Four words: Fushigi Yuugi not mine. ^_^ I've gotten like, 2 reviews, and so much for feedback. Whatever. So this part is for the kind kind people who did review. 

Chapter 2

                Chichiri strode down a dark hallway, cursing silently, roughly shoving the Gasshou trainees out of his way. Damn them! Damn them all! He reached the end of the hallway, pausing to collect himself, then rapping smartly on the door.

                "Enter." commanded the person inside the room impatiently.

                Chichiri bowed shortly. "I have two matters to discuss with you," he stated flatly.

                Greenish gray eyes flared. "What is it?" The man under the cloak began to sneer. "Have you failed your mission?"

                He barely held his stream of angry retorts back. "Soi and Nakago disrupted our plans. The second regiment is completely wiped out. Yui was leading the regiment, and her whereabouts are now unclear."

                "Fool." The man shot out, standing up swiftly. He began a low chuckle. "But the second regiment?" his laugh now echoed of the walls. "Six hundred of our soldiers, dead?"

                Chichiri nodded imperceptibly, not allowing himself to meet Chiriko's eyes in fear he'd lash out.

                Chiriko stopped all of a sudden. "It matters not to me." He said in a calm but dangerous voice. "But ensure it never happens again. You know what will happen if you do. You are dismissed."

                "My lord." Chichiri spat out in scorn. "There is another matter." Before Chiriko replied, he went on. "The envoy you have sent out to Houki and Nuriko has returned. I received it about twenty minutes ago."

                "And?"

                "They refuse to join us, but clearly state they do not side with the rebels." Chichiri said carefully, re-wording the offending message.

                "Hmm." Chiriko muttered, his eyes intense in thought. "Kill them. Everyone but Gasshou members shall die." He looked up when he saw that Chichiri was startled and smiled. "That was my eventual plan. That bitch will come crawling back when Suboshi informs her of everything. Go now, and report back when you're through."  

                Chichiri managed a curt bow and left, closing the door behind him. He leaned against the door and shut his eyes, breathing hard. Chiriko has gone insane…

                "I'm surprised you got out of there alive," said a voice from the shadows, singsong and sneering.

                "Shut up," Chichiri snapped. "Why are you here? This area is restricted to anyone lower than silver level. Get out."

                Tomo cackled. "Chiriko as specifically asked to see me, most likely about my recent victory," he bragged. "The one Hotohori could not prevent."

                Chichiri looked at him straight in the eye. "I fail to see what is so victorious about burning down a helpless village." He said sarcastically. "And Hotohori would have prevented it, had he been there."

                Tomo narrowed his eyes. "What's wrong with you?" he demanded. You're turning into a softie. "

                Chichiri began walking back down the hall, ignoring him, but not quite managing to block out the sound of Tomo muttering profanities about him. Something in him snapped. He lunged at Tomo, punching hard and sound in his stomach.

                Tomo slid down to the floor, breathing heavily, a small line of blood trailing down the side of his mouth, glaring at him with hatred. Chichiri grabbed him by his hair. "Listen to what I'm saying carefully," he whispered in a deadly voice. "Don't underestimate me. You are still only of the black…" Chichiri let him go and contemptuously kicked him in the side. "…You asshole."

                "Yuiren!" The boy yelled frantically, and his light violet eyes were panicked. "Quickly!"

                "Onii-chan!" she cried back. "I can't leave Shunkei and Gyokuren! Don't make me!" She began to scream as Chuei began to drag her forcibly away from the war zone.

                Chuei grabbed his sister's shoulders and shook her forcefully. "They're dead! Didn't you see? Seiryuu no miko killed them! More Gasshou could be coming anytime soon… we have to go now!" Dammit, I don't feel like I'm eighteen… someone help us! "Listen, Yuiren," he said in a gentler voice. "I don't know where Tamahome is. So right now all we can do is to look for more rebels who can help us. Just… calm down."

                Yuiren hiccupped, stifling tears at the same time. "They came on my birthday… and killed them… I hate them all!"

                Chuei sighed and looked down, deciding to quickly change the subject. "And how old are you then, sister?"

                "Twelve." She replied almost sullenly as they continued walking, surprised that they were suddenly treading on fallen pine needles. "Are we in the forest?"

                Chuei bit back a smart retort. "Yeah," he said, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt. "I'm pretty sure this is part of rebel territory."

                Yuiren exhaled noisily, and looked like she was about to say something when her ears pricked up.

                "Wha - " he was cut off when Yuiren slapped a hand across his mouth.

                "Shh…" she whispered, ducking behind a large bush, followed by Chuei. "There are people arguing over there."

                He peeked over the bush into the clearing where a man and two women stood. "I don't know whose side they're on."

                Yuiren rolled her eyes. "That's why we're hiding here to find out, because if it's Gasshou, we might as well drown ourselves now." 

                "Houki?" Kasumi repeated in an astonished voice. "Speak of the devil."

                "The devil would have been welcomed more warmly than this." Houki taunted, arrogantly flipping her hair over a shoulder.

                Hotohori drew his sword and turned around slowly to face his wife. "What do you want?" He growled.

                "Darling, that's no way to speak to me," Houki said in a pleasant voice, then continued in a harder tone. "Having an affair with the enchantress, are we?"

                "He only wishes." Kasumi shot out, tossing her dark hair to catch the moonlight.

                Houki drew her own sword, but played with it carelessly. "I have several matters to settle with you, husband." She said, placing heavy scorn on the last word.

                "Don't think I won't kill you." Hotohori said, eyes flashing with anger. All of a sudden, he lunged towards her with his sword.

                Houki agilely blocked the attack, eyes narrowing at the sound of the clashing swords. "Like hell you will," she spat. She spun to free herself from the lock and put some distance between them. "Still skilled to perfection with the sword." She said in amusement and suddenly leaned over to him and kissed him full on the lips, then jumped forward and slashed vertically at him. Kasumi turned red with fury and clenched her fists.

                Hotohori, mildly disgruntled, leapt up in time to avoid the attack, and if it had connected, it would have sliced him in two. He flipped in mid-air and swung his sword towards where he though she was, not realizing she was behind him.

                She slashed at him, cutting through his cloak and opening a deep cut on his back. Hotohori clenched his fist in pain and held his sword up, ready to meet another attack. Dammit… I can only play defensive with my injury.

                Houki's lips curved into a triumphant smile as she sensed his weakness. She launched her vicious offensive, all of which he somehow managed to block. He felt blood drip between his shoulder blades as he managed to avert a particularly deadly blow.

                "Hotohori!" Kasumi shouted. "Stop! I'll take care of this! Just hang on for a little while more!"

                He grunted in reply, occupied as he jumped to avoid a slash directed as his legs.

                "Just hold on…" she whispered. Her eyes began to flash, and then glow with white, shining light.

                "Not today!" called a cheerful voice. Something came crashing down onto her, grabbing her by the shoulders in a vice grip. "Houki's got to finish off pretty boy over there, then we can deal with you." he said. The light in her eyes blinked out, leaving her confused and slightly dazed.

                Kasumi shook her head to clear it, elbowed Nuriko hard in the stomach to get free, and spread her palms out before her. White globes of energy materialized over each hand, and she looked at Nuriko warningly.  "You can't stop me." She stated coolly, and threw one at him with a sudden motion, causing him to fly across the clearing and to hit a rock ledge." She turned back around to the fighting pair, judging the distance and her aim carefully before throwing the second one, whispering a short apology to Hotohori.

                Hotohori looked up in time to see it coming and saw only pure white light.

                And then blackness with the impact.

                And then nothing.

                "Mm-hmm. I think you're right, the red does look better than the pink one." Kasumi agreed, eyes twinkling at him.

                Hotohori shrugged off his blush. "Well, red does look prettier on you, though."

                She stopped and glanced at him with an alarmed expression, but it faded behind a friendly, guarded smile. "I… I have other silk shops to visit." She said, gathering the red, gauzy fabric. "I'll see you back at home, okay?"

                Hotohori felt strangely disappointed by this. "Can't I come with you?" he asked, taking the package and carrying it for her.

                Kasumi remained silent for a quick moment, different expressions flitting across her delicate face, before sending him a winning smile. "I don't think so… it's more or dress shops and the like that I need to buy things from. Could you take my stuff back instead? I'll have dinner with you tonight."

                Before waiting for his reply, she hurried off, clutching the small ivory fan she carried and disappeared into the milling crowd. Hotohori watched her go, and it was not until after he realized that she had left her purse with him.

                She leaned on the trunk of the willow tree; grateful for the privacy it allowed her. Kasumi placed her hands on her flushing and hot cheeks, closing her eyes to remember his gentle smile…

                No! I can't fall in love with him… I love Hayami. I love Hayami. I love him, not Hotohori. Hayami. Kasumi tried to recall his face, but conjured up more thoughts of gold eyes and graceful hair.

                Enough of this! She told herself forcefully. I love Hayami. I love Hayami. I love Hayami! It's too late to fall in love with Hotohori. It can't be changed.

                I love Hayami…don't I?

                Hotohori lay facedown on a sheet of silk, stabbing pain pricking up through his back. He blinked to clear the last of her memories… and exhaled to clear her soft scent from his nose. It would not go away… he puzzled over the perfume. Some type of flower after the rain…

                Then it hit him. He was lying on her robe. No wonder. He hadn't lay on silk since Konan fell. He groaned and tried to push himself off his stomach, wincing as the prickling pain exploded.

                "I wouldn't move if I were you," Kasumi said ironically and he slumped back down. "Houki did quite a job on you. Why did you hold back?"

                Hotohori shifted his head so he could look at her. She stood next to him in a short, sleeveless undershirt, with her silver belt tied around her waist tightly to keep it closed. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him, and he sighed. "I couldn't hurt her." He said simply. Then he met her eyes suddenly. "Why did you take me back into your thoughts again?"

                She looked genuinely surprised. "Did I?"

                "Something about Hayami… who is this guy, anyway?"

                "It doesn't matter anymore. He's dead. Chiriko killed him. And I'm still not sure if that was a good or bad thing. " Kasumi checked his wound carefully. "As for taking you back, it was unintentional. When I sent my ki blasts over… and I'm sorry for that, there's no way I could have not hit you…the shock must have made you absorb my energy." She shrugged. "Or maybe not. I don't know why it happened. Maybe you're remembering on your own." 

                 " I doubt that." Hotohori said, grimacing as she touched a painful area.

                 "I'm sorry," she said softly in response to his flinch. "But it's pretty bad. The first compress I put on you was soaked through with blood. I don't think it will stop."

                He managed a sadistic smile. "Maybe I'll finally die."

                Her voice grew sharp. "Dammit! Don't say things like that! I've heard that almost continuously for the past five years of my life and I don't need anymore!"

                Hotohori was taken by surprise. "I'm sorry." He said quietly.

                "Whatever." She whispered, and then returned her attention to him. "I think I'll try healing you."

                "Can enchantresses do it?" Hotohori asked, craning his neck to see her kneel next to him, arranging the short skirt to cover her legs.

                "I'm really not sure." She said straightforwardly, almost betraying a teasing smile.

                "Lovely." Hotohori said wryly.

                "One of the… oh, I hate calling our powers this… 'properties' I was given was quick self-healing, so I never stay injured long. So I was going to channel it to you." Kasumi explained, knowing that she shouldn't peel off the bandage but doing it gently anyways.

                "And what do I do?" he asked rather apprehensively.

                Her voice was soothing. "Just lie there and relax." She placed her hands as lightly as possible on his wound but cringed when he tensed his muscles. "I'll be gentle." She said, and took stock of her restorative energy. Slight warmth came to her palms and flowed to his back.

                Hotohori began to ease his muscles, and the pleasurable heat began to make him sleepy. "That… feels nice." He murmured into her robe.

                Kasumi was beginning to realize his wound was more serious that she had initially thought. She steeled herself and poured more energy into him, calculating the right moment to stop.

                The heat dissipated slowly. The pain in his back had been reduced to a slight tingling sensation. Hotohori sat up, blinking, and then narrowed his eyes as the sheet covering him slid down. "Where are my clothes?" he asked in a casual voice. "And why am I covered in your clothes?" His voice began to rise in annoyance. "And why the hell did you need to undress me completely?"

                She looked hurt by these remarks, but her expression was replaced with one over stubbornness, and then slight amusement. "You really don't have anything to be ashamed of," she said slyly, surprising him with a mischievous grin, wanting to provoke him.

                "That's not the point I was making." Hotohori growled, looking around for his robe.

                "For one thing, mister, I was doing you a favour. Your royal robe was dripping in your royal blood and as dirty as royal hell. I washed it while you were unconscious, and it's out drying now." She retorted, standing up and striding outside the sheltered cave. He heard the sound of cloth snapping as she tugged the robe off the branch it was drying on.

                Kasumi returned to the cave, looking angry and indignant. She flung it at him. "Take your stupid robe!" she shouted. "I can't believe this! You've changed too damn much to care anymore, haven't you? I try to help you, but you're too damn engrossed by yourself to noticed that other people have feelings too!"

                Hotohori stood up, wrapped the semi-wet robe around him, and glowered at her. "What is this about?" He flung his arms in the air in exasperation. "I don't understand you! You're always starting fights! What do you want from me?" he yelled.

                Surprising, she didn't begin fighting back. Instead, she leaned back against the cave wall and shut her eyes, shaking, looking crumpled. "I wanted…" When she opened her eyes, they glimmered with tears. "I wanted…" She slid slowly to the floor and began crying.

                He sighed and sat next to her, stroking the back of her head. "Tell me," he said with his old warmth.

                "I wanted you to remember… but you didn't want to… so I'm not going to push that." She whispered, head in her bare knees. "And now… all I wanted… was for you to say 'thank you' to me… for healing you and washing your clothes… but we started a fight…" She stood up abruptly, as if shocked by his touch, looking perplexed.

                Hotohori grabbed her hand and stood up with her, and looked at her dark eyes intently. "Thank you," he said softly. "And I'm sorry for starting the fight."

                She bit her lip, faltering for a moment. This confused Hotohori; she always projected the image of a strong, proud woman. Then doing it out of instinct, he took her in his arms and embraced her.

                "You're standing on my foot!" Yuiren whined, shifting position so her leg would fall asleep.

                "Isn't that lady part of Gasshou?" Chuei asked, ignoring her grumbles.

                She looked over the bush. "Yeah. But the man isn't. Wait… isn't he one of the Suzaku Seishi?" Yuiren stared at the two people in growing conviction. "That's the emperor! Ooh… remember? He came to our house before! He's definitely on the rebels' side!"

                He nudged her with his elbow. "Shh! But… what if she's controlling him?" he asked uncertainly.

                Yuiren sized them up. A tall, athletically built man, or a slim, rather small, woman? Obviously, Chuei needs a new brain. "Well, I think its fine." She said confidently. "Watch me." With that, she leapt up from behind the bushes and cheerily made her way towards the pair.

                Kasumi made a small sound, muffled by his chest, then pushed away. "It's too… late." She breathed, and brushed her tears away quickly. "Hayami, and your officials… it's too late."

                "I don't understand." He said, and appeared to go on but was interrupted.

                "Hotohori? Hotohori?" A girl came running into the cave, nearly colliding into them. She stopped and looked around. "Are you Hotohori?"

                "Yes. What do you want?" he replied, glancing at Kasumi who steadily avoided his gaze. "Who are you?"

                "Don't you remember?" she said. "I'm Tamahome's little sister, Yuiren. And Chuei is over there behind the bushes. We're looking for Tamahome." She suddenly grinned, as Chuei sheepishly revealed himself and trudged into the cave to join them.

                "He's not here. Why are you both out alone?" Hotohori asked kindly.

                Both their faces fell. "Well… our village was in the middle of the Gasshou and rebel fighting, and everything was destroyed. And… Shunkei and Gyokuren were killed." Chuei said, fixing his eyes on the floor.

                Kasumi moved forward and touched his shoulder. "You look like your brother." She said as Chuei turned to look at her admiringly. "Just… younger."

                "Will you help us find Tamahome?" Yuiren said loudly, audaciously scowling at her brother.

                "Tasuki told us he's on a mission right now. But we can bring you to HQ and wait with you there for Tamahome." Hotohori said, standing up and picking up Kasumi's robes off the floor.

                "Thank you!" Yuiren squealed.

                Chuei nodded. "You're helping us out a lot."
                Hotohori smiled at them. "For now, you'd both better sleep. Tomorrow we'll head back." He shook her robes out, puzzled. By now, Kasumi had moved to the entrance of the cave, peering up at the cloudy sky as light rain began to fall. She pointedly tried to ignore him as she wrapped her arms around herself, shivering slightly.

                "You've torn your robe." He said, holding it out for her to see.

                She shook her head, smiling faintly. "How do you think you've gotten bandages?" she quipped lightly, as if nothing had occurred before. "Perhaps you think I conjured it out of air?"

                Hotohori shrugged. "I guess," he admitted, brushing some hair off his face.

                Kasumi shook her hair, making it catch the moonlight and ripple, and then went back to watching the rain, humming a melody softly.

                He sighed heavily. "Listen," he said, then wrapped her robe around her. "I was thinking about all the … memories… you gave me, and I'm beginning to believe you. Sneaking out of the palace is something I know I would have at least tried doing when I was younger."

                Kasumi slipped her arms into her now sleeveless robe, and leaned into him, contemplating. She felt a slight pressure at the top of her head, and her heart jumped into throat when she realized his kissed her. Swallowing a lump of tears, she nodded and turned around to face him. "Okay. But further away from here." She said, indicating Chuei and Yuiren.

                He followed her as she moved deeper into the forest.

                A lone woman staggered through the empty village. Sharp, blue eyes surveyed her surroundings angrily. She whirled around, trying to locate signs of life. Finding none, she made her way slowly to a small outcropping and began to tend to her wounds, uncaring that her blood dripped onto the cold rock. Internally, she cursed her enemies and swore to revenge.

And so that's the end of this chapter. Anyways, I have a lot of French homework that is giving me an evil glare…. So I suppose it's my cue to go finish it…. And yes, please review if you have a  moment.