To Holly-DA: *sighs* You make me so happy! Thank you so much for sending in your comments. My mom had to bring in the mop because I melted on the floor.

To Amaya-san: Uh, thank you? j/k! I will read your story personally. if I EVER find time in my schedule!

To BD the Pixie: Yes, Miaka should have gotten Hypothermia. Luckily, she wasn't underwater too long and Mitsukake was handy. ^_^

To Metajoker: The clues don't have to directly relate to Suzaku. Like the rock, for example. Just wait. they get WAY out there. Like I said before, Inami will be painfully irritating, but she'll die down eventually. ^_^

Chapter 33 : Mislead Friends

When Chichiri and the others arrived at the Kochan Light, there was a small crowd forming and several people talking. There was also a hole in the roof and a few things falling apart. A few women were crying, and people asking for the whole story. The Inn was still being evacuated.

Chichiri and Hotohori pushed through the crowd, looking around. Finally, to the side of the building, They saw Saori sitting on the ground crying, Miaka, Tamahome, and Inami with her.

"Saori-chan!" Chichiri shouted, running up to her. Hotohori followed, And eventually Mitsukake and Chiriko came as well.

"What happened?" Hotohori asked.

Chichiri knelt down by Saori with Miaka and Tamahome. Saori was a little cut up and bruised, but that was it. She looked at Chichiri and let herself fall into his chest, crying.

"I couldn't do anything! I tried!" She wailed, tears running down her cheeks.

"Nakago, and some other of the Seiryu attacked." Tamahome sadly explained. "Tasuki and Nuriko are missing."

At that sound, Saori cried harder, her shoulders shaking. Mitsukake held out his hand to heal Saori's minor wounds, but the healing warmth did nothing to comfort Saori.

Inami was the only one not kneeling. She stood up, leaning against a wall, her arms folded and a hateful look on her face. "It's my fault..." she whispered. "I should have stopped them."

~~~~~~~~~~~****Flashback****~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The lightening skidded hard against Inami's arm, sending her flying back a little. Inami forced herself to stand, clutching her double sword as well as her arm.

"I must admit you are very entertaining." Nakago said coldly. "However, you are more of a nuisance. We don't plan on staying in your pathetic country any longer, we have what we need."

Inami stood up, wincing. She held her blade out and reached up for the gold headband on her forehead. A dart of blue light hit her hand, pushing it away.

Nakago smirked, and disappeared.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What would Seiryu want Nuriko for? And Tasuki?!" Miaka cried.

"I don't know, no da." Chichiri said. "I can still sense their life force, but barely. They could be in danger, we should find them, no da."

"We need to hurry!" Chiriko advised. "Before they get too far!"

"I don't see how you'd know where to start." Inami said dully.

Chichiri stood up. "The members of the Suzaku Seven call out to each other, no da." He looked to Tamahome. "Let's go, no da."

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

Again Chichiri slowed his horse slightly to try to pick up Nuriko and Tasuki's life force. He turned his horse to the side to face the others. Everyone was stopping to hear him. They weren't at a steady pace, they were running. The Seiryu Seven were extremely dangerous; Nuriko and Tasuki's lives were in danger. Saori felt absolutely horrible.

"They're north, no da." Chichiri said in a serious tone. "A little more west than the palace."

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

"This is bad." Tetsuya repeated after reading a few more lines. Yui was with him in the living room, and Keisuke had finally returned as well.

"Read!" Keisuke ordered.

Tetsuya looked back at the book. "Though the Suzaku Seven were headed in the right direction, Nakago all ready had his plans set up. By the time they got there, it could be too late..."

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

Soi pushed aside the long cloth door of one of their large tents. In the one-room tent Nakago stood with Mayo.

"The shorter one is giving us trouble." Soi reported. "I did take care of him for the time being."

Nakago didn't seem phased. "Did he break through my restraints all ready?"

Soi nodded.

Nakago walked past Soi, exiting the tent and walking to a slightly larger one. Mayo and Soi followed after him.

Upon entering, the site of the two Suzaku warriors became clear. Tasuki was chained by his wrists and ankles to a wall, and he pulled on them and cursed loudly as he did so. A little ways away broken chains laid on the floor, and not far from them Nuriko stood angrily in a narrow cage like structure of lightening. It was obviously Soi got to him before he had gotten to Tasuki.

Nuriko's bracelets were formed into red armbands, and he stood in a fighting position as Nakago entered, much more quiet than his companion.

"Even after all this time I find the Suzaku Seven very amusing." Nakago smirked.

"What do you want, Nakago?" Nuriko asked coldly.

"Hey blondey!!!" Tasuki shouted. "Get me out of this damn place or you'll regret it!!"

Nakago ignored the bandit. "If we want the Suzaku Shinzaho, we need to eliminate some of our competition."

Nuriko lowered his eyebrows in an angry expression. "So, do you plan on killing us?"

Nakago shook his head. "That wouldn't be any fun, would it?"

Nuriko punched the lightening reinforcements hard. They wavered slightly, but continued to blaze.

Nakago held his hand out, his symbol faintly glowing on his forehead. Nuriko's armbands returned to bracelets and were instantly taken off his wrists, with some pain as well. At the same time, Tasuki's last necklace was removed from him, snapping at one part to release from his neck easier. The objects floated to Nakago's hand, and he left with Soi.

"You're Mayo, Saori's friend, right?" Nuriko asked, rubbing his wrists as Mayo was about to leave.

Mayo slowly turned around.

"Why are you doing this?" Nuriko asked. "Saori is with us! Don't you want to see her? For the past several months she's been searching for you Mayo! She's desperate to see you!"

Mayo looked at the floor for a moment, then shot an angry look at Nuriko. "If she wants to see me so badly, why doesn't she?!"

Nuriko was a little taken back.

Mayo stormed out of the tent.

Nuriko knelt down and looked over to Tasuki.

"What has that ((edited)) been tellin' her?" Tasuki asked.

Nuriko shook his head. "I don't know." Nuriko looked at the entrance. He hit the lightening again, and without his armbands, he received quite a shock.

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

"Chichiri." Inami said, pulling next to the Magician on her tired horse.

In front of the octet was the border of a forestry area. The sky was dark and the moonlight allowed the trees to cast their shadows. It appeared pitch black within the woods.

"Nuriko... and Tasuki... are in there?" Miaka asked, clutching on tighter to Tamahome.

Chichiri nudge his horse slowly forward. "The aura here is strong." He said, reaching the first set of trees. He pulled back on the reigns to stop. "Something's covering it up, no da."

"Nuriko..." Miaka silently cried. "Tasuki... what should I do?"

"Chichiri, we should go in." Tamahome strongly suggested. "It may be dangerous, but right now Tasuki and Nuriko are in more danger. If we don't get them now, it may be too late."

Chichiri nodded.

Hotohori turned his horse around to face the others. "We'll go on foot from here. Miaka, stay close to Tamahome and I, Saori, stay with Mitsukake and Chiriko in the back. Inami, you guard the rear, Chichiri will lead with me behind him."

Everyone nodded. Tamahome got off his horse, not taking his eyes off the forest. He had a serious look on his face, a kind of look Miaka hadn't seen on him for a long time. It was a solid look of determination, protection.

Mitsukake held onto Saori's shoulders tightly. Though he was a doctor, Mitsukake was still a big guy, and if necessary he could hold his own in a fight.

Hotohori drew his sword and Inami re-fastened her own weapon so it was on the outside of her robe. Slowly, the group entered the dark forest; going in the orders Hotohori had assigned them. Personally Hotohori would prefer Saori and Miaka to stay behind, but he didn't want them alone, and it was best for the remaining Suzaku Seven to stay together.

It was even darker inside the forest. Saori grabbed one of Chiriko's hands with both of hers, and stayed barely a foot in front of Mitsukake. She slid her feet slightly on the ground, worried she would trip over a tree root. She shut her eyes tightly. She was scared. Not a little frightened, but down right scared. It was a sudden feeling, one that suddenly rushed over her like a kick in the stomach. She felt worse than the incident with the spider in her bedroom a while ago. She tried opening her eyes a little, but it was as if they were still closed. She could see a little moonlight, as well as the outlines of several trees and companions, but that was it. What if they were attacked?

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

Outside the forest, the moon lit up the scenery, shining fully in the cloudless sky. Mayo was taking in the fresh air and walking along a wide path, trying to enjoy herself.

A few meters behind Amiboshi walked, his hands in two pockets supplied on his over shirt. His flute was tucked in tightly under his belt, and he walked mostly with his head down, every now and then looking at Mayo or at their surroundings.

"Why was Nakago so willing to let Mayo out on a walk in the middle of the night?" Amiboshi thought to himself. "He's never been so lenient before, even with her." He looked ahead. Mayo's short red hair bounced slightly with her steps, a green and yellow warm robe covering most of her. "And why choose me for protection? Not that I'd rather have our priestess walking out alone, but he didn't even give it a second thought..." Amiboshi stared out onto the scattered trees and greening grass still covered with a few patched of so. He sighed, the cold air making his breath visible. "I have a bad feeling about this..." He whispered.

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

"Hotohori, how far are we....?" Miaka asked, turning around. Where was Hotohori?

She looked back at Tamahome. "Tamahome," she whispered, "Hotohori...?"

Tamahome stopped walking and looked around. Hotohori wasn't behind them anymore. Neither was Saori, Mitsukake...

Miaka strained her eyes to see ahead of them. Where was Chichiri? She couldn't even see the red disk on his staff, and it always reflected any light.

"Chichiri!" Miaka sharply whispered.

"I think they're gone..." Tamahome stated, confused and looking around.

Miaka gripped firmly onto her husband's arm. "Where is everyone?"

~

"Inami?" Saori called again, a little louder.

"I don't see his highness yet." Chiriko told Mitsukake.

It was now a bit easier to see in the dark now that their eyes were adjusted. The small gaps in the leaves supplied a little moonlight, which helped some. However, all that could be seen were dark trees.

"The couldn't have just disappeared..." Saori said frightened, clinging onto Chiriko.

Chiriko held Saori's hand tightly. "Don't worry." He assured quietly.

~

Hotohori found himself alone. How could this be? He was with Chichiri, Tamahome, and Miaka just moments before. He never strayed off trail, did he?

Hotohori strained to listen. No sounds, no footsteps, so whispering.

"Tamahome!" He called quietly. Where was Miaka? Was she okay? Hotohori prayed she was still with Tamahome.

Hotohori placed his left hand over his sheath and smoothly drew his sword out. When it was tilted just right, the moonlight reflected off its clean, even blade.

"Where are they?" Hotohori wondered.

~

"Oh crap.... crap crap crap crap crap...." Inami muttered, spinning around for the millionth time. She walked forward, slowly but surely. Where was everyone?

"Chiriko... and Mitsukake were in front of me not more than a minute ago!" Inami scolded herself. She walked forward and placed her hand on a cold tree, stopping completely and looking around. "How dumb can I be?" She whispered. Should she stop? No, she was behind everyone. Stopping would make her fall farther behind.

"Maybe I was just going too slow." Inami thought. In that case, she should go straight and hurry, Saori and the others should be there.

Inami moved forward again. She could see the trees better now, but she held a hand out just in case. She walked a little quicker than before.

"Please let me find Mitsukake..." She begged.

She heard a footstep on the grass in front of her. Finally! She was dumb.

There was a small spread between the trees.

"Chiriko?" She asked.

The steps came a little closer, walking to her.

Inami sighed. "You guys really had me worried..."

The moonlight shone through a gap in the trees, just enough light for her to see who was approaching.

"Nuriko!" Inami gasped happily as Nuriko came closer. "You're okay!" She quickly walked up to him. "Where's Tasuki? Are you all right?"

A simple smirk came over Nuriko's mouth.

"Nuriko?" Inami asked.

She felt Nuriko's hand grab onto her right arm suddenly, lifting it up. His grip was strong, and cold.

"Come looking for me?" He asked. His voice was low and dull, not anything like how Inami remembered it.

"Nu... riko?" Inami asked.

Nuriko's grip on her forearm tightened. "Where's the priestess, or did you come alone? It's dangerous out here."

His grip tightened more.

"Nuriko! What's wrong with you?" Inami asked, trying to pull her arm away.

"Trying to get away, are we?" Nuriko asked. His grip was so tight it began to hurt.

"Nuriko!" Inami said a little louder. "Everyone is looking for you, and Tasuki!" She winced a little. "Let go!"

Nuriko smiled. Inami's hand felt cold, a tingling sensation began to spread through her fingers.

Nuriko got very close to Inami's face. "Don't tell me what to do." He ordered.

Then Inami heard it. A sharp, quick snap in her arm.

Inami nearly screamed in pain. It felt like a hot blade had just pierced her skin. The pain was unbearable. What just happened?

Nuriko pushed Inami back, still holding onto her arm. "You're no use to me." Nuriko said. "Just a weakling in my way."

Another snap. A loud break in Inami's arm. Inami did cry out this time.

Nuriko's strength was unbelievable, and it didn't lighten at all.

"What did they do to you?!" Inami yelled.

Nuriko just smiled again. Inami screamed in pain as a third snap came from her forearm. She could feel the pressure from Nuriko's hand pushing harder and harder.

Nuriko shook his head. You are pathetic.

Inami's knees buckled from under her. Nuriko still held her up by her busted arm, and she cried out as another loud snap was heard. With ease Nuriko was crumbling the bone in her limb. He raised Inami up so her face met with his.

"Good bye." He said simply. With his free hand, his fist came in direct collision with Inami's forehead. The strong shock immediately took Inami's consciousness and sent her flying backwards, skidding across the ground to a stop. The thin band on her forehead split into two pieces, falling on either side of her.

~

"Chiriko?!" Saori called, much louder than her whispers. "Mitsukake?!"

"Saori?"

Saori spun around and saw the tall man in front of her. "Chichiri!" She yelped, running into him.

"You need to be quiet, no da." Chichiri recommended. "Where are the others, no da?"

"You're lost too?" Saori asked, her voice shaking.

Chichiri looked around the dark atmosphere. "Let's keep moving, no da. We need to find everyone else, no da."

~

"Tamahome!"

Tamahome and Miaka spun around. The darkened images of Hotohori, Chiriko, and Mitsukake stood in front of them.

"You guys!" Miaka yelled.

"SH!" Came a few whispers.

"Sorry..." Miaka stumbled.

"Miaka, where's Saori?" Chiriko asked.

Miaka looked around. "I don't know, she wasn't with us. She's not with you?"

Mitsukake shook his head.

"Perhaps she found Chichiri or Inami." Hotohori suggested. "Are you all alright?"

"Yes." Tamahome answered.

Behind Tamahome, a ring of fire around a group of trees suddenly lit up, almost like natural torches.

"What's that?!" Tamahome asked, alerted.

To Miaka's relief, Tasuki came walking out into the area, holding his diamond fan over his shoulder.

"Tasuki!" Miaka shouted, letting go of Tamahome's arm. She ran up to him. "I was so worried about you!" She had tears of joy in her eyes and she went to put her arms around Tasuki.

Tasuki's dark eyes expressed a quick reaction of disgust. With one smooth motion, he pushed Miaka away hard, sending her landing with a thud on the cold ground.

"Get away from me!" He shouted.

Miaka winced a little and looked up. "T... Tasuki?"

Tamahome ran up to Miaka's side. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" He shouted.

Hotohori stepped forward and held out his sword, inspecting Tasuki. "Tamahome, stay on your guard!" He yelled.

Tamahome looked back at Hotohori. "What are you talking about?!"

Hotohori's normally gentle features expressed anger. "That's not Tasuki."

Tamahome looked back at his fiery-haired friend.

Tasuki Swung his fan around and pointed it at Miaka. "Priestess of Suzaku, eh?" He asked. "REKKA..."

Tamahome grabbed onto Miaka's shoulders.

"...SHINEN!!!!"

A huge blast of fire spat out from the fan as Tasuki's call echoed through the forest. Tamahome grabbed Miaka and leapt out of the way just in time, landing near Hotohori.

"Mitsukake! Take Miaka and Chiriko and get to safety!" Hotohori yelled.

Mitsukake nodded. He picked Miaka up in his arms from Tamahome and ran off in the other direction with Chiriko.

"WAIT!" Miaka wailed, struggling. "Mitsukake, let me go! Let me go! Tamahome! Tasuki!"

Hotohori took a stance with his sword in front of Tasuki, who seemed barely amused.

"Tasuki, why are you doing this? We are your friends, the Suzaku Seven!" Hotohori shouted.

Tasuki rolled his eyes, arming himself with his fan again. "You are my enemies, and as soon as I'm done fryin' you, I'm goin' after the girl." Tasuki pulled his fan back. "Rekka Shinen!!!!"

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

"What is wrong with him?!" Yui shouted at Tetsuya, Keisuke restraining her.

"Yui, calm down!" Keisuke ordered.

"Yui, I'm just reading the book!" Tetsuya said defensively, trying to get out of Yui's reach.

Yui settled down and Keisuke put her down. "Why are Nuriko and Tasuki fighting against them?! What did Nakago do?! This is just like when Tama..."

Keisuke, Yui, and Tetsuya all looked at each other.

"Do you think it's kodoku poisoning?" Keisuke asked.

"I don't know." Tetsuya flipped back through some pages. "The book doesn't really go into it."

"They didn't eat anything, did they? They haven't been there long enough!" Yui exclaimed.

"The book doesn't explain everything..." Tetsuya reminded. Keisuke took the book from him and began skimming the previous pages.

"Nakago was talking earlier about a plan he wanted to set into motion, right?" Keisuke asked.

"Yeah." Yui said, looking over his shoulder. "But why would Mayo let something like this happen... it were going to effect Taka?"

Tetsuya thought. "There are a number of reasons. One, she may not be interested, or she's not aware of it."

"Yeah." Keisuke stopped at a page with an ink drawing on it. "She's not even in the camp right now, neither is Amiboshi."

"Amiboshi would definitely object, that's why." Yui stated.

"The Suzaku warrior, Tasuki, fought against the warriors Tamahome and Hotohori." Keisuke began reading suddenly. "Using his fire power, he shot continuously at his past friends. 'With that fan, we cannot get close enough.' Hotohori yelled." Keisuke took a breath. "The priestess of Suzaku cried out from the background for her love and her friends. Mitsukake and Chiriko had brought her out of reach from the battle, but were still in sight of it..."

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

"This... this is just like..." Miaka wailed, lowering her head. "When... Tamahome..."

Chiriko quickly turned to Mitsukake. "Could it be the same?"

Mitsukake looked over the tree back at the distant battle. "Kodoku? I'm not sure."

"But Tamahome's broken it before, that means Tasuki can too!" Miaka gasped. "What about Nuriko? Where's Nuriko?!" Miaka tried to leap up and run, But Mitsukake kept her down, telling her again it wasn't safe and she should do what his majesty wishes.

Tamahome cursed at himself. He wasn't nearly as fast as he used to be, the red symbol of the ogre flashing unsteadily on his forehead.

Hotohori had been in this position before. Tamahome, one of his companions, had once put his Miko's life in danger, and he too had to fight him. It was just the same now, however, it was with much less warning.

"HAH!" Hotohori yelled as he came from above with his sword down on Tasuki.

Tasuki looked away from his blazing fan. He smiled slightly.

In a gust of wind, Hotohori came down onto the ground. He felt a swift kick in his back and fell forward, catching himself.

"Hotohori!" Miaka tried to cry. Mitsukake's hand was over her mouth, trying to muffle her.

"This... this is just like in Kutou." Miaka thought, tears running down her cheeks. "Tasuki was trying to save me from Tamahome, and now it's reversed. Don't fight him!" Miaka's mind cried, and again she tried to yell. "Don't fight him, Tamahome, Hotohori! Tasuki... Tasuki's your friend!!!"

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

"Do you hear anything?" Saori asked.

Chichiri looked ahead. Saori looked past him and gasped. "Inami!" She screamed. She ran past the magician into the moonlight where the fallen girl lay.

"Inami!" Saori said in a loud whisper, shaking the older woman's shoulders. "Inami, please wake up!"

Chichiri knelt down beside Saori, looking at Inami. "It's okay, no da." Chichiri said. "She's just unconscious."

Saori lightly patted Inami's cheeks. "Wake up, Inami!"

Chichiri's sense went off suddenly, and he turned just in time to block a large branch coming at him with a quick spell. Chichiri stood up, looking into the distance.

"The magician." Nuriko said with a snide remark, jumping out of a large tree. His bracelets quickly reflected the moon's light.

"Nuriko." Chichiri said.

Saori lit up. "Nuriko! You're..."

Chichiri held his hand out in front of Saori's face. She fell quiet and tried to look past it.

"Smart one." Nuriko commented.

Chichiri knew immediately Nuriko wasn't himself, just by the way he spoke. Chichiri moved away from Saori and Inami, off to the side and closer to Nuriko.

Nuriko furrowed his eyebrows. He slammed his hand into a tree, knocking it over, leaving an uneven stump behind. "Die, Magician!!" He yelled.

As the large tree came at Chichiri, Chichiri's image wavered slightly and he disappeared. Saori covered Inami's form as the tree landed loudly near them.

Chichiri reappeared a distance behind Nuriko, who spun around, smiling. "You can't dodge all my attacks."

"What's happened to you, no da?!" Chichiri asked.

Nuriko hit another tree, arming himself. "What happened? I feel just fine." He said coldly. "Where's the priestess?"

Chichiri lowered his staff. "I will not fight you, no da."

Nuriko frowned a bit. "Oh, I'll make you change your mind, Magician." He said. With intense strength and speed, the tree burst through the forest at the monk.

Chichiri reappeared by Saori. "Get out of here, no da." He said quickly and quietly.. He vanished again.

"Wake up, please Inami!" Saori shook Inami's shoulders again.

Inami squinted hard and slowly opened her eyes.

"Inami!" Saori called, lifting the girl up to a sitting position.

Inami gasped and winced as Saori did so.

"What's wrong?!" Saori asked, purely worried.

Inami looked at her right arm, though the image was still a bit unclear to her. Her head pounded. "My arm..." She whispered. "It's numb..." She winced again. It apparently wasn't completely numb.

Saori looked over. Inami's arm was badly bruised and a bit mis-shaped. Inami slowly picked it up in her other arm, cradling it close to her. Her face was hot from the pain.

"We need to go." Saori urged. "I'll help you stand up."

Inami was clearly still out of it, Nuriko had hit her hard. With some trouble She stood up, leaning best she could on Saori. As the two slowly walked off, Saori looked back in tears, wishing the best for Chichiri... and Nuriko.

Author's Note: Well, that wasn't great, the battle scenes suffer in the next few chapters! Chapter 37 is coming. gah.. I hate that chapter SO bad!