Part Two:
Tetsuya took the book from Keisuke who had fallen asleep from reading the last passage. He slowly opened the page and read from where he was certain, Keisuke had left off.
"The Priestess of Suzaku rushed back to the bandits hideout and explained her idea to the other warriors" then Tetsuya stopped, "Where's Yui I wonder?" he thought.
(Next Scene)
"Are you sure about this Miaka?" Nuriko asked.
"I'm positive" Miaka nodded, "It'll work won't it Mitsukake?"
"It's a possibility Priestess" Mitsukake replied, "But it's also a very dangerous thing, especially for you."
"I'm willing to take that risk. It's for Taka's sake after all."
"All right" he nodded, "We'll do it."
"What do the rest of us have to do?" Tasuki asked still holding onto his arm.
"The rest of us will try to hold him down while Miaka sucks out the poison."
"Koji" Tasuki replied, "Go and get some of the other guys. We're going to need their help."
"You got it Genrou" Koji said leaving the room.
"All right, everyone hold him down" Mitsukake replied.
"I don't know about this Mitsukake" Taka shook his head, "I don't want Miaka to get hurt."
"It's okay Taka" Miaka said, "I'll be all right."
"Now grip everyone" Mitsukake replied as the four other men with Koji joined, Nuriko and Tasuki, "Chichiri you and I will use our life force to help Miaka."
"Right" Chichiri nodded pulling out his staff.
"I'll hold onto his feet" Chiriko said grabbing them.
"You ready Miaka?" Mitsukake looked at her.
"Mhm" she nodded.
"Tamahome?"
"Yes" Taka grimaced.
"Now!" he shouted and they all began.
Miaka began to suck on his ear while he struggled and flailed about. Koji, the bandits, Nuriko, Tasuki, and Chiriko did what they could to hold him down. Miaka spit out the virus and it landed on the floor. Suddenly it started to grow.
"Tasuki now!" Nuriko shouted.
"Reka Shian!" Tasuki yelled throwing his flames towards the demon.
It disappeared into the smoke, turning to ashes.
"Taka are you all right?" she asked coming closer to him.
"Miaka" he stroked her face with the palm of his hand, "Thank you."
"Taka" she embraced him as the tears fell down her face.
(Next Scene)
Tetsuya grinned as he wiped a few tears from under his glasses. Suddenly Keisuke sat up.
"Hey sleepy head" Tetsuya grinned, "You'll be happy to know that Taka's all right now."
"He is? That's good" Keisuke replied a bit tired still, "What are you doing with that?" he said a bit alarmed when he realized he had the book.
"You were asleep so I took it back."
"Well give it back to me" Keisuke grabbed for the book.
"Okay. Okay. Okay. If you really want it. Here" Tetsuya handed him the book.
"Thank you" Keisuke sighed in relief.
"I'm going to go get a drink. Do you want anything?" he stood up and stretched.
"A beer would be good" Keisuke replied.
"Okay. You keep reading and tell me what happens when I get back" Tetsuya said, "I need to go by my apartment and get a shower and a change of clothes anyway. I'll pick up the beer on my way back over."
"Okay. Take your time."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Go!"
"I'm going. Man you're acting weird" Tetsuya replied putting on his jacket and walking out the door.
"That was close" Keisuke sighed turning back to the book, "Let's see. With the help of the bandits, the Priestess of Suzaku was able to draw the demon from Tamahome's body. Afterwards he thanked everyone and once again fell asleep. The next morning he had breakfast with everyone, only the Priestess was absent. I wonder where she is?" Keisuke thought.
(Next Scene)
Taka joined the others in the bandits dining hall and discussed the latest events. Miaka had her breakfast previously and had gone off for a walk. Taka decided to go after her and walked out of the hall. But when he got outside he changed his mind. He walked into the courtyard instead and decided to think. He sat near the small well that was there and placed his head on his knees.
Miaka meanwhile was also sitting staring at the trees as the wind blew around her. She had decided earlier that morning that she would leave Taka and the others to think; on her own about what had been happening. She thought about Yui and her mission. She wondered if she was all right.
Nuriko and Tasuki left the dining hall and walked outside. Tasuki noticed Taka in the courtyard.
"What do you think he's doing there?" Tasuki replied, "I thought he went to look for Miaka?"
"Maybe he wanted to leave her alone for awhile" Nuriko suggested, "How about you go look for her? I'll go talk to Tama."
"All right. I just don't get it" Tasuki replied to himself walking towards the woods.
(Next Scene)
Nuriko walked over and leaned over Taka.
"Tamakins. What's the matter?"
"Nuriko" he looked up, "I'm nothing but trouble."
"What do you mean by that?" Nuriko asked sitting next to him.
"I mean. Ever since we came here. First it was the memory things, now that woman infected me. Miaka's been through so much because of me."
"Yea but she loves you Tama. And it's worth it to her. You love her too don't you?"
"Of course I do."
"Then I don't see the trouble. You're meant to be together Tamahome. That much is certain. And no matter who tries to tear you two apart they never seem to do that do they?"
"No. You're right. But Miaka. She has suffered so much because of this."
"And you haven't suffered at all? C'mon Tamahome. You know Miaka better than that. You know that she will stick by you no matter what. You should stop sulking and go search for her. You both need to talk."
"You know what? You're right" Taka grinned, "You're a good friend Nuriko."
"Ah ah ah. I'm a good big brother" Nuriko smiled.
"That's right" Taka said standing up, "You are like my big brother. I'm going to go find Miaka now" he took off running.
"Good boy" Nuriko smiled and stood up, "These young pups" he shook his head, "So many things to teach them."
(Next Scene)
Tasuki spotted Miaka sitting against the tree. He watched as a few tears ran down her face and she wiped them away. He frowned as he leaned behind his own tree.
"She's crying. Damn Tamahome" he thought, "Why does he always make her cry?" he began to walk away from the tree, "I'd better leave her alone."
He walked and didn't feel the water creeping up his body until it was too late.
"What the? Hey!" he shouted as the water engulfed him.
(Next Scene)
"Miaka!" Taka called, "Miaka where are you?"
Tasuki appeared in front of him with an angry look on his face.
"Oh Tasuki" Taka ran up to him, "Have you seen Miaka anywhere?"
"No I haven't seen Miaka at all" Tasuki replied in a low voice.
Suddenly he hit Taka across the face. Taka landed on the ground and looked at his friend in surprise.
"Tasuki what are you doing? We're friends aren't we?"
"Friends? Why would I want to be friends with someone who makes her cry huh?"
"What? What are you talking about?" Taka stood up but Tasuki kicked him back down.
"You make me sick" Tasuki stood over him, "You do nothing but hurt her. And then you have the gall to say you love her."
"But I do love her" Taka replied as Tasuki kicked him three times.
"You're nothing like the Tamahome she once loved" Tasuki pulled him up by his hair, "You're not even Tamahome, you're Taka. Who is that? That's nobody do you understand? You're nothing."
"Tasuki" Taka gasped, "Why are you doing this?"
"Shut up!" Tasuki kicked him in the stomach and punched him into the ground; "I'm going to stop you from ever hurting her again. Do you hear me? I am going to protect her from you. You weakling. She'd be better off with a real man. So stay down" he struck him again, "And don't interfere" he walked away leaving Taka barely able to move.
"Miaka" he gasped out before passing out.
(Next Scene)
Back at the hideout Chichiri suddenly looked into the air as he, Mitsukake, and Chiriko sat in one of the rooms.
"What is it Chichiri?" Chiriko asked.
"I don't know you know. I feel a strange prescience. It could be my imagination."
Nuriko suddenly came in followed closely by Koji.
"Hey you guys have you seen Tama or Miaka anywhere?" Nuriko asked.
"No" Chichiri said.
"Genrou is missing too" Koji added, "None of the boys have seen him."
"I don't like this" Nuriko replied, "Too many people missing."
"I agree" Chichiri said, "We should go search for them you know."
"Let's split up" Koji suggested.
"Besides" Chichiri thought, "There's something not right."
(Next Scene)
Miaka and Tasuki sat down at the small table and he ordered some food and drinks. They had come to a inn not far from the badit hideout. The food arrived and Miaka took a bite.
"So what are we doing here Tasuki?" Miaka asked.
"I thought it would be a good place to take you to get you away from all of those men" he replied, "Tama and the others will be here soon. Then we can go back to the palace."
"Did you say goodbye to Koji and the others?" she said, "Oh this is good" she replied as she took a sip of the sake.
"Of course I did" he lied, "You stay here and eat your food. I'll be right back" he stood up.
"Okay" she nodded.
Tasuki walked over to the owner of the bar.
"Is everything to your liking sir?" the man replied.
"Yea" Tasuki nodded with a grin, "I also need one other thing. I need the best room you got in the place."
"Of course sir, bit that would cost you even more money."
"How about it doesn't cost me a dime?"
"Excuse me?"
"I'm sure you're familiar with the bandits of Mt. Reikaku right?" Tasuki grinned evilly.
The man choked and handed him the key.
"Here you are sir" he gulped, "Enjoy your stay."
"Thank you" Tasuki walked back to the table, "I intend to."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Again another one that ran too long. It's a three parter! The next part will be much shorter however!
Next Chapter: Will Taka and the others get to Miaka in time!
