HEYYYYY! :) here's the next chappie! I honestly have to say that I love this chapter and I'm not sure why LOL. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS! I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE SO MANY THIS TIME ^-^ hehe I love hearing what you guys have to say! You guys are amazing :)

Shinoe: Awww im honored that my story makes you feel this way! Hehe im glad to know you like my story so much :)

ai: HAHAH cliff hangers are my thing LOL. I love suspense hahahaha.

RandomBystander and Guest: Thanks! :) Hehe cliffhangers always make things interesting ;)

I realize that I may not have been very clear about how long they have known each other. It hasn't been a year, but they have known each other for many months already, not just like one or two. I feel like its important that you know this time frame because I don't want it to see like they love each like a puppy love lol.

BUT OK now that thats clear, onto the chapter! :) I hope you will enjoy! Who Ritsu is will be revealed here ;)

A/N: Edited to clarify the first scene! The first part isn't a dream, but what happened during the night! The next scene is when it flashes back to a few hours earlier!

Chapter 18: Steps to Fall in Love: Facing Trials

"You came…" Ritsu didn't need to look back to know who those footsteps were from. He knew it was him because he always heard that sound when the other approached him. A noise that usually made his heart thud with happiness, but now it made his heart thud with fear and dread. He continued to stare at the shiny lake that glimmered under the dark starlit sky. After he fainted from the revelation, he returned home with his parents and heard the story of his past. Then, he came here and waited. He wanted to believe that there was still some hope. Something between them that existed and didn't break the second they realized the truth.

"I made a promise to you and every promise I make to you I swear I will keep it." Masamune stared at the shadowy figure of the man he loves. He could see that the other was scared and confused because he felt the exact the same way. How were they not supposed to after they heard the truth?

"Why…? Wouldn't it be better to just stay away from me?" The brunette turned his head to look at the ravenette. Emerald eyes glowed and glistened even in the dark night. But, those solemn emotions marred the beauty of them.

"You're not wearing your colored contacts anymore?"

"What's the point when you know the real me now? I didn't even know the real me till today…" Ritsu turned his head to face the lake once again. He didn't want to look at the other because it hurt so much. Everything hurt… "I…" 'I wish we never even met because it hurts so much,' he could not stop those words from running through his mind.

The brunette heard the other approach and stand behind him. Suddenly, he felt something cold lightly brush his collar bone area. He looked down and saw a simple silver ring. He lifted the ring, so that he could see it more clearly. In the darkness, he could see two shining, small gemstones. One was a yellow topaz and the other one was an emerald. In between the two stones it had "M&R" carved in it.

"Happy Birthday Ritsu…"

Ritsu could feel strong arms wrapping around his body and warmth pressing against his back. He leaned back into that comforting embrace. "Why…?" 'How can you still be so loving and kind…?'

"Read the inside of the ring…"

"I love you" was carved on the inside of the ring. Tears that could not come out earlier streamed down the brunette's cheeks like a flood. How could the man still have the heart to love him…?

"Originally instead of an emerald stone, in its place was a sapphire stone, but after earlier, I quickly went to get it changed. Luckily, the artisan replaced it quickly so that I could give it to you on your birthday. And now that it's there, the ring looks even more perfect."

'That's why I didn't see him earlier…' The brunette asked once again, "Why…?" 'How can you still love me…?'

"I wanted us to always feel connected no matter how far and long we are apart. I made one for myself so that it would be a pair."

"But we shouldn't even be together…" The cold hard truth that both knew, but didn't want to accept.

"I'm glad we met…" Masamune whispered these sincere words sweetly into the other's ear.

"How can you say that still even after that…?" Ritsu wished he felt the same way, but he was weak.

"Because you taught me what it means to love and feels like to love." He tightened his arms around the other. "I love you so much that it hurts Ritsu…"

"Masamune…" A tear drop slowly slid down the brunette's cheek. In the softest voice possible, he said, "I love you too…even if I tried… I can't stop…" Why did it have to hurt so much just to love someone?

The ravenette pressed a soft kiss against the other's neck. "You're mine and I'll never you go, so don't runaway from me." 'Please…'

"But we are—!"

"DON'T…don't say it…because I can't see you that way… not after all of this…" Masamune laid a small kiss in the crook of his neck.

"That fact won't ever go away. We have to face it—!"

"NO." The ravenette turned the other's body to face him. "I don't care if we are, let's just forget about it. Please…" He quickly dived in and pulled the other into a fierce kiss. He wouldn't let the other go. He didn't care if their blood that flowed through their veins screamed that this was forbidden on many levels.

That heated and loving kiss almost made Ritsu forget that dread, that fear, and that horror. That passionate kiss completely swiped his mind of everything unpleasant. That kiss always had the power to make him go limp and cause his knees to buckle. Why did that kiss have to have such an affect on him?

The need for fresh air caused them to break their fiery kiss. "Ritsu…" Right now, the brunette hated how that voice always made him tremble with desire. He couldn't help that his knees collapsed at the sound of that sexy, musky voice.

Next thing, they realized they were both on the ground with Ritsu lying on his back even more disheveled and Masamune on top of him staring down at the ravishable sight beneath him.

"I want you…" The prince pressed butterfly kisses down the other's neck and continued down onto the collarbone.

The way those lips felt against his skin caused his body to tingle with lust. Ritsu couldn't stop himself from saying, "Then take me…"

And he did.

Such a twisted 19th birthday. One they will no forget.

Let's just forget everything… you are mine and I am yours…

So why did we have to be born this way…?

I love you…

I love you…

I love you…

I love you…

I'll repeat it as many times as I have to because it is the truth…

…

-a few hours earlier-

Ritsu blinked his eyes several time. He felt rather lightheaded after waking up. He felt as if his head was swirling in a million directions. He glanced around and saw that he was in an unrecognizable room and lying on large bed made for a king. He groaned as he tried to sit up. When he looked forward and saw Atushi, Kiyomi, Hikaru, and Mizuki, he recalled what had just happened.

After the king and queen told him the truth, he passed out on the spot. The revelation shocked him to the very core because it shook the foundation of his life. He wasn't angry because he knew there must have been some reason for all of this. He could only feel fear traveling through his veins. What sadden more was that the fact that Masamune was not in the room. Ritsu guessed it was only natural after the truth was revealed. Why would the other want to be near him or even see him…?

All four adults rushed over to him and asked if he was alright.

He faced down, not wanting to look at any of them, and asked softly, "Mama…Papa… can we go home…?"

A flash of happiness appeared on Kiyomi and Atushi's face because they felt glad that Ritsu still considered them as his parental figures. The two glanced at Mizuki and Hikaru with an apologetic expression as they guided their son out of the room and back home. Ritsu did not see the heartbroken expression on the King and Queen's faces as they watched him leave. They knew it was only fair and normal for him to act in this manner after learning that he was not who he thought he was all these years.

During the whole carriage ride, Ritsu did not look at any of them, but simply stared out the window in a daze. Millions of thoughts and questions ran through in his head that he wanted to ask, but at the same was too afraid to ask. Kiyomi and Atushi did not dare make a noise because they knew that for now they should keep silent until the child was ready to talk again.

When they arrived back at their cottage, Ritsu finally spoke again. "Will you tell me the story of my birth and the reason why I am here with you now?"

The two nodded their heads. Atushi said, "Lets sit down in the living room."

Once the three situated themselves, the two began the tale.

…

Once upon a time…

A man known as Takano Hikaru was born into the royal family of Estercrest. He was a clever child. He was the man of men. He everything a man could ever want. He was loved dearly by his family and by his people. He was looked up to by his younger brother, Takano Atushi. The little boy would always clumsily follow him, but that always made Hikaru smile and loved. He was happy.

Yet, a part of him always felt left out in his family. All the males in his family generally had such beautiful emerald eyes, a signature trait of males born into the Takano line. Only he of his brother and cousins had inherited another eye color, the azure blue of his mother's eyes. He disliked how he was the black sheep of all the males. He knew that many questioned his heritage because of it, but his mother would never be unfaithful to his father. Hikaru simply lucked out in the eye department.

As the years passed, he grew into a fine and impeccable man. He was well-known among the nations as a handsome, charming, intellectual, and kind man. It was no wonder that women flocked to him all the time. However, none caught his interest because he already had his eye on someone, Saotome Mizuki. As cliche as their story sounds, he fell in love with her, not because of her beauty (though he definitely thought that she was the most beautiful woman alive), but because of her wonderful personality. Her father, the duke of Arwen was a good friend of Hikaru's father. It was no coincidence that the two become childhood friends with all their interactions. Along the way, he just couldn't help but to fall in love.

Luckily for him, she returned that feeling as well. But of course, every love story has to have a obstacle before they reach their supposed happy ending. The queen told Hikaru that he will be marrying the Princess of Illumin. The King of Illumin thought that Hikaru would be a perfect match for his only daughter. Hikaru was not even given a chance to refuse. He tried, but his parents would not take no for an answer. They just had to say the one sentence that forced him to accept his fate. "It's your duty as the first prince of Estercrest." Duty. What a controlling word.

But he was saved before he completely accepted his fate. Atushi stepped forward. He said, "Let me marry the Princess of Illumin," he proposed. The King and Queen of Estercrest did not oppose that idea, but they were still iffy because the King of Illumin wanted Hikaru, not Atushi.

Takano Atushi was quite a handsome and charming man himself. He was tender man that drew people in with his softness. He was certainly a capable man, just like his older brother. He was definitely well known in his own way, but always under his brother's shadow. Yet, he always admired his older brother because he wished he could become more like him.

"Tell the King of Illumin that I have fallen for his daughter. Even if I am not as capable as my brother, I certainly will give her everything she needs to be happy."

"Atushi, you don't have to do this." Hikaru didn't want his brother to suffer because of his selfishness.

The younger one shook his head, "It's fine. I want you to be happy with Mizuki. And who knows? Maybe I'll fall in love with the Princess of Illumin."

With that, things fell into place. Hikaru married Mizuki and became king when he reached his 21th birthday. Atushi married the Princess of Illumin, Onodera Kiyomi. Luckily for him, everything turned out perfect for them.

In a few years, Hikaru and Mizuki had a beautiful baby boy. But unluckily, the boy inherited his mother's honey eyes. The emerald eyes seem to be dying out from the Takano line at this rate. Despite being saddened by this, Hikaru still loved his newborn son very deeply. How could he not? It was his precious firstborn son.

For the current King and Queen of Estercrest, everything seemed perfect. For Atushi and Kiyomi, it was not as perfect. They found out that they were unable to have children because Kiyomi was infertile. It was painful to come to know, but they found comfort in the fact they had each other.

Everything was pretty much perfect, despite the little things.

Of course, fate always has to play tricks on those with ideal lives.

One and half years later, Mizuki gave birth to another baby boy, Takano Ritsu. Ah, he was truly a blessing because he was born with the sparkling emerald eyes. People found it rather suspicious that the signature Takano trait showed up and even came up with preposterous rumors to usurp their marriage.

A blessing became a curse.

After the second prince's birth, multiple issues arose. A scandal within the royal court occurred. The previous king became sick with a deadly disease. Worst of all, Avardan threatened to attack them if they did not meet their demands.

Everyone blamed the second prince. His birth had cursed the land. Everyone kept pointing fingers and did not stop for a second that some things were a mere coincidence and that others were already occurring before his birth. No one took the time to think. It was simply easier to point fingers and pretend that the everything was completely perfect in the past.

Takano Ritsu became known as "The Cursed Prince." Such a cruel name for such an innocent child.

The citizens demanded that they kill the prince because his existence was the cause for their turmoil. Hikaru and Mizuki did not know what to do. They could not possibly kill their beloved son.

Atushi stepped up and proclaimed, "Give us Ritsu, we will raise him in a secluded place. Fake his death and everything will be okay."

The King and Queen of Estercrest could not refuse that offer. They gave Atushi and Kiyomi their precious second born son in order to allow him to keep on living.

They made a promise that on Ritsu's 19th birthday, the truth will be unveiled to him. For 19 years, Hikaru and Mizuki never laid eyes on their second son.

Perhaps, the moment they sent him away was the moment the gears of fate began to turn towards disaster.

Atushi and Kiyomi took him deep into the forest and raised him in a homey cottage. They needed to conceal those emerald eyes, but they couldn't until the boy became older. Until then, they never allowed him to leave the woods because they could not risk anyone seeing him.

The two took great measures to conceal his identity. They made him wear female clothing and colored contacts, but Kiyomi also raised him in female mannerisms. She taught him to behave like a woman and etiquette a high ranking woman would have, such as social dance. Ritsu never realized that his behavior resembled more of a woman than that of male, especially because it was imbedded in him at such a young age and so subtly. A part of him still reflected a man because it was inevitable with a male influence in the house.

For 19 years, Ritsu lived his life. He didn't know anything and was happy.

He had loving parents, a lovely home, and a good friend. If only he could have stayed naive forever.

Then, everything changed when he met Takano Masamune, his older brother. Of course he didn't know then, but neither did Masamune. They didn't know how their existence was related to one another.

And with that very meeting, reality became much more crueler.

In a way, one could say his existence was a curse because he cursed his and Masamune's fate to become a tragic ending because they loved each other. If they never met this way, the end would be so much easier and different.

What a perfect life.

Crumbling…The sound was only getting louder. It was a only a matter of time before everything completely fell apart.

HAHA IM SO EVIL… WHATS WRONG WITH MY IMAGINATION? In the last chapter, I was wondering how many ppl would catch on LOL. I wasn't trying to hide it that why i stated that Atushi and Hikaru were brothers to see if anyone would put it together! ;) I hope you enjoyed this chapter (maybe cried hehe?) :) :( How will things go for Masamune and Ritsu? WELL things are just gonna get worse and worse. You already know the story of their past has a sad ending. LETS SEE HOW THIS ROCKY SHIP SINKS! I'm cruel I know :( I do have to say I do like the ideas of them being brothers ;)

I love this story so much hehe. I already wrote the last chapter because it's been in my head for so long that I just needed to write it all down! This story will have an ending. Whether happy or sad, you'll just have to keep reading to find out ;)

Please Review!

Love and Snow Kisses!