Bittersweet Orange Lilly
Disclaimer
I do not own any of the Saiunkoku Monogatari character's they belong to Sai Yukino. I also do not own any of the characters from Bleach they belong to Tite Kubo. I am only using them in this story as a fan.
Chapter one
"Rem-dono I've been approached by a man who requested our help or rather your assistances. I've already taken the liberty of graciously accepting the job on your behalf and you'll leave for Saiunkoku providence in three weeks. Messages have already been sent to those who I believe whose help you will need and they will be arriving in the coming weeks. I will be accompanying you and the others to Saiunkoku providence and setting up shop there to help you out if you need me." Shizuoka explained watching Rem from under his straw hat as he took a slip of his tea.
"Just what exactly have you volunteered me for Tatsuya?" Rem questioned him eyeing him carefully.
"The man requested a young woman to become a lady-in-waiting for the imperial palace. Apparently they are having some indiscretions and would like someone outside the imperial palace to find the people behind the incidences. It seems they aren't sure who can be trusted and thought it would be best to bring in outside help." Shizuoka explained before continuing making sure Rem was still listening. "Once we reach Saiunkoku providence you will meet with Kochou-dono who will fill you in on the details and also help you get to the imperial palace."
"I am going to be working as a lady-in-waiting… are you kidding me Tatsuya. I've been trained as a swordswoman not a lady-in-waiting." Rem said standing up getting ready to head for the door.
Rem had always given Tatsuya the benefit of the doubt since he took her in at a young age and trained her but she often got annoyed with him and his antics. He would just appear out of nowhere with a job for her and it was usually one for his benefit alone. He was really starting to test her patience's with this latest job and she had had enough.
"You had five years of formal training as a lady, being a lady-in-waiting should not be difficult for you. In less you have a problem with the social status and believe that being a lady-in-waiting is below you. I'd be very disappointed in you if you did. You really should take this more serious Rem-dono. These women have the potential to carry the future heir of their country. Their safety is now our top priority." Shizuoka said eyeing Rem as she moved away from the table.
"I understand and I am grateful for this opportunity and I thank you for thinking of me when there were others who you could have roped into this job. Thank you I'll take my leave now and begin to prepare for the trip." Rem said taking the envelope from Tatsuya before bowing to leaving.
"And Tatsuya the next time you wish to speak with me please do so at a later hour. I don't think Tae was too happy about opening Akabeko this early not to mention you woke Mickiko-dono and the others up coming to the dojo this morning." Rem said before disappearing through the door.
Rem left the teashop and headed back towards Shimane dojo when she got there she found Mickiko waiting for her.
"Rem-chan what did that man want this morning. He came here at such an early hour asking for you and you left with him without Kenji or Benjiro." Mickiko said standing at the door like a protective mother.
"There is no need to worry Mickiko-chan it was only Tatsuya. I apologize on his behalf for waking you and the others this morning." Rem said bowing before going into the dojo.
"Rem-dono where have you been? Who the hell was that guy that came here this morning? What were you thinking leaving with him and without Kenji or myself as a chaperone? He didn't try anything did he? Where did he take you? Kenji get ready to go we are going into town after that guy." Benjiro spaded off not waiting for a reply from Rem.
"Benjiro I don't think it's necessary to go after Shizuoka-sempai. I am sure he had a good reason to ask to see Rem-dono. Besides I've known Shizuoka-sempai for a number of years and I consider him a trusted friend. And anyway he's the one who introduced us to Rem-dono if you remember correctly." Kenji explained sitting down at the table to eat.
"Even so I still don't like or trust him." Benjiro stated eating his rice.
"To clear this all up why don't we have Rem-chan tell us what Shizuoka-sensei wanted." Mickiko said giving herself seconds.
"Tatsuya accepted a job for me in Saiunkoku providence and I'll be leaving in three weeks." Rem explained quickly and to the point.
"You're leaving us already?" Mickiko pouted.
"Yes, I am afraid I am. I can't afford to pass up a job especially one working in the imperial palace and it pays more than I could hope for working at the teashop. Besides, I've freeloaded off you for long enough its time I move on. This was only supposed to be temporary right?" Rem told them.
"It's not everyday that people are given the opportunity to work in the imperial palace. This is an opportunity you shouldn't miss Rem-dono." Kenji said looking down at the table then back at Rem.
"I know and I intent to go to Saiunkoku providence to perform this job." Rem reassured him.
"I'll come with you… we'll all come with you." Benjiro said getting up and heading for the kitchen.
"I don't think the emperor will allow you into his palace with your wrap-sheet Benjiro. Rem-dono will be well taken care of in the imperial palace so no need to worry about her." Kenji said getting up from the table as well.
"I am going to miss having you around Rem. It's going to be back to being just Benjiro, Kenji and myself again." Mickiko said a little disappointed.
One week later
"Rem-dono I'd like you to meet Rukia-dono. She'll be traveling with you to Saiunkoku providence. Rukia-dono is going to be a member of the emperor's concubine and you'll be her lady-in-waiting." Shizuoka said introducing the two girls.
Standing face to face Rukia and Rem had similar body types and bone structure in their faces. Both always seemed short for their ages and had naturally pink lips. They differed however in their eye color and hairstyles. Rukia's eyes were a deep purple while Rem's were a cool gray. Rukia also had short black hair which was cut in a tulip shape around her face while Rem's hair was longer and light brown in color which she styled by pulling the sides back in a ponytail.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Rem-dono. Shizuoka-sensei has told me a great deal about you." Rukia said bowing.
Rem smiled and bowed as well "It is a pleasure to meet you as well."
"Excellent now that you both know each other you should talk and become friends. In the meantime while we wait for the others to arrive you both need to work on your act. It needs to be believable that you are lady and lady-in-waiting so work on that. Shall we go get something to eat?" Shizuoka suggested walking towards Akabeko teashop.
"It seems the others have arrived." Shizuoka said picking up a shuriken which had just embedded itself into the table in front of them.
"Who are the others?" Rem asked eyeing the shuriken.
"Nashiko-dono, Ryoichi-kun, Ayumu-dono, Hisashi-kun and Susumu-kun." Shizuoka listed the group on his hand.
"It's been a while since I saw them but do we really need all of them?" Rem questioned.
"It's just a precaution since if we did need them and they weren't in Saiunkoku providence it would take them a month to get there and then it might be too late." Shizuoka explained and Rem nodded in acceptance.
"But why did they choose to throw a dagger at us to announce they have arrived instead of just walking over to us?" Rukia asked.
'Where did Tatsuya find this girl if she has no clue about spies' Rem thought to herself.
"The group consists of both spies and assassins. It is for their own safety and the safety of their families that they keep their identities secret." Shizuoka explained to Rukia in the simplest terms he could to help her to understand before Rem could open her mouth with a comment.
"Oh." Rukia said looking out the window.
"Will they always be out there? Are they like our bodyguards?" Rukia questioned.
"No, their purpose is to observe the inner court of the imperial palace and to collect the needed information for Rem. Though Hisashi will be keeping an eye on the harem and most likely you when your there." Shizuoka explained to Rukia.
One month later
"Kogarou is in the red light district just two blocks up and three blocks to the right. Kochou-dono will be waiting for you." Shizuoka explained as Rem and Rukia walked for the door.
"Good luck ladies and if you need to contact me or the others Hisashi will be following you." Shizuoka said bowing to them.
Both Rukia and Rem bowed and began walking towards Kogarou.
"According to Kochou's profile she is the owner of Kogarou, the number one courtesan in the red light district and she is also the leader of the red light district underground." Rem told Rukia as they walked.
"Wow very powerful woman. She should be able to help you and the others collect information right?" Rukia asked.
"Yes, she has the underground networked if someone is planning anything she should know about it. Or at least be able to get us any information we need anywhere in the country." Rem nodded.
"But I don't understand how she can get us into the imperial palace or even why she requested your help." Rukia said as they walked up to the front gate of Kogarou.
"I guess we will find out. " Rem said walking up to the front desk.
"Welcome to Kogarou how can I help you." A small girl asked from behind the front desk.
"I am Rem Toshimaro and this is Rukia Kuchiki and we are here to meet with Kochou-dono. She should be expecting us." Rem smiled at the girl.
"Kochou-dono is already with a customer but I will announce your arrival please follow me." The girl said leading them upstairs to an empty room before leaving.
The girl came back a few minutes later and asked Rem and Rukia to please follow her. They were lead to a room where a woman was sitting with two gentlemen.
"Kochou-dono here are Toshimaro-san and Kuchiki-san as you requested." The girl bowed and left the room.
In the room sat three people. Closest to them was a beautiful woman with dark purple hair and brilliant green eyes. In front of her sat two gentlemen the first had black hair and smoky gray eyes while the other had light teal hair and gray eyes. All three watched both girls as they stepped farther into the room.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Kochou-dono" Both girls said in unison bowing.
"Please have a seat both of you. These gentlemen are General Ran Shuuei and Vice Secretary of the Civil Affairs Li Kouyuu. They will be escorting you to the imperial palace and you will be reporting your findings to them while you're in the palace" Kochou said introducing both men to the girls and both Rem and Rukia bowed to them respectfully.
"Now then I assume that Shizuoka-sensei gave you an idea about what it going on and what you will be doing." Kochou said looking to each girl for a nod.
"Actually Shizuoka-sempai just informed us that some incidences have happened in the imperial palace. Besides our roles, we weren't told much else. We weren't informed as to what the incidences were or any of the details." Rem told them.
"The incidences are occurring in the inner harem and involve the poisoning of the ladies within the concubine. Though the doses are small this can not be tolerated. We fear that the poisons will become stronger if nothing is done. We brought you in to discover who is behind this and why. We trust you to do this for the sake of our country and its future. " Shuuei explained.
"I understand and we will do our best but I am curious as to why Kochou-dono is involved with this Tatsuya-sensei informed me that a man asked for our help not a women. I apologize if that insulted you." Rem said looking at Kochou.
"It is did not and it was a mutual decision between Kou Shouka who you will meet later and myself to ask for your help. Kou Shouka works as the imperial archivist in the palace and his daughter Shuurei-dono has recently entered the emperor's concubine and we both fear for her safety. Shuurei-dono is like a daughter to me and I only want her safe. Since the ladies in the concubines are most likely being poisoned by someone inside imperial palace, we thought it was necessary to ask for your help. I will give you access to any of my resources in which you need to uncover the people responsible." Kochou explained sliding an envelope towards Rem.
"I understand your concern and we will do our best." Rem reassured her taking the envelope.
"The envelope contains detailed profiles of the ladies, their families, the royal family and other officials within the imperial palace. There is also a detailed analysis of the incidences that have occurred and some details of the poison used that we have been unable to indentify. We've determined that two different poisons are being used. It's unclear if they are coming from the same source or not. In addition, we have been unable to link the poisons used to anyone or even to a seller. The envelope contains all the information we have collected up until now. If I find out anything new ill be sure to let you know. Then if there are no more questioned perhaps it's time your on your way to the imperial palace." Kochou explained and everyone nodded in responses.