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

9. A Conversation

Seiran and Himeko soon arrived to the gardens where the sakura trees were,

"Arigato Shi-san."

Himeko thanked Seiran as she smiled at him,

"Eto, dou itashimashite Kogo Himeko-sama."

He replied as he blushed at the Empress' smile,

"Is it OK if you leave me for a while? Don't worry I won't run away. I don't want to get lost, after all. Just for a little while. Please."

Himeko told her companion who raised an eyebrow,

'Nonetheless, I'll just stay from a distance.'

"Ah hai. Sumimasen."

Seiran said as he left the Empress, who turned around and looked at the sakura trees, as soon as she was certain that Seiran was not 'there' already.

She bit her lip on the sight of the sakura trees and suddenly, sobs were heard,

"I've returned, Seien-sama. I'm really sorry if I never went back here in Saiunkoku. I don't know where you are currently, but sometimes, I just want to think that you're dead, because I hate expecting and hoping that you're just alive somewhere. Honestly, you were my first love. And I guess it's true when they say that 'First Love Never Dies', well, on my situation, of course. If you're dead like others say, I wish you'll just be helping me and guiding me throughout my life, although I doubt if I would ever marry. I know I'm too shallow because I let you first then my country, but I suppose I've done much for Shinyen and only less for you while you were still alive. But you know, I had not gone outside my room for a couple of days after I heard of you missing."

Himeko said as she sobbed while her expression darkened,

"If it weren't for Shinyen, I would have met you the last possible time that I'd see you. I really regretted that I didn't come to Saiunkoku just because of some tantrum I had over you. I really regretted it. And so, to atone for that thing, which I really feel guilty and also, regret, then I suppose me, being a confirmed bachelorette would do."

She added as she stared at the Sakura Trees, while meanwhile, Seiran was listening to everything that she said.

He bit his lips and sighed,

'I never knew how you felt when I was gone, Himeko. I was just thinking that you were fine off to Shinyen. Fine that you don't need me anymore. After all, I thought I was just a flame that only sparked because of the moment.'

He thought as he managed to say,

"Gomen nassai, Himeko."

"Eh? Who's there?"

Himeko asked as she turned around as she heard Seiran's words,

'I can't believe she heard what I said.'

Seiran thought as he tried to hide himself more,

"Who's there! I command you to go out there!"

Himeko demanded as she narrowed her eyes,

'This may be the only time that I have to speak to her as Seien, though.'

"Himeko-hime, no. Kogo Himeko."

"It can't be... S-Seien-sama?"

Himeko asked as her eyes started to get blurred,

"Ah, hai. Hissashiburi, Himeko."

"So, you're not dead, after all! And then, you heard me! So, you waited for that? How could you!"

Himeko shouted as Seiran sweatdropped,

"No. Himeko, Seien is gone."

"Eh? What do you mean? Then, why do I hear Seien-sama's voice? I must be getting crazy..."

She said as she frowned,

"Let's just say I'm a ghost or something."

"Show yourself."

"No. I can't. This is just for a few minutes."

"Sou desu ka..."

"Himeko, gomen nassai."

"Eh? No! It's OK. As long as I can hear Seien-sama's voice, then I'm fine with it. Although it would only last for a few moments,"

"No. Not about that."

"Eh?"

"About making you wait for a long time. If I only knew, then-"

"Iee. Seien-sama, it was my fault. I-I was thinking that this would last for a long time. If I only knew then, I should have told you sooner."

"No. It was not your fault. It was my fault for making you have a tantrum over me. If I didn't..."

"Please don't Seien-sama. I guess I don't regret it already. I just thought about it a while ago. If we were together, then that would have caused a lot of trouble for everyone. There would be nothing between Ryuuki-ten'no and Kogo Shuurei. Shinyen would be more problematic. There would be lots of things that might not have happened. Although I do regret for not telling you my feelings sooner then. But, that's what fate told us to. That's what fate brought us. So, I suppose I should not regret over it."

Himeko said as she faintly smiled,

"Himeko..."

"Seien-sama, honestly, I was really happy to talk to you now. I was really really happy. But then, that thing over us should have been in the past already, neh."

"I'm glad that you have matured already, Himeko."

"Nnnn. I suppose. After all, you were gone for lots of years. Do you think there would be no progresses over me? Of course, there should be."

Seiran sighed at this as Himeko chuckled,

"Maa, maa, Seien-sama, there's only one thing that I would continue from what I said earlier, though."

"Eh?"

"I would never get married."

"Eh? I thought 'us' was part of the past."

"Don't get full of yourself, Seien-sama. Well, you do have a right. But you're not the reason for me not to marry."

"Eh? Then what is the reason, then?"

"All those who seek to marry me would want power. And I highly disagree with their ideas. So, no. I will be a confirmed bachelorette,"

Himeko replied as she stared at the sky,

"Sou desu ka."

"Maa, Seien-sama, although this conversation between us would never happen again, I must say, I am very much content already. And I'm afraid I must go already as I have to leave for Shinyen early tomorrow. And I also promised Shi-san that this would only take for a short period."

"Shi-san?"

"Eto, Shi Seiran-san. A new acquaintance of mine. Or are you jealous Seien-sama?"

Himeko asked as Seiran nearly chuckled,

"I suppose, Himeko."

"Eh?"

"Maa, ikka. I have to go already. Don't worry. Wherever I may be, I will always guard you."

Himeko smiled at this and nodded,

"Nnn! Sayonara, Seien-sama."

"Sayonara, Himeko..."

Himeko sighed and shouted,

"Shi-san?"

"Ah? Kogo Himeko-sama?"

Seiran went near to Himeko, who dropped to her knees and began crying,

"Doushite, Kogo Himeko-sama?"

"Betsuni. I... I was just glad that I was able to talk to him."

"Him?"

"Oh. Just someone. But don't worry, Shi-san. I'm fine. So, as promised. I'll go now."

Well, that was it. Next chapter would be all about Hidari and Ran Shuuei. Is it OK? I gave a whole chapter for Seiran and Himeko, so I thought that I have to give a whole chapter for Shuuei and Hidari, noh.... But, after next chapter, the format would be back to what it was. OK? Thanks also for the reviews!!!

Stelra Etnae: Hehehe... I hope you'll like this chapter because this is all about SEIRAN and HIMEKO. So, I hope you'll like it. Unluckily for you, the next chapter would focus on SHUUEI and HIDARI. So, that's it. Because there's lots of things to do with the younger people... Children these days.. LOL... I must agree. Anime guys look good than human guys, although there's this person here in my school, who's seemingly perfect. YES, he's seemingly perfect: Kind, Straight-A student and handsome... -sigh- LOL... Anyways, enough with my personal life... With the novel, english and chinese would be good. In fact, I'm half-Chinese, but I don't understand it at all. But luckily, I have my cousin who can translate it to me! LOL... So, please do!!!

jigokunooujo: Yo! I hope you can wait a bit longer. Because it seems I already have scheduled my schedule in updating. Well, since I have 3 fanfics in-progress plus one original story in-progress as well, so, probably, 2 days at the least and 4 days at the most. Is that ok??? thanks also for telling me that i'm awesome despite me, being a nerdy anime otaku... LOL

unknown player: ^_^ I'll try on minimizing the matakun... Oh, here's the chapter. And it's all about Seiran and Himeko. So, I hope you'll like it. Although next chaptie would be all Shuuei and Hidari... ^_^