Chapter 6: Time To Side

Jade slipped back in without trouble. She sat on the balcony to Lady Yui's room. Nakago had warned the guards Jade was returning soon and he wanted to be alerted when she did. He went out for some air to find Jade sitting with her legs dangling over the edge crossed at the ankles. "All I'd have to do is push you."

She looked over her shoulder at him. "What a nice welcome back. As for that push, would you really risk that with her sleeping so close?"

"Who is the manipulator?"

"I've learned from you. In any case, I've returned as promised. If you have nothing to speak with me about I shall leave."

"Then go."

He stepped back expecting her to leave through the room. Instead she climbed down the balcony into a small tree.

She had seen what she wanted to see. Yui was almost healthy enough to leave her room. Jade was so far not allowed in but Nakago had made no such rule about the balcony. She leaned against the tree. "And thus it starts. Tears will run dry but there will be no time to morn. Keep strong and know who to lean on."

She said this to herself before going back to the shelter of her dim room. She worked on the scroll finishing the stars then adding the creator and destroyer of this world. The Nyan-nyans and demons under them she also added. Where did she fit? She added the hourglass and under it wrote time visitor. Jade removed it thinking it incorrect. She added her strange green eyes to it how they sat over the glass. She tied the scroll closed. For now it would be done. There was a pounding on her door. She opened it to find an angered Nakago. "I know were you went. What did you tell them?"

She motioned him in and walked away from the door. "The same thing I told you. Their priestess is soon to return."

"Back for Yui?"

"Yes. Something about being trapped in a book."

"Strange. I'll have to welcome her when she comes."

"I wouldn't bake your cookies yet. It will be a while yet."

Nakago grabbed her wrist and squeezed it hard. She cringed. "You better be telling the truth. I know you have been deceptive in the past."

He mark and eyes were ignited. "Let me go."

His response was to tighten his grip. Her wrist should have broke. He wanted to hear the crack of bones her wrist was like stone now. She pulled herself and Nakago out of time. "Where is this?"

She let go of him but he kept his grip on her wrist. "This is where I could easily take revenge for my parents. This place doesn't care it will crush you the moment I let you go. I know it is grabbing at you now."

She switched grip now grabbing his wrist while freeing her own. She was strong here. Nakago felt pain shoot down his arm. It had been a long time since anyone had caused him pain. "This is where you go? Remember because I will when you return me."

"Who said I was going to let you go back?"

"You can't kill me. I know it is not in your nature."

He was right. She almost reentered time. She pushed him into it but remained out of it. Since she was here she was going to see what was past the blood. There was something odd in the distance. Out of the darkness another thread crossed, tangled and then parted disappearing back into the darkness. It disappeared like it was the end yet it felt like there was more. In a few spots the threads were fused together. She slipped into time where they fused. It was not a world she knew. The night burned with thousands of fires. The people around her looked strangely at her paying now attention to the flames that would most defiantly consume their city. Even in the night made bright she noticed she had no shadow. She had seen enough of that strange place. She returned to find Nakago still waiting. He didn't look very happy. Her wrist only now started to throb. She looked at it now deeply bruised. Nakago held his wrist as well. Even through the armor she managed to bruise him. "Your power surprised me. My injury mirrors yours it would appear."

"You stayed and waited just to say that?"

"Can you bring that power out of that black empty void?"

She smiled. "It wasn't empty you just couldn't see in the darkness. I'm going to take care of this."

She walked out to find some cold water. Nakago followed her out. "What was there? What didn't I see?"

She submerged her arm in the fountain. Sitting on the ground arm still soaking she looked up at him. "If you could not see then you were not meant to."

"Don't tell me that. What was there?"

"As far as it concerns you there will always be nothing in the darkness. Now leave me alone."

She sparked her eyes to push her words. He left Jade. After about thirty minutes she decided what could be slowed was. She removed her wrist from the cold water. Even with the cold this discoloration had spread up her arm and into her hand. She went back to her room and wrapped it so it didn't look so bad. The days bleed into one another. Jade saw little of Yui and almost always at forced distance.

One afternoon she caught a glimpse of a new face, Miaka. Jade kept her distance for the moment. No use getting herself into trouble. Miaka wasn't very alone after all. Tamahome was defiantly looking for her. She wanted to help but to call him Tamahome or Oni would draw attention. "Oniisan! Where have you been?"

He looked up knowing the voice. "Jade, there you are."

He ran over to her. She spoke softly now. "You don't fit in. Act natural, less frantic. Miaka is fine for now. She was just taken to the emperor."

"Thanks. Will you escape with us?"

"Now is not the time. Don't worry about me. Miaka needs you more."

"Okay. I'll be back."

"Stop standing out or I'll have to turn you in."

"I'm trying."

Jade watched the events unfold. Yui mislead Miaka and all Jade could do was stand back and watch. She lacked the power to enter the shrine as it was now. Nakago saw her watching and sealed Jade in a sphere of his life force. "Hey! Get back here and let me out."

"This doesn't concern you. Stay there."

"Do I really have a choice?"

He walked away leaving her trapped. She pressed on the walls and smiled. "He finally figured it out."

For the moment she was detained. The moment the power started to fade in his spell she pushed to get out as hard as she could. She broke free. Nakago must be focusing his power elsewhere. Jade waited out of sight until evening. Nakago had long given up on finding her and disappeared for the night. She knocked lightly on Yui's door. "Lady Yui? Could I speak with you if it's not too late?"

She slowly opened the door. Yui smiled at her. "So, you can talk. I've only seen you working on scrolls or staring into space. Come in."

"Nakago has forbidden me to enter your chambers. I'm sure he wouldn't want me talking to you now."

"I give you permission."

She grabbed Jade's arm and pulled her in closing the door. "See, nothing happened. So, what's your name? How old are you? It seems I don't know much about you does it?"

"It makes sense that you don't. I'm Jade. I've lived ten years, four of them here. I play no part in the four gods; Nakago desires that my power be here. When I stare into nothingness I am not here, I am seeing what is to come."

"Where are your parents?"

"Dead by Nakago's hands. He would deny that to you. Is there anything you would wish to know of events to come?"

"Will I summon Seriyu?"

"Yes."

"What else will happen?"

"You will summon Seriyu."

"I command you to tell me more."

"You command me? On what grounds? That I'm a character in a book? Hate to tell you but right now that's all you are."

"You know a lot for a ten year old."

"On another time line I tried to bring peace between you and Miaka. I failed in so many ways. You were still mad and because I did not have a mastery of my power I got to start all over again. I see now a person who has hidden themself. I don't have a chance now and before I never did. I bid you good evening. Ignore me if you want or ask better questions next time. Either way it makes no difference to me."

Jade walked out the door into Nakago. "What were you doing in there?"

"I asked her in Nakago."

"After I told you not to?"

"I see no harm in it. Now let her go back to her room like she was planning."

Nakago let Jade pass. She went to her room and slept through the night. Dawn's light filled the room. Jade went to the garden first thing this morning. She sat among the flowers as she started to watch time. Miaka was safe and away. She was trying to find how long until Tamahome would return. She gave up and fell back into time. "Jade?"

She opened her eyes to see Yui's face. Yui had tried to shake her awake and was genuinely worried. "Good morning. Thank you about last night."

"Are you okay? I couldn't wake you."

"I was looking into time. How long have you been here?"

"Only a few minutes. What do you look at?"

"Many things. What happens to you, me, and others."

"Nakago denied what happened like you said he would."

"Would you like to see the past? Don't worry, I'll keep you safe."

"You can show that?"

"Yes. So, you want to see?"

"Of course."

Jade dropped a handful of white sand on the ground. "Take my hands. Don't let go and be ready to close your eyes."

Jade's eyes lit up igniting the hourglass as well. They were surrounded in a bright green light. Yui closed her eyes. She opened them to total darkness. She couldn't see anything but still held Jade's hands. A soft green light surrounded Jade. "Where are we?"

"Outside of time, in the void."

"How do you see time?"

She pulled Yui towards the thread she couldn't yet see. As if set ablaze Yui saw the light the thread gave off. Jade took her to right before her parents died. "Remember, don't let go."

They partially entered time as observers not seen or heard. "Who's your little friend?"

"Tamahome. Dad hired him to protect me. To me he was my brother."

"Where are you going?"

"I can't remember now, all I remember of this day now is when we came back. Would rather follow or wait?"

"I'll wait."

Jade jumped forward a few hours. "Nakago is now very near. We might have to go. I'm not sure I'm ready to see this."

"Then we'll stay outside."

Nakago entered the small house. "They never had a chance. I know that now."

Nakago exited the house. Blood was speckled across his face. Yui watched how calmly, how coldly, he walked to the shallow stream and washed the blood off. Jade and Tamahome were returning. She saw them hesitate and inside she hoped they would stay away. Nakago sent Tamahome flying. She screamed at him to stop. "Do you want to go now?"

Yui looked back to Jade. Tears rimmed her eyes. "Yes."

"I'm going to show you something to prove the truth of this."

Jade pulled Yui out of the thread. She led her down just past the green marker. "Why is that spot green?"

"Remember that sand I dropped? That is what it does."

Yui was now seeing herself, Jade, and Nakago. He stood between her and Jade. "How dare you use your illusions on Lady Yui?"

He slapped her across the face. "Nakago, no, I asked her."

Yui tried to grab his arm. "She should've known better than to have listened."

He pushed Jade away sending her off balance and backwards to the ground. "I'm fine, now leave her alone. You're too harsh."

"Yui, this is what is going to happen for me using my power. Even now he is waiting for our return."

She pulled Yui back out of the thread. "Why did you do this if you knew this was going to happen?"

"A small price. Now you know. I might hope it opened your heart back up a bit."

"Can I ask a question of you and one for me?"

"Anything."

"Will I be with the one I love? No slanting because you love him."

"I do love Tamahome but, as a brother. I am not in the competition for his vows. You will be with the one you love."

Jade might have been deceitful but she said the one she loved, not Tamahome. "You knew you were a character in a book. Why doesn't that bother you?"

"Right now you are a character in this book. For all I know your world could be someone else's book. In any event the timeline here has no end in either direction. Might I ask something of you?"

"What do you want?"

"You plan an ultimatum fir Tamahome. If he comes please allow me to watch over him."

"Go ahead."

"Thank you."

She jumped into time pulling Yui with her. Nakago pushed Jade away from Yui as soon as the light faded. Yui watched and said exactly as Jade had let her see. Nakago acted exactly as she had seen. Jade slipped out of the room. Her face hurt along with her rear.

Not long after Yui sent her ultimatum. Tamahome came as expected. Jade stayed away from them. It made Yui wonder what Jade was planning or waiting for. She really hadn't seen Jade since Nakago had slapped her. She went to greet Tamahome with breakfast to see Jade again. She was sleeping on the flood near Tamahome's bed. Yui could see from the door that Jade carried a bruise from it. The entire side of her face was discolored and slightly swollen. Tamahome was still sleeping too. She backed out of the room. Jade looked at ease in her sleep.

Tamahome was awakened by the click of the door as it shut. He then heard another's breath. Almost stepping on Jade he got up to find the source. His heart sank when he saw her. He gently swept the hair from her face. Even in sleep Jade cringed in pain from the slight touch to her face. He wrapped a blanket around her and carefully moved her to the bed.

Yui came back a few hours later. She had hoped Jade would be awake when she came back. "What happened to her?"

"Nakago slapped her for using her power and showing me the past."

"And you let this happen?"

"Oniisan, what's wrong? Yui allows me to see you."

Jade was talking in her sleep. She hadn't slept since Tamahome arrived. Even if nobody saw her, she had been there. That caught up with her. Tamahome picked Jade up and Yui led him to Jade's room. He saw the scroll Jade was working on resting on the table. It looked almost finished. He unrolled a small section. It was the same one but she had stated working in small details. He rolled it back up replacing it on the table. "She knows too much for her age. She keeps trying to make me see something that is so simple for her, yet I can't see it no matter how many ways she tries to show me."

"Her power is to blame. It was why she needed me to protect her."

"If you leave, take her. She's not happy here."

"I already promised her that."

They walked out leaving Jade to sleep. It was late afternoon when she finally woke-up. She ran back down the hall stopping before Tamahome's room. She knocked. "Come in Jade."

"Yui, sorry to be a bother to you."

"I told Nakago you were free to enter or leave any room. He seemed to be okay with it. All I ask is that I can have time alone with Tamahome."

"Like now."

"Yes."

"I'll go then. You know where I hide."

Jade walked off. She spent precious little time with Tamahome. Since Yui spent most of the day with Tamahome Jade slipped time for a few weeks allowing only a day to pass. Her face had healed when she returned. Tamahome had tried to find Jade before he left. Jade found him after Nakago caught him. He was about to be punished as Jade reentered time. She stood next to Tamahome. She surrounded herself and Tamahome in a sphere of green light. "Stay back Nakago."

"You dare stand against Lady Yui?"

"She would never want this."

"Jade, I know you're trying to help me, but please don't. Not now."

"But…"

"He's already won and he knows it. If you fight then you'll be punished as well."

"Are you sure?"

"He knows your opinion now. Ease up and walk out."

She waited with Yui. "I tried Yui. Oni knew without seeing the future that there was no hope. I'm just a child, what was I hoping to do?"

"Defend the last member of your family. It was brave to try."

"I failed, plain and simple. I'm going to look ahead. It's all I can do."

Jade ran outside to the garden. She started to watch time and as unresponsive by the time Yui found her. Days passed and she still remained out of reach. Still battered Tamahome tried to lure her back. Nakago was kind enough to find Yui a gift. A small black pearl that would make him forget Miaka. She couldn't bring herself to putting it in his food. She remembered Jade would eat with him. She wanted Tamahome to forget Miaka, not Jade. She went to the garden to find Jade missing.

Jade found Tamahome eating alone. "Mind if I join?"

"Not at all. I was starting to wonder if you were ever coming back to us."

"It was educational. I might know how I fit in now. Nakago knows and so did my parents. He won't tell and they can't."

"Well, how do you fit?"

"Seriyu's seven are generally older than the seven of Suzaku. Going through the past, I can't find my birth. The earliest I find myself is about a year old in my parent's arms. I don't think I'm from the same place as Miaka and Yui because of my power."

"So you'd be against me?"

"I never accepted it. I might fit the legend but never took the duties."

"Does it have anything to do with accepting?"

"It has to. If not then Yui is doomed with the summoning."

"You see time, is she?"

"She makes the final wish in her own world. I can't follow their time very well."

Yui walked in. She had only heard the last question. Jade was still eating with Tamahome. She shoved the last morsel of food into her mouth before waving good-bye to Tamahome. Yui was now glad she didn't taint the food. She grabbed Jade's arm. "Just a minute."

"But you said I had to leave."

"Never mind that. Why were you talking about wishes?"

"Your wishes are still unknown. I just told him that I don't know your final one because you are in your own world. Not being able to see is new to me."

"Go. Work on your scrolls or whatever you do."

Jade left them. She met up with Tamahome later that evening. "Please lock the door."

Jade turned around and forced a lock the best she could. "Who's here?"

"Chichiri is going to allow me to see Miaka tonight."

Jade leaned on a wall. "I'll try not to spoil the moment with my presence."

"Jade, don't worry. I trust you."

She remained to the side as he spoke with Miaka. They ended with a long kiss as Miaka faded. "Oni, you're kissing the wall. Miaka is gone."

He opened his eyes and removed his lips. "You really know how to kill a moment don't you?"

"I'll let you get ready."

She slipped out the door. Her power was so cruel. Tamahome was going to miss the meeting. Yui gave Tamahome the kiss that would take him from everyone. Miaka went looking for him long after the time had passed. She found him with Yui. He had only eyes for Yui and yet so respectful to Nakago. Jade caught up with Miaka just as she entered. Tamahome attacked her. Miaka fell to the ground both with injury and broken heart. Jade ran between him and Miaka. "Oniisan, what are you doing?"

"Stay out of this little brat."

He attacked. Jade threw her hands out to block. She almost looked like she was trying to catch the attack. The emerald light came from her hand. The weapon entered the light and slowed to a halt before her hands. "Yui, why did you take the last of my family?"

Yui felt guilty about taking him from Jade, but not Miaka. "Tamahome, respect Jade. She is your sister."

He nodded. The light faded and both her and the weapon fell. Tamahome helped Jade to a chair then left with Nakago and Miaka. Yui sat across from Jade. "What did you just do? You should have been hurt by that attack but you blocked it without a scratch."

"I stopped the time for that area in the light. I've never been able to do it before. It surprised me too."

"I'll try to get him to act towards you like he did before. If not I'm just as bad as Nakago."

"Powerful magic to turn against everything that mattered to you. How is it love if he listens only to what you say without his own mind?"

"Jade, I see how you feel."

Jade now stood at the door ready to leave. "No, you don't. Loose everything and tell me how it feels to be alone."

She slammed the door as she left. Nakago passed her going towards where they had Miaka. She thought it odd but kept going towards her room. Tasuki and a strange looking Chichiri were tied to a post. She gave them a funny look. "Are you okay?"

Tasuki made a few muffled angry sounds under the gag. "I'll take that as a yes. Sorry Tasuki, if Nakago tied you up then I'm not messing with it tonight."

She continued to the end of the hall to look back to see Chichiri with Miaka and Tasuki throwing a fit over being tied up. He then saw Jade. He drew his fan as he approached. "How do you know my name?"

"You know that fan won't work here?"

"That isn't what I asked."

"When you can see time you pick-up on things like names. Mine is Jade. I play no part in the four gods. However, I am partial to protecting Tamahome."

"You love him too?"

"Not like that."

She swiped his fan from his hand and lightly swatted him in the head with it. "What'd you do that for?"

"You had unclean thoughts. If anyone were my brother he would be. Now be quiet and listen."

"What for?"

She threatened to bop him again. "Okay, I'm listening."

She handed him back the fan and told him the best way out. They didn't listen. Jade was given the duty by Yui to stay by Tamahome's side in the event he did get in trouble when he went out. He found them under the biggest tree in the garden. "Oni, you should just let them go this time."

He looked down at her, his eyes now cold. "I have orders to keep this place safe. They are a threat to that and to you. Stay back."

Defeated she watched Tasuki get beat to a near pulp. Nakago stood beside her now. "Why do you still call him oni? The mark will never again appear."

"Mark?"

"You call him brother and you don't know about the oni on his forehead when he fights?"

"He never wanted me to see that side I guess. I've never seen him fight up-close. He made sure I was at a safe distance before he'd fight."

They escaped with Chichiri's magic. "So, you'll be going along with Tamahome tomorrow to destroy Suzaku where it sleeps?"

"If that is where he goes I shall."

They parted. Jade packed her pigments and scrolls into a small pack. She was ready to leave. Early they left. When they arrived Tamahome managed to pick a fight with Hotohori. Jade saw Hotohori had a downside. Tamahome didn't care but Hotohori couldn't kill one of their own. How would they summon Suzaku without Tamahome? Miaka threw herself at Tamahome. She would either break the curse or die trying. She brought back the true version. "Thank you Miaka."

She looked at the girl who stood at the far edge of the open area. "Who are you? How do you know my name?"

"Ask Tamahome, or Nuriko, or even Hotohori."

"Jade! How long has it been?"

"Hotohori, you still look the same. I'd say about two months but I have no sense of time."

"And you watch time?"

"Hey! It's not like it tells me when it is."

"It's all right little one."

"It was just as perfect as I had seen it. I've left and kept my word. I watched over Tamahome. Here comes trouble."

Tasuki was fast approaching. He looked slightly pissed and very injured still. The expression worsened when he saw Jade. "You leave me tied up, you are there every time something goes wrong involving Seriyu and you dare show up here?"

"I also kept things from getting much worse for you."

"Spy!"

"Fang boy, cool it. I know your next move and I wouldn't recommend it."

"Why? Are you going to tell Nakago on me? Rekka Shinen!"

Jade placed her hands before her. The green light surrounded her. The flames floated like they were suspended in the light. "No, because if I must take a side I'd choose this one."

"Tasuki, she wasn't there by choice. If you hurt her I'll pay you back."

"You already almost killed me!"

Glad to hear you two are getting along. Good night."