Chapter 15: The Story of The Vixen Princess Part 2
"Well, *yawns* …Now that we're done eating.." Kaito started.
"Can we go.." Saito continued. "And read the rest of the script?" Gaito finished.
"Please?" They all asked. "Ah…" Yuuki started. Yuuki didn't have a chance to finish her sentence. Why? Because the rest of my pets were already halfway down the hall. "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOUR GOING?" Yuuki shouted. "Come back here and wash the dishes!"
"B-but.." they all protested. "BUT WHAT!" Yuuki growled, baring her fangs at them. "Nothing…" they sighed, walking slowly to the dining room to get the dishes. "OH, AND CLEAN THE KITCHEN WHILE YOUR AT IT, I BETTER FIND IT SPOTLESS!" She added, walking out of the dining room. "Oh, but you don't have to wash dishes Amu. You, Jin, and your pets can go and continue reading." Yuuki told me kindly, as she escorted us to the living room. "Hey Yuuki? Want to read with us? You can hold the script." I told her, giving her the script.
"Really? Thank you master!" Yuuki shouted. We started to read the script once again.
Narrator: As the sun went down, and the moon went up, the famous Masquerade ball began. All the royals of every kingdom came to this magnificent ball. One of these royals was Kashino and his daughter, Cross.
King Kashino: Mitus, how's it been?
King Mitus: Kashino! I haven't seen you in a long time and..oh! This must be your daughter!
Cross: Good evening King Mitus, it is a pleasure to attend such a grand ball.
King Mitus: What lovely manners you have! But you need not be so formal to me! You can call me uncle.
Cross: Thank you uncle. I have a gift to give you. I hope you like it.
Narrator: King Mitus Opened the package of Cross, and gasped at what it contained. It was a solid gold miniature figure of himself and in his best robes too.
King Mitus: Th-this is the best present I have ever received in my life. It looks exactly like me! Every wave and every curve! Dear Cross, who made this?
Cross: I did uncle! I thought you might want a little you to look at.
King Mitus: You have such a remarkable talent! I wish you were my daughter! Kashino! Why didn't you tell me your daughter could do this?
King Kashino: To tell you the truth I didn't…..
Narrator: Before Kashino could answer, Narumi and his sons had arrived and Mitus saw them.
King Mitus: Narumi! How are you? Oh and good evening Korin! Kashino, come over here.
King Kashino: (Sigh) I hate being with Narumi..
Cross: Father?
King Kashino: Oh nothing Cross. Why don't you go out and check their garden? I will just be here talking to Mitus and *Glares at Narumi* King Narumi.
Cross: Alright father.
Narrator: As Narumi chatted with Mitus, he heard him call Kashino over. Though he tried to walk away, he was pulled back by Mitus, and was forced to stay.
King Narumi: Jin, Tadase, go outside and check the king's garden, it has a great view of the moon.
Tadase & Jin: Okay dad!
Narrator: As the kings chatted, Cross and the two princes casually walked into the garden. Though Cross was admiring the moonlit garden, the two princes were admiring something else.
Jin: Hey Tadase, who is she?
Tadase: Oh. That's The Baroness of…
Jin: No not the hippo, the fox over there. You know, near the roses. The one wearing shackles.
Tadase:…. I'm afraid I don't know her. Why don't we say hello?
Jin: Sure.
Narrator: As the boys walked to Cross, she sat down and viewed the roses.
Cross: Sigh, uncle has such beautiful roses. *Sound of rustling*
What's that?
Narrator: Before Cross could investigate, Jin and Tadase called her.
Tadase: Um, excuse me miss?
Cross: Y-yes, can I help you ?
Jin: May we know your name? We haven't seen you around before.
Cross: This is my first ball. Oh and I'm Cross.
Tadase: That's a nice name Cross.
Cross: Thank you for your compliment, I'm flattered.
Jin: We are Jin and Tadase. Princes of the Wolf Kingdom.
Cross: I'm princess of The Fox Kingdom.
Jin and Tadase: Fox?
Cross: Yes, do you have a problem?
Jin: It's just that….
Tadase: Our kingdoms are at war, and you are our enemy.
Cross: I see no reason for war.
Tadase: Well, um…
Jin: Your father cheated our father. So they started a war.
Cross: MY father does cheat. Anyway, you don't start a war with just a misunderstanding.
Tadase: We're terribly sorry. Jin, I don't care if she's our enemy.
Can we be friends Cross?
Cross: … Sure.
Jin: OH brother.
Narrator: As Cross, Tadase and Jin started getting acquainted; Cross heard the same rustling sound she heard before.
Cross: I-I'll be right back.
Jin: Where are you going?
Cross: Checking something out. I thought I heard rustling.
Narrator: As Cross neared the bush where she heard the rustling, she saw a pair of eyes. Then a low and murderous growl followed.
Tadase: Cross? Who's in there?
Cross: Run.
Jin: What did you say Cross?
Cross: Run.
Tadase & Jin: What do you….
Cross: RUN!
Narrator: No sooner had Cross jumped away from the bush. A huge paw with sharp claws slashed the ground where Cross one stood, creating a deep hole.
Jin: It's the notorious murderer: Kyoshiro!
Tadase: The wolf who killed half of his army?
Jin: yup.
Tadase, Jin & Cross: Run!
Narrator: In an instant all three of them ran as fast as they could. They even had to run on all four paws.
Kyoshiro: Wait, please! I won't hurt you!
Cross: Huh?
Narrator: Cross noticed that Kyoshiro was not trying to hurt them. He seemed like he wanted to ask them something.
Cross: *screech*…*Starts walking towards Kyoshiro*
Tadase: Cross, where are you going?
Jin: He's going to kill you!
Cross: What do you want?
Narrator: Tadase and Jin ran back to Cross as Kyoshiro explained why he had chased them.
Jin: So, you're telling us, that you need our help to rescue your brother?
Tadase: I'm not so sure we can trust you.
Kyoshiro: Please, my brother is dying. I don't know who to ask anymore!
Tadase: what about a doctor?
Kyoshiro: When they see me, they scream and run away.
Jin: Who wouldn't? You killed half of your army…
Kyoshiro: I killed them because they were plotting to kill me and murder
Your father!
Tadase & Jin: …
Jin: But what about all the other murders you committed?
Kyoshiro: That wasn't me. I just happened to be there when a murder happened and when they saw me, they blamed the crime on me! The only one who understands me is my brother Jerome. But now he is dying because of an old wound…..
Jin: If you were asking for our help, why did you try to slash Cross, and had to chase us?
Kyoshiro: I didn't mean to hurt the young princess, it's just that I'm used to killing the target. And how else can I call your attention if you're already half a mile away!
Jin & Tadase: Yeah…
Kyoshiro: So, will you help me… please?
Tadase: Well….
Jin: Our father told us not to trust criminals..
Cross: I'll go.
Jin & Tadase: What?
Cross: The whole time Kyoshiro was talking, I was sure that he was telling the truth.
Kyoshiro: … Thank you princess. Bless your kindness.
Narrator: Though at first reluctant, Tadase and Jin decided to join Cross. All four of them walked out of the palace and into the forest. There, they went into a cave which hid the ill brother of Kyoshiro.
Jerome: W-who is there?
Kyoshiro: Relax bro, It's me…
Jerome: Ah… Kyoshiro I… why are there three kids staring at me?
Kyoshiro: they are royals from the party who have come here to help you with your illness!
Tadase, Jin, and Cross: Good evening!
Jerome: Good evening… I am honored to have royals help someone like me… Unfortunately, I don't even know the illness I'm having…
Shaoron: *Speaking in Cross' head* Ask him if he has a wound…..
Cross: … Um Jerome-san, do you have a wound?
Jerome: Ah yes I do.
Shaoron: Ask if his wound is on his leg, if so; bite yourself until you see blood coming out. Then place your blood on his wound.
Cross: Weird… Um Jerome, where is your wound?
Jerome: On my leg. I got it a long time ago.
Jin: It seems to be really infected! The infection might be the cause of your illness!
Cross: Excuse me Jin. *bites paw hard until blood comes out*
Tadase: C-cross! What are you doing?
Jin: Why are you biting yourself?
Cross: *Ignores questions* Here Jerome let me just…. *rubs blood on wound*
Jerome: What do you think your doing?
Kyoshiro: You can't heal brother with that!
Shaoron: Tell them to count to ten while closing their eyes.
Cross: Actually… it can! Just close your eyes and count to ten.
Kyoshiro: Your kidding… right?
Cross: Nope!
All four boys: Okay…. 1…..2…..3…..4…..5…..6…..7…..8
Shaoron: Now howl softly in a sad tone….
Cross: *Howls*
Narrator: As Cross howled slowly, a faint glow shone on the leg of Jerome where Cross' blood was. The glow then faded and the wound was gone.
All four boys: 9…..10….. …..
Jin: Nothing happened…
Jerome: I'm sorry but….. Wait. I don't feel the pain in my leg anymore!
Kyoshiro: *looks at leg* Your right the blood and the wound is gone!
Jin: How did you do that?
Cross: I'm not sure. *Smiles innocently* If you rest for two more days, you will be well enough to walk again.
Jerome: … Thank you…
Cross: Your welcome. Let's go back to the ball now boys.
Jin & Tadase: Okay! Bye Kyoshiro and Jerome!
Tadase: Oh, here is 500 feathers. I hope this helps.
Kyoshiro: Thank you your highness..
Jerome: Goodbye princess. Bless you.
Narrator: As the trio walked back to the ball, Kyoshiro and his brother walked away into night silently thanking Cross for her kindness.
Cross: Hey guys?
Jin and Tadase: Yeah?
Cross: Thank you..
Tadase: For what?
Cross: For…..being my friends.
Jin: ….It's not a big deal.
Tadase: Do you say this to your other friends too?
Cross: … I don't have… any other… friends….
Jin & Tadase: Oh…
Jin: How come?
Cross: I'm not allowed to go anywhere besides my palace. Besides, every time I meet a visitor, they always laugh at my shackles.
Tadase: Can't you take them off?
Cross: I try, but it doesn't work. My father told me I was born with shackles.
Narrator: As they arrived back at the palace, Kashino and Narumi came running towards them.
King Kashino: Cross!
King Narumi: Jin, Tadase!
Tadase, Jin and Cross: Father!
King Kashino: So, these are Your offspring?
King Narumi: Yes, and this *looks at shackles* prisoner is yours?
Kashino: She's NOT a prisoner!
King Narumi: *Scoffs* Yeah right, tell that to the shackles
King Kashino: Why you…
Cross: Father, don't get enraged by this insult.
King Narumi: Well, looks like the prisoner is trying to help.
Tadase: She's not a prisoner father!
Jin: She has a name too! It's Cross!
King Narumi: … Are you trying to help the enemy?
Jin & Tadase: She's not an enemy, she's our friend.
Cross: …
Narrator: At these words, Cross suddenly felt tears roll down her eyes.
King Kashino: Cross, are you okay?
Cross: …
King Mitus: Kashino, Narumi, What happened?
King Kashino: … I'm sorry Mitus I'm afraid we'll have to leave now.
King Narumi: … As will we.
King Mitus: How come? The party is not over yet.
King Kashino: Goodbye Mitus. Come Cross.
Cross: Goodbye guys..
Jin: Goodbye…
Tadase: Cross…
Narrator: As both kings went home, they both decided it was time for their offspring to learn how to fight. This was something no one in their
Kingdoms suspected. They were going to have war once again.
"Dear me look at the time!" Yuuki exclaimed. "Time for all of us to go to sleep." Nightingale, Blue Jay and I headed for the bathroom. Jin took the scripts and brought it to our bedrooms.
"Hey!" A shout was heard behind us. "You finished reading without us?" Kaito asked sorrowfully. "Nope. We're gonna continue it tomorrow." I answered. "Aw man… that story MUST be long!" Nero told me.
"Yeah, it is" Jin sighed. "Alright everyone, lights out in 10 min." Yuuki shouted from the living room. "Yuuki…. We want to read the script.." The tigers complained. "Well, I suppose you can…" Yuuki started.
"Alright! Hey Jin, pass us the.." They started. "But you can read it for only an hour and you'll have to do everyone's chores tomorrow." Yuuki smirked. The tiger brothers instantly turned to stone and crumbled into dust. "That's not fair Yuuki.." The dusts whispered.
"We can all read it tomorrow morning." Yuuki told them, collecting their dust and molding them back to their forms.
"Yes ma'am…" They sighed. As we headed to our rooms, I thought I heard a ruffling noise in mine. "Aw man, I'm bushed!" I sighed, throwing myself on my bed. "Ouch!" A voice was heard. "Huh? What the…" I took out my bed sheets to find a sapphire haired boy with cat ears lying on my bed. "I-Ikuto?" I screamed. "Yo Amu.." He answered coolly.
"Aw man…" I sighed.