"I'm begging you." I was on my knees before the healer, a position I don't remember being in before anyone previously in my life. But if this would help Miaka, if this would save her life, then I would do it; I was doing it. Gladly.

At my side, the third member of our group dropped to his knees as well. "I'll beg too, there's no one else." I was only slightly surprised at this from him. Immediately after, I felt more than saw Nuriko sink to his knees too.

"You have to help us; we can't do it Shouka-san's way." Nuriko's voice was soft, fear-filled, reflecting the emotions I was feeling so closely.

He had to help Miaka. He was the only healer who could. Everything had been going so well... We had found Miaka and helped install the shifty-eyed bandit as the new leader of the mountain thieves. I had not been quite sure if that had been an intelligent move, but Miaka had reassured me otherwise. It was then that we had come up against one of our worst fears, a glass wall in our search for the Suzaku seishi. We were so close, we had felt it, but we were too late. Suzaku seishi Tasuki was dead. We had missed him by a matter of days, arriving too late. Too late... too late to do anything but watch our hope be shattered at our feet. But the icy dread that had settled over us was broken by a ray of hope. Rumors spoke of a healer not far off who could raise the dead. Once again we set off to an unknown place, the bandits escorting us off their land, as much a precaution as a courtesy. My arm had throbbed every now and then, but not nearly as bad as before Nuriko had bandaged it. Several times my hand had strayed to touch the bandage absently, but I had quickly pulled it away after receiving admonishing looks from Nuriko.

The healer, to the our surprise, had been a pretty young woman. Her eyes held a sadness that I had not been able to understand then, something like a long-tortured hope that was finally being relinquished into despair. She had confirmed our hopes. She did have the power to revive those not long dead, but only within the limits of the disease-cursed city. Hope had a tight hold on our hearts as we had once again set out, this time to bring the dead body of Tasuki to the village, to Shouka-san's healing touch.

The attack had come not long after we left city limits. Miaka felt faint, weak, her small body going slack as she sat in front of me on my horse. We had paused in our journey to let her rest. Out of the ground and from some far corners of hell that humans can only begin to guess at, the creatures had come at us. Vaguely human and long dead, the walking corpses advanced upon us in droves despite our efforts to fight them off and protect our miko. We were overpowered, outnumbered, until a figure detached itself from the forest's shadows. It was the flame-haired bandit of earlier. Wielding his fire, he had driven off the grave's minions and revealed himself to be the Suzaku seishi, Tasuki, whom we had thought dead. Unable to pass beyond the city of rotting corpses and worried for Miaka's safety, we turned back to the only refuge of which we could think. We had gone back to Shouka.

The young woman had simply shaken her head, watching us with those sad eyes so torn between some decision of which only she knew. She could help Miaka, but not while she was still alive. There was one other choice, a reclusive healer who lived a solitary existence outside the city. Myo Juan, they had said his name was. We had journeyed to him, only to be turned away almost violently. Miaka had crumbled, no longer being strong enough to sustain herself. We had carried her back to Shouka. The bitter truth had been reflected in Nuriko and Tasuki's eyes as well as my own, the horrible truth we knew and did not want to acknowledge. We would kill her, to end her suffering quickly, to stop her pain, and to have Shouka bring her back to life, free of her pain.

The task had fallen to me, and I had stood over her small fragile body, seeing the pain she was in. I so wanted to help her, but even at that I failed. I could not kill her.

That had brought us back to Myo Juan, to kneeling before him, begging for the life of our miko. I wanted to cry, but tears were something I indulged in very seldom. We watched his cold face, and were amazed in the change in it at the mention of Shouka's name. His eyes, so angry, so dead to the world, opened wider and flashed. "Did you say Shouka?"

Nuriko nodded. "Hai, Shouka-san, we left Miaka with her..." His soft voice was wary, uncertain.

"Shouka..." Myo Juan's deep voice repeated, shaking. "Shouka... one year ago... died."

It took us only a moment. I glanced at Nuriko, catching the shock in his wide violet eyes, sure my own eyes looked the same. Tasuki looked more angry than surprised, a single curse escaping his lips. We all ran from the room, leaving the recluse staring after us.

The town we entered was vastly different from the one we had left. Darker, more foreboding, the city seemed intent on strangling us. The creatures of death we had fought earlier reappeared in the forms of the distorted bodies of the townspeople. They swarmed us, bent on driving us back, on keeping us away. Away from Miaka.

"Go to Miaka, Hotohori-sama! We'll take care of things here." Nuriko shoved one of the misshapen creatures away from him, sending it flying.

I watched him for a moment as he dispatched yet another, his small form dodging and striking gracefully. Tasuki to his side fought with the cool practiced hand of a mountain bandit, a man who had killed before. They could handle things. I caught Nuriko's eyes and nodded.

"Sorry, Nuriko!" I called as I turned and ran towards Miaka, anxious for her, but not wanting to abandon Nuriko or the shifty-eyed bandit, Tasuki.

I nearly kicked open the door to Shouka's home, not really knowing what was going on, but fearing the worst. I saw her as soon as I entered the room. Her normally cheerful eyes were clouded by the sickness that had invaded her. "Miaka!" I called to her. "Get away from Shouka!" My eyes caught sight of a moving shadow that rose up behind Miaka. The rest of what happened was a blur. The demon that had possessed the pretty young woman was dispelled by a reluctant hero, the recluse Myo Juan. It all ended quickly, sadly, as we watched the tall healer say good-bye and end the existence of the woman he had loved.

I watched him as he cradled her motionless form. It seemed almost as though he were holding the corpse of his only true love, and maybe he was. My eyes clouded with tears that I would not let fall. He had watched his love slip away, like sand from his fingers, powerless to bring her back, unable to hold onto her. I had never seen anything so sad as his face as he held her, refusing to let go, holding on to something already gone... But even then I could see how the love he had for her still held him, kept him going, made him draw each breath he took. I glanced at Miaka. Healed now, both of sickness and injury, she was crying softly, eyes flooding with tears. Looking over at Nuriko, I saw that he too was crying, softly, silently. The crystal tracks of his tears were only barely visible in the dim light. I turned my eyes back to Myo Juan and then away from away, thinking, waiting for the tears that threatened my eyes to pass.
 
 

I wiped the tears off my face and moved to Miaka, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Are you all right?" I murmured softly into her ear.

She nodded, silent. I watched her a moment more and turned to leave. Our newest seishi, Mitsukake, needed time with his love. I wasn't required nor wanted. I cast a glance at Tasuki and decided not to bother him. He looked very upset too. I liked him. He had a good sense of humor, even if he was a little too cocky for my tastes. He was a welcome brightness in the harsh seriousness that had clouded us recently.

I finally turned my eyes to Hotohori-sama. Though her head was bowed, her hair cascading over her shoulder in a waterfall of glorious mahogany, I could see the sparkle of tears in her eyes. I wanted so much to do something to console her, anything. Sighing softly, I lowered my eyes, turned around, and walked a bit away.

Much had happened since we had seen the "yama" kanji. Hotohori-sama's admittance of her lack of love for Miaka had surprised me at first, but I gradually saw in the way that she treated her that it was true. I wished I knew who it was that she cared for, the one of whom she had spoken earlier, just to know. It wasn't my right to know, but I just wanted her to be happy. If the man or woman she loved did not make her happy- or worse, hurt her- I... Well, I could do nothing, but I would want to. I guess I felt frustrated. Hotohori-sama had been told by Miaka that I was in love with her, but she had never responded. She had never even said anything. It hurt. I had spent so much time with her recently and I knew what a sweet, kind person she was. But why had she just left me hanging? Did I really matter so little?

I raised my eyes to the trees. Dawn was breaking. I had not slept all night, but neither had any of the rest of us except Miaka. The sky was a deep color, blue and purple and pink, with the faint white of clouds glistening against it.

So Tasuki had joined us, despite his original reticence, even saving us with his tessen. I discovered he had a sense of humor quite similar to mine, though his perception of people was sorely lacking. I knew he would be good company in the days to come, assuming we lived that long.

And then Shouka.

I had almost been hoping that she was the next seishi we had been looking for, just to make the search go faster. Maybe when we found all the seishi... then Miaka would get Tamahome back... and Hotohori-sama wouldn't be quite so sad and protective... and maybe... just maybe...

Foolish thoughts. I forced them from my mind. She loved someone already.

My heart still rebelled against what Akito had suggested. Yes, while I frequently entertained the idea of living with her forever, it was always with the small detail that she would love me as well. If what he had hinted at proceeded, then it would be nothing more than an arranged marriage, a marriage of convenience. I would be used. I would do my best to make her happy, but I knew I never could if she loved another.

I wandered a bit further away from everyone else, off into the woods. I stopped behind a copse of small trees at a sudden flash of deep purple. Turning my eyes to face it fully, I saw that the purple was flowers, a type I had never seen by Eiyou. My sister had loved flowers so much. I knelt down and searched for the most perfect one I could find. When I was satisfied, I took it and stood up.

I began to walk back, hoping that they were all still where I had left them. I had only been gone a few minutes.

I saw Hotohori-sama before anyone else. She had almost followed me toward the forest. Her back was turned to me, her eyes still lowered. I wanted to go to her and give her a gentle, reassuring hug, but it was not my place. The beautiful, perfect flower, my offering to her, lay gently in my hand as I lifted it up to her.
 
 

I blinked, completely caught off-guard, the simple motion pulling me from the thoughts that had been floating through my mind. So thrown off was I that for a moment all I could do was stare at the small bright flower in his hand.

He gave me a small sad smile, the smile I never understood, that I wanted so much to understand. He spoke, and his voice matched his expression. "I didn't mean to disturb you... how are you doing?" The flower still lay in his outstretched hand, waiting for me to take it.

I reached out a hesitant hand as I regained my composure, a bit embarrassed at myself. "Iie... you aren't bothering me. Truthfully." My voice was quiet, soft, matching the subdued mood of the approaching dawn. The quiet was so fragile that I was afraid of shattering it. "Doing?" I began, addressing his other question after a small pause. "I'm doing well, just tired of so much searching and uncertainty." I glanced down at the flower; its petals were a vibrant purple and its stem long and slender. I fingered the stem between my fingers, watching it as I turned it over in my hand. "And thank you... for the flower."

He smiled a bit shyly. "I've never seen one like it before... My sister would have loved it. She would have said it matches her hair and gathered hundreds of them and filled the house with them." He stopped, his eyes coming out of the wistful remembering into which he had fallen. His voice was more serious when he spoke again. "Only one more seishi left and we're done. And then..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. A cool wind chose that moment to blow past us. I shivered despite myself. "And then we all go our separate ways."

I watched him a moment. "Separate ways." I repeated the words, not liking the taste they put into my mouth. I was not so sure I wanted that. Yes, I wanted Suzaku to be called and the country to be safe, but I did not want to lose the sense of belonging I had found with the seishi. I did not want to lose the friendship. "Hai... only one more," I affirmed, making my voice as cheerful as I could.

He turned his violet eyes back to me, his face an expressionless mask I could not hope to penetrate. "And then we'll call Suzaku, once we have Tamahome back. And then she'll be happy again..." He cast a glance in Miaka's direction, watching her for a moment.

My eyes followed his gaze, coming to rest on our miko as well. Her lone form was so still, quiet. "Hai, she will be..." I took my eyes away from Miaka, looking up to the sky. "Everyone will be better off then, ne? Once all the uncertainty is over." My gaze strayed back to Nuriko as I spoke the word uncertainty and I watched him.

A frown crossed his face as he studied my expression. "What will you do then, when all this is over? After we call Suzaku, I mean."

I smiled a slightly twisted smile. "Go back to life as usual, I suppose." But then, could I go back to normal life after all that had happened? Was it possible? And... did I want to? But no, my desires would not enter into this. I could not allow them to.

The smile he gave me was amazingly sad, an emotion that echoed in his deep violet eyes. "I do hope you find happiness then."

I smiled back, a true smile coming to my lips almost unbidden. I fingered the flower I still had in my hand, gently touching the soft petals. "Thank you." Neither of us spoke for a moment. "I hope you do as well... find happiness, I mean."

He lowered his face, eyes looking to the ground. "Thank you." The words were a quiet whisper, the only sound before he fell silent.

I watched him for a second before looking back to the bright morning sky. A moment later I found myself watching him again, wondering... My voice was as quiet as his as I answered. "You're welcome."

"And the healer, Mitsukake... he... he went to bury her?" he asked quietly after a moment of eerie stillness had passed.

I nodded, watching him quietly. The sunlight hit him at just an angle to make it look as though he were surrounded by some celestial halo. I shut my eyes wondering where that thought had come from. "Yes."

He wrapped his arms around himself tightly, as though warding off a chill that was not present in the morning's still air. "I... I can't imagine that... if I had to bury the one I love... I -" He stopped suddenly and looked up at me. A short flash of sudden panic flashed through his eyes for a moment before being covered, concealed.

I nodded, glancing at him curiously. The look on his face had been so fearful... so frightened. I could not guess at the thoughts that were in his mind. "I do not know how he can keep going... even after..." I paused. "Do you suppose she's still with him? Can love be that strong?" I stopped, realizing how philosophical and strange I must sound and fell into a sudden silence.

He smiled again, his strange bitter sweet smile that I still could not fathom and hugged his arms closer to him. "Yes, I know it does. And... it's even stronger than that." The words were spoken like some sort secret that had never before been revealed.

I gave him a smile back. "Really?" I paused another moment, thinking. "I'd like to believe that... I think I can believe that..."

He nodded his deep bright eyes shining with a seriousness that only comes with true belief. "You can believe that. It's true." The smile that flickered across his face was small. "And we really should get some sleep.

I nodded in vague agreement with everything he had said. "Hai, you're right." I glanced at the rising sun and laughed, being struck by the strangeness of going to sleep at daybreak. "I would say goodnight..." I stopped for a moment, finding other words. "Sleep well, Nuriko."

His glance fell on Miaka again. "You as well... I'll go get Miaka and Tasuki. You should sleep now."

"Hai, arigatou, Nuriko." He smiled once more at me as I began towards the house we would be using for the night. The room we would be sharing was small but clean. Perhaps this place had been an inn, but somehow it held five beds. The townspeople, those still alive, were grateful to us and doing their best to show their good faith. I spread the blankets of the others on the small beds placing my own on the cot nearest the door. The others filed in shortly after. Mitsukake was silent, the knees of his pants covered with dirt from kneeling beside the grave of his love. He lay down immediately and slept. The others were silent as well save for a whispered goodnight and lay down quickly to take what few hours of sleep we would be offered. We awoke at noontime when the sun was straight up in the sky and stayed for the rest of the day, knowing we wouldn't get anywhere before darkness fell. We spent the next night much the same as that day. The sun had set hours before and the moon and stars were shining in the dark ocean of the sky. I sat atop my bed watching the play of the shadows the moonlight cast as it shone through the window.

The others were asleep, Tasuki snoring slightly, his fang-like teeth showing in a mischievous smirk. Mitsukake's face was as unreadable in sleep as it was in waking.

Miaka's face was peaceful and she stirred slightly even as I watched. "Tamahome..." her soft voice called out, a plea. I felt a twisting inside my chest. "We'll find him for you, Miaka. We'll get him back," I promised silently.

And Nuriko slept, his covers pulled nearly to his chin, only his face and the river of his violet hair showing above the blankets. I wondered if he was dreaming; the expression on his face was almost a smile, content. I watched him a moment more before settling myself down under my covers. It was late. I should sleep. But sleep was a long time coming for me that night, and when it came, it was dreamless, dark.

I awoke the next morning as the sun crested over the horizon and spilled its light across my face. I sat up, glancing around at the other sleeping forms of my companions. Tasuki, I noticed to my own displeasure, was still snoring.

Nuriko stirred slightly to my side but did not wake.

I got up as silently as I could and rolled up my blankets and sat on the edge of my bed watching him. Daylight was creeping silently through the window, tracing its golden glow across Nuriko's serene sleeping face. His expression was still so content, lips settled in something that was almost a smile. It was so amazing that even in sleep that strange secret smile could still grace his features. Beneath his blankets his chest rose and fell with his breathing, gently, slowly, in that strange timeless way that comes with a deep sleep. At that moment a small sigh escaped his lips, a soft whisper that blended into the morning air. His hair, tossed about by sleep, pooled around his face and shoulders, framing them in its softly flowing waves, the soft purple color seeming to glow in the morning light. He... I stopped short in my thoughts, shaking my head slightly. Where had those things come from? Why was I thinking like that?

Shaking my head and pushing such questions to the back of my mind I stood and walked cautiously, quietly over to Nuriko. He looked so fragile, so delicate as he slept. I placed my hand on his shoulder gently and called his name, my voice a quiet whisper. "Nuriko..."

The only reply I received was a "mmph." He rolled over, turning his face away from me, refusing to let go of sleep. He pulled the covers over his head, hiding. I laughed slightly, shaking my head. It was such a child-like action, innocent. My hand was still on his shoulder and I began shaking him carefully, softly. "Nuriko... wake up."

The covers moved down a few inches and his sleep-clouded violet eyes peeked out over them, narrowed in a glare. He looked ready to attack whoever it was that was waking him, to fight for his sleep. But suddenly his expression changed. His eyes widened in surprise and he sat bolt upright in one abrupt motion. "Hotohori-sama!"

"Good morning... Sorry to wake you like that, but we should be moving out soon." I half-grinned at him.

His face was still clearly painted with surprise. "Hai... you're right. Would you like me to wake the others or pack up the horses?" The townspeople had been kind enough to supply us with horses for our journey.

Glancing around at the sleeping forms, I thought for a moment. "I'll see to the horses." It struck me as only slightly odd that I would feel more comfortable dealing with animals than people.

He nodded, a little grin coming to his face. "I'll wake the little sleeping children then. Should we meet you outside?"

I nodded back and found myself returning his smile unconsciously. Children. The description was so absurd and yet so fitting. "Hai, outside. I'll see if we can't secure some breakfast too... so Miaka doesn't eat anyone."

He laughed at this, a soft dancing sound that fit into the morning like the song of a bird. "I'll make breakfast then. I'll bring some out for you. We'll eat on the road, all right?"

"Wonderful." I nodded and left the room as quietly as possible shutting the door silently behind me. The horses were in a small stable to the side of the house we were staying in. I entered through a side door and stood a moment watching the feisty trio of animals we had been given. I stepped towards them and saddled them quickly.

I was just fastening the last strap of the third saddle when Nuriko stepped in the room followed by the others. Tasuki and Mitsukake were looking markedly disgruntled about being pulled from bed so early and Miaka looked asleep still, her green eyes blinking in an attempt to stay open. "Are we set?" Nuriko at least, seemed awake now.

I nodded. "Hai, set." I petted the horse gently on its muzzle, watching it perk its ears towards the sound of our voices.

Nuriko sent me a cocky smile, something mischievous suddenly flashing in his eyes. "You're a good horseman, Hotohori-sama," his voice lilting oddly over the word "man." Still grinning, he clambered onto his horse and flashed another smile my way.

Mounting my horse easily, I gave Nuriko an amused look and laughed. Everyone gave me a questioning look dimmed with sleep. I shrugged the off, feeling quite comfortable atop a horse, having been taught to ride as a child. To my right, Tasuki and Mitsukake managed to mount their horse while still asleep, a feat which impressed me. Miaka bounced over to me. I reached down and pulled her up easily to sit in front of me. "Are we ready then?"

Nuriko nodded cheerfully. "Hai!"

Tasuki's head moved in an attempt at a nod and his voice was muffled. "Hai." He sat behind Mitsukake on the same horse, nearly sleeping on the large man's back. Mitsukake simply nodded.

"Hai!" Miaka chirped her agreement, her spirit no doubt buoyed by our luck in finding Tasuki and Mitsukake so quickly. She paused. "Where are we going now?"

"We have to find the last seishi," Nuriko offered and then turned his eyes to me as he spoke his next words, his deep violet eyes staring straight into me. "Then we call Suzaku and..." He trailed off, turning his gaze back to Miaka. "We'll get Tama back." He started his horse moving.

My horse began forward as well with only a little prodding. I glanced down at Miaka. Her face was as always cheerful, full of hope. I smiled at her slightly before turning my eyes back to the path we were following.

"Only one more to find! We're doing good, ne?" She turned her face to look at Nuriko.

He nodded, smiling back at her. "I wonder who he could be?" He cast a hidden glance at me for the briefest moment. "Or she, of course. I'm sure it won't be long until we find him. Or her."

I watched him out of the corner of my eyes, raising an eyebrow curiously. It was then that I heard Miaka's voice. It was strung with a slightly pensive quality. "Well, all the seishi have been men so far. There should be at least one girl in the group, right? Unless only a man can be a seishi..." She looked a bit confused but quickly shrugged it off, her thoughts as always coming and going with the blowing breeze. I felt my face coloring and so hung my head, letting my hair spill over my features, hiding me. "I guess we'll see," Miaka finished.

Nuriko's face worked its way into a plaintive little pout. He cupped his hand to his cheek, a gesture he was so prone to doing. It was sort of endearing, making him seem almost vulnerable, innocent. "What? I'm not woman enough for you, Miaka?" he asked, voice disapproving.

Miaka laughed, shaking her head quickly. "Gomen, Nuriko. Of course you are!"

Nuriko laughed as well, his soft, free, singing laugh. "Good then!" I felt more than saw his gaze stray to me for a moment and he was silent. "Just one more..." He trailed off.

Miaka smiled. "And then Tamahome can come back, like he promised." Her voice was wistful, as though whispering a prayer to the sunny sky.

I thought I could still feel Nuriko's eyes on me, but I didn't look at him. My eyes began to stray towards his direction, but I drew them away quickly after seeing that his dark violet eyes were indeed focused on me. "Hai..." he paused for a moment. "You really love him, don't you?" In that moment, I almost thought his voice sounded wistful.

"Hai, I do." The words were a quiet whisper, as though Miaka were afraid to speak them out loud.

My hair was still covering my face as the small smile crept onto my lips. It was nice to see true love, to know it still existed... to hope for something like it some day. I lifted my eyes, peering through my hair at Nuriko, the small smile still on my face. He met my eyes after a moment, not smiling but not frowning either. In his dark reflecting eyes, a deep sadness shone and a longing...

"I understand that..." He looked away then, down to his own horse and his hands tightened slightly around the reins.

Miaka grinned. "Good! You understand because you love-" She choked off suddenly, stopping mid-sentence.

A flush crept into Nuriko's face, his cheeks turning a few shades darker than normal. He kept his eyes focused on the path ahead. "Hai." His voice was quiet, but open, not holding anything back.

I watched him for a long moment, feeling a strange sensation creep into me, cold, dark. Nuriko was in love with someone as well. I suppose I should have been happy for him and yet... and yet... I left the thought unfinished.

A quick apologetic look crossed Miaka's face. He turned his head to give her a quick reassuring smile and looked back to the road. "Ne, Miaka, I thought you were going to be eaten by that demon." The glance he gave her was wry, amused. "That would have been quite a switch..."

Miaka made a face at him, scrunching up her nose and sticking out her tongue but then faded into laughter. I laughed as well, softly. Miaka sighed over-dramatically. "You're all against me today!"

Nuriko smirked, his face looking brighter than it had been a moment ago. I was glad. It was nice to see him smiling; it so matched the sunshine of the day. "No, no, Miko-sama!" He laughed again. "We're just being honest!"

Miaka stuck her tongue out again. "Right."

I pushed my long hair out of my face and looked back at Nuriko and watched him for a long moment. I caught myself nearly staring at him and pulled my eyes away. Why?

Nuriko laughed again at her. "Glad you agree! You do realize you are the luckiest miko ever, don't you?"

"Why?" Miaka's voice was flooded with confusion.

His face twisted into a delightedly evil expression. "Because you have the most beautiful seishi protecting you!"

"Oh... of course..." Miaka coughed.

I smirked, managing only barely to hold back a laugh. Their chatter continued, bouncing from cheerful topic to cheerful topic, their voices suddenly rising in trilling laughs. It was strange to listen to the two of them, so happy together, open.

The sun had completely come up, shining brightly in a sapphire sky that was as clear and cloudless as it could be, so clear that even the moon could be seen casting its pale visage through the blue velvet of the sky. Nuriko was attempting to teach Miaka the words to a song. The two of them laughed as each one stumbled over words or tune and began again, their two different voices melding together in a lovely melody that floated through the air. I smiled to myself as I recognized the song. And I had never heard it sung so well. Nuriko's voice was clear, almost rivaling the bird's of the summer sky. And there I was thinking like that again. I did not understand myself sometimes. I shrugged away the strange feelings settling into me, trying to dismiss them from my mind, but I could not. They settled themselves inside my chest, leaving a strange sensation I could not shake.

I guess I must have been silent for a while, caught up in my thoughts because Nuriko called out to me. "Hotohori-sama? Are you all right?"

I jerked my head up, my thoughts scattering like petals on the wind. "I... yes... of course."

The smile he gave was worried, but it quickly brightened as his eyes caught sight of something. "You still have your flower!"

Miaka was still singing, attempting to figure out the chorus. I nodded, glancing at the flower I still had held loosely in my hand. I smiled. "Hai, I didn't kill it yet..."

Nuriko laughed. "I doubt you will..." He glanced back at Miaka as she hit a sour note and winced slightly. "Iie, Miaka... like this..." He showed her, his own voice dancing easily through the flying notes of the song.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, blissfully quiet after all we had been through. Stopping for the night in a small rustic city, we secured ourselves a room in an inn for the night. A small fire danced in the fireplace, sending strangely swirling lights cascading across the room. I glanced at Nuriko as he sat on the edge of his bed, talking to the others, my eyes straying to him for the hundredth time that day. His face was half in shadow, but his eyes sparkled, reflecting the fire's glow. He looked almost dream-like, as though he would fade when the firelight danced away from him. He must have seen me watching him, for he turned his face towards me and flashed a quick smile at me. I blinked, unsure, caught off-guard for a moment. He had smiled at me, that smile. I smiled to myself unconsciously. I... I did not know why... I... felt...

He had smiled at me.

Oh gods.

I realized it all at once. My eyes widened slightly in the half-shadowed room as the truth flashed out of the darkness. I saw then why I had been catching myself watching him, why I felt so strange at his smile. I shook my head, trying to clear it. It was impossible... but it was true.

I was falling in love with him.
 
 
 

** Yes, we realize that Nuriko says that they've been traveling on foot since they found Mitsukake (domo, Sushi-chan ^^;) but I wanted to put the horseman line in. ^^;;; Hey, it's a fic, and I have power. *grins and flexes her muscles* Also, from here on, the story will start to deviate more from the original plot. Gomen if you don't like it- but that's what fanfics are for. I hope you are enjoying it so far!
 
 
 

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