Konnechiwa Minna! Hope everyone had a merry christmas and a happy new year! Mine were pretty good. I'd like to offer my apologies for not finishing Fushigi Jingle Bells. My computer room was abducted by relatives and a pet dog. So I couldn't write. So, in case any people happen to read these (some don't. I've seen reviews that ask something or point out something that was explained in these.) I need to know if you'd mind it being posted after the new year or should it wait until next christmas comes around? And finally, this chapter has SPOILERS!! (for the people who don't read any notes except for the ones that jump out at them) ^___^ Enjoy!

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Crashing Tides

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"So Sir Tasuki has finally left for his home?" Houki smiled, a disappointed tinge revealing the sadness she felt. Her health had improved greatly since the ordeal with Hotohori a year ago, but she had gained an attachment to the two remaining friends of her late husband. And now those two were one. Boushin stood, three years old now, clinging to his mother's skirt. His vocabulary had grown immensely. Unfortunately, Tasuki had been a bit too influential on the little crown prince.

"Tasuki-san gone?" Boushin looked up at his tutor with sad eyes.

"Hai no da. He's home with his friends no da," Chichiri smiled, kneeling down to face the small boy.

"Damn."

Chichiri and Houki sighed. THAT was a habit they would have to break and fast.

"Boushin-sama, do not say words like that no da. They're rude for a prince to use."

"Yes, Boushin. Don't say that anymore."

"Hai, Momma. Chichiri-san."

"Boushin-sama!" one of the old advisors of the court called. "It is time for your reading lesson."

Boushin clung tighter to his mother's clothes.

"Boushin, run along. The sooner you finish your lesson, the sooner you can return to me and Sir Chichiri."

"Hai Momma." Reluctantly, the small prince walked over to the advisor, to be led out of the room. However, on the way, he tripped over his robes. The royal seamstress had made them a tad too young for him.

"Shit!" the prince shouted as he hit the floor. Matching sweatdrops formed on the heads of the three adults. The young prince collected himself and finished his walk to the advisor. The doors echoed as they closed.

Houki sighed, resting her fingers on her forehead.

"If I see that man again before we break him of that habit, I swear I'll have half a mind to slay him with My Emperor's own sword."

Chichiri chuckled.

"It's just Tasuki's way, Houki-sama. He's not normally around kids, but when he's not cursing, I have to think he'd make a good father. If you ever watched him with Chiriko-"

"Doesn't he hold a dislike of women?"

"Besides yourself and Miaka no da. That's why I can only think for now no da."

Houki nodded.

"Sir Chichiri…how long will you remain with us in the palace?"

Chichiri smiled warmly.

"Don't worry, Houki-sama. I'll stay here as long as I'm needed no da. And…while I'm here…"

"Hai, Sir Chichiri?"

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Chichiri sat down softly in the rough chair. The place was unusual to him, but it was where Houki had told him to go. Half of him was still debating whether it was what he wanted or not, but the other side argued it was probably the only way to be sure. Chichiri sighed, opening his hand to reveal the small bead earring Tasuki had left him. It was against the beliefs of the monks for one to get his ear pierced, and the act was frowned upon by all devoted Buddhists, but of course, so was still having hair, and touching women (even to protect them), and odd speech habits…he chuckled. Being a Suzaku seishi, he had pretty much broken the majority of rules and regulations laid down for monks, aside from drinking. Despite everything, though, only one thing could give the higher monks the right to strip him of his title, and he wasn't planning on engaging in that activity anytime soon.

"Sir Chichiri?"

Chichiri was drawn out of his silent reverie by the approach of a timid palace maid.

"Hai no da."

She smiled.

"Come this way please. Everything is ready."

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"Sir Chichiri!" Houki gasped when she saw him later that day. A sweatdrop built on his head.

"Does it look that bad no da?" he lightly fingered the jewel hanging from his ear. The lobe was still hurting slightly, but had gone down after a while.

"N-no…" Houki stuttered. "It's…quite becoming. And so unlike you as well."

Chichiri sweatdropped.

"I couldn't think of any other way to avoid losing it no da…It could fall out of a pocket too easily, and if I kept it at Taikyoku, I'd lose it for sure with the Nyan-Nyans no da…"

The empress looked oddly at Chichiri, then smiled.

"It looks quite nice on you, Sir Chichiri. The jewel matches your hair. It was very generous of Sir Tasuki to leave it for you."

"Aw, he just wants to make sure I'm alive now and then no da. Even if he didn't say it that way, I know that's why he gave it to me. I think he's afraid of ending up as the last remaining seishi. He might, too, if he stays careful. I'm older than him no da. The years will catch up with me quicker."

"Sir Chichiri, you're still youthful yourself," Houki seemed slightly disturbed by this talk. "Please…don't talk about death. There's too much of it…or there was. Before I was brought to the palace years ago, I only worried about the lives of my parents, and a very good friend I would have married had I stayed in my village. Then I fell in love with my Emperor, and he was added to my worries. Sir Chichiri, did you know Nuriko had been my friend?"

Chichiri blinked and shook his head. Nuriko had not once mentioned Houki during their travels together.

"He was…back before we knew he was a man. But he was still my friend. I cried when I heard of his death. And then little Chiriko, so brave and honorable for being so young. Mitsukake, exchanging his life for that of a child. And my emperor…my husband…before he could…see his son…" Houki could no longer finish. She was crying too hard to let words come out, and a guilt was forming on Chichiri's chest.

"Houki-sama, I…please, don't…I…" his words caught in his throat. It had been so long since he last made a woman cry. What had he done then? His face fell, remembering he had run out and killed his best friend. That was different. Going back a year, he remembered a time when he and Hikou had gotten into a fight and refused to say anything to one another. He had said something hateful about his friend in front of Kouran, and she had started crying, yelling at him for being an idiot and letting one little incident ruin their friendship. Then he had held her, apologized to her, and promised he would make up with Hikou. She had been right, then. It was foolish, but perhaps Hikou would be alive today. Or not. He had been the floods only survivor.

"Houki-sama, please, don't cry," he whispered, taking his empress into his arms. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. I miss them all too, but it's something of the past. Tasuki and I are still here, and Taka and Miaka are living fine together in her world."

"Sir Chichiri…please don't leave the palace. I know it's silly, but I feel helpless not knowing where the others are and if they're alive or not. I like knowing you're still here."

Chichiri chuckled mentally. The empress was still young in her heart, even if she had to grow quickly for her son.

"I promise, Houki-sama, I will never leave until you wish it."

Houki sniffled slightly, wiping her eye of the last of the tears.

"Thank you, Sir Chichiri. I'm…grateful."
His intent accomplished, Chichiri smiled and let the empress go.

"Boushin should be about done with his lesson, right na no da?"

"Er…yes!" Houki was caught off guard by the time. "He should be heading back here with his teachers. Which brings up another point I wished to speak with you of. Boushin seems intrigued by your magic. I believe…I believe he would like you to teach him, aside from the lessons you're giving him about Konan and its people. The other advisors wouldn't hear of it, I assure you that. They already urge me to stop letting you take him out disguised into the village to watch the people he will be ruling. However, I will not, for I believe these lessons will make him as compassionate towards his people as his father was. I believe his father's compassion was just his majesty. He never went out except in that caravan, and the villagers were always obedient when he was around. And when he met Miaka, I'll never forget his recount of how she-"

"Houki-sama no da…"

Houki had been rambling about his majesty again. It was an act that was becoming less frequent since he had returned to the heavens to be reincarnated, but still, an empress couldn't hold much onto the past when she has a future of an entire country to look towards.

"Forgive me. I only wished to ask if you could teach Boushin your magic. He would be thrilled."

Chichiri hesitated, pondering.

"I can…attempt to remember how Taiitsukun taught me. I don't know if Boushin-sama will be able to use magic, since mine is from seishi ability, but I can most certainly attempt it. He may be disappointed if he can't no da."

"Then proceed. You can begin when you see fit. Just…please remember, he's a child. I don't want him learning your magic of popping around. He could get lost."

Chichiri chuckled.

"I know, Houki-sama. I'll teach him basic things no da. He's too young for some complex magics. And as I said, he may not be able to."

"So long as we know and as he tries, he will be happy."

"Alright then no da. Tomo-"

Chichiri was interrupted by the large door into the throne room slamming open. In the doorway stood Boushin's teacher. His clothing was torn and some small cuts could be seem through the tears. His left arm was covered in his own blood, a huge gash in the side of it.

"Kasei-sensei!"

"What happened to you no da?!"

"Boushin…" the teacher breathed heavily, his blood tripping onto the floor. "A monster kidnapped Boushin-sama!"

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Bwaha! CLIFFHANGER!! You all hate me now? Better not, cuz if you do you get no more continuation and you'll never find out what happens to Boushin (cute lil bugger…) Anyway, just in case you were wondering because I know at least ONE person will, there will be no Chichiri/Houki in this fic! Houki is Hotohori's wife and I respect that. Anyone who thought they saw anything when he hugged her, he was –comforting– her. Just wanted to get that out. See you next chapter!