Disclaimer: I still don't own Konan, Suzaku and all characters and seishi pertaining to them. Kiori and Ritsuka are and shall forever be mine, and that holds for all the other "originals" (you'll know 'em when they appear, trust me). Obviously the story is mine as well.

Rating: PG-13, for moderate language and violence.

Musical Selection: "School Lyric" for pretty much all the early scenes featuring Ritsuka, and "Tsuchita Usuba Ashi," for the scene that begins, "Hey, Akai, you done...?" They're on the blog, as usual.

You think my boss would be cool with me calling in sick with March Madness? Somehow I don't think she would be...


--Episode Twenty-Nine: A Passing Peace--
The Final Rites, and Then…

Yui looked at both of her friends nervously. "You guys thinking what I'm thinking?"

"If you're thinking, 'Another Element's gonna bite the dust,' then yes, you're thinking exactly what I'm thinking," Keisuke told her, slumping back on the couch.

"I'm a whole lot more worried about the Konan Warriors," Tetsuya muttered. "Kinda makes you want to stop reading, doesn't it?"

"A little..." Yui shook head her. "No. For Sakamoto-san and Ikido-san's sakes, we've got to read this through to the end. Besides, we might be getting worried over nothing." She turned her eyes to the page. "See? This one begins perfectly peacefully. 'Like a pleasant dream, the days passed swiftly, flowing into one another until the final seven-day arrived. Now, with hope in their hearts, the Konan Warriors gathered to say their final farewells to their fallen comrade...'"

oOo

"We gather to grieve for a loved one.
We gather to rejoice in new life.
We gather to pray for safe passage.
We gather to say good-bye.

"Mitsuragi Koji leaves this world of dust,
His soul departs, returning to its source.
Yet as this life ends, so another begins.
We grieve, we rejoice, we pray.

"Suzaku, in your limitless compassion,
Hear our heartfelt prayers.
Guide our friend to your pure land,
Forgive him his karmic debts,
And grant him a happy rebirth.

"May the wishes of all reach you.
We grieve, we rejoice, we pray."

Chichiri opened his eyes, glancing around at the loose semicircle of Konan Warriors and Aoi, their heads bowed in prayer. He smiled softly, then turned his attention back to the grave before them, the grave where Mitsuragi Koji had been buried 49 days ago. "Koji is no longer with us," he said quietly. "He has left this place for happier lands. Yet though he is gone, still his memory remains. May we continue to pray for his spirit, wherever it may roam. May all our grief turn to joy, and may we all one day be filled with peace, freed from suffering, and wrapped in Suzaku's loving embrace. On mani hatsumei un."

"On mani hatsumei un," the others all repeated.

One by one they opened their eyes, turning them first to the grave and then to each other, mixed expressions of sorrow and comfort mingling on their faces. They looked to Chichiri for direction. He smiled and slipped the black band of mourning off his shoulder. "Well, that's it no da. Koji's moved on to Enma's realm, now."

"Omedetou, Ko-Ko," Ritsuka congratulated. She unwound her own armband, frowning at it for a few moments before at last slipping it into her black mourning robes. "Think I'm gonna hang onto this for a while. I'm not quite done missing the guy."

"You don't have to take it off if you feel like you still need to grieve no da. Family and lovers tend to wear them for much longer."

"Nah, I'll keep it off. It's not that I'm grieving, really. I just miss him sometimes. Besides," she added, watching as the others – even the hesitant Tasuki and Akai – slowly removed their armbands as well, "I've never really liked the color black."

"Then you must have hated the dress code for this ceremony," Kiori said, fingering the hem of her own dark robes.

"You can go change if you want," Chichiri said. "There are a few things I still need to take care of, but the ceremony itself is over no da."

"The laymen are dismissed?" Ritsuka asked.

He smiled. "The laymen are dismissed no da."

Everyone hesitated a moment, eyes still on the stone that marked their friend's final resting place, then slowly they bowed their heads in farewell and turned, dispersing, returning to their lives. Kiori snatched one last glance at Chichiri, in the process of lighting an incense stick, then hurried down the hill after Ritsuka. She chuckled as she drew closer to her friend, realizing that Ritsuka was humming a pop song under her breath. "You're in a good mood this morning," she said.

The redhead grinned, stretching her hands above her head. "Course I am! What's there not to be happy about? Koji's moved on to sunny fields, Takkan's leaving us alone, everyone's getting along, you and Chichiri are dating..."

Kiori nearly tripped on her own feet. "Ch-chotto matte! In what universe are Chichiri and I dating?"

"Well, let's see..." Ritsuka turned her eyes skywards as if thinking hard. "You like him, he likes you, when the two of you aren't working you're together, and half the time you're together and alone..." She nodded. "Yep. That sounds like dating to me."

Kiori flushed. "It sounds like it – that doesn't mean that's what it is. We're friends, Ritsuka. We hang out because we are friends." She poked her index fingers together, unable to stop a very silly smile from sneaking onto her face. "But... do you really think we've been spending that much more time together?"

"Are you kidding?" She snorted. "I can't remember the last time you had lunch with me and Tasuki. You're always out at the pond with that honey-monk of yours."

Kiori giggled blissfully. "Well, I guess that is true... agh, no!" She shook her head hard, smacking her hands against her cheeks. "You're reading too much into it, Ritsu! Chichiri doesn't even think of me like that." Ritsuka snorted again, but Kiori went on, pointing an accusing finger at her friend. "And besides, if we go by your definition, then that means you and Tasuki are dating, too."

"Pfft! Please."

"Well, you're always together, and half the time you're alone..."

"Yeah, but it's totally different!" Ritsuka insisted, spreading her arms wide. "When Tasuki-chan and I hang out, it's like, skinned knees and baseball matches. But when you and Chichiri are together, it's all fluffy bunnies and rainbows."

Kiori sweatdropped. "Oddly enough, that made sense."

"Exactly! So see? It's totally different. Anyone can tell that Tasuki-chan and I are just buddies. The only people who believe that about you and Chichiri are you and Chichiri." She shook her head and chuckled. "Seriously, me and Tasuki-chan, of all the crazy accusations..."

"Okay, fine, so you're not 'in love' with him," Kiori allowed. "But even so, you do flirt with him a lot—"

"Because it's hilarious!"

"—And you have to admit that you're attracted to him."

"Oh, happily," Ritsuka agreed. "But I was also attracted to Koji, I think Ran-shogun is Johnny Depp with a topknot, and even Hataku's handsome in a sort of 'I-just-lost-a-fight-with-a-lawnmower' kind of way. Hell, if it weren't for the whole," she set her hand to her forehead and waved her fingers around, "peacock bangs, I'd probably be attracted to Chichiri, too."

"I like his peacock bangs…" Kiori grumbled.

'My point is, this world is filled with good-looking guys, so of course I'm gonna be attracted to some of 'em." Ritsuka sighed miserably. "And it doesn't help that I haven't had sex in ages. Hell, even those wrinkly old ministers are starting to look appealing."

Kiori flushed. "Geez, Ritsu', do you have to be so crass all the time?"

She spread her hands. "Hey, I'm just being honest. You know, contrary to what the light novels would have you think, women do have sex drives." She smirked, pointing knowingly at Kiori. "I know you have one. Don't think I don't hear you, moaning in your sleep at night." Ritsuka wrapped her arms around her own body and writhed back and forth. "Oooooh, Chichiri..."

Kiori's blush deepened to scarlet. "I say things during those dreams?"

"No, but I just got you to admit that you have them." Kiori glowered but could think of no defense. Ritsuka laughed, nudging her friend's shoulder. "C'mon, don't look so embarrassed. The thing you should really be ashamed about is that you haven't gotten around to just grabbing Chichiri by the collar and snogging his socks off."

"Joke's on you," she sniffed. "He doesn't wear socks."

"Tights. Slippers. Pantaloons. Whatever. My point is it's high time you force that stupid monk into action."

"Yeah, force him to awkwardly push me away and tell me that he doesn't think of me like that." Kiori sighed. "I think I'm gonna pass on that embarrassment, thanks anyway."

"But you can't just keep waiting around hoping that he'll—!"

"I don't want to talk about this anymore," Kiori snapped. "What are you doing today?"

Ritsuka glared a challenge at her friend, but when Kiori met her stare with a stubborn one of her own it was the redhead who succumbed for once. "I'm going down to the training rings in another hour or so. Akai and Hataku are gonna have some kind of epic rematch. I think the others are gonna be there. You wanna come, or do you and Chichiri have plans to sit around and lie to yourselves all afternoon?"

"I'm busy in the infirmaries 'till one," she said coolly. "I might try to track you all down after that. Maybe we can have a late lunch in the gardens, in honor of Koji."

Ritsuka smiled a little wistfully. "Yeah. I think he'd like that." She turned her eyes up to the cotton ball clouds scuttling across the sky. "It's so weird to think that it's been a whole seven weeks since he died. It doesn't feel like it's been that long... but at the same time, it feels like a tonhas changed too, you know?" She frowned, setting her hands behind her head. "I remember, when we were at Koji's funeral... it felt like the war was so close. Like Setsuka might jump around the corner at any second, flanked by the rest of her Elements. These days, though, it's like the war doesn't even exist at all. Like they just sorta... forgot about the rest of us."

"No," Kiori said quietly. "Setsuka didn't forget. She's just waiting."

"For what?"

"I don't know. Something. But when it happens..."

Ritsuka grinned, clapping a hand to her friend's back. "When it happens, I'll whip it from here to Tokyo and back again. So don't sound so glum, okay? Whatever'll happen will happen. For now, let's just enjoy our mini-vacation," she flashed her teeth in a vicious smirk, "and let our fantasy dreams run wild." She threw her arms around a nearby column, rubbing her cheek up against it sensuously. "Ooooooh, Chichiri...!"

"That's it, you are dead!"

oOo

While Kiori chased Ritsuka through the halls of the palace, another young woman sat in front of a shrine, her palms pressed together and her eyes squeezed shut. Tendrils of smoke drifted from the incense sticks lit at the head of the altar, the thin gray wisps curling slowly to the ceiling, seeming to form a makeshift frame for the tablet at the center of the altar, the one that read Koyama Kiba, and below that, the single character for Wind.

"You are no longer with me," the girl at the shrine whispered. "There is no one but myself and Setsuka." She looked up, staring at the tablet with eyes that possessed nothing, not even sorrow. She nodded once, then corrected herself. "There is no one but Setsuka."

She blew out the incense stick and stood, leaving the shrine with smooth, deliberate movements. She did not once glance back, but instead walked to the main buildings of the Takkan palace, empty eyes focused on the promenade, and then on the staircase, and then finally on the door of her mistress' private study. She knocked once, then pushed open the door, entering a chamber that at one time had been cozy. Now, though, it simply felt stifling, as if all the ghosts of the palace and the city had settled here to weep, and to lament, and to demand vengeance upon the woman who sat reading behind the desk.

"Setsuka-sama."

The Lady looked up, lips parting in an uncertain smile. "Sora, it's good to see you. I trust you are, ah... feeling better?"

"The mourning period has ended," she said by way of an answer, dropping to her knees and pressing her forehead to the floorboards. "I submit myself completely to your command. You have only to ask, my Lady, and I promise that your will shall be done, or else I shall die in the attempt."

"Your dedication is moving," Setsuka said, "but I doubt it will come to such extreme measures as that." She hesitated, her face softened into a concerned smile for a fraction of an instant, then she closed her eyes and set down her book. When she opened them again, there was nothing but ice in her gaze. "However, if you feel ready..."

"Tell me which Warrior I should kill first."

Setsuka smirked. "Excellent. You are dismissed."

"Dismissed?" Sora repeated, though without surprise.

"Yes, but only temporarily. I shall summon you when the time is right." She stroked the deep blue gem on her neck, sending her malice into it, fortifying Sora's resolve with her own. "When it is time for you to claim your first of many lives."

oOo

Two wooden bokken swords clashed against each other again and again, the pair of fighters always on the lookout for an opening or a weakness. Back and forth the opponents went, blades slicing through the sunlight as they continued their dangerous game.

Akai gritted her teeth as her sword clacked against her opponent's, sending shock waves up both her arms. The enemy weapon twisted, snapping forward, forcing her to jump back, her own blade just barely managing to sneak up and knock his seeking point away from her heart. The bokken glanced off her left side, knocking her off-balance but missing her vitals. Her opponent never hesitated, never gave her an inch of space, but instead swept his weapon up again, this time aimed for her head. They met once, twice, three more times, each of Akai's parries sloppier than the last, until finally her speed lost to his and his sword sliced forward, dealing her a blow to the ribs that kicked all the air out of her lungs.

Hataku cocked his bokken back at his side. "I think you're dead."

"Nope," Akai gasped between heaving attempts to catch her breath. Her voice was tight, but when she looked up she was smiling. "Just 'cause I'm... missing a few... of my insides... doesn't mean I'm dead... just yet..."

"Very well." His sword flew up again, rapping her lightly on the side of the head. "Now you're dead."

"We'll be sure t'light lotsa incense sticks for ya."

The two warriors turned to the walkway, Akai chuckling as she saw their little audience – Tasuki, Ritsuka, Chichiri and Aoi – standing solemnly, their hands clasped in prayer.

"I'll write a nice message for your epitaph," Ritsuka said, wiping a fake tear from her eye. "Here Lies Akai: She Should Have Quit When She was Only Missing Her Insides."

Akai sweatdropped. "Ah-heh… but still, I held out a lot longer than last time, right?" She turned to Hataku, clamping her arms tight to her sides and meeting him with a soldier's scowl. "Please grant me a progress report, Shishou."

He wiped a line of sweat from his forehead, meeting her frown for frown. "I've been working with you for two weeks, yet you've already learned to recognize and imitate the hokuden style.(1) You are by far the fastest learner I have ever had the pleasure of teaching, Akai-kun. However," and the smile that had been blossoming on her face wilted, "you need to stop learning and start reacting. I can practically hear you changing sword styles, and it's when you do that that you're at your most vulnerable. What was that flourishing rubbish at the beginning, anyway?"

"It's not rubbish!" she cried. "That was Reikaku sword play, Tasuki-sama and Koji-san taught it to me. The first was called 'Gutting the Chancellor,' and the second one was…" She blushed and looked down. "Well, Koji-san said young ladies aren't allowed to say."

"It's calling 'Chopping off th' Fat Merchant's Dick!'" Tasuki called from the sidelines. He flashed a thumbs-up. "It's a Reikaku Special."

Hataku sweatdropped. "Charming." He limped over to the wall of weapons, glancing at Akai over his shoulder. "Exactly how many teachers have you had?"

She followed a step or two behind him, counting off on her fingers. "Well, there was my dad and my big brother, and then when I got to the palace there was Ran-shogun, and then Aoi-kun showed me a few things from his school, and then I picked up bits and pieces from the other soldiers, and then Tasuki-sama and Koji-san and Ritsuka-san all gave me some tips, and now you, so…"

"So too many, then."

She looked up, clenching her fists. "Oh, but I've really learned a lot from all of them!"

"Maybe so, but it doesn't do you any good if all you're doing is mimicking the lessons. Then you're just a patchwork quilt of other people."

Akai frowned, setting her bokken back into place. "I'm not sure if I understand."

"Let me put it like this." Hataku turned to face her again. "I learned hokuden from both my uncle and from Toushi-sama, but if either of them were still alive you'd see that our methods of using the style are entirely different. My uncle was a much larger man than myself, and Toushi-sama was considerably quicker. We all adapted the style to fit our strengths, as well as our personalities."

"But you're all so much better than me. I'm sure if I tried to change things it wouldn't be nearly as good," she said. "If I want to be the best, then I've got to act like the best."

"The best are that way because they don't let themselves stand in anyone else's shadow." He jerked his head to the walkway, where the two seishi were chatting amiably with their friends. "Your 'heroes' are living proof of that." Akai hesitated, clenching her hands behind her back. Hataku set his weapon back against the wall and turned, limping towards another group of soldiers. "You're by far my most talented pupil, Akai-kun. But until you figure out how you fight, you'll only ever be my second best student."

"Eh? Second best?" She cocked her head to the side. "Then who's the best?" He shook his head and offered no reply. Akai chased after him. "Come on, Hataku-san, who's your best student? Tell me, please?"

"It's really not important."

"Of course it's important! I wanna challenge theeeeeem…!"

Tasuki chuckled as the pair mingled with the rest of the practicing men, Hataku ignoring Akai's pleas as he stopped to correct the stance and posture of various Konan soldiers. "I still can't get over how well those two're gettin' along now. Wasn't it just a couple weeks ago that Akai wanted t'tear his head off?"

"It is hard to believe no da," Chichiri agreed, leaning against the railing and letting the warm sun soak through his mask. "Not that I'm not happy about it. It's a lot quieter around here, and besides," he shot a smile at Ritsuka and Tasuki, "I think one pair of brawlers around this place is more than enough, don't you?"

"Heh-heh, dunno who ya could be talkin' about!" Tasuki said, clapping his fellow redhead hard on the shoulder. "We Konan Warriors get along great, don't we, Red?" She nodded brightly, but stopped when she saw that Tasuki had looked away, a shadow across his brow. "Unless some bitch is screwin' with our heads, anyway."

"Hey." Ritsuka prodded him in the ribs. "Don't you start in with that mopey routine, mister. There's no way you could've known she could do that to you."

"Yeah, but I still feel pretty shitty about it." Tasuki rubbed his palm over Koji's headband, once again wrapped around his wrist. "An' it's got me thinkin', too."

"That's never good (no da)," both friends teased.

"C'mon, would'ja let me be serious fer once?" he snapped. "This is important, too. 'Cause I was wonderin', how could Setsuka have known when t'use that magic of hers? She always managed t'do it when I was with other people, 'r already feelin' kinda pissed off. Did she just make a good guess, or is she spyin' on us, or what?"

Chichiri rubbed the back of his head. "Actually, I had always assumed she was spying on us no da."

Ritsuka sweatdropped. "And so nice of you to share that little tidbit with us, too."

"Sorry, but it isn't like we could do anything about it," he said. "I figured I wouldn't worry everyone over something that we couldn't control no da."

"So she c'n do that, huh?" Tasuki whistled. "Damn, I didn't know she was that strong."

"She isn't," Chichiri said quietly, voice shifting to more somber tones. "But Mae-chan – er, Mizu, now – was strong enough for something like that back when I knew her no da. I'm sure she's only gotten better since then." He sighed. "Chances are she's the one spying on us. Setsuka's just watching from over her shoulder no da."

Ritsuka smirked at the sky. "Is that so?" She extended his middle finger to the air, waving it at an invisible enemy. "Then I hope she's watching us right now!"

"What's that finger thing mean?" Tasuki asked.

"Think of something rude," she said sweetly, "and that's what it means."

"Oh?" Tasuki grinned and mirrored her action. "I'm likin' yer world more 'n' more everyday, Red!"

oOo

The Lady of Takkan was, in fact, watching them, though only with the barest shreds of her attention. The rest was focused on a game of go set out between herself and Mizu. She yawned, waving a dismissive hand at the image of the laughing warriors. "My, my. Their carelessness is almost endearing at times."

"Meaning no offense, my Lady," Mizu said, glancing uncomfortably at her glowing crystal, "but if you don't need to watch them then would it be all right for me to loosen my concentration? It's a little tiring."

"Certainly not. We are scouting, Mizu-chan. We must find a time when one of the girls is alone so that we may issue a proper challenge. That redhead, and the little brat, surely they'll be on guard duty at some point today."

"Er, I think so, but why only them?"

Setsuka laughed. "Come now, Mizu-chan, do you really think Sora could defeat the seishi? She'd be murdered before she could so much as create her sword. No, if she's to impact this war, then her sole goal must be to weed out the weakest of the fighters. After both those girls are dead, then it's only a matter of the two of us stepping in and delivering the final blow to the rest of them."

"Except Houjun," Mizu said.

"Mm?"

"Except Houjun," she said again. "You promised me that you wouldn't hurt him. Remember?"

Setsuka blinked, then her eyes lit up. "Oh! Oh, yes, of course. I'm sorry my dear, but when you called him 'Houjun' I quite forgot that you meant Chichiri. Yes. Certainly. I shall do everything in my power to keep that one alive, of course." She looked back to the go board. "I believe it was your turn."

Mizu turned her eyes to the game, though not without hesitation. "…Hai, my Lady."

oOo

"Hey, Akai, you done harassing Hataku?" Ritsuka called as the young soldier made her way across the training rings.

"Oh, yeah." She giggled. "Hataku-san was practically tackled by Ran-shogun, asking him to go over some sort of defensive strategy for the palace. I figured I'd give him a break if it meant he was helping to protect Konan. What's up?"

Ritsuka swung an arm around Tasuki. "We're meeting up with Chichiri and Kiori for lunch in the gardens." She grimaced, whipping her sticky arms away from Tasuki's equally sticky back. "Er, after I clean up, anyway. Worked up a heck of a sweat beatin' the snot out of some Konan boys today." She looked to Tasuki, waving a hand in front of her nose. "Phew! You should look into it, too, Stinky-chan." He glowered at her, but Ritsuka just turned her smile back to Akai. "What do you say? Bath and lunch with your favorite Konan Warrior?"

"Um, normally I'd love to, but…" Akai flushed, pointing over her shoulder. "Well, Aoi-kun's got watch duty on the north wall, and I kinda promised I'd keep him company, so…"

"Ooooh?" Ritsuka and Tasuki shot each other knowing – and positively devious – looks. "They sure have been spending a lot of time together, don't you think?"

"Sure have. Makes me wonder what's so important that th' rest of us can't join in."

"Unless…"

"Ya don't think…"

They turned from each other and back to Akai, hands clapped to their mouths. Akai's face deepened to scarlet and she waved her arms wildly at the pair. "N-no, no, no, it's nothing like that! I'm just keeping Aoi-kun company, that's all!"

"'Keeping him company'?" Ritsuka repeated. "Oh-ho, so that's what the kids are calling it these days!"

"You're impossible!" Akai stalked past them, still bright as a ripened cherry. "I'm taking my lunch up to the wall and eating it with my real friend."

Ritsuka clapped her hands together. "You made him lunch? Oh my God, it's like you're married!" She turned to Tasuki, clasping her hands to her chest as sparkles seemed to burst out of her body. "Aoi-kun," she cooed in a high-pitched voice, "I made onigiri and octopus sausages! And see, darling, the pickles are your favorites, although…" She pressed her hands to her cheeks. "Kyaaah, hazukashii! I was so full of Love-Love that I cut them into heart-shapes just for you!"

"Akai-chan!" Tasuki growled in a throaty purr. "Even if it's embarrassin', if you made it then I'll happily eat every bite!"

"Ah! Aoi-kun!" Ritsuka threw herself into his arms, nuzzling him like a kitten.

He wrapped her in a tight embrace. "Akai-chan!"

"Aoi-kun!"

"Akai-chan!"

"Would you two stop flirting and go eat already?" Akai snapped, slamming the door of the training rings in her wake.

The pair blinked. "Flirting?" They looked at each other, and only just then seemed to realize that Ritsuka was cuddled in Tasuki's arms. Tasuki released his hold and his fellow redhead took a step back. They stared at each other for a moment… then Ritsuka stuck out her tongue and wiped her hands on her shirt. "Blech. I forgot that you were all sweaty and gross."

Tasuki reached out and shoved her over the walkway railing.

oOo

"Setsuka-sama."

The Lady looked up from her book, eyes brightening as she watched Akai take a seat on the wall next to Aoi, carting an oversized handkerchief filled to overflowing with lunchtime treats. The two smiled a little sheepishly at one another, then Aoi untied the handkerchief, jaw dropping as delicacy after delicacy tumbled out. Akai giggled and Aoi leaned forward, offering her the first of the candied sweets. She accepted it with a blush and slowly, shyly, the two began to eat, speaking in uncertain tones but never once able to wipe the silly little smiles from the corners of their mouths.

"That looks like fun," Mizu said with a wistful sigh.

Setsuka ignored her, setting her fingers to the dark blue gem at her neck. "Sora," she called straight into her Element's calm, clear, and terribly cold mind. "Come to my chamber. You have a task to complete."

"Hai, my Lady."

"Are you going to send Sora-san after the girl?" Mizu asked.

Setsuka chuckled. "It's rather fitting, don't you think? My champion killing their champion." Her eyes darkened. "Hataku's new star pupil dying at the hands of his old star pupil." She shook her head, clearing her face of shadows. "I suppose I have a bit of a taste for the theatric at times."

"Setsuka-sama?"

Lady and Element looked to the doorway to see Sora standing in the frame. Mizu frowned, remembering their last conversation – and the slap that had ended it – and looked away, but Setsuka smiled and stood, beckoning for the girl to enter. "Yes, my dear, please come in. No, no, don't bother yourself with custom," she said as Sora moved to kowtow. "We have far more important matters at hand. Mizu-chan."

She swung her crystal forward, showing the image of the boy and girl soldier on the wall. Sora regarded the girl carefully, recognition in her gaze. "This is to be my Konan Warrior?"

"The first of many, I should hope," Setsuka said in a dangerous purr. She snaked an arm around Sora's shoulders, drawing her closer to the crystal. "I shall take you to the Takkan camp now. From there, you will approach the palace and challenge the girl. As you know, our Konan enemies are arrogant, so I am quite certain she will accept. Then it is merely a matter of choosing time and place – and, of course, of you delivering the killing blow."

"Should I stay with the other soldiers until I'm done?"

"Yes. I'll visit you every day while you wait there. Oh, and…"

Setsuka reached into the folds of her sleeve. A moment later she pulled out a small pill – one of Kaze's specialties. She whispered a few words, then threw it into the air and pointed her finger at it. A white powder erupted from the pellet, covering Sora in the magic of her friend. The Sky Element held out a hand as if to embrace the familiar aura, but pulled back at the last moment, remembering her task. The time for tenderness had long passed.

"There," Setsuka said. "They shouldn't be able to sense you, now." She hesitated, then set a gentle hand to the girl's shoulder. "Good luck, my dear. I expect no less than a perfect victory from you. Nevertheless, I will pray for your safety. I would be… upset," she said the word like it was foreign, "if something were to happen to you."

Sora clapped her fist to her palm, bowing low to her mistress. "I will not fail you, my Lady." She hesitated, hands trembling, then glanced up through the wisps of her bangs. "However… Setsuka-sama? May I ask a favor of you, please?"

"Mm?" Setsuka blinked, frowning at the emptiness in her Element's gaze. "A favor…?"

oOo

Chichiri stopped midway through a bite of his lunch, back straightening and head jerking up and to the north.

"Oi, 'Chiri, you okay?"

He was silent for a moment, then shook his head slowly. "I'm fine no da. Setsuka's in the Takkan camp. I felt the malicious presence and reacted without really thinking, that's all no da."

"Huh. Wonder if she's giving new orders to that Bakahito-shogun of hers," Ritsuka thought aloud.

Kiori frowned. "Was she alone? Or with a…?"

"No," he assured her. "Or at least, if she came with an Element, they don't have any hostile intent. I'd have sensed that right away no da." He shrugged and offered them all – especially the snarling Tasuki – a small smile. "Sorry for startling you. I guess I'm just jumpy because things have been so quiet recently. Anyway, she's gone again. It must not have been anything important no da."

oOo

Mizu watched as Setsuka returned to her chamber, a frown on her face and Sora no longer at her side. She had her hand pressed to the side of her neck, palm covering the jewels on her necklace so only Mizu and Kaji's blue and red orbs could be seen. Mizu hesitated, uncertain what to say, waiting as her mistress drifted past her and towards the open window. "M-my Lady… did you… for Sora…?"

"It was her only request," Setsuka snapped, never once turning to face the girl. "What else could I have done?"

Mizu blanched under the harsh tone. "I d-didn't mean anything by it, I just wondered—"

"Well you have your answer now, don't you?"

"Yes, my Lady."

"She's a good girl, Mizu-chan. A talented girl. A loyal girl. So if it was the only thing left that she wanted…" Setsuka rubbed hard at her neck as if warding away a chill. "If it was the only passion left in her…" She shook her head, laughed it away. "It doesn't matter. She'll defeat their palace brat and that will be the end of it. So all this is just foolishness anyway. Don't you agree, Mizu-chan?"

The young Element looked to her crystals, to the swirling patterns of green and blue. "I'm sure you're right, Setsuka-sama."

oOo

Aoi's sharp eyes picked out the long-legged female warrior striding towards them. He nudged his friend, her face buried in a manju, and pointed out to the fields. "Hey, Akai, it looks like we've got a visitor today."

She leaned her arms over the wall, peering at the single figure. "Just one person?" Akai set her lips in a thin line, tensing herself against the battlements. "She has golden eyes."

"You can tell from this far away?"

"No. I just know it, somehow, right down to my bones. I'd even bet the Holy Sword on it."

Aoi frowned, reaching for his bow. "You think we should go tell the others?"

"No," Akai said without hesitation. "You and I can handle this. She can't break through the barrier, anyway. We'll just talk to her, and see what she wants."

'As if I don't already know,' she thought with a slow, nervous swallow.

oOo

Sora's long strides brought her to the northern wall in just a few short minutes. She nearly ran into Chichiri's barrier before noticing the red shimmer, but checked herself at the last moment, drawing back a few short steps and turning her eyes to the battlements. Her gaze landed on the boy only briefly before shifting over to the girl, the one who had held off Taiyou with that special weapon of hers. She was the only person that mattered to Sora now. "You are a Konan Warrior, correct?"

"And you're an Element," Akai replied coolly. "Do you have a name?"

"That doesn't matter. I'm here to offer a challenge."

Akai leaned over the wall so she could see the girl better, flashing her a taunting smile. "Who taught you etiquette? Everyone knows that you have to introduce yourself before a challenge. If you don't follow the rules then I might not listen to you."

"Fine. I am the Sky Element, Sora. My family lineage means nothing. I am Setsuka-sama's champion and her most perfect of weapons. I am here to offer a challenge."

"To who? Tasuki-sama? Chichiri-sama?" Akai snorted. "Your Lady should know by now that she couldn't kill them with all the armies of the world at her back."

"No." Sora's eyes met Akai's across the distance, and something – neither could say exactly what it was, only that it was thick and harsh and impossible to ignore – seemed to clamp down between them, tying them together as surely as the jewels tied Sora to her mistress. "I offer my challenge, Konan Warrior, to you."

Akai sat back hard on her heels, chin thumping into the top of the ramparts. In a fraction of a second she felt like she was watching all the key instants of the past few months – that she was watching Koji, cheerfully taking Aoi's place on the wall – watching Chichiri as he saved Ritsuka – watching Tasuki, exhausted, wounded, standing to face his foe – and then, as those moments, so small by themselves yet so important when seen with the whole picture, faded into the distance, she could see it clearly – herself on a grass-covered field, Holy Sword drawn, charging at the Sky Element… and, then…

"Oh," she said weakly. "Oh. Of course."

Aoi tugged at her sleeve. "Listen, you don't have to—"

But his words fell on deaf ears. Akai stood, pressing her hands into the ramparts, facing her fated opponent without a shred of doubt. "I am Yamada Akai, daughter of Shou and Gyoku'ei, Konan Warrior, palace champion, and the best swordswoman in Konan. I accept your challenge."

Sora nodded. "We'll meet tomorrow morning, then."

"Akai—"

"No," she said, speaking over her friend. "Tonight. That way no one can interfere."

"You have a taste for the romantic," Sora remarked. "Very well. And the location?"

Akai didn't hesitate. "There's a ridge just seven to the east of here. Below that ridge is a grassland, recently named the Plain of the August One's Fall. Do you know it?"

"Is that…" Sora frowned. "Is that the place where Emperor Saihitei – where the Suzaku no Hotohori was killed?" Akai nodded grimly. "Don't you think that's bad luck?"

"Only for my enemies," she said with steel in her voice. "Do you accept?"

She shrugged. "Fine. I will meet you tonight, then, during the Hour of the Rat, when the moon reaches its peak."

"And you said I was romantic?" Akai forced a chuckle. "Okay then. I'll see you there, Element." Her confident smile slipped away as Sora turned, marching back to the Takkan camp. "I wonder if it'll be the last thing I see?" she whispered to no one.

Aoi pulled an arrow taut to his bowstring, aiming for a spot between Sora's shoulder blades. "Just give me the word, Akai, and we can put a stop to this right here."

Her hand snapped out, jerking his bow down until the arrow was pointed at the ramparts. "We can't!" she cried, surprised by the snap in her voice. "It would go against everything I believe in – and everything that you believe in, too!"

He sighed. "Right, right." He opened his mouth to say more, but found that there was no one to talk to. Akai had already whirled on her heel, feet pounding down the wall steps. "Akai? Hey, Akai! Where are you going? W-wait up!"

"I need to get ready," she called back, though she didn't turn around as she said it. "You'd better stay where you are. You've got a job to do up here, after all."

Aoi's head swiveled to stare at his post for a moment, but by the time he turned back Akai had already disappeared down the steps. "Akai? Akai! Agh..." He slumped against the wall, chin pressed into the battlements. "I guess she's right, though. Think about what happened the last time you ignored your job, baka. But still…"

The young soldier pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose. 'But still, I've got to talk to her later. Before she decides to do something brave – brave, and totally crazy.'

oOo

Akai wandered the palace for a while, lips pressed together and eyebrows bunched in deep thought, but eventually she found herself once again at the doors of the training facilities. She smiled a little at the comforting smells of dust and sweat, at the familiar sounds of clacking bokken and twanging bowstrings, then made her way slowly to the far corner of the archery ring. She took a seat in the dirt, curling her knees to her chest and setting her chin atop her knees. Her eyes followed the movements of the mingled soldiers and RAFT members, but after a moment she closed them tightly, pressing her face into her legs and allowing a low moan to sneak past her lips.

'This stinks,' she thought miserably. 'An entire day, just sitting around waiting. I should have told her to fight me right away, but what if the others had found out? I can't let any of them know; none of them would ever let me go out alone, especially after what happened to Koji-san.' She took a breath. 'No, there's nothing else I can do. I'll just have to sneak out later this evening... and with luck I'll be back before sunrise, and none of them will have to worry at all.'

Akai gulped, turning her eyes to the cloud-dappled sky. 'But that's if I come back at all. Beware of repercussions, that's what the prophecy said. Koji-san couldn't beat it, Chichiri-sama and Tasuki-sama almost couldn't, and I'm not nearly as strong as they are. Oh, gods, I'm not afraid to fight her, I'm really not, but…'

She shook her head hard. 'Stop that, Akai. You're acting like a child. Think of Chichiri-sama and Tasuki-sama. Think of Koji-san. They weren't afraid to die. So, so if it comes to that, then... then it comes to that, and you'll take it like a warrior – like the Konan Warrior you are. It won't happen, anyway, you'll whip that Element and come home before anyone has time to worry...' Her frown deepened again. 'But what if…'

"Gods above, now here's a gel with a lot on her mind, an' no mistake!"

Akai blinked as the RAFT member Tori slid into her line of vision, smiling down at her. She tried a smile that fell just short, then turned her gaze to the ground again. "Oh. Good afternoon, Tori-san."

He wrinkled his nose. "'San'? Yikes, yer makin' me feel like a geezer! I'm only 19, doncha know!" He flopped down next to her, pointing an accusing finger at her face. "Okay, let's hear it, Champion-chan! Whassa young, pretty swordsgel like you got t'frown so hard about, huh?"

"Oh, it's nothing important," she said, staring out at the ring and watching as Hataku instructed a few Konan soldiers. "It's just... well, it's nothing."

"Nothin', eh?" He peered at her face, then shrugged and leaned against the wall, sniffling dramatically. "But it's none-a my business, innit? Huh, jus' figgered if I knew what th' problem was I c'd try helpin' out, but noooo, that's what poor ol' me gets fer bein' such a gentle 'n' sensitive soul..."

"Tori," Akai said quietly, eyes still fixed on her fellow soldiers. "Have you ever... ever had something kind of dangerous happen to you? And you weren't sure if you'd survive, but you still couldn't back down?"

"Yer talkin' to a RAFT member an' a Takkan civilian!" he said, thumping his chest nobly. "I look danger in th' face every day, never knowin' when a Takkan soldier might catch me an' hang me fer me pals t'see an' th' crows t'munch on!"

Akai shuddered at the grizzly image. "That's awful! How can you stand it?"

He wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "I cry myself t'sleep every night, thinkin' about those poor ole birdies havin' ta eat my stringy meat." Akai sweatdropped and the RAFT member laughed. "How d'ya think I stand it, Champion-chan? I laugh it off 'n' go on my way, happy that t'day ain't th' day I'm made inta crow food!"

"You laugh?"

He nodded. "'Cause if y'don't laugh, then ya gotta cry, an' no one wants t'see ya runnin' 'round all puffy-eyed 'n' snotty-nosed all th' time. That's what Aji tole me after me folks got th' noose, y'know." He rolled his eyes. "That guy's a melodramatic flirt with an ego th' size-a th' palace, but I gotta give him credit, he c'n be damn smart when he wants t'be." Tori winked. "Anyhow, y'see what I'm gettin' at, doncha?"

She faked a smile at the young rebel. "I do, but I'm not sure if I can do things the way that you do them."

Tori shook his head sadly. "Yore problem is that'cha think too much. You'll have gray hairs b'fore yer twenty!" He sniggered, pointing toward Hataku. "C'mon now, ya don't wanna turn out like ol' grumpyass Hataku, do ya? Lookit him, if he had a ryo fer every time he really smiled I betcha he'd be up ta his neck in debt!"

Akai smothered a giggle, but felt her laugh snap off halfway as Hataku glanced their way, his eyes landing right on Tori. Still every inch the army commander, he pulled himself to his full height and barked across the grounds, "Tori, you sad excuse for a soldier! What the hell do you think you're doing, giggling like a five-year-old at a picnic? Get your lazy ass over here and show these Konan soldiers how a real archer shoots, that is if you can find the strength to pick yourself up off the ground and stagger over here!"

Tori sprang to his feet, clapping fist to palm in front of his chest in a Takkan salute. "Er, er, yes, sah, right away, sah, jus' tryin' t'cheer th' Champion-chan up a bit, sah!" He set a hand to the side of his mouth and whispered to Akai, "See what I mean? Wouldn't'cha rather grow up grinnin' than grow up growlin'? Heh, grinnin' than growlin' – that's a good 'un, innit?"

"TO-RI!"

"Comin', sah!"

Akai stifled a giggle as the young rebel raced across the training ring, grabbing the bow from Hataku while still attempting to hold his salute. She set her chin atop her knees again, watching with a smile as Tori hit the dead center of the target, boasting shamelessly to the others about his perfect aim.

'He's got a good way to look at things,' she admitted. 'Grow up grinning... definitely... but…' She sighed, squeezing her eyes shut and wishing she could do the same to her frantic thoughts. "But how can he understand that I might not have a chance to grow up at all?'

oOo

Chichiri couldn't stop the shred of worry from sneaking into his voice as he sat down to dinner that evening. "Has anyone seen Akai no da?"

The other Konan Warriors all shook their heads. Aoi frowned. "You mean she's been avoiding you, too?"

"I wouldn't call it that, but we took th' afternoon off from th' trainin' rings, so we ain't seen her in a while," Tasuki said, parrying Ritsuka's chopsticks as she tried to steal a particularly plump slice of fruit from his plate. "Why? You guys get in a fight 'r somethin'?"

"Well—" Aoi opened his mouth to tell the whole story, but stopped at the last moment. 'No. If Akai didn't tell them then maybe she doesn't want them to know. And anyway, it's not my place. It's Konan Warrior business, and me… well, I'm just a soldier.' He shook his head. "Not really a fight, but I, er… um…"

"Oo, was it a love confession?" Ritsuka asked, leaning across the table with sparkles in her eyes. "Did you make your move and then Akai got all flustered and ran off?"

Aoi flushed but couldn't think of a better excuse. "Er… something like that. I'd really like to talk to her and fix things, but…"

"She's in her room no da," Chichiri said suddenly.

"Well that's good, then," Kiori said. "Maybe she's just not feeling well."

Aoi nodded, but he ate quickly and excused himself as soon as he was finished, sneaking out the door with Ritsuka's teasing calls still echoing in his burning ears. He wasted no time in going to Akai's room, though once he reached her room he seemed at a loss for what to do next. He hesitated, then took a breath and knocked on her door. No one answered, so after another moment he called out, "Akai?"

oOo

From the inside of the room, Akai pressed her hands to her ears and squeezed her eyes shut. 'Oh, I'm sorry Aoi-kun, but please go away,' she begged silently. 'I can't possibly explain all of this to you, not now. I'll make it up to you when – if – when I get back. I promise.'

oOo

Aoi sighed. "Maybe she went to bed, to rest up for the fight," he thought aloud. 'Even so, I can't give up on her. I've got to talk to her before she leaves, if only to make sure that she's doing okay. Hm…'

He paced back and forth, stroking his chin in deep thought. Finally he nodded, raising a chibi fist to the sky. "There's only one thing to do! I'll have to stake out her room, even if it means I don't get a wink of sleep! It's the only way to make sure that I don't miss her!" The chibi soldier dropped to the ground, leaning his back against the door and glaring straight ahead. 'It's a tough sacrifice, staying up all night, but it's just one I'll have to make.'

Not half an hour later Aoi was snoring quietly, dreaming of heroic rescue missions – and of the violet-haired heroine who waited to be rescued.

oOo

Akai watched out her window as the moon rose higher and higher in the sky, at last slipping toward its zenith. She nodded once to herself, then stood, reaching for her armor. Akai was too small for full body armor, but she had a pair of leather shoulder and wrist guards, as well as a light breast plate. She fixed them into place, making certain that everything was secure, then took the Holy Sword from her bed, clasping it almost reverently to her belt.

She set a hand to the door, staring hard at the latch. 'Once I open it there's no turning back,' she thought with sudden, terrifying clarity. 'Once I leave the safety of this room, there's no way I can stay away from that Element.' She hesitated, nearly let her hand fall back to her side. 'Would it really be so cowardly for me to ignore the challenge? Wouldn't that be the smart thing to do – to stay away from a dangerous battle, from a powerful enemy that I know nothing about?'

But she already knew the answer to that. It was engraved in the hilt of her sword, in the form of the scrawled signatures of Tasuki and Chichiri, those 'autographs' that she had demanded upon meeting them. It was in her favorite stories, in the valiant tales of Nuriko and Chiriko and Mitsukake and Hotohori, and in the desperate love of Tamahome and Miaka. It was in Ritsuka's snarl when she'd attacked Taiyou and in Kiori's eyes when she'd gone off to save Chichiri. It was in Houki's patient gaze, the one that she fought to keep through even the most difficult of times, and in Hataku's quiet strength, the strength that had helped him survive death itself. Lastly – but more importantly, far, far more importantly – it was in the confident grin of a fallen bandit, in the grin of the man who had teased her, praised her, challenged her, taught her, called her 'sparring partner' and 'kid sister' and 'friend.' The man whom she had maybe, just maybe, fallen a little bit in love with.

She knew his answer. She didn't even have to ask for it.

"No backing down," she said quietly, squaring her shoulders to the world. "No matter what."

Akai's eyes narrowed as she opened her door... and then snapped open again as a blue-clad ball rolled through the doorway, whacking its head on the floor and jerking awake with a start. "A... Aoi-kun?" she gasped.

"Urgh..." he muttered, holding his head and blinking up at her. His eyes lit up and he sprang to his feet. "Oh, Akai! I needed to talk to you, but you've been avoiding me all day, so I thought I'd wait for you outside your door, to make sure you didn't run off and..." He trailed off, sweatdropping as Akai once again walked right past him, on a beeline for the stables. "Akai! Akai, c'mon, slow down!"

"Please go back to your own room," she said quietly, though she couldn't help but slow her pace down by a few steps. "I don't want you or anyone else to get involved in this."

"Then you're really going to do it?"

"Of course I'm going to do it," she said. "You didn't really think I'd turn her down, did you?"

"Well no, but..." He rubbed at his neck, unsure how to explain. "It's just that, you're gonna go out and fight this girl who might have we-don't-know-what kind of powers, and... I'm worried, is all."

"Oh…" She stopped the embarrassed smile before it could reach her lips, keeping her voice brisk and businesslike. "Well, thanks. You're a great guy, but you shouldn't worry so much. I'm going to beat Sora, there's no question about that."

Aoi blinked. "There isn't?"

"No. Because of the prophecy. 'A goldeneye for each,' it said. So this is just..." She took a breath, gathered her thoughts and her courage. "This is just how it's supposed to be."

"Howit's supposed to be?"

"A couple weeks ago, I asked Tasuki-sama why Koji-san had died, and Tasuki-sama told me what Chichiri-sama had told him: tathatha."

"That's not an answer – it's just a statement of fact."

"Exactly," she agreed. "Things are the way they are. They happen exactly like they do, and that's all there is to it. But when you think of it like that, then it's sort of like fate, too, right?" She nodded, confirming her own thoughts. "What happened to Koji-san was awful, but there wasn't anything we could do about it, because it'd been planned out since… since forever." She sighed, setting a hand to the stable door. "I didn't believe that at first, not really. I never really thought much about things like karma and destiny, but… but I think I get it, now."

"How can you be so sure?" Aoi demanded.

"Think about it," she pressed, sounding more certain than he thought he'd ever heard her. "Do you really think it was just chance that led Koji-san to take your place that night? Do you think it was a total coincidence that I happened to be on the wall when Sora arrived? I don't even have guard duty, Aoi-kun!" She shook her head. "Those things don't just happen. I can see that now. I'm sure that you can, too."

"Well, maybe," he said. "But that doesn't mean... I mean, it didn't have to happen the way it did, right? With both of them dying? Koji-san could have lived, or even that Element Kaze, right?"

"I don't know. Probably not." Akai set her jaw, checking the straps on her horse Hoshi's saddle. "Somehow I think Kaze would have been killed no matter what, and maybe Koji-san, too. Because of the prophecy. Because it's all been worked out already."

"But if you're right..." Aoi swallowed hard. "The prophecy also warned of repercussions. Akai, what if... what if you... do you think you might...?"

Akai walked past Aoi again, leading Hoshi out of the stable. "I won't say it's going to happen for sure, but I can't rule it out, either. Chichiri-sama and Tasuki-sama came out more-or-less in one piece, though, so there's always a chance." She giggled nervously, almost hysterically. "But, then again, they are seishi, and I don't know anyone else who could've survived what happened to them, so..." She shook her head. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. If it happens that way, then I'll go bravely and without any regrets. Just like the seishi did."

Aoi felt a lump of genuine terror rise in his throat. "But you aren't a seishi! You're Akai – Yamada Akai, daughter of Shou and Gyoku'ei! You said so yourself." He stepped forward, grabbing Hoshi's bridle and halting Akai just in front of the eastern gates. "This doesn't make any sense! If you know what's going to happen, then why go out there at all? Just forget all about it!"

Akai stared in open-mouthed horror at her friend. "I couldn't! I absolutely… I absolutely couldn't, not after I gave her my word! A soldier lives by a code of honor and loyalty, Aoi-kun. I can't go against that." She shrugged, looking away from him again. "And anyway, I couldn't even if I wanted to. I'm the palace champion and a Konan Warrior. It's my duty to protect Konan from the Elements, no matter what the fates might have in store for me. That's just how it is."

Akai took a step forward, but that was as far as she got. Aoi grabbed her shoulders and whirled her around to face him, meeting her wide-eyed gaze with the fiercest, most protective glare she had ever seen. "Aoi…kun…?"

"Okay, fine!" he snapped, then lunged forward, pressing his lips hard, fervently, frantically against hers. It was sloppy at first, uncertain and untried, their noses and lips mashed together in an awkward interlocking that hardly counted as kissing at all. But then Akai closed her eyes and leaned into him, and his hands cupped her cheeks and he leaned into her, and they found their way to each other.

"Okay, fine," he said again, this time in a whisper, breaking away for a fraction of an instant before kissing her lips again. "But listen to me, Akai," he kissed the side of her mouth, broke away, "if you've got to protect Konan," kissed her cheek, broke away, "if that's what you have to do, then please," kissed the corner of her eye, which she'd only just now realized was filling with tears, broke away, "please, Akai," kissed her forehead, broke away, "let me do something for you, too." Trailed back down to her mouth, filling the gap with another flurry of desperate kisses, both his lips and hers rising to meet one another, only to have him stop with his mouth an inch from hers, breathing out a prayer. "You've got to let me protect you from fate."

"No."

Aoi's eyes widened and he jerked away, staring at her. Akai took the moment to set her hands over his, pulling them slowly away from her face. She was smiling, but somehow it was the saddest smile he'd ever seen. "Akai..."

"I'm sorry," she said, taking a step back, keeping his hands clasped in her own. "But I can't do that. I can't ever let you risk your life for me."

Aoi felt his eyes narrow, felt himself rip his hands out of hers, felt one palm press against his chest. Felt himself yelling, though even he wasn't entirely sure why. "I'm not useless, you know! Maybe I'm not as good with a sword as you or Hataku-san, and maybe I'm nowhere near as quick as Tasuki-sama or as good with a bow as Ritsuka-sama, and maybe I can't use magic like Chichiri-sama, but that doesn't mean... that doesn't mean... gods damn it, Akai, I…"

"I know you aren't useless," she said gently, and it was only when she reached up her thumb to brush at his eye that he realized he'd been on the verge of tears, too. "You've never been useless, not to anyone, and especially not to me. But this has nothing to do with that. I won't let anyone come with me – not Chichiri-sama, not you, not anyone. This is something I have to do on my own. Because she's my Element. You can understand that, right?"

He wanted to argue, but what else could he say? Nothing that could reach her, nothing that could reach the Palace Champion of Konan. "Yeah," he said miserably. "I can."

"Then promise me that you won't tell the other Konan Warriors about this," she said. "I don't want them to get involved – I don't want to risk anyone else getting hurt because of a fight that belongs to me. Please promise me, Aoi-kun."

His eyes dropped to the ground. "I promise."

"Thank you."

Akai turned back to the smaller western gate, shoving the wooden door open and leading her horse out of the archway. She moved as if to push it shut, but at the last second she turned, flying back through the gateway and throwing her arms around Aoi's neck and planting a long, almost violent kiss on his lips. He felt his arms begin to wrap around her waist, to draw her closer, but before he could she pulled away again, cocking her head to the side, lips quirked in an almost mocking smile. "Well, darn. I don't think I can die now. I'd never be able to rest in peace if I did."

He leaned forward but she stepped back, pressing her finger to his mouth. "We'll talk more about all of this when I get back, I promise. Until then, could you lock the gate behind me, and maybe wait for me to come home? I'd like for you to be the first person to congratulate me." Her eyes curled upwards into the kind of adoring, innocent smile that one can only give to a first love. "'Cause you're my favorite, you know?"

He nodded weakly, surprised by the blankness in his voice. "Right." It was neither a yes nor a no, but Akai didn't seem to realize that.

She hurried out the frame again, pushing the doors shut behind her. Their eyes met through the crack, and then Akai spoke – a single word that felt like the first nail in a coffin lid. "Good-bye."

The door clicked shut and Aoi was off across the courtyard, sprinting straight for the stables. His arms swung in practiced, fluid motions at his sides, sword thumping a drumbeat against his thigh.

'I never once promised that I wouldn't go after her,' he thought frantically. 'She thinks she's going to die, I could see it in her eyes, but... Damn it, Akai! It doesn't have to be that way! I know it, and somehow... somehow I'll prove it to you, too!'

"'The boy flung open the stable doors. The girl galloped across the moonlit fields. An Element stood at the bottom of a ridge. And slowly, slowly, the wheel of fate began to spin.'" Yui glanced up for only an instant, but when she saw the boys staring at her, completely immersed, she continued without pause, already flipping to the next page. "End Chapter Twenty-Nine."

--
Akai: The Sky Element Sora at last draws her blade, and she doesn't plan on taking any prisoners. She's out for blood, and my life is just the first of many that she intends to claim, all for the sake of her Lady's cruel goals. As I stand on the precipice, prophecies echo through my mind, remind me of what I ride out to face, but there's no backing down now. The path was laid out for me long ago.

Aoi-kun, forgive me... Houki-sama, everyone, remember me... Koji-san, wait for me.

The Next Episode of Fushigi Yuugi: The Next Chapter: "A Warrior's Destiny – Battle Hymn For a Shattered Sky."

Are our fates really inescapable...?
--


End Notes:
(1) hokuden – literally "northern plain." A swordplay style used almost exclusively by Takkan's upper class. A fluid, extremely fast-paced style that uses its rapid movements to overwhelm and disarm opponents.

Ye Olde Author's Note: March 19th, 2009
Ni-hao, minna-san!
Bit of a transition chapter this time around, filled with silly and romance and then crammed with SUSPENSE! at the end. I'd rather not have split the episode here, but the original was just way too long to be a single episode (especially with all the additions I've been throwing in), and this was really the only place where I could cut it. So the chapter's a little short and a little slow-paced. I still like it, though. Ritsuka and Tasuki get to be silly again, and I always love writing that. And hey! Some romance wriggled its way in at the end there! So that's good for all the love-love seekers, right? (hopeful smile)

Anyway, I actually don't have much to say about this one, probably because I'm distracted by the basketball game playing in the background (I'm stricken with March Madness). So let's just move on to the character profile, shall we? And who better to talk about than this chapter's leading male...

Character Profile – Shibuya Aoi
Age: 15
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 141 lbs
Birthplace: Seishu, a major city in western Konan
Birthday: August 24th (Virgo)
Blood Type: A
Hair: Blue, with eyebrow-length bangs across one side of his forehead; falls to about the middle of his shoulders in the back, but he always keeps it pulled back in a short ponytail
Eyes: Dark blue
Likes: Akai (of course), running, playing go. He also really likes to play at dice, but sh, don't tell Akai that he gambles :)
Dislikes: Being "weak" or useless; he's pretty hard on his own abilities, actually
Favorite Food: Man tou (steamed wheat bread with meat dumplings)
Least Favorite Food: Steamed cabbage

Aoi is one of those side characters who slowly sneaked into a major role as the story went on. He was initially just "Akai's crush," but as the side plots called for an extra character I found myself using him more and more, until he became the sort of person who was not only a part of the major plot, but could also significantly affect it. He's also one of my "normal" characters in that he doesn't really have any humors or quirks – he's just a nice, laid-back, hard-working kid. (Heh, is it any wonder Akai likes him so much?) Hopefully you all like him as well, and cheer both him and his lady-friend through the next couple of episodes. With Sora out for blood, they're definitely going to need it!

OMG, Bonus Story! The first in what may be a series. Some of the super-minor side characters got into my head and prodded me into writing their back story. I wasn't entirely sure where to post it, so for the moment I've just got it up on my blog. If you'd like to read it, you can access it through the Homepage link on my Author page. I've got a lot of side story ideas kicking around in me brain, so if I get around to writing more of them there's a good chance I'll post it as a separate fanfic. More on that when/if it ever happens, though. Until then, enjoy "What Brothers Do," and feel free to leave lots of comments on my LJ about it. :-)

Thanks to antyem13, MagicAnimeGirl, Halogazer, Ritsikas, Dimonah, inuphantom13, WolfxAngel, Jaspergurl, Warrior-of-the-Flames, miraclebutterfly, and AngelofMusic for reviewing! I'm consistently surprised at how popular this story is – and consistently flattered by all the wonderful reviews! So thank you all so much, and I hope to hear from you again after this one!

Your Authoress - Dee