Sakura had been sitting on the floor for a good half an hour when Nuriko finally decided to risk peeking through the heavy door. He found her leaning with her back to the urn which was rapidly burning down to coals. She had a blank look on her face and toyed idly with the silver ring on her left hand, staring all the while at the deep red carpet under her feet. She didn't move as Nuriko cautiously crossed the room and stood in her line of sight.
"Are you alright? Sakura?" he asked with concern. "Does this have something to do with your powers?" She started slightly at this.
"You know about those?"
"I do" he began, "but only through hearsay." When he got no answer, he decided to change the topic. He knelt by her feet. "I heard you yelling. That's either very brave, or very stupid my friend." Sakura gave him a weak smile.
"You'll find out how very stupid I am, in time" she told him. "Can you perhaps take me to the priestess? Now is as good a time as any for introductions." Nuriko felt, for the second time that day, confusion seeping into his brain.
"Are you sure you're alright? You aren't acting quite like yourself." The vacant expression was still in her eyes. She actually seemed to be in shock- she had even started to shiver and she certainly wasn't making much sense. Sakura got to her feet.
"Please just take me to Lady Miaka, Nuriko. Please." Her took her by the arm as gently as he could manage. She was scaring him, and he didn't want her to just wander off into oblivion in her stupor.
***
Nuriko knocked on the intricately decorated door before he slid it open. Chichiri probably knew that they were there, but he didn't put it past Tasuki to be doing something vile. Dirty bandit. He let Sakura enter ahead of him, and closed the door behind him. A quick glance of the room told him that Miaka and Tamahome were missing. Each of the warrior was sitting around a large table, aside from Mitsukage who entertained Tama with a tassel from one of the expensive red curtains. Tasuki had his feet up on the polished wood. Nuriko greeted them, and then nudged Sakura to do the same.
***
"I'm really sorry, Sakura. I guess I just don't know my own strength sometimes" apologised Nuriko as Mitsukage checked her for serious injuries. Sakura laughed. The blow seemed to have brought back a few of her wits.
"Nuriko!" she exclaimed through giggles. "Didn't you promise to save me from a flogging if I went with you?" Nuriko stuck his nose in the air.
"I said I'm sorry, alright?" he sulked. Sakura laughed again and Chichiri cleared his throat. He stood to Mitsukage's right, Tama on his shoulder.
"Can I get you something to eat, you know? You look a bit pale you know, Lady Sakura." Sakura thanked him for his offer, but refused. She wanted to get this over with, and quickly. She wanted to run and hide. But instead, she turned to Nuriko and said:
"I am not Sakura." Six sets of eyes turned directly to her, and she felt the colour return to her face in a rush of self consciousness.
"Did I really hit you so hard?" Nuriko asked. "You are Sakura. What did that witch do to you?" Sakura shook her head.
"No, I'm really not. It's a long story, but I'm not Sakura. The real Sakura is safe at home, with her family. I took her place." She stood nervously. "I really need to tell the priestess this. Where is she?" She found herself face to face with Tasuki, who stared her back down into her seat.
"You don't see Miaka 'til you get past us."
"Tasuki, sit down." commanded Hotohori. "I agree with you, but she also has the right to explain herself. Taiitsukun sent for her personally, that means something."
"I agree, you know. Let her talk, you know." Chichiri nodded encouragingly. "Go ahead." Sakura shifted uncomfortably again. Now or never. Just begin with your name.
"Taiitsukun chose me to help you because I am her apprentice, from Hokkan. I've been traveling the four states since I was young, and fate seems to have brought me in a big circle. I'll be your guide on your journey." She took a deep breath. "Some people call me the Ink Witch. But my name is Reika."