Disclaimer: I do not own all the original Fushigi Yuugi characters. Yuu Watase does. I own Reiko and the rest of those unfamiliar beings. bah blah bah bah baaa.

Author's Note: I corrected my mistakes and I added in a bit more to make the story less confusing and all. I'm trying not to be able to raise questions about my story. So, that's why, I'm filling the gaps in. alrighty then. on to the show. or story.

Chapter Eight: A Reunion

The sky was already tinted with orange and pink by the time Tasuki and Reiko made their way back to the palace. Reiko needed to change for the Festival. Her clothes that she had changed into earlier that morning was now no longer in it's pristine condition. It had hints of food stains and mud on it. The two of them had run around the city enjoying the preparations for the Festival.

"I'll be quick," Reiko told Tasukiwith a smile.

I'm glad she's feeling better, Tasuki thought to himself. I really couldn't stand to see her crying like that. Let's just hope nothing bad would happen tonight. She suffered enough already. Just for one night at least, let her be happy..

"Gen-chan," Tasuki turned. "C'mon let's go."

Reiko was wearing pale purple kimono with a pale pink obi. Tasuki couldn't help but stare at her. Damn, she's pretty. Wait, I better stop staring at her before she starts calling me pervert again.

"To the Festival then." Tasuki led the way.

The city square was beautifully lit up with hundreds of lights. Stalls selling all sorts of things from toys to food were everywhere. Just like the last time I was here, ain't it. Tasuki thought.

"C'mon," Reiko pulled Tasuki towards a stall, "Two ringo-ame please." The stall owner passed her 2 candy covered apples. Reiko could only carry one between her bandaged fingers.

"Take the other one, Gen-chan. They're good really. I used to eat 'em all the time back home."

Tasuki hesitated, looking out for signs whether Reiko would start crying again on the mention of Hokkan. She didn't bite her lip, Tasuki gave a sigh of relief. He took the apple. He bit into the sweet snack.

"Goo' isn' it?" Reiko spoke with her mouth full of fruit.

"Don't talk with you mouth full, you might choke." Tasuki warned her. Reiko started gagging and choking.

"Reiko!" Tasuki panicked.

"Just kidding," Reiko laughed.

"Don't do that!" Tasuki's face flushed bright red.

"I was only kidding!"

"Well, it wasn't funny!"

"I won't die over an apple, you know."

"If you're not careful ya will."

The night sky was scattered with bright stars. For once, Reiko completely forgot about her worries and enjoyed herself in the city of Konan.

Ryo hit the ground. Something awfully heavy was on top of him. "Sorry bout the landing no da."

"A MUTATED CHIPMUNK!" Chichiri knocked him on the head.

"Who are you calling mutated chipmunk, no da." He stood up. Ryo stretched his back.

"Where are we?"

"In the Konan Palace, no da."

"Konan?! How did we get from Hokkan to Konan so fast?"

"Can't explain right now. You gotta tell me everything you about Nakuto first."

"I want to see Reiko first."

"She's busy right now. You can see her when she comes back." Ryo drew his sword.

"Stop wasting my time. I want to see Reiko now." Chichiri distanced himself from Ryo.

"You'll see her soon." He assured him. "But first, I'll bring you to the Empress Houki."

"How do I know this isn't all a trick?"

"I'm a Suzaku Seishi remember? Satumo said so himself no da."

"How can I trust Satomu?"

Boy, he's difficult. Chichiri thought. "Alright. You asked how we got from Hokkan to Konan so fast? It's my magic, no da." Chichiri exposed his knee. "And this is my mark, no da"

He IS a Suzaku warrior. I heard he was one of those protecting Reiko. Then.. I can trust him. "Bring me to the Empress then."

The Empress sat on the throne.

Ryo bowed. "Good evening, your highness."

"Good evening, and you are?"

"He's Ryota, Reiko's cousin, no da." Chichiri answered. "And he can tell us all he knows about Nakuto and his plans."

"I see," the Empress said. "I assume then, you are the nephew of the late Emperor of Hokkan?"

"Yes, your highness." "And can you tell me about Nakuto?" Empress Houki asked.

"I can see my cousin.. if I tell you right?"

Houki laughed. "Ryota, whether you tell me or not, I will let Reiko see you. You're not here to be interrogated. I am just doing Reiko a favour by finding out everything about General Nakuto."

Ryo blushed. "Well.. in that case.." Ryo stood straight. "General Nakuto took over the palace and killed my uncle and aunt. He didn't kill Reiko because he needed her to-" Ryo stopped.

"To?" Chichiri butted in.

"To fortell the future. He needed her to tell him how to take over Hokkan completely."

"She can See the future?" Empress Houki was amazed.

"Yes, she can. But her abilities are yet to be well developed. Right now, she cannot control her visions. She can See fragments of the past, present and future."

"But Nakuto already took over the palace and got rid of the Emperor. Isn't that enough?" Chichiri asked.

"You don't understand. Nakuto wants complete power over the lands and the people. The Imperial Family was very loved and looked up to. Even though Nakuto got rid of the Emperor, the people's loyalty to them is still strong. Nakuto is looking for a way to make this loyalty falter. He's determined too. He already made some of our own people turn against the Family. He believes he can make all the people be loyal to only him. But he hasn't found a way. The Hokkan people still truly believe that Reiko is alive and can save them from Nakuto. They still have hope."

Reiko stood still. "Reiko, what is it?" Tasuki's voice was but a distant echo.

..::..::..::..::..::..

The dark haired man bowed. Empress Houki asks who he is. Chichiri answers "Ryota.."

..::..::..::..::..::..

"Reiko!" Tasuki snapped his fingers in front of her eyes. She blinked. "Gen-chan! Hurry! Back to the palace! He's here! Hurry Gen-chan!" Reiko started running towards the palace grounds. Tasuki chased after her.

The doors opened and Reiko came running in.

"Ry-oh!" She panted. Ryo turned. "Reiko!" he opened his arms. Reiko ran towards him and embraced. "I thought I'd never see you again! Where were you? I thought I had lost you too."

"I'm sorry.. I got caught up in some... business. And it wasn't easy to get into the palace anymore you know,"

Tasuki stood at doorway. Who's this guy? Chichiri suddenly appeared next to him. Tasuki fell in shock.

"CAN YOU NOT SNEAK UP ON ME LIKE THAT!" Tasuki looked back at Reiko and the stranger. Who does he think he is? Holding her like that.

"Don't worry, no da." Chichiri said reassuringly. "He's not what you think he is."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Tasuki snapped at Chichiri. He looked back at Reiko. The man bent down to kiss her forehead. Tasuki went flaming red in the face. He reached back for his tessen. "Why that-"

Chichiri stopped him. "I told you he's not what you think he is, no da. He's Reiko's cousin."

Tasuki whistled and put his tessen behind his back. "Yeah, I knew that." He and Chichiri walked towards them.

"Gen-chan!" Reiko said, beaming. "This is my cousin, Ryota. But you can call him Ryo." She turned to her cousin.

"Ryo, this is Gen-chan. No, Genrou. Or Tasuki. Or, yeah, Tasuki's fine. He's the one who helped me get here Ryo. We really owe him alot. Without him I would probably be trimming Nakuto's nails."

Tasuki blushed. "So you're the who kicked Satomu's sorry ass," Ryo's grey eyes closed. "We are in debt to you." He bowed.

"Hey hey! No bowing!" Tasuki went even more red in the face.

Chichiri, Ryo, Reiko and even the Empress laughed.

"What? What?" Tasuki glanced at each of them in turns, not exactly knowing what was so funny.

"Oh yeah," Ryo was suddenly serious again. "I brought something back for you, Reiko." He reached out from his back a long sword.

"The Hokkan Imperial Katana!" Reiko reached out for it. Ryo noticed her bandages. He held the sword back.

"What happened to your arms?"

"Oh, this. I broke my left when i fell off the horse."

"What horse?"

"Gen-chan's horse."

"WHAT?" Ryo drew his sword and pointed it at Tasuki.

"Ryo! It was an accident. Satomu and his men made the horse go crazy. It isn't Gen-chan's fault." Ryo withdrew his sword.

Tasuki glared at him. I thought he was in debt to me. Tsk, stupid git.

"And Satomu stepped on my right hand. So that's why it's in bandag-"

"I'll KILL Satomu!"

"Ryo! Control yourself." Reiko put her right hand on her hip. Her left was still immobile. "Stop being so violent with that sword. Or else I'll tell Aunty."

Chichiri, Tasuki and Houki all sweat dropped.

"You know how she doesn't like it when you lash out at people like that." Reiko continued.

"Alright alright!" Ryo gave in. "Don't tell my mother!"

Tasuki tried to keep his laughter in. "Momma's boy." he muttered.

"What was that?!" Ryo glared at Tasuki.

"Nothing nothing." Tasuki put his hands in his pockets. "Momma's boy" he coughed.

"GRRRR." Ryo put his hand on the sword handle. Reiko shook her head.

"Cousin, you should learn to control that temper of yours."

Tasuki starts prancing around shouting "Momma's boy" at the top of his lungs. All Ryo could do was tighten his grip on his sword. Chichiri and Houki just watched the three act like little children.

Ta Dahhhhhhh! tried adding a teensy bit of humour, but I guess i'm pretty hopeless at that. Oh well. Hope this chapter was alright. reviews?