Kingdom of Animals

    All right I'm back and it's time
for chapter three ^_^ *rubs hands together, and grins evilly* As for the
copyright office siege... THEY HAVE REINFORCEMENTS!!!! *Runs around like
a nutcase* AHHHH!!! Ages: Akito- 36, Kyo- 19, Yuki-
16, Tohru- 15,  Hatori- 25, Ayame- 21, Kisa-
14, Shigure- 23
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Kingdom of Animals

Story by: Sohma Star (Star-chan)

    Tohru caught up with Hatori just as he pushed the
door to the kitchens open. He allowed her to catch her breath then, proceeded
through the door.

    Inside the kitchen, Tohru was greeted by a fellow
servant, and shown the locations of all the essential cooking materials,
meanwhile Hatori stood nearby explaining her work schedule, "This is where
you will report in the morning, you will prepare breakfast then, follow
the orders of the princes until lunch time. At 12:30 sharp you will return
here, and make their lunch, as for supper, it should be ready by 5:00,
but if you are occupied with other chores it can be as late as 6:30pm.
You will go to bed at 11:00pm unless there are extenuating circumstances,
and anything you wish to do outside the castle MUST be cleared with the
King at least three days in advance. Now if you'll follow me again, it's
time to meet the princes."

    Tohru nervously followed Hatori out of the kitchens,
and into the serving hall. She walked with her eyes glued on her feet,
and accidentally bumped into Hatori when he abruptly stopped. She quickly
apologized, claiming all the responsibility for the incident, and bowing
repeatedly. After he had assured Tohru it was nothing, and managed to calm
her down, he bowed to the princes then addressed them, "Prince Yuki, Prince
Kyo I'm here to introduce your new servant Honda Tohru."

    On cue, Tohru stepped forward, and bowed to each
Prince respectfully, her eyes never left her feet, and her face was still
red with embarrassment from her previous actions. Prince Yuki was the first
to approach her, he gently reached forward, and tilted her face up, changing
her gaze from her feet to him. She immediately blushed, and attempted to
look away. Yuki however, kept a firm hold on her, "Honda-san we can't have
you looking at your feet all the time, and walking into things can we?"

    'N-no, I guess not" she stammered. He gave her a
small smile of approval, released her, and stepped back. Now looking forward
she took in their appearance for the first time. Prince Yuki had dark silver-ish
grey hair, and large purple eyes, he wore a completely blue outfit, and
had a very pale complexion. Prince Kyo had an unusual hair color, it appeared
to be orange, or very close to it... his eyes were smaller than Yuki's,
and they were colored a deep crimson. He wore an entirely red outfit, and
his complexion was very tan unlike Yuki's.

    "Well, I'll leave you three to get aquatinted better"
Hatori's voice snapped Tohru out of her trance, she blushed once again,
then resumed studying her feet. He bowed to the princes, and stepped out
of the room, leaving Kyo, Yuki, and Tohru alone.

    Hatori's mind was spinning as he made his way back
to Akito's chamber to report the "incident." Why hadn't he transformed?
He couldn't figure it out, he reached the large door of the main chamber,
and lightly nudged it open. Akito was lying across his throne, with his
feet hanging over one arm. He was staring out the window, and appeared
to be in deep thought... Hatori studied him for a while then, turned to
leave deciding it would be best to come back later, and not disturb him
now.

    "Hatori, was the introduction of the servant successful?"
Akito spoke suddenly, without even bothering to look at him. He turned
back towards Akito to answer.

    "Yes, it was..." His reply held some reluctance,
Akito noticed this, and spoke again...

    "Was there something else Hatori?" He now sat up,
and turned to face Hatori, his dark eyes burning him as they had done Tohru.
Hatori shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

    "She bumped into me... and I didn't transform" he
spoke calmly, but inside he was anything, but calm.

    "Really... then it's just as I thought..." Akito's
voice seemed distant as he spoke, and there was a hint of something Hatori
couldn't place. Akito returned his gaze to the window "You're dismissed"
his voice was calm, but still laced with something. Hatori bowed, and gratefully
took his leave.

     "Yes... it's just as I thought...." Akito mused
to himself.

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Yes, Tohru bumped into to Hatori in this chapter,
and NORMALLY he would have transformed, but like I said I'm changing the
rules a little, and well... you'll see. One last thing, I'm still trying
to avoid that deadly illness... *coughREVIEWcough* See you next
chapter ^_~ Ja!