The whole kingdom was talking about it. News all over the country. Boats from other kingdoms approaching. Princes and princesses in beautiful gowns. Different towns people in their best dresses and children of all age.
"I can't wait to see the princess once again! The last time I saw her she was still a small little dumpling."
"What about that prince. Boy, he must be so lucky! Living in a palace with the high standing princess. I wonder if they get along."
"The gates are to open soon. You won't miss it. You can't!"
"I can't wait until I see the two royalties."
"I bet they're splendid!"
Meanwhile while visitors were arriving at the kingdom and everyone was filled with excitement, Kano, the adopted prince was lying on his bed snoring like a pig while liquid came running down from his mouth.
"Kano. Kano." he heard a voice from outside his door.
"Way to go Konoha! Keep on doing it! Don't ever call me prince or I'll punish you." he said , still dreaming.
"Kano, that happened yesterday, during New Years. Now, you really have to get up early." The voice, Konoha, a palace servant, said as he knocked on the door. "Maybe you should've never drank that much."
Kano stood half of his body up slowly. "I didn't drink that much." he said with a yawn. "The headache is gone and I can move by myself." He stretched and yawned again.
"Well, if you can do so, maybe you should get changed for the event."
"What event?"
"The gates are opening... Also it's the high princesses birthday."
"High Princess...? Kido... Birthday." he opened his eyes and quickly saw the outfit prepared for him. Formal royal clothes. "The then fully woke up and smiled. "It's her debut!" he said quickly getting up from his bed.
He quickly bathed himself and put on the clothes given to him. It had a grayish color and it also had a touch of white to it, such as the designs and stuff. He then ran out of his room, through the ballroom, to the room full of pictures, and in there he yelled, "Finally!"
Meanwhile, the high princess Kido was in her room. A beautiful long purple gown on her. Her hair fixed to a clean braid. She took deep breaths and reminded herself, "There are going to be people. Strangers and outsiders. I have to keep it in. I have to control it. I should not panic." she said walking around the room. She then picked up a picture frame with a picture of both of her parents. "Mom, dad, I wish you were here." she said embracing the small frame. Another deep breath. "It's only for today." she said.
"Your highness," a voice said from behind her. She turned to look and saw one of her palace servants, Konoha. "Shall I tell them?"
Kido looked at her hands and then at Konoha.
"Don't worry. If you just stay calm, nobody will know." he said calmly, with the same expressionless expression on his face.
"Thank you Konoha." Kido said with a faint smile. She then looked out her window where the gates could be seen, and where the guard were standing, waiting for her orders. "Please tell them to open it, now." Kido said.
"Yes your highness." Konoha said with a bow. Befor fully leaving the room he stopped walking and turned around. "Anyway, princess, happy birthday!" he said and proceeded to the gates.
"Thank you." Kido whispered with a smile.
As Konoha proceeded to the gates he met Kano by the hallway.
"Yo!" Kano said.
"Ah, prince! The gates will be opening soon. Would you like to go out for a while?"
"I'd like to check it out!" Kano said. "And what did I tell you about calling me prince. I told you to just simply call me Kano."
"Sorry, Kano. Are you going to punish me?"
"I wouldn't punish you." Kano said as he patted Konoha's back. "I just don't like it when a friend so close calls me 'prince'." Kano said. "Well, hurry up!" Kano said as he started running down the hall. "It's agony to wait ya know."
As soon as both of them were outside, Konoha told the guards to open the gates. As they did Kano directly ran outside. "Kano, make sure to be back before the bells ring." Konoha said.
"Sure!" Kano said out loud.
He continued running, looking at everything in the town. When was the last time I went out? Geez! I don't remember. I don't care! All I want to do is continue seeing everything!
Meanwhile back at the palace. So many people coming in... I wonder when the last time was when I saw this many people some in the palace.
Kano wasn't running, barely walking already. Looking at everyone on the streets. Young and old. Every one of them noticed Kano and saw how familiar he was. He noticed as well but didn't mind. Must be the reaction of people after not seeing someone for a very long time.
As he went to the boat deck, he suddenly saw a lot of familiar faces. He smiled at the fact he saw very special people.
"Onee-chan! Seto! Mary!" he yelled.
As soon as their names were called, the three people moved their heads to their side and quickly saw the boy in gray.
"Kano, is that you?!" a boy in green, Seto, said as he came walked towards the other.
"Buddy!" he said as both of them hugged. "Glad to see ya again!"
"Where's Kido?"
"In the palace."
"Kano-san!" a high little voice said.
"Mary!" Kano said as he walked towards a petite girl with long white curl hair wearing a long blue gown.
As they were about to reach each other, Mary accidentally tripped. Seto smiled and quickly ran towards Mary and helped her up.
"Still the same old Mary." Kano said with a giggle.
"Sorry." she said shyly. "It's just that I don't go out that much."
"Just like Kido." Kano said as he pat her head.
"Kano?" he heard another voice.
"Onee-chan!" he said as he went over to another girl in a red long gown.
"Kano, you've grown so much." the girl, who is known as Ayano, said as she hugged the younger but taller boy."
"Not as much as you, onee-chan. Though.. you're pretty short."
"I know." the other said with a laugh and she sighed. "How's Tsu-chan?"
"Umm... Well..." Kano said rubbing the nape of his neck.
Suddenly, he heard bells ring.
"Bells... Kido... Mary, is your grandmother there?" he quickly asked.
"She came here earlier than I did." she said.
"Oh God! Guys, I have to go ahead! See ya later!" he said as he started running towards the palace.
A ceremony was held, showing how Kido is to be the next high queen. Either when she finds a man or when she comes of age. Kano was also at the ceremony but he wasn't of much mention. The one holding the ceremony was Mary's grandmother like always.
As soon as the ceremony was over, royalties and such were asked to enter the palace and the towns people were allowed to enter the palace walls.
"Princess Kido, high princess." Konoha said getting everyone's attention. Kido gracefull walked to the spot in front of everyone.
"Prince Kano." Kano on the other hand came running inside the hall and stopped far away from Kido. Konoha then pulled him to the spot next to Kido and whispered, "It's okay"
Everyone clapped their hands and continued dancing.
Kido and Kano we're silent.
Kano actually wanted to talk, he just didn't know how to. Maybe Kido would just ignore him and shut him out again. Kido on the other hand was looking for words to say.
"Hi." Kido finally said.
"Who me?' Kano said, without any idea why.
"Who else, idiot?" Kido said with a grin.
"You called me idiot." Kano said with a smile.
"You actually remember?"
"Of course I do. Only thing is... I don't know when you would usually say those to me."
Kido knew that Kano had never remembered about the incident, the reason behind his hair color.
"So... How long was it since you've been to a party?"
"I actually don't know." Kano admitted.
"What is that sweet amazing scent."
The both of them smelled it and said, "Chocolate." and laughed.
"You know Kido, I missed it being like this."
"Me, too." Kido said with a smile.
Suddenly a guy in black approached both of them.
Kido and Kano turned both of their heads towards the mysterious guys. He had black hair tied to a little ponytail at the back of his head, yellow eyes, he wore this uncomfortable looking grin, and he also wore all black.
"Uh.." Kano said as soon as he realized the guy looked like Konoha.
"Good evening sir and madame!" the guy said with a bow. "I am-"
"Kuroha?"
The guy in black was cut off my another. Konoha.
"Oh. It's just you."
"Kuroha, what are you doing here?"
"I just want to talk to the princess, that's all." he said with grin. "Shall we?"