Heelllooo! I finally got this up! (Yes, it's twelve thirty at night...yes, I ain't plannin' on goin' ta bed anytime soon...not like there's anyone waiting for me.)
Yeah. Yaoi, lemon, angst...reference to rape. bad, good whatever ya wanna call it. I thin it's good (not the rape though, that's jus' fer dramatic tension) don' like? don' read.
The original story of cinderella is not mine. Ash, Rilien, and Reina, however, are MINE along with the bad guys and minor charas. the one that's not entirely mine is Cleo...she is thanks to Teraki-chan...hell, lots 'a this is thanks to Teraki. She's sooooo cool! anou...on to the story 'fore I start gettin' sappy.

Cinderboy (a yaoi cinderella)
"Cinderboy!" The blond screeched, flouncing into the tiny room. "Wake up!" Two dainty fingers grabbed the tattered coverlet odd the tightly curled form on the bed. "Up!"

"What is it Mitsirine," asked a soft voice. "Isn't it early?"

"Yes it's early," the blond snapped. "But I'm up. So you have to get up and make me breakfast!"

"Yes, Mitsirine." The young man lying on the bed at up and swung his legs over the side, pushing his long silver hair out of his face.

"Is the ash boy giving you trouble, Mitsi?" Came a snide, sneering male voice from the doorway.

"He's moving too slow," the blond pouted. The brown haired boy in the doorway just chuckled and kicked he other boy to get him moving. Thus causing him to stumble down the stairs wearing only too small brown pants and trying to braid his long hair.

"Breakfast!" The brown haired boy snapped.

"Y…yes Tristan."

"Hn." Both girl and boy flopped onto a lavishly decorated couch as the silver haired boy went into the kitchen. He dropped onto his knees to shove wood into the small wood-burning stove. Then he stood and reached for a pan that was hanging over the stove, as he pulled it down at least twenty other pans crashed down on top of him.

"Hurry up, Cinderboy!" Mitsirine yelled. He picked himself up, rubbing the new bruises on his fair skin, and began to clean up the fallen pans.


His real name was Ashril. His father had died when he was barely six, and he has never known his mother. So his stepmother raised him along with his stepsiblings Mitsirine and Tristan. There had always been rumors about his mother, from her being some random barmaid; to her being one of the Faerie folk themselves. Ashril's silver hair, violet eyes, and slim body (though that was partly from lack of food) lent to the latter rumor. He was gentle and sweet, despite his harsh treatment. He went from being called Ashril to Ash to Ash boy to Cinderboy. His long silver hair was constantly dirty and his pale skin was smudged and bruised. His slanted, violet eyes were sunken from lack of sleep and the occasional punch. Yet somehow he remained beautiful. So much so that Mitsirine, who was pretty…but far from beautiful, wanted him kept inside. And Tristan, well, Tristan seemed to believe that Ash made a pretty good punching bag. Of course, not everything was bad, but it sure could seem like it.

Later that afternoon Ash was sweeping the front hall when there was a knock at the door. He opened it to see a royal postman there, holding a fancy envelope.

"For the lady Mirnessa DeRosa."

"I'll take it." Ash said, giving the man a sweet smile. The man handed him the envelope, bowed slightly, and left.

"Cinderboy!" An imperious voice barked. "Who was that?"

"Then postman, stepmother." Ash sighed, handing the tall, over-dressed, pompous woman the letter. She tore it open, dropping the envelope on to the freshly swept floor. Her eyes lit up as she read the letter.

"Mitsirine!" She called. "Tristan!" The two came skidding into the hall.

"Mother?"

"There is a ball at the palace the prince is choosing a bride and we," she paused for effect. "Are going."

"Oh really, mother?" Mitsirine squealed. "Oh, that'll be glorious! Oh! Won't it be fun, Tris?"

"Yes, it shall," he leered at Ash. "Such a pity that Cinderboy can't come."

"The letter did say to Lady DeRosa and family," Ash pointed out softly.

"Yes," Mitsirine sneered. "But for a ball one first needs to be nobility, which you are not. And one needs nice clothes, which you have not."

"Now, Mitsi." Lady DeRosa purred. "There is no reason Ashril should not come to the ball." Mitsirine pouted at that. "Provided he gets all his work done and finds his own clothes, of course," the blond girl perked up at this. "What do you say, Ashril?"

Ash bowed. "I will get all my chores done, my lady."

"That's wonderful Ash." Lady DeRosa smirked. "Come children." The three floated off leaving Ash to fall to sit on the floor, grimacing.

"How will I ever get all my work done," he groaned. "Even if manage to finish my given chores, they'll give me more and more and…how? Then the clothes…" Ash moaned, then his face lit up slightly. "Cleo and Reina." He stood up and began to sweep up the torn envelope.

Late that night Ash pulled himself out of bed and snuck out of the house and into an alley down by a huge theatre. "Cleo," He whispered. "Reina?" He watched for the flash of silver that would proclaim he girls' presence. Then a slim shape rushed at him, wrapping him in its arms.

"Ash-baby!"

"Ack! Cleo!"

"Cleo," came a lower voice. "Don't you think Ash might want to breathe?"

"Nah." Nonetheless, the girl let Ash go, and immediately he was in another crushing hug.

"Reina!"

"What're ya doin' out here?" The lower voice asked.

"Looking for you." Ash gasped. "Reina, can I breathe please?"

Cleo snickered and Reina sighed. "Oh, yeah." She let him go. "Whadda ya want?"

"Can we go where I can actually see you guys?"

Reina chuckled. "Certainly. Cleo?"

"Yup." Cleo headed off, walking, rather than at the breakneck speed at which she had entered. Reina and Ash followed her. She stopped in a park where the moon filtered through the trees and combined with the street lamps enough to even see eye color and the three had eye color.

Cleo's large eyes were green, not forest green, mint green, and her brown hair was held back in a ponytail. She was not short, but certainly not tall either, and somewhat cute, not annoying cute, beautiful cute, like a cat. She wore all black, setting off her pale skin. Black tank top, high black combat boots that sported bright pink laces, and short black shorts that flashed a glimpse of lacy black underwear when she stretched. A key hung on a sliver chain around her neck, a silver mood ring graced her hand and she had two sets of earrings in each ear. The lower ones were silver with black obsidian drops hanging from them, and the upper ones were merely silver. To top off the whole outfit a black whip hung at her belt, smooth and useless there, but with the potential to sting.

Reina's eyes were blue, or purple, or both depending on the light and her thick brown hair swung in a braid down her back. She was an inch taller that Cleo, at best, and her skin was a dark tan, darker even next to Cleo and Ash's pale white and her muscles stood out a bit more. She was more handsome than pretty…beautiful in a strange, gypsyish way. She wore purple, as well as black. A deep purple, sleeveless tunic, black leather pants held at the waist with a black belt, and black riding boots. The silver chain around her neck held and Egyptian ankh and the engraved hilts of daggers stuck out of her boots. The obsidian drops that hung in her ear matched those in Cleo's. There was a funny silver glint in her eyes as she watched Cleo stretch then she turned to Ash.

"Well…"

"There's a ball at the palace in a few weeks."

"Aa." Reina smiled, Cleo pouted.

"…I don't get it…"

"I want to go to the ball." Ash explained. "Mirnessa says I can go if I finish all my chores, and provide my own clothes."

"Merde," Reina grimaced.

"K'so," Cleo's eyes slitted in annoyance.

"Precisely." Ash sighed.

"So you want us to…" Reina prompted.

"Help me find clothes. It's not like I have the money to get them any normal way."

Both girls smiled. "We'll see what we can do."

"Thanks." Ash turned to go.

"Ash," Reina called.

"Yes?"

"If there's anything we can do…"

"Like kill the bitch," Cleo chuckled.

"Thanks, but it's not a good idea."

"Ok." The girls turned in the opposite direction.

"She's not a bitch, Cleo," Ash heard Reina say.

"She isn't?"

"No," Reina laughed. "She's the fucking queen mother of all bitches."

"Yeah! Ice cream?" Ash could just imagine the wide, pleading green eyes.

"Fine."

Ash giggled slightly as the girls' voices faded into the night and he crept back to his small second story room and lay back on his bed, thinking. He had heard about the prince. The young man was about his age, a year older maybe, and supposed to be devastatingly handsome. Ash would give anything just to catch a glimpse, and just to get out for a night would be heaven! The same unlikely fantasy began to flit through his head, as had every night…basically since he hit puberty: a handsome prince on a white horse coming to sweep him off his feet and carry him off into the sunset. He groaned. It was a one in a million chance that the prince was interested in guys, less than that even, and even more unlikely that the prince would be interested in him. But a boy could dream.


Those next weeks Ash worked like he never had before. On his knees everyday, scrubbing and cleaning every surface in sight. Even his stepmother had to admit that she was impressed. Finally it was the day of the ball. Ash had spent the morning fixing up the last bits of Mitsirine, Tristan, and his stepmother's clothes. Then set to work on all the chores he could think of, but the minute he finished one Mitsirine or Mirnessa would think of another. Fixing their hair, their makeup, chopping enough wood for the next three winters together, or even as trivial, and everlasting as… "Cinderboy, sort out my jewelry and arrange it by style, color, and value." He was still resweeping the floor after Mitsirine had deliberately spilled powder on it when the carriage pulled up at the house and Mitsirine, Mirnessa, and Tristan flounced off into it, without so much as a 'goodbye.' Ash collapsed on the floor, clutching the broom. Well, there went any chances of him going. He sighed. Even if Cleo and Reina had found something for him to wear he wouldn't have made it. He jumped a foot when someone tapped his shoulder.

"Goodness," giggled Cleo's sweet voice. "Jumpy."

"You probably scared the shit out of him." Reina chuckled.

"What are you doing here?" Ash gasped.

"Sending you off to the ball," Cleo announced. "What do you think?"

"It's a little late for that," Ash sighed.

"No it's not." There were unholy smirks on both girls' faces...not that that was an unusual thing.

"What do you mean?"

"We mean you're going to blow up the palace and everyone in it for revenge," Reina snickered. "We got ya clothes, ya little idiot. Whaddya think we meant?"

"I don't know."

"Look, just get changed," She told him, dumping the clothes in front of him, the turning away. "We won't watch."

Ash picked up the violet cloth in front of him.

"A dress!"

Reina sighed. "Are ya aware of how much you stand out? As a guy with long silver hair everyone will recognize you. As a girl…possible, but not as likely. 'Sides," She smirked. "Don'tcha wanna dance with th' prince?"

Ash blushed. "Reina…"

"Just put on the clothes." Reina commanded.

"Yeah," Cleo piped up. "You're gonna look stunning, Ash."

"Fine," Ash sulked. "But…shouldn't I wash up first? I'm gonna get it all dirty."

"Cleo?" Reina asked.

"He should wash up," Cleo decided, shooing Ash off to the bathroom. In ten minutes he was back, holding a blow dryer and a hairbrush, wrapped tightly in a faded gray robe. He held out the hair dryer and brush to the two girls.

"Help?"

The smiled, Reina took the dryer and Cleo took the brush and between the two of them managed to get Ash's hair dried and untangled.

"Now the dress," Reina declared.

"Turn around," Ash told the two, blushing slightly. They did, and he picked up the dress.

It was certainly beautiful Ash had to agree. It was a light violet that matched his eyes, embroidered with silvery-blue flowers. It was the best style of the season, low cut, but with a bodice so tight it would squash the best endowed into a flat chested little girl. There was a slight bustle to it, and a huge train, the sleeves were long and somewhat bell shaped. All together the thing must've taken hundreds of yards of fabric…or at least fifty. He slipped it over his head.

"Could one of you lace it up for me?" He asked hesitantly. Reina turned, her slight smirk developing into a huge grin. She motioned for Ash to turn around and began to lace up the dress.

"Turn around," She told him, once finished. Then whistled slightly. "Babe, ya look good."

"Almost as good as me," Cleo teased, nodding approvingly.

"Baby," Reina teased back. "No one looks as good as you."

"Hmm." Cleo walked slowly around Ash, inspecting him carefully. "We need to do something with his hair. And then jewelry."

"Kneel." Reina commanded, as Cleo picked up the brush again. Ash obeyed and Cleo began to fool with his hair, holding her hand out every few minutes for pins Reina appeared to have in her pocket. Finally she walked to stand in front of him and admire her handiwork.

"You're a magician," Reina complimented her.

"Ash lends to it," Cleo replied. Bending to pick a small silver tiara up off the floor. She settled it in front of the elaborate hair do. "Perfect. Where's the jewelry?"

Reina dug in her pocket, eventually producing a diamond drop necklace and earrings.

"They're clips," she assured Ash. "Though you would look good with pierced ears." Ash merely shuddered slightly. Cleo giggled.

"Make up?" She inquired.

"Silver-purple eye shadow, a bit of blush and some sparkly lipstick," Reina declared. Then her voice went quieter. "And something to cover up those bruises." Cleo nodded and Ash sat still as she applied to make up to his face, along with a tiny bit of foundation over the bruises on his arms. Then she bent and picked up something off the floor.

"The final touch." It was a pair of glass slippers, not high heels, merely glass like dancing shoes.

"Don't worry," Reina assured him. "They won't break."

Ash slid the slippers on and stood slowly. The two girls had very contented grins on their faces.

"We are so good." Cleo muttered.

"Uh," Ash hated to break their moment but… "And how am I going to get there?" "Oh," Reina passed it off with a wave of her hand. "There's a carriage waiting outside, and don't look at us like that. The carriage is perfectly legal…only the money for it was stolen."

Ash nodded and the girls began to walk him towards the door.

"Remember to act like a girl." Cleo told him then shot a glance at her partner. "Not like Rei-chan though," she giggled.

"Yeah," Reina scoffed. "Everyone at the ball would be bloody."

"Reina…" Ash pleaded.

"Be back by midnight." Reina added, smiling gently. "Those clothes are…borrowed. Don't worry, the owners aren't at the ball." With that Ash got a kiss on both cheeks and was shoved off into the carriage.

"And don't forget to jump the prince." Reina called after him. The last he heard was the two girls' laughter.

He barely had time to think before he found himself at the ball. Before he knew it he was being ushered into the ballroom. He shuddered as he stepped into the room. He knew everyone was staring at him. He brushed self-consciously at the dress and wandered off into the crowd, which parted for him, or her as they thought. And the rumors began to spread.


"They say she's one of the Faerie." The seedy little counselor whispered to the prince as the two stood up on the dais, watching the proceedings.

"I don't care if she's the bastard daughter of the third count of Pompeii," the prince replied somewhat snappishly. He was thirsty for something besides wine, overheated from the royal clothing, stiff from standing so long, and positively bored to death. "No one's paying attention to her and she looks scared." He took off his cloak and threw it on his unoccupied throne.

"Prince Rilien…" The warning growl came from his father, sitting behind him on his throne.

"Goddamnit father," Rilien snapped. "She's the only one without someone to talk to and I'm going down to keep her company."

"Fine you stubborn numbskull."


Watching the prince drift towards him Ash felt his breath catch in his throat. Damn, but he was just as, if not more handsome than the rumors claimed. If Ash had been the swooning type he would have swooned. That mussed brown hair, those dark blue eyes…that build! 'Act like a girl. Act like a girl. Act like a girl…but not like Reina.' Suddenly he giggled.

"Do I amuse you, Mademoiselle?" The prince inquired, bowing. Ash blushed…that deep voice! Could he be any more perfect?

"No sir," Ash replied, quietly. "Not you. A friend of mine who told me something." He caught his breath and curtsied quickly. "I beg your pardon, your Highness. I didn't mean to be so forward."

"No apologies needed," the prince said smoothly. "What did this friend tell you?"

"Merely…not to act like her."

"Ah, and is this friend here?"

Ash shook his head, thinking just how many ornaments would disappear if the two thieves ever entered the palace. "Oh no, she wouldn't like it."

"And you like it?"

"I like having a chance to get out, and the people are interesting." 'And I had wanted to meat you.'

"Even if they start rumors that you're a Faerie?"

"Oh god," Ash paled further, if that was possible. "Is that…damn."

The prince looked askance at the delicate creature in front of him for a second, then he started laughing. He had a warm, full laugh that Ash would have given anything to hear again. A warm flush spread over his face…The prince looked so handsome like that, face somewhat flushed, eyes sparkling.

"Whoops?" He offered, the prince merely laughed harder, doubling over in mirth. His hand came up on its own to clasp Ash's bare shoulder. He pulled it away the minute he got himself together.

"Sorry," he gasped, fully aware that everyone was staring at them. "It's just…you look so…"

Ash nodded. "I know. You'd get pis…upset too if everyone kept deciding that you weren't human."

The prince snorted. "Royalty and inhuman are basically one and the same."

"Oh," Ash was somewhat startled. "I never thought of that. Yes, I suppose you're right."

"Of course I'm right." The prince was blushing slightly. "Look, it's rather hot in here, and that dress has got to be a damn sight more uncomfortable than even my clothes. Would you like to go out onto the balcony, or something?"

"Sounds nice." 'Alone with you…god, will I be able to control myself. Got to stay in control, got to, got to.'

The prince offered his arm and, with a slight jump of realization, Ash took it and let himself be led off to the balcony, biting back a sigh of contentment.

"I'm afraid I don't know your name," the prince confessed when they were situated outside.

"Ashr…" Ash caught himself. "Ashra, your highness."

"Please," the prince snorted a bit at his given title. "Call me Rilien."

"You honor me."

The prince looked disgusted for a minute before realizing that he was being teased and dissolving into laughter yet again and Ash had to fight to keep the blatant adoration from his eyes. He turned to stare out over the city, leaning against the golden railing.

"What do you see?" Rilien asked once he had himself back under control.

"The library," Ash said. "And the forest and…oh!" There was a familiar flash of silver and blur of black just below the balcony.

"What?"

"My friends," Ash said, pointing downwards. "They're a bit nuts."

"Tell me."

"Ah…well," Ash let off with a few stories about the two girls and their exploits, leaving out names, as far as he knew they still had a price on their heads. When he was done both he and the prince were silent for a moment.

"Can I tell you something?" Rilien asked. "In the strictest confidence?"

"Of course." Ash knew his heart was pounding, and desperately tried to stop it.

"You know this ball is for me to choose a bride?"

Ash nodded.

"I'm not interested."

Ash cocked his head to the side. "You mean…"

"I'm…not interested in women." Rilien was looking at Ash, waiting for a reaction. All he got was a sweet smile that slid on to the slim face. "What?"

"All those women are going to be awfully upset." Ash could barely control the triumph in his voice. Hundreds of billions to one! 'You're a girl, you're a girl, you're a girl…' the mantra repeated over and over in his mind.

"You're not?"

"Goodness no." Ash smiled. "I came because I wanted to get out, and I kind of like this kind of stuff. Not to steal you." 'Not that that would be a bad thing…you're a girl, you're a girl, you're a girl.'

"Ah." The prince's face looked a bit downcast.

"Not that I haven't enjoyed our conversation." 'Not that I'm not falling in love with you. So handsome, so kind, right preferences…you're a girl, you're a girl, you're a girl. And you can't tell him the truth, you'll get executed for pretending at nobility.'

"You…you don't seem like other women."

"I'm not." 'There, that's the best you can do.'

Suddenly there was the boom of the clock. Ash looked over at the clock tower in shock. It was already twelve? He turned to leave.

"Wait!" Rilien's hand clamped down on his arm. "Where…" Ash had already wormed his way free and was running across the ballroom, only to fall once he was half way up the steps on the other side. He picked himself up and started to run again, leaving one of the glittering slippers behind him.

Ash ran for all he was worth, jumping into the carriage and sighing when it sped away at his yelped command. He hadn't wanted to leave. The prince had been so…perfect, and now he would probably never see him again. Not that the prince even knew who he really was any way, and he had wanted to tell him so badly! Hot tears began to spill down his face. Life just wasn't fair! He watched the carriage move off after he tumbled out of it onto his doorstep. Never again…the rest of his life would be spent cleaning for that woman, never again would he see those deep blue eyes. Ash shook himself. He was acting like a schoolgirl! Still…suddenly two sets of hands pulled him inside the house.

"Eeep!"

"So?" Reina demanded, then sputtered when Cleo poked her in the stomach. "What?"

Cleo growled slightly and held out her arms to a tear stained Ash, who collapsed gratefully into them.

"What went wrong, baby-doll?" She asked softly, running her fingers through Ash's now loose hair. The style hadn't survived the run.

"He…he's perfect." Ash sobbed softly. "He's handsome and kind and he even likes guys and…oh god!" He buried his head in Cleo's shoulder.

"And you're afraid you'll never see him again," Reina murmured. Her eyes clouded over. "Oh, Ash."

"And I think I love him."

Cleo sighed. "You deserve a prince on a white horse, Ash. You'll find one someday."

"But I love him!"

Reina came up and put a hand on Ash's shoulder.

"I understand," she whispered. "You…this is gonna sound cheesy but…ya've gotta be strong Ash, and trust Karma…ya should have somthin' coming to ya."

"Karma?"

"Yeah, Karma…you'll see. And if Karma fails…well, I've always been good at her job."

"…I don't get it…" It was Cleo…with her usual mantra.

Reina laughed slightly. "Of course you don't. You're not supposed to. Now, get changed Ash. We'll go get ice cream and return the dress."

"Peanut butter." Cleo squeaked. "Of course. Ice cream always fixes everything."

While Cleo was off in her own little world Ash reached out and touched Reina's shoulder.

"Does 'I understand' mean what I think it means?" He asked. Reina smiled softly, watching her bouncing partner.

"Yeah."

On to part 2
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