I really wish Peach-Pit would have given a solid ending to whether Amu chose Ikuto or Tadase. Honestly, she needs to do a sequel for when Amu is older so we can know what happens.
Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara!
Chapter One
Horrified looks from everyone in the room,
but I'm only looking at you.
Amu took a deep breath, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her usually fair complexion was touched with rouge, her naturally pink lips enhanced to shine brightly. Though she hadn't wanted to, her mother had made her grow her pink hair out for the last few months until it reached past her breasts. The only reason she'd grown it out was for the wedding, but now it was up so intricately that no one would be able to tell what her hair looked like.
She patted down the ballroom-style wedding dress. The sleeveless dress was definitely beautiful, with the gold bows sewn on either side of the bottom, as well as the gold, red, green, and blue bow on the bust. Her veil nearly dragged on the ground, with a matching bow and pendant just above her left ear. If there was one thing that she had gotten to choose for this "perfect day of her life", she'd taken the dress. The design had called to her the moment she spied it and nothing was going to stop her from having it.
Though she wished that she had had more time "to grow to love" Tadase, as her mother had put it, before the wedding, she'd make due with what she was given. It wasn't that she didn't like the prince; he was a good man and one of her closest friends. She'd grown up around him. But she still didn't feel like she was in love with him. And now she would be his wife? What if they weren't compatible like Mama and Papa? What if they ended up not liking each other, just as she had heard happened in many marriages?
"My baby girl," she heard from behind her, seeing her father walking in the door to escort her down the aisle. His eyes were filled with tears that he wiped at, sniffling slightly. "You look beautiful."
Amu turned towards him, wiping her gloved palms down the sides of her dress. She smiled brightly at the king, but she didn't want him to know how scared she was. What if she and Tadase had to change their friendship to fit the confines of marriage? Was she really ready to get married? She had only been alive for eighteen years! How could she know that this was what she wanted for the rest of her life?
"Papa," she said, holding out her hand, "are you ready to give me away?" Something inside her wished that his usual protectiveness would suddenly show itself, that he would demand that she be given more time before the wedding. She didn't want it to be canceled, per se, but she didn't know if she could go through with it right then.
Her father sniffled once more, giving her hope. Then he spoke. "I suppose I am, my little sparrow." He offered her his arm, adding, "We do not want to keep your husband-to-be waiting." He'd forced his kingly tone into his voice, though it cracked a little.
She suddenly had the urge to cry for him to stop it, to just put it off for a little bit longer. She wanted to know that she loved her husband, not that she would love him! Couldn't her parents see that? Though Tadase was a good man, she just wanted to know! Was that really too much to ask?
But she didn't voice her worry, her fear. She didn't need her parents worrying or for Tadase to think that she was rejecting him at the altar. She was just getting pre-wedding jitters, just like her mother had warned her she might. This was no time to get cold feet, to try to back out. She could have voiced her fear at any time, had chosen not to. It was her cross to bear, and bear it she must.
As she stepped to the end of the aisle, she realized that beautiful was much too mild a word for the ceremony. Spectacular flower arrangements adorned every pew, thick curtains showing where people were to walk. The Bridal March played as she and her father started towards her future, lulling a smile out of her. Everything was perfect: the people, the decorations, the music. She hadn't known that the wedding planners had actually taken her thoughts into account and created something magnificent out of her ideas. Her fear fled, and she accepted that she might not love Tadase, but she would learn to.
If only to make this moment perfect, she would remember their friendship for years to come.
"Who gives this woman?" the priest asked when they finally made it to the altar where Tadase stood, handsome as ever. When had his face changed from boyish good-looks to well-groomed prince handsomeness? How had she missed it?
Her father gently held her hand towards her husband-to-be. "I do, Your Excellence."
As Tadase gingerly took her hand, she turned to her father, giving him a watery smile. When she glanced back at her prince, the twinkling in his ruby eyes told her that everything would be all right. He would be good to her.
The ceremony continued peacefully with Amu's sweating, gloved palm encased in Tadase's firm grip. Every once in awhile, she would catch him grinning at her, watching her from the corner of his eye. He looked just as nervous as she felt and her own nerves calmed, somewhat.
"Do you, Crown Princess Hinamori Amu take this man, Crown Prince Hotori Tadase, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold until death do you part?" the priest suddenly asked. She hadn't realized that the ceremony itself would be so short; wasn't this the "I do" part?
As she opened her mouth, every fear she had threatened to tumble out. Forcing the thoughts back was impossible; if she spoke, she would voice what she had been desperate to ask her parents for. She would beg for more time to be courted by Tadase, to wait just a few more years. She just had to know and they should all understand her very real fear. Her mother had told her that it was natural, but this desperation wasn't natural. It threatened to choke her as it lodged in her throat.
"Ah, ah, ah, Princess. I don't think you'll want to be doing that just yet."
The entirety of the church froze in shock before gaping up at the man standing calmly on the rafters. Amu turned to her left, petrified by what she saw.
A pirate. At her wedding. She didn't know how it had happened, how he had gotten past the guards, but he was almost entirely shrouded by shadows, making him seem more frightening than anything she'd ever witnessed before. All she could see were his black boots, brown trousers, and the blue jacket that hung around him, though his arms didn't go through the sleeves. A jeweled sword hilt gleamed in the light it was afforded, menacing though he hadn't yet drawn it.
"Guards!" someone shouted—either Tadase's father or her own—but the guards were already on their way.
Upon further inspection, she realized that those weren't the guards from before. One had an earring while the other moved swiftly with deadly grace. Who were they? How had they managed to impersonate two guards?
"Princess, I beg you to reconsider," that condescending voice called from above her. "Your marriage to this...lout would make you no better than a common whore, making your two kingdoms one just for the money."
"I...I beg your pardon!" she cried, astonished at his brash words. Fury lit in the pit of her stomach. "Those who dare to call me a whore do not live through the day!" She rested her hand where her dagger lay against her hip, ready to fight him. She had grown much better at wielding it since that little thief had managed to sneak onto the grounds half a dozen years before. "Come down here and fight like a man! Or does your cowardice stop you from fighting a woman?"
The guests started pouring towards her, ready to jump to her defense just as Tadase was, though he was much better with a warrior's pose. Unfortunately, all hell broke loose, then, as the windows rained down around the church, pirates breaking through and rounding the guests up easily. They had blockaded the door against the real guards, she assumed, since they weren't stomping in by the dozens.
Her wedding was being raided. By pirates.
The man above her chuckled. "Princess, I desire something much different than a fight with you." With that, he disappeared from sight.
Tadase forced her behind him, drawing the sword at his hip. "Find somewhere to hide, Amu," he breathed, watching all the shadows. "I will find him and have him taken away. No one threatens you."
Her heart stopped at his words and she stared at him in shock. He meant to protect her? The other princes she had met would sooner run than lay down their lives. Was Tadase different? Could she really trust him with this? Maybe the marriage thing really could work.
Nodding, she ducked behind the altar, ready to sneak to the confessional just beyond it. She would hide there, until she was needed. She trusted Tadase to protect her family.
As she started to move, holding her perfect wedding dress just above the ground, she heard Tadase cry, "Wait, Amu, do not move!" at the same time another male voice murmured, "I see you, Princess Amu," in her ear.
She couldn't even scream before two arms laced around her. Her hand immediately went for the dagger at her hip, ready to attack the vulnerable flesh of her captor's face. He wouldn't expect it from a woman, much less a princess; she would hurt him before he could hurt her.
His hand, however, grabbed her wrist. "That won't work on me again, Amu. I don't fall for the same trick twice and I know all about the knife you've hidden at your side." Twisting her around in his grip, he smirked. "I've learned quite a bit about you since that night in the maze, Princess. And I plan to keep you for myself."
As Amu stared wide-eyed at him, the blue-haired man shouted, "Time to move out, men!" before yanking her against him and jumping out of the nearest broken window. She heard Tadase call out her name just as they hit they ground running.
I tried to warn you:
you play with fire,
it's gonna burn you.
"I demand you return me to my wedding, pirate!" Amu shrieked at the man, whom she learned was Tsukiyomi Ikuto, the Monster of the Seas. His long body had her pinned against the door to the captain's cabin, her wrists held tightly in one of his hands. A red handprint was still visible on his face from where she'd hit him.
She didn't know how she got into this situation. Obviously, when she'd first met Ikuto—a young thief at the time—she must have caught his fancy because he'd crashed her wedding. Once they'd gotten out of the line of sight of the guards that had been chasing them, he'd let her feet touch the ground but had snatched her hand, dragging her around after him. He'd kept her moving along so quickly that she hadn't had the breath to scream as they'd moved through the shadows of the ocean-side village the wedding was supposed to take place in.
Then, he'd tugged her aboard a ship, several of the pirates she had seen in the church following after. He'd shouted for the crew to get them moving immediately, saying that anyone that wasn't on the ship was either caught or could meet them at the next port. Apparently, their course was the knowledge of the entire crew, just in case a situation like this arose. Amu never would have guessed that pirates had such...loyalty.
Once they'd started out of the harbor, Ikuto had ordered her to the captain's quarters. He'd told her that she would be staying in there with him for the remainder of her time on the ship—which he implied would be forever.
So she'd slapped him.
Then he'd moved so quickly that he had her pinned in her current position, an annoying smirk on his face. He wasn't the least bit fazed by her slap, though the mark was nearly pulsing on his cheek. The crew was focused on paying attention without seeming to pay attention, watching the drama unfolding before their eyes.
"Princess, you won't be getting married today," Ikuto murmured, blue eyes twinkling with mischief. Leaning a little closer, his gaze dropped to her lips before rising back to her own amber eyes. "Unless it's to me, that is. What do you say, Princess? Would you give up your crown for adventure?" He winked at her as the words sank in her mind, making her flush wildly.
She wriggled to free herself from his hold, twisting back and forth. "Let go of me! I would not marry you if you were the last man on earth! I wish to be released back to my family!" Remember the boys and what they taught you, she suddenly thought, no longer moving. In fact, she relaxed in his hold, creating an obvious wave of shock across his features. Forcing tears into her eyes, she whimpered, "I...I just want to go home!" The last word was a wail as the tears poured down her cheeks.
She knew that Ikuto had no idea what to do, especially when he let go of her hands to allow her to cover her eyes. He gave her a little space, clearing his throat as if he didn't know what to do.
And she saw her chance.
In a flash, she had her dagger in her hand and the point in his neck. Her tears dried instantly, and she laughed at the surprised look on his face. "Do you really think I have not been prepared for something like this? My life has been in danger more often than yours, I am sure. I have had my father's most trusted guards teach me to protect myself since I was seven years old. There is not much you can do that I cannot block or dodge."
As the crew gathered in a tight circle around them, ready to jump to their captain's defense at any time. A green-eyed man with red-brown hair was still in his stolen guard's uniform, watching with a rather large grin on his face as he shook his head. "Gettin' beaten by such a little girl, Ikuto? Aren't you supposed to be the Monster of the Seas? What kind of monster are you?"
"Shut up, Kuukai," Ikuto responded lightly, though authority still rang in his tone. He kept his amused gaze on Amu as he ordered, "Everyone, get to work. I think I can handle this little hellcat."
Narrowing her eyes, Amu forced the point deeper into the fragile skin of his neck, ready to draw blood. "I would not be so sure of myself if I were you. I could slit your throat as easily as breathe."
"But where would you go?"
She blinked at that, pondering his question. Where would she go? She couldn't exactly swim back to shore, not in her wedding dress. Glancing down at the offending material, she felt a bit of regret that, to escape this pirate's clutches, she was going to have to rip it.
Turning her eyes to meet his once more, she hissed, "I will swim." With that, she shoved him away, ducking past his out-stretched arm to run across the now-clear deck and towards the front of the ship. Looking out into the distance, she could see a faint outline of the harbor they had just left. She threw a look over her shoulder as she used her dagger to cut away the excess material at the bottom. "Goodbye, Tsukiyomi Ikuto. I am saving you from the fate of having my kingdom searching the seas for you."
She threw herself over the side of the boat, diving into the water. Knowing that she would have to stagger her swimming if she was going to make it to shore without drowning, Amu used the ship as something to push herself off of, throwing herself into getting as far away as possible in as little time as possible. She wouldn't have them simply turning around and re-capturing her. No, she was going to have her freedom.
Or the semblance of it that awaited her at home.
Either way, she wouldn't be kept as a prisoner.
A splash behind her warned her that someone was coming for her, so she pushed herself harder, swimming faster. She didn't dare look over her shoulder to see who had followed her; it would only slow her down. And they no doubt were pushing themselves to catch up. She might actually have a chance of getting away if she just kept going.
"Amu, if you think I'm going to let you get away so easily, you'd better think again."
His voice. Right in her ear.
She tried to kick off his weight behind her, swimming as hard as she could away from him, but his arms caught her, forcing her back into his chest. Fighting his hold, she tried to move in the opposite direction as he paddled them back towards the ship.
"Would you cut that out?" he demanded, locking her arms at her sides. "Someone throw down a rope, damnit!" he shouted up to his crew. "If I'm stuck in here much longer, you guys'll pay for it!"
Immediately, a rope hit the water just beside Ikuto's head and she saw him latch onto it so his men could pull them up. Amu wriggled, trying to free herself. Real tears came to her eyes, but she was too proud to let them fall. For the first time, the reality of her situation hit her. She had been taken by a pirate that was known for being ruthless when it came to getting what he wanted. And he expected her to share his cabin with him. And if she didn't get back home soon, she would be ruined. People everywhere would act as if she were a harlot.
When she and Ikuto were yanked back onto the deck, she gave up all thought of fighting. She was in his arms, limp and crying, as he pulled her towards the cabin once again, this time forcing her inside, though he didn't have to try very hard to do that.
He practically tossed her towards the bed so he could shrug off his soaking jacket. "God damnit," he muttered before turning on her, tossing his tri-corner hat towards the stuffed chair in the corner. "Do you have any idea how stupid that was?" he demanded as he rounded on her. His eyes were the color of a stormy sea. "You would have drowned before you made it to the shore!"
Amu just stayed where she was, crying silently as she stared down at what had once been her beautiful wedding dress. Her hands locked together as she fought with all her might to contain the sobs that wanted nothing more than to rip free of her throat. Unable to look up at him, she kept her gaze focused on his boots even when he stood just in front of her.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you!" he shouted, grabbing her chin roughly between his thumb and forefinger and bringing her eyes to meet his. His breath caught in his throat when he saw the tears, though he quickly covered it up. He let go of her face, lowering his voice. "I'll send Utau in with some clothes for you. You'll catch a cold if you don't change out of that soaking dress."
He left her, then. Left her to wander her thoughts and wallow in self-pity.
The lyrics in this chapter are from, respectively:
Speak Now by Taylor Swift
Victims of Love by Good Charlotte
Note: Yes, they are in their Seven Seas Treasure and Amulet Fortune outfits. Also, this is only coming out so quickly because it was already written when I posted the Prologue. I did some tweaking and editing, and now, here is the first chapter!