AN: I can't believe it's been more than twenty days since I updated! Lol, I'm glad no one sent me emails telling me to update, hehe… I always thought that I updated… last week or something, hm…

Loveophelia (Koori-chan): you must write your Cinderella story! You must you must you must you must you must! I love your writing so much and it's always so enjoyable to read. Your stories are inspirations and I'm sure you'd write a Cinderella story ten times greater than mine! I used to really hate Mimi, but after a while, I've realized she's not bad at all. Besides, I really can't stand Miyako. I'd love it if you wrote your story, especially with Miyako as the evil one as you planned to do ;) it would be fantastic. Btw, I love your new pen name.

Shadowcat: Lmao, I do lie a lot, don't I? Can't help it, just always changing my mind, hehe…

TheLadyKnight: lol, honestly I had no plans for Janine, just kind of wrote her as I wanted to. Can't help it if I'm always hungry, heh… ;)

Thanks to everyone that read!

Disclaimer: Digimon is not mine.

Chapter Five – Accusations

"You'll meet a fiery young woman who will change your life, your views and your thoughts. In return, she'll receive something she's never had and you will open her eyes…"

Yamato groaned as the figure faded away in his mind. He opened his eyes, regretting it immediately as the intense rays of light burned the sapphire orbs. By the looks of it, Yamato had slept in far past his usual daily routine. A small smile made it's way onto his lips, he couldn't remember when was the last time he didn't wake up at the crack of dawn.

As for the figure in his dream, he knew exactly who it was. The woman from the markets many years ago had been seen a few times in his dreams before, always talking in only half complete details. Why couldn't these soothsayers just talk like normal people? Why couldn't she just tell him who it was and where to meet the 'fiery young woman.' The prince clicked his tongue in annoyance, hmph soothsayers.

It didn't matter, he never believed in them anyway. As Yamato stretched and began to dress, he noticed the tray of now-cold breakfast set neatly on a nearby table with a vase of roses, which he had asked the servants to prepare. The servants must have tried to wake him, but he wondered why he didn't wake. Yamato was usually awake even before they reached the door.

Leaving the cold food, the prince made his way down to the kitchen, smiling at the servants in the halls as he passed. There was a new aura about the prince that day, a special bounce in his step or a twinkle in his eyes so to say. Queen Natsuko watched with curiosity as her son walked down the halls, looking incredibly rejuvenated and… even cheerful. "Yamato!"

Yamato turned immediately at the sound of his voice and bowed to his mother, "Good morning, mother."

The good-natured queen laughed, "It's hardly morning anymore. Your father thought you might have decided to run away from home. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, very well. Was it you who told them not to wake me?"

Yamato's mother smiled widely, "It's so rare to see you sleep so peacefully." She paused, before continuing with a hint of annoyance in her tone. "Your father has invited the daughter of one of his good friends to come stay for a few weeks. Catherine Grant, do you remember her?"

Yamato frowned, he remembered the girl very well. He had met her when they were children; she was a horror. Who knew such an adorable little girl with light brown hair and innocent aquamarine eyes could be such a pain? All Catherine ever did was complain… and brag… and act like a spoiled selfish girl… and try to kiss Yamato like all the other girls. "Yamato I'm scared, hold my hand?" "Yamato those flowers are so pretty! Pick me some!" "Yamato, do you think I'll make a good queen?" He could still remember her high-pitched demands and fantasies. "Catherine... yes."

Natsuko laughed quietly at her son's expression. "She'll be staying for a few weeks, be a good boy, Yamato." The queen smirked, she knew her husband was trying to force the two together, which needless to say, was completely a gift to the young miss Grant. Queen Natsuko had always been a great judge of character, and she never liked the girl from the moment she laid eyes on her. "You should greet her at very least."

Almost as if on cue, a sickeningly sweet voice rang through the halls, "Prince Yamato!"

The prince blanched and before he could even turn to face the speaker, he was tackled around the waist. Catherine wrapped her arms firmly around the man and buried her face into Yamato's shirt, "I've miss you! Did you miss me?"

With a nasty little twitch of the eye, Yamato was just about to answer honestly before he caught the look the queen was giving him. He sighed and replied monotonously, "You wouldn't believe how much."

Catherine finally released Yamato when he began to cough and sputter from the lack of air. Hadn't this girl ever heard of bowing before royalty? Not tackling them like an asylum inmate. When she stepped back, Yamato got a good look at the young woman. She was slim, and filled out her dress in the right places. Her light chestnut hair was healthy and silky, her aquamarine eyes large and bright. Catherine Grant had definitely grown to be very beautiful.

Yamato frowned. Though she might be beautiful, he knew it was only skin deep. There were two types of beautiful in the world, physically and mentally. On rare occasions would the two merge successfully and produce someone with glowing beauty… someone like Sora. The prince decided that Sora possessed a type of beauty that haunted people, something that they could never forget whereas Catherine had a type of beauty that was purely superficial, something that would soon lose its essence.

When the prince snapped out of his thoughts, he realized that Catherine had an eager smile on. Mentally cursing himself, he realized it was only because as he was thinking about a red haired maiden, a lazy smile had made its way onto his lips. He must've sent the wrong message to Catherine.

Suddenly forgetting the fact that he hadn't eaten, Yamato bowed politely and excused himself. "Please forgive me, but I must go."

"Why?" Catherine pleaded.

"I um… I need to go… ride."

"I can go with you! Wouldn't that be so romantic?"

Yamato's face blanched again; Catherine was so blunt it was both annoying and… well… annoying. He looked to his mother for salvation.

Queen Natsuko rolled her eyes at her son and took miss Grant by the arms, "Catherine, have you seen the gardens, they're absolutely beautiful."

With their backs turned, Yamato sprinted down the halls, surely breaking all sorts of speed records around the world. He finally found his way to the stables, panting hard but unwilling to stop. Saddling up his white stallion as if his life depended on it, Yamato was miles away before Catherine could get to the stables.

"The floors, I want to see my reflection in the tiles! None of you will stop until this entire dining room is glowing. When you're done with that, move onto the ballroom. Only after that, will you be allowed to eat." Lady Inoue screeched loudly at the two girls busily scrubbing the floors on their hands and knees.

"Yes Lady Inoue," they replied together, neither of them glancing up until they heard the curt clicking of her heels fade away.

"Stupid cow's mother…" Janine muttered under her breath, prompting Sora to laugh.

"Don't you ever say something different?"

"Not when it fits the cow so well."

Laughing again, the auburn haired girl paused in her actions, moving to sit down on the shining tiled floors. "You hungry?"

"Sora! I missed breakfast!" Janine looked to her with teary eyes.

"Only because you overslept."

"Well… it was a good dream."

"Was he worth it?"

"God yes."

"Well it's your lucky day."

"What?"

Sora winked and pulled a small bundle from her apron. "Here, I saved some breakfast for you."

"Oh Sora! You're a saint." Janine whispered as she took the warm package into her hands.

Sora watched with amusement as her friend savored every bite. The servants of the house weren't allowed anything to eat past a certain time, and they were only allowed to eat three times a day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, usually the quantity was much less than the needed amount. By the looks of it, they wouldn't be having lunch either.

"You know Sora…" Janine spoke up, pausing to swallow the biscuit. "The man in dreams looked just like the prince, and the girl looked surprisingly just like you!"

The auburn haired girl shook her head and laughed, "I know you're making that up Janine."

"Okay, okay, but tell me, what's going on with you and prince charming?"

"What? Nothing."

"You little liar, I saw something in the markets!"

"You mean cherries?"

"…come to think of it, you should have asked him to buy some cherries for us."

"Janine!" Sora exclaimed, laughing loudly.

"There is no laughing while scrubbing! If you are laughing, you are not scrubbing!" A voice called from the halls.

The girls scrambled back onto their knees, picking up the rag and working the floors. Sora stopped when she felt something gently shoved into her apron. Taking out the small package, she looked at Janine with a raised brow.

"Half," the brunette replied casually with a wink.

"Wha—"

"I know you didn't eat breakfast Sora. Thanks."

Riding was something that Yamato could never grow tired of. The rush of the cool air, the steady pounding of hooves matching his own heartbeat, and the speed was something that the prince lived for. At times, he'd take Squall out from sunrise to sunset to secluded sanctuaries deep in the forest. Of course lately, Prince Yamato hadn't gone riding as often, he just didn't feel the need to run away as he usually did. It was as if something was there, waiting from him. But now, it was a matter of life and death, Catherine Grant was the living embodiment of manipulation and deceit.

A few minutes later, when Yamato felt safe in the depths of the forest, Squall's speedy sprint slowed down to a light canter. The duo stopped by a small spring to rest before continuing on their way. Yamato had absolutely no idea where they were headed, but any place was better than the palace at the moment.

Letting Squall guide him to wherever the stallion pleased, Yamato gave an easy smile and began to hum…

"Miss Miyako, Miss Miyako!" A servant ran through the mansion, screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Shut up you fool! I'm standing right here!"

The servant quieted down almost instantly and whispered something in a low tone.

"What? What is it! I can't hear a thing you're saying!" Miyako yelled angrily.

The servant was shaking by the time she was finally able to tell the girl what she had ran into the mansion to say. "The prince, he's here."

"WHAT!" Miyako screamed, before instantly clasping a hand over her mouth, realizing that he could probably hear her. In a whirl of velvet, Miyako was running off to greet their guest, muttering angrily about how the servant should have told her earlier.

Before entering the waiting room, the girl paused quickly by a mirror, fixing her appearance with vain before rushing off to give the prince her best smile.

"Your Royal Highness! What a surprise!" The girl exclaimed, bowing politely while keeping her eyes glued on the prince's.

Yamato forced a smile under her increasingly disturbing gaze. "Miss Miyako, how are you?"

"I feel absolutely wonderful now that you're here, Highness."

"Yes…" Yamato's eyes darted around every corner he could see, an uneasy awkward feeling settling in as he realized that the only ones in the room were Miyako and himself. Swallowing loudly he flashed the girl a grin before raising an arm to rub his neck, trying his best to seem casual at the same time.

"May I ask, what brought you here Your Highness?" Miyako finally asked, a wide smile on her face, obviously thinking that she had a good idea. She wouldn't be surprised if the prince knelt down and proposed on the spot.

Sapphire danced around the mansion, trying to catch a glimpse of an auburn headed girl. "My horse…" he answered absentmindedly.

Miyako's brilliant smile faltered at the obvious statement.

"Oh sorry, I meant to say—hey, that servant girl from the gardens, her name… Sora is it? Is she here?" Yamato didn't know what better way to ask for the young woman and rushed through his words, still looking everywhere his eyes would allow.

This time, Miyako's smile was completely wiped off her face, replaced by a menacing scowl. "Your Highness, do not worry, she has been punished for what happened, we're truly sorry that—"

"Punished?" Yamato's eyes grew cold and this time he stared right at Miyako.

"Yes—"

"Why would you punish her if she did nothing wrong!" He paused, regaining his composure. "I would like to speak with her."

Miyako fumed, if she didn't know better, it sounded ask if the prince actually cared about the servant. That was preposterous. "The servant is out running errands."

Yamato frowned at the way Sora was referred to. "I'll be on my way, thank you for welcoming me, Miss Miyako."

For the first time, the lavender haired girl was too absorbed in something else to fawn over the prince. She brought him to the door and curtsied before turning and retreating back into the house quickly to where Sora and Janine were busily scouring on their hands and knees.

The two looked up at the sound of Miyako's demanding footsteps and gazed at the young miss with a curious look. "Is—"

Miyako cut Sora's words with a glare, "You will come to my bedroom as soon as you're done with the floors. You will not eat until you see me." Then, almost as quickly as she had entered the dining room, Miyako left.

Janine stared at her friend with wide emerald eyes. "Sora, I don't like this…"

"Me either, but what can I do about it?" She turned to look at the brunette, a reassuring smile gracing her lips. "Don't worry, it'll be fine, what's a cow capable of, right?"

Hours later, the auburn haired woman stood in front of Miyako's bedroom, rapping lightly on the mahogany door with her aching knuckles. The door opened slowly, revealing the dark room, the only source of light being the small candle burning. Sora hesitated, glancing around the room for another being.

"What are you waiting for, get in."

The voice startled Sora, and she rushed into the room, spinning around to see Miyako closing the door slowly.

Now she was worried. Miyako Inoue was a girl who never ever opened doors for anyone. "Miyako? Was there something you needed?" Sora asked calmly, moving to stand by the meager candle resting on a table.

A light laugh was heard from the spoiled girl and Sora reluctantly stiffened. Shifting her gaze around the room, her ruby eyes landed on a pair of dangerously sharp scissors sitting on Miyako's vanity. Whatever it was that Miyako had been planning, Sora wasn't about to wait around and find out. "Do you need anymore candles? Wait here, I'll go get—"

"Did you think I wouldn't find out?"

Furrowing her brows together in confusion, Sora watched as Miyako stepped closer to where she stood. "What are you talking about? I haven't done anything," she answered coolly.

"Even now, you're lying to me."

"What in the world—"

"The prince stopped by today."

Unsure of where the conversation was leading, Sora glanced at Miyako, only to be shocked to discover a wild gaze staring back at her. Miyako might have been irrational and impossibly vain, but such a primal look was something Sora had never seen. "Good. Did you have fun entertaining him?"

"Don't give me any of that rubbish."

Deciding it was best for her not to speak at all, Sora stared expectantly at Miyako.

"Do you know who he asked for? Do you know?" She stepped closer, and though she was shorter than Sora, Miyako looked far more threatening at the moment. "You. He asked for you!"

Something in Sora's mind clicked and instead of feeling worried, she rolled her eyes in annoyance. Was this it? "Miyako, you're—"

"No! I know exactly what's going on. You've been planning this since the moment you saw him didn't you? Didn't you! You harlot!" Miyako raised her hand, but when she brought it down to meet Sora's cheek, the girl moved easily out of the way.

Sora had enough. She wasn't about to get slapped again over a wild accusation. "Miyako listen to me! Just because the prince stopped by and remembered my name doesn't mean a thing!"

"Whore!"

"Stop it! There is nothing going on between the prince and me!" Sora yelled, unsure if she was convincing Miyako or herself.

"Don't think for a second I'll believe that. I'm not that gullible!"

"Heavens! You are a cow! Look at yourself; you've become wild with jealousy over absolutely nothing! Don't you have a bit of dignity in you!"

"What did you call me! How dare you!"

"I called you a cow, but I know you're hard of hearing so I'll say it louder, you're a COW!" If the atmosphere wasn't so malicious at the moment, Sora would have found it comical, standing in the middle of a room and yelling that Miyako was a cow.

"HARLOT!" Miyako lunged at Sora, arms out, ready to tear her to pieces.

In a whirl of auburn, Sora spun around and this time, it was her hand that met with Miyako's cheek. The room became deafeningly quiet, an awkward tension settling over the two. As good as it felt to slap Miyako, Sora hadn't meant to do it; it was just more of a reflex.

For a few minutes the two stayed still as statues, neither one daring to make a move. It was then that Sora realized that the scissor was missing from Miyako's vanity. Her eyes moved down to Miyako's hand, where sure enough, the blade gleamed back at her. Alarm and astonishment flashed through Sora; who would have thought Miyako would have been quick enough to reach the scissor without her noticing?

The door wasn't far from Sora, only a few steps, but then again, so was Miyako. As soon as the thought ran pass Sora's mind, the lavender haired girl lunged, seemingly more determined than ever to critically hurt something. At the same time, Sora moved for the door, only to be pulled back by a painful sensation on her scalp. Miyako grabbed the auburn strands with one hand, and wildly took the scissor in her other hand, chopping off the silken threads easily. She pushed Sora onto the floor and, proceeded by diving for the girl, scissor in hand.

Sora saw the blade lowering but made no move to get out of the way or block the attack. As much as she hated it, she was powerless. No matter which way she looked at it, punishment followed. If she struck Miyako again, Lady Inoue was sure to whip her until the leather met her bones. If she ran, Miyako would only continue in the insane state she was in and perhaps wreck havoc on more than just Sora. Hateful or not, she was still her stepsister, and if letting Miyako see her blood was what it took to finally end the madness, then so be it. Giving up, something Sora so rarely decided upon, she watched as the blade met the flesh just below her right knee.

The scissor was sharper than any of them thought, and Miyako easily tore Sora's soft skin from below her knee to a few inches above her ankle. A muffled cry was heard and blood came instantly, reaching Miyako's hands and bringing her back to reality. The girl backed away from Sora, as if she was infected with some incurable disease and dropped the scissor. She glanced at Sora, wondering why there was no scream and realized the reason.

Sora was propped on her elbows, her face contorted with pain and tears flowing silently down her wan cheeks. Her bottom lip had disappeared into the depths of her mouth and when it finally immerged, the amount of blood could have matched her right leg. Preparing herself for the blade, Sora had used her bottom lip as a gag to keep from screaming.

For a split second, Miyako was thankful that Sora hadn't screamed, but after another second, the feeling soon changed to disgust. There was blood everywhere. "Get out."

Sora narrowed her eyes, though a little grateful that Miyako was back to her less-likely-to-cause-critical-damage self. Her leg was throbbing, and when she made a move to get off the floor, blinding pain shot through her; it took every ounce of control for Sora not to scream. None of them wanted the situation to get bigger than it already was, no one else needed to get involved.

A white sheet landed on Sora and she touched it curiously. "What…"

"Use it and get out."

Though it wasn't the easiest thing to do at the moment, Sora smiled and carefully wrapped the cloth around her leg. Getting up slowly, she managed to make it to the door, while "accidentally" knocking down a few objects as she did so.

"If I hear so much as a word of this anywhere, I'll swear I'll—"

"Shut up. Don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone," Sora replied, supporting herself against the wall.

"Good. I don't think I have to remind you to stay away from the prince."

Through the blood and sweat, Sora rolled her eyes.

"He'll be mine, I promise you. If you ever go near him again, I'll work Samuel in the gardens until he dies of exhaustion and Janine, she'll sell for a high price, I'm sure of it."

Dark ruby eyes glared back at Miyako, never before had she threatened her friends. It was a new low, even for the selfish girl. The thing that scared Sora the most was that she believed her. Miyako wouldn't hesitate to do such things.

AN: Oh no! What's going to happen! I don't know! Hehe, don't worry, everything's going to work out. I'm still working on that high school fic, but if I post it and finish it before this, then my fics won't be in chronological order! I know, I'm crazy, hehe.

Please review! I like answering people's questions in the chapters ;)

LynLin: Thank you so much for catching the fact that I started calling Miyako Yolei, lol. I guess I got carried away. Thanks!