Okay, here is another chapter, sorry they aren't very long, I just haven't had the time to make them longer. This update id dedicated to everyone who has reviewed especially Deity and Silvermagess! I love the updates, keep em comin!

            Tamahome turned toward the door, blocking Miaka. The smoke had cleared from the door way and in it stood a tall, muscular man with hair the color of burning flames. Tamahome knew all too well who this man was. He was the second in command of the Mt. Riekkaku Bandits, Tasuki.

            The bandits had been giving them trouble for the past couple of months now. It was getting harder and harder for merchants and traders to come in and out of the city without being attacked by the bandits.

            "Stay behind me Miaka," Tamahome whispered," What the hell do you want?"

            "I already told ya. We've come for the priestess, now hand 'er over."

            "You'll have to go through me first!"

            The fiery haired bandit smirked at Tamahome as he rushed forward. Miaka could only sit and stare as the two fought. Outside, the palace guards were also dealing with bandits, doing their best to keep the emperor safe.

            "I've had enough of this," Tasuki said, wiping the blood from his mouth," LEKKA SHIEN!!!!"

            There was a bright burst of light, and suddenly flames were shooting from the iron tessen the bandit carried.

            "TAMAHOME!!!!"

            Tamahome fell to the floor, flames biting at him. Miaka rushed forward and used a blanket from the bed to put out the flames.

            "Tamahome! Tamahome please wake up!" She begged, cradling the young man in her lap.

            Tears welled up in her eyes. "Please don't die…Tamahome…you can't leave me…" Miaka thought.

            "Mi…a...ka…"

            "Tamahome…please hang on."

            The bandit stepped forward and looked down at what should have been a heart wrenching sight, yet he could not feel any guilt over what he had done. He had come here on a mission. One he intended to finish, whether the Priestess went willingly was up to her. It didn't matter how she got back to their hide out, as long as she got there alive.

            "Don't…don't touch me…," Miaka said, as the bandit reached for her arm," I'll go with you just…just don't hurt Tamahome anymore…"

            "Alright…we won't hurt anyone else anymore."

            "Your word…"

            "What?"

            "I want your word that you will not hurt them."

            "Fine, fine, ya got my word as a bandit. I won't hurt 'em."

            Miaka stood and left the room with only a backward glance at the now unconscious Tamahome. "I'm sorry…Tamahome…forgive me…"

            Miaka was half-dragged, half-pulled onto the back of horse, behind the bandit. He couldn't have been any older than Tamahome, but there was one thing that Miaka knew for certain, he was ruthless, and he would do anything to keep himself and his bandits alive. She wasn't sure how or why she knew this, but something about him told her he would always do what he set out to do.

            Sometime later they had reached the bandit's hideout. Miaka was taken into the large, cavernous hideouts. As they walked down the halls, some of the bandits called greetings.

            "Hey Genrou!"

            "Looks like ya got quite a catch!"

            "An she's off limits!"

            Genrou? So that was his name…why had he brought her here? Why did he want her to come with him?

            "You'll be staying here until we find a use for ya. The door'll be locked so don' even try getting' out," Tasuki said, shoving Miaka into a large bedroom.

            "Genrou…that's your name isn't it? Why did you bring me here?"

            "You'll find out soon enough, and it's Tasuki."

            "What?"

            A look of poor confusion passed over Miaka's face. It kind of reminded Tasuki of a kitten just before it pounced on something.

            "My name's Tasuki. Genrou's just a nick name.
            "Oh. Tasuki it is then."

            "The only people comin' or goin' this way'll be me an' Koujii. He's a good guy so don't give em any trouble."

            "I won't."

            Tasuki watched the veil of sadness fall across Miaka's eyes, her face. He knew instantly why, that guy, the one they called Tamahome…she must be in love with him. Great, here the bandits are all in need of the Priestess's powers and he goes and off's her boyfriend.

            Tasuki shut the door behind him and made sure to securely lock it. Didn't want one of the boys getting over zealous and trying to get to the Priestess. After all, it was their boss who needed her most.

            Tasuki made his way through the labyrinth of hallways to his boss's chambers.  

            "Come in Tasuki. I know you're out there."

            "How'd ya know it was me?"

            Tasuki approached his boss's bedside where the older man lay resting.

            "You are the only one who never knocks. You just stand there like the wind whistling outside a cave."

            "We've brought the Priestess boss. She's waitin' in my chambers."

            "Well done my boy. Well done. Bring her here later. For now I must…"

            The leader of the bandits convulsed against his bed and fought to keep his breathing under control.

            "Boss?!"

            "I'm fine…I'm fine…I must rest…go now Tasuki.."

            "Don't worry boss…we won't let you die…" Tasuki thought as he left the chamber and went to pay the Priestess a visit.

To be continued…please review!!!!