[Chapter Eleven - Old Friend]

"Wait a minute, why are you following me? I don't know my way around here."

"Hmm?" she realized that he was a half a step from bowling her over. He braced his stop by putting his hands on her shoulders. His touch made her tingle a little.

"I've been just wandering around aimlessly, and you've been following me. I don't even know where I'm going. Why didn't you say something?"

"My mind was occupied."

"YOU?" she shrugged off his hands and turned around, staring incredulously. "You weren't paying attention, Mr. I know and see all?"

"I was thinking."

"There's a first," she said with a smile.

"Let me see your back."

"Err?" she lowered her brows.

"They operated on you, I would like to see it."

"Ah, well, maybe later," she said.

Nakago had never been particularly subtle. He yanked her jacket up and looked, only to discover that the clothing she had been given was, in fact, a dress.

"That's inconvenient," he said more to himself. "Take off your dress."

"What? In the hall?"

He directed her into one of the nearby rooms. She crossed her arms and demanded an explanation. She was not about to strip in front of him!

"If I'm right, which I always am, the wound will be mostly healed already."

"Can't this wait? We've got things to do." He gave her a pointed look and she wilted slightly. When might they have a chance to just pause again? Once they left, they would be under siege again. The girl sighed and turned around, pulling off her jacket, then unbuttoning the borrowed garment and lowering the straps over her shoulders, exposing her back. She held it up, although she wasn't sure why. He could certainly see her backside just fine because of how low she was holding it, but he didn't seem to be jeering or sticking yen in her panties. Her face reddened when she felt his hands, warm and strong, touch the skin of her back. Her body jolted when he touched the spot on her back where surgery had been done, poking gently.

"It's healed," he informed her, running his fingers lightly over the stitches that sat in her skin holding nothing together. A thin, pale scar lined her skin, and that was all. Miaka was unnerved: it was inhuman how fast she had healed. She probably didn't even need the surgery to begin with; what had it been, five, six hours? "Completely."

"Ow!" she cried as she felt something slide from her skin with a burn. "What was that?"

"I pulled the stitches out."

"Why?"

"You didn't need them," he answered practically, dropping the thread to the floor.

"Well, it hurt," she tried to turn around, and was stopped, so reached around to touch it. She was surprised to feel his hand take hers, holding it back.

"Wait," he was still watching. "Amazing."

"What happened?" she demanded.

"The holes where the stitches had been closed themselves right in front of my eyes. Impressive. It seems I am not the only one with superhuman healing abilities."

The pain was gone. Nakago released her hand, coming around her front as she dressed. He seemed to be considering something deeply. He was looking at her, which unnerved her slightly, but he wasn't really looking at her.

"Are you finished groping various parts of my anatomy now? Are you satisfied?"

"Very much so," he responded silkily.

Miaka punched his arm. "You lead this time, I don't have any idea around this place!"

Nakago silently took them through the corridors.

After much walking, the two finally made it to the emperor.

"Is this your companion that just received surgery?" the young man asked.

"Is this the emperor?" the girl whispered.

"Yes," he answered both at once. "This is the Suzaku no Miko."

"To be walking after that is extraordinary."

"I'm resilient," she said with a smile. "I hope you don't mind my asking, but how old are you?"

The emperor blinked, and then smiled. "Thirteen."

She nodded. "You're very young for such a responsibility as running a country. It must be hard. What's your name?"

"It is an interesting job. My name is Xansho," he responded, smiling a little, and then announced. "I have prepared things for you."

"Prepared things?" the girl asked.

"I have a most recent, and detailed, map of Kutou country that should help you, and I have prepared a company to guard you. Also, rooms for the night, because you can't be wandering about at night."

"Rooms?" she exclaimed suddenly. "Two rooms?"

"Yes, if you prefer to share, that is acceptable, but I assumed, with you being the Miko and all," he flushed a little.

"Yes, yes, separate is wonderful!" she was so happy. She would get to take a bath, to wash her clothes, to be alone! She missed being alone.

"Should I be insulted?" the blonde asked with a hint of a smirk on his handsome features.

"Don't take it personally," she returned with a smile. He didn't seem horribly distraught. "Thank you, Xansho! This is really wonderful, now see," she nudged her companion in the side with her elbow. "Having been so important here before did come in handy."

"Not exactly..." he shook his head.

"The guards will show you to your rooms," Xansho announced. "Tomorrow we will serve breakfast—"

Miaka's stomach impolitely interrupted the emperor's words. She blushed hotly.

"And, of course, we'll have something sent to you tonight," the young emperor laughed, and Miaka felt comfortable to join him.

"Thank you," she said again. "We're really grateful for all this. You really don't have to go to all this trouble."

"No trouble. Besides, it was the least we could do after our soldiers were responsible for your injury. How is your back?"

"It's perfect," she smiled. "Just great."

"I'm glad. Well, guards, show them to their rooms. I will have a meal sent to you."

The guards led them away to their rooms. Miaka wished she could have spoken with the young emperor for a while longer; he was a nice little boy, but he was probably busy. Besides, it would be his bed time soon, she laughed to herself.

After dinner, Miaka pulled out the basin and began to wash her clothes, praying Nakago didn't walk in on her. She mused that he was probably sleeping, but faced away from the door just to be sure. She couldn't help letting her thoughts wander to him. It was strange how well they suited each other when dealing with people; she was talkative and outgoing, and he was reserved but commanding. When somebody needed to be assured that they were a friendly group, she was best at conversing, but when something dangerous being dealt with, Nakago was eloquent and just the right balance of commanding and charming. They were a good team, like geometrical complements.

Nakago had to admit that the girl was charismatic. Nobody who she talked to didn't like her, and that came in handy more often than not. When it was a question of trust, she could charm her way into the hearts of anybody. His own thoughts drifted. She was amazing; worthy of being the Suzaku no Miko. Probably more worthy than his own Miko. She was courageous, bold, but most of all, she had a passion that burned in her heart; a kindness. She had so easily read him earlier. So easily that it unnerved him. It was like she opened up his heart and walked right in, poking around, looking, but not touching. She would never be harsh, but seemed to know just how to force him to confront his own emotions. That would be a good thing normally, except he was not accustomed to dealing with his emotions. Usually, he just pushed them away. It wasn't the wisest thing to do, he knew, but it was what he had done for years to protect himself, and it was a difficult habit to break.

The Seiryu Seishi lifted his wrist and checked the time. One in the morning already? Of course, his watch was set for time in his world. It was probably late in the book as well, but sleep refused to come to him. He sat up when he heard a soft knock on the door.

"Yes?" he called. The door slid open slightly, and a slim form slipped inside.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" she asked.

"No."

"Can you not sleep either?"

"Yes."

"Jeez, don't talk so much," she said sarcastically. The girl stepped in a bit further. "Do you mind if I come in?"

"Feel free."

Miaka shut the door and came inside. She was wearing a nightgown that had been in the closet. It was sheer, showing off her delicate curves, as well as short, really not leaving much to the imagination. Her hair was shimmering with water - she had obviously just finished bathing, and she smelled lightly of fragrant soap.

Nakago recognized the scent immediately. Soi. Soi had used that same soap.

She stood in front of him, her arms crossed over her chest. He smirked a bit, realizing the sheerness of the gown meant that she could detect the temperature. "Do you mind," she nodded toward the bed, and Nakago scooted over slightly in response. "Thanks."

"I hope you didn't come here for a heart to heart."

"No, no, nothing like that," her voice was soft. She was looking at the floor, rubbing her toes against the soft, fine rug. She looked uncharacteristically small tonight. "I just needed some company."

He released an amused chuckle. She was lonely, and so she came to him? That was beyond amusing. She smiled softly, and the warrior couldn't help noticing how the candlelight cast shadows dancing across the delicate planes of her face.

"Do you miss anybody in our world?"

In response, he let out a soft breath. He had been half expecting her to start crying; her face had reddened enough. And when had it become 'our' world? Was she finally accepting that it was his world now as much as it was hers? "Not really."

"Nobody? You didn't have a girlfriend?"

"No."

"That surprises me," she looked up, not sarcastically. "Really, it does."

"Why is that?"

"You're a good looking guy, certainly women are falling all over you, and..."

"You think I'm good looking?" he looked over at her with a smirk.

Miaka's face flushed prettily, and then she shrugged. "You know you're gorgeous as hell. I've never met a man that exuded sexuality with such odd restraint. It's kind of unnerving, in a good way."

He chuckled at her candor, but tingled a little somewhere inside. "And?"

"And you're decent, I guess. There have been worse." She belatedly realized how odd that sounded and tried to correct herself. "I mean, you're no knight in shining armor, but you get the job done. And you're rich."

"How did you know I was rich?"

"Silk shirt, designer coat, and you're wearing a Rolex," she pointed to his watch. "You mentioned you were a lawyer, too."

He was frankly impressed by her acuity, but would never tell. Despite the fact that she had delved into his past, he realized that he knew very little about her beyond their experiences in the book.

"So you really have no attachments, huh? None at all? Friends, maybe?"

"Do I seem the type to have a large group of friends to you?" he asked flatly.

"Anything's possible," she gave him a quirky smile, and then the smile faded. "I miss Taka."

"Taka..." The true purpose of this visit became apparent. She missed her lover.

"Tamahome," she informed him. "We used to spend the evenings together, but he's been out of the country for a while. Other than that, before he left I got the feeling that he was mad at me for focusing on school, so I've kind of been avoiding him. When we were pulled into the book, I thought it was a relief, because I wouldn't have to deal with him for a while longer—he was scheduled to come back in a couple days—but now I miss him more than ever."

"How is avoiding him a good solution? If you have a problem, you should talk to him."

"Why do you always have to be so right?"

He shrugged. If he were her, he would not listen to his relationship advice.

"But you are, and I wish I could talk to him now. I miss him so much. He's a really great boyfriend. He always has been. He's cute, and funny, and he really loves me, despite all my flaws."

"And there are plenty."

"I would hit you if I hadn't been thinking the same thing."

A sound of amusement escaped him.

"I remember this one time that he went out of the country for a month on an exchange student thing. It was required for freshmen at his college, and he kissed another girl. I never would have found out, except that he called me right after it happened and confessed and apologized for an hour. I wasn't even really mad at him, because it was just a kiss and he obviously felt horrible, but it was just so cute. He was so worried."

"You will see him eventually."

"I know. I just needed somebody to talk to, I guess. We usually talk on the phone before bed. It's strange, but it's almost like I got to, talking with you."

Nakago tried to look mildly insulted. He did not want to be her surrogate Tamahome. He didn't want to be anything like Tamahome, although, he supposed, looking at her pretty features and soft body beside him, being Tamahome did have its perks.

"I just mean, it's weird how I feel like I don't have to hide anything from you, the same way I don't hide things from Taka. Well, I sometimes hide things, but only girl things," she laughed. "I guess I know that you don't care enough about me to judge me."

"I never said I didn't."

"Didn't what?"

"Didn't care about you," he informed her coolly.

"Then, you do?" she turned, lifting one knee onto the bed and facing him. He glanced down at her and tried not to look at her creamy thigh peeking out of her nightgown.

"I didn't say that either."

"Do you care about me?" she looked over at him, her eyes curious. "Even just a little?"

The obvious answer was yes, he did. Surprisingly a lot. He knew the Nakago part of him wanted to hate her, but even Nakago was charmed by her in some small way. Ayuru was charmed by her a lot. He thought it would be better not to answer. Their—What? Alliance? Friendship?—was tentative. He didn't want to create suspicion in her, especially given their past.

"I mean, would you be sad if I died or something?" she made the question a little more straightforward for his benefit.

"I suppose I would be mildly distraught if something were to happen to you."

She smiled. "Mildly distraught; that means yes in Nakago-ese, right?"

"Only because you offer endless amusement."

She smiled wider still and then stood up, turning so she was in front of him and leaned forward. "Well," the girl leaned closer still, until their faces were almost touching. His heartbeat sped and he had a powerful urge to move the inch or two it would take to close the distance between their lips. Instead, she smiled sweetly. "I would be mildly distraught if something happened to you too," she grinned and before he could protest, kissed him on the cheek. "Well, goodnight!" the girl danced off.

Nakago blinked slowly and brought his hand to his cheek, lightly brushing the spot where she had kissed him. He knew that he would be more than mildly distraught of something happened to her. She was different. She understood him, even if he didn't want her to.