Chapter 3
That night, I decided to sneak out, to go and see the city I ruled that I had never seen in my entire life. I pulled on a simple black kimono with a red waistband to hold in it place. A large red bow came out of the back. The sleeves flared out, with golden linings. The under kimono was purple, and it came up in a slit at my side. At last, I took one last look in the mirror before slipping out of my door and out of the castle walls.
It was more beautiful than I could ever imagine. Lamps hung on lines that were connected from house to house across the street. Houses were of all colors, and were lightly lit by the colorful lamps above my head. My black ears were pricked for any sign of a guard, but I didn't need to worry. They were either asleep, having fun in a bed, or at the castle. My black and white tipped tail hung loosely behind me, and then I came across it.
The fountain. Saiku would always tell me of this beautiful fountain, surrounded by lamps lit by a small and steady fire. The light reflected the water with crystal grace. It was much more beautiful than Saiku could ever describe it. I stood there in awe from its beauty, and something bumped into me, knocking me into the water. Damn!! I screamed in my mind. Being a cat, I hated the water, and I thrashed around, trying to breathe, but all I got was water. No wonder father always told me to never leave the castle walls. It was dangerous.
A strong hand grabbed my waist and pulled me out of the water, his voice was warm and gentle. "Are you Ok?" he asked. I opened my cat brown slit eyes and was looking into a pair of golden fox eyes. It was the same fox who was looking up at me this morning. Silver hair, golden eyes, a silver tail and ears fit the fox. He was suited in a white ripped tunic that showed his chest. He was powerfully built. He smiled, and my world acted as if it lit up.
"Sorry about that," he said, taking a black shawl and wrapping it around me. I grasped it gratefully. "I didn't see you thereā¦" he slowed down, probably because he recognized me. He instantly fell to his knees, and I rolled my eyes. "My Lady," he said. I rolled my eyes and scowled.
"Don't call me that, please. I am not the princess," I snapped. He pulled himself up, and looked at me, his head cocked in a confused way. I looked at him, and took a step back, instantly losing balance and heading backwards back into the fountain. He grabbed my wrist before I hit the water and pulled my back up.
"Why don't you sit down?" he asked with a courtly bow, and sat on the edge, motioning for me to do the same. I did. "Why do you say you are not Princess Gwenellasalainaoamista?" he asked. I was surprised he actually said my name correctly. My eyes grew wide, and I coughed, then began to hack. The silver fox scooted over next to me, and after a moment's hesitation, he wrapped his arms around me and began to rub my arms back and forth. I instantly felt warmer, and my coughing stopped.
"Thank you," I whispered, thankful for the warmth. "How do you know I am her?" I asked after another small cough.
"You look like her. Absolutely beautiful if I do say so myself," he said, in a formal voice. I looked at him. It sounded like he had been rehearsing this for a while. "You look cold." I looked ahead of me, and saw my breath, and nodded; actually now feeling colder. I was thankful I didn't wear a white kimono. I shuddered at the thought. He began to rub my arms again, and I instantly felt warmer.
"What is your name?" I whispered. One of his silver fox ears tweaked, and he gasped.
"Surely you do not want the name of a simple farmer fox, do you?" he asked, and I chuckled, leaning more into his warm chest. I nodded, and he sighed. After a few minutes of silence, he spoke up. "I go by the name Youko."
