Written by: HoshiHikari (not HoshiHikari4ever anymore)
Disclaimer: I do not own FY!
Spoiler: Whole Series plus OVA's plus Side stores
Parings: Miaka/Hotohori
Note: "…." talkItalic/Underline words on paper, scrolls, etc… Italic thoughts/dreams
Chapter 8Suzaku looked directly at Hotohori.
"Now you must return Saihitei. You know your path…now you must take it…You will oblige the Miko's last wish…" "But Suzaku…I cannot chose duty over love!! Please Suzaku…please…" His God glared at him, daring to speak.
"You shall gather the Senshi. You shall prepare the army. Even if I cannot be summoned this time, remember, both Miaka and I will be watching over you…We will protect Konan…"
The lights dimmed, as a portal opened for Hotohori to return. "Remember…remember…duty over love… Miaka will be right here waiting for you…"
The emperor jolted up in bed. "Duty…over love…. " he repeated over and over again, shaking his head. "Suzaku, Miaka…I'm sorry…" He twisted to the side.
I'm sorry…but I can't. Miaka…I will come for you…I'm sorry…forgive me…for disobeying your wishes…
The next few days past without any incident occurring. Well, nothing important aside from the fact that Hotohori was no longer plague with dreams. He grew inpatient, and surprisingly hated this silence. He would have preferred having, facing the nightmare then not having any information about Miaka. Even now he wasn't too sure if they were true or not. For all he knew, he could have been placed under some spell, and it was Nagako's intention to cause this. For all he knew this could have all been a trick. However, trick or not, he would not judge it just yet. He needed proof, solid facts. He could not, will not base his actions on instincts, though his instincts had never led him wrong. This was different, and he knew it. Too much was ridding on the line, Miaka's life, his life, and the life of the entire empire.
Hotohori groaned, frustrated. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know who to trust. He still remembered how his advisor looked at him with a sympathetic poor kid expression. Never again was he going to bother his advisors about this. He didn't want to put a bad impression on the empire, have them think he was love sick, and was in some sort of fantasy land while in reality the midst of a war was looming above them. Yet he could he trust? He could console him on matters like this? The answer came quickly. The Senshi, any one of them would do. The problem was, there weren't any other Senshi around were there. He had no idea….where….
The emperor's face lit up. He might not know where four of them were, but he was sure that one of them was still where she, no he, was left last. Yes, he knew just what to do. Standing up quickly, he made his way to his least favorite place in the palace: the harem.
"You've made a wise decision, Suzaku no Miko. I am please to hear it." The Kuto general loamed over a sitting Miaka, who had her eyes closed. She finally told him she'll submit to him, on three conditions.
The first was that he did not wage war on Konan. The second to withdraw the border troops, including themselves back into Kuto. Finally, the lastly and most importantly stop the plaguing dreams which haunted Hotohori and caused not only physical, but mental and emotional pains. Nagako had promised the first and the second, to the best of his ability, as he was not the emperor, and at the most could control and influence only those below his rank. As for the third one, he tried to tell Miaka that it wasn't his fault and he had no control over it. He tried to tell her that Tomo had nothing to do with it. Miaka didn't really believe him. He only swore to all four Gods that if he was lying, he'll die a torturous death. The only time that the Kuto general ever spoke the truth, at least about the third condition, was the time when Miaka doubted him the most.
Nakago took a finger and ran it down Miaka's cheeks. She recoiled under his touch. "How've I longed for this day…." Nagako continued. "Submission isn't that hard is it? Just a simple word of 'yes' and now the whole Konan empire is saved. No more problems, no more worries. A life of submission, such a wonderful life indeed." Miaka didn't reply. Inside she protested and snorted, she disagreed with it entirely. The only reason she did this was for the greater purpose, the bigger picture. She chooses duty over love and she'll stick by it.
"Korin!…" "Houki!!" Korin screamed as her best friend wrenched at her beautiful hair, letting some purple strands fall carelessly on the floor. "Let go!!!" "Well where have your mind been wandering off, been calling you for ages, you just seemed to have drifted off to nowhere." Houki sounded excited. The two friends were roommates in the harem. "Have you been pondering about Heika-sama again…." Houki leaned close and rested her head on her best friends lap. "I don't get why he doesn't see the beauty… its not that hard to miss…." Houki suddenly trailed off and turned away. Then in a smaller voice she continued. "I mean, I love Heika-sama too, however, I think, I'm satisfied being with you….Ryuuen…" The name came out barely above a whisper.
Korin tensed at the name. She knew what the other was hinting at. Houki was the only person who knew her secret, and sometimes, she used that as an advantage.
Korin pulled Houki in gently and fingered the other's hair, not knowing exactly what to do. "Neh…sorry but I'm not gay…" Kourin joked, gently pushing Houki aside, as she felt long before she heard hurried footsteps approach. It was a good thing too, as the next moment the door burst open.
"Korin! Houki! There you are!! Why are you still here!!" "Nani…what's the fuss?" "Yeah, what's with the racket and commotion?" The girl who had just entered, looked absolutely thrilled. "Heikia-sama!!! He's here!!" Having said that, she rushed out again.
Houki and Korin just stared at each other for a while. "anno…shall we go?" Korin asked. "What you think!! Of course!! Who knows when he'll revisit! It's his first time! Finally going to meet him!" Houki pelted for the door, however, she paused when she reached it. Suddenly she grabbed Korin's hand. "I meant what I said. If neither of us get picked, it maybe for the better….who knows, things aren't anyways as it seems." Korin didn't know what to say. She knew what the other meant, but had pushed it from herself. She pretended to ignore it.
Smiling softly, Korin took Houki's hands and they entered the room where they knew that it was highly possible for one of their destines to change forever.
When they entered, all the women were already lined up in two rows, staring at the floor. On the far side, was the emperor. Taking a glance at him, Korin thought she saw the disapproval in his eyes, as if he had been forced to come here. It was then that their eyes met. Korin swore she saw a sense of recognition pass through his eyes. With swift steps, he made his way towards her. Or at least that's what she thought.
Hotohori's heart pounded furiously as he saw two people who had meant to him the most, aside from Miaka. With swift steps he hurried towards both of them, stopping in front of, in between them. They were both just as he remembered. The long purple braided hair, the identical eyes, quite undistinguishable from each other. He knew better though, looking carefully, he noted what he was looking for, a small barely noticeable black dot.
Suddenly, he didn't know where he was. He took both of their hands. "Ho…Houki?" he breathed out staring at the one to the left. Then he turned to the other one. "Nu…Nuriko?" He squeezed both of their hands. Korin seem taken a back. She had never told anyone that name. Never in her life had anyone aside from herself spoke that name. Not even Houki knew.
Seeing no response, he tugged slightly, and both of them followed, as if out of a daze. Hotohori led them to his chamber.
The past came flooding back like never before. Seeing these two, only made him hurt more. He had left so much unfinished business with them, which he just didn't know where to start or how to end. He knew it was time to knit the missing pieces together, to heal the unhealed, to open wounds that had forcefully been shut.
After sitting in his bed for a long time, Korin spoke seeing that the numerous emotions flow through the emperor. Somehow she felt the serious situation. She like all the others had heard of the emperor's recent breakdown, and the reason behind it. Somehow she knew that the emperor hadn't invited them for a casual talk or to confess his love for either of them.
"I suppose since you know my name, that I do not have to continue acting. I suppose you know more about me then I can give you credit for. I guess this womanly act won't work no more eh?"
Houki looked shocked at her friends outburst. To her surprise, Hotohori was not angry, as he tried to forcefully smile. "I remember more then you know… Nuriko, Yes, it isn't a big secret to me, or to the others. Miaka teased you all the time…." Hotohori's voice trailed off as he spoke of Miaka, while Nuriko's face darken with jealousy.
"Remember?" Nuriko asked, raising her, his eyebrow. "about what Heika-sama?" "The good and the bad times. The happiness, the pain and the sorrow. About each and every Senshi, about…." "The Suzaku no Miko" Nuriko finished off, her voice full of disapproval though he did not know why. The emperor forced another smile. "I see you still hold your grudges…." "How can I hold my grudges against someone I haven't even met before?" Hotohori looked hurt. "Then you remember nothing…." He sat back and rubbed his chin.
"Houki…" Hotohori suddenly changed the subject. "Yes Heika-sama?" "I….I'm sorry….I'm sorry….but I can't love you….In my past, you were once my wife, you once bore my child…." There was stunned silence. "However, this time around, I will not do so….I will not, cannot force myself to love another, not when Miaka's driven herself this deep into my heart. I cannot force myself to love someone else, when my Miaka desperately needs me right now. I'm, sorry Houki." A short pause. "I know you might not remember, it may be better this way. Suzaku had meant for me, and only me to bear the burden. I will not trouble you. Please…Please forgive me…." There, he had said what had been troubling him as far as Houki goes. Somehow this small burden seemed to be lifted. "I truly hope you can find another….if only Tendo…." Houki cut him off with a smile. "I think I've found someone else." She smiled and looked towards Nuriko who hadn't notice as he was staring at the floor. Hotohori brightened considerably. "I truly wish it works out…" Houki nodded, clearly hearing the tone of dismissal, bowed, and then exited.
"Nuriko…." Hotohori said once he was sure the other was away. "Nuriko….look at me, please…" It didn't sound like an order, but more of a tone of urgency from one friend to the next. Slowly the other looked up. "Why….why can't you forget about her…." He said bitterly. Hotohori choose not to reply to that. "Please don't make this harder then it already is."
"Harder!!?? How can this be harder? Right! Easy for you to say! You have no idea how badly you can hurt others!! How can you understand what I feel!" Nuriko burst out. "You may have not said it directly to me….but it still hurts…!!" Another pause. "Why do you even care for that Bitch! She's ugly, and eats like a Pig! I don't get why you men all crown around her! She's just a girl from another world!!"
A soft chuckle came from Hotohori, surprising Nuriko.
Why isn't' he angry! How can he laugh so casually. Doesn't those words hurt?
"That's childish and naïve. If it weren't for you all, Miaka and the Senshi I would not have such composure to listen to you rant like this Nuriko. You have no idea how our journey's changed me. I have learned so much from the past, from you all then all my loony advisors could ever teach.
Firstly, what I told Houki is the truth. I will not deny it. When you meet Miaka you know will know why, remember why. Like before You will learn to love her.
I understand exactly how you feel. Don't you dare say I don't understand! What you feel now, is exactly how I felt except 100 times worst in the past, and 1000 times worst today." Hotohori was trying to hold his temper. "Yes, Miaka might have been only a girl to another world to you. She might have been ugly and as you put it bitchy and pig like….That was what you thought." The emperor continued. "However, she's the Suzaku no Miko…and you got to live with that. Suzaku choose her for a reason. Suzaku choose her because she's different then everyone else.
She sacrificed herself so that Konan could survive! She choose duty over love." Hotohori spoke bitterly. "In hopes that everyone else here survives! In hopes that I can lead the country and defeat Kuto. In hopes that I can gather the Senshi and defeat Nagako. She put herself on the line so that we as a whole nation can survive….She knew the risks. She knew that she wouldn't be able to summon Suzaku. She knew I'll be left heart broken. She didn't care. As long as everyone else was alive and healthy…"
Nuriko looked at him incredulously, bearing the same look as his advisor and he was sure Mitsukake, if he had seen him. Hotohori sighed.
"I see this isn't making an impression. It doesn't matter. In time you will remember. I will not push it now…." The emperor took in a deep breath. He asked suddenly. "If you were I, what would you do? Would you choose duty or love?"
Nuriko thought a bit. He didn't know what to say. He could easily tell Hotohori was obsessed with this woman, whoever she was. Suddenly he didn't feel what he felt before, he didn't feel the hatred he had earlier. He regretted what he had said early. If it was true, if what Hotohori had said was true, then he had no right to say what he said.
"If she has chosen duty, then that is what you must do Heika-sama. She wouldn't have wanted to see you like this…" Nuriko didn't know why he said what he said last, he just did. Nor did he know why he reached out and placed a hand on top of the emperor's hand, squeezing it slightly. "Duty…." Hotohori repeated, sounding slightly disappointed. "Yes…duty…that is the path I must follow…but I cannot do so, not yet. Do you think…do you think I can choose both…"
Nuriko raised an eyebrow questioningly. "If only I could just get someone to confirm if Miaka is even here in this world, then everything else could be easily done. I wouldn't be hesitating. Nuriko nodded understandingly. "Yes, if she is here, nothing can stop me from rescuing her. If she isn't then I would be much relived as I will not fall for possible traps laid ahead."
"If it'll ease your pain, I'll go…" Nuriko spoke. He wasn't doing this cause he cared about Miaka. Deep within his heart, he was happy that Miaka wasn't here, gone, disappeared. He didn't even want her to exist. However, he had said this, only for the sole purpose of seeing a happy emperor, one was not distressed and who would carry a smile on his face. Perhaps if he worked hard enough, and offered enough service, spent more time with the man, that maybe he'll be able to convince the emperor that the one who loved him had always been in front of him. It wasn't considered as selfish desires, he really did care about the outcome of the empire, but more importantly for the pillar of the empire.
Hotohori's face lit up naturally for the first time since Nuriko met him. "Will you? Will you choose duty over love?" Hotohori meant Senshi duty over Nuriko's love for him. "Yes, I believe its possible to gain both at once. After all it is intertwined…" Nuriko meant his own desires. Neither one taking in the real meaning of the other, understanding only what would make himself happy.
"Then you must journey now to Mt. Taikiyoku. There you will find Taiitsukun. She is the creator of the world. She will be able to help us…" Having said that, Hotohori gave him the directions, sending him off with the promise that when he returned he will share the memories of the past/present with him.
Done!! So sorry for the long wait! Please remember to Review!!