The flames glittered and hissed as the Priestess of Suzaku recited the incantation for a second time. There was a heart stopping moment of utter stillness- to Miaka it felt like hours. And then suddenly Taiitsukun was there, among the flames.

***

"There's just one more thing I must tell you" the oracle was saying. The Seven had been sent out side to wait anxiously for Miaka and Taiitsukun to finish talking, and so they were entirely alone.

"You must listen very carefully. The trial you must now face will be far more demanding and difficult than anything you have faced before." Miaka stood frozen as Taiitsukun explained that she would have to leave Tamahome. Leave him so that she remained pure, to summon Suzaku. A few tears escaped but she wiped them away quickly with delicate fingers.

"Do you understand?"

"I do." She replied. She puffed out her chest a little. "I can do it, and I will. You can count on it." Taiitsukun nodded. She began to fade, but seemed to remember something. It startled Miaka when she spoke again.

"Before I go, priestess. I have one final gift for you."

***

"Don't be stingy," Tamahome whinged. "I didn't get anything!" Tasuki tried to stomp on his head. The two wrestled under Nuriko's exasperated gaze.

"That's because you've got such a lousy attitude!" The bandit barked back, cheeks as red as his hair from the effort. Nuriko sighed.

"So much for teamwork." He was about to drag the younger men apart when the door to the shrine creaked open and Miaka stepped into the sunlight. She looked extremely weary. She smiled weakly as Tamahome said her name and stepped forward.

"I need someone to do me a favour," she explained. "There is a girl called Sakura in the palace harem, and we need to speak with her." Nuriko looked suprised.

"I know that girl" he said. "But-" he stopped as he looked properly at Miaka's face. She was on the brink of exhaustion. "Nevermind. I'll fetch her."

"Taiitsukun is still here, and would like to speak with her before I do, so maybe..." Nuriko assured her that he'd take care of it. Miaka looked genuinely grateful. She turned to the others.

"Let's go back to the palace rooms. I think I need to rest a little. Thanks, Nuriko." He watched as Miaka and her warriors headed for their rooms.

What on earth do they want with the Ink Witch?

***