Disclaimer: See Chapter 3

Chapter 8: Convincing Tohru

Sighing wearily, Tohru dropped Shona Hom's record. They had spent almost a hour skimming through the Ha-Hm section since most of the records were not stacked in their proper place. She had seen all types of H names, from Haaue to Hoeln, but they had trouble finding Katsuya Honda's record. Yuki was unfurling another scroll, scanning it quickly, then rolling it up again.

"This is strange. Your father's birth record isn't here."

Tohru frowned worriedly. "Where could it be?"

Yuki replied, "It's probably confidential. You need a special pass to get to where it is. I might be able to get a pass, but it'll take a few days."

Tohru blinked, surprised. "Why...?"

Yuki asked, "Why what?"

Tohru gulped, then rubbed her eyes, realizing she was crying.

"Why..?" she repeated, sniffling a bit. "Why are you being so kind to me? We just met and now you're willing to go through this much trouble for me?" she sobbed.

Yuki looked uncomfortably startled. "I'm sorry. I'm just very glad. I always thought I was different. I'm just thrilled that I found you and this-" she gestured with her left hand- "entire world under the ocean. I do want to learn more about my past, but it's too much trouble!"

Yuki came up to her, frowning slightly. "Tohru? It's not too much trouble at all. Everyone deserves to know about their past, no matter how long it takes." He glided closer now, his face inches away from her's.

"I'll help you find out who you really are, and I'll get my relatives together. With thirteen of us, I'm positive we'll find something." Tohru blushed at the merman being so close while wiping away the rest of her tears.

"Thank you..." she whispered, smiling back at him. Gazing spellbound into her teal eyes, until...

"YUUUUKI!"

The merman turned around, dreading the speaker while Tohru peeked curiously from around him. There was something swimming towards them at a amazing speed, screaming the prince's name. Tohru could only make out a white blur as the person skidded to a stop in front of them. She gasped as she stared at his face. He looks just like Yuki! Indeed, the man did look like an older version of Yuki, but he had long pure sliver-white hair with lovely golden eyes. Not to say that he was old; far from it! This Yuki-look alike was young and full of life. He had a slim tail that was an interesting yellowish color with flecks of gold that flapped energetically behind him.

"MY SWEET LITTLE SIBLING! I AM HERE TO STRENGTHEN OUR BROTHERLY BONDS!"

Yuki scowled. "Shut up! God, I swear, you scream as much as that perverted writer."

The golden-eyed merman beamed, apparently ignoring Yuki's criticism. "If you mean Gure-san, he's the one that informed me you were here with a pretty little mermaid too! AH! THERE SHE IS!" He darted to where the defenseless mermaid was.

"Ayame..." Yuki gritted his teeth. "Don't touch her."

Ayame pouted, "Geez, Yuki. No need to be so protective." He gently tilted Tohru's chin up, staring intently into her eyes.

"Hmm... NICE JOB LITTLE BROTHER! YOU MADE A GREAT CATCH! She really is cute." Aya grinned, slapping Yuki on the back. The latter blushed a ferocious scarlet. "W-what are you talking about? She's just..."

Aya waved his hand dismissively. "I'm not blind you know. I see a passionate love blooming here! This day shall be forever known as 'Yuki's Day of ROMANCE!' AH HA HA HA!"

Yuki said to the startled Tohru, "Just ignore him. He likes hearing himself talk."

Tohru giggled a bit. "Ayame-san...he's a prince too, right? And he also mentioned that you were his brother." Yuki nodded. Suddenly, there was a deep, vibrating sound, as if somebody was banging on a gong. The sound reverberated in the entire castle, then faded away. "What was that?" Tohru asked. Yuki frowned while replying, "That was the closing bell."

"Basically, it means you are trapped in the palace, little mermaid!" grinned Ayame. Snapping his fingers, he exclaimed, "I know! You can sleep with Yuki tonight!"

Yuki immediately hit Ayame on the head, blushing profusely. "Eh? You don't want her to be with you? Then I, Ayame the Magnificent, will let this little mermaid into my humble abode!" cried 'Ayame the Magnificent' swimming behind Tohru and scaring her.

"E-EH?" After smacking Ayame again, Yuki said, "You can stay at the castle tonight. There are a lot of spare rooms, so it'll be alright."

Tohru smiled gently at Yuki. "Thank you for letting me stay here tonight, if it's not any bother." While Yuki was stammering something, Aya watched the two of them interact with unveiled astonishment. Gure did say she was the perfect one, but he did have a tendency to overexaggerate things. Like I'm in any position to talk... Ayame grinned excitedly, just thinking about the plan. If it works, Yuki will be happy, and his happiness is my happiness.

"Prince Yuki?" a female voice called out shyly. The three of them turned around to stare at a mermaid. She had long brown hair, big brown eyes, and a dark blue tail.

"Hello, Suzuki-san. How are you?" The mermaid blushed prettily as she pulled him over to help her plan an upcoming event. Tohru watched as Suzuki-san leaned closer to Yuki under the guise of pointing something out. Ayame said, "So, little mermaid. What's your name?"

Tohru replied, "Tohru Honda, Ayame-sama."

Ayame fluttered his hand dismissively. "No need to be so formal, Tohru-chan! Just call me Ayame."

"Ok, Ayame-san." Ayame beamed. "Good girl. Now I have a question. How would you like to go to the upcoming ball?"

Tohru looked shocked. "I can't! It would be such a horrible intrusion. But if Ayame-san is inviting me, it would be rude to refuse. But a ball is so grand! It's more fitted for royalty. But I am very grateful to Ayame-san for inviting me..." Aya stopped the mermaid from babbling any further. "But Tohru-chaaaaaan! We need you!"

Startled, Tohru asked, "What do you mean you need me, Ayame-san?" Aya looked over his shoulder to make sure that Yuki was still preocupied by Suzuki-san, then decided there was nothing to lose.

"Tohru-chan. This ball was organized by Akito-sama, the king of this city. As you must know, Furuba doesn't get along with a couple of other cities very well, primarily Urumai. To prevent any future wars, Akito is going to unite the two kingdoms by marriage."

Tohru blinked. "Then that means the ball is just a..."

Ayame grinned. "Exactly! It's just a cover-up for the princesses and princes of the other kingdoms to snag one of the Sohmas. After all, we are notoriously famous for our looks," preened Aya. Tohru had to agree. From what she had seen of the Sohma family so far, they were drop-dead gorgeous.

"What can I do to help?" Tohru asked. After all, she was just one mermaid. Half-mermaid, to be more exact. Ayame grinned. Operation Perfect Princess was going perfectly.

"You can save one of us from a cruel and terrible fate!" Ayame cried dramatically.

"EH?! Ayame-san, is it really going to be that bad?" Tohru asked worriedly, wringing her hands together. "Ok then. I'll do it to help the royal family." Ayame took both of her hands and gave them a reassuring squeeze. Yosh! Step One is complete! I knew she was the sweet helpful type! Yay for me!

"Don't worry Tohru-chan! All thirteen of us will help you on the way." Tohru grinned bravely and nodded.

"I can't wait to meet the rest of the princes and princesses! So far I met Yuki-kun, Ayame-san, and Shigure-san! I am so lucky to have met so many Sohmas!"

Ayame grinned cunningly. "But of course! You are a very lucky little mermaid. Now here's the plan..."

A/N: Chapter 8 is finished! Sorry it took so long...

Operation Perfect Princess will be revealed in the next chapter.

I'm still trying to think of a proper end for Dares, so please bear with me!

Read & Review! Onegai?

Ja ne!

Mimi-chan

xxfirebubblesxx