A Tale Of Timeless Love

by LosTruth

Hinamori Amu now works as the personal aide of the princess of the country of Seiyo. What happens when a simple girl like her is thrust into the harsh world of nobles, handsome princes and an annoying princess to match? Let's see... AmuTo,KuTau and others

4. Chapter 4

Author's Note: I'll just put this at the end of the chapter since I know I haven't updated in so long because of stuff I explained before and cannot be bothered to explain once more. So just read it after you read the chapter. Oh yeah, have any of you watched Thor the movie? You know, Thor god of thunder who is totally swoon worthy in the movie. I'd watch it if I were you, he's just so damn charming. I'm pretty sure you would love him too. :DD

Oh yeah. To QueenyLeAcH, Foxgrl18 and shugocharaamuto4eva, I especially want you to read the endnote 'kay? :D

This is for all you readers out there – extra long, if you haven't already noticed. :))

Title: A Tale of Timeless Love

Disclaimer: You know the drill, I don't wanna waste your time so I'll just say that I do not own shugo chara, I never have and I never will, alright? On with the chapter!

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-OoO-

CHAPTER 4 AN ENDLESS CIRCLE

Nadeshiko smiled at Amu from across the table. Her hair was placed neatly over her shoulder and up close Amu could see its beautiful black luster. Fujisaki Nadeshiko was undoubtedly a girl whose beauty could be on par with Princess Utau's. But Amu supposed that when it came to attitude, Nadeshiko would win hands down. At the moment Nadeshiko met her gaze with pure kindness and Amu felt skeptical as she examined the lovely young girl in front of her.

Nadeshiko had led her to this small but cozy room among all the countless rooms in the building. It had a window right behind where Amu was seated; she could feel the cool breeze and she could hear the sounds of birds chirping happily amongst the trees outside and within the perimeter of the Branch house. Amu saw that there were simple but lovely decorative ornaments and plants placed strategically around the rectangular room, all in all, the room was styled similarly to the Manor but was elegant in a different and much more toned down way.

"Would you care for some tea, Hinamori-san?" Nadeshiko asked pleasantly with her hands clasped together on her lap. She had a calm atmosphere around her that seemed to be melting her apprehension and making her quite relaxed – relaxed but not completely at ease.

This girl Nadeshiko, was she some kind of phenomenon? Amu wondered wryly as she observed the ebony haired girl's posture and composure. She had impeccable etiquette, Amu observed before giving a reply to her question.

"There's no need to trouble yourself, Fujisaki-jo. I am perfectly satisfied as I am."* Amu said reassuringly, being sure to be as polite as possible as she always did. She kept her posture steady and rigidly. She had practiced day and night to perfect her posture before she worked in the Palace and she had no intention of being thought as a mere commoner by anyone unless she herself would say so.

"Please don't be shy to ask anything of me," She said sincerely with a kind smile, "You are my guest and it is my duty to serve you to the best of my abilities." She added steadily as if prompting Amu to think of something to request immediately.

If you give me something good, I'll return your pin to you.

Ikuto's deep voice abruptly resounded in her mind as she thought of something to ask her.

It wouldn't be too meaningful of she asked her, would it? Amu wondered to herself. She hesitated, thinking better of it before deciding to simply continue with it, before speaking aloud and addressing Nadeshiko, who was looking at her attentively.

"Then," Amu began and maybe she imagined it, but she was sure she saw Nadeshiko's ears perk up immediately. "May you answer a question for me?" she continued but in a lower tone – she hoped she had hidden her diffidence. She made sure no one ever really knew what she was feeling and it had become a personal habit over the years. She did not want to give further meaning to her question, sometimes people could sense things simply from your tone – she would know best, after all, she had been doing it long before she had worked in the Palace.

Nadeshiko smiled an enigmatic smile. Amu felt slightly uncomfortable. She couldn't tell anything specific from this girl and it was making her feel anxious. Most of the time she was able to grasp a little bit of a person's personality during their first meeting – but no she couldn't tell anything from this girl named Nadeshiko, and it troubled Amu.

She scrutinized the girl's ambiguous expression before cautiously venturing her question.

"What would you consider as 'something good'" she asked a little hastily. She suddenly felt ashamed at such an impertinent question now that she had uttered it aloud. How could she asked such a stupid question to someone she just met?

Nadeshiko placed her index finger over her lower lip and closed her eyes as a look of contemplation crept into her gentle features. Amu stared at her with a hint of interest and scrutinized her more openly, while Nadeshiko's eyes were unaware she as examining her.

"Hmm…" she hummed in deep thought. Her forehead had creased slightly in concentration and Amu felt the urge to just ask her to forget about it but she had already opened the topic and she was cursing herself for it.

Her eyes suddenly fluttered open and her eyes sparkled with interest.

"For who might this, 'something good' be?" she asked curiously as she put her hand back on her lap and tilted her head sideways in a very lady like gesture.

In truth, this was the first time Amu had ever seen such a feminine girl. There was always a hint of roughness in every girl, including herself, but it seems like Nadeshiko had studied everything about girls and how they should act and move. It was strange, there was a hint of mechanical movement in her mannerisms but besides that, the next thought that entered Amu's mind was;

Was it fate that she had chosen the one question she could not answer truthfully? She asked rhetorically to herself.

"For my younger sister. She told me wanted 'something good' for her birthday." Amu lied as smoothly as she could. She had gotten used to tell convincing lies and Amu was sure she sounded more believable than most people. She held her breath and watched Nadeshiko look at her as of to see if she was lying.

"A younger sister…" she repeated with a thoughtful expression on her face. Amu slowly let out the breath and decided that she was safe for now. After a minute or so, Nadeshiko decided to give a definite answer to her question.

"I suppose," she began, "Three wishes would suffice as something 'immensely good' to a child, would it not?" she asked purposely with a triumphant smile, putting her index finger against her cheek. Once again Amu could not help but observe how mechanical and practiced Nadeshiko's movements seemed up close before she made her thoughts return to the matter at hand.

Three wishes? Wasn't that a bit presumptuous? But then again, if it was the Prince… he would most likely want something that he could not buy with mere jewels – Amu's hesitation stemmed from the predictions of what he would ask of her given his normal attitude when the two of them had met yesterday evening. She could not help but think that he would ask something she could not give so easily.

"You could also make a symbol for it like a bracelet of some sort to give the gift a sense of reality." She added as an afterthought.

With that information, 'something good' popped into Amu's mind. She could give him that and it would keep the demanding prince satisfied – for now that is. She had a feeling of dread for what was to come, but she pushed it to the very back of her mind for her to brood on later in seclusion.

"I see. Thank you, Fujisaki-jo." Amu replied courteously. She was truly grateful to the sweet young girl in front of her. She was grateful – but also a tad suspicious of Fujisaki Nadeshiko. She felt that she could get along quite well with her but she always kept a barrier around her that prevented people from getting too close to her. She would never admit it but in truth – she disliked dealing with other people.

She disliked having to act pleasant and smile even though she was not happy – she had never been happy ever since that day a few years ago. Even when she dealt with Ami, it hurt Amu to see her sister smile when she acted like a kind older sister – people were so easily fooled. It was frustrating and irritating watching people manipulate others so easily.

And Amu had been manipulated once before – so she decided she would be one to manipulate others instead. A conniving egotistical young girl – that was who she was. That was what she ended up as when she had pieced herself back together with all the wrong pieces in the wrong places.

"There's no need to address me so formally." Nadeshiko said putting down her hand and giving her a bright smile.

"The how do you suppose I should address you?" Amu inquired politely, tilting her head sideways slightly.

"Call me by my name." she replied assertively with a smile.

"Could I keep my honorifics?" Amu clarified. People could smile easily – but it never meant that it was a genuine one. Amu herself could pretend to smile, but it had never been heartfelt.

Amu decided she would make a concession regarding her way of addressing everybody as thank you for Nadeshiko's help – but that did not mean she would drop all of her principles so easily. She knew years of habit could not be broken so easily but she would just have to try for her sake.

"What do you have in mind?" Nadeshiko asked curiously, her eyed shining.

"Nadeshiko-sama." Amu replied promptly. She would always prefer the most polite honorifics over others, it kept people from thinking that they had established a concrete connection to her.

"How about Nadeshiko-chan?" she suggested brightly but Amu could not allow it. She had never addressed anyone as such and she never had the intention to do so.

"Nadeshiko-san. That is as much as I can allow myself." Amu replied firmly. The only people she ever talked intimately with was Ami and her foster parents. Amu wasn't sure she would be able to call Nadesiko such so easily.

"Alright then," Nadeshiko conceded, "as long as it's not Fujisaki." She said with a smile. Amu sensed the tiniest hint of a change in tone when Nadeshiko had said her own family name. Could she by chance dislike her heritage slightly?

Amu had noticed the same change in tone whenever she spoke to Tadase and Ikuto about their titles and ranks. Tadase had a look of longing and despair while Ikuto had a look of disdain and restraint. Fate was indeed a very cruel lady, she does makes the most unreasonable things happen to the most unfortunate people, Amu thought bitterly.

"Then, Fujisaki-sama. Would you care to explain yourself?" a new voice suddenly intruded as the door behind Nadeshiko slowly opened.

Behind the door was a petite and slender girl in a red kimono. She had a small round face and big copper eyes. Her long wavy blond hair was pulled up into a tight bun with a few loose strands settling lightly on her shoulders. Her delicate features looked extremely vexed despite her efforts to conceal it. But even though, she looked like a life size doll from where Amu was seated and Amu looked at her in amazement.

"Oh. Rima. It seems I've been found out." Nadeshiko greeted quite leisurely, not turning back to look at the petite girl. Amu wondered if she was aware of the gleam of annoyance in the small girl's eyes. The blond girl stepped forward into the room and closed the door shut behind her. Her eyes had not left Nadeshiko the moment she arrived.

"Fujisaki-sama. You really shouldn't –" the young girl started to speak and Amu could very well guess what she was going to say – and apparently Nadeshiko did too, because she interrupted the young girl as soon as those four words had left her mouth.

"Rima, your manners. We have a guest and I don't appreciate you showing such disrespect on our first meeting." Nadeshiko scolded calmly but with a pointed glint in her eyes as she looked at the girl named Rima through the corner of her eye. Rima closed her mouth swiftly into a thin line.

"This is Hinamori Amu, Princess Utau's personal aide." Nadeshiko introduced politely, gesturing to Amu with her right hand.

The girl named Rima's burning coppers eyes rested on Amu. Amu met her copper eyes with her golden ones. She saw the concealed irritation and frustration in them before the girl bowed down saying, "It is my pleasure to meet you Hinamori-san. I am Nadeshiko-sama's personal aide, Mashiro Rima." She said civilly.

She raised her head and her steely gaze met Amu's inquisitive one. Amu resisted the urge to raise her eyebrows at the rudeness and impatience exuding from Rima.

Her countenance was similar to Princess Utau's, Amu realized with surprise. It made her feel a tad apprehensive of the small girl. She immediately thought of a way to deal with her if the two of them were to ever meet again.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mashiro-san." Amu replied in the same civil tone as Rima. She thought it best to be collected when dealing with people of the same profession as her.

"You may call her Rima, if you wish. That would be acceptable, would it not Rima?" Nadeshiko asked as she turned to Rima fully for the first time with a good-natured smile on her face.

"Yes." Rima replied shortly. Amu sensed the reluctance in her body language as she knelt down gracefully behind Nadeshiko. She cast her eyes down and looked pointedly away from Amu. Nadeshiko, seemed oblivious about Rima's attitude.

"Forgive me, I cannot do such." Amu replied swiftly, her tone brief and precise.

"Why not?" Nadeshiko asked with a puzzled look on her face. Her expression was saying 'what about mine?' and Amu understood it well. She was capable of discerning people's expression well enough to answer silent questions.

"It's a matter of principle; your case was an exemption because of gratitude." Amu replied succinctly, answering Nadeshiko's unspoken question. Nadeshiko chuckled, looking very amused by at her reply.

"Have you always been deferential?" Nadeshiko asked out of the blue with an intrigued expression.

"Yes." Amu replied without hesitation. There was no need to think twice about her answer, she liked answering yes or no questions simply because it did not involve pointless babbling and she always made sure she answered unhesitantly.

"I see." She said with a smile. "Then try with Rima's name with what we agreed on mine."

"But – " Amu began to protest but Nadeshiko cut her off swiftly with a wave of her hand.

"Just try it." Nadeshiko urged and Amu bit the inside of her cheek before obliging reluctantly.

"Ri…ma…-san" Amu obliged with care as she said her name. Even Amu could hear how strained her voice sounded, and she internally scolded herself for it. She knew it would be difficult to say it to the person in question and Amu was hoping she would be able to practice it privately before having to apply it.

"Then say my name." Nadeshiko added with a smile.

"Nade…shi…ko-san." Amu said audibly, having a bit of difficulty.

"You aren't used to it, are you?" Nadesiko commented bemusedly. Amu calmed herself with deep breaths; she would not allow herself to be shaken by such a thing.

"No." Amu replied honestly with a hint of embarrassment. Nadeshiko beamed at her encouragingly.

"Do not fret too much. You will be accustomed to it soon." She reassured her.

"Thank you for your concern." Amu replied mechanically. There it was again, people being concerned about her. She did not really care about them so why did they seem to be looking out for her so much? Tadase, Tsukasa, Nikaidou, Sanjo and even the Emperor seemed to be concerned about her. It made her feel useless and incompetent but she could not very well just brush all of it tactlessly.

"Nadeshiko-san." Nadeshiko interjected and Amu immediately knew her intention. It seems Nadeshiko could be persistent if she wanted to, Amu observed.

"Nadeshiko-san." Amu repeated without any pause and Nadeshiko smiled.

"Would you permit me then to serve you something, Hinamori-san?" Nadeshiko asked, changing the topic as easy as she opened it. She was glad that she had willingly changed the topic and she hoped they would not touch it soon.

"I would very much like some tea then." Amu replied easily, deciding to humor Nadeshiko.

"Please. Allow me." Rima volunteered dutifully.

"Okay," Nadeshiko said as she nodded at Rima. She then turned to Amu. "Do you have any preferences for tea?" she inquired.

"None in particular." Amu replied steadily. If she did mention and preferences it would only further trouble her aide but fortunately, she truly did not have any preference for any tea – in truth she did not have any preference for tea in general. She would rather have a glass of pure spring water than a cup of tea.

"We shall have the usual green tea, Rima." She said audibly and Rima nodded in acknowledgement of her orders.

"I shall go and prepare you tea now." She excused herself politely.

"Please do." Nadeshiko replied easily, allowing her to quit the room properly.

When the door had slid shut, Nadeshiko gave an almost imperceptible sigh.

"Please forgive her…anti-social behavior. She is very friendly once you get to know her properly." Nadeshiko said quite fondly, a look of affection diffused across her face, Amu could not help but think it quite odd. "It shouldn't be too hard since the three of us are more or less the same age." She added pleasantly.

"Wait, forgive me if I'm wrong but are you saying Mashiro-san is 14 years old too?" Amu asked incredulously.

Nadeshiko broke out into a laugh.

"Yes, she is. People assume she is younger because of her height." Nadeshiko said pleasantly as if she was highly amused by this fact. "It does bring her great annoyance when that happens so please do not say it to her face." She warned her gently with a very knowing smile.

"Understood." Amu replied automatically. She had a feeling Mashiro Rima was someone you did not want to be an enemy of, and Amu decided to keep clear of her as much as possible instead.

"I knew you would not fail my expectations." Nadeshiko said with a pleased smile.

"I do not deserve such praise." Amu replied humbly.

"Nonsense. You are dedicated and intelligent; otherwise the Emperor would not have chosen you as the Princess's aide." She said logically.

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, I am greatly honored but I can never be too sure. Nothing is set in stone." Amu tried to stop herself from making the last sentence sound bitter but she had failed and Nadeshiko had heard it, unfortunately.

"Why do you say so?" she asked with her brows knit together.

This was one topic Amu could not attempt to lie because her true emotions would show immediately. And so the only thing she could do was try to say as little about her as possible – stretching the truth, as a book she read once phrased it.

"Change is something that cannot be avoided. Whether you wish it or not – some things can never stay the same, thus nothing is set in stone." Amu replied briefly without much emotion. She hoped she did not betray any specific emotion.

She never really talked about her views on life with anyone – because if she did people would know too much about her… things she'd rather they didn't. She did not appreciate people purposely trying to know more about her.

"So you don't believe in forever?" she asked with rapt attention to Amu's reply.

"I do not. Forever is a fleeting dream people continuously chase after," she replied passively. "I have long given up the idea of forever." She added decisively with a casual wave of her hand. Amu hoped it would make it seem like she didn't care about it too much.

"That is just… very sad." Nashiko whispered weakly. Maybe she had said it aloud unconsciously or maybe she had meant for her to hear it – either way, it would not, it could not affect her in any way… not anymore.

Amu would not let her resolve break so easily. She could never again show any weakness to anybody. She had sworn it to herself when she and Ami had left that ashen graveyard.

"I understand," Nadeshiko said gently and Amu raised her eyes to her. "I have no intention of arguing with you. You can be at ease Hinamori-san." She added kindly with understanding eyes. Amu flet naked under her eyes, it was almost as if she had seen through her long before.

"I'm sorry." Amu said carefully. There were few things she ever had to apologize sincerely for and Amu knew this was one of them.

She had shown Nadeshiko a little too much of herself – and for that, she had to apologize.

"Why are you apologizing?" she asked gently, Amu avoided her direct gaze.

"I simply feel the need to do so." Amu replied mechanically, clenching her fist.

"I will not pry Hinamori-san. I will only look at what you want to show me." She said knowingly with a kind smile few people had ever offered her. For once, Amu looked directly into her eyes and she was surprised to find pure kindness in them. There was no prejudice or disdain she was used to seeing in other people – just pure and innocent understanding.

So she had seen through her façade, Amu realized. But then… she had turned away from it not because of fright – but out of politeness and respect.

Fujisaki Nadeshiko was compassionate.

That was the first part of Nadeshiko, Amu had grasped. The reason why she could not perceive anything from her was because she was always looking for something inside when everything was already outside.

Ah, what a fool she was – a cynical fool who did not believe in unconditional kindness from anyone. For once, she was proven wrong.

"Thank you."

That was the first time in a long time that Amu had uttered heartfelt words. She was used to giving calculated replies but there no other words that would leave her lips. Her heart was filled with gratitude to the girl seated before her, gratitude she had never felt to anyone other than her foster parents.

The silence that ensued was broken by the sound of the door sliding open to reveal Rima carrying a tray of tea. Amu smelled the fresh aroma of the tea from the tray in Rima's hands.

"I am sorry for the wait." She apologized as she entered the room and gracefully knelt down beside the table.

"It is no matter. Hinamori-san and I had not even felt the time pass, isn't that right Hinamori-san?" she asked deliberately and Amu nodded, grateful that Nadeshiko had no intention of letting any content of their conversation be known by anyone other than the two of them.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you." Amu said as Rima set the tray on the table between Nadeshiko and her.

"This is my duty. It is no trouble at all." was all Rima said in reply.

Just as Rima set down the tea cup in front of Amu, the door slid open once again but this time it revealed someone unexpected – someone who looked extremely perplexed.

"Hinamori Amu," a girl's annoyed voice greeted icily "I have been looking for you for quite some time and now I see you having tea very leisurely." She said sharply with her arms crossed and her long blond hair slightly windswept.

Amu immediately stood up and bowed low in apology.

"I apologize to have you got though such trouble, Hime-sama." Amu said carefully and added true regret in her tone. In truth, she had forgotten about Utau when Nadeshiko had accommodated her and she felt ashamed for it. She had forgotten her first priority over all else – and that was to be Princess Utau's aide.

"Utau Hime-sama, would you like to join us for tea?" Nadeshiko offered smoothly despite the tension in the air.

"I must politely decline Fujisaki-san. May I perchance whisk away Hinamori Amu for today?" Utau said flatly without any regard to tact. Amu noted that she did indeed look very tired and decided to go to her side as soon as possible.

"Of course." Nadeshiko replied at the same moment Amu stood up to take her leave. She went to Utau's side and turned to bid farewell to her host and her aide.

"Thank you for your time, Nadeshiko-san,Mashiro-san." She said earnestly before sliding the door shut and following Utau who had already gone ahead without a word.

"Has the meeting been adjourned?" Amu asked as she fell into step right behind Utau.

"No. I wish to return to the Manor." She said offhandedly and she did not bother to elaborate but Amu understood her intentions quickly. Utau most likely wanted to rest, and Amu would put her master's welfare over all else.

"Understood. Shall I leave a message for Sanjo-san?" Amu inquired deciding to follow standard procedure during a situation as this.

"I have already done so. We shall take our leave immediately." she replied briefly.

"Yes, Hime-sama." Amu replied dutifully as they made their way out of the Fujisaki Branch.

She wondered briefly whether she would ever be able to talk to Nadeshiko once more but swiftly decided that she would – after all, they belonged to one circle and a circle was round for a reason.

-OoO-

When the door had slid shut Rima audibly clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"That was a complete waste of my effort." She huffed as she set Nadeshiko's tea in front of her and crossed her arms. "The selfish Princess had to take her away without a second thought." She grumbled.

"You should not badmouth the Royal Princess of Seiyo, Rima." Nadeshiko chastised lightly, "On the other hand, you seem quite exhausted. Care to join me for a cup of tea?" Nadeshiko asked pleasantly as she gestured to the open seat in front of her with a well natured smile.

Rima sat down gruffly and swiftly took a sip from the cup of tea that had been intended for Amu.

"You always forget your etiquette whenever it's just the two of us." Nadeshiko mused aloud with a smile. Following Rima's example and taking a sip from her own steaming cup of tea. She noted with pleasure the standing tea stalk in her tea as she pulled the cup away from her mouth.

Good luck is it? Was fate telling him that their meeting was fortunate? Nadeshiko thought curiously just as he raised his eyes to meet Rima's only to realize that she was glaring at her – quite intensely at that.

"It's tiring – and whose fault do you suppose it is that I'm fatigued Nagi?" Rima asked pointedly.

"Oh? I thought I was Fujisaki-sama?" Nadeshiko replied cleverly, quoting the same tone she had used when she referred to her before.

"That's not the point. Don't think I've forgiven you just yet for running off like that." She said irately, with a hint of irritation in the way she pursed her lips. She looked away from him sharply and refused to meet his eyes.

"Forgive me. I had intended to return after my morning stroll but I had spotted a lonely puppy that looked like it needed company." Nadeshiko said without much repentance in her tone. She was aware that Rima knew what she was really referring to.

"You should have summoned me." Rima said crossly, still looking away from her. Nadeshiko suppressed a sigh. Rima was hard to make amends with whenever she was upset.

"But then she would have been nervous and reserved," she replied reasonably. "You aren't exactly the easiest person to be with, Rima." She added knowingly.

Rima harrumphed and took another sip of tea. She placed the cup back on the table quietly and finally gave a sideways glance at Nadeshiko.

"So what do you think of her?" she asked, trying but failing to keep the curiosity out of her tone. Nadeshiko smiled, glad she had found an opening.

"I think you two resemble each other. She, on the other hand, is more polite though but also more withdrawn." She replied with a thoughtful expression on her face. She decided to keep to herself what Hinamori Amu had unintentionally shown her. It seemed like the young girl herself had been suffering for quite a long time and it worried her – but it also intrigued her. What did she go through? What made her eyes the color of gold seem so dull and dark? What was she hiding beneath that calm exterior?

Nadeshiko had said that she would not pry – but she had said it because she did not want to lose her acquaintance with the pink haired girl. She hoped she would be able to find out more about her – the mysterious commoner who had entered the circle of wolves.

"Did you just tell me I'm rude?" Rima asked indignantly, breaking Nadeshiko from her thoughts.

"Yes. I believe so." Nadeshiko replied pleasantly with a smile, turning her thoughts away from Hinamori Amu for now. At the moment, Rima needed her full attention.

"You can be infuriating whenever you want to, ne, Nagihiko?" Rima asked deliberately.

At her taunt, Nadeshiko's timid voice suddenly changed to a deeper boy's voice in her reply.

"I'm only infuriating when I'm with you Rima. To everyone, I am a Yamato Nadeshiko, but to you and mother, I am Fujisaki Nagihiko – a simple and beautiful young man." Nadeshiko – or rather, Nagihiko replied offhandedly but his eyes betrayed seriousness.

"Isn't it a tad narcissistic to call yourself beautiful so confidently?" Rima asked with a brow raised challengingly. Nagihiko gave a roguish smile in reply.

He chuckled as he rested his chin against the palm of one of his hands on the table. It was a very unladylike gesture and Nagihiko had not done it in such a long time. He rarely had time to unwind and be himself – most of the time he could only be Nagihiko whenever he was with Rima.

"Because for me to be Nadeshiko, it is a must for me to be beautiful as a girl." He replied nonchalantly with a bright smile. The air of the elegant Nadeshiko had changed to the casual air of Nagihiko.

"I am still trying to comprehend why I endure you so." Rima said more to herself than to her companion.

"Because, 'it is your duty' as you would have phrased it." He replied intelligently but mockingly. "And I trust you, Rima. I trust you with me secret – wholly and undoubtedly." He added firmly, disarming Rima.

"I know." She replied curtly as she looked away, a tinge of pink on her cheeks. Nagihiko smiled triumphantly, glad that he had softened her a bit.

"So do you forgive me?" he asked innocently. Rima turned to him sharply, renewed irritation in her eyes.

"Did you just attempt to blandish me?" she asked, aggravated by the realization that she had danced in his palm until just then.

"Of course I did not. I would not dare do that to you, Rima." Nagihiko replied in mock innocence. He had tried but it seems he had to use a different tactic now that she had caught onto him.

"You are devious." She said shortly with a pout.

"I'd rather you say, 'clever'." He replied shrewdly with a smirk, meeting her gaze calmly. It always calmed him to look into Rima's copper orbs and know that she saw him as Nagihiko. It was the closest thing to acceptance he ever had and he was glad he had Rima. She reminded him of who he really was and kept him sane all these years of having to act as a girl.

"Or maybe conniving." She interjected logically with a mocking smile of her own.

"If you say so." He readily agreed, deciding on his new approach to making her forgive him.

"Don't patronize me!" she snapped in irritation.

Nagihiko chuckled and Rima glared at him.

"What's so amusing?" she asked irately.

"You are, Rima. You never fail to amuse me." He replied with a teasing smile.

Rima pouted, blushing slightly and abruptly reached out and pinched Nagihiko's cheek. Nagihiko gave a strained smile and at her childish action. He did not understand why he enjoyed her company so much.

Maybe it was because it she made him laugh. Or maybe it was because she looked at him for him. Or maybe it was simply because he cared a lot about her. They had been childhood friends and even now she still stayed by his side.

"Stop laughing!" she ordered and Nagihiko obliged – for a few seconds that is, before he broke out into a fit of laughter once more.

Her expression grew more annoyed by the second. A flash of genius passed her eyes before she suddenly leaned forward and pressed her forehead against Nagihiko. Nagihiko smelled her familiar perfume and felt her smooth forehead against his own.

His laughter abruptly died out at her sudden proximity.

"W-what is it?" he asked, his voice a little nervous and shaky. She had caught him off guard, he realized.

"You are such a boy." She said blatantly before pulling away with a satisfied look on her face. Nagihiko blinked twice and laughed unreservedly once again.

He gave a smile before saying, "Maybe it's because I am."

"Unfortunately." Rima interjected and Nagihiko saw the barest hint of a smile touching her lips.

Looking outside through the window, Nagihiko decided that was enough for today. Play time was over and he gave an audible sigh. He met Rima's puzzled expression.

"I believe it is time for Nadeshiko to return to her duties." Nagihiko said in his feminine voice.

Rima nodded, understanding that they had had their time for leisure. Nagihiko was a boy – but that didn't mean he was free to do whatever he wanted. Like a circle, bound to one path for eternity – unable to break away from what he was born as.

-OoO-

Amu stood in front of a shelf of thick and weathered books lined up neatly in countless rows across the room. Her eyes skimmed over the embossed titles on their spines, not searching for any particular book. She felt their glossy coating of the leather when she brushed her fingers lightly over them.

Utau had gone into her room the moment the two of them had returned. Amu, on the other hand, had decided to retreat to the library for the time being. She decided to meditate in silence surrounded by books rather than in her room because the smell of the library reminded Amu of the room she and Ami shared together. It relaxed her nerves slightly and she found that she could breathe easier here than in her quarters.

She stared at the shelf for a few more minutes before her hand tightened on the small pouch in her hand and she gave an audible sigh.

"Something good, ne?" she mumbled to herself. She really hoped what she would give him would be good enough to his liking.

She gave another sigh as the image of the dark-haired Prince entered her mind.

What did he want from her really? She wondered rhetorically.

She had nothing of value – only a little sister and unusual pink hair. She was poor. She wasn't breathtakingly stunning. She was a mere servant, a commoner at that.

Nothing. She had nothing that could interest a Prince. A soon to be Emperor much less.

Another sigh escape her lips and she raised her hand holding the small pouch to her face.

"Pardon my intrusion, but I believe you've already lost a third of your happiness." A familiar boy's voice greeted from behind her. Amu's breath caught and she immediately hid the small pouch back in her sleeve before turning to greet Tadase. She bowed in greeting and when she straightened up, Tadase smiled at her brightly.

"What a surprise to see you here Hinamori-san." He said pleasantly.

"Your surprise could not be greater than mine, Prince." She replied politely and Tadase chuckled.

"Forgive me for startling you. I could not help but watch you brood so seriously over something." He said with a sheepish smile.

"I am quite embarrassed. I should have been more aware of your presence the second you had arrived." Amu said seriously and her statement made Tadase laugh out loud.

"You shouldn't be so strict with yourself, Hinamori-san. I don't expect you to be psychic." He replied well-naturedly.

"Nonetheless, I should have been more alert and observant." She said more to herself than to Tadase.

"You seemed to be extremely troubled over something, is it something I can help with by any chance?" he offered sincerely with a hint of concern in his tone. Tadase always seemed to looking out for her too much, Amu realized.

"It's nothing. There is no need for you to be bothered over it, Your Highness." She replied steadfastly and Tadase looked slightly disappointed. "Setting aside my concerns, I need to ask. What brings you here Prince?" she inquired.

Tadase immediately caught on and replied promptly, "I just finished my daily studies with Tsukasa-san. I thought I'd take a rest here until dinner is served." He replied pleasantly. "How about you, Hinamori-san?" he inquired in the same tone as her.

"I came here to pass time until the Princess summons me. I thought that maybe I could read a book but it seems I cannot choose which one to read." She said convincingly and in truth, it was what she had originally intended to do – that is, until Ikuto had occupied her thoughts completely.

"Shall I recommend one for you?" he offered and Amu nodded.

"That would be splendid." She replied graciously.

Tadase beamed at her, finally glad to be of help and walked to stand beside Amu in front of the shelf.

"Do you prefer romantic love stories or adventurous epics?" he asked, scanning over the books along the lower part of the shelf.

"I have no particular preference in book genres." Amu replied directly.

"Then would you like to read one of my favorites?" he suggested, glancing at her through the corner of his eye.

"That would be acceptable. If it is one of your favorites, I'm sure it will be a superb book." She said matter-of-factly and Tadase gave a sardonic smile.

"You shouldn't think so highly of me." Tadase said quietly. There it was again, Amu noted, that sudden change in his demeanor when it came to his status.

"But you are a Prince, everybody looks up to you." She replied logically, hoping that it would not further sour his mood.

"You are who you choose to be, not what your title dictates you to be." He replied philosophically with a very knowing smile on his lips. Her words did not make him feel any better and Amu was at a loss at how to comfort him and decided to just change the subject.

"So which book do you recommend I read?" she asked, purposely making herself sound curious as to make him distracted.

"Do you by any chance dislike western books?" he gave a peculiar question in reply.

"Well, in all honesty, no. but I am unable to read English though." Amu replied thoughtfully.

Tadase chuckled before saying, "Neither do I, but fortunately, the book itself was translated to kanji thus allowing me the privilege of reading such a great work." He said as he walked away from her, his eyes trailing along the shelves he passed.

He paused at one shelf and gazed upward, his eyes pausing on a certain row of books a little more than an arm's length above him.

"If I remember correctly it should be around…" his forehead creased slightly before a wide smile appeared on his face. "Here it is!" he cried out triumphantly as he stretched out his hand. He got on his tiptoes and pulled out the book with practiced ease.

He walked back to her and held out the book with both hands.

Amu took it in her hands and examined it. It was slightly heavy and the book spine was half the length of her index finger. The book looked weathered and a bit beat up but still in good condition. She stared at the title and was dismayed to find it written in the English alphabet.

"It is titles Siege of Right by Claude Auburne." Tadase said helpfully and Amu looked up at him in awe.

"You said you couldn't read English." She said accusingly with one of her brows raised. Tadase laughed at her expression.

"I cannot. Tsukasa-san was the one who told me when I first read it. I asked him what was written in front and that was what he answered." He replied reasonably gesturing to the book in her hands.

"Tsukasa-san is capable of reading English?" Amu asked with interest and Tadase nodded.

"He is apt in most European languages. He used to travel around the world before he decided to settle down in the Imperial Court." Tadase replied easily.

"You two seem very close." Amu commented and Tadase smiled.

"Yes. He is like a second father to me and he is also my mentor. Everything I am now, I owe it all to Tsukasa-san." He said in praise and her view on the shrewd man increased slightly.

"I see. He must be a great man indeed to have raised and educated a Prince." Amu said logically.

"Yes. He is a very awe-inspiring man." Tadase readily agreed.

"You two are very alike. Did anyone ever tell you that?" she asked meaningfully, glad that the dark cloud that had appeared moments before had dissipated.

"Yes, quite a lot in fact." Tadase replied with a smile and a small chuckle. "He mentioned once before that I was similar to the main character of that book. Tsukasa-san was also the one who suggested I read it in the first place." he added with a pleasant smile.

"What is this book about?" Amu asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

She never really had the leisure to read books for pure amusement – she usually just read to learn so she was curious about the first book she would read just to pass time.

"It's about a young commoner boy who had an uncanny resemblance to the missing Prince of a corrupt country. Because of different incidences he was pushed to becoming the leader of a rebellion aiming to reform the country. And so the citizens assumed it was the missing Prince who was leading the rebels and not some mere commoner." He replied briefly but it was enough to satisfy Amu. Tadase probably said enough to give an idea but not enough to spoil the story.

"Does it have a satisfying ending?" Amu inquired, a tad eager to begin reading the book in her hands.

"In a way – but I do not wish to spoil it for you. You will have to read it yourself." He replied with a gentle smile.

"Understood. I shall do as you wish." Amu replied with a brief smile and she saw Tadase's eyes visibly widen slightly.

He blinked a few times before saying, "When you have finished with that, I shall recommend more books for you to read." He said brightly as he beamed at her.

"Thank you. That would be most wonderful, Prince." Amu replied graciously just as the wooden door creaked open noisily.

"Must I always be inconvenienced like this whenever I need you, Hinamori Amu?" an irritated Utau said from the doorway.

Amu immediately came forward, placing the book in her hands on the nearby table, and bowing before Utau.

She stood erect and replied evenly, "Forgive my inefficiency, Hime-sama. What is it that you need of me? I shall attend to it at once." She spoke firmly. Once again, she had forgotten her main duty and it was beginning to frustrate even her.

"I wish for a cup of tea." Utau ordered, annoyance still marked in her tone.

"I shall deliver it to your room as soon as it is prepared." Amu said swiftly as she moved to pass by Utau.

"No," she said audibly and Amu paused in midstep behind her. "Bring the tea here and make a cup for Tadase too." She continued and Amu nodded despite the fact that Utau would not see it.

"Understood." Amu proceeded to make tea swiftly leaving the two siblings together – like two points in a circle connected by fate.

-OoO-

"I see you've been mingling with my servant once again Tadase." Utau said audibly as she came forward and sat by the table where Amu had set the book she held in her hand moments before. Utau eyed the book with a hint of contempt in her beautiful features.

"I am unaware of what you speak of Utau onee-sama." Tadase replied calmly.

"Do not take me as a fool Tadase. I am aware that you were the one who informed my aide of my preference for tea." Utau said acidly, turning her gaze away from the book towards the blond boy.

Tadase gave a sigh before saying, "I admit that was my doing but I fail to see what is so wrong with helping her?" Tadase shot back evenly; he was already quite used to Utau brazen attitude when it came to speaking with others.

"What is wrong is that you are interfering with my evaluation of her competency as my aide." She said sharply with a glare at him. Tadase knew better than to look away from her.

Tadase met her gaze without flinching away and replied, "I have no intention of interfering more than I already have. Hinamori-san has asked me personally not to interfere or help her." He replied but mentally continued, not interfere unless she asks me to, that is.

"She asked you not to help her?" Utau asked disbelievingly, her eyebrows rose in incredulity. Her gaze had shifted towards the door ion which Amu had exited as though trying to banish such a thought at the image of Amu.

"That is correct," Tadase said with a wave of his hand. "So there is no need for you to be wary, Utau onee-sama." He added reassuringly.

Utau turned her smoldering gaze back to him.

"Did Kazuomi asked you to address me as such?" she asked icily with a tone of mocking.

"No, Chichiue* did not. I took it upon myself to call you such as a sign of my respect." Tadase replied good-naturedly.

Utau gave an unlady-like noise which was similar to a snort.

"I preferred it much better when you called me Utau-itoko." She said dully and Tadase shrugged.

"We are officially known as siblings now. Shouko-san said to treat you and Ikuto as such." He said calmly.

"So it was my mother," Utau said with displeasure. "I don't really understand why she believes we can play and act like a perfectly happy family." Utau scoffed. Tadase kept his emotions in check. Even he, did not like discussing this matter.

"Shouko-san just wants everyone to be happy." Tadase interjected reasonably.

"Happy? Do you honestly think Ikuto and I can be happy when our mother chose your father over ours?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And do not tell me you are unaffected that your father replaced you late mother so easily." She added darkly.

Tadase bit his lip and clenched his fist. He could not – he would not let Utau get the better of him.

"I just want Chichiue to be happy." Tadase said through gritted teeth.

"Yes, because he had been pining after our mother even then. You knew didn't you? That Kazuomi never loved your mother." She said cruelly, her eyes jeering.

"Jabs at my father I can let pass but –" he paused and made his face looked utterly serious "if you speak ill of my mother any more, I will not forgive you!" Tadase said angrily. The table rattled as he banged his hand against it; Utau did not even bat and eyelash.

His burning eyes met her passive lilac orbs.

Just then, the door creaked audibly and Tadase hastily shifted his gaze towards the door that lay ajar revealing Amu standing by the doorway with a hesitant expression, holding a tray with tea. It was only then that Tadase smelled the aroma of freshly brewed tea circulating in the room.

"So there you are. I knew you couldn't be the perfect obedient little second Prince that you pretend to be." Utau whispered loud enough for only him to hear before she turned to the doorway.

"Ah, Hinamori Amu. I was not aware that you had arrived." Utau said in mock-surprise. "I see you've brought our tea." She said casually as she gave Tadase a sideways glance.

Tadase could feel his chagrin as Amu came forward and set the tray in her hands on the table. She placed a cup in front Utau and the other in front of the empty chair across the Princess.

"Come and join me for tea, Tadase." Utau said pleasantly but her eyes were teasing.

"I must politely decline. I have… certain matters to attend to now." Tadase said hastily, gobbling up some of his words.

"But Hinamori had gone through all the trouble to prepare you tea." She said, attempting to persuade him to stay. Tadase could not mistake that sparkle in her violet eyes.

She was daring him to retreat and prove her victorious but Tadase knew that if he gave in to her taunts she would have won nonetheless so he chose to say, "Forgive me, Hinamori-san. I have urgent matters at hand which must be dealt with immediately. Please excuse me, Utau onee-sama, Hinamori-san." He said as he exited the room with as much composure as he could manage at that time.

Utau gave an uncharacteristic chuckle as the door closed shut.

"Ah, such a waste." She said aloud before taking a sip from her cup. There was a self-satisfied smile on her face that made Amu shudder unconsciously.

There was one conclusion she drew from the incident.

Hoshina Utau was someone you did not want to cross or provoke. She was unbending circle of steel that could not be broken so easily.

-OoO-

When Amu had returned to her quarters after dinner, there was a note behind her door lying on the tatami mat. It was in that familiar elegant scrawl she had read once before.

The Garden at midnight

Those were the words that were written on the small rectangular piece of parchment. She unconsciously sighed. She had almost forgotten about the First Prince because her thoughts had been occupied by the Second Prince just then.

The Second Prince had not come to dinner. It was most likely because of the previous incident and Amu could not help but think it was because of her. She had been deliberating whether or not to talk to him before she had found Ikuto's note.

Instead of one, her dilemmas had doubled and it was quite problematic that it concerned both Princes. Amu was not sure what measures she had to take but she was sure of the fact that she had to settle the matter with Ikuto first of all.

When the moon was high, she was about to slide open her door when the door of the room adjacent to hers slid open almost inaudibly. Muffled footsteps passed her door and Amu only opened her door when they had faded into the distance. Amu peeked outside slowly.

There was no one.

Amu stepped out quietly and stood in front of Utau's room. She slid open the door partly and scanned the inside of the room.

Princess Utau was not there.

It was extremely troubling for Amu. Where would the Princess go this late at night? But then again – wasn't she doing the very same thing?

Amu could not be caught meeting secretly with the First Prince, especially not by Princess Utau. It seems she would just have to proceed with extreme caution. Amu was sure the Princess would not be foolish enough to leave Palace grounds and she was pretty sure the guards would stop her if she ever did try.

Amu slid Utau's door shut and proceeded towards the Garden, unconsciously fiddling with the small pouch hidden in her sleeve. When she turned the last corner something abruptly jumped on her – something with bright yellow eyes.

She tripped as she took a step backwards, something heavy was clamped on her chest and she felt something sharp against her neck. Just as she was about to let out a scream that had built up in her chest, a hand clamped over her mouth and held her steady on her feet.

A low chuckle greeted her in the silence. Amu felt an arm wrapped around her waist.

"It seems he likes you, Yoru that is." A very familiar voice said playfully in her ear.

Amu could feel the tips of his hair against her cheek. Amu could not understand her sudden embarrassment but she knew she had the urge to pull away from him as soon as possible.

"Yoru, come." He said audibly and the beast clamped on her chest ran up Ikuto's outstretched hand, settling on his shoulder.

He easily uncoiled his other hand from her waist and held her hand as he tugged her in the direction of the Garden.

When the moonlight shone upon Ikuto and his little friend, Amu finally understood what Yoru was.

Ikuto's hair was the same shade of dark blue as the smooth coat of the cat sitting comfortably on his shoulder, tail moving around slowly. On the neck of the cat was a collar with a key shaped object dangling from it. Amu could not see it properly from her position but she was pretty sure it had the name YORU engraved on it.

"I'm sorry he startled you." Ikuto said out of the blue. "I had only intended to use him to make sure it was you." He added as an afterthought.

"How would letting a cat jump on me let you identify who I am?" Amu asked with her forehead creased.

"You were surprised were you not? Most of the other servants are aware of Yoru so they would not be startled enough to scream." he said pointedly, giving her a sideways glance. Amu flushed immediately and Ikuto smirked.

"But I also wanted you to meet him, Yoru I mean." He added, gesturing to the cat on his shoulder that had turned to look at her uninterestedly.

The cat looked away as if to say she wasn't really all that now that he had seen her. It somewhat irritated Amu but she would not allow herself to be affected by a feline – especially not one that was owned by royalty.

"That's strange. He seemed to like you a little while ago." He mused aloud as they walked leisurely – him dragging her around as he pleased.

"I am not very good at dealing with animals." Amu replied offhandedly and Ikuto chuckled.

"Would you like to test your luck? Come and pet him." He challenged as he pulled her closer to him. Amu stood within a foot of him and hesitantly raised her free arm tentatively. She looked into the bright yellow orbs of Yoru, once before Ami had said that her eyes were like that of a cat, bright – but dangerous and mysterious.

When it came to animals, Amu had more of a semblance to cats. She liked how easily they did what they wanted. When they fell they always made sure to fall on their feet, ready to stand up and move once more. Amu on the other hand had fallen once, and now she had lost herself.

"Are you by any chance, afraid Amu? Petting a cat won't kill you either way." He said tauntingly and Amu decided then. She moved her arm to touch Yoru's back.

When her hand was an inch away from him, Yoru hissed and scratched her hand.

"Yoru!" Ikuto scolded but Amu motioned him to be silent.

She lightly brushed his suede coat with her fingers and he barred his teeth at her. Amu remained undaunted and proceeded to pet him.

Yoru suddenly bore his claws and lodged them in Amu's hand. She winced slightly at the fresh pain and she sensed Ikuto's body tense. She gestured once more for him to remain silent and still; it would not be good for him to interfere.

"It's okay. I won't hurt you. It's okay…" Amu cooed gently, her expression softer than what she had ever shown to anyone.

Animals were always cautious, she just had to break down the barrier they kept around them once and they would not resurrect it once more. After a few minutes of coddling him, Yoru sheathed his claws and jumped to Amu's shoulder. He rubbed his face affectionately against her cheek and Amu gave a self satisfied smirk as she turned to face Ikuto.

"Did you lie when you said you were not good at dealing with animals?" he asked, highly amused with his body returning to its casual grace.

"No," Amu replied petting Yoru gently. "I am not good with animals not because they dislike me but because they always have an unexplainable attraction to me." She explained briefly. In truth, she had taken more of a liking to animals rather than to people.

Animals at least did not deceive you in cruelty, they deceived to survive. All the things they did was for the sake of survival and nothing more. Unlike humans who always had ulterior motives, animals were honest and uncorrupted.

"You do realize that apart from myself, nobody else has tamed him right?" he asked deliberately with an arced brow.

"Well, it wouldn't be fair for only you to have such a privilege." She said, repeating the same words he had told her during their first meeting. He smirked in reply.

"And once again you pay no attention to your wounds." He said as he let go of her hand and reached for her wounded hand.

He held it in his palm and pulled it closer to his face. Amu had assumed he was simply going to examine it – but she was wrong. Ikuto was as usual – unpredictable. When he pulled it towards his face, he scrutinized her wound it a bit before abruptly licking it lightly. Amu blushed furiously and hastily pulled her hand away.

"W-what are you doing?" she asked in outrage, internally cursing herself for stuttering just then.

Ikuto looked amused by her reaction and this further aggravated her. She was about to lash out at him when he spoke calmly.

"I was cleaning your wounds. It would be too troublesome to find a place to wash it so it would be much easier this way." He said as though it was the obvious.

"But – " she began to protest.

"And we have a tryst, do we not?" he interrupted purposely.

"Well, yes." Amu begrudgingly agreed.

"Then I do not see the problem. You aren't going to tell me my spittle is holy and you are unworthy of it are you?" he asked knowingly and Amu bit her lip.

"No," she managed to say without sounding very resentful. "But I will not allow you to treat my wounds thus." She added decisively.

"I shall disinfect it myself after our business is dealt with and since you apparently cleaned it just now, I should be able to last for an hour or so." Amu replied logically, using his words as ammunition for her point. She would absolutely not allow him to lick her wounds.

"You have absolutely no care for your body, do you?" he asked with a small frown, his forehead creased slightly.

Yoru looked apologetic as he licked Amu's cheek. Amu patted his head comfortingly, soothing his nerves.

"I will be fine. It will take more than this to kill me." She reassured both of them evenly

"Then let me finish licking it." he offered.

"No, thank you. You've done quite enough." Amu replied shortly. "Shall we proceed to the Garden, Prin – I mean, Ikuto?" she asked swiftly as she walked forward, taking control of the conversation skillfully.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are cunning?" Ikuto asked as he fell into step beside her. His long arms swung indolently at his side. She noted the differences in how he and Tadase carried themselves. While Tadase always kept perfect posture and exuded polite elegance, Ikuto had natural calm and casual grace.

"Not that I recall. Why do you ask?" Amu asked innocently, despite her thoughts. No one ever realized that she had manipulated them until it was too late. She had to compliment Ikuto for seeing through her plan swiftly.

"Reasons I am sure you are well aware of." He replied shrewdly.

The two of them had finally arrived at the garden. The Garden's natural beauty had not diminished in the least, not that Amu had expected it to change abruptly overnight anyway. The smell of fresh air mixed with pollen was a sweet fragrance that calmed Amu's nerves. It reminded her of the home she had left behind.

The sound of rushing water, the morning dew that shone like gems, the cold mountain air that always cleared her head and the smell of flowers at night – seeing the Garden made her feel a tad homesick. She missed the easy life back up on the mountain inn, but she had chosen this herself – she would just have to deal with it.

Yoru jumped off of Amu's shoulder and ran to one direction just as Ikuto asked her, "Are you skilled at climbing trees?"

Amu gazed at the direction Yoru had run off to before contemplating her reply, "Quite. But in my current attire it will be impossible for me to climb a tree." She answered with a question evident in her eyes.

Ikuto only smiled in reply and without any warning swept her off her feet into his arms. She was about to protest but Ikuto shushed her with a motion of his hand.

"I want to go somewhere high tonight." He explained momentarily, "So I'm going to climb that oak tree." He added decisively, eyeing the said tree in the center of the garden.

"You are going to climb carrying me?" Amu asked incredulously, looking up at him to see if he was joking.

"Do you not believe I can do it?" he asked curiously, looking down and meeting her dubious gaze.

"Theoretically, it should be possible but I have no basis to believe that you can do such." Amu replied as she scrutinized the tall oak tree that had several large and sturdy branches where one or two people could fit. If he could indeed, take the two of them up one of those branches, Amu supposed it would have a wonderful few.

"Then do you trust me?" he asked suddenly.

"In which particular way are you referring to?" Amu asked in clarification, looking up to meet his quizzical gaze. She was still embarrassed at their current position but she would not allow it to show on her face.

"Trust me that you will not get hurt by what I'm planning to do." He specified with a smile, apparently amused by her reply.

"That depends. Is there a high probability that I will die?" she asked, knowing he was aware of her one condition for doing anything.

"There is a very very slim chance of that happening." He replied promptly with a nonchalant shrug.

"Then I trust you not to get me killed." She said steadfastly, deciding with that fact alone. If she would not die, she could not lose anything more of importance so what was the use of hesitating?

"That's good to know," he said with a smile, "close your eyes and be ready to be amazed." He said mysteriously and Amu rolled her eyes before she obliged him.

"As you wish." She replied dryly.

While listening to the crickets calmly, Amu could also hear Ikuto's steady breathing. He suddenly took a deep breath and Amu had about half a second to prepare herself for what was to happen. Before she knew it, Ikuto slung her over his shoulder. The air was suddenly knocked out of her lungs and she wanted to open her eyes but thought better of it.

The night breeze whipped through her hair as she felt Ikuto sprint forward. She felt the tension in his muscles as he leapt and grabbed onto a branch letting go of her for a split second before swinging himself forward and placing one hand back on her waist protectively. She knew – she felt she was upside down for a few seconds before she felt him crouch down on one leg. She heard the sound of leaves rustling right by her ear and she knew that they really were up the oak tree at that moment.

"You can open your eyes now, Amu." He said quietly.

Amu slowly opened her eyes and found that they were indeed on a lower branch of the large oak tree. Ikuto carefully set her down on the large branch, keeping an arm wrapped around her waist to prevent her from falling. Amu did not bother to protest because she too did not want to end up hurting herself – especially not right after Sanjo-san had told her to take better care of her body.

She scanned the Garden and was surprised to find that it was lovelier to look at from this perspective. The moon gave off an eerie light that made the Garden looked slightly ethereal and ghostly. If Ami had been with her, she would have been scared. She always did hate the dark; even until before she left, Ami still slept in the same bed as her.

"I really like high places." Ikuto said as if thinking aloud, capturing Amu's attention. He sat down with one leg left dangling off the branch while the other was pulled up and was made a resting place for his free arm and his chin.

"And I suppose you like jumping recklessly into anything too, am I wrong?" Amu replied easily, noticing and realizing a very important fact just then.

"Not completely." Ikuto acknowledged with a grin and Amu turned her sharp gaze to him.

"Give me your hand." Amu said abruptly, holding out one of her hands.

"I've been found out so easily?" Ikuto raised an eyebrow and Amu met his gaze firmly.

Ikuto sighed and gave his other hand that was resting atop his raised leg limply.

"I knew it," she said as she saw the angry red blisters on his palm. She touched it lightly with her finger tips and she felt him wince slightly.

"You could not have done such a thing so easily." Amu said matter-of-factly. How could she have been foolish enough to believe for a second that he could achieve something so effortlessly?

"But in truth, it actually hurts less than it should because you're so light. Which reminds me, I have to ask you, do you even eat at all? You're so thin I could feel your ribcage against my shoulder when I slung you over it." He said with a slight frown on his lips.

He gave her a sideways glance and Amu pretended not to see it as she continued to examine his hand. She didn't like it when people started to worry about her. It wasn't as if she ever intended to lose to malady anyhow.

"I don't have any appetite most of the time." She explained offhandedly. She did not eat because she liked it. She only ate enough to keep her body sustained and she did not feel the need to worry about her weight in any case.

"I had assumed when I carried you before that you were thin simply because you were from the countryside – but I seems I was wrong." He mused as Amu let go of his blistered hand.

"Isn't that conclusion a bit presumptuous? Just because one is from the countryside does not mean we have a lack of food because of our lack of opulence." Amu shot back, looking at him through the corner of her eye only to find him looking at her assiduously.

"True enough. You seem to be proving all my views on common folk quite flawed." He said casually, resting his chin on his leg letting his blistered hand lay by his side idly.

"As do you royalty to mine." Amu said without thinking.

"In what way have we differed from your views?" Ikuto asked curiously, looking at her through the corner of his eye.

"In more ways than one." Amu replied vaguely, not intending to give a definite answer.

"Positively or negatively?"

"A mixture of both." Amu answered casually but then she turned to meet his gaze fully. "But once again we are straying from the main topic of our meeting." She said firmly, touching the pouch in her sleeve lightly to make sure it was still there.

"You seem to dislike going in a roundabout way." He commented with a amused smile.

"Very much." Amu said unashamedly.

Ikuto chuckled, he reached out and pulled a few lose strands of her hair then he intertwined it around his finger. Amu kept her face neutral despite her urge to pull away from him.

"Alright. I shall indulge you for once." He said lightly.

Amu took the opportunity as soon as it presented itself. She pulled out the small pouch from her sleeve and held it up by the red string tying it shut.

"Here. What I promised." Amu said shortly.

Ikuto eyed it for a moment before uncoiling her hair from his finger and taking it into his palm.

He weighed it in his palm before asking, "What is inside?" out of pure curiosity.

Seeing as how he could not open it with only one hand, Amu decided to open it for him. She took it from his palm and loosened the string tied around the opening of the pouch.

"Give me your hand." She said as she held out her hand closest to him. Ikuto obliged without a fuss, clearly consumed by curiosity. She smiled inwardly, glad that she had gotten his full attention for once.

When he placed his hand over hers, only then did she pour the contents of the pouch onto his palm.

The three different colored spherical gems clinked against each other as they rolled out of the pouch. One was a sapphire, another, an emerald and the third, a ruby, all three in vivid gleaming colors as the moonlight seeping through the leaves shone upon them.

Ikuto gazed at them with interest.

"These are gems that my mother owned before she passed away." Amu said matter-of-factly, keeping her tone as light as possible now that she had opened the topic. She wouldn't want to unintentionally show too much to him like she did to Nadeshiko.

Ikuto raised his eyes from the gems to meet her gaze.

"Are you sure you wish to give these to me?" he asked carefully. Amu was sure it was the words passed away that made him hesitate.

"I never said I was giving them to you." Amu replied swiftly and Ikuto gave her a slightly confused expression in reply as if to ask her then why did you hand them to me?

"I am letting you keep them for now but I will eventually buy them back from you." Amu replied succinctly, perfectly understanding his question despite the fact he had not voice it out loud.

"With what? You are aware I have no need for money, do you not?" Ikuto asked cynically, not quite catching on just yet.

Amu held up her hand with three of her fingers raised.

"Three wishes," she said clearly, "I will buy back each gem by granting you one wish."

Ikuto blinked in confusion before realization dawned on him. He pondered for a few minutes before breaking out into a smile and asking, "Are there any restrictions to the wish?"

"You know my lone condition." Amu replied cleverly.

"Alright then, we have an agreement, Hinamori Amu." He replied with a smirk. He skillfully put back the three gems in the pouch still in Amu's hand.

"Is this sufficient as something good, Ikuto?" Amu inquired, being careful not to trip when it came to saying his name. She knew he would tease her for it and she did not like it when he was toying with her.

"More than enough. It was beyond what I had expected." He said easily with a satisfied smile.

"I am relieved to hear that." Amu said honestly. Inwardly, she gave a relieved sigh – glad that her plan had worked perfectly. The problem now was the three wishes he would ask her, she could not fathom what the mischievous Prince would ask of her.

"Could you perchance, sling it on my neck? I do not wish to lose something so valuable." Ikuto requested and Amu nodded.

She tightened the cord and sealed the pouch before moving towards Ikuto who had leaned downward slightly. She placed it on his neck. She watched it dangle from his neck for a second before pulling away and looking over the garden, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Ikuto touched the pouch lightly with the tip of his fingers and smiled cunningly. Amu felt a tad unnerved at his expression he had on his face.

"Anything," he murmured, "When you say any wish, it is quite difficult to choose only three." Ikuto mused, fingering the pouch instinctively.

"Of course it must be something within my limits as a human being." Amu interjected logically.

"Naturally. I wouldn't be fool enough to ask you to bring me the moon or bring me a thousand beasts from hell." He said easily, choosing examples that would indeed be impossible for her.

"Then I suppose our business is finished?" Amu asked hopefully.

"Not quite." Ikuto replied with a wicked smile.

"What else is there to be dealt with?" Amu asked with a hint of confusion and exasperation in her tone.

"The date of our next rendezvous." He replied with a smile.

Amu refrained from groaning and settled with simply biting her lower lip.

"You did not really assume I would not ask for your company anymore simply because our business has been dealt with, did you?" he asked mischievously.

Amu remained silent and Ikuto looked at her expectantly. She gave a sigh in defeat, her shoulders slumped forward a bit.

"You may summon me whenever you wish for my company." Amu said reluctantly, avoiding his gaze so he would not have the pleasure of seeing her discomfort.

"You are available anytime, am I correct?" he inquired.

"If you wish me to be, then I shall be." Amu replied dutifully, slowly drifting back to her normal mask.

"You are using that façade again. You must be tired," he commented, "It is still unconceivable to be as to how you are more fatigued by not being true to yourself than acting like you usually do." He continued with a slightly vexed expression.

"I must excuse myself from giving a reply for I fear it would only further frustrate you." Amu replied deciding to use this to her advantage – she wanted to escape from this charming tyrant.

"I've decided. It's time to rest. Can you get down on your own?" he inquired, loosening his grip around her waist.

"No." Amu replied honestly. She was sure if she tried to get down on her own; it would undoubtedly lead to her getting injured.

Ikuto chuckled before saying, "Alright. I will jump down first and I'll catch you." He said logically.

Amu didn't why but she felt slightly ashamed at having to depend on him for her to get down safely.

"Understood."

Ikuto uncoiled his arm from her waist and jumped down gracefully with ease, landing on the balls of his feet inaudibly.

"Come on." He said lightly as he held out his hands in gesture to ready to catch her. "It's easier if you fall backwards, that way I'll be able to keep your head out of danger first." He suggested, guessing her apprehension.

"If perchance you fail to catch me and I inadvertently end up dying, what would you do with my corpse?" Amu asked quite seriously and Ikuto broke out into a fit of laughter. It took a few minutes before his laughter died out.

"Do you trust me?" he asked once again in that same teasing smile as he looked up at her.

"I trust you not to get me killed." Amu gave the same reply she gave before and suddenly it didn't feel so frightening to leave her safety in this man's hands.

"So close your eyes and lean backwards. I'll catch you, most definitely." He said calmly with an encouraging smile.

Amu steeled her nerves and clenched her fists as she closed her eyes and leaned backwards. Time seemed to slow down as she fell off the branch and Amu realized it felt calming in away. There was nothing, only the sound of air passing by her ears.

It was serene.

More serene than the sound of flames that haunted her dreams.

Amu was airborne for a few seconds before a thin but strong arm gripped her shoulder blades and another gripped behind her knees.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Ikuto's voice greeted her, "you fell quite majestically too." He added teasingly.

"Please let me down." Amu requested as she slowly opened her eyes only to realize that Ikuto's face was an inch away from hers.

Ikuto smiled as Amu's eyes widened and it further widened when Ikuto pecked her nose playfully. Amu flushed scarlet instinctively.

Ikuto chuckled at her astonished expression before saying, "Thank you, for being my companion tonight, Hinamori Amu." He said ceremonially with a crooked smile. There was a wicked sparkle in his eyes that made Amu's breath catch in her throat.

Looking at him, she unconsciously gave a smile of her own.

"You are most welcome, Tsukiyomi Ikuto."

Ikuto looked taken aback.

"You smiled!" he exclaimed unintentionally.

Amu realized then what she had done and had begun to struggle against Ikuto's hold, trying to get down and away from him as soon as possible.

"Hey!" he exclaimed as he lost his grip on her legs and dropped her lower half.

Amu's legs had buckled almost immediately when she tried getting herself upright after Ikuto had let go of her. Ikuto held her up by pulling her shoulders upward.

"Don't surprise me like that Amu, especially when you give me two consecutive strikes in an instant. I cannot recover as fast as you expect me to." He chastised as he pulled her upright and made sure she was steady on her feet before finally letting go of Amu completely.

"I apologize." Amu said sincerely as she cast her eyes down to the grassy patches on the ground and bit the inside of her cheek. She had let her embarrassment get the better of her and she was wholly ashamed of it.

Before she knew it, Ikuto had leaned in close enough for both of their foreheads to touch. She felt strands of his hair prickling the skin of her forehead. She looked straight into his dark entrancing eyes.

"Show it to me once more, Amu." He whispered demandingly.

"I – I do not know what you are referring to." Amu feigned ignorance, she wanted to pull away but that would be extremely disrespectful – especially right after what she had done moments before.

"What you did when you said, 'You are most welcome, Tsukiyomi Iluto'" he said deliberately.

"I don't understand." Amu insisted, avoiding his penetrating gaze.

Ikuto looked thoughtful for a few moments before he gave a roguish smile.

"Well. I tried asking politely but it seems I will just have to make you show it to me once more." He said firmly with emphasis on one word before pulling away from her.

He looked up at the moon which had visibly moved from its overhead position.

"I suppose it is time for you to rest." He said resignedly.

"Aren't you going to rest too?" Amu inquired, intrigued by his statement.

He winked at her before saying, "I can sleep anytime I wish later." in a playful tone.

"Just like a cat, a kuroneko, to be exact." Amu said intelligently and Ikuto chuckled.

"Kuroneko, na? I suppose you'd be yukineko then?" he asked as he played along with her lead.

"White? Wouldn't akaneko be more appropriate?" Amu asked with a puzzled expression, looking up at him.

"No. You are definitely yuki." He said firmly.

"Why do you say so?"

"I believe it is the color that suits you the most, also, where have you ever seen a red cat?" he asked meaningfully with a playful glint in his eyes.

"Well, excluding folklore stories – I have not seen one personally." Amu said tentatively, waiting for him to elaborate his point.

"Exactly," He finished triumphantly. "So I'm a kuroneko and you are a yukineko." He declared.

"May I ask a question?" she asked and Ikuto looked at her inquisitively and she took it as a sign that she could.

"Why did you use yuki (snow) instead of shiro (white)?" Amu asked curiously.

Ikuto nodded as if it was a very reasonable question.

"Snow is much more exquisite and it suits your personality in a way, also, it sounds more feminine if I say yukineko rather than shironeko does it not?" he asked purposely.

"I suppose." Amu somewhat agreed, pondering on why he chose snow to embody her. Was it because she was cold and unfeeling? If so, maybe he was right. She never saw herself as the brightest person anyway. She was more of a black hole that sucked out all the light from people.

"Anyway, I am a cat right?" he asked out of the blue.

"In a way, you very much resemble one." Amu readily agreed and Ikuto gave a laugh.

"I suppose that explains my strange attraction to you." He murmured under his breath.

"I beg your pardon?" Amu asked in confusion, not catching his words.

"It's nothing. I was just thinking that we should head back now. I don't want you to end up with dark circles under your eyes because of me." He said, changing the subject with ease. Amu decided to let it pass.

"Shall we go then?" Amu offered.

"Yes, I will walk you until the hall." Ikuto said decisively as he took her hand into his once more and tugged her towards the Princess' Hall.

"Ah, wait!" Amu said audibly and Ikuto stopped in his tracks, looking back at her with a questioning look.

"There's no need for you to hold my hand." She said, slightly embarrassed. "I can walk on my own." She added firmly.

"But I want to hold your hand. Is there something wrong with that?" He said a tad childishly. The way he said it made her resolve bend a little and she couldn't help but relent to the innocent expression on his face. She internally cursed herself for being soft to this person. She was never soft – but this person had broken through her barrier so easily – and Amu resented him for it.

Amu gave a resigned sigh. You really couldn't deny anything he wanted. He would just pester you until you agreed and what was the point of postponing the inevitable?

"No," she conceded, "please feel free to hold my hand whenever you please."

"Alright then," he said pleasantly with a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "Let us be on our way."

He proceeded to tug her along as he pleased and Amu was left to follow him wherever he wished to bring her. And little did she know that this pattern would repeat itself many more times in the future – just like an endless circle, continuous and unbreakable.

---

-OoO-

Endnote: haha, I know I said I would update at least two chapters but I didn't have enough time so this is what I give you, I made it extra long to make up for not keeping my promise. (And it's only now I realize how long this chapter is! My god, I actually reached 33 pages in Microsoft word, crikey, 15,082 words just for you people! This should satisfy you for now right? If not, feel free to scold me okay? :D). So for now, I give you this and I do hope you review so Mio and Rio will be happy, though Kio would brush it off. (if you don't know who they are yet, check out my profile, maybe I put them there already. :D) So just review okay? Even just to scold me or say my work is lacking or ugly. I would appreciate it all the more since it makes me work harder at pleasing you all. ^.^

Anyway, this chapter is dedicated to QueenyLeAcH, whose reviews made me smile and laugh out loud. Also, I'm so sorry dear, I can't answer the quiz just yet because the 'reveal' is a part of the plot and Mio does not like me messing with her plot ideas so forgive me, ne? Feel free to glare at me though. :)) (I have shades to protect me, haha XD)

I offer a special mention to Foxgrl18 and shugocharaamuto4eva, who were so kind enough to put me on their favorite author lists. That made me so happy so I absolutely adore you two. Rio loves you to death for it. :3

To all the other reviewers, I thank you so much. I missed you guys while I was holed up in my room studying and I decided to just let you guys ask me ONE question about the story which I have not explained yet. It's the prize for reviewing the all the previous chapters so feel free to email me your question. My email is: (if you're wondering why it's not on my profile, well… that's because I'm hiding myself from my nosy siblings.) be sure to identify yourself because only the ones who reviewed the previous chapters are allowed to ask me a question.

I suppose that's all of it, well. See you guys! :D hugs and kisses to you, my dear readers. Hopefully Kio won't get a hold of me in the next few days and weeks.