Chapter Seven: Back in Konan
The wind rustled across her face as she heard the sounds of very familiar voices.
"Miaka! Miaka!"
Miaka opened her eyes with a start and saw that her best friend and her boyfriend were staring right at her. Taka had a concerned look on his face, which disappeared as soon as she sat up.
"Yui? Taka? What happened?" Miaka asked as she rubbed the back of her head.
"Don't you remember the red light?" Yui replied, "Look around you silly."
"Hmm?" Miaka gazed her surroundings.
They had landed in the exact spot that Yui and she had landed the first time they had ever entered the book. Miaka suddenly sprung to her feet and held up her fists, looking wildly about her. Taka and Yui stood up and Yui began to laugh at Miaka's antics.
"What are you doing?" Yui asked through giggles.
"Don't you remember when we came here the first time what happened?" Miaka answered.
"Don't you think I've already thought of that?" Yui had a sarcastic look on her face.
"I'm confused" Taka spoke up, "Where are we?"
"Oh Taka" Miaka replied looking at him, "I guess we had better explain things before we head to the Capitol of Konan."
"Why Konan Miaka?" Yui asked.
"Because we can find out if Tasuki and Chichiri are there. Maybe they can explain what's going on. Well maybe not Tasuki so much, but Chichiri."
Miaka and Yui took a few moments to explain to Taka about the Universe of the Four Gods. When they were finished Taka still looked confused but he agreed about going to the city as Miaka had previously suggested.
"Perhaps I will remember something if we go there" he replied.
"Maybe" Miaka smiled as she took his arm.
**********************************************************
They walked along the path till they came to the city. Taka's mouth dropped open wide when he saw the many buildings.
"Wow!" he exclaimed, "It's like ancient China!"
"Yep" Miaka nodded.
They walked into the city and Taka gazed at everything around him. All the people stared at the three strange travelers and their clothing, but they didn't seem to mind. While they walked a person who was in a brown cloak followed them through the crowd. Finally they arrived at the gates of the palace. The guards stopped them.
"Excuse me" Miaka replied to one of them, "My name is Miaka Yuki and I am the Priestess of Suzaku."
"Priestess of Suzaku?" they both eyed her then fell to the ground, "Great Priestess! The Emperor has been waiting for you."
"Emperor?" Miaka looked surprised.
"Yes" the guards, replied, "Will you and your company follow us?"
"Of course" Miaka nodded and urged the other two to follow her.
As they walked Yui moved in closer to Miaka.
"Miaka I thought the Emperor was dead?" Yui replied.
"I know. I wonder how many years have passed since we were last here?" Miaka said.
The guards led them to the throne room and bowed before the throne.
"My Emperor" one of the advisors approached him after having spoken to the guards, "The guards have informed me that the Priestess of Suzaku has arrived. She is here in the throne room."
The Emperor's eyes flashed with recognition as he stood up. He recognized her. The same girl he met so many years ago. As his figure came into the light Miaka gasped at the sight of him. She placed a hand to her mouth, and then removed it just as fast.
"I don't believe it" she stuttered, "Hotohori?"
**********************************************************
They both stared at each other for what seemed like moments.
"Miaka" he replied slowly.
It was too much for her to stand there any longer. She ran all the way to the stairs and flung herself into his arms.
"Oh Hotohori!" she cried, "You're alive. You're actually here."
"Of course I am" Hotohori smiled as he embraced her, "How I have waited for you Miaka. And you to Tamahome" he looked in the direction of Taka, "Welcome back to Konan."
"Huh?" Taka said surprised.
"He means you Taka" Yui replied.
"Oh."
"Hotohori. It is so good to see you again" Miaka looked up in her friends face, "But there is so much we need to discuss."
"Yes" he nodded, "Come we shall have a fine meal prepared for you" he replied.
"Oh Hotohori" Miaka laughed, "You know what I like."
**********************************************************
"So you see" Miaka said as they finished eating, "Taka has no memory of Konan, or any of the celestial warriors. All he could remember when we saw each other again was the fact that he once was my protector. But that is all."
"Oh my" Hotohori replied with his hands on his chin, "I guess that shouldn't come as any surprise to me."
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Miaka asked.
"Well. When you and the Priestess of Seiryuu disappeared" Hotohori began.
"Her name is Yui" Miaka smiled as she took her best friends hand and Yui smiled back at her.
"Yes. We all had a talk with Taitskuyn. We felt it was unfair that you and Tamahome couldn't be together. Considering that we all were going to get our wishes to be alive again. So we asked her if there was a way. She said that there was but she couldn't mention it to you before you left or it wouldn't work."
"And what's that?" Taka asked.
"Tamahome would have to give up his memories. Then he could be reincarnated in your world as the same, but different person. After much consideration, Tamahome agreed to do so. That is why Taka was it?"
"Mhm" Miaka nodded.
"Doesn't remember anything. His memories were sealed away and only Taitskuyn knows how to get them back."
"So is it hopeless?" Taka replied.
"Of course not" Miaka spoke up, "All we have to do is go to Mt. Taikyoku and talk with Taitskuyn. She will be able to help us I'm sure of it. And not only that perhaps she can tell us a little more about this Ren Shigyou."
"I'm quite interested in that myself," Yui added with a frown.
"Yes. But first we must gather the Suzaku Seven. If Suzaku is in trouble like you say Miaka, we will need them" Hotohori said.
"So just like you Hotohori" Miaka replied with a smile, " Nuriko and Chiriko. Mitsukake. They're all alive?"
"Yes" Hotohori answered with a smile of his own, "Chiriko and Nuriko returned home with their families. I believe Mitsukake is somewhere near Nuriko's home practicing medicine."
"That's wonderful news. Isn't it Yui?"
"I suppose this means that the Seiryuu Seven are alive as well?" Yui lowered her head a bit.
"It's possible" Hotohori frowned.
"Don't worry Yui" Miaka placed a hand on her shoulder, "Whatever the reason I'm sure it's important."
"Yea" Yui nodded slowly.
"Right Taka?" Miaka looked at him.
"Uh right" he nodded as well.
"Don't worry Taka" Hotohori stood up, "The Suzaku warriors will do everything we can to help you to remember who Tamahome is."
"Thank you your majesty" Taka bowed his eyes.
"It's my pleasure my friend" Hotohori said as he patted his shoulder gently.
**********************************************************
Outside of Konan two men walked side by side. One of them stopped, his staff clanging the ground. He looked towards the city, while the other one turned to look at him.
"Hey Chichiri!" he called, "What's going on man?"
"Tasuki" Chichiri turned to his fire-headed companion, "Don't you sense it. The light of Suzaku has been getting weaker, but I still feel power coming from somewhere."
"Oh yea. Where's that?" Tasuki asked.
"Back in the city."
"What? You got to be kidding Chichiri? We just left that place not twenty minutes ago."
"I know but we have to go back. We are needed there for something."
**********************************************************
Up on one of the walls of the palace, the cloaked stranger waited for another sign of the mysterious travelers. The wind began to blow hard and he frowned slightly.
"This is not good" he said to himself, "The light of Suzaku appeared. But I'm not so sure that's a good sign."
************************************************************** ******************************************************
Authors Note: Hi everyone! I am going to try to do another chapter tonight. If not you will see it tomorrow!
Next Chapter: Reunited With the Monk and Bandit
Tasuki and Chichiri are surprised to see Taka and Miaka in the Konan palace!
The wind rustled across her face as she heard the sounds of very familiar voices.
"Miaka! Miaka!"
Miaka opened her eyes with a start and saw that her best friend and her boyfriend were staring right at her. Taka had a concerned look on his face, which disappeared as soon as she sat up.
"Yui? Taka? What happened?" Miaka asked as she rubbed the back of her head.
"Don't you remember the red light?" Yui replied, "Look around you silly."
"Hmm?" Miaka gazed her surroundings.
They had landed in the exact spot that Yui and she had landed the first time they had ever entered the book. Miaka suddenly sprung to her feet and held up her fists, looking wildly about her. Taka and Yui stood up and Yui began to laugh at Miaka's antics.
"What are you doing?" Yui asked through giggles.
"Don't you remember when we came here the first time what happened?" Miaka answered.
"Don't you think I've already thought of that?" Yui had a sarcastic look on her face.
"I'm confused" Taka spoke up, "Where are we?"
"Oh Taka" Miaka replied looking at him, "I guess we had better explain things before we head to the Capitol of Konan."
"Why Konan Miaka?" Yui asked.
"Because we can find out if Tasuki and Chichiri are there. Maybe they can explain what's going on. Well maybe not Tasuki so much, but Chichiri."
Miaka and Yui took a few moments to explain to Taka about the Universe of the Four Gods. When they were finished Taka still looked confused but he agreed about going to the city as Miaka had previously suggested.
"Perhaps I will remember something if we go there" he replied.
"Maybe" Miaka smiled as she took his arm.
**********************************************************
They walked along the path till they came to the city. Taka's mouth dropped open wide when he saw the many buildings.
"Wow!" he exclaimed, "It's like ancient China!"
"Yep" Miaka nodded.
They walked into the city and Taka gazed at everything around him. All the people stared at the three strange travelers and their clothing, but they didn't seem to mind. While they walked a person who was in a brown cloak followed them through the crowd. Finally they arrived at the gates of the palace. The guards stopped them.
"Excuse me" Miaka replied to one of them, "My name is Miaka Yuki and I am the Priestess of Suzaku."
"Priestess of Suzaku?" they both eyed her then fell to the ground, "Great Priestess! The Emperor has been waiting for you."
"Emperor?" Miaka looked surprised.
"Yes" the guards, replied, "Will you and your company follow us?"
"Of course" Miaka nodded and urged the other two to follow her.
As they walked Yui moved in closer to Miaka.
"Miaka I thought the Emperor was dead?" Yui replied.
"I know. I wonder how many years have passed since we were last here?" Miaka said.
The guards led them to the throne room and bowed before the throne.
"My Emperor" one of the advisors approached him after having spoken to the guards, "The guards have informed me that the Priestess of Suzaku has arrived. She is here in the throne room."
The Emperor's eyes flashed with recognition as he stood up. He recognized her. The same girl he met so many years ago. As his figure came into the light Miaka gasped at the sight of him. She placed a hand to her mouth, and then removed it just as fast.
"I don't believe it" she stuttered, "Hotohori?"
**********************************************************
They both stared at each other for what seemed like moments.
"Miaka" he replied slowly.
It was too much for her to stand there any longer. She ran all the way to the stairs and flung herself into his arms.
"Oh Hotohori!" she cried, "You're alive. You're actually here."
"Of course I am" Hotohori smiled as he embraced her, "How I have waited for you Miaka. And you to Tamahome" he looked in the direction of Taka, "Welcome back to Konan."
"Huh?" Taka said surprised.
"He means you Taka" Yui replied.
"Oh."
"Hotohori. It is so good to see you again" Miaka looked up in her friends face, "But there is so much we need to discuss."
"Yes" he nodded, "Come we shall have a fine meal prepared for you" he replied.
"Oh Hotohori" Miaka laughed, "You know what I like."
**********************************************************
"So you see" Miaka said as they finished eating, "Taka has no memory of Konan, or any of the celestial warriors. All he could remember when we saw each other again was the fact that he once was my protector. But that is all."
"Oh my" Hotohori replied with his hands on his chin, "I guess that shouldn't come as any surprise to me."
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Miaka asked.
"Well. When you and the Priestess of Seiryuu disappeared" Hotohori began.
"Her name is Yui" Miaka smiled as she took her best friends hand and Yui smiled back at her.
"Yes. We all had a talk with Taitskuyn. We felt it was unfair that you and Tamahome couldn't be together. Considering that we all were going to get our wishes to be alive again. So we asked her if there was a way. She said that there was but she couldn't mention it to you before you left or it wouldn't work."
"And what's that?" Taka asked.
"Tamahome would have to give up his memories. Then he could be reincarnated in your world as the same, but different person. After much consideration, Tamahome agreed to do so. That is why Taka was it?"
"Mhm" Miaka nodded.
"Doesn't remember anything. His memories were sealed away and only Taitskuyn knows how to get them back."
"So is it hopeless?" Taka replied.
"Of course not" Miaka spoke up, "All we have to do is go to Mt. Taikyoku and talk with Taitskuyn. She will be able to help us I'm sure of it. And not only that perhaps she can tell us a little more about this Ren Shigyou."
"I'm quite interested in that myself," Yui added with a frown.
"Yes. But first we must gather the Suzaku Seven. If Suzaku is in trouble like you say Miaka, we will need them" Hotohori said.
"So just like you Hotohori" Miaka replied with a smile, " Nuriko and Chiriko. Mitsukake. They're all alive?"
"Yes" Hotohori answered with a smile of his own, "Chiriko and Nuriko returned home with their families. I believe Mitsukake is somewhere near Nuriko's home practicing medicine."
"That's wonderful news. Isn't it Yui?"
"I suppose this means that the Seiryuu Seven are alive as well?" Yui lowered her head a bit.
"It's possible" Hotohori frowned.
"Don't worry Yui" Miaka placed a hand on her shoulder, "Whatever the reason I'm sure it's important."
"Yea" Yui nodded slowly.
"Right Taka?" Miaka looked at him.
"Uh right" he nodded as well.
"Don't worry Taka" Hotohori stood up, "The Suzaku warriors will do everything we can to help you to remember who Tamahome is."
"Thank you your majesty" Taka bowed his eyes.
"It's my pleasure my friend" Hotohori said as he patted his shoulder gently.
**********************************************************
Outside of Konan two men walked side by side. One of them stopped, his staff clanging the ground. He looked towards the city, while the other one turned to look at him.
"Hey Chichiri!" he called, "What's going on man?"
"Tasuki" Chichiri turned to his fire-headed companion, "Don't you sense it. The light of Suzaku has been getting weaker, but I still feel power coming from somewhere."
"Oh yea. Where's that?" Tasuki asked.
"Back in the city."
"What? You got to be kidding Chichiri? We just left that place not twenty minutes ago."
"I know but we have to go back. We are needed there for something."
**********************************************************
Up on one of the walls of the palace, the cloaked stranger waited for another sign of the mysterious travelers. The wind began to blow hard and he frowned slightly.
"This is not good" he said to himself, "The light of Suzaku appeared. But I'm not so sure that's a good sign."
************************************************************** ******************************************************
Authors Note: Hi everyone! I am going to try to do another chapter tonight. If not you will see it tomorrow!
Next Chapter: Reunited With the Monk and Bandit
Tasuki and Chichiri are surprised to see Taka and Miaka in the Konan palace!
