"He’ll make a great emperor," A woman’s voice said. "just like his father was."
A small crowd of voices followed the woman’s voice, all in agreement that the ‘he’ in question will make a great emperor. Emperor… He thought, I was an emperor… but now my son should be… my son! His head quickly snapped up and noticed his surroundings, he was in his room, in his palace. But how could this be, he thought to himself. I’m dead, I’ve been dead. He touched the linen on the bed and was surprised that he could even touch anything without Nyan-nyan lending him her body. He was so pre-occupied with what has happened that he didn’t even notice a woman holding a baby boy about two or three years of age had entered the room.
"What are you doing here?" The woman had asked in an angry voice. He looked up to see her.
"Houki! Boushin!" Hotohori gasped. The woman named Houki didn’t move. While clutching Boushin safely in her arms. she studied Hotohori closely Eyeing his clothes, his long beautiful hair, and his elegant and beautiful face. Right then Houki knew who this man was. No man in Konan country was ever this beautiful, and no woman at that. She knew that this man was the Suzaku Shichi-seishi, Hotohori, her husband.
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"Ohayou!!!!" Miaka screamed as she went out for breakfast. She was so happy. The day was so beautiful and it was summer which meant she had no school for a few weeks. Most importantly Tamahome and her… no Taka and her can finally be together. Without all the fighting and everyone trying to get in the way.
When Tamahome appeared in her world as Sukunami Taka, she couldn’t believe her eyes. It was no doubt Tamahome. That day she was bummed about not being able to see him and everyone else from Konan country. Yui-chan was trying to cheer her up. And her brother came and was telling them about this weird freshman at his college. He was talking about having dreams of his past life. He followed the star of destiny as one who protected his Miko. He loved her so much that even though they parted, he vowed to find her. He said even if his looks change, even if his name change he will never forget or stop loving her and find his way back to her. When her brother finished the story, she looked up to find Tetsuya waiting for them. With this guy who resembled Tamahome. The guy, his name was Taka, said her name. He raised his hand and he still wore the ring, their ring.
"Oniichan! Where’s Okaasan?" Miaka asked as she look at the empty kitchen table.
"She went out for a bit." He shrugged.
"Yoshi! Guess that means I’ll have to make breakfast." She said as she started to put on an apron.
"Miaka-- lets just eat out ok? I called Tetsuya and Yui and they said they’ll meet us at the Café." Keisuke said. "Besides, I really don’t feel like going to the hospital because I got food poisoning!" he said dead pan. She glared at him and threw the apron on a chair.
"Did you call Taka?" she asked.
"Unn." He answered. "But I only got his answering machine. He must’ve gone out or something…" She nodded.
"Iiyo…. I’ll go stop by his place later then. But right now lets go! I’m starved!" She dashed ahead of her brother and was outside the door in no time.
"Yui-chan!! Ohaayouu!! Sorry we’re late, Oniichan walks too slow…. Did you order yet? …..Oh hi Tetsuya." Miaka blurted out in one breath.
"Miaka, you shouldn’t mash all your words in one sentence. If I didn’t know you so well I wouldn’t understand you." Yui smiled at her best friend. Tetsuya chuckled.
"I know I know!" she replied. "Waiter I want the chocolate pan cake deluxe with scrambled eggs and sausage, and Hot chocolate please." She said as the waiter approached the table.
"Gee is that all Miaka?" Tetsuya said sarcastically.
"Yea, I’m not that hungry today. I wanna hurry up so I can go see Taka."
"Where is Taka-kun?" Tetsuya asked.
"He probably went out, Oniichan called him but he wasn’t home. So I’ll go see him after we eat!"
"Food always comes first to you doesn’t it Miaka?" Tetsuya grinned. Miaka stuck her tongue out dug into her food. Everybody laughed and continued on their conversations as they ate.
"Will there be anything else?" The waiter's voice cut in. Startled, everyone looked up.
"Ren!!" Yui exclaimed as she almost jumped out of her seat. "What the hell are you doing alive?" Everyone in that table stared shocked.
The waiter looked confused. "Sorry miss, my name isn’t Ren… It’s Aku…" He said curtly.
She studied him carefully and noticed that his hair was a dark brown, not blonde like Ren’s and he was taller too. But other than those differences he was a dead wringer for him. She’d always remember his face… after what that devil did to her. She’d never forget him.
"Gomen… I thought you were, someone else" she mumbled.
He nodded and asked if there was anything else they needed. Tetsuya replied they didn’t and shooed the waiter away.
"Aku-san…" Yui stopped him.
"Yes?"
"How come I haven’t seen you here before?" She asked her voice was still shaky.
"Oh, I just moved here a few days ago."
"Sou.." she nodded. And he started to walk away.
"Well we’ll be seeing you again." Miaka interjected. "We love this place." She said in her usual cheery voice.
Aku turned around, "Yes I’ll see you again" he replied in a quiet voice. "Jya~" He turned to leave and a smirk spread across his face.
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Miaka entered the apartment complex she took the elevator and stepped outside right in front of Taka’s door. She smoothed her hair and skirt out before she rang the doorbell. No answer… She rang it a couple more times but still no answer. She debated whether or not she should just come back later. "Ah!!" she remembered that she had the key to his apartment. She rummaged through her purse and dug out the key. She smiled to herself when she remembered the time that he had given it to her. My place is your place too Miaka. He said, and he kissed her after he said it.
Miaka opened the door and took off her shoes before she stepped in the apartment. She noticed that Taka’s shoes were there as well. That’s funny, she thought. His shoes are here, but he didn’t answer the door… maybe he’s asleep. Miaka proceeded in, searching for him.
"Taka." She whispered because she didn’t want to wake him if he was sleeping. She went into the small bedroom and found the bed messy and on it was the picture frame that held her picture. She picked it up and set it on the side table along with the other pictures.
"Taka where are you at?" She called again. She went out to the small living room and yet he wasn’t there. She checked the bathroom too and still no sign of him. That’s weird, did he go out without his shoes? Miaka wondered.
She found herself wondering towards the tidy kitchen and she opened the fridge to get a can of soda. As she was sipping it, her gaze turned towards the table, and there she saw the familiar book. The book which sucked her and Yui-chan in to Konan and Kutou. The book where she had met all her true friends and protectors. The book where she had all her adventures and brought her some sadness as well. On the table it lay, The Universe of the four Gods, Sky and Earth, Shijin ten Shi-shou!
"Uso.." Miaka said in a faint voice as the soda can dropped to the ground. "Uso dayo!" she repeated and edge towards the book. But she knew that it wasn’t a lie. That it was the Shijin ten Shi-shou that was on the table. But why was it in Taka’s place? And where was Taka?
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