Chapter 2: Usagi Arrives at the castle

AN: Hey everybody my updates are going to be sporadic for a while, my classes just started for the summer, I will update when I can. I hope you enjoy this chapter though!

Usagi was sitting outside of her house, dreaming of adventure when she heard Nimbus running towards her, "Nimbus!" She called out. The frightened horse stopped as she calmed him down, "Where is my father? Nimbus can you take me to him?"

She got on Nimbus, as he led her down the dark forest path and to the gates of the castle. Usagi got off Nimbus and saw Goku's hat on the ground. Her eyes looked up at the castle, she approached the door. Usagi opened the door slowly, "Hello? I'm looking for my father."

"It's a girl." A voice said.

"Maybe she's the one! The one that can break the curse." Another said,

"Who's there?" Usagi called out.

She heard her father's voice call out from deep in the castle. Usagi ran up the stairs into the tower. She saw her father sickly and, in a cell, she ran up to him, "Dad…what happened?"

"Usagi, you need to get out of here." Goku said as he went into a coughing fit.

"No, not without you." Usagi argued. She tried to open the cell.

She heard a roar behind her, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Usagi looked around when she saw a silhouette in the shadows. "I am here for my father. He's sick."

"He should not have trespassed here." The figure growled, "He is my prisoner."

Usagi stood up, "Step into the light." The figure stepped into the light, and Usagi gasped softly as the Beast came into view. "Take me instead."

The Beast's eyes widened, "Y-You'd take his place?" He asked in surprise.

Usagi nodded, he walked over to the cell and opened it, "Deal." He took Goku outside and sent him back to the village with an enchanted carriage.

He came back to find Usagi crying in the cell, "You didn't let me say good-bye." Usagi sobbed, "I'll never see him again, and I didn't get to say goodbye."

The Beast looked down and touched the mane of fur around his neck. Goten noticed this, "Master, I think maybe you should offer her a room, since she will be with us for a while." Goten suggested.

"Come. I'll show you your room." He said.

"M-my room? I thought…"

He turned to her, "Do you want to stay in the tower?" Usagi shook her head, "Then follow me." Usagi got up from the floor and followed him down the stairs. "What is your name?"

"Usagi…What should I call you?"

He was silent for a few moments, "…Trunks…" The rest of the walk down the tower's winding staircase was quiet. Trunks looked behind him, as Usagi was looking at the floor, "Feel free to explore the castle, you can go anywhere except the West wing."

"What's in the West wing?" She asked curiously.

"Nothing."

"Then why can't I go there?"

Trunks could feel his anger rising, "IT'S FORBIDDEN!"

Usagi became quiet as Trunks walked away, "Don't worry my dear, he'll calm down." Goten told her.

"Why is he so angry?" She asked as Goten and Artemis showed her to her room. "Dinner will be ready, soon."

They shut her door, Usagi sat on her bed and started to cry. A couple hours later, Usagi heard a bang on her door. "Dinner."

"I'm not hungry." She responded.

Trunks groaned, "Why is she being so difficult!"

"Master, why don't you ask nicely?" Artemis suggested.

Trunks sighed, "I would like you to join me for dinner….please."

"No." Trunks made motions with his hands.

"That's not a request." He stated. Again, Usagi refused. Trunks roared, "If she doesn't eat with me than she doesn't eat at all!" He ordered as he ran off in anger.

Usagi listened to his fit of anger, once the hallway was silent, she slowly opened the door. Poking her head out of the door, she looked down the dark and quiet corridor. "He's gone." She sighed in relief.

"Madam, please do not be afraid of the Master." Goten told her as he approached her from the shadows.

She jumped a little when she heard his voice, "Why is he like that?...Also, would it be possible for me to get some food?"

"I will tell you, Madam, and of course. Follow me." Goten led Usagi down the long hallway and down the stairs. "He was not always like this, his heart had some darkness within in, but it was mild. When the enchantress placed the curse on the castle, his heart got darker and darker until he ended up this way."

Usagi looked down, "That's horrible…"

Goten opened the door to the dining room, "Have a seat, Usagi, and just relax, while we serve you dinner."

Usagi sat down, she watched as many plates, spoons, forks all came out dancing with food, Luna then came up to her and offered her tea. She smiled, laughed, and ate the food that was served to her. Once she was finished, she asked for Artemis and Goten to show her around the castle, the two agreed. Goten was hopping next to Usagi as Artemis was ahead of them talking about the history of the castle. Usagi tuned him out and talked quietly with Goten. "What is in the West Wing?" She asked once again.

Goten remained quiet as he thought of a way to distract her from the West Wing. "We have a library here."

Usagi smiled, "A library? Can I see it?"

Goten and Artemis smiled as they were tell her all about the library as they were both in front of her. She saw a darkened staircase, 'That must lead to the West Wing' She thought. With one last glance towards Artemis and Goten, who were not looking at her, she turned to the stairs and ascended.