The Twelve Kingdoms: Shadow of the Moon

imperceptible, she suddenly heard a voice at her elbow, a voice she hadn't heard in such a long time.
    "I thank you."
    "Keiki?"
    The kirin narrowed its eyes slightly and looked up at Youko. "Yes, it is I. I do regret any undue hardships that may have been inflicted upon you in my absence."
    Youko smiled. She had even missed that composed, unapologetic tone of voice.
    "Are you alone?"
    "The Royal En is lending a hand. The Imperial Army of En is holding off the pretender's forces."
    "I see." He nodded, then called out in a strong voice, "Hyouki! Juusaku!"
    The two beasts appeared, as if emerging from out of the walls. "We are here."
    "Go and offer your assistance to the Royal En."
    The two beasts bowed deeply and slipped away.
    "You are okay?"
    "Of course," the kirin said with a nod. His utterly unflappable voice was really quite amusing.
    "So when your horn was sealed, your shirei were bound as well?"
    The kirin answered with a self-conscious grunt. "You seem to have learned a great deal. Yes, that is what happened. I am sorry for any trouble this might have occasioned on your behalf."
    "Jouyuu wasn't bound so it didn't affect me. What about Kaiko and Hankyo?"
    "They are here. Shall I call them?"
    "No, as long as they're okay. But I would like to meet them later."
    "That can be arranged."
    "Oh, come to think about it, I do have a request to make."
    "What is that?"
    "I'd like you to reverse the order you gave to Jouyuu. I'm still not ready to do without him, though."
    The kirin looked at Youko and blinked several times. "You have indeed become a different person."
    "I have. Thanks to you and thanks to the hinman. Jouyuu was a great help. I'd like to say so personally, and there's something else I'd like to ask."
    "A request you wish to make?"
    "Yeah. How do you spell his name?"
    The beast's eyes opened wide. "A most peculiar request."
    "I suppose. But it seems I haven't really heard his real name yet. It's been bugging me."
    As soon as Youko spoke, that unexpected sensation crept up her arm to her hand. Seemingly of its own accord, her finger wrote the characters in the air. "The Useless ( Jou ) Assistant ( yuu )."
    Youko smiled. "Thank you, Jouyuu, my Useless Assistant."
    The shirei serve the kirin, and by extension the king. There is no need to thank me.
    Youko only laughed. Looking at her, the kirin narrowed its eyes. "You truly have changed."
    "Yeah, it's been a real learning experience."
    "To speak the honest truth, I did not think we would ever meet again."
    Youko nodded. "Same here. Say, can't you turn back into a person?"
    "I surely do not wish to appear naked before you!"
    Youko had to smile at the shocked tone of his voice. "Well, then, I'll get you some clothes. It's about time we headed back. Before returning to Kinpa Palace, we're going to have to crash at Gen'ei Palace for a while."
    She grinned and the kirin blinked again. Then he knelt down before her. With every movement, his back radiated an extraordinary luster.
    He said, "I greet your Highness bearing the Mandate of Heaven." He lowered his head and touched Youko's foot with his horn. "I shall never part from thee, nor disobey thy decrees. My fealty I hereby pledge in covenant to thee."
    The whisper of a smile came to her lips. "I accept."
    This was, for Youko, the true beginning of her story.

The Chronicles of Kei
    The Annals of the Red Child
    n the Spring of the Sixth Year of Yosei, the Reign of the Empress Jokaku, the Taiho Keiki fell grievously ill with the Shitsudou. The Capital Gyouten was ravaged by Fire and Pestilence. The Government waxed oppressive. Corruption and Calumny flourished. The Lamentations of the People cried out across the Land, saying, The Gods of War will surely destroy Kei.
    In the Fifth Month of that Year, the Empress Jokaku repaired to Mount Hou and there sought Pardon from Heaven and renounced the Throne. And so she died and was buried at Senryou. Her Reign lasted Six Years. Following her Death, she was given the Posthumous Name, Yo.
    With the Abdication of the Late Empress Yo, Joei usurped the Throne. Joei falsely named herself Royal Kei and entered Gyouten. The Kingdom was cast into Chaos.
    In the Seventh Month of the Seventh Year, the Empress Youko, the Royal Kei of the Kingdom of Kei, acceded to the Throne. The Surname of the Empress Youko being Nakajima, her Imperial Insignia being Sekishi, or the Imperial Child, also meaning the Red Child, she having been born a Taika.
    In the Third Month of the Seventh Year, the