Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi.
Author Notes: Thanks for the reviews! In this next chapter, Nuriko is sixteen. Actually it's his birthday, and he's just turning sixteen. Now, on to the fic!
Korin ran. She didn't care if it was proper. She didn't care where she was going. All she knew was that she had to get away from the palace, or rather, the harem. She couldn't stand being in its feminine presence any longer. Tonight, she was Ryuuen, the boy lost to the world's eyes.
As she ran, she unpinned her hair letting it flow behind her. Only when she paused her trek did she braid it behind her. And now Korin was not a she, but a he. He smiled as he looked at himself. Before he fled the palace, he'd managed to get into some commoner clothes, which showed off his bare chest in the moonlight.
Ryuuen breathed a sigh of relief. He was no longer confined to his sister's ways. For the past six years he had been posing as Lady Korin in the emperor's harem. For six years he had given up his manhood. For six years he had denied the death of his sister. But tonight was different. Tonight he could not pretend. Tonight, he turned sixteen.
Wasn't he supposed to be happy? Sixteen!!!! That didn't come everyday…
Ryuuen continued to walk down a well-worn path, not bothering to check his surroundings. That meant his head was down. That also meant that the only warning he had was a shadow in his path before he crashed headfirst into someone.
" Ouch!"
" Watch it!"
" I-I'm sorry."
The person he bumped into spoke in a feminine, if not loud voice, so he assumed it was a she. She seemed a bit abashed though, because she rubbed her head and helped him off the ground.
" Look, I'm sorry for yelling. You just caught me off guard. I guess we both weren't paying attention, ne?"
Ryuuen nodded. There was something familiar about her…but what?
" So how did you find this path?"
Ryuuen looked up startled.
" Excuse me?"
" You heard me. Only a few people know about this path, including myself. It was purposefully hidden, so I know you didn't find it accidentally. Plus no person in their right mind would just follow an unknown path alone, especially at night. Now that I've made my point, how did you get here?"
He gulped, his eyes wide. Who was this girl? What right did she have to question him? He looked around himself for the first time, and recognition flashed in his eyes. He remembered this path from his childhood. He and his friends would play here all the time. The adults of the village had made this path originally to hide the children in if the war ever came near them, but in the mean time they had used it for play.
" Well, I'm waiting." She tapped her foot impatiently. He had yet to say anything. " Answer me now Stranger, before I get my Uncle." The threat hung in the air. Finally, he answered.
" You're wrong. I did stumble here on accident. I was thinking while I was traveling, so my feet were just following instincts, and they led me here."
The girl frowned. " I don't believe you. In order for your feet to follow your so-called instincts, you'd have had to come here before. A-…" He cut her off.
" And I have."
Her eyes narrowed. " Who are you? What is your name? Answer me and I'll tell you if you've been here or not."
" Fine. My name is Chou Ryuuen."
She gasped. " YOU LIE! Ryuuen died six years ago."
" You're right, I did, but now I'm back from the grave for at least one night.."
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She was frozen in shock. He sneered.
" Now that I've passed your little test, answer my question. Who are YOU! What gives you the right to question me?"
The girl gave a weak laugh.
" I guess we both changed huh? Never thought we'd meet like this."
" What are you talking about?"
" It's me, Odango. Remember?"
" S-Serei?"
" Yeh. Who else has hair like me?"
Ryuuen looked her over. Her dark brown hair was looped, as it had been when she was younger. Only now, the loop swooped down a little below her chin. Before, her hair was barely long enough to make the loop hang past her bangs. His focus then turned to the rest of her face. Her violet-red eyes glowed in the moonlight. Her tan skin complimented her features in his eyes. She was a petite girl, just coming up to his chin. She was all- natural, with nothing on to enhance her looks. Not that she needs it, he added as an afterthought.
" What? What are you staring at?"
" By Suzaku you're beautiful."
" Why Ryuuen, I think your birthday's making you arrogant."
He started. " You remembered?"
"Well of course. You're my best friend. That's what I was doing out here in the first place, reminiscing."
" Oh."
There was silence.
" Thank you."
" For what?"
" The complement."
"Oh. Your welcome."
Silence again.
" You want to sit down?"
" Sure."
Girl and boy sat down underneath a late blooming tree. Ryuuen pulled the top half of his belted robe down. Even in the dark Serei could see the strong limberness of his chest.
" It's too hot."
" I'm sure."
" What?"
" It's summer Ryuuen. What do you think?"
" Huh?"
She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips.
" Never mind baka."
He shrugged.
" Whatever.
They sat in a comfortable silence for who knows how long, before Ryuuen finally spoke.
" I guess I should be getting back. They'll notice if I'm not there to boss them around in the morning."
He got up.
" Ryuu wait!!"
He turned expecting a hug, but got something else. He held her from the small of her back as she pressed her lips to his. He kissed her aggressively as his repressed hormones began to emerge. They found themselves brought to their knees, as the kiss became more intense. His tongue had found its way into her mouth, and was now exploring it savagely. The next thing she knew, she was on her back with her childhood friend breathing heavily above her.
"Why did you do that Serei? I feel…different." His voice was husky when he talked, and she found hers to be the same.
" I-I, Ryuuen. I don't want to lose you again."
" I have to Serei. I still can't let go yet." His voice cracked slightly.
" Then, then let me give you one last birthday gift."
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He found himself nodding. She let her hand trace across his chest, as she seemed to think something over. She nodded to herself before reaching up to pull him toward her in a kiss. This time, he didn't question her. After the initial kiss, he found himself kissing her face, her chin, and down her neck. There, he stopped and looked at her in askance. In reply, she slipped her arms out of her simple robe and let it fall loosely around her.
Ryuuen gasped as her petite breast were revealed to him. As was her washboard stomach, kept fit from constant activities. She had untied her belt, which left her lower portions barely hidden under the remaining cloth clinging to her legs.
He gazed at her beauty for one last moment before continuing his trail of kisses.
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( Due to the banning of NC-17, I had to badly edit the best part of my fic. –sigh- The next few sentences will be right in the last throes of their passion. –cough- -cough- If you'd like to read the original version check it out at MediaMiner.org, or email me for it.)
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After one last jerk, he lowered himself on her side, and pulled her to him.
His voice was shaking when he spoke.
" Thank you. Thank you so much Serei."
He buried his head in her hair, as his voice cracked.
" Why did you give yourself to me? I don't deserve you, especially as your first."
She ran her fingers through his hair tenderly. She spoke softly.
" Don't be silly. I love you Ryuuen, and I won't deny it. I don't care that you can't completely give yourself to me. I will give you my heart, and my body as well, and I will wait for you as long as I must."
From his position, he could kiss her neck, and he did.
" I love you as well Serei."
Serei looked at the night sky, which was not as dark as before.
" It's late. You should get back now."
" But-…"
" Go. I know we will meet again one day."
He got up and dressed swiftly, and redid his hair. She got up and did the same. As she turned to walk away, it was Ryuuen who called out this time. She turned, and he kissed her. It was not a friendly kiss, but a kiss that a man and a woman share. A kiss born of love. Serei's eyes twinkled.
"Happy birthday, Ryuuen."
He embraced her once more before turning to go. They both left their opposite ways, each thinking the same.
" May Suzaku bring us together once more."
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The next day everyone wondered why Lady Korin seemed to be so irritated, if not a bit sleepy too. In a village not too far away, the villagers wondered why Serei seemed to glow with happiness.
Since her parents died of a sickness one year before, she had not truly enjoyed herself, including smiling and laughing. Only her Uncle Mizuro who owned the inn and tavern, and the village children could get a smile or a laugh from her.
A black haired child ran up to her, and looked upon her with awe.
" Why are you so happy today?"
Serei smiled, a smile foreign to many.
"I found my best friend again."
" Where are they now?"
" He left."
" Will you be sad again?"
" No. I know he'll come back."
" When?"
" Someday."
" Oh."
The young girl ran off to tell her friends about the secret friend. Serei shook her head and continued her morning walk in the village.
" I know he'll come back to me…someday."
………………………………………………………………………………………………Owari
How did you like it? That turned out longer than I expected. 7 pages!!! Wow! Anyways, I decided to turn the fic NC-17. You can see why. The next chapter will be made about nine months from now. (In the storyline) Please review! Thanks. Send any questions to ryoko_onee@hotmail.com. Good reading to you!