Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Firebird ❯ Goodbye Konan...Hello Tokyo! ( Chapter 13 )

Vera-chan: Sorry for the pause between the last chapter and this one…I had a little writer's block………but that's gone now thank to my beautiful muses!

Luna-sama & Avia-san: ::bow to reader's applause::

Vera-chan: Without further ado………Ch. 13!

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"Firebird"

Ch. 13 "Goodbye Konan…Hello Tokyo!"

The next morning almost everyone was seated for breakfast when Hotori came running in excitedly.

"Guess what! Guess what!" She grabbed a chair between Nuriko and Washi. "You'll never guess what happened!"

"Gee, I don't know………" Washi said sarcastically. "What happened Miko-Sama?"

Hotori was now smiling so broad, her face must've hurt, and she held out her hand, showing off the ring Hotohori had given her.

"You found a new ring?" Tsuru asked, playing dumb like the others.

"No………" Hotori laughed, shaking her head. "Hotohori and I are getting married!"

Everyone put on looks of pseudo-surprise, and a chorus of "Congratulations." Rang out, and when Hotohori entered, all the girls broke into a round of "Awww………" As he kissed Hotori good morning.

* * * * *

Hotori sat in the garden, dreamily remembering the events of the night before. She'd been stargazing, like she did most clear nights, when Hoto-sama appeared out of nowhere. He seemed a little nervous, but she dismissed it, he'd been acting like that since she returned. Suddenly he asked her to be his wife, and slipped a ring onto her finger. She was reliving it for what seemed like the hundredth time when she realized Hoto-sama was really approaching, smiling broadly. They greeted with a hug, and a quick kiss. She was still smiling broadly, until she remembered something.

"What is it?" He asked, noticing her sudden change in expression.

"I just realized………my parents don't know………" She sighed. "And I don't know how to tell them………"

"Don't worry." He smiled softly down at her. "You can go back to your time and tell them."

"No, Their time. This is my time. I belong here." She corrected. "But how do I go back to their time?"

"Simple." He said. "You just go to the Suzaku shrine and ask Suzaku. He'll make sure you arrive and return safely."

"That's all?" She asked, then threw her arms around his neck. "That's wonderful!"

She turned and started off, but Hotohori stopped her.

"Please take some of the Senshi with you………" He said, a small note of concern in his voice. "Just to be safe………"

"I will, don't worry." She smiled and they kissed again. "I'll be alright."

With that she was off to pack and figure out who to take with her.

* * * * *

Okami crouched low in the bushes, and telepathically plotted with Yamakaze. The wolf started off to execute their mostly fool proof plan.

Tasuki walked out into the garden, and looked around. He had to find Washi. All of these sudden romantic happenings had given him a new burst of courage. He was finally going to soberly tell Washi his feelings. He was just about to give up when something growled behind him, he turned and saw the silver and white wolf that joined them with Chichiri's counterpart.

"Nice wolfy………" He said, trying to back away, but the wolf advanced, teeth bared. Tasuki broke into an all out run, and felt the wolf occasionally nip at his heels. He ran deeper and deeper into the garden. He was no longer looking where he was going, however he whished he had been when he ran right into Washi, sending them both tumbling to the ground. The wolf retreated, unnoticed, and Tasuki looked down at Washi, awe struck, his words clumping in his throat.

"Tasuki…….."She said softly, and he gulped. "Please………GET OFF ME!"

"Oh, right, sorry." He moved to a sitting position beside her as she sat up.

"Hey, Washi!" Hotori's voice called. "I was wondering if-oops! I didn't mean to interrupt something. I'll ask you later."

"You're not." Washi jumped up. "Believe me you're not!"

"Oh, sorry then." Hotori smiled sheepishly. "It's just, you both look flushed, and there's grass stains, and………"

Washi and Tasuki looked at each other, and took a few giant steps in opposite directions.

"I didn't need that image………" Washi sighed, a hand on her head. "Now Miko-Sama, what did you want to ask me?"

"Oh, nothing much." Hotori smiled. "I just wanted to know if you'd like to go with me when I return to Tokyo."

"You're leaving?" Tasuki said, looking a little confused. "Why? I mean, you just found the last new Suzaku, and-and Hotohori will be heartbroken!"

"No Tasuki, I'm not leaving for good." She replied, smiling. "I'm just going to visit my family and announce the engagement."

Tasuki shrugged, and silently departed before he could embarrass himself any more.

"Tokyo is where you came from, right?" Washi asked. "Sure, I'll come, it could be fun."

* * * * *

The next morning, Washi, Okami, and Nuriko met in Hotori's room.

"If we're going to Tokyo, you guys need to fit in." She said, looking through her bag. "So I've decided to loan you some clothes to wear while we're there."

She then pulled out three pairs of jeans and three shirts. The Senshi went back to their rooms to change, and then returned to her room.

"Okami, you can keep the kasa, but I'm not sure the staff would be a good idea. Washi, black is your color, but you might want to ditch the bindings. And-" Hotori's gaze fell on Nuriko and she gasped. "You really are a guy………"

Nuriko crossed his arms, and looked rather offended at the sudden statement.

"Oh, don't get upset Nuku-chan!" Hotori said, crossing the room to her friend. "You're handsome."

"No Miko-Sama," Washi corrected as she finished undoing the bindings. "He's pretty, not handsome."

All four laughed at this, and finished getting ready to go. Hotohori walked them to the shrine, and everyone else came to see them off.

"Washi!" Tasuki called. He wasn't standing with the others, but was off to one side. "Come here a second, I wanna talk to you."

"What is it Fang Boy?" Washi asked as she hurried over.

Hotori would've shamelessly listened in, but everyone else was crowding in to say their goodbyes. She saw him talking, and she saw Washi's expression go from annoyance to one of shock and surprise.

"Come on, no da!" Okami called to her. "We've got to get going, no da!"

Washi stood there a moment, then turned to walk away. Tasuki grabbed her arm, said one last thing, and let her go. She ran over to the others, and stood silently.

"What did Tasuki-kun want?" Nuriko asked as they finally entered the shrine, away from the others.

"Nothing." She replied, seeming distracted.

A bright red light filled the room, and Hotori felt a little tingly, but it was nothing new. This was exactly how she felt when she entered the book, so why should leaving it be any different?

The light faded, and the four found themselves in what looked like a personal library. Hotori looked around and saw an all too familiar brown book lying on the desk.

"This must be my parent's house." Hotori observed. "Let's go see if we can find them."

The four left the room quietly, and began looking.

Meanwhile, Miaka was sitting in the living room with Tamahome, Aoi, and Mire. She suddenly grabbed her husband's arm.

"Someone's in the house." She whispered.

He sighed as they both stood up to see what was going on. Mire and Aoi followed, for lack of anything better to do.

A floorboard creaked, and Miaka jumped. Meanwhile, Hotori mentally scolded herself. She wanted their arrival to be a surprise, but with all these old floorboards, it was hard. Both teams moved slowly towards each other growing more and more anxious as time passed. Finally Hotori came to a corner. They started to turn it, and ran right into Miaka, Tamahome, Aoi and Mire.

"AHHH!" Miaka and Hotori screamed in unison, falling backwards.

Everyone else looked form mother to daughter, and back again.

"Hi Okaa-san!" Hotori said, jumping up and hugging Miaka. "Oto-san!"

She hugged her dad, then pulled both siblings into a strong hug. She wasn't surprised to see Mire was still wearing the kasa Chichiri had given her.

"What brings you here?" Tamahome asked, grabbing her for another hug. "Hotohori didn't do anything did he? Because if he broke up with you………"

"That's kind of why I'm here………" She replied, blushing slightly.

"He broke up with you?" Tamahome's eyes flashed.

"No." Washi stated. "Miko-Sama is getting married."

"To who?" Miaka asked, smiling.

"To me." Nuriko replied sarcastically.

"What?!" Tamahome's eyes flashed again. "No way is my oldest daughter marrying a gay guy!"

"Actually, no da………" Okami pondered out loud. "If he wanted to marry a woman, he wouldn't be gay, no da!"

"Don't worry, Oto-san," Hotori smiled. "Nuriko's found himself a nice gi-guy."

"That's nice dear………" Miaka said. "But who are you marrying?"

"Hotohori!" Hotori smiled. "He gave me a ring and everything!"

She held out her hand and showed them the ring, and Miaka gushed over how wonderful this all was.

* * * * *

Hotori, Okami, and Washi were getting ready for bed when Mire stuck her head in.

"Okami-san?" She asked. "Will you read me a bed time story, no da?"

"Of course, no da!" Okami replied, getting up and following the little girl out of the room.

"Washi?" Hotori asked, sitting on the bed by her friend. "Is something wrong?"

"No, Miko-Sama." She replied, although she still seemed distracted.

"Okay then, just checking." She stood up to go, but Washi stopped her.

"Get back here!" She pulled Hotori back onto the bed. "I need some advice, Miko-Sama."

"About………?" Hotori was slightly confused.

"Tasuki." Washi replied. "He-he told me he loved me."

"I know." Hotori replied. "You told us remember? Chichiri didn't let him live it down for a week."

"No, not then, Today." She sighed. "Just before we left."

"Really?" Hotori's smile brightened. "And………?"

"And that's why I need advice!" Washi groaned. "I don't know what to tell him."

"Tell him how you feel." Hotori suggested. "What have you got to lose?"

"It's just, it's the first time a human, let alone a guy, has ever said that to me." The Senshi looked at the floor. "I honestly don't know how to respond."

"Just don't worry about it." She got up and climbed into her own bed. "You'll know what to say when the time comes."

"I guess you're right." Washi climbed into her bed.

A few minutes later, Okami returned, and got in her position from the ceiling.

The door opened, and Nuriko stuck his head in.

"Night, Nee-chan, night, Washi." He smiled. "Night, Weirdo!"

"Night Nuriko." Washi and Okami replied.

"Night, Nuku-chan!" Hotori said happily.

* * * * *

The next morning, Miaka took Aoi, Mire, Hotori, Washi, Nuriko, and Okami shopping.

"Oh, Hotori, look!" Miaka said, motioning to a bridal shop. "You'll need a dress, won't you?"

"Um, Mom, I'm pretty sure there will be something for me to wear." Hotori replied, pulling her mother away from the large puffy white dresses. "I don't think we need to waste time and energy in there."

"Oh, but Hotori!" She protested, but then got side tracked. "Oh, look over there!"

She started off to look at another store, and everyone else followed.

"Hey, Miko-Sama………" Washi said, falling back. "You didn't happen to mention anything to the others about what Tasuki said to me………did you?"

Hotori gulped. "Of course not, why?"

"No real reason. It's just, Nuriko was giving me guy advice………which was quite odd………" Washi explained. "And Okami gave me a strange little speech, filled with no da's, about holding on to the right guy when he comes along………"

"I don't know what could've gotten into them…….." Hotori smiled. "But neither of them ever were the type to need solid reasons to do stuff………oh, look at those shoes!"

"Yes, they're nice Miko-Sama." Washi ignored the apparent change of subject. "But if you say you didn't, then I believe you."

Hotori mentally kicked herself for inheriting her mother's loud mouth.

* * * * *

That night at dinner, Miaka was happily going on about the wedding and everyone else was enjoying the obvious embarrassment this brought Hotori.

"You know………" Tamahome said. "I haven't okayed this marriage………there may not be one!"

"Dad!" Hotori couldn't help but smile at the look on her fathers face. She read it loud and clear. It said: `I wouldn't be much of a father if I didn't act tough, but I'm happy for you.'

"I just love weddings!" Nuriko sighed. "Don't you, Washi?"

Washi shrugged, and Hotori gulped again.

Everyone ate in silence for a moment.

"Okay, okay, I admit it!" Hotori exclaimed. "I told Nuku-chan, and Okami………but they tricked me and-I'm sorry!"

Everyone looked at her oddly a moment, and she felt her face grow hot.

"Told them what dear?" Miaka asked. Hotori leaned over and whispered it to her. "Tasuki? Really? That's wonderful!"

"What?" Tamahome asked.

"Nothing dear." Miaka replied. "It's a girl thing."

"Then how come Nuriko knows?" He asked.

"It's kind of private." Washi said. "If it's okay, I'd like to keep it as much of a secret as possible from here on out."

Tamahome shrugged, and went back to eating.

* * * * *

"Washi." Hotori sat across from her friend. "Are you mad at me?"

"No, Miko-Sama." Washi replied. "I can't get mad at you………well, I can, but I can't stay mad."

"I'm sorry." Hotori smiled hopefully. "They tricked me into telling them. But I wouldn't have done it intentionally!"

"I know Miko-Sama." Washi smiled back. "It's okay."

The door opened, and Nuriko and Okami entered.

"What are you two talking about?" Nuriko asked, sitting down beside Hotori.

"Nothing much Nuku-chan." She replied.

"We're heading home tomorrow, no da!" Okami pointed out. "This has been fun, no da. But I'll be glad to get home, no da."

"To Chichiri." Nuriko teased.

"I don't know what you mean, no da." She tried to look innocent.

"Sure." Hotori couldn't help but join in. "And I'm not the Miko."

"Face it." Nuriko sighed. "We've all got someone we're looking forward to seeing."

"We do?" Washi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Sure. I've got Sekai, Nee-chan's got Hotohori." Nuriko got a big grin. "Okami has Chichiri, and you've got Tasuki-kun."

Washi put a hand to her head, not saying another word.

"Come on, now." Hotori said. "Leave Washi alone, this is hard enough for her right now."

"Thank you, Miko-Sama." Washi smiled.

* * * * *

The next morning, everyone was saying goodbye.

"Don't forget to let us know when you've set a date for the wedding." Miaka smiled, hugging her daughter.

"I will Okaa-san." She smiled. "I love you, Oto-san."

I love you too." Tamahome smiled. "One rule though."

"What?" Hotori asked, slightly afraid of his response.

"You can get married as long as you have separate bedrooms." He said. "And no `visiting', especially at night!"

"Dad!" She was now the color of a nice, juicy apple. They left in another flash of bright red light, and soon reappeared in the Suzaku shrine.

"I bet a lot's happened in a week." Hotori commented as they left the shrine.

A familiar blue haired monk appeared from around a corner, and bolted behind them.

"Hide me, no da!" He begged. "She's coming, no da!"

"Who, no da?" Okami inquired.

"Koneko, no da!" He replied. "She hid my kasa, no da!"

"Why are you hiding, no da?" Okami wandered.

"Oh, Chichiri-kun!" Koneko's voice drifted over to them. "Where are you?"

"Here, borrow mine, no da!" Okami put her kasa on his head and he soon disappeared.

Koneko walked up and smiled.

"Back so soon?" she asked. "I figured you would've stayed longer."

"A week was long enough." Hotori sighed. "Especially with parents like mine."

"A week?" Koneko replied. "But you just left the day before yesterday………"

Hotori looked slightly confused, but then remembered the time difference, and dismissed it.

"Say, Koneko, no da?" Okami asked. "Have you seen my kasa, no da? I loaned it to Chichiri before we left, but I'd like it back, no da."

"Oh, that was yours? As a matter of fact, yes." Koneko smiled. "I'll go get it."

"Chichiri owes me, no da." Okami whispered as Koneko went to retrieve the hat.