Miaka was suspended in the air by the bubble while the water filled in the room, surrounding the Suzaku seven. On the side was another bubble portraying a scene from the past.
"Why Hikou?" the Chichiri in the bubble said, "Why did you steal her from me?"
They saw a scene that Chichiri had described to Miaka once.
"Chichiri" she thought, "It's Chichiri."
"Tamahome can you move!" Nuriko called out struggling.
"No" Taka shook his head, "I can't move a muscle."
"This is the same water" Tasuki replied, "The same water that attacked me."
"I can't breathe" Chiriko said.
"Hikou!" Chichiri replied, "Stop this right now! Why are you doing this?" he repeated.
"You know the answer better than that Houjun" Hikou said angrily with his arms crossed, "Or do I have to refresh your memory!" he shouted sending a blast of water towards Chichiri.
"Ahh!" Chichiri yelled as he was hit directly in the stomach and flung back into a pillar, knocking him completely out.
"Chichiri!" Taka shouted.
"Chichiri!" Miaka called.
"Now you know how it feels" Hikou replied, "What it felt like the day I died. But I am going to do far worse to you Houjun. I will take everything that you care about away. The Priestess of Suzaku is coming with me."
"No Miaka!" Taka shouted reaching out to her.
"Taka!" she screamed as the bubble disappeared along with Hikou.
"MIAKA!"
(Next Scene)
Yui arose from her bed lightly as the thunder crashed outside. She was dripping with sweat. It had been two days since she had returned to Kutou and she still had hesitated to carry out her end of the bargain.
"Miaka" she thought, "Something's wrong with Miaka? I can feel it. But what is it? Why doI feel like this? Is it because I have her ring?" she looked down at her finger, "Where are you Miaka? What has happened to you?"
(Next Scene)
"Chichiri? Chichiri?" Chiriko called as he shook him, "He's not responding Mitsukake. Is he all right?"
"He's just unconscious" Mitsukake answered, "He'll be all right. We should take him back to the bandits hideout."
"Good idea" Tasuki agreed, "I'll get Koji and the others to help out" he dashed out the door.
"Nuriko, how's Tamahome doing?" Chiriko asked.
Nuriko sweat dropped, for Taka was still standing with his hand outstretched and a look of horror on his face.
"Oh he's still a basket case all right" Nuriko replied, "Tama? Tama dear snap out of it."
"Miaka" he gasped out not moving.
"TAMA!" Nuriko shouted making him fall over in shock, "Well that ought to do it" he grinned sheepishly.
(Next Scene)
Meanwhile Miaka's eyes fluttered open and she gazed at her surroundings. She was still in the bubble, floating in the air.
"Huh?" she said out loud that her voice echoed off the bubble, "Where am I? What is this place?"
"So you're finally awake" Hikou replied from where he was standing, "Priestess of Suzaku."
"Hikou?" she said, "Why are you doing this? Isn't Chichiri your best friend?"
"Best friend?" he scoffed, "Some best friend. You don't know the story do you? Perhaps I should reiterate it for you."
"I know the story."
"No you know his version."
"I don't care to hear your version" she replied angrily.
"Suit yourself. But you might as well get used to the fact that you and I will be spending sometime together. That is until your friends come to your rescue. And they will come I assure you."
"Why are you working for Tenkou" she asked, "What's in it for you?"
"That's easy. One I get my revenge on Houjun and two I get to be one of the four demon leaders."
"Demon leaders?"
"That's right. I control rain and draught. In the real world, your world, Tenkou wants me to put my skills to good use. It's so easy to manipulate the human heart. Tasuki has already demonstrated that skill quite well."
"Your evil! Do you know that? It doesn't matter what you say! I still believe in my friends! People are not so easily tricked as you think!"
"We'll see about that. Even now in your world I can control the weather through people's emotions, by using you as a medium it's even easier."
"You leave my friends and my family alone!" she shouted.
"My my Priestess, there's no need to get so upset" he grinned.
"Taka" she thought, "Chichiri."
(Next Scene)
"Tamahome you can not be serious?" Nuriko replied as they all waited in the room in which Chichiri was resting.
"Of course I am. Someone has to go after Miaka. I'm not just going to sit here and wait for something bad to happen to her" Taka said.
"But you don't even know where to start looking for her."
"That's right Tama" Tasuki added, "You don't even have to power to go after this guy."
"I don't care."
"Why don't we wait until Chichiri wakes up" Chiriko replied sitting by the bed, "He probably knows where Miaka is."
"That's probably a better idea" Mitsukake said with a nod.
Taka grumbled and turned his back, but then they heard stirring in the bed.
"I can't" Chichiri replied slowly, "I can't kill him."
"Chichiri?" Chiriko looked at him.
"I can't kill him. You saw. You saw what happened. All those years ago. My best friend betrayed me and stole the woman I love away from me. And I did the worst possible thing. Soon after the great flood came, and took everyone I love away with it. My family. My beloved. But with Hikou it's different. No" Chichiri shook his head, "I can't. I can't bring myself to kill him again. I can't" he turned his head.
"Chichiri" Nuriko looked at him sadly.
Mitsukake placed a hand over Chichiri's.
"Chichiri. I understand. I lost my family in the flood too. If not for Shoka I would be lost. But then I lost her twice and it was the Suzaku seven who gave me my strength back. We understand how you feel, but we all have a responsibility to Miaka and to Suzaku. It's hard. And it was hard for me to let go of Shoka the second time. But I did. I did it for the sake of the Priestess and for all of you."
"Chichiri" Taka replied, "Forgive me. For being so impatient. That is your strongest suite you know. You're our anchor and we need you. Everyone here is important. You all accepted me back in even though I am not Tamahome. Not the Tamahome you knew anyway. Just tell me where I can find them Chichiri and I won't ask anything else of you."
Chichiri sat up and looked at them.
"No. I will go. Mitsukake is right. I pledged myself to Miaka. I made her a promise. And I will not let her down."
"Chichiri" Nuriko said wiping tears from his eyes.
(Next Scene)
Hikou sat on a throne made of rock with his fingers to his lips.
"C'mon Houjun" he replied to himself, "I know you won't disappoint your Priestess or me. And when you come, you will seal your fate."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey Guys! Two more chapters will be up today!
Next Chapter: Reliving Memories
Chichiri Vs. Hikou
Not to mention Yui comes to a difficult decision.
