Part Two:

Takako stared at the man who stood before her now. She had never seen him before, but the weirdest thing, she knew him. He looked exactly as she had remembered all those years ago. How was it possible to know someone like him, when she never met him? Even though she was a reincarnation of Takiko Okuda, her feelings towards this man were the same. Nakago took a step forward and she shook her head.

"Don't come any closer" she replied.

"Takiko" he said.

"My name is not Takiko. It's Takako Eto. And I know who you are Nakago."

"Then you are a reincarnation of her?"

"Yes" Takako nodded, "Why did you save me?"

"Why do you think? What are you doing in here?"

"I'm trying to save my friends Miaka and Yui. But I can't get to them. There's too much fire in the way."

"I can help you with that" he said slowly and kindly.

"I don't want your help Nakago" she shook her head.

"But it's the only way that you will get in there in time."

"What do you mean?" she asked confused.

"They're in real trouble in there. Now will you let me help you or not?"

"If you can?" she finally nodded, "But I owe you nothing."

"I understand" he replied.

He closed his eyes and shot more life force into the air. The fire began to dissipate around them. As it got lower and lower, Takako took off running leaving Nakago behind.



"Yui" Miaka said.

"Miaka" Yui gasped, "I can't go much further."

"No haven't you noticed the fire is going down?"

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know but" Miaka started to say but then stopped.

"Miaka! Yui!" Takako yelled.

"It's Takako" Miaka smiled a bit in relief, "Takako we're over here!"

Takako spotted them and ran over immediately.

"You guys" she smiled, "You're all tied up."

"Yea. Do you think you can help us?" Miaka asked.

"Let's see, um" Takako pulled at the vines but to no avail, "I can't. You guys are so wrapped up."

"Well then maybe" Miaka suggested, "Takako look out!"

"Huh?" Takako looked to her left where vines were shooting her way.

She jumped out of the way just in time as the fake Yui appeared once more.

"What in the?" Takako looked at her in surprise.

"You shall not interfere" the fake replied.

"Okay" Takako replied, "Okay this is weird. Miaka, Yui what is going on?"

"It's a fake!" Miaka explained.

"A fake?"

"Yes it's uh" Miaka grimaced, "I can't breathe anymore."

"Takako you've got to break her vines off of her fingertips" Yui explained, "That's where the vines are attached."

"What?"

"She's right. Uh. Hurry!" Miaka urged.

"Okay" Takako nodded picking up a piece of wood that was lying nearby, "All right missy, time to take you out."

"I don't think so" another voice spoke behind her.

"Huh?"

"Takako behind you!" Yui shouted as another set of vines came her way.

Once again she managed to dodge them. As she caught her breath she saw the fake Miaka suddenly appear.

"There are two of them?"

"Yea" Miaka nodded, "A fake Yui and a fake me."

"And I'm supposed to fight both of them?" Takako held onto the wood.

"Just aim for their fingertips" Miaka replied, "Just like Yui said."

"Okay. I'll just go after one at a time. Starting with the fake Miaka."

"You can try" the fake Miaka grinned evilly, "But you'll lose" she chuckled.

"I think I like the real Miaka much better than this one" Takako thought as she charged forward.

She swung the piece of wood at the fingertips of the fake, but she jumped out of the way, still gripping onto Yui tightly with her vines.

"Hurry Takako" Yui grimaced as she was squeezed tighter.

"I'm going as fast as I can" she said, "Okay" she thought, "I have to use my brain with this one. Aiming for her fingertips is what she's going to be expecting. Plus I don't think this piece of wood is going to do much good" she examined it, "Unless" she broke it across her knee making it more pointed and deadly, "Now I've got it" she replied, "Ahh!" she screamed as she ran forward and acted like she was aiming for her fingers once again, "Got her" she smiled as the fake lunged at her, and at that moment she plunged the stake into the heart of the creature.

"Ahhh!" the fake Miaka screeched as blue blood oozed out of her body.

Takako stepped backwards as the vines loosened around Yui and the fake clutched at her heart.

"What have you done?" the creature screamed as it began to take on the shape of its original form.

"What?" Takako replied as Yui joined her at her side.

"It's a demon" Yui said, "That means the other one's a demon too. C'mon! Let's save Miaka!"

"Right!" Takako agreed running along with him.



From where he was Nakago listened to the sounds from inside the city. He sighed then began to walk, determined to come to Lady Yui and Takako's aid, if they needed it.



Yui and Takako surrounded the other fake as she clutched her vines tighter around Miaka. At this point Miaka could hardly even speak anymore. And her eyes were starting to get very blurry.

"Yui. Hurry" she managed to get out before she passed out completely.

"Takako!" Yui called, "Miaka has fainted."

"We have to hurry" Takako said as she ran forward charging the other demon with another stake.

Yui ran on the other side and while Takako distracted the demon, she tossed the stake to Yui and she plunged it into the creature. The demon screamed much like the other one and the vines became loose, making the unconscious girl who had been in them fall to the ground. Yui saw her land and rushed over with Takako not far behind.

"Miaka" she said as she held her head in her lap, "C'mon Miaka wake up. Wake up! C'mon."

"Yui" Miaka whispered but didn't open her eyes, "I'm okay. Don't worry."

"Oh Miaka" Yui had tears in her eyes, "Thank goodness you're okay."

Takako looked down at her as well. Yui glanced up at Takako for a moment and noticed that the demon she had just hit was coming after them again.

"Takako look out!" she yelled still holding onto Miaka.

But before Takako could react Nakago sent his blue life force straight at the creature, blasting into oblivion. Takako and Yui stared at him as he remained in his position his hand still outstretched.

"Nakago?" Yui replied astonished, "What are you doing here?"

"We don't have time for questions like that Lady Yui" Nakago said, "C'mon, I will show you the way out."

"Wait" Takako replied, "There is no way that we can carry Miaka out of here."

"I'll take her" Nakago said picking the tired girl up, making Yui completely stunned, "C'mon let's go" he began to walk fast out of the area with Yui and Takako at his heels.



"Ahh!" Ren yelled pulling at his hair, "Dammit what is the idiot thinking?"

"Calm down sir" Tomo grimaced as he flailed about.

Soi watched amused by his antics from the spot she was standing.

"This is not over" Ren said coming over to Tomo, "I want you to make it extremely difficult for them to escape from that place."

"Okay" Tomo replied hesitantly.

"Wait what are you going to do?" Soi asked starting to get worried coming over, "Don't listen to him Tomo. Nakago will never forgive you."

Suddenly a blast of purple life force came her way, knocking her off her feet and throwing her to the ground. She was now unconscious. Tomo watched in mortification.

"Do as I said" Ren replied dangerously.

"Yes sir" Tomo nodded as he turned back to the shell and closed his eyes.



Inside the illusion, fire was coming out once more and was stopping the group right in their tracks. Nakago looked in every direction but saw no opening. He turned to Yui and Takako.

"You two will have to go on with out me Lady Yui" he replied, "The exit is at the end of this road. In another mirror, like the one you were trapped behind."

"How did you know that?" Yui asked as Miaka was placed on her back.

"Trust me. I will hold back the fire so you can make your escape" he said as he stopped the fire pillar in front of them.

"Okay" Takako nodded, "Let's go Yui."

Yui nodded as well and shouldered Miaka down the street. Takako followed her after glancing back at Nakago briefly. He grinned slightly back then turned to the fire.

"Be careful," he thought, "Takiko."



Authors Note: Okay everyone! This one has three parts! Don't you love Nakago's sweet side? He's not the main villain in this one. Especially when it comes to Takiko or Takako in this case!

Next Chapter: Part Three

Miaka, Yui, and Takako are finally reunited with their warriors. But there is one thing left to do. Return to the book and find a way to take Ren along with them. How will they do it? Find out on the final part of this chapter!