Disclaimer: I do not whatsoever own the Fushigi Yuugi characters. They are owned by Yuu Watase. I do own Reiko and the rest, so I'd really appreciate it if nobody comes along and takes them for themselves, thank you very much.

Author's Note: I'm back! haha. As if I've been gone long. yeah, I'm still in a good mood. Same reason as the last really. Something to do with exam grades. Yep. Anyways, 2 new reviews! =)

Chapter Twelve: Sunrise

The sun had not fully risen yet. The sky was of a bluish purple hue and every now and then Reiko could hear a distant birdsong. She propped herself up with her right arm. Her dislocated arm had healed more now, but her broken fingers would take more time. She got out of bed and changed. Then she softly opened the door. Chichiri was sound asleep with his back against the wall. Reiko tip-toed off, not wanting to wake him up. He needs his rest too, Reiko thought.

Reiko made her way to the gardens. It wasn't bright yet, the air was cool. As she walked on the grass, the dew fell off smoothly. She stood before the pond. The water was still and calm. Reiko closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sky. She took a deep breath. This was one of the few moments in which she could be by herself and relax. The past months of her life had been taxing on her. She opened her eyes and noticed someone watching her. She turned her head and saw a young boy standing by a tree, watching her.

"Good morning," Reiko greeted him warmly. "I didn't see you there."

The boy bowed his head for a moment. "Good morning, Princess."

"Does everyone out here know who I am already?" Reiko smiled. "Just call me Reiko. And what may your name be?"

"Boushin," he replied.

"Boushin," Reiko said thoughtfully. "You live here in the palace?"

"Yes, Reiko-chan."

"Reiko-chan?" Reko laughed. "Reiko's fine, please, I can make do without all the formalities."

"Yes, uh, Reiko."

"So, why do you live here in the palace?" Reiko asked, not knowing who Boushin really was.

"It is my home," Boushin said, clearly trying not to laugh. "I've lived here all my life." He stiffled his laughter. "My mother afterall, is the Empress Houki."

Reiko went red. She bowed to him immediatly. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were the heir to the throne."

Boushin walked to her. "It is alright, Reiko-chan. I can do without the formalities too." His young face looked up at her.

"But I've never seen you before up til now since I arrived here." Reiko straightened up.

"You've only been here a few days, Rei-chan." Boushin started to get used to calling her that.

Reiko nodded in agreement. "What are you doing up so early? Wouldn't the Empress mind?"

"Mother has become accustomed to my habits, besides, I like to watch the sunrise."

Reiko looked towards the sky. It was no longer the same color as before. It had turned a lighter shade of blue and the sun's rays came down upon the water.

"You come here every morning just to watch the sunrise?"

"Yeah, it's really kind of relaxing. I find it a good way to start my day."

Reiko was amazed by the way this boy spoke. He was still very young, but he spoke with a sense of maturity and wisdom. His hair came down upon his shoulders and over his eyes. The two stood in silence beneath the sunrise.

Chichiri woke with a start. Reiko's room door was ajar. He scrambled to look in. Her bed was empty. "Reiko?" The sun was already up. He cursed himself for waking late and went off to look for Reiko. He searched for her ki and felt nothing wrong. In fact, he thought, her ki feels very peaceful.

Chichiri tried to locate her. He walked into the dining room to see Reiko and Boushin talking and laughing with food in their mouths.

"Princess! You're up so early!" Chichiri was surprised at the comfortable atmosphere. The two were getting along with each other exceptionally well, considering that they had only met. Chichiri was sure Reiko had not met Boushin before this morning.

"Yeah Chichiri! You should too! Have you ever seen the sunrise out in the gardens?" Reiko's voice was cheerful. "Boushin and I watched it together."

"It was Rei-chan's first time seeing the sun rise here in Konan." Boushin bit into a bun.

"C'mon Chichiri, have breakfast with us," Reiko invited him.

"Thank you, Reiko," he declined her offer with a wave of his hand. "I'll eat later with Tasuki, no da. I'll go get him from the dungeons no da."

"The dungeons?" Reiko asked.

"He stayed there the whole night to guard last night's intruder, no da."

"Oh," Reiko remembered the boy's face and the band around his head. "Then Gen-chan must be hungry then."

"I'll be quick, no da." Chichiri left the room. The dungeons were some way off from the Imperial Quarters, but Chichiri decided to go there on foot. He needed some time to think of the past night's events.

Reiko almost would have been kidnapped if not for me. Tasuki and Ryo can't work together. They can't get along. All because of one person. Reiko. I can see the conflict between them. Both want Reiko. Both of them have a strong bond to her. There's a deep rift between Tasuki and Ryo. But I can't close this rift. This doesn't involve me. They must learn to overcome their differences by themselves if they really want to help Reiko.

Chichiri walked down the flight of steps. Tasuki was heavily snoring at one side of the room, and the prisoner sat with his chin to his chest at a corner of his cell. Chichiri shook Tasuki's shoulder.

"Wake up, no da." Tasuki just groaned and brushed Chichiri's hand away.

"The sun's up and Reiko's having breakfast with Boushin right now."

Tasuki instantly stood. He yawned and stretched his arms. "Well, this isn't the most comfortable place, but I managed to sleep enough. Time for breakfast then!" He made his way up the stairs. Chichiri shook his head and followed.

The prisoner's head lifted up as the sounds of footsteps disappeared. "Finally they're gone." Kaishi walked over to the bars and held his hands before them. He muttered something in audible and the cell door opened. "That magician should have put a spell over this." Kaishi shook his head. "Disappointing." He too, walked up the flight of stairs.

Chichiri halted. He felt something. It's like someone just used magic. "Tasuki, behind this wall, quick, no da." With their backs against the wall, Chichiri looked beyond the corner. The prisoner emerged from the dungeon entrance. "Tasuki, it's the boy, he's out no da."

The two Suzaku Warriors stepped out of their hiding place.

"GOOD MORNING KAISHI!" Tasuki shouted. Chichiri smacked him on the head. He's a prisoner and Tasuki greets him in such an uncivilised manner?

The boy's face was shocked. He wanted to make a run for it.

"GOING OFF SO EARLY KID? DON'T YA WANNA SEE THE PRINCESS FIRST? OH WAIT, BAD IDEA, CAN'T HAVE YOU AROUND HER HUH? DON'T WANTCHA TO TRY TA KIDNAP HER AGAIN, DO WE?" Tasuki shouted again. What's up with him? Chichiri couldn't understand what his friend was trying to do. "Will you stop shouting, no da?"

"Sorry, Chichiri. We communicate best this way." Tasuki walked over to the boy. Kaishi stood rooted to the ground.

"Don't come near me," Kaishi put his fists up. Tasuki only laughed.

"Have breakfast with us first before going back to Hokkan. It's a long way there." Tasuki talked to the boy like a good friend. Chichiri was dumbfounded.

"I know ya won't hurt Reiko, so why not have breakfast with us?"

Kaishi put his hands down. His stomach rumbled. "How do I know you're not just trying to poison me or something?"

"He won't" Ryo's voice answered.

"Master Ryota," Kaishi bowed.

"Good morning Kaishi. I guarantee you will walk out of Konan alive and well as long as you eat with me. I might just as well since I was disrupted of my sleep." Ryo glared at Tasuki.

"Yes, sir."

Tasuki snorted. Who does he think he is? S'not like he owns this place.

The four men made their way to the dining room.

That's all for today. I'm tired! Sorry I couldn't end this chapter on a more exciting note. I've been on this since 3 hours ago. My brain just isn't working like it did a few days ago. Haha.

J: I don't know either! wahahaha. kidding kidding. Well glad you like my fic.

AzureAngelVenus: I like it too! lol. Of course I have to update this often! haha. I've got to type it all down before my ideas get lost in my head somewhere. hahahaha. Hope you liked this chapter. Though it isn't much really. =P