Story Title: Sweetest Dreams
Chapter: 06
Author: Moor (or 'beyondthemoor' from LJ)
Length: approx. 900 words
Genre: General/Comedy/Romance/PWP
Rating: I'll say T
Fandom: Saiunkoku Monogatari
Pairings: Shuurei x Kijin, Shuurei x Ryuuki.

Summary:A sequel to "Manjuu Magic."

Disclaimer: I have no ownership of "Saiunkoku Monogatari".

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER! I am making this story slight-AU in its timeline : In "Sweetest Dreams", Shuurei held her job in Kijin's department prior to taking her position in the harem. (Please, go with it?)

AN: I hope you enjoy this sequel, thank you for reading!


Chapter 06

Across the table, Reishin trembled with rage as he regarded Kijin's blank-yet-casual mask.

"You've… you've… you…."

His teeth and fists were clenched tight and he couldn't get a word past his stress-induced hiccups.

"Rest assured, 'he' works very hard and is very dutiful. Thoughtful, methodical, and shows up early every day. We work together." The emphasis on the last word didn't escape the intended's ears. "'His' clothes are simple, but well-kept; he is very clean; he brews an excellent cup of Lung Jin (dragonwell) for mid-afternoon tea. Has repaired many of the damaged texts, has kept to the budget, and has made a number of improvements to the running of the department, all while helping me with the audit and inventory." Despite his lecturing tone, Kijin couldn't resist egging on his companion. "Truly, the emperor is lucky to have such a diligent worker in his custody—er, 'employ'. Shou-kun would do so well running a household, I think. With many children—forgive me, I meant subordinates."

Fiercely protective, Reishin wasn't about to let the praise regarding his darling niece's aptitudes—comments which to him were no better than slights towards her divine greatness—pass without rebuttal.

"You dare to insult such a beautiful, intelligent child by exploitation! This is treachery!"

"Perhaps," agreed the elegant man congenially, his robes shining almost golden for a moment as the sun poured in over him. He pretended to study the teacup in his hand a moment before continuing. "But Shou-kun seems to enjoy it. Do you think Shou would like to join the department later as an official? To see each other and work together everyday?"

Kijin expected—and easily ducked—the fan-missile that shot past his ear, and took a slow, content sip from his own cup.

"Mmm," he nodded to himself. "You're right. He'd do so much better if he were to join my household and work… under me." Taking note of the time of day and Reishin's apoplectic expression, he sighed politely and thought fondly of how to torture him the next time they met.

"Thank you for tea," he said as he got up and left his friend to return to work.

For his part, Kou Reishin stayed very still, lips trembling and regarded with murderous intent his dearest acquaintance walk away from him. As soon as the masked man was out of sight, Reishin broke down in tears, bawling hopelessly all over the table before banging the table violently and vowing revenge.

"Maximum… punishment…" he choked to himself as he skulked sullenly back to his office. He'd order Kouyuu around a bit and make himself feel better in the meantime.


In the Ministry of Finance…

"We've reached the half-way point," remarked 'Shou-kun' proudly to her superior when he returned that evening. At the end of their usual working day, the regular employees had gone home; 'Shou-kun' had stayed to continue 'his' work, as had become 'his' custom.

The young 'man' was standing atop a small stool, cataloguing and putting away a heavy-looking scroll before wiping the perspiration from her brow and smiling at Kijin, eye-level with him. "We're actually ahead of schedule, too—the last two sections went much faster than I'd anticipated. Where would you like me next?"

The minister regarded her a moment in the lamp-light and shadow of the stacks, struck by her slight frame, the tendrils of soft, dark hair that had escaped her utilitarian bun at the back of her head. The flush of accomplishment on 'his' cheeks did nothing to hide her femininity and for not the first time Kijin wondered how the others in the department had failed to notice the lovely individual in their midst. It came to him early on that he needed to keep her at least some distance from the rest of the employees, to maintain objectivity in the audit – but he was now glad he'd kept the physical distance between them to prevent them from ever getting a good look at her.

His mind wandered further, and he realized with some surprise, and a hint of alarm, that he may have had his own, personal reasons for keeping her close to him, too.

"Hm?" he heard himself ask her through a foggy haze.

"Where would you like me to work next?" she repeated, looking at him curiously. "Are you not feeling well?" her concern was conservative, as any man asking another man, but the long lashes of her eyes distracted him.

"I think, since we made so much progress today, that we should retire early. Would you join me for a meal?" he evaded her questions and made the invitation casually, though the request was out of his mouth before he realized it. He felt grateful for the mask's comforting weight and leant deception.

Stepping carefully down from the stool, 'Shou-kun' smiled brightly at him and gave a hearty "yes!".

As they walked together down the hallway chatting amiably, Kijin quickly brought his hand back from where he'd been about to touch the curve of her back to guide her along.

From behind one of the tall, red, ornately carved columns that studded the outer walkway and ran the perimeter of the palace, Shi Seiran held himself still under his armour and observed the pair leave in the direction of the restaurant district.


TBC...

AN: Kichou, thank you for the plot-bunny! (I hope you don't mind me pinching it… I may have looked favourably at other comments & reviews, too, coughcough… Which means future chaps have already been plotted out, thank you very much for contributing to the SaiMono fanfic fund that is "SD"!)

AN: Also, I apologize sincerely for the lack of updates… (I last updated in March 2008? Eeps! I'm so sorry… I lost the chapters I worked on while I was abroad in April, and then I lost the ones I re-wrote when I got back!) I am working on more already to make it up to any of you who are still following this story!

/mm. Chap. First posted 12 July 2008.