A/N:
Wow! I came up with this drabble because I was inspired by a review I got from Moor! :) Thank you for reminding me as to why I actually love Saimono!
Anyway, this is based on the premise that Shuurei knows a certain and well-kept secret that she refused to acknowledge, until she is finally forced to stare it in the face.
Not too sure if it works, or if maybe I made Ran Ryuuren a little to OOC, but in a sense, acting out of context is part of his enigma-- or something to that effect! lol!
Hope you enjoy this and again, reviews are much appreciated!
Domo Arigatou!
"You speak in riddles," she accused harshly. "Is everything just a game to you?"
He stared at her with dispassionate eyes, eyes that saw through the brashness of her voice to the trembling child within.
"I speak only the truth," he repeated firmly.
Shuurei stared at him mutely, emotions flickering from disbelief to outright anger.
"I don't understand how you can calmly say this to my face, does friendship mean nothing?"
He sighed deeply, his knowing glance taking in the subtle rise and fall of her chest with her agitated breathing. He took note of the dilation of stormy brown orbs and idly wondered at the difficult and bothersome predicaments his name sometimes landed him in.
Ryuuren suddenly reached out to grab Shuurei's face firmly between callused palms.
Other than the slight flare of dainty nostrils, her gamine face did not betray the smallest hint of disturbance.
"Yes?" She instead queried coolly.
"You misunderstand me, Friend of My Heart number one," Ryuuren stated smoothly. "Do you honestly believe that this is merely a matter of black and white? Your belief in such childish things as fairness and equality are," he patted her cheek almost sharply before letting her go to continue on, "almost endearing if only it wasn't so pitiful to watch," he chided softly.
He turned around to face the window, hands clasped behind his back. He began speaking, quietly.
"The strong survive and the weak perish, it has always been that way." He uttered with a negligent shrug.
It was said in such a simple and straightforward tone that it tugged the painful chord of truth within Shuurei's heart.
"What… just what are you implying Ryuuren?" she questioned tentatively, although deep inside she already knew the answer.
"The world is changing. Both political and civil unrest plague the capital like a malignant sore," he spun around and stared at her directly.
"You of all people know the workings of the Inner Court— the deception and intrigue." the last words were uttered in a disdainful manner.
"The people know Shuurei," he stated flatly. "They know, and the whispers have begun circulating in the streets. It's merely a matter of time before they reach the palace."
"What do you think would happen if those greedy and power-hungry mongrels discovered this undeniable truth?" Ryuuren asked seriously. "I'm sorry Friend of My Heart number one but it has already begun. The walls have ears." He ended sadly.
Shuurei stared at him and paled in dawning horror. If this were true… the chaos and strife that were bound to ensue would be catastrophic.
"I… I must…" Her hand flew to her mouth, "I must warn…" her stricken eyes flew to meet his.
"Go," he commanded dismissively— reverting to his usual eccentric self. "I must now play a song of lament for the fallen," he rambled on glibly, before turning to face the window once more.
Shuurei needed no further encouragement and quickly fled the room.
Ryuuren waited until the last of her footsteps faded before taking out his flute. Instead of the usual ear-piercing and bone-jarring noise associated with the Ran clan's genius, a thoughtful silence was heard.
He stared out into the night and thought about his conversation with the Kou princess. His mind went on to contemplate on the dark cloud that loomed over the horizon and threatened to ruin the unstable peace in the kingdom.
All he could do was bide his time and watch as the fragile rope that held everything together began to unravel.
Just what will you do, Shuurei? He wondered curiously.
Who will you choose to save?
It would be a difficult enough choice— one that left no room for petty ideals such as friendship, or even loyalty.
What were they to do?
Now that the people knew Prince Seien lived…