thank yooh 2 dose dat reviooed! ^_^ um…ya…idun own ccs or da swan princess, etc. n im also sahrri dat it took so long foh meeh 2 update…newayz, enjoy…but it has most of da content i had bfoh i reformatted it…

N saHRRi FoH TwisTiN KaHo'S N ERioL's N PraCTiCaLLy eVeRyWuN'S character…XD

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1. Chapter 1

~ eleven years later ~

'Ugh! Mother's really uptight about this marriage thing because she wants the Hiiragizawa's kingdom and ours to join,' thought a certain maiden. 'But why for power? Is this world cruel enough to be constantly doing things to others to gain it, such like ruining other people's lives, especially MY life???' She sighed in exasperation. 'God, I don't want to marry…when I WANT to marry, I'll tell Mom, and who to.' This quick-tongued, clever woman was Princess Tomoyo Daidouji. Her eyes were still amethyst, but they lost their "childly" playfulness. They were still stunningly beautiful though, and you could see them sparkling almost as if they were smiling. Her skin was pretty much the same as it always had been-white, smooth, and as unblemished as marble. Her soft lips were a light shade of pink, and her raven-colored hair was let down today, coming down in soft tresses. Anybody who took a glance at her would think her beauty would be able to challenge Apothrodite's. Of course, this beauty did not go unnoticed, as many men would ask for her hand in marriage; her mother would always say that she was the "future wife of Hiiragizawa". She was wearing a violet dress that was to be worn on the "to" trip to Eriol's castle. She was to stay there for the rest of the summer, to her dismay.

"Tomoyo! We need to go NOW!"

"I don't want to," she replied. She quickly locked the door and sat back, hearing her poor mother pounding on the door. Oddly enough, she was feeling better, for a reason only she would know. Girls from all kingdoms would compete with each other for her "fiancé" while she, Princess Tomoyo Daidouji, wouldn't even lift a finger to take him as a husband. Finally, after minutes, she heard a sigh of exasperation; she was shocked to hear a click and see her mother standing at the doorway with a key and three guards at her side.

"I'll play you game," Queen Daidouji said, mouth twitching. "Guards, take her to her carriage!"

"Why MUST I see that English brat?" Tomoyo asked, giving her mother a death glare.

Her mother probably did not notice it because she just smiled cheerily. "Because we want our two kingdoms to merge, remember?"

Tomoyo sweatdrops. 'This wasn't exactly what I had in mind as a response to my glare…did I not look fierce?'

The guards took her, two grabbing one of Tomoyo's arms. A third followed up with a lance pointed at her back, giving Tomoyo two choices: move on or get stabbed. She really did not want to go, but she wasn't willing to get hurt for it. She finally arrived at the carriage and got in. Tomoyo sighed and hoped for the best.

~ at the Hiiragizawa Kingdom ~

"Why must I see this beast of the Daidouji Kingdom?" questioned a strong-willed, insightful young man of seventeen years. He had azure eyes so mysterious and deep you could stare at them forever, and dark hair to match them. He too, had pale skin, and had glasses that made him look even more sophisticated than he already did. He was riding his most valuable horse (obviously pure-bred) and like Tomoyo, was being forced by guards to see the other.

"Tomoyo's not that bad. Just take a look at some of your admirers. And you must see her because you have an arranged marriage. You also need to propose your everlasting bond to a woman." That was a statement, not a question, and Eriol knew that.

Eriol replied haughtily, "I have Kaho."

King Hiiragizawa just looked into the distance and said, "I just don't like that girl for some reason…"

Eriol laughed. "You don't like any girl besides Tomoyo! You only want her and me to get married so if our kingdoms combine, ours will be one of the most powerful in the world and because you don't know enough about Kaho."

King Hiiragizawa chuckled and said, "True, that is part of it. Just try to be more polite to her than you were a couple years back."

Eriol just nodded with a smile and snickered, recalling the incident when he and his best friend, Shoji, made this "booby trap" where when Tomoyo stepped on a cobblestone (actually a switch), that activated the see-saw underneath, making the weight fly up, landing on a lever, causing the rope to pull open a cage of mice. Of course, it wasn't that funny after because then she started chasing them with her plastic sword, and they were "unarmed". "And remember, my part of the deal is that if both of us still don't get along, then I get to marry Kaho, right?"

His father sighed, with a worried look on his face. "Right. But I must tell Queen Daidouji about this."

"Deal."

"But who knows? Maybe you'll appreciate her."

"Now that," started Eriol, "is impossible. I already love Kaho and I want her to be my bride. Even if I didn't know her [Kaho], I'd still pick her over that Tomoyo person because anybody's better than that Japanese brat—"

"Ooh…I think someone's racist," joked his father. "Oh anyway, here we are!" He saw two figures at the other end of the castle and knew this was his cue to act. "You come in this way—"

"Fine, but there had better be something good for me," Eriol replied, walking in, arms folded, refusing to see the Princess by facing the direction he came in from.

"I do not want to see some cur who has pulled pranks on me and has never thought of respect," Tomoyo said, angrily.

"You never know," replied Queen Sonomi. "Now come, there isn't much time to waste."

"Humph," she said, refusing to look at anyone that might be coming in the other direction by looking at the way she came in so now that they were facing in opposite directions.

After a few minutes' silence, Eriol began to get impatient and finally decided to look at Tomoyo, tell his father, get over this part of the process, and get back to Kaho as soon as possible. He finally turned around and saw a woman's perfect figure with waist-length raven hair, which shone with health. She was wearing a violet dress and had her arms folded, her back to him.

'Who is she? thought Eriol. 'She's probably just some other girl who wants to ask to be married. But once again, if I'm going to marry anyone, it's going to be Kaho. It's such a shame though, her beauty could compete with my love's.' Never did it occur to him that it was the one and only Princess Tomoyo Daidouji he was looking at. He started to walk towards her.

Tomoyo heard footsteps approaching and thought silently, 'I wonder if this person knows where that Prince Eriol is. He's probably late, like usual.' She spun around and saw a suave-looking man approaching her way. 'No doubt this isn't Eriol. Hiiragizawa's wild and definitely a nightmare.' She decided to greet him formally.

"Good day, sire," Tomoyo said, bowing.

"A good day to you, milady," replied the "stranger", bowing in respect and after that, gently kissed her hand.

'Okay, well, at least I know he's not the monster I almost suspected he was.'

She decided to ask a question, but when she did, the other gentleman asked a question at the same time.

"Do you know where Prince Eriol—"

"Do you know where Princess Tomoyo—"

They stopped. 'Now that I think of it, why does he look oddly familiar? I can't quite put my finger on it…the dark hair…the glasses…the pale skin…' Tomoyo's eyes widened. 'It couldn't be-him-could it? He's too different…but at the same time…too familiar…that half-smirk…'

'Okay, calm yourself down, Eriol. Just because the person happens to look and sound and act like Tomoyo doesn't mean she—'

"Hiiragizawa?" Tomoyo blurted out.

Eriol just gaped in shock that the woman he was looking at could possibly be Tomoyo Daidouji, his most-feared creature on the planet other than the legendary golden dragon.

"Daidouji?"

They just stared at each other, refusing to accept the truth. Finally, similar to what had happened eleven years ago, they ran to their "corresponding" sinks. Tomoyo vigorously washed her hands, and brought a soap bar to make it even cleaner. On the other side of the hall, Eriol was washing his mouth, and he too brought a soap bar. When they were done, they glared at each other.

"A good day to you, sire," Tomoyo said sarcastically, giving an extremely exaggerated curtsy before storming off.

"Women can be so irritating," Eriol muttered and walked to his room.

~ later and in the ballroom ~

"And now I will introduce," Queen Sonomi started, "the treasure of treasures, the princess of princesses and of my kingdom, Tomoyo Daidouji!"

Everyone politely clapped, and gasped at the striking beauty of the angel walking down the stairs. Tomoyo was wearing her favorite flowing white dress and an amethyst necklace; her hair was styled in the way of the elegant French bun. Several side-conversations were heard, and men were staring at her in awe.

"Is that an angel I see?"

"Is that a goddess?"

"Nobody's beauty in the kingdom could rival with hers!"

"She's mine, I tell ya!"

"No, she's going to be married to Prince Eriol, but it may or may not change after this night. Tonight determines everything."

'Hmm,' someone thought in the corner of the ballroom. 'Tonight determines everything…I'll just make sure it goes wrong.'

"And here is our future king, Prince Eriol Hiiragizawa!" Eriol descended the flight of stairs, looking strikingly handsome in his royal outfit. Several girls swooned and he only cocked an eyebrow at them before he resumed doing so.

"And now," Queen Sonomi and King Hiiragizawa said in unison, "the ball shall begin." Both of their parents dragged their children towards each other and gave them a stern look, but finally walked away.

"May I have the honor to dance with you?" Eriol asked with extreme aggrandizement, bowing so low that his head almost touched the ground.

"Of course," Tomoyo said with a tone that equaled Eriol's and curtsied.

So, he awkwardly fitted his a hand on Tomoyo's waist, and Tomoyo put her hand on Eriol's shoulder, holding his other hand. Slowly, they waltzed to the music.

Eriol and Tomoyo continued dancing, each practicing death glares on their partner. A person passing by would have wondered about their actions, and probably walk off as quickly as possible. However, the other men and ladies took advantage of this by telling Tomoyo or Eriol that they would gladly dance with them.

"I just noticed you have blue eyes," Tomoyo said, still as coldly as ever.

"As you have green eyes," Eriol replied.

After a couple more minutes, both of them broke into laughter.

'He may still be the monster I imagined eleven years back, but at least he has a sense of humor,' Tomoyo thought half-heartedly.

'Dad was right. She's not as bad as before…I'll give her a chance. Who knows what might happen? But Kaho…' Eriol thought.

"It has been a long night, milady," he said, bowing, gently kissing her hand.

"So it has," Tomoyo said, and when she tried walking away from Eriol when he wasn't looking, a pair of guards pointed their spears at her.

'Why must my life be so miserable?' Tomoyo thought angrily before continuing to follow Eriol. 'Ugh. Parents' orders.'

"Eriol, darling!" Kaho cooed. She was wearing a magnificent and beautiful black dress, her red hair naturally beautiful. There was something ominous, maybe dark, about her presence, but nobody thought about it because after all, she was the one Eriol had loved. Only one woman thought about that, who was no other than Princess Tomoyo Daidouji.

'I don't trust her,' she thought, not letting negative thoughts get in her way. ((I know it's kind of repetitive, but I put that in so it would be a little less confusing.))

Kaho put her arms around Eriol and pecked him on his cheek. Eriol looked at her in shock.

"What? Don't you love me any more, honey?"

He glanced to his right, and saw Tomoyo, who was clearly crestfallen. He was about to say something, but Kaho said, "I know you still love me, so I'm not going to feel too bad." She walked off, winking.

Tomoyo felt a pang of jealousy in her heart. Suddenly and without notice, Tomoyo realized her biggest mistake ever. She had fallen in love. With Eriol Hiiragizawa. Love at first sight, no doubt. Tomoyo hated herself.

Eriol felt angry at Kaho, for the first time. 'Why did she do that?' Eriol, a man of great observance, noticed his thoughts and was shocked at them. 'Could it be that I don't love Kaho anymore? If I don't love her, then who do I love?' He glanced at his dancing partner and felt his heart race faster. 'Tomoyo Daidouji.' He chuckled silently about their "relationship" over the years.

"Start the marriage," Eriol called out.

Queen Sonomi and King Hiiragizawa practically jumped in joy at these words, and the others applauded and cheered loudly.

"Wait," Tomoyo said.

The entire room suddenly turned silent.

"What's wrong?" asked Eriol.

Tomoyo turned her head the other way and said, "Since I know you'll never truly love me, I'll call it off. I'll let you marry Kaho, and you'll be happier. It'll work out better. And plus, I decided I only want to marry the one that will love me until the end, not for a few brief moments of my life."

Queen Sonomi gasped, King Hiiragizawa looked at her in shock, and the others were silent.

"But why—" Eriol started.

"It's nothing of your concern," she replied, walking out to get on her horse.

Kaho smiled.

~ around 9:00 P.M. ~

"Are you sure you don't want to stay a little longer? The roads can be dangerous at night, and it looks like it's going to rain," King Hiiragizawa said.

"I'll manage," Tomoyo said. Her mother elbowed her and she said, "Goodbye" without looking in Eriol's direction.

King Hiiragizawa prodded his son's arm. "Goodbye…Tomoyo," Eriol said.

She pretended to not hear him and continued walking into the forest.

"What's wrong with you, dear?" Queen Daidouji asked.

"There's no point in marrying him if his heart rightfully belongs to another woman."

"But—"

"This time, my reason is perfectly legible. Nothing is more powerful than the power of love…"

Queen Sonomi sighed, but helped herself and her daughter into the prepared carriage, that had a footman, two horses, etc.

It was starting to rain heavily, but other than that, they were riding along peacefully and apparently without any problems until the carriage came to an abrupt stop.

"What's this all about?" Queen Daidouji asked angrily. "My daughter and I are very tired and—" She gasped at the sight of a familiar figure.

"Everything you own, everything you own will be mine," the hooded figure said, laughing. Suddenly, it changed into a beast—it had green fur, long and threatening claws, yellow eyes, bat-like wings, and dangerously sharp looking teeth. It gave a loud cry, which made the hairs on Tomoyo's arm stand.
It went for the carriage, knocking it over, creating a pandemonium. The horses were being cut loose, the guards unconscious, and continued wrecking havoc. What it didn't notice was that one guard managed to run back to the Hiiragizawa castle.

~ in the Hiiragizawa castle ~

"What a way to greet your fiancé," Yoshiyuki Terada was saying, who was Eriol's royal advisor. He was just called Terada by everyone. "Hug your known other fiancé right before proposing to another woman."

"It's not my fault," Eriol said angrily, moving his piece on the chessboard. "Your turn, Shoji."

"No honestly," Terada said. "You could actually write a book you know, about this: How to Ruin a Proposal. Sound good?" Shoji quickly cleared the chessboard of some of Eriol's pieces and changed Eriol's queen's spot, since his best friend wasn't looking his way and wasn't concentrating in the game anyway. "Oh, look, you lost your queen."

Eriol gave a sigh of exasperation and said, "Maybe father was right about Kaho…" He turned back to the chessboard. "Checkmate."

"Huh?" Shoji blinked and saw that it was indeed, checkmate.

A loud banging was heard downstairs and the door opened.

"Look, it's one of Tomoyo's men!" Terada said.

"Queen Sonomi is in trouble…" he said, and fainted.

"Tomoyo," Eriol whispered.

Eriol quickly got on his horse and galloped as fast as he could, jumping over ravines and during a rainstorm. 'Hold on Tomoyo, I'm coming for you.'

When he saw the carriage, he was shocked. It had been turned completely to its side, and all the carriage men were either dead, laying on the ground or had disappeared; they probably got away. Eriol turned his head to a faint breathing sound.

"Tomoyo!" he shouted in anguish, but he found Sonomi, close to death.

"What happened? Where's Tomoyo?"

Weakly, she replied, "It's not what it seems…it's not what it seems…"

"What is? Where's Tomoyo?"

Barely audible, Queen Sonomi muttered, "The Great Animal…"

"And Tomoyo?" Eriol asked cautiously, afraid to hear the reply.

She had heavily labored breathing right now, and could barely say anything. "Tomoyo…is…gone…" At her last word, she closed her eyes and her breathing stopped.

Eriol, eyes watering, found a nearby white flower and laid it gently on Queen Sonomi.

"Tomoyo…" He tried hard not to cry.

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okeez…sahrri foh da cliffie…i just thought it would b a good stoppin place foh meeh…*imaginary tomatoes hitting author*…um…*crickets chirp*…any audience? hello? oyea…b sure 2 revioo, u all kno how moah revioos build up dere self-esteem…XD

~CHeRRybLoSSoM361