Author's Note: I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS FIC!!! I don't really mean to brag-

Pai: Yes, you do.

Me: Don't interupt! Anyway, I don't mean to brag, BUT! it really is one of my best works. R&R! Pweeeeeaaaasse?!!?!?!?!?

Pai: Dear, Kami, R&R for the sake of us all.

Zakuro: Please, it's annoying.

Me: Hey!

Ichigo: (comes out of nowhere) Enjoy! =^^=

Chapter 1

Once upon a yesterday, there was a Japanese Jedai named Princess Zakuro. She had dark violet hair and gray eyes, the figure of a dancer, the height of a model, and the voice of an angel-turned-rockstar. She had the personality of the most sarcastic, the most distant, and the kindest person anyone has ever met. Zakuro did her best to protect her tribe and the people of her land, the Philediphians, from the evil Barthtar and his goons: the Zorgons. Only once as a baby did she meet Barthtar, lord of the Klestiphians.

As the emotional, rebellious teenager that she was, Zakuro never really talked much to her parents, King Yukito and Queen Sakano, before they died a year previous. She'd been taking care of her little sister, Tomiko ever since and left her with the clan elder whenever she went on a mission. Now at age sixteen, Zakuro must find a suitable mate, according to Lady Kaede— clan elder. Zakuro never thought about having a mate. It never crossed her mind and if someone were to ask her about it, she'd say she didn't care.

Now in front of all the people of her tribe and in the presence of the clan elder, Zakuro is told that she must find a mate by the light of the full moon, which was due in a week. But she has more important things in mind. Princess Zakuro was still bent on avenging her parents and wanted nothing more than to kill Barthtar and slay his minions. Finding a mate now would be a waste of time. If she found a mate, she would immediately become the new queen. If she became queen, she wouldn't be able to avenge her parents. As the oldest child in her family, it's her duty to avenge her parents. Besides, it's not like she needs help ruling her land. She'd been doing a fine job so far; why bother?

After the meeting, Zakuro goes to the Firefly Pond to think about her new mission. A wolf comes up to her, but she is not afraid. The wolf nudges her arm and whimpers. She reaches up and scratches the wolf behind his ear. She smiles slightly- a sad, uncertain smile- and looks down at the water. She sees her reflection and thinks, Kami what a drag.

There's a noise; a crunching of twig beneath one's foot. Zakuro can sense who it is, therefore, is unfazed by it. The wolf leaves Zakuro's side to greet the new company.

"What are you doing here, Tomiko?" Zakuro questions her little sister.

"I was worried about you, Zakuro-onee," the young girl answered warily. She pats the wolf on the head and then sits down next to the teenaged princess. "You didn't look very happy up there."

"As opposed to how elated I usually am?" Zakuro retorted.

Tomiko looks down at her hands and tries her sister again. "Will you go through with it?"

"Go through with what?"

"Don't play me like that." It was silent for a moment and Tomiko decided to speak, knowing she wasn't going to get a reply. "Well, I think getting vengeance for our parents is smarter than finding some man to marry." She smirked and added breezily, "You can leave that to me."

Zakuro let out a hearty laugh and looked at the young princess. "Sure."

"Well, I have to go. Lady Kaede says that I have to start training now with Master Yamaguchi." Tomiko stood and dusted herself off.

"You get the hunk? Well, good luck then, Little Wolf!"

"Thanks Onee-chan!" Tomiko laughed before turning and disappearing into the trees.

Zakuro turns back to the pond and talks to the forgotten wolf. "Alquerria, what do you think I should do?" He barked and howled his response. "You think I should fight too? Good boy!" Zakuro roughly rubbed Alquerria's belly and stood, copying her sister by dusting herself off.

The wolf suddenly growled, sensing an unfamiliar presence nearby. Zakuro was startled by this, but she couldn't sense anything.

"An intruder," she guessed. It was more of a question than a statement really.

"You're very light on your feet." It was a man's voice. It was a somewhat nasal, tenor voice speaking in a low, sadistic tone.

"Who are you? What's your business here?" Zakuro demanded.

"Really, is that any way to greet someone… Princess?"

"Answer the question!" Zakuro shouted. She never liked it when men thought they were so superior that they had to jeer everyone they met.

"My, my, such a temper for a lady. Oh, fine. I guess it wouldn't hurt to introduce myself. My name is Pai. I've been watching you for quite a long time and I must say that I'm impressed. A princess who is also a Jedai. Call me crazy, but I didn't think that was allowed."

"Are you finished?" Zakuro asked impatiently as she folded her arms over her chest. She bore an unamused expression on her beautiful face.

"Well, I did leave a pause there in case you wanted to say something."

"Don't talk that way to me! I ought to beat you for that," Zakuro said haughtily. She'd never been so flustered before, but she wasn't about to tell him that. Jerk, she thought. Who does this trespasser think he is?

"You're very angry. I understand; I wouldn't blame you. Losing your parents to a villainous snake," accented the last word with a snap of his teeth and paused. "It's a rather horrid thing."

Zakuro looked at him like he was insane. She studied his face, searching his black eyes for meaning to his words. "What do you know about it?" She finally said.

"My parents were killed by Lord Barthtar as well. I've met the man many times. All I felt was fear," he replied in an ominous tone.

Slightly taken aback, Zakuro replied confidently. "Well, you'll just have to take a number because I already have first dibs on getting revenge."

"Fine by me," Pai shrugged. "I just hope you're not planning on going alone."

"What are you talking about?" Zakuro inquired.

Pai had a dead and grim expression on his face as he spoke. "It's quite dangerous for a young beautiful woman, such as yourself, were to be killed as well— despite the fact that you're a Jedai. To go to a place like that and stand up to a man like that... you'd have to be mad. If you do go, don't go alone," he warned.

She ignored the 'beautiful' remark. "I don't need your concern. I'm going. And

I'll go alone." She had to admit, he'd frightened her, but she retained her strength to

speak. Nothing- and no one- was going to stop her from avenging her parents' death.

"Funny, I thought wolves traveled in packs," Pai mused.

"I'm like my friend, Alquerria, here. A lone wolf. I don't need protection. I need vengeance. Others will just slow me down."

"Then, good luck, your Highness." He backed into the shadows from whence he came.

Zakuro stared after him— like a deer caught in headlights. Who was he and why did he know so much about her? She'd never met anyone like him. Pale navy hair— part of it pulled into a low ponytail hanging in front of his left ear; cropped very short in the back to a clean-cut, and skin as pale as a vampire.

She wouldn't dare admit that she was at all fascinated by a male to anyone, much less to herself. He was definitely a secret she'd have to keep from the village. Especially from her little sister. It would be hard. And killing Barthtar would be even harder.

End of Chapter 1

A/N: Now review! ^^

Zakuro: You're quite demanding.

Me: You know, you shouldn't be so sarcastic... you people-pleaser.

Pai: Now, who's being sarcastic?

Zakuro: Be nice.

Me: You're one to talk.

Ichigo: (comes out of nowhere again) Review! =^^=