Chapter One

The military governments of three respectable planets had decided to gather for a week long event where challenges would be presented to the winning planet to train exclusively with Earth's generals along with learn more techniques. On this sunny morning near the ocean palace belonging to Du'Carta, the heiress had decided to sneak out in hopes of getting a peek at the military strength of her own planet. Men from all over the planet had dueled and then trained for this, only the best of the best being able to go. It was hard for her to sneak without being spotted like a sore thumb but what else was she to do? Rather than studying or forced to do needle-point, she took her chances here. She pulled her white fleece cloak closer against the morning nip. Gazing around at the men in different colors and areas, she started with the one closest, their men dressed in black. All of them looked like harsh, strong fighters, holding many battle scars that would scare even the strongest of minded women. Her bright blue eyes looked over their forms as they practiced only to see the person in the ring with them was a...woman?

Pausing and gazing, she couldn't help but watch her move around the ring, her long raven hair trailing behind her movements so gracefully even though her wooden practice sword found all its marks. It was a rough battle but looked like an amazing dance that had been practiced for centuries. The wind picked up for a moment, blowing her white hood off to show the long, burgundy tendrils escape around her like a sudden flame against the wind. She hadn't cared much if she was spotted, but this was a beautiful battle. Finally, she watched the woman put the finishing blows and then throw off her helmet, her brown eyes gazing around at her soldiers while she stood proud, tall, her lean muscles rippling from the exhaustion.

"I expect all of you to give your best. The names are posted for the matches for this morning. If you are not on the schedule for today, you will be fighting tomorrow. I bid you all the best in battle and I will be watching," came her strong voice, gazing at each and every one of them. Her eyes caught the red and white sticking out, narrowing in on it to see the pale skinned woman looking in awe. This infuriated her, was someone trying to sneak information? Marching straight over to her, she was grim as the men watched in interest of what would happen next. "Who are you? Why are you watching our fight? This is a private area and no one is to be in here besides the Du'Monte soldiers."

She was speechless for a moment but then produced a softening smile that seemed to give a slight tug at her battle-hardened heart.

"I apologize," replied the girl, giving a bow of her head and graceful curtsy. "I seem to have lost my way but could not help but watch. You looked absolutely beautiful that I dared not turn away."

This boasted her esteem as she recognized the movements that belonged to royalty along with manner of speech but this was not going to sway her. Still with a softened but hard gaze, she marched around the small girl inspecting her for a sight of parchment or way to record their movements to her own use. Seeing as how she wasn't a spy, she continued her questioning coldly.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" she bit. The young woman gulped at the harshness of her voice but sucked her pride though she was starting to quiver. Never before had she seen this side of any person since all in her palace were kind or spoke softly. Was this really how the world was? It interested her even further but she decided to keep straight to the point.

"I am Kohaku of Du'Carta," gave her still sweet reply and then the murmurs quickly began only for the woman to look up at her men and yell them to silence themselves. Unbeknown to Kohaku, there had been stories passing around from planet to planet of the princess in the ocean palace that was never allowed to leave due to a spell being cast. When social events came for the young princesses to get together, only Du'Carta palace had declined. The only true reason for this was due to the weak health of the young woman and the special medical attention given to her that helped finally make her strong. Her mother had been too over protective to let her out until she was old enough to leave on her own. "May I ask your name?"

"Raven of Du'Monte," came the snort reply. Through the crowd moved a tall man dressed in what seemed royal military clothing as he closed in quickly on the two women and ordered the men back to their business. The crowd seemed to disperse little by little. His strangely green eyes moved over Kohaku in surprise and then he looked to his sister. Raven smoothed his short black hair that started to ruffle only to get her hand smacked away which caused her to chuckle at bit.

"Your highness," he said, giving a quick bow. "I am Allen of Du'Monte. Your brother has asked me to escort you to him immediately."

Kohaku frowned, disappointed that she was found out so soon. She thought she had a chance to make it through until she reached her brother but now it was going to be shortened.

"Before she goes," started Raven while a grin spread. "Was there really a spell cast on you to where you could never leave the palace?"

Allen quickly scoffed at the remark.

"Mind your manners Raven," he hissed. Kohaku let out a soft giggle.

"I do not mind at all," she said, "but there has never been any spell on me to my knowledge. I was being treated for weak health as a child which caused me to miss out on every social event. But please, do join us this evening? I am still unaware of what the plans are due to this function and since I snuck out..."

Raven laughed.

"Too bad you couldn't have done that long ago," she replied only for Allen to clear his throat. Raven quickly wrapped things up due to her uptight brother over time. "Yes, we will both join you this evening along with the Du'Roson family."

"If you will your highness," said Allen, holding out his arm. Kohaku took it with a smile and waved back to Raven before being lead through the crowd of men. She blushed, since she had never been this close to a man before other than her brother. There was a soft musk around him that made a chill move down her spine. Was it fate they met like this? She wasn't sure but continued on the way with silence. Before, she had heard stories from her brother when he returned of training with Allen and Bade at the royal military school held on the moon for young men along with the beautiful princess that lived there as well. She ruled over the solar system and yet Kohaku had never been aware of her much. It was said that princesses of royal families held power to protect the princess and had been called to arms recently.

"Did he wrinkle his brow?" asked Kohaku suddenly, surprising Allen. He had dreamed of meeting her since Oz had told him so many stories of his sister and the gifts she had sent him while in school. Each year he came back from his palace for the summer, he had more stories to tell of her breaking something or how she wanted to see the world but was unable to. To him, it felt like he should rescue her but she was still at such a young age. She was sixteen from what he had heard, the princess of Du'Roson was seventeen, and his sister was eighteen. All of which were prime ages for marriage but he wasn't sure what his family was up to. They had been asking him about social events to meet women but he had turned them down. Would they turn down his request for this princess? He was sure of everything so far, and his heart couldn't stop fluttering.

"Not that I could see," he replied softly, glad that he was taking the long way to Oz. "What brought your out here your highness?"

She looked up at him with her bright blue eyes, making him swallow hard.

"Please, you do not need to address me so formally. A friend of my brothers is a friend of mine," she replied. "I have been dreaming to get out of that palace and finally brought up the courage to take myself out. There are many things I want to experience before the chance slips away."

"What would you like to experience?" he asked, feeling closer than through the stories of her.

"I want to explore the ocean," she said passionately. "My balcony faces it, but all I can do is look. I want to sail across it like the explorers had done so long ago and see the other lands in it. I want to see the animals that I hear all night singing their beautiful lullaby's. I know I should not feel this way, so passionate but I cannot help it. Oz has been able to go to other planets and explore to his hearts content but what about mine? I am just a tool to only produce heirs or, do I have a choice?"

Allen wanted to whisk her away on the nearest ship just to see her light up or have an adventure of her own but he knew that it was impossible to do such a thing. Due to the social status, the only way to do such a thing for her was to make her his wife and then they would be able to sail away together. That was an idea that kept swimming through his mind. He would have to talk to Oz since it was his sister but he might be occupied with his own problems since there was to be an announcement this evening.

"Depending on your husband will be a matter of choice or not," replied Allen, his eyes scanning the crowd to see the fighting had already began and it was going to take a while to get to the seating area. He moved through the crowd, sheltering her when someone got too loud or moved too aggressively with the fight. Just in time he made it to the wooden stands where Oz had collected most of the royalty. It looked like it was only him and Akai in the box at the moment sitting very close...too close. He moved into the box and noticed them separate quickly. Oz's hazel eyes scowled at his sister as he took long stretches to hug her in his arms tightly.

"You had me worried Kohaku, mother had sent a messenger as well worried sick about you. If you wanted to come, you should have just asked instead of sneaking out," he said, petting her long silky hair. There was a muffled something and then Oz let her face come out of his chest.

"I saw the most amazing thing," she said, excited. "This woman was out there training with her men and she looked so beautiful! I did not know that we were allowed to train with our soldiers or is she just allowed to? But her movements were graceful and she hit the strategic points every time."

Oz just smiled, the creases of worry quickly leaving.

"That must have been Raven, she is mighty with the sword. Please, join us. I would like to introduce you to Princess Akai of Du'Roson," he said, leading Kohaku towards the woman dressed in a fine long red dress, her long blond hair styled up for this occasion. Her bright blue eyes smiled up at Kohaku as she took to her feet, greeting her. Both curtsied gracefully.

"It is a pleasure," said Akai, giving a sweet smile. Allen wasn't sure what to make of this; he had never seen Oz and Akai close together and there were rumors that Oz was to be married to the princess of mars, with that fiery temper of hers. Allen could tell when he heard that, there was no way. Oz was too relaxed for the fire princess and would not tolerate her telling him what to do. He could see it in both siblings how they meshed with nature, and brought a sense of laughter to everyone they met. He looked for some sort of clue and then spotted it on Akia's finger; had Oz proposed or asked for her hand? Allen let the two women talk while Oz pulled him aside, noticing his friend's wondering eyes.

"I asked her father, and we have been blessed. I will be announcing it this evening," said Oz, keeping his voice low while the two women giggled and carried on. "I am happy they are getting along and I know that my mother is trying to set up Kohaku with someone as well since she has kept her from social events and there is no one to ask for her hand. I am unsure if my mother is going to pick the right choice since she can be a handful at times."

Allen chuckled with him.

"I am sure you would know who would take care of her," said Allen, keeping an eye on Kohaku but not enough for Oz to notice. Oz gave a nod in response, his russet hair bobbing with him and then resting above his ears. Allen wasn't sure if he should dare but he wanted to know for sure if he could get to know her more. "May I ask to have afternoon tea with your sister?"

Oz's relaxed posture stiffened as he looked at Allen steady look. Was he serious? Swallowing, he gazed to his sister to see her eyes flicker to Allen for a moment but then quickly to Akai before trying to let anyone notice. Had she taken to him within the first bit of meeting him? True, he had told Kohaku stories of Allen showing off and making an ass of himself but was she drawn to that type of person? He had never heard of anything like this happening. He was relieved that it was a close friend and he was asking permission before moving his advances.

"In private?" asked Oz, wondering how serious it was. Perhaps it was true that his sister had a magical spell on her since she had seemed to cast some magic on one of his best friends.

"Yes, if I may request so," responded Allen after a long pause. Oz didn't want to think too hard and long about it since he was still in a joy over being with Akai but he also wanted his friend and sister happy. Finally calculating it out, he let out a breath.

"I would rather it be you than someone I do not know their intentions," replied Oz only to be clapped on the shoulder with a strong hand.

"I thank you my friend," replied Allen. The rest of the day seemed to go by slow as they watched the fights and looked at the charts of who was going to be fighting tomorrow. Oz noted that Du'Monte had the upper hand so far with Du'Roson following behind. Du'Carta soldiers were too relaxed to be thinking about the competitions and had been drinking wine all day along with feasting before the fights and merrily singing. News spread that Bade had already made it to the palace where he was studying in the library over certain calculations that he was to send to the moon palace and would be ready this evening but later Raven would be late for dinner since she was pep talking her army. Queen Abbey had joined them, sitting at the head of the table where their father should have been. After his death, she never remarried but instead made sure everything was ran as it should be and her children were happy. She spent most of her days taking care of Kohaku until she was well and then in loneliness in her chamber garden reading or signing documents the council thought was needed. Her dark blue eyes looked around at each child with a secret smile under her lips, her long brown hair had wisps of gray starting and wrinkles showing around her eyes from laughing too much or worrying.

"I thank you all for joining us this joyful week," she spoke loudly. She had gotten used to speaking up like a man and over people with a cold voice when something needed to get done. "I believe my son has an announcement to make this evening?"

Oz stood and bowed before taking his seat.

"I would like to wait until later this evening mother until everyone has gathered," he replied. Kohaku looked confused as she searched her brother's face only to get a wink that sent her shying away. The appointment for tea had been set up, but Oz was surprised at how she accepted so willingly without asking any questions. Has she felt it too? A tall man in his deep red military uniform moved into the room, giving a bow as his long dirty blond hair moved around his shoulders before his deep blue eyes making contact with those in the room.

"I apologize for my lateness," said Bade and then took his seat only for Raven to move in after him, her face flushed with anger as she bowed quickly and took her seat as well. Abbey looked towards her son quickly whom stood.

"I have an announcement to make," said Oz, gaining everyone's attention. His eyes touched Akai only for her to smile. "I have asked for Akai's hand, and received her family's blessing."

Everyone gave their congratulations only for Bade to express he had an announcement as well. Everyone seemed to be surprised at this but things began to make since.

"The families of Du'Roson and Du'Monte thought it would help to make a strong tie for me to have Raven's hand," he said. Before congratulations could be given, Raven moved from the table and quickly excused herself. Abbey wasn't sure what to make of this and watched Allen excuse himself as well. This was a large surprise for all of them to swallow since they knew Raven was not a women to be tamed or married. Akai gave a reassuring smile to Bade who understood.