* * *
     
      When Miaka returned to Konan, she arrived landing upon
Hotohori.  Standing up, Miaka noticed a blonde haired girl with her
back turned toward them.  Her first thought was that it was Yui,
however, when Miaka ran up to hug her, she realized that it was not
Yui but someone else.  That someone else had been in fact Aya who had
entered the room to speak privately with Hotohori, but seeing that
Miaka had returned she quickly turned around to flee the room for
reasons unknown.  Perhaps she wanted to give Miaka and Hotohori some
time alone, or perhaps she wanted to leave for another reason
entirely.
In Miaka's absence, Aya had formed a close relationship with
Hotohori.  The two were very much alike so it was only a matter of
time before they became friends.  They were both birds in small
cages; Hotohori was caged because of his duties as emperor.  Aya had
been kept shut up on Taikyo Mountain, and now that she was finally
free from her cage she was captured once again, for her duties to
Miaka kept her from her freedom.  Aya longed for the day when she
could be free from all her burdens, to be free to live the life she
wished.  Therefore, it was no wonder that Hotohori and Aya had formed
an unbreakable friendship.  However, it was beginning to be more than
just a friendship.  Hotohori began to feel love for Aya, and that
tore at his heart.  He thought he loved Miaka, but now he was not so
sure, for his dreams confused him all the more.  Every night his
dreams were filled with Aya's kind smile and mysterious ways.  Ever
since she arrived at the palace, she seemed to know when he wished
for her company and when he wished to be alone.  All the while, she
would listen intently when he talked of himself and of everyone
else.  However, when he would ask about her past, her answer was
always the same, "It is not time for me to reveal my past unto you,
and besides there is really not much to tell.  In fact, you might be
rather bored should I tell you.  I would much rather learn more about
you."
No matter how much he pried, she would not tell him.  So after a
while he stopped asking her, if she wanted to tell him then he would
patiently await her.  When Miaka gazed at Aya in puzzlement, Hotohori
took the opportunity to introduce her, "Miaka may I introduce you to
Aya, she has been sent here from Taiitsukun to help you collect the
Suzaku seven, and assist you in summoning Suzaku."...
From that day on, Miaka and Aya quickly formed a newfound
friendship.  Days passed and Miaka found another of her Suzaku
warriors, Chichiri.  Soon after that, Miaka took off on her own to
Kutou, believing that Yui might be there.  Miaka traveled all the way
to Kutou on her own, she even managed to get inside the gates of the
empire by telling the General, Nakago, that she was the Priestess of
Seiryu.  When Nakago presented her to the emperor, He stated that he
had someone else for the emperor to meet.  With that said Yui entered
the throne room, "Yui-chan!"
Miaka and Yui embraced one another.  Though it was not a happy
reunion, for when Nakago and the emperor realized that Miaka was the
Priestess of Suzaku, her and Yui made a run for it, and Nakago took
the Suzaku scroll.  And if that did not make matters worse, Miaka
walked right into a trap.  She was now trapped inside the Seiryu
shrine, and because of the force field surrounding the shrine;
Tamahome could not enter to save his beloved.  Only Chichiri had the
power to enter.  However, some unknown force weekend the barrier
enough to let Tamahome break through.  Both Nakago and Chichiri felt
the power of some outside force as Tamahome broke through the barrier
and struck Nakago.  Chichiri along with Miaka and Tamahome quickly
escaped in Chichiri's hat...
      When Nakago left the shrine, he entered his room.  Right
away, he knew that he was not alone, "You can come out now."
      Slowly out of the shadows walked Aya.  Nakago gazed at Aya
until his gaze settled on her golden hair, "So you were the one
helping the Priestess of Suzaku.  Who are you?"
      Aya smiled at the inquiry and replied, "You mean you do not
remember anyone of the Hin Tribe?  I would think that you would
remember the little girl who looked up to you."
      "Oh... so it is you.  I thought that I was the only survivor." 
Nakago sat calmly down on his bed and went about taking off his
armor. 
      "Well, it seems that we both survived.  It is good to see you
again; it has been so long since then...  Nakago, why are you helping
the emperor?  What do you seek to gain from this?"
      Nakago ignored her questions and inquired, "And where may I
ask did you get that power you wielded, hmm?  Now that I recall there
had been some mystery surrounding your birth, is that why you have so
much power hidden in your body?" 
      Getting up from the bed, Nakago trapped Aya against the
wall, "What are you doing here?"
      "I came to help the Priestess of Suzaku, and to help Yui as
well.  What do you think you are doing by lying to her?!  What do you
hope to accomplish?  You might be eight years my senior, but I
believe that I am wiser than you.  And once upon a time, you were a
sweet little boy whom I followed around like a puppy follows his
master.  But ill tidings have befallen you and for that it has made
you a very tormented man.  But I have not yet given up on you, I
still believe that some where deep inside lies the same Nakago that I
knew so long ago."
      Nakago grabbed a strand of Aya's hair and gently ran his
hands through the lovely tresses, "The emperor loves blondes.  He
would love to have you in his bed." 
      Aya was not at all afraid by his threat, for some reason she
knew that he had no intention of sending her to the emperor.  He was
merely trying to frighten her, for what reason she did not know or
understand.  Maybe she was making him uncomfortable and he thought
that by intimidating her, she might back down.  If there was one
thing she knew, it was that he loathed to have people unafraid of
him, he loathed it that he could not succeed in harassing her, for
she was not afraid, nor could see ever fear him.
      "How mean you are!  Why do you pick on me so, even back then
you picked on me.  I thought that you would have grown out of that,"
then placing her hand lovingly on his chest she continued, "Come tell
me why you have chosen this life.  A life of anguish and odium, it
does not suit you.  Come please tell me what has changed you?"
      Nakago's eyes seemed to glaze over as if he were remembering
some terrible deed from his past.  Aya then watched in anguish as
Nakago's calm face turned to anger and he grabbed her roughly and
pushed her heavily against the wall.  She struggled to break his
hold, but he was too strong.
      "Nakago."
      His name was a muffled plea as he crushed his body against
hers and kissed her forcefully on the lips.  The kiss was that of
desperation and lust, though if love was present it was hard to tell.
Aya was able to break the kiss, though when she did, opening her
mouth to protest, Nakago's tongue moved swiftly into her mouth.  Aya
closed her eyes as Nakago kiss gentled and his tongue began to
explore the forbidden sweetness of her mouth.  At first Aya tried to
resist his advances, however, her defenses quickly crumbled and she
began to kiss him in return.  As Nakago began to undo her dress,
there was a knock on the door, "Nakago?"
      It was Yui.  Nakago released Aya from his hold and turned as
Yui entered the room.   "Nakago, are you busy?"
      Already knowing what he would find, Nakago turned to find the
place where Aya had only a second ago occupied was empty, she was
gone.  It could not be for certain, but Yui thought that she heard
Nakago sigh as he turned back to her, "Was there something you wanted
lady Yui?"
     
* * *

      Miaka awoke to find herself lying beside Tamahome in a bed in
an unknown place.  This unknown place was Taikyo Mountain.  After she
and Tamahome argued about their situation, Chichiri was about to
enter their room, when Taiitsukun appeared before him, "Chichiri!"
      "Taiitsukun?"
      "Chichiri, tell me where Aya is?"
      "Aya?  I believe she is with Hotohori-sama at the palace, no
da!"
      "Your wrong!  She is not there, did you not feel her presence
at Kutou!  Did you not know that it was her who helped Tamahome break
the barrier!  You fool, did I not tell you to watch out for her!  She
thinks that she can hide things from me the little fool.  I know her
mind quite well; I knew that it would be a matter of time before she
found her way to Kutou.  It is in Kutou that her heart is," making
herself gigantic she continued, "If something happens to her I will
have your head!"
      Chichiri bowed humbly, with this news he was greatly
concerned about Aya's welfare.  Relief quickly washed over him as he
saw Aya walk past to enter her old room.  Taiitsukun's voice
boomed, "Aya!"
      "Hi!"  Turning toward Taiitsukun and Chichiri she said, "I'm
really tired, I think I will go to bed.  But before I do, how are
Miaka and Tamahome?"
      Chichiri answered, "They are fine.  The nyan nyan's have
already healed them of their wounds.  And you?  Are you okay, no da?"
      Aya smiled and pronounced, "I'm fine, just tired.  I'm glad
that you were able to rescue Miaka.  She must be very hurt about the
whole situation.  I will pray that in time her heart will mend from
this heart ache."  With that, said Aya entered her room and shut the
door.  And unknown to everyone save Taiitsukun, Aya threw herself on
her bed and wept.  She wept for her love for Nakago, and she wept for
what he had turned into.  She wished that she could somehow comfort
him, to bring him back to the child he used to be...
      She was equally troubled about Miaka; she wished so much to
help her and Yui.  They had gone through so much already, she did not
like how things were turning out.  And she would be damned if she sat
around and let the Kutou emperor corrupt Nakago anymore, nor would
she let Nakago corrupt that poor child Yui.  She would have to find a
way to help Miaka, and to save Nakago and Yui from their terrible
hatred toward the world.  She was determined now more than ever to
save Nakago from the horrible fate of his future...
      Chichiri entered Miaka's and Tamahome's room as the two
bickered back and fourth as if they were a married couple.  They both
looked up to see Chichiri staring at them.

* * *

      The three along with Aya returned to the palace in Konan, to
be surrounded by a warm welcome.  Everyone was overjoyed to have them
back safe and sound.  However, their happiness was short lived, for
Tamahome snuck off into the night when a messenger from Kutou
appeared and threatened war on Konan should Tamahome not return to
Kutou.  In the morning when Miaka realized that Tamahome was gone,
she was crushed.  When everyone was called to the throne room, they
quickly found that Aya was now missing.  Hotohori was distressed, he
did not know where she was, no one did.  "First Tamahome, and now
Aya..."
      Chichiri was not paying attention to what the emperor was
saying as Taiitsukun's loud voiced reverberated in his mind, "Do not
let her out of your sights!  Should anything happen to her, then you
will be the first to feel the wrath of Suzaku!"
      Chichiri shook his head, bowed to Hotohori, and
declared, "Forgive me Hotohori-sama but there is something that I
must tell you, it concerns Aya-kun."
      "Hotohori leaned forward in his seat and said, "Continue."
      "Well...  Aya-kun is not who you think she is.  She is not just
some girl whom Taiitsukun sent to help the Priestess.  She was a
survivor of the Hin tribe."
      "What is a Hin tribe?" inquired Miaka.
      Hotohori quickly explained that the Hin tribe was a
civilization of people with blond hair and blue eyes, which was
uncommon at this time. 
      After Miaka was enlightened about the tribe, Chichiri
continued, "There is more no da.  Not only was she apart of this
tribe, but she is also the daughter of Suzaku."
      Everyone exclaimed together, "What?!"
      Nuriko shook his head not quite prepared for that last
statement, "How is this possible?"
      "I'm not entirely for sure, all that Taiitsukun was willing
to tell me was that Suzaku somehow impregnated a woman of this tribe
with his seed, and the result was Aya."
      Hotohori got to his feet and pronounced, "Then we must find
her at all cost.  Should anything happen to her..." He could not finish
his sentence; he was too shocked and confused about the whole
situation.  Why had she never told them, why had she been keeping
everything secret from them? 
      Chichiri's voice brought Hotohori from his troubling
thoughts, "There is no cause to worry, that is, I believe she is with
Tamahome-kun at the palace in Kutou, no da."
      "What?  Should, the Kutou emperor find out who she is, he
will have her put to death!  How can you say not to worry?!"
      "Well, it is believed that one of the Seiryu seven was also a
survivor of the Hin tribe."
      Miaka jumped up as she remembered a man with blond
hair, "Nakago!  He had blond hair.  Nakago was also from the Hin
tribe."
      Hotohori's face became stricken, "Nakago, he was the man who
attacked Miaka was he not!?"
      Chichiri bowed and replied, "Yes."
      "This is extremely bad.  What are we to do about this?"
      Chichiri took off his mask and said, "We are to do nothing. 
We are to do as Tamahome's letter said; we must find the rest of the
seven.  Aya knows what she is doing, and there is nothing we can do
for her now.  I believe that she will return when Tamahome-kun does. 
And he will return when we find the others."
      Miaka turned to everyone and shouted, "Well then what are we
waiting for, lets go find the other three!"
     
* * *

      Aya slipped undetected into Yui's room, looking about she
wondered where Yui and Tamahome were.  However, she did not have long
to wait for at that moment, Aya heard the door open behind her.
      "Who are you?!  What are you doing in my room!?"
      Aya spun around to find Yui staring at her.  When Aya
attempted to approach her, Yui stepped back.  Aya held out her hands
and answered very calmly, "Do not be afraid.  I will do you no harm,
I came merely to speak with you."
      Aya saw some of the tension begin to leave Yui's body, though
she could see that Yui was still weary of her.  "Who are you?"
      "A friend.  My name's Aya and there is much that I need to
tell you."
Yui placed her hands on her hips and demanded, "You say you are a
friend, then tell me why I should trust you?  Why is it that you
would like to discuss with me?"
"I wish to speak to you about the Priestess of Suzaku.  Yui, you have
terribly wronged her..."
      Aya told Yui about everything including that Yui had not been
raped, it had all been an illusion created by Nakago.  When she had
finished with her tale, not leaving out anything, Yui just stared at
her as if lost in thought.  Aya was not prepared for what happened
next.  Suboshi, one of the Seiryu seven entered the room and
demanded, "Who are you, and what are you doing here with lady Yui?!" 
Then turning to Yui, he asked, "Is she bothering you?"
      Yui took one last glance at Aya as if she were undecided with
what she should say.  Then turning her attention to Suboshi she
replied, "She is the enemy!  She is in league with the Priestess of
Suzaku!"
      Suboshi leapt at Aya and struck her cruelly across the
face, "How dare you enter the palace and threaten lady Yui!  For that
you will pay dearly!"  He then continued to assault Aya.  He knocked
her to the floor and kicked her in the ribs.  Aya  held her injured
side and began to loose consciousness.  However, she was brought back
to her senses as Suboshi seized her roughly about the shoulders and
hauled her from the room.  Yui watched the two leave wondering if Aya
was in fact speaking the truth.  Yui wanted to believe that Miaka did
not abandon her, but her heart was not yet ready to accept that maybe
Miaka still cared for her.  Soon after Aya was dragged from the room,
Tamahome entered...

* * *
      Aya was yanked into the throne room where she was thrown down
at the feet of the Kutou emperor.  Suboshi bowed before him and
pronounced, "Your highness, this woman has broken into the palace and
attempted to cause harm to the lady Yui."
      The emperor stared down at Aya and quickly shooed Suboshi
away.  As the emperor stared hungrily at the beautiful woman on the
floor, he decided that she would become his new slave.  However, he
would make her stay in the dungeon until her wounds were healed. 
Then and only then would she be all his...

* * *

      Aya regained consciousness and tried to collect her
bearings.  When her eyes finally became accustomed to the darkness,
she realized she was in the dungeon.  She was trapped, and too weak
to use her powers.  She felt so stupid, she had no business in
following Tamahome to Kutou, and because she had not listened to
reason, she was now paying for it.  Yes, she was to pay dearly for
her folly.  Perhaps like Nakago, Yui's heart had turned to ice and
she had chosen the path of evil.  Maybe this was the way things were
supposed to be; maybe she did not have the power to change things for
the better.  No!  She would not accept that, she was not yet ready to
lose hope.  Even as she sat there, her injuries throbbing in pain,
Aya was not yet ready to give up.  She had been created for a reason
and she would die fighting for that very reason.  As soon as her
injuries healed, she would again try, though in vain it might be, to
get through to Yui...
      After two days in the dungeon, a guard arrived to take Aya to
the emperor.  Aya struggled with her captive; it was too soon, her
body had not yet mended.  She still did not have the ability to use
her powers, and with out them she was rendered helpless.  When the
guard shoved her into the Emperor's chamber, Aya knew that her fate
was set.  Left alone, Aya sat down on the bed to think.  At the sound
of the door opening, Aya's blood curdled and her heart froze in her
chest.  It was the emperor. 
     
* * *

      Nakago walked down the hall to the emperor's room, the
emperor had summoned him earlier, however he was just now able to
free himself from his duties to see what the emperor whished to see
him about.  When he turned the knob and silently opened the door, his
eyes fell on the emperor trying to force himself upon Aya.  Seeing
this seemed to be too much for him and something snapped inside him. 
He reached for the emperor and flung him from the bed.  The emperor
crashed into the wall with a thud.  Managing to get to his feet the
emperor demanded, "Nakago, what the hell do you think you are doing?!"
      As a response to this, Nakago merely raised his hand and used
his power against the emperor killing him instantly.  Aya stared in
fear and wonderment.  Nakago had saved her and for what reason, did
this mean that he had a good soul after all? 
      Nakago turned his attention to Aya and the two stared at one
another for what seemed like an eternity...

* * *

      Tamahome sat at the window looking out as Yui brought in his
meal.  He thanked her and began to eat.  Yui sat down beside him to
watch him consume his meal.  As they were sitting silently, a guard
ran into the room and cried, "The emperor has been murdered!"
      Nakago entered the room after the guard and said, "Go to the
front gate and watch for anyone suspicious trying to leave the
capital!"
      The guard ran off to do his bidding, leaving Nakago alone
with Yui and Tamahome.  Nakago turned his back to them and preparing
to leave uttered, "Tamahome, take Yui to Konan so that she might be
reunited with the Priestess of Suzaku.  Yui, go with Tamahome!"  He
then left the room, leaving both Yui and Tamahome in a state of
confusion.  What was going on?

* * *

      Two figures on horseback watched as Tamahome and Yui left the
gates of Kutou safely behind them as they traveled to Konan.  When
they were well out of sight, the two mysterious riders took off in
the direction of where, a long time ago, the people of the Hin tribe
used to reside.  It is believed that they were heading off to start a
new life of peace and love.  Nakago and Aya were finally reunited. 

The end.