A/N: This would be a rewrite of Shadow King's Princess. The story will follow the same storyline, to a point. I will change a few things that I now dislike, and Zaira's problems will probably be a bit more apparent. If you aren't fond of a really weak heroine (a.k.a. the mess Zaira is) I would suggest switching to Identical Memories or Yours to Hold. ^3^ Just a warning. Zaira... she's a mess.

The mind of one barely warding off a panic attack is rarely rational. No matter how many times I heard my name I couldn't force my limbs to move. I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe; at least, not at first.

"Bello-sama."

I heard his voice, but it made little sense in my mind. I didn't stand as I knew I was supposed to. Nor did I shift my hands from the back of my neck. Rather, I took in quick, shallow breaths, squeezing my eyes shut as I attempted to slow my racing heart. The worst of it might have been over, but there was still the chance of that changing.

No matter how many times I'd been told how to deal with the attacks they never became any easier.

"Bello-sama," the voice muttered again.

"Just wait, Okada," another voice cut in, his tone much less tense than the other. "You knew this might happen..."

I lost track of his words, my hands only tightening around my neck. The trigger, it hadn't been clear until that moment.

There was no way I could do this. Getting off this plane... No, getting out of this seat was impossible. My fingers dug into the sensitive skin of my neck, the sharp pain doing nothing to ward off the slowly growing panic. I couldn't do it. I couldn't.

If I got off of the plane... there were so many people out there. Where there were people, there was the unknown. I'd been so stupid to opt out of a private flight. I should have taken the offer. I should have done something to avoid having to step out into that airport.

"I-I-I c-c-c-can't," I gasped. "I-I-I--"

"It's fine, Bello-sama," the second voice assured me. "Take your time. We can wait. I've already talked to the staff."

Something about the soothing tone of his voice did it. It took time, but I slowly managed to reign in my emotions. Soon I'd dropped my hands from my neck and moved to grab my handbag from beneath my seat. The two, hulking men that had been escorting me since I'd left my home in France said nothing as I slowly stood from my seat and offered them an uneasy, apologetic smile.

"I-I-I-"

Spit it out, I internally urged myself.

"I-I, I'm s-sorry."

The more welcoming of the two, the man who'd told me to take my time, offered me a simple shake of his head in response.

"There's no need to apologize, Bello-sama. But... if you don't mind, it would be best if we got moving, now," he replied.

"R-right."

Within moments they'd escorted me from the plane. I could feel myself growing more tense by the second, especially when I caught sight of one of the flight attendants shooting an annoyed expression at my back. She was soon forgotten, however, as soon as the buzz of conversation beyond the flight gate began to reach my ears. I stopped, my heart feeling as if it was about to burst from my chest. When both of my escorts paused as well, I offered them a shaky, apologetic smile once again and forced myself to continue forward.

Their names, I reminded myself. Trivial details help. What're their names?

It took time, but I slowly managed to pull the information to the front of my mind as we stepped into the crowd. The gruffer of the two men, the one who stepped in front of me to make our path through the crowd easier, was Okada Junji. The other man-- the one who'd told me I could have as much time as I needed-- dropped back to ensure that we had a small, breathable space and that the crowd didn't immediately close in behind me. Before we'd left France, he'd introduced himself as Ono Eisei.

Remembering this, I managed to relax somewhat. They were here to make sure nothing happened. No doubt they had been trained by the best. Their employer wasn't exactly known for hiring anyone of a lower status than that. We would be fine. I could do this... sort of. The whole reason I'd opted out of the private plane was to force myself to be around others, my self-inflicted seclusion back at home had made being around others... difficult to say the least.

Soon, we'd broke away from the crowds. I relaxed-- if only a bit-- as the path to the exit became clear. My eyes soon shifted to Okada's back, the path ahead of us slowly growing in importance in my mind.

"... O-Okada... san?" I asked, nearly forgetting to add the honorific.

He didn't turn to look at me, his eyes solely focused on our path.

"Is... Is a-anyone g-g-going to m-meet us h-here?"

I felt stupid asking. After all, I'm sure someone had told me at some point what the plans where. Within the past few days, though, people had been saying so many things that little of of it had actually stuck in my mind. Things had become increasingly busy after the final decision on my predicament. Now that I'd finally come out of the... state I'd been in after my parents' deaths they felt there was no longer a reason for me to stay in that house.

No. Stop that.

Now wasn't the time to think about the matter. It was hard enough to handle when I was alone, let alone in public. Just the thought had caused a hitch in my breath. I pressed my free hand to my chest, forcing myself to breathe deeply. My eyes focused on Okada, who seemed to be thinking over how to respond, or perhaps just wondering why I'd asked. During this time we reached the exit and he bodily held the door to the side for me.

"Kyoya-sama was coming out here after school, I believe, so he should already be waiting. He planned on skipping his club activities for today so that he could escort you to the estate."

Chewing on my lip, I simply gave him a nod that I'd understood and stepped past him into the sun. My Japanese wasn't as nice as that of someone who'd grown up here, like Kyoya or-- I assumed-- Okada, but it was enough to get me by. I easily kept up with conversations and had no problem with writing so I only had to make little effort to understand what he'd said.It was the main reason that I would able to start attending school within the week.

Ouran Academy, just the thought of it sent a nervous feeling shooting through me. 

A school for the children of the rich and well-off; it would be different, that was for certain. I had always been taught by private tutors, just the idea of a normal academy was foreign to me.

I shook my head, casting the thoughts from my mind. It wouldn't do to work myself up over it, not now. Like any other, stressful thoughts, they were better left until I was alone. Instead, I forced myself to focus on studying the drive with my eyes, looking for a familiar face. It only took a few moments for me to pick up on his vehicle, it's expensive style a stark contrast to all of those around it.

Then there was him; I'd have recognized him anywhere.

His black hair fell perfectly around his face, not a strand out of place. His steel-gray eyes were focused on a small book cradled in his hands, the back of his soft-blue school blazer pressed against his car door. As if sensing my approach, he glanced up, one finger moving to shift adjust where the bridge of his glasses fell on his nose.

"Zaria," he greeted, snapping the book shut.

Relief flooded through me as I quickly closed the distance between us. I faintly noted that while the two men still followed me, they gave me a larger berth than I'd had the entire time they'd been my escorts.

"Hello, K-Kyoya--" I began, cutting myself and chewing on my lip for a moment. Things had changed since the last time we met. Now, there were certain social protocols to follow and I couldn't instantly decide what term I should use. "... senpai."

Kyoya's lips twisted up slightly as he pulled his back from the car door. Within seconds he'd opened it and gestured for me to take a seat.

"I hope your flight was well?"

"... It was," I lied.

"Good. Your belongings have already arrived and been put away in the manner you'd requested. Once we get back you'll be able to rest if you'd like, although dinner isn't too far off."

As he spoke, I took his hint and climbed into the car. I was careful to tuck my hands against the soft folds of my light-brown dress as to avoid it riding up when I slid to the other side of the car. He'd taken his seat next to me within seconds, shutting the door. I could faintly make out one of my two escorts moving to take the passengers seat in the front, the other disappearing into another car parked a short distance away from our current position. Forcing my attention back to the present, I buckled before clasping both of my hands tightly around the handle of my travelbag.

"Th-thank-you, and I th-think I-I'll go ahead and r-r-rest."

"I thought you might," he replied, then turned his attention to the driver as he gave the instructions that we were ready to leave. "Welcome to Japan, Zaira."

Japan...

Perhaps it would be the change I needed. Then again, the start of my stay in the country had been a panic attack, nothing different than what I'd been facing the past few months in France.

I would hope, however, that, that was a fluke. Perhaps Japan would be a different sort of adventure than I had already experienced... hopefully one that would make me be able to sleep at night.