Carnival
written by: delusionallady
Disclaimer: I no own them.
A/N: This is AU, yaoi...crossdressing..
It was a fate worse than death, surely.
The weather was quite fair that morning and a good thing it was for the people were all outside their houses, eager to see the arrival of their princess. Today was the first day of spring and princess Aya was going to marry a prince from another kingdom. However, they shook their heads in despair at the thought of their lovely princess tying a knot with the ugliest creature in the world.
"I really hope she survives.." One woman whispered to her friend. "The prince isn't exactly..humane." The other woman nodded her head. "I hear he is worse than his father.." Youji grinned as he passed by the ladies. It really wasn't nice to eavesdrop but he found the conversation rather interesting. His younger brother, Omi, walked alongside him. Today was a festival, a huge celebration to say farewell to the land's princess. But they weren't here for that, they were here to buy food from the market. A grand sale was being held and Youji wanted to get good discounts. "Let's watch the parade first, Yo-tan! I'm sure all the girls in the market have saved you the best anyway." Omi said as he pulled his brother in front of the crowd.
Youji smirked. His name and more importantly, his face was very well known. Perhaps Omi was right, maybe they could watch a little bit of the parade. The trumpets sounded and the parade began. The crowd watched eagerly as a huge group of acrobats started performing. Dancers with shiny and colorful costumes danced their way. Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for. Youji leaned forward a bit, finding himself anticipating the arrival of the princess as well. He had never seen her before but everyone said that she must be the most beautiful princess in the world.
Soldiers marched in front. Youji could see some carrying the carriage that the princess was sitting in of. The tall blonde wondered if the soldiers carrying the princess had a hard time. The carriage was covered by curtains so no one could see the princess but as it passed by Youji's place, a small wind blew and lifted the covers, revealing long red hair and sharp amethyst eyes. "Kirei..." He whispered.
"Such a shame isn't it?"
Youji turned around and saw the smiling face of an old woman. "The most beautiful princess getting married to a tyrant, a monster. I don't think she's willing to either.." Youji glanced back at the carriage and shook his head. He turned back to face the old woman but she was gone.
"Yo-tan! Did you see her? Did you see the princess?" Omi asked eagerly. "Huh? You didn't see her? The wind blew and lifted the covers.." Youji answered. Omi was puzzled. "But Youji, there was no wind." He protested.
No wind..? Was it just his imagination?
As the crowd dispersed, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Such a shame isn't it?"
"Well obaasan, that's the way princesses go. There's nothing we can do about it." Youji whispered as he followed his brother into the market place.
Meanwhile, the carriage continued to travel, planning to cross the border before sunset. The soldiers needed to deliver the princess over as quickly as they could for the prince was eager tie the knot. However, the princess was another story. Aya closed his eyes and listened for the sound of running water. He could hear frogs croaking. It won't be too long now. A few minutes later, it was time. With the grace of a panther, Aya raised himself up the roof, where he had created a hole. The soldiers would never notice a thing for they have been trained to keep their eyes forward. As soon as his whole body was up, his hand reached down to grab the most precious thing he owned. His father's katana.
A fate worse than death..
Without hesitation, Aya closed his eyes and did a back flip, letting himself fall off the bridge and down to the dangerous waters.
"What a haul!" Omi cried out happily as he stored all the things they had bought in the market. He was right about the girls saving all the good items for Youji. It was good to have a good-looking man for a brother. "Someday, Omiitchi. Someday you'll be the one they'll save food for! By the way, did Chichi blow you a kiss earlier?" He teased. Omi turned pink and shook his head. He had no idea he had said it out loud.
Youji grinned and messed up his brother's hair before walking over to the window of their little wooden house. The sunset was always a sight to behold. During that time, was it a sunset too..? Before he could let his thoughts wander, something caught his attention. In front of their house was a riverbank. No one ever dared to fish there because of the dangerous winds and rocks. But, was that a hand or another hallucination?
Youji hurried to the bank and saw that it was indeed a hand. "Omi, come here!" Youji shouted as he rushed towards it. To his surprise, he saw a delicate body of a woman with long red hair. This was not good at all. Rarely anyone survived the river! He carried the woman in his arms and led her inside. Omi had already brought out the first aid kit.
"She's fine, Youji. No blood. Just a few bruises." Omi said as he placed a cloth over the woman's forehead. Youji nodded and stared at the woman. She looked very familiar, perhaps she was.. Nah, it couldn't be.. Same hair and skin tone did not make the same person. "Well, we have to get her out of these wet clothes!" Youji remarked as he reached out for the woman's dress. However, before his hand could touch the clothing, a pale hand stopped him and a pair of amethyst eyes opened.