"Why do you keep running from me?" She called to him as she stared at his back. Her dark brown hair flowing in the wind and her hazel eyes brimmed with unshed tears of desperation. It was always like this, he was always moving away from her. She couldn't understand his actions. She didn't know what to do anymore. She chose to confront him, she needed answers. The land was deserted. The temperature around them dropped. The sky began to darken. The air teamed with electricity.
He stood facing the Sakura tree. Slowly he placed his hand on the cold bark. He stood stiff and tense, conflicted desires. He wanted to run, to keep running and escape the pain and desperation of rejection. He wanted to turn around and pull her into his arms never to let go.
"Talk to me Natsume, please." She whispered. It was the deep sadness in her voice that forced him to turn around and face her; to stop running and look into her eyes. To end this painful game they played. Every muscle in his body tensed in preparation for her answer. He tried to school his features into an emotionless mask. Even though his face said nothing, his eyes told everything.
"I am not a prince Mikan. I never have been, and I never will be one." His voice was steady, calm and determined. The opposite of what he was feeling. He felt as though he would collapse. His nerves had never been so strained. He had never been more unsure of himself.
They stood in silence. The wind had picked up and the rain became torrential as thunder and lightning danced in the sky. Despite the chaos of the day, calmness fell upon her. Her body relaxed, her face softened, a small smile dawned her lips. She stepped forward until they were two feet apart. She looked into his eyes and finally understood.
"No, you are not a prince Natsume." She spoke clearly and firmly. He had expected her answer, but it did not ease the devastation that was collapsing his heart. He wanted to turn away, but he was unable to move. He was trapped by her eyes.
"You could never be a prince." She said softly. She carefully caressed the side of his face. "It is a good thing that I am not a princess; I am nothing more than a humble maid." She held his eyes, hoping that he would understand what she was trying to tell him. "The princess is meant for the prince. She would never be allowed to be with her dark knight."
All tension left his body. He stared into her loving eyes and he understood. They could finally release the pain and desperation that had engulfed their hearts. He could finally stop running. She no longer had to chase him. They could finally be.
She watched the understanding in his eyes. She felt his face relax under her hand. Then she saw it, the look she had longed to see upon his face; a look of contentment and love. She watched as his eyes became bright as if they held flaming stars within them. A small smile graced his face as he pulled her into an embrace.
*This was inspired by another story entitled "The Prince's Side" by Disney Coloured.