He stepped from out of the smoke and Nuriko and Tasuki's mouths dropped open. Yui stared as Miaka rose to her feet. Taka took a step forward as well.
"Tamahome?" Miaka said slowly.
"Miaka" he replied with a smile.
(Next Scene)
Back in Tokaki's home, the warriors gathered around to listen to Tamahome's story. Namame stood near Taka who was sitting down with a sad look on his face. He noticed that Nakago was across the room with his arms crossed and wearing the exact frown he was.
"It's like a dream really" Tamahome said, "I was asleep and then I heard Suzaku calling my name. I awoke and he told me that he needed my help. So I arose and here I am. I spotted that villain nearing the cave and decided to do something about it."
"That's quite a story" Hotohori replied.
"Yea" Nuriko frowned, "I mean to think you've been in dormancy all this time."
Miaka was very silent. As she sat there she glanced at Taka. Then she stood up and excused herself to bed. She told them that she was tired and left rather quickly. Yui watched as she departed and frowned herself.
"How can this be?" she thought, "How can Tamahome and Taka be here?"
After a long conversation of what had been going on since before Tamahome arrived, they all went their separate ways. Taka removed himself from the room and walked out into the courtyard. Yui followed him shortly after.
"I knew this was too good to be true" he hung his head sadly with a bit of a smile.
"Taka?" Yui replied, "What are you doing out here? Come back inside."
"Don't you understand Yui? I don't belong in there. I don't belong here at all."
"Taka what are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I don't need to be here anymore."
"What? You can't be serious?"
"But I am serious" he said looking her straight in the eye, "Yui will you do me a favor?"
"What favor?"
He removed the ring from the chain that hung around his neck. He handed it to Yui.
"I want you to give this to Miaka" he replied placing it in her palm, "It's not mine to have anymore."
"But Taka" she protested.
"I have to go" he dashed out of the courtyard and out into the street.
"Taka wait!" she called just as Nuriko and Tasuki came out.
"What's the matter?" Nuriko asked as they ran over.
"It's Taka" Yui replied very fast, "He's leaving."
"What?" Tasuki exclaimed, "We have to try and stop him" they too ran out into the street.
(Next Scene)
Taka ran as far out through the city as he could. Soon he came to a forest and it was here that he decided to walk.
"Tama!" Tasuki called.
"Tamahome!" Nuriko said after as they caught up with him.
He stopped but didn't turn around.
"Nuriko. Tasuki. Why do you call me that? That's not who I am."
"Tamakins. What are you doing?" Nuriko asked, "Where are you going?"
"What does it look like? I'm going home."
"What?" Tasuki's eyes went wide, "How can you even think about doing that?"
"I have to. I don't belong here and I never did."
"But we need you" Nuriko replied.
"Hah" Taka scoffed, "You don't need me. The real Tamahome is here. The one you fought beside. The one who knows you. Who am I? I am just a copy. Someone who can't remember who you are. It would be better off in the long run if I left."
"But what about Miaka?" Nuriko said, "What are we to tell her?"
"Miaka will be fine" Taka smiled, "She has the man she truly loves right by her side. The real Tamahome. There is no way I can ever compete with that."
"I can't believe you man" Tasuki stepped in front of him angrily, "After all those things you said in the inn to me. After all your talk about how much you love her, you're just going to leave her without a fight?"
"Tasuki" Taka placed a hand on his shoulder and brushed past him, "I do this for Miaka. I am doing this so she won't have the difficult task of choosing between us."
A red light began to glow around Taka and his body slowly started to fade away.
"Tama don't do this" Tasuki begged.
"Tamakins" Nuriko added, "Don't go."
"I shall miss you" Taka replied sadly, "Goodbye. Tell Miaka I love her."
And then he disappeared completely. Nuriko and Tasuki looked at each other sadly then slowly walked back into the city.
(Next Scene)
Miaka awoke with a start. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest and there was sweat on her brow. Her eyes were very wide and as she breathed heavy she whispered his name once.
"Taka" she said.
The door was opened and in walked Tamahome. He sat on the bed and saw her terrified look. She turned to him slowly as he looked at her.
"Miaka. What's wrong?" he asked concerned.
"Tamahome" she said a bit confused but allowed him to embrace her.
"It's okay Miaka. I'm here. We'll never be apart again."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey Guys! Five more to go!
Next Chapter: The Decision
Miaka discovers that Taka has gone. Now all alone with Tamahome, whom will she decide to be with? The man of her past or the man in her present?
