Well, I hope you like this chapter. I'm kinda losing ideas, so if you have any suggestions…Our anonymous reviews were disabled but now they're enabled so EVERYONE can review! You better…
"'Yes. I'll escort you there myself, free of charge, to my uncle Tasuki' said the girl named Ling taking the boy by the hand," Miaka read the phrase and paused to think.
TASUKI! This girl was taking Tamahome to Tasuki! Miaka quickly shut the book and ran out of Tamahome's room and into hers where Taka still laid asleep. She turned her gaze toward the clock on the drawer.
"Three o'clock. Damn," thought Miaka. "Should I wake him up?"
She touched the edge of the book. What will happen to him? She looked at Taka again.
"M-miaka…" mumbled Taka. Miaka jumped at the sound of his voice and quickly tip-toed to his side. He was still asleep.
"M-miaka…do it again…yes, that," said Taka in his sleep with a wide grin.
Miaka frowned and punched his stomach. "WAKE UP YOU PERV!"
"OW!" yelped Tamahome clenching his stomach still half-asleep. "What was that for?" He was looking at Miaka with very groggy eyes.
"Believe me, you don't wanna know," she said with an irritated face. "I have something serious to talk to you about-"
"If you're hungry, go make it yourself," said Taka angrily sliding back underneath the covers.
Miaka could no longer contain her worry. "It's about T-tamahome. He's in the b-b-book," she said sliding the book in with Taka.
He quickly grabbed the book and opened it. "'The strange girl kept on pulling Tamahome, making him run faster. They had finally made it out of the market. Tamahome pulled his hand roughly away and stopped'—MIAKA! How could this have happened! He told us everything was alright—"
"Yes, I know, but we can't exactly ask him, can we."
"Give me your hand."
"Huh?" said Miaka, tilting her head confusedly.
"Let's go in with him! I bet we can try! I mean, how did you get in here the second and third time around?"
"W-well, I just really wanted to see you, and protect Konan…I guess it's worth a shot."
Miaka slipped her hand into Taka's. They both closed their eyes and his voice crept slowly into Miaka's ears.
"Just think of Tamahome. How much he needs us now…just want it…"
A couple of minutes passed. Taka's grip on Miaka had tightened from the nerves.
"Nothing's happening, Taka."
Taka opened his eyes and saw Miaka's sad ones staring into his. He couldn't take Miaka's sadness. The best he could do now was hold her close to him. She didn't hesitate at all.
"We'll figure something out," cooed Taka.
Miaka broke the embrace and a smile slowly filled her face. "This girl, Ling, she's taking Tamahome to Tasuki…"
Taka's eyes widened. "Really? Oh God. Tamahome…"
"Ling…Ling! Are we almost there?" whined Tamahome, pouting like a little kid.
"Huh? Oh…yeah! We're almost there! We just have to go to the end of this village. Uncle Tasuki lives in the far country-side."
"Your uncle Tasuki, eh? IF you live all the way over here, what were you doing back there in that hut?" asked Tamahome looking around the village they were passing. Ling had told him to put his necklace in his pants for safekeeping. She said it would cause a commotion if people knew he was here. Tamahome hadn't understood, but he did it without complaining. Now, everyone was staring at his bare chest. Most of the girls, and some guys, were drooling and blushing from his muscular, yet lean, shape. The folks seemed happy. Poor, but happy.
"What do you mean—oh! There it is!" she yelled pointing to a big cabin at the far end of the terrain. She started running, leaving Tamahome in the back.
"Wait for me!" He said walking as fast as he could. The big cabin they were approaching had a beautiful garden surrounding it in the front and the windows were open to let the fresh air in. Tamahome started to run once he saw that Ling was now knocking on the door.
"Wait!" Tamahome yelled. Ling looked back and blushed when she remembered that she had come here for a reason and not just to visit.
"Sorry! Hurry the hell up already!" She shouted right as the man that Tamahome had seen when he was first in the book slammed the door.
"Stop that yellin'! Can't you see that we're trying to eat!" Tasuki roared.
"Sorry Uncle, but something- no someone came, and, well… why don't you take a look at him?" Ling pointed to Tamahome who had finally gotten to the house huffing and puffing.
Tasuki stared and stared, so he wasn't dreaming yesterday when he thought that he had seen Tamahome. "Tama-boy? That really you? How come ya don't have a shirt on? " Tasuki looked at his uncovered chest and reached out, pulling him into a hug and giving him a noogie. "Where's M-"
Tamahome pulled away, "Why do you keep calling me that? Who are you?"
"What do ya mean? Ya don't remember me? And why do you look so young?" asked Tasuki looking up and down at Tamahome. Ling had slowly crept away from them and went inside the house.
Tamahome peered at the man slightly irritated, "The only time that I have ever seen you was at that field yesterday."
"Wait, yer name is Taka, right? You were once Tamahome—" Tasuki suddenly got worried. Did all their hard work of trying to get his memories back suddenly backfire?
"…Taka is my dad's name…my name's Tamahome," said Tamahome, suddenly confused.
"Huh?" Tasuki said scratching his orange hair.
"My dad has always been Taka. I'm confused," said Tamahome staring into Tasuki's bright eyes.
"Well, that makes two of us."
"Tasuki! You BUM! Mama's food is gettin' cold! Get your ass in here before I drag it in!" a loud voice erupted from inside the house making both Tasuki and Tamahome jump. Tasuki opened the door wide enough to let Tamahome in. Then he turned around and went in yelling, "I'm goin' there ya old hag! Honestly that's why I hate wemen!"
Tasuki walked into the house and left Tamahome feeling a little uneasy. He gradually walked inside and headed towards what looked like a living room but immediately regretted the decision. Two young women looked at him and dropped the tray that they had been carrying, blushing heavily. They went up to his side and started flirting with the shirtless young Tamahome.
"Oh! Dear me!"
"Oh, how does stupid Tasuki know such a fine gentleman like you?"
"Yeah, Tasuki you never said that we were going to have comp'ny! Such cute comp'ny…" one of the women started massaging his neck.
"You seem so stressed. Come, I'll make feel so much better."
Tamahome turned red and slowly backed away and bumped into Ling. In her arms she carried a bundle of men's clothes and laughed when she saw how red Tamahome was.
"Is red your natural skin tone or something? You turn red a lot…," she asked as she pushed him into a room and threw the clothes at him. "Now change. We might as well eat dinner here, so hurry up!"
It took quite a while, and everyone was waiting in the dining room.
"What da hell is takin' Tamaboy so long?"
"Oh shut up Tasu—my word! Aren't you the handsome devil!" squeaked Tasuki's sister. Tasuki, his sisters, his mom, and even Ling were all gawking at the sight of the new Tamahome.
He had a green cross-collared shirt with a black waist belt, (which only brought out his amazing eyes even more) and simple black pants with black cotton shoes. He was now the spitting image of Taka.
"Tamaboy! You took forever! Come sit next to me!" guided Tasuki. Tamahome reluctantly followed, still feeling red in the face. The women were still staring and for some reason, when he looked at Ling, she quickly stared down at her food.
"Well then, lets begin'!" cried Tasuki. Pork, beef, and chicken was passed around, and Tamahome thought that the vegetable soup was the best he had ever had.
"Why thank you dearie!" exclaimed Tasuki's mom. "The recipe has been passed down from generation to generation." The large woman stood up and walked over to Tamahome, resting her colossal boobs on top of Tasuki. "Would you like some more soup?"
"Uh…" mumbled Tamahome.
"Ged…off…meeee…"
"Oh! Sorry Tasuki, darling! My eyesight's not as good as it used to be."
Everyone laughed as Tasuki gasped for air.
"Goodnight Tamaboy!" giggled one of Tasuki's sisters, hugging Tamahome.
"See ya in the mornin'!" cooed another.
"Ged out a here ya ol' hags!" yelled Tasuki, shooing his sisters and ignoring their dirty looks. Only Ling, Tasuki, and Tamahome remained in the living room with a candle lighting the room.
"Now then, Tamaboy—"
"My name is Tamahome."
"You see, I don't quite understand that Tamaboy. Your name's Tamahome, and your dad's name's Taka. Is he married to a girl named Miaka?"
"Yes!" breathed Tamahome. They were finally starting to understand each other! But his mom wasn't a girl anymore.
"So…Taka never told ya…"
"Told me what?" asked Tamahome with a raised eyebrow.
An uncomfortable silence fell across the room. Ling was sitting on the floor twirling one of the waist-long braids attached to her buns. Uncle Tasuki had told her the story. It was just one of those things they talked about when they were out in the fields together picking vegetables. He had told her about the man who bore the sign of the ogre on his forehead and the priestess who fell in love with him, and the wave of deaths befallen on the country of Konan.
"You might as well tell him," muttered Ling. Her eyes were fixed on a single spot on the floor. "He has a right to know."
"Know what? Is there something you know about my parents and I don't?" asked Tamahome nervously. This was starting to go down a path he didn't want to take.
"Calm down Tamaboy. They ain't killers or anythin'," chuckled Tasuki, "They're the opposite damn it! They're the saviors of Konan!"
"Please tell me everything."
"So, my dad, Taka, used to be Tamahome, but when he was reborn into my world he came back as someone different?"
"More or less."
It had taken about an hour to get the short version of Taka's and Miaka's lives. An hour filled with descriptions, bewilderment and questions. A lot of questions. Ling had gotten up to make tea, while Tasuki buried his face into his hands, apparently bored from talking about Tamahome's parents.
"And my mom was the Priestess of Su..Su.."
"Suzaku dammit! Sheez I risk my life an' all for this ignorance," yelped Tasuki. "Well, we're done with da basics. And now we go to the matter of why you're actually here."
"Finally," murmured Ling. "That's why we came here in the first place! Show him your necklace Tamahome."
"Uh, sure. I left my jeans—"
"Your who?" asked Ling.
"Never mind."
Tamahome paced out of the room. Ling looked up at Tasuki who stared back at her.
"Da boy doesn't even know his history. What was Taka thinking in not tellin' him?"
"I dunno he surely doesn't have a clue that—"
"Here it is," breathed Tamahome, gliding into the room with the necklace falling in place above the green collared shirt.
"So ya do 'ave the imperial crest. And Taka's son, out of all people. Let me put it down quick an' easy for you: Konan has no ruler at the moment," started Tasuki motioning with his hands.
"Because the prince fled from his duties, he refused to be the emperor," said Ling. Tamahome turned to her and thought this was all still confusing. How did he get stuck doing this?
"Right. An' the empress is fatally ill," finished Tasuki.
"Oh, yeah. You explained that the emperor of Konan was named Hotohori. Also a celestial warrior that helped out my mom?" asked Tamahome, finally hoping he got it.
Ling looked at Tamahome who was still looking at Tasuki. His jaw line was perfect; his hair was somewhat long falling neatly on his neck. She frowned. Would he actually go through with it?
"Exactly!" exclaimed Tasuki. Do you remember the woman I told ya about, Tai Yi- Jun?"
"God of Heaven? She also helped my mom—"
"No! Well…yeah…but she's also the scary ol' hag!" Tasuki sighed and returned to Tamahome. "She prophesized that the next ruler of Konan would arrive from unknown lands wearin' the crest of Suzaku. An' if you haven't noticed you are here from another world wearing' the damn necklace."
"But it doesn't mean anything! My father just bought it for me for my birthday! It's not—"
"Spineless! That's what you are!" yelled Ling drowning out Tamahome's voice.
"Keep it down!" whispered Tasuki. He sighed again. "Look, we need a ruler; countries are going to war to gain control over Konan. Villages are being wiped out and innocent people are dyin'. We ain't askin' you to be the king. Just go visit the empress."
Tamahome stared at the floor, refusing to look at either Tasuki or Ling.
"Lets get some sleep. You can sleep in my room, I'll sleep here," pointed Tasuki to the living room. Ling got up and walked over to another room. "An' don't let her bother you. She's hardheaded."
Ten minutes later, Tamahome laid on Tasuki's bunk, thinking about what to do tomorrow. Should he visit the empress?
"I can't go back to mom and dad," he thought, "I might as well decline politely." Sleep came faster after having decided on a plan.
"Darlin'! Breakfast is ready!"
Tamahome woke up and felt confused. It took him a while to remember that he wasn't in Japan, but in a world inside a book. He sleepily walked over to the window in Tasuki's room. The sun was shining beautifully across the garden. He could just barely make out a figure walking slowly closer. It was Ling tending the garden. He watched her for a couple of minutes. She was wearing a red, knee-length collared garment, and her hair was in a bun with waves flowing beneath it. She casually looked over to the window and frowned at Tamahome, then walked off with a bunch of flowers in her arms.
Tamahome turned around and changed into the clothes from yesterday. He had made a choice. After breakfast he would make his way to the heart of Konan.
"Good mornin' Tamaboy!"
"Good morning Tasuki."
"Sidown an' eat child!" urged Tasuki's mom. She brought over a bowl of white-looking goo and placed it in front of Tamahome. To his surprise, it was actually sweet and good.
"It's tree fungus," smirked Tasuki.
"Hey Tasuki," whispered Tamahome. He walked over to the living room with Tasuki right behind him.
"What is it Tamaboy?"
"I've decided to go visit the empress. I want to get things straightened out."
"That's great! I've wanted to find an' excuse to leave outta here! I'll get everything ready and we'll leave by noon. It's not that far from here to the palace. The trouble's gonna be gettin' in," Tasuki muttered to himself. "I bet I'm well known. I am a celestial warrior an' all," he gloated.
"Do you think Ling will come, too?"
"Ling? I dunno. She's off being her moody self as always."
"Do you know where she's at?"
"Sure, 'bout a ten minute walk from here. The lake near the forest. Be careful tho'."
Tamahome walked out of the house with a container filled with lunch that Tasuki's mom had given to him to eat with Ling.
He rather enjoyed the walk. Tasuki's sisters had explained how all the farm land belonged to their family. It was beautiful, and up ahead he could see the familiar rows of apple trees. He made a turn where Tasuki had instructed him to, and up ahead he could hear frogs croaking. He cautiously walked on so not to startle Ling. He hid behind a couple of bushes and was amazed to find Ling crouched over the lake—praying. The flowers she had picked were on her lap. Tamahome was a second away from walking up to her when he spotted a tear slide down her face and into the pond; creating tiny ripples. This sight of her made him feel a sense of longing. He wanted to go up to her and ask her what was wrong, but then again, he didn't know anything about her.
He saw Ling wipe her eyes with the back of her hands. Now was the perfect time to go to her and pretend he hadn't seen anything.
"Ling?" he asked with as much innocence as he could muster.
"Huh?" turned Ling. "Oh." She returned to the lake, taking one of the flowers and placing it gently in the water.
"I came here to tell you that I will be going to the palace." Ling looked up at him doubtfully.
"What made you change your mind?"
"I dunno. I'm still a bit confused, but after hearing how this country is suffering, I'm willing to do something."
"We don't need your pity." Ling placed the last of the flowers in the water.
"No, but I want to help."
A moment of silence passed. Ling looked intently into the lake, and Tamahome didn't know what to do.
All of a sudden he remembered the packed lunch.
"OH! Here, Tasuki's mom wanted me to give this to you. I already ate, so you can have mine, too," he said with a wide grin.
Ling looked up at him and his outstretched hands with the container. She slowly grabbed it but quickly turned away, although Tamahome could have sworn he saw her smile.
"Ya ready Tamaboy?"
"Yeah," stammered Tamahome, clutching the strap of the backpack Tasuki's mom had prepared for the trip.
"Thanks so much for letting me stay here," said Ling to Tasuki's mom and sisters.
"Yeah, me too," repeated Tamahome. "Thank you for your hospitality," he said bowing.
"What a sweet youn' thing!" bellowed Tasuki's mom grabbing Tamahome by the wrists and pulling him to a tight embrace. Tamahome hadn't been prepared to be smashed into her colossal bosoms. He didn't know which way to turn.
"Uh…uh…"
"Ma! Let 'im go!" urged Tasuki.
"Aw, let her hug him. It's not every day we get a handsome young man in the house!" squealed Tasuki's sister.
"That's right!" giggled the other.
"Be careful," warned Tasuki's mom. "If anyone ever finds out who yer are..."
They made their way out of Tasuki's lands and into the main road. Tamahome trudged on behind Tasuki who was talking on and on about Suzaku, the empire, and the old days. Their first stop would be the village overlooking the fields. They made their way through the markets with busy people minding their business. Tasuki led them all the way to a stable and told them to wait outside.
"What's he doing?" asked Tamahome.
"Getting us horses," stated Ling bluntly. "I need to make me some money. This little trip is going to make me put a hold on my money-making business!"
"Well sorry," muttered Tamahome under his breath. He looked at Ling who was twirling a braid. He smiled. He was happy she came with him.
"Got da horses!" yelled Tasuki in Tamahome's ear.
"Ah! Don't do that dammit!"
Tamahome rode a black mare, while Tasuki and Ling both rode brown ones. Tasuki said that with the horses they would make it to the palace in less than two hours.
"Should we go tell Yui and Tetsuya?" asked Miaka.
"No. They don't need to get mixed up in our problems," replied Taka. The Universe of the Four Gods was still clutched tightly in his hands. They decided to stop reading after the shock of Hotohori's son and their own son's fate. Would he go through with it?
"What about Tetsuya and my brother? They did a full-on research on the contents of this book. They probably know what's going on!"
Taka looked at the clock on the drawer: 5:42. Too early to wake them up.
"Let's wait a little while longer. Do you want me to make some coffee?"
"Ooh, yes! With some of those donuts we bought yesterday!"
"Our son is in danger and all you can think about is food?"
"Well you offered…"whined Miaka softly. She looked at Taka's face which was staring at the book. "Don't worry about him. If he's anything like us, he'll make it through."
"Ow!" screeched Tamahome. They had deviated from the road and taken a path through the woods. One of the branches from the trees had hit his face and frightend the horse; knocking him directly to the ground.
"Ow! Ass! Hurts!" he moaned rubbing his back.
"Are you okay?" asked Ling kneeling beside him and examining the cut from his forehead. "Ew. That looks gross." She took off the ribbon holding one of her buns together and wrapped it gently around his temples. "Is that better?"
"Y-yes, thank you," he responded, feeling a little odd. Ling had been so close to him, and could sense a caring feeling in her.
"Aw, man, you shoulda seen your face when you fell off da horse!" laughed Tasuki. Both his and Tamahome's horses' reigns were in his hands when suddenly a knife flew and missed Tasuki's ear by an inch.
"What the hell!" All three looked at the place where the knife had come from. Another knife barreled past Ling's thigh, then a person dressed in black jumped out of the bushes. The only thing visible was their green eyes.
"The next emperor of Konan must die!" a woman's voice yelled from behind her masked face. The woman jumped forward and raised a long blade.
"I will avenge my village!"
OK… I'm guessing there might be some questions about the time differences in each world… Samarama you explain you said it…
Well if anyone noticed, time has gone the same after Miaka left the world of The Universe of the Four Gods. Sixteen years have passed since they left the book, making Miaka 35 yrs old, or something like that. But now that Tamahome entered the book, the time difference has gone all screwy again. It's hard to explain, just use your imaginations! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and sorry for the wait. The next one will be up ASAP. Please review!
I have the ages calculated!
Miaka: 15 (When she entered the book) 19 (When she had Tamahome) 35 (Now)
Taka: 17 (In the book when he was THE Tamahome) 21 (When Tamahome was born) 37 (Now)
Tamahome: 16
Ling: 9 (When Amiboshi died) 10 (When life changing moment happened it will be explained soon ) 15 (Now)
Tasuki: 17 (In the book when Miaka first appeared and Taka was Tamahome) 19 (When Miaka and Taka Was Tamahome but became Taka and they had to gather the little memory things entered the book the second time) 38 (Now)
Chichiri (He'll be coming soon:D) : 24 (In the book when Miaka first appeared and Taka was Tamahome) 27 ((When Miaka and Taka Was Tamahome but became Taka and they had to gather the little memory things entered the book the second time) 46 (Now)
I don't now how the hell she got that, and I'm more confused than before. Hope you understand it, if not then just ask and we'll reply. Thanks for reading.