Author's Note: Since I have a tendency to write short pieces, I've decided to turn this into a collection for my canon-based Saiunkoku drabbles and ficlets to keep my story list from being overrun with too many drabble entries. Birds of a Blue Feather, The Ruby Earrings, and The Song of the Floundering Carp will remain as separate stories since they already have reviews but I expect to post future drabbles and ficlets here unless I feel they especially deserve their own entry. This first ficlet was my first attempt at any Saiunkoku fanfic and was originally written for the yellow prompt of the Rainbow Challenge at the saiun_challenge LJ community.
Title: More Precious Than Gold
Genre: General
Character: Ryuuren
Summary: On his way to visit the new Sa Province governors, Ryuuren searches for the perfect pears to give Shuurei and Eigetsu.
…
There was a slightly troubled note in the tune that Ryuuren played as he left the marketplace and the small town behind. He was within hours of reaching Kinka but had yet to find a gift suitable for the new governors of Sa Province.
The wandering Ran had visited many fruit vendors during his journey and there was always some flaw in their wares. The pears had been picked before they were completely ripe or had bruises from rough handling or had a lumpy and unappealing shape. It would be lacking in refinement to present such imperfect fruits to his soul friends.
Sensing something in the wind, Ryuuren abruptly stopped mid-note and whirled around. He tucked the dragon flute away as he left the main road and turned down a narrow path that led into the woods. He soon came to a clearing with a shabby little house in need of repair. A well-tended vegetable garden and a few fruit trees filled the rest of the clearing. One tree in particular caught his attention.
Ryuuren had finally found the pears that had eluded him in the outdoor markets of all the towns he had passed through since entering Sa Province. Just the right ripeness, a beautiful yellow color, and a pleasing shape. The perfect gift for his soul friends.
What a disappointment that the owner of those exquisite pears didn't seem to be home; a peek through the window of the silent house confirmed that it was empty and he didn't want to delay his reunion with his friends by waiting for the homeowner's return. Also, how would he carry the pears? He didn't have a sack or basket and didn't want to risk blemishing the fruit after his long search…
He considered what to do for a few moments and smiled upon reaching a conclusion. Ryuuren reached up and broke off the branches with the dozen or so remaining pears. He pulled some cord from a pocket and used it to carefully arrange the branches in his hair. It was a very satisfactory solution to the problem of carrying the fruit without accidentally bruising it. Plus, it left his hands free so that he could play his flute. There was just one more thing to do…
After quickly completing this final task, he took out his flute, raised it to his lips and resumed his journey towards Kinka.
…
It was late in the day when the couple who owned the little house returned, tired and carrying empty baskets after a day of selling vegetables in town. They were about to enter their home when the woman gasped and pointed towards the pear tree. Her husband let out an angry shout at the sight of the broken branches. A thief had made off with their best pears, the ones they had been saving for themselves!
Approaching the tree to inspect the damage, the couple was bewildered to find something a hundred times more valuable had replaced their fruit. They looked at each other in astonishment. Surely, such things only happened in fairy tales! Gleaming in the rays of the setting sun, several golden coins dangled from a yellow cord in place of the missing pears.
