Disclaimer: I just own my original characters and the story. Also, any song lyrics I use belong to their writers/artists. I will post where I got them as well.

Notes: Oops. Been a little too long since I wrote. I got a little too involved in my other story. Usako, thanks for the encouragement. I needed some one to get me motivated to keep going. J

BTW, I'm taking a lot of liberties in the beginning of this chapter. Y'all will just have to bear with it.

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After her argument with T.I. had calmed down, Hikari sat in a window overlooking a courtyard where Taki, Lily, and the three seishi were standing, talking. She sighed. She watched Hotohori stand with Taki.

T.I. hovered behind her. "He looks like his father doesn't he?"

"I wouldn't know. I had to leave before he grew up remember?" Hikari glared at T.I.

"You did have his sister."

"Yes, and despite that, Hotohori doesn't look like Kei's mother. His father and her mother were twins remember?"

"Yes. Are you going to tell him?"

"How the hell could I? How could I tell Hotohori that I'm his grandmother?"

"He's a very understanding young man. If you just explained what happened, I think it would go all right."

"It doesn't matter how understanding he is, I still wouldn't be able to tell him."

"Tell who what?" Hikari turned to see Hotohori standing in the doorway.

"Tai Itsukun, you brought him up here I assume?"

"Yes, you have to tell him."

"Tell me what? I don't understand."

"Hotohori, come in and sit down. Tai Itsukun, go. I suppose I have to do this now."

Hikari sighed as T.I. left and Hotohori sat in a chair across a table from Hikari.

"What is it Hikari-sama?" Hotohori watched Hikari sit across from him.

"Ah… I'm not even sure how to begin this. How much do you know about your grandparents on your father's side?"

"Not much. I was told that my grandmother died in childbirth and my grandfather is still alive though from what I understand he hasn't spoken in over 30 years. I believe my father took the throne because the advisors thought he couldn't rule after my grandmother died. I've only seen him a few times, but he seems to be very depressed about some thing."

Hikari stared at the table. "I see. Hotohori?"

"Yes?"

"Your grandmother isn't dead."

"Did you know her?"

"I am she." She looked up at Hotohori. He looked very confused.

"You're my grandmother?"

"Yes. And Kei is your cousin. Your father and her mother were twins. I had them just before I had to leave Konan."

Hotohori now stared at the table. "I'm still not quite sure I totally understand how. My grandfather isn't a seishi. How did you meet him?"

"When I first came to Konan, it was actually your grandfather that found me. He realized rather quickly that I was going to be a miko and he took me to the palace. I lived there when I wasn't out searching for my own seishi. I quickly fell in love with him and had two children with him."

"My father and Kei's mother…" Hotohori spoke slowly.

"Yes. I remember the day before I had to leave, he and I were discussing what to do about the children. We agreed that he needed a male heir so he kept your father and I went back with Kei's mother. I'll always regret the day I left."

"Did you ever…"

"Did I what?"

"Did you ever fall in love with another man?"

"No… I held every man I met after that up to him. No one could compare so I raised Sora on my own. There will never be another man in my life like your grandfather."

"I think I understand. Does Kei know?"

"No. I'll have to tell her that."

"Not necessarily." Kei's voice suddenly cracked the silence between Hikari and Hotohori. They both turned in the direction where her voice came from. Kei's image was on a screen on the side of the room. She smiled. "Hello."

"Kei how did you?" Hikari was shocked.

"Oba-san, I know a little more magic than you think. It also doesn't hurt to have a little help from that old hag."

T.I. floated into the room again. "I'm sorry Hikari. She heard everything. I thought she should know at the same time Hotohori did."

Hikari said nothing, just sighed. That made it a little easier, not having to tell her story twice. She looked over at Kei, who was sitting on a bed in some room of the Kutou palace. "Kei, how are you feeling?"

"Hungry. I haven't eaten since I've been here. I don't wanna know what they might put in the food they send me. I've certainly felt better. That bastard Nakago won't leave me alone."

"Tai Itsukun, go get the others." T.I. left the room. "Any deep wounds?"

"I dun think so. Just a lotta cuts and bruises. They know they can't kill me or hurt me that bad." Kei rubbed a cut on her face.

"I wish I had known you knew a long time ago. It would make this all easier."

"If it's too easy, where's the fun in it?" Kei rolled onto her stomach on the bed. "Besides, what was I supposed to say to you about it?"

"I suppose you're right." Everyone else entered the room, a little shocked to see Kei there, in a way.

Tasuki stared at the visible cuts and bruises on her skin. He wanted to kill Nakago even more. He knew Nakago was the one who did that to her.

After talking for a little while, there was a knock at the door on Kei's side of the screen. She yelped and knocked the screen over so no one who entered could see who she was talking to.

T.I. cast a new spell that gave them a better view of who came in. "Everyone, you can say what you want. They can't here or see us."

Nakago had entered her room. Kei rolled off the bed and stood up. "What?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Who were you talking to? I heard voices in here."

"I wasn't talking to nobody. You're hearin' things."

"I heard something. What was it?"

"I said it was nothing. Maybe I'm going nuts and have begun talking to myself."

Nakago grabbed her by the shoulders. "Why do you insist on being so difficult? You could have anything you want here. All you have to do is say you'll be on our side."

Kei shoved him away. "Anything I want, huh?"

"Yes. Your wish is our command."

"Fine. I want a Vanilla Mocha Frappacino (SP?) with whipped cream and Madagascar cinnamon from Starbucks, Blue Pepsi and Vanilla Coke. I also want a 108 in. flat screen TV with surround sound and a DVD player with a 5-disc changer. Add a Nissan Skyline and a Yamaha motorcycle and maybe I'll think about it." Kei had a smug smile on her face as Nakago's face showed nothing but pure confusion at her strange list of demands.

At Tai Itsukun's palace, the seishi were as confused as Nakago. They'd never heard of anything she asked for. Taki was leaning against the table laughing so hard she could barely breath. Hotohori had to catch her before she fell after her grip slipped off the table. Lily stifled as much laughter as she could though it was mostly unsuccessful. She was laughing almost as much as Taki. Hikari smiled at her granddaughter's ingenuity. No matter how hard the people of Kutou tried, there was no way they'd ever get what she wanted. There was no possible way.

Nakago glared at her. He knew she knew that it was impossible to do what she wanted. He turned and left her room in a huff. Kei giggled to herself. She had learned just how far to push her luck with Nakago. After she got back on the bed, Yui and the twins appeared in her doorway.

Amiboshi sighed. "Kei-sama, you shouldn't push it so much around Nakago."

"I ain't worried. He knows what I can do, should the need arise."

Yui set a bowl of water and new bandages on a bedside table. "Kei, just be careful. Nakago won't tolerate the way you act much longer."

"He'll have to tolerate my fist in his face is he touches me. Now go. I want to be alone."

Yui nodded and walked out followed by the twins. She went into her room and opened up the window. Suboshi came in. He stood behind his miko.

"Yui-sama, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Suboshi. Just a little worried about Kei, that's all."

"She'll be fine, Yui-sama. She knows what she can and can't do. I think the Suzaku seishi will come get her soon. She'll be safe."

Yui leaned back into his arms. "I hope you're right, Suboshi. I really do."

Kei slowly pulled the screen up that she knocked over and sighed. She was beginning to worry about herself. Nakago was getting angrier and angrier with her by the day and she figured she was being a little to annoying.

The image of her friends slowly reappeared on the screen. Kei sat in front of it.

Taki rolled her eyes. "Kei, was that really the wisest course of action you took with Nakago?" She was still laughing a bit.

"I take it you saw me do it. But I really don't care. He knows he can't kill me. Seriously wound, yes, but he can't do anything to me that I won't recover from." Kei wrapped a few fresh bandages around her arm. "Just hurry up and come get me outta here. I'd run away, but I don't know where to go. I have no idea how far Kutou is from Konan." She sighed. "*Can I talk to the bandit alone for a bit?" Even though she spoke in English, she didn't want to use names so everyone understood.

Lily, Taki and Hikari nodded and took everyone out except for Tasuki and left them alone to talk. Lily made sure the door was closed.

Tasuki sat in front of her. "Kei, I'm so sorry." He lowered his head.

Kei pressed her hands to the screen. "What for? There's nothing to be sorry for!"

He sighed. "Yes there is. If I had been more alert that day, you'd be here instead of there."

Kei held back the tears that were forming in her eyes. "Tasuki, please listen to me. It wasn't your fault. It was no one's fault. But if you really think it was, come and get me and all is forgiven. Please come and get me. I want to be back in Konan." She felt a tear run down her cheek. "With you." She whispered, barely audible.

Tasuki looked into her eyes. He studied her face for a few seconds. "Alright. I promise I'll get you." He matched his hand with hers on the screen. "Just promise me when we're together again, you'll forgive me."

"If that's really what you want." Her hand felt warn, like she had her hand against his, not the screen. "I'll forgive you." Kei closed her eyes and wiped away another tear.

Without warning, both of them leaned forward to kiss. It was like they didn't realize it was just a screen, not the real person.

'It's warm…' Kei thought as her lips touched the screen. As they pulled away, the images began to fade. "There's a changing of the guard at midnight. Almost the whole palace is empty. You'll have the best chance then."

"We'll come tomorrow night. Be ready." He slowly pulled his hands from the screen.

She smiled sadly as Tasuki disappeared from her view. "I love you, Tasuki." She murmured as soon as her was gone.

"I love you, Kei." He sighed as the last threads of her image disappeared. He slowly stood up. A few tears escaped his eyes. 'Shit. I don't believe how hard I fell for her.' He sat at the table and just cried.

Hikari cracked open the door and saw him crying. She slowly walked in. "Tasuki? Are you alright?" She had that gentle, grandma voice that you expected most elderly ladies to have.

Tasuki stayed quiet for a bit. "Do I look fine to you?" He snapped.

"Tasuki, I know you're worried about Kei but--"

"No!" He stood up quickly and faced her. "I don't care how much you think you know, but you don't! You have no idea!"

Hikari was a bit taken aback. "Please calm down. We'll get her back soon, I promise." She regained her composer and left the room so that Tasuki could be alone.

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(The next two scenes happen at the same time.)

Hotohori was lying in his room in T.I.'s palace. He was still contemplating what he had been told.

'Kei's my cousin; Hikari's my grandmother, does that mean my step uncle is that awful man Shigeru? It would certainly be interesting if that was true.'

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "Come in."

Taki poked her head in. "Somethin' wrong?"

"No…no. Why?"

"You kinda just disappeared after we talked to Kei. I was just wondering if…"

"I'm fine. Was that all?"

"Mmm…I dunno." She shuffled her feet slowly. "I guess. I was just a little worried."

Hotohori looked over at her. Taki lowered her eyes to the ground. "Is something bothering you?" He looked a little concerned.

"No. I'm fine. I guess I'm just a little flustered over everything that's happened." She crossed the room and sat next to him. "Ah… you mind?"

"No, no. Not at all."

They sat in silence for a few minutes. "Hotohori?"

"Yes?"

She took a deep breath. "Do you ever think about us?"

"Excuse me? I don't think I understand."

She sighed. "I mean, do you ever think that there's something more between us that neither one of us cares to admit?"

"I do. I do think there's more between us, but I don't know what."

"Don't lie, Hotohori. I know you know what's between us. Because so do I and I'm so damn scared to admit it." She looked sad and annoyed at the same time.

"Scared?"

"Yes, scared. I too scared to admit that I'm falling for you. And it's happening too fast for me."

"If you're so scared, why did you just admit it?" He took her hands in his.

She thought for a moment. Tears began to form in her eyes. "Damn. Why do you do this to me?"

"Do what?"

"Make me do things I never would have ever before."

"Like?"

"Like this." Taki put her hands on the sides of his face and kissed him.

Hotohori wrapped his arms around her waist and back and pulled her into his lap. As they kissed, Hotohori tasted salty tears from her eyes. He pulled back and wiped them away. "Are you going to run?'

"No…not this time." She wiped away the rest. "I just…"

"What?"

"I don't understand what I did to deserve someone like you." She smiled slightly and buried her face into his shoulder. "Can I stay here tonight?"

"Of course." He smiled gently and brushed her hair from her face.

"Thanks."

The two got into bed together and Taki curled up closely to him as she slept. They both smiled the entire night.

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Chichiri and Lily were in the courtyard like area of T.I.'s palace. Lily stared up at the sky. Chichiri watched their reflections in a small pond. He wasn't wearing his mask.

"Are you alright, Lily?"

She sighed. "Being alright right now is a relative term." She hugged her knees to her chest.

Chichiri said nothing, just watched her stare up. The sun had set and there were many stars in the sky.

"Oh look!" Lily pointed to the sky.

"What?" He looked up.

"A shooting star." She looked at him. "Make a wish."

He looked back. "Why?"

"That's what you're suppose to do when you see one." She smiled. "I know it sounds a little childish but…"

"It's alright. Are you going to make one?"

"Of course. I have almost every night since I was little." Lily closed her eyes while she wished.

Chichiri stared curiously at her, but followed suit. After a few moments, they both opened their eyes. Chichiri pushed back a few strands of Lily's hair that the wind had blown around. "What did you wish for?"

"Can't tell."

"Why not?" Chichiri whined while in SD form.

Lily giggled when she saw the tiny Chichiri. "Because."

"Because why?" He was still whining.

"Because it won't come true if you tell someone." She smiled smugly and lay back in the grass.

Chichiri regained his composure. "Are you sure?" He looked into her eyes as he leaned over her

"Yes, I'm sure." She smiled again. She rested one hand on the side of his face as she studied his face. 'Damn, he's cute.'

Chichiri placed one hand over hers and wrapped his fingers around hers. Lily said nothing as her began to lean forward and press his lips to hers. Chichiri smiled to himself when he felt Lily's other hand on the back of his head, pulling him closer. His other hand tangled itself into her hair. She let out a small whimper as he slowly pulled away.

"Why do you always do that?" She shook her head slightly.

"Do what?"

"Stop. I don't want you to."

"You know we shouldn't do…"

Lily frowned. "Oh, fuck what we should and shouldn't do, Chichiri. What about what we want to do?"

Chichiri smiled slyly. "I guess we should do what we want to do."

Lily gasped slightly as Chichiri closed their gap again with a little more force. She eagerly kissed back. They kissed until they had to breath again, whereupon they both stood up. Lily was smiling.

"Hmmm…"

"What, no da?" Chichiri had replaced his mask.

"Wishes do come true." Lily left him to think about what she said as she turned to leave. "Good night Chichiri."

"Good night." He stood in the garden, a little confused about what she said, but happy. He really did like Lily, maybe something was trying to tell him it was more than that as well.

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There we go. Sorry 'bout that incredibly long delay to anyone who waited.

Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Flames? Anything?

On a side note, since school will be starting in a like two or three weeks, I really don't know how much time I will devote to my writing. My grades were slipping last year 'cause I worked more on my stories that I did my homework. Please don't tell me to hurry up with the next chapter or anything like that because I really don't know how much time I will spend writing until I find out how hard my courses will be.

On another note, did anyone ever notice that I accidentally changed Taki's mother's name? No one noticed and if y'all did, why didn't you say anything. I felt really stupid when I realized it.

One last note, someone pointed this out to me from my other story, but whenever I type three dots it ends up as just one. I think that's just my stupid word processor. Sorry to anyone who got annoyed with it.

~*~Shadow Hawk~*~