A/N: And so, the procrastination BEGINS!!!

The side of me you guys will hate. But I'll try to update, I promise.

DISCLAIMER: Do I look like a rich mangaka to you? No? That's mostly 'cuz you can't see me. ;)

Amu walked through the park, people-watching. The younger ones were so full of life and energy, hopping from one place to another. Their parents didn't seem too happy about it. Her smile turned melancholy, wishing her childhood was as lively as theirs. At least a moment in time, it was.

All of a sudden, a blond boy her age spotted her and began waving his arms frantically, running to her as fast as his legs could take him. Amu's jaw dropped, and her three guardians gasped. Not only because the boy was screaming:

"Princess Hinamori! Princess Hinamori!" At the top of his lungs, and that there was another small guardian following him close behind, but at his ridiculous apparel.

He was clad in over-the-top fancy clothing and a maroon cape. In the park. Her eyes near popped out of their sockets by the time he reached her.

"Princess Hinamo-"

"SHHH!" She cut him off, stomping her foot and waving her fists.

"Stop it! People are going to think you are insane!" She hissed through grit teeth, ducking her head and trying to cover her face while shifting her eyes to check if anyone was staring. She did not want to be seen with this lunatic.

"But... Princess, you're finally free, why would you run away?" He'd lowered his voice, now.

For a moment, she played with the idea of screaming for help. But after rationalizing for a moment, and staring into those large, innocent amber eyes, she decided against it.

She heaved a large sigh and rubbed her temples. "Just- just, come with me, we can't have a conversation with you dressed like that." She grabbed his hand and ran through crowds to the nearest men's clothing section at a random store. Picking out a shirt, pants, and some sneakers, she shoved him into the men's fitting room and crossed her arms, waiting patiently outside.

"So... you're royal?" Miki floated over to the other guardian, flirting blatantly. He smirked in reply.

"Yes... yes I am, underling." At this, she frowned. Well. That was a turnoff. But the infamously flirtatious Miki does not let things like that strike her down, oh, no.

A curtain was pulled back, and their attention was turned to the blushing blond, now dressed normally.

"Perfect!" Amu chided, clasping her palms together. At that, he reddened further.

He cleared his throat, catching her attention. "Uhm.. can we discuss the issue at hand, now?..." He requested meekly. She let her hands drop to her sides, and took a deep breath before nodding.

They ventured outside and talked as they walked through a path in the park, once again.

"Princess Hina-"

"Stop calling me that in public! Someone might here. Just call me Amu." She said, despite the fact that they were a bit of distance away from anyone who might be able to eavesdrop. Honestly, she never wanted to hear that title again.

"Oh. Okay. I'm Prince Hotori Tadase. Call me Tadase." He flashed her a brilliant smile.

"Oh! So you're the prince? Ha, you must be..." Amu scratched the back of her head. How could she have not figured that out before? She also reminded herself that this was the same prince she was supposed to be wed with. As if reading her thoughts, he looked over to her with a frown, his forehead creased with a look that seemed a little.. hurt, she thought?

"But... you're the princess, you're supposed to be rescued and brought back by one of my men, fall in love with me, and become queen...." He instructed in a soft voice, and she cringed.

"Yeah, but, that was never my plan..." She muttered bitterly.

"But, I mean, love isn't like that! You can't just fall for someone just by looking at them, that is called lust. And, honestly, you're just not my type. And can you seriously see me being your queen? Haha!" She explained when she saw the look on his face. Now, he smiled softly and nodded his head. She was glad he understood, and saw it her way.

"Pfft, I can't make you king." She finished with a chuckle.

Suddenly a dark aura surrounded him, and he stopped walking. She stopped and turned to loom at him, his bangs were covering his eyes.

"Uuuhm... are you... okay?" She questioned cautiously.

He brought up his head to show streams of tears of anger flowing down like waterfalls and pooling at his feet, as he threw back his head and shook his fists in the air.

"Oh, and how I wanted to be king!" He yelled to the heavens. She sweat-dropped and patted him on the back.

"Calm down, you'll find your queen some day... but, for now, friends?" She smiled, offering a hand. He stared at it for a while, before finally shaking it, to her relief.

"Friends."

And so, the prince she was supposed to marry instead became her best guy friend, and she was yet another step closer to completely ruining and twisting this fairy tale. And, man, did she love it.

Sorry it took a little while to update, I'm having one of those days. Well, thanks for reading, remember to review!

Love you all!!!

~Yasu