Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Kyo Kara Maoh, this is purely fan-made.

(Chapter Updated 04/30/2018)

Chapter 1: Stranded

(Chapter inspired by No One by Aly and Aj)

Sara's POV

"Hey, are you alright...?"

I blearily opened my eyes upon hearing the sound of an unfamiliar voice and looked up to see a stranger kneeling beside me holding an umbrella above us to contend against the heavy rain. And I couldn't tell if it was just because I wasn't fully conscious yet, but their words seemed slurred and I couldn't understand them. Though, their voice was decidedly female which told me at least that much about them. I couldn't make out their face either. All I could see was their blurred silhouette above me as I tried to gather my wits and figure out where I was and what happened...

Ah, yes, now I remember, I thought as I vaguely remembered how I came to find myself in this precarious situation.

Earlier that morning...

Before this, I was performing my usual royal duties when Berias entered my office carrying a tea tray, then regarding me with his usual formal tone as he informed me casually, "Your Majesty, I've brought your tea."

Looking up from my paperwork, I flashed him a brief smile and nodded, watching him as he carefully set the tea down on my desk before returning my attention back to the task at hand. "Thank you, Berias, I'll have some in just a moment."

Usually, one of the maids would have brought it instead Berias who was above such menial tasks, but with the increased amount of outlaws spilling into the country he was concerned that someone might try and sneak into the castle and attempt to kidnap me by adding a sleeping agent to my food and drink if we weren't careful. So at least for the time being, Berias was personally bringing my tea each morning and most of my meals in order to keep an eye on the kitchen staff just in case one of them tried to slip something into it while no one was looking. After all, people had the tenancy to assume that I was an easy target due to my young age and the simple fact that I only had one personal bodyguard. But the way I see it, Berias is really the only one I needed since he was the only person I trusted completely...

After finishing my appointed tasks for the day, I excused myself to go take a brisk walk in the gardens to relax after finishing a few cups of the tea he brought me when a passing shadow caught my eye. At first I thought it was only a simple trick of the light, but when it crossed my field of vision for a second time I paused. Since I knew Berias was nearby I didn't let it visibly show that I already sensed the presence of whoever was lurking in the shadows and remained as composed as ever. Instead, I hid the reason as to why I hesitated by leaning down to admire a particularly lovely flower that was blooming in one of the many flowerbeds there. It was a rare breed that only bloomed at this time of year so it really was a sight to behold even though I was merely admiring it as a distraction tactic.

That's when I felt something cold touch the back of my neck and someone ordered in a deep voice, "Don't move."

Remaining calm, I replied smoothly, "Oh? But if I don't move, how will we be able to exchange a proper greeting?"

"Oh I don't think so Your Highness," the stranger frowned, pressing his sword harder into my skin until it threatened to draw blood. Then with a note of contempt in their voice, he continued with a sneer, "You see, I know all about your little 'mind tricks' that you use on people to make them do your bidding so I'm not taking any chances. Now, put this on."

Extending his free hand towards me, the man offered me what appeared to be a blindfold to wrap around my eyes. I almost laughed at how childish this precaution was against me using my powers, but I restrained myself and turned to take it when-

"Ah!" he hissed angrily, "No funny business!"

I sighed deeply, "This is going to take all day if you keep being unreasonable and by then my guards will surely catch you."

Glancing back at him as far as I dared, I thought it best if I continued speaking to my would-be kidnapper in order to buy Berias more time to sneak up on my assailant and catch him by surprise. After all, this wasn't my first time being held at sword point. Again, you'd think they'd learn by now that I was not a king to be trifled with...

"Well then, if you know so much about my so-called 'trick' then you should already know that I have to look at someone directly in order for it to work effectively. As you can see though, I'm still wearing my glasses which I'd have to remove to use my powers so this blindfold is really unnecessary. And besides, since you already have a sword held against my neck you could just order me to stand and start walking in front of you. That would save you the trouble of having to lead me yourself if I can't see where I'm going. You see?"

The man paused for a moment, contemplating my words before grunting and crudely stuffing the strip of cloth back into his pocket. "Fine, have it your way," he snapped, "We'll have you walk then, so stand up already and start moving."

I did so with deliberate slowness disguised as caution and then a knowing smile graced my lips the moment I heard Berias shout my name and rush at my kidnapper with his dual blades. The man turned in surprise when Berias appeared out of nowhere and I took my chance to put some distance between us and ran to get well out of his reach.

Unfortunately, he recovered from the shock of being caught so soon much quicker than I anticipated and came running after me before Berias could successfully subdue him. Of course, I was prepared for that as well so I focused my efforts on leading my attacker towards the nearest location where I had guards stationed. Berias hadn't brought any soldiers with him when he noticed that something was amiss. There was no time to call anyone and Berias certainly had no intention of leaving me alone at the time though while my life was in danger. So it was up to me to make sure this mercenary was occupied long enough for Berias to either bring reinforcements or catch up to us himself.

Strangely enough, I didn't notice at first that our chase ended up leading us to the bath chamber where a curtain of steam was curling off the warm water. Berias must have had it prepared for me as a way to relax after being so busy over the last few days with all the problems with our beloved neighbor, Big Shimaron. Before long, my glasses became fogged and it was starting to become difficult to keep the other man in sight. The chamber was very large though so with the bath between myself and him, I thought it was the perfect way to keep the man at a distance from me and I thought I had everything under control...

That is until my would-be kidnapper suddenly jumped into the water and came rushing at me, his eyes glittering furiously. "For such a young brat you really are as clever as they say. But that won't save you. I have my orders, and I will not fail to capture you, even if I must drag you to them half dead! Which I'd be all too happy to do."

So he isn't acting on his own, I mused thoughtfully, preparing to make a break for the doorway that he had carelessly left unguarded by cutting across the water to reach me.

But as soon as I started off in that direction, I lost my footing and tumbled into the water as well. It was much deeper than I thought it was and it whirled all around me, blinding me with a wall of bubbles until I realized that it was because that man was searching for me clumsily by searching the water with his hands as soon as I fell in. I tried to swim away once I found my bearings and that's when he finally found me and one of his strong hands clamped around my throat and forced me to the bottom of the pool.

I clawed at his hand with both arms as I felt my consciousness fading, I couldn't breathe! But try as I might I couldn't get him off of me and for a split second, even I was beginning to fear for my life if this fool drowned me by mistake. Just then, I felt the pressure lift off of my neck and something else replaced it. Instinctively, I gasped for air the moment he released his grip on me but since I was still underwater the foolish impulse filled my lungs with water.

After that I descended into darkness...

The next thing I knew I was laying face down on the ground somewhere I was unfamiliar with and I could feel cold raindrops on my skin stealing the last bit of warmth I had left in my body. I coughed up a mouthful of water before sitting up to survey my surroundings. For one thing, I was no longer inside the castle. Instead I was surrounded on all sides by buildings and some sort of strange-looking black road running in between them.

I stood up slowly and called Berias's name but there was no reply. And I quickly realized that I was completely alone. It appeared as though I hadn't been captured though so where in the world was I now? When my kidnapper failed did they try to move me to their location using magic? If so then I might still be in danger even here so thinking that I had better find a way out of this place, I started to walk down the street when something large and very loud rushed pass me on the road and I leaped back in shock. It moved too fast for me to catch a glimpse of it though so I kept going across the street until I saw another one go by that ran through a large puddle and doused me with even more water.

Sighing, I pushed up my glasses and mused aloud, "That's strange. If I'm not mistaken there was a person inside of that machine. Does that mean that odd contraption is a mode of transportation here? Perhaps if I can acquire one then I can-" My words were cut off short though when I stifled a sneeze and my body began to shiver uncontrollably. It was then that I realized that it would be a much better idea for me to secure safe lodging so that I could dry off before I caught a cold and became even weaker.

And thus I began searching for an inn nearby.

However, the signs were all written in a language I had never seen before and I couldn't tell which one was the inn, or what anything was for that matter. So failing to deduce anything from the signs, I was just about to look elsewhere when I faintly saw that someone was heading towards me. I watched their progress carefully until all of a sudden my vision warped and I tilted over to the side and collapsed. My chest hurt terribly and it became a struggle to breathe and my head began to throb so painfully that I was forced to close my eyes to dispel the sudden wave of dizziness. And seeing that I had fallen before they could reach me, the stranger dashed over to me and knelt beside me before asking worriedly-

"Hey, are you alright...?"

But similar to how it had been with the signs, I couldn't recognize the words they were saying and stared blankly at their face as my vision grew ever darker and darker until I lost consciousness. Although I was unaware of the relationship I would soon develop between me and this stranger who rescued me, just as I was unaware that I had just stumbled open the very world that Yuri called home aside from the Great Demon Kingdom. A world called...Earth.

Elest's POV

"Hey, it looks like it's going to rain soon," I pointed out to my friend Tessa, who happened to be working with me today, when I noticed how gray and gloomy it was outside and then I spared a glance at the nearest clock. "Hmm, my shift is almost over so I better ask if its ok to leave before I get caught in that storm. Would you mind helping me clean up before I go Tessa?"

"Sure," she smiled and trotted over to me. "I still have about an hour left before I head home too so tell you what, I'll go ahead and take care of the clean up for you!"

"Really? Are you sure you don't need my help?" I blinked, surprised by her generous offer.

With a secretive smile, Tessa winked at me and replied, "Don't worry, I got this, so you can just-"

Tessa was probably about to tell me if I left now I could still get my grocery shopping done before I went back to my apartment to study when I heard a gentle and familiar voice call out to me, "Hey Elest, getting ready to go home already?"

I turned and I saw that it was my best friend Jace, who Tessa had a huge secret crush on which WOULD explain why she was in such a hurry to get rid of me. But I wasn't expecting to see him today so I out of curiosity I asked, "Jace, what are you doing here?"

Jace shrugged his signature shrug as he offered me the extra umbrella he was carrying, and grinned, "Well I figured that since it was going to start raining soon I should do my good deed for today and give you my spare. Isn't that nice of me? After all, wouldn't want you to catch a cold. Then again..." he snickered, "...idiots can't catch colds."

I frowned, snatching the umbrella from him and bonking Jace on the head with it and retorted with an evil laugh, "Alright smart-alec, just for that, I'm not going to let you use my discount anymore."

His eyes widened in mock horror and Jace moaned, "No, not my discount! Anything but that!"

"It's ok, don't cry..." Tessa smiled, teasingly poking his cheek, "You can use mine."

A look of triumph brightened Jace's face and he laughed, "Hear that Eevee? Looks like your evil plan didn't work."

"Don't call me that," I grumbled. "You know I don't like it when just anyone uses that nickname..."

"Why? It's so cute!" Tessa asked, but when another customer came in behind she sighed dramatically, "Oh nevermind, I better get back to work. See you later Elest!"

I gave her a little wave before turning back to Jace and asked him sternly, "Seriously Jace, why did you call me that? You know how it makes me feel."

Jace winced under the heat of my hard gaze, but then he smiled nevertheless and pat me affectionately on the head and said apologetically, "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. But someday you're going to have to get over it, otherwise, you'll lose the ability to smile one day if you keep thinking about what happened with your mom."

I sighed, "I know. Anyway, I better hurry and find the manager and ask if I can duck out a bit early today to beat the storm. Thanks for the umbrella by the way," I smiled and made my escape into the back room before Jace could bug me anymore about things I'd rather forget.

Like my mood, the world around me became very dreary and gray as I walked down the sidewalk holding Jace's umbrella. I know he was trying to cheer me up, but, I still wasn't over what happened to her. Every time I heard that nickname, it brought my mom's face to mind because she was the only person who used to call me that. My dad was always far away on business so I hardly ever saw him, even when I was little. But my mom was always with me, until one day, she was just gone and I didn't understand why because she certainly wasn't dead. Not even my dad would try hiding that from me.

My grip on the umbrella tightened just thinking about him when I saw something startling white in the distance as if it were the only light shining on this gray haze of a world I was standing in. And it wasn't until it moved towards me that I realized it was a person, a very beautiful person too with a net of stunning honey-gold hair pooling over their shoulders who was wearing a pair of tinted shades and a strange white robe or something. I couldn't see them very well in the mist from the rain but when I saw them collapse, I rushed over to them and gasped when I realized-

It was a boy!

His skin was flawless and pale, like polished ivory, and he looked just like a prince out of a fairytale. He was so handsome too, even while soaking wet from the rain. However, I noticed right away that even with his naturally pale complexion, his skin was flushed and he looked feverish so something was wrong.

Concerned, I asked him, "Hey, are you alright...?"

All he managed to do was look up at me with a confused expression before he suddenly fell over, breathing heavily and hugging himself as his body shivered from the cold. This was bad, I needed to get him out of the rain and out of those wet clothes and I knew that I couldn't just leave him there so I tried to wake him up again but it was no use. So without thinking I did the only thing and clumsily slung him over my shoulder, although I was surprised when I felt how light he was. Was he underweight too?

Thinking fast, it occurred to me that my apartment wasn't far from here so after lifting him onto my back and repositioning the umbrella over us, I started to walk towards it. My friends usually made fun of the fact that I was pretty strong for a girl but that was because I grew up hanging around a bunch of boys in my hometown before I moved here to start college. There were hardly any girls my age there and the ones who were, well, they were a little too girly for my taste. I was a bit of both, a tom-boy and a city-girl because as much as I loved music and nice cloths, I also enjoyed things like going camping out or climbing trees in the park and going horseback riding at Tessa's ranch out in the countryside.

Anyway, I guess it must have looked odd having a girl carrying a guy on her back because the people I passed kept staring at us. Then again, he was wearing very strange-looking cloths and his hair was rather long for a boy so it was understandable how his looks might make people gawk at us. The longer they stared though, the more self-conscious I became so I walked as fast as I could to make it safely back to my apartment where we'd have a little more privacy.

Looking back on it, I probably should have called someone as soon as I got him inside but I wasn't thinking. All I knew was that I had to get him out of those wet cloths before he developed pneumonia or something. I figured I could call someone afterwords.

But, what I didn't know was how this boy was going to change my life forever and shatter everything I ever knew about our world and about myself. I never would have guessed then what was in store for us the first time our eyes met, or the brand new feelings towards him that would start to grow in my heart that I thought I would never feel again.