I run through the palace looking for a place to hide, my hand is killing me but I ignore it as I keep running. Soon I come across several doors; I hear voices inside as I silently pass by. I turn a corner to find a single simple door tucked away, nearly hidden among the pillars of the hallway I stand in. Not stopping to pause I run to it and push the door open, closing it behind me I stare at the door, listening to the hall beyond.

I listen for a minute before I hear a small gap behind me. Great I have to kill someone now, I think to myself.

"Who-who are you?" The question, spoken ever so softly, is filled with curiosity and the tiniest hint of fear.

Suddenly, I turn pretending to be frightened.

Before me stands nothing less than a god in human form: a boy, thin and obviously weak, yet his pale skin and long snow white hair shimmer in the low light of the chamber, his beautiful chocolate eyes grow wide as he stares at me, his lush lips slightly parted, his body covered only by a thin garment, his feet bare, and a simple ruby necklace around his neck.

Dressed in slave's clothes I must look like an escaped slave to him, an intruder, but as his eyes look over my appearance he steps closer to me, reaching out his hands he lifts my arm toward him.

Instantly I pull my arm away, knowing my hand is most likely broken, the pain coming from it in the forefront of my mind once again.

The boy takes a half step closer, his eyes locked on my hurt hand, "What is your name?"

The boy's soft sweet voice washes over me, "Akefia." I whisper, not wanting to frighten the wondrous creature before me. Why did I just tell him my first name?

He smiles softly, "A nice name," finally his eyes meet mine, If I were a lesser man I would drown in those eyes, "My name is Ryou, I'm a healer here in the palace."

The boy, Ryou, hadn't asked any question but I see it in his eyes, slowly I lift my injured hand. His eyes shine as he looks down at my hand, taking it in his ever so carefully. He turns it a couple times examining the damage, but I'm not paying attention. My eyes stay on his face trying to memorize it as he works, after a minute his eyes return to mine, "I need to set the bones in your hand, before I wrap it."

"Will it hurt?" Not that I can't handle it. I just want hear his voice again.

"Yes, it will. Come." Ryou turns leading me to the far wall where a bed sits, its sheets perfectly made. Ryou gestures to the bed, where I sit obediently. Ryou knees before me taking my hand in his, he holds my hand out flat, "One, two, three."

I'm not sure what he does to my hand but the pain flares; I close my eyes, and clench my teeth as i hear my bones pop several times. Then just as suddenly, the pain stops completely. Opening my eyes again I see Ryou begin to wrap a cloth around my hand.

"Don't use this hand for at least two days; just be very careful with it until it's fully healed after that." I nod as he stands up, a smile on his lips, "I hope I see you again, Akefia."