A/N: Hey everyone, this is the first story for Free! I've written (don't worry I haven't forgotten about my others) I'm a little nervous but I hope you like it.

Nowhere to Run

Water.

The desert around Haruka's home was immense, the sun that shined on it was unforgiving and to travel across it was suicide without water. The days were hot enough to kill most wild life and the nights even without the sun didn't feel very different. There ere rumors that the desert caused hallucinations and even talk of quick-sand. But for some time, the desert had and not rained. Some thought that there was a curse or perhaps the gods were angry with them.

The problem was that in Haruka's kingdom water had become more and more scarce. Even for a prince like him, he went to bed most days thirsty. Haruka was the only son to the King, but everyday their citizens would come to the palace begging for the one thing they all wanted or rather needed to live. Haruka's father turn them all away time after time.

The drought left everyone to become angry and miserable, and even if the land was cursed, they could leave, the desert would kill them in a few days. The kingdom became plagued with theft, riots and worst of all, death. Peasants were dying everyday and Prince Haruka could do nothing about it.

Haruka remembered a day when he was young, how his parents once owned an oasis that he would swim through, everything felt right in the world when he was in the water but those days were long gone. The memories were drying like the oasis did, Haruka wondered if he ever knew a time before this drought.

He was quiet one, he often just stared out of his window, seeing nothing but endless sand. He had read of books of some kingdoms being next to the ocean, how he longed to be there. If he were born by the ocean then he would never have a care in his life. Haruka knew it was childish wishing to be somewhere else, there was nothing he could do about it now, at least not sitting in his room alone.

Where would he go? The sea? Who knows how far it was, Haruka would have to walk there and that desert wasn't going to give him mercy. His heart yearned to be there or at least not here, anywhere but here.

"Perhaps it will rain in the winter?" the queen suggested. She had long black hair, it made her look much younger than she was.

The king shook his head; "We do not have time to wait for the blasted winter, our problem is here now, and it looks like it staying."

The queen frowned; "I know dearest, the kingdom is dying and I'm trying my best to find a way..."

Haruka sat with them at dinner, silent as usual.

The king pushed his food away; "Each day I pray for a solution, I've asked other kingdoms but none will help"

Haruka stopped eating; "Why not?"

The queen sighed; "Because we don't have anything anymore... Noting to trade, No food, not enough riches and no children to marry off"

"What do you mean?" Haruka was confused

"Haruka, you are the heir. We can't marry you off to anyone without giving up your right to the throne" The queen said

Haruka sat there for awhile, in thought and finally said; "What's the point of being King of dead kingdom?" he asked

The queen gasped, the king held a cold expression.

"Haruka!" His mother yelled; "How dare you talk about our home like that!"

Haruka was annoyed, he was only trying to help; "Our home? This desert is going to swallow us up unless we have something to offer other kingdoms, why not me?"

The queen's face was red; "That's not the point! We'll figure something out-"

"He's right" His father unexpectedly said

The queen turned to her husband; "Darling! You can't mean that-"

"He'll be king of dirt if he can't fix the problem!" The king said

The queen looked away.

Haruka frowned; "Father..."

"Haruka, are you saying if he can find a suitable spouse, you would be willing to be arranged?" His father asked seriously

Haruka nodded; "For the Kingdom..."

"Then it is decided, Prince Haruka will be arranged in marriage" His father stood and left them.

"Haruka..." His mother began

Haruka looked at her, he was surprised to see her look so sad.

"Mother?"

He sighed; "Many Princes and Princesses are forced to marry. You're father and I were lucky enough to fall in love and we married because we wanted to, not because of social obligation."

"But the kingdom?" Haruka thought she would be pleased, their problems would be over!

"I know, and I do think what you are doing is noble" she said; "But my son, didn't you want love? Your father and I wanted you to have a normal life by making your own choices and marrying who you loved? Don't you want that?"

Haruka knew he was special, most children of royalty got married off as early as twelve and he was seventeen. He heard of some Kings marrying a dozen princesses and some young princes marrying much older queens. His parents had never wanted that life for him, which he was grateful for, but he had to do what was needed, forgetting all about love.

He never really put any thought about love, it was something his parents had and something he was promised. But as far as he could tell, no one had ever caught his heart and perhaps he never caught anyone's either. It didn't matter what he wanted anymore, it didn't matter who he married, it would save his people. And he could leave this forsaken land, love wasn't for him.

"This is my choice" Haruka simply said.

A week must have gone by and his mother didn't have good news.

"At this moment, there are no princesses who are eligible to marry you" She said softly

"What do you mean by 'you'?" Haruka asked

"No princesses want to marry a king to be with a kingdom on the brink of death. And no princess wants you to be their future king of their kingdom" She said; "None of them know who you are, I told you to go to those celebrations with us!" She said

"I didn't think that would be a problem..." Haruka said

The queen walked over to him; "There are no princesses or queens who wish to marry you, I'm sorry..."

Haruka thought for a minute; "Mother, you keep saying "Princesses" and "Queens"... Why?"

She looked shocked; "Well, my son, it's because..."

Haruka just stared at her.

"While there are no women interested you... There is a King who would like to meet you"

"A king? Why?" Haruka was confused

"Son! Please tell me you're playing dumb!" Her face was red again.

Haruka just turned his head; "Hm?"

"Oh my" The queen was blushing horribly; "Haruka, many men love women right?"

"Yes mother" Haruka said blankly

His mother was almost shaking; "Well, there are men who also love other men..."

Haruka didn't respond.

"No need to be so dense!" His mother said, putting hands on his shoulder; "I would never ask you to do anything you didn't want to. Marriage to another man must be unusual to you right? It's okay son, forget I ever mentioned it!"

"I'll do it" Haruka said

The queen stopped; "Haruka, you don't have to..."

It was true, Haruka had no idea what to feel or even what would happen but he promised to save the kingdom even marrying a king.

"But I will anyway" Haruka said

She frowned, pushing some of his hair out of his face; "The Kingdom you would be moving to is called Samezuka, they have so much water that the King has already married and has four other alliances"

"He's married four other times? I would be his fifth?" Haruka couldn't believe it

She nodded; "It's a rich place but I hear the king is demanding... If you marry him I may never see you again"

Haruka always wanted to leave, how thoughtless could he be? His mother only gave him love growing up, of course she would miss him...

"I'm sorry it has to be this way" He said coldly, not realizing it.

She smiled past her tears; "My son, you are braver than I thought"

"The King of Samezuka?" The king said thoughtfully; "That is your choice?"

Haruka nodded; "It is"

"The king wishes to meet our prince before anything is official" The queen said.

"Then you will travel to Samezuka and send word if he chooses to marry you" The king said, he was acting distant

"You will travel with Lady Miho, she is a great guide and our best camels" The queen said

"Thank you mother" Haruka said; "And goodbye"

She smiled and embraced him; "Won't you smile one more time?"

Haruka did his best to smile. But it looked forced.

She laughed; "good enough! Darling?" She looked at her husband; "Don't you want to say farewell to your son?"

The king walked up to Haruka; "Thank you for this son, I hope your choice turns out well for all of us"

"Yes father" Haruka said, wondering if his personality was something that was inherited.

Haruka dressed more for comfort and changed out of his royal garments.

"Aren't we suppose to convince this King to marry you?" Miho asked

Haruka nodded.

She smiled; "Well right now you resemble a peasant more than a prince"

"It's too hot to travel the desert in those clothes" Haruka said, wrapping his head in a cloth to shield from the sun.

"I know, but you are royalty, the best you can do is look it" She said.

He stayed quiet.

She sighed; "Alright Prince Haruka, this trip shouldn't take any long than two days. Have you ever ridden a camel before?"

Haruka shook his head.

"Well this is your camel" She pointed at the one Haruka was standing next to. "It's name is Cho! Say hi!"

"Hi" Haruka said lowly

"Good! When riding your camel it's important to walk on top on the sand dunes, you waste less time, get it?" Miho asked

Haruka blinked; "Um... Walk into dunes for shade right?"

Miho breathed; "No! Listen, why don't you follow behind me"

It actually took more like three days.

On the third day they ran out of water.

The rumors of the heat of the desert didn't do it justice, it was worse than Haruka could have imagined. There were times where he walked to stretch his legs but all that did was put sand in his shoes and slow Cho down. Miho kept almost falling asleep on her camel through the ride. One time she fell asleep and fell off into a dune.

What should have been days felt like weeks, suffering that a prince like Haruka had never experienced. He thought he loved water before, now he was starving for it. He kept walking, hoping this was all still for something. What if the Samezuka didn't exist? what if it was a desert hallucination?

"We're almost there... I know it" Miho breathed, keeping her eyes straight ahead

"Are you sure?" Haruka asked, his parents said she was the best guide but why was it taking so long.

"I'm sure!" Miho said; "I've just haven't traveled through the drought yet..." She said tiredly

Haruka closed his eyes and let his mind wander, thinking of better days, of swimming. How he hoped the Rich King had an oasis of some sort, maybe Haruka could swim again. Swim as free as a dolphin from his books, it's all he ever wanted.

"Samezuka is just... over that hill" Miho pointed out, breathing heavily

Haruka was parched. He never thought he reached this magical kingdom of his dreams, the sand and wind blew through his hair. He could only taste sand on his tongue. So close... He thought.

When Cho and him finally reached the top of the dune that Miho pointed to, Haruka gasped.

The was a kingdom in front of him, surrounded by wall and next to it was a body of water, resembling a lake from his books.

"Oh thank the gods!" Miho yelled

Haruka couldn't believe it, he was here.

The two of them walked into the city part, many people walked around, Haruka saw the market place. Hundreds of citizens who looked happy, healthy and living life with water so easily next to them. It was the kind of life all good people deserved, it's a life he wished his people had.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Miho smiled; "I love visiting Samezuka"

Haruka looked at her; "Why not move here? Why go back to my Father's Kingdom?"

She laughed and looked back at him; "I was born there, it's my home. Trust me my Prince, when you find a home, a true home, you'll never want to leave"

He looked around, this kingdom flourished with life and Haruka realized he that maybe he could call this place home. He couldn't wait to get to the palace and meet hopefully his future his husband.

Not even considering these walls or Kingdom might become a new cage.

"Halt!" A guard by the Palace door; "Who are you?"

Miho and Haruka walked to the entrance holding their camels.

"Oh! I'm sorry, My name is Miho, I'm escorting my Prince, Haruka!" She said gesturing toward him.

The guard looked at them; "I'll call over Ryugazaki"

Haruka looked up, the palace, unlike the rest of the city, was white. It shined brighter than anything else, like it was competing with the sun. It only made sense that a rich kingdom would want to show off. But Haruka didn't care much for appearances and a palace like this didn't really impress him. All his attention was toward being able to swim again.

A young man walked toward them, he wore glasses which Haruka thought was odd for a servant.

"Yes, yes, I'm very busy. Who are you?" He asked

"You must be Ryugazaki. This is Prince Haruka" Miho said, trying to smile wide

Ryugazaki looked at the two of them; "You? You're Prince Haruka?"

Haruka simply said; "Yes"

"Hm, Well you do fit the description but your clothes? Were you robbed on the way here? Is that why you're both late?" He asked

Miho laughed; "You're funny! We're actually late because my prince here accidentally dropped all our supplies on our travels, we spent a good long while trying to hunt for food"

"We caught a snake" Haruka admitted

"Gracious" Ryugazaki said; "That's very unfortunate, do you have your documentation from your parents Prince Haruka?"

Haruka pulled a letter from one of Cho's bags.

"Hm, everything looks to be in order!" Ryugazaki's attitude suddenly improved; "Please, won't you follow me?"

The of them walked past the guards and the giant doors into the palace. The palace was very open spaced, Miho noticed right away the beautiful furniture, the plants and all the things decorated with gold. Haruka noticed the number of servants, mostly women, all baring their midriff, showing their arms and wearing veils on their heads. Except all the guards and Ryugazaki.

"Rei! Rei!" A servant yelled.

Ryugazaki was distracted; "What do you want, Hazuki?" he whispered in frustration

The servant was blond with pink eyes, it wasn't until they were right next to Haruka that he realized the servant was a boy. The boy was smiling at Haruka, he was dressed how Haruka would picture a dancer would look like; "I just wanted to know who are these guests?"

Rei sighed; "This is Prince Haruka, the one that our King told us to be polite to!"

"Oh! Hello Prince! I'm Nagisa!" He said excitedly; "It's been a long time since we've had a new prince!"

"New?" Haruka was confused.

"Nagisa!" A servant dressed like Ryugazaki ran up to him; "Where's Momotarou?"

"How am I suppose to know?" Nagisa said smiling

The other servant had silver hair; "Someone forgot to give Prince Rin his daily mackerel and I'm pretty sure you two were suppose to handle it!"

"Ahem!" Rei yelled

"Mackerel!?" Haruka and Miho said at the same time.

"I'm so sorry! These servants shouldn't act this way in front of a Prince, I apologize, they will be punished later" Rei said

Nagisa smirked; "Are you gonna do the punishing?"

Miho shook her head; "You don't get it, where we're from Mackerel is a delicacy! It's very rare for us to have fish at all"

The silver haired one spoke; "It's not easy to come by but our King gives his wives anything their heart desires, including Prince Rin"

"Nitori!" Rei said; "Both of you should leave right now.

Nitori and Nagisa didn't need to be told twice, both left the room right away.

"There's another Prince?" Haruka asked

"Hm?" Rei looked at him; "Prince Haruka? You didn't know?"

"My Prince has never attended a royal gathering and this trip was the first time he ever left home, there is much for him to still learn" Miho said gently

Haruka looked away.

"Well, Prince Haruka, Yes. Our King Sousuke has married three princesses and one prince. We never expected him to marry another prince since... I'm sorry! I shouldn't-" Rei was embarrassed

"It's fine." Haruka said; "Do you know when I could meet the King?"

Rei crossed his arms; "I think you two should get some rest before you meet him? I'll show you to your rooms, maybe I could arrange food to be brought to you"

"That would be lovely!" Miho clapped

It didn't matter if the King already had a prince, Haruka came here to also marry him at any cost. He couldn't give up now, after all, he had no where to go. This Kingdom, like his own, was surrounded by the ocean of sand and fire.

As Haruka walked, he couldn't feel that he was being watched, maybe by the servants or someone else.

Author's Note: So I've actually been wanting to write this for awhile and King of Samezuka was going to be an Original Character but then Sousuke joined the show and I couldn't help making him the King.

xoxo

Snow-Sakura7