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Toroki had left Yui standing there quite speechless from his threats and especially the way he had twisted all their actions around to make her look like the tyrant here. She was trying her best to make Kutou prosperous. That was her whole reason for wanting to gather all her seishis. War was something she didn't want and Nakago had even agreed with the thought of her becoming empress so they could start making very large changes in the country.

Yui wasn't sure what this Toroki was planning and found it very odd for him to be able to maintain a calm voice with his threats. Honestly, she didn't blame him if he only came for his friend. If it were her friend in danger like that, she wouldn't have hesitated to have done the same thing and she wasn't sure what had all went on while she was ill but Nakago had given her a summary of everything. She wasn't even sure if she could believe Toroki's words of leaving in peace if she met his demands but Yui knew without a doubt that Miaka would be gullable enough to believe the man's words.

It was Nakago's voice that brought her out of her own thoughts and Yui gazed up at him with her pale blue eyes for a few seconds before answering, "Hai Nakago." Yui spoke, knowing that she couldn't risk making any mistakes because it would be the country that would suffer the consequences and compared to Nakago and Miaka, Nakago was the one who didn't make the mistakes nor was he foolish with his ways. "But I'm pretty sure that he'll calm down a bit once he's informed that we are releasing him." Yui spoke as she gingerly took the earring out of Nakago's hand and waited for him to lead her where this intruder's friend was so they could meet Toroki out in the garden.

Toroki hadn't gone far, in fact, he remained in full view of the entrance towards the garden. Beside him, the crumpled figure of the comatose Tokaki resided - it seemed that whatever substances had been within the cacoon had sent him to sleep but that would prove more useful in the end - after all, it made him easier to take home and he wouldn't bombard Toroki with foolish questions that had no relevance towards the current situation.

Toroki failed to move when Nakago and Yui approached however, or at least he didn't move for quite some time. He was, in truth, lost in his own thoughts; skimming through the various images that were presented to him by his wraith like spy who had quickly dispersed and returned to its search for his daughter and to oversee the ill Tatara.

Eventually, he did notice though and calmly, he turned around, the ethreal wings flexing and then seeming to seep into the armour. As the wings vanished, the armour began to glow with a white light and soon it followed suit of the wings, leaving the man in simple white and black robes yet this time things were a little different, for although he stood with his walking staff in hand, his eyes were clear and he could see perfectly.

"You have made your choice?" He enquired gently, his expression one of both a guarded warmth and of grim determination - quite the combination.

He made no other moves other than to extend his hand outwards, he had made his promise and only one more thing would be needed for him to complete them.

Miaka froze while Subaru answered her questions. She felt terriable that she reminded her of her older priestess and didn't mean to make her feel bad. She then walked over to Subaru and hugged her and smiled.

"Welcome to our family now...Subaru-chan!" she said laughing at the end. She just met Subaru but she already loved her like a sister. She then let go and let out a warm smile, "I hope to make you feel...like you belong with us soon!" she said, "I'm glad to be around a girl now...feels less stressful!" she said rubbing the back of her head nervously laughing. Nuriko WAS alittle better then Tamahome and Hotohori but he still was a guy.

Miaka then turned towards Nuriko and clapped her hands together. She then skipped over to him and let out a cheesy smile, "Nurrri~~ko!" she then poked him, giggled and then created the infamous "puppy eyes". "Nuriko...can I stay on your baaaaack...?" she said, "We were gonna find some food right? So...umm..I feel faint..." she said putting one hand on her head and pretending to fall backwards slowly, "oh my!"

_\'|A Fond Farewell|'/_

Toroki simply clapped his hand over the earring, at once he closed his eyes and allowed himself the opportunity to expect it before nodding - it was the correct artefact and due to her co-operation; he gave a light bow and slipped the earring into his ear for safe keeping. It was only when these few moves were complete, that he lifted the comatose Tokaki into his arms and glanced upwards expectantly.

The wind grew silent and as the symbol flashed upon his forehead, the dark wraith descended upon him, engulfing both himself and Tokaki in a shroud of black - a count of three and they vanished. The grass hadn't even been disturbed by their movements and bounced back into place within moments.

She had kept her end of the bargain and he would keep his - this he would do by placing warning signs across the borders of Kutou; they would only be visible to Byakko seishi and therefore they would give warning in regards to the current situation - but he also did a little more.

He had plans, these plans were to return to Sairou, but upon his return he would remove the rights of all other foreign seishi from entering the city without facing some consequences; whether they be instant attack or imprisonment. That was what you received for corrupting his kind.

"Farewell priestess." The voice lingered, an almost wistful tone within it.

_\'|Subaru's New Family|'/_

A peculiar warmth coursed through the girl's body as she heard those words; they were the kindest she had heard in a long while and she knew now why she was so attracted to the priestess. She was kind, full of compassion and prepared to welcome even strangers into her company. She would go far.

"Thank you," Subaru murmured gently as a small smile appeared on her lips. In truth, she didn't remember what her past experiences with Suzuno had been - she doubted she would ever remember without divine intervention and no doubt, this would be considered in appropriate.

"You have no idea how much your words mean to me," She added and then canted her head to the side - admittedly, she could see the difficulties of being the only female in the group, it would be difficult to relate to men...regardless of their preferences on certain issues, "And; if you would like, I will travel with you although I must return to Sairou if only to check on my ill companion." She finished.

Miaka blinked, "Ill? Oh my...Maybe we should accompany you! I mean isn't it alittle dangerous? Nuriko tricked me into going out into the city by myself once and that wasn't too fun...I wouldn't feel right leaving you alone to go to another place..." she said frowning. She felt almost...guilty.

Miaka turned to Nuriko and with glossy eyes shouted, "Nuriko! Can we go with her?! Please!". She then sniffled, "I can wait to eat! I promise I'll be good! Maybe I could help her friend with medicines from my world you know? Please! I promise not to bother you or anyone and I'll be good!" she begged. She wanted to help...she felt she should. Besides...she felt as if Nuriko needed a break from things too, she had put so much on his shoulders and felt guilty about that as well.

"Actually - it's a case of walking around Kutou, I personally would like to avoid the accursed place as much as possible." She chuckeld and shook her head at the compassion within the young Suzaku miko before bowing somewhat, "Nevertheless, my problems can be delayed for a time - methinks feeding our ravenous priestess is of much more importance than a long journey to Sairou." She cooed.

"To be entirely honest, even if you were to accompany me, I would prefer it if you would be well fed - it is a long journey to Sairou, you know?"

Yui remained silent and expressionless as she watched Toroki take his leave. She had a feeling that she'll be seeing him pretty soon and it won't end as peaceful as just now. Her illness had set her back from their scheduled plans and now that she was no longer ill and with earlier's incident, it proved to Yui they had to move forward. There was no use ever going back. Like Toroki had said, the country did depend on her and her decisions and she knew that she'll be able to make the right choices with Nakago at her side. It was important that she make the right choice since they did effect everyone around her. She never really had to make these kind of choices in her world but found herself thinking less of her world as her stay progressed here. Yui still planned on staying here where she was needed since she wasn't needed in her world as much as she was needed in this world. Nakago finally broke Yui out of her trance like state and the young priestess at first still seemed as if she didn't hear him call her name since she did not look his way like she usually would when he would call for her but instead, remained starring at the spot where Toroki once stood along with his friend who didn't look too very well. "We were to have breakfast and discuss our plans were we not?" Yui suddenly asked in her monotone voice.

[***SUBARU***]

Subaru winced at the yelling before examining the currency - her expression morphed into one of complete confusion soon after however and indicated that she had never set eyes upon such a currency before. Instead of saying this directly however, she simply smiled and shook her head at the priestess' actions.

"I doubt it would get us much but I know how to get us lots of food," She assured and flashed a smile before grimacing at the mention of Yui, she didn't know who this Yui was, but if she was Miaka's friend then Subaru could only assume that it was the priestess of Seiryuu...

"I - it's about your friend," Subaru began uncomfortably, "You see - her seishi...they mistreat her and manipulate her, how do you know she will even heed you?" She enqured gently.

[***The Three T's***]

The temple of Byakko was silent as Toroki entered, on his journey towards the temple he had removed as much of the cursed kodoku as he could find but he couldn't guarantee that it had been completely removed.

Needless to say, he was not in a very good mood and as he dropped Tokaki onto one of the large white cushions he turned his attentions towards the frail Tatara. The gaunt eyes stared back at him and for a long time he was silent before he drew closer to the seishi.

"I have a gift for you," He murmured as he held out the earring and shook his head. Tatara scarcely moved in reply, but the glint in his eyes revealed that he had heard and eventually he extended his hand to clasp the earring in his own palm.

Toroki could only hope that all would begin to recover soon...