The Prince's Princess (20/?)
Title: The Prince's Princess
Author: ai_ai_gasa2
Pairing: Lots! Takanoo and some Hikabu, a bit of Ariokamoto, and Chiitaro~
Rating: Probably, overall, PG-13. But they're all individually really safe. Like PG or something.
Genre: Romance, Fluff, very AU.
Summary: The Queen of the South Kingdom died of a sickness quite early on in life. The King never remarried, but did adopt 5 sons. Many years later, it is time now for his children to begin looking for wives, and the King also decides to adopt a daughter, planning a matchmaking ball for her in advance. But the adoption process is delayed... And Prince Inoo has no choice but to step in and play the princes in his to-be-sister's place.
A/N: It's time to take action! This chapter was originally twice as long, but lj said it was too big and wouldn't let me post it. So... Here. Sorry if the ending is awkward.
“Uh… Yeah! Sorry, I’m coming!” Due to knocking the paper off without seeing it, Inoo had no idea where the letter used to be. So he just put it back on the desk, under a few things, and exited the room, shoes in hand. Ayaki accepted them greatly, leaving.
“Yosh!” He whispered, watching as the two women disappeared from sight. He ran back up the stairs, questions filling his mind. It was obvious now that Ayaki was definitely involved-if it hadn’t been obvious before-but the big question now was: who was the letter from? And where had they taken the prince? Getting the letter back out, Inoo continued to read.
We’ve hidden him in Northern territory. Yup. While they’re running all over the South like chickens with their heads cut off, we’ll just be hanging out, completely safe. It’s pathetic, really… If you just stand in front of the back door of the castle and keep walking straight, you’ll run into us at the back edge of the forest. We’re so close that it’s funny. There’s still some debate on whether or not we should kill him once his one month is up, though if we didn’t, I don’t see what we could do with him… It could just end up being a bother. Ah, we’ll mess with that when the time comes. It’s not your problem anyway. Stay strong and inconspicuousbold">.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> --Okamoto Kenichi
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Inoo gasped as he read the name scrawled hastily at the bottom of the paper. K… Keito’s dad? He read it a few more times, then the letter again. And again.
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> This… This is… Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Inoo didn’t know what to think placing the letter slowly in his pocket to show the others later. Keito’s dad and Ayaki were involved in a terroristic plot against both of the countries. That sure explained a lot… Ayaki stealing those valuables, why her stories didn’t match up-they’d all been lies. What had Mr. Okamoto meant by “don’t go soft”? Inoo’s heart clenched. Was she going to hurt Takaki?
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Probably… She is a terrorist.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> But why?
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “…when Yabu’s father threatened us with war… I looked right at her, and she didn’t see me looking, and… She was smiling. Smiling at the prospect of war.”
War. They’re starting a war. And with Ayaki as queen, she’ll just be sitting comfortably, easily pulling strings… Making sure things go her way. What was the main goal though? Sure, they were starting a war, but who did they want to win when it was all over?
The one week mark had passed. Inoo decided that when Ayaki got home, she would be answering some questions.
“Do you wear that all the time?” Inoo asked Ayaki. They were standing outside Mrs. Okamoto’s sewing room, having just helped carry all the fabric in. He gestured to the necklace, and Ayaki nodded shyly, Inoo having to try hard not to roll his eyes.
“Of course!”
“Hey… What do you think about what happened to Rensuke-san? Isn’t it awful?”
Ayaki nodded. “It’s so scary… Creepy terrorists-of course it’s awful!”
“I wonder who could’ve done it though… It’s kinda weird, ne, the timing? I mean, right after he proposed to you and everything… A bit of a downer.” Ayaki froze up, biting her lip. Inoo smirked.
“I mean really… How did our stuff get there? And… Why wasn’t there anything of yours’? What’s your theory on all this, Ayaki?” Inoo fought his smile down, raising an eyebrow and trying to look interested. Ayaki straightened up, saying quickly
“I don’t have any theories.”
“Really?”
“I’ve been a bit busy with my wedding plans.” She said crisply. “It’s just so exciting… I was so happy and relieved when he proposed.” Ayaki smiled-it was obvious that Inoo didn’t want to talk about it, and it was also evident that Ayaki was going to push the subject anyway. “For a while there, I thought my affections weren’t going to be returned, and that this was a one-sided love. I’m curious, so tell me.” Ayaki turned to him-Inoo knew he was going to hate the question, her smirk being unsuccessfully covered by innocent confusion “What does unrequited love feel like, Inoo? Does it hurt?”
Inoo clenched his teeth, unable to pretend that he wasn’t affected. She was twisting the knife, and enjoying every second of it. Ayaki suddenly was serious.
“He doesn’t like you.” She snarled. “You’re so pathetic it’s pissing me off. Can’t you just give up already?”
“He hugs me.” Inoo couldn’t help but mutter. “And danced with me at your party.”
“Well, I’ve hugged and danced with him more.” She put her hands on her hips. “It’s probably just pity anyway. And I’ve kissed him. Twice.”
“He didn’t ever want you to.” They had begun to argue, raising their voices, but before they could really get anywhere with it the door opened, Mrs. Okamoto stepping out. She bowed to both of them.
“Sorry to interrupt, but if you don’t mind…” Inoo understood where Keito got his hesitant manner from “Your highness, I have a few questions about the cut of the skirt…”
“Okay.” Ayaki was a pleasant little princess again, smiling sweetly. She turned to Inoo. “Thank you-I think I can infer the answer. Lovely chatting with you.” She walked back in, Inoo cursing softly when he was sure she was gone. He hadn’t gotten any information, and had humiliated himself in the process. He wanted to throw something, kick something, and cry to Chinen about it all at the same time. So he decided to do the last one, gathering up Yamada, Chinen, and Hikaru and bringing them to his room. He might as well tell them about the letter while he was at it.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Inoo, what is this all about?” Hikaru asked, concerned.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Well, you know how Ayaki asked me to get her shoes for her, right?” Hikaru nodded, and Chinen and Yamada shook their heads.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “She did. That’s not the important part.” Inoo sat, pulling the letter from his pocket. “While I was in there, I found this.”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> He handed it to the closest to him, Yamada, the other two reading over his shoulder.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “That,” Chinen pointed to the name at the bottom of the paper “Is why Daiki isn’t here… Isn’t it.”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Inoo nodded. “I didn’t know how he’d react, and if Daiki and Keito fought, or Daiki said something and Ayaki noticed…”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Chinen nodded, understanding, Yamada saying “It was probably for the best.”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> There was a bit of an awkward silence, then Hikaru said “So… Does anyone have any ideas?”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Chinen and Inoo shrugged, then the three, in unison, turned to Yamada, who just stared back at them.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Any comments?” Hikaru tried again. After some thought, Inoo spoke up.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “We’re the only ones that know where Rensuke is, so we’re the only ones that can save him.” He said slowly.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Save him? How?” Hikaru asked. “We would have to go all the way up to Northern territory, and we’d have to find them, and then…”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Chinen took up the rest of Hikaru’s thought “We can’t take on an entire terrorist organization on our own.”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Well, the North has soldiers.” Inoo pointed out.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “We shouldn’t rely on the soldiers directly.” Yamada said. “If they just storm in there, then the terrorists would kill Rensuke. And then when they were caught, if Mr. Okamoto says he lives in our palace and works for Dad… We wouldn’t be able to avoid a war. And if he reveals his alliance with Ayaki… They wouldn’t believe us, no matter what we said.”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> They all nodded.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Alliance with Ayaki…” Inoo mused. Suddenly, he knew. “I’ve got it.” He told them. “I know what we should do.”
Author: ai_ai_gasa2
Pairing: Lots! Takanoo and some Hikabu, a bit of Ariokamoto, and Chiitaro~
Rating: Probably, overall, PG-13. But they're all individually really safe. Like PG or something.
Genre: Romance, Fluff, very AU.
Summary: The Queen of the South Kingdom died of a sickness quite early on in life. The King never remarried, but did adopt 5 sons. Many years later, it is time now for his children to begin looking for wives, and the King also decides to adopt a daughter, planning a matchmaking ball for her in advance. But the adoption process is delayed... And Prince Inoo has no choice but to step in and play the princes in his to-be-sister's place.
A/N: It's time to take action! This chapter was originally twice as long, but lj said it was too big and wouldn't let me post it. So... Here. Sorry if the ending is awkward.
“Uh… Yeah! Sorry, I’m coming!” Due to knocking the paper off without seeing it, Inoo had no idea where the letter used to be. So he just put it back on the desk, under a few things, and exited the room, shoes in hand. Ayaki accepted them greatly, leaving.
“Yosh!” He whispered, watching as the two women disappeared from sight. He ran back up the stairs, questions filling his mind. It was obvious now that Ayaki was definitely involved-if it hadn’t been obvious before-but the big question now was: who was the letter from? And where had they taken the prince? Getting the letter back out, Inoo continued to read.
We’ve hidden him in Northern territory. Yup. While they’re running all over the South like chickens with their heads cut off, we’ll just be hanging out, completely safe. It’s pathetic, really… If you just stand in front of the back door of the castle and keep walking straight, you’ll run into us at the back edge of the forest. We’re so close that it’s funny. There’s still some debate on whether or not we should kill him once his one month is up, though if we didn’t, I don’t see what we could do with him… It could just end up being a bother. Ah, we’ll mess with that when the time comes. It’s not your problem anyway. Stay strong and inconspicuousbold">.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> --Okamoto Kenichi
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Inoo gasped as he read the name scrawled hastily at the bottom of the paper. K… Keito’s dad? He read it a few more times, then the letter again. And again.
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> This… This is… Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Inoo didn’t know what to think placing the letter slowly in his pocket to show the others later. Keito’s dad and Ayaki were involved in a terroristic plot against both of the countries. That sure explained a lot… Ayaki stealing those valuables, why her stories didn’t match up-they’d all been lies. What had Mr. Okamoto meant by “don’t go soft”? Inoo’s heart clenched. Was she going to hurt Takaki?
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Probably… She is a terrorist.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> But why?
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “…when Yabu’s father threatened us with war… I looked right at her, and she didn’t see me looking, and… She was smiling. Smiling at the prospect of war.”
War. They’re starting a war. And with Ayaki as queen, she’ll just be sitting comfortably, easily pulling strings… Making sure things go her way. What was the main goal though? Sure, they were starting a war, but who did they want to win when it was all over?
The one week mark had passed. Inoo decided that when Ayaki got home, she would be answering some questions.
“Do you wear that all the time?” Inoo asked Ayaki. They were standing outside Mrs. Okamoto’s sewing room, having just helped carry all the fabric in. He gestured to the necklace, and Ayaki nodded shyly, Inoo having to try hard not to roll his eyes.
“Of course!”
“Hey… What do you think about what happened to Rensuke-san? Isn’t it awful?”
Ayaki nodded. “It’s so scary… Creepy terrorists-of course it’s awful!”
“I wonder who could’ve done it though… It’s kinda weird, ne, the timing? I mean, right after he proposed to you and everything… A bit of a downer.” Ayaki froze up, biting her lip. Inoo smirked.
“I mean really… How did our stuff get there? And… Why wasn’t there anything of yours’? What’s your theory on all this, Ayaki?” Inoo fought his smile down, raising an eyebrow and trying to look interested. Ayaki straightened up, saying quickly
“I don’t have any theories.”
“Really?”
“I’ve been a bit busy with my wedding plans.” She said crisply. “It’s just so exciting… I was so happy and relieved when he proposed.” Ayaki smiled-it was obvious that Inoo didn’t want to talk about it, and it was also evident that Ayaki was going to push the subject anyway. “For a while there, I thought my affections weren’t going to be returned, and that this was a one-sided love. I’m curious, so tell me.” Ayaki turned to him-Inoo knew he was going to hate the question, her smirk being unsuccessfully covered by innocent confusion “What does unrequited love feel like, Inoo? Does it hurt?”
Inoo clenched his teeth, unable to pretend that he wasn’t affected. She was twisting the knife, and enjoying every second of it. Ayaki suddenly was serious.
“He doesn’t like you.” She snarled. “You’re so pathetic it’s pissing me off. Can’t you just give up already?”
“He hugs me.” Inoo couldn’t help but mutter. “And danced with me at your party.”
“Well, I’ve hugged and danced with him more.” She put her hands on her hips. “It’s probably just pity anyway. And I’ve kissed him. Twice.”
“He didn’t ever want you to.” They had begun to argue, raising their voices, but before they could really get anywhere with it the door opened, Mrs. Okamoto stepping out. She bowed to both of them.
“Sorry to interrupt, but if you don’t mind…” Inoo understood where Keito got his hesitant manner from “Your highness, I have a few questions about the cut of the skirt…”
“Okay.” Ayaki was a pleasant little princess again, smiling sweetly. She turned to Inoo. “Thank you-I think I can infer the answer. Lovely chatting with you.” She walked back in, Inoo cursing softly when he was sure she was gone. He hadn’t gotten any information, and had humiliated himself in the process. He wanted to throw something, kick something, and cry to Chinen about it all at the same time. So he decided to do the last one, gathering up Yamada, Chinen, and Hikaru and bringing them to his room. He might as well tell them about the letter while he was at it.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Inoo, what is this all about?” Hikaru asked, concerned.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Well, you know how Ayaki asked me to get her shoes for her, right?” Hikaru nodded, and Chinen and Yamada shook their heads.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “She did. That’s not the important part.” Inoo sat, pulling the letter from his pocket. “While I was in there, I found this.”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> He handed it to the closest to him, Yamada, the other two reading over his shoulder.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “That,” Chinen pointed to the name at the bottom of the paper “Is why Daiki isn’t here… Isn’t it.”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Inoo nodded. “I didn’t know how he’d react, and if Daiki and Keito fought, or Daiki said something and Ayaki noticed…”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Chinen nodded, understanding, Yamada saying “It was probably for the best.”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> There was a bit of an awkward silence, then Hikaru said “So… Does anyone have any ideas?”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Chinen and Inoo shrugged, then the three, in unison, turned to Yamada, who just stared back at them.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Any comments?” Hikaru tried again. After some thought, Inoo spoke up.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “We’re the only ones that know where Rensuke is, so we’re the only ones that can save him.” He said slowly.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Save him? How?” Hikaru asked. “We would have to go all the way up to Northern territory, and we’d have to find them, and then…”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> Chinen took up the rest of Hikaru’s thought “We can’t take on an entire terrorist organization on our own.”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Well, the North has soldiers.” Inoo pointed out.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “We shouldn’t rely on the soldiers directly.” Yamada said. “If they just storm in there, then the terrorists would kill Rensuke. And then when they were caught, if Mr. Okamoto says he lives in our palace and works for Dad… We wouldn’t be able to avoid a war. And if he reveals his alliance with Ayaki… They wouldn’t believe us, no matter what we said.”
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> They all nodded.
mso-bidi-font-family:Kartika;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> “Alliance with Ayaki…” Inoo mused. Suddenly, he knew. “I’ve got it.” He told them. “I know what we should do.”