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

Chapter 70: Shusui's Secret

Shusui's heart was touched. She did not now that her husband is this kind and loving. He even had the heart and courage to say those words to her. ''You're such a great husband.'' She smiled and kissed him. Her husband did not waver.

''I still like him lot. But not how I liked him before. He is someone irreplaceable. But I know one thing for sure Shuuei. I married you because I love you,'' Shusui truthfully said and loved the smile that formed on her husband's lips when he heard that.

''I'm glad to know that Shusui. You know that I love you too. And Shouka-sama is important to me too. I respect him a lot.'' He caressed her arms. ''By the way, did you also learn martial arts from Shouka-sama?'' he recalled how she moved when she fought Jyuusan.

''Eh? What are you talking about?'' Shusui pretended.

''I saw Shouka-sama suddenly grab a retainer's sword when assassins shot arrows to them. The arrows all broke into pieces with just one blow from him. He cannot do that unless he is extremely skilled in martial arts.''

''You must have seen someone else. How could Shouka-sama be able to do that,'' Shusui lied. Her skin has paled.

Shuuei smiled. ''It's obvious when you're lying.'' He caressed her cheek which had lost color. ''I saw Shouka-sama's stance change. He had already become authoritative when he became the head of the Kou clan, he showed in his stance that he knows martial arts and the way of the sword. But what I saw is entirely different. I recognized that he is an adept swordsman and martial artist. He is that good to be able to conceal it even from generals.''

Shusui turned green. She did not know that Shuuei is that observant.

''He was even able to hide it from me and Seiran who are both Generals. It's only now that I became enlightened. I recognized that you have the same kind of footsteps. Silent, but deadly. That of an assassin,'' Shuuei continued and he felt the fear of his wife on his entire body which is still pressed to hers. She is staring wildly at him.

He caressed her face and kissed her lips. ''Relax darling. I still love you no matter what you are. The matter about Shouka-sama can wait for later too.''

''Now I feel like you married me so you can dig information from me,'' Shusui said to avoid answering his questions and confirming his suspicions through her reactions.

''You know that's not my reason. Calm down, all I said are just my theories as to why I always felt so little when I am compared to Shouka-sama. I won't force you to tell me everything about you if you're not ready yet.''

Shusui sighed in relief. And kissed his lips trying to distract him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and Shuuei gave in to such an invitation. How could he decline from the woman he had been dreaming to do this with? Shusui smiled in victory as Shuuei kissed her neck. He succumbed to her temptation but he would not forget her reactions at the things he had said.

''So, are you an assassin sent after me?'' Shuuei asked after getting his fill of her and Shusui slapped his shoulder. He smiled. ''I know you were trying to make me forget our conversation.''

Shusui pouted at her ineffectiveness. ''Now I feel like that you being crazy for me was all an act,'' she glared.

''Don't be like that, Sweetheart. I'm this crazy for you so I am trying to understand my wife even more,'' he kissed her lips. ''So what assassin organization were you a member of?'' he pressed.

Shusui glared at him. ''I thought those were just you're theories yet. You're concluding about me. You're such a cruel husband.''

''But I'm right aren't I? You're not just part of the Hyou clan's assassin dolls before. You were part of an elite organization of assassins,'' Shuuei pried. He knew he was right as he saw Shusui's expression.

''I never knew you are also scary,'' she said.

''Are you still a part of it? I'd rather kiss my wife before she goes off somewhere rather than have her secretly leaving to do things.''

''You don't trust me?! We have been disbanded a long time ago,'' she snapped. She recalled how Yuushun was treated coldly due to keeping his real identity from Sai Rin. She shivered and looked away at the thought of Shuuei being cold to her.

Shuuei had always been warm and sunny towards her that having him treat her coldly scared her. Shouka had told her that she can tell Shuuei her other identity. But Shusui is not mentally prepared yet.

''It's not a matter of trust and distrust. I just want to listen and know more about you. I hate it that I always get dumbfounded when I hear something about you from other people which I have never known even after chasing you for more than a decade,'' Shuuei stated. ''If you want to know something about me, I would tell you everything you want.''

Shusui's conscience and guilt bothered her at what he said. He is always open to her and ready to answer whatever she asks. She looked away from his probing eyes. She pushed him off of her and sat up. She folded her knees to her chest and gazed at her hands. ''I'm an assassin with blood sullied hands. I can kill ruthlessly in various ways. I have ended many lives,'' Shusui said in a whisper.

Shuuei carried her to his lap and kissed her forehead. ''I still love you and I love you more now that you opened to me a secret you have always protected. I know the Wolves of the Wind only kills for the betterment of the country. You ended lives of the corrupt and greedy.'' He kissed her when she gaped at him with her mouth open. ''I knew that is the only band of assassins you could be a member of,'' he smiled.

''Then do you know as well who was the leader of the Wolves of the Wind?'' Shusui asked with a pale face. Shuuei's eyes widened. He did not know, but now that she asked with so much concern in her voice, he understood who it was.

''The famed Kokurou (The Black Wolf) is Shouka-sama,'' he stated in disbelief at his realization. He suspected that Shouka is someone highly skilled but he did not think that he was the Kokurou that every military officer had feared yet wished to meet and cross swords with even just once. ''No wonder I felt so small compared to him. I never thought that someone I wished to meet was always that closed to me.''

Shusui bit her lip. ''Please keep this secret between us,'' she pleaded.

''You don't have to ask me. I know information like this cannot be known to others. I also wouldn't want to find myself dead tomorrow. I want to enjoy my life with you first,'' Shuuei said and Shusui hugged him back.

''You really just married me for information,'' she pouted as she snuggled closer to him. She loved the warmth of his body. She felt safe wrapped in his arms like this. She settled her head on his shoulders.

''You know I love you,'' Shuuei said and planted a kiss on her shoulder.

Next Chapter: Passing Days