Author's Note:

Ok sorry that this one was a little late, but be happy that there was an update at all this month. Between studying for finals, getting ready for next semester, and working, plus all the family issues that have arisied(sp?), just be happy that it is here. Did not get to proofread much, so there mght be mistakes in this chappter, sorry in advance. Um... as far as that, that is all the thigns that I need to say. I will try to update again after Christmas but more than likely not, since it is ging ot be around my birthday so. let's say expect my next update around the second week of January??? If all goes as planned that is. Kepp the reviews coming, not getting many up the ones I have been getting are fun, and good, so unitl next time folks. Happy Hoildays..........

-JediMadchen86

That night was a peaceful night in the Konan palace, the Suzaku warriors were all preparing for the long journey that they were about undertake. Most of the warriors where in their rooms, packing, sleeping, or just wondering the halls wasting time, one in particular was sitting in a courtyard looking at the stars, thinking about all that has happened. 'How come I don't miss home? I mean that is where I belong, but here I am in a dangerous world and I don't miss home one bit. I feel like this time is where I belong not where I came from. Why is that I wonder? I know what the end of this journey will mean for me, and those here, even Miaka will have to return home. I wonder what will happen to her and Tamahome? I mean they really do love each other, I see it every time they look at each other. Will Suzaku the god of love really break them up? And what about me? Whoever thought that I would have to protect all these people with my own life. Here I thought that I was just a regular girl going through life, and then I am here being a Guardian to a god that I haven't even heard of until a few weeks ago. Have I really been here that long? Have they stopped looking for me yet?' asked Alexisa's thoughts as she looked up into the night sky.

"Can't sleep?" asked a voice bringing Alexisa out of her thoughts.

"Huh?" asked Alexisa as she sat up and looked around seeing Miaka walking over to her.

"Are you having doubts about the trip?" asked Miaka as she took a seat by her friend.

"No, just thinking."

"About?"

"All sorts of things, life, the trip, you know, everything. Your brother misses you, you know."

"Keisuke?" asked Miaka looking at her.

"Yea, he came over to my house to talk to my brother about the book. Saying how you were sucked in, saying that you needed to save Yui. Miaka? Do you miss home?"

"Sometimes, but then I remind myself what I am doing here, and I don't miss it so much. What about you?"

"There are some things that I miss, but I feel like this is where I belong. At home I just felt like a burden to my brother and his wife. Even though they tell me I am not, I still feel out of place there, but here I fell like this is my home. Weird huh?"

"Sometimes, I feel that as well, but then I think of all the people waiting for me back home like Keisuke, my mom, and all my other friends. I know that we have all made a family here together with each other, but nothing can replace the real thing. At least that is what I think."

"Yea, I guess your right," said Alexisa as she looked at the stars.

"Alexisa?"

"Yea?"

"What did Taitsukun tell you earlier"

"A warning, I think."

"A warning? About what?"

"I don't know, I just hope I can figure it out before it is to late. Come on we should head back," said Alexisa as she got up and reached a hand out to Miaka to help her up.

"Well don't worry, I sure that whatever it is, we can over some it," said Miaka as she took Alexisa's hand and stood up.

"I hope so," said Alexisa as she looked at the sky once more before she and Miaka returned to their rooms.

The next day Hotohori had a wonderful breakfast to be served to his friends, they were scheduled to leave later that day, he wanted his friends to enjoy themselves, since he did not know the next time they would all have time to relax and enjoy themselves. After all the warriors had eaten and were enjoying each other's company around the table Hotohori stood up and made an announcement.

"Friends, I am glad that you all have enjoyed your meal. I am excited to tell you that your journey to Hokkan will be started shortly; I have had my attendants working on preparing a boat to take you there. It should be ready by midday, enough time for you all to enjoy the city. I am sorry to say that I will not be able to accompany you on this mission. My advisors do not feel that it is safe for Konan to be without an Emperor, especially with Kuto attacking villages on our borders. So please enjoy yourselves," said Hotohori looking around the room.

"You mean your not coming?" asked Miaka

"I am sorry Miaka, I know that I said that I would accompany you on this journey, but my duty as the Emperor will not allow it. Alexisa and I talked and we both agree that she will protect you in my steed, and I shall remain here, to protect Konan until your safe return."

Miaka looked to where Alexisa was sitting to see her friend smiling at her. "Alexisa? Are you sure about this?"

"Yea, I am fine with it. Hotohori even let me borrow his holy sword," said Alexisa as she put her hand on the sword's hilt that now hung from her side. "Don't worry Miaka, you will be protected I promised you that remember?"

"But I just hate to have to make you worry even more," said Miaka hanging her head.

"Miaka, are you forgetting about us, Alexisa won't be the only one going with you," said Nuriko as he looked at her.

"Yea, I guess your right Nuriko," said Miaka looking up and smiling.

"Sire, what is this about villagers being attacked?" asked Tamahome.

"In the past few days several villagers on the border of Konan and Kuto have been attacked by black riders, I have sent troops to protect the villagers, but I am afraid I just don't have enough men," said Hotohori as he hung his head. "Tamahome that is why I want you to bring your family to the palace. I fear for the lives of those siblings of yours, and they will be protected here, while you are gone for Hokkan," said Hotohori looking at Tamahome.

"Sire, are you positive?"

"I leave you to tell them the good news. Now if you'll excuse me, I am some matters to attend to," said Hotohori rising from his chair and leaving the dining hall.

Once Hotohori had left the room, Tamahome looked around the room and his eyes landed on Miaka.

"Miaka, would you like to come and visit my family with me? I know that Yuiren would love to see you," said Tamahome

"Really Tamahome? Are you sure that you want me to come with you?"

"Yes, but first I think I am going to go to the market and buy some toys for them, after all I did promise them that I would," said Tamahome getting up from his chair and walking out the door, with Miaka close at his heels.

Nuriko looked at his friends. "Who wants to go and crash their party?"

"Nuriko, come on, let them be," said Tasuki

Alexisa had watched Miaka and Tamahome leave, she knew that she should go and watch over them like Taitsukun asked, but she did not think it was going to be necessary since they were only going to see Tamahome's family.

"Alexisa, do you want to come shopping with me? Since Tasuki has spoiled my fun with Miaka, and Tamahome."

"Sure, why not. And Tasuki can come along with us," said Alexisa looking next to her.

"Man, why do I have to come?"

"Because I am sure that Hotohori would want us to get out before we leave," said Alexisa as she stood up from the table.

"What about Chiriko, Mits, and Chichiri? You not making them come?" asked Tasuki as he sat in his chair.

"Mits said that he wanted to gather herbs, and Chiriko went to study, and I am sure that Chichiri is meditating in the gardens,"

"Still don't see why I have to come," said Tasuki as he pouted in his chair.

"Come on Fang-boy, let's go enjoy ourselves, it might be the last time that we are able to," said Nuriko as he walked over behind Tasuki and picked him up in the chair and walked out the door. Alexisa watched Nuriko carry Tasuki out the door, smiling and laughing at her friend's antics. She followed Nuriko out the door, and towards the city.

Tamahome, Miaka, Tasuki, Nuriko and Alexisa spent the next few hours of the day shopping at the market, but unbeknownst to them Nuriko was following Tamahome and Miaka. Soon Tasuki and Alexisa joined in scaring and laughing with them, as the two groups of friends slowly made their way towards the village where Tamahome's family lived. The group made their way through the streets and towards the home. But as soon as Alexisa looked at the home a strange feeling came over her.

"Tamahome, don't go near there," said Alexisa as she stopped in her tracks staring at the home.

"Why what's wrong?" asked Tamahome as he looked back at her.

"I don't know I just have this feeling,"

The group looked towards the house in silence. "Your right, listen," said Nuriko. There were no bird's chirping, no people, nothing.

"It's to quite," said Miaka looking around the home.

"I have a bad feeling about this," said Alexisa as she ran towards the home with everyone else behind her. Alexisa ran to the door of the home, and opened it, only to reveal the darkness inside.

"Dad? Chuei? Shunkei? Gyokuran? Yuiren?" asked Tamahome as he walked into the home. He took two steps before he stopped dead in his tracks. Inside the home there was nothing but death. Tamahome scanned his home hoping to find one of his siblings alive but there was no such luck. Alexisa, Miaka, Nuriko, and Tasuki all looked in and saw the death, Miaka ran towards Nuriko calling for Mits. Alexisa went inside the home to try to help, but it was to late, they had already passed and her healing power would be of no use, they had arrived to late. The gifts that had been picked out for them, lay forgotten on the floor, having been dropped when they entered. Nuriko stood outside the door hugging Miaka, with tears streaming down his face, Tasuki stood behind Nuriko with a shocked look on his face. Alexisa walked back out of the house, not being able to stand looking at their faces any more, she walked past Miaka and Nuriko crying and holding each other, Tasuki had slide down the wall next to the door, just staring out into space. Once Alexisa stood outside she felt a strong presence around them. She looked back at her friends to see that none of them noticed, she closed her eyes and tried to find the source of the presence that had surrounded them, within a few minutes she had found it; a lone figure standing up top a wall close to the family home.

"See how I feel now?" asked the voice

Upon hearing a voice they all snapped out of their trance and looked for the source.

"Who are you?" asked Alexisa as she looked at the dark figure.

"How does it feel? To have family be murdered?"

"Did you do this?" asked Tamahome quietly from inside the home, and walking out.

"Tamahome, don't stay here and protect your family, and Miaka," said Alexisa as she looked back at her friend.

Alexisa walked closer to the figure; "Who are you?", she asked as she walked towards the person. "Why did you kill these innocent people?

"Because you killed my brother," said the figure throwing off the robe.

Alexisa looked at the man that now stood before her, he looked just like Amiboshi, but his eyes were different, she heard her friends say Amiboshi's name and trying to reach their friend.

"Stop it, it's not Amiboshi," said Alexisa as he looked into his eyes.

"That's right Guardian, My name is Suboshi, Amiboshi was my twin brother, and you killed him," he said jumping down to the ground in front of Alexisa.

"Suboshi, we did not kill Amiboshi, he died protecting Miaka."

"LIES," he yelled as he drew his weapons and staring at Alexisa. "Who ever though that the Guardian would come to see this sad excuse for a family," he said as his weapons shot towards Alexisa.

Alexisa raised her arms over her face, as she felt, sharp cuts being etched into her skin, the blades kept on cutting her without giving up. She glanced over at her friends to see them, watching her; Tamahome had started to walk towards the fight. Alexisa used her magical powers and set up a barrier around her friends and the home, so no more damage could be cause that day. With her distraction one of the blades cut deep into her thigh and she crumpled to the ground. Upon hearing her cry of pain, Tasuki and Nuriko snapped out of shock to see the battle before them.

"Suboshi, listen to me. We did not kill Amiboshi,"

"Liars, you cut down my brother in cold blood, and now I am going to do the same to you," he said as he sent his weapons towards her again, Alexisa braced for the pain that she knew would be coming but it never came. She looked up to see Tamahome standing before her with the weapons clasped in his hands.

"Tamahome…"

"Is this what you killed my family with?" asked Tamahome as he looked at him. "I will never forgive you," said Tamahome and his power suddenly began to increase. Alexisa looked up at him to see his hair rise, and he began to give off a strong red aura around his body.

"Tamahome, stop," said Alexisa as she got to her feet. "Leave this fight to me," she said as she walked in front of him.

"He is mine," said Tamahome as he suddenly disappeared and appeared back behind the boy, Suboshi did dot know what to do, Tamahome had moved faster the anything. He tried to fight back but Tamahome had to upper hand. It soon turned into Tamahome tossing the boy every way.

"TAMAHOME. STOP!" yelled Alexisa as she made her way over to him. She looked into his eyes to see that he had changed he had to be stopped. He pushed past her and started to walk towards where Suboshi had fallen. She walked after him and grabbed her arms around his waist. "Stop it Tamahome, Please STOP IT!" yelled Alexisa once more. Tamahome still tried to make his way over to the boy; he slowly started to drag Alexisa towards him as well. Without thinking Alexisa summoned Nuriko's strength and pulled Tamahome back. She knew that she had used too much power already, but she had to restrain Tamahome, she would never forgive herself if he ended up killing Suboshi, so she struggled to keep her strength until Tamahome came to his senses. After Tamahome clamed down Alexisa collapsed to her knees, Tasuki seeing her fall rushed to her side.

"Alexisa?" he asked when he came up to her side.

"Hey, there," she said looking up at him.

"You ok?"

"Yea, just feel really weak. Can you help me up?"

Tasuki help Alexisa stand and he supported her with one of his arms around her back; Tamahome had walked back to the home, to mourn over his family. Nuriko and Miaka were sitting against a tree, with Miaka still softly crying. Tasuki walked over to the tree with Alexisa, once they reached the tree. Alexisa sat down and talked to Miaka.

"Miaka, why don't you go to Tamahome, I am sure he would welcome the company."

"You think he would?" she asked with tears running down her face.

"I am sure, now go," said Alexisa as she leaned against the tree, with Miaka walking towards the house.

"No wonder it was so quite around here," said Alexisa. "The villagers were scared and ran for their own lives."

"Alexisa are you ok?" asked Nuriko as he looked at her. "You look really pale."

"Yea, Nuriko, I'm ok, just a little tired," said Alexisa as she fainted. Tasuki caught her before she fell to the ground, with the help of Nuriko Tasuki laid her down on the ground.

"Do you think she's ok?"

"Yea, Tasuki, probably just tired from today," said Nuriko patting his friend on the back as they both sat under the tree looking at the sunset. Tamahome and Miaka had left a while ago; they walked into the forest to bury his family. Nuriko gathered some wood to start a fire, while Tasuki took off his jacket and laid it over Alexisa.

"For someone that claims he hates women, you sure are being nice to her," said Nuriko not looking up from the fire.

"Just looking out for her. Figures she has enough to worry bout, she watches over all of us. Someone should watch over her," said Tasuki walking towards the fire. "Do you think Tamahome is going to be ok?"

"Hard to tell, he lost his whole family."

The two friends sat in silence until Nuriko went to sleep, Tasuki was going to keep watch for Tamahome and Miaka, and was going to wake up Nuriko when he felt tired. The bandit lay down next to Alexisa, starting into the night sky. Soon sleep overcame him as well.

Tamahome and Miaka had returned in the morning to see their friends all sleeping under the tree that was near Tamahome's home. Tamahome had taken his family into the woods and laid them to rest there, Miaka helped Tamahome with the burials, and then sat with during the night as he cried over the graves of his family. They now stood looking at the small camp, that Nuriko, Tasuki, and Alexisa had made, Miaka walked over to Nuriko and woke her friend.

"Wake up sleepy head," said Miaka as she poked her friend in the side.

Tamahome walked over to the bandit and nudged him in the side with his foot. "Wake up!" he yelled down at Tasuki laughing upon seeing the bandit jerk awake suddenly.

"Why you," said Tasuki as she stood up and looked at Tamahome.

Having gotten Nuriko up, Miaka walked over to Alexisa to wake her up as well. "Hey, Alexisa time to get up," said Miaka as she knelt by her friend. "Come on Alexisa," said Miaka again shaking her shoulders, but getting no response.

"Tasuki, what's wrong with Alexisa?" she asked looking over at him.

"What do you mean?" asked the bandit walking over to her.

"She won't wake up, and I know she is not a heavy sleeper,"

Tasuki looked down at Alexisa, and tried to wake up the girl as well, after about five minutes of calling her name she finally woke.

"Huh? Tasuki what's the matter?" she asked looking around.

"Why didn't you wake up? We've been trying to wake up for the past five minutes."

"Seriously? Well sorry bout that, guess I was really tired," said Alexisa as she slowly got to her feet, only to sway once she did.

"Alexisa are you ok?" asked Nuriko as he came up beside her and raised his hand to her forehead.

"Yea, I'm fine, just still a little worn out from yesterday. Not used to having to use so many powers in one day," said Alexisa smiling and scratching her head with her hand. "Anyways, we should probably head back to the palace, we leave today right?" she asked

"Yea, we do. We leave for Hokkan today," said Tamahome quietly. Alexisa walked over to Tamahome and whispered something in his ear; a small smile could be seen on his face. After she talked to him, he walked over to Nuriko, and Miaka.

"Come on guys, we have to get going," he said looking at his friends.

"Yea, we leave for Hokkan," said Nuriko smiling.

"Tamahome, are you sure?" asked Miaka

"Yea, beside you all are my family now," he said looking around to them all. "Now, come on," he said draping an arm over Miaka's shoulder and walking away from his family's home, as Nuriko and Tasuki went to follow them. Alexisa stood watching her friends retreating backs, she began to follow them, when her vision began to blur and she felt the ground beneath her.

Tasuki had heard a loud thump noise behind him; he turned and saw Alexisa laying flat on the ground. "Alexisa," he shouted as he ran towards her. Nuriko hearing his friend name being called looked back as well, seeing Tasuki running towards her.

"Tasuki, what happened?" Yelled Nuriko as he also ran towards the girl.

"I don't know, I just turned around and saw her like this," he said as he knelt down besides her, and turning her onto her back. "Alexisa, wake up," said Tasuki as he looked down at her.

"What's wrong with her?" asked Nuriko.

"I don't know, but we should get her to Mits," said Tasuki as he picked her up bridal style and started to run back towards the palace. Tamahome and Miaka saw their friend run past them, with Alexisa in his arms.

"Tasuki? What's wrong?" they asked him.

"It's Alexisa, she collapsed again," said Nuriko coming up behind them.

"Is she alright?"

"I don't know, Tasuki is taking her to see Mits," said Nuriko looking at where his friends had disappeared over the horizon.

"I hope she's alright," said Miaka as they followed Tasuki at a run, hoping that their friend was all right.

Tasuki used his speed to reach the palace and search for Mits. He hoped that he had returned from gathering herbs, as he walked through the palace looking for Mits, Alexisa began to stir.

"Tasuki? What are you doing?" she asked weakly from his arms.

"I'm trying to find Mitsukake."

"Why, what's up?" she asked looking at him.

"You don't remember?"

"Remember what?"

"What happened at the village?"

"All I remember is seeing Suboshi, and then Tamahome losing it."

"We were all headed back here, when you collapsed in the village."

"I collapsed?" she asked trying to free her self from his arms.

"I am taking you to see Mitsukake," he said as he let her to the ground.

"Mitsukake? I don't need to worry bout him, I'm fine Tasuki," said Alexisa as stood on the ground, only to sway on her feet.

"You are not alright, you need to see Mitsukake," said Tasuki as he leaned her on him.

"No, Tasuki. I am fine, I just need rest," said Alexisa as she leaned heavily on him.

"You call this ok?"

"Tasuki, will you drop it? I said I am fine," she said pushing him away, only not having the strength to push him far.

"Alexisa…"

"Tasuki, just take me to my room. Please?" she asked him looking up at him.

Tasuki looked down at her, and saw the pleading look in her eyes. He slowly nodded his head, picked her up and carried her to her room. As he carried her, she once again fell asleep in his arms. As he walked he once again looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms. He knew that Mits, needed to look at her, but she was just as stubborn as he was. Once he came to her room, placed her on the bed, and lightly draped a blanket over her. He walked to the door, looked back at the sleeping figure on the bed, and went in search of Mits. He headed back outside of the palace and into the woods where he hoped he would find Mits. As he searched for him, thoughts filled his mind. 'Wonder why she collapsed? Could it be the powers that she is using? I mean our powers are enhanced wonder if that has an affect on her?' wondered Tasuki as he wondered the forest in search for his friend. After a few more minutes of looking he saw Mits walking towards him, with a bag in each hand that was filled with herbs.

"Tasuki, what are you doing back so soon? Did enjoy the town?" Mits asked as he saw the bandit approach him.

"We had a small problem. Listen I will fill you in later, but Alexisa needs help."

"Alexisa? What is the matter?"

"I don't know, she collapsed. Come on I'll fill you in as we head back," said the bandit as he walked back out of the forest while telling Mits all that had happened to Tamahome's family.

"Suboshi?"

"Yea, Amiboshi's twin brother, he claims that we killed Amiboshi. Alexisa tried to tell him the truth, but he did not want to hear it. He started to attack us and Alexisa put up a barrier around us all, while trying to talk sense into him. Tamahome evenutally lost it and tied to kill Suboshi himself, Alexisa stopped him somehow, maybe with Nuriko's strength, but after that she has been really weak," said Tasuki

"Well my friend, I am not sure if there is anything that I can do, but I will try."

"Thanks."