A/N: I'm sorry! Don't hurt me! I've been so busy and so blocked on this story, you wouldn't believe it! I was in a musical for the past 2 months and have had no free time whatsoever. And believe me, I'm glad but very upset it's over. I'll miss the seniors sobs And not to mention I had no idea what I was going to do for this chapter. I finally thought of something as I was about to fall asleep the other night, although thanks to Paris-Rose for help developing it! I hope you can forgive me.

Disclaimer: I don't own it, so don 't ask. Kumiko's my character. And so's her family, but hey. Paris-Rose (who is in the process of changing her screen name) owns Mischa Yuki. Lupine-Eyes owns Rei.

A warning: This chapter has some naughty words. I warned you. They're there. Kumiko and Mischa both drop the F-bomb in there, just so you know….

Shi Jin no Miko

Chapter 16: Infringes and Illusions

Kumiko yawned tiredly as her horse trotted slowly down the dirt road. They had been traveling a full day without rest, and they were all in dire need of it. Her thoughts conflicted, since what she wanted and needed were two entirely different things. If they were to stop for rest, they would risk danger. Seiryuu was even more motivated to find them now that Miaka had the Biyakko Shinzaho.

The good news was that they were completely surrounded by very powerful senshi. The number of senshi Rei and Mischa had quickly discovered amazed Kumiko. She had been introduced to many of them. She was completely surprised to discover that Tomite, her Genbu guardian, was just about as brash as Tasuki. (A/N: Oo that's sooo creepy…) He was very protective of Kumiko, but perhaps even more so of Mischa. Especially around a particular senshi by the name of Uruki.

"Will you leave the priestess alone?" Tomite said, annoyed, "she doesn't need your protection, Uruki. Gods know a criminal like you shouldn't be let anywhere near her!"

Uruki narrowed his eyes. "Don't make me hurt you, Tomite. That was a very long time ago and both of us know it. By the way, I hear that's not really your body. I heard it belonged to a little girl…" He smirked coolly at the now angry Tomite.

"And you should talk, idiot! Just look what you've got for a body! It's not anybody else's fault that you're so damn gender confused!"

Mischa slapped her hand to her head. "This is giving me a fucking headache." She turned desperately to Kumiko. "Kumiko, make it stop!" She whined wholeheartedly. Kumiko sighed.

"Hey guys, can you cool it? We all know that Uruki can only use his powers as a woman, despite his natural…male form," Kumiko said this all slowly, in attempts to avoid insulting him. "And Tomite, you've been dead for a good 150 years. There's no fault in having Nyan Nyan create a shell for a body, since you no longer have one. Now can we please stop this? I think Mischa's not all that appreciative of it."

Both scowled at each other and went their separate ways.

"If we didn't need them, we could murder them," Mischa said darkly. "I would be happy."

Rei came riding up along side them. "Well, I'm about ready to kill Tatara. He's so damn annoying sometimes. I can't be in his presence for five minutes without being insulted."

Kumiko laughed. "You know, that sounds so entirely familiar. I mean, seriously, how do you think Tasuki and I got together. The first thing I ever said to him was 'Watch where you're going ass hole'. That's gotta be worth something."

"By the way, where is he?" Mischa asked. "I haven't really seen him."

"He's at the back of the group with Miaka. She and Tamahome are sort of distant…again." Kumiko sighed. "I want him here by me!"

"Stop it, right now!" Mishca warned her. "Do NOT do the whiny girlfriend thing. Do not, or I will be forced to slap you."

"Oh yea, like I haven't seen who you've been longing for," Kumiko said slyly. "because we all know."

(A/N: Heh, not really…)

Mischa laughed. "Ha, I can't believe that. Since I don't have my eye out for anybody." Kumiko, who was not fooled by her charade for a second, casually mentioned Chichiri just to see Mischa's face turn red and hear her mumble incoherent excuses.

"Yea, you don't like anyone alright," Rei said with a definite nod. Mischa glared at her and stuck out her tongue.

"Tell and die."

When night fell, the group finally decided it was time to rest. Kumiko felt like she was part of a traveling circus, with the number of people with significant powers running around. Hell, she was a freak of nature herself.

She joined with Tasuki when they did, for she had missed his presence greatly. He teased her wholeheartedly when she told him this, only to receive the cold shoulder when he tried to be nice.

"Oh come on Kumiko, I was kidding. Don't be mad," He said, slightly whining. He's so adorable when he whines, she thought girlishly and she smiled.

"I'm not, I was just teasing. But it serves you right." She hugged him tightly and closed her eyes. She knew what she would miss most. It was people like him. "And isn't it painstakingly ironic that when I finally find you, the one I've been searching for my entire life, I can't have you. Stupid priestess rules."

He shook his head. "You do have me." He laughed slightly, "actually you've had me since the very beginning. I didn't really want to admit it, but I was oddly attracted to you then."

Kumiko laughed. "Physically? I hardly believe that."

He shrugged. "Well, that too. But more than that. I felt a really strong connection to you, almost as if you were pulling me in."

"Would it be too corny to say that we're meant to be together?" Kumiko asked, burrowing deep within his arms.

"Nah, that sounds about right," he said, looking deeply into her eyes. The piercing gaze of his golden orbs made her knees weak. He leaned down and kissed her gently. Kumiko closed her eyes and received the affection, reciprocating to the best of her abilities. (A/N: How nicely worded)

"Ahem!" Mischa said with a clearing of her throat. Kumiko and Tasuki immediately parted, blushing furiously.

"You've MUST stop doing that," she said, shaking her head. "Kumiko, I just wanted to inform you that we've got some quarreling senshi…again. Somehow, I find it hard to believe that we're ever going to make it to the Kyoto temple alive. I'm about ready to kill half of them."

"Who is it this time?" Kumiko asked, laughing slightly.

"Well, Tomite, for one. That's no surprise. But he's arguing with Kokie. They both seem to think that their own priestess if better." Kumiko rolled her eyes. "I for one, am on Tomite's side," Mischa said with a smirk. "But they are starting to get on my nerves."

Kumiko followed Mischa, and could quickly hear the loud voices involved in the argument.

"Don't be a fool! It's obvious that the Priestess of Genbu is much more powerful!" Tomite yelled angrily.

"Hardly!" Kokie yelled in reply, "I've already proven my point! Biyakko's Priestess is best!"

"How about they're both the same and we stop arguing?" Kumiko suggested, stepping in. "Sorry guys, but this is my job. We're trying to stop war, not make it. Do you see, perhaps, why Konan is in so much trouble right now? Kuto has declared war. If we don't stop this soon, we'll have a lot of innocent lives to pay for."

Everyone was silent. They nodded in agreement, knowing that Kumiko was absolutely right.

"I apologize, Priestess," Tomite said softly. "I did not mean to upset you."

"Nor did I," Kokie said, his head down solemnly. "You're right. We're supposed to try to stop the fighting, yet hear we are quarreling. We're all blind and foolish. It's human nature."

"But does it have to be?" Kumiko demanded, asking herself more than anyone else. "Do people always have to be blinded by their arrogant pride until they end up causing real damage?" She sighed wistfully. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go off on a tangent," She smiled weakly. "I just want to get to the temple as soon as we can, before it's too late."

By mid-afternoon the next day, Kumiko was extremely frustrated. Despite her earlier speech about how they needed to get along, the majority of the group had disregarded. Miaka and Tamahome were arguing…again. So were Mischa and Tasuki. And of course, Rei and Tatara weren't making things any better. Everyone seemed to run to Kumiko in defense, expecting her to fix things.

It seemed, the only person that wasn't arguing, other than herself, was Amiboshi.

"Fear not, priestess, they'll stop fighting. Everyone is nervous about the war, and we're all on each other's nerves." He smiled at her gently and patted her shoulder, "besides, they can't expect you to solve all their problems, can they?"

She laughed nervously. "I really hope not." Just then, an angry growl was heard, followed by a 'Rekka Shin'en', a high-pitched scream, and a very long string of swear words.

Tasuki came storming out from wherever he had been followed by a very angry Mischa.

"You asshole! You are going to die a horrible death, you bastard!" Mischa yelled at him furiously, chasing him down.

"It's your fault for being such a psychotic bitch!" Tasuki yelled, "You're the one protesting and complaining. There's no reason to yell at me for it!"

"Well if you weren't being a dumbass-"

"May I ask as to what happened?" Kumiko said, her calm attitude ebbing away at way to fast a pace.

"He set my coat ON FIRE!" Mischa yelled, pointing at Tasuki.

"Yea, but she started it! I told you not to mess with me! Kumiko you've got to believe me on this one!" He turned to her pleadingly.

The two began yelling simultaneously, trying to prove their side to Kumiko. She put up her hands angrily and yelled as loud as she could.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear it!"

Both stopped immediately and looked at her, wide eyed.

"I don't want to play fucking peace maker right now! I want to make peace inside myself before having to deal with all these petty arguments! Can't everyone just get along so I can do something for myself! I hate it!" She stormed off, in opposite direction of everyone else.

An unpleasant feeling settled in her stomach as she ran from them. But more than running from them, she was running from her own conflicts.

In all honesty, today was not a good day. And it was not because of the arguing. On any other day she could have dealt with it more calm headedly. But today, as they journeyed to the Kyoto temple, the thought of her own death settled in her mind.

Realization had struck her that morning. And it had struck hard.

She had been sitting next to Tasuki, snuggled closely when she realized that this would be one of the last times she would do so. Ever. Soon she would be no more.

What was worse than the fate of death, she concluded, was being on the brink of it and unable to escape. She knew that she had made a vow to Tai Itsukun, and she could not go back on it now.

But she wanted right now, more than ever, to be selfish.

"Child why didn't you tell me you had the mark of the four gods on your back?" Tai Itsukun demanded.

"I didn't find it important, sorry."

"Well it is important. Do you know what this means!" Kumiko shook her head. "It means that you are the priestess of four gods," Tai Itsukun said unblinking.

"Me? The priestess of four gods? No way, that's not possible." Kumiko said, laughing nervously.

"But it' s true. The legend says that the priestess of four gods will come with a marking of them on her back." Tai Itsukun said insistently.

"But it's just a tattoo! Anybody can get them in my world."

"But I don't think other people's glow with the powers of the gods, do they?" Kumiko was silent. She just couldn't imagine herself as that beautiful woman between the four gods bringing peace. She could hardly contain peace between her emotions and decisions.

"Wait, does this mean Kumiko has to become my enemy?" Miaka said, her voice wavering. Tai Itsukun shook her head.

"On the contrary. Kumiko's job as the priestess of four gods is to bring peace between the gods."

It had taken some convincing, but finally Kumiko gave in. "Alright," she said, "what do I have to do?"

Kumiko sighed despondently. She had been trapped since the start. And not to say she didn't want to. In fact, she felt very obliged, yet honored to become the Priestess of Four Gods.

She realized that she had stopped running and was now in a very unfamiliar part of the wilderness. Her lungs were burning and her legs ached with exhaustion. As she looked around, she realized that she had no idea where she was. She turned to go back the other way, back to the camp, when she tripped over a tree root. She struggled to push herself up from her hard fall when she noticed something out ahead in front of her. Right in front of her eyes were pieces of broken glass.

She frowned to herself. Where had it come from. She followed the trail of glass with her eyes to see what looked like a mirror lying on the ground. She crawled over to it.

It was a medium sized mirror, like one that would hang in one's bedroom. It looked as if it had been smashed to bits. Was it possible that she hadn't seen it as she was running and had stepped on it, thus breaking it?

It seemed logical enough. But where had it come from?

She looked into the reflection of the broken mirror at the many pieces of her face displayed. Her face was sweaty, and slightly dirty now, after running through thick jungle. Was that what she wanted to see? More importantly, was that what she wanted to be?

She closed her eyes in frustration. How easy would everything be if she was just home, and everyone from this world was there too? How wonderful would it be if her family was back together and life was perfect? Wouldn't that be nice? She thought wistfully.

Suddenly, the mirror started to glow and pulse. She tried to drop it at once, but it was as if her hands were glued to the rim of the mirror. All the scattered pieces that lay embedded in the mud rose up and fit back into the mirror.

Kumiko felt a familiar feeling of nausea as her entire body was pulled into the mirror. She closed her eyes tightly and tried to concentrate hard on keeping her food down. When at last it stopped (although the head rush did not) She opened her eyes.

She was in the national library.

She looked around at the people, who did not seem to notice her at all. She stood up and walked around. She touched random things, books or tables, just to see if they were real. She pinched her arm hard, and upon feeling a sting of pain in her arm, confirmed it was real.

She was…home?

But Keisuke and Tetsuya were nowhere to be found. Wouldn't they be waiting for her. Better yet, what had happened to the end of the story? She had never completed her mission!

The thoughts went on and on through her head that she began to feel nauseous. So much, in fact, that she did not hear her name being called.

"Kumiko! Are you alright? Can you hear me?"

She blinked in surprise and turned to see who it was that had called her. She was in complete and utter surprise when none other than Tasuki swept her up into a hug.

"What are you doing here?" She asked confusedly, briefly before he kissed her fully. At this point, Kumiko decided to shut up and enjoy the sudden surprise.

"Don't you remember? I had to meet you here before we go over to your house," he reminded her gently, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

"My house?" She said unbelievingly.

"To meet your parents," he eyed her closely, "are you sure you're okay?"

She smiled brightly. "Yes, I'm fine. I just had a momentary lapse, that's all. I'm happy to see you here." And in all honesty, she was.

Although she was still extremely confused.

Here was the boy of her dreams, in her world, wearing everyday clothes acting like he'd known her since forever. Something was definitely not right. Although, she could hardly remember what had happened before that point.

She rubbed the back of her head, for it ached painfully. Tasuki looked at her quizzically. "I bumped my head," she explained, "I'm starting to sound like Miaka a bit, aren't I?"

He laughed. "A little bit, yeah."

The two left the library and talked normally, as Kumiko had never expected them to be able to do. He belonged in this world, but to see him fit in it was so strange. It almost seemed wrong.

What Kumiko did not know was that everything in what she thought was now reality was wrong.

Utterly and absolutely wrong.

I'll update sooner than last time, I promise. I love you guys!

Don't forget to review!

XOXO,

Lola :-)