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"Why do you treat Nyru like this?" Nyru's mother screams from down the hall at Nyru's father.

"I am sick of you acting this way," She continues.

This has been happening day in and day out ever since Nyru began acting strangely.

Nyru's father doesn't grant Nyru any freedom, at all.

"Don't blame me! Don't you see that Nyru is only trying to get her way through you! If I see it my way, she will receive no free will!"

Nyru's mother gave him a sharp glare.

Soon after, Nyru's father began fighting with the neighboring Kingdom's King, the Fire King. These two Kings deride each other.

To get away from all the hostility, Nyru escapes her locked up room. Nyru pries open the window with her bare and tired hands and jumps into the dark night.

Nyru has ice powers. She has light blue hair and purplish bluish eyes. She is fourteen. She is the princess of the Ice Kingdom. It's positioned on ice glaciers way up north, surrounded by ice-covered mountains. The bordering Kingdom is the Fire Kingdom. It's situated next to a volcano further south surrounded by flaming plains. Linking them are a forest and a wide-open lake.

Nyru runs into the forest past all of the mountains. She takes a stroll through there. Hoping her father will not discover her disappearance and come searching for her. She knew if he finds her, he'd treat her like she's nothing. Like he has all the power and she has none. This one instance she did this, she was not by herself! She finds a boy. He has dark red hair and blue eyes. They begin talking, and she finds out he is the fire prince from the Fire Kingdom!

His name is Yami.

Nyru and Yami have been seeing each other on a daily basis since then. They both know if one does not come then something is wrong. He is her only friend.

One day, she ran away to find Yami. Before she could though, her father knew she was gone. She knew if he found her, he would treat her like nothing. Do as he pleases to her.

He was getting nearer, so she has no choice but to hide; get back to the Ice castle, without getting trapped.

She fails.

She is grabbed by the arm and slammed up against a tree. Yami sees this; but cannot do a thing, except watch Nyru be mistreated by her father. Nyru would have collapsed if her father hadn't had a grip on her. He takes her back to the castle, dragging her by the arm.

"Father, please!" She pleads.

The ground beneath her feels like sharp daggers against her soft tender skin. She feels it pierce her skin, she feels the pain but she has to take it.

Yami watches Nyru and her father vanish into the trees. His love for Nyru is so immeasurable; he has never tried to tell her before. He follows them to find Nyru thrown into a room within the Ice castle far above in the small tower at the top. It's too cold for him, but he doesn't care. He finds the window and yells up to her.

"Nyru!"

She runs up to the window. She sees him standing down there and a smile appears on her face.

"Yami!"

Nyru's face was red and wet from tears.

Then her father's attention is stimulated. Tears start to stream down her face once more.

"Yami! Hide!"

He leaps into a bush, almost shivering. Her father nearly finds him, but doesn't. He was so close to the bush that Yami watched his feet walk up next to him. She puts her hands on her lips and ducks down so he can't see her at her window.

Her father leaves and Yami wonders back out.

Nyru escapes out the window, and slowly climbs down onto the ground; tears still visible in her eyes. She knew the crevasses in the side of the castle. She slips her hand in Yami's as she runs by and runs away with him back into the woods.

Yami's emotions are very complex. He has desires to be with her. He hoped Nyru somehow knew but he could only hope. They got to a good hiding spot within a few trees.

Nyru realizes something. She needs to run far away from here. But if Yami comes too and if her father finds her, he may kill Yami! Nyru is sure of this and shakes the thought out of her mind.

"I have to go Yami! I can't stay here!" Nyru tries not to look into his eyes.

"But... Nyru." Yami says softly, looking at her and watching the tears fall from behind her hair covering her face.

He wants to say so badly that he loves her too much. He doesn't want her to go.

"If my father finds you with me, he may kill you. I have to go,"

She begins to cry a little more.

"I don't care! Please Nyru!"

Without thinking Nyru stares into Yami's eyes, and realizes it. She quickly looks down.

"Ok... you may come with me,"

Hoping she does not regret that. Her attention is drawn to behind her. Nyru glances behind her. She grabs Yami's hand and ducks into a bush.

"It's my father!"

A silence. The distant footsteps were growing louder.

The crack of a twig and leaves were crunching against the ground.

"I need you to distract him. I need you to seem like nothing is happening...alone."

Yami looks at her. "Nyru..."

She is sobbing now, almost too much to handle.

"Please Yami,"

He stares at her. "... Ok," He says gently.

He's been craving to kiss her so badly, but he can't, not now.

With another look at Nyru, he sneaks out. He walks past Nyru's father and catches his attention. "I knew you were here!! Where's Nyru? Tell Me!!"

Nyru sneaks out of the bush and runs as rapidly as she can back to her castle before she heard another word. Hoping Yami will be ok.

She enters the castle; crying so hard, her face is still red. The nonstop tears rolling down her face, leaving their mark on her.

She finds her mother.

"What's wrong sweetheart? What happened?"

She takes her back to her room and locks the door.

"My father, mother,"

She cries ever harder and hides her appearance in her mother's shoulder.

Her mother embraces her.

"I was with Yami, and father was looking for me. If he finds Yami with me, he may kill him. So I had to sneak away, not knowing if Yami is ok. Mother, it's awful!"

"Let it all out; you know what ever makes you happy is what I want you to do,"

"Mother! What if my father killed him?"

Yami had managed to get around Nyru's father and got back to the Ice castle. He ascended up to her window quickly but surely and listened. Nyru was crying even worse than before.

"Why does father treat me like this?"

Then her father slammed open the door. Yami was shocked. Nyru gasps and jerks her head up. She buries herself more behind her mother.

"Nyru! I've had enough of you escaping this room! I shall have you thrown into a chamber if it's the last thing I ever do!" His voice broke through the silence that Nyru created. Nyru was a little scared of her father.

A fight starts between them. He tries to grab her arm. Nyru doesn't let him. She almost hit him.

Mother steps in between the father and Nyru.

"No you don't! I have as much power as you. As your queen, you should treat me the same as your daughter! Why do you treat Nyru this way? Look at her! She's banged up and crying her eyes out because of you! Please leave, I will not endure your actions!"

"Humph! Do I see what you do not? How can you be so blind to this?"

"I see all that I need right here!"

She manages to get him to leave, for now. He slammed the door so harshly that the walls shook. Nyru had shivers up and down her spine, and terrified feelings were all over her face. Her mother hurries back over to Nyru.

"Are you ok, Nyru?" She seizes her.

"No, I'm not,"

She said in between her sobs. It was too much for Yami. He couldn't help himself any longer.

He peeks around the bend of the window.

"Nyru," He says as soft as he can.

She turns around. She smiles when she sees him. Oh the feeling she felt just then. She was about to break down if he did not appear before her. She wanted him to know, she could only hope he knew.

"Yami!"

Nyru jumps up and runs over to Yami. He lets her hold his waist. He holds her close, firmly.

She has so many aches, but Yami was making them better. His warm touch made her feel like she had no pain at all.

Her too, has special feelings for Yami.

Nyru's mother comes closer to them. She's smiling at them.

Yami notices Nyru has stopped crying now as he looked down at her face, against his chest.

"You are the Fire prince, correct?" He nods.

"Yami, is it?"

He nods once more. She knows what she must do.

"Nyru..."

Nyru looks at her.

"If you wish, I will allow you to do whatever you want with Yami, knowing I will be punished by your father. What makes you happy makes me happy. I want you to come to a decision, but do it quickly. Your father may come back soon. Maybe even sooner than I expect."

Nyru was surprised at the thought. She thought for a moment. Yami was looking at her, watching her face change as she went through each thought. "But...I don't want father to punish you..." She said quietly. Nyru thought a little while more.

All she could say then was...

"Thank you mother. I love you,"

She turned to Yami, took his hand and they escaped out the window.

Nyru's mother watched them fade away.

They got to a safe and peaceful place to take a break before moving on.

Nyru puts her arms around Yami. Yami puts his arms around her waist.

Nyru's head is on Yami's chest, sitting like that makes Nyru feel weightless.

They had to keep going though. So they both stood up and continued on. Yami held Nyru's hand, securely.

They got to a place up high where they can see all of the Fire Kingdom.

Yami stood next to Nyru.

Nyru leans on Yami, and he held her there. Nyru's head is on Yami's shoulder. The flaming plains were in sight past the last of the trees of the forest.

Then they continued down the mountain and past the entire Fire Kingdom. Over the flaming plains, and past the volcano they traveled. It's getting a little tepid for Nyru, but she doesn't care. They came across another little kingdom, not exactly a kingdom. They see a wagon driver. He sees them. The girl was sweating.

"You two travelers?" They nodded.

"Where are you headed?" Nyru requests.

"To another settlement. You two want a lift? It may take a day or so,"

He climbed up onto the wagon and grabbed the reins to his horse. "Yes, please,"

Nyru and Yami jumped into the back of the wagon. Yami helped her in first.

They started on their way. Yami looked at Nyru. She looked back. She felt safe with him. She could only hope he knew.

They both smiled.

Nyru leaned on Yami, so he pulled her closer. He put his arm around her. Nyru and Yami fell sound asleep. Yami rested his head on hers.

Yami woke up at sunrise. Nyru is still resting on his shoulder.

From over his shoulder the driver sees Yami was awake. "Morning, you feel well?" The driver asks.

"Yes sir, thank you," His voice proud and pure.

A little while later, Nyru moves a little. She has a smile on her face, Yami notices.

The driver stops for a little while. He's preparing breakfast for them as he tends to his horse and checks his cargo.

Yami leans Nyru on the seat slowly and jumps down to help the driver make a bonfire.

"I can't seem to get the fire going," He declares.

Yami puts his hand next to it and it lights with a flare from Yami's hand.

The driver was surprised.

"Are you Yami? The Fire prince?"

Yami looked at him. "Yes sir...I am,"

"What are you doing out here?"

Yami glanced at Nyru. The driver noticed. "It's a long story," Yami blushed a little. Nyru was hearing the conversation now.

"Love happened, sir," The driver understood. He shook his head.

"What's her name?" He inquires. Yami looked at him again. A smile was upon his face.

"She is Nyru... the Ice princess,"

The man knew about those two kingdoms always fighting. He said nothing.

Yami blushed some more. The man detected.

"You must be intensely in love with her. Where are you two running away to?"

Yami noticed the man was figuring out everything regarding them. He must know they are uncertain.

"We... don't know, sir. It all happened so fast,"

"You two can stay with me for a while. I know the Ice princess's parents well. If her father finds you, who knows what will happen,"

Yami looked at him. "I know, sir," He was feeling uneasiness from the thought. The driver also noticed but tried to hide it.

Nyru opened her eyes.

"Looks like she's awake now," The driver says.

Yami stood up. He helped Nyru out of the seat.

"Morning sir," Nyru says.

"Morning," He says. He transferred them some water. As Nyru sat down next to Yami she tried not to give away the conversation she heard.

"You are a very beautiful girl," says the man.

"Oh, thank you...sir," She looked down.

Awkward silence.

"I know much about you,"

She stopped and jerked a look at him. Oh no...

"You do? ...

Please don't tell my father!"

Yami and the man were astounded.

"No dear child. I would never keep you two distant! I know your father. He would make things worse,"

Nyru was reassured.

"Thank you, sir," Nyru said quietly as she looked back down. Yami was watching everything she did.

Nyru is terrified about the fact of her father getting his hands on her again.

"I'm afraid of my father," She says softly without looking up. The man looks at her.

"I know you are, child," She looks up at him.

"I aught to get you two moving. Let's continue,"

They got back into the wagon.

Yami held Nyru securely, saying to her he'll never leave her. Nyru leaned on him, saying back she loves him more than anything. Nyru began crying a little. She's distressing so much about her father. Yami is worrying about Nyru.

What if her father finds us? He thought. He rested his head on hers.

I feel like I know that man... Nyru felt Yami's grip tighten like he was also thinking about something.

A silence.

That afternoon, they arrived at the town. The man got up and left for a few moments.

Nyru looked deep into Yami's eyes.

Yami couldn't hold it in any longer. "...I love you more than anything," Yami finally says. Nyru's stomach dropped...he knows...

Yami went in for a kiss. Nyru responded back to him, trying not to think about her fears. Before they get to though they hear some others chatting about the Ice King looking for the Ice Princess. He is furious.

"Oh, Yami! We have to get out of here! My father... he's coming after me," Her voice faded. Yami held her closely. Nyru began crying again.

"There she is! The Ice Princess!" The villagers shouted. She was motionless.

"Yami!" Nyru says quietly.

"Come on, let's go in there," Yami says. Yami grabs her hand and guides her. They run as promptly as they can to get away. They want to be alone and boundless.

"We're not going to make it, Yami," Nyru was crying all over again, knowing she couldn't handle this much longer.

"Yes we are, I know we are..." They hid behind some boxes in an alley.

"Trust me," He said tenderly. Nyru looked into his eyes. His hands cupped her face.

"...Ok. I believe you," His face so close to hers, desiring for time alone.

"I love you... Nyru," Yami says gently, wanting to kiss her, glancing at her lips.

Yami starts to lean in...

Then they heard more voices.

"They went that way, I think,"

"This way!" Yami leads Nyru away from the voices, through another alley.

Nyru is exhausted. It's silent, for now. They stand against a wall of a building.

Yami pulls her close. Nyru sets her head on his chest.

"We'll be alright," Yami says quietly.

Nyru was calming down, Yami noticed. Nyru looked up at him. He looked back. Only when she saw his smile did she put her head back on his chest. Yami stroked her back, calming her down.

Silence.

Nyru stood close to Yami's face. His eyes were looking into hers.

Yami leaned in and kissed her, continuing from earlier, finally getting this chance he wanted so much. It felt like time itself stopped.

Nyru put her arms around Yami. Yami held her close, against him. If he weren't there, Nyru would've broken down. Her nerves felt like they were about to explode.

Then Yami hugged Nyru, swaying back and forth on his feet.

Nyru took his hand and they walked to the woods following the town.

"We have to leave this town. Tonight, the whole town will be looking for us," Nyru says. She glanced back behind them.

They entered the forest.

It was quiet in there, too quiet. Yami tightened his grip on Nyru's hand.

They continued through the woods. By nightfall, they had gotten through the woods. They climbed up a mountain. It was getting really cold, higher up the mountain. They reached the top and looked at the vivid moon. Nyru looked back and saw the volcano of the Fire Kingdom, way off in the distance. That only brought memories she pushed away when she felt tears coming. They found a cavern. It was dark, murky and damp. It began to downpour, so they ran into it.

Nyru was used to the cold, her hair was wet folding around her shoulders and down her back. Yami wasn't used to it at all. Nyru got a few twigs and Yami lit a fire for them. She leaned on him. She was cold to him, but he didn't care. The way he was feeling, this doesn't bother him. They leaned against the cold hard rock wall behind them. The rain every once in a while hit Nyru's face, like a mist.

They fell asleep listening to the rain.

"There she is! We got her!" Nyru was in between two guys. They had her hands tightly in theirs and Yami was nowhere to be seen.

"Call the Ice King, tell him where we are,"

"Ok, boss,"

The big guy who had her was a tall ragged looking guy. His face had a huge scar and he had a gold tooth.

Nyru was panicking. She was crying really hard. They threw her in a cell. "Ow!" Nyru's back hurt when she landed on it. She secreted her face. She wanted to feel Yami's warm touch.

"Toss her down below. The Ice King will be hear soon," Nyru's stomach dropped.

"Where do you want the boy?"

Boy? She thought. Yami!

"We don't need him, do away with him,"

No! She thought. She had to get out.

"Eeeiiiii!"

Nyru looked up. The larger guy was on Fire!

"What is it boss?"

"Put it out! Put it out!" He was jumping around swatting at his rear.

Yami had snuck up on them and he saw Nyru in a small cell in the corner.

Yami had put his buttocks on fire!

"Yami! Over here!" Nyru shrieked.

"Shut up the girl!" He commanded.

Yami lifted his hand towards Nyru's cell. He made a firewall to shield Nyru. It flared up and startled Nyru a little.

"Whoa!"

"Yami!"

"Shut her up I said!"

"We can't boss!"

They were running around everywhere. "Get water! Put out the fire!"

Nyru put her hands over the bars and they froze solid! She kicked them as hard as she could and busted them out. A hole was left in its wake. She's free!

One of the guys knocked Yami out. He was motionless on the rock floor.

"Yami!"

Nyru lifted her hand and ice flew out, which iced over the guys in a giant ice glacier.

Then the place where they were was beginning to give in! It felt like an earthquake. Nyru rushed over to Yami.

He will not wake! The place began to tremble!

She grabbed him and made way out of there, dodging falling boulders and walls. Up ahead was light from outside. She made it out just in time!

She put Yami down over the ground and began to wake up!

Yami saw her face and he smiled. "Nyru!"

"Yami!" Her stomach dropped again when he said her name.

"Are you alright, Nyru?" He asked sitting up next to her.

"Yes, I am,"

She heard someone behind her.

"NYRU!" She turned.

She gasped. "It's my father!"

They tousled to get away. He nearly grabbed Nyru's arm, but Yami prevented that from happening. They ran through a meadow, and across a stream, with her father close behind them. "Get her! And the boy too!"

They seemed to have gotten away... for now, at least.

"We will never get away if we don't do something about it," Nyru says.

"Wait!" She thought for a moment. She remembered something. My mother can't help now...but what about...She looked at Yami. He looked confused. "What's wrong?"

What about his parents? What would they say?

She took his hand.

"What would your father say?" She looked him in the eyes. Yami was astonished.

"Please...Yami," She said softly.

Yami doesn't know what to say.

"My...father?" Yami looked intently at Nyru for a moment. She looked just as scared as he was.

"I...uh,"

"Please Yami,"

"I...I guess we can try it...for you," Her face brightened with a smile. Yami was glad to see it.

Nyru hugged him. "Thank you Yami!"

Yami hugged back. Oh no...I hope this works...

They started their way back to the Fire Kingdom. They had found a shortcut that bypasses the towns they went through, remembering the villagers; it gets them there quicker.

Yami took Nyru's hand.

It grew shadowy. The wind began raging. The volcano grew in sight by two nightfalls. They kept going and it started to shower rain.

They came across a path that cut through the grass. A traveler was passing by there.

"You two need a lift? Where you going?" She asked.

"We are going to the Fire Kingdom. Can you take us there?" Nyru asks. The woman smiled.

"Surely, I'm headed that way. Get in,"

Yami helped Nyru up in the seat. Yami pulled her close. Nyru had fell asleep almost instantly leaning on him, feeling his warmth. It was raining more violently now. Every drop of rain that hit the roof sounded soothing.

Morning was bright. Nyru woke up to Yami's face. Nyru smiled. Yami smiled back, glad to see he made that beautiful smile on her face. They were in a town not too distant from the Fire Kingdom. It was a different town from the others.

"We're almost there. You two alright?" She asked.

"Yes, we are. You don't have to take us the entire way," Yami says.

"I'm headed to their marketplace, it's not a problem," She explained.

"Oh, alright,"

"You're no bother at all," They left the town and continued. They could almost distinguish the Fire Castle.

"You two thirsty?" She handed them water.

Nyru froze the base of hers to make it colder. The ice crept up the bottom of the glass.

Yami handed his to her. She froze his too.

After a little while, they had gotten to the marketplace, not far from the castle.

"Thank you very much," Nyru says as she jumps off, waiting for Yami.

"No problem," She says. Nyru and Yami left with a smile and a wave.

They were approaching Fire Castle.

"What are we going to do about your guards?" Nyru asks.

"Leave that to me. I know another way,"

She followed him to the side of the castle. There was a way to climb up to a window. Nyru had to fight off flame that seeped through the ground and tried to touch her. They climbed up the tower and through an open window. Yami helped Nyru inside. She almost collapsed. Her vision went in and out for a second.

"Are you ok?"

"Yea, it's just hot in here,"

Yami took Nyru's hand.

They ran through the door. They ran down a big twisting staircase.

They stepped foot on the floor and...

"Nyru!"

It was her mother!

She darted up to her and she hugged Nyru. Nyru hugged her back.

"Why are you back?"

"Long story," She told her.

Then Nyru saw the Fire King and Queen. Yami had walked over and was talking to them.

Her mother put Nyru down and they walked over to them. Nyru was a little timid at first.

Nyru bowed then hid behind her mother slightly. The Fire Queen did also.

"I've heard a lot about you, Nyru," She said to her. The Queen glanced over at Yami. Nyru looked into her eyes. She stepped closer.

"Don't be afraid. We are your friends here. Your mother and I have been discussing. We both consider the same about you and my son,"

"Really?" Nyru was surprised. She stepped out in sight beside her mother and she put a hand on Nyru's shoulder.

The King stepped forth.

"Princess Nyru. Your Kingdom and mine have had their fights, but I understand what your mother tells me. You and my son are the keys to peace, our Kingdoms may be reborn as friends,"

He paused.

"It's up to you two," The King refined.

He stepped back.

Nyru looked at Yami. He looked as though he already knew what she was thinking.

Then there was a loud thud.

"NYRU!"

She jumped and turned.

"It's my father!" Nyru was frightened.

"WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU?"

Yami ran over to Nyru and he held her close.

Nyru's mother stepped forth.

"How dare you enter the castle in such a manner!"

Yami's mother put a hand on my and Yami's shoulders, half blocking them from him.

"You have no respect as a king. Your ways cause destruction and disorder. I do not wish to be called your queen!"

Nyru gasped. She was surprised. "Mother!"

She didn't look back.

"You shall return to the castle at once! I shall talk to you when I get home!"

He went nowhere. He stepped closer and tried to grab Nyru's arm, but Yami blocked him. Yami's mother helped Nyru's mother force him to depart the castle. He was not going without his wants being said and done. He left only knowing this wasn't the end of this little dispute of his.

"I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN NYRU. YOU STILL ARE MINE," His voice made Nyru shiver as it echoed through the castle and her ears. Yami felt her and kissed her head.

They both then turned to Nyru.

"So, marrying Yami will fix this, Nyru." Nyru's mother says. She already knew her response. Nyru smiled.

"Then there's my answer," Yami smiled too. He tightened his grip on her.

The two Kingdoms started becoming friends. This agreement will be held in a few years when they become older. They can now do as they pleased, with no concern of anyone getting in their way.

Nyru's father was made never allowed to come anywhere near her without an escort.

Nyru is now not afraid of her father any longer.

With what all they've been through, they're love for one another cannot be broken.
A week later...

The sun was about to set.

"Nyru! Yami is here!" Nyru's mother called.

Nyru's heart was pounding. Nyru ran out her door.

She entered the main room where Yami was waiting for her.

Yami grasped her hand and he led her out the door.

"Where are we going?" Nyru asked.

"You'll see," Yami replied.

They appeared on a really tall spot on a cliff. You could see all of both the Fire and Ice Kingdoms. There was the ocean out as far as the eye can see. The sun was beginning to set. Yami turned to Nyru.

"This is my favorite spot," He says.

"Why?" Nyru bet she knew why.

"It reminds me of you, "He held her face in his hands.

She looked right in his eyes. He leaned in for a kiss.

That was Nyru's favorite spot now too.

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