Antecedents
Chapter Three
-Assessment-
Akito hurried down to the dining hall, though when he glanced out the window at the sun's placement in the sky he slowed. He'd already missed breakfast by now, so there was no point in rushing.
The night before he'd stayed up late training and preparing himself for any sort of trial he might face in his attempt for Satomi's hand. While his intentions had been good, he hadn't considered the fact that he might sleep in past breakfast with everyone. He sighed. Oh well. At least this way he wouldn't have to attempt to participate in mundane conversation.
He entered the room, seeing that the servants were still clearing away the dishes from the morning. One of them looked up at him. "Oh, Your Highness, everyone just left to go about their days. Would you like to have breakfast served to you anyways?" she asked.
"Yes. And make sure it's hot. I don't want anything that's been cooled off." Akito instructed, taking a seat at the table once it was cleared.
"Yes My Lord." She nodded, leaving after all of the other maids.
He sighed, sitting back in his chair and waiting for his meal to be brought to him. It wasn't long before the door to the dining hall opened once more, and in walked Natsumi. "Good morning." He greeted, getting her attention.
The pink haired princess froze and met his gaze before she turned around to leave. The doors closed on her, and when she pulled on them her eyes widened. She tried to open it, but it remained locked. She grabbed her simple black dress and went over to the other, but when she pulled on it, it too was locked. "Oh you've got to be kidding me…" she whispered, before slowly turning around.
Akito couldn't help but smirk slightly. "You may as well just sit down and join me for breakfast." He said, gesturing to the seat across from him.
Natsumi growled lowly, though she walked over to the table and took a seat far away from him. A maid hurried out from the kitchen and made the place up for her, asking what she wanted to eat. When they were finally left alone, Natsumi tried to look around the room to keep herself interested. Akito sat there silently as well, before finally sighing and looking down the table at her. "You know…I don't bite. You can sit closer."
"Why would I want to sit next to you ever again?" she snapped, sending him a glare. "I'm not even good enough for you to accept as a forced marriage. I guess it must have escaped me that I was supposed to come in kicking and screaming and bad mouthing the man that was supposed to be my husband. Instead of being polite and making sure I didn't do anything that messed up the arrangement. I suppose I just come from a more civilized world than you."
"That is not the reason I don't want to marry you." Akito said. "And I don't even want to marry your sister. I just feel she and I would get along better, don't you? Clearly you and I cannot, and I'm not going to force you to put up with me until the end of your days. If I'm going to be forced into a marriage, I want to at least have a chance at enjoying it."
Natsumi rolled her eyes. "You didn't even give me a chance. So spare me the story of how you're saving me from a loveless marriage. And you piss my sister off, she told me she'd rather poison herself than spend the rest of her days with an emotionless downer."
Two maids walked out with their food and set the plates before leaving and letting the two eat. "You're pretentious and arrogant, and you only think of yourself." She continued on, beginning to eat and not stopping in her rant. "Besides, I'm way prettier, and ugh, news flash, I'm flexible and fun, and she's mean and boring, and you just don't know what you lost-"
She was interrupted then as Akito started laughing. A huge smile was on his normally uncaring face as he looked down the table at her, his mirth continuing, almost to the point in pissing the princess off. Finally, he seemed to calm down enough to get a hold of himself. "My apologies. It's just, I have never heard someone go on in the manner that you do." He chuckled, getting some eggs onto his fork. "You didn't seem this animated when we first met, but you really get yourself going, don't you? You're as self-centered as I am."
Her jaw dropped and she appeared greatly offended. "I am not self-centered." She defended.
"Whatever you say Princess." He smirked, taking a bite of his food. "But I must ask, why is it you are so upset? Is it not because your sister is preferred and being fought over, instead of you? I believe that's what you said the other day, although there's a small chance I am wrong." He said, though it was obvious he knew he was right.
"Why are you even fighting for her?" Natsumi glared. "You don't even like her. Why are you trying to take her from someone who is madly in love with her? I may be selfish, but at least I don't steal from people who are true."
He shrugged. "I was challenged, and so I will fight." He said simply. "To decline would taint my honor."
"No it wouldn't." she grumbled, eating a muffin and stuffing it into her mouth.
"You wouldn't understand." He sighed, taking another bite. "Women don't have to concern themselves with things such as honor. Pride, yes, but not honor. Their role in life is to forever be taken care of. A damsel, if you will." He waved off.
Natsumi stopped eating and looked over at him. "I am not a damsel and you would do well to remember that honor is not only a masculine quality." She clarified. "And a man who can't stand down is not noble or brave. He's stupid, because he doesn't know how to do the hardest thing, which is to yield. I may be brash and rude, but when I was presented to you, I held my tongue and played the role I was supposed to for our first meeting."
"Except when you insulted my deceased mother." Akito pointed out. "And then proceeded to dismiss yourself from the dinner table. A dinner which, I might add, was arranged to welcome you to your new home."
"Yeah well…" she began, pausing as she looked off. "I'm sorry…about the mom thing. Not storming off…because you were horrible."
The ebony haired prince blinked. "But…I didn't even say anything. How was I being horrible?"
"You said you didn't want to marry me before you even had one conversation with me. My dad told me to behave and not mess anything up because Uchihas had huge sticks up their-" she stopped, looking away before she could finish. "Nevermind." Natsumi sighed, taking her apple and getting up. "Good luck on your stupid trials." She grumbled, walking over to the door and tugging on it, though she did a bit harshly, and it flew open as if it had never been locked.
Akito simply sighed and stood, finished with his breakfast. While Natsumi did have a point, he would never admit he had been in the wrong. He'd made his decision, and he was going to stick with it. It was the way he had been raised. Besides, even if he did want to change his mind, he doubted she would be open to marrying him any longer. That bridge had been burned.
Leaving the dining room, he decided to find his father and see if he and King Gaara had decided upon the trials he and Kyo were supposed to do. Because he wanted to win them as soon as possible.
"I must say my dear, you are simply diabolical." Kyo chuckled, smiling down at his love as they strolled through the gardens of the palace. "Locking them into the dining hall together so they have to talk? Genius."
"Hopefully they will just argue until it leads to a hot sexual tryst." She smirked, looping her arm with his. "After all, that's how it worked with you and I…though I was doing most of the arguing."
Kyo's smile widened. "Yes…that was the best argument I'd ever had in my entire life." he sighed, placing his hand over hers that was on his arm.
She nodded. "I believe you won that argument."
"I can end all of our future arguments that way if you wish." He smirked slightly. "You did seem happier afterwards, and my goal in life is to always make you happy."
Satomi smiled slightly and looked off, "Well…unfortunately this egotistical prince won't let us have an easy ride into our life."
He chuckled. "Don't worry love, once I defeat him in the trials, he will see the error of his ways. Defeat does that to most people. Besides, pride does go before the fall." He snickered.
"This is true." She said, stopping as she sighed. "Well I think we should go find them now."
"Probably. It is quite possible they tried to kill one another. Especially if Natsumi keeps small knives on her person the way your mother does." The blonde nodded as they headed back towards the palace.
Gathered around one of the training rings stood a small crowd. At the head sat Gaara and Sasuke, as well as Sakura, Satomi, all in chairs that had been brought outside for them. Absent was Natsumi, though nobody commented on it. Akito and Kyo were both standing in front of the group, each dressed in their respective armor fashioned in according to their country's designs.
"Now, the rules are simple." Sasuke said, clearly as bored as Gaara. "Do not fight to kill, or maim. You must simply disarm your opponent. The last thing we need is for one of you to get hurt, catch a disease and die." He said. "So you shall begin on King Gaara's mark."
The princes nodded, each going out onto the field and lowering their helmets. They drew their swords, before lowering into a fighting stance. Gaara sighed, raising his hand. "Begin." He said, lowering it to signal the start. Akito immediately took the offensive, rushing at Kyo and swinging his sword. The blonde blocked, smacking it out of the way and following through with an attack of his own.
Their fight continued like this, a quick series of swings, hits, and misses. It began to look as if they were evenly matched, but the trained eye could clearly see that Akito was the faster, more skilled swordsman. Kyo swung at Akito's neck and the ebony haired prince ducked, going for the other man's midsection. Nicking Kyo's armor, it still wasn't enough to throw the other man off-balance. Both took a step back and caught their breath, before Kyo ran at Akito and the fighting resumed.
Eventually Akito began to get fed up with the fight, wanting it over with as soon as possible. And so, the next time Kyo swung at his head he lowered and stuck his leg out, spinning quickly and knocking the blonde onto his back. Before he could recover, the raven haired prince was over him, and kicked his sword out of his hand, while pointing his own blade at Kyo's throat.
Kyo held his hands up in surrender. "I yield." He said.
"Good." Akito said, stepping back and pulling off his helmet, revealing a triumphant smirk.
Kyo stood a bit shakily and removed his as well, smiling despite his defeat. "An excellent fight, I must say." He said, shaking Akito's hand.
He nodded. "Yes, despite everything, it was. But I still won." He said, beginning to walk towards the clapping bystanders.
The blonde followed, and they bowed to the kings. "Akito, you are the winner." Sasuke declared. "Congratulations." He waved, not really caring.
Kyo gave Satomi an apologetic look. "I am sorry that I failed you in this task my love. I swear I shall win the next one." He promised, bowing to her.
She bowed her head to him as well, letting her hand out to him. "I know."
He took it and brought it forward, kissing it lightly. Akito rolled his eyes. "Alright, let's hear what the next trial is." He said.
"Patience young prince." Sakura smirked. "Your next task is a test to see how well you know our eldest daughter. Go forth and find a token of some kind and bring it back to her. Whosoever brings the token that Satomi likes best, and is the better representation of her, is the winner. You have until nightfall to find something and bring it back."
"And it can be anything?" Kyo asked.
The pink haired queen nodded. "Yes. Now go." She waved them off in dismissal.
Both nodded, before turning and heading off. Kyo paused, turning and taking Satomi's hand once more. "I shall bring you something grand." He smiled, kissing it before following after the ebony haired prince.
Sakura sighed. "You know, sometimes I miss having suitors fight over me." she smiled, looking over at her husband. "But then I remember the day you claimed me as yours, and it rids my head of such silly thoughts."
"Good." The redhead said harshly, though a small smile tugged at his lips. "I don't share well."
She giggled, leaning over and kissing his cheek. "No you don't My Lord."
"Alright," Sasuke rose. "I say we adjourn to the patio for some tea and enjoy the peace and quiet while those two are away." He suggested, meaning the princes.
"I agree." Gaara stood and offered his hand to his wife. "Satomi, find your sister and make sure she doesn't kill anything."
Satomi rolled her eyes. "Why do I have to work while everyone else gets tea?" she pouted, standing and leaving the group.
Sakura chuckled as they began to walk off. Her children were so amusing sometimes, it was a wonder she wasn't laughing all the time. She only hoped things worked out in the end. Because the scene either of her daughters would make if they didn't get their way was not something anyone wanted to see.
Natsumi sat beside her sister on the terrace, looking over the garden and all its beauty in the twilight. "I wonder what Kyo is going to bring me."
"Probably something fantastic that will make you so happy you actually smile." Natsumi sighed, standing from her spot and walking over to the railing off the place. She had changed into a silky white dress with a cover of sheer. "You're so lucky to have someone so dedicated to you."
The elder princess got up and joined her sister, rubbing her back. "Hey now. You will have someone just as dedicated…I know." She smiled, before pulling away. "Well I should go find mother and father. Night has almost fallen and they will have to return soon." She said, waving before heading off.
Natsumi shook her head and looked off, lowering her gaze. She lifted her hand and covered her eyes as she tried to hold back her tears. She couldn't believe how rejected she felt from a man she'd only known for a few days. It just hurt that she was so unworthy of a prince to want to marry her, if only for sex.
Unfortunately for the princess, there was a deep green gaze on her from below in the garden. Akito had just returned from his task and was headed to turn in his gift when he had seen the two sisters. But what had halted him was the look of defeat on Natsumi's face. "Princess?" he called out, moving closer so that she could better see him.
The pink haired girl stiffened and swallowed, because she knew who owned that voice. "Wh-what?" she asked, still covering her face.
"Are you alright?" he asked, though something told him he knew the answer.
"Yes." She said sharply. "Please just go away."
He sighed, knowing he was probably going to regret his next actions. "Stand back." He instructed.
"What-" she lowered her hands just enough to see what he was doing. Akito backed up a bit, before running at the wall. He leapt into the air, grabbing a hold of the vines on the side of the castle before beginning to climb up to Natsumi. When he reached the balcony, he grabbed the rail and pulled himself up and over. Hopping down onto the balcony, he landed in front of Natsumi with a small smile. "Tah dah!" he said, holding his arms wide for show.
She sniffed, wiping at her eyes as she looked at him oddly. "You're weird."
"Perhaps." He shrugged. "But it is difficult for me to see a woman in tears, especially when they may have been caused by me."
"What makes you think you're so special that these are about you?" she tried to laugh, though she was wiping away some more that had snuck up.
"Well if they're not about me, then what, might I ask, are they about?" he wondered, reaching out and lightly brushing a stray tear from her cheek.
Natsumi looked up at him, and her lack of answer gave him all he needed to know. "Don't you have to go and present my sister with something?"
"Yes, I do." Akito nodded. He took in her diminished appearance once more and held in a sigh. There was just no way he could leave her so downtrodden, despite not entirely caring for her personality that much. She looked better when she was smiling, or so he supposed, since he'd never really witnessed her smile and mean it before.
"But first," he looked down and reached into the bag he was carrying. Then he pulled out a small bouquet of lilies. But upon closer inspection, it was clear that they were made of white gold, with diamonds in the centers, and lining the edges. The stems had emeralds in them, but not enough to make them look tacky. He held them out to her. "These are for you."
Natsumi blinked, surprise filling her expression as she slowly took them from him. "For me…?" she whispered, staring down at the flowers until a smile finally came to her face. "But why?"
The corner of his mouth tilted upwards at the sight of her happiness. "Because I wanted to see you smile." He said truthfully. "It's just as pretty as I thought it would be."
She lifted the flowers as a small pink blush actually began to show on her cheeks. She looked off when they were covering the lower half of her face. "You're just saying that."
"I never lie when it comes to a woman's beauty." The prince said, gently taking her hand as he bowed. He kissed the back of it, looking up at her and running his thumb over the smooth skin. "You are beautiful Natsumi, there's no doubt about that." he told her, straightening.
She smiled once more, though this time it was sad. "But that's not enough." She sighed, pulling her hand from his. "Good luck with my sister." Natsumi said, walking past him in a hurry before she disappeared off the terrace.
He ran his hand through his hair in slight exasperation, not really understanding any of the things he was feeling in that moment. Collecting himself, he made his way to his father's study, not surprised to see that everyone was waiting on him. "Ah, Prince Akito, we were beginning to wonder if you'd gotten lost." Sakura smiled.
"Just a bit turned around Your Grace." Akito said, stopping next to Kyo, who was standing in front of Gaara, Sakura, Sasuke, and Satomi. "I apologize for making you wait."
"No worries." Gaara nodded. "Now what have you two brought for my daughter?" he wondered.
Kyo stepped forward and pulled a large book out of his bag. "I found this medical text in a book shop in town. It talks about different herbs and their uses, as well as poisons and such…and I remembered that Satomi had told me she was knowledgeable about medicine, so I thought it might be something she would like." He said, walking forward and presenting it to the pink haired woman.
Satomi blinked, taking the book and looking it over with a smile. "Oh wow…I can't believe you remembered that from the first night we met." She said, looking at him now and fully smiling. "I can't wait to read it."
He smiled brightly. "I remember everything you've ever said to me Princess." He confessed, bowing once more as he backed up.
Everyone's gazes turned to Akito then, and the ebony haired prince stepped forward and bowed. "I must confess," he began as he straightened. "I was unable to find anything for the princess." He lied, since he had in fact given his offering to Natsumi to cheer her up.
They all looked surprised, even Satomi. "And I thought you were the competitive type."
"Nothing at all?" Gaara frowned.
He shook his head. "Nothing at all."
"Well this is…shocking, to say the least." Sasuke said, almost at a loss for words. "I suppose that makes Kyo the winner of this task then."
"Which means we have a tie." Gaara sighed.
Satomi rolled her eyes. "Great."
"So the winner of the next challenge will have Satomi's hand in marriage." Sakura smiled, seeming to be the only person excited about the entire event. "But we won't give it to you until tomorrow, for it's getting late, and you boys will need your rest."
Akito bowed. "Thank you Your Highness." He said, before nodding to everyone and dismissing himself.
Kyo simply couldn't wipe the grin off of his face. "May I escort you to your chambers princess?" he asked, offering Satomi his arm.
"Of course." Satomi said, looping her arm with his and heading out.
When they were alone in the halls, he looked down at her. "I think it odd that Prince Akito didn't have anything to offer. Not even a small token or anything."
"I thought so as well." The princess nodded, looking at him. "Odd."
He simply smiled. "I still would have won though. I know you better than he ever will." He said, patting her hand.
"I know you would." Satomi leaned against him and sighed contently. They finally reached the room she was using and stopped. "Well I guess it's time to call it a night."
"So it is." The blonde said, moving in front of her. He gently tilted her head up, before lowering his own and kissing her softly. "Goodnight my love. Dream of our wedding day." He murmured.
"Goodnight." She whispered, pulling away from him and disappearing into her room.
Kyo let out a sigh, staring at her closed door and wishing he could be with her. Someday he would be, he assured himself as he headed to his own temporary chambers. And when that day came, it would be that happiest of his life.