DISCLAIMER : Though I did not own SD, I am glad I know SD.

SD makes my life happier.

A/N : Hello guys… ah… I finally got to update this fic. It's been here for like… two years… since 2002. I know its bad but bear with me. Criticism is very much welcomed and I'd be glad to get any advice from anyone of you. Well, I hope I can say 'Enjoy!' before you read.. however...

The Prince : First Encounter (3)

Mitsui arrived at the palace gate early in the morning. The sun was barely up, and the breeze was really refreshing him. He was a bit nervous that day. The first day on the job. The guards at the door were standing still and are not even bothered by his arrival. He then dismounted his horse and approached the gate. Then, he saw the guard constable walking towards him.

"Good morning. Are you Mitsui Hisashi?" the older man greeted him. Apparently, he was informed of Mitsui's arrival earlier.

"Good morning. Yes, I am. I am here to report for duty." Mitsui replied.

"Yes sir. Lord Gohiki is expecting you. I will take you to his chamber. By the way, I am constable Kishimoto." He said with a smile. Mitsui smiled back.

"Yes. I am Mitsui Hisashi. I'll be glad if you'd show me around the palace later."

"Of course sir. I'll try my best if you need me. Come sir, I'll take you to Lord Gohiki." Said Kishimoto. He then turned around and gave a signal to the men on the guard tower. With that, the gate swung open. It was heavy and Mitsui could hear a slight creaking sound. As soon as the gate was opened, it revealed a vast and huge cemented court yard. They had to walk across the courtyard for horses were not allowed in the palace.

Mitsui tailed Kishimoto matching his fast pace. Kishimoto took him through maze of walls and buildings and soon he lost all sense of direction. He had to rely on the sun to tell him where he is at the moment. The twisting and confusing routes are not the only thing that made him lost but also the beautiful gardens of the palace. The palace was breathtakingly beautiful like some of the places he had been to during his training in the academy. The rumors are true. The palace is indeed a beautiful place.

Then they walked on the corridor of a huge cluster of buildings. 'Perhaps one of the households' Mitsui told himself. Servants that are passing by greeted them by bowing their heads. It made Mitsui uncomfortable some how. The fact that he'll have to learn all the protocols of the palace suddenly dawned on him. 'Urgh' He was trained for the army, not bureaucracy or even worse some babysitting job. Perhaps being recognized as the best trainee isn't a good thing as it led some palace dignitaries to think that he'll be perfect as their guard.

"Sir, please enter. This is Lord Gohiki's chamber. Kishimoto showed him a door. Mitsui just shook his head, and pushed the door. Just as he entered he saw a man in his fifties, sitting at a round table. Kishimoto did not join Mitsui in the room. Just as he was about to bow his head to greet the man, the man stood up and stopped him.

"No need to bow to me, young man." He said. Though big and rough, Mitsui could detect some kind of gentleness in his movement. "So, you are Mitsui Hisashi. Welcome."

"Thank you, sir. I am glad to serve the Emperor." Said Mitsui. 'Though I'd prefer serving him at the borders.' Gohiki smiled and nodded his head.

"Good. Very good. You know now that you are the guard of the royal family. I am glad if you will do your duties well." Said Gohiki.

"Yes, I will. When do I start sir?"

"Now, today."

"All right sir. I'll be glad if you will give me some time to inspect the security of your chamber. And tell me where you'll go today so I can make all the necessary preparations."

"Ho ho ho." Gohiki laughed and got up from his chairs. "Young man, be patient. " he then got up from his chair and walked. "It is not me who you will protect or guard. I am only a loyal servant of this palace."

"I see. So…" Mitsui was confused. He couldn't comprehend whatever that was happening. Gohiki turned towards him and patted his shoulder. "Mitsui-san. You are here secretly. Not many people knows of the real reason you were brought here." Gohiki's eyes glinted mysteriously. Then he smiled.

"Have you had your breakfast?"

"Yes, I've had a light meal before coming here."

"Good then. Then I'll take you to meet someone. Come along." Mitsui had no time to properly digest the words before the old man took off through the door. For someone in his fifties Gohiki is fast. Mitsui had no trouble catching up but he was a bit annoyed with everything that happening. He is clueless as to where his exact location is in the humongous palace and the real reason he was brought there. It was another journey through narrow courtyards and carefully tended garden, and like before Mitsui had not the chance to enjoy it.

Mitsui noticed they were going through a long passage way that leads up to the northern most section of the palace. Then they stopped at a small door with two guards posted at it.

"Here we are. Please enter. I'll be waiting for you right here."

Mitsui was obliged to follow orders. He then entered the doorway and the guards closed it behind him. He suddenly found himself in a garden, just as beautiful as the others. Though the walls are a bit shabby, the garden is apparently well taken care of. He could see blossoming flowers and the grasses are spring green and covered the whole ground. He walked further, and a young man came into his view.

The young man was sitting at a gazebo built on the corridor that crosses the pond. Mitsui walked further to get a better view. The man has not yet realized of Mitsui's arrival. He was still reading a book, and Mitsui could see the remnants of breakfast on the table. Mitsui walked closer and announces his arrival.

"Good morning. I am Mitsui Hisashi. Lord Gohiki sent me here." Mitsui introduced himself. Prince Kogure seemed startled hearing Mitsui's voice and he turned around. Kogure saw before him a young man with strong and cool expression. The black bluish hair were smartly tied. He dressed well, and his dressings showed his valiance and caliber. Kogure opened his mouth to talk but no words came out. He put down his book and stood up.

"Mitsui Hisashi… I see." Kogure gave a small smile, a faint smile that made Mitsui wonder if he really smiled. "Come join me Mitsui Hisashi." Kogure gestured towards the seat opposite of him. Mitsui abide by him. Mitsui was wondering who the young man is. He seemed like one of the palace scholars, with wise eyes and calm countenance. Mitsui noticed that his hands were not rough like the hands of a soldier. Dressed in a bluish green robe with a thick belt around his waist, the young man looked lean and slender.

"It is okay sir. I will just stand." Said Mitsui, clearly seeing the other man's higher status.

"No, please sit. I won't be comfortable with you standing there." Kogure insisted. Mitsui wondered why the young man who looked so grand with his aristocratic bearings would like to sit with him.

"What's wrong Mitsui-san?" suddenly Gohiki was there behind him. "Good morning, your majesty." Greeted Gohiki.

"Your majesty? Oh.. I'm sorry your majesty. I didn't know." Mitsui rushed to his knees, looking so regretful. 'How could I be so foolish!' Mitsui berated himself. He did not know what to do until he felt the prince's hands on his arms.

"You don't have to do that." Mitsui lifted his face and met the prince's almond eyes. "Urmh…" as fast as he had held Mitsui, he let go of him. "Stand up, Mitsui-san."

"Your majesty…" Gohiki was speechless. He had not expected Kogure to be so self conscious. "Your majesty, you perhaps… perhaps it's better if you go inside to rest. You look tired."

"Perhaps I should." Answered Kogure, then he smiled. "I am going inside. Gohiki-san, please make sure Mitsui-san is comfortable here." He gave Mitsui a last look which only lasted for a second before turning around and left. Mitsui wondered if the prince really needs a rest. It was still morning, and the young prince seemed fresh and healthy.

"Lord Gohiki." He called Gohiki.

"Yes, Mitsui." He turned towards Mitsui's confused face. "That's Prince Kogure Kiminobu, the Eastern Crest. You will be with him for quite some time, before his coronation."

"Coronation?"

"Yes, his coronation as the Crown Prince on his twenty first birth day. Before that, he will travel all over the country to see the people and understand the country better. In disguise of course. You will go with him, and guard him against our enemies." Explained Gohiki.

"I see. So when are we going on this trip?" asked Mitsui, thinking if he will be able to make all the necessary preparations.

"The trip is in a month's time. Meanwhile, you have to get everything ready for this trip. But, you are not allowed to tell anyone about this. Secrecy is the essence of success for this kind of things. It is a very important trip Mitsui-san. The prince's safety is the top priority. I have chosen all the men you will take. Your schoolmate Rukawa Kaede will also join you. I will be hiring a carriage and horses from outside the palace. So is the horseman. As long as he did not know who you really are you don't have to worry about attacks. That should not be a problem, right?"

"Right,sir." Mitsui answered, mentally playing back the instructions given to him. "I will see to it that everything's taken care of."'This is interesting. A prince, a journey and an old acquaintance. So, my path crosses again with the block of ice. Now, for protecting the crown prince. What should I do?' Mitsui then decided that he would have enough time to think about it later. Right now, he just wanted to leave for home and plan the journey carefully. He wanted to be well rested before starting to make preparations tomorrow.

TBC

A/N : I knew it! It's the lousiest SD fic ever. I am bringing shame to my status as an English student! However, I'd like to congratulate whoever made it until here. I know my fic's bad. If it's not too much, I'd like to ask if my writing in chap 0 and 1 is better than chap 2 and 3? Or the other way round? Anyway, thank you for your time!