Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ From A Blazing Heart To A Speedy One ❯ Speedy Confusion ( Chapter 1 )

From a Blazing Heart to a Speedy One - Chapter One

Speedy Confusion

by Chiba Branagh

Tasuki sat by the glistening lake. He was pondering over a very confusing situation. It had to do with one of the things he usually could not stand. Girls. He only liked and trusted three. Reika, Miaka, and Ayame. Well, as it turned out, Reika had turned into the problem. At first, she was not a huge problem because she was just a weird girl who had appeared, like Ayame and Miaka, out of nowhere. He knew of Ayame and when it was found out that Miaka was the priestess of Suzaku, he accepted her too. But then it was found out that Reika was his protector and priestess. Tasuki, who had gotten used to being on his own, did not like the fact that he had a protector, much less a little annoying priestess. He disliked the fact even more because Reika was a girl. He hated girls, and a girl protecting him was even more demeaning, at least in his opinion.

But now, he was used to her. She was like a little sister to him, or even a best friend. They had gotten to be very close and he knew of her tormented past. He cared deeply for her, but didn't know exactly how much. This made things strained between them. Lately, every time she came near him, he started feeling strangely. He told her it was nothing, and he just needed to be alone. That was until the night before.

The battle with Tenkou had just finished, and even though Reika was not terribly wounded, he still worried for her. He didn't know why, but he felt she needed to be taken care of. She had told him it was minor, but he still insisted she lie down and take it easy. Everyone, especially Reika, was quite amazed by how much care he took with her. Tasuki just wanted her to be safe. He brushed it off as payment for all the times she had come to his rescue. He spent the whole night by her side, just talking to her. The last few days he had spent without her had been hell, but he didn't know why.

"WHY THE FUCK AM I FEELING THIS WAY??!!" Tasuki shouted at the water.

"Why the fuck are you feeling this way about what?" A voice said behind him. It was Chichiri.

"Who the fu-? Oh it's you Chichiri," said Tasuki, laughing nervously. ~I wonder what he wants,~ he thought.

"I know there is something up with you, ya know?"

"How?"

"After last night. You couldn't stop being around Reika. Is there something the rest of us should know?"

"No," Tasuki said, not convincing Chichiri at all.

"Come on," Chichiri said nudging his comrade. "You can trust me, ya know?"

"I know but its nothing."

"I don't think you cursing at the lake is nothing, ya know?"

"So," Tasuki said bitterly. He knew the other celestial warrior was right. Chichiri smiled at his friend.

"Come on," he said to Tasuki, the mask still on his face. He sat down on a rock nearer to the water.

"Fine," Tasuki said, letting down his guard. He sat down on a rock across from his Seishi companion.

"I am having these strange feelings for Reika."

"What do you mean, strange feelings?"

"Well, the way you and Ayame feel for each other, or the way Tamahome and Miaka feel for each other. I think that's what it is."

"You mean you love Reika?" Chichiri asked, surprised. Tasuki actually loving a girl. It was hard enough to believe Reika and Tasuki even getting along. Reika seemed to be the exact type Tasuki would hate. Well, maybe Reika had something else other girls didn't. Maybe that's what made most guys look at her differently. It certainly made Tasuki act differently around her. At least lately.

"I don't really know what it is," Tasuki said sadly, "I guess it could be love."

"Does she know how you feel?" Chichiri asked in his serious voice and took off his mask.

"No! I only just realized it."

"Right," Chichiri said nodding and getting up and putting on his mask. He started to walk back up the hill to where everyone was camped.

"Hey! Where are you going bastard?" Tasuki yelled up to him.

"Just to check on Reika, ya know?" Chichiri yelled down to him.

"What?! You aren't going to tell her what I said, are you?" Tasuki said running up to Chichiri.

"Tell her what?" Chichiri said taking off his mask one more time, just to wipe the sweat off his brow. Tasuki caught on and winked at his one-eyed friend. Then he ran to Reika's tent with Chichiri right behind.

"Reika, how's your arm?" asked Chichiri as he came into the tent. He was followed by Tasuki.

"Fine," Reika said trying to get up. "Ouch! Well, maybe not as fine as I thought."

"Hey, it could have been worse," Tasuki said in his usual sarcastic sounding tone.

"Yea I guess." Reika said frowning. After she had gone through that hell of saving Tasuki, he still was his same old self. Well, at least he had come to visit her. She should have been glad because before the fight with Tenkou, he was evading her or sending her off so he could be alone again. Last night was the most surprising night of all. Tasuki had carried her to her tent, and then stayed with her all night as some attendants bandaged her wounds. It turned out the only major wound she had sustained was a broken arm. It seemed almost a relief to Tasuki. They just talked all night. They hadn't done that in a while. She wondered how things had gotten so weird between them. It had worried her.

"So, Reika," Chichiri said, "you planning to stay in Konan for a while?"

"I guess," Reika said looking to Tasuki.

"You really don't have to if you don't want to," Tasuki said, almost as if he wanted her to go.

"I want to stay here," Reika said almost arguing with him. She seemed hurt.

"Chichiri," Tasuki said to his masked friend, "would you leave me alone with Lady Reika?" Chichiri nodded and left the tent. He smiled and shook his head.

"Tasuki?" Reika asked, now a little scared of him. She did love him, but she also had been hurt in the past.

"Reika," he said in a now more understanding tone, "I don't want you to think I don't want you here." She gave a sigh of relief. ~ So he does want me here, and he is not going to hurt me, ~ she thought. ~ Thank Suzaku! ~

"Tasuki," Reika said kind of smiling, "it's okay if you want me to go back to my original post as leader of the female bandits of Mt. Reikakou. You should know that my only true comrades there are my sisters, and you are my closest guy friend. Chichiri is my second closest. He is first for someone else though." Tasuki smiled.

"You are my closest friend in terms of girls who are my friend. I don't know how, but you are." Reika smiled and blushed a little.

"Tasuki," she said reaching her unbroken arm up to him she put it around his neck and pulled him in for a hug. He hugged her back, being as careful of her other arm as he could. He couldn't believe this was the first time he had ever hugged anyone in a long time. It was even more unbelievable that this was the first time he had ever hugged Reika. However, it was not the first time she had hugged him. There were many times she had hugged him because they had either succeeded in getting something, or she was just happy everyone was alive. She always gave everyone else a hug at those times. Everyone else, except Tasuki, usually hugged back. He never thought he would ever like being touched by her, but now he didn't mind at all. In fact he wanted it to last forever.

"Tasuki," Reika said. She seemed tired and worn.

"Yes, Reika?" Tasuki asked, also fully understanding she needed rest.

"Thank you," she said, "not just for understanding, but for being here for me. You don't know how lonely it gets when no one visits you."

"You know, I am always here for you," he said smiling. Then he left.

"So what happened?" Chichiri asked.

"We hugged," Tasuki said still trying to get over the shock of actually liking it.

"Whoa!" Chichiri exclaimed, thoroughly surprised.

"What? You think I can't just hug someone."

"No I know you can just hug some one. But you hate women, right?"

"Not her. I care for her too much. Yes I am a man, but she is mostly like a little sister to me."

"Do you think that is what you feel for her?"

"No I think it's something deeper, but for now this is fine," Tasuki said.

A few months past, Reika's arm had healed, and she was learning to do new things everyday. Tasuki was giving her hints on how to run faster, while Chichiri taught her certain slight-of-hand tricks that would get her certain things, like money. Tasuki enjoyed that too. It would be about another two years there before any adventure at all would come into there lives. Yes, there was the occasional monster to fight once in a while, but they were practice shots. Reika wanted some real action. One day she finally got something to do.

"So this is the Universe of the Four Gods?" a very familiar voice said.

"Huh?" Reika quietly said as Tasuki looked at her worriedly.

"What is it, kid?" Tasuki said. He had gotten in the habit of calling her that. That would change later on. At least she hoped it would.

"I thought I heard Tamahome," she said.

"Huh?" Tasuki looked at her with his adorable what-the-hell-are-you-talking-about?-face.

"Really," Reika said trying hard not to laugh. ~ One of these days I will be able to tell him how that face kills me all the time, ~ she thought.

"So they really like monsters here, don't they?" The voice said again. Then a familiar scream was heard. Miaka and Tamahome had returned. That was the first thing to jump into Reika's mind, at least. Tasuki had already jumped the gun. Reika followed him to see he had flamed not only the monster, but also Tama. Reika had to laugh then and there.

"These flames," Miaka said.

"To think these monsters are still roaming around Konan," Tasuki said.

"Tasuki!" Miaka shouted. "And Reika!"

"Miaka and Tama are here. You were right, Reika-chan. That voice was familiar."

"I know I was," Reika said sticking her tongue out at him teasingly. Tasuki sighed. He had always secretly loved her childish manner.

Reika then noticed it wasn't just Tama and Miaka who were there.

"Ayame!" Reika screamed as she ran to her best friend, giving her a warm embrace.

"It's great to see you, Reika-chan," Ayame said returning the embrace. "Hey have you two bandits seen Chichiri?"

"Not recently," Tasuki said.

"Damn it. Where is he?"

"What the hell are you doing nearly burning a guy to death?!" Tamahome demanded.

"What's up with him, Miaka?" Reika said, trying to settle Tama down. "Is he going senile already?"

"No, Reika. Its not like that at all."

"First you meet back in the other world, and now this," Reika said pondering what it would be like to re-meet Tasuki and have to help him regain all his memories. If it meant what she thought it did, damn would she have fun with that. "Tough break," she said dreamily.

"Yea, well it's really pathetic that you don't remember your old friends," Tasuki said teasingly.

"I know we have met before, but it seems so unfamiliar somehow," Tamahome said.

"Oh, you mean you don't remember what happened between you and Miaka? You two were all hot and heavy. You were groping her and all that shit." Tasuki said, receiving a slap on the side of his head from Ayame.

"I did?" Tamahome asked, surprised he would actually do something like that.

"You didn't," Miaka said, glaring at Tasuki.

"Hey, it seems we just keep meeting like this," Reika said, trying to keep the focus on the positive. She hated fighting. At least with words. She loved physical battle instead.

"I wish Chichiri were here," both Ayame and Miaka said at the same time.

"Daaaaa!" a high pitched voice said out of nowhere. Chichiri had appeared.

"Meow!" A small cat exclaimed as it greeted everyone.

"Chichiri," Miaka said excitedly, "Tama!"

"Get it out," Chichiri said as he rummaged through Tasuki's shirt.

"Hey watch what you're grabbing," Tasuki and Reika said at the same time.

"Here it is, ya know," Chichiri said, holding up a small jewel.

"Oh yea." Tasuki said, looking up at Reika. Only Ayame noticed. She would talk with him about it later.

"Take this in your hand Tamahome," Chichiri said, immediately being pounced upon by Ayame. Tama, the little kitty, jumped from Chichiri's shoulder to Ayame's.

"But Chichiri," Miaka said, "this isn't Tamahome. His name is Taka."

"It doesn't matter, ya know."

"What is this?" Tamahome said. Immediately Tamahome was surrounded by a shimmering light. A few seconds later, he looked somewhat happy.

"Tasuki," his smile of remembrance showing, "and Reika."

"What?" Reika said, looking at him.

"How could you say I groped Miaka like that?!" Tama yelled at Tasuki as he grabbed the jacket.

"Some big moving reunion this is!" Tasuki shouted back. "And what's with grabbing my collar." The fight went on from there.

"What was that jewel, Chichiri?" Miaka asked.

"That was one of Tamahome's Jewel's of Memory, ya know?" Chichiri explained.

"Jewel of Memory?" Miaka said.

"Yea," Reika said, going on to explain how it was that Tamahome's memories were split into several jewels. One for each separate seishi. She also explained how it had been two years there.

"So two years have passed here?" Miaka said.

"Yep," Reika said getting an elbow from Chichiri, "and I think we should be getting out of here."

"We should be getting to Mount Taikyouku, ya know?" Chichiri said. "That's where my Jewel of Memory is too, ya know?" Reika nodded to him and decided to get the Tamahome and Tasuki apart. She led the two fighting warriors to Chichiri. Immediately they found themselves on Mount Taikyouku.

"I have never been hear before," Tasuki said, looking at Reika worriedly. She was just far enough away to be able to grab if trouble came up.

"Its no use, guys," Tamahome muttered, "I don't remember any of it."

"And you have for gotten me, too, Tamahome," A deep resonant voice said.

"How cold!" a feminine voice added.

"And Tasuki," said a childlike voice, "its been so long."

"Yes," said the deepest voice of them all, "too long."

Miaka turned to see the four deceased seishi's spirits of her friends.

"Nuriko... Hotohori... Chiriko... Mitsukake... Guys!" She yelled as she ran towards them. She went to embrace Nuriko, but instead fell right through him and landed on her face.

"You baka," Nuriko said, "did you forget we are dead?"

"She sure hasn't changed," Chiriko said.

"That's Miaka for you," Hotohori added thoughtfully.

"Are you alright?" Mitsukake asked, concerned for the miko.

"Ahhh!" a scream came from the direction of Tamahome and Tasuki. Tama had screamed in fear as an old witch rose up behind him. "A sand witch!"

"He hasn't changed either." Nuriko pointed out as Tamahome clung to his best friend.

"Who are you calling a sand witch?" The old crone asked.

"Taiitsukun!" Reika and Miaka screamed in unison.

"So you found Tamahome in the other world, eh Miaka?" Taiitsukun said smiling somewhat.

"So you're saying Tamahome will disappear if we can't find all his memories before this evil thing gets enough power?" Reika asked quite concerned about Miaka's love. She wasn't in love with how he treated her sometimes, but not even Tamahome deserved this. Reika knew that.

"Well," Tasuki said, "I guess we should start looking, shouldn't we?" Reika gave him a smile and started walking away. Then the ground began to shake uncontrollably.

"What the hell is going on here?!" Reika and Tasuki yelled in unison.

"Mt. Taikyouku!" Chichiri yelled. Taiitsukun was just sitting there, muttering something unintelligible under her breath. Rock and clumps of dirt were falling all around the old woman. All of a sudden Miaka yelled for Taiitsukun to get out of the way of some falling rock. She started to run towards the doomed old woman, but it was too late. Miaka screamed as rock separated her from Tamahome. Tasuki ran to her and, grabbing her, jumped out of the way just before some rock hit them both. They landed in a lake nearby the disintegrating mountain.

Reika was having problems of her own. She was trying to find Ayame and Chichiri. But before she could find them a force hit her in the back of the head. She fell, totally and completely unconscious.

"Reika," a soft voice said, "c'mon. Wake up, you baka!"

"What the hell?" Reika said in a tired tone, getting up slowly and then opening her eyes. Her head hurt like hell, and Reika almost forgot what was going on. Then she remembered, and panic set in quickly.

"Ayame, you are alright? And Chichiri too?" Reika asked franticly.

"Reika," Ayame said rubbing her best friend's head. It was somewhat bleeding. "Reika, we are fine. You, on the other hand, are bleeding." Reika looked at her best friend and then at her own hands. She was bleeding all right.

"So what?" Reika said, looking for something to wrap around her head. She found a small piece of cloth and tied it tightly around the wound. Then she looked over to see Tasuki in the water. She looked at him, confused. ~So when did he learn how to swim?~ she thought.

"So where are we?" Miaka said, looking as though she had been in the lake they were by as well.

"Lake Taichi, in Konan, ya know," Chichiri said.

"We have to get to the palace then," Miaka said firmly.

"Right, you know!" Chichiri said smiling. "Tasuki!"

"I agree, we have to get those stones!" Tasuki yelled.

"Um, Tasuki," Reika said, "when did you learn how to swim?" Tasuki promptly sank in front of the other five standing on land. His face showed embarrassment when Reika got him out.

They appeared at the palace. Everyone was amazed to see how great everything looked.

"Damn it has been way too long," Tasuki said.

"Miaka!" A small voice chirped. All of a sudden a aqua haired little girl flew into Miaka's arms.

"Nyan-Nyan!" Miaka called to the sweet little girl. "I was worried when we didn't see you at Mt. Taikyouku." Alarm showed oh Tamahome's face.

"What's that?" Tamahome asked.

"This is getting really inconvenient," Tasuki said.

"Priestess!" yelled an elderly man dressed regally in the clothes of Konan. "Tamahome, and Chichiri! And Lady Ayame!"

Then everyone except Tasuki and Reika were caught up in a throng of hugs and handshakes. It was expected from both. They were bandits.

"Oh. Tasuki and Lady Reika, too," said the old man.

"You just noticed us," Reika and Tasuki said in unison.

Soon they were in the palace talking about what was happening. Miaka and the others explained that they needed certain stones. Then the wise old man asked for Chichiri and the others to stay. It was apparent that since the war and Hotohori's death, the kingdom was still torn. They needed a leader.

"But what about the empress?" Reika asked.

"After his Highness' death, the Empress Houki gave birth to their son and immediately fell ill. She has been like this since the prince was born. That was a year and a half ago." The royal adviser explained sadly.

"Can we see her?" Miaka asked.

"Priestess, thank you."

"But first, can we eat this stuff?"

Everyone groaned. Miaka always thought with her stomach. Reika smiled at her good friend. She had always had that quirkiness that made her so lovable. Maybe that why she was a little jealous of her. She had every man's wish. A great figure, a wonderful sense of humor, and certain innocence that was quite irresistible. She was also firm and straightforward. That made her quite a good priestess. Reika looked down at her food and then back at Miaka, who had already started stuffing her mouth.

"Hey Miaka," Reika said.

"Yea?" Miaka inquired with a full mouth.

"You have mine, I am not hungry?" With that Reika brought Miaka the plate and then went outside. Tasuki seemed to be the only one to notice a very thoughtful yet sad complexion on her face. He left too.

"Reika is there anything wrong?" Tasuki asked, looking at his miko worriedly. He did worry for her sometimes. She did get depressed quite easily anymore. Especially in his presence.

"Tasuki," Reika said, "is there any chance that there is anyone who would love me in this whole damn fucking world?" Tears were streaming down her face at this point. Tasuki looked almost shocked. He knew of someone like that. Himself. He was not about to tell her though. Instead of telling her, he walked up behind her and hugged her.

"Yea, there probably is," he said casually. "I bet he is looking for someone like you right now." ~Actually he is probably right behind you,~ he thought. Reika turned around and put her arms around him. He felt warm all over for a long moment. The way she felt against him was incredible. She just stood there feeling complete in his arms as they held her tightly.

"Reika," Tasuki said.

"Yea," Reika whispered.

"I will always care for you, as a friend that is." It broke his heart to say that to her, but he couldn't bear the thought of rejection. He had no clue if or how much she loved him. He had to leave it as friends.

"I know," her voice and body quivered. He had no clue of how much her love was keeping her going. Just for his sake she stayed alive. She knew it hurt him to remember the deaths of Nuriko and Chiriko. Even though they were here in spirit, it stilled killed him inside. It hurt her too, but she never would voice it. They broke their embrace and stared at each other for a minute. Then Tasuki did the most unexpected thing. He leaned in and kissed a tear away from her cheek. Reika gasped in utter surprise.

"Well we better go to see Lady Houki," Tasuki said as he started walking toward the room. Reika stood there stunned. She could barely move. Ayame came out and saw Reika watching Tasuki walk away from her. What confused Ayame was the stunned look from Reika.

"Onee-chan?" Ayame asked.

"Ayame he kissed my cheek." Surprise was still apparent in her voice.

"Tasuki?" Ayame seemed relatively unfazed. Chichiri walked out and seeing Reika stunned nudged Ayame. She whispered something in his ear. Chichiri smiled and kissed Ayame, then walked away from them.

"I asked him to talk to Tasuki," Ayame said.

"Oh really?" Reika said. She was returning to normal now. "What about?"

"Nothing much. Let's get moving, baka."

"Whatever bitch." Ayame smiled at her and put her arm around her friend's shoulder.

"I understand how you feel about Tasuki. I understand that it is hard keep your feelings from controlling you. You must be strong though."

"I know. Hey I'll race you to the room."

"Is that what you call a challenge?" Ayame said in her most regal voice.

"No," Reika said, "I call a challenge actually being able to beat you at something." She was right. Ayame was the eternal seishi and could do everything which meant nothing could beat her.

"Poor Hotohori," Reika said. She felt for him because he could not even touch his wife. She could at least touch Tasuki.

"So," Miaka said, "can you use your power to find the other jewels Chichiri?"

"I am afraid neither I nor Chichiri could use our powers in this case." Ayame said, looking to her descendent sadly.

"Great another adventure," Tasuki said. Suddenly Tasuki felt a sharp pain go through his entire body, starting from his leg.

"SHIT!!!!!!!!" Tasuki yelled and looked down to see a small boy had run right into his shin.

"Why you little...!" Tasuki said.

"Prince!" one of the attendants called.

"Why you little cutie? Don't tell your daddy what I said, alright?" Reika shook her head and gave a little chuckle.

"You mean this is..?" Miaka started.

"His Highness' son, Boushin, ya know!" Chichiri said.

"No way!" Miaka screamed in Reika's ear. Reika had to shake her head to make the ringing stop.

"He is so cute," Taka said.

"Hey I gave that teddy you're holding to your daddy," Miaka told the little boy. He tried to pull away from her. "Don't worry. I wasn't going to take it."

"So you wanna smack him to, right?" Tasuki said to Miaka.

"Everyone! Get away from that doll!" Nyan-Nyan. Suddenly a whole slew of tentacles shot out of the little doll. They trapped everyone.

"Miaka!" Taka, screamed as Miaka fought with the strong legs holding her.

"Boushin," Miaka said, "Stop this. Put down the doll!" The tentacles squeezed tighter. She screamed.

"Prince, please put down the doll," someone said, almost choking.

"I can't use my holy power!" Nyan-Nyan said struggling.

"I can't use my power either, ya know," Chichiri groaned. "Not without hitting the prince at least."

"We can't our fire either," Tasuki, Reika and Ayame said together. As soon as they said that the monster's ugly face appeared and went for Boushin. Hotohori screamed his name and within seconds possessed his son. As Boushin he summoned the celestial sword and stabbed the toy. Tasuki and Chichiri were both surprised and glad. Just as Tasuki was freed, he saw Reika and Miaka falling to the same place. Quickly he slid under them to catch them both.

"Tasuki," Miaka said in a whispered hush.

"Thanks for catching us," Reika said joyfully.

"No problem," Tasuki said, "what else was I gonna do? Now get off. You two are heavy."

"Sorry," Reika stammered. She was happy Tasuki had literally saved her ass. She smiled coyly at him as he got up. Taka and Hotohori were talking. Hotohori was surprised he was able to summon the celestial sword while possessing his little boy.

"You are a great father," Miaka said happily. Hearing that, Hotohori, as Boushin, started running down the hall.

"Hotohori where are you going?" Miaka asked as she tried to run behind him. Ayame held her back.

"No, Miaka," the blue haired girl said, "he has to do this alone."

"What?" Reika said, looking at her best friend. The others followed slowly behind him. When they got to the door Houki was awake and holding her son, but instead of saying Boushin, she was calling him Hotohori.

"A Jewel of Memory?" The empress asked.

"Yea, Taka... Tamahome needs it so he won't disappear," Miaka said.

"Now that you mention it," Houki said, "I thought it was an illusion, but..."

"You thought what was an illusion?" Miaka asked.

"Just before my son was born, I saw a light blue stone appear before my eyes. It gently entered my womb. I remember how warm it was. Just after my son was born, the warmth passed out of me. I thought it was just a hallucination brought on be labor."

"So it's with him, ya know?" Chichiri said.

"You mean," Miaka said, "the stone is *inside* him?"

"All right!" Tasuki cheered. "Leave this to me." Promptly he took the child and hung him upside down. Hotohori was not so pleased. "Come on! Spit it out! Reika! Get over here and help me. It will be alright since Hotohori is inside him." Suddenly a punch came flying out of Boushin's body.

"Reika," Hotohori's voice echoed, "how could you go with such a stupid scheme? Tamahome what did I ever do to you to make you put a jewel in my son."

"I didn't put it in him," Tamahome said. The maid came in to give Boushin his food. Hotohori stopped beating on the two bandits and exited his body. The little boy obediently went to the woman with his food. Ayame and Chichiri noticed something though. That woman was no maid at all. She was a monster. Another demon was about to show its face. Chichiri and Ayame were struck by the monster.

"They just keep coming, don't they?" Tasuki asked. "Get out of the way Tamahome. Rekka SHINEN!"

"Rekka TORI!" Reika screamed as she protected Tasuki.

"Did they get it?" Taka asked.

"Not quite," Hotohori replied.

"San-ZEN-Ha!" Nyan-nyan screeched as she pelted the monster with small green bolts of light. "This thing's tough!"

"Leave this to me," Hotohori boomed. He took the holy sword and held it in his hands. The power from it grew as Hotohori's rage rose. "You won't be allowed to lay one finger on my son. NOW BEGONE!" Hotohori then sliced the evil demon in half and it disappeared. To Houki's surprise, Hotohori's spirit became visible to her.

"Highness," she gasped as his full form appeared before her.

"Houki... you can see me?" Hotohori asked, shocked that the empress could see him in this form.

"Yes, I can see you. And you Boushin. You can see him too, can't you?" Houki slid her little boy down. "That man is your father."

"Boushin," Hotohori said, "come to me, my son." Boushin waddled toward his father's spirit. As he went to embrace the man he knew as he father, he tripped and fell right through him. Hotohori, Houki and Boushin all began to weep in disbelief. Hotohori was very disappointed in himself.

"Enter me," Taka said. "Enter my body."

"Tamahome," Hotohori gasped in utter shock.

"Unlike everyone else, I only have half my memories. So there is probably enough room in here right."

"I am in your debt, Tamahome," Hotohori said. He got up and entered the other man's body. Boushin stopped his crying when he was picked up and held by Tamahome, who had been possessed by the Emperor. Hotohori continued to tell Boushin he was sorry for leaving his mother and him alone and giving his son the best advice he could on how to run a kingdom well. He reminded his son that he loved him and mother and he would always be there somehow. The next thing that happened was nothing short of a miracle.

"Pa.. pa," Boushin said. Hotohori looked at his son surprised as his eyes filled with tears. Boushin said it again touching what he saw as his father's face. In the background Tasuki was crying on Reika's shoulder and everyone's else's eyes were brimming with tears. Soon a light blue glow surrounded the babe as a small stone came out of him. Taka looked at the stone for a bit and then turned to everyone, smiling that same smile he had before.

"Oh Taka," Miaka cried out joyfully, hugging him, "its great, we got the third stone."

"Yea," Taka said, "and I remember that time in the rain, Miaka."

"Tasuki," Reika said softly, trying to get his attention. He looked almost as if he had been defeated by some unknown force. She thought of something that might work. She took two fingers and put them softly on his cheek. He turned his head toward hers. His eyes were full of sadness. Why would he feel so bad?

"Tasuki," Reika said looking at him worriedly, "something you care to tell me?"

"Oh Reika I wish I could," he said and hugged her. At first she was surprised, but then put her arms around him. This felt right. Reika then saw a bright red light.

"What the hell?" Reika asked herself.

"It's Suzaku," Chichiri answered. Ayame was trapped with the other two. They had to leave again.

"Everyone," Miaka said, "We will return. I promise we'll find the fourth jewel." Then they disappeared.

"So what do you think we should do, Reika?" Tasuki asked his guardian. He was a bit worried about what he had realized two days ago. ~So I love both,~ he had thought. He was so confused now.

"Well, Tasuki," Reika said, "I have been thinking about what to do and I think we should go to Nuriko's with the others."

"Keep going with the adventure then," Tasuki said, a little sad she had chosen that course.

"Tasuki," Reika said, "is there something wrong?"

"Why would you say a thing like that?" Tasuki asked.

"Because you never are sad about an adventure."

"Well, I just think we need some rest."

"We have enough time to rest while we're dead," Reika retorted. Tasuki was taken off guard, but decided the trip should be worth the while. Maybe he could ask Nuriko what to do about this mess with Reika and Miaka.

"Nuriko," Reika asked in a whispered tone as they were sneaking around Nuriko's house. It now was a full fledged week since Taka, Miaka, and Ayame had gone back to their world.

"What is it Reika?" Nuriko asked.

"I need to talk to you about something after we get the stone."

"Why?"

"Because its about you know who."

"Why haven't you told him?"

"Because, if he finds out that I love him," Reika whispered, "he will get scared. I don't know why, but he makes me think he won't ever love me. I don't know where I got that idea." Reika looked at Tasuki sadly knowing when and where that idea came from. Tasuki always said he hated women. Reika crawled up next to Tasuki, telling Chichiri she had done this many times when saving the male bandits' butts. Tasuki looked at her, giving her a playful growl. Reika stuck out her tongue. It was a childish moment, that is what made it so cute.

"Incoming," Nuriko whispered as Ayame landed in Chichiri's arms. The next one to be caught was Miaka. Tasuki caught her head with one of his large hands.

"Nice catch Tasuki, ya know?" Chichiri said. Tasuki and Reika set Miaka down as Taka crash landed on the ground.

"Nice aim," Reika remarked.

"Welcome back Tamahome," Chichiri said as he held Ayame tight.

"What happened?" Miaka asked weakly.

"Good to see you Miaka," Hotohori said.

"Hotohori! Everyone!" Miaka shouted.

"Shhh!" The two bandits said.

"We are about to play thieves here," Chiriko said, informatively.

"It's kinda stupid, since this is my own house," Nuriko added, feeling embarrassed.

"This is your house, Nuriko?" Miaka asked. Then realizing it she added, "Nuriko! And Chiriko too!" This was responded to with more shhhs from everyone.

They crawled in slowly, Tasuki and Chichiri explaining the whole situation. Reika added bits and pieces. It turned out Nuriko's jewel was in a precious jewel of his. When Tasuki, Reika and Chichiri had gone to get it, they had also tried to break it open right away. Nuriko's brother, Rokou, had stopped them. Rokou was Nuriko's older crybaby brother, and Nuriko was the one who usually had to save him in fights when they were kids.

"Tasuki," Nuriko said, "break it now. Tamahome's jewels are more important right now."

"All right, buddy, if you say so," Tasuki said. "Miaka, put the jewel in Tamahome's hand."

"What," Taka said angrily, "so you can fry me along with it?"

"I have good aim, you idiot." Miaka gave Taka the ball, but as she did, he felt an excruciating amount of pain. Taka dropped the ball as he screamed with agony. A monster has been put inside of him. Tenkou was probably the source. Reika growled in anger. Ayame also knew this had to be Tenkou's handiwork. She knew this only because he was unfeeling enough to put her descendent in this amount of pain. Reika looked to her best friend for advice.

"I don't know what to do," Ayame said.

"Keep Miaka away from him, ya know!" Chichiri screamed. Reika held Miaka back.

"What's going on here?" a young looking man asked, very afraid.

"Big brother," Nuriko said softly. As if Rokou could even hear her.

"Was that a monster?" Rokou asked.

"Oh crap," Tasuki said. Reika was trying hard not to laugh. The look on Tasuki's face was too fucking funny. Taka screamed in pain. Reika looked back at him, his face was contorted. Chichiri slammed him against the wall. It was for his own good. Taka was now unconscious. Reika looked at her poor friend.

"I wish we could do something," she said.

"I won't let you take this," Rokou said.

"Damn it big brother!" Nuriko said.

"I won't help the friends of monsters. I need my coach. I am going to the temple to ask Buddha for protection." Then he was gone. Nuriko looked on after he left.

"Its not only the fact that he can't see me," he said, "my brother can't hear me either."

"Hold on Tama," Chichiri said. Chiriko and Ayame were behind them, casting some sort of spell.

"It's all done, Chichiri," the both of them said.

"What are they talking about Chichiri," Reika and Tasuki chorused. They had to look at each other at smile. They always were thinking the same way.

"If I can put a shield around Tamahome," Chichiri said, his voice lowering an octave or two, "than maybe I can hold the monster where it is."

"Will it help?" Reika asked, not even looking at Chichiri, but at Tasuki. He looked at her and smiled.

"It would be better if we had that stone," said Hotohori.

"Hey did you see Miaka leave?" Nuriko asked, his face contorted in a weird way.

"Dammit!" Reika yelled as she noticed the brunette was gone. She always had to put Tama before herself. What a dummy.

"Let's go after her Reika!" Tasuki called to her.

"Right!" Reika followed him to the stable and he pulled her onto his horse. Before they left though, she gave him a small hug. He didn't even respond. She shook it off, and held on. They were after Miaka.

"You idiot," Reika said as she held out her hand to the younger girl, "Does Tama always come before you?"

"Reika-chan," Miaka looked up at Reika smiling and felt herself be pulled off the ground and onto the saddle.

"Yea," Tasuki said in agreement, "As we see it, it's all Tama's fault. He just needed a little action from that broad." Without warning, Reika felt Miaka's arms slip from around her waist. Reika watched as the priestess fell.

"What the fuck do you think your doing?!" Reika yelled as the horse reared up.

"Stop bad mouthing Tama!" Miaka demanded. "Tasuki, Tamahome is your friend, right? And yours too Reika? Oh forget it. Just go back. Okay?"

"Listen Miaka," Reika said getting off the horse, which she would regret later, "We were just jokin a little. We hate seeing you so sad. Especially Tasuki." ~Gods I did not just say that did I?~ Reika thought. She had.

"I told you to go back," Miaka said as she held her arm.

"Um... Miaka," Tasuki said, still a bit shocked. "You're going the wrong way."

"Oh I knew that," Miaka said, grumbling. Out of nowhere, a demon snake popped out. It went for Tasuki, but before it stuck it hit Reika in the shoulder. She was just doing her job, in Tasuki's mind. He killed the snake and got Miaka to her feet.

"Reika!" Miaka screamed.

"I think it was poisonous," Reika managed to get out.

"What do we do Tasuki?" Miaka cried for her friend.

"Don't you know?" Tasuki asked as he ripped Reika's shirt off, noticing her well proportioned chest. His eyes somewhat widened but went back to normal. Miaka looked at him for a second. "You have to suck the poison out of the wound, then I will bandage her tightly." Reika just looked at the man she loved. What an asshole he was. She couldn't believe he was that insensitive. He was hiding something. He had to be. Reika was thinking all this while Miaka sucked the poison out of Reika's wounded shoulder.

"Guys," she said, breaking Reika's concentration. Her shoulder hurt like hell. "I think I know how to help Tama."

"Let's bandage her first," Tasuki murmured, "then you can tell us." As soon as he got Reika to her feet, and Miaka told them her idea, Nuriko ran past them, but then turned.

"Miaka? Tasuki? Reika? What are of you doing here?" Nuriko asked. "What happened to Reika?"

"Hey," Nuriko said loudly, "Sorry we're late. I got the stone and my brother here. Along with Miaka and this useless jerk. Could someone help us out here with Reika? She got wounded." Ayame ran to her hurt friend and held her. Taka was screaming with pain.

"Draw the poison out from the wound?" Nuriko said.

"It's a bit dangerous, don't you think?" Hotohori said, nodding in agreement with Nuriko.

"Yea, ya know," Chichiri said, "its very dangerous."

"What if you are possessed by the demon?" Chiriko questioned. "You know that Tamahome would never be able to take it."

"It's a chance she will have to take," Reika muttered as she hung onto Tasuki. All eyes turned to her full of angry surprise. "She loves him enough to take that chance is all I am saying."

"We think it's fucking great idea," Tasuki said cheering Reika's motivation on. Reika looked at him angrily. ~He will pay for teasing me like that,~ Reika thought. Tasuki saw death in her gorgeous deep dark green eyes. He gave a nervous smile and turned his head. Sometimes she had a way of frightening him out of his wits. While all of this was going on Tamahome was agreeing that Miaka should be able to do this. Nuriko was asked to pin him down while she did so. Poor Tamahome was in agony as Miaka tried to heal him. Ayame and Chichiri on one side and Reika on the other. Even though she was not at full strength, she wanted to be a part of this. Reika was getting the shit beat out of her as Taka thrashed around. Finally she was kicked into the wall, where Tasuki caught her.

"You how stupid that was," Tasuki said.

"Yea," Reika answered coldly, "but at least I tried to help." Tasuki sucked in his breath at her cruelty. Why was she acting so harsh? At last, Rokou cooperated and helped with Taka's healing. They were finally free of that demon. Ayame ran up to the roof and shouted something no one else really could make out, but they knew who it had to deal with. Taka got the fourth stone and remembered Nuriko's death and something he had said to him. Tasuki complained of being tired. Rokou insisted on all of them staying the night. Again, Tasuki complained, but this time about "Tama" and Miaka getting a room together. Reika glared at him. Hotohori offered to room with Tasuki, but only if he could talk about Boushin. Tasuki went into his obnoxious mode.

"You are so obnoxious, ya know?" Chichiri said angrily at Tasuki.

"Yea," Ayame put in, "you should have taken the bite for Reika."

"Tasuki can room with me," Reika said feeling her arm swell with the pain of him being in the same room as her. "It'll be okay."

"Okay," Tasuki agreed whole-heartedly, "I can just bunk with you then." Then he realized that everyone had started sweatdrops. When did he decide to change?

"What? You guys even said it was my fault that she got bit. I should be the one to take care of her." Every one nodded and went to bed. At least that is what Tasuki and Reika thought.

"What a waste!" Tasuki shouted, sounding like the braying ass that he was. "If I had been there, I would of kicked ole Tenkou's butt one and for all."

"Both of us could of," Reika said sadly.

"She still looks beat up," Chiriko whispered to Nuriko.

"Yea," Nuriko replied, "but I think its more of a Tasuki thing than a hurt shoulder. Mitsukake healed that thing right up last night." Tasuki was telling "Tama" that he didn't have to worry about the stones and everything would be alright. Taka assured everyone that he would be alright. No one seemed convinced as he was leaving.

"I am going to go see if Miaka is okay," Reika said as she slipped down the wall. "If anyone wants to, they can join me." That's when Reika left. Tasuki hated to see her go.

To Be Continued. . .

Okay! That is finally done. This is the first chapter. The second might be done very soon, so keep on the look out for Chapter 2: A Fiery Confession.

Usual disclaimer applies: All characters except Reika and Ayame aren't mine. They sadly belong to Yu Watase. I wish I owned Tasuki. I hope you enjoyed and I am happy you read this.