jychan: I don't own Saiunkoku Monogatari so no suing please….
15. A Promise
"Presenting the Empress of Shinyen, Kogo Kaori-sama and Yamamoto Kentaro-dono, the Prime Minister of Shinyen."
The guard said as Kaori and Kentaro went inside the courts of Saiunkoku,
"What might the New Empress of Shinyen want?"
The other ministers murmured,
"Why would the Empress of Shinyen request of my presence in front of this court with no notification?"
Ryuuki asked as he narrowed his eyes upon the sight of the two,
"In behalf of the Empress of Shinyen, I would like the shujou of Saiunkoku to cooperate with us. It seems because of what the previous Empress..."
The old man sneered at this, which the others took note of,
"...said and proposed during the last time she went here in Saiunkoku, I would like the shujou to help us in capturing the previous Empress because it seems she had escaped and was told to be here in Saiunkoku."
The other ministers murmured upon what the old man said,
'Himeko-nee-sama? A prisoner?'
"It seems she has committed an offense. Being the Empress of Shinyen, she must notify us first if she ever leaves. And since she did not, she was told to have abandoned her duties, being the Empress. The same thing with her younger sister, Hidari-dono."
Ran Shuuei looked at the Prime Minister of Shinyen,
"She had abandon Shinyen and is charged for treason towards our Mother Country."
Yamamoto Kentaro said as he placed a fake worried look, which the others took note again,
The said Shogun was closing his eyes, hoping that he might not do anything towards the old Prime Minister, while he was holding the hilt of his sword,
"Shuuei... Stay calm..."
Ryuuki whispered as the other man nodded and sighed, but his hand never left the hilt of his sword,
"Is that so? Well then, I will see about that."
Ryuuki answered as Kentaro smirked and said,
"Thank you, shujou."
Ryuuki made no reply to what the sly man said as he was more afraid of what he may say.
"What?"
Seiran asked as his eyes widened on what Ryuuki said,
"Gomen Aniue, but then..."
"It's OK. As long as she's not yet caught, am I right?"
Seiran asked as Ryuuki nodded,
"The thing is, we'll have a hard time on how to not Kogo Himeko-sama be caught."
Seiran replied as Ryuuki replied,
"That, we'll really have a hard time. Especially with Shuuei on oblivion."
The two brothers looked at the said Ran-clan member, who was deep in thought,
"Ran-shogun."
Seiran called as the said man turned,
"Do you want to save Hidari-hime?"
He nodded at this,
"Good. Now, cooperate. And try your best not to castrate the Prime Minister of Shinyen, no matter what happens."
Seiran added as Shuuei sighed and said,
"I don't think that the supposed to be 'Empress' would be part of this. She's more like of a pawn by Yamamoto Kentaro."
"You're correct, Shuuei. After all, she never said a word."
Ryuuki said as the others were deep in thought,
"So, are we doing this for a woman?"
Koyuu asked as the three replied,
"YES."
"Fine. Fine. I'll cooperate. It's not that I hate Kogo Himeko-sama, in fact, she's fine and friendly, and not pushy like the other girls who are..."
Koyuu continued as the other three left him alone,
"So, the most probable route that Himeko-nee-sama would pass, would be this route."
Ryuuki said as he directed a route,
"No. I don't think so. After all, Kogo Himeko-sama might pass another route because she might be caght if she passes that route."
Seiran said as the others nodded,
"That was most obvious, shujou. It seems Seiran has beat you down."
Shuuei said as he smirked,
"Oh well... After all, it is Aniue. But wait, so what route would Kogo Himeko-sama pass?"
Ryuuki asked as he raised an eyebrow while Seiran smirked and pointed a route,
"Hidari-hime, what have they done to you?"
A certain woman asked as Hidari looked up,
"Chouko-san..."
She recognized as the woman smiled and cried,
"Thank goodness you're fine, Hidari-hime. Oh! I wish I could've done something to help you!"
Chouko said as Hidari replied,
"Daijoubou, Chouko-san. They won't execute me, because after all, I am still of royal blood, and from the direct line, with my mother as the Empress. Although, I might probably be exiled..."
"No! Don't think about that, Hidari-hime! Don't worry! I'll find a way for you to be able to escape, even if it takes my life."
Chouko whispered towards the younger girl, who widened her eyes,
"No! Don't! Don't ever do that, Chouko-san. Anything, but that. I wouldn't want my '2nd Mother' to die because of me!"
Hidari said as Chouko's tears went out of her eyes,
"I never thought that the hime-sama thought of me, like her second Mother."
Chouko said as Hidari smiled while saying,
"Daijoubou, Chouko-san. Don't worry."
"On the night of the 20th, I will be able to make you escape. Please do make sure that you are able to escape. I will make a way, Hidari-hime. Even if it takes up my life. I promise."
Chouko whispered to Hidari's ears as she left the princess, who bit her lower head,
"But please make sure that you won't kill yourself, Chouko-san..."
She whispered as she looked at the retreating figure of the old maid.
jychan: Well, that was it. This was like what happened towards Hidari and the rest while Himeko was in the Sa Province... No one reviewed, but oh well.. It's OK... I hope I get reviews the next time...