Summary; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.

Warning: Something happens...nothing dirty, though!

Thanks to everyone who's reviewed and kept me going! I've finally gotten this next chapter out, so I'll just shut up and give it to ya!

Please review if you read. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and helpful criticism welcome.

As she strode through the streets, Kae felt a little guilty she had snapped at Tokaki and the others, but didn't appreciate being made fun of in certain areas of her personal life. Gazing at people while they passed her, she became aware how different every person was and felt a strange sense of light-headedness at the sudden understanding of exactly how many individuals were around her, every one completely different than the other.

"Kae!" Tasuki called, appearing beside her.

"You've got to stop using that speed," she gasped, a little startled that he had found her so quickly. "It freaks me out when you appear out of nowhere."

"Sorry," he apologized, and she shrugged.

"No, its okay," she replied, and suddenly took his arm with a grin. "Did you yell too, or just stomp out?"

"Uh…stomp out," he admitted, a little surprised when Kae suddenly clung to his arm but certainly not about to argue. "So, are you just going to wander around here, or what?"

"I'll let them think I'm still made for a while," she decided after thinking for a moment. "Serves them right. I can see their point – maybe – but…things like that are private!"

"It's a little hard to have privacy with those three in the house, though," Tasuki pointed out.

"I want to leave here soon," she said abruptly, and he glanced down at her, a little taken aback.

"Huh?"

"I don't want to stay here any longer," Kae insisted. "We've stayed too long as it is."

"Now, I can see ya bein' mad about this morning, but that's no need ta –"

"I'm serious, Tasuki," she interrupted, and he noticed the look in her eye. "I'm not talking about any of that – I just don't want them to be in danger because…"

"If ya say so, we'll leave soon, then," he agreed, reaching over with his other hand and patting her affectionately on the head.

"What am I, a dog?" she demanded jokingly, swatting his hand away gently. As he grinned at her teasingly, she overlooked the stone in their path and promptly tripped over it, falling flat on her face before Tasuki could catch her.

"Are ya okay?" he asked, picking her up. She shook her head and laughed in embarrassment, brushing her robes off.

"Stupid me – now I'm all messy," she sighed.

"Ya got that right – ya look like a mess," he agreed, and jumped in surprise when she shot him a dirty look. "Hey! What?"

"You're supposed to think that the person you love is always beautiful, dummy," she informed him, pretending to be in a huff and holding back a grin at his expression. "Not say that I look awful!"

"Well…then…ya look gorgeous," he said agreeably, and she couldn't resist a good laugh at this. "What's so funny now?" he demanded. "I can't say anything right, can I?"

"No, I guess not," she shook her head, lowering herself to her knees as her body shook with laughter. To Tasuki's distress, he saw tears trailing down her face, and crouched next to her in worry.

"Are ya all right, Kae?" he prodded, an arm around her shoulders. "Are ya cryin' or laughin' or what? Can't ya make up ya mind?"

"I…don't know," she admitted, her hand reaching up to her face to touch the tears in surprise. "I guess I really don't know," she laughed bitterly, shaking her head. Tasuki remained next to her in confusion, unsure what to do but not willing to leave her alone.

"You want to leave, no da?" Chichiri repeated in surprise, when Kae told him later that day outside of the building.

"Yes," she nodded firmly, and he peered at her for a moment before propping his chin in his hand and thinking for a moment.

"Where would we go?" he asked a few moments later. "Do you have any idea what we should do now?"

"Go back to Ligé-San," the young woman replied, to the shock of both Warriors present.

"Say what?" Tasuki yelled, "That'd be a death trap! Ya want us ta walk right inta his evil base or whatever the hell it is? What kinda plan is that?"

"Tasuki, I'm not stupid," she told him sharply, a little annoyed by his questions. "We won't be harmed – I know that. But all this hiding won't get us anywhere, and it'll only harm more innocent people that we're around. Besides…I just know," she finished lamely, unable – and unwilling – to put her vision into words. "Please, can't you just trust me? Please."

"Of course we trust ya," Tasuki assured her quickly, slinging his arm around her, both a little depressed at her tone.

"We can leave if you feel it's so important, no da," Chichiri agreed, a little reluctantly, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Shall we say goodbye?"

"No – we can leave during the night," Kae shook her head. "That's for the best, I…"

"Yeah, that sounds good ta me," the bandit grinned. "Besides, that damned pervert'll try ta stop us – and who knows what Subaru might do!"

"All right, then it's settled," Chichiri nodded, his knuckles going slightly white as he gripped his staff. "We'll leave late tonight when they're asleep – I'm sure they won't mind us taking a few horses, no da. Or not, no da?" he amended, when he saw her shaking her head.

"No…that's not right, somehow," she frowned, wishing she had the courage to tell them. "It's just…"

"I hate the damned things anyway," Tasuki grinned broadly, more than a bit happy at not having to ride the beasts. "Walking's good for ya anyway."

"If that's what you two think…" the monk sighed, having not wanted to walk the entire way, but seeing no way around the two stubborn individuals.

Late that night, as the moon hung high overhead, Kae slipped into traveling clothes she had bought at the market, of black boots, white trousers, and a long indigo tunic over a cream-colored shirt with long sleeves and silver trim. Deciding against bringing anything, she managed to climb out the window in her room – and luck decided to make her trip, causing her to go head-first out it. Luckily, Tasuki was waiting nearby and moved quick enough to have her land on him instead of the ground – not a big improvement, but it made less noise.

"Are you two finished fooling around, no da?" Chichiri asked impatiently, as they got up rather unsteadily. "We don't want to wake them up, after all."

"Too late," Tokaki grunted, coming around the corner with Subaru beside him. "What do you three think you're up to?" he demanded, fixing them with his best glare.

"We're takin' off," Tasuki said defensively, causing the Byakko Warriors' eyes to raise considerably.

"Leaving?" Subaru repeated in surprise. "Leaving where, exactly?"

"We're going back to Ligé-San Mountain," Kae explained calmly, determined not to be swayed from her decision. "We have to face Keung Xi-Wang – we can't let him keep doing things his own way. It's our – it's my destiny, after all," she finished, a bit more quietly, but didn't lower her defiant gaze.

"So, you think you can take on that devil?" Tokaki asked in amusement, crossing his arms over his chest. "You've certainly got guts, I'll give you that. But do you really think you can –"

"I know," Kae interrupted firmly, the same strange look coming into her eyes. The sad look in Tasuki's gaze didn't go unnoticed by the others, and Subaru frowned in acceptance.

"We're in no position to order you around, after all," she admitted with a sigh. "But I do wish you would reconsider. There is still time to figure out a plan to defeat this monster without any unnecessary sacrifice, you three."

"You know something, don't you?" Tokaki realized, fixing a prying gaze on Kae when he saw her pale. "What are you hiding, young lady?"

"She doesn't answer ta ya," Tasuki growled, suddenly defensive and stepping in front of Kae with a glare on his face. "None of us do. We're goin', an' ya can't make us not go."

"We're not going to try," Subaru assured him, elbowing her husband sharply in the ribs. "But go with our blessing, you three, and be assured that we will pray for your safe journey, and that Byakko will be by your side as you go."

"But –!" Tokaki tried to protest, but a glare from his wife shut him up rather quickly. "Fine then, do what you want to do," he grumbled, obviously displeased at the way the conversation was going. "But don't forget what we said," he ordered, directing his words at Kae, who nodded from behind Tasuki.

"We should be going then," Chichiri stepped in, staff in hand. "Thank you both for all your kindness and hospitality, no da."

"Be sure to come back and celebrate when you kick his ass," Tokaki said, suddenly cheerful, and sent a wink at them as they turned to leave. "Don't forget!" he shouted, and grimaced when Subaru hissed in his ear.

"Stop that! You'll wake the whole city up!" she informed him, and he sighed in defeat.

"We can rest a bit here, no da," Chichiri said, as they paused for a moment at the edge of the cliffs bordering Xi-Lang. "There's some shade here, and we can travel better at night anyway, no da."

"That sounds good," Kae agreed, stretching her arms out as she sat down slowly. "Do you guys feel all right?"

"Of course – I'm fine!" Tasuki boasted, although they were both a bit stiff.

"Me too, no da," the monk nodded, sitting down as well with a yawn. "I'm going to get some rest, you two. We'll keep moving at night – we should enter Hong-Nan's borders in a few days, at best."

"All right," she yawned, and suddenly leaned against Tasuki and closed her eyes. She fell asleep in minutes, much to their surprise, and the two Warriors exchanged shrugs.

"I guess she's worn out," Tasuki guessed, moving around a little to get more comfortable himself.

"Daa," Chichiri agreed, sitting down himself and laying his staff beside him. "We should get some sleep too, no da. I don't think we're in any danger of being attacked now, so don't worry."

"Sure thing, then," Tasuki nodded, and folded his hands behind his head to cushion his head from the rocks behind him.

"Where'd Chichiri go?" Kae asked several days later, returning from a bath in a spring to find Tasuki sitting by the fire alone.

"He went out ta check the area and take guard duty fer now," he grunted, the fire the only light to break the night's darkness. Kae sat down beside the bandit with a sigh, and he glanced at her curiously. "Aren't ya scared?" he asked, and she shrugged.

"I don't know," she admitted. "I mean, it's knowledge, so it's firm in my mind, not a guess haunting me…it's hard to explain it."

"Well, don't worry," Tasuki promised. "I'm not gonna let anything happen ta ya, Kae."

"I know you won't," she smiled sadly, and he frowned at the flames in frustration. Kae remained silent as well, and a shiver suddenly ran through her as the cool air blew towards them. She went to stretch, but was surprised when Tasuki suddenly embraced her to him, and kissed her passionately.

"I'll have ta help ya warm up," he murmured, his arms wrapped around her body. Kae smiled against him, enjoying the feeling of his body against hers, but something suddenly pricked the back of her mind, and she pulled back reluctantly.

"Tasuki…we can't," she told him quietly, sitting a little further away from him. He observed her for a moment before sighing and resuming his previous position.

"All right, then."

"Whew, it's gettin' a lot colder here," Tasuki commented, as they made their way further into Hong-Nan. They had spent almost a week traveling, and the closer they came to Ligé-San Mountain, the darker the sky above them became, and it currently looked as if a nasty black storm was brewing.

"I can't believe how much everything has changed," Kae added, looking around at the barren land. "It's like he's sucked all the life from the land to feed his power."

"Bastard – I'll teach 'em a lesson!" the bandit promised, clenching his fist angrily.

"Of course we will," Chichiri agreed calmly, but his gaze remained ahead of them as he spoke. "We just have to remember not to act rashly, and we'll be able to defeat him."

"You make it sound so easy," Kae commented, and Tasuki glanced down at her, once again reminded of what she had told him. He suddenly wrapped an arm around her, and she leaned into him gratefully as they continued their trek through the forest.

"There it is," Chichiri pointed out, as they reached the base of Ligé-San Mountain. Although it was early morning, the sky was pitch-black with clouds overhead, and an evil smell permeated the land. "I'm a little worried that we were able to arrive here without being attacked," he commented, and turned back when he suddenly heard Tasuki yelp. "What's the matter now, no da?' he asked, a little annoyed, but paused when he saw the panicked look on the bandit's face.

"She's gone!" Tasuki managed, looking around frantically. "That damn woman took off again!"

"You're kidding!" the monk exclaimed, and closed his eyes in an attempt to locate her chi. He had expected that she had cloaked her presence, and sighed as he opened his eyes. "She's hiding her – never mind," he finished, seeing Tasuki was gone as well. "This is ridiculous," the monk grumbled, and headed off to look for the two of them.

"Where'd that damn girl go, anyway?" Tasuki grumbled, stalking through the forest in an attempt to find her. He paused when he heard voices, and moved as quietly as he was able to toward the sounds. Peering through the trees, he gaped in surprise when he saw Kae standing amidst the trees, the god Suzaku before her.

"You understand that, with this way, you will be no more than a fleeting memory to him," the god informed her, and Tasuki's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Kae hesitated for a moment before nodding, keeping her gaze on the ground.

"I know," she said quietly, and Suzaku gazed calmly at her.

"I am not sure whether you are foolish or obsessive in your quest for his happiness."

"Love is usually both."

"You will never see him again."

"I know that as well," Kae nodded, suddenly raising her eyes to meet the god's. "But he wants his land back to normal, and that's all I can do for him in the end."

"I don't want that!" Tasuki shouted, unable to remain silent for any longer. Both the god and young woman appeared startled as he burst out of the trees, and Kae winced when he stopped several feet away from her. "I don't want that!" he repeated. "I want you!"

"Tasuki…" Kae murmured, as Suzaku inclined his head and faded away. She looked as if she was going to say something else, but jumped back when a kobold, larger than usual due to the fact the evil was giving it more power than normal, appeared from the trees.

"Medium…I am here to take you," it hissed, and Kae took a step back when it suddenly advanced.

"Get the fuck away from her!" Tasuki shouted, drawing his harisen. Chichiri, finally able to sense their chi, teleported beside Tasuki. Taking the scene in with a quick glance, his eye widened when he realized what Kae was planning, and tried to stop his friend.

"Tasuki! No!"

"Rekka…Shin'en!" the bandit cried, shooting a wall of fire towards the creature. It was instantly incinerated in the flames, but Tasuki watched in horror as Kae stepped in the line of fire, a sad smile on her face.

"Tasuki…" she whispered, before the flames consumed her. Tasuki slumped to the dirt as the fire faded out, not even leaving ashes behind of its victims. The bandit appeared too stunned to even utter a word, and dropped his head to the ground silently. Chichiri remained beside him, both shocked and unsure what to say to his friend.

"Tasuki…she…"

"I'm gonna kill that bastard," he growled, suddenly getting to his feet. Chichiri saw the tears trailing down his friend's face and went to put a hand on his shoulder in comfort, but Tasuki side-stepped the gesture. "He's not gonna get away with this," the bandit vowed, gripping his harisen so tightly Chichiri saw a trickle of blood coming from his cut palm. "Come on, Chichiri," Tasuki ordered, and disappeared from view as he used his Celestial speed to move through the forest.

Chichiri surveyed the small clearing before him in sadness, unsure what to do now with his friend.

"Well, I can't let him die alone, no da," he said firmly, turning around to follow Tasuki. He paused when something pricked the back of his mind, and smiled sadly. "Kae…you sacrificed yourself to stop Keung Xi-Wang, didn't you?" he realized. "You wanted to give us your strength…"

HAH! A twist - a really BIG one, isn't it? Now, don't kill me, because there's at least one more chapter - and maybe an epilogue - left to go. Please review!