Tsume-n-carnet: sorry about the short chapter.. this one will be much longer.. I promise! and I noticed that Tasuki's accent kinda gets more and more pronounced, but that's because I realized too late that I forgot to use it... but when I was reading the manga I noticed he talked like that. So, sorry for the inconsistancy! kk, on we go!

Departure

Tasuki didn't make an apperance for the remainder of the day. He just stayed in his room, refusing to see anyone. Tama just shrugged it off and said he needed time to fume for a bit and he'd be 'back to his cheery old self.'

Though, when Tasuki didn't show up for dinner either... Toroki became increasingly worried. Lady Miaka seemed a bit concerned, but seemed to agree that he just needed some space. Feeling uncomfortable about it, Toroki opted to stay with Miaka in the guest room.

Tasuki had finally shown up some time around dawn, but even then he completely avoided Toroki and most of the others. He spent the whole day chopping fire wood and other chores, eating his meals outside.

Toroki watched him warily from the house. Something really had his hackles up... and she knew it was her. It had to be! Ever since their conversation by the well, he'd been acting strangely. Toroki sat down in the bedroom after lunch.

Why was this all bothering her so much? It's not like she was going to be staying long anyway... why should she care if Tasuki was in a huff. That was his problem... wasn't it?

Toroki unconciously let her fingers run over her lips. She remembered a strange feeling when they'd connected with Tasuki's... so maybe 'strange' wasn't the way to put it... but it had left her wanting it again. She bit her lip now. That wasn't good. She was starting to get attached to this place, these people... to Tasuki.

She sighed and bowed her head. She was going to have to leave sooner than she thought. But she still couldn't leave things like this... Tasuki disserved something for saving her life.

When the sun went down Tasuki came back into the house... but only to shut up in his room again.

Toroki sighed and knew she'd have to go to him if they were going to talk.

Toroki excused herself due to a headache and the need for some rest. Tasuki's parents nodded and allowed her to retreat from the dinner table.

Carefully, Toroki entered Tasuki's room, painfully aware of seven women boring holes into her back. Gods! She'd been here for nearly two days and Tasuki's sisters were already planning a wedding... she just knew it! Just because they'd 'kissed' didn't mean anything! Sure, she still blushed when she thought about it, but that's because it had been embarrassing!

She shook herself from that line of thought, closing the door behind her and looked up to find Tasuki staring out his window, his back to the her.

Toroki took a deep breath and stepped away from the door.

"Tasuki?" she started, almost flinching when he seemed to stiffen. "Are you ok? You didn't come to dinner."

"I wasn' hungry," he said quietly, lowering his head. Toroki took another breath.

"Tasuki, what's wrong?" she tried again.

"Ye have to ask?" the red-head retorted a little angrily, still studying the floor.

"Just because I wouldn't tell you what was bothering me..." Toroki started, but Tasuki spun around, halting her sentence with a blazing glare.

"It's not jus' that!" He spat, his teeth bared almost in a growl. "It jus' seems like everyone's hidin' a frickin' secret from me! Tama an' Miaka... my sisters... 'ell, even my parents are actin' weird... sorta... GAH! I don' know!"

Tasuki sighed and turned back to the window, bracing his hands on the sill. For a long moment there was nothing but silence... then...

"I've just been worried about that demon we saw... the one that attacked Lady Miaka..." Toroki began so quietly, Tasuki almost hadn't heard her. He turned around to see her studying her feet, her hands clasped in front of her. The look on her face vanished all of his anger... she looked so... ashamed.

"I's not like demons haven't attacked 'er before," Tasuki said calmly. Toroki nodded.

"I figured that... but... Tasuki..." she sighed, trying again and again to tell him something... but she couldn't seem to spit it out. Her aura was suddenly depressed. Tasuki, truely worried now, approached her slowly until they were within arms reach.

"What is it?" he asked quietly but firmly. Toroki shook her head, refusing to look at him. "C'mon, girly, don' clam up on me now."

Toroki chuckled slightly... but still kept her head down. She wondered briefly if Tasuki realized he was the only one that would ever get away with giving her a nickname like 'girly'. Toroki sighed and closed her eyes... trying to get out what she needed to say.

'Get ahold of yourself, Toroki!' she mentally berated herself. 'You haven't even been here for a full two days! Why is this so hard?'

"Toroki..."

"I have to leave," Toroki spat out so quietly and so quickly that Tasuki had almost missed it. "I have to leave as soon as possible."

Tasuki's eyebrow's shot up in suprise.

"Why?" he asked sternly. When she didn't answer right away he took another step towards her and tilted her chin so that she was looking at him. She was immediately caught in that piercing golden gaze that seared through her. His flame colored hair dangled in his eyes and she could see his jade earings gleaming with borrowed moonlight. His face was stern and let her know that he wanted, and intended, to get answers.

"Why?" he asked again. Toroki looked at him briefly before tearing her face away and turning her back to him.

"Because my very presence endangers your family and the Lady Miaka and I don't want that," she explained, her back stiff as her hands clenched into fists. He could tell she didn't want to go on... but Tasuki wasn't about to let her off now that he had her talking.

"What do ya mean?" Tasuki asked, his tone grave.

"Those demons weren't just random demons... they were all after... me..."

There, she'd said it. Toroki waited for him to blow up, demanding that she leave right that instant, to get as far from his priestess and family as possible. She waited... but the explosion never came. Toroki turned to just find him staring at her.

Tasuki couldn't move. Surely he'd heard her wrong. Those demons had all been after her? Why was someone that desperate to get rid of her? And more importantly... who was it? Tasuki studied her for a long moment. She was right... it would probably be better for his family if she left... but somehow, he hated the idea of not having her around. His throat tightened uncomfortably.

"Where will ya go?" he managed to get out. Toroki blinked a couple of times before she let out a long sigh and looked at the ground.

"I don't know..." she admitted. She hadn't really had any place in mind... she figured she'd just... wander. Tasuki found himself speaking before he could stop.

"Well ya could jus' stay here..." he blurted. Toroki looked up at him wide-eyed. "Jus' 'till ya figure out where yer goin', ya know?"

'And so I can be around ya a little longer,' he added mentally. Toroki smiled saddly. Tasuki was so sweet... she really wouldn't mind staying another day or so... but she couldn't take the risk.

"It's really sweet of you to offer, Tasuki," she said honestly. "But I don't want to put your family in danger any longer than I have to."

Tasuki's golden eyes searched hers for even the slightest lie. Finding none, he sighed regretfully and looked at the ground. For some reason... he REALLY didn't want her to leave... but she was right. She shouldn't stay. He suddenly began to feel angry. It seemed everyone left him sooner or later... Miaka and Tama... Chichiri, who knew WHERE that guy was! He was always left behind... stuck at home as usual. It was pissing him off! Did they all really think he was that weak... that useless?

"When will ya go?" Tasuki asked quietly, holding the edge out of his voice.

"Tomorrow morning," she answered. He grunted in response causing Toroki to look up at him.

'Why does he sound... angry?' she wondered quietly. She could feel his aura crackling with supressed rage and became concerned.

"Tomorrow then," he said, pushing past her and leaving the room. Toroki sighed and looked at her feet. Her vision began to blur but she furiously blinked back her tears.

'Stop it, Toroki!' she shouted mentally. 'This is for the best! You hardly know these people anyway! They can't possibly mean anything to you!'

But Toroki knew the truth. They all meant a whole helluva lot to her... even if she didn't know them that well. Tasuki's family had taken her in in a heartbeat, without questions, without judgement. For the first time in her life she'd been accepted... for the first time in her life she'd felt like she was part of a family... however brief her stay had been. But she couldn't stay... even for one more day. It was too dangerous... for them and for her.

Toroki felt her attatchment to the fiery red-head growing with each moment she stayed. She didn't understand it at all, which only frightened her more. She had to go... and that was that.

---

Tasuki stormed out of the room and into the dining room, startling his family and comrades. Miaka looked up at him in concern as, without a word, he just headed for the door.

"TASUKI! Wait a second!" She shouted hurriedly before her hot-headed seshi could storm off. He turned back to face her, his eyes burning so much Taka placed a protective arm around his priestess.

"We need to talk to you," Miaka stated calmly, ignoring Tasuki's death glare at Taka. Taka's glare was a warning which Tasuki deliberetly ignored.

'Damnit, he knows I'd never hurt her!' Tasuki thought angrily, stomping to the table and sitting down. His sisters all found reasons to conveniently vacate the premisis as his parents began to clean up from dinner. Miaka situated herself more comfortably and smiled at Tasuki... immediately cooling him off.

"Tasuki, I haven't had a chance to talk to you yet about our plans while we're here," she started cheerfully. "You see, Tai-yun-jin (sp?) pulled us back this time and was able to tell us where the next stones we needed could be found."

"And?" Tasuki pressed quietly.

"We're going to Sairou," Taka answered. At the slight flash of wariness in the red-head's eyes, he added, "you're coming with us of course."

Tasuki let out an inaudible sigh.

"We're going to see if we can get in touch with Chichiri too..." Miaka continued. "But in the mean time... I was thinking we'd just stay here until the monk shows up and then we can all head out."

Tasuki nodded. He'd be glad to get out of this house.

"We're kind of hoping Chiri will know something about Sairou so we don't end up totally lost too," Taka put in lamely. Tasuki frowned slightly... after all... he knew someone who knew about Sairou... but there was no way she'd go with them.

"Tasuki? What's wrong?" Miaka asked him, leaning over slightly. Tasuki was about to say that it was nothing, when the group was startled by the sound of a door closing. They looked up to find Toroki looking over them, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.

---

She hadn't meant to eaves drop... it had just kind of happened. But as soon as Toroki had heard the word 'Sairou' she was all ears. So they were going... good! That way she could get even farther from Tasuki. She was never going back to Sairou... never.

'But... you do know most of the country there,' a little voice in her head chided. 'Why not go and help them out?'

'NO! I swore I would never go back there! That's just what he wants, remember?' she retorted angrily... ignoring the fact that she was having an arguement with herself.

'But that's just it!' The voice retorted. 'He'd never actually expect you to go back... and you know all the major slime-balls and can help the lady avoid them. You could help them find the respectable inns and even give a hand in any fights.'

Toroki had to admit... that was a good point. She could help them out alot. But what if he found her there? What would she do then?

'Well, you'll just have to be extra careful and not get caught,' the voice seemed to be teasing her. 'Besides... you can't run for the rest of your life.'

The last thought cemented her resolve. She had been running... her whole life... she couldn't... wouldn't run forever. She nodded firmly to herself before stepping into the dining room and shutting the door behind her.

---

Tasuki watched Toroki in confusion as she came to kneel before Miaka.

"My lady, if I may," she started calmly. "I myself am from Sairou and therefore could certainly be more help to you than a monk you're not sure has even ever been there."

Tasuki's eyes widened and he was certain his heart had stopped. Was she asking what he thought she was asking?

"If you would allow me, I would like to accompany you all there," she finished, bowing her head. Miaka and Taka looked just as suprised as Tasuki felt.

'She's really coming with us?' Tasuki couldn't believe it... just a moment ago she had wanted to get as far from them as possible. His golden gaze hardened as she slowly met his eyes.

Toroki nearly gulped at the look Tasuki was shooting her. It was clearly a 'we'll-discuss-this-later-and-you're-not-getting-out-of-it' look... and not a very comfortable one. She decided right then she was going to do her best to avoid Tasuki until they left.

Miaka placed her hand on Toroki's shoulder and gave her a warm smile.

"Of course... that would be wonderful," she said happily. "It'll be nice to have another girl around!"

Toroki nodded and then stood.

"My thanks, your eminence," she said. "I shall go prepare at once."

She beat a hasty retreat to the room she shared with Miaka... aware that the whole time... Tasuki was burning holes into her back.

"Well!" Taka started. "I guess we'll wait for Chichiri for tonight and then leave in the morning if he's not here."

"Sounds like a plan," Tasuki nodded. He stood and went back to his room. Miaka almost laughed... she'd never seen Tasuki acting so fidgety and touchy with a woman before. She wondered if Toroki knew that. She and Taka bid Tasuki's parents good night before going to get ready for bed.

Tsume-n-carnet: ok! there we go! I'm trying to get updates out more often... so... sorry this took so long! and I know I have Kami and Tatara still out there somewhere... but this story is really supposed to be a focus on Tasuki and Toroki anyway... but I will have them in here more! anyway... thanks for reading and please review! thanks y'all! later!