Chapter 7

Where am I, you know?

Oh, right. I'm dead you know. He whimpered and let a tear fall from his eye. I died protecting Hana. I hope she is alright. I will never know what happened to her. This is all my fault, you know. I should have stayed with her, protected her. I am her Suzaku worrier, her celestial guardian, and I let that Shenlong put his hands on her. I should have done something more, you know. I should have put a protection barrier around her, or trapped her in her room, you know. I caused her so much pain. I can still see the tears in her eyes, you know. She is hurt because I was hurt, and died. I left her…she told me not to leave her, but I did. I betrayed her! His fist twitched and pain creased across his face. I deserve this pain! I deserve all of it! I am not worthy of her tears, or her love…

Her love…

She said I was a loved one…

I know now what Tamahome meant. I have made the same mistake he did.

I fell in love with the one person who I am forbidden to.

But it isn't a mistake really, you know. I would never take any of it back.

I might have told her I loved her before I died though, you know. Because I do love her, I see that now. But I was so blinded by foolishness that I didn't see it until I died. Until those last few moments where I knew, I was going to die. Then, I realised it.

I am such an idiot, you know.

Wo ai ni

Three little words that I just couldn't say.

Now I can say them for all eternity, and I have no way of letting Hana hear them.

I expected more after I died, you know.

To be rewarded for the good I have done.

To be punished for the evils I have done before that.

But there is nothing. Like a limbo, a stasis of nothing.

"Chichiri my friend, can you hear me?"

Voices…calling me. I can hear them, you know. What do they mean?

"Chichiri? Hold on my friend. Help will be here soon."

Help? Who could possibly help me now…

I betrayed the one I love most, you know. I left her…no one can help me now.

I'm dead, you know.

"Chichiri! Its me, can you hear me Chichiri? Hold on, I will heal you."

Heal me? Such an odd phrase. Can they bring back my heart, which I left behind when I left her? As she is my heart. Can they bring her back to me? Because I will never be healed unless I have her again, you know.

"Hold on Chichiri. Hurry up and get my relic from the shrine!"

Relic? He can't have a relic in the shrine. Not unless he is one of the Suzaku seven…wait…heal me?

"I hope I am not too late."

Heal me? A Suzaku worrier? That must mean…

"Mitsukake!" and Chichiri sat up, drenched in sweat and blood. His cerulean prongs moved up and down with his harsh breathing, as he looked into the eyes of an old friend.

"Nice to see you, Chichiri."

"And he hasn't said anything since?"

"No your highness. Not since our conversation in his room."

"Yes, he did demand quite strongly that we tell him where Lady Hana is. But I thought if we didn't tell him, he would get some rest, and let her rest too."

"Odd thing that. I thought you said that your brother wanted to take her with him, and yet he just leaves her on the floor."

"There must have been a struggle, as her necklace is broken with only five feathers scattered around her in a circle. We have gathered them, and Houki bless her soul, attached them to a chain for her. Now, there is one large feather in the centre, two smaller ones at either side. Speaking of Lady Hana…" Hotohori held his hands in his sleeves and at back in his throne. His fellow Suzaku worrier Mitsukake had come just in time. He had been staying in the outer village, treating a strange case of chicken pox when he heard the sound of battle horns. He ran into the scene and found the bleeding Chichiri in a pool of his own blood. Thank Suzaku he wasn't quite dead yet. Later, when they had started to regroup from the attack, they saw a flash of red light. All of them, Hotohori and Tamahome at the front, found a circle of red feathers with none other than the priestess in the centre. The odd thing was, that her clothes were different. She wore similar clothes to the ones Miaka used to wear, but a rose pink. And she wasn't wearing a French braid when she was kidnapped either. But simply looking at her made anyone know who she was, and they carried her inside for treatment, as she was unconscious. She seemed to just be unconscious though, no damage. "How is Lady Hana?"

"She is sleeping. She hasn't woken up yet."

"Then take me to her." both worriers looked to see Chichiri, stood in full monk garb and holding his staff at the ready. The strange thing was, he wasn't wearing his mask.

"Chichiri, you should be resting."

"You healed me Mitsukake. I am feeling fine. Now take me to her."

"But…she isn't even awake yet my friend." Hotohori stepped down from the throne, and stood next to the healer. "When she awakes you will be the first to know."

"That is right, as I shall be there with her when she awakes." The threatening look on Chichiri's face, made even Nakago's glare look pathetic. "So take me to her." when neither of them moved, Chichiri scowled. "Either take me to her or I will go and find her myself!"

"Calm down my friend. I will take you to her." Hotohori nodded to Mitsukake, and walked past his monk friend. "Follow me."

"I intend to." Chichiri had been thinking really hard since he was revived. He knew that heaven had smiled down on him and given him a second chance to be with the one he loved. And he was never going to leave her side, or leave her vulnerable to danger ever again.

Then he saw her.

Hotohori watched from the door way as Chichiri ran, dropping his staff and collapsing on the floor next to the futon, and gripped her hand to his forehead. She was perfectly asleep, and tears fell from Chichiri's eye. It made Hotohori want to cry too. How much does Chichiri care for her? He chuckled. That is obvious, he loves her of course. But the smile left his face as he looked to see Chichiri standing, glaring with his tears still on his face. he started panting, as he looked murderously at the girl in the bed. "What." He began, venom dripping like he was in no short supply of it. "Is the meaning of this." He pointed to Lady Hana, and then turned his steely gaze to the Emperor.

"This is Lady Hana."

"No, it is not." he clenched a fist and turned his entire body to face Hotohori "I know the touch of her hand Hotohori! I may have been close to death but I still remember the feel of her hand, the warmth it gave me, the imprint of her life force, I remember it!" Hotohori stepped back. He didn't like the new Chichiri one bit. "And this." He pointed threateningly at the sleeping girl. "This, this isn't Lady Hana! This is an impostor! She may look like our Suzaku no Miko, but Lady Hana, she is not!"

"Are you sure?" he wished he hadn't asked that. Chichiri looked ready to explode.

"Yes! Yes I am sure!" he then fell to his knees and tears fell like floods of rain. "I want it to be her…I really do…but…but I know it isn't. Damn…" Hotohori knelt next to his Monk friend, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"My friend, if you say this girl is not Lady Hana, then I do not doubt you. And when she awakes, I will ensure she is questioned to the where abouts of the real Lady Hana, and why she has taken the form of our priestess."

"No…no you won't."

"Chichiri?" slowly he got to his feet, a shadow over his eyes and he had both hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

"No, because I will question her."

"I do not know if that would be wise my friend."

"I think it is very wise. I am the only one after all who can detect a liar, and genuine virtue. And no one else is as driven towards finding the priestess, than me."

"Very well."

"I shall wait here…" Chichiri picked up his staff and sat on a chair across from the bed. Hotohori saw Chichiri go into some sort of a trance, and shuck his head as he left.

My friend, you are a broken man. But fear not, we shall find Lady Hana. We shall find her.

ooooooowwwwwww my head. Kioko rubbed her head. The last thing she could remember, was having that strange dream, seeing a flash of red light and well, what ever she saw when she opened her eyes. Her head hurt, as did her back. But she pulled herself up and rubbed her eyes, looking around. Her eyes opened wide as she saw a soft blue and she ran her hands over it. It was the cover of the bed she was now sat up in. She bounced up and down slightly. Yep, a futon. And a posh one at that. She looked up and saw the ceiling was a rough wood design, and when she looked to her left, she saw lavender curtains and white, tiled walls.

"Where am I?"

"You are in the priestess's room." she squeaked and jumped, pulling the cover over her as she looked towards where the voice came from, only her eyes over the blue cover. She saw a man, sat in the corner on a chair. Man he had been quiet. I didn't even know he was there.

"Ok, and where is the priestess?" she really didn't like the thought of kicking someone out of their own bed.

"I could ask you the very same question." She shuddered. This man had a cold, mahogany eye that seemed to make her soul shiver, and her blood run cold. He had cerulean hair, and large prongs of this hair that defied gravity. But she couldn't look away from the scar that kept one eye closed.

"Oh, well I wouldn't if I were you. I don't know."

"Curious. You came here disguised as the priestess, and yet you don't even try to pretend to be her."

"What? I, I don't understand. Disguised?" Kioko dropped the cover and looked over her hands, as if expecting to see gloves. Nope, her hands. She looked herself over. Her arms, her clothes, her legs, her socks (where are my shoes?), her shoulders. She felt her hair, and recognised her French braid. Nothing out of place here. "I'm not disguised."

"I think you missed your opening to make believe. Now, who are you?"

"Oh! How rude of me." she chuckled and slid off the bed. She then bowed, and smiled. "I'm Kioko." Then he started to laugh. She raised a brow, and he stopped.

"You are an amateur of disguise. Not only have you got her name wrong…but her eyes are not that colour. You have failed to convince me of you target, and if you don't comply with a few questions, you will regret it."

"I think I missed something…do you think I am an actor or something? Because I am not acting, not at all. I am Kioko. I don't know quite where I am…" she looked around.

Chichiri stood with a confused look on his face. She wasn't trying to act like the priestess. At first, he just thought she was doing a lousy job of it, but now…how would someone trying to be the priestess, not know where they are? "In fact, I think I am quite lost. Last thing I remember was having this really, really strange dream. And that phoenix…" he heard that and crossed the room to her. he grabbed her hand, and she yelped. "Please! I am sorry if I have insulted you in any way! But I am not who you think I am, obviously."

"I don't know who I think you are right now. Now, sit." He pointed to the bed. she sat down, and he stood over her, making her feel two inches small. "You said you saw…what?"

"A phoenix, but it was only a dream."

"Tell me about it." he sat down, his stare making her want to run away. for a guy with one eye…eep. She gulped.

"Well…first I was just dreaming. Well, not I wasn't. first I got a ticket from me grandma, who isn't my grandma, to see my family. I really thought I would see them at last…"

"What do you mean by that?" he saw the hurt in her eyes, and made a point to find out why it was there.

"Oh…I don't want to worry you." Now she is acting like Hana.

"Oh, you will tell me." he said very threateningly. She gulped again.

"Well…in China, they have this population rule. People can only have one baby."

"Your Emperor is cruel then?"

"Well…erm…we don't have an, never mind. Well anyway, my mother, had…two children. Twins. I' one of them." he had a hunch where this was going, but listened anyway. She saw this as a sign to continue. "Well, after my sister and I were born, my mother knew she couldn't keep us both. So, my grandma, who isn't y grandma, decided to take me away for her, and keep me safe. They made a deal with the doctor to get rid of any evidence that my mother had twins, and made it look like she had just the one. So…" she sighed. "So I grew up not knowing my parents, or my sister. But recently, I was told that in the last few months, my mother died in a car crash. I didn't even know her, but I prayed for her anyway. So when my grandma."

"Who isn't your grandma."

"Yeah, she told me about the con they pulled, and gave me a ticket to find them. my, only my father knew of me. my sister doesn't even know me…" she sniffled. "I so wanted to meet her…Hana…" Chichiri grabbed her shoulders, and made her face him.

"What did you say?"

"I, I said Hana. That is my twin's name. Hana Hoshi."

"Wait a minute…what did you say your name was?"

"Kioko." His eyes snapped open.

"K..K.."

"Yes Suzaku no Miko?" Chichiri crouched down on one knee with her, and brushed a stray lock from her face.

"Ki, ki ki." She mumbled, her eyes closed and looked to be in pain.

"What Lady Hana?" a priest asked.

"Kio..ko…" she then bolted up in the Monk's arms, and her eyes were wide with shock. "KIOKO!" But then her eyes snapped shut again, and she fell back into a world of darkness.

"You are Kioko?"

"Yes, yes I am."

"She, she said you name." her eyes opened and she held him back.

"Does he know me? Can I see her? Is she here!" she jumped up, as if expecting to see her.

"That would make sense."

"What?" but he was talking to himself.

"She told me she lost her mother, around the same did Kioko did, and you look alike, but have different life forces, and I sense no evil in you, even as sceptical as I was. But then why did you appear when Hana was kidnapped?" he then looked to her again. A theory came to him that he couldn't ignore. "Hurry, the dream you spoke off with the phoenix, tell me all about it." she blinked, and he released her. She saw that his stare was not as venomous as before, but almost hopeful.

"Oh, well first I was just dreaming. No one was home when I got to the Hoshi home, and I fell asleep. Then I was running along a river, and there was a storm." She closed her eyes, trying to remember everything. If this man knew her sister, she would tell him anything he wanted to know. "I fell in the river, and I thought I was going to die. But then I heard a voice." She crinkled her face. "It said…that I wasn't going to die. That, they wouldn't let me. I think it was a man. Then I saw a huge, majestic and elegant red Bird. It looked like a Phoenix, with great blue eyes." Chichiri couldn't believe it. This girl, Kioko, was describing the lord himself. "He called me something…Suzaku…no Miko?"

"No, that is impossible!"

"Oh, but I remember he did. I was going to ask him what it meant, but then I started to see all these memories. I only remembered half of them though. The other half of them, I saw myself in them, but it wasn't me. if that makes any sense…I mean…I never had parents and the me in those memories, had parents. And they argued a lot. The father shouted at the mother a lot and made the me in the memory cry in my room."

Hana said her father had never been a good man, but was sorry. it is typical that he is sorry after his wife is dead. "And I never had those eyes."

"What did they look like?" he was listening very carefully now.

"Like mine, but darker. Blue, but more, sapphire blue. Does that make sense?"

"You just described you sister, Hana."

"So those were her memories…oh!" she clapped her hand over her mouth. So that little girl, alone, crying and bleeding thanks to bullies, was her sister. All those horrid memories, were her sisters memories.

"What?"

"She…she has had to deal with a lot." Mental note, make sure to ask her about that later. he thought. He didn't like the sound of that.

"Anything else?"

"Yes, then the male voice spoke to me again."

"What did he say?"

"Let me think…"she thought really hard closing her eyes and hanging her head over, when a red light started to emit from her. Chichiri released her, and couldn't close his eye or his mouth. That was the light of Suzaku. But that is impossible, Hana is the priestess! "Suzaku no Miko, it is time. I accept you into my arms and love you as my own. Tough times came ahead for you, but stay every vigilant in your quest. Fulfil your destiny and let your heart guide the way. Remain pure, remain focused, remain faithful and I shall watch over you and keep you safe." The voice that came from her lips was not her own, but a male voice. It was the voice of Suzaku.

"Kioko!"

"Yes?" She looked up, the red light still around her outline, but her voice her own again.

"Did he say anything else?"

"He said he was the beast God Suzaku, of Konan I think." the red light dimmed and faded, leaving Chichiri speechless. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, just a little shaken, you know." he chuckled and held the back of his head. "I've never heard of there being two priestesses of Suzaku, you know."

"Excuse me? now I really think I have missed something."

"You were accepted as the priestess of Suzaku, just like Hana was. I am willing to bet at the same time to, you know." she smiled, she was like her sister. And this man had certainly changed. He was so scary before, but now he seemed almost, jolly. "I am Chichiri, one of the Suzaku seven, you know. I am one of seven worriers bound to protect and serve the priestess-es." He added with a chuckle. "And help her summon the east God Suzaku. Hana had agreed to do this already, to heal the sick prince of Konan, that is where you are you know, and wish herself home. Because you get three wishes in all, you know. one was for the prince, and the other was to get her home. Now, it can get you both home after we…get her…back…" Kioko saw the sorrow and anger fill his eyes for a moment, so she stuck her tongue out at him. he fell over backwards and she laughed.

"Well, I will help her do this, since if there are two of us, two heads are always better than one, right? And I can't wait to meet her." She was smiling, until she saw Chichiri hang his head over in shame.

"Lady Hana…was kidnapped yesterday. Just before you arrived. I believe from what I have learnt from you, that Suzaku and his Devine will, brought you here once you were needed. I also believe there is a reason why you are both the priestess of Suzaku, and I am sure it has something to do with you being twins, you know." he said and stood up. "But I promise you, I will not rest until we have your sister back with us, I swear it. I swear it on my life."

"You really like her, don't you?" he looked like he had been smacked. "I mean, you seem to know her really well from how you speak of her." she looked down at her lap. "Would you tell me about her?"

"Of course I will, you know." he chuckled. "But first, I need to tell everyone about you. So, stay here." He went to the door, and stopped. Kioko heard him chant a spell, and a blue shield locked into place in the door way. "Just encase." He muttered and ran down the hall. Kioko sighed, and laid back on the bed.

"So my sister is a priestess here, and now so am I. and Chichiri is not the only one who swears to save you Hana." She sniffled. "I am so close to you, that not even the devil could stop me from meeting you at last."

"Lady Hana? Lady Hana please rise. We are here."

"Five more minutes…" she groaned and snuggled closer to her father. Wait…papa doesn't call me 'Lady' Hana… she opened her eyes and looked up into the cold, dark eyes of Emperor Shenlong.

"Good morning Priestess." She yelped and almost fell off the horse. He laughed and she saw that somehow, he had straddled her sideways over the horse so he could hold her to him. That was how she rested her cheek on his armoured chest. But not anymore. Her memories flooded back to her and she pushed away from him, tears falling down her face. "Come now Hana, you were not that resistant to hold onto me as you slept. Why should that change now that you have awoken?" he coaxed and rubbed her back. But she simply cried harder and he pulled her against him again. The horse bounced softly as they entered the gates of the palace. She looked up at it. Funny thing was, although the style was different, it did just look like a blue version of Konan palace. "We are here, see. I will have your new quarters ready at once."

"Don't bother, I am not staying!" she pushed from him hard, and fell to her knees on the floor hard.

"Get back here! Men! Close the gates now!" he saw her only hope of escape closing before her, and she ran with all her might. Even though she was only in white robes, with a nighty underneath, she still ran. Not caring if the men got an eyeful of her bare legs and shoulders. Not that they were complaining…

"No!" she beat her hands on the gates as they closed, locked. "No." she whimpered, and felt a hand on her shoulder as her forehead rested on the wooden doors.

"Come now priestess, this is not the proper conduct of a Lady, is it?" Shenlong gently pulled her away from the gate, and into his arms. But she refused to look at him and held her hands on his chest, in fists and making a gap between her and him. But he wasn't having any of that. He hooked an arm around her back, and under her legs and lifted her into his arms.

"Put me down! I hate you, you bastard!" he froze, as if her words hat stuck him.

"Show more respect to your Emperor, priestess. I can be a very hospitable man if you let me. Or…" he let his glare freeze her struggles. "Or I can be jus what you accused me of being, a bastard. Now." He said on a lighter note. "Let's get you into some more, presentable clothes. I fear my men will not be able to control themselves if I allow you to dress in such a way for much longer." Then, Hana noticed the hungry looks she was getting, and decided getting some better clothes was a good idea. So she grew quiet and didn't struggle anymore. "Good, very good. I hope you are this cooperative with most of my requests." He chuckled, and walked into the palace with her in his arms. Once inside, the doors behind them closed, and Hana made a job of getting out of his arms.

"Don't touch me." she spat, and looked away. "I am a hostage here, I will not be a willing, or an easy one!"

"We shall see. Ah…my most trusted worriers." Shenlong drew her attention from himself, to seven others who looked to be waiting for him. One looked like the beast from hell, with brown fur and a dripping mouth. The next, looked like a little Buddha, with evil eyes and floating with his stumpy legs crossed. The next, was very tall with a strange array of face paints of white, blue, black and red. He wore a golden crown, with two large white and black feathers coming out the back, two long black locks of air coming down by his ears, with two golden hair clips further down, the rest of his hair falling out the back of the crown, a very neat black and red robe, with golden shoulder plates. Stood next to him, were two twins. Both had short brown hair with blue head hands over their foreheads, and blue eyes. One dressed more casual, while the other looked like he was ready for a fight. One had a flute sticking out his back pocket; the other had a type of rope around his neck with meteor balls on the ends. The final two, stood in armour. One was a gorgeous woman, with a loop of purple hair at one side, and a long plat coming down her back. She had a slight fringe, and knowing eyes. Her lips curled into an evil smirk, and she reminded Hana of an evil Zena the worrier princess. But the final one, was a man with long blonde hair, blue eyes and a stare that could freeze water, and shatter ice. He also wore armour, blue and a blue robe over one shoulder, showing three large claws coming out his exposed shoulder plate, and a large sword under his arm. "These Lady Hana, are the seven Seiryu worriers. I will introduce them to you if you like."

"Erm, no need." Hana mumbled. She then looked behind her and tried to see a way out. A ha! She then smiled to Shenlong as he indicated her to follow. Then, he stepped in front of her and she bolted.

Right for the window. Shenlong only chuckled.

"Oh Miboshi."

"Yes my lord." The little Buddha shuck a little rattle thing and Hana yelped as she was lifted into the air. Shenlong turned and looked at her with mirth. She thrashed her arms and legs around and was grateful she wore underwear.

"Put me down!"

"Miboshi, you heard her."

"Yes my lord." She screamed as she fell, front first into the floor. She immediately knelt up and held her breasts.

"Ouch…" she rubbed them, and didn't see the looks she got from most of the men in the room. Soi couched and got their attention.

"Oh my dear, I know how you feel. It hurts there doesn't it?" she walked between the wolves of men, and knelt next to her. "It goes off after a moment. That is why I wear breast plates, to aid me." she chuckled and lifted her to her feet. "I am Soi, mistress of lightning and one of the Seiryu seven. What is you name dear?"

"Hana." She said, looking down.

"Well Hana, call me Soi." She looked to the rest of the room. "I do believe you have made quite an impact my dear." Only Tomo wasn't drooling like a fool. And she didn't have to stomach to look at her wolf comrade. "We shall have to get you some more suitable clothes. Tomo, come with me would you." The man with the feathers, crown and face paints stepped forward, and had a very bored voice as he said.

"Of course." He unfolded his arms, and walked towards them. Hana jumped back and backed up against the wall. Soi laughed.

"Well Tomo, it appears that you scare her."

"Indeed, it appears I do." He chuckled behind his hand, and extended one to her. "I shall not hurt you child, the wrath of Shenlong would be too great if I did."

"And that goes for all of you." Shenlong added, and turned to her. "You are as good as our priestess now, so the Seiryu seven are now your protectors. And if they treat you badly in any way…" he let the threat linger as he flexed his neck from side to side. "Let me know. Now I fear I must attend to state matters. I shall see you later Lady Hana." He flashed her a dashing smile, and left. Hana started to panic. She was on her own, in a room, with the enemy celestial worriers.

"Perhaps we should introduce ourselves. I am Soi, as I have already said. I am the mistress of lightning." She waved her hand and a flash if lighting came near the window, making her jump a mile in the air. When she came back down again, she landed into the arms of the two twins.

"We are Boshi twins. I am Amiboshi, master of the magical flute." He chuckled and held her back in his arms.

"I am Suboshi, master of the mighty meteor balls." He spoke with the same voice, and he held her legs.

"Twins?"

"Yep."

"We sure are."

"Oh, how nice for you." She chuckled. She wished she had someone to laugh with like these two had.

"Put her down!" Tomo snapped, and saw Amiboshi look to his brother, and nod. They lowered her to her feet, and stepped back. But she stepped back with them, and bid between them. this made them chuckle.

"I don't think she likes you much Tomo." Suboshi taunted.

"Maybe we should look after her." Amiboshi added.

"You two hormone driven boys will do no such thing." Tomo scolded and looked to the blonde haired man. "Lord Nakago, tell these boys they are to keep their selves in check around her."

"He is right boys. Remember, to summon the beast God, she must remain pure." Hana jumped and ran far away from them.

"What exactly did you two have in mind for me!" they both raised a brow at each other, and smirked.

"Only a bit of fun."

"No harm in that."

"Eeep!" Hana jumped again as Tomo walked towards her.

"Damn it child! I am not going to harm you!"

"Stay back evil clown monster!" she looked around, and saw another window. She bolted again, and almost made it too. Until she felt herself lift off the ground again. She saw the little Buddha Smirking and looking up her robes. "AAAH! HENTAI!" she pinned her legs together and reached to the nearest thing she could find. Then, she grabbed onto shoulders and lowered herself to the ground. "What's the big idea? She turned and screamed. "You evil little Buddha freak!"

"I am Miboshi, master of dark magics and a magician. NOT A HENTAI!"

"What ever you pervert." She glared at him, and felt two hands rest on her shoulders. She then slowly turned to see just who's shoulders she had used to anchor herself to the floor. "AAA SCARY EVIL CLOWN MAN!" she jumped back and looked around. She saw Soi, and ran to her. "Keep him away from me! Please! She said from behind her. Soi chuckled and looked to Nakago, who nodded with a smirk.

"I am afraid that I have to attend to some life force realigning. I shall have to leave you." And she left the room with Nakago. Hana then chose to hide behind the twins, and then saw them looked back at her with an impish grin.

"Erm, on second thought." She stepped away, and looked around.

"I am tired, and need to meditate." Miboshi just vanished. So she was left alone, with the twins, the clown monster, and a…wolf? And then it snarled and tried to jump her. Tomo stood in the way and pulled a whip from his robes.

"Down! Ashitare, down!" the whip cracked and made the beast fall to the floor. "Boys, take him to his quarters and lock him there."

"Can't you take him and we stay with the priestess?" Suboshi stood behind Hana, and she let her eyes grow wide.

"We will be good, promise." Amiboshi stood in front of her, successively sandwiching her between the twins. Eeep!

Great, these were her option. Stay in a room where there were four disturbing people, two randy guys, or one scary bastard.

"No, no the clown monster can look after me, thanks." She forced a smile, and tried to slip out from between them.

"The priestess has spoken, now do as I have asked!"

"Yes Tomo."

"Yes Homo."

"What was that Suboshi!"

"Nothing…Tomo." They wrapped the wolf man in the meteor balls, and a soft melody of a flute made it comply.

"Now, priestess, what was your name?"

"Erm…Hana…" she looked to the window. Oh it was so tempting.

"I am Tomo. But what concerns me is that I have yet to use my power, and you cower from me. Does my form truly scare you that much?"

"Yes…" she said weakly, and found herself against a wall. I will remember this... he thought, and let his powers envelop himself. His feathers vanished, as did his garb and crown…and he spoke to her again.

"Lady Hana? Are you alright, you know." Hana gasped and a tear fell from her eye. She found herself coming away from the wall, and walking towards him, her hands reaching out.

"Ch…chiri? She let her hands run through his soft cerulean prongs, and watched as he smiled as happy as ever at her. could it be him? could it truly be the one and only Chichiri. But she saw him die…she saw him murdered…but look at him. he was right there, smiling, his arms open and his heart on his sleeve, for her.

"Yes Lady Hana, it is me, you know."

"Oh Chichiri!" she threw her arms around his neck, and he held her. Tomo smiled, this was odd. He seemed to feel…warm from this. But women never appealed to him before, why now? Why her?

"I am here Lady Hana. I am here, you know."

"Oh I thought I lost you Chichiri, I really did." she cried into his chest, and Tomo patted her head with a smile. And he was actually smiling too.

"Well I am here now, you know. Forget about the past, and we will start again, you know."

"Yes…yes that sounds nice." She sniffled and let him hold her back. Tomo lifted her up into his arms and started to walk out the hall. She fell asleep in his arms, exhausted.

Soi looked out of her window, still getting her breath back, and saw Tomo sat by the inner palace lake, holding and cradling Hana in his arms. She raised a brow, thinking this was very off behaviour for him, and her. She was terrified of him, right? She smiled and closed her eyes. Of course, he used his power of illusion on her. Whoever she sees, she must trust more than life itself to allow herself to forget who he was a few seconds beforehand. I am watching you Tomo, and you better not try anything. Or I will have to report it to Emperor Shenlong and he will surely punish you for it. She felt Nakago pull on her arm, and she lowered into his embrace. Ever since they were revived, as they were included in the wish of the Suzaku priestess Miaka made, Nakago had loved her, like a lover, not just a sex partner. I am watching you Tomo…I am…