Now, for the past two years we've been following Vlalan and Elle around as they travelled through Barbatous and Morata, the two worlds that the living can live in- parallel worlds that affect each other. But, let's go to another side of Vlalan's family and one year into the past. We see Vlalan's cousin twice removed, who is two years younger than him (Vlalan at age 19 now). This is Kura, usually dressed in dull greens and browns and reserved. Finally allowed to leave his village, Kura has been sent to Pine Village to learn to socialize with people. Of course, he's not exactly happy with the sudden change.

Today is the day of a great festival, September 10 is known here as the "Fall Gathering" festival, where many people gather in the town centers and big cities to dance, sing and socialize. Kura sat in the back of the town center, the middle lit by a huge bon fire and many lanterns and lights strung all around. In his hand, Kura had a small little lantern that showed he was wearing his usual dull green sweatshirt and dull brown cargo pants. The fire lit up in his cyan eyes but vanished as his black hair seemed to swallow it, only to be reignited by the single streak of blond of his bangs.

Kura sighed heavily. He hated these sort of parties; there wasn't ever anything fun to do. Someone else thought otherwise, a prince from the desert named Rindou Kakan, open and charming. Rindou had looked around the crowd and saw only one person of interest, so he decided to walk over and sit next to Kura on the bench.

"Hello!" Rindou said happily, smiling so much his violet eyes even seemed to smile with him.

"Hi," Kura replied quite dully.

Rindou frowned and poked Kura's cheek to get the teenager to look at him. "What's your name?"

"Kura." he answered blatantly.

"Ohh pretty! I'm--"

"Prince Rindou Kakan," Kura finished for him. Rindou pouted at being cut off. "I'm guessing you're here on political business?"

"Yup! I'm looking for a person to help me rule!" Rindou nodded.

Kura nodded and pointed to the group of girls a few benches away, "Try them."

"But you are more interesting!" Rindou answered, leaning close to the other. "So what do you say? Want to rule with me? By my side."

Kura blinked with a blank face and then stood up and walked off, saying over his shoulder, "Sorry, but ruling a city isn't my idea of fun."

Rindou pouted, stood up and followed. He carefully looked around him to make sure none of his bodyguards would see him sneaking off and out of their sight, and protection. "Aw c'mon! Why not?"

Kura stopped, standing next to an old maple tree a good distance from the square. He turned, the lantern lighting up his thing figure, "I told you. Ruling something isn't any fun."

"Why not?" Rindou asked again, walking over to Kura. "You get to boss people around and can have anything you want!"

"A laidback lifestyle is boring." Kura answered dryly. "I want to work for what I want. Not just ask for it and have it."

"Asking for it is working for it," Rindou tried.

Kura shook his head, "You wouldn't understand. You've probably never worked for anything in your life."

"WHAT?!"

"If you really want me by my side, try to convince me by first earning my respect. Not my attention," Kura said and started to walk away again.

Rindou reached over and grabbed Kura's wrist, pulling the other to him. "Okay. And if I succeed, I can have you?"

"Sure, but that doesn't mean I'll rule with you."

"Then what's the point?!"

"You'll have a person who respects you for your, not your title you have from birth." Kura replied.

Rindou blinked, honestly surprised someone could say that line so perfectly. It actually went through his head and stuck in his mind. "And if I fail..?"

"Then you can't bug me ever again."

Rindou nearly fainted; never being able to talk to this interesting person would be like death. "Fine! Then I'll definately succeed! How long do I have?"

"Three days."