Disclaimer: Fushigi Yuugi is copywrite of Watase Yuu, Bandai, Tokyo Television, Pioneer, and others. No infringment was intended in the writing of this fanfic.

"Keep concentrating," Taiitsu-kun yelled. "Or she'll become lost in the portal!" The red glow slowly disappeared. "She is gone. Back to her own world."

I opened my eyes and looked at the spot where Miaka was sitting just a few moments before. I let my eyes drift to Hotohori-sama. He had a look of sadness in his beautiful eyes. "She is gone," he said. "She is once again home. We should leave as well."

We both stood. Tamahome didn't move. We looked at him. Hotohori-sama cleared his throat. "I said it's time to go, Tamahome." No response. Tamahome only stared at the spot where Miaka had been. His love for her was deeper than I thought. Much deeper than even he realised. I shook my head in pity.

"Maybe, we should help him home," I said. Hotohori-sama and I walked to either side of Tamahome and helped him to his feet. I don't think he even noticed. He just continued to stare at nothing. I turned to Taiitsu-kun. "Taiitsu-kun, thank you for you help."

"Just see that you get him home safely. When Suzaku no Miko returns, she'll need him to summon Suzaku." That witch! She didn't even say anything about our own safety. Hmph!

A few minutes later, we were being flown back to the place where our horses were. After we landed safely, Hotohori-sama and I led Tamahome to his horse. I picked Tamahome up and set him on his horse. Hotohori-sama placed the reins in his hands. Tamahome held the reins, only seeming to acknowledge the fact that he was on a horse. We mounted our horses and set off for home.

The ride back was silent. Tamahome completely out of it and Hotohori-sama deep in his own sad thoughts. Personally, I was glad to be rid of her. She did nothing but messed up everything and ruined my life! And these two were carrying on as if it were the end of world! All this drearyness was getting annoying.

"I don't know why you two are so gloomy. It's not as if she died or anything. She went back home. That's where she has wanted to go. You should be happy for her, not moping."

"Nuriko," Hotohori-sama said sharply. I jerk my head in his direction to see him looking at me angrily. "Watch your tongue!"

It felt as if I'd been slapped. I lowered my eyes and turned my head away. I couldn't bear to see him glaring at me. "Yes, sire," I whispered. "Forgive me, sire."

We rode in an awkward silence for a few minutes. Then Hotohori-sama spoke again. "Since you both are seishi, you will be permitted to continue staying at the palace."

"Thank you, sire." I still couldn't look at him. My eyes stung. I knew that being a seishi was the only reason I was being allowed to stay. Since they knew I was a man, I could no longer be considered a lady of the court. My role as a seishi was the only thing that prevented me from having to leave the Palace.

"You don't need to call me 'sire', since we're not at the Palace. You can still call me 'Hotohori-sama'."

I bit my tongue to keep from laughing bitterly. I was being allowed to call him "Hotohori-sama" From early on, Miaka called him "Hotohori". He never rebuked her, because she was "Suzaku no Miko". Hmph! The way he acted around her, you'd think she was Suzaku himself, instead of just his priestess. Hah! Some priestess! She was nothing but a silly, stupid, clumsy, 14 year old girl.

Of course, I didn't dare say that out loud. Not in front of Hotohori-sama. Hotohori-sama. I sighed inwardly. That's all I'd ever be able to call him. Hotohori-sama. Out of reach. Always out of reach. Once again, my eyes stung. Would he never know how I felt?? Never know that I loved him?

"Nuriko." The gentleness of his voice brought me out of my thoughts. I turned my head to look at him. His face had such a soft look to it. I could feel my heart begin to pound and my face begin to flush. "I understand how you feel."

Nani?? He knew? Thoughts began to fill my mind. Him taking me in his arms! Him kissing me! Him saying, "I love you, Nuriko."! My heart began to soar! I felt giddy! I wanted to dance and sing! It was almost more than I could handle! He knew! He knew!!

"We all miss Miaka.", he said.

"Eh??" I looked at him, not believing my ears. Miss Miaka?? Was he out of his beautiful mind? Why on earth did he think I missed that annoyingly cheerful girl? He didn't understand at all. Again, I turned my head away. Tears had suddenly welded up in my eyes. I couldn't stop myself from sniffing.

"But she'll be back," He said, a bit hastily. Hmph! He actually thought I was upset because she was gone! What did I care for her?? "You needn't be upset. She promised to come back."

I wanted to scream, "I don't care about that little bitch!", but I bit my tongue again. I didn't want her to come back. I again felt the tears threaten to come. I forced myself to stop. I wasn't crying because I missed her, but because Hotohori-sama was so insensitive! Yeah, that was the reason! Why would I miss that stupid girl??

"Even Taiitsu-kun said she'd come back. As soon as she's well, she'll return. She promised. Didn't she, Tamahome." There was no response. "Eh, Tamahome?" Still nothing.

"Eh, Tama-chan? You still out of it?"

We both turned to look back. There was no one there. Tamahome had disappeared. We both cried out in unison. "Nani???" Where did he go? Turning our horses around, we galloped back the way we came. When did he leave us?

We came upon him a couple of minutes later. He was staring off into the distance, not really seeing anything. He was still on his horse, which was munching contently on some leaves.

"Baka," I screamed in frustration. "You had us worried. We thought something had happened to you! Can't you even concentrate enough to handle a horse?"

Hotohori-sama regarded Tamahome in silence. His face was unreadable. He took the reins from Tamahome and turned back around. Giving his horse a tap with his heels, he set off again, with Tamahome in tow. I turned my horse about and followed. It was going to be a long ride home!