A/N: One Red Ribbon is an AU I started creating by accident and it began with this story. The basic idea is "what will things be like for the Saiunkoku gang in about 10 years after the anime ends?" These chapters are all written for prompts at LiveJournal's Saiun_challenge. The "chapters" are in order written, but they aren't in order of how they might have happened in the AU. I have a goal of framing this up to be a chaptered fic proper, but for now, it's all about getting the ideas out, so that's pretty far in the future. Enjoy! - Ima
Disclaimer: I do not own Saiunkoku Monogatari. It belongs to its creator, Sai Yukino. I make no profit nor seek to make profit.
Shouka rubbed his sore arms and stared absently out the window. Autumn cold was setting in, and he was feeling it in his joints more and more. Taking another sip of his bitter tea he sighed.
"It's time," he thought, "I cannot put this off any longer."
Eleven years had passed since Ryuuki took the throne. He and Juusan-hime had successfully produced four beautiful children. The emperor had done as promised; there was only one empress, breaking the cycle of internal strife. The royal siblings were known to be very close and happy. There would be no internal struggles from this generation.
Shuurei was married to Kouyuu, and they made an excellent team leading the Kou clan. Yuri and Reshin had their own quarters within the mansion, and Shouka also had a place with them should he ever choose to take it. The young couple adopted a young daughter, and the toddler could often be found clinging to Reshin's legs, unmoved by his scowls.
Everyone Shouka raised now had lives of their own. Serian still remained at his side, secretly training. His devotion to his brother was resolute; he would serve Ryuuki for life. Strong and loyal, he was the perfect successor for the black wolf.
"Yes," Shouka thought, "there are only a few loose ends left."
An icy chill began to settle on the garden as twilight quickly faded into night. Shouka shivered. He had no real regrets, yet he was tired of the lies and secrets surrounding his family. Returning to his study he brought out a piece of parchment. After reading it one final time, he gently rolled it and secured it with a red ribbon. Tomorrow he would give it to Serian with instructions to deliver it only should the wolf met his death.