A/N: I decided to revise the posted chapters. It's not as detailed as before, but there's a reason for it.

First meeting, from ravenhead's perspective. The child king learns how to take things on by himself.

A thirteen-year-old boy sat at the edge of a fountain, staring into the water and splashing it with his bare hand for what seemed like the hundredth time. The world seen through the youngster's eyes was exceptionally dark and morose as he stared dully into the water. He sat right in the middle of the bustling main square of the town, pointedly ignoring anyone who tried to talk to him. The sparks and life that commonly fills the eyes of the young folk in the jovial town was absent in his own dim, vacant ones.

As the bustling town life progressed around him, the young boy sat there in his own timeless bubble. His thoughts were stranded in a faraway place where everything was still faultless and invulnerable; someplace where his parents, the happened king and queen of Edelweiss, were still alive. Only, they weren't, and the young prince was left with an ambiguous party of regents, and responsibilities that were far beyond the capabilities of a mere child. He only ever had his parents by his side, so what now, when even the ones he was supposed to trust were attempting to be rid of him? Was there even a point in trying at all?

[The answer.]

He met a boy that day; a young fellow whose eyes were buoyant and spirited unlike his own.

Kageyama was just wandering about after a whole afternoon of staring into oblivion by the fountain when he came upon a lake clearing. He didn't know how he got there and didn't really care; but when he saw the myriad of stones at the rim of the water, the ravenhead just couldn't help himself.

He let his mind wander back to the tranquil evenings when his father would bring him out to the castle pond to skip stones. Kageyama learned by watching, ambitiously trying to catch up to his father; his mother would always clap and cheer every time he succeeded.

The stone that was just thrown skipped four times before sinking into the water. As if on cue, someone started clapping behind him. Kageyama widened his eyes.

He heard a whisper. 'Wishes are not merely words of longing. Miracles are not just far-flung lies.'

It was as if all of his prayers were finally answered in that one moment when he heard the familiar clapping, in such a way that he was almost too accustomed to. Kageyama immediately turned around, but was instead met with enthusiastic eyes that contrasted with the earnest ones in his memories.

"That was amazing! I never knew rocks could skip that far! Could you do it again!?" The stranger declared.

Kageyama felt a flare of anger and annoyance. How could he have been so naive? It was just a kid.

'When two people meet, a chemical synergy occurs.'

A kid, he had thought; but oh, so wrong he was.

The two of them were sitting side-by-side on the rather large rock. The ball of energy that eagerly applauded him just moments ago was suddenly a child with hollow, distant eyes that only saw recollections of a painful past.

And suddenly, words were flowing out of the boy's mouth. "You know..this is my favorite place to go whenever I'm feeling down. The scenery is rather calming." Kageyama thought he must have been talking to himself, but he was too caught up in his own thoughts to care.

"I'm glad you like it too." The boy continued on despite the brunette's lack of attention on him. "Well, at least it seems like you do."

Oh, so he was talking to him. This time though, Kageyama didn't know what to say.

And yet, the boy continued to speak. "My parents died just a few years ago from a disease..but I guess memories just last longer when you lose something important to you." Kageyama frowned, but the boy didn't stop. "I was just thinking of the time when my mom told me a story about a young orphan boy who overcame all the challenges he faced despite his loneliness. He went on a journey and met lots of people who really cared about him." He was just staring now. Um..what? "And in the end..it was all because he didn't give up!"

That's it, Kageyama thought; he must be crazy. But as much as he wanted to scoot away, Kageyama found that he couldn't. Instead, he opted to ask, "Why are you telling me this?"

The boy frowned in confusion. "Um..because you seemed really sad?" He said it as though it were a question, as if he too, was questioning his own actions.

Kageyama didn't get it; he didn't get why this kid suddenly told him about his past; he didn't get what he was supposed to say; he didn't get why this kid was even talking to him in the first place! As much as he didn't understand though, the ravenhead felt a strange fondness for the kid. That's why he suddenly had the urge to say something.

But instead of words, what came out of his mouth was a lame, "Huh?"

The ball of energy was suddenly back. His face lit up and he began to explain. "The way you were gazing out at the water—it seemed as if you were thinking of something really sad. You kind of reminded me of myself. That's why I thought I should share my story with you—to tell you that you shouldn't give up!"

Kageyama felt a spark of anger, suddenly remembering the power struggles back at home. Giving up? What does this kid even know? He had never even wanted to be a part of it, so why should he even try?

The ravenhead argued. "'Not giving up' is easier said than done."

The kid's expression suddenly intensified. "Aren't you saying that because you didn't try yet?"

[His answer.]

Behind his frown, Kageyama flared with anger. Why was he being told off by a kid? It made him feel so stupid for even listening in the first place; for even coming here to sulk in the first place. Yes, sulking was pathetic. He felt pathetic. If he had really fallen so low to let a kid reprimand him, then certainly he was pretty pathetic. He surely had too much pride for his own good, but in all honesty, the kid's words had struck a chord within him.

In his ire, Kageyama just nodded to show that he got the point; then, he stormed off. He still felt angry and embarrassed, but with renewed determination set in his eyes, the ravenhead made his way back home. 'Giving up' was no longer a term in his dictionary.

A/N: Ah, our antisocial little king. Now that this is done, laziness may ensue for a while.

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