Hi guys and welcome back to the story! Sorry this has been so long in waiting - holidays were a bummer, and then I got a huge writer's block concerning this story. Because of how much diverting I'm doing, I got stuck with what to do next, but today I had an epiphany AND GUYS I THINK YOU WILL LOVE WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT CHAPTER! I AM SO FUCKING EXCITED!

Enjoy the chapter everyone :)

Do not own, do not make money off of this, this is entertainment only.

Another Side

Chapter 46

The Desert, It Speaks

Against the expanse of white, red was such a shock of color that it easily drew the eye to it. Even more so, a plant that thrived strongly in a mountainous region was, well, a miracle of sorts. A rose, more over, could be seen as a god-send.

To one angry blonde in blue, it was an omen.

Scowling, Nakago turned from the flower, feeling some slight reprieve of anger at having the damn flower burn at his fingertips.

The warrior had failed in his mission, not once, but twice. Nakago was not happy with the circumstances, and his plans kept getting thrown in disarray because of that damn redhead. He didn't know what Igneous was to Miaka, but he definitely knew that she was another priestess – it just wasn't something that was done. Now, he had an inkling that she was a Xiang, however, there was something more to her.

There was something that he was missing, and he didn't like that.

Frowning, Nakago kept walking, not paying any heed to the warrior that appeared next to him, floating and painted in garish colors and dressed outrageously. It was silent for a few steps as Nakago contemplated his next step.

"Nakago." Tomo tilted his head, a small smile on his face. "What shall we do now? The Suzaku warriors are still headed towards the desert – would you like me to continue with our plans?" Nakago stopped, his frown deepening. "Or..." Tomo's smile turned into a grin, wickedness seeping into his aura. "Would you like me to focus on one specific person instead, hm?"

"Quiet." Nakago closed his eyes, seeking the lines of Seiryuu that kept him attached to his own Priestess and the other warriors. There was Amiboshi's line, silent and cut cleanly on his end – he couldn't sense anything even if he did try. Suboshi's line was wild and fleeting, kept brushing up against Amiboshi's line, seeking the other half that was cut from it. Soi's line was brighter than most, taught and strong as it connected the two of them. Nakago almost scowled at Tomo's line, wanting to cut the damn thing as he could feel the mischief and drama the man always brought with him. Miboshi's string, his aura, was flexible, fluctuating, always flickering in and out of existence, but Nakago could sense him there even when it seemed like his life force had shriveled away.

However…

Ashitare's string was dead, blackened in darkness. As Nakago 'watched' the string, he could see it simply fade away into existence.

If he had been sentimental, Nakago would have felt sorry for the creature, sorry for the loss of life and strength that could have further bolstered his plan and pave the way to summon Seiryuu, not like that would have stopped Yui.

He wasn't a sympathetic man.

"I do believe the priestess shouldn't be our target." Nakago started moving again, seeing their camp appearing rapidly before them. "Somehow, we need to get rid of that redhead, the Xiang."

Tomo grinned, almost giddy. "As you wish, Nakago." The Warrior turned, almost humming to himself as he edited the illusion he had in place for the Suzaku clan. So, his fellow Warrior wanted to target the Xiang? That was going to be interesting, but it would definitely turn the tides in their favor if they could either ruin the redhead permanently or simply kill her off.

While Yui apparently had no need for a Xiang, apparently Suzaku did for this summoning. Nakago was very well aware that the last time a priestess was needed, a Xiang was not needed. He didn't know all the details behind that story, but that strange little detail of a living Xiang, for the god Suzaku was strange.

Why was Igneous so important, so special?

Well, Nakago thought to himself with a smirk, we're about to find out.

Th heavy snow evened out eventually, giving way to wet mud and then grass. The spring-like landscape didn't last long as the Suzaku party stopped at some cliff-sides, the desert stretching out before them.

"Well," Nuriko commented, glancing over at Igneous as the same thought went through their minds. He was the first to break the silence that had befallen the group since burying the Seiryuu warrior, thus gaining everybody's attention. "Let's hope the city pops up soon enough. Don't know if my complexion can handle all this sun." Igneous had to smile at that, Miaka's answering giggle a welcome balm to the weight of anxiety on her shoulders.

She was hoping that she wouldn't have to answer any questions until they reached Xi-Liang and grabbed the Shentso-Pao there. Igneous was getting a headache from trying to think a way out of her situation, trying to find a way for Miaka and Tamahome to be together, and then being anxious from wondering what kind of questions she would have to answer once the Suzaku clan stopped traveling.

It was agreed, by the group, that all questions would be held until they arrived back at the palace, so then Hotohori could also be witness to whatever this was going on.

Igneous didn't want to answer any questions.

Oh, she didn't regret bringing Nuriko back to life. Igneous would do it again in a heartbeat, take on that third conscience, out herself to the entirety of those she loved and trusted…. Well, she wasn't so sure about that last part, but Igneous would definitely bring Nuriko back, no doubt about that.

Still, the past is the past, and there is nothing that Igneous could do about it now.

"One more stop." Tamahome said, smiling softly. "Let's go."

They all kicked their horses into gear, walking down the mountain side and carefully picking their way around dangerous rocks and possible downfalls to their deaths. Tasuki tightened his arm around Igneous, eyes scanning before them to be sure that nothing could happen. He glanced down at her occasionally, wondering what he could do to help Igneous calm her mind and not worry about the questions that were going to be thrown her way.

He would stand by her side, he always would.

"Oh, look!" Everyone looked up at Miaka's exclamation, seeing a small hotel surrounded in lush green and bright blue waters, some children playing in the yard before the building and looking well. Igneous frowned, and Nuriko looked back at her, both of them getting that sense of wrong pinging at her. "A hotel!"

"We should probably rest here before moving forward – the sun is setting, no da." Chichiri indicated the sun, the brightness and heat quickly fading away into the cold night. With everyone agreeing, they all traveled down closer to the hotel. Some of the children caught sight of them, the older ones running back inside and bringing out a little old lady and a young man. "They look friendly, no da."

"Welcome, welcome, strangers!" The young man grinned at seeing them, keeping one hand on the old lady beside him. "Are you looking for somewhere to rest?"

"Oh, yes please!" Miaka, optimistic as ever, bounced off the horse, grinning. Igneous saw her hand skim over her pocket, glad to see that she was making sure that the necklace stayed on her at all times. "We're about to travel over this desert, but it would be nice to stop and rest for a little bit."

"Well, you've come to the right place. Here, let my nephews take care of your horses." The children all ran up and guided the horses away into a stable that looked clean from where Igneous stood. "My grandmother and I run his hotel – we don't often get people traveling this way, so it is nice to see a few new faces. My name is Li Wei, and my grandmother is Biyu, we'll be taking care of you during your stay here."

They all traveled inside, feeling relief from the heat of the day as they did so. Inside, the hotel was white and sandstone, decorated with deep red clothes and light blue paint in geometrical patterns. The couches and futons looked soft, pillows fluffed up and rugs softer than anything that Igneous had felt in a long while. If she was honest with herself, it reminded her a little bit of Hotohori's palace.

"Come, we will have rooms set up for you now. How many will you need?"

Igneous shivered, a swirl of danger warning her about something or other. She reached over and grabbed Tasuki's arm, squeezing it a little tight. He leaned down and whispered, "what is it?"

"We can't be alone..." Igneous looked around nervously. "Don't leave Miaka alone, there's something wrong here." Tasuki nodded. He stood up and caught Nuriko's eyes, who looked like he was going to grab his own horse and ride away from here.

That's right, they are connected now… Tasuki frowned, looking over at Chichiri. "Hey, Chichiri, room with Miaka and Tamahome, will ya?"

Chichiri's grin widened. "No problem, no da! I will make sure these two don't do anything unsavory." Miaka and Tamahome proceeded to yell at the poor magic man as Mitsukake stepped up in their stead.

"We will require three rooms, please."

Li Wei nodded, not seeming perturbed at what was happening in front of him. Biyu had yet to say a word, but Igneous felt that was a good thing. She didn't want to know what it was the little old woman would say to their little party. "Right this way then!"

He led them to a wall covered in gauzy blue fabric, pulling it aside to reveal a staircase that spiraled up. "Please, I insist the ladies go first."

Miaka hummed and grabbed her friend, the both of them walking up the stairs. The corridor held sconces along the wall, making sure that nothing was too dark and nobody would hurt themselves. There were little windows every few feet, and whenever Igneous looked out them, she could see the sprawling desert before them.

It was… pretty, she thought. The sand looked like a sea that didn't move under the night sky. There were mountains that hazed out quite a ways away, almost fading into the sand. Igneous thought she could see some distant lights from a city, but Miaka had pulled her through the door at the top, spilling them both into an equally extravagant hallway lined with four doors. A rug laid in the corridor, decorated in bright blues and reds, the pattern also geometric. At the end of the corridor stood a tall and thin window, covered with a wooden panel that had floral patterns cut out of it so the desert could always be viewed.

"Oh, this is nice." Miaka bounced forward, opening the first door she came across. "Wow, there are three beds, cool!"

Igneous could only smile tightly. There was something wrong here, but she couldn't figure out what. She moved to the opposite hallway, opening the door opposite of Miaka, seeing gauzy curtains surrounding three plush beds piled high with pillows. There were two windows between the three beds, facing towards where the sun would rise next. The rugs here matched the one in the corridor, and there was a nightstand by each bed. A pitcher and a couple of cups sat on top the nightstands.

"This is weird..." Igneous muttered to herself, eyeing the pitcher. She didn't care if it was water or not – she wasn't touching the damn thing.

"Tamahome, look at this view!" Igneous poked her head out, gesturing to Nuriko and Tasuki that she found their room. Mitsukake and Chiriko walked to the room next to Miaka's, all of them ooing and awing over the bedsheets and what not. "Isn't this so pretty?!"

"Can you tell what's wrong?" Nuriko was quick to ask once they stepped into the room. He went around, picking things up and putting them back. Igneous knew he was just inspecting, making sure there were no traps laid out for them here in this room, though Tasuki simply lounged on the middle bed. She could tell that he was also somewhat antsy, so that was a relief.

"No, I can't, that's what bugs me. There's nothing obviously wrong here, and that worries me. I'm worried on what's going to attack Miaka..." Igneous chewed her lip a little bit, brows furrowed. "At least she won't be alone..."

Tasuki stood up and yawned. He crossed the room to Igneous and laid a kiss on her forehead. At that, she smiled – that kind of affection never failed to make her smile, to make her feel warm and safe. "Don' worry, we'll protect the both of ya."

Igneous sighed, leaning onto Tasuki for support. "Thank you."

"Welp, let's get something to eat and get to bed." Nuriko pushed the two together, laughing at the awkward way they fell onto each other. He could feel Igneous' embarrassment, but also relief that she didn't have to deal with this alone.

Nuriko wondered if she could feel his righteous anger rise up in him, or if she could feel the protectiveness that took root in his heart over Igneous and Miaka.

He wouldn't, couldn't, allow them to be harmed, not while he lived with this second chance at life.

The food was filling, the company wonderful and friendly. Igneous, though she couldn't shake the feeling of wrong and danger and run that was coursing through her, ate and drank with everybody else. They couldn't fight off their enemies on an empty stomach after all.

That was the logic Igneous had to convince herself with, otherwise she knew she would starve herself if that meant keeping Miaka safe.

Settling into bed, Igneous kept her eyes open, not really seeing Tasuki's chest rising and falling slowly before her, lost in her thoughts as he was. She kept going through everything in her head, and then Japan came to mind.

What was her stepfather doing now? Did he even know that she was gone, missing, not ever to return again? And what about Miaka's family? Igneous hoped they were doing well…

Sighing, Igneous forced her thoughts to quiet down, snuggling closer to Tasuki (who was simply watching her, wanting her to fall asleep and not worry anymore. They really needed to get this next Shentso-Pao and summon Suzaku, be done with this entire thing. Though… his thoughts kept circling back to the duty of Xiang… He would not allow Igneous to be a sacrifice.), feeling content at the way he would pull her closer as well.

Cocooned int hat warmth and safety she could feel, Igneous went to sleep.

I also do apologize that this chapter is relatively short to all the other ones - this is all just set up for the next chapter and I am super duper excited for what's going to happen! I think you guys will like it too :D

There is a poll on my profile! I would really appreciate it if all of you would go and vote on it :) It doesn't have anything to do with the story, but rather on what story I should continue/rewrite next :D If you're interested in any of my other stories, be sure to give them the love that they deserve!

Also, I do have an account on AO3 - I will start crossposting some of my stories from here to there and editing it in the process, starting with Another Side. This means that the first couple of chapters will probably get a complete revamp and some minor editing will be done throughout the series. I will be starting on that soon, so if you would like to follow me there, please message me!

No reviews guys :( I hope you're all still alive and enjoying the story! Please let me know what you all think in the reviews :)

Tiryn