Hey, Everyones! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. School's been getting in my way of a lot of stuff. It sucks, but it's the loyal truth. Anyways, here's the forth chapter of Returning.

Duo: Hey! 'Rashi! You told you to remind you about that thing.

What thi-OH! THAT thing. Thanks, Duo. - Hands Duo a cookie -

Duo: COOKIE!!! - Runs and hides with cookie -

Ummm…..Yeah…Anyways. I am kind of working on another story at the same time as this one. As soon as I finish the first chapter, it'll be up. It's going to be a Fushigi Yugi fic, so keep an eye out for that. I'm also working on three other parts to this set, so…yeah. Keep an eye out for those too. Here's the chapter!

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Kia's P.O.V.

By the time Mil and I got to the main room of the palace, a few of my advisors were panicking around the room. As one of them, one of my favorites, Kojii, passed me, I reached out and grabbed his arm.

"Kojii, what's going on?" I was surprised when one of the normally strongest of my advisors crumbled in my arms.

"We just got a message from Emperor Hotohori. They need our help, desperately." I looked up at Mil and glanced at our friends gathered in the room.

"Tsuki. Take Kojii and calm everyone down. Riku, I need you to explain this one to me." Tsuki, a second of my advisors, took Kojii from my arms and motioned for the rest of my advisors to follow her to another room. Mil followed me to the throne and snorted when I dropped into the chair. "Riku." My most trusted of the lot moved to sit on the step beside my feet. I shook my head at the decorum the woman presented even though she knew I hated it.

"Emperor Hotohori sent one of the Suzaku seven to speak to you about this, but by the time he got here, the poor man was so exhausted, we made him go get some sleep before we allowed him to speak." I held up my hand to stop Riku.

"Which did he send?" I got a wry snicker and a look. I groaned and leaned back in the chair. "He didn't."

"He did, Princess. However, I don't think he had permission. It doesn't seem to me that the emperor would allow him to come by choice." I shook my head and reached a hand to rub across my forehead.

"He wouldn't. I think we can assume he came on his own, and that we'll be expecting another of the seven soon. Where is he?" Riku stood.

"He's in the south wing. In the room you prepared for him a while back. Will you go to him?" I nodded and stood.

"Yeah. I need to find out what's going on in Konan. Did you tell you anything at all, Riku?" She nodded slightly, a look of fear on her face.

"It's……..Kotou, Your highness." I didn't give anyone any warning other than the look on my face before I fled the room, heading towards the south hall. If Kotou had anything to do with Konan, it was usually war or another assassination attempt on Hotohori's life. As I moved closer to the room that my ex-lover was in, I could hear his voice, yelling at the guards standing outside his locked room.

"Let me out of here, you stuffed dress monkeys!!! I need to speak to the princess!!!!" A soft sigh escaped my lips when I heard his familiar tone, and the burden that had settled on my heart from the moment I arrived at the palace lifted slightly. I became aware of the small smile across my lips. I shook my head as I got closer to the door.

"Reka. Saori. I'll take it from here. Got have some tea or something in the kitchens." The two guards moved away from the door, grumbling about the occupant of the room. I giggled, and the sounds coming from inside stopped. I reached out and opened the door, bracing myself for what I knew was coming. As soon as the door opened, I was tackled by a blur of purple and blue. I tried to get my balance and hold the two of us up, but I slipped on the edge of my over robe and the two of us fell. When I opened my eyes, I found a pair of pink-rimmed brown orbs peering at me from a very short distance. I grinned and blew at the purple bangs falling in the eyes. "Hello, Nuriko. Miss me?"

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Milliardo's P.O.V.

I watched as my lover flew out of the room. Riku made a small sound, and I turned back to her.

"Sorry. I know the circumstances aren't funny, but the princess is." Merian and Catherine snickered.

"Don't worry, Milliardo. I don't think Kia still harbors feelings for the warrior. She loves you." I glanced at Relena as she led the way after Kia.

"Kia and this warrior were a couple?" Duo asked, walking beside me. Relena nodded and turned a corner. We followed her and stumbled on a scene that made my heart clench.

Kia was lying on the floor, her hair falling around her, and her royal robes in disarray. Straddling her hips was a man with long violet hair, wearing a pair of red pants with a long blue shirt tied over it. The two were laughing, obviously having just fallen. I watched as the man leaned down so that he was almost nose to nose with Kia. I watched as my lover whispered one thing that made my heart stop, and heard the answer from the man.

"Hello, Nuriko. Miss me?" Nuriko laughed and pressed a small, short kiss to her cheek.

"Hell, yes, I missed you. Hotohori is fun and all, but you still have my heart." Kia blushed and mumbled something that made the man on top of her laugh.

"I heard the rumors, Ki-love." This "Nuriko" stood and offered Kia his hand, which she took in a way that some would say only do. I watched as she was pulled up and into his arms for a hug. He whispered something in her ear that made a soft, pained smile cross her face and tears fill her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Nuriko." She pulled away and wiped the tears from her eyes. She took a deep breath before giving him a crooked grin. "You're not here on Hotohori's orders, are you, Riko?" There was a soft sigh and a shake of his head. "I didn't think so. How about we head down to the kitchens and get you something to eat before we discuss the Kotou/ Konan thing, 'kay?" Another nod of his head, and she took his arm and led the way down the hall. I felt a soft touch on my shoulder and looked at my sister. Tears were streaming down her face as she reached to touch the wetness trailing down my own cheeks.

"Let's go talk to her and find out what's going on?" I nodded and let her guide me down the hall, wiping my face on the sleeve of my robe I was wearing.

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Kia's P.O.V.

I settled Nuriko in a chair at the counter in the center of the kitchen and turned to dig in the cabinets on the other side of the kitchen. When I finally found something I could cook, I started on it, ignoring my cook's protests. After a bit, I felt eyes on my back. Teasing my ex-lover sitting at the bar, I spared a glance over my shoulder.

"Quit checking out my ass, Nuriko." I got the laugh I was aiming for, and joined in for a moment before Leera, my cook, lightly pushed me out of the way. Laughing, I went to sit beside Nuriko, tugging slightly on his long purple braid. Leera settled a cup of tea in front of me, giving me a stern glare for cooking in her kitchen. As usual, I got off with a goofy grin and my eyes crossed.

"He must be special," my companion said after a few minutes of silence. I sighed and looked into my cup.

"We're not going to go there, Nuri. Now. What's going on in Konan?" I got a sigh, and before Nuriko could start explaining, there was a soft cough behind us. I turned on my stool and grinned at Mil when I saw him. I turned Questioning eyes to Relena when I saw the tear streaks on my lover's face, but didn't ask when I got a shake of her head that said later. I nodded and reached out to Milliardo. He took my hand and slid up to me, wrapping his arm around my waist. I got a grin from Nuriko, which I attempted to squelch with a glare.

He only laughed at me like before.

"Mil, this is Nuriko. A friend of mine from Konan. Twit, this is Milliardo. My lover." Nuriko glared at me for the Twit comment, like before, and smiled at Mil as he held his hand out to him.

"Pleasure to meet you, Milliardo." He took advantage of everyone leaving us alone in the room to lean closer to Mil. "I am Kia's ex-lover, and I would do anything to get her back." He gave a small "oomph" when my foot collided with his shin.

"Nuriko," I hissed. Mil's arm tightened slightly around my waist. He kissed right below my ear before answering.

"And I would do anything to keep her." Nuriko was about to answer when I broke in.

"ENOUGH! Nuriko. You're here to tell me about Konan and Kotou, not make challenges to my boyfriend, so start talkin'!" My friend sighed before glancing over my shoulder and freezing. I closed my eyes slightly and smiled at the familiar power that stood behind me. I untangled myself from Mil's arms and turned to tackle the man standing in the doorway. I giggled as my enthusiastic hug was returned, though in a calmer way. I tilted my head up to smile at the man before he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

"It's good to see you again, too, Little Sister." I smiled.

"I've missed you, Tamahome. You really should come by more often." I pushed my older brother into a chair/stool thing and poured his a cup of tea before sitting back in my own seat. Tamahome took a sip of tea before looking at Nuriko.

"I figured you came. Hotohori's pissed, Nuriko." I reached a hand out to the purple haired man and glared at my brother.

"Not now, Tama. What's going on?" Tamahome sighed before looking at me.

"Nakago's back, and the emperor of Kotou is declaring war against Konan. Tasuki, Chichiri, and Mitsukake are going around the country, gathering as many as they can to help fight. Those who can't are being moved to the capitol. Hotohori wanted you to know that we need your alliance." He took another sip of tea as I thought it over.

"If Kotou defeats Konan, they will most likely turn their eyes to Estrea," I mused. It took a split moment after that before I looked up again, this time determined. "Hotohori had our allegiance. He also has me." I heard Milliardo draw in a sharp breath at my words. "I am the best fighter in the kingdom. He'll need me by his side to defeat Nakago and Kotou. The Guardians will fight alongside the Suzaku Seven. Kotou will not win." I heard a slight cheer behind me and turned to see my girls peeking around the corner. When they saw they had my attention, Merian and Kyaka grinned sheepishly while Relena and Catherine just laughed. "We won't be able to freely travel the way we are. We're too well known. Get the Guards, Mother, and Night and changed your appearances. Mil, go with them. I'll be up soon. Merian, before you change, tell the stable boys to ready eight horses. We'll pair up in riding. Move!" Mil pressed a quick kiss to my lips and followed my friends out of the kitchen, looking back with a lightly pained look.

"New lover?" I glared at Tamahome.

"We're not going there. The only way we're separating is if he leaves me." I glared slightly at Nuriko before rising and leading the way out of the kitchens and towards the armory.

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Hehehehehe... Crossover. My first one, too. It kinda came to me in a dream, and I thought ",what the heck. Should be fun!"

Duo: Milliardo's jealous!

Milliardo: - Lowers book- -Glares-

Chill out, Mil. Anyways, the next chapter will be up as soon as I have time to write the end of it and post it. Wish me luck!!!