It's been a while, I know. I apologize. There was Spring Break and I met a guy (who I'm now going out with) and the transition back to school. However, the plot thickens dramatic music. Let me know what you think, I love comments! Ja na!

Her breath stopped as his arms wrapped around her and Miaka felt herself melting against him. It was so gentle, so sensual, yet it seemed to touch her very soul in its softness. Something in her was stirring in answer to this touch. It wanted to respond, it wanted to return the feeling. And the moment she became aware of this fact, Miaka was filled with fear.

"Miaka. Ryu."

Her eyes fluttered open and she looked towards the source of the voice. Taka stood a few feet away, his eyes not reflecting any emotion at the moment. Miaka's fingers flew to her lips, in a vain attempt to stop the tingling, as if that would make everything okay.

"Taka," she started. "I. . ."

"Yui was looking for you. She wants to find Suboshi soon, since he may be important in solving this mystery."

She blinked a few times. It was not like him to simply ignore what had just happened. The last time his eyes had been so empty was when he was under the influence of the kodoku.

"Go on, Miaka. We will talk later."

When she looked up into Ryu's eyes, they twinkled for a moment, before his attention was completely on Taka. Miaka was loath to leave them alone, but she decided that it was best. She casually waved bye to Ryu and then walked away, quickly enough to leave them alone, but the last thing she wanted was to seem like she was running away from the situation. Yes, she and Taka would definitely talk later.

Ryu watched as Miaka walked out of sight, slipped a hand in his pocket and looked back at Taka, without fear. It felt weird, but somehow, Miaka's kiss had encouraged him and given him strength. Taka's eyes were cold and looked into the street for a moment. They stood there, in the middle of the sidewalk, a warm breeze blowing through the trees. Just when Ryu was going to walk off, Taka let out a long breath that almost sounded like a sigh.

"Why, Nuriko?"

"Because I love her, and she has every right to know how I feel. You did not keep your feelings hidden, nor did Hotohori. Why should I?"

"What do you expect to gain?" Taka asked, walking closer to Ryu. Perhaps a foot or so of air was all that remained between them. "Did you think it would change anything between you and her?"

"Taka, I already explained to you that I had to tell. . ."

"And why the hell did you kiss her?"

"I love her, Taka!" Ryu said in a fierce voice, low but stern. "And if I can never have her, that is the least that she could give me. She didn't have to, and you know that. Miaka has said no to Hotohori time and time again. I sat there, watched her deny him and all his advances while you sat in Kotou doing who-knows-what with Yui. Our Miaka is a bright woman who can make up her own mind. And if you are so damned scared of losing her, then that's your problem."

Ryu had a moment to brace himself for the punch that Taka through at him. Yet, that moment was all that he needed, and Ryu caught the punch and looked his opponent directly in the eye. Taka was furious, and Ryu could feel the animosity pouring from his one-time close friend like blood from a wound.

"Nuriko, I will tell you this once, and once only. Leave Miaka alone. I don't care if you have to move to Australia to do it, but if I catch you near her again, our shared past will become obsolete. You and I are just men now, not Seishi of Suzaku."

"You would kill me, Tama-chan?" Ryu said, a laugh in his voice.

"Don't you dare act like things between us are that simple!" Taka snapped. Ryu saw a look of sadness briefly cover the other's face and leave just as suddenly. "And no, I would not kill you, but I would make sure that you would sorely regret coming near my girlfriend again. Do I make myself clear, Ryu?"

"Crystal."

With that final word, Ryu turned his back on Taka, heading back to his apartment, and started thinking about how he would explain all this to Miaka. Just that quickly, a plan started to stir into formation within the depths of his mind.

"He kissed you?!"

Miaka nodded, and Yui looked completely shocked. Takara, on the other hand, wanted details.

"Was he gentle about it?" she asked bluntly.

Miaka turned red and refused to answer the question. Instead, she picked up the closest book and started to flip through the pages. Tetsuya had run to go get them all some juice when she had blurted it out, unable to hold back her words any longer.

"What did Taka have to say about it?" Yui whispered.

"Nothing yet. But I'm sure he will bring it up later."

The women grew quiet as Tetsuya rounded the corner, his hands laden with drinks for them all while they continued filing through books. He took off his shades and shoved them in a pocket as the drinks were passed around the table.

"Find anything else?" he asked.

"Nope, can't say we did," sad Miaka behind the pages of the book she had grabbed.

Takara took a long sip from her can and set it down and looked at Tetsuya.

"Hey, you took your sunglasses off. You have really nice eyes. Why on earth do you wear those stupid things all the time if you've got dreamy eyes like those?" she smiled.

Yui looked up and started to get defensive about her boyfriend when she took the time to really look into his eyes. Miaka watched as the two locked eyes for a moment, and Tetsuya grew flustered and looked away, blushing a little. She giggled at the two, surprised at how they always managed to have such kawaii moments like that. Setting the book down she thought about the situation for a moment.

"Okay, people. Let's go about this logically," Miaka said. "Yui, what can you remember about Suboshi's personality?"

"Well," she started, "he was very devoted to me, always concerned about my well-being. He tried to tell me about Nakago before you did, and I refused to listen to him as well."

There was a soft pause and Miaka knew that Yui was thinking about her time as Seiryuu no Miko. Finally, she took a deep breath and continued.

"Suboshi was really a sweet Seishi until he found about his brother's death. That was what drove his rage. And then there was the mess with Tamahome and he thought that you were really to blame for all my troubles. I never bothered to explain the details to him."

"Can we assume that he'd want to keep a close eye on you as well?" Takara asked.

"Sure we can," Miaka replied. "Ryu and Taka are here for me, Yuki is here for Oki. What about your husband, Takara?"

"Kado's the reincarnation of Tatara," the woman said dreamily. "Some of my mother's spirit rests in me. . . I felt it when she died, a new presence within me. Perhaps he knew this would happen, or perhaps he just wanted another chance, as most of the Seishi did, it seems."

"I can make a list of all the guys that I maintain in close contact with, or that I notice around me on a regular basis," Yui said.

"Sounds like a start, at least."

Everyone looked up to see where the voice had come from and found Hotohori's spirit nearby. He came over and looked over Yui's shoulder.

"So, you also realized that Suboshi was reincarnated like some of the other Seishi?"

Miaka nodded and looked up at him and noticed that he seemed rather pale. . .even for a spirit. She reached up to pull on his sleeve and only remembered after her hand passed through him that he could no longer touch anyone in the real world. He must have felt something anyway since he looked over in her direction, as patient as he ever was with her.

"Yes, Miaka? What did you want?"

"Ano. . .you look rather pale, Hotohori," she said softly.

"Baka," Tetsuya laughed. "Of course he's pale, he's a spirit."

"No, Miaka has a point, dear," Yui said. "Hotohori-sama, is everything okay?"

"I'm afraid not. Just like Chichiri lost his powers, mine are starting to fade as well. Miaka will be gaining my grace and sword wielding abilities soon."

Miaka finally heard the disguised pain in his voice and wished she could hug him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. He looked down at her, seeing the conflicting emotions on her face, and smiled softly.

"Don't you dare worry about me, Miaka. I will always be your Seishi, and I will do what I must in order to ensure your safety. Think of it, my dear. Why else would our powers be surging into you. First Chichiri, now myself. . .our powers granted to you."

She stopped for a moment and truly considered the implications.

"Hotohori," she started, her voice unsure as her mind started to work this out. "Are these dark powers taking over the constellations that power the Seishi?"

"Yes, that is the way that it seems."

"Then it would make more sense for the powers to seek somewhere to hide," Yui completed.

There was a moment of silence as this latest revelation sunk in, and Miaka reached behind her and felt the soft down of Suzaku's wings along her back. It was starting to make sense, as insane as it all was. If this dark power was trying to suck up the power of the stars, then perhaps the powers were seeking refuge in the closest person they could find: the Miko of the god they followed.

"Poor Suzaku," Miaka whispered to herself.

"Seiryuu as well. He was never harsh with me, it was I who was weak," Yui replied.

A soft glow started to grow around her and it was warm. . .so warm. Miaka hugged herself and closed her eyes, completely embracing this transition into the spirit realm.

Oki clutched onto Yuki's shirt sleeve when she felt the glow start to invade her sight. She was afraid, terribly afraid. It would've been one thing if Miaka or any of the other Mikos had been there with her, but she was alone. How she hated that feeling, that she was all alone in the world, even while in the warmth confines of Yuki's arms.

"I'm scared," she said.

"I know, love," Yuki told her. "Try not to fight it. Just remember that Genbu does not want to harm you. Just go and see what this leads to and I will be here when you return."

She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and was welcomed into the darkness.

"Onichan?"

Ryu looked up out of his trance and felt it. She was gone, once again. At least she wasn't in pain, like the last time. It felt like she was almost happy to go this time. He smiled to himself, thinking about his plan.

"Yes, Kourin?"

"Taste this and see if it's okay."

He looked up and saw a spoon laden with a dark sauce, dipped his pinky in the mixture and licked it off the tip. It was sweet, but tangy. . .rather good for his usually clumsy sister. He looked up into her eager awaiting eyes and found himself comparing her to Miaka. Yes, they would like each other very much. Ryu was right when thinking that she would turn out like his Miko.

"Very good. But now I'm more hungry than I was 5 minutes ago."

"Well, dinner'll be done soon enough," she told him, heading back into the kitchen.

Ryu smiled at her and picked up a pen and paper and got to work on his scheme.

Miaka awoke on a soft bed of red fabric, that seemed to shimmer and shift colors like fire itself. She snuggled into the fabric a little more before she heard the soft melodic laughter. When she looked up towards the laughter, she noticed that she was among the stars again and the one laughing at her was no other than Suzaku Seikun.

"Hello again, Suzaku no Miko. It seems that we would meet again."

"Yes," Miaka said, fighting off her feeling of awe. "Why are you in human form this time?"

"Because it is I who summon you, not the goddess. We Four Gods discussed the matter at hand and realized that we needed to take an active effort as well, especially since you mortals are working so hard for our sakes."

Miaka blushed a little at the subtle form of flattery. The color of her cheeks deepened and spread as the beautiful god kneeled before her and took her face in his hands.

"Suzaku no Miko. Yuuki Miaka. I need your help. The demons of fire and ice are consuming my constellations. I have saved the powers that the stars hold by giving them to you, but that power will not be able to return to the stars unless this evil is defeated. Now, I am going to ask something very difficult of you, and it is entirely up to you how you answer."

"I'm listening, Suzaku Seikun-sama," she told him.

"You will not be able to hold the 6 powers of my constellations in your body on your own. I will have to merge with you and make myself manifest within your world. Perhaps you have already noticed the changes. This is not optional, or depending on your will power, as it was when you summoned me for your three wishes. You are a mortal, and a mortal body was never meant to hold the power of the heavens. It will not be a full transformation, but it will be significant, too significant to hide from other people."

"Then I will have to leave home for some time," Miaka thought out loud. "There is no way that I can allow my mother and friends to become aware of all that is happening with me."

Suzaku Seikun sat down beside her and nodded softly. Miaka finally noticed something that he had said earlier.

"You said 6 constellations. But two of my Seishi are in my world with me. It should be only 5 of the constellations that I will receive power for."

The god refused to look at her for a moment and he looked saddened. What on earth could possibly sadden a god? Miaka didn't know they could feel emotions like sorrow. She leaned in a little closer, daring to place a hand on his shoulder.

"Suzaku-sama, tell me. Whatever it is, I have every right to know."

"Genbu, Byakko, Seiryuu and I all knew there would be a time when we would be in danger. The restraints that held the demons of old at bay were growing weaker as the centuries came and went. Perhaps, in another hundred years, the demons would have freed themselves. However, we have been planning as well. We knew that our constellations would be the first target of this evil. So, we as a group decided we would have to establish a connection between the earthly realm and this heavenly one. And that connection is through the Miko. Each of you has already tasted heavenly power, so it is not foreign to your spirit. You will all be able to handle this transfusion, if you desire to do so."

"Of course, Suzaku-sama. I will help you in whatever way that I can, if not for your sake, then for that of my loved ones. But what does that have to do with. . ."

"I am getting to that, little one," he said, his eyes flaring up for a moment. Miaka silenced herself and sat still.

"We chose the Mikos so that a love connection would be established between you and one of your Seishi, even if it was merely one-sided such as that of Suboshi and Hongo Yui. We gods are not as heartless as we may seem, since we did this for your protection. The love interest allowed both of you to be reborn, all into this time and era, giving you a second chance. It also keeps the last constellation from being overthrown and the power remains your reincarnated Seishi, rather than being thrown into your body. I am afraid you do not want to know what would happen if that was to occur.

"However, you are a special case, Yuuki Miaka. I did not expect two of your Seishi to fall hopelessly in love with you. I suppose I do not know as much about human emotions as I originally thought. This was never supposed to happen."

Finally, the god turned his golden eyes onto her and looked her in the eye. There was so much gentleness there, and so much power. He seemed to be light and dark, soft and hard at the same time. He raised a hand to caress her cheek.

"My sweet Miko, you were only meant to have one shineihei, only one personal guard to guide you through this story. The power of each quadrant was meant to be shared between only you and your shineihei. You will have to make a choice, which will ultmately affect all three of you. Yuuki Miaka, you will have to choose between Tamahome and Nuriko, the Ogre and the Willow. Only one of them can go on at your side after the 5th constellation disappears. You have that long to make a decision."