Yes this is a remake of another story that I did. Ididn't like the title or how it was turning outso I changed a few things and added a few others. I hope you enjoy this new story.
Okayon another note;this is not a story of an origianl character though I pretty much changed everything to my liking by making this story analternat universe.Now the couples areU/C, H/L, F/F. The summary is:
-Umi is a simple girl that was born on the wrong side of the sheets. This as it normally goes does not mean a life of bon bons and champagen. Instead Umi is lead down a path of theft and intrigue. Can Umi, who for reasons unknown has changed her name to Piru, find out how to save the kingdom while trying to keep her head above water and out of love.
I do not own MKR but I wish I did because then I wouldn't be bothering to use my sad obsession this way. On the other hand you would be missing out on one great story. . . did I mention that I'm modest? Alright on with the show!
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The first job was easy, if you call climbing up three stories of a castle that has very few hand and or foot holds, easy. Then again my job is rarely ever easy. If your wondering which I'm sure you are, I am a thief; or I should say I was a thief. Wait this is confusing let me start at the beginning . . .
My life started with a slap, not the usual midwife slap. But a resounding shut up or put up bitch slap. My mother was a maid at a noble's house. The Lord of the Manor took a shine to the pretty young maid, which is were I came into the picture. Yes ladies and gentlemen I am of noble birth; I just doubt anyone else will see it in a nice way. Then again they may have, had my mother not shipped me off to live with my grandmother. Those days were pleasant; I lived in the relatively nicer part of the city. We were poor but happy . . . and then it all came down. They said the fire started in the theater district a lantern fell and set the stage on fire, which set the theater alight, and so on and so on. Half the city burned before the rain came and helped put it out. The nicer part of the city wasn't even charred, though the rich bastards had the gall to complain of smoke damage. My grandmother's house was caught in the fire. My grandmother herself died in the fire, while trying to save her house. All I could do was stand there and watch as she ran back into the burning building. Even at the tender age of ten I knew that she wasn't going to come out. I knew that I was on my own. So I turned and I ran away from the fire, the smoke, the pain. The fire gave many things to the city like charred dreams, burnt buildings, dead realities, and orphans. Life was anything but pleasant, so I did what I could to stay alive. I joined another group of orphans my age, Daniel was the leader. He was also the oldest, then there was two other girls Maggie and Margret who were twins. Charlie, Harold, Derek, and Big Al were also in the group. All of them became the family that I had craved for since I was born. We ran around the city as if we owned it. I learned how to cut purses and pick pockets, I learned how to disappear into a crowd, how to become forgotten. Then as I grew older I learned how to burglar houses. How to find most 'hiding places' that a noble would use. Such as under the floor boards, behind a picture, inside a hollowed out book, etc. It was amazing the lengths a rich person would got to, to hide just that little extra bit of money. Soon I was working solo, I had a little modest room, which I shared with another enterprising individual. I was sixteen years old and my life was going great. And then the other shoe dropped, disaster once again raised her mighty hammer and struck. Queen Emeraude had been kidnapped! The city was turned inside out by order of Prince Ferio and his councilor the Master Mage Clef. Even my humble neighborhood was searched. The usual suspects were rounded up and questioned; life in the city came to an abrupt stop. My business as well as my roommates Karla was put on hold. I knew I could very easily loose a hand, or my life, when people were this nerves. While Karla, being less level headed then myself, took to being nearly arrested twice before she gave up.
"Honestly Piru it's almost like their trying to stop a woman from doing an honest days work." Karla screeched as she slammed the door. She was coming back from her second brush with the law.
"Well I hate to be the bearer of obvious news . . . they are trying to stop you. Not to mention you have never done an honest days work in your life." Piru said a smile flickering across her face.
"As if you're any better." Karla spat back at Piru.
"I'm not, but then again I wasn't the one whining now was I?"
"Piru you're a real pain in the ass you know that." Piru smiled and laughed, shaking her head at Karla's blunt statement. But as Karla had noticed many times before the smile never reached Piru's eyes. They were as always a bright blue tented with sadness. Never had Karla seen anything that would erase the sadness in those eyes.
"What?"
"I said are you back to stay? Or are you going to try going back to work?"
"No I think I'll take a day off. Anyway there are a few errands that I need to run. Which I feel you should run with me."
"What?"
"Get off your ass and come with me. I just need to go to a healer and then the Honored Boar."
"The Honored Boar? Isn't that near the barracks to the palace?"
"Yeah and?"
"Well isn't that place a little dangerous right now?" Karla waved her hand in a dismissal of Piru's worries.
"What harm could come to us? Anyway I'll buy you lunch."
"All right." I said with great reluctance. Something told me that today was the day that I should have just stayed in bed.
The healer lived not far from Market Square, like the name implies it is the center of the city were all the merchants sell their wears. It was a small shop, when we walked in it smelled faintly of sage and lavender. An odd combination I was thinking before I saw the girl behind the counter. She was pretty with long hair the color of wheat she also had emerald eyes. She had a very innocent look about her which was only enhanced by the spectacles she wore. At first glance you would think her nothing but a naive apprentice but a further looked showed a faint green aura about her. She looked up startled at seeing us walk in. I could just imagine what she saw. One girl of average height with curly red hair and a body that you would kill for. The other was taller with a slender frame, and light blue hair cut short in the back and flared out in the front to about chin length. It was an unusual hair style but one that suited her unusual life.
"Good afternoon Ladies may I help you?"
"Yes I'm here to get some abstinence leaves."
"All right, and you Miss?"
"Nothing thank you. I was just dragged here under protest."
The girl turned her back to the girls and started to mix together whatever went into abstinence leaves.
"So are you the apprentice or are you a journeyman?" Karla asked the girl, who turned around sharply anger clearly written in her eyes.
"Its not that we care you just look young to already be a full master." Piru replied quickly she knew it was never a healthy thing to piss off a healer.
"Oh." The girl said the anger slowly spilling out of her eyes to quickly be replaced by annoyance. "Yes I am a full Master Healer." The attitude in the girl's voice obviously meant she wanted someone to ague with her. Piru was not going to rise to the bait.
"That's impressive I've never meet anyone who achieved their mastership at such a young age. Or are you really a sage with a long beard which you simply tucked under your shirt?" Piru said the first part with genuine admiration, and the second with a teasing voice.
"I'm afraid you caught me." The girl said her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'm impressed as well usually it takes months for people to see though my disguise." She said with a smile. Piru felt herself responding to the smile. Karla stood back and watched the two exchange teasing remarks. Looking over at Piru Karla was shocked to se the smile actually reach all the way to Piru's eyes. She was about to comment when the large clock at the temple of Banonl struck the third hour.
"Damn!"
"What's wrong?" Piru asked.
"I was going to meet a friend at the third hour."
"Oh well that's not a problem. How much will the abstinence leaves cost?"
"A silver ducat." The girl answered as she turned back to finish preparing the leaves.
"Alright now give me the ducat. I'll pay for the leaves and meet you at the Honored Boar later."
"You're a genius Piru." Karla exclaimed as she raced out the door. Piru just shook her head and turned back to see the girl looking at her.
"What?"
"Your name is Piru?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
Piru hesitated, she knew that a healer could tell if you were lying but . . . could she be trusted? She had learned long ago that names had power, and to give someone your true name gave them power over you. Yet Piru felt that she could trust the healer.
"Umi. My name is Umi, no last names so don't ask." The girl smiled softly then said.
"My name is Fuu. It's a pleasure to meet you Umi." Fuu turned back to her work leaving Umi to just lean against the counter and think.
Its nice here I wonder why it smells of lavender and sage though. There's none drying and she's not working with any . . . I wonder.
"Sorry what?"
"I said its ready. Is there anything else?"
"Nope."
"Are you going to the Honored Boar now?"
"Yup . . . why?" Fuu blushed then stammered.
"I have a friend . . . and I wanted to . . . meet."
Ahhhh you have a solider for a sweetheart do you.
"Did you want to come with me?"
"Yes please." She said relief tainting her speech. "Its not exactly very safe outside right now."
"No kidding. Well then my dear Lady shall we take a walk to yonder tavern?" Piru said with an exaggerated bow.
"Let me lock up." Fuu straightened everything up then locked the door and left. The tavern was closed to the barracks were the army was stationed, so the tavern catered to soldiers. Which made it a 'dangerous' place to most citizens. As the tavern came into view Piru looked up to see the old familiar sign, of a boar with a wreath of lyres on its head. The 'dangerous' cast of the tavern meant nothing to Piru who came her frequently to drink and chat with the off duty soldiers. Karla came here to work, or she comes here to visit most of her clientele. Entering the tavern Piru looked for Karla, but she wasn't there.
"Umi let me introduce you to my friends." Fuu said grabbing Piru's hand and practically dragging her to a table in the corner. At the table sat five people one of the people, a red headed boy, looked up and saw Fuu. Piru was shocked to see that the boy had bright red eyes.
"Fuu!" The boy exclaimed quickly standing up and rushing to Fuu to give her a hug. That's when Piru got the second shock of the day. The boy was actually a girl! She was short, about a head shorter than either Piru or Fuu.
"Hey Fuu. Who's your friend?"
"Oh! I'm sorry. Let me introduce my friend U—"
"Piru. Its nice to meet you." Piru knew Fuu was giving her a puzzled look, but she keep her eyes on the red headed girl.
"Its nice to meet you Piru. I'm Hikaru, this is Lantis," she pointed to a tall dark brooding figure who nodded at Piru. She nodded back. "And this is Fer . . . dinand." She pointed to a green haired man sitting next to Lantis. Ferdinand left a hand in greeting. "Next to him is . . . Calvin." Piru saw a tall lavender haired man with bright blue eyes. For a moment their eyes locked, but it wasn't the sudden recognition of a soul mate. Instead it was a look of "I know who you are and what you are and what you are trying to do.' Piru broke eye contact and looked back to the girl, who was looking at Piru and Calvin a faint smile on her face. "Oh yes! Sorry this is As . . ." Piru bit her tongue to keep from rolling her eyes.
"That's a strange name As does it stand for something?" Piru asked sweetly a mocking smile on her face.
"Y-yes. . ." The boy stuttered then blushed and looked down. Piru took pity on the boy who;s hair fell down in an attempt to hide his face.
"It is a pleasure to meet you As, I hope one day I can learn your full name." She said with tenderness in her voice the mocking smile replaced by a mischievous grin. As looked up in shock this slowly smiled.
"Maybe." He said before he looked down again a blush once again covering his face.
"Well Piru would you like to join—" Hikaru was suddenly interrupted by several heavily armed men bursting into the tavern. The men looked around then pointed towards Piru and Fuu.
"Get her!" They screamed. Years of experience took over. Piru grabbed Fuu and bolted to the far end of the tavern. Away from the advancing guards.
Guards? Piru thought, then. Guards??!!!
As she suddenly saw three other heavily armed men coming straight towards her.
"Stay behind me." She said as she took out two of her knives and prepared to get annihilated.
"Get out of our way." One of the men said.
"Make me." Piru said with a smile.
"Get her!" The man screamed, as he advanced his broadsword held high. Turning sideways Piru kicked out and preformed a beautiful sidekick that sent the flying backwards. Piru continued to smile even though her mind screamed as something clicked in her ankle. The second man tried to attack Piru from the side. Dropping to her knees Piru avoided the attack, at the same time she slashed at the man's inner thigh. Cutting his artery. Hearing a noise behind her Piru quickly turned around and found that the first man had recovered and had snuck around her, grabbing hold of Fuu.
"Fuu!" Piru was about to go to Fuu's rescue when the third and last man made his presence known.
"Damn it!" She screamed as the man caught her a glance with his sword. Clutching at her shoulder Piru dodged his next attack then executed a twist kick to his knee. As the man fell to his knees she did another sidekick to his face. Guaranteeing that he wouldn't be getting up for a while . . . if ever. Turing around she quickly prepared to fight for Fuu's life. Instead she found her in the arms of the green haired man . . . what was it? Ferdinand?
Dear gods! Ferdinand?! What do they think I am stupid?
"Lady Fuu, Prince Ferio we must leave this place." Lantis whispered to the couple.
"What do you mean Clef?" Fuu asked.
"Something isn't right about his situation. And I know how to find out what."
Lavender mist slowly came up to obscure Piru's vision. She raised a hand to rub her eyes; when the world suddenly went black.
Piru woke up slowly her eyes felt like they were glued together; lavender mist still hung at the edge of her vision.
"Damn!" Piru crocked. Rubbing at her eyes she looked around at her surroundings. She found herself lying in . . . a cell?
At least it's clean, and I've got a cot and a blanket. This defiantly beats most of the cells that I've been in before.
Lying back on the cot Piru crossed her arms behind her head and closed her eyes. Slowly she brought back all the events of the day.
Lets se Prince Ferio, the Master Mage Clef, and the Captain of the Queen's guard Lantis were for some odd reason chit chatting in a soldiers tavern. Then there was that red headed girl what was her name? Hikaru? If I remember correctly, which I do, then she was wearing a guards uniform. It was green and it didn't look like anything I have ever seen before. I wonder if she wasn't some how connected to 'Lady Fuu.' A simple Master Healer my ass. I know she is a healer, the aura was right for it, but what else was she? Then again from the way her and the Prince were hugging each other I know what else she is. I guess the rumors of the Prince being in love where true. Now that I know why the Guard Captain Lantis was there, no guard would let his charge go to a soldiers tavern alone. Even if he did have the Master Mage with him.
Piru paused a grimace spread across her face.
Yes, the Master Mage Clef. What was the meaning of that look he gave me?! I was pretty much dragged over to the table by the 'Lady Fuu.' Then we were suddenly attacked by those men. Who were also wearing that green uniform. Wait . . . were they after Fuu? That first time they pointed towards us, and then that second time . . . but why? Who or what is she?
Piru sighed.
Now for the real question how the hell am I going to get out of this damn cell? When they decide to talk to me? Let me out voluntarily? Or when I feel like it? Its not like it would be that hard to pick the lock, and I haven't heard any guards so getting out would be a breeze. Hmmmmm the decisions.
Getting up off the cot Piru headed towards the door when she suddenly stopped. There was some sort of tingling sensation on her ankle. Looking down Piru could see the faint outline of a crystal shackle and chain. Cursing Piru headed back to the cot and flung herself back down.
That damn Mage! He put a binding spell on me! Now how am I going to leave?!
Glaring at her shackled right ankle she suddenly got the glimmering of an idea. Reaching out she poked at her ankle, she meet resistance. Smiling she did it again this time using her hand to feel the shackle. She grinned as she felt a faint tingle n her fingers.
All right!! Its not a binding spell! Its just an ordinary shackle and chain with an invisibility and noiseless spell cast on it. Now that I can deal with.
Reaching out towards the hem of her tunic Piru delicately felt the edge. She pulled out a bit of wire; she then felt the shackle and inserted the wire to where she thought the lock was. A few twist and turns of the wrist latter enabled her to get to the door, unencumbered by the shackle. Carefully she picked the lock on the cell door; it wasn't long before she heard a loud click. She paused to listen, no one came rushing over, so she carefully opened the door and looked out. Still no one appeared, feeling confident Piru strolled out of the cell and headed towards, what looked to be, the way out. Silently going down the hallway she encountered a set of stairs; a very long and winding set of stairs.
Why do I suddenly have a very ominous feeling about this place?
Coming to the top of the stairs Piru found herself in another empty hallway. She looked around and saw that the empty hallway was a servant's wing of the Palace.
I knew it! I'm in the Palace. Bugger it!
Piru weaved her way through the many hallways of the Palace, trying to find a safe way out of there.
How strange. I guess the Queen's kidnapping was more of a surprise than I thought. I only had to hide from one or two servants. This place should be crawling with them.
Turning into another deserted hallway, Piru suddenly stopped. Raising her face she took a deep breath and caught the scent of lavender and sage.
Fuu.
She thought as she spied a slightly opened door at the end of the hallway. Slowly coming up to the door Piru stopped and listened.
"I don't understand Clef why did you do that to Umi?"
Umi?!! Aghhhhhhh!! I knew I shouldn't have told that blabber mouth my real name! Come on Fuu why don't you shot it to the whole damn world!
"Because you said she was with 'Karla' she may be part of the conspiracy."
"But she's not."
"Can you prove it Fuu?" Another woman's voice said.
Must be Hikaru.
"No I just know."
"I'm afraid that's not going to be good enough my love. We need proof that she is innocent. Now is not the time to take chances."
Ferio? Great let me guess who's going to speak next.
"She's gone." Clef said.
"What?" The others said in unison.
WHAT??!!!
"She is not currently in the cell. I just used a scanning spell and the cell that should have her in it is empty."
Damn! Damn! Damn!
Suddenly lavender mist once again started to envelope the edges of Piru's vision. Instinct took over; Piru got up and ran away from the door. Seeing a open door Piru wrenched it open and through herself into the room. Slamming the door she turned towards the room and saw Fuu, Hikaru, Ferio, and Clef staring at her.
"You've got to be kidding me." She stated glaring at Clef, she could see him trying to repress a smile. "Why you son of a b—"
"Umi!" Fuu said quickly, it was never good to anger the Master Mage. Clef gave up the fight and grinned openly, as Piru's glare intensified. "How did you get out?"
"I have my ways." Piru said still glaring at the Mage.
"You picked the lock." Hikaru stated in a mono toned voice.
"Wow you're smart. Yes I picked the lock, what else did you think I would do? Why am I here? What do you want with me?"
"How do you know Karla?" Ferio asked.
"What? Karla is my roommate and my friend."
"So you knew nothing about the trap?" Clef asked, the grin leaving his face.
"If I had known about any traps I can sure as hell tell you that I would not get caught in one!'
"So you have noting to do with—"
"Anything! I don't know what's going on! One minute I'm taking a day off and the next I'm fighting for my life!"
"Please Umi calm down." Fuu said gently.
"No I will not calm down!" Once again lavender mist tickled the edge of her vision. "Stop that!" Piru pointed at Clef and screamed. "Don't you dar—" Suddenly she had an urge to take a nap. She also had the urge to do a face plant onto the cold hard Palace floor.
"Is she going to be alright?"
"Yes she should be coming awake anytime now."
Oww my head. If feels like an over ripe melon.
"Do you think she was telling the truth?"
"She did lie about her name."
"Piru why does that name sound familiar?"
"Because Piru is a notorious thief. It is also the name of a minor trickster god from the Silklands region."
"Do you think she is the thief Piru?"
"Does a bear poo in the woods? How else do you think she got out of the cell."
"What are we going to do?"
Punt?
"Whatever we can. I believe that she is awake now."
Damn.
Obediently Piru opened her eyes and groaned, her head still hurt.
"Are you alright Umi?" Fuu asked with concern in her voice.
"No. I'm tired, confused, and my head hurts!" Cool hands suddenly appeared in front of Piru's eyes; making the headache disappear. When the hands moved Piru turned and looked straight into the piercing blue eyes of Clef.
"T-thank you." She stammered.
"Your welcome." He said smiling.
"Umi." Piru turned back to Fuu with a scolding look.
"You know I don't use that name for a reason."
"What's the reason?" Fuu asked gently.
"I'm not telling, but since you seem to be so attached to that name you can use it. Just not out in public please."
"Why? Are you trying to hide from somebody?" Hikaru said with malice in her voice.
"Wow aren't we the touchy one. Yes to hide from somebody. Now if I may ask a question."
"You may." Ferio said.
"So what are you going to do with me?"
"What?"
"I'm assuming that you're not going to just turn me loose. Not after everything I've learned. So now I'm asking what are you going to do with me now?"
"We neet to discuss that." Clef said placing a hand on Ferio's shoulder.
"Right." Ferio said as he took Fuu's hand in his. Fuu turned to Hikaru.
"She can stay here." Hikaru said. "I'll gaurd her." Clef nodded then turned and left followed closly by the others. Mentally shrugging Piru leaned back on the bed and closed her eyes.
I wonder what they'll decide to do with me? Right now I'm dangerous. Their only options are to either kill me, or tak eme into the fold. But I doubt they'ed be that stupid . . . would they? I wonder if I could escape again? Piru looked at Hikaru from under her lashes. Hikaru had decided to sit on the vanity across from the bed. She sat there glaring at Piru, she had also changed out of her green gaurds uniform and into a servants dress.
Well now isn't that interesting. Why would someone who sems perfactly capible of kicking my ass, change into a Ladies servant? Unless she is in disguise; and now that real question . . . why? Oh screw this I'm going to sleep. With that final thought Piru closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.
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Alright end of chapter one! Yes, yes I know you are terribly disappointed by some how you must go one. Sniff But now that finals are over I will soon be getting a new chapter set up. I promise!