Note: Hello, everyone! It's been quite a while since I wrote something 'short' and simple besides The Cake and Valentine's Day. I also hope all of you enjoyed my Military School, though it took me ages to complete it, it's not really completed though. I'm just waiting for the perfect epilogue for it. Miaw! And… here comes again, another simple fiction from me, revolving around our favorite four good guys and their 'sort of' enemies, with a twist. Meet them as four highest ranked men around, Lord Genjo Sanzo, Duke Sha Gojyo, Count Cho Hakkai and Baron Son Goku as they struggle with their own life as well as others.

Disclaimer: Yeah, I know. Don't we all know? Saiyuki, yup, I do not own it, including the characters in it. But… there's no harm in bugging them, right?

So, anyway, enjoy!

Do not meddle in the affairs of the dragon,

For you are crispy and delicious with onion.

Do not meddle in the affairs of the pig,

For it will scorn and make you a thin twig.

Do not meddle in the affairs of the monkey,

For it is a proud creature but full with glory.

Do not meddle in the affairs of the robed,

For you are imperfect and ready to be spiritually robbed.

Do not meddle in the affairs of the fairs,

For they are already, born to meddle in your affairs!

A new summer…

It was a lovely day. The sky was blue and the sun shone bright. Birds were chirping happily, hoping about on the grounds and flying everywhere their wings could take them. Even squirrels could be seen scampering about in the beautiful gardens of the Kasumina Mansion.

"Look, aren't those creatures funny little things?" Baron Goku said, pointing to a pair of squirrels in his gardens from his window in his large library. " If they aren't so fast, I could try to catch them for my dearest."

Kougaiji grinned and drew all the curtains open in the library.

Goku smiled and paced around, admiring his book collections as the room slowly lit up by the sunlight. He had dozens of books, yet none seemed to be read or even looked at. "Let's play chess," He said, looking at his almost to be brother in law.

" Sorry, I have more jobs to do," Kougaiji answered simply.

"Jobs?" Goku asked surprised as he followed him out of the room. "What jobs? Can't you just ask the Matthew to do them?"

Matthew had only started working full time as a housekeeper there recently after working part time for four months. Being only nineteen, Goku had grew a liking towards the boy as he was light hearted and hardworking. Apart from that, never did he once grumble at any task given, even the hardest ones.

"I'd rather do my work myself, if you do not mind," Kougaiji said.

Just then, they spotted Lirin running up the castle stair, seemingly towards there. She was waving something in her hand as she ran.

"Wow, where's the fire?" Goku said as he caught Lirin in his arms.

Lirin took a deep breath. She pushed herself away from Goku's embrace and straightened her long frailly dress. "How do I look?" She asked, twirling her springy bangs with her fingers.

Kougaiji stared at her. He was somehow fascinated at what he saw in his sister. For year he had been living with her and only today he noticed that she was wearing a dress. Like any other days, she looked superb, pretty and elegant as usual.

"You look… marvelous," Goku said instantly.

"Thank you!" She said happily and planted a kiss on Goku's cheek. "Anyway, the Countess of Shora wants to see you," She said, looking at her brother.

"Who?" Goku asked, looking surprise.

"Miss Yaone, my darling dearest!"

"Yaone?" Kougaiji repeated. What is she doing here? He wondered. He peeped out of the window behind him and saw a carriage parked in front of the garden entrance. He rolled his eyes to the side and saw a tall lady dressed in purple talking to the gardener. She must be Yaone, he thought, making a wild guess.

"Count!"

A sound from the first floor snapped Kougaiji back into reality. He shook his head and turned to Goku and Lirin. "Sorry, to interrupt you conversation, but I have to leave and greet out visitor," He said politely and made his way down the windy stairs. He pushed his doubts back. The sound seemed to be coming from the living room. Should he get the tea? He wondered, but instead of waiting for an answer from himself, his legs, as if uncontrolled, began making its way to the living room.

"Who is it, Madeline?" He asked the housemaid that walked passed as he entered the room.

But before she could answer, a tall browned hair man came up from behind her.

"Kougaiji." The man said as he bowed courteously.

" Count Cho Hakkai," Kougaiji said. He stared at him for a while before he could open his mouth to speak more. "What are you doing here, may I ask?"

Hakkai took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Kougaiji. "Please come." He said.

Kougaiji received it, but said nothing. Somehow, something about the count disturbed him. Was it because he was jealous that finally, Yaone had chosen the count instead of him? Kougaiji shook his head again. Nonsense! I an am adult and I do overreact over little stuff, he told himself. Besides, how could he be suspicious about someone he only knew for a few years? Maybe Yaone see something in the count that he, a man, could not see. He watched silently as the count put on his cloak and made his way to the exit.

"Wait!" The red hair man snapped suddenly.

Hakkai turned around slowly.

"What is this about and where's Yaone?" Kougaiji asked.

Hakkai did not answer but instead pointed towards the mansion's garden. "I have to go now," He said politely.

Just then, Lirin came down. Her little ponytail bobbed up and down as she skip her way down the marble stairs. "Uncle, where are you going?"

The count smiled and handed her a bouquet of roses. "This is for a pretty girl I know. I have given an invitation card to your brother. I hope you will not fail to come."

"You are going now? But you just got here. How about a cup of tea?" Lirin asked. Somehow, the little girl was shocked at how polite she was. Did she actually matured throughout the months she was accepted to be part of this family?

"I have to go now. More destinations awaits me."

"Sie?" Yaone said politely. She was amused that she was actually entertained by the old man, who was the gardener of the Kasumina Mansion. She ruffled her hair back to position and plucked another flower from the bushes not far from where she stood. "What do you call this, then?" She asked, pointing the plant in front of the gardener's face.

"Ah, Madame," He answered slowly. "Bougainvillea."

She caressed the purple plant gently with her fingers. "So, this is the legendary bougainvillea, which is used to heal wounds, right? Why?"

But as he was about to answer, Hakkai came up from behind him. "Good morning, sir!" He greeted. "I don't want to interrupt your conversations, so allow me to be excused," The gardener said and left.

Yaone turned around. Her velvet high-necked blouse matched her fair complexion. Ruffles went down the front, the sleeves were long and puffy at the shoulders. "How did it go?" She asked sweetly.

A carriage stopped in front of them. Hakkai stepped to the front and offered to open the door for her. Hakkai followed from behind as she entered first.

"I do not understand why you would not let me see them myself."

The count stared at the mansion as they headed away from it. "Yaone," he said at last, " Do you love me as I love you?"

The girl was stunned at the question. "Why so suddenly?"

"Every time I enter that place, fear struck me when whenever I see him. I know that he would not take you from me for he is a noble high ranked person, who would not think of doing such thing. However, the thought of losing you…" Hakkai said plainly. "I know you are going to laugh at what I have just said."

But, countess had not laughed. Instead, she leaned against him and pointed to her little finger and said, "Do you see this? I am yours and no matter who that person is, I will still be yours."

"True?"

'True," She said meaningfully. "Cheer up, dear. When the guests arrive, pray that they have a good time!"

But as the count was busy admiring the scenery, secretly, the countess crumpled a piece of brown paper and slid it carefully in between the cushions in the carriage. She hoped, silently, that if she had given the opportunity, she would tell him, what was bothering her. Right now, it's Hakkai's feeling that counts.

End of chapter. Please tell me what do you think about this one. Critics and comments are welcome. Thanks!