*does happy dance* And Chapter 1 is UP AND RUNNING!!! In only 2 weeks or so, too! And, you know what I want as a reward for all my hard work?! REVIEWS!!!!!!! Yes, you must REVIEW so that I may write another chapter!!!
Oh, who am I kidding? Just, REVIEW, okay?
If you love me, or at least my stories, please, REVIEW. Please??
Shugo was a relatively large kingdom, a peninsula bordered by the sea. The climate was usually unremarkable, but, during this particular summer, the weather had included quite a bit of cold rain. The King was respected by his people for being an intelligent and calm leader. The truth was, he was a lying, conniving, little back-stabber. At least, that's what Amu thought.
Amu was Crown Princess of Shugo, the eldest of two girls. She was 15, adventuresome and wild. A stunning young girl with long, pink hair and golden eyes that flashed when she was angry.
Which, at the moment, she was.
Just last week, her father had visited, without Amu, the neighboring kingdom of Chara on what she had assumed was a business trip, something about the lowering price of figs or whatever. She soon discovered her mistake.
When her father returned from the trip, he had brought with him a member of the royal court of Chara. And not just any member. No, the blond boy who stepped from the sumptuous carriage was none other than Prince Tadase, heir to the throne of Chara. Watching from a window high above as Tadase was ushered into the castle, Amu had realized the true nature of her father's little trip. Tadase was to marry her.
Now, standing before the closed door of Tadase's room, she remembered her earlier conversation with her father. She had confronted him about her "marriage" with Tadase, demanding that it be cancelled. Obviously, he'd refused. Now, here she was, forced into dinner alone with the Prince.
Amu gritted her teeth and knocked. Maybe he didn't hear her knock, maybe he wasn't in, maybe he'd forgotten, maybe he didn't want her just as much as she didn't want him…
No, her hopeful thoughts were abruptly ended as the door opened.
"Hello, Princess." Prince Tadase beamed at her and led her inside. They were seated at a little, round table, so small that their knees brushed.
"Hi," Amu said half-heartedly. She picked at her food without enthusiasm, still steaming inwardly at being stuck in the same room as the Prince.
"How have you been feeling recently, Princess? I hear there's been a bit of the flu running around…?"
"I'm fine."
"Ah, that's good to hear. And did your day go well, Princess?"
"Yes."
Seemingly unperturbed by her apparent lack of motivation, his practically one-sided conversation continued. "I'm glad to hear that. I saw you riding a little today. Do you do that often?"
Amu blushed and shot him a suspicious look. His eyes were completely free of guile, showing only an oddly sincere curiosity. Actually, she'd been riding without an escort, trying in vain to vent her anger whilst flying across the mossy ground. The "without an escort" part, if discovered, would have sent her father into a rage.
"Sometimes," she said finally. "I enjoy riding," she added, wondering if it'd distract him from the dangerous topic.
It did.
"So do I!" he exclaimed. "I adore riding. The sounds, the smells, and the feeling of the wind in your face," he sighed.
"It's almost like freedom," Amu agreed, a little rashly, she realized too late.
"Yes," Tadase conceded, giving Amu a curious look. "Yes, I suppose it is."
Amu watched him a little warily, but he gave no sign that he wished to inquire further. Unable to bear the silence, she dove into a subject that had been nagging at her conscious ever since Tadase's arrival.
"What's that?" Amu asked curiously, gesturing to the chain hanging around the prince's thin neck. On the chain hung a key almost identical to Amu's lock. The fact that Tadase appeared to possess the other half of the set bothered Amu to no end.
"This? Just a little bauble," Tadase answered, fingering the key in question. "I've had it since I was young. It's odd really – a key without a lock. When I was little, I wanted to find the wearer of the lock, to bring the two pieces of the puzzle together." He grinned ruefully.
Amu was suddenly extremely conscious of the weight around her neck. "Do you think it's really that mysterious?"
He shrugged. "It was only a child's fantasy, you know. But the key seems real enough, so it might be possible. There is one odd thing, though." He leaned forward, conspiratorially. "It always feels like its pulling me somewhere, a certain direction, like it's following something, someone. Like it knows where it wants to go."
Amu blinked. She had been wrong in thinking this boy might be different. He really was bonkers. She sighed inwardly. She'd even worn her best dress for him, too.
"Uh-huh," she said.
At that, the dessert was brought in, something fruity with lots of cream. Amu paid no heed to it, preferring to focus all of her energy on getting out as soon as possible.
After what seemed an eternity, Tadase admitted that it was getting late, and they rose. Amu flitted to the door, thanking her lucky stars that the event was finally over.
"Wait, Amu!" Tadase called.
Amu frowned a little and turned. She hadn't been aware that he had started to call her by her first name, instead of by the title "Princess." She was getting rather careless in keeping people in their place. After all, she didn't need Tadase to familiarize himself too much.
The young prince took both of her hands in his gloved ones. His smile was wide. His ears were pink.
"Goodnight, Amu. Sweet dreams." He pecked her on the cheek.
Amu, too stunned to slap him, merely muttered, " 'Night," in return. He closed the door.
Recovery came swiftly.
"EH?!" she shrieked, not caring who heard her. Her feet carried her all the way to her father's private chambers. She burst in just as he finished signing some stupid treaty.
"Amu, what a surprise! Did you enjoy your time with Tadase?" he inquired. His grin was peevish and ticked Amu off.
"Don't you smile at me!" she screamed.
"And why not? What happened?"
"He… He kissed me!" Her hand flew to the place where his touch still burned her skin.
"Hm… Well, I suppose that was rather presumptuous of him, but you two are getting married, and…"
"No! I can't marry him!"
"Why's that?" her father demanded.
"Daddy, I'm fifteen."
"I've met younger brides."
"I don't like him!"
"He's a nice boy."
"Daddy, he's got the personality of a cardboard box. Plus, he's crazy!"
"He'd do you good."
"It's unfair!"
"No, it isn't. Believe me; you'll thank me in a few years."
"But…"
"No buts. You are going to marry him, Amu. There is nothing left to discuss."
"You never listen!" She was red-faced and on the verge of tears.
"Amu, I'm warning you…"
Desperate to gain an advantage, anything at all, Amu let her lips utter a cruel accusation that, she knew, wounded him deeply: "Mom would listen! Mom would understand! You know she would!"
The King hesitated, hurt by her rash words. "You are dismissed," he said softly.
Amu, not quite finished, screamed her departing words, "I… I wish I wasn't a princess!" before flying out the door.
Amu slammed the door of her room behind her and sighed, sinking to the floor.
Maybe I overdid it a little, she thought, wiping the tears from her cheeks. But it was true. She hated being a princess. All the embroidery, history, and etiquette bored her to no end. And her father didn't understand. She had tried to get her way, taking secret fencing lesson from the battle master, archery from a woodsman, Latin from the court philosopher, and cooking from the castle chef. She had also managed to acquire a key to the castle library, where she spent hours reading books that had nothing to do with flattering people of high stature into an agreement. But, as each endeavor was discovered, her life became only more restricted. And now, her father had decided to get rid of her entirely.
Marriage, she scoffed.
Outside, the wind howled. The sound of rain pounding on the window was constant. At that moment, a particularly strong gust knocked open the window, and Amu hurried to close it. The sky was dark, its color reflected in the restless sea whose waves crashed thunderously upon the shore below.
She was about to turn away when a silent shadow crossed the grounds. She looked again; it was gone. Convinced that her eyes were playing tricks on her, she turned her back on the window.
On her bedside table lay a little family portrait, painted before Amu's sister's birth. In it, Amu was but a baby with pink curls and bows, all toothless smiles and dimples, sitting on her mother's lap. The Queen, Midori, was smiling warmly. Her brown eyes were full of mirth. The King's hand held hers in a simple hint of tenderness. His smile was less jubilant, but just as warm.
Amu's eyes went to the dagger in a plain, leather sheath beside the painting. She stuck it in her belt then drew forth the weapon, as if to fight an invisible foe.
All at once, something hot burned her chest, and she cried out in surprise. She reached under her shirt to pull out her necklace. The chain was made of fine, silver links; the pendant was a golden, jewel-encrusted lock, given to her by her mother many years ago. It was glowing white-hot.
The window banged open behind her again, the Princess turned to close it against the billowing wind, and… A man. Standing on the windowsill, silhouetted against the sky. His dark blue cape was wrapped loosely around him. A three-cornered hat was perched upon his mop of wet, dark hair. A long, dangerous-looking saber hung at his side beside a little, cloth bag.
The lock tugged a little, pulling her closer to the man.
"You? Why, you're… the Princess, aren't you?" He looked quite shocked. His cunning eyes were fixed on the lock at her throat.
"Who are you?" Amu shot back defiantly. She dropped the lock so that hung again by the chain and shifted her wait, gripping the dagger.
The man saw the defensive movement and stepped into the room; she backed away. A ghost of a smile graced his lips. "I? Why, I am your savior."
"Don't toy with me," Amu warned.
The man cocked his head, watching the weapon in her shaking hands. "Alright, then, I'll tell you. Ikuto Tsukiyomi at your service." He bent into a regal bow and lifted his head to grin wickedly at her, "But you may call me 'Captain.' "
Astounded, Amu almost dropped her dagger. Ikuto Tsukiyomi? The Ikuto Tsukiyomi? Wanted in most countries and ruler of the seas? It couldn't be. Then again, as the story goes, he was supposed to be irresistibly handsome, having stolen and broken the hearts of a million women, even his own sister's. And this man fit that description.
Stupid, he's your enemy; not a good time to fall for him.
Amu shook herself. "What do you want, pirate?" she growled.
"I think it would be better to ask what you want, Princess." He approached her.
Amu raised the dagger, reminding him that she was still armed. He ignored it.
"Princess Amu of Shugo. Beautiful, talented…" He raised his eyebrows, still advancing. "Rebellious, undisciplined, wild." He was uncomfortable close. "Charming, I must admit, even with a dagger in her hands. I wouldn't mind helping such an interesting young woman. So, let me ask again…"
Amu's head swam as his sweet breath washed over her.
"What do you want?" he whispered. The scent of the sea emanated from him; a salty, comfortable smell. Amu noticed again how good-looking he was.
Her senses muddled by his dazzling nature, the truth slipped from her lips before she could stop it. "Freedom."
His smirk made her heart flutter as he rose, seeming to approve of her answer. He went to the window. "Come with me, then."
"Why?" she retorted, angry that she had lost it.
The pirate laughed. "I can give you what you want." He stopped, and something that had been hidden until then beneath his hat twitched. Ears. He had large cat ears that swiveled to follow some sound outside the chamber. A shadow of a tail flicked impatiently behind him.
Amu gaped. He… He was a cat?! "You… You have…" she whispered.
He shot her a glance as someone knocked on the door.
It was a guard. "Princess Amu, a thief just stole one of the Prince's belongings. Please, let us in. We need to search the castle for the culprit."
Amu watched Ikuto with wide eyes, the topic of his ears and tail wiped from her mind.
Ikuto looked uncomfortable.
The man outside continued. "Please, Princess, we must hurry before the thief escapes."
Amu turned from the door to Ikuto, unsure of what to do. The pirate's hand was out-stretched towards her, offering her what she longed for. "Come with me," he mouthed.
More than one fist pounded on the door to no avail. Voices outside were becoming worried. Someone tried the door, it was locked. Someone cursed then shouted for aid to break down the door.
Amu's choice was made. She scooped up the little family portrait, stuffed it in a pocket, and clutched the hand of the stranger.
Ikuto smiled and squeezed her hand. He then leapt before her, landing with cat-like agility on the roof below. His arms reached up to catch her.
Behind Amu, the door burst open. Guards spilled into the room.
A voice shouted, "Amu, don't…" Her father's voice.
Amu smiled softly, the first truly happy smile that had appeared on her face in a long time. "Bye, Daddy." Then her feet left the windowsill. She fell soundlessly into the darkness.
Yay! It's over.
Next chapter should be up... soon. Fairly soon. I think.
Anyhoo, REVIEW.
~Star-chan
