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| Reflected in the Mirror Called Love- Part 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| by: Asurahime | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The day before the play finally arrived. Although, even after weeks of practice, Miaka's confidence in herself is still rather shaky. Despite all that Shinosuke told her, she could not release the sense of dread which continued to plague her mind. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "I just can't do it! Yui-chan, I told you before-- I can't act. And now, I'm one of the people which this entire production is counting on." Miaka and Yui were at Miaka's house, talking about the play, until Miaka's semi-forgotten stage fright returned with a vengeance. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui shook her head and made Miaka look at her. "Miaka, you can act!! If you can't, then why did I see you perform so well on the rehearsals? You did it, and you were good-- admit it. In fact, you haven't mentioned being scared on stage for quite some time. I only heard you tell me that you had stage fright was on the day we went on the auditions. Then, poof! It just seemed to vanish." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The auburn-haired priestess sighed and flipped through the script again. Yui was right, of all the countless hours she spent rehearsing for the play, she only complained about the work on the day of the auditions. Then, it just seemed to vanish... for some reason, it just did. "I don't know what is. It seemed as if it simply disappeared as soon as I step on stage; I didn't even think about it for the past weeks." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Do you think that something was helping you overcome your fear over during that occasion?? Ever since Taka left, you were thinking so negatively, but when Ta..." Yui glanced at the girl. So that's it isn't it? Tasuki was the one who was keeping your spirits up so much to make up for Tamahome that he also made you forget your fright. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes, Tasuki is being nice to me because he still feels sorry for me about losing Taka. He contributed to helping me adjust to the fact that I lost him. It's easier to endure now, especially when my mind is occupied with the play. I'm also getting used to wearing that prince's uniform now, how is it going with the queen dress, Joo-sama?" Miaka beamed at Yui, her terror already forgotten. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The blonde girl stared in shock. That was fast!! Miaka already forgot about the subject that we were talking about!! She only thought about that red-haired seishi for a couple of seconds then she's relaxed again... Yui smiled knowingly. Man, she may not be aware of it, but it is a fact that she has it bad for Tasuki. "The dress is fine Miaka. It fits perfectly, though not as perfect as the prince and the princess. You have to admit Miaka, you look great in that outfit; even the directors are having trouble remembering that you are not a guy. Some of the cute guys in the cast are already talking among themselves that they can't hold a candle against you. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka dropped her script in surprise. "Yui-chan, tell me that you're kidding. They actually said that!!? If they did, they should know that I can't hold a candle against my own seishi." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui hid another smile behind her script. She heard what some people in the play were saying, and knew that Miaka will turn red if she should hear it. So, Yui decided to tell her the most innocent comment that was said. "Not really, I heard from some people that the prince and princess were equally kakko ii, more so because they looked like the perfect counterparts of each other. They were saying that it was probably fate that made the directors choose you and Shunu-kun to be the prince and princess." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Immediately, she heard something fall and a sharp cry. Yui lowered the script and saw Miaka on the floor, rubbing her head which she apparently landed on, and blushing like crazy. "Miaka, are you coming down with something? You look a little red." Yui grinned innocently. Yeah, 'a little red' is an understatement. She looks more like a tomato than a person. "You do know that you should take care of yourself and not get sick! The play is tomorrow, and what would Tasuki say if his 'prince' is too sick to rescue him." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pretending to read her script, the next thing Yui saw was another script flying straight at her face. She dodged in time, but the knowing smile on her face only brightened. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day, and that is also an understatement. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ********** | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki couldn't help but be uneasy about the play. What would people say if they saw him on stage? A boy, playing a princess' part?? His reputation as a man will be totally destroyed. Looking to his left, he saw two people fighting against each other. Looking closely, he saw that it was Miaka and 'Hotohori' caught up in a fencing match. Actually, the director was just giving Miaka some pointers on how she should wield the sword in the play. Tasuki couldn't help but smile, because Miaka didn't even seem to need it. Her smaller frame, lighter weight, and agility was more than a match for 'Hotohori's' experience and strength. Another flash of light, and Miaka had her sword in a 'kill' position aimed at her instructor's throat; he lowered his weapon slowly and admitted defeat as cheering went through the crowd. The red-haired seishi just gazed wistfully at his priestess; ignoring his dignity. "Che, who cares about self-respect? She's more than worth my entire life.", whispered Tasuki. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "So you finally admitted it to yourself, ne Shunu-kun? It took you long enough." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki whirled around to look at the figure and inevitably tripped on the long hem of his skirt, ripping it out for the third time. Not caring, he saw that his companion had blue hair and was wearing a king's robes. "Kurihara!! How long have you been here? Don't you know that it's @$^*$&* rude to eavesdrop on other people?!!" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shinosuke smiled and called Yui. When the girl came, she hissed in her breath and got out a needle and thread. "That is the third time you stepped on the hem of you skirt and ripped it out Shunu-kun. You're a princess, you are supposed to move gently and gracefully, not as you normally would!! " Yui hit his head with her script, then she turned back to Kurihara. "Is that all I needed to fix??" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The blue-haired boy suppressed a grin. "He finally admitted it, Yui-san. I heard him clearly." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui turned back to face Tasuki, who was crimson with guilt. She then knew that Shinosuke was speaking the truth, so she walked grabbed the seishi by his shoulders and forced him to look her in the eye. "Tasuki, you have to tell Miaka. Do you hear me? I don't like seeing my friend unhappy, and you will tell her how you feel about her. ", she whispered viciously to him. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Wha-what in the hell are you talkin' about? I didn't say #@^&ing shit!!", cried Tasuki, trying to pry off her hands which now encircled his throat. "Yui-san, you are seriously choking me." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shinosuke saw that she was about to kill him with irritation, so he pulled her away. "Yui-san! Calm down!!" He turned and faced Tasuki. "Shunu-kun, you seriously have to face the truth and tell Miaka-san that you care about her." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "And because of what hell of a reason? I don't even know how she feels about me, and you will have me %&!^%& laying my heart down at her feet without knowing if she'll accept it, or if she will damn as well tear it up for her dinner. I have had nothin' but %&@!$#@ bad luck with women all my life, and what makes you think that this isn't just one damn fiasco??" said Tasuki, forgetting his self-control and reverting back to swearing. "Yes, now you know that I care for her, but only a god would know how this will turn out." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| For a second, there was a strange glint which flashed from Shinosuke's eyes, but no one noticed it. Instead, he put at hand on Tasuki's shoulder, making him look up. "I know how you feel Tasuki, but I also know that you serve the phoenix god of fire and love. He would know that your priestess will not turn you away, if Suzaku were here right now, he would most likely say that." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki and Yui immediately shot a stare at the blue-haired boy. "How in the hell do you know that my name is Tasuki?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "You aren't from this world, are you, Kurihara? Show us your true self. "Yui stepped back a couple of paces. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shinosuke smiled gently. "I would, but I cannot until I accomplish what I am here to do. Tasuki, you have to tell her, today. If you don't I will not stand in your way, but if you truly care for her; you will listen to what I have said. Time is short, and life is even shorter. Fate works in strange ways, and you will never know what to expect as you go on with your life. If you always worry about how an outcome will turn out, you won't have much of a life. You need to take chance, and if it doesn't end up the way you want, just move on and don't look back. Look at Miaka, she still may be sad over the parting of Tamahome, but she moved on with her life. You were there for her when she needed you to help her forget, we will be here in case you must go through the same." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui stared at the boy. She knew that there was something different about him from other people, but she wasn't sure. Now, she was. No one would give those kinds of advice unless time was of the essence and something life-changing is about to happen. Unfortunately, she had an idea of what it was. Looking around, she saw that Miaka already put on her costume and was giving the script a last going-over. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The prince sensed that someone was looking at her, so she put down the script and scanned to area. Miaka saw Yui coming over, and waved, but she also noticed that Tasuki was giving Shinosuke a death glare. "Ne, Yui-chan. Why is Tasuki glaring at each other? They should be getting ready, the play is about to start. Yui-chan?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui looked at the girl, and saw that Miaka's hair was still untied, so she grabbed and brush and began combing it. "Miaka? You trust me, don't you?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Of course I trust you Yui-chan, why do you ask?" Miaka's expression was confused as she looked at her friend through the mirror. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Since you trust me, will you enlighten me with something? You must tell me the truth in this." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Of course, I promise. Yui-chan, you're being too serious now. Tell me what's wrong." The prince let the queen finish with her hair and turned around so she can face her. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui took a deep breath and looked the other girl straight in the eyes. "How much do you care about Tasuki?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka fell down without anything tripping her. "Wha-what did you say Yui-chan?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Miaka, you have to tell me the truth, and you have to tell me now. I have a feeling that if something isn't done, he will be returning to the book." Yui's eyes were definitely worried, and her tone of voice didn't have a shred of falseness in it. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "N...no... he can't be. He promised that he would stay here to protect me. I already lost Taka that way, and now I have to lose my last seishi as well? "Miaka's soft voice was unsteady. "Doesn't anyone else think that I have suffered enough." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui held the girl by the shoulders. "Miaka, tell me. You have to tell me now. At least it won't be so hard should you choose to tell him. You have a choice Miaka." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The girl's eyes were becoming brighter and threatened to pour tears. She opened her mouth to reply, but 'Chiriko' was already dragging on Yui's sleeves. "Yuuki-san, Hongo-san. The play is about to start, you have to get into positions already." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui was hesitant to leave, but she had no other choice. Miaka's face became lifeless with fright and confusion, but then she felt someone pull on her baldric, it was 'Chiriko'. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Miaka-san, are you all right? You seem kind of pale. Here, look!!" The small boy handed her a mirror, and Miaka mechanically looked into it. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Expecting her reflection, she was surprised to see what looked like Shinosuke Kurihara's twin looking right back at her. Nearly dropping the mirror, a hand steadied it; she was about to thank the person, but she realized that she can't look away. What is going on?, the thought flashed itself across her mind. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Suzaku no Miko, listen and listen well. Expect the unexpected in what is about to be shown to you, and remember that the past is the past. This is my last test to you, and your will and the strength of your feelings will decide what is to become of your future. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The image of Shinosuke said those words and then vanished. Before Miaka could reply, the mirror shifted and she saw herself dissolving and entering through the mirror. Suddenly, she found herself suspended in the air and noticed four figures coming toward her. "Who are you? And what do you want?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Hotohori, Nuriko, Mitsukake and Chiriko appeared before her. Hotohori stepped forward to Miaka and took his sword out of its scabbard. "Miaka, draw your sword." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "What are you asking of me Hotohori? Minna!!" Miaka drew her sword and backed away when she saw them coming for her. Hotohori quickly held his sword in a guard position and began rushing at her with his sword extended. Following him was Nuriko, Chiriko, and Mitsukake; and none of them were trying to stop him. "Minna!! What are you doing? Stop, please! I don't want to have to hurt any of you!! Why are you doing this!!?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Chiriko answered. "Miaka-san... we don't want to do this either, but we have to make sure that you can take care of yourself instead of needing our protection all the time." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Hotohori's sword clashed against Miaka's. The girl looked into his eyes and found out that they were dull and devoid of all life. This wasn't Hotohori. "You're not Hotohori!!" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Evil laughter seemed to come from every direction as Miaka jumped back, barely missing the rapid backhanded slash which Hotohori executed. Nuriko neared and Miaka also saw that his eyes were glazed over. Mitsukake's and Chiriko's were the same. "I can't do this!! I can't hurt my friends!!!" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Instantly, Hotohori plunged his sword into her chest, cutting off all breath from her body. Miaka looked up at him and realized her mistake. Her friends would never cause her any harm in any way, and that means that these were not her seishi. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Why.... are you doing this??" Those were the last words which Miaka spoke before she fell to the ground, her life ebbing away as her blood did. She didn't want to fight anymore, and surrendered to her fate. I have only one regret... I wish that I could at least have told Tasuki my true feelings... but now, it's too late... | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Instantly, a brilliant red light flashed before her eyes. A red phoenix transformed into a tall, red haired man in front of her. It was Suzakuseikun. He picked her up and kissed her forehead, causing the red sign to flare into life again after years. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ~Suzaku no Miko, why are you doing this to yourself? You my priestess, and I represent fire and love... but your fire is dim, and your love is misguided. You now know who you truly love, so don't wait and lose him a second time. Unless he accomplishes what he came here to do, he will return back to the land inside the book. Fight for what you believe in Miaka Yuuki, save your soul, and finally look into the mirror and see what you still have to live for in the mirror. Fare thee well...~ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Opening her eyes, she saw the blinding light disappear. "I don't understand Suzaku, what do you expect of me?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The next thing she knew, she was looking back at the time when Tasuki fought Tamahome in Kutou. Miaka finally saw how the incident actually happened, and a sharp pang flared in her heart when she saw her former beloved fighting Tasuki, and how he practically gave up his life for her. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Everything vanished except for her, the bloodied Tasuki, and the evil Tamahome whose nun-chucks were raised to give the final blow. As the weapon descended, Miaka didn't even think twice except to save her friend. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Tamahome!!! Leave him alone!!" Miaka rushed to the two and blocked the blow with her sword. She checked Tasuki and was relieved that he was still alive. Looking back at Tamahome, she raised her sword and rushed at him. "You're not real!! You're an illusion and you are the one giving me these visions, aren't you!?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tamahome smirked and turned into a dark form. "So what if I am? You can never defeat me, you're just a gluttonous girl who gets her friends killed." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "That's not true!! I love my friends, and they know it!! I am tired of feeling guilty and living in the past. I'm going to move on and be happy of what life gives me; because I love my life, and I love my friends." Miaka swung her sword in a crescent shaped arc, meaning to jar the other's weapon and then disarm him. Unfortunately, he was also fast, and with agility, leaped to the side and rushed her. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka barely dodged it and counterattacked by quickly cutting to her left. It left her right side open, but she got a cut on the figure. It hissed in pain and shot an energy bolt so quickly that Miaka couldn't deflect it. It knocked her down on the ground and the darkness surrounded her. "I must admit, you're good. But as I said before, you can't defeat me." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Strike at it heart... you must do this or else it'll be too late...", a voice whispered. Miaka didn't have time to figure out where the voice came from, for time was of the essence, and Tasuki's lifeforce was fading. She reversed her sword in her hand and saw an opening when the enemy raised his arms. She used the sword like a knife and ripped out a portion of the creature, then she launched herself and embedded the blade to the hilt, piercing the entity's heart and ending its life. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sighing with relief, Miaka looked around for Tasuki and saw that he was gone. Panicking, she used her mind's eye and connection; finding the traces of the seishi's ki, she smiled. "It'll take more than death to destroy the ones I love." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fainting in exhaustion, she had one last fleeting vision of Shinosuke smiling at her. "You have done well Miaka. You have saved your soul and have fought for what you believed in... you only have one more task to accomplish... don't fail me now." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka regained consciousness when she felt someone shaking her: Shinosuke. "Miaka, you're almost up, you know?!! Hurry and get ready!" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The girl looked back at the blue-haired man and smile faintly. "Arigatoo Chichiri...", then she left for the stage. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Kurihara smiled. "So you finally figured it out, didn't you Miaka-chan? You're starting to learn, no da...?" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The rest of the play went by smoothly, and Miaka finally approached the rose entangled bed of Princess Tasuki. She said her lines while her heart pounded with anticipation and a little bit of fright. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki's face flared crimson as he waited for her to kiss his cheek and whisper to wake up. He cracked open his amber eyes and saw the girl's intense green ones staring lovingly into his own. She had gotten his message... | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka looked deep in her seishi's eyes, and there, she saw her reflection. This was the final task, and it was in that moment that she knew that he loved her.... and that she loved him back. Miaka didn't have to be alone anymore, for her will always be there for her. "Tasuki, hontou ni.... Aishiteru." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The red-haired seishi started at her words and opened his eyes. He wasn't expecting her to say that, but he wasn't about to argue. The smile on her face told him all she felt, and his reflection in her eyes showed him how deep her feelings were. Might as well confess. "I love you Miaka..." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shinosuke, Yui, and the four directors were watching the new-found love blossom right on stage. It was better than they ever planned. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui looked back at the others and shook her head. "So, you all knew about those two and just that knowledge until they finally got together??" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| They all smiled sheepishly and nodded triumphantly afterwards. "Yeah, I was in on it too Yui-san, na no da?", said Shinosuke. Yui stared and ground her teeth in frustration that she didn't realize before that Shinosuke Kurihara-kun was actually the monk, Chichiri. He finally told his story that he was also sent here by Suzaku to help with problems which might arise. Shinosuke took out a mirror and placed it back on the table, smiling knowingly. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nuriko looked towards the stage and smiled. "You both should get ready. As soon as those two stop kissing, you have to take your bows." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yui looked back at the couple. She had an anime sweatdrop run down her forehead. "Nah, I think we have time, those two will take longer, and the audience is certainly loving it." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Indeed, the audience was demanding a encore when the prince and princess stopped. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| "Do you think we should give them what they want Mi-chan?" asked Tasuki, his smile lecherous. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Miaka hit him on the head. "NOT right now Tasu-chan. But I love you." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Both of them smiled as they took their bows, happy that the play was over, but even happier that the love they found was true. You can bet that from that day forward, Miaka will have a new opinion about plays, and a new opinion about the meaning of love. Especially love that is reflected from the mirror of your beloved's eyes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| THE END | ||||||||||||||||||||
| To Mystic Princess Ta-chan: Here's the final part... I already know you read it, but I have to put it up in here as well. So everyone, how'd you like the first request fic I ever did?? This one was my first, so it had to be longer than what I normally would write. Comments are greatly appreciated. I just can't believe how many of you wonderful people actually read the **** I write.... |
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