Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own Fushigi Yugi! However, the idea is mine, as are my OCs—Chihiro, Ren, Toroki, and Shuro—so hands off! The rest belongs to the ever-wonderful Yu Watase-sama! On with the story!

xXxXx

Chihiro stopped, remembering what had occurred moments prior to her dog seishi arriving. Turning to her rescuer she received his attention, almost as if he knew she were going to ask him something. Taking a step closer to the taller boy, she made a gesture indicating at his chest. "Hey, um, weren't…didn't they hurt you when they…?"

Toroki blinked, wondering what she could be talking about. Suddenly it all seemed to connect, and he smiled. "Oh that. I'm all right, not a scratch on me."

"But…I saw them stab you with—"

He interrupted her. "I don't have to worry about wounds like that," he said, tugging at the opening of his shirt just enough so she could see there was no damage done. "See? Told'ja there was nothing to fuss about."

And sure enough, there was no blood, not even a gash on his lightly tanned flesh. But how could that be? She had been there; she had seen the weapon strike him…how could he not even have so much as a mark on his body, so much as a stain on his shirt?

"But the knife… Didn't they hurt you? I could have sworn that…" Timidly reaching out her fingers she touched the skin. It wasn't an illusion - there really was nothing wrong with him. But that just didn't make sense to the miko.

As her fingers brushed his skin, Toroki, unaccustomed to another's touch, winced. Carrying on a conversation with someone was strange enough for the solitary youth, but this was just too much. His hand snapped up, catching her wrist just below her bracelet. Eyes squinted thoughtfully; his opposite hand reached over and began to slide it over the pale skin, up over her hand and before Chihiro could pull away the disguise evaporated, revealing her true form.

Toroki eyed her suspiciously, swinging the circlet around on one outstretched finger. "Awright, now it's my turn to ask you something: What th'heck are you doing walking around with this bewitched bracelet on, and why are you cross dressing?" He leaned a little closer, raising and eyebrow and muttering: "You're not…gay, are you?"

Her eyes widened at the blunt question. "No! I most certainly am not, thank you very much! And I would like my jewelry back now…" She made a grab for it but he held it up out of her reach.

"Tell me why you're pretending to be a guy and I might give it back," he stated simply.

'Oh great…' she thought. 'Now he knows I'm really a girl! I need my bracelet back, or I can't go back to Ren's relative's home…but he might spill the beans about me being in disguise…what do I do now?'

Toroki waved a hand before her face. "Hello, Konan to…what is your name?"

"I don't see why I should give my name to a complete stranger," Chihiro snapped, folding her arms over her chest and looking away.

At this, the cinnamon-haired teen chuckled and smirked. "C'mon I already told you mine." He bowed formally towards the young miko, peeking up at her through his bangs. "It's Toroki, remember, that nice boy that saved your life?"

The girl frowned reluctantly, but returned the bow out of politeness, sighing. "My name is Chihiro, but I go by Hiroshi." She straightened rather stiffly, still unsure if she could trust this boy.

Grinning, Toroki straightened as well. "Now, tell me what you're doin' spelled to look like a guy."

Again, she grew quiet, recalling the Oracle's words: she wasn't suppoed to reveal her identity as the priestess of Suzaku. She hadn't even told Ren about it, though for much different reasons. "I…I'm afraid I can't tell you…"

"And why not? What's so secret that you can't say what it is? It can't be all that interesting, can it?" The tall young man studied her as she fidgeted with her hands, wringing them together a bit nervously. He noticed how every now and then her green eyes would shift to meet her dog's. 'Curious behavior…' he mused, shifting his weight into one hip as his eyes stayed glued to the girl. Even more curious was the way the canine seemed to meet her stare, as if he understood...

"I'm still waiting, missie," Toroki persisted, casually leaning back against the wooden fence, grinning as she made a quick attempt to snatch the bracelet back. He was quicker though, moving it just out of her reach once more.

Chihiro bowed her head, shaking it stubbornly. No, she couldn't tell him. Even if he had just saved her life, she didn't know if she could trust him. What if he was associated with the enemy they were working against? If he knew she was the priestess of Suzaku, he might report back to his superior…or even kill them all, perhaps. At any rate, she couldn't take that chance. She opened her mouth to refuse an explanation, but stopped at the last moment. Her second fear struck her. If she didn't tell him, he might not give her back her bracelet. She would lose her disguise, and then what might Ren think? No, she could never know the truth that might destroy their trust and friendship. Because what if... what if she didn't want to be friends with Chihiro when she learned the truth? What if Ren felt too betrayed to care about her anymore? Tears burned her eyes at the thought.

The Byakko seishi watched her intently. Her dark bangs hid her eyes, and her thoughts. And what might she be deliberating in that pretty little head of hers? What was the big deal with all the secrecy anyway?

A quiet gasp worked its way passed his lips at what his sharp eyes detected. A solitary teardrop slid down her cheek from her concealed left eye.

His expression softened, and though his eyes still watched her it looked as if he were staring through her, gazing at something else. Gazing, perhaps, at a past memory…?

"Here." Chihiro looked up at her rescuer, surprised to see his outstretched hand before her, holding out her bracelet. She lifted her head to look him in the face, only to find it turned away, staring down the alley path. "Sorry for making you cry…here's your…thing." As soon as she took it he stuffed his hands back into his pockets. "I'll be seeing you around, 'Hiroshi.' Ja ne…"

Spinning on his heel he marched away, shoulders slouched lazily. Chihiro stared after him a bit, still grasping her jewelry. A small smile crossed her face. "Arigatou, Toroki-san..."

xXxXx

Nuriko sighed, wings fluttering stiffly to show his agitation. For days, he had been cramped in his small confines. He couldn't really complain since that girl had let him out in her room every so often to stretch his wings, but that was back at her own home. Now that she was here, all she ever did was stay with her cousin in his room. He felt neglected…well, not entirely; the girl was still feeding him, at least.

"I'm glad that she takes the time to do that much," he grumbled aloud. A vein popped out on his forehead. "But being cooped up in this cage from day to day is getting really irritating!" One of his insect legs or arms flew out before him, punching one of the bars of his enclosure in frustration. He blinked, realizing that he had bent it aside. Edging himself forward, the violet butterfly stuck his head out, looking around; his black glossy antennae twitched. No one was coming…and the window was open. A smile spread across his face. He carefully maneuvered around the bars until he could stand freely on the desk -- and outside his cage.

"This is soooo much better!" he exclaimed, stretching his beautiful wings, the sunlight reflecting off the vibrant florescent coloration.

xXxXx

Shuro had slept straight through breakfast, and on into the afternoon. It was a common occurrence these days, though—the sickness was spreading rapidly, sapping at his energy more and more every day. His fever was worsening to almost dangerous levels, and even when he wasn't shaking with chills his skin seemed to be on fire. His chest rose and fell in weak spasms as he fought for air, his hands twitching involuntarily at his sides while his eyelids fluttered with suppressed pain.

Ren placed another blanket over his shuddering shoulders, hoping to suppress the shivers that wracked his frail form. Watching him now, her eyes misted over with tears. He was slowly sliding towards infinity, and it was killing her to watch it.

"Not much longer…" she whispered, voice cracking as she fought to control her emotions. She frowned at the window. No doubt that stupid bird was still out there, just waiting to get in. Well, as long as she was there, it would not get in. Not now, not ever. She would not allow this messenger of death to come and take him away from her. Ren laid down next to him, placing a hand over his as she did so. "Don't go yet," she whispered as he shivered again. "Don't leave me here alone…please."

xXxXx

"So…yer okay, ain't ya?" Tasuki glanced up at his miko and master, trotting along side her. Realizing he must be sounding like a softie he straightened up as much as he could on four legs, assuming what was supposed to be a manly stance. "Not that I'm concerned or nothin'—"

"Oh?" The exclamation caught the canine off guard. "So you weren't worried about me at all! Is that it? Why did you even bother to show up while I was having my lovely little conversation with that…that…" Chihiro decided that it would not be lady-like to use an expletive. "With Toroki-san." She growled it out, uncharacteristically shoving her hands into her pockets as she walked along, avoiding eye contact with her dog. "And even when you do meet up with us, you go bonkers over him like you were old friends!"

The dog sighed. "Well, we sorta are, but I don' understand why he still looks an' sounds th'same… It's had t'have been years…an' he ain't changed at all!"

"That isn't the point Gen-chan!"

"Then what th'hell're ya tryin' t'say!"

"Oh forget it!" Chihiro yelled, glancing up just in time to see a familiar cat bounding toward them.

Chichiri looked a bit worried and relieved all at once when he saw them, though he frowned a little at the frustrated expressions on both their faces. 'Well, they seem all right…' the former monk thought after a quick glance with both eyes and magic, 'But both of them look really uncomfortable no da…'

The cat opened his mouth to speak, but Chihiro broke the silence first. "Hi, Chichiri. Don't worry, we're both fine." She walked past him, not making eye contact with him or her dog. "I think I'll just go up to my room now…"

Chichiri cast an inquisitive look at Tasuki, who shrugged, looking away.

Chihiro walked into the house, slipping off her shoes before heading towards the stairs. "I'm back, Tsukasa-san," she called into the kitchen, making a beeline for her room. She really just wanted to be alone, right now.

The woman's voice stopped her halfway. "Hiro-kun, on your way up, would you mind bringing down a few dishes that Ren took with her into her room?"

All she wanted to do was lay on her bed and sulk, but she reminded herself that they were letting her stay free of charge. And at least the day hadn't been a total waste, since the mirror, earlier, had... 'That's right! Before I was attacked, the mirror gave off a red symbol! But I couldn't read it.'

"Hiro-kun, did you hear me?"

She closed her eyes, turning to continue on her way. "So much for getting some time alone," she muttered to herself, then raised her voice a bit and called: "Hai, Tsukasa-san. I'll bring them right down."

xXxXx

The miko in disguise tapped on the door to her friend's room. "Ren-san? Are you there?" Receiving no response, but hearing something moving around inside, Chihiro opened the door a crack and peeked in. "Ren-san, it's me. I just came to take some dishes back down to…"

A small sparrow was flying around the room wildly, trying to nab its next meal -- which happened to be a vibrantly colored butterfly.

"Nuriko!" she gasped, hurrying inside and shutting the door. "How did you get out?" she cried, glancing at the cage as she dashed to her seishi's aid, noting that the bars were bent out on one side. "Shoo, shoo!" Chihiro waved her hands out in front of her, trying to separate the bird and its prey.

Nuriko weaved out of the way of its searching beak, barely avoiding getting caught up in one of its wings. His mind moved as frantically as his body, trying to think of someplace, somewhere out of the reach of that monstrous bird. An idea flashed through his mind... but would it work? There was only one way to find out. He squeaked, swaying again as he flew. 'Well…here goes nothing!' Abruptly stopping his flight, the butterfly spun around and delivered a sharp knock to the bird's bill. The animal squawked in surprise, opening its mouth to take a bite of its next meal…and that's when Nuriko let him have it.

The insect seishi moved quickly, avoided the beak and nailed a punch right between the bird's eyes. That did it. The sparrow wobbled, disoriented, and flew around in circles and slamming into things as it tried to find its way out of the room—and far away from the fighting insect.

Chihiro was in full-blown panic, trying to get the small sparrow out of there as quick as she could. She didn't want Ren, who might be awake in the next room, to come over and catch her, a "boy" intruding into a girl's room. That would be very awkward…and the unstable bird flopping around wouldn't help things either. But she didn't have to worry long. Nuriko flew after the sparrow, intent on making it pay for trying to devour him and steering it towards the open window.

Reaching out with both hands, Chihiro quickly cupped them around her seishi, making sure not to squish him as the bird flew away, chattering and smashing into everything on its way. The miko sighed, hands still encasing Nuriko, whose wings fluttered now to cool the area around him. And, she could have been imagining things, but Chihiro could have sworn that she had seen a light red glow emitting from the butterfly, but it soon faded before she could be certain.

"Nuriko, here, I need to put you back in your cage so I can take you outside. We all need to have a talk…" The miko carefully placed him inside his home; bending the bars back into place as best she could, though they were still a bit crooked. "At least it looks a little better now," she said with a sigh, grasping the small cage's handle and carrying Nuriko quietly from the room, first remembering to grab the plate on Ren's desk for her aunt like she had promised. She could take the time to do that much for the family, at least.

xXxXx

"So, you say that the mirror revealed another symbol earlier today no da?" The cat's expression remained the same as Chihiro relayed the events leading up to the kanji appearing in the mirror - although she left out some of the more uncomfortable events. "And you say it was in an alley that it appeared?" One of his feline eyebrows arched suspiciously. "What were you doing in town all by yourself no da?"

Tasuki opened his mouth to give his own answer, but was silenced with an icy glare given by the girl. Chihiro herself offered no response. The former monk noticed, but pretended to ignore it, since his miko quite obviously wanted to keep something to herself. "Well, anyway, were you able to read what it said, Chihiro no da?"

She shook her head sadly. "Iie, gomen, Chichiri. I didn't know what it said. All I remember was it was really complicated…"

"Sayin' that it was complicated won' really help 'im figure it out, Chihiro—"

"You don't think I know that!" she snapped, causing the dog to fall over backwards, and unfortunately, land on Tamahome.

The monkey waved his hands madly trying to free himself from underneath his comrade. "Get off of me!"

Hotohori swished his tail irritably behind him, using a hoof to push Tasuki off of his fellow seishi. The dog rolled to a stop next to the miko, watching as Chichiri trotted over to her. Placing his two front paws on her one knee, he looked up into the mirror as she explained.

"I think it was shaped like this in one area…" she replied, drawing an invisible line in the mirror as he watched. "And it had a little something near the bottom, but I don't remember the rest. Gomen ne, Chichiri…"

He shook his head. "Its alright no da. We'll just have to keep looking."

Nuriko fluttered in his cage as a small breeze blew by. "But the longer we take, the less likely we'll be able to save Shuro." He sighed, resting on the floor of his small, circular prison. "Earlier today Ren came back into her room before Chihiro did." His wings drooped and he looked down, as if he were replaying the scene in his mind. "She walked in with her head lowered and then fell down on her bed. It took me a moment to realize that she was crying because she was muffling it with her pillow." He looked back over at the small group. "It was so hard to watch…"

Tasuki's eyes widened, but not from Nuriko's story. He was pointing at the glass of the mirror as it started to pulse red. "Hey!" The light faded and took shape in a moment, revealing another character.

"The kanji for 'grief'…Mitsukake na no da!" Chichiri exclaimed, whirling and searching for signs of another nearby animal.

Tamahome did a quick scan as well, eyes freezing at one spot on the ground where he saw a shadow moving. Something was flying overhead. "It's that crow!" he shouted, pointing upwards at the sky. Thinking it heard something; the bird looked down on the assembly of animals and, puzzled, swooped around to get another look at them. With her hopes rising, Chihiro slipped off her bracelet, calling up into the sky.

"Hello there! Tell me, are you one of the Suzaku seven?"

"I was in my past life," a deep, smooth voice replied, ruffling his feathers as he watched the girl carefully. The bird landed on a nearby branch of a small tree. His voice took the miko by surprise: it seemed too deep for such a small animal.

"Well whether yer a creepy-lookin' bird or not, yer a seishi in this life too!" Tasuki piped up, making the crow hop back slightly in surprise.

The bird raised a curious eyebrow. "I know that voice..." he murmured. "Who are you, exactly?"

Chihiro went to her knees, suddenly feeling dizzy. But it wasn't from pain: it was from pure relief. "I'll explain later," she shouted up at him, then hurriedly went on. "Mitsukake, you have the ability to heal physical wounds, right?" A nod. "Then please, could I ask you a favor? I need you to heal my friend's cousin." She clasped her hands. "I don't know what he has, but each day he gets worse and worse and it's killing him, and hurting my friend so badly…"

"I know the person you speak of." The crow readjusted his glossy black wings. "I can't get in to help him. They keep the windows locked so I can't cure him…and soon it will be too late to save him."

Chihiro stood, sliding her bracelet back onto her wrist. "Oh no, it won't," she said in a determined voice, glancing back towards the house. 'Ren…I don't want to hurt you, but if I don't help, I'll never forgive myself! Please…have faith in me as a friend!'

xXxXx

Shuro's eyes were closed and his face tight with pain as he tried to hold back the fire that had unexpectedly exploded in his chest. Normally, it lasted only a moment or so, but this one wasn't going away. If anything, it was only getting worse. His chest rose and fell irregularly as he clung to life, clutching Ren's hand as if it was the only lifeline he possessed. On the other end of the connection, the brunette dabbed at his perspiring face with a damp cloth; her face was pale with panic. 'Please...please hold on, Shuro! Don't let the pain take you…!'

Letting out an exhausted moan, Shuro's arched back dropped back to the mattress. He panted heavily, head turned on the pillow so that his cheek came into contact with the material. "It keeps…getting worse…" His voice was no more than a hoarse whisper; eyelids fluttering closed and to conceal his tired, misted brown eyes. Ren patted his hand, moisture collecting in her own orbs.

"It's all right…it's all over for now, Shuro-chan." She brushed back some of his bangs. "Rest now. Save your strength."

He nodded weakly, falling asleep almost as if at her bidding. Ren watched him for a moment, placing her hand palm down on the center of his chest. His heart…it was so weak. She covered her mouth, smothering a small sob that had escaped her throat.

A small knock came at the door, giving her a start. "Wh-who is it?" she asked quietly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand as she turned to face the door.

"Ren-san, it's me."

"Hiro-san? Come in."

The door slid open and "Hiroshi" walked in, sitting down beside her friend. "How is he?" she asked, eyeing Ren's pale face with concern.

The other girl shook her head, looking down at the sleeping form once more. "No better. In fact it's worse... much worse." She paused. "He's going to leave me soon, I can tell, but…but I don't want him to go… I just can't stand it..."

"Ren-san…" Chihiro trailed off as the other girl looked up at her, big blue eyes glistening with tears. "Oh, Ren-san…"

"I really…I really can't stand it, Hiro-san!" she cried, burying her face in the other girl's shirt and sobbing uncontrollably.

"Ren-san…" Chihiro's mind was racing, feeling apprehensive about what she was going to do next, but knowing it had to be done. In the end, even if it hurt their friendship, she was doing this to help the girl, not hurt her. She had to keep remembering that. Taking a deep breath, she asked: "Ren-san, do you trust me?"

She glanced up at her friend, only half paying attention to her. Her eyes kept darting down to her cousin's form, as if he would vanish forever if she looked away. "What…?"

Taking yet another deep breath, Chihiro repeated the question. "Do you trust me, Ren-san?"

"Well…I, yes, I suppose I do, but why are you asking me this now—"

"Because you might question what I'm about to do. But I'm asking you to please trust me. It will help your cousin recover from his illness. So, please, do you promise to trust me?" She looked at her with pleading emerald eyes. Blinking back tears, Ren nodded, completely confused while she watched Chihiro calmly walk over to the nearby window, undoing the latch...

Undoing the latch!

"Hiro-san, what are you doing?" To her horror, the dreaded bird flew in, perching on the windowsill and looking at her with something nearing sadness in its eyes. Getting to her feet, she went around to the other side of her cousin's sleeping form, standing over him protectively. "H-Hiro-san, make that thing go away. It's bad luck to have it lurking around this room…" Ren took a step closer, voice quivering slightly. "Please, make it go away. It shouldn't be allowed in here at all, Hiro-san! Why did you let it in?"

Up over her head it flew, landing beside the futon. The brunette wheeled around to chase it away, only to feel a hand grasp her wrist, holding her back. She turned to look over her shoulder, eyes widening as she saw Chihiro gripping tightly to her arm. She pulled, trying to free herself. "H-Hiro-san, what are you doing? Let me go! I have to…let me go!" She reached to pry her captured hand loose but the other's hand closed over it as well. Now her heart was pounding as she stared back at the person she had trusted, wondering why "he" was doing this. "Hiroshi, what are you…?"

Gentle eyes stared back into her panicked ones. "Ren, please; this is what I need you to trust me about. I know you can't understand it, but you have to believe me when I say your cousin will live because of this."

"D-demo…the crow…!" she struggled, but Chihiro didn't give an inch.

"Ren." The girl looked into the ebony-haired boy's eyes as he spoke, his voice stiffening her form as blue orbs locked with emerald ones. "Please."

Her lips trembled; she tried to speak but it felt like her vocal chords were paralyzed. Her cold hands shook, thoughts fleeting through her mind of her cousin, and that bird… Her aunt had warned her against opening the window. But "Hiroshi" was telling her she needed to do it, so she could save... her chest tightened at the thought of losing her cousin. There wasn't anything she could do, she knew that, but, but how could a stupid bird help him get better! Had Hiroshi gone mad? Her eyes widened, remembering that her friend still held her hands in confinement. Goosebumps formed over her smooth skin; was "he"…going to…?

Casting an unsure look up into Chihiro's eyes, Ren found no traces of evil intensions, only a steady, stubborn gaze staring deep into her own sky-blue orbs. After some hesitation, she shyly lifted a hand up to "his" soft cheek, allowing at first just her fingertips to caress "his" face, eventually adding the rest of her hand. She noticed Chihiro's brows knotting, and the way miko in disguise flinched at her touch. Maybe "he" was more nervous about being touched by her than the other way around?

The miko did her best to take the somewhat sensual touch in stride, but it was still very unsettling. She watched the girl before her, then suddenly jerked her eyes over to the futon. Ren mirrored her action, a puzzled look on her face.

Letting out a small moan, Shuro opened his eyes, lifting his hand to his forehead and sweeping back his bangs. He blinked, remaining still for a moment. Eyes widening slightly, he blinked in confusion again. Had he just taken a breath…and experienced no pain? None at all? He experimented again, and once more, and each time he received the same results. The young man eventually sat up, placing a hand over his chest. He somehow felt, well, renewed, almost. It was as if the illness had never been...

Something moved at his side and he turned, watching with surprise as a crow flew off his bed and perched lightly on the nearby windowsill. Mystified by the animal's appearance, Shuro could only blink numbly, one hand still touching his chest as if waiting for the pains to return.

Ren, on the other hand, wasn't watching the bird anymore. Her eyes were fixed completely on her cousin. Happiness burst from her heart, hands going up to her mouth to suppress a cry of happiness at Shuro's condition. Salty tears trickled down her face as he smiled at her, the color back in his cheeks and the life burning anew in his eyes. "Shuro-chan…" Ren took a timid step forward, not even realizing that Hiroshi had let her go. She thought it might only be an illusion, that it would vanish from her sight any moment, but it remained, much to her delight. Ren watched as he smiled at her; and something within her gave way. "Shuro-chaaan!" she exclaimed. She hurried across the room and into his waiting arms, nearly knocking him back from the force of the embrace. His arms folded around her tightly, holding her close as she sobbed with joy.

Chihiro turned to her newest seishi perched on the window and lightly whispered a small thanks. The crow nodded tiredly, managing a small, gentle smile before it turned and flew out the window.

xXxXx

Translation Notes:

1) Ja ne- like "see ya"

2) Arigatou-"thank you"

3) Iie-"no"

4) Gomen-"sorry"

5) Demo-"but"