I'm terribly sorry for not updating this sooner, Nix! Here's the next chapter, and, low and behold, there is a great surprise in it!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi. I'm just a fan with a rather twisted and sick mind, and plot bunnies eating away what little is left of my brain's logical part.

"Oi. Go slower. Your pace needs to get smoother, it's starting to hurt up here" Hisoka mumbled ina bored tone, making Nuriko growl.

He had ended up carrying the Genbu Warrior on his shoulder, seeing as the black-head wouldn't run, no matter what. No one disturbed his pace, he claimed, before ordering him to "deal with it". Seriously, though, the guy had some nerve to complain - not to mention a quite squeezable backside!

He shook his head. Woah, where the heel did THAT come from?! He wasn't 100 % gay - and even if he was, Hotohori would still be his first choice!

"Tamahome, watch out! "

Hotohori wasn't fast enough to prevent the fake Miaka from attacking the teal-head. And the teal-head in question wasn't prepared to defend himself.

Though neither had to move.

The monster's claws never reached the Suzaku Warrior. Instead they tore up all of the bottom buttons on Hisoka's coat, who had jumped in between to protect him - much to her own shock!

The lower half of her breasts showed up now, and she thanked her luck for taking precautions and coverin her bossom with some bindings. Not that it wasn't painfully obvious now that she was a woman, but at least the mounts weren't stark naked for the present male eyes to feast on.

She reached for her kusarigama, but she didn't get the chance to use it. Green blood oozed from a frsh wound on the monster's chest. Seizing the opportunity, the Suzaku Warriors finished the job, with Nuriko throwing a giant rock on top of it.

Their fight done, they all looked at Hisoka. The Japanese shrugged indifferently at their stare.

"A woman ... " Tamahome pinched his nose bridge. "Is there one person in this group that tells the truth about their gender? "he shot Hotohori a pointed glance.

"Don't look at me" the Emperor twitched.

Hisoka sighed "One, I didn't lie. You guys assumed I was a male, I just never corrected you - nor did I agree, though. Two, instead of glaring at each other, how about checking on your Priestess? "

The guys gasped at the sight she pointed with her finger. Miaka was laying still, motionless on the soft grass. A wound on her chest chest made it clear she had somehow attacked her imposter by hurting herself - and that she was about to die from blood loss!

Nuriko reached them in seconds and confirmed so. What to do, what to do? Hotohori and Tamahome cut themselves in an attempt to give her their blood. Those fools! The only thing this would cause was 3 corpses instead of one, and she'd be damned if they left her with the burial duties!

The Genbu Warrior considered all this. Truth is, there was a way to save the other girl. But did Miaka mean enough to her to risk it?

Something inside her said "yes". She found trouble in recognizing it. It was her heart. Oh, how long had it been since she abandoned it and listened only to her mind and logic? Too long ...

Still, it was like a dam had cracked open. Once she had heard that inner voice, there was no turning back.

"I know how to save her" she murmured, mentally slapping herself, knowing she'd regret it later.

"W-What? " Tamahome gaped at her. "How? "

"My power is to "see through" people" she explained. "Right now, her mind and soul are in the void inside her. She needs to truly want it to come back. I can go there, find her and guide her back. My body will be here, but my mind and soul will reach for her easily once I have shed my material bounds off. "

The Suzaku Warriors thought about this. It wouldn't hurt to give it a try. However, Nuriko was suspicious of her genuine offer - and rightfully so.

"How do we know you're telling the truth? " he narrowed his eyes. "You didn't give a shit about us before. Why now? For all I know, you could pretend to protect her, while you'll be driving her away, instead. How can we trust you? "

"You can't" she simply shrugged. "But are you willing to risk it? "

He gritted his teeth. For some reason, what worried him wasn't Miaka's safety, but the annoying, silent girl's. He felt guilty for not caring enough for his Priestess, but he'd be damned if Hisoka's offer didn't seem ... fishy.

He relaxed and tried to act casually "Say, what about you? You just get in there, get Miaka and come back? "

"Hopefully" she nodded.

"Ah, OK ...wait, what?! What do you mean hopefully?! "

"There is a high possibility I'll get lost in there and stay forever" she replied in a frustratingly calm tone. "A soul cursed to go on through eternity like this. I'm a trespasser to that realm, after all. "

The guys stared at her in disbelief.

"You'd go that far for Miaka? " Tamahome asked softly.

"I have nothing better to do, and you guys are trying to bleed yourself to death for her, meaning I'd be the one to bury you, or leave the wild beasts feast on your carcasses, which would make me lose a few nights' sleep" she shrugged, which made them all twitch.

Nuriko sighed "I suppose we don't have any other choice. Very well, then. But, Hisoka ... ? "

"Yes? "

"Make sure to live, I still haven't beaten you up for hiding that you're a girl from us" he gave her a stern look.

The Japanese smiled - and for the first time, her face finally showed its feminine sweetness "Aye. "

And then she took a breath, leaned down, and stole a kiss from Miaka's pale lips!

PREVIEW:

"Did I get in a fight? "

"Why yes, as a matter of fact, YOU DID! You kissed Miaka, right on the lips! You sick, psycho wench! "

Next Chapter: Her first kiss

A little side note on Nuriko's thoughts taking place at the beginning of this chapter. According to the info I've found (see Fushigi Yuugi's wikipedia, or the wiki pages), there's no proof Nuriko is really gay, just a crossdesser. He has abandoned his masculinity to fulfill his sister's dream (sorry for the spoilers) , therefore we can't say for sure he's in love with the Emperor. Plus, in the series (again, more spoilers) , he has confessed he might have developed romantic feelings for Miaka (I don't remember to whom, I think it was Tamahome, but I can't be sure). Anyway, next chapter coming up the next Sunday, stay tuned!