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In Zenmi-hou, the newest readings of Hannyara has caused Taishakuten considerable allaram. Two stars and a mysterious third are soon going to meet. Taishakuten's faith in himself was beginning to waver just a little. Wile he be killed? Not if hannyara has anything to say about it. For her emperor, she will break the thread of fate and stop the turning of the wheels of heaven.
The stars in question are happily unaware of Hannyara's plan. Ashura and Ryo, sent to gather firewood, was engaged in their usual chatting and bickering. A hidden movement in the bush catch their attention. After some initial confusion, the intruder turned out to be a pretty young women who called herself Sara. Her invitation to spend the night at her cottage was enthusiaticly greeted by Ashura. In spite of the misgiving of Ryo-oh and Sohma, Yasha, who never could refuse Ashura anything, agreed.
However, it turns out that Yasha does have a slighty more legitimate reasonto agree to Ashura's wishs. Shurato is supposely the key to finding the six stars. But for now it sleeps within Ashura. So the child is to be allowed his whims, since they may guide Yasha to the other six stars. Ryo obviously did not think much of this sorry excuse, especially since Ashura, in his opinion, is becoming outrageously spoiled.
Spoiled or not, Ashura's ability to charm has not decreased. Unable to sleep, she stole out of her bed, only to find Sara standing near the cliff's edge with a lantern in her hand. For miles around the cottage there is only unbroken forest. Sara's husband is traveling, and the lamp is a beacon for him to find his way home.
Sara's love for her husband was obvious, and it seems that in Ashura her finally found a confidant. She was often lonely, she admitted. But everytime her husband returns with his smile, she finds that all her waiting has been worthwhile. She trusted him. And Ashura silently promised himself that he could do no less for Yasha. If ever they were apart, he would wait and trust him, and be as brave as Sara. But Ashura, having found someone who is as ready to talk as he is to listen, soon has another question. Why did Sara invite Ashura to stay with her? Sara smiled, wavered, and blushed. It seems that Yasha bears a striking resemblance to Sara's husband. In particular his dark eyes, which Ashura enthuiastic compared to the velvety night sky.
Under the same sky, the inhabitants of Zenmi-jou are having much less innucouse thoughts. Sashi sat under her canopied bed among the silken throws and soft pillows, dreaming of the time when she could disposed of Taishakuten and place Ten-oh on the throne. For what other reason would she have betrayed her husband and the Ashura clan? Already she is toying with the idea of removing the minor obstacles first: the Shitenou, and in particular the unknown Lord of the East. Her laughter ring through her suite, and she never noticed the pair of violet eyes with which her with malevolent amusement from the rafters. With a soft flutter of his wings Kujaku disappear, only to appear in the room of Sashi's husband and intended victim.
But while Sashi's mind turned toward the future, Taishakuten's mind dwelled on the past, on the last battle between himself and Ashura-ou, where a king fell and an emperor arose. Scenes from the battle played themselves through his mind, clear as through they just ocurred yesterday.
"Horrible thoughts, your majesty!" Kendappa's voice, clear and tinged with laughter, brought Taishakuten back. He had not realized that he spoke aloud. And others would have pretended not to have heard, except for Kendappa-oh. Now she busied herself with all the preparations of a musician, settling herself comfortably on the cushion, toning the instrument, all the while speaking treasonous words as though she's chatting about the weather. What is it that Taishakuten want? What is this precious object that he would kill millions and condemn the rest to hell in order to protect? What is it that Taishakuten, emperor and conqueror, could possible want so much? Was it her charming impertinence, or was it Taishakuten's strange mood, that he did give Kendappay an answer, and a truthful one that that. It is something he could not capture with his hands. Even Kendappa had no clever reply to that.
But one confidence seems to invite another. So with admirable bravado Kendappa-oh changed the subject to herself. "I like strong people," she confided. "As long as you are the strongest, I will serve you."
"Then, does that mean you would betray me if there is someone stronger?" Taishakuten asked in the tone of a cat playing with an unusually entertaining mouse.
But Kendappa was undaunted. She laughed, then answered demurely. " Would that count as betrayal?" And with that treasonous answer Taishakuten seems satisfied. They understand each other very well. Both knew that there is no faith or trust between Taishakuten and his followers. Even the Shitenou were only a mean to an end for Taishakuten. And that end, he repeated again, is something he will kill or be killed to protect.
Watching that haughty profile, Kendappa found that neither her laughter nor her witty words could defend her from her fears. Her clever reply was worthless, after all, for there is no one stronger than Taishakuten, and there could not be. Sohma, who had so much confidence and bravery; Sohma, who had promise to return...there was no ways Sohma could ever stand against the strength that was Taishakuten.
Already, Ka-ten Aguni was making another attempt to capture the renegades. Unaware of the enemy near, they were busily preparing their meal, with all the usual noise activities. Ashura and Ryo-oh were bickering over who did the most work and who did the most eating. Ryo-oh never seemed to be able to gain the upper hand, since Ashura had two formidable weapons: Yasha, and now Sara.
Sohma draw Yasha aside, and reminded him to not stay very long. She needed not have. Yasha also knew the dangers. Ashura was becoming much too attached to Sara. If something happens to her, Yasha knew with a certainty that it would break Ashura' heart. And now the best reason for their speedy removel from the vincinity appeared out of a tree. Kujaku had come to warn them of the troops of Ka-ten Aguni close by. So close by, in fact, that the lecherous warrior appeared right on his heels. She lost not time engaging Yasha in battle.
Ashura, taken by suprise, fell into the arms of a soldier. Then a silver shadow descended with a great screech, and abruptly Ashura was free. From the forest a figure in white appeared. Karura-oh has finally found them.