Author's Note: If you're wondering where all my stories are, I took them down to do a rewrite of everything because I felt several of them are below my current ability levels, so I felt the need to redo them. I also changed some stuff because I wanted Shun's culture to be a bit more Greek feeling.

Shun's voice was soft as he murmured a prayer to Hermes, kneeling in the temple of the travel god, ears keened for any sound of someone coming. If anyone was to find him here, instead of Hera's temple where they thought he was, there might be trouble. The sound of footsteps on the stone floor echoed, reaching Shun. Quickly the young prince got to his feet and rushed over to a back passage, ducking behind the door he started to walk quickly. Usually if he was careful he could avoid any of the priests who might be lurking around. After winding through passages, Shun stepped outside. The sun was starting to set now, and the city below was being painted an array of hues, the white marble buildings glistening pinks and oranges in the sunset. A soft sigh escaped Shun as he shook his head, starting to walk towards the palace from the temple complex.

At the end of this moon cycle the prince was scheduled to be married. He had met his fiancée before, but she really wasn't his type, then again women in general really weren't his type. Saori was a nice girl, there was no doubt about it, but Shun felt nothing but friendship for the foreign princess. He passed through the gates of the palace, the guards not even bothering to question him. Everyone assumed that his days that he spent in prayer were at Hera's temple, in preparation for the upcoming wedding. Not wanting to go inside just yet, Shun turned, wandering into the gardens. It was late summer now; the nights were muggy and warm. Everything seemed to be in full bloom right now, and it looked beautiful. If he had to leave the palace, this was something he would miss.

Sitting down on the edge of a stone fountain Shun looked up as the first stars started to appear in the sky. He could remember a time when his mother, the former queen, had told him old stories of the creatures in the stars. Characters like Cygnus and Pegasus, they had always been a fascination of his. However above all of the others, Princess Andromeda who'd been willing to sacrifice her own life to protect her people had been his favorite. He only wished that he shared a fraction of her strength and bravery, if he did, running off wouldn't have been his plan. As he sat there watching the stars continue to appear he began to pick out the forms of both Cygnus and Andromeda in the sky.

"You've certainly been away a lot." The voice startled him and Shun jumped visibly. Looking up he saw his half-brother Jabu standing there. "The way you've been avoiding the palace, one might think you didn't want to marry the wonderful Princess Saori." The way he said the name made Shun smile slightly. It seemed obvious that Jabu was in love with her, it was just another reason for Shun to leave, while his mother hadn't been the queen, their father had a second wife who was Jabu's mother. Though he wouldn't be inheriting the crown, even if he was older than shun.

"No, it's not that. I've just been missing him with such an important thing coming up in my life." Shun explained giving a sigh, it was often that he thought about their eldest brother Ikki. He'd been lost at sea when going on a visit of state. No one quite knew what happened, and without proof Shun believed somewhere out there Ikki must be alive.

"You need to just get over it Shun, Ikki's gone, he's been gone. Anyway, you should probably get inside and get to dinner. They'll start keeping a closer eye on you if they think you aren't eating." Jabu pointed out and Shun gave him a weak smile.

"I will, thank you for the advice. However I still refuse to believe Ikki's dead. The day I have proof is the day I will mourn his loss." Shun replied softly, it was a discussion the pair had held many times and Shun's stance was unwavering. Slowly he turned to walk inside, Jabu following close behind him as they headed to the dining hall.

Dinner seemed to take forever in Shun's mind, he wasn't too fond of how large and overly lavish everything seemed to be when they had formal dinners like this. It was less than a week until the wedding, Saori and her bridal party were already staying at the castle. Preparations were well underway at this point, and meals were the only time the pair seemed to see one another as Saori had so much she had to do.

"So have you had a nice day Shun?" She asked in her usual polite voice, she felt the same as Shun did. They were better off as friends and not as lovers. Originally she'd been Ikki's intended, so growing up she and Shun had become close. However when Ikki had vanished it seemed only natural that she'd be moved down the inheritance line. Shun was not pleased at all by this, and knew if he left things would eventually work themselves out for the better.

"Yes, it was fine. I spent most of the day praying at the temple when I wasn't doing my studies." Shun replied with a small nod. He would have made a lousy king anyway, Shun decided, because he was nowhere near able to make the impartial judgments needed. Finally once they'd finished, and small talk had dwindled Shun excused himself. Perhaps a hot shower would be good to clear his head.

Walking up to his room Shun gave a sigh of relief, as he locked the door behind him. Walking straight through the room he headed to his balcony which overlooked the sea. The soft salty breeze rushed past him carrying the distant sound of crying gulls upon it as he opened to doors and stepped outside. Taking a deep breath he relaxed, looking out onto the horizon. There was still a last glimmer of light fading in the western sky and from that he could see an unfamiliar ship which flew no flag. Suddenly a rush of excitement flooded through Shun, it seemed he'd have a way out of here after all.

AN: I feel like this is way better than the first draft