It took Tasuki and Nuriko a few seconds to come to their senses and actually move again. Nuriko ran to Taka's side while Tasuki dashed towards the edge of the cliff.
"Uh Nuriko" he replied in a surprised tone.
"What is it Tasuki?" Nuriko asked looking up.
"Miaka's not down there. I mean she's not alone."
"What do you mean?"
Tasuki didn't have time to answer, for from over the cliff climbing, carrying Miaka in his outstretched arms was Namame of the Genbu seven. Hotohori and the others arrived just at that moment, equally stunned by their presence.
"Hey how did you get here?" Tasuki replied.
"You're lucky we got here when we did" Namame said, "Or the Priestess would have been a goner."
He carried Miaka over to Nuriko who was leaning over Taka. The other warriors appeared as well as Yui. She rushed over to Miaka's side when she saw her.
"Miaka!" she called, "Miaka wake up!"
Miaka's eyes fluttered open and she looked around her at the faces that were staring back at her.
"Tasuki. Nuriko. Namame. And Yui chan" she replied in surprise when she saw her, "You made it?"
"Yes Miaka I'm here. Are you all right?"
"I think so" Miaka said, "Wait a second. Nuriko where is Taka? Where is he?" she sat up straight in alarm.
"He's right here Miaka" Nuriko replied as she jumped from Namame's arms and ran to Taka's side.
"Taka!" she called, "Taka speak to me. What happened to him?"
"We don't know Miaka" Tasuki said, "He just suddenly fainted after you fell off the cliff."
"Taka!" she called.
"No!" they heard a woman shout.
(Next Scene)
They all lifted their heads and saw on one of the hills nearby, Soi of the Seiryuu seven and Uruki of the Genbu seven confronting an angry Miru, who's doll had just been smashed. Taka's blood was spilling all over the place.
"Now you can't do your little trick" Uruki hissed as she held an arrow in her bow aimed directly at her.
"And don't try to escape us" Soi added holding out her hand which was bursting with her lightening power.
"It doesn't matter anyway" Miru replied, "Even if the Priestess of Suzaku isn't dead, I still succeeded in my mission. Tamahome has completely lost his memories."
"What?" Yui stood up with an angry look while Miaka listened in continuing to hold onto Taka's hand.
"Because it was Tamahome I was controlling you see" Miru continued, "And it was Tamahome who attacked the Priestess of Suzaku and believed her to be dead. Therefore Tamahome is the one who is in despair, not Taka."
"You witch" Yui seethed, "How dare you! This is just another way to keep them apart isn't it?"
"Of course Priestess" she replied then flipped back away from the other two women, "Unfortunately I've stayed for far too long. It's time for me to go. Oh and Priestess of Suzaku" she called to Miaka before she disappeared, "Don't ever think that you are going to get Tamahome's memories back. They are in Tenkou's hands now."
Then she disappeared in a blast of purple life force. The Suzaku warriors looked at Miaka. As did Yui and the others, who had now gathered around.
"Miaka?" Nuriko looked at her concerned.
"Miaka what do you want to do?" Hotohori asked.
"Let's go back to Tokaki's place and get Taka into a comfortable bed" she said trying to put on a brave face, "Then we can decide what to do."
"All right Miaka" Chichiri nodded, "We'll do that you know. Mitsukake you should carry him."
"All right" Mitsukake agreed lifting him up.
(Next Scene)
Yui placed her arms around Miaka and they all walked back to the house where some quick introductions were made and then Taka was put to bed immediately. Mitsukake examined him and found nothing wrong.
"His temperature has gone back to normal" he replied, "He'll be up soon."
"Thank you Mitsukake" Miaka said as she sat by the bed holding his hand, with Yui close by.
"Call me if you need anything" he nodded as he left the room.
"Are you all right Miaka?" Yui asked.
"No" Miaka shook her head, "But I will be. I mean Taka is still alive. And the spell is worn off. He just won't remember who Tamahome is. That's not so terrible."
"Yea."
"By the way Yui where is Nakago?"
"Nakago is coming. He and Tomo decided to ride a little further behind so that he wouldn't have to see Namame."
"Oh I see. Still a lot of bad blood there huh?"
"Yes. Miaka I am going to get something to eat, do you want anything?" Yui asked as she stood up.
"No" Miaka replied, "I'm all right."
"Okay. I'll be back later."
"Take this time to get to know Suzuna. She's a real sweetie" Miaka smiled.
"I'll do that" Yui smiled back as she left.
Miaka turned back to Taka and squeezed his hand.
"Oh Taka" she thought, "I wish you would just wake up."
(Next Scene)
Nakago and Tomo arrived a couple of hours later and were informed of what happened by Amiboshi and Yui. The rest of the group pretty much avoided Nakago, especially Namame who was still quite cold towards him. After dinner Chichiri walked to Taka's room to speak with Miaka.
"How's he doing Miaka?" he asked as he entered.
"No difference. What is it Chichiri?"
"Well I was thinking. This may be a set back you know. But we still have a mission."
"You're right. We still have to find the Temple of the Gods. But I don't even know where to start. Chichiri didn't you come across anything in that other temple?"
"I looked through almost every book in that library you know, and couldn't find a thing. There is a clue though I read in one of the books. Like a poem or something. But I can't remember how it went."
"I think I know how it went Chichiri" Chiriko spoke up from the doorway.
"You've heard it Chiriko?" Miaka asked.
"Mhm" he nodded, "I came across it in my reading once. It goes. In the middle. Underground. There the Gods rest safe and sound."
"In the middle?" Chichiri replied.
"Underground?" Miaka added.
"Mhm. That's how it goes."
"Now wait a minute if it is a clue, underground can mean underground" Chichiri deduced.
"But what does in the middle mean?" Miaka questioned.
"I don't know. But I do know this. The Temple has to be somewhere, where the ground meets the earth."
"Chichiri what if in the middle means in the middle? Like Underground means underground?" Miaka replied.
"What do you mean Miaka?" he asked.
"Well think about it. There are four countries right. Four corner points. That go North, South, East, and West."
"I'm with you so far."
"Well what if there is someplace in the middle? Something that is between the four countries."
"You might be on to something Miaka" Chiriko said, "There is a point when your crossing the countries that you have to pass."
"Oh. The Hills of Time" Chichiri spoke up, "I don't know why I didn't even think about that before you know."
"The Hills of Time? What's that?"
"It's the center point between the four countries you were talking about" Chiriko answered, "It is the same distance from any of the countries to that place. So no matter where you leave from, it will take the same amount of time."
"That's wonderful Chiriko" Miaka cheered, "Then that's where we have to go look for the temple. We must gather everyone immediately and prepare" she began to leave the room.
"Miaka" Chichiri called her back, "I think maybe you had better stay here with Taka."
"What? No I can't let you go by yourselves."
"No you don't understand" Chichiri replied, "I don't think any of the Priestesses should go on this trip. Especially with the dangers that have been going on lately. I think only a handful of us should go look for this temple and then return once we have found it. It makes no sense for all of us to go you know."
"You're right Chichiri" Miaka nodded slowly, "I would like it better if I could stay here with Taka to help him. You and Chiriko should go talk to the others."
"Okay Miaka" Chiriko said as they stood up to leave.
"Oh and you guys" she replied, "Be careful."
"Don't worry" Chichiri said with a smile as they left, "We'll be all right Miaka."
He closed the door behind him and once more Miaka sat down and took Taka's hand, stroking it gently, trying to not let the tears fall that stung at her eyes.
(Next Scene)
After an hour of debate it was decided that the next morning that two of each group would go to locate the temple. Chichiri was going of course, along with Tasuki who insisted on sticking by him. Nakago originally wanted to go but Soi convinced him that she would go instead. Amiboshi was accompanying her. Namame and Iname were going for Genbu and Tokaki and the young Tatara were going for Byakko.
The next morning they set out bright and early with everyone to say goodbye, minus Miaka who had stayed with Taka all night. He had awoken in the middle of the night and they had talked about what had happened. After a few hours of talking he had fallen back asleep, tired and a bit worried about the loss of his memories.
(Next Scene)
When Yui had walked back to her room she found Miaka sitting in one of the chairs in a daze.
"Miaka what's wrong?" she asked as she walked over to her.
"That woman" Miaka said slowly, "She was the one who attacked Taka in the real world. It was her."
"How do you know?"
"He just told me last night. He recognized her before he fell under the spell. She must work for Tenkou too."
"You're right. I'm sure she does. But did you notice she looked like Ren?"
"Yes. Yui did get everyone get off all right today?"
"Oh yes. They just left. I dare say they will find that temple in one day."
"Let's hope so," Miaka said.
"You hungry Miaka? You've barely eaten anything."
"Not really Yui. But maybe I should have a little something" she stood up following her to the door.
"That's the Miaka I know and love" Yui grinned as they walked together to the dining hall.
(Next Scene)
Yui was right. It didn't take the warriors but a few hours till they spotted the Hills of Time. Chichiri spotted the caves of the hills from his horse.
"Those are it" he replied.
"But what makes you think that they're there Chichiri?" Tasuki asked.
"I just do you know" Chichiri replied, "There's a strong aura about this place" he got off of his horse.
"I think you're right" Iname also got off, followed by all the others.
"Wait a minute I've been here" Namame said as he alighted, "I used to come here all the time."
"Did you ever see a temple?" Tasuki asked.
"No" Namame shook his head, "But they go deep down these caves. It's a possibility that there is something down there."
"Well let's stop flapping our lips" Soi replied with her arms crossed and strolling forward, "Let's head down there and find out."
They all looked at each other and followed her in the largest cave, Tasuki's suggestion. The caves were a bit dark with very little light, to see just where you were going ,but then Amiboshi stepped down a little and felt his foot slide down even further.
"Hey there's a stair here," he said to the others.
Namame grabbed a torch that was nearby and looked down.
"You're right" he replied holding up the flame, "Let's see where it leads."
(Next Scene)
Miru walked over to her brother who was gazing over the Sairou horizon. He looked back and saw her approach but then turned back around again.
"Was your mission successful?"
"I should say so. Tenkou has Tamahome's memories as we speak."
"Good" Ren grinned, "I've been thinking. I think it's time I got my retaliation on the Priestess of Seiryuu."
"Retaliation?"
"Yes" he nodded rubbing his hands together, "I think it's just the right time" he blew into the wind.
(Next Scene)
Nuriko walked over to Miaka who was sitting in the temple once more. He was carrying a tray of food.
"Hey Miaka" he replied with a smile, "Look what I got for you. It's your favorite."
"No thanks Nuriko" she said, "I'm not hungry."
"What? My Miaka? Are you sick or something?"
"No I'm just not hungry" Miaka stood up and left, "I'll eat when I'm ready."
"All right" he nodded a bit confused but walked back to the kitchen anyway.
Yui was there and noticed the full tray.
"She didn't eat anything?" she asked surprised.
"Nope" Nuriko shook his head as he sat the tray down, "Not one bite."
"That's weird. She didn't eat a whole lot at our last meal either. In fact she hasn't been eating a whole lot lately. I wonder if she's sick?"
"She's probably just worried about Tamakins" Nuriko grinned, "She'll gain her appetite back soon you'll see."
"I hope so" Yui replied with a smile but the same worried expression in her eyes.
(Next Scene)
The eight warriors walked slowly down the stairs till they came to a very open doorway. Namame lifted the torch as a few of them gasped.
"Look at that!" Tasuki's voice echoed.
They were now in a large room with giant statues of the beast gods, carved from rock in each corner of the room. Near them were white lines that circled them and each one of the statues had a hole big enough for a small stone.
"This must be it" Chichiri replied in complete awe.
"I guess so," Tokaki said.
"Do you see these holes here?" he pointed to the statue of Suzaku, "This is where the stones go. And these white lines. This is where we all stand. We did it. We actually found the temple you know."
"Yea" Tasuki said with a grin, "Won't Miaka be happy when we tell her?"
(Next Scene)
Yui walked to Miaka's and her room that evening with another tray of food, this time intent on making her best friend eat even it killed her. She walked into the room with a smile on her face.
"Hey Miaka" she replied, "I got you something good" she looked at the bed, "Miaka!"
She placed the tray down on the table and walked over to the bed.
"Miaka. Are you asleep?" she looked down in concern, "Your face is all flushed" she felt her forehead, "And you have a fever. Miaka answer me. Miaka! Miaka!"
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: I meant to say only three more chapters. There is only two more after this one. I will write them tomorrow. Good night! Hope you're still enjoying it!
Next Chapter: The Illness
Miaka gets aid from the most unlikely of people. Find out who next time on Fushigi Yuugi Chronicles!
