Typical disclaimer stuff :sigh: No, I do not own Fushigi Yuugi, any of the characters (although if I hit the lottery several times, I'll see if I can change that. I have the utmost respect for Yu Watase and all her work. I hope you enjoy!

Miaka sighed for the third time over her empty milkshake glass, staring into the deep, indigo eyes of her love, Taka. About half of his glass still contained the milky dessert and he finally let go of the straw to look across the table. When his eyes finally met hers, giving Miaka the full force of his stare, she blushed and turned away for a moment, only to look once more upon the loving, selfless stare of Taka.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to finish eating before you," he said playfully.

Miaka puffed up and glared at him.

"Nani?? I can't help it if my metabolism is higher than yours."

"It's higher than anyone else's I know... and I know a lot of people."

They stared at each other for a moment and burst into soft laughter. A few other people in the ice cream shop looked over at the couple who seemed to be sharing their own private joke. Oh, and what a joke they shared. Who would've guessed that Taka was the reincarnation of Miaka's fictional lover, Tamahome, complete with memories of his past life loving her. The ring that each wore on their left ring finger was a testament to that story.

"You know, sometimes I wonder about everyone else," Miaka said thoughtfully, playing with her straw. "If they were reincarnated, decided to stay in the spirit world with loved ones or simply went on."

"Well, maybe we'll see them again. But in the mean time, I'm going to give you all the love that I was given for you."

With that, he rose from the table and held out his hand for Miaka, who softly placed her own within his. Just a year ago, she had thrust this man from her mind, had focused on her life. Now, all her dreams were hers for the sweet taking. Yui-chan was back, they were going to the same high school, and Tamaho- err - Taka was with her.

He walked Miaka to her place and when she raced upstairs to her window to look down at the street, there he was, faithful and true as ever. She blew him a kiss goodnight and watched as he went to his own place. Miaka refused to move until she could no longer see him, as if to verify that he truly was real and that he wouldn't vanish into stardust as soon as he left her side.

"He isn't going to disappear, Miaka," Keisuke said from the doorway. "Your face is going to get stuck to that window."

Miaka reluctantly peeled her face from the glass and turned to her brother. He shared in her secret, and enjoyed seeing his younger sister happy and complete. He often came home to visit, since he had his own apartment. Miaka knew that it was because he was too lazy to cook. She was proud that her own cooking had improved immensely. She remembered that fiasco with the food she had attempted to cook while still in the Four Gods Sky and Earth.

She unpacked her books and set them on her desk so that she could do her homework and study later on in the evening. English, math, Chinese and Japanese literature (which she had with Yui-chan), and PE.it all seemed too much at times. But then she thought about all her friends from Konan. Miaka smiled at the thought of Hotohori, Chichiri, Mitsukake, Chiriko, Tasuki and Nuriko and all the strength, love and support they had given to her. It made her so happy that she could talk to Taka about their adventure in his past life, her present. And Yui-chan.she was so much happier now. Her and Tetsuya had been dating for a few months now, and she and Taka got along very well. All things were forgiven and mostly forgotten.

"How could anyone ever really forget about all that?" Miaka asked herself. "It truly was one adventure that none of us could forget."

"Hurry up, Tasuki. Heaven knows I can't wait around for you all day."

Chichiri stood by a tree and looked over his shoulder to see if Tasuki had stopped fighting with his horse yet. It seemed like every few miles, Tasuki would complain, the horse would stop and proceed to stomp his former rider until the hot-headed man begged for forgiveness. The monk laughed a little, the rings on his staff jingling. It was nice to laugh again, to be free from the rights and responsibilities of a Suzaku Seishi. He still had all of his powers intact, since Suzaku Seikun had returned to his heavenly realm. And Tasuki (heaven help them all) still had his fire conjuring abilities.

At the moment, the two were on their way to visit Houki, the empress and her son, Boushin. Every month, they traveled to the capital city, summoned one of Taitsu-kun's Nyan-Nyan and allowed Hotohori to communicate with his son and wife. Once they entered the city, Hotohori's spirit would find them, as he always did, and catch up on old times.

Chichiri stopped waiting for the two brawling creatures and continued to walk the last mile or so to the city. When the city gates finally came into view, the faded form of the late emperor leaned against the wall, a few people standing at a distance in awe of the beauty that was Hotohori.

"Hotohori-sama!" Chichiri called. "How's the spirit world treating you?"

"It's damaging to my hair," he frowned, pulling his ponytail around and stroking it fondly. "Too dry, really. Where is - ah."

Tasuki finally came up the road, the horse resting comfortably on his back.

"He said he broke his leg," Tasuki growled, his sharp teeth showing clearly. "I think he's lying, but he refuses to walk anymore."

At that, Tasuki dumped the horse on the ground and glared at the stallion. Hotohori laughed softly while Chichiri took off his mask to get a better look at everyone.

"How is everyone else doing, your highness?" he asked.

"Well, I haven't seen them much. I've been around here, of course. Occasionally, I see Chiriko in the libraries here. I don't see the rest, but it would make sense that they were where they find the most happiness."

"That would put Mitsukake with Shoka," Chichiri said thoughtfully. "And I have a strong feeling that Tamahome somehow made his way to Miaka."

"Then where's the gay guy?" Tasuki laughed, rubbing his back.

All three stopped to wonder just where Nuriko had ended up after serving his duty to Suzaku no Miko.