Chapter One

*Miaka's P.O.V.*

I couldn't believe it. I was so lucky to find Yui the same day I arrived in Kuto. Never mind that I had to run away from the guys, I was with her and she was alright. The relief washed through me. That blonde guy had outed me as the Priestess of Suzaku and now we were being hunted: just my luck. It didn't matter to me that much, so long as I had Yui back.

Yui and I had hidden for a short time in a storage room. Her short, sandy blonde had grown out a bit in our time apart. I liked it and made sure to tell her as much. She just smiled and told me that she liked it better shorter and was thinking about cutting it when we got home. We were both in our school uniforms so it wasn't that hard for me to imagine us being back in our world, hanging out and talking, just like old times.

She told me about some of the stuff that had happened to her since she came into the book. It was then that I noticed the scar on her wrist. When I asked her about it she said it was nothing and did her best to change the subject. I couldn't stop myself from hugging her every chance I got. I was just so happy to be with her again. She would make it a point to kiss the side of my head in a sisterly way whenever we began to cry, a comforting gesture she's done since we were children.

A little while later, when we believed the guards were gone, we tried to sneak out so that I could retrieve the scroll from the tall, blonde guy. It was then that we were spotted. Luckily Tamahome discovered us, knocked out the guards, and saved us once again.

With the guards taken care of, Yui went and retrieved the scroll. She was convinced that the general would do as she asked. It wasn't long before we were finally on our way to Konon. Yui seemed content as she showed us the way through the palace toward the exit. I was surprised that no one was trying to stop us, especially after all the ruckus that the guards made when I was first discovered.

"Nakago promised that no one would interfere if I chose to leave with you guys," Yui explained.

"I don't trust that guy," Tamahome said. Even though Yui did her best to reassure us, Tamahome remained skeptical. I, on the other hand, couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. This was entirely too easy. We had just reached the outer courtyard when my feeling was proven right.

"Lady Yui," a masculine voice greeted. A strong arm grabbed me from behind before I got a chance to turn and see who was there.

"Nakago?" Yui asked as she turned to face the general. "Nakago what's going on? You said you wouldn't stop us from leaving if I chose to go with them."

"I'm afraid you miss understood me Lady Yui. I won't prevent you from leaving but I cannot allow the Priestess of Suzaku to just walk away so easily. She is the enemy after all," the general contradicted. I could practically feel his grin as his arm tightened around my waist. I knew that I couldn't fight my way free of him, he was much too strong.

"You bastard! Let Miaka go!" Tamahome yelled as he prepared to fight.

"Do you think it wise to strike me while I'm holding your precious priestess Tamahome?" Nakago all but laughed. I tried my best to stay calm but my courage was failing me. Yui's eyes held such a look of fear and betrayal that it looked like she was about to cry.

"Let her go Nakago, I'll do anything. Please." Yui begged. Before the conversation went any further though, a chi blast appeared from our left, striking Nakago in the face and startling him enough to loosen his grasp on my waist.

Without a second thought, I turned and pushed Nakago away with all my might. Once out of his grasp I lunged forward, took hold of Yui's hand and, with Tamahome behind us, ran toward the gates. Chichiri appeared before us, his hat held out before us.

"Get in the hat. It'll transport us to safety." The monk ordered.

*Nakago's P.O.V.*

They were taking her; my beautiful young maiden. I couldn't allow it. The monk had shocked me when he attacked with a chi blast but the real blow was when my woman had pushed me away from her and ran. I couldn't, I wouldn't let her get away from me so easily. Without a second thought, I fired my own attack at the monk. He was skilled enough in his training to form a barrier around the four of them but it wouldn't last.

"You go first Yui," I heard the Priestess of Suzaku say.

"But Miaka…" Lady Yui began to protest.

"Don't argue with me Yui, just go!" My strong willed woman ordered. Lady Yui just nodded and did as she was told. She climbed into the hat which seemed to serve as a portal.

"You next Miaka," said the voice of the impudent boy. He was literally between me and my prize.

"Ok Tamahome, but you and Chichiri had better be right behind us," she responded, a bit of worry could be heard in her voice.

"We will be now just go," the boy ordered. I couldn't allow her to do as he said. I sent another, more powerful chi blast toward them. This one affectively threw the monk off his balance and dissolved his barrier. The hat went flying out of her grasp as she ducked for cover, the boy shielding her with his own body. I would never attempt to hurt my woman but the foolish boy seemed to think otherwise.

"Chichiri," he yelled. "Get Miaka out of here. I'll hold this bastard off!"

I couldn't help my smile. He was nothing and she was almost in my grasp.