Chapter 20

If anyone would have asked him a year ago if this is where he would be or if this is what he'd be doing, he would have thought they were crazed. At the moment, as it stood, he thought perhaps he was a little crazy. He would have to be in this position. Well, maybe not. He had made this decision and he was determined to follow through. He didn't give her that stone on a child's whim. He had meant it and he fully meant to follow through on the promise he'd made to her 12 years ago, before she'd been taken. She was back now and he truly and deeply had fallen in love with her.

Here he was now, standing in the midst of the Forbidden Zone, fighting against the strongest and most powerful that had been collected, using his skills to their limits in every way that could be devised. There was no way on this planet that he would allow anyone, but himself to stand next to her. He'd decided that the day they'd spent training in Karuizawa. She was perfect, perfect and powerful. Not even his own mother had been able to compare, in his eyes. She'd inspired him to move forward, to improve and push himself beyond what he'd thought possible in every way. Although, he was a little curious, the dragons that had been there before were no longer showing themselves. It was a shame, they had, dare he say it, gotten close.

It was a bit lonely now. Well, at least he had the winged warhorse his father had given him as a child. It had been so long since they had seen each other and Kuu had him shipped over a few months ago. He'd told Lory that Kuon may need to get to know him again. He laughed inwardly at the thought. Dad knew before even I did. He smirked and patted Zeus on his neck.

"I can't wait for you to meet Kyoko." He murmured to the fiery-eyed, black beast.

Zeus nodded in agreement and sparks bounced up from the ground as he struck his large metallic-like hoof on the ground. Small flames came from his nostrils as he snorted.

"Easy... We're almost done for the day." Kuon told him as he stroked his silken mane.

Once a week for 48 hours the pair would prepare for the next 4 months. He hoped deeply that would be enough training. He would win or die trying. There was no way he was going to allow Reino or anyone else access to her. He would prove to himself, her parents, and the world that he was worthy to be next to her. Not once did he think of the perks other than being by Kyoko's side, like the others did. He didn't think of the implications of being her prince and what it entailed. Not once did he realize that in being her prince, that one day he would also be her king. Well, perhaps he would realize that much later. Certainly his own father and Lory would remind him of his future duties that he would have been destined to take over one day anyway.

This was not something that he'd ever wanted to do. He was at the mercy of his mother now. She had politely informed him that she would not do as he asked without a price. Certainly she would turn him in the old way, but he would owe her. Owe her big. If he didn't find a proper bride and wed within six months, she would make certain that he never left Kyoto again. He wasn't sure how she would facilitate that, but he was certain that Kyoko had been her prime candidate. She'd explained that to him in detail. She informed him that Kyoko had never been a slave, servant or anything of that nature.

He was now standing in front of the studio with an arm full of a gaudy flower arrangement and a pocket filled with the most expensive chocolates he could find. The wound on his neck from his mother, had healed hours after the most excruciating and embarrassing pain he'd ever experienced in his short life. "At least I'm back to normal." He groused. He sighed. "I suppose I should get this over with." He murmured as he opened the door and strutted in with a smirk. Meh, she won't be able to resist. It's everything she likes and when I apologize and give her what she wants, she'll fall at my feet and my mother will be satisfied. Small price to pay, it's not like I can't see other women when she goes back to Kyoto. I'll just have to be discrete. He nodded to himself as he opened the door to the studio, squared his shoulders and walked in.

Privately, Yashiro had been updated on the status of his male charge and his incognito female charge. Neither knew he was caring for both of them at this point, of course. He had been informed by Lory of everything. Kuon needed time in his schedule for the training for the tournament, and Kyoko for her coronation. At first he'd been a little overwhelmed and there had been a trail of pixie dust that needed to be cleared from Lory's office, but he did finally calm down and dive into his new task.

His eyes flashed a piercing glint when he saw the pestilent vampiric singer. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the princess' parents would be infuriated if they knew what this individual had done to their daughter. He briefly made mental note to report everything to Lory that occurred during his little visit.

"I'm here to talk to Kyoko." Sho announced arrogantly.

Kuon made a motion to remove the pest, but Yukihito stayed him with a hand to the shoulder. "Not here. It would look bad before the tournament."

Kuon looked at his manager in shock, wondering how he even knew. He nodded stiffly.

"Fuwa-san, to what do we owe this little visit? You do realize that this is a closed set and only cast and crew are allowed access?" Yashiro informed him as Kyoko stood behind him, perplexed by the whole situation.

"If you must know, I'm here to give these flowers to my future wife on Valentine's Day." He smirked evilly at Kuon and glanced at Kyoko to see her reaction. It's what she always wanted, right?

The entire room went silent at his words. Kuon was visibly livid, and Yashiro was in shock.

A sharp burst of female laughter was heard stunning everyone further. They all turned to said female in question, as she wiped the tears of mirth from her eyes, holding her sides. "That is truly funny. It's good to see that you haven't lost your sense of humor Fuwa-san." She told him regally. "I can't help, but wonder where on Earth you ever got that idea. Did Mother and Father send you an invitation to my little party?"

Kuon's head snapped to her, and watched as she gracefully walked up to the boy. "Of course for me to consider you, you would have to attend and win," She glanced at Kuon and smiled softly. "and of course you know that there will only ever be one that is capable of winning." She informed him and Kuon felt a warmth spread through his chest.

She knows about it? He smiled back angelically.

"What the hell are you talking about? You don't have parents. What's this crap about winning?" He spat out.

Yashiro gently pulled her behind him. "Let me take care of this Kyoko-chan." He told her and pushed his glasses a little up his nose, and she nodded to him. "Fuwa-san, I believe what she is trying to say is, you should contact your guardians and they will be able to pass down the information about the coronation and tournament. All of the noble families with sons that have interest have been invited." Yashiro had told him quietly enough, so the other cast members and crew didn't hear. That and he had actually placed a barrier around him and Fuwa so that the boy couldn't get near her or Kuon.

"That is bullshit. There is no way anything like that would be going on. She's a nobody and she.. doesn't... have... parents!" He insisted angrily.

"Believe what you like, but she most certainly does and in 5 months they will be publicly celebrating her return to them... No thanks to you or your parents. Although..." He paused momentarily in thought. "I suppose they could thank you for bringing her to Tokyo and abandoning her as if she were something unimportant." He mumbled and Sho flinched at the accusation.

"I get it..." He growled. "If I ever want to speak to her again, I have to go to her stupid party and play some silly game."

Yashiro laughed. "That's oversimplifying it a bit, but yes."

"Well?" Sho asked expectantly.

Yashiro raised a brow. "Well what, Fuwa-san?"

"How do I get an invitation?" Sho growled impatiently.

Yashiro laughed again and shook his head. "If you haven't received one already, you do not qualify."

Sho furrowed his brow. "Well how do I qualify?" This guy was seriously starting to piss him off.

Yashiro smirked. "Hm... The only way to qualify is to be born into royalty, and have your parents submit your request. Otherwise, you may only be a spectator." He happily announced to him and nodded to the two security guards that had been called to escort Sho out.