The two kings; King Yagami and King Ishida walked around the Yagami kingdom, making small conversation. They were really meeting on a point of business, but they talked politely for the first half an hour.

The Yagami grounds were absolutely beautiful, and it was early in the morning; so the sun was just coming up over the horizon. The two kings were generally very friendly towards each other; but King Ishida had apparently had enough of being friendly; and just wanted to get down to business.

"As you know, Yagami," he started, "My wife just had our first child."

The other king nodded.

"A son, to be exact."

Still King Yagami was silent, as King Ishida went on.

"We both know that eventually we'll have to unite our to kingdoms, and I was thinking…what better way than with marriage."

"Ishida," King Yagami said slowly. "Our first born is a son as well."

"In that case, I want your first daughter to marry my first son."

King Yagami looked towards the rising sun on the horizon. "I suppose it would be the best way."

The two kings shook hands, agreeing on Ishida's terms, and continued their walking.

~*~

…18 years later…

~*~

"Hey!" Hikari said, running towards her best friend, "Takeru! Over here!"

The blonde boy turned; his hair golden in the sunlight, and his cerulean eyes twinkling. As Hikari ran towards him, he caught her in a hug, and kissed her hair lightly. "I've missed you! Where have you been?"

She avoided looking at him straight in the eyes. "Let's take a walk, Takeru-kun."

She was in love with him, and had been for at least a couple of years now. Hikari was certain that he was in love with her too, and when she heard what her father had to say this morning, she was crushed.

He reached for her hand, and she walked along closely to him; like two lovers would. "Takeru," she said cautiously. "I've never met your older brother, have I?"

"No…" Takeru responded. "Why?"

"Because," tears threatened to fall at her words, "I have to marry him in a year."

"What?"

"When I'm 16."

He hugged her tightly, not wanting to ever let go. He whispered into her ear, "You can't. I won't let you."

Tears were soaking his shirt now, as here face dug into his shoulder. "I don't want to, Takeru-kun. I just want to be with you, forever."

He was furious with his father for not even mentioning it to him. Or Yamato – he must have known for awhile now.

"Hikari," Takeru said carefully, "I was just thinking…what if you married the second Ishida son?"

"You mean…" she breathed.

"I mean you would marry me instead of Yamato."

She flung her arms around his neck, and hugged him tightly. "Yes!"

He hugged her back, grinning.

~*~

"Father," she greeted, lowering herself into a curtsey. "I have a proposition."

He raised his eyebrows in question. "Oh?"

"Instead of marrying Yamato," she eased into it, "I want to marry Takeru."

He looked at her in disbelief. "Who is this Takeru that you speak of?"

She was shocked that he didn't know him. "Yamato's younger brother."

Her father looked at her.

"I'm in love with him, and I think that I would be much happier if I married him, rather than Yamato."

"How come King Ishida doesn't speak of his second son?" The king asked his daughter.

Hikari slapped herself inwardly. "Well, he doesn't really live with his father. He lives with his mother."

"Of that Takaishi Kingdom?"

Hikari nodded.

Her father got up and began to pace the room. "I'm sorry, Hikari. But the only way to unite with the Ishida territory is for you to marry Yamato."

She was furious – her eyes shone and her face was flushed.

"I know, Hikari, I know." King Yagami said, looking at her sadly.

"How would you know?" She snapped. "How would you know what it's like to marry the brother of your best friend and lover?"

The King shook his head.

If only Taichi had been a girl, Hikari thought bitterly.

~*~

She wore a dark green cloak, which billowed out behind her in the evening wind. She was to meet Takeru at midnight – he had told her that morning.

"Hikari," started Takeru, "I love you."

She looked at him. "I love you too. You already knew that, though."

"We want to be together forever, right?" He asked, pulling a hand through his golden hair.

She nodded, her eyes shining brightly.

"Well, my grandfather had a cottage in a forest a couple of days from here. It's pretty secluded, it would be hard to find if you didn't know your way. Anyway, the house is empty now, since my grandfather died…"

"Where are you going with this, Takeru?"

"We could live there."

She hugged him tightly. "I'll bring all the savings I have."

He kissed her lightly. "Meet me outside the palace doors at midnight tonight."

He kissed her again, once more, and took out a golden ring; and slipped it onto her finger.

She walked towards the stables, taking her horse with her. She put her packs of clothing and food – she had convinced Mimi to pack her a good deal of food – over the horse and climbed up. She dug her heel into the horse's side, and they quietly took off.

END OF CHAPTER ONE. Read and review, please.