A/N - short part today! Unfortunately, I'm nearing the end of the parts I have archived... which means that in a few days I'm gonna have to actually start writing to get new parts up on time. XD Heh heh...

And yes, Hatori transforms into the Seahorse, but that's just how the Dragon zodiac manifests itself for some reason. I have a few theories about that, but... I ramble. Onwards!

"Misaya, have you seen Tharaide?"

The older phoenix shook his head. "No, but I think I know where she is. Training in the mountains, all day. She's been like this ever since that human left."

Mia sighed. "It's a pity. I wish she… could be happy."

"She knows she can't have him," said Misaya. "It's forbidden. She's not even allowed to visit Earth without a direction from the Council."

"Speaking of which, that's why I'm looking for her," said Mia. "The Council wishes to speak with her. I don't know why."

"Well, go." Misaya jerked his head in the direction of the mountains.

"I will." The girl slipped away.

He was right. Tharaide was training again, though this was none of the fiery, passionate training she had gone through with Shigure. She moved in slow motion, gracefully turning and thrusting. However, she was no less dangerous. As Mia slipped into the clearing, she suddenly found Tharaide's sword at her throat. She stiffened. Tharaide's hard eyes searched her face, and she sheathed her blade.

"What is it?" Her voice was low and flat.

Mia swallowed hard. This was not the Tharaide she knew. This was how she had acted after Seita's death. "Tharaide, it's me. The Council wants to see you."

"I'll go see what they want, then." Silently she turned away in the direction of the city. After a pause, Mia followed her.

"Tharaide," said the High Councillor. The phoenix bowed. "You are our most skilled knight. I know you've only just returned from a mission, but I'd like to check something else on Earth."

"More magic bursts?" she said.

"Yes." He unrolled a hand-drawn map of Japan, indicating several locations. "Several here, in quick succession. One of them was quite alarmingly big. And again here… we think a couple of humans ran into this one, but they've escaped unscathed and it's not as if they were completely… unused to magic."

Tharaide's eyes widened. The Sohmas. "Any idea of… why?" she whispered.

"It seemed quite similar to phoenix magic, but we haven't detected anyone down there. It must be that sorceress we apprehended last time. Did you dispose of her?"

Tharaide shook her head. "She was gone by the time we arrived."

"Then that must be it." The Councillor turned to another phoenix. "Ikumi, have you found out about any other missing artifacts in Nystas?"

"No, sir." Ikumi shook her head slowly. "Everything's intact and safe."

"Curious," murmured Tharaide. For the first time since Shigure's departure, her eyes took on an interested expression. "I accept, sir."

"Good! If you feel you could use a partner on the mission, go ahead and take someone. You can leave whenever you're ready."

Tharaide bowed and then left.

"You're crazy!" Misaya stared at his friend. "You can't be serious about accepting this. It was to Japan?"

"Misaya! This is not a personal mission!" Tharaide barked. "It… it has nothing to do with him. We have to find out what this is. It appears to be a human wielding some sort of phoenix magic, and…" Realizing she was rambling, Tharaide trailed off and sighed. "I'm sorry," she said in a gentler voice. "I can see why you might be… nervous about this. But… Shigure… it's finished. I was an idiot for hoping…" Abruptly she turned away.

The phoenix stared at her back sadly. "Well, come on. I guess it's time to go."