Hello dear readers. Hope you are doing good ^_^

Misty: Hello everyone, this is Droplets of blue rain aka your all-time favorite Mistyflower. Hope you all are doing well. Actually, when I learnt about this plot of Ellie, I...I was so overwhelmed and amazed that I couldn't help requesting her let me co-write this with her. Ellie has got also a heart of gold; how could she refuse me? :P Anyways, personally I think this is the best RayXSalima I've written ever, better, more better than WTILTIS. Why not? After all, it's Ellie's concept.

Ellie: Honestly sis, you are praising too much. But I'm thankful :) Evermore is our second collab (while we plan many more in the future :P) featuring RayXSalima as the lead couple. And I couldn't be more happy to say that Misty is the best person to ever co-write this with. No matter where ideas originate; success can't exist unless they are nurtured with support, affection and dedication. So a BIG thank you to you Misty! Not to forget, gratitude to Seafoam Green Under Twilight aka Nain for allowing us to use her OC, Akane Tanaka :D

Wholeheartedly dedicated to Sir William Shakespeare, as we celebrate his 457th birth anniversary tomorrow….

This story is about love, this is about sins, this is about politics and battles. It will show you that a man can feel helpless at times and a woman can also grow strong and complicated at times. Besides, in this work, you will get to see another face, another image of the heroine of this story whom you all have always considered to be a cute, angelic, blameless innocent woman. We'll show here that she's not always "S" for "Sweet". At times, she can be "S" for "Seductive", "S" for "Sinful", "S" for "Suicidal" too. There are life lessons imbibed in the characters of the characters of this story, make sure to pay heed to them as well.

Pairing: Ray-Salima (Main) and KaiHil, RayOC, RayMari and KaneSal as side-pairings.

Genres: Romance, Tragedy, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Angst, and Fantasy!

Rating: For now, it's rated T...But don't believe Misty's hands :P

So...dear readers, get to grab this sinful, forbidden, complicated romance between the knight of amour and the queen of seduction! ;)

Prologue:

Long ago, when the East Asia wasn't divided into China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and other countries, there was a great, righteous, courageous and intelligent emperor, the ruler of the entire East Asia. His brilliant blue eyes were filled with utter kindness and extreme manly vigor at the same time. Wearing his pale yellow Changshan suit along with the broad white belt around his waist and thick, cobalt-blue hair flurrying on his wide, sky-like forehead like clouds, whenever he stood before the crowd and waved his hand at them, in reverence, in admiration, everyone's head got lowered. Be it Beijing, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong-kong-everywhere, not only in his realm, but also in the whole world, he was known as Kane Yamashita.

With his family and close friends as well as comrades, he was spending his days happily. Even after defeating Zagart effortlessly, he didn't have any enemy according to his own knowledge. Though his wife, Amisia Yamashita, wasn't able to bear a child, he never complained about it. Actually, he used to treat his subjects and companions like his own children-why should he feel the absence of a proper progeny of his own? At that time, like a stream of lava, someone entered his life, wrapped in a beautiful, red velvet carpet designed by the artists and craftsmen of Kanto. 19-year-old she was, having lush, fiery red hair past her knees and eyeballs darker than the night, with a yellowish-fair complexion. An hourglass figure she owned, named as Salima.

When asked, she replied that she was banished by her own brother Joseph and sister Mariam from Kanto, her kingdom. She also said that her father had elected only her for the post of the queen of Kanto. Yamashita felt sorry for her and helped her regain her throne. While doing it, both fell for each other. To be frank, Kane fell more for the redhead as Salima had a unique charm-not only in her outer beauty, but also in her expressions, behavior and manner of talking, revered as a Goddess in Kanto. As a sign of gratefulness, Salima offered her body, mind, soul, youth, wealth, kingdom-everything to Kane. She also gave birth to a son of Kane, naming him Arthur Yamashita.

But the people of erstwhile Beijing (Now China) could never accept that son of Salima and Kane as their heir. Specially, Lee Wong, a distant cousin of Kane Yamashita, was totally against it, claiming his rights on the throne. Kane was trying his best to institute his marriage with Salima in front of the whole East Asia. However, unfortunately, right before that, on the auspicious occasion of Chinese New Year, he was brutally stabbed to death by a few of his own, misguided and selfish companions. His blood spilled all over the marble floor of the ceremony hall but there was no one to save him.

When Ray Kon, a young general and one of the closest friends of Yamashita, got to know this, he immediately gathered all the people of Beijing, not able to tolerate this unfortunate demise of the great ruler of East Asia. Through his fuelling speech, he ignited the fire of vengeance and protest into each and every heart. Mustering together, they all avenged Yamashita by killing the murderers of the blunette. After it, East Asia was divided into three parts and shared among three rulers. Lee Wong got China, Ray Kon received Japan along with Kanto and Tyson Granger was coronated as the ruler of Korean provinces. Carrying and rearing the ideals of Yamashita in his heart, the raven-haired neko-jin stepped on the holy land of Kanto.

However, after having the sensational, eye-burning, yet, heart-soothing glimpse of the scarlet-haired, lotus-smelling, onyx-eyed queen of Kanto who totally bewitched him by her composure which was way seductive, his head span. He totally forgot that he was a successor of Kane Yamashita. He badly fell of the Japanese empress and offered his heart at her feet, losing his conscience and righteousness, not caring to remember that he was already married to Akane Tanaka, an East-Asian warrior princess, even before the demise of Yamashita. Forgetting the grief of losing Kane, Salima also accepted him, hence, trying to start a new life.

Now with the story:

Behind the multistorey Himeji castle of Kanto, built of limestones, there was a huge garden. Sakura trees were bearing pink and white cherry flowers, donating them to the lawn coated with grassy velvet carpet with utmost kindness. Cosmos, lilies, camelias, tulips, carnations, morning glories, Japanese apricots and varieties of roses were arranged in queues, snatching the rainbow from the sky on the earth. White pigeons were strolling around, nibbling from the grass. Rabbits and squirrels were hopping, encircling the fruit trees. In an oval-shaped loch, lotuses were blooming on large, round green leaves. In a transparent lake, geese were swimming with their fluffy yellow young. Sunshine was seeping on the marble statues of the orchard. Despite so many shades and so much brightness, some people could never change, neither could their acidic tongues.

"Okay okay, I admit that our general, Ray Kon, is valiant, an expert in warfare, an intelligent politician-and what not?" The green-haired soldier from Beijing raised his hands up, "But isn't his infatuation for Queen Salima going beyond control nowadays? What do you think about it, Gary?"

"Definitely, Kevin," The bald agreed with him, "I cannot believe my own eyes! The same man who burst into tears while embracing the blood-smeared corpse of lord Yamashita-is...is enjoying with his widow…or say, mistress. Besides, why to blame only the bumblebee when the red rose itself is spreading its fragrance everywhere? Can you even imagine it?"

"Do you know what I think, Gary?" The dwarf commented, "This woman is not a human being."

"Yeah," Gary shrugged, "She claims herself to be the Goddess of river Fuji."

"Goddess or what?" Kevin snickered, "She is a witty sorceress, vowing to eat the heads of the men of Beijing. See, lord Yamashita was such a cool-headed, righteous, intelligent person-yet, he got enchanted with her honey. Whereas, since the beginning, Kon was a restless bumblebee. It's natural for him to fall for her."

"But…will lord Wong ever accept it?" Gary's voice was seeming tensed, "I mean…"

Before the bald guy could finish his words, a group of trumpets reverberated across the garden, following the combined footsteps of two pairs of feet of two royal people. Holding Gary's wrist, Kevin winked, "Hey, looks like they are coming here. Let's hide and enjoy cupid's show."

Dragging the chubby bald, the dwarf hid behind a Sakura tree. Not more than two seconds, the mentioned persons entered there. The man was tall, dark, handsome with a well-toned, mesomorphic body. Thick, long hair crossing his knees was tied into a white wrap. Through the gaps of his spiky ebony bangs, the scarlet bandana with a yin-yang sign at the centre was visible. Wrists and arms were possessed by metal cuffs. A pair of ambers under his eyebrows shone, carrying dark circles. Wearing white sleeveless Tangsuit only to display his beefy triceps and black baggy trousers along with a pair of black moccasins and a sword hanging from his red belt, he was looking like a real knight though everyone used to doubt whether he was or not.

One of his arms was encircled around the slim waist of the queen of Kanto, having, lush, knee-length scarlet hair which was unbound and wet still. In black, trumpet-sleeved surcoat having purple linings over her violet, body-hugging, sleeveless column kirtle and diamond-amethyst accessories, accompanied by a gorgeous crown shining on her head, she was looking like a mystery in the bright, frank sunlight. Kohled eyes having dark circles beneath them flickered along with her porcelain skin tone. Because of the V-neckline of the under-gown, with her cocktail glass cleavage, the reddish blemishes of Chinese fangs were visible around her neck and collar bones too. Her head was lazily placed on the round shoulder of the neko-jin. They were the brightest red rose and the most active bumblebee in the garden. All the flowers faded away and insects stopped humming before them. Though they were looking very fresh, their faces were telling what had happened between them in the last night.

"Ah!" The woman exhaled in satisfaction, "Yesterday night was really memorable."

"Says who?" The man buried his nose in the velvet tresses of her, "Everywhere in this world, nights are meant for sleeping. In Kanto, it's meant for staying awake."

"Ray Kon is a real man, no denial to that," The redhead asked, "But does he really love his Salima? Or is he just playing?"

"Love is a game," The neko-jin replied, tightening his hold around her waist, "And Ray Kon is a professional player of it. Getting a partner like you in this sport, he's been fortunate, your Majesty."

"I don't think so," Salima threw a lustful stare at him, "If it's really love, say how much do you love me?"

"Tough question," Ray bit his lips, "Limitless love cannot be confined within boundaries, my lady."

"Fine," She sneered, "I'll give you the borders."

"For finding the territories, we have to search for a new world, a new heaven," The neko-jin gaped at the vast blue ocean above their heads, "How can you bind the love in this material atmosphere which doesn't even belong to the world?"

I'm yours, I'm yours,

I'm a deep darkness and you're a golden morning,

I'm yours, I'm yours,

You're my refuge, and I'm a traveler, wandering,

I'm yours, I'm yours,

I'm a dark forest, and you're a firefly, shining,

Oh beloved! I'm yours, I'm yours….

The scarlet-haired queen smiled, blushingly nudging against his collarbone. Never had she got such an amount and genre of love in her life. Of course, Yamashita had truly loved her too but its beginning had been political. On the other hand, blind in her love, Ray totally forgot what politics meant to him. Behind backs, people used to say ill about them, she knew it too. But she did never care, neither did he. As his fingers kept travelling through her scarlet tresses, she turned to him. Inebriating onyxes collided against thirsty ambers; noses were pressed together. They drank from the goblets of the alcoholic exhalations of each other, her cherry-wine lips were about to crash on his gray, smoky ones…

"May I come in, your Majesty?"

Their honeyed moment was interrupted as they found a soldier, standing out of the arcade of the garden, not facing them. Ray clenched his teeth but Salima managed it, not losing her temper, "Yes, come in. What's the matter?"

"Pardon me," He bowed, "But for Lord Kon, a messenger has come from Beijing."

"Tell him to wait," Ray ordered, "I'm coming."

"As your wish, my lord." Bending his head again, the soldier left.

"Messenger from Beijing…" The neko-jin felt suspicious, "At this time?"

"Yes yes, go and meet him," Sarcasm was evident in the pitch of the redhead, "Maybe, Akane is pissed off with you. Or, that lion-faced Wong has orders for you, 'Do this, do that; conquer that kingdom, liberate this one. Do it or we'll condemn you.'"

"Then…" Ray lightly asked, "What about my love?"

"Don't need to waste your time, Kon. Call the messenger. You cannot stay here forever, you know," Salima narrowed her eyes, "I may be the queen of Kanto but you also shouldn't forget that you're a subordinate of Lee Wong. Besides, whenever Akane's name is mentioned before you, your cheeks turn beet. Don't think that I don't notice it."

"Let the great walls of China collapse and crashed by the torrents of Fuji, my place is here, in Kanto," The neko-jin sounded poetic, "Kingdoms are only dirt. The soil feeds animals as well as people, so how does having a kingdom separate the human beings from beasts? The noblest thing is to do what we're doing, particularly when the couple is as well matched as we are. I demand that the world admit we are the perfect couple or else suffer the consequences."

'What an enormous lie!' Salima blabbered to herself, rolling her eyes at the antiques of her lover, "He's married Akane but never loved her-I'm struggling hard to believe that."

"Unless he is moved and inspired by Salima," However, Ray overheard her, "Now, since we love the feeling of being in love, let's not spoil the mood with serious discussion. We shouldn't spend a minute without some kind of amusement. What shall we do tonight?"

"Meet the ambassadors." Salima was straight.

"Fine," Ray gave up, sighing, "As you wish, your Majesty."

Placing a quick peck on the lips of the queen, the general departed. Right then, another woman, having waist-length chocolate hair and brilliant ruby eyes, around the age of the redhead, entered the garden, clad in a coral pink-white puffy-sleeved gown with a white apron and brass jewelleries, less gorgeous than the queen's ones. She was holding a scroll in her left hand. Seeing her, the redhead's face flashed with a smile, "Good morning, Hil. Good to see you here."

"Good morning, your majesty," She bowed, "I saw lord Kon leaving. If you don't mind, may I know what the matter is?"

"Messengers have come from Beijing," Salima replied, facing the ground, "Maybe…for taking him away."

"I can understand how you are feeling now, my queen," Hilary placed a hand on her shoulder, "But your Majesty, you cannot confine the water in your own palms. Let it stream."

"What do you want to say?" Salima frowned.

"I mean…." Hilary rephrased her words, "Let lord Kon leave if you want. Only that's a way to attain him."

"Leave? I'll let him leave?" The redhead gritted her teeth, "Hilary, don't forget that I lost Kane only for letting him leave! If I held him back here, he would never have to be martyred!"

Tears of failure and anguish brimmed in her eyes, she continued, "Hil, Cupid has given me another chance to love. I…I cannot lose Ray like Kane. Following your way, I'll only lose him!"

"Calm down, my lady…" Hilary tried to sooth the redhead, "Cupid won't be ruthless to us, have faith on him."

"I also hope so…wait!" Salima's mood immediately changed as she noticed the scroll held in the hand of the brunette, "What do you mean by 'us'? And what's that in your hand?"

The face of the chocolate-haired attendant turned hundred shades of crimson as she futilely tried to hide it from the queen, "Nothing special, your highness…."

"Hilary, I have always treated you as my own sister and you'll hide it from me?" Salima mischievously narrowed her eyes, "For the Russian general, isn't it?"

Lowering her head as blood rushed all over her face beneath her fresh peach skin, the brunette nodded. Smirking, Salima affectionately patted her head, "Feel free to use one of my messengers."

"Thank you so much, my queen," She blushingly smiled, "I'll be grateful."

"Mention not." Salima spoke, maintaining the smirk.

Bowing once again, Hilary left the garden. Watching her depart, Salima fell in anxieties regarding her relation with Ray as her smile turned into vapours. Would she be able to utilize this chance? Or once again, in the court of Cupid, she would become only an alive joke?

The chamber was brightly lit; lined by the round, Chinese lanterns, made up of designer, translucent paper. Scented candles were placed on the elegant candle-stands, perfuming the room while their flames danced with the motions of the gentle circulating air. A large, intricately sculpted, circular wooden table was set up at the centre; bordered by lavish chairs, adorned with plush velvet covers. General Ray Kon was sitting on one of them, awaiting the arrival of his comrades.

"What's on your mind this time Lee?" He mumbled to himself, thinking back to the letter he had received from the said person's ambassador.

General Ray Kon,

Accept the greetings of Lee Wong, the ruler of China.

Had you been free from the clutches of the sorceress of Kanto, you might have been here with the triple alliance, helping us de-root the sapling of evil, that's been hovering over entire east-Asia. Zeo Zagart, the son of our old enemy Zagart is plotting a rebellion in parts of China, Japan and the Korean Provinces. As a preventive measure, general Tyson Granger and myself have invited him for ensuring negotiations. Hereby, being a prominent member of the alliance, we expect your presence.

-Lee Wong

"Still being bashed by Lee for being entranced by the queen of Kanto?" Ray was brought out of his reverie as these words echoed in his tympanic membranes. Dumbfoundedly looking at the speaker, he managed to speak, "Still habituated of entering and leaving stealthily general Hiwatari?"

"That's not the topic Ray."

"Then what is?"

"You." The Russian smirked.

"Care elaborating Kai?"

"Lee is plotting against you and the queen of Kanto. Stay vigilant! Not even your shadow could be trusted."

"And why are you alerting me?"

"As far as I remember, I am one of the only two people to approve of your relationship."

"And who's the second, if I may ask?"

Instead of answering the neko-jin, Kai merely shrugged.

"I take her to be Hilary Tachibana." He paused "Salima's assistant-friend…..and your heartthrob too; am I correct?" And a characteristic smirk rose on Ray's lips. "I still wonder Kai. How could you and Hilary fall for each-other, despite never having met? I am fascinated to know how your first meeting will be."

"History will mark it in golden letters, my friend." Kai prophesised, looking into the unknown. "The whole world will gawk in awe when I will present myself before her. Accolades will resonate, thus cherishing the first and foremost meeting of Kai Hiwatari with Hilary Tachibana. After that, not even Achilles himself could separate us till eternity…"

"Passion flows in your veins Kai; and they call me the knight of amour." Ray laughed at his own statement.

"Anyways, I have to leave now. See you soon." Sharing a firm handshake, Kai left the chamber while Ray continued with his wait. He didn't have to wait for long, as Tyson, Lee and Zeo entered.

.

.

.

"Hope you have understood Zeo. Instead of walking on your father's footsteps, you can re-establish the name of Zagarts and wipe that red on your ledger." Tyson affirmed.

"Not only that, by surrendering, we offer you your freedom. None of the members of this alliance will ever go against you." Lee added.

"I don't agree with you Lee and Tyson. Once a traitor, always a traitor. The blood of that Zagart flows in his veins too. He will stab us at our backs. I don't think it is a wise decision." Ray stood firmly on his stand.

"This is a time of negotiating Kon. So stop being an arrogant cat. And think of the profits." Tyson back-fired.

"And meanwhile, I have already agreed for staying in your confinement for a month. Later, neither you nor me will have any complaints." The turquoise haired man asserted.

'That's true boy…'cause you won't be alive to complain like that bloody father of yours!' Lee hissed in his mind.

"Fine!" Ray lifted his hands in defence. "Do whatever. But if anything goes wrong, you three will be blamed not me." Saying so, he got up and left the chamber.

"Stop Ray!" Tyson tried to call him back.

"Let him go Granger. We have other things to discuss as well." And the dark lion grinned evilly. "Deal made Zeo Zagart; you retain your freedom, we get your lands."

Tyson's eyes widened at this statement. However, knowing the oddity of his Chinese friend, he subconsciously sighed. "What about Ray?"

"He hardly has his time away from that red-haired sorceress. No difficulty for us." He started filling three goblets of wine. "Sign the documents general Granger and Zeo. Finalising this treaty, we've taken the first step towards formation of a mighty east Asia."

"Cheers to our victory!" and the trio clinked their crystal chalices, filled with honeyed red wine.

Ray was walking in the opposite direction of the chamber of affairs. Unconsciously, his feet led him to a well carved doorframe. Entering inside, he saw it beautifully adorned by flowers and lamps. Perfumed candles were also lit, making the atmosphere more composed. Amidst the satin pink curtains of the balcony, he saw a figure walking towards him.

"I'm happy that you have finally showed up my lord." A sweet voice was heard.

"I am not here for you Akane. Nor do I feel the need to explain any further." He sternly replied.

Smiling still, the black-haired queen went up to him. "I still await that day my lord. And I will, as long as I'm alive. A warrior never loses hope you must know, don't you? And see, I adorn myself every day, hoping of your return. Looks like that dream has come true." Her sapphire blue eyes exclaimed with sheer bliss."

"Halt those witty counter attacks lady!" he raised a hand. "Queen Salima is my one and only beloved. I don't care you are my wife or not. Nor do you need to accentuate yourself for my sake." Ray turned to leave the room.

"When do you think I'll match her then, my lord?

"Age cannot wither her; nor can the customs stale her infinite variety, Akane." Saying so, the neko-jin turned to face his wife. "Other women cloy men. While she? She's the addiction, not the drug. Satisfying the hungriest of the hungry beasts!"

"Is that so my lord?" Akane furrowed her brows. "Why is just queen Salima's beauty and carnal appeals that's been talked about? Why not her powers and domination? Oh wait! Does that hurt your sentiment or ego to see a powerful woman? Or maybe, you are well habituated in visualizing women as sex objects….Isn't it?" she counter questioned.

"Akane!" yelling at her, Ray left the chamber.

"How long my lord?...For how long will the seductive enchantress of Kanto amuse your heart?...Ceasing the beats of my own!" her voice quivered, as she once again, was left all alone to deal with her loneliness.

"Fool you are general Kon!" the red-head queen voiced herself. "Don't you see that I could have poisoned you a hundred times, had I been able to live without you?!"

"Forgive this servant of your amour once again, my beloved queen." He knelt down before her. "And you know, I can make another night memorable for you…"

Salima stood at one of the most dangerous intersections in history- that of beauty and power. Clever women, as the men warned for hundreds of years….were Dangerous!

And we are done! For today atleast :P

Pardon any grammatical errors. And reviews are always appreciated :D

Thanks for reading! Bye.

-Ellie and Misty ^_^