Different Worlds

by Trafalgar Neo

Women flirt or fear Law because of his stature as a sadistic pirate. So what's Law to do when he finds a woman that does neither? Con her & her brother onto his sub of course. Little does he know what he brought onto his sub can bring him to his knees in more ways than one. But the inhuman feeling about them won't leave his mind. He will know their secrets and use them.

4. Growing Up Royal P3

Growing Up Royal

Part Three

"Careful now, Neo," Rylan said. "Make sure the batter has been cooked and the edges are golden brown."

"I know, Daddy," Neo said. Shaking the pan, she watched the pancake slide over the surface before she flicked it. The pancake flipped up into the air and landed back in the pan. "Yes! Another successful flip!"

"You're becoming quite the cook," Rylan said.

"I have a good teacher," Neo said. She flipped the pancake again and it landed perfectly on one of the five stacks they already had sitting on the counter.

Rylan reached for the spatula and rotated the sausage causing them to sizzle from the uncooked side touching the hot liquid.

Neo looked at the frying links. The grease was bubbling up around them. Sausage wasn't a normal food on Luminous. The pirates had brought it, along with bacon, to them this time and asked to cook it. She was more than glad to. She couldn't get enough of cooking for her family despite her young age. It was something she never got to do while living in the castle. If she got the opportunity to cook something new she took it. Usually it was just her and her dad in the kitchen but today they had a special guest. The cook of the Red Hair Pirates was with them. But he was sitting off to the side watching them instead of actually helping. It was his choice to only offer advice on how to cook anything new they brought.

"So how's it going in here?" Shanks asked as he walked into the room.

"It's almost ready," Neo said.

"Smells good." Shanks reached for a piece of bacon.

"Hey!" Neo said. "Not yet!"
"A little snack never hurts." Shanks winked at her before biting into the bacon.

"Oh!" Neo crossed her arms over her chest. "Pirates are sometimes too free."

"You know you love us," Shanks said ruffling her bangs.

"I do. So take me with you this time," Neo said. "I want to be a pirate now."

"I'm sorry, kiddo," Shanks said. "You're still too young."

"But I'm eight!" Neo said. "I am old enough! And I've gotten a lot better with my crystals!"

"I know you have," Shanks said. "But you know your mom and dad won't let you go. Maybe when you're older."

"Not fair." Neo pouted. "You always say that."

"Pouting won't get you what you want," Rylan said.

"It will with the elementals," Neo said.

Shanks and his cook laughed.

Rylan sighed. "All too true. But it's not going to work on us. Now let's get breakfast on the table."

"Okay." Neo summoned a wind crystal. Lifting the plates of food off the counter, she jumped off her stool- her medallion bounced against her stomach -and walked them over to the table. The table was longer than usual. So was the house. They had to extend it to fit all the pirates. She didn't like it when they slept far away from her when they were here.

"So what are you planning on doing today after your lessons, Neo?" Mira asked once everyone was sitting at the table.

"Going to play with Godfather and everyone since Kai has to go to his lessons," Neo said. She looked at her brother. "Unless you'll skip them and play with me."

"Sorry, little sister," Kailen said. "I have to go to them. And you're going to be busy with your own for a while."

"Fine," Neo said. She tucked her feet under her legs and shoved a bite of sausage in her mouth. It has a salty and grainy taste. Her nose wrinkled. "People actual eat this stuff?"
"It's tasty if you're use to it," Yasopp said popping one in his mouth.

"Or you all have killed your taste buds on all that sake that you drink," Neo said. "And cigarettes for Uncle Benn."

Benn smirked at her. "My taste is just fine."

"All right, Neo," Mira said. "Finish your breakfast. Your tutor will be here soon."

"Okay." Neo focused back on her meal. She could talk to the pirates later. As she was downing the last of her orange juice a knock came on the door.

Mira stood up to answer it. "Neo, Lana's here."

"Coming," Neo said. Turning in her chair she slid to the floor and walked into the living room.

"Tarty again, Princess," Lana said. "You're going to have to get better with your timing."

"Why?" Neo sat down at her crystal desk that Lana always formed when she came over. "I'm the princess. People should wait on me."

Lana's cheeks flushed. "I-I'm s-sorry, Princess." She bowed. "As always, you are correct."

"Relax, Lana," Neo said. "I was only teasing."

"I'm going to blame Shanks for her deviousness." Mira sighed and went back into the kitchen to help clean up.

Neo smiled. She liked the idea of obtaining something from her godfather.

"Let's get started." Lana reached into her bag and pulled out several worksheets. She placed one down in front of Neo along with a pencil. "We'll start with math."

Neo picked up the pencil and started on the worksheet. "Eleven times seven is seventy seven."

"See you later, Neo." Kailen kissed her head before heading for the door.

"Study hard, Kai!" Neo said.

"You too!" Kailen disappeared out the door with his bag over his shoulder.

The hours passed. The pirates came and went while her parents went off to work as Neo continued to work through the worksheets her tutor had brought her. Finally, lunchtime had come and her lessons were over.

"Thank you, Princess." Lana picked the papers up, put them in her bag, and headed for the door. "I'll review these later."

"Fine." Neo turned to find Shanks sitting on the couch. He had his eyes closed but opened them when she looked at him. So she had no idea if he was asleep or not. "Can we play now?"
"How about lunch first?" Shanks stood up. "You're probably hungry."

"I am." Neo headed for the kitchen. "What should we have?"

"How about some special foods that I brought with me?" Shanks walked over to the cabinets and open one up. He pushed some pans out of the way until he found what he was looking for.

"You brought other stuff?" Neo asked.

"A few things that your mother wouldn't approve of," Shanks said. He pulled out to reveal a bag in his hand. He carried it over to the table and poured the contents onto the table.

Neo's eyes lit up. He had brought her several types of chips and sweets that weren't made on Luminous. Summoning a wind crystal, she flew up to him and hugged him. "Godfather! You're the best!"

Shanks chuckled and wrapped his arms around her body. Sitting down with her in his lap, the two shared the junk food.

Neo picked up a sugary-coated bun and bit into it. The cream filling and chocolate cake poured onto her tongue. She hummed in delight at the unexpected treat. After eating a little under half of the bun, she moved on to the other sweets, breaking off small pieces to taste them until she couldn't stand any more sugar. She then summoned some fruits and vegetables to balance it out before gathering a few of the sweets for her friends and finally leaving the house.

"Let's fly!" Neo summoned a couple wind crystals. She lifted herself and Shanks into the air.

"Not too high now," Shanks said. "Your mother would skin me alive."

"I know," Neo said. "Can we go to the park?"
"If that's what you want," Shanks said.

"Some friends of mine should be there," Neo said.

"Then let's go," Shanks said.

Neo angled them to the right. They passed over the neighborhood until they reached the closest park. She lowered them down. Instantly the elementals noticed her. They started whispering to each other and bowing. "Please don't bow. We came here to play."

"This is so exciting."

"The princess came to play."

"Honey, be sure to be really nice to the princess. She could be your friend."

Neo ignored them. They always said things like that. Instead, she looked up at Shanks. "Will the other's come?"
"I'm sure they will," Shanks said. "They can never resist playing with you."

"Yeah!" Neo nodded. Lifting them back in the air, she sat them down on the slide. She screamed in joy as they slid down.

"Neo!"

Neo looked up when her name was called. A smile spread across her lips when she saw Poppy, Violet, and Lily running over to them. "You're here! You finally made it!"

"It's Lily's fault," Poppy said. "She refuses to keep her room clean. Ortiz wouldn't let her leave until she cleaned it up. And of course she made us wait for her."

"I…I didn't make you wait," Lily said twiddling her fingers.

"No, you just cried until we gave in to you," Poppy said, running her hand through her messy red hair. "You're such a crybaby. You didn't need us to walk with you to the park."

"I'm sorry." Lily hung her head.

"It's okay. You're here now," Neo said. She took the shy girl's hand. "Godfather brought some treats. I brought a few to share with you all. After that we can build a sandcastle."

"All right! Human junk food!" Poppy cheered.

"O-okay." Lily nodded and let Neo lead her over to the sandbox. She tucked her silvery blue hair behind her ear and sat down beside Neo.

"Here." Neo opened the bag with the snacks. "These are really good."

Lily reached in for a cookie and nibbled on it. "Thank you."

"I will never understand why sand was moved here." Poppy kicked off her shoes and sat down on the edge of the sandbox. "We are surrounding with beaches. Oh, and Lily, don't blow the sand around with your winds this time." She grabbed a cream puff and took a big bite. The cake pieces and a little cream spread over her face, making it look like she had more colorful freckles. "I don't want to eat sand."

"I…I won't," Lily said.

"Not everyone can go to the beach, Poppy," Violet said. Tucking her dress under her legs, she sat down with her fire friend and placed her purse in her lap before grabbing a piece of chocolate from the pile. "This is a good contained area for kids."

"We're not kids," Poppy said. "We should be able to go to the beach if we want."

"You know we can't go there without an older kid or an adult with us," Violet said.

"You're such a goodie goodie," Poppy said. "You should be more adventurous. Right, Shanks?"

"Well, for pirates adventurous is natural," Shanks said. "But kids need boundaries."

"Then lets be pirates and go to the beach," Poppy said.

"Maybe tomorrow," Shanks said. "I don't want Ortiz thinking something happened to you if he comes to find you and you're not here where you're suppose to be."

"You are being such a hypocrite," Poppy said.

"I'm being realistic," Shanks said. "And you would be to if you had to face Mira's wrath from doing something she would disapprove of. I'm already pushing it by allowing Neo to eat so much junk."

"Then you're a coward," Poppy said.

"Stop it! Godfather is not a coward!" Neo said. She jumped up and spread her arms out wide. "He's brave! He's the strongest pirate in the world!"

"I wouldn't go that far," Shanks said.

"But you are!" Neo turned to him.

"Okay, okay. I'm glad to have your support," Shanks said. "We came here to play not to argue."

The girls then settled down and started playing in the sand after eating the rest of the junk food. Neo used her water crystals when they needed more water to mold their sand. Violet used her earth crystals to shape the sand since she didn't want to get dirty while the rest of the girls and Shanks used their hands. Suddenly, someone grabbed Neo's pigtail and jerked her backward. "Hey! That hurt!"

"Good! You're such a baby!"

Neo turned to fine a boy they often ran into when at the park. "Brazen, you're mean."

"And you're a spoiled brat, Princess," Brazen said.

"Get lost, bubble butt!" Poppy snapped. "Or else!"

"Or what?" Brazen shot back. He summoned his fire crystals and lit them with a small flame. "I'm stronger than you!"

"You are not! And I'll toast you to prove it!" Poppy summoned her own fire crystals.

"Yes, because violence is the solution to this problem," Violet said.

"He started it," Poppy said.

"Did not!" Brazen said.

"Did too!" Poppy said.

"Did not!"

"Too!"

"Not!"

"Too!"

Lily squeaked from the fighting and ran behind Shanks. "Make it stop."

"Neo, snap a vine at his leg then quickly banish your crystal," Shanks whispered.

Neo did as she was told. She snapped out the vine, turning the Brazen's skin red.

The boy wailed out. "She hit me! She hit me! The princess hit me!"

"And you called Neo a baby." Poppy smirked.

"The princess hit me with a vine!" Brazen said. "I'm going to tell!"

"Just shut up!" Poppy said. "You brought it on yourself!"

"She's mean! And I'm going to tell!" The boy ran off.

Shanks snickered. "That's my girl."

Neo smiled.

"That was very inappropriate."

Neo and Shanks jumped when Atlas spoke. They turned to the man, finding his son was with him. Though the younger man was clearly amused at the situation while the older man's eyes were glaring at the pirate. His grip on his staff was turning his knuckles white.

"There's nothing wrong with her sticking up for herself," Shanks said. "Besides, he shouldn't have pulled her hair."

"And you shouldn't teach our princess to seek revenge," Atlas. "Princess, return to the castle at once."

"No," Neo said. She grabbed onto Shanks' arm. "I'm staying with Godfather."

Atlas frowned. "Then you leave me no choice. I will be informing your parents about this."

"Go ahead," Neo said. "They won't mind."

"Fine." Atlas spun around, his robe twirling at his feet, and walked away.

"Sorry," Tao said. "You know how he can be."

"The old fart needs to retire," Shanks said. "That boy's lucky all he got was a vine on the leg."

"I agree. But try and behave from this point on," Tao said. He bent down and placed his hand on Neo's head. "Please don't snap anyone anymore with your vines."

"Okay. I'll try," Neo said.

"That's a good girl." Tao ruffled her bangs and took off after his dad.

"Atlas is so boring," Poppy said.

"And his son is so cute!" Violet squealed.

"I swear you get more and more boy crazy everyday," Poppy said.

"I can't help it," Violet said with a dreamy smile.

"Feeling better, Lily?" Neo held out her hand to her friend.

Wiping her tears away, Lily took her hand and stepped out from behind Shanks.

"So this is where you two went," Benn said walking over to them. "And getting into trouble I see. You're a bad influence on her, Captain."

Shanks smirked. "I have to teach my goddaughter to handle herself."

"Lousy excuse," Benn said.

"Uncle Benn!" Neo cheered. She ran over to his open arms. She squealed happily as he flew her around in the air. "Yeah!"

"I'll never understand why she likes that so much when she has her wind crystals and her wings," Poppy said.

"It's the bonding between her and her uncle," Violet said.

"I think it's sweet," Lily said.

A week later, the pirates, Neo, and her family were all gathered at the docks to say their goodbyes once more, as it was time for the pirates to go.

"But I don't want you to go!" Neo clung to Shanks' leg. Warm tears streamed down her cheeks. "You stay away far too long! Please stay!"

"I'm sorry, Neo." Shanks placed his hand on her head. "We have to go now. The sea is calling for us. And we did stay a week longer than we planned."

"I know." Neo sniffled. "But it's never long enough."

"Maybe one day we can spend a lot longer time here with you," Shanks said.

"Really?" Neo lifted her eyes to him.

Shanks knelt down to her height. "Neo, we won't be sailing the sea for eternity. The human body grows old after a while. Maybe, when that time comes, we can retire here. Then we can spend the rest of our days with you."

"You would do that?" Neo asked.

"Of course we will," Shanks said and his crew nodded.

"But you will come back before then, right?" Neo asked.

"You know we will," Shanks said. "We'll come back as often as we can. And we'll definitely be back for your coronation. Love you as big as the sea."

"Love you as big as the sea and sky," Neo replied.

"That's my girl." Shanks wrapped his arms around her.

More tears came to her eyes. Saying goodbye to the crew was always hard. Reluctantly, she had to release him. She took her mom and dad's hands when they stepped up beside her. They watched the ship sail out of sight.

Rylan then picked her up.

Neo's eyes remained out at the sea as her dad carried her home.

…

Neo rocked back on her heels. Boredom plagued her as she listened to Atlas give a speech on the dedication of the new park. One of the elemental elite had passed away last week. It was apparently his dream to donate new parks for to the orphanages. Like they didn't have enough parks as it was. But these parks were different. The man had made some drawings of design the park equipment to be in the shape of animals. The parks had recently been completed so they were going through the ceremonies and dedication of them. All day she had been pulled around the island for these dedications. This was the last one. It couldn't end fast enough. She figured the day would end before the ceremonies did. The sun was already below the trees.

Her mind was on the sleepover she was having with her friends at the castle. They were all ready for it and none more so than she was. Her feet and legs were starting to ache from all the standing. She wanted to kick her shoes off and run barefooted for a while. But it wasn't proper for her to do that at these ceremonies. Still she was on the verge of doing it anyway. If it weren't for Atlas finally reaching the end of his boring speech she would have done just that.

"And now the princess will cut the ribbon," Atlas said.

Neo stepped up to the ribbon. It took everything she had to not rip the ribbon in half with her hands. Instead she plucked the scissors from the purple pillow a young boy was holding and cut the ribbon, everyone cheered. The placed the scissors back down and took off into the air with her wings.

"Princess Neo!" Atlas called to her. "Come back here! We're not done!"

"Yes, we are," Neo replied. "All that's left is people looking at the park. And I've seen them ten times already!"

Atlas said more but she didn't stick around to hear what he said. She flew straight for the castle. The guards opened the doors for her. She flew it and right to her room where her friends were waiting for her. All three were sitting on her bed with games, magazines and a few books scattered around them.

"Finally!" Poppy said. "You're here!"

"Sorry," Neo said. "Those ceremonies seem to get longer and longer."

"It's all right," Violet said flipping through a magazine.

Neo went into her bathroom to change into her pajamas.

"We know you have to go to them," Violet continued.

"I don't see why you had to go to all of them," Poppy said. "You must have been extremely bored."

"I was." Neo stepped out of the bathroom, pulling her hair out of her shirt. "It was all the exact same from park to park. I did skip out a bit earlier on this last one."

"I'm sure Atlas loved that," Poppy said.

"You…you're not going to get into trouble are you?" Lily asked.

"Of course not," Neo said. "Now let's have some fun."

…

"We should totally have more sleepovers here!" Poppy said running down the long hall with the other three girls following. "Or you should throw more parties!"

"Slow down, Poppy," Lily said.

Neo slowed down. She waited for the slower Lily to catch up with them.

"Neo, if you keep babying her like that she's never going to grow up," Poppy said.

"I'm not babying her," Neo said. "She's just not as fast as we are. There's nothing wrong with that."

"Lay off, Pop," Violet said. "You know Lily's sensitive."

"Yeah. I know, I know," Poppy said. "Let's get something to eat. Do we have any junk food?"

"In the castle? Have you lost it?" Violet asked. "You know junk food isn't allowed here."

"You never know," Poppy said.

"Well, Shanks did send some stuff for me," Neo said. Summoning a wind crystal, she lifted them all into the air. Lily squeaked and held tight onto Neo's arm. "Topaz has been hiding it for me. Let's go see if she's still here."

Neo flew them down the stairs, startling some maids, before entering into the dinning room and then the kitchen.

"She's here! Topaz!" Poppy called out when they spotted their friend drying dishes.

"Good evening, girls," Topaz said turning to them. "What can I do for you?"

"We want junk food!" Poppy said.

"What she means is, do you still have the stuff that Godfather sent me?" Neo asked.

"Indeed I do." Topaz placed the plate down and walked over to one of the pantries. The girls followed her into it. She pushed back a panel, revealing a secret compartment, and pulled out an armful of snacks.

"Yes!" Poppy grabbed some of the snacks from her. "This is great! Chocolate crunchies!"

"Is…is there some sodas?" Lily asked.

"There sure are," Topaz said. "Shall I carry them to your room, Princess?"

"That's not necessary." Neo gathered the items in her winds. "Hey! Topaz! Come join us!"

"Sorry, Princess, I have my duties to preform," Topaz said.

"Oh, come on," Neo said. "No one will care. I want you to join us." She looked back to the kitchen. "You were only doing dishes right?"

"That I am." Topaz nodded.

Neo stepped out into the kitchen. Using her crystals she finished the dishes for Topaz and put them up. "Now you can come. Right?" She pouched out her lips. "Please?!"

"Oh, how could I possible say no to a face like that?" Topaz said. "All right. I'll come spend time with you." The girls left the kitchen by Neo's winds. "Have you asked Medina and Lyra?"

"No," Neo said.

"They're boring sticks in the mud," Poppy said.

"You don't have to be so rude," Violet said.

"It's the truth," Poppy said tossing a chocolate crunchy in her mouth.

"They're too strict," Neo said. "You're more easy going even though you still call me princess."

"I see," Topaz said.

Neo placed them all down on her large rounded bed.

Topaz pulled off her shoes and placed them down on the first step. The girls then indulged in eat junk food and talking about anything and everything that popped into their heads. Topaz spent a lot of time putting braids in the girls' hair, but for Poppy's since it was too short, while they tried to pull castle gossip from her.

"So have you ever kissed a boy, Topaz?" Poppy asked. "There have been plenty of guys who've noticed you."

"No, I have not," Topaz said.

"What?! But you're so old!" Poppy said.

"Poppy!" Violet elbowed her.

"It's all right, Violet," Topaz said. "Sometimes it can be years before a girl gets her first kiss from a boy."

"Not me," Poppy said. "I'm never going to let a boy kiss me. They're gross. And they smell."

"I'm going to get my kiss when I turn thirteen," Violet said. "Then I will get married at eighteen. And have my first child at twenty one."

"Ugh. Why are you planning all that out? We're only eleven years old," Poppy said.

"I like planning," Violet said.

"Fine. What about you, Lily? When do you want your first kiss?" Poppy asked.

"I…I don't know," Lily said. "Not for a while yet."

"Just don't push the kissing. It will come when it's time," Topaz said. "And never let a boy pressure you into doing something you're not comfortable with."

"Right," the girls said.

"What about you, Neo?" Poppy asked.

"Oh, I don't know," Neo said. "I'm not sure I'll ever be kissed."

"Why would you think that?" Topaz asked.

"Because I'm a royal," Neo said. "Everyone is always treating me like a royal."

"Well, you are one," Violet said.

"I know. But I can't really get to know anyone if they don't treat me like a normal elemental," Neo said.

"Must be so hard on you," Violet said.

"Maybe." Neo smiled. "But I do have you all."

"Of course you do!" Violet threw her arms around Neo.

"Yeah!" Poppy joined.

Lily then joined in the hug. "And you'll always have us."

"Same with me," Topaz said.

The girls stayed up for a few more hours chatting and playing games before they crashed from all the sugar they ate. Topaz stepped into Neo's bathroom and gathered up some blankets for them. She then placed them over the sleeping girls and left the room.

Neo shifted closer to Lily. The two girls cuddled up next to each other and slept peacefully in each other's warmth.

…

Neo stood quietly waiting for the owner of the new ward to finish talking about how this place was going to help the growing population of elementals. It had been almost an hour since this ceremony started. And she was growing rather bored and tired of standing around like she always did. She found these ceremonies overly ridiculous the more she had to do them. There was no point in her actually being here. A ribbon didn't have to be cut for a building opening. Yet here she was. Standing like the pretty little royal she was born to be. She ran her eyes over the ground. Just about everyone was there. But they came for her not the new building.

And down in the front was here friends and brother. Poppy was making fun of the man speaking by blabbing her lips and moving her fingers in an imitation of a mouth. She had to bite back her giggle. Poppy was one girl who could easily relate to her boredom with these events. Her eyes roamed to Violet. The young girl was blossoming into a beautiful young woman with plenty of curves to spare. And she always had a boyfriend these days. Her newest one had his arm around her shoulders. He was whispering something in her ear that made her giggle. Neo envied her. She wanted to be down there with her friends instead of up here.

"Focus, Princess," Atlas said. "You're here to do a job. Not watch the crowd."

"I know," Neo said. Atlas was always with her for these events yet never seemed to be around much any other time. Though she wasn't exactly sure why he was here. He did nothing but stand there. He never even said a word at these ceremonies like this one. Shift on her feet, she sighed and smooth down her white dress out of boredom. A couple birds landed on her shoulders. But before she could enjoy their company, Atlas shooed them away. Finally, the man was winding down his speech.

"And now, Princess Neo," he said. "If you would do the honors of cutting the ribbon."

"It would be my pleasure." Neo stepped up to the red ribbon. A young boy carrying a purple pillow stepped up to her. She took the scissors from the pillow and cut the ribbon. The crowd cheered. She placed the scissors back on the pillow and faced the ground. More cheering happened and she shared a few words with the speaker before she was finally able to slip away from the area. Lifting her friends and brother in the air with her wind crystal, she flew them towards the castle.

"Well, that was fun," Poppy said with a roll of her eyes. "I'll never get that hour back."

"They why do you even go to these things?" Violet asked.

"To support Neo," Poppy said. "Duh! Someone's got to keep her from dying of boredom while she stands up there like a statue."

Neo giggled, her bells ran out in the air. "And I'm very glad for that. You make those boring ceremonies a bit exciting."

"Next time I'll save you completely by starting a fire," Poppy said as they landed.

"Don't you dare!" Violet said.

"Just go off with your boyfriend and suck face," Poppy said.

"Sounds good to me." Violet smiled at her boyfriend. He smiled back and they took off for the forest.

"How much you want to be they're having sex?" Poppy asked.

"P-Poppy! It's not our place to make assumptions," Lily said her cheeks flushing red.

"I don't think Violet's the type," Kailen said.

"Then you'd be wrong," Poppy said as they entered into the castle and headed to Neo's room. "You should hear the way she talks about boys and their bodes. She knows things a fifteen year old shouldn't. She's not even studying to be a healer."

"I think we've talked about her enough," Kailen said.

Neo stepped into her bathroom where her two maids, Lyra and Medina, were waiting. She held out her arms so they could undo her dress. Stepping out of the white fabric, she took her shorts and shirt from Medina and pulled them on. Sitting down at the vanity she waited as Lyra pulled the pins out of her hair, allowing her curls fall down around her shoulders. Her hair was curlier thanks to the curls they had put in for the ceremony. She would have to wash them out later. Now she just wanted to spent time with her friends. So she ran out of the bathroom before her maids could do anything else to her. They protested with heavy sighs. She smiled. They were finally learning if she didn't want to do something she wasn't going to do it. "I'm ready!"

"Let's go then," Poppy said.

"What are we going to do?" Lily asked as they left the room.

"Go home," Neo said. "Daddy's going to be bring some sweet rolls home tonight for us."

"I love his sweet rolls," Kailen said.

"We all do." Neo linked her arm with his. Stepping outside they noticed a wind elemental boy appeared to be waiting on them. She took a closer look and noticed she had seen him several times before. "Isn't that Lane?"

"Lane? The guy whose mom's a fashion designer?" Poppy asked. "Why would he be here?"

Lane pushed off the railing and walked over to them. He smiled.

Neo couldn't help but notice his smile was perfect. "Hello."

"Uh, hi. I, um, I mean, hello, Princess." Lane bowed.

"It's okay. You don't have to bow," Neo said. "Did you need something?"
"No. Yes. Sort of," Lane said standing up.

"Either you do or you don't," Poppy said. "Spit it out."

"Princess Neo, would you do me the honor of going on a date with me?!" Lane said as if Poppy's words really made him do it.

"You want to go on a date?" Neo asked feeling Kailen tensing up beside her.

"I do." Lane nodded. "That is if you want to."

"Uh, well…" Neo didn't know what to say. This was the first time a boy had asked her such a question. Before now all they would do is stand off to the side and watch her. Sometimes she would hear them whisper about how cute they thought she was but they never came closer. She glanced up when she heard Kailen growled. Or maybe it wasn't her royal status. Maybe her brother was intimidating them. They were together a lot. And it wasn't a secret of how protective he was of her.

"And what makes you think you're worthy of dating her?" Kailen asked.

"Uh." Lane's face turned pale.

"Relax, Lane," Neo said. "He's only messing with you."

"You don't have to answer right now, Princess," Lane said. "I'm sorry for even asking. You're probably busy. I'll just go."

"Wait," Neo said before he could leave. "Give me time to think about it. I'll send you a message when I've decided."

Lane smiled and nodded before running off.

"You're not seriously thinking of going out with him are you?" Kailen asked.

"I don't know." Neo lifted them into the air. She pondered both questions while heading home. Entering the house she sat down on the couch.

"He is cute," Lily said sitting down beside.

"Oh yeah," Poppy said sitting down on the chair across from them. "That's good reason to go out with someone."

"What do you want to do, Neo?" Kailen asked sitting on Neo's free side.

"I don't know," Neo said. "Maybe? I mean I'm fifteen now. But this is the first time a guy has actually asked me."

"They're just scared of you," Poppy said. "Or maybe they're more scare of showing how lame they are while being around you."

"Guys are just shy when it comes to girls they like," Kailen said. "Most will act the idiot to try and impress a girl. If you don't feel like going out with him then don't."

"I guess I'll have to think about it more," Neo said. "It might be nice to go out on a date."

"You could always double with someone," Lily said. "That way you won't be alone."

"Well, I won't be alone anyway," Neo said. "All of the elementals will be watching. And you know a guard or two will be following me."

"I say you don't go," Kailen grumbled.

"Of course you do." Neo pushed off her shoes and snuggled into his side.

…

Neo stared at herself. She had actually decided to go on a date with Lane. And like she knew, everyone knew about it. She had no idea who told. It could have been Lane or his family. She didn't know much about him until Atlas insisted she be informed of his family. Now she knew more than she thought she should. Lane's mom was indeed a fashion designer; she was responsible for the majority of the clothes on the island. His dad chose to stay home with the kids and do wood carvings. Lane was the third child of an older brother and an older sister, he loves green vegetables and dislikes orange ones, his favorite animal are birds, his favorite color is green, he's an A student, and wants to be a fashion designer like his mom. With all that information she had no idea what they were going to talk about on their date. Everyone on the island already knew everything she liked and disliked. Perhaps she shouldn't have agreed to this. At the very least she knew next time to cut Atlas off before he informed her of every little detail.

"Neo?" Mira said while knocking on the door. "You ready? Lane's here."

"I guess so." Neo smoothed out her dark blue dress knowing if she was at the castle they would have her wearing white. She was growing so sick of white. She opened the door and stepped out.

"Oh, you look so beautiful," Mira said, a tear in her eye. "I can't believe how much you've grown."

"Thanks, Mom," Neo said. "So has Dad and Kai grilled him to death yet?"

"No, but you should get down there. I'm sure he's very uncomfortable," Mira said.

Neo nodded. She headed for the stairs with her mom close behind. Reaching them she found Lane sitting stiffly in a chair while her dad and brother sat on the couch with their eyes locked onto them like he was their prey, which he was. Tao, who was standing near the door and her guard for the night, was also giving Lane a harsh look. "Sorry for taking so long."

"It's okay." Lane stood up. "You look very nice."

"Thank you. So do you." Neo eyed his white shirt and pants. She was glad it wasn't going to be a strictly formal date. She was tired of strict formal.

"Sh-shall we go." Lane gestured to the door with a shaky hand.

Neo nodded. She wrinkled her nose at her dad and brother for their glares before following Lane out the door. Tao followed them in silence, keeping a respectable distance as he informed her earlier that day that he would. They walked along the neighborhood in silence. She could feel Lane's element quivering nervously while the neighbors peaked out their windows or stepped outside. Most were cooing their excitement. Their expressions said it all. She didn't even have to hear their words. She knew if they could they would take pictures of this. Luckily there weren't any transponder snails fitting for the job on their island.

After several long and silent minutes of walking, Lane opened the door to the restaurant they were going to be eating at. Stepping inside Neo could instantly see this was where the higher classes of the elementals ate. The spices in the room smelled great. Her stomach rumbled. Everyone paused to look as them as a waiter escorted them to their table. Which she couldn't help but noticed was in the center of the room where everyone could see her. She sat down; the white tablecloth brushed her knees. Her eyes went to the flowers in the middle of the table. They were cut short enough so she could see Lane easily. But she also noticed their table was the only one with flowers.

"Order whatever you want, Princess," Lane said picking up his menu. "My uncle owns this place. So we can get whatever."

"That's nice of him," Neo said.

"He wanted to do this for our royal," Lane said.

Neo nodded. A minor touch of disappointment settled into her stomach. She tried not to let it get to her. She knew it would happen. Elementals were always giving her free stuff even when she asked them not to.

"What would the princess and her date like to drink?" the waiter asked.

"Sweet tea," Neo said looking at her menu.

"Same," Lane said.

"Very well. I will get that right to you." The waiter walked off. And like he said he was back within a minute. He placed their drinks on the table. "Would you like a few more minutes to decide what you would like to eat?"

"I'm ready," Neo said.

"Very well." The waiter lifted his pencil.

"I'll have the fruit salad," Neo said.

"Same," Lane said.

Neo looked at him, wondering if it was just a coincident he ordered both the same drink and meal.

"It will be only a moment, Princess," the waiter said. He picked up their menus and walked off.

Neo waited for Lane to say something. When he didn't she asked, "So what are your siblings like?"

"Like any other, Princess." Lane shrugged, his eyes locked onto the table.

"Oh," Neo said. "Do you get along with them well?"
"I dunno, Princess." Lane shrugged again.

Neo mentally sighed. Clearly he wasn't one for conversation. She turned her eyes to the restaurant. Chandeliers were hanging all over the room. Several landscapes painting were hanging on the walls. It was boring. Her eye caught movement in the corner of the room. Despite the number of elementals in the room she could easily guess who was hiding in the darkness of the corner.

"Here you go. Sorry for the wait," the waiter said placing their plates down on the table.

"Thank you," Neo said. She picked up her fork and started eating. Part of her wished Lane would say something but the other part of her was fine that he didn't.

"Let's go for a walk, Princess." Lane said after they had finished eating.

"Sure," Neo said. She stood up and followed him towards the door. "Where would you like to go?"
"I don't know, Princess," Lane said as they exited the building.

"You don't have to call me princess all the time. You can call me by my name," Neo said.

"I can't do that, Princess," Lane said. "My mom would skin me alive."

"How about we go through the forest and down to the beach?" Neo suggested while forcing back a sigh. "We could be alone there." A smile threatened to take over her lips when the bushes rustled angrily behind them. She forced herself not to look back. She would alert them if she did. And that would ruin the fun, the only fun she was having on this date. "No one should be there."

"If that's what you want," Lane said. "You're the princess."

Neo frowned. She marched towards the woods. Her temple twitched in frustration on how he wasn't even trying to get to know her or trying to make a decision. She might be the princess but that didn't mean she had to always make the decisions.

The lingering spices of the restaurant faded away to the smells of the forest upon stepping into it. She summoned a couple fire crystals to give them light through the darkness. A couple animals scurried out to greet them at that point. A bird landed on her right shoulder while a squirrel scampered to her left shoulder. Two bunnies and a fox walked along side her feet. No one said a word as they broke through the forest and walked out onto the sand. She banished her fire crystals, letting the moonlight fall down on them. The animals scurried off to their homes.

Neo breathed in the salty air, her mind jumping to her godfather's ship. She wondered where they were at the moment. An ache appeared in her chest. It had been three years since she's seen them. She hoped they would come for a visit soon.

Lane bent down. Picking up a rock some kids probably piled up and left behind; he threw it out into the water. "Sorry I'm not that much fun, Princess. I don't really care for people watching me all of the time."

"I don't care much for it either," Neo said.

Lane laughed. "I couldn't tell. You seem so relaxed in front of everyone."

"I might have gotten use to it, but that doesn't mean I enjoy it," Neo said offended. She drew in a deep breath. There was no point in feeling offended by his comment.

"The date was really my mom's idea," Lane said. "I actually like someone else. But my mom doesn't approve of her."

Okay, Neo thought. It was perfectly okay to be offended. "Well, if you didn't want to go out with me then you shouldn't have asked."

"As I said, it was my mom's idea," Lane said tossing another rock into the sea.

Tears pricked Neo's eyes. Her hands curled into fists. This guy didn't even have the decency to keep that fact to himself. The wind picked up on her fury and blew her hair over her shoulders. Summoning a water crystal, she pulled a wave onto the beach.

"Princess, don't!" Tao shouted out. But it was too late. The wave landed on Lane, pulling him out into the water.

Neo spun on her heels as Lane broke the surface couching and spitting out water. She stomped towards the forest.

"Hey! What was that for?!" Lane demanded.

Neo spun around and glared at him through the moonlight. "Grow a back bone, you coward! Don't let mommy make your decisions for you!" She turned back around in time to see her dad and Kailen running towards her, both obviously angry with Lane despite not knowing why she threw him into the sea. Before they could say a single word, she took off into the air, heading for home.

"Neo, wait!" Kailen called.

But she didn't. She flew straight home, refusing to let her tears fall. Slamming the door behind her, she marched up the stairs, unaware of having startling her mom who was reading on the couch.

"Neo?" Mira called.

Neo didn't stop. She rushed to her room, ripped off her dress, kicked off her shoes, put on her favorite pair of pajamas, and curled up on the bay window seat.

"Want to talk about it?" Mira asked from the door.

"It doesn't matter. I knew it wouldn't work out," Neo said.

"It could have," Mira said.

Neo turned to her mom. "He only asked me out because his mom wanted him to."

"I'm sorry." Mira walked over and sat down across from her. "Some people are just like that. I'm sure a guy will ask you out one day because he likes you."

"Poppy's right. They're all cowards," Neo said. "Not a single boy here has the decency to call me by my name."

"One will someday," Mira said.

"Why are guys such idiots?" Neo asked. More tears gathered in her eyes. Her heart throbbed in an unfamiliar pain. Realization crept upon her brain. She didn't want this anymore. She didn't want to be a royal. She wanted to be normal. Her heart clenched. The tears fell over her eyelids. "I don't want this anymore. I want to be a normal girl who can go out with her friends and not have everyone stare at her or give her gifts."

"I'm sorry, Neo." Mira pulled her into her arms.

Neo welcomed the warm embrace. She cried into her mother's chest until no more tears came.

"How about I take you and the girls out for a day at the beach?" Mira pulled back and wiped Neo's tears away. "Just the five of us. I can have the guards set up around us so no one will bother us."

"Could we?" Neo looked at her mom.

Mira nodded.

"I'd like that," Neo said.

"That's my girl," Mira said hugging her again.

"You do know that Dad and Kailen followed me," Neo said sitting back up.

"I do," Mira said. "They followed you right after they left. They're probably giving Lane the talking of a lifetime. So we'll have plenty of time alone until they get back."

Neo nodded. "Good. I love them, but I don't really feel like being around any guys right now."

…

"That jerk! That creep!" Poppy stomped around on the sand.

Neo stretched out on her towel under the warm sun as her friend ranted. She figured Poppy was actually stomping on Lane's head not the sand. Her heart flared up with joy. If she weren't enjoying the sun so much she would have joined Poppy.

"Are you going to do nothing but stomp around?" Violet asked while adjusting her bikini strap. "You're wearing me out."

"Yes! I am!" Poppy said. "That jerk is lucky I don't go stomp on his head!"

"Well, that's a lot less than what Kai wanted to do to him," Neo said.

"Dare we ask?" Violet rolled over onto her back.

"He wanted to pull Lane to his healer lessons and use him as a test subject," Neo said.

"That doesn't sound so bad," Lily said.

"They're studying advance anatomy, Lil," Neo said.

Lily's face paled. "You mean he…"

"That's right." Neo nodded. "Kailen was going to skin Lane."

"I might join him," Poppy said plopping down on her towel.

Neo glanced over at her mother. Like always, Mira was engulfed in her book that she had propped up on her knees, unaware of the conversation. It didn't matter though. Her mom heard all about it already.

"Well, he better not ever come around you again," Poppy said.

"I don't think you have to worry," Neo said. "I'm pretty sure his trip into the sea cured him of that."

"Think you'll try dating again?" Lily asked.

Neo didn't answer. Uncertainty bounced around in her head as she stared out at the horizon. It seemed impossible to find someone like that here. The only thing she knew was she didn't want to date a guy who did nothing but call her princess and treated her like one. But what kind of guy would that be?

Sarge1130: I'm not sure how Neo will be. She might be a mix of both parents. I was hoping to get Tao in there more. Would like to have more of Atlas but he's off doing other things. Thanks for reading and reviewing.