Chapter 8: The 3rd party

Tokiya lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. His balcony door was left ajar and strong winds were teasing the maroon draperies. He turned his head and focused on the dancing curtains. His mind was thinking of something else. How he will be able to get back the blue gem? And why has that blonde leech returned?

That blue gem signified a royal emblem of the Mikagami clan. Once raised to meet the light of the moon, it will glow and if you look closely at the center there is an object. That object was rather too peculiar to even be named. Nevertheless, it was important especially in passing down the royalty of their clan.

Tokiya wiped his forehead and breathed in. He was not feeling well and he knew it. He recollected what happened today, the arrival of the princess of Antigue.

The two were sitting on the balcony, Fuuko reading again an old classic novel, while Tokiya looking at her intently. His face was plastered with a soft smile. Fuuko did not take notice of it for she was busy reading.

A horse carriage stopped in front of the castle; it was descended by a beautiful lady accompanied by an escort. The king and queen were aware of the princess' arrival and had been waiting in front to greet her.

"Welcome, my dear. You look absolutely stunning as ever!" the queen kissed the lady's cheek and so did the lady. The king smiled and greeted the princess.

With smugness the princess said, "I hope you don't mind this sudden visit. It's because I just want to check up on my Tokiya." (AN: AH TAKE NOTE OF THE 'MY'! TANTANANAN!) she gave a wide grin and walked inside the castle.

The queen gritted her teeth. 'That damn brat. Why did my husband ever choose her as a daughter-in-law?! I can't stand her, all this pretending!' (A/N: ohh...that's why)

She looked at her husband with fierce and followed the princess. Her husband only sweat dropped and did the same.

"Tokiya?" there was a familiar voice and Tokiya froze.

'It couldn't be?'

"Tokiya, darling!" It is. The moment he turned his head he saw her, her and her annoying presence.

Fuuko was shocked to the lady who rudely interrupted her reading. She looked at Tokiya, who was looking displeased by the second, to ask for an answer.

The princess was all over the poor prince. Mikagami stood and shoved her away, but it seemed like there was super glue coming out of that princess system. She was awfully flirtatious.

"I'm so happy to see you, are you happy to see me? I asked father if I could stay with you. I missed you so much and I wanted to see my fiancé!" her voice shrieked.

The mirror was shattered when Fuuko heard this. Fiancé? What the hell? Fuuko coughed once or twice to get the two's attention.

"Uh, your highness, do you still need me?" she asked with irritation.

The princess must've noticed it and walked up to her.

"And who might YOU be?" she tilted Fuuko's chin to get a better view.

"Hmm...pretty, but not as pretty as me." She turned to Tokiya. "Who is she?" the princess asked in utter discontentment.

"Sh—I mean, he is my servant." 'God, I almost said she!'

"You're servant? Oh right, of course HE is! And who is he?" she gave a coy grin.

Fuuko stepped up and said, "My name is Ki-ah Hojo Lei your highness." 'God, I almost said Kirisawa!" she mentally slapped herself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ameyawa Francine of the kingdom Atigue." She proudly proclaimed. Fuuko nodded awkwardly.

"You may be dismissed while my fiancé and I spend some time with each other." With that Fuuko reluctantly bowed and took off. Tokiya couldn't do anything.

"So where were we?" she turned to Tokiya and gave him a seductive stare.

To Tokiya it was a mere question, so he shrugged and left.

"Where are you going!?"

"Stables"

"You do understand that I'm your guest for a week!" Francine stomped her foot and was filled with rage. Tokiya has been indifferent to his fiancé ever since they were engaged. He didn't like the princess of Antigue. It was only for power that they were engaged, as any normal kingdom would.

There was no response from Mikagami.

Fuuko left the castle early, politely saying farewell to the royalties. She was walking home to where Recca, Yanagi and Domon were when horse hooves were heard.

"Care to ride with me?"

She turned to face Tokiya mounted on a stallion. Fuuko smiled and gladly accepted. The two rode off into the forest, forgetting Francine and her bad manners.

The ride was silent, Fuuko was behind Tokiya. The wind was blowing with their tresses.

TOKIYA'S POV

Somehow being with Lei is very refreshing. I'd rather be with him or her than be with that brat. I don't know what I feel for him (referring to Fuuko) anymore. One minute I treat him as a friend and then the next...

No, I don't. I just treat him as my special friend. Nothing else...right?

They reached the lake and dismounted. Fuuko jumped with glee as the calm azure lake enticed her to play with it. She ran to where the lake is a admired the sight.

"I usually go here whenever I feel like it." Tokiya came up from behind. He pointed to a boat tied on a tree's trunk.

"Let's go!"

Fuuko followed Tokiya and gulped after seeing the small boat. Tokiya noticed her uneasiness and asked her the matter.

"Uh...are you sure it's safe to board that?"

"Of course! Now help me with it"

"But..."

"You're my servant, now do what I say or else!" he teased playfully. Fuuko couldn't do anything and so obeyed him.

"YOU COME BACK HERE YOU MONSTER!" Fuuko aimed at the gorilla, Domon, and threw a pebble on him. He dodged the first assault and gave Fuuko a flying kiss, but then he hit face first when the second assault was launched.

Domon lay lying on his back, followed by a foot stomping on his broad chest.

"Give it back you or I'll slit your throat!" she reached her hand hoping to get her stolen item.

Domon whimpered and took out from his pocket the pendant Fuuko's been keeping. The blue gem shimmered when the sun's rays hit it.

"I was only going to borrow it..." Domon made an effort for an excuse.

"Yeah right!" Fuuko grabbed it and walked away.

"Fuu-chan, please don't be mad!" Domon bawled in front of the by-standers. Fuuko mumbled something and went off to avoid further humiliation. Checking her watch she dressed herself and went to the castle.

Fuuko knocked on Tokiya's door, but there was no answer. A few more knocks when finally someone groaned.

"May I come in your highness? Mika-?" there was another groaned and soft thud. Fuuko began to worry so she turned the doorknob, and found it unlocked.

There lay Mikagami sprawled beside his bed with an uncomfortable position. He was trying to get up. Fuuko took the initiative to help him back on the bed.

"uh..." Tokiya said while rubbing his forehead.

"Are you okay?" Fuuko carefully pulled Tokiya's hand away and checked his forehead. It was very hot. She rushed out of the room and called the family doctor.

Soon Tokiya was being examined and his parents were beside him. The queen was holding his hand and the king was holding her wife. Fuuko stood farthest away from Tokiya. It was probably because half of castle occupants were gathered around him.

She studied everyone's faces, the look of concern etched on them. 'For a prince who used to be very arrogant and stoic, he sure is loved. There must be a reason behind this.' she thought.

Tokiya stirred and the queen whispered consoling words to him.

And then he spoke, "L...Lei..."

Everyone inside the room turned to Fuuko, who didn't heard the prince's cry, some were whispering amongst each other. Others had a look of surprise, and some merely indifferent to what happened. Tokiya stirred again and all attention was back to him.

"Lei, come here." The king said in a toneless voice.

Fuuko quickly walked to the bed and kneeled to face Tokiya.

"Hey it's okay, don't worry." She said while smoothing Tokiya's mane.

"It's best if you all should leave." The doctor said to the king. King Mikagami (ahahaha) ordered everyone to leave the room while he ushered her sobbing wife to the door.

Fuuko was about to follow when Tokiya bolt upright and grabbed onto Fuuko. The king and queen were obviously shocked as they saw Tokiya tightly hugging Fuuko like some precious gold.

"Don't! Don't! Don't!" He was shouting and Fuuko had to simultaneously comfort and pull away from him.

The queen rushed the Tokiya and hugged him.

"Shh...it's okay." The queen caressed her son lovingly. With a demanding voice Tokiya blurted out,

"I want Lei."

The queen did not budge for she thought he was hallucinating. To add another discomfort Fuuko heard loud footsteps followed by a bang on the door. The door swung open and Francine gave a cry of distress to see her love in a bad condition.

"Oh my goodness! Is he okay?" she walked to where the prince laid. She touched every corner of Tokiya's face, trying to find what the cause of his sickness is, sobbing audibly, and making such a fuss about his fiancé's situation.

Tokiya gave a loud groan and jerked his head away from Francine's hold.

"Where is Lei?" he demanded again and when he turned to look for his friend; he found him standing near his closet.

Fuuko waved impishly.

He smiled and didn't mind the people around him.

He wanted to go back to sleep and so he did. After that, everyone left and the last to go was Fuuko. She looked back again to the sleeping figure and then closed the door.

'Since he is sleeping, I might as well help out in the kitchen.' She trotted to the kitchen to erase the little incident that happened awhile ago. Of all people why would Tokiya call him? It sent her shockwaves, it must mean something.

With fist raised, doing a victory pose, she triumphantly said "YES!" and moved on.

She stopped in her tracks to hear voice in the kitchen.

"Oh no, I hope he is not gulp what I think he is?"

"Your highness deserves better!"

Fuuko leaned closer to eavesdrop.

"But, if you look closely that Lei resembles a female neh?"

Her eyes grew wide at the mention of her alias. 'I thought it was Francine.'

"It would be better if he is a she though."

"Do you notice the stares? And the awful closeness of the two?"

"This is so exciting!" one screamed, "It's like a love triangle with the addition of Princess Francine!"

"Prince Tokiya is not fond of that haughty princess. I can see it."

"Me too!"

"Anyway, I do hope our prince is not..."

Fuuko pressed herself closer as the words grew faint.

"...gay."

Ack!

A/N: Cheesy crappy...mummbles to herself... oh yeah, end of story! I mean, chapter. This is the first time I'm going to thank my reviewers, so a BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! Forgive me if I don't update regularly and if there are typos and wrong grammar, that's coz sometimes I lose energy and mindlessly type...seriously! Much thanks so shukuchi for..everything! Though sometimes I don't take your I forget them whenever I write...gomen!

p.s

I'd appreciate it if you give more advice and a few ideas regarding this story. THANKS! I know I'm so lazy to think for myself..haha