jychan: I don't own Saiunkoku Monogatari so no suing please….

8. A Condition

"Himeko-dono, where are we supposed to go now?"

Seiran asked as the two of them went outside the Restaurant,

"Actually, I have no idea."

Himeko replied as the two of them sweatdropped,

"Sou ka."

The two of them started walking,

"Hmmm... Neh, Shi-san, do you any place where we could see sakura trees? Aside from the Palace. Onegaishimasu."

Himeko turned to Seiran, who raised an eyebrow,

'Ah. How could I forget, Himeko likes sakura trees. Even from before.'

Seiran remembered as he nodded at the Empress' request,

"So, shall we?"

Seiran asked as Himeko nodded,

"Saa, Saiunkoku's a big country, neh."

Himeko said as Seiran nodded and replied,

"I must agree. Although, isn't Shinyen a big country as well?"

"Ah hai. It is a big country, although not as big as Saiunkoku. Although I must say, I am much content in handling a small country in Shinyen, thus the less problems."

Himeko said as she chuckled while Seiran joined her, but nervously,

"Saa, are we there yet Shi-san?"

Himeko asked as Seiran replied,

"No. Not yet. But almost."

They continued walking when Himeko noticed,

"Chotto matte. Why are we in the Palace?"

Seiran sighed at this and replied,

"It's already late at night, Himeko-dono or rather, Kogo Himeko-sama. You should setlle for the night especially since you will leave tomorrow morning to Shinyen. For the sakura trees, I guess it won't be possible."

"Fine. Fine. I suppose I'll never win over you. Oh well, just when I thought that I'll be able to escape the atmosphere of being an Empress for even just a couple of hours. Maa, maa. Shi-san, lead me to the Gardens. I just have to see sakura trees. That's it. Even if it's inside the Palace. Onegaishimasu."

Himeko told Seiran, who sweatdropped on her expression and sweatdropped,

'Guess I really can't refuse her.'

"Hai. Hai. But after which, I hope you go to your room and retreat for the night. Is that fine, Kogo Himeko-sama?"

"Hai. Arigato."

Himeko said as the two started walking again,

Meanwhile...

"She's still not here. What are we going to do now, Ran-san? We've been going here and there. But still no sign of Onee-sama. Matakun..."

Hidari said as she dropped on her knees,

"Maa, maa, Senshi-hime, patience is a virtue."

Shuuei quoted as Hidari leaned back to the wall,

"But I'm getting impatient already. I don't have patience, you know. What's more, I haven't taken up dinner, at all."

Hidari complained as Shuuei was tempted to chuckle, but then, he sighed and carried Hidari at his back,

"Ran-san! Put me down!"

"You're tired already. So, just sit down there and enjoy the ride. I suppose we should go back. I suppose Kogo Himeko-sama is a responsible Empress, or is she not?"

"She is."

"So, she'll be back before you go back to Shinyen. After all, you said that she is a responsible Empress. So, she'll be back. For the mean time, we should head back and try to have a late dinner."

"Sou ka... Arigato."

"Eh?"

"I mean, thank you. For you know, accompanying me here, even if you had to go wherever you're supposed to be."

"Ah. I suppose. Which means, you owe me one, Senshi-hime-sama."

"Eh? What's that suppose to mean?"

"You said thank you, so you owe me a thing."

"Matakun... Oh well. I guess."

"Let me call you by your first name."

"Eh?"

"You heard me."

"Oh, that's it? Oh, OK."

Shuuei smiled at her response,

"So, Hidari-hime-sama, where are we to go now? Would it be your place or my place?"

He said with a hinting voice,

"Eh?"

Hidari blushed at this,

"I mean, for dinner."

"Oh. Anywhere would do."

"So, my place, it is."

"But isn't it a bit farther from here? Won't it be better at my place, Ran-san?"

"Eh? I suppose. But I do want to spend more time with you,"

Hidari blushed again at this,

'Matakun... Just because a guy told you this for the first time... Stop blushing!'

Hidari mentally scolded herself as she tightened her grip on Shuuei's neck,

"Maa, maa, Hidari-hime-sama, perhaps you might want to do something more than eating dinner..."

And with this, Hidari yanked Shuuei's head,

"Keep on teasing and you might get more than that."

Hidari said as she narrowed her eyes,

"Hai. Hai."

"Neh, Ran-san."

"Hm?"

"Why do you keep on... never mind."

"Saa, I guess I won't be worth trusted if you have any problem, noh, Hidari-hime?"

"Iee! It's not like that."

"But why won't you tell me if you have a problem? It's better to tell or consult your problem to someone else than keep it to yourself."

"Don't worry! Don't worry! It doesn't include Ran-san at all!"

'Shoot.'

And with this, Shuuei laughed at her,

"So, I am part of it. Saa, Hidari-hime, the next time you lie, make sure it doesn't get obvious."

"Che."

"So, what is it?"

"Eh?"

"You know, your problem that concerns me?"

"Oh, It's nothing. You shouldn't meddle on my affairs."

"But it DOES concern me, Hidari-hime."

"Oh well. But this is just going to happen once."

Shuuei nodded,

"Why do you keep on advancing on me?"

"Eh?"

"I said, why do you keep on advancing on me? Is it to spite me out or something?"

Shuuei sighed at this,

'Matakun. I can't believe I fell for a woman that is completely oblivious.'

"Oh. It's not like that."

"Eh? Then, why do you?"

"Hi-mit-su."

He said as Hidari sighed,

"Oh well. I won't force you if you won't tell me."

"I'm used to reverse psychology."

"Matakun..."

Shuuei chuckled at this...

Well, that was it. Nothing important happened. But in due time, there will be! I tell you!!! Thanks also for the reviews!!! And oh, himitsu means secret! If you're not used with japanese, you can just review or something...

unknown player: Yup. It's just the same with this chapter. Not that much interesting things. But in due time. There will be. Probably next chapter or something...

duked: Really? Interesting??? I updated already!!!

Stelra Etnae: Concerning with Ensei, I have no idea. Joke. I'll reveal the reason in due time. Yup. I must agree. Shuuei's question was justified. Like you said, Seien is really bishie... -sigh- Too bad, they only exist in anime world... So sad... LOL... You know I watched SaiuMono again. LOL... Lukcily I was able to buy a DVD, containing Season 1&2 before. Neh? Lucky, noh. Anyways, I watched it again last night. I started at around 8PM, I slept at 3AM, and then I woke up around 11AM and watched again until Season 1 ended and it was around 4PM.... No worry. This story will always revolve around Seien/Seiran!!!