Book Five: Journey Almost Complete

Chapter One: Miru makes her Move

Ren knelt before Tenkou's throne with his head bent down. Once Tenkou had returned, the atmosphere felt uneasier. At least to Hikou and Miru.

"What is you wish of me Master?" Ren replied, "All you have to do is ask."

Tenkou paused then turned his golden slitted eyes toward his servant.

"The Priestess of Suzaku and Tamahome are still together aren't they?"

"Yes sir. We have tried many ways to separate them, but to no avail. But do not worry Master I still have a plan. One that was put into play a long time ago."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I have sent Miru to Sairou, where I know they will be headed next."

"Have they found the stones yet?"

"No" Ren shook his head with a smile, "And they won't. Once Tamahome is separated from Miaka for good, there's no way they will be able to perform the ceremony even if they do find the stones."

"And I also suppose that Nakago did not agree?"

"He is very obstinate Master. So much to the point that he's even agreeing now to join the rest of them."

"We must not let that happen Ren? There has to be a way."

"At the moment, I do not know of one. But I will find a way. I promise."

"Good" Tenkou nodded, "I am also sending you to Sairou Ren. To make sure Miru does not fail in your plan. If she does she will be severely punished."

"Yes sir" he nodded with his eyes a bit wide.

"I am still weak. Separate those two immediately!"

"I will do as you ask Master" Ren bowed.

(Next Scene)

Miaka walked into Hotohori's room and gazed at the small mirror that he had led her to. Earlier that evening Chichiri had gathered all the warriors and her in the throne room to inform them that Tenkou had been revived. Taitskuyn herself had revealed it to him. Miaka felt no other choice but to go to Sairou to find the Byakko seven. Also she would have to get in contact with Yui and Takako in Hokkan. To do this Hotohori had suggested the mirror, which he had used when they were on their journey to the other countries previously. Chichiri himself had handed the other mirror to Amiboshi when they last parted. Miaka sat on the stool and gazed into the mirror.

"Yui!" she called, "Yui can you hear me?"

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile Yui sat in Nakago's room in a chair along with him and her warriors. She was completely distraught because she had lost Miaka's ring, and Nakago had told her that Tenkou was revived, so she now blamed herself. While Suboshi tried to soothe her, Amiboshi pulled out the small mirror because he heard something.

"Lady Yui" he replied holding it up.

"What is it?" she asked tearfully.

"I think Miaka is trying to get a hold of you."

"What? What is that?"

"It's a mirror that Chichiri gave me so you could keep in contact with Miaka. Here" he handed it to her, "I think she's trying to talk to you."

Yui gazed at her reflection in the mirror, a bit wary at first. But then she took a deep breath and spoke.

"Miaka. I'm here."

"Yui" Miaka's face appeared, "It's so good to see you again."

"Oh Miaka" Yui smiled somewhat, "It's good to see you too."

"Are you all right? You don't look all right."

"Oh Miaka. I've done something terrible."

"What do you mean Yui?"

"I lost your ring, and now I'm certain that Tenkou is revived."

"So you know about that?"

"Miaka aren't you mad at me? Tamahome gave you that ring."

"Oh Yui. It's just a ring. I told you that before. I'm just glad to see that you're all right."

"Thank you Miaka" Yui replied relieved, "Is Taka doing better?"

"Yes he's fine."

"And, you're all right?"

"Yes of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"No reason. Miaka what are we going to do?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Yui, if Tenkou has been revived, it doesn't mean he has his full strength. We need to now more than ever find those stones. The Suzaku seven and I are heading towards Sairou, by way of Chichiri's cape so we can get there faster. Are all your warriors with you?"

"Yes."

"Good. I think you should go to Hokkan to get the Genbu seven and then meet us in Sairou."

"And then what Miaka? What about the stones?"

"It's obvious that they were no where around Kutou or Konan. Or even Hokkan. Sairou must be where they are."

"You're probably right" Yui nodded.

"Yui. Don't worry about the ring. Or Tenkou. Just concentrate on getting to Hokkan. I have to go now. We don't have much time."

"Okay Miaka. Be careful."

"I will" Miaka nodded, "I will see you in Sairou Yui" her image disappeared.

Yui held onto the mirror for a few moments then stood up.

"Lady Yui" Suboshi replied as Amiboshi also gazed at her, "Are we going to do as she asks?"

"I don't know" Yui turned around, "Nakago what do you say?"

Nakago stared back at her while the other warriors waited for an answer.

"Nakago?" Soi looked at him.

Nakago walked up to Yui and looked at her directly in the eye.

"I say, whatever the Priestess says, I will follow."

Yui smiled in relief. Soi and Tomo joined him at his side.

"Well then I'm with you Nakago" Tomo replied.

"Me too" Soi added.

"All right then" Yui said, "We're going to Hokkan."

(Next Scene)

Miaka found Taka and the others waiting for her in the great hall. Tasuki and Nuriko smiled as she entered in.

"Were you able to get in contact with Yui?" Hotohori asked.

"Yes" Miaka nodded, "She and her warriors are going to Hokkan, so I don't need to tell Takako that they are coming."

"Even Nakago?" Taka said.

"Apparently so. Hotohori are you coming with us?" she replied in surprise when she saw the clothes he was wearing.

"Yes" Hotohori said, "I have already told Houki that I am going. She will look after everything here till I return."

"Well what are we waiting for" Nuriko replied with a smile, "This time I actually get to see Sairou."

"It's not that big of a deal" Tasuki said with his arms crossed, "Ready Chichiri?"

"Yep" Chichiri nodded, "Everyone get on the cape."

"Chichiri" Miaka replied as she got on next to Taka, "Where about's in Sairou will this thing land."

"I'm not sure you know," he said with a smile, "But it will definitely land us in Sairou."

"That's better than nothing" Taka replied holding Miaka around the waist.

"Here we go" he tapped the cape with his staff, and then jumped in after, making them all completely disappear.

(Next Scene)

The cape landed them exactly on the outskirts of the city. They all gazed around their surroundings.

"Wow" Nuriko breathed in the air, "Hot place."

"So Tama" Tasuki put a hand on his shoulder, "You remember the way to your Master's little Ghost."

"Tasuki" Taka put up a fist.

"Master?" Nuriko replied interrupting them.

"That's right" Miaka nodded, "Tamahome's Master was one of the Byakko seven."

"You don't say" Nuriko said quite impressed.

"Well, do you remember Tamahome?" Hotohori asked.

"I think so" Taka scratched his head.

"Well even if you don't remember," Chichiri replied, "I can pick up their life force you know."

"Well let's get into the city," Tasuki said leading the way.

Taka and Miaka walked behind everyone. Taka stopped suddenly and clutched at his chest.

"Taka what's the matter?" Miaka looked back in concern while the others continued to walk.

"I just felt something just now" he said.

"What is it?"

"I don't know. I've never felt anything like that before. It's probably nothing. Let's just keep going."

(Next Scene)

From where she stood Miru watched them enter the city. Her long purple hair flowed behind her as the wind blew and she held onto a chain that was around her neck. The pendent on the chain was in a shape of a man and was clear. Inside the glass pendent, was blood.

"That's it Tamahome" Miru replied with an evil smile, "Soon you'll be feeling the real effects of my spell. That demon was only the beginning. By the end of this, you won't even recognize yourself" she chuckled.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note:

Next Chapter: Lost in a Spell

Miru uses her blood doll to get Taka to kill Miaka!