A/N: This story happens during no time in particular, but before Izana becomes king. AU. Izana x OC

Disclaimer: I don't own Akagami no Shirayukihme and probably never will. This fan work is just for fun! (This disclaimer applies to all subsequent chapters of this story.)

CHAPTER 1

The sunlit afternoon was unusually warm, yet she could not find it within herself to pull back the hood of her cape or remove her facial covering. This silence was too complete. Colored leaves rustled in the breeze, yet there were no chirping birds, no scampering squirrels. Something was amiss.

"Hey, you there!"

Bandits.

"Tch," she muttered. Another run in? This was the second in a month. Chances were she wouldn't be so lucky this time around... She tightened the drawstring of her hood, though she realized it would do little good at this point.

"If you don't want trouble then give us what 'cha got."

How many were there? she wondered. More than just one or two. Four shadows and there were likely others still within the forest.

It wasn't much, but she tossed her small bag to the ground. In a situation like this, when she was obviously outnumbered, it was better to be as compliant as possible.

"This can't be all!" A hand clamped down on her shoulder, the jostle caused her head covering to shift. "What else have you got in–"

"Holy–!"

"You're that girl!"

She tried to run, shoved the closest man away and darted forward, but as she'd suspected there were more hidden within surrounding trees. It was hardly a fair fight. Moments later she was immobilized, forced to kneel as her arms were restrained by the criminals.

"Hey, how much do you think we can get for her?"

Already thinking ahead. These weren't average blundering dolts wandering the trails in search of hapless travelers. They seemed like an established group.

"As much as we want, I'd say. Everyone's been lookin' out for you, princess."

It would do no good to talk back now. If they thought her a weak, frightened girl they'd underestimate her and that might be her only chance of escape.

"You're worth at least your weight in gold. It was nice of you to come out here for us." He gripped her chin, forcing her to look up; she finally got a good look at her captors as the one who appeared to be the leader pulled the mask off her face. "Just like they said. Violet eyes so bright they shine."

Not the stereotypical roadside thieves, not the type she would have suspected of being outlaws if she'd chanced upon them in some other setting. They were well dressed, the fabrics looked expensive and the pieces were tailored, though they did keep their faces hidden.

"And hair as black as night, curled in such an unusual way," he fingered a piece of her hair. "I didn't think the rumors were true, but I guess the shipyard fools aren't just talk after all."

So that was where she'd made a mistake, though even thinking back she couldn't remember having exposed herself to anyone. She'd been careful to keep her face and hair hidden, but even her cautious approach wasn't infallible. It seemed no matter how well she planned she was destined to live on the run.

She'd been in situations like this before, tried to reassure herself that she would escape once again, but this was perhaps the worst time to be captured. She was too tired to fight as hard as she would have too, too weary to form a plan on the fly.

All her life her physical features had brought nothing but trouble. Sent away by her distraught father when she looked too much like the wife he'd loved so dearly, passed off to a servant when the nobles who'd taken her in had a son of their own, made to leave again for her own safety when a rich man decided he wanted to take her as a mistress, and countless times since she'd been forced to leave a place of comfort simply because of the way she looked.

She found herself wishing, as she had before, that her mother had survived the birth. If she truly was as similar to the woman as she'd been told, then perhaps she could have learned from her. Then again maybe it was just good fortune that led to the marriage of her parents. She knew very little about them or the circumstances surrounding their relationship. She'd never spoken to either and she'd accepted that she would probably never know anything more.

Hands bound behind her back she was pulled to her feet and pushed forward, however the procession had not gone far when the sound of approaching footsteps was heard.

"You there!"

Men in uniform, maybe guards on patrol? She could think of no one else in the region who would be dressed as they, but she hadn't thought she'd wandered anywhere that warranted armed personnel.

Her captors scattered; one attempted to take her along, but when he slung her over his shoulder she kicked and shouted. Deemed too much of an inconvenience she was dropped back to the ground as the hulking male tried to make a run for it.

"Miss, are you alright?" If he was surprised by her appearance he did a good job of hiding it behind a mask of professionalism. She supposed that was to be expected of a royal guard of Clarines, in the capital of Wistal. She'd heard that this kingdom was well run, it was the reason she'd decided to attempt to make a new life in the area.

She would have answered him, he looked truly concerned, but upon landing on the dirt she'd hit her head and that, coupled with exhaustion, made it all too easy to fall into unconsciousness.

/~/

"Takara-san," a soft voice murmured. A gentle hand felt her forehead. "Are you awake now, Takara-san?"

It was several moments before she was able to comprehend what was happening around her. As her hazy gaze began to clear she took in the scenery.

A sickbay. She'd been transported, probably by the guards who'd rescued her, to a treatment center. Well, it made sense. What else would they do with an unconscious woman who'd obviously been in peril?

"Takara-san."

She blinked and answered, "I am awake," head swiveling to see who spoke. She was stunned to see a girl, her age she thought, with hair of a shade she'd never seen before; red as any apple. Her clothing suggested that she was a doctor. Young for such an important position, but she could be an apprentice. "But, may I ask, how do you know my name?" She spoke cautiously.

"Ah, well, you woke briefly, though you may not remember it, on the way here. The guards asked for your name and that was what you told them. Now, can you explain to me what happened? The sentries told me what they saw, but I need to know what you experienced."

Takara considered not speaking, but there was nothing to be gained in subterfuge.

"Maybe you can understand," she said as she pushed into sitting position. The attendant fluffed a pillow, placed it behind her back in a helpful gesture. "To have a– different quality is sometimes a detriment."

Green eyes widened before softening. "Yes. I understand."

"In that case you can imagine the circumstances. I was alone and accosted by a group of brigands. I had a face mask, and a hood, but the pack I was carrying didn't meet their expectations. I'm not sure what they planned to do in that moment, but as soon as they saw...Well, whatever they'd thought they would be doing changed. When the guards came I was being led away. The thieves tried to run with me, but I fought back and was dropped. I hit my head and that is the last thing I remember."

Notes were jotted down and Takara broke the ensuing silence with a question. "Where am I?"

"Oh!" The red head snapped up as cheeks flushed. "I really am sorry! You don't know anything right now. My name is Shirayuki and I am a Pharmacist of the Royal Court. This is the infirmary in the castle of Clarines."

"In the castle?"

Emphatic nodding. "Yes, you were just outside it, did you not realize?"

"I did not. I was only trying to keep away from curious eyes."

A sympathetic expression. "For now you should rest. I'll have someone bring a tray of food, something easy on the stomach. You seem a bit underweight."

That was to be expected. It was difficult to eat healthily when constantly on the move. Doing odd jobs only brought in so much income and it was easy to loose anything gained. Calories were burned and never replaced on a daily basis.

The privacy curtain was pulled to surround her bed and Takara was left to consider her position.

Shirayuki, whoever she was, was the first person Takara had ever met with a similar affliction. It was an interesting coincidence, but she wasn't one to seek out friendship. Relationships of any sort had brought her nothing but trouble.

/~/

"It seems she was attacked," Shirayuki was relaying her encounter with the stranger to Zen later in the afternoon. They stood together in a deserted corridor, a meet-up orchestrated by Obi when he realized his Master was growing restless. "It kind of hit me hard because I can understand her problem."

"Hm," he folded his arms as he paced to the other side of the hall. "I'll think of something." He spoke with conviction, a familiar shine in his eyes, and he was rewarded with the smile he so loved to see.

The two parted then, both duty bound and with little free time to spare, but as Zen had promised his mind remained on the new problem. This girl, Takara, was in a similar position to Shirayuki and he couldn't help but feel obligated to step in. She wasn't from Clarines, but she'd traveled to his home country for a reason; certainly she hadn't come to be kidnapped and he felt responsible for her safety.

With a sigh he realized that regardless of what he wanted, there was one above him who held the power. He couldn't just offer this stranger a position in the castle to keep her safe; his brother would hear about it and interfere. The only thing to be done was inform him ahead of time and try to sway his decision.

"Eh? Where are you going?" Mitsuhide asked as his friend and sovereign strode from the work room, moving to follow as he stepped into the hallway.

"You heard about that girl in the infirmary?"

"Of course, everyone was talking about her."

"Well, Shirayuki was attending to her and it seems the gossip is true."

"What? Really? I thought it was overblown," his tone was awed. "She's really that striking? Doesn't sound possible."

"Regardless it's not safe for her to leave. She was almost abducted only hours ago. From what Shirayuki told me this woman has been in that position before. We can't send her away in good conscience, not knowing what kind of danger she faces."

"So, you're going to talk to him?"

Zen froze for a beat, nodded stiffly, and continued forward. This was not an encounter he looked forward to. Rarely did he seek the company of the first prince of Clarines. He was a good man, overall, but the two were of different dispositions and, even though he was his brother, Zen didn't feel confident in approaching the future king about this matter.

Still, he couldn't do nothing. It would be wrong to make Takara leave when they were conscious of her circumstances and his brother needed to understand the situation.

He left Mitsuhide outside the door to the office space occupied by Izana.

"Little brother, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Lord brother, a girl was brought here by our guards."

"I am aware."

"We can't send her back out there."

The elder of the Wistaria siblings considered his younger brother's words. "In fact I had already come to that conclusion, Zen, but I am glad to see this type of proactive approach. You are dismissed." It was with a certain amount of satisfaction, and a small smirk, that he watched the young man stalk from the room fuming.

The truth was he'd been debriefed by the attending guardsmen hours ago, immediately after her admittance to the infirmary. He was deeply troubled by the account he'd been given, more so because a few of the would-be kidnappers had eluded capture. Even now there were men searching for the criminals, but they would be difficult to find. It was possible they'd set off to leave the country altogether, but he doubted they felt that threatened. If anything they were angry and would seek to find the girl if she were to be released.

Not only was that something he didn't want on his conscience, but it would reflect badly upon his country if she were to be harmed again.

If she was agreeable he would put her to work, perhaps in the kitchens as they'd just lost an employee to marriage.

He would speak to her directly.

/~/

"The first prince of Clarines requests your presence."

She was in no position to refuse.

Shirayuki attempted to soothe the newcomer. "Izana... I mean, the first prince, is a good person. A bit intimidating, but he is dedicated to his position and a fair judge of circumstances."

Takara had nothing else to base her thoughts on, she'd never met the man, but those under his employment seemed to be kind, hard-working people and the temperament of an employee reflected upon their leader.

She did her best to quell her nerves, but this meeting was still a source of some anxiety. She'd never had contact with royalty before and doubted that she could even pretend to follow protocol. There were surely established ways of greeting and speaking, but this was not her country and common courtesy would have to suffice.

A uniformed man led her to a sitting room, requested that she wait for the prince to appear, and left through the door they had entered.

It was strange to sit in a place of such understated elegance. In the past she'd been forced into the company of the wealthy and in her limited experience those of nobility were eager to flaunt their abundance.

There was no ostentatious display of luxury here, though it would be impossible to call anything 'cheap'. She didn't doubt the furnishings were worth more than any she'd ever seen; even the fabrics of the throw pillows felt different, nicer, than others. It seemed true royalty really was of a higher standard.

"Interesting..."

"What, may I ask, is interesting?"

She started. She'd not heard the entrance of another and with one glance she surmised that this must be Izana Wistaria, the first prince of Clarines. He was an attractive man and, as Shirayuki had warned, intimidating.

His hair was blond, perhaps shoulder-length and tied back into a tail. Icy blue eyes glittered with, she thought, a bit of amusement. He'd thought her moment of fright entertaining.

She felt her eyes narrow. That was not polite, but it wouldn't do for her to return his insensitivity in kind. She was of common birth, no rank, and she had nowhere to go if he decided to send her off.

Swallowing her pride was no easy task, but Takara was well aware of her standing and pushed her irritation aside in favor of good manners.

She stood from the settee, managed a curtsy though it had been years since she'd needed to greet anyone so formally, and rather than introduce herself answered the question. "The differences between groups of people, though perhaps it has more to do with the individual."

As she spoke he walked, took his place in a plush chair; her failure to begin with an introduction did not go unnoticed. He waved a hand, indicating that she should sit once more, before asking, "You refrained from presenting yourself, why?"

Truly, Takara thought, Shirayuki was right. Whether he was making an effort to intimidate her or not she couldn't say, but she thought he might be. His gaze was appraising and the half-smile didn't reach his eyes. She answered honestly despite her growing apprehension. "You would not meet with someone having no knowledge of them. As it is I'm sure there are guards just outside the door, prepared to impale me should I attempt to damage their first crowned prince."

He held the silence for a bit too long, watched as she grew uncomfortable with his lack of response. Her words were not calculated, he could discern that much, though he wondered at her blunt replies. There were few who spoke to him in that manner knowing full well his status.

He could think of only one in recent memory.

"It is as you say." Her relief was evident in her slightly relaxed posture. She'd grown more still with each moment he delayed speech. "I am aware of your name, but I confess that I know little more than that. As I'm sure you've realized I have been told of your circumstances, however before I extend any type of assistance I must know to whom I am entrusting duties."

He meant to offer her an occupation and she would gladly accept. Her life story, such as it was, would take little time to explain and she could think of no reason to lie, so she supplied the truth as she was wont to do.

"I am Takara Hinoson. I was born to a common family in the country of Mariquet. My mother passed away immediately after my birth and I was raised by a childless noble family, a Lord and Lady Willow, until I was four years old. At that time the Lady fell pregnant and when a son was born they relinquished custody to a servant in the household. She sent me away when I was thirteen for my safety and I have been a traveler for these last four years." She spoke matter-of-factly. Takara had long ago buried feelings of resentment and longing; it did no good to hold onto such volatile emotions. There was nothing she could do to change her past and harboring wrath against those she'd once relied upon did more harm than good.

Straightforward was her manner. Izana detected no hint of a falsehood, though he suspected she'd refrained from speaking in detail purposely. He could guess at what she'd left out.

"If what you've said is true I see no reason to suspect you pose a danger. I am an uncommonly good judge of character–"

He was a smug one.

"–and I offer you now a place of work–"

"I accept."

He blinked. It wasn't often that the elder prince was caught off guard. "I have not explained your position."

"Considering the alternative, something is better than nothing. I accept."

/~/

He was not the one to expound upon her duties, that was left to another. Izana found, however, that thoughts of the girl with the strangely colored eyes followed him for the rest of the day, though he left Takara's presence after only a few minutes alone with her.

She was a person of interesting disposition. Pragmatic, perhaps to a fault. Without a second thought, no hesitation, she'd accepted his offer of employment and her reasoning was logical. For someone in her position that was the correct decision. An offer of security was not to be turned down.

"Takara Hinoson of Mariquet. If possible I would like to have more information on that person."

"Yes, Izana-denka." The retainer bowed before exiting, intent on beginning the search for intel immediately.

In the meantime there were other things to be doing.

/~/

Takara had been briefed on her new responsibilities by a kitchen hand. She would work her way up from the bottom, a mere pot scrubber, and yet she could not complain about the situation. This was more stability than she'd had in years.

She was led to the residence hall, a place occupied by palace workers who did not have homes within walking distance of the castle, and left alone with a uniform. She was to change and report for duty directly.

It seemed a new chapter had begun in her life. Her days of running had come to an unexpected end, but she refrained from hoping that peace was within reach. Nothing was ever easy. To hope for harmony was presumptuous. The lower her expectations the shorter the fall if things didn't pan out and if, by some twist of fate, this turned out for the best she would receive the surprise gratefully.