Here's my first angelic layer story so I hope you guys enjoy!
Friends Forever
Written by ChrissyChapter 1- A Meeting of Sorts
The night sky lit up with light from the moon and the stars. Nocturnal animals roamed about the grounds and sky. Most people were in their beds sleeping. All bar one.
Oujirou quietly tip toed through the halls of the elaborately decorated castle, hiding in the shadows so no one would see him. He had made it to the secret door located in the kitchen and silently slipped through it. Once he had gotten outside, he broke out in a run heading to the fountain at the furtherest point of the castle gardens, always remaining in the shadows. It was his favourite part in all the castle grounds.
It was peaceful, and secluded. He doubted if anyone new that it was there, it was surrounded by hedges that reached 2metres high on all sides with only a little gap that he had found on the furtherest side from the castle. No one went near it anymore; well not since his father had died. Oujirou had been told that it was his fathers' garden, and he had been the one to look after it. He had never let the gardener touch it for it was his own sanctuary. But when he had fallen sick it was all but forgotten.
Oujirou remembered when his father had become sick. He was very young, and didn't remember much about his father. But he knew by what people had said and what he had heard in passing, that the king had brought him to these very gardens, when he was just starting to walk. So he had decided to clean it up for himself and maybe one day when his father got better he would bring him down and show it to him. Alas that day had never come, as the king finally lost his battle.
The fountain in the centre of the feature hadn't been turned on for a very long time and it had taken Oujirou a long time to clean the fountain and turn it back on. It always left him in awe. The statue was an angel. And he always referred to it as his guardian angel. It was his sanctuary away from the prissiness of the castle, where he was never left alone.
Oujirou sat down on the ledge and let his feet dangle in the cool water. He looked up at the statue. It was an angel holding a pale of water. Her wings spread slightly out to the side of her and then wrapping around the front almost like a shield. Water spouted out from the tips of the wings and flowed out of the pale. It always gave him a sense of calmness. He didn't care if people saw him being so un-princely like.
" Oujirou, what do you think you are doing?" a soft male voice said from behind him. Startled he turned around.
" Oh Wizard you scared me half to death," he said sighing deeply. He was a fairly tall man, and quite youthful. He was handsome with his boyish face and charming nature. His hair was almost white with a tinge of blue through it. Oujirou had always wondered why he wore a wizard's garb, but he never told him on the numerous occasions he had asked him. So in turn he began to call him Wizard, and his real name was all but forgotten.
" Well you're lucky I'm not your mother. She would absolutely kill you if she found you out here, not to mention what she would do to me for letting you out of my sights," the tall man said, mock anguish in his voice.
" I know Wizard. But I just hate being stuck in there. Its so boring, I have no one to talk to," he said looking sadly towards the sky. He walked over and sat beside him.
" You have me," he said as he placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. He leant into his hug. Oujirou was a slender boy, although reasonably tall for his age. He was quite attractive and had plenty of female fans in the outer city as well as within the castle, most of those being maids who were mostly three times his age.
" Yes I know that but it's different. I don't have any friends because she never lets me talk to anyone from the village and there's no one in the castle my age either. And even when I want to talk to her its like I'm not even there. She doesn't even know I exist," he said sadly.
Wizard didn't know what to say. I never knew he was this lonely. He thought to himself as he looked across at the young boy.
" Look, Oujirou, maybe I could have a word to your mother for you, I'm not sure it will achieve anything but I'll give it a go ok," he said pulling him up with him as he stood. He turned to face him.
" Would you really do that for me?" he asked hope clearly evident in his eyes. Wizard smiled.
" What are care takers for?" he said as he led him back towards the castle. He smiled at him as his eyes began to drupe.
" Come on, better get you to bed, your falling asleep on you feet," wizard said as he opened the door to the kitchens.
" Excuse me your majesty, may I have a word with you?" Wizard asked the queen bowing slightly. The lady looked up and smiled.
" How many times must I tell you that you don't need to bow to me Wizard? Now what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" the queen asked motioning for him to take a seat.
" Well, your highness, its about young Oujirou," he started before being interrupted.
" Why, what's wrong? Is he ok?" she asked all at once.
" Nothing like that madam, he is quite alright, physically, but I'm afraid he is rather upset because he feels that he has no friends," Wizard said a frown marring his handsome features. The queen looked puzzled.
" He has you doesn't he?" the queen asked. Wizard nodded.
" But that's not the point. He wants friends around his own age, where he can talk to them about things he could never talk to me about, and generally someone he can have fun with, without feeling like he is being watched every five seconds," Wizard said, hoping the queen understood what he was saying.
" Oh I see. Well as a matter of fact we are hosting some visitors next week and their children will accompany them as well, hopefully this will give him the friends that he seeks. Just leave it to me," the queen said smiling.
" As you wish madam," wizard said as he turned and left the room.
As the sun rose in the morning sky, birds sat on a window ledge and sang their morning songs. Oujirou slowly opened his eyes and looked towards the window and watched as the birds jumped around each other while still maintaining their beautiful songs. He let out a small laugh as he watched them and as they noticed him they all flew away. He slowly turned around and made his way out of the large bed. He pulled on his dressing gown and tied it up before making his way into his private dining area to have breakfast with Wizard. He let out a big yawn as he neared the table.
" Morning Oujirou. I have some good news for you," Wizard said as he watched the young prince make his way towards the table.
" And what would that be?" he asked skeptical of this good news.
" Well after our little chat last night I went and talked to your mother. Seems as though you might be able to have friends before you know it," he said as a smirk appeared on his face.
" Really? Are you sure?" he asked not wanting to get excited for fear of being let down.
" Quite sure. Your mother said that she had some guests coming next week and they had their children accompanying then so you should be able to befriend them," wizard said smiling.
" Oh I cant wait I wonder what they are like? Do you think they will like me?" he asked. Wizard laughed.
" Of course they will like you Oujirou, who wouldn't. Now eat up, the queen wishes to speak to you," he said as the maid brought over their breakfast and laid it out in front of them, gushing as the young prince said his thank-you.
Oujirou made his way back to his room to change into his mothers favourite set of clothes. He wore blue slacks with a light blue shirt and a coat that matched his pants. It did up on the left side and covered all the way to his neck. He slowly made his way out in to the hall and began walking to his mothers work chambers. Along the way every female gushed over him. But he greeted them with smiles as he always did, almost like it was programmed into his system. He rather tired of their constant need to talk to him. But just kept walking, as " Oh prince Oujirou look at this." Were slung at him every which way.
He finally made it to his mothers' chambers. He softly knocked on the door.
" Come in," a sweet voice called out. He opened the doors to find the queen sitting at a desk as he always did when he saw her in her work chambers. He sighed.
" Wizard said you wanted to see me?" he asked softly, smiling at his mother as she turned to face him.
" Oh yes. Come in sweetie don't just stand there. Take a seat."
Oujirou quietly walked towards her desk and sat on the seat opposite her. She smiled.
" So what is this that wizard has been telling me? You feel you don't have friends?" she asked. He sighed. Of course she wouldn't notice that.
" Well its true mother I don't. Yes I have wizard but he also has a job. Sometimes I'm left on my own for hours at a time. There is nothing for me to do but walk around the castle grounds, and even then I'm bored. And you don't want me fixing up fathers garden so basically you are forcing me to be bored," he said almost angrily, trying to keep his anger in check for fear of offending his mother.
The queen was shocked. She had never known how much he was alone. She sighed.
" Why didn't you say something to me earlier?" she asked. He sighed deeply.
" Because you wouldn't listen to me," he whispered in anguish. She was taken aback.
" What do you mean? She asked.
" I tried talking to you many times. But you were always to busy. You told me you had heaps to do and couldn't talk to me. So I stopped trying to talk to you."
" Oh Oujirou I'm so sorry I never realized I was doing that. But as I told wizard last night, we will be hosting some guests at the end of this week. Their children will be accompanying them so hopefully you will be able to have the friends you seek. It is part of peace treaty we are doing with the rest of the kingdoms," she informed him.
" This wouldn't have anything to do with King Shaoran Mihara, and his son Ichiro would it?" he asked, knowing her answer before she spoke it. She blushed.
" Well yes I would like you to meet them, of course. But it is not the reason we are holding this conference," she said smiling slightly.
" Whatever you say mother," he said laughing. She smiled.
The rest of the week flew by too fast for Oujirou. He began to get nervous just thinking about the people who were traveling to their castle. He was forever wondering what they would be like. Before he knew it the day had arrived, when the kings, queens and courts of other regions would finally be gracing his home.
He had decided to stay in his chambers until the feast that night, to keep out of his mothers' way and to prepare himself for meeting the princes or princesses. He wanted to make a good impression. Plus he was just too nervous to stand there and greet them as they entered the castle. His mother understood his feelings and excused him without question. Wizard would be there to help his mother anyway that she needed it.
" Queen Sayaka, we would like to introduce to you Queen Shuuko Suzuhara with her sister Lady Shouko Asami, and Princess Misaki from the kingdom of Kanto. Accompanying them are Lady Elizabeth Kobayashi with her daughter Hatoko and son Kotarou. Lady Shuji Kisaki with her daughter Tamayo."
The queens smiled and greeted each other and she assigned a servant to assist them to there quarters.
" King Shaoran Mihara and son Ichiro from the kingdom of Kansai. Accompanying them are Lord Keito Jounouchi with daughter Sai. Lady Sonya with daughter Kaede."
Shaoran winked at her as he walked up the stairs taking her hand and planting a kiss on it.
" So nice to finally see you again," he said softly in her ear as he embraced her.
A servant once again led them to their quarters. After they had settled them selves in they met the queen in the conference room.
" Excuse me Queen Sayaka but would you be able to tell me where your library is?" Kaede asked.
" Sure it's in the left wing. Just follow this hall to the end," she said smiling.
" Thank you," Kaede said as she smiled and left the room with Sai. The rest of the youngsters decided to explore the grounds.
" Well, there's a whole castle to explore!" an over eager Tamayo said punching her fist in the air.
" Come on lets go!" she said putting Kotarou in a headlock and almost dragging him out of the room. The adults laughed as they heard an anxious Misaki beg Tamayo to let him go. When they had left the castle and began walking around the grounds Tamayo dropped Kotarou and danced around excitedly.
" So where do you think we can go first?" she asked looking in every direction. She spotted the hedge at the end of the grounds.
" There!" she yelled and began running towards it.
" Tamayo! Tamayo wait up!" Kotarou yelled after her and began to run so he could catch up with her.
" Come on Misaki!" he called to her.
" Coming!" she called after him.
When Kotarou and Misaki finally reached the hedge they couldn't see Tamayo anywhere.
" Where'd she go?" Misaki asked.
" I don't know. Tamayo? Tamayo where are you?" he called out.
" In here!" she called through the hedge. Misaki and Kotarou dug around the hedge but couldn't see how to get in. Finally Tamayo stuck her head out of the hole.
" Through here you guys." They climbed through and were stunned by what they saw.
" Oh wow!" Misaki gasped as she laid eyes on the fountain. " Its so beautiful," she said in awe. The three of them sat on the edge and let their feet dangle in the water of the fountain.
" So Misaki," Tamayo began. " I here the prince is very spunky," she finished which earned her a glare from Kotarou.
" What's that suppose to mean Tamayo?" he asked. She smiled as sweetly as she could at him.
" Nothing I was just saying. Maybe Misaki and the prince could become……… really good friends!" Tamayo said laughing. Misaki blushed furiously.
" Oh i… I don't think so," Misaki stuttered.
" Why not?" they both asked together.
" OH well mum says he is about 16 and I'm only 12," she said blushing. At that moment a panting Hatoko called out.
" Kotarou where are you? Mum wants to talk to you and so does your mum Tamayo," the young girl called out. The pair stuck their heads out of the hedge.
" Ok we're coming," said Kotarou. Hatoko smiled and began skipping back towards the castle.
" Well we better go. You coming Misaki?" Tamayo asked.
" No I think I will stay here for a bit," she said smiling.
" Ok catch ya later." The pair left and Misaki stared up at the statue. She was lost in her own world.
" So you don't think I would be friends with you because I'm older?" a soft male voice asked from behind the statue.
So how do you like my first angelic layer story? Let me know what ya think
Oh and if anyone can tell me….. are they bringing out a second series? I would really love to know
Cheers angel.