Chapter Six: Red Light Reappears

Miaka looked at Yui's wounds as Tetsuya dressed them. They were all sitting in Tetsuya's apartment after having picked up Yui at the school just moments ago.

"Oh Yui. Why did you go there alone? I tried to get a hold of you" Miaka replied.

"I didn't know Miaka" Yui said.

"It looks like your theory about Ren was true then Miaka" Taka replied, "He was the one controlling all the students today."

"Under the circumstances Miaka" Keisuke spoke up, "It would probably be best if you didn't go back to school tomorrow. Too many uncertain things could happen."

"I agree with Keisuke" Taka replied, "You could get seriously hurt or worse."

"All right" Miaka nodded slowly, "Yui I wish that I had been there."

"No Miaka" Yui shook her head, "It's better that you weren't. I guess he was the one who took the book out of the library. He knew about us being priestesses."

"Speaking of which" Tetsuya replied, "Something interesting happened to us today as well."

"What's that?" Taka asked looking over at his friend.

Tetsuya walked over to his bag and pulled something out. He placed it on the table and everyone looked at the object stunned.

"The Universe of the Four Gods!" Miaka exclaimed.

"Yep" Keisuke nodded, "Somebody dropped it off in our mailbox just as Taka left."

"I wonder where it came from?" Yui replied as she smoothed her hand over it.

"Good question," Tetsuya said, "Keisuke and I have been trying to figure that out all afternoon."

"It's still very strange" Miaka replied, "That you guys would end with it."

"Well we do have that club at school" Keisuke said.

"Yea that's true" Taka replied, "A club where only three members are even interested in this stuff."

Keisuke shrugged his shoulders.

"In any event. What am I going to tell my mom? When she sees these wounds she'll be so upset."

"Don't worry Yui" Miaka hugged her friend, "Your mom works late. Just stay in your room like you're still sick. She won't see them."

"I think your brother and Taka are right" Yui replied, "Don't go to school tomorrow Miaka. Ren will be expecting you."

Miaka nodded and hugged Yui once more.

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That night while in her room Miaka looked out her window. Taka had taken the Universe of the Four Gods home with him, so that the two girls could be at peace.

"I know I told them that I wouldn't go" she said to herself, "But what if someone else gets hurt? No" she shook her head, "I can't allow that to happen. I have to confront him. Tomorrow. I have to find out what he is up to and what he knows."

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The next morning Keisuke told Miaka's mom that she was sick. He informed her that Yui was also sick and that something must be going around. After Keisuke and Miaka's mom had left Miaka put on her school uniform quietly. She gazed one last time at her room and grabbed her bag.

"Forgive me Taka," she thought, "Keisuke. I'm doing this for you" she said as she exited the apartment.

She walked inside the school and to her classroom.

"Good morning Miaka" Naomi smiled as she entered.

"Naomi?" she said stunned as her friend looked at her.

"What's wrong?" Naomi replied in her normal voice, "You look tired."

"Oh" Miaka giggled a little, "I am tired."

She sat down at her desk and noticed that Ren was nowhere to be seen.

"He must be absent" she thought as she saw his empty desk, "Good. He can stay absent for all I care. Still how am I going to get to the bottom of this without him here?

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"Dammit" Taka said under his breath as he stood at the payphone, "Where are you Miaka?"

He slammed down the phone and then picked it up again. He dialed Yui's number.

"Hello Yui" he replied when she answered, "Listen have you talked to Miaka today?"

"No. In fact I was trying to get a hold of you or Keisuke. I have been calling over there constantly since this morning."

"Just as I thought," Taka sighed, "I'm coming to get you" he replied.

"How?"

"I've got Tetsuya's car" he replied, "We have to go get Miaka."

"Taka what's wrong?" she said concerned.

"I'll explain when I get there" he replied slamming the phone down once more.

"Oh Miaka" Yui thought as she hung up the phone, "Why did you lie to me? What are you thinking?"

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Back at the school it was nearing the end of the day and Miaka was packing her bag to leave.

"Miaka where are you going?" Naomi asked coming over.

"Oh I have to go to Yui's to see how she's feeling" Miaka answered.

"But wait" Naomi replied pointing to the blackboard, "You can't leave yet."

Miaka looked at the blackboard and gasped at the words that were written. MIAKA YUKI MUST DIE!!

"The fun is just beginning" Naomi smiled evilly as several students stood up and began to surround the frightened girl.

She backed away and ran out of the classroom. They chased her down the halls. The whole school seemed to be after her. She had nowhere else to run except the school roof once more. She dashed up the stairs and ran to the edge. Then she turned around. She was trapped. She stared terrified at the many students who came up. Their eyes were glowing bright purple.

"Just like puppets aren't they?"

Miaka looked up and spotted Ren. However he looked different. His hair was long now and tied back. And he was wearing what looked like ancient Chinese clothing. He jumped down from his perch.

"Welcome Priestess of Suzaku" he replied as he placed his hands on his hips.

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"Are you serious?" Yui asked Taka as they drove to the school.

"Yes" he nodded, "Tetsuya was reading it and it said that this Ren Shigyou is from the book. He works for some unknown force that is trying to make it's way back."

"Then Miaka is in serious trouble" Yui replied, "Step on it Taka!"

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Ren stepped in front of Miaka who was now being held by two of the male students.

"Why are you doing this?" Miaka asked, "Who are you working for?"

"I am not at liberty to reveal who my master is" Ren replied, "But I will tell you this. I am going to do whatever it takes to keep you apart from Tamahome."

"What?" she looked at him with questionable eyes.

"Because Tamahome is in this world, my master is powerless. But if there is a way to keep you two apart then he can come back to power."

"You don't mean?"

Ren nodded.

"What have you done to everyone here?" she asked.

"Oh don't worry. It's just mind control. People are so easily manipulated. Their weak minds are so feeble. Because in reality if you give people what they want, they will follow you to the ends of the earth. They will do whatever you want. Just imagine all the people I could manipulate in this world without even trying."

"You're wrong" Miaka shook her head, "I know people. They are kind and understanding. And they're not weak."

"Of course they are. The weak minded are the ones who destroy something without even thinking about the consequences. In reality people can be very narrow minded and opinionated."

"No" Miaka shook her head again.

"Believe me Miaka. I can even control the minds of those who are strong. And to prove it" he took her face in his hand, "I am going to make you fall in love with me."

He leaned in to press his lips against hers.

"Let her go!"

Ren looked back and saw Taka and Yui standing there. Taka had an angry look on his face.

"Let her go Ren" Yui repeated.

"Yui! Taka!" Miaka called out.

Ren walked forward. The other boys who were standing behind him moved in as well.

"All right then Tamahome" Ren replied with a sneer, "Come at me. If you can."

"No Taka" Miaka screamed.

"Yui. Get behind me" Taka ordered.

"Okay" Yui agreed.

Ren sent the boys forward. Taka kicked and punched. Some of them struck him but he struck even harder. Yui stayed behind him the entire time. Miaka had seen enough. She too kicked the two boys that were holding onto her. Yui saw her and ran towards her. Ren saw them and began running towards them.

"Yui!" Taka shouted, "Catch!"

He tossed the Universe of the Four God into the air. She caught it and opened it up. Then he knocked out the rest of the students and ran towards the girls just as the red light surrounded them. Ren shielded his eyes and backed off. The red light encompassed all three of them. The book flew up into the air, just as Keisuke and Tetsuya arrived in another car. It fell down on the ground. Keisuke ran and picked it up. Tetsuya looked up onto the school roof. Ren looked down and smiled slightly as he saw the two boys.

"Keisuke" Tetsuya said as he walked over.

"They're back" Keisuke replied as Ren disappeared, "They're back inside the book."

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Authors Note: Okay that's it for now! I hope you liked it. It was a little bit different then the original storyline. Anyway the fun begins in the next chapter as we are reunited with the Suzaku seven.

Next Chapter: Back in Konan

Miaka reunites with Hotohori!