Part Two:
Taka led Nuriko and Tasuki up the stairs to his apartment. In Nuriko's hands were a uniform and a school bag. Taka had taken him by the school to sign him up. Now he was slowly putting the key into his door. Tasuki stared at his surroundings with a bit of a frown.
"Interesting place that you have here Tama" Tasuki replied.
"Hey it's home" Taka said heavily, "Come on in."
Tasuki and Nuriko entered the door and gasped at what they saw before them.
"Wow" Nuriko replied.
"I've never seen anything like it" Tasuki said after.
They were staring at the television, which was sitting in a far off corner.
"What is that thing Tamakins?" Nuriko asked.
"It's a television set" Taka replied.
"A television set?" Tasuki said.
"That's right" Taka grinned, "You want to see how it works?"
"Uh huh" they both nodded as Taka picked up a remote on a nearby table.
He turned it on and the two warriors flinched as the picture came into focus. Tasuki's eyes lit up.
"Whoa! How did you do that Tama?"
"It's very simple" Taka explained coming over with the remote, "With this remote you can turn the channel see" he clicked another button changing the screen.
"That's a new picture" Nuriko replied in awe.
"Yea" Taka laughed.
"Let me see that thing" Tasuki grabbed the remote.
"Uh be careful with that Tasuki" Taka said worriedly as he began to click the buttons.
"This is so cool" Tasuki grinned, "I can change the picture any way that I want."
"Hey let me try it" Nuriko replied grabbing for it.
"Wait your turn!" Tasuki said gripping it tightly.
"Don't be so stingy, hand it over."
"Guys be careful you're going to break it" Taka yelled.
"We're not going to break it" Tasuki replied to him, "Hey back off man" he said as Nuriko began to claw at him.
C'mon let me have a turn!"
"I said when I'm done with it dummy!"
"A hah!" Nuriko shouted as he managed to snatch it from Tasuki's grip, "I got it! My turn!"
"Hey you give that back" Tasuki replied angrily lunging for it.
"No way. It's my turn."
"Nuriko!"
"You guys stop fighting over a remote!" Taka yelled.
Meanwhile Yui had just arrived at her apartment. Tetsuya had dropped her off quickly and left with the warriors in his car. But she wasn't alone as she entered the apartment.
"Okay coast is clear" she replied to the warrior who followed her in, "Suboshi I don't know why you insisted on coming with me."
"Someone has to be here to protect you Lady Yui," he said importantly.
"All right. I agree on that. But what am I going to tell my mother. Wait I have an idea" she grabbed his hand, "C'mon this is going to be fun," she giggled as they ran to her room.
"Uh okay" he replied nervously as she yanked the door closed behind them.
Miaka said goodbye to her mother at the door. Keisuke still hadn't called so her mom just assumed that he was on a date. She kissed her daughter goodbye and told her that she would see her soon. Just as Miaka closed the door the phone rang.
"Hello Yuki residence. Keisuke? Uh huh. Yes, mom's left. You can come home anytime. All right. I'll see you when you get here. Oh and Keisuke. Thank you" she hung up and sighed as she walked into the kitchen to make herself a snack.
But the funny thing, she didn't feel like eating. In fact her appetite had decreased a lot lately. She shrugged off the silly notion that she could be sick and walked out into the living room, where she noticed the book still lying on the table. She picked it up and examined it. The pages were still blank, and so with a heavy sigh she sat on the couch and looked out the window once more.
"What is going on?" she thought, "Someone tell me."
"Ahhh!" Taka's voice could be heard throughout the entire apartment complex, "You idiots!"
"Tamakins calm down" Nuriko held up his hands.
"You broke it!"
"We didn't mean to Tama" Tasuki added.
"I told you that you were going to break and you did!"
"Tama" Nuriko said.
"I need fresh air!" he shouted as he slammed the door behind him.
"He left us all alone in a strange world" Tasuki looked at Nuriko perplexed.
"Maybe we can fix it" Nuriko suggested picking up the remote.
"Don't touch anything!" Taka yelled at them as he reopened the door and then slammed it again.
"Did he hear us?" Tasuki looked at Nuriko again stunned.
"I don't know."
Taka grumbled as he walked to a nearby phone booth and put in his card. He dialed a number and listened while it rang.
"Please be up" he thought.
Keisuke heard the phone from the living room where Miaka was showing the rest of the Suzaku warriors how to play scrabble. He got up to answer it. The Suzaku warriors were dressed in modern day clothing. Even Chiriko who was sporting a baseball cap on the top of his head. Keisuke picked up the phone.
"Hello Yuki residence. Oh Taka. Miaka? Yes she's here. I'll get her for you. Miaka!" he called.
"Hmm?"
"Taka's on the phone for you!"
"Oh okay. Excuse me you guys," she said with a smile, "You'll be all right, right?"
"I think we got the idea Miaka" Chiriko answered.
"Okay" she smiled again as she ran into the hall, "Enjoy."
Keisuke handed her the phone then he went to rejoin the other men.
"Hello Taka what's wrong? You want to meet me? Where? Mhm. Yes I know where that is. But what's the? All right. I'll be right there."
Miaka grabbed her coat then walked into the living room.
"Keisuke!"
"Hmm?"
"I have to go meet Taka for a minute. Watch things for me?"
"Uh yea."
"Have fun you guys!" she called as she dashed out.
"Chiriko that's not a word" Hotohori replied in a protest as the thirteen year old laid down some tiles.
"Uh yes it is your highness" Chichiri said, "According to this book. It's a word."
"Oh well. He wins again" Hotohori sighed.
"Let's have another game your highness" Mitsukake suggested.
"All right. I'm up for it" Hotohori grinned as Keisuke watched on with fascination.
"I see. So they broke your remote huh?" Miaka said as she and Taka stood under a large umbrella.
It had begun to rain just as she had run out the door. She met him there, and he was soaking wet.
"I don't know if I can deal with this for long Miaka" Taka sighed.
"Don't worry. We'll think of something. In the meantime just have Nuriko ready for tomorrow."
"I will."
"You remember how school goes don't you?"
"Of course I do" Taka smiled.
"All right then. I will see you in the morning" she turned.
"Mhm. But Miaka" he said as he took her hand gently pulling her back, "That's not the reason I asked you here. Do you realize that we haven't spent a lot of time together since we went into the book?"
"You're right we haven't. But now's not the time for that. We have a mission to accomplish remember?"
"You're right. I know it. But I miss you."
"I miss you too Taka" she said as he pulled her into a huge embrace, "But we have to keep our heads. Cause only then can we truly be together."
"Yes" he nodded, "You're right. I need to get back now."
"And so do I."
"I also need to buy a remote."
She giggled.
"Goodnight Miaka."
"Goodnight Taka."
The next morning Miaka woke up bright and early. She dressed quickly and went out into the living room and saw a funny sight. Chichiri, Mitsukake, Chiriko, and Keisuke were all snoring away either on the floor or the living room couches.
"Keisuke" she tapped her brother, "Wake up."
"C'mon mom" he grumbled, "Let me sleep a little more."
"Keisuke!"
"Ah!" he woke up with a start, "Miaka?"
"Where's Hotohori?"
"He's in my room. Why did you have to be so loud?" he yawned loudly.
"You let Hotohori sleep in your room?"
"He's royalty. I wasn't about to let him sleep on the couch."
"Oh Keisuke."
"It's early. What are you doing up?" he yawned again.
"I got to go to school remember?"
"Oh yea. Have a good day" he yawned one last time then flopped back to sleep.
She sighed and rolled her eyes. Then she gazed at her friends who were still sound asleep. She grabbed a note pad and wrote a quick note to her brother. She left it on the table then dashed out the door. The note said:
Hey Sleepyhead,
Don't forget to look after them today! Remember I'm counting on you.
Love,
Miaka
Miaka ran all the way to the bus stop where Yui was waiting with her school bag. She smiled as she approached.
"Morning Miaka" she said.
"Morning Yui. Where's Taka?"
"Oh I'm sure he'll be along soon."
They stood there in silence until Miaka spoke again.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"Not really. But I had a bodyguard last night so that helped."
"Body guard?"
"Yea" Yui giggled, "You won't believe it."
(Flashback: The Night before)
"Lady Yui! What are you doing?" Suboshi shouted.
"It's just so you can stay here for a little while. Mom won't get suspicious this way" Yui replied coming closer with a makeup kit.
"Anything but that."
"C'mon Suboshi don't be such a baby."
"Lady Yui. I protest."
"C'mon Suboshi hold still."
"Lady Yui!"
A few minutes later...
"There don't you look cute" Yui grinned holding up the mirror.
"Lady Yui" Suboshi frowned as the curly brown wig tickled the top of his head, "I don't want to look like a girl."
"It's the only way you can stay here Suboshi" Yui replied firmly, "Now what do you think?" she said holding the mirror to his face.
"Uhh" he grimaced then fainted.
"Suboshi?"
(Back)
Miaka giggled.
"My goodness Yui. He must have looked so cute with all the make-up."
"Yea he did" Yui grinned.
"Did it work with your mom?"
"She didn't even come home."
"Interesting."
"Good morning" Taka appeared with a smile.
"Taka?" Miaka replied.
"Good morning!" a cheerful voice said from behind them.
Miaka and Yui looked up and spotted Nuriko, completely dressed in his new uniform.
"Whoa" Yui's mouth dropped open.
"Nuriko it looks wonderful on you!" Miaka exclaimed.
"I must say, I do fit these clothes don't I?" Nuriko laughed.
"Well we had better get to school" Miaka said.
"Good idea" Yui replied, "Here comes the bus."
"Ooh what's that thing?" Nuriko said excitedly.
"You did explain about the bus didn't you?" Miaka looked at Taka.
"I forgot" Taka shrugged his shoulders.
"Nuriko please behave yourself."
"Oh all right. I'll keep my mouth shut. But boy won't Tasuki be jealous of me when he hears about this."
Miaka and Taka looked at each other as Nuriko followed Yui onto the bus. Taka took her hand and helped her on to the first step.
"After you Miaka" he smiled.
"Thank you Taka" she smiled back as she got on.
The four of them arrived at the gates of Yotsu Badai with an elated Nuriko. He had enjoyed the bus trip so much it was a bit hard to contain his enthusiasm. Taka was the last one to step off the bus.
"Okay this is it" Taka replied, "Nuriko I'm counting on you to look after the two of them."
"Don't worry about a thing Tamakins. I'll take good care of them," Nuriko said with a grin.
"And you" Taka turned to his girlfriend, "Try not to take any unnecessary risks okay?"
"I won't" she replied as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek, "C'mon Yui. Nuriko. Let's go."
The three of them walked inside the gates with Nuriko giving Taka a wink as he departed.
"May they be safe" Taka whispered.
Miaka and Yui walked to their lockers with Nuriko close behind.
"Yui you should go to class" Miaka instructed, "Nuriko is in my class so I will walk him there."
"Mhm" Yui nodded, "I'll see you later Nuriko."
"Bye" Nuriko waved as some girls eyed him, "She's not in your class?"
"Mnm" Miaka shook her head, "C'mon Nuriko."
"Miaka!" Naomi ran up to them.
"Naomi" Miaka said surprised and a bit afraid.
"Hi. It's been awhile since we last saw you. And who's you cute friend?"
"This is Nuriko. He's a new transfer student" Miaka replied.
"Hi" Nuriko grinned sheepishly.
"Wow. Is he in our class?" she whispered to Miaka.
"Yes he is" Miaka said slowly.
"Cool. Well see you there Nuriko. I have to tell the other girls," she giggled as she ran.
"See ya. Miaka you were so cold towards her" Nuriko replied turning to his friend.
"Well it's kind of a long story. C'mon Nuriko let's go to class" she said taking his hand.
Once inside the classroom Miaka and Nuriko noticed many of the students staring at them, whispering. Several of the girls giggled shyly as they passed.
"I guess Naomi spread the word" Miaka replied.
"I guess so" Nuriko nodded as they walked over to the desks and sat down, "So where is this Ren Shigyou person Miaka?"
"He's not here yet. Or maybe he won't show" Miaka said.
"Well we'll see won't we?"
"All right class take your seats" the teacher replied as he entered the room, "Where's Shigyou this morning?" he said as he gazed around the room.
"Ahem" someone coughed from the door, "Forgive me. I'm sorry that I am late" Ren replied strolling in.
"That's him," Miaka whispered to Miaka as Nuriko frowned.
"That's all right Mr. Shigyou, just please take your seat" the teacher said, "Well it seems we have a new student in our midst. Please stand up and introduce yourself."
"That's you Nuriko" Miaka replied as the other students waited.
"Oh all right" Nuriko said standing up and putting a hand to the back of his head, "My name is Nuriko and I am from China."
"Nuriko?" Ren's eyes raised, "One of the Suzaku seven."
"Thank you for choosing our school" the teacher replied, "Please be seated."
"Thank you" Nuriko sat back down as the girls continued to whisper.
"So far so good" Miaka thought, "And Ren has seen Nuriko too" she looked his way.
Ren stared angrily at the Suzaku warrior until he caught Miaka's eye. He smiled slightly at her but she turned her head forward, trying to ignore him.
"That was close," she thought.
Back at the Yuki residence, Hotohori, Chiriko, Mitsukake, and Chichiri were enjoying an morning of television. Keisuke was sitting on the couch with Miaka's note in his hand. He took a sip from his beer that was at his side and frowned.
"Miaka" he thought, "Please be careful."
On the roof of the apartment building a shadowy figure hovered about watching the crowded room. It smiled a sinister grin as it pulled a bright shiny dagger from under its belt.
Authors Note: Okay. Here is Part Two. I hope you enjoyed it. I loved the argument between Tasuki and Nuriko over the remote. Oh and the idea of Yui using Suboshi as a dress up doll. Don't you?
Next Chapter: Destruction Begins
Something sinister is going on at the school and Nuriko, Miaka, and Yui are caught up in the middle of it. Meanwhile a strange creature is stalking the remaining celestial warriors. Who is this strange creature? This and more answers in the next chapter!
