Act 1: The Humble Begins
In a time of raging wars and mythical creatures lies a story hidden beneath. Like the classic tales of Romeo and Julie and The Prince and Popper comes a unique new tale on a humble favorite story. She comes from a poor family and he comes from high nobility, she is pure and he is…a little slow. She shines a gem and he sparkles like a vampire who should combust in sun. I'm talking about Haruhi and Tamaki, the focus of our story. What happens when these two love birds meet and what happens when a shadow king tries to break them apart? Follow the quest into this mysterious story. I bring you Tainted Hearts.
Haruhi:
The sun, lovely and bright each morning. Never a dull day when it rises and never a depressing one when it falls. It lights my evenings and calms my nights as it falls into the west. Sometimes it's a symbol of an event that will come and sometimes it's a symbol of yet another warm day. The birds show the warmth of the sun as well. They float on by in my room and sing me a merry tune before I start my days work. My father keeps me busy at home working ends meet. He owns a small bakery selling the goods I help produce. We are the best in town and no one can beat us. However, there are days that I feel we will be beaten by other local competitors and hence, lose our shop and humble home. However, I'm not worried about that yet. We still have days ahead before that occurs and for now we make ends meet. As long as we pay our rent and help out the local town, we will do and sell well.
Oops, I forgot to mention who I am. My name is Fujioka Haruhi and I live in a small town by the name of Anne. Our prince named our town after his mother who is currently ill. Our king accepted this name and thus we have been named the town of Anne. It's not all bad when you think about it. Anne is a pretty name, but I suppose it beats the next town over named "Neko". I feel sorry for that town. They're swarmed with neko's and most of them came from him.
Lately I've been preparing for King's arrival. He is schedule to visit our section of town and he decided to bring his prince and the prince's "Majestic Knights". I heard these knights are quite unique and very brave. All the maids fall for them and even the people here seem to do the same as well. I will never understand them. Either way, my father is preparing a treat for them that will tickle their fancies. I'm in charge of cleaning and gathering. I actually cleaned last night and got all the supplies so I wouldn't have to do them today. My plan was to leave our section of our town and get away from the chaos that would abrupt. I only hope my father will let me take my leave…
"Haruhi! Oh Haruhi!" called a familiar voice from down stairs. "Get moving young one. The King will be here soon and if you want to escape the mess, then now's your chance!"
I grabbed my things and rushed down stairs. My transvestite father awaited me, dressed up in my mother's maid outfit from back when see worked with Annie in the castle. His hair was long, but folded back neatly in a braid where my hair dangled off behind my back. His apron was sparkling white and his hand made make up was nearly perfect, with some errors, but close enough to shine. He stared at me and cocked his head a little, the same look I always receive from him.
"Haruhi, why aren't you are flawless as I?"
"Father I…"
"Please, call me Ranka dear. You know you need call me that during the day. You may call me father by night when no one is looking, expect at formal events," Ranka stated abruptly interrupting my statement.
"Ranka, you know by now I don't like to look all attractive like that. I'd rather be seen with my natural beauty then to gush it up with hand made make up that comes with delicate flowers,"
"Natural beauty!? My dear, no one has "natural beauty" any more. Our society is moving forward and you're going to be behind at this rate,"
"Look Ranka, it doesn't matter how I look. Can we just it on to the main subject right now. I want to escape before "they" show up,"
"Right, let's get to it then. Haruhi, because you put in the extra effort last night, you have the day off from working. You will escape this "pain" that you do wish to escape and do whatever you feel you want to do. Please let me know if any trouble comes or if you will be arriving late. I expect you to be home by sun set at latest,"
I bowed down to his level in a kind a graceful manner and pecked him with a kiss on his check.
"Thank you Ranka. I won't be gone too long, promise,"
I ran out the door to see the busy folk setting up their stores for when the King and Prince arrive to greet us. The fans awaited the entrance while the other fans awaited their exit. Leaving this area could be a problem, but I'll manage to slip on by.
As I past the stores one by one, people seemed to behind down and greet me kindly. It was either they knew me or they simply enjoyed my "charming" beauty or whatever I had left of it any way. I continued to walk along the path when a voice from a distance called me. I turned slowly to see a young boy who I played with as a child to come and greet me. His father was a local fruit vendor and he'd often trade some fruit for our fine pastries and his son and I would often sit along the streets eating a fresh cut watermelon.
"Haruhi!" He called again. "Wait for me!"
"Aria, hey,"
He ran a little more and finally stopped by my feet and out of breath. He looked up at me and chuckled some and finally stood tall and bowed in my respects.
"Miss Fujioka, where are you going in a hurry? You're going to miss the big event,"
"I know I will the miss the event, but that's my plan right now. I really don't want to see our king and prince. After all, it's the fangirls I'm worried about,"
"Oh, I see. Don't want to deal with stress and the screams I take it?"
"Right!"
"Are you…" He paused and fumbled with his hands a little and stared at the ground and then back at me. "Heading off alone Fujioka-chan?"
"Well, Aria, you can come if you want. I don't have a particular location right now. Unless your father needs you, then you should stick with him and help out around the shop,"
"Well, I don't want you to be…" He trailed off and looked to the right, as a worried expression crossed his face.
"Aria, I'll be fine. I promise. Nothing bad will happen. Just stop worrying, ok?"
"I suppose so,"
"I'll be off then ok?"
He waved me a good by, even though he still had that same expression. I continued to walk and attempted to get by the mass crowd. It grew more and more as the maids and other ladies in the area gathered around. Each screaming louder and louder then the next. Each sinking their heart and soul into something pointless and made up. The prince is nothing more then a heart breaker, a fool who steals your heart and offers nothing in return. I assume his "knights" are the same as well. A bunch of jerks if you ask me.
As shoved through, more and more joined into the pack and getting out seemed pointless. Still, I kept at it, hoping to escape this "stupidity" of pain. As I moved forward, some one in a strange cloak pushed me down. I barely got a look at him, but he seemed…familiar. His eyes and facial appearance smooth and round. Just in that brief second, I felt like I knew him, but I never saw him before. I wonder…if he's…one of them.
"I'm sorry miss," He said in a heavy Angelo-Saxon accent. "I'm trying to escape the loonies before they…"
He grabbed my hand and helped me off the ground. His eyes grew wider and mine felt the same. Now I know why I felt we meet. If this was the alternate universe, then my double would be him, but it's not. I always felt that their was a twin I never knew out their, but I didn't expect it to be here. The person who I'm staring at is the same person I see in the stagnant water every day. He was me, but the male version of me, my opposite self.
"You look just like…"
"I know and it's so strange," He said, looking at me strangely.
"How could you???"
"I'm not sure miss. Maybe we have the same parents. My mother was nobility and my father, well, he was never mentioned again or so I heard,"
"My father is a baker and my mother…she…passed away when I was young. She used to live with Prince's mother as a maid and we lived in the castle for that time, until she passed,"
"I'm so sorry miss. My mother died when I was young as well and the Souh family took me. That's how I got stuck with these strange and annoying loonies! Knights, more like fools if you ask me!"
"I take it you displease them,"
"Very much! I decided to escape from them when I got the chance and now their after me and will make me suffer! Do you know what it's like having girls falling for you?"
"No, but its bad when guys fall for you,"
"I can't stand it any more! I wish I could live a peasant life, something simple and nice and not have to be dragged into situations I can't avoid!"
"You're telling me. I'd love to be rich for a day and at least taste that life, then rub it into people I know,"
Suddenly, me and this stranger exchanged glances and right away, we had the same idea in mind.
"Are you thinking…"
"What I'm thinking?"
"Switch…"
"Places?"
"Exactly! You can live this dreadful life and I can live this simple class life. It's almost like no one will notice,"
"One problem, you're a male and I'm a female. We'd have to go gender-bender to make this work. Also, I have long hair and you have short hair and I'm not cutting my hair thank you very much,"
"Fine! We'll wear wigs that look similar to each other's hair. By the way miss, what is your name?"
"My name is Haruhi and yours?"
"Haru. That's what they call me miss,"
"Hmm, Haru. Nice,"
"Now then Haruhi, let's hide behind the bushes or something and quickly change before any one notices,"
"Alright then,"
That's when we grabbed each other's hand and slipped behind a building. He took off his clothes and turned so I couldn't see and I did the same. Then he handed me his clothes and I handed mine. In a spilt second, the transformation was nearly complete. We would need to find a wig shop and fast before "they" showed up for him. He quickly took my hand and dragged me a few streets over to a shop that luckily sold wigs. We tried them on and paid on the way out. Now it was complete. Our identities would lie a secrete from this point on or until we meet again. He waved good bye and left me on the street. Now came the suffering pain of being yelled out…when he finds me.
Tamaki:
I can't believe this and in all days. Today is the special day that we meet the poppers of this poor town and my slave toy had to run off again. I made sure security was tight and still he escaped. I knew I should have tagged him, but then again it's considered wrong to tag your house guests. I just wish he didn't act so…reserved. He gets a decent amount of respects from the young mistresses that visit, but I feel he could do better if he, well, opened up more and accepted this life I suppose. Oh well.
Oh, dear me. I must excuse my manners. I am Prince Suoh Tamaki. My father is the king of the land due my family's status with my grandmother. Her time as a singled handed ruler is over, but she still controls my father like she has proper rule over the castle. I'm not allowed to see her and I'm unsure why, but it is something I must expect. I'm about to assume the position of king soon, but before I do have a few things that must be in order. To become king, one must be ready to assume the role. The next leader must meet all the requirements and then there is one other problem…I mean order. The next ere can not rule unless he or she has a respect companion in which they can rule together. In other words, I must marry and that true one has not shinned her beauty on me. I see thousand of applicants a day and none are fitting for me. I want that person to have something…unique about them. Something I can enjoy and be pleasured with. A calling in some cases.
Knight Oothori from the land of Nether Forest often jokes with me and states that we could be together. I often joke back and say "I know mommy, but I need "HER". I need that special some one and I'm not trying to cheat on you sweetie." He chuckles and then ponders to himself. He is a truly good friend of mine and often chats with my father about things, but he never tells me what. I sometimes hear yelling, but it could be because my father swallowed a turkey bone. Oothori often comes around super when my father eats.
I do however have other good friends. I have these two mysterious pairs of friends. I often refer to them as "Devil's Children" because it seems like something "he" would create for me. Two people, who look exactly alike and cause me more problems then I already have. These two are the Knights of Hitachiin and come from the Land of Grieves. I often want to throw them out of my castle, but Oothori doesn't think I should seeing how their mother can attack my castle whenever she feels like it.
Then I have two other friends. Both come from the lands of Cotton Fields and Calming Tides. My shortest friend loves sweets and my other friend doesn't talk or do much, but he claims my short friend is a distinct relative and that's why he sticks with Haninozuka. Either way, I don't mind since they are good company.
Now, you'd think Haru and I would be good friends right? Not exactly. I love him dearly, like the brother I wish I had. However, he hates every one here and doesn't want to bother with anything. He only wants to do simply things and never wants to join in on our crazy games, even after force. When we force him, he says he'll summon up his personal guards which we gave him and then cancel my order. He's a spoiled little brat, but I have to let him stay in the castle. Maybe his personality will change after he sees the poppers.
"Tamaki! My son! Have you found that boy yet!?" My father asked.
"Sorry King, but we haven't located him yet. By now, he could be any where,"
"Drat! Do you re-call what he was wearing?"
"Well, I remember he brought a black cloak with him. Is that enough information?"
He looked at me and sighed and shook his head.
"Sorry father, but I've been trying. It shouldn't be too hard to spot him. After all, he's the one wearing the fanciest clothes around these parts,"
"I suppose you're right. Alright son, you take your friends north and I'll head east of this town. We'll meet back here if we can't find him soon,"
"Understood,"
So the knights and I took off into the other side of town looking for my slave toy. Even as we passed the tens and thousands of people, he wasn't sticking out to me. The girls kept getting in my way and tried to hop onto my rare and valuable horse Annette. She wanted to kick all the people for me, but I reminded her of the federal damages we would pay if some one got hurt and that also makes me, the prince, look bad as a possible ruler. She sighed and delt with the people grabbing on to her. She is such a sweet pet.
Kyouya, decided to spilt the rest of us to make finding Haru easier. He said that if we all divided up into sets of two, our chances would double and that we could find him just before the ceremony. We all agreed and the rest of us set off. The twins took off first, not even carrying for my dear sweet son. They announced they had "other" things to do. Mori and Hunny took off next, saying that if they found him, he would receive a piece of cake because Haru deeply hates sweets. Then me and mommy dearest took off next, passing by even more fan girls. Mommy hates it when I call him that, but then again he is perfect for the role. He watches us all and makes sure everything is going perfectly well. In fact, he has records of all of us for some strange reason, but I assume it's more for medical purposes since his family works in our castle as specialized doctors.
"Tamaki," Kyouya said calling me over to him.
"Yes mommy,"
"I found your son. He seems to be…leaning against a wall of some sort,"
"Really? My dearest son!?"
"Yes, we found your son,"
"Oh thank goddess!!!!! Haru!!!! Oh Haru!!! Daddy's here!!!!!"
In that moment, I jumped off Annette to chase after my precious son. He slowly turned towards me, giving a look I've never seen before. It was strange and new and at the same time…my heart felt something I would never felt before. It helped heavy and happy at the same time. It raced and bounced around like crazy. I have never had these feelings before with Haru, but now, I'm experiencing something new with him, something almost…like love….
Haruhi
"Haru!!!! Oh Haru!!! Daddy's here!!!!!"
I turned my head slowly only to see and crazed man run towards me. His hair bounced all around, one moment in his face and in the next off to the right side and then the left. His eyes seemed like a dark violet color, but it could be because were in the shadows. His expression was happy and free until he got a glimpse of my full face, then the expression changed. He seemed…surprised and his mouth seemed to drop some. For some reason, who called out the name "Haru" like he knew me. Could this be the loonies Haru told me about?
"Um excuse me," I said and changed my voice to sound like Haru's accent. "But how do you know my name good sir?"
"How do I?" Said the crazy man, walking slowly towards me. "Oh my goodness it's worth than I thought!!!!! He must have the… plague. Kyouya! Go get the doctors right now!!!!!"
"I don't think that's the case you idiot." Said the man with the glasses. "He must have forgotten you, but then I would agree with him since you are…how should I put it…"
"Annoying?"
"No, not quite, but close"
"If he forgot me, then that means…I'M A TERRIBLE FATHER!!!!!" Announced the crazed man, now running around me.
"No, you're just a terrible ruler. After all, you should have taught Haru better. If he listened to you, then he wouldn't have gone running off,"
"I suppose your right. Then again, I don't think I should have called him my slave toy. I think the proper term could have been dog or bitch or man hore or even skank I suppose,"
"No wonder Haru ran off. This guy is crazy and did the one with classes call him ruler? Please don't tell me "he's" the king or even worth the prince!!!???"
The man with the classes came off his horse and walked up to me and looked me straight in the eyes and then chuckled, slightly to him self. This guy, he is strange. It's like…he knows something just by looking at you. Maybe I should stay away from him…and the guy currently hugging me to death.
"I'm sorry," I apologized, trying to push the crazy man off me. "But can some one tell me how you guys are?"
"So, you want to know who I am?" Suddenly, the crazy guy stood up and made a heroic pose, like he was the greatest thing since the invention of popper's beer. "I am yours truly, the savor, the man in the shinny armor, the one to save you in danger. I romance the young, the old and I give some sex to those who are about to die. I am called by many names: The White Rose, Prince Charming and even Lord Idiot by those who hate me. However, you my friend will and must address me by Prince Souh Tamaki. I am, the most handsome creature who lives in the land of Suoh and I will grace you with a kiss,"
As he bent down to my level, he didn't fear about kissing me nor did he care I was a girl crossing dressing as a guy. He took my hand passionately and placed his lips upon my hand as a gentleman would approach a lady. He is truly living up to his unfit and undeserved name.
"Geeze, thanks. I really needed that lord idiot,"
"CALL ME KING!!!!! DON'T CALL ME AN IDIOT!!!!"
"But why? You said it your self people call you that "call" the time,"
"Mommy!!!!! He's doing it again!!!!"
"Oh hush you. Let him do as he pleases. I'm sorry about the trouble Haru," He bent down and also kissed my hands, but this time with more respect. "My name is Knight Oothori Kyouya. My family lives in his place as specialized doctors or most of my family. My father is currently ruling the Nether Forest. It's a "true" pleasure to finally meet such a young and handsome "man" such as "yourself". Please feel free to see me if any issues do arise in the next couple of weeks,"
"Ummm…thank you?"
"So Kyouya, should we get the other's and begin our little ceremony?"
"I suppose we should. Let's meet back in the time square area and gather your father there as well. You take Haru with you while I get Hikaru, Kaoru, Mori and Hunny. Does that sound fair to you?"
Tamaki nodded and Kyouya took off. Tamaki then stared at me oddly and picked me up and placed me upon his horse. He rode off and started to head to the area where the ceremony would start. I felt something strange about Tamaki. It felt like my heart was racing one and then stopped the next. I felt happy near him, but at the same time angry. In some cases, it felt like I knew him, even those this is our first encounter and I got the same feeling when I meet Haru for the first time, like I knew him forever, but that's impossible as well. Both ways, my new life would be entertaining and I mean very entertaining.
"So Haru, why did you run off in the first place?" Tamaki asked, as he continued to handle his horse.
"I'm not sure why. I barely remember how I got her in the first place. Maybe I hit my head on something and that's why I forgot you."
"That could be. I know the old Haru would never forget me. He and I had a connection, something special, a bond I suppose. Maybe the new and improved you will still have that and better sense of listening skills. I get this feeling that this will be the start of a new and powerful friendship, don't you agree Haru?"
"Yeah, this will be a good start senpai,"
"Hmm, did you just call me senpai?"
"Yeah, because you are my senpai. I mean, you're going to teach me how to be me again…right?"
"I…I suppose so. The truth is, the real you…is…something I don't want to see again. I'll admit, I may be an idiot and have my down faults, but the old you never wanted to have fun and only kept himself into books and studying. He said education comes first and so, he never joined us in games or anything else. He…just wanted to be alone,"
"Oh…I see. He…I mean I just wanted to study. Well senpai, that'll all change starting now. I'll be the new me that you can have fun with. How does that sound?"
"Just perfect,"
At last we made it to the Time Square and already Kyouya arrived with the others. Tamaki's father was there too and the ceremony was just about to start. I was afraid I might mess things up, but then I looked at Tamaki and felt…relieved. He seems…soft and understanding. I felt warm and secure near him and I don't want this feeling to go away. He was truly…my protector.
"So son, are we ready to go?" Tamaki's father asked him.
"Yes sir, were ready,"
"Then let the ceremonies begin!"
As we headed off into the town, people waved and cheered for us all. Throwing flowers and other gifts into our hands. Tamaki waved and smiled and occasionally blew air kisses into the captive audience. I mimicked a little of what he did and some of the audience members fell onto the cold hard stone. It felt fun and different making people happy like that. It was, rewarding.
"You know Haru, I can't wait till you meet every one…again. You'll like Mori and Hunny, but you won't like the god awful twins as much. They have ways of getting information out of you. However, Kyouya says they are a good money making team with their little incest ways,"
"Really? They can't be all that bad senpai. After all, they seem like nice guys. You're just jealous because they have something you want and you know it,"
"I'm not going to say. All I know is that they are devil children out to get me,"
"Whatever senpai…."
Although today seems like an interesting day with meeting king and prince and all the knights. It feels like a dream come true for most people, just even seeing them feels like a dream come true. I wonder how long I can keep this lie up and I wonder…if he'll be the one to take me away from dreadful past…
Act 1: Complete
Next time in Act 2:
Haruhi gets acquainted with the other members of the knights; she learns what these knights actually do for a living. However, when things feel like a perfect dream for her, a secrete plot starts to arise as a little shadow moves closer into this "interesting" new Haru. Find out who is behind this plot and what will happen to Haruhi if everything goes according to plan.