Chapter Twenty

"You know, considering you're a soldier, you really are pretty shit at early mornings."

Shishi dropped down beside Maichu's makeshift pallet, giving him a rough shake as she gazed at him impatiently. "Wake up, will you, you idiot? Obviously you're feeling better, if you can snore your way through sunrise like this."

"Shishi?" Maichu blinked, staring at her in confusion as he struggled into a sitting position. He gazed around him, and the young bandit could tell that he was assessing his surroundings as if seeing them for the first time. Shishi sighed, shaking her head.

"You're lost, aren't you?" She said disparagingly. "Honestly…men are friggin' useless if you leave them to their own devices. You're on Reikaku-zan. Remember? You came here yesterday, an' you helped me cut wood – so Kashira fed you an' gave you somewhere to sleep for the night."

"Kashira…" Maichu faltered, then a troubled look touched his dark eyes, and Shishi knew that his memory of the previous day's events had returned. Slowly he nodded his head.

"I remember." He said softly. "Yesterday…Kayu and I fought, didn't we? It seems like it was a dream, right now – a nightmare. But it wasn't one at all, was it? It really happened."

"It really did." Shishi told him frankly. "But that was yesterday. Today's a different day…an' people are waitin' for you to drag yourself outta bed."

"People?" Maichu looked blank, and Shishi groaned, grabbing him around the wrists and hauling him to his feet.

"Chichiri's come to see you." She said frankly. "Us too, as it happens. About going to Kutou. He said you didn't have to come if you don't want to – but Kashira told him he didn't think you were a coward who runs away, an' he was right, wasn't he? You ain't goin' to chicken out of it?"

"Chichiri is?" Maichu frowned, then, "If it's Kutou, I haven't got a choice, have I? I have to see this through now. I've gone too far to turn back or run away."

He brushed himself down, reaching up to pull his thick, unruly hair back into its usual queue.

"I'm coming."

"Good." Approval flickered in Shishi's bright bronze eyes. "Then get a move on, will you? From what Chichiri said, we're not hanging around – we're leaving today, if its at all possible."

"Today?" Maichu paused, staring at her in surprise, and Shishi nodded.

"With the soldiers turnin' up here, we can't waste any more time." She said soberly. "Before it turns into a full blown war between Kutou an' Kounan again, we haveta do somethin'. So that's what we're doin'. We're goin' to Kutou."

"But the Commander…"

"Chichiri's got a way around that." Shishi assured him. "Now come on already, will you! Geez – you're so slow! How the hell has Aoi coped with roomin' with you for six years? Shit, does he have to drag you out of bed every damn morning to make inspection?"

"No…actually it's usually the other way, back home." Maichu admitted ruefully. "But since we started skippin' all over the place – ah, I don't know. Guess it's skewed with my body clock or somethin'. Though I didn't think I'd sleep last night, t'be honest."

"That's why I made you cut so much wood." Shishi said frankly, as they made their way along the narrow passageway that led to the main core of the bandit's hideout. "Because I knew it'd wear you out. You soldiers ain't as tough as us bandits, after all – so I figured it'd be the easiest way."

Surprise glittered in Maichu's expression, followed by gratitude, and Shishi was glad to see the faint hint of a smile touch his lips.

"Then I guess thanks for that." He said honestly. "I feel a little better for having got some rest. T'be honest, travellin' like we did an' then bein' thrust into the middle of all this – I ain't been sleepin' quite right for a few days now. Worryin' about the Commander, too…I guess I was more tired than I thought."

He rubbed his temples.

"Maybe that's why my judgement was so shot to hell yesterday. Whatever happened, Shishi, I only meant to disarm him. You know that, right?"

"So you keep sayin', an' quite frankly I'm sick of hearin' it." Shishi told him bluntly. "Noone thinks you killed the guy in cold blood, you know. An' most people on Reikaku-zan would fight to the death to protect the Kashira, if need be. It's the same thing. Even if he was your buddy. That's how it is."

"I know, I know." Maichu sighed. "All right. I'm with you."

"At that moment they reached the Kashira's quarters, and Shishi rapped smartly on the door, waiting for the familiar sound of her father's voice to call them in. It soon came, and she pushed back the thick planked partition, dragging her companion with her as she stepped into the chamber.

"He's half asleep, but here he is." She said frankly. "Next time someone else can wake him. I swear, I was inches away from drawin' the sword on him an' tryin' that."

Maichu cast her an annoyed glance, and Tasuki pursed his lips, eying them both thoughtfully. Then he shrugged.

"He's up. That's enough for me." He said evenly. "Chichiri's here, kid. He wants to talk t'you about Kutou – you up for that?"

"Yes." Maichu nodded his head. "Though I don't understand how we could be leaving today. We can't go without the Commander, surely? And riding…"

"That's all right, you know. He doesn't have to ride." Chichiri himself spoke at that moment, pushing back the curtain that divided the front of the bandit's quarters from the alcove beyond. "And you're quite decided about coming with us too, Maichu? Even despite yesterday's ordeal – you still mean to come?"

Maichu looked startled for a moment. Then he nodded.

"Because of it, I have to." He said briefly. "That's all."

Chichiri's expression became one of comprehension and he smiled.

"I'm glad to hear it." He said softly. "Tasuki said he didn't think you were a coward, and he's usually a good judge where men are concerned. I'm glad he was right. I think we'll need all the help we can get, especially since Tasuki and I…can't really go with you. At least…not properly."

"We're sort of used to that." Shishi clambered onto the window-sill, crossing her legs and hugging her knees to her as she eyed her uncle resignedly. "But you are coming with us part way at least, aren't you? I mean, you said when you got here that you were goin' to use thekasa to get us there - right?"

"That's the current plan, yes." Chichiri agreed. "I'm pretty sure that I can manage it, and Hyoushin's already told me where the best place is to go. So I thought I'd come here and get you and Maichu – if Maichu was coming – and we'd be able to plan accordingly. Tasuki's going to keep an eye to the village while I'm away, so even if Miramu is still lurking somewhere in the South, he won't be able to cause any more harm."

"I almost hope heis lurkin' here." Tasuki said meaningfully, his fingers brushing against the end of the tessen. "It's hot enough for a good barbeque an' western assassin seems a damn fine main course from where I'm standin'."

"Don't rush into anything reckless." Chichiri cautioned. "I know you want to avenge Jin, Tasuki-kun – but remember Anzu would cry if anything happened to you."

"I'm not an idiot, you know." Tasuki retorted. "I ain't still a teenager an' I don't need you to tell me. I'll be careful…yeesh. But if he crosses my path, I won't be steppin' back an' lettin' him by."

He gestured in his friend's direction.

"In any case,you ought to be takin' your own advice. I don't think Oneesan's reaction would be any prettier than Anzu's, if you really did make it a one way trip."

"Touche." Chichiri tipped his kasa mockingly in acknowledgment of his fellow Seishi's words. "I'll do that. Don't worry. After all,I'm not a reckless wandering monk any more, either."

"You were a monk?" Maichu's jaw dropped, and despite the situation, Chichiri laughed.

"In a manner of speaking, you know." He said, dismissing it with a flick of his fingers. "The lifestyle suited me at the time, but it was a long time ago now. Things have changed a good deal since then."

"So what exactly do you mean, then, about us not riding?" Maichu recovered himself, eying the sorcerer quizzically. "There's a way to do that? Kutou ain't close, you know – this is closer to Sairou than anywhere, ain't it?"

"Yes, it is." Chichiri agreed. "But you already know I'm a sorcerer, don't you, Maichu? It's possible for me to use my spell magic and transport you – and everyone – to a specified location within Kutou's borders. As I said, Hyoushin's already told me the best place to choose. All that's left is to gather some supplies and, of course, all the members of the party."

His expression became shadowed at this point.

"It will be difficult." He added softly. "And dangerous. And though we're taking Seiryuu no Miko into the land which needs her, there's no guaranteeing that people won't try to kill her or us or both when we are there. Hikari is brave, but she's frightened by what is being asked of her – and honestly, I'm frightened for her. I remember Seiryuu's devouring of Yui, after all. If she's going to have any chance of succeeding, she needs to be able to find her own strength and focus. Which means that anyone going with her is going to have to be at the top of their game to defend and protect her until the time comes for her to raise the God."

"That suits me." Shishi said frankly. "I already promised myself I wouldn't let anythin' happen to her. An' Do-nee will help. She told me she would. Hiki will be fine, Chichiri. An' we won't let her be devoured. Even if Aoi an' I have to take swords an' cut the dragon to shreds to get her out…we won't let anythin' bad happen to her."

"Maichu?" Tasuki cast the young soldier a keen glance, and Maichu frowned, a troubled glint entering his dark eyes.

"I've gone too far to turn back." He said quietly. "I'm pledged to the Commander – to Seiryuu no Miko…to the Emperor…an' to Kutou. Those are the things I'm fightin' for, an' I'll fight for them. Even if it means I'm killed, or hurt, or…if I'm fightin' my friends. This is what I believe in doin'…and it's too late to turn out yellow about it now."

"Well, so Myoumewas right after all." Chichiri offered him a smile. "She said that she thought the mountain was the best place for you to be last night, and so it seems to have been. It's all right though, Maichu. You needn't be worried about facing either Hyoushin or Aoi. Both of them are worried about you – Hyoushin was angry that he couldn't prevent what happened, but he's not angry with you. And Aoi is angry with Kikei – but he doesn't blame you for Kayu's death, either. They're soldiers, like you are – and they understand what happened."

Maichu glanced at his hands.

"I wish I did." He admitted. "My memories are blurry – like I went into auto somewhere an' didn't know when to stop. But then, if I had stopped…if I had disarmed him, overpowered him…what then? It wouldn't have changed anythin'."

He swallowed hard, and Shishi could see the flicker of emotion in his dark eyes.

"I liked Kayu. I still do." He murmured. "But the way he spoke – to me, about the Commander...he wasn't Kayu. Not the man I knew. War changes people. Loyalties do, too. Even though Kikei pulled the strings…it wouldn't have changed it. We wouldn't have talked him round…would we?"

"Unlikely." Chichiri admitted. "Hyoushin told me that Kayu was raised by Kikei just as much as Aoi was raised by him. That kind of loyalty is difficult to break – I think even if Kayu had realised what was going on, he wouldn't have betrayed the man who gave him so much. It's just tragic that Kikei's good deed turned out to be a bad one, in the end."

Maichu frowned, digesting this. Then he nodded.

"What…happened to him?" He asked hesitantly. "I mean…his body. What..?"

"I buried him last night, with Suzaku's blessing." Chichiri said gently. "In the village plot, among the dead of our neighbours and friends. I'm sorry that I can't pray to Seiryuu on his behalf, Maichu – but I thought you'd rather that than anything else. Kayu was a stranger here, but he still had people who cared about him. Aoi came with me to help, and so did Myoume...to send his soul off to somewhere more peaceful than here."

"Maybe he'll get another chance, like Jin." Shishi said evenly. "I mean, since it wasn't his fault he was an idiot, maybe Seiryuu'll help him."

"He's dead, though." Maichu responded doubtfully. "Does that really happen with normal people, as well as Seishi?"

"When I was in danger in the north of Kounan, I saw Jin." Shishi nodded, her gaze softening slightly as she remembered the protective presence that had put itself between her and the aggressor's weapon. "I know it was him – not my imagination. And I know that Suzaku was looking out for him and for me. So I believe it. I think it can happen."

"You saw Jin?" Tasuki stared at her, and Shishi nodded.

"It was him, I'm sure." She said firmly.

"But that Jin guy was a martyr to a cause, wasn't he?" Maichu's eyes became troubled. "Kayu was a traitor. Even if he didn't mean to be."

"Either way, it's over with now." Tasuki said frankly. "And we move on. Chichiri, I'll be sure to keep tabs on the village, so you don't need to worry. Take the kids an' get goin', huh? Before this one loses his nerve."

"I won't lose my nerve." Maichu shook his head firmly. "I'm decided. I'm going to Kutou. Even if I don't like it...I'm goin'."

"Then that's enough for me." Chichiri shrugged, plucking the kasa from his head and tossing it into the air. "I'll see you later today, Tasuki-kun - hopefully with good news to report."

Before either the bandit or the two youngsters could respond, there was a whoosh of magic and Shishi felt herself swept up once more into the darkness of her uncle's unusual hat. Before she could begin to feel dizzy, however, they had reached the village, and she picked herself up from the grass outside the farm, holding out a hand to haul the dazed Maichu to his feet.

"Shit." The soldier managed. "What was that?"

"My Suzaku magic. I told you." Chichiri grinned at him. "It saves time, you know - and it's a good introduction. It'll be a harder trip to Kutou, after all - it's more than a matter of a few minutes walk."

"Maichu!" At that moment, the door of the house was flung open, and Aoiketsu hurried outside, casting his friend an anxious glance. "So you were on the mountain, after all! Myoume wouldn't let any of us come till this morning...but...are you...all right?"

"I ain't pretending I'm jumpin' for joy, but I'll live." Maichu offered him a rueful smile. "Don't look like that, Aoi. You look even more like a friggin' girl with that expression on your face."

"And I was worried about you!" Aoiketsu protested indignantly, and Shishi laughed.

"No need." She said frankly. "Turns out he's made of stronger stuff than all that. He's coming to Kutou with us - which just leaves us ready to go, doesn't it?"

"Yes, I suppose so." Chichiri pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Come inside, then. I don't like to use my magic too much within the village - though it's still early, there are a few locals who aren't sure what to make of people disappearing into hats and I don't want to unsettle them. If they think I'm using my Suzaku magic, they might realise that something's afoot, and it would be better that they didn't know any of what's going on."

"There's nothing any of them can do about it, anyway." Aoiketsu said frankly. "The Commander's awake, by the way. Myoume went to take breakfast to him, and he's kept his word about eating it. I don't know if he should be coming...but he's determined he is, and I can't really argue with him. So..."

"I think it's best that he does go." Chichiri admitted. "Even in this state, if he can turn the scale...if his relationship with the Emperor is as strong as Myoume thinks it is..."

"Hyoushin-sama has always followed Kintsusei-sama's will to the letter." Maichu murmured. "As long as I've known him, anyhow. And I don't think that's changed."

"It's more the Emperor's own position that's uncertain at present." Chichiri pointed out. "Under Kikei's power and guidance, definitely - but we don't know whether he or the Priest really gave the order for Hyoushin's dismissal or execution."

"Yes, we do." Maichu said flatly. "I saw the letter, Chichiri. The one that was sent from the palace to Hokkan. It said that Hyoushin-sama was bein' dismissed based on a report received...but it was all written in that fat old priest's curly stupid script. It was only sealed by the Imperial mark, but I've been thinkin' on that an' considering what you've said about that bastard assassin Miramu, I think that was his doing. I think he stole the seal to give it authenticity...I don't think the Emperor saw the letter at all."

"You think Kikei'd go that far?" Aoiketsu stared at his friend in surprise, and Maichu's expression became dark.

"He sent Kayu here, didn't he?" He said softly. "You didn't see the look in his eyes when I fought him, Aoi. I don't like what I did, but shit, he wasn't...he really intended to kill the Commander, if I hadn't been in the way. That's why I pushed so hard to keep him back. The things he said...it wasn't like he was Kayu. An' it made me think...that Kikei's poisoned him, too. That letter was sent to Kayu, after all. He's been involved in this for a lot longer than we realised. Even than he did, probably."

"Maichu's likely right." Chichiri sighed. "That Kayu was groomed because he was a useful pawn."

Aoiketsu's eyes narrowed.

"When Kikei first brought him into Hyoushin-sama's training program, he was about twelve or thirteen." He remembered slowly. "And because he was three years older than me, he thought he could lord it over me and stuff...at least to start with. We'd encountered each other before - he was educated at court like I was, and he had a head-start on me, because of the age gap. He was, I suppose, my senpai - and he knew it. But when it came to fighting - it was different. I'd been training since I was five, and by that point I was already pretty strong with a sword. And I was hot tempered, sometimes, and he'd get frustrated and stupid, too, because he wanted to catch me up and surpass me in that arena, too. We'd fight a lot - he kept saying that he was older than me and one day he'd show me what it meant - that he was going to be the better soldier in the future, because I was so weak when it came to blood and shit. We didn't get along at all. In fact..."

He pursed his lips.

"Not till Maichu came, actually." He admitted. "Because he didn't make enemies with anyone - he just wanted to learn from everyone. Somehow it broke down the barriers between Kayu and I to a more friendly kind of rivalry. But...even so...sometimes I remember Kayu'd get a particular look in his eye. When his mind was made up...you couldn't change it. He...potentially, he was ruthless. And maybe...maybe in the end...Kikei drew on that."

"Or instilled it in him in the first place." Chichiri murmured sadly, bringing his fingers together absently as if saying a prayer for the lost soul. "In any case, it can't be helped now. All we can do is go to Kutou and put things to rights - for his sake as much as anything else. Kikei must be stopped, before more people are hurt."

He pushed open the door of the back chamber, and Maichu let out a gasp as he registered his Commander sitting on the bed, dressed in village attire and with his silver hair neatly braided back from his face. His distinctive blade lay on the bed beside him, as if in readiness for the trip, and despite appearing slightly tired and drawn, he seemed better than he had been the previous day.

"Hyoushin-sama!"

"Good morning, Maichu." Hyoushin's lips twitched into a slight smile, though Shishi saw the gravity in his amethyst eyes, and the question in his glance. Maichu hesitated, then he nodded his head.

"I'm all right." He said softly, in answer to the unspoken query. "I'm ready to go, for the Emperor's sake, to save Kutou."

"Then that's all of us except Hikari." Myoume leant up against the back wall, folding her arms across her chest with a sigh. "She's still upstairs. She said she needed a moment or two...just to put her thoughts in order."

"This is a big deal thing for her to do, isn't it?" Shishi said softly, and Myoume nodded.

"She's terrified." She agreed. "But she's still coming. Still, it worries me that she might have doubts when it comes to the actual ceremony itself. If that happens...she might be in danger. Somehow we have to put her heart at rest about the path ahead."

"We'll protect her." Aoiketsu said simply. "I have the shinken, and I'm not as handicapped as I was. That means for the first time I can fight as a proper soldier - and I was always better than the others in practice. I'm not afraid...I won't let harm come to her. And Maichu's here too - so even if the Commander can't fight, we can. Besides, Myoume, you have your weird hallucinogenic magic, and Shishi..."

"I have Do-nee." Shishi nodded. "So you're right, Aoi. We'll be fine."

"Don't forget what I told you, Aoiketsu." Hyoushin said softly, and Aoiketsu reddened, nodding his head.

"I know." he murmured. "I won't lose focus, sir. I know who I am...I won't let go of that."

"Who else would you be?" Maichu shot him a puzzled look, and Aoiketsu spread his hands.

"Nothing important." He said vaguely. "Don't worry about it, Maichu - its all right."

"If you say so." Maichu looked mystified. "Because as far as I know you're only Kaiga Aoiketsu - unless you're goin' to go with your looks and join a brothel as a courtesan after all..."

"Maichu, shut your face!" Aoiketsu exclaimed, and Shishi saw a flicker of a smile touch Maichu's grave expression.

"Well, you never know." He returned. "Stranger things have happened."

"Like me going to save some whole country by dragging a great big dragon out of the heavens somehow?"

A voice came from the doorway, and as one the group turned to see Hikari, her expression troubled as she glanced at them each in turn. She was dressed in one of the gowns Aidou had stitched for her, her dark hair pulled back from her face in it's usual tail, and she sighed, folding her hands together as she did so.

"So lets do this, then." She murmured. "If we're going - before I freak out completely, let's go."

"You seem unnaturally disturbed this afternoon, priest."

Miramu made himself more comfortable on the branch of the willow tree, stretching out along it as he cast a glance down at the round, stooped form of the elderly Hin below him. Startled, Kikei glanced up, almost dropping the vessel in his hands, and Miramu chuckled, kicking his legs absently as he rested his chin in his hands.

"Sorry - I didn't mean to startle you." He said, his tone unrepentant. "But you seemed agitated...and that's usually what brings you to find me. This time I thought I'd save you the trouble."

"You are as trustworthy as the snake whose poison you used to kill Hyoushin." Kikei snapped, his brows knitting as he shook his head. "Keeping from me the truth of that girl's identity...do I have you to blame, also, for the lack of contact from Kayu in the South?"

"Kayu?" Miramu's eyes widened with surprise, and he shook his head. "I don't know anything about your boy, Kikei. Why would I? He's gone to Kounan - and I'm here. More, this is where I'm staying - so whatever might have gone wrong with your plan, it's nothing to do with me."

Kikei eyed him for a moment. Then he sighed, shaking his head.

"Come down here." He ordered. "It hurts my neck, looking up, and from a distance people will think I've lost my wits, talking to a tree."

"The way you are at present, Priest, perhaps you have." Miramu said unsympathetically, although he obediently slipped down from the branches, leaning up against the sturdy trunk as he folded his arms across his chest. "Am I to guess that you've not heard anything, then, from your spy in Kounan?"

"Not a word since the night before they reached the bandits' stronghold." Kikei admitted. "More, I can't detect any trace of the charm I put on the mirror. As if..."

He faltered, and Miramu's lips twitched into an amused smile.

"As if a sorcerer maybe broke the spell?" He suggested innocently, and Kikei cast him a suspicious look.

"What do you know!?"

"Nothing." Miramu held up his hands. "As I said, I'm here and he's there, so there's no way I could have done anything. And I'm not a sorcerer. Just an assassin. But I did tell you about the Suzaku Seishi known as Chichiri, and that his sorcery is strong. I expect that if you've not heard from your boy, it's because they've sought him out and neutralised your magic."

"You think Kayu has been captured?" Kikei demanded, and Miramu shrugged.

"Captured, killed, or both." He said carelessly. "It's a dangerous place, bandit country. I don't know...Kayu's an enemy soldier, after all. And Reizeitei-sama's said to be a pretty alert Emperor. An Emperor who uses bandits to govern and control areas of territory is an Emperor who you probably don't want to cross - I imagine Kayu might have learnt that first hand."

He chuckled, a humourless glint in his dark eyes.

"Perhaps Kayu's head adorns the front gate of the Kounan palace." He added cruelly. "Anything is possible."

"Miramu." Kikei glared at him, shaking his head. "That's enough. You say you know nothing, so do not speculate on things you can't know for sure."

"You asked, I answered." Miramu said simply. "The truth is I don't know where your boy is, Kikei. And I don't care, either. My work for you has all been carried out to the letter, after all. I have no current orders, and I have no reason to leave this place. Unless you have another errand for me, of course."

Kikei's lips thinned, and he gazed at the assassin thoughtfully.

"You are sure that the girl is Seiryuu no Miko?" he asked quietly, and Miramu nodded.

"Absolutely." He agreed. "What of it?"

"Then she must come here...?"

"Undoubtedly." Miramu spread his hands. "I'm not Toroki, and I don't make prophesies. But I expect...it won't be long before she does. After all, the Shinzahou are here. You shouldn't worry so much about stray ends, Kikei. Your prey will be within your grasp soon enough, don't you think? After all, she needs the Shinzahou to raise the God. One is not enough. You have the other three. She will come."

"Yes, I think you are right." Kikei's expression relaxed somewhat at this, and he nodded his head. "In which case..."

He frowned, glancing at the vessel in his hands.

"I've strengthened the spell that surrounds the treasures." He said softly. "I've employed Suiko and Kitora to protect them with mage-magic, and the barrier that guards them should keep out everyone who tries to steal them. I won't let this opportunity slip through my grasp."

"Everyone?" Miramu tilted his head on one side. "Even the Seishi who seem to protect her?"

"Even so." Kikei agreed. "The power of the mages is strong, after all. It's meshed with the power of the Shinzahou. The only entity able to cross that threshold - other than me, of course, who controls those mages - is the Miko herself. That way I will sever her from those who seek to defend her. And the trap will be set."

"You think they'll let her wander off on her own?" Miramu snorted. "I doubt it. She's a young girl, isn't she? That'd be foolish, even by Seishi standards."

"No, but the barrier will prevent anyone else from reaching the Shinzahou." Kikei shook his head. "So even if they try, they will not be able to follow her. Only I will be able to guide that girl to the treasures she seeks. Only the mages themselves are able to pass freely in and out of the place where their treasures are sealed. Seiryuu no Miko - Sukunami Hikari - will be in my power the moment she steps into the vault and is engulfed by their magic."

"You have been thinking, after all." Miramu observed, and Kikei nodded.

"I've lived a long time, and I've done so by making sure all my bases are covered." He said frankly. "Keep that in mind, Miramu - if there's anything else you've kept from me, it'd be as well to tell me now."

"Kept from you?" Miramu frowned. "Such as what, exactly?"

"I don't know. If I did, I wouldn't be asking you." Kikei said impatiently, and Miramu laughed, shaking his head in amusement.

"You're too paranoid." He scolded. "You've already told me that you've made all the preparations necessary to snare your Miko - almost as if you suspect me of stealing the treasures myself somehow."

"No, I don't suspect you of seeking to aid the Miko." Kikei shook his head. "But you're still an assassin - a man in whom I can't fully trust. So it's better you should be aware of the futility of it before you try. After all, the mage's magic may well strike dead anyone who crosses through without the blood of the Miko. And I'd hate anything to befall you."

"I take the warning." Miramu bowed his head slightly. "And in return, there is one thing I can tell you."

"One thing?" Kikei looked wary, and Miramu's expression twisted into a cold smile.

"I think you should hurry to get your preparations in position." He said quietly. "I heard a rumour that someone fitting Toroki's description was sighted in Kutou's territory. I think...soon...your Miko will come."

"I see." Kikei's eyes narrowed. "Then I will waste no more time talking to you. The Emperor is engaged at present, and I'd rather complete this errand before he is released from his duties. He has been...unusually decisive of late, and I do not wish to excite his suspicions while he is still pondering on Hyoushin's demise. I will be relying on you, Miramu, should these people choose to storm the palace. You are more effective a deterrant than any of that stupid Meihi's foolish soldiers and I know your ruthless heart won't allow any mistakes. Keep them at bay - kill any you need to, barring the one I seek. Understood? This is your final errand from me - and if you succeed, your reward will be incalculably great. Do you follow?"

Miramu eyed the Priest for a moment. Then he bowed low before him, his thick braid falling over his shoulder.

"It's understood, Kikei-sama." He said softly. "Leave it to me."

"Good." Kikei sounded approving. "Then keep your eyes and ears peeled, and report to me if there's anything I need to know. Nothing will stop my plans now - before long, Seiryuu no Miko will truly fall into my hands!"

With that he hurried off across the grass, and Miramu pursed his lips, a thoughtful look entering his blue eyes as he focused his attention on the faint sensation flickering at the edges of his mind.

"Myoume really is here." He murmured. "Somewhere...close. But she's doing her best to shield her exact location from me. I suppose if I tried, I might root it out - but she's the last person I intend on seeing. At least today...until I'm also prepared."

He slipped his fingers into his pocket, pulling out a handful of carefully sculpted arrow-heads, and glancing at them for a moment.

"I have a lot to do, it seems, in a short time." He reflected. "Before that stupid sister of mine charges into battle and makes things complicated for the both of us. Seiryuu no Miko has no doubt arrived in Kutou, and before long everything will come to a head. I haven't any time to lose."

He clenched his fist around the cold hardness of the heads, feeling their sharpness prick against his skin.

"The final battle approaches." He murmured. "And this time...I must not fail."

"So this is the land that once belonged to the Kaiga family?"

As they stood at the edge of a barren stretch of land, Myoume frowned, turning to cast Hyoushin a quizzical glance. "It's deserted, I grant you - there's noone here. But the land is choked in death, and I can't imagine you want to be here. Why did you choose this place? I don't understand...of all places, I would have thought..."

"There's no time for personal feeling in this." Hyoushin cut across her, shaking his head. "We're here, and in a place not too far from Kutou's capital. This is adequate. And as you see - noone inhabits this land. It belongs to the crown, now - but noone has ever sought to repopulate the place where so many people were killed. It is well for us to be here. Noone will come looking for us in this cursed place."

"Are you sure about that, sir?" Aoiketsu bit his lip. "I mean, this was the place..."

"Where I was a slave." Hyoushin said briskly. "Yes. But that is neither here nor there."

"I wish Chichiri could have stayed." Hikari shivered, pulling her cloak more tightly around her. "There's a horrible cold feeling in this place - it cuts right through you and I really...I don't like it at all. I thought Kutou was supposed to have pretty places, but..."

"Kutou's a war-scarred nation." Maichu said sadly, and Aoiketsu nodded.

"Maichu's right." He agreed. "In places the landscape is still lush and fresh, because climatically speaking, Kutou has the best of all four of the countries. We have plenty of water, and the land is ideal for crops. Historically, Kutou has been powerful for that reason. But...in some ways, it's made the people each other's worst enemies. There's too much ambition - people want too much, and it all fell apart."

"This land has that taint to it." Myoume nodded. "I can't imagine what it was once like, but there are a lot of lost souls crying on the wind."

"Ghosts?" Shishi demanded sharply, and Myoume shook her head.

"Not even that." She replied. "Just pieces of lives that were once here. That's all."

"So it is." Hyoushin said gravely. "Yet this place, abandoned as it is, is no use to us to camp in. After all, it is very open. Unlike the south, rain may fall in Kutou at any time. And it would be unpleasant to be so unprotected in the case of a storm."

"I guess that's true." Aoiketsu turned back to glance across the landscape, taking in the charred, scorched remains of trees and timbers as he tried to imagine the day the Kaiga family had fallen. Somewhere, deep inside of his heart he almost thought he could visualise a fair-haired man on a black horse riding high above the dancing flames, raising his sword as he gave the order to strike the family down. He closed his eyes, forcing the image from his mind as he did so.

"It must have been terrible." He whispered. "My father...did all this. Didn't he? Those people..."

"The Kaiga family were allies of Shoukitei." Hyoushin said impassively. "Therefore they were enemies to the Shougun and consequently to the current Emperor, too."

"But innocent people died too." Myoume said softly. "You can't cut yourself from it completely, Hyoushin - surely? Of all people, you must know that."

Hyoushin frowned, and for a moment he didn't speak. Then he raised his gaze, and Aoiketsu almost let out an exclamation at the genuine emotion that glittered in the amethyst eyes.

"The last order Kaiga Gin gave as the army approached was to kill all the slaves." He said softly. "The innocents, as you call them - they were the ones killed by the Kaigas themselves, not by the Shougun's army. Nakago cleansed the estate of twisted, greedy men and women who sought power and did not care what ends they reached it by. Debauched, cruel people...you have no idea to what depths they were willing to descend."

His lips thinned, and Aoiketsu could tell that, despite the evenness of his tone, the recollection was one that struck deep into the Meihi's heart.

"We were herded together, and arrows were fired." He murmured. "I was the only one who survived."

"That's awful!" Hikari's eyes widened with horror. "Hyoushin-san...that really happened here? They just...turned on you all? Just like that?"

"We were tools. Nothing more." Hyoushin managed a faint, humourless smile. "And we were no longer useful. Kaiga Gin feared we would turn on them and join the Shougun's army in fighting for our freedom. So he sought to remove the danger. I only survived because I was struck unconscious when I fell...and because, when I came to myself, Kintsusei-sama helped me. And that brings me to another reason for reaching this place. Aoiketsu, Maichu - you both remember, do you not, the errand by which the Emperor first sent us to these parts? We approached it from a different direction, true enough - but even so, you must recall the caves where Suiko's scale was sealed."

"The underground caves! The water lakes!" Aoiketsu's eyes lit up with remembrance. "That's where we're going?"

"It seems as good a place as any to regroup." Hyoushin agreed. "And it seems all the members of the party are well acquainted by now with sleeping in caves."

There was a flicker of irony in his tone, and Myoume sent him a quizzical look.

"How far are these caves, Hyoushin?" She asked softly. "Chichiri brought us here so you wouldn't have to ride, but if it's a long way to walk..."

"It is not beyond my capabilities." Hyoushin assured her. "The air is not so hot and humid here, and I have more energy, even considering my injury. You should not worry about me, Myoume. I am fine."

"Then what are we doing? We're going to the cave to work out our plans for what happens next?" Maichu asked, and Myoume nodded.

"That seems to be the best plan." She agreed slowly. "Especially since you and Hyoushin...really must not be seen by anyone right now."

"Myoume's right." Shishi said frankly. "Since you're exiled traitors, right?"

"Well, something like it." Maichu agreed. "I guess that's true."

"Which way to the caves?" Hikari asked, and Aoiketsu glanced across the horizon, then gestured to the West.

"That way." He responded. "They lie at the very edge of Kaiga territory - between Kaiga land and the Imperial stronghold surrounding the capital city. It's a good place to use - no wonder the Commander decided to come here. Strategically it's not hard to defend, and there are several passages if we needed to hide."

"So was my thinking." Hyoushin agreed. "Even if I am unable to use my blade, you two are not so hampered. And Shishi, you are skilled with a weapon also, so I am told?"

"Yes." Shishi nodded her head. "I'm a bandit, after all. It goes with the territory."

"You already look tired, though, Hyoushin." Myoume bit her lip. "You could at least let me carry that sword. It's heavy, and I don't even know why you brought it."

"A soldier never travels without his weapon." Hyoushin shook his head. "Thank you, Myoume, but it is fine at my belt where it belongs. I am not as weak as you perceive me to be, after all."

"Do you think he's right?" As they made their way through the scorched land, Hikari dropped back, casting Aoiketsu an anxious glance as she slipped her arm into his. "I'm scared enough as it is, Aoi, but Hyoushin looks...don't you think he's already pushing himself?"

"Chichiri's spell probably jarred his arm some." Aoiketsu admitted. "But he won't say so, because that's how he is. He doesn't ask for help from anyone, if he can avoid it - he's not that kind of man."

"But even so..." Hikari sighed. "I don't know. I don't like this place. It's like Myoume said - it's choked in death. I can feel it too - it's horrible."

"I guess that's because you're the Miko, huh?" Maichu eyed her keenly. "It's sort of funny that this is the first time you've been to Kutou."

"And if it's like this everywhere, I won't be coming back." Hikari said acidly. "Miko or not, Kounan is a nice, peaceful place. This, on the other hand..."

"People here are suffering a lot." Aoiketsu said sadly. "Things like the Commander said - he's never talked about the Kaigas like that before, although I knew that the Emperor had been the one to save him from death and slavery. But I guess...this isn't the first or the last example of that kind of behaviour. The people in Kutou aren't all bad people, or all good. But they're frightened as well."

"In the southern province, it's especially bad." Maichu added. "Rebels have operated there for a long time - and the families who want to be loyal to the Emperor find it hard because of the pressure from the others around them. It's a long way from the capital and many of the communication routes have been blocked at one time or other. Then Maru-nii and his companions got killed...and it got even worse. Kutou needs you more than it ever has, I think...you won't let us down, will you, Hikari?"

"Let you down?" Hikari bit her lip. "I hope not. I really hope not. I want to be strong and do as Hisei said - follow that guidance and save everything. But what Chichiri said about being a Priestess is still there in my mind. I needed to know it - I couldn't go into this blind. But even so...I wonder if I'm really as brave as everyone needs me to be."

She sighed, glancing at her hands.

"My world is totally different from this one." She admitted. "There's no comparison at all. And in that world, I'm just an ordinary middle school student who's not even doing that well in her classes, let alone anything else. I'm not especially clever, or popular, or any of those things. I've done dumb stuff, and got myself into silly situations. And sometimes I can't even stand up for myself, even if I know something is wrong. Yet for some reason, Seiryuu chose me. And it might be because I'm the Shinzahou, or because my parents are who they are. But, even so...what if he made the wrong choice? I'm not my parents any more than you are yours, Aoi. I'm Hikari. What if that's not enough?"

Aoiketsu sighed, reaching up to slip his fingers through hers as he squeezed her hand tightly.

"It's enough." He said softly. "You say you're hopeless, but we already know you're not. Just because in your world you feel like you've failed, it doesn't mean the same is true here. You said yourself this place is different, after all."

He gestured to the group ahead, where Myoume and Shishi were helping the injured Meihi as much as he would allow them to.

"Myoume believes in you." He added. "She sees a lot more than other people, and she has total faith in you. Shishi does, too, and she's pretty hard to please. Chichiri and Tasuki do - Meikyo and Eiju do. And I do, too. So does the Commander, I think. That's why we're all here, doing this. Because we know you're strong enough. You just have to believe it yourself."

"Don't leave me out of that list, lover-boy." Maichu protested at that point. "I believe in the Miko too, okay? That's why I came to Kounan, ain't it? Stop using it as a chance to flirt with her, okay? There ain't time for that."

"Maichu." Aoiketsu reddened, but Hikari smiled, offering the soldier a rueful smile.

"It helps, though." She admitted. "Having everyone behind me. I couldn't have come here alone. Seiryuu did the right thing, sending me to Kounan. Now I know more about this world and what happens in it - if I'd been thrown into this place straight away, it would have been different. Kikei might even have been able to manipulate me - but there's no way I'm going to let that happen now."

"Then I guess you're fine." Maichu said simply. "Ain't you?"

"I suppose." Hikari admitted. "I guess...maybe it'll be better when I know exactly what our plan of action is. We've done a lot of dangerous stuff so far, so I shouldn't let myself be scared by this one."

"Those are the caves, ahead." Aoiketsu gestured. "We'll be able to rest there, and discuss that."

"The Commander's pretty cool under pressure, even when he's hurt." Maichu reflected. "Comin' to a place like this, with all those shit memories, jus' because that cave is a safe shelter."

"He came here before, though, with us." Aoiketsu reminded him. "I don't think he's ever let his past get in the way of his orders."

"Guess that's why he's been Commander so long as he has." Maichu shrugged. "Hey, Hikari - you manage okay over the steps? It's sorta broken on this side - I found that when we were here the last time, huntin' through the passages."

"I think so." Hikari nodded, hitching up her skirt somewhat as she skipped neatly over the crack. "Though thanks for the warning."

"And this is where Seiryuu's scale was." Aoiketsu led the way into the cavern. "Or actually, almost. It was underneath the lake, to be exact."

"It really was underneath it?" Shishi, who had been close enough to overhear, turned to send the soldier a doubtful glance. "The scale was...underwater?"

"Sort of." Aoiketsu nodded. "The opening to the shrine is beneath that pool. I had to swim down - well, in the end, both Maichu and I did. But the chamber there was airtight. It was like it was protected by holy barriers."

"To think that that was only the beginning of this quest." Hyoushin murmured, and Aoiketsu glanced at him, seeing a faint flicker of something in his amethyst eyes as he settled himself down against the cave wall. "If I had forseen where it would end, perhaps I would have tried to counsel the Emperor to change his mind."

"Even seeing the future isn't always enough to be able to change it." Myoume said bitterly, shaking her head. "Even so, though, we're here - that's progress in itself."

She settled herself beside him, reaching across to touch his brow, and the Meihi flinched back, casting her an annoyed look.

"What now?" He demanded, and Myoume's blue eyes narrowed.

"You said it wasn't far to walk, and within your capabilities." She said accusingly. "But you're warm again, which means we're not moving any further today. You are an idiot, you know - you need to stop trying to be strong all the time and accept that right now, you're not."

"She sounds like a naggin' wife when she talks like that." Maichu reflected, a flicker of amusement in his dark eyes. "You almost sound like Aidou-san, Myoume - you ought'a watch that."

"I'm just concerned about not letting anyone else die before we get to the palace." Myoume snapped, a faint flush of embarrassment touching her cheeks. "We can't afford to lose anyone else, and even if this place is adequate shelter, pushing himself to get here so that his fever gets worse again..."

"The water in this place is said to have beneficial healing qualities." Hyoushin said evenly. "And I believe it to be the truth."

He glanced at his right arm, then shrugged.

"When I was first rescued by the Emperor, this is where he brought me." He added. "My arm had a deep arrow wound, and he removed the barb and bathed the gash with water from here. It healed remarkably quickly after that, and did not become infected. I do not know what the mineral compound is - but that it has a positive effect on health I have no doubt."

"This is ahealing source?" Shishi's eyes widened in surprise, and Hyoushin nodded his head, reaching out his good arm to scoop something up from the ground.

"This is the proof." he said evenly. "The arrow-head the Emperor removed from my arm eighteen years ago. The scar it left behind is minimal - you would probably not even perceive it. It may not have the magic Suzaku's Mitsukake allegedly had, in terms of providing a complete cure. But I believe that the water will bolster my strength some - and possibly anyone else who feels their spirits somewhat lacking."

Myoume pursed her lips.

"You're a crafty one sometimes." She reflected. "Why not say that before?"

"Was there a need to?" Hyoushin looked genuinely surprised. "I thought we sought cover - so I suggested it. That's all."

Myoume sighed, shaking her head slowly.

"You're truly impossible." She murmured. "Fine. You win. The water can be drunk, then? Or just used to bathe a wound?"

"Both." Hyoushin responded. "Probably on account of the shrine having been here so long, the water here is pure."

"It sure does look pure." Shishi peered into the glittering depths. "More so even than the spring beneath the mountain in Sairou. I think Hyoushin-san is right, Myoume."

"Then we'd do as well to fill our water gourds from here, and make camp." Myoume reflected. "We've some food with us, thanks to Aidou-san's forward thinking, and Chichiri sent me with some herbs for you, Hyoushin, if you should need them - so let me know if you do. For now we'll put down our roots here and begin to work out what we're going to do next. After all, this isn't the kind of thing we can do twice...we have to get everything right the first time around."