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Reflections	By : vampkitten27 Category: +S to Z > Twelve Kingdoms Views: 9412 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Twelve Kingdoms, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Authors Note: I wasn�t for sure about adding more to this. I read chapter nine and thought, just doesn�t seem done yet. Then I watched the Anime again and was like, �Why did I stop writing that fic?� �Should have added more!� and my last thought was �Damn! Keiki is one sexy Kirin!� Yoko is crazy to chase after Rakushun, stupid rat! Sorry to those who like him, but he is such a dork. Course, that is just me, I prefer the grumpy yet sexy Keiki. But, you have to admit, even this grumpy Kirin has an affectionate side.

Also, I went through and edited a lot of stuff, changed the story to fit the ending. Changed a lot of the dialog and questions - well almost all the chapters had huge edits. So, those of you who read before will have to go read again.
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Chapter 10

Yoko awoke early the next morning. The lights were dim, the sun not even a speck upon the horizon, no lights within then room. It was hard to see. She barely remembered the previous night, but she thought of the sweet dream that filled her memory. Keiki said he loved her, not in a way that a Kirin loves and respects his master, but in the way a man loves a woman. She felt like a woman for the first time in her life.

A twinge of pain short through her hips and it hurt to move. She lay flat, waiting for the feeling to subside. It was strange and somehow she knew how she got that way. Mostly, she denied it.

All of a sudden a warm hand came in contact against her flat belly, a face snuggled close to her shoulder. Her eyes intensified as she remembered the previous night. Keiki...bed...sex... She nearly choked. The sun began to filter the room and when she saw the naked Kirin laying beside her, arm now across his forehead, covering his eyes. Even with the knowledge, she felt a little more at ease. From her point of view, what she could see of his body, at least he wasn't suffering from Shitsudou. Still, she wasn't sure what she should do. The first thing that ran through her head: get up, leave and play pretend-it-didn't-happen. What had she been thinking? Nonetheless, every time she thought these dreadful thoughts, she felt as if she really hadn't done anything wrong. They were in love and if it defies the gods, so be it. Yoko's worried frown softened, if it came down to it, she would follow Jyoukaku in her footsteps. Unlike Jyoukaku, she would do it without regrets.

Yoko looked at his contented, sleeping face, wondering what he was dreaming about. A part of her wondered if he'd regret it - do Kirins have regrets?

She pulled from the bed and began to dress, unknowing that the Taiho began to stir. He reached out and snatched her hand with his.

"Are you leaving?" He politely asked. "The sun hasn't completely risen."

"Keiki..." She whispered and closed her robes. "Do you know what we done?"

"We made love..." He said in earnest and without the slightest hint of guilt.

"Do you think we'll be punished?" She gasped, feeling a little ashamed.

"To be honest, I don't know." He blinked his deep cobalt eyes, "All I know is, if Tentei didn't want us to feel this way, he would have never given us such emotions."

"I guess that is a proper argument," Yoko said, giving his hand a slight squeeze.

He pulled her back to the bed, pressing her now robed body to his naked form. "I admit, I had my thoughts last night, afterward. But, it's done, and if the heavens will us dead, they would have proclaimed it by now."

Yoko got onto her knees and pushed Keiki down onto the bed. She began to scour his body, looking for anything out of the ordinary.

"What in the world are you doing?" He asked curiously.

"Looking for shitsudou," She stated as she began to examine further.

"I feel fine," Keiki replied with a serious straight lip sort of grin. Yoko had to guess that was the face he made when obviously happy.

She reached out and pressed his lips into a smile. "No...that just looks odd."

He grabbed her hands and held them. "Yoko...you're being strange. Are you sure you're not the one who's inflicted with some sort of illness?"

"I'm just glad," She gave her best smile.

Keiki looked sincerely up at her, "Come back to bed and let me hold you?"

She sadly sighed and removed her garments again and crawled up next to Keiki. He once again wrapped his arms about her. "You seem a little disheartened?"

"I keep thinking about something someone told me," Yoko replied.

"What would that be?" He whispered.

"You were in love with Jyoukaku," She replied quickly as not to stutter. "Is it true?"

He was silent for only a moment, as if searching for the correct phrase, "Not in the way we are. A different way, like a caring friend. Like Rakushun is to you. I thought very highly of Jyoukaku and tried to save her. And when I failed I..."

Yoko silenced Keiki with a finger against his lips and gave him a warm hug, "She loved you very deeply...the way I love you."

"I guess you could say she never brought out these feelings in me," Keiki responded. "When I saw you with Shoryu, I was..."

Yoko giggled, "Jealous?"

"I suppose that is the word you would use for such an emotion."

Yoko kissed Keiki softly on the lips, releasing a sigh of content. "I will never be led astray again. I promise you my loyalty and undying love. Together, as equals, we will make a strong and prosperous kingdom."

Keiki stroked the ruby locks atop her head, stringing threads through his fingers like a comb. To think they would share the kingdom as equals was practically unheard of. Not many Emperors paid attention to the Kirin with such admiration.

In the beginning, even he had thought that maybe he once again made another mistake. After six years of misery, of course he questioned his judgment. And at first, Yoko had proved that judgment correct. She was flighty, uncaring, angry, child-like, aloof and sporadic in a sort of manic way. She'd grown as a person so much over the pass year alone nobody would recognize her. Yoko had become a kind but strict ruler, who looks at the problems of her kingdom from different perspectives, and no longer is a sheep agreeing with the flock.

Keiki internally chuckled. They both had changed. A year ago he would have never seen this coming. He, the Kirin, bedding his Queen out of love and devotion. Nor would he have imagined that Yoko would do something so bold as allow the kirin to consumate such a relationship. The memory of the book still inkle at the back of his mind.

"Keiki, you're thinking about bad things."

"What makes you think that?" He asked quizzically.

"A huge wrinkle is forming right here," She said, giving him a mild poke upon his brow, just between his eyes.

His eyes turned toward the window. "Just cursing the sun." Yoko looked out the window as well. "You should probably bathe and meet with Rokuta," Yoko breathed, taking in the fresh air scent that Keiki possessed.

"Don't have too much fun with Shoryu!" Keiki exclaimed.

"Who'd ever thought the Kirin could be jealous," Yoko playfully mocked.

Yoko once again reached for her clothing only be once again trapped by Keiki. They stood before the window where the morning light streamed through the open screen. He stood behind her, holding her against his lean torso, and his face nestled against the curve of her shoulder. They stood like that briefly, taking comfort. Yoko turned in his embrace and he claimed her lips in a devastating kiss.

Yoko was the first to pull away. "There is one thing Keiki. We cannot allow people to find out about us. But, we won't feel guilty about it."

"Agreed," He stated, turning back to gather his own belongings and dress. "You must know one thing - Rokuta probably knows." He said as he slipped back into his outerwear.

"If he does, I'm sure he will keep it to himself." She said as she finished wrapping the last of her bindings. Once dressed, Yoko walked toward the door, hissing at the slight twinge of pain. She looked over her shoulder. "I can feel you watching."

"You seem to be in pain. Would you like me to get you some medicine?"

"If I'm in pain, it's your fault," She said, playfully before leaving. He gave a innocent grumble. How could it have been his fault when she was�doing�. A thought he would never dare say aloud.

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Keiki bathed, making sure to wash away Yoko's scent. She was all over him and even after soap and water, it was as if she were still clinging to him. Not that he minded, but any hanjyuu or other Kirin would know for certain what the two been doing.

He stepped from the spring and wrapped in a fresh yukata. From there, he went and sat in a chair beneath the warm sunlight. He needed to dry off and with the amount of hair he possesses, Shoryu wouldn't like him dripping through the castle.

"Nobody could find the two of you last night," Rokuta grumbled and swiftly walked outside to where Keiki sat.

Keiki quickly snapped out of his thoughts. "Sorry, but her majesty needed me."

Rokuta raised a brow, giving his expression a rather crooked detail. "So you took my advice?"

"We need you to keep our secret, Rokuta."

The En-Taiho raised his hands, "I have not a clue to what happened last night. If you don't mind me asking, do you plan on carrying out this sort of relationship with Yoko?"

"I thought about one thing alone...asking Tentei for permission."

Rokuta folded his arms and shook his head. "Tentei probably won't allow it."

"We won't know until I try," Keiki answered. "I have to visit the shrine at Mount Hou at the end of the month."

Rokuta began to shuffle toward the door, waving over his shoulder as he left, "Well, I wish you luck, Keiki. You're gonna need it. I'll have a maid bring some breakfast to you here. When you�re ready, we can go into town."

"Thank you," Keiki replied before returning to his thoughts and the feel of the warm light against his skin.

-------------------------------------------

After breakfast, Yoko met up with Shoryu in the palace library. Today, he was going to be her teacher. There were many books spread about the table, some opened to sections on Levels of Authoritative Government.

"Now Yoko, when it comes down to it, A Monarchy such as ours is complete Authoritative system. It's not much different from a Dictatorship."

"As Emperor I can do whatever I feel is just."

"Correct," Shoryu responded. "But as a Emperor for the people instead of against them. That is why one of the first Levels of Governing is to ask the people what they want and base the laws upon survey and observations."

Yoko nodded, "I was thinking about holding bi-monthly meetings where the people go to the Prefectual offices in each province and express their concerns. Since I can't be everywhere at once, the officials can take notes and send them to me."

Shoryu looked rather surprised. "Not a bad idea. But, I'd only have them quarterly because the work will quickly pile up."

"Well, quarterly then," Yoko replied.

Shoryu started to talk about land development. "Have you had the lands surveyed yet?"

"It was completed just last month," Yoko flipped the page in the book before her. "I instated a Minister of Public Affairs just last year. He is currently splitting Government-owned farm lands among talented farms. All produce is owned by the government, but the farmers get to keep enough to live on plus a percentage of profits. Not to mention they also get a small piece of property with a house."

"Sounds like a fair deal," Shoryu said with a nod, "But you also added more administrators to the court. Where as I have six, you have seven."

"I thought it wise to create the position- Administrator of Public Affairs. It was either that or force either the Administrator of Economics or Interior to handle the problems. The people deserve a middle man too."

"All right, very well thought out." Shoryu said in praise. "Maybe I should get one too?"

Yoko sighed, "I like the old saying. 'If it's not broke don't fix it.'"

"Gotcha," Shoryu replied with a tender laugh. "En is definitely not broke. At this rate, I'll be on the throne another five-hundred years."

"That would be a good thing," Yoko stated softly. "It's hard to make friends and I'd hate to lose you."

"Since we're friends and all," Shoryu gave a devious grin. "What happened between you and Keiki last night."

Yoko paled.

"One minute we're having fun," Shoryu said, giving a little shrug, "and the next, you two are out the door."

She paled further and her white cheeks turned red. "Um, he was just sharing some of his concerns and by the time he stopped talking, it was pass midnight. So� I went to bed."

"We checked your room," Shoryu responded. "You weren't there."

"I got lost so I found a room somewhere on the third floor. I hope your not angry."

"Nah, it's no big deal. It's a big place. So, was Keiki lost too?"

Yoko felt a pounding in her head. Enough to say 'Oh my god, he knows.' Yoko bit her lips, almost pouting in fright.

"I don't know where he went afterward," She defended.

Shoryu stretched, "Don't worry...secrets safe with me. We're friends and all, right?"

Yoko nodded and leaned forward and captured her head in her hands. "I'm so worried. Suppose he gets sick?"

"Hasn't happened yet, right?"

"Not yet," Yoko replied, almost in tears.

"You really love that grumpy Kirin," Shoryu smirked. "Since I gave everyone in the castle the day off, I'm going to tell you about something. Mostly because you finally told me the truth...Let's hope the hell Tentei isn't listening."

"What is it?"

�I�m pretty sure that stupid Kirin of mine told you part of it. I�m going to tell you the rest.� Shoryu began to tell Yoko about the story Keiki read, but from his experience with the couple.

Once, long ago, I met a strange couple -

A man burst into En's Kankyuu Prefectual Office. This man was a Taika, like you and I. And also Like you and I, also an Emperor. Rokuta rushed down to the office to see the commotion. At the time I was across town and yet another commotion broke out. There was a sick woman at one of those Green Pillar Inns, so it perked my curiosity. I went in and as soon as I stepped through the door, I heard this woman make an unearthly scream. I went to the room and upon the bed laid a woman who had long black hair and the deepest blue eyes. Only one type of person have eyes such as those, that color somewhere between purple and cobalt only belongs to a Kirin. She was Tairin, and like Taiki, also a Black Kirin. To my surprise, she was giving birth. I ushered everyone from the room - worst part about it, I had to tell everyone there who I am.

By that time, she had already broke out with the Shitsudou. Her nyokai also discovered her and was asking what was wrong. So, I wrote a note and sent her to Gyokuyou to see if she could buy some time. Obviously, Tentei was pissed. Somehow Gyoukuyou calmed Tentei and Shitsudou passed. I think it�s lucky that Nyokai are unearthly fast creatures.

About an hour later Rokuta comes along with the man. By this time the woman popped and I was holding the child. She had turned into her Kirin form because of the blood. Rokuta looked like some bug-eyed toad. The blood was getting to him too so he had to leave the room.

"What is going on?" The man hissed as if he'd been stabbed with a red-hot poker.

I turned to him and simply asked, "This is your wife? Her name is Saiyuri."

"This can't be..." He went silent only momentarily. "It is her...even in that form, those eyes are hers."

The man calmed and walked toward the bed. Shoryu laid a hand on his shoulder. "She's a kirin and took that form when the blood came."

"A Kirin?" He questioned. "Like an animal sent from the gods?"

"As you said," Shoryu responded. "But here the gods will punish you for this. They don't allow births through the body and they don't allow the Kirin to be defiled in this way. Hopefully I have bought the two of you some time." Shoryu turned to the Kirin. "It seems your true nature has set in. Does this man possess Ouki? If you were to get from your bed, would you kneel before him and ask him the Emperor�s Oath?"

She whispered in the faintest nay. "He possesses Ouki...this feeling drew me to him in Japan."

"Tairin - do you think you are strong enough to fly?"

"Not yet," She answered.

"Fine then, I will take your child to another room and speak with my Kirin."

The man turned his head from the single-horned horse to Shoryu. "There are more than one Kirin?"

"There are 12, one for each kingdom. They choose a ruler and obviously that man is you. She comes from Tai which means you are Tai's ruler. I have a feeling that rule will be short-lived." Before leaving Shoryu gave the man his protection, "My name is Naotaka Komatsu known to the people as Emperor of En. If anyone shall cause harm to you or your Kirin, I will deal with them personally. A maid is bringing water and fresh clothing. After you clean her up, she should be able to reform her appearance. Rokuta and I will escort you to Mount Hou."

The man waited outside the door for the maid. Shoryu stood down the way, talking with Rokuta. "So, what's Emperor Tai's name?"

"Satoshi Hiroito," Rokuta grimaced. "How on earth are you going to tell them that most likely Tentei will..."

"Destroy them for breaking the laws of nature?" Shoryu shook his head. "I don't know."

Satoshi took the clothing and water into the room. A little while later, he had his wife back to normal. She seemed in good health and spirits. A few minutes later, there was a scream coming from down the corridor. "Rikai is dead!" Another maid flew pass, looking for the head mistress of the establishment. Shoryu thought back, she was one of two people who saw the Kirin change. The other person was himself. It had been a complete accident. She walked in as it happened and fainted. Shoryu placed the baby down and carried her down the hall to another room, spread her out on the bed. That was where he left her and that is where she died.

So far, he remained alive. But, it wasn't as if he'd done anything wrong.

A few days later they arrived at Mount Hou, where they explained the situation to Gyoukuyou. She went to talk directly to Tentei, explaining what happened.

"Really, it wasn't their fault. The two grew up in Japan. It was only natural there.�

Before Satoshi died he told Shoryu everything about what happened. How she used to get sick from being around blood. How she couldn't eat meat. She had obviously been born on Mount Hou, but the Nyosen refused to say what happened. They refused to allow Satoshi to know anything about his wife or how it was she became lost. The man looked up at the sky and prayed to Tentei, asking if they can't be saved, to please save the child. The child is innocent.

A few days later, Tairin died in Satoshi's arms of shitsudou. He watched as her body sank into the void, to be devoured by her own Nyokai and Shirei. Gyoukuyou then proclaimed that Tentei gave the child right to live and at age sixteen would be allowed to become a Nyosen. Satoshi�s was then cursed to only speak the language of Kaikyaku.

�Afterward, he wandered the lands for a year, taking in everything he could, seeing the world through a dying man's eyes. He also wrote a book which there were few copies made. Some say it no longer exists. Each of the twelve kingdoms had a copy but at least half were burned. By now, probably all are gone.

Thing is, they really lived. Held things so precious that most people would die for. And they did. But, because the circumstances, it left a bitterness in the man's heart."

"Rokuta said that its ok if the Kirin falls in love," Yoko wiped away her tears. "If that's true, why did Tairin and Emperor Tai need to die?"

"Because the incident would have set fear into the population," Shoryu said. "Imagine that all your life you believe that the gods are responsible for everything, then you find out that a Kirin has reproduced through intercourse with her Emperor. It would split religion into pieces, create chaos, maybe even start wars between the countries."

"But she got pregnant over there, that can't happen here. So maybe were safe?"

"A good chance," Shoryu shrugged. "But for some reason, the curse of shitsudou hasn't touched Keiki."

"Do you think that we're the exception to the rule?" Yoko asked.

"Are you two talking about Keiki?" Rokuta asked as he came through the door, closing it behind.

"We were having a private discussion," Shoryu responded.

"Where is Keiki?" Yoko asked, worriedly.

"We split up a little while ago," Rokuta said as he came closer to the table. "He said something about needing to think." The little Kirin folded his arms in front of his chest. "I know what happened last night, really. It's no big deal."

"How can you be so calm," Shoryu asked, "This is a lot like what happened three-hundred and fifty years ago."

Rokuta blinked, "You told Yoko the whole story?"

Shoryu felt his brow twitch, "Only because you told her the first half, Jackass."

"Sorry, I needed a reference. That was the best story concerning her question."

"What was that exact question," Shoryu asked, turning to Yoko for a response.

"Is it true that the Emperor and Kirin can't have relations." Yoko felt her face blush deep crimson.

"As far as the Emperor - I know we can. But, when the Kirin does, they tend to get Shitsudou," Shoryu replied. "At least the only one I know of ended up with the curse."

"She was the only one?" Yoko breathed. "No other Kirins have ever fallen in love?"

Shoryu looked down at Rokuta, "I don't know...It's the way we're brought up. Being a Taika makes a big difference. I mean, being raised in the other world, it's conditioning."

"The little guy has a point," Shoryu responded. "Being over there, without knowing. Of course the two would be drawn together by the Ouki."

"And because of such a strong feeling, they fell in love." Yoko relaxed, leaning into the palm of her hand. "It had nothing to do with their love, but more to do with that baby being born in this world."

"I wouldn't say it was just that," Rokuta stated. "I would also grant that Tentei thought the two couldn't balance their love with the love for their kingdom. They, in the end, would put each other ahead of the people."

"We could dissect this thing all day," Shoryu yawned. "Thing is, it's done and nothing happened. Be happy."

Yoko grinned. "Right."

Rokuta and Shoryu went to work teaching Yoko more about being a ruler. The three spent the rest of the day caved up in the library.

Somewhere after dusk, Keiki returned to Kankyuu, still quite deep in his thoughts. He moved through the palace, following Yoko's aura back to her room. He'd missed dinner, no surprise. Keiki tapped at the door, asking for admittance.

"It's unlocked, Keiki," Yoko said without even checking to see who it was.

He peeked around the door. "How did you know it was me?"

"I know that knock," Yoko replied. "I also heard footsteps. You have a very distinct step." She got up from her seat and moved toward the door, looking most innocent in her approach. She reached out and shut the door. "Will you be staying here tonight?"

"Do you wish me to?" He asked softly, looking down at her. She closed her eyes. "Only if you wish to." If anything more, she wanted it to be his decision. More than anything, she wanted him to think for himself and not as the Kirin. The one thing Rokuta said that made sense. People and even Kirins are conditioned, not only by the people they are surrounded by but by the environment in which they live.

"Keiki, where did you go today?"

"I went for a walk."

"What did you do during that time?"

"I was thinking."

"About what?"

"Why so many questions?"

"I just want to know," Yoko bit. "What were you thinking about?"

"Last night."

She grabbed onto the front of his clothes and stared upwardly. "What about last night?" His eyes darted toward her breast, watching as the thin robe she wore open and reveal the curve of her breast. He felt those feelings begin to bubble and surface again. He stood prose, mouth slightly agape. Keiki stared at the line of her neck where her pulse was beating, he could see the sinewy artery tremble with each beat.

Yoko gripped his hand and brought it before her chest, "All I want to know is how you felt. I expect nothing."

"I wanted it," Keiki honestly replied. "I wanted to experience it with you."

She looked wide-eyed with surprise. She thought for sure he was going to ramble on about how improper they had been. Certainly at the least she thought he would say that they shouldn't cross that line again. "So, you didn't come to tell me that it wasn't proper."

Keiki closed his eyes and shook his head, no. "The more I found out about this feeling, the more I knew that it was proper as long as it was with you."

Before they could make a move, to touch or feel, Yoko interrupted. "Before we let it happen again, I think we should talk with Gyoukuyou."

Keiki gave a hesitant sigh, "I was going to ask for her help."

Yoko gave a slight frown, "You were going to go without me?"

What could he do to defend his actions. He was going to do it alone and ask Gyoukuyou if she could do anything to help them, maybe they weren't really in trouble. Maybe the rules are different between the Ki and Rin.

"Do you think you can hold me tonight?" Yoko meekly asked.

He moved toward her without question, placing his shoes under the edge of the bed, he got in and settled down behind her. He still wore his clothing, promising himself not to remove anything else. She came to bed after, rolling up onto her side, facing her back toward him. A warm arm glided around her, pulling her close. They both held the same thought. �What were they going to do?�
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Reflections