(R POV)

"R, good morning."

"Good morning!"

I said back to the guards at the castle.

"Here to see Prince Zen today?"

"No, Mitsuhide and Kiki asked me to come. I was wondering what was that object hanging from that man's neck?"

The guard reached inside his tunic pulling out a rectangular shaped square, that was outlined in gold with a clear inside. Writing was engraved on the clear part. A triangular shaped part dropped from the bottom with a small crystal hanging from it.

"It's a piece of identification, everyone working at the castle has one. You are not permitted to enter the palace without one."

I stared at it curiously, as the guard put it away.

"Oh, you're fine though, R. We've heard everything from the prince. Go ahead and wait at the entrance."

"Thank you very much."

I nodded at the two guards entering the gates. My ears picked up on their whispered conversation as I walked through.

"Being friends with the prince and all, R's so cool-"

"Come on let's get back to work."

"You think so to, don't you?"

I turned my attention back to the path, deciding to ignore the rest of their conversation. I met up with Mitsuhide admiring the flowers. I noticed someone glaring and glanced to see a man dressed in formal attire. Probably a noble, however he didn't seem to like me. I stopped walking to crouch next to a group of red flowers. I sniffed, the scents of the garden mingling together creating an alluring smell.

We entered the castle and I sped up to keep up with Mitsuhide's large stride.

"We called you here today to help out with Zen."

"Is Zen okay?"

"After being out of the castle on official business the other day, he snuck out to observe the local area."

"He snuck out, again?"

"Well he always does that. But this time it made him late returning to the castle without permission, and the ministers around him seemed to come down hard on him about it afterwards."

I blinked trying to comprehend the meaning of Mitsuhide's words. What did the ministers want with Zen?

"Is Zen upset?"

"No, it's just…"

He hesitated as we arrived at a door. Knocking before turning back to me.

"He decided to show his contriteness with his actions, and shut himself up in his office working without rest."

I glanced in, seeing Zen with his head down writing out paperwork. A dark aura seemed to be coming from him, making the room seem bleak. Zen glanced up his eyes dark and tired.

"R… Am I hearing things?"

"I didn't say anything."

I asked confused as to his words.

"Zen, Kiki and I asked R to come. If I have time to sleep then I want to see R. Isn't that what you said?"

Zen opened his mouth blushing. I gazed confused as to why his face went red, was he sick?

"That's because you guys kept bugging me about sleeping!"

He said fiercely back to Mitsuhide, who was hiding a grin. Kiki walked over in front of the desk, saying.

"Before you start writing R all over your documents, why don't you spend some time with him?"

Zen's eyes went down and he looked down his face turning redder. Maybe he was cold, and that's why his cheeks were red. I said lost in my own world, as I tried to figure out the reason.

"What's that supposed to be a symptom of?"

"Before all your replies become R you should spend-"

"Mitsuhide we need to talk later!"

Zen said cutting off Mitsuhide. Mitsuhide grinned sheepishly and I glanced between the two.

"Um, should I head home?"

I asked my tail flicking faster behind me.

"Sorry for interrup-"

Zen abruptly stood up his hands on the desk. I stopped mid-sentence.

"Zen."

Mitsuhide said, being joined by Kiki. Zen kept his head down as he said.

"You guys aren't being fair."

Mitsuhide and Kiki stood straight saying.

"We know sir."

They broke into slight smiles there seriousness draining. Zen led me out and to a quiet area. He sat on a long cushion that was next to a window that gave view to the castle grounds.

"Sorry they made you come out."

"It's fine, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, this is what happens when I'm away from the castle for too long. I feel like I'll become a prince in name only one day."

"You're overworking yourself."

"I've finished twice as much as usual. I won't give them anything to complain about the next time I'm away."

He looked down, his eyes determined.

"Zen…"

"I don't mind deskwork. It's just that it's easy to lose sight of what's going on outside. The country, Clarines, spreads out past the castle walls."

He gazed outside his eyes distant. He smiled slightly.

"That's what I like about it."

I nodded and reached for my satchel ruffling through it. Zen yawned, ruffling his hair. I turned back to him.

"You should sleep."

"Alright, will you stay here until Mitsuhide comes?"

"Sure"

"Thanks, R"

With that Zen closed his eyes, his body leaning downwards slightly as he fell into a deep sleep. He must have been really tired. I leaned back grabbing out an herb book I bought. While I had learned to tell herbs apart by smell, and often times sight. I desired to learn more about their textures and there exact looks. I could tell most things about an herb with a single sniff, or glance due to my senses. Cats truly had some of the greatest senses, including night vision. As long as I worked at it I could grow even better, till I could tell apart any herb and the best parts to use with a single glance or whiff.

I grabbed a blanket that was on the side of a cushion spreading it over Zen before returning to my book. Zen was working hard, so I had to do the same.

(Zen POV)

"Zen are you done sleeping?"

I yawned opening my eyes to see Kiki. I pushed myself up my fingers grazing a book. I picked it up.

"That boy must've forgotten this."

"Prince Zen, please forgive me for interrupting your rest."

"Oh, hello, Lord Haruka."

"Don't meet up with people from the outside so carelessly. You must've forgotten your position as this country's prince. You must carefully choose whom you become close with."

I continued walking, Lord Haruka following me. As I walked I flipped through the book R had left behind.

"In order to protect myself and my authority, right? I know."

"If you understand then stop inviting that half-blood of unknown lineage into the castle."

"Does it bother you?"

"The boy will have expectations and take advantage of you."

Kiki opened my office door, allowing us to enter. Lord Haruka continued speaking as he entered.

"What if he asks for social status appropriate for his position, or asks you to introduce him to the king? What will you do if he asks you for selfish things? Submitting quickly to the strong, and never trying to advance with his own power. Keeping a boy like that by your side will only draw criticism from your retainers. You have nothing to gain from it."

I shut the book a slight smile crossing my lips.

"Never trying to advance with his own power, huh? I see, then what if it's a boy without these expectations?"

I turned still smiling slightly to look at Lord Haruka. Lord Haruka grimaced but said.

"Your highness, where would you find a boy like that?"

"I'm just asking if it would be alright if there was one."

I placed R's book on my desk standing behind it to stare at Lord Haruka. Lord Haruka shrugged his shoulder spreading his hand a look of disbelief crossing his face.

"If you're saying such a boy exists, then I would definitely like to meet him."

I placed my hands on my desk, my left lingering on R's book. I glared confidently at Lord Haruka.

"He was just here. Didn't you see him, Lord Haruka?"

Lord Haruka visibly flinched before raising his voice, clearly upset.

"Your highness! I did not come to engage in wordplay with you!"

I grinned allowing my confidence to overtake me.

"This isn't a play for me, either, Lord Haruka."

Lord Haruka's eyes widened, his hands clenching into fists. We stared at each other for a minute before he bowed his head.

"Very well."

He turned walking out, at the door he stopped and said.

"I pray that you will open your eyes to the truth as soon as possible. Excuse me, your highness."

With that he left shutting the door behind him. I let out a relieved breath, turning to go.

"Zen?"

Kiki called.

"I need a change of scenery. I'm going to get some exercise."

I walked out and down the castle halls, never realizing that Lord Haruka was plotting something.

(R POV)

I gazed at an herb, classifying it in my mind. I used scent and then memorized every detail of the plant with my eyes. It was close to the shironagi herb, but I could easily spot the differences with my trained eye.

I reached into my bag to grab my herb encyclopedia. I came up empty handed, I sighed, I must have left it with Zen. I glanced up to see a cloud covering the sky, the wind blowing forlornly. A storm was brewing, but of what I wasn't sure.

Twenty minutes later.

I had just entered the palace, when I heard a cry

"What?"

"Don't let R pass from now on?"

"Why all of a sudden?"

"R has permission to pass as Prince Zen's personal guest."

I stopped out of sight from the three people at the gates. The normal two guards and an unknown man that I had never before seen with Zen. I felt a pang of happiness at the guard's words, they were sticking up for me. The unknown person held out a flyer saying.

"That has been rescinded"

"What? No way!"

"It's an order from the prince. Regarding the treatment of R because of the criticism of my retainers, he shall hereafter no longer have permission to enter the palace."

My eyes widened, an order from Zen. Did he not want to see me anymore?

"That's…"

"Please understand the Prince's agonizing decision, excuse me."

"Hey, wait a minute! Then you must tell the Prince that we just allowed R to pass."

"What?"

"Just before you came. He said he left his book in the castle…"

With that I turned running swiftly up to the doors. I wanted to hear this from Zen's own mouth. Pulling open the doors I knew the man had spotted me, but I didn't give a thought to being stealthy. I was to upset for that.

Zen's being criticized because of me. Was it because I was a half-blood. I should've known I couldn't be friends with humans. Especially not a Prince. However I still wanted confirmation from Zen. I turned a corner my desire to see Zen making me lose my normal cool.

"You over there Stop!"

I stopped, how could I have left my emotions get the better of me. Now the guards would make me leave, and I wouldn't be able to see Zen again. I didn't turn to see the guards, regaining control of my emotions I had already sensed the number of men was three.

"A half-blood, with white hair? Are you R?"

"Um…yes"

I said sadly, knowing my final chance to speak with Zen was over, all because I let my emotions out of control. Inwardly I promised myself to never let my emotions out like that again.

"That's what I thought, I heard you were the prince's guest. Please excuse me for stopping you so suddenly."

It's fine."

I said, relieved that they weren't kicking me out. I turned walking calmly. My satchel slipped from my grasp and I bent down picking up the books. I needed to be calm, I couldn't let my emotions overrule me. I turned walking calmly up the flight of stairs, where I hoped Zen would be. I sensed it before it hit me, ducking low. At the pace I was going I would've ended up being hit. I had a feeling the marksman didn't want to hit me.

I ripped out the arrow reading the message.

Half-blood do not take another step. Leave at once.

I hissed lightly, No way was I backing down, before I saw Zen. My ears arched backwards in anger, the arrow snapping into two parts in my hand. I calmed myself continuing on. I had lost all sense of direction and was now simply running down through an open path. As soon as I had sensed myself I went on the alert. My years of training my senses to perfection kicked in. I quickly caught wind of the person who shot. There was no doubt they would shoot at me again. This time I wouldn't stop.

"R, what are you doing?"

I halted shocked, as I turned. Prince Zen stood there in all his glory.

"Zen."

I held the broken arrow behind my back as he walked over.

"Didn't you already go home, R?"

"I forgot my book."

I said looking down. Every now and then casting a glance in the direction the man who shot at me was. The wind was still blowing his scent towards me, so as long the wind didn't shift I could smell him.

"R, did someone talk to you before this?"

"A soldier"

"A soldier, huh? Well what's that arrow in your hand?"

I sighed looking down, not sure what to say. He led me to a private room and demanded I hand over the arrow. I handed him the two broken pieces.

"Someone shot at you inside the castle?! Jeez, why didn't you call the soldiers then?"

"Sorry, don't be angry"

"How can I not be angry?"

He yelled holding up the snapped arrow.

"How can you be so unconcerned?!"

"It's not that I wasn't concerned, it's that I knew I could handle it. Also I needed to know if you really didn't want me here."

My ears laid flat on my head as I said this. Zen's eyes went wide, and without thinking he reached forward his hand brushing over my tail that had wrapped around my side.

"I want you here."

I shivered at the soft touch on my tail. Immediately he moved his fingers back to my side, and I could tell he was worried he went too far. I bent my head, not overly upset he touched my tail. After all I was growing to care for him.

"I want to confront them."

"By yourself?"

"Yes."

"You can't… that's what I'd like to say, but all right. I'll wait for you, R. but don't push yourself to hard."

A wisp of a smile once more crossed myself. How long had it been since I even smiled this much not since a long time ago, but since meeting Zen, I found myself doing it more often.

"If the other person won't leave you alone, make them stop even if you have to use my name. It could also be the work of more than one person, if I find them, I'll keep watch to."

"Thanks Zen"

"Sorry, it looks like I make enemies easily."

He held a strand of his hair, his eyes brimming with emotion.

"Zen…"

(Zen POV)

Walking back up to my room, I felt the stress of R facing this threat alone. My feelings towards him were all mixed, and I couldn't tell just how far my feelings went. One thing was for certain I wanted to protect him.

"Zen, is something wrong?"

Mitsuhide asked as I walked in.

"I have a favor to ask."

(R POV)

I stood alone, waiting to see if the person would approach me on his own. I scented a new person nearing and closed my eyes, expecting them to pass. Instead I heard.

"What are you doing? Are you in the service of the court?"

I glanced up, this was Lord Haruka, a powerful man.

"No, I'm…"

I paused not wanting to use Zen's name.

"What?"

"Um"

"How did you get into the castle?"

"Through the poet's gate, with permission from a certain personage. I am going to see him, if you doubt my claim you can come along."

I stared at him defiantly. I could tell from here he was the man I was looking for. I smelled the scent of anger, and unrest at my presence coming off of him.

"What?"

"Come"

I walked straight towards him, my eyes set on my goal. As I neared him he said.

"Wait, once I have found an intruder, I cannot allow them to go any further."

He drew his sword pointing it squarely at my throat. I halted my mind calm.

"I will have you leave immediately! One must have authority to invite those from outside into the castle. You do not look like you have the social status to be invited by one with such power."

I looked at him, my whole body was calm, and this feeling was something that had been with me since I was young. An infinite pool of calm that allowed me to assess any situation and handle it. I had only lost my calm a couple times, once due to Zen. I will not make the same mistake, I will be calm and collected. After all from a young age I learned how to fight and strategize. I was not ill prepared for such events.

"If it is as you say, and I am not meant to be here, then stop me with your blade."

His eyes widened before once more setting defiantly. I closed my eyes already knowing how this would end. I stepped forward, making him step back, his confidence faltering.

"Step back half-blood. I will not hesitate to kill you."

"As you wish."

I continued forward my eyes opening with an air of authority and confidence. He raised his hand as if to strike, and I continued walking. He plunged his sword down into the sheath, as I made it past him. I stopped behind him and said.

"I don't care what order you give the guards, I will not falter."

A clapping noise sounded from the trees, and I flicked my ears up. Already knowing the person was there. The same one who shot at me. He jumped up and I glanced at him, he was the man who told the guards not to let me through.

"Someone like you wouldn't be scared off by a little arrow, don't worry I won't do anything."

My eyes roved the two men, and down to where Kiki and Mitsuhide stood. I turned back to the man as he said.

"It doesn't look like I can run away, either, so I'll tell you. That order and the arrow and the threat with it were all my own doing, not his."

I could smell the part lie on his tongue but felt no reason to call him out, and it seemed I didn't need to.

"Don't say stupid things, I did those myself, thinking of the prince. I didn't ask for help from someone of humble birth."

The man chuckled pushing up his headband slightly.

"A lord with a strange sense of pride…"

"I agree"

I didn't bother turning already knowing Zen was there as he walked over.

"Your highness!"

"Did you say it was for me Lord Haruka?"

"It is as you say."

I turned half-way to see Zen facing Lord Haruka. In Zen's left hand was the arrow I had broken into two in my anger.

"That was the wrong way to go about it."

He threw the two pieces at Lord Haruka's feet.

"Depending on the outcome, it could have caused an uproar in the castle."

"Were you listening the whole time?"

Zen put his hands on his hips closing his eyes.

"Ever since I found the marquess, and he started talking to you. Let me just say I had to use all my self-control not to come out, you know. At least forgive me for eves dropping."

"Zen…"

I said, shaking my head at his words.

"Half-blood, how can you call the prince by his name?!"

Zen looked pointedly at Lord Haruka.

"You know what, lord Haruka. I don't think it's bad to have people around who value authority and social status over everything. Because I believe it is necessary as a prince to understand different perspectives, like those of you and R. Lord Haruka is your title important to you?"

"Yes"

"Then please treat it with importance, this will not happen again."

"Yes sir"

Lord Haruka walked off, and Zen stood next to me.

"Case closed huh?"

I glanced over to see the monkey man as I had decided he was most like a monkey still seated on the window ledge.

"No you-"

Zen began to be cut off.

"My name's Obi, master."

"Who're you calling master?! Listen I'm going to keep you where I can see you!"

Zen said holding monkey man by his scarf.

"You don't have to be so wary, I won't lift another finger against that boy. Besides I have a feeling he's stronger then he seems."

I glanced up at Obi's words, knowing he was right. I was strong, and I would become even stronger.

"Do you think I'd believe you so easily?"

Zen asked threateningly pushing Obi back slightly closer to falling off the balcony.

"I mean it! I like him, too. Above all he looks like he'll be able to help you.

Obi winked, and I frowned noticing Zen go red. He does that often, maybe he is sick.

"Right, R?"

Obi asked gazing at me. I never got to answer as Zen pushed him off the balcony with one hand. Obi turned in midair landing on his feet. Definitely a monkey maybe a bit of cat.

"You're going overboard."

"Kiki, Mitsuhide do something about that guy!"

Zen yelled from above.

"Yes sir, you'll be coming with us."

Kiki said, Obi bowed slightly at her.

"I'll go anywhere with a pretty lady."

"You little…"

Mitsuhide began as they started off.

"Not you, call me Obi"

Came Monkey's voice.

"I wonder who he is."

I didn't answer Zen as he stared out the opening.

"There shouldn't be any more problems if we leave it to them. Don't worry."

His eyes were just like when he said he made enemies easily.

"Zen look."

I held out the flyer the herbalist I met had given me.

"An application form?"

"I decided to try to become a court herbalist."

"This is…for this castle?"

"Yes. I want to make it here with my own power."

Zen smiled

"I'll wait for you."

I gazed at Zen, the peaceful expression in his eyes, made me relax staring at the vast sky with him.