Even In Fairytales:
Chapter X:
The child looked at the cufflink curiously, wondering what it could be. He examined it for a few more minutes before looking around to see where it had come from. Marik glanced over at Raphael, who just stood there, before taking a few steps forward to the child. It was time to put on his 'cute doggy' act.
He wagged his tail in an excited fashion as he approached the boy. The boy giggled as he came closer. "Hi Doggy." The boy greeted as he gave Marik a pat on the head. The wolf looked between the boy and the cufflinks, panting excitedly. He was hoping that the boy would understand. "Is this yours Doggy?"
Marik nodded and waited for the boy to respond. "Well, alright. Here you go." Right as he took the cufflink in his mouth, out of the corner of his eye he saw Ryou coming from one way and Yuugi and Yami coming from another. Looking over his shoulder he saw that Raphael had vanished.
"Looks like we should go tell the duke that we got it back." Ryou said as Marik placed the cufflinks in the palm of his hand.
"Where's Anzu?" Yuugi asked when he noticed the Ryou's basket was empty.
"Oh, I ran into her mother on the way back so I just returned her." Ryou answered. "Why is he carrying you?"
"I fell and my ankle was injured." He responded, not really wanting to get into the full details.
Before another word could be spoken between them the duke came running up. "Oh, thank the gods above. You got them back." He said as he took them from Ryou. "I'd like to personal invite the four of you to the palace so I can tell the prince himself of your good deed."
He turned to the footman and handed him back the cufflink. "You know what to do."
The footman just nodded as the carriage picked up and drove off.
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'What?' The dwarf thought as he peered from behind a corner watching them. 'They…they got the cufflinks back? Well, there goes that idea. I guess it's time I came up with a plan of my own.'
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"Wow." Both Ryou and Yuugi said in awe as they looked around the palace foyer. Hanging down from the ceiling was a waterfall of crystals flowing out into a ring candles. Off to both sides were carpeted stairs leading up to the unseen second floor. In front of them were two large wooden oak doors that lead to the throne room. They had arrived at the palace only a few moments before. Marik had once again become human as soon they had passed the palace gates.
As they looked around the duke ordered a servant to show both Yami and Yuugi where the healer was so they could look at Yuugi's foot.
The healer had informed him that his ankle had not been sprained, just bruised, and that he could walk on it with proper bandaging. So, with a bandaged foot they walked back down to greet everyone.
Right as they met the two of them the duke came in from the throne room. "His highness will see you now."
No one said a word as they followed the duke into the throne room. As they approached the dais the prince turned to face them. As he did they all swept down into a bow. "Your highness." They chorused.
"Please rise." Otogi told them.
As they rose up from the bow, Otogi looked each of them over and when his eyes landed on Yami they widened. Otogi's mouth opened, and then closed before opening again. Finally he found words to speak. "Yami? Is that you?" He asked.
It was at that moment Yami wished that he could've turned back into a frog. He gave Otogi a half smile. "Yes, it's me."
Otogi's expression then changed from shocked to angry. "What the hell is wrong with you?" He asked, his voice rose. He didn't give Yami a chance to answer before we went on. "You're the high prince; you can't just disappear like that."
"And the cat's out of the bag." Marik muttered.
Ryou's eyes widened. "YOU'RE the high prince?"
"The high prince?" Yuugi echoed softly.
An awkward silence filled the throne room. Yami glared at Otogi; Otogi, Ryou, and Yuugi all stared at Yami; and Marik looked at everyone with a huge grin spread across his face. Yuugi was the first to break the silence. "What's going on?"
"That's what I'd like to know." Otogi responded.
"Oh! This is great. Where's the popcorn when you need it?" Marik said.
Ryou gave Marik a funny look. "What's popcorn?"
He froze before coming to a realization that he didn't know what that was either. "I…do…not…know."
Before anything else could be said the door to the throne room opened and the footman entered followed by a young man with brunette hair. Everyone's gaze moved from the footman onto the young man standing behind him. "You highness-" The footman began.
"I know." Otogi cut him off as he brushed by everyone else. "You're the one, I just know it. What's your name? "
"Honda, you're highness." He answered keeping his eyes on the ground.
"Honda," Otogi repeated, enjoying the way his name rolled off his tongue. He placed his hand under the other man's chin and raised his head so they were making eye contact. "I know this is sudden, but I feel like I've known you forever. That's why I want to ask you this, will you marry me?"
Honda gave him a wide smile. "Yes. Of course, your high-"
"Please, call me Otogi."
"Yes," He paused for a brief moment. "Yes, Otogi, I will marry you."
"Aww." Both Yuugi and Ryou cooed. Marik made a gagging sound and Yami let out a sigh of relief that all of the attention had been shifted off him for the time being.
Otogi turned and looked at the group. He hadn't forgotten the anger he felt towards Yami for him just disappearing like that, but at the moment that didn't matter. "Seeing as you're not only friends with the high prince, but have done a wonderful deed for Honda and myself I invite you all to stay as long as you'd like."
Yami gave him a nod. "Thank you, Otogi. That is most kind of you."
The dark haired prince motioned to a guard standing along the side. "I want you to find a servant that can escort them to their rooms."
"Yes sire."
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Yuugi was curled up on the bed in the room he was staying in, trying to process the information that he had just received. And that came with a few questions.
Why had Yami not tell him who he was? Did he not trust him? None of which he could answer expect for one; how did he feel about Yami?
He rolled onto his back and looked up at the ceiling. "Well, I dislike the fact that he didn't tell who he was. I guess he has his reasons. I mean I've kept something from him as well. I didn't tell him I had kissed him back when he was a frog."
He sat up when he heard a knock to the door. "Who is it?" He called.
The door opened and Yami poked his head in the room. "It's me, can I talk to you?"
"I guess." He took the invite and stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him. He walked over to the bed and sat down next to Yuugi. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Yuugi, there is a reason why I didn't tell you who I really was. Before you do or say anything else can you hear what I have to say?"
"I'm listing."
Yami took in a breath and began to tell Yuugi everything. "The first monarchs of Alore were horrible people. I can't even begin to explain how bad they were. In fact, when they were ruling is when the prophecy was foretold. When their line ended my great, great, great grandfather took the throne and divided the people among the court to rule over the land that they were given. And the high king ruled above them all. For doing this he became known as a ruler of a new dynasty and a kind hearted ruler. From then on everyone in my family tried to follow in his footsteps. Well, everyone except for me of course."
"What do you mean?"
"My mother died in childbirth leaving my father to take care of me. He tried his very best because I was all he had left of her, even if that meant spoiling me. I always got my way and threw a fit when I didn't. I was conceited and arrogant. I always looked down upon others, though my grandfather tried his best to change that about me. And looking back I feel very foolish for the way I acted. I didn't tell you or Ryou because I wanted a fresh start with new people who had no idea who I really was or acted like. It's just I naturally thought I was better than they were because I had more power than they ever would have. And that's not what my family is about. They are all about being modest, kind, and generous."
"And that's why you were turned into a frog?"
"Yes, on my way back home after visiting Otogi the carriage was stopped by a fairy godmother by the name of Serenity. As her name suggests she is very peaceful and kindhearted and she doesn't take kindly to people acting the way I had been. She told me that I needed take a good hard look at myself and the only way to do that was to turn me into something that was as ugly as I was on the inside."
"Did she tell you how'd you get turned back into a human?"
"Yes, yes she did. She told me that I'd become human when I was kissed by...." He stopped there, debating on whether or not to finish the sentence.
"Kissed by whom?" Yuugi asked softly.
He changed his gaze from Yuugi to stone floor. "Kissed by my soul mate."
Yuugi's breath caught in his throat. 'I…I was the one that turned him back. Does that mean...I guess it's now or never. I knew I would have to tell him sometime.' Taking in a deep breath he looked at Yami. "Yami, I...I..." He began before a finger was pressed to his lips.
"I know, you told me that you didn't know anything or see anything that night. I believe you."
"What?" He whispered. Yami believed him? He bit his lower lip trying to think. What would he say when he did tell him now that he believed him? Maybe he was better off just keeping his mouth shut.
Yami glanced out the window to see the moon rising in the sky. "It's getting late." He muttered as he turned away from the window to face Yuugi.
All fell silent once more as they looked at one another. Their eyes met and they began to lean in. As they got closer Yami's heartbeat quickened in excitement. He closed his eyes and waited for contact, but it never came. Instead he felt added weight leaning against him.
Confused he opened his eyes and looked down only to see Yuugi peacefully sleeping against him. A small smile graced his lips as he watched him sleep for a few moments.
As carefully as he could he gently placed Yuugi's head against the pillows and brought a blanket up around him. He yawned as he rubbed his eyes. He knew he should go back to the room Otogi was letting him use.
But he didn't. In fact he did quite the opposite and fell asleep right next to Yuugi.
AN: I had written Marik's popcorn line before I realized that they didn't have any popcorn in this world. My friend gave me the suggestion for Ryou's line right after that. Also, even though I'm starting college this week I'll try and do weekly updates.
Until next time