…this is absolute crack. Don't take any of it seriously. Keep in mind I am not a steady updater, but I will do my best because I love this idea. XD Check my writing journal, kthx. http/ writingsofblau. livejournal. com -- I update it with fan fiction and original stuff. :D
I am well aware that Souchirou is not Matsuda's dad, just as I am equally aware that Sachiko is not L's mom and Raito is not an evil magician. Kthx. :D
This is based off of The Swan Princess. :D
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Once upon a time in an unnamed but occupied land, there lived a queen and her three-year-old son. They were happy together, but it felt like something was missing to the queen. Sure, Queen Sachiko loved her castle and her lands with all the people that lived on them, and the servants that helped out, but she was… well, she was getting bored. And if she was getting bored, imagine how her poor son Ryuuzaki would feel growing up in a place like this! He was such a sweet child now, but as he grew up she feared he would be snotty. And that was completely unbecoming behavior for the future king of their unnamed land!
It was a month before the yearly harvest when word came from the neighboring country that King Souchirou had finally gotten a son, but his wife had unfortunately died in child birth. Naturally when an event like this arose, all the royalty in the surroundings countries had to bring gifts and wish the new child a well and prosperous life. Sachiko was the type of woman who loved babies, and since she herself had lost her husband shortly after becoming pregnant with Ryuuzaki (or 'L', as he was calling himself now) and had heard this King Souchirou was quite handsome, not to mention intelligent, well… let's just say she wanted to visit the country for more than one reason.
And so on a bright and sunny morning Sachiko and Ryuuzaki had departed their home and traveled to King Souchirou's castle. Ryuuzaki was silent the whole ride, a book in his lap. It was a thin one and it had pictures, but there were more words than pictures, and Ryuuzaki was only three, despite how mature he acted at times. Sachiko had simply sat and read her own book, occasionally stopping to watch their surroundings pass by or watch her son mouth the words to himself.
"Aye, welcome, your Highness and little sir!" a footman said, opening their carriage door once they had arrived at the castle. Helping Sachiko out and then, seeing Ryuuzaki trying to get out by himself, helping the prince out, he moved on to the next arriving carriage.
Blinking at the castle that was much larger than the one he was accustomed to seeing, Ryuuzaki moved a little closer to his mother, holding his book securely in his arms. Looking down, Sachiko smiled and mused her son's already messy hair.
"Don't worry, Ryuuzaki-chan! There's nothing to be afraid of!" Sachiko said warmly, taking Ryuuzaki's hand and leading the way into the castle. Shuffling his feet but going along with his mom, Ryuuzaki pouted.
"'m not afraid, Okaa-san… and it's L, 'member?"
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The whole gift-giving affair was pretty boring, Ryuuzaki thought as he stood closely to his mother and looked around with wide brown eyes. Just a bunch of old people in lots of ugly clothing going up to a craddle, crowing some words, and then leaving a gift with some servant. Seemed like an event that was created so one could get lots of presents and then sell them later and become wealthy. Waste of gold, Ryuuzaki figured.
Hearing his mother's name called, Ryuuzaki looked and blinked up at his mother. His mother took a couple steps forward and then, as if remembering Ryuuzaki was with her, stopped and smiled down at her son once again. Handing him a small book, Sachiko straightened herself and waved him away, as if saying "Go! Go on!"
Blinking owlishly at his mother and then at the people who were staring at them (or more specifically, him), Ryuuzaki made his way through the people who were parting away to give him room. Some ladies cooed at him, but Ryuuzaki ignored them as he went up to the craddle. Stepping on his toes so he could see inside, he tilted his head when he saw a boy with a head of shaggy black hair and warm brown eyes. The other boy gurgled and giggled, waving his arms up at Ryuuzaki.
Looking at the boy, Ryuuzaki suddenly felt like he didn't want to give this boy the present. That was why he was waving his arms, Ryuuzaki determined. Because he wanted the present. But… how did the baby even know he was going to get a present? He hadn't seen them, had he? Looking over to the servant that was accepting the gifts, and then back at the other prince, Ryuuzaki handed him the box.
Instead of grabbing onto the present like Ryuuzaki had expected him to, the baby had latched onto Ryuuzaki's hand with a surprisingly strong grip for someone so young. As the baby began to giggle and shriek with happiness, struggling to sit up so he could get closer to Ryuuzaki, Ryuuzaki felt a smile creep onto his face.
From her position, Sachiko had been able to witness what happened. And judging by Souchirou, who was standing next to her, so had he. As if realizing she was looking at him, Souchirou returned Sachiko's look and nodded.
It seemed as if Ryuuzaki and the baby, Matsuda, would be good for each other. Matsuda would be able to keep Ryuuzaki from growing up to fast, since it was obvious already Matsuda was a playful spirit, and Ryuuzaki would be able to help Matsuda learn things. Ryuuzaki was, after all, a child prodigy.
--Five years later--
Five-year-old Matsuda fidgeted in the carriage, wringing his sleeves in his hands. He stopped, looked at his father, and then started up again.
"Ne, Chief," for that was what Matsuda called his father, "why do we gotta visit these people? Wha's wrong with home?"
Adjusting his glasses, Souchirou looked at his son. Turning his attention back to the window, he was silent for a moment.
"Don't you want to make new friends?" he asked, chuckling when Matsuda began to nod quickly. "So what's the problem then?"
Matsuda fidgeted some more, his cheeks tinged pink. "Ne, Chief, I dunno these people. What if they dun like meh?"
Chuckling, Souchirou smiled. "Why wouldn't they? You'll be fine, Matsuda. There's nothing to be afraid of."
Matsuda remained silent, musing on those words all the way until they arrived at Queen Sachiko's castle.
"We're here, Matsuda. Come on…" Souchirou said, extending a hand to help Matsuda out of the carriage. Following his father shyly, Matsuda stopped suddenly when he caught sight of a boy older than him with mused hair and a large book in his arms. The other boy only stared at Matsuda as if looking at a new bug specimen, and it freaked Matsuda out. Hiding behind Souchirou and staring back at Ryuuzaki, he didn't even notice the lady until she spoke.
"Welcome to my home, Souchirou-sama," Sachiko said, bowing. "It's an honor to have you and Matsuda-chan here."
Blinking in surprise, Matsuda flicked his eyes up to Sachiko. No one had called him Matsuda-chan, except for his friends, but no adults. It was always Matsuda-bocchama. It appeared as though Sachiko always called children -chan, royalty or otherwise.
"It's wonderful to be here," Souchirou said. "I'm sure Matsuda and Ryuuzaki will enjoy playing together very much.
Snapping his head back so he could gape at his dad, Matsuda looked back at the creepy wide-eyed kid who was still watching him.
"I have to play with him!" Matsuda exclaimed, moving closer to the king. "He's scary though. And he has a book! I bet he reads a lot. He's gunna be boring, Chief!"
Souchirou opened his mouth to scold his son, but Ryuuzaki beat him to it.
"This isn't my ideal summer either, Matsuda-chan," Ryuuzaki said, emphasizing the -chan. "I'm sure you'll be able to amuse yourself though, while I stay in my quarters and 'be boring.'
"Don't use big words on me! You're not a grown-up!" Matsuda pouted, crossing his arms in front of his chest. As the two began squabbling, with Ryuuzaki using big words and Matsuda complaining about it, Souchirou looked over to Sachiko and nodded.
This was going to work out perfectly.