WARNING RATED M FOR MATURE! There are violent scenes some scenes contain mild to moderate sexual content. Even sexual violence, please read at your own risk!

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"Well thanks anyway." Saya said as she started walking towards the river.

"Who's that?" Nuriko asked as he looked at the new girl curiously.

"That's Saya. She helped me in the brothel. She's going to travel with us!" Miaka said with a smile. Chichiri watched her go.

"I'll be back. " He said as he walked off.

Once she got there she looked out at the rushing water. A recent storm had made the river swell. She briefly wondered if it would be quick. She stepped into the water and her breath caught in her throat. It was freezing. She forced herself to move forward. Her teeth were chattering loudly as she pressed on against the heavy current. She could feel the pull of the river grow stronger as she went further in. She shut her eyes and lowered her head.

"I'm coming Onii chan, Mother. I'll be there soon. Wait for me." She said as she pushed away tears. It would be over soon, her suffering would end. She would never allow her life to be handed over to the man her father had sold her to. She would die before she was forced into that kind of arrangement. She turned her back to the middle of the river and took another step deeper in. A wave of calm warmed her cold body as the end drew close.

"Stop you'll drown!" Came a firm but calm voice. Saya's eyes opened slowly. They were dull but peaceful. She looked at the rivers edge and saw Chichiri standing there with worry in his eyes.

"Come to me I'll pull you out no da! You'll drown if you don't!" He yelled as he waved her over. She stood waist deep in the water and smiled up at him.

"I know." She whispered as she spread her arms wide and took a step deeper; the rushing water pulled her in, in a single swift movement. Chichiri stood horrified and leapt into action. He cast a barrier on her to prevent her from being pummeled to death by the rocks in the river. He leapt in the water and swam to her, his mark glowing brightly. Saya let all of her breath out. She tumbled out of control, the coldness of the water stinging her skin like thousands of tiny needles pricking her at once. Her lungs ached for air as she shut her eyes tighter, ignoring the pain her in chest. She saw a bright red glow through her eyelids and knew this was the end. She felt herself being grabbed and suddenly the tumbling stopped. She could feel herself being dragged. She opened her eyes weakly and looked up into a man's face. Her eyes couldn't focus, and soon she passed out. Chichiri stood looking down at the girl in his arms. Her lips were blue as well as her skin. He pulled his hat down and disappeared into it then appearing by the group.

"Where is Mitsukake?" he asked urgently.

"Right here." Came a strong voice from behind him.

"She needs your help." Mitsukake took the girl from Chichiri and lay her down on the ground. Everyone stood around horrified at what her state was. She lay motionless on the ground her lips and skin a pale blue. Her breathing was very light and labored. Mitsukake moved quickly to make a quick assessment of her injuries then to heal her. Once he did she lay asleep.

"What happened to her?" Miaka asked worriedly.

"She fell in the river." Chichiri said stiffly as he walked over to his horse pulling a dry pair of clothing out. He went around back and changed quickly so as not to get sick.

"She was pretty banged up before. I wonder what happened to her." Miaka said sadly as she hugged Tamahome closer.

"She had multiple broken ribs and bruises. She wouldn't have lived much longer if she didn't get help. From the looks of the bruising that was on her ribs, they had been that way for more than just a few hours." He said solemnly. Miaka's eyes shot open.

"You mean when she was fighting for me she was already that badly hurt! She didn't even show it!" She said with horror written in her voice.

"She must be very strong willed then." Tamahome said firmly.

Saya's eyes darted around as if in a dream. Miaka frowned and looked at Mitsukake.

"She looks like she's been through a lot." she said sadly.

"Uhhn" Saya moaned in her sleep. Her face contorting as if in pain. Chichiri's blood began to broil. He couldn't figure out why he felt such anger seeing her in pain, but the way she looked at him before she let herself fall into the frigid water sent a chill through his body. His mind was filled with the memory of her attempted suicide.

Chichiri's fists clenched. She was too willing to die for someone so young and beautiful.

Saya's bright green eyes shot open as she began to thrash about wildly.

"No! No stop it! Please! Stop!" She screamed as she clawed out, knocking Chichiri's mask off his face. Her green eyes met his auburn ones, her eyes scanning his true face. She looked at him and sat up breathing heavily. They sat in silence their gazes locked. Her eyes traveled over his strong jaw line and up his pale cheeks. They gazed over the arch of his brows and to the gentleness of his open eye, then finally to the scar that ran down his face, shutting his left eye permanently. Chichiri felt as if he was on fire. This girl's transparent stare gave him chills.

"So you do stop smiling." She whispered softly. A true smile appeared of Chichiri's face.

"Indeed I do no da." he pulled out yet another mask and placed it over his face, becoming once again a smiling monk with a fox like appearance.

"I'm glad to see your ok! You were pretty banged up!" Miaka squealed as she threw her arms around the girl. Saya blinked in confusion a few times and sat very still. Miaka let go and grinned wildly.

"Oh yeah I tried to..." She stopped herself and bit her lip.

"Why am I not hurt now? I know I broke something earlier." She muttered to herself more than anyone else.

"Mitsukake healed you." Miaka grinned.

"I said I didn't need a healer..." She mentally slapped herself for being so rude.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude." She quickly apologized. She stood up and moved around, finding she felt no pain at all.

"You were seriously injured. If I didn't heal you, you would have died." Mitsukake said as he came forward. Chichiri studied her face as he said this. She looked away her eyes dimming slightly.

"Thank you then, for saving my life." She said with her head down.

"Let's get moving. Hotohori will be waiting." Miaka said excitedly. Saya nodded and stood up, remembering her deal with Tasuki. She took up the horse she had been on before and looked around. These people seemed to be pretty close friends. The Suzaku seven, she could hardly believe she was traveling with them. She was a little skeptical. She had seen many people claiming to be the priestess. Her clothing was odd indeed which tipped her opinion to be this was the real priestess. They ushered their horses into movement and began on their way. Saya followed quietly. Nuriko rode up next to say with a large smile on his face.

"My name is Nuriko, I'm glad you've decided to join us. We could use another woman around, besides Miaka and myself." He said with a large grin. Saya cocked an eyebrow.

"But you're not a woman." She pointed out. Nuriko's features darkened slightly.

"I am in my heart!" he scowled. Saya smiled softly.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you." She said honestly. Nuriko began smiling again.

"All if forgotten!" he said happily.