Second Glances

Chapter Two: Conflicts and confrontations

That was perhaps, the twentieth morsel of food that was jostled into his bowl.

Rakushun winced apologetically to the inquiring looks of the various rulers and Taihos, and cast a pleading look towards to Enki. Rokuta grinned in obvious amusement; shrugging his petite shoulders in an exaggerated display. He leaned slightly towards the half-beast. "I don't think there's anything we can possibly do. Just bear with it, ne?"

Rakushun sighed in resignation. This was just going great. He doubted that he would ever be able to show his face ever again in Kei, which was just as well. As much as Yoko was a dear friend to him, she is definitely going to get quite an earful from him. Oh was she ever going to. He decided to start consuming the little 'mountains' of delicacies building up in his bowl before Yoko tries to add more. He munched slowly on a piece of fish, listening to the ongoing bantering between Ryu-Ou and Kyou-Ou. The two great kingdoms were known to be exceptionally good neighbors for the last two centuries or so, hence they were able to flourish and progress with the many years that were to come. Ryu-Ou, an elderly gentleman who looked like he was in his late forties, stroked his long wispy beard thoughtfully before giving Kyou-Ou a good-natured smack on the back. The latter who was unfortunately imbibing a chalice full of wine at that very moment, naturally, started to cough and sputter uncontrollably. "That's why you I say that you youngsters should produce more wine and alchohol for import and export. Cultivating one to drink at a tender age a fine privilege. Just a little pat and you go all red in the face? Not good, Kyou-Ou. Tsk, tsk." He was greeted with a well-formed scowl complete with gritted white teeth, courtesy of an equally red-faced Kyou-Ou.

"Just a light pat, you say?" he muttered incredulously, glaring at the other King with murderous intent.

The whole table broke into guffaws of laughter. Rakushun giggled, despite himself. That had certainly lightened up the whole atmosphere for him considerably. After the laughter finally subsided, everyone began to get into a more serious mood. The respective Kirins were excused, Rakushun included, leaving only their masters to discuss matters exclusively. Rakushun noticed Enki seemed especially relieved upon hearing that they were all to be relieved from duty. Rokuta stretched his arms, which had gotten stiff from seating through the two hour long banquet.

"500 years of sticking with that insufferable jerk. I finally get a break and I'm most definitely not going to waste it. Yo, Taiki!" he called to an unusually raven-haired Kirin. He appeared to be slightly younger and shorter than Rokuta (if you call 500 years a tender age). This must be the rumored mystical Black Kirin that Yoko had told him about. This was definitely an eye-opener for him.

"En-Taiho!" came a delighted squeal. Rakushun decided to leave the two to catch up, walking towards one of the countless pavilions scattered around the palace. A cool breeze caressed the stray strands away his face as he looked up into the velvety night sky. The moon wasn't in sight, but the myriad of twinkling stars that dominated the darkness was just as beautiful. If only every other night was just as perfect as this. Sitting on one of the polished marble stools, he turned and looked back at the Grand Hall. Being a Hanjyuu had certain advantages; sharing the same traits as a rat would, he could clearly make out Yoko amongst the rest of the Rulers. Something seemed amiss though. She still had a relatively calm expression on her face, but he could detect that she was slightly shaking…with anger? Fright? Kei-Taiho didn't seem to be faring any better. His usual aloof demeanor was replaced with one that seemed to be gaping in disbelief and surprise.

After what seemed like an eternity (actually it was closer to 10 mins), the congregation of rulers finally began to disperse. Rakushun stole a glance at Yoko; she still seemed to be some what rigid in her body language. He wondered if she had been insulted or something during the conversation. Being a Taika Sovereign wasn't easy; you had to try twice at hard in gaining other peoples' respect. They tend to doubt your authority and capability. Just as he was about to walk towards Yoko, a man with unruly curly dark locks abruptly stopped in front of her. 'If I haven't got my facts wrong, I'm pretty sure that that's Han-Ou..." He a notorious reputation of being somewhat obnoxious and cunning, though Han's financial stability is fairly strong.

"Do take my suggestion into serious consideration, Kei-Ou. After all, you do want what's best for your Kingdoms, and for the sake of others right? I take my leave now, and I bid you a good night." Having said that, he with Han-Taiho gave a curt bow and left.

Rakushun scratched his head absent-mindedly. "What was that about?" he asked. "Was he trying to negotiate or develop new policies between Han and Kei? Or was….." He never got to finish his sentence. Yoko, despite being a ruler of a striving kingdom, was after all still a young teenage girl. Whatever rules or decorum were flung right to the back of her brain. She grabbed her best friend by the robes and quite undignified-ly wailed into his chest. Rakushun, for the second time of the day, felt his face turn a brilliant scarlet. Momentarily dazed, he hesitantly patted her on the back in a bid to calm the hysterical Queen. "Daijoubu Yoko? Is something bothering you?" he tried again.

Doleful eyes brimming with tears met with his own amber ones. "They…they said that I should get married as soon as possible!"

Later in the Night…..

It had taken much coaxing and psyching to finally smoothen the young Queen's nerves. Sipping a cup of tea, she turned to face her quizzical looks of Rokuta and Rakushun, the sympathetic looks of Keiki and Shoryuu. This was definitely not her day; first it was a dinner/banquet affair…and now this. Nobody said anything about having to be joined in 'holy matrimony' in order to get a throne. For crying out loud, she was only 17! Furthermore, this was just too big a step to be taken lightly; as much as she cared about the welfare of her Kingdom, she just wasn't prepared to take such a drastic step. Besides, Keiki already said that it was not an obligation to do, Kings and Queens before her did just fine. But then a nasty voice in her head continued.

"Fine? You call that fine? Remember Yo-O? Her downfall because she fell in love, even though it was with Keiki. But at least she lasted six whole years. I doubt you would want your kingdom to collapse just as you claim it, would you?" Yoko shook her head, ignoring it as best as she could. Shoryuu spoke first.

"Shodoshi, or Han-Ou, suggested that Yoko be wed with another ruler to strengthen Kei. He insinuated that she didn't have what it took to be Queen, and cast doubt upon the other rulers. But that was more or less to be expected; Yoko is perhaps the youngest Taika Queen we have had for almost 300,000 years. Naturally there was a bit of prejudice, so don't take it to heart Yoko. I was thought of the same way, but look where I am now." He smiled and patted her clasped hands. She felt her heart skip a beat as their skin came in contact, and she was suddenly overcame by a bout of shyness. She smiled back in gratitude. Rakushun was still curious; if it was such a mere mention, it shouldn't have such a huge impact on Yoko. Something must have really perturbed her.

"So what else did he say, Yoko? I could have sworn I saw you shaking with frustration back there. Did he offend you?" he asked. Before Yoko could answer, Rokuta butted it. "Why that nerve of a King! He definitely has tricks up his sleeve, that's for sure! He had that leering look in his eyes; it was so obvious that he wanted to be one of the possible candidates to be Yoko's groom…" Shoryuu cut him off, silencing him with an uncharacteristically stern glare. "How would you have known, Rokuta? I thought all Kirins were supposed to be excused," he muttered in a dangerously calm tone. Rokuta grinned sheepishly. "Eh…I sorta overheard the conversation." That earned him a pretty painful whack on the head from Shoryuu. The impish Kirin retorted nevertheless. "Well, it was a good thing cause I would have never heard him mention about 'oh what little choices she had to pick', 'oh how she should only be with royalty'….humph, wait a moment. I just realized something." Rokuta turned and faced the rest with a strange gleam in his eyes.

"There are only two rulers who are currently not with wives. That leaves Han-Ou and……….."

"En-Ou."

TBC

A/N: Thanks all for your great reviews, I totally appreciated it! Just got into the Twelve Kingdoms craze recently too. I hope I'didn't make Yoko sound too out of character. Btw, 'Shodo' from 'Shodoshi' means impulsive. Basically gives you a hint about his character ne? Just so you know…God do I love Rokuta…he would be like the brother I never had and never wanted. Lol…drop me a review and tell me what you think?