Episode Seven

Tasuki tapped his tessen impatiently against his shoulder, watching the happy exchange between the two brothers. Watching them hug, hold hands, and laugh was starting to get on his nerves. His shoulder wound still hurt, he was hungry, tired, and just plain aggravated. "So…can I do this now, or are we gonna stand here like a buncha morons huggin' an' feelin' the love?"

Nuriko chuckled and turned to his brother, who only nodded. "Go ahead, Tasuki."

"'Bout damn time," the bandit grumbled. He turned to Taka, who was now standing and holding the ball in his palms. Flames sparked at the edge of his tessen, and with a swift call of his spell, fire swirled around the crystal ball, shattering the glass.

Nuriko's jewel sat in the middle of Taka's hands, pulsing and reacting to Tamahome's presence. Just like with the other jewels before, memories flooded into his mind, his soul, of the violet-haired warrior. Nuriko's death at Mt. Koku rang the strongest against his beating heart, remembering how it felt for the young man to take his final breath while propped in his arms.

"I remember," Taka whispered, his eyes closed against the flurry of memories. "I remember what you said to me that time in the rain, Nuriko, that the tough times make us stronger, and someday we'll be able to laugh at them. It's true, isn't it?"

Nuriko flashed a wily smirk. "That's right. As long as you live through it."

Taka opened his eyes in question, finding Nuriko, Chiriko, and Hotohori looming over him. "Why must you constantly point out that you're still alive while we are not?" the former emperor asked.

"Do you want to join our little club, Tamahome?" Chiriko asked, his voice unusually deep.

Taka rubbed his hand against the back of his head, chuckling nervously. "No, that's not what I meant at all!" he stammered.

Atsuna pressed her palm against her cheek, giggling deeply as Taka apologized profusely. She turned to the monk standing next to her, flashing her relieved smile up at him. "It seems as if some things are returning to normal."

Chichiri nodded in agreement. "We are making good progress. We only have three more jewels to go."

"It seems so close, considering our luck so far," Atsuna said, her smile tweaking down. "I just hope it continues to hold out. Once Tamahome's jewels have all been collected, I would like to think that everything will return to normal."

Chichiri watched the happiness fade from her face. He opened his mouth, fully prepared to question her, when Tasuki stepped forward, tessen now strapped tight to his back. "Hey, can we call it quits for today? I wanna get some damn sleep, an' my shoulder's hurtin'."

"You are all more than welcome to stay here for the night," Rokou spoke up. "I have plenty of room for everyone. Please make yourselves at home."

Nuriko clapped his hands together. "Yay! Sleepover!"

Giggling, Miaka shook her head in amusement. "This is your house, Nuriko, remember?"

Rubbing his hand behind his head, Nuriko flashed a goofy grin in the priestess' direction. "Maybe. But it's still going to be fun! Me and Rokou can go in his room and do some catching up. I'm sure everyone else will want a chance to get some rest." Eyes slitting slyly, he clenched his teeth together in a chuckle. "You and Tamahome can stay in a room together, Miaka. I'm sure there's some catching up you would like to do. Alone."

Miaka's cheeks erupted in a scarlet blush as she turned away, clapping her palms against her face. "Stop it, Nuriko! That's embarrassing!"

"Hey, you're not the only ones anymore, Miaka," Nuriko pointed out. His eyes flashed over to Atsuna, who still stood next to Chichiri, and then darted to the bandit, who was wobbling impatiently from side to side. "We've got these two to deal with, too, you know. I just feel sorry for whoever sleeps in the room next to them. From what I understand it, they're pretty loud."

Atsuna sucked in a sharp gasp of air, eyes widened in horror. "Nuriko! This is not the time to be bringing up something so personal!" she exclaimed, balling her hands into fists at her sides.

Brow raised, Nuriko folded his arms over his chest, his grin slanting further over his face. "Why are you so embarrassed, Atsuna? Is it because it's true? You and Tasuki have some fun every night, do ya?"

"Come off it," Tasuki spoke up, aggravated. "What goes on between me an' Atsuna will stay between us. End of the freakin' story. Now stop embarrassin' her an' let's all go to bed. It's been a long day, an' I'm tired."

Nuriko leaned over to him, elbowing him in the side. "Is that your keyword, Tasuki, dear? Does 'tired' mean something else to you and Atsuna?"

Tasuki sighed exasperatingly, biting back a curse. "That's enough outta ya. I'm goin' to bed. The first bedroom I find is mine. An' if ya come after me, I'll burn the hell outta ya. I'll see all of ya in the mornin'." He spun on his heel, waving carelessly, as he exited the room without another word.

Atsuna watched him go, shoulders loosening in a long, silent sigh. She felt a hand rest on her shoulder, prompting her to look up into the stoic gaze behind the monk's mask. She said nothing to him. Instead, she flashed him a quick, fake smile and cleared her throat. "I think it's about time for me to get some rest, as well. I need to recover some of my strength from using such a large output of energy. I'm sure I will see all of you in the morning. Sleep well."

Taka opened his mouth, prepared to thank her again for everything she did for him, but before he could so much as breathe, she was already out of the room, the patter of her feet long forgotten down the hall. "Well, I guess that's that." He turned to Miaka, threading his fingers through hers. "So, should we get some sleep, Miaka? It's been a long day for all of us."

Miaka stared up at him, smiling appreciatively. "Yes. Let's go." She turned to everyone, bowing her head quickly. "I hope all of you get a good night's rest. And thank you, Rokou, for letting us stay here tonight. I appreciate it very much." Lifting her head, she felt herself being gently tugged out of the room, leaving Rokou and the other Suzaku Seven standing silent.

"Well, I'm not tired just yet, you know," Chichiri announced. "I think we should talk about what we will do next."

"I agree," Hotohori piped in. He turned to Nuriko. "You should go and spend some time with your brother, Nuriko. Chiriko, Chichiri, and I will discuss strategy."

Nodding, Nuriko tugged his brother from the room, saying nothing else on the matter.

"So, I suppose we should occupy a room for ourselves, get comfortable, and discuss what our next plan of action should be in finding the next jewel," Hotohori remarked, turning his attention to the silent monk.

Chichiri only nodded, his mind fleeing to another world entirely. Despite their seemingly good luck, something didn't play right against the chords of his soul. He could feel darkness looming around them, hiding against the shadows. And what bothered him more was the fact that Atsuna seemed far too distracted to notice herself.

He needed to find out what was going on.

Taka pushed open the double windows, allowing the night's calming, cool breeze to swirl about the hot, stuffy room. It was relaxing, especially with his memories falling into place in his mind. He felt untouchable for that short moment.

A warm body pressed up against his chest, knocking him from his stupor. Looking down, he found a brunette head buried against his chest. "What's wrong, Miaka?" he asked, wrapping an arm around her back.

"Nothing," she answered, her voice muffled against his shirt. "I just want to stay like this for a while."

Taka's smile seemingly brightened the dusk-darkened room, but just as soon as the happy expression graced his face, it faltered as soon as he noticed movement in the corner of his eye. Snapping his head towards the bed, he found a very familiar room sitting on the bed, her legs crossed. And thank Suzaku for that, for the single item on her body was a necklace with a red, human-shaped charm.

"I'm sorry. Am I intruding?" she asked, her smile curling wickedly over her pale features. "Did you like the present I arranged earlier?" Her fingers gently tugged the bottom of her necklace. "I made my necklace out of your own blood, and now I can carry out my revenge for how you treated Ren." A chuckle vibrated against her breast. "So, tell me, Taka. Can you move?"

Miaka snapped her head up, capturing the surprised stare frozen on his face. "Taka?"

"I controlled the monster that tormented you, and I control you now. How should we play, I wonder?"

Miaka gripped Taka's sleeve, tugging him gently. "Taka! You have to move!" she begged.

The woman known as Miiru shook her head, clicking her tongue in disappointment. "There's nothing you can do for him, Miaka. Your efforts are fruitless." Her dark lashed fluttered over her darkened eyes. "Actually, I have a rather good idea for a game. I think it would be interesting to see Taka kill you with his own hands. What do you think of that game, Miaka?"

Miaka said nothing. Instead, her eyes settled on Taka, waiting for him to respond, to move, to do anything. But nothing happened. She suddenly felt very powerless, and wondered what she would be able to do before this mysterious woman weaved her spell over Taka again.

Atsuna sat with her knees drawn under her chin. She couldn't sleep, even with Tasuki lying next to her. Going to the room he decided was his, she found him already undressed and under the blankets, arms folded beneath his head. She said nothing to him as she watched him get comfortable. His eyes connected with hers for a short moment, and he moved closer to the edge of the bed, giving her ample room.

Well, at least he didn't rebuff her completely. He wanted her next to him still, and that in itself was a blessing.

Atsuna had no idea how long she'd been sitting in bed, thoughts reeling and her eyes settled on the slumbering bandit next to her. His breathing was even and deep, his mouth hanging open comfortably. She wanted to touch him, wanted to wake him and question everything that had happened since Miaka's return to Konan. Peering down upon him, everything seemed normal.

But she was hardly one to let a façade fool her so easily.

For one of the first times in her life, she cursed her ability to sense darkness. Being alone with him now, watching him sleep soundly, she could feel a very weak blackness pulsing within his soul, threatening to devour him whole. In all the time she'd spent with him, she could never feel that before. It was a mysterious darkness clouding him from the inside, and she had to wonder if it had anything to do with the rising number of demons and monsters scouring the countryside.

Burying her face in her palms, she released a shaky sigh. She felt tears welling up in her eyes, sobs throbbing against her chest. She just wanted everything to go back to normal. Just when she thought she had the worst feelings in the world during her time with Ryozo as a child, they paled in comparison to the dark truth that perhaps the man she loved was in love with another woman.

And even worse, it was the same woman her brother loved, the same woman she risked her life for, the same woman she looked upon as a younger sister. And at that moment, she held a dark sense of disdain for the priestess from another world.

Frightened by her uncharacteristic thoughts of hatred and anger, Atsuna pulled her knees closer to her chin, hiding her face between her knees as she hoped to cast out the ugly truth and sort out some ounce of sense to spare her own sanity.

Taka watched Miaka's eyes pool with fresh tears. He hated that. Closing his own eyes, he sighed through his nose. "Get far away from me, Miaka," he finally spoke him, his voice close to a raspy whisper.

Miaka took a step back from him. "Taka?"

"It will be all right." And with that declaration, his eyes snapped open and his bangs split away from his forehead, revealing the all-too familiar ogre symbol that proved his identity as a Suzaku warrior. And as the symbol upon his head glowed a brilliant crimson, the blood doll around Miiru's neck shattered, leaving her leaning back on her palms in utter shock,

"How were you able to use a chi blast?" she stammered, eyes widened. "You're not even completely formed as a person yet."

"Even though I don't have all my memories, and I'm not yet whole, all I'm able to do is love Miaka," Taka pointed out. "No matter which world she decides to live in, I will be there with her. I have dedicated my life to protect her always."

Miiru scooted back on the bed, unsure of what action she should take, but such a thought mattered no longer. She felt a dark presence form behind her, and as she turned over her shoulder, eyes still wide, she found familiar white locks of hair billowing around her.

"I know you," Taka spoke up, the man's golden eyes snapping through him.

"Lord Tenkou," Miiru gasped, her eyes fixated on the man hovering above her. His giant headdress flickered to life, glowing violet, and without a single word to announce his presence, the energy radiating from his diadem engulfed them all, leaving a shattering quake under the house as his calling card.

In one of the neighboring rooms, Chichiri snapped his head over his shoulder as soon as he felt the rumble beneath his feet.

"What's happening, Chichiri?" Hotohori asked, his outerwordly presence not as fazed by the earthly disturbance as Chichiri was.

"It's him," Chichiri simply responded, his voice low and rumbling against his chest. Grasping his staff, he rushed out of the room and onto the terrace.

Already outside were Nuriko and Rokou, staring around in question. "What's going on now?" Nuriko asked, his eyes falling on the monk.

"There's a disturbance coming from Miaka and Tamahome's room," Chichiri informed, thrusting his staff in their direction. "We should go now, you know."

Atsuna jerked out of bed, stumbling on wobbly legs as the room shook beneath her. She stole a quick glance at Tasuki, who continued to sleep as if he had no care in the world. Sighing, she knew the man could more than likely be struck by a meteor and would continue his slumber uninterrupted.

And it was then that she first became aware of the very dark presence looming over the house like a storm cloud. How did its presence manage to elude her so efficiently until now? She should have been able to feel its presence strengthening as it got closer, but somehow it was as if it popped into existence out of nowhere.

That was impossible.

Troubled by the quick turn of events, she left Tasuki behind in the bed, believing he would remain safe for the time being, and rushed out of the room to meet her friends, as well as the black fog that continued to haunt every hurried beat of her heart.

And all the more troubling was the fact that she could no longer sense her brother's life force.

Taka's eyes fluttered open, fighting against the groggy paralysis weighing down his limbs. Without lifting his head from the cold ground, his eyes traveled over the walls. They were white with strange purple branches of energy spreading around him. He felt very boxed in all of a sudden. It really wasn't the way he wished to wake up.

"So, are you finally awake?"

Taka snapped his head from the ground, finding himself face to face with the golden-eyed, fair-haired Tenkou. To his side lay Miaka, unconscious and unmoving. To his eyes, he was relieved to find that she seemed unharmed. On the other side of the room lay Miiru, her hair barely draping over her bare buttocks.

"What the hell is going on?" Taka demanded as he pushed himself to his feet.

Tenkou shook his head. "This was apparently too much for Miisu. I've come to personally attend to you."

"What are you after? Why didn't you just kill us while we were unconscious?" Taka demanded, his knuckles aching as his hands remained clenched into fists.

"I could easily kill you, to be sure, but before I do anything like that, I have a question for you. Do you really believe that you are a human being?" Tenkou watched the color drain from Taka's face, and to the reincarnated man's chagrin, Tenkou flashed him a smile. "Do you really believe that after existing on paper, you could really live in the real world, that the power of love made your wishes come true? Is that it? You are merely a device created by Suzaku. You're a phantom. You exist merely as a convenience for Miaka Yuki, the Priestess of Suzaku."

"Shut up!" Taka shouted, interrupting the sorcerer's tirade. "I don't believe a single word you're saying! I'm a living, breathing person, and I'm going to live my life with Miaka!"

Tenkou lifted his palm, and just as Taka blinked once, a large purple beam of energy speared the young man, suspending him in midair. Before he could taunt him further, he heard the shrill cry of Suzaku's priestess. With the woman finally awake, he could move on the next painful phase of his plan.

Chichiri slammed the bedroom door open, Atsuna and the other Suzaku warriors, save for Tasuki, clambering behind him. Stepping inside the room, he found that another dimension had been opened up, warping the room and the contents inside.

"No wonder I can't sense Tamahome anymore," Atsuna mumbled, coming up next to Chichiri's side. "He's been pulled into another dimension entirely with Miaka." She thrust her finger towards the void, noticing movement inside. "I can see them. They're in there."

"It's a demon world," Chichiri informed. "It seems as if Tenkou is attempting to wrench the jewels from Tamahome's body, you know. We won't be able to enter without Tenkou's consent, since this is a world he created of his own volition, you know. All we can do is watch from here."

Atsuna snapped her head in the monk's direction. "What? You mean we can't stop Tenkou? He's after Tamahome's jewels, Chichiri! We can't leave him and Miaka to fend for themselves! We must do something now or everything we've done will be for nothing!"

Chichiri hung his head. "I'm sorry, Atsuna. There is little we can do, you know. We should be able to talk with them, and perhaps we can try to break the barrier Tenkou has created. If our wills are strong enough, we may be able to shatter Tenkou's hold on Miaka and Tamahome from here."

Atsuna nodded, flicking her wrist until her staff formed from a created beam of light, resting against her palm. "Well, there is little time. We must act now, or we risk losing everything we fought for. We have to save my brother from him before it's too late. I won't lose him again. I can't do it."

As soon as the words passed through her mouth, she felt pain stab through her chest, forcing her to stumble back in surprise. Miaka's shriek pierced through the air from the other world.

"The jewels," Nuriko rasped, eyes wide. "They're…they're outside of his body now."

"You are a fragile man to have exposed your heart and given up so easily to me," Tenkou taunted. He lowered his hand, allowing Taka to fall to the floor next to Miaka. She pulled him into her chest, hugging him gently and coddling him to awaken. "Is this pathetic man really the reincarnation of your beloved Tamahome?"

"Give them back," Miaka whispered, her shoulders shaking as she held back her sobs. "Give them back."

"Don't give in, Miaka!" Chichiri shouted through the void, thrusting his staff horizontal from the ground. "Tenkou is just trying to upset you, you know!"

The former emperor of Konan turned to the monk, watching as his body began to flicker with a fine crimson glow. "Do you think you'll be able to break the barrier, Chichiri?" When the only thing answering him was silence, Hotohori felt as if he had every reason in the world to worry.

On the other side of the void, Miaka was sobbing silently, keeping Taka close to her body. "Those jewels are the precious memories that me and Tamahome share! Give them back!" Easing the man to the ground, she pushed herself from her knees, taking two short strides toward the evil man dressed in black.

Her third step halted as one of the jewels burst into millions of small shards, evaporating into the air. Her eyes darted over each jewel as they disappeared, Tenkou counting off with every single one until none remained. In utter horror, she pressed her hands against her face and released a blood-curdling scream.

"Don't give in to your emotions, Miaka!" Chichiri implored from the other side, his hands moving in intricate motions. "He wants them! He draws his strength from people's negative emotions!"

Hotohori blinked, noticing a tear in the barrier. With his hands gripping his sword, he channeled every last bit of his life force into the blade, preparing the strike down the last remaining defenses that Tenkou established.

"I'll do it, Your Highness!" Nuriko shouted, stepping towards the former emperor. He took the sword from his hands, and with a preparatory cry, Nuriko pulled the weapon behind him before chucking it through the small opening in the barrier. The edge of the blade sought out Tenkou, but when blood splattered into the air, it was not Tenkou's that spilled over the metal of the blade.

It was Miisu's.

With the blade impaling her midsection, her body now suspended as a shield before Tenkou, Miisu turned over her shoulder, her voice crackling as she spoke. "Lord Tenkou…Why?"

"In the end, this was the only purpose you ever served," Tenkou replied nonchalantly, watching as her body collapsed to the floor at his feet. "Your mistake was thinking that casting the spell on Taka would be enough. I thought keeping Renhou alive would make you serve me better, but now I see that it only distracted you."

With the sword now long disappeared from her body, leaving her blood to spill freely about the cold surface of the floor, Miisu struggled to sit up on her elbows, peering up at the white-haired man who channeled no sympathy for her. "But…you said you would help Ren. You said you would turn us to normal, into living beings."

Frowning, Tenkou stared down upon her. "Do you really love your brother that much? If so, then you can share your last moments together."

Turning her head, Miisu found the unconscious, naked form of her brother lying face down across the room. Struggling on death-laden arms, she crawled forward, leaving a trail of blood along the floor as she slid across the smooth surface. Inches away from the still form of her brother, she smiled, reaching out to touch and rouse him from his unconsciousness.

But the last feeling she felt was the heat of flames engulfing her body, turning her to ash within an instance. Her scream echoed throughout the empty room, leaving Miaka and the other Suzaku warriors in the real world to watch in horror as Renhou's body burst into flame right after, leaving nothing but two human-shaped scorch marks in their wake.

"I don't need the weak," Tenkou spoke up coolly.

Miaka shook her head, in a full-fledged daze as her eyes shifted to the tall man. "You're cruel!" she cried out. "They were your own people!"

Tenkou merely shook his head. "In the end, their incestuous love led them to the path of evil. They thought they would be human again one day, but it's an impossible dream for irreverent spirits."

Miaka pushed herself to her feet, a sense of justice churning through her veins like blood. "I won't let you," she murmured, taking slow steps towards the man who destroyed Tamahome's memories.

"They died a slow, wretched death all over again just for the sake of being human again. That is what will happen to you and your friends, as well. Most of the jewels have been destroyed. Taka himself will be destroyed. He will die a painful death. I intend to show just how powerless your love really is, how love itself truly is. No one can escape my wrath," Tenkou vowed, ending his monologue with a wretched laugh meant to shatter Miaka's hope.

"You don't know anything about human nature!" the priestess cried out again, her body surrounded by a fine red glow.

The smile spread like wildfire across Tenkou's lips. "Yes, grow angry at me, Priestess. Hate me. It's what gives me power."

Wind picked up around her body, throwing her hair into a wild rage behind her. "I won't let you do this!"

As waves of holy red light cascaded towards him like an ocean's relentless waves, Tenkou dissipated into the air, leaving behind his evil laugh that promised his return and the end of all things.

The sun's rays swam over the surface of the bandit's exposed skin, enriching every pore in his body. "What a waste! If I was there, I woulda kicked Tenkou's ass myself!"

"I guess your wounds are all healed," Chiriko replied.

"You're just an idiot," Nuriko grumbled.

Tasuki ignored him, turning to look at the silent Taka as he leaned against a beam. "Don't worry about it! There are still three more jewels out there! You didn't need those five old ones anyway!"

"I don't think that's what he wants to hear," Nuriko said, leaning close to the bandit to whisper in his ear. "You're not helping."

Taka flashed a smile and pushed himself from the beam, walking off with his hands in his pockets. "I'm fine, really. There's nothing to worry about. You guys shouldn't get worked up. This isn't going to beat me at all. I'm really all right. Really."

Amongst his rambling as he walked through the courtyard—but not without falling into the pond, hitting his head on an overhead branch, or slamming into the stone wall surrounding the house—Tasuki cringed with wide eyes. "You almost feel bad watching a guy that bad off."

"We have to find some way to make him feel better," Chichiri spoke up from behind.

"It may be hopeless," Hotohori chimed in sadly, hanging his head in shame for a lack of an idea.

"Mitsukake holds the remaining clues for the other stones, and Nyan-Nyan is out looking for him," Chichiri continued. "Until we find him, we'll have to come up with something else." The monk turned to Atsuna, who remained silent, her eyes fixed on the retreating form of her brother's reincarnation. "What are your thoughts on this, Atsuna? Is there anything you think you can do to help him?"

Atsuna lowered her eyes, staring at her feet. "I don't know," she admitted in a whisper. "I feel so powerless now. I don't know if there is anything I can do to help Tamahome. He's lost five of his jewels, and there is no way we can retrieve them now. I really don't know what we can do to help him other than trying to maintain a positive attitude around him. Right now we need Mitsukake to join us. That's the only thing I can think of at the moment."

Hotohori and Chichiri exchanged worried glances, both sensing how troubled Atsuna was about her brother's safety, as well as his future being. "If the Suzaku warriors were all assembled, we might be able to transfer some strength to Tamahome," Hotohori suggested. "He needs it right now. He is far too distracted, given the circumstances."

"Miaka may even be more depressed than he is," Chichiri replied, his face falling.

"Why is it like that?" Tasuki spoke him, his gaze moved to a random point on the stone wall. "Why does she have to be tormented like this? He makes her cry. He hurts her, an' she still loves him." He shook his head, slamming his eyes shut. "I don't understand. I don't think I'll ever get it." The bandit could feel everyone looking at him—Atsuna in particular—and hoped that she knew that he wasn't just talking about Miaka.

Not a half an hour later, Tasuki stood within the sea of towering trees, his eyes transfixed on the quiet priestess as she sat against a large tree trunk. He scoffed in disgust at her obvious heartache and spun around, walking away from her. "I still don't get it. If…If it was me, I would never make her cry like that."

Shutting his eyes, he knew his words were sin. In the midst of his care for Miaka, he'd managed to hurt the one woman he ever dared to fall in love with, the same woman who defied all reason to love him in return. To make matters worse, not only was she Tamahome's sister, but he also didn't have a clue as to how they got to this point, how he hurt her so much without a single conscious thought about it.

He didn't know what to do.

The snapping of twigs jerked Tasuki out of his musings, and he stopped in his tracks, lifting his head to see who dared to interrupt his thoughts. Amber eyes widening, he found Atsuna standing before him, her arms wrapped tight around herself. Her eyes were averted from him. He could hardly blame her for that.

"Do you love me?" her voice crackled through the air.

Tasuki flinched, watching as she slowly lifted her head to look upon him. Pain stabbed him through the chest like an age-worn dagger when he saw the glistening tears pooling in the corner of her eyes.

"Do you love me?" she repeated, her voice clearer and unmarred by her coming sobs.

"Why would ya ask me somethin' like that?" he asked. "Ya should know that already."

Frowning, Atsuna dropped her arms to her sides and took several steps towards him. "Fine. Then let me ask you this. Do you love Miaka?"

Tasuki snapped his mouth open, preparing to answer her, but no words came. His eyes locked in with hers for a short moment before she turned her head away from him, her shoulders slumping.

"I see," she murmured. "Your hesitation tells me everything I need to know." Spinning around on her heel, she moved away from him.

"Damn it. Wait a minute, Atsuna," Tasuki started, taking long strides towards her.

Atsuna stopped, turning slowly over her shoulder. "Just go to Miaka, Tasuki," she sniffled. "I know what I need to know. I'll be back at the house waiting for my brother to return. He and I have some things to discuss."

Tasuki watched her disappear behind the trees, and as a breeze swirled around him, he could have sworn he heard her gentle sobbing echoing through the hovering leaves. Slamming his eyes shut, he curled his hand into a fist and thrust it into a nearby tree. "What the hell is goin' on?"

As soon as the inquiry left his lips, he felt a looming sense of dread. Turning over his shoulder to inspect, his eyes widened when the last thing he remembered seeing was a large wave of water crashing over him.

Taka ran through the woods, a smile permanently affixed to his face. In his sorrow, Nuriko discovered him and told him that instead of trying to be Tamahome, he should be Taka instead. Miaka loved him for who he was, and it wasn't until Nuriko sought him out that he realized it for certain. The loss of Tamahome's Jewels of Memory was a minor setback; everything would turn out all right in the end.

Taka barely registered the fact that night fell around him. All that mattered to him now was finding Miaka and holding her close, professing that he would do everything and anything to keep her safe from Tenkou. That was all that mattered to him.

Passing through another row of trees, he noticed in the corner of his eye the recognizable orange flair of Tasuki's hair. Coming to a slow stop, he walked over to the silent bandit as he leaned against the tree. "Tasuki, what are you doing out here by yourself?"

Tasuki said nothing, instead unfolding his arms from his chest and reaching behind his back, fingers curling over the handle of his tessen. Taka opened his mouth to question him again, but a spear of pain wracked through his middle, causing him to tumble to his knees before the Suzaku warrior.

"Ya keep sayin' that you'll do anythin' not to make Miaka cry. But ya probably don't remember makin' that promise, do ya? That's the sort of unreliable lout you are. Ya never really loved Miaka, did ya?" Tasuki asked, his voice growling through the wind.

Taka's eyes widened and he fought to stare up at the bandit in confusion. He reached out, his hands gripping over Tasuki's arms. "What are you talking about, Tasuki?"

"How much more will ya hurt Miaka before yer satisfied?" He thrust his knee into Taka's nose, throwing him onto his back. "I'm sick of it. Not knowin' when or if you'll disappear is tearin' Miaka apart. That's all yer good for. But I won't watch it anymore. I'm takin' Miaka fer myself. Miaka is mine now."

Wrapping an arm over his midsection, Taka once again fought to sit up. "You're not making any sense, Tasuki," Taka stammered. "What about Atsuna? You…You love her, don't you?"

Tasuki walked up to him, tessen still draped over his shoulder. "Yer not anythin' like the Tamahome that Miaka used to love, loser. You're just pathetic."

"Answer me, Tasuki!" Taka snapped. "What about my sister? Are you really going to betray her?"

Tasuki's brow quirked, and he pulled his tessen back, slamming it against the side of Taka's face. "Ya don't hafta worry about that. Just stay here an' keep quiet. Hear me?"

The sound of Taka's shrill scream of pain awakened the wildlife around them, leaving behind a sick feeling of dread.

Miaka downed an entire bowl of sake, settling it on the table with an intoxicated giggle. "This is really good, Tasuki!"

Chuckling, Tasuki reached for the nearby pitcher. "Glad ya like it. Here, lemme give ya a refill." He poured fresh sake into the bowl, reaching to the edge.

"This town is called Kahou, right?" Miaka asked, her eyes skimming over the inside of the inn. "Why did Chichiri and the others want to come to this town?"

Putting the pitcher back down on the table, Tasuki rested his chin against his knuckles. "Well, I guess it had somethin' to do with the stones, but really, we all wanted to try cheerin' ya up."

Miaka's smile reached across her flushed cheeks. "That's nice. I'm sorry for making you worry, Tasuki."

"Hey, don't look so glum," Tasuki said, waving his hand at her. He pushed himself from his bench, flashing another wily grin down at her. "I'm gonna go an' find the others. Just sit tight until I get back. An' you can go ahead an' finish everythin' on the table."

Miaka nodded, her eyes skimming over the spread of meat, bread and cheese across the wooden surface. "Okay. Thank you, Tasuki."

The bandit winked and walked off, finding the tavern keeper on the other side of the room. "Hey, more food and drink fer us. An' I want the best room ya have."

The elder man chuckled. "Have all of your ducks in a row, I see. It's not a problem, but it will cost a little extra for the best room."

"What was that?" Tasuki leaned in, his eyes weighing down. "Ya don't want my money. Surely ya remember the winter of four years ago when the Mt. Reikaku bandits attacked this town." Sliding his tessen from his back, he pointed the sparking edges against the chin of the elder tavern master. "Like I said, more food and drink. An' I want that room."

Chichiri paced back and forth over the terrace of the house. "I can't sense Taka, Tasuki, Miaka, or Atsuna, you know," he said, turning over his shoulder to look upon Hotohori, Chiriko, and Nuriko.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Hotohori replied. "We should split up and look for them as soon as possible. They could be in danger."

The monk nodded, his eyes scoping over the darkened leaves of the nearby trees. Yes, something was certainly amiss, and he would find out what it was.

Taka didn't know how much longer he could ignore the flaming pain in his midsection as he trudged through the darkness of the woods. He grabbed onto a tree trunk for support, stopping for a short moment to catch his breath. Miaka's name spilled from his lips in a stammer, and through hazy eyes, he squinted through the night to find his way to Miaka. He had to find her.

Taking one step forward, his ears caught the muffled sound of tears. Peering down, he found Atsuna hunched at the bottom of the tree he clung to for dear life, her knees drawn up to her chin. "Atsuna?"

She snapped her head up, and to Taka's dismay, he found tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. She pressed a hand to her mouth and stumbled to her feet, wrapping an arm softly around his back. "Oh, gods. What happened, Taka?" She eased him to the ground, leaning him back against the comforting, cool bark of the tree.

Taka turned away from her, unsure of whether she needed to know what happened or not. But deep down, he knew she had every right to know. "It was Tasuki," he whispered. "He…He attacked me and said he was taking Miaka for himself."

Atsuna drew away from him, clapping a hand over her mouth again. "What?" She stared into her lap, shaking her head. "That's…not possible. There is something dark at work here. There has to be."

Taka turned to her, befuddled. "What do you mean?"

Sniffling, Atsuna lifted her head to meet with his inquisitive gaze. "I know Tasuki. Ever since you and Miaka returned here, something has changed in him." She closed her eyes, sighing. "I didn't realize it until just a little while ago, but I think something has changed within me, as well. I don't know what it is, but I think if we search for Tasuki and Miaka, we may also find the answer."

Taka frowned, hugging his arm closer to this throbbing stomach. "His eyes looked different. They looked cold and dark to me. I don't think he was ever like that, was he?"

Atsuna clenched her hands into fists as they lay in her lap. "No. No, he wasn't. Tasuki may be brash and short-tempered, but one thing he has never been is pointlessly cruel. I find it hard to believe he would hurt either one of us of his own volition." Swallowing hard, she leaned close to him, resting her hand on his shoulder. "But I can't say what he means to do with Miaka. He could be planning to harm her for all we know. We don't have time to inform the others. You and I should search for them. They couldn't have gone far."

Clearing her throat and licking the cracked dryness from her lips, Atsuna pulled Taka's arm from his stomach so she could rest her palms against him. A gentle thrum vibrated against her throat as she prepared to hum a gentle tune and begin her spell.

Hands snapped over hers, throwing her right back into reality. Taka shook his head. "No, don't heal me," he said, brows furrowing deep into his eyes. "You're already hurting enough. You don't need my added burden. I've done enough to hurt you as it is for coming back here."

Atsuna sighed shakily. "It's not your fault," she whispered. "Suzaku obviously needed you back here. And if there is a reason, then we will find it."

"Together," Taka added, sliding his fingers through hers. He squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry for this, Sister. Let's find them together and end this."

With renewed vigor, Atsuna took to her feet, tugging Taka from the ground with a firm nod. "Yes. When we find Miaka and Tasuki, let's hope that we find the answers we're searching for."

Miaka felt dizzy and hot as she lay on the bed, her shirt losing two buttons and her skirts splayed unceremoniously over her legs. "I can't drink any more, Tasuki," she slurred, rubbing a hand against her flushed face.

Tasuki turned over his shoulder at the tavern master, who stood in the doorway. "You both enjoy yourselves," he said, bowing his head quickly before scurrying away.

"Yeah, we'll do just that," Tasuki whispered to himself. He shed his jacket from his shoulders and walked over to Miaka's bedside, finding her murmuring something about Tamahome. As he sat down at her side, Miaka jerked up, yelling out Tamahome's name once more. He wrapped an arm around her back, pulling her close to him. "It's okay. Ya just had a bad dream, Miaka."

Miaka smiled against the warmth of the bandit's body. "I must have had way too much to drink," she said with a slight chuckle. "What is this place? And where are Chichiri and the others? Shouldn't they have gotten here by now?"

Tasuki raked his fingers through the back of her hair. "They're not here," he murmured.

Miaka pulled away from him, brow quirked in question. "They're not? That's strange. Maybe I should go and look for them. They might be trying to find us, you know. I wouldn't want Atsuna to be worrying about you too much." She patted a hand over his shoulder as she shuffled from the bed. "She loves you a lot, Tasuki. You two remind me of me and Tamahome." Giggling, she pressed her palms against the edge of the bed, pushing herself from the mattress.

Strong arms wrapped tight around her body, pulling her back onto the bed. "I told you," Tasuki started, his voice unusually gruff and angry. "Nobody's comin'."

Miaka felt her body thrown roughly against the bed, and as her eyes widened, trying to assess the situation, she watched as Tasuki descended upon her, his hands digging into her shoulders. "Tasuki, what are you doing? Stop playing around!" she scolded. She kicked her legs against him, but to her horror, the bandit straddled over her waist, keeping her still under his muscular wall of a body. "You're acting weird, Tasuki! Something's wrong!"

"Yeah, somethin's wrong, all right," Tasuki interrupted, flicking his head back to rid his eyes of the annoying orange bangs. "I always hated women. But not you, because yer Miaka. At first, I thought ya were some weird kid, but as time passed, ya became a woman to me. Didn't ya notice even once that I'm a man?"

Miaka wriggled weakly against his hands, nose scrunched and brows creased in confusion. "Wh—What? But, Tasuki, what about Ats—"

Rough lips slammed across hers, silencing her inquiry and stealing the air from her lungs. Heart racing against her chest, Miaka snapped her head away, crying out for him to stop. She felt his hands on her skirt, shimmying the fabric up her legs. Her shirt tore open, a broad palm cupping over a bra-clad breast. "Tasuki, stop it! Please! This isn't like you at all! Why are you doing this?"

Tasuki yanked her upwards into his chest, his hand petting comfortingly over the back of her hair. "Whaddaya talkin' about? I'm me. But I just can't take it anymore. Ya always look so sad 'cause of him. But ya don't hafta worry anymore 'cause I'm gonna help ya forget all about him." As he turned to look at her, his face rubbing against hers, he felt something wet spread over his heated cheek. Snapping his head back in alarm, he found silent tears streaming down her flushed face, her eyes searching into his sadly. "What? Why are ya cryin'? Stop it! If ya just forget about him, you'll feel a lot better! That's why I'm doin' this, so you'll be happy again!"

The door creaked open behind them, Tasuki spinning irritably around and releasing a flurry of curses for the people who dared intrude on him and his priestess. However, his amber eyes connecting with a very familiar lavender seemed to jar an untapped emotion within him. Atsuna.

"Hikari in heaven," Atsuna stammered, taking a step forward. Her brother's arm lifted before her, barring her advance. "What is happening here?"

"Get away from Miaka, Tasuki," Taka demanded.

"Taka! Atsuna!" Miaka shouted, leaning forward on the bed. Tasuki's arm snaked around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. You're here. Thank Suzaku.

"So, ya found us even though yer hurt," Tasuki said, a proud smirk curling over his face. "How did ya know where to look?"

"When it comes to Miaka, I know everything," Taka answered simply. "Let her go, Tasuki."

Chuckling, Tasuki pushed himself to his feet, leaving Miaka lying disheveled on the bed. "That's impressive. But it doesn't matter because Miaka belongs to me now. Maybe it's time fer me to refresh yer memory." Grabbing his discarded tessen from the floor, he rushed forward, drawing it behind his shoulder.

Atsuna stepped forward again, fighting against Taka's arm. "No, Tasuki! Stop this now!" She watched the diamond weapon descend upon them both, and then at the last minute, a hand grabbed her shoulder and shoved her into the wall. Her back slammed against the hard wood, and in unison, she and Miaka cried out for Taka, watching in horror as the tessen swung around and stabbed him in the midsection, aggravating his former injury and propelling him down the stairs from the doorway.

Clapping her hands over her mouth to hide her gasp, Atsuna listened to Taka cry out and stumble down the stairs. Her eyes fell on Tasuki as he hesitated for several seconds, watching with a grin as his former comrade fell, clambering noisily to the bottom floor. Atsuna blinked the coming tears out of her eyes, hoping that she would wake up from this nightmare.

But as she blinked, she only watched as Tasuki took long strides over to Miaka, jerking her to her feet. Atsuna's eyes connected with Miaka's for a split second before the light bearer pushed herself from the wall, rushing out of the room and to the aid of her reincarnated brother. She swallowed the coming sickness churning in her stomach as she ran down the stairs, kneeling at Taka's immobile side. Blood trickled down his forehead, pulling his raven-colored bangs against his skin.

"Taka! Are you all right?" Atsuna exclaimed, her fingers gracing over his shoulders. She turned around, watching as Tasuki moved Miaka to the doorway, forcing her to look upon the destruction he wrought in his angered wake.

"Tasuki, let me go! Taka needs help!" Miaka shouted, writhing against Tasuki's insistent hold.

"Yeah, he needs help," Tasuki agreed sarcastically, a chuckle vibrating against the deep pit of his chest.

On shaky palms, Taka pushed himself to his knees, his eyes lifting to meet with the bandit's. "I will never be able to forgive you for hurting Miaka. And I'll make you take back every single one of your lies. I'm the one that makes Miaka happy. Ask her." Groaning, Taka stood stubbornly on trembling knees that threatened to give way within seconds. He denied Atsuna's help and staggered forward, slowly beginning his ascent up the stairs. "I used to think that you were telling the truth when you said that you would never hurt Miaka and that you would never hurt Atsuna. But you lied. That's what you're doing right now. Let Miaka go."

Lifting his tessen, Tasuki scowled. "Don't think ya can fool me. How can a guy who is about to disappear from existence make Miaka happy?"

Taka felt his soul rip in two when he heard Miaka's growing sobs. "Look, Tasuki. Miaka's crying, and you're the one doing it to her. That's not the sort of man you are, is it? You're strong. A man's man. You're the man who made Atsuna feel loved and safe after everything she went through as a little girl, when I couldn't be there for her. You made her feel like she could trust people again. You did that for her, not me. Where is that man now?"

Atsuna sucked in a gasp, eyes aching as they stared up at Tasuki, awaiting a response from him. His cheek twitched, but his hold on Miaka only tightened. She took the stairs behind Taka, coming up next to him and resting a comforting hand on the middle of his back.

"What could have happened to you?" Taka continued, taking the last remaining stairs to the second floor where Tasuki held firm on Miaka. "This isn't like you. I don't know what changed in you, but the ones you're hurting by seeing you like this are Miaka and Atsuna, the two women you said that you could lay down your life for at any given moment!"

Tasuki's eyes widened at his words, and for a short moment, his gaze shifted to Atsuna. He watched her fold her hands in front of her chest, as if in prayer, waiting for a response from him. A growl rumbled against his throat and he threw out his foot, kicking Taka back down the flight of stairs again. "What are ya talkin' about? I'm sick of hearin' yer mumbo-jumbo. How's a weaklin' like you ever gonna protect a woman, huh? Watch, Miaka! I'm gonna burn this pathetic bum to a crisp!"

"No, Tasuki! Stop! Please!" Miaka cried, shaking her head.

"You're right," Taka spoke up, staggering back to his feet once more. "I'm pathetic. Right now, I'm weak, too. Like you said, all I seem to do is make Miaka cry. And I'm scared of what's going to happen to us. But I love her, and there's nothing I can do about that. That's why it doesn't matter if people laugh or it hurts me or that I don't look heroic. For Miaka, I'll be the most pathetic man there is. I'm still one of the Suzaku Seven. I'm still your comrade. I'm still Atsuna's brother. You all accepted me. You all encouraged me and made me feel welcome and happy." Swallowing hard, Taka reached up the stairs again, feeling strength flow through his veins. He looked behind him at Atsuna and knew that she was offering her life force to him, as brother and sister. "I was born to defend Miaka. My feelings for her have never changed. They never will. If I'm going to die, I'm glad it's you, Tasuki. Go ahead and kill me if you feel you must."

"Sure. I would be glad to," Tasuki said with a smirk.

"Tasuki." The bandit looked down at the priestess in his arms, finding her smiling tearfully up at him. "The reason why I cry is because I love Taka more than life itself. It's just the way girls are put together. They cry over the people they love whenever they're sad or happy, just as Atsuna does for you because she loves you so much."

Eyes widened, Tasuki snapped his eyes down to the middle of the stairs where Atsuna continued to stand. "Atsuna."

A weak smile tweaked onto said woman's lips, and she took the last steps to the second floor, standing tall next to her brother. "Tasuki. Come back."

Tasuki's fingers loosened from Miaka's shoulders and he staggered backwards. "No… I won't. I won't do it!"

Atsuna felt her heart twist against her chest at his words, believing that hope was indeed lost for him, for her, for them both. But beneath the thin white material of his shirt, his holy symbol throbbed bright, and in that single moment, she felt the darkness within his soul peeking out from behind its black shroud. "Tasuki, come back to me," she whispered, curling her fingers into a fist at her side. "Find the light. Find me."

Tasuki pulled his tessen above his head, crying out. "I will never betray my friends! I will never betray her! Never! I won't do it!" Shifting the diamond weapon in his hand, sparks of flame crackled and burst into the floor as Tasuki knelt down, disrupting the wooden surface. Fire blazed around him, the force sending Miaka into Taka's chest and propelling them down to the first floor.

But Atsuna lifted a barrier around her, preventing her from moving from her spot. Tears beading the corners of her eyes, she stumbled through the hot flames, finding Tasuki still kneeling over his weapon. She felt the fire licking at her skin, despite the barrier erected around her. She fell forward, arms thrown around his shoulders as she attempted to protect him from the coming of fire.

Taka and Miaka quickly stood, watching in horror as both Tasuki and Atsuna disappeared behind the raging fire. "Tasuki! Atsuna!" Taka took a step forward, prepared to go to their aid, but a tunic tumbled before him, preventing any further movement. Chichiri was there now, his staff held firm in front of Taka and Miaka. "Chichiri! Help them, please!"

"Tasuki! Atsuna! Please don't die!" Miaka cried, balling her hands into fists at her cheeks in abject horror.

A warm hand closed over the priestess' shoulder. "It's all right now, Miaka," the comforting voice of Nuriko echoed behind her. "Are you okay?"

"What should we do, Nuriko?" Miaka sobbed, spinning around to face him. "What can we do to help them?"

Hotohori came up next to them, smiling as his eyes settled on the barreling flames. "It looks as if they both made it."

"Good for them. I knew they would," Chiriko piped up next to the former emperor.

"Miaka. Tamahome. Look for yourselves," Chichiri said, angling his head towards the second floor of the tavern. "It's all right now."

Doing as they were told, the couple turned their attention to the ravaged second floor, and within the flames came the warm green light of Mitsukake, who held the bandit protectively in his arms. Atsuna stood next to the towering man, face and hair disheveled and covered in ash.

Groaning, Tasuki's eyes fluttered open, finding himself staring up at the dark-haired doctor. "What? Am I…still alive?"

His chuckle rumbling, deep and overly comforting, Mitsukake nodded with a smile. "A guy like you can't die that easily."

Tasuki sighed, shutting his eyes again. "Mitsukake? Shut up, would ya?"

For the first time in what seemed like ages, Tasuki felt like his head was light and free of its former darkening fog. He tugged his pink overcoat over her shoulders, tightening the belts over his chest until they threatened to strangle his lungs.

Sighing deeply, he stared at himself through the full-length mirror. He couldn't explain what happened to him, why he took Miaka to that tavern and nearly…

Shaking his head, he bit back a curse. Completing that thought would only anger him further. He ran his fingers through his hair, wondering just how he would face his friends, face Miaka, face Atsuna.

Turning his head towards the open doorway, he found Atsuna already standing there, her back leaning against the frame. Arms folded over her chest, she kept her eyes away from him, cementing them instead on a random point of the wall. "Atsuna."

Hearing her name called so croakily, she turned around, her eyes meeting his. Her heart skipped against her chest as he walked up to her, looking upon her as if he fully expected for her to disappear from his life forever.

But she stayed in her spot, arms falling limply at her sides as their eyes connected and spoke to one another without a single parting of their lips. His hand reached for her, palm cupping perfectly over a warm, supple cheek. She leaned into him, sighing slowly, deeply, as if nothing else in the world mattered but his touch.

Tasuki dragged his tongue over his mouth and leaned down, eyes weighing down as he prepared to kiss every last drop of air from her lungs. He needed it. He needed her.

"Miaka and Taka would like to see you in the next room," Atsuna mumbled just before his lips grazed hers. "Everyone is concerned about your well-being. Come see everyone."

Tasuki pulled away, blinking as she backed away from him, her expression neutral. Folding her arms behind her back, she turned away from, disappearing around the corner. Watching her go was like watching his life walk away. How would he be able to explain his actions if he didn't even know what happened?

Scratching the back of his head, he counted to three to himself before striding into the next room, finding everyone standing around making quiet small talk. Atsuna was now standing next to Chichiri, and Miaka and Taka sat on the other side of the room. Tasuki found it awkward to see them smiling and laughing just an hour after everything transpired at the tavern.

Did he dream everything? No, of course he didn't. He wasn't that lucky.

"Tasuki!" Miaka called, shattering the conversations throughout the room. "How are you feeling?"

Tasuki swallowed and walked over to them, standing over his priestess. He fought not to clench his hands into fists at his sides, wishing to keep his emotions hidden as much as possible. But that seemed moot at this point. And impossible.

"You look better than what you did," Miaka said with a smile, tilting her head to the side. "I'm glad to see you up and—"

Tasuki collapsed to his knees before the twosome and bowed his head. "I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry!" he interrupted, the words pouring from his mouth before he could control them.

"It's all right, Tasuki," Miaka assured him, even amongst his sea of apologies.

Mitsukake turned to his comrades as they watched the bandit beg for his priestess' forgiveness. "Sometimes people don't often know their own feelings that lay deep inside them. It's a shame, really."

"You were under a spell, Tasuki," Taka spoke up matter-of-factly. "None of this is your fault."

Chichiri rubbed a finger under his chin. "He said he saw water right before he was affected," the monk said.

"What kind of water was it?" Chiriko asked, leaning over Tasuki as he finally pushed himself into a seated position.

"It was really weird," Tasuki replied with a shrug. "It came out of nowhere. Who the hell sees water in the middle of the woods anyway? It was like this big wave crashing over me."

Atsuna folded her arms over her chest, frowning. "Odd, indeed," she murmured, shaking her head. "I knew something has been amiss since Miaka and Taka returned here." She turned to Chichiri, who continued to stand silently next to her. "What do you make of this, Chichiri? Surely you must have an idea of what happened to him."

Chichiri opened his mouth to respond, but a strong scent attacked his senses. He snapped his head around towards Miaka and Taka, and with a widened eye through his mask, watched as a wave of water appeared from nowhere, crashing over Miaka and encasing her inside a bubble.

Everyone pushed themselves to their feet as Miaka cried out, her voice muffled by the water now filling her lungs.

"It's that water again!" Tasuki shouted, thrusting his finger towards it. "It's the same thing that happened to me!"

Squinting, Chichiri leaned forward, noticing a presence appearing in the ripples of water that kept Miaka floating within the bubble. Hair blue as midnight was the first thing that caught the monk's eye, causing him to recoil, his fingers tightening over his staff. "It can't be," he stammered. "Why does it have to be you?" Chichiri ignored the comforting squeeze of Atsuna's hand on his shoulder, shaking his head in disbelief. "Hikou!"