A Legend Reborn
Chapter 1
"Chisa!"
Chisa awakes to a banging on her bedroom door.
"Chisa! It's time to get up or you'll be late for school! Misao's downstairs waiting for you!"
Chisa groans and sleepily reaches for her alarm clock, finally grasping it on the third attempt. She stares at the clock sleepily until the numbers finally come into focus.
She lets out a scream. "I'M SO LATE!" she exclaims shocked by the time on the clock, "Why didn't the alarm go off?! I was sure I set it for the right time!!"
In a flash, she's ready and dashing downstairs, promptly falling flat on her face as she reaches the last step.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Misao," Chisa replies rubbing her head. "Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad," she calls out behind her grabbing her school bag.
"Wait! You didn't eat breakfast yet!" her mom calls back.
Chisa's head whips around to see her mom and dad sitting at a table full of delicious-looking breakfast dishes.
"I guess I have time for a little breakfast....," Chisa says mindlessly, practically drooling.
"Chisa! We're going to be late!" Misao says.
"Just a sec, Misao!" she says through a mouthful of food.
"Really, Chisa!" Misao scolds, "You know you eat like a pig!"
Chisa pounds on her chest, trying to swallow a large amount of food quickly, "I do not!"
The two girls argue their way out the door.
"She definitely takes after you, Miaka," Chisa's dad says with a laugh, flipping the page of the morning paper, "Like mother like daughter!"
"And what's that supposed to mean, Tamahome dear?" Miaka asks angrily. Her watch beeps. "Ack! I'm late for work!" she yelps. She quickly shoves the rest of her food down her throat, grabs her briefcase, and zooms out the front door, slamming it behind her.
Tamahome simply sips his coffee and turns another page of his paper.
The door suddenly flies open again.
"I almost forgot!" Miaka says running up to Tamahome, "I'm sorry," she kisses him, "Bye, dear!" she says, flying out the door once more.
***
"So, what are the plans for tonight?" Misao asks. It is now lunchtime and the girls are sitting on the school lawn outside, talking and eating. "Chisa!" Misao says trying to pull her friend away from her food, "Hello...? Are you even listening to me?"
"Huh?" Chisa stops shoveling food into her mouth and looks up, "I'm sorry. Were you saying something, Misao?"
"I was saying...," Misao begins again with just a hint of annoyance in her voice, "...what are the plans for tonight?"
"Oh!" Chisa quickly swallows and answers, "Well, from what I know, your parents are going to meet my parents at my house and then leave for the restaurant together so I guess they'll just drop you off at my house for the night. Oh, and they were talking about catching a movie or something after dinner...."
"That's what I thought," Misao says, "I just wanted to check."
"Don't forget your books when you come over," Chisa says, "We've got that big test to study for."
"Do we really have to spend all our time studying?" Misao groans, "I thought we were going to watch movies and eat pizza."
"You're the one who needs the studying, Misao!"
"Oh, shoot!" Chisa says reaching down to pick up some food that she dropped on the ground. As she bends over, a necklace falls out from under her uniform shirt and dangles from her neck.
"When did you get that?" Misao says.
"What?"
"That necklace."
"Oh!" Chisa lifts up the silver chain, "Didn't I show you this?" Chisa says, "My parents gave it to me for my birthday. Sort of a 'sweet sixteen' thing, I guess. They gave it to me after the party so I guess you never got a chance to see it. My mom has one just like it. I think the red bird is supposed to mean something, but I'm not sure.... It may have something to do with some fairy tale my mom used to tell me."
"It's really pretty," Misao comments, "You know what's weird? My mom gave me one just like yours, but it's got some blue dragon, snake thing on it," she says pulling her necklace out, "and my mom got one for herself, too."
"What do you think they mean?" she asks holding the red bird charm in the palm of her hand, watching the sunlight as it dances on the smooth, shiny surface of the charm.
"I don't know....," Misao says, doing the same with her necklace, "Maybe our parents just have a thing for matching jewelry!"
"Maybe....," Chisa giggles.
The bell sounds as a signal for the end of lunch.
"Well, there's the bell," Misao says, "I guess it's time to get back....."
"For a person who sleeps through class you sure are in a hurry!" Chisa says.
"Well, miss smarty-pants, highest-grade-on-the-entrance-exam-to-Jonan," she says, "we can't all be geniuses!"
"You're living proof of that!" Chisa jokes.
"This coming from someone who's *supposed* to be my best friend?!"
"Hey! It's just pay-back for all the 'eats like a pig' comments!"
"All right...," Misao say with a laugh, "I guess we're even then...."
"Okay, we'll call it even...," Chisa smiles, "for now, anyway....."
***
*Ding-dong*
"I'll get it!" Chisa cries, running for the front door.
"Hi, Chisa."
"Hey, Misao. Hello, Aunt Yui, Uncle Tetsuya."
"Are your parents ready yet, Chisa?"
"They should be coming down the stairs any minute now," Chisa says, "Won't you please come in while you wait?"
"Thank you."
Chisa leads the guests to the living room and they sit down on the couch.
"So, how's school going?"
"Oh, everything's fine..."
"I heard that you got the highest score on the entrance exam to Jonan."
"Well.... I...."
"Your parents are very proud of you. They talk about it almost non-stop! I just wish that Misao would pick up some of your good study habits."
"Mom!"
"She's really doing fine, Aunt Yui. We're going to do some studying tonight......"
"Sorry we're late. I hope you didn't have to wait long."
"No, we just got here."
"Okay, girls, we already ordered you a pizza so it should be on its way....."
"Oh, great! The four of you get to go out and eat fancy French cuisine and drink expensive champagne while Misao and I are stuck here with pizza and coke!"
"Anyway... Don't open the door to anyone but the pizza guy...."
"Yeah..."
"... and no boys or anything..."
"As if...."
"... and there are some cokes in the fridge...."
"I know, I know..."
".... the emergency numbers are by the phone and..."
"Miaka, I think she knows."
"Huh?"
"They are sixteen, after all."
"Thanks, Dad!"
"I'm sorry.... I just worry about you when you're home alone at night."
"Everything will be fine, dear. Now let's get going. I made reservations for seven thirty."
"All right..."
"You girls have a good time!"
"Bye, mom. Bye, dad."
"Bye, Misao."
"We'll be back in a few hours."
The adults head out to their car.
"Have fun," Chisa calls out the door, "And don't forget to bring me back the leftovers!"
"We will if your mother doesn't eat it all first!" Chisa's dad hollers back. This comment is followed by a sharp elbow to the stomach from his wife.
***
"Oh! I just don't understand any of this!" Misao whines, "I'm no good in math... or history, or geography, or anything else for that matter!"
"It's not that hard, Misao..."
"Sure. That's easy for you to say! You're smart," Misao says, "I... I just don't know any of this...."
"Well, you made it into Jonan, didn't you?"
"Yeah..."
"Jonan's one of the best schools! If you can pass their entrance exam surely you can do this!"
"It's just.... my mom did so well in school.... she expects me to follow in her footsteps, but... I'm just no good when it comes to school....."
"We've been studying for a couple of hours now so why don't we take a break for a little while?" Chisa says closing her book, "I think we need to rest."
"Great!" Misao says in relief, "It's about time!"
"Turn on the TV. Let's see what's on."
Misao pushes the button on the remote.
"I'm starving!" Chisa says, "I'm going to get some more pizza. You want anything?"
"I guess I could use something to drink."
"Okay. I'll be back in a sec."
Chisa walks down the stairs of the empty house and makes her way into the kitchen. She opens the refrigerator and pulls out the pizza box.
"Empty?!" Chisa lets out a groan, "That's right... I ate most of it, didn't I? Oh, well. I guess cookies will just have to tide me over...."
Chisa grabs a coke for Misao and shuts the door.
"Now where does she keep those cookies.....?" Chisa searches the pantry, "Aha! Mom's secret stash! She won't mind. I'll just go buy her some new ones tomorrow!"
Chisa takes the food and heads back up the stairs to her room. She hears the creaking of a door.
"Huh? Why is that closet door open?" she wonders, "Mom and Dad keep that closet locked...." Chisa remembers the numerous warnings from her parents about that closet. It was a forbidden part of the house that she was never to enter, although she had seen them open and close it numerous times with the simple insertion of a key and twist of the doorknob.
"That noise... a bird...? In.... in the house.....?"
She watches as her hand reaches for the doorknob as though moving by itself, gently pulling the door open wider. It's bigger than she expected, but all that's inside is an old trunk, plain in appearance. There isn't even a coat of paint or varnish on it.
"That's it?! They wouldn't let me in here because of a stupid box?"
The trunk is opened slightly, the lock on it undone. It seems to glow in a way as Chisa gets closer to it. She begins to get an eerie feeling inside, something isn't right. Erasing the fears from her mind, she kneels down and carefully lifts the lid of the trunk wide open, the old hinges groaning loudly.
Inside she sees clothes, old, Chinese clothes. One looks like a man's outfit, dark blue with a red sash. It's quite dirty and there are various torn places on it.
"Blood stains....?" she wonders examining the splotched stains on the garment.
She gently lays it outside of the box, making it easier for her to explore further into it.
The next item looks to be a girl's outfit, a beautiful red dress, made of silk with a lacy collar. Chisa runs her fingers over the delicate material. Underneath she sees something a little less out of the ordinary.
"An old junior high school uniform?" Chisa says, "Must be moms.... and her hair ribbons, too...."
"Chisa?" she hears Misao calling out to her, "Chisa!"
"I'm in here, Misao!"
"Where?"
"In here, in the closet!"
"What are you doing in here? How did you get in? I thought your parents kept this door locked!"
"Look at all this stuff....," Chisa says paying no attention to her.
"Wow! Where in the world did your parents get this antique clothing? This silk dress is absolutely beautiful!"
"Probably at some auction or something. Dad seems to like old Chinese artifacts," she says, "Come on. Sit here with me."
Cautiously, Misao sits next to her friend. "Are you sure we should be doing this?"
"Look, it's a photograph....."
"Is that your mom and dad?"
"I guess so....."
"Your dad was handsome when he was young...."
"This must have been back when mom was my age... but who are all these other people....?"
"They all look like foreigners to me.... Hey, do you think that's a guy or a girl?"
"Which one?"
"That one there. The one with the purple hair."
"Beats me!" Chisa shrugs.
"Do you mind if I just look at it for a bit?"
"Go ahead."
Chisa hands the picture to her friend and continues her exploration of the box.
"These clothes.....," Misao says, "these clothes here... they're the same ones your dad's wearing in this picture..."
The girls stare hard at the picture, neither of them sure what to say or think.
Without a word Chisa pulls the next item out of the trunk.
"What is it?" Misao asks curiously.
"It's a book...."
"It looks like old Chinese....," Misao says, "You're part Chinese, aren't you? Do you think you can read it, Chisa?"
Chisa studies the spine of the book, "The Book of the Universe of the Four gods....."
***
The four adults sit at a candle-lit table for four in the most expensive restaurant in town, happily laughing and talking.
"So, how's the job at the bank going?"
"Great. I got a promotion just last week."
"Really? Congratulations!"
"Oh, it's no big deal....."
"Don't be so modest, Tamahome! They made him a senior VP!"
"Hey! That's wonderful!"
"Well, Tamahome always has been good with money!"
"Yeah, and I think it's about time those old geezers at the bank realized it!"
"Good evening. Are you ready to order?"
"Uh.... Yes, I believe so. Miaka, dear?"
"I...," Miaka stops suddenly, the smile disappearing from her face, the chain of her necklace snaps.
"Miaka? Are you all right?" Tamahome asks.
Yui suddenly clutches her head and begins to fall over.
"Yui!" Tetsuya says catching her.
"I'm okay...," Miaka says her voice trembling, "I... I've just got this headache.... all of... a sudden....."
"Come on, Miaka. I'm taking you home...."
"No... You made reservations and everything.... I don't want to spoil the evening...."
"Don't worry about it, Miaka. If you're sick then we have to get you out of here."
"Sir...? Should I call an ambulance?" the waiter asks nervously.
"No.... There's no need.....," Miaka answers.
"Let's go, Tamahome," Tetsuya says.
"Right," Tamahome supports Miaka as she stumbles out of the restaurant to the car.
***
"Are you sure you're okay, Miaka?"
"Tamahome, you worry too much!"
"But Miaka...."
"I feel much better now. I'm just going to go check on the girls."
"Tetsuya, why don't you and Yui stay here for the night."
"We couldn't burden you like that...."
"Please, you can stay in our extra bedroom," Tamahome says, "Besides, I don't think it's a good idea to move Yui much more."
Tetsuya looks at his wife whom he's holding in his arms, her eyes shut tight, she's barely conscious. "All right...."
"Tetsuya....."
"Yui....!"
"What happened? Where are we?"
"We're at Tamahome and Miaka's house. You collapsed at the restaurant so we came here," he explains, "Are you feeling any better, honey?"
"Yeah...," she says freeing herself from his arms and landing on her own feet, "The neighbors must have thought I was drunk, you carrying me in like that! Where are the girls?"
"They're probably asleep up in Chisa's room."
"What came over you, Yui?"
"I... I don't know... It happened so suddenly, but now I feel much-...."
There's a sudden scream from upstairs.
"Miaka!" Tamahome cries out. Without another thought, he races up the stairs and into their bedroom.
No one is there.
He checks Chisa's room.
Nothing.
He hears loud sobbing coming from the hallway.
"Miaka!" He throws open the closet door, shocked with the sight before him, "No... it... it can't be....."
He sees his wife, down on her hands and knees, crying, her tears falling onto the open pages of the Book of the Universe of the Four gods.
Chapter 1
"Chisa!"
Chisa awakes to a banging on her bedroom door.
"Chisa! It's time to get up or you'll be late for school! Misao's downstairs waiting for you!"
Chisa groans and sleepily reaches for her alarm clock, finally grasping it on the third attempt. She stares at the clock sleepily until the numbers finally come into focus.
She lets out a scream. "I'M SO LATE!" she exclaims shocked by the time on the clock, "Why didn't the alarm go off?! I was sure I set it for the right time!!"
In a flash, she's ready and dashing downstairs, promptly falling flat on her face as she reaches the last step.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Misao," Chisa replies rubbing her head. "Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad," she calls out behind her grabbing her school bag.
"Wait! You didn't eat breakfast yet!" her mom calls back.
Chisa's head whips around to see her mom and dad sitting at a table full of delicious-looking breakfast dishes.
"I guess I have time for a little breakfast....," Chisa says mindlessly, practically drooling.
"Chisa! We're going to be late!" Misao says.
"Just a sec, Misao!" she says through a mouthful of food.
"Really, Chisa!" Misao scolds, "You know you eat like a pig!"
Chisa pounds on her chest, trying to swallow a large amount of food quickly, "I do not!"
The two girls argue their way out the door.
"She definitely takes after you, Miaka," Chisa's dad says with a laugh, flipping the page of the morning paper, "Like mother like daughter!"
"And what's that supposed to mean, Tamahome dear?" Miaka asks angrily. Her watch beeps. "Ack! I'm late for work!" she yelps. She quickly shoves the rest of her food down her throat, grabs her briefcase, and zooms out the front door, slamming it behind her.
Tamahome simply sips his coffee and turns another page of his paper.
The door suddenly flies open again.
"I almost forgot!" Miaka says running up to Tamahome, "I'm sorry," she kisses him, "Bye, dear!" she says, flying out the door once more.
***
"So, what are the plans for tonight?" Misao asks. It is now lunchtime and the girls are sitting on the school lawn outside, talking and eating. "Chisa!" Misao says trying to pull her friend away from her food, "Hello...? Are you even listening to me?"
"Huh?" Chisa stops shoveling food into her mouth and looks up, "I'm sorry. Were you saying something, Misao?"
"I was saying...," Misao begins again with just a hint of annoyance in her voice, "...what are the plans for tonight?"
"Oh!" Chisa quickly swallows and answers, "Well, from what I know, your parents are going to meet my parents at my house and then leave for the restaurant together so I guess they'll just drop you off at my house for the night. Oh, and they were talking about catching a movie or something after dinner...."
"That's what I thought," Misao says, "I just wanted to check."
"Don't forget your books when you come over," Chisa says, "We've got that big test to study for."
"Do we really have to spend all our time studying?" Misao groans, "I thought we were going to watch movies and eat pizza."
"You're the one who needs the studying, Misao!"
"Oh, shoot!" Chisa says reaching down to pick up some food that she dropped on the ground. As she bends over, a necklace falls out from under her uniform shirt and dangles from her neck.
"When did you get that?" Misao says.
"What?"
"That necklace."
"Oh!" Chisa lifts up the silver chain, "Didn't I show you this?" Chisa says, "My parents gave it to me for my birthday. Sort of a 'sweet sixteen' thing, I guess. They gave it to me after the party so I guess you never got a chance to see it. My mom has one just like it. I think the red bird is supposed to mean something, but I'm not sure.... It may have something to do with some fairy tale my mom used to tell me."
"It's really pretty," Misao comments, "You know what's weird? My mom gave me one just like yours, but it's got some blue dragon, snake thing on it," she says pulling her necklace out, "and my mom got one for herself, too."
"What do you think they mean?" she asks holding the red bird charm in the palm of her hand, watching the sunlight as it dances on the smooth, shiny surface of the charm.
"I don't know....," Misao says, doing the same with her necklace, "Maybe our parents just have a thing for matching jewelry!"
"Maybe....," Chisa giggles.
The bell sounds as a signal for the end of lunch.
"Well, there's the bell," Misao says, "I guess it's time to get back....."
"For a person who sleeps through class you sure are in a hurry!" Chisa says.
"Well, miss smarty-pants, highest-grade-on-the-entrance-exam-to-Jonan," she says, "we can't all be geniuses!"
"You're living proof of that!" Chisa jokes.
"This coming from someone who's *supposed* to be my best friend?!"
"Hey! It's just pay-back for all the 'eats like a pig' comments!"
"All right...," Misao say with a laugh, "I guess we're even then...."
"Okay, we'll call it even...," Chisa smiles, "for now, anyway....."
***
*Ding-dong*
"I'll get it!" Chisa cries, running for the front door.
"Hi, Chisa."
"Hey, Misao. Hello, Aunt Yui, Uncle Tetsuya."
"Are your parents ready yet, Chisa?"
"They should be coming down the stairs any minute now," Chisa says, "Won't you please come in while you wait?"
"Thank you."
Chisa leads the guests to the living room and they sit down on the couch.
"So, how's school going?"
"Oh, everything's fine..."
"I heard that you got the highest score on the entrance exam to Jonan."
"Well.... I...."
"Your parents are very proud of you. They talk about it almost non-stop! I just wish that Misao would pick up some of your good study habits."
"Mom!"
"She's really doing fine, Aunt Yui. We're going to do some studying tonight......"
"Sorry we're late. I hope you didn't have to wait long."
"No, we just got here."
"Okay, girls, we already ordered you a pizza so it should be on its way....."
"Oh, great! The four of you get to go out and eat fancy French cuisine and drink expensive champagne while Misao and I are stuck here with pizza and coke!"
"Anyway... Don't open the door to anyone but the pizza guy...."
"Yeah..."
"... and no boys or anything..."
"As if...."
"... and there are some cokes in the fridge...."
"I know, I know..."
".... the emergency numbers are by the phone and..."
"Miaka, I think she knows."
"Huh?"
"They are sixteen, after all."
"Thanks, Dad!"
"I'm sorry.... I just worry about you when you're home alone at night."
"Everything will be fine, dear. Now let's get going. I made reservations for seven thirty."
"All right..."
"You girls have a good time!"
"Bye, mom. Bye, dad."
"Bye, Misao."
"We'll be back in a few hours."
The adults head out to their car.
"Have fun," Chisa calls out the door, "And don't forget to bring me back the leftovers!"
"We will if your mother doesn't eat it all first!" Chisa's dad hollers back. This comment is followed by a sharp elbow to the stomach from his wife.
***
"Oh! I just don't understand any of this!" Misao whines, "I'm no good in math... or history, or geography, or anything else for that matter!"
"It's not that hard, Misao..."
"Sure. That's easy for you to say! You're smart," Misao says, "I... I just don't know any of this...."
"Well, you made it into Jonan, didn't you?"
"Yeah..."
"Jonan's one of the best schools! If you can pass their entrance exam surely you can do this!"
"It's just.... my mom did so well in school.... she expects me to follow in her footsteps, but... I'm just no good when it comes to school....."
"We've been studying for a couple of hours now so why don't we take a break for a little while?" Chisa says closing her book, "I think we need to rest."
"Great!" Misao says in relief, "It's about time!"
"Turn on the TV. Let's see what's on."
Misao pushes the button on the remote.
"I'm starving!" Chisa says, "I'm going to get some more pizza. You want anything?"
"I guess I could use something to drink."
"Okay. I'll be back in a sec."
Chisa walks down the stairs of the empty house and makes her way into the kitchen. She opens the refrigerator and pulls out the pizza box.
"Empty?!" Chisa lets out a groan, "That's right... I ate most of it, didn't I? Oh, well. I guess cookies will just have to tide me over...."
Chisa grabs a coke for Misao and shuts the door.
"Now where does she keep those cookies.....?" Chisa searches the pantry, "Aha! Mom's secret stash! She won't mind. I'll just go buy her some new ones tomorrow!"
Chisa takes the food and heads back up the stairs to her room. She hears the creaking of a door.
"Huh? Why is that closet door open?" she wonders, "Mom and Dad keep that closet locked...." Chisa remembers the numerous warnings from her parents about that closet. It was a forbidden part of the house that she was never to enter, although she had seen them open and close it numerous times with the simple insertion of a key and twist of the doorknob.
"That noise... a bird...? In.... in the house.....?"
She watches as her hand reaches for the doorknob as though moving by itself, gently pulling the door open wider. It's bigger than she expected, but all that's inside is an old trunk, plain in appearance. There isn't even a coat of paint or varnish on it.
"That's it?! They wouldn't let me in here because of a stupid box?"
The trunk is opened slightly, the lock on it undone. It seems to glow in a way as Chisa gets closer to it. She begins to get an eerie feeling inside, something isn't right. Erasing the fears from her mind, she kneels down and carefully lifts the lid of the trunk wide open, the old hinges groaning loudly.
Inside she sees clothes, old, Chinese clothes. One looks like a man's outfit, dark blue with a red sash. It's quite dirty and there are various torn places on it.
"Blood stains....?" she wonders examining the splotched stains on the garment.
She gently lays it outside of the box, making it easier for her to explore further into it.
The next item looks to be a girl's outfit, a beautiful red dress, made of silk with a lacy collar. Chisa runs her fingers over the delicate material. Underneath she sees something a little less out of the ordinary.
"An old junior high school uniform?" Chisa says, "Must be moms.... and her hair ribbons, too...."
"Chisa?" she hears Misao calling out to her, "Chisa!"
"I'm in here, Misao!"
"Where?"
"In here, in the closet!"
"What are you doing in here? How did you get in? I thought your parents kept this door locked!"
"Look at all this stuff....," Chisa says paying no attention to her.
"Wow! Where in the world did your parents get this antique clothing? This silk dress is absolutely beautiful!"
"Probably at some auction or something. Dad seems to like old Chinese artifacts," she says, "Come on. Sit here with me."
Cautiously, Misao sits next to her friend. "Are you sure we should be doing this?"
"Look, it's a photograph....."
"Is that your mom and dad?"
"I guess so....."
"Your dad was handsome when he was young...."
"This must have been back when mom was my age... but who are all these other people....?"
"They all look like foreigners to me.... Hey, do you think that's a guy or a girl?"
"Which one?"
"That one there. The one with the purple hair."
"Beats me!" Chisa shrugs.
"Do you mind if I just look at it for a bit?"
"Go ahead."
Chisa hands the picture to her friend and continues her exploration of the box.
"These clothes.....," Misao says, "these clothes here... they're the same ones your dad's wearing in this picture..."
The girls stare hard at the picture, neither of them sure what to say or think.
Without a word Chisa pulls the next item out of the trunk.
"What is it?" Misao asks curiously.
"It's a book...."
"It looks like old Chinese....," Misao says, "You're part Chinese, aren't you? Do you think you can read it, Chisa?"
Chisa studies the spine of the book, "The Book of the Universe of the Four gods....."
***
The four adults sit at a candle-lit table for four in the most expensive restaurant in town, happily laughing and talking.
"So, how's the job at the bank going?"
"Great. I got a promotion just last week."
"Really? Congratulations!"
"Oh, it's no big deal....."
"Don't be so modest, Tamahome! They made him a senior VP!"
"Hey! That's wonderful!"
"Well, Tamahome always has been good with money!"
"Yeah, and I think it's about time those old geezers at the bank realized it!"
"Good evening. Are you ready to order?"
"Uh.... Yes, I believe so. Miaka, dear?"
"I...," Miaka stops suddenly, the smile disappearing from her face, the chain of her necklace snaps.
"Miaka? Are you all right?" Tamahome asks.
Yui suddenly clutches her head and begins to fall over.
"Yui!" Tetsuya says catching her.
"I'm okay...," Miaka says her voice trembling, "I... I've just got this headache.... all of... a sudden....."
"Come on, Miaka. I'm taking you home...."
"No... You made reservations and everything.... I don't want to spoil the evening...."
"Don't worry about it, Miaka. If you're sick then we have to get you out of here."
"Sir...? Should I call an ambulance?" the waiter asks nervously.
"No.... There's no need.....," Miaka answers.
"Let's go, Tamahome," Tetsuya says.
"Right," Tamahome supports Miaka as she stumbles out of the restaurant to the car.
***
"Are you sure you're okay, Miaka?"
"Tamahome, you worry too much!"
"But Miaka...."
"I feel much better now. I'm just going to go check on the girls."
"Tetsuya, why don't you and Yui stay here for the night."
"We couldn't burden you like that...."
"Please, you can stay in our extra bedroom," Tamahome says, "Besides, I don't think it's a good idea to move Yui much more."
Tetsuya looks at his wife whom he's holding in his arms, her eyes shut tight, she's barely conscious. "All right...."
"Tetsuya....."
"Yui....!"
"What happened? Where are we?"
"We're at Tamahome and Miaka's house. You collapsed at the restaurant so we came here," he explains, "Are you feeling any better, honey?"
"Yeah...," she says freeing herself from his arms and landing on her own feet, "The neighbors must have thought I was drunk, you carrying me in like that! Where are the girls?"
"They're probably asleep up in Chisa's room."
"What came over you, Yui?"
"I... I don't know... It happened so suddenly, but now I feel much-...."
There's a sudden scream from upstairs.
"Miaka!" Tamahome cries out. Without another thought, he races up the stairs and into their bedroom.
No one is there.
He checks Chisa's room.
Nothing.
He hears loud sobbing coming from the hallway.
"Miaka!" He throws open the closet door, shocked with the sight before him, "No... it... it can't be....."
He sees his wife, down on her hands and knees, crying, her tears falling onto the open pages of the Book of the Universe of the Four gods.