Miboshi moved closer to Yui after he defeated his doubles telling Ashitare that he would take over protecting her.
"Lady Yui" he replied.
"Yes Miboshi?"
"I am going to place a barrier around you to protect you even more," he said placing his fingers together.
"Um" Yui looked above her and could feel Miru, "No that's okay Miboshi."
"Huh?" he replied looking at her perplexed.
"I don't need a barrier placed around me. I'm fine."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes" she nodded fervently, "Quite certain" then she thought, "Miaka when are we going to do this?"
On the other side Miaka closed her eyes, opened them quickly again, and stared up at the huge stone that had pulled Ren's throne up.
"All right" she said in her head, "It's now or never" she dashed forward.
"Miaka!" Chichiri called out as he saw her run past.
"Miaka where are you going?" Chiriko called as well as she began to climb up the rock fast, "What is she doing Chichiri?"
"I don't know you know" Chichiri shook his head.
(Next Scene)
In the next few seconds all that could be seen were a few voices calling out and the four girls trying to reach the demon rulers.
"Lady Yui!" Suboshi called as he stood next to Miboshi, "Lady Yui come back!"
"Takako!" Namame shouted, "Where are you going?"
"Suzuna! I don't understand!" Tatara yelled up at her.
But the four girls didn't pay any attention. Miaka was the first to get to the top and she stared around the area focusing her eyes on what she was looking for.
"Miaka!" she could hear Taka's voice, "Miaka come back!"
As much as it hurt to ignore him, she had a task before her and she wasn't about to give up now.
"Ren Shigyou!" she shouted, "I know you're here. Show yourself to me! Immediately!"
From where they stood Takako, Suzuna, and Yui also demanded the same thing. One by one the rulers appeared, smiling and somewhat shocked by the audacity of the Priestesses. Ren was the last to appear, smiling and crossing his arms as a sharp wind blew through Miaka's hair, undoing the ponytail that it had been in.
"You called Priestess?" he smirked, "What is your desire of me?"
"Not a desire" she frowned, "A request" she could still hear the fighting going on down below so she took a deep breath, "I want the Stone of Suzaku that you have in your possession. I know you have it."
"The Stone of Suzaku?" he sat down, "What on earth would you do with that? The ceremony failed Miaka. There is no way to use the stone now."
"Maybe not. But I want it anyway."
"Tenkou has won. In mere moments, both worlds will be one. You realize that?"
She nodded her head.
"The beast gods power has ceased. They have no power and yet you still want this stone?"
"I want it as a reminder of who I am. I am the Priestess of Suzaku and if I'm going to die or I'm going to lose, I want something as a reminder of who I am. I know I can't use it. But I want it. Hand it over! You have no need for it. Give it to me" she held out her hand."
Ren stared at her for a few moments awestruck but reached into his cloak and pulled out the small stone.
"This is your desire Priestess?" he asked, "This small insignificant stone? I can give you the world and this is what you want?"
"Give it to me."
"Very well. If that is your true wish" he threw the stone into the air and Miaka ran to catch it.
The other demon rulers did the same and as the four girls caught them, the light of the beast gods shone round about them.
"What's happening up there?" Nuriko replied after having punched out a demon.
"I don't know" Tasuki said.
"It's the light of Suzaku" Hotohori replied.
Ren, Miru, Hikou, and Yotsui all shielded their eyes as the light became brighter. Then suddenly Miaka and the other three disappeared before their eyes. Ren smiled slightly and looked to the heavens.
"Well master" he said, "Everything is going exactly like you thought."
But one thing that Tenkou didn't plan on occurred. The ground on which everyone stood began to rumble and the barriers that had been placed by Ren and the other three were crumbling before their eyes. When it all stopped they were all in the same area looking up at the four demon rulers that stood between them and victory.
"Miaka!" Taka called, "Miaka!"
"I don't think she's there any more Tamahome" Chichiri replied running over, "I can't sense her life force."
"What? What did Ren do?"
"I don't know."
"Well it doesn't matter anyways, because I'm going after him."
"Alone Tamakins?" Nuriko asked confused.
"Alone. I need to face him alone."
"We understand Taka" Hotohori replied, "And if that is the case, take this" he handed over his weapon.
"The Holy sword?"
"Yes. It will protect you."
"I can't take this Hotohori" he tried to hand it back.
"I insist."
"Thank you" he said, "Be careful, some demons are coming your way."
"I have a spare sword" Hotohori grinned, "So don't worry."
"And what he can't handle I'll take care of them with my fan" Tasuki smiled, "Go get him Tama!"
"Thanks Tasuki" Taka smiled back as he ran towards the huge rock.
The Seiryuu seven watched as Taka began to climb towards Ren. Nakago stared up at the spot where Miru was waiting.
"Tamahome has the right idea" Suboshi replied, "We should go after that bitch!"
"Wait" Nakago stopped him, "I will."
"Nakago?" Soi looked at him.
"She's my sister after all. I can't have someone go after her other then me. She's my responsibility. Stay here and fight those mirror demons. I will find Lady Yui" he began to jump up the cliff.
"All right" Amiboshi nodded looking up, "Good luck Nakago."
(Next Scene)
"Tatara you can't be serious?" Tokaki replied.
"I'm dead serious" Tatara said putting on his weapon, "I'm going after Yotsui and getting Suzuna back."
"At least take someone with you?" Subaru suggested.
"No" he shook his head, "This is my fight. Just like Tamahome's. I have to do this. Tokaki take care of everyone till I return."
"All right" Tokaki shook his hand, "Good luck."
"Thanks" Tatara took off.
"We got company you guys!" Kokie shouted as the demons came closer.
"Well let's do this" Tokaki replied smiling, "We'll take them all out."
Meanwhile Chichiri was watching with great interest as Namame prepared himself to climb as well to go after Takako.
"Are you sure that you want to go alone Namame?" Iname asked.
"Yes" Namame nodded, "I have to."
"No you don't" Chichiri replied coming over.
"Chichiri?" Namame looked at him confused, "What's wrong?"
"I am going with you Namame," he said.
"Why?"
"Because, Hikou is someone from my past and he is my responsibility not yours. You come along to get the Priestess but leave Hikou to me."
Namame stared at his determined face and nodded.
"All right. If that is your desire. Let's go" he shouldered his bow.
"Right behind you" Chichiri replied grabbing his staff.
(Next Scene)
The pillar of light that had surrounded the girls transported them to the top of Tokyo tower that had been transformed into a giant rock surface. Miaka and Yui looked around and noticed the stones were still in their hands.
"Where are we?" Yui replied.
"My guess is we are near Tenkou. He's got to be here. This is the top of Tokyo tower," Miaka answered.
"What I don't understand is why that happened?" Takako said as she and Suzuna came over.
"Did you know that would happen Miaka?" Suzuna asked.
"I didn't know what would happen if we had gotten the stones. I'm just as surprised as you are."
"What's that?" Yui replied pointing to a large crystal like surface.
"I don't know" Miaka shook her head, "Let's find out" the four of them walked over to it.
Inside it was like a television. They could see everyone they cared about fighting and even Taka, Namame, Tatara, and Nakago climbing towards the demon rulers.
Yui gasped.
"You can see everything from up here. What are they doing?"
"My guess is that they are coming to look for us" Takako replied.
"Yes that's probably it. Tatara is so romantic" Suzuna sighed.
"What I want to know is" Miaka began, "Is why have we been brought here? Why aren't we down there with them?"
"An interesting question" a deep voice spoke so that his voice echoed throughout the area, "Priestess of Suzaku."
The demon appeared before them, his long silver hair flowing behind and his eyes like green-yellow slits stared at the four of them.
"Tenkou" Takako said, "Yes I remember him."
"So do I" Suzuna nodded scared.
"As do we" Yui frowned.
"Yes we remember him from months ago."
"Don't be so sour Priestesses" he grinned evilly, "After all we're going to be spending lots of time together."
"Don't bet on that!" Takako yelled.
"Yea we have no intention on sticking around here very long," Yui added.
"Oh and what makes you think that you have the choice? I'm the one who gave them the stones. I'm the one who gave them the order to give them to you, so you four could be brought here."
"Why?" Miaka looked up at him.
"To see you of course. All four of you in your glory. After all it is your desire to defeat me. I'm just giving you the opportunity to try."
"Well how generous of you" Takako said angrily.
"I know how powerful you all are. You have demonstrated it time and time again. But how powerful will you be against my power, alone. Without your warriors to protect you. I dare say you might not stand a chance."
"That's quite an assumption" Yui replied.
"Look down below you Priestess" he pointed to the crystal service, "Your warriors are facing my demon rulers as we speak."
The four girls walked over to the surface and looked down. Nakago, Tatara, Taka, Namame, and Chichiri had just arrived to the spot of battle.
"Tatara" Suzuna whispered.
"Namame" Takako said, "Be careful."
"Nakago" Yui replied, "Be safe."
"Taka" Miaka thought, "Wait" she said out loud and turning back around.
"Miaka?" Yui looked at her perplexed.
"Tenkou!" she called to him.
"Yes Priestess?"
"Tell me. At long last I want to know the answer. Why? Why are you doing everything in your power to keep me and Tamahome apart?!"
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys! I have every intention on finishing this story today, so there are two more chapters to go!
Next Chapter: Summoning the Gods
