Boushin stood with his party at the painted doors to a grand temple and bubbled with anticipation about what would be on the other side.

"Well," said Chichiri. "We might as well let ourselves in."

The door whined as they forced it open, and inside was the most majestic and pristine hall Boushin had ever laid eyes on. None of the grandest halls in the imperial palace of Konan could compare, the walls seem to sparkle in their decor, and glowing orbs hung throughout the air. There was only one thing that seemed not to belong. Upon seeing Taiitsukun, the young emperor stifled a gag. It would have been one matter if she was simply another old woman, but the juxtaposition of her fancy attire and her sagging face, combined with her quite sour expression, made her a disturbing sight.

Taiitsukun's glare seemed to be cast on all of them, but it was directed at Miaka. Miaka kept eye contact with her (proof of her courage as the priestess, Boushin thought), and she was the first one to speak. "It's been a long time, Taiitsukun."

"Who do you think you are, waltzing in here as if you're welcome?"

The group was taken aback, but Miaka fumbled together a response. "You don't mean you don't recognize me. And if we weren't welcome we wouldn't be able to see this place anyway…"

"Yeah, and we already know the Nyan-Nyan are hidin' out just waitin' for the word to surprise us."

"They know no self-control with guests," she grumbled. "And why should I welcome you when you've tossed aside your roles as priestess and warriors for so long?"

"They didn't toss aside anything by choice. I did that," Miaka said. "I'm the one who should take all the blame! I'm sure you're angry, Taiitsukun, and you should be. But if anyone needs to be punished or lectured, it's me!"

"Miaka, would ten years worth of lecturing really be enough?" she sharpened her glance. "You were not chosen for this role by chance. This world reached out to you and chose you. It is not only your destiny, but also your responsibility to fulfill the hopes of the people of Konan. Instead, you selfishly chose to deceive them-not to mention deceiving your warriors."

"That wasn't even Miaka's idea! I'm the one who said we should hold back and just tell everyone otherwise," protested Tamahome.

"But I'm the one who wanted to make it impossible to summon Suzaku in the first place. Don't take the blame for that, Tamahome."

"You're right to admit your faults, Miaka, but it is difficult to forgive that you've abandoned Konan in its time of peril."

"She never abandoned Konan!" shouted Boushin as he stepped forward. "While it is true that Miaka was deceitful and hindered Suzaku's summoning, her intentions weren't selfish. She was trying to prevent any more bloodshed."

"A foolish idea. The war was too advanced for a mere possibility or impossibility to stop it."

"I think it was foolish, too. But Miaka has spent years here in our world, living among the poor in Konan. Even I cannot say as much! I commend Miaka for her service, meeting the immediate needs of the people. Even if she lost hope in summoning Suzaku, she never lost hope in them."

When Taiitsukun's glare was focused entirely on him, Boushin felt a chill down his spine and regretted so brazenly opening his mouth. With a grunt, she looked up to Hotohori. "He's your spitting image. You must be proud."

"Indeed," he beamed.

"You too, Miaka. What a fortunate priestess to be so favored by two emperors."

"Yes," she blushed. "I'm afraid Yui hasn't been so fortunate."

"And? Do you intend to summon Suzaku for her sake?"

"If it will help…"

"You mustn't doubt the Priestess of Seiryuu's wisdom in the matter of her final wish. Nakago, however, will be a concern if you seriously intend to summon Suzaku."

"I do," she nodded. "And I hope that you won't doubt my wisdom either! These years have taught me the true value of my wishes."

"I'm afraid you may not yet know the extent of their influence on this world," she shook her head gravely. "Ten years ago it would have been a simple matter to wish for the peace and safety of Konan. Now Konan's fate is tightly wrapped with that of other lands."

"So? Do we summon Suzaku or don't we?" growled Tasuki. "A little less cryptic guidance would'a been helpful back then! And how about when we came lookin' for advice later, huh? How come you wouldn't give it to us then?"

"I never abandoned you, you foolish, narrow-minded bandit! You merely came looking for a miracle you had no hope in. I could not appear to any of you under those circumstances. It wasn't until someone had fully expectant hope in Suzaku's revival that he was able to break free."

"Someone… do you mean Mayo?" gasped Miaka.

"Yes. She encountered the Universe of the Four Gods in the same way you did. Like when you first came here, she was convinced this world could make her wishes come true. Suzaku needed that hope to thrive. In order for him to be summoned and make your wishes come true, you need to retain that same spirit you once had."

"I was such a child then. How can I…?"

"Perhaps you could let yourself be influenced by those with that spirit. Most August Emperor of Konan, step forward, if you will."

Boushin did as he was told, keeping a proud posture. Strangely, drawing closer to Taiitsukun made her seem less frightening—though not entirely so. She looked him up and down once more, and then she made a grunting approval. An instant later later, a scroll appeared in her hand.

"The Universe of the Fours Gods scroll!" Chichiri gaped at it. "There was a second one?"

"Oh, don't go acting like you know everything since you spent a little time here ages ago," she rolled her eyes. "This is the original scroll—the very one that Miaka ceremoniously chucked to its ashy demise ten years ago."

"Why didn't you tell me you could do that all along?"

"Was I supposed to tell you exactly where each of your warriors were, too? Gods, Miaka, how much help do you expect from me? No! I couldn't do this. This scroll was reborn from the ashes once Suzaku was unsealed. As he regained his strength, these pieces came together as well. In order to follow its due course, it must be bestowed to the emperor before given to a priestess once again. I take it this is what you've come for, right, Your Highness?"

"Yes."

"Then on behalf of Konan, please accept it."

He could tell it should be received with the utmost formality, but Taiitsukun's treatment made him unsure whether he should accept with his royal dignity or if he should grovel before her. A nervous look over his shoulder to his father didn't give him any indication, only a nudge to take it. He received it in both hands with an awkward "thank you."

Taiitsukun roared in laughter. "When is the last time anyone has thanked me around here? Take it, and do as you see fit. If you can accept Miaka as the Priestess of Suzaku, then it is yours to give her."

"Thank you. I will."

"Psst. Hey, Taiitsukun, can we come out now?"

"You wouldn't wait even if I said not to."

"Hurray!" came little echoed voices throughout the hall as the orbs poofed into Nyan-Nyan. Boushin was so startled that he screamed and nearly dropped the scroll. They gathered around, eager to make his acquaintance.

Above the commotion and multitude of hugs, Taiitsukun addressed Miaka once more. "Welcome back."

"Tell Yui they met with Taiitsukun and have a new Universe of the Four Gods scroll," said Keisuke as he turned the page. Tetsuya relayed the information, and exchanged a few other cooing comments to the earring his held. Keisuke shot him a look, then glanced outside. They had been at this the whole afternoon and it was now after dark, but the sky was a rosy color that foretold snow.

Only a few hours for him, but how many days and weeks for Yui and Miaka? He knew from his previous experiences in the book that time moved at different, inconsistent rates. If he read that Miaka was waiting somewhere for hours, it would pass in the time it took him to read that sentence, but when he was able to speak to her through the hair she left behind, time moved at the same pace. Recalling that, he almost wished both that Tetsuya and Yui would keep talking so time wouldn't move so fast, as well as wishing they would just shut up so that the other characters could hurry up and summon Suzaku.

Not that he wished for that entirely, either.

"You know, Tetsuya, the last time I got to talk to Miaka… the last time I heard her voice myself, I told her not to summon Suzaku. You remember that?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"You remember why, right?"

"Because the priestess is a sacrifice, doomed to be consumed by the beast god."

"Aren't you worried about Yui? She still has one wish, and she seems hellbent on using it."

"Maybe that's exactly why I'm not so worried," he smiled. "She's changed. She's got more willpower this time around."

"That's why I'm worried about Miaka. She's been carrying fear and pain all this time. Even now, she's only agreeing to summon Suzaku because she's been pushed. Even if she doesn't summon Suzaku, Sakaki is still his Vessel, and we don't even know…"

"Whoa, chill, Keisuke," interrupted Tetsuya with a hand on his shoulder. "I know you feel some responsibility for her as a teacher, but you can only do so much."

"It's not a matter of not providing guidance or anything. It's my fault she got her hands on the book in the first place."

"Well, yeah, that was stupid. But thanks to that, we know Miaka is alive. It's not all bad, right? And see? Sakaki's even mellowed out a bit there. This book taught her some discipline."

"Somehow that's not helping," he forced a smile. "I feel useless just sitting here and reading."

"You want to take a trip to Morioka or something?"

"You think it would help?"

"Not a bit."

"You're right. Has Yui said anything about what she'll use that last wish on?"

"Not that I've heard… hang on," he said and turned back to the earring. "What? Nakago did? For who?"

"What's going on? Tell me!"

"Nakago knows what's up."

Once Boushin had a chance to adjust, he found the Nyan-Nyan quite enjoyable. Their contrast with Taiitsukun was nearly laughable. Just as pleased as they were to meet him, they also bombarded their old friends with chatter.

"Wow, Miaka! Your scar has been completely healed!"

"Yes! Mitsukake healed me the other day. Did you know he's been reincarnated?"

"We still watch over all of you, of course we knew that!"

"We're just sad we can't do more to help."

"Psst," one whispered. "Tamahome! There is something we can do."

"Still no girlfriend, Tasuki?"

"Hell no! Women are a pain! Especially that one!"

Miaka laughed along with the Nyan-Nyan, though only half-sure Tasuki was joking. At the touch of a hand on her shoulder, however, the laughter stopped. The touch was familiar, but shouldn't have been there. Looking over her shoulder slowly, she saw Tamahome in physical form.

"Tamahome? But how…"

"Nothing special, Nyan-Nyan is just letting me use her body. What do you think?"

"Tamahome!"

Almost as soon as she had cried out, she buried her face into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. Tamahome had a bittersweet smile as she sobbed against him, and he stroked her head before tightly embracing her. At last he could use all his senses instead of merely watching and listening—he could smell her hair and feel her breath.

The others quieted as they watched. The young emperor felt a bit embarrassed and looked away, and noticed the soft expression on his father's face. "Will you borrow one of the Nyan-Nyan as well, Father?" he asked lowly.

"It's not necessary for me to do so."

"Even if it's not in the same way, Miaka still loves you too. And you…"

"I care about Tamahome as well. As a man, I will not intrude."

"As I man, I would think you should want to intrude."

"Someday, my son, you'll understand," he smiled. "At times, love is expressed in sacrifice, but even in that pain it is joyful. If your mother was here, however, I would not show such restraint."

Tamahome held Miaka's face as they stared into each other's eyes wordlessly. Miaka savored his warmth as they drew closer, puckering their lips. Just before they would have touched, however, a disembodied voice interrupted them. "No kissing allowed! Nyan-Nyan's lips are chaste!"

The couple frowned, and they stepped away from each other with dignity. "We should be headed back to the capital," Miaka said. "Nyan-Nyan, will we be seeing you again?"

"You betcha!" one said as she pulled herself out of Tamahome, leaving behind the pale frame of a spirit. "We'll help all your warriors to be present for the summoning."

"Aw," said Tasuki. "Now he really is a little ghost."

"I might not have fists anymore, Tasuki, but I still have life force blasts."

"Control yourselves, if you please," Taiitsukun said. "All that is necessary to summon Suzaku now, Miaka, is to return to the shrine with your warriors and Mayo Sakaki and conduct the ceremony as usual. However, you must practice wisdom going forth."

"I will."

"That goes for all of you," her glare caught the whole room, but Boushin felt it was especially directed at him.

"Um, Miaka," he said. "Would it be alright if I wait to give you this scroll until the ceremony?"

"It's your choice when you give it to me," she bent down to his eye level as she replied. "I can't blame you for wanting to hold onto it since you've probably heard about how butterfingered I can be."

"I'm not accusing you of not being careful! I simply… "

"It's alright," she smiled.

The way back to the palace was easy, perhaps so much so that it felt odd. "This is just like old times, isn't it?" Miaka said, as if to fill the air. "Getting lectures and gifts from Taiitsukun, and visiting with the Nyan-Nyan, and making our way back to the palace, where we can expect a big dinner every night. And being together with everyone again! It's like a dream, isn't it, Chichiri?"

"A bit, you know."

"We'd talk about how much we missed the little things like that. You remember?"

"I remember."

"Do you ever talk about what your lives were like before you all met?" Boushin asked. She and Chichiri looked startled for a moment, then cast their glances away. "I'm sorry. I guess not."

"Being Suzaku warriors was the time of our lives," Tasuki smiled to him. "And besides, why would I wanna talk about my stupid sisters or why would Miaka want to talk about people she'll never see again and why would Chichiri want to talk about how things went sour with his best friend and his girlfriend? Ha! If anything, all the warrior business just gives us a way to forget!"

"That doesn't mean you all didn't try to forget that either."

"Boushin, don't mumble under your breath," Hotohori scolded him, eliciting an immediate apology. "I don't think you're helping much, Tasuki."

"What's t' help?" he shrugged.

"I understand, it's not my place to ask," said Boushin. "I can never fully understand what the experience meant to you all. I am not a celestial warrior; I am the emperor of Konan. Perhaps Counselor Chou has been right all along. It's better for me to look at what I can do and not be so dependent on a legend anymore. That's what you figured out too, isn't it, Father?"

Hotohori beamed and nodded, but Tasuki interjected. "Yeah, and we all see how well that worked for him."

"Tasuki, you're asking for a swift punch in the mouth, you know."

"If I weren't a ghost, I'd volunteer."

"What can I say, I'm rough, and that's how I deal with things," he shrugged again. "I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling a little concerned that things are just going to go the way they did ten years ago."

The group was less talkative thereafter.