"Donít forget dear, be respectfulÖ try not to give them too much attitudeÖ I know how you get."
"Yes mom."
"If you ever feel like coming backÖbecause I know you willÖ Just call and Weíll set it up so you can come home right away."
"Okay DaddyÖ"
"Tasuketan da! Miko-sama-tachi daÖ"
"What? Why are you speaking to me in Japanese? Who are you?"
"Tasuketan daÖ! It is your destiny!"
"Who are YOU?"
"We areÖ" (The image of four men appears)
"Youíre not humanÖ"
"It is your turn, to fulfill your destinyÖ You must help."
"Aghh! MonsterÖ get away!!!!!!!"
"Shijin Ten ShishoÖ Miko san-tachi, Kimi no SekaiÖ Your destiny!"
"NoÖ Its a dream! I have to wake up. WAKE UP!!"
"UghÖ." The girl said as she rubbed her head.
"Hey, Miss are you alright?"
"YeahÖ I just had a bad dream, thanks." DreamÖ just a dreamÖ nothing to worry aboutÖ The girl reassured herself, just then, an announcement over the speakers interrupted her thoughts.
"The plane has landed in Tokyo AirportÖ Please make sure you have all your belongs before you leave the airplane. We hope you had a nice flight. To those visiting, have a nice stay, to those coming home, Okaeri-nasai."
Visiting? Öam I just visitingÖ? Or will here be my home?
******************************************************************
"Are we there yet?" Tasuki asked rubbing his head. All he remembered was a warm flash of red light and a sudden feeling of nausea.
"DAMMNIT!! GET OFF ME!!" Screamed Taka. He was faced down on the floor. Tasuki and Chiriko managed to somehow smooth out their landing by landing on Takaís back.
"Tamahome-san, thanks for breaking our fall." Chiriko said with a smile.
"ARGHHHH!! Get off, get off, GET OFF MEEEE!!" Taka screamed again while Tasuki, Chiriko and the others were laughing hysterically.
"MinnaÖ.." A soft voice called out.
The room became deathly quiet as the seven Seishi of Suzaku, and Tokaki looked up. They were astonished with the sight of Miaka and Yui, and the foreign looking surroundings.
"Miaka!!" Taka gasped. He shook of the still bewildered Tasuki and Chiriko off his back and ran to Miaka. The two engulfed each other in a loving embrace and for a moment, time was at a standstill.
"Okay, Okay! Break it up!!!" Nuriko said in the most ëmanlyí voice he could muster. "Itís my turn to hug her."
"NurikoÖ" Miaka started to say something, but tears of joy choked out her voice.
"Awww, whatís this? Miaka donít cry. Weíre all together again. Youíre supposed to be happy." Nuriko smiled and hugged the sobbing Miko.
"I am happy." Miaka managed to say. "Itís just thatÖ. I missed you guys so muchÖ. And now everyoneís hereÖ. AndÖ.."
"Nothing has changed ne? Youíre still the same girl IÖ. The same girl I rememberÖ still the girl that cries easily over things." Nuriko said as he affectionately looked at Miaka.
"I think Miaka is just overwhelmed." Hotohori said with a warm smile. He patted Miakaís hand lovingly. Despite the fact that he loves his beautiful wife Houki, he was never in love with her. Miaka is his first loveóor should he say second, since he is his own first love. Miaka is the only girl that he was actually in love with and because of this, Miaka will be forever etched in his heart.
Everyone took turns giving Miaka a hug and exchanging hellos with Yui, Tetsuya and Keisuke. Everyone was busy giggling, laughing, and exclaiming in awe at the wonders of the spacey condo. Everyone Except Tasuki.
**************************************************
At first, no one seemed to notice the fiery seishi standing in front of the window sill staring blankly at the busy city streets. Tasuki was lost in his thoughts. He didnít notice anything around him. He didnít notice the colorful cars, the tall buildings, the dogs barking outside, he didnít even notice the pretty girls in their short skirts walking by looking up at him with curious eyes. Tasuki didnít notice any of these things because his thoughts were concentrated on one person and only one personÖ. His thoughts were on Miaka.
Tasuki knew that he didnít stand a chance at winning Miakaís heart. He only wanted Miaka to be happy, and he knew that she was happiest when she was with Tamahome. However he couldnít ignore the feeling that Miaka gave him. The warmth, innocence, and kindness that she gave out, and brought out in others. He didnít know if he was really in love with her, but he did know that he loved her, and he would do anything, and give up everything for her.
"What the hell are you thinking Tasuki? Remember what happened last time you acted on your feelings? You almost killed Tama." Tasuki said to himself, recalling what had happened when Hikou had possessed Tasuki with his "weird water". Tasuki almost raped Miaka and killed Taka, all because of his little "crush" on her.
"You just have to forget about it Tasuki." He told himself as he glanced quickly at Miaka.
"Címon, you hate women remember?" He said trying to convince himself to forget about her, but all Tasukiís efforts were lost because he couldnít forget about her, no matter how hard he tried.
"Yo Tasuki! What the hell is with you?" Taka asked, looking at his friend with genuine concern.
"Huh??" was Tasukiís answer as finally snapped out of his thoughts.
Miaka walked over to Tasuki and gave him a huge hug. "You okay Tasuki?" she asked.
"Uhm, yeahÖ" Tasuki stammered. Great as if this isnít hard enough. Tasuki sighed to himself.
"Great place no da!! Donít you agree Tasuki-kun?" Chichiri asked.
"Yeah, itís amazing."
"Tasuki-san, youíre really out of it." Chiriko said, looking at Tasuki with eyes that were full of curiosity and concern.
"Nah, heís just probably thinking of some girl." Nuriko said with a malicious grin.
Tasuki scowled at Nuriko but he couldnít say anything.
"Heís just probably looking for a nice girl from here." Keisuke grinned.
"Donít worry man, there are a lot of pretty girls here! Iím sure youíve seen some while you were looking out the window." Tetsuya said with a wild grin.
"Uhm, yeahÖ" Tasuki scratched his head and looked out the window, finally being able to see for the first time, all the amazing things in Miakaís world. "What are those things?" Tasuki asked pointing to the cars.
"Oh theyíre carsÖ Itís a mode of transportation." Tetsuya answered. "WowÖ" Tasuki mumbled in awe.
"Hey donít worry Tasuki," Yui smiled. "Weíll take all of you guys on a tour."
"Yeah, but first you guys have to change." Taka said with a wry grin.
"Why?" Tokaki asked?
"OhÖ. WellÖ.. because people would really look at you guys weird with those garbs." Keisuke answered.
"Well where are we going to get clothes?" Hotohori asked.
"Uhm, you could borrow some of Tetsuyaís and Oniichanís clothes until we can go shopping for you guys." Miaka smiled.
"Yeah that shouldnít be any problem." Yui added.
"Canít we have them made? Iím an Emperor for crying out loud." Miaka, Yuik, and the rest chuckled at Hotohoriís comment. Tokaki shook his head laughed.
"Figures he would say something like that. Hey Miaka, you think I can find something nice here for Subaru? You know something nice andÖ.. sexy to wear?" Tokaki said in an embarrassed voice.
"Oh donít worry, I know exactly where you can get some really nice outfits for Subaru-sanÖ I got some for Yui at thisÖÖ." Tetsuya started to say when Yui interrupted him by chucking a pillow at his face. "ITAI!!!" Tetsuya laughed, then he whispered, "Donít worry Tokaki-san, Iíll take you to that place later."
Taka shook his head and smiled. "Tasuki can borrow some of my clothes, weíre just about the exact same size anyway." Taka answered.
"CHEEE! I still say nothing is wrong with what Iím wearing!" Tasuki exclaimed.
"Maa Maa, while we are here, we have to fit in no da!"
"Yeah, besides, it would be fun to dress up in this worldís clothes." Nuriko gushed.
"DakaraÖ" Tasuki started to complain when he was interrupted by a strange sound.
"EEEEHHH? NANI SORE??" Nuriko exclaimed.
"Calm down everyone, its just the phone." Yui said patiently.
"Phone? What is a ëphoneí?" a baffled Chiriko asked.
"Chotto." Yui smiled. "Hai, moshi moshi? Ö.Ahh Yuuki-san, Hai, Miaka to Keisuke ga irrashairuÖ. Hai, chotto matte kudasai." Yui handed Keisuke the phone. "Here its your mom."
"Ok, so Yui, what is a phone?" Mitsukake asked.
"Well a phone isÖ.."
While Yui explained the mechanics of the telephone, Keisuke spoke to his mother:
"Okaasan? Nan ka atta no? Öahh sou ne, demoÖ hai ÖeetooÖ dakara.Öhai, hai, Wakatta. Jya, Ite Kaerimasu." Keisuke hung up the phone and slammed his fist against the wall. "Chikusho!"
"Oniichan, doshita no?" Miaka asked concerned. Everyone quieted down as well.
"That was mom, it turns out our cousin from the United States has just arrivedÖ I totally forgot about her. I guess we have to go there now and greet her Miaka."
"Cousin from the US?" Yui asked.
"Yeah, remember, I told you last month that she was comingÖ I must have forgotten about it because of all theÖ.." Miaka failed to finish her sentence. "At any case, she came here and visited once when we were still little remember?"
"Oh yeah, Michiko desu ne?" Yui asked and Miaka nodded in response.
"What is the United States?" Hotohori asked.
"Oh its a different country." Tetsuya answered.
"Ah, sokka."
"Well, Miaka, we better go and entertain her before Okaasan gets suspicious andÖ"
"No wayÖ Iím not leaving everyoneÖ I just got to see them and I donít want to go!"
"Miaka donít be difficult."
"Tell ya what Niichan," Miaka grinned sheepishly. "You go get her, and bring her back here along with some clothes that the others can borrowÖ."
"ButÖ" Keisuke started to protest.
"Shinpai shinai deÖ Iíll take care of everything. Just bring her back here." Miaka said with mischief gleaming in her eyes.
"Oii, Miaka, What are you planning?"
"Oh nothingÖ" Miaka started to push her brother towards the door. "Now hurry and donít forget the clothesÖ. Also, get your credit cardÖ and my walletÖ my wallet is in my dresser drawerÖ donít forget!" Miaka said as she pushed her brother out of the door and in to the hall way. "Later!" Miaka said as she closed the door.
"That girl, I could kill her sometimes. Who does she think she isÖ Iím the older oneÖ thatís why Iím the ëOniichaníÖ so why is she making all the decisions?" Keisuke mumbled as he walked along outside Yuiís Apartment complex.
"Where are my car keysÖ CHEEE! As if things werenít bad enoughÖ" Keisuke complained as he fished for his keys. "ARE?? LUCKY!! Heh heh, I took Tetsuyaís keys accidentallyÖ This will be so much fun! HIS CAR IS WAAAAY COOLER THAN MINE! MWAHAHAHAHAH!"
********************************************************************** "CHIKUSHOOOO!!" Aku cursed as he punched a hole right through the wall.
Arisu ran out of the bathroom when she heard her loverís scream. "Aku! Whatís wrong?"
"He fucking failed! Damn Fuck failed!" Aku cursed some more.
"The one you sent to get the Byakko Shinzaho? But we have it donít we? Itís right there." Arisu motioned to the Shinzaho laying on the side table.
"Not thatÖ he was supposed to kill those old coots!" Aku exclaimed. "Now they could be on their way here along with the Suzaku Shichi-seishi. In his furstration, Aku let out an energy ball, his rage blinded him and he didnít realize that he aimed it right at Arisu. Luckily, she managed to move out of the way, but not before the Energy ball grazed and burned her shoulder.
"Ö..itaiÖ." Arisu yelped and colapsed on the carpeted floor.
"Arisu!" Aku exclaimed as he ran to her. "Gomen nasai, IÖ. I didnít mean toÖ. I justÖ" Tears of fear and frustration filled his eyes.
"Iím fineÖ just fineÖ it doesnít hurt that much." Arisu said as she smiled faintly.
"Forgive me, ArisuÖForgive me." Aku said in a faint voice. "I justÖ"
"I know, I knowÖ" Arisu managed to get her hand to stroke his hair. "Donít worryÖ Itíll be fine. Even if they come here, they canít winÖ. So donít worry my loveÖ. Weíll take care of them together."
Aku helped Arisu up and he sat her down on a chair. "Youíre right. We just need a different plan. And I know just who we can call on for help." Akuís eyes were cold and malicious as he started to formulate a new plan.
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"Suzaku no Miko to Seiryuu no Miko, to Suzaku Shichi-seishi, Byakko seishi mo, could not exactly pin point the evil Ki that was so close to them because HE placed a barrier around his nesting placeÖ the only consolation they had is that because of that barrier, HE could not sense their ki either. Meanwhile, the heroes continue to read the enchanted bookÖ and Suzaku no Mikoís brother is on the way to see the new player in the new game of this storyÖ"
The blue glow faded away as the Shijin Ten Shishou closed and Yui sunk into the arms of Tetsuya. The others looked at Yui, then at each other. All of them were bewildered by what had just happened. All at once, different questions were circulating in everyoneís minds.
"Yui, are you okay?" Tetsuya asked.
"Un. ÖIt just takes a lot out of meÖ but Iíll be fine, so donít worry."
"Evil KiÖ evil Ki that we canít pin point?" Tokaki commented. The comment was meant for himself, but he said it loud enough that everyone heard.
"HmmÖ no da! I thought a felt something earlierÖ but I wasnít sure whereÖ It feels near by no da."
"I agree with Chichiri san." Chiriko nodded.
All the Seishi agreedÖ There was something evil in the air. However, not knowing where the ki was generating from left them feeling powerless, almost vulnerable.
"Shinpai shinai de, minna sanÖ. With everyone hereÖ like thisÖ weíll be able to stop whatever it is. For sure we will!" Miaka said cheerily.
"Yea, Miaka is right." Taka said, putting his hand on her head.
"Miaka, your brotherÖ in the book, it said that your brother was going to ësee a new player in the gameíÖ. What could that possibly mean?" Hotohori asked.
"New playerÖ?" Miaka scratched her head.
"MiakaÖ the book could not have meanÖ" Yui started to say.
"My cousin?!?!"
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