"Cerina," Papa kneeled next to me.His green hair echoed mine, except
mine was pulled back in a somewhat longer ponytail. "Cerina, angel,
there's something I have to tell you." I looked at him, waiting, nodding
numbly.
"Cerina, you and your brother Tomi are going to have to go to the
palace-" I didn't want to hear any more. I tore out of the courtyard and
into my room, where I threw the door shut. Carefully, I peeked out of the
window, which faces the courtyard. Mama had come in, and Papa was
complaining to her, her short golden hair blowing in the wind. I sighed,
and slipped from the window.
Maybe I should introduce myself a little better. My name is Princess
Cerina of the Kingdom of Cephiro. My parents are Prince Ferio of
Cephiro, and Mgic Knight Fuu Hououji of Tokyo. They both currently live
with me and my little brother, Tomiso (Tomi for short) in a little village
near the Forest Of Magic (Forest of Silence) But that's about all.
So, I slipped from the window, and down to the stables. my horse Anjel
waiting for me. And so was my father.
"Cerina." I was afraid of the look on my face, which I had never seen
before. I had never disobeyed my father before. I bowed, hoping to make
him smile and not get me in trouble. He didn't.
"Cerina, I'm very disappointed in you. I thought you would respect your
elders more than this. How do I know you will be able to take care of
your brother at the palace? You are going there, by the way. Don't try to
protest."
"Father, why am I to go to the palace?"
"I'm going on a trip of buisness for a year."
"Couldn't I just stay here with mother?"
"She is accompanying me. You will stay at the palace. You will be leaving
in three days time, so I suggest you pack your things. There will be no
more. " He took his leave. Just then, my mother came in.
"Wait, Cerina. Do not leave yet. I will ride with you. I have a feeling we
need to talk." Great. I finished saddleing my horse, She was already done.
We departed.
As we rode through the meadows, she began talking. She was looking
ahead, straight into the setting sun. I could see the tears in her eyes,
sparkling.
"Cerina. I know you must be disappointed in your father and in me." I
said nothing. She continued staring toward the sunset. "But you must
know- I do not mean to send you away. Just there is no place for you
here in the villiage while your father and I are gone. I hope you find it in
our hearts to forgive us. Cerina, what's the matter?" She looked at me,
and I realized I was crying. No princess cried in public! But the meadows
seemed almost- private...
"Mama, I really don't mean to embarass you by crying out here. I do not
want to insult anyone by refusing to go to the palace, but I wish that..
you weren't going." She smiled.
"I wish for nothing more than to stay here with you and Tomi." And I
knew it wasn't her fault that she was leaving.
"Mama?" I asked as we rode back.
"What?"
"Will you help me pack?"
***
Well, I can't tell you that I didn't have any regrets when we left our
home, but I knew the parting was easier when I didn't put up a fuss.
Goodbyes were swift. Father seemed sorry he had spoke so harshly with
me, but I didn't say anything to him more than I had to. I was still angry.
As I look back, I feel sorry now that I didn't give him a hug goodbye. The
year was a long one.
As we departed, Tomi kept tugging at my arm. "Cer? Why are Mommy
and Daddy leaving? Why are we going away?" I sighed, and turned to
look out the window. He was too young to understand that even though
he was a prince, and their son, he came after Cephiro in our parents
hearts.
We arrived about evening at the palace. I gasped at the crystal walls, and
the extreme- perfectness of the whole place. A small part of me said,
"Looks can be decieving," but the rest of me was too awed to speak. We
entered inside.
Inside, we were greeted by a man with pale pink hair, in at least twenty
pounds of clothing, and a staff that was at least twice as tall as he was.
Now, normally I try to get over first impressions. So I listened to him
speak.
"My name is Master Mage Clef. I will be taking you to the residential
quarters where you will be rooming with Magic Knight Hikaru Shidoh,
her husband Lantis, and their three children. Follow me, please."
As I followed him, I wondered. Three children? What will it be like living
with four other kids? I'm used to only one! I made a resolution to give
them a chance, since they would someday be part of the kingdom I
would watch over.
Hikaru Shidoh was an energetic and fit adult. Lantis was quieter, but still
very kind once you broke the ice. Jessi and Ryana were the same age as
Tomi, while their eldest child, Eagle, was just a little older than I was. He
seemed quiet around people he didn't know, but we eventually became
friends.
Unfortunately, having friends was to be saved for later. I didn't bond with
anyone yet. As soon as we arrived all the children went to bed. Jessi and
Ryana shared a room, and Tomi and Eagle shared another. I took a room
to myself, with a fire crackling merrily in the fireplace. I got in my
nightgown, and got into bed. For a while I looked out the window, then
looked at the canopy above my head while the fire died. Just when the
embers were glowing alone in the fireplace. I snuck down to the kitchen.
Hikaru sat there alone, drinking hot chocolate. I tiptoed in.
"Cerina, Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" I bowed quickly.
"Miss Hikaru, may I sit down for a minute? I couldn't sleep."
"Of course." I took a seat at the table. For a while there was silence,
which she broke.
"So, did you know Eagle thinks you're a pretty interesting. You two could
become friends, if you wanted." I was stunned.
"Oh, no, Miss Hikaru. See-" I sighed, not making this sound the way I
wanted to. "I would love to be your son's friend. But a princess isn't
supposed to have common friends. That's why I had no friends back in
the villiage." I was afraid she would take terrible offense, and I waited for
her to repremand me for speaking so harshly. It never came. She smiled.
"He's the son of a Magic Knight and the Master Swordsman. He
inherited all his father's fighting skills. And some of mine, I suppose. Not
that I had much." I knew that was an understatement. "If you want royal
friends, I don't think you can find much better than that. As for my
daughters," She paused, "I think Tomi will make friends with them. But I
don't know if you will ever be more than civil. I'm thinking you might
think they were- bubbly. Girly. Now, there's nothing wrong with that,
but- I think you're a deeper person than they are."
"All right."
"Have you ever fought with a sword or magic?" This lady shocked me
again. A princess doesn't fight, in case you haven't noticed.
"No... A princess doesn't fight. Though I've seen others and it looks...
very interesting. For lack of a better word, I suppose."
"Well, you tell Lantis that, and I'm sure you can try it out with Eagle."
"Oh, no, Miss Hikaru, I couldn't. No one would approve."
"I think the real reason your parents didn't just leave you in the villiage is
that you need to learn something about the real Cephiro. We expect you
to be happy. Do what you want, within reason. Now, off to bed." I
bowed and left. This time, I fell asleep right away.
**End Chapter one**
All this is owned by CLAMP, in case you haven't noticed... Well all the
original characters, anyway. Anyone who isn't in Rayearth is MINE!!! Too
bad all the characters who they make money off of aren't mine. Oh well.
Well, I hope you like it, and if you don't like it, that is very much your
problem. I worked hard on this, so constructive shtuff only! Otherwise
compliments cut it. Don't be afraid to tell me to fix something, in a polite
way. THANX!! A. Potter
mine was pulled back in a somewhat longer ponytail. "Cerina, angel,
there's something I have to tell you." I looked at him, waiting, nodding
numbly.
"Cerina, you and your brother Tomi are going to have to go to the
palace-" I didn't want to hear any more. I tore out of the courtyard and
into my room, where I threw the door shut. Carefully, I peeked out of the
window, which faces the courtyard. Mama had come in, and Papa was
complaining to her, her short golden hair blowing in the wind. I sighed,
and slipped from the window.
Maybe I should introduce myself a little better. My name is Princess
Cerina of the Kingdom of Cephiro. My parents are Prince Ferio of
Cephiro, and Mgic Knight Fuu Hououji of Tokyo. They both currently live
with me and my little brother, Tomiso (Tomi for short) in a little village
near the Forest Of Magic (Forest of Silence) But that's about all.
So, I slipped from the window, and down to the stables. my horse Anjel
waiting for me. And so was my father.
"Cerina." I was afraid of the look on my face, which I had never seen
before. I had never disobeyed my father before. I bowed, hoping to make
him smile and not get me in trouble. He didn't.
"Cerina, I'm very disappointed in you. I thought you would respect your
elders more than this. How do I know you will be able to take care of
your brother at the palace? You are going there, by the way. Don't try to
protest."
"Father, why am I to go to the palace?"
"I'm going on a trip of buisness for a year."
"Couldn't I just stay here with mother?"
"She is accompanying me. You will stay at the palace. You will be leaving
in three days time, so I suggest you pack your things. There will be no
more. " He took his leave. Just then, my mother came in.
"Wait, Cerina. Do not leave yet. I will ride with you. I have a feeling we
need to talk." Great. I finished saddleing my horse, She was already done.
We departed.
As we rode through the meadows, she began talking. She was looking
ahead, straight into the setting sun. I could see the tears in her eyes,
sparkling.
"Cerina. I know you must be disappointed in your father and in me." I
said nothing. She continued staring toward the sunset. "But you must
know- I do not mean to send you away. Just there is no place for you
here in the villiage while your father and I are gone. I hope you find it in
our hearts to forgive us. Cerina, what's the matter?" She looked at me,
and I realized I was crying. No princess cried in public! But the meadows
seemed almost- private...
"Mama, I really don't mean to embarass you by crying out here. I do not
want to insult anyone by refusing to go to the palace, but I wish that..
you weren't going." She smiled.
"I wish for nothing more than to stay here with you and Tomi." And I
knew it wasn't her fault that she was leaving.
"Mama?" I asked as we rode back.
"What?"
"Will you help me pack?"
***
Well, I can't tell you that I didn't have any regrets when we left our
home, but I knew the parting was easier when I didn't put up a fuss.
Goodbyes were swift. Father seemed sorry he had spoke so harshly with
me, but I didn't say anything to him more than I had to. I was still angry.
As I look back, I feel sorry now that I didn't give him a hug goodbye. The
year was a long one.
As we departed, Tomi kept tugging at my arm. "Cer? Why are Mommy
and Daddy leaving? Why are we going away?" I sighed, and turned to
look out the window. He was too young to understand that even though
he was a prince, and their son, he came after Cephiro in our parents
hearts.
We arrived about evening at the palace. I gasped at the crystal walls, and
the extreme- perfectness of the whole place. A small part of me said,
"Looks can be decieving," but the rest of me was too awed to speak. We
entered inside.
Inside, we were greeted by a man with pale pink hair, in at least twenty
pounds of clothing, and a staff that was at least twice as tall as he was.
Now, normally I try to get over first impressions. So I listened to him
speak.
"My name is Master Mage Clef. I will be taking you to the residential
quarters where you will be rooming with Magic Knight Hikaru Shidoh,
her husband Lantis, and their three children. Follow me, please."
As I followed him, I wondered. Three children? What will it be like living
with four other kids? I'm used to only one! I made a resolution to give
them a chance, since they would someday be part of the kingdom I
would watch over.
Hikaru Shidoh was an energetic and fit adult. Lantis was quieter, but still
very kind once you broke the ice. Jessi and Ryana were the same age as
Tomi, while their eldest child, Eagle, was just a little older than I was. He
seemed quiet around people he didn't know, but we eventually became
friends.
Unfortunately, having friends was to be saved for later. I didn't bond with
anyone yet. As soon as we arrived all the children went to bed. Jessi and
Ryana shared a room, and Tomi and Eagle shared another. I took a room
to myself, with a fire crackling merrily in the fireplace. I got in my
nightgown, and got into bed. For a while I looked out the window, then
looked at the canopy above my head while the fire died. Just when the
embers were glowing alone in the fireplace. I snuck down to the kitchen.
Hikaru sat there alone, drinking hot chocolate. I tiptoed in.
"Cerina, Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" I bowed quickly.
"Miss Hikaru, may I sit down for a minute? I couldn't sleep."
"Of course." I took a seat at the table. For a while there was silence,
which she broke.
"So, did you know Eagle thinks you're a pretty interesting. You two could
become friends, if you wanted." I was stunned.
"Oh, no, Miss Hikaru. See-" I sighed, not making this sound the way I
wanted to. "I would love to be your son's friend. But a princess isn't
supposed to have common friends. That's why I had no friends back in
the villiage." I was afraid she would take terrible offense, and I waited for
her to repremand me for speaking so harshly. It never came. She smiled.
"He's the son of a Magic Knight and the Master Swordsman. He
inherited all his father's fighting skills. And some of mine, I suppose. Not
that I had much." I knew that was an understatement. "If you want royal
friends, I don't think you can find much better than that. As for my
daughters," She paused, "I think Tomi will make friends with them. But I
don't know if you will ever be more than civil. I'm thinking you might
think they were- bubbly. Girly. Now, there's nothing wrong with that,
but- I think you're a deeper person than they are."
"All right."
"Have you ever fought with a sword or magic?" This lady shocked me
again. A princess doesn't fight, in case you haven't noticed.
"No... A princess doesn't fight. Though I've seen others and it looks...
very interesting. For lack of a better word, I suppose."
"Well, you tell Lantis that, and I'm sure you can try it out with Eagle."
"Oh, no, Miss Hikaru, I couldn't. No one would approve."
"I think the real reason your parents didn't just leave you in the villiage is
that you need to learn something about the real Cephiro. We expect you
to be happy. Do what you want, within reason. Now, off to bed." I
bowed and left. This time, I fell asleep right away.
**End Chapter one**
All this is owned by CLAMP, in case you haven't noticed... Well all the
original characters, anyway. Anyone who isn't in Rayearth is MINE!!! Too
bad all the characters who they make money off of aren't mine. Oh well.
Well, I hope you like it, and if you don't like it, that is very much your
problem. I worked hard on this, so constructive shtuff only! Otherwise
compliments cut it. Don't be afraid to tell me to fix something, in a polite
way. THANX!! A. Potter