Chapter Three: Lost in a Spell

That evening after a small meal Miaka and Suzuna went to take a bath together. They talked about their life back home and Miaka found her to be a thoroughly charming and delightful girl.

"You know to tell you the truth" Suzuna replied, "I have been very excited to meet you."

"Why is that?" Miaka asked.

"Takako told me all about you and the Priestess of Seiryuu. I also have Suzuno's memories inside of my head. Tatara told her everything about you. How brave you were and everything."

"Oh I'm not that brave" Miaka blushed.

"I think you don't give yourself that much credit," Suzuna said in a soft-spoken voice, "When Takiko Okuda summoned the beast god she was devoured by it. And so was the Priestess of Seiryuu. But Suzuno and you were not. That's because you two were strong willed and not afraid."

"The truth is Suzuna" Miaka replied with a smile, "I was afraid. I was terrified. But I knew that I would be safe as long as I had my warriors to protect me. And I had Tamahome. Just like Suzuno Osugi had Tatara. Tell me do you have any lingering feelings for him?"

"Well I don't know" Suzuna said, "I mean I have only been here for a week. But I do feel some sort of strange to connection to him whenever he looks at me. It feels warm and scary all at the same time. I'm not sure why" she paused, "But it could be because I don't know why I am involved in this. I mean Takako is the one who is related to Suzuno Osugi not me."

"What? She is?"

"That's right. Takako is related to both Suzono Osugi and Takiko Okuda. So it makes sense that she is a Priestess. But me I am just an outsider. I am not even sure why I am here."

"I don't know" Miaka shook her head, "But whatever the reason, it's important. You're just as important as the rest of us Suzuna. Don't forget that."

Suzuno smiled as Miaka closed her eyes and leaned her head back.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile Taka was gazing at the stars on one of the verandas. Tokaki found him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Master?" Taka replied surprised.

"Are you all right Tamahome?" he asked, "You look a little pale this evening."

"I'm okay. I guess I'm just tired."

"You also look like something's on your mind. Care to tell me what it is?"

"I don't know" Taka said with his head bent a little, "It's strange but I sometimes feel so out of place."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean. I don't belong here. As much as I try to convince myself that I do, I still feel this way. I'm not a warrior. I am not as strong as Tamahome was. I can't protect Miaka the way he did. And I hate that."

"I wouldn't dwell on it."

"But I do" Taka replied, "Constantly" he smiled, "It feels weird to say this. But it's like I think I'm not worthy of her. That I can't love her as much as he did. It's like I'm jealous of him. But that's silly. How can you be jealous of someone who you are?"

"Listen" Tokaki said with a smile, "I've known you a long time little Ghost."

"Master" Taka growled.

Tokaki chuckled.

"You may be, Taka is it?"

"Yes."

"You may be a different person, but you're still you. And you have every right to love her. Tamahome you did something I never thought possible. You surpassed time and space itself to be with her. You have no idea what an amazing thing that is to me. Don't give up. Don't ever give up. Miaka doesn't see you as Tamahome. She sees you as the man she loves right?"

"Right" Taka agreed with a smile.

"Now go to her" Tokaki said, "And quell your fears."

"Thanks Master" Taka replied as he departed.

(Next Scene)

Taka began to sprint towards the house, but then his chest started to throb again. He fell to his knees and clutched it tightly as he seethed with pain.

"Tamahome" Miru called, "Come and find me if you want the answers to your pain."

"Who's there?" he gasped, "Where are you?"

"Come towards the entrance of the house."

Taka struggled to stand, still holding his chest as he stumbled out the door. He fell and found himself face to face with her. Miru gazed down at him while he gasped yet again.

"You? You're the one from the real world?"

"That's right Tamahome" she replied cynically, "And now I have control over you."

"What?"

"Do you see this doll?" she held up the pendent, "This is your blood. The blood that flowed from your wound when I bit your ear. And now I will use it to separate you and Miaka."

"What are you saying?"

"Now patience. Ah" she thought with a smile, "I know the perfect way for you to lose your memories. I will send you to kill her."

She pressed the doll and Taka put his hands to his head and screamed. Then his face became placid and unfocused.

"Kill her" Miru said, "Kill the Priestess of Suzaku."

(Next Scene)

Miaka ran from room to room searching for Taka. She stopped at the main hall and bumped into Subaru.

"Subaru have you seen Taka, oh I mean Tamahome anywhere?"

"Tokaki was talking to him earlier. He's somewhere around here."

"Thank you" Miaka replied with a smile as she left.

(Next Scene)

In their room Chichiri suddenly looked up. Chiriko looked over as Hotohori polished his holy sword.

"Chichiri what's wrong?" Chiriko asked.

"Something strange is going on" he replied, "I sense a life force you know."

"Perhaps it's the Genbu seven or the Seiryuu seven? Hotohori suggested.

"No it's not them. It's someone else. But I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Hey where's Tama and Miaka any way" Tasuki asked with his hands behind his head.

"Probably just spending some time alone" Nuriko replied, "They haven't had a chance to do that in awhile."

"We should leave them alone," Chiriko said.

"Yea" Chichiri nodded with a frown, "But I'll keep my guard up just the same you know."

(Next Scene)

Miaka ran into the courtyard in search of Taka.

"Taka! Taka where are you?"

"Miaka" Taka appeared.

"Oh Taka" she replied relieved, "There you are. I was so worried about you" she ran to embrace him.

"I'm all right Miaka" he said holding on to her with the same placid look on his face, "Miaka let's go for a walk. Just the two of us."

"Really?"

"Yea there's something I want to talk to you about."

"Okay" she nodded taking his hand, "Let's go."

(Next Scene)

Miaka and Taka left the house and the property and wandered out to the far end of the city, which was quite deserted. It was still close enough to the house though.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Miaka asked.

"Nothing really. I just wanted to spend some time with you. We haven't had a chance to do that since we got here."

"You're right about that" she nodded with a smile, "With everything that has been going on with you and me, we haven't had a quiet moment to ourselves. I really do miss not spending time with you. You know like we did in our world" she embraced him, "I wish that this was all over."

"Me too" Taka said pulling a dagger from out of his sleeve, "Miaka I have to say something to you."

"What is it?"

"I love you and I hope you can forgive me?"

"Forgive you for what?"

He suddenly pushed her away with the dagger raised. Miaka stared back in shock as she stumbled back. Taka was coming toward her with the weapon.

"Taka" she gasped, "What are you doing?"

"I must kill you" he replied raising the dagger even higher.

"What?" she looked at his face, "Stop it Taka! Something is wrong. You're under some kind of spell. Snap out of it! Taka!" she screamed.

(Next Scene)

From where they sat Tasuki and Nuriko jumped up. Hotohori and the others followed them out of the room. They had heard Miaka's terrified screams. When Tasuki and Nuriko arrived they saw the horrifying scene before them. Taka was leering over Miaka as she was on the ground holding her hands together in terror. Tasuki drew out his fan to separate them.

"Reka Shian!" he shouted as the flames made a separating line between the two, after he ran over, "Tama what are you doing?"

Nuriko ran over to Miaka and shielded her from Taka's view. Tasuki tried to snap Taka out of it, but he pushed him out of the way.

"Don't interfere," he snarled walking towards Nuriko and Miaka.

"Tamakins" Nuriko called, "Stop this! What's the matter with you?" he ran forward to try and stop him.

"Be careful Nuriko" Tasuki gasped as he stood back up, "He's a lot stronger than he was before."

"He may be stronger" Nuriko grinned, "But am still the strongest one here" they locked their hands, "Tama you have to snap out of it!"

Taka threw all his weight into Nuriko and hit him in the back of the head, making him drop to his knees.

"Stay out of it. You're not the one I'm after" he once again moved towards Miaka.

"No Tama" Nuriko begged as Tasuki and he tried to move.

But for some reason they couldn't. Taka kept moving towards Miaka who was now on the edge of a cliff. Miru stood on small hillside watching the whole scene with much amusement. She was still holding onto the doll.

"That's it Tamahome" she replied, "Kill the one you love more than anything. Then you will lose your memories."

Taka raised the dagger again and prepared to strike, while Miaka backed up as far as she could, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"No Taka" she cried.

But she stepped back too far, and before he had time to strike she had fallen off.

"Ahhh!"

"Miaka!" Tasuki and Nuriko both screamed out her name as she disappeared.

"You bastard!" Tasuki yelled at Taka, "How could you do that?" he found his strength and stood up preparing to tackle him.

"Tasuki stop!" Nuriko grabbed him around the waist.

"What are you doing?" Tasuki yelled, "Get off of me! We have to save Miaka. She fell into the river below."

"But look at Tama's face" Nuriko pointed.

Tasuki looked and was just as surprised as Nuriko at the sight before him. Taka still had the dagger raised but he was completely still. Tears were falling down his face even if he didn't have any expression in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he began to fall, "Miaka" one lone tear slid down his face as he collapsed to the ground.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Hey Guys! I am going to try to get four more done tonight!

Next Chapter: Discovering the Temple of the Four Gods