Petite Princess Yucie Fan Fiction ❯ 30 Kisses: Arc and Yucie ❯ Ten Hours ( Chapter 16 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: wish_wielder 
For Theme #10 (#10).
Anime/Manga: Petite Princess Yucie Fan Fiction | Genre(s): / Romance / Angst / Drama / Comedy / Shoujo | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 05.30.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 792 | Status: Completed
For Theme #10 (#10).
Anime/Manga: Petite Princess Yucie Fan Fiction | Genre(s): / Romance / Angst / Drama / Comedy / Shoujo | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 05.30.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 792 | Status: Completed
Title: “Ten Hours”
Author: Wish Wielder
Pairing: Arc/Yucie
Fandom: Puchi Puri Yucie
Theme: #10 (#10)
Disclaimer: “Puchi Puri Yucie” and all respective properties are © Masahiko Otsuka. Meg D. (Wish Wielder) does not, has never, nor will ever own “Puchi Puri Yucie.”
“Ten Hours”
Hour 1
"Hey, c'mon!" Gurenda called, waving to her four friends."We're almost at the top!""Gurenda!" Yucie whined."We've been climbing this mountain all morning!Can we please just take a five minute break?""I agree with Yucie, Gurenda," Erumina called."Continuing at this pace is not only unhealthy but dangerous as well.We should rest.""But -" Gurenda tried, yet this time Beth cut her off."Face it, Gurenda!" the Faerie princess shouted."Your 'almost at the top' means half-way to us!We're tired, and we demand a break!""I'm not stopping!" Gurenda called."What's the point of climbing this if you can't climb it all the way?!Don't be so lazy!Let's go!""Guren-""WE'RE GOING NOW!" Gurenda screamed.Her friends began to hike up to the ledge she was on, yet they froze as a rumbling sounded from somewhere nearby.They looked around, searching for the noise, when Gurenda's next shout brought their attention to the peak.A wave of show was rushing down the side of the mountain, speeding to meet them."Everybody, to that cave!" Beth cried, pointing to a cave a short distance from where Gurenda was standing.An urgency filled the blood of the five princesses, and they just barely made it into the stone structure.As soon as Beth and Yucie pulled Kokoru to safety, a curtain of white veiled their vision from the outside world.Shouts of surprise escaped Yucie and Beth as they rushed away from the snow that spilled into their refuge.Yucie gulped as she stared at the pristine wall."Oh gods..." she breathed."We're trapped..."Hour 2"I think I got something!" Gurenda said ecstatically.Her friends looked up at her from their separate parts of the cave.Yucie, Kokoru, and Beth were huddled together against one side of the wall, all three sharing a blanket Beth had stashed in her bag.Erumina and Gurenda were on the other side of the cave, yet they were at least a meter apart.Erumina was curled up in a blanket, glaring at her demon friend, who had been trying to call for help for the better half of the past hour.A small fire crackled and popped in the center of the circular cave; it barely gave off enough light, and the heat it spread was almost non-existent."Dad!Can you hear me?" Gurenda asked.A large sphere formed over the fire, and inside it's area the face of the Demon King appeared."Gurenda, darling!" he said."What's wrong?""Dad!Thank goodness!" Gurenda said, sighing."I've been trying to reach you for an hour!""I was wondering what...never mind, dear," he said."Now, what happened?""Gurenda caused an avalanche," Beth said, spite dripping from her voice."We're trapped in a cave!" Yucie added."WHAT?!" the Demon King cried."Are you girls all right?Is anyone hurt?Gurenda, darling, are you ok?""I'm fine, dad!" Gurenda said."We need you to come get us, though.I was going to try to melt the snow, but if I was afraid that if I did the snow wouldn't melt fast enough and the water would drown us.""You're a smart girl, Gurenda," the Demon King said."Hang on, all right?I'll get help, and we'll be there soon.Where on the mountain are you?""About half-way up," Kokoru said."But...that's about all the help we can give you.""Yes," Erumina said."We do not know how much snow fell, and therefore we do not know if the landscape was completely covered or not.""I see," the Demon King said."I'll be there with help shortly.Don't worry, girls.We'll find you."The image of Gurenda's father faded, and the five settled back in their blankets to wait.Yucie glanced at the white wall blocking them from freedom; she bit her lip and looked down, tears welling in her eyes.'Please,' she silently prayed, 'let us get through this.Let me see Arc again...'Hour 3Yucie glanced at her friends; most of them had fallen asleep.Gurenda and Erumina had resigned themselves to a glaring contest, but Beth and Kokoru were currently sleeping peacefully.She sighed and looked back to the trapping snow.It was almost like she was being punished; the previous night, she had had a fight with Arc, so when she had left for the hiking trip with her friends, she hadn't said goodbye to him.She remembered how he had grabbed her from behind, twirling her around to bring her into a warm hug.She remembered how he had gone to kiss her, to wish her a safe trip, but she had turned her head and pushed him away.She had been too upset with him, but now...now she just wanted to go back to this morning, to kiss him for as long as he wanted.She wanted to be back in the safety of his arms instead of huddled in a flimsy blanket with her friends."Hey, Yucie," Gurenda called, "are you still up?""Yes, Gurenda," she said bitterly."You're still mad..." her friend said, almost sadly."Of course I'm still mad!" Yucie said."I could be home right now, not in some stupid cave!""Ok," Gurenda said."I'll leave you alone, then.""Good," she said angrily."I don't want to talk to you right now."Hour 4Yucie groaned and put a hand to her head, looking away from the center of the cave, where Gurenda was doing something with the fire.She wasn't entirely sure what Gurenda was doing, but whatever it was making her extremely nauseous.She was making little patterns in the light, dancing figments that twisted and twirled with a graceful agility only granted to spectres.She bit her lip, trying hard to ignore the pressing nausea.Kokoru looked at her, concerned, and pressed a hand to her arm."Miss Yucie?Are you all right?" she asked.Yucie gave her a weak smile, nodding."Sure thing," she said."I-I'm fine.""You don't look it," Beth said."You're really pale, and you look like you're gonna - woah!"Beth and Kokoru jerked back as Yucie shot up and ran to a far corner in the back of the cave.The sound of retching could be heard moments later, followed by a splash that turned the stomachs of the rest of them.Beth and Kokoru exchanged worried looks before Kokoru stood and made her way to where Yucie was depositing the remains of her breakfast."Miss Yucie?" she asked.Yucie stood there, doubled over, gasping for breath.Kokoru took a step closer, but Yucie held up a hand."Q-Queen Erlsel said this is normal," she said."I-I'll be fine.J-just give me a minute.""Normal?" Gurenda echoed."It's normal to randomly puke your guts out?""No," Yucie said."I...oh gods, I can't think...""Yucie?" Beth asked, standing.Yucie closed her eyes, trying to sort out the thoughts from her swimming head.She was so tired, and she felt completely horrible.Before she realized what was happening, she was falling backwards.She felt someone catch her before her world went black.Hour 5
“Are you sure you want to go on this trip, Yucie?” Erlsel asked. She looked at the girl with concerned eyes, but Yucie just smiled and nodded. “Absolutely positive? It’s not exactly the safest thing to do in your condition.”
Yucie looked across the hall and out the large window, which overlooked the palace gates. She saw Arc leaning against the gate, conversing with a guard. She smiled softly and nodded again, her resolve strengthened.
“I’ll be fine,” she said.
“But Aero…” Erlsel pressed, worry creasing her brow. Yucie smiled slightly at her mother-in-law; a fine wrinkle had creased itself over the older woman’s forehead, and Yucie partially blamed herself for that. The wrinkle had appeared during the trials of the Puchi Puri, and had solidified itself during Arc’s illness and the final test. Yucie couldn’t help but feel guilty for both accounts.
“I’ll tell him when I get back,” she said. She placed a hand over her flat stomach, her smile warming considerably. “I don’t really like leaving mad at him, but I’m not apologizing first. He started it, so he needs to finish it.”
“Yucie…” Erlsel sighed. Yucie grinned at her.
“We’ll be fine!” she said. “I know a hiking trip probably isn’t the smartest thing to do when you’re pregnant, but I’m still early, and what’s the worst that could -”
“Don’t say it!” Erlsel said, clamping a hand over Yucie’s mouth. She frowned at the young woman’s confused gaze. “Do you really want to jinx yourself?”
“I-I guess not,” Yucie said once Erlsel had removed her hand. She sighed and gave the woman a hug. “I’ll be safe, I promise. See you in a few days?”
“Of course,” Erlsel said, nodding. “Just be careful! I don’t want anything happening to you or my grandchild!”
“I’ll do my best!” she said, winking at the queen before running off.
Yucie stirred slightly, her eyes slowly opening to a dim world. She looked around and saw Gurenda and Beth bickering by the fire. She winced as she felt a damp mass drop against her forehead, and she looked up to see Kokoru wringing a cloth out over a small bucket of water. The Spirit World princess gave her a small smile.
“Are you feeling better, Miss Yucie?” Kokoru asked. Yucie smiled slightly.
“Are you ever going to just call me Yucie, Kokoru?” she asked. Kokoru smiled and shook her head.
“Probably not,” she said. “Are you feeling better?”
“Only a little,” she said. She sighed and closed her eyes, another wave of nausea hitting her. “I just want to sleep right now…”
“Then sleep,” Kokoru said. “We’ll wake you up when help arrives.”
“Thank you,” Yucie said quietly before drifting off to sleep.
Hour 6
“Hey, brat! You alive yet?”
Yucie looked up at Gurenda, who was sitting over the fire, which had grown considerably since it had first been made. Gurenda was holding a small pot over it, yet it seemed all the demon’s attention was focused on her. She sighed and sat up, nodding. Her stomach felt much calmer now, but she had no idea how long that would last. The first bought of illness - the one that had made Erlsel send her to the doctor, the one that had let her know she was pregnant - had lasted almost an entire week. She didn’t really want to know how long this one could last, but for now it seemed it was over, and she wasn’t about to complain.
“Good,” Gurenda said. “Are you hungry?”
“Not really,” Yucie said. It was a lie, and she knew it, but she really didn’t want to try food right now. Gurenda shrugged and went back to the small pot, muttering about random annoyances and how long their rescue party was taking.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Miss Yucie?” Kokoru asked. Yucie nodded and smiled at the girl.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” she said. “I just really want to get out of here!”
Kokoru laughed and nodded before joining the others at the fire for some food. Yucie sighed and looked at the snow.
‘Please hurry…’
Hour 7
“We’re not getting out of here, are we?” Yucie asked dejectedly after yet another hour had passed. She was once again huddled in the blanket with Kokoru and Beth, yet now Gurenda and Erumina were next to them, also sharing a blanket. Gurenda, who was sitting on her other side, gave her a harsh look.
“What do you mean, ‘we aren’t getting out of here?’” she asked. “Of course we’re getting out of here! My father’s already looking for us, and -”
“The avalanche probably covered up any sign of where the middle of the mountain is,” Yucie said. “We could be here for weeks, and by then we’ll be dead.”
“We have enough food to last for a while,” Beth said.
“That doesn’t mean anything. We could freeze to death long before we’ll starve to death,” Yucie said.
“But we have a fire -” Gurenda started.
“Fires go out,” Yucie said. Gurenda clenched her teeth and prepared to scream her head off at her friend, yet before she could Erumina reached around her and put a hand on Yucie’s shoulder.
“Yucie, please tell us what is wrong,” she said. Yucie looked at her, confused, and Erumina frowned. “You are not acting yourself. Please tell us what has happened.”
“I’m acting myself!” Yucie said.
“No, you’re not,” Kokoru said. “You never give up on anything. Why have you given up on the search party?”
“Because they’re not coming!” Yucie said. “We’ve been here for hours, guys! Shouldn’t they have found us by now?”
Gurenda went to respond, but Yucie let out a defeated groan and buried her head in her knees. With a shaking voice, she continued.
“I’m being punished, I know I am,” she said. Her friends let her continue, unsure of her meaning or where she would take this. “Because I came on this trip when I knew I shouldn’t have, and because I left without saying goodbye to Arc…because I didn’t tell him about the baby, because -”
“WOAH!” Gurenda shouted, shaking her head furiously. “Baby? What baby?!”
“Our baby,” she said. “His baby…the one I’m carrying right now.”
“Miss Yucie, are you…?” Kokoru asked, her eyes wide. Yucie smiled slightly and nodded.
“Yeah, but I didn’t tell him,” she said. She sighed and shook her head. “I tried, but he was being so stupid, and he wouldn’t let me say anything…then we started fighting, and I was still so mad when I left…”
“We’re gonna get out of this, brat,” Gurenda said, pulling Yucie into a hug. “And you’re gonna have that kid, and then we’ll have another annoying brat running around. She’ll probably have your annoying forehead, too, and won’t that make your stupid prince happy?”
“Gurenda…” Yucie said, sighing. Gurenda winked at her.
“Wanna know another reason we’re getting out?” she asked. Yucie rolled her eyes and nodded.
“We’re gonna be aunties now,” she said. “And I wanna see my niece!”
“But what if it’s a boy?” Beth asked, grinning.
“Then I wanna see my nephew!” Gurenda said. Yucie laughed, wiping the tears that she hadn’t realized she’d cried from her eyes.
“You guys…” she said. The next thing she knew she was lost in a pile of hugs, and her hopes rose - just a little.
Hour 8
“Hey! Can anybody hear me?! Wake up!!!”
Yucie cracked open an eye and looked up to the fire, where a bright sphere was hovering. Beth sprang from the wall and scrambled over to the fire, nodding fervently at the image of Cube reflected in the sphere.
“We’re here!” she said.
“Thank goodness!” Cube said. “I’ve been trying to reach you for almost an hour!”
“What’s going on, Cube?” Yucie asked as she walked over to Beth. Cube looked down at her and nearly cried in his joy.
“Lady Yucie!” he shouted. “I’m so glad you’re all right!”
“We’re all fine,” Beth said. Yucie nodded, and Cube sighed.
“That’s good,” he said. “I received a message from the Demon King earlier, and I’ve been trying to reach you guys ever since. He said they’ve cleared away most of the snow, and they should be there very soon. Have they reached you yet?”
“Would we be talking to you if they had?” Beth asked dourly. Cube sighed and shook his head.
“I guess not…” he said. Beth sighed and looked off to the entrance of the cave.
“Who’s with him? Who’s part of the rescue team?” she asked.
“The Faerie King, Drago-sama, and Mr. Arc,” he said. Yucie looked up, shock filling her face. “I would’ve been with them, but they made me stay -”
“Arc’s with them?!” she asked. She sat back, her eyes wide in shock, as Cube nodded.
“Yes,” he said. “He was a mess when he came to get Drago-sama and me…he’s really worried about you, Lady Yucie.”
“I can’t believe that,” Yucie said, tears shimmering in her eyes. “I…I was so horrible to him…”
“Hey now, Yucie,” Beth said, putting a hand on her shoulder, “don’t go getting all emotional on us. I know it’s kinda hard not too, with the baby and all, but -”
“BABY?!” Cube shrieked. Yucie sweatdropped at his outburst.
“Um…yeah, baby,” she said. She looked at him with pleading eyes. “Don’t tell papa or Arc?”
“I won’t, but…wow…congratulations, Lady Yucie!” Cube said.
“Th-thanks, Cube,” she said. Her face turned serious a moment later, and he frowned. “They’ll be here soon though, right?”
“Right!” he said. “And that was what they said an hour ago!”
Hour 9
“An hour ago, huh?” Beth asked bleakly.
“C-C’mon, I’m sure they’ll be here soon,” Yucie said. Beth sighed and looked at their friends. The others had been sleeping for the past two hours, but she had been unable to. After the excitement of Yucie’s announcement, she had been too wired to sleep, and then she had just been too scared.
“No, they won’t,” she said. “I’m beginning to think you were right when you said we’d die here.”
“No I wasn’t!” Yucie said. Beth glared at her.
“Yes, you were!” she shouted. “Why aren’t they here yet, Yucie?! We’re never getting out of this cave! They’re not gonna find us, and we’re going to die here!”
“Don’t say that!” Yucie said, shaking her head. “Please, don’t say that!”
“And why not?!” Beth snapped.
“B-because, if you say it, it might come true,” Yucie said weakly. She hugged her abdomen, leaning forward in defeat. “I don’t want it to. So please, don’t say it.”
“Yucie…” Beth sighed and looked back to the flames. “I don’t want it to come true, either, but face it. It’s been how long since we’ve been stuck in here? Like you said: shouldn’t they have found us by now?”
“I don’t know,” Yucie said. “I don’t know what’s keeping them, but I don’t want to give up hope. Arc’s with them, and your dad, too. And Gurenda’s dad! Do you really think they’d give up on finding us?”
“They’ll find us when we’re frozen dead,” Beth muttered distastefully. Yucie sighed and wrapped her arms around her, giving her friend a comforting hug.
“They’ll find us, Beth,” she said. “I just know they will.”
Hour 10
Yucie looked up from the water she had just been drinking as a loud crash sounded from behind her, towards the entrance of the cave. She turned, staring at the body that had just fallen into the cave. The person sat up, rubbing his head, before he looked up. His eyes locked with hers, and a relieved breath left him before he looked up into the light spilling from the hole he had fallen through.
“Hey, I found them!” Arc called. Beth turned around, squinting at the sudden brightness that flooded the cave.
“Is that…?” she started.
“Arc!” Yucie cried, cutting her off. She scrambled to her feet and ran over to him, dropping to her knees beside him to pull him into a tight hug. “You found us!”
“Of course we did, Forehead!” he said, returning her hug. “Did you really think we wouldn’t?”
“N-no,” she said. “Of course not!”
“Aero! Move to the back of the cave, and keep the girls there!” the Demon King called. “Drago, we’ll melt this snow, and you go down there and make a barrier to keep the runoff from flooding the cave!”
A moment later, Beth’s father dropped into the cave. Beth gave a shout and ran over to him, and after a quick hug he nodded to Arc.
“Get them back, Aero,” he said. Arc nodded and took them to the back of the cave. Beth immediately began waking the others, yet Yucie wouldn’t let go of Arc.
“Yucie, we need to wake them up,” he said. She shook her head, squeezing him tighter.
“Beth can,” she said. “You…I need to apologize.”
“Mother said you said I had to first,” he said, grinning. She shook her head.
“I don’t care anymore,” she said. “I was so scared I wasn’t going to see you again, Arc. And…I felt so guilty. I didn’t say goodbye to you, and it was all because of that stupid fight. I never should’ve gotten angry at you, either. Queen Erlsel said that it’s normal to have major moodswings, but that’s no excuse! Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean -”
“You’re what?” he asked. She winced, slowly looking up to meet his startled gaze.
“I’m…pregnant?” she ventured hesitantly. She heard Beth groan and looked at her friend.
“Did you just let it slip again?” she asked. Yucie nodded miserably, and Beth shook her head sadly. “I’m really glad I don’t have any secrets that you know, Yucie. You’d never be able to keep them!”
“Well I’m sorry! Queen Erlsel’s the only one who’s known for three weeks, and do you have any idea how hard it is keeping that kind of a secret?!” she asked.
“Wait…three weeks? You’ve known for three weeks and you didn’t tell me?” Arc asked. She looked back at him, and she bit her lip when she saw his hurt look.
“I wanted to, but I never found the right moment,” she said. “And then I was going to tell you last night -”
“Two nights ago, actually,” he said.
“Fine, fine - the other night. I was going to tell you then, but then you were being so stupid, and we started fighting, and then I was just too mad to tell you,” she said. He sighed and wrapped her up in a hug.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was stupid, wasn’t I?”
“Yeah,” she said. He grinned.
“So you found out when I was on that trip?” he asked, and she nodded.
“I was really sick, and Queen Erlsel wanted me to see the doctor. He said the only thing wrong with me was that I was pregnant,” she said, laughing. Arc laughed and shook his head, grinning like a madman.
“Whatever is the matter, Prince?”
They looked up to see that the snow had given way to a clear red sky, and the rest of their rescue party was standing inside the entrance. Drago had his head sticking in through the opening, and he was looking at Arc with a curious expression. His answer was delayed as the Demon King gave a cheer as he rushed towards Gurenda, who was yelling at Beth for waking her up. Drago sighed and looked at the Demon King and Gurenda, shouting at them to be quiet and let Arc answer. Arc looked at Yucie, grinning as he pulled her onto his lap.
“Wanna tell them?” he asked. She nodded excitedly before looking at Drago.
“Drago-sama, I’m gonna have a baby!” she said.
“We’re gonna have a baby,” Arc corrected, giving her a gentle squeeze. She giggled and nodded, looping her arms around his neck.
“Yeah, we are,” she said.
“That’s wonderful, Yucie! I assume Gunberd doesn’t know yet?” Drago asked. At the shake of her head, he laughed and nodded. “All right, then. I won’t tell him. He’ll be very happy to hear it, though.”
“Can we just get out of here?” Gurenda asked as she finally shook off her father. Kokoru nodded.
“Yes, it would be nice to be somewhere a little warmer,” she said. Yucie nodded.
“Yeah, I really wanna get home,” she said. Arc gave her a chaste kiss, nodding as he pulled away.
“Then let’s get you girls out of here,” he said. He scooped Yucie up and led the way out of the cave, much to her embarrassment, and plopped her down on Drago’s back. Once the others had joined them, the old dragon began flying back towards the Demon King’s palace.
“Arc?” Yucie asked, once everyone had settled into their own little conversations. He looked down at her.
“Yeah?” he asked. She buried her face in his shirt, smiling warmly at him.
“Thanks for finding us,” she said. He smiled and kissed the top of her head.
“You know you’re not leaving the palace for a long time after this, right?” he asked. She jerked back, glaring at him.
“What?!” she asked. He nodded, his face dead serious.
“I would prefer it until the baby’s born, but knowing you that’ll be impossible,” he said. “So I say about three weeks. Seems fair, since that’s how long you kept this from me.”
“Arc!” she whined. “That’s unfair!”
“And going on this trip, knowing how dangerous it was for a normal person, being pregnant…man, you were just asking for it, Forehead!” he said. “Maybe I should make it longer than three weeks. After all, that is m-”
“ARC!” she cried, fury filling her gaze. “You will not keep me under house arrest, you hear?!”
“Oh, I’m fairly sure I can,” he said, grinning. “In fact, I may just not let go of you at all. You aren’t going anywhere, Forehead.” He tightened his grip on her waist, and she immediately began squirming.
“Arc! Let me go, you big jerk! Let go of me!” she cried.
“That’s enough of that!” Drago said, turning his head to give them a look. Arc laughed, nodding at his elder.
“Sure thing, Drago-sama!” he said. Once Yucie had settled down, he leaned his head on her shoulder and smirked at her. “See what you did now, Forehead? You made Drago-sama yell at us.”
“THAT WAS YOUR FAULT!” she screamed. A short distance away, Beth sighed and looked at Kokoru, who looked nervous.
“Think they’ll ever grow out of that?” she asked. Kokoru laughed and shook her head.
“No, I’m afraid not,” she said. “But they love each other very much, so I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“Oh, it’s not them I’m worried about,” Beth said, grinning at the couple. Kokoru laughed and leaned back, looking up at the red sky. Yes, there really was nothing to worry about. She winced as she heard a loud “OW!” come from Arc, followed by another warning from Drago.
At least, she hoped there was nothing to worry about.
owari
a.n.: So sorry this is so late, guys! I made it one day before my one-month mark (in lack of updates, that is). School’s been absolutely beastly, but I’m hoping now that I’m on Easter vacation I can get some of this work done. Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll have these finished before I go back! …don’t count on it…
Recent discovery I made: there’s a PPY category up at MediaMiner. Two stories in it, but I’m thinking of posting these there, as well. I found out how to suggest a category, so the PPY category’s been suggested here - we just need to see if it’ll be made. Here’s to hoping!
I got two more of these that’re almost done, so I’m hoping to have them up tomorrow. Hopefully. -wince-
Comments and constructive criticism welcomed. Please, don’t flame. If you can’t say your CC without flaming, don’t bother. Flames will be used to fuel Az’s bonfire for the yummy s’mores.
Author: Wish Wielder
Pairing: Arc/Yucie
Fandom: Puchi Puri Yucie
Theme: #10 (#10)
Disclaimer: “Puchi Puri Yucie” and all respective properties are © Masahiko Otsuka. Meg D. (Wish Wielder) does not, has never, nor will ever own “Puchi Puri Yucie.”
“Ten Hours”
Hour 1
"Hey, c'mon!" Gurenda called, waving to her four friends."We're almost at the top!""Gurenda!" Yucie whined."We've been climbing this mountain all morning!Can we please just take a five minute break?""I agree with Yucie, Gurenda," Erumina called."Continuing at this pace is not only unhealthy but dangerous as well.We should rest.""But -" Gurenda tried, yet this time Beth cut her off."Face it, Gurenda!" the Faerie princess shouted."Your 'almost at the top' means half-way to us!We're tired, and we demand a break!""I'm not stopping!" Gurenda called."What's the point of climbing this if you can't climb it all the way?!Don't be so lazy!Let's go!""Guren-""WE'RE GOING NOW!" Gurenda screamed.Her friends began to hike up to the ledge she was on, yet they froze as a rumbling sounded from somewhere nearby.They looked around, searching for the noise, when Gurenda's next shout brought their attention to the peak.A wave of show was rushing down the side of the mountain, speeding to meet them."Everybody, to that cave!" Beth cried, pointing to a cave a short distance from where Gurenda was standing.An urgency filled the blood of the five princesses, and they just barely made it into the stone structure.As soon as Beth and Yucie pulled Kokoru to safety, a curtain of white veiled their vision from the outside world.Shouts of surprise escaped Yucie and Beth as they rushed away from the snow that spilled into their refuge.Yucie gulped as she stared at the pristine wall."Oh gods..." she breathed."We're trapped..."Hour 2"I think I got something!" Gurenda said ecstatically.Her friends looked up at her from their separate parts of the cave.Yucie, Kokoru, and Beth were huddled together against one side of the wall, all three sharing a blanket Beth had stashed in her bag.Erumina and Gurenda were on the other side of the cave, yet they were at least a meter apart.Erumina was curled up in a blanket, glaring at her demon friend, who had been trying to call for help for the better half of the past hour.A small fire crackled and popped in the center of the circular cave; it barely gave off enough light, and the heat it spread was almost non-existent."Dad!Can you hear me?" Gurenda asked.A large sphere formed over the fire, and inside it's area the face of the Demon King appeared."Gurenda, darling!" he said."What's wrong?""Dad!Thank goodness!" Gurenda said, sighing."I've been trying to reach you for an hour!""I was wondering what...never mind, dear," he said."Now, what happened?""Gurenda caused an avalanche," Beth said, spite dripping from her voice."We're trapped in a cave!" Yucie added."WHAT?!" the Demon King cried."Are you girls all right?Is anyone hurt?Gurenda, darling, are you ok?""I'm fine, dad!" Gurenda said."We need you to come get us, though.I was going to try to melt the snow, but if I was afraid that if I did the snow wouldn't melt fast enough and the water would drown us.""You're a smart girl, Gurenda," the Demon King said."Hang on, all right?I'll get help, and we'll be there soon.Where on the mountain are you?""About half-way up," Kokoru said."But...that's about all the help we can give you.""Yes," Erumina said."We do not know how much snow fell, and therefore we do not know if the landscape was completely covered or not.""I see," the Demon King said."I'll be there with help shortly.Don't worry, girls.We'll find you."The image of Gurenda's father faded, and the five settled back in their blankets to wait.Yucie glanced at the white wall blocking them from freedom; she bit her lip and looked down, tears welling in her eyes.'Please,' she silently prayed, 'let us get through this.Let me see Arc again...'Hour 3Yucie glanced at her friends; most of them had fallen asleep.Gurenda and Erumina had resigned themselves to a glaring contest, but Beth and Kokoru were currently sleeping peacefully.She sighed and looked back to the trapping snow.It was almost like she was being punished; the previous night, she had had a fight with Arc, so when she had left for the hiking trip with her friends, she hadn't said goodbye to him.She remembered how he had grabbed her from behind, twirling her around to bring her into a warm hug.She remembered how he had gone to kiss her, to wish her a safe trip, but she had turned her head and pushed him away.She had been too upset with him, but now...now she just wanted to go back to this morning, to kiss him for as long as he wanted.She wanted to be back in the safety of his arms instead of huddled in a flimsy blanket with her friends."Hey, Yucie," Gurenda called, "are you still up?""Yes, Gurenda," she said bitterly."You're still mad..." her friend said, almost sadly."Of course I'm still mad!" Yucie said."I could be home right now, not in some stupid cave!""Ok," Gurenda said."I'll leave you alone, then.""Good," she said angrily."I don't want to talk to you right now."Hour 4Yucie groaned and put a hand to her head, looking away from the center of the cave, where Gurenda was doing something with the fire.She wasn't entirely sure what Gurenda was doing, but whatever it was making her extremely nauseous.She was making little patterns in the light, dancing figments that twisted and twirled with a graceful agility only granted to spectres.She bit her lip, trying hard to ignore the pressing nausea.Kokoru looked at her, concerned, and pressed a hand to her arm."Miss Yucie?Are you all right?" she asked.Yucie gave her a weak smile, nodding."Sure thing," she said."I-I'm fine.""You don't look it," Beth said."You're really pale, and you look like you're gonna - woah!"Beth and Kokoru jerked back as Yucie shot up and ran to a far corner in the back of the cave.The sound of retching could be heard moments later, followed by a splash that turned the stomachs of the rest of them.Beth and Kokoru exchanged worried looks before Kokoru stood and made her way to where Yucie was depositing the remains of her breakfast."Miss Yucie?" she asked.Yucie stood there, doubled over, gasping for breath.Kokoru took a step closer, but Yucie held up a hand."Q-Queen Erlsel said this is normal," she said."I-I'll be fine.J-just give me a minute.""Normal?" Gurenda echoed."It's normal to randomly puke your guts out?""No," Yucie said."I...oh gods, I can't think...""Yucie?" Beth asked, standing.Yucie closed her eyes, trying to sort out the thoughts from her swimming head.She was so tired, and she felt completely horrible.Before she realized what was happening, she was falling backwards.She felt someone catch her before her world went black.Hour 5
“Are you sure you want to go on this trip, Yucie?” Erlsel asked. She looked at the girl with concerned eyes, but Yucie just smiled and nodded. “Absolutely positive? It’s not exactly the safest thing to do in your condition.”
Yucie looked across the hall and out the large window, which overlooked the palace gates. She saw Arc leaning against the gate, conversing with a guard. She smiled softly and nodded again, her resolve strengthened.
“I’ll be fine,” she said.
“But Aero…” Erlsel pressed, worry creasing her brow. Yucie smiled slightly at her mother-in-law; a fine wrinkle had creased itself over the older woman’s forehead, and Yucie partially blamed herself for that. The wrinkle had appeared during the trials of the Puchi Puri, and had solidified itself during Arc’s illness and the final test. Yucie couldn’t help but feel guilty for both accounts.
“I’ll tell him when I get back,” she said. She placed a hand over her flat stomach, her smile warming considerably. “I don’t really like leaving mad at him, but I’m not apologizing first. He started it, so he needs to finish it.”
“Yucie…” Erlsel sighed. Yucie grinned at her.
“We’ll be fine!” she said. “I know a hiking trip probably isn’t the smartest thing to do when you’re pregnant, but I’m still early, and what’s the worst that could -”
“Don’t say it!” Erlsel said, clamping a hand over Yucie’s mouth. She frowned at the young woman’s confused gaze. “Do you really want to jinx yourself?”
“I-I guess not,” Yucie said once Erlsel had removed her hand. She sighed and gave the woman a hug. “I’ll be safe, I promise. See you in a few days?”
“Of course,” Erlsel said, nodding. “Just be careful! I don’t want anything happening to you or my grandchild!”
“I’ll do my best!” she said, winking at the queen before running off.
Yucie stirred slightly, her eyes slowly opening to a dim world. She looked around and saw Gurenda and Beth bickering by the fire. She winced as she felt a damp mass drop against her forehead, and she looked up to see Kokoru wringing a cloth out over a small bucket of water. The Spirit World princess gave her a small smile.
“Are you feeling better, Miss Yucie?” Kokoru asked. Yucie smiled slightly.
“Are you ever going to just call me Yucie, Kokoru?” she asked. Kokoru smiled and shook her head.
“Probably not,” she said. “Are you feeling better?”
“Only a little,” she said. She sighed and closed her eyes, another wave of nausea hitting her. “I just want to sleep right now…”
“Then sleep,” Kokoru said. “We’ll wake you up when help arrives.”
“Thank you,” Yucie said quietly before drifting off to sleep.
Hour 6
“Hey, brat! You alive yet?”
Yucie looked up at Gurenda, who was sitting over the fire, which had grown considerably since it had first been made. Gurenda was holding a small pot over it, yet it seemed all the demon’s attention was focused on her. She sighed and sat up, nodding. Her stomach felt much calmer now, but she had no idea how long that would last. The first bought of illness - the one that had made Erlsel send her to the doctor, the one that had let her know she was pregnant - had lasted almost an entire week. She didn’t really want to know how long this one could last, but for now it seemed it was over, and she wasn’t about to complain.
“Good,” Gurenda said. “Are you hungry?”
“Not really,” Yucie said. It was a lie, and she knew it, but she really didn’t want to try food right now. Gurenda shrugged and went back to the small pot, muttering about random annoyances and how long their rescue party was taking.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Miss Yucie?” Kokoru asked. Yucie nodded and smiled at the girl.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” she said. “I just really want to get out of here!”
Kokoru laughed and nodded before joining the others at the fire for some food. Yucie sighed and looked at the snow.
‘Please hurry…’
Hour 7
“We’re not getting out of here, are we?” Yucie asked dejectedly after yet another hour had passed. She was once again huddled in the blanket with Kokoru and Beth, yet now Gurenda and Erumina were next to them, also sharing a blanket. Gurenda, who was sitting on her other side, gave her a harsh look.
“What do you mean, ‘we aren’t getting out of here?’” she asked. “Of course we’re getting out of here! My father’s already looking for us, and -”
“The avalanche probably covered up any sign of where the middle of the mountain is,” Yucie said. “We could be here for weeks, and by then we’ll be dead.”
“We have enough food to last for a while,” Beth said.
“That doesn’t mean anything. We could freeze to death long before we’ll starve to death,” Yucie said.
“But we have a fire -” Gurenda started.
“Fires go out,” Yucie said. Gurenda clenched her teeth and prepared to scream her head off at her friend, yet before she could Erumina reached around her and put a hand on Yucie’s shoulder.
“Yucie, please tell us what is wrong,” she said. Yucie looked at her, confused, and Erumina frowned. “You are not acting yourself. Please tell us what has happened.”
“I’m acting myself!” Yucie said.
“No, you’re not,” Kokoru said. “You never give up on anything. Why have you given up on the search party?”
“Because they’re not coming!” Yucie said. “We’ve been here for hours, guys! Shouldn’t they have found us by now?”
Gurenda went to respond, but Yucie let out a defeated groan and buried her head in her knees. With a shaking voice, she continued.
“I’m being punished, I know I am,” she said. Her friends let her continue, unsure of her meaning or where she would take this. “Because I came on this trip when I knew I shouldn’t have, and because I left without saying goodbye to Arc…because I didn’t tell him about the baby, because -”
“WOAH!” Gurenda shouted, shaking her head furiously. “Baby? What baby?!”
“Our baby,” she said. “His baby…the one I’m carrying right now.”
“Miss Yucie, are you…?” Kokoru asked, her eyes wide. Yucie smiled slightly and nodded.
“Yeah, but I didn’t tell him,” she said. She sighed and shook her head. “I tried, but he was being so stupid, and he wouldn’t let me say anything…then we started fighting, and I was still so mad when I left…”
“We’re gonna get out of this, brat,” Gurenda said, pulling Yucie into a hug. “And you’re gonna have that kid, and then we’ll have another annoying brat running around. She’ll probably have your annoying forehead, too, and won’t that make your stupid prince happy?”
“Gurenda…” Yucie said, sighing. Gurenda winked at her.
“Wanna know another reason we’re getting out?” she asked. Yucie rolled her eyes and nodded.
“We’re gonna be aunties now,” she said. “And I wanna see my niece!”
“But what if it’s a boy?” Beth asked, grinning.
“Then I wanna see my nephew!” Gurenda said. Yucie laughed, wiping the tears that she hadn’t realized she’d cried from her eyes.
“You guys…” she said. The next thing she knew she was lost in a pile of hugs, and her hopes rose - just a little.
Hour 8
“Hey! Can anybody hear me?! Wake up!!!”
Yucie cracked open an eye and looked up to the fire, where a bright sphere was hovering. Beth sprang from the wall and scrambled over to the fire, nodding fervently at the image of Cube reflected in the sphere.
“We’re here!” she said.
“Thank goodness!” Cube said. “I’ve been trying to reach you for almost an hour!”
“What’s going on, Cube?” Yucie asked as she walked over to Beth. Cube looked down at her and nearly cried in his joy.
“Lady Yucie!” he shouted. “I’m so glad you’re all right!”
“We’re all fine,” Beth said. Yucie nodded, and Cube sighed.
“That’s good,” he said. “I received a message from the Demon King earlier, and I’ve been trying to reach you guys ever since. He said they’ve cleared away most of the snow, and they should be there very soon. Have they reached you yet?”
“Would we be talking to you if they had?” Beth asked dourly. Cube sighed and shook his head.
“I guess not…” he said. Beth sighed and looked off to the entrance of the cave.
“Who’s with him? Who’s part of the rescue team?” she asked.
“The Faerie King, Drago-sama, and Mr. Arc,” he said. Yucie looked up, shock filling her face. “I would’ve been with them, but they made me stay -”
“Arc’s with them?!” she asked. She sat back, her eyes wide in shock, as Cube nodded.
“Yes,” he said. “He was a mess when he came to get Drago-sama and me…he’s really worried about you, Lady Yucie.”
“I can’t believe that,” Yucie said, tears shimmering in her eyes. “I…I was so horrible to him…”
“Hey now, Yucie,” Beth said, putting a hand on her shoulder, “don’t go getting all emotional on us. I know it’s kinda hard not too, with the baby and all, but -”
“BABY?!” Cube shrieked. Yucie sweatdropped at his outburst.
“Um…yeah, baby,” she said. She looked at him with pleading eyes. “Don’t tell papa or Arc?”
“I won’t, but…wow…congratulations, Lady Yucie!” Cube said.
“Th-thanks, Cube,” she said. Her face turned serious a moment later, and he frowned. “They’ll be here soon though, right?”
“Right!” he said. “And that was what they said an hour ago!”
Hour 9
“An hour ago, huh?” Beth asked bleakly.
“C-C’mon, I’m sure they’ll be here soon,” Yucie said. Beth sighed and looked at their friends. The others had been sleeping for the past two hours, but she had been unable to. After the excitement of Yucie’s announcement, she had been too wired to sleep, and then she had just been too scared.
“No, they won’t,” she said. “I’m beginning to think you were right when you said we’d die here.”
“No I wasn’t!” Yucie said. Beth glared at her.
“Yes, you were!” she shouted. “Why aren’t they here yet, Yucie?! We’re never getting out of this cave! They’re not gonna find us, and we’re going to die here!”
“Don’t say that!” Yucie said, shaking her head. “Please, don’t say that!”
“And why not?!” Beth snapped.
“B-because, if you say it, it might come true,” Yucie said weakly. She hugged her abdomen, leaning forward in defeat. “I don’t want it to. So please, don’t say it.”
“Yucie…” Beth sighed and looked back to the flames. “I don’t want it to come true, either, but face it. It’s been how long since we’ve been stuck in here? Like you said: shouldn’t they have found us by now?”
“I don’t know,” Yucie said. “I don’t know what’s keeping them, but I don’t want to give up hope. Arc’s with them, and your dad, too. And Gurenda’s dad! Do you really think they’d give up on finding us?”
“They’ll find us when we’re frozen dead,” Beth muttered distastefully. Yucie sighed and wrapped her arms around her, giving her friend a comforting hug.
“They’ll find us, Beth,” she said. “I just know they will.”
Hour 10
Yucie looked up from the water she had just been drinking as a loud crash sounded from behind her, towards the entrance of the cave. She turned, staring at the body that had just fallen into the cave. The person sat up, rubbing his head, before he looked up. His eyes locked with hers, and a relieved breath left him before he looked up into the light spilling from the hole he had fallen through.
“Hey, I found them!” Arc called. Beth turned around, squinting at the sudden brightness that flooded the cave.
“Is that…?” she started.
“Arc!” Yucie cried, cutting her off. She scrambled to her feet and ran over to him, dropping to her knees beside him to pull him into a tight hug. “You found us!”
“Of course we did, Forehead!” he said, returning her hug. “Did you really think we wouldn’t?”
“N-no,” she said. “Of course not!”
“Aero! Move to the back of the cave, and keep the girls there!” the Demon King called. “Drago, we’ll melt this snow, and you go down there and make a barrier to keep the runoff from flooding the cave!”
A moment later, Beth’s father dropped into the cave. Beth gave a shout and ran over to him, and after a quick hug he nodded to Arc.
“Get them back, Aero,” he said. Arc nodded and took them to the back of the cave. Beth immediately began waking the others, yet Yucie wouldn’t let go of Arc.
“Yucie, we need to wake them up,” he said. She shook her head, squeezing him tighter.
“Beth can,” she said. “You…I need to apologize.”
“Mother said you said I had to first,” he said, grinning. She shook her head.
“I don’t care anymore,” she said. “I was so scared I wasn’t going to see you again, Arc. And…I felt so guilty. I didn’t say goodbye to you, and it was all because of that stupid fight. I never should’ve gotten angry at you, either. Queen Erlsel said that it’s normal to have major moodswings, but that’s no excuse! Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean -”
“You’re what?” he asked. She winced, slowly looking up to meet his startled gaze.
“I’m…pregnant?” she ventured hesitantly. She heard Beth groan and looked at her friend.
“Did you just let it slip again?” she asked. Yucie nodded miserably, and Beth shook her head sadly. “I’m really glad I don’t have any secrets that you know, Yucie. You’d never be able to keep them!”
“Well I’m sorry! Queen Erlsel’s the only one who’s known for three weeks, and do you have any idea how hard it is keeping that kind of a secret?!” she asked.
“Wait…three weeks? You’ve known for three weeks and you didn’t tell me?” Arc asked. She looked back at him, and she bit her lip when she saw his hurt look.
“I wanted to, but I never found the right moment,” she said. “And then I was going to tell you last night -”
“Two nights ago, actually,” he said.
“Fine, fine - the other night. I was going to tell you then, but then you were being so stupid, and we started fighting, and then I was just too mad to tell you,” she said. He sighed and wrapped her up in a hug.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was stupid, wasn’t I?”
“Yeah,” she said. He grinned.
“So you found out when I was on that trip?” he asked, and she nodded.
“I was really sick, and Queen Erlsel wanted me to see the doctor. He said the only thing wrong with me was that I was pregnant,” she said, laughing. Arc laughed and shook his head, grinning like a madman.
“Whatever is the matter, Prince?”
They looked up to see that the snow had given way to a clear red sky, and the rest of their rescue party was standing inside the entrance. Drago had his head sticking in through the opening, and he was looking at Arc with a curious expression. His answer was delayed as the Demon King gave a cheer as he rushed towards Gurenda, who was yelling at Beth for waking her up. Drago sighed and looked at the Demon King and Gurenda, shouting at them to be quiet and let Arc answer. Arc looked at Yucie, grinning as he pulled her onto his lap.
“Wanna tell them?” he asked. She nodded excitedly before looking at Drago.
“Drago-sama, I’m gonna have a baby!” she said.
“We’re gonna have a baby,” Arc corrected, giving her a gentle squeeze. She giggled and nodded, looping her arms around his neck.
“Yeah, we are,” she said.
“That’s wonderful, Yucie! I assume Gunberd doesn’t know yet?” Drago asked. At the shake of her head, he laughed and nodded. “All right, then. I won’t tell him. He’ll be very happy to hear it, though.”
“Can we just get out of here?” Gurenda asked as she finally shook off her father. Kokoru nodded.
“Yes, it would be nice to be somewhere a little warmer,” she said. Yucie nodded.
“Yeah, I really wanna get home,” she said. Arc gave her a chaste kiss, nodding as he pulled away.
“Then let’s get you girls out of here,” he said. He scooped Yucie up and led the way out of the cave, much to her embarrassment, and plopped her down on Drago’s back. Once the others had joined them, the old dragon began flying back towards the Demon King’s palace.
“Arc?” Yucie asked, once everyone had settled into their own little conversations. He looked down at her.
“Yeah?” he asked. She buried her face in his shirt, smiling warmly at him.
“Thanks for finding us,” she said. He smiled and kissed the top of her head.
“You know you’re not leaving the palace for a long time after this, right?” he asked. She jerked back, glaring at him.
“What?!” she asked. He nodded, his face dead serious.
“I would prefer it until the baby’s born, but knowing you that’ll be impossible,” he said. “So I say about three weeks. Seems fair, since that’s how long you kept this from me.”
“Arc!” she whined. “That’s unfair!”
“And going on this trip, knowing how dangerous it was for a normal person, being pregnant…man, you were just asking for it, Forehead!” he said. “Maybe I should make it longer than three weeks. After all, that is m-”
“ARC!” she cried, fury filling her gaze. “You will not keep me under house arrest, you hear?!”
“Oh, I’m fairly sure I can,” he said, grinning. “In fact, I may just not let go of you at all. You aren’t going anywhere, Forehead.” He tightened his grip on her waist, and she immediately began squirming.
“Arc! Let me go, you big jerk! Let go of me!” she cried.
“That’s enough of that!” Drago said, turning his head to give them a look. Arc laughed, nodding at his elder.
“Sure thing, Drago-sama!” he said. Once Yucie had settled down, he leaned his head on her shoulder and smirked at her. “See what you did now, Forehead? You made Drago-sama yell at us.”
“THAT WAS YOUR FAULT!” she screamed. A short distance away, Beth sighed and looked at Kokoru, who looked nervous.
“Think they’ll ever grow out of that?” she asked. Kokoru laughed and shook her head.
“No, I’m afraid not,” she said. “But they love each other very much, so I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“Oh, it’s not them I’m worried about,” Beth said, grinning at the couple. Kokoru laughed and leaned back, looking up at the red sky. Yes, there really was nothing to worry about. She winced as she heard a loud “OW!” come from Arc, followed by another warning from Drago.
At least, she hoped there was nothing to worry about.
owari
a.n.: So sorry this is so late, guys! I made it one day before my one-month mark (in lack of updates, that is). School’s been absolutely beastly, but I’m hoping now that I’m on Easter vacation I can get some of this work done. Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll have these finished before I go back! …don’t count on it…
Recent discovery I made: there’s a PPY category up at MediaMiner. Two stories in it, but I’m thinking of posting these there, as well. I found out how to suggest a category, so the PPY category’s been suggested here - we just need to see if it’ll be made. Here’s to hoping!
I got two more of these that’re almost done, so I’m hoping to have them up tomorrow. Hopefully. -wince-
Comments and constructive criticism welcomed. Please, don’t flame. If you can’t say your CC without flaming, don’t bother. Flames will be used to fuel Az’s bonfire for the yummy s’mores.