AN: Updated with edits and suggestions from Kitty Lynne. As always, her suggestions make everything so much better even if the changes are only a word or two here or there. She's magic.
Art of Love
Chapter 8
Red Courage
Heart thundering in her chest, Miaka froze as the piercing wail of braking tires filled the air and bright headlights blinded her. For a terrifying moment the world seemed to stop on the dark and congested street.
Milling passerby stopped to stare in horror as the limo careened towards her. Finally, her feet received the urgent message from her brain to move and she leaped awkwardly to the side. Unfortunately, the light dusting of gravel beneath her feet gave way and her leap turned into an all-out skid into the gutter.
Distantly, she could hear Tasuki screaming her name over the squealing of brakes applied by the driver of oncoming vehicle.
Not fast enough, she thought, squeezing her eyes shut.
There was a sharp screech followed by a dull thud, and pain blossomed throughout her left side. She laid there, the cold cement and gravel biting into her while the smell of burnt rubber assaulted her nose.
"Miaka! You okay, Miaka?"
She forced her eyes open. Above her was the gleaming chrome grill of the limousine, but between her and the vehicle was Tasuki. A trickle of blood escaped his hairline to run down his cheek, and instantly, Miaka understood what must have happened. When she'd failed to get out of the way and fallen, her Seishi had protected her by throwing himself between her and the oncoming vehicle. Judging by the imprint, his head had made contact with the grill.
"You're hurt! Why did you do that?" She scolded, sitting up and forcing him to sit back as well. Ignoring the stinging pain in her side, she inspected his face gently with a hand, apologizing as he winced.
"You know very well that's a stupid question." He attempted to cover up the wince by baring his teeth.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, she smiled a little. "Yes, I suppose it was." She knew that her Seishi would so anything to keep her from harm, but that didn't make seeing them hurt because of it any easier. "Thank you, Tasuki."
His smile flashed white in the darkness. "Yer welcome."
Between the commotion of people talking and cars passing by, she heard the sound of a car door opening and the frantic scuffling of shoes on pavement, but didn't really pay it any attention until-
"Are the two of you all right?"
That voice.
Miaka's grip on Tasuki's arm tightened as she looked up to see Hotohori… Andy Wong, kneeling over them in concern.
Tasuki's eyes widened in surprise and he stammered, "Hotoho-ho-holy shit." Only just managing to avoid calling him by the wrong name. "Andy Wong?"
Andy tilted his head in confusion at Tasuki, before turning his attention to Miaka and extending a hand. "
This is it. Miaka told herself. Make it count!
"I'm pretty sure I'm not hurt," she said, accepting Andy's hand and allowing him to help her to her feet where he placed both hands on her shoulders to steady her. "A few scrapes and a bruise or two, that's all."
Filled with embarrassment at her klutziness, she finally gazed up at him. Once she did, her heart skipped a beat and she found herself unable to look away. Andy seemed equally mesmerized by her, because he hadn't yet let go of her shoulders. Mouth suddenly dry, she added, "Really, I'm okay." And took a step to prove it.
Unfortunately, the second she placed weight on her right ankle it buckled beneath her.
Her yelp of pain snapped Andy out of his stasis, his hands quickly moving to grip her upper arms and keep her from falling. "You absolutely are not okay!" He scolded.
Her heart sank. Aside from the genuine concern she expected, there was none of the recognition she'd been so desperately hoping for. "Tasuki is bleeding..." she murmured.
"Miaka, ya hurt yer ankle." Tasuki growled. He'd clambered to his feet sometime during the exchange between Miaka and Andy. Cautiously, he looped her arm around his neck. "I'm fine. We need to have that looked at."
She shot Tasuki a pleading look. She didn't want to leave. This might be her one and only chance to interact with Andy and help him remember. Her throat closed up and her heart clenched at the thought of never seeing him again, but wasn't sure what to do to jog Andy's memory immediately or somehow buy them more time to do so.
In desperation, she focused on her memories of her royal warrior. She was the priestess! Couldn't she will it to happen?
You are Hotohori! Please Suzuku, let him remember...
"Miaka." Andy's brow furrowed. He'd taken a respectful step back from Miaka and Tasuki, he had yet to let go of Miaka entirely, his hand having slid down her arm to rest at her wrist. "Miaka..." he repeated.
Her heart gave another painful throb at the sound of her name on his lips. Was he remembering?
Tasuki was obviously torn between getting his priestess help and helping her complete the mission they'd set out to do. "You need a damn doctor. You can't walk on that ankle."
Before Tasuki or Miaka could protest, Andy gripped Miaka's hand firmly, squeezing once as he spoke. "He's right. You both need medical attention. Let me take you to the hospital."
Miaka gazed at him for a moment, feeling the warmth of his hand as a palpable thing seeping into her, at once surprised and unsure. When she didn't respond right away, Andy gently tugged her along and Tasuki immediately and naturally followed suit as the pop star ushered the two of them into his limousine as the crowd was starting to press closer.
"To the hospital!" Andy barked at his driver, once they were inside and the door closed. "And please watch out for pedestrians this time!"
The limousine lurched as they turned the first corner, causing Miaka to lose her balance and end up sprawled against Andy's chest, her face dangerously close to his.
"S-sorry." She stammered, her palms pressing gently against his chest in an attempt to right herself.
"I'm the one who should be apologizing." Her fingers automatically curled into his shirt at the way his voice made her insides melt. "Sometimes we have to make quick getaways and…" He trailed off, fingers flexing at her waist and Miaka realized that his arm had wrapped around her when she'd landed on him and had yet to let go. "Are you dizzy? Feeling ill?"
She could feel Tasuki's eyes on her, but was incapable of moving. "It's a minor injury."
Andy seemed to notice where his hands were and released her, thankfully averting his magnetic gaze as he did so. Tasuki snorted lightly, giving Miaka a knowing look.
Biting her lip, Miaka pulled back, managing to settle herself between her two Seishi on the leather seat, hoping the ride would be without further incident until they arrived at the hospital.
The emergency room was cold, sterile, and relatively empty. The latter meant that they could be seen quickly.
As Miaka waited on the examination table, foot propped up on a pillow and iced. Tasuki had refused to be examined first, wrestling her onto her new perch and settling down to wait until he was satisfied that she was okay. He and Andy watched her from the uncomfortable plastic chairs provided.
Tasuki leaned back, resting his head against the wall, holding an ice pack the nurse had given him to the side of his head. The small trickle of blood from earlier had already dried and he seemed no worse for the wear. Though he tried to hide it, his amber gaze kept flicking between Miaka and the man seated next to him.
Andy had insisted on staying with them until he knew that both of them would be okay. It was good the ER was slow, because he was a major distraction for the nurses with his tight black jeans, purple tank top, and a shimmery substance covering his body that Miaka couldn't decide was body glitter or the remnants of one of the special effects from the show.
Tasuki seemed to follow her thoughts, squinting in a combination of curiosity and distrust at Andy. "What is that shit, anyway?" He brushed roughly at his own shirt and pants where traces of sparkle could be seen. "It's getting all over me! And Miaka, too!" He groused.
"Occupational hazard. I apologize." Andy answered seriously, making no attempt to remove the offending substance from his person as he turned towards Miaka, his expression apologetic and maybe a little amused as she realized that some of the glitter had indeed managed to attach itself to her as well.
"Well," Miaka paused as she inspected her now shiny hand. "I suppose this means I can say you rubbed off on us!"
The two men snorted, breaking into suppressed laughter at the bad joke.
The moment was broken by the curtain being pulled back to reveal two familiar faces.
Tasuki sat bolt upright, grimacing from what Miaka assumed to be a nasty head rush. "Nuriko!"
"Keisuke!" Miaka gasped. How'd they know? Why was Keisuke here? He was her next of kin, but the more exposure her brother had to the situation the more likely he was to figure everything out!
"Hi, guys!" Nuriko observed Miaka's swollen ankle with mild exasperation, but Miaka couldn't help noticing his lingering glance towards Andy. "Good grief, Miaka, what have you done to yourself now?"
Miaka laughed, "Heh, heh, well you know me…" her gaze moved to Keisuke, who hovered in the background. At his raised eyebrows and pointed look between her and Andy, she shook her head ever so slightly, letting both Nuriko and Keisuke know that the other Seishi's memories hadn't been awakened yet. "The bigger question is, what on earth are you doing here?"
"We saw the accident." Keisuke answered.
When none of them showed any sign of understanding, he elaborated. "Being it involved Andy Wong, it's all over the news. The guys and I had to come and see what was up. We knew it would be crowded so we drew straws as to who'd actually get in."
Nuriko eyed Miaka's shoes with distaste. "Pfft. It's no wonder you fell."
"An astute observation. If I had a yen for every time I saw a fancy footwear related incident, I'd have enough to buy myself lunch after paying off my student loans."
Everyone turned to see the new arrival, whose unexpectedly deep baritone sent a strange thrill up Miaka's spine and grabbed the attention of everyone present. Only Andy chuckled at the joke; everyone else were too thunderstruck at the sight of the man standing in the "doorway" provided by the flimsy curtain.
An accident? Perhaps not, Miaka thought. His hair was a little shorter than she remembered, and probably had some product in it to achieve the chunky spikes he sported, but it was definitely Mitsukake! Had he always had those chiseled cheekbones? She didn't remember the angles of his face causing her stomach to do somersaults back in Konan...
T he tallest Seishi filled the tiny space with his broad-shouldered form, forcing Nuriko and Keisuke to shuffle sideways to a spot between Andy and the sink. He moved closer and Miaka was able to read the name Miojuan printed clearly across the top of his name badge.
"Miaka, is it?" His smile was kind.
"Yes."
"And what do we have here?"
She jumped when he lightly grasped her ankle and gently rotated her foot, oblivious to the way her skin tingled at the touch of his calloused fingers. "Does that hurt?" He asked, not bothering to look up from where he was now prodding the bruise that had formed on her ankle.
The scent of whatever soap he used smelled really good, giving rise to the memory of her latest dream, and making her fidget in his grasp. "A little," she admitted, her mouth drier than it should have been.
"Can you put any weight on it?" He glanced up at her with dark eyes, half-lidded due to the angle, and Miaka's heart skipped a beat.
"I couldn't earlier, that's why they brought me here. Honestly it's already feeling a little better." She wiggled her foot to prove it. "You should really take care of my friend Tasuki over there. I think he hit his head pretty hard."
Miojuan glanced at Tasuki before returning his attention to her ankle. "I've seen a lot of sprains like this. Had a couple myself, as I used to play a lot of sports in high school. This isn't a bad one, if you could walk in here. You'll be just fine with some elevation and ice." He rested his warm hand atop her foot for a moment, sparing her a nod of his head before turning on Tasuki and shining a penlight into the redhead's eyes.
"GAH! What the hell?" Tasuki sputtered. "That hurts, dammit!"
Mioujuan managed to hold the trashing bandit down using only one hand as he forced Tasuki to submit to his assessment. "Relax. It's just a simple test to determine whether or not you may have suffered any neurological side effects from the accident."
"With that damn light in my eye? Yeah, I'm reeaaaallllll relaxed."
"How many fingers am I holding up?"
"Um..." the redhead squinted. "Two?"
"You sound uncertain."
"It's a little blurry. But I'm right!"
Mioujuan made a 'tsking' sound and released Tasuki. "I'm afraid we may have to keep you overnight. You've suffered a slight concussion."
Tasuki's eyes bugged out. "Overnight? No way in hell. This place is fuckin'creepy! Miaka? Tell him I've got a hard head and I'm fine!"
Miaka hesitated. She wasn't exactly happy about this turn of events either, but she really didn't want to risk Tasuki passing out due to internal bleeding or ending up with brain damage either. "I can't really argue with the doctor on this one." Her voice became firm. "If he thinks you need to stay then you need to stay."
Tasuki glared and muttered to himself, but stopped arguing for the time being.
"Doctor, can we get a phone number to call so we can check in on him?" Andy asked.
"Of course." Mioujuan fished in one of his coat pockets and produced a business card. "I don't expect he'll have any problems. Feel free to call the main and they can connect you whenever you'd like." He turned back to Miaka, his somewhat harsh countenance softening as he laid a hand on her shoulder. "Be sure to come in for a follow up appointment next week, or sooner if you have any worsening symptoms."
Miaka nodded mutely, her voice having dried up in the heat emanating from that hand. His friendly professionalism was painful. Was he feeling the things she was feeling? And even if he was, it would be totally unprofessional for him to show it in his work setting. Finally, she managed a weak, "I'll do that."
"See that you do." Miojuan smiled warmly at her, squeezing her shoulder gently before he turned to leave. He paused as he reached the door, casting one last stern look over his shoulder before he left. "I'll be waiting."
As soon as Dr. Mioujuan had disappeared, Andy turned to Miaka. "Please, let me make this up to you." He turned brilliant gold eyes on Miaka. "May I take you two ladies to dinner?"
Nuriko preened. "Actually…" He deepened his voice. Just a little. "I'm a man."
"Astounding!" Andy's voice held not even a hint of guile or irony. "It's not often I meet men as lovely as myself." When he saw Miaka hesitate, glancing back at Tasuki, he continued, "But please, the offer stands! You should get something to eat-" he stopped as his cell phone began buzzing insistently and made a face after a glance at the caller ID. "I'm sorry, I have to take this...but please consider and accept. After all that's happened, it's the least I can do!"
He walked into the hallway beyond the examination room, his shoulders stiff as he answered the phone.
Right on cue, Miaka's stomach growled and she looked up at Nuriko sheepishly. "Hear that, Nuriko? It's the least he can do, and we don't want to be rude!"
Nuriko's voice pitched at his natural falsetto, drowning out Tasuki's protests about them getting food without him with his giggles. "Oh of course not! How could we refuse?"
"But what about Tasuki? We can't leave him alone in a place like this." Miaka whispered, eyeing the bandit who was looking very put out about the entire situation. She would have to find a way to make it up to him later.
"That is a conundrum, isn't it?" Nuriko agreed and pointedly turned his gaze in Keisuke's direction. "Gosh, if only there was someone willing to stay with him overnight…"
Miaka stared at her brother, nonplussed. She'd completely forgotten about his presence. She hadn't let anything slip had she? "Keisuke?" She asked tentatively.
Keisuke grinned and spread his arms. "The one and only."
From his calm demeanor, the cat was still in the bag. Relieved, Miaka clasped her hands and batted her eyelashes theatrically. "Have I ever told you that you're my hero, big brother?"
"If you had, I certainly wouldn't mind hearing it more often!" Keisuke's laugh sounded a tad maniacal and Miaka was suddenly worried for her bandit Seishi's well-being.
Seeing her apprehension, Keisuke lost the crazy glint in his eye, and laid a comforting hand on his sister's shoulder and leaned in to whisper with urgency, "Look, I'll take care of him. This is your only opportunity. You have to make Andy remember you. No matter what!"
"But how?" She whispered back.
Keisuke sighed, continuing in a normal tone. "Hotohori always loved you. He loved you before he met you and even after he was married to another woman." He flushed and looked away in embarrassment. "You need to remind of what he felt- what he feels! But please don't make me say how..."
When Miaka could only look at him with confusion, Nuriko interrupted. "For Pete's sake, Miaka! Use your feminine wiles! He's still a man, after all. If he doesn't remember what it's like to want you, then nothing will ever work!"
Keisuke made a face, but nodded. "Yeah. What he said." His eyes took on the ridiculous sparkle they always did whenever romantic discussions arose. "The power of love conquers all, Miaka. You and your warriors have proven that time and time again! You can do this! I believe in you!"
Miaka smiled and nodded at her brother. "Thanks, Keisuke."
Keisuke stepped out to find some coffee while they waited for Andy to return. It took the singer longer than anticipated to return from his phone call, and when he finally did, he had someone with him. Miaka frowned as she assessed him; the newcomer was middle aged, balding, and had a paunch that pulled his suit buttons taut across his belly. He carried a brown leather briefcase and had a smarmy air about him that didn't sit well with her.
He started speaking immediately after he entered, placing his briefcase on the limited counter space to open it and begin rifling through papers. "Good evening, all. I am Mr. Kimoto and I represent the interests of Mr. Wong." Deafening silence greeted this announcement, and Mr. Kimoto glanced up to see everyone looking at him in confusion. He offered them a tight smile and an embarrassed looking Andy jumped in before Kimoto could say more.
"I am so sorry. Kimoto is one of my agents and handles much of my publicity and legal issues. I tried to keep him out of it, but he insisted on coming down right away."
Kimoto continued to smile, though the gesture did not reflect in his eyes. "That is correct. And in instances like this, you understand that injuring one of his fans, even accidentally, could look very bad for Mr. Wong's image."
Miaka gasped. "I didn't even think about that!" The idea that Andy's career could be hurt by something she had done, even accidentally, made her feel awful. "I would never want to cause him any trouble." She added.
"I am happy to hear that, Ms. Yuuki. So many people would try to take advantage of something like this. It's just sickening, you know?" In businesslike fashion, Mr. Kimoto began sorting the papers into piles as he spoke. "Of course, Mr. Wong will be happy to cover any and all medical expenses for this dreadful accident."
Miaka took the papers numbly, trying to read them as Mr. Kimoto continued speaking.
"All we require in exchange is for you and your friend to sign this document …"
Nuriko frowned, looking over Miaka's shoulder at the paper suspiciously. "What does this document say?"
As Kimoto placed similar documents on Tasuki's lap, the bandit eyed him warily, looking to Miaka for some sort of clue as to how to behave, though Miaka could see the ire rising quickly within the fiery Seishi.
Kimoto waved the question aside with a nonchalant gesture. "It's nothing. A simple nondisclosure agreement and liability waiver."
Miaka wasn't sure she completely understood, but didn't really have much of a chance to ask questions before the papers were plucked out of her hands by Nuriko, who scanned the documents quickly, his beautiful face reddening with anger the more he read. By the time he was finished, his voice had dropped to a low growl. "Liability? I'll give you some liability!"
Shoving the disagreeable documents back into the agent's hands, the purple-haired Seishi wasted no time in telling the man exactly what he thought of him. Words not fit to print punctuated the tirade and made Miaka's jaw drop.
By the time Nuriko was finished, Mr. Kimoto was red-faced and furious.
"Well! I will not stay here and subject myself to this kind of verbal abuse!" Kimoto huffed, and turned to leave. Miaka was hard pressed to hang onto Nuriko as he started after the other man, rolling up his sleeves.
"Why you slimy-!"
"Nuriko, stop!" Miaka pulled desperately on his shirt. Without looking, Nuriko reached back and shook her off, laser focused on chasing after Kimoto. What amounted to a slight push for an average man sent Miaka flying back. She stumbled wildly, and yelped as her foot moved in the wrong direction and her injured ankle was tweaked all over again.
"Stop!"
Andy was up and out of the ugly plastic chair in an instant, situating himself between Nuriko and Miaka as though it were the most natural thing in the world, his chi flaring protectively. One arm looped around Miaka again, supporting her so that she didn't put more strain on her bad ankle, and the other was up and brandishing a generic plastic pen stamped with Tokyo Metro Hospital he'd grabbed and held as though it were the most elegant of weapons.
Nuriko froze and blanched, his eyes wide and apologetic at what he'd just done. "Miaka, I—I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me!"
Clearly, it had been an accident and Miaka had already forgiven him. She could see Tasuki fuming slightly out of the corner of her eye, he'd also jumped up, but had stayed back once Andy had gotten involved. "I know you didn't mean it. It's all right."
The arm around her waist tightened, pulling her closer to Andy—who was still pointing the pen at Nuriko in a hilariously serious manner. But he wasn't paying attention to Nuriko anymore, his attention was focused solely on the woman in his grasp as he gazed down at her with sudden and heartfelt recognition in his eyes. "Miaka! At last!"
Something in Andy's tone of voice had changed. The symbol on his neck had flared to life, and was pulsing a deep red. His chi had calmed from the heat of battle, but now reached out to touch hers in recognition that was like a caress. Almost afraid to hope, voice soft with longing, she asked, "You...you remember?"
Hotohori lowered his weapon, automatically 'sheathing' it on a belt loop, never taking his eyes off her. His free hand rose to cup her cheek, and his eyelids half-closed as he brought his face close to hers murmuring, "How could I forget? All my life, I've dreamt of one woman. That is you, Miaka!"
"Ahem."
Nuriko's blunt reminder that she and Hotohori were not the only people in the room had her jumping back guiltily. In truth, she didn't get very far, what with her wrenched ankle and Hotohori clutching her to his chest. Dreading a return to conflict, she chanced a glance.
But Nuriko didn't look upset. His expression held a friendly sort of knowing look that communicated both respect and an awareness of the undercurrents of desire.
His grip on her relaxing, Hotohori greeted his brother Seishi with a slow smile that had Miaka and Nuriko melting. "My dear Nuriko."
"And what am I? Sashimi?" Tasuki barked irately.
"Tasuki! My brother warrior." Hotohori didn't even try to mask the emotion in his voice at seeing his priestess and two of his companions again. "It's been too long."
He had yet to let go of Miaka, instead his hands continued to find new places to rest and excuses to touch her. Almost like a nervous habit. Right now, they rested on her shoulders as he stood behind her, his chi cascading over her in waves. Miaka tiled her head back to look up at him fondly. "We have much to discuss with you." He informed her somberly.
Nuriko and Tasuki shared an amused expression. The former emperor stared at them reprovingly. "I fail to see what's funny about telling Miaka about the summoning?"
"She already knows about it, Your Highness." Nuriko told him.
"She does?" Hotohori's grip slackened as he looked down into his Priestess' eyes. "You do?"
She couldn't help giggling at his mortified tone and expression. "Yes I do." Hearing footsteps echoing down the hallway she added seriously, "But my brother doesn't, so please don't say anything about the new ritual in front of him!"
Hotohori had just enough time to nod in silent agreement when Keisuke burst into the room, laden with various items from the vending machine.
"Who wants a drink? I have coffee, tea, soda…" his voice trailed off, his gaze going from Hotohori's hands on his sister's shoulders to the very limited amount of space the Emperor left between their bodies. He shot a questioning look at his sister. Her smile was all the answer he needed, and suddenly he was pumping the air with his fist in excitement. "What'd I tell you, Miaka? I knew he'd remember you!"
She laughed nervously, a hand covering one of Hotohori's gently. "That you did."
Preening, Keisuke scoffed, "And you doubted me. Who's the man? I'm the man!"
Humoring her overzealous and excitable brother, Miaka agreed. "You are definitely the man!"
Hotohori raised an eyebrow, extending a hand. "Keisuke? I feel I should know you-?"
Taking the proffered hand, Keisuke clasped it firmly and pumped it up and down in his enthusiasm. "Hi Andy, I'm Keisuke Yuuki, Miaka's older brother. Or should I say, Hotohori-" as the Seishi's name passed his lips, Keisuke blinked, suddenly seeming to remember exactly who Hotohori was. In an instant he'd dropped the hand, instead switching to a deep bow. "I mean-it's an honor to make your acquaintance, Your Majesty. Thank you for protecting and being so good to my little sister."
Hotohori returned the bow with a gracious smile, afterwards reaching out to pat Keisuke on the shoulder. "No need for such formalities, Keisuke. The honor is mine."
Somewhere between awestruck and relieved, Keisuke nodded.
Outside, a nearby clock abruptly tolled the late hour—One in the morning!—and Miaka made a face. "Well, I suppose we should get back to the others. They'll be wondering what happened!"
Nuriko's smile was sly. "I wouldn't be surprised if they already know. Your chi is blazing like a small star."
Sure enough, and Nuriko and Tasuki's chi had risen in response. The amount of energy trapped in the small space was almost too much, and Miaka flushed when Tasuki and Hotohori nodded their agreement, suddenly glad that her brother couldn't read chi.
Hotohori frowned. "Where do you live?"
"All the way in Shibuya." Nuriko supplied.
"We can make it," Miaka insisted.
"Nonsense." Hotohori's wave of dismissal held a touch of imperial authority. "It's late and your apartment is all the way across town. My place is closer and I have more than enough room for the two of you to stay the night."
With the late hour, no available trains, and some subtle coaxing from Nuriko, Miaka found herself entering a large house with its own parklike grounds. In the dark, Miaka couldn't appreciate what the outside looked like, but luxury oozed from every crevice of the lavishly decorated space. "Wow!"
Nuriko was likewise impressed, looking around with the practiced eye of a designer. "This is almost as nice as the palace, Your Highness."
"Thank you." Hotohori smiled graciously as he helped Miaka remove her jacket. "Please, think of this as your own home. I will be staying here indefinitely. Luckily, my tour is over. I was planning on returning home to China, but obviously we have a higher duty to attend to…" He leaned close, pitching his voice low in her ear and Miaka shivered in response. "Who else have you found?"
Nuriko had wandered into the next room but returned to tick names off on his fingers. "You, me, Tasuki, Chichiri, and Tamahome."
"So that leaves only Mitsukake to awaken and Chiriko to find." Hotohori sounded impressed.
"I'm a little worried," Miaka admitted. "Taiitsukun didn't give us a time frame or anything. But how bad must things be if I'm able to find all of you so quickly?"
"Aw, Miaka, don't be such a worry-wart." Nuriko pulled her from Hotohori's grasp to clap her on the back firmly. "Think of it as a sign of how strong your connection with each of us really is. I know I feel it."
He gave her a look that had her toes curling, and yet his words calmed and relaxed her enough to allow a loud yawn to escape. "Thanks, Nuriko." She covered her mouth shyly. "Sorry. I didn't expect to be out this late."
"That's quite all right, Miaka." Hotohori gestured for the two of them to follow him and headed up the stairs and down the hallway. "Let me show you to the guest rooms."
Astoundingly, there were enough rooms to house all of the Seishi and probably a few extra. Hotohori showed Nuriko to one that almost looked as though it had been made for him, decorated in hues from dark violet to pale lavender and touches of magenta. The room managed to feel both masculine and feminine at the same time what with the large sturdy furniture made of rich mahogany and delicate china on display.
"Your Majesty?" Nuriko's voice wavered. "Does this mean you...remember everything about me?"
"It does." Hotohori seemed a little embarrassed. "No matter what house I have owned, I've always had to have a certain number of rooms decorated in different and particular fashions. I just seemed right somehow. Now... at last...I know why."
Miaka nodded in understanding. Somehow, his subconscious must have been preparing to meet his Priestess and fellow warriors again. The idea warmed her heart.
The room set aside for her was a mix of soft pinks and blues. Feminine as well, but simple tastes with lots of pillows and soft textures. Miaka thought she could hear the bed calling to her with its sweet siren song of repose. Before she had the chance to launch herself onto it, Hotohori's low voice was in her ear again.
"Miaka? May I speak to you. Alone?" His eyes flickered in the low light of the hotel suite, casting a meaningful glance at Nuriko.
Miaka watched the wordless exchange with trepidation, suddenly reminded of the disastrous night she'd gone to Hotohori's room to try and hint at Nuriko's feelings. But Nuriko simply nodded at them and turned to head towards his own room with a courteousness that touched her.
Once upon a time, Nuriko would have given an ominous death glare, then spun into a jealous rage or tearful lament. Now, he'd quietly and willingly left the man he'd once held romantic feelings for alone with a rival for those unrequited affections.
Hotohori was silent until the click of Nuriko's door shutting echoed down the hallway. Then he turned Miaka to face him, his voice soft. "I know this whole scenario must've come as a shock to you. Are you sure you're okay with this?"
She ducked her head in an attempt to hide the rush of heat in her cheeks. "It has been kind of a lot to take in."
"Indeed." Her seishi replied solemnly.
She risked a peek up at him through her bangs. "How about for you?"
Hotohori had the grace to look embarrassed, color in his own cheeks and a hand rubbing at the base of his neck under the low pony-tail. It was a habit infused with uncertainty and a humility that he must have acquired in this life as Andy Wong; Miaka couldn't remember Hotohori being uncertain about anything. Especially when it came to his feelings for her.
"When Taiitsukun presented the idea to the four of us… we weren't sure what to make of the proposition either." His hand dropped from the back of his neck to rest against her cheek. "Of course, the chance of being with you again was one I had to take." And just like that, the embarrassment was gone. His eyes met hers and his voice dropped an octave. "Even if I can only have one small part of your heart."
His hand left her cheek to brush tendrils of hair back from her forehead, the gentle gesture and tender words sparking a long-hidden desire for the man before her. The feelings were so overwhelming that Miaka found herself unable to respond. She was a passionate person, but she was no poet. Hotohori had always been a master of words and nothing she could say would ever compare to the warm tapestry he could weave with his voice.
And so she choked on her emotions, rendered mute with the strength of them as his longing gaze searched her face.
After a moment, the light dimmed ever so slightly and he clasped her hands gently between his own. "I love you Miaka, with all my heart. You know this. If you can return my feelings, even just a little, it will make me the happiest man in all the world."
Miaka's lip trembled and tears sprang to her eyes. Of all her Seishi, Hotohori had loved her the longest. Arguably, long before they'd even met. Forcing her hands to remain steady, she withdrew them from the warmth of Hotohori's grasp, and her heart broke as she saw hope drain from his face and rigidness set into his shoulders.
"Miaka, I—"
She didn't let him finish.
Her hands shot out to tangle in the loose hair that escaped the pony-tail at the base of his neck, pulling him down to her level to press her lips to his.
There was a muffled sound of surprise that morphed into a groan the moment their lips made contact. The kiss was no more than the simple touching of lips, but the contact melted the stiffness from her seishi's shoulders as his hands settled tentatively at her waist.
Her grip on his hair loosened and she rose slightly on her toes as Hotohori lifted his head momentarily. The light was back, though clouded with confusion as she pulled back to blurt, "I love you, too!"
Hotohori tensed, his fingers tightening against her skin as her hands dropped to cover her mouth in shock at what she'd just said. For a moment, Miaka was horrified at herself. The bold words had just slipped out. However, now that they'd been said, she knew she meant them with all her heart.
"I've loved you for a long time. I just could never let myself feel it." She swallowed, her throat dry. Those words were now ringing true in regard to all her Seishi, but considering their history, she felt Hotohori in particular needed to hear it. "Do you think you can ever forgive me?"
Hotohori sucked in a breath, his voice low as he said, "There is nothing to forgive." His arms enveloped her neatly, her face cradled in the hollow of his neck and shoulder. "You have given me everything."
"Hotohori…" Miaka's arms came up to embrace her Seishi, holding him to her with a desperation she hadn't realized was there. He released her, bringing one hand to gently lift her chin and cover her lips with his own.
His lips were soft, moving sensually across her own and coaxing her into responding. The fingers at her chin brushed her jaw as he cupped the side of her face. What began as a chaste pressing of lips became a torrid tangling of tongues. The hand still resting at her waist pulled her closer, grasping at the curve of her backside. Miaka moaned, her hands having slipped past the flimsy cloth of his tank top to splay across the heated flesh of his chest.
When fingers discovered the gap between her shirt and the waist of her jeans, she shivered in anticipation. When had Hotohori gotten so forward? In all the times he'd kissed her before, he'd never touched her quite so intimately. Even when he'd been hovering over her in his bedchambers, his hands had never wandered.
Now, those hands were urging her towards the bed to lay her down on the fluffy duvet. This time, however, Miaka was touching him back. Body glitter stuck to her cheeks and clothes, marking every place he touched. A fact he reveled in somewhat possessively as he arched over her, his heart singing with every kiss.
When the full weight of him settled on her hips, Miaka reluctantly pulled back before things could grow any more heated. "Hotohori," she panted, her voice husky, "not yet. We can't—"
"I know. I know. " He rolled off of her with a groan. "Whoever thought up the rules for the summoning ceremony must be a bit of a sadist."
Miaka had to giggle. "There aren't any rules against snuggling." She pointed out warmly.
"Very true." He smiled, and moved close, tucking her head under his chin and holding her as his chi washed over her in calming waves. It wasn't long before the both of them drifted blissfully off to sleep.
To be continued...