Miaka was sitting in her adjoining room from her guardians when there was a knock at her door. "Come in." She saw it was Nuriko and smiled. "Miaka can I talk with you?" he asked. "Of Course." Nuriko shut the door and sat down next to her. "What if he won't come with us Miaka?" he asked concern filled in his voice. "He won't be if Tasuki is like he was before he has no intention of joining us, but we won't be that far along before he changes his mind and leaves Koji in charge." Nuriko didn't look convinced. "I know you have gone through this before, but what if things don't work out the way they did before?" "Then we will have to deal with it then. Nuriko you have always been my closest friend here and I hope we continue to be friends, but I need you to trust me," said Miaka. He nodded and left to let her get some sleep.

Early the next morning as they prepared to leave there was a tension in the air. At last they were ready and Miaka turned to look at Tasuki. "I'm not going." "I know." He looked at her in disbelief before nodding. She got on her horse with Hotohori behind her. "So, what now?" he asked. "We wait," she mumbled. They left and when it was about noon everyone decided to stop for lunch. Nuriko and Tamahome went to get fire wood while Hotohori and Miaka set up came. "We should camp here for the night. I know its only a few hours away, but I want us to be safe and the dark is always dangerous," said Hotohori. Miaka nodded and helped him set up the camp and blankets. Tasuki had been kind and sent them with supplies.

Once everything was setup and everyone was settled Nuriko and Miaka walked to find a river to fish. As they sat on some rocks waiting for the fish to bite. "So Miaka did you ever get the chance to talk to his highness?" asked Nuriko. Shaking her head, she looked at her friend. "No, the night we had talked was also the night that the Seiryu warriors attacked the palace. I didn't really have a chance to talk to him after that."

Suddenly Nuriko caught a bite and pulled the fish out of the water. After putting it in the bag he started to fish again. "So, when do you intend to talk to him?" he asked. "I think I will wait until we return to the palace if not until after Suzaku is summoned." He nodded. "You should know that Hotohori does love you. I have never seen him be so loving towards anyone and I was in the Harem for well over a year. He never once to notice of anyone, but they you showed up and everything changed." "Nuriko I know, but…Hey! I got a bite!" Nuriko helped Miaka pull the fish out of the water. He didn't bring the subject up again. He figured Miaka was struggling with figuring out what her place in this world would be after Suzaku was summoned.

Shortly after they had enough for everyone and headed back to camp. When they arrived Tamahome and Nuriko set the fish up to get cooked while Miaka opened her journal she had brought along when she left for Mount Reikaku. "Miaka…" She looked up to see Hotohori and smiled. Motioning for him to sit closer she opened it. "Hotohori her I want you to read this. It's the day I fist met you the first time. "She handed it to him and he read the journal entry.

Today has been so confusing. Yui and I were in the library when I saw a phoenix as I have been told. Well I followed it and when Yui found me we investigated to find a book called the universe of the four gods. When we started reading it a red light emerged sucking us both into the book. When we arrived, some men tried to take us but the man who I now know is called Tamahome saved us. After finding out we didn't have money he left, but when I turned around Yui was gone. I thought it was Tamahome who took her so I went looking for him. Deciding to ask around I went to the nearest city. Once there I asked everyone I could about Yui and Tamahome. Eventually someone said they knew where he was. I followed him which was a mistake. I was almost raped…

"Miaka! How could you be so reckless?" "Saihitei…" Hotohori looked at her surprised that she was using his imperial name. "Just continue reading. You want to know who I was before and I want to show you, but you need to be able to get through my first entry." He nodded and looked back at the diary.

I fought with them, but they over powered me. I was scared when Tamahome came and saved me. Immediately I accused him of taking Yui, but after he agreed to help me find her since I threatened to shout, he stole my friend. He told me he would do anything for a jewel from the emperors' crown. I stupidly try to do so and end up causing problems. Tamahome tries to save me and I start to emit a red light. As I disappear, I see Yui is home and safe, but I was sucked back into the world of the four gods. Shortly after we are arrested and held prisoner. I won't just sit the of course so I escape with Tamahome and we run through the palace. Due to me loving food Tamahome and I got separated. Eventually when I try to find him, I end up meeting the emperor who I thought was a woman. When the guards find Tamahome, Hotohori hides me to protect me, but I couldn't just stand by and let Tamahome be taken away so I stand in to defend him. Some other guards grab me which caused Tamahome to reveal his symbol and Hotohori called them all off. Eventually we are summoned to the throne room where he asks me to become the priestess of Suzaku. As I sit in my room completely floored of today's events I can't help, but wonder what the days ahead have instore for me.

Hotohori continued to read her entries and some made him smile while others made him frown and look at her with pain. She knew he was reading the part about her love for Tamahome when he snapped it shut and handed it back to her. "I think I want to go for a walk." Miaka looked at his receding form and stood up. Her feet were carrying her and she knew this was the moment. Stumbling over her own feet she caught up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Hotohori what are you thinking?" she asked. He touched her hands and removed them from his waist and turned to face her. "Miaka, I understand now you are in love with Tamahome…" He began. She closed her eyes wishing not to hear the rest of his statement. "So, I will stand asi…" She had to stop that sentence and launched herself at him and kissed him on the lips. When she broke the kiss, tears were filling her eyes and threatened to overflow.

"Hotohori, that was my journal from my first trip and I wish I had been able to see how much I care about you back then, but I love you now and that will never change. I know you have some doubts and I was going to wait until after we summoned Suzaku, but I plan to stay and become your wife," she said. He looked at her surprised before he smiled gently and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm glad." They stood like that for awhile before heading back to the campsite. When they returned instead of the two, they had left there was three. "Hey." They smiled and sat down. "So, you decided to come after all Tasuki. Welcome to our group," said Miaka. They all chatted and Tamahome said he would take the first watch when it got late. As Miaka laid down by the fire she stared at Hotohori before sleep overtook her.