Chapter Two

So, all was going according to plan.

Kikei folded his hands together inside the voluminous folds of his heavy robe sleeves, allowing a faint smile to touch his lips as he considered the day's events. Early that morning, Kayu and his band of confused, tired travelling companions had returned to the palace and, having heard the young soldier's report on events in the north, the Priest had acted immediately, ordering them to take a day's discharge whilst he consulted the Emperor. It was, he knew, a sleight of hand that had prevented Kayu from reporting to Kintsusei himself – but he had sensed the boy's relief as much as anything else, and Kikei knew that to broach the subject of Hyoushin with his king would be a difficult thing for anyone.

"But I will put it to him so that he cannot refute me." He reflected, narrowing his beady black eyes as he contemplated the situation carefully. "Kayu does not need to speak to him. I have told the lad that I will handle all of that for him, since he has already experienced enough traumatic events and he has done his Emperor's bidding well. That Hyoushin did not fight it makes my job easier. Perhaps he did so to protect these Meihi he suddenly seems interested in – but that's no concern of mine. Slaying tribesmen in a foreign land holds no interest for me, after all."

"Kikei, I want to know what's going on."

At that moment the door of the shrine flew back to reveal Kintsusei himself, and the Priest started, turning in surprise to face his sovereign as he took in the expression on the younger man's face. Kintsusei's black eyes glittered with both indignation and anger, and from his stiff, confrontational demeanour, Kikei guessed that he had already heard something about Hyoushin's dismissal.

He steeled himself, bowing his head towards his King as he formulated what he wanted to say.

"Kintsusei-sama." He said softly. "Something troubles you, that you are come here without due ceremony? Not that I object, but is it not more seemly that I come to report to you rather than you demean yourself by coming to see me?"

"Enough with that." Kintsusei said impatiently, and for a brief moment Kikei was reminded of the young and impetuous soldier that his carefully sculpted Emperor had once been. "I want to know what you know about Hyoushin. He didn't return with the others, and all I've managed to glean is that, somehow, it's your affair. So I'm coming to find out the truth from you…as your Emperor, I demand you tell me everything you know."

"Tou Hyoushin is a traitor to Your Highness." Kikei said gravely. "It pains me to tell it but it is true. In the mountains in Sairou, Toroki of Byakko made a prophesy before him and two of his young companions – Shi Maichu and Hei Kayu. Kayu reported it to me in full, and asked for my counsel. The prophesy made it quite clear that a man of Meihi birth would attack and betray the Emperor of Kutou. With great concerns for your safety, my Lord, I decided it was best to take immediate action to protect you."

"A man of…?" Kintsusei's eyes widened, then he shook his head, banging his hand down against the priest's plinth with a sudden show of temper. "Ridiculous! Hyoushin is the one man in Kutou in whom I have complete faith! How could you be so quick to assume, Kikei? You know Hyoushin's record as well as I. You know he has done nothing but serve me loyally since the day we met. Why would you act in this preposterous manner? And why was I not consulted before any decisions were taken?"

"On the contrary, sire, it was my understanding that you were aware of all of these things – in fact, it was my direct order that you be consulted." Kikei affected a look of surprise. "It is true that I wrote a letter to Kayu regarding the dismissal of your officer. The letter was duly passed to you for your official seal – when I next checked it to be dispatched, it carried such a mark and I assumed you had both read and confirmed the action. I do not understand – how would it come to be authorised if you had not yourself placed the seal against the parchment?"

"I did no such thing!"

"I see." Kikei frowned. Then he reached into the folds of his robe, pulling out the folded sheet of parchment and handing it over. "Then this is a troubling situation, my Lord. You should know that I would never presume to act entirely without your approval. This is the letter Kayu brought back to me when coming to make his report. It was sent to you and, as it appears, authorised by the Imperial seal. You can see for yourself – there is no mistake."

"What?" Kintsusei's face drained of colour as he took the parchment, unfolding it with trembling fingers as he registered the distinctive curl of the Imperial Kutou seal at the foot. "But…I did not…it was not…"

"You can understand my confusion, Sire." Kikei offered a slight smile. "Since that is, is it not, your own mark?"

"It is." Kintsusei let the paper slip from his fingers, dismay in his dark eyes. "But Kikei, you have to know that this was not my act. Not my wish."

"Then I am sorry that I took such quick action and that it was allowed to depart without your approval." Kikei said gravely. "I assumed by your silence that it was a topic on which you would rather not speak, and I sought to respect that wish – but I should have been more attentive. I will make stringent enquiries into how this could have occurred. Likely one of your clerks thought to save you time – but to appropriate the use of the Imperial Seal is treason and must be fully investigated."

"For now, it's more important to me to get to the bottom of Hyoushin's situation." Kintsusei said quietly. "Your letter speaks of a report – Kikei, what report is this?"

"Kayu's report, sire."

"Kayu's report…from Hokkan?"

"Yes, sire."

"And again, without my knowledge?"

"That I confess is correct, Sire." Kikei sighed, moulding his features into an expression of regret and consternation. "In truth, I hoped it would end in a different way. When he first told me of the prophesy, it was my decision to keep it from you. I am aware that you have great fondness for the Meihi, although I admit I have not always understood the reasons why. I charged Kayu with the duty of discovering the truth. I hoped to exonerate Hyoushin. Instead it seems that what Kayu discovered was evidence of a plot against your Highness. It pains me to bring this news to you when I had hoped so much to avoid it – but the truth is inescapable."

"I would like Kayu to make this report to me directly." Kintsusei said flatly. "And hear exactly what it is he has to say."

"If you insist, Sire, I will summon him immediately." Kikei said softly. "However he has suffered greatly from this whole business. He is truly fond of his Commander, and he has not liked the position all this has put him in. I sought to spare the boy's feelings a little – as you know, he is like a son to me in many respects, and I am quite willing to take blame or responsibility for his part in it onto my shoulders. He acted only on my instructions and in your interests – to face your Highness when you are so clearly upset would frighten him."

Kintsusei faltered. Then he sighed, closing his eyes briefly.

"Kayu brought the Shinzahou back from Hokkan?"

"He did." Kikei agreed. "From Kayu's own words, Hyoushin relinquished it without argument. He did not try and defend himself on the charges laid before him, Highness."

"And why was he not brought back here so that I could speak to him myself?"

"I sought to spare your Majesty's feelings, that is all." Kikei said frankly. "You are fond of him, and he has proven to take advantage of that trust. Yet I did not think you would wish to see him slain as a traitor before the noble court, as is the custom of our land. If he came here, and faced your justice, you would have no choice but to mete out to him the punishment due for treason. In acting this way – in exiling him – such a fate is spared him. And more importantly, Sire – spared you."

He rested his hand gently on Kintsusei's arm.

"I know you have always put faith in Hyoushin." He murmured. "You must realise how difficult such a situation would have been, to have to condemn one you trusted to such a grisly fate."

Kintsusei was silent for a moment, contemplating. Then he frowned.

"Another member of Kayu's party is also missing." He said softly. "Shi Maichu has not reported back to barracks either, has he?"

"You are aware of this, Sire?"

"I am." Kintsusei agreed. "I take interest in the safety of those in my trust. Can you also explain his absence?"

"Not clearly, no." Kikei admitted. "Kayu says that he was with them the night Hyoushin was dismissed, then gone by the morning. Hyoushin's sword had also gone. It seems either the boy left of his own accord to trail pointlessly after a shamed master – or he was taken by force without his comrades' knowledge. Either is possible. Hyoushin is an adept man and he is good at slipping into places without being seen or heard. On Kayu's own evidence, Maichu is similarly skilled – but not overly perceptive. It may be he was lured into a trap and then forced to accompany Hyoushin wherever it is he has been taken. If not that…"

"If not that then he has chosen to keep faith with Hyoushin and defy your order." Kintsusei murmured. "Even though it came with the Imperial seal."

"That is the other option. Yes." Kikei agreed.

Kintsusei sighed, rubbing his temples as he took all of this in.

"Tou Hyoushin. Shi Maichu. Kaiga Aoiketsu. All men I trust that are beyond my reach at present." He whispered. "And Hei Kayu – to put him in such a position…"

He shook his head as if to clear it.

"Hyoushin and Maichu must be found." He said frankly. "And Aoiketsu must be retrieved from the South before he can become involved in this tangled mess. I understand your concerns about my feelings, Kikei, and in light of the seal I cannot fault your actions beyond the fact I was not initially informed. You have done it from kindness, perhaps – but an Emperor is not allowed to have personal emotions when it comes to the matter of Kutou's justice. I will see Hyoushin and Maichu both and hear their sides of the story. And then, when I have done so, I will decide what is to become of them."

"If they be traitors, sire…"

"If they so be, then they will face the same treatment as any traitor to my realm." Kintsusei said quietly, a flicker of something cold and determined in the depths of his dark eyes. "But just because of a prophesy, I am not willing to condemn people in my trust. I want to speak to Hyoushin and have him explain his own actions to me clearly before a noble tribunal. This is my decision, Kikei. I will rely on you to see that it is accomplished."

Kikei eyed him for a moment, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he took in the other man's resolute demeanour.

"Today you look and sound like a King for the first time in a long time." He reflected. "Because Hyoushin is in trouble? Or because he is no longer here to nanny your every whim and bar the way for more intelligent beings to progress themselves? I do not know. But even so, you do not suspect me. You are still blinded by your childish trust in the man who made you Emperor…and I shall use that, Kintsusei-heika. Your favourite is already doomed and he will not return to Kutou again. I will see to it that you never have your tribunal – there are far more important things at stake."

"Kikei?" Kintsusei pressed, and the Priest nodded, offering a smile as he bowed his head towards his king.

"I will do as you ask." He acquiesced. "And I will also investigate the intriguing matter of the Imperial seal."

"Do so." Kintsusei hesitated, and Kikei saw a faint flicker of doubt in his dark eyes.

"I am running out of people in whom I can trust." He murmured. "And this land becomes ever more treacherous. Do not let me down, Kikei…I will be relying on you."

Kikei's smile broadened.

"You need worry about nothing." He said evenly. "I will ensure everything is carried out."

Kintsusei nodded. Then he turned on his heel, withdrawing from the shrine as he shut the door behind him with a soft click.

"Well, well. You are becoming such a consummate liar, Kikei-sama."

Miramu's voice from the back of the shrine made Kikei jump, and he swung around, cursing as he cast the assassin a glare.

"You have to stop sneaking around this place and eavesdropping on me." He said frankly. "You're not a spy. That's not your job."

"No. My job is much more interesting." Miramu's lips twitched into a smile as he casually leant up against the golden foot of the snarling dragon statue. "And I came here eager to begin, since I have a feeling I know what my next duty will be."

"You heard the Emperor's words?"

"Most of them, yes." Miramu nodded. "I was down in the vault beneath here, with the mages and the Shinzahou, and I heard his voice. I thought it might be an interesting show, so I came to watch – and he seemed uncharacteristically angry. Perhaps he is not entirely the well-meaning fool I thought he was, if he has a temper beyond his even words."

"He was a boy of fifteen when I first crowned him, and an impetuous, idealistic young man who feared nothing." Kintsusei agreed. "But he was not born to be a King. His birthdate was inauspicious and his mother not among Shoukitei's favourites, so he was overlooked and neglected by his Imperial father and the court alike. When the unfortunate woman committed suicide, he was transferred into the barracks and effectively disposed of as battle fodder. Nakago was the only one who saw in him potential, then. Because of him, Kintsusei-sama was trained - but as a common soldier, not as a Prince of Kutou. Over time, his ideals have become his enemy. The cares of this land have brought him down and if not for that Meihi, I would have been able to have far more influence over his decisions than I have in fact been able."

"But he is angry because of Hyoushin's dismissal." Miramu reflected. "Should you not tread carefully, Lord Priest?"

"The Emperor still trusts me, because I was the one who gave him his crown." Kikei dismissed this with a flick of his fingers. "I have always championed his cause and helped to defend him. He has grown to rely on me…and now he will rely on me all the more."

"You will not kill him, then?"

"Not presently, no. Not unless it becomes unavoidable." Kikei shook his head. "He is a blood descendant of the right line - the only surviving claimant to the throne of Kutou - and he does have people loyal to him. if I can manipulate his actions, it does not matter if he still lives. To act in his name is easier than to act in my own, after all. But he must not be allowed to speak to Hyoushin or discover the true words of Toroki's prophesy. And that's where I rely on you."

"Of course." Miramu grinned. "And what about the boy? Shi Maichu? Do you really believe he left of anything but his own accord?"

"No…I think with the foolish loyalty of a young man he has gone after his leader." Kikei responded. "But Shi Maichu is the kind of man who will not function as a threat without his Commander at the helm. He has strength - a born fighter - but he lacks imagination. He has not even been able to master his letters properly, even with the quality of tuition he has received since his arrival at court. Take Hyoushin out of the equation and Maichu no longer becomes a problem. If you see him, you may kill him – but your focus is Hyoushin."

"I understand." Miramu kicked his foot idly against the base of the statue. "Hyoushin is strong and I do not want to meet his sword arm. It sounds like Kayu's attempts at relieving him of that deadly blade did not go so smoothly, and I am not much of a contact fighter if I can avoid it. My superior strength and resolve overcame the bandit in Sairou, but Hyoushin is a man of years military experience and that makes him a very different matter. I will have to think very carefully about my tactics – I want to be able to enjoy it, after all. He told me I would not be able to kill him. I wish to show him that he's wrong."

"You take pleasure from this, Miramu."

"Yes." Miramu admitted. "The deaths of others rarely concern me at all, Kikei-sama – not since I slew my father have I felt anything towards the people I've laid out cold. Even the bandit who fought so hard for his life – even though I recall his name, I do not feel grief for his death. But with Hyoushin I feel…a sense of something else. Excitement, maybe. Determination, definitely. A challenge – but more than that. This man has survived invasion, slavery, and constant plots against the throne. He believes he is invincible and I like to create doubt. Perhaps I am taking more pleasure than I should from this assignment – but I confess, I am looking forward to it."

"You're soul twists ever further the longer I know you, you know."

"Perhaps that is your influence, Priest." Miramu said simply. Kikei laughed.

"Maybe." He acknowledged. "Very well. You have your errand. Go to it – there is no time to lose."

"Go to it? Without any indication as to where they might have gone?" Miramu tut-tutted. "What kind of a brief is that?"

"I think you and I both know where they would be headed." Kikei shook his head, and Miramu's eyes narrowed.

"You're thinking of Kounan, aren't you?" He said softly. "Of Kaiga Aoiketsu – the boy who Hyoushin thinks so much of."

"Yes." Kikei agreed. "The Emperor wishes him to return to court. I would tell you to kill him too, but I know you'll refuse. So I'll tell you this instead. Slay the Meihi. Remove him from the equation before he can reach Aoiketsu, if possible. Then, if he ever does return to Kutou, it will be too late for him to try to defend his Commander. Aoiketsu is not a traitor to Kintsusei in anyone's eyes – yet."

"I will not kill Aoiketsu." Miramu agreed. "I told you. I like him. And I find him interesting to play with. But not prey."

"I don't understand what you see in him." Kikei admitted. "Your partiality seems uncharacteristic in light of your profession. But I have no fear of a boy who will never see battle…his squeamish, weak-willed nature will make him no threat to us."

"Partiality, huh?" Miramu chuckled. "Yes, you might call it that. I think you underestimate him, Kikei. But I have no interest in killing him. It would not provide the challenge or the planning that bringing down Hyoushin will require. That will be my focus. I will take steps to ensure that he does not escape my ministrations – believe me."

He ran his fingers thoughtfully over the pouch at his belt.

"I have many poisons, but one solution in particular springs to mind." He added. "Don't worry. However strong he is, it will be to no avail. For this poison there is no antidote and I am far more adept at hiding than he is. He will not survive many days longer – certainly not long enough for Kintsusei-sama to make contact with him. You have my word, Kikei – the Meihi is no longer your problem."

Well, so they were home in Kounan.

Shishi paused in the shadow of the white-stone monument, for a moment just letting the gentle summer breeze ripple through her thick waves of red hair. She was alone that morning, for since they had returned to the South Aoiketsu, Myoume and Hikari had once more taken up residence in the Eastern Village, and she had headed up the mountain, a mixture of feelings running through her as she had made the difficult climb.

For an experienced mountain baby like Shishi, however, the scramble was nothing she couldn't do in her sleep, and the previous night had seen her sleeping in her own bed, the relieved greetings of her parents still ringing in her ears as she had laid down to rest.

Yes, they had returned to the South. And yet, despite that, she knew it was far from over.

"We didn't get the Shinzahou, Jin." She murmured, taking a tentative step forward as she placed the palms of her hands gently against the clean white stone. "I wish I could explain to you why we didn't...but I don't even remember what took place. All I know is that something's happened to me...and right now I'm not sure how to talk to Kashira or Okaasan about it. Last night, when I got back here, they were so glad to see me. Papa hasn't hugged me like that since I was six or seven, and he looked drawn - like he'd been worrying about our trip even though he didn't say anything like it. So I couldn't say...that I've come back...different. That...in Hokkan...something changed."

She sighed, resting her brow against the wall as she closed her eyes.

"I want to tell you about it." She whispered. "I know you were there, in that border town. I know you protected me from those men. I know it was you, Jin - that Suzaku helped you, but it was still you. And...and so I want to tell you everything."

She faltered, as if waiting for some sign that her friend's spirit was flitting around the mountain resting place, but there was nothing except the gentle sigh of the wind in the trees high above her head. She frowned, running her finger across the black shell bracelet.

"Do-nee?" She murmured, and something flickered faintly inside of her, as she felt the mage stir at the sound of her name.

"So you are there." She reflected. "You've been so quiet since this morning, I wondered if you still were."

"So long as you wear my bracelet, Shishi, I'll always be here." Doryoku's gentle, lilting words echoed apologetically inside her mind, and Shishi shook her head.

"Don't start guilting me." She ordered. "I told you, it's all right. But you are going to keep your promise about helping me. So long as you know that...we'll be fine."

"I would never break my word to you." Doryoku sounded horrified. "Bachisu always taught me never to break a promise - I would not go back on what I said!"

"Bandits don't break promises either." Despite herself, a faint smile touched Shishi's lips. "All right. Then it's settled. But first I have to do something - so pipe down for me, will you?"

"He isn't here, you know." Doryoku said softly, and Shishi faltered, her brow creasing as she glanced down at the bracelet once more.

"Pardon me?"

"Jin. He isn't here."

"How the hell would you know anything about that?" Shishi demanded, but even as she spoke she felt the gentle curl of Doryoku's spirit settling itself more comfortably around her heart, and realised she already knew the answer.

"You can read my thoughts. And my memories. And everything I'm feeling too, can't you?" She asked resignedly. There was a soft sound, then a single word in response.

"Yes."

Shishi sighed, rubbing her temples.

"All right. Maybe he's not here...I don't know." She admitted. "But the thing is, Do-nee...when I was with Bachisu-san, Jin was there. I saw him. He spoke to me. And Hikari...Hikari felt him there, too. Myoume as well. He was there...then. He...he protected me. And he...he promised to take care of Bachisu-san, because I...I couldn't do anything to help him any more."

"I know." Doryoku replied gently. "I can see it, Shishi. Feel it too. I know all of those things. But you don't need Jin to protect you, do you?"

"Because I have you now, is that it?" Shishi grimaced. "Is that what this is? Some kind of in-depth babysitting bargain between Genbu and Suzaku that now I've got you hanging around me, I don't need anyone else watching over me?"

"I thought you were a bandit who didn't need protecting." Doryoku murmured, and Shishi's eyes widened.

"Shit, whatever happened to the nice, gentle, complying Do-nee that's been begging my forgiveness since we left Hokkan?" She demanded. "What kind of mage spirit are you, Doryoku? Be straight with me, because I'd rather know what I'm dealing with."

"I am Doryoku, mage spirit of Genbu and protector of the North." Doryoku told her evenly. "I dislike violence. I dislike fighting. These things are things Bachisu-san also disliked. He was a gentle soul - and in that respect, he gained my trust and my wholehearted loyalty. His gentleness and my desire for peace complemented one another, you might say."

"So how come you're now needling me about my attitude?" Shishi demanded, and to her surprise, Doryoku let out a tinkling laugh.

"I like you." She said softly. "Bachisu did too. I can see that in your memories, and I could sense it in his blood. But you are still very young, Shishi-chan. Your friend was right when she said I put a strain on your body and I do not wish to hurt you. Furthermore, your spirit is not like Bachisu's. I would never have acted in the way I did in Hokkan if I had been with him. You and I are connected now, so elements of you have bonded with elements of me. And I am now determined to help you find your strength. Because that is what you yourself truly seek to do."

"I suppose that's true." Shishi admitted. "Aw, shit, I hate being on the mountain like this. It's been hard enough dealing with Jin's death, but when we're away at least I have Hiki and the others and we're not right on top of it. Jin was loved by everyone, not just by me. The atmosphere still misses him - and this great big thing doesn't help."

She kicked out at the stone absently, shaking her head.

"I wish he'd known how much I loved him, is all." She said sadly. "Because I never really told him that. He always treated me like his kid sister and I always argued with him about it - I'd get all possessive over Kashira an' always tell him that we weren't, even though we acted like we were. But when he died, when he called me "little sister", I realised that that's what I was. And there was still a lot of shit I needed him to teach me."

She gazed up at the sky, taking in the faint wisps of cloud that dotted across the expanse of blue.

"But he's gone, and that's how it is." She said finally. "You're right. He's not here. Maybe he was there that time, and maybe he helped me. But it's my strength that I need to use. Not his. Not Kashira's. Not even yours, Do-nee. My own."

"I am part of your strength now, Shishi." Doryoku said gently. "Didn't you understand that? I told you. Parts of me have bonded with parts of you. Elements of my power run through you and always will, now. Even when we are separated - even if you come to take the bracelet off and seal it away somewhere. I am not like the mages of Seiryuu, Suzaku and Byakko. I have never been imprisoned, but handed down from person to person - those blessed with a divine spirit and a kind heart. In seeking you out, Bachisu probably didn't even realise that he was acting as his ancestors have done for generations. My relic has always belonged among the people of the snow, because of all the Hokkan-jin, Genbu had the most faith in their sense of peace. Tenkou abused my power and weakened me - Bachisu was forced to abandon me. But even in light of those things, he was still able to find someone in whom he could entrust my power. The only difference is - you are not a Meihi. And you do not belong to Genbu."

"That's not a problem for you though, is it?"

"A kind heart is a kind heart, no matter what nation it comes from, Shishi-chan." Doryoku said solemnly. "The people of this world are all people. Genbu was the first God to bring peace to his land because the Hokkan-jin were the first to realise that fact. Despite the suspicion, the suffering, the pain - the Genbu Shichi Seishi triumphed and set the benchmark for all other nations. Their success created the hopes of all the people in the other nations - that one day they too would find their Miko and bring peace."

"You know, the Hokkan-jin are always welcoming and friendly to strangers, no matter where they're from." Shishi realised. "And I suppose that must be because they've been at peace for as long as they have. It's still tentative in Kounan - and the war with Kutou is still in living memory. Papa fought in it. Aniue did too. Chichiri, and all the other Shichi Seishi...but for Hokkan it's lifetimes ago."

"Yes." Doryoku agreed. "So Genbu doesn't need to bring them peace any more, does he? But he does need to help you help Hikari to bring peace to the East. I don't know how. Those things are beyond my ken. But all that matters to me is that your spirit is strong and your heart is true. And so they are. So I will help you."

"And I need to come away from this place and focus on what we have to do next." Shishi's expression became one of resolution. "All right. I think I understand. I need to really stop moping and feeling sorry for myself. Other people are suffering too...I'm not the only one who misses Jin, and it's not just me who's lost someone close to me. Myoume's been put through hell because of what that bastard brother of hers has done. Hikari's away from her own home, and her family, and even though she misses them she's putting herself in danger to help us, even though this world isn't her world. Aoi's come from a country wracked by civil war and desperate for peace - he's away from all the people he cares about and he's lost friends in battle already because of it. I need to quit being the whiny brat and do something to help. Jin would say that too. And he'd be right. I'm with you, Do-nee. Whatever you want to teach me, I'm game to listen to you."

"You should tell your family, you know, about our pact."

"Perhaps." Shishi nodded. "But first I'm going to deal with it in my way. I'm not going to rely on other people forever. Not if I'm going to be Kashira one day. I'm not even going to rely on you beyond what you teach me, Do-nee. Even if your power has fused somewhat with my blood, and even if it is kinda useless pretending it's not there. I'm still going to learn to use it in my way, and I'm not going to call on you to take control of my body like you did in the shrine. I'm going to be the one fighting with this body. All right?"

"I already promised that." Doryoku sounded worried again. "Don't you believe me?"

"No, I believe you." Shishi relented. "You already told me, you don't break promises. So it's fine. While we have some time - while Hikari's asking Chichiri about her magic - I want you to teach me whatever you can about Genbu, Doryoku. And more importantly, how you and I can work together to help all of these things come right."

"Thank Suzaku for that."

At the edge of the woodland, just out of Shishi's line of sight, Tasuki leant back against the tree he had been using to conceal himself, letting out a heavy sigh of relief. Although he had not been able to hear his daughter speak, he had guessed her errand when she had slipped out of the bandit stronghold early that morning, and something about the sight of the young redhead at the site of Jin's burial comforted him.

Shishi had gone to Hokkan, and she had faced danger. But she had come back in one piece, and for that fact Tasuki was truly grateful.

"Guess I didn't realise how much I was worrying about the cub till now." He reflected. "But she ain't cryin' - she ain't collapsin' like she did when she came back from Sairou. An' if she's adjustin' to Jin's death some, we can too. It's her it's affected worst, after all. If she can go to his grave an' speak to him without losin' her composure, she's startin' to heal. Even despite everythin', maybe sendin' her out with that Myoume girl was the right thing after all."

He frowned.

"But even sayin' that...last night...she was quiet." He remembered. "An' she ain't talkin' to any of us about what she's done in the North. Maybe it's not so simple. I mean, shit, she's back. An' dammit, I'm glad to have her back. But...I wish I could put my finger on what it was in her eyes last night. Is she really my Shishi back again? Or is she still messed up over somethin' she ain't tellin'?"

"Well, so she made it back all right."

At the sound of his friend's voice, Tasuki started, turning and shooting his bandit second in command a rueful smile as he nodded his head.

"I ain't stalkin' her." He said hurriedly. "Just she seemed quiet last night, an' I didn't know...I suppose I..."

He faltered and Kouji grinned, coming to stand beside him.

"She's a strong kid. Just like her Pa." He murmured. "An' she's still missin' Jin, but that won't stop her from fightin'. It was a shock, Genrou. For you, for me, for everyone. For her most of all...no matter how much she thinks she's faced the rough edge o' life up here, she ain't had to deal with this before. You an' me, we have. We understand what it means to lose someone like that. This is Shishi's first time - but in the end, I think she'll be all right."

"She was tired last night, I guess." Tasuki lounged back against the sturdy trunk, digesting this with a frown. "An' I guessed she'd come here, first thing. But she didn't seem to be breakin' her heart this time. I guess I was worried jus' because she ain't told me a damn thing about her trip this time around. What she's done, what she ain't - like it's somethin' she can't tell me even if she wanted to."

"You sound like an anxious mother hen." Kouji snorted. "Leave that to Anzu an' snap out of it, huh? It doesn't suit you to be followin' the kid round tryin' to second guess her motives. You ain't never understood women an' now isn't a good time to start tryin'. Shishi's growin' up, that's all. An' she's not got Jin to fall back on now, so she's gotta find her own place a little. If you think about it, Genrou, you always talked to Shishi through Jin, or with Jin on standby to make sure it was all understood. It's not like she's changed. You just lost the person who used to translate for you. That's all."

"Guess that's true." Tasuki looked sheepish. "I do miss the kid, that's for sure. He was a good bandit, Kouji. I'm pissed that he's gone. An' that there's nothing I can do about it."

"Chichiri hasn't been to the mountain today." Kouji reflected, and Tasuki shook his head.

"He told me yesterday before he went to pick the kids up that he was goin' to stay in the village a while." He responded. "He thinks it's better I don't go there for a bit - to tell the truth, he's probably right. You know what he said to me about that Aoi kid, after all? My temper might just not hold out if I remember his connections to that bastard Miramu."

"Yeah, I know." Kouji nodded. "But it just struck me that Chichiri might know more than you about their trip. Since that Hikari kid is stopping there..."

"I know." Tasuki hesitated, then he sighed, shrugging.

"I wanna get it from the cub, Kouji." He admitted. "I don't pretend I understand how a teenage girl thinks, but dammit, I know there's somethin' on her mind. Even if she did just come to see Jin this mornin'...even if she was jus' quiet last night. I can't pin what it is, but somethin' about her has changed. An' I ain't sure if I like it."

"There's that hen again." Kouji warned. "I told you. Let her grow up. She ain't a baby...she's been let loose from the nest an' she needs to learn, you know."

"It isn't that." Tasuki's gaze flitted out across the clearing to the white-stone shrine, pursing his lips as he considered how best to explain it. "It's...somethin' else. I don't even know what to say about it. I just...it's there. Somethin' about her. Somethin' has changed. Inside of her. Somehow."

Kouji was silent for a moment. Then,

"If they didn't get the Shinzahou, they'll have to go to Kutou, won't they?" He said softly, and Tasuki slowly nodded his head.

"That's what I think, too." He agreed. "Even though Shishi ain't said it, an' I haven't had a chance to speak to Chichiri. Since Jin died, Kouji, I've felt shut outta this whole thing an' I don't like feelin' that way. Sure, I'm here to protect Kounan. I'm doin' that - I'm always doin' that. But I don't like bein' protected like this. I'm pissed off as hell that Jin got killed. Angry, upset, an' I won't pretend I wouldn't pull a sword on that Amefuri jerk if I thought I could get him good. But...if this is about Kounan - I should be involved. I want to be. And maybe Shishi ain't talkin' because she thinks I'm not, now. Because of Jin...she thinks I ain't a part of it any more."

Kouji laughed.

"Genrou, you're getting soft in the head." He said, amused. "Your few remaining sane braincells are finally turning inside-out on you."

"I know." Tasuki pulled a graphic face. "Maybe it's Anzu - perhaps she's infected me, because she was the first one who mentioned it at all. But even though that's true...I can't help but think...somethin's up."

"Well, let me put it into perspective then, Suzaku no Tasuki-sama." Kouji said playfully. "This mountain o' yours is gonna be stampeded by angry townsfolk if one of us doesn't go down an settle the tradin' tab an' though I'm sure we're more than well equipped to take on a shitload of bitter Souun residents, you'll find we'll be banned from all the taverns in the city if we don't pay our owes. Reikaku-zan does have a reputation to keep goin' in these parts, after all - we want the folk round here to trust us. If Souun stopped servin' bandits, you might find you got a rebellion of quite a different kind on your hands here among the other men - an' the cub will be the least of your worries."

"Trading tab?" Tasuki stared, then, "Shit, that's due today?"

"It was due yesterday, actually." Kouji said frankly. "But with Shishi comin' back an' all, you were on another planet an' you never gave the order. I would've done it myself, except that might've been construed as mutiny an' you're the captain, Kashira."

"Shit." Tasuki cursed. "I really have let this whole thing get me distracted, ain't I? Jin's death, Shishi's bein' away - you're right, I've gone soft in the head. I'm a friggin' bandit, not a daycare nurse. I need to get my head together an' start focusin' on important stuff...else I'll have real problems to deal with here, won't I?"

"I don't think it's gone that far yet." Kouji patted him on the back sympathetically. "If you want me to, I'll go."

"No...this time I'll do it myself. I could use the time away from this lump of rocks to clear my head." Tasuki shook his head. "I'll go collect the coin an' leave right away. Take care of things here for me till I'm back, will you? An' if the cub comes lookin' for me, tell her I've headed to Souun but I'll speak to her soon as I get back. All right?"

"Understood." Kouji saluted him playfully, and Tasuki grimaced, cuffing his friend playfully as he shook his head.

"Don't." He warned. "Just because I ain't drawn the tessen yet doesn't mean I can't, so keep it in mind."

"Tell that to the innkeepers in Souun." Kouji teased. "I'll see you later. An' Genrou? Don't fret about the cub. Shishi's strong - she's got her father's spirit an' her mother's obstinacy. She'll be just fine."