Chapter Eight: Goodbye!
Suzuna tearfully turned to the Byakko seven and smiled. They in turn bowed their heads.
"I shall miss all of you. Even though we only saw each other for a brief period" she replied, "You'll always be in my heart."
"And you as well Priestess" Tokaki said.
"Yes Suzuna" Subaru added, "We will always think of you fondly as well" she embraced her.
Suzuna nodded and turned to Tatara.
"Tatara what can I say. Our hearts will once more be joined in the heavens."
"Yes" he agreed sadly with a nod of his head, "I shall never forget you Suzuna" he embraced her tight.
"Nor I you" she whispered in his ear.
He bent down and lightly kissed her on her lips and then they pulled away just as Miaka and Taka came over to say their goodbyes.
"Master" Taka shook Tokaki's hand, "It was good seeing you again."
"And you too little ghost" Tokaki grinned.
"Master" Taka said irritated.
"I'm just joking Tamahome. I am very proud of you my boy."
"Thanks."
"And you Priestess" Tokaki turned to the girl at his side, "Take care of him."
"I will" Miaka nodded, "Subaru."
"Goodbye Miaka" Subaru hugged her, "It was good to see you."
"Mhm" Miaka nodded, "Take care of each other."
"Goodbye" Taka said as he steered Miaka away and towards the Genbu warriors, right past Suzuna and Tatara who were holding onto each other and saying goodbye to Yui.
Namame and Takako stood by each other as Taka and Miaka approached. Iname and the other warriors said their goodbyes.
"It was nice to meet all of you. Iname. Hatsui, and Urimiya" Miaka replied.
"Goodbye Priestess of Suzaku" Hatsui waved.
"Indeed" Iname nodded, "Take care of each other."
"We will" Taka said, "Goodbye Uruki, Tomite, Hikitsu."
"Yes goodbye" Miaka added, "And thank you for your help."
"It is us who should be thankful for you Priestess" Tomite replied.
"Yes" Hikitsu nodded, "We knew back even then how special you were."
"What will you all do now?" Miaka asked.
"I've been asked to join Mitsukake on a journey searching for medicines" Uruki said.
"Mitsukake really?" Miaka's eyes lit up.
"Mhm. I am quite fond of him."
"Well good luck with that Uruki" Miaka replied as she walked over to Taka who was saying goodbye to Namame and Takako.
"Well Taka" Namame said shaking his hand, "You're just like me. Stubborn but very loyal. I'll miss you."
"Miss you too Namame" Taka grinned, "And Takako."
Takako smiled as Miaka squeezed her hand.
"Namame" Miaka said.
"Priestess. I mean Miaka" he smiled.
"It was a pleasure knowing you" she shook his hand.
"You as well" he surprised her by embracing her tight, "Perhaps someday we'll see each other again."
"Perhaps" she nodded, "Come on Taka" she replied, "I want to go say goodbye to Amiboshi."
"Okay" Taka nodded as Namame turned to look at Takako.
"Well" Takako replied, "You guys" she looked at the warriors, "I don't know what to say. I mean you guys have made me feel really welcome amongst you and I will miss all of you. Hatsui, Urimiya. Iname. Uruki. Tomite. Hikitsu. All of you. I'll never forget you. Not one."
"And we'll never forget you either Priestess" Iname bowed his head as Urimiya and Hatsui wiped some tears from their eyes.
"Namame" Takako turned to him, "I don't know what to say to you either."
"Don't" he stopped, "I don't want to say goodbye again. I just want you to take something with you" he leaned down and kissed her quite passionately.
(Next Scene)
Keisuke, Mrs. Hongo, Mrs. Yuki, and Tetsuya arrived as Yui and Miaka were saying goodbye to the Seiryuu seven.
"Look at that Tetsuya!" Keisuke said excitedly pointing to the sky, "It's the four gods. This is so exciting."
"Calm down Keisuke" Tetsuya sighed.
Yui walked over with Miaka and said goodbye to Suboshi and Amiboshi. She had already said goodbye to Soi, Ashitare, Miboshi, and Tomo. Now she only had three more to say the words to.
"Suboshi" she looked at him.
"Lady Yui" he looked back at her lovingly.
"I'll miss you, you know" she embraced him.
"I know. I'll miss you too. But I'll be all right. My brother and I are going back to Mohkan village together."
"Really?" Miaka asked excitedly, "I mean really?"
"Yea" Amiboshi nodded, "Suboshi has finally decided to come back with me."
"That's wonderful news."
"Yea that's great" Yui added, "Congratulations Suboshi."
"Thank you. Goodbye Lady Yui."
"Goodbye. Goodbye to you as well Amiboshi" she began to walk off.
"Goodbye Lady Yui!" Amiboshi called, "Take care of yourself" he walked over to Miaka as Taka joined her, "Miaka."
"Amiboshi" she smiled, as they embraced, "I can't thank you enough for what you did for her."
"No" he shook his head, "It was my pleasure. Because you asked me, I did it. I did it for you Miaka. Not for Lady Yui."
"Amiboshi."
"But everything is going to be okay now" he smiled, "I'm going back to Mohkan village where I belong and you and Tamahome can be together finally."
"Thank you Amiboshi" Taka shook his hand.
"Your welcome Tamahome" he shook it back, "It was my pleasure. Goodbye Miaka."
"Goodbye Amiboshi."
He walked over and joined his brother with the other Seiryuu warriors. Miaka saw her mom and brother and rushed over to say hello, with Taka right behind her.
(Next Scene)
Yui walked over to Nakago who was waiting for her. He turned to her with a smile and she looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
"Nakago I" she began, "I don't know how to thank you."
"No Lady Yui" he shook his head, "You have no reason to thank me. I haven't exactly been very forthcoming on this whole thing."
"I know but you did in the end help me and Miaka That meant the world to me Nakago. You have no idea how much that meant. I'm sorry I can't return the feelings that you have for me."
"Lady Yui. It's all right. I know you love that young man over there, and I'm fine with it. Besides there is someone who loves me, that I haven't exactly given a chance to" he looked in Soi's direction, "So I'm okay. But I will always love you Lady Yui. In my heart I will always love you and Takiko Okuda. Soi knows this. And is okay with it."
"And you are too Nakago?"
"Yes."
"Then I guess" Yui reached up into her ear and pulled out his earring, "This belongs to you."
"Keep it" he closed up her palm, "I want you to have it Lady Yui."
She smiled and slowly kissed him on his cheek.
"Thank you Nakago. Goodbye."
"Good bye. Yui."
Yui smiled and walked over to the Suzaku seven just as Taka and Miaka came back over.
"Nakago" Taka eyed him.
"Tamahome" he replied back.
"I hope we never have to do battle again."
"So do I."
Taka walked over to the Suzaku seven.
"Taka" Miaka said in a scolding tone, "Nakago."
"Yes Priestess of Suzaku."
"I just wanted to say, that I really appreciate that you were there for Yui. You don't know what that means to me."
"Yes well. I can't be bad all the time. Your friends are waiting for you Priestess. You should go say goodbye."
"Goodbye to you as well Nakago" Miaka smiled as she ran over to the others.
Nakago smiled slightly to himself as he walked over to be next to Soi. He glanced briefly at Namame who stared back and a passing of understanding came between the two and they both smiled.
(Next Scene)
Miaka and Taka gazed at their friends as Yui said her final goodbyes to them and then ran off to be with Tetsuya and her mom.
"Well guys" Taka grinned, "What can I say? It's been great seeing you again. Alive."
"No joking about that Tamakins" Nuriko protested.
"Sorry."
"But it's true. It was good seeing you both again. Being alive."
"Yes" Hotohori nodded, "Something we will never forget. But now we must say goodbye again before Suzaku runs out of time."
"You're right" Miaka agreed, "Chiriko."
"Miaka" he looked up at her as she knelt down to embrace him.
"You're an amazing little guy Chiriko you know that" Taka smiled.
"Thanks Tamahome" he smiled back as he patted his head.
"You keep up with your studies and you'll be something in government someday" Miaka replied.
"Mhm" he nodded happily.
"Mitsukake" she looked at the tall burly man.
"Miaka" he smiled down at her as she embraced him.
"I heard that you and Uruki are taking a little trip."
"Yes well she hasn't given me an answer yet, and she's no Shoka. But I haven't felt this good about a woman in a long time."
"Then you go for it Mitsukake" Miaka beamed, "I'm sure that Shoka would want you to be happy."
"Thank you" he nodded, "Take care of her Tamahome" he shook his hand.
"I will."
Miaka turned to the monk who had removed his mask.
"Chichiri" she smiled.
"Miaka. Not the time for tears you know."
"Mhm" she nodded and embraced him, "I'll miss you Chichiri."
"I'll miss you too Miaka. Tamahome."
"Chichiri" he shook his hand as well.
"You both are going to be just fine you know. I can feel it."
"Thanks" Taka grinned.
Miaka could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as she approached the last three. Tasuki was waiting there with his arms crossed but a gentle look on his face.
"Miaka" he said slowly as he embraced her.
"Tasuki. I'm gonna miss you so much."
"Don't worry about me Miaka. I'm going back to Mt. Reikaku to be with Koji and the guys. I really miss them."
"I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you. Miaka. I wish you all the happiness in the world."
"You too Tasuki. And maybe someday you'll find someone for yourself."
"Maybe. Tama" he placed his hand on his friends shoulder one last time.
"Tasuki."
"Take care of yourself man" he shook his hand.
"You too."
"And take care of her. We're all counting on you."
"I will."
Miaka moved to the spot where Nuriko was waiting. His beautiful eyes shone because of the tears but he embraced her tight.
"Oh Nuriko I never thought we would have to say goodbye again."
"Come now Miaka," he grinned pulling away, "This isn't goodbye."
"Hmm?"
"There are no goodbyes with us. As long as we keep each other in our hearts there will never be a goodbye."
"Nuriko."
He smiled and turned to Taka.
"Well little brother" Nuriko replied, "I got you this far. Now all you have to do is live your life the best you can."
"Thank you Nuriko" Taka smiled, "You take care of yourself."
"And you too Tamakins" he chuckled, "I know that you will take care of Miaka as well" he embraced Taka tightly.
"Nuriko I can't breathe" Taka gasped.
"Whoops. My strength again" he let go, "But his majesty wants to say goodbye to you now. So off you go" he pushed him forward hard.
"Nuriko" Taka yelled exasperated.
"Sorry Tama!" Nuriko chuckled again as Taka regained his balance.
Hotohori shook his head with a smile as he turned to the pair.
"Miaka. Tamahome. It has been good seeing both of you again."
"And you as well Hotohori. Take care of that baby of yours" Miaka said, "And say goodbye to Houki for us."
"I will. Farewell Miaka" he embraced her.
"Goodbye Hotohori" she pulled away with a smile.
"Taka" he held out his hand.
"Your majesty" he bowed his eyes then shook his hand, "Farewell Hotohori."
'Look after her."
"You can count on it."
"Miaka" Suzaku appeared before her once more, "Have you said all of your goodbyes?"
"Yes we're ready. Suzaku thank you so much."
"No Priestess. Thank you" he smiled.
She ran over to him and embraced him tight, in which he was stunned but hugged her back.
"Is she allowed to do that?" Tasuki pointed just as stunned as everyone.
"Who cares" Nuriko replied, "Who cares? Suzaku doesn't seem to mind."
Suzaku pulled away and Miaka and Taka joined Keisuke, Yui, and Tetsuya on the sidelines. Takako and Suzuna also joined them and all the warriors gathered before the beast gods who were glowing their colors. In one second the world shifted back to normal and everyone disappeared, leaving behind the two mothers, four girls, and three boys.
"Wow" Keisuke breathed out, "That was unbelievable. Did you see that! Wow!"
Miaka and Yui hugged their mothers and Miaka watched the sad faces of her other two friends as Yui embraced Tetsuya tightly. Taka walked over and hugged her.
"Hey what's with you?" he asked.
"Oh nothing" she shook her head, "Let's find a way to get Takako and Suzuna home."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: One more to go!
Next Chapter: Happy Ending!
