Chapter 13
The queen took a few steps back, her hands holding her head."No...no he...died...he's dead!" shouted the queen, falling to her knees. A guard ran to her aid, helping his fallen queen to her feet, as her tears began to pour from her eyes. Lifting the queen off her feet, the guard strode from the room, casting a glance back at them. Tohru watched them go, her own tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "Is she alright?"asked Tohru, her hands trembling. Kagura shook her head, seating herself on the ground. Alex remained standing, watching the guards. Uo looked at Tohru, as they sat on the ground. "Were they close, the queen and the prince?"asked Uo, relaxing against a dying tree. Kagura looked away from them, her eyes staring off into the distant past, a smile slowly spreading across her face.
"Yes, for a queen and prince, they were very good friends." said Kagura, stretching her legs infront of herself. Tohru and Uo looked at each other, shrugging their shoulders."So naturally when the prince wanted to go look for his lover, she refused to let him go." explained Alex, fiddling with his necklace. Uo looked at the guards, searching their features for the crimson eyed guard. Tohru watched her friend, a smile forming on her lips."I don't want to pry but, are you and Alex, together?"asked Tohru, whispering to Kagura. Kagura blushed, side-glancing at Alex. She nodded, showing her necklace to Tohru."This is a 'kotre lova towu' or embrace of lovers, he gave this to me before he left." said Kagura, caressing the pendant. A smile formed on Tohru's lips as she watched Kagura day-dream.
"Kagura, are you awake?"asked Alex, bending over to look into her face. Kagura snapped out of her trance like state, blushing furiously. Alex laughed, sitting down beside her, hugging her close. Kagura blush harder, holding his arms in place with her hands."Your so cute."said Alex, kissing her gently on her temple. Tohru turned away, looking at the surrounds of the room, as the couple kissed. A slow pain reached her heart, as she turned away, tears began to pool around her eyes.
''What's wrong with me?' Tohru asked herself as she stared off into the pond. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared into it's clear surface, tiny ripples playing across the dark surface. It was mirror-like, the pond, as it reflected not only Tohru's face but her feelings. It showed her crying, clinging to a man, who's face was hidden. Carefully leaning back to a sitting position, Tohru took a deep breath, calming her jumpy nerves. A gentle hand rested on her shoulder, comfortingly squeezing her shoulder. Tohru turned to gaze into merry golden orbs. "Welcome, Tohru of the Rai, welcome to the palace of ' tou la hef'." said the man. Tohru looked at him, her eyes scanning his form.His hair was long and white, as was his skin, but his eyes were the of fine gold, warm and happy. "He..hello." Tohru stammered, reaching a hand out to him.
The man took and hand and helped her to her feet."I am Ayame of the Realm." he said , bowing deeply. Tohru curstied, bowing her head forward. "It would seem you've upset mother." Tohru blushed deeply, her head still bowed in reverence. "I'm very sorry your majesy, I didn't mean to."said Tohru, placing her hand to her cheek. Ayame laughed, throwing back his head. "No big deal, she gets upset easily nowadays, so it's no problem."said Ayame, waving off her apology. Kagura knock Ayame over the head."Shut up Ayame, your already enough trouble, now get your mother better so we can put our suspicions to rest." said Kagura, waving her fist at the royal. Ayame rubbed his head, sniffling."Kagura is that how you treat a king!" Ayame whined, hiding behind Tohru while Alex held Kagura back. Kagura kicked and thrashed, trying to break free from Alex's death grip. Another man joined them, his dark hair hiding his features."King's aren't supposed to act like children."said the man, petting Alex on the head. Alex rolled his eyes, letting Kagura go. Ayame ran behind a guard, trying to save himself from his attacker. "That's enough!"came another voice, as a man with with a white cloak walked into the room."Shigure, why did you tell Alex to let her go?"asked the man the other, watching the two run about the garden. Shigure shrugged his shoulders, clapping his hands together.
"Kagura, come here."said Hatori, grabbing the young woman as she ran by. Ayame hid childishly behind Alex, poking his eyes around him curiously. Uo looked around the small gathering, running her hands through her hair."Let's get on with it."said Alex, hitting Ayame unceremoniously over the head. The king, pouted, hobblying over the Hatori."Get on with what?"asked Ayame, standing next to the stoic man. Hatori sighed, clenching his fist at his side in frustration.