This is the first time I write a fic for JR, just wanted to try^^ I got the idea while reading "The Chaser" by J. Collier (a funny very short story). Some of the characters are taken from other stories or tv shows, but they are cool characters :)

Couples: Mostly about the egoists but a little of Romantica, Terrorists and AikawaXTsumori (I know it's a weird couple, but I like them XD)

In this chapter, I introduce you to the one and only- Rumpelstiltskin ("Once Upon A Time")

Even on quite periods, the council gathers around once in every two months. The council includes the king, the prince that inherits the throne, the general along with the five most honored and bravest knights and the wise men of the kingdom. They set around a long wooden table, a map on the table to plan a strategy in a case of war, and the torches on the wall didn't provide enough light.

However, the king held an emergency meeting. Lately there had been constantly reports from villagers that their beloved ones went to forest, either for hunting or simply for taking a walk, and didn't come back. Furthermore, some of them even believe that the forest is possessed by something evil or a dragon threatens the people. It was the duty of the king and the army to protect the villages of the kingdom, and that is why the council members gathered around.

This was Nowaki's first council meeting he attended. He joined the army only a year ago, yet he was the first knight to that climbed so fast in the ranking-bar. From a private, he turned quickly to one rank below the general. It wasn't likely for him to become the general. The general stays in this position until the day he or she dies or retires. Since General Usami Akihiko is young and one of the best knights in the kingdom, it is not likely he would retire.

Nowaki looked around. There were fifteen wise men, which wasn't accurate since among them there were three women, the general, three male knights and one female knight- all four were close friends of Nowaki. The king, Kamijou Hiroki, was there, who had to lead the meeting for the first time ever since his father past away. King Hiroki was too young to become a father to a teenager nor he was married and therefore there was still no one to inherit the throne.

"As you all noticed," said Hiroki, "we gathered around this table earlier than expected. And you all know what it means."

"Is it about the recent cases?" asked Aikawa Eri, the female knight."We have got the situation under control and there…"

"Under the control?" interrupted Hiroki, very angry. "There are twelve citizens that are missing this months compared to the five missing last month. Someone or something threatens the lives of the people in my kingdom. How does this mean you got the situation under control?"

"Well…" Aikawa wanted to finish, but she didn't what to say. There was no one more terrifying than the king when got angry. This had helped him in battle fields before. "What E…, I mean Aikawa, was trying to say is," intervene Tsumori, her fellow knight, in order to help her: "we are sending a special company to investigate the case of the missing people."

"Oh, really?" the king turned to the general, who seemed to be quite indifferent to what was happening.

"Yes," approved the general. "Last week I assigned the top knights I have to go to the forest."

"Then how come I hear about it only now?" Hiroki almost raised his voice. "You know that every action the general does must be reported to the king first."

"I guess it just slipped my mind," said general Usami.

Hiroki was about to something very inappropriate for a king, but he stopped himself. Nowaki stared at the two men with jealousy and he tried to push that emotion away. Nowaki had feelings for Hiroki ever since they first ran into each other. However, it seemed that the king was in love with another man. The king and the general have known each other since their childhood. General Usami was the only one could make Hiroki mad without getting hurt. Maybe they were only best friends and yet Nowaki wished he could be this close to the king. It was better than nothing.

"I don't think it's a good idea," said one of the wise people. He was a short old chubby man with grey hair. "At least tell me you are not sending more than six people."

"May I ask why?" asked the general politely. The wise men of the kingdom were not to make fun of. It was an honor to be among them and they were counted as a part of the aristocratic society, no matter the place they come from. "I bet the rest think the same way as I do. If we want to know what happened, we had to go inside the woods. Yet, we can't take risks. I believe that if enough people will go, it less likely that they will be attacked. I've decided to send fifty people."

"Sending so many people is reckless," intervened Miyagi You, the youngest among the wise men. He was only thirty five and he didn't seem like the serious type at first, but he proved himself to everybody he did deserve the title. "You put many lives in danger. In addition, too many people attract unwanted attention."

"What do you suggest?" asked Hiroki, a bit skeptical. "Sending few people is also risky."

"That depends on the men you are sending," said Miyagi with a smile. "Here, along with us, sit the five bravest and strongest warriors you, the king, got. If something happens to them, they can handle it."When the general was about to object, Miyagi quickly added: "they are trained for it, aren't they?"

"If it's for the safety of our people, I won't hesitate," said Nowaki and the other four knights agreed with him. Nowaki was not only brave, but he was very kind. One of the reasons he joined to the army was because this how he could protect about the people of the kingdom. That was the reason why he was in the meeting. He wasn't only a good warrior, but he also cared about protecting people.

"Well," Hiroki turned to the general. "What do you think? Does sending them to the forest is the right choice?"

The general considered the matter for a short moment before answering. "I guess that the idea is not that bad," he said. "But I'm going with them."

"I will go too," said Hiroki.

"But it's too dangerous!" Nowaki said immediately.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Hiroki yelled at him. "I'm going to find out who keeps kidnapping my people and I'm perfectly able to protect myself." Nowaki wanted to apologize, but Hiroki ignored him. "So this is the plan: the general and five knights of his choice will go with me to the forest. Are there any objections?"

The wise men murmured something, but they didn't raise their hands. "Then it is settled. We will leave tomorrow at noon."

Everybody left the room besides the king and Nowaki. Hiroki was looking through some papers he was holding and Nowaki didn't say anything. Moreover, he didn't want to disturb Hiroki, so he just stood there.

"What is it?" Hiroki asked a bit irritated. He didn't understand why Nowaki didn't leave with the other men. He couldn't tell why it was weird being in the room with him alone.

"I wanted to apologize for earlier," said Nowaki. "I shouldn't have doubt in the king's strength."

It was a weird thing to apologize for. Hiroki could feel that Nowaki did care about him. He participated in battles ever since he turned sixteen, and yet, during these three years he gained experience, nobody cared for him, at least not to that level. "It is fine," said Hiroki. "Just don't do something like that ever again."

"I swear I won't, Hiro-san," said Nowaki with a smile. That was another something odd about him. For some reason, he referred to Hiroki with a nickname, while it was accepted to refer to the king in a formal way. Yet, Hiroki didn't mind that very much, at least not when that nickname is said by Nowaki. If anyone else, including his childhood friend Akihiko, he would probably punch them in the face.

Nowaki still stood there. "Is there anything else?" asked Hiroki.

Nowaki took a deep breath. "In a matter of fact, there is."

"What is it?"

Nowaki didn't get the chance to answer because someone came inside the room. "Hiroki, are you here? I have the book I borrowed from you."

"You sure took the time," said Hiroki to his friend. "I hope that for your own sake it is not damaged."

"Why would you think…?" Akihiko didn't finish the sentence. He looked up and saw one of his men. "What are you still doing here? You should get ready for tomorrow," said Akihiko. Though he may seem cold, he was actually a kind person and he cared about his soldiers.

"You are right," Nowaki apologized. He went out and left the two of them alone.

The thing that the people of the kingdom are not aware of is that their king wouldn't find a woman to marry. That's because he wasn't interested in any women. In fact, he had feelings for a man! Hiroki used to think Akihiko, yet lately it seemed that his feelings are slowly fading away. What was the cause for this? Usami Akihiko was the only man he loved.

"Oi, Hiroki, did you hear anything I just said?" Akihiko felt that there was something wrong. After all, they have known each other for a long time.

Hiroki snapped from his day dream. "Sorry, what did you just say?"

"Are you okay? Is it because of tomorrow?"

"Yes," Hiroki lied.

While he was walking back to his home, that wasn't far away from the castle, Nowaki wondered how to get the king's attention. Clearly Hiroki was in love with the general and Nowaki knew he didn't stand a chance. Whoever said there is a comfort in unrequited love, must have been the biggest idiot in history.

He reached his house. He didn't like to call it home. His home was far away, there his family leaved, the village there he was born and raised. He entered the big house, a house that fitted a man of his position in the military, and the emptiness of the house saddened him. No matter how big the house is and how it is well furniture, love is what turned a house to a home.

But at that night he wasn't alone. There were no signs of breaking in, so Nowaki didn't think something was out of place. It wasn't until he closed the door, took six steps and heard a voice from behind. "Feeling a bit sad, aren't we?"

He turned around immediately and pulled out his sword. He had never seen the man before, yet he heard stories about him. "You're Rumpelstiltskin."

"I had no idea I am so famous around here," Rumpelstiltskin said with a small vicious smile.

"What are you doing here?" Nowaki was alarmed. "How did you get inside the house? Is it true that you can use magic?"

"Calm down," Rumpelstiltskin got closer to the knight. "I'm here to help you."

"Help me with what?"

"Well, you suffer greatly from unrequited love, isn't it, deary?"

"Well…" Nowaki was speechless. How come a man whom he just met knew this about him?

"There is nothing I don't know," Rumpelstiltskin answered to the question Nowaki was yet to ask. "Actually I want to help you. I have something that is going to make that king you love so much to love you back, and so much more."

"Really?" Nowaki asked, surprised. "But he loves another man."

"With this thing," he took out a small phial filled with a liquid that looked like water, "he will forget about his man. He will want no one but you. You will be his sole interest."

Nowaki wasn't a fool, but he was in love. Love can make one deaf to warnings. "That sounds great."

"But there is so much more," Rumple enjoyed fooling the young man. "He will want your company all the time, he wouldn't be afraid to hold your hand in public, to act all… umm… how do you call it here, lovey-dovey?"

Nowaki tried to imagine Hiroki like that. "Wow, this potion must be very strong."

"And I will give it to you, deary, but…" Rumple waited for Nowaki to complete the sentence.

"But what?"

"But all magic comes with a price," Rumple giggled.

"How much does it cost?" Nowaki was eager. It was too easy.

"Only one tip of your hair. That's all I need."

Nowaki thought it was a weird trade, yet he couldn't tell what purpose it served. The trade was made. Nowaki didn't know that he met someone more wicked than the devil himself.

This the first time I have written a fantasy story XD Please leave a review, it would be nice :)