In the rain
I felt soft drops fall
In my hair
Trailing down my face
Sliding off my shoulders
And I hear it fall by me
Fall past me
Beneath me
Until it splashes
In silver puddles
Of rain
CHAPTER FIVE
Emiko's head was still spinning from last night, as she trudged along the hallway to breakfast two figures suddenly appeared by her side.
"Please," Emiko groaned as she looked up and saw Kay and Callie, "it's just too early in the morning…"
"That was some pretty impressive stuff you put on at the ball, I never knew you had it in you little sister." Kay's smile actually looked…sincere?
I went through five bottles of pills last night just to keep from throwing up and now you mock me…? Emiko forced herself to calm her rising blood pressure while looking perfectly cool at the same time.
"I guess our charm does run in this family, but I'd never would've guessed that the Prince would pick you!" Callie's voice whipped Emiko's head around in a flash.
"W-what did you say?" Breathe Emiko, just keep on breathing…
"Don't play dumb Emiko!" Kay rolled her eyes, "The whole entire kingdom saw how smitten the Prince was with you."
"He was like, human super glue…he didn't even leave your side for a second; and then you two just disappeared…what happened? Did he take you to an romantic place and propose his undying love to you?"
"Don't be an idiot Callie," Kay snapped before her eyes sparkled and grabbed Emiko's hands excitedly, "So when's the wedding? I just know you'll pick your favorite sister to be your maid of honor right---?"
"Yeah right! Why would Emiko want you? She's obviously going to pick me!"
Kay croaked a dry laugh, "I don't think so honey---you just go and help the servants dust the floors and serve some food…leave the important matters to important people---"
As the two other princesses argued between their fist shakings, nail scratching, and eye glaring, Emiko closed her eyes and backed herself against the stony wall, feeling the coldness of the surface as she slid into a heap on the floor.
Oh my God Tohru! Emiko's mind screamed frantically, What really happen last night?!
* * *
Shingure was pleased.
Why? What a stupid question…he had humbly accepted the duty of fulfilling his King's impossible wish, the task of forcing (playboy) Prince Kyou into marriage. The idea had shocked him at first, and for some time he worried if he was able to see the next sun rise, but God was ever so, so kind to him---because Kyou was finally going to choose a bride. He saw how intimate Kyou was with that charming Princess Emiko in her midnight blue dress…Shingure didn't know why it happened, and he didn't care…the forces of the universe was not any of his damn business…
Humming cheerfully on his way to breakfast, Shingure considered the ideas of giving Kyou a hug, a flower, or even a short thank-you note.
Never mind…I can't scare him to death before the wedding…
* * *
Kyou stood by the window silently, watching the rain slash against the glass and slide down in drops of silver.
FLASHBACK…
Kyou found it amusing that she was so nervous not because of dancing with him, but to get away from him.
"Relax," He whispered softly in her ear, "You're never going to learn how to dance if you keep watching the clock."
"I'm sorry, I was just…are you sure it's alright if you keep dancing with me? There's a lot of other ladies waiting in line to just share one dance with you, I-I feel guilty…"
"I've been running from them the whole night," Kyou smirked, "Is the only girl I enjoy dancing with telling me to get lost?"
"NO! No! No!" Her eyes widened behind her mask with her lips forming a perfect circle.
"I wouldn't DARE! I---"
"Okay, okay…" Kyou laughed and took her hand, "Come on, I need some fresh air, if you don't want to dance with me, then let's go take a walk."
…FLASHBACK ENDS
* * *
"First I generously grant you another chance, but instead of working hard like you were suppose to! You skip the job and come back at six in the morning from Kami knows where! If it wasn't for the Royal Princess Emiko I would've fired you without another thought! You---Are you even listening?! (NO)"
(A.N: I'm starting to like this Head servant guy less and less, I think I'll fire him sometime soon. ^_-)
Tohru sat in a daze as the Head Servant rambled on and on…her mind was lost in memories…
FLASHBACK…
"Cold?" The wind had taken on a sudden chill.
Tohru hugged herself as she leaned back against an old oak tree.
"No, I'm fine..."
"Then how come you're shivering like that?" Kyou gave her his jacket.
"But what about you?" What would I do if the Prince got a cold because of me?
Kyou sat by her and folded his arms; he gave her a smile that made her warm all over. "Worry about yourself for a change."
"But that would be selfish! Mother always said to think of others first…if I was always thinking of my needs, heaven would punish me!"
"…" Kyou stared at her with disbelief, how many times have he heard the women in his life whine about this, whine about that?
"Don't you ever think of your happiness? Your own needs?"
"Why would I want anything more?" Tohru asked curiously. "I have enough money to buy myself bread each week and enough wild flowers to pick in the gardens---"
"Who are you?" Kyou asked quietly.
"What…?" Tohru panicked, "Why do you ask that?"
"You're no one from the courts are you?"
"…"
"No one at Royal Courts," He chuckled softly," ever has 'enough money to buy themselves bread each week', they've got much more than that, and no woman I've met had ever 'picked wild flowers'."
"I-I'm not who you think I am." Tohru looked him in the eye and bit her lip.
"Obviously," Kyou gave his hair an impatient swipe, "but don't worry, I won't give away your secret."
Tohru breathed a sigh of relief.
"…But tell me why you're here anyway."
"I can't!" Tohru protested desperately, "…I promised someone I wouldn't, and a promise is something I can't break…"
"You're cute…"
Even in the darkness of the night, Tohru could feel her cheeks flame.
"But you're only human." Kyou reached over and ruffled her hair gently, "Breaking promises and being selfish are things are born with us, there's no way to avoid it."
"That's not what Mother said…she said it's okay to make mistakes…but just don't repeat it again…that's how life should be—to realize when you're wrong and what you should do about it."
Tohru smiled brightly at the Prince, "So you can say that we humans, were born into this world to do wrong…but in the end, it's all up to us--- eh?"
Her innocent smile gave Kyou an unfamiliar feeling; it ached and tore at his heart…he had never felt so lost and confused in his life before, and knowing that scared him in a way.
"What if someone never had the choice? And everything was thrown at him all of his life---people around him just expected him to swallow all the crap and deal with out a problem?"
"Well…if they just have hope…I'm sure something good will come their way…"
"Hope doesn't exist."
"That person must've experienced a lot of pain and anguish," Tohru lowered her eyes, "I'm sorry."
Kyou didn't reply.
An owl hooted in the night, and the moonbeam with high above the branches.
"It's getting late."
"So…?"
"I can't keep my eyes open…" Tohru could barely hide the yawn that escaped her mouth.
Tohru's breathing turned soft and even, until she fell into a gentle restless slumber.
Kyou gently pushed back the stray strands from Tohru's forehead, feeling the silkiness of her skin against his fingers. Without warning, Tohru's body shifted and her head fell gently against his shoulder.
Kyou woke up the next morning alone to see the rising sun shining warmly at the world, but inside he felt something dark and cold…almost like desertion.
FLASHBACK ENDS…
* * *
"Kyou-Chan! I've finally found you! You didn't go to breakfast, you skipped this whole ridiculously long and pointless tea time, which was actually wise in my opinion, and the servants told me you weren't in your chambers last night…"
Shingure winked at him meaningfully, "So…you couldn't wait until the wedding night huh?"
"Screw off you sick pervert." Watch it Kyou, you're losing your cool.
Shingure pouted, "That's no way to treat someone who helped you find true, everlasting love! Now is it? I told you sooner or later you'd fall for one of the princesses---and as usual, I was right."
This caught Kyou off guard, "What are you talking about?"
"You sly little boy you!" Shingure would've poked Kyou in the forehead if he didn't dodge quickly by reflex.
"Don't try to hide it!" Shingure rolled his eyes in a bored fashion, "Everybody knows already…how you proposed to Emiko-sama last night!"
WHAT. THE. HELL. Have I even seen her last night? Geez, that girl's been the only thing on my mind…I'm losing my sanity because of her…
"I never did such a thing," Kyou replied icily. "I told you I wanted to take my time."
"You did, and now you're going to marry the princess!" Shingure heartily slapped Kyou on the back, "And I don't understand why you're in denial---"
"Do you understand what I'm saying?" Kyou cut in impatiently, "I am not marrying Emiko."
Shingure sighed, "Whatever you say…the wedding invitations are already being sent as we speak---"
"And no one bothered to tell me?"
"I just figured you knew."
CHAPTER FIVE ENDS
(A.N: O.K, I am so sorry for not updating in such a looooooooong time(excuses, excuses), another BIG thank you for everyone who either read it or even took their time in reviewing it. Now, to clear a few things up for everyone, Kyou doesn't know it's Tohru behind the mask, Emiko knows it's Tohru (whether she wants to tell the world?…hmmm, Gotta read chapter six), and Tohru knows this whole big secret thing but isn't sure if she should tell anyone, because 1)she's just a maid( she hasn't got much to offer in title or wealth) 2) she doesn't know how Kyou feels about her ( alas…it's the lack of self confidence that holds her down) 3) There's Emiko and the King and the entire royal courts…she just might lose her job and life. So as you all probably can tell, this story is a roller coaster, with twist after another…and I'm the one in control of the switches! ( evil laughter…heh,heh,heh..) I hope everybody liked this chapter, the ending was a little weak and the poem had nothing to do with the story but I thought it was kind of nice…if someone has suggestions PLEASE e-mail me. )
I felt soft drops fall
In my hair
Trailing down my face
Sliding off my shoulders
And I hear it fall by me
Fall past me
Beneath me
Until it splashes
In silver puddles
Of rain
CHAPTER FIVE
Emiko's head was still spinning from last night, as she trudged along the hallway to breakfast two figures suddenly appeared by her side.
"Please," Emiko groaned as she looked up and saw Kay and Callie, "it's just too early in the morning…"
"That was some pretty impressive stuff you put on at the ball, I never knew you had it in you little sister." Kay's smile actually looked…sincere?
I went through five bottles of pills last night just to keep from throwing up and now you mock me…? Emiko forced herself to calm her rising blood pressure while looking perfectly cool at the same time.
"I guess our charm does run in this family, but I'd never would've guessed that the Prince would pick you!" Callie's voice whipped Emiko's head around in a flash.
"W-what did you say?" Breathe Emiko, just keep on breathing…
"Don't play dumb Emiko!" Kay rolled her eyes, "The whole entire kingdom saw how smitten the Prince was with you."
"He was like, human super glue…he didn't even leave your side for a second; and then you two just disappeared…what happened? Did he take you to an romantic place and propose his undying love to you?"
"Don't be an idiot Callie," Kay snapped before her eyes sparkled and grabbed Emiko's hands excitedly, "So when's the wedding? I just know you'll pick your favorite sister to be your maid of honor right---?"
"Yeah right! Why would Emiko want you? She's obviously going to pick me!"
Kay croaked a dry laugh, "I don't think so honey---you just go and help the servants dust the floors and serve some food…leave the important matters to important people---"
As the two other princesses argued between their fist shakings, nail scratching, and eye glaring, Emiko closed her eyes and backed herself against the stony wall, feeling the coldness of the surface as she slid into a heap on the floor.
Oh my God Tohru! Emiko's mind screamed frantically, What really happen last night?!
* * *
Shingure was pleased.
Why? What a stupid question…he had humbly accepted the duty of fulfilling his King's impossible wish, the task of forcing (playboy) Prince Kyou into marriage. The idea had shocked him at first, and for some time he worried if he was able to see the next sun rise, but God was ever so, so kind to him---because Kyou was finally going to choose a bride. He saw how intimate Kyou was with that charming Princess Emiko in her midnight blue dress…Shingure didn't know why it happened, and he didn't care…the forces of the universe was not any of his damn business…
Humming cheerfully on his way to breakfast, Shingure considered the ideas of giving Kyou a hug, a flower, or even a short thank-you note.
Never mind…I can't scare him to death before the wedding…
* * *
Kyou stood by the window silently, watching the rain slash against the glass and slide down in drops of silver.
FLASHBACK…
Kyou found it amusing that she was so nervous not because of dancing with him, but to get away from him.
"Relax," He whispered softly in her ear, "You're never going to learn how to dance if you keep watching the clock."
"I'm sorry, I was just…are you sure it's alright if you keep dancing with me? There's a lot of other ladies waiting in line to just share one dance with you, I-I feel guilty…"
"I've been running from them the whole night," Kyou smirked, "Is the only girl I enjoy dancing with telling me to get lost?"
"NO! No! No!" Her eyes widened behind her mask with her lips forming a perfect circle.
"I wouldn't DARE! I---"
"Okay, okay…" Kyou laughed and took her hand, "Come on, I need some fresh air, if you don't want to dance with me, then let's go take a walk."
…FLASHBACK ENDS
* * *
"First I generously grant you another chance, but instead of working hard like you were suppose to! You skip the job and come back at six in the morning from Kami knows where! If it wasn't for the Royal Princess Emiko I would've fired you without another thought! You---Are you even listening?! (NO)"
(A.N: I'm starting to like this Head servant guy less and less, I think I'll fire him sometime soon. ^_-)
Tohru sat in a daze as the Head Servant rambled on and on…her mind was lost in memories…
FLASHBACK…
"Cold?" The wind had taken on a sudden chill.
Tohru hugged herself as she leaned back against an old oak tree.
"No, I'm fine..."
"Then how come you're shivering like that?" Kyou gave her his jacket.
"But what about you?" What would I do if the Prince got a cold because of me?
Kyou sat by her and folded his arms; he gave her a smile that made her warm all over. "Worry about yourself for a change."
"But that would be selfish! Mother always said to think of others first…if I was always thinking of my needs, heaven would punish me!"
"…" Kyou stared at her with disbelief, how many times have he heard the women in his life whine about this, whine about that?
"Don't you ever think of your happiness? Your own needs?"
"Why would I want anything more?" Tohru asked curiously. "I have enough money to buy myself bread each week and enough wild flowers to pick in the gardens---"
"Who are you?" Kyou asked quietly.
"What…?" Tohru panicked, "Why do you ask that?"
"You're no one from the courts are you?"
"…"
"No one at Royal Courts," He chuckled softly," ever has 'enough money to buy themselves bread each week', they've got much more than that, and no woman I've met had ever 'picked wild flowers'."
"I-I'm not who you think I am." Tohru looked him in the eye and bit her lip.
"Obviously," Kyou gave his hair an impatient swipe, "but don't worry, I won't give away your secret."
Tohru breathed a sigh of relief.
"…But tell me why you're here anyway."
"I can't!" Tohru protested desperately, "…I promised someone I wouldn't, and a promise is something I can't break…"
"You're cute…"
Even in the darkness of the night, Tohru could feel her cheeks flame.
"But you're only human." Kyou reached over and ruffled her hair gently, "Breaking promises and being selfish are things are born with us, there's no way to avoid it."
"That's not what Mother said…she said it's okay to make mistakes…but just don't repeat it again…that's how life should be—to realize when you're wrong and what you should do about it."
Tohru smiled brightly at the Prince, "So you can say that we humans, were born into this world to do wrong…but in the end, it's all up to us--- eh?"
Her innocent smile gave Kyou an unfamiliar feeling; it ached and tore at his heart…he had never felt so lost and confused in his life before, and knowing that scared him in a way.
"What if someone never had the choice? And everything was thrown at him all of his life---people around him just expected him to swallow all the crap and deal with out a problem?"
"Well…if they just have hope…I'm sure something good will come their way…"
"Hope doesn't exist."
"That person must've experienced a lot of pain and anguish," Tohru lowered her eyes, "I'm sorry."
Kyou didn't reply.
An owl hooted in the night, and the moonbeam with high above the branches.
"It's getting late."
"So…?"
"I can't keep my eyes open…" Tohru could barely hide the yawn that escaped her mouth.
Tohru's breathing turned soft and even, until she fell into a gentle restless slumber.
Kyou gently pushed back the stray strands from Tohru's forehead, feeling the silkiness of her skin against his fingers. Without warning, Tohru's body shifted and her head fell gently against his shoulder.
Kyou woke up the next morning alone to see the rising sun shining warmly at the world, but inside he felt something dark and cold…almost like desertion.
FLASHBACK ENDS…
* * *
"Kyou-Chan! I've finally found you! You didn't go to breakfast, you skipped this whole ridiculously long and pointless tea time, which was actually wise in my opinion, and the servants told me you weren't in your chambers last night…"
Shingure winked at him meaningfully, "So…you couldn't wait until the wedding night huh?"
"Screw off you sick pervert." Watch it Kyou, you're losing your cool.
Shingure pouted, "That's no way to treat someone who helped you find true, everlasting love! Now is it? I told you sooner or later you'd fall for one of the princesses---and as usual, I was right."
This caught Kyou off guard, "What are you talking about?"
"You sly little boy you!" Shingure would've poked Kyou in the forehead if he didn't dodge quickly by reflex.
"Don't try to hide it!" Shingure rolled his eyes in a bored fashion, "Everybody knows already…how you proposed to Emiko-sama last night!"
WHAT. THE. HELL. Have I even seen her last night? Geez, that girl's been the only thing on my mind…I'm losing my sanity because of her…
"I never did such a thing," Kyou replied icily. "I told you I wanted to take my time."
"You did, and now you're going to marry the princess!" Shingure heartily slapped Kyou on the back, "And I don't understand why you're in denial---"
"Do you understand what I'm saying?" Kyou cut in impatiently, "I am not marrying Emiko."
Shingure sighed, "Whatever you say…the wedding invitations are already being sent as we speak---"
"And no one bothered to tell me?"
"I just figured you knew."
CHAPTER FIVE ENDS
(A.N: O.K, I am so sorry for not updating in such a looooooooong time(excuses, excuses), another BIG thank you for everyone who either read it or even took their time in reviewing it. Now, to clear a few things up for everyone, Kyou doesn't know it's Tohru behind the mask, Emiko knows it's Tohru (whether she wants to tell the world?…hmmm, Gotta read chapter six), and Tohru knows this whole big secret thing but isn't sure if she should tell anyone, because 1)she's just a maid( she hasn't got much to offer in title or wealth) 2) she doesn't know how Kyou feels about her ( alas…it's the lack of self confidence that holds her down) 3) There's Emiko and the King and the entire royal courts…she just might lose her job and life. So as you all probably can tell, this story is a roller coaster, with twist after another…and I'm the one in control of the switches! ( evil laughter…heh,heh,heh..) I hope everybody liked this chapter, the ending was a little weak and the poem had nothing to do with the story but I thought it was kind of nice…if someone has suggestions PLEASE e-mail me. )