Chapter Nine: ShiraNobi
Akito looked up into the eyes of the dark haired young men.
"Say that again."
"She is the heir to ShiraNobi" Kageru repeated, "Release her at once or suffer the consequences."
Akito stared at him for a few minutes, an angry grimace on his face. Yuki and Shigure could only stare at her in surprise. A princess? How could that be possible? Akito released his grip on her hair, which fell back onto her shoulders. She collapsed on her knees breathing hard. The ShiraNobi guards and Kageru ran to her aid, with the Sohmas still in complete shock.
"Are you all right your highness?" Kageru asked.
"Yes" she breathed, "Thank you Kageru."
"Don' t thank me your highness" he replied angrily, "I don't want your thanks. The only thing that I want to do is return you to where you belong."
He grabbed at her arm, which she quickly pulled away.
"Do not forget Kageru" she replied standing straight, "I am still your princess. I can walk myself."
She faced forward and walked towards the door, pausing a moment to look into Yuki's confused face. Tears began to collect in her eyes.
"Forgive me Shigure, Yuki for deceiving you. But know this. I will never forget all the times we spent with each other and I shall miss you. I shall miss you terribly."
She turned her head so her tears couldn't be seen. Yuki opened his mouth to say something but the ShiraNobi guards had surrounded her once more and they were leading her out the door. Kageru was the last to the door.
"The kingdom of ShiraNobi sends its regrets for anything the princess has done to offend your country" Kageru replied quickly.
Then in an instant he too was out the door.
"I don't believe it" Shigure replied, "Our Tohru was a princess."
Akito seethed inside. He ordered everyone out of the room and sat on his throne.
"This is not over" he thought, "Not over by a long shot."
****************
Outside the palace a carriage was waiting for the young princess. The guards followed on horses. Tohru gazed out the window sadly. It was over. Her time was up. She was leaving the home that she had known for five years. And most important of all she was losing some of the best friends she had ever had.
***************
It was several hours before Tohru spotted the flags of the ShiraNobi palace come into view. As she stepped out of the carriage, several servants ran up to her, fussing over her hair, and her outfit. She was escorted to her chamber, where she was dressed, her hair was curled, and the finest jewelry she owned was placed on her. The only thing she didn't take off was the pendant. She had always worn it since her mom's passing six years ago. It was her most treasured heirloom, besides her figurines. She figured she could fetch them some time later when she got the chance.
She was now waiting in the main hall outside the King's chamber. The gown she wore was a pale blue color and matched the blue stones in the tiara on her head. Kageru was already inside trying to smooth things over. She sighed as she thought of how angry her grandfather (The King) was going to react when he saw her. Finally after a few more minutes of waiting a servant came out and told her to enter. Tohru took a deep breath and walked in.
****************
Inside the room was purple in color. The carpeting was royal purple and the tapestries were plum, magenta, and periwinkle. Tohru's grandmother was sitting in her comfortable chair when she spotted her. She had on purple robes and her hair was nicely curled. Her blue eyes twinkled as she spoke.
"Tohru, my darling" she called to her.
Tohru immediately walked over to her and they embraced.
"Oh my dear we have been so worried about you" her grandmother replied.
"Indeed" a deep baritone voice said, "You have a lot of explaining to do young lady."
The king approached her with Kageru not far behind. He was a very tall man with a long white beard and white hair at the top of his head. His brown eyes were blazing with anger. Kageru smirked as he leaned against a nearby wall watching the king's speech.
"I hate to think what would have happened if Kageru hadn't shone up" her grandfather continued, "Tohru you broke our agreement. You ran away, and worst of all you associated yourself with ShiraNobi's enemy. How could you do such a thing?"
"But grandfather" Tohru replied, "I didn't mean any harm. I just wanted to see what my life would be like if I were someone else. I wanted to try out new experiences."
"And to do that you had to defy me?" he said angrily, "To accomplish that little thing you had to put yourself in danger? Not to mention the trouble you put Kageru through. Tohru my child, don't you understand, I only want to protect you. This adventuresome spirit of yours has to cease. You are the heir to the throne and with that comes a lot of responsibilities.
"I know," she answered sadly.
His face softened.
Tohru" he sighed gesturing her forward, "Your grandmother and I only want what is best for you. We love you very much and would be very upset if we ever lost you. So please my child, promise me, no more adventures. No more sneaking around. Please?"
Tohru nodded her head smiling and embraced her grandfather.
"Grandfather, may I go to the empty cabin in the mountains to fetch my things, if I take an escort along of course?"
"I don't see why not" he replied.
"I can escort her your highness" Kageru volunteered standing up straight.
"No Kageru" The king shook his head, "I need you here tomorrow. Perhaps your friends would like to accompany you there?"
"Uo and Hana? Are they here?" she asked.
"Yes. They returned hours before you. They have been reprimanded as well for letting you disappear, but I also know that those two won't fail again. So take them with you when you go to the mountains tomorrow."
"Thank you grandfather, grandmother" she bowed, "I promise, I won't disappoint you again."
****************
She exited the room with Kageru not far behind.
"You got off easy" he replied coming behind her.
"I beg your pardon?" she said.
"I'll be watching you princess" he moved closer to her face, "I'll be watching you like a hawk."
He walked away leaving shivers going up and down her spine. He smiled as he walked away. Things were right on schedule. Nothing could stop them now.
***********************************************
Authors Note: Thanks again for the great reviews! To answer your question Ocasa-no-yumi, Kageru is actually a character from the actual manga. He is in Yuki's cabinet as his vice- president. I like the character of Kageru, but I have often wondered what he would be like if he was an evil character, so I decided to try it in mine. You're right though. It is pretty close to Kagura. I read some of your story and it is good for a start, but I think and this is just my opinion so you don't have to agree, but if there was more details. Like how long ago did they find the house that way, or maybe a little bit more in their own point of view? It's just I thought. I do like the storyline though, and I look forward to more!!
Thank you again to Elf Princess and Kaurin as well!!
Next Chapter: Kyo's Master
Tohru takes the mysterious book to someone who can translate it's meaning. Akito also gives ShiraNobi an Ultimatum! Don't miss it!!
Akito looked up into the eyes of the dark haired young men.
"Say that again."
"She is the heir to ShiraNobi" Kageru repeated, "Release her at once or suffer the consequences."
Akito stared at him for a few minutes, an angry grimace on his face. Yuki and Shigure could only stare at her in surprise. A princess? How could that be possible? Akito released his grip on her hair, which fell back onto her shoulders. She collapsed on her knees breathing hard. The ShiraNobi guards and Kageru ran to her aid, with the Sohmas still in complete shock.
"Are you all right your highness?" Kageru asked.
"Yes" she breathed, "Thank you Kageru."
"Don' t thank me your highness" he replied angrily, "I don't want your thanks. The only thing that I want to do is return you to where you belong."
He grabbed at her arm, which she quickly pulled away.
"Do not forget Kageru" she replied standing straight, "I am still your princess. I can walk myself."
She faced forward and walked towards the door, pausing a moment to look into Yuki's confused face. Tears began to collect in her eyes.
"Forgive me Shigure, Yuki for deceiving you. But know this. I will never forget all the times we spent with each other and I shall miss you. I shall miss you terribly."
She turned her head so her tears couldn't be seen. Yuki opened his mouth to say something but the ShiraNobi guards had surrounded her once more and they were leading her out the door. Kageru was the last to the door.
"The kingdom of ShiraNobi sends its regrets for anything the princess has done to offend your country" Kageru replied quickly.
Then in an instant he too was out the door.
"I don't believe it" Shigure replied, "Our Tohru was a princess."
Akito seethed inside. He ordered everyone out of the room and sat on his throne.
"This is not over" he thought, "Not over by a long shot."
****************
Outside the palace a carriage was waiting for the young princess. The guards followed on horses. Tohru gazed out the window sadly. It was over. Her time was up. She was leaving the home that she had known for five years. And most important of all she was losing some of the best friends she had ever had.
***************
It was several hours before Tohru spotted the flags of the ShiraNobi palace come into view. As she stepped out of the carriage, several servants ran up to her, fussing over her hair, and her outfit. She was escorted to her chamber, where she was dressed, her hair was curled, and the finest jewelry she owned was placed on her. The only thing she didn't take off was the pendant. She had always worn it since her mom's passing six years ago. It was her most treasured heirloom, besides her figurines. She figured she could fetch them some time later when she got the chance.
She was now waiting in the main hall outside the King's chamber. The gown she wore was a pale blue color and matched the blue stones in the tiara on her head. Kageru was already inside trying to smooth things over. She sighed as she thought of how angry her grandfather (The King) was going to react when he saw her. Finally after a few more minutes of waiting a servant came out and told her to enter. Tohru took a deep breath and walked in.
****************
Inside the room was purple in color. The carpeting was royal purple and the tapestries were plum, magenta, and periwinkle. Tohru's grandmother was sitting in her comfortable chair when she spotted her. She had on purple robes and her hair was nicely curled. Her blue eyes twinkled as she spoke.
"Tohru, my darling" she called to her.
Tohru immediately walked over to her and they embraced.
"Oh my dear we have been so worried about you" her grandmother replied.
"Indeed" a deep baritone voice said, "You have a lot of explaining to do young lady."
The king approached her with Kageru not far behind. He was a very tall man with a long white beard and white hair at the top of his head. His brown eyes were blazing with anger. Kageru smirked as he leaned against a nearby wall watching the king's speech.
"I hate to think what would have happened if Kageru hadn't shone up" her grandfather continued, "Tohru you broke our agreement. You ran away, and worst of all you associated yourself with ShiraNobi's enemy. How could you do such a thing?"
"But grandfather" Tohru replied, "I didn't mean any harm. I just wanted to see what my life would be like if I were someone else. I wanted to try out new experiences."
"And to do that you had to defy me?" he said angrily, "To accomplish that little thing you had to put yourself in danger? Not to mention the trouble you put Kageru through. Tohru my child, don't you understand, I only want to protect you. This adventuresome spirit of yours has to cease. You are the heir to the throne and with that comes a lot of responsibilities.
"I know," she answered sadly.
His face softened.
Tohru" he sighed gesturing her forward, "Your grandmother and I only want what is best for you. We love you very much and would be very upset if we ever lost you. So please my child, promise me, no more adventures. No more sneaking around. Please?"
Tohru nodded her head smiling and embraced her grandfather.
"Grandfather, may I go to the empty cabin in the mountains to fetch my things, if I take an escort along of course?"
"I don't see why not" he replied.
"I can escort her your highness" Kageru volunteered standing up straight.
"No Kageru" The king shook his head, "I need you here tomorrow. Perhaps your friends would like to accompany you there?"
"Uo and Hana? Are they here?" she asked.
"Yes. They returned hours before you. They have been reprimanded as well for letting you disappear, but I also know that those two won't fail again. So take them with you when you go to the mountains tomorrow."
"Thank you grandfather, grandmother" she bowed, "I promise, I won't disappoint you again."
****************
She exited the room with Kageru not far behind.
"You got off easy" he replied coming behind her.
"I beg your pardon?" she said.
"I'll be watching you princess" he moved closer to her face, "I'll be watching you like a hawk."
He walked away leaving shivers going up and down her spine. He smiled as he walked away. Things were right on schedule. Nothing could stop them now.
***********************************************
Authors Note: Thanks again for the great reviews! To answer your question Ocasa-no-yumi, Kageru is actually a character from the actual manga. He is in Yuki's cabinet as his vice- president. I like the character of Kageru, but I have often wondered what he would be like if he was an evil character, so I decided to try it in mine. You're right though. It is pretty close to Kagura. I read some of your story and it is good for a start, but I think and this is just my opinion so you don't have to agree, but if there was more details. Like how long ago did they find the house that way, or maybe a little bit more in their own point of view? It's just I thought. I do like the storyline though, and I look forward to more!!
Thank you again to Elf Princess and Kaurin as well!!
Next Chapter: Kyo's Master
Tohru takes the mysterious book to someone who can translate it's meaning. Akito also gives ShiraNobi an Ultimatum! Don't miss it!!