Spoiler Alert: Spoilers for episodes 31-32. There are also a couple of spoilers for the Retribution series on this fic.

      Yui shivered and crossed her arms across her chest.
      "Are you cold, Lady Yui?" Suboshi asked as he walked up alongside her, one hand keeping a firm hold on their horse's reins.
      Yui sighed.
      "Of course I am!" she said testily. Won't he ever stop asking me that? He's asked me that for about the ninetieth time!
      "You don't have to be so harsh about it…" she heard him mumble in a hurt voice and she felt a tiny stab of guilt. She adjusted her cap, pushing the guilt away. I didn't ask him to come with me anyway.
      "I would accompany you if I can. But unfortunately, I have important business to attend to for the moment. I'll tell Suboshi to go with you to Hokkan. I'm sure he would be more than willing."
      She swallowed the lump of disappointment that rose up her throat as she recalled Nakago's words.
      Suboshi walked closer to her. "Nakago said that once we reach Tohran, we should be able to find the Shinzaho's location."
      Yui nodded, not really listening to what he was saying, absorbed in her own thoughts.
      "…besides, Ashitare will take care of Suzaku's Guardians…"
      Yui stopped walking and turned to Suboshi.
      "Suzaku's Guardians? Did…did Tamahome and the others arrive already?" she asked softly.
      Yui looked up at him and saw his face take on a gloomy expression. He closed his eyes and nodded, turning slightly away from her. As he did so, an idea formed in Yui's mind and she grinned inwardly.
      She knelt down the ground and quickly grabbed a handful of snow. Then she stood up and looked at Suboshi who still had that gloomy look on his face.
      "Could it be then…" he said morosely, "…that the love you lost that Nakago was talking about was Tamaho…Umph!"
      He sputtered as a large snowball hit him in the face. He swiped it away.
      "Hey! What's the big…huh?" He looked around him. "Lady Yui? Lady Yui!"

      Yui giggled as she remembered the look on his face when she asked about Tamahome. She giggled even harder as she pictured his expression when the snowball smacked him in the face.
      That's what he gets for being so melodramatic!
      She stopped running when she entered an alley and leaned back against the wall, catching her breath. She looked around and the place seemed to be suddenly all too unfamiliar.
      Darn it! It's good to get away from Suboshi, but now I'm lost. She started walking to her left. But when I'm alone, I'm a bit more at ease. He could be so...so...annoying!
      She turned another corner then stopped. In front of her was a group of men, laughing and talking. Suddenly, images flashed before her eyes and fear gripped her.
      No!
      She turned and started running.
      No! Please, not again!
      She closed her eyes, trying to shake off the images as she ran. She rounded a corner in a dead run and rammed straight into a wall. She struck it hard and the momentum caused her to land painfully on her rear.
      "Umph!"
      She remained in that position for a moment, her head spinning. When her vision began to clear, she looked up and gasped. The "wall" turned out to be a "someone".
      "Yu…?"
      "Tamahome…"

      Suboshi scratched his head in frustration.
     Where could she have run off to?
      He patted the neck of the horse, which was beginning to grow restless. He craned his neck to the left, then to the right.
      Damn! Why did she have to do that anyway?
      His face took on a sullen expression and he kicked at a pebble on the ground.
      Humph! She probably went off to find Tamahome…
      "No please…my children!"
      "Father!"
      "Stay away! Don't come closer!"
      "Brother…brother I'm scared!"
      "Hurts…please, stop…"
      "Yuiren! Stop it, you monster!"
      "Brother! Help!"
      He reeled back as a barrage of images bombarded him. Suddenly, the air seemed to be permeated with the smell of blood. He raised a hand to his cheek as if to wipe something off it. He looked down at his hand and saw it was clean. His other hand tightened on the reins and he unconsciously jerked the horse forward. The people around him gave him puzzled looks.
      "Uh! I'm sorry," he said as the horse neighed in protest. "I'm sorry…"
      I'm sorry…
      His eyes began to burn and he felt his hand tremble. He glanced down at the ryuuseisui on his hip.
      Gods…I'm sorry.
      He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to banish the images from his head. As he did so, he felt a prickling sensation in his left shoulder. He placed a hand over it and he felt chi emitting from his mark. Suboshi's eyes snapped open.
      Yui-sama!
      He concentrated hard.
      I sense it…a Suzaku seishi is near. I have to find Lady Yui!

      Yui looked away from Tamahome's searching eyes. Inside her was a furor of emotions.
      "What's with this pride of yours? It's still not too late! You still haven't summoned Seiryuu!" Tamahome said, his voice filled with frustration and exasperation.
      Yui clenched her fists, tears stinging her eyes.
      How could you? You dismiss it so easily! My pride? That's just how you see it? My pride. You don't understand anything! You don't know what happened…don't know what it's like…
      She looked back to him, her face impassive.
      "No," she said firmly. "I've already decided to summon Seiryuu. But don't worry. I'm not thinking about making you mine anymore, Tamahome."
      Yui saw Tamahome flinch at this statement and she continued.
      "Miaka's wish from Suzaku is pretty obvious. She wants to be with you, right?"
      She laughed bitterly. "What a joke! Unless you can summon Suzaku, you and Miaka can never be together. Because you're…you're just a man who exists inside a book!"
      Yui felt a ripple of satisfaction run through her as she looked at his expression. Tamahome looked like he'd been slapped. Good. I hope that hurts. But that doesn't even amount to half of what I feel. You're just a fairy-tale, Tamahome. A fake Prince Charming. Guilt was beginning to creep in at her harsh thoughts but she bit her lip, letting her anger wash over her. What happened to me was real. If you hadn't existed, things might have…darn it! No. Nothing can change it. It's Miaka's fault. And yours. I hate you.
      She turned and started to walk away, leaving Tamahome staring after her. She got as far as the small bridge, which led out of the plaza when she heard him call out to her.
      "Hey, wait…!"
      She walked faster trying to outdistance him but he ran after her and grabbed her arm.
      She struggled against his hold. "Let go of me!" she cried out. But he only held on tighter.
      "What do you mean I'm a man in a book?" he demanded. Yui just shook her head and continued to struggle.
      "Let go!" she said through gritted teeth.
      "Tell me what you mean!" he insisted, "I don't know exactly what you're talking about, but I do know this…if you summon Seiryuu, you'll regret it."
      Yui stopped struggling and stared up at him. Is he threatening me? How dare he!
      Tamahome met her eye. "It's not me that you want isn't it?" he asked, his eyes challenging her, "It's really Miaka, right?" Yui wanted to look away but she didn't. She just stared coldly into his eyes, not answering.
      "We've already discovered the location of the Shinzaho. Just give up and leave Seiryuu's Guardians. It's still not too late."
      As he said this, Yui felt his grip on her loosen. Tamahome stopped as if listening for something.
      What happened next was a blur.
      She felt a rush of air and suddenly, Tamahome was no longer in front of her. She let out a cry as something vaguely resembling a yo-yo flew out of nowhere and crashed into the bridge sending bits of bricks flying.
      "Get away from Lady Yui!"
      "Suboshi!" Yui exclaimed.
      She heard a sharp intake of breath to her right. She turned and saw Tamahome standing rigidly, looking at Suboshi with a deadly gleam in his eyes. Her eyes widened as she saw the mark on Tamahome's forehead glow like a beacon. She felt tiny ripples in the air. It was almost tangible and it seemed to be coming from Tamahome's direction.
      Yui paled. It's his chi. I can feel his power building up.
      Suboshi looked down at Tamahome from his perch on the bridge. He shot a glance at Yui to see if she was okay, then his eyes quickly darted back to Tamahome. He could sense his opponent's chi and he fought the urge to swallow. He's strong. Very strong. Tamahome approached him slowly and Suboshi waited warily, adrenaline pumping through his body.
      Yui could hear her heart pounding as she watched the two. Tension crackled in the air as Suboshi and Tamahome looked at each other. Yui looked at Tamahome's face, which was completely void. His eyes were emotionless.
      "Suboshi. So we meet again at last," she heard him say in a strangely hollow voice.
      The wind picked up, blowing freezing air in their direction and snow began to fall. Yui shivered but not because of the cold.
      Suboshi's ryuuseisui began to spin in readiness.
      "You left so soon the last time," said Tamahome. Then he stopped right in front of Yui and turned to her.
      "I didn't think you'd be with this murderer."
      "Mu…murderer?" she asked faintly. The tone of his voice scared her. It was as if he was again under the control of kodoku. His eyes were glazed over.
      Tamahome let out a bitter laugh. "So you don't know?" He turned and pointed to Suboshi. "That boy…murdered my family. My father…who was sick…and my brothers and sisters," Tamahome's voice came out strained and Yui saw tears form in his eyes. What he was saying didn't register immediately. What…murder? His family? It can't be…
      Then reality.
      "No…no!" she said softly. Her mind blanked and she stared numbly at the snow falling in front of her. Back then…when Soi came back to the palace with Suboshi in her arms…
      "What happened?!" she asked as she rushed to his side.
      The girl bowed to her.
      "I am Soi, Maiden. One of the Guardians of Seiryuu," Soi glanced at the unconscious Suboshi, "He had a run-in with the Suzaku Seven-Star, Tamahome."
      Yui brushed a hand against Suboshi's bruised face.
      "Why? What happened there? Tamahome did this?"
      Soi didn't answer. Instead, she signaled to one of the maids.
      "Go get the palace physician. Quickly!"
      "Soi…tell me," Yui insisted. Soi looked at her with piercing eyes.
      "Forgive me Maiden, but that is a matter between Suboshi and Tamahome. It is best that we do not interfere."
      She shook her head. "No! Suboshi…?" She glanced up at Suboshi who had a stricken look on his face. At that instant, she knew the truth. Her knees buckled.
      "Now, we'll settle this," she heard Tamahome say.
      She looked up to see Tamahome leap towards Suboshi. She stifled a scream as an energy ball shot out of his hand.
      Suboshi saw the ball come at him but didn't make any move to avoid it. It hit him straight in the chest and he went flying off the bridge and into a tree several meters away.
      Yui heard a loud snap and the tree crashed down, split down the middle.
      Suboshi. She stared on, her mind racing and her voice gone. Murderer. He…he killed them. She blinked as snow began to come down harder. She watched as Tamahome run up to Suboshi, a red glow wrapping his whole body.
      Tamahome grabbed Suboshi's neck with one hand and in an incredible show of strength, lifted him off the ground. With his free hand, he slammed a punch into Suboshi's gut, once again sending him sprawling, this time, towards Yui's direction.
      As Suboshi's body crumpled a short distance away from her, Yui suddenly snapped out of her trance.
      "No, Tamahome! Stop please!" Yui cried. She scrambled up and flung herself on top of Suboshi. She felt a rush of air and Yui didn't have to look to know that Tamahome had launched his deathblow. Yui squeezed her eyes shut, expecting the inevitable. Oh God, if I'm gonna die please make it a quick death, she prayed. The seconds ticked by, seeming like an eternity. And eternity dragged on…and on…
      As Tamahome sprang up in the air to deliver his final blow to Suboshi, he saw Yui hurl herself on top of him, effectively shielding him. He jerked back and landed on his feet before he could hurt her. He looked at her, causing a sudden rush of memories.
      "Nakago, please stop it!"
      "Are you ok? I'm sorry, I'll tell Nakago to be nicer."
      "Nakago! What are you doing? Stop! You'll kill him!"
      "I'll do anything for you…Tamahome, I love you…"
      Huh? Yui slowly opened her eyes and looked up. Tamahome was looking down at them, panting, his fists clenched and his eyes burning with an intensity that sent shivers down Yui's spine.
      Their eyes met and Tamahome's raging anger began to subside. He saw fear and confusion on her face. Her eyes broke away from his for a brief moment to check on Suboshi then turned back to him.
      Tamahome saw the heartbreak behind her luminous eyes. He made a decision and spoke.
      "Alright. I'll leave this matter for now. But remember, Yui…I'm doing this only for you."
      For a moment he saw relief flood her face but the confusion came back just as quickly.
      "Tamahome…why?" she asked.
      Tamahome closed his eyes and looked away. "It's the least I can do… I never…I never really thanked you for you taking care of me when I was in Kutou."
      Yui stared up at him, tears coursing down her cheeks. "Tamahome…"
      "Please, don't say anything more," Tamahome interrupted her, "It's not over yet. I'll leave him to you for now. But next time, I won't let him get away so easily. Leave here now. And do it quickly. I don't know what my comrades will do if they find him here." He then turned and started walking away.
      Yui watched as Tamahome disappeared in the distance, his silhouette swallowed up by the whirling snow that was now falling heavily.
      She then turned to the unconscious Suboshi and lifted his head to cradle it on her lap.
      "Suboshi…"she said softly.
      Suboshi stirred then groaned.
      "Don't move! Please, you'll hurt yourself more. He's gone now."
      Suboshi coughed then rolled his head to the side. A trail of blood trickled out of his mouth.
      Yui looked down at him in horror.
      "Oh God!" She bit her lip to keep her tears from overwhelming her. She looked around in panic. What am I going to do? There was no one around.
      Suboshi moaned and his eyes flickered open.
      "Lady Yui…" he gasped then tried to sit up.
      She felt him tense up as the injuries in his body shot waves of pain through him.
      "Don't move!"
      She felt his body relax in her arms. Then, tears began to form in his eyes.
      "Lady Yui…I'm…I'm sorry…"
      Yui held back her own tears as she realized what he was trying to say. Suddenly, she felt an overwhelming urge to push him away. Murderer, the thought echoed in her head. She closed her eyes. No, this is not the time for that, Yui. Attend to his injuries first.
      She opened her eyes and stared at the blood, which was now beginning to freeze on his face. His eyes were closed and pinched with pain. She bent her head down, listening to his breathing. It came out ragged and shallow.
      Yui's mind raced. I got to get help! He's beaten up pretty badly. She gently laid him down on the ground and took off her cloak, covering him with it.
      "Stay here and don't move. I'm going to get help."
      She ignored his weak cries of protest and stood up, gasping as the freezing temperature penetrated her garments. She ran blindly towards the nearest alley shouting for help. As she turned, she suddenly froze. The men she had run away from earlier were standing at the other end.
      Damn you, Yui! This is not the time! Now ask those men for help! She ground her teeth, determined to go up to them but as soon as she stepped forwards, vivid images flashed in her mind making her stumble back. She gasped, her pulse pounding. No, I can't do it, she thought, tears of frustration stinging her eyes and forming icicles down her cheeks.
      She ran back to where Suboshi lay, kneeling down beside him.
      "The horse…" he choked out as another coughing fit seized him. His body painfully convulsed and the snow covered ground turned crimson as he spat out blood.
      "Oh God! Suboshi!" She looked around frantically then her eyes zoomed in on their horse, which was wandering a few yards away. She got up and ran towards it, grabbing the reins. "Hurry up!" she muttered as the horse allowed itself to be led on a leisurely pace.
      When it was near enough, she let go of the reins and knelt down beside Suboshi once again.
      "I don't think you're in a condition to ride. Let me find a healer."
      "No..no…" said Suboshi weakly, "Bring me back to camp…I can manage…"
      "But…"
      "Please, Lady Yui!" Suboshi pleaded, grasping her arm.
      Yui looked at him for a moment then nodded. She also felt uneasy about staying in town. She did not want another encounter with the Suzaku Guardians, especially with the bad-tempered redhead she saw back in Kutou. There was no doubt in her mind that he won't be so sympathetic even with Suboshi in his present condition.
      "Here, I'll help you." She gently guided him amidst countless cursing and muted groans of pain. Finally, he was standing up though leaning heavily on Yui.
      "You ride. I'll guide the horse," Yui said.
      Suboshi started to protest but she cut him off. "I can't ride a horse. We'd have a much better chance of getting back to camp if I just walk on foot."
      Too weak and with his broken ribs sending a painful, burning sensation in his chest every time he spoke he acquiesced.
      They struggled to get him up the horse with another round of moans and expletives coming out of Suboshi's mouth.
      When he was mounted, Yui looked up at him worriedly. Suboshi was unusually pale and she knew he was hurting really bad. Tamahome broke his rib. I'm sure of that. Every jolt can be very painful for him.
      "Suboshi? Maybe we should just go back to the plaza. Nakago gave me enough money here to …"
      Suboshi weakly shook his head and winced. "No. I…I need Soi."
      Yui frowned at this but only sighed.
      She shivered as she took the reins for her cloak was still wrapped around Suboshi. Oh please, let me remember the way back, she prayed and started walking.

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