A New Chapter...

[Anjel]

Samuel growled, low and angrily as he slammed the door. Yuffie smiled at herself. Though she wondered if he would try anything anyway. After long, she got bored waiting on him. She wandered the hallways wondering where the party would be in the first place.
Harumi brightened up a bit seeing as she was usually too embarrassed with herself to notice him blushing. She put to fingers under his chin, beaming. “You’re blushing.” She giggled playfully. She smiled a bit more to herself before sighing peacefully. “I’ve… been thinking about that a lot too you know? I mean, when we’re not around each other it’s like, time seems to slow down… I wish it wouldn’t though. Whenever we’re together something seems to interrupt, or separate us.” She paused thinking about it. Though it was mainly Samuel who’d popped up at random moments, it was almost better that he did, rather than some sort of terrible situation life seemed to throw at them. She glanced at him after long and smiled. “Well, I better explain why we’re here then huh?” she asked softly. “It’s probably better to tell everything now, before you hear it from someone else, or piece misunderstandings out on your own.” She shook her head, wondering what kinds of rumors could be spread around the castle once the guests for the wedding came along, especially if he didn't know the truth.

[Animebella]

Tadashi had finished getting ready, looking much handsomer than he lead himself to believe he was. He moved about his tie a bit before making his way down the hallway. He sighed feelinmg over dressed, but if his parents were putting it off he figured he would have to dress nice, considering he was the second prince after all. Yet he still wondered how the public had taken news of Raidon being found and brought back. He shrugged it off as he made his way down the main staircase and started to wander about. Wondering where indeed the party was going to be. Meanwhile Lillie had come out fully dressed as she slipped on her heels and walked over to Ryou who whistled as she walked over to him. "M'lady I do believe you are one beautiful woman." He said as he sat up and then stood up to walk over and take her hand. "I think our guest should be arriving at any second." He said as he started towards the door. Lillie wrapped her arm around his as they started down the hallyway. The doorbell sung and the guests started to arrive. People from the surrounding city, and a few others. Not all would attend the wedding, but a few dozen of them would. They gathered in the main room as they awaited the arrival of the king and queen. Murmuring amongst themselves.

Raidon blushed more so when he felt her light fingers under his chin. Directing his eyes back to her as she did so, "I..uh.. yeah." He said with a smile, "You know that has been the case since we have come back to the castle. I guess it's to be expected, but still, I wish to spend every waking moment with you, but then again that's a bit selfish on my part." He blushed but didn't look away, "I want to know everything there is about you Harumi, I want to know that theres nothing inbetween us that could possibly force us away from one another. That would sadden me so much, but on the same note I don't want you to feel as if you need to tell me every second of your life. I'll always be here for you as will everyone around us." He kissed her cheek, "I'm just glad to see you have decided to open up to me so very much. You know you've really surprised me, from that very first day we met, I mean I can't seem to get you off my mind, how much you've changed and how much your a part of my life." He smiled lightly, "But enough of that, tell me however much you wish to. I won't inturupt, and i'll be here to listen to it all. Good and bad." He said giving her a tight squeeze before pulling back to mearly holding her close.

[Anjel]

Yuffie walked aimlessly through the hallways, jumping out at maids and laughing playfully, as she explained she was just practicing her ninja skills. She slowly decided that was probably one of the worse things to do as she’d start embarrassing Harumi again. As she walked by the staircase, she stopped, noticing Tadashi. “Hey, do you know where we’re suppose to go? It would be really dumb if we missed the party because we didn’t get directions to the right room.” She laughed.
Harumi nodded, wondering where to start. She looked away for a while, before finally beginning. “First… I want you to know that I’m okay with you to being king… you know, if you still want to be. If not, then I’m completely fine with that too but, I think I should put more faith in you. It’s not like you’re going to become evil overnight right? And with so much responsibility, I just hope it’s what you really want since there’s no such thing as quitting.” She said. “Also, before I continue… I need to know what you know so far so… tell me, do you know what I am? I mean, I never denied it, but I never actually told you either… and, do you know what happened to my father, even though I told you once before, that I’d have nothing to do with what happened… I didn’t actually know, and then I never actually explained that either.” She said, realizing how much she’d kept from him.

[Animebella]

Tadashi heard the spooked squeaks from the maids around the house behind him somewhere. he looked over his shoulder as he heard Yuffie's voice. He turned to see her and smiled, "You know I can't say I'm too sure myself. I mean the ball room would be my first guess, but I'm really not sure. Mother never told me the location, I suppose we can go check though. I assume the guests will be here by now." He said looking past her but seeing nothing but maids rushing to and fro. Lillie and Ryou had made their way to the top of the staircase as the public awaited them, they smiled and started some small speech before they moved to the ballroom. Making their way towards Yuffie and Tadashi.

Raidon watched her, staying quiet as she thought about where to begin, once she started he could tell she may have troubles explaining it all. He knew he had to be understanding which he would be regardless of anything else. Evil? Was she speaking of his uncle? Or was it a mear fear of her past? He knew that his uncle was reckless, and only went crazy for one reason.. less of course he was born that way, which he figured wasn't the case. In any way he had to know. He was releived that she would allow him to become king once the time came, but she hadn't said the matter of her wanting to be in the possition of his queen which was a given once he was in. He nodded slowly, he knew what she really was, and he sort of remembered her saying as much about her father but couldn't remember small details of the matter. "I.. well partially, alas the memory of why is beyond me, my memory seems to want to forgte that part, but I'm willing for you to fill me in if thats the case. I do know what you are, and I hope you know I'm not ashamed of you and you shoulden't be of yourself. You are who you are, no matter how you look or sound." He smiled telling her to go on.

[Anjel]

Yuffie smiled thoughtfully. “The ballroom huh? That’s kind of strange. But it’s okay though, ballrooms are cool I guess-“ she paused, realizing someone had just given her a slight push down the stairs. By the time she realized what was going on it was too late. Samuel watched her innocently and gasped. “Ooops. Sorry about that.” He said, as she landed with a squeal and a thump.
Harumi blinked, not really expecting him to remember but nodded. “Yeah, I guess I probably should just accept it, but… anyway…” she paused pulling away from him a moment and continuing. “Raidon… I killed my father. I killed him, because… because if I didn’t, other people would die. A lot of other people… and I say this because, I was used to kill them. My father would take me out with the army and make sure that I lured people out of their homes if they seemed to threaten the country. Later though, when he made me go find this little girl I…” she shook her head, silently, trying to keep herself from reliving anything. “Her name was Abby. When I found out she was a child, I tried to save her, but they found her anyway. I wanted to quit, but it was too late. I had to either help them, or they’d send me to our family island… It’s a place where our ancestors were really buried. If you listen closely, you can hear the sounds of the spirits there screaming. They sent me there one summer, for trying to scare the tourists away.” She put her hand to her head and sighed. “I didn’t want to tell you, because I don’t want you to think of me the way I see a dragon.”

[Animebella]

Tadashi was too late to react to the scene, by the time he had gotten a grip he had reached for her hand and tripped down the stairs, tumbling and landing next to her. "Oww." He groaned as he sat up slowly and shook his head, "I'm sorry." he said looking over to Yuffie, "Are you alright?" He asked looking back up to see Samuel there, acting as if it was an accident, which it probably was. Lillie and Ryou had made t to the ballroom and the party had started. You could hear the music and smell the sweets from where they were.

Raidon listened to her with much interest, it was horrifying to hear her say such things. It seemed her father was worse tahn anything to have used her. It was alright that she finally stepped up to take him down for the future of everyone else, but what he was curious about was why he would act so rashly. He pondered on the matter for a second as he realized she had pulled back a bit further, he allowed her to do so, giving her the space she needed, but always ready to grab her back shall something spook her. That island sounded horrid as well, the shame of placing the dead on one island and yet it seemed they were more or less tourtured.. he shivered at the thought and hoped Harumi didn't catch the matter. Once she had finshed he looked her over, thinking over his words slowly. "Harumi, hun.. let me tell you this. If I ever I mean even just a tiny bit..lok at you like that. I give you my full out permission to smack some sense into me. I don't ever want to look at you in that way, and I never will because I don't see you like that. I see you as the most beautiful, kind, caring, and loving girl I have ever known in my life. Harumi.. you changed my life when you walked in, filling any gaps that felt they needed to stay put. I love you more than anything in this world and you should know that you can tell me anything. I won't ever overreact and upset you. Least I hope not to... and you always know how to get me back if I do." He smiled at her.

[Anjel]

Yuffie winced but got up and tried to help Tadashi to his feet as well. “It’s no problem, it was Bear’s fault really.” She said almost polite at first. She smiled weakly and turned to Samuel who slid down the staircase. “Seriously, I didn’t know you were going to fall down too. I would have waited until you were gone first.” He snickered, running off towards the party before Yuffie could shout at him. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked feeling somewhat responsible.
Harumi sighed and looked up at him. “I know, it’s just… you didn’t know that before. You couldn’t have possibly known what I was really like when you first met me… it’s why I was so hesitant to tell you… and that’s not all…” she said softly. She took a breath and closed her eyes as she continued. “Joseph and Bear broke me out of prison a few days before my execution date. If I’d lived after being shot, they’d have me take control of H-Town but Bear didn’t want me to… take over. He was afraid that I’d end up like my father so he helped hide me until Joseph started getting violent. He started yelling, drinking…” she paused, “I refused to marry him so, he tried to force himself on me. If Bear hadn’t come back when he did, I would probably still be there now. It’s why he’s so protective over me I guess… that’s when he sent me here. It’s not that I didn’t trust you… you’ve been nothing but great to me but… every guy I seemed to stay around either took his place as a guardian, a friend, or an enemy. To be totally honest, I was even taken out of school to be kept away from men.” She chuckled weakly thinking about it. “The day you came by, I wasn’t sure what to do exactly. It wasn’t until I started thinking about you all the time… when I started looking forward to seeing you… when I turned against Cloud, just to spend a few hours with you.” She looked up at him. “I’ve been waiting for you to leave… to hurt me but…” Tears filled her eyes as she went to hug him. “But you haven’t. I don’t understand how you can love me after all of the things I’ve put you through. Of all the people you could be with, but you still chase after me… some dragon girl with crazy guardians and annoying stuffed animals.” She half sobbed, though she couldn’t help but laugh pitifully at the situation.

[Animebella]

Tadashi shook his head as he took her hand to help himself up, "no, Miss Yuffie, don't be silly. If I had known ahead of time I would have revented your fall. But it seems my clumsiness had taken effect." He sighed, wishing he was much like his brother when it came to being perfect with the ladies. He always ended up somehow embarassing himself of the female in the situation.

Raidon listened and spoke as she took her few breaths inbetween, "Harumi, hun you have to understand thats the whole reasoning for sticking around someone for so incredibly long.. to get to know them better. It seems the more I know about you the more I want to stand by your side and protect you, to love you always, and comfort you when you need a shoulder to cry on. I'm not about to leave you after I have fallen so deeply in love with you, no one else can have you. I'd be sure about that, even if it means I have to fight for you." He sighed lightly as she spoke of Joseph, he only figured he had gotten so drunk and violent because of the whole war matter, it was tearung him up inside, so instead of dealing with it in a good way he took it out on Harumi, only she was lucky to have Samuel around at the time. He held her close as she started to cry, "I.. I really don't know what I would do if I should lose you. I don't even want to think about it, I couldn't possibly..because it's out of the question." he kissed her forhead, then she spoke of herself in a silly manner and he couldn't help but laugh with her. "Harumi, you silly. I don't know why you see yourself that way, your just as cute as when I met you, only now your more on the beautiful side." He hugged her tight, "I love you so much Harumi." It was then that the thought to tell her of the cure crossed his mind, but then he wondered if it was the time or not. Trying to remember what they had talked about before, whether or not to tell her before the wedding and all.

[Anjel]

“Miss? Uh, it’s okay. I’m probably just as clumsy as you are.” She said thoughtfully. She paused, thinking about the many time’s she’d fallen or broken a bone. After long she started walking again towards the ballroom. “Hey gossip with me, will you?” she asked quietly. “Is Raidon having a big secret bachelor party? I was trying to get Harumi to have one, but she won’t… maybe she’ll change her mind though if Raidon has one… but then we need to keep it a secret from Bear you know?” she asked, wondering if it was a good idea or not to confide in him.
Harumi stayed close to him for support and rested a minute as his words finally sank in. She felt like she’d been opening old wounds, so she waited a moment as they started to close again. “I love you too.” She said. She pulled away a bit to look at him. Her eyes were diverted back to his shirt though, as she’d left a small puddle of water where her eyes had been. “Oh… sorry.” She said quietly, “Well, I think that’s everything… so now, there are no secrets between us. You know about as much as I do so if anything is said at the wedding, you’ll know what really happened.” She said quietly. She looked up at him and smiled. “So now there’s just one last problem to take care of right?” she asked, tired from crying but calm.

[Animebella]

Tadashi brushed himself off briefly before looking over at Yuffie and nodding as he joined her, walking to the ballroom together. "I..uhm, well i'm not quite sure what he has planned to say the least. But I do believe Samuel has been planning some of these things on his own, I'm sure you know him better than I, but he seems straight forward. He's fun to be around, it's been a while since I had someone to laugh with about these matters you know?" He smiled before sighing lightly, "I don't think anything is written in ink just yet though. Do you wish to throw something for Harumi then? I bet she would be hesitant, considering the way she is and all.. but I envy my brother, he sure does know how to find the perfect one." He said with a distant look on his face.

Raidon just held her, knowing when to stay quiet as opposed to speaking out. It seemed she had little problems telling him all of these matters. He was more than overjoyed with that, only now he wondered desperately if he should tell her or not. He waited until she quieted down a bit and pulled back, appologizing for the puddle she had left on his shirt. He looked down and smiled, "Don't worry about it hun." He said though the way he said it gave away the anxious matter in his mind. This was breaking him up.. he had to tell her. Even if now wasn't the best time, he wanted her to know. To give her hope and a heads up maybe. "I..I'm glad you told me so much about yourself, I feel as if w can really go through with all of this now. Only that last matter.. well you see.. my father.." He paused unsure of how to continue, he looked away briefly wondering what she might do. If she wasn't interested he would stay quiet.

[Anjel]

Yuffie grinned a bit and shook her head. “Nah, you want a girl like that, you’ll have to go through a whole mess just to get there. Really, I would have given up a long time ago to stay single but…” she sighed. “…but I’m happy he didn’t. I’d hate to see people like that stay single forever. You know, people like us need to have adventure! There’s no time for romance when you have to practice and train! Unless they’re traveling too… that would be kind of cool.” She said smiling over at him. “Don’t worry though, I see you’re no warrior… you’d be best finding a princess or something.”
Harumi looked up at him a bit nervously. She smiled a bit, not use to seeing him hesitate before telling her things. It made her think about the many times she’d done it and so she tried to stay positive. “Are you alright…?” she asked softly. “There’s no one here listening but me, if it’s going to take a while longer I understand…” she said soothingly. She sighed a bit, wondering if it was really okay to wake up in fear that he’d changed, or the side that she knew had disappeared. She stood firmly though, waiting for him to explain, no matter how long it took him. She owed him that at least for being as gentle as he was with her.

[Animebella]

Tadashi smiled, "I suppose your right, I'm no fighter myself. And I know my parents wish to see me happy but truely unless a girl falls from the sky i'm not too sure anyone will be found for a guy like myself. I guess I'm just too used to the castle life to venture out on my own. More or less being locked inside for so long it's a wonder i'm not pale skined." He shook his head, "But I shouldn't be saying so much, he knew what he was doing. And adventuring would be an interesting trait. Being able to travel while your love builds for one another, something I've only read in books." He said and smiled at her as they grew closer to the ballroom.

Raidon noticed her gaze was on him now and she seemed to fidget just a bit. He nodded slowly and took a breath, he knew they were alone aside from the few guards that stood at the doors, out of earshot range. He closed his eyes and opened them, locking them with Harumi's. He lifted her chin in his hand lightly, "Harumi, you see my father was well... looking into the whole thing. He thinks he has found the cure, but.. it's sort of... well.." He stopped himself, he wasn't one to hesitate and he knew it was only making Harumi anxious and he felt bad about it. "Okay, I'll out and say it. The whole matter of you being my cure and all, well to rid of it forever we have to.. take it to the next level." His cheecks grew red, "I wasn't going to tell you until after the wedding when it would have just been natural to do so, but you see.. since you were telling me everything I didn't want to hide it from you. That and I wanted to know how you felt about it. I mean if Cloud were to find out what Samuel told him about me being cured and if he found out it was a fake, well.. I don't want to know the consquences." He sighed, "I wish there was another way, I never meant to spring this on you." He said appologetically.

[Anjel]

Yuffie smiled back at him. She felt like hugging him, being such a romantic and everything, but kept control of herself. “That’s cute… but those two are pretty unrealistic. You want to find someone like that; I suggest you go start looking now.” She said thoughtfully. She stopped at the ballroom entrance and turned to him. “Don’t give up though okay? There are a lot of girls out there who like romantics, and you’re a nice guy.” She said cheerfully. “Maybe you’ll meet someone here tonight!”
Harumi blinked, an awkward look pasted on her face as Raidon started explaining. “The next level… so we… we have to…” she blushed, feeling as if her dress problems had gotten worse and turned away to hide her embarrassment in case he’d be offended. “You… you’re sure, that’s the only way…? But Cloud’s going to figure it out anyway… he’s going to ask me… should I just lie to him?” she couldn’t get herself to explain much further before trying to gather her stuttering thoughts together. “Well… it’s not so bad I mean- It’s not that I don’t want to it’s just- as long as we’re married first right? Because… because… can’t you die or something if you’re not? Cloud told me bad things happen to people who do that before getting married. Look at Yuffie-“ As soon as the words came out of her mouth she regretted them. “I mean- Yuffie - you can’t tell I told you okay?? And anyway, I don’t even know what we’re supposed to do that night except...” she finally just stopped talking, at a total loss for words. Being too shy to explain, and too confused to even tell what was true from false she almost wished he’d kept the whole thing a secret. “Don’t feel bad, it’s not like you planned this out you know? …Are… you even okay with this…? I don’t have any experience in that area… but I know that it’s an act of love right…? I wanted our first time to be about love… not… not curses or business… promise me… you won’t think about it that way.” she said quietly. She could only imagine how red her face had become, but she couldn’t have cared less in that case. She pushed her hair out of her face nervously and continued. “Promise me.” She repeated.

[Animebella]

Tadashi blinked, romantics? Was he really the sort of thing? He was sort of clueless on the lovepart of anything considering he only read about most of the matter. he hadn't been to town much at all, but e did notice couples scattered about when he did. He also knew the matter that he was a prince and he shan't be taken advantage of beacuse of that. His mock father had told him that, but then again he was never let out of the castle when he was around. he found himself holding clentched fists because of it but slowly relaxed them once he noticed they had arrived. "Thanks.. I hope your right." He said smiling at Yuffie as the guards opened the doors for them and they walked inside. The music was loud but once everyone spotted them they were all bowing or curtseying(sp?), making a line towards his parents. Tadashi blinked as the girls fawned over him as they walked past. "Oh Prince Tadashi!" The called out with other cute calls here and there. He sighed lightly as he continued on with a fake smile.

Raidon waited for her anser as she too grew embarassed as he finished explaining it all. He knew it was too early to tell her, he shook his head, but she had to know. "I..I know.. there's no other way, my father only knows of this one. He's still looking into it, but seeing as the wedding is coming up soon he figured it would be no deal, considering it was most likely going to happen anyways.. you know?" He sighed, "But he was only looking out for my wellbeing and all, I don't blaim.." He frowned as she brought up Cloud as well. "You see that's the thing right there. Cloud, if he knew.. well... he may take you from me. Samuel continued to tell me that I had to prove myself to him, and even Joseph.. but I wasn't too worried on the matter. Though I know how much Cloud thinks of me.. he was never too fond of me." He said frowning a bit more as he thought about it. Then she started talking of Yuffie, he was unphased by the matter, but he listened anyways, still tied around the whole Cloud matter, he knew for a fdact that Cloud would be able to see through Harumi's lie and probably blaim him for the matter, he also knew that Harumi hated lying.. so there had to be an alternative, but what? He came to when she asked him if he was alright with the whole matter. He sighed lightly, "Harumi, you know..I really don't even know. I never wanted to tell you, I mean if I hadn't then it just would have went away if that should happen.. but if it didn't I would have told you about it and not so much force you into doing it because that would be wrong.. but still it wouldn't be enjoyable and the loving gesture that it should be." He paused, "I don't want to think about it as the cure, I want us to enjoy it when the time shall come. And I don't want you to think of me bad because all of this came up, it's true I coulden't help it, but my knowing and not wanting to tell you just didn't seem right. I hope you understand.. but i will promise you that I won't think of it in any other way then what it should be. A bond between us, that will be remembered for the rest of our lives. Something so special that most words cannot describe it." He frowned, wondering why all of this was really getting to him now.

[Anjel]

Yuffie blinked, overcome by the feeling that everyone was waiting for her to arrive. “Wow, this is awesome!” she thought, walking with Tadashi for a moment before she was pulled into the crowd. “Hey Yuffie, they have karaoke! Come sing with me!” Samuel whined. Yuffie blinked, unsure whether to punch him or agree and go sing. “Yeah sure, first let’s go pay our respects to the royal family.” She said, not wanting to risk the chance of embarrassing anyone.
Harumi held her tongue. Cloud was only hard towards him because of her rebellion. If she’d just stayed normal and come home when he asked her to, it would have been no big deal but she hadn’t. Besides putting herself in danger, she never really explained what was going on, leaving Cloud to worry and wonder what she was doing past her curfew, if he’d ever thought about it in the first place. With his stoic attitude, there was no clue what he was thinking while she was gone. She stopped thing about Cloud though. “He won’t… I won’t leave you.” She said softly, unsure about many things in life, but completely positive that even if she’d been kidnapped she’d always find her way back him. “Good… then we’ll have nothing to worry about…” she smiled confidently. “After all, that’s not such a bad way to end a curse, you know?” She asked, blushing slightly. “No terrible sacrificing, near death experiences… just us.”