Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Princess in Waiting ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

I forgot to put this up earlier.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket. In an alternate universe where I rule, I do. But here, sadly…I don't.

Chapter 2

The land of Caidoz is divided into 13 kingdoms. Each is run by a different royal family descended from an original founder. Before the banquet with God, He asked the 13 animals of the Zodiac to build him a new land. Each animal created a new land for God, the Land of Caidoz. Following God's orders, the Land of Caidoz was then divided into 13 separate kingdoms; each kingdom was built by each animal, and each animal placed his or her own personal touches to each kingdom.

As the Cat chose the spot for his kingdom, he picked one in the very center of the Land of Caidoz. As cats tend to like high places, his spot was mountainous and tree covered. As he finished building his kingdom, he realized that he had forgotten to build his temple to God. As he headed out to get the materials for his temple, he ran into his friend, the Rat.

The Rat, upon seeing his friend in need, and seeing how his friend was nearly done with his kingdom, offered to help out the Cat. He too was going out to pick up supplies for his temple, and opted to just go out and get the materials for the two of them, if the Cat would finish the building of his kingdom. After agreeing, the Cat set out and began building the Rat's kingdom, while the Rat went off to fetch supplies for their temples. Along the way, the Rat ran into all of the other animals. As the Rat ran into each of his friends, each one requested that he fetch them supplies for their temples, in exchange, each one would aid in the construction of the Rat's kingdom.

When the Rat returned, he set off in the direction of the Ox's kingdom. The Ox seemed to have wanted to say something, but when pressed, he simply forgot. So the Rat shrugged it off and gave him his temple supplies, thanked him for his help, and continued on to the Tiger's kingdom, repeating the process. The Rat followed the shore of the Land of Caidoz, enabling him to go in a full circle of the land, and run into all of his animal friends. All except for the Cat…whose kingdom was in the center of the island. As the Rat finished his rounds and ended up at his own kingdom, he realized he had enough supplies for two temples. Exhausted from his journey and forgetful from his many dealings with the other animals, the Rat simply decided to build two temples for God in his kingdom. As he looked at his finished work, he opted to sleep early for the banquet the next day.

The Cat, however, did the most work out of all the other animals for the Rat's kingdom. As the other animals arrived to do their share of work, the Cat coordinated each animal to working on a certain aspect of the kingdom. Exhausted from his work, he left a message for the Rat. In his message, he told the Rat to build the temple for him, since he built the majority of his kingdom. The Cat then left the message with the forgetful Ox. Tired, but proud of his work, the Cat went into a deep and peaceful sleep rather late that night, and he didn't wake up until well into the next day…missing the banquet with God.

As the Ox ran into the Rat on the way to the banquet with God, he suddenly remembered he had to tell the Rat something. As the Rat climbed on his back and sat near his head so as to hear the Ox properly, the Ox forgot…again. The Rat decided to wait for the Ox to remember by sitting on his back during the journey.

As they arrived at God's banquet, the Rat hurried off the Ox's back in order to tell God about his kingdom. Throughout the banquet, the Rat spoke about all the many aspects of his kingdom, all the work he did, everything…earning him high favor with God. As the banquet ended, God informed the animals that as his gift to them for building a beautiful kingdom, each were to take on a human form, enhanced with the qualities of each animal, and to take on the kingdoms that each one had built.

As God toured through the kingdoms with the animals, he appointed each ruler of their respectful kingdom and blessed each temple that was placed there. As God entered into the most beautiful kingdom of all, God was shocked at what he found. There, in the middle of the kingdom, where the non-existent temple should have been, was the tired Cat, sleeping away, unaware of the day's happenings.

God searched the beautiful kingdom from top to bottom, searching for his temple. As he returned to the Cat's sleeping form, he angrily questioned the Cat on why he didn't come to his banquet. The Cat honestly answered that he had slept through it. God asked him where was his temple. The Cat honestly answered that he hadn't finished it yet. God asked that if he hadn't finished it yet, then why was he sleeping. Before the Cat could respond to God as to his deal with the Rat, God cursed the Cat. God forbid the Cat ownership of his kingdom. God forbid the Cat entry into the Zodiac. But because God was so impressed with the Cat's kingdom, he made the Cat a deal. God would grant the Cat a human form, without enhanced abilities, but instead, with a curse, in exchange that the Cat build his temple in the center of the kingdom. However, because of his disrespect to God by not attending the banquet, all of the Cat's descendents would follow a cursed life. Accused for treachery to their fore-father's disgrace to God, mistreated by the kingdom's people due to his failure to build a temple, and worst of all, never allowed to love. The Cat's kingdom would forever be known as the 13th kingdom.

As God left a weeping Cat to build his temple in silence, the Cat swore that he would have his revenge on the Rat for all eternity because of his deceit.

However, in the Rat's kingdom, because of his two temples, God was very impressed and gave the Rat's offspring the most blessings.

As the Rat hurried off to tell his friend, the Cat, the good news, he was met with a broken friendship, lost ties, and a sworn enemy. Disheartened for the Cat's misfortunes due to his faults, he decided to bless the Cat's inhabitants with a line of wise, caring rulers and a hardworking and prosperous people. As he departed from the Cat's disowned kingdom, without the Cat's knowing, he lastly blessed the Cat and his descendents to be able to find love.

As the Rat entered his kingdom and took upon himself to be the ruler, he silently swore that no Rat shall ever harm a Cat until the day of Awakening came near. This is why rats always run away from cats.

Tohru sighed as she remembered the bedtime story her mother used to tell her. The poor and lonely Cat. What ever would she do if she weren't allowed to love?

As Tohru was led down the vast hallways and staircases of the palace, she snapped back to reality. She couldn't help but feel slightly nervous. What kind of prince would she be meeting? Would he be nice? Would he be smart? Did he like rice balls? As a million questions continued to fly through her mind, she stepped into the dining hall. All eyes alighted on her. As she nervously walked past the many pairs of eyes to her mother and father, her mind continued giving her helpful reminders.

`Remember to be graciously polite to guests. Remember to smile after every notion they say. Remember to give compliments. Remember to…remember to…remember to watch where I'm going in such a heavy dress!' she panicked as she tripped over a rug and fell head first onto the floor. The room held a collected silence, followed by a surge of gasps and rushing aid. As all the servants attended to the clumsy princess, her mom, at the left hand side of the table, chuckled at her silly daughter. Her father gave an exasperated sigh at first, but then, joined in with his wife at the sight of their flushed daughter and overly-worried servants. He turned to the charming prince at his right hand side.

“She might be a bit on the clumsy side, but she more than makes up for it in heart. The entire kingdom would give their lives up for her,” said the king to his esteemed guest, the Prince of the Rat Kingdom.

The prince chuckled at the sight as well. She was certainly…different, from all of the others. A refreshing sight to such tired eyes as his.

As a flushed-red Tohru approached her parents, after a never-ending series of waving off her much-loved servants, she accepted a warm embrace from her loving mother.

“I'm sorry,” Tohru wailed, “I caused so much trouble for everyone and now the banquet will be late because of my clumsiness and the servants are so worried and I didn't mean to I really didn't and…”

“Shhh, it's okay.” Laughed her mom, “Everyone makes mistakes, even royalty. Don't worry yourself about it, go and introduce yourself to our guest and then take your seat next to him.

As Tohru walked around the table end towards her seat, a figure turned around that made her heart stop. Warm violet eyes met stunned blue ones. The prince walked over to her, lifted up her hand, and lightly kissed it, before politely introducing himself.

“Good evening Princess Tohru of the 13th Kingdom, I am Prince Yuki, of the Rat Kingdom. It is a great honor to finally meet you.” He softly said, never tearing his eyes away from hers.

A WHOLE minute goes by.

“Um, I do believe the food has come,” replied Prince Yuki as he coolly shifted the topic. Tohru snapped out of it.

“I'm so sorry!” she hurriedly said as she bowed and curtsied, “I was just a little unsettled after my fall earlier, I'm sorry if I offended you in any way due to my inconvenient response. I'm terribly sorry. If there's anyway I could make it up to…” Prince Yuki interrupted.

“You could start by taking your seat,” he chuckled as he held out her chair for her as she rigidly walked over, muttering more apologies, before finally taking her seat. The prince then took his seat to her left, which was also the right-hand side of the king.

As the courses came out in steaming plates from the many servants, the king and the prince began talking. Tohru, quite relieved for this, began talking with the Duchess of the Rabbit Kingdom. It was said that the Rabbit Kingdom's people were very open and friendly, but this lady was far from the stereotype. She rudely remarked at the inconsistency of the food and the horrible service from the servants. She even remarked on how “cheap” their dining hall was.

Tohru, taken aback from the woman's shrewd comments, politely excused herself from the table. She couldn't think of enjoying another bite next to such a guest. Tohru sighed as she silently wished that she had been born braver so that she could have said something back to that woman. Something to put her in her place. Something to make her realize how wrong she was. Tohru walked out into the Royal Garden and looked up at the star-filled sky as she pondered her own qualities. She took a seat in front of the lake and stared at her mirrored reflection. Lost in her own thoughts, she was surprised when she heard a voice behind her.

“Are you alright Princess Tohru?” asked a calm, but worried voice. Tohru turned around to meet the beautiful violet eyes of Prince Yuki.

“Ah! Yes! Of course I am. Did I worry you? I'm terribly sorry if did. I didn't mean to draw attention to myself so that you ended up leaving the party. Please, return to the Dining hall, I merely came out here to settle my stomach!” hurriedly replied a flushed Tohru.

Prince Yuki laughed. She was cute when she flushed. “It's alright, I was simply yearning for a change of scenery, it just so happened that I followed you out here to ensure your safety. Please, don't worry yourself about it.” he chuckled. “May I sit here?” he asked as he motioned to the area beside Tohru.

“Of course!” cried an astonished Tohru, “I'd be delighted if you would.”

“Thank you,” replied the Prince coolly.

“You…your welcome,” squeaked a nervous Princess.

A WHOLE minute goes by.

The prince suddenly turned to Tohru and asked her directly.

“What do you like best about your kingdom?” he asked softly.

Taken aback by his question, a confused Tohru responded, “What do you mean?”

“In my kingdom,” began the prince, “we have the most beautiful gardens in the entire Land of Caidoz. There isn't a single person there who doesn't know how to tend to a garden. That's why vegetables and fruits are best from my kingdom.” Said the prince. “As for you, what do you like best about your kingdom?” he repeatedly softly, never tearing his eyes away from her.

Tohru looked up at the sky, deep in thought. `What did she like best? There were so many things. How could she possibly pick one? There were her parents, her servants, her friends, the people… That's it!

Tohru turned towards the prince. “The thing I like best about my kingdom is the people. Everyone here is so giving and so caring and everyone just gets along with everyone else. I'm glad that we've always been blessed with wise rulers and I'm glad that everyone in the 13th Kingdom does their share of work in making this the best kingdom it could possibly be.” She replied eloquently.

The prince was surprised at her response. `The people?' he thought, `that's definitely a new one.'

“I guess the rumors are true about the prosperity of the 13th Kingdom.” He chuckled. “The people are so caring and hard-working, the kingdom is easily the wealthiest and most prosperous of all of the kingdoms of Caidoz.” He said. “But I don't think it would be anything like it is today without it's wise rulers, and even wiser predecessors. Your kingdom adores you Princess, and in a very special way. They really do care about you. Your very lucky to be in possession of such trust.” He added.

“Oh no!” began a beet-red Tohru, “I couldn't have possibly…” she began.

She was cut off by the Prince.

Tohru sat there frozen stiff. He had a finger pressed on her lips.

“Don't belittle yourself out of modesty,” he whispered so softly that she could barely hear him, “accept a compliment when it is justly given,” he finished as his face was but an inch from hers.

Tohru slowly inhaled his sweet scent. He smells so nice…and his eyes…they're hypnotizing.

“Prince Yuki…” she began.

“Please, call me Yuki,” corrected the Prince.

“Yu…Yuki,” Tohru whispered.

Yuki closed the gap between them. His lips ever-so-lightly pressed against her cheek. The soft and pink flushed skin was so sweet. He reluctantly parted away from her. As he looked into her dazed blue eyes, he somehow felt…complete. As if this was meant to be. This revelation suddenly startled him. Tohru's voice broke into his thoughts.

“Prince Yu…I mean…Yuki?” she stuttered.

She was interrupted.

“Come,” began Yuki as he stood up, “they're probably worried about us. We don't want to miss dessert,” he said as he held out a hand, “Princess.”

Confused by his change in demeanor, Tohru accepted his hand and allowed herself to be escorted back to the Dining Hall; her head filled to the brim with floating questions, one was finally grasped and an answer stuck. She turned to Yuki.

“Prin…Yuki?” she began, “Why exactly did you come here?” she asked.

Yuki looked surprised.

“I thought you knew,” he replied.

Tohru shook her head.

“Your dad invited me…” began Yuki, “he's proposing…a strong friendship between our kingdoms.” Said Yuki carefully.

“How is he planning that,” asked Tohru.

A WHOLE minute goes by.

“By a marriage,” answered Yuki simply as they entered into the Dining Hall. The lights and music blinded the pair for a brief moment as they continued walking in.

Tohru was speechless. She mechanically took her seat. She mechanically accepted her food. She mechanically thanked her servers. What was she supposed to say after that?

Kawaiilyn: Thanks for the reviews! In all honesty, I wasn't going to update this soon. Procrastination. But when I checked my email and found that it was full of reviews, I just had to update…for them!

Much thanks to Rath lover, Cc kipp, Sami The Fallen Angel, and…fan? Is that really your name?

Anyways, to Rath lover, I have a lot planned out for later on, so don't count on it being entirely Kyoru. There will be plenty of Yukiru to give Kyo a billion throbbing veins. I just wanted to start the story off with a little Kyoru. At heart, I'm totally a Kyoru fan. But when my Yukiru loving friends rant about Yuki, I'll love Yukiru too! So, I'm right on the borderline. Whichever guy Natsuki Takaya chooses for Tohru, I'll totally support their pairing…I'm just going to pray for Kyoru every night though!

To Sami The Fallen Angel, thanks for her dad's name! That totally helps. And Kyo will make his wonderful re-appearance in…the next chapter? The chapter after next? I really don't know for sure, but my plot outline and my actual chapters tend to vary, depending on my writing mood. But he'll be coming soon!

I put this fic on two sites, and The people who read this on should be polite and RATE and REVIEW! Grrr… Anyways, enjoy the rest of the fic. I'm putting off my Algebra II homework for this!

Next chapter: I don't know, I lost my plot outline! I left it at school. So…you'll find out in the next chapter. It'll come…soon. Oo

Did anyone notice how zodiac spelt backwards is Caidoz! Just thought I'd point out my own genius…ness!