Chapter 1: Late

a/n: This story will be long, will have stange pairings, will probably not be updated often, is AU and most likely very OOC, may possibly go up to M if my friend convinces me to put a lemon in here, and the 1st chapter was supposed to be much longer...I lost my notebook with it all in it, and had to re-write this. Don't worry though, I have a pretty good memory, and it's only been about 6 months since I lost the notebook...(that was a joke...)

Summary: The Furuba cast is in an AU where everyone has magic, and the Sohmas are the rulers of the kingdom. Prince Akito shall inherit the throne on his eighteenth birthday, but noone but the special ring of Sohmas known as the Juunishi know of the devastating curse that will kill him upon his succession unless he can find kindness.

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Tohru blinked sleepily. She had been up rather late last night trying to help some of the other servants get the ballroom ready for the party today. The Lord-Prince of the Saloray Kingdom was the young Sohma, Akito. The general image of him displayed throughout the country was that of a courteous, well-spoken, young magician. However, all those who lived in the palace knew that he was a spoiled creature prone to anger quickly.

Tohru sat up in alarm and glanced at the small clock hanging on an almost bare wall. If she didn't get to the breakfast hall in five minutes she'd be late! Tohru slipped into a light blue robe and tied a checkered apron over the front, then dashed out of her small room in the servant's wing.

"I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!" Tohru panted as she dashed into the breakfast hall. The entire household of palace servants was lined up by rank, but no one was addressing them yet.

"It's okay, Tohru. Thesia isn't here yet," said a girl with bright red hair to her shoulders.

"Thank goodness. I woke up pretty late," Tohru replied as she took her place next to the girl.

"Hmph! You two should be more respectful of the Prince! Waking up late shows that you are a traitor," said an obnoxious girl with thin blonde hair tied up in pigtails. She and a friend always trailed after Lady Motoko. Together with her they made up the team of leaders for the Prince Akito fan club.

"I didn't see you staying up 'till midnight airing rugs in the ballroom Minami," retorted Carli, "Why don't you two go giggle with Lady Motoko over the Prince."

The obnoxious girl scowled and stalked off to her friends.

"Thanks, Carli," Tohru said, smiling weakly.

A cough came from the main doors and a stern looking lady in a servant's outfit entered the room with a Sohma. (Yuki) "Ladies!" she called loudly, stalking across the room to the central dais. "As you know, the Royal Prince's 17th birthday is tomorrow, and a feast and ball is to be held. Today, you will be preparing the offical court and party rooms for this occasion. The list of duties is here." Thesia tacked a few sheets of parchment on the wall and let the maids surge forward to find their names and tasks. Then, she beckoned to Lord Yuki and they departed from the room, quite unnoticed.

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a/n: well, let me know what you think. More reviews equals more interest, and more interest equals actually getting my muses to agree, which basically equals a chapter...

Deci (me):My poor first chapter disappeared into oblivion...I'm so sad...

Shadow: Get over it already. At least you don't have to deal with having Dimloff as your brother...

Deci: What do you mean? Every time he does something you don't like, you just beat him to a bloody pulp...

Shadow: True. evil smile

Dimloff: I heard that, Deci!

Deci: Shoot! Gotta run, bye!

Dimloff: Come back here, you ungrateful, weak, pitiful mortal! I will kill you slowly and painfully!