DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM

"Well, come along Beatrice, time to go," Robert ordered as he prepared himself to leave the palace.

"Right," Bea started to say following him, only to stop and start to moan, clutching her stomach.

"Oh, oh, my stomach!" she complained.

"Not again!" Robert muttered, looking back her way, "what is it this time?"

"I don't knoow!" Bea moaned, "I better stay here and go lay down!"

"What? You're kidding!" Robert barked.

"I really don't think it would be a good idea for me to travel!" Bea complaied as she stumbled back up the grand stairs. "I'll just stay here for the night."

"You better not be staying here because of him!" Robert warned.

"Who?" Bea asked still in a moan.

"You know, one of those brothers with the weird name!" Robert said a he tried to remember the one.

"I don't know who you're talking about, but I need to get to bed and relax! See yah later!" Bea said a she hurried away.

"I swear, she is going to start a scandle with that brother!" Robert proclaimed as he stormed out of the palace to his waiting car.

Henry was waiting for him inside.

"So how did it go with Dimitri and Zane?" he asked.

"The little brat seems interested in Emma luckily. Why, I don't know, but Dimitri still too much like Uncle and doesn't want an arrange marriage. Should have spoken to the boy's father. He might have been more on board with the idea."

"But you'd still have to deal with the old fart king and it's like you said, he's too much like your uncle," Henry pointed out.

"I've heard rumor though, he's planning on abdicating in favor of old Ollie, and if Ollie finds out what his son wants, he'd be more willing to fight Uncle for it," Robert mentioned a little cocky.

"Yeah but when's that going to happen?" Henry asked.

"Maybe we shouldn't have to wait," Robert suggested.

"That'd be a little risky," Henry warned.

"Right now, I have to take many risks if I'm going to keep my throne," Robert insisted. "I can't let dear old Mummy down now, not when I'm so close."

Bea kept clenching her stomach until she was certain she was out of Robert's view before she began to walk normally, looking smug.

She looked around until she came upon the one person she was hoping to see.

"Hey you," she called out when she saw Tsubaki and Natsume.

"Well hello," Tsubaki said a little amused as he walked up to her, "what are you still doing here?"

"Came down with a sudden case of "I-don't-want-to-go-home-with-him-ites" and figured I should sleep it off here," Bea explained with a smirk.

"Oh dear,' Tsubaki said, casually placing his hand on her forehead, only to glide his hand through his hair, "should I help you fall asleep."

"You do and you'll end up sleeping in the dungeon," Natsume suddenly warned annoyed.

Both Bea and Tsubaki looked his way, both giving a sigh.

"He's right, Stephon wouldn't be above putting you under gaurd if need be," Bea muttered folding her arms mad.

"Dang," Tsubaki agreed, suddenly remembering the king's warning earlier, "well, I'll see you later then."

"Yeah," Bea agreed as she walked on. She turned and looked back at Tsubaki, "I don't suppose we'd be allowed to dance at the ball coming up, would we?"

"Shouldn't be any harm in that," Tsubaki said a little more cheerful.

"I'm sure there is," Natsume insisted as he gripped his brother's arm and pulled him away.

"Why are you such a killjoy all the time?" Tsubaki whined to him and they walked back to their room.

"Because you never take things seriously!" Natsume muttered as he all but threw his brother into their room. His cats were a little startled.

"Sorry," Tsubaki said as he looked around the room. He was a little surprised to not see Azusa in the room. "Guess he's still on that date."

"Where did he go anyway?" Natsume asked, tending to his cats.

"Probably to see his new girlfriend," Tsubaki explained as he flopped down on his bed.

"Girlfriend? Azusa has a girlfriend?" Natsume asked.

"Kind of, he's been getting real friendly with one of these horse stable workers named Natasha," Tsubaki explained.

"Natasha?" Natsume asked, as he picked on Richard's guid list, "isn't this her on the no trust list?"

"Yeah I think so, but apparently there's something about her Azusa thinks is trustworthy," said Tsubaki, "I almost wonder if he'd consider inviting her to the ball."

"I don't know if that would be a good idea," said Natsume.

"What about you?" Tsubaki suddenly, "you got someone you want to ask?"

"I don't know anyone that well enough to," Natsume started to say, only to suddenly get a vison that Emily, the history professor's daughter he had met earlier that day.

'I don't know if I could ask her, we only met once,' he thought. However, she seemed like a lovely and kind woman.

'I wonder if I can make an excuse to see her again tomorrow,' Natsume thought.

Natasha was having a hard time not going fan girl crazy while she and Azusa kept watching her anime that stared Azusa. Even as the last episode finished up and the credits rolled.

"So, what did you think?" Azusa asked smug.

"I think I'm going to have a hard time sleeping tonight knowing my favorite anime voice actor is here in the palace as me!" Natasha said. "I bet you're real popular with the ladies back home."

"I have my fans," Azusa admitted.

"Well, this fan super stoked she got to meet you in person!" Natasha said with a giggle as shs tried to stand up.

"Oh here, let me take care of everything," Azusa insisted, grabbing the popcorn bowl and the cups they had gotten.

"Thanks for keeping me company tonight, it was fun," Natasha said.

"No problem, I had a nice time too. In fact, maybe we can do this again tomorrow," Azusa suggested, "or something else entirely."

"I have to stay until the mare has her baby," Natasha said, "even with my cast."

"Well, then, I guess it'll just be an anime night again," Azusa insisted.

Natasha giggled, "thanks, I'd like that."

"Speaking of dates, I know you'll probably still be in the cast but the king said we can bring dates now to the ball and I was wondering, would like to be my date?"

"Me?" Natasha replied. She slowly turned her back to Azusa, "I'd have to think about that."

"Of course, you have to worry about your cast after all"" Azusa agreed, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night," Natasha called after him. She still had to think about his invitation.

'Watching anime together is one thing, but a date to a royal ball? I don't think most would trust and or like me enough for me to attend peacefully,' she scolded herself.

Louis walked with Markus and Sophie back to his room to try fitting his new suit.

"I'm really excited about this! I still remember when your grandfather first appeared in this. It was right after he married your grandmother and made his debue among the royals. He made quite the impression," Markus said as the trio all walked into his room.

"What was he like? My grandfather?" Louis asked.

"A brilliant mind, and a skilled fighter," Markus told him.

"You said he was the air force, right?" Louis asked.

"Yes, he was a member of Elence's air force and his mind made him an ideal to do research and development for our planes and equipment," said Sophie, "many actually compared him to your great-great grandfather."

"Hmm?" Louis asked.

"Queen Katherine's husband Prince Patrick," Markus explained, "he was also a military scientist, for the arm branch. He was closets to your great-grandfather, Prince Scott among all his sons, and as a result was close his granddaughter, your grandmother. She adored her grandfather very much so it was little surprise that she married a man so much like him."

Louis felt happy learning more about his birth family and that many of them had such a good relationship.

"Was my father close with his father?" Louis asked.

"They had a good relationship, even if Walter didn't care for scientific study or military duties," Markus explained, "he passed away when your father started college sadly due to a cancer he had developed doing some of research and development."

"Oh, I see," Louis said a little sad.

"Don't worry about such a thing my boy, yes many of the people from your family are gone, but you still have that delightful family that raised you. Family is what you make of it, not what you're born into," Markus insisted as he finished helping Louis dress. He and Sophie stood back to look at him.

"A little snug, but I think it works," Markus declared, "looks a little like his father in it."

"I think he just looks more handsome in it," Sophie said.

"Please my lady, you'll give me a swell head," said Louis with a blush.

"Why don't I go get my things together so we can get home," Markus said as he quickly walked out of the room, leaving the two young people alone.

"So, Lady Sophie, can I be allowed at least one dance at the ball?" Louis asked as he took her hand gently.

"I would be honored, as long as your brother doesn't feel the need to fight you for me," Sophie replied.

"Oh, don't worry, I won't deny Wataru a chance for his five or more dances," Louis promised.

"You really do love the family you grew up with don't you?" Sophie asked.

"Very much, even now after discovering everything," Louis said.

"That's just how your father would have wanted you to be," said Sophie, "he would have been happy knowing you could live happy and peaceful among others that you weren't technically a part of."

Louis looked up as she said that.

"Maybe he watched me the whole time, making sure I could learn to truly love my adoptive family," he said.

'Thank you father,' he thought.

"Oh, oh, Masaomi, do you know who these two are?!" Wataru asked his big brother as the two and Ukyo walked to their room.

"Masaomi and Ukyo both paused and saw a picture of two identical boys around 5 or 6 years old dressed in royal clothing.

"No who?" Masaomi asked.

"Prince Ira and Prince Ian, twin brothers of King Stephon's father!" Wataru said with pride.

"Oh how about that," said Masaomi, "did you learn that today with your tutor?"

"Yep!" Wataru said happily, "she and I did a history around the palace. Of course Louis had to join!"

Ukyo and Masaomi both smirked at Wataru's bitter comments.

"So these are two of the king's uncles?" Ukyo asked looking at the picture again.

"Yep, and he had one other uncle named Scott. He was Louis' great-grandfather!"

"Was he?" Masaomi asked, as he tried getting Wataru to come along.

"Oh yeah! Here's a picture of all of them! And that's their dad there in a the background!" Wataru said pointing to a picture on the wall of a snowy day and four small boys all dressed for winter and holding old time sleds standing next to what appeared to be a barn. In the background was a man also dressed for winter and could be seen smiling.

"Oh what a nice picture," Ukyo remarked.

"Yeah, Lady Sophie said this was the favorite picture of the queen, their momma," said Wataru only to suddenly yawn.

Masaomi quickly picked him up and carried him. As he and Ukyo continued to their destination, Wataru kept trying to point out certain pictures they passed and talk about them

"I think Lady Sophie is going to do quite well as his tutor while we're here," Ukyo said by the time they had got to their room.

"Yes, luckily Wataru took to her so easily," said Masaomi. "Hopefully he and Louis won't have to fight for her honor."

Ukyo had to nod, amused. "Speaking of which, what do you think about what the king said about allowing us to bring a date to the ball?"

"That's, very generous of him," said Masaomi.

"Were you thinking about inviting Erica?" Ukyo asked.

"Maybe, I'm not sure. I don't know if I know her that well to ask to such a thing," Masaomi admitted.

"Yeah, I know, I kind of feel the same way about Hannah. She's so sweet and hard working. But, I've only known her a short time," Ukyo agreed.

"Lady Sophie's uncle said sometimes you just click with someone the minute you meet them," Wataru suddenly said through a yawn.

Both Masaomi and Ukyo looked at him trying to hold his tired head up.

"That's nice Wataru, now go to sleep," Masaomi said as he adjusted the covers around his brother, "I'm sure you'll have a full day tomorrow."

"Will you ask your girlfriends to ball though?" Wataru asked.

"We're going to think about it," Masaomi promised. He cast a look towards Ukyo, both knowing it was something they'd have to ponder.

"Quite a day huh?" Iori asked Subaru when the two came to their room.

"Yeah," Subaru agreed, sitting on his bed calmly.

"What did you think about the university?" Iori asked.

"Not bad, I bet I could get a lot of it if I were to transfer," said Subaru, "but I'm sure it'd be no different than where I am now."

"I guess it would be for you,' Iori said.

"I hope it works out for you staying here,' said Subaru.

"Thanks," Iori said happily, "and speaking of which, I got to go find Jane about this floral designs I help come up with."

"Who?" Subaru asked.

"Jane, one of the maids. She's attending the university too and I helped get her a chance to do a floral design for the main building," Iori explained.

"Do you like her? This Jane woman?" Subaru asked.

Iori had to pause at Subaru's question.

"Yeah, I like her. She's nice,' he finally confessed.

"Were you thinking about inviting her to be your date to the ball?" Subaru asked.

"Maybe, to be honest, she was the first person I thought of when the king said we could bring dates," said Iori softly. He looked back at his brother, "what about you? Do you have somebody in mind that you'd like to bring?"

"Well, normally my first thoughts would be Ema," Subaru admitted, "but I'm not sure, even now if that could work. Especially with the way she and Yusuke are acting."

"Yeah, right?" Iori agreed.

"But there's also another girl I've come to like, she works out in the stables and she attends the university too, Rose," said Subaru.

"Rose? That's a lovely name," Iori said.

"She is,' said Subaru with a smile.

"Then you should invite her. I bet she'd say yes," Iori encouraged.

"I'll think about it," Subaru agreed.

"Just make sure you don't wait until the last minute," Iori warned as he walked out with his sketchbook. As he walked, he started drawing a new design, deciding to add a rose this time.

Kaname had return to his own room and was getting himself settled when Hikaru and Heather came in as well.

"Sorry to disturb you dear Kaname," said Hikaru as he walked to his closet.

"Not at all," Kaname assured him. He smiled at Heather, "am I correct in assuming you and your new friend are heading out again?"

"Indeed, I want to show him a lovely poetry club I think he'd like," said Heather.

"Would you like to join us Kaname?" Hikaru asked as he came out in a different dress.

"No, I'm good. I'd hate to interrupt your little date," Kaname declined politely.

"Suit yourself," said Hikaru.

"Oh Miss Heather, will you be joining Hikaru to the ball as his date?" Kaname asked.

"As a matter of fact yes," said Heather, taking Hikaru's hand, "we were just talking about that."

"And how tomorrow we'll have to find her a gown to wear," said Hikaru.

"You sure have found a lovely companion dear brother," Kaname said with delight.

"Do you have someone in mind to bring to the ball Master Kaname?" Heather asked, "I have several friends I can introduce you too."

"That's very kind of you," Kaname thanked her, "and I may take you up on that offer should my first choice not go through."

"And who would that be brother?" Hikaru quickly asked intrigued.

"Do you remember that nice pretty lady that brought us here? Elizabeth Smith?" Kaname asked.

"Oh? You saw her again?" Hikaru asked.

"She needed help with some sort of speech for young people and of course she asked me," Kaname explained, "she is quite the lovely young woman. I was thinking, since it's most likely I will not be at sweet Ema's side at the ball, this lady maybe a nice choice instead. If however she rejects me, I may call upon you Lady Heather for your offer."

"She'd be crazy to turn you down if you ask me," said Heather.

"Thank you," said Kaname, "now then, weren't you two going?"

"Yes we should,' Heather said

Hikaru offered her his arm and the two walked out as a happy looking couple.

"What a cute couple. I sense nothing but happiness and love from them," Kaname said to himself. However he was once again interrupted by somebody else knocking at the door.

"Who is it?" Kaname called out.

"It's Andrew with the palace gaurd," the voice answered, "I have a servant of King Dimitri out here who wishes to speak with you."

"Oh, of course," Kaname allowed. The doors opened and in walked two men, one dressed in the standard gaurd uniform while the other was dressed in more servant type apparel.

"Sorry to disturb you sir, but you are the monk correct?" the servant asked.

"Yes, I am," Kaname said.

"My king, Dimitri, was hoping to have a conversation with you, if you'd be so kind," asked the servant.

"Certainly, I'm not one to deny a summons from a king," Kaname said as he quickly followed the two men out.

"Were you hoping to retire to your bed sir?" Ami asked as she followed Futo down the hallway.

"No, it's too early. I want to do something fun, with you," Futo ordered.

"No more training tonight sir?" Ami asked a little smug.

Futo stopped in mid-step.

"Hmm, training, sounds good!" he declared. "Find us a room where we can do some training!"

Ami couldn't stop the giggle, "not too much training please. I am still a maid and have early morning duties."

"Fine," Futo agreed, "just find us a room."

Ami blushed and took the lead to an empty and dark lounge with two leather couches.

Once they were inside the room,Futo toom control again and pulled Ami to one of the couches, plopping them both down. The minute both were on the couch, Futo pulled Ami to him and kissed her hard and passionate. Ami moaned as Futo began to kiss her, making sure she didn't do anything that would upset him as they kissed.

"So you do know you are going to be my date to the ball," Futo suddenly said in between kisses.

"Yeah, when you made that comment about a dress, I sort of figured," Ami replied also between the kisses.

"Clever girl," Futo said smugly, gently starting to push her down on to the couch.

"I was wondering something about that," Ami suddenly asked, stopping the kisses.

"What?" Futo asked.

"I hope I'm not sounding greedy or selfish when I ask this but, there's a dress I've always admired from a certain dress company I've always kind of longed for that I think would be good for the ball."

"Let's see it,' said Futo as he got off of her.

"Thank you, I'll get my phone," said Ami.

"What's the name of this company?" Futo asked.

Chill La-La," said Ami. She looked a little sad saying the name of the company. "Both my parents worked for them when they were alive. They were both models."

"Oh, so that's how you got to be so beautiful. You had beautiful parents," Futo said.

"I guess," said Ami as she walked out the door. However, as she barley walked out of the room, she was startled by a hand grabbing her arm rough with another covering her mouth and pulling her away. Poor Ami barley had time to scream before she was led away.

From inside the room, Futo was getting himself comfortable waiting for Ami when he suddenly heard a muffle scream. He quickly got up and hurried out the door and saw no one around.

"Ami?" he called out. She couldn't have gotten too far. "Ami?"

A few feet away, down another hallway, Ami struggled against her captor.

"Oh Ami, how I love playing this game. We don't do it so much anymore," Tommy whispered.

"Let go!" Ami tried to order through Tommy's hand.

"What? You want me to nibble your ear?" Tommy taunted.

Ami groaned mad as she tried to plant her foot down so Tommy couldn't pull her along any further.

Futo kept scanning the area when he thought he saw the very tip of a lady's shoe sticking out from behind a wall. He hurried after it and around the corner to see Tommy struggling to pull Ami further along.

"Hey!" Futo shouted, "let her go!"

Tommy looked at him angry.

"She has certain duties she needs to perform, so if you'll excuse us!" he said back snarky.

"I said let her go!" Futo ordered.

"Or what?" Tommy taunted, "is the pop idol going to try and be a prince and save his fair maiden?"

At that, Futo started walking to the two of them. As he neared, they could both tell he was picking up speed until he was running at full charge at them. He looked terrifying as she ran towards them that Tommy actually let go of Ami and back away.

"Oh whoa, whoa, whoa!" he tried calling out as Futo came near and punched him right across the face, knocking him down.

"Now look what you did, you made me hurt my precious fist," Futo muttered as he rubbed his hand.

Tommy stood up rubbing his face.

"You son-of-a-bitch! With all your arrogant attitude and smug persona! You're no different than me yet for some fucked-up reason you get all the girls!" he said mad.

"What can I say, I'm a better catch," Futo said as he strudded around, convinetly placing himself in between Tommy and Ami.

"Sure, that's it!" Tommy snapped, "you know what? Go ahead, have your fun with tramp!"

"Excuse me!" Ami shouted mad.

"But the second you're gone, she's all mine again!" Tommy taunted.

"Oh you think so huh? Well too bad because I've already decided I'm taking her back with me to launch her own signing career," Futo boasted.

"You what?" Tommy asked.

"She's mine, she's got talent and I intend to share her with the rest of the world and keep your hands off her forever," Futo declared.

"Is he serious?" Tommy demanded.

"He sounds serious," Ami replied, "besides, I'm sure you'll find yourself some other tramp to torment."

"You think I'm letting you get away from me that easy?" Tommy asked mad as he tried getting around Futo to her. Futo however managed to block his path yet again and managed to land another blow.

"There you go hurting my precious hand again. As an idol I need every part of my body to be in perfection," Futo said, "come maid, let us retire from this before more of my precious body is damaged in some way."

He put his arm aroun Ami and led her away again. Suddenly Tommy rammed them from behind, knocking them both down.

"She's coming with me!" Tommy declared as he tried to pull her away.

"No!" Ami kept shouting frantically.

"Let go of her!" Futo ordered as he managed to kick Tommy away.

Tommy moaned in pain. "That's it! Royal guest or not, you're dead Pop Idol!" He jumped down on Futo and the two started to struggle.

"Stop it! Tommy leave him alone!" Ami shouted, trying to pull Tommy off.

Tommy pushed her away.

"Not so tough now are you, idol?" he taunted Futo.

Yusuke sighed as he walked to his own room.

'That prince looks and acts like a prick!' he declared to himself. What was going to happen now? He and Ema had just confessed to each other! He finally had her! Why did this prince have to put a wrench in to everything?

Yusuke was suddenly distracted from his pity thoughts by the sounds of fighting. He knew the sound all too well having heard his brothers fight so often growing up.

He followed the sound until he came across a scuffle with the butler Tommy fighting with someone with Ami off to the side, shouting at him to stop.

'Well, I suppose as a gaurd in training, I should put a stop to it!' Yusuke decided as he ran and pulled Tommy off his victim.

"Get off! Get off!" Yusuke ordered with most authority sounding voice before looking down to realize Tommy's victim was Futo.

"You!" Yusuke moaned annoyed.

"I suppose I should thank you, kind gaurd?" Futo asked just as a annoyed, rubbing his face.

"What did you do?" Yusuke asked his brother.

"Me? Why I assumed I started this?" Futo asked as he stood up.

"Tommy tried assaulting me and Master Futo came to my rescue," Ami tried to explain.

"What's going on here?" a new gaurd asked as he joined the group.

"Apparently this pervert tried assaulting this poor woman," Yusuke explained.

"Really?" the gaurd said as he took Tommy away from Yusuke.

"No! No! They're lying! I'm telling you! It was all messed up!" Tommy tried to argue.

"We'll let Richard sort this all out tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm thinking you need to be confined to your quarters for the rest of the night!" the new guard declared, "of course if Richard decides that you are at fault, this could cost you your job finally Tommy."

"What? Andrew no! No you can't be serious!" Tommy pleaded as he was pulled away.

"It'll be up to Richard," was all Andrew would say as he hauled Tommy away. He did however paused midway and looked back at the group.

"Good job Yusuke. I'll make sure Richard and Billy know how you saved the day," he praised.

"Who did what?" Billy asked as he came up to Andrew.

"Yusuke help stop a fight between old Tommy boy here and one of the princess' brothers," Andrew explained before pulling Tommy away.

"Did you really?" Billy asked Yusuke.

"I guess you could say that," Futo said, "though he was rather late. Come maid, I need something to help me relax and enjoy my evening."

"Yes master," Ami said following after him.

"Oh and we should still see about that dress you liked," Futo assured her.

"Thank you Master," Ami said softly.

"Wow you are really rocking it today as a guard aren't you Yusuke?" Billy praised, "first protecting the princess at the university and now stopping this fight!"

"Thanks, I'm actually happy I asked to be trained," Yusuke admitted.

"Good, you have a knack for it," Billy assured him. Then Yusuke notice him smirk. "You think you're up to doing an all night shift?"

"Uh," Yusuke sputtered.

"Just kidding, not tonight at least. But it wouldn't hurt you to try at least once," Billy told him.

"Oh, right," said Yusuke.

"You feeling okay about Prince Zane by the way?" Billy asked.

"I don't know if I like him too much," said Yusuke bitterly.

"Eh, I understand. Just remember, King Stephon don't care about things like rank and titles. So I say you just make sure that you don't loose favor with the princess," Billy advised.

"Oh, I won't, not if I can help it!"' Yusuke insist.