the young man was white to the lips in spite of his confident demeanor. Quite clearly he had set aside some apprehensions of his own in trying to reassure her. A trait like that spoke well for him, as did the gallantry and patience he had shown to a middle-aged mother. Given those attributes and his stunning good looks, it wasn't difficult to understand why her daughter had fallen for Shun'u in a hurry.
Her smile was weak imitation of his as her gaze fell to the straps that crisscrossed his chest. The style of the clothing Shun'u was wearing was rather archaic, but beautifully made and expensive looking; whoever he was, he was nicely turned out. The strips of leather were connected to a holster for some sort of weapon that he'd strapped to his back…was it only for show, or was he some kind of a samurai? That would certainly explain his strong and confident demeanor and impressive knowledge of the martial arts, but not the flamboyant jewelry and clothing he wore. In all honesty, the manner in which he dressed reminded her of a rogue nobleman or a high-class pirate…
The notion made her brows draw together in an anxious frown.
Surely such a good hearted, heroic person wouldn't turn out to be a criminal or some other kind of unscrupulous rake, would he? She was a very good judge of character, and Shun'u's actions coupled with the sentiments he had shared during their chat about Miaka had satisfied her that he was a man who loved honestly and deeply. She simply couldn't believe that impression could be as false as the background that had been concocted for him. That he'd jumped in to save her- a complete stranger-from street thugs without a second thought, certainly counted for a lot, didn't it? That he'd willingly traveled this godforsaken piece of space twice over certainly proved the strength of his devotion to her daughter, didn't it?
Given her present position, she could understand why Keisuke had lied to her about where he and his sister were going.
"You're a nice lady, and if it's at all possible, I'd want ya to come and visit us as often and whenever you want."
The words took on deeper meaning now she had the real reason that her half-joking comment about her visiting his homeland had troubled Shun'u. She couldn't blame him for disguising the truth of the matter, for she wouldn't have believed him if he had told her, and most likely would have questioned his sanity as well! Given the drawbacks to full disclosure, the young man really had shown a tremendous amount of faith in her- as well as compassion for her as a mother- in urging her to come with them to Buddha knew where.
Why she should trust Shun'u to keep them all safe when she knew next to nothing about him was a question that was difficult to answer. But she did trust him. Despite the improbability of the present situation, and irregardless of who or what he might actually turn out to be in the place they were going, her mother's instinct was telling her that this man would always protect Miaka and those dearest to her no matter what the risks to himself.
For a brief moment, a sparkling image of a phoenix rose in her mind's eye. A rapid succession of memories followed- herself, Keisuke, and Miaka herself sitting at a dinner table and Miaka telling Keisuke about a book called 'the Universe of the Four Gods'…the day she'd found and read the diary entries about a strange land and a mysterious man with a Chinese character on his forehead… losing her temper and slapping her daughter for putting love before her studies… Miaka disappearing without a trace after their fight...the pictures of strangely garbed people her daughter had placed on her desk...
She now wished she'd taken a closer look at those photos, instead of dismissing them as fanzine pin-ups of pretty boy cosplayers. Were they going to the place where the people shown in those pictures lived? Had it been an actual place with actual people, and not just some fantastical, stress-induced excuse Miaka had dreamed up? Had her daughter been telling the truth all along?
So far, evidence pointed to a resounding 'yes'.
Mrs. Yuuki swallowed hard, feeling the sting of remorse in her eyes.
'Miaka-chan, I regret how hard I was on you back then. You are the best of daughters. Even if I thought the story farfetched… as your loving mother I should have at least tried to listen to you with an open mind.'
Her tear-blurred gaze sought out her youngest child's face, presently half-buried in the curve between Shun'u's shoulder and chest. Though Miaka was clinging very tightly to their mutual protector, her eyes were open and sending signals of reassurance and love to her mother. Mrs. Yuuki acknowledged the look with a shaky smile that strengthened as calm replaced the fear that had been threatening to overwhelm her.
She was with her family. This would be the adventure of a lifetime. If her daughter wasn't afraid of what might lie ahead of them, then it was utterly useless to be frightened herself. If nothing else, this was a prime chance to make amends for her past insensitivities to Miaka's feelings.
And no matter what happened now or where they ended up, she'd make sure there would be no reason for any of her companions to regret having taken her along for this journey.
Tasuki felt his tension drastically increase as the nebulous pink sea bearing them along funneled itself into a whirling, kaleidoscopic tunnel of sound. That meant the end of the journey between worlds was near, and he still had no idea how he was going to manage keeping two women and their baggage from crashing to the ground.
He racked his brains trying to come up with a plan, only to lose his train of thought when the midnight blue material billowing around them jerked violently and then pulled taut. At the sound of Chichiri's voice, the wing seishi exhaled in relief and tightened his hold on the women. Though the rolling and pitching motions of the cape had his stomach feeling as if it were riding a stormy sea, his concerns about a crash landing had been eased. As long as Chichiri had control over the kasa, there was no need for worry.
Of course, the location of said landing was quite another matter, but the monk had sworn he'd been practicing, so…
Closing his eyes and muttering a prayer that the kasa wouldn't disintegrate, Tasuki shielded his precious cargo as best he could as they reached the final barrier. He sucked in a pained breath as crystalline pink warmth switched to a blast of shockingly crisp mountain air, and then buried his face in Miaka's hair as they plummeted downward with sickening speed.
As from a great distance, he could hear Chichiri shouting another command, after which their careening descent began to slow to a hovering descent. He opened his eyes just in time to see the kasa flatten to an approximation of a flying carpet, before carrying them along to the large, rocky outcropping just outside the entrance to Taiits-kun's palace. The touch down on the ledge was a bit jarring, but impressive in that all of the passengers riding the kasa were able to remain on their feet. Tasuki felt a welling of admiration towards his brother seishi; obviously it hadn't been an idle boast when the monk said he'd been gaining significant control over his teleportation spells.
Turning his head, Tasuki eyed the other occupants of the flying robe. Keisuke's face had a greenish cast and he was swaying in place, but despite those two facts the man was loudly proclaiming to Chichiri that he was feeling great.
The ex-bandit sent both men a sympathetic smirk, and then carefully released his hold on the women, making sure as he did so that they were steady on their feet.
Miaka murmured her thanks, but for the moment Mrs. Yuuki had forgotten her manners. Her eyes were fixed on the panoramic view before her. What she was seeing looked very much like a hallucinatory version of Shangri-la, complete with mist- shrouded mountains and multi-colored balls of crystal suspended at various points in the sky.
"W-what…. is this place?" She asked, in a voice hushed with awe. 'Korea? Cambodia? India? I don't think so! We're not even on the planet Earth, by the looks of it!'
"The sacred mountain we've landed on is called Mt. Taikyoku." Miaka told her. "The beautiful palace you see over there belongs to Taiits-kun the Oracle, who is the ultimate authority on everything that happens in this world." Her eyes followed the older woman as Mrs. Yuuki took a few weaving steps toward the stairway cut into solid mountain rock. "Mom? Are you feeling okay?"
Her parent laughed shakily. "Fine and dandy, considering that I just flew on a cape and landed smack in the middle of something that looks like it was devised by L. Frank Baum!"
"Who's L. Frank Baum?" Tasuki asked Miaka in an undertone.
She hesitated, loath to say that her mother had compared his world to a fantasy penned by an author blessed with astounding creativity and a fantastic imagination; the parallels to the present situation were just too close for comfort. But she didn't want to lie to him either; telling him a bunch of half truths or outright fibs was bound to trip her up sooner or later. She'd always been terrible at bluffing.
"L. Frank Baum was a famous writer whose books became classics in my world." She explained carefully.
"What kinda books did he write?"
"He's most famous for his stories about a young girl named Dorothy who was taken from her world to a beautiful land called Oz. While she was there, she made some dear friends, who protected her and helped her save the people of Oz from a terrible evil. In the end, the only reward she wanted was go home. When she finally did, people told her she had only been dreaming the things that happened to her, but she knew the truth." Seeing Tasuki's sudden frown, she added hastily, "But Dorothy kept believing in Oz with all her heart, though no one else did. Eventually she was able to bring her guardians there, an aunt and uncle, and then they saw for themselves that it really existed."
Tasuki's eyes narrowed in thought. "Sounds t'me like Dorothy an' you have things in common."
"I suppose so." She replied warily. "But there's a lot more to her story."
He held her gaze. "There always is, Mi-chan."
Miaka blushed under the intensity of his look. To her relief and Tasuki's displeasure, Keisuke chose that moment to shake off the effects of his wild trip between worlds.
Rushing forward, he barreled between them, hurrying towards Mrs. Yuuki as she stumbled over a loose stone. "Mom, stop! If you have to walk around, at least have the sense to take my arm!"
His mother waved him off. "I'm fine! I just need to get my bearings in this high altitude, that's all." Her green gaze sharpened to emerald brightness. "Keisuke, tell me the truth! Is this incredible place really what you were referring to when you told me you and Miaka were taking a trip abroad?"
Her son rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, looking sheepish. "Yes it is, and I'm sorry for lying to you, Mom. But how could I explain … this…" he made a gesture that included Tasuki, Chichiri, and the fantastic scenery around them, "…and how we were going to get here? You'd have thought I was crazy- or tripped out on drugs!"
"I suppose I would have." Mrs. Yuuki conceeded. "Of course, that's irrelevant now. How long have you known about this place?"
"Since just before Miaka took her high school entrance exams."
"So the two of you came here together?"
Keisuke shook his head. "Miaka told me about it, but this is the first time I've actually been here." He replied. "Always wanted to come here after hearing about Miaka and Yui's adventures."
Miaka stared at him. As avidly as Tasuki and Chichiri appeared to be listening, they were expecting to hear a full explanation of exactly how she had first arrived in this world. And despite his objections to the situation, Keisuke was helping her out by deliberately omitting any mention of the book.
He was her big brother, and she was grateful for that.
Mrs. Yuuki blinked in surprise. "Yui too?" Her eyes widened as her son nodded. "Wait a minute- I just remembered! Was she here during the time her parents thought she'd run away with Miaka?"
Keisuke kept his reply brief, feeling that it was best not to elaborate any further on that particular story at the moment. "That's right. She came to find Miaka and they, uh, had a little trouble getting back right away."
His mother frowned. "What about Taka? Does he know about this 'Universe' as well?" She looked at Miaka, who bit her lip, then at Tasuki, who looked at the ground.
"Taka..." A shadow flitted across Keisuke's face. "Yes, he knows. In fact, the country of Konan was…his original home."
"Taka used to live here?" Mrs. Yuuki turned an accusing stare at her daughter, who flinched. "Miaka! Does this mean everyone closest to you knows about this place except me?"
Miaka bowed her head. "I did try to tell you at first. You thought it was a fantasy I concocted to get out of studying."
Mrs. Yuuki sighed and began to rub her temples. It was true, of course. Her determination-no, obsession, to see her daughter pass the exams for the prestigious Jonan Academy had left no room for girlish confidences of any other kind. There was no one to blame but herself for her lack of knowledge.
"So why didn't you try to tell me again after the exams were over, Miaka?" She asked quietly, dropping her hands to her sides.
"Because you were so disappointed that I didn't get into Jonan. And then Taka showed up, and it seemed best not to ever tell you what happened." As Miaka glanced over at Tasuki, her eyes glistened. "Now I think it's time you knew everything."
Tasuki spoke up. "I think so too."
"In the long run, honesty is best." The monk agreed.
"Yeah." Keisuke said. "I think we all deserve to know."
Miaka took a deep breath. "First, an introduction is in order. Mom, this is my dear friend Chichiri." She smiled. "He has some pretty amazing talents."
"I gathered that from that little ride we just had." Mrs. Yuuki replied with a faint smile, after they had exchanged bows. "I can safely say that have never met anyone with powers like you, Chichiri." Her gaze roamed over the monk's oddly blank face, but to Miaka's relief, she offered no commentary on its appearance.
"It's a great honor to meet the mother of our Priestess. " Chichiri said warmly. "I'm sorry for the trouble that we've caused you. I will do all I can to help make your visit free of trauma from now on." The monk cast a severe look at his fellow warrior. "Tasuki, you and I need to have a talk about your poor decision-making back there."
"It would have hurt her a hell of a lot more to leave her behind." The bandit seishi replied, looking unapologetic.
"You didn't have permission. She could get sent right back!"
"What would be th' point of doin' that?" Tasuki countered. "It's not like it's a secret anymore!"
"Taiits-kun doesn't exactly like surprises."
"I'm willin' t' take full responsibility. I'll tell Grandma it was all my idea."
"Don't be thick, you know!" Chichiri retorted, stung. "Whether I get punished for it or not is of no concern to me!"
Tasuki scowled. "Then what's th' problem? Do ya think I can't handle protectin' two more people?"
"That's not it at all." The monk replied stiffly. "My concern is for Yuuki-san's well-being in her world."
"That's why I did it! Do ya really think she woulda been better off in the other world wonderin' where Miaka an' Keisuke went and if they're alive?"
Chichiri blew out a breath. "As usual, you're missing my point-"
Mrs. Yuuki broke into the exchange. "Excuse me. Shun'u, is this the dear friend you were telling me about? The wise one who has advised you on matters of life and the heart?"
"Yeah, he's the one."
The monk's eyebrows arched in surprise as he glanced at Tasuki. "I am?"
Mrs. Yuuki smiled broadly. "Then allow me to say that I'm doubly pleased and honored to meet you, young man. Shun'u has spoken very highly of you and the advice you have given him."
Feeling somewhat mollified, the blue-haired seishi acknowledged the compliment. "Thank you, ma'am. And many thanks to Shun'u." He added, emphasizing the name with the slightest of smirks. "It's nice to know that at least some of what I've said has been of value to him."
"Oh, it has!" Mrs. Yuuki assured him. "I could tell you have had quite an influence on him."
Chichiri's smirk became more pronounced. His brother warrior was glaring once again, but the monk did not rise to the challenge. It would be counter productive to have an argument with his fiery friend in these circumstances, not to mention dangerous, considering how close he had gotten to losing his own temper.
Apparently Tasuki was of a like mind, for he had folded his arms and looked away, a sure sign that he no longer wanted to pick a fight.
Miaka looked relieved. Chichiri smiled at her, then winced as a sudden and powerful surge of chi broke into his thoughts. "Taiits-kun is on her way to greet us, you know." He announced, turning to Mrs. Yuuki and Keisuke. "I should warn the both of you now that it's vital that you treat her with the highest deference...despite what you may think of Taiits-kun's rather…um….unorthodox appearance."
Keisuke agreed at once, but his mother had other ideas.
"I assure you that I have manners, young man!" She stated, looking mildly insulted. "I was raised to treat elders with the deepest respect, and I have done the same with my own children!"
Spots of color appeared on the mask. "I meant no offense, you know. Experience has taught me that meeting Taiits-kun for the first time can be rather unsettling for people-"
"Chichiri, you have insight far beyond your years. In the short time you have known me, have I given you the impression that I am an unstable or thoughtless person?" Mrs. Yuuki asked pointedly.
The monk shook his head. "Not at all, you know. Quite the opposite, in fact."
"Then know that I will treat your Taiits-kun with the all the politeness and reverence her position deserves."
'Easy to say when you don't know what's coming,' Chichiri thought dourly. Lifting his hands in a helpless gesture, he glanced around at the others in an unconscious appeal for help.
Though he was maintaining a straight face, Tasuki laughed inwardly. In all their travels together, he had never had an occasion where Chichiri needed any help in dealing with a woman, not to mention seeing the monk be chastised like a kid!
A clever comment was hovering on his tongue, but never left it as Miaka's elbow dug into his ribs.
"I didn't say nothin', Mi-chan!" He complained.
"But you were going to!" She shot back in a stage whisper. "He's right, and this is too important a point to make light of!"
Tasuki looked rebellious, but a glance at his priestess had him relenting. She was definitely not in a laughing mood.
"Okay, okay." He grumbled. "I'll keep a handle on it."
Satisfied that her seishi would behave, Miaka quickly turned to her mother.
"Please don't take offense at Chichiri's suggestion, Mom."
"But I do! I don't see why I need to be schooled for something I would never have done!"
"Maybe you don't. But with all due respect, Mom, you don't know anything about Taiits-kun or how to behave around Oracles, so isn't it wise and prudent idea to listen to someone who does?"
A hush fell as everyone stared anxiously at Mrs. Yuuki, and then at Miaka.
Miaka's stomach was twisting into knots of trepidation, though outwardly she remained composed. She had never dared to correct her parent in public, and the few times she had done so in private had all ended in disciplinary altercations.
Mrs. Yuuki's mouth was a straight line. As her mother's hand lifted, Miaka stood her ground, bracing herself for the slap she knew was probably on its way.
A moment later she found herself blinking in surprise a moment later when the hand stretched out to gently touch her cheek. "M-Mom?"
"I owe your friend an apology." Mrs. Yuuki said. Turning to face Chichiri, she gave him just that, and then turned back to her thunderstruck daughter. "And you too. I truly regret that I've caused you embarrassment in front of others. Please forgive me."
A bemused, wide-eyed nod of acceptance was the only response Miaka was capable of before a commanding voice rang into the silence.
"Welcome to Mount Taikyoku! I bid you peace!"
All eyes turned in the direction of the Palace of the Oracle. A shadowed figure was standing at the midpoint of the steps leading down from the multi-tiered, ornate series of pagodas that served as her celestial palace.
"It's me, Your Eminent-ness!" Miaka called out, waving frantically. "I've come back, just like I promised!"
"I can see that, Suzaku no Miko." The figure replied in a dry voice. "And you've brought some unexpected guests."
As Tasuki began to step forward, Miaka quickly pulled him back.
"Yes, I have." She announced brightly. "I'm very sorry to impose on your hospitality, but you see-"
"Explanations are best saved for later, Miaka." The Oracle broke in, as she glided down a few more steps. "Introductions will suffice at the moment."
"Yes ma'am." Miaka exchanged a relieved glance with Tasuki. They were in luck; the Old One was in a benevolent mood.
Relief soon turned to a sense of hilarity, however, as Taiits-kun moved out of the shadows cast by the cliffs that towered above them. The look of sheer horror on Keisuke's face as he set eyes on the Oracle had the wing seishi shaking with suppressed laughter, and his charge biting the inside of one cheek to hold back her giggles.
On the other hand, Mrs. Yuuki had remained true to her word. She hadn't cringed or winced, or even visibly batted an eye at Taiits-kun's appearance - although that wasn't necessarily a good sign.
"Your ma's dazed." Tasuki advised quietly, all traces of humor now gone from his demeanor. "She an' your brother hafta snap out of it or Grandma's gonna notice and get mad."
Miaka cast a quick glance at the Oracle; sure enough, Taiits-kun's benevolent expression was starting to fade. This was bad. She needed to take action, and take it fast.
Moving between her mother and her brother, she unceremoniously jabbed her dumbstruck sibling in the ribs with an elbow while putting an arm around her parent's waist, squeezing it tightly enough to impart a subtle warning. Almost in tandem, her family members' expressions changed from surprise to embarrassed realization. Then they bowed, deeply.
Satisfied that they had full grasp of the consequences of their present situation, Miaka spoke quickly.
"Mistress Taiits-kun, it is my great honor to present to you my brother, Keisuke Yuuki, and my mother, Takara Yuuki."
Yui pushed the button to disconnect the call she'd just made, then leaned against the countertop as she collected her scattered thoughts.
When the shock of Mrs. Yuuki's sudden appearance and subsequent disappearance had worn off, she and Tetsuya had both gone into overdrive to gain control over their emotions, as well as the totally bizarre situation in which they were enmeshed. Taking charge of arranging for practical matters, such as who would be watching Mrs. Yuuki's vacant apartment, had helped Yui calm down.
She hated having to deceive her own mother, of course, even though it hadn't exactly been a lie to say that the Yuuki family had gone out of town to attend to a family emergency. However, necessity and loyalty to her best friend had kept Yui sounding cool and collected as she gave the excuse and asked her mother to take care of the apartment. Thankfully Mrs. Hongo hadn't suspected a thing, and even better, actually said she had a key due the fact she'd done the same thing many times before when Miaka's mother had to go on short term trips.
The biggest hurdle had been jumped. Tetsuya had said he'd see to paying the rent if it became necessary, and any bills that came due. The only problem that remained unresolved was what to tell Mrs. Yuuki's gentleman friend. Though Miaka had commented that her mother wasn't serious about the man she was dating, he was bound to pay Mrs. Yuuki a visit or call her on the phone within the next week. 'I'll have Mom call him as well. Just have to think up a credible story for the 'emergency'.'
Tetsuya walked into the kitchen with the scroll of the Four Gods in hand. "Yui? How'd it go?"
"No problems there. Mom was more than happy to do it."
Testuya nodded somberly. "So what should we do about Taka?"
Yui frowned. "Taka?"
"I was thinking that maybe I should call him later tonight. He doesn't ship out until tomorrow, and I'm sure he'd want to know what's happened."
"I'm sure he would too," Yui said slowly, "but honestly, isn't it better for him to make a clean break and concentrate on his new assignment?"
"Good point Yui-chan," Tetsuya tapped the parchment in his hand with a finger, "but still. Given all Taka's been through for Miaka, I feel I owe it to the guy to at least let him know that Miaka arrived safely in Konan. It might just give him a little peace of mind to know she's okay."
"I suppose you're right." Yui conceded. "I take it you've been reading?"
"Yes, Chichiri took them straight to Taiits-kun on Mount Taikyoku. Everyone's fine."
A smile lit the blonde's face. "I had no doubts that they would be. Chichiri is aremarkable man. He's such a nice guy, and the power he wields hasn't corrupted his soul at all."
"We're lucky to have someone like him to rely on." Tetsuya agreed, and held out the scroll. "Here, why don't you read some more while I make us some tea? You look like you could use a pick-me-up."
"That sounds wonderful!" Yui gave him a quick kiss as she took the roll of parchment. "I don't know what I'd do without you!"
"I guarantee that you'll never have to find out." Tetsuya replied quickly.
His tone was light, but his eyes, as they held her gaze, were deadly serious.
The more he got to know Yui, the more certain he was that he wanted to make her happy for the rest of their lives. As for him, nothing would make him happier than her returning that sentiment. Unfortunately, the three little words he wanted to hear had proven very difficult for the former Priestess of Seiryu to utter.
He watched, unsurprised, as Yui blushed, stammered, smiled uncertainly, then turned and beat a hasty retreat to the sofa where she seated herself and then buried her nose in the scroll. A familiar, keen sense of disappointment filled him for a few moments, but he quickly shrugged it off.
The day was coming, he was sure, when Yui wouldn't turn tail when the subject of a permanent relationship between them was raised. He just had to be patient. After all, she'd been through an emotional ringer today, and it was too much to expect that she'd be considering her own future right now. Despite the capable and cool façade she presented to the world, he knew Yui was tenderhearted to the point of being emotionally fragile. This coming month without her best friend was going to be difficult for her, no question about it. Maybe later he'd try asking her to stay here in the apartment so she wouldn't be alone...
Tetsuya smirked. Hell, who was he kidding? He didn't want to be alone either! Without the high-spirited Keisuke around to keep things interesting, the place was going to seem as dull and quiet as a tomb!
"Would you like me to read out loud?" Yui called out.
"Sure, if you don't mind. Start from the point where Taiits-kun appears."
"Okay!" Yui cleared her throat, then began.
"The Priestess introduced her family to Taiits-kun, who graciously invited them into her sanctuary. As the newcomers reached the inner gates of the palace and stepped through them, they could not help but marvel at the majestic beauty of their surroundings…"
After introductions and the usual social pleasantries had been observed, Taiits-kun led her visitors up the cut stone stairway and through the massive golden gate that marked the main entrance to her celestial palace.
Once inside the front courtyard, they were met by a very energetic Nyan-Nyan, who greeted the visitors with her usual exuberance. The sprite was especially delighted to meet Keisuke and Mrs. Yuuki, and promptly showed it by turning herself into a bouquet of flowers and showering herself down upon them.
Mrs. Yuuki gasped. "How in the world-"
"I'll explain later, Mom." Miaka said loudly over the scolding voice of the Oracle. Nyan-Nyan, who had quickly regained her cherub-like form, stood listening with unblinking, patient attentiveness to the hoarse-voiced diatribe and then, with a wink and smile, disappeared in a small poof of smoke.
"She's simply adorable," Mrs. Yuuki said, smiling in admiration. "What a sweet little girl!"
"A sweet little girl that's hundreds of years old," Keisuke muttered to Chichiri.
The monk grinned. "I'd let your mom believe she's a magical child for now, you know." He advised. "She's got enough surprises to deal with at the moment."
'And I don't?' Keisuke thought. The palace was fantastic...and overwhelming. Reading about this place and seeing the illustrations sure as hell didn't do the real thing justice!
They stepped into foyer of a large pagoda, the first of many that formed the main complex of the palace. Its mahogany floors were awash in light from the oval shaped windows, and ornate carvings were set into small alcoves between the openings along with delicately glazed porcelain vases. Four immense golden statues sat two to a side in front of a sliding screen door, which looked like it led to the inner halls of the palace. Mrs. Yuuki's eyes widened as she saw that one vase was carved in the likeness of a graceful, long necked bird.
Taiits-kun paused at her guest's exclamation of surprise. "Did you see something of interest to you?" She asked kindly.
"I'm very sorry to bother you with questions, Your Eminence, but I was wondering about those statues… " Mrs. Yuuki said hesitantly. "The sculpture of the bird resembles something I saw earlier today, before I came here…I mean, something I thought I saw…"
The Ancient One's face crinkled with what was for her, a warm smile. "What you saw was no illusion. The four carvings represent the animal forms of the four patron gods of this Universe. Suzaku, who rules over Konan in the South, takes the shape of the Phoenix."
Mrs. Yuuki gasped. "So you're saying that what I saw-that I've seen-"
"Was a god? Yes, that is exactly what I am saying." The Oracle replied patiently. "It also confirms that I'm right in welcoming you into my home. Suzaku wanted you here all along, or he wouldn't have made himself known to you."
Mrs. Yuuki looked around wildly, then turned pink at seeing the astonished stares of the others. She wondered if they were thinking her daft to speak of such things, then promptly decided that they wouldn't, considering where they were presently standing.
"I realize that everyone has questions." Taiits-kun stated with authority. "I ask that you save them until we get to our destination."
She paused, nodded in satisfaction at the murmurs of assent she received, and then proceeded to lead them down a screened corridor that branched off from the pagoda.
"That went better than expected," Miaka murmured to Chichiri. By chance, they were bringing up the rear of the group. "I thought Keisuke was going to lose it when he saw Taiits-kun! Thank the gods he pulled herself together and remembered to bow."
The monk cast an amused glance at Keisuke, who was still avoiding direct eye contact whenever Taiits-kun happened to speak to him. "I have to admit your mom surprised me. She did a great job back there, you know!"
Green eyes smiled into painted ones. "I think so too." Miaka agreed softly. "Chichiri… thank you so much for not fighting with Tasuki about bringing Mom along. He did for me too...he knew I was having a hard time leaving her without telling her the truth."
"No thanks are necessary, Miaka. I am angry with him. He put us all at risk with his impetuousness." Chichiri replied honestly. "Although I will say that I'm in agreement with the reasons for him doing what he did. He had good intentions."
Miaka's gaze strayed longingly to Tasuki, who was walking alongside her brother. Judging from his animated expression and gestures, it was obvious the outgoing seishi was enjoying answering questions about his world.
"Tasuki has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. But seeing what he'll do for me…" she clasped her hands, which had started to tremble, "…I can't help feeling that I pushed him into all of this, and that I've taken advantage of him just because I was unhappy with myself. He's been hurt enough on my account... I don't want him getting into any more trouble because of me!"
"You don't have to worry, you know." Chichiri told her kindly. "Tasuki doesn't do the things he does for you because you're pushing him- he wants to do them to show you how much he loves you. And as for getting into trouble...you know as well as I do that he'd say he lives for it!"
Though she still had doubts, Miaka had to giggle. "You're right. He would say that." She waggled her fingers at Tasuki, who was now throwing them a suspicious glance over one shoulder. "Tasu-chan does seem to thrive on adversity."
'Tasu-chan?' Chichiri couldn't help chuckling at the nickname before his conscience kicked in. "Um…may I offer you one bit of advice, Miaka?"
"What's that?" She asked, while still smiling at Tasuki, who was suddenly looking much happier.
"You might want to avoid calling Tasuki 'Tasu-chan' when you're around his old gang." The monk said with commendable seriousness. "It's... not the kind of name for him they're used to hearing, you know."
Startled out of flirtation, Miaka turned quickly to her eldest seishi. "Oh! Did I...did I just say that?" The monk simply inclined his head with a smile as she blushed and stammered, "I...I understand. The men would give him a pretty bad time about it, wouldn't they?"
"I believe they would." Chichiri's smile widened as he saw Tasuki dropping back to wait for them. When it came to Miaka, nothing escaped the redhead's attention. "Hey, Tasuki."
"Hey yourself." The ex-bandit replied briefly. "What's goin' on? Miaka's turnin' as red as a peony."
Miaka's blush deepened. "Chichiri was just giving me some advice."
"Oh was he now?" Tasuki drawled, with a meaningful look at his friend.
"Why don't you stay with Miaka and I'll go walk with Keisuke?" The monk hastily suggested as his brother warrior's eyes flashed 'leave or get toasted' signals at him over their priestess' head.
"Thank you for all your help and encouragement, Chiri." Miaka said, with an affectionate squeeze of his arm.
He smiled down at her. "That's what friends are for, you know! Right, Tasu-chan?"
"Damn stra- HEY!" The ex-bandit broke off in mid reply, looking as if flames were going to shoot out of his ears. "What the hell was THAT, ya crazy monk?"
"I'm merely proving a point to Miaka." Chichiri replied calmly. "She'll tell you all about it if you ask her nicely, you know."
"Sometimes I wonder about that guy," Tasuki muttered, as the mage walked away. "He has entirely too much fun messin' with my mind."
Miaka touched his arm, attracting his full attention. "Please, he really was just trying to help me. The name 'Tasu-chan' slipped out of me when we were talking about you." She gazed up at him with earnest, shimmering eyes. "I want you to know that I won't call you that when we're around the guys at Reikaku! Even meant as an endearment, I know how embarrassing it would be to you."
Tasuki regarded her with a long, steady look. "Ya know...with the way things are now, puttin' up with a buncha teasin' is nothin' compared to when I was thinkin' I'd never see you again." As that sentiment was sinking in, he added wickedly, "An' I like the way ya say it…'specially if you're moanin' it in my ear … "
Miaka gaped at him, then turned her head as a wave of heat suffused her face. Without a thought of doing so, her hand touched the love bite he'd left on her neck. Her stomach was fluttering, and her heart was pounding in uncontrolled excitement, as she were a schoolgirl anticipating a first kiss.
For all her supposed experience, she was woefully out of her league when it came to flirting with someone so blatantly sexual.
'But you're learning,' her roused body whispered. 'He knows you love him; it's all right to show that you want him.'
All right then. She would.
"Thanks for telling me." She said huskily, giving her warrior a sidelong, sultry-eyed look as her fingertips traced the mark he had left upon her. "I'll definitely remember to do that again."
Tasuki stopped dead in his tracks, bringing her to a halt alongside him.
"So I was right!" He murmured, after a moment of staring at her.
"About what?"
His smile was all male. "You've been hidin' your wild side."
Miaka reflexively moistened her lips. She knew she should be taking Tasuki to task for being forward at such an inappropriate time, but found that impossible to do while his smoldering eyes were promising her all sorts of delightfully illicit things. In response, her breathing quickened. Soon they'd be at the Stronghold, where they could sneak off for some time alone, and then…
...a voice laden with annoyance broke into her pipe dream.
"Miaka! Tasuki! Are you coming or what?"
As one, they turned to stare at her glowering brother, and then at each other. Smiles burgeoned into grins, which were soon followed by loud snorts of laughter.
"I think that was an unfortunate choice of words, you know." Chichiri told a red-faced Keisuke, who pretended not to know what he meant.
When they finally reached the place Taiits-kun had selected for their meeting, her visitors were more than ready to utilize the pillows scattered throughout the center of the large room.
"This place is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside," Mrs. Yuuki remarked, as she seated herself on a cushion next to her daughter.
"I think Grandma did that on purpose." Tasuki groaned, as he dropped down on the other side of Miaka. "I suppose livin' way up here, she doesn't get many chances to show off her place to outsiders."
Mrs. Yuuki chuckled, then asked, "May I ask how far your home is from here, Shun'u?"
"About three day's journey by horse," he replied, after thinking a bit.
Mrs. Yuuki looked startled. "By horse? Can't you just fly?"
Tasuki grinned. "Gods, no. I leave that kinda stuff to Chichiri."
The older woman looked perplexed. "That wasn't what I meant, actually. I meant flying on an airplane."
"Don't have any critters like that in Konan." Tasuki stated cheerfully. "For me, it's either horses, walkin' or sometimes takin' a boat…if there's no other choice."
Miaka hid a smile. Apparently Tasuki still hadn't learned how to swim.
"Konan isn't as technologically advanced as Japan, Mom." Keisuke interjected as he sat down opposite her. "Life here is very comparable to ancient China."
"I see. " Takara Yuuki tried to look as if this news hadn't been an absolute shock to her. She could deal with the idea of magic existing…but the idea of time travel? Of course, it stood to reason if these people were part of a story based on the book that Miaka had mentioned, then anything was possible. "I guess I should expect those differences, given the setting of the-"
"Oh look!" Her daughter hastily interrupted. "Taiits-kun's trying to get our attention! She has the mirror that keeps a recorded history of everything that's happened in this world."
Miaka breathed a silent sigh of relief as Keisuke and her mother immediately switched their attention to the Oracle, who was perched on a raised dais on one end of the room. A huge mirror hung on the wall behind her, its glassy depths reflecting nothing at the moment but a swirling, red-tinged mist.
"This mirror will show you what you need to know about our world." Taiits-kun announced, gesturing at the looking glass. "It will relate the stories of the girl of legend and her seven celestial warriors, and how they saved this land from a terrible scourge."
Leaning forward, Tasuki whispered into Miaka's ear. "Can't wait until she sees the part where I kidnap you and then lie to ya about not bein' Tasuki so I can stay at Reikaku."
Letting the thought trail off, he waited for her reaction.
After a few heartbeats, Miaka spun around to look at him with a startled expression, which confirmed what he'd been fearing. She hadn't given a thought to the fact that his former life and occupation might not sit well with her mother, hero or no hero. And he didn't even want to think about what else Grandma might decide show regarding him...
"I ain't worried." He fibbed. "It's not like I'm still doin' that stuff. I've been legit for a while now."
He avoided her eyes as he spoke. In actuality, he was worried about Mrs. Yuuki's rejecting him as a suitor. Just the thought of it happening made him try to think of other reassuring things to say to the woman before it was too late.
But after one quick look into apprehensive green eyes, his bravado was deflated.
"Ahhh, shit." He sighed. "Of course it's not all right! What mother in her right mind is gonna want someone like me bein' with their only daughter? Why th' hell should she?"
What he said might be true, but Miaka felt herself beginning to feel a slow burn in listening to the ex-bandit castigate himself. After all the times he'd fought for her, after almost dying because of her, after denying himself the companionship of other women because of her, after telling her to her face that he had been born to love her… the great and powerful Tasuki was thinking of throwing in the towel over a mere trifle like motherly disapproval?
No! She wouldn't allow it! She wouldn't allow him to lose hope this easily!
"Tasuki, I appreciate that you respect my mother's opinion, but what matters most is how I feel about you!" She stated, unmindful of the increasing volume of her voice. "I couldn't care less about you having been a bandit! It doesn't define who you are now!"
He looked past her, then down, refusing to meet her eyes. "You think it's wrong to care what she thinks?"
"No! I'm saying that she doesn't think that way! And even if she did, it's not our problem!"
"But she's your Ma."
Getting to her feet and putting her hands on her hips, Miaka tossed the ends of her hair back over her shoulders, giving the room's other onlookers the impression of a high-strung, thoroughbred filly. "I can't believe you're acting like this, Tasuki!" She said hotly. "If you're having second thoughts about us, fine. But if you let my mother's opinion of your previous employment get in the way of our being together, I swear I'm gonna fry you with your own tessen! Are you listening? WHY ARE YOU GRINNING LIKE THAT?"
"Thanks a lot, Mi-chan." Tasuki was still grinning. "I was lookin' for an excuse to skip out."
"It's humiliating." Miaka fumed, as she sank to the cold floor of the corridor. "Chided by Taiits-kun, then kicked out of the room, right in front of Mom and Keisuke! I'm never going to hear the end of this!"
"Little baka! Ya shoulda thought of that before ya lost your temper!"
"Oh, you're a good one to talk about losing tempers!" She huffed, glaring at him. "And furthermore, if you hadn't made me so angry, this wouldn't have happened!"
Tasuki crouched down in front of her. "What's with that face?" He cajoled. "It's not as bad as ya think! I'm sure that Taiits-kun had t'have another reason to give us the heave than us makin' a little noise, right? I mean, she didn't break a sweat or even yell that much... "
"You don't understand! I'm trying to do what you're trying to do with Keisuke- show Mom that I can be a responsible person, so she won't have to worry about me so much when I leave home. What is she going to think of me, now that I've caused a scene like this?"
"I don't know how your mom's thinkin'." Tasuki admitted. As Miaka hung her head, he reached out a hand to capture a lock of her hair. Lowering his head, he kissed the shining auburn strands, and slowly let them slip through his fingers."But I can tell ya what I think."
She sniffled a bit and peeped at him through her lashes. "Wh-What's that?"
"I'm thinkin' that the only thing that counts here is what you an' I think of each other." He gave her an endearing, lopsided grin as she quickly looked up. "See? I was listenin'!"
She had to smile. "Thank you. And I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"It's okay- I deserved a kick in the ass for th' way I was actin'." Standing up, he stuck out a hand for hers. "This cozy little meetin' could take awhile, and I don't feel like campin' out in a damn corridor."
She allowed him to pull her to her feet. "Where are we going, Tasu-chan?"
The heat of a blush crept up Tasuki's neck as he stared down into bewitching green eyes. He wanted to say the words...why was it so damn hard to tell Miaka what was in his heart? Why couldn't he just come out and say it?
"It don't matter where. What's important to me is that we're goin' there together!" He declared gruffly.
It was the best he could do.
In the next few seconds that passed he realized in amazement that there was no need to worry about his lacking romantic finesse. Once again Miaka was proving she did understand him, for she planted a sweet, lingering kiss on his lips and then said happily,
"I love you too, Tasuki. Let's get out of here!"
To be continued!
Author's note:
I'd like to dedicate this chapter to the members of Banditscribe for being so supportive of me and my writing efforts :Mitsukake-sized hug: Thanks so much, guys!
I'm having a blast writing Keisuke and Miaka's mother...but I guess I can refer to her by her proper name now, right? :) I could not find anything online or off that said if Watase-san ever gave her a first name. I thought Takara was pretty and it sounded well with the surname Yuuki; it also has a meaning that I think fits in well with the small subplot I've developed for her.
By the way, I want to note that I'm aware that surnames precede first names in Japan. However, since this story is being written in English, it was easier to maintain consistency by writing names in the western tradition.
As always, a huge, heartfelt thank you to all who have been reading and/or reviewing this story. I appreciate it, very, very much.
Hugs,
KittyLynne