Yoshiro was pacing on a table with Lory, sulking beside him. "Just great, two girls come walking in what happens?! Both are violently grabbed!" Yoshiro mumbled.

"And I could see any chances for romance blooming between him and either one of those two girls wilt with all those threats!" Lory sobbed. "Girls should not know how to do things like that, where on earth did they learn that?!"

Yoshiro shuddered at the memory. He did not even know someone could do that to a man's anatomy, not even a horror writer would have been able to think of that form of torture.

Lory looked at Yoshiro as he pouted "You did not seem keen on breaking the spell when they first arrived." Yashiro gave him an ice stare. "Two strangers came in, uninvited, when Ren was in a bad mood. Do you honestly think he would welcome them in with open arms when he was like that?"

"Let it was worth a try" Lory stuck out what might have been lips on a human as he crossed the closest thing he had to arms.

#####

"Hello, is anyone here?" Kyoko called, her voice echoing thought the large corridor. "Kanae? Chiori? Are you there?" As uncertain as she was, concern for the only people she could call friends drove her on.

#####

Two familiar looking teacups bounded along, shoving each other in their rush. "I'm going to tell her!" The one with flower petal pattern called. "I was the one who notice first, so therefore it is reasonable I be the one to tell her." The other teacup, with a leaf pattern, retorted. The race continued all the way to the kitchen, where the teapot from earlier was filling a basin taller than she was with warm soapy.

"Ms. Shoko guesses what we saw?" the flower print teacup asked.

Shoko sighed; it had already been along week despite it being Tuesday. As the two teacups began to bicker over who would tell Shoko first, even though she was now made of china, that there was a migraine coming on.

"Another girl is in the castle." The leaf pattern teacup then quickly interrupted, earning a glare from his complain.

"Maria, Hiro it is too late to be making up stories on such a touchy subject, especially after what has happened." Shoko scolded certain that it was another joke from two notorious troublemakers. "Now into the tub, you are both filthy!" Ignoring their protests, she hoisted her charges in into the water.

"I saw a girl in the castle" a passing servant cried in joy "And this one shows more promise." She added over her shoulder.

Shocked, Shoko pondered over this information from a more trust worthy source. Hiro smirked from inside the tub, unaware the effect was completely ruined an accidental bubble crown. "Told you."

#####

Kyoko just could not understand it. Chiori's journal was outside, so she and Kanae should be here, but why aren't they answering. For a moment she considered an old witch bewitching them into strange animals. "Nay," she decided "They would scold me for letting my imagination running loose unchecked." It was true; Kyoko was getting better about her imagination, except when it came to fairies and princesses. That was simply incurable for Kyoko. Then another thought struck her. "This place is so clean, so it could not have been abandoned."

#####

Elsewhere Lory and Yashiro were still at it. Or rather Lory was still at it. Yashiro was rolling his eyes at the candlestick's elastic behavior. As much as he hated being a clock, he could not help but think there was little hope left. Just as Yashiro started to mick Lory, just to pass the time, they both heard a voice; "P lease answer me!" Looking up they immediately noticed Kyoko treading through the hall "Did you see that" Lory asked excitably "Another girl!" "Ys, I can see that." Yashiro replied, getting an uneasy feeling "She must be the one!" Lorry cried happily, dashing after her. "Wait didn't you say the same thing about the last two?" Yashiro called chasing after him. Once he had caught up they heard her call out Kanae, Chiori, please I know you are here" the two looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

#####

Wandering through the endless labyrinth was taking a toll on Kyoko. Worried out of her mind, scared in an unfamiliar place and not to mention she was weary. Then she saw a light and her heart beat hastened. A light meant a candle, torch or lantern, which meant people to light them.

"Wait, do not go please, I do not mean to be a burden I am looking for my friends!" she cried following the light up a flight of stairs.

Unknown to her, Lory and Yashiro were guiding her to the tower where her friends were being held. As Kyoko followed them she could not help, but be confused. 'If they were avoiding me, why do they not blow out the light' she mused. 'If they are leading me to Kanae and Chiori, then why don't they tell me where we are going? Or at the very least show themselves to me?' Nevertheless, she followed the light to a dark. Picking up a nearby torch she continued inside. Then she heard a faint noise "Is someone there?" she called "and do I smell smoke" she wondered.

#####

"OWWWWWW" Yoshire whisper screamed "Sorry" whispered Lory "Your hand was in the way."

#####

Kyoko paused at the door. Musty air with the odor of damp walls and who knew what else hit her nose. The door had a low barred window. Peering in she saw both her friends, then her breath hitched in her trout. Kanae was leaning slumped against the wall, racing to the origin of the sound, a prison cell. Yet the scrunched up face was more out confusion. "If no one is here…. Who lit the light?" She wondered. Then a weak voice called out "Kyoko?" "Kanae?" Kyoko gasped. "Chiori!"

To say that the beast was furious would have been an understatement. Not only was he going to soon be permanently stuck as a beast, but now he had two annoying street rats in his castle. They should be grateful he let them live, not screaming their heads off. The said screaming had led to an incoming migraine, one he felt would be a head splitting one. "Not to mention there was a girl calling for two others" he muttered, then paused "Wait a minute, who is that, I do not have any servants with the names Chiori or Kanae unless…" his lip drew back into a snarl. "There is another intruder."

#####

"Kanae, Chiori!" Kyoko cried out in relief, racing toward them. "Kyoko." Kanae started blinking away the cloudiness in her eyes. "Is it really you?" "What are you doing here" Chori asked fear lacing her voice. "Of course it is, I am here to save you." As Kyoko looked at the lock, a thought crossed her mind. "Who did this?" she demanded. Now panic was clear on the faces of both her friends. "Run" Chiori cried "and do not look back" Kanae ordered, despite her exhaustion.

'"Why…" Kyoko asked when a large hand grabbed her from behind and flung her away. Crying out from both surprise at the attack and the loss of light from the extinguished torch, Kyoko scrambled as her mind registered a large shadow that had not been there before in the corner. "What are you doing here!?" a rough voice demanded. Kyoko gulped but, as bravely as she could "I'm here for my friends they need medical attention." She gestured to them "Can't you see how ill they are? What if they die?!" "Then it will be their own fault for trespassing into my home." The shadow snapped. "Please have mercy, I do not have much money, but I'll pay for their release." Kyoko begged.

"Ha, all the money in the world could not ransom their release" the shadow sneered. Kyoko's mind whirled though anything else she had. Then, a mad and desperate idea formed in her mind. "Then take me as their replacement." She told him. "No, what do you think you are doing" Chiori explained "You" the beast sneered before his face softened. "You will take their place?"

I must be brave' She told herself ''They saved me, so it is my turn to save them.' Slowly Kyoko rose to her feet, and gradually turned to the beast. Eyes closed as if this might make her new reality disappear into the night. As she did she pictured all the moments she treasured with her friends as she condemned herself wither her next words.

"You have my word" she told the beast. "Done." he barked and stormed to unlock the cell. While he did, Kyoko crumbled to the floor, happiness at saving her friends and despair at her fate ripping apart her already battered heart to pieces. As Kyoko lay on the ground Kanae half stooped half slumped next to her. Using as much strength as she could muster she slapped Kyoko across the face. "Do you expect me to be grateful?" she snapped.

As Kyoko gaped up at her, hand to a red, stinging cheek she continued eyes glistening "that I will have to live with knowledge that my best friend sacrificed her life" Kyoko opened her mouth to reply, when the beast suddenly grabbed both girls roughly and dragged them out of the room, ignoring the trio of cries.

#####

"Let us go you…." Kanae tried to snarl, but tail off from exhaustion. "I will never forgive you" Chiori panted, eyes unfocused. "Why don't you take a hint, you are not wanted here" the beast growled as he threw the two girls into a carriage.
"Take them to the village." He ordered as the carriage sprung to life and started trotting towards its destination. Turning around sharply, he head back and stormed inside the castle. While he was thundering up the stairs the stairs to the room of his latest prisoner, Lory followed him, already creating matchmaking plans. "…Then you sweep her off her feet and live happily ever….." The beast turned and glared at the candlestick with such furry, even Medusa would have turned to stone.

#####

Looking up as he entered the room, Kyoko sniffed with tear stained eyes. Then she saw who it was and froze. Had it not been for the fact he had seen her move a few moments ago, the beast could have sworn she had turned to stone. Before he could decide, the girl stood up and shouted abuse at him. "What did they do that was so wrong? Would it hurt you to show a little kindness? Now I will never see them again!' She was on the verge of returning to sobbing. Ren scowled at her. "I did not force you to trade places, you choose that." Kyoko glowered at him "If you had a heart, you would do the same for someone you cared for." He gave her a smile so bright Kyoko blinked 'Are those… sparkles' she pondered "And why do I feel as if he is really angry" she thought, as she tried not to cower at the sight of his fangs. Then she remembered what this…thing had done to her friends and glared at him, tear starting to fill her eyes again. She did not even bother to try to rub them from eyes. "You must be so proud" "Sending two girls on death's door to prison and forcing a complete stranger to give up her freedom and dreams." She sniffed indignantly. "You must be proud indeed."

Ren was stunned, few people dared to speak at him this way. "I did not suggest to trade places with them." He growled pointedly. "I would be a poor excuse of a human being if I did not." She snapped "Unlike you, I have a human heart." Then the masked she had on broke. "If you did, you would have let me say goodbye, but you didn't." She sobbed "I will never see them again, the only fiends I ever had, and I will never see them again!" She buried her face I n her hands.

Suddenly the beast felt a pang of guilt. Without even think he found himself muttering "Follow me to your room." Kyoko glanced up, rubbing her eyes with the palms of her hands. "What?" she asked, positive that she heard wrong. "Do you want to be in a tower forever" he snarled. Unable to speak anymore she nodded "You many stay here" he told her. Kyoko stared into the room and for some reason she could not explain, she felt a spark inside her that she had not felt before. "Kyoko Mogami" The beast stared at her, eyebrows raised at least, she thought they were eyebrows. 'Hard to tell with all that fur.' She thought. "My name is Kyoko Mogami, not 'you'."

Once again the beast paused then, "My name is Ren Tsuruga. He told her gruffly. He then waited, his facial expression clearly showed expectation for a reply, preferably a name. There is none, at least not a verbal one. Kyoko simply stared at him. He noticed the expected emotion; fear. Yet, he noticed, there was something else was it anger, no it was a strong emotion, but not fiery as rage was. This was stronger and more subtle; determination. "Determined over what?" he mused to himself. As he led her down the stairs and through the halls he recalled advice from his parents back to when they were still alive. "Remember, when you are with a lady, you should always try to start a polite conversation." You may go any where you want, except for the west wing." he told her "Why?" she asked a quizzing look on her face. "Because I said so." he told her, smiling with more sparkles than before. She remained in fearful silence until they reached a room, "This is here you will be staying" he told her "You will join me for dinner, and that was not a request" he added slamming the door, leaving a miserable Kyoko sobbing on the floor.

#####

Meanwhile, several certain objects were sighing with a mix of exasperation and exhaustion. Well, except for a candlestick and clock who were already making matchmaking plans. They were moaning. OK, Yashiro was slumped in disappointed and Lory was the one complaining. "He should have swept her of her feet!" he ranted "How on earth is she going to fall in love with him unless he does something to make her heart soar like a bird when he speaks and flutter like a butterfly when he…" the other did not even bother to listen to him continue, as the gave a collected sigh.

They had a Loooooooooooooooooooooong wayto go.

ShiningGoldenSun: I AM SOOOOOOOOOO SORRY TO ALL MY FAITHFUL AND PATIENT READERS WHOM I DO NOT DESERVE ABOUT NOT UPDATING SONNER, BUT THE REAL WORLD GRABBED ME BY THE EAR AND REFUSED TO LET GO UNTIL NOW!

Sho: More like the stupid author felt guilty about giving my role to that studied platform wearing

ShiningGoldenSun: If you want to live another day, I would suggest you consider your next words very carefully.

Sho: "…"

Kyoko: Please Review so that ShiningGoldenSun and I do not have to deal with that idiot.

Ren: Please send reviews so that I do not go to jail for murdering a certain blond.

ShiningGoldenSun: I will try to send more updates, at a faster pace.