Chapter Nine

"Well?"

Chichiri glanced up at the sound of the soft-spoken question, meeting Myoume's anxious indigo eyes with grave ones of his own. For a moment he did not speak, getting slowly to his feet as he gazed down at the patient who lay unconscious on the makeshift pallet before him. On arrival in the forest, he had quickly realised the growing severity of the Meihi's condition and had immediately made the decision to bring him back to the Ri farm, where he knew there was a greater range of herbs available. Aidou's forward thinking and efficiency had come into its own, for on his return he had found a chamber ready prepared for the incoming invalid, and before long Hyoushin had been installed in the back room of the farmhouse, with Meikyo sent running to draw more water from the well in order to properly clean the man's wounds.

But even despite these things, as he placed his fingers against the tribesman's brow, Chichiri was still unsure whether or not his family's quick actions would do any good.

He sighed, drawing his hand away from the sick man as he slowly shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know." He admitted. "Myoume, what you said to me last night – about this man not being the one that's our enemy - I've come to the same conclusion. When you speak to Aoi, it's easy to realise that, given the boy's outlook and attitude, the man who trained him can't possibly be someone capable of the deceptions you've predicted. But…I almost think we've come by the information too late. Aoi told you he'd been poisoned…didn't he? And I think he's right – the wound's no longer bleeding, but already…there's signs of something else at work. He's lost blood, but not enough of it to be fatal. A strong man of Hyoushin's calibre should have at least regained consciousness by now. Yet he hasn't stirred. And more concerning to me…is the dry warmth of his skin. He's starting to develop a fever…and I'm not quite sure what remedies might counter it."

Myoume chewed on her lip, her blue eyes clouding as she absorbed this.

"You mean he's dying?" She whispered, and Chichiri spread his hands.

"I'm not a doctor." He said helplessly. "All I know I learnt from Mitsukake, or from my own meagre experience in the village since I settled here with Aidou. My spirit is more than willing – to help people is the reason I began this life, after all. But…the ability…"

He rubbed his temples.

"If Mitsukake were here, he'd know what to do." He added. "But I don't even have the holy water that he gave me when he died. I left it with the young boy that Mitsukake was reincarnated into…with him and his family. It belonged with him, after all…it was never my magic to use. And at that point I felt that my duty as Chichiri had really ended. I didn't anticipate Hikari's coming, or any of this."

Myoume dropped down onto her knees beside the bed.

"I've been really stupid." She said softly. "I've not stopped and let Byakko speak to me…I've built my own assumptions based on things I thought I knew. Hyoushin is a member of a tribe, and he has good reason to hate the Imperial house of Kutou. But even so, it doesn't follow that he must hate them. I've spent a lot of time emphasising to the others how Kintsusei-sama is not an evil man. If that's so, why do I presume Hyoushin would hate him, for things he probably had no part in ordering? I should have listened to Aoi from the beginning. Because I didn't…perhaps this is what happens. When I ignore Byakko and go with my own instincts…people become hurt."

"It's not your fault." Chichiri said gently. "And you mustn't feel that way. You probably saved him, by intervening with Miramu when you did. You know that you're the only one who can keep him at bay…if you hadn't, Hyoushin may already be dead."

"But if this poison is as virulent as the one which killed Jin, have I simply bought him more time to suffer in?" Myoume asked hopelessly. "I don't want that, either."

"I don't know." Chichiri frowned, pursing his lips. "You said that Jin died almost immediately – or at least, within minutes of sustaining the wound. The poison was in his system and he died in Shishi's arms not long after Miramu vanished. But if we assume that Miramu attacked Hyoushin when Aoi was coming back to the village and encountering you, then not only was the poison in Hyoushin's system while he was facing Miramu – but Hyoushin was still on his feet until Miramu disappeared. He may even still have been, if not for the loss of blood at the scene. His immediate faintness was probably caused by that…but now the bleeding's been stopped, he should have begun to recover. It seems instead that the poison has begun to take a hold."

"Meaning what, exactly?" Myoume demanded, and Chichiri put a gentle hand on her arm.

"Your family are apothecaries. You understand as well as I do that different poisons work in different ways." He said quietly. "Whatever poison killed Jin was swift-acting. Whatever it is that's infiltrating Hyoushin's system is not. Tell me again what happened when Miramu left. What did Hyoushin do…when you and Aoi were there?"

"When Miramu vanished, he dropped his sword." Myoume remembered slowly. "And he buckled – like he lost his balance. He put his hand out to stop himself but it…didn't hold him. And Aoi caught him before he could fall headlong."

"Which arm?" Chichiri frowned.

"His sword arm." Myoume replied. "He dropped the weapon to try and steady himself…so I remember."

"His sword arm." Chichiri sank down onto the seat beside the bed, moving to straighten the covers over the Meihi's still form as he did so. "But that doesn't make any sense at all. I don't understand…the wound is on his left side. But he'd fight…"

"He was holding the weapon in his left hand." Myoume shook her head. "I don't know if that was because he was stemming the blood with his right – but that's what happened."

"Then that seems a bit more logical." Chichiri's expression cleared. "All right. So whatever the poison is, it spread through the wound and into Hyoushin's left arm. Perhaps whatever it is is a paralysing agent…not Miramu's final blow, but a temporary measure."

"So it might not kill him after all?" Myoume looked anxious. Chichiri sighed, shrugging his shoulders.

"I don't know." He confessed. "Paralysing poisons paralyse more than just limbs. His breathing, his heart…those things can be stopped, too. And I don't know what agent was used or how strong it is. I think…it doesn't mean that he's not at risk. The trouble is we also don't know very much about the circumstances of this. Why Hyoushin is in Kounan. Whether he's been travelling constantly or whether he's been stopping off along the way. What else has motivated him to travel – whether he was in good health when he left. These things are unknown."

"Chichiri…?"

Before Myoume could respond, a tentative voice came from the doorway and both sorcerer and prophet turned to see Aoiketsu standing there, an apprehensive look on his young features.

"Aoi-kun!" Myoume looked surprised. "I thought you were…"

"I'm all right now." Aoiketsu shook his head. "I'm clean, and there's no more blood. And I…I want to know what's going on with the Commander. Aidou-san said he was here…and Hikari said she helped prepare the room for him, so I knew…I had to…"

"Then come in." Chichiri nodded, gesturing for the young soldier to join them. "But I can't give you any good news, I'm afraid. The bleeding's been stopped – you and Myoume did a good job, and I've cleaned and bound it to prevent infection. But you said he'd been poisoned – and that's an unknown factor. Unless you happen to know what by…"

"I don't." Aoiketsu shook his head, biting his lip as he came hesitantly to the bedside. He glanced down at the still Meihi, and a mixture of emotions flitted through his seiran eyes. Then he sighed.

"He just said 'poison'." He added. "Then he passed out."

"Myoume said he put out his left arm to steady himself, but it didn't hold him." Chichiri said. "Is that what you remember, too?"

"Yes. So I dropped the shinken and caught him." Aoiketsu agreed. Then his eyes widened. "Shit…the shinken! I forgot all about it!"

"It's all right. I brought it back." Myoume said softly. "You had other things on your mind when I sent you back here…so I took responsibility for bringing it home. It…and Hyoushin's own blade, too."

"Thank God for that." Aoiketsu sighed. "Reizeitei-sama's just about forgiven me for spying in Kounan. I don't think he'd love me much if I lost his father's blade."

"I think he'd understand, if he knew it was discarded to help your own father." Chichiri said softly. "Or at least, as close a thing as you have…Aoi-kun, I'm sorry. I wish I could do more…as it is, if I don't know what toxin Miramu used, finding an antidote is near impossible."

Aoiketsu closed his eyes briefly, then,

"I wish I knew." He admitted. "But that was all he said. Poison. That was all."

"Myoume said he was holding his sword in his left hand – that he dropped it when he fell." Chichiri added. Aoiketsu nodded.

"Yes." He agreed. "Why? What about it?"

"Because it would make sense if the poison was affecting that side of his body, since the wound is on the left side. That's all." Chichiri responded. "But what's confusing me is Miramu's aim. He's a crack shot – so why did he hit Hyoushin there?"

"Because Hyoushin-sama fights left-handed." Aoiketsu said soberly, a glitter of anger in his indigo eyes. "Miramu knows that. Anyone who's travelled with the Commander knows it, too. It's why he's so strong – why he's so difficult to disarm. So Miramu…I guess Miramu was trying to disarm him, by weakening his left hand so he couldn't hold his sword."

"Left-handed?" Chichiri looked startled. "I see. Yes. Then I think I'm right – this shot wasn't intended to kill Hyoushin. You and Myoume interrupted before Miramu could fire the fatal blow."

"It was intended to weaken him." Myoume murmured. "Which means my brother was afraid of his strength. He didn't want the risk of being hurt himself."

"Hyoushin-sama is not an amateur fighter." Aoiketsu said simply. "I'm the strongest soldier in the Imperial Guard but I've never managed to disarm him. None of us have. That's why he's the Emperor's protector – he always has been. Because noone can take his blade from him in open combat."

He clenched his fists.

"Miramu's a goddamn coward." He muttered. "I wish I had him here right now to tell him so, too."

"Aoi." Chichiri shook his head, and Aoiketsu sighed, sending Myoume an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry." He said frankly. "But right now it's how I feel."

"It's all right." Myoume sighed, suddenly looking tired. "I can't refute anything you've said, Aoi. You've every reason to feel the way you do, and I won't try and defend him to you."

Chichiri brushed stray strands of the thick silver hair out of Hyoushin's face, looking thoughtful.

"He seems tired." He decided. "If he was to wake, maybe we could ask him if he knows more about Miramu's style of poison. Maybe the man said something…I don't know."

He glanced at Aoiketsu.

"You encountered him by chance on your wandering through the forest last night?" He asked. Aoiketsu nodded.

"Completely by chance. I thought he was someone from Kaou-zan, until he revealed who he was." He agreed. "He said that something had happened in Kutou by which he'd been ousted – some kind of plot involving the priest known as Kikei. He's the traitor – he's a Hin, and he's the one who's plotting – I'm sure of it. It's the only thing that makes sense. And the Commander also…he also said that Maichu was with him. That he had to go back to Souun because Maichu would be waiting for him. So if that's the case…I need to go to Souun. Right away. I need to find Maichu – he'll know a lot more than I do, after all. And he won't trust anyone else except me – so I'll have to ride there and…"

"You need to stop running before you drop." Chichiri cautioned. "You've had a shock this morning, coupled with no sleep last night. You may be better now, Aoi-kun, but you're still paler than normal and you've not eaten breakfast, yet. Your friend will remain in Souun a while…let's not rush into things, all right? When you've eaten something, then maybe you can ride to Souun…but not until."

"I'm not really hungry."

"Perhaps not, but you'll need the energy." Chichiri was firm. "Myoume said you were sick, in the forest, and you looked ready to collapse when you got back here. I'm not going to let you run riot around the South-West if you're not up to it. And if you're not up to breakfast, you know, you're definitely not up to riding. You'll fall from your horse and be hurt and that won't help either Maichu or your Commander, now will it?"

"I guess it won't." Aoiketsu admitted.

"Then it's settled." Chichiri offered him a faint smile. "I know you're worried, Aoi-kun, and I don't know whether or not there's anything we can do to help your Commander survive. That's the honest truth of it. But even if that's so, and even if the worst does happen – Kutou still needs you. More than ever, now. And so does Hikari…you understand that, don't you?"

Aoiketsu's eyes widened, and something in his expression told the sorcerer that the young soldier had understood. He nodded.

"Yes." He agreed quietly. "It seems that we've been chasing the wrong God. Hikari's reasons for being here…are not entirely what we expected them to be. And you've seen it too, clearly. Your own connection to her is through Seiryuu – you as Nakago's son, and her as Kutou's Miko."

"Hyoushin-sama said that." Aoiketsu admitted. "He said that he and Maichu came to find her. To negotiate with the South in order to try and get their help. He said she was Seiryuu no Miko and I…I believe him. But I haven't…to Hikari. Have you…?"

"Not yet. And it can wait a while longer." Chichiri shook his head. "Right now, Hyoushin's life is our immediate concern. And yours is to find breakfast and then this Maichu…so we can discover exactly what's going on in Kutou."

"So this is the Eastern Village, huh?"

As Shishi and Maichu walked the winding road between the rows of ramshackle houses, the young soldier kicked idly at a pebble, glancing around him as he absorbed his surroundings pensively. "An' Aoi's been hidin' out in this place? For real?"

"There's no need to look down your nose at it." Shishi snapped, and Maichu shook his head.

"I ain't." He said with a shrug. "I couldn't – the place I grew up in wasn't much different, to tell you the truth. I just thought it was ironic, that's all. Aoi, who's spent all of his life at court, hidin' out in a provincial village like the one I couldn't wait to get out of."

"So you're not from Kutou's capital, then?" Shishi looked startled, and Maichu shook his head.

"Nope." He agreed. "My people are tanners. They don't really give a shit about fightin' Kutou's battles an' all of that. So long as they do okay business an' noone kills their tradin' partners, they're fine. But my cousin was a soldier an' I heard lots o' stories from him about fightin' for the Emperor. So I wanted to follow his example…that's why I left."

"Because your cousin told you going out killing people was fun, huh?" Shishi snorted. "And you said you had a brain?"

"Don't be annoying." Maichu grimaced at her. "It ain't that way. Kisha was hurt fightin' – he lost his fingers an' he couldn't hold his sword, so I knew it wasn't just a game. But I didn't want to be a tanner. I wanted to do somethin' important. So I did. That's all."

"An' now you're stuck in Kounan, without a sword an' effectively as my prisoner." Shishi reminded him. "Was it worth it?"

"Yes." Maichu said honestly, realising as he did so that he meant it. "Even if I spent last night holed up in a cell on your mountain. It happened in Kintsusei-sama's name. I ain't jus' potterin' around doin' things for no reason. I'm doin' somethin' to help my country. So of course it's worth it. Although you're a bandit – so maybe it's different for you."

"Don't see why." Shishi frowned. "Reikaku-zan's bandits fought an' died for Saihitei-sama in the last war, y'know. Kashira's Reizeitei-sama's sworn ally – he pretty much runs this region with the Emperor's direct blessing. I've been to the palace an' knelt before him an' before the place Hotohori-sama is buried. Don't talk down to me just because I'm not a soldier. You don't haveta be, you know, to care about protectin' your country."

"I s'pose." Maichu acknowledged. "All right."

He frowned, turning to survey the path along which they had just come.

"The mountain looks friggin' high from here." He added. "An' I'd never remember those passages you dragged me down if I went back there again. No wonder there's so many stories about Reikaku-zan an' the people there. Jus' so long as your Kashira ain't gonna gut me for escapin' like this. I've heard enough stories about him throwin' fire an' I don't need to see him more angry than he was yesterday."

"No, you don't, because he'd kill you." Shishi said pragmatically. "But I'll take the flack for this, not you."

"I still don't totally understand why you helped me out."

"Because I want to know what's goin' on, too. An' like I said, I trust Aoi." Shishi responded. "So if you'll only speak to him – that's where you need to go."

She paused, gesturing to the building in front of them.

"An' here we are." She added. "This is where my Uncle an' Aunt live…an' where Aoi's been stayin', since he's been with us."

"This place, huh?" Maichu eyed the farmhouse critically. "It ain't as poky a place as I pictured. I guess maybe he has some court sense about him after all."

"Chichiri's effectively head of the village, since he and Aidou-obasama rebuilt it after it burnt down." Shishi responded. "An' Chichiri's Suzaku's, so people gravitate to him for protection. Quit gawking at it an' come on, will you? Aoi'll be here, because this is where Hiki is stayin', too. An' he won't let her too far out of his sight – not even now we're safe in the South."

"Hiki?" Maichu blinked, staring at Shishi in bewilderment, but before the young bandit could respond, the door of the house flew open and a small blur of blue fabric and red hair came flying out, letting out an exclamation as she grabbed Shishi urgently by the hands.

"Meikyo?" Shishi gathered her wits, staring at the small girl in astonishment. "Shit, what the hell's gotten into you? You're runnin' round like a mad thing – is it that unusual for me to come here, or…?"

"I've got to go draw more water – will you help me?" Meikyo begged breathlessly, big ruby eyes flickering with anxiety as she gazed up at her cousin. "Please, Shishi – if you do, it'll be quicker…and it's really important! Papa has a patient…and…"

"A patient?" Shishi frowned. "Hang on, and take a deep breath. Then tell me what's up, okay? Because I don't understand – why all the panic?"

"A friend of Aoi-nii's got hurt in the forest." Meikyo obediently took a deep breath, stepping back as she glanced from Shishi to her companion earnestly. "And Papa brought him here, but he's sick and he's got a fever and I have to get so much water, because he had blood all over him, and so did Aoi-nii…and Eiju-nii needed to wash too, and there wasn't enough water, and…I'm so tired!"

She let out a heavy sigh as if to emphasise this final sentiment, and Shishi frowned.

"A friend of Aoi's?" She asked softly. "But…Aoi's friend…is right here. What do you mean?"

Maichu gazed at the small girl, a curl of fear beginning to work its way up inside his heart.

"Hyoushin-sama." He whispered. Meikyo looked startled, gazing at Maichu in confusion. Then she nodded his head.

"That's right." She agreed. "He looks like an angel. I didn't think angels could get hurt, but Papa said he wasn't a proper angel and that we needed to help him. And that was what Aoi-nii said his name was. Hyou…shin. Do you know him too, Oniisan?"

"Shit." Maichu resisted the urge to grab the small, fragile child by the shoulders, gazing at her in consternation. "How hurt? What happened? What's wrong with him? And how did he end up…how is he here?"

"Papa brought him. With his magic." Meikyo said matter-of-factly, as if that explained everything. "He was in the forest, but he couldn't get up, so Papa used his Suzaku power and brought him back home. Will you help me get water, Shishi? My arms feel like they're seven miles longer already, and Eiju-nii is busy weeding the herbs so I can't ask him!"

"Hyoushin is in Kounan, too?" Shishi sent Maichu an accusing look. "How come you forgot to mention that?"

"Because it's not your business?" Maichu retorted. "You didn't ask if I'd come here alone."

"Well, obviously it is our business, if he's wound up hurt and here." Shishi countered. "What's happened to him, Mei-chan? Do you know?"

"The bad man did it." Meikyo replied with an involuntary shiver. "The one who took me away and wanted to hurt me."

"Miramu?" Shishi's eyes widened. "Shit…Miramu's in Kounan, too? What is this, a friggin' convention noone told me about?"

"Miramu." Maichu's expression became one of alarm. "Hyoushin-sama said it…he said that he thought Miramu might…but…dammit, why the hell did I leave him on his own? I got taken prisoner on your damn mountain and I wasn't there to prevent this, and now…what did he do to him? Kid, tell me – what did Miramu do?"

"I'm not 'Kid'. I'm Ri Meikyo." Meikyo said firmly, drawing herself up to her full height as a faintly indignant look glittered in her ruby eyes. "And all I know is that he got hit by an arrow and there was a lot of blood."

Maichu muttered another curse, pushing past the child and into the hallway of the house. Behind him, he heard Shishi yell his name, and the sound of the bandit hurrying after him, but he paid her no attention, his mind only on finding his wounded commander and his soldier comrade. As he reached the end of the hallway, however, Aidou emerged from the kitchen, stopping dead as she registered the presence of a stranger in her house.

"Who are you?" She demanded, and Maichu stared at her, all pretence at manners gone in his anxiety.

"I want to see Hyoushin-sama." He said bluntly. "I know he's here and I want to see him."

"I see." Aidou's eyes narrowed, and she glanced him up and down, as if absorbing his appearance. As she did so, Maichu saw a flicker of the same fire in her bronze eyes as both Shishi and the mountain Kashira shared and he began to realise that his mode of address had perhaps been unwise.

At length, Aidou spoke again, reaching out strong arms to turn him around in the direction of the farmhouse door.

"This is the way you need to go. Back outside." She said briskly, and Maichu frowned.

"But I want to see my Commander!"

"When you've found your manners, you can ask again." Aidou was unmoved. "But I don't allow strange men to barge into this house without an invitation."

"It's all right, Aidou-obasama. He's with me." Shishi emerged at that point, Meikyo in tow, and Maichu was surprised at how relieved he was to see her. At her words, the older woman sighed, releasing her grip as she shrugged her shoulders in resignation.

"I should have guessed he was a friend of yours, Shi-chan." She said evenly. "He has blatantly mountain manners."

"He's not from Reikaku-zan – and he's not really my friend, either." Shishi shook her head. "Actually, he's a friend of Aoi's. Is it true that Hyoushin's been brought here? Meikyo said he was hit by an arrow…that's what happened?"

"Of course it is!" Meikyo piped in indignantly. "I don't tell fibs, Shishi!"

"I didn't say you did, chibi." Shishi shook her head. "But I just want to know exactly what's going on."

"Hou Jun brought a man back here about half an hour ago." Aidou nodded. "Hyoushin was his name…at least, so far as I understand it. He's known to Aoiketsu, anyhow – and if this young ragamuffin is too, then that makes a certain kind of sense. Although if you're going to bring us houseguests, Shishi, you could at least ask them to brush their hair and change their clothes before they do. I don't keep this house clean so your companions can turn it into a pigsty, you know."

"It wasn't exactly my fault." Maichu protested, waving a hand in Shishi's direction. "She dragged me through a zillion tunnels to get here!"

Shishi sighed, rolling her eyes.

"You really are writing yourself a death warrant, you know that?" She told him cuttingly. "I'm sorry, Aidou-obasama. It's my fault – but I won't let him sit on anything or get dust or mountain mud all round your house. If Aoi is here, can we speak to him instead? It's sort of important."

"He and Hikari are just finishing breakfast." Aidou relented, nodding her head. "There may be a little left…if the two of you are hungry enough to join them."

"We left the mountain without eating." Shishi nodded. "Thank you, Obasama. Maichu, shut your gaping trap and follow me, before you do or say something that'll get you a belting - I won't be warning you a second time. Okay?"

Maichu stared at her for a moment, ready and willing to retort, but as he did so, he caught Aidou's eye and hesitated, the words dying on his lips as he realised that he was better off doing as the young bandit had advised. He shut his mouth with a snap, turning instead and following Shishi along the narrow passage to the end room, which, he soon discovered, was the Ri family's cosy dining area.

At the sight of them, Aoiketsu was on his feet, sending his bowl flying as he let out an exclamation, and the dark-haired girl at his left hand shrieked, lunging to catch the ceramic as as the chopsticks clattered against the far wall.

"Aoi, you idiot! Stop jumping up and down! It's only Shishi!"

"Well, I sort of brought a friend." Shishi said sheepishly, dragging Maichu more firmly into the room and into Hikari's line of sight for the first time. "Aoi, I think this belongs to you."

"Hey, get off me." Maichu glared at her. "I don't belong to anyone, thank you! And I don't need to be pulled or pushed anywhere - I can walk!"

"You know this guy, Aoi?" The girl with the long dark twist of hair sent the soldier a quizzical look, and as she did so, Maichu realised who she was.

"Shit. Sukunami Hikari." He murmured, then, "Dammit...for real? That's the girl all the fuss is about?"

"Maichu...shut...your...trap." Shishi said pointedly, exasperation in her tones. "Geez, what is wrong with you? Do you just say the first thing that comes into your head, or what?"

"Maichu?" Hikari's eyes widened as she stared at the newcomer anew. "You're Shi Maichu? You're Aoi's friend from Kutou? But..."

"You were supposed to be in Souun." Aoiketsu came to grasp his friend by the hand, relief clear in his seiran eyes. "I was going to ride there to find you - to tell you what had happened. Hyoushin-sama said he was meeting with you there later today, and so I thought if I went...I thought you'd come back with me. But you're with Shishi - and you're here."

"He decided to visit Reikaku-zan last night." Shishi said frankly. "And Kashira decided he should be offered mountain hospitality on account of his trespassing. But I let him loose - because he wanted to speak to you, and I figured that if he's your friend...we can trust him. Was I right?"

Aoiketsu stared at the young bandit for a moment, then a smile touched his lips. He nodded.

"I trust Maichu with my life." He agreed. "Thank you, Shishi. Tasuki wasn't too pissed at you, for going behind his back?"

"Don't know, yet." Shishi owned. "But I'll find out soon enough, when I go home. Even so, though, Kashira's been kept out of a lot of this since Jin died. He doesn't know as much of what's going on. So I figure his judgement where Kutou's people are concerned might be a bit messed up. An' if Miramu's in Kounan, he'd better steer clear of the mountain. Because Papa'll kill him. No questions asked."

"Miramu's not an easy enemy to take out." Maichu pointed out. "Even your fire-throwing Kashira might have trouble against him."

"I think if Tasuki wanted to destroy someone, he could do it well enough." Aoiketsu said quietly, and Shishi nodded her head.

"He was really pissed about Jin's death." She agreed. "He'd like the chance to do something to even the score. Miramu might be a hot shot with a bow and arrow. But Kashira's got the tessen. An' no amount of trickery would cancel that out. He'd be chargrilled."

"Right now that would suit me fine." Aoiketsu said darkly, and Maichu shot his friend a startled look. Then, as he registered the expression in the seiran eyes, comprehension flickered in his heart.

"Hyoushin-sama is bad, huh?" He asked softly, and Aoiketsu nodded.

"Chichiri and Myoume have been treating him." He agreed. "But...we don't know what the hell poison Miramu pumped into him. And without knowing that, there's no way of finding an antidote. He hasn't even woken up - and he's starting a fever. It was a mess, Maichu. I'm glad you're here...if Chichiri agrees, you should stay here now, until we know what's going on."

"Which is where you might come in." Hikari said thoughtfully. "Maichu-san, Aoi was going to look for you because he thought you'd be worried if Hyoushin didn't come back - but also because you know what's going on in Kutou better than we do. And...we need to know the things you know. Because...in the end...we've got to try and save Kutou, haven't we?"

Maichu stared at her, taking in her appearance for a moment as he digested her words. She did not look, he mused, a bit like either a girl from another world or a divine priestess. In fact, he reflected, she seemed just like an ordinary young girl of fifteen or sixteen, and though she was not unattractive, nor was she overly pretty or distinctive in her appearance. And yet, as he looked at her, he saw something burning in the depths of her hazel eyes, and with a jolt he realised it was resolution. In that moment he registered that, deceiving though her appearance was, Sukunami Hikari was exactly what Hyoushin had said she was.

Seiryuu no Miko, and the one who would somehow save his homeland from destruction.

"Maichu?" Aoiketsu frowned. "It's all right, you know. Hikari and Shishi - they're people I trust. I know that they're here and we're from Kutou - but if we're going to save the Emperor, we need to work with them. Myoume - Toroki - too. We all need to work together...otherwise we can't do this. So if you know something, tell us. Hyoushin-sama told me that he'd been ousted and that you were essentially running south. Is it Kikei? Is that what happened?"

"Yes." Maichu's eyes darkened as he nodded his head. "That fat old priest, using Kayu as his stupid little puppet. He sent a message to us in Touran, discharging Hyoushin-sama of his command. It was sealed with Kintsusei-sama's stamp, so Kayu and the rest flustered around it and insisted on carrying it out. Hyoushin-sama...he didn't contest it, but just left. And I went after him. From what Hyoushin-sama's said, during our journey south, he thinks Kikei's used him as a scapegoat to hide the fact he's a Hin and the real traitor from the Emperor's eyes. But as far as we know, Kintsusei-sama hasn't been hurt in any way. Rather Kikei just wanted the Commander out of the way. And...possibly...us too. I don't know where you figure in all of this, but I'm pretty sure I'm on the outlaw list now I chose to run with Hyoushin-sama and not pander to Kikei's stupid falsified orders."

"So we have to go to Kutou and risk being shot on sight, basically?" Hikari sighed, resting her chin in her hands. "That's depressing. Everyone in Kutou hates us already, and now they also hate the people from Kutou that might work with us, too?"

"I don't know about Aoi." Maichu repeated. "Because he was sent south by Imperial order before all of this kicked off. But Miramu will probably go back and report that Hyoushin was in the South-west of Kounan. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out that he'd come here to find you."

"Miramu saw me." Aoiketsu nodded, and Maichu saw that faint glitter of anger in his friend's gaze once more. "But he said something odd. He said he'd waited for me to get out of his way before he launched his attack on Hyoushin-sama. So Kikei hasn't ordered me killed. Nor have I been recalled to Kutou, though. What do you suppose that means?"

"Perhaps Miramu's sweet on you." Maichu eyed his friend critically. "You still look as much like a girl as ever, even if you're not dressed up all fancy and noble-son-ish any more. You never know. He's pretty twisted, so he might just have fallen for you."

"Shut up, idiot." Aoiketsu shook his head impatiently. "I'm being serious."

"So am I." Maichu objected.

Hikari laughed.

"You two really aren't at all alike." She remarked. "It's funny that you're friends."

"Not really." Aoiketsu looked surprised. "I mean, yes, we are different but we both believe in the same things. Namely Kutou."

"And that Hyoushin-sama ain't a traitor." Maichu added grimly. Aoiketsu's expression became shadowed, and he nodded.

"And that." He agreed.

"I vote we let them jaw it out for a while." Shishi cast Hikari a glance. "Meikyo was begging for help drawing water and we could go give the poor kid a hand - she's manning the well on her own. An' so long as he's with Aoi, I figure Maichu won't get into any trouble. I'm in no hurry to go home, so I'll do Meikyo's chores a while first. Come with me, Hiki - we'll let them have their boys chat in peace."

"Okay." Hikari looked startled, but she nodded her head. "I'm coming. Aoi, since you're not riding to Souun, come find us when you're done - okay? Maichu-san too. The less we disturb Chichiri while he's trying to help Hyoushin the better."

"Got it." Aoiketsu agreed. "Thanks, Hikari."

Hikari flashed him a smile, and Maichu's eyes widened as he caught the glance between the two. Then the girls were gone, and he wheeled on his friend, grabbing him around the wrists as he sent him an accusatory look.

"Shit, Aoi!" He exclaimed. "You've damn well fallen for that chick, haven't you?"

Aoiketsu started, a guilty look in his eyes, and Maichu cursed, shaking his head slowly.

"Of all the frigging times to discover women, you choose right now." He muttered. "I should've known it of you. Right when Kutou's fallin' apart, you fall for the one girl you damn well can't have - at least, I assume you know that she's not normal? Hyoushin-sama said she's from the Miko's world, so she's not like the rest of us."

"Hikari's normal." Aoiketsu objected. "And yes, I know that. But it's...more than that. Maichu, Hikari's...she's Seiryuu's Priestess. Even if she doesn't know it yet. And I...I'm Nakago's son. The connection between us...is Seiryuu's doing. It's not my fault...I couldn't help it. I mean, it's grown stronger, but...Seiryuu began it. I just...went along for the ride. I think we both did."

"Seiryuu no Miko." Maichu echoed. "So that was the thing you stumbled on - and couldn't tell me. That this Hikari kid is the way to save Kutou - the method you said was dangerous and possibly like treason, if people saw you pursuing it."

"Hikari's the only one who can." Aoiketsu agreed. "And it worries me, because she'll put herself in danger to do it. But...she will do it, Maichu. She promised me already that if there was something she could do to help Kutou, she would. And I didn't know till last night that she was Seiryuu's Miko. Chichiri said not to mention it to her yet - I think he wants to broach it with her himself, so I said all right. But I did know she was powerful. And that...somehow she was different. Myoume's seen it too...Toroki, I mean. Her prediction...is that Hikari is the only one who can intervene. Because she's from that world - and people from there aren't governed by the same rules we are. She can change things...and she's the only hope we have."

"Then Hyoushin-sama was right to come South to find you." Maichu said soberly. "Even if it put him in danger. You've seen him, Aoi. Is it as bad as it sounds?"

"Yes." Aoiketsu chewed on his lip. "He collapsed in the forest and he hasn't woken since. He was starting a fever, and Chichiri doesn't know what to give him to try and combat the poison, since he doesn't know what it is. He's doing his best, though. Maichu, even though he fought in the war, and even though he saw people he cared about killed by Kutou's people - he's still giving everything he has to trying to help the Commander. He's someone we can trust in - I know that. Him and Tasuki, too. They're good people. And we need their help. You and I...we can't do this on our own."

"You think the Commander's not going to survive, don't you?" Maichu said sharply, and Aoiketsu spread his hands.

"I don't know." he said honestly. "But Chichiri said I had to focus on Kutou and realise they needed me. No matter what happens. I'm frightened, Maichu - I don't want to be on my own and he's always been there to guide me. But I...I have to find my own strength, too. We all do. Shishi's done it, since Jin died - and it's my turn, now. Whatever happens with Hyoushin-sama - Seiryuu chose me to fight this fight and I have to do it myself. Not through someone else."

Maichu stared at his friend. Then he grinned, bringing his hand down firmly on his companion's shoulder.

"You sound more like a soldier, talking like that." he reflected. "More like the Shougun's son than I've ever heard you before."

"Well, that's what I am." Aoiketsu shrugged. "For better or worse, I can't escape the connection. And Chichiri said it wasn't bad to be like him in some ways. So long as I wasn't like him in all ways - and I won't be. I'm going to do what he couldn't do, Maichu. Seiryuu no Miko is here, and I believe in her. Somehow...I'm going to help Hikari save Kutou. "