Yumi was a little surprised when she thought she heard her friend's voice. There was no way that she had actually heard Kirisuto. She's safe in our world. Tamahome looked at Yumi strangely when she answered Kirisuto questioningly. Kirisuto had told her not to summon Suzaku until after Megumi summoned Seiryu. It was disturbing, having so many independent sources telling her the same thing. Tamahome cocked his head. She smiled slightly, trying to tell him that she was okay.

"Ah… I thought I heard something." Yumi could understand that Tamahome would want to come in her room. Hotohori had told to watch her and standing out in the hallway listening at the door could get a little… tiresome. Yumihad pulled out her sketchpad and was getting ready to write some music on the page for Tamahome to play when Hotohori burst into the room. Immediately, Yumi knew what was happening. She stood up, but Hotohori had already left. Tamahome grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.

"You aren't to leave the room, Yumi." He said, a hint of pleading in his voice.

"But… I have to go, Tamahome. Tasuki has come back, and I think I know a way to stop him before he kills anyone!" Anyone except me… Yumi was sure that if she were killed, somehow the spell would break. Maybe it was because the mission had been fulfilled, or perhaps her death would communicate to the man she loved in a way her words could not, but she knew that SHE had to be the one to face him, no matter what. Hopefully, Mitsukake would be on hand and prevent her from actually dying, but if she could get the real Tasuki back, even for a moment, then she wouldn't mind death one bit.

She pulled her arm out of Tamahome's grip. He started to protest, but Yumi couldn't afford any delays. She rushed away from Tamahome, telling him to stay out of this.

"If he gets in the way… he could get hurt!" Yumi said quietly to herself as she huffed along the halls. It seemed like forever before she saw the gray, cloudy sky and the wet courtyard, but it couldn't have been more than a minute. Yumi screeched to a halt just under the eaves, looking around for Tasuki. When she saw him, she saw Hotohori as well, facing off against the transformed warrior of Suzaku. Their battle looked almost as though they were dancing, the movement was so fluid, so deadly. But Yumi knew better. The air was full of the clashing of their swords. It looked as though they were both masters. Yumi didn't know how she could get down there without distracting one or the other, which would prove fatal for the man she distracted. Slowly, she crept up on the two, trying to stay in the shadows. Hotohori pulled back for a moment, chest heaving. He held his sword across his body; ready to rise it should Tasuki attack. Neither showed any obvious wounds, but Yumi couldn't tell for sure due to the rain. Tasuki watched his opponent like an animal stalking his prey. Yumi couldn't help but notice that he still had his trademark harisen strapped to his back.

"I can't believe you are doing this, Tasuki!" Hotohori cried angrily, readying himself to defend. He won't attack… Yumi realized with a jolt. He won't hurt Tasuki… because he doesn't want to hurt me… Yumi had never realized that Hotohori was so… noble.

"Can't you remember how much Yumi loves you? Have you forgotten how much you love her?" Tasuki growled deep in his chest, his cold eyes watching the emperor carefully, as though he might rush to attack at any moment.

"Fool." He said, ice dripping from his words. "Why do you insist on calling me by the name of your comrade? I've already told you, I'm Ashitare." He tossed his blade slightly, catching it in his left hand. While Hotohori was waiting for Tasuki to switch the blade back to his dominant hand, the bandit rushed him and feinted to the right. Hotohori backed away, blade raised to fend off the assault, but Tasuki had circled to his other side too fast for Yumi's eyes to follow. Yumi watched in terror as Tasuki slashed at the emperor's unprotected back.

"STOP!!" She cried, even though she knew it was too late. Miraculously. Tasuki stopped in the middle of his swing, redirecting the blow towards the pavement. The slash landed on the paved yard with a clang, but by the time the sound had begun to reverberate through the courtyard, the attacker had found a new target. He looked directly at Yumi. Yumi froze when their eyes made contact. His normally bright eyes were frozen, lifeless.

Hotohori saw where Tasuki was looking and the color drained from his face. Yumi could see his mouth form the words 'run away,' but she ignored it. She knew what she had to do. As an afterthought, Yumi glanced around, looking for Mitsukake. He was nowhere to be seen. Oh well. Yumi stepped out into the rain towards her warrior. There was no point in running away now that he had seen her. Where would she go?

"So you've decided to come out after all, eh?" Tasuki said, his voice cruel and cold. Yumi saw him raise his sword. Yumi flinched, but picked up her pace, closing the distance between her and Tasuki. She could hear Hotohori calling to her, but she didn't listen.

"What's that, priestess? You want to play? Is that it?" Tasuki taunted her. "You know that I have to kill you when the game is over." He rushed up to her, sword held out in front of him. Yumi shut her eyes and crouched, trying to make a smaller target. A moment later, she felt cold steel against her throat, forcing her face up to look at him.

"Are we done playing already?" He asked with just a hint of humor, slightly increasing the pressure on her throat. Yumi stiffened her resolve and tried to ignore the fact that her life would end very soon. She felt her eyes prickling with unshed tears, but Yumi brutally held them back. She stood up and did the only thing she could think of.

"Tasuki, I love you!" I need to get through to him, and this might be the only way.

-------

Chichiri watched, terrified, as Yumi threw her arms around the wild warrior, posed to kill her. In one hand he held a sword, and in the other, he seemed to materialize a dagger from thin air. Yumi grabbed a handful of Tasuki's hair and brought his head down and stood on her toes to kiss him. Just before her lips touched his, Tasuki shoved the dagger between Yumi's ribs. Chichiri could see her whole body freeze momentarily from the impact, but she didn't pull back. That girl is a fool, no da… Chichiri thought sadly. Yumi threw her arms around Tasuki's neck. Then, amazingly, Chichiri saw that Tasuki was kissing her in return. She did it, no da. She brought him back. Suddenly, Yumi couldn't hold on anymore, and she slid down to the ground, and Tasuki came down with her to rest on his knees beside her. Tasuki looked at Yumi in confusion, his arms still wrapped around the priestess. Yumi reached up with one hand to touch Tasuki's face, but her outstretched hand suddenly lost strength and came back to the ground with a small splash in one of the puddles forming all over the courtyard.

"Yumi?" Tasuki said, his voice shaking with concern. Chichiri was certain only the real Tasuki could sound like that. "Yumi, what's wrong?" He asked her, pulling the priestess up into a sitting position. Tasuki pulled his hand back in shock and stared at it in horror. He was covered in blood. Chichiri looked anxiously around for Mitsukake. Mitsukake! Yumi needs you, no da!

Chichiri looked back at Yumi and Tasuki, feeling helpless. Tasuki had found the dagger and pulled it out of Yumi, hands trembling and covered in blood. He tossed the dagger away, as though to deny what it had done. He looked up and took the in situation at a glance, realizing who had hurt Yumi.

"Oh, god! What have I done? What the hell have I done?" He cried. Yumi smiled feebly and blinked slowly. Chichiri saw her mouth form the words 'I love you,' but he couldn't hear anything. Tasuki hugged Yumi to his chest. He kissed the priestess gently and stroked her hair; though Chichiri was reasonably sure that Yumi was unconscious by now. Hotohori watched in amazement at the tenderness the warrior was now showing. With Tasuki's recent performance still in mind, it didn't seem possible. Chichiri started shaking with frustration. Mitsukake! Where are you? This isn't the time for dramatic entrances, no da!

"Yumi… its okay… you're gonna be okay, right?" Tasuki pleaded with Yumi's still form. It sounded to Chichiri as though Tasuki were trying to convince himself, not her. Right on cue, Mitsukake appeared and walked out into the rain. He looked at Chichiri for a moment before nodding. He hurried over to Yumi, her life's blood spilling onto the ground.

Mitsukake held his left hand over the priestess, and a green glow seemed to emanate from his hand. In moments, Yumi had opened her eyes again, and all her wounds had disappeared. Chichiri sat down hard, creating a splash where he landed.

-------

Kirisuto shut the book and closed her eyes. She rested her forehead against the book and sighed.

"Yumi, you are a fool. I've told you before." She remembered to whisper. Her heart was pounding, just from reading about it. She couldn't believe that she had done that, but it did seem like something Yumi would do.

What puzzled Kirisuto most was the fact that Megumi was in there. There was no way that could be possible. Kirisuto flipped back through the pages, stopping to scan over the parts that included Megumi. Wait… isn't that painted dude one of her warriors? And what about… hold up… Kirisuto thought.

She paused and reread the part that had caught her eye. 'But even as Suzaku's chosen rejoiced at the return of their friend and the revival of their priestess, none of them were aware of the menace lying in wait among them. For as Tasuki and Yumi embraced in the rain, one of the warriors turned away. Tamahome was fighting a battle with himself, for he was not as he appeared. He was the Seiryu celestial warrior Amiboshi, and his intentions were not pure. Amiboshi was losing this battle, and soon he would make his move…'

Kirisuto blinked. Then, she blinked again. This is too weird… she mused quietly. She became even more confused when she read the next paragraph. 'Another was a witness to the celebration, keeping herself hidden in the shadows. It was a young woman from the Inner Seraglio; the harem from which the emperor should chose a bride to become his empress. Hotohori had never been into the Inner Seraglio, and would not recognize the woman. She was newly come, and foreign in appearance. She had light blonde hair that fell to her mid-back, and bright blue eyes. The lady's name was Kirin, and as she watched the emperor, she was filled with a deep sense of love for the man that would fight for the woman he loved, even if she did not return his feelings, and so the lady of the court made a vow, that she would try and protect that man, if it would cost her life.'

Kirisuto was really confused now. What did that woman Kirin have to do with Yumi and Megumi? That was all the book seemed to cover. Making a quick decision, she got up and pushed the chair back, calmly walking back towards the door. The librarian from before ran forward, stopping her exit.

"Hey! Where are you going with that? That book is evidence!" He said, in a hissing whisper. Kirisuto held up the book, The Universe of the Four Gods.

"I have to take this back with me for further analysis. It might contain a powerful curse." She improvised, hoping that the man would believe. He studied her for a moment, before nodding briefly.

"Fine, go ahead." Kirisuto held her head high and walked straight out of the library, carrying the book in her arms.

-------

Nakago stirred the wine glass in his left hand as he admitted Tomo thorough the many wards placed around his chambers. Even though it was not apparent, the general was infuriated. That insignificant bandit, Tasuki, had managed to break free of his kodoku! No one had ever done that. Just when he had thought the priestess dead at least, another of her warriors had appeared to heal her! Was there no justice for the side of evil?

Tomo had entered his room, bowing low. Nakago knew the man feared and respected him at the same time, and that was the way he liked his minions, but Tomo had succeeded, at least, somewhat. Nakago had ordered the man not to let Tasuki kill the priestess, but he had expected Tasuki to have enough wit as to die. Also, he could not punish Tomo now, as he had inadvertently succeeded. That made him very angry.

"Nakago… Tasuki had returned to his previous state, and the priestess yet lives." Tomo reported. The general squeezed his glass until it threatened to shatter.

"I know that Tomo." Nakago said, managing to keep his voice level and controlled as always. Tomo looked up, letting his leader know that he was surprised.

"But, Nakago, how…?" He said, straightening from his bowed position. Nakago turned and looked out his window. It was raining.

"You forget, Tomo. I am the master here, and you are the follower. But, I suppose you should know." Tomo bowed once more as Nakago continued. "How is your illusion holding up?" He asked suddenly, catching Tomo off guard again.

"Very well, Nakago. I believe it might have slipped once during the first confrontation, but no one noticed." Nakago nodded slightly, glaring out at the rain that offended him.

"You are aware that I use two different sorts of kodoku, no?" He said. He could hear Tomo shifting around behind him. Nakago continued even though he had not yet received an answer. "The kind used on Tasuki totally rewrites the memory to certain specifications. The kind used on Amiboshi takes control of the body, leaving the mind confused and blank to certain specifications. Do you understand, Tomo?" He said, turning around and taking a small drink from his glass.

"Yes, Nakago." Tomo answered quickly. Nakago glared at him until he received the answer he desired. "I understand, Nakago, that you used the second kodoku on Amiboshi in order to control his body, and therefore you may see through his eyes and observe the things I have informed you of." Nakago nodded. That was the answer he wanted.

Tomo cleared his throat, standing straight. Nakago chuckled harshly. No one knew what he was thinking. No one expected. Now that he had already tried to break the priestess of Suzaku, he would try to break his own, and he suspected that it would be easier than the last.

"May I ask what is amusing, Nakago?" Tomo said in his cultured voice and tone. Nakago sat down and put down his glass.

"I have a motto so to speak, Tomo. I was just thinking on how I might bend the priestess of Seiryu to do my will. Would you like to hear my motto, Tomo?" He asked, his voice holding the slightest hint of threat. Tomo gulped a little and nodded. Nakago smiled cruelly, reaching over to crush his empty wine glass with one movement.

"My motto, Tomo, is that the easiest people to manipulate are weak-willed children and the lovesick. While the priestess of Suzaku is only one of these… thankfully the priestess of Seiryu is both…" He said in a cold, cruel voice, watching as Tomo almost shivered. He would see his priestess weep, and when she came to him for answers, he would give them to her. Then, then, her mind would be his to control…