Twisted Cinderella Story
Interlude of the Start


"Wise mage."

The cloaked man lifted his head slightly to acknowledge his guest.

"You have caused me some troubles."

The man smirked. "I take it the little kitten has begun his metamorphosis."

"Yes. The doctors have deemed him comatose. He will not wake until the entirety of his memories had returned."

"Then the fun begins. Isn't this what you wanted?"

"I wanted them to return on their own. Returning them this way will do nothing."

"I see." The cloaked man laughed. "If the memories locked in his heart where to return as a dream, he could be seriously harmed. His body would go into shock and then the possibility of death." He paused. "Tell your master not to send you to me again, he has nothing to worry about. I suppose you could say I'm not all bad because letting his memories return naturally would hurt him far worse than my methods. Leave pet, and don't come to me again."

"Of course."

"The Pure Heart is born!"

"The Pure Heart is born!"

"The Pure Heart is born!"

All was well in the four kingdoms. Once the news got out that the kingdom of Old Domino's queen had given birth to the Pure Heart, joy revolved.

But the joy was extremely short lived when it was heard that the queen had died soon after hearing her child's first cries. The skies had gone dark for days and the King was locked away with his son in the castle for awhile.

Soon after, he held a kingdom wide meeting claiming that he would remarry with the infamous Aki Izayoi Atlus and relocate to create an alliance between Neo Domino and Old Domino, leaving the Kyousuke family in charge of the throne until his son was old enough to take over if he so chose to.

The wedding was small and only held a small amount of people, completely unlike a normal royal wedding.

Hakase Fudo had been heartbroken and the marriage would have helped him move on. At least that's what his subjects thought.

The windows on the outside of the manor only showed a façade of what really happened behind the walls of the small manor on the edge of Neo Domino.

"Daddy! Daddy look at me!" Little four-year-old Yuusei Fudo attempted to twirl around in a dress eight times his size.

"Yes yes, I see you, my wonderful princess."

Yuusei stopped twirling and smiled at his Daddy. "Daddy, will I make a good princess?"

"Yes Yuu, you'll make a wonderful princess. There will be many people wanting to have you but I will only give you to the one."

"Who is the one Daddy?"

"The one who captures your heart. Love is a powerful thing Yuu, only a deep true love can be shared between two people."

"Like Mommy and Daddy?"

Hakase paused for a moment and smiled lifting his son onto his lap. "Yes, like Mommy and Daddy."

Yuusei snuggled into his father's chest. "Daddy, do you love stepmother like Mommy?"

"The love your stepmother and I share is very different than you realize. You'll never understand my love, because this love is not possible."

"What love is it?" The boy asked.

"It is a love based on mutual hate. I hope that you will never have to experience this type of love."

"Daddy, can we go to the town show? I want to see all the beautiful ladies in the dresses." Yuusei asked his father, as he worked in the study.

"I can't go Yuu, not today."

"But today is the last day!"

Hakase looked to his son and with those pleading, teary eyes staring back at him he couldn't say no. "You can go but Aki will have to go with you."

Yuusei winced when he heard his stepmother's name. "Does that mean Carly and Sheri will have to go too?"

"Unfortunately." He heard his father mutter. "Yes, Yuu."

Hakase nudged for a servant passing by and they entered the study. "Please go and inform Lady Aki I require her presence."

"Of course." The servant bowed and left the room.

"Daddy, I don't want stepmother to take me. She and her demon spawns are terrible to me."

"That is a mean thing to say about your sisters."

"They're mean to me!" Yuusei cried. "They push me around and stepmother is no better. She hits me sometimes and doesn't reprimand her daughters when they do."

Hakase frowned and ushered Yuusei to come to him. "Where does she hit you my love?"

"On my face rarely, my hands and my legs and butt."

Hakase lifted his son's shorts and there was a yellowing bruise on his upper thigh. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"She told me not to tell you. She said you would be angry at me for being such a bad child for deserving to be hit so many times. I don't want you angry at me Daddy, I want to be a good child so you won't like my sisters more than me." Tears fell down Yuu's face.

"I'm not mad at you my love, I won't love anyone more than you, you are my heart and soul."

"I love you Daddy."

"I love you too."

A shout and some commotion was heard down the hall and Aki stormed into the study a few moments afterward. "Yes, my dear?"

She gave a dirty look to the boy sitting on his lap but smiled anyway. "Aki, you are going to take Yuusei to the town show today. I can't make it so you can take him for me."

"But-" She attempted to protest but he shut her down with a look. "Alright, I'll get the girls ready."

She left the room then and Hakase kissed his son. "Go on and get ready, I'll see you when you get home."

"Okay Daddy!" Yuusei jumped and ran to his room to get ready.

"Hurry up!" Aki yelled. "Boy, you are slow."

She resisted hitting Yuusei as he struggled getting into the carriage. The driver took off when he finally managed to get inside and the ride was no more than awkward. He had never been truly alone with his stepmother and stepsisters as he always ran to his father when something went wrong. Now he had no choice but to withstand any abuse.

It took ten minutes of staring out of the window and Carly's complaints of how it was his fault that she was taken away from what she was doing because he wanted to go to the stupid town show.

When they arrived, he took no time to jump out of the carriage and tried to escape to the town but Aki caught him first. "Don't think about it boy. If I have to watch you you're not going anywhere."

She held a death grip to his wrist and he tried not to pout as Carly and Sheri were allowed to go run off to find friends with a bag of gold to share.

She half dragged him to the street were she stood stiffly keeping a vice grip on his arm. He tried not to move lest her grip tighten.

This was terrible. He couldn't see the ladies waltzing down the street in their dresses and the urge to cry was becoming hard to resist.

Just when things couldn't be any worse, Aki squealed and ran to go to a friend she saw and dragged Yuusei along with her.

While they talked, the conversation became animated and Aki began waving her hands around. Yuusei took the chance to escape and ran off into the crowd of people.

He stopped to catch his breath when he was sure he was far away from her. He looked around and tried to push his way through to the street so that he could see the women going down it and managed but was immediately pulled back by his hair. He cried out as his butt hit the floor and looked up at his attackers.

"Hello Yuuseless." Carly sneered at him.

He attempted to get up and ran but Carly tripped him. She reached down into his pocket and pulled out the packet of gold his father gave him. "I could use this."

"Give it back!" He yelled.

She slapped him and then put her foot in his face. "Don't speak to me like that. I'm not the one on the ground anyway."

She walked away then, hooking her arm around her sister's and skipping away.

Yuusei buried his face in his arms and brought his knees to his chest. Why was she so mean to him? He had done nothing wrong. He didn't know how long he sat in the middle of the walkway but every adult ignored him.

"Ne, are you alright?"

Yuusei looked up slowly to see a boy staring at him with curiosity, his eyes particularly striking but Yuusei didn't pay attention.

When the boy saw the tears, he automatically asked, "what's wrong? You shouldn't be crying on a wonderful day like this."

Yuusei only put his head back down, the cheerfulness of this boy dampening his mood more. His shoulders shook again as another flood of tears came but then he felt small, strong arms wrap around his tiny form.

He looked up again at the boy that was now hugging him. "You give me this feeling," the boy whispered, "I'll be your friend and I'll protect you."

The boy, which Yuusei realized was blonde, wiped the tears and dirt smudges from his face and gave him a bright smile.

"Can I be your friend?"

Yuusei nodded slowly and the blonde boy held out a hand. "Come on then!"

Yuusei grabbed his "new friend's" hand and went as he pulled him. They walked along the pathway to the side of a store where an opening stood. The blonde pulled Yuusei into the cavern lit with candles and sat him on a fluffy cushion.

"My dad said I could go here whenever I felt bored at a town show. You're the only person I've ever shown so you truly are my friend."

Yuusei stared at the boy and reached out to touch his face. "You're a pretty person. I like your eyes." Despite the dimness, the candlelight made the blonde's eyes glow bright. "I've never seen eyes like yours."

"My mom gave them to me." He said softly. "But you are beautiful. More than me."

Yuusei blushed and smiled. "I'm Yuusei."

"My name is Jack." The blonde said. "So why were you crying earlier?"

"My stepmother is very mean to me and my stepsisters are worse. Well not Sheri but Carly pulled my hair, stoleded the gold my Daddy gave me and kicked me in the face. I don't know how to get back home."

"You can stay with me until your Daddy finds you!"

"Really?" Jack nodded his head and Yuusei grinned.

"How old are you Yuu-chan?"

"I'm four. How old are you?"

"I'm seven. I'll be eight in two weeks."

"I just turned four." Yuusei replied. "But I can't protect myself from a girl."

"How old are your stepsisiters?"

"Carly is six and Sheri is seven." Yuusei evaluated the look on Jack face and he blurted. "You don't like them, do you?"

"No Yuu, I don't like them. I don't want to know them at all. I like you more than anyone." That was nice to hear.

They spent a few hours in the cavern sitting and playing, talking while Jack correct Yuusei on any mispronounced words.

"Jack!" A voice called out from the outside. "Are you in here?"

Yuusei pushed back against the wall and held onto Jack. "Who is that?"

"Don't worry. It's only my dad." He turned. "I'm here father."

"Come then, we're going home."

Jack crawled out of the haven and reached his hand back in for his friend.

Yuusei grabbed his hand as his dad asked what he was doing. Yuusei crawled out as well and Jack's father startled. "Why hello, who are you?"

"He's my new friend father. He's lost. Can he come with us?"

"We can't bring everyone back to the castle Jack. And his parents are probably looking for him."

"Umm, sir I don't know how to get home. I don't even know where my house is." Yuusei replied softly.

"Where are your parents?" Jack's father inquired.

"My Daddy is at home working hard and my stepmother abandoned me. My stepsister beat me up and left me where Jack found me. My stepmother is not looking for me."

"Well with a story like that, I suppose I can't refuse."

Jack pulled Yuusei along into the carriage that took them back to the castle.

"This is my room!" Jack exclaimed as they settled. "Father says when I become thirteen I'll get a room bigger than this and when I'm eighteen and of age I'll have my own wing of the castle for me and the person I'm going to marry."

It had been an immediate shock for Yuusei when he learned that he was in the presence of the King and Crown Prince of Neo Domino. After a few reassurances and hugs, he was told he didn't have to bow and he didn't have to address Jack formally as everyone else did.

"Ne, Jack am I really your friend?"

"Of course! I wouldn't lie about something like that. You really are my friend."

"I'm glad."

They played together, putting together puzzles, throwing balls and stuffed animals, and by the time the King had come back to call them for dinner, the room was in shambles, the boys rolling around together on the floor.

"Come on boys. It's time to eat dinner. The maid needs to come an straighten up now."

"All right father."

The boys followed the king down to the dining hall where dinner was served with the rest of the nobles. "Come Yuusei, we have a chair for you at our table with another special guest. The king led them through the dining hall we're the royal table was and there sat, surprisingly, Hakase Fudo.

"Daddy!" Yuusei ran and hugged his dad, tears falling heavily.

"Oh, my love, it's alright. I'm sure Jack and Jonathan took good care of you. You had fun didn't you?"

"I had a lot of fun! Jack and the king were very kind to me."

"Well go on and sit with your new friend so that you can eat dinner."

"Alright Daddy."

Jack and Yuusei had their conversation started as food was served and the king smirked at his guest. "I haven't seen you in years Hakase, not since your bundle of joy was born."

"I know. I apologize that I haven't kept in touch."

"Aki Izayoi, out of all people why did you pick her?"

"I wanted to keep the bond between our families."

"You bonded my sister, our bond was already set in stone then. This little miracle finalized it. Marrying Aki wouldn't do anything for you then."

"Aki is your sister is she not?"

"Blood related yes, in family no. She has become a disgrace to us. I wish I could have warned you beforehand. I suppose it's no matter if you love her."

"I do not love my wife. Not as I love Alaina. My heart will always belong with her."

"Why are you with her?"

Hakase leaned forward his voice very quiet. "That person is on the move, assembling an army. Aki is his spy and she's been ordered to watch my son. I knew so I married her to find that person's weaknesses. It was a price I had to pay in order to guarantee the safety of my child."

"Do you realize how dangerous that is?"

"I do. But it's the only to stop that person. If I use my seal right, Yuusei can stop that person."

"Your seal? Hakase are you planning to-"

"Please brother, I need a favor. Now is not the time to speak of this. I will discuss it with you when the time comes. Until then, I would like to discuss a separate matter with you." He said glancing at his son and his new friend.

"Come my love, it's time to go."

"Please Daddy! I don't want to!" The blue eyed boy cried, grasping onto Jack with desperation.

"You can come to see Jack again. The king and myself will set a playdate for the two of you. I promise."

"Promise?"

"I do."

"Tomorrow?"

"Not tomorrow." Hakase looked to the king and replied. "The day after. Is that alright with you?"

"It's fine with me." The king confirmed.

"But..." Yuusei looked at Jack, his lip trembling.

"Yuu, I brought Midnight. She'll be sad because she was so excited to see you. I guess I'll tell her you didn't want to see her."

Jack intervened. "The day after tomorrow Yuu, I promise."

Yuusei nodded and let go of his friend, kissing his cheek before running to grab his dad's large hand. "Goodbye!" He called. The castle doors closing behind them.

Jack looked at his dad and back to the doors. "Father, I'm going to make him my wife. The day I'm allowed to, ten years and two weeks from today, I'm going to make him my wife."

"Is that so? Well Jack, if you truly love him, I expect you to wait for him."

"Mother!"

Yuusei was awakened by his stepsister's shouting and roused from his sheets. He went and brushed his teeth, left his hair for his dad to do, and changed his clothes. He was more than excited, but did not show it. Today was Jack's eighth birthday and the entire family was asked to come. It seemed that Carly was too excited for the news and couldn't decide on a dress to wear.

He went to go search for his father, who he found in his study. "Daddy." He called and when Hakase glanced at him, he held a hand to his hair and held up a brush.

Hakase smiled and waved to his son. "Come on then." Yuusei sat on his father's lap and Hakase began brushing through his hair.

"Yuu, are you excited?"

"It's Jack's birthday. I'm very excited. He says he has something for me."

"Something for you on his own birthday. Isn't that something else."

Yuusei smiled as his father finished with his hair and they went to breakfast together.

"Ne, Daddy. Do you think my stepsisters, mainly Carly, will be upset to know that I've already met Jack?"

"Maybe, but she can't be upset over something she never knew." Hakase winked, "but you wouldn't dare use that against her, would you Yuusei?"

Yuusei smiled innocently. "Me? No never."

Breakfast went by quickly as Carly demanded they leave as soon as possible.

They piled into the carriage and to the castle they went. The village waved as they went, the prestige of them shown just by the gold on the reigns of the horse.

They arrived at the castle and they were immediately met by an escort. Hakase flashed the invitation and the escort gulped at the name Fudo written clearly at the top. He nodded and led them to the ballroom where the party was being held.

The doors opened and they stepped into the ballroom, Hakase settling his hand on Aki's back out of courtesy and appearance. Yuusei walked down next to his father, people staring at him and whispering. He clutched his father's pant leg and his cheeks flaring red. His father was immediately gathered by people, business and politics the subject to pop up. Aki left to chat up ladies about the new gossip. Carly dragged Sheri along to talk to other noble's daughters and try and find the prince through the crowd.

"Daddy?" Hakase paused his conversation.

"What's up my love?"

"I'm going to look for Jack. Can I?"

"Yes, but you be careful. Don't leave the room and don't go with anyone."

"Okay Daddy."

Yuusei wandered off then. The ballroom was a huge place so he felt it would take him a while to find his friend. Not particularly. There was a loud commotion and he went toward it. He regretted it immediately as there were a crowd of girls yelling like banshees. He tried to walk away but a hand grasped the collar of his shirt. He turned slowly, fearing the worst but when he saw the blond hair and the soft violet eyes, he grinned.

Jack put a finger to his lips and pulled Yuusei away toward the ballroom doors. He asked the guards to open the doors and they obliged after a bit of reluctance.

"You saved me back there." Jack sighed when they reached the garden. "Those girls attacked me and I thought I was going to die. They stopped to look at you and I was able to sneak away. Thank you."

"I don't think I did anything special, I'm glad you didn't die though." Yuusei laughed.

Jack took the time to show Yuusei around the gardens, showing him the different exotic plants and flowers.

"Here." Yuusei blushed as he handed a small wrapped box to Jack. "Happy birthday Jack."

Jack whispered a thank you before gently opening the gift, his eyes widening at the beautiful platinum cross on a silver star. His heart thumped as he looked back at his friend who was blushing in embarrassment, never once looking to see his reaction.

Jack pulled his friend into a hug and held him as tight as he could. Despite their multiple play dates for the past two weeks he felt as though he hadn't seen his friend in years. He felt like a new person was before his eyes.

"Yuusei, I love you, so much. I want you to be mine and when I'm able, I'll make you my wife. And you'll be mine forever. I'll marry you, so here's my premature proposal."

Yuusei blushed harder, he was just four but even he knew what those words meant. He hugged his friend as well and said softly, "you'll really love me forever?"

Jack nodded and Yuusei sighed in happiness, "I'll be your wife, when the time comes."

Jack grinned to himself and that's when he knew, yeah he is the one.

Months had passed since Jack's birthday and he and Yuusei had been plotting together, Jonathan usually found them holed up in the lounge with parchment or in Jack's room with colorful drawings. He never bothered to interrupt them but he was thinking maybe he should have when Jack came to him and Hakase wearing one of his formal suits. "Father, can I have a word with you? You as well, Fudo-san."

Jack led Hakase to a corridor and asked him to stay there, while he led his father to an alter in the hall. He had his father stand in the middle of the alter and grinned. "Yuusei asked me if you would be the one to marry us."

Jonathan's eyebrows rose to his hairline. "You want me to marry you?" He sent a look to Hakase who had an equally shocked look. He felt a wave of happiness then nodded. "Alright Jack, I'll do that for you but you don't ask me for his hand, you ask his father." Jack grinned wide and ran to Hakase.

He asked with politeness and for that Hakase smiled and nodded. Jack went back and waited at the alter and cued the pianist to begin playing. He started Canon in D and Yuusei appeared in his mother's white dress and stood beside his father.

Hakase held his hand and Yuusei grabbed it as they walked down the aisle. "You're so big, getting married and I'm glad I'm here to see it."

Yuusei smiled at his dad and Hakase released him at the alter and he faced Jack when he reached the top of the three stairs.

"Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to celebrate the bonding of these two wonderful children, Jack and Yuusei, in a ceremony of holy matrimony."

He proceeded with the normality of a regular commoners' wedding instead of the ritual royals' wedding.

He and Hakase did not expect the boys to actually kiss but Jack did take Yuusei's first kiss at four years old and despite it, both men clapped for the two. It was a happy day. They had a nice picnic and cake to celebrate before Yuusei and Hakase had to return home.

"Did you enjoy your day?" Hakase asked as he put pajamas on Yuusei.

"I loved it daddy. I love Jack. Does it make me a princess now?"

"It makes you whatever you want to be. But remember, your sisters won't want anything like that spread in their face. You won't use that against them, will you Yuusei?"

"Me?" Yuusei yawned, "no never?"

"Good boy," Hakase tucked his son into bed and kissed his forehead. "Have the sweetest dreams."

"How does it feel Yuusei, aren't you happy to be five now?"

"Yeah," Yuusei replied nonchalantly. In actuality, he was very upset that his love couldn't make it to his fifth birthday party because of high fever.

He didn't want to seem ungrateful and not enjoy the party so he tried to have the most fun and as soon as all the guests had gone, he asked his father if he could go to see Jack.

"But you have a guest still." Hakase replied.

There was a red headed boy behind his father. His hair spikey and straight into the air.

"Who are you?" Yuusei asked spitefully.

"My name is Crow. It's nice to meet you."

Yuusei evaluated Crow with his eyes and shrugged. "Can he come too?"

"I suppose."

"Jack!" Yuusei hugged his love and kissed his cheek.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your party but happy birthday." He gave Yuusei a wrapped present and smiled. "I think you'll like it."

Yuusei opened the gift and inside was an engraved cartouche with the words "yours forever" inscribed in the center.

"I love you." Yuusei whispered leaning down.

"I love you too. But you'll get sick."

"I don't care." Yuusei kissed his love's lips, no hesitation and no regret.

They spent more time together before Hakase entered the room.

"Come Yuusei, you guest is waiting."

"Yes father." He kissed Jack again and smiled. "I'm going now. You get better."

"Goodbye, my love."

During the ride home, Yuusei ignored everyone like he usually did until they got home in which he went into his room and closed the door. His stepsisters were already asleep so he didn't have to worry about them ruining his night anymore.

He was sad and just because his birthday was almost over, life had to make it worse. There was a timid knock at his door.

He didn't answer and the door opened. Yuusei looked at his guest and frowned. "What do you want?"

Crow stayed in the threshold and kept a neutral look. "I think that it's too happy of a day for you to be crying." Yuusei wiped the tears from his face. "And I think that being able to see the prince is also a nice thing. Good night."

Crow began walking away and Yuusei called out to him. When he came back, he smiled. "Thank you...for cheering me up."

Crow smiled wide and ran down the hall back to his room.

He sat there for a few minutes before his father entered the room with a basin.

"Hello Daddy." He greeted softly.

Hakase smiled, "you have a wonderful friend Yuusei. You will try to be his friend for the duration of his stay?"

"I'll try."

"Good boy."

By the end of the week, Yuusei was happy when Crow had to go home. His family was a noble family like his and he had only stayed for the week because his family was preparing for a new baby.

The baby was born and Crow could finally go home.

"I'm glad you're leaving." Yuusei told him while they were down at the lake behind his house. "You haven't allowed me to see Jack and when you're gone I get to see him again."

"I'm sorry." Crow said softly, "I didn't realize, you hate me."

"I do! I don't like you!" He stood up straight and then the ice caused him to slipped and fall right into the ice covered lake.

He could hear screaming and shouting but the cold made him numb. He reached up but his body was frozen and wouldn't move for him. He was sinking to the bottom, his air not helping. He opened his eyes and saw red before closing them once more.

He woke with a jolt and sat up. He was covered in blankets, his body shivering with every movement. His father walked into the room at the perfect time then and gave him a hug.

"You scared me," Hakase said, "I thought I was going to lose you."

Yuusei nodded sleepily, "'M sorry."

Yuusei slept for the most of the night and then next day only waking when his father told him Crow was leaving and Yuusei went back to sleep.

He woke up again and he saw blond. "Jack?" He called, his voice rough.

"Yuusei!" He was hugged and kissed and the you've smiled.

"How are you love?"

"You scared me. Sleeping all of that time. I heard the red haired boy saved your life by jumping in after you. I'm sorry I wasn't here."

"Are you better?" Yuusei croaked out.

"I'm fine, but now it's time for you to get better."

Yuusei nodded and closed his eyes, his thoughts on Crow whom he'd been mean to the entire time. He's have to ask if he could come back.

"Yuusei, Crow lives in the kingdom of Old Domino, his father is an earl there. It will be hard for him to come back anytime soon."

Yuusei had recovered from his fall, into the lake and he stared at his father.

"Daddy, why are we different?"

"What do you mean my love?"

"Crow doesn't feel weird to me, Stepmother and Carly and Sheri, they're weird."

"Well you see, the way the people of the Kingdoms are separated is by their auras. We are from the Kingdom of Old Domino so the aura we have is similar to Crow since he if from there too. Your stepmother and stepsisters are from Neo Domino so their aura is strange to us."

"But Jack doesn't feel weird."

"Royals have the same type of aura despite being from different Kingdoms, our auras are still different though."

"Are we royal daddy?"

"Yes we are, but I have given up the throne. You are free to take it when you are of age."

"Can I still see Jack?"

Hakase shook his head, "no, it won't be a high possibility."

Yuusei was silent for awhile, "I don't want it then."

"I didn't think you would."

A whole year had passed before Yuusei was able to see Crow again.

Yuusei was six years old, nothing truly happening for his fifth year. His sisters got a cat that he wasn't allowed to touch, ever, but it was trampled on accident by his father's horse.

Yuusei and Jack had gotten closer and were nearly inseparable.

"It's so great to see you again," Yuusei said, hugging his friend,"thank you for being my friend and saving my life."

"It's fine." Crow replied. "I have a new brother, he has red hair like me and it's curly."

"I want to see him one day."

Crow nodded. "I'm staying for the week again. Let's do fun things this time."

They went horseback riding, they traveled to the town, annoyed his stepsisters, visited Jack, got a tour of the castle, bought gifts, had a feast, and had fun late nights every night. By Friday, Yuusei was happy with the time spent and with two days left before Crow had to go home, they didn't know what to do.

They laid around Yuusei's room on Saturday when Yuusei suggested they find something to do.

"How about we put a rat in Carly's room?" Crow said.

Yuusei nodded in agreement and off they went to find a rat. It was springtime so rats weren't hard to find and when they found a big one they snuck into Carly's room and dropped the rat before running.

"Now we just wait."

No sooner than five minutes did a loud scream go through the manor.

They laughed so hard at Carly's screaming about a rat in her room and crying to her mother.

Hakase came into the room and sighed, "did you boys have something to do with this?"

"No, of course not," Yuusei giggled.

Hakase smiled softly, "behave."

"Yes sir."

Sunday came and Crow had to go home.

"I'll miss you," Yuusei said hugging Crow.

"I'll miss you too." Crow replied.

Yuusei waved as the carriage rode away and sighed. Back to boring reality.

"Jack will we be together forever?" He and Jack were laying on a blanket out in the garden and staring at the clouds. It was a week before Jack's ninth birthday and they were spending more time together.

"We will, I'll make sure of it and protect you from the things you fear."

"I love you."

"I love you more."

Things had begun changing when Yuusei turned seven. Stepmother had begun hitting him more and even allowed his stepsisters to be mean more. It was getting worse in Yuusei's eyes.

"Yuusei darling," the little raven haired boy looked up at the red headed woman and grinned, the little gap showing from his lost baby tooth.

"Good morning, stepmother! Are you well today?"

"Ah yes, I am very well. What are you doing?"

"Father gave me a hard puzzle to do and told me I was a smart boy and if I could finish it before suppertime I would get a piece of swiss chocolate afterward." He grabbed another piece and placed it in the puzzle.

"How long have you been at this?"

"Since this morning. I believe it was seven."

"You've been up that long?"

"Yes stepmother."

"Mother!" Carly and Sheri ran into the room.

"Mother!" Carly wailed dramatically, "Sheri hit me!"

"Sheri!"

"She stole my dollie and pushed me away when I tried to get it back so I struck her." Sheri replied casually.

"What have I told you about hitting?" Aki turned her attention back to Carly, "dear you need to calm down. How about you help Yuusei with his puzzle?"

"No!" Yuusei said, "Father says I have to do it by myself!"

"But Yuusei, you'll get done faster if you have help."

"I don't want help!" Yuusei hissed before turning back to his puzzle.

"You insolent little brat!" Aki inhaled sharply to prevent herself from hitting him, "go to your room. It seems to be time for your nap."

"No! Then I'll never get done on time! I'll go when I'm finished."

Aki grabbed Yuusei roughly and smacked his upper thigh very hard four times. "I said go to your room! Now!"

Yuusei cried, tears streaming heavily down his cheeks as he walked away and ran as he saw Carly kick his half completed puzzle, pieces scattering once more. He bumped into his father but didn't stop or apologize. He ran into his room and locked the door before jumping on his bed and burying his face into his pillow.

He didn't like that he couldn't ever do anything to benefit himself but had to share with his mean sisters. All he wanted to do was show his father that he was smart but he couldn't do that. He cried harder at that and suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder. He turned and slapped the hand away before he realized his actions. He saw his father's calm face through his tears and curled up. "I'm so sorry father!"

Hakase Fudo looked at his son in sadness before sitting down and pulling Yuusei to sit on his lap. "Come now Yuusei, don't cry." He wiped away his son's tears and sighed. "You did so well, I'm so proud of you."

"But I didn't finish," Yuusei sniffled, "I wanted to show you I could do it."

"I knew you could do it though. That's why I gave it to you. I love you Yuusei, if you tell me you can do it then I will always believe you. You never have to go out of your way to prove anything to me."

Yuusei smiled at his father, "thank you father."

"Now in reward for finishing more than half the puzzle, I present you a piece of Swiss Chocolate." Yuusei squealed happily as his father unwrapped the little ball of chocolate and popped it in Yuusei's mouth.

Yuusei smiled widely and his eyes brightened. "Thank you! I love you!"

"I know my love, I know."

Hakase knew bad things were going to happen soon as Aki was talking to that person more. He needed to protect his son and soon.

Aki was reprimanded for hitting his son and that night when everyone was asleep, Hakase went into his son's room and cast his seal. His seal would protect Yuusei and hurt anyone that hurt him tenfold. It was the best way to protect him from the impending danger.

Ne, Yuusei I want to try something." Jack smiled.

"Okay," Yuusei agreed.

Jack spun Yuusei around and whispered a name that Yuusei couldn't hear. In that instant, a dark cloud appeared and a figure appear dressed in white, skin pale, and face only known by the deep red eyes.

"My dearest, Yuusei." The figure grinned wide, "you're finally mine."

Yuusei screamed and Jack was frozen in astonishment and fear. He watched as the figure picked up his love before he shouted.

Jonathan came rushing into the room then and froze at seeing that person in the room.

The darkness was cutting into Yuusei's skin, blood dripping from open wounds and all Yuusei did was scream for his love to save him.

"Please!" Yuusei screamed in pain, "save me Jack! Save me!"

Jack stood frozen and Yuusei knew then Jack wasn't going to save him.

"Is this the one you love? He summoned me, he sold you out to me, he hates you." That person said. More blood. "He doesn't care if you live. If you die."

"No!" Yuusei struggled to get away and that person took his arm and snapped it.

Jonathan wasn't sure what to do. He knew he couldn't do anything stupid while that person had Yuusei.

Yuusei smacked that person and a bright light expanded and that person let Yuusei go as his wounded body couldn't handle the light.

Yuusei's bloody form, his arm broken and to an off angle laid at Jack's feet and to Jonathan's horror, a small smile laced his face as he stared at the body of his intended.

"I'll have you Yuusei, you'll be mine forever!" That person exclaimed before disappearing.

Jonathan hurried to Yuusei and picked up his bleeding and broken body. Jack seemed to snap out of whatever trance he was in. "Father," he whispered.

"No Jack." Jonathan replied. "I can't believe you would do this to him. The one that you love. How could you do such a thing."

"But, I didn't-"

"Don't you dare tell me you didn't know exactly what you were doing. You put his and your own life in danger with this stupidity. You will be punished accordingly later. And you cannot see Yuusei again." Jonathan left the room then and the six words he left behind broke Jack's heart. What had he done?

It had taken six months for Yuusei's arm to heal and he had not seen Jack since then.

The boy was lonely so Hakase decided to take the boy to the Kingdom of Old Domino where he met the Kyousuke family.

"My name is Kiryu Kyousuke, it's nice to meet you."

Yuusei was asked to spend time with Kiryu and get to know him.

"I want to marry you one day." Kiryu told Yuusei while they were playing. "My mother says she will set up our marriage and you can call her mother too."

That dampened Yuusei's mood because it reminded him that the one whom he would actually was supposed to marry when he was of age, he wasn't allowed to see anymore.

When it was time to leave, Kiryu held onto Yuusei exclaiming,"he's mine! He's going to stay with me forever."

Yuusei managed to coax Kiryu to let him go and Hakase and Yuusei went home without an extra passenger.

Yuusei spent the night crying in his room that night.

Yuusei had only been eight for two months when his father woke him up from his slumber at near two in the morning.

"Daddy? What's wrong?" He saw the smoke and the fire and the people outside as his father took him to his study. "Daddy? What's happening? There's a fire outside our house!"

"Yuusei, I need you to stay hidden and whatever you see or hear, don't make a sound."

"Daddy, what's going on? Why are there people outside of the house? I'm scared. Our house is on fire!"

"You have to be strong Yuusei, because one day something good will happen to you." A huge bang hit the door. "Be strong Yuusei."

The door opened and Aki stepped in. "Fudo-san."

"Aki. I married you because I thought I could change the fate of our enmity, and you agreed to it."

"Feh. Your wife was a fool, just as my brother is a fool. I was banished from my family as a traitor and I made it worse by marrying you. You took my kin over me and she bore you that filthy child and died a death she deserved. Then you turn around and marry me to keep the so-called peace between our families. I've been waiting for this moment since then. Where is he?"

"You will not have my son. I will never tell you."

"My men are scouring this house. They will find him and keep him until I get that person to deal with him."

"I will never let you have him. He's protected by my seal. If you kill me, you can find him."

"I can arrange that."

Fudo stood with open arms as Aki struck him through with his own sword. "I never loved you Fudo-san. I've been waiting for this moment, to see you bleeding out at my feet."

"There is a- catch Aki." Fudo coughed out blood. "When I die, Yuusei will be eternally protected by my seal. You nor that person will be able to touch him. He will be erased of this horrible life and he will live on."

"You bastard, you wanted me to kill you."

Fudo smirked and coughed out more blood. "Of course."

Aki glared with hate. "I'll fufill your wish Fudo, and break his soul for having the most stubborn father. Enjoy burning in hell." She severed his head and mutilated his body, throwing his blood and flesh around the room. A sadistic and grin of glee plastered on her face.

"Lady Aki."

Aki turned around and glared at a the person who disrupted her fun. "Why are you here?"

"I didn't expect you to kill him so brutally."

"Why are you here?" She asked again.

"I've come for the boy."

"My men can't find him, what makes you can? His father probably already shipped him back to enemy territory."

"He's coming back with me."

"No, I'm giving him to that person so we won't die. When I find him, you'll thank me for saving your life."

"Your senses have become dull Aki, he's been right under your nose the whole time."

The light shined and the terrorized boy had been found.

"I'm taking him with me. You've frightened him."

Jonathan picked up Yuusei and held him close. "Clean up this mess and put out the fire. I need this house preserved." He could mourn over a lost friend another time; right now he was going to protect his friend's son like he was asked to.

Yuusei screamed then, loud and long and with so much distress before he fainted. There was nothing left to do but wait for him to wake.

My eyes opened and I stared up at the blue canopy and sighed. I remember everything. I was complete now. I sat up and put a hand to my stomach which was swollen with my baby and I smiled. I remembered not the best things but I still felt whole again.

The door opened and Kiryu came into the room. "Yuusei! You're awake!"

"I don't feel like it." I replied softly.

Kiryu sat on the bed and hugged me. "It has been three months that you've been asleep. Do you remember everything?"

"Including you." I said.

"What about me?"

"There is someone else I'm meant to be with, I don't love you."

"I've been dreaming about you for the last ten years. You've been the life of my existence."

I got up quickly and stepped away from Kiryu. "Please just leave me alone."

"I can't."

"Please!"

I was shot through with an excruciating pain and doubled over.

"Yuusei?" He stood up cautiously. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know! My heart aches!"

"Just calm down and take a deep breath. Your memories are still missing."

"Please!" I cried, running into his arms, a headache beginning,"I don't want this anymore! I don't want it! Take it away."

"I'm sorry." He replied softly, rubbing soothing circles on my shoulders. "You have to get through it."

"I can't, it's so painful, it hurts so much and I want it to stop."

He held me back at arms length and the a strange look crossed his eyes. "Yuusei, what's this?" He placed his hand at my collarbone and then I felt the cold metal on my skin.

"Martha..." I whispered in horror.

"Martha? Yuusei, do you know what this is?"

The pain I was feeling was replaced by fear and I turned in Kiryu's arms. "I'm sorry."

"That's the thing they give to the pure hearts. Only the King of Neo Domino has this. From his late wife."

"Truth is, I'm the princess of Neo Domino. I've been faking it and then I married Jack Atlas who is father to this child."

"So it's not mine?"

"Sadly no."

Nothing else could be said as I fainted right in Kiryu's arms.

Yuusei laid asleep in a room after his father's death, the king never knowing when he would wake.

He was debating on letting Jack see him but in the end he would allow it after Yuusei woke up.

When Yuusei began to stir, Jonathan called Jack to the room he resided in.

Jack you're twelve years old. Old enough to understand that there are things that cannot be explained. I have a surprise for you but you are not to provoke your surprise or ask your surprise any questions about the past. Understand don't you?"

"Yes father." Jack replied monotone.

Jonathan opened the door to the from and Jack's eyes widened when he saw Yuusei.

He was going to call out but Jonathan stopped his son from doing so. Jack was sat at the beside and waited for Yuusei to open his eyes.

"Hello, Yuusei."

Yuusei turned on his side and stared at Jack. He touched Jack's face after awhile and smiled. "Your eyes are pretty."

Jack's heart broke at the unknowing in his love's eyes. The innocence that was there was painful and relieving."

"He doesn't remember anything Jack so be his friend again. Okay?"

"Okay father." Jack replied softly.

Yuusei stayed at the castle for months. Almost to his ninth birthday. He and Jack reacquainted themselves and were soon inseparable once again. Until the unfortunate happened.

The two boys were in the garden and Jack sat in the grass while Yuusei hid behind a tree. Yuusei tiptoed to the other and just as he pounced Jack moved and grinned at his younger friend.

"Nice try."

"How did you know?" Yuusei pouted.

"How could I not? Contrary to your popular belief, you're not as quiet as you think."

"But I didn't make any noise!"

"You breathe too hard. When you get excited your breathing increases and gets louder because you think you've won."

"Wow, how did you know that?"

"You're easy to read."

"Boys!"

The two boys turned at the call and scrambled to get back to the garden entrance.

"Say your goodbyes. This man has come to take you home."

"No, I don't want to go! I want to stay here!" Yuusei exclaimed hiding behind Jack.

"You must go, you aren't safe here."

"No!" The man grabbed the little boy and carried him away from his best friend. "No! Help me! Please! Please help me!"

Jack took action, not planning on ignoring Yuusei's cries do help again. He kicked the man who was carrying Yuusei, who dropped Yuusei and Jack ran with him.

They hid in a corner in the castle and Jack held Yuusei close.

"I don't want them to take me. Don't let them take me Jack."

"I won't let them have you."

Footsteps came and Jack covered Yuusei's mouth.

"Shh, they'll hear us."

They waited and waited and when the footsteps went away they relaxed.

"Gotcha!" A man grabbed Yuusei and ran leaving Jack to scramble out of the crevice he was in.

They hurried to the carriage like a kidnapping and rode away, never looking back to the blonde being held back by his father.

Yuusei cried, the whole time and Godwin frowned. "Why do you cry, my prince?"

"I want to go home."

"You are going home."

There was a shout and the carriage came to a halt.

"I'll check it out." Godwin told his brother.

Godwin left the carriage and when he didn't come back in Rudger poked his head out and in return got an arrow shot straight through his neck.

Yuusei screamed as the body fell from the carriage and a little boy was creeping at the carriage entrance.

"I'll love you forever." Red curly hair. Grey eyes. Orange outfit. Covered in blood.

Yuusei lost consciousness and when he reawakened, he was back at his manor at the edge of Neo Domino. And being forced as a servant in his own house, with no memories.

"So you remember everything now?" Kiryu asked me as I was fully recovered from my months of being comatose.

"Everything."

He smiled and sighed. "We'll I suppose, I'll tell you I'm allowing you to see Jack." He handed me and invitation. "You'll see him in three days."


I think I like this chapter. I hope you do too. I have the next chapter written already so I'll give it three days before posting it again. Thanks!