Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango or any of its characters. Matsumoto Jun#1.

Hope you enjoy. And thank you to all that reviewed I sent replies and Tsu Tsu because I can't reply to you through email hehe.

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Strangers Fantasy: Silent thoughts

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Tsukasa's body went cold as the color drained from his face. He turned to his other friends and they all mirrored the look of shock.

"What is going on, Junpei was the one that sent us here in the first place."

Akira was the first to speak up.

"Thank you for the information." He pressed a few coins in the scared mans hands and quickly left taking his friends with him.

They walked after Tsukushi and Rui as they talked quietly on the side of the path leading toward town.

"We need to leave here now." Soujirou eyed Rui who turned to Tsukasa and received a nod.

As they walked down the path Susumo came running after them.

"Onee-chan, Onee-chan…"

Tsukushi slowed her steps as she waited for her brother to reach them.

When he finally reached them he hugged her tightly.

"Why are you still going Onee-chan, you know mama and papa were only trying to protect the family. I'm sure if you stay everything will work out. You don't have to go especially without saying goodbye."

Everything had happened so fast that Tsukushi hadn't realized that she left without a word of thank you or goodbye or to even tell her parents where she was going. Then it occurred to her that she didn't want to tell them. She wanted to hurt them even though they had already been hurt. They didn't fight for her and they're now having regrets. She knew that it was a sinful feeling to want to see someone else suffer especially her parents but she had been through to much.

She wanted someone else to feel her pain.

"I'm sorry Susumo but there is no way I can go back to the house. I know I should say good bye and tell okasan and otoosan that I forgive them but the evil in me just won't let me give them relief. There is just too much pain inside of me. But I'll tell you I've already forgiven them I love all of you very much but that place is no longer a home for me.'

'Don't tell them that I forgive them. I'll eventually send a letter telling them that I do. Just tell them that I won't return and to consider all ties severed."

"But oneechan…"

"Susumo, I love you please just do this for me."

He nodded. She placed a kiss on his cheek and hugged him one last time goodbye.

"Maybe you can come visit me in the future." She called out to him as he ran back toward the house.

He nodded and waved goodbye.

They continued on their way back to the city and picked up horses for the journey home.

The mood was sad as they left the city each preoccupied with their own thoughts.

When night fell they set up camp and scheduled the night watches.

It was Tsukasa who was the first on watch. He ran his hands through his hair his mind tormenting him about what they learned today.

Junpei was the one that sent us to find Tsukushi. He didn't tell us specifically where she was but just told us to find her, yet he knew exactly where she was and I'm assuming what she looked like. Is it possible he's working with the Yabun? And if he is would it be wise to traverse the same road we took getting here?

Also what reason could that bird have for killing so many people and then taking Sakurako? Who stole my necklace? Arg I don't know what's going on anymore. If perhaps the person that stole the necklace knows the meaning of it and they want to use it against us. This is a really hard decision but maybe we should just go straight home instead of looking for Sakurako. I'm sure if the person that kidnapped her thinks she is the princess they won't hurt her. They might want to use her as well.

Actually what if the kidnapping and the thievery are connected what if…

He heard a noise and he went on alert. Rui came from out of woods and Tsukasa relaxed.

"Rui?"

"Hey Tsukasa." Rui came to stand next to his friend.

"What are you doing still up?" Tsukasa glanced at his best friend that at times was so hard to read.

"I couldn't sleep." Rui suppressed a yawn.

"I find it hard to believe that coming from a guy who could fall asleep standing with his eyes open."

Rui chuckled.

"Yeah I guess you're right. Actually I needed to go for a swim. I've been putting it off for a while and my skin was starting to get a little dry."

They remained in silent companionship before Tsukasa broke the silence.

"Rui…"

"Yeah?"

"Why did you take Tsukushi's hand today?"

Rui shrugged.

"I don't really know. I could tell that a lot of what she was hearing today took a toll on her. She was trying to control her emotions and I thought that she would break down at any moment. I didn't want to see her upset and I wanted to comfort her for some reason."

Tsukasa turned to his nonchalant friend as he confessed something so personal without blinking.

"Rui…"

"Don't worry Tsukasa I won't step in unless I feel the need to. We all were her protectors remember. We all share a special bond with her just you're one step higher."

Tsukasa grew silent again. It had never occurred to him that his friends might love Tsukushi as well.

Rui smiled at the conflicting emotions traversing his friends face, he couldn't help but mess with him a little.

"But I will tell you this. My other half has already made an impression on her."

"What?" Tsukasa turned to him anger surfacing.

"Tsukasa you must be blind. Did you get a good look at Tsukushi's back?"

"Yeah I did…"

"Them I'm sure you would have noticed the small feather like fins that graced it. I even noticed Jiro's and Akira's. Just think that if she actually joins with one of use she'll really be completely."

Rui deftly jumped out of the reach of the swing coming his way.

A low feral growl came from Tsukasa's throat.

"Tsukasa I was just playing with you, doing my best Soujirou impression. I have no intention of taking my best friends love."

Rui headed back to his tent but paused before entering.

"But if something goes wrong I won't hesitate to step up." He went into his tent after that.

Tsukasa continued to stare in the direction of Rui's tent.

It drives me crazy. I can never tell what that guy is thinking.

Tsukasa sighed his mind on Tsukushi and her connection to his friends. Rui had spoken the truth they were all connected to Tsukushi. The only faint resemblance of his presence had been a blooming of her flower but that was it. Was that enough to make an impression of her? He knew what he eventually had to do to truly make her his but he was afraid of what might happen.

Lost in thought he hadn't even realized when Akira came to relieve him.

"Yo, Tsukasa its my turn for the watch go get some sleep." Tsukasa blinked up at his friend and nodded. He wondered if Akira too felt the same way as Rui.

"Akira did you notice anything about Tsukushi's back?"

Akira grinned at his friend.

"Sure did, my half has made an impression on Tsukushi as well as Jiro's and if I'm not mistaken Rui's as well. Why do you ask?"

"No, no reason at all." He turned from his friend and headed to the tent he would be sharing with Tsukushi. His body warmed at the thought of her being next to him. Since they only had four tents Tsukushi would either sleep alone or with one of them.

No one argued with Tsukasa when he said in no uncertain terms that she would be staying with him.

He slowed as he reached the flap of their tent. His hands shook slightly as nervousness beset him.

What are you nervous for this is just like the other night when you were together. We also use to sleep together when we were young. It shouldn't be a problem this time.

"You ok Tsukasa." Akira yelled out to him when he saw his friend pause in front of his tent.

"Yeah I'm ok." Tsukasa quickly entered the tent not wanting to alarm his friend or have him make one of his virgin jokes.

He watched the sleeping form of Tsukushi. The slow rise and fall of her chest made him smile.

A soft whimper came from her as Tsukasa took off his outer clothing. He turned to her and noticed that she had been crying earlier. There were tear streaks ran from her eyes down her cheeks.

He lay down next to her and gently gathered her into his arms. The whimpering stopped but a few minutes started again as she cried in her sleep. Tsukasa drifted off to sleep seeking to find that connection they shared. He understood where Rui was coming from because whenever she was sad of upset he had a strong desire to want to comfort her.

He never wanted to comfort anyone because no one had ever done that for him with the exception of his sister. The king and the queen didn't care about their son, they only cared about themselves or riches.

When Tsukasa awoke in his dream he saw Tsukushi crying by a stream of water. He walked up and sat down next to her. She turned her face.

"No need to try and hide your tears."

"I'm not crying."

Tsukasa smiled at the obvious lie and pulled her closer to him. She placed her hands on his chest and tried to push away from him but he wouldn't allow her to.

"Well since you aren't crying would you care to tell me why you would cry if you were to cry."

Tsukushi gave him a confused look, and Tsukasa blushed.

"Yeah I know that doesn't make much sense. What I mean to say is tell me what's wrong."

She didn't know how to approach it.

"Today has been a very tiresome day for me. I go from being attacked, to losing my friend then finding out that I was kicked out of my house because someone was threatening my parents.'

'I could have been the reason they might have been killed. Also I saw Mizu here."

"Mizu?"

"Yes, it was very surprising. I feared that something had happened to him. But he told me that I was safe with you guys."

"If he said that you were safe why were you crying?" How did Mizu get here.

"I was crying because I'm not sure if I can handle all the pressure coming down on my shoulders. Mizu came about an hour before you got here and after talking to him it felt like I was going to lose myself. I'm confused as to who I should trust. The news today was very shocking.'

'I don't know if I can trust you, but I feel that I can. I don't think it was a coincidence that I was kicked out and you guys were sent to come search for me."

Tsukasa flinched as she was very close to the truth.

"But I've started this journey and I can not go back."

"Tsukushi I know this might not be the best time to tell you this but you are right."

"I'm right?" she turned in his arms and looked up at him.

"The person who sent us to come and get you is the same one responsible for having you kicked from your home. I'm sorry to bring another piece of bad news to you but I thought it was best I tell you now then you found out later. I had no idea what you had suffered and I will find out the reasons when we reach our kingdom. I just wanted to be honest and upfront with you now. I'm going to protect you even if I have to go against the one that sent us."

Tsukushi had stiffened in his arms. She already had that suspicion but she wasn't expecting a confirmation. She wanted to push away from this elvaan but the sincerity in his words calmed her suspicions. Maybe she could trust him and his friends a little.

"I believe you." Were the only words she uttered as she lay in his arms.

Tsukasa began to stroke her back as she leaned into him.

She sighed contently as his fingers worked magic. They roamed up and down her spin then up to her neck. He pulled back a little and lifted her chin so she was looking into his eyes.

"I'm happy you can trust me." He lowered his mouth onto hers and started with a slow gentle kiss.

Tsukushi was hesitant at first but her barriers melted away as he tongue worked its way into her mouth. She opened up for him allowing him to explore. She slipped her tongue inside of his mouth to do some exploring of her own.

She tastes so good.

He has a nice smell.

Tsukasa's hand traveled down and caressed her behind then came back up to her sides. He sipped his hand up inside her top and ran the tip of his finger along the side of her breast.

He broke the kisses and realized that they were no longer in a dream and he was looking into her eyes. He didn't know when they left or if he was still dreaming. He eyes asked the silent question as his hands continued to play around on breast not really taking a hold of it.

Tsukushi wasn't sure if she wanted to answer the question in Tsukasa's eyes. She woke he was holding her the same way he had been in their dream. She felt his hand go up her shirt and caress the sides of her breast. Her mind a blink slate slowly started to focus on what he was doing.

Should she give him the answer he wanted or end it here. Was he taking advantage of the fact that she had been vulnerable? She doubted that was the case. In the end maybe it wasn't a good idea.

"Tsukasa I-I I'm not sure if we should go any further." She felt his hand still and drop as he nodded to her.

"I understand it wasn't my place. I must admit that I was a little jealous that Mizu had come to visit you. And that I've yet to make an impression on you."

"Trust me you've definitely made an impression on me."

"That's not exactly what I –

"You know Mizu?" she cut him off.

"Yes I know him he is the other half of Rui."

"The other half of Rui…"

Tsukushi thought back to her conversation with Mizu before Tsukasa came into her dream.

She had been sitting by a stream of water when she saw the reflection of a face. She started when Mizu came out of the water laughing at her look of astonishment.

"Hello Tsukushi I've been worried about you."

"Mizu! I'm happy to see that you're ok."

He smiled.

"No kappa would ever be able to take me down."

She hugged him. She had only known this nymph for a little while but she already liked him as a friend.

"How is it that you are here? I thought only Tsukasa and I could come here."

Mizu gave her a big grin.

"It's a secret. So tell me what has been going on with you."

Tsukushi told him about what happened since they last met and he listened silently.

"Well no need to worry Tsukushi they guys you are with will protect you. And I'm sorry but my time here is up."

He quickly pressed a kiss on her lips then disappeared under the water.

Tsukushi unconsciously placed her fingers on her lips.

"He told me it was a secret as to how he got into my dream. Is it because Rui is here near me that Mizu was able to get into my dream, it's all very confusing."

"Let me explain it this way each of us are heirs to a kingdom and my three friends each have another half that roams and rules freely in them. They have yet to join to become whole. This will happen the next time we meet. The only way for them to become whole is to make an impression on the princess who will then join them together permanently.'

"So Akira and Soujirou have other halves as well?"

"Yes and you've already met their other halves."

"I have?"

"Do you remember OheinChi and BijinOhane?"

"Yes I remember the perverted yet beautiful winged men."

"BijinOhane is the other half of Akira and OheinChi is Soujirou's."

"For some reason I'm not the least surprised about that.'

'So technically Rui, Akira, and Soujirou are…"

"Yes they are not full elvaan. When they eventually become one with their other halves they will take their place as rulers in their respective kingdoms."

"I thought that the sky races were at war with each other."

"True they are at war but in all reality it's more civil because they share the same area and many of their peoples are mixed. It has a lot to do with both races wanting to merge together as one nation but there is a squabble over who will be the ruler."

"So Akira and Soujirou are really contenders for the throne?"

Tsukasa ran a hand through his hair.

"Yeah something like that. But it's not really important at the moment. We consider ourselves friends first."

"So if everyone has a half where is yours?"

Tsukasa turned from Tsukushi and blushed slightly.

"Why are you looking away?"

"Because…"

"Because?"

"My other half is right here." He caressed her cheek.

Tsukushi's cheeks flamed at his confession. He seemed to tell her how he felt all the time but she still wasn't exactly sure how to react. She liked the feel of his touch and his kiss but she wasn't sure if it was right.

"Ah stop playing. Anyway enough of this talk lets go to sleep." She moved away from him and laid down rolling herself in the blankets with her back to him.

"I'm telling the truth." He whispered and then settled down for a sleepless night.

Early the next morning Soujirou opened their tent startling both of them.

"Ugh what were you two up to last night. You look horrid. After a night alone I'd think that you both would wake up perky and satisfi-" two pillows connecting with his face interrupted his last statement.

"I'd thank you to keep your hentai thoughts to yourself." Tsukushi sat up and began folding the blankets.

"I was just playing with you guys. Anyway I've made contact with one of OheinChi's messengers. Come out and I'll tell you what we found out." He left and the two remained in silence.

Tsukushi snuck a glance at Tsukasa who did look as if he hadn't gotten any sleep. She wondered if the same thing that kept her awake had also kept him awake; mainly what they talked about and his confession.

"Tsukasa –

She started but he cut her off with a hand up.

"I said before that I would wait so you don't have to say anything. Let's go and hear what Soujirou has to say."

"Ah, ok."

They finished with their blankets and left the tent to join the others in a clearing.

"Ok Soujirou tell us what you found out."

"Well one of OheinChi's messengers said that they spotted a large vulture carrying a girl in the direction of our kingdom. He decided to follow it because that species hardly ever came into this area of the world and the fact that he was carrying a girl was even stranger. He said that the vulture later deposited the girl atop a hill.'

'He said the girl slept for a bit then woke and here is when it gets strange. The messenger said that there was a man that met her."

"Who was the man?"

"He said that it was the crown Prince of the Elvaan Kingdom."

"What that makes no sense." Akira waved his hand in agitation.

"Yes I know."

"Why doesn't it make sense?" Tsukushi spoke up.

"Because there is no way that the crown prince could be in two places."

"And why not?"

"Because Tsukasa is the crown Prince."

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Ok what did you think? Sorry if there is a lot of politics involved . it just came out that way. And I wasn't trying to have a surprise in the end because I'm sure everyone gathered that Tsukasa was the prince anyway. For some reason I like beautiful guys in fictions. I'm hoping you can get the idea I'm trying to convey for how they look. If anyone has ever played final fantasy XI I got the idea for BijinOhane looks from Garuda. As to the color of her hair and wings and soft pale green glow other then that he looks like a even sexier and prettier version of the manga's Akira. Just think when they join together all the members will be drop dead gorgeous. That is if you can imagine it. I'll try to get s few imagines for you as to how I think they could look in real life. But they are really pictures of some beautiful boys that someone drew.