[Fic] The Frog Princes Prologue Part 1
Title: The Frog Princes
Pairing(s): Akame
Rating: PG-13, to be safe for now
Genre: Fairtytale/romance
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with JE, and obviously I cannot "own" these people. I also, in no way, make monetary profit off this. Parts of this story are also loosely based off a variety of fairytales where either the prince or princess is turned into a frog and I do not hold the rights to these stories.
Summary: Jin: a prince cursed to live as a frog because of his narcissistic ways. Kazuya: a prince pushed into an arranged marriage to help bring peace to two other kingdoms. Aoi: the princess to marry Kazu with whom she fell in love with at first sight.
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[Prologue]
Once upon a time there lived a prince. He was so often praised as to his good looks he began to take it to heart. As the years passed his vanity grew more and more until he was seen as quite unbearable at times. However as the oldest prince of his Kingdom he was trained in all subjects befitting the future king. But, at every relatively reflective surface he couldn’t help but gaze at his countenance with a light smile. Nothing could break him of the habit no matter how his father tried. The King had gone as far as having all mirrors removed from the castle but his oldest always managed to find some sort of reflective surface.
He was so accustomed to the adventures he and his two best friends, Lords Nishikido and Tomohisa, would go on being approved by their parents that it became second nature. They were at war with another kingdom. As soon as they were able to protect themselves they were let loose. It would be practice, just in case anything drastic were to happen in the future.
Very few remembered why they were at war with the Saito Kingdom. The hostile relations had gone on for generations, neither side able to pinpoint an exact cause for the strife. They constantly lapsed into bitter peace before one again waging war every time in feeble hope of a future resolution. All direct peace negotiations had always failed and each country once again would prep for war.
However, the crown prince, regardless of his classes, once again set out on an adventure. This time into relatively uncharted woods. As he rode out he attempted to fix his hair from the light reflection from his sword he had pulled from his hip. Throughout the whole walk through the forest Pi and Ryo had been bickering.
“Jin, stop doing that!” Snapped Pi from his right. “You’ll lose balance and fall straight on your sword. I’m not explaining what happened to your father!”
“It would be kind of funny though.” Smirked Ryo from Jin’s other side.
“Just shut up you two!” Snapped Jin.
“Really I’m just looking out for your neck, Akanishi.” Muttered Pi.
Jin sighed and stopped. “You guys do whatever, I’m going off alone. I can’t listen to you anymore. Hopefully you’ll learn to be quiet by the time I get back!” He sheathed his sword and marched off through the thickening trees.
As he walked further and further into the forest the sounds around him slowly began to dissipate until only the crunching of the leaves under his boots remained. He stopped moving and tried to catch a glimpse of anything through the trees. A glint caught his eyes and instantly he dodged trees and found a pond.
He knelt next to the glossy surface and observed himself. He couldn’t resist the temptation to fix the slightly windswept hair. Minutes passed and he continued to scrutinize his reflection. While making faces, trying out new expressions, and adjusting his hair he didn’t hear the approach of footsteps.
“What are you doing here?” Called out a voice, when no answer was returned the person huffed. “Stop looking at your stupid reflection and answer!”
“In a minute.” Said Jin as he tried to flatten his hair.
The man behind him tugged on his curls lightly. “Stand up, I won’t be ignored like this.” He snapped his fingers and the water disappeared from the pond.
Jin spun around. “What are you?”
“You don’t know?” The man asked. “There’s a reason no one comes to this forest. I, Matsumoto, live here.”
“A witch? Rather, a sorcerer…” Muttered Jin.
“I don’t take kindly to being ignored. Especially by someone as vain and foolish as you are. What should I do to you? Perhaps take away your looks, send you back home with a face as ugly as your personality.” Jun tossed a stone up and down in his hand.
“Do you realize who you are threatening?” Muttered Jin. “The crown prince.”
“Why do I care?” Asked Jun with a smirk. “You trespassed into my territory, and they’ll never know it was me. Your friends are wandering aimlessly looking for you…” He tilted his head lightly. “I know…” He fluttered his fingers lightly and suddenly Jin’s form morphed.
No longer kneeled the prince but instead a frog sat beside a sheathed sword.
“Appropriate, isn’t it?” Mused Jun with a light smile as he picked up the frog. “Perhaps you’ll lose your narcissistic ways if you look like this. Now, there is one way to turn back. If the person fated to be your love kisses you then you can change back into a human… but what are the chances of that?” He replaced the water in the pond and tossed Jin in, laughing as he walked off.
When Jin didn’t return after an hour Pi and Ryo left their spot to try and find the prince.
“I hope that idiot hasn’t hurt himself.” Muttered Ryo. “It would be just like him to get hurt and then put the work on us to get him home.”
“He’s probably just staring at his reflection, come on.” Said Pi and he dragged Ryo in search of the wayward prince.
Hours passed as they scoured the forest until they found the pond.
“Ryo!” Exclaimed Pi running to the edge of the pond and picking up the sword.
“He wouldn’t leave his sword just lying around. Then he wouldn’t have something shiny to stare at.”
Once the crown prince could not be found immediately everyone laid the blame, not on the sorcerer of the forest, but on the kingdom with which they were at war. Everyone believed that only enemy treachery could make the prince disappear as he had.
As a result Jin’s younger brother, Reio, was forced into the position of future heir.
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Once upon the same time lived Kamenashi, Kazuya. He was a gentle and intelligent prince. He was adored by his older brothers, and doted on his younger brother. As the third son of the Midori Kingdom he listened in dread as the continuous supply of news about the war poured in every day.
Ever since he was born he had to hear the news of Akai Kingdom and Aoi Kingdom at war. Being at peace with both kingdoms was also trying as both constantly tried to entice Midori to join a side in the war. The kingdom had remained neutral from the whole duration of the war.
Kazu was sitting to breakfast with his younger brother when a courier ran in with a message. His father had just strode into the room and glanced at the courier.
“What news do you bring this time?” He asked gravely, already predicting a death toll.
“Your majesty!” Said the courier and quickly handed a letter over. “I shall take my leave at once.” And he disappeared through the doors.
“What town has been destroyed this time?” Questioned Kazu quietly, glancing at his younger brother. He watched as his father read the letter with slowly widening eyes.
“Kazu… Aka’s crown prince, Jin, has disappeared.” He father uttered quietly. “Aka is blaming Aoi Kingdom for his disappearance.”
Kazu dropped his chopsticks. “Isn’t the crown prince only eighteen? Where did he disappear? What happened?”
“He and two friends were exploring. He separated and when they tried to find him they found some of his possessions. They’ve combed the whole forest, there’s no trace of him anywhere.” He rubbed his temple as he took a seat.
“Aoi wouldn’t have done that.” Said Kazu slowly. “I mean, he’s so young still.”
“Kazu, you’re even younger. I don’t think you understand just what people will do during war. Desperation drives people to do crazy things. But I don’t think they ruling family would plan this, if someone from Aoi did do this then it had to have been a citizen…”
“What are we going to do?” Asked Kazu.
“I’ll make a statement. Get your brothers, we’ll want to do this before night… I’ll have to get the media together.” The king swept from the room.
“Come on Yuuya.” Chimed Kazu. “Let’s go get you ready for the conference, alright?”
“Who is Jin?” Yuuya tilted his head lightly.
“Aka Kingdom’s oldest royal son, he’s two years older than me.” Said Kazu slowly.
“Oh.” Murmured Yuuya simply before allowing Kazu to lead him from the room.
Already he could hear the murmurs spreading around him. It was the same topic every day, would peace be brought closer or, as always, would war be forced to continue and escalate. Hurried steps flew up behind the pair.
“Ka, is it true?” Asked Kouji hurriedly. “Dad just passed me, he was muttering about Prince Jin disappearing.”
Kazu nodded lightly.
“This couldn’t be a worse time!” Snapped Kouji. “Things were finally starting to decline and settle. Both sides were getting tired of all the fighting. There could have been peace. But neither kingdom will avoid blaming the other for either kidnapping the prince or being foolish enough to let him wander off during war. Whoever caused this… just cost thousands of lives.” Kouji sighed. “I guess dad is giving a statement and wants us there?”
“Yeah, he wanted me to tell you to get ready.” Mumbled Kazu. “Can you tell Yuuichirou when you see him?”
“Yeah, I’ll go find him now.” Kouji said bitterly before marching down the hall.
Yuuya sat obediently as Kazu found suitable clothes and dressed his brother.
“Now just wait here and I’ll come back for you once I’m ready. Knowing dad he’ll have the reporters ready within an hour.” Said Kazu with a light smile before leaving.
Yuuya watched the door for a few moments before pulling a book from a shelf and sitting down to wait.
Kazu passed the hallway and into his own rooms and sat covering his face on a chair.
“Kouji is right… there had been rumors of peace negotiations, neither king wanted to continue this on much longer. But King Hiraku is stubborn, and if someone hints to him that maybe it was Aoi country he might believe them. He won’t give up now, at least not so soon after his son’s disappearance.”
His prediction proved right, within the hour he was fetched and joined his brother’s sitting at their father’s side.
“I’m sure most of you know already that Aka Kingdom’s crown prince, Jin, has disappeared.” Started their father gravely. “We sympathize greatly with King Hiraku and the rest of the kingdom.”
“Your majesty!” Began someone quickly. “What do you make of the rumors that Aoi Kingdom is behind the disappearance?”
“I highly doubt that the royal family, or anyone in Aoi Kingdom, would do something of this sort. Emotions are running high but there are also signs of the war coming to an end. Seeing how exhausted both sides are I can’t see anyone making this sort of move so late.” He said calmly.
“Very well said your majesty, do you mind if we ask some opinions from your sons?” Asked the same man.
“Only if they wish so.”
“Do you have any thoughts on this matter Prince Kouji?”
“I send my best wishes to Aka Kingdom in finding Prince Jin. I believe, like father, that there is no way someone from Aoi could have planned something like this. The crown prince is after all still a young man, he’s only a few years younger than myself. I put belief in that no one would have felt the need to stoop so low as to kidnap someone so young.” To his side Yuuichirou nodded in understanding.
“Do you then believe that this is somehow the fault of Aka Kingdom and the crown prince if it can’t be Aoi Kingdom?”
“I think at this stage we can’t make any sure assumptions as to those options. I believe Aoi Kingdom has had nothing to do with his disappearance. However, I also believe that Aka Kingdom would not allow something to happen to their crown prince during such times, nor would Prince Jin do something as to put himself in danger. All we can do at this point is give our help and hope to finding Prince Jin soon.” Answered Kazu quietly.
“I see, that is one way to look at it. Your majesty, is there anything else you would like to say to the people?”
“Yes, I want to assure everyone that we will be doing our best to aid in the search for the prince and will try to continue the prospect of peace negotiations to the best of our abilities.”
“Thank you for allowing us to hear your thoughts on this matter.” Said the man as everyone began to clear from the room.
“What do you think really happened?” Whispered Kouji.
“I don’t know, it’s a bit suspicious. According to the letter they’ve been searching for a few weeks and there’s been no trace. I highly doubt Aoi Kingdom could’ve gotten in and out like that… and I don’t think King Hiraku would potentially do that to his son. Especially not with peace so close. I don’t think either side did anything…” Commented Yuuichirou.
“All we can do is hope he returns, and soon.” Sighed Kazu.
Part Two