Chapter 9

Night had fallen across the canvas of the sky a number of hours before, the field of stars sparkling above the Suzaku warriors' heads as they continued to tread through the desert.

And in what should have been the silence of darkness, Tasuki's voice spoke up again in another whine. "Hey, Chichiri! Let's stop an' rest so we can wait for Miaka an' Tamahome!"

The monk sighed, turning only slightly over his shoulder to address his comrade. "We don't have time for that, you know. If we don't travel by night through the desert, we could be burned to a crisp by the sun, you know."

Tasuki's groan echoed loudly through the night, quite possibly waking any desert animals within several miles' radius. "I know that! But my horse has a mind of its own an' won't move!"

Atsuna and Chichiri exchanged glances, halting their horses to turn around to Tasuki, who shook his fist in the air atop his horse about 30 feet behind them. "C'mon! Are ya still mad because I stole one little carrot from ya?! Will ya move it?! We're gettin' left behind, ya stupid horse!"

At the angry insult, Tasuki's horse bucked hard, sending the flame-haired bandit off the saddle and face-planting into the cool sand. Chiriko and Atsuna shared a muffled chuckle while Chichiri could only sigh and shake his head.

"Come on, Tasuki! The sun will be coming up soon, you know!" Chichiri called out, his aggravation beginning to show.

Tasuki pushed himself to his knees, looking up at his horse with a pout. "Okay, I'm sorry for eatin' that carrot. Just let me ride on ya! C'mon!"

"Chichiri, look!" Chiriko suddenly shouted giddily.

The monk turned his attention to the young boy, who sat behind Mitsukake on their horse. Chichiri and Atsuna moved towards the healer's horse, finding a large city with sparkling lights lying below them.

"That must be Sairo, you know," Chichiri replied. "What other large city is there situated in the middle of the desert? We should go check it out." He turned over his shoulder towards the bandit. "Hey, Tasuki! Let's get going!" His eyes settled on the bandit, who continued to beg to let him ride him.

Atsuna rested a hand on Chichiri's shoulder. "I'll handle it. Don't worry, Chichiri." She urged her horse towards the bandit, coming to a stop several feet away. She dismounted and pulled a carrot from the bag hanging off the side of her mare. She moved to Tasuki's horse, gently rubbing her hand along his long face and offering the carrot to him. He took it quickly, chomping happily, and nuzzled against her in thanks.

Tasuki pushed himself to his feet, his eyes meeting with Atsuna, who nodded an affirmation to him. The bandit took hold of the saddle and pulled himself up, the horse making no move to buck. He only whinnied happily.

Atsuna smiled, looking up to the bandit. "Now, you two get along. We don't have much further to go before we can rest for the night. The city is just down below. Let's get going, shall we?"

Tasuki grumbled under his breath as Atsuna mounted her horse, and the two of them joined with their friends as they made their way down the sandy hill towards the lit city.

A figure moved from the shadows above them, smirking as the group galloped towards the city. "Yes, Suzaku warriors. Please come inside. Once you've entered Tomo's city of mirages, you won't be able to escape." He chuckled to himself. "And I'm sure that Nakago already has the Priestess of Suzaku in his clutches."

Tamahome held his stomach in pain after receiving a hard blow. Before him stood Nakago, smug and smirking as if holding information only he knew.

"The girl you're looking for is inside the yurt down there. She has such lovely young skin," Nakago replied nonchalantly. Tamahome glared up at him, eyes still pained from Nakago's punch.

Nakago turned and began walking away from the felled Suzaku warrior. "I always thought of her as a young child." He stopped and turned to look at Tamahome, his smirk returning. "But I was wrong. Her body is very much a woman's."

Tamahome's eyes widened at the implication, hoping and praying that Miaka didn't suffer through the same as his sister. "What did you do?!" Tamahome instantly came to his feet and summoned his celestial powers in a fit of rage, his hands consumed in a bright red ball of light. Without a second thought, he launched it at the Kutou general.

Nakago merely stood and watched, unintimidated, as the ball of energy slammed into his shoulder, melting off armor and flesh. He cringed and grabbed his wound, glowering at the ogre warrior.

"How dare you?" Nakago growled, surprised at the sudden display of power.

Before Tamahome could do anything more, a bolt of lightning zigzagged from the sky, separating the two warriors. Tamahome was quick to jump out of the way.

Soi appeared in front of Nakago, her arms stretched out in preparation for another assault. "Nakago! Go get on the horse!" she commanded.

Just as Tamahome landed back on his feet, Soi and Nakago had rushed off on their horses and out of sight.

"Damn it!" Tamahome shouted. He lifted his hands up to look at his palms quizzically, wondering where such a power had come from. Before he could answer his own question, Tama the cat meowed, throwing him out of his thoughts. "That's right! Miaka!"

Below him stood the yurt where Nakago said Miaka was being held prisoner, and before another moment could pass, he rushed down, silently praying Nakago was not capable of doing such harm to a woman.

When he stepped inside calling out her name, he found the broken necklace Yuiren had made for her. He picked it up, a piercing pain jabbing through his chest at the memory of his fallen, innocent sister. A few of the beads fell to the ground, scattering around his feet. He followed a fallen bead, his eyes landing on the unconscious, battered form of the woman he loved.

The sun had risen over an hour ago, just in time for the Suzaku warriors to make their way into the city. The markets had since opened for the day, its citizens bustling around them as they took rest out of the way as they decided what they should do next.

"This place is thrivin'," Tasuki said with a grin. "We gotta be in Sairo. An' it's about damn time, too. I was tired of ridin' through the damn desert. I could use some sake."

Chichiri ignored the bandit, turning towards a cloaked woman who began to walk past them. "Pardon me, ma'am." The woman stopped, turning to look at the monk. "Would this city be in the Sairo Empire?"

She nodded once, flashing a smile. "Yes. It's on the border."

Saying nothing else, she moved off, quickly rounding a corner. Her feminine face phased into the painted one of Tomo of the Seiryu Seven, who smirked contentedly. "They are falling deeper into my spell. But I don't know the woman traveling with them, nor do I see Tamahome. I better find him quickly and discover the identity of this woman."

Chichiri turned to his friends, smiling, after the woman passed away from them. "We can wait here for Miaka and Tamahome. It'll give us a chance to rest, gather supplies, and consult some of the citizens for any information on the Shinzaho, you know."

Tasuki folded his arms behind his head with a content sigh. "I'm just glad it wasn't a long trip after all. I could use a nap."

"We should probably start by looking for some lodging," Atsuna suggested, coming up next to Chichiri as he surveyed the large group of people moving around them.

"Excuse me."

The Suzaku warriors turned their attention to a young woman with straight, dark hair. "Forgive me, but I couldn't help overhearing that you are seeking an inn. I'm afraid they're all booked. It's a busy time of year for tourists in Sairo."

Tasuki pushed himself to his feet, coming up next to Chichiri and Atsuna with slumped shoulders. "Well, what the hell are we gonna do now? Sleep outside?"

The woman quickly shook her head. "I'm afraid that wouldn't be a good idea. We get some pretty heavy sandstorms. They can come without a moment's notice. You wouldn't be safe." Her smile widened. "But I would be more than happy to put you all up. I have a large house that belonged to my grandmother. There is plenty of room for all of you."

Tasuki beamed. "It's a deal!" He thrust out his hand for a handshake to seal the agreement.

"Tasuki, hold on!" Atsuna exclaimed, grabbing his wrist and jerking his hand back. She flashed a grateful smile to the woman. "We appreciate the offer, but we couldn't intrude on your home. I am sure we can find other accommodations before nightfall."

The young woman shook her head. "It's no bother, really. I can tell all of you are travelers. You don't seem to know much about the weather conditions around here if you're considering staying outside. And it will take you several days to reach the next city. I simply can't let all of you stay outside when a sandstorm can hit at any time. Please, I insist."

Atsuna turned to Chichiri, seeking a response. He shrugged and sighed. "We don't seem to have any other choice. We don't want to get stuck in a sandstorm, you know." He bowed his head to the woman. "Thank you for the offer. We humbly accept."

As the sun began to make its journey down towards the horizon, the Suzaku warriors finished their dinner, feeling lethargic from having a full stomach. Mitsukake, Chiriko, and Chichiri decided to turn in early after their long trip, eager for a chance to rest in a real bed, and reconvene in the morning over breakfast to decide on their next course of action as they waited for Miaka and Tamahome to arrive.

Tasuki poured himself another cup of sake, and then he wiggled the jug in front of Atsuna, who sat to his right, with a smirk and a twinkle in his eye. "How 'bout it, Atsuna? Wanna drink with me?"

Atsuna chuckled, shaking her head. "I've already had two cups. That's probably enough to help make me sleepy." She grinned, resting her chin on her propped hands. "Are you attempting to drink yourself into a coma? You've had quite a few."

He shrugged, tossing the cup back with ease before pouring himself another. "Nah. I can handle it. It'll make me tired anyway." He scoffed, setting aside the jug, now half empty. He leaned in next to her, playfully nudging her with his elbow. "As if I need a reason to drink, but whatever."

Atsuna covered her mouth with her hand, laughing. "I hope your body can handle it."

"Ha! I've been givin' it plenty of practice. I'm a champ," he said. He lifted his cup to his lips, but instead, he waggled his eyebrows and passed it to her. "C'mon. Don't be a lightweight. It's no fun drinkin' alone."

She hesitated before taking the cup out of his hand, taking a large swig. He stared at her in surprise as she sighed and placed the cup down in front of him with a smile. "Is that better?"

He chuckled and snatched another cup, filling them both. "Nothin' like a woman who knows how to drink. I can get used to that."

She leaned in close to him as she took her cup from in front of him. He felt her body heat radiating against him as she lingered close to him, her smile wide as she moved the cup to her lips, this time taking a much smaller sip. He cursed to himself when she dragged her tongue across her mouth, catching a stray droplet of sake before it could evade her.

He blinked, shaking his head and quickly chugging his sake to lessen the sudden lightheadedness. What in the sweet hell was going on? It had to be the sake clouding his head.

"Tasuki? Are you all right?" Atsuna brushed a hand against his arm. She chuckled, pulling his empty cup away. "Perhaps it's time for me to cut you off. Your face is flushed."

Tasuki cleared his throat, scratching the back of his head while he tried to stumble for an answer. "Nah, it's just hot in here," he grumbled. He swiped the empty cup from her fingers, hurriedly filling it to the top and nervously spilling some in the process.

Atsuna grabbed a cloth napkin and mopped up his spillage. "Are you sure you're okay? I was mostly joking before, but maybe you should lay off the sake for the night."

The bandit knocked the sake back in one large gulp, coughing as it rushed down his throat a bit too quick. He chuckled and waved her off in an attempt to hide his tension. "I've barely warmed up. Me an' my buddies can pound a lot more than this before we're feelin' it." He eyed the jug suspiciously. "Maybe Sairo sake is stronger than Konan stuff."

Yeah, that had to be why it felt as if flames were licking at his skin constantly, especially every time Atsuna touched him or even so much as looked at him. It had to be the sake.

"It's certainly possible that their brand is more potent," Atsuna agreed with a nod. She offered her empty cup to him with a smile. "I promised I would drink with you. I probably should have more than one. Although I'm not nearly as seasoned as you, so I should probably keep it to a minimum."

Tasuki snickered, pouring her another cup and then filling his own once more. "Girls are just lightweights. Ya gotta leave the heavy drinkin' to the men. An' even then, if ya have too much, ya can find yerself doin' some pretty embarrassin' things."

Atsuna watched as he tossed the sake back like a pro. Her eyes met with his inquisitively. "Surely you're not going to say that and not give me an example. It sounds like you speak from experience."

"Yeah, maybe," he said teasingly. "My buddy Koji an' me play drinkin' games sometimes. I don't know why 'cause he always loses. He always swears he can beat me, an' the moron never can." He poured himself another cup, noticing that only a couple more cups worth remained in the jug. "Like, the last time we played, the dumbass ended up so drunk that he ran around the hideout buck naked, singin' at the top of his lungs." He released a boisterous laugh. "We even convinced him to sit down long enough fer us to put his hair in pigtails. An' when he woke up the next day, he couldn't remember a damn thing he did."

Atsuna giggled at the story, admiring the happy grin on the bandit's face. "It sounds like you have a good time with your friends."

Tasuki sized her up for a moment, his smile lessening slightly. "Yeah. That's kinda what it's always like at the hideout. They're all just a buncha goofs that like to have some fun. We all just play jokes on each other an' have some fun drinkin' an' eatin.' It's kinda like a big family. We all look out fer each other."

"It must be nice to have so many people to call your family," Atsuna said with a smile. "And blood certainly doesn't make you family. That has become clear since I joined all of you on this journey." Her smile grew melancholy. "But as much as I've enjoyed getting to know all of you and helping Miaka to summon Suzaku, I miss my father and siblings terribly. I look forward to the end of our pilgrimage so I can see all of them again."

Tasuki's joyful mood instantly crashed at the mention of her family. He'd nearly forgotten she still did not know their gruesome fate. He grabbed the jug and finished its contents, leaving Atsuna staring at him in awe.

He rubbed his mouth with the back of his sleeve, clearing his throat. "Looks like we're gonna need another pitcher." He began to reach for the one left by Chichiri and Mitsukake on the other side of the table.

"Yes, perhaps of water now," Atsuna said flatly, grabbing the jug from his reach and placing it on the table behind her. She scooted closer to him, which only caused a hiss of air to escape his lips. "What's going on?"

He sighed exasperatingly. "Stop askin' me that, woman," he groused. "I'm fine. Just thirsty." He cursed inwardly to himself. "I'm sure yer family is proud of ya an' all that. As much as I like bein' at the hideout with my gang, I like bein' on this journey, so I'm not tryin' to rush through it."

Atsuna studied him for a moment before cracking a smile. "I have to thank you, Tasuki."

The bandit turned to look at her quizzically. "Thank me fer what? I didn't do nothin'."

"On the contrary." She sighed, turning her attention to the empty sake cup sitting before her. She traced a finger over the edge. "You've been a good friend to me, especially coming to my defense mere hours after having met me. That kind of loyalty is calming to me after all the darkness I've seen." She lifted her head to look at him, flashing a grateful smile. "You've been under no obligation whatsoever to do such a thing. Your priority is to Miaka. And yet you've sworn to keep me safe where Ryozo is concerned. I just wanted you to know how much that meant to me."

Tasuki's face turned to a frown. "I'm glad that bastard is dead. He didn't deserve to live." He paused for a moment, his eyes searching hers. "An' you didn't deserve what he did to ya." He curled his hands into fists on the surface of the table. "I can't stop thinkin' about how he talked to ya like ya weren't even human, like you were some kind of toy. Women ain't toys. They're supposed to be cared for an' loved an' pleasured by a man. If a man doesn't do that, he ain't a man. He's just a son of a bitch."

Before Atsuna really knew what she was doing, she reached for him, wrapping her arms around his back and resting her chin on his shoulder. "Thank you, Tasuki. I am blessed to have met you and to call you a friend."

Tasuki hesitated, somewhat flustered, before returning the hug, sliding his arms around the middle of her back. And while he held her against him, he couldn't help himself but to slowly and slyly take in a deep drag of the scent of her hair. She smelled like fresh berries.

He didn't know how long they sat there holding each other before he felt his face – as well as his lower extremities – beginning to heat up. He moved away from her in a panic, chuckling to hide his tension. "Ya know, fer a woman, yer not so terrible."

Atsuna laughed lightheartedly. "I consider that the highest compliment coming from you."

Tasuki stared at her for a moment, clearing his throat before bringing up the topic lingering in his head. "So, ya say we're friends, right?"

She looked at him curiously. "Of course, Tasuki."

"Which means we can talk about whatever. Right?"

Atsuna's smile faded, trading it in for a look of disquiet. "Yes. Tasuki, what is it that you want to talk about?"

The words poured from his mouth before he had a chance to stop himself. "I want to know if yer really okay now that Ryozo is dead."

Atsuna flinched at the inquiry and, without warning, a flood of dark memories invaded her head. She forcibly blinked, as if trying to physically push them from her mind. "What makes you think I'm not all right?"

Tasuki scowled. "Yer a pretty strong woman. I saw that when ya fought him. But any sane woman would have a rough time dealin' with all that crap bein' brought up in front of yer friends an' Tama. An' just 'cause he's dead don't mean ya can't forget all that, no matter how hard ya wanna," he explained, his brows pierced into his eyes.

Atsuna felt her façade beginning to shatter. She opened her mouth, prepared to answer him, but Tasuki was already shaking his head. "Don't lie to me, woman. I saw how ya reacted up on that mountain. An' I remember what ya said on the way here. Ya tried to make Tamahome feel like you were okay, but I ain't a fool."

As she thought about how best to answer him, she turned around, fetching the extra jug of sake. She poured herself a cup and then one for him. The filled cup quickly replaced the jug in her hand, and she took a sip, enjoying the feel of it coating her dry throat.

"I have nightmares often," she murmured after a tense moment of silence, her eyes fixated on the ripples of sake in her cup. "Not every night, but close enough. They've intensified since Ryozo found us in the market." Her fingers tightened over the cup as she felt a flurry of emotions rushing to the surface like a tidal wave. "Having those nightmares has become a regular occurrence for me. I'd wake up, take a few moments to compose myself and push the memories back down, and then I would go about my day."

She took a larger gulp of her sake this time before rubbing her hand against her face. "But lately, I don't even have to be asleep to have those nightmares." Her eyes met with Tasuki's, who stared upon her in sympathy and concern. "Every time I blink, I can see his face. I have lied to myself over and over that he doesn't have the hold on me that he believed he did. But he did. He still does." She swallowed against the growing nausea in her stomach. "I fear he always will."

"Like hell," Tasuki spat, finally tossing back the sake in his cup. Atsuna looked at him in surprise. "That bastard is dead. He can't do nothin' to hurt ya anymore. An' now that he's gone fer good, I think you'll be able to move on. It just ain't gonna happen overnight." He shoved a finger in her face definitively, causing her to jerk back slightly. "An' no one's gonna hurt ya ever again. I'll die first."

Atsuna shook her head. "No! I don't want you to say something like that. I could never let someone give their life for me under any circumstance!" She took a deep breath, releasing the tension in her muscles. "I think you're right, though, Tasuki. I think eventually I will be able to move on. But it wasn't that long ago that I looked into that man's eyes and listened to his plans for me. It brought all that childhood fear back to the surface."

"Well, I want ya to listen to me now, woman, an' listen good," Tasuki spoke up. "It'll only get better from here now. The bastard is dead. He doesn't have any power over ya anymore. An' when ya have those nightmares an' stuff, I want ya to come to me. I'll get yer mind offa them."

A smile slowly broke the somber look on Atsuna's face. "Tasuki, that's so very sweet of you, but I don't expect you to do such a thing. It's unnecessary."

"Shut up," he interrupted. "Don't tell me that. I'm doin' it an' that's final. If anyone should help ya, it needs to be me."

Atsuna studied him for a moment as he poured himself another cup of sake. Before he could take a drink of it, she spoke up. "Why?"

He held the cup away from his lips, looking at her inquisitively. "Why, what?"

"Why does it need to be you to help me get over my past with Ryozo?" she clarified with a slight frown. When he didn't answer her, her frown deepened. "I just want to understand why you feel that way."

Tasuki's eyes fixated on a random point of the wall behind her as he formed his answer. "'Cause I'm a bandit," he said, his voice quiet. "An' there's no way in hell that bastard's gang is gonna do anythin' to make up for what they did to ya. So it needs to be me, okay?"

Atsuna's frown deepened, and she shook her head. "No."

Tasuki's attempt at a drink of his sake was once again thwarted by her hard response. "Whaddaya mean, no? I said I'm gonna do it."

"Do you think I want you to feel guilty for what Ryozo did to me just because you're a bandit like he was? Like you have to perform some sort of penance in his place for that reason alone?" Atsuna pushed herself from her seat, pacing to the other end of the table, Tasuki watching her intently. "You have no reason to do such an absurd thing. You and Ryozo are complete opposites. Ryozo was selfish, cold, and domineering. And you…"

Her frown melted away as her eyes settled upon him. "You are kind, loyal, brave…and a fiercely good friend. You are everything Ryozo was not." She folded her arms over her chest, sighing deeply. "You have reminded me that it's not bandits I should hate for what happened to me. It's Ryozo."

She moved towards him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "You have done more for me than you've needed to. You defended me when you barely knew me. You were the first person to find out what happened to me, and you kept it a secret for me." She squeezed her fingers over his shoulder, feeling his muscles tense under her touch. "That showed me that if there were a person who was a complete contrast of the vile man Ryozo was, it's you, Tasuki."

Tasuki swallowed as her words echoed through him. Saying nothing, he placed his full cup of sake on the table and stood before her, now looking down upon her. They held each other's gaze for a few moments of silence, hearing nothing but their own beating hearts.

Tasuki opened his mouth, prepared to finally respond to her, when she stumbled against him. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist, tugging her against him. He felt the heat rise up in his face as he took notice to the feel of her breasts pressed against him as she searched for her stability. Her fingers curled into his shirt, her forehead now resting on his chest.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Tasuki," she said with a weak laugh. "I guess the alcohol is beginning to have an effect on me. I'm a bit dizzy."

"I always said women can't hold their liquor," he said with a forced chuckle, trying his hardest to cover the tension, anxiety, and now growing tightness against his trousers as his mind raced with impure thoughts about the woman in his arms. He swallowed hard, now desperate to get away from her. "It's probably time for ya to call it a night, woman."

"I'd say you're right," Atsuna agreed as she pushed her head from his chest, rubbing her fingers against her temple. "I think I'll be all right."

He slowly moved his arms away from her, gauging her balance cautiously. She chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "I guess I drank a little more than I thought I did. It's easy to lose track when in conversation," she continued. She flashed him a smile. "I think I'll go soak in the tub for a bit before going to bed. It might do me a world of good after all the traveling we've done."

Tasuki bit back a curse. As soon as the words passed through her lips, he was imagining her fingers grazing over her wet, naked body as it lay submerged in the water-filled tub, the sweet sheen of her legs, her perfectly round breasts, his mouth suckling them…

A flurry of curses invaded his head at the sudden barrage of pictures. He seriously needed to stop drinking.

"Tasuki? Are you okay? Your face is red," Atsuna spoke up, jerking him from his thoughts, for which he could only silently thank her.

He nodded, rubbing his hand against his face. "It's just hot in this damn desert," he grumbled.

"It's a big difference than the weather in Hokkan, to be sure," Atsuna agreed with a smile. She absentmindedly rubbed her hand up and down his arm, to which Tasuki grit his teeth. "Are you going to be okay out here by yourself? You drank a great deal more than I did."

He scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm way better at holdin' my liquor than you, woman. I got more experience."

Atsuna laughed, nodding in agreement. "I suppose I will have to just become as seasoned as you if I hope to hold a candle to that experience." Her eyes twinkled teasingly. "Thank you for the talk, Tasuki. It was nice to open up and laugh. Good night."

With that, she turned around and grabbed the table as support as she made her way out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

Tasuki watched her go, all the while wondering what the hell was going on with him and whether the alcohol was really to blame. He took the remaining jug of sake and drank a few large gulps, hoping he would drink himself to sleep before more of those damning thoughts could dare to invade his head. He could only hope.

A/N: Things are starting to get so fun for Tasuki and Atsuna! I hope you're all enjoying it! For the next several chapters, we're going to have a lot of them! Thanks for reading! Please review to let me know how you're liking it! ~Halo