Chapter Six: Seeking Lost Memories
Tetsuya handed Keisuke a cup of coffee as the train rolled along.
"Thanks" Keisuke replied as he took it and sipped some.
Then he placed it in the cup holder, as Tetsuya sat down. Keisuke sighed then turned to the book once more.
"The young prince stared at the girl before him and moved forward slightly," Keisuke read.
"Takiko" Namame repeated, "Is it? Is it really you?"
Takako shook her head.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken" she replied to him.
"What?"
"Namame" Iname spoke up, "This girl is Takako Eto." She is the reincarnation of our beloved priestess Takiko Okuda."
"Reincarnation?" Namame raised an eyebrow, "And who are these people? I don't recognize them," he said rudely and with an air to his voice.
"Oh forgive us," Chichiri said, "We're" he started to say but Taka stepped in front of him.
"Where's Miaka?" he asked Namame with a straight face.
"What are you talking about?" Namame looked back at him with an equally straight face.
"I know you know where she is, now tell me" he demanded.
"Tamahome calm down you know" Chichiri replied, "Forgive us your majesty. We are the Suzaku seven and our priestess has gone missing."
"Priestess?"
"That's right the Priestess of Suzaku. Miaka Yuki."
"Namame do you know where she is?" Takako asked.
Namame stared at the young girl. It was uncanny how she was so much like the woman he knew. In fact he couldn't lie to her. Even if she wasn't Takiko. There was something about her. Something he couldn't quite describe.
"Wait here" he said gently as he left the room.
Takako held her hands together as she watched him, so many memories flooding her mind as if they were her own. Taka clenched and unclenched his fist. Nuriko placed a hand on his shoulder to try to calm him down. He gritted his teeth angrily as Tasuki, Chiriko, Chichiri, and Mitsukake looked on in concern.
A few minutes later another young girl entered the room. Her hair was a bit disheveled but there was no doubt that she was. She took one look at Taka and ran to his surprised outstretched arms.
"Taka!" she cried as he embraced her.
"Miaka" he replied, "Thank goodness you're safe."
The rest of the Suzaku seven gathered around her and welcomed her back as Namame once again appeared. Miaka gasped as she saw him.
"That's him. That's the one who captured me" she said.
"I knew that you were the one" Taka replied angrily.
"Why would you do such a thing Namame?" Tomite asked.
"They were asking questions about the Genbu seven" Namame answered, "I didn't know who they were and I certainly don't know why we all are here once more."
"Oh I see" Miaka replied, "So it was all just a misunderstanding?"
"Some misunderstanding" Taka grumbled under his breath.
"I can see that Tama hasn't changed that much even if he's been reincarnated" Tasuki whispered to Nuriko.
"No not much" Nuriko whispered back.
"Any way" Chichiri replied, "I think now is as good as time as any to explain why were are all here."
"I think that that would be wise" Iname said as Namame crossed his arms and prepared to listen, not once taking his eyes off of Takako.
For at least an hour Chichiri explained to the Genbu seven all that Taitskuyn had revealed to them on Mt. Taikyoku. When all was said the Genbu seven nodded their heads, all except Namame who had on a distinct frown.
"And that is why we have all been gathered here" he replied, "That's the infamous reason?"
"If you think about it Namame" Hikitsu said, "It is a very important reason."
"I'm not so sure about that" Namame uncrossed his arms, "I'm not sure about a whole heck of a lot right now. But my opinion probably doesn't really matter" he walked over to the door, "Still you are welcome to stay as long as you need. I will have rooms prepared for the Suzaku seven. As for you my old comrades in arms, I'm sure that you remember where your rooms are located" he opened the door.
"Namame where are you going?" Tomite asked, "We haven't even discussed what we are going to do yet."
"Well I don't want to discuss it," he said with his back turned, "In fact I want nothing to do with it" he replied as he exited.
The Genbu seven looked at each other as Takako watched sadly. Then she took Miaka's hand gently and invited her to go to the baths with her. Miaka agreed and gave a quick goodbye to Taka and the Suzaku seven. A couple of minutes later a servant came and escorted them to their rooms. Taka and Tasuki were sharing a room and while Tasuki lay on one of the beds to take a nap, Taka stared out the window with a sad expression on his face.
As Takako and Miaka sat in the bath they got to know each other. Miaka realized that Takako was one of the girls in her dream.
"If you are a reincarnation of Takiko Okuda" Miaka deduced, "Then there must also be a reincarnation of Suzuno Oosugi in Sairou right now."
"Who?" Takako asked.
"The Priestess of Byakko. My best friend Yui is the Priestess of Seiryuu and is on her way to Sairou right now."
"Oh I see" Takako replied with her face down a bit, which Miaka noticed.
"What's wrong?"
"Namame. I'm worried about him."
"Really?"
"Mhm. It's funny. I have all sorts of memories in my head that were never there before. One of them is my feeling for Namame. I think that Takiko Okuda was in love with him. I feel that way about him, even though we have never met."
"That's not so strange" Miaka replied, "After all Taka is a reincarnation of a Suzaku warrior named Tamahome and he had the same feelings for me when we found each other in our world, so I am not surprised."
Takako grabbed a nearby towel and climbed out of the bath.
"I have to go talk to him. Miaka" she turned to her new friend, "You can share my room if you like? I kind of would like to have your company."
"Sure" Miaka nodded, "I'll just ask a servant later where your room is. You go and talk to Namame."
"Okay" Takako said with a smile as she exited the area, leaving Miaka alone with her own thoughts of sadness.
Takako found Namame in the garden staring sadly at a tree with some initials carved into the bark. He ran his fingers over the smooth surface and sighed. She moved a little closer as she saw his head lower even more.
"Namame."
He turned his head around in surprise as she approached him.
"Takiko, oh I mean Takako" he replied as he turned his head around again, "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see if you were all right," she said.
"How can I be all right? I mean" he turned around to be face to face, "We are all supposed to be dead. All of us. Hikitsu. Tomite. Even me."
"I know" she nodded, "But we're alive again."
"But I don't want to be" he turned back around to face the tree, "I don't want to go through it all again. Watching. As everyone I know dies and leaves me behind once more."
"What do you mean?"
"First it was Urimiya, remember? What am I saying? How could you remember?"
"But I do remember."
He looked at her quizzically then continued.
"We lost that kid first. That was a terrible time for me. And it was terrible time for Hatsui too. To lose his best friend since childhood in such a way."
"It was a horrible tragedy."
"Then Takiko. We were able to summon Genbu but not without loss. She gave up so much of her own spirit to summon the beast god that she couldn't stand the pain. In her own world I watched as she slowly faded away. My love. My life."
"You watched?" Takako said in surprise.
"Yes" he nodded firmly, "I saw it all. I saw as her own father took her life so she wouldn't have to suffer anymore. After that things went downhill. Iname. Next Uruki. Then Hatsui. Finally Tomite and Hikitsu. I was the last one left. The last survivor. I was in my late forties and was now an emperor. But I was sad and lonely. And so to relieve my pain I took my own life. But the sad thing was I was never reunited with my Takiko like I hoped. I don't know why. But I do know this; I don't want to go through that again. I refuse to. I refuse to lose everything all over again."
"Who says you're going to?"
"Huh?" he looked at her.
"Those were different times weren't they Namame? But it is the same enemy we fight. It is Tenkou only he is stronger. Our friends and the Suzaku seven need us. My world is in danger. I know I'm not Takiko but I feel what she feels. I feel everything as if I really am her. Even her feelings for you" Takako moved closer and put her hand on his face caressing it.
He closed his eyes as she touched him. He was very content as he placed his own hand on top of hers.
"You are Takiko" he replied slowly as he caressed her face, "You really are. I have found you. At long last. I have found you."
He pulled her into his embrace and they held onto each other for many hours until he suggested they get some sleep. She nodded and he walked her to her room, promising to consider the idea of joining with the Suzaku seven.
Over the course of the next few days the Suzaku seven made their stay at the Hokkan palace as productive as they could. They had no idea where to begin now that they found all seven members of Genbu so Chichiri and Iname spent most of their time in the archives looking up possible places where the Temple of the Gods could be located. Chiriko meanwhile hung with Hatsui and Urimiya who taught him all sorts of fighting techniques while he in turn taught them stuff he had learned in his studies. Mitsukake surprisingly had been spending a lot of time with Uruki who like him was quite fascinated in the medicinal arts. Tasuki and Nuriko would often go off with Tomite and Hikitsu to explore the different parts of the capital of Hokkan. Miaka and Takako spent a lot of time together as well. On this particular day she and Miaka had gone to the market to see what kind of goods were being sold. Taka had remained back at the palace. He had been in a very somber mood lately and had kept mostly to himself. Namame was strolling across one of the many verandas when he spotted him sitting on the grass in the main garden. He stopped and headed in his direction.
"Taking in the fresh air?" Namame asked him.
Taka looked back and saw the prince standing a few feet from him. He stood up and brushed the dirt off his pants.
"Couldn't think of anything better to do" Taka answered shortly.
Namame nodded.
"Your friend Nuriko told me a little bit about your situation. Lost memories huh?"
"Yea? So?"
"If you're really interested in getting them back, I have a way."
"You do?"
"Mind you it's pretty far from here. Not to mention very dangerous. But if you want, I'll take you there."
Taka thought for a few minutes. A chance to regain Tamahome's memories? It was almost too good to be true. But it was what he really wanted. Not just for him but for Miaka's sake as well. He turned back to Namame.
"All right" he said, "Take me to this place. I'm not afraid."
Namame nodded completely understanding. They walked to the throne room where he ordered for two horses for the evening. Then he went to his room to change. He emerged in the outfit he had been wearing when he had spotted the Suzaku seven in Tourashina. Then he and Taka saddled up and rode out of the palace gates.
When Miaka and Takako came back they noticed that the two of them were gone. Takako suggested that they went somewhere together. Miaka nodded but was worried just the same.
"Oh Taka" she thought, "No where have you disappeared to?"
Namame led Taka through a small area filled with many rocks. It was like a desert only it was deathly cold. Before they had left Namame had given him something to wear over his clothes so he wouldn't freeze to death. As the sun was setting they arrived at a large cave and Namame stopped his horse.
"This is it," he said as he jumped off.
Taka did the same and then followed him into the weird cave. Inside was dark and extremely cold. Taka wrapped the cloak made of fur tightly around him. Namame grabbed a nearby torch that was ablaze in a nearby wall. Strangely enough the flame looked like it was made of ice itself, being quite blue. Namame walked a little of ways till they came to a large pool of water. Taka stopped as Namame placed the torch on another wall. Once it was placed the whole room illuminated with a bright golden light that shone around the pool.
"Where are we?" Taka asked.
"In that pool" Namame explained, "You will find the memories that you seek. The water despite its appearance is hot instead of cold. You must stand in it until the magic begins to seep through your body. It will be very hot when you start, and you will feel a strange sensation but ignore it. All that means is that it is working. The process should take awhile but by the end of it all your memories shall return. I should warn you. It will be painful at some points, and you may need to scream or even cry."
"I take it that you have experienced this before?" Taka replied.
Namame nodded.
"You can begin any time that you are ready" he said, "I will wait in the next cave. It only works when you are completely alone."
Taka nodded as Namame exited the area. He stared at the pool before him and closed his eyes. He thought about many things. Finally his mind landed on one single thought and he opened his eyes once more.
"Miaka" he said to himself as he slowly stepped into the pool.
Authors Note: Hi guys! I'm back. Just so you know there will be one more chapter today and for the rest of the book you will get three chapters a day!
Next Chapter: Joining Forces
In a strange twists of events Yui and her warriors end up in Hokkan instead of Sairou. Will Namame and The Genbu seven willing join with Suzaku and Seiryuu in order to defeat Tenkou? Keep reading to find out!
Tetsuya handed Keisuke a cup of coffee as the train rolled along.
"Thanks" Keisuke replied as he took it and sipped some.
Then he placed it in the cup holder, as Tetsuya sat down. Keisuke sighed then turned to the book once more.
"The young prince stared at the girl before him and moved forward slightly," Keisuke read.
"Takiko" Namame repeated, "Is it? Is it really you?"
Takako shook her head.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken" she replied to him.
"What?"
"Namame" Iname spoke up, "This girl is Takako Eto." She is the reincarnation of our beloved priestess Takiko Okuda."
"Reincarnation?" Namame raised an eyebrow, "And who are these people? I don't recognize them," he said rudely and with an air to his voice.
"Oh forgive us," Chichiri said, "We're" he started to say but Taka stepped in front of him.
"Where's Miaka?" he asked Namame with a straight face.
"What are you talking about?" Namame looked back at him with an equally straight face.
"I know you know where she is, now tell me" he demanded.
"Tamahome calm down you know" Chichiri replied, "Forgive us your majesty. We are the Suzaku seven and our priestess has gone missing."
"Priestess?"
"That's right the Priestess of Suzaku. Miaka Yuki."
"Namame do you know where she is?" Takako asked.
Namame stared at the young girl. It was uncanny how she was so much like the woman he knew. In fact he couldn't lie to her. Even if she wasn't Takiko. There was something about her. Something he couldn't quite describe.
"Wait here" he said gently as he left the room.
Takako held her hands together as she watched him, so many memories flooding her mind as if they were her own. Taka clenched and unclenched his fist. Nuriko placed a hand on his shoulder to try to calm him down. He gritted his teeth angrily as Tasuki, Chiriko, Chichiri, and Mitsukake looked on in concern.
A few minutes later another young girl entered the room. Her hair was a bit disheveled but there was no doubt that she was. She took one look at Taka and ran to his surprised outstretched arms.
"Taka!" she cried as he embraced her.
"Miaka" he replied, "Thank goodness you're safe."
The rest of the Suzaku seven gathered around her and welcomed her back as Namame once again appeared. Miaka gasped as she saw him.
"That's him. That's the one who captured me" she said.
"I knew that you were the one" Taka replied angrily.
"Why would you do such a thing Namame?" Tomite asked.
"They were asking questions about the Genbu seven" Namame answered, "I didn't know who they were and I certainly don't know why we all are here once more."
"Oh I see" Miaka replied, "So it was all just a misunderstanding?"
"Some misunderstanding" Taka grumbled under his breath.
"I can see that Tama hasn't changed that much even if he's been reincarnated" Tasuki whispered to Nuriko.
"No not much" Nuriko whispered back.
"Any way" Chichiri replied, "I think now is as good as time as any to explain why were are all here."
"I think that that would be wise" Iname said as Namame crossed his arms and prepared to listen, not once taking his eyes off of Takako.
For at least an hour Chichiri explained to the Genbu seven all that Taitskuyn had revealed to them on Mt. Taikyoku. When all was said the Genbu seven nodded their heads, all except Namame who had on a distinct frown.
"And that is why we have all been gathered here" he replied, "That's the infamous reason?"
"If you think about it Namame" Hikitsu said, "It is a very important reason."
"I'm not so sure about that" Namame uncrossed his arms, "I'm not sure about a whole heck of a lot right now. But my opinion probably doesn't really matter" he walked over to the door, "Still you are welcome to stay as long as you need. I will have rooms prepared for the Suzaku seven. As for you my old comrades in arms, I'm sure that you remember where your rooms are located" he opened the door.
"Namame where are you going?" Tomite asked, "We haven't even discussed what we are going to do yet."
"Well I don't want to discuss it," he said with his back turned, "In fact I want nothing to do with it" he replied as he exited.
The Genbu seven looked at each other as Takako watched sadly. Then she took Miaka's hand gently and invited her to go to the baths with her. Miaka agreed and gave a quick goodbye to Taka and the Suzaku seven. A couple of minutes later a servant came and escorted them to their rooms. Taka and Tasuki were sharing a room and while Tasuki lay on one of the beds to take a nap, Taka stared out the window with a sad expression on his face.
As Takako and Miaka sat in the bath they got to know each other. Miaka realized that Takako was one of the girls in her dream.
"If you are a reincarnation of Takiko Okuda" Miaka deduced, "Then there must also be a reincarnation of Suzuno Oosugi in Sairou right now."
"Who?" Takako asked.
"The Priestess of Byakko. My best friend Yui is the Priestess of Seiryuu and is on her way to Sairou right now."
"Oh I see" Takako replied with her face down a bit, which Miaka noticed.
"What's wrong?"
"Namame. I'm worried about him."
"Really?"
"Mhm. It's funny. I have all sorts of memories in my head that were never there before. One of them is my feeling for Namame. I think that Takiko Okuda was in love with him. I feel that way about him, even though we have never met."
"That's not so strange" Miaka replied, "After all Taka is a reincarnation of a Suzaku warrior named Tamahome and he had the same feelings for me when we found each other in our world, so I am not surprised."
Takako grabbed a nearby towel and climbed out of the bath.
"I have to go talk to him. Miaka" she turned to her new friend, "You can share my room if you like? I kind of would like to have your company."
"Sure" Miaka nodded, "I'll just ask a servant later where your room is. You go and talk to Namame."
"Okay" Takako said with a smile as she exited the area, leaving Miaka alone with her own thoughts of sadness.
Takako found Namame in the garden staring sadly at a tree with some initials carved into the bark. He ran his fingers over the smooth surface and sighed. She moved a little closer as she saw his head lower even more.
"Namame."
He turned his head around in surprise as she approached him.
"Takiko, oh I mean Takako" he replied as he turned his head around again, "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see if you were all right," she said.
"How can I be all right? I mean" he turned around to be face to face, "We are all supposed to be dead. All of us. Hikitsu. Tomite. Even me."
"I know" she nodded, "But we're alive again."
"But I don't want to be" he turned back around to face the tree, "I don't want to go through it all again. Watching. As everyone I know dies and leaves me behind once more."
"What do you mean?"
"First it was Urimiya, remember? What am I saying? How could you remember?"
"But I do remember."
He looked at her quizzically then continued.
"We lost that kid first. That was a terrible time for me. And it was terrible time for Hatsui too. To lose his best friend since childhood in such a way."
"It was a horrible tragedy."
"Then Takiko. We were able to summon Genbu but not without loss. She gave up so much of her own spirit to summon the beast god that she couldn't stand the pain. In her own world I watched as she slowly faded away. My love. My life."
"You watched?" Takako said in surprise.
"Yes" he nodded firmly, "I saw it all. I saw as her own father took her life so she wouldn't have to suffer anymore. After that things went downhill. Iname. Next Uruki. Then Hatsui. Finally Tomite and Hikitsu. I was the last one left. The last survivor. I was in my late forties and was now an emperor. But I was sad and lonely. And so to relieve my pain I took my own life. But the sad thing was I was never reunited with my Takiko like I hoped. I don't know why. But I do know this; I don't want to go through that again. I refuse to. I refuse to lose everything all over again."
"Who says you're going to?"
"Huh?" he looked at her.
"Those were different times weren't they Namame? But it is the same enemy we fight. It is Tenkou only he is stronger. Our friends and the Suzaku seven need us. My world is in danger. I know I'm not Takiko but I feel what she feels. I feel everything as if I really am her. Even her feelings for you" Takako moved closer and put her hand on his face caressing it.
He closed his eyes as she touched him. He was very content as he placed his own hand on top of hers.
"You are Takiko" he replied slowly as he caressed her face, "You really are. I have found you. At long last. I have found you."
He pulled her into his embrace and they held onto each other for many hours until he suggested they get some sleep. She nodded and he walked her to her room, promising to consider the idea of joining with the Suzaku seven.
Over the course of the next few days the Suzaku seven made their stay at the Hokkan palace as productive as they could. They had no idea where to begin now that they found all seven members of Genbu so Chichiri and Iname spent most of their time in the archives looking up possible places where the Temple of the Gods could be located. Chiriko meanwhile hung with Hatsui and Urimiya who taught him all sorts of fighting techniques while he in turn taught them stuff he had learned in his studies. Mitsukake surprisingly had been spending a lot of time with Uruki who like him was quite fascinated in the medicinal arts. Tasuki and Nuriko would often go off with Tomite and Hikitsu to explore the different parts of the capital of Hokkan. Miaka and Takako spent a lot of time together as well. On this particular day she and Miaka had gone to the market to see what kind of goods were being sold. Taka had remained back at the palace. He had been in a very somber mood lately and had kept mostly to himself. Namame was strolling across one of the many verandas when he spotted him sitting on the grass in the main garden. He stopped and headed in his direction.
"Taking in the fresh air?" Namame asked him.
Taka looked back and saw the prince standing a few feet from him. He stood up and brushed the dirt off his pants.
"Couldn't think of anything better to do" Taka answered shortly.
Namame nodded.
"Your friend Nuriko told me a little bit about your situation. Lost memories huh?"
"Yea? So?"
"If you're really interested in getting them back, I have a way."
"You do?"
"Mind you it's pretty far from here. Not to mention very dangerous. But if you want, I'll take you there."
Taka thought for a few minutes. A chance to regain Tamahome's memories? It was almost too good to be true. But it was what he really wanted. Not just for him but for Miaka's sake as well. He turned back to Namame.
"All right" he said, "Take me to this place. I'm not afraid."
Namame nodded completely understanding. They walked to the throne room where he ordered for two horses for the evening. Then he went to his room to change. He emerged in the outfit he had been wearing when he had spotted the Suzaku seven in Tourashina. Then he and Taka saddled up and rode out of the palace gates.
When Miaka and Takako came back they noticed that the two of them were gone. Takako suggested that they went somewhere together. Miaka nodded but was worried just the same.
"Oh Taka" she thought, "No where have you disappeared to?"
Namame led Taka through a small area filled with many rocks. It was like a desert only it was deathly cold. Before they had left Namame had given him something to wear over his clothes so he wouldn't freeze to death. As the sun was setting they arrived at a large cave and Namame stopped his horse.
"This is it," he said as he jumped off.
Taka did the same and then followed him into the weird cave. Inside was dark and extremely cold. Taka wrapped the cloak made of fur tightly around him. Namame grabbed a nearby torch that was ablaze in a nearby wall. Strangely enough the flame looked like it was made of ice itself, being quite blue. Namame walked a little of ways till they came to a large pool of water. Taka stopped as Namame placed the torch on another wall. Once it was placed the whole room illuminated with a bright golden light that shone around the pool.
"Where are we?" Taka asked.
"In that pool" Namame explained, "You will find the memories that you seek. The water despite its appearance is hot instead of cold. You must stand in it until the magic begins to seep through your body. It will be very hot when you start, and you will feel a strange sensation but ignore it. All that means is that it is working. The process should take awhile but by the end of it all your memories shall return. I should warn you. It will be painful at some points, and you may need to scream or even cry."
"I take it that you have experienced this before?" Taka replied.
Namame nodded.
"You can begin any time that you are ready" he said, "I will wait in the next cave. It only works when you are completely alone."
Taka nodded as Namame exited the area. He stared at the pool before him and closed his eyes. He thought about many things. Finally his mind landed on one single thought and he opened his eyes once more.
"Miaka" he said to himself as he slowly stepped into the pool.
Authors Note: Hi guys! I'm back. Just so you know there will be one more chapter today and for the rest of the book you will get three chapters a day!
Next Chapter: Joining Forces
In a strange twists of events Yui and her warriors end up in Hokkan instead of Sairou. Will Namame and The Genbu seven willing join with Suzaku and Seiryuu in order to defeat Tenkou? Keep reading to find out!
