Chapter 5 A new day
Quanktumspirit: "I still don't own anybody. After this chapter, I will carry on with this story. Please review. Re-written date: Friday 21st March 2014."
Amethyst purple eyes quivered before cracking open slowly, allowing the young princess Bunny to awaken from her usual state of dark, dreamless slumber. Glancing at her bedside clock, she sighed, 'Might as well get up, seeing how it's 7 o'clock.' Swinging her mile-long legs over the size of her bed, she stood up, wrapping a white fur robe around herself and slipping her delicate feet into a pair of white rabbit fur slippers.
Going to her windows, she took a hold of the thick violet purple velvet curtains and drew them aside, tying them back with dark black ribbons, allowing the dawn sunlight to come in and illuminate her chambers. Bunny was always the first one arise from her bed. She believed that a small training session at the crack of dawn stimulated the entire body, for the rest of the day.
Entering her large, silver and lavender coloured bathroom, Bunny was pleased to see that her personal maid, Anne, has drawn a warm bath in her large, swimming pool sized marble bathtub. Slipping off her robe and night-gown, the princess slipping into the hot water, sighing at the soothing feeling as the hot water began to loosen up her tense muscles from yesterday. Taking a white hand-towel, she dipped it into the bathwater, and gently washed her face and scrubbed her body. She could still feel that itchy feeling of the caked make-up that she did a careless job of wiping off last night. As a result, it had hardened into a thin mask, and it was quite uncomfortable.
After deeming herself nicely clean and cleansed, the brunette stepped out of the large tub and quickly dried herself off with several fresh towels. Pulling on a fresh pair of under-garments, Bunny returned to her bedroom and into her Wardrobe, where Anne had already laid out a fresh outfit of clothing especially for training. It consisted of a loose button-up shirt, a pair of brown cloth trousers and her usual pair of black leather riding boots.
Dressing one's self, Bunny walked to her large vanity and ran a comb through her still damp chocolate brown hair, pulling it into its usual ponytail. The brunette took the chance to glance out the smaller window inside her Wardrobe room, smiling peacefully at the rising sun; it made her feel clean as if nothing could go wrong. But, that feeling always withered and disappeared during the morning, when she was to put up with those idiotic councillors and all those stupid noblemen and women.
On her way out of her rooms, Bunny grabbed her belt with two black sword sheaths and strapped it around her lithe waist as she walked out of the Royal wing and towards the back gardens, where several large, spacious dojos were placed, especially for knights-in-training. The air was quite chilly, but still, Bunny ignored it as she drew her fencing sword on the right. As the rumours had said, when Bunny was only ten of age, she asked her father to visit and study the land of Japan. Her trip had lasted two years, and during that period of time, she had picked up several styles of their fighting ways and completely mastered each one. Just several examples are Judo, Karate and Ninjutsu.
Taking a deep, calming breath, the brunette closed her eyes and slowly opened them again, 'Stay as calm as a running river, strike as hard as a raging typhoon and keep as elusive as the dark side of the brilliant moon,' were her only thoughts as she began to practice.
Buttercup felt strings of sunlight crack through her eyelids as she slowly allowed her eyes to flutter open. Sitting up in her king-sized bed, she rubbed the still lingering sleep out of her eyes as she glanced around her chambers. It was already 8: 54 in the morning, which meant that there wasn't much time before breakfast would be served out. Standing up, the ravened princess trudged her way into her immense bathroom and splashed some of the water that her personal maid, Robin, had poured in the marble sink basin.
Wiping the stray water droplets from her face, the ravened made her way out of the bathroom, and into her Wardrobe, where she was pleased to see that Robin had laid out an outfit for her. Dressing in a grass white shirts with the tiniest tint of mint, a pair of black leather riding trousers, a long black tailcoat and a pair of knee-high matching black leather boots, the perfect blend of casual and formal wear.
Taking a silver comb from her dresser, Buttercup hurriedly ran it through her messy bed-head, taking on her usual pixie-like hair-do, loose, comfortable, yet completely like her. Setting her comb down, the ravened re-entered her bedroom and walked over to the window. Luckily for her, she possessed a bedchamber that gave her clear view of the knights' training grounds. She wasn't surprised to see the flashed of brilliant metal of the swords flashing in one of the dodos.
'Hm, Bunny's at her early morning training again. I wonder how she manages to go to bed at the times that she does and still manage to rise from the bed so early in the morning every day. Hm, maybe I should go see her, tell her that breakfast's almost ready.' Without answering herself, the ravened pulled on a thick, rich dark forest green velvet cloak, seeing how it looked chilly outside, and quickly walked out to the dojos.
She watched as her sister's sword flashed in the morning sunlight, how graceful and quiet her movements seem to flow and how perfect and firm her stance was. Buttercup knew that even she was no match for her sister, though she came to a close second. After all, she had no idea how her brunette sister became so… flexible. It was as if she could bend like the water in the Thames River, able to swivel around any obstacle. It was fascinating to watch, yet scary at the same time. It would make one feel inferior to her, watching do something that looked so difficult, appear so easy.
"Buttercup, if you simply came here to watch, you should take a seat, I'll be here for a quite a bit longer," Bunny said as she kept her focus on her training instead on her sister.
"I just came to tell you that breakfast is in ten minutes, so you should start cooling down." The ravenette princess spoke.
"I'm skipping breakfast today. I'll grab a piece of bread or something from the kitchen later." The brunette replied staying focused on her training.
"Bunny, if you're still mad at Father for forcing a knight upon you, please get over it." Buttercup said.
The ravenette knew that the request that she just made was simply impossible for her sister to do, considering the sheer amount of pride that the brunette had already swallowed to just make it through yesterday. Bunny froze in one position for several long seconds before allowing herself to loosen up and fall back to neutral position. Sheathing her fencing sword, she walked over to her older sister, towering over her by several inches, placing a hand upon the ravened princess's shoulder.
"Buttercup, the concern that you hold for me is unnecessary. Save the pity for when I truly need it. Because right now…" Bunny said whiles sighing.
"You're stressing out over absolutely nothing. Now, go inside, have your breakfast and continue with your daily schedule." The brunette ordered.
Before Buttercup could say anything, her elder sister turned on her heel and walked into the changing room of the dojo.
"Bunny…" Buttercup spoke calmly.
The ravenette princess felt a tremendous urge to run in after her sister and force her to say what was bothering her so, if not Father, but restrained herself. She didn't want to infuriate her sister anymore. That would hazardous to her own health, as well as her sister's. The only thing that she felt that she could do right now was to follow the brunette's instruction and head back to the castle. Buttercup entered the Great Hall, leaving her cloak to a footman to take care of. Blossom, Bubbles and John were already seated at the table, still waiting for her, as well as the last sister of the family, the one who wasn't going to show.
"Ah, there you are Buttercup. Take your seat." Blossom said happily that her sister appeared again.
"Do you know where Bunny is?" Bubbles asked as she noticed her brunet sister hasn't appeared yet.
"Bunny wants to skip breakfast today." The ravenette explained as she sat down in her chair.
She noticed that John's black marble eyes dimmed a bit at the mention of the absence of her second daughter.
"Don't worry about it, Father. She told me herself that she was no longer mad at you. It's probably due to the knight himself." Buttercup said being able to understand her sister better than anybody else.
"Oh, but still, that glare she gave me just last night. So cold, so unfeeling." The ravenette king said shivering
"Father, Bunny was probably just tired. Yesterday's events must've drained her of her energy. Don't take it personally." Bubbles said trying to make her father feel better.
"If she were really mad at you father I don't think she would have held herself off to take that sword, slice our knight's heads off and yours included." Buttercup said chuckling as she could imagine her sister actually do that.
John couldn't answer his youngest and most beautiful daughter, he was wallowing in his own little world. As he heard Buttercup's statement he paled as white as a ghost of fear that that is exactly what Bunny would do.
"Please bring the food in. We are all quite hungry." Blossom asked a butler polite.
"Make sure to keep Bunny's breakfast warm for her, in case she wants it later," Buttercup said remembering that her sister hasn't come back for breakfast.
"Of course, Your Highness," Karon the butler said and bowed the other Princesses and the king.
Before retreating into the kitchen to inform the other servants to roll out the breakfast food. Bubbles turned towards Buttercup, worry clearly etched on her beautiful face.
"Buttercup, you are the closest to Bunny, did she not tell you what is plaguing her mind?" Bubbles asked wanting to know if her sister is ok.
Said ravened princess simply unfolded her white silk napkin and placed it on her lap.
"Nope, afraid not. You know Bunny, there are times where she's willing to share, and times when she doesn't." Buttercup said and shrugged her shoulders.
Blossom stared down at her porcelain plate, watching her faint reflection.
"I just hope that she's gotten over what happened with Mother four years ago. We all know it wasn't her fault, and yet, she stills takes it upon herself to take all the blame." Blossom said remembering her late diseased mother.
"Blossom, we all wish for Bunny to stop feeling the pain over your mother's death, but, naturally, the only cure for a broken heart is to fall in love again. But…I truly doubt that glorious day shall ever come," King John said disappointedly.
Bunny, sat upon the thick grey stone window ledge of one of the highest towers that were part of the castle. It was also one of the towers furthest away from the main castle as well. Should she drop, there would be no chance of survival, nor would anyone be there to witness such a gruesome death, but the brunette had no intention of falling and dying anytime soon. Taking a sip of water from her waterproof canteen, she watched as the birds fluttering in the beautiful blue sky and as the light spring breeze danced among the green trees, caressing the newly blooming flowers.
Bunny, it was a name that Kate, their beloved mother, had specially chosen for her, telling her that she was as fresh and beautiful as the spring baby bunnies. Said brunette's eyes grew just so sad at the very thought of her beautiful, but the deceased mother. She possessed Blossom and Bunny's lovely sunset orange hair with a hue of silken chocolate brown, but with Buttercup's hairstyle, Bunny's smooth cream colour skin, as well as her unusual height. And her eyes were the most exotic, stunning, unique orbs anyone had ever seen. They swirled with Bubble's sapphire blue, Buttercup's emerald green, a tint of Bunny's amethyst purple, and if you stared closely, you could see the tiniest hue of Blossom's blush pink around her raven black pupils.
The brunette dipped a hand into her trouser pocket, pulled out an expertly crafted golden locket with tiny beads of genuine amethyst, and flipped it open. Inside was a little picture of Kate Utonium before she passed. Bunny still felt her blood boil and rare crystal tears brim her stunning eyes whenever the thought of how her beloved mother passed on came to mind, 'It… It's all my fault! I was right there with her, and yet… I couldn't protect her! I failed, and now, I can't fix it!'
Bunny's grip dangerously tightened around the golden locket, threatening to crush it, but she let go just in time. After all, this locket belonged to Kate herself, which she had given to her beloved brunette daughter on her sixth birthday, and it would see such a pity if Bunny broke it.
The brunette princess sighed, guzzling down the rest of her water and stood up, dusting off the tiny loose rumble from her bottom, 'I should head back to the main castle. I'm beginning to get a bit hungry. I could simply swipe an apple or something from the kitchen.' Gently pulling the heavy wooden door to the small room at the top of the immense stone tower, Bunny began to make her way down the winding stairs, occasionally able to skip a step or two, due to her long legs.
Bunny was in such a daze that she didn't notice the light scuffing sound of footsteps coming up the stairs, and continued not noticing until she collided with a hard, lean chest, and stumbled backwards, but managing to catch herself from falling on her butt. She shook herself out of her stubborn and mentally growled when she saw that it was a certain dark brunette knight, that golden knight badge still upon his chest. If you guessed that it was Bruiser Rowdyruff, congratulations. He was dressed in a simple white button-up shirt, a pair of loose brown trousers and a pair of worn out shoes. His sword was within its sheath and belted around his waist.
There was nothing but silence for a few long seconds as the two took each other in. Bruiser, always wanting to be the first to let the insults fly, smirked.
"Hello, Your Highness, are you sure that one of your high standings should be in such a run-down place such as an outcast tower?" Bruiser asked.
Bunny, being about to sense his little ploy right away, spoke, her tone as cutting and steely as the swords around her petite waist.
"Or, perhaps I should be asking, what is one your lowly position doing setting your dirty feet upon royal property?" Bunny asked mad.
"This tower was abandoned, so many of the knight come here to hang out, after training hours, that is." The brunette knight explained.
"Do you find something amusing, Your Highness?" Bruiser sneered at her.
"Simply having fun after training hours, huh? Tch, no wonder every single one of you people are just as pathetic as I predicted you to be. Not a single one of you so-called 'knights' show any potential, at all." Bunny answer with a sneer on her beautiful flawless face.
Now, being a lowly commoner and having to fight his way into high society, along with his three brothers, and always struggling to keep up, he was used to have people with sticks up their asses throw their usual, petty insults at him, but there was something about Bunny, perhaps it was her tone, how sharp it was, or perhaps her words, so ice cold, but the dark brunette knight felt sparks of anger spark within his chest.
"What… did you say, Your Highness..?" Bruiser asked growling under his breath.
"Oh, I hit a nerve, did I? Well, I would love to stay around and chat with you, but, unlike you slackers, I have work to attend to. Please show yourself out, thank you, and goodbye." Bunny said showing not a flinch of apologetic to her knight.
With that, the brunette princess gently pushed past her appointed knight and continued to make her way down the stairs, the sound of her leather boots quietly scuffing against the stone steps.
Bruiser, on the other hand, simply stood in place, his eyes blazing with pent-up anger, his hands balled up into tight little fists. That girl may be beautiful, intelligent and talented, but for all her positive characteristics, they only hid that girl's true face; the face of a bitch.
"Can't believe I have to protect that… that… bitch! I bet my bros are having more luck their girls than I am! Fucking bitch!" Bruiser snapped.
The brunette knight was so angry that he could hardly speak; how dare she say that he lacked potential when she hasn't even seen his real skills? It was utterly outrageous, but, he knew that, first, he had no one of importance to report to, and second, he would have to get used to that cutting tone of hers, for he had already sworn to protect that bi- um, princess, and should he break that vow, that would bring disgrace to his family and brothers, while bringing death in the most painful ways to himself. When you put the pieces of the puzzle together, protecting such a brat of a princess seemed better than going through the humiliation and pain of not doing so.
Taking a deep, deep breath and counting to ten three times, said dark brunette knight turned on his heel and made his way out of the long, tall tower, back into the grassy gardens, heading back for the Knights' training arenas, where he could hear Brick and Butch sparing, while Boomer was encouraging whoever was winning. Sighing, he collapsed onto a small barrel nearby, simply watching his two elder brothers try to hack each other into tiny scrapes.
Boomer noticed his brother's depression, and asked, concern lacing his voice.
"Hey, Bruiser, what's the matter? You left all smiles and smirks, and now, you're acting as if Butch actually killed Brick in this brawl." Boomer asked as he noticed his brother
That halted the little duel between said orangette and ravenette, drawing them towards the little conversation. Butch growled at his youngest brother.
"Shut up Boomer, Brickie here couldn't beat me even if he tried, much less kill me," Butch said flattering his skills.
"Oh, that's because I've never really tried on you before, so you can't really talk." Brick said chuckling seeing a flaw in his older brothers speech pattern.
Ignoring his now quarrelling brothers, Boomer turned his attention back to his brunette brother. The other 2 continued with their training.
"Really, Bruiser, what's going on?" Boomer asked showing concern for his brother.
"I went to that abandoned tower just northwest of the training grounds," Bruiser confessed to his brothers.
"You know you're not allowed to go there during training hours. Even though it is abandoned, it is still royal property." Brick scowled at his brother.
"Ah, those people don't give a damn. They're all too busy fussing over some other brand-new room in their estates or something." Butch sneered.
"Well, one person actually does seem to care, and that person happens to be my charge, her royal highness, Princess Bunny Utonium," Bruiser said chuckling dryly.
Now, that caught his brothers' attention as they huddled around.
"You saw one of the princesses? Were any of her sisters there too?" Boomer asked excitedly.
"No, she was alone," Bruiser said looking at his brother confused.
He was more surprised to see that Boomer seemed put out by that fact.
"So, exactly what happened? I mean, what did she do to you, to make you looked like your favourite sword got broken or something." Brick asked now interested in the emotional story.
Bruiser clenched his fists together, anger growing again at the very thought of such a brat of a princess.
"I was walking, minding my own business, when all of a sudden, she crashed into me," Bruiser said mad.
"Lucky~!" Butch said impressed.
After a whack on the head from his elder orangette's brother, Bruiser continued.
"After throwing insults, she sneered, saying that all the knight in her 'father's' court has no potential! Can you believe it? She said that we, the Rowdyruff Boys, have no potential!" Bruiser said mad.
The other three glanced at each other, not too sure how to answer that. Finally, Brick, always the one to be the most candid on these types of situation, spoke.
"Well, maybe, compared to her, we actually do look weak." Brick said comparing themselves to the princess.
He quickly continued, seeing that scorching glare that was building up in his younger brother's violet eyes.
"I mean, you've heard the stories, Bunny Utonium is considered 'The Panther' mostly because of her fighting style. Not a single knight got past her in the duelling tournament two years ago. They all ended up at the doctor's laboratory, getting treated. So, don't take her criticism too hard, ok?" Brick said.
Bruiser just stared at his brother as if he couldn't digest what he had just said. He turned towards Butch and Boomer.
"What about you two? What do you think?" Bruiser asked his other two brothers.
Boomer spoke up, considering that thinking and psychology weren't exactly the ravenette knight's strong suits.
"Well, I have to agree with Brick on this one. I mean, I've actually seen Princess Bunny duel at the tournament two years ago. She fights like a demon, and I have to say, not a single one of us would last a full minute in the arena with her, maybe not even all four of us combined. So, yea, compared to her, maybe we are a little lacking in skill," Boomer said rubbing his head nervously.
Bruiser actually looked like he was ready to have a breakdown.
"Ah, I think she's nothing but talk. I mean, I don't really care if she's 'The Panther,' nobody gets away with insulting the Rowdyruff Boys and gets away with it, especially when it comes to our fighting skills." Butch said mad.
"Thank you, Butch, for seeing reason," Bruiser said happily that one of his 3 brothers saw the same way as he.
Brick and Boomer stared at each other, before sighing at their brothers' antics.
"Whatever, it doesn't matter." Boomer said.
Brick walked over to the furthest wall, where a line of weaponry stood, and took off a fencing sword, tossing it towards Bruiser.
"C'mon, we've got to get back to practising. Lord Vincent's coming to check up on us later, seeing if we have the material to become Royal guards." Brick said motioning his brothers to continue the training.
Still angry at his brother, but Bruiser caught the weapon, giving his own sword to Boomer. With a clank and a clack, the boys began to train in pairs, Bruiser and Butch, Brick and Boomer.
The servants working within the many winding corridors of the palace shuttered at the ominous aura they felt when one Princess Bunny Utonium made her way towards the kitchen. And she was in such a good mood too. But that stupid imbecile just had to go ahead and ruin. But, she chuckled under her breath at the expression of pure rage upon her knight's face when she had told him that he showed no potential. It was almost enough to wash Bunny of her own anger. Keyword there: almost.
The brunette princess entered the kitchen, to find it completely empty, except for one of the many palace cats sleeping in the corner with several of her kittens. One of them, the smallest one, woke up, spotted the young princess and quietly slinked away from her mother, purring cutely at the sight of the brunette. Smiling tenderly, Bunny carefully scooped up the little kitten and gently stroking its pure white fur.
"If only all the people I knew were as quiet as you. It would make my life so much easier." Bunny said smiling at the little kitten.
Going to the enormous icebox, Bunny took out a small platter filled with three packed sandwiches, as well as one of the many glass bottles of fresh milk. Setting her own food down, the brunette went to the wink, pulled open the cupboard underneath the sink and took out a big tin dish, pouring the white milk into the dish before setting it down before said kitten. She smiled as she watched the white kitten lap at the creamy substance, nibbling on her sandwiches. Ever since she was just a tiny little infant, old enough to crawl around on all fours, the brunette had had a strange attraction to cats of all sizes, breeds and age, and vice versa. (As in, cats loved her too XP)
The sound of the heavy kitchen doors being pushed open snapped Bunny out of her light staring stupor. Turning around, she spotted all three of her sisters, Blossom and Bubbles dressed in their usual daytime casual dresses, while Buttercup was dressed in her usual shirt, trousers and boots.
"There you are, Bunny. We were beginning to get worried." Bubbles said smiling at her sibling.
"I told them to stop worrying. After all, out of all four of us, you're the only one no one ever has to worry about it when it comes to self-protection." Buttercup explained a bit mad.
Bunny chuckled, before taking up her second sandwich and continued eating. Blossom sighed, glancing at her younger sister's food substance.
"Bunny, you must go to breakfast and eat the proper food for the morning. The way you're eating, you'll get sick someday." Blossom said worriedly over her sisters' diet.
The brunette princess laughed lightly; these useless frets over whatever were so like her orangette sister. She had learned to humour her until Blossom forgets all about it.
"Alright, alright, calm down, Blossom. I don't do this often, so I'll be okay." Bunny said trying to reassure her sister.
Buttercup rose an eyebrow, she couldn't remember the last time she had seen her elder sister so… light and carefree.
"Did… something happens, Bunny? You seem… chipper than usual." Buttercup asked and pointed out her sisters' happy smile on her face.
"I met up with my knight, Bruiser Rowdyruff, a few minutes ago. Let's just say, that boy's quite amusing, good for laughs." Said brunette princess and smiled.
Blossom sighed; her younger sister could be sadistic sometimes. It was as if she saw her entire world of life as a chessboard, and all the people within her life were mere chess-pieces.
"Bunny, no one is simply put on this earth for your amusement, you know. You need to learn how to appreciate and enjoy the company of others." Blossom lectured her sister.
The chocolate brown haired princess took the last packed sandwich and took a bite.
"I enjoy your company, as well as Father's." Bunny defended herself.
"What Blossom means is that you need to stop surviving and saving life and start living it. Life is far too short and precious to be wasted." Bubbles explained to her sister.
Bunny kept quiet before allowing a bone-chilling smile creep upon her beautiful face: "But, Bubbles, I'm quite satisfied how I live my life now."
She stood up from her sitting position on the long wooden table in the centre of the immense kitchen before any of her sisters could say anything else.
"Anyway, I'm going to go to the library. Bye." Bunny said and left.
And leisurely walked out of the kitchen, the heavy door thumping into place behind her.
A light blanket of silence settled upon Blossom, Buttercup and Bubbles before Blossom scowled fiercely.
"That Bunny...! I have to admit, she is beginning to grow too cocky and self-confident. The way she looks down upon others is simply… wrong..!" Blossom scowled at her sister.
Buttercup chuckled at her slightly younger sister's fury, earning herself a scathing glare. The ravened brushed it off; after all, Bunny's glare could probably burn Hell.
"That's because Bunny has the talents to back up her witty comments, as do we all." Buttercup explained.
"Yes, but it isn't good for Bunny to constantly look down upon others. She'll never be truly happy that way, taking other people who truly care for her wellbeing for granted. It's as if she considers her life a game, and the people within her life are merely pawns, there for her entertainment." Bubbles said a bit disappointed in her sisters' relationship problematic.
"That's exaggerating, Bubbles. Bunny cares, just not about many people. She still cares for us, Father and Auntie Bellum. You know that." Buttercup said defending her sister.
Blossom and Bubbles glanced at each other; they couldn't deny that. They have seen just how protective of her family their brunette sister can be. There were times where it even got a bit scary, but they knew that Bunny would never disappoint family.
"And besides, she is our sister. We shouldn't be talking about her in such a negative way behind her back in the first place." Buttercup said defending her sibling.
Just then, the large clock upon the wall of the kitchen struck ten times, signalling that it was ten o'clock in the morning and that the three should head for their classrooms to begin their lessons for the day.
Quanktumspirit: "This is the last chapter I don't own. After this, the rest is my story. Please review. I own nobody."