This is my first attempt at writing a fanfic, and of course it has to be about Juuni Kokki, right? I love this series to death. I've been sitting on this one for a very long time, at least a year or so, but I never got down to writing it. It promises to be a long one, so do check back for updates—though I doubt they'll be regular, because I'm doing this while at work. At any rate, please read and review! Thanks!

A quick disclaimer: I don't own the 12 Kingdoms characters, all copyright belongs to

Fuyumi Ono and the producers of the show. I'm just borrowing them.

The Return

The evening sun shone through the glass panes, painting the Royal Kei's study a warm gold.

Sekishi sat at the table, perusing the latest proposal from the Chosai to send a unit as well as general aid to Kei's border towns. Three years had passed since the fall of the previous Kou-O and the country was bordering on chaos. Youma were attacking refugees as they fled in panic-stricken droves across to Kei. At times, the youma did cross the border as well into the town buffer zone—a relatively new creation following an incognito visit to the town—though they never ventured beyond that. The refugees that made it over safely were usually short on food supplies and any form of shelter. The ever-increasing numbers was beginning to seriously strain the resources of not just the town, but the province. She picked up her seal tentatively. Help us, the voices cried.

She sighed deeply. Kei was only beginning to feel the effects of the reforms that she had put in place 35 years ago, and the economy had been performing well, at least in the past eight years. Theoretically speaking, she could spare some of Gyouten's resources. At the same time, she also knew that this was going to be a long-term commitment, since the new kirin of Kou was still in its infancy and it wouldn't be ready to choose its new ruler for the next seven years or so. And that was if Kourin was mature enough by then. A more realistic timespan would be 12-20 years, during which period that level would have to be more or less sustained, or even increased. Also, it required an assumption that there would be no shokus occurring then. One of those could easily wipe out the nation's economic progress.

Being a queen is tough work. The thought ran through Youko's head for the hundredth time this year. And it certainly doesn't get easier with 'experience'. Despite 37 years of being on the throne, she still relied a lot on the wisdom of Enho, Rakushun and Kokan when it came to making major decisions. But Rakushun and Enho had gone to En and Ryuu on an official visit to discuss the possibilities of opening a new avenue for trade, while Kokan was the one making the request this time round.

I'm not sure whether I should be thankful that Keiki isn't here or not. Knowing her kirin, he would play the people's advocate in this situation. Well, he IS the people's advocate everytime, she thought wryly. It's just that I'm not sure if I should think of them in the short run, or in the long run.

Youko replaced the seal. Some decisions were best left unmade till better advice had been sought. Besides, Rakushun and Enho would be back in a week's time.

Speaking of which…

Keiki, too, was away; he'd returned to Mt. Hou to see the new Kourin and should be back sometime this week. He had mentioned something about this kirin, what was it? That it was one of those highly unusual kirins, like Taiki. She'd heard it whispered around the palace as well. Youko couldn't help but wonder what it was that made this one so rare. But she'd also noticed that when the gossipers mentioned it, the expression on their faces seemed clouded with worry. As though its rarity was more a problem than something to celebrate.

A knock on her door roused Youko from her thoughts.

"Youko, Keiki has returned." The voice paused. "Shall I ask him to see you?"

Youko hesitated. He would surely ask about the Chosai's request. Ah, what the heck, she thought. "Yes. Send him in right away." She paused momentarily. "On second thoughts, tell him to meet me at the pavilion after dinner."

"Very well." Shoukei's footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Rising, she stretched and then moved towards the study door, knocking over a few of the scrolls piled on her table. Those could wait.

The air was crisp above the Sea of Clouds, and the stars sparkling like diamonds in the night sky as Keiki approached his sovereign, who was seated. He stopped a couple of feet behind her.

"Your highness, I have returned safely."

"That's good. Why don't you take a seat?" She gestured to an ornately carved rosewood stool next to her. Keiki took the seat, and for a while they sat in companionable silence, staring into space. The absurd thought suddenly came to Youko. If an immortal went high up enough into the atmosphere, would he or she die from the extreme conditions up there? She involuntarily let out a giggle.

"Your highness...?" Keiki looked at her, a question forming in his purple eyes.

"It's nothing. Just a silly thought. Something to do with the other world." She smiled wryly. "So, how was your trip to Mt. Hou?"

"It was good."

Typical Keiki. "The nyosen must have been pleased to see you again."

He nodded. They fell into silence again. However, it felt a little more tense than before, which made Youko uncomfortable. She knew that the next question was the reason for the tension. Yet, she felt the uncontrollable urge to ask it.

"And Kourin...?" She turned to face her kirin.

He did not seem to have heard her, or if he did, he was ignoring the question. His face betrayed no emotion.

Youko couldn't help but notice how beautiful her kirin was, especially with his alabaster complexion and noble expression. At the same time, it was these features that made him feel distant. While he had opened up considerably during the years, he still retained some of his aloofness with her. She sighed inwardly, and looked away.

"She…" His voice startled Youko, and she turned to face Keiki. His brows were slightly furrowed.

"…is a white kirin."