"What the...!"

/Itai.../

Tasuki hit the ground with a thud, grimacing slightly. Across from him, a traveler was picking himself up off the ground, looking slightly bewildered. The confused man shook his head then continued on, glancing back a few times before he turned the corner. Tasuki lay there, eyes closed. He wanted to yell, to scream to the world what he felt like.

/Suzaku this is frustratin'/

"YAAAH!" With a yell, he turned, slamming his fist into the ground. "WHY!" He drew back and punched the ground again. "WHY ME!" he screamed, eyes closed tightly as his body shook violently. "Why...?" he said hoarsely before collapsing to the ground again.

/What's happening to me/ His veins coursed with energy, burning inside him. /My emotions are out of control.../ suddenly his eyes snapped open. His eyes smoldered with anger and hate.

"AHHHHHHHHH!" He screamed to the sky. /what th' fuck is happening to me/ The ghost furiously attacked the ground, raining punch after punch at the wet earth as he screamed.

"I HATE THIS!" He slammed the ground harder. "I HATE THE OTHERS FOR LEAVING ME!" Something furious was erupting inside him. He couldn't think. "SUZAKU WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME!" he screamed, and then it was over. It was as if Tasuki's mind had been pushed away in favor of a demon, but suddenly the pressure was gone. Exhausted, the bandit collapsed, sobbing to the earth. His sobs were loud as his body shook.

/Suzaku.../

"It's not me..." he whispered hoarsely.

/Gods... What. What.../

"What's happening to me!" he moaned, before his body began to shake uncontrollably.

/It's coming back! This... thing is taking me over.../ unwillingly, his hands curled into fists as he slowly rose. /Gotta stop it.../

/You can't stop me, fool/

"AHHHHH!" He screamed as anger flooded him, hate seethed and coursed in his blood. /NO! Who Th' fuck are you/

/Who am I/ The voice was cold and taunting, as Tasuki's mouth curled into a evil grin. Faintly, he could feel himself, pummeling the earth again, screaming. /I am you Tasuki/

/No. nonononono.../

/Yes. You see, Tasuki this is you. Your other side, you could call it. /

/Other side../

/Your hate, pain anger, in life you bottled up, is here now. /

With a jolt, Tasuki realized what could happen. /Miaka/

/Yes, the priestess of Suzaku. If they find you, will you be able to guarantee her safety Tasuki/

/SHUT UP/ He roared. Suddenly a blinding flash of red as Tasuki was illuminated in the glow of Suzaku. The voice hissed softly.

/Very good little warrior, you win this round, but the game is only beginning and I promise you, you will never be with Miaka again. / Then it was gone.

"Su...Za...Ku..." he whispered before collapsing in the welcome darkness of unconsciousness.

CRASH! The bowl from Chichiri's hand slipped, falling to the floor and breaking into fragments. Mitsukake quickly turned to see the source of the noise, expecting it to be one of the servants. The two seishi were in one of the chambers that the healer of Suzaku had claimed as his offices. In order to prepare for the dawning war with Seiryu herbs would need to be gathered, dried, labeled and stored to help the medics during that much needed time. Mitsukake had announced his plans at breakfast. Breakfast… The great healer sighed as he thought of his fellow warriors and priestess. Though they all seemed fine, underneath the remaining Suzaku seishi were dangling my thin threads. The disappearance of Tasuki had taken its toll on the warriors, and Miaka and Nuriko had taken it hardest. When Nuriko had failed to stop the bandit, he seemed to feel that the current situation was his fault and tortured himself over it frequently. The purple haired cross dresser now had periods in which he would be extremely depressed and would brood for hours. But the most alarming change was in their priestess. Gone was the bubbly fifteen year old of yesterday. The loss of Tasuki seemed to hit her the hardest. When Nuriko had informed her of Tasuki's escape from his fellow warriors, she had fled from him, shutting herself in her darkened room and drew the curtains.

The happy joyful Miaka that they had all come to know and love in their own ways was gone. She cried often, and refused to see anyone except Chiriko. And even more unsettling, Miaka refused to eat. Though they had only lost Tasuki, it was as if all three had died. This situation was slowly dragging all the seishi down, breaking them apart. Mitsukake and the others had left the two grieving companions alone for awhile, but when neither had eaten for two days, he became extremely worried for their welfare, Miaka in particular. The only things that have progressed are the fear in Kutou. It was extremely admirable the reactions of the remaining seishi. When he had learned of the situation Chiriko went directly to Miaka, comforting her and giving her strength, refusing to leave her side. He only emerged hour's later to retrieve some of his things before locking himself back in the room with his priestess. The same had gone for Tamahome, comforting Nuriko and acting as a guardian for the distraught seishi. And so it was that the Suzaku were split apart. Once, Tamahome attempted to see the girl he loved, but was turned away by the youngest seishi.

"Chiriko..." The young boy drew himself up to his full height. "Tamahome, please don't make me choose between friends." he had pleaded and because he looked so determined, the blue haired warrior had agreed. But he had then returned, hours later in another attempt, to once again persuade Chiriko. He pressed harder until suddenly Chiriko reacted. With a bright flash, his seishi symbol flared, and his eyes burned with a light that caused the older seishi to step back in surprise. When he spoke it was not the voice of a young boy, but of a warrior of Suzaku. "Suzaku no Tamahome," he said slowly, gazing at him. "I will not let you pass this door," Tamahome opened his mouth to protest but Chiriko suddenly whipped out a flute and poised it. "I do not want to fight you Tamahome," he said softly "but for Miaka, I will fight till I die." Tamahome stared at this transformed Chiriko in silence. "I will not let you pass." And then it was gone, his mark fading as Tamahome nodded numbly and left, glancing once over his shoulder as he did.

All of this did not go unseen by the healer, for he too had been observing and monitoring the fallen seishi as best as he could. But as the night fell over Konan on the second day, he could wait no longer. Moving quietly, he reached the door of Miaka's room. Listening intently, he then slowly opened the door, stepping into the looming darkness and closing it behind him with a soft click. Miaka lay in her bed, her face drawn and tired and the healer saw that their were tears on her cheeks. Moving over to her, he gently placed his hand on hers. His healing glow filled the room with a soft green light. It was then that he saw Chiriko. The young warrior sat in a chair beside her bed, curled up in a ball. The young boy also had tears on his face.

/Their both exhausted/ he thought, gazing at Miaka before moving towards Chiriko. For the second time, his powers lit the room with the light. Satisfied, he gazed at the two. Miaka sighed in her sleep, and a single unshed tear slipped down her face. Gently, Mitsukake wiped it away, feeling his heart clench painfully. Closing the door, he leaned against the railing, breathing in the night air. "How much more can we all take?" he murmured to himself before walking on down the hall towards Tamahome and another fallen brother.

Turning at the sound, Mitsukake stared at the monk who seemed frozen, his gaze elsewhere. "Chichiri?" he asked tentatively, and when their was no reaction, he stepped closer, concern written on his face. The bowl lay shattered and fragmented on the floor, the finally ground herbs scattered. In the silence, Mitsukake reached out a hand. "Mitsukake!" Chichiri's voice came suddenly, causing the healer to jump. "Dear Suzaku...Chichiri, what's wrong?" "Something happened, something I must know now." he said vaguely, gazing at the healer. The conspicuous loss of the 'no da's' told Mitsukake that this was serious. "I have to leave," he continued, striding to the far wall and grabbing his kesa and staff. "W-What!" Mitsukake exclaimed, gaping at him. "You can't leave now-!" "I must." The monk gazed at him for a moment before sighing. "I need to, Mitsukake." The healer was quiet for a moment and Chichiri turned to him. "Chichiri, they don't trust me like they trust you." He said, concern shining in his eyes. "Oh, they trust you more then you think, no da!" the monk said cheerfully in an attempt to calm his fellow warrior. The healer sighed but nodded. "Your going after him, aren't you" Chichiri smiled, and this time it held traces of sadness "Hai" Mitsukake's eyes narrowed and began to speak but Chichiri interrupted him. "Something is changing, I need yout to trust me." And with that he was gone. Mitsukake gazed at the broken fragments on the floor, trying to think of what could have agitated the Suzaku monk so badly as to leave the others in such a desperate time. Then, "Tasuki..."

Raeka-chan: Ahh please please please review!

Rabef-chan: translation: I need some ideas….i am so busy it is hard to continue work…please review