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

Chapter 97: History Repeats Itself

Shuurei wondered why she felt like something is missing. She had been feeling like this for days, or rather weeks now. She sighed heavily just like how her chest had been feeling heavy. 'Maybe I just need some fresh air,'' she thought and prepared to have tea outside.

She looked up to the Sakura tree that Ryuuki had given years ago. The sapling he had given is now so tall and its blossoms are in full bloom. It looked beautifully regal; a true mirror of Ryuuki.

Shuurei smiled to herself. Yes, this tree is like Ryuuki himself. This tall and regal tree portrays how magnificent he had become. He is in full bloom now too; using his talent, knowledge, skills, and power, all for the betterment of Saiunkoku.

Just like how a person would see this tree as beautiful, Ryuuki's reign is as beautiful and regal as this tree. Pleasing to the eye, emanating heartfelt kindness, and a gentleness that understands. Ryuuki's reign is something that the people had never experienced before. His kindness had reached his people and he has many loyal followers now.

Shuurei tried to reach for a few petals to add in her tea but the branches are too high for her. She jumped up several times but she still cannot. Someone behind her reached for it and a strong gust of wind blew. 'This had happened before,' her mind reminded her of a longstanding memory that had happened in the past.

She looked up to the man who reached up for her and just like the one in her memory, she saw a handsome man in purple clothing. But unlike before, there is something else in this man's face that is not present before.

Ryuuki's face looked pale and he has dark circles below his eyes. He looked fatigued, like he had never slept for days. But still, his eyes gazed at her with love and longing and he still looked dignified and regal. His lips curved in a smile and Shuurei's heart fluttered.

''Ryuuki, what are you doing here?'' she said in surprise. She is just thinking about him when he suddenly appeared. It had been two months since they last saw each other. She looked at his hand and he had broken a twig from the tree. She smiled. This is really like the first time they met. ''You have broken it,'' she reminded and Ryuuki looked at his hand.

''The wind surprised me so I accidentally broke it,'' he said just like what he had said years ago. He recalled it too and it made him smile too. Both of them laughed as they both sat down under the Sakura tree.

''Join me for tea,'' Shuurei invited and Ryuuki happily nodded. He helped her set it and they served tea to each other. ''This feels so nostalgic,'' Shuurei said after seeping tea. The heaviness she had been feeling in her heart suddenly vanished when she saw him.

''Indeed,'' Ryuuki agreed and picked another sweet bean bun. ''As always, this taste delicious Shuurei,'' he appraised.

''Thanks,'' Shuurei said with a blush. She eyed him. He really looked tired but he kept on smiling. ''Do you have something to tell me?'' she queried. They both were busy the whole two months that they were not able to see each other.

She did not want to disturb him too so even when she got some time off, she spent it with Riou but did not go and see Ryuuki nor invite him for tea. She had heard that he was stuck in his room with a lot of paper work since many more projects in various places in the country had been proposed.

''I just wanted to see you,'' Ryuuki admitted and Shuurei looked up to the cherry tree blossoms. Deep in her heart, she knew that is the reason why he came. She knew that he missed her and that fact made her both sad and happy. She wondered if this man would ever forget her. And yet she already knew the answer to that question.

''Does that mean you have finished the piles of paper you had been busy about,'' she said to divert the topic.

''Yes. After what seemed like forever I finally cleared those papers. And now I'm finally able to see you,'' Ryuuki said as he trailed a finger on her jawline and lovingly caressed her cheek. He looked like he is about to kiss her but his eyes just closed and his forehead touched hers.

With pink cheeks due to the closeness of his face, Shuurei listened to his breathing and realized that he fell asleep. She sighed. He really is exhausted and yet he still came to see her instead of getting rest. She gently pushed him to lean against the trunk of the Sakura tree. He looked like he is in pain. His body slowly leaned to his right and his head would have reached the ground if Shuurei had not pulled him. He really is sound asleep.

She let his head rest on her shoulder but he is far taller than her even while being seated and she knew that his neck would be painful if he remained that way for a long time. She sighed. She has no other choice. She carefully settled his head on her lap and he looked more comfortable that way.

Shuurei fixed the tea she had set and was thankful she could reach all of it while being limited to sitting down with Ryuuki's head on her lap. She wondered what she would do while this person is asleep. She did not want to wake him up. He looked like he really needed some sleep.

She looked at his face and stroked his long blond hair. His hair is so silky that it felt so good to touch. She smelled it and the scent made her want to keep on inhaling his scent. She suddenly felt self-conscious that she sounded like a pervert so she let go of his hair.

Her hands went to his bangs and fixed it so she could see more of his kind-looking face. His lashes are long just like before that it annoyed her. She gazed at his face and noticed again how his skin had paled. She caressed his cheek noticed his lips.

She touched his lips with her finger tips as she leaned down. And before she could think about anything else, her lips touched his. She is kissing a sleeping Ryuuki. As she kissed him, she realized what had been missing and tears slowly flowed down her eyes and dropped on his face.

Shuurei wiped her tears that had dropped on his face before drying hers. She knew now what felt like was missing in her life the past days. It is Ryuuki. The empty place in her heart felt like it was filled when she saw him. When he is this close to her.

She wondered when did she become so attached to this person that she would feel like that after two months of not seeing him. She had gone around Saiunkoku for four years and did not feel that emptiness. Or she just chose to ignore that feeling and treat it like it did not exist?

More tears trickled down her cheeks as she kissed him once again as she admitted something to herself.

Next Chapter: Under the Sakura Tree