AN: I've been gone so long you guys deserve two chapters in less than a week. And this one is damn long. 14 pages! **reuploaded with edits and suggestions from the amazing Kitty Lynne, who has kindly continued to beta for me!
Art of Love
Chapter 9
Red Courage
Nuriko rolled over, catching a look at himself in the mirror placed over the dresser. He hadn't slept well, and it showed. His eyes were puffy and his hair was a disaster.
He'd managed to play it cool with Hotohori asking to spend time alone with Miaka, and judged his effort a success by the look of gratitude Miaka had given him as he'd exited to the room that Hotohori had given him for the night.
But he wasn't cool with it. At least, not completely.
Though there were walls between his room and Miaka's and they appeared to have excellent soundproofing, they were certainly not chi-proof and there was no hiding the way Hotohori and Miaka's chi had practically melded into one. Should he have interrupted? Taitsukun hadn't specified Miaka needed to remain a virgin until the ceremony, but maybe that sort of energy expenditure prior to the actual event could throw something off?
Uncertainty and the idea of barging into Miaka's room the way he had in the book had his mind spinning various ways that little scenario could end. While Hotohori had never really given an indication that he liked men other than generic appreciation of beauty, that didn't stop Nuriko's overactive imagination from indulging in a little fantasy. After all, Hotohori had married Houki, who could have been Nuriko's twin sister...
Stop thinking that way. He told himself harshly. The last thing he needed right now was for the two of them realizing he was riled up in sensing his own chi flaring in response to theirs. And there was no doubt in his mind that they would.
Since regaining his memories, Hotohori had been all over Miaka, physically and with his chi—Nuriko wasn't even sure the former Emperor was aware he was doing it, he'd always been a natural at sharing his life force with Miaka. Hotohori had always loved Miaka deeply and it seemed effortless for his energy to be expended towards the Priestess the way it had, covering her with a blanket of spiritual and psychic energy that screamed his feeling and intentions for her.
Even a few rooms over, the intensity of it made Nuriko shiver with desire. It also sparked the remnants of jealousy; there had been a time when he'd have tried anything to get Hotohori to look at him like that, to exude even a micron of that sort of emotion in his direction.
But alas, it was not to be. Though the two of them had bonded as the most beautiful and elegant members of the Suzaku Seven, Hotohori had surely never seen him that way. The knowledge had hurt, and still stung a little to some degree. And to add to that sting was that his feelings for Miaka had grown and finding himself caught between the both of them—it felt like an inner tug of war, along with being just plain left out!
He'd been the first Seishi to find Miaka again the other morning, saving her from the billboard. That had to count for something, right? He'd seen her checking him out! But then Tamahome had been there and then Tasuki and Chichiri… Due to extenuating circumstances, Nuriko figured he'd gotten to spend the least amount of time with Miaka since his reawakening.
Cockblocks. All of them.
Although he knew it wasn't entirely the other Seishi's fault. It had been far too easy for he and Miaka to fall right back into old and comfortable habits. Once again, he was the safe one. The girlfriend with a penis. Did Miaka even realize he had a penis?
Of course she did. Nuriko groaned into his pillow as he gave in to his urges and let his hands wander down his own body. She'd even touched it once! Briefly. In order to confirm that he was indeed a man after she'd accidentally discovered his flat chest. Nuriko closed his eyes, letting his imagination run. His hand wrapped firmly around himself, pumping gently as he imagined his Priestess' curious lips and tongue discovering once and for all the proof of his manhood.
Keeping his own chi under control was difficult, especially when Hotohori and Miaka's were pulsating like his own hammering heartbeat. Nuriko came quickly, spilling himself onto his stomach in a rush as the energy next door peaked.
Thankfully, whatever had been going on died down shortly after that and Nuriko breathed a sigh of relief and had eventually fallen into fitful sleep. He'd been awfully turned on and the amount of self-control it had taken not to barge into the other room and fling himself into the middle of their make-out session screaming 'love me too' was not something he wanted to repeat. He'd have to ask Chichiri if it was possible to chi-proof walls. Otherwise this would be a huge problem in the future.
With a groan born of poor sleep and sexual frustration, Nuriko made his way to the attached bathroom. What had he been thinking, agreeing to live like this for the rest of his life?
Miaka.
The voice that called her name this time was eager, enthusiastic, and deeper than she remembered. The shift in timbre was unexpected, and Miaka felt herself responding just as eagerly, accepting his shy kisses and wondering when he'd gotten so tall.
Tilting her head back, Miaka kissed him back with growing fervor, pressing herself against a lanky and taut body. The hands that held her were strong now, but Miaka could feel them shaking slightly in poorly masked timidity.
In comparison to some of her previous and almost overwhelming experiences, his inexperience was endearing. His hands ghosted along her body, as though he were thinking too much about where to put them to actually make a decision. Though she herself was still unsure, her lover was sweet and seemingly willing to let her guide him.
Grabbing his hands, Miaka pushed him backwards until she was the one lying on top. He gasped, looking up at her in wonder as she lowered herself onto him. His eyes closed and his breath hitched, hips rising to meet hers tentatively.
They moved together slowly, both taking their time as the heat between them began to build. Being on top was different. Her lover touched her in all new places in this position. It wasn't long before Miaka felt her muscles begin to twitch. She released his hands and leaned over, her hands pressing him into the covers at the shoulders. He panted, hands moving to clasp her hips, his eyes on hers lovingly, his movements becoming more ambitious the closer to completion they came. It was only a matter of time before—
Miaka's eyes flew open. Hotohori was still asleep, his face mere inches from hers. She flushed deeply. She'd just had another premonition that had left her feeling hot and bothered as well as a sharp pang of guilt over falling asleep in Hotohori's arms and being awakened by dreams about another man.
She covered her face with her hands and hoped she'd just disappear. She felt like a whore. She knew it wasn't true, but she couldn't help feeling like she'd just betrayed the man currently lying next to her. It wasn't as if she'd done it on purpose, but it still didn't feel quite right. So familiar, yet she didn't recall him looking so grown up...
Chiriko.
Yes! She'd had a premonition about Chiriko! That meant they were close! The feeling that she'd done something wrong faded a little with her realization. Maybe once all of her Seishi were with her again she wouldn't have these dreams anymore.
Hotohori's eyelids fluttered and then opened, drawing her deep into the soft golden pools of his gaze. His smile made her weak at the knees and glad she was already lying down. Everything about the man was positively unfair. He reached a hand out to brush a thumb against her cheek, coming away with sparkles of glitter.
"I'm afraid you'll be finding these for some time." The apology was evident in his voice, but his eyes glowed with mischief. "It's all over you." The light in his eyes shifted to one of intent and his hand was on her cheek again as he moved in for a kiss. "I'm jealous."
His words made Miaka blush all the way from her toes to the roots of her hair. He was so much more forward than she remembered. Although she couldn't say she hated it, it threw her for a loop when he said things like that. His kiss was gentle, but she could sense a familiar sort of possessiveness that rivaled Tamahome's.
"The quickest way to kill love is with jealousy," Miaka quoted Chichiri softly. She'd overheard him use the mantra with the other Seishi a few times. She forced herself to sit up so that she was the one looking down at him. "At least, that's what I've heard." She added, as he stretched, reminding Miaka of a large cat.
"Wise words, Miaka." He lay still, watching her contentedly. "I will do well to remember them."
Miaka let out a breath of relief, immediately feeling shy again. "What… how…" She struggled to find a way to say what she wanted to ask. "After the ceremony… Taitsukun says we'll be able to be in both worlds at will. What…what will you do?" He did, after all, have a wife and son in the other world. Miaka swallowed. She couldn't help but feel a stab of jealousy over the situation, giving her a sudden and unexpected reminder of feelings she remembered crushing back in the book when they'd returned to Konan, knowing she had no right to feel that way toward Hotohori when she'd chosen Tamahome.
Hotohori frowned and looked away for a moment, clearly taking time to gather his thoughts. "My life as Emperor ended when I took my last breath on that battlefield. If I were to suddenly return to Konan, it would create chaos." He looked back at her, his gaze heavy. "I have a whole new life in this world and to try and straddle two worlds would be impossible. I could not give Konan my full attention. And though Houki still holds space in my heart, it would be cruel of me to disrupt her life and have to explain our..." his voice trailed off for a beat or two, "... our new arrangement in regards to the summoning ceremony."
Miaka nodded, her face burning once more. Though Hotohori had the ability and freedom to be in either world, it seemed wise of him to, at least for now, try to keep things simple. Perhaps someday, after they'd performed the ceremony and discussed what was to be expected of the reincarnated Seishi in regard to Konan, he could work something out with the Empress. Which led to an inevitable question on a topic she hadn't broached with the rest of her Seishi. "And what, exactly, is our new arrangement going to be?"
As far as she understood, the Ceremony was a one and done kind of thing. And while Miaka was coming to terms with the idea that she could love more than one of her Seishi enough to perform the ceremony, she was also quickly realizing that she would want more from each of her warriors afterwards, and she wasn't sure how her Seishi felt about that kind of commitment. Although last night, Hotohori had made it pretty clear that what he wanted from her was to love her and be loved in return—and it had even sounded like he'd be open to sharing.
Even just one small part of your heart, He'd said.
Threading his fingers with hers and squeezing, Hotohori smiled. "It will be whatever you are willing to give me."
Damn it all, he was right, Miaka thought as she checked herself in the mirror. Even after a thorough shower, the glitter clung stubbornly to her face and hair. Still wrapped in a towel, she could see the tiny specks had managed to travel other places as well, giving credence to Hotohori's earlier remark that she would be finding the stuff for some time.
What had Fuu called it once? The herpes of craft supplies?
Hotohori had left earlier to shower in his own room and Miaka found herself glad for the reprieve. His intensity was endearing and made her insides quiver in response but at this juncture she almost found it to be too much. There was still so much she needed to know about the other Seishi and their thoughts and feelings, and the temptation of Hotohori and his open desire was just going to get her in trouble.
A sharp knock at her door made her jump. "Yes? Who is it?"
"It's me!"
Hearing Nuriko's falsetto made Miaka's heart leap a little. "Come in!" She called, relieved when she heard him enter the room at a normal pace. She'd been worried about how he'd react to her after last night. The situation with her and Hotohori had been remarkably similar to what had occurred in the other world and on that occasion, Nuriko had been furious to the point of being ready to murder her the next morning.
Nuriko rounded the corner to the bathroom and froze, his violet eyes widening at the sight of Miaka in nothing but a towel. "Eh… are you sure you don't want me to wait outside?"
"Of course not. You've seen me naked before, haven't you?" Technically at this point that statement rang true for nearly all of her Seishi, but Nuriko was different. There was just a totally different level of comfort with him than existed with the rest of her warriors.
"That was different." Nuriko protested while coming to stand behind her, his gaze meeting hers in their reflection. "You were gonna catch your death in those wet things."
Miaka laughed as she towel-dried the rest of her hair. "Yeah, I guess you're right." She tossed her head, letting the auburn locks fall across her very bare pale shoulders. "No chance of that here."
In the mirror she could see Nuriko's gaze darken the way it had back at the apartment. Pretending she hadn't seen it, Miaka adjusted the towel wrapped around her body, but stopped as the simple action had Nuriko's posture stiffening and his hands rose on either side of her to grip the edge of the counter, caging her to rest his chin on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Nuriko. I mean, am I making you uncomfortable?"
"Did you forget, Miaka?" Nuriko voice had lowered, his nose brushing her ear as he spoke. "I'm a man too."
Miaka held back a shiver, a hand grasping her towel to her chest, lest it try to fall off. No she hadn't forgotten. She chewed her lip nervously, unable to break eye contact with her Seishi's reflection as he stared at her. "Of course I haven't forgotten," she said, her voice coming out much breathier than she'd intended. Something about having Nuriko's arms around her like that was strangely thrilling.
Slowly, as though he were afraid he'd spook her, Nuriko released the counter, bringing his hands back to rest at her hips and pulling her back against him. He smiled as her eyes widened when she felt him nestled against her backside. Pressing his lips to her ear, voice thick with emotion, he murmured, "Sometimes...I think you do."
This time, Miaka couldn't hold back her reaction and trembled in response. He'd always been a mystifyingly perfect blend of masculine and feminine, and the knowledge that his slight frame held such power was equally fascinating and terrifying. "I've never doubted your manhood," she chose her words carefully, her free hand raising to tenderly brush his face. She got the sense that what was transpiring had more to it than Nuriko waking up with a hard-on. Something had her Seishi up in arms and she was desperate to make it right. "Is that what you think?"
Face pink, Nuriko buried his face in her shoulder, the firm hands on her hips relaxing to circle her waist. "I don't know what I think!" He admitted, finally breaking eye contact and sighing. "I just know…that I want you. Same as Tamahome, Hotohori… everyone. But…sometimes it feels like you'll only ever think of me as a friend." His arms tightened. "A girlfriend."
Suddenly it clicked. "Ah." Miaka relaxed into his embrace. "I see." She fell silent, letting him hold her as her mind struggled to put what she felt into words. Oddly enough, the words that came to mind were the ones spoken by their friends after Nuriko's death at the hands of Ashitare.
Was he a man? Was he a woman? The others had said. Whatever he was, he was cool.
"Nuriko is Nuriko," Miaka said firmly, letting go of her grip on the towel to place it over Nuriko's arms at her waist. The hand at his cheek stroked him fondly as she turned her face to nuzzle his. "I'm sorry if I said anything that made you feel like less of a man. Or a woman. You are who you are and your happiness is all that's ever mattered to me in that regard. In the future, feel free to point that out to me and I'll do my best to not make you feel that way again."
Nuriko blinked away tears at her sincerity, squeezing her tight again as he breathed in the scent of her hair. "When I'm with you, like this, I'm all man," He groaned and Miaka felt his chi fluttering against her own, delicate as a butterfly. "But I'm afraid I'll hurt you."
"You'd never hurt me." Miaka squeezed his hand, turning in his grasp to wrap her arms around his neck, incidentally, pressing the rest of herself to him, separated only by the towel. "And I know this because even when you hated me you never unleashed your full Nuriko potential on me, even after you thought I'd slept with Hotohori. So give yourself some credit."
The memory made Nuriko cackle. "That's true. I could've ripped your scrawny little body limb from limb." He shook her side to side playfully in a paltry demonstration of his strength.
"Who's scrawny?" Miaka screeched in mock rage, pulling back to glare playfully at him.
"You are, obviously." Nuriko rolled his eyes. "Although your figure has definitely improved since those days."
"Nuriko…" Miaka flushed, unsure what to do now that he was flirting again. Their usual easy banter was comfortable for her—probably because it kept her from thinking of him like this. But he seemed determined not to let her fall back into that pattern just now as he held her close, their faces no more than a few inches apart.
"Miaka…" The arms coiled around her waist shifted suddenly, lifting her onto her tip toes to bring their lips within millimeters.
"Yes, Nuriko?" She breathed.
"I would really like to kiss you now."
Miaka had just barely inclined her head when he bent to her, closing that last bit of distance to covering her lips with his own. Her eyes slid shut as she kissed him back, a soft squeak escaping when he tilted his head to expertly deepen the kiss. He did not easily relinquish control of their kiss when Miaka pulled back in order to breathe, trying to follow her until she hid her face against his neck.
Stymied for the moment, he leaned against her, breathing hard, head on her shoulder and staring at himself holding her in the mirror. Out of range of reflection, another part of his anatomy pushed against her firmly, making him wish he'd stayed out in the hallway.
Miaka was practically buzzing with happiness when she walked into her apartment building later that morning hand in hand with Nuriko and Hotohori. The attention she'd received from the two Seishi thus far had bordered on indecent, but Miaka couldn't say she was upset about it or even remotely sorry. She'd managed to find Hotohori again and even discuss her long suppressed feelings for him. And then she and Nuriko had reached a new understanding of their feelings towards each other and Miaka wouldn't want it any other way.
She stole a glance at Hotohori, wondering if he had any idea what had transpired between herself and the other Seishi that morning. The Emperor turned pop-star had emerged from his own bathroom long after Nuriko excused himself to allow Miaka to get dressed. While they waited, Nuriko had let her in on the fact that she and Hotohori had been 'broadcasting' rather loudly the night before and she'd been focusing on reining in her chi a little better since then.
Hotohori was still, as Nuriko had put it, 'all over her' with his aura and frequent touches. Miaka knew they were going to have to talk about that at some point. Most likely with the assistance of Chichiri. But for now… she let him do it, allowing Hotohori to revel in being allowed to touch her and treat her like the lover he'd always wanted to. Nuriko had shot a couple of side-long glances at the two of them and had even asserted himself once or twice by taking Miaka's hand to pointedly kiss the back of it.
Hotohori had taken note of this subtle display, as shown by the gentle press of his fingers, but did not seem in the least bit threatened or upset about Nuriko's presence or actions.
"Chichiri?" Miaka called, releasing her two Seishi's hands to unlock and push the door to her apartment open. "I'm home! And I've got company!"
"Miaka!" The apartment door flew open before she even got the key in the lock, revealing Chichiri, clothed once again in his Monk's robes. He must've sensed them coming. "Nuriko. Your Highness!" His masked face brightened considerably as he bowed. "So good to see you again, no da!"
"It is good to see you too, Chichiri." Hotohori smiled graciously as the three of them stepped into Miaka's apartment.
"Where is Tasuki?" Chichiri asked, obviously concerned when he did not see the bandit in attendance.
"Keisuke offered to bring Tasuki back to the apartment after he gets discharged. I called the hospital this morning and checked in with him." Miaka said. She'd also wanted to see if Miojuan was still there but according to her brother, the doctor's shift had ended. Luckily, Miaka still had the card with his contact information on it, so she wasn't horribly worried about finding him again later. She said as much, adding "Perhaps we should focus on finding Chiriko?"
"You think you can handle sending out a call this early?" Chichiri asked, raising an eyebrow and glancing at his two brother Seishi. Hotohori's placid expression in contrast to Nuriko's slightly guilty one had the monk's lips quirking into something resembling a smirk even though his mask was still in place.
"With all of you by my side, I can do anything," Miaka announced firmly. They were so close to finding everyone! And that premonition this morning had to count for something. An extra call would just be added insurance.
Keisuke's offer to bring Tasuki back had allowed Miaka, Nuriko, and Hotohori the needed time to put themselves together, get something to eat, and head to Miaka's place with time to spare. It was early on a Monday, so Tamahome, Yui, and Tetsuya were on their way to welcome Tasuki back and to greet Hotohori briefly before work or class. Unfortunately, Miaka herself also had to go to class and pull a shift at the school library this afternoon, so they only had a limited about of time to do any searching before then.
"All right, Priestess." Chichiri's voice, as always, was calming and within a few moments Miaka sent out the call for her remaining Seishi. Every time she did it, it was easier—especially now that five out of seven were awakened.
The blow-back from sending out the call didn't seem to take as much out of her now either. Miaka was unsure if it had to do with practice, or the fact that Hotohori had been unconsciously supplying her with chi since his own awakening. It was so subtle at times that Miaka almost didn't notice that he was doing it until Nuriko had pointed it out. The process that had seemed quite difficult for the rest of her Seishi to master seemed to come naturally to Hotohori.
"Wow, Your Highness. I'm impressed." Chichiri rested a hand on his chin in thought, observing the former Emperor as he once again laced his fingers with Miaka's. "Although I may need to teach you to back off just a little on a day to day basis."
"Whatever for?" Hotohori frowned in genuine confusion. "Aren't we as Seishi supposed to give our life forces to the Priestess?"
"Well. Yes." Chichiri's ears turned red. "However, there is such a thing as 'too much of a good thing,' Your Highness. The constant stimulation could cause Miaka to have mood swings, or other adverse effects." He lowered his voice a touch in embarrassment. "Not to mention that the rest of us can sense it too."
"I understand." Hotohori bowed his head, looking chagrined at the gentle admonishment. "My apologies."
"None needed, Your Highness." Nuriko assured him with a hand on his shoulder. "We're all learning. Mistakes will be made."
Hotohori offered the other Seishi a grateful smile as the doorbell chimed. Miaka hurriedly ran to open it, happily embracing Tasuki and then her brother in the small foyer.
"So, you're alive." Nuriko said dryly. The flame-haired Seishi looked energized, and had showered at some point because the dried blood was gone and he smelled like the generic soap from the hospital.
"It takes more'n being run over by a steel carriage to keep me down," Tasuki responded with a fanged grin.
"The doctors were amazed at how quickly he healed," Keisuke added. "I wonder if anything strange will show up on those blood tests?"
"Let's hope not," Hotohori said. "We don't need to draw any unnecessary attention to ourselves."
"Says the man with a dancing moving picture board," Tasuki snickered and rolled his eyes good naturedly.
Hotohori opened his mouth to protest (it was all his manager's idea!) but was interrupted by the door opening as Yui and Tetsuya entered, followed by Tamahome.
Miaka immediately introduced Hotohori to Yui and Tetsuya. Tamahome politely hung back, meeting Miaka's gaze lovingly.
"Ah yes. The Priestess of Seiryuu." Hotohori's eyes shone. "Miaka spoke frequently of you on our travels." The former Priestess of Seiryuu nodded, managing a quiet greeting but had a hard time meeting Hotohori's eyes. Tetsuya was friendly, excited even, at finally meeting the Emperor of Konan. Miaka took the moment that he spent fawning over the newly awakened warrior to poke Yui in the ribs.
"Are you okay?" Miaka whispered.
"I will be." Yui swallowed. "It's just… Nakago killed him." Her eyes brimmed with sorrow and she wiped at them furiously. "He took him away from a wife and an unborn child just so…"
Her voice trailed off and Miaka hugged her friend, offering her the silent love and absolution she needed. "It's okay, Yui. That's all in the past."
This was a reaction her friend was likely to have with all of Miaka's Seishi. Hopefully once Yui got to spend more time with the Suzaku Seven, she would come to realize that none of them would hold any of Nakago's deeds against her.
"Tamahome!" Hotohori reached out to clasp the other man to him fondly.
"Your Highness!" Tamahome's eyes widened at the sight of Hotohori, pulling back to bow lightly.
"Please. We're all equals here. Hotohori is just fine," the former Emperor insisted.
"Equals?" Tamahome smirked a little in good humor as he reached out to embrace Miaka. She obliged without hesitation, allowing him to wrap his arms around her in greeting—his aura following suite. The second they touched, Tamahome tensed, his grip suddenly tight as his chi flickered against hers hesitantly.
"What's wrong, Tamahome?" Miaka looked up in concern. However, Tamahome wasn't looking at her, his eyes were locked on Hotohori in an angry, primal manner that shook her. She hadn't seen him this upset at the other man since…
"What'd you do to her?" Tamahome growled.
Hotohori's brow creased. "Pardon?"
"Oh come on," Tamahome spat, his chi flaring and wrapping around Miaka protectively. "I can sense you all over her."
Sense? Miaka frowned, looking to Chichiri in confusion. He and Nuriko had mentioned something about that earlier, but Miaka hadn't thought much of it, she was used to picking up traces of her Seishi's energy by now after so much close contact with them.
"Tamahome," Nuriko's voice was a warning. "Miaka and I stayed the night at his place last night. Nothing happened. I was right in the next room."
"Are you sure, Nuriko?" Tamahome glared at the purple-haired Seishi in growing suspicion. "Your energy is all over her too. Maybe the three of you decided to get a little ahead of yourselves on the ceremony?" Accusation turned the words into daggers.
"Nothing happened!" Miaka hissed. "We slept together, that's all." The words were out before Miaka realized they sounded more like an admission of guilt than anything as Tamahome's chi blazed angrily.
"She means they literally slept." Nuriko clarified in exasperation. "No euphemisms or double speak! The ceremony is too important—" He clapped a hand over his mouth.
"What?" Keisuke stood frozen in the doorway to the kitchen, a can of freshly opened juice in hand. He blinked slowly, looking from Miaka to Tamahome and back again as though unsure he'd heard correctly.
Oh boy. A pit of horror opened up in Miaka's gut. This is what we were trying to avoid.
"Nice going, guys," Tasuki snorted. "Way to spill the beans."
Shit. Miaka cursed mentally, watching her brother as the realization of exactly what she and her Seishi had been talking about so candidly sank in.
Thinking fast, Tetsuya managed to wrangle Keisuke back into the kitchen with an urgent, "Come with me!" before explaining the situation gently to him in low tones. Keisuke's face was strangely blank as he listened to his friend, his grip on the can of juice tightening. Slowly, Keisuke turned to look at Miaka across the small apartment.
"And you just agreed to this?" The shock and disappointment evident in her brother's voice made Miaka cringe. This was exactly what she'd been afraid of. Keisuke looked downright horrified.
"Keisuke…" Miaka stepped away from Tamahome, feeling that she needed to face her brother without the obvious presence of her Seishi. Although doing that in the small and crowded apartment was difficult. "What we told you already about the Ceremony and summoning Suzaku again was the truth. The worlds need to be bridged so that the book will stop pulling girls into it as Priestesses."
Keisuke's chin took on a stubborn set as he reached for her hand. "But this… it isn't right. What about Tamahome?"
A small snort escaped Miaka as she glanced back at her first Seishi. "We're working on that." Her eyes glanced off of the other Seishi in the room all staring at her expectantly. "All of us. Together."
Looking pained, Keisuke's hand gripped her tighter. "Miaka. I—You're confused." He closed his eyes with a sigh. "Look, we'll pack you a bag and you can stay with mom—"
"No!" Miaka pulled her hand back roughly. "I don't need you to protect me, Keisuke. I can do this on my own."
Reaching for her again, Keisuke sputtered, "I can't leave you here alone with these… these… sex maniacs!"
"It's her decision!" Tetsuya's voice was surprisingly calm as he grabbed Keisuke's shoulder firmly.
Keisuke shook him off, giving his best friend a look of betrayal. "Et tu, Tetsuya?"
"Maniacs?" Yui hid a small laugh behind a hand, trying to remain composed enough to calm Keisuke down. "Keisuke, none of them have even touched her."
Miaka looked away, feeling the now familiar heat crawl into her cheeks. While what Yui had said was technically true in the sense that none of them had had sex with her, there had been some touching by this point.
Semantics.
"Only maniacs would agree to something crazy like this!" Keisuke huffed.
Miaka narrowed her eyes. She knew her brother was just trying to protect her, but now he was insulting everyone and taking things too far. "Keisuke!" She snapped, her voice sharp enough that she garnered the attention of the entire room. "I know you're worried about me but I promise I'll be fine." She fixed him with a steady glare. "Please leave. My Seishi and I have a lot to talk about." Her gaze softened. "I swear we'll call you when we've got things figured out."
Unfortunately, it was clear that it would take more than words of assurance for Keisuke to accept this arrangement. Angrily, he picked up his things and started towards the door, pausing a moment to look back at Miaka with eyes filled with angry devastation. "I can't believe you kept this from me and expect me to say it's okay! I guess with seven warriors you don't need a brother!"
"Keisuke, wait!" Yui called as the door slammed, stopping only when Tetsuya touched her arm gently, shaking his head. "Give him some space. We'll check on him later." Turning to Miaka he adjusted his sunglasses with a sigh. "Give him time, Miaka. He'll come around."
Still shocked by her brother's anger, Miaka could only nod in agreement. She knew her brother, and his wrath could only last so long. They were very alike in that sense. Keisuke hadn't really been keen on the idea of her returning to the Universe of the Four Gods initially either. Now he was a star struck fan of the legendary figures that had rallied around his sister and saved the world.
In time, he would understand that she was doing the right thing, and she was the only one who could. She knew it.
Miaka was extremely distracted as she ate the last of her lunch, pondering her current predicament. Tamahome was still angry with her for spending the night at Hotohori's apartment. Keisuke was still upset about the whole ordeal and hadn't answered her phone calls.
"Excuse me, Miss?" There was the distinct thump of several texts being placed on the desk. Miaka sighed. It was exam season, and multitude of students had been cramming for weeks. She did not miss those days. Did not miss them one tiny little bit.
Miaka turned towards the voice that had interrupted her thoughts and blinked up at him.
A harried looking young man about her age rested his folded arms across the stack of books he'd set on the counter. "Miss?" He leaned down a bit so he was at eye level with her and Miaka was struck with a strange sense of familiarity as she looked into his hazel eyes. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, sorry." Miaka did her best to laugh off her moment of inattention. She remembered now. He was a law student and he'd been here frequently these past weeks studying for his board exams. What was his name again? Oh yes... "I'm sorry Oudo-kun. I'm a bit of a space case today." She managed to pull herself together enough to peer up at him seriously. "How can I help you?"
The young man blinked at her in surprise, his longish hair pulled back in an unkempt pony-tail. "You know my name?"
"Did I get it right?" Miaka asked sheepishly. "I've seen you around but we've never really talked."
He nodded sweetly, his eyes crinkling in a smile. "Can you tell me where to find a good companion guide to Tort Laws?"
"Uhhh…" Miaka scratched her head. "I'll have to look and see what we have in the reference files. I'm sorry to say that law isn't really my forte."
"That's okay. I'll wait." Oudo-kun smiled, leaning again on the stack of books he'd collected. All law books from the look of it. Miaka felt her brain hurting already, but she logged onto the library's search engine and began her search. All the while Oudo-kun watched her, propping his chin on a hand. From time to time he seemed about to say something, but didn't.
"Am I doing this wrong?" Miaka asked finally, his keen observance making her nervous. "You look like something is troubling you."
"Not at all!" Oudo-kun's face reddened and he pulled back, knocking the stack of books over in the process. His face blanched. "I'm so sorry!"
Abandoning her computer search for the moment, Miaka leaned over to help gather the books that had fallen. "Here. Let me help."
"Oh no, you don't have to. I've got it." The poor boy looked almost panicked as he struggled to re-stack the books into a neat pile.
"It's okay. It's part of my job," Miaka assured him kindly as she pulled several titles into her lap. Yep. All law books. Except for… Miaka felt her jaw drop as she stared at one very out of place text.
The Kama Sutra?
"Really Priestess, I've got it." Oudo-kun was unable to look at her, his face red as he quickly snagged the books from her, stacking them quickly. Finally, he reached for The Kama Sutra but Miaka refused to let go. Instead, she pulled the book closer to her chest, dragging the floundering grad-student closer in the process.
"Did you just call me Priestess?" As Oudo-kun stammered and sputtered apologies, Miaka peered into his face, gasping suddenly in realization. "Chiriko?"
To be continued...
AN: I'm baaaack. As I mentioned briefly on my Bio Page, I am so sorry to have left this fic here for 4 years with no updates. I feel awful about it but life kind of got away from me, so to speak. My husband retired from the Navy and has been struggling to find something he likes that makes enough. The LA thing didn't work out unfortunately although I had a blast terrifying myself with acting for a short time.
Husband and I then ended up helping my mom through a divorce and a bit of a financial crisis. As a result we bought a bigger house and now she lives with us. Our two dogs had to be put to sleep (old age but Toby and Tasuki were my babies) and I helped a friend start a hospice company offering holistic services. Lost said friend since she didn't understand boundaries and that I can't give myself 100% to her dream when I have my own. It's largely because I helped her these past few years I've let my creative endeavors fall to the wayside. She 'let me go' on Valentines Day this year—something about lack of commitment *eye roll.*
I've taken some Healing Touch classes which actually kind of lent themselves in some fashion to writing about chi for this and some of my original works. I have the first manuscript of a trilogy done and the second nearly done at 102,000 words. Taking a break from nursing (burnt the ef out) to try and get my own work finished and published. Hoping that agents will take me more seriously if I have 2/3 books done already. Thankfully, this has also led to me returning to reading and writing fanfiction.