Keep in mind I'm not a magic machine who has no time so she writes stories, I have all of these pre-written up to chapter 53. When you guys catch up, then updates won't come as quickly. ^_^;;

Gah. I get so sick of this character.. why did I do so much with her?

To Metajoker: Thanks, it's always nice to see new reviewers! I appreciate your comments! (Though I'm quite positive Miaka is a full blown red head.)

To Illusions-chan: Thanks for reviewing as well! I know, I thought using the main character from Eikoden would be a new start, though she really plays more of a minor role in the story. Saori's character isn't too developed in Eikoden, so I used that too.

Chapter 24 : A New Task

"I'm disappointed in you... Tomo." A tall, broad blonde said lowly.

Tomo bowed humbly, still grieved over the loss of Shin. "Forgive me, I did try, but those pesky Suzaku Seven got in the way. I nearly succeeded."

Nakago smirked, at least what you could consider a smirk to his emotionless face. "Seems the Ambassador will be staying with us longer, but perhaps we've found a weak spot."

Tomo stood, and nodded.

Nakago looked towards the door of the wide, spacious tent. "I have a plan for dealing with our pests, but I will wait to use it."

Mayo smiled from the corner of the tent. She sat on a cot, arms folded over her lap. "Nakago," she addressed, "I grow impatient."

Nakago nodded to his priestess. "We have the first, Lady Mayo. However, in order to complete the task..."

****************************************

"Nani?!" Yui exclaimed, pulling back from the book.

Keisuke, who seemed to be dozing off despite the important string of events, suddenly jumped back into attention. "What?! What?!"

Yui turned the page towards Keisuke. "Look, it makes no sense! It's just this line!"

Keisuke rubbed his eyes and took the book from Yui, studying it.

One line on the page was full of nonsense, like question marks and illegible characters. The line before it and after it were simple Chinese and Japanese kanji.

"It just... cuts off." Keisuke commented.

Yui took the book back, looking at the sentence. "Why this? Why can I not know what's going on?" She looked to Keisuke, somewhat worried. "What did they say?"

Keisuke straightened. "Whatever it was, something obviously doesn't want us to know about it."

The two almost didn't hear Tetsuya walk into the living room.

"I'm back..." He called. His eyes moved from Keisuke to Yui, then back to Keisuke again. He furrowed an eyebrow. "Why are you so close to her?!"

Keisuke looked at Tetsuya like he had just heard a corny joke. "Please, Tetsuya."

Yui sighed. "So, how about that movie?"

*****************************************

In a medium sized room inside the Konan palace, the tall Mitsukake was speaking to Hotohori, Tasuki, Tamahome, Miaka, and Nuriko.

"Inami completely recovered the moment Shin was destroyed." Mitsukake explained to the curious group. "Everything went back to normal, as if she was falling and just... stopped. I can't explain much of it really, but whatever illusion she was under, it was powerful."

Nuriko scratched the back of his head. "Strange..." Nuriko's voice was slightly shaky, and embarrassed, he cleared his throat.

Mitsukake continued. "She says she can't remember anything."

"She does not recall anything that happened before she collapsed?" Hotohori asked.

Tasuki uncomfortably shifted his weight from one leg to the other, just listening.

Mitsukake shook his head. "She said she remembers going to bed, and then we were all standing around her. That's it."

Miaka frowned. "I feel bad for her."

Nuriko sighed. "Sire, perhaps we should look into our situation."

Hotohori turned to Nuriko.

"Until a war starts," Nuriko began, "Perhaps it would be best for us to return back to our daily lives."

Just then, the sliding door opened. Inami saw a large group in the room, staring at her entrance. She felt her cheeks turn a little red. "I... uh..."

"Will you please excuse us?" Hotohori asked politely.

The others nodded and walked past Inami out of the room. Inami couldn't help but look away as Tasuki passed her.

On the outside walk, Nuriko noticed something. "You know what Tasuki? You and the ambassador haven't argued for about a week! See? I knew you two could get along!"

Tasuki shoved Nuriko with his left hand. Unfortunately, Nuriko shoved back, and Tasuki fell off the railing.

"Sire, I was thinking this morning, and I believe any more battles should be directed towards Hokkan. Konan should try to push Kutou soldier north if another fight breaks out on Konan's land."

Hotohori blinked. He was pretty sure he knew what Inami was talking about, but doubled checked just incase. "Why do you recommend that?"

Inami smirked. "Hokkan, like Sairo, has a huge advantage in these cases. Same way of how we won 200 years ago. Kutou's men shouldn't be accustomed to Hokkan's cold climate. The temperatures go well below zero in the more northern parts. Hokkan's also scattered with several mountains. Kutou soldiers will drop like flies."

Hotohori nodded. "That would be most excellent. Perhaps that is why so many more attacks have been directed towards Konan. Nevertheless, if given the opportunity, we will put you're plan into action."

Inami bowed slightly. "Hotohori-sama, on another note, I have to apologize for last night. I honestly didn't mean to cause a disruption in your palace..."

"Please," Hotohori interrupted, "Do not think of it. You're well-being, as well as the other guests in my palace, is much accounted for. I should be apologizing for putting you in so much danger under these roofs."

Inami bowed again. "Thank you, your Majesty." She looked up more thoughtful. "I will however request leave for Hokkan again. It is due time I returned. Much of what we have discussed needs to be personally run by my Emperor."

"I understand."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"She's leaving again?" Nuriko asked, poking his head into Inami's bedroom.

Saori used her knee to try to balance the large bag in her arms. "Hai, she is." She replied. "She says..." Saori took a deep breath as she hulled the suitcase closer to her chin. "She says business as always, that's all she's here for."

Nuriko grabbed the handle of the luggage and relieve Saori with it, his other hand on his hips. "Don't you think this is a little odd?"

Saori reached for the suitcase. "I can carry it just fine."

Nuriko let Saori carefully take the suitcase back. "Not that, the fact that she's leaving after that incident? Seems like more-than-perfect timing."

Saori shrugged, getting a better grip on the luggage. "Care to help, or are you just going to block my way?"

"Fine." Nuriko said. He put his fingers over his mouth. Did he just...?

Saori blinked, and laughed, dropping the suitcase. She quickly jumped back, the weight barely missing her toes.

Nuriko cleared his throat a good three times. "Quit laughing."

Saori tried to control her giggles. "Sorry Nuri, I've just never heard you talk like that... you know." She snorted, laughing a little more.

Tamahome and Miaka stopped by the room, seeing Nuriko a little peeved and Saori looking foolish, laughing and trying to carry a suitcase more than half her size at the same time.

Miaka giggled a little at the sight. "Saori-chan, what's so funny?"

Saori calmed herself a little, grabbing the handle of the suitcase and dragging it along the floor to the exit. "Nuriko. his voice." She started laughing again. "It was low! It was HILARIOUS!"

**************************************

Keisuke shoved a handful of popcorn into his mouth, his eyes watering.

Tetsuya looked back. "You're not crying, are you?"

Yui smacked the back of Keisuke's head. "He's not, the popcorn is too hot, and he's being an idiot!"

Keisuke looked sideways, giving Yui a disapproving look. "That hurt." He stated, though it was unclear what he said.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, and don't argue with me!" Yui shouted.

Keisuke looked to Tetsuya.

"No, seriously, don't argue with her." Tetsuya explained. "You won't win, even if you're right."

Yui put her hands on her hips. "Excuse me?"

*********************************************

"Bye!" Saori yelled after the carriage, waving her arms in the air. "Come back soon!"

"Saori, Inami only comes on official affairs." Chiriko said.

Saori ignored him and kept waving.

Tamahome looked around. "Where's Tasuki?"

"Just ignore him. You can't expect him to seriously say goodbye to the ambassador nicely, can you?" Nuriko questioned.

Tamahome smiled. "Guess you're right."

After the carriage carrying the Hokkan Ambassador had left, the group returned into the palace. Boushin was on the throne, speaking to one of the many magistrates. Houki was present too. She looked quite healthy, and still wasn't showing her pregnancy. Her thick purple hair was pulled up and away from her face, done in an expertise style, fastened with a gold ornament.

"I'm glad Houki's feeling better." Chiriko said to anyone who cared to listen.

Miaka's arm was intertwined with Tamahome's. "I'm glad Saori seems to be so well under her circumstances." She whispered to Tamahome. She leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked into the large room.

Just then, Tasuki and Hotohori emerged from an opposite entrance.

Miaka looked around. "Everyone's here." She said. She looked to Hotohori.

"Please." Hotohori announced. "While we're all here, please come."

The half-confused group made their way slowly to the Emperor, wondering what would be on his mind. Miaka quietly prayed it wouldn't be bad news.

"I have decided..." Hotohori started, "That since there is a break in the feuding with Kutou, if you wish, you may return to your homes until further notice. You may continue to stay here if you like, but there is no need unless more fighting begins."

Nuriko scratched his head. "I... guess that's good news. Perhaps if we're lucky we'll be war-free for a while."

"Tasuki and I will have a lot of packing, we live pretty far from here." Chiriko added.

Saori frowned. "I guess it will be a little quieter..."

"Don't worry." Nuriko joked, "Only half the noise is coming with us." He looked over at Tasuki.

"What's that supposed to mean, wise guy?" Tasuki objected.

Nuriko put his hands on his hips. "You and Saori are the noisiest ones, that's obvious."

"Hey!" Saori shouted, only half-serious.

Miaka laughed.

"I guess we'll start packing." Nuriko suggested.

"I think I will stay here for a while." Mitsukake informed everyone. "Besides, my help can always be used for Houki's pregnancy."

"Eh hem." Chiriko piped up sternly, drawing everyone's attention. He looked towards Hotohori. "Perhaps sire, we should ask Suzaku to grant us some luck on our return, as well as for Konan."

Hotohori smiled gently and nodded. "I think that may be a good idea, Chiriko."

With a tired grunt from Tasuki and... well... Tasuki, the group went to one of the holy shrines of Suzaku, Saori and Boushin tagging along. The entered the large room, the gold dazzling in the sunlight, the red carpet smoothed out perfectly before them, and the realistic statue of Suzaku standing mighty at the opposite wall.

"It would be totally awesome if my bedroom looked like this..." Saori commented to herself as she entered first with Boushin. In a poor version of a single-file line, the Suzaku seven and their priestess entered into the vast room. Chiriko was first to reach the statue, and he placed his hands together in a meditating style, closing his eyes.

Saori stared at him as he approached, trying to do the same. The last time she was in here was during the major battle with Kutou.

Miaka and Tamahome, still hand-in-hand, approached the statue too.

It was quiet for a few minutes.

Saori looked up startled. "What was that?"

Boushin looked around. "What?"

It happened again. The statue of Suzaku vibrated a bit, and began to rumble.

Everyone in the room became alert and watched.

"Is it... Suzaku?" Miaka wondered, awed.

The rumbling stopped suddenly, and figure magically popped up before them.

"AAHHH!" Saori screamed, practically jumping into Boushin's arms. "Suzaku is an old woman!!!!"

"A hag!" Tasuki yelped.

"Nuriko, smack him." Taiisukun ordered. Nuriko did so.

"Taiisukun!" Miaka cheerfully exclaimed.

"Saori-chan?" Boushin asked.

Saori with drew her arms from around Boushin's neck and he lowered her to the ground. Her face turned bright crimson. "Heh... sorry about that...."

"Suzaku Seishi!" Taiisukun called loudly. "You are once again needed... to summon Suzaku!"

Author's note: Eh, that wasn't too bad. I thought that didn't happen until chapter 28. guess I was wrong!