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"When I died, Taiitsukun told me that I could be reborn but I can choose whether to be reborn in my world or in yours," Nuriko paused as he drank a bottle of beer, "I asked her if I could be reborn with my sister in our world…she said that's not permitted."
"But if you choose to be reborn here, you can be together with your sister, right?" Miaka added. Nuriko nodded in agreement. "And then?" Miaka eagerly asked.
"She told me that I won't have my memories if I'll be reborn as well as Kourin. I asked her what's the use if we don't know who we are. She told me that you are the only one who could help us."
"Huh? I don't understand, why do you remember?"
"Let me finish, will you?"
"Okay, sorry,"
"You should find something that belongs to me here in your world. Taiitsukun sent my bracelet here; the one she gave me when she appeared in our ceremony that was disturbed by Amiboshi who we thought was Chiriko. She said that was all she could do. You should do the rest. However, I accidentally found it by myself."
"How?"
"It's still because of you. The first time you visited the bar I was working in, you left something. You left a card that says about a free visit to a certain museum not far from here. That's where I found the bracelet and remembered everything. Luckily, Kourin was a waitress in the restaurant across the street. I made her remember everything about us."
"Hotohori and Tasuki were also asked to choose, and they chose to live here…. So, they still don't have their memories because they haven't found the thing they need, right?"
"Exactly," Nuriko yawned. Miaka realized that soon he would fall into a deep sleep.
"What do they need?" she asked.
"The sword and the tessen," Nuriko answered, half awake. After speaking, he fell into a deep sleep.
"Sword and tessen? Where could I find those? Taiitsukun really hates me…" Miaka thought.
"And who hates you?" a voice asked in Miaka's head.
"What the, who are you? Aren't you Taiitsukun?" Miaka replied.
"Yes, I am. And I'm not asking you to find the sword and tessen because I want you to suffer and have trouble finding those. It's because it would be easier for you to find them than anyone else." Taiitsukun answered.
"Why?"
"Simply because the aura of the Miko attracts those. Once you find them, they will glow a bright red light. You should give them immediately to Hotohori and Tasuki because I'm giving you only a month to find those."
"WHAT? That's impossible…I don't have any idea where to find those…"
"Don't worry. Believe in yourself. Or else, I'll be forced to get back Tasuki and Hotohori after a month. But, if they'll have their memories within a month, I could easily make another Hotohori and Tasuki here."
"So why do you still have to get them after a month if you could make another one like them?"
"Because that's what Suzaku wants, I'm just obeying."
"Suzaku could really get weird and demanding sometimes…"
Taiitsukun's voice vanished. Miaka opened her eyes. She realized that Hotohori was shaking her to wake up.
"You were staring at the space…your eyes were blank, like you're trapped in some dimension or something," Hotohori said worriedly.
Miaka hugged him. "I'm gonna find your sword, I swear," she said.
"Sword? What are you talking about? Anyway, I guess we'd better get these guys home. Pretty soon the bar will close."
Hotohori drove Miaka and Keisuke home. He used Nuriko's rented car. He then went to Nuriko's house and left him with Kourin. Kourin welcomed him with a smile and thanked him for driving her brother home.
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The next day, Miaka was full of courage to start finding the sword and tessen.
"Maybe I should look for it the museum, who knows, maybe both are there," Miaka told herself.
She invited Keisuke to go with her but found it impossible to convince him for he kept on complaining that he has a headache. She finally decided to go by herself.
"Be back before lunch, okay?" her mother reminded her as she waved goodbye.
Miaka entered the museum. She paid for the entrance and quickly walked into the museum. She was so amazed by the different artifacts in there. Something caught her attention. There was an old book at the end of the hall and it says "Don't touch." Out of curiosity, she walked toward the book. It seemed so familiar…
"It can't be!" she almost screamed upon seeing the title of the book. It read "The Universe of the Four Gods."
A guide approached her and asked what's wrong with her. He said she looks pale. Miaka forced a smile and told him she's just alright.
"Would you like a tour?" he asked.
"Uhm, may I just ask you something?" Miaka asked.
"Yes Ma'am," he politely answered.
"How and where did you get this book?"
"A blonde girl gave us the book. She said it came from an ancestor of hers and said it would be better if the museum will just have it here."
"Do you know the girl's name?"
"Well, lemme think," the guide thought for a while. After some time, his face brightened, "Her name's something like Yuri, Yuyi, Youi…"
"Tell me, is it Yui?"
"Yes, that's her name! Her name's Yui Hogo, no, not Hogo, Hoño, no, it's not…"
"Yui Hongo…"
"Yeah! Right miss! Why, do you know her?"
"Why, uhm, yeah somewhat…I just know her by reputation…"
"Do you have any other questions Ma'am?"
"Oh yes, do you have any sword or tessen displayed here?"
"Sword, there are a lot of swords here. As for the tessen, what is it anyway?"
"It's a heavy iron fan used as a weapon."
"I'm sorry, but we don't have anything like it."
"Well, can you just lead me to the swords?"
"Sure,"
The guide led Miaka to a large room full of various kinds of swords. As Miaka surveyed the room, the guide kept on talking about the origins of swords. Most were samurais and there was nothing like Hotohori's. Although she was disappointed, she still went to the other rooms to find some clues to the whereabouts of Hotohori's sword or Tasuki's tessen. Unfortunately, she didn't find anything.
"I could make a good detective someday," Miaka thought.
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Just as Miaka was leaving the museum, a blonde couple passed by her. At first, she didn't care about them, but the man whirled around and Miaka saw his face.
"It's Nakago!" Miaka was about to call his attention when she saw the face of the woman with him. "Yui? Why are they together? I thought Nakago was on our side? Is this sabotage? I can't believe it! On the other hand, I must know first why they are together and if Nakago is really a saboteur,"
Miaka followed them but was disappointed when they used a red car. Luckily, Miaka was able to get a taxi.
"Follow that red car!" she commanded.
The skillful driver went through different curves as he followed Nakago's car. They were just behind Nakago's car.
"That taxi's following us," Yui said.
"I know, I'm doing my best to lose them," Nakago replied.
He stepped on the accelerator. The taxi driver did the same. Nakago's car was now a meter away from them. It crossed an intersection. When the taxi was about to cross the same intersection, the traffic light turned red.
"Oh no! We'll lose them!" Miaka cried.
When the light turned green, the taxi crossed the intersection quickly. Nakago's red car was out of sight.
"Sorry lady, did my best," the driver apologized.
"It's just okay," Miaka replied then she told the driver the directions to the Yuuki household.
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Meanwhile, Yui and Nakago went to a restaurant. They sat and the waiter took their order.
"Why did you invite me to eat with you?" Nakago asked formally.
"I want you to answer me truthfully," Yui said.
"Sure, a lawyer keeps his word," Nakago replied more formally.
"You remember me, don't you?" Yui asked as she stared at Nakago's eyes.
For a moment Nakago avoided her eyes. He looked troubled and confused.
"Answer me!" Yui commanded.
Nakago stared at her. He was still deciding whether to tell her the truth or not.
"I guess I should tell you the truth then," Nakago said.
"What do you mean?" Yui queried curiously.
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What's Nakago's secret? Where's Hotohori's sword and Tasuki's tessen? Will Miaka be able to find them in time? What do you think? Please REVIEW!