AN: I do not own Seirei No Moribito. I don't quite know where I am going with this story so… yeah. There just needs to be more of the Moribito fics. Please R&R. The rating may change if I get crazy.

Chagum stared at the empty throne in his older brothers bedroom. Even though two years had passed the pain of losing him hadn't waned. I am the crowned prince now…But do I really want to be a person of such high social standing? The young boy sighed. After the taxes on the common people had increased he had seen the suffering of people who he had lived among for almost a year of his young life.

"Your Highness! What are you doing there? Come back to your studying chamber." Shuga instructed trying to gently pry the prince away from the chair. Chagum sighed and followed his teacher. The incense that plagued the walls made him feel dizzy and confined. He missed the fresh smell of the rice planting fields and the musky scent of the water mill.

His lessons were terribly dull and the young prince couldn't concentrate. Balsa… I wonder what you are doing right now?

At the same moment Balsa was finding herself in a very awkward position with Tanda. He just sat there fixing herbs while she paced restlessly. If she asked a question he never answered. When he stood she didn't notice and, obviously, they collided. Balsa felt her back connect with the floor, it didn't hurt but it was surprising. Even more surprising was the man on top of her.

Balsa couldn't help but blush; this situation was unexpected but nor unwelcome. Tanda had his legs on either side of her and his hands were dangerously close to her shoulders. Neither moved or breathed for that matter. Finally Tanda leaned down slightly to brush the spear-wielders' lips with his own. The contact was feather-light but sent sparks through both people.

"Get a room if you plan on going further with that action." Madame Torogai said bluntly as she entered the hut. Her bunny-ish creature made a tiny squeak of agreement. She sat down by the fire and poured a generous glass of rice wine into a bowl. "Balsa? Tanda? You both look a little red in the face. Did you catch fevers?" She teased trying to lighten the mood or at least get them to move.

Balsa sighed. Giving Tanda a harsh shove in the ribs detached him from her person and she left the hut without a sound. The warm weather outside hit her with a comforting embrace. The spear-wielder didn't watch her footing as her mind was still replaying the scene with a certain healer. A loud splash was heard as she fell into one of the many small lakes that dotted the meadow.

"Prince Chagum." The Mikado said with authority. The boy looked timidly up at his father. "You have not been content since you returned from your journeys with the body-guard woman. May I ask why?" The thin layer of bamboo curtains spared the prince from having to look into the disappointed face of his father.

"I-I- I miss the life I lived with her." He decreed with honesty. "I miss her too. I miss seeing her obvious feeling for Tanda that she never acted on. I miss the mill and the rice patties. I miss the food." A single tear made its way down his face. He had made it a point never to cry in front of the Mikado but this was a touchy subject for him.

"Do you wish to return to that life?" The bamboo screen began to creep its way up revealing the face of the high ruler. Chagum looked up surprised. "Don't answer right away. I may be being to generous with this offer but the third queen has given birth to a son. He is healthy and I am still in my prime. If you chose you may return to the body-guard."

It took every ounce of self control to not jump into his fathers arms immediately. I can go back! I can go back! The Mikado will allow me to return to Balsa and Tanda! He cleared his throat quietly and bowed low, "Thank you… Father."

Once he had exited the chamber the prince ran straight to Shuga in the Star Reader's temple. Chagum's mind was a whirlwind of happy thoughts. He could return to Hunter's Cave and listen to Balsa's stories of Jiguro and the Eight Warriors. This time I won't fail to get Tanda together with Balsa. "SHUGA!" He knew that shouting was often frowned upon but he was too excited to care. His crown bounced off of his head but again he took little notice.

The star reader in question was studying his charts quietly when a young boy of thirteen ran into his room and swallowed him in a bear hug. "Shuga the Mikado has given me permission to go back to Balsa!" Chagum said in one breath. Shuga blinked in question. This is sudden but then again the Mikado has another healthy son now so Chagum has a replacement. He smiled and returned the hug. "Good. I take it you're leaving then. Better pack your things." The pair walked back to the prince's bed chamber.

Balsa struggled out of the chilly water. She really detested unwanted wake-up calls like this one. She flopped down on the bank, spitting a small amount of water from her lungs. Good thing its sunny today. The body-guard allowed her eyes to drift closed while the sun warmed her soaked person. A cold shadow drifted across her face as soon as she started to doze.

"Balsa? I heard a splash." Tanda's unmistakable voice jolted her back to reality. His calm voice grew amused, "Did you fall into the pond while you were in a daze?" He started to laugh. He plopped himself down beside her, suddenly he seemed nervous. "Did you mind our," he gulped, "Kiss…earlier?"

Balsa drew in a calming breath to keep a smirk off of her face. "That was a kiss? I don't know if that was really a kiss, but yes, it wasn't bad." She rolled over and propped herself up on one elbow to see his reaction, she was not expecting, however, his face to be a few inches away from hers. Balsa's eyes narrowed a little. She could see the mischief playing in his. "What?" she asked when the silence became too long for comfort.

"Is this a better kiss then?"

"What-" Balsa's sharp retort was cut short when Tanda placed his mouth over hers. He tugged lightly in her lower lip. She permitted herself to enjoy this intimate moment. He pushed her lightly so she was on her back again and they were in a similar position to the one they had been in earlier. His tongue brushed against her lips asking for entrance to her mouth.

Balsa parted her lips slightly allowing his tongue to roam around. She moaned when his tongue brushed sensuously against her teeth. Her arms snacked their way around his neck and her hands tangled in his hair. She took a moment to take in his taste, then giggled into his mouth. For an adult to taste like a child's candy was odd but with him it fit perfectly. Similar thoughts were running through Tanda's head except that he was wondering how she tasted like spicy soup when she hadn't eaten anything all day.

Finally they pulled away from each other for some much needed air. "Do you miss Chagum, Tanda?" She knew it was a question out of the blue but Balsa couldn't help asking it.

"Yes. I wish he could come back to us but he is the crowned prince now." They shared a sigh.

"For the sake of the water spirit! You two are at it again? I think a new hut is in order so your…private… life can remain that!" Madame Torogai was in the door way to the hut glaring daggers at the adults on the grass in front of her. In turn both the healer and spear-wielder blushed a deep crimson.

AN: Thank you for reading this. Please leave a review. As I mentioned earlier I don't know where I am going with this so be prepared for a rating change.