DISCLAIMER: Fushigi Yuugi is not, never was and never will be... mine sigh sadly. THE RISING SUN is a product of my imagination but I am borrowing characters from Fushigi Yuugi. The setting is borrowed from the Forbidden City in China. Any potential similarities to characters, currently living or historical, are not intended.

RATING: PG-13

The Rising Sun ©Jez (l.t.s.) 2003.

SUMMARY: AU, romance/drama featuring characters borrowed from Fushigi Yuugi.

AUTHOR'S NOTES (A): This story is constantly under revision.

CHARACTERS:
Yuk Ming Jade Dawn - Yuki Miaka
Kiu Ching Fung Immaculate Wind - Kishuku Sou / Tamahome
Wan Fei Flying Cloud - Shunu Kou/ Tasuki
Emperor Chu Kim Tin Heavenly Sword - Saihitei / Hotohori
Suet Lam Purple Snow - Kourin
Tin Po Heavenly Retribution - Tenbun

The Rising Sun
written by Jez (l.t.s.)

Chapter 2:

Mischief and Secrets

An Alley leading away from the Imperial Gardens
Forbidden City, Beijing, Northern China

A soft breeze gently blew the curtain up but Yuk Ming was now oblivious to the passing scenery. Ching Fung couldn't have appeared without a guard's notice. It didn't seem possible. Either his martial arts abilities have increased beyond her wildest imagination or…

A fleeting suspicion started to build in her mind. She smiled grimly. Someone had decided to play tricks on her again. She almost gritted her teeth in frustration.

Wan Fei.

So he was here at the palace. Somehow, he had learnt that she was back and he had decided to give her his own peculiar style of a homecoming welcome. Cheeks reddening, she realised that he would have seen her surprise, her longing… all her unguarded reactions at the sight of the phantom Ching Fung… It was, to say the least, mortifying.

Damn Wan Fei and his talismans!

She lifted the curtain again, eyes narrowed as she scaled the passing scenery. A moment later, the servants carrying the palanquin nearly fell to their knees as they witnessed their princess levitating effortlessly through the window. Silken strips of silk flew from her hands finding anchor at distant palace beams seconds before her nimble feet stepped on the fabric bridges as she ran to catch her quarry. Her direction unerringly aimed straight at the roof of the Palace of Purity, ducal residence of the second prince.

oOo

Palace of Purity
East of the Inner Court, Forbidden Palace

He gazed at the dawn with a smile. The pink rays bathed him in its soft warmth.

Ah, what a life…

He leaned back to lie on the warm tiles of the roof, his vantage point chosen for its perfect view. This was as close as he could get to the freedom of his old life. A few years ago, he would have recoiled at the mere thought of walking through the hallowed halls of this Purple city. Now, he admitted grudgingly that it wasn't so bad. In reality, fighting an army for food had begun to lose its allure. Setting traps and planning hits - all that excitement that he had thrived on for so long had begun to pale. By comparison, food - enough to feed an army - were now brought to him all perfectly cooked and garnished, served on the most expensive of silver. The material things in life that had always held a unique appeal were also in abundance. Jade, emeralds, pearls, gold... you name it... he had it by the buckets now - they were around him everywhere, even on his shoes. Besides, the biggest problem had been eliminated. Those damned women… are gone. The moment dear old bro appeared, their eyes had been super-glued to him forever. And that was the way it should be. There will no longer be whimpering, simpering, giggling girls. No more orders, no more cat fights, no more talks of diets and boyfriends... In short, no more girls. Period. Girls, especially the bossy ones, suck all the way to hell

Well, maybe except for Yuk Ming, or as everyone else called her, Her Imperial Highness, Fei Fung Gong Chue. He didn't care for all those bloody long titles. To him, she would always be his little Yuk Ming, a perpetual source of joy for him. She was also a frequent target for all his unspent mischief. He was glad that she was back and even gladder still that she'd fallen for his trick so neatly.

Life is good.

He chuckled, remembering her yearning expression when the talisman had disappeared. Suddenly, a soft hiss of the wind reached his ears and he half-rose, turning towards the source. His eyes nearly popped out at the accelerating approach.

What the hell?

"Wan Fei!" The harsh tone reached him, barely resembling the voice of the girl he knew.

Yuk Ming?

Shit. He's been discovered.

oOo

MEANWHILE...

At the Palace of Gathering Elegance
West of the Inner Court, Forbidden Palace

She had been facing the window when he came in. A 45 degree glimpse of a graceful throat and perfect skin and then he had pulled his eyes away and sank to his knees in respect. Yet despite the all-too-brief vision, her graceful image had been forever branded on his mind. The rays of the dawning sun lit her hair into a crowning halo and turned her skin into exquisite porcelain. Her regal robes moulded to her figure in suggestive prose while every line of her image exuded the most potent combination of supreme elegance and alluring sophistication. He had never seen anything to equal such beauty and grace.

He was only a simple man who never questioned his station in life. He had been raised to serve her and never to question it. He had never even seen her face. All he had needed to know was that she spelled the hope of his people and for that, he would follow her wishes till the day he died. But now, all that has changed. "She is back?"

Her voice was soft and low, laced with a slight huskiness that lent it a sensuality beckoning to all who heard it. He found himself no proof against its enchantment as he felt his knees almost melting into the ground.

"Yes,Your Highness. The Phoenix Princess is on her way to the Palace of Celestial Purity."

With his head bowed, he felt rather than saw her turn around. Very soft languid steps brought her close to where he knelt just inside the door. She stood before him, so close that a waft of snow violets reached his nostrils, the scent intoxicating his senses with its delicate sensuality. Yet he dared not look up. He could not violate the differential space between their status - the code of behaviour required between mistress and servant. So, his head remained lowered respectfully as his eyes focussed determinedly on the ground. Still, he could see the glittering threads of gold on the beautiful rich purple of her silken robes... the shade that complimented perfectly the shining cloud of satin curls that he'd seen cascading down her back, past her narrow waist, those silken tresses curling around her bare etruscan forearms which were adorned with jade and golden bracelets...

"Tin Po, isn't it?" Her liquid voice brought him back from his reflections.

His heart thudded loudly in his chest.

"Yes, Your Highness." Somehow, she had remembered his name!

"You have done well. Keep me informed. I rely on you, Tin Po." He felt a warmth diffuse over him and an uncontrollable smile tug his lips. He fought to crush it.

"As you wish, Your Highness." He would do anything for her.

"Was there anything else you needed to give me, Tin Po?" For a moment, his mind went blank. What was she asking? What did she mean? Something else to give to his princess? Give? I... Damnation!

He'd already forgotten his purpose for coming here and this goddess had had to remind him. He swallowed, feeling mortification burn his ears red and wishing he was elsewhere or if he could only crawl into a hole in the ground. Still, he reached into his breast pocket. With his head low, his voice humble, he respectfully presented the letter he'd been charged to deliver with both hands.

"Yes, Your Highness, a missive for you."

There was silence as the scent of snow violets teased across his senses, casting a spell over him. Then, he felt the cool touch of her fingers brushing against his as she took the letter from him. It was torture. Pure, exquisite torture. Suddenly he was ceased by an urge to escape. Her nearness, her exquisite scent. His senses responded too strongly to her. His blood pounded in his ears.It was imperative that he vacated this room for his mind told him in no uncertain terms that at any minute longer, he would lose his mind. He wanted her so badly. The emotions he felt came as a shock even to himself Only when he heard the rustle of silk and saw the purple skirts drifting away that he almost sank to the ground in relief.

"You may go now, Tin Po. And... thank you." He stood up and bowed his way out, a brief stolen glance showed the lady back at the window, her back to him, and the letter he had brought clutched tightly in her hand. Then the doors closed. He sighed. He hadn't even seen her face. This was the woman who commanded his allegiance and held his life in the delicate fingers of her pearl white hand. She was the hope of his people and now, the epitome of all his dreams.

Drinking in the biting freshness of the dew-scented air, his senses slowly recovered and he thought of how much power she held in her small hand. It was not only because of her position but because anyone who beheld her image would collapse helpless at her feet. He had been no different from the other men who'd been privileged with similar missions to Her Highness. To have so many men under her command, and more so falling under her spell, he wondered how much satisfaction she must feel in holding such power.

Indeed, Princess Suet Lam was a very powerful woman.

He turned away and left, not hearing the soft sigh that followed his exit… a sound that manifested infinite sadness and more than just a twinge of regret… He never saw the letter falling on the floor - a yellowish white piece of paper that bore no words but only the mark of a hideous black skull. He never witnessed the woman called Suet Lam sink to the ground, her shaking hand grasping her cheek as she shed her elegant mien like a cloak... her shoulders slumping and the large fawnlike eyes closing, letting a lone tear escape the thick long lashes to glide unerringly down a porcelain cheek. And lastly, he never heard the soft whisper of that husky voice...

"Yuk Ming, why did you have to come back now?"

oOo

AUTHOR'S NOTES (B):

I have added specific locations with each scene in order to lessen the confusion. Several things had to be happening at the same time but if the chapters are confusing please let me know.

---oOo---

The imperial palace is sometimes referred to as the Purple Forbidden City.

Fei Fung Gong Chue (the Phoenix Princess) is a title bestowed on Yuk Ming (played by Miaka Yuuki). More on this later.

Fei Fung: Flying Phoenix
Gong Chue: Princess

CAST:

Yuki Miaka as Yuk Ming Jade Purity, the Phoenix Princess

Kishuku Sou / Tamahome as Ching FungImmaculate Wind

Shunu Kou/ Tasuki as Chu Wan Fei Flying Cloud, The Second Prince and younger brother of Emperor Kim Tin

Saihitei / Hotohori as Emperor Chu Kim Tin Heavenly Sword, Emperor of the land

Kourin as Suet Lam Purple Snow, a lady residing in the Palace more in chapter 4

Tenbun as Tin Po Heavenly Retribution, Agent of Princess Suet Lam

---oOo---

AUTHOR'S NOTES (C):

Thanks so much for dropping by. Please let me know what you think of my story so far.

oOo