First night

by Sailor Mac(sailormac@wjjz.com) and Sailor Star Love
(sailorstarlove@wjjz.com)

Original idea: Sailor Mac

This story is of course a lemon and intended for mature readers. This
story also contains Yaoi (ManXman) relationship, if it isn't your cup 
of tea then don't read it.





	"Come ON, you two! You're lagging behind!"
	Tasuki yelled over his shoulder at Miaka and Tamahome, who were
most definitely bringing up the rear of the group which was walking
back to the palace from the New Year's festivities in town. They
found no need to rush. The night was unseasonably warm, the stars
were shining like a million diamonds in the skies, a huge, full moon
hung overhead. . .
	"Hell with him," Tamahome whispered to his Miko, pulling her
closer. "Let's make this evening last as long as possible."
	She giggled and kissed him. She couldn't remember the last time
she felt so happy and content. It was as if nothing bad had ever
happened, as if Yui wasn't in the hands of an evil warlord, as if
there were no nagging doubts whether she and Tamahome would stay
together forever. . .
	"I said HURRY UP!" Tasuki yelled. "We can't wait all night for
you! There's a big bottle of sake back at the palace with my name on
it!"
	"Oh, leave them alone!" Nuriko said. "What they're doing isn't
affecting *your* drinking."
	"Yes, it is. If I have to keep looking at them getting mushy
like that. . .I may feel too sick to drink!"
	"You've had a few already, no da!" Chichiri said.
	"Oh, and the rest of you haven't? I don't think that was green
tea in *your* cup."
	"I don't understand what's so great about drinking sake,
anyway," said little Chiriko, who was walking alongside Tasuki.
"Moldy, fermented rice does *not* sound appealing."
	That was so typical of the child genius, Tasuki thought. . .
*thinking* too much about things. "Chiriko. . .it's more than
fermented rice. It's fire in a bottle! It's liquid passion!"
	Good grief, thought Nuriko. . .he looks half-crazed, like he's
in battle mode. . .
	Meanwhile, Miaka and Tamahome were oblivious to all this. He
was laying little kisses on her temples, her forehead, her neck. . .
	"Tamahome. . .you're drunk!"
	"I just had one, I swear. It's you that's making me feel this
way."
	She laughed. "I know. . .you're making me feel the same way."
	"Do you know how beautiful you are? Every man at the festival
was gawking at you."
	"That's because I'm Suzaku no Miko."
	"It's because you were the most gorgeous woman there. And I
felt so happy. . .because I could say to myself, 'This beauty is
*mine*'"
	She looked ahead of her. "Hey. . .where are the others?"
	"Who cares? They'll all be in the palace already by the time we
get back, partying away. And that'll make it easier for us to. . ."
He nuzzled her neck.
	"To. . .what?"
	"Sneak into my room and be alone."
	"Wha?" She was momentarily stunned. . . "Tamahome. . .we. . .
I. . .you know I have to stay a virgin!"
	He pulled her close against his chest. She could feel the heat
of his body, smell his spicy scent. . .her heart started to
pound.  . .
	"It's okay, sweetheart. . .we won't do *that*. We can give each other pleasure, but not. . .*everything.* Whatever you're comfortable with. . ."
	And then, the full impact of what he was saying hit her. Lose 
her virginity. . .lose the power to call Suzaku. . .leave Yui 
stranded in Kotou ,  in the hands of Nakago. . .after it was Miaka's 
own desire to get back home that trapped Yui there. . .
	Her head filled with the awful pictures that Taiitskun had 
shown her, of Yui falling into the hands of rapists. . .she 
remembered the scars on her friend's wrists. . .Of course Nakago was 
able to turn her to evil, she thought. Her spirit was totally 
broken.. .and now, I *have* to save her. . .
	No, she thought. I can't risk it. . .can't risk failure. . .
can't risk losing everything. . .
	She abruptly pulled away, saying in the coldest voice she could 
muster, "Look, I'd rather join the others, okay?"
	"Miaka?"
	"If you think I'd actually do something like *that* with you, 
you're sadly mistaken!" She began to run as fast as she could, trying 
to fight back the sobs that choked her. Forgive me, my love, she 
thought. . .
	And then, she caught her foot on a tree root and went 
sprawling. 
	"Miaka!" Tamahome cried, racing up to her. "Are you all right?"
She heard him kneel next to her, felt his hand on her shoulder. . . 
"Miaka!"
	And then, the sobs punched their way out of her, boiling up 
from the bottom of her soul and shaking her entire body. She thought 
she'd never cried so hard in her life.
	"Darling," he said, pulling her toward him. "It's okay, I'm 
here, it's okay. . ."
	"It's NOT okay! It'll NEVER be okay again! I'm so selfish. . . 
so very selfish. . ."
	"No, you're not. You're the most loving person that I ever..."
	"How could I enjoy myself with you when Yui is still. . .is 
still . . ." She burst out in a fresh torrent of tears.
	He pulled her closer to him, stroking her hair, kissing the top 
of her head. "We'll get her back, Miaka. I still can't believe she 
chose to become your enemy of her own free will. I know all too well 
what Nakago is capable of."
	"The only way I can get her back is to summon Suzaku. . .and I 
can't summon Suzaku unless I'm pure." She buried her face in his 
chest, wishing she could just dissolve into him. "Sometimes I wish 
I'd never taken this on. . .I've only brought suffering to innocent 
people, the way Chichiri said I would. You were tortured and 
brainwashed. . .we've come under attack again and again. . .all 
because I wanted an easy way to pass the high school exam! Oh, 
Tamahome. . .I don't deserve you. . ."
	"Miaka. . .Miaka. . ." He kissed her, over and over. So much 
for such a sweet young girl to bear, he thought. . .she's gone 
through more hell in the time she's been with us than most people 
have during their entire lifetimes. . .
	"You haven't brought on the suffering," he whispered. "You're 
just stuck in a bad situation, that's all. Konan and Kotou have been 
fighting each other for eons. . .and you're caught in the middle of 
it. So am I, so are all of us. . .Look, I think you've been *good* 
for Konan. Everyone seemed so happy at the festival tonight. . .I 
can't remember the last time I saw people that happy. And it was 
because of you. I saw people looking at you, whispering to each 
other. . .and they were all smiling. Having you around. . .gives 
people hope."
	"All the more reason I can't fail. . ."
	"You *won't* fail. I can assure you that. You're too *strong* 
to fail." He stroked her hair. "If you speak to Suzaku in the same 
tone of voice you use when you think I'm getting out of line. . .the 
god will be terrified *not* to obey you."
	She reached for his hand, and he clasped hers tightly, 
continuing to stroke her hair with the other one.
	"I'm all mixed up inside," she said. "I want you so much, but 
I know it's wrong. . ."
	"It's not wrong. I love you."
	"I love you, too. . .and that's why it's so hard, staying 
pure. . ."
	"There are things we can do for each other. . .ways we can give 
each other pleasure. . .without taking your virginity. Trust me. . .
if it gets out-of-hand, I'll stop, and I'll never mention it again 
until after we summon Suzaku."
	There was a pause, and then she said, "Tamahome. . .how do you 
know so much about all this?"
	"Eh?" He turned bright red.
	"You told me you were a virgin too. You said I'd be the only 
woman in your life, ever. How do you know about these. . . 'things'?"
	He turned even redder. "I. . .did research."
	"RESEARCH?" She leapt to her feet. "With WHO?"
	"Not THAT kind of research!" He stood up and took her into his 
arms. "When I was held prisoner in Kouto, before they brainwashed 
me. . .I found this room in the palace filled with what must have 
been hundreds of scrolls. . .and all of them were filled with sex. 
Pictures and stories. . .apparently, their emperor is a real hentai. 
I kept going in there, looking at those scrolls. . .and dreaming 
about when I'd be able to do those things with you. . ."
	"Oh, my love," she whispered, gently stroking his face. Even at 
the worst time in his life, she thought, he was still thinking of 
me. . .
	She knew of many of the 'things' herself, and had learned of 
them in much the same way. At slumber parties she'd gone to back 
home, somebody was always dragging out their father's girlie 
magazines, with their explicit advice columns, or turning on 
late-night cable. She'd been curious about the pictures and 
descriptions, but they'd had no real emotional resonance for her at 
the time, because she had nobody in her life to think about doing 
those things with.
	But now. . .
	She turned her face up to his, her green eyes meeting his
violet ones. There was a look of such absolute love there, love and
faith in her. . .
	I can trust him not to endanger my virginity, she thought. He
won't do anything that interferes with my being able to call Suzaku.
He wants me to succeed. . .to save Yui. . .as much as I do.
	"Kiss me." she whispered.
	His lips claimed hers, forcefully, their mouths opening with a
gasp, their tongues seeking, finding, stroking, caressing. . .She let
her hands wander up and down his back, stopping just short of his
bottom (and oh, was she tempted to go lower!) Her body rubbed up
against his as she tipped her head back, moaning with desire as he
kissed her ear, letting his tongue flicker in and out of the tiny
hole, nibbling on the lobe.
	"I love you," she whispered. "Oh, how I love you. . ."
	"I love you, too." He swept his tongue down her neck, and she
cried out, rubbing her body against him harder, faster, wishing she
could make all those layers of clothing just dissolve, wanting to
feel her bare womanhood against him, any part of him. . .
	"Please. . .please, let's get back."
	He eased away from her, dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
	"Tasuki's about to get his wish. . .we're going to run back as
fast as we can."
	He grabbed her hand, and, laughing, they rushed off toward the
palace.
* * *
	Meanwhile, Tasuki was busying himself with a china carafe and a
series of little cups.
	"The way you do it," he told Chiriko, "is you put the sake in
*here*. . .and then you pour out drinks for everyone else. Then, one
of them pours *your* drink." He paused, then let out a wicked
chuckle. "That's at the *beginning* of the evening. By the end. . .
everyone's chugging straight from the bottle!"
	"I can't believe you're doing this, no da! He's too young, no
da!" Chichiri scowled beneath his smiling mask.
	"Whaddya mean, *too young*? By the time I was his age, I was
drinking *entire bottles* of stuff that makes *this* look like
pisswater!"
	"Well, maybe I'll just try a *little*," Chiriko said. "I must
admit to being fascinated by the chemistry of the entire fermentation
process, it would be interesting to analyze the end result!"
	Tasuki began to empty the carafe into the little cups. "Hey,
Mitsukake. . .are you in?"
	The hulking physician looked up from where he was playing with
his cat by the fire. "I haven't indulged in years. . ."
	"Ah, c'mon! It's New Year's! We're all together! Celebrate!"
	"Well, it won't hurt to have just one. . ."
	"Count me out," said Hotohori, entering the room with a glass
of a tan substance in his hand. "I've got my own."
	"Ooh!" said Nuriko. "That doesn't look like tavern swill. . ."
	"It's a very old and very fine liqueur. I've been saving it for
a special occasion." The emperor sat on an easy chair by the fire. "I
can't think of any occasion more special than spending the holiday in
the company of my friends."
	"I'll drink to that!" said Tasuki, passing out the sake cups.
When he was done, Chiriko poured one and handed it to Tasuki.
"KAMPAII!"
	"KAMPAII!" the others echoed, and drank from their glasses.
	Chiriko screwed up his face a bit, smacking his lips a
little. . .
	"Most interesting," he said. "The rice seems to have undergone
a *complete* chemical change, it's almost more like a fruit juice now
than a grain. And the alcohol yield is considerable. . ."
	Nuriko said the same thing, but in different terms. "WHOO!
That's kicky stuff!"
	"It's quite good, no da! Lots of flavor."
	"And the best thing about it," said Tasuki, "is we've got EIGHT
MORE BOTTLES in the next room!"
	The others' faces registered shock. "Eight. . .bottles?" said
Nuriko.
	"DAAAA!"
* * *
	When the door shut behind them, Tamahome backed Miaka into the
wall, his mouth claiming hers fiercely. His tongue seemed to be
everywhere at once, stroking the roof of her mouth, caressing her
own tongue, rimming the inside of her lips. . .Her knees felt weak,
and she sagged, feeling like she was going to sink to the floor and
keep on sinking, down, down to the center of eternity. . .
	"So sexy," he whispered as his mouth eased away from hers. "So
beautiful. . .I can see why Suzaku chose you to be his miko. You're a
goddess."
	"Ohh. . .Tamahome. . ."
	His hands were starting to roam her body as he kissed her ear,
nibbling on the lobe. He stroked her shoulders, trailed his fingers
up and down her sides, smoothed a hand up and down her stomach. . .
	He gently grasped her breasts as his tongue moved in swirls
along her neck. "My love," she moaned, letting out a long, shuddering
sigh. . .
	"Do you like that, Miaka? I want to make you feel so good. . .
I want you to feel that every part of your body is tingling and
alive. . ."
	"Yes. . .ohh. . .yes. . ."
	He took her hand in his and raised it to his mouth, running
soft kisses along the back, then up her fingers. . .When she felt
him slide her index finger in his mouth and start to suck, she let
out a cry, feeling a flush break out over her whole body, a hot
moisture in her most secret juncture. . .He slid it in and out a few
times, then trailed his tongue down to her palm, which he began to
lick with long, slow strokes. All she could think of is how it would
feel to have him do the same thing lower, much lower. . .she thought
she would burst into flames. . .
	"So good," she moaned. "My darling. . .so, so good. . ."
	He reached for the tie of her kimono as he brought his lips to
hers again. Deftly, his fingers worked at the knot, and he slid the
garment off her shoulders, letting it drop swiftly to the floor. She
reached behind her to unsnap her bra. . .she knew he'd have
difficulty with the uniquely 20th-century garment. . .and he slid
that off as well, tangling his fingers in her panties and dragging
them down. . .She stepped out of them and kicked them away, feeling
like her body had been freed from mummy wrappings.
	As they kissed again, she undid his own garment, pushing it
away. . .he was naked beneath it, and she pressed her body against
his, rubbing, rubbing, feeling the friction of her erect nipples on
his chest. . .
	"Ohh, Miaka," he sighed, running a hand slowly down her
back. . .she gasped as he cupped her bottom and gently squeezed it.
"I can't keep my hands off you."
	"Then don't. Touch me. . .touch me all over. . ."
	He picked her up, holding her tightly against his chest, and
carried her to the bed, where he gently lay her down. He just looked
at her for a moment, drinking in all that incredible beauty, the way
her slim little waist flared out into gently curving hips, the
graceful lines of her legs, the lush, thick russet hair fanned out
on the pillow, framing her face like a halo. . .
	He brushed her lips lightly with his fingers, and stroked down
her neck, to her shoulders. . .he caressed her arms, moving slowly
from shoulder to wrist and back again. . .then brushed down her
sides, his fingers barely making contact with her flesh, the touch
just enough to make her sigh. . .
	He moved down the bed to her feet, which he kissed reverently,
with the respect due a goddess. His hands grasped her ankles,
massaging tenderly, then began to move up her calves, feeling their
shape, her soft, soft skin over firm, taut muscle. . .he reached her
thighs, rubbing them gently. . .as he leaned over, his mouth coming
closer to her breasts. . .
	Miaka felt him start to lick her left nipple. . .slowly. . .
softly. . .she let out a cry, arching her body toward him. . .more,
more, take as much in your mouth as you can, devour me, my
darling. . .
	Tamahome slowly eased her nipple into his mouth, just savoring
the feel of the hard bud. . .lovingly, he caressed it with his
tongue, feeling her stiffen and shudder as his fingers brushed the
sensitive flesh of her inner thighs, but not touching her
womanhood. . .
	When he began to suckle, hungrily, she shrieked. Her hips
jerked off the bed, trying to crush her whole body against him as her
hands tangled in his blue-grey hair, as if to hold him there forever.
He lifted his head, and she cried out in protest. . .until he moved
his head to the other breast, sucking, licking, taking the nipple
between his lips and pulling his head back. . .slowly, gently. . .so
it slid in and out of his mouth by degrees. . .
	"Tamahome. . .gods. . .more. . .oh, please, more. . ."
	He raised his head and grasped her shoulders, flipping her onto
her stomach. She gasped. . .this was the last thing she expected. . .
	"Just look at you," he whispered. "Perfect. . .every bit of you
perfect. . ."
	He began to massage her back, kneading deeply, moving across
her heated skin by degrees. Miaka let out a deep moan as she became
relaxed, so utterly relaxed. . .it was as if his touch was magic,
melting away any tension she had, replacing it with a feeling that
was so, so warm and lovely. . .
	When he reached the sensitive area right where her back joined
her buttocks, he increased the speed of his rubbing, and Miaka let
out a cry, electric sensations beginning to crackle through her. . .
she was so aroused now it was as if every nerve was standing on end,
and the tiniest touch would reverberate through every bit of her
body.
	She found herself drawing her knees up, offering her bottom for
his caresses. . .
	He knelt behind her, leaning over so his lips lightly brushed
the skin of the left buttock.
	"My love. . .I'm going to mark you as mine. . ."
	She wondered for a split second what he meant. . .until she
felt him draw her skin into his lips, sucking *hard*, so hard it was
right on the border of pleasure and pain. She cried out loudly, and
louder still as his teeth scraped at her, her hands grasping the
blankets, squeezing them in balls. . .
	His mouth eased away, leaving a spot which felt sore. . .but
she welcomed it.
	A hickey, she thought. He just gave me a hickey on my bottom!
The very idea struck her as *incredibly* erotic. . .she was going to
make a point tomorrow to look over her shoulder into a full-length
mirror so she could see it, see the tangible mark of his love, their
passion. . .
	He kissed her buttock a few more times, reverently. . .then
moved down. . .
	Miaka nearly screamed as she felt him thrust his tongue into
her womanhood from behind. She fell forward, gasping, groaning
deeply, raw sounds of primal passion, as he licked and licked,
rolling his tongue along her nether lips, then plunging into her
depths. . .moving it around and around inside her. . .
	Tamahome just couldn't get enough of her. She tasted so
good. . .and the feel of her softest flesh under his lips and tongue
was intoxicating. . .her moans excited him, spurred him on to do
more, more, more for her. . .
	He shifted positions, pushing her hips up a bit so he could
get under her, where he could lick at the one part of her that craved
his touch the most. . .
	At the first touch of his tongue on her jewel, Miaka stiffened,
a few pre-orgasmic shivers running through her. As he began to lash
at it, she thought she was going to explode. . .she clutched the
bedding so hard her fingers turned white, her head thrashing back
and forth as if saying no, no no. . .nothing could be this good. . .
but it was, it WAS, it was, it. . .
	Miaka felt the eruption inside her, exploding from her secret
flower and roaring through every fiber of her being, and she flung
her head back, screaming his name to the stars as wave after wave of
sensation engulfed her.
	She collapsed, panting, trembling, utterly spent. Dimly, she
felt him gently roll her onto her back, tenderly kiss her lips. . .
	"I love you," she whispered. "It was so wonderful. . .I love
you so much, Tamahome. . ."
	"I love you, too."
	He cradled her in his arms, kissing her forehead, stroking her
hair. The look of utter bliss on her face. . .all her previous guilt 
and worry were gone. She was relaxed and happy, the heavy burden of 
her position gone, at least for awhile.
	I can't imagine anything more beautiful than this, he thought. 
I can't imagine a more wonderful way to start the year. . .
* * *
	Another empty bottle dropped to the floor and rolled into the
corner, forgotten.
	Tasuki let out a deep sigh, kicked back and put his feet on
the table. He was feeling good. Mighty good.
	Next to him, Chiriko was draining another cup. "My research
isn't going well," he sighed.
	"Whaddya mean, buddy? From the red look on your face. . .I'd
say your research is going great!"
	Chiriko put a hand to his face. . .it was burning hot, all
right. Did he have a fever? The room was certainly swimming. . .
	"Oh, my. . .my equilibrium. . ." He stood up, tried to take a
couple of steps, and fell. Strangely, there was no pain, although he
had hit his knee pretty hard on the floor. He looked up, and saw
Tama-neko. . .with Mitsukake's headpiece draped over his head. It
struck Chiriko as the funniest thing he'd ever seen in his life. He
started to giggle, then laugh. . .then roll around and around the
floor with laughter. . .
	Meanwhile, Nuriko was doing just the opposite. He was off in
the corner with Mitsukake, and was in a very weepy confessional
mode.
	"I just don't know. . .sometimes I think I love Hotohori so
much I can't stand it. . .and then the next day I look at Miaka, and
I think that I'm in love with her. . .and the other day, I went to a
tavern with Tamahome, and I began to wonder if I were in love with
*him*! I'm in love with everyone, Mitsukake! And I can't have any of
them!"
	"Love. . .love does funny things to people. Believe me, I
know."
	"At least you *had* someone! Sometimes I wonder if I'm going to
die without hearing "I love you". . .I feel so empty. . ." He began
to sob.
	"There, there. . ." Mitsukake hugged the much smaller man, who
proceeded to damped his shirt with his tears. . .
	. . .then raised his head and said, "Mitsukake. . .do *you*
think I'm attractive?"
	The physician froze in place, eyes bugging out, not knowing
what to say. . .
	Until Tasuki yelled, "WOO HOO! Looks like we've got a new HOT
COUPLE here, people!" He grabbed his tessen. . . "HOT! HOT! HOT!"
. . .and decided to illustrate. "LEKKA SHIIINEEENNN!!!"
	Adding insult to injury. . .or injury to insult. . .Nuriko and
Mitsukake found themselves singed.
	"It's not like that!" Nuriko said, backing away.
	"Oooh, yeah," said Tasuki. "That's what they *all* say. They
looked pretty cozy to me, eh, Chichiri?. . .Chichiri?"
	But the monk wasn't listening, because he was engaged in
another pursuit. . .chasing his hat across the room. It had fallen
off his head and rolled away. . .and he ran after it, unwittingly
kicking it like a soccer ball and sending it further away. He ran
after it some more, once again miscalculating its position due to
his booze-addled coordination. . .
	Tasuki, who was drunk but since he was used to alcoholic
beverage more than the monk, took pity on him and grabbed his hat.
"Here ya go..."
	Chichiri winded and unsteady on his legs sat next to Tasuki and
sagged against him. "Thank you... ::puff:: No da..."
	Tasuki put the hat so it rested in Chichiri's back. The monk
was still out of breath and his mask fell off. Tasuki was shocked a
little, he had seen Chichiri without his mask before. But to see him
like this unguarded, relaxed and panting in front of him sent shivers
down the brigand's spine. He had found Chichiri beautiful before but
now, to see him like this, made him wish he was the cause of this
exhaustion. His mind ran amuck when he thought of ways to put the
monk in this state.
	Chichiri blinked. "Oups... My mask..." Tasuki had another
shiver, Chichiri's voice had dropped a couple of octave, making him
sound so sexy. Chichiri put the mask back on and returned to his high
voice. "Better no DA!"
	"Errr... Y... Yeah..." said Tasuki uneasily. His cheeks were 
all red. I can't believe I had thoughts like that for him, he 
thought. Well, it didn't surprise him this much, the first time he 
met Chichiri, he blurted out something mean so they wouldn't see that 
he had found the monk beautiful.
	"Hm?... Tasuki no da?... Are you okay?" Chichiri put a hand to 
his cheek.
	Does he know?... Ah Gods, I'm just a pervert! I have thoughts
of me and him in bed. HIM! A holy man... I know I'm going straight
to hell in a hand basket because of that. Chichiri, who's so innocent
he probably doesn't know the turmoil he puts me through.
	"Tasuki?..." Chichiri voice was full of concern, he didn't look
drunk anymore as he inched closer to the redhead. Tasuki had to bite
his lips to prevent himself from inching closer and kiss him.
	"Y-Yeah?..."
	Chichiri's face turned into a loopy grin as he asked. "Can I
have more sake no da?"
	Tasuki fell to the floor a huge sweatdrop falling from his
head. His fall sent Chiriko into another fit of laughter.
	Hotohori was still in his chair by the fire, still drinking
his liqueur. . .but he might as well have been on another planet. He
was totally absorbed in looking in the mirror.
	"Not a pimple," he told his reflection. "Not a flaw. It's
frightening, sometimes, how beautiful I am. . ."
	"What's with you people!" said Tasuki. "This is supposed to be
a *party*! That's it. I'm just going to have to open another
bottle. . ."

* * *
	Miaka raised her head. Tamahome was holding her, kissing
her. . .
	And she could feel a hardness pressing against her that
indicated he was very much in need of release right now.
	She kissed him back, letting her hand slip down over his
stomach, finding her ultimate goal. . .
	He jerked and uttered a hiss as her fingers began fluttering up
and down his manhood. Oh, she knew just how to touch him, where to
touch him. . .
	"Miaka. . .that's so good. . ."
	She continued to stroke him. . .rubbing quick swirls over the
head, brushing up and down the shaft, even cupping and stroking the
sac beneath. . .
	And then, abruptly, she stopped.
	He raised his head, looked her in the eye. "Miaka?"
	"It's not enough. . .I feel like I'm not doing enough for
you. . .not after what you did for me. . ."
	"It's all right, honey."
	"No, it's not." She got off the bed. "Sit at the edge."
	He obeyed, perching at the edge of the bed, looking up at
her. . .She leaned over, took his face in her hands and kissed him
tenderly, her tongue moving in and out of his mouth in little
flickers which drove him mad. She slid her hands down his neck,
splaying them out over the flat planes of his chest. . .when her
fingers encountered the hard knots of his nipples, she gently
squeezed them between thumb and forefingers.
	Now it was his turn to moan.
	Kissing down his neck, she began to lick, sweeping her tongue
down to where her hands were. . .
	He arched his whole body as she began to suck on his right
nipple while her fingers continued to play with the left. "Yes," he
moaned. "Miaka. . .that feels so good. . ."
	She licked her way over to the other nipple and sampled it as
well, her lips drawing it in, then slowly moving it out. . .then in,
then out. . .
	He wanted that sweet, hot little mouth lower. He put his hands
on her shoulders and pushed downward, as gently as possible, although
he wanted to out-and-out shove her down there. . .
	Miaka got the message. She dropped to her knees and took his
erection in her hand, brushing her fingers back and forth
slowly. . .
	She opened her mouth and touched it with her tongue. . .the
tiniest little lick. . .
	"Miaka!" he cried, writhing, thinking he would go mad if she
didn't pleasure him. "Miaka. . .*please*!"
	She slid him in, her mouth enveloping him bit by bit, until
she was at her 'comfortable point' limit. She started to suck, moving
her head back and forth slowly. . .
	He leaned back, his eyes closed, his lips parted, a look of
total bliss on his face. His hands played with her hair as he felt
her engulf him. . .then pull back . .then engulf him again. . .
	"Miaka. . .ohh. . .sooo good. . .more. . .oh, you don't know
what you do to me, sweetheart. . ."
	Her fingers ran up and down the rest of his shaft, and caressed
the sac beneath, feeling his body stiffen and shudder in response.
She gloried in the fact that she was giving him pleasure, that she
was making him feel as good as he had done for her. She bobbed her
head faster, then took him out, licking up and down its length,
swirling her tongue on the head. . .She darted her tongue around the
tip, then brushed her fingers over the same spot. . .tongue, fingers,
tongue, fingers, hearing his loud groans, thinking they were the
sweetest music she ever heard.
	"Miaka. . .I think . . .I'm almost ready, love. . .please. . .
take me there. . ."
	She slid him back in her mouth again, applying a steady, strong
pull, moving her head rapidly back and forth, back and forth. . .his
hands were tangling in her hair, his hips were rising to met her, and
then. . .and then. . .
	Tamahome thought he was being consumed by flames from within.
He was going to explode any second, any second, there was nothing in
the entire world but the spot where the little miko was pleasuring
him. . .
	And then, time seemed to stop. . .and rush forward in frantic
motion. The flames became a sweet inferno which consumed him, sparks
flying through every particle of his body, and he shouted her name at
the top of her lungs as he emptied himself.
	Miaka hung on, feeling his essence flood her mouth. . .this is
the man I love, she thought, this is part of him. . .if I take it in,
well be truly one. . .And she swallowed all of it.
	He fell on his back, panting loudly, murmuring her name. She
lay atop him, kissing his lips, stroking his hair. . .
	"Fantastic," was all he could say.
	"My dearest. . ." She guided him further up the bed, up to
where they could both crawl under the covers. "I'm so glad I could
please you. . ."
	"You could never *not* please me, Miaka. I love you. . .you're
everything to me."
	"I love you, too."
	They cuddled into each other's arms and drifted off to sleep,
feeling safe and warm. . .
	Totally unaware of what was erupting in the Great Hall.
* * *
	"HA! The poor jerk didn't stand a chance! And I was standing
over him, gloating, "How do you like having it done to *you*,
asshole?""
	True to what he'd said earlier, Tasuki was now chugging
straight from the bottle. He was trying desperately to have Chichiri
take an interest to him, since it didn't work, he was chugging like
crazy to take the monk out of his mind. The others hadn't gone quite
*that* far. . . but they had definitely dropped any pretense of
formal decorum. Liquor was poured from bottle straight to glass.
	Chichiri and Chiriko were both lying on the floor by the
window, staring up at the stars. Mitsukake was listening to Tasuki's
bragging when he wasn't nodding off. Hotohori was *still*
contemplating his mirror. And Nuriko was pacing the room, mumbling to
himself.
	"The story I heard was about people from outer space, no
da. . .they were supposed to have come from right. . .around. . .
there, no da."
	Chiriko's brain was *way* past the point of being capable of
scientific analysis. "Wow. . .right. . .over. . .there. . ."
	Suddenly, Nuriko flung himself to his knees in front of the
emperor, and cried, "I can't hold it in any longer! I have to say it!
I love you, Hotohori! I've always loved you! And it's been tearing me
up inside because I haven't been able to say anything. . ." He
started to cry, unaware that the eyes of everyone in the room were on
him.
	Everyone, that is, except Hotohori, who was still absorbed in
his mirror. Whoa... thought Tasuki, he... He actually told him. He
looked in Chichiri's direction only to look away quickly when the
monk looked at him too.
	The emperor looked up, quickly. . .and said, "Did you say
something, Nuriko?"
	"AAARRGGHH!" Nuriko said, collapsing on his face on the floor,
bursting into a fresh torrent of tears.
	Chiriko got off the floor and wobbled to the table, picking up
the bottle and walking over to Nuriko. "Do you want some of this?"
 Nuriko got up, grabbed the bottle and started chugging right
from the neck, like Tasuki.
	Chichiri was the next one to get up. "Look, it's New Year's
Eve, no da! We're supposed to be *happy*, no da!"
	"Hey, *I'm* happy!" said Tasuki rapidly, every crowd needs a
clown, he figured he better be it than Chichiri. "I've never felt
better in my life! WOOH!"
	"I think we should have a sing-along, no da." And he began to
sing a rather bawdy tavern song, attempting a few dance steps along
with it, which in his drunken state looked like the waddle of a
chicken. The others just stared at him for a moment. . .then,
Mitsukake, of all people, got up, started to join in and even
imitated the dance steps.
	Tasuki got up and started singing the song himself. . .*way*
off-key, but nobody minded at that point. Then Nuriko joined in, then
Chiriko. . .and finally, Hotohori got up from his easy chair and
started singing. . .while bringing his mirror with him.
* * *
	Miaka awoke to a strange sound coming from downstairs. What the
heck was it? It sounded like people in pain. . .
	Tamahome was still sound asleep next to her. It seemed almost a
shame to wake him up, he looked so beautiful, she thought. . .
	She gently kissed his nose, his cheeks, his forehead. . .his
eyelids fluttered. "Hey, there, stupid," he said, his arms coming
around her. "What's up?"
	"Tamahome. . .do you hear that?"
	He raised his head, shaking it to clear out the cobwebs of
sleep. . .yes, there *was* a sound coming from downstairs. . .
	"It sounds like. . .somebody's suffering down there!" He leapt
from the bed and reached for the nearest set of clothes
available. . .a regular tunic and pants, not the festival robe he'd
discarded across the room. . .
	Miaka got up and reached for the red dress she'd left in his
closet on a previous occasion. Once dressed, they raced down the
corridor, fully expecting to find something horrible. . .
	What they found was quite the opposite. Everyone was stumbling
around, howling an off-color tavern song at the top of their
lungs. . .*everyone's* face was flushed, even little Chiriko's. . .
and they were *still* drinking. Tamahome watched Nuriko pour
something into Mitsukake's cup. . . meanwhile, Tasuki was just
flinging flames around everywhere, and Hotohori continued to stare at
the mirror. . .
	"They're. . .they're. . ." Miaka just stared at her friends,
wide-eyed.
	Just then, Tasuki noticed them. "Well, well! Look who's finally
coming to join the party!"
	"Our little lovebirds!" whooped Nuriko.
	"So, why were you gone, no da?" said Chichiri.
	"Oh, we know why they were gone," said Tasuki. "Because
something NICE happened between them!"
	The others all laughed and whooped, and Miaka and Tamahome
looked mortified. Because it was, of course, absolutely true.
	"Hey, you guys!" Tamahome said. "You're drunk!"
	"Give the man a prize!" Tasuki whooped. "I'd ask you to join
us, Tama. . .but we've just about drank everything up!"
	"I wouldn't want it anyway," said Tamahome, trying to look
convincing. "It interferes with. . ."
	"Sexual performance?" said Nuriko. The others whooped.
	"No, no, not. . .well, listen. . ."
	"Ohh, we'll listen all right," said Tasuki. "We'll listen to
every last detail!"
	Tamahome was about to form a replay. . .but Hotohori picked
that moment to finally pass out. He landed on the floor with a CRASH,
his mirror clattering to the ground beside him.
	"Hotohori!" said Miaka, rushing to her friend's side. She
checked his pulse, his breathing. . .he was alive, just. . .dead
drunk.
	She turned to Mitsukake. "Can you do anything for him?" But
Mitsukake was back to singing the song, in a trio with Nuriko and
Chichiri.
	Miaka sighed. They were pretty far-gone. Drunker than the
proverbial skunks. . .
	Chiriko went up and joined the singers, and Chichiri came back
to the table, where he sat talking closely with Tasuki. They're
sitting *awfully* close together -- I wonder why, Miaka thought. . .
	Just then, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned. . .
	"Tamahome?"
	"Come on, love. . .let's go back to bed."
	She gave him a questioning look, which said without words. . .
do we *really* want to, now that everyone knows. . .
	He kissed her. "There's a saying, you know. . .if you're going
to have the blame, you might as well have the game."
	She laughed. "Well, we have the blame now!"
	"All the more reason to skip this entirely. . .and have our
OWN party." He lifted her tenderly in his arms and carried her away
from the drunken revelry, back to his bedroom.
*****
	Chichiri looked up when Tamahome carried Miaka away. It wasn't
that he was in love with Miaka but the monk was feeling a little down
and jealous of Tamahome's good fortune. The blue haired man grabbed 
Tasuki's bottle and chugged it, swallowing several gulps of the 
alcohol beverage.
	"Chichiri..." whispered Tasuki. "You okay?..."
	The monk facevaulted and made a kawaii face. "I'm felling FINE 
na no da!" he chirped. His grin wiped itself from his mask when he 
saw a hurt in Tasuki's eyes. The thief looked hurt at his answer, as 
if he could sense that he wasn't truthful. "Tasuki no da..." His 
voice dropped to his normal tone of voice as he took off his mask. 
Chichiri didn't know why, but he wanted to make Tasuki smile, a frown 
of sadness didn't suit his beautiful face.
	Tasuki couldn't hear Mitsukake and Nuriko sing bawdy songs. His
entire attention focused on the monk's face. "You're so beautiful
without your mask..."
	Chichiri facevaulted. "Don't... My scar..."
	"I've seen much worse..." Tasuki felt himself drawn to the
monk, like a metal was attracted to magnets. Chichiri was older than
he was yet Tasuki couldn't help but being fascinated by him. He
reached and with his thumb touched lightly the scar.
	Chichiri had a shudder and pulled away, his heart pounding in
his chest, dizziness as his hands went to place themselves on
Tasuki's shoulder, blushing furiously.
	"Nurikoooooo-san..." said Chiriko clutching his stomach. "I
don't feel too good..."
	Nuriko and Mitsukake stopped singing and looked at Chiriko.
	"Are you gonna barf?" asked Nuriko.
	Chiriko burped and turned an interesting shade of green.
	"Good going Nuriko... You don't have to tell him..." Mitsukake
scolded. "We better bring him... somewhere..." The hulking man and
one in drag escorted Chiriko outside.
	Meanwhile Tasuki and Chichiri had no idea this had taken place
because they were too busy with each other.
	"Please... don't..." whispered Chichiri, looking for his mask,
"My face is horrible..."
	"I see nothing horrible... The only horrible thing I see is the
sadness in your eyes..." whispered back Tasuki. His arms were around
Chichiri.
	The monk gasped at their closeness, when had Tasuki hugged him?
He didn't know, he just knew it felt good. And in his alcoholic daze
he slumped against Tasuki, loving the warmth the thief produced.
	Tasuki couldn't believe what was happening, he had Chichiri in
his arms. Dared he hope?... No, Chichiri was a monk and probably
didn't feel this way about him. He was in some sort of bittersweet
agony, having the object of his love in his arms and yet be unable to
confess his love. He hugged him closely, tenderly, if this was the
closest he could get to the monk, then so be it, he accepted it.
	Chichiri frowned, although he didn't mind the way he and
Tasuki were hugging, he felt something was amiss. They weren't
hugging like comrades, nor like fighters, Tasuki was holding him
tenderly. The monk closed his eye, he loved this closeness, he didn't
want it to stop.
	The monk reached up and touched Tasuki's fiery hair, he had
many time wondered how the silky strands felt. His fingers combed the
thief molten silk, Chichiri thought his hair was finer than any of
the Emperor's silk.
	Tasuki purred softly as Chichiri played in his hair, delicious
shivers shaking him. The monk lifted his head to the level of Tasuki.
Their eyes met and locked, they inched closer, drawn by an
irresistible force.
	Their lips were almost touching when Hotohori's loud snore
broke their trance.
	"What?... na no da?... Hotohori-sama?" blinked Chichiri. "Where
is everyone?..."
	Tasuki looked around. "#*^*$(^)! Where are they?" Only
Hotohori's loud snoring answered him. He sweatdropped. "And
here I thought it was Tamahome all that time..."
	"Really no da?..." giggled Chichiri. "I thought it was Miaka!"
The monk started to laugh and lost his balance when he arched
backward. "OOOW!!!!... no daaaaaaa!... Tasuuuukiiii..."
	"Yeah, Chichiri?" said thief trying to right the monk.
	"Make the room stop spinning no da..."
	Tasuki chuckled. "I think the Emperor has the right idea... I
better bring you to your bed..." That kiss they almost shared he
thought would have wait.
	"But... There's still something in the bottle..." replied the
monk.
	"Oh great!... I hooked ya on booze..." He helped Chichiri up.
Tasuki saw the monk grabbed the bottle and chug some as they walked
to the monk's room.
	He was able to open the door, get in and close it back.
Chichiri was like an unyielding sack of flour that moved. And with a
ooof... Tasuki pitched forward and landed on top of the monk on his
bed.
	Tasuki gulped as Chichiri looked at him with sparkling liquor
dazed eyes. "Tasuki..." That voice, thought Tasuki, makes me long for
him. Please don't speak again. He closed his eyes tightly fighting
the urge to kiss the monk. He gasped when he felt Chichiri's warm
hand upon his cheek. "Tasuki... You're so beautiful..."
	The ex-thief felt the blush creep on his cheeks. His mind was
screaming for him to get the hell out of this bed, away from Chichiri
before he committed the biggest mistake of his life. His body had
other ideas, his limbs refused to move and in the confine of the
yukata  he was wearing something was waking up. Tasuki wished
ardently it would just die out.
	"Ye're beautiful... too..."
	"Really... You really think so?" asked Chichiri, Tasuki could
see it was more the booze talking than the monk, strangely, he didn't
care.
	"Yeah... I just wish you wouldn't wear this mask all the
time..." whispered Tasuki.
	"My scar..."
	"I don't mind your scar, Chichiri... I don't mind it at all..."
	"W... Why?" asked the monk, his heart beating in his chest
betraying the excitement he felt to be so close to the red haired
man. He was studying the other's man's face and felt Tasuki's heart
also beating fast. "Tasuki..." He whispered, like a beacon, like a
prayer, Tasuki couldn't deny his need anymore and touched his lips
with those of the monk.
	"I feel so lonely, Tasuki..." whispered Chichiri, sadness in
his voice and eye.
	"You're not alone anymore, Chichiri... You'll never be alone
again..."
	"Really?... You'll stay with me Tasuki?... I like having you
around... You're so warm..." Chichiri answered and with his hands
parted the robe Tasuki was wearing. "So soft... and warm..."
	Tasuki was panting, he bit his lip not to moan, his erection
was brushing against the tights of the monk. He opened his eyes and
saw the eye of Chichiri looking back at him with silent need. His
lips captured the monk's own before he had time register what he was
doing. Panicked, he was about to pull away when Chichiri responded
to his kiss with the same intensity.
	"Hmmmmmmmmmmmm... mmmmmm...." purred Chichiri holding the thief
tightly against him. "Tasuki... warm... more..." Chichiri never felt
this good and free before. His hands traveled down Tasuki's back he
loved the way the thief shivered as he caressed him.
	"Chi... Chichiri..." Tasuki said with his voice constricted by
passion. "Stop... Don't... Stop..."
	"Don't stop?... I don't want to..." Chichiri recaptured his
lips and rocked his hips against Tasuki. The thief gasped and moaned
no longer able to restraint himself. The monk was pulling away his
clothing then Tasuki's.
	Tasuki's body was oversensitized by the monk's kiss and their
closeness. He was hot and hard against Chichiri's body, thrusting his
hips gently against the other's rising member.
	Hearing Chichiri's small moans, the thief felt he was enjoying
himself. The rubbing action was almost sending him over the edge. He
was startled when Chichiri pushed him back.
	He blinked momentarily, had he frightened the monk? He let out
a moan when he felt the monk's hand grabbing his hardened member and
started to stroke him.
	"Ch... Chichiri..."
	The monk kissed him again, his hand moving faster on Tasuki's
length. The thief's head was swimming, he was close, so close.
	"Ah!... Gods... Chichiri... I love you..."
	The monk went faster after this confession. "I know... I do
too..." He kissed Tasuki's neck until the thief erupted with his
liquid passion.
	Chichiri continued to stroke him until Tasuki took his hands
away. Again they kissed passionately, grinding their bodies together.
	"Tasuki... Touch me..." whispered the monk.
	"I'll do more than that... I want to give you pleasure so
much..." Tasuki kissed the monk again, his tongue exploring his
mouth. The blue haired man was startled at first but soon he too
explored timidly the other's mouth. Chichiri whimpered as Tasuki left
his mouth to trail small fiery kisses along his jaw, suckling on his
earlobe and then nibbling his neck.
	"Tasuki..." He whimpered with need. "Touch me... Please..."
	"Patience... patience... Isn't that one of the way to
enlightenment?..." teased Tasuki.
	"I want your touch..." gasped Chichiri. "Not enlightenment..."
	"I will touch you... Love you... I promise you will cry of
joy..."
	"Don't... tease..." squirmed the monk.
	"Iya... never..." replied Tasuki as he started to travel down
Chichiri's chest, kissing him along the way.
	"Tas... Tasuki!... What are you doing?... AAAAH!" moaned the
monk when Tasuki rubbed his lips against his nipple. His hands locked
themselves in the younger man's hair. Tasuki teased the tip with his
tongue, lovingly lapping in a tight circle before taking the puckered
flesh between his lips. The blue haired monk pleaded to him not to
stop and to touch him lower. But Tasuki shook his head as he suckled
him, he wouldn't touch him... not yet.
	Chichiri was moaning louder when the redhead switched nipples,
doing to the second the same loving attention he gave the first. The
monk thought he was going to burst when Tasuki grazed his teeth on
his sensitive nipple.
	Tasuki then moved downward still, planting hot kisses along the
way. "This is going to be more delicious then a mere touch..." He
told the monk who was panting, writhing on the bed. "Do you want me
to do it?"
	"Y... Yes... Oh Yes!... Tasuki... Do it PLEASE!" The monk sat
up excited as he watched Tasuki reach his member. He could see his
length, just inches from the thief's mouth, that sight made him moan
and shiver.
	Tasuki looked at his prize, standing proud, flawless. The
excitement of the monk could be seen from the small bead pearling on
his tip. He lightly licked it, hearing Chichiri's strangled moan of
pleasure. His tongue swirled at the top, the body under him shivered.
He started to run his tongue up and down the length, licking him like
he was a piece of candy and just as sweet.
	Chichiri closed his eye as moans filled the air. Tears were
flowing down his eye, he never thought this would be so sweet.
Tasuki's tongue on him was sweeter than any touch he ever given
himself. He welcomed the bliss that he was in, he never wanted this
to stop and yet, this pleasure hinted more, he wanted more. He
wondered briefly if he could do the same on Tasuki when the thief
surprised him once again.
	Chichiri's world turned upside down when Tasuki took his length
in his mouth and started to suck it gently. The monk eye opened wide
nothing could have prepared him for Tasuki's hot and wet cavern. He
lost control then and gripping Tasuki's head tightly in his hands, he
started to thrust in and out the sweet orifice.
	Tasuki gagged and was startled by Chichiri's assault. The monk
had lost all contact with reality and was trying to satisfy his
passion. Tasuki panicked at first, then he thought that maybe this
might be the only time he would make love to Chichiri. He relaxed his
throat and started to find the experience enjoyable as it started a
fire in him. He started to suck on the possessing length and heard 
the monk's moans of passion.
	Chichiri was making love to him, him!... He accepted the monk's
need for completion, making them one, in a way Tasuki never would
have thought about. He didn't think Chichiri would go for the other
way.
	The blue haired monk with a growl, locked his hips and thrusted
himself deeply into Tasuki's mouth. The thief took a deep breath
seconds before he was flooded with the monk's essence. He thought he
was about to come also as he had little choice but to swallow the
monk's love. He tasted sweet and pure, so much like Chichiri. The
monk relaxed his hold on his head and Tasuki continued to move him
in and out of his mouth until Chichiri's length was soft.
	With a sigh, the blue haired man fell on his bed, tired but
with a satisfied grin on his face. "Tasuki..." He whispered and
opened his arms so that the thief could settle in them. He was
embraced with warmth and whispered. "I love you... Tasuki..."
	"I know... Me too..." replied the thief as he snuggled and 
settled down for the night.
****

As the rays of the rising sun peeked through the window, Tamahome 
awoke. . .feeling very cold. One look beside him confirmed that 
Miaka had hogged all the blankets.
	Just wait until she wakes up, he thought. I'm gonna. . .Then 
he just laughed to himself, snuggled against her. . .and pulled the 
blankets back over his own body.
	We're probably the only two people in the household who are 
going to wake up without headaches and nausea, he thought. . .
	And then, the previous night came back to him clear as a 
whistle. Oh, Gods! he thought. They know. . .they all know what 
happened between Miaka and me last night. . .He flushed at the 
thought of the nonstop teasing he was going to have to endure from 
Tasuki and Nuriko.
	I'll pound them both if they say anything, he thought. And 
double if they say anything to Miaka.
	She stirred, yawned, reached out for him. . .
	He kissed her forehead. It was worth any amount of teasing, he 
thought. . .to be able to hold her, touch her, taste her. . .That's 
still not going to keep me from killing Tasuki if he says anything, 
though.
	Miaka's eyes fluttered. "Mmmm," she said, pressing her lips 
against his neck. "It's not a dream. . .you're really here. . ."
	"Good morning, sweetheart," he whispered. "Sleep well?"
	"Yes. . .oh, yes. . " She twined her fingers in his hair and 
turned her face up, pulling his head toward hers. The first kiss of 
the morning was as warm and sweet as hot chocolate.
	I can't believe he's really here, she thought. I can't believe 
that last night we actually touched each other intimately. . .made 
love to each other with our mouths. . .
	Her self-doubt of the previous night was gone. She didn't feel 
soiled at all. If anything, she felt cleaner, more purified than she 
ever had in her life. . .because she had let go of guilt and fear.
	"Did anybody ever tell you," he whispered, "that you're a 
*terrible* covers hog?"
	"No. . .but then again, nobody has ever slept in bed with me 
before. Except. . ."
	"Except who?"
	"Tama-Neko."
	He nuzzled her neck. "Hmm. . .well, I hope I was more fun to 
sleep with than a cat. . ." He kissed her chin, cheek, temple, then 
pressed his lips to her ear and whispered in the sexiest tone of 
voice he could muster, "Meeow."
	Miaka felt a deep, erotic shiver run through her whole body. 
She found herself letting a hand wander down his neck, toward his 
chest, as he nipped at her earlobe. . .
When she encountered a nipple, she took it between her thumb and 
forefinger and squeezed it , ever-so-gently, making him give a loud 
moan.
	"Miaka. . .mmm . . .that's good. . ."
	He was kissing her neck now, nibbling at her here and there, 
moving down slowly. . .He rolled her on her back, gently stroking 
the backs of his hands over her nipples. She let out a gasp.
	"Gods, I want to wake up to this sight every morning of my 
life," he said, brushing his fingertips over the hardened buds. She 
had her eyes closed, a look of passion on her face, which only made 
his blood run all the hotter.
	When the time comes, she should call Suzaku in the nude, he 
thought. What deity or human would be able to look at such beauty 
and not be awed?
	He bent to her and took a nipple in his mouth, sucking it 
tenderly. . .letting his fingers stroke down over her stomach, on 
their way to their ultimate goal. . .
	The damp russet curls covering her secret flower felt like 
velvet to him. He caressed them gently, feeling Miaka stir in 
response, opening her legs in a mute plea to him to touch her where 
she craved it the most. . .
	He moved back up where he could kiss her lips, took her hand 
and led it to his manhood. "Feel. . .feel what you do to me. . ."
	"Tamahome. . ."
	"I'm so hot, love. . .and I can feel how hot you are. . ." He 
brought his hand back to her womanhood, gently nudging a finger 
between the passion-slick petals, teasing her entrance. . .
	"Yes," she moaned, as her hand began to grasp him. . .to stroke 
him. . .oh, he felt so good, so very good. . .she fluttered her 
fingertips over the head and gloried when he stiffened in response, 
his own fingers starting to stroke her with a steady rhythm. She 
tilted her head back, giving a deep, primal moan as he barely 
brushed her jewel, just enough to send luscious shudders rippling 
over every part of her.
	"Does that feel good?" he whispered as he stroked faster, 
letting his fingers slip just inside her, then pulling them out, 
ticking her petals, teasing her pearl. . . "I want it to be so good 
for you, Miaka. I want to hear you moan. . .I want you to come so 
hard you feel it in your toenails. . .ohhh, what you're doing to me 
feels incredible. . .you like it, don't you? You love touching 
me. . .like I love touching you. . ."
	"Yes. . .yes, Tamahome. . ." He was driving her mad. . .oh, 
how she wanted him to just put his fingers on the hot center of her 
being and caress it, bring her release, but he was driving her mad, 
just teasing, teasing, and his voice was only making her hotter. . .
She retailiated by stroking him faster, letting her fingers slip 
down to caress the sac beneath, then back up to his shaft, just 
rubbing circles around the base before moving up to the head again, 
to stroke and tickle . . .He touched the spot that most craved him 
quickly, and she arched upward, letting out a long, low sound.
	"That's right," he whispered. "Moan for me, honey. Let it 
out. . .let go. . ." And then, he responded with a moan of his own 
as  she began moving her entire palm in circles on his head. He let 
his other hand come up to her breast, stroking the nipple, making 
her jerk and cry out. "Please! Oh, please!"
	"Please what, sweetheart? Do you want me to make you come?"
	"Yes! Ohh, yes. . ."
	"All right. . .relax, Miaka. . ." He brought his mouth to hers, 
kissing her tenderly. "Just relax. . .it's going to be so good for 
you, darling. . ."
	He kept one hand on her breasts, playing with the nipples. With 
the other, he began moving in slow circles all around her swollen 
pearl. "How's that? Nice?"
	She could only respond with a long groan.
	"So beautiful. . .so sexy," he said in a breathy whisper as he 
brought his finger in closer and closer. . .she thought her whole 
body was on fire, she didn't know how much more she could take. . .
	And then, he was stroking her jewel directly, gently, and the 
explosion came within her. She gasped, as if surprised at the 
intensity. . .then let out a shriek as wave after wave of hot 
pleasure consumed her in one luscious spasm after another. It was 
going on and on, she thought she was going to come forever. . .
	When it finally faded, she was totally spent. She just lie 
there, feeling like a rag doll, her body and sold flooded with a 
warm glow.  . .
	And flooded with love for him.
	He gently kissed her forehead. "Was it good?"
	"Ooohh. . .Tamahome. . .you can't imagine. . ."
	"I'm sure I can. I'm good at imagining things."
	Her fingers slowly reached out, touched his still-swollen 
manhood. . .
	He had brought her to this lovely release, with no thought for 
himself. Well, she was going to have to reward him for that. . .
	He sucked in his breath when he felt her begin to stroke him 
with the fingers of both hands. . .one hand on the head, rubbing 
around and around, the other massaging up and down the shaft. . .He 
groaned, surrendering to total sensation. . .oh, Gods, how *did* she 
know just what do do to him, where his sensitive spots were. . .the 
pleasure was building, building, he knew he was getting close. . .
	And then, she leaned over and licked him. Just a light touch 
of her tongue on the tip. . .but it was enough. He felt the tidal 
wave break within, and his whole body jerked, heat flooding every 
cel of his being as he shouted her name, as his seed shot from 
him. . .
	Miaka was kissing him as he slowly recovered. . .her sweet 
lips on his face feeling like a benediction. . .
	"I love you so much," he whispered.
	"I love you, too."
	They snuggled into each other's arms and dozed off again. Hell, 
he thought, the others probably won't be up for a *long* time 
yet. . .
*****
	Tasuki was the first to wake, he snuggled closer to the warm
body that held him. His smile wiped out of his face when he realized
someone WAS holding him.
	"Mmmmm... Tasuki... no da..." whispered Chichiri.
	Tasuki paled. I couldn't have... he thought. But the evidence
was before him, Chichiri naked and holding him, the lingering musk
that told him they had sex also.
	Oh my god... Tasuki was pale as a sheet. How much did I drink
last night? Oh god... Chichiri... I made love to a monk! I soiled
Chichiri... My beautiful Chichiri, I soiled him, how could I have
done this.
	Tears started to flow down his eyes. I love him, but I never
wanted him to know. He is pure!... I am but a piece of coal next to
him. I should have loved him enough not to touch him, EVER!
	He examined Chichiri, there was no blood. He hadn't taken the
monk's virginity, he thanked the heavens for small favors. That would
have been too much of a blasphemy. My poor pure Chichiri... What I
have done to you?
	He took his clothes and got out of bed. He was tempted to give
the monk one last kiss. But he didn't. He hoped the gods forgave
Chichiri for what he had done.
	"I love you... Chichiri..." He whispered crying. He stole away
from the room, tiptoeing to his own. When he reached it he slumped
on his bed and cried, praying that Chichiri's soul would not be
jeopardized because of him.
***

	Chichiri woke up a little while later, his bed had lost the
warmth it had during the night. "Why am I so cold, no da?" He sniffed
the air.
	"EWWWWWW... NO DA! I STINK!" He said pinching his nose. "I am
NOT drinking that much ever again... whew...  You'd think Tasuki
slept in here with me no da..."
	He covered his mouth with his hand. He shouldn't have said
that. Tasuki was so nice and gentle... even though he had a big love
for the sake bottle, he chuckled.
	He got up and sighed, if only Tasuki... He dismissed the
thought, the day was too young to dwell on sad what ifs. He felt a
headache coming on.
	The monk started to wash himself and his thoughts returned to
Tasuki. His thoughts always returned to Tasuki these days. He thought
of the thief many times in a day and ever since he learned of Miaka
and Tamahome's more serious relationship. His thoughts about the
brash, fiery haired rogue multiplied.
	He shook his head. Why would Tasuki be interested in him? He
was good friend with Nuriko, maybe they would become more than
friends, with time. Nuriko was beautiful and not a woman since Tasuki
boasted his hatred of the genteel sex.
	He would never know what it felt like to have the sweet rogue
in his arms. He accepted it, he had no choice but to accept it.
***

	The collection of Suzaku seishi that woke up with a hangover
was phenomenal. Even poor little Chiriko was feeling miserable.
Tasuki also but for entirely other reasons. The thief gulped when
Chichiri got in.
	"Good morning, no da!"
	Nuriko scowled. "Why are you so chipper about?" Tasuki paled.
	"I don't know no da... I feel okay... but I have a headache..."
	"HA!..." burst Nuriko. "You got a hangover... same as us...
Except Sake-boy, here..."
	"Tasuki?" Chichiri was surprised not to see Tasuki merry as he
was each time he took sake.
	"I... I'm sorry... Chichiri..."
	"Why are you apologizing to him for?... You should apologize
to Chiriko... Poor little boy was so sick..." snorted Nuriko.
	Tasuki looked on the ground, ashamed.
	"Hm... no da... How did I come back to my room?"
	Tasuki facevaulted. "You mean you don't know?"
	"No... I remember seeing Miaka and Tamohome leave... I can't
remember the rest..." said the monk.
	Nuriko blinked. "I think I passed out when Chiriko barfed..."
 Chiriko gulped, turned green and ran quickly out of the room.
	"Oups... I forgot..." whooped Nuriko.
	Meanwhile, Miaka and Tamahome were making their way toward the 
dining room, hand-in-hand.
	"You realize," he said, "that we're going to hear it the 
second we walk in."
	"Oh, yes. . .I know. And I'm ready for it."
	"If Tasuki says anything really crude. . .he'll regret being 
born."
	But when they walked in the room, to their surprise. . .nobody 
as much as blinked an eye.
	"Um. . .good morning?" said Miaka.
	"Nothing good about it," Nuriko grumbled.
	"Good morning, no da!" Chichiri said. (Well, at least he sounds 
happy, Miaka thought. . .)
	"Where's the others?"
	"We haven't seen Hotohori at all, no da. Chiriko. . .got sick 
again. Mitsukake's taking care of him, no da."
	"And Tasuki?" Miaka looked over at him. . .he seemed to be 
gazing off into the distance, a million miles away. . .
	"Hey, Fang Boy, how come you look like a phantom this morning?" 
said Tamahome, approaching him. "Couldn't handle the booze?" He was 
fully expecting a blast from the tessen. . .or at least an attempt 
to hit him. . .but Tasuki just sat there, impassively.
	Miaka and Tamahome looked at each other. This was *not* like 
Tasuki at all.
	"Come on," she said. "I think he wants to be left alone 
awhile."
	The others looked at him. . .then at each other. . .and 
nodded.
	As they left the room, Miaka looked over her shoulder. He 
looks like he's just lost his best friend, she thought. She wanted 
to run back and beg him to talk, to open up  and share what was 
bothering him. . .
	But, no. The look on his face. . .he definitely wanted to be 
alone, completely alone. . .
	Tamahome took her hand. "Come on, sweetheart. . .let's go 
walking down by the hot springs."
	She squeezed his, smiling at him. What a night, she thought. 
Tamahome and I ended up blissfully happy. . .and poor Tasuki. . .
something happened, and it was about more than booze.
	But she was going to deal with that later. Right now, she was 
going to enjoy the company of the man she loved, and think about the 
New Year. . .the year she was going to summon Suzaku, save Yui, put 
everything right and make sure she and Tamahome would be together 
forever.
	And she sent up a silent prayer that someday Tasuki would know 
the same happiness she and Tamahome did.