Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Dreams Alter Reality ❯ Touch to Flame ( Chapter 11 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Here we go again. Moving, getting a house, work, and now my dog's passing has all happened in the past few months of living. I can only press on and live my life how I want to. At least I kicked the writer's cramp away. I said writer's cramp, not block. I KNOW how this story is going to go. The hardest part is getting it out and making myself do it. I know, I'm so lazy....

Rest in peace, Angela. I love you, you old girl. My 13 year old baby....

Thanks to my lovely, my Skye. Thanks for always being there for me especially over that weekend. She cried more for my dog than I did, I think. I know you loved her, sweetie. Thanks for rehashing the funny stories of her. And forever thanks for helping me to 'compose' the lovely operetta, "Angela, get the hell out of the trash" when we first moved in together. (grin)

Thanks to Miss Kitty Lynne! My FY fics are in part also dedicated to you, guru of Banditscribe group. Tasuki being reincarnated to come to Miaka came about solely thanks to you! So it's safe to say this story actually went somewhere becasue of your emails :P Tell me what you think, please!

Thanks to iluvmitsukake, for always reading, always loving and always reviewing. Thanks for all your kind words! You always make my day. Really!

Thanks for the lovely words, Kisaki Akizuki! They brought a warm smile to mine visage ^_^ They always cheer me up!

Thanks also to fushigiyugi fan, Delton Ruu, AnimeRose Assassin, swordbunny4486 for being the awesome peeps that ya'll are. Thanks for typing words telling me what you thought!! It's an honor.

For my few but dedicated reviewers, I decided to type up a list of the Suzaku reincarnations. The Seiryuu are listed in chapter one:

Tasuki is Tetsuo, a young man of 18.
Hotohori is Hideyuki, a boy of 16.
Nuriko is Nana, a girl of 15.
Mitsukake is Mareshi, a boy of 16.
Chiriko is Chen, a boy of 15.
Chichiri is Chichiri, alive and well in Taitsukun's palace.
Taka is deceased and currently out of the reincarnation cycle. His spirit currently resides at Taitsukun's palace with the company of Chichiri and the Four Gods.
Hiroshi is not an incarnation from the book world, but is a son of Miaka and Taka.
Mariko is not an incarnation from the book world, but is a daughter of Yui and Saito.

Disclaimer: The likenesses of the series Fushigi Yuugi belong to Watase Yu, not to me! If only we could all be so talented.


Dreams Alter Reality chapter eleven
"Touch to Flame"




Tetsuo was tired.

He had been working at the elementary school over a week now. While he worked, talked with Yui and Eri and crushed over Miaka, he blinked exhaustion from his youthful face. Each afternoon, he tried to spend as much time with Miaka as their evening schedules would allow.

But even as Tetsuo was hopeful she'd want to see more of him outside work, he still had to rush to catch his evening classes at the university. Languidness rattled his head like a drum as he wrote notes from lectures and trudged to make the evening trains back to Maison Ikkoku. What little time he had in between cussing out the rowdy occupants and studying, he took to sleeping those precious few hours before dawn.

Then he'd get up and start the process all over again.

It wasn't like he wasn't working hard to pay the billls. It wasn't like he wasn't trying to study his courses and pass.

But Sukunami Miaka had him so thunderstruck, he was incensed. Her smile followed him into college, her words echoed on the train ride home. Her scent aroused him beyond aching during the day.
High school erections had nothing on this. Some days, Tetsuo had to wear his dress shirt untucked to cover the obvious push of fabric at his crotch. It wasn't terribly professional, and Principal Sumiyoshi had commented on it, but he was working around little kids, for kami's sake. He didn't want to scare the living crap out of them because of unrequited lust!

And love. Miaka was a gem of a woman that men wanted to provide for. Tetsuo knew the pang of lust affixed to his sex ran like a pulley to the erractic pounding of his heart. It really hurt to breathe around her sometimes. But that was okay, because he knew the breathless emotion was linked to a far deeper, most sought-after emotion.

'I could almost blame her for making me this way,' Tetsuo thought.

He rubbed his jaw, where scratchy pebbles of unshaven growth poked his fingers. But he could never fault Miaka for inducing this feeling in him. She had the ability to make anyone love her.
Besides, his mother and sisters had all pounded a respect-or-else feeling towards women in general. He only knew how to touch with gentle hands.

Tetsuo yawned and looked up over his desk. Miaka was coming his way now, Yui ever at her side. The two were done with sessions, it seemed. He, on the other hand, still had a stack of paperwork, and any phone call or brat to come along and interrupt it.

He was also behind in a few of his courses, so he'd snuck in a couple of textbooks as well as his notebooks. Tetsuo wondered seriously if an eighteen year old could have a heart attack from stress as he tried to cram even MORE studying in between his work load and talking to Miaka. Sighing, the red-haired student closed his spiral bound book with little sketchy chickens doodled across the front. He waited for Miaka to approach while Eri gathered up her bag and lunch.

"Happy ten o'clock, Tetsuo-kun!" Miaka chirped brightly.

"Hi, Miaka-san," Tetsuo said. He, Yui and Eri were content to see how happy she was these days, blossoming around the newest office addition. Tetsuo noticed she started dressing in more vibrant pastels and did her hair in elaborate braids or buns. Today she sported a lime green scarf casually swathed around her neck and shoulders, and a pair of bright red chopsticks protruded from her bun like attaenae.

"How are your sessions going?" he asked. Yui shook her head, long hair flying. A blue stud glinted in her left earlobe.

"Only trouble with mine today. Are parents even trying, or are we just doomed?" she lamented. Miaka giggled and poked her oldest friend.

"We're parents too, Yui, so I say we gave our world a chance."

"Maybe, but we need to supply more do-gooders, and that's what I say. Saito's begging for a boy," Yui sighed.

"Mou, Yuuuui," Miaka blushed, glancing at Tetsuo. He felt the odd pain of difference between their ages as well as a surge of fire to his loins. He would love to have a baby one day as well, but before the crying and diapers that would absorb his existence, he would like to relish achieving the act of creation.... again and again and again....

"Yes, please educate us child-less heathens before it's too late," he grinned. Miaka gasped and gripped his shoulder in a friendly gesture. Tetsuo widened his knees, trying to stave off another erection. Her arm movements made her breasts push forward against her blouse.

Yui sighed and spread her hands helplessly. "Can't say we can help you there, Tetsuo-kun, until you've had a child yourself! You really have to work to make them good to society."

'Now Miaka on the other hand....' Yui mused. she could almost see the sparks jump and crackle between the two.

"Well, Yui-san, I'll try my best when that day comes..... ack!" Tetsuo yawned widely, his mouth spread wide. "Sorry..."

"You've been so tired lately," Miaka's eyes glazed in concern. "Are you pushing yourself too hard?"

"Ah, no, never!" Tetsuo refused to put down his masculinity for a second. "I just... can't.... ah, sorry.... seem to keep from yawning!"

Miaka looked around. Eri and Sumiyoshi had already gone to lunch just now and the coast was clear. Daring surged through her being, making the older women feel a teenager again. She blushed and tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear.

"You need to take a nap and rest, Tetsuo-kun. If you want... there's a sofa in my office."
Tetsuo's brain rocketed out of orbit and his nose started to trickle vestiges of crimson lust. Was she... implying?...

"Thank you, Miaka-san." He stood and bowed. The top of his head almost brushed her breasts accidentally on the way down. Miaka trembled. Yui sighed and set her bentou on Eri's desk.

"I'll stay and run interference. Don't get caught sleeping by Sumiyoshi," Yui warned. Tetsuo nodded and made his way to the office door. Yui gave Miaka an obvious wink. Miaka followed, red in the face.

Inside, Tetsuo looked around, amazed. A bookcase stood sentry on one wall with a standard filing cabinet for session files. Interestingly enough, volumes of chinese history and anthropology filled the shelves as well as psychology tomes. The sofa sat against the opposite wall, near to the desk. Tetsuo took a glance at her personal effects before sinking into the couch. Framed pictures boasted of a happy family. Oddly, there didn't seem to be a portrait of her late husband. Only one, a full family shot, hinted to the man she had given vows to, until death did them part. A tall blue-haired man stood straight and proud, a gentle smile on his lips. Miaka fairly beamed beside him as their son, young in this picture, clung to both of their hands.

There were also pictures of Yui and her husband, and two men and a woman Tetsuo didn't know. All of them were smiling and egging on the picture-taker.

Tetsuo swept his gaze from the last object of his curiosity, a small phoenix statue, as Miaka closed the door. The voluptuous woman smiled sheepishly.

"I don't have a blanket, but the sofa's comfortable," she said sweetly. Tetsuo smiled and placed his palms on his spread knees. He was pleased to notice the small glance she gave his waist before looking away.

"That's okay, Miaka... you've done more than enough." Miaka blushed at the drop of suffix, indicating a more intimate connection, tucked away from prying eyes.

"So it's just Miaka now?" she said softly. Tetsuo smiled gently, his cheeks tinting pink.

"It's always just Miaka to me," he said and fell to the side of the couch as his next yawn almost split his head open. "Gomen!"

"I understand, Tetsuo. Sleep.... I'll be here when you wake up." Miaka pushed on his thin shoulders, helping him to lay down. Tetsuo gazed back up at her, his vision blurry with affection and exhaustion.

"Or when Sumiyoshi comes back..."

Miaka laughed. "Either way... I'm here for you."

"Thank..." Tetsuo fell to sleep in the middle of his sentence. Miaka smiled and watched him begin to snore. His mouth hung wide open and one of his legs crooked up at the knee. As she quietly sat at her desk, Tetsuo spiraled to dreams....



* * * *



"Oh my.... Tetsuo-kun is headed this way, no da!" Chichiri chirped. The spirit of Sukunami Taka looked around solemnly.

"How is that possible? He hasn't passed on."

'Like me....' The sudden chill of jealousy. Chichiri shook his head. His white bangs pierced the air.

"He has entered a dimension of this realm by a dream pattern. Your magicians call it "rem" I believe, no da. His dream self has entered while his body remains the tether on your world, no da."

"He must be here by Suzaku's command," Taka hazarded a guess. Chichiri nodded and shifted his lithe weight. Tasuki's iron tessen hung, attached to his belt, and patted against his hip.

"I wonder what he wants with him, no da. Is it true he has found Miaka-chan, no da?"

Taka nodded, the edges of his ethereal formation of his soul fanning out slowly. "He has... and Yui-chan as well."

Chichiri nodded. "And the Seiryuu no miko found all the incarnations of her seishi. Suzaku must be sending his to Miaka-chan as well."

Taka smiled sadly at his friend. "It may be a time coming for all of Suzaku's Seven." Chichiri sobered.

"That makes me sad to say as well, no da."

"You don't have to put on a front with me, Chichiri-san," Taka said, his eyes crinkling. "I know you're afraid of the passing still."

Chichiri took off his smiling mask and his good eye met Taka's with a deep feeling of warm understanding. "I confess I am, Taka. Forgive this old fool... all the others took the leap without hesitation in their heart. And I survived all our battles and linger ever on."

"It can't be that much longer, Chichiri-san. Maybe when I'm placed, you'll be reborn with me."

"I would like that. I would like that very much," Chichiri smiled. Taka floated past, peeking through the crack between the heavy iron doors to the Four God's cavernous chamber.

"Let's see what Suzaku has decreed for the old flameboy."

Chichiri brightened and took a spot at the spirit's side. He sneezed and shivered horribly.

"So that's Tasuki now," he marveled. "It's good to see him again."

"I know..." Taka watched the outlined form of his younger, living competition with just a tinge of trepidation.



* * * *




Tetsuo stood before Suzaku, gaping up.

"I've met you before," was all he could muster. "I know it! Definately seen you..."

"My fire warrior," Suzaku deeply entoned. "You do know me even if through a dream. They were premonitions, of course, to your destiny."

"My destiny?" Tetsuo asked, his stomach feeling light. "Did I live another life? Is that what those dreams mean?"

"Yes..." Suzaku nodded. He fixed the red-haired youth with a deep, hooded stare. "They have been coming to you while in the waking world as well for they are not only dreams. They are memories to who you once were and stood for."

"But.... I'm dreaming now!" Tetsuo waved his arms in chibi-form. The sleeves of his dress shirt flapped. "I'm even see-through! I just fell asleep in Miaka's office. How do I know this is real??"

Suzaku chuckled and arched one wing back. "My Star of Tasuki was always so impatient. Yes, my impetuous seishi, you ARE dreaming. It was the only way to form a link to you as our sutra is being rewritten and a deeper bridge can be made."

Some of that oddly made sense. Tetsuo tried to take it all in as his head reeled. "Ooookaaaay.... but why do you need me now? If I really used to be Tasuki."

"You have found the Suzaku no Miko," Suzaku's eyes pierced through Tetsuo. "Your dreams sliding to waking memories because you have all but secured your destiny."

"You're talking about Miaka, aren't you? I knew she was important," Tetsuo whispered. "How is she my destiny?"

Suzaku crossed his powerful arms, his wings spreading wide. "A place at her side. You have reached a point to consummate what you could not achieve in your last life. Events have come into place where through your own deep wishes, you will fulfill which I desire."

"Tasuki!" Miaka's childish voice called joyfully through Tetsuo's mind. Suzaku's eternal eyes pierced him with eons of longing that bordered on pride... and a hint of jealousy? Of him, scrawny, mortal Tetsuo? He must be crazy to have seen that flicker in his gaze.

"Oh yeah? And what is that?" Tetsuo asked almost cockily.

"What you mortals do not seem to value or cherish. Day after day, I have seen humanity throwing its own happiness away with both hands." Suzaku's tone was almost complaining .

Tetsuo felt his hair stand up on the back of his neck as he bristled at the implication.

"Don't go lumping me into that group! I ain't like everyone else and I'm gonna take care a' Miaka! Whether she needs me or not, I'll love her good 'til she can't stand it," Tetsuo spewed and glared at his former life's patron god.

"Oh my," Chichiri murmured. "He finally admits it in the flesh. He's come alot further than he once did, no da!" He remembered a distraught Tasuki in the months before the illness that had ended his life. How heartsick and tortured he was.... he loved their miko, had shown it in obvious ways when poisoned by Hikou's spirit. He had forced himself on Miaka and been in hell ever since. Miaka had said she forgave him but..... you never knew these things until it happened to you.

"Huh?" Taka asked suddenly beside him and looked at the old monk expectantly. Chichiri sweat-dropped. So Taka didn't know of Tasuki's visit to Miaka seven years ago! That bandit certainly was good at putting him in a pickle... best to focus on how to go about it, if Miaka hadn't told him either.

"Ah, that is... he really beat himself up for years about that time at the inn, no da!" Chichiri backpedaled. He cursed himself and shook his head, eyeing Tetsuo's dream form through the doors. Thanks for the ugly situation! Tasuki had always been good at getting him into them.

Taka's eyes saddened but he nodded. "He must have cared about Miaka if Hikou manipulated his darker side. I knew this and still, embraced him as my friend. He always was so stand-up and grand, I knew instantly that's not how he's like."

Miaka laying on the bed, her skirt pushed up and her blouse and bra pulled aside. Her lower torso held down by muscular, trousered thighs....

"Anou sa, no da," Chichiri gave weakly. "He stopped though... he would never hurt Miaka-chan."

"I know...." Taka smelled the first wind of something wrong, but tried to shrug it off. They both looked back inside.

In the chamber, Suzaku's lips spread into a deep smile at Tetsuo.

"Fulfill your place at her side," he said and spread one hand wide. Tetsuo recoiled as flames surged forth, but he was merely wrapped in warmth instead of being seared by the fire's kiss.

"Wait, Suzaku....Suzaku!!!"

The fire swept him away. Tetsuo plummeted, his mouth open in a wordless scream.




* * * *




Miaka had been idly sorting her files at her desk as Tetsuo slept. He was a sloppy dreamer, arms and legs half off the couch, his mouth wide open in a drooling snore. His half-tamed hair stuck out in odd waves now, making his toned down office appearance beyond moot.

Miaka carefully set a stack of papers down and regarded the young man with a thoughtful smile. There were traces of Tasuki in the student's face, as well as hereditary differences, for this new life. Her eyes were quick to note the black roots among the part of wild red hair. Tetsuo didn't wear beads or earrings as Tasuki had, but he made any outfit look natural on him. The similarities were a ready need to please or cheer. Tetsuo carried himself like a man who was comfortable with his body, much as Tasuki had.

'I can't believe he's come back to me... I wonder if he'll ever remember like the twins do.'

Miaka stroked the top of a file, her crinkled eyes half watching her friend. He had the soul of Tasuki, but did he have the seishi powers? Miaka was ready to put these random musings from her mind when Tetsuo appeared to stop breathing.

It was the constant whisper of his inhales and exhales that told her he was deeply asleep. And when it stopped, she looked up sharply. Tetsuo's chest lay slack still, his lips were parted and no sound issued deep from his lungs.

"No..." Miaka jumped from her chair and fell to her knees beside the couch carelessly. Her hands hovered, worried in midair, then lay over his wrist for a pulse. His arm was hot to the touch....

"Tetsuo... Tetsuo!" Miaka laid her head to his chest. Fabric and buttons squished against her cheek. She was really starting to work into a good panic when Tetsuo arched on his shoulders, his mouth sucking in a desperate plea for life. His eyes were wide open and his amber orbs darted, found Miaka practically on top of him. His frantic flop had pushed her onto the carpet and they stared at each other.

The moment had dragged on long enough.

"Miaka..." Tetsuo made out hoarsely. His right wrist glowed red, silhouetting his shirt sleeve. Miaka's eyes teared.

"Are you okay?" she made out before her eyes dropped to his sleeve. Her heart thumped hard. "What is..."

"My guide to you... it led me to you..." Tetsuo said with a dry throat. Suzaku's wide spread hand filled his mind, gesturing. His Suzaku no Miko...

Miaka inched forward on her knees and rested on her legs before him. Her hands were pressed to her chest in a symbol of questioning before they reached for him. Her widespread fingers hovered, then rested on his heated flesh. Tetsuo let her lift his right hand and unbutton his shirt sleeve. Her smooth hands pushed the fabric back.

A symbol blazed on his wrist, casting red light to her warm eyes. She had studied ancient chinese with Yui and her brother for years, so it wasn't hard to decipher the intricate character. Even before she knew how to read it, she had seen it often before.

Wing.

Miaka looked up into Tetsuo's eyes. There was no trace of uncertainty in her gaze. Tetsuo's gaze was very warm. "You remember...." she whispered.

Tetsuo shuddered when her small fingers cupped his rough cheek. He caught her hand and turned it over.

"As much as I can. I knew you, in another place and time... and I was meant to find you."

"Tetsuo..." Miaka's face flushed as he leaned closer.

'It is Suzaku's will. Live.... live and love....'

"Miaka.... now it's my turn," Tetsuo's eyes gleamed. He pulled her hard against him. Miaka gasped wordlessly, her hands pressed against the expanse of his chest. They were so close against each other...

Tetsuo leaned his head down. He captured Miaka's mouth with his own.

Miaka's fingers widened against his chest, pushed slightly.... when Tetsuo's arms circled low around her waist, those trembling fingers wound up around his neck. They sank into his hair.




* * * *




Hideyuki was avoiding her. Nana tried to catch up to him all day but he speedily left her in his dust. It was starting to really piss her off. First thing in the morning, he took off running. Second after first period. And now he had only glanced over his shoulder and took off again, leaving her in his dust!

"Damn.....Hide! Stop!" Nana puffed, dragging after. His ponytail waved back at her before he made it around the corner and out of sight. Nana stopped and leaned against the side of the building to catch her breath. Damn the lacross team and all the laps they made him do! And damn him for not listening to her!

"I have to let him know...that he's the one I want!" Nana whispered. She closed her eyes and tried to still her heart from pounding out her chest. Her small hand pressed between the bow of her uniform top, and felt the vibration of her desire.

"Nana," a rich baritone rang right into her ear. Nana jumped and looked up into rich, brown eyes. Mareshi smiled uneasily, his eyes crinkling kindly. "Did you catch hold of him?"

"No...." Nana admitted defeat and let anger ride away. She clenched her fist and took her hand away from her top. "Mareshi, what are we gonna do? He just won't stop running! And I'm not exactly on the track team, ya know..."

Mareshi let his giant hand rest on her small shoulder, and waited for her to tell him no. Nana looked up at him, looked away. Her fingers creeped up to touch his. Wait, she was asking him something, have to pay attention... "What was that?"

"I said, did you ever think we were made for something else? Something more grand than all this."

"What could be more grand than all this?" Mareshi wondered. His right hand throbbed and began to glow. Nana covered it with hers, from view of the other students.

"You know what I'm talking about. If Hide stops long enough.... will you tell him I want to see him?"

Mareshi touched the bottom of her chin. "I want to see you... and I'm right here."

Nana's eyes were big, but she pushed his hand away. "I'm not. I need to get him back..."

Mareshi's eyes fell and let Nana walk away.

Hideyuki stopped running about half a block away. "Whew! When she'd get so damned persistant?" he muttered. The slim boy tossed his ponytail over his shoulder and panted.

A group of girls walked by, giggling and he straightened, adjusting his tie. He wasn't in the mood, but still, he had to keep up appearances.

One of the girls broke away from the gaggling brood of hens, or so he thought. His mood went grey until wide, bright eyes met his.

"Uhm, yes?" he asked smoothly. He had to swallow to keep from sighing.

The girl smiled and smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear. "You're Hideyuki, aren't you? I've had my eye on you for awhile. I'm Sayuki."

"Sayuki... it's a pleasure. What did you want to see me for? Is it class?" Hideyuki went on, not linking two and two. Sayuki blushed and looked down.

"No, it was more about a date than class...."

Hideyuki felt his insides lurch and nodded.




* * * *




Miaka gasped under Tetsuo. They had moved on the couch together after an eternity of kissing. She couldn't believe she was doing this. She had always been so careful, so sure to seperate her relationships from her intended fiancee; to carefully set Hotohori, then Nuriko, and lastly Tasuki, on a backburner of honor.

She had been so careful, so sure!

And now she didn't know what was what anymore. She didn't expect to find Tasuki's reincarnation here, or to be in his arms now.

"Hmm!" Miaka parted her mouth from Tetsuo's, gazed once into his passionate, half-glazed stare and gave a small cry as he settled his clothed body carefully between her legs. Her long skirt began to push up and to the side from the position, but before she made to push it down, Tetsuo gently held the fabric down so she wouldn't be exposed faster than she wanted.

Just as Miaka was congratulating herself on this modest move, Tetsuo lowered his weight from his hands to his elbows, half laying with her. Miaka surprised herself by wantonly reacting to his approach with open arms and lips.

She surprised Tetsuo by instinctually moving her pelvis up and against the suspicious bulge protruding frrom beneath Tetsuo's loose dress shirt. Tetsuo gasped and gave a small cry as his clothed reaction was pressed against her warmth.

He was pushed so hard, it was going to hurt unless something gave.

"Miaka..." he said as memories of her as a girl flickered with the here and now.

How he had always felt envious when Tamahome got her this way! And the few compromising positions he had walked in on had made him seethe with jealousy.

His older Miaka was gasping against his neck. Tetsuo flushed with happy warmth. She was his now! His beneath him..... his to pleasure and please! He couldn't wait to get started. Miaka watched as his hand, slightly shaking, rested between her round breasts; tentively opened one button from her blouse.
Miaka's hands rested against his chest, her eyes open with surprised anticipation. She wanted him to, she wanted to feel him. The youth above her blinked his amber eyes.

They were the same as Tasuki's.

Tetsuo swallowed and opened her blouse. His hand made it inside to the fabric of her bra when a harsh knock sounded on the office door.

Bam bam bam!

"Wack!" Miaka gasped and Tetsuo fell off her onto the floor. His legs stood up in midair as Miaka gathered her blouse together, and peered down at him.

"Who is it?" she called, before pushing Tetsuo's knee. "Are you okay?"

"I think it's broken," he lamented. Miaka blushed and helped him to stand.

"Who do you THINK it is, it's Yui! Now hurry up with whatever you're doing and get out here! Sumiyoshi and Eri are in the entrance way," Yui's voice rang out irritably.

Tetsuo was on his feet already and straightening his clothing as Miaka answered her. He swept both hands through his touseled hair and adjusted his belt.

"Oh man, oh, Miaka, did you see..." he stammered, like the youth he was.

Miaka cupped a hand to his raspy cheek and smiled deeply. The corners of her eyes crinkled. "It's okay! We have time," she grinned.

Tetsuo enfolded her in his arms and kissed her again.

"This time, I'm taking my shot... I've waited long enough!" he exclaimed.

Miaka giggled against his cheek and enjoyed his strong embrace. It was torture to disengage herself from his arms, but she had to.

"We will, we will.... I just have to..." she tried to make cleaning gestures and pull herself away, but Tetsuo grabbed her wrist impulsively.

He enfolded her small hand between his longer digits and kissed the back. "Maybe we can get started tonight. Want to... go out for dinner?"

Miaka looked back, surprised. But her smile was wide and ready. "Yes! Yes.... please...."

Tetsuo's grin could have blotted out the sun, it was so big. "Yes! Oh, Miaka, I can't wait to begin..."

"Neither can I," Miaka said softly. She laughed when their soft moment ended as Tetsuo bulled out of her office and threw himself into his desk chair right just as Sumiyoshi strode into the lobby.




* * * *




He was seeing quite alot.

With each passing day, rather, with each passing moment, Hiroshi was seeing more and more of the things people held deep inside and hid from the world. If he glanced, the wispy edges of glowing yellow would tug at his attention. When he squinted and focused, the shattering clarity of memory would dance before his eyes.

Past acts, past loves, past regrets, past hurts, even past lives. Significant moments of people's beings were witnessed, often to his blushing dismay. He hadn't known what to do with all of this overload of information.

So Hiroshi had gone to his friends.

From Sadako he'd gleaned abit too much from her past life experiences to look at her the same way. She quickly caught on, to Hiroshi's embarrassment, and fled with her face in her hands. Yes, she'd been a Seiryuu schiseishi.

But she had also been a whore. She had been sold by her own parents. She had garnered a talent for sex at a heavily emotional and bodily price, and had used it well.

She had even shared it with....

Naisen stared across the way at Hiroshi, his blue eyes bluer than sculpted ice. The two childhood friends locked gazes, regarded the other. Naisen had alot of past-life memories swimming around his head, too. Some of them were eerirely similar to the things he had gone through while they were in grade school.

But Hiroshi was amazed to also see stronger, more adult versions of Toya and Sadako with him. They had all shared alot more than friendship from childhood. It was enough to make Hiroshi sick with jealousy.

But when Hiroshi apologized to Sadako about looking at her memories, she was in his arms hugging him the very next instant and making his heart settle down just alittle bit. He felt better, beyond an inkling of jealousy. Whoever they had been before, they were with him now, and they all had each other's backs.

Toya laughed nervously at his side, but when Hiroshi smiled and opened his arm to him, the smaller boy turned aside. He was hiding something. And even when Hiroshi dared to try and peek, Toya had effectively blocked his memories from him. How he found how to do this, Hiroshi didn't know. But there were things in this grand, past life that his friends didn't want him to see and know.

Toya looked at his boyfriend's profile, his heart sickened. How could he tell him that once many years ago and in another form, he had cast a spell of illusion upon his mother and tried to rape her? Hiroshi would hate him. He would never speak to him again. Even if said mother welcomed him with open arms and even knew who he was. It was in her gaze sometimes, never judging. Just... knowing.

And it killed him inside.

"What was that, 'Roshi?" Toya made out smally.

"I was asking if you wanted to come over after school today. I've been waiting for an answer for three minutes now," Hiroshi asked, feeling low. Toya squeezed his hand and nodded rapidly.

"Course I would... " I would see you anywhere.

Hiroshi nodded, his eyes lowering. Things were feeling weird today. He went through the rest of his day, feeling something was probably wrong. Like his world was going to be upset in an instant.

The feeling did not abate when his mother swept through the front door, home from work, humming and singing to herself.

"Hi, son! How was your day?" she asked brightly and smothered his face in kisses. Hiroshi watched her, amazed.

"It was fine, Ma.... what's gotten into you? Did something happen today?" he scratched his neck with one hand. When Miaka sighed, he knew the upset was about to happen. He could see wisps of a kiss that had happened....

"Yes... I was asked out on a date. By Shinwa Tetsuo, the young man at our office. He'll be here in an hour, you'll get to meet him, in fact!" Miaka fairly bustled her way into the kitchen. Hiroshi watched, astounded, as she paused to give a moment's prayer at their altar portrait of Taka, and then rummage through the refrigerator.

"He's coming here?" Hiroshi asked. He felt sick.

"Yes! I better get going, I still have to get ready. There's some leftovers for you for dinner, son! Will you be okay?" Miaka smiled at her teenager, her eyes bright.

Hiroshi made himself nod, not trusting himself to speak for just a moment. "I'll be fine.... Toya and the guys are coming over, too."

"Good," Miaka approved. "They're good company for you. I'll be out in alittle bit, would you listen for the door for me?"

Hiroshi nodded and watched his mother dance on to her bedroom. He slouched and paced around the kitchen before making his way down the hallway. As he passed Miaka's bedroom, he heard her singing lightly to herself. Wafts of her favorite perfume tinged the air, tickled his nostrils. Hiroshi inhaled old memories of the times his mother wore this scent, when she went out. It had always been with his father, or Auntie Yui or his Uncle Keisuke.

Now, his father smiled sadly from a portrait set on the family altar, and Hiroshi was smelling the preparations of his mother going out.

With another man.

Jealousy and anger clawed through his gut like ice; he couldn't help it. His beautiful (aging) mother, her auburn hair tinging silver in long strands, was going out with a college student almost half her age.

Hiroshi was feeling the angst of teenage depression try to settle on in, even as he tried not to care. But he DID care. This guy better not hurt his mother, or get fresh with her. The fifteen year old boy clenched his fists and stalked through the living room towards the kitchen. As he neared the fridge, the doorbell rang. Hiroshi stopped, his hand in midair, and made an about face. A glance through the peep hole heralded guests instead of the intruder he had been expecting.

"It's about time, 'Roshi," Sadako flipped her hair over her shoulder. Naisen leaned against her and held out his fist to Hiroshi. The other boy pressed his own back in a gesture of camaraderie.

"What's going on, guys?" Hiroshi asked, looking over Naisen's shoulder; Toya was pushing past to get to him impatiently. Hiroshi's stomach loosened alittle and he leaned to accept the chaste kiss his boyfriend bestowed on his smooth cheek.

"You looked alittle weird today, so we opted to cheer you up. Aren't you glad?" Toya dimpled. Hiroshi finally managed something of a "real" smile. Just alittle one.

"Then get in here." He couldn't help sweeping a glance behind them to see if Shinwa Tetsuo-san was on the way.

No one in sight. Good.

He couldn't help shutting the door alittle extra hard to express his sentiment about the whole situation. Toya slung an arm around his waist, relaxing him just alittle bit further.

"So why so glum?" Naisen rumbled. Hiroshi flopped onto the western-styled sofa with a sigh. Toya settled in immediately and cuddled close.

"Mom's going out on a date tonight," Hiroshi dropped his personal bombshell with careless aplomp.

The three incarnated souls looked at each other all at once. Hiroshi felt his stomach cramp again as they shared a moment he obviously wasn't part of.

"Hey! Why is that so important to you??" he demanded.

"It's just..." Sadako began, looking to Naisen for help. He understood completely. In his memory Miaka was running after Tamahome; forever Tamahome.

Now she was dating another man and Tamahome's incarnation was dead. It seemed full-circle, and quite surreal.

"We didn't know how she was doing. Apparently alot better," Naisen said easily.

"Yeah, let her heal. She needs to find herself," Toya murmured, running one finger coyly down Hiroshi's arm.

' Now that her soul mate is gone... '

"So who's she going out with?" Sadako asked.

"Some dude from her office," Hiroshi complained.

"That's all you have for us? 'Some dude?' Come on," Toya leaned close, simpering. Hiroshi blushed and smiled.

"Okay, I guess it's no big deal..." Hiroshi had to cross his eyes to clash out the image of black and white paint over Toya's face. It was happening again.

Toya played with the end of his braid nervously. "Smells nice in here," he commented.

"It's Mama's perfume," Hiroshi said. He could hear clinking from the master bedroom. "She only wore it with my Papa."

"Be calm," Sadako said, her eyes twinkling. "We'll just see what kind of guy that's gonna take her out and deal with it from there."

Naisen nodded, his eyes as still as glaciers in his skull. His skin felt electrified, charged. Something was happening here.... something part of some grand scheme, and he was going to witness the start of something.

In the bedroom, Miaka finished messing with her hair, and gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She looked beautiful, ready.... and nervous as all hell. She had been married for close to two decades but hadn't been on many dates. She felt as giddy as a school girl again!

"It's okay, Miaka... It'll be okay! It's Tasuki," she murmured lightly. She opened a drawer in her bureau and pulled out a frame. The smiling faces of her warriors gazed out through the glass and Miaka's eyes grew warm. She kissed her fingertips and pressed them to Tamahome, and finally on the gesturing bandit beside her younger self.

Outside the apartment, Tetsuo was having similar convulsions. He was ready, dressed in a suit jacket and tie he had kept packed in his backpack for an emergency like this. He had combed his tousled hair into attractive waves, and popped mints like the nervous student he was. But he was far from ready to knock on the door. He knew he had the right home. He found the nameplate beside the door that read 'Sukunami residence.'

But Miaka was in there. As well as her son. And he wasn't that much older than him. Tetsuo wondered if he was home, if he would greet him. What he would do, and what he was expected to do if he wasn't welcome.

"It'll be okay, Tetsuo... It's Miaka! Just go to it," Tetsuo breathed. He sighed and tried not to throw up. He raised his large fist, and knocked twice hard. His right wrist seethed in flame beneath his jacket sleeve and Tetsuo covered it with his left hand.

"Hiroshi! Can you get the door, please?" Miaka called from her bedroom. She hurried, throwing her necessities into her purse.

Hiroshi looked at his friends and shrugged. Had to be the good son now and greet the ingrate. "Okay! I'm going," he called. He stood and adjusted his tee-shirt.

When he opened the door and gazed into Tetsuo's nervous grin, he grabbed the door frame, as winded as a physical blow the stomach.

That red hair.... that easy grin and those amber eyes.... Hiroshi was seeing them in his mind's eye as they flash-countered with the image of his mother, very young and very drunk. She was passed out on a bed, and large hands..... HIS hands... they were all over her! He was on top of her and his mother was screaming....

'STOP! TAKAAAA!'

Hiroshi couldn't breathe, and his eyes were wide in rage as he Saw. Tetsuo scratched the side of his head and tried to smile.

"Uhm, hello! I'm Shinwa Tetsuo. I'm here to take out Ms. Miaka.... you must be Hiroshi," Tetsuo offered. He held his hand out to shake.

Hiroshi sucked in air and steadied himself. The edge of his lip quirked up in an odd smile as he closed his hand over Tetsuo's and gripped. Tetsuo's smile faded as the youth gripped him hard enough to crack the bone.

"Nice to... meet you," Hiroshi said. Tetsuo flexed his hand when he got it back and tried to smile it off.

"Okay then.... well... is Miaka-san ready? I hate to keep her waiting," Tetsuo grinned sheepishly.

Naisen, Sadako and Toya craned half off the couch to get a good look as he stepped inside the apartment, Hiroshi barely letting him cross the thresh hold. They were all quick to notice the gesture. The three incarnated souls felt the surge of familiarity as they saw the past image of the young bandit they had all encountered before. They had their own memories to draw on aside from Hiroshi's gift.

"That's the bandit...." Sadako murmured. Flashes of red hair and a fang-tipped mouth agape in a shout of obscenity at their group exploded in her mind. Toya nodded, his braid falling over his shoulder.

"He was so close to Miaka-san then. This is incredible," he murmured. Naisen gave a non-commital sound, a more personal memory forming before his eyes.

The loud-mouthed braggart holding a flaming iron fan before him, his coat sleeves pushed up and his seishi symbol blazing as bright as the flames he wielded. His grin had been wide as he cockily threw Naisen's offer back in his face and moved to protect Miaka.

"It IS him, alright... Miaka-san must know what she's doing if she's going on a date with him," Naisen murmured. Sadako nodded and leaned against his shoulder.

"You may be right..."

"I'm ready!" Miaka said and swept into the room. The teenagers stood to stare and Tetsuo stood at attention, his chest thrust out.

"Ah... I, uh..." he stammered. Hiroshi raised an eyebrow at him. So he wasn't that much older in action, after all. He had better watch it if he knew what was good for him.

"Miaka-san, you look wonderful!" Toya called. He hopped up gracefully from the couch and held a hand out to her. Miaka smiled and they bowed to each other like dancers.

"Thank you, Toya-kun. You look marvelous yourself," she twinkled. Toya flushed a pretty red and tossed his braid.

"You flatter me," he simpered.

"Have a good time, Miaka-san!" Sadako called. Naisen merely nodded, his eyes deep. Miaka nodded her thanks and brushed past her son to get to her date. Tetsuo's face flushed as her eyes held his.

"Ma...." Hiroshi said. He couldn't help feeling jealous. He couldn't help it!

Miaka turned from Tetsuo and grinned her motherly grin. She brushed a palm to her tall son's face and brushed his blue hair off his forehead. "Be good! Tell your friends they can't spend the night and should be out by ten."

"Yes, ma'am," Sadako called from the couch.

"I will..." Hiroshi said quietly. "Have a good time..." I guess.

"Thank you," Miaka smiled serenely and closed the door behind them.

Once the slab of wood was closed, she and Tetsuo shared a wide smile and their hands clasped.

"I was waiting to do that!" Tetsuo confessed. Miaka squeezed his fingers and swung their hands as they walked.

"You were a prince in there. I hope Hiroshi wasn't too rough with you!"

"No... just protective," Tetsuo said uneasily. Hiroshi had stared at him as if he knew who he was.. had been. "Let's worry about us from now on."

"What did you have in mind?" Miaka asked almost coyly.

Tetsuo grinned. "I've been saving from my new job, lady counselor. We're going to have a regular night on the town! Fancy dinner, maybe a drink or two and some lost time to catch up on. How's that sound?"

"It sounds fantastic. Just what I needed, in fact," Miaka exclaimed. The handsome pair swept out into the night, laughing easily together.




* * * *





"We assure you, we'll have him back by ten o clock, before your gates close," Tetsuya said smoothly. The senior monk stood almost nose to nose with him, his fingers clenched so hard around his broom, they were bone white.

"Ten o clock! Ha! Ten you say, giving my successor a curfew! You should conduct your business with him on my grounds during daylight hours! I don't even know HOW Mitsuko knows you!" the senior growled.

"I'm ready!" Mitsuko called from the shrine doors. He was bundled up in his usual robe, his robe's shawl, and a heavier shawl overlapping that. He looked half his age and half his small size, a child playing grown-up in adult clothing. He was smiling happily though, his small hand thrust into Asakura's. The tall sandy-haired man looked out of place, in his business suit and carefully knotted tie. He smiled as he helped the tiny monk make his way across the cobblestones.

"So we're ready to go," Asakura added, flashing an easy grin to the senior monk. He didn't look too happy about any of this.

"Hmmf!" he turned his attention from Tetsuya to the tiny teenager. "Are you sure you wish to go? Even for a few hours?"

Mitsuko nodded rapidly, his teeth showing white in his smile. "Hmm hmm! I'll be fine, master, don't worry about that. Tetsuya-san and Asakura-san are good friends to me."

"We'll look after him, sir. You just take care," Tetsuya bowed. The senior huffed and flapped away. His robe bellowed around him like an angry force of nature.

"Well met, Tetsuya-san," Mitsuko grinned. Tetsuya smiled and took his other hand.
"Let's go, Keisuke and Mayo are waiting for us."

"I've only met Mayo-san once," Mitsuko marveled. "Had she really rescued the book's portal like you say?"

Asakura laughed. "She has, when we were young in this world. She and Keisuke have done more research and have things to talk with us about."

"About your reincarnation from that book world," Tetsuya added. A schoolgirl stopped and gave them a weird look getting the end of that conversation. She shrugged and continued on her way.

Mitsuko watched a sweet stand with interest, then sobered. "I've seen the dragon here before, and my memories have returned, waning, now returning with force. My master has been incarnated several times, and told me about being a farmer at the turn of last century where his memories are strongest. He married his wife here because she looked like the one in his last life. I am no stranger to all of this."

"Seiryuu has touched this world before," Asakura said with the ringing tones of the truth-seeker. "All of them have when Tenkou approached with his brief reign. Maybe they saw an alternate realm if the book world collapsed, and maybe that's why we were sent here."

Tetsuya shuddered. The Shishin Tenshou's red cover elasped into his mind. "I don't even want to think about what would happen if that were so."

"Come on, you guys! Don't be so serious so soon. You won't meet any girls that way," Mitsuko said knowingly. Tetsuya and Asakura looked at each other and laughed.

"Maybe not so. What do you know about it though?"

"Plenty. The school girls come in and ask my advice ALL the time!" Mitsuko thrust his chin out. His bald head reflected the lamp lights as they came on.

The three men reached the Yuuki residence of Keisuke and Mayo and rang the bell. The door opened, a small boy wrestling with the knob.

"Mommy, Unca Tetsuya is here!" he called. Tetsuya leaned down and chucked his chin.

"Coming! Satsuki, why don't you let them in?" Mayo approached the door and smiled. "Come on in, men. Keisuke's readying his study for you."

Tetsuya and Asakura carefully stepped out of their dress shoes while Mitsuko easily kicked his sandals off. The bundled monk hopped up from the entryway and seemed to float down the hallway. He stopped once and bowed low to Mayo. Satsuki grabbed the hem of his shawl and got swept away with him, giggling.

Mayo smiled and took Tetsuya's arm. Asakura carefully followed them back into Keisuke's rather masculine study. The man in question was crawling around under his desk looking for something and grumbling.

"Daddy!" Satsuki screeched. Keisuke yelped, jumped and cracked his head on the underside of his desk. He came back, his brown hair somewhat parted halfway, his hand on top of the bruise forming.

"Aaaaah.... hey guys," he said sheepishly before some explicit material got out to his son's ears. Satsuki ran to the baby carrier beside the desk and batted at Sakura's hands. The infant squealed and waved her fists around.

"Oh, there's your girl... hi, little baby. It's an honor," Mitsuko said seriously. He gathered his shawls and robe and made a proper bow. Sakura looked at him cross-eyed then grinned.

"Won't you all sit down?" Mayo asked, gesturing. Asakura and Tetsuya were already seated on the sofa. Mitsuko flapped over and made a place. Keisuke stood up and leaned against the desk. Satsuki tugged on his pants leg. Keisuke picked him up and put him on the desk.

"How are you doing, Mitsuko?" Keisuke asked. His kind eyes scanned the little monk.

"Fine...." Mitsuko was used to the gaze. When the older men had found him at the shrine, they welcomed him, but sometimes... the wary gaze to his past actions was there. He carefully folded his hands and took the information of the Four Gods being seen by Keisuke with ready ease. He was astonished, but then again, he really shouldn't be surprised. If he was there, why wouldn't the Four be peeking in?

"This is all so amazing," he stammered.

"Tell me about it," Keisuke smiled, his eyes crinkling. "I can't help this bad feeling about all of it though. Like it's really going to hurt me, whatever it is they want."

"Now, dear, it's just an ominous feeling. I've had it about the Book before," Mayo chided. She couldn't help shivering and settling down with Sakura in her arms, plucked easily out of the baby carrier. The infant grinned and pressed close, sighing.

"I wish it were merely so..." Keisuke added.

"The Four must be moving in action to do something," Mitsuko volunteered helpfully. "I can feel it almost every day. I mean, we're all here, we're all finding each other, and we're all living our lives. It couldn't simply be as easy as over."

"Wouldn't you say we're entitled to some peace and quiet?" Asakura asked.

Tetsuya nudged him, smiling. "Come on, just ask Miaka-chan out and you might get some of that."

"Oh fine, if you insist," Asakura grinned. Keisuke played with his son's little shoes and quirked an eyebrow.

"Hey, that's my little sister you're talking about. Keep your evil thoughts to yourself," he said dryly.

Asakura moved aside on the sofa and let Mitsuko hop up to take a seat. His robes poofed around him and half settled on him and Tetsuya on either side.

"Okay, okay, I'll be good. You have to admit, I've been decent about it. I know she needs time since Taka-kun passed. She needs.... to find herself," Asakura murmured, his eyes glazing. Miaka had chosen Tamahome instead of memory-loss with him in the book. Always Tamahome, and he had stood by her for it. But this time.... maybe he could....

"She will," Tetsuya said, holding his hands out to Mayo. The small woman carefully laid her daughter in his arms and he bounced the baby gently to make her laugh. "Miaka has pulled through everything with iron will before. Mere heartbreak couldn't hold her back now."

"I don't know if you're talking about the same woman here," Mayo put in. The men and the teenaged monk stared at her as she asserted herself. Mayo smiled and took center stage.

"I didn't know Miaka-san so well until I felt her with me, beside me at the end of the book's resurrection. I felt her heart on a spiritual level.... and even though she was strong, and resilient, and helped lift me to do what I had to... I knew she would have been broken if her warriors had suffered physical defeat and ceased to be."

"Mayo..." Keisuke murmured in wonder. His younger wife smiled and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

"You fellows keep overlooking matters of the heart like it can be solved with a time period or a band-aid. Miaka's heart makes her who she is. I don't know what the Four Gods are planning, but I hope they leave her out of it," Mayo finished. She got off her soap box and sat on the arm of the sofa beside Asakura. He grinned and bopped her shoulder affectionately.

"Who could put it better than our Mayo-chan? I bow before your knowledge," Asakura smiled, not unkindly. Mayo allowed herself a satisfied smile and winked at him.

"Now that you admit it..."

"But the Four Gods," Keisuke interjected. "I just wish they'd come out to say what it is they really want."

"You said it yourself," Tetsuya said. "They want to write the rules themselves, not follow the spell of a scroll."

"But they must want SOMETHING..."

"That same thought has been nagging me, too," Asakura added.

"Me too. I keep thinking Seiryuu must want something if I can hear him sometimes," Miboshi threw in.

"I don't like not knowing," Keisuke complained lightly.

"Who doesn't?" Mayo asked. "All we can do is try to make the best of things when they come forward again."

"I wish it were that simple," Tetsuya said.

Miboshi nodded.

"And on that dread note, who wants tea?" Mayo asked.

Miboshi raised his hand shyly and the men nodded.




End for now
5/17/09


About a full month since my dog died. On Tasuki's birthday, yet! You can bet I'll remember the date ^_^;; I can't believe I finally sat down to finish this! I must always remember, to work on what I have going. I popped in Eikoden to listen as I plugged along, the english version if you can believe. I cant' read subtitles while I type, so yech :P I enjoy the original voice-actors far more unfortunately.

Listened to some Guns n Roses while proof-reading. "Sweet Child O Mine" and "Don't Cry" seem to work for Hiroshi right here. I've been slogging on my Best Of cd until Chinese Democracy came out. It's about time they released a new album!

What does Hiroshi have in mind for Tetsuo and how will the date end? Stay tuned and hopefully it'll be sooner than five months (wince). I've had this almost finished for three months, and am so sorry it took awhile to type up the rest. I hope it satisfies! Please please take a moment or two to review. It is always appreciated!

Sincerely yours,
pen rose