Chichiri had succeeded in convincing Juan to let the doctors treat him with normal means, and watched as the boy darted back and forth throughout the day fetching things and helping change bandages. His hands were becoming faster and faster at such tasks, as if they had a mind of their own. "You do that well, you know," commented Chichiri.

"I've had years of practice."

He couldn't help but smile. That was Mitsukake talking.

In a bedside manner the same in both life times, he calmly talked with patients and asked them how comfortable they were, and offered them water and food before they even complained of any need. Chichiri's left arm and shoulder were bandaged tightly so as not to move, but with his legs and free arm he moved around a bit to assist where he could, but not was not as spritely as the boy.

It was only when he was still that weariness caught up to him. During a quiet moment Chichiri caught a glimpse of him teetering forward as he knelt at a patient's bedside, and breathing heavily as he caught himself. The room was starting to spin, but he was sure the feeling would soon pass.

"Juan?"

"Yes, Chichiri? Do you need anything?" he smiled.

"You're going to stunt your growth like this, you know? Go lie down."

He laughed. "I'm young, I'm fine."

"You're a child."

"And a Suzaku warrior."

"In a past life, yes, you were—but Mitsukake is dead."

Before he could respond there was commotion in the next room as one of the more critical patients cried out in pain. The doctors were shifting around trying to help him, but they couldn't stop the bleeding. Hearing the cries like a summons, Juan stood to march in, but Chichiri caught his left wrist firmly. "Don't go in there, Juan."

He shot him a stern look. "He's dying, Chichiri. Let go."

"Sometimes you just have to let people die. That's the way of life and war."

"Not when they've made it this far to come get treated. I won't stand by and do nothing."

"Juan, how many people have you healed already?"

He didn't answer as he tried to yank his wrist free, but lacked the strength to do so.

"Juan, how many?"

"People aren't numbers. Let go!"

"I'm not letting go—"

"Let go!"

They both noticed the sounds of the screams stopped, and the hurried pace of the doctors slowed down. The need to rush had passed. When it was clear to both warriors that the patient in the next room had died, Chichiri loosened his grip and Juan jerked his hand away, not bothering to face him.

"I had to do it, Juan. You're not Mitsukake. You're a child."

"And I suppose Boushin is just as powerless because he's young—uh!" he started to shout, but choked on a brief cough instead. It soon subsided, and he continued in a kinder tone, looking back to his fellow warrior with a bittersweet smile. "I know you may feel guilty about not having stopped me before, but everything turned out for the best. I got to see Shouka again, and I got to see you all again too. And I've gotten to make sure these soldiers have a chance to return to their loved ones someday. Having such a small body now means I can't fight with you all at the front, but I can still fight alongside you from here. If you asked them, I'm sure Nuriko, and Tamahome, and His Highness would all gladly fight all over again too."

"You're just confused, Juan. You've inherited the memories of an adult, and it's hard for you to understand right now. We all want to see you happy—but for that, you have to take care of yourself. You won't be helping anyone if you're too tired."

"I should rest, then. And so should you."

"Alright," he frowned. "Do you promise?"

"I promise to rest."

Chichiri didn't feel convinced, and he made sure to sleep lightly to keep an ear out on him.

Once Miaka had recovered from the first wish, she was prepared to use the second. Holding the teddy bear in her lap on her bed as Tasuki, Chiriko, Nuriko and Tamahome gathered in her tent, she seemed low on energy, but not uncomfortable. "I haven't heard anything else from Keisuke," she said. "In their time Mayo just got back, so she probably hasn't woken up yet.

"We could really talk to her through this toy?" asked Nuriko.

"If she reaches out to us, I guess so."

"Good. I want to make sure she's alright."

"And say good-bye?"

"Of course! Wouldn't you?"

"I don't know about that," Tasuki rolled his eyes. "I wasn't that close to her. But…"

"But?"

"I guess I'd still thank her. She's the one who unsealed Suzaku, after all. I guess only somebody on the other end of the pages could do that."

"The other end of the pages," sighed Tamahome, staring off. "Maybe anybody reading it could make their dreams come true."

"C-come on, you're all making me feel depressed," Miaka cut in. "Let's not worry about that for now. It's time we end this war, right? Chiriko, how much longer until do you think we have until they attack the stronghold?"

"At the soonest, tomorrow, I think."

"Then how should we word this wish? Yui used her second wish to pray for Kutou's success in war, and while they did win, it wasn't right away. It might be better if I'm more specific. What do we really need to get this all over with?"

"For now the whole war is too wide to consider—it's this stronghold that is really going to be key. If we could push them back and take back the next fort, we'll be in a much better position.

"That's still not very specific."

"I know," he sighed. "Ultimately, it's your wish. None of us can tell you how it should be said."

"Cop-out. You didn't even try."

"Then you think of something, Nuriko."

"Counselor Ou! Lady Miaka! Ta… Mr. Tasuki!"

"What, no title for me?" he grimaced, then yelled to the frazzled soldier outside. "Report!"

He caught his breath as he pushed open the curtain and poked his head in, not daring to enter the abode of a lady. "The… the Emperor of Kutou is at the gate… requesting permission to enter… for a peace talk with Emperor Reizeitei…!"

"What!?"

They all stood in shock, then ran out to the gate of the fort to look down at him below. Sure enough, Nakago was there, followed by two officials for formality's sake, and his army organized behind them. "What is the meaning of this, Nakago?" the priestess shouted at him.

"Your emperor has invited me for a private discussion," he held up a scroll to show them, imprinted with the imperial seal. "My officials and I request permission to enter."

"It must be a trap!" she yelled back.

"It—it's true," a soldier whispered. "We also just received instructions from His Highness to let them pass unbothered, with only the imperial escort that has been sent."

"The army will remain here, as requested," Nakago added, seeing the baffled looks on their faces as they first heard news of this. "If you do not intend to honor your emperor's instructions, we will not honor them either."

They frowned to each other, then reorganized themselves and opened the gate. Nakago and the two officials strode in, while the army stayed put. Miaka and her party lined up at the side of the road respectfully, and Nakago paused and smiled. "He's a wise emperor. I look forward to a fruitful discussion."

Miaka shook with anger watching him go, but she kept her feet firmly planted. When he had passed the commotion died down, the group searched each other's faces for some indication of what was going on.

Things seemed too quiet in the make shift hospital—there hadn't been in any new patients for several days, and that was making Chichiri nervous. With the watchful eye he had been keeping on Juan, the boy had not made any other attempts to use his powers, but he was quieter and smiled less as he continued day to day care for the recovering soldiers. At this point Chichiri was helping just as regularly, though his shoulder still pained him when he moved around too much.

The soldiers were feeling optimistic that maybe the fighting would be over, and as many of the injured were recovering enough to move around, they were granted permission to go home to see to their families' safety. Juan made sure to see each of them off with a smile.

Before things could get too quiet, however, a young man carrying his bride came in. "Excuse me," he asked nervously. "I heard there was a healer here?"

The doctors came to see her first, and Juan stood behind them and listened, watching the pain expression on the girl's face as the doctors checked her dismal vitals. The couple had been escaping but ran out of water, and she had gotten sick drinking unclean water they found. Other refugees had either recovered after drinking it, or they had already died.

"You have to save her, please," the man sobbed. "We promised to marry to each other when we were children, and had to work so hard to get our parents to accept. Just when we had finally thought we going to be happy together forever, this happens… I'm begging you, please…! Please…!"

Juan stepped forward, and the doctors moved out of his way. Chichiri was on the other side of the room and couldn't move fast enough to stop him, but he made it to the girl's side at the same time Juan did. "Juan, don't!"

"Don't worry, Chichiri. Love makes Suzaku stronger," he smiled, then used his powers. Being at the girl's side, Chichiri felt the pain in his shoulder disappearing as well. The girl opened her eyes, and her husband cried out in joy and pulled her up into an embrace. Juan smiled and stood back as they had their reunion, coughing lightly.

"No war or illness could ever keep me from you," she whispered in his ear. "Not even in death would I leave your side. In this world or the next, you're my all."

Tamahome and Miaka flashed through Chichiri's mind, and a tight lump formed in his throat. If only it could be so easy. If only they—

Juan collapsed with a thud.

A small villa had been prepared for the meeting, and Boushin was both relieved and scared when he saw Nakago approaching. He and his counselors stood to greet him, folding their hands and bowing. Nakago and his officials did the same, then everyone entered and took their seats.

With a quivering voice, Boushin started the meeting. "I-I'd like to thank you again for your kindness when Counselor Ou and I visited Kutou."

"I thank you again for coming. Now that we are at war, however, I am afraid it would not be appropriate to celebrate in the same manner as before."

"I'm afraid not."

"I see you made a decision about the offer I presented you at that time, and by having Suzaku summoned, you've chosen not to accept."

"No. In Konan's best interest, we deemed it time that the beast god was summoned, but we remain cautious about everything else you warned us of. While I cannot offer my full assistance on the matters we discussed before, I thought we could continue discussing the matter."

With a glance around the room at the four others present, Nakago smiled. "If that is what you wish. Knowing everything that was at stake, I'm sure summoning Suzaku was a difficult decision to make, and I respect you for it."

"We can consider Suzaku a separate matter. Let's continue our discussion about the nature of this world and its end."

At this, the counselors' eyes grew wide, but they did not say a word.