Chapter Nine: Gathering of the Seven Part Two

Tetsuya continued to read as Keisuke listened happily smiling at the thought of his little sister seeing her friends again, alive and well.

"The Priestess of Suzaku and the Suzaku seven arrived in a small yet bustling village at the end of the third day. After asking several people they found Mitsukake at a local home treating a small child for an injury. Once he was found he explained where they could find the last Suzaku warrior."



"I see Nuriko from time to time" Mitsukake replied as he led them to the large stately home, "He lives with his brother Rokou."

Miaka nodded happily as she walked with Taka hand in hand. Tasuki, Chiriko, and Chichiri walked a few feet behind them. Mitsukake knocked on the door and was led in by a servant who recognized him. She in-turn directed them to the backyard. They walked back there and for the first time in several months Miaka saw her beautiful friend. His hair was still cut short and he still had the same complexion. When he heard them he turned a bit and smiled his beautiful smile. Miaka stepped forward a little at first, but then broke into a run as she flung herself into his arms. Tears were coming out of her eyes, because truth be known, out of all of her friends that died, Nuriko's death was the hardest to take. Nuriko continued to smile as he stroked the back of her hair, as Taka watched a little jealous.

"Now now Miaka" Nuriko replied, "What's with all the crying huh?"

"It's just, I am so happy to see you" Miaka answered.

Nuriko chuckled as he pulled away.

"I am happy to see you too Miaka" he replied, "And you too Tamakins. Welcome back!" he said as he looked at Taka.

"Huh?"

"That's you" Tasuki whispered as Nuriko came over.

"Oh."

"Don't tell me that you have forgotten your big brother all ready?" Nuriko teased.

"Big brother?"

"Nuriko" Miaka interrupted him, "There is something you have to know."



Miaka was the one to explain to Nuriko now all that had happened. When she was finished Nuriko nodded sadly.

"Yes. Tamahome's memories were sealed away. I remember now. So we're all going to Mt. Taikyoku huh?"

"That's the plan" Tasuki replied.

"All right. But I insist you stay the night, and we leave in the morning. After all you have had a long journey."

"Since we don't have a lot of time to waste" Chichiri replied, "I suggest that we travel back tonight using my cape."

"How come we never get to use that thing otherwise?" Tasuki complained banging his fist down.

"Because it's not that important those times you know," Chichiri said with a frown and a sigh.

"I think that's an excellent idea Chichiri" Miaka replied, "We don't have time to waste. I know we can't use it on the way to Mt. Taikyoku but at least we can take it back to the palace of Konan. And I also agree with Nuriko, we should still leave in the morning. We do need some rest."

The rest of them nodded as Taka silently agreed. After all was said and done Nuriko had a wonderful meal prepared for his guests. His brother arrived home some time later and enjoyed conversations with the other celestial warriors. Everyone was escorted to their rooms after that. Miaka lay wide awake in bed and crawled out from under the covers. She walked out of the room and spotted Taka staring sadly up at the moon. She wanted to comfort him, but she didn't even know what she would say. After awhile he returned to his room and Miaka watched him sigh heavily. She looked at the moon herself one last time before returning to her own room.



In the courtyard the next morning the seven of them gathered around Chichiri's cape. Nuriko had said goodbye to his brother the previous night. With one magic spell they disappeared from the courtyard, the servants promising to send their horses back to the palace of Konan.

Yui was awoken by knocking on her door. She rose from her bed and answered it.

"Yes what is?"

"I'm so sorry to disturb you miss, but the Priestess of Suzaku has returned and the Emperor wanted to make sure that you knew."

"Oh yes. Thank you" Yui replied in a hurry as the servant left closing the door.

She got dressed quickly and headed to the shrine of Suzaku where Miaka and the others were waiting.

"Miaka" Yui smiled as she ran to embrace her, "I am so glad that you came back safely."

"Yes" Miaka nodded, "But there was nothing to worry about Yui. I found them all. Now we can plan on the trip to Mt. Taikyoku."

"Which we will be leaving for first thing in the morning" Hotohori spoke up, "I have my affairs set in order so I can join you this time. The trip to Mt. Taikyoku should only take us a few days, tops."

"That's good" Miaka smiled, "I am so glad that you will coming with us this time Hotohori."

"I am not about to abandon my good friend Tamahome when he needs me the most" Hotohori replied.

"Oh your majesty your such a standup guy" Nuriko said.

"Thank you your majesty" Taka replied happily, "Thank you for everything."

"Now Taka" Hotohori looked at him, "I am Hotohori to you. Not your majesty."

"Okay" Taka smiled for the first time in several days.



"All the plans were arranged so that the Priestess of Suzaku, the Suzaku seven and the Priestess of Seiryuu could make their journey" Keisuke continued to read, since Tetsuya's voice was tired, "After a few more words to his advisors Hotohori mounted his horse and rode in the direction towards Taitskuyn's retreat. They stopped on the second day in a familiar spot, one Tamahome kept gazing around at."



"Taka?" Miaka looked at her boyfriend as they stopped, "What is wrong?"

"I feel like I have seen this place before" he replied.

"What?"

"Yes" he nodded, "Have I been here, in this spot before?"

Hotohori and Nuriko came over as he spoke. Miaka moved in closer. Yui listened in intently.

"You're remembering something aren't you?" Miaka replied.

"I remember, a" he looked up as he began to think.

Several flashes came to him. Ones with Miaka, Nuriko, and Hotohori. And even himself, dressed in strange clothing.

"A mirror" he replied.

"Mirror?" Hotohori said as he came over, "There was a mirror. What else."

"Miaka. Miaka was holding this mirror, no wait it wasn't Miaka, it was a fake."

"He's remembering" Nuriko replied, "He's remembering that time."

"What time?" Tasuki spoke up, "You have any idea what they are talking about?" he asked Chichiri.

"Beats me you know" Chichiri answered.

"You and I" he pointed to Hotohori, "We fought against a monster of some kind."

"Yes" Hotohori nodded, "A monster that had trapped Miaka inside a mirror. We were journeying to Mt. Taikyoku to try and send her back to her world."

"I remember that" Yui spoke up, "I was reading the book at the time."

"Why am I seeing blood on Miaka's body?" Taka suddenly said shivering.

"It's all right Taka" Miaka held onto him as he shook a little.

"Miaka had sacrificed herself to save you and his majesty" Nuriko explained, "She tried to kill herself to stop the demon. In the process she almost lost her life."

"Miaka" he looked at her confused.

"But I didn't. I didn't give up because the three of you, Nuriko, Hotohori, and Tamahome called out to me. And because Yui she told me to not give up" she looked at her best friend, "So I lived and then."

Suddenly a bright light shone around the company as Miaka spoke. They all shielded their eyes and when they opened them, they were in a different place.

"What is this place?" Taka asked, "It looks familiar somehow."

"Welcome back!" a deep older voice spoke, "Miaka, Priestess of Suzaku."



Authors Note: Well there's part two for ya! Hope you liked it!

Next Chapter: Taitskuyn's Truth

Taitskuyn reveals all she can about how to retrieve Tamahome's memories and Ren Shigyou!