Chapter twenty-one

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"Hotohori!" Miaka and Tasuki hollered in both shock and excitement.

After a while, the line disappeared leaving the four people stunned. Miaka walked to Hotohori, who seemed to be in a daze.

"Hey, Hotohori," she spoke as she shook him. He didn't move a muscle. He was staring blankly at the sword. "Hotohori, if you won't answer I'll start to hurt you." Miaka warned but still, there was no reaction. Miaka then raised her hand to slap him. As she was about to do so, Hotohori's hand grasped hers.

"Miaka, you can slap me anywhere, but please spare my beautiful face," Hotohori said, smiling at her.

"Do you remember now?" Miaka asked as she pulled her hand off his grasp.

"Yo, what the hell's happenin'?" Tasuki exclaimed. Miaka ignored him. Mr. Taseguro told them to sit and wait for the coffee he was about to prepare. The trio thanked him.

"Remember what?" Hotohori answered her with a question.

"It's impossible. How come you still don't remember? Why did Nuriko remember when she found the bracelet? I'm so hopeless," Miaka mumbled in despair.

"Don't say that," Hotohori rested a hand on Miaka's shoulder, "My beautiful Suzaku no Miko."

Hearing those last words. Miaka flung her arms around him. "Thank Goodness! You're back!" she eyed him seriously, "Don't you ever do that again. You scared me, I thought everything I did was wasted and-"

"Hey, hey hey! What's happenin'? Why are you two acting so weird?" Tasuki asked. "And why are you hugging each other?"

With what Tasuki said, the two pulled themselves off each other. Tasuki pulled Miaka farther from Hotohori, as if he is protecting her from him.

"Don't you touch her again," he whispered in a very low tone, "Or else-"

Hotohori shot him a serious look and replied, "You shouldn't tell your emperor what to do, Tasuki."

"What the hell are you saying huh?" Tasuki pushed him.

"Hotohori!" Miaka rushed to help Hotohori stand again. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Mr. Taseguro appeared holding a tray filled with cups of coffee. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes, sir. Everything's fine." Hotohori answered for the trio. "Tasuki, let's go out."

Tasuki headed toward the door and Hotohori followed him. "Excuse us for a minute," Hotohori said as he closed the door.

"Is everything really all right?" Mr. Taseguro questioned Miaka.

Miaka was caught off guard. "Why um… yeah, I guess so." Miaka managed a forced smile, which made the old man feel better.

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"Now what?" Tasuki asked Hotohori, irritation could be heard from his voice.

"Genrou, do you believe in such things as being reborn?" Hotohori asked, his voice very calm and soothing. Tasuki shook his head in disagreement.

"Don't tell me you were reborn, Saihitei."

"Apparently I was." Hotohori sighed. "I hope you can believe me. You're also reborn, you know?"

"What the heck are you talking about? You know what. I warned you not to watch so much TV. Those shows you watched are getting into your brains."

Hotohori started to say something but decided it would be of no use. "Oh well, I guess we really have to find that tessen. Maybe that will bring your memories back," Hotohori mumbled to himself.

"Are you saying something?" Tasuki questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Say, why don't we just forget about this thing and have some coffee? It's kinda silly arguing over such an unbelievable subject," Hotohori suggested with a smile.

Tasuki shrugged. "Whatever you say, Saihitei."

They went inside. Miaka and Mr. Taseguro gave them their coffee and asked them what happened; if someone got hurt or if they wished to have more time alone.

"We're fine. Believe me. it was just a silly petty quarrel," Tasuki answered then he took a sip of his coffee. "This one's great. Could I have more?"

"Oh sure, there's enough for an army," Mr. Taseguro replied as he poured more coffee on Tasuki's cup.

Miaka was staring at Hotohori. He was staring at his cup, swirling the coffee in it and obviously, his mind is flying somewhere in space. Maybe he's confused. After all, his memories have just returned and maybe the old Hotohori is now fighting with the new one. Suddenly, Hotohori's eyes met hers, and no matter what she does, they won't let her go. He smiled, such a sweet smile at her. She felt her cheeks warm up and they reddened. She moved her head away and took a sip from her cup. From the corner of her eye, she saw him stand and walk towards her. She felt uncomfortable in her seat and so she moved to her right. Hotohori sat beside her and whispered something to her.

"I still love you so much," he said.

Miaka froze. She didn't know what to do! Her knees felt like jelly and there were butterflies in her stomach. She felt like she was going to pass out but she kept herself together.

"Thank you," she finally said successfully.

She turned to look at him and once again, their eyes met. Those soft eyes filled with passion, fueled by an emotion she knew so well. He's eyes reflected what he's feeling deep inside. She knew he loved her. Loved her so much. He had proven it in so many ways. Now, she's free to love him as well. Taka's gone with Yui. But, is she really free to love him now?

"Hey!" It was Tasuki once again. He stood and made his way between Hotohori and Miaka.

"Genrou, what are you doing?" Hotohori asked gently.

"I wanna sit beside Miaka. That's all," he answered as he hugged Miaka.

"Genrou, it's not proper for a man to do that without permission from the lady," Hotohori scolded Tasuki, who tightened his hold of Miaka.

"Hey, you're hurting me!" Miaka exclaimed. When Tasuki didn't let her go, she spilled her hot coffee on his arms.

"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHH!" Tasuki yelled as he pulled off his arms from her. "What was that for?"

"Let's just say it was my thank-you gift to you for hugging me so tightly," Miaka answered as she stood up, "Do you want me to give you another thank-you gift?"

"Hell no!" Tasuki thundered.

"Good boy," Miaka replied.

When they have finished their coffee break, they thanked Mr. Taseguro for his services and asked how much the repair of the sword cost.

"Oh, you don't have to pay me. You're good children and I am very happy that I was able to help you," Mr. Taseguro said with a smile.

Miaka and Tasuki went out immediately but Hotohori stayed inside for a moment. He handed Mr. Taseguro a small envelope.

"Please take this as a token of our gratitude," he bowed as he gave it to him.

When Mr. Taseguro opened the envelope, he found a check worth ₤10, 000. "Why sir! This is too much! I can't take it," the good old man said.

"Please, take it sir. This is not the payment for the sword repair. It is my gift to you as your friend," Hotohori explained and immediately left before the old man could make any more comments.

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Taka watched the doctor/hypnotist as he pressed the play button on his recorder. He listened intently. He even closed his eyes as he tried to confirm if it was his own he was listening to. It really was his voice. He tried to relax but it was impossible.

"That's nonsense," he exclaimed when Chichiri pushed the stop button on his recorder. "I don't know what kind of magic or voodoo you used to make me say those things! I'm just wasting my time talking to you!"

Chichiri pulled off his mask and revealed his real face. "You know what, I, myself, am troubled with your condition. I know you had your memories back like, years ago. I know you and Miaka were living happily, like in a fairy tale but what happened? Why did your memories disappear? I had talked to Taiitsukun about you and she said she knew nothing about your case."

"You shut up you weird fool! If you say another damned word I'm gonna kill ya," Taka warned, and from the tone of his voice, you can tell he was very serious and determined to do what he just said. He placed his right hand and touched something behind him. He observed the doctor who also stared at him. Realizing that the doctor would do nothing bad, he turned to leave but Chichiri spoke up again.

"I know you're still confused. Why don't you try to ask Yui what really happened three years ago?"

Taka went straight out of the doctor's clinic. He dialed Yui's number as he walked.

"Hello, Taka?" Yui answered on the third ring.

"We need to talk. I'm driving to your place. Be ready in five minutes," Taka said then ended the call.

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Yui paced the floor as she waited for Taka. She was nibbling on her fingernails. She can't relax. There was something in his voice; he was so serious and the tone of his voice gave her the shivers. Something bad is going to happen. She can feel it. Is it because of Miaka again? No, of course not. She and Taka will get married in three weeks and the wedding will push through no matter what happens. But what is troubling her now?

The doorbell rang. It was Taka. Yui offered him a seat and he sat down. Yui sat across him and their eyes locked.

"I want you to tell me the whole truth," Taka began. He unbuttoned the two uppermost buttons of his polo shirt.

"Taka haven't we talked about this before? I already told you everything," Yui said as she smiled. It took every ounce of her strength to keep that smile on her face.

"No. I know you lied to me. Tell me the whole damned truth now!" Taka yelled in anger. Yui froze and her smile faded away.

"But I already told you-"

"Fine, then I'll just do this," he said as he aimed a gun to his head, "If you won't speak up in three seconds I'll start to shoot."

"Okay, okay. Please put that thing down. I'll tell you everything. The whole truth," Yui sobbed.

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YUI WILL FINALLY TELL TAKA THE WHOLE TRUTH! WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN?

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