Title: Undesired Affections
Genre& Ratings: Drama/Romance - Rated PG
Pairing/s: Youko & Keiki (main), Youko & Syouryuu, Youko& Rakushun
Written by: Nickriz
Disclaimers: Juuni Kokuki is the creation of Ono Fuyumi.
Summary: A romantic diversion takes place in Kimpa Palace between Youko and Keiki, while a turn of events brings in a quadrangular love web. How can Youko retain the delicate friendships and still pursue love?


Chapter 3

End of Twilight, Beginning of Dawn

Part 2

Crystal Clear Reflections

Frost descends on mountains due,

As winds that howls on a cold night's eve,

Light that shines as beacons in the night,

As crystals in brilliance alight.

High above the moonlit night,

Sweet music is heard of beauty tonight,

How lovely as the peony blooms,

Of desire and love it grooms.

Serene peace awakens in sleep,

Like strong rivers in the deep,

The Condor ascends in spellbound flight,

As love and light spread delight.

Silver strands like platinum splayed over a silent resting chamber, spread about like a river's streams. Glistening and shimmering in the dim candlelight, it soon turns pale as the cold wintry breeze caressed the firelight.

A single pale hand slid out amongst the sheets of coverings, as if bitten and afraid, it snaked out and parted the lightly tinted curtains to the chamber. Slowly emerging from the comforts of warmth, the man lifted a warm thick cloak to cover his quickly cooling form. The soft inner wool gave comfort to him in his otherwise disturbed mind.

Taking a few steps towards a marble chair in the center of his sleeping chamber, he gazed at the slowly dimming flickering light as his thoughts turned towards his Shuujou, his Empress. After a brief moment, the cold breeze entered turned his violet gaze towards the agape window. Looking into the distance with a forlorn expression in his eyes, he soon frowned and decided to walk towards the window. Raising both hands, he gently closed the wooden frame and again entered his comforting bed.

Cold winds swept through the night in constant howls, like a pack of wolves in the mountains. As the moon completes her journey for the night, the soft rhythmic breathing of the man signaled his victory in getting sleep at last.

In the courtyard, crickets played music for the remaining night and sang their chorus of melodies along with the wintry orchestra.


Beautiful droplets of dew were graced with a magnificent sunrise and slightly warmed winter winds. The occasional days of abundant sunshine was rare in this season of winter in Kei, thus it is a treasured day to be fully enjoyed to the heart's content. Palace servants were faithfully fulfilling their duties, yet once in a while, time is taken to appreciate the little pleasures nature gives.

The day sees their beloved empress in a confident mood while she re-enacts her sword dance in focused determination. Commanding her Hinman not to interfere in her efforts, Youko patiently practiced her swordsmanship in the private courtyard next to her study chamber. Understanding that she could not always depend on her Hinman to fight for her all the time, Youko realized that she had to learn some form of self-defense, as well as martial skills in respect to the hope of her people who believed in her ability to lead as a capable and skilled empress of Kei.

Standing upright silently, with closed eyes, Youko slowly focused on her breathing. For a long while she stood, regulating her breaths to a steady heartbeat. As if on prompting, a slender right arm lifted from her side till it leveled parallel to the ground as her fingers slowly positioned in a two-finger style frequently observed with a sword master's free hand. At the same time, her body slowly moved into stance, taking a step back on her right leg and coming to rest with a slight bend. Right hand twirling the double-edged blade resting along the back her right arm, Youko brought Suiguu blade at the same level as her head on her side.

Readying for an attack, a pair of beautiful emerald orbs opened with a ferocious gleam in them and a forward thrust attack began. Two jabs of sword followed by an upward slice. Another quick low pounce and twirling piercing of the sword sent the leaves on the ground aflutter with repeated low-ground slashes. The rustle of leaves and the light windy breeze stirred the fallen leaves and they danced like little animated things on the ground wherever the wind blew. Three left-right slashes combined with a side-ways cartwheel were completed with a single powerful thrust as Youko gave a distinct cry.

Frozen in her stance, Youko stared into nothingness as she inhaled and exhaled her exhaustion. Glistening beads of sweat crowned her forehead as her fiery hair was now dampened and unruly. Her breathing slowly became even from its previous raggedness, yet the empress remains unmoved.

Again sensing an invisible attack, the silent blade ripped through the air in heavy swipes of slashes paired with a side-thrust kick followed by a jump-twirl, landing in a vertical sword slash. Its wielder now half-kneeled and both her hands gripped the sword handle, head bowed over and beads of sweat dropping from the girl's chin. The tiny drop fell onto the stone-slab pavement, splaying a darkened expanding ring on the ground.

After a long pause, the slow movements of the sword wielding hand turned and grasped its handle in a mesmerizing deliberate lack of urgency as it was moved into the line of sight of its master's eyes. Gazing intensely at the sword, yet not exactly looking, a sudden circular side-way cut sent the dry leaves whistling on the ground as the young woman ran and somersaulted with a double kick and a downward horizontal cut. Landing on bended knees, she held her position for a while and caught up with her breath.

Brightly shining over the kingdom, an indication of the passing of time by its shadows, the sun seemed to wash aglow on her sweat drenched skin. Finally succumbing to exhaustion, Youko allowed her almost trembling muscles to slack and soon sat down on the courtyard's stony ground.


Finely carved wooden doors opened to the imperial throne room. Where there was supposed to be an empress now only sat an empty throne. At times like these, the empress should have arrived and be waited upon as matters of state were presented in petitions and reports. Yet today the young empress was nowhere to be seen in duty, yet.

Closing the wooden doors again, the young man sighed inwardly. He turned to leave, but stopped and gave a backward glance to the throne room as he sees it in his minds eye. Gently closing his violet eyes, a slight smile soon formed on his lips. Releasing his eyes from their confinement of sightlessness, he turned once again and moved through the corridors of the palace, purpose with each stride taken.


Youko had by now taken to lying on the ground. The daily practices she has been putting herself through were slowly showing the expected improvement. Although her skills were not anywhere comparable to when her Hinman was in control, to her it was more than enough encouragement. Covering her eyes with her left arm, she released Suiguu from her grasp and gently relaxed to the billowing breeze. The soft rustling of leaves on the trees in the courtyard lulled her to a tempting nap.

Groaning softly at the thought of loads of responsibilities that were to be done that day, Youko wished that she could just do nothing for a day. How she wished to spend a day where she could have the time to do things she had always wanted to do yet never had the luxury of time for. As her mind relayed the possible ideas of things that she could consider a possibility, her thoughts slowly drifted lazily to a peculiar silver-haired young man. Her thoughts were hazed, fueled by the sudden drowsy sleepiness from her previous training.

Wondering for a moment, she contemplated what he'd be doing at this time. An image in her mind formed, hazy at first, but soon it became clear. She saw him speaking to his governing state's provincial lord, inquiring and receiving reports from the man. Keiki's was face frozen in his stoic demeanor, showing nothing of what he thought or felt inwardly. Only rarely has she seen him smile. Even so it had only been about twice. How she wanted to see his face graced with a full heart-filled smile, but that would be a hard task to accomplish. For a moment, Youko wondered if she held any attraction to her unusual servant. Did he think of her as attractive, mayhap gorgeous, or even beautiful? Would he think that she's too young and immature, a girl who is not even a lady yet?

Youko gave an audible sigh as the thought struck her. Again, she wondered, marring her face with a frown. Whether Keiki likes feminine women or bold, initiative type? Her questions seem too numerous and none of them had any answers she could guess from her knowledge of him at the moment.

Just then, Youko blush a bright rosy flush as she groaned at her own silly antics of her childish behavior and thoughts! Quickly covering her face afraid of showing her embarrassment to the world, Youko gave in to her girlish whining of her thoughts. If anyone were to see her, she'd just pretend that it was just a minor stomach discomfort that caught her while she was practicing. At least, with that she could explain away her condition on the ground. But for now, she didn't bother who'd have gone past her by the courtyard. After all, she is still the empress of this palace.

Youko stopped her soft groans as she felt the heavy drowsiness cloud her mind again and soon started to wander into sleep. Not realizing the chill that's setting in, Youko continued to be lulled into sleep.

But just before giving in to the pleasure of a nap, En-ou's smiling countenance floated before her closed eyes. Knowing that she had an appointment to keep, Youko sighed again, giving voice to her thoughts.

"Shouryuu….," a pause. "You must be waiting anxiously for me…," was the softly whispered conclusion.


Searching through the various rooms and chambers in the palace yielded no success so far. The sun was still early, still on its upward climb from the East. It has been at least more than half an hour that he had been looking for her. Remembering that she sent a request to En-Ou for a visit to discuss some stately matters, he quickly hastened his pace, knowing that Shouryuu would be waiting without fail. Although the man is more than patient to welcome them anytime, yet there will be other matters to attend to besides spending time listening to Kei's current situation in preparation for winter.

With only the last two places he hadn't searched yet, Keiki headed for the study chamber in the palace as he hoped to see her there. Rounding the corner, he soon reached the corridor of the library leaving to Youko's study chamber. Hastening his pace, a frown soon appeared on his handsome face. Knocking on her study chamber's wooden doors, he announced his presence. After a thoughtful silence, Keiki called out again and yet there was no reply. He began to feel frustration slowly gripping him by the neck, and choking the life out of him.

KeiKi finally voiced again.

"Shuujyou, please stop mocking me and answer me. I know you're here."

As the moments passed, Keiki's frustration started to turn in his stomach into worry. Butterflies in his stomach were slowly making him feel uncomfortable at her lack of response. Raising his arms to the door, Keiki was about to open the chamber's entrance when he heard a distinct groan coming from the garden courtyard not far away. It was not very far, but the faint sound of whoever it was caught him with surprise, instantly recognizing that voice and feared for its owner's safety. Quickly letting go of the wooden doors, Keiki made quick footwork to his master.

He reached the garden courtyard fairly quickly within 13 paces. But upon reaching the garden, he couldn't see her anywhere. It had been quiet except for the breeze and rustling of nature, so he is not able to pinpoint her location. The garden, even though small, still had large trees and numerous clearings, bushes and flowerbeds. In it were also miniature ponds, even a few pavilions, all for the enjoyment of Kimpa Palace's ruling monarch.

Keiki went around a few of the clearings he knew was nearest to where he came. Despite that, Youko was nowhere in sight. Knowing that it might not be a possibility of attackers sneaking in an assassination after the successful quelling of the rebellion 3 years ago, he allowed himself to be more at ease. A strong gust of wind danced past him, and it ruffled his long flowing hair. Facing away from the wind, Keiki raised an arm to cover his face from the dry leaves that were floating non-too gently towards him. As soon as it died down, the dust was shaken from his sleeves and a hand came up to brush away the silver strands that hid his face.

Returning to his purpose for being here, Keiki paced over to a cluster of bushes across the flowerbeds in front of him. Keeping his eyes and ears tuned to her slightest noise, he finally looked over the flowers to the space near them.

No sign of her still. Wondering what she could have gotten up to, Keiki began to grow frustrated again at the constant effort she makes in giving him unceasing reasons to worry over her safety. Pausing in his search, Keiki could not help but smile as a sudden realization dawned upon him that searching for her constantly helped to open his eyes to how much a ritual it has become, and if he didn't have to search for her for even day, it would have felt unnatural or unfulfilled for him. That much he knew by now. And that much he knew was the beginning of the stirrings within his heart for his empress.


Flipping over the pages of the historical records in En, a small-clawed hand rested finally on a teacup next to the scrolls. The recent mornings had been a welcomed change from biting-cold winds, and it put the little creature in a pleasant mood for burying himself in more than enough history anyone could bear. To him, it was his other solace for the past few weeks since things started to change subtly in the person he regards fore mostly as a friend. But beyond that, there was something more. Except, no one noticed.

A gust of wind entered his quarters in the palace. It carried with it the fragrance of the peonies and jasmines that were still in bloom even in this unforgiving winter. Mayhap the unexpected warm winter this year was the reason. His sensitive nose breathed in the fragrance in the air, and it soothed his knotted senses and overtaxed mind. Giving in to the simple pleasures in life, Rakushun smiled at the marvel that such things could bring, even if it lasts only for a short season.

A vision of two silhouettes by the palace gardens flooded his mind. Both locked in an embrace, seemingly intimate. Closing his eyes, he tries to forget what he saw and shelved it into the deep recesses of his mind.

The sound of soft rumblings in his stomach alerted him that he has yet to have breakfast. Glancing outside into the garden, and judging it by the positions of the shadows cast over the palace, he wondered if there was still breakfast at this time. Sighing dementedly at his demise, the chair was soon pushed back and a pair of clawed feet made its way to the exit of the chamber.


An unusual sound in the distance not far from him caught him from his thoughts, and quickly sounded like pained groans coming from the small clearing that is just located around the bend of the trees and bushes behind him. Registering fear that Youko might be injured, Keiki quickly ran in the direction of where her voice leads him. His faced became a contortion of different emotions as feelings of relief at finding her gave way to fears that she could be truly injured by and attack. Keiki wasted no time to quickly reach her. His heart pounded heavily against his ribs, and his hands were unknowingly getting sweaty.

Upon nearing the trees and bushes her voice came from, it stopped as suddenly as it started. Wondering what could have happened, Keiki slowly moved though the bushes and trees and emerged onto the clearing. Turning his eyes towards the young woman lying on the ground, relief washed over him as he soon approached her with urgent steps.

As he came within reach of her and was about to call her name, a soft whispered named floated to his ears, immediately freezing him in his steps. The following words that came out from her delicate lips caused him to falter a few steps backwards in shocked agony.

Unreadable emotions washed across his features as he stared dumbfounded at the woman lying just within arms reach, and yet he could not move or utter a single word. Frozen and unmoving for a long time, the chill of the winds lost its sting as all his inner turmoil soon stirred a new feeling: Jealousy.


Enho stood at the edge of his window looking down from his office at the surprising little creature, which came to be Youko's best friend. Even so, the telltale gleams in the hanjyuu's eyes were evident that something indeed is different from what most people perceive. Stroking his long white beard, he smiled and watched with interest at the one he never thought to be having such a startling brilliant mind.

Kimpa Palace was still full of surprises even for one as old as him. Reminiscing the old days with the former monarch that he served, the old man lifted the cup in his hands and sipped gently at the fragrant tea he held in his hands.


Across the border in the land of prosperity and flourishing trade, a young man, garbed in his commoners attired and shawl, stared at the sea in the horizon where Kei Koku lay. For a long while, his thoughts went back to his master and his feelings for Kei-ou which was a clear as an open book.

Gentle breeze swayed his free flowing golden mane as it lifted in the wind. Sighing in defeat as he closed his ocean orbs, he lifted his face as it met the warmth of the sun. Opening his eyes again, he turned to leave. The long jade pendant about his chest swung with the movement. The pavilion before the sea of clouds where its occupant once stood now echoes his departure.

The young man with orders went about looking within the household for an item, which was the request of his master. Sending the servants and cooks to their duty, he made his way to the bustling city streets and picked the purchase of some fabrics, and ordered it be sent to his residential address by his nickname name, and delivered personally by the merchant.

The busy morning had much to be accomplished and he hoped that whatever the outcome would be could only be good for those concerned. As he finished his chores, he made his rounds about the city, resting at the local inn for a cup of tea and some meat buns before commencing his journey.


Glistening in the noonday sun, the rivers of En flowed smoothly into the nearby streams of the city. The noisy markets and merchants could be heard above the din. At the port, the sights of long-departed ships have arrived home, carrying with it its precious cargoes from its distant journeys.

The young man looked on, ocean orbs starring into the horizon of the sea. His beautiful golden hair moved in wispy tendrils, gently caressing his cheeks. A refreshing gust of saltwater laden air swept over him, as he gently covered his eyes as his mind searched into the distant land beyond the shoku, to a magnificent and rare black-mane kirin.

Opening his again, his gaze focused back onto the incoming ships. Today would be another busy day for the port, but not as busy as the servants that were serving his master. Reports of her arrival would come soon later in the day.

Turning his heels, the young man continued on his way into the city, and took pleasure in the sights and sounds of his city.


Author's Note:

Apologies for the late update. The past two months had been really busy for me. Moreover, the ideas I had in my mind were not sticking together nicely for a brilliant story. No matter how much I think and re-think. It never works. They only click once my fingers hit the keyboard. Laughs .Unfortunately that really takes a lot of inspiration!

As for this new chapter, I had a very different idea in the beginning when I had been writing the Poems. Most of the time they were supposed to be relevant to the story, but I find that when I do that, the words and flow just disappears into thin air. So I've decided to just write whatever comes to my head at the moment, regardless of whether it makes much sense in relation to itself as a poem, or the story. Things tend to fall into place on their own accord.

The idea for this sword training scene came from the fact that I'd wanted to get my hands on a new PS2 to play a game called Dynasty Warriors. It's an RPG (role-playing-game) based on the Chinese historical record of the Romance of The 3 Kingdoms. The large cast of heroes and warriors, Lords and Generals really relate to 12 Kingdoms, except that this is an actual historical record. The game itself in its latest versions was brilliantly engineered and designed. The use of invented or actual history story plots, betrayals, victories, and different character's weapon skills sort of lend a bit to my imagination for this fanfic. It may be a bit to visualize the training scene, b'cos of the details here and there, but I felt that it deserves a place somewhere in this story to improve Youko as a warrior. I didn't do a long take on the training scene, coz I felt that it would ruin the concentration of some readers. Short and sweet is still the best.

I have some favorite fanfic writers in the game genre of Dynasty Warriors who can put a beautifully written battle scene together in their fics, and it's almost like I'm watching a movie in itself. I admire them, so I'm reading more of those styles, and hoping to add some of these scenes into this fanfic, b'coz ultimately, 12 kingdoms is very much a political novel with almost a large number of encounters being spend in sword fights, battles...whether large or small.

For those who might be thinking that Keiki is portrayed as a bit weak again in this chapter, I will just say that he's going to be going through a lot of character development later. At this point, I will leave it without much alteration, b'coz it has to move with the overall plot.

About the slight OCC-ness of Youko turning girly or whining, groaning in this chapter, I would say that this is just an exploration of her character outside the anime. In it, she does seem to be more serious and shows very rare or few girly behaviors except the hugs and smiles she gives. Or the way she blushes at times. I can only say that I'm trying to make her as normal as a girl would be. No matter how tough she looks, she's still a girl! So she's bound to release her girliness once in a blue moon.

I think I've got the next part of the story's idea in mind, but it won't be finalized until I start typing. I'm starting to see a long chapter 3, but I'm still deciding on whether to make it a longer chapter 3 or move into chapter four. We will see.

A piece of good news, I've just cleared my yahoo mailbox of its loads of junk. I had about 1400 emails and junk to clear out. But it's all done. I'm now sporting new make-up look, exactly like the famous china pandas, and my boyfriend teases me for it! So for those of you who want to contact me by my yahoo mailbox, feel free to do so, I'm checking the mailbox more frequently now after I had a change of new laptop. It's faster for me to throw out the junk and reply to you. Please feel free to drop a line, or you could just voice your opinions in the review section. I will also check the review sections just in case someone says they are

I don't think there's any more for me to say, but before I end this author's note, I'd like to thank those of you who left me reviews for the new chapters, and also wrote in to inform me about the links. I really appreciate it! I'd like to hear more from you all, if you can spare the time to write your own opinions, ideas, or corrections, or suggestion that I can consider for the new chapters. It would be something interesting to work on.

Lastly, THANK YOU, THANK YOU :)

Nickriz

P/s: If I forgotten to update anything in this column. Please look into the review section from time to time for msges from me to you all. Thanks again.