I hold no claim to the characters from this kick-ass Anime. Only Aurora, Naora, Corell, Arryn, Orin, and Amira are mine.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Glorious Days

"I can't believe it. She actually betrayed us."

"We know, Orin, stop repeating it."

"But I still can't believe it. To think that Aurora would stoop so low!"

"She must have had a reason," Arryn replied.

"I don't care if she had a reason or not!" Her brother growled. "I'm gonna kill her the next time I see her!"

Amira gave a silent sigh as the two conversations happened. Orin and Arryn were arguing over Aurora and her choice to help Homura and then there was Gojyo, Hakkai, and Goku that were arguing over the fish that Goku had caught. Sanzo was outside, thinking to himself and Naora…well, she didn't know where Naora was but she knew that Aurora's betrayal had hurt that woman more than any of the rest of them. They had decided to rest for a night before going to go after them.

Giving a sigh, Amira stood up and moved towards the door. "Where are you going?"

She glanced back at Goku. "I'm going to go clear my head. Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

She walked out to the river and sat in silence for a little while, the events from today replaying through her mind. She had shared a room with Aurora the night before and yet she hadn't noticed anything different about the Priestess, even thinking back on her actions like she was now. There was nothing weird or strange about the other woman and it just made Amira feel worse. If only she had been able to notice something about Aurora, then maybe she would have been able to stop all of this before it even happened.

Amira sighed and tossed her head back. "What would you have done, Teruko?"

"The great Konzen Douji, cleaning? Why, I didn't think that I'd ever see the day."

"Don't tease him, Teruko," Chiharu giggled at her friend. "He's just helping."

Chiharu and Teruko had arrived to Tenpou's office with some lunch for the man to find that he, Goku, and Konzen were busy cleaning it. Teruko couldn't help herself.

"Aww, is Naora and Ayomi not with you today?" Goku asked, noticing that the other two women weren't there.

"I'm afraid not. Nonea called another meeting for them so they had to stay there for today." Goku gave another sigh before returning to some book that he had been reading. Teruko noticed the meat bun on the page before rolling her eyes and taking a seat on the large desk as Chiharu exchanged greetings with her husband. She gave a sigh; she had been hoping that Kenren would have been here.

~I guess he was dragged into the Military roll call, just like Yasuhiro was.~

"Chiharu had told me that I would find you here, Teruko." The woman lifted her head. She had been knocking on Kenren's door. Ayomi was the one standing there.

"He's still not back. I don't know where he's at, but he and Yasuhiro haven't been seen in three days!"

"Calm down, worrying yourself this way will only make things worse. Besides, I know where he's at anyway. Yasuhiro is back home with Chiharu."

"You wouldn't lie to me, would you, Ayomi? Lying is close to betrayal up here,"

Ayomi gave a snort and turned down the hall again. "You know me well enough, don't you, Teruko?" Her eyes closed. "I would never betray the ones that I keep close to my heart; no matter what."

"Yeah, I guess not," Teruko shoved her hands in her pockets.

"If you want Kenren, he's at Tenpou's office."

And Teruko was off without even a thank you. Ayomi's words had been true. Kenren was currently being bandaged to a chair with Goku and Tenpou before him.

She grinned. "So, this is where the ladies-man has been, hmm? I didn't know you were into bondage, Kenren, and from men, too."

"What?!" The red-headed General looked appalled as the other two laughed. "I wouldn't even let a baba tie me up, no matter how hot she is! Now it Iwere to tie her up, on the other hand."

"I heard that Yasuhiro was banged up pretty good," Teruko glanced at Tenpou. "What happened?"

"Oh, they just opened their mouths to Li Touten,"

"Touten, huh?" Teruko grunted and crossed her arms. "I hate that bastard. What I wouldn't give to put him through what he pushes on that little boy,"

"Hmm," Tenpou moved past them and opened the door. "I'm going to go for a little walk. The injured should wait here quietly. Goku, Teruko, I can trsut you to keep him out of trouble."

"Have a good time," Goku smiled.

"Hey, what if I have to go to the john?" Kenren asked, struggling in the chair.

I'll mop up after you," Tenpou replied. "When I get back."

Teruko sighed as the door shut. "He's gonna go get himself into trouble now."

"You think so too, huh?" He turned to the monkey on the floor. "Hey, Goku, would you mind going after Tenpou for me?"

"I'm on watch duty." Goku replied with a large smile.

"I'll make sure to bring you some meat buns tomorrow." Teruko bribed. That sent the monkey running out the door in a heartbeat. "That was just too easy."

"What did you expect? He's a moron." Kenren sighed.

"Coming from the wounded man tied up to a chair?" She replied.

"Eh,"

"I heard that Yasuhiro was with you. What exactly happened?" She asked him.

"It's like Tenpou said. We pissed Li Touten off and were thrown into the cells for questioning and interrogation, until Gojun came and got us out about an hour ago. Chiharu was here with Tenpou but took Yasuhiro home to take care of him."

"Gojun, huh?" She pictured that Dragon General in her mind before giving a sigh. "Anyway, now that we're alone," Teruko gave a smile and then straddled the wounded man. "Why don't we have a little talk?"

"A talk, you say?" Kenren grinned. "What kind of talk are you talking about?"

"You know," She placed her forehead against his. "Next time you get into trouble like that, I'll be the one to come and save you, Ken, you can count on that."

The man was shocked for a moment before giving his grin again. "Finally showing feelings for me, eh Teruko?"

She gave a small laugh and stood up, leaving his lap cold. "If you only notice it now, then it's your fault that you haven't caught me yet."

"Is that right?" She gave a small smile as arms wove around her; the man had freed himself from the chair. "Then how about we make up for all that wasted time, hmm?"

"Oh, I would love too, no doubt, but I'm afraid that a man as wounded as you would not be able to keep up with all that I want to do to you, Kenren," She teased him. "So I'm afraid that I'll have to decline." She moved away from him and towards the door. "But now, if you're a fast healer, who knows what you'll receive tomorrow? Or even the day after that?"

"Are you all right?"

Amira shook her head and glanced at Gojyo as he joined her by the spring. Glancing around, she found Naora sitting there with Sanzo, talking silently. Goku and the others must have still been inside. "I suppose so," She answered him. "You?"

"Eh," He blew smoke out of his mouth. "Orin thinks she's a traitor and Arryn thinks she had a reason. What do you think about Aurora's choice?"

Amira closed her eyes for a moment. "It…doesn't matter what I think. I shall keep my mind free of opinions until this is all over. If Aurora is a traitor then she's a traitor, if she's not, then she's not. It won't matter until I hear the true answer come out of her mouth."

Gojyo smirked. "And that's one of the reasons why I like you," He told her. "I think I'll stick to your answer until I hear the truth from her, too."

Amira dropped her hand into the water for a moment before bringing it back up and splashing the water into her face. "Tower Konran is going to be tough. Are you ready for it?"

Gojyo grabbed her hand. "As long as you're there with me, I'm ready for anything, babe."

She gave small laugh before giving him a shove as she stood up again. "Let's go take a nap before we movie on in the morning."

"In this world where life can be so tough, you must be strong,"

The tune made Amira turned her head. Naora was singing to herself, her arms curled around her legs.

"What is she singing?" Gojyo asked.

"It's a song that Aurora taught us years ago. Naora always sings it when she feels…bad." Amira answered. "We all do." She smiled and watched as the other woman continued to sing. "Let's go, Gojyo," She grabbed his hand and pulled him behind her.

"Yeah."

"Just believe in yourself and don't you fear.

So open up your mind and close your eyes.

Take another look from the other side.

Because even on lonely nights

Or when you're lost and scared.

Even if you're alone right now,

I'm sure you can get anywhere.

On your own two feet

Just hold on tight,

And with your eyes closed

Look inside yourself,

Because there's a light shining there

Yes, I want you to believe in it all

You can take another look from the other side."

I hope you guys like it. Review! :)