Summary: A poor girl gets forced to become the emperor of China's teacher. They soon begin to develop feelings for each other.
Series: Saiunkoku Monogatari
Spoilers: None Yet.
Pairings: Shuurei/Ryuuki
Rating: 'PG-13' for some violence and language.
Status: Ongoing
Chapter: 1
Words: 856
Disclaimer: Saiunkoku Monogatari and its characters are copyright to their respective companies and creators. I did not create them.

Chapter 1 – A Shady Proposition

Shuurei was out doing her daily shopping, when a voice called out to her, "Shuurei!"

The young female looked in the directed of the familiar voice, only see Seiran, her brother, running at full speed at her. "Oh, Seiran, its only you. What's the matter? Why are you running?"

"Shuurei, there is a guest at home waiting for you," he said, as he tried to regain his breath. "You must come home quickly!"

Shuurei quickly paid the shop owner for the items she picked up, and hurriedly walked with Seiran back to their home. "So, what is the hurry to get home, Seiran? Who is there?"

Her brother's eyebrows furrowed. "Grand Master Shou Taishi."

Everyone in China knew the name of Shou Taishi. He was one of the 3 leaders of the royal court, which makes the majority of the decisions concerning the emperor and his family. To have a guest with as high of a rank as Grand Master Shou Taishi in their home signified something with extreme importance. "What could he possibly want at our home!"

Seiran and Shuurei quickly hurried home. Once there, they took off their shoes, and entered the room where Shou Taishi was sitting, gracefully sipping tea. "My, Grand Master Shou Taishi, we are deeply honored to have you in our home," Shuurei nervously greeted.

"Ah, Kou Shuurei, I am glad you could make it back from your errands in time to talk with me," Shou Taishi said with a tint of arrogance. "There is a little business that I must speak to you about."

"You need to speak with me?" Shuurei replied, clueless about what business she could possibly have with someone from the 3 leaders of the royal court. "What about, may I ask?"

Grand Master Shou Taishi looked at Seiran with uncertainty. "If at all possible, Shi Seiran, I would prefer to speak with Kou Shuurei in private."

Shuurei glanced at her brother, who seemed to be just as confused as she was. However, he agreed to leave the room, and did so silently.

She brought her attention back to Grand Master Shou Taishi who took the initiative to talk first. "Now, Kou Shuurei, I would like to make a proposition for you."

"A proposition? Of what, if I may ask?"

"Well, our emperor has not been acting too much like an emperor lately. And, obviously, his behavior is not fitting for the country. We would like for you to come to the palace and become his live-in teacher."

"Grand Master Shou Taishi, I am no more than just a simple school teacher. There is no way that I would be able to teach someone as high ranking as the emperor of the country," Shuurei declined, thinking that the proposition was some sort of joke.

Shou Taishi arrogantly grinned at her. "Kou Shuurei, I assure you that I will not take no for an answer. You absolutely must come to the palace with me. I will give you the option to come quietly with me, or I must use force."

Before she can begin to comprehend what he had said, the door to the room slid violently open, and five men from the imperial army stepped into the room. She moved back a few steps, still confused and not believing what was going on.

Suddenly, she remembered Seiran. He had to be somewhere in the house, and there was no way that he could have missed the sounds that the army men made. "Where's Seiran?" Shuurei yelled.

"Oh, Shi Seiran?" Shou Taishi asked. "You need not worry. My men have already taken care of him. He should be in a nice slumber by now."

A door on the opposite side of the room from her slid open, revealing the beaten body of her brother, Seiran. She quickly ran to him, checking for breathing and a pulse. Fortunately, he was alive and it didn't appear like his life was in danger. She breathed a sign of relief.

Shuurei turned her attention to the arrogant man in the room. "All right, I'll go with you. However, I have a condition."

"Oh?" The old, arrogant Shou Taishi questioned with amusement. "And what might that be?"

"I request that Seiran be housed in the palace along with me, and that he gets proper medical care from the brutality that your men have shown him."

"In that case, I accept your condition." The Grand Master stood up and ordered his men to get someone to come get Seiran and take him to the medical section of the palace. He grinned. "Kou Shuurei, you may walk back to the palace with me. I assure you, your Shi Seiran will be in the best of hands."

Shuurei glanced at the unconscious body of Seiran, and back to Shou. She suddenly felt anger that she had never felt before. "He had better make it to treatment unharmed, or you will regret making the decision of bringing me to the palace."

Furious and worried sick about Seiran, she began the walk to the palace alongside of the evil Grand Master Shou Taishi.