• Faint chattering noises…distant footsteps…a wet warm touch on my cheek.
    I opened my eyes to see a brown dog really close to my face. It licked my ear and I giggled, sliding away.
    “Liny!” I chimed as I gave the big old stray dog a hug. She barked in response. “Wow, you’ve grown so—oh my gosh” I gaped. “Oh my gosh!” I let go of her and looked around at my surroundings. White walls, a large dresser, flower vase, gold trinkets, spacious room, and a gigantic picture of me framed on the wall. I looked down—bed; I was lying on my bed. How did I get in here? And how come Liny is here with me? The door opened and I looked up to see who it was. The three people that walked in weren’t who I wanted to see. “It’s the blond ninja, bandana head, and…” I narrowed my eyes at the last figure. “Ayumu” he stared back without a word. He seemed to never have an expression on his face.
    “Tsk” blond ninja glared at me. “My name is Eena, not blond ninja”
    “And mine” bandana head says, “Is Unai” he pauses for a moment “It seems like Kyo isn’t your real name”
    “Right…” Eena smirks, “Princess Kydoshi?”
    “I…” I stuck up my nose and looked away. “Whatever”
    “Eh…” she was enjoying this now. “Seems like your disguise didn’t work, huh? Dressed as a boy…your long hair tucked inside the hat you wore”
    “It sure had you fooled” I grumbled.
    Eena was going to say something but Ayumu cut her off. “Go” was all he said to make her shut up. She glared at me one last time before leaving the room with Unai.
    I stared at Ayumu. “What do you want? It was you that brought me here, wasn’t it?”
    He didn’t say anything, just watched.
    “Hey you!”
    He turns his back to me and says, “Follow me” then walks off without waiting for a response.
    I gaped with surprise. No one orders me around! I headed out the door and looked to see which direction he went. He was down the left hallway, not even turning to see if I was following him or not. It’s as if he expected me to come to him! “You’re so full of yourself” I mumbled before rushing over to him to give him a piece of my mind.
    “Kydoshi!” a brunette haired maid comes running towards me, a bucket in one hand, and a mop in the other. She stops in front of me, making me halt.
    I stared, smiled, and gave her a big hug. “Rina!” she’s the only person in this castle that I like, and likes me back. We’re so close that we’re practically sisters even though she’s nearly thirty years older than me. I’m just fourteen.
    “So what have you been up to?” she winks “Chasing young farm boys, eh?”
    I chuckled and elbowed her playfully. “Not this time!” There’s a boy I really like. His name’s Kernel and he lives on a farm with his mother, father, and five siblings. I might even love him! Because he’s so nice and hardworking, unlike those other guys my mom set me up with. Those rich kids are so...UGH! I can’t stand them for a single second. Even if they gave me nice, expensive presents, none made me feel happy. When Kernel gave me a birthday present, I was jittery with joy. It was last year, and he made me a toy kangaroo with wings. I remember the first day I met him. That was about three years ago, the first time I ran off from the castle. I disguised myself as boy, just like today, and gave me the name Kyo. To everyone in the city, they think I am what I made myself to be. It’s like my other half. Anyway, I was nearly killed by a stampede of bulls but Kernel saved me. He was hurt during the process. After that incident, we became good friends—best friends. He doesn’t even know my true identity because I’ve kept it a secret form him. Man, if my mother lets me be with Kernel then…
    “Excuse me” Rina says, interrupting my fantasy. “But weren’t you with Ayumu?”
    I rolled my eyes. “Oh, him. Well it doesn’t really matter. He’s such a bother—Eena is too, but that other guy…Unai, is alright I guess”
    She laughs and pats my head. “Well be on your toes because Ayumu is the one that brought you here. I’m still not sure how he found you so quickly in the city, but he did. And if you thought that was a bother, then be prepared. Cause they’re going to be staying with us for awhile now” and then she left, leaving me to think alone.
    “What in the world did she mean by…that…?” I tapped the bottom of my lip with my finger—that’s what I always do when I’m thinking. I looked up ahead and saw Ayumu. He stopped walking but he was very far ahead. I guess he noticed I wasn’t following him so he waited for me. Don’t be silly. I said to myself. He wouldn’t wait for me. I tilted my head to the left. Unless there's actually something really important going on…maybe that's why he told me to follow him. I swallowed and shook my head, my mood going depressed.
    He's being ordered by mother and father.

    to be continued