Another Beginning!
?'s P.O.V.
A cool breeze swept through the bustling town of Corinth as the people were in the markets, in the streets and doing their daily chores. A certain young boy walked around the town and looked at his surroundings quizzically and curiously. He found it odd that such a profound kingdom would have such a care free town. He looked up the night sky and smiled, a smile one could not comprehend. As he smiled at the sky and spoke "I wonder if we can finally find what we're looking for here…."
A Few Days Later…
The town of Corinth was filled with bustling people and filled with the happy and jolly voices of the townsfolk. A certain blonde princess paced herself quickly around town, she was in such a hurry, filled with excitement that she didn't even bother putting on some type of disguise. She walked briskly and entered and all too familiar restaurant. As she entered, she was greeted with shocked looks, shocked faces and people greeted the princess with smiles.
"Ah Hime-sama, have you come to see the Souma brothers?" asked a man with a smile.
"Yes, are they in?" she asked kindly.
"Why yes, wait here for a moment." Said the man and then he called "Oi! You have a guest waiting for you! Don't make her wait long."
"Coming!" As the voice replied, a boy with brownish hair and bright emerald eyes emerged from the stairs and smiled at the princess.
"Kukai!" The said princess, Tsukiyomi Utau, exclaimed with excitement.
Kukai Souma, one of the restaurants main owners, smiled. "Morning Utau!" He spoke as he approached his fiancée and gave her a hug.
"I'm so glad you're here. I couldn't stand being with just Yoru there in the palace, and all he ever does is day dream about Miki." Said Utau with a laugh.
"Yeah, well that's nothing new now is it?" said Kukai.
"Hey, no mushy stuff during work." This voice belonged to Daichi, Kukai's younger brother.
"Funny, when did that rule get issued?" asked Kukai.
"I made it, just now." Replied Daichi "But I guess I can make an exception for Utau-nee." He's made it a habit of his to call her Utau-nee now, ever since they got engaged.
Utau blushed and spoke "W-we're not even married yet. Father postponed it a few weeks ago remember?"
"I know, but since you're going to be my sister in law anyway, might as well call you that." Said Daichi with a smirk.
"You don't call him Kukai-nii, so why me? It makes me sound old." Huffed Utau.
"Leave him Utau, he's going to get tired of it eventually." Said Kukai with a laugh. "He's just messing with you because he knows that you're older than me."
"We have an age difference of a year! It's not even that big." Said Utau.
"Yeah, but that's the way he wants it to go, so just leave him be." Said Kukai. "The honorific might not even last."
"Oh it better not last." Said Utau with a playful glare at the two brothers.
"Anyway, why are you here so early in the morning?" asked Kukai.
"I just wanted to come for a visit. Plus, I wanted to tell you that mother and father have chosen the new dates for the wedding." Said Utau with a smile.
"Then I take it that their friend who couldn't attend before is coming?" asked Kukai.
"Yeah, they said that they'll be coming soon. In fact they're sons are already around. They're somewhere in the kingdom, and they'll be staying in the palace when they arrive here." Said Utau.
"Whoa, wait up…sons?" asked Kukai. "I thought they said they had a son, not sons."
Utau shrugged "I don't know much of the details too, but mother said that they had sons, meaning there's more than one."
"And how many exactly are there?" asked Kukai. He was not comfortable with the idea of Utau being in one place with lots of guys, the idea was not something Kukai was open for.
"Well, I'm not sure. Two I think, but I don't know really." Replied Utau and then she asked "Why exactly do you ask?"
"Hn, it's nothing." Replied Kukai with a sigh.
"Okay…Uh…so where's Amu-chan right now?" asked Daichi "You said you were with Yoru, so where are Amu-chan and Ikuto-kun?"
"Out." Replied Utau.
"Out?" asked Daichi.
"Yeah, they're in the forest right now." Said Utau with a smile.
"The forest? What could they be doing there?" wondered Daichi.
Why would Ikuto and Amu want to spend time in a place like a forest? What could they possibly be doing there now?
In a deep place within the forest near the palace, Hinamori Amu, the once rumored to have been deceased, was with the kingdoms prince, Tsukiyomi Ikuto. The two of them decided to spend their time off, in the place where things really began between them. Ikuto's 'place of peace' as he would call it.
Amu sat on one of the wooden benches in the area as she listened to the melodious sound of Ikuto's violin. He was a very talented violinist, a talent only a few knew of, and he would always be willing to play for Amu whenever she desired.
Ikuto stopped after playing another song and he set his violin back in its case, as he sat down beside his fiancée. "How was that?" he asked her.
"That was nice Ikuto, thanks." Said Amu with a smile.
"Hm, you're lucky I play whenever you want me to without asking for anything in return." Said Ikuto with a sigh.
"Do you want anything in return?" asked Amu curiously.
Ikuto, being that sly person that he was, smirked at this. "Why do you ask? Will you give me something I want from you?"
"T-that depends on what it is." Replied Amu, as she saw his smirk, she wished she never asked.
Ikuto chuckled as he saw her face turn into a shade as red as a tomato. "My, my, Amu-koi, what were you thinking in that head of yours?"
"Wh-what?" asked Amu as she turned even redder than before.
Ikuto pulled his face closer to hers and spoke "Were you thinking perverted thoughts again? Tsk, that's not very healthy you know."
"St-stop that! I was not thinking like that!" retorted Amu.
"Then, do you mind telling me why you're so red?" he asked her, and to make things work in his favor, he hugged her tight as if never wanting to let go. "Hm?"
Amu blinked, and she couldn't speak. It's been a while since Ikuto's been this…affectionate? She didn't even know if that was the right word to describe it. "Hey…Ikuto…cut it out already…." She told him.
"You're so cute when you do that Amu." He told her.
"Stop teasing me." She said with a huff.
"Honestly, you and Utau act the same, you know that? You're both so stubborn sometimes." Ikuto said with a smile.
"That's just because you like teasing me a lot." She replied.
"I don't know what will happen when the day comes that I stop teasing you. I've become quite fond of it." Replied Ikuto.
"Yeah, I can see that." Said Amu. As she looked around the forest area, she smiled. "You know, it's like the first time I ran into you here. When I was…punished." She shuddered at the memory of the punishment.
Ikuto frowned "I don't think you should be smiling like that then. It wasn't a good memory." He said seriously.
"I'm smiling because that was the time when I was taken to the palace, and I got to know you." Said Amu.
"Hm, I guess that's true. If you never came here, I would have never found you." Said Ikuto. He would have never imagined he'd learn to care for her the way he did, but he was glad that it happened.
"So, the wedding dates will be rescheduled now right?" asked Amu as she turned her face to look at Ikuto. He was still hugging her, so she couldn't turn completely.
"Yeah, but it doesn't matter how long it is until it's rescheduled. As long as you stay with me and the rest of us, and your step family doesn't come back, then it's fine." Said Ikuto.
"My step family…" Amu thought back and remembered the life she lived before she met Ikuto and Utau. Her life was a mess and if it weren't for her friends, worse things could have happened to her.
By the end of the issue, when the Yamabuki family were found out, Amu and the others were left to decide the verdict. In the end, they didn't want to do something as harsh as to execute the Yamabukis, but they were sentenced to a lifetime in house arrest in a small cottage in a deep forest area outside the borders of the kingdom. This, and the fact that they can never enter the kingdom again.
"You okay?" asked Ikuto.
"Yeah…I'm fine, thanks." Replied Amu.
"Don't worry, no one's going to hurt you again…I promise." Said Ikuto with a smile, before he slowly bent down to kiss her, taking her thoughts away from other things but that moment alone.
While Amu and Ikuto were enjoying their time together, since they've had some spare time since the wedding was said to be postponed to a later date, all was also going well in the Hinamori mansion. This estate that once belonged to the Yamabukis was now back to its rightful owners. When Amu and everyone of her friends was able to clear out all of the things that weren't theirs, the mansion became a home to all.
Amu's little sister, Ami Hinamori, who was once taken in by a close friend, was now back in her own home. She was safe and there was no need for fear and desperate measures to be taken. All of the mansion's residents had stayed as well.
The four friends of Amu stayed to keep the house tidy and clean and took care of Ami. Ran, Su, Miki and Dia were doing a great job.
"This is amazing~desu!" said Su as she looked at the dresses before her.
"Amu-chan's going to love it." Said Dia with a smile "Nice job Miki, we could never expect less from you."
Miki, the one with a talent for fashion and such, had tailored Amu's wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses and they were stunning as ever. "My talent amazes me too!" exclaimed Miki as the others sweat dropped.
"Just don't go getting a big head." Mashiro Rima, another close friend, said with a smile.
"Rima-chan!" exclaimed Ran "I thought you were with Nagi."
Nagihiko Fujisaki, who once lived under the alias of Nadeshiko, was one of Amu's childhood friends. "I am…I mean, I was…" replied Rima as she turned away slightly.
"You didn't get into a fight did you?" asked Dia.
"No." replied Rima.
"She just wanted to come inside first." Nagihiko spoke as he entered the room.
"Speak of the devil, you got here rather fast didn't you Nagi?" asked Ran with a slight laugh.
"I just wanted to avoid you guys teasing Rima-chan again." Said Nagihiko.
"You don't always need to be here you know." Said Rima "I can take care of myself."
"I know that." He told her with a smile "I just want to be here for you when I can."
"…" Rima stayed silent, but she blushed and her face slightly became red.
The others in the room couldn't help but giggle, and Nagihiko just smiled. A few weeks after Kukai's proposal, when the Yamabukis were finally given their sentence, Rima and Nagihiko stated that they were officially together. It was no big news to anyone, what shocked them was the fact that Rima had admitted it, although with a little hesitation.
"Onii-chan!" They all turned around to see Ami running toward them, or rather, toward Nagihiko.
"Ami, you're supposed to be napping." Said Nagihiko as he carried the little girl into his arms.
"No, I'm awake now! I want to play!" said Ami with a smile.
Nagihiko chuckled, "Demo, you have to wait for Yaya-chan to get here."
"Why? Onii-chan, you play with me." Said Ami.
"I'd love to Ami, but I still have some things that need to be taken care of." Said Nagihiko.
"Looks like you guys need some help~nya." Yoru, a good friend of the royals, suddenly came in.
"Yoru!" exclaimed Miki happily as she went over to hug him. Yoru was a good friend of the royals and also lives in the palace.
"Would you look at that." Said Ran with a smile.
"Now, now Ran." Said Dia with a light giggle "Miki will admit everything when she's ready."
Miki and Yoru have been seeing each other a lot for quite some time now. The others have been asking for her to admit that she and Yoru were seeing each other, but they haven't managed to get anything out of her…yet.
"So Yoru, what are you doing here all of a sudden? And how did you get inside?" asked Ran curiously.
"The front door was open~nya. And I didn't have any work today." Said Yoru with a smile.
"Figures, Ikuto is probably somewhere with Amu-chan. Not to mention that Utau is probably with Kukai too." Said Rima.
"I can stay here and play with Ami too~nya." Said Yoru with a smile.
"Really? Now that would be nice. Wouldn't it Ami? Yoru-nii can play with you." Said Nagihiko.
"Yay!" Ami ran over and clung to Yoru. "Let's play!"
"Okay~nya." Said Yoru as he held Ami and carried her to the garden.
"Why don't you go join them Miki? Ami would love another play mate." Said Dia with a smile.
"Alright, are sure you guys will be fine here?" asked Miki.
" Of course, you go on ahead." Sais Dia as she glanced and winked at the others.
Ran and Su giggled and Rima just smiled. "Better hurry Miki, you wouldn't want to make them wait." Said Rima.
"Tell Yoru-kun I said thank you." Said Nagihiko.
"I will, well then, I'll see you guys later." Miki then walked briskly to the garden.
"Well, we better hurry and clean it up here. I need to go to Daichi's place today." Said Ran.
"Oh? Why~desu?" asked Su " Did you two make any plans for today?"
Ran suddenly blushed. "Y-yeah. He said he was taking me to dinner, you know, just the two of us."
"Aw, you're going on your first real date~desu." Said Su with a happy sigh.
Ran and Daichi started dating a few days before Rima and Nagihiko did. Many of them have found their other halves after the final incident. There are still quite a few who haven't though. Some, like Miki and Yoru, won't admit it, but others just haven't noticed or found it yet.
Meanwhile, as the day goes on in the Hinamori mansion, the market place is as noisy and crowded as ever. A certain store owner was currently with his best friend. The people in the market were bustling about and these two were simply enjoying the other's company.
"See? I told you that Nagi and Rima-chan would admit it eventually." Said Rhythm, the store owner, and a brother figure to Nagihiko.
"True, I haven't seen Nagi interested in anyone in my life so this is very new to me. I'm happy for him though." Said Temari with a smile. She happens to be Rhythm's childhood friend and Nagihiko's older sister.
"Things have been going well lately, this feels nice." Said Rhythm "We no longer have to worry about things anymore."
"You can never tell." Said Temari "But a little peace is always good for everyone."
"That's true." Agreed Rhythm "But it's good to see things going well."
As the two of them were talking, a unknown voice was heard. "Excuse me…"
Temari and Rhythm both turned to look at the boy who spoke. They could tell that it was a boy from how he spoke. They turned and saw a boy, who seemed younger than them, with light brown hair and brown eyes.
"Oh…hello, is there something we can do for you?" asked Temari. She's never seen this boy in her life.
"I happen to be new in town." Said the young boy "Actually, my brother and I can't seem to find our around here."
"Brother?" asked Rhythm. "And you mentioned that you're new here?"
"Yes, my older brother and I need to find our way around. May I ask for help?" he asked politely.
"Of course, can you tell us where you need to go?" asked Temari. "And may we know your name?"
"My name? Oh how rude of me, I'm Kenta." He said with a bright smile.
"Okay then Kenta-kun, where do you need to go?" asked Rhythm.
"I just need to find my way out of the market place, thank you. This place was so crowded that I happen to get lost because of the huge crowd." Kenta explained as he placed a hand on the back of his head.
"But didn't you mention that you had a brother? Is he with you?" asked Rhythm. He figured that if Kenta had a brother, why would he be left here alone?
"My brother went on ahead. I can find my way through the kingdom once I get out of the marketplace." He told them.
"I see, then we'll be more than happy to help you. I'll take you out of the marketplace and hopefully you'll be able to find your way back from there." Said Temari.
"Of course, just leave that part to me." Said Kenta and then he spoke "I apologize for this. I never expected to get lost."
"Oh it's fine. Almost everyone gets lost during their first time here in the marketplace." Said Temari "Come now."
"Stay safe." Called Rhythm as he watched them walk further away from his shop.
"We will. I'll be back later okay?" called Temari.
Temari took Kenta out of the marketplace and back to the main streets of town. The people there were not as rowdy as the ones in the market and their number dropped quite nicely. Kenta sighed and spoke "Thank you so much. I owe you my gratitude."
"You're more than welcome. Next time you come for a visit in the market, try to bring someone with you." Advised Temari.
"Alright. Thank you so much once again. I have to go now." Said Kenta as he bowed and quickly ran and left.
"What a strange boy." Mumbled Temari as she sighed and walked back towards the marketplace to share her insights with Rhythm.
When she got back, Rhythm was waiting for her and he asked "Were you able to take him there?"
"Yes, he seemed to be in a hurry once he got out." Said Temari "It was rather odd."
"Well, his brother could have been waiting for him." Said Rhythm with a shrug.
"He's really not from here is he? But he said that he can find his way through the rest of the kingdom." Stated Temari.
"The marketplace must be somewhere he's never entered before. But if he knows his way around than that must mean he's a noble of some sort." Rhythm thought it was odd for someone to know his way around the kingdom, but couldn't find his way out of a marketplace.
"His family must be strict with him, this does bring about the possibility that he is a noble." Said Temari as she thought about it.
"Well, we'll probably never see him around here again." Inquired Rhythm.
"I guess so. I just hope he made it back safely." As Temari and Rhythm dropped the topic about Kenta, one couldn't help but wonder…who is Kenta anyway?
It wasn't long after meeting Kenta that Temari had to go back to the Fujisaki household. As she went inside, she saw Yuiki Yaya, one of her dance students and a friend of the family, along with Sanjo Kairi, who helps with his sister's work in the palace.
"My, you two seem to be here a lot lately." Said Temari.
"Temari-nee! You're back!" stated Yaya.
"Hello Fujisaki-san." Greeted Kairi with a smile.
"Now Kairi, we talked about this, Fujisaki-san is just too formal. You can call me Temari-nee as well." Said Temari, she knew that Kairi can be too polite sometimes.
"Okay…Fujisa-…I mean, Temari-neesan." Stated Kairi.
"That's a whole lot better. Thank you Kairi. Do you want some tea?" she asked them.
"I love your tea!" exclaimed Yaya "It's like how Nagi makes it."
"How about you Kairi?" she asked him.
"Of course, that would be nice, thank you." Said Kairi as Temari went to the kitchen to make them some tea.
After the incident with the Misuzawa and Yamabuki family, Kairi has been visiting the town a lot. It was like when Utau was first drawn to Kukai and she couldn't stop wanting to see him. Kairi started to get close to Yaya and the two of them see each other often now. The others have been betting that it wouldn't be long until the two got together, but of course, with them being the youngest, no one's in a hurry.
"Ne Kairi, did you go visit Kukai and the others today?" asked Yaya, he was younger than her so the honorific wasn't needed.
"No. Utau-chan was the one who went to visit the Souma's place and I don't think anyone went to see the others." Said Kairi.
"Hm, and where's Amu-chii?" asked Yaya.
"Out with Ikuto-kun again." He spoke with a sigh.
"I'm jealous of them." Said Yaya with a pout.
"Oh? Why?" Kairi asked confused and curious.
"Well, Amu-chii is always with Ikuto and it's like they never leave each other's side. I wish someone would never leave my side too." Said Yaya.
"No one's going to leave you, you have so many friends." Said Kairi.
"Yeah, but once everyone separates, Yaya will be alone." She told him sadly.
"Don't worry, you won't be alone." Said Kairi and his cheeks started to turn red.
"Eh?" asked Yaya confused.
"I'll be here with you." Promised Kairi, he didn't even know why he was saying all this now, it just kept coming out.
Yaya suddenly blushed and she smiled "Kairi, you promised, so you better not break it."
"Of course." He replied with a smile.
"Tea's ready!" called Temari as she started to serve them tea.
"Were you able to avoid the crowds and the markets by the way?" asked Kairi as she drank some tea.
"Yes, it wasn't as crowded as usual…but still crowded." Said Temari "In fact, someone new was in town today."
"Someone new?" asked Yaya "Who was it?"
"Well, he was lost in the market and he asked for help to get back to the town's main road. We didn't know if he was a noble or not, but that's what it seemed like." Said Temari as she thought back to what happened.
"Hm, my sister never mentioned any new nobles that have stationed themselves in the kingdom recently." Stated Kairi and then he asked "Were you able to get his name?"
"Yes, but we just got his first name." said Temari "His name was Kenta."
"Kenta…" Kairi thought that the name sounded familiar, but for some reason he couldn't remember where and when he heard that name before.
"Do you know him Kairi?" asked Yaya.
"I'm not sure. His name sounds familiar, but I don't quite remember where I've heard it before." He told them.
"He did say he was new here." Stated Temari. "He was in quite a hurry when we got him out of the market area."
"Was someone waiting for him?" asked Kairi curiously.
"He said that he had a brother with him. We didn't get to see his brother though. He was in the markets alone and when we got out, he was in such a hurry to leave." Explained Temari.
"Interesting…I should go ask my sister about it when I get back to the palace." Said Kairi.
"Well, don't dwell on it too much though. It's not good to stress on something a lot." Said Temari with a smile. "Now, enjoy your tea and I'll go get us something to eat."
She went to the kitchen to fix them something to eat and Yaya and Kairi simply wanted to spend time with each other, so all was well. The question though, that played in Kairi's mind, was Kenta's identity. He knew that the name itself sounded familiar, but he could only wonder who this boy really is…
Later that Night
Utau came back to the palace late again, she's been coming home late because she spends most of her time with Kukai. The king and queen didn't mind it at all, seeing as Kukai was her fiancée, and as long as he escorted her back home, they didn't mind. There were still problems that the Tsukiyomi family had to deal with though, such as the disagreement of Utau's engagement with Kukai revolving with some kingdom leaders. Although they didn't pay much attention to it, Utau was starting to loathe the kingdom leaders who were so controlling over her and her family.
"Utau, something wrong?" asked Kukai as he looked at her.
"No, just thinking that's all." Said Utau.
"Well, here we are, back at the palace safe and sound." Said Kukai with a light smile "I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow then."
"You're leaving?" she asked.
"Yeah, it's getting late now, and I still have to get back." Said Kukai "Sorry."
"Why do you always refuse to stay here?" asked Utau "Amu stays here doesn't she?"
Kukai smiled, they've been over this issue for quite some time now, and she did have a point, they were engaged after all. "The palace isn't exactly my home…at least not yet." He told her.
" You don't like it here?" she asked a bit confused.
"No, I mean, I think it's great and all, but there are still some things we both need to take care of. My situation isn't as easy as Hinamori, unlike her, I'm no noble, and you know that." Said Kukai.
"Pathetic rulers…" muttered Utau. She knew one of the reasons that Kukai couldn't stay is because some kingdom leaders still continued to oppose to it, and Kukai just didn't want to start a riot.
"Hey now, don't say it like that. They'll come to see things our way, you just gotta give them time." Said Kukai.
"You shouldn't even be this patient with them." Said Utau "My life was supposed to be none of their business when my father promised me to you."
"Yeah, well not everyone can be as nice as his highness." Stated Kukai. "Just give it a bit more time okay?"
"Alright." Utau sighed "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"See you around Utau." Said Kukai with another one of his famous smiles. Before he left, he gave her a quick kiss, and whispered the words "I love you…" before leaving the palace for the night.
Utau sighed as she watched him leave, she really wished he could stay, but she could only hope for that for now. "Utau-chan, you're home." She turned around and saw Tadase there with a smile on his face. Hotori Tadase was a noble in the kingdom that came to stay with the royals along with his uncle Tsukasa.
"Tadase, good evening." Greeted Utau.
"I see Souma-kun has left then?" asked Tadase.
"Yes, he just did actually." Said Utau.
"Don't you want to come in? It's getting rather cold out." He offered.
"Thank you. Is Ikuto home yet?" she asked. Utau knew he was, but she just wanted to make sure.
"Yes, him and Amu-chan got home just a few hours ago." Said Tadase "Aruto-san called for him."
"Oh really?" Utau wondered why her father would call for Ikuto and not her.
"Yes, just some matters to discuss. We are having guests over after all, they arrive tomorrow morning here at the palace." Said Tadase.
"Oh yes, I've heard of them. Just the two sons right?" she asked and Tadase nodded in reply. "Alright. Thank you Tadase."
"You should go to your room and get some rest Utau-chan." Advised Tadase "Good night." He greeted before he started to walk to his own room.
Utau then resigned to her own room as well. She was tired, but it was all worth it. After all, she did spend another day with Kukai. She wondered what would lie ahead tomorrow, but she shrugged it off. For she knew that tomorrow would worry about itself…
Somewhere in Town…
The door opened to a small house in the town of Corinth, the person who opened it was a boy with jet-black hair and dark brown eyes. As he entered the house, another boy who seemed just a bit younger than him greeted "Welcome back Hiro-nii."
The older boy, Hiro, looked at his brother a bit startled "Hm, where were you earlier this morning? I went out looking for you…Kenta."
Kenta smiled "I got lost in the markets, some nice people gave me directions so I was able to find my way back."
"I see, well we better get some sleep, we need to get up early tomorrow." Hiro stated "After all, a carriage will be picking us up to drop us off in the palace…"
Who exactly are Hiro and Kenta? Are they the two princes? And if they are, what business do they have with the royals? It seems as though they're about to make an appearance in the lives of everyone else, and it's about to turn their lives around for one more time…