CHAPTER 7

SILVER AND BLUE DON'T MIX

"Tsukune! Come here!" Moka called out to the boy. He had just finished cleaning the stables (at Koko's request; go figure). He approached, but then hesitated. Moka looked at him with a confused face. "Tsukune, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, Moka. It's just that… well… I smell horrible from the stables." Moka waved her hand, as if waving away Tsukune's words.

"Nonsense! Now, come here!" Tsukune shrugged and finished walking towards Moka.

"Yes, what do you need Moka?"

"As I'm sure that you are aware of by this point, Princess Kurumu is coming tomorrow." Tsukune nodded. Princess Kurumu was the princess of a neighboring kingdom that the Akashiya's were on good terms with. As a sigh of goodwill, they had introduced the daughters to each other at a young age. It had the opposite effect; instead of becoming friends, they had become instant rivals. However, to keep up appearances, they acted like friends in front of their parents. But, the servants had told some people about the real nature of their relationship, and then the whole town found out. "Well, then, I'm sure that you know of her… um… favoritism of men." Tsukune sighed. Indeed, he did. It was hard to imagine any male who didn't know of her and her rather large assets. "The last time she came over, she tried to woo some of the servants. I don't want you falling under her spell, so tomorrow you are to stay by my side at all times. Tsukune's eyes sprang open with panic. Moka, sensing his unease, raised an eyebrow. "Is there something wrong with that Tsukune?"

"No! No! Not at all! Nothing at all!" Tsukune scrambled for the words. Moka still seemed suspicious, but she let it slide.

"Okay, then. Go take a bath, the get me my lunch from the kitchen."

"Yes, Moka." Tsukune bowed then turned away. However, one thing was still pestering him: What's Corma going to do to me?

THE NEXT DAY…

Tsukune opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling in distress. He got up and went through his normal routine, all the while worried about what Corma was going to do to him. He went and stood outside of Moka's room, just like always. A few seconds later, Moka opened the door and walked out followed by the same person who was making Tsukune scared out of his wits. All of a sudden, Moka stopped dead in her tracks and pivoted chuckling when Corma almost walked into her. Corma took a step back so that he was parallel with Tsukune. "Alright Corma. Until Kurumu leaves, I want you to take over as Koko's personal servant while Tsukune will take your place as mine. And before you say anything, this decision is final. No objections!" Tsukune snuck a glance at Corma and instantly wished that he hadn't. He was biting his lip, his fists were white because of how hard he was clenching them, and his eyes were screaming bloody murder. He quickly averted his eyes and noticed that Moka was walking down the hallway. He quickly dashed after her before Corma could hurt him. She stopped once she reached the main hall, and Tsukune did the same. They stood there for a few minutes, and just when Tsukune was wondering what was going on, the door opened and a young man stepped in. He was well built and lean, and his outfit only augmented these facts. His shirt was skin-tight, and Tsukune could see right through the thin white material. His pants were no better, but had the benefit of not being see-through. It was dark blue, and at the thigh it was green. Tsukune snuck a peek at Moka to see her reaction, and was surprisingly relived when he saw he looking rather bored. The man cleared his throat.

"Now entering: the great Princess Kurumu!" He exclaimed. He then stepped back and gestured towards the door, which then opened. In entered a teenage girl with blue hair pulled back in a ponytail. Her busty chest was barely held inside of a poofy white gown. Moka made a motion with her hand, and some the servants started clap. Kurumu ignored them and zoned right onto Moka. She stormed over and stopped in front of the silver-haired princess.

"Well, Moka, we meet again!" Kurumu exclaimed. Moka rolled her eyes.

"What do you want, you busty cow?"

"To be away from here! Unfortunately, I have to be here due to our parents crazy idea that we are friends."

"I don't like it anymore than you do, stupid pig." But Kurumu wasn't insulted in the least. Mostly because she didn't hear it; her attention was focused elsewhere.

"Ohhhh! Who is this cutie?" she cooed, looking at Tsukune. He blushed and looked away, not wanting to be drawn in by her charm. Moka's nose flared at the coming onto of her servant. She quickly stepped protectively in front of Tsukune, blocking off further flirtations attempts.

"This is my new personal servant, Tsukune. And you are to stay away from him, understand?" Moka said angrily. Kurumu looked at her rival slyly.

"New personal servant? What happened to that other cutie Corma?"

"He's on vacation!"

"I'm certain that he is."

"Is there a point to all of this questioning, Kurumu?"

"No, there isn't…YET!" Kurumu said menacingly. She indicated the conversation was over when she turned and called out to the young man who had come in originally. "Adam, come on; we are going to my normal room!"

"Yes, Princess!" He said as he followed her up the stairs. Moka's eyes followed them with disgust. She then pivoted to Tsukune.

"Do you see what I mean about her? She is a shameless flirt who has no dignity! Stay away from her! Understand?" Tsukune quickly nodded. "Good! Now come on; it's breakfast time." She left the room, Tsukune hot on her heels.

KURUMU'S UPSTAIRS BEDROOM…

"Will that be all, Princess Kurumu?" Adam asked as the last of her things were brought up.

"Yes, Adam, that's enough." Kurumu tiredly replied. Adam bowed and left the room, and Kurumu flopped down on the bed. She just couldn't get the face of Moka's new servant out of her mind! Especially his reaction to her: normally men couldn't take their eyes of her and her chest. But him… he looked away! There was something else about him that she just couldn't place. Maybe it was the way that her rival acted when she noticed him. It was almost like they were… Kurumu's eyes widened with revelation, and she quickly sat up, a smirk on her face. Maybe this visit wasn't going to be as boring as she thought it would be.

IN THE DINING HALL…

Koko was glaring at Tsukune, who was occupying the chair opposite to her, eating breakfast. Tsukune was squirming under her scrutinizing gaze, but there was nothing that he could do: he was eating there under Moka's orders. "Is there a problem, Koko?" Moka asked, looking up from the bacon and eggs that the chef had prepared for them.

"Why is he eating with us?" She snapped, her eyes never once leaving the servants'. "You know how I feel about eating with lesser people."

"And you also know that my authority outranks yours, Koko, so if I were you I would watch what I was saying." Moka said coolly. Somehow, that made it creepier. Accepting defeat, Koko picked up her fork (nearly breaking it in the process) and slowly started eating, still staring at Tsukune, who was inwardly praying that Moka would be able to stop her if she decided to kill him then and there. The tension was so thick that you could cut it with a knife. The proverbial knife, in this case, was the dining hall door opening and a head of blue hair walking in.

"Breakfast time!" Kurumu sang out as she sat next down next to Tsukune. She winked at him, then turned towards Moka. "Moka, before I eat, could I talk to you in private?" Kurumu asked innocently. Moka narrowed her eyes in suspicion, but, seeing no harm, agreed. They both got up and exited the room, stopping just outside of the door.

"What do you want Kurumu?" Moka asked impatiently. "Unlike you, I'm very busy."

"Oh, nothing I just wanted to ask you something…"

"What?"

"What's going on between you and that new servant of yours?"