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Thanks to...

Alatril Carnesr: Thanks a lot for the review and the encouraging words. It means a lot. Computers are evil...evil I say!

neppy: Hehehe.

Metajoker: Sorry it was difficult to read. Sometimes long paragraphs are required. There are not many of them in this chapter, though. Thanks for telling me about the author note as chapter thing. I actually forgot about that and I would hate to get in trouble for it. I appreciate it.

Chibi Chingo: Wahoo! A new reviewer! Thanks!

Shinitenshi-deathangel: I continued it. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Sometimes, I need them.

chibichibi386: Thank you! I won't give up even though my puter hates me.

Houjun Ri: Yes Tomo did die but in circumstances that revolved around the whole Miaka rape thing and that didn't happen so he didn't die. And thanks for waiting!

Noodles8: Well, thanks for giving my story a chance and taking the time to reply. I try to keep the author's notes relatively humorous and I'm glad you enjoy them.

SpaceVixon: Read the chapter and enjoy. Y/T moments have to happen eventually. (hint hint)

Author's Note: Ok, my computer still hates me but I decided to update anyway. I realized after I shut it down that I could have printed out the chapter and then I wouldn't have had to rewrite it but because I am impulsive, I didn't think of it at the time. Oh well. I had tons of fun writing this chapter and, although I found most of it was prewritten and scattered around my room, changed it a bit from the original. But it's better this way, trust me. ::dumb grin:: Thanks a lot for all of your support. To tell the truth, I honestly didn't expect any replies to my mini rant (that I found out was breaking the rules of fanfiction) but it meant a lot to me. In truth, it's what inspired me to sit here for close to three hours and do nothing but type. I haven't even had breakfast yet. Just coffee. ::sighs:: I'm hungry so I'm going to end this and finish this up so I can have food... Oh, and I had no clue what to call this chapter so just go with it. (I was going to call it "Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll" but went with this instead...)

Chapter 36: Innocently Holy, Wholly Innocent

I reached the palace in what might be, in my opinion, record time. I paid dearly for it, though. By the time I passed through the gates, the adrenaline had worn off and all I was left with was a bad cramp and a lack of breath. Shiriko, however, wasn't even fazed. 'I'm so out of shape,' I thought as I rubbed my side in a futile attempt to relieve the pain in it. 'This is one of those times I find myself wishing I didn't scoff at the track unit in gym...'

"And she returns! Where the hell have you been? The emperor was just about ready to send out the guards!" I heard Tamahome yell from a short distance off. I looked up and saw him walking towards me, an annoyed expression on his face. It clearly wasn't my day. "Personally, I don't think you're worth the trouble but he seems to think you are."

"Glad to know you care so much about my well-being," I replied dryly, still slightly out of breath. "I went for a walk. Now, it was great seeing you and all but I really, really must be going."

"Is that all you have to say for yourself?! You 'went for a walk'!" he exploded.

"Yup."

"That's just great, Yume. Just great," he commented.

"Isn't it though?" I replied, smiling, savoring this moment. After what he put me through during my little "interrogation" it was nice to be the one doing the torturing. It was a cruel thought but I found myself unable to care. "Now, like I said, I have to be going. As you can see, I'm perfectly fine so I'll just be on my way."

"Where are you off to in such a hurry, anyway? You've been gone all morning, why the sudden rush?" he asked. I exhaled deeply, trying to keep from screaming.

"To see the emperor. I need to talk to him. It's very important that I do so soon. Now, preferably," I answered, hoping he'd catch on and leave me alone. I had no such luck, however.

"I'm sure it is but Hotohori is in the middle of a meeting right now. Why don't you tell me and I'll tell you if it's important enough to disturb him," he said, a confident smirk on his face. 'I'd love to wipe that look right off his face...'

"It's really none of your concern. It can't wait so I'll just be going now. I know where his office is." I started to walk away, hoping he'd give it up.

"You can't just walk into the emperor's meeting, Yume! Who do you think you are?!" he screamed after me.

"Last time I checked, I was the Oracle. Now, warrior," I began, placing extra emphasis on the inferior title, "do me a favor and go find someone to protect."

Hotohori's meeting room was actually what I'd call the throne room of the imperial palace. It was naturally ornate and was located in the center of the complex, not all that far from where I was. It took me next to no time to get there. I left Shiriko outside the room, deciding that it would be better if I didn't take him with me. Contrary to the way Tamahome made it sound, only Chichiri and Hotohori were in the room.

"You're safe! I'm so glad!" Hotohori exclaimed upon noticing me.

"Suzaku be praised!" Chichiri added.

"But now is really not the best time. Chichiri and I are going over some plans. We can talk later, alright?" Hotohori said, already dismissing me from his presence.

"No, actually, it's not alright. I need to talk to you and it's probably better for me to do so as soon as possible," I replied, doing my best to keep the doubt I was feeling from my voice. I couldn't help but wonder if he'd believe me. If I didn't have my bag, I don't know if I'd even believe me. 'Now is not the time to start doubting myself,' I thought, mildly annoyed at myself.

"What's wrong, Yume?" Chichiri asked.

"This," I answered placing my bag in front of me.

They both stared at it a moment before sharing a glance. "I'm not quite sure I understand, Yume. Is something missing from it?" Hotohori said, looking puzzled.

"Nothing's missing from it, which makes me wonder as well," I replied.

"Then what's the problem?" Chichiri questioned, giving me a very odd look.

"I'm not sure if I understand why this couldn't wait, Yume. If nothing's wrong with your bag, then there is no problem. If this is some kind of joke, hurry up and get to the punch line before I lose my patience," Hotohori added, giving me a very serious look.

"The problem is that until about ten minutes ago, it was in Nakago's possession. Or at least that of the Seiryuu seishi," I informed them.

A nervous look passed between them before the monk spoke. "If Nakago had it, how do you have it now, you know?"

"I didn't go and get it, if that's what you're thinking. He had it delivered to me by Tomo, along with a message. Tomo said...he said Nakago was coming for me," I answered. I saw signs of panic and disbelief beginning to form in their faces and quickly added, "I don't know whether Tomo was telling the truth or not. I do know Tomo hates me with a passion and that Nakago had tried to rehire me and was pissed off when I declined his...offer. I just thought I should tell you."

"Yume," the emperor began, "I need you to tell me exactly what happened this morning. I want to know every detail, from the moment you woke up to the point you got here. Leave nothing out."

So I spent the rest of the morning and a good portion of the afternoon going over what I said, did, saw, and heard. Even the seemingly most insignificant details were explored. Neither Chichiri nor Hotohori could determine whether or not Tomo's message was legitimate or just an idle threat, but we all agreed it could not be ignored. Seppuka, Renee, Fae and Katana were brought in and asked about what could be done to create a more effective barrier against the Seiryuu seishi. Katana, although she no longer had close to the amount of power she had before Suzaku's sealing, gave her advice and opinion. The other three agreed to make a barrier similar to the one they had used to protect me when I was being tested so long ago. And that pretty much sums up our meeting. I was then released under the terms that I was not to leave the palace alone. My room was to be guarded at night and I was to limit my ventures around the palace to daylight only. If Shiriko needed a walk after dusk, someone else would have to do it. I could already tell this would not be fun.

I went to lunch with the emperor, Chichiri and my assistants. No one talked, having exhausted our voices in our meeting. I returned to my room with Shiriko after that, having no real desire to talk to anyone, and decided to wash my clothing. They were starting to get rather gross. I grabbed my CD player, the CD my friend burned for me ("The Clash, The Cure, and More!"), and a borrowed thing to put water in and set to it. It had been a while since I had to wash clothes by hand but I didn't really care. It gave me something to do to keep my mind off things. Soon, I found myself up to my elbows in water and singing "Boys Don't Cry" at the top of my lungs. Shiriko sat on his makeshift bed, sleeping, used to my random outbursts. Once all my clothes (minus the ones I was wearing) were clean, I draped them around the room in random places so that they could dry. I wasn't expecting company, anyway.

Once my clothing was taken care of, I still found myself not wanting to deal with people and instead, spread out on my bed and thought. I kept the music on in the background just so I could hear something. I must have dozed off, however, because the next time I opened my eyes, the sun was setting. 'Great. It's past my curfew and I'm hungry. This is just peachy.' I opened the door, hoping against all odds that the guards hadn't come yet, but they had. They looked at me with the blank stares of people who are just following orders.

"I'm sorry, miss, but you can't leave this room. Emperor's orders," the one on the right said.

I felt like smacking myself in the forehead. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid! Why'd you have to fall asleep?!' I ranted. I smiled my best "cute smile." "I'm really hungry, though. I must have fallen asleep and missed dinner," I told them. "I know I can't leave but do you think one of you could go get me something to eat?"

They looked at each other and the one on the left shrugged skeptically. "Well...I don't suppose it'd do any harm to get you food. I wouldn't want you to starve," he said.

"Thanks so much! You're doing me a great favor."

He headed out to retrieve my meal and I went back into my room to wait for my meal. 'Maybe this won't be so bad,' I thought. 'It's like I have my own servants. It's kinda cool. I am the Oracle. Obey me. Muahahaha.' 'Nice, Yume. Real nice,' Byakko commented in a dry voice. 'We really know how to pick them, don't we?' Genbu added. 'Oh shut up. I should be allowed some fun, too. The priestesses get to have sex with you and all I get is your criticizing comments. I have to put up with you and they get three wishes. It's unfair, it really is.' 'No one said we couldn't sleep with you, too, Yume. I mean, if you're feeling cheated, I'd be happy to help cure the problem,' Byakko replied, and, though I couldn't see his face, I knew he was smiling. 'I bet you would,' Genbu mumbled.

I didn't get a chance to respond because at that moment, there was a knock at my door. "Here is your food, your Eminence. Let me know when you finish and I will take the tray back."

"Could you do me one more tiny favor?" I asked.

"What?"

"Could you please take my dog for a walk? He'll never let me sleep if he doesn't go out. You do want me to be able to sleep, don't you?"

"Of...of course! I will gladly take him out if it will aid your sleep," the guard answered quickly. I flashed him a big smile and handed him Shiriko's leash.

"Just around the garden will do." The guard nodded. "Thanks again."

I ate the food the guard brought me hungrily, forsaking manners for the moment. No one was here to see anyway. When he returned with Shiriko, I handed him the empty dishware and informed them that I would be retiring for the night and that I did not want to be disturbed. They took their posts outside my door and I got ready to sleep.

'You're pulling off the innocently holy Oracle act very well, Yume,' Byakko said as I was locating my newly washed clothing.

'Well, with the exception of your little outburst about not getting any,' Genbu asked, joining in. If he had one at the moment, I would have slapped him across the face for that comment.

'I'm curious, Yume. Was that a request for sex or just an expression of your lack of a sex life?' Byakko added.

'What was your reply?' I returned.

'An answer to your plea.'

I wasn't sure what to say to that so I decided to taunt him a bit. 'Well, get a body and we'll see what happens. No promises, though,' I replied.

'I can get one in less than five minutes. That work for you?'

'No, sorry, I have more pressing matters to attend to at the moment. Rain check?'

'You better believe it. I'm gonna hold you to this, you know.'

'Uh-huh. Whatever. But I'm going to be going to sleep now so you guys have to leave. It's been fun but you know the rules,' I reminded them. 'Fine, fine. I don't know why you make such a big deal about it. It's not like we don't know what goes on in your mind, sleeping or awake,' Byakko whined. But I felt them leave. I changed into my pajamas and gave Shiriko a goodnight belly rub before blowing out the lights and climbing into bed. I closed my eyes and drifted into sleep.

I felt the warmth of the sun on my closed eyelids and knew that morning had come. It was strange, though, because I felt like I hadn't slept at all. I turned onto my side and attempted to drift back to sleep.

"Ah, I see you're up, Yume. Good morning. Sleep well?" I heard a familiar voice say pleasantly from the edge of the room. I sat up with a start and looked around. In the corner behind the door was an unmistakable shadow. I wanted to scream.

"You...you can't be here..." I stammered.

"Well, that's hardly the warm welcome I was hoping for. But then again, what else could I have expected? You do have difficulties expressing your real feelings, don't you Yume?" Nakago replied, stepping into the light.

"The guards...they...they..."

"Left," he finished, smiling at my discomfort. "Look out the window, Yume. It's well into the morning. I dare say you overslept."

Despite my wishes, my head turned and looked out the adjacent window. He was right, I knew he would be, it was morning. The sky was bright blue and cloudless. It looked like a perfect day. It was exactly the opposite of what I was feeling. "But...the barriers... You couldn't have been able to get through... It's not possible... No..." I clutched my head at the temples to the point just before it hurt. It was too much for me to handle. 'He can't be here! He can't!'

"Oh my sweet, naïve little Yume. Did you honestly think your little barriers could stop me? I promised that I would return for you and I always keep my word." He took a step towards me and I instinctively backed up until my back was against the wall.

"Don't come near me or I swear I will kill you. I'm stronger than you, remember?" I warned though clenched teeth, trying not to betray my fear.

"Come now! Haven't we gotten past this yet? You're mine, Yume. I brought you here from your boring little world. I rescued you from the monotony of anonymity. Without me, you'd still be just another normal girl trapped in a world that doesn't appreciate her. Without me, you are nothing!" He took another step.

"I warned you! Stay away!" I yelled, lashing out with the powers granted to me by the gods. He just laughed and I sat there dumbfounded. 'It...didn't work. Why didn't it work? Byakko? Genbu? Help me!' I pleaded. Only silence answered me. I was utterly and completely alone.

"I told you, Yume. I made you what you are today. Without me, you're nothing!" He crossed the room and I screamed.

"Yume. Yume! YUME!" I felt hands on my shoulders shaking me and I heard a voice calling my name. In my clouded state of mind, I couldn't identify the source and so, swung a fist at my attacker. I felt it connect with his face and the grip on my shoulders receded. I took the moment to back away from him. "What the fuck was that for?"

I opened my eyes and saw Tasuki sitting on the edge of my bed, shirtless for some reason, and holding his cheek. I flushed crimson (and not just from embarrassment) and tried to explain. "I'm so sorry, Tasuki! I didn't know it was you! I was having a nightmare and then I felt these hands on my shoulders and well, kind of over-reacted." I looked at him for a moment and a thought occurred to me. "What are you doing in my room in the middle of the night without a shirt on anyway?"

It was his turn to look embarrassed and he did so most cutely. "I was out walking cause I couldn't sleep and I heard you screaming. The guards were standing outside your door. They said you didn't want to be disturbed so they didn't know what to do. Nice job with those two, by the way," he answered. The awkwardness of this situation sunk in and an uncomfortable silence settled in the room. I wanted to say something to him but the words wouldn't come. I sat there for a moment and looked at my hands.

"Thanks for waking me up. I don't want to think about what would have happened next..." I shuddered.

"Do you...err...wanna talk about it?" he asked, obviously unsure of what to say as well.

"What?"

"The dream. Do you want to talk about it?" he repeated.

"Do you want to hear about it?" I countered.

"That depends. How bad was it?"

"Pretty bad for me, anyway. I don't know how you'd rate it." I could tell he didn't really want to hear about it and that his presence here with me was enough to make him uncomfortable so I decided to give him an out. "You don't have to stay here, Tasuki. You can leave. I won't blame you for it. You have reason to. There's not much you can do for me, anyway. I'm probably not going to go back to sleep so I won't be screaming anymore."

"Would it...make you feel better...if I...err...stayed here for a bit?" he asked, stumbling over the words. "You know, just until you feel better."

I wanted to yell "Yes!" but thought better of it. "If you don't mind," I said instead. "I mean, I don't want to interfere."

"Trust me," he began, "You aren't." I smiled and settled back on my bed, still unnerved by the dream but feeling comforted by Tasuki's presence. He pulled a chair up next to the bed and sat in it. "Yume...I..."

"Shh..." I said. "Don't say you're sorry. I think we've both said that enough times to last us a lifetime. Or at least, I have." He smiled and I returned it. "Let's just sit here and not talk. It seems that every time we talk, something goes wrong." He grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

"All right. Have it yer way, then."

"Damn straight."

I woke up and stretched. I felt pretty rested. But then, I should. I spent most of yesterday sleeping. I turned over and saw Tasuki still sitting in the chair, asleep. He looked so cute I wanted to hug him but decided to let him sleep. 'Sleep sounds good. Rested or not, I have nowhere to go, anyway.' As I was settling back into my pillow, my door banged open.

"Go away! I'm sleeping!" I mumbled into my pillow, pulling it over my head.

"So he is here. Told you guys," I heard Tamahome say. I removed the pillow and looked at my door. The whole group, minus Miaka, was standing there.

"What's going on?" Tasuki asked, sitting up and wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"The Kutou army is here. Fae picked them up this morning when they passed through the barrier. As far as we can tell, they haven't made a move to attack but it's only a matter of time," Hotohori answered, sounding very strained.

"What about Nakago?" I questioned, starting to panic.

"We don't know where he is, Yume," Chichiri told me.

"Shit."

Author's Note: Awww! Yume/Tasuki moments are so great! I just want to hug them! ::big grin:: Sorry about that. I had to say it, though. I'll have you know that I wrote this chapter to the music of AFI and The Cure (and "Come on Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners) so if it's a little messed up, that's why. The dream and Y/T moment was the Cure and the rest was AFI. I know they're very different bands but hey, that's what I wanted to listen to. Anyway, was that a long chapter or what? I really out did myself this time. I just couldn't end it. I was going to stop at "damn straight" but as I was writing this author's note, I decided to add that last part. I hope you liked it. I had fun writing it. (Especially the argument about Yume's rights with Byakko. That I added in for kicks.) Well, I'll see what I can do about a quick update. But I can't promise anything with my computer being all dumb and stuff. I don't really have a quote...but I'll make one up.

'Oh, I get it. You'll sleep with the bandit but not me. That hurts, Yume, It really hurts.' 'I didn't sleep with him!'

Heh heh. Jealousy sucks. Til next time, folks, I bid you adieu. Oh, one more thing. Since I posted the author's rant as this chapter but then replaced it, you guys won't be able to review. But, if you really want to, you could review anonymously, using the name. Just a thought. I'm not asking you to but if you feel this chapter deserves a review but you already reviewed the a/n, you could do that...

Smack