The Tale Continues (Saiunkoku Monogatari Fanfiction: Ryuuki x Shuurei lemon)

Chapter 12: Departure

''I'm going home now. I have a lot to do,'' Shuurei said and turned to leave.

''Wait,'' Ryuuki said and caught her hand. He pulled her to him and held her tight. He will miss her so much but he had no choice.

''Ryuuki, I have to go before anyone sees me. They will misunderstand this.''

''I know.'' He moved a little to gaze at her eyes. One hand stroked her hair, and from there in went to her face. He trailed a finger on her jaw line and to her chin. His thumb gently run through her lips. He did not say anything but his eyes told her that he will miss her.

''Forget about me,'' Shurei said in a low voice as he looked up to his eyes. It is almost like a whisper, but in the silent room it rang and resonated like the sound of drums.

Ryuuki sighed. ''I will do my best.'' Shuurei was about to say that she is glad he would but Ryuuki did not want to hear her say it. He kissed her. His lips remained on hers for what seemed like forever. He is engraving this in his mind. He gently opened her mouth. He licked her lips and slowly entered his tongue. Gently and slowly, he explored her as if he had all the time in the world. Her scent, her taste, her warmth. He will miss it all, and before they part he wanted a full memory of it.

Shuurei did not know how to respond to what Ryuuki is doing. She was force to close her eyes. Ryuuki is kissing her for like he had all the time and leisure to do so. But with her eyes closed, she totally got a hold of what that kiss is. It felt different from all his kisses to her before. It felt like he is saying goodbye. Shuurei did not respond but she did not stop him either.

After kissing her, Ryuuki hugged Shuurei again and buried his head on her neck. They are both breathing heavily. Ryuuki hugged her until when their breathing calmed.

Shuurei is a little thankful that he held her tight after the kiss, for if he hadn't; she would have staggered and fell on her knees. For some reason, her knees suddenly felt weak. Then Ryuuki kissed her hair and whispered something to her ear.

''Fly forth my dove. Spread your wings and make flowers bloom. Come back to me with colored wings,'' Ryuuki whispered and he let go of Shuurei. He is smiling at her from the bottom of his heart. He wanted her to be happy even if it means letting her go. He knew that one day, she would return to him.

Shuurei nodded and smiled at him too. She is glad that Ryuuki is allowing her to go. She recognized from the look in his eyes that he is truly smiling. It no longer seemed like he is saddened by her leaving him behind. For the sake of that smile, and the trust that he as the emperor had given her, she would do her best. She knew that Ryuuki had always thought of what would make her happy, that is why he is letting her go.

Ryuuki watched silently as Shuurei left. 'We'll meet again someday,' he thought. He did not want to crush her woman's dream. That woman who loved to serve her king.

Shuurei had been rewarded for accomplishing her work as a censor even while she is in the Hyou clan, for helping in the locust plague, and for saving the king and doing her job as a censor. She is given the privilege to do her job as an official go around the country for four to five years. She was given a hair ornament by Ryuuki as the emperor. It is a full blown flower and Shuurei is very happy and honored to accept it.

This time, no one in the court officials objected to the king doing that. They had acknowledged Shuurei's accomplishments and they think she deserved to continue on as an official. Many are relieved that Ryuuki did not take her to the inner palace.

Many people are gathered to see her off. Shouka, Kouyou, Shuuei, Sai Rin, Yuushun, Houjou/Kijin, Shusui, Riou (the kid not the father), Kan Hishou, and even Ki Kouki and Seiga.

''Don't come back if your job is not done,'' Ki Kouki said with a stern and icy look enough to make them shiver.

But Shuurei smiled happily at that. ''Of course I won't,'' she said with a clenched fist as if taking another challenge from her boss. She was offered by other departments but she chose to remain in the Censorate.

''Let's see. Run as fast as you can or else I'll crush me,'' Seiga said with a smirk. It was a challenge which Shuurei gladly accepted.

''Heh, you'll never reach me. I will do my best to have wings so you won't catch me. You are the one who will get crushed,'' Shuurei returned the challenge.

''Shuurei-dono I will keep sending you first rate of my inventions,'' Sai Rin said with a smile and Yuushun sweat-dropped. 'Can't she at least rest for now?' he thought. But he knew his wife is as strong-willed as Shuurei. She is also workaholic. He stared at her thinking of how to make her relax a bit. Everyone smiled as they saw his affectionate gaze towards his wife. Finally they could see a human expression on Yuushun's face. He is worrying about his wife.

''I would be glad to use your inventions Sai Rin-san. But please do not push yourself. I do not know what will happen to me and the merchants guild if something bad happened to you,'' Shuurei said with a glance towards Yuushun.

''How rude of you husband to look like that,'' Sai Rin chided and Yuushun did not understand why he is being scolded. ''Please ignore him Shuurei. Oh, here are some of my newest inventions. It may be useful as you travel,'' Sai Rin said with a smile. Yuushun looked like he is going to melt and Shuurei sweat-dropped as she received it. Sai Rin is uncharacteristically treating Yuushun coldly due to him keeping a lot of secrets to her and nearly betraying the king. Of course her personality change is affected by the perks of getting pregnant.

''Thank you Rin-san. Please take care of your health and of your baby.''

''Of course,'' Rin replied and lovingly caressed her belly.

Yuushun sighed in relief. 'Perhaps Reishin too is all over Yuri-hime now,' he thought. Yuri-hime is also pregnant so Reishin would have his own child soon too. Kouyou would have a brother.

Everyone said what they have to say to Shuurei and likewise to Ensei and Tantan (Shin Suou) since they will be accompanying her. They are also given tasks so they would later on separate with Shuurei. But they would surely join her again, especially Ensei.

Now only Shouka, Riou, and Ryuuki have not said anything.

''I'm heading of father,'' Shuurei said to Shouka.

''Make the Kou clan proud,'' Shouka replied. He had finished saying all he wanted to say to her as her father when they were at home, now he is standing before her as the head of the Kou Clan. Shuurei bowed her head to him.

''Take care of your health,'' Riou reminded her as she walked to Ryuuki.

''I will, thanks for all your assistance Riou-kun.''

Finally it was Ryuuki's turn. ''Kou Shuurei, we wish to hear more of your accomplishments. Show to the country how useful a woman official be. Prove that women have the right to enter politics. We are expecting women in the following exams for officials,'' Ryuuki said purely as the emperor. It is clear that he is looking at her as an official. He knew now that Shuurei had always been doing her best to prove that she is useful. He will allow her to do that so that someday female officials would not be belittled and even if they are criticized they have someone they would look up to. Someone who did not give up despite being a woman.

Shuurei bowed her head. ''Yes my lord, for the sake of this flower Your Majesty had bestowed, I will do my best in all I do. I will make you proud.'' Shuurei stood up and found the emperor smiling at her. She smiled back full of determination. She bowed to everyone and turned to leave.

Next Chapter: Cold Treatment