"Mama?" Dia's worried voice came out of the room she shared with Ruby. Maki had been trying to check on the girls quietly, but it hadn't been quiet enough. Since the incident with the paparazzi, Ruby had been so jumpy Maki was starting to wonder if some kind of medicinal intervention would be required. And Dia had swung even more into protective older sister mode.
"What is it, sweetheart?" Maki knelt next to her six year old daughter's bed.
"Is Mommy all right?" Dia's green eyes were so serious, "Ruby was crying earlier afraid the "bad men" would find her."
Maki had spent much of the last two days worried about exactly the same thing. "Your mother is fine." Maki smiled, "I just talked to her. She misses all of us."
Nico had made a valiant - for Nico - effort to retire but there were so many fans and so many worthy charities and so many letters from young people inspired by their love story that Nico and Maki had decided together that Nico trying to disappear would just drive the more rabid of the fans and stalkers to seek Nico and their family out. So Nico did a few well publicized concerts a year. It had been working for a couple of years and then the paparazzi incident had happened. An intrusive photographer had cornered Maki and Dia backstage at a concert in California. Maki had broken his nose and camera, only partly by accident, and once Nico noticed the ruckus, she stormed backstage immediately, mic still hot, and dismantled him verbally. Ruby had seen and heard the whole thing at Maki's parents before her grandparents had realized the concert livestream had gone off script. That was five months ago and everyone was all still recovering. The Kurosawa nee Nishikino-Yazawa family had been staying off the grid in Uchiara, avoiding Tokyo, not even having any visitors come down. Nico had only returned to Tokyo for Cotorou's debut sculpture exhibition, leaving Maki home with the girls.
"Mama?" Dia clutched her stuffed rabbit, Ruby next to her, both sets of eyes, wide and gleaming. Some of Nico's only moments of weepiness occurred when she looked at the girls and was reminded of her father, Dia with both his hair and eye color.
Maki ruffled Dia's hair. "I was just thinking about how happy seeing you two always makes your mother. She loves you both so much. It's always been so hard for her to go away."
"I wanted to see Uncle Cotorou's sculptures." Dia whined.
"I know, Dia, but we didn't want to risk it. If you're very good, Umi and Kotori will come down and take you with them before it closes."
Maki could feel Dia nod earnestly. It wasn't like her oldest daughter needed reminders or bribes to behave well. Dia was such a serious, well behaved and conscientious child. Maki was certain she hadn't inherited any of that from her parents.
"Story!" Ruby demanded suddenly. Maki stroked her baby's cheek, "Please, Mama?"
Nico had actually started her first spy novel and been telling the girls the plot as she went, leaving out the parts not suited for small children, which made it even more ludicrous. Maki could never stifle the giggles at how seriously the three of them were taking "Live and Let Nico."
But from Dia's birth, Maki had been sharing with her children the fairy tales and romances she grew up loving, frequently altering them to the girls' delight, after all, who needs princes when you have...Maki blushed, remembering a few of her earliest dreams and fantasies about Nico, especially in that ridiculous magic show outfit with the sword. Nico was a born swashbuckler. And what girl doesn't want to put her own spin on fantasy romances.
Maki focused on her daughters, because thinking about a Nico who wouldn't be back until tomorrow wouldn't lead to sleep and Maki needed sleep to keep up with a 3 and 6 year old, as helpful as the O'Hara's nanny could be. "What story do you want Mama to tell you?" Sometimes, Maki envied Umi - or even Nico - their skill with words, of course with Nico it was more a quantity thing, Maki thought with a chuckle. Race through enough words and some of them were bound to be interesting. But the girls, bless them, always seemed enthusiastic about Maki's clumsy phrases.
"Diamond Princess." Dia demanded. Of course, her oldest daughter liked that one, the title had her name in it. When Ruby had been born, Maki had had to adjust the title. Now, they had the full Diamond Princess and the Ruby Rogue.
"That's one of my favorites." Maki hugged her daughters, letting them cuddle for a moment before sitting on the edge of the bed. Then the grand tale would begin.
"Once there was a Princess, a lonely princess, born into a famous family, cursed to cut anyone who would touch her. She spent her nights on the top of her castle tower, staring at the stars, wondering if they were made of diamond, like she was. Sometimes, she would look down at her hand, the diamond facets glittering in both starlight and moonlight and wonder what it would be like to feel warmth. Or softness."
"Sad." Ruby muttered, holding tightly onto Dia.
Maki nodded, "She was sad, but she did have something she loved, a diamond flute, that matched her, that she would play music on every day, sitting in a garden, in a purple cloak so no one would see how many sharp points her diamond skin had or be blinded by the glare. The Royal family lived at the edge of a mountain town and every market day, her music permeated the air and brought a little bit of joy to everyone who heard it. But the Diamond Princess never knew.
"Sometimes, her parents would allow Princes and Princesses from neighboring countries to meet her, but none touched her heart and the Princess could feel her skin hardening, only her fingers and lips nimble where they kissed music.
"One day, when the Princess was well into her teen years, she had a day when she knelt in the garden, reaching out, wondering how the delicate cherry petals felt as they drifted to the ground, cut down by the sweep of her fingers. She didn't want to play, the first day in many months. Yesterday, another family had been by and their Princess had not even bothered to talk to her, just discussing land and sovereignty issues with her parents."
Ruby made a raspberry noise and Dia and Maki laughed.
"Exactly," Maki mimicked her daughter, "Boring. So the Princess was watching the cherry blossoms fall when she heard it, this lively tune, sung in chirpy voice, that could have come from a beautiful, bright bird flitting through the trees, full of joy and life and mischief, and suddenly, she felt like standing, her toes tapping, some of the stiffness fading as an urge to dance crept up her legs."
"Mommy!" Ruby shouted, excited.
"Shhhh…" Maki raised a finger to her lips, with a wink, "That's our secret, remember?"
Dia and Ruby both nodded with a gravity only seen in true believers, a trait they inherited from the storyteller.
"So the Princess pulled out her flute and started to play, trying to match the liveliness of the tune she was hearing, and as she played, the singer started to tease, holding out notes, stealing harmonies and changing them, twisting everything the Princess's flute played around. It was exciting and finally, as the sun set, the flute fell from the Princess's exhausted fingers as she wondered who the songbird was.
Now, of course, the Princess had people she could ask, who could find this singer if she wanted them too, her parents probably wouldn't have minded, but the Princess was so curious and so drawn to the voice she'd heard that she didn't want to share it, she wanted to find it out for herself, to keep it a secret. So every day, when before she'd go into the garden to play, now she first went to listen. And then, on the very next market day, she heard that voice, again, bright, cheery, full of life...so she changed to a dull gray cloak and went into the town. No one would miss her until dinner anyway. She kept her flute close and listened carefully, following the song, which seemed a little sadder today. So the Princess found herself hurrying."
"To the Ruby Rogue…" Dia had always loved that word, rogue, and Maki could tell Dia was picturing Nico whenever she used it, a Nico with a bright twinkle in her ruby eyes and the mischievous, loving grin her family lived for.
"Well, the Princess didn't know it was the Ruby Rogue yet, she just knew she had to take a look at the person singing such a beautiful song. So she followed the notes through the town, alongside a creek, until she reached a grove of lilac trees. There, as if in front of a 100 people, stood a tiny, tiny, sable haired girl, arms out as she sang, dressed in a ruby red tunic that matched her eyes, feathered hat with a cheeky tilt, so bold and so beautiful that the Princess froze and stepped backward, tripping over a branch and falling to the ground. The bright little bird of a girl fell quiet and turned, seeing the cloaked figure on the ground and rushing over to help."
"You interrupted my concert," the beautiful, tiny girl grumped while the Princess looked away, shy. "But the Ruby Rogue will forgive you."
The Princess stared as the singer, this Ruby Rogue offered her a hand. The Princess shook her head.
"What's wrong? Let me help you up. I'm stronger than I look. And more dangerous." The Ruby Rogue pulled out her sword and swished it around, careful not to threaten the Princess in any way. The Princess sat up, laughing.
"Hey" The Ruby Rogue snorted.
"Hey!" Ruby echoed.
Maki leaned over to kiss Ruby's cheek, "Just like that. The Princess didn't want to reveal her diamond skin so she pulled her cloak tighter as she stood. "Please keep singing," the Princess begged, pulling out her flute and holding it in velvet gloved hands.
"Oh ho," the Ruby Rogue put both hands on her hips, with a huge smile the Princess couldn't look away from, "So you think you can keep up with me?" And then the tiny, beautiful girl started to sing, a song the Princess often played. It was an old folk song and the Princess knew the words, but she'd never heard them like this before, sitting in a grove of leafy green lilac trees, having the song sung to her, words about flowers and love and winter and spring coming again. Her fingers fumbled over the notes, the gloves getting in the way and the Rogue stepped closer, gently removing them, not flinching at all when her hand was scraped by the sharpness of the diamond. She then, ruby eyes very curious, lifted a hand to push back the Princess's hood and smiled when the Princess met her gaze, "Your eyes are as pretty as your song."
"The Princess felt something in her chest crack a little. It itched. And then they sang and played some more together, the Princess having to leave too soon to get back for dinner at the castle.
"The Princess hesitated on the edge of the lilacs, playing idly with a branch, "W...will I see you again?" she asked the Rogue.
"Of course," the Rogue swept down in a grand bow, ruby eyes sparkling, "if my lady wishes to meet me again tomorrow…"
"The Diamond Princess felt a new excitement, but she didn't know what to say in reply so she nodded and ran off as the Ruby Rogue laughed happily, humming another folk song, this one about pretty girls and bandits."
Dia fidgeted. She didn't like the part of the story that was coming up, but Maki knew it wouldn't be a fairy tale if there weren't obstacles to conquer.
"So for a very happy two weeks, the Princess met the Ruby Rogue every afternoon in the lilac grove, watching the lilacs start to bud. But on the fifteenth morning since she'd met the tiny, beautiful singer for the first time, the King and Queen came into her bedroom, and told her that a trio of singers made up of the daughters of local royalty was visiting that afternoon and since they knew the Princess loved music, they expected her to entertain them. The Princess was curious, but a little sad that the Ruby Rogue would be spending the afternoon in the grove without her. She wanted them to see the lilacs bloom together, but hoped the lilacs would wait another day.
Dia was squirming now, hands over her face, and Ruby was starting to frown, a spark of anger in her eyes at the story, not her sister, Maki knew. She'd have to speed through this section and remember not to tell this one when Nico was out of town. It was definitely missing Nico popping into the room to interject bows and other flourishes into the story. She would usually have the girls giggling during this part by curling up next to them and pouting at Maki.
"Do you want me to stop, sweetheart?" Maki asked Dia. Ruby immediately shook her head and Dia peeped out from behind her fingers, whispering "No, Mama."
"Then we'll hurry through this part and you'll both have to be as brave as the Ruby Rogue was."
Dia held Ruby's hand and both sets of eyes watched Maki with such seriousness that the former Idol knew she had never had a more invested audience.
"The three royal singers were called A-Rise and when they sang, the Princess enjoyed it, often finding her toe tapping along to the quick melodies, but she didn't feel the urge to join in. The three girls were pretty enough, the Princess thought…"
"Boo." Ruby muttered while Dia made a buzzing noise.
"BUT not nearly as beautiful as the Rogue with the charming smile and the glittering ruby eyes."
Both girls settled a little.
"One of the A-Rise members, Tsubasa, sat next to the Princess at dinner, telling funny stories and saying that she'd heard the Princess played beautiful music. Which made the Princess blush, so when Tsubasa suggested they go into the garden so the Princess could play something, she agreed.
"Taking out her diamond flute, the Princess performed a very simple melody that she had always loved. Tsubasa seemed to recognize it, and hummed along. After the Princess was finished, her guest pulled her up by the gloved hand and they walked underneath the cherry blossoms, Tsubasa being very extravagant with praise."
Maki could have sworn she heard a snort, possibly from outside the door, but neither of the girls noticed anything and Maki continued, adding a twist. "Spying on them, unbeknownst to the Princess, was the very Ruby Rogue she'd been thinking about at dinner, who was pacing just outside of sight, worried about the Princess."
"When it got too dark to see, Tsubasa mentioned she had to get back to the rest of her group so they could get on the road, as they had lingered too long. Then she stood on her toes and lightly kissed the Diamond Princess's cheek."
Both girls squealed, which covered the hiss Maki had been listening for. She was starting to have a bit too much fun and reminded herself to focus on her original audience. The eavesdropper could be dealt with later.
"The Princess didn't know what to do. No one had ever kissed her before, she didn't know what she was supposed to feel like...she stood there, shocked, as cherry blossoms plummeted around her and a saddened Ruby Rogue started to leave the castle grounds. Shivering, the Princess went to the bench to pick up her diamond flute and it was gone. Had Tsubasa taken it inside with her? The Princess rushed inside but A-Rise had ridden off immediately and no one had seen her flute.
"The Princess returned to the garden, but it was too dark to search. She'd have to wait until morning. And when morning came, she couldn't find it, and fell among the trees, crying, until she heard a soft, worried voice next to her, "Pretty eyes? What's wrong?"
The Ruby Rogue was there, dressed once again in the full tunic, hat with a swooping feather, and sword, as if to make an impression. She helped the Princess rise off the ground, ignoring cuts from the diamond skin, holding the Princess close while she cried diamond tears. When the Rogue heard about the flute going missing, she knew who had taken it. But the Princess's parents had already sent off messengers.
"Sing with me," The Ruby Rogue pleaded, "A song will take your mind off the thieves." She said thieves as angrily as if they'd stolen something important to her and not just to the Princess. The Rogue began to hum the melody of a song they'd gotten familiar with over the past fortnight. But the Diamond Princess stubbornly shook her head, fearing that without her flute, her music would be no good. The Ruby Rogue cajoled, begged, and yelled, but the Princess still refused. Every day for a week, the Princess refused to sing with the Ruby Rogue - or visit the grove of lilacs, while her parents waited for word of A-Rise."
"Exactly a week after, there was word. The kingdom A-Rise claimed to come from had never heard of them and no one had seen them or the Princess's Diamond Flute. So when the Ruby Rogue showed up, with an armful of flowers to cheer the Princess, she once again found her collapsed, in tears, unwilling to listen.
"The Rogue sat, silent, until the Princess glanced up, eyes blurred by diamond tears, to make sure she was still there. For just a minute, the Princess saw the saddest expression on the Rogue's face and then the tiny girl bounced to her feet with a broad grin, offering a hand to the Princess. When she took it, the Rogue held it as tightly as she could, although that must have cut her terribly and pulled the Princess up, "Don't cry anymore, pretty eyes, I'll return your flute. Just grant me one tear." And the Rogue brushed a diamond very gently off the Princess's face before she sprinted to the edge of the cherry trees, pausing to sweep her sword out in a very grand bow, "Think about me sometimes, Princess." And that was the first time the Rogue had used her title. The Princess raised a hand to her cheek, where the Rogue's touch still tingled, more than even Tsubasa's kiss.
Ruby bounced happily; Dia was starting to yawn. If Maki managed her voice and story well, she could have them asleep by the end of the tale.
"It was a long, long summer and the Princess spent more time at the top of the Tower, wondering where the Ruby Rogue was, wondering if she was looking up at the stars at night, and lonely. Slowly, as the weather got colder, the Princess began humming.
"Maki hummed for awhile, watching as Ruby started to yawn as well, and when Maki started the story again, her voice was softer, "And one day she started singing to the stars, willing the Ruby Rogue, who she missed terribly, although she would admit it to no one, to hear that she was finally taking her advice and letting the music out, without needing the flute. But it would surely sound better if the Ruby Rogue were singing too, the Princess thought, suddenly worried that she would never hear the other girl's voice again. So winter continued, cold and sad, the Princess alone at the top of her tower, while the Ruby Rogue bravely chased A-Rise places only mentioned in legends. And the Princess realized that she should have valued her afternoons in the lilac grove more than the flute and as Spring approached, she began to consider if she should ask her parents to let her go on an expedition in search of the rogue she missed so terribly. And she started to itch so terribly it cost her sleep at night.
"It was after the cherry blossoms had fallen and the Princess was alone in the garden, fidgeting, singing a sad song about Spring and flowers dropping from trees unseen when she heard an answering melody. Picking up the train of her dress, she sprinted to the lilac grove. Breathless, she stood in the middle, spinning, searching for the voice she'd been longing to hear as the breeze brushed gossamer lilac flowers and they whispered a melody that intensified as the tiny, beautiful, dark haired girl the Princess had dreamed about every night, stepped out. Several deep scratches on her face and arms marred her appearance, her clothes were tattered, exhaustion dimmed her eyes, but she held out the diamond flute as she kneeled, "For you, Princess."
"The Princess ignored the flute, crossing her arms and glaring at the Ruby Rogue, "You worried me."
"The Rogue stared at the Princess, surprised, "No thank you, no I'm very pleased to see you, no you're very brave," there was a pause, then with more sadness than anger. "No I missed you?"
"The Princess blushed and turned her head away, but the Rogue was right there, ruby eyes on fire, hand braving the sharpness of the Princess's skin to force her to meet her glance. The itchiness intensified and the Princess must have looked uncomfortable. The Rogue reached under her torn tunic to pull up a single diamond tear on a silver chain, "I sang to you every day." Tears of her own started to fill up those beautiful ruby eyes and the Princess knew it was her turn to be brave. She took the flute out of the Rogue's hands and threw it away, standing as tall as she could, closing her eyes, before bending down to quickly steal a kiss from the bold beauty who'd stolen her heart. With a huge crack, the diamond skin melted away, freeing the softness underneath.
"The Rogue was staring, raising a bleeding hand to caress the cheek of the Princess, but the Princess took her hand and kissed the cut palm gently, "Sing for me every day from now on, please, Love." Maki left a dramatic pause and when neither of her daughters responded, she knew she'd lulled her audience effectively.
"And so the Ruby Rogue did as the Princess asked and when they had two beautiful daughters, the Ruby Rogue sang to them, but only if the Diamond Princess joined her. And she did, happily, always wanting to hear her voice harmonize with her love, the one who'd found her and freed her."
Maki looked down at her daughters. Dia might have muttered something, but dreams had come before the end of the story. With a smile, Maki leaned over, kissing both her daughters gently on the forehead, then stepped out into the hallway, sliding the screen shut behind her.
"I still have the hat," Nico was sitting on the floor, looking up at her looming wife, amused.
"Why didn't you come in?" Maki asked.
"They sounded like they were about to go to sleep and I didn't want to excite them. Besides," and Nico pulled herself up with the hand Maki offered, "Nico wanted to hear how the story ended. "You never tell that one when I'm here anymore."
"That's because you always steal the stage," Maki chided, jokingly, as Nico pulled her into a hug.
"Just like I stole your heart." Nico giggled.
"Kiss me." Maki demanded.
"So bold, Princess? Nico is shocked." Nico raised a coy hand to cover her lips while her eyes laughed at Maki.
Nico really was insufferable sometimes, Maki thought, trying to glare at the imp she'd married, But that never worked. So she swept Nico up into her arms, "Just wait."
Nico buried her face in Maki's shoulder so her amusement wouldn't wake Dia and Ruby. Coming home early to her family was one of her favorite things to do. Especially when Maki was in this mood. And the girls were soundly asleep.
A/N Needed a brief break from werewolf tension so rescued this from my legal pad. Confession: some nights, I dream of a swords and sorcery fantasy AU...