"Hearts Aflame" by Ai Yuukan

Chapter 6
Boy, was she ever wrong. Tasuki was furious once he found out she never meant to go all the way with him. She didn't know how he had gotten himself in such a temper. It had all just been some harmless fun, hadn't it? What she didn't know was how uncomfortable he was now.
Vivien looked around and noted a door bolted with a heavy piece of wood. His hideout only consisted of two rooms, and considering the size of the exterior, she knew the room behind the door had to be fairly big. Her curiosity was killing her. Now how to get past Tasuki's notice..?
"Damn it, Vi, you just had to be the deceitful kind of female. Damn it! You should have never made a promise you couldn't keep!" Tasuki was bloody furious and too damn uncomfortable. Not to mention crushed with disappointment.
Vivien bristled. Deceitful? Her? "Well, excuse me for having some fun! I had no idea you'd cry like a spoiled child when I'd cry off! And you shouldn't have thought I was that easy. I've never flirted before, anyway." She said defensively.
Tasuki snorted. He obviously didn't believe her. "Right. You flirt just as well as an eager prostitute. The hell you never flirted before."
Vivien's eyes widened. Her expression was one of outrage and curiosity. She was good at flirting? Well, how curious! She had never known that. But he was likening her to a prostitute! How dare he! "Hey, a girl has to do what she has to do to survive! I'd never get you to lead me to their hideout if I hadn't led you on!"
Tasuki grinned maliciously. "That's right. You still don't know where the hideout is. And I'm not going to tell you."
Vivien's eyes narrowed. "You saw what I did to that bush. Shut up if you don't want to be burned to a crisp!"
Tasuki wasn't impressed. "Right. Whatever." He waved his hand, dismissing her threat easily. He turned. "Heck, I don't have the time to have some fun with you anyway. I have to go."
Vivien gasped in outrage. "Have some f-fun with -- Keep dreaming, carrot-top!"
Tasuki's eyes narrowed. "Oh, don't pretend you don't want me. I could tell you had the hots for me by the way you were holding on to me earlier."
Vivien's face burst into flames. "I was afraid of the horse!"
"Fear doesn't make a girl start feeling up a guy's chest, Vi! You think I didn't feel your fingers playing over my chest?" He sneered contemptuously.
Vivien's temper exploded. "I wanted to see your reaction, that's all! To see if you really weren't gay!" It wasn't true, of course, but what other excuse did she have?
Luckily for her, Tasuki took the bait. "The hell! I'm not gay!"
"But you hate women!"
"Take one good long look at yourself and you'll understand why!"
Vivien grabbed a vase and hurled it at his head. "Get out!" Tasuki ducked just in time. Vivien grabbed a stray sword and hurled it at him. Tasuki closed the door in the nick of time.
His eyes were wide with shock. What a temper! Suddenly, the door burst into flames. "Oh, that's it!" He stormed back in the house, grabbed her by the arm, shoved her into a chair, grabbed a strip of cloth, and roughly blindfolded her. "Now sit here and wait 'till I come back. And I swear, if you burn anything else.. I'll kill you!" He got up and stormed out of the house.
By the time Tasuki was out of sight and Vivien's shock at being manhandled wore off, she tore the blindfold off and glared at what remained of the door. The idiot! He had forgotten to bind her hands! The lout! Suddenly, Vivien turned towards the bolted door. Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she walked towards it. A few grunts and a few wheezes later, Vivien had removed the bolt. She opened the door and her eyes widened in wonder.
Minutes later, Vivien was slipping on several gem-studded golden jewelry on several limbs with an impish glee. This would serve him right! The scumbag!

Nuriko twisted Eiken's arm with a menacing grin on his face. The fat bandit yelped in pain. "A-All right! I'll tell you! Tasuki! Tasuki has the character on his body!"
Miaka smiled gleefully. "Tasuki. The fifth one!" She smiled with happiness. We've found the fifth one, Tamahome. "And just where is he?!" She demanded of the bandit leader.
Suddenly, Miaka was grabbed from behind.

"What the --!" Nuriko stared. "Miaka!"
"Miaka!"
Koji gaped. "G-Genrou!"
Eiken gawked. "I-I didn't know you'd come back!"
Hotohori glared at Tasuki. "Miaka!"
Tasuki sneered. "Long time, no see. Eiken.. the trip's over. I'm back." He glared contemptuously at Eiken. "So, you've made yourself leader. You're so butt-ugly." He glanced at the young woman slung over his shoulder. "So you're married?" He grimaced. "That's too hard to believe!"
Miaka was disgusted. "You're wrong! I'm not his wife!"
Tasuki paid no attention to her. "Well, she's mine now."
Hotohori gripped his sword menacingly. "I won't allow it!"
Tasuki sneered and suddenly shot several strips of paper at them. "Genjitsu! Shinzarou!" The Chinese characters glowed as they sliced through the air and become a pack of black, snarling wolves.
Nuriko punched away a wolf and stared. "No way!"
"Well, I'm off!"
"Miaka!"
"Miaka!"
"Hotohori! Nuriko!"
"Eiken, if ya want the girl back, challenge me for the position of leader!" And they were gone.
"Miaka!" Hotohori sliced through the wolf and stared as two pieces of paper floated to the ground. "Paper?"
Eiken was swearing profusely. "Damn you, Genrou! Don't underestimate me!" He held a fan in his tight fist. Several wolves cornered him. "Rekka.. Shinen!" Ashes floated to the ground.
"What the hell was that?!" Nuriko demanded incredulously. "Fire from a fan and paper wolves?! The hell?!"

Tasuki sighed as Miaka was about to shout for help. "Only my friends and I know of this place. Nobody's going to help you." He eyed Miaka's figure. He was still uncomfortable from the early episode with Vivien and he needed relief. The girl would have to do. "Sorry, I have nothing against you." He leaned forward to kiss her. "Be a good girl, and nothing will happen to you."
Miaka promptly punched Tasuki away.
"Ow! What're ya doin'?"
Miaka was furious. "That's my line! Don't underestimate me because I'm a woman!" Miaka got into a fighting position. "Come on! I'm not afraid of you!" She jabbed the air. "Aim to the side and punch! Uppercut! Then it's all over!"

Tasuki sweatdropped. "What's she doing?" He sighed. Women. He hated the lot o' em. "This is just ridiculous. Forget about it. I give up. I ain't interested in a girl who doesn't cry. I don't particularly like women in the first place."
Miaka was wide-eyed. "Oh? You're gay?"
"Why does everyone say that?!" Tasuki said, exasperated. "I just made a move on you and you say I'm gay! Women are morons.." He muttered underneath his breath. "But you're a hostage 'til we finish this business. So if you give me too much trouble, I'll kill.. Hey, I ain't finished!" Miaka was removing his shirt. "What the hell're ya doin'?!" He demanded of Miaka angrily.
Miaka only blushed slightly. "I'm checking to see if you have a character on your body! I didn't tell you; I'm the Suzaku no Miko. I'm kind of famous around here. I thought you could be a seishi."
"I wouldn't know about that, you moron!"

Suddenly, they heard a knock on the burned door. "Good evening. Who is it? Genrou's best buddy's here to see him. It's Koji. You're welcome. Please come in. Thank you!" The blue-haired bandit stepped into the hut.

"Koji! Long time, no see, Koji!" He ran up to do a merry dance of greeting with his best friend.
"You saw me before!"
Tasuki frowned. "Did I?"
"You didn't notice me? How cold!"
Miaka sweatdropped. What the hell's with these guys?

"Huh? You were supposed to become the leader?"
"Sorta." Koji answered for Tasuki. He turned to his best buddy. "When our former leader died a month ago, Eiken took over because you weren't around. He worried about you until he died."
Tasuki's eyes had softened. "Leader.."
Miaka jumped up. "Okay! I'll help you!"
"Huh?"
"You absolutely have to be the leader! And I want to help Hotohori and Nuriko.."
"Hey, you.."
"No problem! Don't mention it! Since I'm helping you, if we're successful, will you help me find Tasuki?" She asked Tasuki hopefully.
"I didn't mean.."
"We're decided, so let's go!" She started for the door. "Let's go, Genrou, Koji!"
Genrou and Koji sweatdropped. "She doesn't get that she's a hostage, does she?"
"Looks that way."
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Miaka turned back. "Afterwards can you also help me find my friend Kyoku? I think she's lost in the woods somewhere."

Tasuki arched a brow. "Kyoku? Does she have red-gold hair?"
"Hai!"
"And violet eyes?"
"Hai! Have you seen her?!"
Tasuki frowned. He had almost forgotten about her. "Hai.. she was supposed to stay here.. where could she be?"
"Er, Genrou?"
"What is it, Koji?"
Koji gestured to the wooden bolt on the floor. "Looks like someone's been in your treasure room, bro."
Tasuki gaped, incredulous. "She couldn't have-!" He opened the door. There, sitting on a mound of coins, was Vivien, examining a golden plate.
Vivien looked up and smiled cheerfully at Tasuki. "Hey, Genrou! How much do you think this is worth? It's pure gold, you know."
Tasuki scowled. "Of course it is, you dope. What are you doing in here?"
"Checking things out. You know, when you blindfold someone, don't forget to tie the hands, too."
Tasuki swore. "Get out!"
"Okay. I'll ask you the plate's worth later."
"You're not getting the damn plate! That's mine!"
"Not anymore. You're going to have to pay me, you know, for my services. You guys can't go alone." She finally noticed Koji. "You!" She glared. "Your friend is in danger, fang-boy."
"Kyo-chan!"
Vivien's face brightened when she saw Miaka. "Miaka! I should have expected you!" She had figured things out while Tasuki had been out. The women-hater was a bandit, had a hideout conveniently stashed on Mt. Reikaku, and had red hair and fangs. She should have realized it sooner. He was Tasuki. Just her luck. Carrot-top was a fellow seishi. Damn. But she knew she'd have to keep mum about it. If she said anything, it would interfere with their search for Mitsukake.
"What are you talking about?" Miaka asked Vivien curiously.
Vivien sighed. "Remember my er.. other seishi ability, Miaka?"

Miaka's eyes lit up in immediate understanding. "Oh!" She turned to Tasuki and Koji to explain, "Kyo-chan also has the ability to see the future. But she's also supposed to keep her silence."
Vivien looked away. That was true, but she still had to know.. why? Suzaku, please, tell me.
The god didn't speak. Vivien sighed. She had a feeling the god knew the answer but was keeping it from her for some reason. She might as well betray her secret if she wasn't to know anything.. but her gut was telling her that it was either her silence.. or something awful.

Tasuki listened angrily as Eiken rallied on his bandits. "Listen up! Genrou and Koji will move on us tonight for sure! Don't get careless!"
Tasuki snarled. "Don't get carried away! They're listening to Eiken."
Koji looked on disgustedly. "What wusses! So weak before the former leader's little keepsake."
"Nani?" Miaka asked curiously.
"Harisen (paper fan)." Koji explained curtly.
"Nani?" Miaka wrinkled her nose. "You're afraid of that?"
"You've got it wrong. We're talking tessen (iron fan)."
"An incantation will make it throw flames. It was specially - "
" - made to incinerate enemies. Yeah, yeah, I know. Let's hurry up already." Vivien said anxiously. She wanted this over with already!
Tasuki nodded. "We must get it." He took out several strips of paper with Chinese characters upon the parchment.
Miaka's eyes lit up with recognition. "Oh, those are what made the wolves appear. Lemme se! Lemme se!" She grabbed them excitedly. "Are they magic?"
Tasuki nodded, busy looking inside the mansion. "It's sorcery. They were given to me by a Taoist when I was traveling. You write what you want on it, and it becomes an illusion and appears."
Miaka's eyes were bright. If I write something I like, it'll appear. She immediately began scribbling. Vivien noticed what she was doing and grinned.
"I'll sneak in from the side." Koji said.
Only then did Tasuki notice Miaka and his paper. "What're you doin?! Give 'em back!" He grabbed them from Miaka's hands. Suddenly, a sword appeared at his throat.
"I've been looking for you, you bastard. What have you done with Miaka?" Hotohori demanded with narrowed eyes.
Miaka smiled gladly at the emperor. "Hotohori, Nuriko! You're okay!"
"Miaka.."
Nuriko suddenly appeared beside Hotohori, exasperated. "You took the words right out of our mouths, Miaka."

"I understand. Miaka, are you sure about helping them?" Hotohori asked the Suzaku no Miko as they wandered in the mansion in search of Eiken.
Miaka nodded. "Hai. Because of Tasuki, and I really want to help."
Hotohori smiled fondly at her. "That's what so good about you." All of a sudden, out of nowhere, a bandit with sparkling eyes latched unto the emperor's leg. Vivien glared at the bandits who had found them.
"I've been looking for you!" The lovestruck bandit cried out to Hotohori.
Hotohori looked sick. "Nuriko!"
Vivien stifled back a laugh. Nuriko promptly bashed the guy away from the emperor.
"There they are!"
Vivien bit back a curse.
"Damn!" Koji cursed for her.
Tasuki reached for his enchanted strips of parchment. "Leave this to me!" She threw several strips of parchment at the bandits. "Appear, wolves!"
Several sugary confections popped into existence in the air. Everyone sweatdropped. Tasuki stared then tossed some more strips. "One more time! Appear, wolves!" More sugary goodness popped into the air. "What the hell are these?!"
Vivien eyed the confections longingly. If only they weren't illusions..
"Miaka.." Nuriko looked towards the Suzaku no Miko, who looked as guilty as hell.
Miaka tried to blend with the wall. "I'm not here!"

Tasuki was murderous. "You did this?!"
Miaka sweatdropped. "Yeah, I guess.." "Watch out!" Hotohori rescued the Suzaku no Miko just before she got incinerated. Vivien glared. "I'll take care of him." She stepped forward. Don't, Suzaku commanded her. Vivien stopped dead in her tracks and really glared. A bandit ran from the hall screaming, his rear on fire.

Big, ugly Eiken stepped forward at the same time, an ugly grin on his lips. "Welcome back, Genrou." He sneered. "Won't the wolves come out anymore?"
Nuriko stepped forward menacingly. "Hotohori-sama."
Hotohori reluctantly shook his head. "No, Nuriko. We can't fight them. Tasuki might be among them."
Vivien fairly growled. She itched to tell them exactly who Tasuki was! And she was about to, too, when Suzaku stopped her. You cannot. It is forbidden.
I'll just tell them where to find Mitsukake! It shouldn't be too hard!
You risk the well-being of your sisters.
Vivien stilled. What?
Should you break a rule, any of your sisters may be punished.
Vivien's eyes widened. Her heart stopped. No..
Tasuki was chagrined. "Shit! Do we have to fight our own people?"
"That's the problem." Koji muttered under his breath.
"If you don't make your move, I will." Eiken threatened nastily.
Suddenly, Miaka ran to him and tried to grab the tessen. 'Give me the harisen!" She demanded angrily.
"Miaka!" Vivien cried out brokenly.
Eiken was dumbfounded. "What are you doin'?"

"This belongs to Genrou! Give it back!"
"Miaka, stop!" Hotohori shouted at Miaka.
"Is this girl a moron? She just made herself a hostage!"
"She's made things worse.." Koji observed.
"Hey, Genrou, if you move a muscle, I'll choke her."
Tasuki winced. "You're a fucking nasty guy."
Miaka tried to shake her head. "I'll be.. okay. Don't do it for me.." Her eyes shone brightly. Vivien stopped in awe. She had never realized.. "Don't you feel any loyalty to your former leader? Just because you're afraid of a paper fan, you'll fight your own friends? And you--"
"And you call yourself men?"
Vivien turned. Her eyes widened. "Tamahome!" Suddenly, her heart was in her eyes and she forgot all about what she knew.. that he was an illusion. Tasuki frowned as Vivien stared at Tamahome as if he were the moon and stars. Was she his..? Tamahome easily rendered the bandits helpless and the fan out of Eiken's hands.
Miaka stared, her heart aching. Tamahome is.. so close to me. He's.. protecting me. She reached out to touch him.
"Harisen.." Eiken tried to reach for the fan but Tasuki was quicker.

Tasuki sneered. "You're just a bit too slow."
"It's all over now, Eiken." Koji sneered.
Miaka reached for Tamahome. "Tamahome." Tears gathered in her eyes. "Tamahome!"
Tamahome gazed at Miaka, love shining in his beautiful violet eyes. "Miaka." He held out his arms to her. Miaka tried to run into them.. but suddenly, he was gone. She stumbled and stared at the paper on the floor. Her tears threatened to spill. She had written his.. and he had.. Miaka held on to the strip of paper and cried.
Vivien looked away, her own tears in her eyes. How could she.. even dream of interfering with that kind of love? Her heart ached.
Nuriko noticed her pained expression and his eyes softened. He knew of the love Vivien harbored in her heart for Tamahome, and knew she was hurting now. He gently gathered her in his arms to hold her. Vivien cried into Nuriko's arms as he comforted her. Vivien was glad for Nuriko as she cried. At least she had someone.. who cared for her. Her heart ached with the loneliness she felt.
Tasuki stared at Vivien as she cried in Nuriko's arms. For some reason, he wished she were crying in his arms. Hell. Women and their tears. No wonder he avoided them like the plague. His eyes hardened as he thought of the illusion Miaka had summoned. His name was Tamahome. By the looks of it, not one, but two lovely women loved him. Hell, his temper was rising again, for no inexplicable reason. Vivien loved this Tamahome.. was that why she had refused him? He suddenly felt the urge to incinerate something with his tessen. Why was he so angry?

"Please, is someone named Tasuki here? If you're here, please come with me!" Miaka announced to the crowd of bandits.
A bandit frowned. "Tasuki?"
Another bandit asked the defeated Eiken, "Eiken, you know him, don't you?"
The ugly bandit shrugged helplessly. "No, to tell ya the truth, I don't know who it is."
Tasuki closed his eyes. "I know."
Miaka was ecstatic. "Hontou?! Tell me!"
Tasuki sighed for effect. "Don't be disappointed. Tasuki was our former leader. He's no longer among the living."
Vivien didn't say anything.
Miaka's eyes widened. "Tasuki died."
Tasuki shrugged. "It's too bad, but a dead person can't come back."
"Hotohori-sama." Nuriko murmured as he saw the emperor's shocked expression.
"What'll I do?" She whispered helplessly. Vivien looked away.
"Say Genrou, when dawn comes.. why don't we go pay our respects to the former leader?" Koji suggested.
"Leader.."

Miaka's heart was troubled. What'll I do now? If even one seishi is missing, Suzaku won't appear. And Tamahome..
"Hotohori-sama, what should we do about not having Tasuki?"

Hotohori sighed. "We can't revive a dead man."
A bandit spoke up. "Hey, leader.. I've heard something."
Tasuki looked up from gazing at Vivien. "Nani?"
"In Choukou, to the north, there's someone who can raise the dead."
Miaka latched unto the man. "Nani?! Mister, are you serious?!"
"Uh, it's just a rumor.."
Miaka nodded decisively. "Then I'm going to Choukou."
"Miaka."
"I'll cling to any chance. I've got to keep trying! But before that.." She turned to Tasuki. "A bowl of rice, please."
Everyone tripped.

Tasuki stared after the riders, frowning, deep in thought. "They're gone."
"That girl's either totally pure of heart.. or stupid."
Tasuki sighed. "She messed up our way of doing things. We totally forgot we're bandits. We even fed her." He sounded incredulous.
Koji sighed. "That's okay. Now that you're leader, we're all relieved." He sighed again at Tasuki's expression. "The Suzaku no Miko, eh? You want to go with her, don't ya?"
"Don't be a moron. I'm the leader." Tasuki scoffed. "I wouldn't go against our former leader's will, and leave. Above all else, I abhor women." He walked away.
"Or do you miss that Kyoku girl?"
"I heard that. No, I do not miss her. Her name's Vi, Koji. Vi."
Koji sighed when Tasuki disappeared into the mansion. "You care enough to call her by the name she likes? Sounds like you already miss her to me." He murmured under his breath.

"Miaka, here.. water from the river." He handed her a water-skin. "It's cold and fresh."
Miaka accepted the water gratefully. "Arigatou." She held a letter in her hand.
"Are you looking at Tamahome's letter?"
"Y-yes." Miaka said awkwardly.
"It'll be okay." Hotohori assured her kindly. "You'll see him soon." He smiled gently. "It's some distance to Choukou. Conserve your strength, and try to stay healthy." He told Miaka kindly before walking away.
Nuriko sighed. "What can I say? I pity Lord Hotohori. Though you still love Tamahome, he still loves you madly."
Miaka frowned. "Nuriko, you're not angry?"
"Of course, the depth of Hotohori's feelings shocked me.. but I know when I've lost. I would've never had a chance, even if I was a woman. So how could I be angry? I'm not a jealous woman."
"You're lying." Miaka winced as Nuriko was pulling her cheek, hard.
Later, Nuriko gazed thoughtfully at Vivien sitting at the bank of the stream, silent. She had been that way for miles now. Was she thinking of Tamahome.. or Genrou?

"Rekka.. Shinen!" Vivien stared up emotionlessly as the flame died away and the zombie-people were reduced to ashes. He looked down at them, the tessen gripped firmly in his hands. She stared at those hands.. those hands that had been so gentle in tending to her wound. Absently, Vivien touched her wound. It didn't hurt, but it was still tender.
"I figured somethin' like this'd happen." Tasuki said wryly.
Miaka smiled up at the bandit. 'Gen-chan!"
Tasuki looked at the zombies rising behind Vivien. Vivien's friends saw them too and paled. "I'll take care of 'em in a second! Lay flat on the ground!" He ordered all of them. "Rekka Shinen!"
Moments later, Tasuki finally had a chance to talk with them. He sighed. "Tell ya what, I wasn't plannin' on comin'. But then, I figured ya couldn't do it on yer own."
Hotohori's eyes were narrowed with suspicion. "Genrou."
Tasuki sighed again. "We talked it over and Koji's become the new leader." He shrugged helplessly. "Hope the former leader'll forgive me." Especially because I'm a Suzaku seishi, he prayed.
"Doushite?" Miaka asked curiously.
"Genrou's my real name." He lowered his sleeve to show them a burning red Chinese symbol on his arm. "I'm Tasuki. Sorry for deceiving you."
Nuriko and Hotohori exploded. "Why didn't you tell us sooner, pea brain?!" Nuriko demanded angrily.
Hotohori was equally angry, maybe even more so. Vivien looked on quietly. "Damn you, you put us through all of this!"
Tasuki shrugged carelessly. "Nothin' I could do about it. I had to take my position as leader. I couldn't ignore the will of the previous leader." He sighed. "But then, Koji and the rest told me I could go." Tasuki had been itching to go anyway. Partly because he felt drawn to his duty as a Suzaku seishi.. and he had wanted to see Vivien again. He looked at his fellow Suzaku seishi and frowned. She looked so pale..
Miaka nodded with understanding. "I understand. Thanks for joining us." She smiled happily. "Now we have five.." She suddenly collapsed.
Tasuki immediately went to the Suzaku no Miko. "Miaka!"
"Miaka, what's wrong?!" Nuriko demanded worriedly of his friend.
Hotohori blanched. "It can't be.."
Vivien stared. She had forgotten about that! Miaka! Worries of Suzaku's warning flew out of her head out of concern for her friend. "It's Shikni!"
"Shikni?" Tasuki was puzzled.
Nuriko shook his head. "She's right. It could be Shikkonki. It's a disease that's been plaguing the people in town."
"Find my horse!" Hotohori ordered. "Let's get her back to the village right away!"
Vivien felt warm with shame. Miaka.. If only she had.. Pain gripped her heart. How could she have forgotten? "That'll take too long! I'll get her there quicker! Give her to me!"
Hotohori immediately placed Miaka in Vivien's strong young arms. "Take care of her. We'll be there as soon as we can."
"Which way's the village?"
"South." Tasuki pointed the way.
"Arigatou!" Vivien felt her power kick in and felt relieved. She didn't remember about the sickness demon inside Shoka, the healer.. she couldn't think straight.. as she ran with her superhuman speed, flying over the terrain, she tried to suppress the overwhelming pain in her heart. Something was wrong.. dreadfully wrong..
Vivien collapsed just as she reached Shoka's hut.

"Shoka-san, can you cure them?" Hotohori pleaded with the healer. Pale, he looked down at Miaka and Vivien on the bed. Both of them were deathly pale, and sweating. "I think they've been possessed by Shikkonki."
Tasuki stared down at Vivien on the bed. She was so pale.. and her lips were blue. Unconscious, Vivien suddenly gasped with pain. Tasuki's heart clenched. For some reason, he could almost feel her pain..
Shoka shook her head sadly. "I cannot do anything for her. My ability is to raise the dead." She looked up. "If they die, I can do something, though."
Tasuki shook his head vehemently. "We have to let them die? Can't you do anything else?!"

Miaka's eyes flickered open. "I'll be okay.. but Kyo-chan.." She weakly looked over at her friend beside her. Kyoku..
"Miaka."
"There must be doctors in this village.. It may be impossible, but why don't we try? We have to help.. Kyoku. Her condition's worse.. than mine. I'll go with you.. guys. Tasuki.. can you stay with her?"
Tasuki slowly shook his head. "I'll go with you. You'll need my help.. and I'm sure Shoka-san will take care of her."

The demon within the healer gazed at Vivien with greedy eyes. What a strong heart.. stronger than the body's it was possessing now. It touched the girl's cheek and sensed an immensely powerful soul within. It cackled with glee. What power! What power..

"Hey, you're refusing to treat me and my friend?! Are you really a doctor?!" Miaka was incredulous. Where was a real doctor when you needed one?!
The doctor was adamant. "No matter what you say, it's still Shikkonki." Then he looked thoughtful. "Matte.. Myojuan may be able to cure it."
"Hontou? Where is he now?" Miaka asked the doctor eagerly.
The doctor looked annoyed. "He left a year ago to live in the mountains. So get out!" He very nearly booted them out of his house. "I don't wanna catch that damned disease!"
Tasuki was feeling murderous. "You friggin' quack!"
Miaka shook her head. "But we learned something. Let's find Myojuan- san." She tried to breath more slowly. It hurts so much.. I may no make it. We still have to find two more seishi. How will I do it? Then she remembered Shoka. 'You'll be okay. Hang on.' Miaka blinked thoughtfully. "Shoka-san.. Could Shoka-san be the sixth seishi?"
A vender in a cart rushed by and called out, "Fish! Fish! How about some fish?!"
Miaka pounced on the fish that had plopped out of the cart. But a strange, big man got to it at the same time. "Hands off the fish! It's mine!" Miaka started to wrestle with the big guy for the fist.
Tasuki swore. "She's brawlin' with that giant over a damned fish!"
Nuriko sighed. "Oh, great. She's weak, but her appetite gets her moving."
Hotohori smiled slightly. "She's become so energetic. How admirable."
The giant finally wrested the fish from the Suzaku no Miko. "Got it!"
"How could you take food from an invalid?!" Miaka screamed.
"Miaka!" Hotohori and the others followed the Suzaku no Miko as she ran after the giant.
Finally, Miaka came to a small hut in the woods. "I'm worn out.. But that's the place."
Nuriko finally caught up. "Are you okay, Miaka, after running that much?"
Tasuki was incredulous. "Damn, are you really sick?!"

Miaka pulled a makeshift megaphone from her pack. "YOU'RE SURROUNDED! COME OUT WITH MY FISH! I REPEAT! COME OUT WITH MY FISH!"
"I'll take a look." Hotohori opened the door and looked around. "So many medicines.. Could this be the guy, Myojuan that we were told of?!"
Tasuki was thinking the same thing. "Hey, old man, are you Myojuan?" He went on, "If ya are, would ya check this girl and my girl back at the village?"
"Your girl?" Nuriko was amused.
"Mister, I'm begging you." Miaka pleaded. "I'll even forget about the fish." She looked sad. "It looked delicious, but I'll give it up."
"I quit being a doctor long ago. Leave."
"What?! You still take care of animals!" Nuriko said, looking at the small cat next to the doctor.
"I don't care about humans! Leave!" The man thundered. "Leave!" He ordered them again when they didn't move.
Tasuki growled. "Like hell we will! Do you know how to cure the disease or not?!"
"Tasuki..' Nuriko warned his fellow seishi in a low voice. "We can't force him.."
Tasuki very nearly spat at the old man. "Damn you! If you couldn't do it, then why didn't you say so?!"
Miaka suddenly fell to her knees. Hotohori worriedly looked at the Suzaku no Miko. "Miaka, is it getting worse?"
Miaka's eyes were wide with.. fear. "I can't control my.. legs."
Tasuki paled. The Suzaku no Miko looked sick like a dog.. and Vivien's condition was worse than hers? He turned around and grabbed the old man by the collar. "Damn you! Now tell me what I need to do to cure the damn disease! Tell me or I'll roast ya alive!"
Nuriko's eyes widened. Was he that concerned about Miaka? And this guy said he hated females? The guy was a miserable liar. But he had to do something before carrot-top got out of control. "Tasuki, we have to go back to the village. We only have one choice: Shoka-san will have to kill Kyo-chan and Miaka-chan."
The old man looked up sharply. "Shoka--?"
Nuriko nodded, puzzled at the man's look. "H-Hai. Kyo-chan's at Shoka-san's home.."
The man paled. Tasuki let go of the man, puzzled. "Th-That's impossible! Shoka.. Shoka died.. a year ago."
Everyone froze. Finally, Hotohori managed to ask.. "You mean.. Shoka died of the disease a year ago."
The man nodded brokenly. "I was the town doctor."
Tasuki swore. "Then who's this 'Shoka' who's with Vi?"
Hotohori cursed for the first time in his life. Nuriko was startled. "Damn it! Kathryn'll never forgive me for this!"
Nuriko stared. Kathryn? Did he mean Shoshi? He frowned. Why was the emperor worried about her?
Miaka blanched. "Shoka-san..?" She grabbed Hotohori's hand. "Minna, let's go! Kyo-chan's in danger!"
The man looked away. "Shoka.. impossible.."

Shoka looked at the girl carefully. She was sleeping, fitly, yes, but still sleeping. Good. The sickness demon within her cackled. This was really too easy.
Shoka had long ago given up on resisting the demon within her, but she was tempted to do so, looking down at the girl's face. She was so helpless.. her dead heart hurt with keen regret.
"Lily!" Vivien murmured fitfully.
Shoka stared. Lily? Who was.. that? She was shocked to see a hot tear spill down the girl's fevered cheek. "Lily! Where are you? Father.. is he.." Vivien shuddered and the healer stared as more tears streaked down the girl's cheeks. "Where's my.. father.. Lily.."
Shoka's heart trembled. She futilely tried to keep the demon within her from reaching out for the girl. No!
"Alone.. Lily.. where.. are.. you? I'm.. alone.."
Shoka felt tears gather in her eyes. Alone? The girl had been lonely? "Tamahome.." Vivien's body finally stilled.
Tamahome? Was he one of the.. Suzaku seishi? She cared for him? Her heart ached. Like she.. had cared for Juan.. She shook her head vehemently, tears spilling. .. No! I won't let you take her!
But it was too late. Her eyes widened with horror as she saw her own hand touch the girl's cheek. The demon within her cackled. I have no need of you now.. begone!
Shoka slumped to the ground. Juan..

"Kyo-chan!" Miaka yelled, rushing into the cottage after Tasuki.
"Vi!" Tasuki stared, incredulous, when he saw Vivien standing by the bed, looking remarkably well. "..Vi?"
"Kyo-chan?" Miaka stared, dumbstruck. "Kyo-chan, is it really you?"
"You took your own sweet time coming back, Miaka." Vivien answered, a dull tone in her voice.
"Kyo-chan! Gomenasai! We just went to get the doctor and.."
"Shoka-san!" Nuriko exclaimed, only then noticing the healer's lifeless body on the floor.
Tasuki's eyes widened. "Now someone better tell me what the hell's going on around here!" He demanded angrily. "That's not Vi!"
"How do you know that?" Nuriko demanded, surprised.
Tasuki couldn't explain it. "I just do!" He whipped out his tessen. "It's time to roast some demon!"
Hotohori stayed him. "Matte! Are you sure that's not her?"
"I'm dead sure! Now lemme roast 'im already!"
Hotohori hesitated. Kathryn would kill him, not Tasuki, if he allowed his fellow seishi to toast her sister. "Just wait a minute! Something's not right!"
"Everything'll be all right if you'll just let me toast 'im!" Tasuki spat angrily.
"Matte." Someone strong grabbed Tasuki's wrist just as he was about to let loose an inferno. "If you burn the demon, you'll burn your woman as well."
"His woman?" Miaka echoed, wide-eyed. Why was everyone calling Vivien Tasuki's girl? Was it even possible? She highly doubted Vivien would ever allow anyone to claim her as everyone was saying Tasuki did.
"Who are you?" Nuriko demanded testily.
Miaka's eyes widened as she looked at the man closely. Her fever burned her eyes and she couldn't be sure.. but she was certain.. "Myojuan?"
Nuriko and Tasuki both exploded. "Good God!"
Tasuki shook his head. "You're too young to be an old guy!"
Mitsukake stilled, as if feeling the air. "Shoka.. are you here? I can.. feel you. You're still here.. aren't you?"
Juan.. please.. help her.