Chapter One – Fishing

A piercing "cock-a-doodle-doo" rang outside the Makino house, Tsukushi had no choice but to wake up. It was the start of another long morning on the fishing boat. Yesterday's catch was scarce at best. "We'll do better tomorrow, papa," Tsukushi had told her dejected father.

As Tsukushi sat up from the bed she shared with her little brother, the rooster crowed yet again. "Susumu," she shook her brother, "come on get up." He replied with a muffled grunt. "Susumu," Tsukushi warned. Still he gave no reply. With that she forcefully ripped the covers from off of him to expose him to the frigid morning. "Tsukushi! It's cold!"

"I mean it Susumu, get up. We have a lot to make up today."

"Ok, ok…"

Mornings at the Makino house were trivial enough. Tsukushi and her mother were usually the first ones to wake at dawn. In turn they would forcefully wake Tsukushi's father and brother. A light breakfast of cheese, bread, and tea would be taken in sleepily, and the four family members would gather fishing gear to sail out in their small faded boat.

"I feel it, this morning is going to be it. We'll have enough to sell and extra for ourselves!" Tsukushi's father declared enthusiastically. He was a small man with no real accomplishments or skills (even his fishing ability was pretty lousy), but he never stayed dispirited for too long, even after a disappointing day.

The sun was beginning to rise as the Makino's little vessel settled far away enough from the shore. "All right, mama," Tsukushi's father held out his hand towards his wife, "give me the net. This is the spot." He stood confident and stared gravely at a patch in the water. Tsukushi helped her father with the net. "Ok, papa, you ready?" He nodded without taking his eyes of the prospective spot.

Tsukushi gathered one side of the weights on the large net ready to throw, her father held the other. Susumu held onto the rope securing the net from being lost as their mother made sure to keep the boat steady.

"On three," Tsukushi counted off, "one, two, three!" Simultaneously both father and daughter threw in their sides of the net. It was a rare occasion for her father to be so focused and in sync. "Papa! We did..." "AHHH!" Her father yelled as a section of the net had tangled itself on his leg causing him to lose his balance.

"Papa, no! The boat!" His wife screeched. Tsukushi's father grabbed onto the small boat as the heavy net dragged him down.

Splash!

The little vessel capsized, flipping the Makino's into the frosty morning water.

"Why couldn't I have married a farmer?!" Tsukushi's mother spluttered as she held onto the overturned craft. Susumu swam down to release the net's hold on his father's foot. Tsukushi treaded the water wordlessly. It was definitely going to be a long morning.

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There was nothing Tsukasa hated most but riding on a road for hours. He had been sitting in his carriage for at least five hours, enduring bump after bump to get to the next town before sunset.

It would be the 24th town he was to visit, marking the two-thirds point of his great royal expedition. Already being three months away from his hometown, the capital city of Gen, he was ready to speed through the remaining towns with minimal amounts of processions and dignitary mingling. Tsukasa had thought this required trip would actually be a relief from the monotony of his court, but found the yes-men of each of the towns even more annoying. Duke after duke, earl after earl, he found the court life of the rest of the kingdom just as uninteresting.

"Nishida! Is there not a closer town?! This is getting tiresome!" Tsukasa yelled from his coach. Nishida was the prince's private secretary and responsible for arranging the expedition Tsukasa was on. For generations, The Domyouji royal family had always sent the crowned prince on a tour of the entire kingdom of Kyoryu. This included all 37 cities and towns that fell within its borders. This grand tour not only provided the next ruling monarch to view his entire kingdom, but also created excitement in each area, as each city or town prepared itself for their prince's arrival. This meant celebrations, month long events, and overall joviality.

Currently, Tsukasa and his royal company were on the outskirts of Kyoryu. They were to hit one last town at the very north of the kingdom before they were to turn around and head south through the last remaining towns on the way back to Gen.

"Your majesty, we will be nearing Haraju soon." Nishida wanted to add, "you winy brat." A stream of giggles coming from off the road cut Tsukasa's reply short.

"Did you hear that?"

"My liege, it is probably some children."

"If there are children that means there's a town nearby. Stop the horses."

"But your majesty, it is not one of our destinations."

"How could it not be? Am I not supposed to visit every town?"

Without waiting for an answer or a full stop, Tsukasa jumped out of his coach, all too happy to finally stretch out his cramped legs. "Your majesty!" Nishida felt a headache forming. Nothing had been easy since he was appointed over the prince.

Ignoring his secretary, Tsukasa walked back in the direction of the children. Peering into the shrubbery he sought out the owners of those voices. Two of his four knights walked beside him in caution. Tsukasa glanced at them has he walked into the grassy area and said, "Will you guys relaxed it just a couple of ki…" Suddenly a rope latched itself to Tsukasa's foot and a rough tug brought him down. His large frame made a thud on the ground and his two knights quickly drew their swords in an effort to cut the rope.

"Your majesty stay still, we shall loose you!" One knight assured. But as he was about to swing his blade Tsukasa was unexpectedly dragged deeper into the woodland. "Watch it you idiot! You'll hit me!" Tsukasa exclaimed, but there was no time for further conversation as he was swept away from the road and the two knights entirely. "Your majesty!" They whistled to alert Nishida and the other knights as they chased their speeding prince

"WHAT THE HELL?! STOP THIS AT ONCE!" Tsukasa yelled in futile as he was dragged along the wood's uneven ground. His clothes were shredding up and his skin was getting marked with scratches from the shrubbery he was hitting. Finally he was dragged to the center of a small open plain in the forest. Seconds later his knights came in tow. "Your majesty, are you all right" One of the soldiers huffed.

"WHAT THE HELL DOES IT LOOK LIKE?! Hurry up and cut the rope!" Tsukasa boomed. A knight swung his sword quickly and chopped the rope off, but as Tsukasa was getting up, huge nets from the trees came down and blanketed the knights and the battered prince below.

"You better have a good reason for trespassing on our land." A boy about ten emerged from behind a tree with his arms crossed and a smug expression. He wore only loose pants and his thin frame was marked with different bands of colors. Other little boys with similar characteristics appeared, surrounding the four confused adults (one knight stayed with Nishida) with wooden bows sprung and ready to fire.

"Kid, you don't know who you're messing with." Tsukasa said in a deceptively calm voice. The little boy smirked. "Guys, round them up. We have some intruders to deal with."

I hate introductory chapters. I'd much rather get on to the good stuff.