Ohayo Minna-san! This is my first fanfiction in many, many years… I hope that You will enjoy reading it, as much as I did writing it. I dedicate it too all EigetsuxKourin fans out there – because there aren't enough fanfics of them! Oh and please, point all my grammar and spelling mistakes. Sadly, I don't have a beta-reader and English isn't my native language either. I've checked the text several times but I can never be sure, if everything is ok.

Main plot: Kourin still has to answer to Eigetsu's confession. But will she manage to do it, if a certain person is spending all the time with her Eigetsu-sama? Set after episode 17, season 2.

Rating: PG/T – just to be safe ' Later chapters will contain some stuff not considered for children.

Pairings: main pairing EigetsuxKourin, others hinted or described.

Warnings: major spoilers for season 2!

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Saiunkoku Monogatari --'

And now on to the story!

. How to tell him? .

The sun was hiding behind the mountains, while the clouds were lazily floating through the sky. It had been a beautiful, sunny day and the sunset was a wonderful end to it. The various shades of yellow, orange and red filled the once, blue sky. Soon the sun was nowhere to be seen, although it was still bright. The snow on the mountain shined gently like the moon. It was the only snow in Sa province, the last evidence that there was a winter few weeks ago. After a while it begun getting darker. Another day come to an end…

In the capital of Saiunkoku was peaceful and quiet. The emperor Shi Ryuuki was imaging his beloved Kou Shuurei, making a vegetarian meal for him, like she promised. Li Kouyuu was trying to find the archives, where he left some important scrolls. Luckily for him, Ran Shuuei collected those and showed him a way out of the palace. In Kou Shouka house, Kou Shuurei was preparing a meal for her father and Seiran. Indeed, it was a pleasant evening.

Meanwhile, in the Sa province – it was quite the opposite. All thanks to one man…

Kourin has been again defeated by the youngest member of the Ran clan. Not that they were fighting, or anything. It's just the way, that he took control over Tou Eigetsu. The two of them were spending almost all the time together and after several attempts, Kourin always had to give up. Day after day – she was losing her Eigetsu-sama.

Ryuuren wasn't bothered with it. He was spending all the time with his kokoro no tomo, because, as he claimed, he couldn't loose sight of him, or his heart will be broken. He also stated that the fate itself decided, that the two of them will share many beautiful memories during their adventures. Eigetsu, hearing this, always smiled happily, thanking Ryuuren for this wonderful feelings and agreeing that the two of them should spent time together. Which made Kourin even more angry.

When Eigetsu was helping Ensei with his paperwork, Ryuuren was sitting behind Eigetsu, their backs touching. While the new governor of the Sa province – Kai Yu was tutoring Eigetsu, Ryuuren was listening to him as well. If Kourin made tea, only for her Eigetsu-sama, Ryuuren would drank it instead. Even when Eigetsu went to the bath, Ryuuren was accompanying him…Despite that all, the two of them often went for a walk or traveled to the other villages. Without Kourin. And this was all too much for her.

The worst thing, for her, was Eigetsu's behavior. After a week from his return, he started to avoid Kourin, enjoying Ryuuren's companion. He smiled and laughed a lot, even when working – he looked like he was truly happy for the first time in his life. Ryuuren often helped him, dismissing his flute, or getting rid of any distractions so Eigetsu could work in peace. And for Ryuuren – she was a distraction.

Kourin could spent even a minute with Eigetsu alone. His smiles were no more reserved for her. He often blushed when Ryuuren whispered something in his ear and after this, he would avoided her even more than usual. Sometimes he smiled at her, but it looked like a fake smile, made only because he didn't want to hurt her. He had no idea, that those smiles were piercing her heart.

Beside being jealous, Kourin felt betrayed. Eigetsu's words were still echoing in her mind, the touch of his lips, his warm breath or gentle arms were haunting her in the sleep. When alone, she repeated his question quietly: "Will you be together with me for always?", always ending crying. Now, the only thing that they shared together were meals and polite conversations. Sometimes she felt like his watching her, but when she looked up from her food he was talking with Ryuuren or Ensei. She knew that it was only her imagination and a dream, that would never come true.

And she only wanted to tell him… Answer him, that she loves him too and she will stay by his side forever…

It was a full-moon tonight and Kourin couldn't help but stare at it, like being hypnotized by it's beauty. She wanted to be like the moon, so Eigetsu couldn't tore his eyes from her. Then Ryuuren couldn't compete with her and wouldn't get any more attention from Eigetsu. Her Eigetsu-sama.

Two nights ago, she was so desperate, that she sneaked out of her room, brewed some tea and headed to Eigetsu's room, knowing that he will be still studying till late hours. But she met Ryuuren outside Eigetsu's room.

"Oi!" he said happily, though his face was emotionless. "You have prepared tea for us" he took the plate out of her hands and vanished into Eigetsu's room. Few seconds later, he returned with the plate. "You shouldn't be here" he stated handing her the plate "My kokoro no tama doesn't want any distractions!" And after that he disappeared behind the door, leaving Kourin.

She hugged the plate and returned it to the kitchen. She couldn't get any sleep that night, or the another one. That's why she was really tired and fell asleep while watching the moon.

She didn't wake up, when someone entered the room, nor when he lifted her up and laid her down on the bed. She didn't hear his sweet vice, calling her name and she didn't felt when he kissed her forehead.

After some time, Eigetsu tore his sight away from his sleeping beauty and returned to his room. "Oyasumi, Kourin-san" he whispered before leaving. He needed some rest too.

A/N: Um, so You see, this isn't a RyuurenxEigetsu fic ' They're only friends, really! I would appreciate any reviews: what should I change, what is ok, what You liked and what not… Thank You all for reading! .