Chapter Four: Yotsui

Taka brushed aside Miaka and stared at his double. The Suzaku seven along with Yui, Nakago, Suboshi, Takako, Namame, Tatara, Tokaki, Subaru, and Suzuna all appeared at the front gate as Tamahome began to glow bright red.

"What's going on?" Tasuki replied.

"It looks like Taka came back," Hotohori said.

"You have a lot of nerve showing your face again you imposter" Tamahome glared at Taka angrily.

"The way I see it" Taka said back, "I'm not the one who is the imposter. In fact I know for sure that I'm not a fake and that you are."

"Hmm" Tamahome grinned slyly, "Would you like to test that theory?" he leapt back and kneeled on one knee.

Suddenly vines surrounded Miaka and the other three priestesses. The warriors were so busy trying to get their own priestess out of the trap that they didn't notice that a battle had begun between Taka and Tamahome. Taka dodged Tamahome the first time, but then he appeared behind him.

"Taka!" Miaka called as he was struck behind the head, "No. Stop it."

"We have to do something" Nuriko replied, "We got to get Miaka out of those vines."

"We can't you know" Chichiri said suddenly, "Haven't you noticed? A barrier has been placed around Miaka by Tamahome."

"What?" Hotohori exclaimed.

"No way" Tasuki added, "The real Tamahome would never try to stop us."

"Exactly" Nuriko replied, "Then that can't be the real Tamahome."

"It doesn't matter if it is or isn't" Mitsukake said, "There is no way he can take on the other one without his warrior powers."

Mitsukake was right. At the moment Tamahome had Taka's hair in his hand. He was smiling menacingly down at him.

"Who do you think you are?" Tamahome replied, "Do you really think that you deserve Miaka's love? You can't even protect her. What a joke. You're absolutely pathetic."

"You're right" Taka spat, "But she loves me just the same. No matter how weak or pathetic I am. She still loves me. And that is enough. That is enough for me."

"Taka" Miaka thought tears forming in her eyes as she struggled to break free.

Tamahome stared at him angrily and threw him ten feet forward.

"She loves you huh? It doesn't matter what you say! Because.. MIAKA BELONGS TO ME!" he shouted sending a large blast of life force toward him.

"No!" Miaka screamed.

Taka shielded his eyes from the blast. But nothing came. He wasn't even struck. As the smoke began to clear Tamahome laughed.

"That ought to teach you" he said but gasped when he saw what was in front of him.

Miaka was standing in front of Taka holding out her arms, shielding him from the blast. Her body was covered with cuts, but she just looked back at Taka and smiled.

"Miaka" he whispered.

"Taka" she said slowly, "I love you" then she fell to the ground, landing in Taka's lap unconscious.

"Miaka!" Yui yelled as Tamahome devastated fell to his knees as well.

The spell on the other priestesses broke and Yui ran forward a little, Suboshi behind her. She stared angrily at Tamahome.

"What have I done?" Tamahome whispered his head bent; "No" he shook his head, "NO!"

Suddenly a bright purple light surrounded him and he began to hold his head. Chichiri stood in front of the Suzaku seven shielding them from the magnanimous power. When the light cleared there was a ball of blue light floating in the air over Taka's head. Taka stared at it, as it gradually got smaller and landed on his forehead. A small light flashed on his head and he closed his eyes. A few seconds later he stood on his feet, holding Miaka in his arms, the ogre symbol glowing brightly on his forehead. He stared at the cloaked figure that stood before him as he held onto his precious treasure.

"Now" he said slowly, "Who are you?"

(Next Scene)

The cloaked figure smiled and Takako and Suzuna joined Yui by her side.

"Do you recognize him?" Yui replied.

"Yea" Takako nodded, "I remember. He's the one from inside that crazy game."

"Correct" the figure said with a grin as he removed his cloak and finally revealed his form.

Suzuna gasped along with Tokaki and Subaru. Tatara walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders as he stared into the eyes of his long forgotten enemy.

"Yotsui" he replied, "It's you."

The dark haired man stepped forward a little as Tatara, Subaru, and Tokaki stepped in front of the Priestess.

"Well my old friends the Byakko seven" Yotsui said, "It's been a long time. I didn't think we would see each other this soon, but wonders never cease."

"What the hell do you think that you're doing here?" Tatara replied angrily as Mitsukake and the Suzaku seven rushed to Miaka's aid.

"I am merely serving my master by portraying Tamahome. And it would have worked if he hadn't shown up again" he stared angrily at Taka who stood up with a furious look on his face.

"You almost had me convinced" he said, "If Suzaku hadn't come to fetch me I probably still would be home."

"Suzaku?" Yotsui replied slowly, "Not possible."

"Why's that?" Taka demanded as Miaka slowly opened her eyes and sat up.

"Because, haven't you noticed" Yotsui grinned, "The gods have gotten weaker. Their power is disintegrating and now that you and the Priestess of Suzaku were separated, Tenkou has moved into the real world."

"What?" Taka said surprised as Yui walked over and pointed.

"He ain't kidding Taka" she replied, "Look."

Taka and the others stared at the desert before them. It was beginning to fade and tall buildings were appearing. Miaka stood up and walked over to Taka placing her arms around him, which he embraced her back.

"Yotsui what have you done?" Tatara asked angrily.

"It's not what I did" Yotsui moved back and placed the cloak around him once more, "I told you Tenkou has revived. He has gotten stronger. And thanks to Tamahome and the Priestess the two worlds have now become sychronized" then he disappeared with an evil grin.

"Synchronized?" Taka said.

"You mean like they're connected?" Tasuki added.

"No" Miaka shook her head, "They've become one. The book world and the real world have joined each other."

"Miaka" Yui said slowly as the rest of the warriors gathered around.

"Is Tenkou really capable of that Nakago?" Namame asked him.

"If he has the power" Nakago replied, "He's capable of anything."

"Which means in a little more than an hour" Yui said, "That the two worlds will be complete."

"Unless we stop him first" Miaka replied, "Unless we do, this world as well as our own will cease to exist the way we know it."

"How do we stop him?" Takako said.

"I don't know. But somehow, we have to" Miaka replied determined as Taka placed his hand on her shoulder and they all watched the skies turn from blue to dark purple in seconds.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Hey guys! Only three more to go!

Next Chapter: Final Battle

The warriors and their priestesses go head to head with the four demon rulers!