Though Yui returned from Kutou having lost all hope, Hotohori’s love and faith have strengthened her to continue. Meanwhile, Miboshi has broken his promise to his Miko, Miaka, and sent Tamahome to Konan palace with orders to kill the Suzaku no Miko and the Emperor of Konan.

Episode Twenty-four:

“Emperor, the shogun is returning!”

“It’s about time!,” the Emperor of Kutou growled as he brushed by the messenger toward the palace gates, dragging a train of guards and courtiers behind him. Nakago was just entering the courtyard as he arrived. “Nakago!” the emperor shouted. “What have you been doing?? If you don’t find the Seiryuu no Miko soon....” he trailed off, seeing Nakago framed by the bulk of a huge creature, humanlike, but bearing fangs, claws, and bestial eyes set amid grizzled smoke-grey fur and a shock of blue hair on its head.

“Your majesty,” Nakago said with a bow. The creature behind him bowed as well.

“You...” the emperor sputtered, “You took that thing out into the city!?”

“Ashitare is a Sei of Seiryuu just as I am,” Nakago said. “He wants to find Lady Miaka as we all do, and in this case his keen senses give him better tracking abilities than anyone else could posess.”

“Well, what word then?” the Emperor demanded, but nervously.

“The Seiryuu no Miko went out into the city,” Ashitare said, in a low, throaty voice. “After that, too many people, too many smells. I couldn’t follow her anymore.”

“Then she could be anywhere! It was your job to keep track of her!”

“I’m doing everything possible,” Nakago said. “Every man who could possibly be spared is searching for her as we speak.”

“She’d better turn up, or it’ll be your head, Nakago!” the Emperor snapped.

“I understand,” he said. “Now, I must take my leave and continue the search.”

“You’re dismissed, then.”

Nakago bowed again as the emperor turned and stormed off, then he led Ashitare back toward their quarters.

“I’m sorry,” Ashitare said. “I tried my best to find her.”

“I know,” Nakago said. “You’ve done well. At least we know that she isn’t in the palace.” But he didn’t like the conclusion that was leading him to. She had been so desperately clinging to Tamahome, and Miboshi sent him to Konan in such a horrible, foolish way... He wished he could have taken Ashitare out more, to see if he could pick up her scent at any of the exits to the city. However, now that the possibility of Miaka being in enemy territory was becoming a likelihood, he had to provide for that possibility as quickly as possible, and he knew that Ashitare’s monstrous appearance would put him in danger if he were left in the city unattended. With himself busy and Soi still deathly ill---Nakago had to push his mind past a pang of guilt for having been unable to see to her as diligently as usual---Miboshi couldn’t be trusted, Tomo might just be crazy enough to enjoy any mayhem, and he wasn’t sure that Suboshi alone could handle such trouble if it should arise...

Suboshi heard them coming down the hall and looked out from the doorway of Miaka’s room. “Find anything?” he asked.

“She left the palace, that’s all we know,” Nakago said. As he stopped to talk, Ashitare wedged his head under Nakago’s arm, and Nakago took the hint and started scratching amid his thick blue hair. “What about you? Any clues?”

“No,” Suboshi said. “I wish she’d kept a diary or something. All I can find in here is clothes and knickknacks---nothing that would actually tell us anything.”

“Are there any clothes missing?” Nakago asked.

“Wha?”

“You’ve been around Miaka and seen the clothes she wears. Is anything missing, besides what she was wearing when she disappeared?”

“Come to think of it, no!” Suboshi realized. “Everything’s here except the clothes from her world.”

Nakago cursed under his breath, and Ashitare backed away from him. “So she ran off suddenly, unprepared, and wherever she is, she’s a dead giveaway.

“Suboshi, I want you to contact your brother. Tell him to look for her there.”

“But won’t that give him---”

“If we lose Miaka, it doesn’t matter!” Nakago snapped. “Contact him as soon as possible, the instant you think it’s safe.”

“Yessir!”

“Thank you, Suboshi,” Nakago said. He knew that in this crisis, he was being harsh on his men and particularly Suboshi; he’d have to make amends, but plenty of time for that once Miaka was safe. Nakago started back the way he’d come. “Come, Ashitare. We’re going out again.”

*

“‘The courtyard of Konan Palace was silent as Tamahome entered. The other Sei of Suzaku stood flanking the path to the palace gates, but the Emperor had not yet arrived,’” Hiro read.

*

“...Thanks for the warm reception,” Tamahome said, looking around at the other Seishi. It almost sounded like his voice, but he stood straight and alert as he looked at them with narrowed eyes. “Where are Hotohori and Yui?”

“Chichiri?” Nuriko asked.

“Nai no da,” Chichiri answered. “The Kodoku is still obscuring his chi no da.”

“Come on!” Tamahome said. “Do you think Miboshi would be stupid enough to send the last Sei of Suzaku right to you, all gift-wrapped? After the fight the other night, the place was in such a mess that Blondie was able to slip me out, and here I am.”

“I’m sorry, Tamahome-chan, but I can’t believe that no da.”

“So I don’t even get to see Yui, after everything that’s happened?”

“We have to keep you away from her. Until we know it’s safe,” Chiriko said.

Tamahome turned on him. “You barely even know Yui, right? Chiriko, is it? Listen, I came back here for her! Even if you all are Sei of Suzaku, I’m not going to let you keep me away from her!”

“If you really were Tamahome, you would agree that consideration of Yui’s safety comes first.”

Tamahome and the others turned to look as Hotohori spoke, descending the stairs from the palace gate. He wore his sword on his belt.

“You. I bet this was your idea to start with. You’d just love to keep me away from Yui, wouldn’t you?” Tamahome growled.

“I have nothing to fear from Tamahome,” Hotohori said. “If I believed that you were he, I would let you pass gladly, because Yui would be happy to see him again. But whoever you are, I’ve already let you hurt her too much. You would have to kill me before you could come near her again.”

The two stared at each other for a long moment. “Fine by me,” Tamahome said, slowly and clearly.

“Tamahome-chan! Stop it no da!” Chichiri commanded. Tamahome started advancing on Hotohori, not even seeming to hear.

Hotohori drew his weapon. “You’ll forgive me if I don’t give you a sword,” he said. “I refuse to gamble Yui’s safety, even for my honor.”

Tamahome reached behind his back and produced a pair of nunchaku from under his sash. “I like these better anyway.”

*

“Let me out! I’m the Suzaku no Miko, and I’m ordering you to open this door right now!!” Yui screamed, pounding on the door to her room. Stupid Hotohori... She knew what he’d been thinking, but she wasn’t willing to understand it. How could he do this to me? Who knew what could be happening out there? If they couldn’t get through Miboshi’s control, there might be no choice but to kill Tamahome. But if he were here, probably he’d been instructed to take someone else with him, and Hotohori was nothing if not a choice target. ‘Protect the Miko’... Ever heard of protecting the Emperor, you idiot!?

She heard a slight sound, almost like a bird call, but so close. She turned toward it and saw shadows in the colored-paper windows, something small, stretching up from the sill, with two dark shadows of paws pressing in on the paper.

“Mrow?”

“Tama!”

Muffled voices came through the windows. “What’s that!” “Get away from there!” The shadows of guards stationed outside on the walkway moved to snatch Tama off the windowsill.

Yui aimed her elbow at the narrow wooden braces that crossed the paper windows, and charged across the room.

*

Tamahome’s nunchaku bounced off Hotohori’s sword with a sharp PING! and Hotohori leaped back, still keeping himself between Tamahome and the palace doors.

“Isn’t there anything we can do?” Chiriko cried.

“Never get in the middle of a swordfight, kid,” Tasuki said, watching tensely.

“Interference from us right now would be a distraction; it would put Hotohori-sama in even more danger,” Nuriko agreed, but she knew just how Chiriko felt. After years of training as a guard, it was difficult to fight back the impulse to rush to the Emperor’s defense, and she knew that especially in Tamahome’s hands, a hit from those nunchaku could be just as deadly as the edge of Hotohori’s sword. But what she had told Chiriko was true, and even beyond that, she’d seen the look on Hotohori’s face, back in the bandit fortress when it was Tamahome’s image that came to Yui’s rescue. Even before that...

Yui leaned closer to Hotohori and whispered. “Dummy. Do you think you have to prove something to me after what Tamahome said?”

He smiled slightly. “Maybe I have to prove it to myself.”

A swing of the nunchaku knocked Hotohori’s attack off course, and he swiftly dodged a counter-attack. The ribbon tying his loose ponytail swished through the air behind his head for only a split-second before Tamahome’s fist burst through it in a spray of brown silk.

“It’s not going to prove anything to anyone if you get yourself killed.”

*

The guards shouted and jumped back as Yui came crashing through the window, and she hit one of them and knocked him over as she spilled onto the walkway.

“Suzaku no Miko-sama!”

They’d be trying to stop her. Nothing for it... She scrambled to her feet and ran for the doorway that would lead her back to the palace gates. One of the guards caught her arm and she spun around to a stop.

“Ow!”

“I’m sorry, Lady Miko!” Her cry shook his grip just a little, but she couldn’t pull loose from him... Suddenly he jumped and all but let go of her as Tama landed on his shoulder, yowling into his ear. Yui yanked her arm away, spun around, and was still moving under that momentum as she started running again.

*

Hotohori already had one foot on the palace steps---he couldn’t retreat anymore. He blocked with the sword above his head as Tamahome came down on him. The nunchaku raked the blade in a shower of red fire, and there they stayed even as Tamahome landed lightly on his feet; the chain had wrapped around the sword.

Tamahome was quick to take advantage of the close range, and swung his body into a kick. Hotohori spun around as if to match it. He had his back to Tamahome when it impacted in his flank, just above the hip. Hotohori shook under the blow, but took one hand off the sword, caught Tamahome’s leg and completed the revolution, swinging Tamahome around and flinging him back down at the foot of the steps. The nunchaku were still wrapped around the sword, and Hotohori flung them down with a flick of the blade. A red glow rippled the air around the sword, like the ripples around a flame, and it struck ruby sparks against the air as it completed its arc.

Tamahome didn’t say a word, but only took an on-guard position with his fists.

The other Seishi moved around them slowly, trying to contain the fight. Nuriko and Tasuki were already most of the way up the palace steps, and Chiriko stopped at the foot of them, easing toward where the nunchaku had fallen.

Tamahome struck first, and Hotohori dodged the punch easily, bringing the sword around in a counter attack. Tamahome moved ahead of it, then suddenly dropped to the ground. Before Hotohori could react, Tamahome bounced back with a punch to the back of Hotohori’s knee, sending him crashing down on the palace steps. But Tamahome darted away from him.

Chiriko was reaching down to pick up the nunchaku when he caught sight of a sudden motion and looked up just in time for a punch from Tamahome to send him flying, even as the palace door suddenly crashed open.

“Chiriko!!”

Turning toward the shout, Nuriko was the first to see her, and dashed toward her. “YUI!!!”

Hotohori whipped around. Yui stood at the top of the stairs, and Nuriko got to her and took her by the shoulders as they looked at each other in shock.

“Hotohori-sama!” Nuriko cried.

He turned again to see the spinning nunchaku coming at his face, and barely had time to raise his arm to block. The CRACK of the impact echoed across the courtyard, and Hotohori began to fall back, the sword started to fall from his hand... Tamahome stood over him, and even as he began to fall, looked up at Yui, who was now flanked by Tasuki and Nuriko, and started to move forward.

At that first hint of motion, Hotohori suddenly caught the sword out of the air, blade-down, and threw his shoulder against Tamahome’s chest with a swing of his elbow that drove the flaming-red sword through Tamahome’s belly.

Yui screamed.

But Tamahome didn’t give up yet; he caught the nunchaku with both hands. He’ll try to get them around my neck, Hotohori realized. Ignoring the pain in his broken arm, he used it to hold them off for just a moment as he whipped the sword out of Tamahome in an arc that flung drops of blood and took the blade through the connecting chain of the nunchaku.

Hotohori whipped the sword right-side-up in his hand and turned, but Tamahome dropped the severed halves of his nunchaku and collapsed to the foot of the stairs, doubled up and crying in pain as he clutched his wound.

“Mitsukake!” Hotohori shouted. Mitsukake was already running toward where Tamahome had fallen.

Hotohori turned to Yui. Nuriko held her tightly as she cried, gasping with tears running down her face. Hotohori dropped his bloody sword so he could put one arm around her, and Nuriko released Yui into his embrace.

“Chiriko-chan! Are you okay no da?” Chichiri asked, helping him up.

“I’ll be okay,” he said, gingerly touching his face. “Ow...”

“Hotohori...” Yui cried. “I thought you were dead...”

“I’ll be fine.” His voice was strained as he spoke into her short blonde hair.

“Tamahome...!” she wailed.

“Mitsukake will do everything he can.”

“Hotohori, your arm no da,” Chichiri said.

“I can live with this for awhile. See to Tamahome first.”

All eyes turned to Mitsukake. The character in his hand shone red light over Tamahome, who was now laying peacefully. “The wound is taken care of,” Mitsukake said. His face tightened with effort.

“Can you remove Miboshi’s control?” Hotohori asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t strain yourself no da,” Chichiri warned.

“I have to at least find out if I can...”

Suddenly, the glow beneath his hand burst into a shower of blue sparks, and Mitsukake screamed and fell back, hands to his head.

“Mitsukake!” Yui cried as they all started toward him.

“Yui! Hotohori! Stay back!” he shouted.

Chichiri reached him first and took him by the shoulder. “Mitsukake-chan!?”

Mitsukake took a few deep breaths and rose, but suddenly his arm shot out, grabbing Chichiri by the braid of her hair and yanking her off balance.

“Chichiri!” Nuriko cried.

Chichiri managed to stay on her feet, and she gestured with her hand, calling on Nakago’s power. With a flash of red light, both of them were dashed across the pavement as a wave of force flung them apart.

By that time, Hotohori had gotten there despite his injury and stepped in between them, and Nuriko was waiting behind Mitsukake as he got to his feet. She grabbed his arms and pinned them with an iron grip.

“What the @&%#$ is wrong with you!?” Tasuki shouted.

Mitsukake roared, trying to break away from Nuriko, but he was no match for her strength. He fixed Hotohori with a murderous glare for a moment, then turned his attention past him to Chichiri as she picked herself up off the ground. She looked up and met his gaze, and a shudder went through her.

He squeezed his eyes shut, and with several deep breaths began to relax. “I think I have it now,” he said.

“What the hell happened!?” Tasuki demanded.

“Taking in Miboshi’s evil intentions was too much,” Mitsukake said, still out of breath. “For a moment I couldn’t control it. ‘Kill the Suzaku no Miko. Kill the Emperor of Konan,’ and then, Chichiri... I’ve never felt anything so evil, so thick with hate. Gods, what is he??”

“Do you think one of my songs could help you with it?” Chiriko suggested.

“No, I need to deal with this myself,” Mitsukake said. “But if you could take me back to my room, I’d appreciate it.”

“I’ll come, too,” Nuriko said. She only let Mitsukake have one arm back. “I’d rather keep an eye on you a bit longer. No offense.”

“None taken.”

“Chichiri, are you okay? Can you take care of Yui and Hotohori-sama?” Nuriko asked.

Chichiri forced a smile as she got back to her feet and dusted herself off. “Nothing’s broken, so I’ll do my best no da.”

“Hey, what about me?” Tasuki said.

“I trust you, Chichiri. But call if you need help,” Nuriko said, leading Mitsukake toward the door.

“Geez,” Tasuki muttered. “That---”

Nuriko whipped around and gave him a glare that could kill at that range.

“GUY!!” Tasuki shouted after her. He walked over to Tamahome and stood over him, looking down at him with a watchful glare as the doors closed behind Nuriko, Mitsukake, and Chiriko.

Chichiri crossed to Hotohori, and he flinched when she touched his arm. “Let me fix that now no da.”

“Are you certain? You’re hurt, and Tamahome---”

“I’m just a little scuffed, and for Tamahome-chan, the hard part’s done no da,” she said. “You don’t need to be a martyr this time no da.” She raised a hand to his injured arm, and the red glow around it was echoed by the character on her cheek.

“She’s right about that. Don’t you ever scare me like that again!” Yui scolded. “You could’ve been killed!”

“I hope I never have to scare you like that again,” he said, flexing his arm as the glow faded away.

Yui smiled slightly, then turned to look at Tamahome. “Why hasn’t Tamahome woken up yet?”

“He won’t until someone gives him a command no da,” Chichiri said, massaging the bridge of her nose between her fingers. It was hard to tell if the dullness in her voice was sorrowful, weary, or more probably both. “Mitsukake-chan removed the commands he’s been given; it’s only Tamahome-chan now, but the Kodoku is like a wall around his chi no da. Until someone gives it a command to act on, his mind is empty no da.” She took a deep breath. “I’m already getting tired no da... I’ll do a better job of this later, but for now... Tamahome-chan no da!”

He rose and looked at her with an attentive but blank face. He rose not as though the call had awakened him, but as though he had been laying awake and only now heard something he chose to react to. The thought of it almost made Yui shiver.

“I command you to act of your own will no da.”

The change in him seemed nothing short of miraculous as his features ever-so-slightly fell into Tamahome’s usual habits. He raised a hand to his head. “What the... What happened?”

Tasuki kept the tessen trained on him. “Try anything and I’ll fricasee your ass!”

Tamahome looked up at him with a start. “What!? Who are you!? Hey, aren’t you---” A dawning of recognition and horror crossed his face, and he leaped to his feet. “Oh, my god!! Yui---!” He turned toward her as she and Hotohori rose to their feet.

“Tamahome...?” Yui asked. “It’s really you?”

“It’s really him no da,” Chichiri said with a weary smile.

Yui ran to Tamahome and threw her arms around his neck. “Tamahome! I’m so glad you’re back!!”

“Yui...” Hesitantly he put his arms around her and hugged her, though he still didn’t smile.

“Welcome back, Tamahome,” Hotohori said.

Tasuki just shrugged. “He shows up, tries to kill us all---”

“I didn’t mean to!” Tamahome protested.

“---But the Witch says he’s better, so it’s all good. Whatever.”

*

Nuriko closed the door to Mitsukake’s room behind herself and Chiriko. She could understand if he wanted to be alone for awhile, but she was still going to stand watch here. “I can take care of things here if you want to go, Chiriko,” she said.

He nodded, but stayed standing there. “It just worries me, you know.”

“I know.”

“I wonder why Miboshi’s like this.”

“He’s a Sei of Seiryuu,” Nuriko said with a shrug. “It’s war. The best way to stop us from summoning Suzaku would be to kill Yui, and the best way to throw the country into chaos would be to kill Hotohori-sama.”

“I know that. But I mean, Chichiri said some of the Seiryuu Seishi were her friends. I mean, surely they’re not all like that.”

“I know, but... I’m not saying Chichiri’s ever lied, mind you, because I know she wouldn’t, but every time she goes cashing in favors with those friends, we all get burned. Maybe they are all like that, I don’t know.”

“Well, maybe not as bad as--- Ow!”

“What is it?” Nuriko asked.

“Oh, uh, I think I landed on my wrist back there,” Chiriko said. He took his left wrist with the opposite hand. “I just got a twinge in it. I’m gonna go to my room and wrap it up or something.”

“Yeah, probably a good idea. Mitsukake’s definitely burned out for today, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Chichiri is, too.”

Chiriko nodded. “I think it’ll be fine on its own. I’ll see you later,” he said, and started down the hall.

“Oh, Chiriko!” she said.

“What?” He turned around again, still holding his wrist.

“Just wanted to tell you, you did well back there.”

“Well, not really. All I really did is get hit.” He gave a modest laugh.

“But I know you were trying. And since you don’t seem to be used to fighting and all, I just wanted to tell you you did a good job.”

“Thank you,” he said, and turned to leave again.

All the way back to his room, he held his wrist and carried his arm tight against his body. Once he saw some of the cabinet ministers, who called him “Chiriko-sama,” and he had to excuse himself quickly, without making it seem like he was in some undue hurry...

Finally he entered his room and slid the door closed behind him. He locked it quietly and looked around, listening intently. Nothing. Only then did he dare lift his arm and look at it. In the middle of the day like this, it must be something really urgent...

Characters were written down his arm, fine red marks as though scratched into him with the point of a pin.

Miko in Konan? Search. Top priority.

Miaka-sama here? His heart sank, if it could get any lower after hearing that she was missing to begin with. It was unbelievable. How could she have gotten to Konan? Why would she put herself in such danger? But Nakago must be all but certain to take such a risk as sending a message like this. And of course, if it was possible, he had to search. To risk leaving the Seiryuu no Miko alone in enemy territory was unthinkable.

First things first, he darted to the closet, and pulled out a shirt with long, close sleeves.

*

Suboshi took a deep breath and blew it out through pursed lips as he rubbed his arm. Sorry about that, Onii-chan. I hope I didn’t cause you any trouble...

*

To Be Continued...

*

PREVIEW

With Tamahome’s return, the Sei of Suzaku are gathered at last, and preparations for the ceremony to summon the god begin. However, Nakago’s best-laid plan in still in place, a trap set to spring at the most fatal moment of all.

Next Time: