Taro glanced over at Shoka walking beside him. She had been quiet the whole way back from their meeting, and he was anxious to know what she was thinking. Was she still afraid of him? Did she like him? Did she want to be free?

If only I could ask her, he thought as he shook his head. Shoka stopped to look at him, brown eyes worried.

"Is something wrong, Oji-sama?" (Prince)

Taro smiled, a little wistfully as he regarded the girl in front of him. "I was just thinking of my birthday celebration."

"It's coming up soon, isn't it?" she asked.

He nodded and continued walking down the hall. Shoka followed him, puzzled. She ventured another question.

"You seem sad, Taro-sama. Isn't your birthday a happy time?"

"Well…it's supposed to be…but it's so much fuss and expenses. Everyone expects me to be solemn and dignified, and I just-I just want to have FUN for once…" Taro blushed, embarrassed by his sudden outburst; Shoka however nodded in understanding. Touching his arm reassuringly, she said,

"I know how you feel. You don't want people watching you everywhere you go. You want to be free?"

The combined shock of the slave's gentle touch and the truth of her words ran Taro into a wooden column standing to the left of the hall.

"ITAIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Taro rubbed his sore head, looking dazed. Shoka was mortified and struggling to keep in her laughs at the same time, clapping a hand over her mouth with her shoulders shaking. Taro glared at her but couldn't help himself and let out a peal of laughter that rang throughout the hall. Soon the young pair were giggling and chortling like naughty toddlers, causing several residents to poke their heads around their doors. The sight of the crown prince losing control with a slave girl raised many eyebrows, but Taro didn't care. It took so long for them to finally stop laughing that many of the courtiers shrugged their shoulders and disappeared back into their rooms. Gasping for air and clutching ribs that hurt from the mad chuckling, Taro shook his head and looked at Shoka with gratitude.

"Thank you," he said.

Shoka seemed surprised. "For what?"

Taro grinned and clasped her hand. "For bringing back my sense of humor. I haven't laughed so hard in YEARS, Shoka!"

The dark-haired girl grinned in reply, bowing her head. "It felt good to abandon rules and expectations just now, didn't it Oji-sama?"

He ducked his head in agreement. "Hai, and you were right about what you said before. But that's why I'm glad you're here; you can help me bring out the real me, the one I have to hide in front of the court. My birthday won't be half as painful if you're there."

"I'll do what I can, Oji-sama," Shoka stammered, blushing at the praise.

But Taro frowned and shook his head. "If we're going to be friends-

"Heika?"

"Yes, Shoka, friends. You're not a slave anymore in this palace, you're a guest, no matter what any one else says. Don't call me 'Oji-sama' anymore, that's so formal! Everyone calls me Heika or Hyotaro-sama or other stupid names. If I call you Shoka, you have to call me Taro."

"Hai, O- Taro."

"That's better." The smile had returned to the prince's face, and now he began walking down another hallway, leading Shoka by the hand. "I want to show you something, to thank you for letting me be so loose and casual today."

"W-what is it?"

"Sore wa himitsu desu!" (It's a secret!)

Together, they began running down the long hall, with all disregard for etiquette as Shoka's sandals slapped her heels and Taro's overrobe was shed on the floor. Now he ran in the light, long-sleeved piece of cloth that served as a man's kimono, red cloth stitched in gold. They made a refreshing sight; two teenagers in the prime of youth, Shoka running in anticipation with Taro pulling her along in barely repressed glee. After a few minutes of passing countless doors and the imperial menagerie, Taro came to a halt in front of a tall bamboo door. Putting a finger to his lips, he motioned Shoka to open the gate and step inside. With trembling fingers she did so, wondering what was on the other side of the thatched frame. As she passed through the entrance, she couldn't help but close her eyes in apprehension. When she felt a cool blast of air hit her, she opened them and stood in open-mouthed awe at Taro's secret.

She was now standing outside in a huge, beautiful garden. Hedges ran along the perimeter, trimmed neatly and in various shapes of topiary. A dozen waterfalls poured liquid sunshine into deep pools filled with long, sleek orange fish. Tall, thin trees bent and swayed in the breeze, casting shadows on the groomed dirt path that wound throughout the maze of green. Gigantic yellow flowers with white-tinged petals danced beside the ponds, along with numerous types of flora that Shoka couldn't even begin to name. Taro had entered behind her, now he smiled for all the world like a proud father who watched his wife hold their newborn. Shoka was in absolute rapture over the brilliant display of nature, and it was all she could do to sink onto a low stone bench beside the path.

"Do you like it?"

"Taro, it's wonderful! Does this garden belong to anyone?" Taro had to cover his mouth to hide a smile; Shoka looked so painfully hopeful that he knew he couldn't keep her in suspense.

"If you want, it could be yours-

He hadn't even finished the sentence before the girl leaped up and gave him a huge hug, clinging to his neck and apparently over her shyness. His eyes widened in surprise, but he tentatively put his arms around her and relaxed into the embrace. Shoka raised her head and looked at him with brown eyes that shone like stars.

"You've done so much for me, Taro, but why? I haven't done anything for you!"

He gave her a small smile. "That's not how friendship works. You do things for people because you love them, not because you want something in return."

Shoka digested this information, laying her dark head onto his shoulder. They stood like that for some time, in complete comfort. Taro wished the moment would last for ever, but like all good things, it had to come to an end.

"Heika-sama!" A gruff voice sounded from behind the gate. A man came in and began to speak, but upon seeing the two, he stopped and bowed, unsure of what to do. The prince sighed and reluctantly let go of Shoka, turning to face the guard who had just stepped inside.

"What is it, Koji?"

Koji bowed again. "Ah, Heika, I have been sent to inform you that you are supposed to be getting dressed for dinner. Some of your guests have arrived early, and their Majesties want you to speak with them."

Taro sighed in annoyance, and his black eyes flashed. Even though his arm was still around Shoka's waist, she could feel his tension and wondered if this was the imperious sovereign side of her friend. She had heard that the prince had a hot temper at times, was this part of it?

Sensing that the youth was about to refuse, Shoka nudged him with her hip and cleared her throat meaningfully. Taro looked at her and let his shoulders slump, running his free hand over his face tiredly. The guard watched this exchange silently.

"All right, tell their Majesties I'm coming in. Shoka?"

She turned to him.

"Go to your room and get freshened up, a maid will come for you when it's time for dinner."

She nodded wordlessly and followed the two men inside.