Shiroyuki & the Fourteen Dere's

Chapter Seven - A Rebel at Heart

Dark Forest of Hevn. Its a dangerous place for people who are ignorant of its danger.

The forest not only the home of wild dangerous animal but also the hiding place for the Rebels.

"So how did I got myself in this mess?" Question Riku to himself leaning his back against the tree as he try to recall the event before.

He had just return from the theme park with Emiko feeling rather please with himself. He had already met four of the chosen girls that is to become his chosen Future Queen.

With the exception of Christine, they were interesting in their own way and he was happy spending time with them.

As if she's been summoned, the said girl appear charging towards him before flinging her arms around him.

Without any warning, she pulled him towards her and kiss him much to his shock.

"Riku! Christine misses you! As your Future Queen, Christine won't mind much if you had to date all the other candidates." Said her cheerful.

"But Christine minded very much that Riku had forgotten our date today. We were supposed to go pick our wedding outfit today."

"Wedding outfit?" Echoes Riku still in shock. He stole a glance at Emiko who had a dangerous expression on her face. But before he could say anything, Emiko had turn and left without a word.

"Let's go! If we hurry we still can make it for the fitting!" Urged Christine grabbing his arm. He knew he should indulge her. But he was too irritated as well as angry.

"Will you just stop it?! You're so annoying! We've only met once and I am already feeling dreadful in your company! I never once mention anything about choosing you or agreeing to marry you!" Shout Riku annoyed.

Christine face went pale, pool of tears already forming in her eyes.

"Christine...is sorry. Christine is in the wrong for acting selfishly. But Christine has been admiring Your Highness for a long time. When Christine is chosen to be a candidate, Christine is very happy." Told her sad.

"Please forgive Christine for being annoying. If Your Highness feels so, then it would be best if Christine withdraw her name from the candidate list. Christine will inform the council of her decision. She will now take her leave." Said Christine with a deep curtisy.

When she stood back, tears had fall but she still manage a polite smile making him feel like a terrible person.

"Christine, you don't have to withdraw your name. I am sorry for acting so rudely. As an apology, why not stay and join me for dinner tonight. And tomorrow, we will spend the day together. Just us." Said Riku as he hand her his handkerchief.

"Christine would love that." Said Christine drying her tears.

"I do have one request. I hope that you will not refer yourself as a third person. At least in my company. Its... uncomfortable to me." Ask Riku.

"Chris...I will try to do that." Said Christine. "Good. I look forward to our meeting tomorrow, Miss Christine." Bowed him, kissing the back of her hand.

Except that he had been summoned to the Royal Council meeting.

" Since you're turning sixteen and will be the next King, it is tradition to test your survival skill." Said Emiko who was seated among the council members.

"Because of that reason, tomorrow morning you will be left on your own in the depth of Dark Forest." Told her before she stood and walk towards him, the click of her heels echoing her footsteps.

It was then, Riku realize that instead of the usual dress, Emiko was wearing a miko outfit which consist of a white top with a detached long sleeve, a large black ribbon on her front waist and a knee length red skirt.

For a moment, Riku found himself drooling. He had only seen such outfit in games that he play. But seeing it on Emiko, he could almost believe that she was a heavenly saint.

She smile as she handed him a silver chalice. "Drink this." Order her. Still in  daze, Riku gulp down the sweet water.

The moment he did so, his whole body becomes numb, his eyes became heavy. Last thing he saw was her cold stare as consciousness left him.

A growling snap him out of the memories and Riku face went pale.

Not far from where he was, a large wolf was bearing its fang, stalking slowly towards him. With another growl the wolf was leaping, ready to prey on him.

On a nearby branch, stood a beautiful red hair girl watching over the scene. She was the leader of the Rebels, daughter to the previous leader who were killed by the King Kagya.

She has been watching the young prince stumble upon the tree roots and getting further lost in the forest but made no attempt to help.Even as the wolf was leaping for the kill.

She expected him to be dead. But as she watch, she saw him took out a blade and thrust it at the leaping wolf.

In that moment, he wasn't the frighten prince she took him as. It was as if she was catching a glimpse of Kagya in him.

Especially when he easily slayed the whole pack without hesitation. His dark eyes are icy cold and she shivered when she saw them.

"Hey. How long are you going to keep watching?" Ask Riku suddenly. With a smile, the girl jump down and landed in front of him. "Did you just notice me watching?" Ask the girl intrigued.

Wiping the blood from his face, Riku grin at the girl. "Nah, I feel your presence from the moment I woke up. But I thought I might entertain you a bit and let you watch."

"You are not what I expected." Murmur the girl. "And that makes you very dangerous."

"Am I really? Well being a Prince is occupational hazard. You're always in danger. More so having the infamous King Kagya as your future brother in law." Shrugged him carelessly.

"Truly, you are a very dangerous person, Prince Shiroyuki. You had a certain charm that attracts female attention to you. And you had the ability to adapt to your training. It was like seeing the devil king himself fight." Told her in daze.

"Makes me want to possess you." 

Another people would feel scared or uncomfortable with her confession. But to her amusement, he had laugh.

"I'm sorry but its hard to take you seriously when there's a spider crawling on your head.

"EEK! GET IT OFF ME! GET IT OFF ME!" Scream the girl shaking her head to throw off the spider. "Joking. There's no spider." Grin Riku.

"You...you meanie!" Shout her taking out a gun. "I should shoot you here and now for that! You don't even know who I am!"

"Who said I don't? I know exactly who you are." Told Riku stepping towards her unafraid.

"Your name is Shion 'Amber' Kohaku. Current leader to the 'Rebels'. Daughter to Akio Kohaku who died in the hands of King Kagya during his rebellion."

"And according to the Royal Council, one of the chosen candidate as my Future Queen." Said him taking her gun from her loose grip. She was staring wide eyed at him, a deep blush on her cheeks.

Grinning he took her hand and kisses the back of it. "Pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Shion. I hope you allow me to escort you to the castle and be my honoured guest."

"I was right. You are truly a dangerous person. I am scared of what will happen to me. But I cannot stay away from you. Fine, I'll go after I settle everything here."

"But let me warn you, this doesn't mean that you won over The Rebels. And if I feel in anyway that you had cross me, I will kill you myself." Threathen her before walking away.

A/N: Picture above is Shion