Beloved White Rose Princess

Yuzumi

Hello everyone! I'm here with a idea that came to me some weeks ago. I loved so much Rule of Rose and it's twisted plot that I decided to do something about it. And right after I read Faraidy fic Five Things That Never Not Happened to Joshua, I thought that it would be nice to write something with Joshua as the main character. There may be some OCCness but that is only due to the simple fact that I'm not the one who envisioned the chars and I'm not god also.

I won't ask for review, so you are free to do it if you so want. Oh, and I'm gonna keep posting periodically, since the chaps will be short.

I don't own any of the chars from Rule of Rose, they are from Punchline, Atlus and all the others involted in the creation of this wonderful game.

January 1921

The bear prince meets the unlucky girl

It was Monday. The rain poured down heavily. And I laid there in my bed unable to close my eyes, no matter how hard I tried. So I pulled the blanket away from my heated body and tip-toed through the dark house, trying to be as silence as I could be. Once I finally reached a door with a little sign, I went to the bed and knelt beside it. Barely whispering I called. "Jennifer… Are you awake?" Getting no answer back I started to gently shake the sleeping girl. "Jennifer!" I insisted once again.

Hearing her muttered something under her breath, she face me. "Joshua… do you have any clue of what time is it?" She asked.

Though I knew just perfectly that it was long pass bed time… "I can't sleep with all this thundering." As I waited for her reply, my body shivered. Her room, down in the basement, was colder than my own. And not as colorful either.

Jennifer looked at me for a while, maybe wondering if I was lying or not. Sighing, she moved a little further in her narrow bed. "Fine, come over here." Smiling, I rushed to her warm and welcoming side, cuddling closer to her while my arms laced her waist.

At first, my freezing self shivered at the contact, cold against hot skin, but that didn't last much more than some minutes. Even if the only source of light came from the window, I could see her eyes staring at me. Nose on nose, eyes on eyes. And her calming, small hand gently ran through my short hair as time itself was forgotten. In that very moment there was only Jennifer and I. Our little and sheltered world could only bear to have the two of us. No one else.

"You have to get back to you room before your father finds you here. Or else we'll be scolded once again." She warned. Her forehead was pressed against mine and I gave a small nod, molding our bodies together so there was barely any space between us. Finally closing my eyes, I slept peacefully like the other many nights which I shared with her.

There was fire everywhere you could look at. Even I didn't know how I was standing there by my father's side as he screamed over and over again "Is there anybody alive!?". Even the rain couldn't do much against the red tongues of hell that licked the balloon, consuming everything. Cloth, metal, wood, flesh… Everything became ashes in that place.

And I, just barely eight, was helpless there. My weak body would only do some little movement without me starting another breathing crisis. The heavy smoke wasn't helping either. It would only make my eyes burn.

Before I could notice, I was all alone there. My father nowhere in sight. Becoming desperate, I cried and cried his name, but no reply came back. I became terrified as it was harder breathe. No, I need to find my father; he should be somewhere out there looking for me. Trying his best to find me. Having nothing or no one to guide myself, I probably walked in circle once and once again.

That was when I heard a distant crying. It was not my father's, for his was deeper. No, that one was a tiny, little sniffing sound, and following it I came to a place where there were some boxes crushing a person.

I pushed him, but he didn't move, not a single inch. I called, but once again there was no reply. "Is somebody alive?" I asked, verifying if I hadn't missed a single point. No. I had checked.

But the sniffing didn't stop. And it was coming from the dead body. Through a small hole I saw that the sound was coming from a girl, who was pressing herself again the boxes. She was trying to get as far from the fire as she could.

Before I could do something, a pair of hands took me away from there. "Joshua!" My father shouted. "I thought I had lost you!"

I started to fight back his tight grip. He was getting away from there. "Daddy! There is someone over there!!!" I said, pointing to the same spot I had found the frightened girl. "She is going to die there!"

Father halted, asked if I was sure, turned back and put me on the floor. "Stay away!" He warned me. Once he saw that I was far enough, he mustered all this strength as he lifted the first heavy box. And instinctively I got closer, to be told to go back. Two more boxes to go. Another successful attempt. One more to go.

However the last box would only move slightly a few inches. "Hey little girl, get out of there!!!" My father roared, yet she didn't move from her spot, totally petrified by the situation. "Get out before I lose all my strength!"

Knowing that this was not working, I crawled into the tiny hole. "Joshua!" He gasped. But that alone did little to stop me, I needed to help her. When I was by her side, I saw that her ankle was covered with blood. Touching her warm and wet cheeks I looked into her frightened eyes. "Let's get away from here…" I murmured.

At first she didn't give any sign that she really understood, but as I grabbed her hand, she followed me with some difficulty. Her ankle was hurt. "Joshua! Hurry!" Begged my father. My body was being squeezed.

"Just a little bit…" I said.

We were almost there. I could see my father's shoes. But suddenly I stopped. I couldn't breathe.

"Joshua!!" I knew that it was hard to keep that box above us, yet my body needed air.

The girl must have noticed what was happening to me. Crawling by my side, she pushed me toward the exit. Just as we got out, the heavy box crashed on the floor. "Joshua!" Once again I heard my father calling my name.

Coming to me, he saw that I was having some difficulty to breathe. In a short fragment of time, he grabbed the girl and me in his arms and left, running through the corridors.

Outside, my father laid me down on the ground. The heavy rain was falling hard. Wetting my face, hair, clothes, and body. Feeling the pressure on my chest being lifted I fainted.

Jennifer wake me up just was the dawn was about to began. Bidding her a short farewell, I carefully tip-toed back my room. Just as I laid my head on the pillow, my father came to see if I was alright. "Good morning Daddy." I said while faked sleepiness.

"Sorry. I didn't want to wake you up." He apologized.

Getting up, I stretched. "Do not worry, Daddy. I was already awakening." I gave a big smile as I looked through the window. The storm was long passed, only some scarce raindrops would remain and the sunlight was getting brighter and brighter behind the treetops. Probably there was a rainbow somewhere.

"Well while I go fetch you sister, go clean yourself." Following my father's command I went to the bathroom, cleaning my face and hands. After that I changed into my favorite pair of clothe. A plain white shirt, a grey shorts and a green ribbon. Just as I was about to finish tying the complicated piece of silk, Jennifer opened the door.

"Joshua, are you ready?" She asked.

"Almost…" I sighed.

"Oh dear lord, you have tied it completely wrong." Undoing the ugly ribbon, she took things in her hands, easily fixing it. Smiling at her work, she complemented. "Now you are ready."

Leaving her alone so that she could now get ready, I followed the smell of baking eggs and bacon leaking from the kitchen. Though we could hardly afford a great variety food or even medicines, being able to eat with together with dad and Jennifer was more than I could wish for. I wouldn't need anything else beside that.

Soon, Jennifer came and went to help my father to prepare the breakfast, putting some plucked apples on the table. This season the big apple-tree had given us some ripen fruits. "Daddy, do you know if there is some milk left?" She asked.

"I believe there just a little bit."

Filling one mug with it, she placed it front of me. "Here Joshua." I knew that it was not fresh milk, which was what the city doctor had prescribed me, but the thought that they both would give me the little we have would make that simple milk a gift from heaven. I drank it whole.

My father laughed at my milk mustache, mentioning that I should clean it. "You are too young to have a proper mustache my son." His words held such joy and warm. Serving us, the three of us sat there, enjoying that peaceful morning meal. "I was thinking about a new story to tell you." He began, chewing his eggs right after.

"Really?" I exclaimed. I loved my father's stories. He was so good at it. "What it will be about this time?"

"You know I can't tell you. It would only spoil the surprise."

After breakfast was finished, we cleaned the kitchen and since I was feeling well, I decided to go to Rose Garden Orphanage with Jennifer. The big building, hidden in the country side, was the only school we had in miles. Mr. Hoffman, the headmaster, had allowed us to have lessons there, together with the orphans. Even if it was, or at least I believe, against his will. "Daddy, I'm going to go." Said Jennifer while grabbing her books.

"I'm also going!" That didn't please my father at all. He didn't like me wondering somewhere else.

"Son, shouldn't you stay here and rest? It was a cold night." His pleas could do little again my decision. No, I was going to go with Jennifer, end of question.

In the end, he understood that there was no way back, so with a long sigh he said. "Very well. Jennifer, please take care of your brother."

Nodding, she got my hand as we walked to the entrance door. Before we left, she grabbec the old green umbrella, which was the only thing to protect us from the humid weather. Even if the sun was shining bright, there was no telling about later.

The small path that led to the orphanage was muddy as we walked hand-in-hand making splash sound. I could hardly believe that two years ago there was no Jennifer in my life.

When I woke up, I was not laying on the grassy ground. I was rather at a complete clean and white room, in very comfortable bed. By my side my father, deeply fallen asleep, was holding my hand tightly. "Daddy?" I whispered quietly. My throat was dry.

"Joshua…?" He murmured, opening one eye slowly. "Joshua!" Holding me close to him, I felt little drops falling from his face. For the first time I saw my father cry. "I though I had lost you!" While patting his back, I let him sob quietly.

Soon a nurse came in, lecturing him. "Mister, please refrain from hugging a patient that has just awake." She seemed old and tired behind those bottle-bottom glasses. Her eyes were filled with sorrow. "I'm alright Daddy. You can let me go." It was clear that my father wasn't pleased with what she asked, but he did what was told. He gently laid me back on the white bed.

"Mr. Wilson, there are some police officers looking for you." Said another nurse.

Sighing, he turned to me. "I'll be right back." As he left, the old nurse made some check ups. Seeing if I was alright. Once it was over she handed me a green soup to fill my empty stomach. I couldn't say it, but it was incredibly horrible.

It didn't take long for my father to come back. "What is wrong Daddy? I asked. His face looked worried as giant wrinkles married his tanned skin.

As he sat on the chair right next to me, he looked right into my eyes and said calmly. "Joshua, son, do you remember the girl we saved that night?" Nodding, I asked if there was something wrong with her, if she had died, but he reassured me that she was fine, however… "Her mom and dad have died… And her relatives don't want to look after her." He grabbed my hands in his and continued. "The poor thing doesn't have a home to return to."

"Why would her family not want her?" I asked innocently.

My father shook his head. "I don't know, my son, I don't know. The police officers just told me that they were going to send her to an orphanage somewhere… Bloody hell, adults can be so selfish sometimes!" His hands were shaking, his face burning red as he told me that.

"But isn't orphanage for those how don't have anyone?" Once again I stated a simple fact. He only nodded once again, maybe understanding that if he said more, he would only be able to curse her family even more. "Daddy, why don't we take her home then? If they don't want her, then there would be no problem, right?"

His tired eyes shot wide open. "Joshua! It's not that simple! It's not like getting a pet!" One of the nurses shushed him, so he calmed his voice. "You know we are not rich. I can hardly afford food for you and me. You need constantly medication… I'm sorry but there is nothing we can do." Though I understood what he said, I couldn't agree with his decision. Allowing them to send her away was the same as simply turning our back to her. She would have no future living in an orphanage.

"Just sending her away will only make us worst them her family!" I cried.

"Please Joshua listen to what you are saying. Would you rather let her die there?" He sighed.

"No!" I gasped. "Of course I would not want that!" My eyes were now filled with tears. "I just don't want her to be alone."

With a shake of his head, my father said. "Very well. I'll do what I can to help her. So now you better go sleep." Right after he said that, the old nurse came back. As she gave me some sort of medicine I fell back to dreamland.

"Joshua!" Called Jennifer. Looking at me with her curious eyes and beautiful smile. "You have been day-dreaming this whole time. Penny for your thoughts?"

"I was just remembering the first time we met." Answering her question, I saw that her smile got even brighter. Her hands held mine tight.

"Remember how afraid I was the very first time we actually saw each other after the incident? I truly believe you would do something mean to me." Her sincerity made me laugh together with her. I had been such a strange first encounter that I thought she hated me deeply.

A week later the whole talk with my father, we where somehow, able to keep the girl. The ash covered face was now clean. She had such a flawless skin, with a beautiful rosy color. Even her hair looked silky, running down her back in cascades of light brown hair. But she had such a sad and scared look in her eyes. Just like a hurt animal.

"Joshua, this is Jennifer." My father introduced us.

Her light eyes looked straight back at mine; however she didn't say anything. Did nothing. She only looked at me. "Hello." I was very shy at that moment. "I'm Joshua." I don't know what I expected, but her total silence hurt me even more. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Getting no answer, I decided to approach her. Really slow. However it was futile, she would run away every time.

"Sorry." Apologized one of the nurses. "She has been through a lot of bad things. So it will take some time for her to relax around somebody." Of course I understood the circumstances. I would probably be the same if I had seen my father die.

For the rest of the day she kept her distance from us.

Some weeks later, she had finally moved to our house located in the countryside. Far away from the noisy city center.

She didn't have any luggage. Not a single piece of clothe beside the one she had over her body. Everything she ever possessed had burned to aches in the fire or like my father said, was now being used by her family. She was just as empty on the inside as on the outside.

Promptly we decided to show her around the house. To see if she could get used to the new environment. However she just followed us without saying a single word. We didn't want to pressure her so we let her be.

Though I had a room of my own, my constant sickness circle made it almost unbearable for me to share it with another. And the basement was the only space available at the moment. I was very aware that it was cold and humid, only the heater could make it a little bit more comfortable. I had hoped that after this she would at least show any sign of complain, unfortunate I was deeply wrong. Even as summer approached and he had to cut her hair, she continued to be quiet.

Both, father and I, became worried after she started look more apathetic. Very thin also. Maybe even sick. She hardly ate what he cooked.

We got the point of almost sending her back to the hospital for a check up, when someone came to our house. "Daddy, who is it?" I asked, trying to look through the window. There was a strange car parked outside.

"Joshua, please, go play with Jennifer in your room." Doing as told, I lead her to my room as I set some of my favorite toys near her. There was only one of them which she would get closer. My miniature of Zeppelin. Giving her a soldier, I saw her examining it only to turn her head towards the door. "Come in." I hear my father invite the person or people inside.

"Thank you." Reply an old strange female voice. "You have a nice home." I that what she said was to meant be a complement but it sounded to fake. So disgusted.

"Oh, thank you. Let's go to living room." The sound of door opening and closing made me curious. It was very rare for someone to come visit us. It made me want to find the reason why.

"I'll be right back." I said to the girl on the other corner of my room. But when I was about to leave, I felt a tug on my shirt. She wanted to go too. "Alright. But we have to be silence." Sealing our deal with a nod, we tip-toed through the hall. Thankfully the back door was open just enough to let us see what was happening there.

Sat on the sofa was an old woman really well dressed and adorned with shining stone. By her side a very tall man. The two of them seemed to shine in the dirty room. "So, I believe you know the reason of our visit." Stated the lady, her accent didn't sound pleasant at all.

"Yes. You said you wanted to talk about Jennifer." Father, who was on the opposite sofa, was really nervous. He was playing with his hands non-stop. He only did that when nervous.

Crossing her legs, she gave him a sweet smile. Like a fox would do to its prey. "Yes. You see, I was so broken to discover that my dear young brother had died. You can image how sad I'm right now." She was dripping cordiality and sympathy as she told her story. "And poor little Jennifer… All alone in this whole wide world… with a single person to help her." Father could only nod. "Well what I really mean is that I was surprised that you decided to look after her, but it would certainly be better if she could be with her own kind. Her family misses her a lot."

"I'm sorry my lady." Politely interrupted my father. "You are saying that the same family who abandon that poor child is now suddenly opening their arms to her? That you all miss her? I may look dumb, my lady, but I'm not naïve. So you better tell me exactly what you want, or else I'll have to ask you to leave." His harsh tone shocked the high society woman.

"Oh! How dare you treat me like your kind!?" She tried to sound hurt, but her fakeness didn't allow such an act. In the end, with a loud 'hum' she continued. This time she wasn't faking anymore. "Very well Mr. whatever. I'll be clear. Jennifer is to be send to the orphanage. If that little wrench goes away then I'll get rid to have every single thing my soooo dear brother had." My eyes widened. Was she meaning all those words? Could there be somebody as wrong as her?

Before anyone of my questions could be answered, I heard the girl by my side run away. A door was open, then loud steps on the stair and another door slamming. "What was that?" The woman asked. Running, I followed her every step to the basement. Only to find the door shut tight.

"Please let me in." I called, but no reply came back. Seeing if I could somehow break the door, I figured that she was probably using all her strength to hold it. The lock was open. "I won't harm you!" This time I shouted.

No result at all. She wouldn't open the door.

Suddenly I was stroked by the bolt of creativity. Running back to my room, I grabbed the very first fluff thing my hands touched and rushed down stairs as fast as my pathetic body allowed. Taking some short gulps of air, I regained my breath. "Jennifer, open the door." I said in a cartoonist voice. "For I, the bear prince, have come to bright your day." There was no answer, so I took that as a good sign. "I will not allow any harm to come to you. So please Lady Jennifer, open the gate for me!"

Another long pause was made. Just as I as about to say another heroic phrase, the door opened slightly. That was exactly what I was looking for. An invitation. Without wasting any precious time, I entered the room. Closing the door right after.

She was on the opposite wall, her back against it. Both her legs were closed to her chest and her eyes waited for my next move. Getting closer to her, I toyed with my old but favorite teddy bear. "I won't allow the old witch to get you, pretty lady. I'll stay always by your side. That I, the bear prince, so do swear." Putting it in front of her, I didn't have to wait long to see her pulling it closer to her body. She gave it a little squeeze.

"I…" She began. Tear freely running down her face. "I accept you… bear prince." I was suddenly taken back when she hugged me. Patting her back, I let her cry to her hearts content. Even when she was calmer, her arms didn't lose their grip. "Thank you…" I had barely heard her whisper.

When she let me go, she showed me the bear. "What is his name?" She asked.

"I know don't… I never gave it a name."

Looking at the stuffed bear, she then took the green tie I had and placed on it. "Then his name shall be Joshua." I looked at her in surprise. "Joshua, the prince bear." I couldn't stop a big smile from spreading in my face. I was the toy. I was Joshua, the prince bear. She had remembered my name.

"Yes, Jennifer."

There, on the tiny and dirty basement, we had sealed the begging of our life together.

"I'm so ashamed… I've taken away your ribbon without asking." Confessed Jennifer. Both hands covering her red face. I could only laugh at that. "Hey! Mr. Wilson, it's not very polite to laugh at somebody." Though she tried to sound angry or serious, or both, I don't know, she failed horribly.

"Sorry, Jennifer. I didn't mean to laugh. It's just that it's been two year since that day. I could hardly care about it anymore." I explained.

That pleased her a lot. "Well, here we are. Rose Garden Orphanage." She smiled at me.

There in front of us was the huge mansion. The place we called school.

To be continued…

Next...

January 1921

The Red Rose Princess' Court

Well, that is the first chap. Hope you all like it. Until the next one.

Yuzumi.