The Tale of Two Princes

Yuki was eating his dinner in peace when his cousin, the princess Kagura, burst into his room excitedly.

"Have you heard about the news, Yuki?" she said, giddy.

"I know a lot of news, so which one? The peace treaty I must sign? The council of the elders' meeting I must attend?" he asked, sounding bored. Everyday routines of being the next-in-line prince of the kingdom.

"No! My beloved Prince Kyo has finished his training in the woods…and is coming back today!" she announced.

His eyes widened. "What?!!"

Tohru was going home from her shopping in the market that morning. She had to make haste, or she might not finish making breakfast for the family.

Okaasan, I still couldn't believe that yesterday, I talked with the Ice Prince!

She looked up at the clear blue sky, trying to imagine her deceased mother's face in the pattern of feathery cirrus clouds above her.

He is so handsome and dashing! No wonder so many women fall for him!

But he has a little problem with his attitude. Too bad!

"Heads up!" someone bellowed.

"Nyaaaah!!!" Tohru looked at the road again just in time to see a horse galloping directly towards her! She was frozen - she couldn't move a muscle to even step out of the way!

"Woah!!!!!" A man jumped on the horse, took hold of its reins, and pulled the wild horse in control. The animal leaped madly then calmed down, landing on the ground, barely missing the frightened Tohru.

She opened her eyes, shaking. The man looked down at her, scowling. "Are you crazy? Why didn't you get out of the way?"

She tried to reply, but she was too stunned.

"Are you deaf? I'm talking to you!" The man jumped down, and now she could fully appreciate his looks. Tangerine hair -unnatural but adorable- and burning eyes. His outfit was not that of a laborer but it was too simple for a merchant.

Who is he?

"You nearly got killed!" he reminded her sarcastically.

She broke her trance. "Uh, I'm sorry!" She bowed down. "Thank you for saving me!"

"I did not save you! I just saved the horse!" he snapped. "Why are you walking on this road as if you own it anyway?"

She sweatdropped. "Ah, I was…thinking."

"Well, apparently, thinking is not healthy for you. Next time do it somewhere you can't disturb people!"

"Oh yes!" She remained unfazed despite his temper. She was too grateful for his rescue. She looked down at her basket and took a piece of apple. She then handed it to him. "Thank you again! Please accept this as my token of gratitude!"

"Ah!" The man was shocked as he looked down at the apple.

"Goodbye again, and have a nice day!" she bade before walking away.

Kyo looked down at the apple the girl just gave him awhile ago. It was the first time that somebody did this to him.

"What an absent-minded dumbass," he said to himself, but not really meaning it.

He bit on the apple and went on his way. It was against his better judgment, but he must face the family of Sohma.

Tohru was just placing the dishes on the table when her Master Saki came to her. "Tohru-kun, we must talk."

"Yes, of course!" She paused from her work. "What is it, Master Saki?"

He sat down. "You see, our daughter, Hanajima, who works in the palace, got sick, and the doctor wants her to take a complete bed rest. I hope you don't mind if I ask you to take her place for the meantime. I know it's not right to ask you this, since your mother left you here not as a maid, but-"

She beamed. "But I want to do this!" she insisted. "And don't worry, Master Saki. I'll take Hana-chan's place!"

"You will?" The man laughed. "Ah, thank you!" He then left the kitchen to tell the family his news.

Tohru smilingly went back to work, then froze.

"Do not bother to remember this day. Forget that you've talked to me. Forget what you've seen. If I hear anything related to the transformation, I shall have my soldiers hunt you and kill you."

"Oh no! We'll see each other again! What if the Ice Prince gets mad at me when he sees me in the palace? What if he gets me killed?" she whispered aloud.

Okaasan, I hope I made the right decision.

"I do not know why you bothered to come back," said Yuki bitingly upon seeing his cousin, Kyo, filthy and dressed in what seemed like a sack or something. "The palace is happy as it is."

"Well, if I can have my way, I'll never come back to this place!" retorted Kyo. "The jungle is more welcoming than this damn cold place!"

Hatori raised his hand, irritated. "We sent for you, Kyo, because the Lord Akito asked for it."

"I wonder what he's got in mind?" said Kyo, annoyed. "This better be good."

Yuki remained silent.

"All of us knows that his health is failing, so we must choose the heir to the throne as the head of this kingdom," began Hatori.

"Am I not the chosen one?" asked Yuki impatiently.

"He decided to hold a contest. He picked you and Kyo to be the candidates for the throne," explained the right-hand of Akito.

"Hah! I do not care about the palace or being the king of this! I just want to go back to the woods!" yelled Kyo.

"No one can defy the Lord, Kyo," reminded Hatori steely.

"What are the rules of this contest?" asked Yuki.

"There are no rules, at least none yet," said the doctor mysteriously.

"This is stupid!" said Kyo, standing up.

"This is the will of Akito," reminded Hatori. "So whether it's stupid or stupendous, you must go along with it."

The next day, Tohru looked at the gates of the palace nervously. Clutching her things, she approached the palace guards.

"Excuse me, but where is the entrance leading to the maids' quarters?" she asked nervously.

The man pointed dutifully to the other side of the palace.

"Thank you!" She bowed and went on her way.

Yuki was walking out of the palace when Shigure intercepted him. "Hey Yuki, good news! We're going to have a new maid!"

He shrugged. "It's only you who's interested in those sort of things."

"But what if she turns out really cute?"

Then she's yours."

Along the way, she found a fork in the path. The guard told her to go left, but when she saw greenery on the right, she decided to check out that path first.

Soon she found herself facing a brick wall littered with vines.

"A dead end," she sighed. She was about to turn around when she saw a gaping hole at the bottom of the hole. She crouched into it cautiously.

Upon emerging on the other side of the wall, she found herself in what seemed like the recreation of the Garden of Eden. On the left side were plots after plots of vegetables, while on the right were flower blooms. On the center was a sculptured fountain of twelve animals. She approached it, and upon closer inspection, she discovered that the statues were actually the animals of the mythical Juunishi!

She ticked off the animals mentally in her mind, but was dismayed not to find her favorite Juunishi animal.

She then saw a bush of roses surrounding the statue. She bent down to pick one.

"Hey!"

She froze. She turned around, and saw Yuki standing before her. Dressed in gardener's clothes and gloves, his princely aura still remained with him.

"You again?!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here? This is my private property!" He looked pointedly at her hand reaching for the flower. "And I believe I can have you imprisoned for stealing."

"Stealing?" She laughed uneasily. "I was just admiring this!"

"Admiring, huh?"

"I love plants," she admitted. "My mother and I used to have one!" She stood up and brushed the dirt off her skirt. "I think you like gardening too! I'm glad we like the same things!"

His eyes averted hers. "Will you just leave this place?"

"Ah, ok!"

"But before you do, answer my question first: why are you in the palace?" he asked.

She smiled. "I'm the new maid. I'm taking the place of Hanajima Saki!"

His eyes widened.

tsuzuku