A/N: Thank you all for your lovely reviews! I was so happy to read all of the comments and I am glad that this story was something worth reading, and I hope it only gets better.
I want to thank my friend Jose because he read it over and helped me edit it. Thanks Bro!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Kannazuki No Miko.
Crystal Princess
Two
"I'll be back in a little bit." Girochi said as he stepped down from his horse in front of one of the stores to which he sold produce to, "Meanwhile please take that to the Grand Duke's house." He finished as he pointed to the cart that was attached to Murakumo. "Okay." Chikane said before starting towards the Duke's mansion. Her father had the best produce of the whole town, so he was personally chosen by the
Duke to be the supplier of the mansion.
Himeko paced around her room nervously as her sister Nekoko watched her from the bed. "Onee-chan, if you keep the pacing up, you will burn a hole through the floor and fall in top of the maids!" Nekoko said with a grin as her sister turned to her with a smile, "Gomen Neko-chan, it's just that-" Himeko began to explain but was interrupted by her sister's laugh, "Come on Onee-chan! I know it's because you haven't seen Chikane-san since…yesterday!"
Himeko blushed but shook her head, "Neko-chan! My life is not all about Chikane-chan, I have other things as well you know…" Nekoko rolled her eyes as she turned on her back to stare at the ceiling, "Then what is it?"
Himeko sighed and walked towards her large window where she saw Chikane riding towards the mansion. Chikane's long midnight-blue hair flew with the wind behind her as she came up the hill. Himeko's breath was shortly taken away, her girlfriend's beauty never failing to have that effect on her. Nekoko smirked when she noticed her older sister admiring from the window. She didn't need to get up to see who was the one that caused the brunette such reaction, "Chikane-san is here I assume huh?"
Nekoko's voice brought Himeko down from her dreamy haze. "I-I better get downstairs." Himeko stuttered nervously before rushing to the mirror to fix her already-perfect hair back in place. Nekoko laughed as she followed her older sister.
"Good morning Chikane-san." Kiba, the son of one of the maids in the mansion, said with a faint blush as Chikane jumped down from atop Murakumo. "Good morning Kiba-san." Chikane said with a polite smile before moving to her cart to take the produce inside. Kiba, who had a crush in Chikane, quickly hurried to help the bluenette. "So how's life Chikane-san?" He asked as he tried to sound as casual as possible. "Good." Chikane answered before picking up a large milk container and carrying it inside the house. Kiba struggled a bit before lifting a similar container himself.
"Ohayo Chikane-chan." Temari greeted as Chikane entered the kitchen with the milk. "Ohayo Aunt Temari." Chikane said as she placed the container down and hugged the robust woman. She was the main cook of the house and had known Chikane since she was a kid, therefore Chikane saw her as her aunt. "How are your folks? Haven't seen Girochi around." Temari said as she helped Kiba with the milk, as he was struggling with it when he came in the kitchen. "Otosan just got back from a hunting trip, and they are both okay, Thank you for asking." Chikane answered before exiting the kitchen to go get more of the crates in her cart.
Temari glared at the boy when she saw him checking out Chikane as she walked outside, "Kiba-kun, stop staring and go help her!" Kiba turned in shock and ran outside.
Izumi walked towards the mansion after having returned from running some errands for Tamako, and stopped when she saw a girl around her age unloading a cart behind a large horse. 'It-It's an Angel!' Izumi thought when she saw the blue-haired beauty walking towards the kitchen with another crate. Kiba glared at Izumi when he caught the girl staring. "Izumi!" Izumi quickly recovered and blushed as she rushed towards Kiba, "Yes?" Kiba huffed, "Go into the living room, Tamako-sama was looking for you."
Izumi nodded before dashing inside. Himeko was almost run over by the distraught servant-girl as she walked down towards the kitchen. Izumi quickly apologized before leaving off again. Himeko entered the large kitchen but decided to stay in the doorway as she admired Chikane while the bluenette helped Temari place the milk and crates away. She glared towards Kiba who stood next to the counter looking at Chikane with lustful eyes.
"So where is Itachi?" Chikane asked, not realizing Himeko was glaring daggers at Kiba by the doorway. "He left this morning to Topaz city, his uncle was hurt and he wanted to go see him." Temari answered about her son who was Chikane's best friend since childhood. "I hope his uncle is okay." Chikane said sincerely, but before she could add anything, Himeko spoke up, "Kiba-kun, please go fetch my horse." The occupants of the kitchen all turned towards the girl's voice, Chikane and Temari smiling while Kiba rushed out to the stable, seemingly embarrassed to have been caught staring.
"Himeko." Chikane said softly, which instantly warmed Himeko's heart at the sound of her name in her lover's lips, and made her anger from the drooling boy disappear. Himeko smiled, having to control herself from the urge to ravage the bluenette in kisses in front of the workers, although Temari was already aware of their relationship after having walked in on the girls one day. It certainly taught Temari to knock before entering rooms, even if the occupants are supposed to be away.
Chikane was not as careful or mindful as Himeko, as she moved in to hug the slightly-shorter girl. Temari smirked as her ojou-sama blushed as she returned the hug. Releasing Himeko, Chikane turned towards Temari, "I will see you later then aunt Temari. I need to get going."
"You be careful and tell your parents I say Hi okay? And Tsubasa too." Temari replied before turning back to her chores. Chikane nodded before walking out of the kitchen as Himeko followed her. "Will Himeko accompany me?" Chikane asked as she stood besides Murakumo. Himeko looked around to see if the coast was clear, and since it was, leaned in to give Chikane a soft kiss. Chikane tried to deepen it but Himeko pulled back, "Himeko will most certainly accompany princess Chikane." Chikane smirked at her girlfriend's teasing third-person dialogue. Kiba appeared with Himeko's horse before she could do anything else.
"Thank you Kiba-kun." Himeko said in a somewhat icy-tone, catching Chikane by surprise, but she decided to wait to ask her until they were away from the boy. Kiba just nodded without meeting Himeko's eyes and left quickly. Chikane mounted Murakumo as Himeko mounted her own horse, and started back towards the town with Himeko at her side.
"Are you okay Himeko? You were a little cold with Kiba-san…" Chikane started as she turned to meet Himeko's eyes, but the brunette looked away. "I don't know what you mean…" Himeko muttered and refused to look up towards Chikane. Chikane frowned and instantly knew something was wrong, and she had a slight idea as to what it was. She moved to take Ame's reigns swiftly from Himeko's hands, and began taking them towards another path that was not towards town. "Where are we going Chikane-chan?" Himeko asked, not surprised that Chikane had taken the reigns from her as it was not the first time. "You'll see." Chikane answered with a smile.
As they traveled further into the forest, Himeko instantly recognized the place. It was the same spot where she had first met Chikane when they were children. The place was a small pond hidden away from the rest of the large forest and it was surrounded by a large bed of flowers with a large rock sitting in the middle of the pond. The two girls had decided to name the place "The Eye Pond" being as how they were sure that if seen from the top, it would look like an eye. The place was almost completely hidden away, since the large trees would cover it completely, only letting a small amount of sunlight inside.
Chikane stopped and dismounted Murakumo before moving to help Himeko off from Ame, although Himeko did not need the help. "Is there a reason we are here?" Himeko asked since the only times they visited the pond was on special occasions such as their anniversary or things as such, and Himeko was sure that it was not their anniversary yet. Chikane ignored the question as she took off her boots and sat at the edge of the pond, letting her feet soak in the refreshing water. Himeko followed Chikane's actions and took a seat beside her.
"Himeko, you do remember how we met right?" Chikane asked as she looked down to her reflection on the water. Himeko nodded, "Of course, how could I not?" Himeko recalled that day perfectly.
She had been a child then and had just moved into the town, her father having been named Grand Duke after his older brother passed away, leaving him the title. Himeko had decided to explore the forest and since the mansion was in a state of chaos with the entire moving and such, nobody saw the young girl entering the forest. Hours passed and Himeko was unable to find her way out and as people searched for her without any luck, she grew tired and decided to rest beside a pond she had found. The night became chilled and she shivered in the cold, her hands and feet now numb in the winter darkness. The only light that was available to her were the slim rays of moonlight, yet the young girl was terrified and waited for a monster to come and get her to end her suffering. Himeko could not keep her eyes open and decided to nap. Himeko's eyes snapped open when she felt a warmness envelop her, and she looked up to see a pair of crystal blue eyes that looked at her with curiosity. Himeko could smell the leather that was giving her warmth and smiled back as the other girl sat down next to her. "What's your name?" The girl asked Himeko with a smile. "Himeko and you?" Himeko replied as she welcomed the warmth of the girl's body next to hers. "Chikane. What are you doing out here?" Chikane asked since she had never seen the girl before. "I got lost…" Himeko answered as tears pooled into her eyes. Chikane saw this and hugged the girl. "Well, good thing Murakumo found you," Chikane said as she pointed to the young colt that was drinking water from the pond. Chikane had been in the barn brushing the horse she had received as a gift from her father, and suddenly it ran away towards the forest and Chikane decided to go after it, even though it was dark. Himeko began to cry into the young girl's chest as she was held tight. "Please don't leave me…" Himeko begged and Chikane shook her head, "I will never leave you Himeko." They slept there that night until the next morning when Chikane took her new friend back towards the mansion in the hill.
Chikane smiled as she too remembered that night, and asked, "Do you remember what I told you?" Himeko turned to her, "You said you would never leave me."
"Exactly, so don't get mad at Kiba-san or anybody else, because no matter what, I will never leave you." Chikane said, which caused Himeko to blush at her jealousy being discovered, "I didn't-I wasn't" She stuttered but Chikane interrupted her with a kiss. Chikane deepened the kiss and gently pushed Himeko down onto the soft grass. Himeko smiled as Chikane pulled back from the kiss, "I believe you. I'm sorry for my earlier behavior, it's just that recently I've begun to notice that more and more men eye you like a piece of meat." Chikane frowned and laid next to Himeko, "You too Himeko. It's because we are turning eighteen and you know what it means." Himeko sighed and turned away from Chikane, her heart feeling heavy at the realization that she had been trying to hide back. The truth was that in their world, all girls where "on the market" at eighteen, and men were able to ask for their hands in marriage even if the girl didn't want to. As long as the man proved to be worthy by bringing monetary gifts or other forms of achievement, the families usually gave over their daughters quite easily. Chikane laid her hand across Himeko's waist as she buried her face in Himeko's exposed neck, "Don't worry Himeko, we will find a way so that we can stay together okay? I promise that I won't give up without a fight." Himeko relaxed in Chikane's hold, "I won't give up either, because I love you."
Chikane smiled as she turned Himeko so she could kiss her again. As their kisses began to heat up, Chikane said softly onto Himeko's ear, "I will never leave you Himeko."
"Ojou-sama, Tamako-sama is looking for you." Izumi said as Himeko returned to the mansion, her cheeks flushed with a bright red. "Thank you." Himeko said as she gave Ame's reigns to the girl before going inside. Tamako was sitting in the large living-room couch as she flipped though a book.
"Did you need me mother?" Himeko asked as she entered her mother's view. "Yes Himeko. Where have you been?" Tamako asked rather upset since her daughter had been gone for the whole morning and had skipped lunch. "I was with Chikane-chan," Himeko answered taking a seat across from her mother. Tamako sighed and placed her book away, "Well, I just wanted to inform you that your party tomorrow is all set and that you have nothing to worry about. Your father and I have made sure to invite only the brightest young men so that you can choose wisely."
"Why do I need to choose a groom so soon?! I am too young to marry mother, and with all due respect, I don't appreciate you trying to get rid of me by marrying me off to some stranger." Himeko contended, catching her mother by surprise, which then turned into anger, "Is this what you have learned from Chikane?! That mongrel might have saved you but her influence on you has made you believe such atrocities!" Tamako barked, making Himeko burn with fury, "I would've been dead if it hadn't been for Chikane-chan! So I will not allow you to insult her in such way!"
Mamoru came into the living room after hearing the loud screams from the two women and was enraged to see mother and daughter in such a heated dispute. "Silence both of you!" He said with a loud commanding voice, "I will not tolerate this kind of disrespect towards each other." Tamako looked astounded before retreating from the living room to her room. Himeko began to cry as she felt impotence towards what was going to happen, "Father…" Mamoru walked towards his daughter and caught her in a hug, "It's okay Hime-chan, don't cry…"
But Himeko could not stop crying. Tomorrow, both she and Chikane would turn 18, and that meant the end to her happiness.
"Aunt Miyako!" Chikane jumped down from Murakumo and dashed towards Miyako who stood with a wide grin beside Girochi. "How's my favorite niece?!" Miyako asked as the bluenette gave her a tight hug. "I'm your only niece!" Chikane exclaimed as she hugged her aunt. Girochi laughed, "What about Tsubasa?"
Chikane and Miyako joined the laughter as Tsubasa rolled his eyes. "So is the princess ready for her birthday tomorrow?" Miyako asked and did not miss the sadness that flashed in Chikane's eyes momentarily before she recovered quickly. "I guess so," Chikane answered and looked around her aunt to see her aunt's caravan that was attached to her horse, "Did you bring me something?"
Miyako smirked, "Well, of course I did!" Chikane grinned as she followed her aunt towards the caravan, "Where is Onoko?" she asked noticing that her aunt's hawk was nowhere in sight. "He's off hunting somewhere." Miyako replied before stepping onto the caravan as Chikane waited outside. A few seconds later, Miyako appeared with a large stone in her hands. "Ano…" Chikane muttered as she tried not to laugh at her aunt's joke, "That's really funny Auntie, but seriously," She said as she looked around Miyako trying to see if she was hiding anything. Miyako looked on incredulously as she held the stone in her hands. "It's a pretty stone…" Chikane started as she saw her aunt seemed to be serious about her gift. The stone was indeed beautiful, it being made out of a swirl of emerald and ruby stone that went around the egg-shaped stone, yet Chikane had seen this illusion made before with a normal stone and thought her aunt was trying to joke with her. "It's not fake Chikane. Take it." Miyako said as she handed the stone to Chikane, who took it reluctantly. "Well, thanks auntie." Chikane said as she smiled, hoping her aunt would not be offended for not believing her earlier. Girochi came up to them and his eyes widened when he saw the stone, "I need to talk to you." He said motioning for Miyako who shrugged, "Okay." Chikane left towards the house and rushed to her room, 'A stone? What good is a stone? I thought she would get me like a sword or something better than this…' Chikane thought as she placed the stone on a small wooden table. She looked outside to where her father seemed to have engaged in an argument with his sister, being as he was scowling as she took a defiant pose. Chikane could not make what they where saying, but could not keep watching as her mother called her down to the kitchen.
Chikane entered the dining room where her mother was setting up the plates, "Chikane, please go call your father and your aunt inside, we are ready to begin with our dinner." Chikane nodded to her mother before stepping outside, but she did not need to go far since Miyako was already walking towards the house, "Dinner ready?" she asked as her brother followed behind with his brows furrowed. "Yes, and thanks for the gift aunt. It's really pretty." Chikane said as they went inside the house.
Through out dinner, Girochi did not say much as Miyako joked on and on, seemingly having forgotten about their earlier argument. Tsubasa, to nobody's surprise, did not say as he pondered on what he had heard during his father's and aunt's argument. He had gone off to the stable but had heard some of the argument.
"You can't deny her the right that is hers. I won't allow it." Miyako said with defiance. Girochi's voice rose, "I won't allow you to ruin her life. What do you think you will accomplish by this? She will only be killed." Miyako glared at her brother, "I won't let that happen. She deserves to know who she is and to have it." At that moment, Onoko flew down onto Miyako's leather-covered shoulder. He stared down towards Girochi, "He understands what I mean brother," Miyako continued, "She is the only hope this kingdom has. I will help her along the way, but it is ultimately her destiny." Girochi clenched his fists, "You can't…" Miyako placed her hand on her brother's shoulder, "There is no other way."
"Himeko….stop…" Chikane tried rolling to her side as her dream Himeko kept covering her face with kisses. The heavy weight on top of her brought her from her sleep-state as she fluttered her eyes open to find two eyes staring at her. A green eye and a red eye looked straight downwards to her before another slobbering lick came to her. "Good morning!" Chikane heard the childish voice inside her head, yet her mind was too busy with the shock of the creature on top of her to register where the foreign voice came from.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!"
Miyako smirked as she stretched on her bed after hearing her niece's scream. "Happy Birthday Chikane." She said before turning to smile towards Onoko who watched silently from the bed post.
"Whe-where did you come from?!" Chikane asked in shock as she jumped from her bed and left the animal on her bed. The creature, which now Chikane could see clearly, appeared to be a wolf cub. Its fur completely black with an emerald eye and a ruby eye. Chikane also noticed it appeared to have some type of collar made completely out of sapphire. "Don't you know who I am Chikane?" Chikane looked around to see where the voice came from and realized the pup was looking straight at her with curiosity in it's bi-colored eyes.
"Chikane!" Otoha ran towards her door to go see her daughter after hearing the piercing cry, but was held down by Girochi. "We need to talk." He said with a serious tone. It was time for Otoha to know, and he did not worry about Tsubasa since he had talked to his son the night before after everyone had gone to bed.
"Is that…is that you?" Chikane asked as she pointed to her head, feeling foolish for talking with a dog. "Of course!" The voice replied as the pup nodded its head before jumping down from the bed and running towards Chikane. The girl tried moving back but stumbled over her boots and fell. The wolf cub jumped atop of her as it licked her face. "I'm Koan!" The voice, which appeared to be masculine, yet young, said as the pup jumped up and down on her stomach. Chikane pushed it off of her quickly, "Koan…what are you?" she asked. Sure, there was magic in her world and everything was possible, but she hadn't heard of animals that spoke onto a person's mind. Much less the kind that just appeared on a person's room overnight.
"I'm you!" The wolf pup declared happily, which caused Chikane to stumble to the nearest chair.
'This is my birthday…A good day…and so far…this is far from that…' Chikane thought as she tried to get her mind back on track. This was too much for her. Not only was there a wolf on her room that was talking to her on her mind, but it claimed to be her? What was going on?
A/N: Thank you for reading! Please review and tell me what you think ne? :D
