Hello Everyone! Venus here, how are all you all on this fine day? Hopefully well!

Well, here is Chapter Two, good and ready to go. Why did it take so long you may ask? Well that's because I did something I've never done before. I wrote a bundle of chapters over a certain period of time, that way updates can be timely and on schedule so that waiting around doesn't have to be such an issue! …which is something I am famous for making people do unfortunately : (

Either way, I hope you enjoy this Chapter. Look for Chapter 3 next Thursday! I will be answering questions, comments, or concerns you all may have about the story so feel free to either review a message or PM me, all questions will be answered and placed at the beginning of the next chapter!

Until then, here's Chapter Two – Enjoy : )

Disclaimer: I do not own SC in anyway, shape, or form. Nor do I own iphones…although I wish I did…that'd be cool…and make me rich… : )

Chapter 2: As Normal As It Gets.

If love is the answer, could you rephrase the question? -Anonymous

Now King San-nuun knew exactly who he wanted to give his daughter to; the great warrior from the neighboring kingdom of Zelvinia, Prince Klein. With his golden blond hair and baby blue eyes ladies constantly melted at his feet. His stainless record in battle only added to his gallant status as well as his profound negotiation skills. Surely, King San-nuun said, if all the women in the land love him and all the men of the land envy him, then why should Talia not be his happy willing bride? But Talia's heart already belonged to another.

And her and Yukio loved each other as many times over as the stars in the night sky.

When King San-nuun discovered their love affair, his anger was as great as a typhoon. How dare a mere peasant bodyguard betray his trust and even think of being with his daughter! He refused to acknowledge their love, removed him of his guardian duties, and banished him from the Sun-rah kingdom altogether. Talia begged and pleaded for her father to let him stay. For the man had no true home or family and stayed within the royal estate.

But King San-nuun was angry.

And he was rarely angry.

And especially when he was angry, his word was law.

That night before he was shipped away, Yukio and Talia met in secret to say their final goodbyes. They vowed their undying love to one another no matter what their futures held and decided that if they couldn't be happy, then no one in their family deserved to be as well.

The two star-crossed lovers made a final declaration to the winds that until the love between them had been fulfilled, their families would suffer in matters of the mind, body, and heart. And if it took until their great-great-great grandchildren for it to happen, then so be it.

The sun rose to the next day. Yukio boarded the ship to God knows where, and Princess Talia bitterly wept as she lost the greatest happiness she'd ever been blessed to know, clinging onto the hope that maybe one day it'd be hers to have once again.

Days, weeks, months…years passed by.

For centuries two families from different worlds experienced some of the worst casualties anybody could begin to imagine. Thinking it was the natural way of how their lives were meant to be, they went on with them; learning to cope or just skid by the obstacles that came their way, and it worked for a while.

Until one day, fate got bored, stepped in, and decided it was time for a change.

A big one.

How did it always come to this?

Her waiting on him once again. Patiently at first, a small sliver of hope somehow hanging onto the wish that he would actually pull through this time…and be on time.

Him being the boy who didn't know the definition of punctuality.

Or basic social courtesies for that manner.

Talim shook her head in agitation, running a hand through her deep emerald tresses. She pulled out her iphone, hoping to see a text from a certain red-haired idiot, but instead seeing that it was now a quarter past four.

She sighed dramatically.

Who was she kidding?

She knew this was going to happen the second she asked him this "favor" in the first place. Scratch that, she knew the second the idea crossed her mind.

Silly, stupid girl.

Sometimes she just couldn't believe how naively patient and trusting she could be. Especially to those less than deserving – a list that idiot topped daily with pride. An idiot by the name of Yun-Seong Hong.

Talim winced at the thought of the person who brought out the absolute worst in her.

He was six-foot three-inches of ignorance, arrogance, and over-stimulated hormones. Although he was three years her senior, a fun-fact he constantly reminded her of, he had the social mannerisms of a five-year old. He was the captain of the soccer team, annoyingly attractive, and as stupid as they came. To top it all off, he absolutely lived to piss off little Talim for only God knows why. She always assumed he just didn't like her very much.

That was fine with her, the feeling was very mutual.

If Talim could have it her way, the neanderthal and her would never have to interact outside of a few possible "hi's and bye's" during the school year. But life was never simple. Particularly hers.

Chocolate eyes once again glared down at her phone. The time? 4:23.

"Darn it…," Talim grumbled in aggravation. "Honestly, can he not be on time for one thing in his life?"

The two adverse teens might not have been friends, but their parents sure were. Best friends to be exact. As a result, they had been in each other's lives since the tender ages of seven and ten, whether they liked it or not.

That's what happens when your families are ridiculously in like with each other. They get married, have kids, and then force them to hangout.

All. The. Time.

Meanwhile making jokes and side comments on how "cute" you guys will be when you two get married.

Ah parents, sometimes they were worst than their own children.

"Ugh! That's it!" Talim whined out in frustration. "I'm done. He can let me down another day, I've got things I have to do…,"

With one last wearisome look back down the street, Talim sighed and started walking in the direction of home. But low and behold the minute she turned around and gave up, the footsteps of a man always too late came dashing up the sidewalk.

"Oiiiii! Mini!"

She cringed. God she hated that nickname.

"Miniiii! Wait up!"

Talim whirled around; hershey eyes lit in silent fury, arms tightly crossed, and her patience ice thin.

True to the athlete he was, Yun-Seong sprinted up the rolling hills of the neighborhood to meet his maker - front and center - in less than thirty seconds. Maybe she would have been impressed had she not been so fed up with him. Or actually liked guy.

"You're late, Hong,"

"I know," he answered hunched over, steadily catching his breath. "I'm sorry, but I had to run some…special errands,"

Talim quirked a brow. "Special as in-" Her question was cut short by the tall red-head ruffling her hair like she was his twelve year old little sister.

"Nothing you need to complex your young, naïve mind with, squirt,"

She smacked his hands away crossly, glaring him down as he casually strolled by her to their destination.

"You do realize I'm literally the smartest student in our high school…and you're one of the dumbest,"

"See, and that right there - that answer - is proof that you are of simple mind," he calmly responded.

Talim rolled her eyes at his nonsense. "If anybody is of simple mind, it's you mush-for-brains…," She spun around to catch up and walk in step with her number one pet peeve. His strides were long and lanky to her petite rushed footsteps. It was times likes this it sucked to be fun size.

Yun-Seong really did think he was so cool, so clever, so mature. He was in firm belief that because he was eighteen, he was instantly 'the man' and that every corner of earth that was beneath his feet suddenly belonged to him. If people only knew that this 'older, sophisticated man' slept with a small yellow bird named 'Duckie' and not the assumed girl every night.

"Name calling already, Mini? Geez, we just got out of school. Can't we just enjoy a silent socialization-free walk back home? I'll even pretend that you don't annoy be beyond all reason,"

Talim sighed in slight exhaustion. "As appealing as that sounds, Hong, I'm going to have to pass. I don't know if you remember the reason why you're here, but we have work to do,"

"Yeah, yeah. I know, I know. Man…so much for hitting the bars with the boys tonight,"

"Well then, this must be a blessing in disguise," said Talim stalking a little ways in front of him. "because the last thing Reagan Township needs are you or any of your so-called "friends" drunk and on the town,"

Yun-Seong cackled at her spunk. "You know, I can't wait until the day someone sets you off at school. Then everyone can see how much of a bi-atch you really are,"

It was times like these Talim thanked her family for their strange traditions and training. Had she not been through those calming yoga lessons, six-foot three-inches of meathead would be six-feet underground right about now.

"Something tells me that 'someone' will be you," she mumbled underneath her breath.

No more was said between the two as they approached a tall traditional Japanese style home. It was veiled by even taller burly pinewoods and lined by bright pink cherry blossoms. A wise old willow stood grandly in the front lawn like a guardian, its branches dancing lazily in the wind. Behind the vast forestry laid the house of deep burgundy wood, its elongated front porch curving around the entire quarters leading to a small tranquil coy pond in the blossoming backyard. Beautiful and intricately decorated screen panels added a touch of royalty to the fine estate, each pane telling a different tale or legend from history.

As Talim and Yun-Seong made their way up a pebble path, a woman in flowing Japanese robes exited the house to meet them. Her kimono was a lovely shade of deep ocean blue and trimmed with white silvery petals. Her long chestnut hair was twisted into an elaborate side bun and her wide brown eyes gazed warmly at the approaching teenagers. There wasn't one crease or wrinkle to diminish her complexion, a trait that oddly bothered her. It was often that she was mistaken for being her daughter's older sister as oppose to her mother. Maybe she wouldn't have minded so much if she weren't also mistaken for being her husband's kid sister as well.

And she was older than him by two years.

"There you two are!" her voice was gentle and melodic like a mother's ought to be. "I was starting to worry, it's almost five o'clock!" The woman wrapped her arms around Talim sweetly.

Yun-Seong grinned at them in humor. Where Mini was indeed 'mini' her mom was astoundingly shorter than her - and by a whole three inches! It was the only time in the world that 5'1 would ever look so big.

"Hi Mom!" she said returning the hug. "Yeah I know were late, I'm so sorry! I was waiting on lunkhead here to follow through on a favor,"

She threw him a look from over her shoulder. "As usual, he failed. Miserably,"

Her mother turned to hug Yun-Seong in the same sweet fashion as her daughter. He gladly reciprocated.

"Is that true, Yun-Seong?" she asked in a motherly tone.

"Guilty," he responded with a boyish grin. "I got caught up in running some last minute errands for the misses,"

Talim palmed her face in irritation. "Are you kidding me? That's the reason why you were late? Because of her?" She shook her head. "Why am I even surprised? That girl has more needs than a retarded baby bird…"

"Talim!" her mother lightly scolded. "That's very rude and unlike you to say, be nice!"

"Yeah Talim, be nice," Yun-seong mocked.

She glowered icicles at him. He smirked teasingly back.

"I'm always nice," she defended, turning her gaze to her mom. "Which should be proof enough that if she makes me foil, there's something very off about her,"

"Right, because you make the judgment calls about people around here? God forbid the day that can of worms is opened…," the fiery red head poked.

A familiar mix of irritation, pride, and competitive edge twisted tight inside of Talim's spirit. She knew he was baiting her - she wasn't stupid - and he was counting on her to fall hook, line, and sinker in hopes of winning a quick victory before their work started. Now she wasn't a fan of arguing in the least. She actually hated it. But when it was him challenging her, the rules always seemed to change for some reason. And exceptions were made. Briefly, she almost thought about ignoring him altogether and going along her merry way.

Almost.

"Well now we all know that's not true. If so, you most definitely would not be here,"

A ghost of a smile covered his lips. "Oh you wouldn't have to throw me out, sweetheart. I'd make it easier on both of us and take the first ticket out of here on my own. Though now that I think about it, maybe I wouldn't just because it would be harder on you,"

"Ha! Like you could afford it cheapskate,"

Talim's mother laughed softly at the two feuding adolescents trailing behind her. It was amusing how quick and easily they were able to dig under each other's skin. And cute. But that was a secret better not shared, she supposed.

"Snob,"

"Slob,"

"Kiss-up,"

"Let-down,"

"Goody-goody,"

"I'm sorry, I missed the part where that's supposed to be an insult, black sheep"

"Children!"

Both teens immediately stopped bickering, their eyes still glowering angrily into one another's.

"Please, we have guest coming in less than the hour and lots of important tasks to complete. Save the arguing for round two, which I usually believe is after dinner time," Her eyebrows rose appreciatively as they tore away from glaring at each other to look at her instead.

"Sorry Mrs. Kazehime,"

"Sorry, Mom,"

"You are forgiven," she said standing on tip-toe and patting their heads. "Now go to your rooms and change for work, there's much to be done," she smiled serenely up at them. "We want our guests to feel just as much at home in our house as we do,"

Yes, their house, as in the house they both lived in. Both her and Yun-Seong.

The awesome consequences of when families were best friends were limitless….

Short start, but hey it's gotta start somewhere! Tell me what you think : )

Venus 3