It Runs in the Family

by Jeilynn

Many years have passed since Miaka and Tamahome were married and ended their journey through the world of the book. Now their daughter Hikari, devastated by the tragic turn of events in her life has gone into the book, only to find it a much different pla

1. A New Generation

Okay kiddies here we are again with a brand new fic just for you! Thank you so much to everyone who has read and reviewed my fics! You're so my new best friends! ha ha ha. Anyways, here's my latest creation. Everyone let me know what you think of it! PLEASE REVIEW! I love feed back.Just please don't be too harsh.

Hikari Tsukanami sat on the roof that over looked the balcony of her bedroom and watched as the sun slowly began to sink down across the horizon, painting the sky in a dazzling array of oranges and flame bright reds. Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks as she watched the stars come out and form each delicate pattern across the sky. She finally got her black belt, but there had been no one there to see her get it. Would her father be proud of her? Did her mother even care? Miaka was too busy these days to care much for what Hikari did. Her little brother was always in and out of the hospital a lot lately. His treatments weren't going well. He'd been sick for so long that it was hard for her to even remember a time when he wasn't. There's nothing the doctors can do but delay the inevitable. Everyone knew it, but nobody would say it. Sho. Her poor little baby brother. She felt bad that he was sick. She really did, but it hurt to know she was being forced to watch him die and knowing that there was nothing she could do about it. What did it matter? It' s not like she would be missed if her mother came home and found her gone. It would probably make things alot easier on her. She would have more time for Sho, and she wouldn't have to always be fighting with Hikari. It was definitely better this way. It had to be, because she wasn't sure how long she could sit here and watch while what was left of her life, and her family fell apart.

Carefully climbing down off the roof and back onto the balcony Hikari went straight to her book bag. That's where she had put the book. She knew all the stories about her parents. She knew from listening to everyone that it was true, and for as long as she could remember, she had always been told that she should stay away from the book, it would cause nothing but trouble, and at that moment she wasn't sure she even really cared. Besides, if they had wanted her to stay away from it they shouldn't have told her about it then. Taking a deep breath, Hikari opened the book and a million different images seemed to fly into her head. She was learning the history of the book in only a matter of moments. Suddenly, a bright flash of red light appeared and surrounded her body, and then, there was nothing. She was weightless, and falling, seeing only half images as a strong gust of wind blew all around her and best of all...FREE.

"Miaka! It's the light!"

Miaka looked upward toward Hikari's bedroom where the light of Suzaku seemed to suddenly flare to life. Handing her son to Yui, Miaka ran immediately toward the house and straight up the stairs at a full out run. She threw open the door to Hikari's bedroom, calling her daughter's name only to find that the room was empty. Frantically Miaka searched about the room and on the roof for any sign of her daughter even though she was sure that she already knew for certain what had happened. Lying on the floor by Hikari's bed was the Universe of the Four Gods. Picking up the old book, Miaka hugged it tightly to her chest and fell to the floor, sobbing.

"Hikari...why did you do it...why?" She sobbed to herself.

"Miaka? Where's Hikari?" Yui asked stepping into the room.

"She's gone...Yui, why didn't she listen to me? She's gone now and it's my fault..."

"What are you talking about? I'm sure she's around here somewhere."

"No...she went into the book Yui. She's gone!"

Yui's eyes went wide with shock when she saw the Universe of the Four Gods clutched tightly in Miaka's trembling hands.

"We'd better go find Kiesuke and Tetsuya. We're going to need all the help we can get."

When Hikari awoke, she found herself lying in a dank, musty alley. Carefully standing, she dusted herself off and stepped out into the bright sunlight of a bustling city square. Where was she? Was she really inside the book? It worked? It really worked! She looked around her in awe at the world of the book. It completely blew her mind. Somehow, a part of her hadn't really thought that it would work. Not really.

"Hey there girlie, need some help?"
Hikari turned to find a tall man with long shaggy brown hair, and broad shoulders standing behind her. There were two other men behind him, leering at her and whispering back and forth amongst themselves.

"No thanks."

"I don't think you understand," the man said, grabbing her wrist tightly," I'm not offering to help you. I'm telling you, you're gonna need help if you don't cooperate."

Hikari looked down at her right wrist that the man now held tightly in a vice like grip.

"Let go of me right now."

"You hear that boys. This little girl thinks she can order me around. You want me to let go of you, yer' gonna have to make me."

Hikari smiled that smile she got on the mat when she knew she had already won the match. It wasn't a friendly smile, and she knew it. She did just what she had been taught. She raised her arm quickly in a clockwise motion, freeing her wrist, and gripping her assailant's arm, bringing it around behind him, holding it tightly behind his back to a point where the littlest movement would shatter the bone. She used the few seconds of his surprise to knock his feet out from under him, so that he knelt on his knees in front of her.

"I think it's you, that needs the help. I will say this only once. You stay the hell away from me, or I will break your arm in so many places it will never heal and you will lose it."

"Let go of him!" one of the other thugs said charging forward.

Hikari moved swiftly to one side, dodging the movement. She let go of the man in front of her, but at the moment he was the least of her worries. The other man that was about to charge her again was her main concern. He came for her again, but this time she was ready. She stood, back foot set and steady, front foot set, but loose, body turned slightly to gain that extra bit of pivoting strength she would need as she prepared for the move she had practiced so many times in class that it was like a second nature to her. She waited for him to get close enough before delivering a perfect roundhouse to the side of his face. Blood flew in a spurt.

"My face! You bitch! I think you broke my nose!"

"You're gonna pay for that you little brat!"

"No one's gonna recognize you by the time we're through with you."

Hikari took her stance, it was three on one,but she was almost sure she could handle them.

"Didn't anyone teach you losers not to pick fights with girls?"

"Especially one that's well trained no da."

Two men appeared next to Hikari. The first one that had spoken was taller than her, but not by much with shoulders that were just this side of being broad, and fiery orange hair that was tied tightly back into a ponytail that hung loosely down his back. The other man was older than the other, with a strange mask on his face, and what Hikari could have sworn was blue hair. If she hadn't known that this was ancient China or some form of it, she would have said his hair color came from a bottle, but it was and it couldn't.

"Let's get outta here! It's the Suzaku warriors!"

"We didn't know you were a friend of theirs. Honest! Let's go!"

Hikari had never seen anyone move as quickly as those men had. It was almost funny.

"Thanks for your help, but I didn't need it. I could have handled them."

"Keep on tellin' yerself that kid.You almost got yer ass kicked and now you're too embarrassed to thank us for our help. It's alright you don't need to say anything."

"I was doing just fine until you showed up!" Hikari said turning angry eyes to the man she had yet to realize was Tasuki of the Suzaku Seven.

"Miaka is that you?"

"That's not Miaka no da, but she looks like her. She kinda looks like Tamahome too no da."

"How do you know Miaka and Tamahome?" Hikari asked, suddenly suspicious.

"They're old friends of ours. You know 'em too?"

"They're my parents."

"WHAT!" Tasuki shouted, loud enough to get a few looks from passersby.

"That would explain why you look so much like them both, no da.That must make you Hikari. I'm Chichiri and this knuckle head is Tasuki."

"That can't be right. If you're members of the Suzaku Seven, why don't you look any older?"

"Perhaps I can explain that."

Hikari turned and let out a surprised yelp before screaming," It's King Tut's grand mummy!"

"Watch your mouth! You sound just like your mother."

Hikari's reaction had been better than Tasuki's, who had momentarily fainted.

"Who are you?"

"I am Tai Itsukun. And I have been expecting you Hikari Tsukanami. Welcome to Mt. Taikyouku."

"Huh?"

Hikari looked around only to find herself no longer in the bustling street where Tasuki and Chichiri had rushed to her rescue, they now stood on a beautiful mountain scape. It was almost unreal.

"First, let me introduce you to the other members of the Suzaku Seven. Hotohori, Nuriko, Mitsukake, and Chiriko. They have all gathered here to-"

But at that moment what appeared to be a small child popped up out of nowhere.Only there must have been about five or six of this person. No way could these be Tai Itsukun's children!

"Aide you in your quest." one said.

"Help you save Konan." said another.

"My quest? Look, I don't know how you know who I am, but I have no clue what you're talking about."

"Let me explain-"

"Your mom and dad are strong fighters."

"Very strong."

"Would you shut up!" Tai Itsukun yelled.

There was a strange little burst of light and the small children disappeared with a yelp.

"Now, as I was saying. Since the last time your father and mother saved this land things prospered for many years to follow, but a great evil was lying in the shadows awaiting for just the right time to rear its head. This evil seeks to destroy the celestial warriors and take this land for itself. It has already taken several celestial warriors who were yet to come into power and I fear more have been lost. It is up to you Hikari not only as a Celestial Warrior of Suzaku, but also as the Priestess, to stop this evil from succeeding."

"What do you mean by "as a Priestess and Celestial warrior"?"

"You have a unique gift as the child of a Suzaku warrior and Priestess. You have been gifted with both abilities. It is a very rare happening. But it is your gift and burden. You must gather the remaining celestial warriors who have not been destroyed together, including your brother, Sho."

"Sho? What does he have to do with any of this?"

"He too carries to ability to be a celestial warrior of Suzaku. And while he may not come into that power in your reality, the evil that is hunting all celestial warriors will not stand for even the slightest possibility that it could happen."

"But by the time the others are gathered together it may be too late for Sho."

"Explain."

"Sho has cancer. He's dying. The doctors don't know how it could have happened since there were no warning signs, but he was born with it, he's been in and out of the hospital ever since he was born. There's nothing anyone can do. He's going to die."

"I see. This is proving problamatic. So the evil has already begun to leak into your reality as well."

"Well, if we're gonna stop this thing before it goes any further than we need to get crackin'. All we gotta do is get Tamahome here and we can start our search."

"Where is Tama anyway? Shouldn't he be here?" Nuriko asked suddenly looking around for any sign of their fellow warrior.

"Tamahome...Dad...died..."

"What? How? We would have known about it, felt it if something had happened to him."

"It was a car crash...almost seven years ago..."

"The only possible way for you not to have felt his death would be if something was blocking him from calling out to this world. The evil has already managed to leak through and gain some power there. It must be stopped. If it is not, you may lose more people who are precious to you."

Suddenly there was a grand flash of light and Hikari found herself and the Suzaku Seven standing in the courtyard of a grand palace.

"This place is unbelievable."

"It hasn't changed one bit no da."

"Where exactly are we, by the way?"

"This is the Konan palace. Didn't yer parents tell ya anything about this place? Sheesh."

"Yeah, as a matter of fact they did. They also said you were a real pain in the a-"

"Lord Chichiri! Lord Tasuki! The Suzaku Seven have arrived! Go inform his majesty at once!"

"Prime Minister!"

Hikari looked about in utter confusion as the Suzaku Seven and the man Chichiri had called prime minister shared a small but joyfull reunion. She looked about the grounds where she stood. The view of what she had seen so far of the palace was absolutely breath taking. How could anyone ever want to destroy such a place?

"Come, come, Emperor Boushin is waiting. He will be overjoyed to see you."

"Boushin? But I thought-- never mind," Hikari said.

Her parents had told her that for every three years in their world, ten years passed in the book world. That would put Boushin somewhere in his late fifties or sixties wouldn't it? Didn't the Emperor hand down the crown once he reached a certain age? Whatever. She would just have to wait and see.

They walked through the many halls of the palace until they reached what Hikari assumed was the throne room. Deep red curtains hung here and there, embroidered with pictures of the beast God Suzaku. It was the man sitting on the throne that surprised her most. He appeared to be no older than herself! He sat upright on the throne, his hazel eyes shining with deep intelligence. He suddenly stood, and Hikari knew just from looking at him that he was at least six foot if not a couple inches over, and he had broad shoulders. He was definitely Hotohori's son alright, except, not. Boushin should have been much older than this but he didn't look much older than herself. What the hell was going on?

"Welcome Celestial Warriors! It has been too long since last you appeared here," Boushin said.

"Your highness, if I may ask, why is it that you have appeared to stop ageing?"

" That is a long story Chichiri. As you know, I took the throne almost immediately after my father's death so many years ago. But the day of my eighteenth year, a strange happening took place."

"What do you mean?"

"That day I saw Suzaku. It surprised me greatly to have seen the God, since no ceremony had taken place to summon him and there seemed no need for him to appear as he did. And while I am no warrior, from that day forward I ceased to age. As the years went by it became more and more apparent. No one has been able to find a reason for it. It is a complete mystery.Now I have a question. I see only six of the Suzaku warriors of legend. Where is Lord Tamahome?"

Everyone remained silent. No one knew what to say without causing any sort of pain to Hikari. Many of them, despite being reincarnated knew what it was like to lose a parent, or any loved one for that matter. They also knew how much it hurt to have to explain to someone who didn't know what had happened.

"Your highness, Lord Tamahome died nearly seven years ago," Hikari said, breaking the silence, and surprising the other warriors.

"I am sorry to hear of this. He will be greatly missed. And who are you?"

It was Tasuki who stepped forward.

"Your highness, this is Hikari. Lord Tamahome and Lady Miaka's daughter."

"Their daughter? I see. You are most welcome here! I was told of your coming by Tai Itsukun.So you are the new Priestess who will bring peace to this land. Come, you must all be tired, I will have rooms readied at once. Oh, and Hikari?"

"How is Miaka doing?"

"Mom is...She's fine," Hikari lied.

"It is good to hear."

Hikari didn't know what else to say. Somehow she didn't think the others could handle it if they knew the truth about Miaka. The day her father had died was the day everything had fallen apart, and her world as she knew it, came crashing down around her. Miaka had gone almost completely out of her mind with grief. She had slit her wrists, nearly killing herself and Sho. Hikari felt like she owed her mother that much, to at least try and keep her secret. She just didn't want the Suzaku Seven to know that the Priestess they had all adored and loved had gone completely looney tunes. Granted, she had gotten better since then, but she was still a little off, and it showed. Sometimes Hikari woud even find a sock in the refrigerator and apples in the dryer. Hikari noted everyone left the throne room, except Hotohori who remained to speak with the son he was forced to be seperated from all too soon. Hikari couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Boushin had lost his father, only he was getting a second chance to get to know him. It wasn't fair. The Suzaku warriors who had died here were reincarnated. But her father had died in their reality, and he was just gone. There was no second chance for him. She wondered what he would think of all this, if he knew that she was here, if he knew that his wife had turned into a total basket case, and his son was dying. It didn't matter. Her father was gone, and there was nothing she could say or do to bring him back. Right now she was having enough trouble dealing with being a celestial warrior and priestess. She definitely hadn't been expecting this. But, how could that be possible? There were only suppose to be Seven warriors. Yet Tai Itsukun said that her little brother carried the ability as well. That made eight, didn't it? This was just all too confusing.

"So what's Miaka been up to since she left? I want to hear ALL about it." Nuriko said, stepping up next to Hikaria, a big grin on his face, or would that be, her face?

"Not much. Had a kid, lost her husband, went looney tunes, had another kid who is going to die."

Nuriko only raised an eyebrow at that. She had to be kidding.

"Come on, what has she really been doing?"

"See previous answer."

"That can't be true. Miaka has a good head on her shoulders. She would never do anything to endanger herself. She's one of the strongest, stubbornest and most determined people I know."

"Fine. Don't believe me. You know, everyone has always gone on about how my mother was so great. She was this amazing priestess and a being of infinite love, and maybe she was, but me, I can barely remember what she was like before."

"Before what?" Nuriko asked gently.

"Everything. Before Dad died. Before she went crazy and Sho got sick. Just...before. Things used to be so good. Dad would come home from work, mom would be in the kitchen baking. They were so happy together. I'd come running down the stairs, and Dad would sweep me up in his arms and spin me around. Everything was perfect.We were so happy. Then mom found out she was pregnant again. They were both so excited to be having another baby. But then..."

"Then what?"

"Nothing. It ended, and now my mother is a complete freaking lunatic and my little brother is going to die.."

"Hikari."

"No! You people don't get it do you? My mother was so upset over losing my father that she tried to kill herself! For months people kept coming to our house, threatening to put me and my baby brother when he was born into foster care! She barely even functions anymore! And now Sho is going to die, and what do you think that is going to do to her? She can't handle another death! It'll destroy her! Just leave me alone!" Hikari screamed as she ran from Nuriko and the few shocked faces that had wandered out to join them from the throne room.

Hikari ran. Ran until her legs ached and her lungs screamed for air. Ran until she couldn't possibly run anymore without pulling something. She collapsed inside a gazebo on the far side of the palace grounds and sobbed, deep gut-wrenching sobs. Her throat was tight, and the tears scalded her cheeks as they fell in rivers. For the first time since her life had begun to fall apart, she allowed herself to break down. She had had to be strong for so long, and for the first time she had given in to the pain that was growing in her heart. She had hated the way her life had turned out. And sometimes she found herself blaming Miaka for the way things had gone, even though she knew that it wasn't her mother's fault. She sat there in the gazebo, her long dark hair with its blue-ish green highlights falling around her like a curtain as the tears poured out of her amber eyes, and cried herself to sleep. She awoke to someone standing over her. Hikari jumped, pushing herself further away from the figure standing in front of her.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to frighten you. It's just unusual to find anyone out here at this time of night, let alone, sleeping out here."

It took Hiakri a moment to realize that the man in front of her was Emperor Boushin. His hair was long and several deep shades of different browns with just a trace of what looked like blonde mixed in. Staring at him, she realized in that moment that he was quite handsome, but there was something different about the way he looked. In the throne room he seemed so confidant, and sure of himself, now, he just looked...sad.

"Sorry. I just wanted to be alone," Hikari said standing up and brushing off her school uniform. Right about then she was wishing that she had worn something different. Skirts just weren't her friend. However she did have a feww things of clothes in her backpack. She had completely forgotten that she was wearing it!

"No reason to apologise. I often come here myself, when I feel the need to be alone. It is one of the few places that allows true solitude without actually leaving the palace grounds."

"I'll go then."

"Please don't. I wouldn't mind a little company tonight. Much has happened. The Suzaku seven have been gathered once more, and a great battle will be drawing near."

"I guess that's what happens when some big evil shows up huh?"

"Sometimes. I really was sorry to hear of your father's death. I owe him a great debt."

"What do you mean?"

"My father died in the same instant that I was born. But when I was still just a baby, Tamahome allowed my father to use his body in order to embrace me. I can still feel the warmth of his presence at times. It is something that I had always wished to repay him for. For giving me the opportunity to be held by my own father."

"So you grew up without a father too?"

"Yes. Though, I have had several opportunities to see and speak with my father. When the Suzaku Warriors and the Priestess gather, my father is able to return to his previous form, and I am able to speak with him. It is something I am very grateful for. And because of you, I have been given that opportunity once more."

"Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Do you ever hate him?"

"Who?"

"Your father."

"No. My father died in battle protecting this land and its people during the war with the Kutou Empire. What happened could not be helped. It was an honorable death. He died defending the land and people that he loved. I am proud of him."

"I do."

"What?"

"Hate my father. The wreck that killed him wasn't his fault, and in my mind I know that, but in my heart...I just can't help but being so angry with him. I get mad at him for so much," Hikari said, choking back tears," I get mad at him for living. And I get mad at him for dying. I get mad at him for the way things are, for making mom the way that she is now, and then I get mad at myself for even thinking that way and I just end up getting mad at him all over again. It wasn't fair! I just feel so cheated! He wasn't supposed to die! He was supposed to get to see Sho being born! He was supposed to be there when I got my black belt! He wasn't supposed to leave like this! He wasn't supposed to leave us!" Hikari said as the tears began to spill once more.

"I understand what you mean. There are times when I feel the same anger toward my father. But I understand that he was following his duty.He died to protect me, and my mother. He did not plan for it to happen, but it did. The one who took him from this world is dead now. Your father defeated him in a great battle in the other reality. It is because of him that I feel my father's death was avenged."

"The guy that caused the wreck that killed my dad...he lived. He didn't even see jail time. They let him off. How could they do that? He took a life! My father is dead and that bastard is walking around the streets like nothing ever happened! He walked away from that accident without a scratch, and my father lay there dying and alone! The car was totaled. They had to use the jaws of life to get him out. I can't even imagine, what he must have gone through! I still have nightmares sometimes, about my father. I can see him, trapped in the car with rain pouring all around. He's scared, and he's alone, and all he wants to do is see us one more time, and then...all I can see blood, and there's something chasing me. Always chasing me. I wake up screaming every time."

"I'm sorry. But as you said, your father's death was only seven years ago, that means you still had ten years with him before he died. You should be grateful that you got that much. I was not so lucky."

"I'm sorry. I've gone and depressed us both. I bet my mother never did this when she was priestess."

"You aren't your mother Hikari. You're you, and that's just fine. You do not have to be like your mother to be a good priestess. Just do the best you are able. It is all anyone can ask of you."

"But what if my best isn't good enough?"

"It will be. Just keep your faith in Suzaku and your warriors. And let your heart guide you, and the path will become clear."

"I hope you're right."

Boushin stared at the young woman in front of him. She greatly resembled her parents, and she held both their strengths and no doubt their determination. She was so much stronger than she realized. He only wished she could see that. She carried so much pain in her heart, but she was so strong. He only wished he could help her to replace the pain in her heart and replace it with joy. But he was an Emperor, and Emperor's by duty, were not able to give their hearts so lightly. Though this one did set his into a frenzy. Boushin reached forward and brushed a stray lock of hair out of Hikari's eyes.

"Sweet dreams Hikari. I must return to the palace before my advisors wonder where I've gone."

And with that he leaned in a placed and gentle kiss on her cheek, the lightest of touches. It was the one small pleasure he would allow himself. He may be the Emperor, but he was also a man who had spent many years alone. And for the first time in his life, he finally felt as thought he wasn't entirely alone. Quietly the young emperor made his way back to his own chambers where he would find himself lost in a restless sleep. His mother had passed away years ago, and for as long as he could remember, she had been his only companion, due to his father's death so many years ago. He missed his mother's wisdom and guidance. Though his father was reincarnated, and he did have opportunities to speak with the Suzaku warrior, he felt no true connection with the man he called father,and he sometimes wondered if Hotohori sensed it. No matter. There were more important things to think about, like saving Konan, and helping this new Priestess return home, though a part of him wished that she would not have to go.

Hikari shivered against the cold night air as she stared out on the large pond near the pavillion. She had heard the story long ago of how her mother had nearly died in that pond, and how only a few years later, her aunt, Mayo, had also nearly drowned, but her father had been there to save her. She sighed unhappily. If only her father were here now. He would know what to do. Hikari clutched the pendant she wore around her neck on a silver chain. It was an ornately carved bird that she now assumed could only be Suzaku and looked up into the night sky.

"I can't see you, but I know you're there. I wish you were here Dad. I feel so lost. I don't know what I'm doing. Tai Itsukun said I was a warrior like you, but she also said I was the Priestess like mom was. What am I going to do? I'm not strong like you. I don't know if I can handle this. I just wish you could give me some advice. I could really use it right now...But I guess that won't be happening...good night Dad...wherever you are."

Slowly Hikari trudged back toward the palace rooms. She couldn't really complain about the situation she was in. After all, going into the book had been her own fault, she had wanted to come here. She just never realized what it was going to mean for her to come here. She knew it wouldn't be like when her mother came into the book. These warriors, the Suzaku Seven, they had been her mother's gaurdians, her protectors, and her friends. Would they be the same to her? She could only hope for as much. But as she walked back to the palace rooms, she had no idea she had been watched over and looked out for the whole time.

Tasuki had been standing in the shadows, leaning against a nearby tree. He hadn't been eavesdropping. Well, that hadn't been his intention anyway. It wasn't his fault he just happened to be within hearing range. He had heard everything that both Hikari and the emperor had said. He also felt bad for listening as she spoke to her father, who was no longer among the land of the living. It made him recall a time when Chiriko had once asked Tamahome if he had wanted to join their little club of spirits. Now he had. Sort of. It was almost ironic. He only wished his friend had been here. This was some daughter he and Miaka had raised. She so strongly resembled her parents that it was almost eerie. Still, in a way, he did feel sorry for her. He had heard Nuriko's conversation with her earlier. Miaka. Poor Miaka. It was hard to believe that the former priestess had gone crazy. He wished it weren't true, because Miaka and Tamahome were his friends, and the thought of them suffering was a painful and nearly unbearable thought. But if what Hikari had said was true, how much had she had to go through? How many times did she have to put on a brave front while it was killing her inside? He didn't know, but he was sure that it was more times than any of them could ever count, and it had destroyed a piece of her to do it. It was the parent's job to be the adult, not the child, but somehow she had that look. As if she had had to grow up way too soon, and growing up that fast had changed her in a way that could probably never be fixed.

"Out for a stroll Tasuki?"

"Huh? Oh, it's just you Chichiri."

"Gee, don't sound too happy to see me no da," Chichiri joked.

"I was just keeping an eye on our new Priestess. Makin' sure she doesn't try and do anything stupid."

"Somehow I don't think she would do anything stupid. She's too much like her parents."

"My point exactly."

"Tasuki."

"What? I'm jus' saying. Think of all the stupid stuff we've seen Miaka and Tamahome do and tell me you aren't the littlest concerned the brat might try and pull some stunt."

"Gee Tasuki, I didn't know you were that worried about her."

"I'm not. Jus' doin' Miaka and Tama a favor by keepin' an eye on their kid."

Chichiri gave the younger man a speculative look. Somehow he had a hunch that Tasuki had an alterior motive for keeping an eye on Hikari, but he kept the thought to himself. Didn't want to start a fight with Tasuki after all. Besides, due to reasons they couldn't explain, the Suzaku warriors were going through the same thing as Boushin. That same year they had all suddenly stopped ageing. And Tasuki for all his seventy nine years, still had the appearance, and mentality of his twenty seven year old self. Maybe that was being unfair. Somehow it didn't seem like Tasuki had changed much over the years. He was still wrecklessly cheerful and one of the most hot headed people he knew. The two friends stayed out by the pavillion talking idly, thinking that their new Priestess had returned to her room. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

Hikari, in her wanderings, thought she was headed for her room in the palace. It wasn't until she looked up that she realized she had wandered into the Suzaku Shrine. She looked around with a little "oh" of surprise on her face. She had gotten all the way over to the shrine without ever having realized it. In the center of the room, on a large patterned rug was a large golden statue of Suzaku, and in front of that was the large gold alter where the scroll of the Universe of the Four Gods had been burned when her mother had been Priestess. Hikari walked all around the rug and noted each name and constellation for the Suzaku warriors was on it, as well as the form of Suzaku. She sat on the steps in front of the alter and looked up at the statue. After all these years it was still standing. Somehow she hadn't quite expected this.

"I guess it's just you and me Suzaku. Don't worry, you don't have to say a word, I'll do all the talking," Hikari said.

Suddenly she found herself trying to stifle a giggle. What was she doing? She was talking to a statue! Of course it wasn't going to talk back her. Wow. If she was talking to statues now, she might end up being in just as bad a shape as her mother. At the thought of Miaka, the symbols embroidered into the massive rug flared brightly to life and a large orb of light appeared before her. The orb was cloudy and covered in mist, and slowly began to clear. What she saw inside it made her scream in anguish.

Tetsuya and Kiesuke poured over a large pile of books in front of them. What had Hikari been thinking when she opened that book? She knew better than that! She knew how dangerous it was. Kiesuke couldn't help but partly blame himself for it. He had done his part in telling Hikari about the book. He should have just refused to tell her about it. Now they were right back where they had started. Mayo leaned over Kiesuke's shoulder.

"Did you find anything yet?"

"No, I still don't know how she managed to pull it off. That story ended with you, and so far all we know is that some big evil is slipping back and forth between our reality and Konan, but there's not even the slightest hint at what or who it could be."

"Whatever it is, we know it's more powerful than anything we've ever faced before if it can slip so easily between the worlds without anyone sensing it," Yui said, laying a blanket over Sho, who had fallen asleep on the sofa.

"The only question is, how did it manage to go back and forth without being noticed? You would think someone would have sensed it or something. If it can just leap back and forth, then there's no telling what else this thing can do," Mayo said, sitting next to her husband and opening one of the several large books on the table.

"Hey, you better listen to this, you guys."

"What is it Tetsuya?"

"Presently an evil force was reaching for a Priestess who had lost hope. The Priestess of Suzaku screamed as her worst fear was revealed to her as it presently happened."

"What does that mean?" Mayo asked.

The confused group looked at one another, and suddenly it dawned on Yui.

"Where's Miaka?"

"Upstairs, taking a bath, why?"

"Oh no...Miaka!"

Kiesuke, Yui, Tetsuya, and Mayo raced upstairs to the biggest bathroom in the house. The carpeting outside the door was soaked through with water. Kiesuke pounded on the locked door, calling out to Miaka, but there was no answer.

"Everybody get back, I'm gonna have to bust the door in."

Everyone moved out of the way as Kiesuke took a running start and hit the door with enough force to send it slamming open. What they saw when the door opened was worse than they could have imagined.

Hikari's scream of anguish echoed through the palace grounds. Tasuki and Chichiri looked up, listening intently.

"What the hell was that?"

"That sounded like Hikari," Chichiri said, concentrating all hs chi on trying to find her location,"She's in the shrine. Let's go!"

They weren't the only ones who had heard Hikari's scream. Nuriko, Hotohori, Mitsukake, and Chiriko had all been woken from their sleep by the sound of her screams. She was screaming as loud and fast as she could draw breath. The Suzaku Seven raced toward the shrine, each of them worried about what they would find when they got there.

Hikari was on her knees, arms tightly clutching the sides of her shirt as she stared into the glowing orb. Her mother was in a bathtub at her Uncle Kiesuke's house. The tub was still running, water flowing onto the gleaming tile floor. Her mother lay lifeless, her face streaked with tears, and the water had turned pink around her. She screamed as she saw the razor gripped in her mother's hand. She had slit her wrists again, and this time, no one had been there in time to stop her. It was clear from the amount of blood in the water and the large puddle on the floor, that it was too late. Hikari saw her aunt and uncle, and Yui and Tetsuya standing in the doorway, tears in their eyes. She didn't know where Sho was, but she was glad that he didn't see this.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Hikari screamed, sobbing so hard that her body shook, wracked by the crying and screams," Please, no...no...you can't die! You can't! NOOOOOOOO!"

Tasuki and Chichiri reached the screaming Priestess first. The pavillion was alot closer to the shrine than most realized. Tasuki knelt down and grabbed the grieving girl by she shoulders.

"Hikari, what happened?"

"What's going on in here?" Nuriko asked, as he and the other members of the Suzaku Seven entered the shrine.

"Look," Chichiri said, motioning to the glowing orb that levitated in mid-air.

"Is that-?"

"No...it can't be..."

Tears fell from the eyes of the Suzaku Warriors at the sight of their beloved Miaka lying dead. Tasuki looked down at the sobbing girl in his arms. Her entire world had just come crashing down. Not only had she lost her father, but now her mother was gone too. What the hell had Miaka been thinking? Why would she even do this? Tasuki held Hikari tightly in his arms while she cried uncontrolably. Over and over she murmered the same words," No...no...please no..."

No one knew what to say. There was nothing to say. Nothing to do, but hurt and to cry and pray that eventually the pain will go away. But this was a pain that would never leave the celestial warriors. Miaka had been their friend, and priestess, and they had all loved her dearly. Knowing that the flame of her life was gone left a gaping hole inside each of their hearts, but most of all Hikari's. She was so young, and had to bear so much on her own. Seeing this, had ripped out what was left of her already shattered heart.

"I sense an evil life form no da!" Chichiri said suddenly, gaining everyones attention," Tasuki, protect Hikari!"

"Right."

An almost overwhelming shadow seemed to flow in and fill the Suzaku shrine. A deep rolling laughter filled the air.

"You fools. See what happens to those who come against me? Even your beloved Priestess was too weak to stand against me. You are nothing to me. I will have the children of Suzaku, Sieryu, Byako and Genbu all kneeling at my feet, and if you fight me, you will die. This world will crumble before me!"

And suddenly, a flaming red light, so bright it was almost blinding filled the room. Tasuki shielded his eyes from the glare of the light that was flowing from Hikari.

" I won't let you do this. I won't. You may have taken my parents, but I won't let you win! You aren't welcome here! Get out of this shrine!"

"You think a mere child can stop me?"

"GGGGEEEETTTTT OOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTTTT!" Hikari screamed.

The flaming red light around her grew into an angry blazing flame, that chased back the shadows and kept the darkness at bay, casting it out of the Suzaku shrine. The Suzaku Seven stared at Hikari in wonderment. They had never seen anyone but Miaka do something similar, and even her power had not been this great. Hikari looked about the room at the celestial warriors one time, before she crumpled to the floor.

"Hikari!"

Tasuki moved quickly and caught her just before she hit the ground. Hikari's skin was pale with exhaust, and sweat beaded her forehead. Casting that evil out of the shrine had taken alot out of her already tired body.

"What was that thing?"

"I don't know, but something tells me he's the reason our world is in trouble," Chiriko said.

Research on the book world was postponed for Kiesuke, Mayo, Yui, and Tetsuya, who mourned a sister and dear friend. Sho had been taken in by Kiesuke and Mayo. How were they ever going to explain to this poor boy, why his mother was never coming home again? Would they even be able to bring his sister home? Kiesuke could only hope that they could. Sho had already lost both his parents, he didn't want the boy to lose his sister too. Miaka's funeral had ended hours ago. It had been nearly a week since it happened, and no one was quite ready to go back to the book, or more like, no one was willing to just yet. Heaving a heavy sigh, Kiesuke opened the book and began to read where they had last left off.

"Here, thought you could use something to drink," Tetsuya said handing Kiesuke a can of his favorite malt beverage.

"Thanks."

"Find anything new?"

"Not yet. This is the first time I've actually picked up the book since-"

"Since Monday...I know. Yui and I came back to help. She's upstairs with Mayo and Sho right now.They'll be down in a minute."

"Thanks for coming back. I appreciate it."

"What are friends for?"

They went back to work on trying to find a way to bring Hikari home, and figure out a way to save the world of the book. It seemed like they were living the same nightmare over again. Just when they think that they had saved the book, and the world of the book something else comes along to try and destroy it. If they could only figure out why.

"Mitsukake, how is she?" Hotohori asked.

"Physically, she's exhausted her body. But I can't do anything for her mind or heart. She will just have to wake up on her own. But the longer it takes, the less likely it is that the Priestess will ever wake. Someone will need to keep watch over her."

"I'll keep an eye on 'er," Tasuki said.

Chichiri raised eyebrows at that. Maybe his hunch had been right after all. Tasuki had already spent so much time watching over her since she collapsed, and now here he was volunteering to spend more time with her.

"I owe those two alot. The least I can do is look after their kid. Even if she is a pain."

"We'll go in shifts," Chichiri said," Tasuki will take first, I'll take second.Mitsukake and Chiriko will take third, Nuriko fourth, and his highness fifth."

"Works fer me."

After all was decided Tasuki was left alone with the sleeping Priestess. He was just hoping she would remember what had caused her to pass out, because he REALLY did not want to have to tell her what had happened. It had been hard for all of them, but it was hardest on her. Miaka may have been their friend and Priestess, but she was Hikari's mother, and that had to hurt more than anything. Hikari shifted around in the bed, a light sweat beaded her forehead. Her dreams were the things of nightmares, and hers was only just beginning.

She stood alone in the darkness, not a single light in sight. There was a loud screeching of tires. Hikari turned and watched as two cars sped forward from opposite directions, niether driver able to stop. The first car was a dark brown, imported truck, the other...the other car Hikari had ridden in countless times. It was her parent's car. But there was something wrong. There was a dark shadow surrounding the vehicle. She could suddenly see her father behind the steering wheel, the same dark shadow all around him. He was doing his best to ward it off, but there was little he could do on his own. The thing was draining his life away, despite his attempts to fight it, until her father fell dead against the steering wheel. The car swerved on the rain slicked streets. The other driver didn't even see it! The two cars hit with a bone shattering force. She saw her father's body go through the windshield and land in the grass. He had been dead before the crash. There was a deep rumbling that Hikari vaguely recognized as thunder, but this wasn't thunder. There was something off about this, about the way it sounded. The dark shadow loomed nearby, it's red eyes the color of blood. Hikari stood, frozen to the spot. The thing turn and looked at her, surprise shown in its crimson eyes, before she was cast out. It was in that moment that HIkari realized she was not dreaming. Her dreams about her father never happened this way. She was seeing what had really happened the night her father had died. Suddenly she could see herself as a child, when the police came to tell her mother that her father was dead. There it was again. The same dark shadow as before, surrounding her mother. But there was a red aura around her mother that seemed to be warring with the dark force. It was darkest around her mother's stomach. The thing didn't see her this time, just continued to fight with the red aura that seemed to be protecting her mother and unborn brother. Sho... The scenery changed again. She was in the hospital with her mother when Sho was born and they found he had cancer, but Hikari knew the cause. She watched as that dark force surrounded the child and slowly began to sink into him. So that's what had been making him sick for all these years. The thing looked up and laughed that deep, rumbling laugh at her before continuing its descent into Sho's body. There was a flash and she could suddenly see her mother lying dead in the bathtub, that dark shadow once again present.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Hikari bolted upright in bed, breathing heavily. Her entire body was soaked in sweat. She blinked several times, trying to get a grip on where she was. Tasuki stood over her, a look of concern on his face. What was he doing here? Where was she? The last thing she could remember was forcing that thing out of the Suzaku shrine, and then those visions had started. Had she passed out? If so, how long had she been out?

"Where am I?" Hikari asked, somewhat in a daze.

"Yer in the palace rooms. Do you remember what happened?"

"I remember...did I pass out? How did I get here?"

"Yeah, right after you kicked that thing out of the shrine you collapsed. Mitsukake brought you back to your room. Are you alright? You looked like you were havin' a pretty bad dream."

"No...not a dream..."

"Could you be a little more vague?"

"Tasuki...I saw my father...that thing killed him. That, whatever it was in the shrine, it's the reason my parents are dead and my little brother is dying...I saw it. All of it. It was almost like I was there as it was happening. It was so strange. It looked right at me and it laughed. It's eyes, it's eyes were as red as blood. It knows who I am...and ...I think I'm next," Hikari said, fear creeping into her voice.

"C'mon, don't even think like that. Yer gonna be fine. But you need to get some new clothes. Yer soaked in sweat. Be right back."

Hikari sat huddled on the bed while she watched Tsuki leave the room, and return only moments later with a soft pink robe in his hands.

"Here. This should do,"Tasuki said, looking anywhere but right at the girl who was changing clothing.

"All done. You can turn around now Tasuki."

Tasuki turned to find the priestess back in bed with the covers pulled up to her waist. He took a seat beside her on the bed.

"So you knew my parents huh?"

"Yeah, what of it?"

"What were they like? Back when my mom was the Priestess and dad was a warrior of Suzaku, what were they like?"

"You don't know?"

"No...I heard a few stories. Just enough to piece things together on my own, but no one really told me everything. It was almost like they were afraid to tell me about it. I know what my parents were like for a little while when I was a little kid, but...after dad died...mom was never the same, I can barely remember what it was like to jsut have a normal day where I wasn't having to be the adult."

"Yer mom was one heck of a lady, and a total glutton. Almost every time I saw her she was stuffin' her face, or trippin' over her own feet. But no matter what she gave it her all. She fought so hard to summon Suzaku, and to make sure that her and Tamahome stayed together."

Hikari listened as Tasuki recounted the story of what had happened when Miaka first appeared in the world of the book. She listened intently, eyes brimming with tears when he came to the parts when it seemed like Miaka and Tamahome would be forced to remain apart, and laughing histerically when it came to the parts where they were being completely ridiculous. She couldn't remember a time when she had laughed so hard in her entire life.

"And that brings us up to now, I guess."

"Thanks, Tasuki. I mean it. I wish I could have known my parents when they were still the way they were here. Things weren't like that at home. It's been so long since Dad died that I can barely even see his face anymore."

It was Tasuki's turn to sit and listen as Hikari poured her heart out to him about the short joy she had experienced before Tamahome's death, and the deep depression, pain and loneliness that began shortly after. She may have acted like she hated her parents for how things had turned out, but he could tell just how much she was like Miaka. Every time she would start to say something that might make her mother look bad, Hikari would automatically come up with some excuse for it, as if she didn't want to hurt Miaka's reputation or memory by saying something bad about her. Because despite how bad Miaka had gotten after Tamahome died, Hikari loved her mother and would never want to destroy her memory in any way. She didn't want to concentrate on how her parents had died. Instead, she would rather remember the way that they had lived, and the strength and the love that kept those lives going.

"Yer just like her ya know that?" Tasuki said when she had finished.

"What do you mean?"

"The way you act. Tryin' to be tough when it's really killin' you inside. Miaka was the same way. Especially when it came to Tamahome."

"I might be alot like them, but I'm not my mother. From what I've just heard, I've got some pretty big shoes to fill. I'm afraid I won't do as good a job as she did," Hikari said, sadness filling her voice, " She was so strong. Not just for herself, but for everyone. Even when she wanted to give up, she kept pushing herself. I don't think I can do that Tasuki. I'm not her! I'm not my mother and I don't know how to be."

"No one ever said ya had to be her Hikari, ya just gotta be who you are. Personally, I like you just the way you are."

Hikari looked up at that comment. It was something that she had never expected to hear from Tasuki of all people. She had thought right from the beginning that he didn't like her.Now she knew different. The look in his eyes was so intense and sent shivers down her spine.

"Are you cold?" Tasuki asked.

"A little. I'll be fine."

They stared at eachother for a space of heart beats. This was wrong. In so many ways it was wrong. He may have only looked twenty seven but in reality he was already seventy nine. Not only that, but Hikari couldn't be any older than seventeen, and yet he was drawn to this strange girl, with her amber eyes, and long dark hair. It wasn't her resemblance to Miaka that did it, but more like being near her, put him at ease. Comforted him. It was strange. He had never had this feeling about anyone. True, he had harbored some form of romantic feelings for Miaka, but it was nothing compared to what he was feeling right now. Little did he know, Hikari was having similar thoughts about him. She knew that he was far older, but somehow her heart didn't care. Having him this close, staring into the depths or those firey orange-ish hazel eyes, she could feel her heart beat speed up, and her pulse racing. Slowly, almost hesitantly the two leaned in closer, their lips touching in a gentle kiss when the door to the room opened, startling them both.

"Hey you two, what are you up to?" Nuriko asked, bouncing into the room.

"Nothin'. I wasn't doin' anything. Jus' kepin' an eye on her that's all," Tasuki said nervously.

No, that wasn't obvious. Nuriko raised an eyebrow, but payed no attention to the way Tasuki was behaving. It wasn't like he had seen anything. Hikari did her best not to blush. She didn't want Nuriko to know what had happened. She had a feeling that Nuriko would be the type to tease her about it until she was forced to gag him, with a pillow.

"See ya kid. G' Night poser boy."

"Whatch what yer saying fang boy!" Nurkio replied, smiling happily with the result he got.

Tasuki hated being called fang boy, it always seemed to ruffle his feathers a little. But it was all in good fun. They could both call eachother names till the cows came home, but they would never be angry. Not that they would ever sink so low as to resort to name calling.

"Good night...Tasuki."
"So what were you two talking about so seriously? Hmmm?" Nuriko asked, making a face so hideous that Hikari couldn't help but laugh.

"Nothing. He was just telling me about my mother."

"Oh...I see. Well, I hope you plan on getting plenty of sleep tonight. Word has it, we're headed to Kutou tomorrow."

"How come?"

"Idiot. To look for any surviving celestial warriors. Tai Itsukun said you had to gather all of them together. Since Kutou is closest to Konan that's where we'll be headed first."

"Oh. Are you sure that's a good idea? I thought Kutou and Konan hated eachother."

"That's ancient history. Don't worry.You'll have the Suzaku Seven to protect you," Nuriko replied," Besides, you're one of us remember? You don't have a single thing to worry about. Now just get some rest."

Easier said than done. How could she sleep when there was so much to think abou? On the one hand, as unexpected as it had been, what had happened before Nuriko had walked in had made her almost deleriously happy. On the other, there was plenty to be worried about. Who knows how many people could have been corrupted by that thing that was killing off celestial warriors. She didn't want anyone to get hurt because of her. She had alot to live up to. She only hoped she could make her parents proud, and that she could protect the people she was slowly beginning to call friends. As she settled into the mound of blankets, Hikari could have sworn she heard Nuriko say ,"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about Tasuki."

Nah. It wasn't possible. Tasuki had moved away from her the second the door started to open. How could Nuriko possibly know anything about it? It didn't matter. All she wanted to do was sleep. Sleep was good. But as she dirfted off to sleep, Hikari couldn't help but smile as visions of Tasuki swirled in her head.

"Wakey, wakey sunshine!" Nuriko crooned in a sing song voice,"Time to get out of bed. We have to get ready to go."

"Just five more minutes," Hikari said rolling over in the blankets.

Nuriko shook his head with a chuckle. She was definitely Miaka's daughter alright.

"Nope. You have to get up so come on," Nuriko said as he grabbed the edge of the blanket and and pulled.

Unfortunately, when Hikari had rolled over, she had sufficiently wrapped herself in the blankets, so that when Nuriko pulled on them, it dragged HIkari right along and left her to land right on her butt on the cold floor.

"What was that for?" Hikari asked with a yawn.

"You wouldn't get up. What else was I supposed to do? Now, come on. We have to go meet with the Emperor Boushin before we leave for Kutou."

Oh. Yeah. Hikari had completely forgotten that they were headed for the place that had once been the enemy nation of Konan. Sighing, Hikari managed to get herself dressed while Nuriko remade the bed he had pulled apart.

"Hey Nuriko?"

"Yeah?"

"Before we go, could we get some food? I'm starving."

Nuriko couldn't help himself, and burst out laughing. This girl was sounding more and more like Miaka every time she spoke.

"What's so funny?"

"Not a thing. C'mon, we'lll get something from the kitchen along the way," Nuriko said, wrapping an arm around Hikari.

After a long detour to the kitchen where it took Hikari nearly twenty minutes before she decided on several different meals that she quickly ate, Nuriko and the new Priestess of Suzaku headed for the throne room laughing. Hikari hadn't been here long, but Nuriko definitely liked the girl. She may have tried to act tough, but once you get her laughing she wasn't bad company at all, and Hikari had definitely taken a shining to Nuriko. He knew how to talk to her so she didn't feel uncomfortable. For Hikari Nuriko was one of many new friends she hoped to have here. For Nuriko, it was a mutual feeling, while at the same time, it was almost like talking to Miaka and having her there again. He missed his friend dearly, and he was sorry that her daughter would never get to see her again. It was one of the things they had in common. They weren't far from the throne room when foot steps sounded from in front of them. Nuriko and Hikari looked up, and Nuriko pushed Hikari behind him. It wasn't likely they would get attacked in the middle of the hallway in broad daylight, but after the other night, they couldn't be too careful. But the one who came toward them down the hall wasn't an enenmy at all. It was Tasuki, and Hikari couldn't manage to keep herself from blushing. She only hoped that Nuriko hadn't noticed. Tasuki saw the blush and smiled.

"Wht took ya so long Nuriko? They sent me ta come find you. Thought maybe ya got lost or somethin'."

"Oh no, we were just having a little girl talk that's all. VERY interesting stuff," Nuriko said, "Why, Tasuki dear, are you blushing? Whatever for?"

"Ah, shut up," Tasuki grumbled, flashing a quick smile at Hikari before Nuriko had noticed.

"Wait a second," Hikari said," We didn't have any girl talk."

"I know."

"You were baiting him weren't you?"

"And he walked right into it. Now come on before he figures out I was just messing with him."

When they entered the throne room, the other members of the Suzaku Seven had already gathered. Tasuki was staring at the ground hard enough he could have drilled a hole through it, but he was doing it to hide the blush in his still red cheeks.

"Priestess of Suzaku, please journey to the other three neighboring nations and gather the remaining celestial warriors and bring them here. Once you have gathered the remaining warriors you will be able to call upon the power of the beast gods to save this world and its people."

"Yes your majesty."

Boushin gave out his orders to the gaurds to prepare horses for Hikari and the Suzaku Seven.They would travel toward Kutou and once there they would gather the remaining celestial warriors that lived there, if any were left, and then travel on to Hokkan and Sairo. Once they had managed to gather the remaining warriors, she would be able to call upon the power of the four Gods, Suzaku, Seiryu, Byakko, and Genbu. It took only a matter of a few short minutes before everything was ready. Everyone was headed out the door of the throne room when Hikari felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She looked up to find Boushin standing behind her.

"Hikari, I ask only one thing of you. That you return to me safely, and I wish you great luck on your journey. As much as I wish it, I am unnable to accompany you on your jouney. I must remain here, but please, be careful," Boushin said before leaning down and kissing her.

"If yer done in here, we gotta go Priestess."

Hikari looked up with a gasp. Tasuki stood in the doorway, looking none to happy. How much had he seen? How much had he heard? What must he think of her?

"Right. Good bye highness. We'll return with the other warriors as soon as possible."

With that Hikari ran off to join Tasuki at the door. The whole walk to the waiting horses he didn't say a word. Was he mad at her? Did he hate her now? She dearly hoped not. She hadn't expected Boushin to kiss her. It wasn't like she had actually wanted him to. There was only one man's kiss that she really wanted, and right now, he wasn't speaking to her.Hikari sighed sadly as they each mounted their horses. Hikari had insisted that she ride on her own. Nuriko's reply had been that if she wanted to get shot in the back with an arrow or anything else then she was more than welcome to ride by herself. That had settled the arguement. So Hikari rode with Nuriko, Hotohori took the lead, Chiriko rode with Mitsukake, and Chichiri and Tasuki each rode on their on. One mile passed them by, and still Tasuki didn't make the littles effort to talk to her. Hikari spared a glance across at Tasuki, who didn't so much as spare her a single glance. Hikari could feel her heart sinking in her chest. She was only fooling herself into believing that that kiss had meant something. How could she have been so stupid? Besides, what could have made her think for even a second that Tasuki would want her, especially when she wasn't even really an adult yet. Hikari bit her lip to keep from crying. She would not cry. She barely knew him. It didn't matter. It was just a stupid kiss. It didn't mean anything. But if that were true, then why did it hurt so much to know that he wasn't speaking to her? She wasn't sure how far they had gone when everyone decided to finally camp for the night. They weren't quite there yet but it wouldn't be long now before they reached Kutou. Hikari sat leaned against a tree, staring off into space. She had eaten the plate of food Nuriko had given her, though she wasn't really hungry. She couldn't stop thinking about Tasuki, and why he wasn't talking to her. Someone stepped in front of her, taking her slightly by surprise. Hikari looked up that long line of leg to find Tasuki standing over her.

"Come with me," Tasuki said, grabbing Hikari by the arm.

He guided her deep into the woods, until they were far enough away from the camp that they could talk and not have to worry about someone hearing them.

"Tasuki...do you hate me?"

"Of course not. What makes you say that?"

"You haven't said a word to me the whole time. Not since ...well..."

"Since I saw him kiss you. It took everything I had not to slap 'im. Do you know how angry it made me to see him do that? I wanted to knock him flat on his ass just for looking at you," Tasuki said, gripping both of Hikari's arms.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want him to do that. Why didn't you say anything then? If it made you so angry why didn't you say something to him?"

"You think I didn't want to? Do you know how hard this is for me? I hate women. Hated 'em all my life...then yer mom comes along and turns out to be the one woman that doesn't get on my nerves...but she loves Tamahome and I respect that, she was a good friend...but I still hated the other women that came and went, nothing but trouble...I never thought I would feel this way. I had just gotten use to thinkn' I was gonna live out the rest my days at Mt. Riekaku alone and then outta nowhere there you are...and I can't even think straight! The only thing I keep thinking is that I want to hold you in my arms and kiss you, and tell you I love you! "

"You love me?"

"Yes I love you! Ya think I jus' go around kissin' random girls? I love you and there's nothing I can do about it!"

"Tasuki."

"What?"

"You can do something about it because...I love you."

"I knew you would--wait, what did you just say?"

"I said I love you Tasuki."

And in the blink of an eye Tasuki had swept Hikari up into his arms, and kissed her with all the passion he felt for her. It was a moment neither one of them wanted to end, but like everyone else, they had to come up for breath. They smiled brightly at one another. It was ironic, that Tasuki should fall for the daughter of his best friend. An old banit who never thought he could learn a new trick suddenly found himself completely in love with this young woman. He had never truly loved anyone before, and suddenly he found this love that he had found more precious than anything that he had ever known, and he knew now why Tamahome and Miaka had fought so hard for it. This thing called love was more than worth the fight, and he that this was what love was. Wanting to live for the sake of another. He would do the same. He didn't care. He would do anything to stay with this young woman who had stolen his heart. Completely happy, the two started to return to camp, hoping that no one had noticed their absence. But they hadn't been the only ones up and about. Chichiri had seen them leave camp, and had followed them, to make sure that nothing happened to them. But Tasuki had sensed Chichiri's presence and sent Hikari ahead of him with a quick good night kiss.

"I know yer there so ya might as well come out ya evesdropper."

"Tasuki. What are you doing?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes, you do. You remember how hard it was for Miaka and Tamahome, are you really going to put yourself and her through this?"

"Hey, don' lecture me about love Chichiri. For the first time in my life I finally feel like a missin' piece o' myself has come back, an' I'm not gonna let you ruin it. They may have had it hard, but if Tamahome and Miaka can have their happy ending there's no reason we can't either."

"But they didn't have a happy ending Tasuki. Tamahome and Miaka are dead. What's so happy about that? I'm happy you found someone Tasuki, but are you really willing to make Hikari suffer for a love that may not last? For a love that will end once she leaves this world? Do you really want to put her and yourself through that kind of pain?"

"You don't get it. She's the one I've been waitin' for Chichiri. Always feelin' so empty inside, wonderin' why I was gonna have to spend my life alone...I don't feel that way anymore. The second I see her, it's like I'm whole. And if you've been waitin' as long as I have to feel that way, you'd understand."

"I understand Tasuki. I understand you're in love with your dead best friend's daughter who is MUCH younger than you and the Priestess of Suzaku. A girl who will be forced to go back to her own world once this is over. Maybe it worked out for Tamahome to be able to go and live in Miaka's world, but this is different. You aren't them, and this isn't going to work. I'm sorry. I hate to be the one to say this, but you know I'm right. You have to stop loving her before it causes either of you anymore pain."

"There's only one problem with not loving her Chichiri, I'm not sure I know how. But you're right. I know you're right, but I jus' can't help it."

"Tasuki..."

"Night Chichiri."

With a heavy heart, Tasuki walked back to camp. He saw hikari asleep beneath a tree near Nuriko and Chiriko, and sighed unhappily. Chichiri was right. Just because Tamahome and Miaka had somehow managed to get Tamahome rebron in her world, didn't mean that it could happen for him and Hikari. Besides, even if he was reborn, with his luck he'd be reborn as an old man. Just because his body had stopped aging didn't mean that the years hadn't passed. Deeply troubled Tasuki did his best to fall asleep and tried not to dream. What he would have to do when the sun next rose, wasn't something he would be proud of, and he knew that it was going to tear him apart. Chichiri on the other hand could have kicked himself for what he had said to Tasuki, but the truth of the matter was, he was only trying to protect his friend from being badly hurt. Tasuki was like a brother to him and he did not want to see either of them suffer. He didn't have anything agaisnt Hikari, but CHichiri remembered the pain of how hard everything had been for Miaka and Tamahome and remembered the tears that had been shed. Sure, their love was strong enough to surpass all odds, but was what Tasuki felt for HIkari as strong as the love that Tamahome and Miaka had shared? If it wasn't he wanted to spare his friend the pain and agony of a broken heart.

The next morning everyone gathered their things and headed for Kutou. They were only moments away from entering the city. Hikari had tried to speak to Tasuki as they rode into the city, but his replies had been short and none too friendly. Finally Hikari gave up all together trying to talk to him. She couldn't help but notice the way Chichiri looked at them nervously,and somewhat unhappily. Did he know something she didn't? Even if he did, would he tell her?

"We will find an inn and begin our search once we're all settled," Hotohori said, as they passed through the gates.

Hikari looked around her at the people wandering the streets. It was as busy as Konan, but something about this city set her nerves on edge. Hikari shuddered as the growing feeling that she couldn't quite name, grew larger. It was like a great force pressing down on her, twisting in the pit of her stomach. Something she could not name made her skin crawl in this place.

"What is it Hikari?"

"Nuriko...something's wrong with this place."

"What do you mean?"

"It doesn't feel right. These people, this place, I don't know, I just get the feeling that something is very wrong here."

"You're probably just a little nervous because Konan and Kutou used to be enemies."

"That's not it," Hikari insisted," There's something really, very wrong here! I just don't know what."

"Don't worry, you'll feel better once we've reached the inn," Chiriko said.

But the growing feeling did not subside when they reached the inn. It only got worse. Hikari looked about the few groups of people sitting about at the tables in the dining area. There was someone in the far corner wrapped in a dark cloak. Hikari looked quickly away before she was caught staring. Who was that person? When she spared a glance back, the person was gone. No, that wasn't creepy.

"Tasuki, did you see that?"

"See what?"

"That person that was sitting at the table in the corner, they just...vanished."

"Sure they did kid."

"But-"

"Look, we got enough problems without you makin' up disappearing people."

"I'm not making this up!"

"Sure, whatever you say."

Once they had all settled in their rooms, the Suzaku seven searched about the streets of Kutou for any sign of a celestial warrior. Hikari looked down at the glowing orb in her hands. There was a strange symbol in it that Nuriko had told her meant "hidden strength", but so far they hadn't found anyone. The glowing orb had appeared in Hikari's saddle bag the next morning after she had met Tasuki in the woods. The others had explained to her that it would help locate celestial warriors. It was much like one that Tai Itsukun had given them before but it had been broken.

"Nuriko, this is useless, I don't care what this thing says. We have been up and down just about every street and there hasn't been a single person that this thing has reacted to the whole night. It's getting late. Let's head back."

"Fine. Maybe we'll have more luck tomorrow."

But as they made their way back to the inn to meet with the others, little did they know that they were being followed. The cloaked figure from the inn had been hiding in the shadows, silently watching them. He followed closely in the shadows, careful not to be seen. So, that girl was looking for celestial warriors. She must be the Priestess of Suzaku. But if that were true, then he had to get her out of here. She didn't know how much danger her life was really in. He needed to speak with her before it was too late. It wasn't until HIkari had been back in her room at the inn that the cloaked figure made himself known to the Priestess.

Hiakri turned swiftly when she felt someone's hand on her shoulder, and tried to supress the scream that had begun to creep into her throat.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"Are you the Priestess of Suzaku?"

"Who wants to know?"

"Priestess, I am known as Sie, please, you must listen to me," the figure said pulling back the hood of his cloak.

Hikari stared at the young man, with his short brown-ish blonde hair and blue-green eyes. His face looked strangely familiar. Suddenly an image flashed in her mind. Now she knew who he resembled, Amiboshi and Suboshi, this young man bared an eerie resemblance. He could have been their brother. But that was impossible. The twins had died long ago.

"What do you want?"

"You and the Suzaku warriors must leave here immediately. Your lives are in danger! If you stay here another night, you will die. You must leave."

"How do you know all this?"

"Because, aside from you and your warriors, I am the only living person in this city."

"But that doesn't make any sense. There are plenty of people in this city. I've seen them."

"Come with me, I'll show you."

Hikari and Sie stepped out of the room and looked out at the other guests at the inn, scattered about the various tables. They all looked alive enough.

"Look."

Hiakari gave them another look, and this time there was something different. Something she couldn't quite see. Out of the corner of her eye there was a strange flickering, but when she looked directly at them, she didn't see it.

"Look with something other than your eyes Priestess, but I warn you, do not scream or they will know you see them for what they are."

There was a brief flicker of red light and suddenly Hiakri could truly see. These people weren't alive. They were dead, zombies of some sort. She looked about the room, and tried not to give anything away as she saw that each and everyone in that place was wel and truly dead. They were nothing more than animated corpses. But if that was the case, then what had happened to the villagers who had lived in this city? And, did she really want to know the answer to that question?

"We need to get the others, we have to get out of here."

Hikari made her way to the rooms of her warriors and it was as if that brief bit of contact with them, let them see the people in the inn for what they were as well. It was like a fog had been lifted from before their eyes. But it was Nuriko who blew their cover. Nuriko had been at the end of the line, and as they got toward the bottom of the steps, Nuriko took a good look at the things that mascaraded as people. They were nothing but rotted flesh and bones, and they all stank of the

grave. Truly seeing them, Nuriko let out a long, shrill, high pitched scream that could only be described as a purely girl sound. Suddenly the zombis/people looked up, and knew that they had been found out.

"Kill the Priestess of Suzaku. Kill her," Came a strangled voice from somewhere within the mass of shambling corpses.

"Run!"

The Suzaku Warriors, Hikari, and their new companion ran for their horses as the zombies came at them. But it wasn't just the ones at the inn. The streets were filled with them. All of them just a massive moving thing that had only one thought on their minds, kill the priestess of Suzaku.

"Get to the horses! Go!" Sie screamed.

"Come on, hurry Sie. We need to go!"

"Don't worry about me."

Sie turned and faced the zombie mass that was coming at them from the inn, there was a bright flash of a deep blue light as he sent a chi blast into the crowd, taking down at least a dozen or more of the enemy. Sie made it to his horse with record time, but it was Hikari who had been distracted. Tasuki was using his tessen to shoot off fire at the zombies, but he was so busy fighting them that he hadn't noticed the arrows that were coming right for him.

"Tasuki, look out!" Hikari screamed as she ran forward and pushed him out of the way.

But as she pushed Tasuki out of the way of the raining arrows, one caught her in the shoulder, tearing a cry of pain from her throat.

"Hikari!"

"Quick, hand her to me!" Sie said, coming up beside the very stunned Tasuki.

Tasuki did the only thing he could, hand HIkari to the other man, and quickly get on his horse. It wasn't the time to argue. They needed to leave. Now. The Suzaku Seven made their way out of the city, through the ever growing crowd of zombies, doing their best not to fall from their horses. It was Sie who was having most trouble. He was carrying Hiakri who had gone unconscious after getting hit by the arrows. It was clear to see that it hadn't been one but two arrows that had taken her in the shoulder. But much to their own surprise, they managed to make it out of the city. They rode for what seemed like days but was really only hours. They all wanted as far away from that place as possible. But eventually they were forced to stop. They made sure that they were as close to Konan as they could get without wearing down the horses. It was Hikari who was in need of help now. Sometime during their escape from Kutou she had regained consciousness. Chichiri and Nuriko helped her down from the horse, and she winced in pain. The littlest movement from her left arm caused sharp pains to run through her body.

"These arrows are stuck in at an odd angle," Mitsukake said, examining the wound,"You were lucky they didn't hit your heart."

"So what exactly does that mean? They got stuck in at an odd angle?"

"It means we'll have to push them through from the back."

Hikari's face went pale. Push them out? Right about then she would much rather have been having a root canal than this. She would rather have been doing anything other than this!

"Let's do it."

"Here, you can hold my hand if it hurts," Nuriko said.

"Thanks."

But there was someone else whose hand she would rather be holding, but for some reason he was keeping his distance from her, and that hurt worse than the arrows sticking out of her shoulders.

"This is going to hurt but it will be over soon."

Hikari clenched her teeth, but couldn't stop the loud scream of pain that tore from her throat as Mitsukake forced the arrows out of her shoulder.It had taken two tries to get them completely out. Once he had shoved enough of them through from the back, he was able to pull them the rest of the way out from the front.

"The worst is over," Mitsukake said, putting the arrows aside," Now just relax, and I'll do what I can to heal the wound."

Hikari leaned back heavily against the tree, panting slightly from the pain. She sat completely still as Mitsukak used his powers to cleanse and seal up the wound in her shoulder.

"Your shoulder will be sore for the next few days so you'll have to keep it in a sling," Mitsukak said, pulling a sling out of a saddle bag that Hiakari had only just seen.

"Thank you."

"How about I get us something to eat? You must be starving," Nuriko said.

"Now that you mention it, I am pretty hungry."

No one bothered to mention that they had only eaten just a few hours ago, just before they had been forced to flee from Kutou. Hikari was injured and picking on her wouldn't do anything for her at the moment, besides, Chichiri wasn't the only one that had observed her and Tasuki's behavior around eachother. Nuriko spotted Tasuki on the far side of camp, looking as if he didn't know quite what to do with himself. Nuriko also noted the look of pure jealousy when Sie approached Hikari.

"How are you feeling?" Sie asked, sitting down next to her.

"Okay, a little sore but other wise fine."

"Good. I'm sorry if I scared you back at the inn, but once I knew who you were I had to get you and the others out of there."

"That's alright. But what did happen there? What happened to all those people?"

"I'm not quite sure. I left home to buy a few goods from the nearest neighboring village, not more than ten miles away. When I got there everyone was acting so strangely. I didn't quite know what to make of it. It was like everyone there had been possessed. When I returned home the next day, everyone was dead. My wife, and family, my friends, everyone. There were a few of us in the village that were celestial warriors of Sieryu, my wife included, but all the warriors in the area had been gathered together, along with a few others with no marks whatsoever , and they were, well, let's just say there aren't words for what was done to them...I hid at that inn where we met. The entire village was gone, but just in case there were a few survivors I hid. The thing is, the very next day, when I woke up, everyone was up and walking around, only, instead of being as they were, I saw what they really were. I saw what they had become, and now I'm the last o what was once the Sieryu warriors, and the last of my village."

"I'm sorry. I don't really know what to say to that. Even saying that I'm sorry seems wrong."

"Don't be. It isn't your fault."

"You said there were other people gathered together with the dead celestial warriors?"

"Yeah, but I can't imagine why. I understand gathering the warriors, but why people who had nothing to do with them?"

"They had the potential to be warriors for their generation. That's why they were there. Whoever killed them knew it, and took them out before they could ever grow to come into their power. It's the only logical reason why anyone not bearing a mark would be put to death with the others."

"So it's really true? Something is killing off all of the celestial warriors?"

"Yes. If there are no celestial warriors there can be no one to protect the priestess and no ceremony to summon the beast gods."

"I see. Whoever is doing this must be stopped."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"You remind me of someone that was also a celestial warrior of Sieryu. His name was Amiboshi. He had a twin brother named Suboshi. And I'm not trying to be nosey or anything but it's just that you look an awful lot like them. Why is that?"

"That's easy enough to answer. You see, when celestial warriors die, their spirits are reborn and they lead new lives, and sometimes with no memory of their past lives. The Sieryu celestial warrior, when he was reborn became my father, and because I too carry the ability to be a warrior, I ended up resembling his former self."

"I guess that kind of makes a sense that's not. But, if the celestial warriors are reborn when they're killed then how is posible for this big evil whatever it is, get rid of all of them?"

"Maybe this time around it's different. Not because they were killed but because this evil thing is keeping their souls trapped somewhere, and until they are released they cannot be reborn. Which means that it can slowly pick us off one at time, and there will be no celestial warriors to take our places."

Sie and Hikari talked for a few more hours before Sie stood and made his way around the camp, getting to know the other warriors. As the night wore on, everyone else began to settle down to sleep, but it was Hikari who could not sleep. She was too troubled. Partly by the dead villagers who seemed trapped in that city, and by the cold way Tasuki had suddenly started to treat her again. What could have caused the sudden attitude change? What could have happened in such a short span of time to change the way he felt about her again? She didn't know, but she wished she did. Because having him hate her like this was tearing at her heart. Strangely it was Tasuki that she saw get up from where she assumed he had been sleeping. Quietly, Hikari got up and followed him, keeping far enough behind that he wouldn't notice her. He reached a small clearing in the woods, and suddenly Tasuki fell to his knees and began to cry.The might Suzaku warrior of flame cried. His body shook with the force of it. But he wasn't just crying for himself. He cried for his carelessness that nearly got Hikari killed. He cried for a love he so desperately wanted but was forcing himself to give up, because it was very likely that they would be forced to seperate in the end. He cried for his lost friends, for his breaking heart, and for breaking Hikari's. He loved her so much, but was he strong enough, brave enough to take that love and hold onto it with all he had in him? Gods, he hoped so. He couldn't imagine his life without her in it. One minute he's a retired Suzaku warrior and leader of his bandits, and suddenly this girl just drops into his life, and steals his heart away. But his heart was a fragile treasure, one to be handled with care. Whether he would admit it or not, deep down his heart was just as breakable as anyone else's and right now it felt as if it would shatter.

Hikari stepped quietly out from the cover of the trees. What should she say? Did this count as invading someone's privacy? But she wanted desperately to take those tears from his eyes. To see that glorious cocky smile that she loved so much.

"Tasuki...are you alright?"

Tasuki turned to find himself staring at Hikari, the tears still fresh on his face and unable to hide his surprise.

"What are you doing out here by yerself? You should be back at the camp."

"I followed you...Why were you crying?"

"None o' yer business."

"Tasuki...do you...do you hate me? Did I do something wrong? Did I do something to make you angry? If I have just tell me and I'll do my best to make it up to you. I will. I promise I will."

"No...you didn't do nothin'. Go on back to camp."

"Will you come with me?"

"No."

"Why not? Tasuki, what did I do? One minute you love me and the next you act like you hate me, and I don't understand! I don't understand why you suddenly start pushing me away when only a short time before you made me feel like the most important thing in the world. I don't understand why my parents died, or why this thing is after us! I don't understand why it is that I have to do all this! I don;t understand any of it and it's tearing me apart!" Hikari screamed, her eyes beginning to water with tears.

That was what broke him. He could not do this. He could not stand here and watch her cry. Not when he knew that he could take those tears from her eyes, and replace that painful frown with the smile that he loved so much. In an instant Tasuki was on his feet, and sweeping Hikari into his arms, in a warming embrace, holding her tightly against him. As if with that one action he could chase all the hurt from her eyes, and erase all the pain and loneliness she had been forced to endure as she grew up. If he could he would have erased every bad memory, every disappointment and made them his. He would have given anything in that one moment, if it meant that she would stop crying and smile.

"I love you. I love you so much, an' I don' care what happens.I don' care what I have ta do! I love you more than I thought a guy like me ever could! I'm sorry. I've been so horrible ta you, an' you still came out here ta check on me. I almost lost you back there. Don't ever pull a stunt like that again. I love you. I don' think I could take it if anything happened to you."

"I'm sorry Tasuki, but I couldn't just let you get hurt. I love you, I'm so sorry. I won't do it again. I promise. I love you. I just couldn't stand the thought of losing you. I could live with you hating me, but I couldn't live without you!"

The two embraced tightly and Tasuki kissed Hikari with all the passion and love that he felt. He showed her with actions what he would probably never be able to say with words. But it didn't matter, because no matter what way he put it, Hikari understood. Even if he never said it again, she would be happy with the knowledge that just once, for a brief moment he had told her he loved her. And that meant all the world to her. For the first time in her life, Hikari finally felt complete. As if that one piece of herself that had always seemed like it had been lost, was finally whole. That missing piece had finally come home, and hopefully it was there to stay. Because now that she had found it, the thought of that missing piece leaving her again, was more than her already shattered heart could bare.

Suddenly there were shrill, high pitched howls in the night, shattering a tender moment between the two love birds. They looked all around them in the woods and saw no sign of an attack.

"Do you see anything?" Hikari asked, already in her fighting stance.

"Not a thing. You?"

"No."

The howls sounded again louder, closer this time. The wind swirled up around them in a mighty gust that nearly knocked them over. It was more than a little strange when the night had only moments ago been so silent and tranquil. Where had the sudden wind come from? And what was making those terrible howling noises?

"The camp! We have to get back!"

"Right! Hang on, we'll get back there in no time!"

Hikari and Tasuki ran for all they were worth, dodging uprooted plants, ducking low branches and trying not to flinch at the smaller branches that bent and slapped, and scratched at their faces. It was almost like someone was trying to keep them from getting back. The moment they reached the camp everyone else was already up and fighting off the animals that had been making that terrible sound, They looked somewhat like a cross between a wolf and a hiyena. Their fur dark, their teeth unbelieevably sharp and dangerous, and that howl! It was like a hiyena on steroids. She had never heard such a terrible sound. But the odd thing was they appeared to be surrounded by a nearly pitch black shadow, and their eyes. Hikari would know those blood red eyes anywhere! She had seen them once before. In the visions she had had of what really happened to her father. It was the demon, whatever it had been! It had possessed thses animals and usig it for its own dark purposes. THe animals attacked with a verocity Hikari had never seen before. They moved like the wind and quicker than lightning. It was hard not to look away from the nearly hypnotic movements.

"Hiari, duck!"

Hikari dropped to the ground instinctively having heard the command before on the mat. It was what her sensei would say just before some sore loser would try to attack her from behind. It was almost an instinctive movement.She had practiced ducking and moving around her opponant for years, it took no thought what so ever to just drop right to the ground. She had hit the ground just as one of the creatures sailed over her head.

"Lekka Shinen!"

Flames flew in a wave over Hikari's head and she heard the screech of pain from the animal that would have slammed her to the ground if she had still been standing. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the others fighting. Nuriko had one of the things lifted high over his head but suddenly dropped it with a yelp of pain.

"Careful where you grab them! Their bodies are like fire!"

"What the hell are these things?"

"They're demon walkers!"

Hikari rolled onto her back with every intention of getting up only to find one of the demon walkers was alreadyon her and aiming straight for her throat! She raised an arm in an attempt to ward off the monster whose sharp teeth were only inches away from her flesh. Hikari screamed in agony as the demon walker's sharp teeth bit into her arm, tearing at flesh and bone. It was heavier than it looked. It was like trying to lift two full grown human being off of herself. Hikari reached around with her free arm for something, anything that could be used for a weapon. She frantically searched the ground until her hand closed over a large rock. Gripping the large stone tightly in her hand Hikari raised it up and did her best to try and hit the demon walker with it, but she was losing alot of blood from the wound it was causing and it seemed as though a part of her arm had been reduced to so much meat, she was beginning to lose consciousness.

From the far side of the clearing Tasuki heard her scream. It wrenched his attention away from the demon walker that was now running from him. All he could see amidst the chaos was Hikari on the ground with the one of the things on top of her. Her tore at her arm like it was a chew toy, increasing force but not letting ago. It was like it was trying to tear her arm right off the rest of her body. Tasuki's heart beat wildly in his chest. He could not let this happen. No way could he let her be killed. Not when they were so sure that what they felt was real. He would not lose the one person in his life that he truly dared to let himself care for. He ran for all he was worth, racing across the clearing, dodging the other warriors. All he could think of was that he had to reach her.

"HIkari!" Tasuki screamed as he raced toward her.

Somewhere in the distance Hikari could have sworn she head someone call her name. But it was so faint now. It was hard to see, but she knew that something was very wrong. Nothing hurt, but in the back of her mind she was sure that something should have. She should have felt something. But she was empty. Free. LIght. Almost like she were floating. She was vaguely aware of the demon walker that was laying waste to her arm, but couldn't quite bring herself to fight back. Just before she closed her eyes and faded into that welcoming darkness called oblivion Hikari could have sworn that she saw Tasuki kneeling over her. Tasuki...if this was really it for her then he was the only person that she wanted to see, one last time.

"Tas...uki..."

"Hikari! Damn it, hold on! Mitsukake hurry!" Tasuki said, cradling the unconscious girl in his arms.

Mitsukake rushed to Tasuki's side. For some unfathomable reason the demon walkers had suddenly turned tail and run. It would give Mitsukake time to examine the wounded and to heal what he could. Hikari's face was extremely pale. She had already lost alot of blood and though he couldn't be sure because of her torn clothes and all the blood but it appeared that her arm had been reduced to red ruin...Mitsukake shook his head sadly. How many others had he treated over he years who had suffered such terrible damage to their bodies? And how many others had he failed to save? He was a doctor and no stranger to suffering. He had seen countless soldiers carried off the battlefield and brought to him for treatment. He had seen their lives bleeding out of them as he tried desperately to save them. Many had died, but many more had survived, aome of whom had wished they'd died when they saw the damage they had taken. After all, some of them were only soldiers for hire, and what good was a soldier who could no longer wield a sword? Mitsukake tried not to dwell on those he could not save and focus on the now. On the one that he still could save. He could make no gaurantees about the condition of her arm, but he would do all he could to ensure that it was not lost all together. Taking a deep breath Mitsukake said a silent prayer to Shoka, pleading for the strength to heal, and for the strength to succeed.

"Help me Shoka...Do not let me fail her."

When Hikari awoke she found herself lying comfortably back in bed in the palace rooms. Had it all been a dream? They hadn't been attacked? No, that couldn't be right. It all came back to her in a flash, following Tasuki into the woods, him telling her he loved her, the attack by those demon walkers...and the one that had pinned her to the ground. Hikari suddenly looked down at her arm to find that it was still there, but that it hurt immensly. Her arm was bandaged from wrist to elbow, not the littlest bit of skin showed. So how bad was the damage? Did she really want to know? She remembered the thing in the woods gnawing on bone and flesh, and a jolt of fear went through her. She could have lost her arm! But there was one more thing that bothered her, before she pased out she clearly remembered seeing Tasuki and her heart was suddenly hammering in her chest. Where was Tasuki, was he hurt? Had he survived the attack? Where was everyone else? Those were the only thoughts that filled her mind as she quickly dressed. Steadying her injusred arm close to her body Hikari dashed out of her room in search of the others, determined to know if they were okay. She ran down the maze of hallways hoping to at least run into one of the others, but the one she saw first was Emperor Boushin.

"Hikari! So good to see you are alright."

"Your highness, where are the others? Are they alright?"

"They are fine. More worried about you than themselves. Everyone will be fine. It was you who took the worst of the damage."

So the others were alright. Had Tasuki been hurt when he rushed to her side? Was he okay? It was all she could think, standing there beside the emperor. But something wasn't right. Suddenly Hikari realized that the emperor also appeared to have an injury as well. His arm was bandaged from hand to elbow.

"Your highness! What happened to your arm?"

"While you were away there was an attack on the palace. Some lowly assassins sent to do away with me no doubt. But do not trouble yourself over it. I shall heal in no time."

"Hey Hikari! You're awake!"

"Nuriko!"

Emperor Boushin watched as the two had a very short yet joyful reunion with behavior that could only be described as purely female. Even if one of them wasn't.

"Well, if you'll both excuse me. I have other matters to attend."

"Is it just me or is he acting kinda wierd?"

"No, there's definitely something wrong with him. The advisors and prime minister say he's been acting strange for quite awhile now. They think it has something to do with the fact that he stopped aging. Everyone thinks it's finally gotten to his head."

"It must be horrible. Never able to age, to grow old..."

"To love."

"Tasuki! You're alright!" Hikari exclained with joy.

"I'm gonna go see what the others are doing, maybe they're finished making plans."

"Plans? For what? Are we going somewhere?"

"You dummy! We still have to go looking for the other warriors! We've already lost three days of looking."

"Three days? Was I really out that long?" Hikari asked as she and Tasuki walked side by side along the palace grounds.

"Yep. You were lucky. Mitsukake wasn't even sure if we was gonna be able ta save yer arm at all. That thing got you good. You were a real mess when we brought you back here."

" I guess you guys are probably sick of me by now huh? Always having to heal me? I'm sorry I'm so useless. And that I"m a coward. I saw that thing coming for me and I just froze. I couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. But those eyes...Tasuki, those things had the same red eyes as-"

"I know. Those things that attacked us are creatures that have been possessed by the evil that's slowly taking over this place. Chichiri told us that they were running rampant through alot of parts of the country side. Most people don' even survive."

"And I only survived because you were there to save me...thank you..."

"Don' mention it."

Tasuki looked down at the girl at his side and felt his heart thundering in his chest. What he hadn't told her was that when Mitsukake had started healing her there hadn't been much left of her arm to save, but since his rebirth it seemed as though his powers had grown, and he was able to repain parts of her arm that he had never been able to have healed before. It had been amazing to watch. But it hadn't been easy for any of them. Twice while Mitsukake worked on her arm Hikari had stopped breathing. The first time it happened Tasuki thought his own heart would stop. Twice now he had nearly lost the one person who had become so suddenly his entire world.

Tasuki suddenly pulled Hikari into his arms, holding her tightly. At that moment he just wanted to hold onto her, onto this single moment and never let her go.

"I love you Tasuki."

"I love you...Hikari."

But little did they know, that they were not alone. From somewhere on the palace grounds a great evil stood in wait, watching the two, and waiting for just the right moment to tear them apart. He would make them suffer for this. Yes, they would suffer until they both wished they were dead. He would see to it personally. No one would be safe from his wrath. Not the celestial warriors and especially not their precious legendary Priestess. It would be she who burned in the fires this time around.

For the whole rest of the day Tasuki followed Hikari around like a second shadow. It was the best way he could think of to keep her safe, for it seemed everytime she was away from him, something bad happened to her. If following her every move was the only way to keep her safe, then so be it. But by nightfall, after many assurances that she would be careful Tasuki gave in and gave Hikari the privacy she had wanted.

"It's not like I'm going to make a run for it or anything. Sheesh. Where would I go? Home? Yeah, right. That's a laugh. There's noone waiting for me there except Sho...and I don't think I could sit by and watch him die," Hikari said to herself as she headed down the hall nearest the Suzaku shrine.

From somewhere up ahead Hikari could hear a strange moaning. As she got closer, the sound grew louder, and before she had realized it, she was outside of Lord Boushin's bed chamber. Suddenly realizing what she was hearing, Hikari's cheeks blushed a bright red and she ran past as quickly as she could, hoping that no one had heard her outside. She couldn't believe it. She hadn't meant to over hear them. It's not like she was some peeping pervert or anything! Hikari headed inside the Suzaku shrine still a little embarrased over having overheard Boushin with one of his concubines, only to find she wasn't alone.

"Chichiri, what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question no da."

"I was just thought I could come here to think. It's been nearly impossible to hear myself what with Tasuki following my every move."

"That's just cause he's worried about you no da. He was a real mess when Mitsukake started healing your arm. He cried like a little girl the whole time no da."

"Somehow I can't picture him crying like that," Hikari said with a grin.

"That's because he doesn't know how to handle his emotions. He's never really been in love before no da."

"In love? How did you-"

But the look Chichiri gave HIkari was more than enough. It was obvious to everyone what was going on between the two of them.

"But let me give you some advice, it was something Tai Itsukun said once to Miaka. Until you summon the beast gods the line between a priestess and her warriors must not be crossed no da."

"Not be crossed what's that supposed to- Oh..."

It dawned on her what Chichiri was referring to and it was followed by a strong enough visual thaat it made her blush. She knew better than to go that far with anyone. Besides, she had way too much going on to even think about that in the least.

"You had better get some sleep now Priestess, we leave for Houkon in the morning. You'll need your strength."

But little did Hikari know that as she lay sleeping in her bed that it was she who had suddenly become the hunted. And the hunter and already found its prey...

So what did you guys think? Good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Please review and let me know! See ya!