Hotohori and Mitsukake climbed up into the horses they had ridden the day before. Yatsu and… Hana. Nuriko thought, trying to remember the names Yumi had given them. He stroked Ira's neck, but didn't get on yet. Yumi reappeared, this time wearing a very odd outfit. He didn't know how to describe it, except that it was like the "jeans" she had worn before, only these were much, much shorter. He hefted Yumi up onto Kohaku and followed suit, climbing up onto Ira's back.

"Which way?" Nuriko asked.

"Up. I can search for Tamahome after lunch. I am going to go get that bandit back right now! I'll be back in two hours, tops." The priestess looked pointedly at Nuriko. She's scary… She managed to direct her horse toward the mountain path and was riding almost passably toward the mountain bandit lair, Nuriko following while Mitsukake and Hotohori stood by the tethered horses, perplexed at the strange turn of events.

-------

Yumi squinted in the bright morning sunlight, trying to make out the path up to Tasuki's mountain hideout. She wasn't angry at him for being late. Rather, she was worried. Why should he be late? He promised he would be back. She supposed she would have to rescue Tasuki from the clutches of his gang before he got too deeply dragged into their dirty business again. The path up the mountain looked very different during the day. It was almost… cheerful. Yumi let go of the reins with one hand for a moment to ward off a low branch hanging over the path. In the distance, she could already see the house that was home to the bandits of Mt. Reikaku.

Yumi looked back. Nuriko waved to her, only a couple of yards behind her, walking on foot. Yumi smiled at her warrior, relieved. Without at least some protection, she might not be any better off here than alone in the wrong part of the city. At night. Yumi heard Nuriko catch up to her and get up in the horse behind her.

"Are you sure you've been here before?" He asked her. Yumi nodded.

"Of course I'm sure. This is where Tasuki took me after I met him. This was before I ever met you or any of the others." Yumi looked ahead. Suddenly, she had the shrewd suspicion that she was being watched. Discreetly, Yumi glanced over to Nuriko. Her warrior had tensed slightly, having most likely felt the same thing. Of course they have a pretty tight surveillance over the mountain… Before any unlucky traps could spring, Yumi called out.

"Hello?" She heard a rustle in the bushes to the right, but when she looked, all she could see was dense foliage. "Come on out! I want to talk to Koji!" Some more rustling. A man walked out of the shrubbery. How he had hidden so well was anyone's guess. Yumi looked at him intently. He seemed to be no older than her. He had dark brown eyes and wild black hair, and he was looking at Yumi with the strangest expression, as though surprised that she WASN"T surprised.

"Hey, guys!" The lone bandit called into the greenery around him. "These two lovely things came to pay us a visit! C'mon, show them some hospitality!" This time Yumi was surprised as half a dozen more bandits appeared from all sides, all of them armed. She didn't see Koji among them and started to become frightened.

"I need to speak to Koji." She said again. Yumi winced, since Nuriko's hands were grasping her shoulders protectively, and he seemed to have forgotten his demonic strength for the moment. The first man to appear nodded to his companions, who immediately moved in on the two of them. Forsaking his post, Nuriko jumped off of the saddle and stood between the approaching men and Yumi. He took up a defensive stance.

"Just do as Her Eminence says." Nuriko said firmly. Yumi squirmed. She didn't want Nuriko to get hurt, and those blades looked sharp. Obviously thinking that Nuriko was a woman, the leader of this small pack looked Nuriko up and down appreciatively.

"Sure. You can leave now." He said to his followers. He redirected his attention to Nuriko. "But you have to carry me up the mountain." He looked up at Yumi, grinning. Yumi sighed. Nuriko rolled up his sleeves and proceeded to heft the guy off the ground as though he were as light as a feather, and started back to Yumi, preening like a cat bringing her owner a mouse. Yumi laughed at the comparison.

"Where to?" He asked, the bandit hanging over his shoulder. Yumi had to laugh at the bandit's comic expression of surprise.

"Hey! You aren't supposed to be able to lift me!" Yumi laughed. Nuriko might be slender, but his strength outmatched anything she had ever heard of.

"Okay, you can put me down. I'll take ya to Koji." Nuriko dumped the guy unceremoniously onto the ground and bent down to take the man's hand, helping him up, in a complete about-face of attitudes. The bandit looked at Nuriko.

"Who are you?" He asked, surprised.

"Nuriko, proud member of the Suzaku Seven." He announced. Nuriko grinned cheekily at the man's stunned reaction.

"So this…" he looked at Yumi. "Are you the priestess of Suzaku?" Yumi nodded.

"Yes." She answered. "That's me. I need to talk to Koji." The man nodded. A strange light had come into his eyes and he seemed quite cooperative now. Nuriko jumped back up behind Yumi on the saddle as they continued.

Since it was obvious that they already knew something about the area, the man didn't try to lead them in circles or confuse them, for which Yumi was grateful. Her sore backside was only getting worse from all the riding. She swore to herself that when she got back to her own world, she would learn how to ride properly.

A silent quarter hour later, Yumi and Nuriko's guide motioned for them to stop where they were and he disappeared up ahead. Yumi tried not to show that she was nervous.

"Why are you asking for Koji?" Nuriko whispered to Yumi. She shrugged.

"It seemed better to ask for the second-in-command than to demand to see the Boss." Yumi felt Nuriko giggle. He had never seen Tasuki assert his authority over this strange assortment of guys, and probably didn't believe it was possible. Yumi calmed down. At least no one has hurt us. Hotohori would kill Tasuki if I got hurt. A moment later, Koji appeared from the surrounding forest, walking toward the two of them. He grinned cheekily at the two, his dark eyes glittering excitedly.

"Hey, there! What brings two babes such as yerselves up to this lonely mountain?" Yumi frowned slightly. Doesn't he remember me? Well, it has been over a month since the last time he saw me. Yumi's slight movement caught Koji's attention and he peered up at Yumi thoughtfully. Then his face broke into an excited grin.

"Hey, girl! It's been a while! Ol' Genro's split the post, just a while back. I think 'e was lookin' fer you. Has 'e found ya? And who's yer pretty friend?" He asked, glancing at Nuriko. Yumi was confused.

"Huh?" Yumi tried to process what Koji just said. She cleared her throat silently.

"This is Nuriko, a friend of mine." She said, turning slightly to indicate the celestial warrior sitting behind her. She turned back to Koji.

"Are you telling me you haven't seen Tasuki?" Now it was Koji's turn to be confused. He looked from Yumi to Nuriko and back again.

"I haven't seen 'im. Not since he ran off an' told me to keep the place together until he returned. And why're ya callin' 'im Tasuki? Does that mean ya really are that 'priestess of Suzaku' person?" Yumi nodded, mind blank. Where is he? Yumi started shaking, afraid of what might have happened, but pulled herself together. She smiled at Koji.

"Well, since you haven't seen him, I guess I need to fill you in with what's been going on. Tasuki is a celestial warrior, directed by Suzaku to protect the priestess until she summons the god-beast. However, I cannot summon Suzaku until all seven warriors are with me. So, once I find that guy again, he'll be hanging around me until I have found all seven and summoned the god." Koji's eyebrows furrowed.

"How many ya got now?" He asked. Yumi didn't see any reason not to tell him.

"Six. It shouldn't be too long before you get him back." Koji nodded. "If you see him, please tell Tasuki to meet me and the other celestial warriors back at the palace." Koji grinned.

"Sure thing. But are ya sure ya can't hang around here for a while? I mean, a pretty thing like you, all cooped up in a palace? It doesn't bear thinking about!" Yumi giggled, about ready to give in and stay for a little while.

"I guess a short visit-"

"Absolutely not!" Three heads whirled about to see another man coming into view, leading two horses. Yumi would recognize his golden eyes anywhere, not to mention his flawless, perfect face and long, dark, silky hair. It was Hotohori.

"You followed us?" Yumi gasped. Hotohori smiled calmly, but Yumi could see the slight anger in his eyes. Nuriko shifted behind Yumi.

"Hotohori-sama!" He said enthusiastically in greeting, obviously trying to divert the emperor's biting remarks that he knew were coming. Hotohori looked at Nuriko sternly.

"Well, at least you protected Her Eminence. But really, I am surprised-" Koji cut in incredulously.

"Are you a Suzaku warrior also?" Koji looked to Yumi for confirmation. Yumi nodded. She laughed when she heard Koji mumble,

"Holee… are all the Suzaku warriors total babes? Well, with the exception of ol' Boss…" Koji chuckled. "He certainly ain't no babe…" Yumi was glad that she was probably the only one paying Koji any attention. A moment later, Mitsukake came into view, completely changing Koji's opinion, but Yumi was almost disappointed that she couldn't hear any of his new commentary.

Hotohori had taken charge of the situation, and before she really knew what was happening, the four of them were on their way back down the mountain, riding their respective horses and calling farewells to Koji.

-------

Amiboshi was walking along an empty road when he saw a cloud of dust up ahead. After a moment, he could see a horse running towards him, completely out of control. There was a girl clinging to the horse's mane. She wasn't a very good rider and she looked as though she would fall off any moment. Amiboshi moved to the side of the road, watching closely.

As the wild horse ran level with him, Amiboshi took a few running steps and grabbed the reins, gaining some momentum. Using the energy, he swung up in front of the horse and flipped around, landing squarely on the saddle. Perfect. He thought, smiling. He pulled the animal to a walk and turned in the saddle. The girl was gone! He looked back down the road, but he didn't see anything. He turned the horse. No wonder the girl had a tough time. This saddle is loose, and it's too high…

"Oooooog." The saddle groaned. Groaned? Amiboshi looked down and found the girl. She was lying flat on the horse's neck and back, and he was sitting on her back.

"Ouch…" She turned her head to look up at him, just as he was about to jump off, but he froze when he saw her face. I've seen her before! That's the priestess of Suzaku! Uh oh, I'm SITTING on the priestess of Suzaku… If her warriors show up, they'll crucify me… He started to jump off when Yumi suddenly seemed to forget her lack of air and tried to sit, nearly causing Amiboshi to fall.

"Are you a Suzaku warrior?" She asked, pointing to his chest.

"Huh?" She continued to point at him. Amiboshi looked down and saw a red symbol glowing just below his collarbone. What in the world is going on? I'm a Seiryu warrior. I have a BLUE symbol, and it's on my shoulder… But his voice wasn't cooperating with his thoughts. He jumped down onto the ground and nodded, still holding the reins. The priestess sat up and massaged her ribs.

"Yes, my name is Tamahome." No! I'm Amiboshi! A voice screamed inside his head, but he couldn't say it. Is this what I'm supposed to do, Nakago? Why in all the hells do you want me to do this? It will only hurt Suzaku's followers. Oh. He was distracted when he heard more hooves. He turned to see three more horses running down the road, but these were all under control. He recognized one of the riders as a member of the Suzaku seven he had met before. Nuriko… if I can recognize him, why won't he recognize me? I don't want to trick them!

"Your Eminence," one of the men he did not recognize jumped off of his horse and hurried over to the priestess of Suzaku. Nuriko came over and lifted her down off of the horse.

"Nuriko!" She squealed happily. "Look! I found Tamahome!" He saw all of them looking at him. It was horrible. He just watched as he said and did whatever had been planned for him without being able to change it.

"Tamahome, I want you to meet Hotohori. And this is Nuriko and there is Mitsukake." She smiled happily, gesturing to each man in turn. "Now we have all seven, or we will when Tasuki gets back." Amiboshi wished he could wake from this nightmare, but he couldn't even look away. Before he knew what was going on, they were heading for the capitol of Konan. He had been put on the gay guy's horse; though he seemed much more manly now than their last encounter. Nuriko was now riding with the priestess, Yumi. She's not MY priestess… what is going on? Did you plan this, Nakago? He asked silently, hearing no answer but the wind.

"We'll go back to the capitol." Hotohori said. Yumi was about to protest, but Nuriko interrupted.

"It will be hard for Tasuki to find us here in the wilderness, right? Anyway, he can sense your chi at least a little, so he'll know we went back to the palace. Don't worry, Yumi. He didn't look like he wanted to be parted from you last night. He'll come."

-------

Tomo cackled to himself as he strutted down the hallways of the Kutou palace. Nakago will be pleased! Forget that Soi bitch! His laughing drew the attention of the pair of fierce brown eyes beside him. He ignored it, continuing to walk down the hallways, turning when necessary. The person with him followed obediently, like a heeled dog. That was a very nice comparison, he thought with a smirk.

Finally the Seiryu warrior reached the room he sought. He rapped sharply on the door before opening it and entering, passing through the wards as their security was lessened, allowing him and his guest to enter. Tomo bowed slightly from the waist, the feathers of his headdress twirling intricately. The man beside him followed suit at his reprimand.

Now I know why Lord Nakago is always ordering his lapdogs around! Tomo thought, raising himself back up and awaiting Nakago to grace him with his presence. The blond-haired general turned around from where he had been looking out the window, blocking Tomo's view of his wonderful backside, but the next view was just as good.

"Tomo… I'm assured that you have completed your mission successfully?" Nakago said with just a hint of a question in his voice. Tomo bowed once more and nodded. "Very well, Tomo, but before we get to that, I have chosen to share some privileged information with you." Tomo nodded once more, glad that he was getting on Nakago's good side, or so he thought. His Lord was always so unpredictable. He liked that.

"Very well, Nakago." He said, motioning for the man behind him to relax and wait a moment. He complied. Tomo turned back to the general, watching as Nakago sat down in his chair, looking thoughtful.

"I have consorted with one of the higher powers…" He began. Tomo was only half-paying attention at the moment. Seiryu, but Nakago is SO sexy! "And I have gained some… interesting information about the priestess." And by the gods, what an ass, Tomo continued to think. "I have learned that the priestess of Seiryu does not truly exist in our world as Suzaku's… servant does." Of course… he HAS to be hetero… "That is the reason that the girl continues to phase in and out, remaining translucent and unable to affect the things in our world." Or… he could be a bi… "This might cause problems later in the summoning of Seiryu…" One can always hope. "Did you get all of that, Tomo?" Nakago said suddenly. Tomo nodded immediately.

"Yes, Nakago." He said, curbing his mind back to the subject at hand. He motioned for the man beside him to step into the light. The man did so, emerging slowly into view, revealing bright, reddish-orange hair, brown eyes, assorted jewelry, and metal harisen strapped firmly to his back. The man kneeled, and Nakago smiled maliciously before speaking, sending a shiver up Tomo's spine.

"Welcome to our ranks… Seiryu celestial warrior, Ashitare."