Chapter 23

She had finally grasped the concept of Natsu and made quite clear to Chiori Amamiya that she wasn't a threat. She felt for her. No one should ever suffer as much as that particular little Dark Fairy did.

"Kyoko-sama, I would like to apologize for the way I behaved." She told her, staring at the intricate design on the floor.

Chiori felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I understand, Amamiya-san. I hope we can be friends. I admire your ambition. I've so much I need to learn. Would you mind teaching me?" Kyoko asked quietly.

Chiori looked at her in shock. "I-I don't understand. Are you serious?"

Kyoko smiled softly. "You're my senpai. I have so much I can learn from you."

Chiori Amamiya furrowed her brow and tears began streaming down her cheeks. "H-How could you be so nice, so forgiving after what I tried to do to you? You should hate me... Tell the director or your manager what happened. I don't deserve your kindness."

Kyoko sighed. "We all make mistakes, Amamiya-san. You apologized already. You regret what happened. I can't hold that against you."

Many months later, one would find a Dark Fairy standing side by side with a Celestial Kitsune in attendance to a very special princess as her handmaiden and one of her best friends. For now though, Kyoko had made the decision to trust her. "Have lunch with me sometime?" Kyoko smiled, presenting a beautiful, large white feather to her.

Chiori furrowed her brow as she stared at the unusually soft, billowy plume. "Wh-What's this?"

Kyoko smiled brightly. "An invitation, a calling card of sorts." She gave her a little wink. "You'll understand later. I can't say much now, but if you show it to him, you won't have a problem if you need anything of me." Kyoko explained, pointing to Ruto.

Chiori looked at her a little perplexed. "You're very different than most. You know that?... Most would have told Kantoku Anna immediately and had me removed from the set." She commented as they emerged from her dressing room.

Kyoko sighed and smiled. "I really can't blame you for your reaction. I didn't really give you reason to have any faith in my acting when we first met. I imagine you had been quite insulted to have me star with you. You've had so much experience and here I am a newbie, coming in, unprepared, and not knowing anything about the character I'd been asked to portray. You actually helped create Natsu. Had it not been for your actions, I doubt she'd even exist. She would have been just a copy of Mio, and I could have never been proud of anything like that." Kyoko confessed.

Chiori nodded. "I suppose I can see where you're coming from, but I still don't understand why you gave me a white feather." She confessed a little puzzled.

Kyoko grabbed her hand and pulled her along with her. "Let's have lunch. I want to get to know my new friend."

Chiori looked at her a little stunned. She smiled and shook her head. "You area a very strange one Kyoko-chan." She giggled. "Yoshimoto-san won't mind driving us." She told her, tugging her back in the direction of her manager.

Kyoko nodded. "So... should we get sushi or ramen?"

Chiori felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, a weight that she'd been carrying for years. She had been so horrible to Kyoko, even tried to hurt her, but here she was going to lunch with her as if nothing had ever happened, and being called a friend. No one had ever accepted her this freely without blatantly wanting something first. Kyoko was genuine, and sweet. Thinking of being friends with her, kind of felt like home. It felt right and comfortable.

"NO! It's the one thing in my life that has given me comfort and been consistent. If I'm not allowed to wear the stone, then you can forget the entire thing! It's barbaric anyway! Kuon gave me this stone and if you're going to force us to endure this horrible public display of pointless violence, then the least you can do is allow me to show my support for him, and wear the stone that the man that I love, gave me!" She ranted after the designer for her coronation gown told her that she wouldn't be wearing her betrothal stone for the coronation or the tournament. Something like that was highly unusual. One did not pick their future partner before the contest of the suitors. The suitors submitted their names, the young men that were found suitable were then briefed on the rules, they trained, they went through the trials, then finally they went through a process of elimination, and the final victor would wed the Royal Princess soon after the tournament. There was no picking and choosing, there was no dating or falling in love, that would come after. That was what the two months after the wedding were for. That was how it had always been.

Saena sighed and waved off the seamstresses. "There is nothing that states that she can't have it that way. Her father and I will allow it." She smiled softly at Kyoko, remembering what Lory had told them about her horrible childhood, and how she'd been betrayed. Although, they weren't sure what they were going to do if Lord Kuon didn't emerge the victor. She sighed inwardly. I hope for her sake, he succeeds spectacularly. I would hate for anyone to claim that the games are rigged in his favor.

~xoxo~

"Another rune?" Yukihito commented, tapping his own lower jaw.

Kuon looked at him wide eyed and quickly checked in the mirror. He chuckled. "Yeah. Thanks for pointing it out. Still haven't got the spell perfected." He confessed as the new rune seemed to fade.

Yukihito shook his head. "You're doing quite well, all things considered. You haven't slipped with your hair, eyes, or the other runes. What level does that make it now?" He asked curiously.

Kuon thought for a moment. "I'm not really sure... I'd have to ask Uesugi-dono... I kind of lost count at around thirty-seven." He said a little sheepishly.

Yuki fought hard to hid his shocked and horrified look. "Th-Thirty-seven? By all the gods! That's unreal. Are you sure?" He sputtered. "I mean, is that even possible? I was only required to train until level twenty-two as a manager and guardian." He sighed a little defeatedly. "Do you even need me around?"

Kuon gave him a sad smile. "Of course I do... You're my best friend. Besides you're far more observant than I am. All of this power means nothing if someone doesn't have my back."

Yuki chuckled. "I suppose you're right. I guess I'll just have to look into training more to catch up with you. Especially since Takarada-san wants me to keep an eye on both of you." He teased.

Kuon chuckled. "Well, I look forward to sparring with you at some point then. That is, if you don't mind. I'm sure I could learn a lot from you."

Yuki shook his head. "Considering what you'll have to deal with during the tournament, I'm not so sure I could be of much help."

"You'd be surprised. We all have our reasons. They want to be her king... I only want to be the one to love her." He confessed quietly.

Yuki smiled softly. "Well, you'd be surprised on how much of a difference that actually makes. Greed can be a pretty big motivator, but I personally think love trumps it all... Just don't let anything cloud your views or you'll fail."

Kuon nodded. I just need to remember what Rick told me.