Chapter Sixteen: Hang on Miaka
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Mrs. Yuuki was startled to see her daughter so pale. She wasted no time and boiled some water. She told Tamahome to go downtown and get the nearest doctor. Tamahome ran as fast as light as Hotohori helped Mrs. Yuuki make some herbal medicines. Minutes have passed but there was still no sign of Tamahome and Miaka's temperature continued to drop.
There was a sudden knock at the door.
"Mrs. Yuuki?" a man asked. Tamahome was behind him.
"Yes," Mrs. Yuuki replied.
"I'm the doctor," he said then Mrs. Yuuki ushered him inside.
He quickly checked on Miaka. His face began to form a frown. He scratched his head and got a book from his bag. He browsed through it and his face began to show confusion and annoyance.
"I've never encountered anything like this before. It seems that she got a new disease, not from this town. I don't know what to do…" he said soberly.
"No, you must do something! You're a doctor… if you can't save her nobody else can, please…do something. Save my daughter!" Mrs. Yuuki fell on her knees and cried.
"Mrs. Yuuki…" Hotohori tried to calm her but he didn't succeed.
"Doctor, do you know anyone who could help us?" Tamahome asked, he was already feeling so desperate.
"I think I do know someone who could help but he's not easy to find," the doctor replied, pushing back his glasses.
"Who is it? I'll find him even if I had to search all throughout the globe!" Tamahome said with dignity.
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The doctor smiled at Tamahome's courage. He pushed back his glasses again and breathed deeply.
"His name is Mitsukake. He is a Suzaku seishi," he said.
"Mitsukake," Hotohori echoed.
"Why, you know him?" Tamahome asked.
"No, I haven't seen him personally but I know him by name," Hotohori replied formally.
"So, doc, where do you think should I start to look for this guy, Mitsukake?" Tamahome inquired.
"So far I think he's staying in the mountains, sometimes I see him traveling alone with no definite place to go to, sometimes he's in town. He's got no permanent home."
"Yeah right, thanks doc, it really helped me a lot," Tamahome replied ironically.
"I'm very sorry," the doctor said.
Their conversation was interrupted when Miaka began to speak.
"Don't leave me… please come back… Hotohori…" she murmured. She raised her arms as if reaching for something.
"Who the heck is that Hotohori guy?" Tamahome said aloud.
Hotohori, though startled, went to Miaka's side and held on her hands. "I'm here," he whispered. Miaka calmed down and Hotohori hugged her.
"I would advice you not to go to close to her. You might be infected," the doctor warned.
"I don't care whatever happens to me. Tamahome I have a feeling that Mitsukake is not so far from here. I can feel his chi." Hotohori said.
"Really? You speak as if you're also a seishi like us. Anyway, I'll go now. I do hope your feelings are of good use now," Tamahome replied and went out.
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Mitsukake was just on his way to town. He was carrying his cat and some of his luggage. He was trying to find a new place to stay. He's got some money; just enough to supply him and his cat some food for a week.
I must do something to earn some money… he said to himself.
He went to a store and bought some bread for himself and his cat. He handed half of his piece to his cat and smiled.
As he was walking, a guy suddenly bumped onto him. When they were able to regain each other's balance, the guy started to run again but Mitsukake got him.
"You just spoiled my food," he said, pointing at the piece of bread lying on the dirty floor.
"Sorry fella, but I'm in a hurry. I have to find this guy okay," the man said and he again tried to run but Mitsukake won't let him go.
"Okay, if you want money here take it," the man said as he got some coins from his pocket.
"I don't need money. I need food. That money's not enough," Mitsukake replied.
"Fine, I'll buy you later but let me go now. I still have to find this guy Mit-"
"I don't care who the heck you are looking for. I need food! I never thought seishis like you are so unreasonable."
The man looked surprised for a moment but then he realized that the mark on his forehead was just so easy to see.
"Okay. I promise to go back here later and buy you some food. I just really have to go and find this guy Mitsukake…."
"Mitsukake?"
"Yes, you know him? Where can I find him?"
"I am Mitsukake."
"You are?"
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Mrs. Yuuki, the doctor and Hotohori were starting to worry. It has been a hour since Tamahome went to look for Mitsukake. Miaka was now in deep sleep but still chilling. Hotohori is now wondering why she said those words a while ago… how did she know who he was? Have they met before? Could Miki be Miaka? His thoughts were disturbed when the door was suddenly flung open.
"I found him!" Tamahome said aloud. The man behind smiled.
"He really is Mitsukake," the doctor remarked. "Now I believe I must go. He's a better doctor than I am."
"I'm not a doctor. I simply heal people," Mitsukake said.
"Can you heal my daughter?" Mrs. Yuuki asked enthusiastically.
Mitsukake pulled up his sleeves. He stretched his arm over Miaka's head and a bright red light shone from it. After a moment, as the light went out, Miaka's eyes opened. She smiled and sat on her bed.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Whatever has happened is not important now. I'm glad you're back," Hotohori said as he hugged Miaka.
"Wait, you must go now or else you won't catch the last ship. Oh I'm very sorry. You may go now. Don't worry about me," Miaka said.
"No, I won't leave you…I will never," Hotohori smiled as he held on her chin. He pulled her face closer… they closed their eyes and then…
"Ahem," Tamahome coughed. The two opened their eyes and stared at him. Tamahome pushed Hotohori away and sat beside Miaka. "I'm very happy you're feeling better now," he said and hugged her.
"Thanks to you all. Mom, I'm sorry I made you worry," Miaka hugged her mom.
"We must all thank Mr. Mitsukake for healing my daughter. What could we do to thank you?" Mrs. Yuuki asked Mitsukake.
Mitsukake stared at Tamahome and smiled. "A nice loaf of bread will do."
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I've finally found time to update! After a million years I'm back! I'm very sorry for not updating sooner…you know, projects, activities and all that…
What do you think of this chapter? Please review!