Betrayal...Or following your true nature? Part I

Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble...

~MacBeth, by William Shakespeare.

It was a peaceful day in Tantis, the land that all Tantuas hailed from. Everybody was relaxing, laying in the sun, or keeping a close eye on their children. The sky was cloudlesss, and a slight wind was blowing. It was a perfect day...for most Tantuas.

"Father, no! I refuse to sew! I want to be jousting!" A little rainbow Tantua screamed at her father.
"Now dear, be lady-like. Go cook if you don't want to sew."
"Father-I want to study. I WANT to learn. At least let me-"
"Aiia, this is final. Go do something appropriate for you."
The little tantua stormed off in a rage towards her room in the west wing of the castle. Her father(a royal tantua) sighed mournfully. Ladies cooked and sewed. Why did he have to get stuck with this-this-He couldn't say it. He was her daughter. He-His thoughts were interrupted by his son, Hilow. "Father, what's the matter? You look sad." The royal tantua gazed up at him, then lept onto the throne. Hilow had a knack for telling when someone had something on his mind.
"It's your sister again. Why can't she just be normal?" He growled.
"Father...Maybe you should..."
"Yes?"
"Let her be who she is. What have you got to-"
That made the king snap. Were they all insane?
"Out!!!!" He roared, and his son lept from the dais, and trotted off.
A dark shadow slid into the room. The king looked up in surprise. It was-
His son. Only his son. Well, his other one anyways. Sentan slid up to his father in that chilling manner he had.
"Father, is it Aiia again?"
"Yes." The king looked slightly shocked.
Sentan sighed. "She needs to learn her place. She can't go around being what she's not."
The King nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, finally, someone who understands!" He patted his son on the back, and felt his temper ebbing. In fact, he felt an urge to go hunting (which consisted of fake targets and some dull pieces of wood).
"My son, would you care to go hunting with me?"
"I'll go get my gear." He flashed a strange smile at his father.
"I'll meet you out front in 10 minutes. Hurry now!"
Sentan jumped off the dais and trotted towards his room in the east wing. This will get my mind off my daughter, he thought.

Sentan saw his chance now. Just what he'd been waiting for. And he wasn't going to let the opportunity pass by...

Lulu sat in the kitchen with her mother.
"Mama...why do girls have to cook? I mean, I have nothing against it, but..."
"Dear, that's just the way it is. Girls cook, guys go to war. That's the cycle."
"But why?"
"That doesn't concern you. Come help me with this pie." The little red tantua hopped down from her chair to help her mom. She was still full of questions. WHY couldn't girls go to school? WHY did they have to cook and clean? Right now though, she didn't see any way of changing this, so she began mixing the ingredients for her mother.
Aiia, meanwhile, was fuming in her room. This was completely unfair! She wanted to do stuff the boys did, and she would! Hmmph. She looked up as somebody entered her room.
"Oh, Hilow, it's you."
"Yes. What's on your mind? I can tell you're troubled." He jumped up and sat on the edge of her bed.
"It's father! He says that my "Place is in the kitchen". Raggh!" She growled.
"Aiia, you know father is stuck in his ways. He always has been. I tried to convince him...Well, it didn't work. I'm sorry, Aiia. I know you can do whatever you set your mind to, but you're being held back."
"Exactly." Aiia's temper had cooled.
"I wonder...maybe there are other lands than this. And maybe they-"
Aiia gasped. "Yes, yes! I hadn't thought of that! We have to try this! And I think I have a plan..."

Sentan was the second oldest, which also meant the throne would go to his brother, if any unfortunate accidents happened. And they would. Slowly, quietly, one paw in front of the other, he crept up and pounced.The throne was reclaimed. Now to find Hilow...And the throne would be his.

Aiia unfolded her plan. "Hilow, all we have to do is change costumes! Everybody will think you're me, and I'm you. I'll escape during the night, so nobody will take the time to notice. It's perfect!"
"Well, Aiia...I don't know. What if somebody DOES take the time to notice?"
"They won't. I'll leave tonight."
Hilow nodded. He knew he would be in GIGANTIC trouble for this, but his sister needed him. He wouldn't let her down. He jumped off her bed and walked out of the room.

Lulu had finally been let off kitchen duty. About time! She strayed to the window, then yelled out, "Father's Back!" She ran down the steps and out into the courtyard to meet her father.

She DID love him. He was just stubborn, that was all. She ran to the side of the wagon...And jumped back. It was only her brother, but he looked so sad...She gasped as she comprehended what had happened.

Sentan nodded. "It is true. A rampaging bolimo got to him before I did." The dark tantua hopped down to the ground and faced his sister. Tears were running down her face, making the fur flatten out into little rivers. Lulu nodded to him in turn, then ran back sobbing.

Aiia watched stolidly from her window, knowing what had happened. She didn't have time for feelings now...She sensed some foul play in the castle, and he was standing right outside. She turned and opened her door, running down the corridor. To Hilow, to Hilow...for he would be next.

Hilow sat in his room, staring at the blank wall. He was king now. How could he run Tantis? He felt too young...And-His thoughts were interrupted by the door opening and rapid pawsteps entering.
"Who-"
"Aiia. You know our plan? It has to happen NOW. There's foul play abroad...Hilow, you have to get out of here. We have to change costumes."
"But-"
"Now!"
Hilow looked at her, and nodded. Within minutes, Hilow had become rainbow, and Aiia royal.
"Thank you Hilow. Nobody will notice you as you leave the country. I, on the other hand, will be noticed, and distract attention from you. Somehow, I have to get out too-" She stopped and looked at the doorway. Sentan.
"Oh, brother. Hello."
"Dear sister, you've changed costumes with Hilow."
"I needed a change. I hate being rainbow."
"Hmm." He walked a bit closer, sealing off the exit.
"I don't believe you. In fact, I think you both have seen a bit too much."He lept for Aiia, but a rainbow blur knocked him off course.
"Run, sister!"Hilow shouted.
She panicked and fled. "Ring the Alarm bells!Shake off your laziness, and see a traitor in your midst!" She screamed.
Her mother and Lulu came from the kitchen. "Aiia, what's this shouting about?" Her mother asked.
"Sentan...You have to get out!"
Her mother just stared at her.
"Enough of your jokes. Back to the kitchen, and find something better to do with your time, Aiia." Lulu looked sad, but followed her mother.
She had to get out. She had to. She ran through the castle, her heart racing. Finally, an exit! She ran through...to complete pandemonium.
It was a wave of sound and terror...and tantuas. The perfect escape. Aiia bounded into the crowd and ran, as far and as fast as she could.

Lulu looked out and saw what Aiia was seeing. Then she turned around. "Mom..."
"No, dear.I'm trying to make this pie."
"Mom!"Lulu shrieked. She was pulled away by a soldier. A concoction was forced into her mouth, and she swallowed. What was happening? Who was Aiia? Who was she?

And so began the reign of King Sentan.