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

Chapter 39: Accident

The following week, Jyuusan was already training her soldiers when Seiran suddenly came. She did not expect him to come in a Monday. 'He must have been really pissed for last time,' she thought.

Since Seiran appeared, they have to do a duel. For almost three years it had become a custom for the two of them to spar once Seiran would come to the training grounds. He was like an unwelcome presence that Jyuusan has to drive off. That is because the new ones who are not yet used to having him around get all nervous all of a sudden.

In order to show them that they should not adore this person too much since he could be cruel, Jyuusan always make him annoyed so he would act scary. It then become a habit of the two of them to insult each other.

When Shuurei returned, she suddenly became the subject of their arguments. They acted like love rivals bragging to each other who gets more of Shuurei's attention and her praises.

''Don't you ever use milady (Shuurei) like that again,'' is the first thing that Seiran said and unsheathed his sword.

''Hai hai (Yes, yes).'' Jyuusan also took her swords. When the training soldiers saw this, they cleared the area and watched the two instead. This time, Seiran stopped holding back a little since Jyuusan challenged him to do so. Seiran was able to knock one of Jyuusan's swords easily. It flew quite afar and he would not allow her to take it back. They continued fighting, trying to make the other lost balance. Jyuusan included kicks in her attacks. She may not be that strong but it will help distract Seiran from the sword. He knew what she was trying to do though.

Jyuusan was able to get back her other sword. The fight became more exciting and soldiers from other troupes have started to watch the two. They were amazed just at the fact that Jyuusan can cross swords with the famous General Seiran. They acknowledged her bravery too for trying to distract him through giving insults every now and then. She could have been beheaded by spouting words of insult to the Prince of the Imperial Palace if they knew his real identity. She had been calling him foolish, idiot, pretty face, liar, monster, and so on.

''Wicked lewd deceitful monster,'' Jyuusan said and Seiran was dumbfounded to be even called as that. He never had any woman in his life. How could he be lewd? Jyuusan was just spouting things to embarrass him. Jyuusan attacked while Seiran was thinking about what she said.

Her attack nearly hit him. Knowing that he cannot dodge her attack, Seiran deflected the blow with too much force that Jyuusan and the sword she used to slash was thrown unto the air. Her sword was thrown higher in the air and dropped to pierce her, so as she fell to the ground, she used her free hand to cushion her fall and used the other to parry the sword about to fall on her body.

Everyone was amazed that she was able to deflect the sword in her state and prevent herself from hitting the ground hard head first at the same time. But one hand is not enough. She crumpled to the ground and her face contorted and she screeched in pain. The bone in her arm was dislocated. The onlookers gasped.

Seiran wanted to hit himself. The blow was too much for Jyuusan to handle. He had rushed to catch her but he was too late. ''Jyuusan, are you alright? I'm sorry.'' He crouched in front of her and saw that the arm she used to cushion the fall is bleeding. Jyuusan's face was pale and tears are flowing down her eyes due to the pain but she did not ask him to help her. She pointed the hilt of her sword at Seiran's throat despite the shaking of her arms. The audience gasped. ''I win,'' she declared with determination despite her tears. She bit her lips when the pain of from her arms pulsated.

''Idiot. Let me bring me you to the infirmary,'' Seiran said in alarm. Her arm has bulged.

''In the battle field, the enemy won't suddenly come to your rescue when you're injured. So even if you are in pain you have to fight,'' she said in a trembling voice but she did not even whimper in pain. The soldiers are touched at her courage and endurance.

''Fine you win. But we're not in the battle field,'' Seiran said and at that Jyuusan fell unconscious due to the pain. Seiran was about to pick her up when Shusui suddenly appeared beside her and slapped his hand away.

''Don't touch her!'' Shusui said in a voice that made him quiver. She did not yell but in the utter silence, it sounded like she did. At that voice and at the look Shusui gave him, he felt like he had just killed Jyuusan. It felt like Seiran was a threat to Jyuusan's life and Shusui is protecting her from him.

Shusui started healing Jyuusan's injury through magic. She did not even touch her or move her position since it could have made the injury worse. Jyuusan's dislocated bone was returned to original and her arm is no longer bulging. Even the wounds she got from the ground was closed.

Seiran was so relieved to see that color has returned to Jyuusan's face. He had been so worried. Shusui turned to him with a glare. Then he felt a slap on his left cheek. ''What are you spacing out for?'' carry her to the nearest room,'' Shusui commanded. She looked pale.

Seiran lifted Jyuusan and saw Shuuei and Ryuuki running towards them. Shusui tightly held Seiran's shoulder for support as she stood. The magic she used drained her energy. Shuuei dashed to her and carried her too.

''Call the best doctors to examine her. Her hand is not yet fully healed,'' Shusui said and lost consciousness in Shuuei's arms. Shusui had become better at using healing magic but using it in Kiyou tripled the strain on her body. Magic is not supposed to be used in Kiyou since the protection of the sages is still very strong there to prevent sorcery.

Shusui woke up after two hours and seeing the look on Seiran's face, she told him that it was not his fault. She explained that she stopped him since if Jyuusan's arm was moved, it could have worsened the situation. Seiran still felt so guilty that he did not sleep until when Jyuusan woke up.

Next Chapter: Men in Love