"We need to get going." Nuriko stated impatiently. Soma was still nowhere to be found but they simply didn't have time to look for her yet again. 'Now that we have the last member we can get Tamahome back, we can summon Suzaku. Soma why'd you have to run off?' Miaka pouted to herself.

"Then lets move." Tasuki surprised everyone with his statement.

"Tasuki aren't you worried about S-"

"Soma told me not to worry on mornings when she's not around." 'One of these days I'm gonna have to get her to break that habit. It's already driving me crazy and I AM worried.' "So I'm sure she'll pop up soon like she always does. Hey kid." He addressed the child Soma had spoke with the night before. "If she comes back tell her Tasuki's steamed and that we'll be headed for the palace alright?" 'I'll be so mad at her if she gets in trouble out there.'

"Goodbye everybody, take care of yourselves." Miaka waved and they were off down the path out of town.

Agni had taken some of the fish she killed to the outskirts of a small town, unable to stomach kindness she pushed Soma out demanding she gave the townspeople the sustenance. 'I'm back. . . I failed I'm not strong enough' She bit her lip struggling to smile as she handed strangers fresh fish.

'One good act to contradict our bad actions. We must sustain chaos' Agni was quite proud. Soma was, on the other hand beating herself up over the fact that Agni had out of nowhere taken over, she walked very slowly, unsure of where she planned to go. First she retraced her steps to Hakko stopping a few feet behind Tamahome's house, she was not surprised to see that her companions were gone. 'See how quickly they desert you. Friends, Bah!'

'I disappear every couple of hours it's not their faults' Soma could see the large palace from her hiding spot. 'I think that's where they're heading' To prove herself right she ran in that direction stopping once she saw the tail end of Hotohori's horse. She jumped in a bush once Chiriko turned around. 'Oh crap he didn't see me did he?'

"Did you see anything?" He squinted at the spot Soma once stood. 'Answers that question' Soma frowned she didn't want to be noticed just yet, she sat in the bushes for sometime, considering where she was going to go. 'This is the eighth or so time I've had this argument with myself'

"Nah I didn't see anything" Tasuki looked around from tree to tree hoping Soma would make her appearance, he was growing more and more anxious by the minute. Soma's frown burrowed further as she watched her friends distance themselves yet again, she followed hesitantly and quietly behind.

Opening the castle gates there was someone very eager to see them. "Whaaat is that?" Tasuki questioned, startled by the man's odd appearance.

"That's Chichiri he's one of the Suzaku seven like us." Nuriko grinned at the bandit half cowering behind him. "What you would you have to say yourself if Soma saw you like this" Nuiriko tossed him to the ground.

"I'd be sure to hide her behind me- a green haired basket case hasn't made her way here has she?' Tasuki looked hopefully at Chichiri.

"Not just anyone can pass through these walls you know?" He answered to Tasuki's obvious dismay, he let out a heavy sigh and placed a palm to his forehead.

"We'll go look for Soma after we figure out how to get Tamahome back" Miaka began to drool. "And we'll do that after dinner" She ran into the hall. Sitting down at the dinner table Tasuki could do nothing but scowl into his bowl of soup, pondering where he would first look for her.

Soma scowled into a different body of liquid, instead of soup she stared entranced into yet another lake, unlike her fiery counterpart she wasn't making the water bubble. 'I know what I should do I should get far away from everyone , I've known what I should . . .need to do all along but I just can't listen to myself can I?'

'You could've just listened to me, let me fry the whole bunch of them your-'

'Agni I'm not joking around I've really started to care about them. Do you even know what it's like? To care about someone other than yourself?'

'Honestly I don't care very much about myself, I'm infinite not a care in the world. . .but I guess I vaguely care about you Soma. So I'm going to help you out'

'Agni you're half the cause to my troubles I-' Soma had been so lost in that inner argument that she hadn't heard someone come up behind her.

"You have a very conflicted aura you know?" Though unthreatening it was an unexpected voice which startled Soma. She stood up taking a defensive stance, but her head hung low.

"I know" She gave a defeated nod only then did she notice her hands were clenched into tight fists.

"I won't hurt you, you know? I just came here to fish, I have a spell to-"

"Then I'll let you fish." She quickly began to walk off, she wanted to get away as soon as possible.

" You're the girl they call Soma right? Sit." Honestly Chichiri hadn't wanted company, but he could be flexible. Soma's hands unclenched. "Relax you know?" They both sat down and silence awkwardly took over them and staid stead fast as two or so hours passed, both lost in thought.

"You're not what I expected you know?" Chichiri was the first to speak again. "You're not like the others you know?"

"I'm sorry." Soma shrugged.

"No, you misunderstand me. I was expecting you to be rowdy and all over the place like the others you know?" All the younger Suzaku warriors as well as their priestess were emotion driven and boisterous, Chichiri though only a few years older than them had already passed through that impulsive, impatient stage, as had this woman. 'What is this girls story? There's something off about her you know? Maybe I'm overreacting you know? I don't know very much about any of them' "I thought you'd be splashing about you know? Asking me dozens of questions like the others did. Nothing personal but I predicted my fishing trip would be ruined you know?"

"Can't say that I do know. What sorts of questions?" Soma did have one in mind but she'd wait a moment.

"Whenever someone first meets me face to face they ask me questions . . .about my face you know?" He chuckled to himself as he pointed at his fox like features.

"it's a mask right?" Soma waited for him to nod, then she put some thought to her next statement. "Well I figure when someone wears a mask they do so to cover something they don't want others to see. So it'd be counter productive and foolish to pry about it." 'Not a bad idea really.' She contemplated all the things she struggled to hide and weather or not a mask would make that burden any easier.

"Insightful you know" Chichiri nodded.

'I Think this mousey monk likes you Soma. I prefer him greatly to that bumbling bandit. If nothing else there is a great strength behind that mask you see.' Agni voiced her opinion.

'Well I prefer Tasuki, I've picked him and I'm the loyal type.'

'That I know.' But Soma was so lost in thought she didn't even hear the voice inside her head. Soma's thoughts had gone to Tasuki's embrace, she missed him more than anticipated, not even two days had fully passed. She missed his warmth, his fanged grin his choppy red hair. More than his physical presence she missed his cocky yet caring attitude. Yet again Soma rationalized to herself putting off leaving her friends for a more permanent time span. Instead Soma wanted nothing more than to be as close to Tasuki as possible. 'Stupid puppy love' Agni was growing nauseous.

'I know that look all to well. It's one of Miaka's staples you know?' Chichiri grinned at the day dreaming girl. "We should go back inside you know? Miaka and Tasuki have been worried sick about you. They didn't think you'd find your way here." Chichiri helped Soma off the ground, his grasp was much softer than Tasuki's Soma couldn't help but feel like there was something missing.

"Yeah I guess so." Soma shrugged as they began to walk. "I do have a question . . .not about the mask-"

"Ask away" Again the monk nodded this time in an encouraging manner.

"If you thought I would ruin your fishing time, why not ask me to leave? I don't belong here-"

"You were at the lake first you know? It would've been very rude of me to ask you to leave." He would've go on but it was obvious Soma wasn't listening. Soma was good at two things running away and getting lost in thought, at the moment she was indulging in the latter. 'I don't belong here. WE don't belong here. Or do we? I want to belong with Tasuki . . .with all of them. But that simply can't be if I'm all over the place like this.' She knew Tasuki would be quick to forgive her but she also knew this charade wasn't fair to him and she couldn't keep it up forever. 'I'm so sorry Tasuki.' She apologized as she and Chichiri passed through the palace's front doors.

"What are you thinking about huh?" Chichiri was perplexed by her sudden and drastic change in mood.

"I . . .it's nothing that needs to be spoken about." She gave a defeated shrug.

"If it was worth the time to think and sulk about then-" Chichiri was abruptly cut off.

"Soma! There you are dummy!" Tasuki effortlessly hopped a railing and caught Soma in a bone crushing hug.

"I think I have some prayers to make . . .some spells to cast . . .I" Chichiri gave up and quietly walked off knowing his words were falling on deaf ears.

Soma pulled out of the hug, much to Tasuki's surprise. "What? Did I-" Soma grinned at Tasuki's brilliant amber eyes twitching wide in confusion. He took his tanned cheeks within her contrastingly pale hands, rubbing her thumbs along his skin. She leaned up briskly and crushed her lips forcefully against his. Tasuki after the initial shock of her boldness pulled her hands down lacing his fingers with hers. "Where'd you run off to this time?" Tasuki pulled his face back mere inches. He had almost forgotten to be annoyed at her for scampering off unannounced for longer than a tolerable morning, ALMOST.

"Well um . . ." It was obvious that she had to leave out Agni's outburst. "Umm I was never too far away I promise. I spent some time by the lake with . . .I didn't catch his name" She pointed down the hall waving her finger haphazardly.

"Chichiri" Tasuki stated flatly. "First Mitsukake, Now Chichiri. Woman it seems I can't hold your attention at all can I?" He scoffed turning his cheek away from her.

'I prefer either of them over this needy goof' Agni still did not approve of Soma's romantic choice.

'Why do you hate Tasuki so much?' Soma didn't wait for an answer gasping when she realized she had left Tasuki hanging on what had been an innocent jab but her silence made it a bruise to his ego. He was now staring her dead in the eyes his face was swirling with question, hurt defiance and capped off with a healthy dose of impatience.

"Tasuki you have my complete-" She leaned up giving him a quick peck, as a bit of damage control. "You have every bit of my attention right now." She ran a hand through his hair. Tasuki was able to let out a sigh of relief and grin again, feeling empowered by the fact that she was being more forward and attached with him.

'She'll be mine in no time.' technically the hadn't declared themselves a couple just very very . . .very close friends.

"It's good to see you smile again Tasuki. I'm sorry that I-"

"SOMA!" As a shriek billowed through the palace Tasuki pulled back from his spot, clasping two hands tightly over his ears.

"Aghhh! . . .We ain't deaf you know?" He tried to clear out his ears, sticking a finger in one, crooking it against it's walls. "Well we didn't used to be." He sighed, snaking his free arm around Soma's waist.

"Hi Miaka" Soma's wave seemed to be a tame response to Miaka's scream. The priestess of Suzaku began to gallop in their direction but stopped dead in her tracks.

"Oh Soma it's great we didn't lose you and I'd love to stay and talk but I can't be late, I'm going to see Tamahome." You could see the giddiness dripping from the young girl.

"He's here?" Soma would need Tasuki to fill her in on the events that had transpired in her limited absence.

"Don't get too excited now." Tasuki already felt that he was competing with Mitsukake

and Chichiri for Soma's affection he didn't need her tangling up with this unknown heartthrob Tamahome.

"Not exactly" Miaka pouted, but only for a split second. "Chichiri has a spell that will connect the two of us so we can talk, so we can make a plan to bring him and the universe of the four gods back to Konan!" And with that Miaka went running off into the distance.

"Good luck!" Soma shouted after her.

"See what got me all worked up . . .all worried." Tasuki was reluctant to admit that he had felt that way. "Was that . . .even if you found the palace . . .even if you came here. That'd I'd be gone, worst case scenario for good and I wouldn't get to say goodbye. When we go to Kuto-"

"You're going with them? Did Miaka ask you to go along?" Though she admired Tasuki's bravery she didn't want him to leave her, she didn't want him to get in harms way.

"Not in so many words" He gave a light shrug. He actually hadn't put much if any thought into how he planned to convince Miaka to bring him along for the adventure. "But she's the priestess of Suzaku and I'm one of the Suzaku seven I need to protect her. It's my job." He watched as Soma's gaze dropped to the floor.

'See that Soma?' Agni pounced. 'See how he cares for that child they call a priestess.'

"There you go again, underestimating me." Tasuki gave an insulted frown. "You think I can't hold my own. Don't worry Soma I'll have you know that after years of being a top notch bandit I've learned a thing or two and-"

"No Tasuki it's not that." She shook her head softly.

'He loves HER Soma, not you, he only acts this way with you because he knows her heart is elsewhere, with that Tamahome boy. Is that what you want? To be someone's second choice? What he settles for?' Agni thought Soma deserved better than Tasuki.

'It's not like that!' Soma was ashamed that she had allowed that seed to be planted in her head. Soma was fairly certain though, that Tasuki's feelings for her were of a completely different breed than the ones he had for Miaka. She only looked up when she felt the light tapping of Tasuki's knuckles against her forehead. "Huh?"

"Sometimes I wish you'd let me know what's going on up there. I know I'm a guy and a seedy brute at that. You don't think I've got the attention span or smarts to listen and understand you. But give me a chance to try. I deserve that doncha think?" Tasuki was growing frustrated with the fact that Soma kept him in the dark about most of her thoughts.

"Well I guess I was thinking, that I know how you felt"

"What?" Tasuki chimed in a bit too soon before she could clear up the point she was trying to get at. 'Maybe this is why she doesn't tell me anything. Maybe I am a real idiot'

"How you felt about me and Mitsukake." Soma took notice to the immense buzz kill she was becoming.

"Jealous?" 'Of who or what could she be jealous of? I've only wanted her since the first day we met. Did she hear somehow about what I was going to do with Miaka when I made her a hostage. She either thinks I'm a two timmer or a scum bag.' "Listen Soma-"

"No Tasuki you listen. You plan to go out tomorrow, into enemy territory." She took his hands in hers yet again. She put on her best supportive and calming smile. "I'm gonna worry it's-"

"Don't worry I" Tasuki was cut off again, Soma had a speech in her mind and he would not derail her from it.

"Telling me not to won't change a thing. I told you not to worry when I randomly disappear and how did that work out?"

'She has a point.' He neglected to concede aloud.

"But come on lets not be all worrisome today . . .no more doom and gloom. We can still have a good time right? That's one of the reasons I like you, you're a real fun guy Tasuki." She could see the life return to Tasuki's eyes as he agreed to dismiss the looming cloud of danger waiting for him the following day. "Come on, do you want to watch the stars with me?" Tasuki's hands were still in Soma's unrelenting grasp as she awkwardly began to run for the doors, dragging Tasuki behind her.

"I guess so." He laughed as fresh air hit him. He watched his lover run through the garden her disheveled hair flapping against her face. Her cheeks were growing pink as she grew winded. He pulled free and stood in place admiring her. She outstretched her arms like wings her dress fluttering like feathers. Her grin with elongated as well. 'Damn it, she's really growing on me fast. I think when we finally do summon Suzaku and all go our separate ways I'm going to ask Soma to come live with me on the mountain.' There were still a few hours before any stars would be visible but Soma was certain she could find other ways to entertain herself till then.

"Can't . . ." She was outright panting now. "Can't catch me!" She laughed as she sped up best she could.

"Like hell I can't" Tasuki if nothing else was effortlessly fast, it did not take long for him to catch up to her. They ran in circles throughout the garden till Tasuki was finally done with the game of cat and mouse. He tackled her, as always a bit harder than he probably should have, into a patch of flowers. "Gotcha!" Tasuki smiled boastfully. He relaxed slightly as Soma petted his unruly hair, untangling knots with her lanky fingers.

"You-" She paused to sneeze. "You win." Words followed by a second and third sneeze.

"Don't like flowers?" He watched as Soma's eyes began to water her nose incessantly sniffling.

"Not a-" Another sneeze interrupted her. "Not a fan." Tasuki put an arms under her back and rolled them over, placing her overtop of him.

"Now we're getting somewhere!" Tasuki was sure they were a couple now, at least right on the cusp.

"Somewhere?" 'Where'd we go?' Soma tilted her head slightly.

"All this time I didn't think I knew anything about you. Other than you're kinda an odd girl-"

"Thanks" She rolled her eyes.

"And I knew I liked kissing you."

"Right back at cha" From her spot lying on his chest she leaned up a bit and kissed him. Tasuki was trying to make a point but Soma was distracting him. At the moment she was nuzzling against his neck.

'Don't mind too much.' He could feel his blood temperature rising slightly.

'Goodness Soma, someone's frisky; jump his bones right here why doncha?' In this situation Agni didn't detest Tasuki, lust like rage was an emotion that burned like a fire, Agni wanted Soma to appreciate a full taste of both,

'Maybe later . . .Maybe soon.' Soma couldn't help but smile. There was a part of her that was trying to overcompensate, on the off chance Tasuki didn't return from Kuto he wanted him to remember her passionately. Another part of her was juggling too many emotions and this 'frisky' nature was a byproduct.

"I know you better now Soma." Tasuki was proud of that fact.

"Do you?" Soma was curious as to how much of herself she had allowed Tasuki to know.

"I know you hate flowers, sleeping . . .especially in beds. You like cats, the stars . . .running off before morning."

"You forgot something else you know that I like." She watched as Tasuki's face contorted in attempt to rack his brain for the missing fact.

"Soup?"

"No . . .well yes" She hadn't eaten dinner lunch or breakfast, not a long stretch for her to go without food by any means but that didn't stop her stomach from growling.

"Come on, get up, I'm sure we can scrounge up some leftovers. You should see this place it's so big you could-"

"Red haired bandits."

"Huh?"

"I have an affinity for red haired bandits, you should know that better than anyone." Her flirtatious nature was bordering on annoying, but there was an end in sight, she had a goal in mind.

"Then I know a few guys back on the mountain to keep you away from. Soma I just don't want to battle with Mitsukake and Chichiri for you . . .I will but you-"

"Tasuki? What will it take for you to get it? I . . .I got an idea you'll like." Soma stood up quickly and pulled Tasuki up by the collar. She dragged him over to a row of bushes and tumbled the both of them into the shrubbery. They staid out of sight for quite a while. When they resurfaced they were both a bit flustered Soma's jaw was sore and her dress was hiked up to her hips, they found a new place to collapse in the grass. "Wouldn't even think to do that with Mitsukake or Chichiri." Soma's cheek rested against Tasuki's jacketless chest, she released a worn out yawn.

"You won't sleep will you? Even though it's obvious you're tired . . .for good reason?" Tasuki's eyes were drooping.

"You know me so well." Tasuki was right, he was getting to know her in bits and pieces. Tasuki grunted as he sat up.

"That means I can't sleep neither. You'll leave me and-"

"Go to sleep Tasuki I promise I'll be here tomorrow. I'll lay out here with you. You can watch the stars with me till you doze off. You still have to show me around tomorrow right? The kitchen fist o.k? I'm starving and that's how you can convince Miaka . . ." Soma was rambling on.

"You promise you'll stay all night?

"I promise. Do you trust me?" She bit her lip waiting for his answer. 'Tasuki you shouldn't trust me. Say you don't and I leave I swear.'

"I don't trust girls" Tasuki saw her bite even harder into her lip. "I don't trust you." Every one of her muscles were tightly clenched. "But I like you enough to overlook that, so I'll believe you Soma." Tasuki stretched as he yawned.

"Sleep" She kissed him on the cheek, they laid under the darkening sky for hours. Tasuki held her in a loose hug, Soma struggled to stay awake as she listened to his rhythmic snoring.

"Tasuki, Soma? Miaka's leaving soon and we need to . . .ohhhh seems you two made up." Nuriko laughed at the duo in the grass.

"It's not what-" She paused to pull a leaf from her hair. "Not what-" She sneezed as she went to pick a flower she had jokingly placed behind Tasuki's ear from it's resting place. Tasuki got to it first and shoved it into his jacket pocket which had laid beneath them as a pillow.

"It's not what it looks like." Tasuki finished the statement that Soma could not.

"Suuuure well when you two are done rolling around having sex in the emperor's gardens we've got-"

"We didn't have sex!" 'Soma's not that kind of girl.' He was right they hadn't had sex but they skirted it's edges a few times, they came as close as two people could be without truly fornicating.

"Fine geeze I've never heard a man deny sex with such intensity." Nuriko rolled his eyes. Tasuki helped Soma up to her feet.

"Thank you. For sticking up for me like that." She gave him a peck on the cheek.

"I've got your back Soma, in any situation, I wont let anyone treat you with disrespect." Tasuki stated with a bit of bravado.

"Anyways, Miaka and Chichiri are about to leave and we need to go wish them luck." He was growing impatient. Tasuki nodded, he and Soma walked inside.

Soma perched her chin on his shoulder. He had been so nice, so respectful, patient all traits not synonymous with bandits.

"Tasuki?"

"Huh?" He turned to see a worried look on her face.

"You're going with them."

"I already told you it's my-"

"And I can't change your mind?" 'He must live for stuff like this, I have to let him go'

'You know who else lives for battles such as these? I do. Konan's best vs. Kuto's it should be interesting. I plan to be a part of it, I may just watch, I may pull a punch or two we'll see. Plan accordingly Soma. Either give me the reigns or watch the carnage unfold as I forcefully take control.' This was a twist Soma was not expecting.

'I should have. Idiot I've been too lost thinking about other things.'

"Nah you can't change my mind." Tasuki tried to say as comforting as possible, Soma was as pale as a ghost.

"Then I'm going to help you out." 'And I'll help you out Agni too if you think you can keep our co inhabitancy a secret.'

'I'll do my best.' She'd say anything to be given freedom during such a pivotal sight to behold.

'If it's revealed that we're two in the same. Or if you hurt one of my friends, I'll kill us Agni don't think I won't'

'Fine keep your silly secret going as long as you can, when it comes crashing down it'll crush you as well. I won't give you up, not because I care for any of your friends. But because I know you mean what you say.' Agni agreed to the morbid deal.

"How you gonna do that?"

"Lead me to the kitchen" She put a hand on each shoulder and followed behind Tasuki.

"Wait don't say no yet! Look at this delicious meat pie I have here. I was going to give it to you but-"

"Have some pity for the poor guy. Lets take him with us!" Miaka demanded

"Uh sure, if you say so." Chichiri wasn't about to put up a fight.

"It worked! Hey hey watch it! I said you could have the meat pie but not the hand that holds it." Soma grinned her plan had worked, playing to Miaka's weaknesses was easy to do, she could be willed to do almost anything for enough bowls of rice. With a few well wishes the three companions were transported to Kuto via Chichiri's Kessa.

'One thing you've learned from me. You're good at playing the game. You're more a strategist than a fighter. Now get us to the palace walls and then move aside.' Agni both complimented and commanded Soma.

"Soma . . .where are you going?" Mitsukake notice Soma's hasty exit from the room. "Don't you want to stay with the rest of us and pray for their safe return?"

"You know I'm no good at staying in one spot. Promise me if Tasuki returns before I do that you'll take real good care of him. And tell him if I can, I'll be by his side soon." She relayed the message quick and ran off, barely making it through the gate before the embers inside her scorched their way out. Agni was back in control she'd be in Kuto in no time but she needed a few things first.

Agni had been traveling on foot for about an hour burning a path as she went, everything became tinder in her wake. Once she got to a town, and exterminated most if not all it's residents. She claimed a horse, then she removed a singed red outfit off a woman, she took her shoes as well, no regard for the woman herself, or the condition she left her in. Agni changed outfits and placed Soma's possessions in a satchel on the side of her newly acquired horse. 'See what you secrets coast people Soma? This is all for you.' Agni could feel Soma retch with guilt, had she been in control she would have vomited. It didn't phase Agni, who hopped on her horse and began riding her way to Kuto, she'd be there soon.

Agni after some swift travel tied her horse to a tree and easily found her way within the walls killing any guard that had the misfortune of finding her, but most were looking for the other intruders. When she reached an area where she could see the grounds she really got an eyeful. 'TASUKI!' Soma's inner voice screamed so loud that Agni held her head in pain. There was Tasuki, grasping at nothing, gasping for air his attempts restricted by Tamahome's nun chucks.

"Huh. Figures up against a formidable opponent and they crumble."

'Tasuki.' Considerably softer but still the same name, all she could do was repeat his name. She knew Agni would not lift a finger to save him and she knew it would be difficult and time consuming to regain her body.

"Who are you?" A blonde haired girl standing alone in a nearby gazebo had spotted her. Agni didn't answer right away, first creating a bridge of flames between the two structures, now all eyes were on the fire sister. Agni didn't acknowledge that fact as she crossed her bridge. Chichiri started with intensity from the bushes, he had bigger problems that this mystery pyro woman, so something he might have easily recognized on another occasion slipped past him, it would take a few minutes to key in on it.

"Lady Yui get away from that woman!" Nakago shouted, it was not often he was caught off guard and the fact that he had been sickened him to the core. Yui began to run but it was too late, Agni had a fist full of Yui's short pretty hair, she yanked the girl back towards her.

"Tell me . . .Lady Yui is it? Nice title. Are you the priestess if Seriyu?"

"I. . .I" Yui stammered, frightened, her eyes pleading for Nakago to save her.

"Don't worry. I have no stake in this battle really. Just a voyeur, the way things play out over history . . .fights in particular interest me, I've seen some good ones. I am not a warrior of Suzaku, I have nothing to gain from killing you. But I've killed for less" She gave a tug at Yui's hair. "Just curious in nature." Agni smirked, but it morphed into a scowl as a chi blast came plowing in her direction. Agni easily dodged, the blast connected with a pillar, which began to crack. The structure in it's collapsing state was a death trap. Agni took Yui in a hug and burned the building to the ground the pair rising unharmed from the ash. "Interesting, impressive." She smiled at Nakago. 'He was willing to put his priestess in danger to kill me, He doesn't care for her as the others do for that brat. He knows what he wants and he knows bonds will get you nowhere.'

"Thank you . . .for saving me." Yui gave Agni a hug, much softer than the connecting grip forced between the two moments before.

"Lady Yui get away from her she's dangerous" Nakago was loosing his cool.

"He's right." Agni began to walk off. She would watch this from a distance, this was too good a show to miss.

'They'll find a way out of this. Oh Tasuki please don't die.' Soma tried to will Agni to stay but it didn't work, they were soon by the palace doors, Yui following a few steps behind unbeknownst to either woman.

'That Aura, that conflicted aura I know it you know?' Chichiri gasped as silently as possible.

"Who are you" Yui clutched at her arm.

'SOMA!' Chichir was nearly certain of it.

"They call me Agni."

A/N: A longer and I think better chapter. I've practically finished outlining this story (Yay!) and am planning a sequel (one that doesn't rip off my hiei stories so much) But If there's any input into how you'd like to see this story go just let me know. As always comments in general are appreciated.