A/N: Sorry for the late update. I'm kinda busy these past months about school and other stuffs. I hope u all understand. I'm also busy for my new fan fiction in GS/GSD. I know you all wait for my new chapter here in my fan fiction in Ayashi no Ceres. I hope you all like this chapter.
Declaimer: I don't own Ayashi no Ceres, but Yuu Watase-sensei does. R&R! Also Thanks for all the Reviews!
Chapter III – Her First Kiss
[Next Morning
Aya awoke with a smile on her face. The moment she opened her eyes her thoughts were of a certain flame-haired prince.
"Toya-Ouji-sama…" Aya said softly under her breath, liking the sound of his name. It's so… manly. I think I found my Romeo.
"Aya-oujo-sama." A girl's voice sounded just outside the bedroom door. Receiving no answer, the maid grew curious and opened the door and saw her mistress staring blankly into space.
The girl approached the princess slowly and said in a soft voice, "Aya-Oujo-sama?"
"Toya-Ouji-sama…." Aya sighed dreamily, not hearing her personal maid's voice.
"Huh?" the girl blinked. She waved her hand in front of Aya's face and still received no reaction. Putting her hand on Aya's forehead, she didn't feel any significant rise in temperature but noticed that her lady's face was a bit pinkish.
Her highness wasn't sick, she's flushing, the girl thought to herself and called her mistress' name again.
It was the girl's ninth repeated call that jerked Aya from her dream-like trance. Jumping in surprise--literally--, she saw her personal maid a second before she fell off the bed and landed with a loud thump at the floor.
"Aya-oujo-sama!" the girl said in shock and hurriedly went to Aya's aid. "Are you alright, your highness?" she asked.
"Y-Yes… Daijoubu," Aya said and smiled at her servant. "What brought you here?" she asked.
"Umm… Well… your mother, the queen, and your father, the king, were worried when they notice that you still didn't come down since it's almost noon already. So they ordered me that I should wake you up," the servant explained.
"Oh… I see…" Aya said and walked towards the bathroom then she looked back to her personal maid, "Please tell my parents that I'm already awake." After saying thus, she entered the bath and did her morning necessities.
"Hai," the girl said, bobbing a curtsy at the closed door.
"I'll be down in 10 minutes," Aya continued from behind the closed bathroom door.
The girl silently exited the room.
After exactly 10 minutes, Aya went downstairs and met her parents and older twin brother at the great hall.
"You woke up late, my dear…" the queen said in greeting.
Aya sat down at the table beside her brother. "Sorry Oká-san. I slept late last night," she apologized.
"Reading that book of yours?" the king asked in-between spoonfuls of food.
Aya looked down for a moment then she recalled what happened last night. More specifically, how she met Toya, a prince from a nearby kingdom.
"H-Hai…." Aya said hesitantly.
"Don't hound her anymore, my dear husband. Let's eat. The food is getting cold," the queen said.
"Hai…" everyone said and started eating lunch.
While they' are eating their lunch, the Queen started to talk about the twins' birthday.
"Next week were the twins' birthday right?" the queen asked, looking at the king.
"Yes," he affirmed.
The queen looked at the twins.
"Your birthday party will be held next week. So be prepaid," she said.
"Hai," the two replied.
After lunch, Aya went to the palace garden. She stood under the pine tree and look up at it. An image of a certain guy with non-dyed red hair came in to her mind.
"Toya-Ouji-sama…" she said under her breath, smiling at the memory. She sat under it and started reading her favorite book. After a few minutes, she fell asleep and dreamt. She was at the party wearing a pink off-shoulder dress and her mask was the sort that only covers the eyes. Walking towards the center of the hall where all the people were dancing, she looked around, wondering if someone will request a dance with her.
"Mind, if I ask you to dance with me, hime?" the voice said from behind her.
Aya turns around and saw that the speaker had crimson hair and pair of mysterious green eyes. He was wearing a black tux with a dark cape that reached down to his knees and a matching mask. She stood speechless in front of him, amazed.
"Dance with me, hime?" he repeated, bowing and taking her hand. Looking up at her, he kissed the back of it.
Blushing lightly, she smiled at the guy and curtsies at him. "Yes, I'll be glad to," she said and let him lead her to the middle dance floor. They danced and, one by one, the other couples around them stopped dancing and watched them. The music ended and they stepped away from each other in and bowed. They guy, then, asked her to walk with him to the palace garden for some fresh air. They went to the garden and talked for a while. Then they look at each other's eyes and the guy bent his head down, about to kiss her.
A voice pulled her out of her dreamy fantasy. She opened her eyes and found Aki approaching her and sat up.
"I thought so, you're here," he said, stopping in front of her. "Reading that book of yours and falling asleep again."
"Oh… gomen. I didn't notice that I fell asleep," she said apologetically.
"It's getting dark. Let's get inside," Aki said and help his sister up.
"Hai."
The twins went back inside to the palace.
[Evening, at the great hall
Aya, her parents and her brother were eating dinner when the queen mentioned the twins' birthday.
"Oh! Next week is the twins' birthday," her highness said, looking at the king then to the twins.
"Oh… Yeah! I remembered," the king replied and looked at the twins. "Your mother and I decided that your birthday party will be a masquerade ball," he continued.
Aya stopped eating and remembers her dream early that afternoon. "A masquerade ball?" Aya asked almost to herself.
"Yes, a masquerade ball," her father affirmed, looking at her daughter. "Why did you ask?"
"N-nothing…. I'm just curious that's all," she replied nervously.
"Ok." the king said, not seeming to notice the tremor on her voice. He resumed eating and the rest, taking cue, resumed eating their food.
A masquerade ball huh? Aya thought as a thought came to her mind, causing her to smile. I can invite Toya-ouji-sama and no one will notice him.
[After dinner
All of the people have finished eating their dinner returns to their respective rooms for the night, to have their rest.
[Aya's room
She lay down on her bed and closed her eyes. In her mind, she saw a man with hair the color of blood, which certainly can't be dyed, and a pair of brilliant leaf-green eyes, and smiled, just as she does every time she remembered him, Toya. It's an afflictions she can't seem to get rid of--not that she's in a hurry to get rid of it.
Your birthday party will be a masquerade party. The voice of her mother resounded on her head. She smiled, mentally replaying her dream earlier that afternoon. She and Toya were dancing in the middle of the dance floor; they're looking into each other's eyes with love and passion. And then the garden, they talked and then Toya bent his head, about to kiss her. Then Aki woke her up.
Aya opened her eyes and pouts. "That stupid-idiot! Why does he have to wake me up at the best part of the dream?!" Aya muttered angrily and cursed her older twin brother for waking her up.
[Aki's room
"AA--- ACHOOO!!!" Aki sneezed. "I wonder why? Its not so cold here," he said as he rubbed his nose. Maybe someone was talking about me… he thought, shrugging his shoulders and returned to reading his manga.
[Aya's Room
Aya fell asleep thinking about Toya.
He stepped into Aya's balcony. Looking through the glass door, he saw Aya sleeping and smiled. Opening the door a bit, he slipped inside. He turned towards the door and was about to close it when the light of the moon caught Aya's profile.
"She's beautiful…" Toya murmured. He silently walked to her bed, sat on one side of the bed and gently caressed Aya's cheek.
Aya felt a soft caress on her cheek, and smiled in her sleep. Her hand went up and caught the hand.
Toya's eyes went wide when Aya touched his hand lightly and let go. Standing up, he covered Aya with a blanket. He looked at her for a moment then went back to the balcony and gently closed the door. Toya disappeared into the night.
Aya woke up; the feeling that someone had caressed her while she was still asleep remained with her. The hand was warm and imagined that the hand was Toya's. The next minute, she was asleep again.
The next few days, Aya seems to looked so happy--or so Aki thought. He had thought that Aya would be despondent when their father announced of her engagement with Yuhi. Sure, Yuhi was a good guy and the twins have known him since birth. They had been childhood friends and Aki knew that Yuhi fell for Aya, but Aki also knew that Aya only saw Yuhi as a friend and never had any special feelings for her now fiancé. Yuhi is a good guy and would never hurt his sister but will Aya be happy being married to a person she considers her friend, almost a brother? But lately… lately she seemed so lively… Maybe something happened? Could it be Yuhi? Aki asked himself. No, It can't Yuhi. Aya doesn't look so happy when Yuhi is around. Or… maybe she's happy coz of our up coming birthday…? Yeah… maybe… His thoughts drifted as went back to his room.
[The Night before Aki and Aya's Birthday
Aya can't sleep. A walk is most definitely in order, she thought. Slipping into her robe, she picked up a small white envelope and slipped it into the pocket of her robe. She opened the door and look around to see if there anyone was still awake wrapping up their jobs. When the hallway cleared, she stole out her room and proceeded to the palace garden.
[Palace Garden
Toya came to the palace garden; the place where they first met. Looking around, he climbed a tree and sat on a shadowed branch.
Aya arrived at the palace garden, stood under the pine tree and looked around. She sighed in relief, thankful that no one's around. Unbeknownst to her, Toya was just on the branch above her, watching her every move.
"What are you doing here, Princess?"
Aya jumped at the voice. "Who's there?" she asked worriedly.
The leaves rustled above her and someone dropped from the tree just in front of her. She screamed and a hand sneaked up to cover her mouth.
"Shissh… It's only me, Toya," he said slowly taking his hand off her mouth.
"T-Toya?? Toya-Ouji-sama?" Aya asked in disbelief.
He nodded. "Hai, it's me. I'm sorry if I scare you," Toya apologized.
"Daijoubu… you just startled me. I thought someone from the palace guards saw me," she said.
"Oh… I see. I'm really sorry for scaring you," he apologized again.
Aya shook her head. "No, it's ok. Really. Apology accepted," she said, blushing.
"Why are you here?" Toya asked.
Aya looked down and blushed more. "Umm.. Well, I… I couldn't sleep, so I decided to take a walk and have a fresh air… again," she explained softly.
"Oh… I see. I understand," Toya said with a smile.
Aya blushed violently when Toya smiled at her. She slid her hands inside her pocket and takes out the small white envelope. "Umm… here. I want to give this to you," she said, handing him the envelope.
"What's this?" he asked.
"It's an invitation to my birthday party. I hope you could come," she said, shyly.
"Sure. I'd love to come," he said.
Aya look up at his emerald eyes. "Honto?" she asked excitedly.
"Hai, honto," he said, returning her gaze.
"Oh! Thank you!" Aya exclaimed happily and hugged him.
Toya was astonished when Aya hugged him. At lost at what to do, he put her arms around her and hugged her back. He looked up in the sky and smiled. Holding Aya like this felt so… right.
Aya felt secure, locked in his strong and protective arms. Getting self-conscious, she let go of him.
He looked down smiled back at her.
"I hope I'll see you tomorrow night," she said.
"Tomorrow night?" he asked, confused.
"Tomorrow night is my birthday so, I hope I'll see you there. The party will start at 7 pm," she explained.
"Oh…" he said in amusement, causing her to smile. "Don't worry I'll come tomorrow night."
"Well then. I'll see you tomorrow," she said, still smiling.
Aya bowed. "Well, I have to go back now, before the guards find me here."
"Ok. Take care and see you tomorrow night," he replied.
"Ja! See you tomorrow!" she said, bowing again. Turning around, she headed back to the palace.
Toya followed Aya's progress. He saw the light turned on her room, indicating that she had arrived. His gaze followed her silhouette as she got into bed and turned off the lights. Looking down at the invitation, he smiled. With a turn, he disappeared into the night.
[Next Morning, Twin's 16th Birthday
Aya woke up with a smile on her face. She looked at the calendar.
"Today is my special day." Aya said to herself.
Getting out of bed and stretching, she headed to the bathroom. After taking a bath, she went out from her room and headed downstairs to the great hall.
[Great Hall
"Ohayo Oká-san, Otó-san," Aya greeted her parents as she took her seat.
"Ohayo Aya," her father replied.
"Otanjoubi Omedetou, Aki, Aya," the queen greeted the twins lovingly.
Aya smiled.
"Arigató, Oká-san," she replied with a smile.
She looked at Aki and smiled at him, "Ohayo and Otanjoubi Omedetou, Aniki."
"Ohayo and Otanjoubi Omedetou to you too, Imouto," Aki said, smiling back.
"Be ready this afternoon. There's a lot of guests will come," the king announced.
"Hai," both of the twins replied.
The whole family ate their breakfast. After 30 minutes, they finished and went to do their daily activities. The King and Queen went to their meeting appointments, Aki went to his study to read his manga, Aya went to the palace garden and read her favorite book again.
All of the servants were busy preparing for the twin's sixteenth birthday. Aya fell asleep at the palace garden.
[Sunset
Aki walked across the main hall, looking for his younger twin sister. It was sunset and he needs to remind her to get ready for the party. Not seeing her, he headed to the palace garden where he saw her sleeping under the tree. He approached her.
"Aya wake up or else oká-san will scold you," he said shaking Aya.
Aya groaned and woke up. She opened her eyes and saw her older twin brother.
"Good. You're awake now," he said.
Aya pouted and stood up. "What time is it?" she asked.
"5:00 o'clock," her brother replied.
"Oh…" she brushed off the dirt from her dress.
"Let's go back."
"Hai."
They started to the palace and, by mutual agreement, headed off to their respective rooms to get ready for the party.
Seven o'clock. The guests would have started arriving by now. Aya gazed at her self in the mirror and smiled. She had on a pink off–shoulder dress and a matching mask. It's as if I'm on my dream… she thought.
"You look great, milady," the maid praised.
"Thanks," she said, smiling.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," Aya said.
The door opened, revealing another maid. The newcomer entered the room. "Milady, all the guest were arriving. The queen said that you should be ready in 30 minutes," she said.
"Hai. Tell her that I'm ready," Aya said.
"Hai." The maid said, bowed her head and left the room.
[Grand Hall
Guests were arriving every minute.
A girl with pink hair set on two pony tails and a pair of yellow eyes, who was wearing a blue dress with a rose on the left upper breast. "Hmm.. I wonder where's Yuhu-kun?" she asked to no one in particular.
"You know him. Waiting for Aya, Chidori," said a girl with purple hair and a pair of golden eyes. She was wearing a black suit and tie, and black slacks, looking more like a guy than a girl, and drinking a glass of punch.
The girl pouted.
"Hmp! I don't care if he's waiting for Aya! I love Yuhi!" Chidori said.
"But they're engaged you know that," her friend replied, exasperated.
"I know! And we all know that Aya doesn't like to be engaged with him. You know that SHURO!" Chidori said angrily.
"I know! I know! Just cool down and relax! You don't need to shout," Shuro said.
"Gomen…" Chidori apologized.
"Daijoubu…" Shuro said, taking another sip on her drink.
A minute later, trumpets sounded and the trumpeter announced the prince and the princess.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Our birthday celebrants. Aki-Oiji-sama and Aya-Ojou-sama," he said in a loud, clear voice.
Aki and Aya appeared on the top of the stairs. Aki offered his hand to Aya, who took it, and let her brother lead her downstairs. Everyone looked at them with admiration. As the twins descended from the stairs, Yuhi approach them, bows low before Aya, and reached for her hand, kissing the back of it.
"Otanjoubi Omedetou, Aya-Hime," he said in greeting.
"A-Arigatou…" Aya replied uneasily.
Yuhi smiled and bows again. "May I dance with you?" he asked.
Aya look at him for the moment and still uneasy. "O-ok.." she said with some discomfort.
Aki cleared his throat causing both Aya and Yuhi to look at him. "Before that, may I dance with her first?" he asked.
"Uh… Sure." Yuhi said and returned to his former place on the sidelines.
Aki faced his younger twin sister and bowed at her. "May I?" he asked, charmingly.
"Sure," she replied.
Aki took her hand and led her to the dance floor. The music started and they danced. The guest marveled at their elegance and grace in the dance floor.
"Thanks," Aya said gratefully at Aki.
"No prob. Imouto," Aki replied, smiling back at her. "I know that you don't want Yuhi to be you first dance and I also knew that you don't want him to be your last dance."
Aya nodded and she smiled fondly at Aki.
When the music ended to give way to a new one, king approached Aya and danced with her. Many men danced with Aya until it was Yuhi's turn to dance with her.
"I thought that I have never had a chance to dance my fiancé," Yuhi said as he dance with Aya.
"Umm… Really?" she asked.
"Yeah…" he replied and smiled at her.
Aya smiled back at him faintly as Yuhi twirled her around the dance floor. All those present looked happy for the couple; some even discussed the pending wedding, except Aki. He knew his sister doesn't like her situation.
Toya arrived at the palace entrance. Upon entering, a guard stopped him, inquiring if he has an invitation. Toya presented his invitation, the one that Aya gave him the night before. The guard allowed him to pass. Stepping into the foyer, he heard the music coming from the grand hall. The party had started, he thought. Entering the grand hall, he saw Aya dancing with Yuhi. Oh… she's dancing with that guy… He looked at the couple and was sad. He didn't notice that, when he entered, the guests were looking at him, majority of which are girls. They fixed their eyes on him curiously and whisperings started.
Yuhi and Aya first noticed that the music stopped, and then that everybody was whispering. Both looked at the direction where all the guests were looking.
"Who?" Yuhi said as he saw the stranger at the door.
Toya look at Aya and saw her looking back at him. He slowly made his way to the couple.
"Toya…" Aya said, happily.
Yuhi look at Aya. "What?" he asked.
Aya looked at Yuhi and bows at him. "I'm sorry Yuhi…" she apologized and, bowing at him again, left him in the middle of the dance floor.
Yuhi looked shocked when Aya left him at the middle of the dance floor. He was not the only one. The King and Queen, Aki, and some of the guest were astounded by the princess' actions.
Aya approached Toya and stopped in front of him. Toya smiled at her, bows, reached for her hand, and kissed the back of it. "May I?" he asked.
"With pleasure," she said with a smile on her face.
Toya held her close and danced with her as the music started again. Everybody looked at the couple, some were whispering, others look at them with awe in their eyes.
Yuhi left the dance floor when he saw Aya and Toya dancing. He heard the other guests whispering about the couple at the dance floor.
"Aren't they perfect?" the girl said.
"Yeah…" the other girl nodded enthusiastically.
"I wish I'm Aya-hime so that I can dance with that mysterious guy," the third said dreamily.
"Me too!" the first girl said.
"Me also!" the second girl said.
The girls giggled, admiring the couple.
Yuhi looked pissed off as he heard the girls' giggles. "Damn!" he said, grabbing a glass of punch from a passing waiter.
Aki saw Yuhi and sighed. He then turned to watch his younger sister dance with the stranger. Aki couldn't help noticing that she looked happy. He remembered the few days smiling before their birthday. She was happy then. "Is he the reason why she's smiling?" he asked himself, looking at Toya. "Who's that guy? Where did he come from? When and where did he and Aya meet?"
Both the King and Queen were looking at their daughter.
"Look, milord… she's smiling," the Queen said.
"Yeah…" the King said looking at the couple carefully. "I wonder…"
"Yes?" the Queen asked, looking at her husband.
"I wonder where Aya and that guy met. And when? Where he did he come from?" he asked.
"Me too."
"I'll have someone investigate that guy. Who he is and where he came from," the King announced with determination.
"But milord, isn't that dangerous?" the Queen asked.
"Maybe… but I'm really curious as to who he really is," the King replied.
"Oh…" the Queen said, watching the couple at the dance floor.
The music ended and Toya led Aya outside, to the place garden. Yuhi follows them with narrowed eyes. Aki smiled, seeing his sister smile.
[Palace Garden
"I'm glad you came," Aya said as she sat on a bench adjacent the pine tree.
"I promised, didn't I?" Toya said with a smile as he looked down at her.
She looked up at him, saw his intense gaze, and looked down to cover her blush.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"Umm… nothing…" she replied and blushing more.
"Ok," he said. Putting two fingers beneath her chin, he made her look at him.
Aya blushed brightly as she met his dark gaze. Am I dreaming?? she asked herself.
She's beautiful… he thought, awed.
Toya locked his gaze with hers and slowly bent his head.
C-chotto… is he going to?? To?? Aya thought, disbelieving but not wanting to break the magic of the moment. She closed her eyes, and the very moment she did, his lips touched her in a soft caress. Kiss me?!
Toya kiss her gently. Aya don't know what to do because it's her first kiss. She was trembling, shocked and scared. She wanted to push him away but her hands seemed to be on mutiny against her mind. She didn't know how to return his kiss but her nerves were tingling with awareness. She was about to respond when he broke the kiss and looked down at her. She could feel the heat creeping up her cheeks.
He smiled and touched her lips with his thumb. Her lips feel so soft, sweet, and warm.. he thought.
Aya blushed, her gaze never leaving his and smiled shyly. She just had her first kiss. He had given her first kiss. For the first time in her short, sixteen years of life, someone knocked her socks off.
Again thanks for all those who R&R and also to my editor/tomodachi. [smiles
-CagalliYullaAthhaZala