Chapter Twenty Seven

It was a beautiful new day.

Hikari sat on the window seat of the palace chamber, pulling her robe more tightly around her aching body as she gazed dreamily out across the Kutou landscape. Where the shrine had proudly stood there now lay rubble and plaster, the ground coated in dust and fragments of blue gilting, but even despite the devastation, the golden form of the dragon still arched in his defiant pose, his glittering azure eyes gazing for the first time not at the cold wall of a stone chamber but across the land that he had come to protect. Somehow, Hikari mused absently to herself, it seemed fitting to be that way. As if, somehow, by summoning the God from the sky, she had reconnected Seiryuu with the people who lived in his shadow.

"At last he can see them, and they him." She murmured, pressing her fingers to the glass as she absorbed the view. "And I helped. I did something...to make that real. It's hard to believe...but I really did."

"The sun is shining good and strong over Kutou this morning."

A voice came from the doorway, and she turned, offering a smile as she met Myoume's gaze. She nodded, gesturing for her friend to come join her, and the Seishi did as she was bidden, sinking down on the far end of the cushioned seat as she cast the younger girl a quizzical look.

"Well, Miko-sama?" She asked lightly. "Are you satisfied with what you see?"

"I'm a bit confused, to tell you the truth." Hikari laughed ruefully, glancing at her hands. "A lot of what happened yesterday is a blur in my mind. I know they were inside of me - Suzaku, Seiryuu - both of them at different times. And I know that I didn't dream it, although it seems that way right now. I can still...Suzaku is still there, flickering against my senses as if somehow by doing this I woke his power inside of me good and proper. It's okay, though. It's a nice feeling - a warm feeling, like I'm not alone. And Seiryuu - Seiryuu could have taken me, if he'd wanted. But he didn't. I remember that."

She sighed, her eyes clouding slightly as she remembered her final wish.

"He couldn't bring Jin back, though." She murmured regretfully. "Even he couldn't do that."

"Some things are beyond even the Gods, it seems." Myoume folded her hands in her lap. "And maybe there are things they can't control or understand, too."

"I suppose." Hikari acknowledged. She frowned, shooting her companion a sidelong glance.

"Myoume...are you all right?" She asked softly, and Myoume started, staring at her in surprise. Hikari smiled.

"I won't lie." She admitted. "I don't remember much of yesterday, but Aoi came here first thing this morning, and he told me everything that I didn't already know. So I know what went between you and your brother. And...and though I'm sorry for you that you...couldn't reach him completely, I'm glad...that you're still here."

She reached out to grasp the older girl's hand, squeezing it tightly.

"You've been good to me from the start." She added. "So I'm happy that it was you who lived, even if it's selfish."

Myoume returned the smile with a rueful one of her own.

"It's not selfish." She murmured. "I love Miramu. I always will. But...for a moment, in that shrine, he let me see what he'd shielded from me for so long. And I think I know why he did, now. He cut himself off from me to protect me...for ten years, he's done that. He parted us so he wouldn't be able to hurt me, knowing how my visions are. And he took his life to ensure he couldn't take mine. In the end, I suppose, I didn't need to reach him - not as much as I thought. He already had it worked out. And he did it for my sake...because he didn't want me to die."

She sighed, shaking her head.

"The truth is, I'm the selfish one." She confessed. "Because...though I would have died for Byakko in there, I...didn't want to do it. Before I met you and Shishi and Jin, I didn't really care about life or death. My duty was first and foremost on my mind, and I withdrew from even my family to do my job protecting the Shinzahou. But you...it wasn't like I was joining with people just to fight for a cause. I made friends with you, too. You made me a part of something I didn't think I could be part of...and now...it's more than that. I wanted to live...so...I won't say I'm happy. I can't be that completely, not when Miramu is lost to me. But I'm relieved. It's over. At last. And I feel like a curse has been lifted off me."

She tilted her head on one side.

"Hikari, what about Aoi? You know that now you're done with this, you'll go back home, don't you?"

"Yes, although I haven't yet." Hikari sighed. "I love him, Myoume. But I...I couldn't wish for it. It's like Aoi said. It shouldn't be that way. I love him...Suiko said to me that I couldn't let my feelings get in the way, though. And she was right, so I didn't. I did the right thing. It's just...going to hurt, when we say goodbye. So long as magic doesn't intervene, I intend to go back to Kounan with Shishi before I go home. And Aoi said he'd ride with us, so it's not just yet. I want to see Chichiri and Tasuki and everyone there before I leave."

She bit her lip.

"The truth is, this time, when I leave I'll probably not ever come back."

"Such is the Miko's role." Myoume agreed sadly. "I'll miss you too, you know. Maybe I'll ride with you to Kounan, also. I have to take Miramu's ashes to the West, after all...it's one way of getting there, and not much out of my way. Not at all, in fact, if I take the mountain path into Sairou."

"I'd like it, if you did." Hikari admitted. "I know I have to say goodbye to people, but I'd rather it wasn't quite so soon as this."

"Then it's settled." Myoume nodded her head. "That's what I'll do."

She sat back against the stone, gazing out across the land.

"Kutou can rebuild, now. Kintsusei-sama can finally be a King who leads a peaceful kingdom." She reflected. "It's a tremendous thing, Hikari. What you've done here."

"I suppose." Hikari pinkened. "I just wish that so many people hadn't had to make so many sacrifices. I was stupid so many times, I think...and I'll always wish that I could have prevented Jin's death."

She pursed her lips.

"Myoume, what about Hyoushin-san? I know that he was forcing himself through the pain these last few days, and Aoi said something this morning about him being in a deep sleep. Is he...will he live through this? Or...?"

"Hyoushin..." Myoume sighed, and Hikari saw a strange look enter her friend's deep blue eyes. "In the shrine, he almost died. But I think...he's just exhausted. He's sleeping because his body's finally rebelled against everything he's put it through and told him he needs to rest if he's going to recover. He doesn't need to hold out any more, and that's all. His chi was strong when I left him last night, so I think...he'll be fine."

"Good." Hikari looked relieved. "Because he went through so much to find me, and more, to keep faith with his Emperor and Kutou even despite everything. I understand why Aoi looks up to him...I didn't want him to die."

"Me either." Myoume shook her head. She paused, then, "Hikari, whilst we're alone...can I tell you something?"

"Tell me?" Hikari looked startled, and Myoume nodded, a faint flush touching her cheeks.

"Something I've not told anyone, yet. Not really." She admitted, toying with her hands as she met Hikari's gaze hesitantly. "But even so, you said I could trust you. And I do...besides, you were the one who...said it. Originally. And I...wanted you to know...that you were right."

"You've lost me." Hikari looked befuddled. "I'm still tired and muggy, Myoume - you're going to have to be clearer than that."

"It's about Hyoushin." Myoume's colour deepened and she dropped her gaze. "Yesterday, in the shrine, I realised...that Byakko didn't make me see him because we were meant to help Kutou. Or at least, maybe he did. I don't know. But either way...he's...not just an ally to me. I mean...in the end..."

"Oh!" Hikari's eyes widened as she understood her friend's faltering, awkward words, and she grasped Myoume's hands in hers, her eyes shining with excitement.

"You mean he really is your soulmate, after all?" She demanded. "That's so romantic - after everything, to think that you..."

"I don't know about soulmate." Myoume held up her hands, shaking her head. "No, I don't think...well, I don't know. I'm blind, this time. I can't see what's ahead or what any of it means - I don't think I'm meant to. But I do...I mean..."

She sighed, rubbing her temples.

"You're in love with him." Hikari murmured, and Myoume nodded.

"Yes." She whispered. "I guess I knew it before...I knew it from that time I broke into his thoughts and sent him to sleep. That was when I saw for the first time who he really was, and understood...all the things he doesn't say or show. But I didn't have a word for it till yesterday, when I pulled him back from the brink of death. And then...then I knew that I needed him to live because I wanted to see him. Not because of Kutou, or anything else. I just...I wanted to keep him here, because of how I felt."

She groaned, running her fingers through her thick white hair.

"I'm selfish, but I couldn't even let him go when he was so tired and in so much pain." She added. "But Miramu...he said that I should be with my man of peace. And he...he's right. That's what I want, too. I just don't know...what Hyoushin thinks about it."

"He'd be a fool if he rejected you." Hikari said decidedly. "Besides, he seems to respect you. Though it's hard to know what he's thinking...I don't think it's all that strange that you feel that way."

She grinned.

"It's exciting." She added. "Don't you think so?"

"Really?" Myoume sighed. "I'm a little afraid of it. I've never had something like this inside of me before. I've always seen pathways and linked them together, but I don't see this one. I can't visualise anything...for the first time I'm acting entirely on my own whims. It's scary to say the least."

"Love is though. Right?" Hikari eyed her playfully, and Myoume nodded.

"I suppose." She acknowledged. "Yes. I suppose it is."

"Well, if it works out for you, at least one of us will have a happy ending." Hikari reflected. "Aoi and I are doomed to be parted, so it might as well be you."

"I wish there was a way around that." Myoume pursed her lips, and Hikari shrugged.

"Right now I can rationalise it, though I might not, when it's time to leave." She responded. "But right now I want to talk to you about this crush of yours. I haven't had a girly chat like that with anyone in what seems like ages...Shishi just doesn't care about all that stuff, and besides, I sort of feel like you've become a kind of big sister in some ways. So it's fun, sometimes, to talk like that about guys...don't you think?"

"I suppose so." Myoume looked surprised. "I never have before. But I don't have a sister either...so I suppose that's why."

"Brothers are overrated." Hikari said decidedly. "Girls are much better."

She dimpled.

"So, when he wakes up, will you tell him?" She demanded. Myoume shrugged.

"I don't know what I'm going to do yet." She confessed. "I'll come with you when you leave...if he wakes before then, I'll see him. But if he doesn't...I guess..."

"You'll chicken out and run away." Hikari scolded, and Myoume shook her head.

"No." She replied. "I'm not going to do that. I know how I feel, and that the idea of not seeing him again is more frightening than dying for Byakko's cause. That's how strong it is inside of me...I can't escape it, and I don't think I wholly want to. But I must go to Sairou - for Miramu's sake, and for Mother's - she has to know that in the end, he did become Amefuri and he did protect me. He did his part, Hikari. Mother needs to know that, too. So that's my duty, first and foremost. To take my brother home."

Hikari's expression softened.

"I suppose it is." She conceded. "Sorry."

"No, it's okay." Myoume smiled. "And I won't run away. I intend on seeing him again, before we leave - even if he's still sleeping then. And I...when I've been home, I think...I'll come back to Kutou. Kintsusei-sama has already told me I'm welcome here, and I intend to take that seriously. I don't want to stay in Sairou - I never fitted into the village, and if I was there, I'd probably only be a bother for my parents. Besides, Mother would tell me to follow my heart."

She pinkened.

"She'll be beside herself if she thinks her daughter's doing something like a normal young woman for once." She admitted.

"Hyoushin-san's older than you, isn't he?" Hikari looked thoughtful. "Let me see...Aoi is eighteen, and Hyoushin-san was just about an adult when he was born, so..."

"Hyoushin is thirty five. He told me so himself." Myoume nodded. "And I'm twenty one in the autumn...do you think it's too wide a gap?"

"No..." Hikari considered. "Not considering it's you."

"Meaning?" Myoume stared, and Hikari smiled.

"You're not immature." She replied. "I said you were like a big sister, but sometimes when we were travelling you could be like a mother, too. You guided us, after all. And you...with Hyoushin-san, it doesn't seem like that much of an age gap, when it's you. I mean, I'm only five years younger than you, but there seems a huge gap between him and me. Even between him and Aoi, because he is like Aoi's dad. But you...I don't know. You don't even call him Hyoushin-san like I do. It's different somehow."

She smiled at Myoume's self-conscious expression, spreading her hands.

"You're the same with Chichiri and Tasuki, like you're easily of their generation." She added. "It's not that you seem old or anything, but still...it makes sense. I don't think it's too big a gap at all, Myoume. Besides...when it's true love...who cares about that, anyway? I think it's romantic - and that Hyoushin-san would be an idiot to turn you away."

"Well, he might still." Myoume folded her hands together with a sigh. "He has a lot of things...inside of him, there are a lot of matters he has to settle and come to terms with, I think. I can't really explain - but..."

"I guess when you've been a slave like he has, it must make some sucky memories." Hikari said pensively. "But still, it's a long time ago, you know. I think it'll be fine...he's a grown man now, after all. And he doesn't have to run around the country stealing relics and stuff any more."

Her eyes widened.

"That reminds me...what about Byakko's treasures? If you're not going to go back and guard them, what will happen to them?"

"I don't know where they are." Myoume admitted, and Hikari frowned.

"You don't..."

"When you summoned Seiryuu - when the Gods appeared and the shrine was destroyed, they disappeared." Myoume shrugged. "Suiko and Kitora's relics, too. The only Shinzahou whose whereabouts we know is you. The others have gone...I guess the Gods took them with them when they left Kutou's sky."

"To hide them for the next time?"

"Probably." Myoume nodded. "But if nothing else, it's a clear indication to me that Byakko's let me go now. My work for him is done - Toroki can sleep again. I can live my own life - like Chichiri and Tasuki have, in the South."

"Then it's for the best that they're gone." Hikari said decidedly. "Because you have a happy ever after to run after now, and it'd suck if something got in the way of it."

"When you say it that way, it sounds really simple." Myoume laughed, and Hikari nodded.

"That's because it is." She said frankly.

She stretched, stifling a yawn as she did so.

"I should get up." She murmured. "Where's Shishi...is she all right? I know she was hurt yesterday, by Kitora in the shrine."

"She's all right." Myoume agreed. "Her arm wasn't badly hurt - just a flesh wound. She and Maichu are with Aoi...actually, I think they may be going to see the Emperor about something, to be honest. She said that she'd see you when it was time for eats - so I suppose that's how it is."

"Shishi...to see the...Emperor of Kutou?" Hikari looked blank, and Myoume nodded.

"I think it concerns Maichu." She said evenly. "You'll have to ask her, though. I just overheard them this morning, talking it out."

"Is it about Kayu's death, then?" Hikari felt a flicker of anxiety stir within her. "He isn't going to be in trouble...is he?"

"No, he won't be." Myoume shook her head. "It's not like that. As I said, ask Shishi. She knows more of the details than I do."

She smiled, getting to her feet.

"You shouldn't think about getting up when you can still yawn like that." She added. "So I'll leave you to rest. I have another patient to visit, in any case."

"Yes, you do." Hikari agreed. "Give him my best wishes...and make sure you don't chicken out on this, okay? I won't tell anyone what you told me, but if you don't do anything about it, I'll be really mad. Even from the other world - I'll find a way to haunt you, so keep it in mind!"

"So that's how it is."

Kintsusei sighed, rubbing his chin absently as he glanced down at the three youngsters that bowed before him. In the centre was the young bandit girl, her shock of vivid red hair in direct contrast to her companions' darkness, and as his gaze rested on her, she glanced up, meeting his eyes with sober bronze ones of her own.

"It was pretty sh...bad for Maichu in Kounan, after it happened." She said slowly, her words edged with the distinctive roll of a southern mountain accent. "An' I understand that. Noone likes to feel like they screwed over a friend, after all."

"No, that is true." Kintsusei's gaze shifted from the young girl to the anxious looking Maichu. Although he had not spent as much time observing the middle Shi child as much as he had watched Aoiketsu's progress, he was struck by the uncharacteristic shadows beneath the boy's eyes, and the faint pallor in his cheeks that told of an unspoken mental strain. Maichu was strong, he knew that, and yet the anguish of his actions haunted him, and he realised with a jolt that the decision he made now could make or break the young man's future.

He sighed again, then slowly got to his feet, stepping down from the dais as he paused at Maichu's side.

"Stand, Shi Maichu. I want you to look me in the eye and tell me that this is truly what you wish to do." He said quietly. Maichu started, then nodded, scrambling inelegantly to his feet as he did as he was bidden.

"Yes, sire. It is, sire. After Aoi and I discussed it last night...I didn't sleep much for thinking on it. An' I think...it's the right thing. I mean..."

He frowned, and the Emperor could tell he was mulling something over.

"It might be runnin' away from my demons." He admitted honestly. "I don't know, yet. Actin' in your name is what I was trained for an' I don't regret that I did that. It's just...this place...ain't like it was before. An' I don't like it. It's not just somethin' that's goin' to square up an' go away. I can fight with a sword, but I don't want to fight the people I care about. An' if I stay as a soldier, it might happen again. I don't think I'm strong enough to do that, Heika. An' I don't want to let you down any more than I want to kill any more of my buddies."

Kintsusei's eyes softened, and he nodded his head.

"In my eyes, you have committed no crime." He said softly. "But equally, nor did Kayu. Both of you acted in the way you believed was best, attempting to serve me although Kayu was deceived. I too was deceived - I must carry some of the burden of blame for the incident in Kounan. And as such, I must accept the consequences. You are a fine soldier, Shi Maichu. Your loyalty is second to none and your commitment beyond reproach. I am sorry to lose you. But I have already asked much of you...it would be wrong of me to ask for more."

"Heika?" Maichu's eyes widened, and Kintsusei smiled, resting a hand on the young man's shoulder.

"Shishi, you represent your people here before me." He said frankly, and the young bandit nodded her head, not seeming to be at all awed by the Emperor's sudden attention.

"Yes, sire?"

"You believe that your father would accept this situation? That if I were to release Maichu from his military duties, he would be admitted into Reikaku-zan's clan? I understand that your bandits operate in a different, unique way from other bandits - that you protect the poorer people that surround you, and fight foes to keep them safe. If this is the case, I can understand why Maichu would belong there. But I must know from you - I must have your word - that if I so grant him his release, you will not turn him away."

Shishi frowned for a moment, then she shrugged her shoulders.

"Papa is Kashira on Reikaku-zan." She said levelly. "And it was Papa who talked sense into Maichu, after Kayu died. It'll be okay, Kintsusei-sama. Maichu's rough but he'll adjust...the mountain is a pretty direct place an' noone there would judge him for what happened with Kayu. Sure as hell I don't think it matters - to me the guy was an enemy who threatened to hurt people, an' Maichu did the only thing he could. Others on Reikaku-zan think the same way - Papa included. So I don't think it'd be a problem."

She eyed Maichu pensively, then,

"He'll have to learn how to be a proper bandit, of course." She added. "As you said, Heika, Reikaku-zan isn't like other bandit strongholds an' Papa rules the South West with Reizeitei-sama's blessing. So it's not like drawin' your sword an' fightin' for ale an' shit. But even so...even so, I don't think it'd be a problem. If that's the way he feels...I think you should let him go."

"Yes, I think so also." Kintsusei admitted. "Sorry as it makes me, I can see no other choice. I will not force a man who risked everything to save me into fighting yet again in my name. He has sacrificed enough."

He cast Maichu a glance, absorbing the relief that glittered in the young soldier's expression.

"You are too honest for Kutou's twisted political system, I think." He murmured, more than half to himself. "I am sorry, Shi Maichu. I feel I have committed a grave sin against you in allowing this to happen. In return, I have no option but to grant you your request for discharge. But know that it doesn't change my gratitude towards you - not only for defending my name, but for protecting Hyoushin when noone else was able to do so. His survival now is in part down to your actions - and you have no idea how important a factor that is to me. I will discharge you, but I will do so with honour...so long as you remember that you are still in my trust, even in the Southern mountains."

"Yes, Heika." Maichu's eyes widened with wonder, and he nodded his head. "I understand. Th...thank you. I mean...I don't know what kind of a bandit I'll make, or any of that, yet. But I need to try...and do something else. An' Tasuki-san...I think he understood me...he knew how I felt. So...I think...it's the best thing to do."

"In which case, Shishi of Reikaku-zan, I entrust Shi Maichu to you." Kintsusei said gravely, and Shishi bowed her head.

"Yes, sire." She agreed. "Leave him to me - I'll kick sense into him."

Despite himself, Kintsusei smiled at the bandit's off-hand remark. His gaze flitted to the final member of the group, who as yet had remained silent throughout the discussion.

"Aoiketsu, do you have nothing to say in this matter?" He asked softly, and Aoiketsu raised his head, a flicker of reticence in his blue eyes.

"I'll miss Maichu, but I think it's the right thing." He said honestly. "I don't want him to go crazy staying here, and I think he would, if he did. He's not like me...or like any of the others, Heika. I would...I think I would have killed Kayu and still been angry at him, if it was me. Maichu's more forgiving than I am, and I know it'll bother him more than it will anyone else."

He pursed his lips.

"I know you've already given me permission to ride with Hikari and Shishi south." He added. "I will return to Kutou - I must. After all, I want to take up my studies again and enter the official examinations to continue serving the East in some way beyond my sword. But...would it be all right...if I stayed a few days in Kounan? I may not see Maichu again for some time, and I will be parting from Hikari completely. If it is not too much trouble, Heika..."

Kintsusei shook his head.

"You may do as you see fit." He said, a twinkle in his dark eyes. "Your judgement seems wise to me, Kaiga Aoiketsu. You have my blessing."

"Thank you, Kintsusei-sama." Aoiketsu bowed his head, his long tail of hair falling over his shoulder, and Kintsusei sighed, folding his hands together as he surveyed them.

"This business has not been without a heavy cost." He murmured. "Yet that we have survived it and can now learn from it and rebuild - for this I am grateful. Aoiketsu, I will be trusting you and Maichu too to ensure the safe passage of Seiryuu no Miko as she returns to Kounan and then to her own world. Maichu, this will be the last duty I will ask you to undertake as a soldier of my retinue - do you both accept?"

"Yes, sire." As one man, the two soldiers replied, bowing their heads in acknowledgement, and Kintsusei nodded, raising his hand.

"You are then dismissed." He said softly. "I wish you luck, Shi Maichu, in the future you have chosen."

With that the three youngsters withdrew, and as the chamber door shut behind them, Kintsusei let out a heavy sigh.

"I cannot refuse such a request, when I see such anguish in the boy's eyes." He murmured to himself aloud. "And I hope Hyoushin will forgive me, when he finds out what I have done. Maichu's suffering is my fault - noone else's. I should have been more astute, and more perceptive to what was going on. Kayu's death is on my conscience, yet Maichu must live with the memory of it...if releasing him will help him overcome that, so it must be."

"Heika?"

A voice from the rear chamber startled him, and he turned, offering the doctor a tired smile.

Aishi-sensei...I'm sorry. You've come to report to me and I'm standing here talking to myself - you must wonder if I've lost my mind."

"A good deal has happened in the last twenty four hours, my Lord. I imagine most of us feel a little that way this morning." Aishi said drolly, and Kintsusei laughed, nodding his head in acknowledgement.

"There is truth in that." He agreed. "Well? How fare the patients this morning? Hyoushin has passed a safe night, I trust? And Seiryuu no Miko - she is recovering, too?"

"You need not concern yourself on Seiryuu no Miko-sama's behalf." Aishi said simply. "She is a fit young girl and has slept through most of her tiredness already. To command the Gods and escape unscathed is beyond my understanding, but she is not from our world and so...perhaps...this is the reason why. Either way, she is quite well this morning."

"And Hyoushin?"

"Hyoushin-dono still sleeps, Highness." Aishi admitted. "Yet I am content with his condition and I do not feel he is in danger. His body is worn and tired from his exertions - but I am satisfied that there is no longer poison in his system. He has pushed himself too far, that is all. The heat coupled with his injury during his time down south has taken his toll, and I have been told by the Western girl that he has not eaten well since he left Hokkan. It may take time for him to recover fully - particularly the use of his left arm, which seems to have been badly scarred. But I believe he will recover...given time, I believe he will be well."

"Good." Relief flickered in Kintsusei's gaze. "He can have all the time he wants. I owe him that, at the very least. If I had lost his life in all of this, Aishi, I don't believe I ever would have forgiven myself. I promised him eighteen years ago that I would offer him protection. I have failed to do that, in the end...but as he still lives, I may yet make it up to him."

"He has always been of strong body and mind, Heika." Aishi said wisely. "I do not expect him to succumb."

"When you say the Western girl - you mean Myoume? Byakko's Toroki-sama?"

"Yes, sire." Aishi nodded his head. "She seems to have played an active role in Hyoushin-dono's care since his injury...and she was able to give me quite some information on events. Her people appear to be apothecaries, and her knowledge is basic but sound."

"It seems I am much in the debt of foreign Seishi." Kintsusei murmured. "Well, so be it. I must make time to see her and thank her formally before she leaves to take her brother home. All arrangements for his cremation have been made, I trust? In the absence of a royal Shrine Priest, an alternative has been settled upon?"

"Yes, Heika. So I understand." Aishi said respectfully. "It is not my particular area of expertise, yet I have heard that the ceremony will take place later this afternoon."

"Then that is well." Kintsusei looked approving. "Thank you, Aishi-sensei. And for your continued attention to my injured friend - for that also. I will not keep you any longer...we both, it seems, have much to do in rebuilding this shattered country and its bruised population into something worthy of foreign respect."

"Well, it was as simple as that."

As they left the royal chambers, Shishi kicked absently at a pebble, turning to offer her companion a grin. "Your Emperor sure is a soft touch, you know – you hardly had to do any grovelling at all to convince him of your case."

She paused, eying him speculatively.

"Or maybe it's just he's secretly glad to be rid of you." She mused. "Since you are a clot when you put your mind to it."

"Shut up." Maichu glared back at her. "He's a reasonable guy, that's all. He realised that it was important to me to go."

"I think it was more than that." Aoiketsu reflected. "Kintsusei-sama really does feel to blame for it, Maichu. I honestly think he meant that – that he feels it was his fault for not preventing Kayu's trip to the South…or interfering in Kikei's instructions more closely."

"Well, he ain't wrong." Shishi said simply. "He's the captain an' it's his fault too if the ship springs a leak – right?"

"Don't use boat analogies." Maichu ordered. "There ain't any of those in the Southern mountains, an' I'm quite happy for it to stay that way."

"Huh?" Shishi looked blank, and Aoiketsu laughed.

"Maichu gets horribly seasick." He said, amused. "As we discovered on our first trip out to Sairou. He was really quite pathetic – a whole week and he barely left the cabin except to puke his guts up over the side."

"Shut up." Maichu reddened. "She doesn't need to know any of that shit. I ain't goin' to be gettin' on a boat again any time soon, after all."

"Guess that's true." Aoiketsu relented, and Shishi snorted.

"You an' the Kashira'll get on real well, then." She reflected. "He ain't never admitted it to me, but Chichiri once told me he hated water so much because he got seasick when it came to boats an' shit. Even now he doesn't swim, either, though Okaa-san an' I both do, an' Jin swam like a fish. He says it's because Suzaku's magic inside him is fire-based, an' that water an' fire don't mix. But I think he actually hates it…so if you feel the same, you'll get on great."

"See?" Maichu sent Aoiketsu a triumphant look. "It ain't abnormal to get queasy when the whole world round you's swingin' about! It's not like hurlin' at the slightest sign of blood, so you keep your comments to yourself, Aoi!"

"Well, I seem to have shaken that off now." Aoiketsu pursed his lips, his expression becoming thoughtful. "I never thought I'd say it, but I almost wish I hadn't. It does feel more like the barrier between me and hot-blooded killer instinct is gone now. On a battlefield – who knows what I might do? In the shrine I felt close to going into a red haze and just losing my grip on things…in an actual fight I'd probably take it to the next step."

"I can't see it, somehow." Maichu shook his head. "You're too level – you always have been. You ain't never fought when there's been no need – the Commander taught you that, an' you absorbed it better'n anyone."

"Still, it makes you wonder what kind of shit went through Nakago's head, doesn't it?" Shishi looked uncharacteristically thoughtful. "Considerin' it's his blood that makes you fight that way."

"No kidding." Aoiketsu said ruefully. He paused, glancing across the palace grounds, then, "Before we go to Kounan, I ought to go pay respects to my mother, come to think of it. Now I understand what her secrets were. I've never been there except to ask questions – but this time I think I want to…to thank her. If that makes sense."

"Not really, but nor do you, always." Maichu eyed him keenly. "Why thank her? The woman's been dead your whole life…what are you thanking her for?"

"Aside from giving me life?" Aoiketsu tilted his head on his side, considering. "I think…for ensuring I didn't end up like my father. In the situation I was in…she gave everything to ensure I was born safely. She came and grovelled before the Emperor, not knowing whether a new King would honour Nakago's word to her and guarantee her protection. And even then, she humbled herself before a former slave to ensure there would be someone to guide me. And she made a good choice, too. Of all people, she chose the one person capable of teaching me to fight the opposite way from my father. So I didn't turn out like him – and I didn't fall into the same kind of traps. For doing all of that, I suppose – I need to thank her."

He glanced up at the sky.

"Maybe she was a stronger woman than I realised."

"I keep tellin' you both that there's nothin' weak an' wimpish about girls." Shishi said bluntly. "Maybe you'll start to believe me, now."

"Depends on the girl." Maichu said evenly. "If you gave my sister a sword she'd probably scream or faint or both. She's like that."

He looked rueful.

"If I wasn't goin' to Reikaku-zan, I'd have to go back home an' deal with it." He added. "So I'm glad there's another option. I don't hate my family, but I sure as hell ain't like them."

"Tasuki won't mind, will he? You turning up with Maichu?" Aoiketsu asked, and Shishi shook her head.

"No. And even if he did, I've given Kintsusei-sama my word, so he won't break it." She said wisely. "Bandits believe in honour, after all. Besides, Maichu's a moron but his morals are in the right place an' he ain't bad with a sword. So Kashira won't mind. He'll be all right with it, I'm pretty sure."

"Will you stop calling me stupid already?" Maichu demanded. "I am here, you know, and I can hear you."

"You three are making enough noise to wake the dead, you know."

Before Shishi could retort, a fresh voice interrupted the conversation, and they turned, Shishi letting out an exclamation as she registered the speaker.

"Hiki! I thought you were meant to be resting!"

"I was, but I was bored, and after Myoume came to see me I couldn't get back to sleep." Hikari owned, pulling her cloak more tightly around her body as she offered her friend a rueful smile. "She's gone on an errand of her own, so I decided I might as well dress and come find you people. Myoume said you were with the Emperor – it got me curious. What's going on?"

"Maichu's not staying in Kutou when we leave." Shishi said simply. "He's comin' to the south with us instead."

"To the south?" Hikari cast the soldier a confused glance, and Maichu nodded.

"To Reikaku-zan." He agreed. "I can't stay in this place – too much hangin' over it. So that's what I'm goin' to do. After all, I'm trained to use a sword, an' Reikaku-zan's job is to protect people around the mountain area – right? I might as well use what I know to some good, even if I can't fight for Kutou any more."

"I see." Hikari's expression softened. "That does make sense. It's easy to forget that we saved Kutou but…a lot still needs to happen, and a lot of people got hurt because of it. I suppose those things aren't so easily healed."

"No kidding." Maichu said ruefully. "But I'll cope. We all will."

"You probably should be careful walking around unattended out here, you know." Aoiketsu cast Hikari a reproachful look. "To us you're Hikari, but to the people of Kutou you're the saviour who summoned the Gods over the skies and brought them hope for the future. Unless you want to be crowded and worshipped, you should be a bit more cautious about where you go and what you do."

"Well, she ain't alone now we're with her, so it's no problem." Shishi said with a shrug. "If anyone gets too close an' tries to prod her, I'll prod them back with my sword."

"You would, as well." Hikari laughed, nodding her head. "I should be all right, if I have you guys watching out for me."

"You don't seem that beat up, considerin' what you did yesterday." Maichu eyed her critically. "Or doesn't it hurt after all, to have a dragon god inside of you?"

"It hurt like hell." Hikari said ruefully, putting an absent-minded hand to her chest as she did so. "But I feel more or less all right, now. Seiryuu didn't try and take me, after all. He told me he'd promised Suzaku that if I saved Kutou he'd spare me, and he did. I'm a bit achey and tired but I'm okay. And besides, being shut in a big fancy bedroom like that is kinda unnerving. When the woman bringing breakfast addressed me as Miko-sama and bowed before me, it really freaked me out."

"That's why you need to be careful." Aoiketsu said meaningfully. "Everyone will want a piece of you, while you're here."

"I am still here, however." Hikari glanced at her hands, then at her companions. "Am I meant to be? I don't know how this works, but I thought the Miko went back home after she summoned the God. Isn't that how the stories all go?"

"Dunno." Shishi admitted. "Didn't your Mother break the rules in any case, raising Suzaku in her world instead of in this one? God knows how it's supposed to finish up. Maybe you need to go back to the place you were summoned to originally…in any case, are you in that much of a hurry to get back to that world? Once you do, you know, you won't see us again."

"Probably not ever." Aoiketsu agreed gravely, and a sad expression touched Hikari's face. Slowly she nodded.

"I know." She admitted. "That's going to suck. A lot of people here…I don't want to leave behind. But my family are probably worried about me, so I don't want to keep them waiting longer than I have to."

She sighed, running her fingers through her thick, dark hair.

"It's not easy, being Seiryuu no Miko." She added unnecessarily. "I feel like I'm torn between two lots of people that I care about."

"Well, at least we can go back to Kounan together. Then we can ask Chichiri – he'll know what to do." Shishi suggested. Hikari nodded her head.

"He will." She agreed. "And I want to see them and say goodbye, too."

She smiled, though there was a bittersweet twinkle in her hazel eyes.

"I'm kinda proud of myself, though." She added honestly. "Because for once in my life I didn't run away, or make excuses, or anything like that. For once I did something that mattered to other people…and I don't regret coming here just for that. I feel different about a lot of things – this world has made me change, I think, and I don't think I'm quite so much of a hopeless person any more. Maybe I never was that hopeless to begin with – I just didn't know it."

"Well, you're kinda strange, an' you have some funny ideas sometimes." Shishi observed. "But you're all right. You'll do."

She frowned.

"Where did you say Myoume was? Since you're up, we probably should discuss when we're going to start heading for home. Not that I'm in a hurry to lose you, either – but Kutou is messed up an' weird and the longer we're here, the more likely it will be you'll get mobbed an' stripped for souvenirs or something."

"Ugh, don't even say it." Hikari shivered. "As for Myoume…she's gone to see Hyoushin-san. She did help take care of him a lot when we were in Kounan, after all."

"The Commander's still sleeping, though." Aoiketsu objected. "The doctor didn't think he'd wake for a while…she's wasting her time."

"Maybe." Hikari looked pensive. "But she likes to see things through. I suppose she wanted to make sure for herself how he was. Then she can at least tell Chichiri, when we go home to Kounan."

"Hiki…" Shishi started, gazing at her friend in surprise, and Hikari blushed, her hand flying to her mouth.

"I just said 'home', didn't I?" She murmured. "How weird. Kounan's not my home…I guess it's just started to feel like it was, that's all."

"As for goin' back, I heard someone say somethin' about Miramu bein' cremated this afternoon." Maichu remarked. "So we won't be leavin' before tomorrow. Myoume's takin' his ashes back to Sairou, ain't she? Or some such thing as that."

"Yes." Hikari agreed. "And I want to speak to the Emperor too, before we go. I want to ask him to not be suspicious of Reizeitei-sama and Kounan any more…that they can be friends and then people will be happier. Reizeitei-sama would want me to, and if I'm Seiryuu no Miko, he might take notice of me."

"I think he already has that message, but it won't hurt you to tell him too." Aoiketsu agreed. "For the time being, though, you still look tired. If you're not going to rest, at least let's find somewhere to sit – all right?"

"All right." Hikari looked surprised, but she nodded her head. "If you want."

"Why don't you take Hikari to meet your Ma, Aoi?" Maichu eyed his friend keenly, and a faint red colour touched Aoiketsu's features. "Shishi an' me, we'll stick around here an' she can give me a rundown of the bandit code…but you oughta at least introduce the two of 'em, before we ride from here. Even if one of them is pushin' up daisies an' the other about to skip dimensions – it's only right."

"You have a really shit way of phrasing things sometimes." Aoiketsu sent him a dark glare, and Maichu shrugged.

"Just a thought." He said flippantly. "Don't need to bite my head off."

"It's all right with me." Hikari added. "I mean, I know Ruiren-sama is dead, so it's a bit weird, but…if you want me to come with you, Aoi – I…I will."

"Really?" Aoiketsu eyed her doubtfully, and Hikari nodded her head.

"Really." She agreed. "I can't introduce you to my family, and yours have passed on, so I can't meet them properly either. But at least…I can do this. Right?"

"I suppose so." Aoiketsu shrugged. "All right. If that's how you feel – follow me."