Sleep had called Akamori like a fish to water. She loved sleep. And normally, like now, she would have fairly good dreams. The occasional nightmare, yes, but it wasn't too common for her. But dreams like this one? They couldn't be placed with one emotion because they sought after too many.

Akamori found herself in a place with no scenery. Dark but lit in someway. She was in her nightly clothes, an oversized shirt and loose pants. She had to be in a dream, she knew that, but what was the reason? What was going to jump out at her any second now?

She was still thinking, when a person approached from the darkness. No face could be made out yet, but their clothing was eerily similar to a certain body guard. The short, dark hair proved to be another factor for Akamori to decide that she knew exactly who they were. Sure enough, Miyako stepped from the shadows. Her face was expressionless, like most days, but something danced on her face when she was before Akamori.

Normally, Akamori might stand up and begin chatting with Miyako like nothing was weird, but since this was a dream, she couldn't control herself, now could she? Miyako stood there for sometime, before crouching down to Akamori's level. She kneeled before her, keeping eye-contact, and brought her hand up. The touch of her hand to Akamori's cheek was not right. It felt all too fake, in a dream's so obviously not-real way.

Miyako's hand stayed there for a moment, before it traveled down her jaw and to her neck, caressing soothingly. By god Akamori knew this was a dream, but this was what she wanted so many times, how could she refuse?

She made no moves, but did not fight off the dream figure. She did not draw Miyako closer, no matter how much she wanted to. She did not fight the lean in of the dream Miyako; who moved so close, Akamori could feel the phantom breath. In seconds, her guard's lips were on hers. Euphoria rushed through Akamori's blood and she moaned. She could not control herself as her hands came up to hold Miyako's face to hers. Miyako also got closer, pushing Akamori down and straddling her, all while holding the kiss.

They separated, and Miyako's eyes glittered in the strange light. She panted and leaned down once again. They connected once more and Miyako's hand held her cheek, while the other traveled from her neck, down her arm and back again. Akamori couldn't do anything but revel in the dream. Miyako's free hand came up to the first button of her night shirt and-

Before anything happened, there was a knock to her door and she was pulled from the dream. She lied there for a few moments, and then bolted straight up, a flush on her cheeks.

Why? Why did i have to have a dream like that? I don't know how to feel about those dreams! I can't look at Miyako at all!

She got up quickly, trying to shake the dream from her brain when it was futile. She dressed in her normal manner, thinking of asking her mother if she could stay with her for the day, but remembered a second later that both her parents were gone.

Damn

She would have to deal with the day as it was then. Akamori had just finished tying her corset when a knock came to the door and someone entered. Stepping out, her spine tensed when Miyako came into view.

"You're running a little late to breakfast so i was asked to fetch you. Everything okay?" Her tone was calm, a hint of worry maybe, but completely unaware of the inner discomfort of the princess.

"Yes! I am...perfectly...fine. Just fine." She answered nervously. She couldn't look straight at Miyako in more ways than one.

"Well 'Just fine', we should head to breakfast. Let's go." She replied, ushering Akamori out the door and down the hall. It was awkward.

'Awkward as hell'

They arrived in the banquet hall, and awaiting at the table was her uncle and aunt. It seemed empty without her parents.

"Good Morning Lord Uncle, Lady Haki." She said as she placed herself at the table, a maid setting a plate of food before her.

"Good Morning Akamori. Are you feeling alright? I was worried when you were a little late. Does it have something to do with your parents' absence?" Haki inquired. Akamori looked her in the eye, noting that she showed genuine concern. She wasn't saying that Haki was unable to, but for someone with-child and wed to King Izana, she wasn't what you expected.

"Yes I'm quite alright, just woke up on the wrong side of the bed I suppose. How's the baby this morning?"

Haki smiled, clearly proud of being able to answer the question. "They're delightful. Just a few more months and we'll have a new little monster to run after. Hopefully though, they won't inherent Zen and Izana's explorative nature. We'd lose them faster than a bug." She beamed.

It had taken quite some time for her to get pregnant. They worried it would never happen actually. Izana, not that anyone but the royal family themselves knew, had actually asked Shirayuki to run every test possible for the situation. Nothing was found to be wrong with either of them. Eventually though, they announced it and everyone was cheerful in the happiness of a "little Iza", as everyone called it, to be born. Many hoped it was a boy and others, a girl. Who cares? Although, if it's a girl, Akamori would feel horrible for them. Izana as a father would scare away any suitor in just rumors.

The royal family inheritance was somewhat simple. The firstborn of each generation, unless something happened, was to have the throne. From her Grandfather to King Izana, to her. She was the next in line for the throne. A little daunting it was.

Akamori was brought out of her thoughts when Izana and Haki stood from the table. Haki flashed a smile, before they both left. Now it was just Akamori and Miyako.

What to say. What do i say?

They finished their meals without a word, and they went from the banquet hall to her first class. It was about politics and there she was learning how to handle the people. Or, in Akamori's words, how to take care of her people. When her teacher said she would have to 'handle' the citizens, Akamori was annoyed. She went through the towns many times, knew the people there. Of course, not all of them were good, but that doesn't mean they needed to be 'handled' like livestock.

Her day followed the schedule, until her teacher of inter-country politics had to step out for a minute. Usually, she stayed in that class. The other countries of the world excited her, and she wished to see them all one day. But, with the crown in her future and the way of life she lived, there wasn't much hope for that dream. So, she decided that since this might be her only break today, she opened the window, stood on the edge, and in a split second decision, she turned and jumped up to grab the roof tile.

She pulled herself up, glad that the tile didn't slip out. Her dress made it difficult to keep her balance, but it wasn't too far where she had to go. Akamori drew up her skirt, and ran carefully but fast. She jumped down and landed on her balcony, taking out a pin from her hair to pick the lock and go into her room. She got dressed in a short, green tunic with a white shirt worn over it. Long, thigh-high leg warmers and brown boots. Akamori attached her hood, pulled it on and went to the door.

Grabbing the bag she always left in plain sight, she found the same tree as before, hopped down, and went through the gate, narrowly missing a guard. She continued as she made her way off the estate, and traveled to the nearest city, just a mile away. No Miyako, which was a good and bad thing. Usually, she'd leave a coded note to tell her where she went, but coupled with the short amount of time and the lingering embarrassment from this morning, she didn't.

Akamori visited her favorite people, the old woman who always has nice, fresh bread. The middle-aged man that liked to offer her a job because 'he needed a person who could handle the mountains', whatever that meant. Her favorite though, was a smallish shop owned by a woman that had a big, jagged scar on her face. She offered self-defense and physical training to those who wanted it. The scar, as everyone has been told, was inflicted on her when she didn't do what her drunk of a husband wanted and had tried to fight him off. She remained a strong, capable woman since and instilled into other woman and even men that they are more than their marriage or job.

Akamori had went there for the first time a few years ago, when she was 13. It was the first time she had gone so far out on an exploration. The woman invited her in kindly, and even gave her a few tips, but no more without money. Unable to give the money without it seeming suspicious, she made a trade with the woman. Akamori was to work for her on the days she visited the town, and in turn, the woman taught Akamori how to fight.

By now, Akamori could wield a dagger easily. Many weapons were offered, but she liked the dagger. Simple to conceal, small enough to be missed by the naked eye, but just the right size for when things mattered. Why the castle had never taught her how to fight was unknown to her, but it was just what she lived with. Her parents and family avoided the question when inquired so she gave up years ago.

"Hello Miss Atsuko. How are you today?" She asked as she walked into the shop. Atsuko didn't look at her, and nodded her head. When Akamori kept walking, she noticed a book in her hands. So typical, getting caught up in a book.

Atsuko made her way in not too much longer, and began the class. It was about hand to hand today. (/AN/:Realistic steps ahead if you wanna know/)

"When you are grabbed behind, your attacker will most likely try to grab your arms and cross them so that you cannot fight. You should try to draw attention to yourself, hopefully to get help. Scream or thrash in any needed way. If this doesn't work or perhaps you're in an area with no people, Then just drop. By letting your attacker take all your weight, they are stunned momentarily, giving you a chance.

"The next step is to get a hold of one of their fingers, preferably the index or middle. When grasped, push back as far as needed till they let go. If this doesn't work, or if it does but doesn't help, go for the ear. If they're behind you, feel for it and when found, pull as hard as you can. By doing this they'll once again get distracted by the pain, and may let you go.

"When you are free, punch your attacker as hard as you can in the throat. When done the right way, you can momentarily stop them from breathing. Use that time to run to safety."

The following hours lasted with people practicing how to correctly hold their hand for a punch, to attacking dummies.

Akamori practiced this as well, then did some of the work for Atsuko. Which was mostly getting stuff off the top shelves for her or lifting things. Cleaning the practicing devices too. Imagine if they knew that their princess was doing this. It was something both funny and scary.

She finished and decided that since it was nearing sunset, that she should return to the castle. Akamori bid Atsuko a goodbye and left the shop. She was kind of ready to go back. Practicing throwing punches had given her some time to calm down from the dream and she was now ready to face Miyako.

Akamori was about to head out, when a crying sound came from the alley at the end of the street. She walked towards it, and found a hooded figure, whose foot what sitting out in the open, bleeding freely. Akamori ran to the person immediately. When she sat next to them, asking if they were okay, they turned to her. All that peaked out of the cloak was a green eye, and a jagged scar similar to Atsuko's. The scar itself though, was worse looking and probably hadn't healed properly.

They looked at her through their sobs, and muttered words with a face of pity.

"I'm sorry."

Akamori barely heard it before she heard a loud clatter and suddenly felt like she got a head rush. She realized too late that she had been struck just as she fell to the side, her last thought of having not told Miyako where she was.

Shit! Now what?

And then it was dark.

Name Meanings:

Atsuko - 敦 (atsu) meaning "honest" combined with 子 (ko) meaning "child".