(Disclaimer: The Twelve Kingdom Characters belong solely to Fuyumi Ono, but Mariette and the other unknown characters I am writing about belong to me. If this disclaimer is wrong, then please do not sue me.)

KChanDreams: This is a two part update, so please enjoy.

Angel: Yes, do enjoy.

Chapter 25: Reaching out to Narumi

A flash of light appeared before Yoko forcing her to shut her eyes. She gave a groan as the light faded. Yoko thought it best not to say anything.

"A month has passed."

Yoko nodded and watched the scene around her appear. The scene was the hallway of Mariette's palace. Yoko searched around the area for Mariette. Mariette suddenly ran through Yoko causing Yoko to gasp in surprise. Yoko stared at the back of Mariette, who was in a loose white dress, as she ran in the hallway.

Mariette stopped in front of a door with red lettering. She pushed it open and said, "Narumi?" Narumi, who was within the room, gasped in surprise and looked at Mariette in surprise.

"Don't you know how to knock?" asked Narumi in surprise. Mariette giggled and entered his room. She closed the door behind her and said, "Sorry Narumi, but I wanted to see how the medicine was going." Narumi gave out a sigh and said, "I'm still working on it, but if I succeed, I can make the entire kingdom of Kei resistant to certain diseases."

Mariette smiled and said, "That would be nice." Mariette approached Narumi and said, "You have been working hard, but shouldn't you rest?" Narumi shook his head.

"I'm not resting until this medicine is made," said Narumi. Mariette noticed the bags under his eyes and shook her head. She grabbed Narumi from behind and tossed him onto a nearby sofa. Narumi looked at Mariette in surprise and demanded, "What are you doing?"

Mariette sat next to him and said, "A medicine maker like you shouldn't push himself too hard. You might get sick too and I can't have that, so get some sleep." Narumi was about to refuse, but Mariette looked at him sternly. Narumi sighed in defeat and nodded.

"I'll sleep, but only for a little bit," said Narumi. Mariette nodded and flashed him a charming smile. Narumi gave a blush and looked away from Mariette.

"Don't look at me with that face," said Narumi as he drifted off to sleep. Mariette looked at Narumi's sleeping face filled with confusion. She then looked at the table Narumi was working at. She got up from her seat and approached the table. She stared at the different herbs Narumi was working on for the medicine. She looked back at Narumi and then back at the table.

"I might as well work on this medicine too," whispered Mariette.

After a long while, Narumi awoke to the sound of ruffling herbs. Narumi shot up from the sofa and saw Mariette at the table. He ran to her and yelled, "What are you doing?" Mariette looked back at Narumi with a bowl of crushed herbs in her hand. He yanked the bowl away from her and stared down at the powdered herbs.

"What did you do?" asked Narumi as he stared at the substance in the bowl. Mariette smiled and said, "I crushed the herbs that you had into a powder and added a small herb that Keiki brought back from Mount Ho. The herb from Mount Ho is a powerful healing herb, so it should help with the medicine."

Narumi examined the powder. He placed his finger into it and then placed some of the powder onto his tongue. Narumi's eyes widen in surprise. He smiled and said, "This medicine might just be it. I don't need to be sick to know that this is powerful stuff. I bet I can even duplicate it with the right ingredients."

Mariette giggled and said, "I actually came in here because I wanted to introduce that herb to you. I'm glad that you like it." Narumi stared at Mariette and then turned away from her making Mariette confused.

"Narumi?"

"Why are you so nice?" whispered Narumi. Mariette blinked in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Narumi looked at Mariette seriously and said, "I always thought that Half-beasts like you were monsters."

"Why?" asked Mariette as she looked at Narumi. Narumi clenched the bowl of powder and said, "A crazy half-beast in the form of a huge cat killed my parents." Mariette gasped in surprise causing her cat features to pop out.

"A half-beast did that?"

Narumi nodded and said, "My grandpa was the one who killed the half-beast and saved me, but ever since that day, I hated half-beasts especially ones who were cats." Mariette noticed her cat features and was about to tuck them in, but Narumi held her hand back making her look at him.

"For a half-beast you are different. You actually went through the trouble to rule a kingdom and even got me this herb for the medicine. You were even concerned about my well-being. You are really kind, not like a monster."

Narumi smiled at Mariette and added, "And for a half-beast, you are really cute especially with those cat-ears, Mariette." Mariette blushed and gave out a giggle.

"You complimented me and even smiled," said Mariette happily. Mariette kissed Narumi on the cheek causing him to blush and said, "Thank you, Narumi." Mariette pulled away from Narumi and ran out of the room.

Narumi stared at the door still red.

Mariette walked down the hallway cheerfully with Yoko watching her.

"So that's why Narumi said that he hated her," said Yoko. Yoko looked at the door, where Narumi was behind, and smirked.

"Looks like Mariette wormed her way into his heart."

KChanDreams: I found this chapter kind of cute.

Angel: You only found it cute because of Narumi.

KChanDreams: Well I imagine him looking very cute.

Angel: My God. You are talking like a girl.

KChanDreams: I am a girl.

Angel: How will the readers know? For all we know, you are a guy in drag.

KChanDreams: I am not! Please review this chapter and read the next update.