Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.

All right, even though I've only gotten two reviews for the last chapter, I'll update for you guys. This is the second-to-last chapter, so no updates until you all review! (laughs evilly) Anyway, just a timeline note - in this story Miaka's been in China for about a year now, which is why their ages are slightly older and it explains the book. (That'll be explained in the story.) But the mystery of why she's there in the first place is about to be revealed!

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

"Wh…mm…" Kiore groaned, returning to reality several hours later and finding herself on a cot. What she couldn't know was that she was in an elaborate tent, with a blond Japanese girl peering at her.

"Nakago, she's awake!" she called, and turned back to Kiore. "I'm Yui, priestess of Seiryu."

"I knew I wasn't anywhere I'd been before," she replied bitterly and looked around unseeingly. "Where am I?"

"You were found by one of my warriors, Tomo, stabbed and alone in the forest a few miles away," Yui informed her primly. "He brought you back here, where Nakago restored your hearing."

"You mean the drug wore off," Kiore corrected. "I'm not an idiot. Someone was controlling that wind and a spell was cast on me. And one of your warriors controls storms."

"That may have been one of the Warriors from Genbu," Yui said calmly. "Tomo was merely scouting the area for enemies since we have decided to camp here for a bit, and discovered you. We realized a spell was blocking your hearing, and Nakago – a Warrior skilled in drugs as well – created an antidote. You've been sleeping for quite a while."

"So, this is the priestess of Byakko," Nakago commented, striding into the tent as Kiore processed Yui's story. Something still seemed off about it, but she was sure it had been Chichiri leading her after all. "It is a pleasure to meet you," he said, bowing slightly to her, even the formality was wasted.

"What am I doing here?" Kiore demanded sharply, staring straight ahead angrily. Upon finding herself in a bed she quickly realized she had been kidnapped or something to that extent, and finding herself admist Seiryu's Warriors and priestess had only made her madder.

"We merely kept you here to recover your strength," Nakago said coolly. "Yui bandaged your wound, but you lost quite a lot of blood. It will be a while until you are able to leave that bed. In the meantime, you are more than welcome to remain with us as an honored guest."

"Somehow, I don't believe you," she said skeptically and crossed her arms stubbornly.

"If you like, we can return you to the Suzaku Warrior Chichiri," he added, smirking as fear flashed across her face momentarily. "I merely thought it the wisest course of action to take you into our protection," he continued smoothly, purposefully overwhelming Kiore with information and not giving her a chance to sort out his words.

"Please, stay," Yui entreated suddenly, and Kiore blinked in surprise at the sudden warmth in her tone. "It would be so nice to have another girl from my world here to talk to. Once you regain your strength we can take you wherever you'd like to go."

"I suppose that's all right for now," Kiore nodded reluctantly, and turned her head as Yui rose.

"I need to take care of some business," Yui said, as Mi entered. "My Warrior, Miboshi, will stay with you in case you need anything."

"Thank you," Kiore said grudgingly, and still looked slightly suspicious as Nakago and Yui exited the tent.

"The drug in that stew should soon take effect," Nakago informed her. "Her mind is already dull with loss of blood, and the drug should earn us even more trust. That was quite a good performance."

"It had to be done," Yui shrugged carelessly, and glanced back at the tent. "I don't think she believes us."

"It doesn't matter whether she does or not," he chuckled. "For one thing, she's already in our trap. And for another, she is already unsure of her role with Suzaku Warriors, thanks to Tomo's earlier performance. That small bit of doubt will be enough for us to manipulate her to our satisfaction."

"She hasn't made any kind of attempt to escape?" Nakago asked suspiciously, and Miboshi nodded swiftly.

"No, sir. She just remains in the tent and appears to be dazed."

"That's to be expected," Yui thought, and he glanced at her. "After all, we just made her believe that her trusted companion attempted to kill her. That must have a traumatic effect on her, even if she still believes we kidnapped and not rescued her."

"It amounts to the same thing," he shrugged, and turned back to Miboshi. "As long as she behaves herself make no efforts to restrain her. Just keep an eye on her until we need her."

"Yes, sir," he bowed, and quickly exited the tent.

"So, they figure I'm docile enough after two days to be left alone," Kiore murmured to herself, dressed once more in her robes and sitting on the raised cot. "I wish I knew what to do…I know Seiryu can't be trusted – they killed my Warriors and kidnapped me, but…Chichiri stabbed me." She hid her face in her hands, unable to get past this point. "I know it was Chichiri," she thought despairingly. "But why…what did I do? Did I do something wrong?"

"The priestess still has no idea Tomo can copy people," Miboshi thought in satisfaction, entering the tent and observing the torn young woman for a moment before approaching her. "Lady Kiore, Lady Yui requests you join her for dinner."

"No, thank you," she replied stiffly, turning away from the Warrior. "I'd rather starve to death, thanks anyway."

"As you wish, priestess," he bowed slightly and retreated from the tent for the time being, leaving the captive alone with her thoughts.

"I thought I was beginning to love him…And I was foolish enough to hope he might have cared for me in time. But…how could Chichiri have done this?" Kiore wondered, racked with anguish as she felt her wound. It was a long, clean slice, but not deep enough to seriously cripple her further.

"Why haven't we done anything yet?" Tasuki demanded in a growl, as the four Suzaku Warriors crouched in the bushes not far from the Seiryu camp.

"They haven't been keeping a very vigilant guard," Mitsukake commented, "Perhaps Kiore isn't bait after all. Or they're so confident they believe they have nothing to fear from us."

"Well, we'll show 'em how wrong they are!" Nuriko grinned, but glanced at Chichiri curiously. "But – why haven't we attacked yet? It's been almost three days now."

"If we charge in carelessly, their spells will affect us and we won't stand a chance," the monk replied seriously. Although his mask had remained in place he seldom said 'no da' anymore, a fact which didn't escape his companions. "I need some more time to erect a strong enough barrier to shield our presence entirely from Nakago and his wards."

"Phst!" Tasuki huffed, and gripped his harisen firmly. "Just gimmie one good shot at those bastards and they'll all fry!"

"Keep your voice down, stupid!" Nuriko hissed, slamming his fist into Tasuki's head. "Do you want us to be found?"

"Damn!" Tasuki groaned, rubbing his sore head as he got up from the ground where he ate dirt.

"What now, Nakago?" Kiore asked calmly, as the tall European strode into the tent, followed by Yui who was carrying a bowl of something.

"Such rudeness," he replied haughtily, and she eyed him suspiciously as he took the bowl from Yui and held it in front of her enticingly. "Tell me, what do you see, living in blindness all these years?"

"What does this have to do with anything?" she demanded, but he merely gazed at her.

"What is it like?" he repeated. She sighed loudly and glared at him before shrugging.

"I see darkness all the time. If I look at the sun sometimes it lightens to a light black, but it's never light and the warmth never seems to reach my eyes," she told them. "I'm unable to be independent and I always need someone to help me. I hate it."

"What would you think if you could see once more?"

"I think you should tell me what you're trying to say, Nakago," she told him firmly, tired of playing games with the Seiryu man who made her sick.

"This, priestess of Byakko, has the power to restore your eyesight completely," he said with a smirk at her sharp gasp. "This is what I have been working on for these past days."

"What's the catch?" she asked. "I have to lend you my power or something like that?"

"Of course not," he replied smoothly, placing it in her hands. "It is a token of our goodwill, tangible proof that Seiryu wishes to help you."

"You killed my Warriors!" she cried, tossing the concoction back at him. "What makes you possibly think I would trust you at all?"

"As you wish," he inclined his head. "I shall leave it here, in case you reconsider. There are no strings attached to this – none at all."

Kiore's blind gaze followed the sounds of their footsteps and she took a shaky breath as she heard them leave.

"What do I do now?"

"Just be patient," Nakago told Yui calmly as they strode back to their tent. "The temptation will become too much for her to bear soon."

"Will it really restore her eyesight to normal?" Yui demanded, and he smirked.

"I didn't lie."

All her life Kiore had wanted to be able to see again. Distant and blurry memories of color and sights had imprinted themselves onto her mind, and they were the only hope she had ever had. Her grandfather had spent whatever was needed to see numerous doctors concerning a cure, but all had turned up empty-handed. Since then she had learned to come to terms with her handicap but was never fully able to accept it, the memories always on the edge of her mind, as if the past was taunting her.

She shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind and held her head in her hands, the bowl sitting on the table next to her.

"How can I believe that bastard?" she yelled at herself. "They killed my Warriors without mercy! They would have killed me, and now they're toying with me. There's no way –"

"There are no strings attached to this – none at all."

"It's not possible!"

Kiore let a cry of frustration and curled her fingers into fists. Nakago had erected wards around her tent to keep her from manipulating the wind, which was probably a good thing at that point. Calming down after a moment, she hung her head back and took a deep breath to steady herself.

"I see you've taken it," Nakago commented, as Kiore strode into his tent that night with a determined look on her face. "I assume it worked as promised."

"You said it yourself – there are no strings attached to this," she reminded him. "If there was, I would say I am indebted to you. As it is, I am deeply grateful to you, no matter how much it disgusts me to say there."

"I'll take that as a compliment," he said calmly, and waved a hand at Miboshi, who had followed her to the tent. "Take the priestess back to her tent for the night. We shall talk more in the morning," he promised, and she gazed at him intently, her eyes appearing to be made of translucent steel.

"So, will she trust us now?" Yui asked sarcastically, cocking an eyebrow at him after Miboshi had followed Kiore out. "She didn't seem very grateful."

"She is," he chuckled quietly and folded his hands on the desk before him. "She thinks she can now avenge her fallen comrades. Prepare to welcome the Suzaku Warriors sometime tomorrow, Soi."

"Yes, sir," she bowed and strode from the tent.

"It's…amazing…" Kiore murmured late that night, gazing up at the tent ceiling in awe. "I can actually see light…I can see people, and myself, and the wind – I can't believe it." Closing her eyes, her thoughts flashed back to the moment she had taken the potion. For a second everythinghad beenpitch black and devoid of life, and the next moment she opened her eyes. A flash of light nearly blinded her again before she adjusted to the lamplight, shaking her head and wiping tears from her eyes. The sensation had been unbelievable, to see again after so many years.

"Grandpa, where's Kiore?" her mother demanded. "It's been almost a month now! You can't seriously think we'll believe she went off with a friend, can you?"

"Believe what you will," the old man shrugged calmly, the book resting in his lap underneath his palms. "But that is where your daughter is."

"Oh, I give up!" she threw her hands up in frustration and stalked out of the room, followed by her husband soon after.

"Fools," the old man said contemptuously, stroking the book as if it was a living thing. He had been disbelieving when Kiore was born, seeing a vision of a white light that said she was destined something greater than he could ever imagine in his wildest dreams. The middle-aged entrepreneur, having wild dreams to begin with, soon came to believe the vision and prepared himself for Kiore's moment of glory. Unfortunately for him, she had gone blind at three, leaving his dreams in shambles. Not even the most skilled doctors had any hope of restoring her sight, and the man put his dreams on the shelf, certain they would come to nothing. Almost a year ago, however, he had overheard a young man discussing a certain book with his friend at a library, and had followed them to his house.

He quickly acquired temporary ownership of the book and had the best scholar in Japan working to produce an exact copy, while the old man himself toiled over the magical aspect of the book. In the end he had persevered, and the original was discreetly returned to the young man, while the copy was put into his library. Thanks to the promise he had exacted from Kiore years ago when she was a child, to prevent her from accidentally ruining his books, the old man knew his secret would be kept safe until the time came.

"It appears she's living up to my expectations," he said in satisfaction, skimming the words once more.

"Damn it!" Tasuki grumbled, fighting off several guards. "They were expecting us! Some wards, monk!"

"It appears Kiore was bait," Mitsukake said grimly from Nuriko, who was clubbing their attackers with a tree.

"This is too easy!" the strong man grinned, and was suddenly thrown backwards, sending both he and Mitsukake into boulder.

"Nuriko! Mitsukake!" Chichiri yelled, and froze when a ward suddenly held him in place. "Nakago."

"Do you ever discard that ridiculous mask?" the man demanded, and Chichiri's mask was promptly ripped away. "And it appears Tamahome isn't here as well. What a shame – I'll have to content myself with killing you."

"That's better – now I can see what he's planning," Ashitare said in satisfaction, stepping forward confidently. "It took you bunch long enough to come around."

"Bastards!" Tasuki shouted, and grunted when Soi hit him with a lightening bolt. "Damn it…"

"Lady Kiore, please remain in this tent until I return," Miboshi ordered, and Kiore looked up in surprise.

"What's wrong?" she demanded. The Warrior paused at the tent flap, but didn't turn around.

"The Suzaku Warriors are attacking us to get you back," he said finally, and glanced slyly at the young woman. "The Warrior Chichiri is among them."

"Chi-Chichiri?" Kiore stammered, and rose swiftly as Miboshi left the tent. "No way am I just going to stay here! Time to get going while I can – and since I can see, it makes life that much simpler," she added with a grin, and slid a thin dagger from her robe sleeve. She slit the canvas down the middle and stepped out of the tent, taking a moment to breath in the fresh air before glancing around cautiously. "It looks like they're all occupied – good. I'm not letting Suzaku get their hands on me either."

"What have you done with the priestess of Byakko?" Mitsukake demanded calmly, as the group was slowly surrounded by Seiryu.

"You mean that blind girl?" Nakago said, casually taking a moment to think. "Ah yes – the one Chichiri stabbed. Well, our Chichiri, at least."

"Damn Tomo," Chichiri muttered, gritting his teeth in frustration.

"She's safe and healthy, there's no need to fear for her safety," he continued. "In fact, she seems quite content here. She certainly hasn't expressed the desire to return to Suzaku."

"That's a lie!" Tasuki shouted. "You make her sound like some kind of heartless bitch!"

"I wouldn't go that far," Nakago corrected with a cold smile. His eyes flickered in another direction for a split second, but Chichiri was unable to discern what the man had been looking at. The monk quickly returned his attention to Nakago as he continued to talk. "However, she most definitely despises Seiryu."

"You killed her Warriors – of course she would," Nuriko said, with a 'duh' tone.

"I shall offer conditions for her release, however, that will guarantee your safety as well as hers."

"Nice try, priestess," Suboshi commented, wrapping his Ryuuseisui around her legs and pulling her back to him. "Nakago thought you might try to escape. The Suzaku pets are all cornered, and he's probably offering them surrender terms. Of course, that's just niceties."

"I figured," she said dryly, trying to stand up with her legs entangled in the Seiryu Warrior's spell.

"I'm to take you back to the tent," he informed her, and casually began to drag her back to the camp.

"If the woman returns to her world and promises not to return, she may go," Nakago said calmly. "After all, a priestess of Byakko with no Warriors has no way to summon her god. Therefore, she is useless except for a minute amount of power she may possess. I have determined it isn't worth Seiryu's efforts to try to take this power for ourselves."

"That sounds too easy," Tasuki grunted, eyeing the blond man suspiciously. "It's a trap."

"You may think that if you like," Nakago shrugged, and turned to the tent. "Suboshi! Bring the priestess outside to prove to these men that she is unharmed and safe!"

"Kiore!" Chichiri gasped, and strained to break free from the wards as Suboshi dragged her outside briefly before bringing her back inside the tent.

"There, you see?" Nakago asked, gesturing to the tent. "A little bruised for her escape attempt just now, but other than that unharmed. What shall it be? If you don't take her, I'll merely kill her. She is of no use to me."

"We'll do it," Nuriko decided abruptly, earning wide-eyed glares from his fellow Warriors. "We'll return her to her proper world, and in exchange you won't harm us."

"As you stand there you won't be touched," Nakago agreed, and waved his hand at the tent. Suboshi brought Kiore out, and they noticed a limp hindering her walking.

"Here, take her," Suboshi said, and tossed her towards them. Chichiri caught her and held her in his arms. With Tasuki watching their backs the others turned away, prepared to leave.

"Chichiri, you dimwitted fool," Kiore suddenly laughed.

"What?" Nuriko gasped, and jumped forward as Kiore plunged a dagger into the base of Chichiri's neck, just below his hairline. The monk staggered forward and the young woman leapt free, revealing her true form. "Tomo! You bastard!"

"You should have been more astute. Suzaku," Nakago chuckled dryly as Chichiri fell to the ground. Seiryu's wards were still in effect and Mitsukake was unable to heal the monk's wound. Chichiri lay face-down on the ground bleeding from the deep wound, unable to even move.

Ack! Now what's gonna happen? Well, I'm going to let you all sweat it out for a bit. And just a note, in case any of you can't get why Kiore's acting like she is. She's blind, remember, and has to rely on her other senses to tell what's going on around her. When Tomo's illusion-Chichiri stabbed her, to her, that WAS Chichiri, since she doesn't know about Tomo's powers. So she can't understand it and really believes that Chichiri is the one who harmed her.

Just a note...Please review!