Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.

Thanks to all the dear, wonderful people who've reviewed, and special thanks to my beta, Kyae-Sohma! I love you all! Thank the beta, people! If it wasn't for her, I'd never get the darn story updated! This is the permanent title, by the way, so don't worry if you like it! Feel free to let me know what ya really think of all the characters and the storyline, 'kay? And I won't mention anything Tasuki if you do!

Please review if you read. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and helpful criticism welcome. No flames.

Night found the small group curled inside the cave, with the horses tied up outside the entrance. Miaka was wrapped in Tamahome's coat as the Warrior in question was a few inches away and Tasuki was off to the wall, sleeping as he sat up. Chichiri was on the other side and Kiore was off on her own as well. The usual night noises echoed in the damp walls of the cave, but Kiore suddenly shot awake and looked around blearily.

"I thought…" she whispered, and paused to see if she could hear it again. "I'm too tense," she said, shaking herself. Ever since Seiryu had killed her Warriors, she hadn't slept well and imagined she could hear noises of them approaching. She jumped when she heard another noise and stretched out her hand gingerly, growing extremely nervous. "I'm just being silly…" she breathed, but still felt the need to feel another presence next to her. She crawled forward a little bit and her fingers abruptly brushed against someone. Feeling a little more she realized it was someone's shoulder and she tried to think who it could be.

The person shifted in their sleep and Kiore realized that whoever it was facing her as she felt a face instead of shoulder. A small touch revealed it was Chichiri and she sighed in relief.

"If it was Tasuki, he'd wake everyone up with his yells," she thought, and proceeded to try to poke him awake. Chichiri merely muttered something in his sleep and she frowned in frustration. A thought suddenly occurred to her and she gently pinched his cheek, trying to wake him up. He didn't move at all, but his mask ripped off in her hands. "That must have been the bandage…" she mused, and traced along his jawline once more on an impulse. "His whole face feels different – it feels like normal skin," she realized, and gasped softly when her fingers brushed against his left eye. She lightly traced the scar, still confused as to what was the matter with his face, feeling completely different features than before. "I'll ask him tomorrow," she decided and laid down on her side, her back to Chichiri. She quickly fell asleep and he opened his eye in the next moment to observe her.

"No getting around it now…what was that noise?" he wondered, having sensed his barrier activate for a second. Removing his bubble-covered robe he laid it gently around her shoulders and returned to sleep, pondering what to do with the blind girl.

"So, the priestess of Byakko is traveling with the priestess of Suzaku and three Warriors," Nakago mused, and turned to the other man. "Continue keeping an eye on them, and report back daily. That blind woman must surely possess some power to have escaped Soi and the others on her own, even without the Shentso-Pao."

"Of course, Nakago," Tomo bowed low and disappeared into the shadows.

"What do you need the girl of Byakko for?" Soi asked.

"If she could be truly awakened and the subsequent power used to our advantage, we would be unstoppable," he informed her. "And Suzaku would be crushed in its entirety."

"Hey…wake up!"

"Mmm…?" Kiore mumbled something and someone shook her shoulder again. "Miaka?"

"Yeah," the other girl nodded. "The guys are getting the horses ready. The sun's almost up and we wanted to get an early start. Boy, you were out cold! And where'd this come from?" she wondered, picking up Chichiri's robe from her shoulders.

"Huh?" Kiore blinked in surprise, and moved her around to listen for Chichiri. "I don't know –"

"So that's where it went, no da!" he said cheerfully, popping his head. He quickly snatched the blanket from Miaka and tied it back around him calmly. "You must have stole it during the night," he teased Kiore, who gaped at him in confusion. "Oh, Tasuki's in a foul mood, so you're riding with me, no da," he added, before disappearing again.

"I saved you some breakfast," Miaka told her, handing her the food. "There wasn't much, though…"

"That's fine," she nodded, sitting up stiffly. "Ow…sleeping on rock isn't the most comfortable place."

"Come on," Miaka helped her up and led her out of the cave. "We're going to try to stop in a village and see if there are any rumors, like Chiriko suggested," she told Kiore. "And Tai Yi-Jun said that I would be able to sense the Sacred Flame, which probably means you can sense Byakko's Shentso-Pao."

"I don't know who Tai Yi-Jun is, but the Shentso-Pao I'm looking for is the Tiger's Eye," Kiore said calmly, brushing herself off awkwardly. Blinking to get the sleep out of her eye, she jumped when someone suddenly picked her up and swung her onto the saddle.

"Chichiri!" Miaka gasped in surprise as the monk mounted the horse behind Kiore.

"No da?"

"You…scared me!" Kiore managed, catching her breath from the shock.

"Sorry," he apologized, and wrapped one arm firmly around her waist. "Don't want you falling off again, no da," he said teasingly, and she sighed.

"If she does don't expect me ta pick her up," Tasuki grumbled.

"What's your problem?" Kiore asked curiously, and he glared at her before turning away with a growl.

"Tasuki, I told you we didn't have that much sake," Tamahome reminded him, helping Miaka into the saddle before leaping up himself and making sure everything was together.

"Huh?"

"Tasuki drank all of the sake last night, no da," Chichiri told her amusedly, and she giggled a little. "Now he has to practice abstinence, no da."

"That's fer monks, not bandits!" he yelled, but was ignored.

"Are we goin', or what?" Tasuki demanded, already astride his horse.

"I guess," Tamahome shrugged, and flicked the reins to get the horse going. Chichiri kept to the back and remained a little far from the other two horses, trying to decide how to approach the subjects of his mask and the noise from last night.

"Chichiri?" Kiore said suddenly a few hours later after riding in uncomfortable silence and he started in surprise.

"No da?"

"Did you…hear anything last night?" she asked, and he nodded.

"Yeah, no da. Something triggered the barrier I placed around the cave as well," he told her. "But it wasn't very strong – I wouldn't worry about it, no da."

"Oh," she nodded and fell silent once more. Chichiri decided to approach the other subject dead-on and took a deep breath.

"Kiore – I felt you remove my mask last night."

"That's what it was?" she asked, too surprised to play innocent.

"I wear it to hide the scar on my left eye – which I know you felt that as well," he added and she flushed a little bit.

"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to pry, but the way your face felt…and your voice, it just – it just didn't make sense to me," she finished, and sighed. "I'm sorry, Chichiri."

"I didn't see the point in telling you, since you couldn't see it anyway," he said bluntly. "But I suppose that's a better reason to tell you, after all. I was going to say something eventually, but it wasn't the right time." Kiore tilted her head to gaze at him curiously, noting once more the lack of his usual 'no da'. "No da," he added absently.

"Chichiri…" she giggled helplessly at his tone and he blinked in confusion.

"Daa?"

"Are you feeling all right?" Miaka asked the next afternoon, as Kiore picked at her meal.

"Yeah," she shrugged, and pushed the food toward Miaka. "I'm sure you can eat this, rig–"

"There was only one answer to that question," Tamahome commented dryly, as Miaka scarfed the food down before Kiore could even finish her words.

"Quit actin' so lousy," Tasuki said, and she crossed her arms defensively.

"You should stop being so annoying," she informed him coolly, and they stared at her in surprise. Her palm flew to her forehead and she hung her head slightly before shaking her head and pushing herself to her feet. "I'm sorry, Tasuki. I guess I'm just tired – I'm gonna go for a walk. Don't worry, I won't go far."

"Sure," Miaka nodded, and they watched the priestess as she made her way away from them.

"What's her problem?" Tasuki demanded, and Chichiri shook his head in amusement.

"You're pretty thick, bandit," Tamahome observed, earning a glare from Tasuki.

"And you're not, pretty-boy?"

"Settle down," Miaka said smoothly, growing used to straightening out the arguments between the two Warriors. Chichiri closed his eyes in concentration and focused on sensing Kiore's energy, and was a little surprised to discover she was obscuring her aura – not quite cloaking it, but somehow dimming it around herself.

"I really shouldn't snap at them – even if Tasuki is a pain," she added dryly, leaning against a tree. She closed her eyes in contentment as the cool air caressed her skin, and took a deep breath. "Being a grouch isn't going to help anything," she scolded herself, hugging herself tightly. "But I miss them," she added quietly, the wind blowing her words away even as they reached her own ears.

The clouds gathered around the sun and a light mist began to fall from the sky. She opened her eyes and didn't even blink when the drops hit her face.

"The rain…" she murmured. "I wonder what it looks like…"

"Ain't ya ever hungry?" Tasuki asked, noticing Kiore had barely eaten anything for the third night in a row.

"I'll have it if you're done!" Miaka volunteered and eagerly grabbed the bowl as Kiore handed it to her. "Thanks!" she mumbled, chewing loudly on the meal.

"You have to eat to keep your strength up, no da," Chichiri said gently. The young woman merely continued to stare moodily out at the distance, a slight breeze slipping past them. Chichiri frowned but didn't push the subject, when she sighed and suddenly yawned.

"We should probably turn in," Tamahome suggested, seeing Miaka begin slow down as well. "Come on – we've got an early start ahead of us in the morning."

"Yeah, yeah," Tasuki grumbled, and flopped onto his side – and immediately began to snore. Miaka tugged on Chichiri's sleeve and he looked at her in surprise.

"No da?"

"What do you think is wrong with Kiore?" she asked. "She's been really moody lately, and she hardly eats anything. Besides that, she keeps disappearing on us at night."

"Perhaps she's missing her own companions," he said thoughtfully, as the priestess in question fell into a silent slumber. "We may remind her of her Warriors, no da."

"Maybe…" Miaka nodded. "Poor Kiore. It must be hard, having to lost all of your companions at once, and then be stuck with a bunch of strangers."

"Oh man, another rumor turned us up empty-handed!" Nuriko complained. "This is getting ridiculous – an entire week of searching and we haven't found anything useful! Just a bunch of fairy-tales and stories."

"Yes, but the more pieces we learn from those stories, the closer we are to discovering the Shentso-Pao's true location," Chiriko reminded him, peering around curiously. "After all, all rumors are built upon the foundation of truth. All we have to do is unravel the tangled web that they have created."

"You make it sound so simple," the aggravated man grumbled, and Mitsukake shook his head in silent amusement.

"Nothin'!" Tasuki griped, folding his arms over his chest tightly. "Not a damn thing!"

"At least we know where not to look!" Miaka pointed out cheerfully, and only a glare from Tamahome kept Tasuki from replying.

"Where'd Kiore go?" Chichiri asked suddenly, glancing around the trees in surprise. "I thought she was right here, no da."

"I thought she was with you!" Tamahome groaned and Tasuki jumped up when they both turned to stare at him.

"Hey, don't look at me!" he yelled, "I'm not in charge of that woman! That's yer problem!"

"I'll go look for her, no da," Chichiri volunteered and got to his feet without another word. As he strode off into the trees Miaka giggled to herself, earning strange looks from the other Warriors.

"What's yer problem?" Tasuki demanded. "Ya sick or somethin'?"

"Nope!" Miaka shook her head and grinned at them. "It's a secret!"

"Now, where'd she go?" Chichiri wondered, ambling through the forest. The group was by the sea and he felt the breeze becoming cooler as he headed toward the cliffs. "She's been acting strange lately – and it's not safe for her to go off on her own, not with these cliffs around."

He paused when he heard a hum, and his pace quickened when he realized it was growing louder, meaning he was heading toward it. Breaking through the trees he discovered he was on a rock jutting out over the sea, one that narrowed into a point as it continued. He sighed in relief when he saw Kiore standing at the edge of it – and then froze when he realized the humming was actually a single note Kiore was singing. Taking a step forward he saw that her hands were outstretched and her eyes closed as she faced the sea, the breeze flowing around her as if caressing her skin.

"Byakko is the god of Wind…but how can she…is she?" Chichiri's mind raced as he approached her and noticed her pale skin. "Kiore?"

She continued to sing the same note, her tone rising in intensity. As she did, the wind seemed to pick up around them and almost forced Chichiri off the edge of the cliff.

"Kiore! Enough!" he shouted, using his powers to create a barrier around himself. His voice seemed to penetrate her mind and her jaw snapped shut as her eyes shot open.

"Chi…Chichiri?" she managed, before falling down in a faint.

"Kiore…are you all right?" Chichiri asked as her eyes opened several minutes later. He had moved off the cliff and into the trees once more, supporting her weight as he sat on the ground.

"I'm…not sure," she replied, sitting up with an effort. "I feel so strange…like something is flowing through me."

"You were controlling the wind," he told her calmly. "Byakko is the god of Wind – as the priestess, it's reasonable the power to control the wind to some extent was transferred to you as well. But what were you doing?"

"I felt it calling me," she explained quietly, and hugged her knees to her chest. "I felt…the wind crying, like it was in pain. So I followed it."

"You could have walked right off the edge of the cliff," he said, and she nodded.

"I know – but it stopped me, like it was guiding me," she shook her head in frustration, unable to explain the experience. "I don't know what was happening. It started a few days ago – I was able to sense the wind with my hearing, even when it was still. And then I was able to move it a little at will – and then today."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Chichiri asked in confusion, but she remained silent. His mind flashed back to her position on the cliff and the tone of her voice. "You were going to jump into the sea," he realized. She turned away from him sharply and stood up.

"I'd rather not tell the others yet about this power," she said coolly. "I don't want to cause unnecessary worry. I'll be fine."

"Will you?" Chichiri thought, but kept quiet as he led her back to camp. A squirrel peered after them for a few moments before scuttling off.

"So, the priestess tried to commit suicide?" Nakago repeated in amusement, "And the Warrior Chichiri stopped her…this is becoming more interesting than I anticipated. Perhaps the time is drawing closer faster than expected. Soi!"

"Yes?"

"Get ready to move out on my command," he ordered. "The priestess of Byakko shall soon fall under our control – and Suzaku will be annihilated with her powers. Return to your post, Tomo."

"As you say, Nakago."

"This feels so good," Miaka sighed in contentment as she stood underneath the small waterfall and glanced at Kiore, who was relaxing in the water near the bank. "It's the closest thing you can find to a shower in this world. You should try it!"

"Maybe I will," she agreed calmly, taking a deep breath. A warm breeze stirred around them, taking off the chill in the air and water. "I was wondering if you people bathed or not. Speaking of which…where'd they go?"

"Tasuki's probably still mad about having no sake," Miaka thought. "Even after all this time. Honestly, he's so thick-headed. But he's really a good guy, once you get to know him."

"I'm sure," Kiore raised an eyebrow skeptically but refrained from commenting further.

"I think Chichiri is fishing again, and Tamahome is keeping watch," the Suzaku priestess continued thoughtfully, causing the other girl to jump up in panic.

"What?"

"Oh, not like that!" Miaka said hastily, stepping out from underneath the water. "Just keeping an eye out, but he wouldn't peek. And if he did I'd kill him!" she added hotly, and Kiore smiled to herself. "Ready to go into the shower?" Miaka asked teasingly, and Kiore stood up carefully.

"Sounds good," she nodded, and gasped at the sudden sensation of the rushing water. "Whew – that does feel good!"

"Definitely wakes you up!" Miaka agreed cheerfully.

"A perfect time to strike, Nakago," Soi suggested, bent on one knee before the general of the Seiryu Warriors. "Tomo reports that their guard is temporarily down for the night, and even the monk's barriers are weakened."

"An attack would be profitable," he mused, considering his options for a moment before inclining his head sharply. "All right, you know what to do. Inform Tomo of your actions beforehand."

"Sir," she bowed and strode out of the room.

"What the hell is this?" Tasuki demanded, bracing himself against a tree as the wind whipped around the group angrily. Chichiri glanced at Kiore, but the expression on her face convinced him she wasn't the one controlling the violent night wind.

"A warrior of Seiryu!" Tamahome growled, glaring around the forest. "Where are you?" he yelled, his voice being lost in the howling wind.

"Kiore…" Chichiri said quietly in her ear, and she jumped in surprise at hearing the Warrior suddenly so close to her. "Kiore, can you calm this wind down?" he asked, and she paused as she considered the idea.

"I don't know," she admitted, hugging the tree tightly to avoid being flung away. "It's more than I've ever experienced!"

"You can try," he replied, seeing the young woman was obviously taken aback at his confidence in her powers.

"I will," she nodded determinedly and suddenly released her grip from the trunk. She skidded backward at the sudden force of the wind but quickly regained her footing, creating a pocket of air around her to keep the affected wind from harming her. Closing her eyes in concentration she became oblivious to the world around her, feeling only the violent force of nature that she had been entrusted with and growing angry someone was manipulating it for evil purposes. Her hands outstretched, Kiore forced her will to join with the wind and sensed the other presence inside it.

"Get out," she ordered the enemy, her spirit merging entirely with the air around her.

"That's…" Miaka trailed off when a lightening bolt struck close by Kiore and Chichiri blinked, having been peering intently at the priestess as a white light began to surround her.

"It's that bitch Soi! She's creatin' the damn storm!" Tasuki realized, and whirled around. "What the hell is she doin'?" he demanded.

"She'll be caught in Soi's storm if she keeps that up!" Miaka called over the wind, having realized what Kiore's power was doing. "Chichiri, you have to stop her!"

"I don't know if I can!" he yelled back.

"Well, it can't hurt ta try!" Tasuki shouted at the monk, who nodded in agreement.

Cliffhanger! Review fast if ya want an update! I'm so evil...