Disclaimer: Don't own it. Sorry. Look for Yu Watase if you want to know who owns it, as well as a bunch of other companies.

Happy New Year! I know it's a bit late for that, but oh well! Here's the next part, and this is where it gets a but spaced out between updates (I think. From now on, my life is controlled by a scary man with a scary attitude for 9 hours a week!), but I might make the time between updates shorter. It just depends on reviews! Well, here we go!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What did you just say?" Those words rang through my mind, over and over, making my heart jump with each word. My mouth opened up slightly, unable to speak a word. To put it simply, I was speechless, unable to make any sense of that small and seemingly insignificant question. I tried to say something, to make sure I didn't reveal anything, when my right leg almost gave out on me. I gasped, and tried to grab it, hoping to stop the pain, but it left as quick as it came, leaving both Nuriko and I confused. I still wasn't used to the flashing pains in my leg, and Nuriko was just confused about everything- both the past thing and my leg.

"Are you alright?" Nuriko asked hesitantly.

Smiling broadly, I faked whatever pain I had, and put on a fake smile. "Yeah. I'm just fine." From the looks on his face, he didn't believe me.

"Liar," I heard him say, his voice not quite harsh, but almost a whisper. I wasn't surprised by the fact he said that he said that. Nuriko had almost always acted that way towards me when I tried to hide something, and it had come as second nature. However, Nuriko didn't seem to realize what he said, and continued with his scolding. "Miaka, what are you doing, lying to me? You always pull this bullshit!" My eyes opened wider as he spoke, and I took in each word. He was right, and he knew it by the look in his eyes.

"Nuriko." The word came out of my mouth before I could stop it. So much for subtly. But, I didn't think it mattered at this point of time. The damage was already done, and he knew about his past. But how much, was a mystery beyond me.

As the word came out of my mouth, I noticed Nuriko's eyes. They grew wide, and the recognition and familiarity I once knew almost seemed to fly into his eyes and return. His eyes shine with seeing me, and they seem to make the connection between the me of fifteen, and the me I am now. He smiled so truly, so friendly at me, and I threw my arms around him, happy to see him again. As he returned the hug, I wrapped my arms around him tighter, and let my tears run down my face.

As soon as Nuriko let go of me, I knew he would ask about everything- including Taka. Not bothering to remove the tears from my face, I braced myself for the tears I know will fall.

"How long has it been?" Wow- some first question. Hadn't expected it.

"About nine years."

"Why are you here?" Umm... how can I say this gently, without crying? I guess I really have no way to reveal this without shedding tears, and making the blow soft so I can deal with Taka's death, and make it easy for Nuriko.

No matter how much I tried, the tears I had tried to stop from falling as I answered fell, and Nuriko saw me, and wrapped his arms around me without question. As I cried harder, I wrapped my arms around Nuriko tighter, and didn't let go. Soon, however, my tears slowly grew less violent, and more controllable. I let Nuriko go slowly as they fell quieter, and readied myself for the questions.

"Miaka, what happened? Did something happen to Taka? In fact, where is Taka? Is he ok?" Not again. Please, don't cry again Miaka. You've already shed enough tears today. Don't cry.

As I battled my self-control, Nuriko stared at me, almost seeming to question my thoughts. At long last, he spoke up, breaking the silence.

"He's gone, isn't he?" Plain and simple, but heart breaking. As I nodded, Nuriko took in a breath sharply, and shut his eyes quickly, avoiding tears. When I saw Nuriko open his eyes, I was shocked to see the amount of sadness and pain in them. It was so much more than I expected, and I expected quite a bit. I moved my legs so I could rest my chin on my knees, and Nuriko moved to sit on the edge of the bed. He stared off into space, muttering things like, "It couldn't be," and "Why?". They tugged at my heart, as my reaction was a bit like that.

"It was a bit over a month ago. Taka and I had moved here for a job offer Taka received, and we ended up in a crash, which ki- killed Taka and left me in a coma." I said it so plain and without emotion, shocking myself at the fact I could say it without tears streaming from my eyes without end.

The two of us sat in silence for a few minutes, not wanting to speak, but let Taka's memory stay in our hearts for the time being. Finally, I spoke up.

"So, how have you been? What's your life been like?"

Nuriko took a second to reply, and told me of his past. He told me about where he was born, about his parents and siblings, about his life. I found out that Nuriko was a journalist, traveling to different places all the time. I smiled, listening to his stories about the places he had been, the people he had met, and the things he had seen and was paid to write about. Finally, he stopped, and smiled.

"So, what've you been doing?"

"Umm... I married Taka and worked for a bookstore for a few years, then moved here. Kind of a bland life, but it suited me."

"Any kids?"

"Nope. No pets either."

"That's weird- you always did love Tama."

"I tried to get a cat, but I never did go through with it, I guess. But no cat could ever replace Tama!"

"True- he did get us out a mess or two." I smiled, remembering the time in Kotou when Chichiri had used Tama as a way to return to Konan. "I always wondered what happened to Tama," I said, musing mostly to myself.

"Eh, Michael's got him. Sage wanted a cat, and Mike got her one. I don't remember how long ago though."

"Wait, you know Michael?"

"Course- we met a long time ago." Nuriko smiled, seeming to remember something.

"So, do you know Tasuki, or Chichiri?"

"And Hotohori, and Chiriko. We're all a group of friends who met, well, it seems like we've always known each other." My jaw fell. I had been looking for everyone, but it seems that I had ran into them. I hadn't expected this, but it was a welcomed surprise.

"What's everyone else been up to? I really don't know much about them." Nuriko smiled, and filled my head with so many stories about everyone when they had grown up. The ties they had as seishi weren't broken- in fact, I think that's why everyone had such a strong bond, because they all knew each other in the past. Each of my seishi had met each other long ago, and the friendship had grown stronger with each passing year. As I heard about each story Nuriko had to tell, I knew that it was them, just by the actions. Sure, everyone had a few different qualities, but they were still them. And that's the part I felt happiest about.

"Do you think anyone remembers me?" I asked as Nuriko fell silent.

"Of course we do. We would have the weirdest conversations about things we'd see while daydreaming, while we were asleep, or just about anywhere. We'd see someone who'd look like someone we'd remember, and take a double take. Or talk to the person as if we had known them our entire lives, especially when we had just met them. I'll tell you, I've met so many people who look familiar, but I could never place a name on. Even my family looked strange. When I was a teen, I almost expected them to kick me out."

"Why?"

"I left home when I was a teen in the past, and I moved in with my aunt and uncle. After that, I joined the harlem." Oh. I guess that would make sense.

"From what we all went through growing up, I think each of us has a sense of our past, but we don't know that it's there," Nuriko continued. "Each of us knew that we had done something before, but we didn't know what. There's been times when I tried to lift something over my head that no one could, and expect to lift it up. I remember G- I mean Tasuki- got into a fight once, just like always, and reached right over his shoulder." Nuriko laughed, remembering. "He had the nastiest black eye after that!" I laughed, trying to picture Tasuki with a black eye. It was an image I couldn't see. "We all know that we're seishi, but it's more on a subconscious level than in our minds. And I guess that you help us learn who we are- or were."

I smiled at Nuriko. "Thank you." Nuriko had almost a shocked look on his face after I said that. After listening to him say over and over why he didn't understand why I was thanking him, I finally explained. "I have you again. You're one of the only ones who understand everyone, and since I lost Taka... well, you kinda brought back my spirit."

"I could never imagine you without your spirit, Miaka," Nuriko said silently, as his face was slightly tinged a light pink. I smiled, remembering his conversation with Tamahome, and remembered that he didn't know I overheard. "I need to go back to work. But, I'll try to come back and visit soon, and I'll bring some food, and maybe a friend." I smiled, and held out my arms, and gave Nuriko a hug, glad to have him back as my friend again.

"Thank you, Nuriko. I'll see you later."

"Bye," he said, pulling away. He smiled at me, one last time, and left my room. As he left, I smiled until I realized I didn't get his name.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Yui-chan, I found him, I found him!!!" I called Yui-chan as soon as the hospital grew quiet, and almost everyone, with the exception of the night staff and some people, happened to be asleep.

"Found who?"

"Nuriko! I found Nuriko!"

"Wasn't Nuriko your seishi who died at Mount Black by Ashitare?" As she said those words, I remembered that cruel day. I remembered how much it hurt, holding Nuriko in my arms, as he laid almost dead. I remembered the cruel, harsh reality of hearing the words, "He's gone," being uttered from Tamahome's mouth. Everyone's reaction as he was buried. All of it seemed like a bad dream at the time, and it still seemed that way.

"Yeah- it was him."

"Where'd you find him?"

"Sage and Heather know him, and he came to visit them."

"Did you talk to him?"

"Would you be shocked if I told you they all know each other?"

"Who knows each other? Your seishi? Or someone else?"

"My seishi. They all met when they were young, an-"

"So they all know each other?"

"Yeah. Nuriko said that'd he help me out. At least I think he did."

"You said that some other people you knew were reincarnated too, but they had new names. What was Nuriko's new name out of curiosity?"

"Umm... I actually didn't find out..." Yui-chan sighed, and let out a few giggles. You had to admit, it was kinda funny.

"Well, I need to go. I'm so sorry for cutting this off so soon, but I have a doctors appointment." I cringed at hearing that. Once I get out of this place, I hope I will never have to go to the doctors for something serious again.

We exchanged good byes, and hung up. I fell onto my pillow, and sighed, smiling a bit. I had each of my seishi in my grasp again, just like before. I could find them all, and we could be together. Well, actually, we would be missing Tamahome, but what if he did come back? Maybe- or maybe not. As I curled up into a little ball, I drifted off, wondering if Suzaku, the god of love, would be willing to grant me just one more chance with the one I love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yay!!! Done! I got this done due to severe boredom, and the fact that I go back to school four days after my brother (including the weekend!). So, I did this. And sorry about the cliffhanger last chappie! But, I did need to go, and it did work...

idontknow: Yes, call me evil. I really don't mind. But, here ya go!
tamababymiko-chan: Heh heh heh- I love cliffhangers! That was really mean tho. Sorry! And I do hope this helped a bit! And thank you!!!!

And please review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love ya all!

~Frenchie