Chapter IV: Runaway Bride….

Botan and Shadow were lying in the flower field behind the castle. Botan had spent most of the day with her nanny. She had to finish her lessons before she could get out of the palace. Now that that was over, she could relax. She hadn't seen her father or Karasu all morning. Kitana told her that they had left early morning and hadn't returned yet. It was almost time for dinner so she knew they would return soon. She stood up and brushed the dirt of her gown.

"Come on, Shadow. We must get ready for dinner."

The tiger stood and stretched before following her. She went to her room to bathe. She left Shadow in her bedroom while she washed up. When she returned, Kitana was there, waiting for her.

"Your father and lord Karasu had returned. They'd be eating with us."

Botan nodded. Kitana coifed her hair and helped her dress. When she was done, she and Shadow went downstairs. Her parents, her brother and her fiancé were there. She sat down next to her brother, facing Karasu. She didn't look at him. She couldn't bring herself to. Something was wrong. He was looking at her with a smug look on his face. She wanted nothing more that wipe that smile off his face.

Dinner was a silent affair. No one said a word and that was just fine with her. After they finished eating, they went to the study to have tea. Botan sat in the corner next to her mother. The men were in the other side of the room. She was looking forward to a quiet evening but suddenly her father stood up.

"I have something that I need to share with you all."

Everyone turned toward the king.

"Lord Karasu and I had a talk this afternoon about you, daughter. He pointed out a few things that made me realized that your wedding should sooner than later."

"What do you mean, father?" She asked.

"I have received words from our spies that Lord Kurama is planning an attack on us. And it would be best if our two kingdoms were untied as one."

"But he had never attack us before. Why now?" Lady Ayame asked.

"We're not sure yet but we must be prepared for whatever he's planning."

"But father…"

"No buts. The wedding is to take place in three days. I thrust that would be enough time for you to be prepared."

For a moment, Botan forgot how to breathe. She was going to marry Karasu in three days. Oh! God, that was awful. She didn't want to be married. Especially not to him. Without another word, she fled the room. Tears were streaming down her face as she run to her room. She flung herself on the bed and buried her face against her pillow.

She didn't know how long she cried. She cried for the unfairness of her situation. For her broken dreams. For her freedom. This went against everything she believed in. Everything she stood. How could this be happening to her? How could her father, the man who had protected and loved her since she was a baby, do such a thing? How could he sacrifice her happiness for the sake of his kingdom? How could he bear to sell her away to Karasu? Didn't he love her anymore?

The thought broke her heart. She was going to be married to Karasu and there was nothing she could do about it. She was going to spend the rest of her life miserable, married to a man who meant nothing to her.

Botan felt asleep with her clothes on that night. She didn't feel like doing anything. She had no will to do anything now. What was the point? In three day, her life as she knew it would be over. She'll be Lady Karasu.

She didn't go do for breakfast the following day. She spent the whole day in her room. She barely ate the food Kitana brought her. From her window, she could see servants running around. The whole castle was busy, preparing for the wedding. A wedding she so didn't want to take place. She sighed and returned so her desk. Shadow was by her side like always. She sat facing the tiger that was lazing on her bed.

"What should I do, Shadow?" She asked her faithful companion.

Shadow cocked its head at her.

"I don't know what to do. You know I don't want to marry Karasu. But I have no choice. As long as I stay here, father would force me to marry him."

She stood up and walked to the bed. She sat next to her friend.

"I don't want to leave. This is my home. I've never been outside that palace wall before."

All night, she had stayed up thinking about leaving the castle. She wanted to run away from this place and never look back. But if she left, she might never see her family again. She didn't think she would be able to endure something like that. She loved her family.

Her father had said that her marriage to Karasu would be great because of the war. But what if the war was just an excuse? For as long as she could remember, lord Kurama had never attacked them. She doubted he had ever set foot in Rekai. Surely if he had, someone would have noticed and reported it. Was it possible that Karasu was using this so-called war as an excuse to make her marry him sooner than intended? Well she would never know. Unless she ask Karasu himself. She doubted he would tell her the truth but she had to try. Her future depended on it. She left Shadow in her room and quietly made her way to the east wing of the castle. She knew that's usually where the guests stayed so he had to be there.

There weren't anyone in the halls. The servants must be downstairs getting everything ready. After wandering around for a while and getting lost a few times, she finally found the room where he was staying. She was about to knock on the door but she stopped when she heard voices. She knew it was impolite to eavesdrop but she needed answers.

"Everything is ready, my lord." A voice said.

She never heard that voice before. She got closer.

"Excellent. Once I married her. Her powers would be mine to control. Then I can get rid of that cousin of mine once and for all."

She clasped her hand over her mouth to keep the gasp in. That bastard. He only wanted her powers. Then again, why was she surprised? She knew he would do something like that. She couldn't let him get his hands on her powers. There was a reason why the elders of Rekai have bound her powers.

"Why stop there, my lord. With powers like that, the whole mortal realm would bow to you."

"You're right. I could take over this peaceful world."

"Over my dead body." She thought. That confirmed it. Karasu was just using her father to get to her

She had to tell her father. She ran toward her dad's study. She got as far as the door. She stood in front of it and just looked at it. Would he believe her? Of course not. He'd thought she was just making things so she could get out of the marriage. But who should she tell? Who would believe her? And even if they believed her, even if the wedding was cancelled, what would she do? What would Karasu do? She didn't think he would take no for an excuse.

He was so closed to having what he wanted. Would he let her get away that easily? She didn't doubt that he mind try to bribe her or harm her but she didn't want to put her family in danger. If she left now, both parties would lose but at least her family would be safe.

With that thought in mind, she ran. Ran far away from the castle. She didn't look back. She didn't stop. Not even when her legs were crying out in pain. Not even when her dress was caught in the branches. She just ran. Her legs and arms were bruised and bleeding. She didn't stop until she passed out from exhaustion.

Author's Note: i know you guys are mad and you have every reason to be. All I can say is I'M SORRY