The young prince and her small group of soldiers rode into the ruined village. The prince's face showed paine at the sight of the slaughter and damage done to the tiny village. Everything was burning or broken and she knew that the chances of survivors were very slim. She shook her head and turned back to the group.
"Everyone split up! Search everywhere for survivors! No one will be left behind!"
"Yes your highness!"
Everyone unmounted and spilt up in different directions. The young prince unmounted too and walked off toward the poor side of the village. She picked her way through the rubble and wreckage, ignoring the soot and dirt that got on her armor and cloak. As she got to the border of the village, she nearly gave up hope that there were no survivors… or at least on this end. She turned to go back but something caught her eye. She immediately ran over and began throwing planks of wood aside. A pale white hand was peeking out from under the planks of wood and moving slightly. She was determined to get whoever it was out of there and back to safety as soon as possible. She ignored the flames that heated up the side of her face and made her silver armor glow painfully hot. Once she was done, she was breathing heavily as she stared down at a young girl, not a day over 20. She pulled off her cloak and wrapped the scarcely dressed girl in it before picking her up. She quickly walked back to her group ignoring the raging fires, praying to all gods that the girl will be alright. Who knows how long she was trapped there.
"I found a survivor!"
"Your highness! Is she alive?"
"For now… we have to hurry back. Any on your ends?"
"None your highness…"
"On your way back, keep your eyes peeled. We might find some who managed to get away."
"Yes your highness!"
"Move out!"
They mounted and off they went, riding at a moderate pace and looking around, hoping to find at least one more. About three miles away from the village, Lieutenant Colonel Yagami Kumi halted the group and placed a finger to her lips. She slowly signaled to a tree about 5 paces ahead. Everyone placed their hands on the hilts of their swords and advanced slowly. Suddenly, she stopped them again but signaled for them to place their swords down. She unmounted and walked over and held out her hand.
"We're not hostiles… we're from the kingdom… come on out."
She smiled and everyone watched as a young girl took the gloved hand and appeared out from behind the tree. She looked weak and halfway through, her knees gave out and she fell. She felt herself fall onto something hard yet soft at the same time and noticed she was being lifted off the ground. She looked up and saw the Colonel smiling at her again and felt something soft wrap around her.
"Let's take you back and let you get checked up shall we?"
The girl nodded and mounted the horse while Kumi sat behind her. From then on, they rode continuously back to the castle, only stopping once to rest the horse and for the prince to check on the still unconscious girl. Once they got back, the prince was about to call for the doctor but found her already standing at the foot of the stairs.
"Welcome back prince. Is that her?"
"Yes. She's been unconscious since we left… please… do what you can."
"Of course."
"Oh! Doctor Oshima! Can you give her a quick check up too?"
"Hmmmm? Shes a survivor too then?"
"Yup."
"Alright then… off we go! Prince, carry her up to the infirmary for me while I take this young lady to the nurses. And tell Nyan Nyan to come down and do the check up on her while I go and make sure that girl in your arms is okay."
"Yes doctor."
The prince took her up and placed her on one of the beds while telling the nurse there what the doctor had ordered. She pulled the blankets up and covered the girl before grabbing her hand and holding it with her own gloved one. She squeezed it slightly and stroked the back of her hand with her thumb.
"Please be okay… please wake up. I don't want to lose any more people to these bandits."
She heard the door open and Doctor Oshima walk in. Doctor Oshima stood there and smiled before pulling out gloves and walking up to her.
"I'll do my utmost to help her… but you must wait. So be patient and I'll call you when I'm done."
"Thanks… Yuko…"
"You're welcome pup… now OUT before I call Mari-chan and Shi-chan in here!"
"Okay! Okay! I'm out!"
The prince ran out of the infirmary and shut the door. She sighed and went back to her room to take off her armor and put on some regular clothing. She fixed her collar before sighing once again and walked out, going to her office to finish paper work. As she walked, she ran into Kumi and Medic Mayu.
"Hey Kumi! How is that girl doing? Is she good?"
"She's perfectly fine. Only a few bruises here and there."
"Good! How about you Mayu-chan? How have you been?"
"Never been better~!"
"You sound majorly happy…"
"It's because she's preggy~! With the Lieutenant Commander's child too!"
"Thanks for spilling the surprise!"
"Really? That's fantastic Mayu-chan! Congratulations! I'll be sure to congratulate the Lieutenant Commander too when I get the chance. How far along are you?"
"About 4 months!"
"And you ever told me?'
"It was going to be a surprise!"
"Haha well I have to go. See you guys later!"
"Bye~!"
"Catch you later princey~!"
She laughed and shook her head at the name as she continued to walk to her office. Once there, she closed the door and sat down while looking out the window.
"Why would you do this brother…? What would you accomplish…? What are you trying to prove with this madness?"
