A Tale of Two Destinies

Chapter One

A boy with dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes looked across the horizon as he slowly hum a few notes. His gaze had fixed intently towards the sea and his hair, flew by with the gentle air of the wind.

"Taichi! C'mon and hurry up! We'll be late!!" someone called. Taichi turned around to see his little sister, Hikari running towards him.

"What's the hurry, little sis?" he asked casually with a small smirk playing around his lips.

Hikari stood in front of him and crossed her arms up front. "What do you mean, what's the hurry? Have you forgotten? Tonight's the night!!!" Hikari wailed with her arms up in the air.

"The night? The night of what?" Taichi asked in total confusion as he slowly began to sit down on the ground and watch the sun setting.

"Big brother!!!! You're supposed to get dress for the ball!!!! YOUR ball!!!!" Hikari wailed once more as she scooped up her brother's arm and started to pull him up.

"WHAT!? Ball!? What ball!? I just came home from hunting with Father!!!!" Taichi said back, totally shocked with the news. How come he didn't mention anything to me? ...again?!

Hikari looked at him with an arched brow until something dawned unto her.

"Mom and Dad are setting you up...AGAIN." Hikari said with a smile. Don't they understand that Taichi won't get married that easily?

Taichi faced her sister glumly as realization took hold of him too. "Not again... we've been over this for the nth time!" Taichi complained as he laid himself flat on the ground and looked up at the sky.

Hikari sat beside him and smiled, "I can't blame mother and father, big brother. I guess they're worried about you and the kingdom" Hikari said as her hands held her two feet up.

Taichi stared back at the sky. "I know, Hikari but the girl I'm waiting for hasn't arrived yet I mean I'm going to spend my next years in life to being a king. I can't just be with someone I don't really like or love at all Hikari... I don't want to end up being alone one day. I want to live my life as a king with someone who loves me." Taichi replied.

"Oh, big brother... I'm sure there's someone for you out there... there has to be! Each of us has their own pair" Hikari said. "Don't worry, you'll meet her soemday."

Taichi sat up. "I hope so... and I hope she comes here soon. I don't want to end up being a-king-with-no-wife for my whole life" Taichi replied as he began to stand up. "...or marrying the wrong one for that matter."

"Now c'mon... we don't want to upset mother for being late once more" Taichi added as he helped his younger sister up and started off back to the castle.

Prince Taichi Yagami was the next heir to the throne of his family. And since his 20th birthday is almost approaching, his parents offered him a ball where he may be able to choose a willing wife for himself. One thing hard for Taichi is that he is rather picky. But heck, who could blame him? He's the heir to the second biggest kingdom there is on the land. He couldn't just marry anyone... especially if he knows that that Princess is just after their wealth and fame.

Princess Hikari on the other hand, is Prince Taichi's younger sister. She is engaged to their cousin, Prince Takeru and will be getting married in a few more months. Princess Hikari and Prince Takeru had always been friends ever since childhood. That's why their parents engage them. This didn't seem to bother Hiraki at all... after all, she does love Takeru and so does he with her.

Unfortunately, Prince Takeru has no parents left. That's why his brother, King Yamato had assumed the throne even in an early stage. He is currently single-handedly ruling his kingdom and is, close friends with prince Taichi.

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In a far away kingdom, there lived a young princess named, Sora. Her radiant orange hair that compares to the sunset and her eyes of blazing fire had always been the best attraction to her. She was the best of their kind. A product of loveliness and poise, of elegance and beauty.

Sora has her father by her side and the fact that she had grown up without a mother, made her somehow... close to the male species. Having a father and an adviser who always taught her of hunting, fighting and politics, Sora had no time to dwell on matters like beautification and of arts. Although this, Sora was still the most beautiful in her kingdom, even compared to ladies that were of rich nobility and high ranking.

Sora was rather... adventerous and full-spirited... even risky at times. But that never stopped King Takenouchi in loving his daughter. He loved Sora with all his heart and wouldn't give her up to anything. Because of this, everyone in the kingdom loved her even more.

She was their treasure...

She was their soon-to-be-queen...

"But Father!!!! Why must I attend to this ball!!!!?" Sora asked in desperation as she ran to her father.

"Sora try as you may... you've reached the proper age of at least going to balls." Sora's father argued back. Noting to himself on why he didn't pay attention to his friends of Sora not getting enough balls. "And where have you gone, this time?" he added.

"Ehehe..." Sora said as she tucked her hands at her back, trying to hide away the bow and arrow she was holding.

"You went hunting again?" Sora's father asked with an arched brow.

Sora timidly nodded. "But I love hunting, father!" she argued slightly. "You were the one who taught me." She added, knowing how she always win over this argument.

Sora's father laughed at Sora. He knew well enough that Sora's love and passion for hunting was his "mistake". "Where in 100 kingdoms can you find a princess who enjoys hunting instead of jewelry!?" His father asked with a proud smile.

Sora beamed at her father.

"But that doesn't mean you're safe from going to that ball." Sora's father said.

"What!? But Daddy..."

"Don't you daddy-daddy me... you're going to that party, Sora." The King said to his daughter.

"But, WHY!? At least answer me that!!! Surely you don't plan on disposing me already... right father?" Sora asked with a sad look on her face.

Sora loves her father very much and the plan of getting married pierced Sora's heart. For never will she dreamed of leaving her beloved father and kingdom. She knows well enough that getting married would mean getting away from this kingdom and staying at her husband's kingdom and not hers... and worse... being apart from her dear father.

Sora looked at her father as the king looked at her daughter back. "Right, father?" she asked once more.

The whole court turned silent.

"Your highness... surely you don't plan on making our dear princess leave us just yet" said one of the many people in the court. "Our dear princess has reached the age of getting married. It's time for her to come and gather herself to at least find a suitable king." One of the advisers said. "But our dear princess... please do not think that we want you away... we are also thinking of your benefit... for a princess that has reached more than a 20 may have a difficulty in finding her rightful husband and king." He added.

Sora took all these into account. She knew that what the adviser said are true and are actually right 'I have to remember that I am a Princess... and I will act with due respect and thought.' Sora took in her courage and finally said, "I am greatly honored that you have thought of my benefit and I am truly grateful for all these as your princess I will do my best in doing the right thing for the kingdom"

Everyone in the court cheered.

"My daughter don't only think about the kingdom... also think about yourself" the king added.

Sora smiled and bowed. "Yes, my father."

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"King Yamato of the Ishida kingdom has arrived." The commoner announced.

Yamato went down the red-carpeted stairs to where he was announced. Behind him was his younger brother, Takeru. Before Yamato could even reach the last step, Taichi came running towards him with a sword. Yamato, truly alert, raised out his sword and the two began to battle.

"Takeru!" Hikari called as she ran to his soon-to-be-husband and threw herself at him. For in Hikari's heart, Takeru is truly the one for her.

"Taichi, you're getting better and better each time we meet." Yamato said as their swords clashed. "Hah! I better be! I'm about to be king!" Taichi said proudly. "I heard." Yamato replied. "Tell me, my friend... have you found a queen yet?" he added. Taichi stopped as he slung his sword at his back. "Still no?" Yamato asked with a chuckle. "Feh! You're a king and you don't even have a queen. Don't question me, you fool!" Taichi said. "Well, at least I'm looking. Unlike someone I know, who doesn't." Yamato retorted.

Taichi sighed. "As much as I want to get married, my dear friend... I can't seem to find the right one. Believe me... I lone to have a family on my own... and a queen to be by my side and help me rule my kingdom with ease." Taichi replied as he walked off to the garden.

Yamato followed. "My friend... I am sure that the one for you will come but please you're always closing yourself towards others. Be open and surely, the person for you will open as well." Yamato said.

Taichi nodded. "Thank you, Yamato. This helped me greatly. I wish no more than your support." "In what? Finding a wife? Or ruling the kingdom?" Yamato teased. Taichi laughed. "I might say, both."

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"Father... could I ask you a question?" Sora asked as she looked outside the carriage. "Yes, my daughter?" the king asked. "How will I know that the one for me is the right one? I mean... there are a lot of people out there" Sora explained. "You'll know him, my daughter... you'll know... just remember... it's your heart that matters" the king replied. Sora smiled. "Father, if I may, could I ask another question?" she asked. "Go ahead." the king answered. "Where will we be going?" Sora asked as she looked out of the window of the carriage.

"To the Yagami Kingdom he's a very close friend of mine and his son is looking for a queen since he's going to be a king in a short time." "I see... father try as I may, if I don't like him, will you be mad at me?" Sora asked. "No, my love... it's your choice not mine just remember, follow your heart." The king replied. Sora nodded and smiled, "Thank you, father."

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"The time has come to take what's mine soon, the Takenouchi kingdom will be mine and that princess will be in my arms just as her mother once was."

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"My son, come here." The King said as he motioned his hands towards Taichi.

"What is it, father?" Taichi asked as he followed his father's order and went towards him, fully clothed for the ball. "There is someone special I like you meet." "Really? Who?" Taichi asked, knowing that it's another princess. "She hasn't arrived yet. But I want you to pay a special attention towards her. Her father, is a very dear friend to me. He had helped me in my long journeys and it is my utmost wish to have a stable link between him and our kingdom. I believe you haven't seen her yet but I know that you have heard of her."

"And who may this young princess be?" Taichi asked, somewhat currious. He knows well enough that his father doesn't speak highly of such being if he doesn't like that person. This must be someone really important to him in order for such words.

"Her name is Sora of the Takenouchi Kingdom." The king said. "Wow... she's one princess you don't want to mess with, Tai." Yamato said. "You know her?" Tai asked. "Yep! Why, don't you?" Yamato asked. Taichi shook his head. "never heard of her either" he added.

The king and Yamato sweat dropped.

"You should be more aware of what's around you, Tai." Yamato said. Taichi shrugged. "What's special about her anyway?" "Princess Sora is known to be the goddess Artemis. Her skills in hunting, riding, swords and archery befalls than any other princess in the country. Her sense of judgment precedes anyone. She's a treasure, Tai." Yamato said. "If she's that important, then why don't you court her?" Taichi asked.

Yamato looked at Tai's father.

"Well, that's because my son... she's already engaged." The king said.

"Oh? Then why must I give special attention to her, then? I mean... she is engaged" Taichi asked.

"That's because you're her fiancé, Tai." Yamato said.

"WHAT!?"