Authors Note: I am sorry for the irregular updates! I was so busy, finals week is tough on a girl. PLEASE REVIEW. Right now I feel very sad because I only got a few reviews but I am trying my best for the few who read this fic. Thank you those who do. I might update more since I am on vacation now. Enjoy!

Ch.3 Licking Tears

Ryoma stands to take the plate the servant had brought to him and Mioko. He places it on the table in front of where they are sitting and serves her tea. After serving himself a cup, he sits on his chair once more. Trying to ignore the burning sensation his back was feeling, he focuses on what Mioko was saying.

"So my father was saying how wonderful you are. Judging from first impressions, I agree." Mioko smiles and sips her cup.

"Thank you, you are quite charming yourself. My father was right in his praise."

Mioko's smile widens, "So would you think I'd be a good empress Ryoma-sama?"

Ryoma stares at his cup, "Do you agree with the marriage?"

Mioko lowers her head, "After meeting you, I do. Even though my father is not forcing me to marry you, I would love to if it means I am helping my clan. You seem like a great man so I have no complaints.

Ryoma looks away, "Do you have no wish to find true love? Instead of being paired up with someone just because of political benefits?"

Mioko frowns, "Are you saying you don't agree with this marriage?"

As he looks around the room, Ryoma's eyes meet Fuji's and lock there. His golden brown eyes are engulfed by the vast oceans in Fuji's eyes. Forcing himself out of the trance, Ryoma turns his attention back to Mioko. He takes her hand, "It's not that I don't agree to it, it is that I don't want a marriage without love."

Mioko smiles, "Then that is solved quite simply. I'll make you fall in love with me."

Ryoma's eyes widen, "What?"

Mioko smirks, "Well that'll be all for today Ryoma-sama. I am looking forward to our future together." She stands and kisses prince Ryoma lightly on the cheek. A servant walks her out of the palace and into her carriage. Ryoma walks out of the balcony but Fuji stands up and blocks his path.

Ryoma looks at Fuji, "Yes? Do you need anything?"

Fuji forces a smile, "How did the meeting go with Mioko?"

Ryoma smirks, "Splendid. Is that all?"

Fuji scoffs, "I thought prince Ryoma didn't want this marriage? What I see is you trying to woo princess Mioko. Won't it be harder to cancel the wedding if she is in love with you?"

Ryoma glares at Fuji, "Please don't concern yourself in my affairs. It is none of your business."

Fuji grabs Ryoma by the collar, "This is what I hate about you. You have this problem in which you think you are superior to everyone else. It is called advice you rotten, ungrateful prince.

"Che'. Know your place; you are my bodyguard and nothing more."

Fuji's eyes widen and he lets go of Ryoma's collar, "…I see, so that is what you think of me." Fuji bends down on one knee and looks up at Ryoma with cold, lifeless eyes, "Pardon my rudeness Prince Ryoma."

Ryoma takes a few steps back in surprise, "Fuji I am-

A servant comes rushing towards them, "Prince Ryoma and Fuji-san, the king wants you to come to the tea room. He wants to hold a tea ceremony in celebration of Ryoma and Mioko's first meeting."

Ryoma nods and follows the maid to the tea room. He finds his mother and father already seated when he arrives. He takes his places and stares at the floor.

The king chuckles, "Why so quiet Ryoma? Celebrate! Celebrate! We are all happy your first meeting went well. Right, Fuji?"

Fuji nods, "Yes, princess Mioko is a great match for prince Ryoma."

The queen smiles, "Talking about Mioko, where is she. I want her to join us."

Ryoma looks up at his mother, "She left already."

The queen frowns, "How unfortunate. We'll invite her next time."

The king looks at Ryoma, "Can you prepare the tea?"

Ryoma nods and moves to where they put all the tea making utensils. Ryoma places his legs under himself and sets four tea bowls in front of him. He uses the tea scoop to take tea from the tea caddy. He adds a bit in each cup and then pours hot water into each. Ryoma uses the whisk to perfectly prepare each tea. He gives his mother and his father their tea, but lingers on giving Fuji his.

The king clears his throat, "What is taking so long Ryoma, give Fuji his tea."

Ryoma places Fuji's tea in front of him, avoiding eye contact, "Here"

Ryoma sits in his place and sips his tea quietly. He occasionally makes inevitable eye contact with Fuji who didn't seem to stop staring at him. *What is he staring at?*

The king smiles after finishing his tea, "Doesn't Ryoma make amazing tea, Fuji?"

Fuji nods and places his bowl on the floor, "Where did he learn how to prepare tea?"

Ryoma looks at Fuji, "My late grandmother taught me."

Fuji bows slightly, "I am sorry, your mother my King?"

The king shakes his head, "No, my mother has long died. It was my wife's mother who taught him how to make tea. She was very strict about teaching him traditional customs but that was only out of love."

Fuji smirks, "Wow, what a great skill. I am sure Mioko would be delighted to taste prince Ryoma's tea."

*I've had enough of this* Ryoma slams his cup down on the floor, "Don't think just because of one meeting, Mioko and I are made for each other." He stands up and walks out, "Excuse me, I feel tired."

The queen yells after him, "Ryoma?"

Fuji stands up, "I will see what is wrong with him." He bows the queen and the king, "Thank you for the tea my king, my queen." He walks out of the room and past the many hallways that lead to prince Ryoma's room. Turning the corner of the hallway in which prince Ryoma's room was in, he sees Ryoma walking towards his door.

Fuji speeds up his pace and grabs prince Ryoma's wrist, "Wait."

Ryoma turns around and glares a Fuji, "What? Are you here to keep talking about how great Mioko and I are together?"

Fuji sighs, "I am sorry prince Ryoma, I had no right to say all those things. But by the way you treated princess Mioko; it seemed you were eager to marry her."

Ryoma pulls his wrist away, "Well, I am not. You do not know how difficult it is to be in a situation in which your happiness negatively affects the other person."

Fuji runs his hand through his hair and looks up at Ryoma, "You are wrong…I do know."

Ryoma stares into Fuji's eyes, "What do you mean?"

Fuji looks away, "Don't worry prince Ryoma, everything will be okay. I am sure you will find a way to get around this sticky situation. And so will I …"

"How are you also in a difficult situation?"

Fuji smiles sadly, "I am in more than you imagine. The king arranged for me to meet up with Rena, Mioko's younger sister."

Ryoma coughs, "What?"

Fuji laughs, "Why is it so surprising? Do you not deem me worthy of her?"

"That is not it, why didn't you refuse my father?"

"I could not; he didn't give me a chance to."

Ryoma opens the door to his room, "You see it is not easy refusing my father. Or maybe you do want to marry Rena so you can get out of here? Well I hope you both fall in love with each other and have a happy life." Ryoma closes the door but Fuji stops it with his foot.

Fuji smirks, "Why are you acting like a sentimental 5 year old?"

Ryoma smiles, "It takes one to know one."

"True, but stop assuming things that you know nothing about."

Ryoma pushes the door, "About how you want to marry Rena?"

"What if I tell you I have no desire to marry her?"

"Che'. It is not like I would believe you."

Fuji smiles, "Do you want to know why I don't want to marry her?"

"No, I really don't care."

Fuji pushes the door fully open, "You are really bad at lying."

Ryoma crosses his arms, "What makes you think that I am lying?"

"Every time you lie you avoid eye contact."

Ryoma glares at Fuji, "I do not care if you want to marry her or not. Happy?"

Fuji smiles, "I am in love with someone, which is why I can't marry Rena."

*What!* Ryoma holds the door knob, "Really? Then congratulations, she must be a lucky girl. Waiting for you back home? Or are you in love with one of my servants? If it is Kano, you'll have a tough time." Ryoma pushes Fuji out and slams the door.

Ryoma walks to the nearest window and looks out of it. He closes the curtain with a sigh after getting fed up of the sun's radiant glow. *What is wrong with me? Why am I even mad?* Ryoma's cat, Karupin, purrs and passes lovingly in between his legs. Ryoma picks her up with a gentle smile and walks over to his bed. He places Karupin on top of the bed and lies down next to her.

"Karupin, sometimes I feel you are the only one who really understands me"

Karupin meows, "You see, we communicate just fine. Would you like to marry me so I don't have to marry Mioko? We can run off and live together in the woods."

Karupin walks off Ryoma's bed and onto her own. Ryoma sighs, "So not even you want me?" He rolls over and stares at canopy on his bed. *Now I am even talking to my cat.* Ryoma's eyes droop and he yawns, "I am tired, I think I am going to take a map."

He looks at Karupin, "Are you sleeping there or with me?" He smiles when Karupin jumps on the bed and snuggles by his side, "I thought so." Ryoma closes his eyes and quickly drifts into sleep.

"What is wrong mommy? Where is grandma?"

Ryoma's mother wraps her arms around Ryoma, "She is no longer with us Ryoma."

Ryoma's eyes widen and he tries to escape his mother's grasp, "You are lying! I saw her yesterday; she said she was going to be okay!"

His mother tries drying her tears, "I am not lying Ryoma. It hurts me too, but now she's a star in the sky."

Tears trail doing Ryoma's face, "A star?"

His mother nods and faces Ryoma, "She's always with us. Look up at the sky at night and you will always see her. Even if you can't see the stars, she's always there. So don't cry Ryoma, you have to be strong."

Ryoma touches his mother's cheek, "Then why is mommy crying?"

Ryoma's mother hugs Ryoma, "because mommy is not strong enough. You have to be strong for the both of us Ryoma."

Ryoma smiles when he wakes up to Karupin licking his face. He wraps his arms around the cat and sighs deeply. "Did you lick me because you knew I was having a bad dream Karupin?"

"Yes and because she noticed you were crying, just as I did."

Ryoma sits up, "What are you doing here? And sitting on my bed?"

Fuji smiles, "My how our situations have changed. A sentimental 5 year old woke me up with his crying. When I came in, I got entranced on how different you look with tears trailing down your face."

Ryoma blushes and looks away, "What time is it?"

"Around midnight, everyone is asleep.

"Thank you for your concern, you may go to sleep now."

Fuji smirks, "Nee, what if I tell you I don't want to leave?"

Ryoma shrugs, "If you prefer sleeping on the floor than your own bed, it is fine by me."

Fuji inches closer to Ryoma, "That is not what I mean prince Ryoma."

Ryoma stares a Fuji, "This is a waste of time, just get off my bed!"

Fuji cups Ryoma's chin and smiles, "Such cold words and façade. Yet you are nothing close to a cold, spoiled child. You are fragile, caring, and beautiful."

Ryoma gasps, "What?"

Fuji leans closer until he was only a few centimeters away from Ryoma's lips, "Nee, Ryoma. What if I told you the person who I am in love with was you?" Fuji kisses Ryoma gently letting the moon be the judge of his shameful sin.