Chapter Three
"What is it Soujiro?" Kaoru noticed his tenseness. The feeling that someone was watching them went away.
"It's nothing Kaoru. Just my imagination getting away with me. Let's keep going."
"My body is a temple, my body is a temple.." Kaoru sang happily as she walked between Yahiko and Soujiro towards the palace. "Sing with me Soujiro!" She smiled knowing he wouldn't. But she knew why. He just smiled at her, while on her other side, Yahiko stared at her strangely.
What a strange girl. he thought and she continued to sing, her beautiful voice and strange song coarsing through the streets. "My body is a temple! My body is a temple!" Kaoru began to dance around with joy and as she did, her jewelry jingled like a chorus of little children singing along with her in her joy. The soldiers turned to look at her embarrassed by the commotion she was causing. But she only winked at them and continued to sing.
At least one of us can be carefree. Soujiro thought as he began to contemplate the young boy they were accompanying. Prince Yahiko. He was glad that the Prince and Kaoru had finally stopped bickering. I wonder what will happen once we reach the palace. I bet Kaoru didn't even think about it. She's too spontaneous sometimes, never thinking. But I guess that's what I'm here for. It's the least I can do for her for showing me the road to freedom and happiness. His smile grew wistful.
"We're here! You can stop singing now ugly."
"My body is a templ- So we are! Wow...." Kaoru's eyes opened in wonderment as she looked up at the palace.
Soujiro couldn't help but sense a feeling of dread as he saw palace. For a second the smile disappeared off his face. But only for a second.
"What're you staring at hag? It's just a castle. You look like you've never seen one before." Yahiko drawled. "OW! THAT HURT!" he cried out as Kaoru hit him over the head.
"I haven't brat." She stopped at the palace gate.
"Well I guess you're gonna stay the night..." Yahiko said rudely.
"No.." Kaoru smiled at him. "I don't think so. I couldn't stay within walls for an entire night. We're just walking you home. We'll be going now. Goodbye your highness."
Soujiro gawked at her. So she did think it out. And what was this? She was being polite to the little brat that she spent the past half hour bickering with? Kaoru flashed him a smile as they turned to leave. They both missed the look of disappointment on Yahiko's face. They walked off leaving him in the care of the soldiers who immediately escorted him to the throne room. He sighed.
~
Sano walked into the busy bar, a brilliant smile upon his face. The girls swooned at him and the men stared in admiration. He was a prince, and usually prince's didn't just waltz into notorious pubs nonchalantly like they owned the place, but for Sano it was different. He grew up on the streets. It was his home.
"Oy, Hishiro! A round on me! I'm in a great mood today!" The people in the pub cheered.
"So what's up Sano? What's the great news? Finally getting married to that girl Megumi?"
The gruff bartender punched him in the shoulder playfully.
"That bitch? You know better Shiro." Sano took a swig out of his mug. "Father king released his hold on me and the Megumi. I got a fortnight to pick out a WOMAN!" The house erupted in hoots and hollers. The girls began to blink their eyelashes at the young prince, he winked back at them taking it all in stride. "So I'm gonna be QUITE the busy man these days Shiro. Hey say.. pudgy.. you getting pudgy lately Shiro.."
"So you are Sano my man, so you are." Shiro looked at the handsome young man in front of him. It's hard to imagine that this is the scrawny runt that I took in so many years ago when he and his brother were left orphans. I still remember that fateful day 7 years ago, when he and Yahiko were caught stealing the King Saitou's apples. The burly bartender laughed to himself. Who would have thought cold stone-faced Saitou had a heart. I shore didn't. When that royal messenger came and told me that the two boys were adopted by the royal family I bust out laughing... til I realized they were serious. Heh. Sano's got fight in him. The people love him, he can after all kick every single one of their butts. Thanks to me. Shiro thought proudly. I taught him how to fight all those years ago. But Sano's also got this crazy side of him when he loses control. He lives for fun. Heh. He's gonna need some serious help before he can be crowned king. But what can I do? I only raised the kid.
"Pudge! You feeling ok? You look a little out of it... Pudge?" Sano's drunken voice jogged Shiro back into the present.
"What is it rooster boy? I'm fine!"
"EY! Watch who your talking to. Crowned prince of this great country."
"Yea.. crowned rooster.." the pub exploded in laughter.
"Better rooster than pudgeball Shiro! See yall later. Nites..." Sano slurred, walking drunkenly out of the pub.
Shiro sighed. "I'll take him back to the palace. Bob, watch things here for now wouldya?" He raced out after Sano, taking his arm, and led him singing, and drunk back to the palace.
Author's Notes: I don't know where my head was on this one. It was kinda fun to write though. I was listening to the radio when I wrote it. Kaoru's song is one of those Don't Smoke original song things that they play. I might go back and change this later. so please R&R and tell me what you think!