I do not own Saiunkoku Monogatari.
It belongs to Yura Kairi.
Dedicated to Nishitamachi
pairing: Ryuu/Shuu, Kijin/Reishin, Kouyuu/Shuuei (?)
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Lessons In Love
Lesson 1 - Beginner's Luck
"What's this then?"
"That? Forget about that. THIS is a needle - you slide the thread through it... like... so!"
Shusui handed the needle over to her eager student.
"You understand?"
"I - I THINK so..."
"Now, just some practice stitches along the line I drew on the cloth - up-down, up-down - as small as you can."
"Hmmm... this looks easy," he said, peering at her nimble fingers. "I'll try now."
Taking back the small hoop stretching a piece of fabric, Ryuuki frowned down at the stitches thoughtfully.
This is for you, Shuurei.
-
"Hmmmm... Mmmmhmm hm hm hm!!!! Shuu-rei!!!! Hmm hm mmm mm hm..."
Kouyuu, looking up from his paperwork, stared at his ever volatile responsibility - the Emperor. The young man in question was indolently slouching in his seat, elbow on table, chin on the palm, and was off in la-la land, eyes starry, cheeks flushed and his finger tapping in time to a tuneless melody.
It's all because Shuurei is coming back for yet another annual report, Kouyuu thought with a frown. And the idiot Emperor is behaving like a love-struck schoolboy.
Kouyuu ground his teeth.
"Kou-yuu," crooned Shuuei. "You need to relax! There's this masseur..."
"I'm FINE!" snapped Kouyuu. He jerked his head at the obviously daydreaming Emperor. "But him, I'm not so sure."
Shuuei flapped a hand lazily.
"Like me, he knows the joy and pain of a woman... but you... I think you need to -"
"I. DON'T. NEED. ANYTHING!" yelled Kouyuu, tossing a book at his annoying friend's head.
"Wonderful!" A scathing voice froze the entire room in an atmosphere of sub-zero. "So THIS is the state of the council! Makes one wonder about the future of this kingdom, hm, Kijin."
"Kou-dono!" Ryuuki straightened instantly, goofy smile wiped off his face - but his stern demeanor was undercut by the pile of papers wafting around him.
Kouyuu lowered his hand and secondary weapon (his paperweight) and blushed red.
"R-r-r-r-reishin-dono!"
"Ah! If it isn't Reishin-sama!"
"Kou-sama to you idiots. Know your place!" Reishin snapped his fan open and glared over the top. "What a world this would be if people such as us were considered equals by fools like you three."
Ryuuki's face was warring between shock, wounded dignity and fear.
Wounded dignity won out. Rising to his feet, Ryuuki sniffed.
"What would you need OUR HELP on?"
Emphasis on help.
Reishin bridled.
"I don't need help. Kijin thought it would be good to come for your signature personally and ask questions about some money matter."
"So why are YOU here?" Shuuei blinked.
"What's it to you?"
"Nothing," Shuuei shrugged. "Just trying to be friendly."
"Well, he thought he could find some practical if not intellectual conversation with Kouyuu," Kijin replied, ignoring his friend's death glare.
"I see I was gravely mistaken," Reishin sighed.
Kouyuu looked shamed. Shuuei stuck out his tongue.
"Conversation on what?" Kouyuu's hands tightened around his scroll.
"Shuurei's arrival, what else?" Reishin forgot his anger in his eagerness.
Kouyuu slumped.
Sure she's a great girl - but what is it about Shuurei that reduces these men's brains to mush?
He zoned back to Kijin, Ryuuki and Reishin's grave chatter about Shuurei's arrival.
"Well, don't expect to get her this time around," seethed Reishin. "She's still too good for you. Even if you are proving yourself... to be... a mite... capable... as Emperor."
Ryuuki's bright face fell, then glared at the back of Reishin's head as he swept out of the room grandly.
I'm trying my hardest, Shuurei...
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