Author Notes: Alrighty. I have another chapter up! You guys are happy... right? RIGHT? Right. (sigh) Not long before this story is coming to a close. I'm sad yet happy. Summer vacation's almost ending too... Hope you like this chapter!
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Yui sat up in her bed. The red scroll on her desk was glowing, casting everything in a red light. She stared at it, realizing what it meant.
"Miaka and Taka... They're coming back here." she whispered.
Much to Yui's surprise, three people began to materialize in her room instead of two.
"Kaiya? Why were you in the Universe of the Four Gods with Miaka and..." Yui asked. As she was saying Miaka's name, she had looked over to her to find her and Taka kissing. "Taka... Better call Keisuke."
Yui sighed and picked up the phone. She dialed Miaka's home number and waited for someone to pick up.
"Hello? Keisuke? Mmhmm. They both seem to be fine. Neither one's injured." she said, then glared teasingly at the couple, "They were both just makin' out in front of me."
Miaka and Taka quickly pulled away from each other, having just realized they had appeared in Yui's room.
Yui continued her conversation on the phone.
"They don't change." she said jokingly, "One more thing, Keisuke. Kaiya was with them in the other world... Dunno. Didn't really ask her yet... Okay, we'll talk about it tomorrow. Bye."
Yui took the phone off her ear and put it beside her on the bed.
"Yui!" Miaka said.
"We came back to Yui's house?" Taka asked.
"How'd we get here?" Kaiya asked.
"I saw a red light at the north building." Yui answered, "Must have been you guys, right?"
"Yeah." Miaka replied.
"Thought so. I found that scroll there, too." Yui said, pointing at the red scroll on her desk.
Taking her gaze from the scroll, Miaka returned to Yui, and finally noticed the many bandages on her.
"Yui! How'd you get hurt?" Miaka asked worriedly.
Yui closed her eyes and frowned.
"Thanks for noticing, Miaka." she said sarcastically (at this point I couldn't tell whether she was serious or not), "It was terrible!"
Yui began to explain everything that happened in the school.
"Anyway, until we figure out who this Shigyou really is, you'd better not go to school, Miaka." Yui concluded.
"She's right, Miaka. You should stay home." Taka said, "I'll discuss it with Keisuke and Tetsuya tomorrow."
"And I'll bring your homework." Kaiya said jokingly with a large grin on her face.
Fake tears poured out of Miaka's eyes at the thought of homework she'd be assigned.
Yui stood up and walked everyone to the door. She waved goodbye as they all left for home. Miaka turned to wave goodbye, the red scroll in her hand.
"I'm home!" Kaiya called out as she closed the door to her home.
Kaiya's mother looked up from her seat on the couch in the living room, a concerned expression on her face.
"Where have you been? I was getting worried!" she said.
Kaiya smiled nervously and hid her hands behind her back, effectively hiding the bandages on her wrist.
"I'm sorry, mom. I was doing a big project as school." she lied, "I just lost track of time. I'm sorry."
Noticing the uneven edge of her skirt, Kaiya's mother looked down at it.
"What happened to your skirt?" she asked, brows creased with even more worry.
"I accidentally ripped it at school. I'll go fix it right now." Kaiya answered and walked up the stairs to her room.
Kaiya's mother decided to buy the excuse and resumed watching the tv in front of her.
Kaiya threw her bag to the ground and flopped down on her bed. She breathed in the sweet fragrance of her room, happy to be home again. But her happiness quickly faded as she brought up her right hand to look at the "death" character. She stared at it, not knowing what to think. She turned her attention to her wrists and unraveled the bandages around them, gazing at the scabbed flesh.
Kaiya sighed and pushed herself off the bed. She turned to look at her clock. It was exactly ten o'clock. She stuffed her bandages into her pocket, then grabbed her pajamas from her closet and changed into them. She then proceeded to fix her skirt. Afterwards, she began to do her homework. When she finally finished, she yawned and looked at the time. It was eleven fifty-nine. She yawned again and lifted the blankets to get into her bed.
But as she did, her eyes widened. She found she could not breath and her chest was in immense pain. She squeezed her eyes shut and dropped to her knees, clutching her chest.
As soon as the pain stopped, Kaiya opened an eye and breathed in some much needed air. A number and word flashed in her mind. It read five weeks and four days. She reached up her bed and leaned against it. She caught a quick glimpse of the time.
'It's midnight... Does that mean it will activate at the same time every day until...' she wondered, but didn't want to finish her train of thought. She crawled into her bed and under the blankets. But after her ordeal, sleep did not come to her .She was wide awake with fear, fear of death. She curled up into a ball and screwed her eyes shut, forcing herself not to think about it.
In the book world...
Chichiri, Hotohori, and Tasuki walked along a dirt road that meandered away from the capital. Grass hills and stones were the only things that surrounded the road as far as the eye could see. They had been walking for three days in search of Taka's memory jewel. Unfortunately, they had not been successful in finding the next stone.
Chichiri stopped suddenly, a quizzical look on his face. His brows came together in deep thought, trying to figure out what this uneasy feeling inside him was.
Tasuki and Hotohori stopped as well, looking at their companion in confusion.
"Is something the matter, Chichiri?" Hotohori asked.
Chichiri came out of his thoughts and turned his attention to the two in front of him. He shook his head.
"Just got a bad feeling about something, no da." he answered, "Probably just the journey ahead."
Tasuki smirked. He placed his hands on his hips and leaned forward.
"Never took ya fer' a chicken, Chichiri!" he teased, "Not gonna back out on us now, are ya?"
Chichiri scrunched his face up. He quickly gave Tasuki's head a whack with his staff.
"Ow!" Tasuki shouted, clutching his head.
"Of course I won't back out, no da! Tamahome's life is at stake here, no da!" Chichiri said and started walking.
Hotohori followed after and Tasuki after him, glaring angrily at the monk.
"Stupid, damn monk... Whackin' me on the head with 'is stupid staff..." Tasuki muttered.
"I heard that!" Chichiri shouted back and continued walking.
Tasuki abruptly stopped and leaned away in fear.
Hotohori turned his head to look back at Tasuki.
"You really should watch what you say, Tasuki." he whispered and continued walking.
Tasuki resumed walking, making sure to keep his distance from the monk.
Chichiri's thoughts came back to the bad feeling he had as he walked. He doubted this feeling was of the journey, but what it was, he just didn't know. He glanced down at the substitute bandage on his arm, thinking that might be what the feeling was about... Kaiya. Afterall, this was the item that connected the two worlds. But who knows if she's taken off her uniform or not.
Back in the real world...
Kaiya walked along the road to school, half asleep, clad in her uniform. She wasn't able to sleep much last night, so she was tired. As she made her way to the school gates, she noticed a certain girl with auburn colored hair in two buns on either side of her head.
"Miaka." she whispered and ran the rest of the way there.
"Miaka!" she called out, catching the girl's attention, "What're you doing here? You're supposed to be at home!"
Miaka smiled nervously, sweat drop prominent. But before she could answer her, there was a voice behind them.
"Miaka. Kaiya."
Miaka gave a startled shout and latched onto the school gate's leg. (Do gate's have legs?)
Kaiya realized it was just Kyo, but she didn't see Miaka relax much.
Kyo smiled sweetly at the two.
"What're you guys doing?" she said, then grabbed the two by their wrists. "Come on, let's go."
"K-Kyo!" Miaka said nervously.
Kyo dragged the two into the school. The three of them talked a bit until the bell rang, then they went to their classes.
During the break time during class, Kaiya's thoughts came upon Miaka.
'I wonder why Miaka was acting so strange around Kyo.' she thought, 'Did something happen between them?'
"Kaiya? Are you even listening?" one of her friends asked, waving a hand in front of her face.
Kaiya snapped out of her thoughts and smiled apologetically at her friends.
Finally, the bell for the class to end rang.
Kaiya stood up and tucked in her chair. She turned to wave goodbye to her friends, but found them all, including the other students, acting very strangely. One by one, they stood up. Kaiya noticed that all their eyes were a glowing a bright purple color. She suddenly heard a loud scream and recognized it as Miaka's.
"Miaka!" she shouted worriedly and tried to make her way out of the classroom, but was intercepted by her classmates.
"What're you guys doing?" she demanded, "Please, move!"
Two pairs of hands reached out and grabbed Kaiya by her arms. Kaiya twisted and turned, desperately trying to get free.
"You guys, let me go! Please!" she begged, but it was in vain.
The students opened the doors and practically dragged Kaiya to the rooftop. Kaiya's eyes widened. Miaka was beside her and was also being held by students.
"Miaka!" Kaiya shouted.
Miaka turned her head to Kaiya.
"Kaiya!" she shouted and tried to break free, but it was no use. Their grips were too strong.
"Mr. President." one of the students said, "We've brought Miaka Yuki and Kaiya Niigata to you."
Miaka and Kaiya turned to the front of them, where Shigyou stood on the top of a small building on the roof. His whole attire looked different than when they saw him last. His clothes resembled those of the other world's. Miaka and Kaiya glared at him.
"You bully!" Miaka shouted, "What's so worthwhile about controlling anyone?"
Shigyou turned around to face the two, smiling, and jumped down.
"You misunderstand my character. I just wanted you to have one peaceful day as high school students." he said and began walking towards Miaka, "My kinder nature, manifesting itself because I pity you a little."
Shigyou stopped in front of Miaka.
"You see, surprisingly, you're about to jump off this roof." he said, "High school student girl takes her life unexpectedly. It could be post-exam depression, or she was picked on at school. The public will have fun trying to explain it."
Tears formed at the rim of Miaka's eyes.
Kaiya struggled against her captors once more.
"Shigyou, stop this! Stop this, please!" she yelled.
Shigyou ignored her cries and focused on Miaka.
Miaka shut her eyes and lowered her head.
"Demon!" she shouted, "You're the devil in human skin, in disguise!"
"Human skin?" Shigyou repeated calmly, "That's nothing to me. Are human beings really that special? I know how weak and foolish humans really are, how cruel and cowardly."
Shigyou began to reminisce about his past, the horrible thing that happened to him to make him curse humans forever.
"Alone they can accomplish little, but when they gather into groups, they easily attack those that are isolated from them, or the least bit different than they are." he said and narrowed his eyes, "They'll abuse them until they drive them away, never considering the feelings of their "prey" who may merely seek their help."
Shigyou raised an arm and pointed his hand at the other students, the ones who were not holding the two.
"If I am a devil, so are they. Look at their placid expressions, how easily they are controlled. No matter what happens to you, they'll act as though it wasn't their problem.
"You're wrong!" Miaka shouted and opened her eyes to look at him, "I know human beings! Their warmth and kindness, and their strength! Their loving hearts and concern for others!"
"They have loving hearts." Shigyou scoffed, "Oh, yes, just like we do, just exactly."
He leaned closer to Miaka and lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger.
"You're so naive. Shall we test your theory?" he asked and his eyes began to glow.
Miaka's eyes widened. She tried to avert her gaze, but Shigyou kept a firm grip on her chin.
'Don't look into his eyes!' she thought.
"I'm going to break you two apart."
'No!'
"You'll vanish soon anyway."
'No!'
"And then I'll make you love me in his place."
'No... Somebody help me! Help me... Taka!'
From within Miaka's jacket, something began to glow, a red light shining through.
Kaiya's eyes widened.
"Stop this, Shigyou! Stop it, NOW!" Kaiya shouted one last time. A pink character began to glow on her left hand and everything ceased to move.
Miaka looked left and right in confusion, wondering why Shigyou suddenly stopped moving.
Kaiya broke free and ran to Miaka, breaking her free as well. Kaiya grabbed Miaka's hand and ran a short distance away from Shigyou before she fell to her knees, clutching her chest in pain. The pink character disappeared, and the black character began to glow. Kaiya covered her right hand with her left, concealing the glowing mark and screwed her eyes shut.
Everything began to move again.
Miaka knelt down beside Kaiya, her eyes filled with worry.
Shigyou hissed and turned to them.
"I see you used your powers. No matter, you will be one of us in due time." he said and began to walk towards them.
Miaka looked from Shigyou to Kaiya, a look of desperation on her face.
"Kaiya, what's wrong?" she asked worriedly, "We've got to get out of here, Kaiya!"
Finally, the pain stopped and Kaiya opened her eyes. In her mind, the remainder of her life flashed by; five weeks.
"I'm fine now, really." she reassured her, "We've got to figure a way out..."
But the girls were running out of time. Shigyou and the students were only a few steps away and getting closer.
"Ugh!"
"Urgh!"
"Ugh...!"
Shigyou scowled and turned his head to where the commotion was.
"I don't know what sort of insight you have, but it's not that compelling."
"Taka!" Miaka acknowledged happily.
Miaka and Kaiya looked to each other, hope returning to their faces.
"I'm sorry that I didn't get here sooner, Miaka." said Taka. He began to runs towards Shigyou, taking care of any student in the way.
Shigyou jumped back, into the air.
From inside her jacket, Miaka pulled out a red scroll.
"Taka, here!" she shouted and threw it into the air, to Taka as he ran by.
Taka reached a hand out to grasp the scroll.
Miaka stared happily at Taka, remembering something that Keisuke had told her once.
Did you know this, Miaka? Suzaku was originally called "Ho-oh." Ho meant "male" and oh meant "female." And it was also known as the phoenix. It would consummate its life by burning itself with flames, and within them, be reborn over and over. It's a symbol of eternal, inescapable, pre-destined love. So, I guess you could say that love is the source of Suzaku's power. Heh... Love.. Heh heh...
Just as Taka was about to grab the scroll, the string around it became undone, and it unraveled itself.
Shigyou landed on the railing. He looked ahead to see a red, unraveled scrolling flying towards him. His eyes widened and he let out a gasp.
The scroll flew by Shigyou, cutting his cheek.
Shigyou covered his face with an arm and jumped off the railing, attempting to escape. The scroll seemed to have a mind of its own and quickly chased after Shigyou. It began to glow red and wrapped itself around him, ceasing his movements completely, and trapping him.
Taka, Miaka, and Kaiya stared in shock.
"The scroll just..." Taka said and trailed off.
Shigyou tried to struggle to break free of his confines as he began to fall to the ground.
The scroll glowed brighter, coating the three in red light.
The three looked to each other, realizing that they were going back to the other world.
Just as Shigyou was about to hit the ground, he vanished, and the scroll fell to the ground.
Back in the book world...
Insect songs chimed through the night air. A village not too far from the capital was covered in the night's darkness. All the windows were black, signaling that everyone was asleep.
Along the side of a manor house, two figures concealed by the darkness crept silently through the bushes. As they left the bushes, the moonlight shone on them, revealing them to be Chichiri and Tasuki.
Suddenly sensing other presences, Tasuki turned and tilted his head to the sky.
"Incoming!" he whispered.
A red light burst forth and Miaka came falling down.
Using his quick reflexes, Tasuki turned his body about and caught Miaka, then gently let her down.
Hotohori crawled through the bushes to kneel beside Tasuki, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Hey, nice catch, no da." Chichiri whispered.
Kaiya came next through the red light, falling as well.
This time, it was Chichiri's turn to react. He caught Kaiya and gently let her down.
Last to come through was Taka. Unfortunately for him, everybody's hands were either full or... transparent, so he fell to the ground, head first in the bushes.
Everyone turned their attention to him.
"And welcome back Tamahome." Chichiri said with a smile.
Kaiya slowly opened her eyes. She used one arm to brace herself on the ground and the other to rub her eyes.
"Where am I?" she asked, not recognizing her surroundings.
"Good to see you again, Kaiya, no da." Chichiri said.
Kaiya smiled at him.
"You too, Chichiri." she replied, "How's your arm?"
Chichiri smiled.
"It's healing well, no da." he answered.
"I'm glad." she answered. She then turned to Miaka and placed a hand on her shoulder and gently shook, "Miaka, wake up."
Miaka's eyes opened slowly.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"Miaka, it's good to see you again." Hotohori whispered.
Miaka's face brightened and she sat up.
"Hotohori! You guys!" she cried happily.
Chichiri placed a finger to his lips.
"Shhh! Not so loud, no da!" he whispered.
"Huh?" Miaka said.
"We're trying to be quiet because we're being thieves tonight."
Everyone turned their attention behind them. Two more people like Hotohori appeared, ghost-wise. One had purple hair and the other had light brown hair. Kaiya recognized the two as Chiriko and Nuriko.
"Kinda stupid breaking in my own house, though." Nuriko said.
"You mean this is your home, Nuriko? And you're breaking in?" Miaka asked and turned her head back to Chichiri and Tasuki. Suddenly realizing who she had just spoken to, Miaka turned her head again to Nuriko and Chiriko, "Oh, Nuriko! And Chiriko!"
Everyone placed fingers to their lips and desperately tried to shush her.
After Miaka got the picture, and Taka had caught up with them, they resumed sneaking into Nuriko's home.
Nuriko pointed to a side door.
"It's this way." he said.
Tasuki, now in lead, quietly slid the door open and crawled in.
"So you say a week's passed since we were here last?" Taka asked quietly.
"I don't just say it's passed, it's passed!" Tasuki snapped, "Whose jewels d'ya think we've been lookin' fer', huh?"
"And you found Nuriko's jewel?" Miaka asked excitedly.
"Sort of..." Hotohori replied.
Everyone crawled in and sat at the side of their door, giving their attention to Nuriko.
"I'm sorry, it's my older brother, you see." he said sadly and explained the conversation his brother had with the two living warriors, "He was pretty shaken up when he talked about how our sister died when he was little, then me, now. He said they say I died an honorable death in battle, but that I was buried alone in a frozen wasteland..."
Chichiri picked up from Nuriko.
"At first, he let us burn incense for Nuriko's soul, but TASUKI-" he said, slightly exasperated at the fanged warrior.
"Hey, I couldn't help it, I couldn't!" Tasuki interjected, "To suddenly see Nuriko goofing around in that serious atmosphere? I mean, I just lost it."
"I couldn't help it either!" Nuriko agreed, "When I realized that I was in my own house and you guys were praying for me with such serious looks, well... Not that I didn't like the attention, but still, I was embarrassed."
Taka leaned towards Tasuki, angrily glaring.
"So, you had to lose your cool and turn him against us?" he growled.
Tasuki glared back at Taka and raised his fan in a warning.
"Don't give me that dirty look." he growled back.
"We need to teach you guys to give us good news, not bad." Kaiya said and sighed.
"So... Rokou has the stone in his possession?" Miaka asked, ignoring the two's argument.
Nuriko shook his head.
"No, it's right here." he answered, and pointed to a small, clear ball seated on a red satin cushion and golden stand.
"A crystal ball?" Kaiya asked.
"You mean..." Miaka realized and trailed off.
"It's been a treasure of mind since I was little. I remember hearing that souls of the dead come back and live in these every year during the Chuugen Festival." Nuriko said, "I noticed its color had changed from what it used to be, and I found the jewel inside."
"We were kinda rash, no da, and we took the thing and tried to break it open immediately." Chichiri said shamefully.
Nuriko's expression saddened and he closed his eyes.
"Honestly..." he said, "My brother's silly..."
"I understand how Rokou feels, but Tamahome is more important at this time." Chiriko said.
"Exactly. If we proceed too slowly, he may vanish, and then our cause will be lost." said Hotohori.
Nuriko opened his eyes and turned to Tasuki.
"Tasuki, I don't care, just break it." he said.
"You sure?" Tasuki asked.
"We have to do something. I don't think that he's gonna change." Nuriko said. He studied the floor, recalling his childhood, "When we were little, he was a coward, a cry-baby. Everybody picked on him. And he always had to be saved by his little brother. He depended on others for everything."
Nuriko looked up from the ground and at the others.
"It's been two years since it happened. He has to finally accept that I'm dead and get on with his own life." he said, "Right now, Tamahome's memory jewel is more important."
Tasuki nodded and pulled out the fan on his back.
"Okay, then. Miaka, give the crystal ball to Tamahome to hold onto, 'kay?" he said.
Taka glared at Tasuki.
"What? So you can fry me alone with it?" he said.
Tasuki glared back at Taka.
"I can aim. I'll only hit the ball, coward." he snapped.
Taka held out his hand for Miaka to give him the ball. But when the ball landed in his hand, he suddenly felt an immense pain inside his body. Still holding the ball, he clutched his body. An evil, purple aura surrounded him. From that aura, a translucent monster appeared above him.
Everyone's eyes widened.
"Taka!" Miaka shouted.
Taka screamed in pain.
On Mt. Taikyoku (or at least that's where I thought it was)...
Mt. Taikyoku was very different from how it looked before. Tall spires of rock jutted out of the ground, reaching up to the sky. The sky was blood-red and was covered with dark, purple clouds. In the center of the sky was a large, dark moon.
In a wide space between a few of the spires, was Shigyou. But he was unconscious and he was being held in the arms of a woman.
The woman had the same lavender hair as Shigyou, but hers was up in a high ponytail. Her eyes were the same bright purple as well. She wore a dark red shirt tunic with purple and orange inner lining over her pale skin. Her tunic did not fully reach her waist, leaving a bit of her torso bare. Her pants were the same shade as her tunic and had a gold colored waistband.
The woman was sitting on the ground with Shigyou, holding him close to her. She had formed an energy barrier around them and was giving some of her energy to him.
"Ren, no one can judge us, or what we do." she whispered, "No one."
Back with Kaiya and co. ...
Chichiri ran forward and grabbed Taka with one hand and pressed his other's palm to his chest, casting a spell. His hand on his chest began to glow red, signaling that his spell was commencing.
"What happened? A monster's inside of Tama?" Tasuki asked.
"Taka!" Miaka cried and took a step forward.
Chichiri turned his head back to her. The monster had gone back inside Taka and lay dormant, for now.
"No! Stay back! Miaka, you mustn't touch him!" he shouted.
Back on Mt. Taikyoku...
"Yes... A power completely apart from that of Suzaku." the woman said, "It has attached itself within his body."
Kaiya and co. ...
Taka finally collapsed, releasing his grip on the crystal ball. The ball rolled out of his hand and onto the ground.
"This is more than just a spell being cast at this moment." Chichiri said.
"What're you doing here?"
Everyone turned their attention to the room's doors. In the doorway stood a man with dark blue hair and gray eyes. He was wearing a gray night gown with a light pink neckline. His eyes trembled.
Kaiya assumed he was Nuriko's brother, Rokou.
"What was that thing? A monster?" Rokou asked, "Why did you bring a monster here?"
"Oh, geez..." Tasuki groaned.
Mt Taikyoku...
"Almost done... Once I give Ren a bit more of my life force, we'll finish this, Lord Tenkou." the woman said and turned her head to a dark figure beside her.
The figure summoned small balls of fire around himself, providing some light. His skin was quite pale. He had long silver hair that reached the floor and yellow eyes with thin pupils, almost like cat (a real cat) eyes. Around his forehead was a golden circlet with a red jewel in the center and a blue teardrop shaped jewel hanging from that. He wore a long black cloak, making his skin seem even more pale.
"That's fine." he said, "Miisu, you must take your time. Renhou needs your help to recover.
Kaiya and co. ...
Rokou picked up the crystal ball form the ground and held it closely to him.
"I will never give this treasure to any friends of monsters." he said.
Nuriko walked up to him.
"Brother." he said in a pleading tone.
Rokou squeezed his eyes shut, unable to hear Nuriko's words.
"Please, leave this house now!" he commanded.
"No, brother, don't!" Nuriko protested.
"If you won't leave, then I will, with the crystal ball!" Rokou said and ran out the front doors, "Somebody, bring my carriage! Bring my carriage around at once!"
Two ministers came running, surprised at the sudden shout.
"Lord Rokou, it's very late! Where do you want to go?" the first minister asked.
"To the temple! I'm going to ask the Buddha to protect this crystal." Rokou answered and ran down the steps.
Nuriko stared after him, saddened.
"It's not only that he can't see me, he can't hear me as well..." he muttered, "Brother..."
Kaiya watched from a short distance away.
"Nuriko..." she murmured, her eyes growing blank.
Nuriko returned inside. As Taka explained to everyone how the monster got into him, Chiriko and Chichiri prepared a spell around him.
"So that woman planted the evil creature inside your body?" Hotohori asked seriously.
"Sorry..." Taka said weakly, "I was careless and I never suspected her..."
Chiriko finished the last of the spell's preparations and looked up at Chichiri.
"This is ready now, Chichiri." he said.
"What is that?" Tasuki asked, intrigued by the strange wards on the ground around Taka. (I didn't know whether they were wards or just the rug)
"A spell to seal the demon." Chichiri answered, "If I can cast a barrier and then use his highness' holy sword, combined with our powers to silence the creature inside Tamahome, then we could dislodge it!"
"Will Tamahome be hurt by this?" Nuriko asked worriedly.
"A celestial warrior has far more resilience than a normal person, but..." Chiriko said, "This is tricky..."
"But he's not even a full-strength warrior now!" Tasuki exclaimed.
"If we could only get that stone..." Hotohori said.
From the corner of her eye, Kaiya spotted Miaka leaving through the front doors.
'Miaka?' she thought, then realized what her friend was up to, 'You're going for the stone yourself?'
Kaiya glanced back at the others, then quietly snuck out after Miaka. She began to run in the direction of the temple and soon spotted her.
"Miaka!" she called out, running faster.
Miaka halted and looked back, finding Kaiya behind her.
"Kaiya!" she acknowledged.
Suddenly, the two heard the sound of a running horse. Kaiya looked behind her and saw Tasuki riding towards them on a horse.
"Whoa!" Tasuki commanded his horse, pulling on the horse's reins. The horse reared, whinnying, and pawing its hooves in the air. The horse relaxed and settled down on the ground.
Tasuki turned his head to look back at them.
"Idiots. Do you even know where the temple is?" he asked with a grin.
"Tasuki!" Miaka acknowledged.
"Climb on!" he said and helped the two girls onto the mount. Kaiya sat in front with Tasuki behind her, holding onto the reins, and Miaka sat behind him, her arms around his waist. Tasuki flicked the reins, and they were off.
"Boy, Tamahome can do no wrong in your eyes, huh?" Tasuki said as they rode away from the house and into the grassy plains, "I mean, ain't ya even a little pissed off at 'im?"
Kaiya glanced back at Tasuki, wondering what caused the sudden conversation of Taka.
"Think about it for a second! How he let that girl, Miiru, cast a spell on 'im and plant that monster inside his ear?" he continued, "As I see it, it's Tama's own fault. He was probably makin' a play fer' her an' she bit!" (I'm serious here. Tasuki has a sick, SICK mind)
Kaiya gasped as she saw Miaka let go and fall off the horse.
"Miaka!" she shouted.
Tasuki pulled on the horse's reins, causing the horse to whinny and rear.
"Miaka! Hey, wha'd'ya think yer' doing?" he shouted. The horse settled again.
Miaka lifted her head up from the ground, and looked at Tasuki with slight anger in her eyes.
"That's enough! Just go! Poor Taka..." she said, "I'm sick of you bad-mouthing Tamahome! You know he isn't irresponsible like that! Tasuki, you're his... you're Tamahome's friend, aren't you?"
Miaka stood up and began to walk past the horse.
"Nevermind. You two go back, okay?" she said more softly.
"Miaka..." Kaiya said quietly and dismounted the horse.
Tasuki turned his head forward and lowered it, regretting his words.
"I was just... Look, I... I just felt bad for you..." he said quietly, "I don't wanna see ya lookin' sad..."
Kaiya looked back at Tasuki, looking closely at his eyes. She realized just how the warrior felt about her friend, and her expression softened.
"Tasuki..." she whispered.
Tasuki shut his eyes and shook his head.
"No, that's not it!" he said aloud, "What'm I saying?"
He opened his eyes and looked at Miaka.
"Wait up, Miaka. C'mon..." he pleaded.
Miaka began walking to the right, in the direction of the temple.
"I asked you to go back!" she said stubbornly.
Kaiya turned her attention back to Miaka and ran up to her.
"Miaka, I'm coming with you. I'll help you. Let Tasuki come too. I'm sure he didn't mean anything. He was just worried." she said and gave Miaka a face that left no room for argument.
Miaka gave in and sighed.
"Alright." she said.
Suddenly, Tasuki spotted two, glowing, yellow eyes, and a dark, slinky figure in the grass beside Miaka.
Kaiya and Miaka heard its movements through the grass. They whirled around at the noise and gasped. Just as the creature jumped out, Kaiya lunged at Miaka, sending the two falling over.
"Miaka!" Tasuki shouted, rushing towards them. The animal/monster (I couldn't tell) looked like a combination of a weasel and a monster. It had a weasel's body, but skinny, boney legs, claws, razor sharp teeth, and yellow eyes.
Deciding to ignore its previous prey for now, the weasel monster set its sights on Tasuki. Tasuki was too slow to react and the creature managed to get its fangs into his arm. It jumped off his arm and began to climb up a tree to jump off for a second attack.
Tasuki leaped off the horse, drew his fan, and stabbed the creature to the tree before it could go any higher, or jump off.
"Rekka Shien!" he shouted. Fire burst forth from the fan, successfully destroying the creature.
Kaiya lifted her head and looked over at Miaka. She placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Miaka! Are you alright?" she asked, worriedly.
Miaka pushed herself up.
"Yeah, I'm fine." she said, then turned to Tasuki, "Tasuki!"
Tasuki dropped to one knee, clutching his wound, and winced.
"I think... it was poisonous...!" he said between gritted teeth.
Kaiya and Miaka rushed over to Tasuki and kneeled down beside him.
"What should we do?" Miaka asked worriedly.
"Don't you know?" Tasuki asked, "Suck the poison out of the wound... Then bandage it tightly so it can't reach my heart."
"Ah! I still have my bandages!" Kaiya said and took out her bandages from her pocket.
"Alright." Miaka said and took off his tunic, just enough to reveal his wound. She squeezed lightly and placed her lips over it, then began to suck.
Tasuki groaned in pain.
Miaka spat out the poisoned blood in her mouth and repeated until she was sure there was nothing more she could do, then moved aside.
Kaiya moved in and wrapped the bandages around his wound tightly, just as he instructed.
Miaka wiped the blood off her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Will you be alright now?" she asked.
A sudden thought dawned on Kaiya and she immediately turned to Miaka.
"Miaka, maybe you could do the same thing to Taka's ear wound!" she said.
Miaka's eyes widened.
"Outta the way, I'm coming through!"
Miaka, Tasuki, and Kaiya turned their heads to the road to find Nuriko running by with an unconscious Rokou being carried by his head.
Nuriko stopped suddenly, having just realized who he ran by, and turned around.
"Miaka? Tasuki? Kaiya? What's going on?" he asked.
Back at Rokou's home...
Chichiri sat in front of Taka, his forefingers and thumbs pressed together to maintain the barrier around Taka. Hotohori sat on the opposite side of where Chichiri sat with his sword in his hands. He was channeling his energy to Taka through his sword to keep the monster within him at bay.
Chiriko kneeled down by Taka's legs and tried to hold them down, but went right through him instead. He frowned at this.
"It's no use. I can't diminish the hold it has on him." he said sadly and turned his head away in guilt.
Chichiri sympathized the young boy.
"It's not your fault, Chiriko." he said.
"That's right. In the meantime, I will protect Tamahome with my life force." said Hotohori, "Only a living person can actually touch him."
"Until Tasuki, Miaka, and Kaiya return, we have to concentrate." Chichiri said determinedly.
Suddenly, the doors burst open, and Nuriko walked in, a happy expression on his face.
"We're all here!" he announced.
Everyone turned to Nuriko, shocked.
"Nuriko!" Chiriko acknowledged.
Nuriko lay Rokou down on the floor, his back against the wall. Remaining in Nuriko's arms were Tasuki, Miaka, and Kaiya, piled in that order.
Tasuki had an annoyed, yet nervous, grin on his face. Miaka was a little surprised with being carried in the arms of a ghost, and Kaiya looked like she had motion sickness.
"I brought my brother back with me, and the stone, too!" Nuriko said cheerfully, "Along with Kaiya, Miaka, and this bloodless snake."
Tasuki dropped his head and his expression became crestfallen.
"Can ya let me down now?" he whined.
After the three of them were put down, and Rokou regained consciousness, Miaka explained the idea to them all.
"Draw the creature out from the wound?" Chichiri repeated.
"That sounds dangerous and questionable, is it not?" said Hotohori.
"Yeah..." Nuriko agreed, "What if it ends up inside of you next, Miaka?"
"If Miaka gets hurt, Tamahome will never forgive us!" said Chiriko.
"Exactly, but Tamahome can't take the pain in his condition." said Chichiri.
"I can... handle it..." Taka said weakly, and turned his head to Miaka, "I don't know how you'll do it, but Miaka... it'll be okay... I won't lose to this... I won't... If it means... I can hold you again soon, then... I can withstand anything."
Miaka made her final decision and turned to Nuriko, her face resolute.
"Please help him, Nuriko!" she said.
Elsewhere...
Miisu sat alone in an empty and dark room. The only lighting was the glowing of her life force that she was channeling through a small, dangling, blood-red, clay doll connected to a small chain in her hand.
"Chichiri... the sorcerer... Will his barrier hold out much longer?" she mused.
Back with the group...
Taka was sitting somewhat upright. Nuriko kneeled behind him, his arms ringed under Taka's, bracing him to him.
"These bracelets are the only things that are holding you down. I'm being real careful, so I won't be as powerful as usual." Nuriko said, "So try not to go too wild, 'kay?"
Taka glanced back at Nuriko.
"Right... I'll do my best." he answered.
"Miaka." Nuriko said, signaling her to begin.
Miaka nodded and walked over to Taka.
Rokou watched silently with wide, fearful eyes. One hand clutched the crystal ball, while the other was in a loose fist near his mouth. He squeezed his eyes shut as Taka's screams began to fill the room.
With Miisu...
"It's useless, no matter what you attempt to help him, he'll never be able to stand it." she said confidently.
Back with the group...
Miaka continued sucking on Taka's ear wound, her face quivering as he screamed again.
Tasuki leaned down by Taka's legs, and held onto them.
"Try ta hang in there, buddy." he said and received a kick to the face, "Ow!"
"Tasuki!" Kaiya cried worriedly and rushed over to assist him.
Unable to bear it any longer, Taka turned his head away.
"Taka!" Miaka cried.
Rokou opened his eyes again, shamefully watching the display.
"No, Tasuki! You're injured, too!" Hotohori shouted.
"I know, but I'm tough. I can take it." Tasuki said and got up again. He gripped Taka's legs again, "Now, let's do it! Come on!"
Kaiya was also holding onto Taka's legs. They felt him yank and held on tighter.
Nuriko looked over his shoulder at his brother.
"Big brother! I know you can hear me now, can't you?" he said and held Taka tighter when he felt him try to break free, "Help us, please! It's up to you now!"
Rokou's eyes trembled.
"Ryuen... I can't..." he said and squeezed his eyes shut, "I can't do it! I don't have... that kind of strength!"
Chiriko appeared behind Rokou, an angry aura surrounding him. He lunged at Rokou, trying to take possession of his body. Rokou tensed, feeling his body reject the possession in a painful way.
"No, Chiriko!" Chichiri screamed. "You can't possess someone who's heart is closed to you! Leave him alone! Stop it, now!"
Rokou/Chiriko screamed. Chiriko was forced back and fell to the ground. Rokou fell to his knees, dropping the crystal ball.
Chiriko slowly pushed himself up, his fists shaking.
"Even though you live now..." he said and lifted his head to face Rokou, tears streaming down his face, "Even though you're alive, if you don't help, you won't live long! Why won't you let me... Please... let me into you...!"
Rokou stared at the floor, listening to the ghost's cries.
Chiriko began to sob.
"You're a disgrace...! It will all end because you're a coward and a disgrace!" he shouted.
"Chiriko..." Chichiri whispered.
Kaiya looked up at Rokou with blank eyes, still managing her grip on Taka's legs.
"Please, Rokou! You're the only one who can help right now." she said softly, "I know you still mourn for your brother. I know you're sad you can't see him, or feel him. I know it's hard to accept death, but that's life. It's not always fair. But right now, you can help two others who love each other, and others who may need help, and live the next day knowing you did something right. Please, Rokou... Help us."
Chichiri stared silently at her, studying her blank look.
'It's like she understands him completely... Maybe she's gone through this... before?' he thought, but his attention, as well as the others', was quickly taken back to Taka when he screamed again.
"No! He's biting his own tongue!" Nuriko shouted, and squeezed his eyes shut. He opened them again when he heard nothing but muffled screams. His eyes widened when he found Rokou beside him with his arm in Taka's mouth. In Rokou's free hand was his arm/bracelet. "Rokou!"
Rokou looked up, past Taka's head to where he thought his brother was.
"I understand... I know you're gone now. No matter where I search, I'll never find you." he said, tears pooling in his eyes, "They say you were honorable, that you died bravely... Yet why can't I accept it?"
Nuriko stared at his brother, listening intently to every word.
"They told me you rest peacefully in the snow, but I couldn't see your body to grieve for you." he said, "All I knew was that you... that you were dead, and how much I missed you, how much I wanted to hold you and weep for you. Yet I was denied that wish to see you one more time... I miss you so much."
Rokou closed his eyes and lowered his head.
Nuriko moved his arm so that his hand rested in his brother's. He interlaced their fingers and hand began to glow.
Rokou's head snapped up and his eyes opened in surprise when he suddenly felt a hand in his. There in front of him, was Ryuen, his brother, tears threatening to fall from his eyes.
"Oh, brother." Nuriko said softly.
Rokou's lips curled into a smile, and the tears in his eyes flowed down his cheeks.
"Ryuen..." he said.
Finally able to get the monster out of Taka's ear, Miaka's face contorted in disgust. She spat it out on the ground near her. Hotohori ran towards the blood puddle, sword ready in his hand. Nuriko released Taka, knowing it was okay to do so, and backed away. He and Rokou sat down side by side as Rokou had his arm bandaged by Kaiya. The blood puddle mutated into its true form and was immediately destroyed by Hotohori's sword.
"Brother, you and I may look alike, but we are so different, and always have been." Rokou joked, "Your heart, your strength. You're so powerful."
Everyone rested on the floor, silently watching the two having their brotherly moment. Miaka held Taka close to her, relieved that he was okay now. Kaiya's eyes were normal again, and she smiled at them.
"I'm pathetic in comparison." Rokou continued, "I wanted to show you that I could be a big brother to you, but before I could, you were gone. I want to be a better man. Will you accept me as your big brother?"
Nuriko locked his arm with his brother's and turned to face him. His eyes softened.
"What're you saying? All my life you've been my big brother, haven't you?" he asked and closed his eyes with a smile, "It's okay. You're stronger now. You know what? You'll be okay."
Elsewhere...
Tenkou sat in a completely dark room, watching the display through a ball of fire in his hand. The scene disappeared and he crushed the flame into nothingness. He laughed evilly.
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Author notes: Well! That's another chapter done! I didn't know what a lot of things were in this episode, but I think it worked out. I'm not sure if I spelled Nuriko's brother's name right. If it's not, somebody please tell me and I'll change it. Excuse any bad grammar you see. Next chapter may take longer than the usual time (two months), 'cause there are things in there I really shouldn't be seeing... And I have to see in order to WRITE the chapter. Um... REVIEW! You know you wanna... Please?
