[February 13] [Fushigiboshi no Futago Hime] Tears of Yesterday

[mingyi.livejournal.com]

Title: Tears of Yesterday
Day/Theme: February 13 - 13. a killing dance
Series: Fushigiboshi no Futago Hime
Character/Pairing: Altessa x Auraa, slight Bright x Rein
Rating: G
Disclaimer: All characters are related titles are copyrighted to BIRTHDAY, Hal Film Maker, TV Tokyo, etc.

At last, the day had finally come.

There was going to be a huge festival held in honor of Valentine's Day. The festival was two days long -- one being on the 13th, and the last being on the 14th.

Altessa remembered how grand this party was to be. She had seen ladies grand in jewels spin around flawlessly with men docked in fancy tuxedos. She had seen how intricately the ballroom was decorated and how much preparation all the servants had to go through. Her cheeks were pink with excitement as she pictured herself dancing errorlessly across the polished ballroom floor.

As always, Altessa would dance at least once with her brother and her father. As for Bright, he was popular with the women and would always politely accept one, even if it only lasted for less than ten seconds. This year, King Aaron and Queen Camellia used the liberty to invite the royal families of the other kingdoms to join. Some attended and some regarded the safety of their own land as first priority, but Altessa knew that they were aware of the special party as the can't-miss party of the year.

Some only sent their children to attend just to keep track of their countries and be courteous to the Jewelry Kingdom. Altessa peered at the guests from the second floor of the ballroom, tugging at Bright's sleeves. "Onii-sama, look!" she exclaimed.

Bright nodded. "Yes,"he answered, accompanying her in staring down at the vast room. "Look at who's attending. There's Princess Milky from the Moon Kingdom, and the Seed Princesses from the Seed Kingdom."

There was a sudden crash, and two human-sized clouds tumbled into the room. They attracted so much attention that practically everyone in the ballroom stared at them.

Altessa looked on in disgust. Who were those people, and how could they spoil the lovely moment with their bothersome antics? "Onii-sama, who are they?" she questioned arrogantly. "Are you sure that these two were invited?"

Bright had already gone down to investigate and help out. Altessa suddenly appeared at his side as she saw him lifting up two girls that looked around the same age as she was.

"Are you hurt?" Bright was saying.

The girl adorned in red nodded and thanked him, but her twin sister completely exaggerated her gratitude thowards him. "Th-Thank yooooooou!" she practically warbled, cheeks turning a rubyish color.

"You, who do you think you are?" Altessa bluntly addressed them.

The twins straightened and regained a proper posture. "Of the Sunny Kingdom..."

The girl in red gave a clumsy curtsy. "We're Princess Fine..."

The other twin, dressed in blue, repeated the suit. "... and Princess Rein."

Altessa frowned. She had heard those names before. Her mind suddenly clicked as a mental lightbulb flashed. She remembered hearing the servants talk about them. They were Princess Fine and Princess Rein, the two most unprincesslike princesses in the entire history of the Mysterious Planet, and here she was, finally being able to see them in person.

Before Altessa could say anything (or even introduce herself), Fine pulled on Rein's hand, tugging her towards the long table piled with sweets. "Reeeein,"she urged in a slight whine. "Let's go get something good to eat!"

"Ah, but Fine, I want to look around here for a while!" responded the aqua-eyed girl.

"Food!" was all Fine could say.

"Noooo." Rein pouted for emphasis. "Let's look around. I don't want to be alone."

Bright chuckled in response. "How about I give you a tour, Princess Rein?"

Rein nearly combusted. "Really?" she squealed, eyes brightening.

"If you want."

"That would be so wonderful!" shrieked Rein, almost throwing herself at Bright. "I... I... I don't know what to sayyyy...."

Without any word to that, Bright and Rein whisked off to discuss about the decorations. Altessa looked on in disbelief. Why was her brother trying to associate with these barbaric losers? She didn't understand; she was completely puzzled.

Whatever it was, Altessa had to make sure Bright didn't become the most unprincelike prince in the Mysterious Planet. She had to stop him before he became overwhelmed by peer pressure.

"-- found you!"

From behind Altessa, she heard a clear voice as if it were spoken to her. Prince Auraa squeezed between some of the bypassing couples, and quickly kneeled before Altessa. "Princess Altessa,"he exclaimed, panting as though he had been running, "I've been looking all over for you."

"Thank you,"murmured Altessa in an uninterested voice, still looking off in the distance. Bright was extending his arm towards Rein. Altessa assumed that he was inviting her to dance with him.

"Altessa?" asked Auraa, staring at the blonde in concern. Altessa turned her attention away from her brother and noticed that he had already stood up.

"Oh. Mmhmm." Altessa nodded at whatever she thought he was saying.

"I'm sorry!" Rein wailed from her place, leaping back. Altessa noticed that Bright's shoe was slightly scuffed. Rein must have stepped on his foot. What a killing dance, she thought. At least she wasn't Bright at the moment.

"Altessa, are you all right?"

"Yeah. Sure. Whatever." Altessa shrugged and continued spying. As Auraa continued to say something about a dance, she waved her hand at him and nodded.

In a second, she felt her hand and waist being seized by a pair of arms. Altessa thrashed by instinct, and the hands loosened their grip. "What are you doing?!" screeched Altessa, glaring at Auraa. Her voice was so loud some people nearby turned to stare at them.

Auraa wore an expression of fright and shock as he looked back at her with his puppyish blue eyes. "B-But Altessa, I asked you if we could dance, and you said it was okay."

Altessa blinked. "Oh."

She looked towards her brother's direction again. Bright, who had been looking at her a second ago by the commotion she caused now had his attention fixed on Rein again. His lips were moving, and by this Altessa knew the two were conversing. What were they talking about? She was yards apart from earshot, and the people around were talking as well. She'd have to get closer without looking suspicious.

Auraa's voice broke into her thoughts again. "... so, can we dance?"

Altessa accepted his offer. "Charmed, I'm sure."

This time when he placed his arms around her, she did not attempt to break away like the last time. Auraa started talking again, but Altessa had tuned him out. Her footsteps jerked over towards Bright as she strained to hear what they were discussing.

"Whoaaa!" exclaimed Auraa in surprise as Altessa "subtly" urged him to follow her. "A-Altessa, are you sure you're okay? Are you really sure?"

"Shhh!" Altessa gritted her teeth.

"Al-tes-saaaaa!" The doggel-hybrid could only whine.

They were close to Bright and Rein now. Altessa could catch a couple of words that they were mumbling.

" -- your sister.... cake... interesting...."

"... yes, that's right. Sometimes.... attacks.... face..."

Altessa's eyes widened. Was Rein trying to get Bright to attack people with... cake? That had to be it. It just had to.

Altessa's foot bumped into Auraa's ankle. Upon their contact, she reverted to concentrating on her dancing before she let her reputation as a dancer wash down the drain.

"Altessa, do you not want to dance?" Auraa's voice sounded hurt. "You know, if you don't want to, you can just tell me. You really don't have to force yourself."

The princess of the Jewelry Kingdom's attention became captured by Auraa. She frowned, letting her hands drop from the waltz they were doing. "Why do you think I'm here?" she hissed. "Do you think I enjoy holding hands with people while moving in circles just for nothing? Now shut up and let's dance."

Before Auraa could reply, Altessa grabbed Auraa's hands again, forcing him into a slow twirl. To her dismay, Bright and Rein had finished their dance, and were strolling towards the dining table together. Again, Altessa gently pushed Auraa in the direction Bright was heading off to, until Auraa let his hands fall.

"Eh?" gasped Altessa as she felt Auraa slip away.

"I can't do it,"confessed Auraa, showing a face of shame and rejection. "Altessa, you're not completely interested in dancing with me. I can tell by the way you don't listen to me when I try to talk to you, and you look like you're only dancing with me just to be nice. You don't seem like you care."

"Oh, no, no,"Altessa hastily filled in. "It's just that my mind is wandering a lot tonight, and -- "

"It's fine,"Auraa repeated coldly with little emotion as possible. "You don't have to lie. Just... just don't do that again."

Altessa's hot temper began to warm. "Do what?!" she bellowed, placing her hands on her hips.

"You're... you're..." Auraa looked away with a blush.

"What?" pressed Altessa.

"You're just..."

"Spill it,"snapped Altessa. "While we're still young might be nice."

"Just leave me alone!" Auraa suddenly broke off into a sprint, disappearing without a trace.

Altessa glared, unaware of the witnesses nearby. "How rude!" she scoffed, turning her nose up into the air.

Yet, once those words fell out of her mouth, Altessa felt a pang of remorse. She knew that she had hurt Auraa, but she didn't know why. The feeling was just too inscrutable to describe.

"Altessa!" called a voice that sounded like it came from the dining table. Altessa turned, and there was Bright bounding towards her.

"Onii-sama,"was all Altessa could say, trying to muster the regret from her voice.

"Altessa, what happened?" inquired Bright. "What happened with Prince Auraa?"

Altessa shrugged. "Beats me." All of the sudden, her original plan came back to her. Eying him angrily, she questioned,"What happened with you and Princess Rein?"

Bright shook his head. "Now's not the time for that. Please explain to me what went on between you and Auraa."

"Why won't you share first?"

The prince only sighed. "Altessa,"he said tiredly.

Altessa groaned and rolled her eyes. "I was dancing with him and then he gave me all this stuff about me not actually wanting to dance with him, and I didn't know what he meant so he ran off. Sheesh."

"Did you want to dance with him, though?"

"Of course,"Altessa stated as though it were obvious.

To Altessa's discomfort, Bright continued the inquisition. "Was there another reason why you chose to dance with Auraa?"

"Maybe."

"Was it much more important than you choosing him because you liked him?"

"Why do you need to know?"

"Was it?"

"Okay, okay!" Altessa said at last. "I wanted to know what you and Princess Rein were talking about, but Auraa asked me to dance, so I said yes because it'd help me get closer."

Bright took all of this into mind, and smiled. "I see now,"he muttered. "You were curious, weren't you? Now, remember what Okaa-sama said about curiousity and the cat!"

Altessa looked confused, but Bright went on. "Oh, Princess Rein and I were just talking about her family. Her sister, Princess Fine, seems to eat cake a lot. I heard that she nearly attacked a huge cake face-first after not being able to have one for a week."

"Oh,"was all Altessa could say. She felt really stupid now. She snickered at her own foolishness. Of course nothing bad would happen.

"So-So you're not mad?" asked Altessa timidly.

Bright dropped his grin and stared at her with a serious look. "I'm not mad, but I'm thinking maybe Auraa is. You used him to eavesdrop, didn't you?"

Altessa knew what was coming next, and she did not want to go through with it. No way. Not in a million years. It was hard to say sorry, but it was even harder since she was completely sure that Auraa hated her. "Yes,"she admitted in a flat tone.

"What are you going to do about it?" Bright asked.

"Ugh, stop asking me so many questions in one night!" mumbled Altessa, annoyed. "All right, I'll go talk to him, but you better not tell anyone about this." She turned to leave, but stopped.

"Altessa?" Bright wondered why the girl had paused.

Altessa looked back. "Where did Auraa go?"

Bright mournfully sighed with a small shrug. "I'm sorry. I have no clue, so I can't help there. I guess you're going to have to look yourself."

The blonde princess moaned, but began her search anyway. She checked the second floor of the ballroom, swooping between couples with wine-filled goblets dangling in their hands, walking around many of the dancing duos around the ballroom, and even asking the men who casually walked out of bathrooms. Suddenly, she collapsed in a chair at the dining table defeated.

"Altessa, what's wrong?" piped up a familiar voice.

Altessa looked at the voice's owner and -- oh, joy, it came from one of those Sunny Kingdom princesses. Also known as the last people in the world she would be seen talking to.

"None of your business,"Altessa answered with a stern gaze.

"I saw your dance partner run by here a couple of minutes ago,"commented Fine. "He looked sad. Did something happen?"

"No!" Altessa almost roared, but managed to restrain herself from raising her voice. "I-I mean, you saw him? Great. Where did he go?"

Fine pointed towards the doors, mumbling with a mouth filled with cake. "He went outside."

"Oh, thanks,"Altessa hurriedly said, and hastily dashed off.

"Altessa, wait -- "

The blonde ignored Princess Fine as she headed towards the doors leading outside. Pushing past the people blocking her way, she finally found herself in the company of the soft moonlight glowing in the twilight. From the side, she could almost catch the sound of a sniffle.

"Auraa?" Altessa called, sheepishly stepping down the flight of the stairs in front of the room.

No response, except for the passing wind. Altessa tried again.

"Auraa?"

Silence.

Altessa felt herself growing impatient. "Look, Auraa, I really need to speak with you. Please come out."

There was still nothing. Altessa decided that it was the best time to spill her guts out.

"About what happened.... well... I really didn't mean to do that. So if you could just come out..."

Altessa's voice faltered, and her last shout faded into the night. She frowned. Wait. What was she doing again? Oh, right, looking for Auraa to apologize to him. It didn't seem like he was outside, though.

Altessa tossed her hair and decided if Auraa wasn't going to listen to her, then it was tough luck for him; she already did what she was supposed to do. "Fine!" she yelled. "If you're not going to listen what I have to say, then I guess I won't say it! That's what you want, right?"

"Altessa."

The princess quickly spun around. "Hey! Don't scare me like tha -- "

She stopped. Auraa stood in front of her. His eyes still seemed red and damp from tears, but he was there all the same. Altessa let her arms drop. "What are you doing here?" she demanded. She pointed out into the cold night. "You're supposed to be out there listening to me apologize!"

Auraa fidgeted, avoiding Altessa's bewildered gaze. "Well, I came inside and Bright saw me. He knew what happened and said that you were looking for me." His eyes met hers. "Is that true?"

Altessa felt her cheeks grow hot. "W-Well, I -- " she started to say, but couldn't find the words to complete her sentence. After stammering for a couple of seconds, she clenched her fists and cried,"If I didn't feel bad about what I did, why do think I'm apologizing to you? And to find out I was apologizing to nothing! You really are such a rude person!"

That did it. The last sentence filled her with so much emotion Altessa could feel her eyes tearing up. She continued, hoping Auraa couldn't see her face in the darkness. "You-You rude person,"she repeated, swallowing the sobs gathering at her throat.

Auraa remained silent. Altessa placed her hands on her face, trying her best not to cry, especially in front of him. "I... I'm sorry, I...."

"Altessa...." she heard Auraa say, and a consoling hand was placed on her shoulder.

"What?" Altessa snapped, or tried to, but she saw Auraa smiling weakly.

"Me too. I'm sorry."

Altessa couldn't hold back her tears and let them flow. "Auraa...."

She felt herself being drawn to him.... the warmth... the gentle atmosphere.... it felt like a daze. Altessa couldn't think of anything besides that soft, protected feeling, which made her cry even harder.

"Let's hurry inside,"Auraa said, placing an arm around Altessa's shoulders. "It's getting cold out here."

"You're not mad at me? I mean, you don't hate me?"

Auraa laughed. "How could I ever hate you? You've made me frustrated a couple of times, but I could never hate you."

Altessa gave a weak smile. "Thanks,"she said, trying not to blubber.

Auraa handed Altessa a handkerchief. "Here. So that you won't look like a complete mess when we get inside."

Altessa gulped and attempted to punch Auraa. "You rude person!" she scoffed, but secretly, she was humored by his comment.

As they stepped up on the stairway, Auraa spoke up again, this time in a shy, apprehensive voice. "Hey, you know... if there's still some time... would you like to... um...."

"Eh?" Altessa stared at him.

Auraa looked downwards. "Well, uh... you know.... would you like to...."

"Dance?" suggested Altessa, blinking through her brimming teardrops.

"Ah..." Auraa seemed to be acting much more embarrassed.

Altessa giggled. "I'd love to, so as long it wouldn't kill both of us."