Fire Nation: The Capital - Fire Nation Palace ~ Tsukaia Returns

Sasuno'o who had observed this whole scene from a silvery pool which sat in the war room of his palace tightened his fists. "So my worthless brother and father have decided to kill me...hmm..no matter, I wont let that happen" he said, he heard Tsukaia say she wanted to lay down and rest somewhere, Sasuno'o took this as an opprotunity to contact her. He blew softly on the surface of the silvery pool and whispered calmly. "Go to your room to sleep, wait till everyone else is sleeping....and head to my room...there's something there for you" he whispered "When you get there call my name and I'll contact you again.." As he spoke the a breeze blew through the palace, and Sasuno'o's voice and message carried so that only Tsukaia could hear him.

Tsukaia allowed herself to be escorted up the flight of steps by a few guards. "I would have to ask that you didn't look over me tonight," she mumbled. "It makes me uncomfortable. I'll be fine." She'd heard Susano'o's message, and would do everything it took to get to his room.

"Yes, Madam," one answered softly, too sympathetic and reluctant to truly ponder this. "But we will be increasing security on the palace tenfold, now that we know everyone is safe with us."

Up ahead, Tsukaia can make out two figures. The shock of red hair almost had her flinch. It was Amaterasu, perhaps not really a threat to Susano'o, but she was still on Tsukiyomi's side.

And... next to her... there was Kiari. He looked terrible; skin pale and sallow, his slender form now unhealthily thin. His once-beautiful violet eyes were somewhat bloodshot, as if he'd run out of tears to cry, but she stoned herself.

Amaterasu cried her name happily and wrapped her arms around her. "I'm so glad you're okay," Amaterasu told her gently. "You didn't have me there and... I didn't think Susano'o would be capable of something like this."

Kiari stiffened a bit, then gazed up. Tsukaia looked him in the eyes. "You really loved her didn't you?" said Tsukaia. "She was like a mother to you wasn't she?"

Kiari grew utterly still, eyes widening. He swallowed, then lowered his head again. "Welcome home, Tsukaia," he said hoarsely. "I'm glad your safe." His emotions made him weak, and as long as he was reminded of Tekara, Kiari should be useless in guard.

In her room, Tsukaia donned her pajamas, fed Dolline, and waited for the night. Close to two or three am, she snuck out of her room, exhaustion weighing down her limbs, and made way for Susano'o's chamber.

The door wasn't locked, she realized with a jolt, and she carefully pushed it open. Inside, a letter waited for her, standing out as a beacon at a large, sculptured desk propped agasint the wall. Her eyes widened.

Sasuno'o let the breeze blow again talking to Tsukaia. "Read the letter" he said "Do as it says...."

(Just make up stuff, the Book is in the desk drawer so ya)

Tsukaia eagerly opened the letter, taking care as to not completely rip it apart like she was used to. Anything Susano'o touched deserved to be intact and still as precious. Tsukaia pulled the piece of paper from inside, ignited a few small flames at her fingertips, and drank in every word.

'My beloved, inside of this desk holds the key to our communication over time. The book hides a spell. When you write upon the pages, it message would be sent back to me. Handle it with great care, and do not let ANYONE happen upon it. Do you understand?

Tsukaia only had time to nod resolutely before the paper burst into flames and vanished within thin air. The envelope was gone as well, and Tsukaia grappled for the drawer of the desk to reach inside.

The book, as beautiful and bright as the stars, lay alone in the empy drawer. She removed it, and, clutching it to her chest, raced back to her room. She was startled to realize that the pages were empty, what would her uncle do if he found it. Throw it away? There was no way that was going to happen.

Tsukaia clutched the book to her chest and, curling up on the mattress, fell asleep in a matter of seconds.

Tsukaia sifted through the pages once in the safe confinement of her chambers. Dolline purred lazily on her pillows, her fluffy white body draped unceremoniously over the silk covers.

Sasuno'o sat down and opened the book. He picked up a quill and started to write. "Tsukaia...are you alone? This is me, Sasuno'o." he wrote.

Tsukaia shifted in her sleep, feeling the book grow very warm, almost hot, on her skin. The exhausted girl fought to consciousness, before rolling onto her belly and opening the book. Hasty, albeit elegant words scrawled out onto the sheet.

"Tsukaia...are you alone? This is me, Sasuno'o," it said.

Tsukaia gasped lightly, placing a hand over her mouth to stifle it even. Her eyes were wide, shocked. "Susano'o?" she whispered. Then she remembered what the letter had said. She reached for a lead pencil on her dresser, and replied.

I am alone, Sasuno'o, she told him. And I've missed you.

Sasuno'o smiled at the response "So you got my message...good" he wrote "Is everyone else asleep, completely?" Sasuno'o placed the quil down and anxiously waited for a reply.

Tsukaia drank in the sentence before it faded away, then placed her pencil on the paper once more. I cannot know for sure, she wrote. But I locked my door and I doubt anyone would try to disturb me. Is there something important you need to tell me, Love? She hoped she didn't sound pressuring.

"How does, I love you sound?" said a cool voice. Sasuno'o shadowy figure stood infront of a now open window behind Tsukaia. He smiled at her "I've missed you...my love" he said. He sat down next to her and put his hand on her cheek. He leaned forward and kissed her passionately.

Tsukaia kissed him back, growing a bit excited, but she pulled away momentarily. "Love," she said, somewhat out of breath. "It's dangerous for you to be here. Please, I am concerned for your sake. I'm not sure how I can cover this up if my Uncle becomes suspicious. I may have sent the guards away, but there are other forms of surveillance."