AN: I'm way too attached to this story, which is normally a good thing, but I need to update other stories. ::groans::

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Sakura cried silently, staring off into space. How could she have done that to Miaka? She hated herself for it. She idly twisted the small ring on her right hand and sniffled. The door was slowly pushed open and Chichiri stuck his head in.

"Sakura-chan?" He asked, almost afraid. Sakura bit back a bitter laugh. Of course he was afraid. She would be too if she had to deal with someone like herself.

"What?" She asked bluntly, hiding her face in the pillow. She heard him step further into the room and the door closed with a light click.

"What happened?" He asked quietly. She felt the end of the bed sink down, and she assumed he had sat there.

"Nothing, I'm just being my stupid self." She muttered, letting her tears continue to mix with the pillow.

"Sakura, I don't think…"

"Just leave me alone! Please!?" She yelled, sitting up and looking at him through puffy, red eyes. His expression remained the same as he stood and walked towards the door. Sakura's eyes widened and she reached a hand out to his back. She opened her mouth but no words came out.

"Gomen, Sakura, I'll leave you alone now." He said, his back still to her as he walked out the door.

"Ch-chichiri…" Sakura felt fresh tears brim in her eyes again as she buried her head back into the pillow. What had she done? She had already gambled her and Miaka's friendship, and now Chichiri's? She couldn't take it anymore. She silently pushed herself out of bed and grabbed her violin and purse out of the corner of the room. She took one last look around to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything before quietly opening the door and stepping out. It was late, so she figured she had a good chance to get out of there without being seen.

"Gomen, minna. But I have to see Taiitskun now." She whispered to the air. It was true, if she saw Taiitskun now, she would be able to give her an answer. She smiled sadly before slipping out of the palace.

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"Sakura? I brought you something to eat!" Miaka said through Sakura's thick doors. Truth was, she was praying that Sakura wasn't mad at her and that she could get a chance to talk. Not only about Sakura's past, but about Miaka's problems as well. She shuddered at remembrance of the kiss she and Tasuki shared last night.

"Sakura?" She hesitated before pushing the door open. She stepped in, using one hand to balance the tray of food.

"Sak-…" She stopped when she noticed the room was void and the sheets on the bed were made. The tray dropped to the ground, the cup and saucer shattering at impact.

"It's all my fault." Miaka whispered, hugging herself.

"Miaka, are you alright?" Nuriko popped his head into the room and gasped at the mess of broken glass and food. Miaka shook her head and launched herself into Nuriko's arms.

"It's all my fault! I shouldn't have pried, she's gone!" She hid her face in the man's shirt as Tasuki and Chichiri entered the room.

"Miaka-chan? What's wrong, no da?" Chichiri asked, not taking any notice to the mess on the floor. Tasuki pushed it with the toe of his boot, frowning.

"S-she's gone. Sa-sakura left and it's all because I pried into her life." She mumbled miserably. Nuriko shrugged and passed the miko over to the bandit seishi since Tamahome was nowhere in sight, then quietly began to pick up the mess on the floor.

"Miaka, you've got to stop blaming everything on yourself." Tasuki murmured as he tried to calm her down.

"But…" She hiccupped and looked up at him. Tasuki shook his head and placed a finger over her lips.

"Not another word. Right now, we have too go find her, ne? She couldn't have gone far." Tasuki urged, turning towards the monk who was sitting cross-legged on the bed.

"Chichiri?" Miaka wiped her eyes and walked towards the man.

"I can feel her chi, no da. It's strong." He commented before concentrating on the girl once again. Miaka's eyes shone with hope and Tasuki gently massaged her shoulders, knowing how much her friend meant to her.

"She's…" Chichiri began before a bright red light erupted him. Everyone shielded their eyes.

"With me."

"Taiitskun!?" Nuriko looked up at the old woman in shock at her sudden appearance. It was then he noticed the young girl next to her.

"Sakura!!" Miaka happily ran up to the downcast girl and threw her arms around her.

"Ohayo, Miaka." She whispered, a slight smile on her lips. Chichiri frowned, sensing her discomfort.

"Oi, why was she with you?" Tasuki asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She came to me with her answer." Taiitskun kept her stone face in place as she spoke.

"Answer?" Nuriko stood, not quite understanding everything that was happening.

"Hai, I've decided to go along with it. I'm going to be the human sacrifice to save the world."

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AN: Dun dun dun! How will Chichiri feel about this decision? Will Taiitskun ever get a face-lift? Tune in next time to find out! ^-^