Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango or any of its characters. Matsumoto Jun#1.
I'll address the question somewhat as to Tsukasa and Tsukushi's relationship, if you want a more in depth explanation, though, please refer to chpt. 7 but expect more of it to come in later chapters.
I sent a reply to all that reviewed with an email address for all that aren't registered I want to thank you very very much for reviewing. I welcome constructive criticism because I need it . . Also more questions on there other halves will be revealed later.
Kokuhaku (suru) – to confess
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Strangers Fantasy: Blood ties
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"He said that it was the crown Prince of the Elvaan Kingdom."
"What that makes no sense." Akira waved his hand in agitation.
"Yes I know."
"Why doesn't it make sense?" Tsukushi spoke up.
"Because there is no way that the crown prince could be in two places."
"And why not?"
"Because Tsukasa is the crown Prince."
Tsukushi stared at Tsukasa and then at his friends.
"If Tsukasa is the crown prince then that means we are…"
"…Yes that we are possibly brother and sister. Actually in the eyes of everyone the true princess and the crown prince would be perfect a joining of blood. A son born from the new queen of the old king and the daughter born from the old king and queen." Tsukasa ran his hands through his hair, avoiding contact with Tsukushi.
"So when you said that you cared and loved me it was as a brother for his…"
"No it's as a man loves a women."
"But we're…"
"Tsukushi, it's quite possible that Tsukasa isn't your brother."
"So what are you saying?" anger flashed in her eyes.
"You've been telling me that I'm the princess. If Tsukasa is the official crown prince then that means and I'm not related to him then what am I really? I would be considered nothing more then an imposter. If I have no blood ties with him I can't have any to the royal family." She made a slicing motion in the air.
"Tsukushi calm down you're misunderstand."
"No I think I understand perfectly. You set me up. You drag me out here because you need someone to be a "princess". Was everything I went through up to now staged like me being thrown out of my house?" she knew that her sudden burst of anger was irrational but once again she'd been thrown for a loop and she was tired of it.
"Tsukushi, Tsukasa is the one that might not be of royal blood not you."
"Huh?" As quickly as her anger appeared it disappeared in a fog of confusion.
"But didn't you just say that Tsukasa was the crown prince?" She glanced from Rui to Tsukasa.
"Yes, but he is the crown prince because he is the son of the current queen and supposedly of the old king. But there has been speculation arising that this might not really be the case. That Tsukasa may in fact be the son of someone else other then the old king."
"That would make him…"
"It would make me the bastard son of someone else. But we don't know if that's true or not. It was said that my mother conceived me in only one night with the old king. But I don't resemble the old king which would be fine because I favor my mother with the exception of my hair.'
'When I was growing up in the elvaan court there were always whispers about my heritage. My older sister was the daughter of the current king. His wife supposedly died during childbirth, but of course any documents proving this were burned including his marriage license."
"You make it sound like someone was trying to cover up something."
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Too many things are hidden but the clues, as to what they are, remain. No one has proof or will even speak openly questioning if the old king was really my father. Some even say that the current king is but the only person we could really ask is my mother the queen."
"And I take it you haven't?"
"No I haven't felt the need to do so before but since I've been on this trip there's been a growing need to find out."
"And what is that need?"
"I think you know…"
He stared at Tsukushi as he let the statement hang.
"Ok enough about the past lets focus on the here and now. We won't get anything accomplished reminiscing what might and might not be true. The only way to get real answers is to talk to the queen."
"Akira is right, what we need to figure out, though, is who the imposter is."
"Any clues as to who it could be?" Akira looked from one friend to another.
"Do you think it could be a ploy of the Yabun?" Soujirou offered.
They all fell silent trying to figure out the meaning of the information they received.
Tsukasa was the first to break the silence.
"I've been thinking. We should return to the Elvaan kingdom first and then go in search of the Sakurako. We already found out that she is no longer with the vulture instead she is with my doppelganger."
"I agree with Tsukasa." Rui turned to his friends.
"Everything that has happened can not be a coincidence. First Sakurako is kidnapped; the exact person we thought was the princess. Also during that commotion Tsukasa's necklace was stolen. Next the vulture that kidnapped her takes her to someone that looks like the crown prince of the elvaan kingdom.'
'When you put it all together whoever it is could very well pretend that they are the real prince and lost princess. And I'm very sure that whoever is responsible for both incidents will move as swiftly as they have already to put whatever use they have for both of their treasures."
"Well then it's decided. I say we head back now. We still have one more day of travel. We've entered the woodlands but we have a bit more to travel to get to the heart of the kingdom."
Everyone nodded in agreement and headed back toward camp.
As they left, small red eyes watched from the outskirts of the clearing as everyone went back to the camp.
Once their backs were turned a loud scream echoed through the woods.
They held their ears as the sound seemed to reach down inside their skin. It filled the air and gradually died down.
"What was that sound?" Tsukushi cried her ears ringing.
Soujirou pointed toward the sky.
"It's a banshee." Soujirou cursed under his breath as a creature hunched backed with ugly tattered brown feathers and a disfigured long nose was carried swiftly off with the wind.
"It was probably watching us the whole time. I bet it was tailing the vulture from behind and saw OheinChi's messenger following it."
"We need to ride hard now."
No one talked as they quickly broke camp. Packed the animals swiftly and set out at a break neck pace.
30min later Elsewhere
"Thank you Kokuhaku that was extremely useful information." The banshee bowed and hobbled away.
"What was that disgusting creature?" Sakurako leaned over Amon's shoulder as he pulled out a sheet of parchment and began writing a letter.
He released an irritated sigh and then turned to Sakurako. She thought she saw a look of disgust cross his face. But as soon as it appeared it disappeared.
"Sakurako my dear. That disgusting creature has informed me that the people who are trying to prevent you from taking your rightful place are on their way to your kingdom with an imposter."
"Nooo! I won't let that happen." She burst stomping her foot.
"Now, now Sakurako do you think I would let someone take your place? After all you will be my future queen and ruler of this land and eventually all other lands."
"All other lands?"
"Yes my dear all other lands, we have a very powerful race helping us. So you have nothing to fear. They will aide us in this eventuality. How does that sound to you?"
"That makes me very happy. Have I met them?"
"Actually they've already met you. One is living inside of you right now." He bent back over to finish his letter dismissing the look of horror on her face."
"But-but why. What will it do to me?"
"It will do absolutely nothing to you…unless you're a weak willed person."
"And if I am?"
"Let's not think about that focus more on being strong." He finished the letter he was writing and let out a low whistle. Kokuhaku appeared as if carried on the wind.
"Give me your hand Sakurako." She obeyed and presented her hand to him. He looked up at her giving her a slow smile that made her heart melt. He bent down and kissed her palm that sent shivers down her spin which ended in a quick sharp pain. She yelp and tried to pull her hand back but he held in a vice like grip.
"What are you…" the thought died in her throat as he let the blood drip onto the necklace. He then took his handkerchief and wiped the small trail of blood falling from his mouth and her hand then wrapped it around the necklace.
He kissed her palm again licking it clean then grinned up at her.
"Thank you Sakurako this will be the thing to seal both our fates my love."
He turned to Kokuhaku.
"Take this letter to $h133 and tell her to prepare it well and she will receive prompt payment as soon as we arrive and I-Sakurako is placed on the throne." He placed the necklace in an envelope with the letter and handed it to Kokuhaku.
He emitted a blood curdling scream as he lifted himself into the air giving the impression that it was a painful endeavor.
Sakurako clapped her hands over her ears until the offensive sound died down once Kokuhaku was further away.
"We will need to leave here and head to your real home."
"What about the necklace?"
"Kokuhaku is talking it to be fixed." Amon started gathering his papers and placing their belongings in a bag. They had camped for the night in a shallow cave and the faint light from candles made shadows play against the walls as he moved back and forth quickly.
Sakurako watched as his moved. Her heart raced as she his beautiful form move gracefully. She was both excited and afraid of her handsome prince. She determined in herself that she would not let anything stand in her way of taking her place as the rightful heir to the kingdom.
But there was still something that disturbed her.
"Amon I've been meaning to ask you this."
"What is it my love?" He said exasperatedly as he continued to move about the cave quickly.
She leaned against the wall.
"When you came to my house with your other friends you were a little different. I remember you had curlier hair and your friends called you by another name. It began with a Tsu-tsu-tsu Tsuka-
Before she could finish her words were cut off as a tight hand gripped her throat.
"NEVER EVER call me by that name. That name angers me. Do you understand?" Sakurako tried to gasp for air as his gripped seemed to tighten.
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND!" He roared. She nodded her head slightly as tears began to fall down her face.
He let her go and she collapsed on the floor gasping and holding her neck tears falling down her face in earnest. He rolled his eyes and with a sigh bent down next to her.
"Sakurako my love do not cry, I'm very sorry about that outburst." He wiped her tears from her face.
"It's just that, that name makes me very, very angry and I lose control every time I hear it. I don't want to hurt you consider it a way to make you stronger." He smiled down at her and kissed her softly. Then he licked her tears away and caressed her hair."
"You have nothing to be afraid of I'm hear to protect you. And my friends…
"…well I didn't want to tell you this but they are the ones that are trying to come here and replace you with a fake."
"Th-they are but I thought…"
"Yes they are, this was why I had to rescue you before they killed you and put someone in your place."
"Wh-why would they do that?"
"I'm not sure myself. But I think it has to do with the queen. She wants to control the princess and if she controls you my love then she has the potential of controlling all the other races. And we can't have that now can we my love." He continued to caress her hair.
She shook her head.
"Very good lets be off we have to pick up the necklace and reach the kingdom before my ex-comrades get there before us."
She nodded and began picking up her things.
"Just one question, how can they have a fake? I mean who would pretend to be a princess with the punishment at least I'm sure there is some kind of punishment for bringing a fake princess in?"
Amon appeared distraught.
"I didn't want to tell you this Sakurako but you might know who the fake is."
"Who is she?"
"It's a girl that goes by the name of Tsukushi."
"Tsukushi!" Her eyes grew large and her face twisted in anger.
"I know who that sly bh is. My father told me that she was the reasons for Yunni getting killed long ago. She was of commoner blood. I won't have the weed take my place." The pain of Amon's anger replaced by anger directed at the one who was responsible for her and those she was raised with death fueled her determination.
Amon smiled.
"You finish up here my love nature calls. When I get back I'll help finish and we will be on our way with the wings of a vulture underneath us." He left the cave happy that he could so easily change her mood for a few choice words and the name she'd been groomed to hate. All thanks to the advance planning of his master, soon to be follower.
He headed toward some trees, and glanced back to make sure she hadn't followed him, then turned to a man hidden in the shadows of a tree.
"How is our little princess coming along?"
"She is coming along fine Thomas."
"That's very good. You haven't been filling her head with any unnecessary things have you?"
Amon snapped.
"Of course I haven't what do you take me for?"
"Calm down Amon as your friend I wouldn't want to see anything happen to you if you decided to disobey our master."
"You don't have anything to worry about…friend. Anyway we have a problem. Tsukasa and his pathetic friends are on their way home…and they found Tsukushi."
"Not the Tsukushi?"
"Yes, who would have thought that she survived after all this time I guess someone was sloppy in his duties."
"Oh such a low blow."
"If I'd been there I would have gotten the job done then again I was too young to really know about that now wasn't I. Actually I never really existed when that town was attacked. At least in the eyes of some..." Amon felt his anger surface as he remembered being abandoned and kept hidden from everyone until he grew "presentable to others".
"Stop dredging up the past I'll take care of Tsukasa and those other fools. I'll be sure to get rid of "princess" Tsukushi." He waved his hand in dismissal revealing a spider tattoo.
"Yeah you do that. Let me get back to Sakurako before she starts to worry." He turned his back and entered the cave not giving his "friend" a second glance."
Thomas just laughed and let out silent breath. Three spiders carried on the wind by spider webs landed on his outstretched hand. He mumbled quick commands and then threw them into the air allowing the wind to catch them once again.
A few minutes later a group of three banshees and seven harpies appeared. The banshees screamed a warning as they descended quickly, kneeling before Thomas. The harpies screeched and cawed their feathers ripped and a dull grey the feathers that covered their face stood up on edge and their female body parts were barely covered in feathers.
A harpy approached him. Her face beautiful a sharp contrast to her tattered wings.
"Why have you called us Thomas?" She placed a clawed hand on his shoulder.
"Do not act so familiar with me Asai."
"Aww come on Thomas we go way back, remember? Why don't I sing you a nice soothing song sure to get you a little…" she whispered in his ear.
"…hot." She laugh seductively.
"I said don't act so familiar." He back handed her with a growl causing her to fall onto the ground.
Her face contorted into an ugly big eyed toothy mouthed monster. She hissed at him as she backed quickly on all fours. She righted herself and then snorted her face returning once again to a beautiful façade.
"Anyway why did you call me?" She made an impatient sound.
"Because I want you to get rid of a thorn in my side you should be very familiar with them. They are five travelers on the road heading toward the elvaan kingdom. Tsukasa, Akira, Soujirou, and Rui I want you to hold them up as long as you can. Do what you have to but I want the female killed at all costs do you understand?"
"Yeah I understand, so what's this chick's name?" Asai looked at her claws impatiently.
Thomas grinned.
"Tsukushi or you might remember her as Kushi."
The look of impatience was replaced by rage as Asai screeched.
"Don't worry she hissed." Her face contorting once again revealing three rows of sharp teeth.
"She is as good as dead, I'll be sure to bring her hideous head on a dirty platter to you."
She screeched out a command and her flock took to the air quickly one by one.
"Oh and Asai…" Thomas called out to her as she were about to ascend.
"…didn't I tell you that you would eventually be able to get revenge for the one who was responsible for the deaths of your friends?"
"Yes I remember."
"Never forget who it was that found you cowering in fear behind boxes took you in and raised you as their own."
"I won't."
"And take all that anger and hurt and direct it at the one whose fault it is."
"I most defiantly will. I will not come back until she is dead I can guarantee that." She took to the sky with that quickly catching up to her flock.
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
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Phew that took a lot out of me. Does anyone remember who Thomas was? (hehe)
For all you action fans the next chapter should be to your liking. I myself love action and big fights hopefully I'll be able to have the scene play out better with my words. I hope that everyone sees some of the strings coming together. And I'm not sure if I said this last time but in developing the characters I've made (how should I say this without giving anything away) some characters like and unlike their HYD names sakes. Very serious fans should get this (I hope unless I didn't make it clear enough. I'll try make it more pronounced in the following chapters) Maybe that's a little confusing maybe I'll just reveal it when I finish the story.
And for those wondering what $h133 meant : Shaleeaa
Also sorry for not posting last week I had a death in the family and I was not in the mood to finish the chapter I'd started. Also I will finish the other story just having a lot of fun with this one. A little more of the plot was introduced in this chapter sorry for the slow beginning but everything in connected in one way or another.
Also thank you very much for all that reviewed last chapter It really really really encouraged me to try and do my best with this story. Anyway I hope you ja matte ne.
