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Miaka blinked and then gasped loudly with her mouth dropping to the ground. She knew she was in for it now. Did Konan and Kutou really hate each other that much? She didn't want to believe that was true...if it was did that mean she was now an enemy against Yui?

"Ummm...umm, umm...next stop...Konan! Stand behind the white line!" she said trying to distract people from her. She remembered reading a trick like that in a manga once(azumanga daioh XD). She then gulped to see how the trick would work. She knew Nuriko and Tasuki couldn't fight with people, they were dressed as WOMEN. And if she did get brought into the castle, they would have no chance of getting in to get her.

Miaka tightened her fist and gulped and stuck her chin up, chest out and walked in the center of all that gathered in the spot. She then looked guards straight in the eye and then said,

"I'm...Yuuki Miaka. I am the Suzaku no Miko. What gives you any right to come try and bother me? I'm just hungry, big deal, I don't think I'm acutally doing anything to you so if you must take me away then so be it!" she said maturely. Then to break the moment she pulled her eyelid down and then stuck her tounge out.

"Actually, if I had my way I would not be here but the Suzaku no miko is terribly naive and fool-hardy, she ran into Kutou despite my warnings and I was forced to follow after her to get her out of the trouble she got herself into." Subaru replied lightly as she glanced briefly in the direction of Kouji, ah - so he wanted to leave did he? She didn't blame him and with a brief smile she bowed her head in farewell.

He was no enemy of hers and thus he could enter and leave her bubble freely, it was simply those such as Nakago and Soi that would be presented with a few difficulties; that being said she fixed her gaze upon Soi once more and released a quiet sigh - they were always asking why the Byakko were here and even when they were given honest answers they were ignored and scoffed, what was the point in answering?

"As for why the Byakko are here - initially we came to assess the situation and to find out whether or not the rumours in relation to our own beloved country were true." She explained patiently as she savoured another light breeze of wind upon her and began to shrink the size of the bubble to surround herself and the fountain as opposed to the entire garden, it was much easier to maintain that way.

"When we discovered they weren't, or so said your shogun we were to leave but something happened...if the rumours were not true then why did you plague and attempt to steal memories from within our minds?" She enquired softly although it was more of a rhetorical question, "It only increased our suspicions and instead of leaving, I returned to completely assess the situation - only to be tossed to Konan by my own deity." She grumbled as if she was deeply disappointed in his actions despite the reasoning behind them, she had yet to realise there was nothing to fear from these beings for Byakko protected Sairou in its entirity.

She didn't have the patience to continue explaining the rest and instead, turned her gaze towards the water within the fountain - one of these days she was just going to marry someone rich, attractive and preferrably someone who would appreciate who she was then she would never have to deal with this life style again.

Inside Miaka was shaking and worried. She was putting Tasuki and Nuriko in danger and it wasn't fair. If the miko was the true enemy, she didn't want her friends to get caught too.

Outside Miaka seemed to have kept calm. She smiled and nodded to the spy. She stepped towards him and then cheerfully said, "I'll go! I mean, I'm the miko right? Why take them with us too? Won't they just cause problems? Just leave them be!" she asked as innocently as possiable. She just kept nodding happily and prayed the men would allow nuriko and tasuki to stay safe.

"Besides, do you think they'd go as quietly as I would? Don't they seem alittle more agressive?" she added on.

[ Message temporarily off-line ]

._Amiboshi_.

Given the rather distinct change in atmosphere, the young musician quickly made his way out of the room in which he had previously comforted Lady Yui with his flute and instead, turned his attentions in the direction of the foreign disturbance that seemed to ripple across the palace grounds as if a beacon - if they were intruders they were indeed foolish to use such things in the current situation.

It was true, for the young man could sense Nakago's presence enveloping the entire area and was deeply aware of what it meant, whoever was causing the disturbance was in the process of being caught and considering where is loyalties lay, he had no other choice other than to make his way towards the beaconed pulse.

He rounded yet another corner, his footsteps silent as he caught wind of a pair of voices ahead of him within the western gardens, one he knew as Soi's but the distinct accent and curt tone that replied to his fellow seishi was one he failed to recognise, yet the lilt intrigued hm and so he continued forward.

"Soi, do you always ask your opponents foolish questions before you attack them?" He enquired curiously as he leant in the doorway at last, paying close attention to the continual pulsing of the bubble that seemed to surround the woman - that woman.

He forced himself not to gape and instead admired the lithe figure who, considering the current situation held a haunting and mysterious air. If he were to be entirely honest, he would definately say that he appreciated the sight that now lay before him.

Although he desired to speak further, he remained silent - curious as to how he would be taken.

Nakago's next set of words suddenly made her realize that she had been starring at his new attire for sometime and she was quick to regain her composure. "G..Gomen Nakago, it's just that this is my first time seeing you in something else other than your armor." Yui apologized, her cheeks begining to flush from the embarressment that he had noticed her obvious stunned expression. She then shook her head at his worries about ruining her plan. Yui knew that was a bit impossible for him to do since he was always the one to streghten them. "No this doesn't ruin my plan at all. I guess your actions did suprise me since I thought if I ever did see you out of your armor it surely wouldn't be in those of a servants." She truthfully spoke up.

Kouji was so close he could almost taste the food and it made his stomach growl. He hadn't meant to rush of on Subaru but he was starving and also, after what he'd revealed he suddenly felt the need to escape the situation, Kouji had never been good on confronting or discussing his dark past, he was happy playing the odd bandit who talked to himself, it was better people didn't know why he acted the way he did.
"Damnit where am I?" he remarked glancing around the hall with puzzlement. He sniffed the air. "Okay Kouji take a right and then a left and then straight through the door. Alright, it'd better be right!" He hurried forward following his directions and pushed at the door. It slowly creaked open.

*He noted her flush*

"Just because I am a military man, Lady Yui, does not mean I do not understand how to fit a different role. Though...I agree with you..these are not very becoming of me...But again...that is not important at this juncture. If it is going to be a bother or distraction for you...then I will change into something else, and we can alter the plan to match those changes. That is what is important right now."

*He surveyed the room, everyhting was coming together quickly andefficently.*



*The waward self conversing bandit found his way almost to the very spot where they were readying for the meeting of the priestesses. The kitchen door had a slight creek, but the servants hustling and bustling this way and that between chefs and doorways to get to the main hall, ignored it and the chefs were busy preparing many dishes. Some farmiliar smells were there..and some VERY foreign, as Yui had made a number of requestes of food.*