That night Kyo sat in the bathtub-soaking wet. The coat wrack dropped a bucket of water on his head. Haru paced around the tub.
"Tonight is that night Master!" he explained.
"I'm not sure I can do this now." Kyo said.
"But Master, this is no time to be timid! You must the bold, daring Price!" Haru exclaimed.
"Bold, daring!" Kyo stood and shook the water off his body. The water drenched Haru and extinguished his flames. Kyo walked to the vanity and began getting dressed.
"There will be music provided, romantic candle light, and when the moment is just right, you confess your love!" Haru explained.
"Right. I con…no, no. No, I can't." Kyo replied.
"Do you care for her?" Haru asked.
"More than anything." Kyo answered.
"Then you must tell her!" Haru stated.
Yuki entered the room and bowed. "Your lady awaits."
"Now is the time Master." Haru said.
Kyo nodded and stood up. He looked into the mirror. His reflection had changed drastically. He quickly walked from his room.
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The gentle gold silk fabric moved gracefully down the steps of the castle. The dress floated in the air until it came to a stop. The graceful brown yes of Tohru looked up at the entrance of the second room. Her slender body fit into the long golden silk dress. The skirt fluttered to the ground gracefully. The golden corset laced tightly around her torso, making her more stunning. Her hair hung over her left should as the rest was held in a golden band.
Kyo felt his heart race s his penetrating violet eyes gazed upon her beauty. He took his steps down the stair slowly and carefully. Nothing could go wrong this evening. Everything had to be perfect. He reached the last step and met Tohru with a true smile.
Both bowed respectfully to each other. Kyo held out his arm and led Tohru down the second flight of stairs. Kagura, Haru, Yuki, and Momiji awaited them at the bottom of the stairs. In the background, the music rang out through the entire room. Tohru could feel the urge to dance.
They reached the dining room. Kyo pulled Tohru's chair out for her and let her seat down. He reached his chair and they began eating. The orchestra played their melody all throughout the dinner.
Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends unexpectedly.
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared, beauty and the beast.
Tohru finished her meal and stood from her chair. She walked to Kyo and took his hands. Kyo led her from the dining room and into the grand ballroom. The orchestra followed and continued their pieces.
Tohru places Kyo's hand on her waist and put her hand into his. Kyo became nervous and hoped he wouldn't make a fool of himself.
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before, ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange,
Finding you can change, learning you were wrong
Kyo found his sense of rhythm and began showing it. He spun Tohru around in circles. They pranced around the ballroom gracefully. The servants watched intently.
Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme, beauty and the beast.
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme, beauty and the beast.
The lights died lower as the music slowly finished.
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Kyo and Tohru sat outside on the balcony. Tohru starred at the ground. Kyo slowly moved closer to Tohru. He took her hands into his and looked into her eyes.
"Tohru, are you…happy her?" he asked.
"Yes." Tohru answered. But her face grew sad and she turned away.
"What is it?"
"I wish I could see my father again. If only for a moment, I miss him so much." Tohru explained.
Kyo thought for a moment. Then an idea came to him, "There is a way."
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From within the West Wing, Kyo withdrew a mirror. The mirror looked like any mirror Tohru had seen before. The casing was made of fine silver, outlined in roses or every color.
"This mirror will show you anything you wish to see." Kyo handed the mirror to Tohru.
Tohru lifted the mirror, "I'd like to se my father, please."
The mirror glace erupted in light. Instead of her reflection, Tohru watched her father stumble in the wind and snow. He coughed harshly and collapsed into the snow.
"Oh no! Papa! He might die out there!" Tohru exclaimed.
Kyo stared at the rose. It was in full blossom and slowly beginning to wilt. "Then…then you must find him."
"What?" Tohru asked.
"I release you. You are no longer a prisoner." Kyo explained.
"You mean...I'm free?" Tohru asked.
"Yes." Kyo answered.
Tohru turned to the mirror, "hold on papa, I'm coming for you." She held out the mirror for Kyo.
"Take it with you. So you can always have a way to look back. And remember me." Kyo said.
"Thank you for understanding how much he needs me." Tohru turned and hurried out of the room.
Yuki watched Tohru leave and walked in, "Well done master! We knew you could do it!"
"I let her go." Kyo stated.
"Yes sire well done, now...you-what? How could you...do...that?" Yuki asked.
"She needed to leave." Kyo answered.
"Yes but...but...why?"
"Because...I love her." Kyo admitted.
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Tohru mounted Jean. Jean reared and kicked open the gate. Tohru rode hard through the snow. Jean pushed himself through the front castle gate.
From the tower, Tohru could hear the roar from Kyo. For some reason, hearing him roar made her heart break. She felt horrible for leaving him. She almost turned back when she felt her tears.
Jean continued riding hard. He ran far from the castle at his top speed.
"Papa! Papa!" Tohru called. She searched for his figure in the snow.
Kureno lay face down in the snow. "Papa!" Tohru jumped off Jeans saddle and raced to her father.
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TBC