Sakura stood watching as the lifeboat floated away from her grand ship. A friend was leaving her once again, despite asking him to stay. He was her brother in arms and in childhood. Never had she felt more at peace with another person before, not even Glen. Then came the rune of punishment, war, and death. And somewhere between all of that, she realized how much she missed him. But now he viewed her as a traitor, a spat in society. Even now she didn't understand where all his anger came from. All she wanted was to calm his storm, but she knew that it wouldn't happen with him like this. No matter what she told him, his mind was made up. The one thing she refused to tell him was of her near death. That one day she might just keel over and this curse pass on to another innocent person to be damned. She already knew that her crew understood this. But she was very careful about it now; she rarely used the rune unless it was a dire emergency. But even then, she feared the worst.

He awoke to the creaking sound of a ship's hull. Turning to his right and left he saw that it was a med ward he was in. A soft but stern voice caused him to push himself up and pull back a curtain. The talking stopped and there before him was the owner of the voice.

"Snowe…"

Sakura. He didn't voice out her name, for fear of running at her sword drawn. Her eyes discussed him, so calm and inviting…Don't look directly in them! You will be taken in again!

Then a light grasp on his one shoulder caused him to look up. She encircled her arms around him, warming his body. "Thank the gods…you weren't moving…"

Her arms were tense and stiffer. Did she get stronger? Sure it had been a long time since he last saw her, even then she seemed normally built.

Yet he wanted to get out of this position, and she left him before he could retort.

"Dr. Yue, Carrie, I will be sending down food for you in a moment. Please find some clothes for Snowe and get him to the baths."

A captain's voice she had. He heard it briefly when the pirates attacked their transport. With one last look at him she spoke eloquently, "When you are ready, tell Sigurd and Hervey to take you upstairs. That's these two." She pointed towards the two men in the doorway. He recognized them from his chance meeting with her at Pirate's Cove.

Then turning towards the door she walked passed them to the left, "I have to speak with Elenor."

Truly her flag ship was the grandest ship he had ever seen. He had heard that Obel makes fine ships, but this was beyond proving a point. Snowe was clean, dressed, and fed, and now was led all throughout the ship from the ground up. Seven levels of crew, it was a pure dream boat!

Finally at the top, the pirates took him out onto the deck. Outside were some of the crew, and then he noticed a familiar group near Sakura. It was Tal, Kenneth, Paula, and Jewel. He hadn't seen them all together since that day they fought of the pirate attack and when Sakura was exiled.

Then his eyes turned toward Sakura. She was dressed differently then before in the med bay. A long black coat that had no sleeves, but from the shirt underneath made the illusion of sleeves. The colors were a brown-black, red, yellow, and silver buttons. Tied around her waist were twin blades he had never seen her use before. The he saw a young red haired boy standing next to her. He followed the two until Sigurd stopped halfway back to let Hervey go forward.

"Well here he is Captain."

She looked at Snowe with a calmness, but the others had a sort of worry. He swallowed a lump in his throat.

"How do you feel Snowe?" He watched her approach with ease and grace. When did she grow strong?

"…I'm fine."

"You don't look it."

"How would you know?"

He felt a two fingers lift his gaze towards hers, "For starters, you never look a person in the eye when you are stressed."

Damn it, she knew him too well!

She smiled and patted his shoulder, then turned around to walk towards the rail. "Snowe, do you understand what it is we fight for?"

"Pardon?"

She turned to face him while resting on the railing, "We as in this crew."

"Is it not yours?"

"No." Her answer surprised him. "Everyone joined of their free will for a common goal. Each still reside in their groups whether it be Kika's Band, Helmut's group…"

"Helmut!"

"…Obel's defenses, Na-Nal residents, Nay Kaboyds, mercenaries, or just people that wish to help. Each have other calling after this is over."

"B-but they follow you?"

"True, because I gained this authority. So far everyone doesn't mind my position and I will freely comply to anyone who wishes to do better."

He gaped at her, she wasn't the same Sakura he knew. No, she was an ideal.

Sakura turned towards the red head and raised her hand, "May I Ted?"

Ted nodded while taking out the sword he held. Snowe didn't have to look twice to know it was his.

"The blacksmith cleaned it well."

She pulled it from its sheath to let the light catch. She then turned the blade to Snowe.

"Any words in your defense? Snowe Vingerhut, former noble of Razil?"

When she said that, his heart stopped. Her eyes showed pure determination. A fierce look that he only dreamed to have. Defense? What defense could he say.

"….I have nothing to say. Do what you will to me."

He caught the look in his "friend's" eyes. Then looked directly into Sakura's. This was the first time he ever really looked into her eyes. He remembered hearing some of the other trainees why a "lovely girl" like Sakura would join. He never viewed her as "lovely" just as Sakura, the knight and friend. But when he looked into her eyes just then, he clearly saw Sakura, the woman.

Sakura breathed out and sheathed the blade, "Then Snowe, I offer you a place in our ranks."

He gaped at her.

"You said it yourself, you have nothing." She then held out his sword in front of him, "Therefore, you have nothing to lose."

A smile formed in her mouth. He took the sword.