… Ah, I realize how long it's been since I updated anything. May I just say that I am so sorry everyone! I really have been busy, though. Schoolwork and the like.

Anyway, A new chapter for you and hopefully I get motivated to update more often. Writer's block is horrible, that's for certain… But not to worry. Summer is nearing and more free time should be in my immediate future. My goal is to complete this fic by mid July the latest. We'll just have to see what happens.

And now, the long awaited (lol yeah right) chapter 11! Please enjoy~.

Cursed Wings-Chapter 11

~Princess on Parade and Prison Break~

***

The night of the Ball came faster then anyone anticipated. As expected, the palace grounds were swarming with royalty. Many princesses had traveled great lengths to reach this event. Some of them were visiting the kingdom for the very first time, taking in the splendor and mystic of Tiedoll's palace. There were tables lining the interior of the palace and royalty twirling and sliding along the grand, marble dance floor. From the sidelines, there was much excitement and many giggled whispers of who had the best chances of catching the stoic Prince Kanda's eye.

There was still much work to be done, however, and many of Tiedoll and Komui's servants were still bustling to prepare for the events yet to unfold. Hurrying up through a few groups of guests readying themselves on the sides, the head butler, Krory and Komui's aid, Reever, made their way to Tiedoll's private chambers. They glanced at one another, the taller man trembling in anxiety and the shorter looking disgruntled as ever. With a heavy sigh, Reever knocked on the door.

"Excuse me, your highnesses?"

"Yes, yes come in."

The tall, pale head attendant peeked his head through the door first and Reever followed. Tiedoll was straightening his robes and humming to himself while Komui was deciding if adding a scepter to his wardrobe would be over the top. Prince Kanda stood before a large mirror in the corner of the room adjusting his tunic, not even batting an eye as the servants entered.

"P-Pardon the intrusion, my liege," Krory spoke up, addressing King Tiedoll nervously.

The older king looked up and smiled excitedly. "Yes, Krory? Is there something you wish to inform me of?"

"Ah, y-yes your majesty," Krory bowed. "All of the guests have arrived as scheduled."

"Very well, then. Please begin the introductions. We will be out momentarily."

"Y-yes, your grace."

The two attendants made to do just that, but halted at the doorway as Komui's singsong voice called back.

"Oh Reever~!"

Said servant paused and peeked back in with a strained smile. "Yes, my king?"

"No mistakes please. Everything must be perfect," The dastardly king fixed his glasses with a gleam. "Remember… your bonus depends upon it."

Reever clenched his hands behind his back, but continued to smile back at his master. "Yes, your grace. Everything shall be perfect."

The door slammed shut making Krory gasp and jump beyond it.

Kanda rolled his eyes and continued to dress himself as his father chuckled beside him. "Really, Yuu, you must tell me. What does this special person of yours look like. I want to know the moment she arrives."

The prince's lips twitched into a smirk at the "she" part, but his eyes reminded on his own reflection. "Oh, you'll know… Believe me, you'll know."

***

Outside in the ballroom, Captain Cross was sitting at one of the many tables and sipping a glass of wine, eyes following several young princesses as they passed. He gave an approving leer at one of the prettier girls, more particularly, her backside and leaned back into his seat.

"Nice… very nice."

"You really are a vile, despicable man."

"Ah, but you like that, don't you, Klaud?"

"Keep dreaming," the scarred women deadpanned, sipping from her own glass of wine. "And stop making those revolting comments to each and every lady that walks by. Many of them have very protective fathers, you know."

"Hn, and I drink with some of their guards," Cross shrugged, downing the rest of his glass and standing up with a sigh. "This party needs some more entertainment. More livening up."

"And how would you propose to resolve this matter?"

"Simple," Cross grinned back at Klaud. "Dancing."

The glass Klaud was bringing to her lips stopped in mid air at Cross's words. Then it was set down followed by a firm stare. "No."

"Don't be shy, Lady Klaud," the Captain teased leaning over her. "What are you afraid of?"

"The last time I agreed to dance with you, Cross, somehow your hands would wander too far below my waist and rest on places I would prefer them not to."

The bespectacled man sighed. "Good times… And that was an accident, by the way."

"The second, third, and fourth times were also conveniently accidental then?"

Cross scratched his chin about to reply. Suddenly the trumpets sounded, alerting all the attention to the main staircase where Kings Tiedoll and Komui stood, smiling and waving down at the anxious crowd as Reever stood near them and cleared his throat. Cross and Klaud stood up bowing along with the rest of the hallway, the red haired man muttering under his breath.

"Looks like the show's about to begin."

"Kings and Queens! Lords and Ladies!" Reever began. "May I present to you, his majesty King Theodore Tiedoll and his worship, King Komui Lee!"

Applause followed the introduction accompanied by a few cheers and praises. Klaud clapped politely, glaring over at Cross as he yawned and looked away. When all fell silent again, Reever glanced warily behind him at the slightly deranged grin plastered on Komui's face. He turned back at the audience and sighed.

"Dear princesses, may I present his Excellency…" Reever hesitated and almost groaned out loud when a collective gasp came from the female guests. "…Prince Yuu Kanda Tiedoll."

Cross and Klaud both covered their ears and winced as Kanda walked sullenly out from behind his father and was greeted by a series of loud shrieks that erupted from the ballroom. Several Princesses cried and called to him, waving their handkerchiefs and batting their lashes. Cross hissed and straightened himself up when the worst of the yelling died down and pulled out another roll of tobacco.

"Ya know… I almost feel sorry for that girly looking brat. Looks like he's hating this more then we are."

It was true enough. The dark eyed boy looked as though he would rather shoot himself then go out and greet this mass of bellowing harpies before him… He suddenly remembered why Lenalee was the one of the only princess he ever really tolerated.

A delighted Komui stepped forward and extended his hands out. "My dear guests, we shall now commence with the royal dance! And I assure you, my dear princesses…" Hi words were met with more giggles and squeals. "Each and everyone of you with be allowed to dance with the Prince before the night is through."

Kanda growled behind him and mumbled to himself. "You've got to be fucking joking…"

"Now, now, Yuu," Tiedoll whispered, smiling warmly over at his son. "You mustn't act so grumpy. You'll scare the young ladies away."

"That's the fucking point," hissed Kanda.

"And now!" Komui bellowed out enthusiastically, grabbing Kanda's shoulders and ignoring the prince's promise to shove him to down the stairs if he continued to hang off of him so. "Let us begin the celebration! Ladies and Gentlemen, please relax and enjoy tonight's main event." He waggled his brows suggestively, and Kanda suddenly had a bad feeling about this. "Princesses… on… PARADE!!!!"

And with that, Kanda was pushed head first into the crowd of eager suitors, the clawing, wailing women shoving one another out of the way to reach him. He disappeared for a few moments under the sea of multi-colored gowns before the crowd parted more and he emerged, teeth gritted and arm in arm with a heavy set princess. He closed his eyes as the music began and the girl pulled him onto the dance floor thus beginning what was to be the worst ball he'd ever attended.

On the other end of the room, Lady Klaud blinked and shook her head. "And precisely what sort of spectacle have their majesties arranged?"

"Two words," Cross replied, setting aside his smokes and grabbing a glass of wine. "Certain death."

Klaud nodded and seated herself beside him, taking her own glass and raising it lightly. "Here's to that boy's sanity."

Cross followed the suit and laughed. "God knows, he'll need it."

***

On one of the landings overlooking the party below, the Great Scribe watched the colorful dance of many different princesses impassively, noting each one's potential strengths and weaknesses in arousing any particular interest in Tiedoll's heir. Beside him, leaning on the rail and not even bothering to observe the festivities, Lavi sighed and pulled at the hem of his collar in annoyance, shifting in his boots.

"Stand still and keep your focus on the ballroom, boy," snapped the elderly man to his apprentice. "Remember that tonight is important."

"Aw, com'on, Gramps. This outfit's killin' me."

"Your insufferable whining isn't going to make it any more comfortable, so I suggest you shut your mouth and get back to work."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," drawled Lavi, his demeanor turning more serious as he turned around and watched the royals engage in the activities of the ball. "I get that today's gonna be big, gramps. Believe me, I know better then anyone."

"And yet you fail to inform me the exact details of what happened during your supposed hunting trip," The old man glanced at his apprentice, not at all pleased with the young man's refusal to meet his eye. "It isn't like you to hide things from me, Lavi."

Lavi sighed and rested his head on his hand. "I'd tell ya if I could, old man… But there's somethin' bigger goin' on that I can't explain just yet."

They remained in a heavy silence for a moment afterward, the laughter and music of the party echoing off the ceiling and walls around them. Finally Lavi stretched his arms over his head and grinned down at his mentor.

"It'll all be revealed tonight, Gramps. Just trust me, yeah?"

"… You know I do."

"Eh?" Lavi blinked looking at the man flabbergasted. "Y-ya do?"

"Of course, you fool," the old man growled, smacking the red head beside him roughly on the head, before continuing. "You are my apprentice. I have trained you to be able to think and act on your own accordingly and I know you're far less stupid then you act."

The older man looked away, down to the dance floor once more. "I can only hope… that you are using your head, and not allowing yourself to be blinded by your heart."

Lavi made to open his mouth again but fell over as the sound of more squealing came from below once more. The Great Scribe's own eyes grew at the sight of the young prince being man handled by the next princess in line to dance with him. When he sat up and gathered his bearings he chuckled lightly.

"Poor Yuu… Hope he makes it through this part of the evening without killin' anyone first."

***

The moat surrounding the Earl's prison tower held two very large, and rather hungry alligators in its murky waters. Both of which rarely had the opportunity to eat live prey as they had already gravened whatever edible wildlife there was in the moat. That meant the best they could hope for was a large already dead animal to be tossed in by one of the Noah Lords or Ladies as a treat. These meals, while curbing their ravenous hunger slightly did not satisfy their appetite for fresh meat. And tonight, it appeared, they were about to get lucky.

From the muddy edges of the moat, Bak gulped as he made eye contact with the two alligators grinning unpleasantly in his and Daisya's direction. The Puffin simply waved back at the beasts and patted Bak's back.

"Nervous?"

Bak turned and gave the bird a dry remark. "Whatever possessed you to even ask me such a dull-witted question, peasant? A Lord is always ready in the face of certain death."

"Funny," Fou called over from behind the two, leaning on a rock and grinning lightly at the spectacle before her. "Because earlier this evening, you were ready to flee from rescuing your Princess. Isn't that right? Lord Bak."

"Silence!" Bak snapped. "Remove that shrew from my sight before I do something I might regret."

"Please," The grey frog sniffed, raising her eyes to the sky and scoffing. "What are you going to do? Call your royal guard on me and lock me away in the dungeons with Prince Allen and Princess Lenalee?"

"All right, all right, let it go, you two," Daisya cut in, coughing to get their attention once more. "Now let's review. Marie and Miranda will draw the gators away. Then you'll get a running start and make a whoosh for that hole."

"If I can find it and if the alligators don't chew me before I get there."

"Ah, don't worry! Marie and Miranda will rush to help," the Puffin grinned and gestured to the shore a few feet away where the large blind turtle struggled to get into the water followed by the smaller one who shivered and tumbled in after with a loud splash.

Bak rolled his eyes and slapped a hand to his head. "Suddenly, I am full of comfort…"

"Alright… get ready," instructed Daisya, as he made eye contact with Miranda and nodded.

Miranda nervously whispered over to Marie. "H-He says it's time."

"Ok," Marie smiled reassuringly. "Lets do our best. For Prince Allen and Princess Lenalee."

The smaller turtle smiled back. "Y-yes… Let's do it."

Marie called over to the waiting beasts in the moat in a taunting voice. "Hey! You great leatherheads. Come and get us!"

The alligators began to chuckle heartily at the jeering, then swam toward the two turtles at the other end of the moat. Daisya nodded and rubbed his feathers together excitedly.

"They took the bait!"

Fou hopped over and held her hand up, eyeing Bak as he prepared himself for the dash. "Alright, Lord Bak. Don't mess this up. Get ready…" She dropped her hand and yelled. "GO!"

And with a great hop, Bak sprang forward to the water. Daisya glanced over and hissed in a hushed urging at the slowly advancing frog. "Faster! Faster!"

"Oh sure," Bak cried out in dramatic annoyance. "Go on, Bak! Race to your death!"

One of the gators halted its chase on the turtles, catching sight of Bak's approach and grinned. Bak noticed the beast's attention and tried to stop himself just short of making it to the moat. Daisya covered his eyes with his wings, peeking between the feathers as Fou shook her head.

"Good going, moron," she grumbled.

Bak landed at the edge of the bank wobbling and falling into the water. When he surfaced again, the gator was already close and gaining.

"GAHHHH!"

Just before the gators jaws could snap at him, Bak paddled away and huffed heading to the tower's wall. He gasped as a blur of brown and water passed him and gapped at the second blur came to a stop next to him smirking slightly.

"Get moving slow poke," Marie grinned and speed away much faster then the frog had given him credit for swimming.

"S-slow poke?"

He had no time to hold offence however as Marie's pursuer targeted him instead. Bak screamed and dived into the water, the beast giving chase until Miranda and the second gator intercepted it. The two carnivores collided and glared wondering which animal to attack.

"Na na na na na…."

Marie floated teasingly just out of their reach, Miranda peaking from behind him and waving timidly to get their attention. The alligators took the bait and propelled themselves after the teasing turtles, giving Bak time to search the perimeter of the wall for any noticeable gaps or lesions. After a few moments of searching, Miranda swam up close and stuttered.

"A-any luck?"

She gasped as a roar came up behind her an alligator snapped it's jaws at her. Bak squeaked and shoved himself into a large crevice in the wall trying to squeeze in and escape the gator as it caught sight of him and attacked.

"Just… a little bit… more…" Bak groaned reaching as far as he could for the other end.

Just then, the alligator swam head first into the wall, the force of the hit sending Bak straight through the hole and bouncing of the interior of the dungeon. When he regained his awareness, he glanced around him and heard two familiar voices gasp.

"Bak!"

His vision cleared and Lenalee's graceful form came into sight, the black swan staring at him wonder and amazement. A goofy smile crossed his face and he bowed to her.

"To the rescue, my fair Princess."

***

"My goodness, Prince Kanda! I didn't realize how forceful you are. I rather like it though… I like a man who knows what he wants. Tee hee!"

Kanda wasn't even pretending to listen at this point. This had to be the five thousandth simpering female he had the displeasure of dancing with since this ridiculous ball began. He lost track at four and they just… kept… coming. One after the other, barely giving him a chance to just breathe!

It was actually the 40th princess the prince was forced to dance with, according to Lavi's observation. At least this one wasn't laughing like a horse like numbers 25 and 26 (twins, naturally, that shared the same unfortunate trait), or had horrible body odor like number 11, or man hands like number 34. Numbers 3, 13, 21, and 45 were definitely not too bad looking, in Lavi's point of view…. Too bad none of them even came close top 3 list. Lady Klaud, naturally held third place. The second was a Lady from another Kingdom bordering King Komui's. Lovely women… Though her bodyguard was a force to be reckoned with. As for number one? Well, she had yet to arrive.

Lavi sighed. "Any minute now… Any minute."

Kanda, meanwhile, was about ready to shove this current leech away and storm back to his chambers when a loud sound startled all the guests.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

Kanda let go of the princess he was dancing with, ignoring her inquiries as he stepped away from her, eyes set on the entrance.

King Tiedoll glanced over to Krory, the head butler shaking his head and holding up his arms in defense. King Komui blinked, then laughed good-naturedly over his shoulder. "Oh ho, my. Seems we must have left out someone one, perhaps… Reever." He smiled dangerously at his head servant and glared pointedly back to the door.

The blond haired man shook his head nervously and went through his lists, a slight sweat on his brow. "I swear I checked them already, and everyone's-"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

"Open the door, Reever, chop chop!" Komui demanded in a hushed tone at the servant.

Reever sighed and rolled his eyes, trudging up the steps. He grumbled a bit to himself as he reached the doors. "Probably just the milk man…"

The sound of Reever gasping and stumbling back caught everyone's attention and several more people followed the motion as two eerily familiar figures stepped into the Ballroom. One a dark haired young woman in an elegant black gown and a white haired young man also dressed in black from tunic to boots.

Krory just about fainted beside his King and Tiedoll's mouth fell open in a silent gasp. Cross's glass shattered to the floor and Klaud's own drink spilled across the table as they stood up in unison and stared.

"This…" Klaud's voice sounded chocked and wavering. "This cannot be."

Cross didn't speak, narrowed eyes training on the two smiling new comers as they walked down the steps and onto the marble floor. The crowd parted as they passed, two phantoms in a hall full of people who were certain of their deaths, save for two other young gentlemen.

Lavi smiled down at the Great Scribe as the old man's mouth hung open in disbelief. The apprentice Scribe shrugged and whispered, "Can I just say I told ya so?"

Not waiting for a response, the young man hurried down to stand beside Kanda, brushing past a few stunned guests as he went. Kanda didn't even acknowledge him, still watching as the two guests approached them. More specifically, the grey eyed boy with the strange scar over his grinning face.

The stopped just a feet inches away from the longhaired prince and the Scribe, none of them speaking or moving. Kanda was about to break the stand still when another voice beat him to it.

"Out of my way, out of my way!" The four paused and glanced as King Komui appeared from the onlookers, tears streaming down his eyes as he gazed at the young girl. "…Lenalee. I-is this really you?"

The girl blinked then beamed brightly. "It is, brother. I'm sorry to have worried you."

The King rushed forward and embraced his sister, weeping and failing to notice her hesitance in reciprocating the embrace.

This did not go unnoticed by Lavi, but the young man brushed it off as those bright violet eyes caught his again. He sighed and walked over to her, taking her hands.

"I was real worried. Almost thought-"

"Nothing could keep us away," Lenalee giggled.

"About time, Beansprout," Kanda glared at the white haired boy in front of him.

Instead of getting upset over the nickname, Allen shrugged and beamed. "It took us a bit longer then we thought. Sorry."

Kanda looked over at the musicians behind him and snapped his fingers. The prince took Allen's hands as the orchestra began to play a new song. All eyes watched in wonder at the two couples in the middle of the room waltzed.

Wow… this is quite possibly the longest chapter I've yet written for this story. I honestly didn't think it would be that lengthy, but yeah… Hope it isn't over kill, but then again, I haven't updated in over a month. I guess a nice long chapter makes up for it. Sort of?

Woo hoo! Finally getting to my favorite bits of the original story! I always liked the escape part in the movie XDD Speed is made of win. I had to break the escape scene up since it's very long. More of that next chapter.

Anyway, sorry once more for the very, very late follow up chapter for this fic and for all my other unfinished stories! I'll get cracking on those I promise! Your reviews and encouragements mean the world to me, so thank you for them :) Until next time!