"Hearts Aflame" by Ai Yuukan

Chapter 9
"Sammy? What's happened?" Vivien asked her youngest sister worriedly. Samantha was looking across the lake with a sad look on her face. "Sammy?"
Samantha finally heard her sister. She smiled sadly. "Hey, Vivi.."
"It's Vi."
Samantha closed her eyes and smiled softly. "Whatever."
"What are you looking at?" Vivien asked, even as she was looking. Then she saw Kathryn standing on the bridge, staring at the water. She stared at her sister, saw her staring at the water, her blue hair rippling in the evening breeze. "What's wrong with Kate?" She asked her youngest sister quietly.
"It's Hotohori.." Samantha explained softly.
"Hotohori?"
Samantha nodded sadly. "He's with Miaka.."
"Oh.." Vivien remembered. At this moment, Hotohori was with Miaka in her chamber. He had just rescued her a while ago from drowning in the lake and she also knew precisely what was happening in that chamber. Kathryn must know, too. "Kate.. She really loves him, doesn't she?"
Samantha nodded again. "You have no idea. She loves him more than anything. She doesn't show it, of course, but she's definitely in love with him.. It seems I've caught it as well.." She said softly.
"Caught it--?" Vivien was confused.
Samantha flushed. Vivien stared. Samantha never flushed. "Hai.. Vivi.."
"Vi."
".. I think I'm in love as well."
"With Hotohori, too?" Vivien was aghast.
Samantha looked surprised. "Hotohori?" She smiled softly as she shook her head. "No, I think I'm in love with Amiboshi.."
Vivien's eyes widened. "Amiboshi? How did that happen?"
Samantha sighed. "You might think it corny, but one just might call it 'love at first sight'." She chuckled softly. "It all started when I accidentally called him Amiboshi instead of Chiriko."
Vivien grinned sadly. "Hontou? Let me guess, he demanded to know how you knew?"
Samantha nodded. "Hai. He's just so kind.. and gentle.. and intelligent, too."
Vivien's eyes twinkled. "You've just described yourself, Sammy." She informed her sister.
Samantha chuckled. "Really? I wouldn't know. And you're attracted to Tasuki. I should have known. Both of you have tempers as fiery as volcanoes, and rather colorful personalities. Maybe it runs in the family.."
Vivien's own face was flushed now. "How did you know?" She demanded, embarrassed.
Samantha arched a brow. "It was pretty obvious you were attracted to him when you offered to take up his tray. You stayed in his chamber for a rather long while, too. What's not suspicious about that?"
Vivien reddened even more. "It was only for a couple of minutes!" She protested.
"Of course. Twenty minutes isn't that long a time."
"Sammy!"
Samantha chuckled.

"Hey, Chiriko! Wait up! Is it really Tamahome?"
"You're sure?" Tasuki demanded of the seventh seishi.
Chiriko/Amiboshi nodded. "It's true. I overheard the guards talking!"
Vivien and Samantha heard them as Vivien's fellow seishis rushed past them. They immediately broke into a run. From across the lake, Kathryn lifted her head. Hotohori!
"Where is the Suzaku no Miko?" Tamahome demanded darkly of the Suzaku seishi.
"T-Tamahome." Nuriko couldn't believe his eyes.
Tasuki swore. "Damn, you're persistent."
"Tamahome!" Vivien cried out. "What are you doing here?!" She demanded, although she already knew the answer.
Tamahome's eyes narrowed. "This has nothing to do with you. Where is the Suzaku no Miko."
"Tamahome!" Hotohori came down the palace steps.
"Hotohori-sama!" Nuriko cried.
Hotohori's normally gentle eyes were blazing. "I won't you allow you to touch Miaka! If you really want a fight, I'll give you one, Tamahome!"
Vivien stared. She had never seen the gentle emperor like this before..
The emperor tossed Tamahome a sword. "Pick up the sword!" Hotohori demanded angrily. "I won't find an unarmed man!"

Kathryn watched, pale-faced, as Tamahome and Hotohori fought. She couldn't do anything.. she was helpless.
"Tamahome, have you forgotten you love Miaka?!"
Tamahome's eyes narrowed angrily. The emperor was harder to kill than he'd thought. "I have no such feelings!"
Chiriko/Amiboshi swore softly, surprising Samantha. "They're playing for keeps. Shouldn't we stop them?"
Nuriko slowly shook his head. "Don't waste your time. You don't understand. Hotohori's completely focused his chi. He's always been a gentle man. But now, until one falls, no one will be able to stop him." He looked at Kathryn. Although she was his rival for Hotohori's affections, he couldn't help but feel sorry for her. He had never seen anyone looked so stricken.. except of course, when Miaka had lost Tamahome to Nakago and Yui. Could she love the emperor.. as much as Miaka had loved Tamahome?

Tasuki was impressed, to say the least. "The Emperor's damn good! Tamahome's gonna lose!"
Vivien was ashen. "Kate.." She had never seen Kathryn so stricken. She felt for her sister.. she had felt the same way when Tamahome had fought Tasuki. Helpless.
Chichiri shook his head. This was not good. "The Emperor's chi is stronger than Tamahome's right now. The desire to protect Miaka has made him overpowering."
Kathryn wanted to look away, but she couldn't. Did Hotohori love Miaka.. that much? Her heart ached painfully.
"You say you will take Miaka's life, Tamahome! Before that, you will die by my hand!" Despite his fury, he swung his sword expertly, with a master's controlled hand.
Tamahome glared angrily at the emperor. "Die!"
"Don't!" Miaka came running into the courtyard. "TAMAHOME!!"

The Suzaku no Miko's scream echoed throughout Konan's court. Hotohori defeated Tamahome. He who had sworn his love to the Suzaku no Miko, fell.
"Tamahome.' Miaka held on to Tamahome, her heart beating painfully. "Tamahome!" She couldn't keep back her tears. "Tamahome.. no.. don't.. Open your eyes! You can't die!"
Tamahome's eyes flickered open. "Tamahome.. Don't die! Tamahome!"
"Suzaku no Miko.."
"Tamahome?" Miaka shook her head. "Don't.. if you move, your wound.."
"Kill.. kill.. I'll kill you." With horror, everyone realized Tamahome was reaching for his sword.
"Miaka!" Vivien cried out when Miaka placed the sword's hilt in Tamahome's hand. Miaka smiled tearfully. "Kill me, if it'll make you like you used to be. Then, please kill me."
"Miaka.." Kathryn stepped forward, her knees weak. "Miaka.." With a jolt, Kathryn eyes suddenly rolled back in her head and she stumbled. Hotohori caught her.
"Kathryn?"
Kathryn closed her eyes and let herself.. feel. She gasped as a wave of emotion suddenly flooded her heart and mind. She could feel Miaka's grief.. and love for.. Tamahome. Tamahome.. She pressed a hand to her head. "What's going on?" She whispered brokenly. She could feel.. what Miaka was feeling.
"I don't mind if you kill me." Miaka said softly. "So, don't die.. Aishiteru, Tamahome. I'll always.. love you."
Tamahome gripped the hilt of the sword.
"Aishiteru.." Miaka touched her lips to Tamahome's and gently kissed him, pouring all the love she felt for him into that kiss. Aishiteru.
Vivien's eyes grew teary. Tamahome.. Miaka really loved him. She really did not have any right to love him as well. He was Miaka's. Only Miaka's. And Miaka belonged to Tamahome. They belonged to each other.
"Miaka, look out!" Nuriko cried out as Tamahome held the sword above her.
Hotohori held him back. "Matte! Just watch!"
"Miaka."
Miaka stared at the red symbol glowing on his forehead. The symbol!

Tamahome stared in consternation at Miaka's tears. "W..What's this? You're crying?" He smiled gently. "Gomenasai.. When the moon was high.. we promised.. but I was late."
Miaka smiled tearfully. "Daijobu.. it's risen just now." I can finally see you. "Tamahome.."
"Miaka."
Hotohori smiled softly. "Mitsukake."
"Yes, Sire." Mitsukake stepped forward.
"Mitsukake?"
"It's all right. I can heal him."
"Hotohori-sama." Tamahome stared at the emperor, and at the blood- stained sword in his hand.
Hotohori smiled gently as his fellow seishi. "Tamahome, welcome back."
Vivien smiled gratefully. Thank goodness it was over. Then she and Samantha stared as Kathryn righted herself and turned to glare at Hotohori. Vivien looked at the emperor as well. He was very strong.. there could never be a better emperor for this country.
He had fought Tamahome, who, as time would tell, was destined to become the most powerful of all the Suzaku seishi. He had fought Tamahome with skill, and had just aided his return to his senses. He staggered as Kathryn punched him in the eye.
"Kate!" Samantha and Vivien were shocked. "What was that for?!"
"If you ever, ever do that again, I'll blast you to kingdom come!" Kathryn raged. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, you pompous ass!"

Everyone gaped.
Vivien grinned. "I should have done that to you." She remarked to Tasuki, who was also grinning at the spectacle.
"You couldn't have. You like me too much."
Vivien chuckled. "You're full of it."

"Where's Miaka?" Chichiri asked, coming into the room.
"Dumb question." Nuriko remarked. "She's with Tamahome, of course." He looked around. "By away, where are the Smith sisters?"
Chiriko/Amiboshi shrugged. "Samantha's by the lake. I don't know where the other two are."
"Samantha? Oh, Tei." Nuriko's eyes twinkled. "How'd you know where she is?"
Chiriko/Amiboshi blushed. Tasuki chuckled. 'Well, Vi's in her room. I guess that just leaves Shoshi."
The twinkle in Nuriko's eyes grew more pronounced. This was even better. "Oh? You saw her in her room?"
Tasuki blushed even more furiously than Chiriko/Amiboshi. "It's not like that!" He snapped. "Anyway, did anyone figure out how such a powerful drug as Kodoku was overcome?"
Chichiri shrugged. "Probably, when Tamahome's life force became weak, the Kodoku weakened also."
Tasuki nodded in understanding. "So that's how Miaka's feelings were able to get through.."
Mitsukake nodded. "And also.."
".. Tamahome's feelings for Miaka." Hotohori finished quietly.
The room erupted in chaos. "Hotohori-sama overheard us!" Chichiri said with dismay.
"You morons!"
Chiriko/Amiboshi smiled softly at the sad look in the emperor's eyes. "Hotohori-sama? Shall I play something for you?"
"Yes.. I'll make a request.."
Kathryn watched them from the shadows. Hotohori..

It was damned difficult, keeping his temper in check. Tasuki was fuming. He was sitting right next to Tamahome, the man responsible for his present condition, the man Vivien had been in love with. He hated the man's guts.
Tamahome noticed Tasuki glaring at him and noted he hadn't taken a bite of breakfast. "What's with you? No appetite?"
Tasuki wanted to spit in the guy's face. "Lost it when you showed up."
Tamahome was exasperated. "What's with the attitude? You could at least introduce yourself the first time you meet someone."
"First time?!" Tasuki exploded. "First time, is it?! Whose fault ya think these damn injuries are?! I'll remember this, ya friggin' brat!"
Tamahome was very annoyed now. What was with the red-haired fool? "So, give me your best shot!"
Miaka smiled cheerfully. "I'm glad those two are already getting along."
"Looks like they're fighting to me." Nuriko said dryly. Then, he smiled slyly at Miaka. Miaka sweatdropped. "Hey, Miaka, could you do me a little favor? When you call Suzaku, could you ask him to change me into a woman?"
Miaka was stupefied. "What would you do as a woman?!"
"Comfort Hotohori-sama, of course." Nuriko said frankly. "Believe me, I've got some serious competition. Shoshi pretends she's not making advances towards him, but I know better. She's as hot for him as I am."
Miaka's eyes shadowed.
"Okay, if anyone needs a favor, ask Miaka now."
"Now wait just minute!"

"Ready yourselves." Hotohori told the seishi. "When Miaka begins to read, relax, control your chi, and open yourselves up."
Tasuki frowned. "That'll leave us defenseless."
Nuriko nodded in agreement. "If we're attacked, we'll be killed."

Vivien never saw it coming. She knew everything that was about to happen - except that. She knew Amiboshi was a Seiryuu seishi. She knew of his attempt to slay them. She didn't know of how strong a love Samantha already felt for Amiboshi. She hadn't known the magnitude of what had passed between them in so short a time. She hadn't known Amiboshi's power had grown stronger than she had expected. In truth, she hadn't known anything.
"Chiriko." Miaka held her hands at her temples. "It.. It hurts.. my head.."
"My head's going to explode!" Tamahome groaned at the excruciating pain.
Amiboshi smiled. "You people have failed. Now you won't be able to call Suzaku."
"Chiriko.. you..!"
"I was always playing my flute. Do you know why, Miaka-san?" He sneered. "Now it'll cause you physical agony. You won't believe how much I learned in the your company. My power grew stronger.. with Samantha's help."
Vivien forced herself to open her eyes and for a while, ignored the pain. "Samantha..?" She gritted her teeth at the pain the action caused her.
"Samantha and I are both musicians. We often played together. You have no idea how much that boosted my power. With her help, I have learned a new, powerful technique. Observe!" Suddenly, the pitch of the flute rose higher, and everyone's pain escalated.
"Agh!"
"Tasuki!"
Tasuki grimaced at the sudden increase in pain. If felt like his skull was swelling and about to explode. Amidst the pain, he noticed the slightly altered melody. The power.. was unbelievable.
"I always played for you, waiting for this time. Little by little, I put my chi into you."
Miaka's eyes widened. "That means.. that means the bats.. the one controlling them.."
Amiboshi sneered. "That's right.. it was me. The one who was killed was sent with me from Kotou. I feel sorry for him. That was to make you trust me. I kept any of you from suspecting by playing the flute everyday. The tattoo of Chiriko fooled you. All of you. But now it's over."
"Bastard!" Tamahome roared despite the pain. "You've got to be Seiryuu's.."
Tasuki somehow found the strength to grab his tessen. "Rekka Shinen!"
Amiboshi moved to the side and only burned the Seiryuu seishi's sleeve.
Amiboshi sneered as everyone stared at the revealed symbol glowing with a soft, blue light. Tasuki stared. He wasn't even at full power! "I am the Seiryuu seishi, Amiboshi. This tune's your farewell."
Miaka cried out at the pain. It was more than she could handle.. she collapsed on the floor.
"Miaka!"
Suddenly, the doors flew open. "Amiboshi!"
Suddenly, inexplicably, a softer tune was heard in everyone's ears, disrupting Amiboshi's deadly melody. Amiboshi mentally swore. What was making that sound? It was disrupting the pattern of his notes!
"Amiboshi!"
Amiboshi turned. "Sammy!"
Vivien turned to stare at her youngest sister, standing in the doorway with a young boy standing by her side. But Samantha only had eyes for the Seiryuu Seishi. "Amiboshi!"
"Sammy.." Something in Amiboshi's eyes changed. They softened with regret. "Gomenasai.. Sammy.." He bolted past her.
"Hold it!"
Tasuki grabbed his tessen. "I'm with ya!" Together with Tamahome, he ran out the door, following Amiboshi.
"Tasuki.. Tamahome!" Vivien cried out.
"No, wait!" Samantha started to run.
"Sammy!" Vivien ran after Samantha, darting past a startled Kathryn.
"Vivi? Sammy? What's going on?!"

"A boat! Haiyaku! I need a boat!" Amiboshi demanded of the man beside the river.
The man shook his head. "It's impossible today. With the recent downpour, the river's too high. Since yesterday, people have been swept away by the current and drowned.
"Amiboshi!" Vivien got there seconds before Samantha, Tamahome, and Tasuki. "Amiboshi! Stop!"
"Amiboshi! How many Seiryuu seishi are gathered, besides you and Nakago?" Tamahome demanded, arriving just after Vivien.
"What's the use talkin' ta this scumbag?!" Tasuki whipped out his tessen. "Time ta pay the piper! Rekka - Shinen!"
"NO! Amiboshi!!" Samantha grabbed Amiboshi's flute just in time. Amiboshi hung over the wall, the river raging beneath him.
"Sammy!"
"Amiboshi.. hold on.." Samantha held on tight to the flute. "Don't.. leave me."
"Sammy.." Amiboshi's eyes softened.
Samantha's eyes shone. "I know you had to do it, Amiboshi. I know you had no choice.. but that doesn't mean you can ignore everything else that's happened! Amiboshi.. I don't.. regret last night. I'm glad.. it was you." A tear spilled down Samantha's cheek.
Vivien eyes widened. Last night?! Shoving her alarming thoughts aside, she knelt down to help her sister. Blast the rules! If Samantha felt this way for the Seiryuu seishi, then she would follow the rules of family and help her sister!
"What are you trying to say, Sammy?"
Samantha closed her eyes. More tears spilled. "I love you, Amiboshi.. so please.. don't leave me.."
Amiboshi's eyes softened. "Sammy.." He was beginning to slip.
"Amiboshi!" Vivien went beside her sister and extended her own hand to help the Seiryuu seishi. "Grab my hand!"
Amiboshi's eyes hardened. Samantha held on tight to the flute as he swung over to grab hold of Vivien's hand. The next instant, a wave reared up and crashed over them. Amiboshi was losing his grip. "Amiboshi!" Samantha reached down with her other hand and grabbed hold of his wrist. Suddenly, Amiboshi's hand slipped free of Vivien's.
"SAMMY!!" Vivien cried as Samantha went over the edge and fell to the river with Amiboshi. Her eyes wide with horror, she watched helplessly as the current started to drag her sister and her lover away. "SAMMY!!!"

"Sammy.." Vivien watched her youngest sister as she slept, still unable to believe what had passed. When Samantha had fallen into the river, she had never been so glad to see her sister, Kathryn, appear by her side the instant she had seen Samantha started to be washed away by the current. Kathryn had taken one look at Samantha and had jumped off the wall into the river. Just when she was about to hit the water, she had found her rhythm and had flown with the speed of a falcon to their youngest sister, and with the help of her telekinetic powers, had lifted Samantha out of the raging river and into the safety of Vivien's open arms. Vivien had never been so grateful for the gifts the gods had given them. Without Kathryn's gifts of flight and telekinesis, Samantha would have been lost for sure. Mitsukake, bless him, had immediately arrived upon the scene and had immediately went to work ridding Samantha's lungs of water. She was sleeping peacefully now, thanks to Mitsukake, but Vivien knew she would never forget the horror she had felt when Samantha had almost been dragged away by the river's current.
Her thoughts turned to what the episode had revealed moments later. Samantha had obviously had.. intercourse with the Seiryuu seishi Amiboshi. That disturbed Vivien. Very much so. Not only because Samantha was the youngest sister and had never seemed the type of girl to lose it with the first guy she fell in love with.. maybe that was putting it a little too harshly.. but also because Samantha had fallen in love. With a Seiryuu seishi. To Vivien's surprise, she wasn't at all repulsed by that bit of information, but rather envious. Samantha had fallen in love with someone with little effort.. and that someone had obviously loved her back. Vivien was as jealous as hell. Why had she fallen in love with someone already taken. Well, it wasn't entirely her fault. It was her fault Tamahome happened to be kind and gentle, and had the ability to love a girl with his all. But maybe there were more guys like him.. Amiboshi could be like that, as well. She would never forget the love passing through their eyes as he had hung over the wall. Man.. was everyone lucky except her? Miaka loved Tamahome. Tamahome loved Miaka. Samantha loved Amiboshi. Amiboshi loved Samantha. Shoka had loved Mitsukake. Mitsukake had loved Shoka. Vivien felt a growl coming on. It was so not fair!
But then her temper subsides when she realized that suffering was kin to love, and she knew it to be too true. Miaka had almost lost Tamahome. Samantha had lost Amiboshi. Mitsukake had lost Shoka. If she ever found someone to love, the odds were, she would lose him as well. But love didn't always mean the kind one found with the man she loved.. it also meant sibling love. She loved her sisters more than anything.. they were all she had, and she found comfort in knowing they loved her as well. But she was losing them as well. Lilian was in Kotou, with that bastard, Nakago, and Kathryn was pining after Hotohori. Now Samantha had lost Amiboshi. They were different.. her sisters.. Kathryn was no longer the most cheerful of them all, she was now sad and quiet. She no longer seemed to provoke tempers as it had been her hobby. Samantha had always been quiet and gentle.. but she had never imagined how love could make her a woman so quickly. And Vivien.. was still Vivien. Albeit a grumpier, enlightened Vivien. She was still.. Vivien. Or had she changed? Well, her appetite would never change, of course, but perhaps her heart had matured.. or so she hoped.
Maybe Tasuki wasn't the one.. She looked down at her sister. If this is what love is, then she no longer wanted to be a part of it. Why should she look for love? If luck truly did not avoid her like she was thinking it was doing, then love would have to come looking for her. Vivien's mouth hardened. There were things to do, and they needed to be done. She didn't have time for love. It was time for her to grow up. She needed to help Miaka summon Suzaku.. then she would go home and go on her life. It was that simple.

"Suzaku?"
Everyone fell back as Taittsukun appeared in the fire. "What are you doing, you idiots?!" The ugly center deity demanded irritably.
"Ta-Ta-Ta-Taittsukun!" Nuriko stammered.
Miaka blinked. "Why Taittsukun instead of Suzaku?"
Taittsukun frowned irritably. "Don't you get it?! The ceremony to call forth Suzaku has failed, Suzaku no Miko!"
Miaka looked down. "Right.." Vivien had never heard her sound so distraught.
"You didn't have all the eight seishi. It's too late." Taittsukun said harshly.
"Too late?" Miaka echoed. Her heart clenched.
"You'll never be able to call Suzaku!!"
"Never?" Miaka whispered.
"And here I gave you the mirror to find them! Since the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho has been burned, there's nothing more you can do. You were foolish."
Vivien growled. How dare the old bag make Miaka hurt so much. "Shut up already, you old windbag!" She growled angrily.
Taittsukun's eyes boggled. "How dare you!"
Tamahome was in perfect agreement with Vivien. "You old bag! You didn't have to say that to her! Miaka did her best! So.."
"WHO'S AN OLD BAG?! WHO?!"
"That is.. uh.."
"You're wrong, Tamahome. I'm.. I'm ashamed."
"Miaka."
"Now we won't get the wishes. How many people got hurt while we looked for the seishi to call Suzaku? Yui.. Shoka-san.. Amiboshi.. Tei.. and Tamahome too.."
Taittsukun listened haughtily and humphed. "Exactly. And you call yourself a Miko?!"
"I said shut up!" Vivien snarled. She then looked gently at Miaka. "Miaka.. don't think that way. You're not at fault at all." She looked at Taittsukun sternly. "And you know she's not, pug-face."
"Pug-face?!" Taittsukun sputtered, outraged.
Vivien didn't back down. She was too irritated. "Both of us know perfectly well Miaka's matured. And you didn't have to put her through hell just to tell her that there's another way to call Suzaku, the bird- brain."
Miaka looked up. "Hontou?"
Tamahome was irritated as hell at what Vivien had revealed. "You should've said so sooner, you old fart."
"OLD FART?!"
Tamahome backed away from the ugly lady. "Taittsukun!"
Taittsukun harrumphed, and very nearly smiled, secretly proud of Vivien's gumption. She had taught her well. She turned to address Miaka. "Suzaku no Miko, your trials will be more difficult than before. Will you be able to cope with that."
Miaka's eyes were hard with determination. "Hai."
Vivien nodded, proud of Miaka's strength. Hmph! The old fart.
"I heard that, Kyoku. Keep your thoughts silent!" Taittsukun ordered harshly.
Vivien stuck out her tongue. Taittsukun's eyes twinkled.
"The Miko and her seishi must be united stronger than ever. You have to be absolutely and fully prepared. Do you accept these terms? Will you be able to handle them?"
Miaka nodded. "I'll do it. For those who've been hurt.. and for those who supported me.. I'm the Suzaku no Miko."
Vivien couldn't be prouder. That's my girl!, she thought proudly.

Taittsukun nodded. "Fine. Now I'll tell you."
Everyone leaned forward to listen avidly.
"First you must go to Hokkan, the northern empire, Genbu's territory. You must get an object there called a Shinzaho, dedicated to Genbu."
Miaka nodded. "In Hokkan, I have to get the Shinzaho. If I get it, will I be able to call Suzaku?"
Taittsukun nodded. "You will."
"What's a Shinzaho anyway?" Tamahome asked curiously.
"Hmph! Why should I tell you?"

"You old fart." Tamahome muttered under his breath.
Miaka nodded. "I understand! I'll go to Hokkan! I'll find the Hadoho!"
Taittsukun closed her eyes to seek tolerance. "That's Shinzaho! Are you all here?" Well then, if you've decided.." The center deity lifted a hand and suddenly, something appeared in front of every seishi except Tamahome and Vivien.
Hotohori stared at the improved sword in front of him. He had never seen such a magnificent sword.. "W-What's this?"
Tasuki stared at his tessen. "A tessen! It shines like a diamond!"
Nuriko looked down at the bracelets in his hand. "What's going on?"
"Rewards for your efforts thus far. These items increase the strength of your powers."
Tasuki whooped with joy like a child with a new toy. "I feel it! More power than before!"
"That's great! Taittsukun, what about me?! Me?" Tamahome asked Taittsukun excitedly. "And me!" Vivien waved her hand. "I'm a seishi, too, remember?"

Taittsukun shrugged and addressed Tamahome. "Beats me. I have nothing special for you. The 'old fart's' presents can't go to somebody who'd sell them."
Tamahome's face fell. "Hey.. I had a rough time too.. Gimme, gimme! Give it to me!"
"Kyoku."
"What?" Vivien asked irritably. Was she not getting a gift too? Hmph! So what? She had good-enough powers already! She didn't need any presents.
Taittsukun arched a brow. "Will I need to keep your present then?"
Vivien's attitude did an about-turn. "Present? Hontou?! Ooh, gimme, gimme!"
Tasuki chuckled. He hadn't seen this side of Vivien that often.
Taittsukun humphed and a glowing red ball appeared in front of Vivien and disappeared into her body. Vivien gasped. A new power.. "What is it?"
"Find out for yourself." The center deity said unhelpfully. "It is your third and final power. I have already sent your sisters' final powers to them. They only need to be activated."
Vivien stared. "A third power.."
Taittsukun sprinkled light over Miaka. "These are the ashes of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. Now if you have some kind of power, someday it'll certainly appear."
Miaka stared. "My power..?"
"Taittsukun, for me, for me, for me!"
"Pesky, pesky, pesky!" Taittsukun tried to wave Tamahome away as she would a fly. Vivien giggled. If only Tamahome knew.. his present was already within him.
Miaka smiled gratefully at Taittsukun. "Arigatou, Taittsukun. I'll do my best."
Tasuki sighed. "Guess I'm going."
The newfound Chiriko smiled encouragingly. "I'll accompany you."
Nuriko grinned. "It'll be dangerous for Miaka-chan to go without me.."
Miaka's eyes shone. "Minna.."
Tamahome ruffled Miaka's hair. "Don't forget about me."
"Tamahome." Miaka smiled up at Tamahome. Vivien heart twisted enviously but she quickly turned a way. She was Kyoku! She had more important things to think about. She had a job to do, after all.