Confessions

"I like you."

Those words made Miko's heart skip a beat. A blush crept onto her face, but she replied, "I... like you too. You're a great friend." Tashi gritted her teeth, not knowing whether Miko was just outright rejecting him, or she just simply did not understand.

"I don't like you that way! I like you in a romantic way. Do you know something? Remember a few days ago when we visited the plum gardens? The sunset there was beautiful. I know you may be rejecting because you are leaving and you don't know when you'll come back, but its just like how when the last rays of sun faded away at the plum gardens. The sun rays may disappear, but the sun still exists. Even if you leave, my feelings for you will still remain."

"I..." Miko sighed. She came to the mortal world to look for Takei's reincarnation, but now she was stuck in this mess... Sure, she did have her speculations, but until she could confirm it, she did not want to be with Tashi.

"Fine. When I have settled everything on my end, I will decide if I want to be together with you." Miko replied. When she became slightly stronger, she would come back to the mortal world to continue her search. Until then, she did not want to put Tashi in danger, because although he was a great friend and a potential love interest, she did not want to lead Tashi on, or betray Takei.

"Fine. I'll wait for you to be ready, however long you want me to." Tashi smiled.

The two held hands admiring the moon once again as the winds blew past. They did not know how long it would be before they both met again, so they made sure to cherish the moment and appreciate the presence of each other.

The next day, Miko woke up next to Tashi, which was the new usual now since it happened every single morning. After breakfast, they bid goodbye. It was short and bittersweet, as neither party wanted to drag it out and make this parting any more difficult. Miko headed to Yatsuko's shop, while Tashi headed to work.

The ringing of the bells on the door announced Miko's entrance to the whole shop. Without glancing up, Miru just absent mindedly said, while trying to sound energetic like a normal human, "Welcome! Place your order here!"

"Hehe! Miru, its just me!" Miko giggled. Miru now gazed up, and now said in a monotonus tone, "What would you like to order?" Miko was stunned. She opened her mouth to speak, "Miru... its me..." Miru simply nodded and mumbled an "mhm"

"Miru... You're not still... mad are you?" Miko asked. She had specifically left for awhile to let him cool off, and hopefully just like the previous times Miru would have already cooled off and be back to his normal, cheerful self. To this, Miru did not give an answer and simply said, "If you are not ordering, please exit the store." Miko felt her eyes heat up, as her lips twitched involuntarily. She could feel a lump making its way up her throat. Without saying more, she turned and left the store quickly, not wanting her tears to spill out. Ryo exited from behind the curtains just in time to see Miko running out. When he heard Miru's words earlier, he was unaware of the situation, simply thinking there was just an annoying person here for no apparent reason. Usually, he would send Miru to chase them off as he was best at it, and it was entertaining to watch - or hear. He came out from the curtains which seperated the counter and the kitchen, wanting to ask what had happened, only to see Miko's figure rushing out the door.

Miru sensed Ryo's presence and quickly turned around. He was slightly more powerful than Ryo although they both had six tails.

"What?..." Miru scoffed before continuing what he was doing. Ryo shook his head and headed back into the kitchen. He instructed the Tanuki inside to cover his orders for awhile and immediately took off his apron and rushed out the door.

"Hey Miko! Wait!" Ryo called. Hearing Ryo's voice, Miko immediately turned around.

"Where have you been this whole time?! Do you know how worried we are for you?!" Ryo asked.

"Lets find... some place to talk. Its too crowded here." Miko replied. The two walked to a nearby lakeside which was void of people. Not many visited here as it was quite a distance from the central part of the village, so there were wild animals here. Both of them sat down a green patch of grass, overlooking the tranquil, blue waters.

"How have you been?" Ryo asked.

"Not bad."

"Then where did you go? We were all very worried when we couldn't find you."

When Ryo came back from the mountains, he expected Miko to be staying in the lounge part of the restaurant, or that she would have probably fixed herself a place to stay. Unexpectedly, she had disappeared. Thinking she had returned to the forest, he had contacted Asura to ask but was shocked when she did not know where Miko was either. He had asked Miru before if he knew where Miko went, only to find that he was probably still mad as he simply responded with a simple "God knows. Probably somewhere out there. She won't get lost."

"Sorry," Miko replied. Realising she was ending every conversation, Miko decided to continue it by asking, "Is my brother... mad at me still?" Ryo did not answer. He simply looked down from the view of the lake he was gazing at, but it was enough for Miko to tell an answer.

"Then did he say anything while I was gone?" Miko asked. To this, Ryo twitched his lips and replied instead, "Tell me where you were first. I am not the kind to need to know every detail of your life, but I am not telling you anything until you tell me where you were." Miko could sense that Ryo was also angry at her now. At first, when Ryo realised Miko disappeared, he was worried but Miru told him not to bother and continue his job instead. Even when he wanted to look for Miko, he realised that the rain a day before had already washed away any lingering scent from the days of her when he was not present in the village. He had no choice left but to wait it out until Miko came back on her own, although he was unsure if she would. When he saw Miko in the restaurant, he felt relieved seeing she was okay, but it soon turned to anger on why she had left. Miko knew that this time, she had really screwed up badly. How was she supposed to tell them over the past two weeks or so, she had already cultivated a relationship with a human they had never met and is now contemplating to be his girlfriend?! Even Ryo was upset now, and he had one of the best tempers among her friends. Miru would get mad most often since they were siblings, but generally cooled off rather quickly too. Asura had a mild temper, and just required some coaxing. Ryo almost never got angry and was usually calm, but today was not one of those days.

Taking a deep breath, Miko looked down, unable to match Ryo's gaze.

"Ryo, there's something I need to tell you."