A/N: I'm going to have a lot going on in my personal life for a couple months. So I might not have much free time to write. This was already written before anything came up.

And until Nuriko reveals his actual gender in the story, he'll be referred to as a female. Just giving everyone a heads up. As always, hope you all enjoy and feel free to leave a review!

Chapter 3

The next day, Yoshiko told the villagers that they were leaving briefly to check on a patient. Tasuki watched with interest as former patients offered food for the journey, sending them off with a kind smile. "The little lady sure is popular." He whistled, Yoshiko blushed. "Mitsukake-sensei lets me handle minor injuries. I've gotten pretty good at dressing wounds." There was no modern medicine so they used cloth and herbs instead. She was not looking forward to when puberty decided to rear its ugly head.

"Well, this should last us a few days. Though maybe Mitsukake should lose the hermit look." With his scraggly hair and Yoshiko's plain clothing, Tasuki doubted that their group would be attacked by any bandits.

"Ah." Mitsukake ran a hand through his hair. Of course Yoshiko was too polite to nag him about his appearance but his disheveled look would reflect badly on the priestess. He handed the cat over to Yoshiko and went back to their home. "Thanks Tasuki, I didn't know how to bring that up with Mitsukake-sensei." She says with a nervous laugh, Tasuki groaned. "Man, aren't girls supposed to be bossy? You don't have to tip-toe around issues, especially with the old man. You'd have to be blind not to see how much he cares for you." He states, Yoshiko blushed.

"I guess I'm still not used to it. My own dad wanted a boy and tended to ignore me and mama is very oblivious. It felt like she'd given up on me, just like everyone else did." Yoshiko yelped as Tasuki smacked the back of her head. "You're not home right now and you seem pretty capable to me. How many girls could cope with being in a completely different country and still help others?" There was a faint blush on his face as he scratched at his cheek. The bright smile he received was worth the embarrassment.

A large hand was on Tasuki's shoulder and he turned to tease the man. "Finally, what took you so- Who the hell are you?!"

The man had the same figure as Mitsukake but he had chiseled features and warm brown eyes. His hair was now cropped short, giving him a more refreshing look. "You look nice Mitsukake-sensei." Yoshiko says with a faint blush, the large man patted her on the head affectionately. Several women in the village were swooning in their direction, while others had a more predatory gleam in their eyes. Tasuki shivered. "Let's leave already, they're eyeing us like pieces of meat."

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"Apologies my emperor, there is still no word on the whereabouts of the priestess." A soldier says with a low bow. An effeminate man with long black hair let out a tired sigh. "The neighboring provinces are already aware of her existence. If we don't find her first, then chances are that they'll either hold her for ransom or kill her." His hand lingered on his mark. The bright light had been brief but he could still feel it's warmth. His soldiers had been ordered to find others that bore the marks of Suzaku as well, one being part of Hotohori's harem. Nuriko was not a delicate woman, almost knocking him over with her enthusiastic embraces. It felt like being squeezed by a python.

Nuriko slammed her brush onto a table, startling the women around her. That woman isn't even here and yet the priestess is all he can think about! Nuriko fumed, the other women giving her a wide berth when a dark aura surrounded her. I don't care if she's supposed to be some sort of celestial being, when I see her I'm going to punch her in the face!

Yoshiko felt a shiver run down her spine, her protectors giving her looks of concern. "You need to take a break?" Tasuki asks, Yoshiko shook her head. It feels like someone just spit on my grave. Yoshiko thought. "I'm fine, we need to travel as far as we can before we lose sunlight." She says dismissively, taking a sip of water. "If you feel tired, tell us. I am not carrying you if you faint." Tasuki says bluntly.

XoXoXoXoXo

They found a clearing before nightfall, Yoshiko and Tasuki volunteered to find firewood while Mitsukake set up camp. Yoshiko already had a small pile of branches in her arms when she heard a faint rustle in the bushes. She froze, but her intuition told her that it wasn't anything that would harm her. A small fox walked out, tilting its head at Yoshiko with curiosity. She bent down, holding out her hand. The animal approached her with caution, sniffing the air. It decided that she wasn't a threat and rested it's muzzle in her hand. I have been blessed. Yoshiko thought, inwardly squealing at how cute the fox was.

"Are you two just magnets for small animals?" Tasuki deadpanned, gesturing to the small fox at Yoshiko's feet. "As long as they aren't dogs." Yoshiko says with a shiver, remembering when she'd climbed up a tree and one barking up at her. The memory was hazy after that part. Mitsukake was about to start the fire when Yoshiko shook her head. "Let me try something first." She held out her hand to the tinder, recalling the warmth she felt when she first entered this world. There was a warmth in her chest and the bead bracelet on her wrist glowed, a small flame appearing at her fingertips. It was nothing like the inferno that saved her life but it was something. "It works!" Yoshiko cheered.

Tasuki stared in shock, he thought that being a priestess was just a fancy title. The mark under his wrist glowed briefly, the warmth giving a sense of home and peace. Nothing like the destructive flames from the boss's fan. "How long have you been able to do that?" He squeaked, Yoshiko shrugged. "This is the first time I've called on the fire without being in danger. It was so cold back at home." She says with a shiver. It had been like she was missing a piece of herself. With Mitsukake and Tasuki around, she wasn't as high strung and felt more at peace. I wish I could stay here forever. Yoshiko thought, watching the flickering flames from the fire.

That night, her dreams were of fire and blood. Foreign shouts echoed in her mind, flashes of featureless faces with bloody hands reaching out from debris towards her. A smooth voice, caressing her ears. "You can not avoid your fate Vongola. Look upon your bloody kingdom." And Yoshiko screamed.