Tamahome followed the person who had been introduced as Nuriko back to the palace. His mind was full of guilt. He couldn't believe that he had just killed the man who had helped save his little sister. There was no way that man could have been evil after what he had done. No evil person would save a child's life. Tamahome picked Yuiren up and carried her in his arms. It was a miracle she still lived with her injuries.

Nuriko turned around and gestured for him to enter the palace first. Tamahome walked leadenly, weighed down by his feelings of guilt. There was no way he could have known, it wasn't his fault, but he felt guilty nonetheless. He had never expected to come here, to Konan's capitol. After the Seiryu warrior called Miboshi had attacked and killed the rest of his family he knew he would have to protect Yuiren. The man he had killed, Amiboshi, had suggested he come here. So he had. Amiboshi, the Seiryu warrior.

"Ah, Tamahome! This is Mitsukake." Nuriko said, motioning him in through another door. Tamahome didn't have time to take in the wonder of the palace as he was ushered to the doctor, Mitsukake. Tamahome looked at the man in front of him, his fellow Suzaku celestial warrior. Mitsukake was a burly man, easily taller than he was. He exuded a quiet air of competence and he took everything in stride.

"How did your sister get these wounds?" He asked in a deep, soothing voice. Tamahome let his sister down, but she still clutched his leg.

"One of the Seiryu warriors, Miboshi, attacked my village and killed everyone. Only my sister and I survived." He said. It took a lot out of him to say those words. His mother had died shortly after Yuiren was born, so he had raised her himself since his father was sick. He had always thought about going to the capitol to make some money, and here he was. But he wouldn't be bringing back his earnings to support his family anymore. It was just Yuiren and him now.

"I see…" Mitsukake said, his eyes clouded with grief at the news. He smiled kindly at Yuiren and held out his hand. There was something calming about him. His little sister looked up at Tamahome for approval and he nodded so she took the man's hand.

"I have already expended my healing powers for today, but I have more traditional medicines to soothe her pains until tomorrow when I can heal her fully." The older warrior said, lifting Yuiren up and setting her in a chair, beginning to mix some herbs together. Nuriko tapped Tamahome's shoulder.

"I'll get you a room, okay?" He said. "You can come get your sister later once Mitsukake here gets her some medicine." Tamahome nodded and assured his sister that he would come back soon before following the rather feminine looking man out the door. He was reluctant to leave Yuiren, but he felt as though he could trust Mitsukake somehow.

"Nuriko?" Tamahome asked suddenly. The man turned around with a quizzical look on his face. "Where were the Seiryu warriors staying in the palace?" Thankfully, Nuriko didn't ask how he knew they were staying here.

"Um, did you want me to take you there or something?" Tamahome nodded briefly, but he could tell the other man wanted more of an explanation.

"I think I need to apologize to Amiboshi's brother. If he hadn't been wearing that illusion I would not have attacked him. All I know was that I heard the flute and it was hurting me; I thought he was the enemy." Nuriko nodded slowly, as if he understood. Then he shrugged.

"Well, I don't see why not. Follow me." Tamahome smiled thankfully and did just that, following the man down the corridors of the palace. Tamahome couldn't tell if Nuriko was older than him or younger, but he seemed very confident and comfortable with himself. It seemed only a matter of moments before they came before two doors. Nuriko motioned towards them with a small gesture.

"The priestess and Soi were staying in this one," Nuriko said, indicating the door on the right. "And I believe Suboshi was in this one." He concluded, pointing to the left door. Tamahome steeled himself for the hostile reaction he would probably receive and knocked on the right door. Since it looked as if the older woman had knocked Suboshi out he didn't think they would be in separate rooms.

There was no answer to his knock, so he tried again. Still only silence greeted him. Feeling a little silly, Tamahome pressed his ear to the door. If he remembered correctly, the priestess had been crying, and he should be able to hear that, but he didn't. Feeling guilty, Tamahome opened the door. It was not locked, and an empty room greeted him.

Did they already leave? I know they said they were leaving, but wouldn't they have to come back and get their stuff? He thought, walking in. There were only a few signs that anyone had occupied the room, such as rumpled sheets and a half empty glass of water. Even though he knew it wasn't his place, Tamahome went further into the room, trying to see if there was any clue of some sorts that would tell him were they had gone in so short a time. On one of the beds was a small square.

Curious, Tamahome bent to pick it up. It was a strange thing, because it looked like an extremely well done painting, but the paper had a smooth, waxy feeling. The picture depicted three girls. They were all wearing the same outfits, strange things that consisted of a skirt and shirt. He recognized it though, since the priestess of Suzaku had been wearing it earlier. Also, the girl in the middle of the picture was definitely the priestess, Yumi. She was smiling happily, throwing her arms around the shoulders of the two other girls. The girl on the right was blonde-haired with blue eyes, smiling as well and waving. She must be foreign with those looks. The other girl was the priestess of Seiryu, smiling a small half-smile that seemed almost sad to Tamahome with her hands clasped in front of her. Puzzled, Tamahome turned the strange portrait over. There was writing on the back. Tamahome knew he shouldn't pry into this business, but he began to read the writing anyway. It was hard to read, scribbled hastily, but his face went though several emotions as he read it, although many of the words were hard to translate, probably a different language. His find drew Nuriko to his side to read it over his shoulder.

Yumi-

Now that I think about it, I've probably always been jealous of you, all my life. You've always made better grades than I have. You can draw and write better. So many people at Jonan like you, that's the way you are. Nobody is unable to like your happy, energetic and feisty attitude. You have a wonderful loving family, success with boys. I don't have any of that.

Amiboshi is dead. Did you kill him? Is it your fault? Is it my fault? Suboshi won't stop crying. Soi is sad. Am I sad? Should I be sad? I don't know what it means to be happy, so what is it to be sad?

Do I hate you? Do you hate me? I don't know anymore. We've been friends for as long as I can remember. Do you pity me? I don't want to die, but I don't want to live. You get sad when I say that. Is that pity? I don't know what I feel anymore, so I'm leaving before more damage is done. Have fun with your warriors. That man doesn't deserve you at all. I'll see you when the time comes.

-Megumi

Tamahome didn't know what to do so he handed the letter to Nuriko and strode back out the door to check on Yuiren.

-

Kirisuto shut the book and leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, sighing. I have to get those two out of there before they hate each other. They might even kill each other. Yumi might not want to come back, but she needs to come back to this world, or I'll fail trigonometry! Kirisuto wasn't sure what to do, and was hesitant to keep reading. Megumi was full of hate, and Yumi was back among the bandits. It really did feel like reading a diary, reading The Universe of the Four Gods. Kirisuto opened her eyes and spied her computer. Kirisuto turned on the computer and connected to the Internet. She automatically checked her MSN to see if Megumi or Yumi were online, and laughed at herself.

"They're stuck in this book… This book! I probably should find more information about this book, anyway. Maybe I'll find a clue or something." She went to "google," swearing to beat her little sister to a bloody pulp if she decided to interfere.

"The Universe of the Four Gods…" She read as she typed into the "search" bar. She got only a handful of hits. It didn't look too hopeful, but at least she had somewhere to begin.

Several hours later, Kirisuto rubbed her eyes, tired of staring at her computer screen. It was getting late, she hadn't even started on her homework, and she developing a headache. But she did find some strange pieces of information that caught her eye. There were several references to a "priestess of Byakko" and a couple of references to the Genbu priestess. She had searched under "universe," "gods," "spells," and at least a dozen other keywords, but was disappointed for the main part. The Internet had never failed her before. Kirisuto felt cheated by the lack of useful information. Tired, Kirisuto book-marked the most promising links and disconnected from the Internet.

With a sense of foreboding, she turned back to the book, which was lying on the table near the mousepad. I'll have to get back to reading it sometime… she reasoned, trying to convince herself. She picked up the book and flipped it open, searching for the last entries she had read. It had been disturbing, at first, to watch as new writing appeared in the book as she read. She was sincerely glad she had listened to Megumi's advice and studied Chinese as a foreign language. While Kirisuto couldn't read some of the kanji that appeared, she could still understand the gist of what was happening. And sometimes, Kirisuto was glad she did not know exactly what was going on.

It's too quiet in here. Kirisuto grabbed hold of the mouse and turned on Musicmatch, her computer music program. Then she noticed that she had an email waiting for her in the inbox. Wait, I thought I disconnected. I'm not supposed to be able to tell if I have emails… Involuntarily, Kirisuto shivered but she checked the email anyway. When it came in, there was no return email address or subject; only a single line of writing.

The priestess of Suzaku needs your help. Don't stop reading.

Kirisuto froze. The back of her neck suddenly felt cold, as though she were being watched. Everything was completely silent. Kirisuto could hear her heart pounding.

"What the hell?" She whispered, and tried to delete the message, but her computer detected an error and wouldn't get rid of the message. The priestess of Suzaku needs your help. Don't stop reading. That was the extent of the message. Kirisuto scrolled down on the page, but there was no more writing. Don't stop reading? But there's nothing more here to read!

CREAK. Kirisuto jumped at the sudden sound, barely holding back a scream.

"Hey, Kirisuto!" Kirisuto tried to get her heart rate back to normal as she recognized her younger sister's voice. The screen displayed the message for only half a second more before disappearing, revealing a large picture of a phoenix in flight. Kirisuto started shaking, but then she saw her computer icons spaced out along the edges of the screen and remembered that she had changed her desktop background only yesterday.

-

Tasuki could feel the guys stare when he opened to door. Hell, why should they? Don't they know me? I'm the boss around here! He thought irritably. He wasn't in a very good mood. He needed to tell Yumi what Taiitsukun had showed him, but he didn't want to, because if he did she would go back to her world. After the stunned moment of their boss coming in unexpectedly with a woman, he heard a few cheers at his return. They were good guys, sort of.

He could feel Yumi press a little closer to him as he guided her through the room. She was probably remembering what that bastard had tried to do to her before, to get back at Tasuki. Well, he'd showed him. He was dead now. Ignoring the questions and comments thrown at him from his fellow bandits, Tasuki led Yumi through and back, heading for his hideout. As he expected, a familiar figure was leaning against the door.

"Hehehe, Genro! Long time no see!" Koji said enthusiastically. Tasuki let go of Yumi and commenced the ritual of the dance that so many people found strange.

"Koji! How's everything been going?" He shouted, going around in circles. Koji followed, spinning in a circle as well.

"Ah, great, man! The guys are all filthy packrats, but that's normal!" Within a few more seconds the 'ritual of the dance' had been completed. Tasuki could see Yumi laughing at him softly, a glint of happiness in her eyes. He was glad to see that. If she were getting over it then maybe he wouldn't have to tell her the truth.

"Koji, ya remember Yumi?" He said, pulling her to him possessively once again. She didn't pull away, but smiled in a greeting. Koji promptly grinned and elbowed his friend in the side, snickering lightly.

"The Bandit Queen! Hell, Genro, who'd a thought?" Yumi laughed softly again. Koji leaned closer and whispered in his ear. "Ya fell fer her after all, Genro! Lookit that!" Tasuki growled good-naturedly, pushing Koji back in the direction of the main compound.

"Go tell all the guys that I'm back fer a visit." Koji chuckled, looking quite sly and informed.

"I see, ya'll two want some time alone! Yeah, I'll get goin' now!" Tasuki huffed and opened the door, letting Yumi inside ahead of him before following. He closed the door and locked it, lighting the candles to make everything visible. Yumi was smiling sadly, staring out the small window.

"Tasuki?" She said softly, not moving from where she stood. Tasuki put down her bag and walked over, standing behind her, but not touching her. I could… I could take her right now, and then she really couldn't summon Suzaku. She would have to stay here. She wouldn't know. He thought, but dismissed the thought as quickly as it had come, ashamed he had even considered it. He couldn't do that to her, could he?

"Tasuki, are you fed up with me?" She asked quietly, still staring out the window. He didn't know what she meant. "I mean, because I couldn't… do anything with you as the priestess of Suzaku. I love you so much, but I couldn't really show you how much I felt. A guy could get fed up with that. And now that… I can't summon Suzaku… I think I can finally show -"

"Yumi!" Tasuki cut her off. He knew what she meant now. It would be so easy, to do just that. She would never know. But he couldn't stand to see her cry again, thinking that Nakago had raped her, and knowing that he, Tasuki, would now be responsible for her never being able to summon Suzaku.

"You weren't raped, Yumi." He said softly, his voice slightly husky with emotion. Yumi turned around abruptly, clutching the front of his coat.

"Don't kid around with me." She said, her voice shaking. When he shook his head slightly tears brimmed in her eyes. He reached down and wiped them away.

"Taiitsukun… showed me. Nakago didn't touch you after you lost consciousness. I promise." Yumi paused then pulled on his coat fiercely.

"Why didn't you tell me? How long have you known?" She demanded, accusing him with her expressive eyes. Tasuki's voice caught in his throat and he turned and soundly punched the wall. Yumi jumped back, out of his reach.

"Tasuki?" She said, her voice sounding scared. He was the one scaring her. He felt so flustered, choked.

"Damn it, Yumi! I didn't tell you because I don't want you to leave! If you summoned Suzaku then you'd leave me and go back to your world, right? What's so great about that place?" He forced out, his fist still resting against the dent in the wall. Yumi didn't say anything.

"Why don't you just stay here with me? I can provide for you! We could live right here, or if you really want me to, I'll even git myself a respectable job! Just… don't leave." Tasuki managed to say, turning towards her. She was covering her mouth with her hands, tears brimming in her eyes. He was making her cry again. He'd messed up.

"Tasuki… are you saying…" she said softly. Tasuki tried to smile, walking a few steps forward and enfolding her in his arms.

"Marry me? Yes. I mean, you're the right age, maybe a little past. I am as well. I'll make so you want for nothing!" He swore passionately. Yumi buried her face against his chest, nodding slowly. His heart swelled. Tasuki, the tough guy, the guy who had never thought to feel about a woman like this, had proposed to the woman he loved, and she had just said yes. He tipped her chin upwards, looking down at her. She was smiling now. She got up on her tiptoes to kiss him, and he returned the gesture immediately.

"Took you long enough to tell her, you good-for-nothing bandit!" At the sudden voice Tasuki pulled away, looking around before he cried out as his eyes met those of an old hag floating upside down in the middle of his hideout.