AN: Hey everyone! This is a LL Fantasy AU, decided to upload it here as well. Proper AN's are usually on my LL blog ( .com) and I'll keep most AN's here short and sweet. As a small side note, the main pairs are NozoEli and NicoMaki, side pair/Ot3 is HonoKotoUmi and slight RinPana. The story is full of friendship and good times high fives. Thank you for all views, comments, favourites, and I hope you enjoy this fantasy AU!

The air was still and the fog was thick as two figures swiftly made their way around the dark barn. A small lantern hanging was their only light source, and their voices were hushed as they whispered amongst each other. Double checking, triple checking that everything they needed was amongst their belongings.

"We can't waste anymore time!" the first girl whispered harshly, grabbing the reins of her giant steed. The tall charcoal horse shook his head slightly, waking himself up as he followed the girl leading him outside of the stable. His wavy mane fluttering behind him as he followed his tiny master.

The girls dark black hair was up in two twin tails, and she looked around their surroundings upon exiting the barn. The fog was so thick, all she could see was the outline of the house they had stayed in that night. A pang of guilt flashed across her ruby eyes, she felt terrible she would be leaving home like this. But she had no choice. The choice was to leave now, or suffer the consequences later.

Not long after, her comrade exited the barn as well. Her shorter buckskin horse following her. She nervously glanced around, brushing strands of her long violet hair behind her ear. She glanced towards the other girl, nodding to confirm she was ready to start the journey. With a swift motion, both girls mounted their horses.

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

The voice came out of nowhere, and both girls stiffened, surprised. Once she realized who it was, the black haired girl relaxed. She let out a small sigh of relief.

"Mama, you scared us." she whispers, watching her mother step closer to her. In her arms were two thick cloaks and another lantern.

"You'll both need these." She said, holding them out to each of the girls.

They quickly slipped the cloaks on, immediately enjoying the warmth that spread throughout their tired girls thanked the older woman, who only smiled motherly at them as she handed the first girl the lantern.

"Yazawa-san, I'm forever indebted to you." The violet haired girl whispered, her eyes watering slightly. "Thank you for everything. Thank you for Nicocchi. Thank you for saving me."

"You're not safe yet." The older woman said hoarsely. She walked over, grasping the girls hand tightly. "Keep going. Don't stop until you are. When you are, we'll be waiting for your return."

A single tear rolled down her cheek, and she nodded. The older woman tapped her cheek lightly with her hands, wiping away the tear and pulling away from her.

"We'll be off then, Mama." the former girl, Nico, whispered. Her mother turned to her, swiftly walking over. Nico leant down, giving her mother one last, tight hug.

"Take care of each other." Her mother whispered, pulling away and wiping her eyes from tears that threatened to fall.

Nico nodded, then looked to her companion. She smiled. It was a small, worried smile, but a smile nonetheless. They walked their horses towards the path, Nico's mother following them. Upon reaching the path, Nico looked at her mother one last time.

"I'll come back one day, I promise! Please tell that to Kokoro, Kocoa and Kotarou" her voice was strangled. Nico's mother nodded,smiling.

Before she could utter a reply, her eyes widened. In the distance, the thick fog was lit dimly, and the light only got stronger. The sound of hooves pounding on the ground grew louder. Their time was almost out.

"Go!" Her mother whispered urgently. "Don't look back, run for your safety, don't ever stop until you're both safe!"

Nico couldn't even muster a reply as her mother smacked the back of her horse, startling it into a sprint. The shorter girl gasped, grabbing onto the reins tightly as her horse picked up speed. Not far behind her, the second girl followed, her eyes only focused in front of them. Their horses galloping as fast as they could into the unknown, their only source of light being the small lantern.

It wasn't long before shouts from angry guards could be heard, and both girls winced upon hearing a loud shriek. It could only mean one thing, and the duo knew by the dreaded feeling in their stomachs that there was no going back. This was it.

The smaller girl gripped the lantern tightly, clenching her teeth and biting back a loud sob. Her eyes threatened to spill all the tears, but when the sound of a choked sob next to her met her ears, she used all the strength she could muster to hold back her tears.

"Nozomi." she stated, her voice clear. The second girl, Nozomi, looked over to her. Her cheeks tear stained and her lips quivering.

Nico took a small breath, before speaking in a clear voice.

"We're going to be okay." Nozomi's eyes water a bit more, and she turns away.

"Mhm" she replies.

"I promise we will be." Nico continues, her eyes forward as they could see the glow of the sun finally rising along the skyline.

In the distance, the woods leading out of Akiba came into view, and Nico urged her steed onward, her gaze fierce and determined.

"I'll keep you safe, Nozomi. I swear my life on it."