Katsu and Kira

As we made our way down the intimidatingly long corridor, my thoughts began to race.

Ever since I was of a responsive age, I have hated the way father always talked using teasing riddles.

Nothing Lord Genome ever said was straight forward. It was as though he enjoyed messing with our feeble minds.

My mind wandered to more important things. Things like what was to come of tomorrow.

What treacherous journey we were about to embark on..and how suspicious this all seemed to feel.

The clicking of our shoed heels faded into the background.

I walked with no expression in my footing. My mind went off again, thinking idly to myself.

Although we are of noble bloodline, My sister and I have never been beyond the castle walls.

It was to be expected that the princesses, of all people, were to be pampered and watched over as much as possible.

Almost as if we were mindless playthings; polished and fawned after, and then placed on the highest pedestal.

Nobody gave a damn what we truly wanted. From the outside, we were perfectly content young women.

But on the inside, we literally felt like we could die, and it wouldn't matter.

Well, at least I felt this way. I could only imagine the way Aurora saw things. But somehow, It seemed like she thought the same way.

"Ne, Arri-neechan." Aurora chimed in my ear, her sweet voice waking me from whatever trance I was in.

"What?"

she fidgeted a little, wrapping a sea foam curl around her pointer finger playfully.

"I..I just wanted to say thank you, for standing up like you did," She stammered, a rosy blush staining her cheeks.

"To father, of all people."

I smiled in relief. So that's what had her so stiff.

"Not a problem. You see, you just have to know when enough is enough!"

I fisted my delicate hands and punched into the air, pretending to be a professional fighter.

She laughed, covering her mouth politely with thin fingertips.

We turned the corner, nearing our rather large quarters.

Pushing the heavy doors open, we were welcomed by our twin maids Katsu and Kira, who, honestly, were just about as identical as they come;

Kira's hair was styled just a bit different than Katsu's,an onyx barrette complimented her red hair wonderfully. She wore a dark black traditional maid's dress,

only the bottom was a bit more poofy than usual. Whereas Katsu sported a somewhat lolita look.

A soft periwinkle pink bow sat atop her curly red tresses. Her knees were covered with long white stockings, tiny ribbons accented the top.

Her dress was easy on the eyes, and matched the bow perfectly. Lacey white trim outlined the silhouette of her innocent dress.

They spoke in unison, almost as if they were some programed, well oiled, machine.

"Welcome, Princesses."

We nodded in response. It was nothing new. Father had had us on surveillance since we were of a very young age.

And as awkward as this sounds, Aurora and I had come to love them. Katsu and Kira were a couple of the few things that kept us feeling alive.

Mind you, they were about the only people we saw on a daily basis. Others just stopped by to pay their respects and kiss father's feet.

It was always the same. Why wouldn't it be? They were all the same.

But Aurora and I, we were different.

Katsu, the slightly more timid twin, broke the silence.

"Your bed clothes have been set out accordingly, and we have arranged for a private bath."

Kira finished, nodding after wards.

"I apologize for the interruption madam, but dinner has been prepared and is waiting for you in the dining hall."

"And accommodations for your trip have been made."

Katsu added, a sad sparkle in her emerald eyes.

Reaching out to weave my hand within Aurora's, I smiled politely.

"I'm sorry. But dinner will not be necessary."

Katsu nodded and Kira channeled in, finishing for her.

"Is something the matter?"

I shook my head, allowing soft lavender tresses to blanket my back.

"I request that we are left alone before tomorrow. We have plenty of things to do, and would like some rest before our journey."

Kira and Katsu nodded simultaneously, and chimed out again.

"As you wish, Milady."

They exited together, leaving nothing but the soft swish of the doors brushing against each other, behind them.

I turned to Aurora, brushing back a misplaced lock, and smiled warmly into her evergreen eyes.

Suddenly, she launched herself at me, pressing her body softly against my slender figure. I could feel her emotions almost as strongly as my own.

Running my hand through her lush hair, I hushed her, allowing my heartbeat to lull her into a calmer state.

This, was going to be a very long night.

xx

The hot steam in the air made the interior of the bath house unusually stuffy. Lifting my lavender ringlets off of my back, a refreshing whisper of air replaced them, sending small droplets of sweat running down the crook of my neck.

It felt positively wonderful, and was a breath of fresh air after such a long, hard, and rather stressful day. Wading my hand through the water; which was a mixture between the perfect warmth, and a little too hot to bathe in, I sighed.

I thought back a few hours, steam clouding my line of sight.

"Are you aware of the power you're sacrificing?"

"Yes."

I spoke that one word too confidently. Father had always told us how powerless the humans really were, and how sinfully they lived their lives. So, I never thought much of it. And, in order to preserve that which is dearest to me; my darling sister, I had no choice.

Still, a painful pin prick of anxiety found itself to the back of my head. I winced, nudging the water, sending a few lapping waves to the side of the large tub.

A pair of large, emerald orbs watched me. A pained expression was written in them and it made almost impossible to turn away.

My heart ached a little, and I found that I was disappointed in myself for ever thinking that I had made the wrong decision while facing father. Maybe it was the intimidation that practically seethed from the man's eyes that made me stutter in speaking, and make the quickest choice just to get out of the spotlight. Sounds believable...right?

Little did we know, that one day would change our lives forever.

Aurora sat caddy corner of me, and even from where I was sitting, I could tell she was on edge. Something upset her, and she just couldn't relax. Which, I can't really blame her, it's been one hell of a harsh day, that's for sure. A worried look crossed her face, shaping her lips into a pout.

It was beyond all boundaries of child abuse to force your children, even if they aren't of the human race, to make them choose which one of them would die. Tears in their eyes, shaking and conversating in a shallow voice, stuttering as they spoke.

No, that won't be us! We can out stand those odds. We have to.

But for now, I have to comfort her. Let her know I am here for her and would rather die than leave her here in this ball and chain world.

Lifting my hand out of the comforting water, I raised it up to her jawline. Holding it securely, I smiled.

The bewildered expression she wore set me back a little. She looked so fragile, like one small thing could shatter her.

Forcing a smile, I poked her slender nose playfully.

"Oh,Stop it, Auro-chan ~." I toyed in a giggly voice.

She furrowed her brow,obviously thinking deeply about something.

"That face doesn't suit you."

I whined, making a face similar to her own.

"See? "

After a few moments, a delicate smile replaced the once cautious frown. I almost thought I heard her laugh.

My chest tightened yet again.

I don't think.. I can live much longer like this. Not knowing what would come of us tomorrow, nor when we would be left standing alone, with no one because the only that ever cared, ever loved us, was gone.

I suddenly needed to see her porcelain face again. To take a mental picture, and realize how stupid I have been with my thoughts.

"There we go,"

Her emerald hued eyes rose and met my own.

My heart smiled at this, truly smiled. Warmth filling it.

Our snowy complexions reflected in the water.

"That wasn't so hard, now was it?"

A summery blush crossed her face. I giggled, and she dropped her glance out of embarrassment.

Seeing her flustered like this sent my heart soaring into the blue sky.

"It's alright, I was happy to do it, anyway."

"Really?" Disbelief sounded in her voice.

"Delighted."

In our world, the sky always remained a groggy gray. It was rather depressing.

Although, what did it matter to the members of aristocracy? Sending under ranked workers out to do our bidding,we barely ever stepped foot outside as it was.

And, when we did, It was to the minor places like the balcony of our room, and the courtyard surrounding the castle.

A tear ran down her cheek, and almost instantly meshed with the liquid beneath us.

My heart clenched.

I fished around in the water, finding and taking hold of her trembling hand.

She winced a little at this, but then eased into it.

I hushed her yet again.

Whispering into the thick air, my eyes grew wet. Hair hiding them for a moment, just enough for me to force a smile.

"Don't worry, Auro, every thing's going to be fine."

She saw through it, and protested to my calming gesture.

"You don't know that." She scowled, looking anywhere but in my direction.

It's true, I don't know how every thing's going to turn out in the end. I'm not god.

I shook my head slowly and stood up, towel still wrapped gracefully around my figure.

I had to find some way to distract her from the mood she was setting.

After all, this could very well be our last few hours together, and I'd hate to remember them being like this.

"Turn around."

Gripping the sponge I motioned for her to move. She looked up at me, shining confusion in her eyes.

I sighed, moving behind her and brushing her hair to the side with my free hand.

She tensed below me.

"W-What are you doing?" She fussed, wading her hands wryly through the water.

Somehow, and I never fully understood this, she had found comfort in doing so.

"Well, someone's going to have to scrub your back." I teased.

Smiling, I motioned forward, earning a swishing sound from the soapy sponge.

Carefully, the sponge was brushed in all sorts of directions, revealing a snowy white complexion.

I hummed to myself, giggling every once and a while. Then, just as easy as I'd started, I had finished.

It almost hurt, to know..this could be our last bath together.

"There."

She turned around to face me, hair pressed against her satin-like face.

"That's better,right?"

She nodded sweetly, her hair wrapping around her chin like a wet bonnet.

I couldn't help but smirk a little. She blushed out of frustration, but then quickly relaxed.

I turned around, handing her the sponge and shampoo. Confused, she eyed the bottle and washrag worriedly.

"What's wrong?"

A few seconds passed and she finally spoke.

".I..uh..," She stared down at the foreign items in her hands. "Don't know how to do this!"

I smiled yet again, reaching my hands out to take hers.

"Here, I'll show you."

"Thank you, sister!"

She beamed graciously.

"You're welcome."

I messed her hair with my free hand, earning a sweet giggle that gave my heart a painfully tight feeling.

How could I go on living without her?

Xx