The valley was lovely this time of year. The meadows were full of wild flowers that wafted their light fragrance over everything. The sun shone brightly on the small village nestled near the mighty river. Children ran about freely, laughing, as their parents watched fondly.

In a meadow overlooking the valley, a young woman sat and watched. She sighed in the simple pleasure of the scene below her. As she watched, a lone figure came up the hill and started through the meadow toward her. Her breath caught as the sun caught his silvery-blue locks. She whispered his name like a prayer.

"Houjun."

The beloved figure paused before her, a smile playing over his lips.

"It's too beautiful a day to just sit. Will you walk with me?"

He offered her his hands, and she laughingly took them. As he pulled her up, she overbalanced and fell into his arms. She looked up, a delicate blush painting her cheeks, only to meet the warmth of his mahogany eyes. He pulled her close, molding her soft body to the hard planes of his. His head bent to hers, his mouth seeking her own. The kiss was tender, a mere brushing of lips before he pulled back.

"I love you, Kouran," he whispered.

"I love you too," she murmured, caressing his cheek.

She tipped her head back again, silently asking him to kiss her again. He did so, at length and with a gentle passion that bespoke his devotion to her. When they parted, she rested her head against his chest, listening to his heart.

"I want to be with you forever," she murmured.

"Forever," he whispered back.

A chill wind blew past the couple and she lifted her head. Dark clouds were gathering in the east and spreading across the sky, blocking out the sun. Houjun shifted and tried to pull away.

"Don't leave me," she said, tightening her grip on him.

"I have to go. It's my time."

"Onegai," she plead, looking up at his face.

A gasp escaped her lips. A vicious scar slashed across his handsome face, sealing his left eye shut.

"I have to go," he repeated.

"Iie! Don't leave me," she cried.

She hugged him fiercely, burying her face in his chest. Gently, he removed her arms and stepped away holding her hands. She looked up and gasped. Liang was smiling down at her.

"It's time for you to wake up Kouran," he said, giving her hands an affectionate squeeze.

She looked around in panic. "Where's Houjun?"

"Time to wake up. It's time Kouran. Time. It's time. Wake up. WakeupWakeupKouran. Wake up Keiko. It's time to wake up."

"Keiko."

Keiko woke with a start, sending a violent shiver through her body. She stared at the room around her and realized that she was back in the palace. Aiko was seated at her side, a small smile on her lips.

"I'm glad that you're finally awake," the older woman said.

Keiko closed her eyes with a sigh. A sudden memory filled her mind, and Keiko sat up. What had happened to Chichiri? She remembered that she had woken to find him without heartbeat or breath. But what happened after that? Aiko turned to a low table near the bed and picked up a glass of water, offering it to Keiko.

"You've been asleep for almost two days," Aiko said. "I thought it was about time you woke up. Shun'u told me to let you sleep, but I knew you'd be awake soon. Woman's intuition."

Keiko smiled and accepted the water. She took a few sips and then turned a frown on Aiko.

"Why have I been asleep so long?"

The auburn-haired woman sat back in her chair and took a deep breath.

"As far as Shun'u was able to figure out from the bandits, you screamed and when they came to investigate, they found you hovering over Chichiri saying that he was dead. They say you worked a spell on him and he came back to life."

"It wasn't a spell," Keiko said. "It's called CPR and in my world it's a way to revive a person who's heart has stopped and they've stopped breathing. It's common knowledge where I come from."

Aiko nodded. "You just needed time to rest and recover after the ordeal you've been through."

"How is Chichiri?" Keiko asked softly.

Aiko shook her head. "He's alive, but that's about all. He won't wake up and it's all the doctors can do to get a little broth down his throat. He won't last much longer this way."

Keiko felt her eyes burning and looked down at her hands. She was gripping the sheets so tightly that her knuckles were white. She forced her hands to relax and looked back at Aiko.

"Do you think they'd let me see him?"

"Probably, but you need to get some strength first. You haven't eaten for two days."

The older woman turned back to the small table and picked up a bowl of plain rice and vegetables which she handed to Keiko.

"You eat, and rest a bit more. Then we'll get you a nice hot bath and see that you get to visit Chichiri."

Keiko nodded and Aiko left with a promise to return. Keiko grew frustrated as she tried to feed herself. Her hands were shaking and she only seemed to be able to get tiny bites of food to her mouth. After eating all of the vegetables and half the rice, she was exhausted again. Keiko placed the bowl on the table near the bed and curled up under the blanket, silently thanking Aiko for her foresight in allowing her to sleep some more.


Keiko felt something small, silky, and cool land on her cheek. She wrinkled her nose and brushed the object away. Two more took its place. She opened her eyes and looked around. She was in a garden filled with cherry trees. The delicate blossoms ranged in color from pink so pale it seemed white to a red the color of Suzaku's plumage. A gentle breeze blew through the trees, setting the blossoms dancing and dropping the fragile petals everywhere.

A figure appeared amidst the rain of sakura. At first Keiko couldn't tell who it was, but as the figure neared, she recognized him.

"Liang," she said.

The healer gave her a warm smile. She gave him a small frown.

"Why are you here? What happened to you when we were rescued?"

"So many questions," the healer chided with a smile. He offered his hands to her. "Will you walk with me?"

Keiko hesitated a moment before accepting his hands. He pulled her to her feet and they began to walk among the sakura trees. Liang was silent, seemingly lost in contemplation of the petals that swirled around them.

"Liang?" she prompted him gently.

He offered her another smile before returning his gaze to the trees.

"I haven't seen sakura in many years," he said after a time.

The healer stopped under a blushing tree and pulled a low branch close to inspect the blossoms. He released the branch and turned to Keiko. His form became transparent and a pink bubble formed behind him, then popped to reveal a Nyan Nyan.

"Thank you Nyan Nyan," Liang said offering the teal-haired sprite a bow.

"Hai, Liang-sensei," the girl said before flying off.

Keiko stared at Liang, not fully comprehending.

"I'm dead," the healer said. "When I told you about my past I didn't tell you that shortly after I returned to find my village washed away by the flood, I died of a fever that I contracted while trying to help the survivors."

"But, how? Why?"

Liang began walking and Keiko followed.

"I saw Houjun right after he'd been wounded. I was with the group who found Kouran and Hikou, and I told Houjun what had become of his fiancee and friend. He had no one left after the flood. His family and life were gone. I felt bad for him and wanted to help him in any way I could, but then I ended up dying too."

He paused under another tree and reached for a branch. His hand passed through it and he smiled sadly.

"When I felt your energy cross worlds I came to Taikyoku-zan and asked Taiitsu-kun if I could serve you and Houjun in any way. She let me borrow a Nyan Nyan body and I did what I could for you both. Now the rest is up to you. I must bid you farewell now."

He turned and began walking away.

"Liang!" Keiko called.

He turned.

"Thank you for watching over him."

The spirit bowed to her and turned away again. He seemed to vanish into the swirling petals leaving Keiko alone in the garden. She walked for a time and suddenly found herself by a small reflecting pond with a willow hanging over the still water. She knelt at the edge of the pool and stared at her reflection. For a moment she was startled by the face staring back at her. The dark circles under her eyes were more pronounced now and her hair looked as if it hadn't been washed in days.

"I look like an old, tired woman," she said softly.

There was a subtle change in the atmosphere of the garden and Keiko looked around, trying to discern what had brought on the change.

"You must be wondering why I've summoned you here," a gravely voice said.

Keiko turned, startled, and fought the urge to scream. She let out a hastily expelled breath, and dropped a bow. Taiitsu-kun raised an eyebrow.

"Not too bad. Most people are still shrieking at my appearance at this point."

Keiko smiled and rose to her feet. "I almost did."

The Creator did not return Keiko's smile. If anything, her jowled face became more grave. Keiko's smile faded under that penetrating glare.

"Is something wrong?" she asked hesitantly, fear gripping her stomach like a block of ice.

Taiitsu-kun heaved a heavy sigh and looked down at the ground, wrinkled face furrowed even deeper.

"Why are you selfishly keeping him here? Have you learned nothing?"

"I don't understand," Keiko started.

"Chichiri!" the Oracle said harshly. "How long do you intend to make him suffer? Hasn't he suffered enough already?"

Keiko shook her head and whispered, "I don't know what your talking about."

Taiitsu-kun shot forward, anger clear upon her face. "Stop denying what your heart already knows! Your hiding from your past, refusing to see what pain you have inflicted. Your actions are that of a child."

Keiko felt the sting of tears in her eyes as her heart gave a painful thump.

"Until you right this wrong, the chain will continue. Your soul as well as that of Chichiri's will find no peace, and you will relive the pain over and over until the lesson is learned."

"I don't want him to hurt." Keiko bowed her head, the tears falling from her cheeks. "But I don't want him to die either."

"He lived with the knowledge of your death, and that of his best friend. If anyone deserves to move on, it is him." Keiko felt the light pressure of a hand on her shoulder and flinched. "He holds on for you. Still, he loves you. Enough to endure the pain of living when his time is well over for this world. I cannot make you do this, Keiko. The choice, in the end, will be yours alone to make. But I hope you will allow yourself to remember his love, and find enough of your own to finally let him be at peace. You must also remember that Suzaku is the God of Love. He does not wish any of His children to suffer needlessly."

Taiitsu-kun's presence faded and Keiko found herself floating in a black void. It was similar to the one she had found herself in all those years ago, when the river had taken her life. It was a comforting kind of void, free of pain and guilt. She realized that she could stay there indefinitely, avoiding responsibility and heartache. Houjun's face flashed before her and she shivered. Avoiding love and human contact too. She couldn't run away.

Between one breath and the next, Keiko found herself back in the Imperial palace. It was dark and silent and she guessed that night had long since cast its mantle over the land. She rose and steadied herself against the wall as the world swam in her vision. Carefully she made her way to the bathing chamber that joined her room. She stripped off her robe and dipped out a bucket of steamy water from the pool at the center of the room.

She carefully washed herself, shampooing her hair twice, before rinsing and climbing into the bath. She didn't linger, but once warmed, hurried to dry and dress herself in a simple dress. She rubbed most of the moisture from her long violet tinted black hair and pulled part of it up into two loops, leaving the rest trailing down her back.

Keiko walked silently through the palace corridors to the hospital wing. She paused, suddenly uncertain. Was she doing the right thing? Couldn't she, with her twenty-first century medical knowledge, help Chichiri to recover? She forced herself onward, finding Chichiri's room after a few minutes of searching. She stood in the doorway for a long time, just looking at the frail figure on the bed. Chichiri had lost a lot of weight from days of not eating. Tears filled her eyes as she realized that even with her knowledge, she would only prolong his life, but not return him to health. Keiko finally summoned her courage and walked to the bedside. She reached out and took one of the blue-haired man's hands.

"You're not going to get better, are you?" It was not a question.

She brought his hand to her cheek. The skin was thin and papery, the veins showing clearly through. She kissed the back of his hand and let her tears fall.

"I don't remember it being this hard saying goodbye last time," she said. "But then I did the leaving."

She laced her fingers through his and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. She wished he was awake, that he could respond to her. She wanted to apologize for leaving and for all the pain she'd caused him.

"Houjun–" her voice caught on a sob. "Houjun, I'm here to say goodbye. I've been very selfish with you, holding you here when you're in so much pain. Can you forgive me?"

Her voice broke again and she dropped her head as more tears fell.

"Can you forgive me for leaving you?" she whispered when she got herself under control. "I never wanted to cause you so much pain. I thought it would be better for you and Hikou if I left, but I didn't mean to do it the way I did. I didn't even get to say goodbye."

Keiko knew she was rambling and trying to prolong the inevitable. She reached out and ran her fingers through his bangs and short hair. She remembered a time when his hair had been full and long. She'd loved running her fingers through the silky locks then too. She caressed his cheek and laid his hand next to him.

"I'll be waiting for you," she said. "We'll find each other again, no matter where we are. I have people to take care of me until you come, so please don't worry about me."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"You can go now. Wherever it is you need to go. I won't hold you back anymore. I'll always love you, Houjun."

His breath caught in his throat and Keiko's eyes opened. Her hands came up and clasped in front of her heart. Tears fell freely from her eyes.

"Go my love. We'll be together again someday."

A long breath left him and he lay still. Keiko watched him for a moment and when his chest didn't rise again, she dropped her head into her hands and wept. Tasuki found her a few hours later, kneeling at the bedside with her tear stained face pillowed on her arms. He gently touched her shoulder and when she looked into his liquid amber eyes she burst into tears.

"He's gone!" she cried. "He's gone! He left me!"

The fire-haired seishi held her gently as he stared down at the body of his best friend and star brother. The older man seemed peaceful, a small smile gracing his lips. Drawn by Keiko's cries Han-sensei entered the room, only to rush out a moment later. He came back followed closely by Aiko, the Dowager Empress, and the young Emperor. Grief filled cries filled the room and Tasuki moved away from the bed, still cradling Keiko. He gave his wife a helpless look and she smiled tremulously, encouragingly.

"It'll be okay," Tasuki murmured. "It hurts now but, in time, it'll be okay."

Keiko sniffed and nodded, pulling away a little.

"I thought for a moment that it was a bad dream," she said, her voice hitching, "but the sadness in your eyes told me that it wasn't."

"We'll see him again in heaven," the fiery seishi soothed.

Keiko nodded again, wiping at the tears that wouldn't seem to stop falling. She began to feel a warmth spread through her and her body seemed to become light and airy. The shocked look on Tasuki's face told her that it wasn't just in her head. A red light began to fill the room, blocking out her sight of the bed and the grieving people gathered around it. Only she and Tasuki were left in the light.

"I'm sorry," she said in a rush as she realized what was going on. "I was so much trouble. Please apologize to everyone for me. And thank them too."

Tasuki nodded and released her.

"Safe journey," were his parting words as he too vanished and her world was swallowed up in the cry of a phoenix.


Author's Notes:

OMG! I killed Chichiri. My most beloved FY character, and I killed him. (sobs)

(After a moment Jess regains control of herself and continues...) This was a hard chapter for me to write. Partly because I killed off my favorite character, and partly because many of you kept saying that you hoped he'd get better. Twasn't to be. Fear not though, dear friends, and don't kill me yet. There's one more chapter to go.

Thanks to Roku Kyu-chan for her description of the bathing room attached to the individual rooms in White Stones in the Moonlight. It saved poor Keiko from wandering around the palace in search of one.