Lina walked back through the woods in a brilliant mood. Staying with Zell the night had been somewhat of a dream for her--a dream from which she didn't want to wake. She picked a few flowers on her way back and twirled them in between her thumb and her index, smiling all the way. Things seemed so simple once again, just following her emotions and acting based on what she felt--if only things were still that easy; if only things hadn't changed.
Finally, Lina saw the palace through the clearing, and jumped the palace wall with ease; she made her way slowly to the direction of her room, but what she saw at the palace was not a scene to match her mood. Everything was in turmoil, everyone running everywhere, back and forth, here and there, and in the midst of it--Lina was completely lost. With the flower still between her fingers, she could only watch as a masked figure in black ducked away past her. She turned in shocked and the flower dropped to the ground suddenly as she had recognized those eyes and that blond hair making its way from under the mask.
"Nakago," she breathed, and everything had become deathly still. When he finally jumped over the palace walls with something over his shoulder, Lina could focus again. She dashed into her room, locked the doors and roughly slipped on her ancient Chinese robes over her tank top and pajama shorts, and grabbed her fighting boots as she dashed into the hallway temporarily barefoot. "What's going on?" she asked Nuriko and Tamahome who were rushing by.
"Maika's been kidnapped by the Seiyru Seven," Nuriko explained quickly upon passing. "We're leaving now, follow us!" Lina rushed down the hallway and trailing closely behind her was Chichiri and Hotohori. Lina ran down with them to the other room with her boots in hand, then quickly slipped those on as well. "Chichiri!"
Chichiri jumped forward to Lina's surprise and tossed his large straw hat out into the center of the room. Lina looked at it, a little confused, as if this was the answer to their problems, but suddenly, Nuriko jumped INTO the hat and disappeared completely. Lina's was quite taken aback, wide-eyed, she watched as the others began to follow him. "Don't be frightened, no da," Chichiri told her. "It's just another spell." Lina nodded, took a step forward, then jumped. She expected to hit the table--to look like an idiot and bounce back, but she did not. She felt as if she were flying through a tunnel under finally her feet hit the ground very unsteadily and she stumbled a few steps.
"She should be here somewhere," Tamahome said, leading the assault. Lina looked around--they were at a palace somewhat similar to that of Hotohori's in that it was grand and its decorations were not modest, but it was smaller and of a different environment: one that was much more melancholy than that of Hotohori's. They rampaged through the front doors. Lina and Nuriko acted as buffers in the front of the group, disabling any guards in their way as they rushed from room to room, searching for Miaka.
Suddenly, Nakago stepped into the hallway and Lina froze up. It was him--the man that caused her and her friends so much suffering, so much worry, so much pain. Yet, she was frightened; their last meeting had almost ended her life and she knew that was not the extent of his cruelty.
"Where's Miaka!?" Tamahome demanded at once. Nakago didn't quite reply--instead, he eyed Lina as if trying to recognize her face. Lina bowed her head from him, hoping to discourage him.
"She's with Lady Yui, of course," Nakago replied suavely. "They're catching up on old times, I'd advise you not disturb them." Tamahome glared at him viciously as if he were about to bit his head off, but Nakago paid no attention to this and instead turned his attention to Lina. "I see you have a new little member to your group...well, well, if it isn't my old instructor," Nakago mocked.
"Where the hell is Miaka, Nakago," Lina asked firmly, trying to hide her shaking voice. Lina did not look at him, for when she did, she felt deceit's glare dig at her--a feeling she greatly despised.
"Inside." Nakago finally answered. Tamahome rushed inside with Nuriko as the others stayed outside on defense. They had no trouble fighting off the guards--it was their endurance they worried most about. Tamahome and Nuriko seemed to be taking an awfully long time in Yui's room and the others were beginning to fear the worst. Tamahome and Nuriko finally emerged, red faced and empty handed--Miaka wasn't there.