Title: The Blindfolded

Shidou stood still as the black of his leather cloak swirled around his legs, flowing with the soft breeze that blew quietly. So this is it, he thought, today is the day I go off with some woman I don't even know. He hated this time of year, it's when supposedly the princesses of the world come to the institution to pick out a bodyguard for their "journeys". He sighed, he had gone off with two of them, yet both times, he returned, not having been up to their "standards." Hopefully this year, nobody chose him.

The mass of princesses and their families swarmed throughout the institution, taking away ones of their choice. Shidou quietly shrunk into a corner and waited, praying that no one discovered him. Although the black of his cloak didn't exactly blend into the pure whiteness of the wall, he somehow managed to escape the searching eyes of the royal ladies. Soon, the hubbub died down a bit and only a few were left, picking their choices. The manager came up to him, "Looks like everyone will be going this year, yes, you too." Shidou sighed, "But there's no one left." "Ahh, but there is one," the manager said. Shidou cursed silently to himself and waited as the manager pointed out a girl standing quietly by the door, facing not toward him, but the other direction, as if viewing the nice outside scenery.

Picking up his favored weapon of choice, he approached her. The manager followed suit but he spoke to her while Shidou stood by, watching. The manager explained to the girl about the policy as it seemed like she was the only one who did not understand. She nodded after he had finished. "Well," the manager said, turning to Shidou, "You two may go." Shidou eyed the princess. She didn't look like one. Dressed in a simple clothes that oddly resembled a high school uniform, she looked more like a schoolgirl than a princess. Shidou grumbled as the girl did not move. She extended her hand outward, "Shidou?" Shidou did not answer and she called his name again. "What!?" he yelled with unintended force. She drew her hand back and whimpered. "Go! What are we waiting for!" Shidou yelled, a bit softer this time and not so harsh. The manager, who had been standing by all this time quietly decided that it would be a good time to tell him.

"Shidou?" the manager began, "You'll have to lead her wherever she goes, she's blind." Shidou's mouth fell open, "Blind?"


:mint29: soo how was it...

GOING DEEPER:

The Guardians, sworn protectors of the traveling princesses of the world.
The Books of Knowledge, what each princess holds and must deliver to a safe sanctuary with a little help from a Guardian.

A Guardian though, is not without free will...

1. a Guardian does not get paid at the institution
2. a Guardian can be paid by the princess (her choice)
3. a Guardian can request to be paid by the princess
4. a Guardian can refuse pay from a princess
5. a Guardian can refuse pay yet ask for something else in return


The Books of Knowledge...

1. The books are only to be carried by one pure of heart
2. They are not to be opened while a princess is journeying
3. If not placed in the correct sanctuary, unholy happenings will take place
4. If not placed in the correct sanctuary, and the princess realizes her mistake, she must take the book out of the sanctuary in a matter of 60 seconds and burn it. Then, make her way back home to wait until next year.
5.The Guardian is not allowed to touch the book when journeying with a princess for only she is "supposedly" pure of heart


Princesses...

1. When the priest/priestess believes them to be right of age, he/she will send the princess with her parents off to the institution.
2. The princess is not required to pay the Guardian but if he requests it, she may refuse.
3. If the Guardian asks not to be paid but for something in return for his trouble, the princess must comply.
4. The princess can send the Guardian back to the institution if she believes that he is not helpful enough, or useful enough to guide her through the journey.
5. Until after finishing the journey, the princess can not return home.
6. If the princess dies on the journey, the royal family may adopt the Guardian into the family. The Guardian cannot refuse the request.


oi.... that's confusing.....

It's good so far hope you update soon. :rose:

OK, now continuing with the ACTUAL STORY


Shidou held out his hand and she clasped it tightly. The two of them left the building and walked side by side. Many hours passed by and the two of the them entered a village to spend the night. They entered an inn. "Shidou?" the princess called out. "Hmm?" he said. "There's money in the little pouch," she said. Reaching into the pouch that hung from her shoulder, he pulled out a few coins and placed them on the counter. "How many rooms?" the receptionist asked. "Just one," Shidou answered. "All right," the receptionist answered, "Your room has a plaque to it, the plaque is your room name, so your room name is PHOENIX."

Shidou nodded and escorted the princess toward the steps. Together the both of them made it slowly up the stairs. Leading her to the room, he let her sit on the bed while he returned downstairs to get food for the both of them. When he returned, he nearly dropped the tray seeing that she was no longer sitting on the bed, but some giggling sounds caused him to look on the other side of the bed to find her on the ground playing with the white cat that she had brought along.

"So uh," Shidou began, "What's your name?" She looked at him as if knowing that he was right there, "Mikomi." Shidou nodded, then realizing that she couldn't see him, muttered an 'ok' That night, as she lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling and he sat by the wall he asked her, "Mikomi, that means hope, doesn't it?" She turned to him, 'Yes, yes it does."

Shidou remained restless throughout the night, with Mikomi asleep, he had nothing to do. He could barely make our her figure on the bed, and he watched as she switched sides to sleep on her left side, facing the wall, and him. Wondering if she was awake, he called out her name, "Mikomi?" "Hmm?" she murmured. "Uh, well, I'm not sure exactly what it is that I'll be facing if we keep traveling, so do you happen to know?" Silence followed his question and he stood up and walked over to the bedside to find that she had dozed off again.

"So in answer to you question, I really don't know," Mikomi answered. Shidou sighed, "You have absolutely no idea whatsoever?" Mikomi nodded.

The two of them set of again, Shidou leading the way while Mikomi cautiously followed along, her hand, tightly clasped in his. "Where are we going again?" Shidou asked. "That way," Mikomi responded rather quickly, pointing. "Are you sure?" Shidou asked, eyeing the jagged rocks that jutted up from the ground. Mikomi nodded, falling back into one of her silent states again. He look at her, staring at the ground. "I hate it when you do that," Shidou stated, "It's like you're not even there." Mikomi frowned in his direction. Shidou chuckled, "Well, come on then, it'll take awhile to get over the rocks and we'll need a place to stay the night. Besides, the sun's going down, we should hurry."


wow, i think my updates are getting shorter and shorter XD
i'll make the next one long... LONGGGGG

this seems really good, I hope you update soon.

Hope update soon. :rose:

YAY! THANX!!!! :angelstar7: I promised this would be long. So yea... I'll try to keep it.

Mikomi stumbled over the rocks, but remained safes as Shidou grabbed her hand to keep her from toppling over. She breathed a sigh of relief, "Thanks Shidou." He nodded. A few hours of struggling later, the two had reached the bottom of what had actually been a cliff. Shidou looked around at the deserted wasteland up ahead, but did not say anything, trusting Mikomi's judgement. "You're quiet today, is something wrong?" Mikomi asked. Shidou shook his head, then, remember that she was blind, muttered a quick 'no'. So the pair continued on. "Mikomi? There's nowhere to rest for the night, are we going to keep walking?" Shidou inquired. "I'm sure there's someplace up ahead," Mikomi answered reasurringly. Shidou fell back into his silent state again, his face, a bright red.

Why can't I stop staring at her? What's wrong with me? I've never felt this way before. Shidou's thoughts were interrupted by the loud sound of something head their way. Shidou shielded his eyes from the sun and peered out across the sand. As the dust cloud that had been far in the distance a few minutes ago neared, he pulled out his weapon, something told him that this wasn't good. He peered over at Mikomi who had collapsed to the ground and just sat there staring forward with her unseeing eyes, "What's happening?" Shidou's face turned red when she turned to "look" at him. She's so cute and adorable. Shidou mentally slapped himself, What's wrong with you? Focus! FOCUS!

A giant scorpion scrambled across the soft brown colored sand. Shidou looked up at the scorpion's stinger, backing away slowly. Then remember his duty to the princess, he took a few steps forward again. The scorpion brought its stinger into the ground, but Shidou managed to evade it, jumping up and chopping of the stinger end. Rearing up in pain, the scorpion ran after Shidou, frantically trying to attack him with a stinger that now no longer existed. Leaving him with no choice, Shidou reached inside a pouch he kept with him at all times and pulled out another weapon, shuriken ( the ninja star thingies). He threw the shuriken and all three that he threw found their mark somewhere on the body of the scorpion who seemed to be prancing around in pain. Though, tired, Shidou knew this was an easy battle and despite all the running around that had made him tired, he could finish the hurting animal quickly. Racing toward the animal, he jumped and brought down his katana in a finishing strike, ending the animal's miserable life once and for all. Sighing, he planted his sword in the last spot he'd been standing, in a pool of the poor creature's guts, and made his way over to the trembling princess.

He put his arms around her, trying desperately to calm the sobbing girl, and the while, his face turned redder, and redder, and redder. "You okay now?" he whispered in her ear. She nodded and threw her arms around him, tears still streaming down her cheeks. He smiled and blushed, thankful that she couldn't see him. Setting her back onto her feet and taking her hand again, he guided her around the gruesome display that he had left behind, only stopping to grab his weapon that had aided him so loyally in battle. Together, the two walked off into the setting sun and into a small town where they decided to stay for the night.

"Shidou?" Mikomi called out in the middle of the night. "Hmm?" he grumbled. "Well, I was wondering, if you hate royalty so much and I died, how would stand living with my family?" A deathly silence followed her question. "I won't let you die," Shidou answered softly, "I care about you too much." "Really?" she wondered aloud. "Just how much is too much?" she said, probing further into the topic. Again, Shidou did not reply, and Mikomi assumed that he was crafting a clever reply in his mind so she waited patiently. At long last, Shidou stood up and walked to the side of her bed, "Go to sleep." She grumbled, annoyed that he had ignored her question completely, "Not until you answer my question." Shidou sighed, "I-I can't answer it." "Why not?" Mikomi asked, preparing to bombard him with even more questions if he refused to answer. Shidou took her delicate hand in his, "I..."

MUAHAHA I LOVE cliffhangers! DOn't YOU! WEEE, I should just leave it for the rest of the week shouldn't I! :Wink wink: teehee!

i think that was long enough, to make up for the shortness of my other updates, i think... i hope... plz be long enough... XD

why do I already have an idea about what's going to happen next? oh yeah I already picked up your style of writing. YOu're very good at this.

really? well awesome! soo let's see how close you get:

A loud knock on the wooden door interrupted Shidou in mid-sentence. Grumbling, he got off the bed and opened the door. "Sir? You need to leave immediately, golems are attacking the town. "G-Golems?" Shidou stuttered. The manager nodded, it's best that you two leave quickly. Stumbling back toward the wall he had been sitting by, he grabbed his sword and slung across his back, straping it to his chest, setting Mikomi gently on her feet, he quickly led her out of the inn.

gaaahh.. i have to go! update later!

yay I gueesed right, he was inturrupted ^^

Great updates. Hope you update again real soon.

Sorry for the late updates!


As the pair ran out of the small town just as the giant creatures began their mass destruction of the town. "Shidou? Don't you think we should help the people?" Mikomi asked. "We can't help them, those creatures are too powerful, let's go!" He answered. "But Shidou!" Mikomi protested. "It's too dangerous!" Shidou said firmly, "Besides, I have to take care of you." Mikomi visibly frowned, "A-Am I that much of a burden?" Shidou froze, "A burden? Not at all." Mikomi nodded she walked off with him although she did not believe his last words, not at all....

The birds sang cheerfully to the pair as they marched through the forest and after the rain that had poured down the previous night, mud. They trudged slowly through the stubborn goo and had to make each step an important one. Seeing the sun finally come up, the pair sighed knowing that the mud would soon dry. Shidou's stomach growled in protest at not having been fed breakfast yet, "Mikomi? You hungry?" She shook her head, intent on getting the muck off her boots.

As the exited the green lumps of trees, they spotted two other travelers. They approached the resting pair of people. "Well, well, look what we have here, it's Shidou," the man said. The girl who sat with him made a face at Shidou, who returned her grimace with a face of his own. Mikomi stood by silently, unable to see what was happening in the silence and groping for Shidou's arm, found it and clung to it. " I heard there was a blind princess this year, that usually doesn't happen since the royal family often slaughter blind children," the man said, smirking. Mikomi shivered, thinking of the incident (sp?) that would have happened to her had her mother not saved her. "Shut your mouth, Kira," Shidou spat.


Well, im stuck for now.... :snailride: <--- yup, my brain will be operating like a snail.... so while that's happening, check out my other story in the InuYasha fanfiction section, it's under the title The Noble Enigma and the Glass Servant. YAY!

sorry, i've been thinking a bit about how i should continue this but, i'm not quite sure how far i'll get, so let's see:

"Don't talk that way to Kira!" the princess retorted. "Calm down Mimi, it's okay," Kira said, reaching for her hand. Mimi glared at Shidou angrily, shaking her fist at him. "Let's go," Mikomi whispered to Shidou. He nodded, and the two began to head in the direction of the nearest village on their path to the sanctuary. "Where do you think your going?" Kira asked. Mimi continued, "Yeah, why don't you come rest with us since we're all headed in the same direction."

The group of four came to a stop as they encountered a group of bandits. "Hey, why don't you just hand over those little pretty girls you got there, and we'll let you off easy," one of them sneered. Shidou glared at him, taking out his sword. Kira pulled out his sword and took up a defensive stance. 'Oh ho ho... looks like they wanna fight, well, we'll give them one, won't we boys?" another bandit said. The five bandits charged and Shidou quickly took one out. Kira stabbed another one, who died instantly, however, he was unaware of the bandit that had snuck around him and was headed toward Mimi. Shidou noticed his movement, and tackled Mimi, saving her from a death.

oh... i have to go, i'll continue sometime later.... =D

That was interesting, update soon!

waaahhh i don't have a lot of time, but i'll see what i can get done:

Mimi stared up at her savior, "Thanks." Shidou nodded silently. "GET OFF OF HER!" Kira demanded, turning around to attack him. "NO! Kira! Leave him alone!" Mimi cried. Kira stopped, "What?" "I said leave him alone! He saved my life," Mimi blushed. Shidou looked around, counting the number of bodies he found on the ground. 4 he thought, wait... there were five bandits.... "Mikomi!" Shidou called out. The silence that hung in the air was frightening. "Damn it, he took her, that bastard." Mimi looked concerned, "What's the matter?" "She's gone... Mikomi's gone," Shidou muttered in disbelief. "Well, we can find her," Mimi said, stating the obvious. "Yeah, I know, but..." Shidou started. "But what?!" Mimi said. "The guy who took her, I- I know him, he...." "You know him?!" Mimi cried, "But that man was like... ANCIENT!" Shidou nodded, "He's... my father...."


OOOH!!!! okie.... update some time soon! promise =D

hmm where'd everyone go? -_- here we go:

The trio traveled into the nearest town. The heavy-hearted Shidou followed Mimi and Kira as they searched for a suitable resting place. During the small amount of time that had passed, Mimi had taken a liking to her saviour. She slipped from Kira's side and grabbed Shidou's arm tightly, clinging to it, "Come on, cheer up! We'll find her!" Shidou smiled weakly. Mimi frowned, this is going to have to be drastic. Mimi stood in front of Shidou. Tiptoeing, she brushed her lips against his. Shocked, Shidou stumbled backwards a few steps. He looked away, blushing slightly. Kira stared at the pair. Mimi turned around to face Kira, who watched her sadly. "Kira?" she asked. Kira shook his head and walked off. Mimi followed after her Guardian loyally. Shidou seeing his new admirer walking off, he ran after them.

Shidou awoke to a knocking on his door. He grudgingly sat up and opened the door. The next few seconds became a blur as he found himself half-naked on the bed. He felt a hand, pressing softly against his lean chest, looking up, his eyes met hers. "Mimi..." he whispered softly. She lay herself on top of him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "What are you doing?" Shidou mumured. Mimi stared lovingly into his eyes, "I love you." "What?" Shidou hissed, "But we just met!" Mimi snuggled against him, "I know, but I've had my eye on you ever since we met. Haven't you heard of love at first sight?" Shidou nodded, "Yea... I have." Mimi smiled at him, "I belive that we're meant for each other." Shidou shook his head, "No..." Mimi's head snapped up, "What?" "My heart..." Shidou began, "It belongs to Mikomi...." Mimi sat up, glaring at him, "Mikomi this Mikomi that, you've only known her for a short while too!" "But she's not like you," Shidou whispered. "Of course not!" Mimi retorted, "She's definitely not as pretty as me!" Shidou pushed Mimi off his body as he sat up, "She's more beautiful than you'll ever be!" Mimi gasped at his comment, "How could you say that!" Shidou eyed her menacingly, "She's not tainted like you!" "I am NOT tainted!" Mimi spat. "You don't know how tainted you are," Shidou mumbled, "Mikomi's gentle, innocent, and kind, those are traits you'll never have!" Kira burst into the room, "Mimi!" Kira pulled the girl to his chest, "What did you do to her?" "Nothing," Shidou said truthfully. "You bastard," Kira said.

Shidou walked along the roads sadly, ashamed of himself. Wishing for Mikomi, he wandered aimlessly through the town. He passed by stalls selling little trinkets, but stopped and turned back. He eyed the tinkling trinkets as they swayed in the wind. Producing money from a little sack by his side, he handed it to the merchant and picked out of the trinkets. Slipping it into a pocket, he walked off, hoping dearly that he would see Mikomi again.

Mikomi sat tied up and gagged in a dark corner of a room. A man stood above her, watching her with a malicious smile plastered on his face. Mikomi whimpered to herself, Shidou, where are you? Frightened, she willed herself to be as strong as possible, I have to trust him, Shidou will come for me, I know he will, I have to believe in him...

Shidou racked his brains for the most likeliest place his father could have taken Mikomi. Shidou sighed, he hadn't known his father for long and did not know much about him. But the idea had struck him that there was not another town for many many miles, so he would have stopped here. Shidou believed his father would be a reasonable man and decided he would be smart enough to stay for a bit in the town. His spirits now a bit higher, he rambled quickly through the streets of the town, searching for likely places that Mikomi could be held. Shidou stopped before a deserted building, looking around and seeing no one around, he slipped into the building. Shidou's mouth fell open as he spotted her, curled up in the far corner of the room. If he listened well enough, he could here her sniffling. Shidou watched her, his heart shattering with every sniffle he heard. He longed to run to her, to hold her in his arms and comfort her, but he couldn't. He had to be careful. Shidou cautiously took a step but backed up as soon as he spotted the sword coming at him from the dark. Pulling out the weapon he depended on so much, he ran forward, parrying blows given to him by the attacker. He glared at his enemy, his own father. "Well, well Shidou, it's been a while, how's your mother?" "You leave my mother out of this!" Shidou growled. Shidou's father chuckled evilly.

Mikomi perked up as she heard shuffling feet and talking. That voice! It's Shidou! Mikomi screamed into the gag in her mouth. Distracted my the muffled sound of Mikomi's scream, Shidou turned to look at her. Shidou's father attacked viciously, cutting into Shidou's chest. Shidou tottered sideways, leaning against the wall for support. Shidou grimaced and attacked his father once more. As he parried the blow, he saw an opening and stabbed viciously. The next few minutes was hazy to Shidou as he happened to discover his father laying on the ground, bleeding to death. Shidou crossed the room quickly and undid Mikomi's bindings and removing the gag from her mouth. Mikomi threw her arms around Shidou, sobbing uncontrollably, "Oh Shidou, I knew you'd come for me." Shidou was shocked by her words, and he felt ashamed of his feelings toward Mimi the afternoon she had kissed him. Mikomi smiled at Shidou as he pushed her away to make sure she hadn't been injured. Shidou hated himself as he remembered that she could not see his face and thus could not tell the emotion he was emitting. "Mikomi..." Shidou whispered,"I..." Mikomi looked up at Shidou, smiling once again, "Yes?" Shidou raised his hand so that it touched Mikomi's cheek. "You... You don't know how long I've waited to do this..." Shidou's lips met Mikomi's as he kissed her passionately.

The two pulled apart gasping for breath. "Mikomi..." Shidou whispered, "I love you." Mikomi snuggled against Shidou's chest, dozing of in the warmth of his embrace. Shidou watched the sleeping princess and smiled. He kissed her forehead gently, "I love you so much..."

Wow... it's soooooo long, STAY TUNED, the story's not done yet! =]