The bright sunlight pierced through the curtain. Zakuro could hear distant grunts as men fought.

Is the TV on? Zakuro thought.

She yawned hugely and reached over her bed for her phone to see the time.

"Zakuro-sama." Zakuro heard an unfamiliar voice call her.

Zakuro slowly opened her eyes.

"Mao?" Zakuro said uncertainly.

Mao smiled kindly.

"I'll get Nuri-chan." Mao said rising to leave.

Zakuro held her hand. She slowly rose, yawning again. Zakuro slowly remembered where she was. She had been on that bed for almost 10 days with Nuriko pampering her silly. It was stupid that Zakuro still got confused.

"She's been at my bed-side all this time." Zakuro said, stretching a little. "Can we go to the courtyard and watch the practise? A little fresh air might do me good."

Mao looked at Zakuro uncertainly.

"The doctor said you should rest as much as you can." Mao said, biting her lower lip. "Nuri-chan will get mad."

"Please, Mao." Zakuro pleaded. "Please."

Mao frowned. She hesitantly nodded. Zakuro used Mao for support and slowly made her way to the courtyard. It was unnerving how tired the small trip made her. She had to get her strength back.

Zakuro settled down on the porch and watched as Nuriko instructed the wrestlers and whipped their backs to correct their stance. The most prominent amongst the bald wrestlers was the red haired Suzahara, who had been training from dawn till dusk every day since they got there.

Zakuro watched as sweat dripped on his bare chest, punctured with fresh scars that Zakuro had given him from their time in the caves. Mao ran up to Nuriko and pointed at Zakuro.

Zakuro smiled uncertainly and waved.

Nuriko shot Mao an angry look and briskly walked towards Zakuro. Nuriko was immediately replaced by a bald instructor.

"You shouldn't be out of bed." Nuriko grumbled, taking a seat next to Zakuro. "You look pale just by getting here."

"You know." Zakuro said, grinning. "Lethargy adds to sickness. If you could just..."

"No!" Nuriko exclaimed. "The doctor said you were lucky to have survived. I'm not taking any chances."

Zakuro scowled. She then put her head on Nuriko's shoulder.

"I knew we were going to be fine." Zakuro mumbled after a while.

Nuriko snorted in reply.

"The sweet talk isn't going to get you out of resting." Nuriko said, nevertheless stroking Zakuro's head.

"I'm sorry I got you into all that." Zakuro mumbled, finally voicing her feelings.

She watched as Suzahara got lifted off the ground and slammed back down. Nuriko chuckled.

"You're quite a handful." Nuriko said, smiling. "Running off on your own when you can't even stand up against weak demons. You were lucky I was there."

Lucky. Zakuro thought.

Zakuro sighed.

"I guess." She admitted grudgingly.

Zakuro was starting to feel tired.

"Does he ever take a break?" Zakuro mumbled looking at Suzahara.

Nuriko was quiet for a while.

"I think he blames himself." Nuriko said in a quiet voice.

"For what?" Zakuro asked, puzzled.

"He blames himself for you almost dying." Nuriko said, making an educated guess.

Over the past few days, Zakuro had a lot of time to think. She thought of how she blamed herself for the old couple's death. If they hadn't met her, they would have stayed in their hut. She spent a few nights crying, hoping Nuriko couldn't hear her.

But the more she thought about it, the more she realized how wrong she was. The old couple loved her like they loved Mayuri. The time she spent with them was of happiness. They wanted to protect Zakuro and give her a chance to live, a chance they couldn't give Mayuri. And they were freed of their guilt when Zakuro survived the demon attack.

Zakuro couldn't spend her entire life worrying about everything. She had to spend time to rejoice the happiness she was given instead of masking it in the sorrow that came with it.

Though Zakuro would have traded anything to have the old couple alive, she knew she was wasting their gift by wallowing in self-pity. And now Suzahara blamed himself for almost killing Zakuro, though Zakuro didn't hold him responsible at all. She chose to be by his side and help him become a God. And she was willing to accept the consequences of that decision.

Zakuro proceeded to rise. Nuriko immediately stood up and supported Zakuro. Zakuro mustered all her strength and marched upto Suzahara. The bald wrestlers yelped and jumped out of Zakuro's way. She tapped Suzahara on the shoulder, who was about to tackle a wrestler.

Suzahara instinctively jerked back, hitting Zakuro square on the jaws with his elbows. Zakuro fell to the ground with a soft thud.

"You idiot!" Nuriko shouted, immediately trapping Suzahara in a head lock.

But Suzahara was looking at Zakuro, his eyes wide in shock.

"Are you OK?" Suzahara demanded, choking under Nuriko's grip.

Zakuro rubbed her jaws.

"I won't lie." Zakuro said. "I've been better."

"Mao." Nuriko called out. "Kill Suzahara for me. Call the doctor once you're done. I'll take Zakuro to her room."

"Let's have lunch, Suzahara." Zakuro said stubbornly. "You too, Nuriko. Let's eat."

Suzahara looked at Zakuro confused.

"It was dawn only a while ago." Suzahara said. "Did I hit her head? Did anybody see?"

"Fine." Zakuro said, slowly rising.

Suzahara held out his hand for support. She frowned at his hand. She grudgingly accepted it and rose.

"Let's have breakfast then." Zakuro said. "I don't care if we have just a bowl of rice. But take a break, Suzahara."

Suzahara gave Zakuro's hand to Nuriko and turned to face his opponent.

"I can't." Suzahara said, resuming stance.

Nuriko instinctively whipped his back. Zakuro looked at her scandalized.

"Sorry." Nuriko mumbled. "His stance was wrong."

"You can't hit a man when he is down!" Zakuro mumbled under her breath so that only Nuriko could hear her.

"I know, I know." Nuriko whispered back. "I said I was sorry!"

Zakuro sighed.

"Nuriko." Zakuro said. "Could you please wrestle Suzahara to come inside with me? I would do it myself but I'm too afraid of hurting him."

Nuriko smiled. Suzahara turned around and took a wrestling stance. Nuriko had him inside the house before Zakuro could finish chuckling.

-X-X-

Genji served the three of them some food.

"Itadakimasu!" Zakuro said and started eating the rice.

Nuriko was watching Suzahara, who looked glumly at his food.

"Eat, Suzahara." Zakuro said, in between bites. "It's really good."

"I'm sorry." Suzahara mumbled. "I'm sorry I got you into all this, Zakuro."

He pushed his food away and looked at the table. Nuriko sighed.

"You both are really alike." Nuriko grumbled. "She was just apologizing for dragging me along."

Zakuro smiled at Nuriko.

"I changed my mind." Zakuro said. "I'm really glad we became friends, Nuriko. I'm really happy you had my back down there."

Zakuro clasped Nuriko's hand, smiling.

"You have had 10 whole days to wallow in self-pity, Suzahara." Zakuro said, frowning. "It's about time you man up!"

"Hey!" Suzahara protested. "You were so nice to Nuriko! Where are my kind words? Where is my I am really glad to have met you?"

"Do I have to spell everything out for you?" Zakuro said, taking a bite from her rice bowl. "If it weren't for you, I would be researching ways to get back to my time at a library. I would have been safe and probably really hungry because I have no money."

Zakuro continued eating.

"I'm sure she has a point." Nuriko hastily told Suzahara.

Suzahara stared at the table, his expression unreadable.

"But that's not what I chose." Zakuro said, after a while.

Zakuro spoke carefully.

"Suzahara, I became your Chief Strategist not out of a whim." Zakuro continued. "This is where I really want to be. The first challenge involved giant demon dogs. And I don't think the next ones are going to be any easier. But not for a second since that day have I regretted making this decision."

Suzahara and Nuriko quietly watched as Zakuro ate.

"Zakuro, I..." Suzahara started.

Zakuro raised her hand silencing Suzahara.

"Save it." Zakuro said. "Now, eat."

"Itadakimasu!" Nuriko said happily and ate.

Suzahara nodded and started eating.

"And in continuation to our earlier conversation, Nuriko." Zakuro said. "Those demons were not weak!"

"Have you ever seen wild animals who hunt in pack, Nuriko?" Suzahara said, grinning. "Hunters always separate the slower, weaker ones in the prey. You and I didn't take too much damage, did we?"

"Nuriko." Zakuro said, angrily. "Punch him!"

But Nuriko was grinning too.

"I have to agree with him on this one." Nuriko said, controlling her giggles. "Maybe next time, you could tie Zakuro in a safe location and come back to her after completing the quest."

Zakuro scowled at both of them.

Suzahara and Nuriko erupted into laughter. Zakuro joined in too. They laughed and ate together.

-X-X-

Zakuro got better faster with the support of her friends. Suzahara visited her room often and kept badgering her to stop faking being sick. Zakuro desperately wanted to get out of bed too. But Nuriko kept a stern watch on Zakuro and ensured that Suzahara didn't bully Zakuro into pushing herself too hard.

Almost a month after coming to Ju En, Zakuro was finally back to her normal self. Nothing extraordinary. But just normal. Suzahara had spent the time wrestling and getting stronger. Nuriko was freaking strong already.

So on the morning on the day of their departure, Zakuro was pretty glum.

"What's the matter?" Nuriko asked, as she took a bite of breakfast.

Breakfast in the Lin household was served at the crack of dawn. Zakuro yawned hugely before replying.

"I still can't defend myself." Zakuro mumbled. "It's really stupid. The God challenges are going to be really dangerous and I should at least take care of myself!"

"I thought we had decided to let you sit out the next ones." Nuriko said, frowning.

"That's usually not how it works out." Suzahara commented. "But don't you worry. I will protect you."

Zakuro and Nuriko looked at each other sceptically.

"Good point." Nuriko said, taking a bite of her food. "I could teach you some basic self defence."

Zakuro nodded appreciatively.

Suzahara frowned.

After breakfast, Nuriko bid farewell to the house she grew up in. Nuriko hadn't been out of the house too much and her father was reluctant to let Nuriko leave. But Suzahara intervened and informed Lin that he wanted Nuriko to be one of his generals when he ascends. It was a matter of great honour.

"Don't be a stranger, OK?" Mao said, tears stuck on her thick lashes as she hugged Zakuro.

Zakuro stroked Mao's head and nodded. After Mao hugged Nuriko for the umpteenth time, Nuriko joined Suzahara and Zakuro, who were waiting a little further away. Suzahara held Zakuro's and Nuriko's hand and they formed a circle.

"Oh Lost Souls, Light the Path." Suzahara chanted, closing his eyes.

He opened his eyes and they were glowing white. A gust of wind surrounded them.

The gates to hell, you must close.

A God candidate fate has chose

An innocent messenger stained in black guilt.

Punishing itself, to hell it will wilt.

Zakuro closed her eyes, waiting to be transported to the location of the quest. After a couple of minutes, she took a deep breath.

"That wasn't too bad." Zakuro said, letting go off Suzahara and Nuriko's hand. "Glad we're not underground."

Zakuro looked at the vast expanse of trees in front of her.

"That's because we're still in my backyard." Nuriko mumbled.

Zakuro turned around and watched Mao and the others watching them expectantly.

"Lost souls, light the path." Suzahara repeated.

But there was no answer.

"An innocent messenger stained in black guilt." Zakuro murmured. "Punishing itself, to hell it will wilt."

"Oi!" Suzahara called out. "What gives?"

"Where do we go now?" Nuriko asked, confused.

Zakuro shrugged.

"We came to Ju En because Suzahara wanted to." Zakuro said, looking at Suzahara. "Where do you want to go now?"

Suzahara frowned.

"I don't know." Suzahara mumbled. "Maybe to Kai Lo."

"Bounty?" Zakuro questioned.

Suzahara nodded.

"Might as well." Zakuro shrugged.

"Hold up!" Nuriko said, her eyes wide in surprise. "Are you saying you're going to Kai Lo just to slay a demon for bounty?"

"Didn't I tell you the story of how we ended up here?" Zakuro said, smiling. "Silly me. It all started when a greedy, lazy..."

"It's this way." Suzahara said as he started to walk.

Nuriko and Zakuro followed, Zakuro continuing the story.

-X-X-

"Ojamashimasu!" Miaka said, as she entered the Kagakuni residence.

She smiled at Tomoko as she took off her shoes. Keisuke followed in soon after.

A kettle boiled on the stove. Taka sat across Toya on the sofa, as Toya read the book. He rose to help his wife, when she entered.

"What the hell is she doing?" Toya murmured to himself. "Why aren't you worried about getting home?"

Miaka took a seat across Toya and massaged her shoulders.

"I haven't done this in a while." Miaka said, as she held out her hand. "But maybe I can connect with Zakuro."

Taka looked at Miaka pointedly.

"Relax, Taka!" Miaka said, smiling. "I promised I wouldn't be using our unborn children as shinzaho's any more. And I mean to keep it."

"This is not like before." Taka said, taking a seat near Miaka. "Zakuro has met Nuriko. But not the Nuriko we know. It's all very odd."

"The first seishi I met was you." Miaka frowned.

Taka shrugged.

"What are we going to do, Sensei?" Tomoko asked, setting some tea on the table. "Zakuro's parents are going to be home soon. How are we going to explain this to them?"

"They'll have a stroke!" Keisuke exclaimed.

Toya and Tomoko looked suspiciously at Keisuke.

Keisuke coughed.

"I'm Yuki Keisuke." Keisuke said, introducing himself. "Taka's brother-in-law, Miaka's brother."

Tomoko introduced herself.

"You were reading the book before when Miaka-san got pulled into the book." Toya mumbled.

Keisuke nodded.

"And it was wise of me to keep it from mom." Keisuke said. "The lesser the people who know, the easier it will be for Zakuro to transition back into normal life."

Toya hesitantly nodded.

"We could say Zakuro is at Yuna's place." Toya said.

"Who's Yuna?" Tomoko asked. "You know how Zakuro-ne's parents are! They will want to meet this Yuna."

"We could always arrange some pillows on Zakuro's bed." Miaka said, putting the book back on the table. "Wasn't Zakuro sick recently? We could make it seem like she's sleeping."

"We can't get into the house." Taka replied. "They changed the locks. And besides, it's too risky. What if they check up on her and discover the pillows?"

"Tomoko could sleep on Zakuro's bed." Toya suggested, a while later. "Make it seem like Zakuro is home. Sensei, maybe you could distract Zakuro's parents while I sneak Tomoko in."

"You can leave that to me." Miaka said.

Taka rubbed his temples.

"It's still illegal, dear." Taka said patiently.

"It's not like we're stealing!" Miaka said, as she marched to the door.

"Hold up, hold up!" Tomoko said. "What are we going to tell Mom and Dad?"

"That you are spending the night at Suki's." Toya said promptly.

Tomoko frowned.

"Maybe Zakuro-ne's parents love her more than Mom and Dad love me." Tomoko mumbled.

"There, there." Miaka said brightly as she patted Tomoko's back. "Now lead me to Zakuro's house."

Taka looked at Toya apologetically.

"Miaka hung around a particular bandit back in the day." Taka said, suppressing his smile. "She picked up a trick or two about picking locks."

Miaka pushed a reluctant Tomoko out of the house.

"I'll have to cover for her." Toya mumbled.

He ran his hand across the cover of the ancient book.


AN:

Translations:

Itadakimasu: Means "Let's eat!". Said before a meal.

Ojamashimasu: Means "Pardon the intrusion". Said when entering somebody's house.

-X-X-

No reviews to thank. :(

-X-X-

I actually already have the draft of the next chapter ready. But I wanted to have a transition chapter. I will putting up the next chapter soon!

As always, keep reading!