This is the second part of the fic, how do you like it now? I really want to thank you, I am having a fun time writing this thing!! Next part will come out as soon as I can. Minna, comments please!!
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| Reflected in the Mirror Called Love- Part 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| by: Asurahime | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Is this were you have been all this time?", asked Tasuki as he and Miaka sat on an outdoor cafe. He took one look at how Miaka was eating and knew that her personality didn't change too much. "I still don't know how you can eat so much and not get any bigger..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "It's probably because I'm active, and one of my talents is speed... just like yours." Miaka replied and immediately just dug in again. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Well, it'll still be a long time before you can beat me in a race." Tasuki smirked at the girl, who just shook her head. He knew that she would reply somewhere within those boundaries. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She'd much rather not race against Tasuki. Miaka has seen how fast he moves: one, when he abducted her in their first encounter, two, when he grabbed her out of the way of a drugged Tamahome's nun-chucks. The memory of Tamahome caused her to stop eating as two tears ran down her face. She knew that she should be cheerful at seeing Tasuki again, but she couldn't help the fact that she missed Tamahome terribly. Once again, she returned to her reserved self, which she only goes through when she is thinking about something beyond her control. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki noticed that Miaka was strangely quiet, and even stopped eating, which was strange. He reached over and put a hand on her shoulder, bringing her back to the present. When she was back, he merely sighed. "Miaka, are you all right? You don't seem to be having a very good day." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No... Tasuki?" Miaka raised her face to meet his amber gaze squarely. "Have you seen Taka at all?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The ex-bandit ran a hand through his hair. He knew that she was going to ask this question sooner or later. But her was hoping that it would be later. How could he tell her that 'Taka' was inside the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho because of a deal Tamahome made with Suzaku. Tasuki knew that it will hurt Miaka, but he also knew that he had to tell her the truth or else he will hurt her even worse. "Are you sure that you want to hear this? Are you ready?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka's eyes were pleading. She had to hear about what has become of her love to know if she could wait, or if she must go on with her life. "Please Tasuki, I need to hear what has happened. I have lost Tamahome once and have tried to go on with my life. Now, I can't let my life be destroyed by this once again; but I need to know why!!!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki looked at the girl and noticed that her eyes were brighter than they should be. He saw that she was about to cry; unchanged as he was, his heart constricted when the tears finally came. "Miaka... come on, I'll tell you what happened. Just, please don't cry; I really don't like it when you do that. That part of me hasn't changed at all." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Priestess of Suzaku looked up at the boy as he wiped her tears away. "Let's go to my house Tasuki. You can tell me there. Anyway, we still have to practice for the play." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Of course my handsome prince... I cannot wait for the day when my prince will come and rescue me!" The seishi stepped out of the way just as Miaka took a swipe at him in her embarrassment. "Your highness!! Why are you being so violent to someone you are supposed to save?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki immediately ran, but Miaka was still close behind. Damn.... she is fast, maybe she'll beat me sooner than I thought!! He finally stopped running, and a few seconds later, Miaka crashed into him. "I see that that aspect of you hasn't changed at all, right Miaka?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka immediately tripped him. "I see that your sarcastic nature hasn't changed either 'Princess Tasuki'." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "All right already!! This time was a draw, I'll get you back later at the play you know?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "How? You'll be too busy wearing that frilly dress and sleeping most of the play, Aurora-sama.", she noticed that she wasn't as tongue-tied with Tasuki anymore. Reaching the door to her house, she opened it and led the red-haired seishi in. "That is what you are, isn't it? 'Sleeping Beauty'?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki turned around and grinned as he sat down on a chair and flipped through the script. "Just as much as you are going to be a charming prince, 'Oji-sama'. I'm just going to hope that the dress they give me isn't as horrible as you are making it to be. Oh, look at this... I have to say: 'My prince, I have been waiting so long for you to come and rescue me. I have almost given up hope that it might be someone like you. Now that you have defeated the evil sorceress and delivered me, I have fallen in love with you! I love you and no one else!!'. What in the hell kind of line is that? The girl I am playing as is an 'oh save me!!' type." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka heard Tasuki saying the line in a high voice and it was too much to bear, and she just had to laugh. "Tasuki! That was... interesting, yeah!! But now, you have to tell me what happened to Taka." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surprisingly, Miaka didn't burst out into tears like she did before. Her eyes were sad, but mostly held riveted interest. Tasuki was glad, he didn't want her to cry anymore; so that it would be easier to tell his story. He put down the script and ran a hand through his hair, then he began his story. "Well, I know that you had a much better view of how Taka was taken back into the other world. Yes, he has returned to the other world; I do not know much, but it had something to do with his family. He was given a choice, to stay in the book and have his family resurrected; or remain here with you without his family. But there is more to it than that, Boushin-kun and Houki-sama have a new problem in their hands, they have no one else to protect them, and I was out of the question because of my mother; Chichiri was also nowhere to be found." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "So that is why he was taken back inside the book... It's hard for me to accept it, but I know I soon will." Miaka's hands clenched into fists as she met Tasuki's gaze squarely with amazingly dry eyes. "No, I'll be all right. As long as he is where he is needed, I understand. There are people who need his help more than I, especially his family, who should have had the chance to live. He knows that I love him, and if he sees that, then I'll be able to live on with at least his memory." Her smile was bright with nothing hidden. Her fear and sadness is now a thing of the past, and as long as the people she cares for are not wasting their life, she is happy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki closed his script and went on. "Yes, he didn't really have much of a choice. He loves you with all his heart, but when there is something that threatens something that is important to you, he can't stand around and not do anything. That's why he sent me. He thought that I'll be able to keep your spirit up and protect you in his place. Don't take me wrong Miaka, I don't want to take his place in your affections, but is there any chance at all that you are accepting of what has happened? If not, I'll fight until my last drop of blood until you two are together again." He took her hand in both of his and forced her to look into his eyes. "I'll do all that for you because I don't want to see you sad. I have sworn to protect you, and I will do just that no matter what the situation is." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka removed her ring from her finger and got a chain to place it around her neck, then she hugged the seishi with all her might. Losing Tamahome was the worst feeling that she ever had. She lost her happiness in all ways, but as long as her love is living his life to protect what he believes in, she is happy for him. He has given her the most joyous times in her life, but now, it's time to move on. At least she is not alone, for her friends are still with her all the way. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recalling something which she should have mentioned before, she pulled out of Tasuki's embrace and looked at her script. "Hey Tasuki, are those people really the other seishi? I didn't think that I would find them all in one place." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The fanged red-head blinked. "I'm sure it's them Miaka. But one problem we have is that they don't seem remember anything of the past." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But Tasuki, did you notice that Tama-neko was there? And he isn't a seishi, so what is he doing in this world?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That &*!%& cat!!! I don't know Miaka. We'll have to see how things go." Tasuki resumed reading his script and grinned at the girl, obviously happy that she didn't turn him away. "Yoshi!!! Let's get to work, eh Miaka? Iya, oji-sama?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A pillow hit his face with flawless accuracy. "Sure ohime-sama!! Let's start...." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ********** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yui-chan!!! Shinosuke-kun!!!" Miaka saw the 'king and queen' heading for her house. "Ohayoo Gozaimasu. Where are you going?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui and Shinosuke both saw Miaka at the same time, so they greeted her. The auburn-haired girl seemed to be much happier than she used to. Miaka already told Yui about what happened to Tamahome, and she sad at the telling, but her cheerful nature came back when she finished. Yui reached Miaka first and had her script in hand. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Miaka, me and Shinosuke-kun were wondering if you, me, him, and Shunu-kun can practice the play together at your house?" Yui showed Miaka the script. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "If it isn't too much trouble that is, Miaka-san. We thought that we might be able to help each other, especially because the dress rehearsal is tomorrow." Shinosuke smiled at Miaka as he bowed in greeting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka smiled brightly and practically dragged the two of them into her house. "Of course! Come in and sit down! I'll get some tea ready, while we wait for Tasu... er, Shunu-kun." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As if he was summoned, Tasuki knocked on Miaka's door and she let him in. She had to admit, he looked great in these world's clothes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Miaka, I don't think I'm ever going to get used to wearing these kind of clothes." whispered the red-haired seishi as he entered the house. Seeing Yui and Shinosuke, Tasuki bowed in greeting and smiled to show off his canines. "Ohayoo! Otou-sama, Okaa-sama!!! Is there any way I can serve you? I really cannot say what a pleasure it is to be brought up by such loving parents such as you." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui and Miaka exchanged glances. The blue-haired boy just grinned back at Tasuki and replied. "Ohayoo Gozaimasu Aurora-hime. Today is your sixteenth birthday, and we shall host a fantastic party. Many people from far and wide has already been invited to see our dear princess. Isn't this what you wanted? You are also old enough that you may find your true love at the ball." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki glance at the boy, but Shinosuke's gaze was focused on something behind Tasuki; on Miaka. Then the boy's stare transferred to Tasuki and then back to Miaka. Obviously, he was doing this on purpose; for Tasuki to know. "You know, you and Miaka do make a cute couple... Just switch the roles...", whispered Shinosuke with and mischievous glint in his eyes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The seishi turned red, very red. "Wha-what are you talking about? Mi-miaka and I are ju-just friends!!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The other just shrugged and looked back at the two girls discussing about the script behind Tasuki. He knew how Tasuki felt about the girl, and he agreed to it. Yui has talked about how Miaka has been feeling very low the past days and how Shunu-kun cheered her up when no one else could. He believed in that kind of love, even if it is unrequited in the start, it grows in time. He smiled at Tasuki, because knew exactly how to embarrass the boy into admitting the truth. "Well, are you saying that before the 'auditions' that you never saw each other?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki's blush faded a little. "Yeah, that was the first time we ever saw each other. What gives, why in the hell are you @%&*ing interrogating me?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The other boy didn't seem that surprised when Tasuki swore, in fact, he seemed to be expecting it. He scratched his head in feigned confusion. "If you say so. But just before I left the auditorium, I could have sworn that I saw you hugging her and she was calling you 'Tasuki' or something. I could have been day dreaming, but I tripped over a chair, it hurt, and I still saw you two holding each other. Or do you do that with all strangers who you just meet for the first time?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The pretty pink glow on Tasuki's face instantly turned into a raging firestorm. He had been positive that no one was in the room when he told Miaka who he was, but he was wrong. "All right, this wasn't the first time we met... but you wouldn't believe me if I told you were." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shinosuke smiled. "It's fine, you don't have to tell me where. It just confused me a little. Oh, and don't worry, no one else was in the room." he crossed his fingers behind his back and added silently. Except the four directors. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki sighed his relief. "Great, now let's get started on finishing this thing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ********** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By the end of the day, the four of them got their lines memorized perfectly. Yui and Tasuki already left to go home, and Shinosuke was about to leave. Miaka was opening the door for Shinosuke, but when he got out, he told her that he still needed to talk to her. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The expression on the girl's face was of confusion, he couldn't possibly have any more pointers for her. She leaned against the door frame while Shinosuke leaned against a wall. "Ne, Shinosuke-kun. Nan de? What did you need to talk to me about?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "It's about the play.... and something else. You need to relax when you are on stage Miaka-san. I can still kind of see that you are nervous and agitated about being on stage. It's supposed to be fun, don't force yourself to get everything right. If needed, you should practice with your princess a little bit more." The boy had a sly grin on his face when he said the last sentence, and to his surprise and delight, Miaka blushed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I'll try to calm down, but it's really hard Shinosuke-kun. Why, the only time I ever acted was in an--" Miaka prevented herself from going further, she almost confessed to him that she has gone to another world. He would think that she was crazy for telling that story and that she still fantasized about things like magic and dragons, but to her surprise, he answered for her. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Another world, I know." Shinosuke's expression was cheerful. "Don't be suspicious of me Miaka-san, I knew from the start. You won't believe me if I told you how I know, you'll learn it soon, but not right now." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka's jaw dropped to the ground. "Ho-how did you know?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The boy just smiled again, it seemed as if his cheerful demeanor was even more constant than hers. "I just knew. Though I must admit, Tasuki seems to be adjusting well into this world... in more ways than one." At this, he glanced at her, and that made her blush even more furiously than before. "You care about him a lot, don't you?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I-I what?" Miaka was practically screaming at him at that moment. It never occurred to her before. What was this guy thinking that he thought that she loved Tasuki. "I'm not with him! He's just a friend!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She was blushing more fiercely than she did before, Shinosuke remarked. She better tone it down or someone will think that she's coming down with a fever. It would be good if it was Tasuki who would think so, but pity, I should have thought about it sooner. He simply smiled back at her gently. "I didn't say that you were in love with him, I just asked if you cared about him, you know?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka heard what he said and she amazingly got even more crimson than before, if it was possible. "Of course I care about him, I care about all my friends." Why is he interrogating me, how one sided this debate is, it's not fair!! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| But more so with Tasuki..., thought the boy. Let's see how attentive she is, but she still hasn't asked me how I know that Kou Shunu is Tasuki in the first place. "Is the auditions the first time you ever met Shunu-kun?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The girl visibly froze, she didn't know how to answer, but she had to take one road or the other. "Well, I guess it's the first time we met..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The blue-haired boy smiled blindingly. "Then I guess that I was just having delusions when I saw you two hugging each other in the auditorium. Lack of sleep, you know?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Wh-Why... how did you..." Miaka stumbled over her words. "You were there, but we didn't see anyone... how could you possibly have...." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The boy shrugged. "I don't know, but it's getting late. I just wanted to say for you to loosen up before the play actually takes place." And that you and Tasuki look so damn right together. "Well, I should go home now, it's late you know?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka's eyes widened when she looked at Shinosuke. How could he have known? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The young boy already started walking, but he turned back and waved at her. "Mata ashita, Miaka-san!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ********** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui entered the studio with Miaka the following day. It was time for the dress rehearsal and it will be interesting to see Miaka in a prince's clothes; but it will be even more entertaining to see Tasuki in a princess' gown. Yui already began giggling at the visions which popped into her head when she thought about the outcome. She and Kurihara-kun were safe without cross-dressing, but the other two are going to have quite a few complaints about having to cross-dress. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Miaka-san!! It's your turn! Try on your costume and see if you can hold the sword." 'Nuriko' grabbed an auburn-haired girl's arm and dragged her into a fitting room and thrust a pile of clothing in Miaka's arms. Despite the suddenness of Nuriko's demand, Miaka still managed holding the clothes without dropping a single one. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The mere thought about Miaka in men's clothes made her erupt into even more snickers. But there'll be time for that later. Right now, she put on her dress, shoes, veil, and crown. Yui looked at herself in the mirror and indeed, she looked like a queen. "What would Tetsuya say if he saw me now?" she laughed as she left her dressing room. She was pleased that looks of admiration from the others of the cast were directed to her as soon as she got out. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A couple of seconds later, a door opened and a handsome young man appeared. He had on a red and black tunic with a white shirt, tight white pants, a black belt and scabbard, and shiny black riding boots. The boy also had a red baldric connected from the right shoulder of his uniform with a silver pin and ending on the left side of his waist, attached to his belt with another silver pin. He was wearing a thin gold circlet on his forehead and his long auburn hair was tied behind in a horsetail by a black ribbon. On his hands were gloves, and on his right hand he held a longsword in a manner which told all that he knew just how to use it and use it efficiently. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The cast looked at the boy in surprise, then looking at his face, they noticed that he was more beautiful than bishounen. They looked again and noticed that he wasn't a boy at all. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Miaka?!!" Yui finally realized who the beautiful boy was, it was actually her best friend. Even she can't laugh at this, it was too amazing of a transformation. "Is that actually you?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indeed it was the girl. The four directors were clapping their hands in awe. Then she looked up and smiled, then sheathed the sword in a complicated manner, the exact way Hotohori did within the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. "How do I look Yui-chan? I feel so strange in these clothes." the girl smiled. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui walked up to the girl and hugged her. "You look so bishounen Miaka!! I didn't know that you looked this good in men's clothes, just don't tell me that you are going to cross-dress on a regular basis now." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka laughed, then she noticed that the others of the cast were still staring, so she laughed some more. Although just then, a scream echoed from within another dressing room and Shinosuke Kurihara ran out with a knowing smirk on his face. The screaming and cursing didn't stop, so they knew it wasn't him. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Miaka-san, Yui-san, can you help me? Shunu-kun seems to be having.... uh, 'problems' with his outfit." The boy asked the two girls without looking, presuming that they were there, but then he saw who he was talking to and face-vaulted. He looked at Yui and asked her, "Yui-san, where's Miaka-san?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The blonde girl looked at him strangely and pointed to the person standing next to her. Shinosuke had to blink a few times; when he noticed that the boy had green eyes, red hair, and was shorter than Yui, he finally came to the right conclusion. "Err..... Miaka-san... is that you?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka nodded confirmation and absently followed Yui, who was dragging a stunned Shinosuke into the dressing room were the screams were still audible. Inside was a tall, very pretty, yellow-haired girl who seemed to be brooding and was looking extremely uncomfortable. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shinosuke got over his surprise on Miaka's part and walked up to the figure in the middle of the room. "You knew that it was going to be bad." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The 'girl' growled back and glared at Shinosuke a look to kill. "Yeah, I $^@* knew, but I didn't think it was going to be this bad! What would others say if they saw me right now... no, what would Miaka say if she saw me right now? I'll just die, or else kill whoever made this get-up in the first place." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kurihara looked back at the two girls and sighed. "Well, don't look now, but Yui and a good friend of hers is looking right at you. And you don't look as bad as you think you do." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki stiffened when he heard the first thing that Shinosuke mentioned. He quickly stood up and turned around, forgetting his embarrassment in the current position that he was in. Tasuki indeed saw Yui, but the he didn't recognize the pretty young boy in red behind the 'queen', because he had his back turned. Tasuki sighed, relieved. "Shinosuke!! Don't you be scaring me like that! It's just Yui and a friend of hers, Miaka still isn't here, so I'm safe." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Upon hearing her name, Miaka turned around and saw that her protector was wearing an elaborate pink, lavender, and white gown which tapered into a 'V' at the waist then flared into the skirt. Tasuki also wore a yellow wig which only added more cuteness into the entire outfit. One thing that didn't change is that he still wore his earrings, but he put away his necklaces. Pacing around the room in a stomping-yet unsteady manner, Miaka and Yui also saw that Tasuki was wearing white shoes with very pointed heels. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui and Miaka exchanged glances and grinned widely. "Shunu-kun, hontou in kawaii na onna no ko desu ne!! Shunu-kun makes a really cute girl!!!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shinosuke wasn't quite able his smirk, but he wasn't really trying to cover it up. Just as he did, Tasuki didn't notice yet that Yui's friend was actually Miaka. Tasuki heard two voices exclaim that he was cute in that outfit, and he also realized that they were both familiar. Realizing his mistake, he turned back to the two newcomers and he took a closer look at Yui's friend. He finally noticed that the 'boy' had the same aspects that Miaka has, the only difference were the clothes. "Mi.......aka??" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The 'boy' smiled brightly and nodded validation. "You are cute as a girl Shunu-kun!!! What are you so unhappy about? It looks very kawaii!!!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki gulped, he just realized his mistake. "Uh.... if you say so.... but I can't believe that you look so... so...." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shinosuke and Yui grinned and answered for him. "Noble like a prince should." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka smiled as Tasuki blushed even brighter than before. "Yes, and Shunu-kun looks as fair as a rose, just like a princess also should!!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The four of them burst out laughing at the comparisons which were given. Maybe it won't be so bad after all, because their friends will be behind them all the way. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| to be continued... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mystic Princess Ta-chan: This is the second part of the fic, how do you like it now? I really want to thank you, I am having a fun time writing this thing!! Next part will come out as soon as I can. Minna, comments please!! |
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