Author's Note: To those who read The Island Esme, I am going to be re-writing that story since I am not liking how it is going. No worries though, while I work on that, I am writing this story instead and Music Camp (Still working on the first chapter). Enjoy reading and please do not be afraid to leave a constructive review, those are always welcome!
Chapter 1: The Past
18 years ago, a beautiful Princess was born. The King and Queen were overjoyed to have brought their first child into the world. When they had announced that the baby was female, their people were ecstatic about the news, for it had been over a century since a Princess was born in their kingdom. It was also rumored, spread by older generations that female Hyugas with royal blood were captivating.
The rumor was correct; even thought Hinata was only a baby. They can see that her big lavender eyes would captivate many men's attention. Cheeks so red it put a rose to shame. Her smile so beautiful they believe it could melt a dragon's stone cold heart. She was going to be an enchanting princess.
The story about a beautiful baby princess spread like fire throughout the country. Everyone from nobility to civilians, have come from everywhere to get the chance to see the baby girl and welcome her into the world. Not only were the guests there to celebrate their majesties' first born, they were there to strike an arrange marriage between the princess and their sons. Not only to gain the Moon Kingdom, Callisto, would they also gain a beautiful princess as well. However, they were not successful with their bargains for the King is very protective of his daughter. No man shall have her heart unless he approves.
The first time the King laid his eyes on his precision daughter, he knew she already had him wrapped around her chubby little fingers. He vowed right there and then he would protect her no matter what. However, he cannot protect her from powerful magic soon coming their way.
"Look what we have here." A sinister voiced said through the noisy and festive large room. Hearing the evil intent of the voice, everyone in the room became silent.
"Who's there?" Boomed Hiashi as he stood up from his throne. "Show yourself." He demanded. Feeling the negative energy surrounding her, baby Hinata cried out hoping for the unwanted energy to go away.
Hearing her baby's distressed cry and feeling danger in the air Hitomi ran towards her baby's crib. To have easier access to see the baby, Hitomi thought it was a great idea to place the crib a few feet in front of the thrones. She regretted that decision now as she tried to reach her baby. However, a mysterious hooded person suddenly materialized beside the crib. Seeing the vile person reached for her daughter, she pushed herself closer to them. However, her body suddenly froze mid-stride. No matter what she did, she could not move a muscle and watched helplessly as the person held the crying baby. She wanted nothing more than just to grab Hinata from the person and held her safely in her arms.
Looking at his frozen wife who was in mid stride, he knew he was also put under the same spell as he tried to reach for his sword. Panic sets in his heart as the person touched Hinata's red face. "Guards!" Called Haishi. Thankful that he could still use his voice. However, that glimpse of hope was shattered when his calls were not answered.
"Don't waste your breath my King. I have put your soldiers to sleep and everyone in the room paralyzed until I am done with your daughter." The hooded person said walking towards Hitomi who had tears running down her face but eyes flared wildly with anger. Smiling, the person held the the crying baby in front of her. "Do you want to hold your baby my Queen?" She taunted. "Look at how she dislike her situation." Hitomi stared helplessly at her crying child wishing this were a nightmare from which could wake up.
"Enough." Haishi said. "What do you want?" His voice breaking as he watched his wife and baby helplessly. How could he have let this happen when he was supposed to protect his wife and child from any situations? He promised both of them that no harm would be done towards them. Yet, there they were in a dangerous situation and he cannot help both of them. He had failed, not just as a husband but as a father as well.
"I want nothing more than your misery." Hissed the person. Cradling Hinata in her arms, the person walked towards Haishi. With every step she took, her anger heightened. This man had no right to happiness after what he had done to her.
"What have I done to deserve your anger?" Haishi asked in confusion. He had no recollection of his past about a person he had done wrong. If that were the case, he would not have been in this predicament.
"You don't remember do you?" The person said stopping in front of the King. Haishi shook his head combing through his brain trying to remember what he had done wrong. The person's anger flared making Hinata cry louder. Of course, he wouldn't remember her, their so called friendship was a lie until he found someone better. If it wasn't for him and his charming ways, she would not be who she was today. She wouldn't be filled with rage, misery, and loneliness. Having enough of the game, she took her hood off to reveal herself.
Haishi's eyes widened in recognition. Those deep golden eyes and silver hair that would shimmer under the sun, was hard to forget. "Kuria." Haishi breathed out quietly looking at the beautiful woman in front of him.
Kuria smiled at Haishi's disbelief looked. "So you do remember me."
"You're supposed to be dead."
"Tsk tsk. Don't you know not to believe in rumers?" Kuria placed a hand on Haishi's chest before circling around him, eyeing him from head to toe. He sure had come a long way since their teenage years. Kuria recalled a scrawny, yet muscled boy greeting his people through the streets.
"Why are you doing this?" Haishi's voice soften as his eyes landed on his precious baby who seemed uncomfortable in the woman's arm.
Following his eyes, Kurai looked at the baby in her arms. "You should know Haishi. After all, you have made the wrong choice."
~Flashback~
Haishi was still a Prince, just shy of 19 years and Kurai had just turned 18 when they first met. He was walking through the kingdom greeting his people when a young beautiful girl tripped into his arms and suddenly being covered in white powder.
"I'm so sorry." She apologized; horrified that she had dumped flour all over the prince. She nervously whipped and padded the flour from his shirt, apologizing as she goes.
"Don't worry about it, no one was hurt." Haishi said whipping the flour from his eyes.
After the incident, they became fast friends. Kuria knew getting to the Prince's heart was easy due to her appearance. Everyone in the kingdom always praises her looks, with her enchanting golden eyes and long silver hair, she was sure that the Prince would propose to her soon enough. However, unbeknownst to the golden-eyed girl, Haishi had no feelings towards her, just thought of her as a close friend.
Two years later, Haishi announced he was throwing a ball for a special person in his life. Kurai beamed at the announcement knowing that it was for her.
Entering the extravagant ballroom, Kurai's eyes widen in amazement at the high ceilings adorned with gold paintings of angels and clouds. Three diamond chandeliers twinkling against the lights making the ballroom sparkle. She was not surprise at the beauty of the ballroom, however, what took her breath was the beautiful lavender flowers in golden vase, perched on top of each white clothed rounded table and flower petals thrown around the floor. Smiling to herself, she knew he did this because her favorite thing in the world were flowers.
Looking around the room, she saw that every girl worn their most expensive and elaborate ball gowns for the occasion. Hoping to catch the Prince's eyes and be the special person in his heart. She laughed to herself, knowing that Haishi would never look twice at any woman here, for she was the prettiest of them all. She may have a plain baby blue, off the shoulder ball gown but her exotic hair and eyes set her apart from every girl in the room.
With confidence, she strides toward the royal table and curtsied in front of her dear friend.
"Welcome Kurai, I hope you are enjoying yourself." The prince said with a bright smile.
"I actually just got here, but I'm sure I'd enjoy my time with you tonight." She said giving him a flirtatious wink. Haishi stared at her in confusion that went unnoticed by his dear friend. Before he could ask, someone had already pulled her away for a dance.
The night wore on and Kurai was getting impatient with her future lover. How much time does he need before he gets the courage to ask her to marry him? She sighed in frustration as she rested her head on the table. Hearing a utensil clinking against a glass, she perked up seeing that the handsome prince had stood up from his seat waiting for everyone to quiet down.
"As you may have known, I threw this party for a special girl who had held my heart and attention for many years." Hearing him say those words, Kurai sat straighter and smiled brightly towards her dear friend. Her heart fluttering at every words he said. "Tonight, I am asking her hand in marriage." Hiashi turned his attention towards the table Kurai was currently occupying, making Kuria's heart thump harder in her chest. Placing a hand on her chest to calm her heart, she waited for her future lover to ask the question.
"Hitomi, will you marry me?" He asked, going down on one knee.
Happiness was the first thing she felt when Haishi said those four little words. Completely not hearing the name Hiashi have said. Then confusion itched into her face when a girl squealed yes besides her and ran towards who she thought was hers. Everyone cheered in excitement that their Prince was finally getting married. For her, it felt like her heart had shattered into a million pieces. The room became hot and heavy to her as she sat there looking at the new engaged couple share their first kiss in public. Hot tears ran down her cheeks, feeling betrayed by her own best friend. How could he do this to her? Why had he not say anything to her? Why lead her on? She thought to herself breaking into sobs.
Those near her heard her agonizing cry and tried to comfort the poor soul. Everyone's attention were soon on her and with everyone crowding around her, she felt like she could not breathe. Breaking out of the crowd, she gave a furious look towards the royal couple.
"Kuria are you alright?" Haishi asked full of concern, letting go of his fiancé's hand so he could go to his dearest friend's aid.
"Tell me Haishi, have you ever considered me as more than a friend? Are you going to choose her over me? Someone you knew for years?" Kuria asked with a hard look on her face stopping him in his track. Never in his time that he knew her, ever saw this side of her. The Kuria he knew was sweet and understanding. Watching his face soften, she knew he felt sorry for her. She turned away from him, knowing the answer to her question.
"I've known Hitomi since we were children and the first time I laid my eyes on her, I knew she was the one for me." Haishi said softly, full of sincerity in his tone. "I'm sorry for making you think otherwise, but I am always going to choose her, the love of my life."
Her breath caught in her throat as people started snickering and talking about how she was embarrassing herself in front of everyone. Big fat tears ran down her face as people laughed at her for thinking she had a chance with the Prince. Who could blame her, after all she was a beautiful girl fit to be a queen and the Prince had taken a liking to her company.
Feeling unwanted, Kurai ran out of the ballroom, out of the castle, and into the cold winter night's embrace. Too focused on her pain, she failed to hear the worried Prince calling out her name. Not bothering to look back, Kurai ran straight into the thick forest, not caring that the branches tattered her dress or the cold air prickling her bare arms. She only had one destination in mind, the river.
Lungs burning, cheeks stinging from her frozen tears, she looked down the black river below and let herself fall into death's cold embrace.
~End of Flashback~
"That day your faith was sealed." Kurai said in hatred with a hint of pain lace her voice. "But so was mine." She added. After she had jumped into the river, a mysterious dark voice called out to her, begging her to fight. Fight for what she wants. Let her heart be filled with hatred and darkness, for this will save her life and obtain what she desired most.
"How are you alive?" Haishi asked bewildered. It was a week after the ball when an unsettling news about his dearest friend was announced. He mourned for her death. Made sure that her body was buried appropriately and with respect. Here she was many years later looking better than ever.
"I made a deal with the devil." Kurai smirked at the fear stricken King. She remembered that night, the night her heart shattered into millions of pieces, as if it was yesterday. She remembered a voice telling her to let hatred fill her heart. Taking dark voice advice, she let the negative emotions flow through her veins as the freezing water enveloped her body. Then a strong energy tingled every fiber of her body, warming her to the core and making her stronger the more she fought for her life. A few years later, Kurai could do unimaginable spells and became a powerful witch.