Chapter Five: Namame

Taka was pacing back and forth as the young girl stepped forward. She was smiling a little as she approached them.

"Hatsui informs me that you are the Suzaku seven?" she asked.

"As a matter of fact" Nuriko replied, "Yes we are."

"Welcome to the Genbu temple" she bowed, "My Company and I have been wondering for some time who you were when we heard that you were in Hokkan."

"Hang on a second" Tasuki spoke up, "How did you know we were here?"

"Some people in the village of Touran informed me and Tomite yesterday that someone was looking for us" Hikitsu spoke up, "Naturally we wanted to find out who that was."

"Lo and behold it turned out to be the Suzaku seven" Tomite finished.

"You think we weren't surprised when we saw you?' Tasuki continued, "After all the last time we saw you two you were dead."

"We were spirits" Hikitsu retorted, "Get it right."

"You moron!" Nuriko struck him again, "Can't you be more considerate?"

"Why do you always got to hit me!" Tasuki yelled.

"Because you always say inconsiderate things!" Nuriko shouted back.

"I didn't mean to!"

"Wait a second" Chichiri interrupted the argument, "I think I can sense Miaka's life force."

"You can?" Taka looked at him in surprise, "Where is she?"

"She's somewhere nearby. That's for sure. Is there a city near here?"

"Why yes" Iname replied, "The Capitol of Hokkan is about twenty miles from here."

"Capitol of Hokkan?" the Suzaku warriors all exclaimed.

"We were planning on going that way anyway," Uruki said.

"Why's that?" Taka asked.

"Because the last member of the Genbu seven is in that city" Iname explained, "Maybe he can help us to find the missing Priestess."

"I still find it fascinating that the Genbu seven as well as Takiko Okuda is alive" Taka replied, "Miaka told me the story about the Genbu seven before we left."

"My name is not Takiko Okuda" the girl spoke up.

"What?" they all exclaimed again.

"My name is Takako. Takako Eto."



Taka and the others stared at her for a few minutes. Then Taka spoke up as he looked directly at her.

"But how can that be? The Priestess of Genbu's name was Takiko Okuda."

"Yes I know" Takako replied, "When I arrived here the celestial warriors who found me, told me the same thing. I have to admit I had heard of them from before from my grandmother. She had told me the story of Takiko Okuda from the time I was a little girl. You see she was best friends with Takiko and before Takiko died she sent her a letter telling her everything. So when I arrived in Hokkan I was surprised to find out that I was the Priestess of Genbu."

"Even more amazing was her uncanny resemblance to the former Priestess of Genbu" Tomite said.

"Maybe it's possible" Chichiri replied, "That Takako is the reincarnation of Takiko, much like Taka here is the reincarnation of Tamahome."

"I came to the same conclusion," Iname said.

"The weirdest part about waking up in Hokkan though" Takako continued, "Was that I knew the surrounding area, as if I had been here before. I knew the celestial warriors as if they were old friends."

"Then that proves that she is more than likely the Priestesses reincarnation," Nuriko said.

"The final member of our team is called Namame" Tomite replied, "We were heading to find him when we heard about you."

"Than what are we waiting for?" Taka said, "I need to find Miaka, before something terrible happens to her."

"We have the horses all ready" Uruki replied, "Hatsui and Urimiya can ride one together."

"We have our own horses you know. We'll follow" Chichiri said.

"Okay then" Iname replied, "Let us go and not waste any more time. Than perhaps we can all discover why we have been summoned back."

"We know the answer to that, but we'll tell you once we find Miaka and this Namame person" Nuriko said.

"Agreed" Hikitsu replied, "Let's go."



Since the introduction of Takako and the Genbu seven, Keisuke suggested to Tetsuya that they travel to Morioka to talk to Toki once more. Tetsuya bought the tickets while Keisuke continued to read the book. They gave the tickets to the conductor on the train and found two comfortable seats in first class. Once they were sitting, Keisuke read out loud.

"The Suzaku seven along with the Genbu seven traveled to the Capitol of Hokkan where they were sure to meet up with the final member of Genbu. Meanwhile riding towards Sairou the Priestess of Seiryuu and her four celestial warriors stopped to set up camp. Unaware that someone from Kutou was tracking them."

"Yui is in trouble?" Tetsuya looked worried, "Keep reading."

"The warriors of Suzaku and the warriors of Genbu arrived at the Capitol just as the sun was beginning to set. Hikitsu and Tomite led them to the palace, where they knew they would find Namame."



"Why are we at the palace?" Chichiri asked when they arrived.

"Because this is where Namame is," Hikitsu answered.

Two guards came over and questioned them. Hikitsu explained who they were and then the two guards led them to the throne room. Once there they asked them to wait. A couple of minutes later an older gentleman appeared. He was the same old gentleman that Hikitsu, Iname, and Tomite remembered from the old days that looked after Namame.

"How can I help you sirs?" he asked, "The Emperor is not here at the moment."

"We are not here to see the Emperor" Hikitsu said, "We have come to see the crown prince instead."

"The prince? Who are you?"

"My name is Hikitsu and I have brought the Priestess of Genbu with me."

Takako stepped forward and the old man's glasses slipped from his face.

"Wait here for a moment. I will fetch him."

"Wow" Tomite replied, "Same reaction like last time."

"Only didn't his glasses shatter that time?" Iname spoke up.

"Yea" Tomite nodded.



The old man walked to the prince's room and knocked once again.

"Come in!"

"Excuse me sir. But there is someone here to see you. They claim that they have the Priestess of Genbu."

"The Priestess of Genbu? Are you sure?" the young man's hazel eyes shot open.

"Yes sir. He says his name is Hikitsu. And he isn't looking for your father. He specifically asked for you."

"I see. I am on my way."

"Yes, your majesty."

The young man grabbed a nearby royal cloak so that he could be warm and walked to the throne room. Once there he through open the doors. His long brown hair was flowing behind him and his eyes piercingly gazed at all the faces around him. Hikitsu and Tomite immediately bowed before him. Iname bowed his eyes, while Urimiya, Uruki, and Hatsui stayed in their position.

"Hikitsu" he replied, "Tomite. You do not have to do that. Old friends need not bow."

"Namame" Takako's voice came from behind the tall Iname.

She stepped forward and revealed herself making the young man before her stare. He gasped a bit as she bowed slightly.

"Takiko" he whispered.



Authors Note: Okay that's it for now! Maybe I will get some more done next week. The truth is you will probably see more chapters in July and August because by that time I will be done with the other fanfiction I am currently writing. See you soon and I hope you enjoyed the update!

Next Chapter: Seeking Lost Memories

Taka and Namame get to know one another better and Namame gives him a chance to regain Tamahome's lost memories.