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Reflections	By : vampkitten27 Category: +S to Z > Twelve Kingdoms Views: 9410 -:- 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
- 4
- 5
- 6
Note: Some parts of this fic are not in the manga or anime, I made them up to be original. I read through the chapter, I hope everything flows ok. I read and read it over again. If I missed a spelling or a name or place isn�t right, I�m sorry. Just let me know and I�ll fix it.

(revised edition of ch 5) I know its not perfect, but its a little better. Even added some stuff.

Reviews:

I keep getting more and more reviews with this fic and I�m very happy people are reading. Sorry about the Yoma parts in the beginning. I was going to use Yoma names, but I thought, lets not go too far. A practical description will suffice. I even went back and watched some episodes to get names for things I forgot.

To the Reviewers:

Quickening: So far, Keiki has just been grumpy, I don�t see where he�s said anything out of the ordinary. When the lemon comes along- it will be hard because virgins tend to bleed. Unless I describe the act pure and that type of blood letting won�t make him sick, but maybe just weakens him. Or maybe I can use the fact that Yoko went through so many battles with the Yoma, it broke on its own accord. Which through the strain of exercise or physical battery, it can break. I assure you, when I do come to that part, it will be the gentle type.

Yes there is an Enho in the anime- he is the old guy Keiki gets to tutor Yoko. I even went back to check to make sure I didn�t mess up. Even checked the Japanese website.

You did bring up some very valid points. Thanks.

Jackie_Almasy : As far as I know, the sword projects images that maybe true, might be false. It�s up to the interpreter. Aozaru is the form it takes, like the subconscious. While in the scabbard, it is harder for the sword to influence the owner. Since the scabbard is cracked, it is free to influence Yoko all it wants. It�s up to Yoko to ignore it or let it feed off her paranoia. In the anime it is said by Shoryu that Yoko needs the sword to also keep the monkey in his place.

To all the rest, thank you for reviewing! I appreciate the input and I hope you all continue to read.

____________________________________

Chapter 5

Two tame Yoma waited at the main gate of Kinpa Palace. Several guards were waiting as Yoko and Keiki mounted the flying horse beasts. Most of the servants were awake by now, also watching the Queen and the Kirin take flight. Even by tame Yoma, the trip would take at most a week, maybe a little less.

She planned on staying until she learned the basics of being a Ruler. Yoko knew that Shoryu was not always the proper Emperor and he has a tendency to be lazy. Rokuta is not a proper Kirin either and Keiki made sure to express his opinions about it. Although they are friends, Keiki disapproves of Rokuta's (Enki's) behavior.

Enki is the type of Kirin who is not as sensitive and self-enclosed as most. Although he is as caring, he is the adventurous and open-minded sort. He doesn't like to watch from the sideline. Just like the time Keiki was Kirin-Napped. Rokuta raced off to Kei to find out what was going on. When a friend is in danger, Rokuta is not the type to sit on his rear and watch, an admirable quality.

Keiki did not say much about the incident, because he probably would have done the same thing if the positions been reversed. What he disapproves of- Enki hates council meetings and skips them as often as he can. He plays with the children in the village and comes back to the palace bruised and scraped. Enki knows what the scent of blood does, he knows Kirin are not supposed to touch it, or for that matter, bleed. Although it will not kill him, as long as it�s small amounts, it will make him ill or transform.

Each time they get together, Keiki reprimands Enki's behavior like an older-brother. Although Keiki is hundreds of years younger than Enki, Keiki is still like the older brother watching out for his little brother's interest. Might even be safe to say that all Kirin see each other like family.

Yoko made plans to stay for a while, long enough to see how a working Kingdom should look and acquire some knowledge. Someone as wise as Shoryu should be able to show her what to do. He is on her level, a Taika who was made an Emperor. Enho is a wise man, but he could not teach her everything. In comparison, learning from Enho was like reading an encyclopedia: the information is there without the experience. Learning from Shoryu: his 500 years on the throne of En looked good on the resume.

Aozaru's wicked words played at the back of her mind like a violin. It was not a sweet lull, but the squeak of an out-of-tune instrument, singing like it were a bird in pain.

"Are you a whore?" The question was vile and disgusting. Is this what she thought of herself for having a natural urge? She is a woman. On the other hand, she was starting to believe it was true. It is natural for a girl her age to want to be married, or be in love, or start a family. Even if she is a Queen.

"Just because I'm Queen, does not mean I'm not human..." Yoko sighed and looked down at the ground passing under her. "What is this trip really about?"

Even if she whispered her thoughts, they remained secret. Keiki was several paces behind, far enough so her thoughts remained just that, her thoughts. "It has nothing to do with Kei anymore, not really. How can I be an efficient Queen if I'm having second thoughts? If I quit, I die. This existence is my life, but I'm no longer living for myself. Am I?"

Keiki caught up with Yoko and motioned toward the ground. He wanted to land. The ground beneath them was sacred; several Riboku trees grew in the forest, giving them a safe place to stay for the night.

Dusk was fast approaching: The sky set ablaze with deep orange and red, mixing with cobalt of oncoming night. No clouds infiltrated the perfect sunset, no rain to be expected, which was indeed a relief.

"I'm going to find some firewood." Keiki announced. "Can you prepare the rest while I'm away?"

Yoko nodded. She wandered around, finding rocks to make a pit to place the wood. She cleared away debris and finished her job by the time Keiki returned. He tossed the wood into the circular pit, letting them randomly fall, and then straightening it out after. Yoko took some flint and struck it together making sparks. The fire started.

Yoko leaned back against the Riboku tree and looked at the many branches. Several unclaimed fruit were growing. "Keiki..." Yoko said as he finished tying down their yoma for the night. "What is it?" He asked.

"What happens to the fruit on these trees when they are not claimed by a couple?"

Keiki moved toward Yoko, "Why are you concerned?"

"Just curious," Yoko replied.

He looked up into the limbs of the tree. "Eventually, they die or fall off, creating a seed for a new tree. A Riboku only creates one seed. That happens when a Riboku is about to die. But, this one we are under is a Yaboku."

"A Yaboku?" Yoko sighed. "How can you tell?"

"There is still a lot you do not know about this world," Keiki replied. "In time, you will know everything, so do not punish yourself for being naive."

"I'm not completely naive..." Yoko grimaced. "I just want to know how you can tell."

He answered her question as through as he knew possible. "I suppose by size and color," Keiki reached out and touched one with his hands. "These are large and green with a sticky coating. Also, a couple need to tie their ornament and pray. That is the only way to grow a riboku."

Yoko searched through her pack and retrieved several rice balls that she had packed for the trip. She handed one to Keiki. He accepted it. "Thank you." He took a place beside the fire, put the rice ball to his mouth and took a bite. He preferred to eat alone and Yoko never questioned it.

After one rice ball, Yoko felt full. There is one good thing about rice, it�s filling. She offered more to the suddenly serious Kirin, but he refused. He lay down on the ground and went to sleep. He seemed angry.

"Is he angry at me?" Yoko consciously thought.

She looked toward him, his back facing her. She could not see his face. All she could tell-his posture was stiff, his body completely tense. Keiki was uncomfortable. Maybe it was the ground or the company he kept. Either way, Yoko felt abandoned. The paranoia set in. She felt like she did when people used to bow before her, when she could not see the expressions written on their faces. What expression was on Keiki's face? She imagined a scowl, but a scowl is normal. Even an occasional frown was natural for him. He hardly ever smiled. If he were smiling, she would probably question that more than a frown.

'No, from his posture, his face probably has a neutral expression.' He was never one to show anger or any emotion other than being apologetic.

Yoko wanted to yell at him, tell him to face her. Even if he is a Kirin and she his master, it was not her place to force him into submission unless it was for the good of Kei. All she could see in him is another human. He uses a human form most, almost as if he hated being a Kirin. At least in her mind that is how he appeared. To Yoko, He is just...Keiki.

After a while of feeling alone, Yoko laid down, clutching Hekisojou to her breasts. The warm glow gave her comfort as she went to sleep. At least here, Suiguu cannot enter her dreams, or so she thought. Her own memories seemed to be her worst enemy. All she could think about were her own self-doubts. Even if the sword could not charm her tonight, her mind could. Dreams of fantasy-images of Suiguu shattered her restful sleep. Images of pleasures out of her reach dwell upon its blade, until those images became her dream.

This time, unlike other times, the center of her dream was not Keiki, but Shoryu. Why Shoryu? Yes, she admitted it once, only once and that was to Shokei. Shoryu is a good-looking, attractive man. Any woman that said other would have to be blind, dumb, or lying. Did she want him in the way the sword in her dream reflected? Even Yoko wasn't sure. Some reason it did not feel right. Even when she saw it in front of her own eyes, she felt ill at ease. It was like some movie with really bad acting.

He hovered over her and pressed her back into a corner. Nervously, she looked up at Shoryu, his chestnut glare lowered, staring brazenly at her chest and moved to her face. A glint of a smile touched his lips- more of his brash overconfidence showing through. When it came to women, it was obvious what was on his mind, and those words spoke boldly through the movement of his body. With a gentle touch, he lifted her chin until his lips hovered over hers.

"My dear Yoko, you're shaking."

She could not find her voice; some unseen force had carried it away, almost as if someone or thing punched her in the gut. She wanted to say something, anything, even no. But there was nothing but silence.

Shoryu reached down, ripped open her robe with a single movement of his hands, and flashed her body for only his eyes to see. His kiss moved to her pulse: his teeth gently grating over the pounding beat. Yoko closed her eyes, settled against him, and allowed his hands to wander wherever they wanted to go.

He smiled against her neck; she could feel it under his breath. "Are you a slut?" He casually asked.

Yoko's eyes opened, snapping her back from the lust-filled haze. She tried to pull away. "Are you nothing more than a whore, Yoko?"

She struggled to pull from his grasp and when she took a better look, Shoryu's eyes changed from that burnt shade of brown to a flame blue-like Aozaru's.

"Let me go!" Yoko struggled in her sleep. "I'm not..."

Keiki turned over to see Yoko fighting in her sleep. He sat up and moved across the ground on his hands and knees. Her words were scary, even to him. The way she cried, almost painfully, bothered him to the bottom of his heart. "I'm not..." She whined. "Let me go!" She started to scream and Keiki picked her up off the ground into his arms. "Wake up," He shouted her name. "Yoko..." and touched her face with his chilled hands. With a gasp, she woke and immediately clung to Keiki's chest, clinging to the fabric she found under her palms.

"I'm not..." The tears ran down her face and started to soak into his attire. Keiki flicked the droplets from under her eyes away with his thumbs. "What is wrong?" Just before spilling her secret, Yoko looked up at Keiki and finally realized what was going on. "You said you're not something. What is it?"

"No need to concern yourself,� Yoko replied and pulled away from his grasp. He let her go, deciding not to force it out of her. She stood and dusted off. "We should get going."

The fire had long since burned out, the ashes were not even smoldering. Keiki kicked some dirt over the pile of ash and made the preparations for their journey. Yoko sat under the tree, knees pressed to her chest, and one hand on Suiguu. Keiki noticed her eyes following him on occasion; her behavior seemed rather disturbing.

It had been a long time since she felt like this, helpless and alone. Simple tricks played by Suiguu were getting to her. She was able to control them, but it found a weak spot: Her need for normalcy. She wanted to be a normal woman, not a kept Queen on a throne of dust, waiting for the wind to blow the wrong way.

______________________________________________

Yoko went through five more nights of the same ordeal. She would dream, not necessarily about Keiki or Shoryu, but pleasant dreams nonetheless. In the end, Aozaru�s deviant tactics disturbed each dream. She would wake, near screaming or in a panic, often finding it too hard to breathe.

Keiki watched, unsure of what to do, he made simple observations. Every time he tried to help or ask if she wanted to talk about it, Yoko would push him further away. He noticed that Suiguu been acting rather peculiar the past few mornings. The glow emitting from it was becoming more frequent and brighter. Figuring that was the cause of Yoko's anguish, he made a sporadic decision. Keiki reached for the sword and took it away from Yoko. "I'm going to have the scabbard repaired while you stay in En."

"No," Yoko replied and reached for the sword. "I don't want it fixed."

"If you don't, you're going to go insane." Keiki stood firm. "I won't have it!" He gripped the sword so Yoko could not take it back. "I know a sword smith who can repair it within a few days. Once in En, I will depart for Mount Reimei."

"Fine, but Suiguu stays in En with me."

"I cannot allow that." Keiki answered.

"How will I protect myself?"

"I will leave Hyouki with you." Keiki's brow furrowed. "And I'm sure Shoryu won't leave you alone."

A subtle undertone gave Yoko the chills. He sounded...jealous. Was Keiki jealous of Shoryu for some unseen reason? She wanted to ask, but found she could not come up with the words to explain why she wanted to know. Instead, she hesitantly agreed to let Keiki take Suiguu and the scabbard. He did allow her to keep Hekisojou, knowing the orb could come in handy if she were to have an accident, or if someone tried to hurt her.

"Kaiko..." At the sound of his voice, his Nyokai came to him. "Please take this and watch over it for now." He handed her the sword and she instantly faded away.

"Where is Mount Reimei?" Yoko asked.

Keiki replied, "It is a mountain that stands in the shadows of Kankyuu." Then, he reached over, picked up two packs, and placed them onto the Yoma's back.

"Reimei means Twilight doesn't it?" Yoko asked as she mounted the Yoma�s back.

Keiki simply replied. "Yes. At the top of the mountain, the sky remains as dusk, always."
After the conversation, the two were once again back in the air, on their way to En.
- 4
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Reflections