| ※ SUBMISSIONS >> NOVEL Happy Summer Holiday By Bosie
Series: Apocripha/0 Author's note: Well, when Sara said, she wanted a Summer Festival fanfic, I immediately had the idea of the princes learning how to swim. I hope you enjoy, I had a hard time, had to study a lot and thus I am not sure if it is readable. Thank you ^^ ~~~~~ "Don't worry, Platina-sama," Jade said. "It is just water. Nothing to worry about." "I can drown," Platina pointed out. "I won't let you," Jade said, patting him on his shoulders. Platina sighed. This whole thing was not his idea. Platina looked back to the tent; Carrol, Zil, and Lhodo were already
unpacking their belongings. They used a blue tent now, Jade wanted to
make sure nobody would mix him up with Alex. Platina thought it was
not so bad, but after Alex became not as popular anymore, because he
was being too spoiled, Jade wanted to make sure people were supporting
the right In fact, Platina had a decent life until Jade had decided it was time for him to learn how to swim, without any reason. Zil eventually suggested the Lake of the Moon; it was a rural area, and only a few people knew of this wonderful lake. At least Platina wanted to make sure nobody was watching him when he was fighting for his life. It was a very clear lake, round, and deep. The ideal place for learning how to swim. It was named such as the moon was reflected on the surface, and it seemed bigger than usual. Slowly the young prince was approaching the tent. He did not want this, hell, he was afraid of water. But he could not convince Jade that he did not have to swim. After all, he would be King, not an athletic. But Jade did not want to hear any excuses. He was a bastard, Platina had decided. "Oh, I can't wait!" Lhodo said enthusiastically. "it's a pity it is already late and we have to go to bed soon." "Dinner would be nice," Carrol said as he came out of the tent. "Whose turn is it to cook?" "Mine," Zil said. "I hope I can meet everyone's expectations." "Make it better than I would!" Lhodo begged. "Oh, we have to go for a walk! Look at the sky! The stars are shining! It's so romantic!" "Ah, and with whom do you want to go for a walk?" Jade asked curiously. Carrol immediately glared at her, making sure she had no chance to go on a walk with Platina alone. Lhodo laughed when she saw Carrol's expression. "All together, guys. What are you thinking?!" Platina nodded. "It would be nice, I guess." He went inside the tent and looked around. The other ones already had spread the blankets, and their clothes were lying in a corner. Platina unpacked his things and looked at the swimming trunks Jade had given him. He could not wear them, could he? He would nearly be naked and drowning... "Ani-ue, you have a better life." He sighed. "I wish we could change, just for three days." Lhodo ran into the tent. "Platina, come! Quickly! And be quiet!" Platina looked confused, but followed her nonetheless. She walked over to the lake, where Carrol, Jade, and Zil were kneeling on the stones. Platina followed her and sat down next to them. "Look!" Zil pointed at a tiny hole. "There are rat babies in there." "They are so cute!" Lhodo whispered. "And listen to the sounds they are making!" Platina saw the tiny rats creeping around, shouting for their mother to return. They were indeed cute, but two of the babies were sitting in a corner, not shouting. "Are they dead?" Platina asked. "I suppose they are tired," Carrol said. Zil sighed. "I suppose I should cook now." He left the group, heading towards the small fire they had already made. "They are all brothers," Platina whispered. "Just like twins... but a lot of them." "Hey guys, the lake is really warm!" Lhodo shouted. She had jumped into it, but the lake was not deep at that spot and only her feet were getting wet. "We could start teaching Platina how to swim now!" "Ah, I really feel exhausted now," Platina immediately lied. "And I... well, Zil is already cooking and we should... you know, no swimming after you have eaten something, so... tomorrow." "You are really good at finding excuses." Jade laughed. "I see my methods are working." "Baka," Platina whispered. ~~~~~ Later they were all sitting around the fire, having Zil's stew. "You are good at cooking," Lhodo said. "I never thought that." "When you live on your own, you have to," Zil pointed out. "Besides, I have always cooked." "Platina-sama, where are you going?" Jade asked. "Uhm, I thought the rats maybe are hungry as well," Platina answered and bowed. "Your cooking is really good Zil. And we do not know if their mother has enough food for all of them." "He really worries about the babies," Lhodo said. "He's a nice prince, after all." "Of course he is," Carrol immediately said. "He has a good heart. He cares about everyone, even about tiny rats. That's why he should be King." "Wonderful speech," Jade said. "If there is ever a Platina fan club, you will be fan number one!" Carrol blushed. "You are all idiots, I hope you know that. Except Zil. He is good at cooking, after all." Zil laughed a little bit and pointed at Platina. "I think he is feeding them." After the delicious lunch, they went for a walk. The wind was blowing softly; it was a warm and cosy night. Platina left his cape behind, which made Lhodo crack jokes and Carrol blush some more. "Does anyone know the stars above?" Platina asked. "I mean, does anyone know their names?" "I do," Carrol said. "My Mom told me about the stars when I was a child. She said the stars were so bright in Heaven. She always missed being a real angel with wings. But... I remember she said, when we die, we will be up there. So, when she was dead, I was looking at the stars, all night long... and prayed that I would see her one day." "That's really sad," Platina said, "but I don't know what it is like to have a mother, so I hope I can give you enough sympathy. I hope you can see her, one day." Carrol smiled a little bit, Platina was still too naive, but he was really cute. He blushed as he had that thought. Jade was silent; he remembered he also loved the stars and the moon at night when he was still... no, he should not think about it. "The very bright one is Sirius," Zil knew. "He is Orion's dog." "And can you see the three stars in a row?" Carrol asked. "These are Orion's belt! The two stars above are his shoulders, the two bright stars below are his feet!" "Who is this Orion guy anyway, why he is up there?" Lhodo asked. "Was he good looking? And was he rich? I mean, his dog is up there as well! I am sure you have to pay extra for dogs. And when he takes along his dog, it means he has no wife. This means, I can seduce him and get all the money." "It's nice to know you will never change!" Jade laughed. The group giggled and sat down at the lake. "Zil," Platina whispered, "do you think I... I will die? I mean, a lot of people have drowned, I would not be the first one." "But you have more bodyguards than every other person," Zil pointed out. "Jade can swim, Carrol can, Lhodo can, and I can... so the chances of drowning are really slim." "Still," Platina said, "I am..." "Ah, Ouji!" Carrol shouted and pointed at the sky. "A shooting star!" Platina immediately looked at the sky, seeing the bright light of the shooting star crossing the sky. "Now you have a free wish," Lhodo said, "but don't tell anyone." "A wish?" Platina repeated, closing his eyes. "Alright." Zil smiled and looked at the sky again. "It happens really seldom. You should appreciate this moment." "And your wish," Carrol said. "I bet we all know Carrol's wish," Jade laughed. Carrol kicked his leg. "You are really a baka!" After some time the group went back and decided it was eventually time to get some rest. Back at the tent, Zil made sure the fire was still burning to keep away wild animals. "I hope angels can't see the fire," Lhodo said. "I am really tired tonight!" "So am I," Carrol agreed. He always slept on the left side of Platina, Jade slept on the right side. Platina didn't listen to their talking and kept silent. "Ouji?" Carrol eventually asked. "Are you alright?" Platina nodded. "I was just... wondering if the rats are feeling cold and lonely now..." Jade smiled slightly. "No, Platina-sama. They are feeling really safe now. Their mother is taking care of them. And they have fur, they can't feel the coldness of the night. And also, it is not so cold as it used to be back on the mountain where we have spent the last weeks." "I think it is more because of the mother that they are feeling warm," Lhodo said. "I don't really remember a lot about my childhood. But I remember when I was a small boy -- feels strange to say that, by the way -- and when I was sick, my mother always allowed me to sleep in her bed. And in the morning I was always feeling better." "You shouldn't say that," Carrol said. "It makes Platina-sama sad, because he has no mother!" "Don't worry," Jade whispered, "he is already asleep." ~~~~~ "Ohayoo, Platina-sama!" Jade announced. "Time to get up! Everyone is already swimming in the lake, only you are still in bed!" Platina sighed, he had hoped Jade would have forgotten it... of course he had not. "But Jade," Platina said as he sat up, "I can't-- What are you wearing?" "Neat, ne?" Jade asked. "I eventually found swimming trunks with the same color as my hair. Look, yours are blue. I hope you like them." "But I can't go outside just wearing them," Platina pointed out. "I'd be... naked." "That's the point why you go swimming in the summer time and not in the winter time. Now, come on, or shall I help you?" Jade asked, walking towards him. "I can do it myself!" Platina exclaimed and sighed. "I really can't believe you force me to do this... I hope I'll drown." He put on his trunks, feeling very uneasy. He felt naked, and the thought of going outside was making him sick. "Ah, he is still here," Zil said and came inside. His trunks were dark yellow and longer than Platina's. His hair was braided, Platina guessed it was Lhodo. She loved trying all kind of hairstyles with their hair... and she had a lot of opportunities as Platina, Zil, and Carrol had long hair. "Oi, Platina! Come outside!" Lhodo shouted, hopping up and down. She wore a very short green bikini, which made Platina blush even more. "The sun won't bite you," Zil said. "The water is warm, the best conditions to learn swimming." "See, I told you!" Jade said and took Platina's hand. "Nothing to be afraid of!" Platina had no choice but to follow. Carrol was sitting on the rock, playing with the rats. His hair was bound together, he looked totally different. On his back were two tiny wings; Platina had never seen them before in the daylight. One time Carrol had showed him his wings in the night. "Ah, he is finally here!" Carrol said and smiled, his hair already wet, the water dripping down his pale body. "They forced me to," Platina sighed. "Carrol, when I am dead, I want a big script on my grave: 'He did not want to.' Promise that!" "It really doesn't hurt," Jade said. "Come here. Just try to walk a little bit in the water. As long as you can stand, nothing can happen!" Platina cautiously went into the lake, not wanting to go too fast. Zil was right, the water was really warm and it would have been nice actually. The others followed, Lhodo jumping and splashing water to all directions. She could not calm down and within seconds she and Carrol had a fight of who could push the other one beneath the surface of the water. "I can't stand any longer," Platina said. "I think we should go back." "No, now the fun begins!" Jade said. "Make one more step. Don't think about the water, just go on!" Platina looked down; the lake was already rather deep, he could not see the bottom. Memories. It had been like that. Water everywhere, he was lost. He could sense someone beside him, but he could neither move nor talk to him. A loud noise. And suddenly he was falling. He thought he would die. The fall seemed to last forever, until he could hear another noise. Voices talking. Someone tried to sit him up and someone else was wrapping him in towels. "Don't be afraid," a voice said, "everything is fine, Platina." Platina closed his eyes. The fall... he would be falling again. The water got colder and darker. He had to get out of it, now! Without hesitation he turned around and ran through the water. Of course he could not run so fast and the longer it took him, the panic within him got worse. He heard that crashing sound before he fell. It was here again. Any minute, any second, he would fall again into darkness. "Platina-sama!" Jade shouted. "Wait!" "What's the matter with him?" Lhodo asked. "He does not react anymore... Did something scare him?" "As far as I know there are no big fish or other living creatures in this lake. It is not a salty water after all," Zil said. "But I can have a look if there is something at the bottom of the lake." He dove down to the bottom, but could not find anything. The others had decided it was best to follow Platina, but they could not reach him, his fear giving him the power to run faster than the others. "Something is wrong!" Lhodo said. "But I did not find anything strange." "Me too!" Carrol said. "But something must have frightened him." Platina reached the shore, but he had used up all his strength. He broke down, panting. "Platina!" Carrol screamed, using his last piece of strength to get to him. "Platina, what's the matter?" Lhodo followed him. "Hey! Hang in there! We are nearly there!" Jade stopped, watched the others passing him by, rushing over to the ouji. He could guess why Platina was so frightened. "Ouji!" Lhodo shouted and knelt down next to him. "Platina! Say something! Carrol, he is shivering!" "Platina," Carrol whispered, "we are here... you don't have to be afraid!" "Falling," Platina whispered. "I am falling into loneliness." He had his eyes closed, he was still shivering and extremely cold. "Use this," Lhodo said, and reached for a big towel. Carrol nodded and wrapped it around Platina. "Shh... we are here. There is nothing to be afraid of." He held him close, stroking his back. Platina calmed down and fell asleep due to too much strain. Zil and Jade eventually walked over to them, sitting down next to Lhodo. "There was nothing," Zil said, "unless he is afraid of stones." "He said he was falling into loneliness," Carrol whispered. "I suppose he was afraid of the water." "The day when he was born..." Jade said. "Remember, he was not given birth to by a woman. But Alex and he were 'raised' in water... he had his eyes closed, so it was dark for his senses. And when the glass broke, he was falling." Zil nodded. "Makes sense." "Poor Ouji," Lhodo said. "It must have been really horrible when he is so afraid now." ~~~~~ Platina slept for some more hours. The others were waiting for him to wake up, no one dared to go back to the lake. "I feel sorry for not noticing his fear," Carrol admitted. "I thought he was all fine. Of course everyone knew he was afraid of water, but no one could have seen this happening." "Don't blame yourself," Zil said. "We all have ignored his fear." "But I should have known better," Carrol said. "You know, there is a difference between you and me... or even Lhodo or Jade..." Zil smiled, but did not respond. He did not want to embarrass Carrol, he had to suffer enough when Lhodo had the chance to make a fool of him. "Lunch is ready," Jade announced. "If you are hungry, that is." "Thank you," Zil said. "I will fetch Platina." He walked to the tent and found the young prince asleep on his bed. "Platina," he whispered, "lunch is ready." Slowly the young ouji stood up and walked towards him. He was paler than before. "Are you feeling better?" Zil asked. Platina nodded. "Ah, I hope you like the lunch," Jade said. "I am not so good at cooking." Platina sat down and ate, without talking. The others noticed his silent behavior, but nobody dared to ask him what had happened. Besides, if it was true what Jade had said, then he would need time to get over it. "Ah, Carrol!" Lhodo said. "You wanted to tell Platina you-know-what..." "Oh yes!" Carrol said. "The rats are walking around! They are already leaving the hole." "Really?" Platina asked, immediately rushing over to see the small babies walking around. The mother rat was busy trying to get her babies back. Platina smiled; the two brothers were still walking around together. "They are closer than the others," Carrol said. "It is always different with brothers. Either they get along or they don't. Ruby and I don't get along so well. But you and Alex do." "We do?" Platina asked. Carrol smiled. "Of course you do. You have been through so much and I suppose he is the only one who can understand you so well. Besides, he is very dear to you... you don't want to fight him. I guess if you did not have to, you two would be best friends." "Maybe," Platina said, but then the rats caught his attention again. The mother had eventually gotten the babies back. "I will get some food," Platina whispered, "then you can stay with your children." ~~~~~ In the afternoon the others went down to the lake, but Platina stayed behind. Carrol was sitting on Zil's shoulders, Lhodo was on Jade's. Both tried to throw the other one into the water. "Oi, oi!" Lhodo shouted. "Not fair! Zil is taller and you are taller as well, Carrol!" "We could change," Zil suggested. "Jade carries Carrol and I carry you then." "I don't think I can carry Carrol," Jade said. "He is nearly as tall as I am!" Platina watched them fooling around. "I wish I could be with them," he sighed. "Why do I have to have this fear in my heart?" "Oi, Platina!" Lhodo suddenly shouted. "Help me! Jade, Zil, and Carrol took away my bikini!" Platina walked over to the lake, Lhodo was still in the water, but only her head was popping out. "Why don't you come out of the water then?" Platina asked. "Baka! I am naked!" she exclaimed. Platina sighed and looked around, the three guys were nowhere to be seen. "And now?" he asked. "Go and get a towel!" she ordered. "And do not even dare to think about looking at me!" "Understood," Platina said and walked back to fetch a towel. It was another problem for Lhodo to come closer as Platina did not dare to go any further than the water being up to his knees. "Do not turn around!" she screamed and grabbed the towel. "Otherwise I will cut your hair!" After a while, she eventually walked over to him. "Thank you. But now we have got to search those baka! If they wanted me to strip, they could have asked! But this was just mean... I bet it was Jade's idea! He has been so nice to me all day long!" "They are not near the tent," Platina said. "Otherwise I would have seen them passing by. I suppose they were running down the path we had found yesterday evening." "Then we should have a look, quickly," Lhodo begged. "I feel uneasy running around only dressed with a towel!" Platina nodded and headed towards the direction they had been the day before. Lhodo followed him, but she had problems with walking. "Maybe we should find something else for you to wear," Platina suggested. "Hey! I want my bikini back! I do not intend running around in a shirt when it is hot like this!" she protested. "And if you tell them to give it back to me, they will. They have to listen to you! You can imprison them!" Platina sweatdropped and walked down the path, trying to see or hear his subordinates. But Jade was very clever, Zil was an hermit, and Carrol grew up tricking his older brother, so the chances they made a mistake were rather slim. "It's useless," Platina sighed. "We won't find them. There is no hint they have been here." "Yeah, you are right," Lhodo whispered and came closer to him. "Listen, maybe we have not been chasing them, but they us." Platina looked at her, obviously not understanding. "I have an idea," she said. "I go straight on, you walk back, and suddenly you..." She grinned and told him the rest of her plan. "You are insane," Platina sighed. "Believe me, Ouji!" she begged, using her innocent girly voice. "Please, Ouji!" "Stop that immediately!" he begged. Lhodo smiled and went on, while he had to go back. He still did not believe her, but if it made her happy... And he would not have to swim. He waited till he was sure Lhodo was far away. Deep inside he sighed when he pretended to stumble and fall down. "OUCH!" he screamed. Actually he did not mean to hurt his knee. Looking beneath him he noticed he had hit a stone. There was only /one/ stone here and he had hit it. Sitting down he tried to convince his knee to stop hurting, but it would not listen. "Don't move it!" someone said behind him and before he could turn around, he was already surrounded by blue hair. Carrol knelt next to him, having a look at the knee. Lhodo was right! Platina was speechless. "You... are... here?" "Of course I am," Carrol said. "We followed you. Jade and Zil are still over there, following Lhodo." "She is naked," Platina said. "I know," Carrol admitted, grinning. "It was great! You should have seen it!" While Carrol had a look if his knee was still alright despite the blood, Platina thought about how he should react now. Lhodo told him Carrol would take care, but she did not say how he could get back her bikini. "Uhm, Carrol," Platina said, "have you got...?" "Yes, I have," he said. "Why are you asking?" "I... would like to see it. You know, I could not ask Lhodo before, and I have never seen... what a bikini looks like," he lied. God, he was blushing furiously. Carrol laughed. "Of course you can!" Carrol smiled and gave him the bikini. "You should not study too hard, I think." He laughed some more, which made Platina blush. "I really... have no idea how you put that on," Platina eventually said. "I don't think I can show you," Carrol said smiling. Platina did not know what to say and he had gotten the bikini after all. But what should he do now? Stupid Jade and his stupid jokes! He had other things to worry about! "Is your knee alright?" Carrol asked. "Uhm, yes," Platina said. He had already forgotten it. Carrol tried to have a look at the knee, bending backwards, but he lost his balance and within seconds he was lying on top of Platina. The younger ouji opened his eyes widely, not knowing what to do. Should he stand up, should he stay, should he say something? Should he worry about the bikini? Carrol seemed to have the same thoughts... well, maybe not the one about the bikini. He slowly closed his eyes, bringing his face closer to Platina's. Platina could not resist, his eyes closed by themselves. His heart was beating faster, he felt Carrol's hair touching him, Carrol's face coming closer. "Hora, what are ya doin' there, little brother?" suddenly someone said really loud. Platina sat up straight, knocking his head against Carrol's. Both of them were rubbing their foreheads, not caring about the intruder. "Were ya wearin' a bikini?" he asked, pointing at the left over in Platina's hand. Eventually Carrol turned around. "Ruby? What... how come... why..." He was so confused, he did not know neither what to say nor what to do. Platina knew he had seen the face before, but still he didn't know what to do. Ruby? "Oi, oi, seems like I've disturbed you, ne, little brother?" he asked. "I am really sorry for ruinin' your little kiss." "You!" Carrol exclaimed angrily, his tiny wings beginning to flap. "What are you doing here?" Platina giggled as he saw Carrol's wings. He touched them cautiously, not caring about Ruby. "Well, what are ya doin' here?" Ruby asked. "New hairstyle I guess. Makes ya look really feminine. And also, the bikini." "Platina! You have found my bikini!" Lhodo exclaimed, rushing over to them. "I was right after all!" Not having noticed Ruby, she knocked him over. "Hey, watch out!" he shouted, grabbing her towel by instinct. She immediately kicked his private parts, but had forgotten men fall down when you do so. Thus Ruby fell down, together with her towel. "Woah! /Baka/!" she exclaimed, and had no other choice but to jump on him. "Hora, ya crazy?" Ruby screamed. "What's going on here?" Jade asked, amused. Zil smiled, not commenting the scene. Carrol and Platina eventually stood up; Carrol had not calmed down, his wings were still flapping. "Ruby-san, a naked woman is lying on top of you," a small voice suddenly said. Lhodo and Ruby were still fighting over the towel. "Stupid Aprasas! Wait until I have my towel back, then you will lose your fur!" "Don't talk, help me!" Ruby begged. "This woman is scratching and biting me!" "But Ruby-san," Plum said, "it is the mean old lady! She wants to kill me! Ouji! Come here, Ruby-san needs your help!" "Ah, Plum," Beryl laughed, "I think in this case Ruby can do it alone. I bet he wants us to leave!" "Stupid baka! Help me!" Ruby begged. But Beryl, Plum, Zil, Jade, Platina, and Carrol were just watching curiously. "Nani?" the older ouji asked, and appeared behind Ruby and Lhodo. "What are you doing there?" "Ani-ue!" Platina said, surprised. "Ah... Platina!" Alex whispered. "Jade!" Sapphirus shouted, immediately putting his arms around Alex. "Ouji, you should not talk to them... especially when they are... attacking... Ruby... naked... /Jade/! I bet this was your idea! Do not even think about doing that with Alex-sama!" "Hey, hey!" Jade said, "I am pretty innocent... concerning this... battle... or whatever it is. I just enjoy watching it." "Could eventually any of ya bakas help me?" Ruby asked. "Let go of my towel!" Lhodo exclaimed. "Then I'll leave you alone!" Ruby let go and Lhodo immediately wrapped the towel around herself. "Never ever do that again if you want to survive any minute longer!" she said. "I feel so dead," Ruby said. "She's worse than fifty angels!" "Platina, might I get my bikini back?" Lhodo asked. Her hair was loose now, and her cheeks were slightly red, and suddenly she appeared to be a helpless girl. "Yes, here." Platina gave it back to her, but she just stared at it. She could not put it on alone, after all she was being watched by all those men. "Shall I help ya?" Ruby asked. "After all, it's my fault yer in this position. Well, the last part's my fault." "Okay." She sighed. "I have no honor left anyway. Just make it quick, the others have seen enough of me already!" "What are you doing here?" Sapphirus asked and turned around, forcing Alex to turn around as well, not being able to look at Ruby and Lhodo. "We were here first, so what are /you/ doing here?" Jade asked. "We got lost!" Alex announced. "Shh! Ouji!" Sapphirus begged. "We did not get lost. I just... decided this area would be nicer than... the one we were heading towards." "But Sapphirus-san, have you forgotten? We got lost! You said so some minutes ago! And that you pray we might meet anyone who could help us to survive!" Plum remembered. Beryl laughed. "Give it up, Sapphirus." Jade laughed as well. "Thank you for being so honest, Sapphirus. We are here to teach Platina-sama how to swim." "Ah, you are able to swim?" Alex asked, looking at his younger brother. "No," Platina whispered, "Jade tried to teach me, but..." He stood up, looking at the ground. "I'll... go back to the tent. You have your bikini back, that was my purpose here." "Thank you for helping me," Lhodo whispered. She was still blushing. "Oi, Platina! Wait!" Alex said and ran after him. "Ouji, no!" Sapphirus begged. "We have no time to fool around!" "Hora, I wanna swim as well!" Ruby said. "I'm fed up with running around just because yer too stupid to read a map!" "Me too!" Beryl shouted. "The last one has to cook!" "Wait for me!" Plum shouted and followed. Beryl and Ruby immediately stopped. "Nani?" Plum asked. "Please go first," Beryl begged. "Yes," Ruby agreed. "Ya shouldn't be the last one. Your cooking is horrible." "Ah, you are so mean!" Plum exclaimed, running towards the lake. "Well, I suppose we also should go back," Zil said. Carrol nodded. "Yes. Before Ruby has any chance to enter our tent." "Hey! You have not said sorry yet!" Lhodo exclaimed. "Catch us!" Carrol laughed and ran away, Zil followed him. Lhodo stomped on the ground. "/Men/! Wait!" "I don't think it is right if we stay here," Sapphirus said. "The two ouji should not spend time together. Unless we want to drop our plan." "We can't do anything now, can we?" Jade asked. "Besides, maybe if we are having a nice time now, we can get closer to the ouji. It is summer time after all, and I don't think anybody wants to fight." "I doubt you are right," Sapphirus said. "But I can't do anything against it, can I?" The two of them walked back to the tent. ~~~~~ Platina was sitting on his stone, watching the rats again. He was not familiar with the crowd of people being suddenly there. Ruby, Beryl, and Plum swam a lot, screaming and splashing. He was not used to that. He wanted to be alone. "Ne, Platina!" Alex suddenly said. "You... can really swim someday?" "Ani-ue," he said, looking at his brother. "I... tried to learn it." "I am afraid of the water," Alex admitted, sitting down next to him. "Me too," Platina answered. "I feel like..." Alex said. "Falling," Platina whispered. "Do you remember it as well?" Alex nodded. "The voices... and it was so cold. I remember it clearly." Platina closed his eyes, his whole body trembling. "Worst was... the sound... right before the falling... the glass must have been broken... I just hear it over and over again, and..." "Shh, I am here, Platina," Alex said, hugging his younger brother. "You are not alone anymore. And you won't fall." "Ani-ue," Platina whispered, holding the smaller body close to him. Jade and Sapphirus did not miss that moment. "Not good," Sapphirus whispered. "Definitely not good," Jade agreed. ~~~~~ Back at the tent, the two groups were already busy discussing. "Oi oi, so yer cookin'!" Ruby laughed. "Shall we really eat that?" "I am just cooking for Platina's team, not Alex's team," Carrol pointed out. "Ah, but we need to eat as well," Ruby pointed out. "And Jade 'n' Sapphirus said, no fightin'. So ya have to!" "I don't have to do anything!" Carrol hissed, trying to ignore his brother. His wings started flapping again. "Ah, yer still mad, because I disturbed your kiss before, ne?" Ruby asked. He put an arm around Carrol, drawing his half-brother closer to himself and whispering into his ear, "But someday, ya might get to kiss somebody... /Ouch/! Stop hitting me with the cooking spoon!" "Then you better leave me alone!" Carrol suggested. "Otherwise you really won't get anything to eat." "Hey, Ruuubyyy!" Beryl exclaimed. He was sitting on Zil's shoulder, and directed him towards Ruby and Carrol. "Zil and I have found out something really interesting!" "I don't want to know," Carrol whispered. "Ah, you are cooking!" Beryl said. "And it smells delicious! Nobody on our team is able to cook, except Sapphirus. Nice to know we get to eat something good. Be nice to him, Ruby!" "Yes, be nice to me!" Carrol said. "Carrol, Ruby, we have an idea how Platina and Alex might lose their fear of water," Zil said, turning back to the topic of why he came to him. "Nah, tell us!" Ruby said. "It's rather easy," Beryl said. "Platina and Alex are afraid of water due to their birth. So, if we make them clear that they are not in the same position as back then, they will lose their fear." "Nice idea," Carrol said. "I thought the same. But the problem is, how are we going to do it?" "First of all, we should not tell Jade or Sapphirus about it," Zil said, "just to make sure... Carrol and I know that Jade's measures are not so caring. He would probably kidnap Platina in the middle of night and throw him into the lake." "And Sapphirus would just give up after Alex had used his 'very-innocent-eyes-attack' on him, and Alex would end up always being afraid of water," Beryl sighed. Ruby laughed. "Ne, so we're in a team, Carrol!" Carrol glared at him. "The things you do for Platina," Zil said smiling. "I think dinner is ready. I will go and fetch the others." "Yeah!" Beryl shouted, still sitting on his shoulders. "And make it fast!" Ruby giggled. "Things ya do for Platina! So yer in love!" Carrol blushed and turned away. "I am not. Baka." "Your new hairstyle looks odd," Ruby said. "Reminds me of your mother." Carrol turned round immediately, his eyes open wide. "Mother?" "Ya, she used to have hair like this, don't you remember? She always had a ponytail... in fact, she was the only person I have known and I always thought it looked great. Why do you think I wear my hair like that? Though her hair was much longer than mine," Ruby said. "Now that you say it... yes, I remember," Carrol said. "But I just made a ponytail so that my hair wouldn't get in the way when I am swimming. Well, actually Lhodo did it that way." "It's been a long time since I've seen your wings either. They are still so small," he laughed. "You'll never be able to fly with them!" "I do not intend to fly," Carrol pointed out. "And now grab a plate or I won't give you anything to eat." ~~~~~ Later both of the groups were sitting around the fire, enjoying Carrol's meal. Beryl and Plum were entertaining the others, telling stories, which made the others laugh. Except Sapphirus, he was made fun of. "Where did you get the striped swimming trunks from?" Jade asked. "Stop teasing me!" Sapphirus said. "Enough talking about stripes! Let's make fun of someone else!" "Oi, oi!" Lhodo said. "Jade is afraid of cats!" "Not true!" Jade shouted, throwing his bread at her. But
Lhodo just "You are! You refused to go into the town when there were two small kitties sitting there! Admit it!" "Fine! I admit it!" Jade said, leaning closer to Platina. "Thus I hope you will always protect me!" "You are crazy," Platina said. If looks could kill, Jade would have been dead already. Carrol looked daggers at him. "Hora, Carrol," Ruby whispered, "ya have to fight for your ouji! Ganbatte yo!" "You're a jerk," Carrol answered, but his eyes did not leave Jade and Platina, who were eventually pushing Jade away. Alex yawned and leant on Sapphirus. "Sapphi, I am tired! Tell me a story!" "Ah, Alex-sama, then we should go to our tent," Sapphirus suggested and stood up. "Good night, everyone!" Alex followed him, waving at the others. "I also want to hear the story!" Plum shouted. "Wait for me!" "Ah, me too," Beryl laughed. "Hey, wait for me!" Ruby shouted. "You are listening to his stories?" Jade asked a little bit suspicious. "His stories are crap," Ruby said, "but it is fun to tease him and ask pervert questions about the people he is talking about!" Beryl giggled. "We should also go to bed," Jade suggested. "Otherwise Alex-sama will be stronger tomorrow." "I will just take care of the rats," Platina said. "I will be back soon!" Jade nodded, and as he had the chance, slapped Lhodo on her back. "Why did you tell them about the cat story?" She laughed. "Ne, it was fun!" "That's our chance," Zil whispered to Carrol. "Let's go!" Carrol nodded and followed him. Platina was still was watching his rats. "Look! They have grown!" Carrol and Zil looked at each other, and Zil nodded softly. "What's the matter?" Platina asked. He already could feel they were up to something. "We won't lie to you," Carrol said. "We want you to learn swimming. Now. Together with Zil and me." "I have tried it before," Platina said. "You have seen that I can't." "Yes, but we have a different method," Zil promised. "Carrol and I will take care. No one else will be there." "Just give us one more chance," Carrol begged. "Only one! We promise, it won't be so bad!" "But Carrol, the sun is gone. It is night, the water is so dark!" Platina said. "I don't feel well when I think I should swim now." "The water is not dark," Carrol said. "Have a look. The moon is reflecting on the surface." Platina sighed. "Are you sure?" "We are," Carrol said, "trust us. Afterwards you will feel much better, when you win against your own fear!" Platina sighed. "But... when I don't want to anymore, I am allowed to go back!" "You are," Zil promised and climbed down the rocks to the shore. Carrol followed him and helped Platina to get down as well. "Well, give me your left hand," Carrol begged, "and Zil your right hand." Carrol and Zil were walking backwards, Platina could go forward into the lake. "I don't think it will help," Platina pointed out. "I am still afraid." "Look at us," Zil said. "Don't think about the water. Just concentrate on us and never let go of our hands." Platina held on tight and followed them. The more they walked, the slower they got. "I don't... want to go on," Platina said. "It is enough! Really!" "Two more steps," Carrol begged. "One for me and one for Zil." "I... I can't!" Platina said. "The water is already at my neck, I can't breathe... I can't!" He tried to get free. But Carrol and Zil were faster. With one quick motion Carrol pulled Platina closer, hugging him tightly. Zil did the same so that Platina had no chance to escape. "/No/!" Platina screamed. "No, let go of me!" "Close your eyes," Zil begged. "Try it at least once! We won't let you fall." Platina did not listen, but struggled some more. "No! I don't want to die!" "We won't let you fall!" Carrol repeated. "Give us this chance! We won't let you fall, never!" Platina eventually calmed down, but now he was holding too tight on Carrol and Zil, closing his eyes. "Can't breathe," Carrol whispered. "Me too!" Zil agreed. "But it is our fault, so let's go on." Carrol and Zil walked backwards until Carrol could not stand anymore either. Zil also began to swim as it was easier for Carrol that way. Platina did not talk, nor move, he just held on tight and had his eyes closed. But after some minutes, his body was not so tight anymore and he began to move his feet, obviously enjoying it a little bit. "See, you are not going to fall," Carrol whispered. "Everything is alright." Platina opened his eyes, looking around. "We are pretty far away." "Don't worry, we can go back any time," Zil promised. "We just wanted to show you that there is nothing to be afraid of." "I think I have got that now," Platina said, "but do not even think about letting go of me now." Carrol laughed. "Don't worry, Ouji. You don't have to get back to the shore all by yourself. No swimming lesson for today. Just the 'don't be afraid of water' lesson!" When they got back, Platina was suddenly very tired. In the end they decided it was better if Zil carried him to their tent while Carrol tried to wipe the water off. Of course it was impossible as their hair was wet, but after all, they did not want Jade to know what they had done, even if it was impossible to hide. ~~~~~ "What have you done to him?" Jade screamed. "Be quiet, he is still asleep," Carrol said. "Are you sure he is just asleep and not dead?" Jade asked. "What's the matter?" Sapphirus asked, coming out of Alex's ten. "Are there angels?" "Just idiots," Jade said. "Carrol and Zil have killed Platina." "We have not," Zil said, not caring about anything else. "We just took away his fear of water." "You don't have the right to do that!" Jade said angrily. "I am responsible for him! Stop acting on your own, you are just his subordinates." "And so are you," Carrol said, ready to fight. "There is no difference between you and us!" "What?" Jade asked, prepared to use his magic. "Stop it!" Alex begged, running between the two. "I might be not your personal prince, but I am the Prince of Naraku and I tell you both to stop! Your shouting woke me up and now I want to know why!" Jade ignored Alex's question. "Never do that again." "Don't you understand?" Carrol asked. "You are the same
as we are. You don't have any special rights. Maybe you have been with
him from the beginning, but Platina asked us to be on his side and fight
along with him. And now we are all equal. I have the same right to help
him as you have. Besides, your methods were cruel, you did not care
about him or "But Zil and you have?" Jade asked. "If I remember correctly, he was still alive after I had tried to show him how to swim. After your turn he is lying in a coma!" "What?" Alex shouted, running past Carrol and Zil into the tent. "Platina!" Lhodo was kneeling beside him, trying to wake him up. "Oi! Don't act like the spoiled princess! Get up!" "What's the matter with him?" Alex asked, sitting down next to his head and stroking his cheeks. "Platina... can you hear me?" "Of course he can," Lhodo said. "He is just really tired. He never wants to get up in the morning, you have to force him to. After the swimming lesson yesterday night he is still exhausted." "So he will wake up?" Alex asked, holding his younger brother close. "Of course he will," Lhodo laughed. "But not now. Maybe when lunch is ready." "Uhm, I'd like to wait here for him to wake up," Alex decided. "Is that okay?" "Yeah, stay with him," Lhodo agreed. "And I watch the fight, Jade versus Carrol. I hope Carrol kicks his ass. Revenge for slapping my ass yesterday!" "Ne, Platina," Alex whispered. "You can sleep now. I will take care that nobody disturbs you." ~~~~~ In the meantime Sapphirus, Ruby, Plum, and Beryl tried to stop Carrol and Jade. Zil had eventually helped Carrol and only due to Sapphirus's great effort they did not fight yet. "Carrol's right," Ruby said. "We're all equal." "What?" Sapphirus asked. "Excuse me, but it is clear I am higher than you. You are just his subordinate, I take care of him!" "But I take care of him as well," Beryl said. "I mean... when I am here and not drunk." "But that's something different," Sapphirus pointed out. "You come and go, I have to stay with him all of the time. I don't have time to go to a bar drinking! I have to teach him how to live!" "But we do the same," Zil said. Sapphirus and Jade looked at each other, both facing their biggest fear. The teams were planning a revolution. Definitely not good. "We have to wait for the ouji to wake up," Plum said. "We can't fight now without them knowing." "He's right," Ruby said. "Let's wait." Carrol was not happy with that resolution, and turned around and ran to Platina's rats. ~~~~~ Jade and Sapphirus walked away; they decided it was best to wait till Alex and Platina were awake. "It is horrible," Sapphirus said. "Jade, think about... you know... we have to be the ones in command!" "I know," Jade agreed, "but we must take care of the ouji's feelings. Platina depends a lot on Zil, Carrol, and Lhodo. And if they tell him to drop me, he might do it. Platina doesn't like me so much as Alex likes you." "But still," Sapphirus whispered, "I am afraid, I am
not so important to him as you think. He likes me, yes. But he just
needs me for cooking. Ruby is training him for battle, Plum is there
for him to have fun, and Beryl talks to him a lot. I have to make sure
none of them gets too close to him and not to be suspicious, but it
is really difficult to do "Talking about being suspicious, you have no idea how difficult it is to keep Carrol's hands off Platina!" Jade sighed. Sapphirus laughed. "Ne, are you jealous?" Jade glared at him and had that "never-say-that-again" expression. "The only option is to wait for them to wake up," Jade said, changing the subject, "and make clear we are the ones who want to settle this without a fight. I am sure Alex and Platina don't want to fight now, and we need every single advantage over the others." ~~~~~ Back at the tent, the two teams had breakfast together and discussed their strategy. "So it did work with Platina?" Beryl asked curiously. "Very well," Zil agreed. "He lost his fear as soon as he noticed that it had nothing to do with his birth." Lhodo was angry. "And you didn't tell me! I also wanted to help him!" "Sorry, but we had to make sure someone was keeping Jade busy," Carrol said. "We had thought he would not like the idea that we were getting more and more important to Platina. There is something fishy, if you ask me." "Ah, of course it is!" Plum said. "There are many fish in a lake." "Baka!" Lhodo shouted and hit him once. "He says there is something strange going on!" Beryl sat on Zil's shoulders again and looked curiously at Carrol. "What do you mean?" "It's just a feeling," Carrol admitted. "But something isn't right about Jade. I can't talk about Sapphirus as I have only met him thrice now. But Jade is definitely up to something. I just don't know what it is." Lhodo nodded. "Indeed, I have the feeling as well. The way he treats Platina doesn't always seem so right. It's hard to explain. Sometimes it is just the look in his eyes. For instance when we were going on a walk in the evening and you told the stories about the stars. And there was this sad expression in his eyes." "Hmm... is it the same with Sanbou-dono?" Ruby asked. "I've never cared about him so much. We just quarrel every once in a while, because I give Bouzu alcohol." "Sometimes he is different," Plum said. "When he tells Alex-ouji and me stories. Not the ones you listen to as well. But stories about angels." "Angels?" Carrol, Ruby, Lhodo, and Beryl exclaimed. Zil just sat there silently, though he was surprised as well. Plum nodded. "He said he had read a lot, so he knows what it is like in Heaven. Also, he told us stories when he was still an angel-hunter together with Jade. And he said some angels are pretty normal. And when they take off their wings they look like demons." "Just like my mother," Carrol whispered. "Hmm, good thought," Beryl said. "We should have a better look at the sanbou-dono." ~~~~~ "Shouldn't we go outside?" Platina asked. "The others are waiting for us." Alex was playing with his brother's hair, stroking it gently. "No, I want to be alone with you some more." Platina smiled a little bit and cuddled his older brother. "You were really swimming," Alex said. "I am so afraid of water, I could never do that. I admire you." "It is not so hard," Platina said. "I will help you. You just have to trust me." "I trust you," Alex said. "You know that, don't you? After I have... told you..." "Yes, I do," Platina said. "Let's stay here for a little longer," Alex begged. "At least for a little bit. I don't want to go back there and fight you..." "We don't have to fight," Platina promised. "At least not now." ~~~~~ Later in the afternoon the two princes joined their subordinates. Carrol and Zil were trying to paint a picture in the sand, and Plum and Beryl were trying to make a castle out of sand. Ruby and Lhodo were playing hide and seek; she still wanted revenge as he had seen her naked. Sapphirus and Jade were not there. "Ah, you are awake, Ouji!" Plum shouted and waved at him. "Look! Beryl and I made a castle for you!" Alex giggled and ran over to his friends, observing his new castle. Platina joined Carrol and Zil, who had done an amazing artwork. "That's wonderful," Platina said, "it's a landscape in winter, isn't it?" "Pretty bad topic on such a hot day," Carrol laughed, "but it was so hot and we were longing for snow. The main parts were done by Zil, I am just trying to ruin his picture." "You were doing well," Zil said. "Platina, come and join us." "I... don't know if I can do that," Platina said, but sat down next to them and shyly joined in. "Where is Jade?" Carrol sighed and stopped drawing. "We had a quarrel. I... he... was mad, because we taught you not to be afraid of the water. He said it was his task and we are not allowed to. He said we are lower than him." Platina looked at them. "I should go and talk to him. He is afraid I will abandon him when I don't need him anymore." "Good idea," Carrol whispered, a slight touch of jealousy in his voice. "You can talk to him later," Zil eventually said. "Don't you want to try swimming now? He is not here to see us, thus he doesn't have to know and he won't get mad." "Alright," Platina said, "I... will give it a try. But you have to stay with me and never let go of me." "You can trust us," Carrol said again as he stood up. He wore his hair still in a ponytail, and the longer he had the hairstyle, the more Platina grew fond of it. Platina looked over to his brother, he was still playing with Plum and Beryl. Lhodo and Ruby were still trying to catch each other, though it was clear Ruby was chasing her for another reason. "Ani-ue," Platina softly said, "Carrol and Zil will teach me how to swim now. Do you want to come along?" Alex looked over to the water. "I... I don't know. I think I better watch you until I know that it is really safe." Platina smiled and waved him to come closer. "I have to show you something. Here, you can take care of them until I return." He climbed on the rocks and Alex followed him, not sure what he was doing up there. "Here," he said, "look at the rats. They are still babies!" Alex giggled. "Oh, they are cute! And so many babies! I will take care until you return!" "Thank you, Ani-ue," Platina said, and climbed back to the shore and told Carrol and Zil that he was ready. This time it was easier for him to walk in the water. He trusted Carrol and Zil, who were still holding his hands. "Today we try to move a little bit around in the water," Zil said. Carrol nodded and both swam, holding Platina, into the middle of the lake. Alex was watching them, worrying about his brother. "Hey, wait for us!" Lhodo shouted and jumped into the lake, swimming towards them. "Platina, you are doing so well!" Ruby followed. "Hora, Carrol! I didn't know yer able to swim!" "Hey, you are tickling me!" Carrol shouted. "I have to make sure Platina doesn't drown! Ruby! Stop it!" Platina was desperately trying to hold onto Zil, but he was attacked by Beryl and Plum. The two smaller ones had a fight on who was allowed to sit on Zil's shoulders. Platina's last rescue was Lhodo. "Woah, Platina!" she said, not able to hold the taller prince. "Move your feet! Move them! Faster!" Platina moved his feet, though he didn't know why. Lhodo smiled. "Thank you. See, you can swim now. Well, at least you aren't drowning now." She let go of him and Platina was able to keep his head above the water surface without anybody's help. "Ah, Platina!" Carrol cheered, succeeding in pushing Ruby away. "This is the first step to learn swimming! Try to imitate Zil, who is still fleeing from Beryl and Plum." "I... don't know," Platina said. "I am barely able to keep myself alive." "Give it a try!" Ruby shouted. "Carrol and I'll help ya." "He is my ouji!" Carrol shouted. "Get your ouji into the water and help him! Hands off him!" Platina smiled. "I need the two of you. So, is... this alright?" He tried to swim and surprisingly he did well. "Very good!" Carrol shouted. "Zil! Plum! Beryl! Look!" Ruby swam next to him, "Ya're doin' well, but try to move the feet a little bit slower, otherwise ya're gonna be tired!" Platina swam a little bit, until Zil decided it was enough. Beryl on his shoulders -- he had won against Plum -- Zil took Platina back to the shore. "Platina!" Alex shouted and ran towards him. "You can swim!" He hugged his younger brother, not caring that he got wet as well. "Ani-ue," Platina softly said, hugging him as well. Jade applauded. "Very good, Platina-sama! We were watching you." For a short moment Sapphirus was sure he saw Jade smiling, and not one of those fake smiles he had so often. Jade and Sapphirus had been at the other side of the lake, going for a walk and watching him. Also, they had decided it was best to let the others be more important to the ouji, unless they started to want too much power. "Thank you, Jade," Platina answered. "I am glad you are back. You shouldn't leave me without telling me where you are going to." "I am sorry I didn't tell you. We were just going for a walk," Jade said smiling. "I am really glad we made it back in time so that we could still see you swimming! I think you deserve a wonderful meal today. Ne, Sapphirus, you are the best cook. You have to do it!" Sapphirus sighed, but couldn't help but smile. "Alright. Platina-sama did very well." Suddenly Alex turned around and ran back to the tiny rats. "Alex-sama!" Sapphirus shouted. "I didn't mean that you don't do well!" "It's alright," Platina said, "you do the cooking and I'll go and talk to him." He followed his brother, sitting down next to him. "You can do everything," Alex whispered. "You can fight better, you are taller, you are wiser, you can use your magic, you can swim..." "I will teach you," Platina said. "Tonight." Alex looked at him, surprised. "But Platina, what... if I drown?" "I rescue you and you rescue me," Platina suggested. "And if we both die, then the world will be a better place." "But... the others are here," Alex said. "They will see how afraid I am." "We will meet in the night," Platina whispered, "when the others are asleep. Then no one will see it." Alex nodded. "Thank you, Platina." The princes had a whale of a time watching the rats while the others were still swimming, and in Sapphirus' case, cooking. "Ouji! Ouji!" Plum suddenly shouted. "Come here! Quick! Ouji! Ouji!" "Plum?" Alex asked, turning around. "What's the matter?" The small Aprasas was jumping, hopping around, more excited than ever. "Let's have a look," Platina suggested and climbed down, helping Alex to follow him. "Look! Look!" Plum shouted, holding something red in his paws. "You are bleeding!" Alex shouted. "Don't move! Sapphi can help you!" "No, Ouji!" Plum said, giggling. "Ouji is always so funny! These are strawberries!" "Straw?" Alex asked, looking at the berries. Beryl took a berry and ate it. "Yummy! Well done, Plum!" "Ah, you can eat that?" Platina asked. "I have never heard of strawberries..." "They are very sweet!" Carrol said. "You can try one. But be sure you don't get too addicted to them!" He also took one and smiled while eating it. "Are there more in the woods?" Ruby asked. "I doubt we all will have enough." Plum nodded and pointed at the direction he had found them. Lhodo immediately wanted more and ran to the spot Plum was pointing at. "You really can eat this?" Alex asked, carefully holding his strawberry. "They are not poisoned?" "Try one," Carrol suggested, putting a strawberry into Platina's mouth. "They are very sweet and delicious." Platina opened his eyes widely, but ate the berry, smiling while he did so. "I like them!" Alex nodded and ate his as well. "Woah! They are delicious! Sapphi! You have to take along strawberries wherever we go!" ~~~~~ "I don't think I can do it," Alex whispered. "I... really can't." "I did it as well," Platina said, comforting his older brother. "Don't think about the past. It has nothing to do with it. Give me your hands and just look at me." Alex did so, shaking with fear. "I... I... Platina, no... the water is so dark and... and... no, I don't want to." Platina knew that Alex had to lose his fear, but he wasn't so strong as Carrol and Zil, he couldn't stop Alex from escaping. He had to use another plan. "Alright, then... you hug me. And close your eyes." "But... Platina," Alex said, "it won't change anything!" "It will," Platina promised. "Trust me... and the more you are afraid, the more you have to trust me. I won't go far... but as you are smaller, I will still be able to stand and you won't." Alex nodded. "But never let go... never..." "Never," Platina repeated, walking backwards. He felt safe with Alex being so close to him, even when he knew Alex could not save him. "I bet the rats wonder who is swimming this late at night." Platina smiled. "Ah, you think so?" Alex asked, looking back to the rocks, where the rats lived. "They are so cute, aren't they?" Platina felt Alex getting more and more used to the water and losing his fear. "It's not so bad, is it?" Platina asked. Alex nodded and smiled at him. "Thank you, Platina... I really thought it would be worse." They stopped when Platina couldn't stand anymore. "Lhodo showed me a trick today. Move your feet, fast. Then you can't drown." "Thank you, Platina," Alex said again. "Not for only teaching me this, but also for being there for me. I am so glad we could talk today and that we..." "Shh," Platina whispered. "It's okay. I promised it to you... and you promised it to me. You don't have to worry about it anymore." "Can you... show me how to move my arms and legs?" Alex asked. "I want to swim now with you. And I want to do it every night. And next time when we hear that noise, I will rescue you. And you won't fall." "Ani-ue," Platina said, blushing a little bit, "you are..." "Your elder brother, and responsible for you!" Alex said. "I won't let you die." Platina smiled. "I am your younger brother and responsible for you. I won't let you die." "I think they can swim now," Ruby whispered. Carrol nodded. "No reason for us to interfere..." "I also want to swim!" Plum said. "Not now," Beryl whispered. ~~~~~ "Where's our ouji?" Plum asked, hopping around Sapphirus, who was busily making breakfast for the whole group. "Swimming," Sapphirus answered. "I hope Jade is still with them." "Ah, Ouji swims a lot now," Plum said. "Ouji has no time left for us! He is only with Platina now, ignoring us. He doesn't like us anymore..." "No, he likes us a lot," Sapphirus said, smiling a little bit, "but he enjoys swimming now and also being with his brother. You know that he has to fight him later on, and he wants to spend all the time he has with his little brother." "But he is still my friend?" Plum asked. "Your best friend," Sapphirus said. "Now help me with the plates. I am not used to cooking for so many people. Even when I have an assistant now." Zil just nodded, not talking too much. Plum giggled and tried to stand on tiptoe. "Zil-san, you are soooo tall! I wonder what the world looks like when you are so tall!" Zil bent down. "Want to sit on my shoulders and see it yourself?" "Hai!" Plum laughed and climbed on his shoulders. "Ooooh, that's really high! I feel like sitting on a mountain!" Sapphirus smiled, watching them. Everyone got along so well, it was so sad that he and Jade had to... ~~~~~ "You are really good at swimming now," Jade said. "I am proud of you." "You don't say that so often, flattering doesn't help," Platina answered, but still smiled. "It was ridiculous being afraid of water in the first place." "Ne, I still don't feel so well," Alex said. "At least not when you aren't with me. You always have to swim at my side, Platina!" "Ani-ue," Platina sighed, "I can't do that!" "Of course you can!" Alex pointed out. "You can swim so there is no reason for not swimming next to me." "But... our ways have to separate again," Platina whispered. "You and your team will leave after lunch." Jade yawned. "Don't be so sad, I am sure you will meet each other again soon." "Yes, but then... we have to..." Alex could not finish the sentence. Jade sighed. Swimming behind Alex, he held him tight, tossed him into the air and watched him dive under the water. Platina couldn't help but laugh as well. "Ah, you could have killed me!" Alex shouted as he regained control over his body. "I will tell that to Sapphi!" "Do so," Jade begged, "and tell him to come here as well, I really want to do the same to him!" "I am glad you are not my sanbou-dono," Alex said, being the spoiled prince as usual. "I will tell Sapphi to give me the strawberries, which should have been yours!" "Don't you dare!" Jade shouted, following him. "Somehow... it is a pity he isn't Ani-ue's sanbou-dono." Carrol giggled. "Our life'd be a lot funnier." Ruby nodded. "And the bedtime stories would be naughtier!" Beryl said. "Another point for switching sanbou-dono!" "And Carrol mustn't be so jealous anymore." Ruby laughed. Carrol immediately blushed again. "What is he talking about?" Platina asked curiously. Beryl laughed some more. "Ne, Platina-sama, there is something you should know." "Don't you dara!" Carrol shouted, swimming after him. ~~~~~ "Will miss ya," Ruby said, "and you're cooking! And the tiny wings. And the teasing!" Carrol sighed, his wings flapping again. "Just make sure you are prepared. Next time I am going to win!" "I will miss sitting on your shoulders," Beryl sighed. "It's much nicer than walking!" Zil smiled a little bit. "There will be times when I can carry you again." "Lhodo-san!" Plum said. "You must not eat so many strawberries! You will get fat!" Lhodo laughed. "If I am fat, I will go hunt you until you give me a new body!" "Lhodo-san is really clever!" Plum said, laughing. "You know what I want to say," Alex said. "Thank you, Platina." "No need to say thank you, Ani-ue," Platina said. "And you still remember the promise?" Alex asked. "I won't forget it," Platina said, "but you also have to remember it!" Alex hugged his younger brother tightly. "I won't hug you!" Jade said to Sapphirus. "I am glad you say so," Sapphirus answered. "Otherwise I will fetch a cat." "And I will ban stripes!" Jade said, laughing. "I shouldn't have given you strawberries!" Sapphirus sighed. Platina and his team stayed behind, watching the others leave. "Sapphirus!" Jade suddenly exclaimed, "I thought you were going to the castle!" Sapphirus stopped and turned around. "Yes!" Laughing, Jade shouted, "You have to go to the east then! That is the wrong direction!" Alex slapped Sapphirus slightly. "Why can't you ever find the right way?" "What was that promise Alex and you were talking about?" Lhodo asked curiously. "We said that after the battle, the winner has to take care of the team of the loser. We just want to make sure none of you is suffering." "That's really nice," Carrol said. "I know some ways to take care of Ruby when you are King!" "Uuuuh, and I will take away Sapphirus's stripes," Jade giggled. "Really, I can't wait till you are King, Platina!" "I just learned swimming, and now he is talking about me being King." Platina sighed. "Jade, you are never satisfied with what you have!" ~~~~~ The End |