Disclaimers apply. If you recognise it, it's not mine!

Author's Note: I'm sure all of you have now picked up on the Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, Peter Pan and Cinderella references in my story. Isn't it exciting, having a fairy tale mash-up!? And lol, yes –there was Matrix joke in the last chapter.

Warnings:
AU
Mihashi-centered
Shounen-ai
ManyxMihashi
OOC-ness may occur

Summary:
Alternated Universe. Venture forth into a world of fairy tales, ghostly carnivals, magic and wonder. Mihashi Ren is on a journey to find a way to get back home. But, first… how to rid himself of this nagging vampire, Abe… or this wild wolf, Tajima? One-sided everyone/clueless Mihashi!

Chapter not yet beta'd or revised. Beware.

Storybook Tales

Chapter Three
'Til The Clock Strikes Midnight

By Blue Redemption

Ren uncomfortably broke the intense stare, and glanced away from the primly dressed young man, his brown eyes falling to Kanou's chest, and becoming more aware of what he wore.

The white, double-breasted military-style jacket that the Mihoshi pitcher wore was edged with gold and tailored just below hip length, a matching gold belt cinching it in the at the waist. A small gold crown was stitched into the high, red-collar that was embroidered with gold borders, crimson epaulets with decorative yellow tassels adorning the shoulders. The ensemble featured tasteful yellow twines stylishly coming across one shoulder's epaulet to link to the other, falling like a necklace. To complete the outfit, Kanou wore perfectly tailored ruby-red suit pants that had golden ribbon decorations on outer seams. In short, Kanou Shuugo looked every part a fairy tale prince who had come alive and jumped straight out from a storybook.

Ren shifted uneasily and very gently pushed at Kanou's arms in a silent bid for him to let go.

"What's going on here?" Kanou's voice was forcibly light as he directed his question to his palace guards, a flinty look entering his eyes, "… To dare chase a lady! How thoughtless of all of you!" He admonished, his warm hands leaving the short-haired girl's waist slowly, almost reluctantly.

The Mihoshi-catcher's pseudo-copy took a daring step forward. "Prince Kanou! The girl! She's a either a spy or a thief!" Hatake accused immediately, pointing a condemning finger at the quivering suspect. "We caught her in the treasury room!"

Kanou's gaze shortly turned back to the trembling fair-haired female, a small frown of contemplation on his face. She looked helpless, and his heart squeezed painfully in his chest at her vulnerable form, wishing to ease her fears. She was dressed in a lovely amber quincenera gown, its sweetheart neckline flattering on her lithe figure.

Whole body quivering nervously, he backed a few steps away, intimidated. "I-I didn't take anything!" Ren defended himself earnestly, raising his hands to show that they were empty and forcing himself to stare up at the Mihoshi Kingdom's Crown Prince, who bore resemblance to his childhood friend. He made a mental note to ask Shiga-sensei why everyone here looked like someone he knew. Hell, they were even named the same.

After a long moment of brooding silence, the fair, dark-brown haired heir nodded. "I believe you."

"Y-you do?" Ren gasped, eyes wide and hopeful, his hands automatically curling into fists just below his chin as he brought his arms into his chest - unaware of the adorable image he was projecting.

Prince Kanou smiled indulgently at the reaction, feeling immediately at ease at the presence of the timid young woman. Someone with such a meek personality wouldn't steal. He was sure of that. "I do. May I have my fair lady's name?" He reached out and gently took one of her hands into his, holding it with care and stroking the back of his hand with his thumb reassuringly.

The Nishiura pitcher gulped tensely. Only Abe-kun had ever grasped his hands like this outside of the team meditation sessions. To have Kanou holding his hand was a strange feeling. "Ah… M-Mi-Mihashi..." He blushed brightly, unused to having all attention directed at him from all parties present.

"Mihashi…" The prince prodded for his first name, unhurriedly pulling the young woman's now relaxed hand towards his lips in order to drop a kiss on the knuckles gallantly.

"R-Ren!" Mihashi rashly pulled his hand away before the taller boy's lips could brush against it, a little wierded out at the actions of the taller boy. Thankfully, Hatake interrupted the strange situation in an agitated manner.

"But, Your Highness! You shouldn't trust her! She's suspicious! At least let us question her first!" He beseeched his beloved prince, instantaneously disliking how the dark-haired heir was gazing so tenderly at the highly suspicious girl. Kanou never looked at him - or anyone, in fact - like that, and here was this girl that appeared out of nowhere and had easily snatched the crown prince's attention away. Jealousy tore at him and he heatedly glared at the fair-haired stranger.

Prince Kanou shot his subordinate a sharp, irritated look, his hazel eyes simmering in disapproval. "Hatake. You will not make such accusations towards a lady without proper proof." He rebuked, greatly displeased with the actions of his subordinate before he turned back to his guest who was shyly fiddling with her dress, his interest stimulated.

She was so different! He had been taken aback when a she had collided with him and had immediately assumed that she was one of the bolder women who were here tonight to try and win his affections. To his great surprise, the young woman hadn't once batted an eye in a flirting manner in his direction. In fact, she looked as if she wanted to be anywhere else but here by the way her eyes kept darting about for possible exits.

"But-!" Hatake moved to step forward again, but Oda pulled him back.

"Are you crazy? Don't go against Kanou, you know he hates that!" The taller man hissed into his ear warningly.

"But, Oda!" He protested, miserably, looking forlornly at his prince, who was obviously sporting signs of being quite smitten with the newcomer.

The tall palace guard scratched his head and sighed, feeling sorry for his associate, but at the same time so tired of having to play mediator between the two. He wasn't blind. He knew that Hatake harboured unrequited feelings for the crown prince of Mihoshi. But it would never work. Despite knowing that Prince Kanou Shuugo of Mihoshi valued and acknowledged Hatake's skills in regards to his loyalty and his palace duties, the prince had shown more than once that he disliked Hatake's personality. Unfortunately, Hatake seemed to forcibly turn a blind eye to that little detail and continuously tried to pursue the prince. Which tended to lead to Prince Shuugo often losing his temper, and subsequently Oda would be forced to step in and attempt to diffuse the situation.

"Milady, may have the pleasure of escorting you to the ballroom?" Kanou offered his right arm valiantly to the bashful teen that was eyeing everything around them in a fascinated manner. The young woman blinked in wide-eyed surprise at his arm for a moment.

"I-I guess so…" Ren's eyebrows knitted together lightly before he reluctantly placed a hand on the crook of the Prince's inner elbow. The timid boy almost wrenched his hand back in bewilderment when the hazel-eyed prince placed his left hand warmly upon the hand he had placed on Kanou's arm.

The handsome heir grinned at his companion's jitteriness, gently patting his hand in a reassuring manner. His silent message seemed to get across when he visibly saw her shoulders fall in a more eased position.

Hatake gritted his teeth at the comforting action, "You Highness-" he protested once again.

"I order you to return to your assigned duties immediately." Was the cold command issued by the young heir, as he led his meek companion towards the door, not even bothering to look back at his guard.

It was nearing midnight when the king and queen beckoned their young son over. They watched as he turned to his companion and whispered something before he approached their thrones.

The queen smiled as her only child bowed politely and straightened, "You have been dancing with that young woman in that yellow dress all night, Shuugo, I have yet to see you accept another woman's invitation to dance." She quietly observed, brown eyes twinkling.

Even with the distance in which they had been observing their child, adoration was plainly written upon his son's face as he interacted with the young woman. "It seems you have made your choice, then?" The king of Mihoshi asked to affirm his and his wife's hunches.

Crown Prince Kanou Shuugo of Mihoshi Kingdom bowed deeply again to his parents, "I have. Your consent permitting, I would like to formally court Lady Mihashi Ren of Nishiura."

The queen clasped her hands together joyfully, "Oh my! Shuugo, I didn't think this day would finally come!" She admitted, eyes tearing up in elation. She had been worried since her only son had never shown an inkling of interest in any females despite being at an eligible age.

Every past attempt to match him with a princess of a neighbouring kingdom or any young noblewoman had been an epic failure on her and her councillors' part. It wasn't for the lack of trying; he was just always so concentrated on sword practice and archery, and his disinterest in marriage was tangible.

Having exhausted almost all her options, she had been forced to throw this ball in order to find the perfect bride for her precious only son. Commoners, middle-class and upper class nobles… anyone who had a daughter had been invited in hopes that someone would finally catch his interest. To her immense relief, it seemed that the time had finally come. "I'm so happy! Let us announce your choice!"

"Mother, please, allow me the chance first!" Kanou begged, "I wish to make the announcement myself after I gain her permission to court her."

Thrilled that he was taking the necessary steps on his own, the queen could only nod, "Of course, of course! Oh my, I must start the wedding preparations soon! You shall wed before the next summer!"

The king chuckled, "My dear, let us not be so hasty." He began, "She has not accepted as of yet…"

"She had better - if she knew what was good for her." The female monarch suddenly gritted out, sweet facial expression wiped clean and a cold one replacing it as her eyes lit up dangerously.

Daunted, the king sighed in submission, "You are dismissed, my son. Go on and seek the young lady for her permission."

When Ren had been asked by a determined looking prince if he was able to accompany him out onto one of the balconies, he had happily accepted – anything to get out of the stuffy ballroom!

The night was calm, and a large, full moon was hung up in the sky, illuminating the palace gardens below the balcony.

His feet were killing him… despite the fairy dust that Shinouka had sprinkled on him to help him dance like some sort of seasoned pro (and wow, was he amazing!), it didn't do anything for his poor, aching feet that were far from accustomed to being stuffed into heels.

He didn't know how long he had been talking, laughing and dancing with Kanou, but for the first time since being in this strange, confusing world, he finally felt somewhat at ease. At first, Ren had thought that Koushien no Kuni's Kanou was just a totally fake doppelganger of his childhood friend and would be nothing like the real Kanou; but as he spent some time in his presence, Ren had been lulled into a relaxed state at the familiar facial features and personality. Was this Kanou really fake? And … what was 'real' and what was 'fake'? Gah! So confusing!

Ren breathed in the cool, fresh air of the night and unconsciously enjoyed the feeling of it against his heated skin. He pressed his clammy hands against the cold marble of the balcony railing to absorb its frosty temperature. He was completely unaware of the pacing prince behind him, who was gathering his nerves.

"Ren…"

The fair-haired boy bristled and jumped before timidly turning to face his companion a little guiltily. He had almost forgotten about Kanou nearby as he was so focused on his thoughts.

Clearing his throat, the proud prince straightened to his full height and drew in a quivering breath before exhaling it in a long, drawn out manner. He raised his eyes and caught Ren's gaze intently, stepping forward to take the shorter boy's hands into his own. "Lady Mihashi Ren of Nishiura Kingdom, I wish to express my desire to formally court you. I must admit that I did not believe in love at first sight … until I had laid my eyes upon you for the first time tonight.

I know this is very sudden, but please know that my words are nothing but the truth. There is nothing in this world that would please me more than you giving me the honour of accepting my token of courtship." To end his brave speech, the dark-haired prince pulled out something from his pocket and gently set it onto Ren's palm.

Mesmerised, and not really paying attention to the long spiel Kanou had spouted, he stared at the white gem set on the beautiful white-gold ring. There were… strange colours that seemed to swirl inside if he stared at it hard enough…

"Mihashi! It's a Kyuubunkatsu shard!" Shinouka gasped from her hiding spot within Ren's hair.

"Eh?" Ren whipped his head up to stare at the prince whose blush was evident under the moonlight, "K-Kanou-kun? Can I keep this?" He asked with disbelieving wide eyes, tightly holding the kyuubunkatsu piece in his palm. He didn't think he would actually obtain it!

The blush on the prince's face darkened, "Yes! Of course! Y-you accept it?"

"Yes! Thank you!"

Kanou felt dizzy. Mihashi had accepted. She had accepted! He took the hand that wasn't holding the ring, "Mihashi Ren, you will not regret choosing me." He promised, his eyes shining.

"Hm?" Choosing him? What?

"I will woo you, and surely sweep you off your feet!"

"K-kanou-kun?"

"Call me Shuugo… Ren." The prince stepped forward, his eyes warm with an expression that the Nishiura pitcher could not define.

It had been years since he had called his friend that. "S-Shuugo?"

The dark-haired crown prince smiled, enjoying the way his given name sounded from his chosen's mouth. "I wish to kiss you, may I?" He requested boldly, unable to help himself as he gazed intently at his companions lovely pink lips.

"W-what?"

The clock struck midnight as Kanou started to lean in.

Ding. Ding.

"Mihashi-kun! It's twelve, we have to go before my fairy dust spell finishes!" The small fairy hissed in his ear, reminding Mihashi of the fact that his clothes would turn back into his Nishiura baseball uniform after midnight and reveal who he really was to everyone present.

Ren pulled away from the young prince's grasp, "I'm sorry, Kanou! I have to go!"

Ding.

"Go? Go where? Ren!"

Ding.

The currently cross-dressing boy raced back inside the ballroom, aware of the fact that Kanou - who had finally gathered snapped out of his stupor - was chasing after him, calling out his name.

"Mihashi-kun, keep running to the exit over there, I will stop him." Shinouka assured as she disappeared from the Nishiura pitcher's peripheral vision.

Ding.

"Wait!" The moment Kanou's foot touched the ballroom's floors, his body suddenly felt heavy and he dropped to the ground, unable to move a muscle, helplessly staring after the figure of the person who had caught his heart. His mind shouted for his body to move. To do something, anything!

"Kanou-sama!"

"Your Highness!"

His palace guards had arrived too late. Their voices seemed to have pulled him away from his paralysis, and he stood up just as they reached his side. A hand touched his shoulder. Hatake. He slapped it off moodily.

From the side of his vision, he could see that a hurt look had crossed his guard's face but he blatantly disregarded it, more concerned about his fleeting future bride.

"Stop her!" The prince ordered in a strangled voice, his arm thrown out and pointed in the direction of a desperately fleeing maiden, whose amber skirts billowed out dramatically behind her in her haste to escape.

His stupefied guards, confused but determined, hurriedly parted through the whispering crowd that had immediately stopped dancing upon the crown prince's demand - pushing aside both commoner and nobility alike to get to the main exit that the honey-haired damsel had dashed through.

Gripping the long skirts tightly, Ren raced swiftly across the grey marble floor of the main platform before hastily descending down the long, lengthy flight of stairs. Every click-clack of his stupid heels resounded loudly as he scuttled down, trying not to break his ankle; unable to even admire the beautiful marble railings and statues that framed the stairs in his fear of tripping over and falling down the rest of the way. His breathing was coming out harsher and faster; his blood roaring like a waterfall in his ears. Don't come after me, please don't come after me! He begged silently.

A dazzling beam flitted past him. "Keep going, Mihashi, all we have to do is reach the bottom!" Shinouka encouraged in urgency as she flew a few metres ahead of him in order to guide his way. Her softly glowing body was eerily bright, since the full moon was out tonight.

To his utmost dread, voices and brisk footsteps dogged after his heels. He refused to even chance a look behind him at his pursuers, knowing it would only slow him down and would probably only cause him to fall to his death (these heels were awful!). And these never-ending stairs! These stairs were a serious safety hazard! Who on earth decided to make a staircase a good hundred steps with no break in between?

"Ren! Wait! Please!"

His ears faintly picked up the beseeching voice of Kanou, begging him to stop, but it only served to spur him on faster down the steps. His heart suddenly felt like it lurched to his throat as his left foot missed the next step – over calculating due to distraction.

Ren's body suddenly teetered forwards in an uncontrollable motion. He frantically flapped his arms, mouth agape in a silent scream as he hastily planted his right foot forward to hopefully regain his balance.

Relief cooled his whole flushed body as his right leg buckled under his full weight but held.

His left foot's shoe had fallen off.

Seriously, these heels were going to be the death of him!

Planting his now bare foot onto the next step, he hastily ran the rest of the way down the last dozen of steps awkwardly with only one shod foot, leaving behind one of his heels with no amount of regret.

He heard a yelp of horror behind him before a loudly screeching person rolled narrowly close to Ren's delicate form and down the rest of the way, coming to a groaning stop at the bottom of the stairs – one of Ren's heels tumbling between his boot-clad feet. Mihashi winced in pity for Koushien no Kuni Hatake – who had apparently tripped over his abandoned shoe. The marble staircase had been merciless, knocking the other boy cleanly out for the count.

Finally reaching the bottom stair, Ren delicately hopped over his ex-catcher's unconscious form and landed on the soft, dewy grass, not even pausing as he resolutely followed Shinouka's trail towards a white, round carriage that was drawn by a team of four snow-white geldings. Ren shook his head in disbelief, overwhelmed. Seriously, these things were straight out of a history book!

Shinouka headed towards the front of the stagecoach, "Get inside, Mihashi!" She commanded.

Ren prised open the carriage door and hoisted himself up with a bit of difficulty, sitting down onto the red, velvet seat inside and closing the door before belatedly wondering who on earth even owned this carriage. Before he could even open his mouth to ask, the horse-drawn stagecoach jerked and started moving quickly to the horses' gallops.

Safely inside the coach and his escape obviously a success, Ren curiously stuck his head out of the window to look back at the quickly receding palace and its majestic staircase. However, his eyes were drawn towards the form that stood at the bottom of the steps. Anguished hazel-eyes were staring after him, and he immediately ducked his head back into the safety of the coach in order to avoid Kanou's gaze. I'm sorry, Shuu-chan, but I have to get home… Ren guiltily stared down at his balled fists, a sense of relief infusing into his taut body and relaxing it now that he had at last escaped Mihoshi castle with his first piece of the Kyuubunkatsu jewel.

Prince Kanou Shuugo held the small glass slipper in his hand with delicate care, his thumb stroking its smooth, peerless surface tenderly. Bitter disappointment weighed heavily on his heart as the white, horse-drawn stagecoach disappeared into the distance. He thought he had finally found the one...

Only to have his future bride slip right through his fingers the moment he proposed courtship.

Shuugo's head dropped in frustration – intently gazing at the glass shoe.

"Prince Kanou, I'm afraid that even if we were to ride out in search for her now, we would not be able to catch up. She has already gained too much of a lead on us." His personal guard, Oda spoke up slowly from his side, picking his words carefully.

I know that. Shuugo wanted to retort, but found he had little energy to even do so in his discontented condition. He let out a drained, shuddering sigh and brushed his free hand across his tired eyes.

"Oi, oi, Prince Kanou! A-are you crying?" Oda cried, alarmed.

Shuugo's head shot up and he threw his guard a hard glare, "Of course not! I'll find Ren!" He announced in a heated assurance, clutching the glass shoe close to his chest like a strange prize, eyes blazing in determination. "I will. You were right, Hatake… Ren was a thief."

"What did she steal?" Hatake demanded angrily, still disoriented from his fall, but feeling a hum of satisfaction within him. Chance as slim as it was, there still laid the possibility that Kanou could still be his!

"My heart. She has taken it with her..."

Hatake deflated discernably.

"Oda! Please! We have to find her! The moment dawn breaks, I want you to gather my finest men to assist me in scouring Mihoshi and Nishiura for her! Don't let it end like this!" The prince implored, visibly distraught.

Oda took a step back at the intensity his prince was showing, "Of course, Your Highness." He bowed his head.

"We will leave no stone unturned. Mihashi Ren… will be mine." Resolve showed brightly on their Prince's face. Oda straightened up and nodded admiringly, believing his liege's words. This was the strong-willed prince he was proud to serve under. With a grin, Oda cheerily followed the prince up the stairs.

As the clock finished striking midnight, no one paid mind to a white-clad female with lovely golden hair pinned up, running to and fro near the bottom of the staircase, frantically searching for her white-carriage. "The carriage that fairy godmother made for me…!" She bawled, stomping her glass shoes, infuriated to the point where she couldn't even finish her sentences.

What a failure of a night! She was supposed to meet the prince, he was supposed to fall for her, and she was supposed to escape poverty! Fairy godmother had told her so!

Instead, her destined prince was all-eyes for only one girl at the ball. A honey-haired, scrawny female that stuttered every single word she spoke! Cinderella pulled at her hair in vexation as her beautiful white dress suddenly reverted back to her dirty pink hand-me-down dress, "Argh!"

AN Lol, I bet you weren't expecting that, were you?

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