Guardian Prince
By: PecanPie
Chapter Five: Parents' Love
Disclaimer: I do not own the character Byakko from Fushigi Yuugi but I do own the character PecanPie, a.ka. me, Rika, Miyu, and the other students.
When words are in Italic, it means Rika is talking in her head.
PecanPie: We're finally in chapter five.
Byakko: Yup. Hey, when will the other guys be joining us in this story?
PecanPie: Hmmm…after a couple chapters.
Rika: How much will that be? I really want to meet the other guys too.
Miyu: Having one weird guy is enough.
PecanPie: Come on, you don't mean that. I know you like Byakko.
Byakko: Yeah I know you like me.
Miyu: I don't like you, I just like your fighting strategies that's all.
Rika: Sure you do Miyu.
Miyu: What are you talking about?
Rika: Then why are you turning red?
Miyu: Just leave me alone and go to chapter five.
Miyu, Byakko, and Rika were beginning to walk to Miyu's house after school. Miyu was so impressed by what Byakko had done to Takeru that she had to say something.
"Man Byakko," said Miyu. "That was some tight moves you did back there. Where'd you learn such thing?"
"Uh," said Byakko. "I learned it from my master of course."
"Well, where can I find this master of yours?" asked Miyu.
"You can find him…" said Byakko, but Rika had to interrupt him again.
"Are we almost there to your house Miyu?" interrupted Rika.
"Yeah," said Miyu. "It's just up ahead."
"Your house has a bakery at the bottom of the building right?" asked Rika. "And your home is at the top?"
"Yup," said Miyu. "That's why I could always get free fresh bread." Then she made this delighted face with stars all her with a wet mouth that has slobber coming out.
"Don't brag so much Miyu," said Rika laughing. "You look scaring."
"I agree," said Byakko.
After walking for a couple minutes, they finally reached Miyu's house.
"Here it is you guys," said Miyu. "We'll have to enter my house through the back door because my mom doesn't like it when I bring friends through the front door. Especially when we have costumers."
Rika and Byakko quickly followed Miyu to the back door. When they entered through the back door, the second they open the door, they could smell the yummy scent of fresh baked bread.
"It smells so good in here," said Byakko.
"Yeah," agreed Rika.
"Can I have a piece of bread?" asked Byakko.
"Sure, go ahead," said Miyu. "I'd always take a piece whenever I come home. You can take one too Rika." She then grabbed a piece of bread and continued up to her room, with Byakko and Rika following.
When they reached Miyu's room, Byakko and Rika noticed something really disturbing.
"Miyu," said Rika, "You said that I don't clean my house enough to keep it clean, but look at your room. It's even worse then my house." Byakko then shook his to agree with Rika.
"Well," replied Miyu, "You're the kind that fits a perfect clean house. I fit the kinds that's messy." She then smiled.
"Whatever Miyu," laughed Rika.
"Byakko, are you hungry?" asked Miyu. "What about you Rika?"
"I'm starving," replied Byakko. "Do you have any food here besides bread?"
"I am a little hungry," said Rika. "But I'll have anything you have."
"Ok then, I'll be back in a bit," said Miyu running downstairs.
After Miyu left, Rika decided to help clean Miyu's home since she helped her clean her house. So she started to pick the trash and throw them in the trash.
"Rika? What are you doing?" asked Byakko.
"Oh," said Rika. "I'm just helping Miyu clean her room. I have to repay her somehow by helping me clean my house. Mom had said to always repay those who helped you out."
Byakko smiled and closed his eyes. "Your mom seems like a really, really nice mom."
Rika stopped for bit, and said, "Yeah, she was a pretty cool mom. I just can't believe that a mom that great, is gone."
"But not gone forever, because she's still inside your heart, right?" said Byakko.
"Yeah," smiled Rika. "You're right."
"I guess…I do miss my mom too," confessed Byakko. "I've only been here for three days, and I miss her already. I guess…I need her to be with me always. Sounds childish of me I know, but I have to say it sooner or later."
"It's alright," said Rika. "I feel that way too. Whenever my mom's not with me, I feel lonely too. Same goes for my dad. By the way, how's your dad doing back at home?"
"M-my dad's not with us anymore," said Byakko. "He died. After I met my master, I thought of him as my father. I guess that's why my mother is trying her hardest to be a great parent to me. Being as my mother…and my father. Ya know?" When Rika heard this, she broke down in tears.
"You see, your mother was truly a great mother after all," said Rika. "I'm sorry about your father. Must be hard."
"Yeah," said Byakko. "But it's not something to cry over?"
"But…" said Rika.
"I don't think my dad's passing was that bad," said Byakko.
"What is he saying?""I know, because my dad died as a hero," said Byakko. Rika was very surprised to hear this.
"We were being attacked by soldiers from Kutou," started Byakko. "Father finally came home from a battle with Kutou, but later that night, we had a surprise attack. Father told us to go hide, and he sacrificed himself for not just my mom and I, but also for our empire. He was truly a hero then, but he didn't die as a soldier, he died as my brave and courageous one and only father."
"That's the saddest story I've ever heard. No wonder he was sent here from the book. It had said the chosen one would show him where his heart is. I had never thought I would be the one to help him. I feel really sorry for the guardians who's going through their most tragic times."
Miyu finally came back from getting their dinner and when she entered her room, she was surprised to see Rika on the floor crying her eyes out.
"Rika?" said Miyu. When Rika saw Miyu entered, she quickly ran towards Miyu and cried in her arms. "Byakko! What did you do!"
Byakko looked at her and said, "I'm sorry."
"I've been a fool to have trusted you!" said Miyu, who was ready to hit Byakko until Rika stopped her.
"Miyu, don't," said Rika. "It's not his fault I'm crying. Don't hurt him."
"Rika," said Miyu, "Tell me what's wrong then." Rika then quickly wiped away her tears and said, "I'm fine, there was just dust in my eyes and I just wanted your help to remove them, but I'm okay now. Thanks."
After hearing that from Rika, Miyu apologized, "I'm sorry Byakko." She then bowed, and Byakko looked over again and smiled. Then he started to walk towards Rika.
"Please don't cry anymore Rika," said Byakko. "I've seen you in tears too much. Seeing you like this makes me feel unworthy. Please, stop crying." Then he gave her hug. When Rika heard what he said, she remembered something her mother told her right before her mother's passing.
"Rika, while I'm gone, please don't' cry. Always smile. For me, please honey. Always keep smiling."
After thinking about what her mother said, she hugged Byakko back and trying her best to stop crying.
"You guys were really on a role there," said Miyu. "You two should try out for a play or do drama."
Rika had finally stopped crying and everything was okay again. So they decided to have dinner.
"Rika? Before you leave, do you want another box of our bread? When I was cleaning your house, I noticed the old ones I gave you haven't gotten eaten and rotted," said Miyu.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that," said Rika smiling again. "Guess I forgot about them when I put them on the kitchen table a month ago."
"A MONTH AGO!" shouted Miyu and Byakko.
"Well what am I suppose to do with them?" replied Rika.
"Ummm…you were suppose to eat them," answered Miyu.
"How could I when I never have the time to eat them?" said Rika.
"Oh yeah. You're always working and doing school work," said Miyu.
"If you have work, aren't you suppose to be working now?" asked Byakko.
"Well, no because since exams are coming up, I took a vacation off of work for a couple weeks to study," explained Rika. "Right after they're over, I'm going right back to work. You'll have to be alone in the house when I'm off at work."
"How long are you going to be gone then?" asked Byakko scared.
"I'll be gone right after school until 11 o' clock at night," said Rika.
"WHAT?" shouted Byakko. "That long? How do you survive then?"
"Well I need that money to support my house and to buy food," said Rika. "But don't worry, I'm use to it now."
"If you say so," said Byakko concerned.
They finally finished dinner and Byakko and Rika were on their way home after studying.
"Here you go Rika," said Miyu handing them their breads. "Now you'll have to eat them ok? You have to eat something once in a while."
"Okay," said Rika. "Thanks a lot."
"Yeah, thanks," added Byakko. "Bye Miyu."
"Wait Byakko," said Miyu, "You haven't told me where I could find your master yet."
Rika heard that so she quickly made up an excuse. "We have to go now. Bye Miyu." She then pushed Byakko towards their home and off they went.
Along the way back home, Byakko started to feel bad about making Rika cry before, so he decided to cheer her up.
"Uh Rika?" said Byakko, turning red, "Is it okay if I-I h-hold your h-hand?"
"Hmmm…why?" asked Rika.
"Because I felt awful about making cry back there. And I though I could make you smile if I hold your hand," said Byakko. "Back home every time when I cry, my mom would always hold my hand to make me happy again." Rika was happy to hear that, so she agreed to hold Byakko's hand.
"Sure," said Rika. "Thanks. But it was kind of my fault for crying like that. It may sound weird but just by hearing a sad story makes me cry. I don't why but that's just who I am. Sorry for worrying you."
"Not at all," said Byakko. "You are truly a nice person Rika. I'm glad I met you." He then smiled, and Rika blushed.
They continued walking home holding hands and happier than ever.
"I'm glad I met you too Byakko. After you came into my life, I'm not that lonely anymore. Thank you."
Rika: What a story. It made me cry so many times.
Byakko: I guess "you hearing a sad makes you cry" fact is true Rika.
Miyu: You got that write. This room is filled with so many wet tissues that I feel like a thousand babies got their diapers changed.
PecanPie: (Laughs) You're funny Miyu.
Miyu: I'm serious. It looks just like a thousand babies got their diapers changed. Doesn't seem the same for Byakko.
Byakko looking around the room: Yeah. Were there any babies here?
Rika: No, I don't think so.
Miyu: Well then I guess the only babies in here is Rika and Byakko then.
Rika and Byakko: What?
PecanPie: I would've said that if I were you. I better end this before it gets ugly. See you next time and give us reviews!