Volume 3 has to be my favorite, but it is also the saddest thus far. The begining starts out with Takiko, Tomite, and Hatsui traveling the countryside looking for a new lead to find the other Seishi. After a few slap stick moments later, they decided to venture out to Ifurei where there is a Temple, with a High priestess who is capable of making propecies. Takiko thinks back to the time Souren told her about the Prophecy that was made about Rumido to his father, starting a deep hatred between Father and son.
They travel to Ifurei, and are invited in by the High Priestess, but she tells them that her power is not strong enough to find the remaining warriors. But that another Priestess who is guarding a very special stone in Point Rockfield, who is said to be able to control the spirits themselves, maybe able to help them. Takiko is very grateful to the young priestess, but before they departed, the HP took takiko in spirtual flight to see Rumido, who was having a very important conversation with Prince Hakei. Fast Foward through that macho fest, we arrive to Shigi and Hien, who are at the doors of the Temple asking for admittance. A young girl declines them entry, so they let themselves in ...
Takiko and the gang, have already left the main temple, and have hidden away in an underground chamber, which is what the HP told them to do. Shigi and Hien ask the HP where Takiko is. She tells him taht she ahs already left for Point Rockfield, and as they are about to leave, the HP tells themt aht Takiko will summon Genbu. Shigi, kills her without so much as blinking, as well as others in the temple.
In the Underground chambers, Rumido arrives (as Uruki) and joins Takiko in a hrbal bath. this is where we get our dose of some Rough Romance. A little while later after Shigi and Hien have left Point Rockfield, Takiko and the gang arrive, only to see many Impaled bodies. This is where Takiko learns of the death of the HP. Sadden, Takiko blames herself, alll ahile in the background a huge monstrous figure looms over head, and Attacks!
After a bit of fighting, Takiko realizes this must be the work of thePriestess they were told about! and so Priestess Anruu makes herself known, and pops right out of the monsters mouth! Takiko tells Anruu that she doubts her capablities as priestess, only to reassure herlself that the others need her.Impressed by Takikos unselfishness, Anruu tells them the location of the remaining Seishi (though she says there are 5 left to be found, which is a problem ^_^' since there is only seven seishi, and they have arleady found 3 ) That one of them is in the very field that they were standing in! The Monster rock that attacked them was the fourth seishi Namame! Unable to speak, Takiko tries with the help of Anruu to communicate with Namame through Spirtual powers. Though namame insists on staying with Anruu, she gets fed up and tells him that she doesnt want him around anymore, and just as she uters these words, a spear from behind impales her. As Shigi and hien returned to Point Rockfield with army in tow, they Killed the priestess Anruu.
Shocked at what he just saw, Namame lashes out in anger at the Kutou army. Anruu's dying words wer that namame was the fourth seishi, and he must be stopped. Anruu also gave Takiko a neclace, which would disclose the location of the other seishi when near them (kinda like that ball tai-yi-jun gave Miaka and the others) Namame is quickly destroying Shigi's forces, Uruki and Hien have it out as well. While Takiko is trying to calm Namame down, a Dark figure comes and cuts Namame in Half! Crap, its that freaky Hagus!
After he takes down Namame (who is now a pile of rubble) he goes after Uruki, and then sucks up his/her powers! Souren then wisks Uruki away and escapes, Hagus, then leaves himself, since he is really only after Uruki anyways. Rumido heads back to the Kutou camp, only to find Hagus there talking it up with Shigi. It seems that thee is going to be an alliance between Hokkan and Kutou empire's to destory the Genbu Seishi.
Takiko is sadden with the death of both namame and Anruu. She gently whipes the blood from Anruus;s mouth, and then out of the pile of rubble pops out this cute littl thing! Its Namame, much smaller than he was before. He sees Anruu, and tries to wake her up. unable to, he picks her up and takes her deep into a cave. Takikotakes persuit after him, but as Namame gets to the end of the cave, he seals himself and Anruu inside. And Takiko gets her arms caught in the new rock wall.
Uruki arrives, and when he and the others are unable to release Takiko from the wall, she tries to communicate with him. After awhile (and some mushy moments with Uruki and Takiko) She sees Namame's past, and how he tried so hard to get along with people, but he was shuned. Until one day when Anruu came. he tried to make her go away, thinking she was like the rest, but she stayed until HE opened his heart to her, instead of trying to forcer herself on him. Then Namame appeared before Takiko, and she said taht she promised to embrace him, just like Anruu did.
