Prologue

Fourteen year-old Kimimori Oshita was sitting outside of the towering castle. Her long, black hair was blowing in her face, covering up her ocean-blue eyes. She was thinking of her childhood and why it was so rough and inflicting on how her life was in these days. In midweek, she was to be wed. She didn't like her fiance, at all; for she was in love with another man that her guardians didn't approve of. Her love had silver-white hair that was somewhat long and his eyes were a mystical blue-green. The man she was to be wed by Thursday was a hateful man. He was greedy and only thought of his money.
Her parents thought that he would soon think of Kimimori-sama as the love of his life; she didn't think so. Kimimori knew that he would never stop thinking of his fortune; the fortune that was never his, but what he stole from his relatives. He was a man who killed loved-ones and family members in order to be able to inherit the money, houses, land, and any other material thing you could think of. Kimimori-sama hated this man, right to the bone. His name was Montu Inkita. Kimimori thought that his name was horrible. She did not want to be Kimimori Inkita. She liked her name as it was. The man's name that she was in love with is Ninsuku Shimimora. That was the most beautiful name that she thought was ever possible to exist...

Chapter One

Montu was on his way to Kimimori's house as he saw another young girl on the street someways up ahead of him. She seemed like a very beautiful woman. He completely forgot that he was to be wed to the daughter of the King and Queen of Sontura Kingdom. He immediatly went over and talked to the young woman. She didn't seem interested in him and kept on walking. He immediatly became annoyed with her. He grabbed her arm and demanded that she pay attention to him.
She broke free and ran away from him. He chased after her with extreme speed, but she was able to outrun him easily. He soon got tired and stopped chasing her. She was still running from the insane man. Montu was extremely violent. That is another reason why Kimimori did not want to marry him.
Montu turned and began to walk to Kimimori's house, once again. Kimimori-sama was getting ready for his arrival. Her mother, Shintai Oshita, was helping Kimimori with her hair. "I'm sure you'll get to know him a little better." said Shintai, with a laugh. "Mother, I don't love him." Kimimori said. She didn't want to see Montu ever again. Shintai was getting a little worried that her daughter was going to run away because of her unhappiness.
"You don't have to love him," said Shintai, "All you have to do is marry him on Thursday." Shintai was now tying Kimimori's hair up with a lavender ribbon. "But, mother," said Kimimori, "If I am to wed a man, I need to love him." Kimimori-sama was about to get angry and shout at her mother to get the point by, but she held herself together.

Ninsuku was walking along the side of a river, thinking of Kimimori-sama. "Oh Kimimori, why did you have to be taken away from me?" he asked, hoping that someone would answer his question. He waited for a few minutes before giving up. He soon started to walk again, yearning for the wedding to be canceled so he could be with his one, true, love. He had never told Kimimori that he loved her. He was too shy to tell her to her face. Ninsuku tried to drop her small hints, but he soon figured out that they weren't working; so he stopped.
Kimimori loved him back, but she never told him, either. She tried to flirt with him sometimes, but she would always get too nervous and wind up just sitting there, blushing the whole time. Neither one of them ever told the other, they just decided to be close friends. They were with each-other whenever they could be, but Kimimori's parents would always get in the way and pull them apart.
Kimimori would always yell at her parents about this. She would say that they were ruining her life and that they needed to let her live the way she wanted to. Her parents would then feel that she didn't want them to protect her from getting hurt and leave.
Kimimori would stay in her room and lock the door, waiting for Ninsuku to come for her. They would always sneek out of their houses and stay by the lake not far from Kimimori's house. They would talk about what their lives were like and how their week had been. But once Kimimori was proposed to, all that changed. She can no longer even see Ninsuku, let alone talk to him. Her parents kept close watch on her to make sure that she wasn't out and about with him. They didn't want any interferance with the wedding plans.

Montu had finally arrived at the castle at which Kimimori and her parents lived. Kimimori preferred it to be called her home instead of a castle. Shintai was the first to come to the door. "Yes, come on in Master Inkita." said Shintai as she moved her hand, directing him to come inside.
As he walked into the precious home of the Oshita's, he immediatly looked for Kimimori, wanting her to marry him the next day, which was Monday. He wanted to go ahead and get it over with, so he could get her fortune faster. He knew that if he married her early, he could kill the parents. The money would be passed down to Kimimori, and then he would kill her. Then he would inherit their extrememly large fortune.
Kimimori finally walked down the staircase. She saw Montu, and immediatly ran back up to her room and locked the door. Shintai walked up the stairs after her. She couldn't get in. Kimimori had also barricaded the doors so no one could pick the lock and stop her.

Ninsuku had stopped about a quarter-mile down the river when he heard something in the woods behind him. Kimimori-sama walked out and ran to him. She started to cry as she crashed into his arms. "K-Kimimori... What are you doing here?" he asked her, holding her gentally. "I-I don't want to get married to Montu!" she yelled, her voice shakey, from her greif.
Ninsuku put his hand under her chin. "Why wouldn't you want to get married to him?" he asked, "I thought you loved him?" He paused waiting for her to respond. "No... I will never love him." she said, tears falling down her face like a waterfall. "He only wants to marry me for my family's fortune..." Ninsuku looked surprised at her response.
He knew at that moment that he had to help her, even of his life depended on it. He raised her head as he said, "Don't worry....I'll protect you from him." Kimimori looked into his eyes. "Thank you...." she said, putting her head back into his chest. "Thank you, so much, Ninsuku." They both walked back to Ninsuku's house, quietly. He was still holding her by his side, ready to attack anything that would put her in danger.

Shintai was still trying to get into Kimimori's room when she heard the front door open, then close violently. She thought, No...he can't leave, not untill Kimimori agrees to see him. She ran down the stairs, hoping that she would be able to catch him before he left, but she was too late. Montu had already made his way down the street by the time she got to the door.
Montu was headed for where Kimimori was. He knew exactly where to find her, and how to get there. He had known Ninsuku since they were in the academy together. He knew that Ninsuku liked Kimimori, and he knew that Kimimori liked Ninsuku. He had known that for the longest time.
Montu had made his way to Ninsuku's house, where he knew that Kimimori would be, and that she would be with Ninsuku. He knew how to handle her, and how to handle him. Montu had them both figured out.

Chapter Two

Kimimori was sitting on the edge of Ninsuku's couch, in the back room. Ninsuku was a little uncomfortable that he was in a back room, alone, with the girl of his dreams. Kimimori looked to Ninsuku. "What's wrong, Ninsuku?" she asked him, noticing that he was nervous. Ninsuku looked back to Kimimori. He stared deep into her eyes and knew that he couldn't hold back this time, he had to tell her.
As they sat there, staring into the others' eyes, they each knew what the other was going to say. "Ninsuku....." said Kimimori. "Kimimori....." They moved towards each other, slowly, nervously. Kimimori's cheeks started to turn red. Ninsuku raised his hand to her face.
"Kimimori, I can't hold back any longer..." he said, softly. "I have to tell you, now. You have to know... that I love you..." Kimimori blushed even more. "Ninsuku... I wanted to tell you the exact same thing, long, long ago...."

Kimimori and Ninsuku were still sitting on the couch, even closer now than they were before. The door slammed open... It was Montu, looking for his soon-to-be wife. Kimimori jumped. She looked at Montu with a stern expression. Ninsuku didn't budge from his position. "What have you come for?" he asked, his hand still on Kimimori's cheek. Montu got a discusted look on his face as he looked to Ninsuku. "I have come here for my wife!" he yelled at Ninsuku. Kimimori stood up, looking to Montu. "Well, I have not had any reason to be with you from the start!" she shouted. "I have never loved you and never will!" Kimimori was beginning to get annoyed with Montu.
Ninsuku stood in front of Kimimori, as he pulled out his katana that he always kept with him, in case of emergency. Montu got a small smile on his face as he looked to Ninsuku's sword. "So, you still haven't changed at all, now have you, Ninsuku?" asked Montu as he gripped the hilt of his sword. He knew that he would have to fight Ninsuku. Ninsuku was never the type to just hand things over. He would always fight for what he wanted, and he would always win.
Ninsuku jumped over the back of the couch as he swung his sword at Montu's face. Montu dodged his attack and came at Ninsuku from the side. "I've improved my skills since we last met, Ninsuku." said Montu as he started to slice at Ninsuku's side. Ninsuku moved his body just enough that the katana would go right under him. He curved his body over to the left, towards Montu, in order to be able to get a good shot at his apponent.
Montu was still looking at his sword as Ninsuku charged his katana at Montu's back. It was a direct hit. Blood started to gush out of Montu's backside. He fell to the floor in pain. Kimimori looked to Montu. She thought that she would feel bad about what had happened, but, surprisingly, she didn't feel anything at all.

Ninsuku stared at Montu. What a wimp. he thought, I can't believe that he can't even take a small hit to the back. Kimimori was still looking at Montu. Ninsuku moved towards Kimimori and said, "We must go before he gets up." Kimimori nodded. Ninsuku grabbed Kimimori's hand as they ran out of the room.
"Ninsuku..." she said, "Why did you fight for me?" Kimimori asked this with a concerned look on her face. "I did it so you wouldn't get hurt..." said Ninsuku, still running. They continued to run for a while when they finally came to a small village. Ninsuku looked around, as he slowed his run to a walk. Kimimori stayed close by his side, her hand still in his.
Ninsuku walked into a diserted part of the village. "We should be safe here...for a while..." said Ninsuku. Kimimori didn't ask any questions. She only did as he directed, as she knew that she would be a bother if she kept disturbing him. Ninsuku stopped and sat down on the ground. "You've been awfully quiet... Is something bothering you?" he asked, looking at her. Kimimori stopped and looked to the ground. "No... nothing's bothering me..." she said, quietly.
"Are you sure?" he asked her, "Because you seem like there's something wrong." He then put his hand to the ground. "You can sit if you want to." Kimimori looked at him. "Okay..." she said, as she took a seat next to him. Ninsuku put his arm around her shoulder, trying to comfort her. "I know you've been through alot these past few days..." he said, quietly, "And I probably didn't help, considering that I hurt your fiance."
Kimimori looked into his eyes. "You didn't make my week any worse than what it was before..." she said, "You made it better." Ninsuku was surprised at her comment. "Really?" he asked. "I didn't think that stabbing someone's fiance would make their week better." He started to laugh. Kimimori smiled at him. "I have never liked him... he's an evil man that is only interested in his fortune." she said, as her smile started to fade.

Ninsuku stopped laughing. He looked at her, with a concerned face. "Then why did you say yes to him?" Kimimori looked to the ground. "I had no say in it..." she said, "My parents spoke for me, they said that I would love to marry him before he even finished the question..." Kimimori started to cry. Ninsuku wiped the tears from her face. "Why didn't you come to me sooner?" he asked, as he leaned in closer to her face. Kimimori looked back to him. She started to blush a little as she said, "My parents kept a close eye on me...They've kept me within their sight at all hours..."
Ninsuku gave her a small nod as he began to slow his movement toward her. Kimimori started to lean back a bit, not much, but a few centimeters. Ninsuku leaned in towards her more. Kimimori decided to give up and just let him come closer. He leaned in close enough to be able to kiss her, but he hesitated, too nervous to go any further. Kimimori was wondering why he had paused. She looked into his eyes, way, deep down in his eyes. Ninsuku looked back into hers, he then found the courage to go closer. Their lips met with each other.

Chapter Three

The wind started to blow, leaves fell from a tree up above. They looked to eachother, they both were blushing. Hesitating to say anything, Ninsuku wrapped his arms around Kimimori tightly. She closed her eyes, taking in everything that was going on. Ninsuku then let go of her, slowly, waiting for her to say something. She was completely silent. Kimimori just looked up at him, staring into his beautiful blue-green eyes.
Kimimori and Ninsuku heard something in the background. Footsteps, coming closer with each second that passed by. Ninsuku got up slowly and lowered his hand, directing Kimimori to grasp it. He helped her up as the footsteps came even closer than they had been before. Ninsuku ran the other way, still having hold of Kimimori. They ran, again, to another small town close by. This town had alot more civilization, though. It was easy to get lost in this type of place.
Ninsuku and Kimimori ran into a small shop, long enough to rest. They found some seats nearby and sat down. "What do you think that was?" asked Kimimori as she looked to Ninsuku. He looked back to her. "I don't know.... If you want my opinion than I'm guessing that it was Montu...." said Ninsuku. Kimimori looked to the floor. She was afraid that Montu would harm Ninsuku in some way. Ninsuku saw her worried expression. "Or...It could've just been an animal." he said, as he put his arm on her shoulder, hoping that it would calm her a bit.
Kimimori looked up at him again. "I....I'm afraid....that he'll hurt you." she said, as she began to cry again. He pulled her in closer to him. "Don't worry, Kimimori..." he said, in a calm mannor. "He won't hurt me...I promise that to you." Kimimori grasped his shirt tightly, hoping that his promise wouldn't be broken.

Montu was slowly on his way to the village that Kimimori and Ninsuku were at. His back was still bleeding. Bystanders on the street were talking about him under their breath. He was only focused on getting Kimimori back. The truth about him was that he was tired of getting beaten by Ninsuku, so he wanted to win, for once. That is why he wants to marry Kimimori.
Kimimori doesn't like Montu, as he could tell. He was trying to be a better person, so that she would take an interest in him. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to work. Montu was desperate to get Kimimori back, now. But, he seemed to be exhausted at that point.
His vision was getting blurry... his legs were giving out, and he looked as pale as a ghost. He was losing too much blood... and he was pushing himself too hard.

Ninsuku and Kimimori were still sitting in the shop, wondering what was going to happen. "What if he's already here, and we just don't know it?!" Kimimori asked, as she started to panick. Ninsuku put his hand on her knee and said, "Everything's going to be alright... I promise, I won't let anything happen to you." Kimimori just gave him a puzzled look. "Come on, we need to go..." Ninsuku said as he stood up. Kimimori just looked at the ground. "What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?" asked Ninsuku as he was looking down at her. Kimimori lifted her head a little bit. "No..." she said, "I feel fine... it's just that i'm worried..." Ninsuku looked at her funny. "Worried...? About what?" he asked her as he kneeled down to see her face.
Kimimori didn't say anything... she just lowered her head and had a sad look. Ninsuku put his hand on her cheek. "Are you worried about Montu?" he asked quietly. Kimimori grabbed his hand and lowered it. "He did bleed alot back at your house..." she said, with a worried expression. Ninsuku just looked in her eyes. He could see how sad she was. "Come on... let's go back..." he said, holding his hand out to Kimimori. She looked at him, then took his hand.
They were walking back to Ninsuku's house when they heard something behind them. "Stop... right there..." the words were slow, and sounded as if the person who said it was in pain. Kimimori looked back at the man. It was Montu, looking like he was going to die. Kimimori got a horrified look on her face. "MONTU?!" she screamed. She tried to run back to him, but Ninsuku grabbed her arm and held her back. "What are you doing?!" she asked, "He's about to die! Are you just going to stand there and watch?!"

Chapter Four

Montu was looking straight at Kimimori. Ninsuku was still holding her arm. Kimimori was still waiting for a response. "Well?!" she screamed, "What are you going to do?! Are you just going to let him die right in front of you?!" Ninsuku just looked down. Kimimori was still staring at him, wondering if he would answer her. "So... I guess you do love him, don't you?" asked Ninsuku in a quiet, yet sad, voice. "What?" asked Kimimori, shockingly, "What are you talking about?! He's going to die... We, at least, need to help him!" Ninsuku looked at Kimimori, sadly. "If you didn't love him, then you wouldn't be worrying about him this much... Would you?" he asked.
Kimimori looked surprised at his comment. "Ninsuku... He could collapse any minute now! How can I not help him?" Ninsuku didn't respond. Slowly, Ninsuku let go of her arm. "I guess I'll be on my way, then..." he said, quietly. Kimimori watched Ninsuku as he turned and walked away.
"... Wait..." she said. Ninsuku paused for a moment, waiting for her to continue. After a few seconds passed, he began on his way again. Kimimori couldn't say anything; she was too stunned. Suddenly, Kimimori's vision dissapeared. "What the-?!" she started. Her mouth was soon covered along with her eyes.
"Heh..." she heard. "That fool thought that a scratch this small would keep me from my goal?" Montu picked Kimimori up and started to run the opposite direction that Ninsuku was headed. Kimimori tried to break free from Montu's hold... but nothing seemed to work.

Montu had taken Kimimori to his small mansion on the other side of the large Kingdom. He plopped her onto his bed and took off her blindfold and the handkercheif that held her mouth closed. "Now..." he began. "What were you doing with Ninsuku?" Kimimori was too afraid to answer him. "Well?!" Montu shouted as he grasped Kimimori's arms tightly. "I... I was just talking to him." she said, her voice shaking.
Montu looked at her face. "I see..." he stated. He let go of Kimimori and sat on a chair in front of the bed. Kimimori scooted to the side of the bed farthest from Montu. He watched Kimimori for a while. "Why don't you come over here?" he asked her. Kimimori looked at Montu. "I'm fine where I am..." she replied, softly. Montu didn't like her response. He stood up abruptly. Kimimori started to back into the wall that was touching the bed. Montu quickly got onto the bed and grabbed Kimimori's wrists.
He pinned her arms to the wall. "What... did you... just say to me?" he asked her through his teeth. She didn't reply. She just sat there, staring, horrified, at Montu. He started to chuckle. "Why are you so afraid of me, young one?" he asked her. "Is it because of my size? Or is it because of your size?" He let go of her wrists and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist.
Kimimori gasped. "What are you doing?!" she shouted. Montu began to unwrap her small kimono. "Nothing much..." he mumbled in her ear. "S-stop!" she yelled. Montu paused for a moment, then leaned back. "Yes?" he asked her, in a soothing voice. Kimimori started to re-wrap her kimono. "I don't want to do this..." she mumbled.

Ninsuku was at the lakeside. He picked up a rock and skipped it across the surface of the water. He sighed a long, heavy sigh. "Why did this have to happen...?" he asked. He fell to his knees. Ninsuku took a glimpse at his reflection in the water, then splashed it away. "She doesn't deserve me..." he said. "Why would someone as special as her choose someone as worthless as me?"
"Who's this 'special' person?" asked a feminine voice from behind him. "Holy-!" Ninsuku started. He flung around in a flash. Standing there, behind him, was the mother of Kimimori. "Ah... Oshita-san..." he said, relieved. "I thought that you were an intruder." Shintai smiled that lovely smile of hers. "As did I, Shimimora-dono... You do realize that you are on our property, don't you?" she asked him. Ninsuku stood up straight. "Yes... I do..." he answered. "Good... Then I don't suspect that you will have any problems with leaving, now, would you..." Shintai said.
Ninsuku gave her a stern look. "Actually..." he began. "I do have a problem with leaving." Shintai looked surprised at his reply. "And why is that?" she asked him. "This is the same exact spot that Kimimori and I would come to... I treasure this place as if it were my own. I don't see any problems with me staying here for a while." He was beginning to get annoyed with her. "And, as a matter-of fact... Kimimori gave me permission to come here anytime I wanted to." Shintai couldn't believe that her own daughter would give Ninsuku, of all people, such permission without even addressing it to her first.
"Well..." Shintai said, as she turned away from Ninsuku. "I'll be on my way then..." She was halfway to the path that led back to the castle when she turned around one final time. "And stay away from my beloved Kimimori... We wouldn't want her to become a low-life..." She walked away, leaving Ninsuku behind at the lakeside.

As Ninsuku stood there, letting all of those words sink in, he began to think. "Something isn't quite right..." he thought out loud. He began to make his way out on to the street, a bad feeling struck over him. "Kimimori..." he whispered in horror as he began to sprint to Montu's house.


-_-' I truly hate writer's block...