Disclaimer: Kiss, kiss….Damn you kiss! On with the Show!

Missing Maiden, A Kiss:

After finish talking to another person for any details concerning Byakko no shinzaho, the two left for the streets once more. "Oi Nuriko, do

ya have a feelin that the shinzaho isn't in the city?" Tasuki questioned, his eyes looking bored as he followed his friend. "Actually Tasuki

now that you mention it… It appears that no one around here knows anything about Byakko, or any shinzaho." Nuriko replied; the same

bored expression on his face as he kept walking down the busy street.

"Mitsukake-san, let us go to the library, for more clues," Chiriko suggested, as he stopped walking he waiting for Mitsukake to answer.

"Hai, I think we would have a better understanding of where to look. I feel as if we are somehow looking in the wrong places," Mitsukake

finished. Turning around, he followed the smaller seishi to the city library.

"Chichiri, do you think that we are wasting our time in this city?" Miaka asked; following in his footsteps as she looked towards the blue

haired monk. "Miaka-chan, we must remain patient na no da," he answered. Thinking to himself, 'Perhaps that is why the Seiryuu seishi

hasn't been seen.'

Chichiri then stopped, "Miaka-chan let us go find the other na no da." Concluding that the shinzaho isn't in the city they begin to search for

the others.

'By the time that the seishi finished their search, it was already late in afternoon. Suzaku no Miko and Chichiri sent one of their flares to the

sky. Back in the streets, Tasuki, Nuriko, Mitsukake and Chiriko saw the flare high in the sky and headed towards it. Arriving to Chichiri

and the maiden they all greeted each other, then headed back to the inn to discuss their new found discoveries.' Tetsuya finished reading out

loud. "Looks like they couldn't find the shinzaho this time either," he called to Keisuke. Having done more research on the Shijin Tenchi

Sho, lifted his head to catch what Tetsuya was saying, then went back to reading a particular section in some documentaries he found.

Suddenly Keisuke rising from his seat, grabbed his jacket saying, "Keisuke, we're going to Morioka!" Tetsuya confused asks, "Why

Morioka?"

"To go see Okuda Takiko's house… the original owner of this book." Keisuke stated.

Tetsuya taking the book with him

ran after Keisuke to the Tokyo Train Station.
"Everyone," Chiriko turned to the others. "I did some research at the city library and apparently, the ritual was held in a tower somewhere

on the boundary of Sairou Koku," He finished. "Good work Chiriko na no da," then looking up to the sky, we had better begin our search

tomorrow morning no da. Chichiri replied.

"Alright, Lets go eat!" Miaka suggested happily. Nuriko and Tasuki looked at her like she grew a second head. Not knowing how on earth

the tiny girl devours a country's supply of food, only sweat dropped.

Later outside, Miaka went to the river to be alone. As she walked into the shrubbery she saw the familiar flicker of firefly lights, and knew

that she was close to the river. Stepping out of the shrubs and into the clearing she sat down at the same grassy spot next to the river.

Feeling herself slowly relax she listened to the river water, and the rustling willow leaves as she closed her eyes to savor her moment of

peace. Lying down she soon fell into a deep sleep.

After finishing his errands for his father, he mounted on his horse and took the river trail that over looked the city. Patting the ground softly

the rider and his horse rode closer to the river. Stopping to admire the view, Kaika saw a young maiden down near the river's edge.

Curiously he dismounted his horse and secured it to a nearby tree, then walking down to the maiden he crept slowly towards her sleeping

form.

Finally reaching the maiden, he crouched down to see if she was alright. "Ojou-san…are you alright?" He said gently, concern in his eyes.

The maiden said nothing, but seeing her breathing convinced him that she was only sleeping. He stared at her face, a light blush spread over

him. He watched as her hair fanned out around her as her soft skin glowed, mysteriously. Kaika felt himself lean closer to her until he laid a

kiss on her pink lips. Looking at her face again, he only blushed as he gathered her in his arms. Not wanting to leave her here, he gently

picked her up, set her on his horse, and repositioned her in a sitting position in front of him, rode off into the night.

"Miaka?" Nuriko said as he entered their room, but found that no one was there. Walking over to Tasuki's room he knocked, "Tasuki, is

Miaka with you?" He asked. The door opening Tasuki stared at Nuriko. "Huh? Nuriko? …Miaka isn't here… " Tasuki woke up instantly.

Hearing Tasuki, Chichiri came over to the door, "Nuriko what is wrong no da?" Nuriko now panicking, " Miaka is missing!" Chichiri

understood and went to wake the others. Soon the Suzaku seishi frantically searched the city for their missing miko.

"Miaka!" They called to her. As Nuriko was about to call out her name again, he froze. Tasuki noticing this, "Oi Nuriko wats th matta?" He

said confused. Thinking to himself, 'Where the hell could Miaka gone off to?' Then suddenly Tasuki froze at the memory. They both

looked to the direction of the river. "The River," they both said and sped towards the river, with the others following behind.

'MIAKA!'

At the village:

"Kaika, you're back," his father came in to see his son. Looking over he saw him holding a maiden. "Kaika, who is this young maiden?" He

asked his son. "Kaika have you returned?" A woman came out to greet him, then saw him carrying a young maiden instantly came over to

inspect her body to see if she was hurt in anyway. Finding no injuries his mother sighed. "Don't worry mother, she is just sleeping," he

turned to look at her still sleeping form. "On the way back, I found her sleeping near the river, and I didn't want to leave her out there. So I

brought her with me," he replied while carrying the maiden to his bed. Laying her down gently under the covers, then covered her and left.

Kaika turned back to greet his parents as he went back outside to secure his horse in the barn. Smiling he only said one thing,

"Miaka-san…"

At the river:

The Suzaku seishi having finally arrived at the river, saw horse tracks leading away from the river. Relieved that they found a clue to her

whereabouts they went back to the inn, climbed on their horses and went back to the river. "If we follow these tracks," Chiriko paused.

"We should be able to find Miaka-san," he finished. Having heard enough the seishi rode after the horse tracks. Dawn slowly approaching

them.

At the village:

Miaka rose from bed as she heard the beautiful melody outside the window. Not knowing where she was, she quickly got up and left

outdoors. Remembering a similar melody from the night at the inn, she followed the sound of the melody. Reaching to the top of the hill she

saw a boy under a tree, playing a small flute as small birds surround him.

Hearing her footsteps he stopped playing, "Good morning. I hope you slept well," he said turning to face her. Miaka gasped,

"Amiboshi…"her eyes full of shock stared at the boy in front of her. "My name is Kaika Ms," he only smiled. "Please may I have your

name?" He asked, his eyes shining innocently.

"Miaka… Yuki Miaka... Suzaku no miko…" she answered.

Ojou-san: Young lady.

Ok this chapter is finished. So what did you all think? Are you surprised that neither Nuriko, Tasuki, or Hotohori got a kiss or try a kiss with Miaka, but out of the blue Amiboshi comes and sweeps his lips over hers in a blink of an eye. grins

However don't worry, I'm sure they'll get their share.

Now On with the Next Scene! Lights! Camera! Action!