It was dusk when Tetsuya finally stopped walking. He slumped
against a rock alcove, bent from exhaustion and hunger. He'd been
walking all day, and not found anyone. Not even a traveling merchant.
It was if he'd been transported to the version of the Universe that was
post-apocalypse. He didn't even see any animals. Grunting in frustration,
he hit the rock wall with his fist, then turned away from it.
"YUI! MIAKA! TAKA! KEISUKE! RAIN! WHERE ARE YOU?!" she shouted
into the sky. "YUI!! KEISUKE!!!" He sunk to his knees, and put his hands
to his forehead. "Yui...." he said in a weakening voice. What was the point
of being in this fantasy world when you were alone?
But you're not alone, Tetsuya.
Raising his head, he squinted into the darkening sky.
"Who's there?" he asked in a raspy voice. A dark purple, almost a black light
began to shimmer and bubble in front of him, elongating into the shape of a
person. He wasn't scared, or shocked. He was actually...relieved. Standing
with effort, he straightened himself upright just as the figure bubbled into
solidity.
Before him stood a man, about his height, with black hair that hung down to
his knees. It was gathered into a gold ring towards the ends, giving it a
billowy effect. Around his head sat a gold circlet, a v-shape resting against
his forehead. His clothes were billowy, white and gold designs embroidered
on his shirt with a black vest, pants and boots. His eyes were the most shocking.
They were the color of fool's gold, but lacked shine and seemed lifeless.
"Who are you?" Tetsuya asked, weary. The man smiled darkly and placed a
hand on Tetsuya's head.
"Nazo..." he said in an equally dark voice.
----------------------------------------
"TETSUYA YOU AHO! GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Keisuke shouted at the book.
Hoshi stared at him with a shocked look. She had taken over reading after the
sun came up. She looked back down at the page as more writing appeared upon it.
"The man hesitated at the feel of Nazo's hand upon his head and began to pull
away, as if something were calling to him from another place...." she narrated.
Keisuke clenched his fist and pulled his arm downward.
"Yesss!" he gloated. "Good ol' Tetsu...I knew he'd figure it out!"
".......but remained where he was and allowed Nazo to take him away." She
finished. Keisuke groaned and fell from the couch, landing with a loud thud.
"Is Tetsuya going to pull a Tamahome now?" he asked wearily. Hoshi glanced at
him.
"Pull a who?" Keisuke shook his head and motioned for her to continue. He
draped his arm over his eyes and sighed heavily. Will this nightmare ever end?
--------------------------------
"It'll be so great to see Konan again! Everyone there is so friendly, and their
food is great!" Miaka gushed, skipping along ahead of Taka and Yui. Yui kept
watching their surroundings, listening for the rest of their friends, and Taka
kept glancing off to his left, his brow furrowed in concentration. Miaka stopped
in front of them. "I wonder how Boushin and Lady Houki are doing?" she asked
herself thoughtfully. Shrugging she giggled. "Oh well, maybe Boushin is all grown
up by now! Who knows how many years have passed, right Taka?" She turned and
found Taka stopped, now behind Yui, staring at something intently to the east. Yui,
seeing Miaka watching behind her, stopped as well and turned.
"What is it, Taka?" Yui asked. Miaka wandered up behind Yui and stood by her.
"I don't know.......but something tells me we should be going this way..." he murmured,
taking a step off the road.
"But that's not the way to Konan...that's the way to Kutou!" Miaka exclaimed. Taka
shook his head slowly.
"No....not that far...someplace else...." as if in a daze, he picked up his pace and
started walking to the east. Miaka gasped and grabbed Yui's arm.
"TAKA!! MATTEO!!!" she cried, dragging Yui along behind her. Yui allowed herself
to be pulled along, only half-making an attempt to keep up. She reached a hand into
her pants pocket and squeezed the pair of dark sunglasses she had found several
hours back. She had not told Miaka or Taka about finding them.
Seiryuu...if you can hear me....make sure Tetsuya stays all right...she prayed weakly
in her mind.
---------------------------
The sun had long since set, but Chichiri conjured up a small light globe to light
their path so they could travel longer. Lightning flashed in the sky, followed by
loud booms of thunder, but no rain fell yet. Rain winced at each boom, used to
being inside at the first warning of a thunderstorm, not out in the middle of it.
Between the rumbling and flashes of light, all was strangely quiet, except for
the soft chirping of a faraway cricket. The atmosphere was spooky, darkness,
then light, then noise, and then silence. Rain felt like she was witnessing the
end of the world.
"How much farther until we reach the mountain?" she managed to ask in a half-
strained voice. Tasuki glanced down at her skeptically.
"What, don't they have storms back in your world?" he asked her. Rain looked
out over the countryside as another flash of lightning illuminated it, then she
glance-glared at Tasuki.
"Of course we do. I'm usually inside a building when it's like this, however."
She said in a voice rough enough to match his tone. He lowered his eyes at her.
"That's what makes you a weakling." He said acidly.
"We shouldn't be too much farther, no da." Chichiri broke into their oncoming
argument, "there's a shortcut through here, no da." He raised his hand and the
globe of light slowly floated ahead of them, illuminating a dry riverbed that
ran in between two rock walls. Rain shivered.
"Doesn't lightning strike ravines more frequently than it does flatland?" she
asked, hugging herself. Chichiri turned to look at her.
"Not that I know of, no da." He said in a cheerful tone, then moved on. Rain stood
where she was a moment longer and stared after Tasuki and Chichiri. She didn't
have a good feeling about what laid beyond that ravine. Not in the least bit.
The trio walked along silently, Rain glancing worriedly about her. All was silent now,
except for the thunder and the rocks crunching beneath their feet as they walked.
An electrical feeling suddenly jolting through her, Rain stopped where she was and
lifted her head to stare into the distance. Tasuki and Chichiri stopped and looked at her.
"What is it no da?" Chichiri asked, taking a step forward. Rain's eyes were open as wide as
they could go, and darted about, as if searching for something. There was a strange, heavy
feeling to the air around them.
"LOOK OUT!" she suddenly shouted, and shoved them away. Caught off guard, Tasuki
stumbled into Chichiri. A crack of lightning suddenly shot down from the clouds, it's
striking point the exact place in which they stood.
"RAIN!" Tasuki shouted as the lightning hit her. Chichiri had put up a protective
barrier around he and Tasuki, but didn't have enough time to get Rain in as well.
Both shielded their eyes from the burst of light. Tasuki was the first to recover,
lifting his head to stare at where Rain was. His eyes widening, he nudged Chichiri.
"Chi...C...sh...she..." he stuttered, unable to voice his thought.
His mask fluttering to the ground, Chichiri lifted his head to find that not only had
Rain survived the lightning strike, but held the electricity in a ball above her head,
stray static bolts trailing up and down her arms like blue fire. Her eyes shut in what
appeared to be concentration, she slowly lowered the glowing ball in front of her
chest, then pushed it away from her with force, the ball projecting itself into the
farthest cliff wall. It exploded on impact, and the whole rock side fell into the riverbed,
blocking their path if they attempted to retrace their steps. Not even opening her eyes,
Rain collapsed to the dirt, a few leftover sparks emerging from her, as if protecting her.
After Chichiri lowered the barrier, Tasuki dashed over to Rain's side and attempted to pick
her up by her shoulders, but was instantly zapped by what was left of the electricity.
Wincing and cursing, he attempted again, but this time bore the shock, and lifted her to
a sit. Chichiri kneeled on her other side and held a hand over her face, a soft blue glow
emanating from it as he shut his eye and held his prayer beads. His face relaxed a
moment later into a smile.
"She's all right, no da. She's just unconscious." He stood up and re-settled his kasa,
which had fallen off in the dodge away from the lightning. Tasuki's mouth dropped
open into a stunned glare.
"H-h-HEY! WHAT'S THAT MEAN?! SHE JUST THREW A LIGHTNING BALL!" he
shouted after Chichiri's departing figure. "COME BACK HERE YOU SCHISTER!
WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH HER?!" Chichiri stopped and turned back to
face him, putting on his mask and grinning.
"You're supposed to carry her, no da." He said in a very un-Chichiri like mischievous
voice. Tasuki allowed his mouth to fully drop open in disbelief.
"YOU'RE FULL OF SHIT!! YOU KNOW I CAN'T STAND GIRLS!" he shouted after
regaining his composure. Chichiri turned away and began walking once more. Rain
stirred and made a noise.
"Then I'll walk myself." She said in a hoarse voice. Tasuki blinked and looked down
at her. She had one eye open slightly and was glaring at him with it. She sat up by
herself and absent-mindedly scratched her left thigh, then managed to stumble
to her feet. Tasuki remained on the ground staring at her with an un-readable
expression. After glancing down at him in a hurt glare for a moment, she turned
and stumbled her way after Chichiri.
Tasuki remained on the ground staring after her, then to stare at his hands. Why'd
he suddenly feel bad for saying that? Damn, hating girls was one of his trademarks.
Hitting his temple with the palm of his hand, he shook himself out of it and stood up.
After stretching his shoulder muscles a bit, he jogged off after them.
------------------------------------------
Miaka clung to Yui's arm as another boom of thunder rumbled across the sky and
whimpered. Taka was ahead, trying to pick his way through the bushes and trees
for the destination he was sure they were supposed to go to.
Yui glanced down at Miaka and smiled softly at her frightened face. She was just
like a little kid sometimes. Suddenly bumping into Taka's back, both girls looked
up at him in surprise. Miaka let go of Yui and walked around him to stare up into his
face.
"What is it Taka?" she asked. He was staring into the dark of what looked like a
dried up riverbed, as if listening for something. He pushed Miaka back behind him
gently and took a step forward.
"We're not alone." He murmured, clenching a fist. Although he could not remember
his life as Tamahome entirely, some things, like the martial arts and sense of direction,
still remained. He bravely took a few steps forward, away from the girls, and bent
down slightly, ready for a fight. "Come out, I know you're there!" he shouted into the dark.
"Oh yeah?! Well why don't you come in here and make me!" a familiar rough voice
shouted back. Miaka perked up instantly and put a hand out.
"Taka...wait..." she called after him softly. Not hearing her, Taka went into fighting
stance.
"Oh right, that's real cowardly, can't even face someone yourself, you've got to make
them find you. Real cheap you moron." He yelled back. The voice growled loudly.
"Moron?! I'll show you moron!!" the voice shouted angrily. There was the sound of
running, then of scuffling.
"Stop it you idiot!" a familiar female voice suddenly proclaimed. There was more
scuffling, then the sound of something heavy hitting the rocks of the riverbed.
Miaka and Yui came to stand behind Taka, and Taka stood up straight, confused.
A small light-globe floated out of the riverbed and up to them. Behind it, a little cat
jumped over the side of the bed and scampered towards Miaka.
"Tama-Neko!!" she cried, kneeling down to pick him up. She giggled and cuddled
him. She stopped and lifted her head again. "Wait....if you're here...then that means...."
putting the cat back on the ground, Miaka dashed towards the riverbed and leaned
over the side.
"Miaka!" Taka warned, taking a step after her. Yui walked after her, curious.
Peeking over the side slowly, Miaka came nose-to-nose with a familiar smiling face
and pointy bangs. She let out a short, startled scream, then squealed happily.
"CHICHIRI!" she squealed, and latched onto the grinning seishi's neck in a hug.
"Daaaaa..." he said, strained as Miaka squeezed. Yui blinked as she came to the
edge and peeked down.
"Rain!?" she said in surprise. Rain grinned up at Yui sheepishly and released
Tasuki's waist. Tasuki, who was on his face in the rocks, grumbled unhappily.
Opening her eyes, Miaka blinked, seeing Tasuki and Rain for the first time.
She released the strangled Chichiri and slid down the riverbank towards them.
"TASUKI! RAINI-CHAN!" she cried, knocking both of them over in a tackling hug.
Taka cocked his head down at the group.
"Well I'll be. I guess this was the right way to go after all." He stated in a proud
tone. Yui glanced back at him with a skeptical look. Recovering, Chichiri hopped
up from the riverbed and came to stand next to them. Behind him, Rain and Tasuki
both struggled against the overly affectionate Miaka for air.
"I'm impressed, Taka no da. You still remembered the way to Mt. Tai-kyoku,
no da." He stated, brushing off his kesa. Taka raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"That's where we are?" he asked, scratching his chin thoughtfully. Thinking to
himself for a few moments, he came to some unspoken conclusion and shrugged.
Chichiri sweat dropped.
"Uh....you don't know what Mt. Tai-Kyoku is anymore, do you, no da?" he asked.
Taka thought again, then raised a finger and opened his mouth, his eyes lighting
up. He then dropped is hand and shook his head, grinning. Chichiri's sweatdrop
grew larger.
"OH LOOK! TAITS-KUN'S HOME!!" Miaka shrieked, pointing rapidly to the large
mountain that had suddenly appeared in front of them. Lightning flashed behind it,
illuminating it in profile for a moment, then all was dark again. Miaka stood up and
climbed back out of the riverbed as fast as she could. Rain and Tasuki remained on
their knees, gasping for air.
"So this is the infamous Taits-kun's home..." Yui said in quiet awe. Miaka grinned at
her and began running towards the citadel.
"That's right, you've never seen Tai-Kyoku before Yui. C'mon! It'll be great to see
grandma again!" she giggled to her over her shoulder. "Just you watch, this'll make
the trip back here fun for sure!" Chichiri frowned and watched the home again
as lightning illuminated it once more.
"Miaka! Wait!" he called after her. Miaka halted and turned to look at him.
"What is it? What's wrong?" she asked, alarmed at the seriousness of his voice.
Chichiri waited for Miaka to return to them, and for Rain and Tasuki to climb out
of the riverbed before teleporting them to the steps.
"Huh..? HEY! Why couldn't you have done that earlier you asshole!" Tasuki shouted
into Chichiri's face as they materialized. Chichiri grinned sheepishly.
"I'm trying to conserve energy, no da." He said meekly. Tasuki's head enlarged and
his teeth grew pointed.
"Conserve energy my ass!" he shouted. He silenced immediately as Miaka gasped.
He turned and found her staring up at the building with her hands pressed to her
mouth in shock. Frowning, He took a few steps forward out of the dark, and found
the entranceway to Taits-kun's home in ruins. "HEY! What the hell happened!?!"
he exclaimed. Chichiri pulled off his mask immediately, and stared up at the home
in shock, then teleported himself inside.
"What happened?!" Miaka cried, dashing into the darkness of Taits-kun's home.
"Miaka, come back!" Taka shouted, dashing in after her. This left Yui, Tasuki and
Rain to stare up at the building.
"I'm going in." Tasuki growled, pulling out his tessen. Rain turned to Yui who had long
since turned pale. She tilted her head at her.
"Yui...daijobu?" she asked. She frowned as deja vu passed over her, then returned to
her concerned stare. Yui turned and looked at her.
"Was......Tetsuya with you by any chance?" she asked her weakly. Rain tilted her head
thoughtfully in the other direction.
"Mmm....nope. Not that I can remember." She replied after a moment. Miaka suddenly
screamed from somewhere inside, catching Rain's attention. "Come on, we'd better get
in there!" she said hurriedly, jumping over a piece of broken pillar and disappearing into
the gloom. Yui stayed where she was and sunk to her knees as if she'd slowly lost the use
of them.
She pulled out the sunglasses and held them in her lap. Several drops of moisture
suddenly landed on it. It was hard to say if they were tears or rain.
against a rock alcove, bent from exhaustion and hunger. He'd been
walking all day, and not found anyone. Not even a traveling merchant.
It was if he'd been transported to the version of the Universe that was
post-apocalypse. He didn't even see any animals. Grunting in frustration,
he hit the rock wall with his fist, then turned away from it.
"YUI! MIAKA! TAKA! KEISUKE! RAIN! WHERE ARE YOU?!" she shouted
into the sky. "YUI!! KEISUKE!!!" He sunk to his knees, and put his hands
to his forehead. "Yui...." he said in a weakening voice. What was the point
of being in this fantasy world when you were alone?
But you're not alone, Tetsuya.
Raising his head, he squinted into the darkening sky.
"Who's there?" he asked in a raspy voice. A dark purple, almost a black light
began to shimmer and bubble in front of him, elongating into the shape of a
person. He wasn't scared, or shocked. He was actually...relieved. Standing
with effort, he straightened himself upright just as the figure bubbled into
solidity.
Before him stood a man, about his height, with black hair that hung down to
his knees. It was gathered into a gold ring towards the ends, giving it a
billowy effect. Around his head sat a gold circlet, a v-shape resting against
his forehead. His clothes were billowy, white and gold designs embroidered
on his shirt with a black vest, pants and boots. His eyes were the most shocking.
They were the color of fool's gold, but lacked shine and seemed lifeless.
"Who are you?" Tetsuya asked, weary. The man smiled darkly and placed a
hand on Tetsuya's head.
"Nazo..." he said in an equally dark voice.
----------------------------------------
"TETSUYA YOU AHO! GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Keisuke shouted at the book.
Hoshi stared at him with a shocked look. She had taken over reading after the
sun came up. She looked back down at the page as more writing appeared upon it.
"The man hesitated at the feel of Nazo's hand upon his head and began to pull
away, as if something were calling to him from another place...." she narrated.
Keisuke clenched his fist and pulled his arm downward.
"Yesss!" he gloated. "Good ol' Tetsu...I knew he'd figure it out!"
".......but remained where he was and allowed Nazo to take him away." She
finished. Keisuke groaned and fell from the couch, landing with a loud thud.
"Is Tetsuya going to pull a Tamahome now?" he asked wearily. Hoshi glanced at
him.
"Pull a who?" Keisuke shook his head and motioned for her to continue. He
draped his arm over his eyes and sighed heavily. Will this nightmare ever end?
--------------------------------
"It'll be so great to see Konan again! Everyone there is so friendly, and their
food is great!" Miaka gushed, skipping along ahead of Taka and Yui. Yui kept
watching their surroundings, listening for the rest of their friends, and Taka
kept glancing off to his left, his brow furrowed in concentration. Miaka stopped
in front of them. "I wonder how Boushin and Lady Houki are doing?" she asked
herself thoughtfully. Shrugging she giggled. "Oh well, maybe Boushin is all grown
up by now! Who knows how many years have passed, right Taka?" She turned and
found Taka stopped, now behind Yui, staring at something intently to the east. Yui,
seeing Miaka watching behind her, stopped as well and turned.
"What is it, Taka?" Yui asked. Miaka wandered up behind Yui and stood by her.
"I don't know.......but something tells me we should be going this way..." he murmured,
taking a step off the road.
"But that's not the way to Konan...that's the way to Kutou!" Miaka exclaimed. Taka
shook his head slowly.
"No....not that far...someplace else...." as if in a daze, he picked up his pace and
started walking to the east. Miaka gasped and grabbed Yui's arm.
"TAKA!! MATTEO!!!" she cried, dragging Yui along behind her. Yui allowed herself
to be pulled along, only half-making an attempt to keep up. She reached a hand into
her pants pocket and squeezed the pair of dark sunglasses she had found several
hours back. She had not told Miaka or Taka about finding them.
Seiryuu...if you can hear me....make sure Tetsuya stays all right...she prayed weakly
in her mind.
---------------------------
The sun had long since set, but Chichiri conjured up a small light globe to light
their path so they could travel longer. Lightning flashed in the sky, followed by
loud booms of thunder, but no rain fell yet. Rain winced at each boom, used to
being inside at the first warning of a thunderstorm, not out in the middle of it.
Between the rumbling and flashes of light, all was strangely quiet, except for
the soft chirping of a faraway cricket. The atmosphere was spooky, darkness,
then light, then noise, and then silence. Rain felt like she was witnessing the
end of the world.
"How much farther until we reach the mountain?" she managed to ask in a half-
strained voice. Tasuki glanced down at her skeptically.
"What, don't they have storms back in your world?" he asked her. Rain looked
out over the countryside as another flash of lightning illuminated it, then she
glance-glared at Tasuki.
"Of course we do. I'm usually inside a building when it's like this, however."
She said in a voice rough enough to match his tone. He lowered his eyes at her.
"That's what makes you a weakling." He said acidly.
"We shouldn't be too much farther, no da." Chichiri broke into their oncoming
argument, "there's a shortcut through here, no da." He raised his hand and the
globe of light slowly floated ahead of them, illuminating a dry riverbed that
ran in between two rock walls. Rain shivered.
"Doesn't lightning strike ravines more frequently than it does flatland?" she
asked, hugging herself. Chichiri turned to look at her.
"Not that I know of, no da." He said in a cheerful tone, then moved on. Rain stood
where she was a moment longer and stared after Tasuki and Chichiri. She didn't
have a good feeling about what laid beyond that ravine. Not in the least bit.
The trio walked along silently, Rain glancing worriedly about her. All was silent now,
except for the thunder and the rocks crunching beneath their feet as they walked.
An electrical feeling suddenly jolting through her, Rain stopped where she was and
lifted her head to stare into the distance. Tasuki and Chichiri stopped and looked at her.
"What is it no da?" Chichiri asked, taking a step forward. Rain's eyes were open as wide as
they could go, and darted about, as if searching for something. There was a strange, heavy
feeling to the air around them.
"LOOK OUT!" she suddenly shouted, and shoved them away. Caught off guard, Tasuki
stumbled into Chichiri. A crack of lightning suddenly shot down from the clouds, it's
striking point the exact place in which they stood.
"RAIN!" Tasuki shouted as the lightning hit her. Chichiri had put up a protective
barrier around he and Tasuki, but didn't have enough time to get Rain in as well.
Both shielded their eyes from the burst of light. Tasuki was the first to recover,
lifting his head to stare at where Rain was. His eyes widening, he nudged Chichiri.
"Chi...C...sh...she..." he stuttered, unable to voice his thought.
His mask fluttering to the ground, Chichiri lifted his head to find that not only had
Rain survived the lightning strike, but held the electricity in a ball above her head,
stray static bolts trailing up and down her arms like blue fire. Her eyes shut in what
appeared to be concentration, she slowly lowered the glowing ball in front of her
chest, then pushed it away from her with force, the ball projecting itself into the
farthest cliff wall. It exploded on impact, and the whole rock side fell into the riverbed,
blocking their path if they attempted to retrace their steps. Not even opening her eyes,
Rain collapsed to the dirt, a few leftover sparks emerging from her, as if protecting her.
After Chichiri lowered the barrier, Tasuki dashed over to Rain's side and attempted to pick
her up by her shoulders, but was instantly zapped by what was left of the electricity.
Wincing and cursing, he attempted again, but this time bore the shock, and lifted her to
a sit. Chichiri kneeled on her other side and held a hand over her face, a soft blue glow
emanating from it as he shut his eye and held his prayer beads. His face relaxed a
moment later into a smile.
"She's all right, no da. She's just unconscious." He stood up and re-settled his kasa,
which had fallen off in the dodge away from the lightning. Tasuki's mouth dropped
open into a stunned glare.
"H-h-HEY! WHAT'S THAT MEAN?! SHE JUST THREW A LIGHTNING BALL!" he
shouted after Chichiri's departing figure. "COME BACK HERE YOU SCHISTER!
WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH HER?!" Chichiri stopped and turned back to
face him, putting on his mask and grinning.
"You're supposed to carry her, no da." He said in a very un-Chichiri like mischievous
voice. Tasuki allowed his mouth to fully drop open in disbelief.
"YOU'RE FULL OF SHIT!! YOU KNOW I CAN'T STAND GIRLS!" he shouted after
regaining his composure. Chichiri turned away and began walking once more. Rain
stirred and made a noise.
"Then I'll walk myself." She said in a hoarse voice. Tasuki blinked and looked down
at her. She had one eye open slightly and was glaring at him with it. She sat up by
herself and absent-mindedly scratched her left thigh, then managed to stumble
to her feet. Tasuki remained on the ground staring at her with an un-readable
expression. After glancing down at him in a hurt glare for a moment, she turned
and stumbled her way after Chichiri.
Tasuki remained on the ground staring after her, then to stare at his hands. Why'd
he suddenly feel bad for saying that? Damn, hating girls was one of his trademarks.
Hitting his temple with the palm of his hand, he shook himself out of it and stood up.
After stretching his shoulder muscles a bit, he jogged off after them.
------------------------------------------
Miaka clung to Yui's arm as another boom of thunder rumbled across the sky and
whimpered. Taka was ahead, trying to pick his way through the bushes and trees
for the destination he was sure they were supposed to go to.
Yui glanced down at Miaka and smiled softly at her frightened face. She was just
like a little kid sometimes. Suddenly bumping into Taka's back, both girls looked
up at him in surprise. Miaka let go of Yui and walked around him to stare up into his
face.
"What is it Taka?" she asked. He was staring into the dark of what looked like a
dried up riverbed, as if listening for something. He pushed Miaka back behind him
gently and took a step forward.
"We're not alone." He murmured, clenching a fist. Although he could not remember
his life as Tamahome entirely, some things, like the martial arts and sense of direction,
still remained. He bravely took a few steps forward, away from the girls, and bent
down slightly, ready for a fight. "Come out, I know you're there!" he shouted into the dark.
"Oh yeah?! Well why don't you come in here and make me!" a familiar rough voice
shouted back. Miaka perked up instantly and put a hand out.
"Taka...wait..." she called after him softly. Not hearing her, Taka went into fighting
stance.
"Oh right, that's real cowardly, can't even face someone yourself, you've got to make
them find you. Real cheap you moron." He yelled back. The voice growled loudly.
"Moron?! I'll show you moron!!" the voice shouted angrily. There was the sound of
running, then of scuffling.
"Stop it you idiot!" a familiar female voice suddenly proclaimed. There was more
scuffling, then the sound of something heavy hitting the rocks of the riverbed.
Miaka and Yui came to stand behind Taka, and Taka stood up straight, confused.
A small light-globe floated out of the riverbed and up to them. Behind it, a little cat
jumped over the side of the bed and scampered towards Miaka.
"Tama-Neko!!" she cried, kneeling down to pick him up. She giggled and cuddled
him. She stopped and lifted her head again. "Wait....if you're here...then that means...."
putting the cat back on the ground, Miaka dashed towards the riverbed and leaned
over the side.
"Miaka!" Taka warned, taking a step after her. Yui walked after her, curious.
Peeking over the side slowly, Miaka came nose-to-nose with a familiar smiling face
and pointy bangs. She let out a short, startled scream, then squealed happily.
"CHICHIRI!" she squealed, and latched onto the grinning seishi's neck in a hug.
"Daaaaa..." he said, strained as Miaka squeezed. Yui blinked as she came to the
edge and peeked down.
"Rain!?" she said in surprise. Rain grinned up at Yui sheepishly and released
Tasuki's waist. Tasuki, who was on his face in the rocks, grumbled unhappily.
Opening her eyes, Miaka blinked, seeing Tasuki and Rain for the first time.
She released the strangled Chichiri and slid down the riverbank towards them.
"TASUKI! RAINI-CHAN!" she cried, knocking both of them over in a tackling hug.
Taka cocked his head down at the group.
"Well I'll be. I guess this was the right way to go after all." He stated in a proud
tone. Yui glanced back at him with a skeptical look. Recovering, Chichiri hopped
up from the riverbed and came to stand next to them. Behind him, Rain and Tasuki
both struggled against the overly affectionate Miaka for air.
"I'm impressed, Taka no da. You still remembered the way to Mt. Tai-kyoku,
no da." He stated, brushing off his kesa. Taka raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"That's where we are?" he asked, scratching his chin thoughtfully. Thinking to
himself for a few moments, he came to some unspoken conclusion and shrugged.
Chichiri sweat dropped.
"Uh....you don't know what Mt. Tai-Kyoku is anymore, do you, no da?" he asked.
Taka thought again, then raised a finger and opened his mouth, his eyes lighting
up. He then dropped is hand and shook his head, grinning. Chichiri's sweatdrop
grew larger.
"OH LOOK! TAITS-KUN'S HOME!!" Miaka shrieked, pointing rapidly to the large
mountain that had suddenly appeared in front of them. Lightning flashed behind it,
illuminating it in profile for a moment, then all was dark again. Miaka stood up and
climbed back out of the riverbed as fast as she could. Rain and Tasuki remained on
their knees, gasping for air.
"So this is the infamous Taits-kun's home..." Yui said in quiet awe. Miaka grinned at
her and began running towards the citadel.
"That's right, you've never seen Tai-Kyoku before Yui. C'mon! It'll be great to see
grandma again!" she giggled to her over her shoulder. "Just you watch, this'll make
the trip back here fun for sure!" Chichiri frowned and watched the home again
as lightning illuminated it once more.
"Miaka! Wait!" he called after her. Miaka halted and turned to look at him.
"What is it? What's wrong?" she asked, alarmed at the seriousness of his voice.
Chichiri waited for Miaka to return to them, and for Rain and Tasuki to climb out
of the riverbed before teleporting them to the steps.
"Huh..? HEY! Why couldn't you have done that earlier you asshole!" Tasuki shouted
into Chichiri's face as they materialized. Chichiri grinned sheepishly.
"I'm trying to conserve energy, no da." He said meekly. Tasuki's head enlarged and
his teeth grew pointed.
"Conserve energy my ass!" he shouted. He silenced immediately as Miaka gasped.
He turned and found her staring up at the building with her hands pressed to her
mouth in shock. Frowning, He took a few steps forward out of the dark, and found
the entranceway to Taits-kun's home in ruins. "HEY! What the hell happened!?!"
he exclaimed. Chichiri pulled off his mask immediately, and stared up at the home
in shock, then teleported himself inside.
"What happened?!" Miaka cried, dashing into the darkness of Taits-kun's home.
"Miaka, come back!" Taka shouted, dashing in after her. This left Yui, Tasuki and
Rain to stare up at the building.
"I'm going in." Tasuki growled, pulling out his tessen. Rain turned to Yui who had long
since turned pale. She tilted her head at her.
"Yui...daijobu?" she asked. She frowned as deja vu passed over her, then returned to
her concerned stare. Yui turned and looked at her.
"Was......Tetsuya with you by any chance?" she asked her weakly. Rain tilted her head
thoughtfully in the other direction.
"Mmm....nope. Not that I can remember." She replied after a moment. Miaka suddenly
screamed from somewhere inside, catching Rain's attention. "Come on, we'd better get
in there!" she said hurriedly, jumping over a piece of broken pillar and disappearing into
the gloom. Yui stayed where she was and sunk to her knees as if she'd slowly lost the use
of them.
She pulled out the sunglasses and held them in her lap. Several drops of moisture
suddenly landed on it. It was hard to say if they were tears or rain.