In-depth on Mitsukake
Now, stuff on the past of the ever so strong and silent...
Mitsukake had a family who died in the same flood that killed Chichiri's family and his fiancee. But he had a girlfriend (or rather, a fiancee,) named Shouka who was his absolute love and family and everything else in the world.
But one day, Mitsukake went to some far-away village to heal people, and Shouka got sick. She waited for him but it was too late, and she died. HOWEVER, just before she died, a demon possessed her body. Mitsukake, of course, was really REALLY saddened by this, so he became a hermit, living with only a cute little cat named Tama-neko and like bandaged up his hand where his sign was so he wouldn't ever heal again or something. Obviously, he blamed himself for being away when Shouka died.
Miaka had just traveled to Mt. Leikaku and Gen-rou told her that Tasuki was dead. However, Miaka was way too stubborn and wouldn't give up, and she heard that there was a person in a nearby town who could bring people back to life, so she thought she could get him to make Tasuki alive again. Course, Gen-rou turns out to be Tasuki who saves them from zombies. (This is explained in greater detail at the Tasuki In-Depth page.
When they visited the village, they saw the person who could bring people from the dead. Her name was Shouka. They saw her bringing a little boy back from the dead.
THEN, Miaka gets seriously ill and is about to die. Shouka says the only way to cure her was to kill her, then let Shouka bring her back from the dead. However, they hear that there's this dude named Myou-Juan who is a healer and can heal anyone of any disease. When they visit him, they see an old, hermit-like dude who looks like he hasn't shaved in a LONG time. (Here's a picture of him and Miaka.) They begged him to heal Miaka (literally, like on hands and knees,) but he refused. Then, Tasuki or Hotohori or someone mentions that the only option left is to get Shouka to kill Miaka. Myou-Juan sorta perks up, and asks "Shouka?" They go, yeah, and Myou-Juan's astonished and tells them that Shouka died a LONG time ago of the same disease that Miaka's got.
Back to Miaka. She's sleeping and Shouka in the room. Then, Shouka goes up and has a knife in her hand and tries to stab Miaka. However, LUCKY Miaka changes position every time the knife goes down, so she doesn't get stabbed. Shouka wonders if she's really asleep. Then, Miaka's like talking in her sleep and thanks Shouka for helping her. Shouka asks her if she's in pain. Miaka says, yes, but she promised she would hold on because she needs to rescue Tamahome and Yui and no matter what, she'll bear the pain. Shouka's really moved by this, and drops the dagger. Then, Miaka wakes up and sees Shouka croutched over in the corner. Shouka tells her to get away, quick!
Hotohori and Nuriko rush in, and scream at Miaka to get away. She's like, "Huh?" Meanwhile, Shouka has turned into a horrendously ugly demon and is right behind Miaka and grabs her. Miaka still refuses to believe that Shouka is evil. Then, this tall, young dude walks in and is like, "Shouka!" Tasuki and Nuriko can't believe it's Mitsukake, but it is. Shouka looks a little less demonlike now, at the recognition. Then, she breaks down after a long talk about their past and asks Mitsukake to heal her of the demon inside of her (even though she would die...). Mitsukake is really sad (as u would imagine,) and heals Shouka. Then, he takes her body outside and buries her while looking really REALLY sad. (Aww....Poor thing...)
Mitsukake usually keeps to himself. However, whenever he says something, it's timed quite well and can add humor to the situation, although he never realizes it. He's a really big help, since he can heal anyone of any injuries (for instance, Tasuki after his battle w/Tamahome, Tamahome's dad, etc...) But, because of his talent, poor Mits usually feels really REALLY bad after somebody dies because he wasn't there fast enough. (Example: Nuriko's death.)
Mitsukake also helped at the very end when the Konan army clashed with the Kotou army. Yui had sealed off the Suzuku's seishi's powers, so Mitsukake couldn't heal anyone. But he still acted as a doctor. Then, a woman rushes in carrying a baby with the name of (surprise surprise!) Shouka. Mits wonders if it's the reincarnation of his Shouka... He starts glowing. Chichiri's tells him "Don't do this," but Mitsukake thinks about Nuriko and Chiriko and how he couldn't save them... Chichiri begs him to stop, but Mitsukake's glow increases over the city and healed everyone. Afterwards, he had no more energy left and died. (*sniff*)
Back (to the Mitsukake Mini-Shrine.)!