Part Three:
Taka rose from where he had been lying. The sun was beginning to set and he clutched his side as he stood up.
"Miaka" he replied to himself, "Hang on. I'm coming" he moved slowly forward.
(Next Scene)
Miaka collapsed on the bed as Tasuki said a few more words to the owner. The owner left and Tasuki closed the door.
"Oh my. I think I drank too much. There wasn't any alcohol in that, was there Tasuki?" she asked.
"Uh no. I don't think so" he lied again closing the windows.
"Good because otherwise my mother will kill me," she grinned sitting up, "When did you say that Taka and the others would be here?"
"Soon" he replied shortly, "In the meantime, get some rest."
"Oh I couldn't sleep," she said as he sat down next to her.
"Is there something on your mind Miaka?" he asked.
"No not really" she shook her head, "Nothing I want to talk about right now anyway."
"I see."
"Thank you for being such a good friend Tasuki" Miaka smiled, "I think I'll go wait for Taka and the others downstairs" she began to stand up but he pulled her hand back.
"What's your hurry Miaka?" he said, "They'll be here soon."
"I know but they won't know where to find us. One of us should go downstairs" she stood completely up but Tasuki wrapped himself around her, "Tasuki what are you doing?" she asked in surprise and fear.
"There's no hurry Miaka" he replied pulling her down and getting on top of her, "Just relax."
"Tasuki what are you doing?" she struggled, "Get off of me!" she yelled, "This isn't like you! You're not like this at all!"
"You're right I'm not" he looked at her directly in the eye, "I hate girls right? I've always hated girls. But it was never that way with you Miaka. And I never thought of you that way. You're Miaka. That's all" he leaned down and kissed her passionately.
"Mmm" she struggled as he began to pull at her clothes undressing her, "Tasuki stop! Stop it please!" she cried out.
"It's all right Miaka" he embraced her tight, "I'm not going to let him hurt you any more. You won't have to suffer or cry anymore" he stopped when he heard her sobbing.
He looked at her and saw the tears flowing down her face.
"Why are you crying?" he asked, "I told you it would be all right!"
Suddenly the door flung open. Tasuki looked back angrily.
"This room is occupied! Get out!" he shouted.
Taka's figure appeared in the doorway.
"Get away from Miaka" he said dangerously, "Get away from her!" he shouted.
"Taka!" Miaka screamed as Tasuki stood up, pushing her down in the process and kicked him out of the room, making him hit the banister by the stairs.
"How dare you follow me here" he frowned as he grabbed Miaka and pressed her tighter against him.
"Something's the matter with you Tasuki" Taka grimaced, "Let her go!"
"Shut up!" Tasuki growled as he kicked him down the stairs.
Taka landed at the bottom of them in a heap.
"Taka!" Miaka shouted.
"Be quiet!" Tasuki ordered her, "You've got a lot of nerve following me!" he said to Taka as he stood, "You a pathetic weakling whose power is weak and not what it once was."
"You're right" Taka nodded as he slowly climbed the steps, "I am pathetic. And I'm not as powerful as Tamahome was. But, I love Miaka. That hasn't changed and never will. And the truth is I'm not the one making her sad right now Tasuki. You are. You're the one she is afraid of right now."
Tasuki stared at him in surprise but then he kicked him once more, only knocking him a little ways down the steps this time.
"Don't you tell me what is going on?" Tasuki shouted, "I know what is going on?"
"Tasuki" Miaka whispered as Taka struggled to get back up again, "I understand now. I'm sorry I cry and it bothers you to see it. But I can't help it. That's the way girls are made. They cry when they're happy and when they're sad. They cry over the ones they love. That's how I am put together. You see?"
Tasuki stared at her and took a step back as Taka joined her at her side.
"No" he shook his head, "I won't do it."
"Tasuki?" Taka replied.
"I won't do it" he grabbed his fan and placed it into the ground, "I won't hurt my friends anymore!" the fan became a blaze around him, and he was surrounded by flames.
"Tasuki!" Miaka cried as Taka grabbed her and they fell down the steps.
"Tasuki!" Taka yelled as they watched the flames engulf the steps them.
"Tasuki no!" Miaka called out.
"Miaka!" Nuriko shouted as he, Chiriko and Chichiri ran over.
"Nuriko" she panicked, "Tasuki!"
"Don't worry Miaka" Nuriko reassured her, "Look. He got to him in time."
From out of the smoke Mitsukake came carrying Tasuki who was unconscious.
"Mitsukake!" Miaka exclaimed as she ran over.
"You saved him," Taka added.
"He'll be all right Miaka" Mitsukake nodded his head, "He'll come to any time now."
Sure enough Tasuki's eyes began to flutter open. Miaka embraced him tightly while Taka placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Miaka? Tama? What's going on?"
(Next Scene)
"I WHAT!" Tasuki's cry could be heard throughout the area, "Please tell me your kidding?"
"Not exactly" Taka replied with his hands behind his head.
Tasuki began to bow over and over to Miaka and Taka making them blush in embarrassment. Meanwhile Chichiri was gazing around the area with a frown on his face.
"What's the matter Chichiri?" Nuriko asked.
"Something's not right here you know" Chichiri explained, "I could feel it before. Tasuki" he turned to the bandit.
"Yea" Tasuki stopped the bowing and looked up.
"Could you tell me what happened before you blacked out?"
"Uh sure. One moment. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Forgive me" he bowed once more to Taka and Miaka.
"We already did Tasuki" Taka said exasperated, "Just answer his question."
"Okay. I had spotted Miaka in the woods and decided to leave her alone. As I was walking back to the hideout I noticed water suddenly surround me and then I couldn't breathe. And that's when I blacked out."
"Water huh?" Chichiri put a finger to his lips as water began to flow into the room from under the crack of the door.
"What are you thinking Chichiri?" Chiriko asked.
"I'm not sure" he replied.
Suddenly the water flowed in and they were surrounded by it. Miaka was pulled away from the rest of them in a huge bubble.
"Taka!" she cried out.
"Miaka!" he called back reaching for her but he couldn't.
Above them in the air a man appeared adorned with large bat like wings. He smiled at Chichiri who frowned when he saw him.
"I knew I felt something. It's you Hikou!"
"It's been awhile Houjin" the man replied, "Or should I say Chichiri of the Suzaku seven?"
"What are you doing here Hikou? Why are you doing this?" Chichiri demanded.
"I'm simply carrying out the orders of my master" Hikou answered, "Tenkou!"
(Next Scene)
Yui arrived back in Kutou and said a brief hello to Soi and Tomo. Then she walked to Nakago's chamber where she was sure she would find him. She knocked on the door once.
"Come in" he called.
Yui entered in and peered in at him.
"Lady Yui?" he said in surprise with eyes wide.
"Nakago I've returned" she replied leaning against the door as she shut it, "This is the only way" she thought as she looked at the ring on her finger, "Miaka, forgive me" she closed her eyes, "Tetsuya."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Well that's it for now! I hope you enjoyed this long update. I might try to get some more done tomorrow, but if not you will see more on Monday, Thursday and Friday of next week because Tuesday and Wednesday they are doing maintenance on the website! See you then!
Next Chapter: Hikou's Plan
The Third demon leader has made his appearance! What is his connection to Chichiri and how will he and the Suzaku seven stop him and save Miaka? Find out next time!
