Pairing: MutsukixAnise.

Rating : T, for odd situations, and potty mouths.

NOTE- In this Fanfic, Mikage and Kaede are in a relationship. Hate if you will, it just makes my life easier :P. Also, Kaede and Anise are good FRIENDS.

Let's begin, shall we?

Being a princess is every girls dream. That is, every girl except for Anise, who actually lived the life. Said princess was currently fighting tooth and nail to avoid a torturous event, which most noble women had to go through.

"No, oh God please stop!" A high pitched wail resonated through the palace, startling chickens, making dogs bark and waking any sleeping noblemen in the process. Sounds of struggle could be heard through a heavy, oaken door. A flash of disheveled pink ran out of the room, speeding down the hall for dear life. As the blur ran, it bumped into several people who swore violently, annoyed at the interruption of their otherwise lovely day. One poor soul was carrying a large stack of paper. Finally, the blur reached her destination, slamming the door shut as she rushed in.

"In the name of The Dominion who dare- Oh, it's you Anise." The pink blur, whose name was Anise, looked up from the floor, panting slightly from her run. The room she was in was sparsely decorated, but it had a certain charm, what with its bookcases and flower vases. For Anise, this place was a sanctuary. When she was younger, she would rush inside, and spend hours inside with her only companion, complaining bitterly about life as a princess. "Earth to Anise, what happened this time?" The speaker was a short, violet haired girl with sharp blue eyes. Anise looked at her with large eyes and wailed,

"They tried to force me into a corset Mikage, a freakin' corset!" Anise's voice was full of horror and pain. Mikage, the violet haired girl, however merely rolled her eyes.

"Please Anise, it sounded like bloody murder, the way you were screaming. "No, oh God please stop!'" She said in a high pitched voice, clearly mocking her friend, "Jeez, it sounded like you were being tortured!" The pinkette winced, it was true that she said that, but she hadn't overreacted! For her, putting on a corset was pure torture, the tight laces jabbing into her ribs, making every breath impossible. The mere idea of such things made her blanche. "Anyway, why did they even decide that you need a corset? You're thin enough as is." The musing of her friend brought Anise back to her current dilemma. She sighed, even the thought of it made her want to cry.

xXx

Anise walked through the halls, her muddy dress splattering the polished marble floor. She scowled, what was so important that she had to be called to meet her FATHER, the very "king" of the damned ! Half the time he was gone, so she had to take care of The Dominion's problems. 'Goddamnit, if this isn't important, I'll skin someone, and dip them into boiling oil!' She thought. Murderous thoughts swirling through her head, a malicious smile slowly spread across her face, chilling the air around her. The guards escorting her edged away nervously, afraid of whatever the princess was thinking. Laughable as it were that two grown men were scared of a little girl, the story about her nearly killing a servant was a legend among the guard, and there was a secret, unspoken rule.

Don't piss the princess off.

Of course the story was completely false, but Anise liked having a handle of her men.

Finally, they reached their destination, the throne room. The two men slipped away, glad to get away from the deadly princess and still have their limbs attached. Anise sighed, standing in front of the door, resting her head against the cool wood, gathering her strength. The last time her father had called her to the throne room, it was to tell her about the death of her mother. She straightened up, and pushed the door open, stepping into the silent room.

"Hello father," she said in a monotone voice, not displaying any emotion at all. Her father regarded her coldly, saying nothing. Anise squirmed underneath his stare, acutely aware of her muddy apparel. Silently, she cursed, hating how he could make her feel so uncomfortable. The silence stretched on, and at last, Anise couldn't take it anymore. "Well, what's so important that you haul your mighty ass here and send for me?" She demanded, not caring if she sounded rude. Her father said nothing, only a twitch of his eyebrow revealed that he was angry. Finally, he spoke.

"You're getting married." Short and to the point. Anise was struck into silence, shocked at what her father had said. Processing this, she could splutter.

"Wha-Whe-Who- Why?" Regaining her composure, she began to speak furiously. "Who are you to decide who I'M going to marry? It's my own PERSONAL decision, and I refuse! You rarely have anything to do with the kingdom, half the time I'm running the kingdom! So, if you think that you can just waltz in here and tell me what do,you can shove it for all I care!" Schwartz, her father, sat silently through her angry rant, and at last spoke.

"In the last decade, the other countries have been moving in and trying to invade our kingdom, The Dominion. Since we specialize in defense, we can only hold off the other nations for so long. That's why I decided to contact three nations specialized in attack, and arrange a marriage for you."

Anise fumed, who was her father to say this?! "Why would you marry me off to a nation that's at war with us? Isn't that defeating the purpose? That would be practically giving the kingdom away!" Schwartz looked amused, and explained his reasoning.

"Relax, the three nations that I've selected from are neutral, and promised to remain so until the marriage. Besides, the three nations-"

"Would you care to name the "three nations"? Anise said, her sweet tone laced with venom. Schwartz merely looked at her, slightly amused.

"The nations are the Kingdom Valkoinenia, the Nation of Caelua and the Region of Lusraron." Anise fumed silently, she couldn't disagree with her father. Those three nations were neutral, and they were all skilled in attack. She stormed out of the room in a wordless fury, her muddy robes splashing the base of the throne. Her father chuckled when he heard the slam of the door. "Let's see which one of them wins your heart, dearest daughter..." He murmured, eyes sliding half shut.

xXx

"So, are you going to answer my question, or just continue staring off into space like that?" The sharp voice of Mikage brought Anise back to the present. Gathering her wits, she breathed in slowly, and said,

"Mikage, I'm going to get-" The door was thrown open, and a red haired male stood panting by the door.

"Have… you… seen... Anise?" He said, gasping for air in between breaths. Anise visibly stiffened, it was him.

"In case you haven't noticed my dear Kaede, she's currently sitting on the floor, and was about to tell me something very important." Mikage said, her tone laced with obviously faked sweetness. The male, Kaede, looked down, and saw a very annoyed Anise sitting on the floor.

"What do you want, flame-head?" Anise said scornfully, referring to his hair.

Kaede flushed, and said angrily, "In case you didn't know brat, half the damn castle's in an uproar looking for your spoiled highness."

"Spoiled highness? Is that the best you can do Fire-face?"

"Bring it on Pinky!"

Mikage watched the insult-fest, and chuckled under her breath. While the two appeared to be worst enemies, they were good friends. 'Of course, they better be just friends..." Mikage thought, but she dismissed the idea. Why would Anise try and tear them apart? It was her who got them both together. "Arghhh! I've had enough of this!" The enraged wail of Kaede brought Mikage back to reality.

"What, being a sexually frustrated teenager? 'Cuz if that's the case, then you're in for some bad news."

"No, you conceited little-"

"Enough, you two." Mikage finally intervened, though if it was for Kaede's sake or Anise's sake, she had no clue. "Now, what were you going to say, Anise?" Anise's face went white, as she had forgotten about telling Mikage.

Gulping she said in a shaky voice, "I'm getting married, Mikage." The room was silent, disbelief radiating out of her two friends.

"How-when-Why?!" Both of them demanded simultaneously. In a shaking voice, Anise explained the situation, and the reasons why she couldn't refuse.

"Wait-" Kaede interrupted her when she got to the countries, "Did you say Caelua, Valkoinenia, and Lusraron?"

"Yes, why?" Anise looked at her friend; a look of unease was upon his face. He shook his head, and said,

"Because I'm pretty sure that I-" The door flew open again, only this time it was the fat head seamstress, looking like she had all of Hell behind her.

"So, this is where you've been hiding all along, little brat," she said menacingly, her pudgy figure seeming to fill up the whole room. "Let's get back to business, shall we?" Anise let out a terrified squeak, afraid for her life, and ran for the door. The head seamstress lunged for her with big meaty hands, but missed. She cursed as she heard the delighted princess cackles of glee at her escape. Kaede and Mikage both chuckled, the two knowing how fast their friend could run when she was scared.

xXx

Anise ran, her feet skimming over the marble, only one destination in mind. The rose garden, the rose garden, must get to the rose garden! Weaving between court nobles, she ran through the garden gates, and finally arrived at said destination.

"Ahhhhhhh," she said in a blissful voice, sinking down into the cool, soft grass. Here, she thought, is the only place where I can escape the damned life of a princess, where I can relax, and not have annoying noblemen trying to woo me any second. She made a face, who did like those noblemen anyway? What with their constant fawning, double chins, and those heavy powdered wigs. "They remind me of bugs half the time," she muttered, standing up so that way she could weed her roses. Most commoners thought that the princess was incapable of such work, what with her slender build and delicate frame. But truth be told, she loved gardening, and whoever tried to "Improve" it would often get their left hind cheek kicked in. "Damned nobles, can't even let me garden, can they?" she hissed as the wrathfully yanked weeds from the ground. 'The nerve of these weeds! Taking precious room away from my precious roses! I'll show them...'

"You know, it's not proper for a young woman to be alone," a mild voice said behind her. She jumped and swore, angry that some shithead noblemen had invaded her personal space.

"You two-faced bastards! Can't you damned guys-" She suddenly stopped her rant upon seeing who she was cursing. There, across the garden, was a tall young man, with fair, silvery hair, and pale blue eyes. She cursed in her head, he was attractive! How in the holy name of the Dominion can someone look so good without trying?! The male had a slender build, with thin, delicate facial features, a face that could make anyone squeal. Ah hell, I've insulted a god in a human form...I'm dead now, aren't I? Anise shuddered, scared at what the handsome man would say.

"Did I scare you? I beg pardon Madame, I was but looking for the palace entrance." Her mouth dropped open. He wasn't angry?! "In my search, I found you here, and I hope that you may direct me to the opening. Can you?" While he was talking, he walked toward her, until she was close enough to see the gold stitching on his neat, pale cream outfit. Anise gulped, this was way too close for comfort. His blue eyes bored into her pink ones, respectful, but strangely almost seductive.

"Take two left turns past the statue of roses, then a right one. After that, just head straight until you reach two fountains. When you do, take the left hand route." She squeaked out, blushing a shade so read that it put Kaede's hair to shame.

"Thank you Madame." The male said, kneeling down and kissing her hand with his pale lips. Anise let out another squeak and ran from there like a bat outta hell. The male chuckled, and left, thinking about the interesting girl who he just met. "If only I wasn't to be married..." He thought, and left for the palace.

"What was that?" Anise said to herself as she ran across the vast green lawn. She continued sprinting in a random direction until she reached a gazebo by a small pond, the still blue waters a complete opposite of her thoughts. Preoccupied with them, she didn't notice a small boy creeping to her until he was beside her.

"Hello, miss?" A soft, almost feminine voice asked her. She jumped, turned round and nearly started swearing again. The sight of the mysterious voice however, almost made her melt. The speaker was a young, adorable boy. The soft curves of his youthful face made it almost feminine, but the large, pale gold eyes and the soft, gentle wisps of azure hair gave him a sweet puppy-dog look. She ogled the boy, not getting enough of the sweet, youthful face. "Miss?" He said hesitantly, looking unsure as to whether he should continue to talk to her. Anise, realizing what she was doing, snapped her head back, and flushed redder than a tomato.

"Ye-yes?" She stammered out, embarrassed at being caught staring.

"Do you know where the palace entrance is? I've been searching, but I still can't find it." He pouted adorably at the end of his sentence. What is this? In one day, no in one afternoon, I've managed to meet two incredibly attractive men, who for some reason want to know where the palace entrance is. Shaking her head at the coincidence, Anise gave the adorable boy the same directions as she did with the silver haired man.

"Thank you so much, miss!" The little boy gave her a hug, and dashed off, leaving Anise to wonder what happened with her sanity. At that moment, her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she had ate no breakfast.

xXx

"Fooood..." She moaned under her breathe, but the thought of encountering the head seamstress scared her off from going inside. Besides, she thought, there is a place where I can get food, and hopefully not be disturbed. With that thought in mind, she happily skipped to the shadowy fruit tree grove.

Anise shivered as she felt the cool shadows dapple her skin. The tree's branches sagged with weight, the ripe fruit weighing it down. Listlessly she dragged her fingers lightly over a tree trunk, until her hand came in contact with a fruit. Not even looking to see what type it was, she grabbed it and chomped down. The sweet, tangy flavour of peach flooded her taste buds and she sighed, relaxing at the familiar flavour. The orchards aren't that bad. She thought absent mindedly. Most people were afraid of the gloomy land, the tall dark trees giving the area an unsettling aura. Anise, however, found it a soothing place. "Besides," she said softly, "People are too afraid to come near here." Even the gardeners were afraid of going there.

"Then they are idiots," a deep voice said. Anise shrieked, and turned around, partially wondering if this was another unrealistically attractive person, and if he wanted to know where the palace entrance was as well. Turning around however, she saw no one. "I'm here. Look up, you dolt." The voice said above her, sounding annoyed for some reason. Fuming, Anise looked up to give the speaker a piece of her mind and froze. Sitting high up on a thick branch was a thin, tall young man. The fact that he had climbed that high didn't surprise her as much as how he looked. Dark, inky black hair with an almost purple tint that looked smoother than silk fell across his face and pale, refined facial features that gave him a regal look. What surprised Anise most though, were his eyes: dark, blood red eyes that held no emotion in them.

Red eyes? Isn't that a rare feature? She thought. Anise herself had eyes that were red; it was a common trait in her mother's side, along with the rosy pink hair. Her eyes though, were almost pinkish, nothing like the deep, rich red of the strangers. Altogether, it was a very handsome face, but not in the same way as other twos'. His face was unearthly, almost non-human. A soft "Whumpf" noise came from beside her, and she turned, chain of thought broken, wondering what had made the noise. There, beside her, leaning slightly against the tree was the man, looking as calm as could be. Anise's mouth opened and closed, looking incredulous at the feat. That drop was at least 30 feet, how the hell had he not broken a bone, much less still be alive?

"Are you going to continue opening and closing your mouth like a fish? If you are, I suggest you stop, it's unattractive." The insult brought back Anises voice and ire, and the male was promptly assaulted by a barrage of questions.

"Who are you? Where did you come from? How did you survive the fall? What are you doing here? When did you climb up the tree? Why did you climb up the tree, and who are you calling a fish?" The man blinked in surprise, astonished at the speed of her questions. Sighing, he answered back just as fast.

"Why do you want to know who I am, not telling you, I didn't feel like dying, I'm here for a reason, I did not climb up the tree, and the reason as to why I was up there is because I wanted peace and quiet. Also I didn't say you were a fish, I said you resemble one when you open and close your mouth repeatedly. Now," he said, giving Anise a glare so that way she'd shut up, "I'd rather not answer anymore questions, instead I have one. Where is-"

"The palace gate?" Anise cut in, looking closely at his face for any signs of surprise. His face betrayed nothing, only his eyes showed a flash of surprise. "Every single bish- person that I've meet today wanted to know where the palace entrance was. The common trait was that I've never met them before. Now," she said, imitating him, "I'll tell you where it is if you answer this. Why are you so irritable?" A long, awkward silence filled the air, and at last, he spoke.

"Because, if you've been alive for as long as I have, you'd be as bitter as I am."

Anise was quiet, processing this, and softly said, "Why?"

"Why should you care?" He said in a neutral voice, "I've answered your question, now you tell me where the palace entrance is."

She debated briefly about not telling him, and continuing to pester him, but something in his eyes stopped her from doing so. Sighing mentally, she gave him the same instruction as she did to the other two. He nodded, showing his thanks silently. As he turned to leave, he looked back, and said casually "By the way, there's a maggot in that peach." Looking down at her peach, Anise did indeed see a wriggly, nasty little maggot squirming from a bitten of section. Shrieking, she threw the peach away, and ran towards the palace, having enough chaos for one day. The male stood alone in the grove and chuckled briefly, before heading off to the looming palace ahead.

xXx

"Miiikageeee!" The violet head jumped and swore as her head hit an overhanging shelf. Kaede smirked. Looks like Anise got in trouble again... Said pink head burst into the room, looked for her friends, and blushed. There, underneath a book shelf were Mikage and Kaede, looking distinctly ruffled, as if they just had been making out. "Did I... interrupt something?" She asked, blushing as she realized that her best friend was sitting in Kaede's lap.

"Yes-No." Two voices said simultaneously. "No, you didn't Anise, now what's the matter?" Mentally, Mikage sighed, even though she enjoyed making out with her boyfriend, her best friend always went first.

"I met thee guys today, all of which wanted to know where the palace entrance, one was adorable, one was hot, one was handsome, all of them I didn't know, and the head seamstress is still chasing m-"

"There you are, you little brat!" A furious voice boomed from behind her. Shaking in her shoes, Anise resisted the urge to turn around. Maybe if I don't see her, she won't see me! Realizing what she had just thought, she mentally face palmed.

"Stupid brain!" She muttered, why on earth she had even thought that would be possible. Large hands suddenly tossed her up on a meaty shoulder, and with dread, she knew that her demise was imminent. "No, please no!" Futilely she squirmed, trying desperately to get free. The head seamstress cackled, and carried the shrieking pinkette away.

xXx

"Can't...breathe...need…air!" Anise gasped as her lungs were slowly being crushed by the torture machine known as a corset.

"Suck it up, you spoiled brat, in my day, us women needed to wear them all the time. These days, youngsters like you only wear them for special occasions." The seamstress said, looking slightly irritated at the teenager's complaint. Gulping, Anise kept quiet, silently crying at the pain. Sighing, the seamstress loosened the ties just a little, and continued doing her job.

"There, I did my best with your taste and the kings."

Anise scowled. It was her father who decided to do this? "No figure, of course he would do this. After all, he does like to piss me off." She muttered underneath her breath, cursing her father to Hell and back.

"Are you going to continue talking to yourself, or will you look in the damned mirror and see how you look?" Ignoring the disrespectful tone, Anise tossed the cloth covering her oval looking glass and looked. A slim, elegant little princess looked back. The dress was a pale gold in colour, and shimmery, flowing gently down her body. The dress tightened slightly at the waist, giving a curvier appearance to her otherwise thin frame. Lace covered her arms, and patterned the cloth in dainty flowers. She was speechless, normally she hated girly clothing, but this was both feminine, and mature, the simple design making it much easier to move in than the fussier dresses. "Well, do you like it or not?" The impatient tones of the older woman brought Anise back to the present.

"It's beautiful, thank you." Though she may not act like it sometimes, she could act proper once in a while. The door opened, and in came her father, looking all the part of a king, and not at all like a vagabond.

"It's time, dearest daughter." He said his voice rumbling. Breathing deeply and steeling herself, she stiffly took his arm and walked down the hallway.

"Now, remember daughter," Schwartz said, "act proper to these people. The smallest sign of disrespect can yield horrible results."

Anise nodded, and a question bubbled in her mind. "Which one of these men am I to marry, father?" Her father gave her a wide, wolfish grin, and said;

"Since you complained of having no choice in this, I've decided you can at least decide who you are to marry." Her mouth dropped open, she knew her father enjoyed making her angry, but this was just plain cruel! "Here we go now, just relax." With that, Schwartz opened the door, and stepped into the ballroom,

Anise followed in suite. Upon looking at the men who she was to marry, she did a double take, and yelled, "You guys?!"

A/N

Erherher, First chapter is finally done! Dear pasta sauce, this was really annoying... Must get started on next chapter.

Thanks to my friend Charmaine for revising/ editing/coming up with the nations n