Soi was extremely unsettled. That man, Nuriko, definitely had a screw loose somewhere, though whether it was in his head or somewhere else remained in doubt. On the other hand, she had learned some things. That was what had been so disturbing. No man, cross-dresser or no, should be able to tell Soi how to fix her hair.

She had finally managed to extricate herself from the man's attentions under the pretense that she had to check on her priestess. He must have considered that a viable reason. That was what she was supposed to do after all. It was her job, her duty. She wondered how Nakago was doing, and what would his reaction be to her betraying him? She had purposely told Ashitare not to return to his master. She had saved the life of a Suzaku celestial warrior. And worst of all, she was beginning to see the priestess as a person instead of the pawn she was supposed to be.

Soi sighed and pushed open the door to the room, sitting down on her bed. She was surprised that Megumi wasn't here. The priestess didn't seem like the kind of person to go off on her own. Soi had been forced to lead her by the hand the other night. Of course it didn't help matters that the priestess decided to be sick again on the floors of Konan's palace. That had definitely made a good impression, Soi thought sarcastically.

Soi was surprised when she heard feet slapping against stone outside the door, someone running. There was a brief pause before a figure dressed in blue that she recognized as the priestess hurtled into the room at full speed. Before the warrior had any time to say a greeting, Megumi had rushed to the corner, grabbed a porcelain basin from the corner and proceeded to be sick… again. Was this some kind of eating disorder or something?

With a small sigh Soi stood up and walked over, gently holding back the girl's hair from her face. She felt a little maternal, or perhaps an emotion akin to a big sister, but she squashed those thoughts instantly. The priestess was a pawn to achieve Nakago's… her ends. It was a good thing that Soi had a strong stomach herself.

She could see that the priestess was crying and shaking as she finished her business with the basin. Maybe that was why she was throwing up. She was choking on her own sobs. That was… very sad. Soi didn't really know what to do, but it reminded her of something she didn't like. It reminded her of her time spent in that brothel, as a prostitute.

Since her parents had sold her, she had no choice in her profession. She hadn't wanted it, and it was when she was running away from her first customer that she met Nakago, and he had saved her. But after that it was routine. Men came in seeking companionable pleasures and came out later, leaving her ashamed and broken, but she had gotten used to it. This reminded her of when she had become older, and she would try and help some of the younger girls who had once been so like herself. Some of them would get sick, and she would try and coax them back to health, holding their hair as she was doing now, only this was not the brothel and she wasn't helping one of her fellow prostitutes. She was in Konan's palace and she was helping the priestess of Seiryu.

Megumi had stopped being sick but was still clutching the edge of the basin for support, her arms shaking. Something had obviously deeply wounded her. She was still crying, her shoulders shaking with each breath. It made Soi feel sad for her. That wasn't normal for Soi.

"Um… Your Eminence?" She said hesitantly, placing a hand on the priestess' shoulder. She sniffled, trying to restrain her tears since she finally realized that Soi was in the room with her.

"My… my name is Megumi…" She muttered in a gurgling voice, spitting into the basin, trying to rid herself of the awful taste in her mouth. Soi grimaced briefly before trying again.

"Megumi, uh, want to tell me what's wrong?" Megumi shook her head slowly, back and forth. Soi sighed mentally. She would never be able to help the girl if she didn't open up.

"Can I get rid of this? Are you done?" Soi asked, motioning to the bowl the girl clutched for support. She nodded tentatively, letting go of the porcelain. Soi made a face as she picked it up and placed it outside the door. Hopefully a maid would see it and pick it up because she herself was not going to take it to them for disposal. She went back into the room to see the priestess walking unsteadily towards her bed. She looked as if she were about to fall.

Soi sighed mentally. The girl is hopeless. Can't she see that she needs other people to help her? I hardly know her and I can tell she depends on others for most of her emotional support! But the Seiryu warrior hurried forward to take Megumi's shoulders anyway, steadying her and helping her lay down. With a small trace of gentleness she removed the girl's outer robes, leaving only the simple blue shift underneath. She tossed the clothing to the side and brought the sheets up to cover her, tucking it under her chin.

The priestess showed no signs of knowing what was going on. She stared into space the entire time and when Soi had brought up the covers she rolled over to face the wall. Soi sat down on the edge of the bed. Maybe she should try and help.

"Megumi, are you going to be okay?" She asked, trying to sound gentle and kind even though she was a little frustrated with the girl. Megumi nodded, but she was still crying. Soi sat there for a while, watching her, before she awkwardly patted the girl's shoulder and got up. It wasn't even time for dinner, but she supposed she should let the girl have time to herself. Maybe Suboshi would know what to do.

-

Yumi wasn't crying anymore. In fact, to the casual eye, she almost seemed normal. But Tasuki could tell she was just putting on a brave front. He watched as she brushed her hair and changed into one of those strange things called "uniforms". Amazingly, she hadn't slapped him or asked him to leave. That was the first warning sign. Then came the fact that she could hardly look him in the eye. She's acting like it was her fault, when really, it's probably my fault…

"You didn't have to be so mean to Megumi. She would never hurt me. She really is delicate." Yumi said quietly, leaning against the windowsill, looking out into the garden. Tasuki sighed. I don't know about that… Hell! It was HER warrior that raped you, Yumi. But he didn't say that. Yumi already knew the facts, and pointing them out would only hurt her more. After a moment, he stood up and walked over to Yumi and put his arms around her from behind. He couldn't stand seeing her looking so sad. And it's because of Seiryu.

"I promise I'll apologize. After you summon Suzaku." Meaning her crime is unforgivable, of course. If Yumi can't summon Suzaku now… But that's not definite. I wish there were a way to know for sure. Tasuki stopped thinking about that. He felt as though he were being rude. I wish Nakago were alive. I didn't hurt him nearly enough. Yumi's shoulders were shaking. Tasuki bent closer to look at her face. For some reason, she was laughing.

"Uh, could ya share the joke?" Tasuki was confused, but it seemed like when it came to Yumi, he was confused a lot.

"You. You're funny." She leaned back against him and looked up, her face tilted up right below his. Tasuki cocked an eyebrow. What does she mean?

"I'm flattered that you want revenge, but you shouldn't consider torture. Even if it is Nakago."

"Huh?" After a moment, Tasuki realized that he had said some of his thoughts out loud. He wondered how much he'd said. He couldn't remember, so he tried to distract Yumi by tickling her ribs. She tried to wriggle out of his grasp, gasping for breath between giggles. He started learning other prime "tickle spots" when Yumi distracted him by speaking.

"I… I'm sorry!" She gasped. "You're perfectly serious, all the time!" She managed to turn around and catch his hands and held them, clasped in her much smaller, more delicate fingers. Instantly he stopped rough-housing, lest he hurt her. She looked up at him, grinning.

"Thank you. Without you, I don't think I would have survived very long in this world." She smiled winningly up at him. "What are we doing just sitting around? Why don't we do something?" Like I said, she's confusing.

"Do something? Like what?" Yumi grinned. He didn't know what got her so excited all of a sudden, but whatever it was, he thanked Suzaku, or, well, something, for it.

"I don't know. Maybe we could, oh, I don't know… visit Koji."

"Eh" This woman…

"Well, you haven't seen him for a while. He's a pretty close friend, right? Friends should stay together… That reminds me! Before we leave, I need to speak to Megumi, okay? I'll be back in a little while. Wait for me, okay" And with that, she had left the room. Tasuki wasn't sure exactly what just happened, but it looked as though the guys back at Mt. Reikaku were going to receive a visit. Or maybe we're going to stay there… there's no point in coming back here if she can't summon Suzaku, right? But it isn't safe for her there. Maybe I'll have to get myself a respectable occupation and take care of her… Tasuki laughed at himself. Before he met Yumi, he'd laughed at men who worked …slaved, more like it… to care for their families. But, if I could have Yumi… I'll do anything.

He sat down on the edge of Yumi's bed, waiting as commanded. He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, wondering what it would be like to have to work for a living, wondering what assets he could use in the civilized world to bring food to the table.

"What are you waiting for? Why don't you summon Suzaku already" Tasuki jumped at the strange voice and opened his eyes. Floating just ahead of him was the same old hag that had appeared in that fire, so long ago, or so it seemed.

"It's the hag" He cried, pointing. He jumped off the bed and backed away. Dammit, she's scary! If she IS a 'she'…

"That is Taiitsukun to you, you ruffian. And why is everyone just sitting around here" Tasuki regained his composure and tried to talk to the… creature… but it was hard.

"Why d'ya have to be here" He growled. "Yumi CAN'T summon Suzaku, in case you weren't paying attention the last few days" Taiitsukun scowled at him. Tasuki quailed under her gaze.

"The priestess trusts you more than anyone else, right" Tasuki couldn't see what the old hag was getting at, but he nodded anyway.

"I think so." I hope so. Taiitsukun nodded.

"There is something you need to see." Everything faded around him. For a moment, Tasuki felt as though he were floating in space. He could see nothing, hear nothing. Even all sense of feeling had disappeared. Then, all at once, he felt his feet hit solid ground again and he found himself staring into a huge mirror. Taiitsukun was still by his side.

"What's this" He couldn't help asking. Taiitsukun's voice sounded forbidding in her reply.

"Since my memory slips sometimes, I keep this mirror to watch over the world and replay certain events if I need to see them a second time. Can you think of anything of interest that you may need to watch? Something that has happened recently" Tasuki began shaking. Does she mean…? Will she REALLY make me WATCH that? But as the mirror sprang into life and began to show familiar figures, he couldn't look away.

-

Yumi wandered through the palace, feeling alone and vulnerable without Tasuki. Maybe I should have asked him to come. He needs to apologize to Megumi… But the more Yumi thought about it, the more it seemed that Tasuki was right. If Megumi had never come here, Nakago would have had no reason to hurt me… Yumi felt bad just for thinking it. Megumi is my best friend! She would never wish ill for me, I'm sure of it! When Yumi thought about it, there was no doubt in her mind that Nakago was acting of his own volition and not under Megumi's orders.Yumi could hear her footsteps echoing slightly in the hallways. It sounded rather ominous. She tried to walk more quietly, and found that she had no idea where Megumi was staying. So she headed for Chichiri's room. He'll know. But when she got there, Chichiri wasn't in his room. It was empty, as though no one had ever lived there. So she went in search of Hotohori. This time, she was more successful. She did not find the emperor, but she did see that woman warrior Megumi had brought with her, was it only yesterday? She was standing in the hallway, impatiently knocking on a bedroom door. When she saw Yumi, she stopped and looked at Suzaku's priestess.

"Uh, Soi, right" Yumi asked, hoping to get the name correct. The woman nodded.

"Could you tell me where Megumi is, please" Soi looked at her in a calculating manner before indicating a door not five yards from where Yumi stood. Finally, Soi spoke.

"Whatever you did before hurt her. Her Eminence is very upset." Yumi grimaced and turned to face the door. Of course she would be hurt. If someone said that stuff to me, I know that I would be upset. Yumi took a deep breath and knocked on the door. There was no answer. Yumi could feel her heart sinking. She knocked again, and still there was no answer. Is Megumi avoiding me? Yumi tried to stay strong, but she could feel her heart crumbling. If I lose Megumi on top of everything that happened… Yumi heard a muffled reply from inside the room.

"Who is it" Yumi sighed with relief.

"It's Yumi. Can I come in" Pause. Yumi could hear her heart beating in the silence. Please, Megumi!

"I guess so."