Lost (Hikaru)

"Okay" miled hikaru as she climbed out of the icy water of the pond "thank you ma'am" she smiled and began to leave with the map in hand

The woman waved. "This place is only on that map! But people who don't need it, wont see the path on the map! Have a safe trip Hikaru!" The woman disappeared beneath the ice with a 'crack'.

With the map in hand Hikaru left the strange forest and followed the maps path that lead to the northern colony and her chance at a place of her own

Hikarus trip started out strong. When she got lost and found the lake with the waterfall and the mermaid, it was a warm, spring forrest. She now seemed to be in a colder region, not necessarily all the way to the north, but it was defiantly more comfortable for her here. She was in an icy forrest, trampled snow marked her path and snowy owls perched high in the iced over trees.

"It's so pretty here and the climate is nice too" Hikaru said to herself with a smile

A snowy owl swooped down and landed on her shoulder. It cooed lightly in her ear nuzzling her hair. It seemed to take to her quickly.

"Well hello.." Hikaru smiled at the beautiful snow owl that had itself perched onher shoulder "You seem quite friendly for a wild owl""

It cooed again and ruffled its feathers near her neck warming her skin slightly. There was a quiet rumble deep in its chest, almost as if it was purring.


The bird stayed with Hikaru as she continued her path towards the north, proving an interesting companion.

"A purring wild sow owl...?" Hikaru said eyeing the owl a bit confused then she reached over and began to gently stroke the owl's feathers

The owl curled into Hikarus neck leaning into her stroke. The path ahead started to open up considerably. It looked like a field of frozen flowers, open to the sunshine ahead.

Hikaru walked calmly through the frozen flowers admiring their beauty as they glistened in the sunlight

    

In the center of the field, a young girl stood picking a bouquet of ice flowers. She wore a circlet symbolizing royalty, and her long, icy hair trailed down her back. Next to her stood a man, he looked to be around the same age as Hikaru. He too, wore a silver circlet embedded with a single dark blue jewel.

Hikaru stood and watched the two in the field and knowing the circlet they both wore was the mark of a royal she was unsure weather or not to speak to them after all an outcast was in no place to speak with royalty

The boy turned and smiled. "Hello, and welcome to the Renaissance. I'm Prince Alian, this is my sister, Princess Meru." The girl only looked up in response. "How may I be of service to you?"

Not expecting a responce to her existance from the prince Hikaru immediately looked down and kcked lightly at a clump of loose snow "ah...um nothing..nothing i was just...passing by" she said softly

"Hmm? You wont be staying? This is the only Ice demon colony on this continent..." The prince pouted, his lower lip jutting out. "Too bad, your cute." He smiled. Behind him, his sister rolled her eyes.

Hikaru looked up slightly "This is the colony?"

   

"It is." He said softly.

"Alian, stop flirting. You don't even know her name. You're a prince for god sakes. Act like one." She glared at the prince then at Hikaru.

"Oh I-I'm sorry" Hikaru said softly looking down as she felt the princesses glare on her she mumbled "My name...it's Hikaru...."

   


"Hikaru! Such a lovely name!"

"Alian! I'm serious here!"

"I though I was the older brother here Meru." He said his voice all business all of a sudden. An eerie chill settled over the area.

The eeries silence that had settled over the area made Hikaru shiver as she quietly glanced to the owl on her shoulder then to the pincess and prince, back to the owl and then returning her silent gaze back to the snow she calmly kicked at

Prince Alian turned back to Hikaru and perked back up again. "Your Owl is lovely, what's her name?" He asked with a smile.

Keeping her gaze locked on the ground Hikaru answered quietly "She...she's not my owl..just a wild one that seems to like my shoulder.."

"Hmm...she seems to like you," He stroked a finger down the side of the owls head, the owl leaning into it. Prince Alian was suddenly very close. "I think you should keep her." He said with a grin.

Startled by the prince's sudden closeness Hikaru took a few big steps back "R-really?"
she asked her voice filled with shock "She's wild though.."