You know the drill. I don't ownit so leave me in peace! Thanks for the reviews by the way!

The wonderful smell brought Hikari out of the dream world.

"FOOD!" Sudden outbursts weren't Hikari's thing. But she was famished so she could make an exception.

"SUBSTANCE!" Kage shouted as he woke up. Both mages were staring lovingly at the food on the rock table by the fire. Ryu and the Princess Sara had to restrain them from eating it all.

"You can eat your fill when we're done cooking! Go get changed or something!" Genki pointed off towards a clearing and small stream. When the mages wouldn't move, Sara grabbed both their arms and dragged them off in the general direction.

"But, food, need, now!" Hikari was snickering at Kage's stuttering for food.

"Do magic drained mages normally get this food craved? I know Genki and Ryu told me to cook more food but…" Sara shook her head. With strength surprising for a princess, she flung the two meters ahead, landing near the water edge.

"We mages get very hungry when put though a magical draining." Kage muttered darkly under his breath, something not expected from the quiet black mage. He shut up when Sara dumped his travel pack into his lap. She politely handed Hikari hers.

"Breakfast will be in 20 minutes. I'll go tell the two they had better make more with the way he's acting." Sara walked off, probably to continue cooking.

"You, turn around and NO peaking! I'm gonna change behind that rock." Hikari pointed at it before ducking behind. Kage turned around, probably to get changed as well.

"YOU FREAKIN PERVERT OF A-- " Kage did not turn around at her shout, fearing what a pissed off and hungry white mage could do. He did however; raise an eyebrow when a bloody mutated Goblin corpse landed a few feet away from the rock. Hikari walked out calmly.

"Uh…" Kage looked perplexedly at her. She squeaked out an apology and ducked behind the rock again when she noticed that he was half dressed. A minute later she emerged when Kage called out an OK. She was blushing redder than a tomato when she walked over to the stream and rubbed her face vigorly with water.

"Care to explain?" Kage offered. Hikari sighed but got up and sat at his feet, offering him a brush and hair tie. Kage sat down on a rock and started to brush out her hair.

"I was getting changed, perverted Goblin decided to sneak a free look, I maimed it beyond recognition and stumbled in on you while you were half naked. It could be worse though." Hikari winced when he brushed over a particularly bad tangle. He gently brushed it out before continuing.

"You think you could just put it up in a pony tail? My hair's gonna be frizzled at this pace." Kage didn't say anything but complied. A moment later her hair was swishing back and forth in a tight pony tail. Hikari got up and hugged him.

"You do a great job with my hair. Thanks a lot." Kage blush slightly.

"It's nothing."

Hikari ginned when she heard a few shouted curses over at the camp.

"I' m hungry. How do you suppose wecapture breakfast?" Kage grinned evilly when she started formulating her plan.

Hikari sat by the roaring fire, happily eating her third bowl of porridge. A loaf of bread was on her lap, and an empty skewer lay on the ground. Three more full skewers lay on a plate.

Kage sat beside her, eating his fifth bowl. His loaf was half eaten, and two skewers lay on his lap. Ryu, Genki and Sara stared at them in open awe, amazed at how fast and how much they were eating. Hikari held out her bowl to Sara.

"Can I have more please?" Sara stared on mutely, filling up the bowl from the big pot and handed it back to her.

"Wow…" Both brothers stated, just barely managing to eat their loaf. Both were only on their first bowl of porridge.

"What? Never seen a person eat before?" Kage put down his bowl and started wolfing down his bread. Hikari was savagely eating another skewer of meat.

"You've got to get your energy back you know?" Kage flung a skewer into the fire and started on another.

The three regained their senses when both Hikari and Kage flopped onto the ground, both smiling.

"I'm full!" Hikari lazily grinned at Ryu and Genki. Kage laughed and belched. Ryu had finished all his food, staring at the full duo.

"Mages are crazy. I swear, I've seen a magic drained Kage eat many times and I'm still amazed on how much food they can consume." Genki collected the dishes and shoved them into Hikari's hands.

"Hey! Why do I have to wash them?" Hikari sat up, glaring at the thief. HE grinned and shoved the rest into Kage's hands. Kage then sat up and glared at the thief.

"You suck." Kage had gone back to his not as talkative self. Hikari sighed but picked the dishes off her green skirt. They both stalked off to do the dishes.

They continued on their way, making sure to guard the princess from the frequent attacks. In one instance a Goblin DID manage to break through their defenses. However the princess simply chanted a black spell and burned the sorry sucker.

"What? Can't a girl learn how to defend herself? Lookit Hikari here? White Mage with a giant shuriken! Hello!" Hikari recovered from her shock and grinned at the princess, slinging an arm around her shoulder.

"Yeah. See? Poor little fail and innocent white mage like me carrying around a big toy!" they both laughed, leading the way. The men continued to stare, confused on how the world was going to the women.

The outline of Cornelia was visible near dark. Tiny lights flickers and moved, dancing across the sleepy town. The 5 stopped on a hill, looking down at the town.

"We've two options. One: We set up camp and continue tomorrow. Two: We risk night monster attacks but get the princess back home in two hours. All in favor of option one,"

Only Kage and Ryu raised their hands. When he asked for option two, Genki, Hikari and Sara raised their hands.

"We win! Let's go!" Sara pointed at her home and started skipping towards it. Hikari shrugged and ran after, laughing when Genki tacked her down. Hikari shifted her weight, flinging Genki off and tapping him on the head.

"You…are IT!" Hikari ran off ahead of Sara, trying to put as much distance as she could between her and Genki. Kage sighed at her playful nature but started running away from Genki as well. Ryu was unlucky, having reacted slower than the others. He was 'tagged' by Genki.

"I'll get you for this!" Ryu chased after Genki.

"No tag backs!" Hikari shouted. Ryu was a few feet away from her. She regretted calling out when Ryu came up behind her, just barely touching her shoulder and running away. Hikari mock-glared at him and ran after Kage, slinging an arm around his shoulder before retreating a few feet back. Sara was tagged not long after, tagging Hikari after her. She got mad, almost jumping on Genki and stealing his bandana.

"GIVE IT BACK!" Genki chased after Hikari, shaking a fist at the white mage. Hikari looked back and stuck out her tongue. She shoved the bandana in Sara's hand, pulling her along the wrist to run faster.

"WE DON'T WANT TO!" Ryu chuckled, watching them zigzag and trade off the bandana. This continued on for most of the walk back to Cornelia. About 10 minutes away, Hikari collapsed on the ground, huffing and puffing. Sara collapsed beside her, tucking the bandana secretly in Hikari's sleeve. No body noticed.

"Just give it back already?" Genki sat down ten feet away, mock-glaring at the girls. Ryu fell unceremoniously beside his brother while Kage sat down more quietly beside Hikari.

"Trust me." Kage leaned over and whispered in her ear. Hikari glanced at him, then Genki, then back at Kage. She nodded and pulled the bandana out of her sleeve and discreetly gave it to him.

Now, in this moment of time he had two options. A, being he gives it to Genki and betrays the girls. Or B, he runs away and plays keep-away with Genki. Now, option A DID sound fun. The girls would shriek in disbelief and anger but forgive him over time. And option B was more tantalizing. Having some bandana deprived thief on his tail while screaming threats and cusses. HE was sure the princess needed the enlightenment in vocabulary.

"Genki?" Kage taunted. He waved the bandana. Genki's eyes widened. Kage smirked and hid it in his sleeve, standing up, his stance screaming for Genki to try to get it back.

"You guys are mean." Genki sat down again dejectedly, watching the taunting form of the black mage. Ryu laughed beside him, giving him a noogie and messing up his hair even more.

"It's not ALL that bad bro. We get some entertainment out of this!" Ryu walked behind the group, his hands placed behind his head. They reached the sleeping city a few minutes later, Genki proudly wearing his bandana after Hikari had handed it back to him. The guards kneeled on the ground, their eyes on the ground.

"Your Highness! Are these the warriors that rescued you?" The first guard didn't look up. The princess regarded them.

"You may rise. Yes, these brave people saved me. I'm sure my father will want to talk to them. Send someone ahead and tell them to arrange rooms for my saviors. I want to show them my thanks."

Sara waved her hand in a dismissal. The first guard saluted and ran off towards the castle. Hikari sighed and yawned.

"I'm…so…" She didn't finish her statement. She sunk down to the ground, peering around sleepily at everyone. Genki smirked at her expression. Sara walked forward, dragging Hikari up by the arm and down the cobblestone path.

"Come on, I know you're tired. So am I so let's go! The faster we get there, the faster we can sleep in some nice comfy soft beds! I can't wait for a hot bath…" Hikari didn't protest to being dragged, inwardly jumping for joy at the prospect of a hot bath.

"That sounds fun." Hikari started giggling at her own voice, but stopped short, withdrawing her hand and clutching her head with both hands. Kage pinched the bridge of his nose and walked rather quickly to the castle.

"Is it normal to get a headache after mana depletion?" Hikari momentarily forgot her tiredness and jogged to the castle, in turn puling Sara behind her. To more guards had confused expressions but scrambled to open the great metal doors for the princess.

"Sister!" A blur ran to them and tackled over the princess. Sara chuckled and hugged the mini version of her.

"I'm back, I'm back and it's all to these people here." Sara soothed her crying sister, petting her hair. Footsteps made Sara look behind her. She struggled to pick herself up but the Queen held out her hand and helped her up. She smiled and hugged her daughters.

"Dearest Sara…welcome home." She regarded her daughter for a moment before turning her gaze to the warriors.

"You have my deepest gratitude. You brought my daughter back to us." She nodded her head when a servant approached then and bowed.

"Your rooms are ready. His Majesty wishes you join him for breakfast tomorrow morning. This way." He walked off, expecting them to follow. Hikari gave a curtsy before following off. Ryu, Genki and Kage bowed.

"Leave your cloths on the bed, the maids will wash them for you and repair them. We will provide temporary clothing the meanwhile. You can go to the kitchens for something to eat since dinner was served 2 hours ago." The servant bowed towards the rooms.

"See you guys later. That bath sounds really good about now." Hikari waved, closing her door behind her. A maid was standing by the dressing screen.

"I've been told to cater to your needs. Do you need help out of your clothing?" Hikari stared blankly as the maid started stripping her. She snapped to her senses and hid behind the screen when she was down to her underclothes.

"Uh…I think I'll be fine from here." Hikari finished undressing and flung the garments on the bed and dashed to the bathroom, plunging into the very large bubbly bath.

"Ahhh…" She relaxed and shampooed her hair, reveling in pleasure as the dirt was soaked off. Her head popped up from under the water, a confused and embarrassed expression creeping on her face when she noticed the maid standing in the door.

The maid bowed. "If there is anything else you need?"

"I think I'll be fine. Could you take my clothing for washing? It's in my leather bag. Thanks a lot!" The maid left with her dismissal. Hikari sighed again and continued to clean herself until she was all wrinkly and pruney.

She stepped out of the bath, wrapping a large white towel around her shivering body. She almost slipped in a puddle of water but caught herself, heaving herself up from the counter. She saw that a short and sleeveless nightgown with a V neck was laid down on the bed. She shrugged and let the towels drop, quickly donning the short nightgown. It reached her knees and clung to her body. She slipped on some socks and slippers, glancing down at her body.

"Gee…I know this is a castle and all, but can't a royal family afford to make these longer?" Hikari grabbed a robe—just a few scant inches longer than thewhite nightgown—and ran a brush quickly though her hair and ran out the door, hoping for some food.

Kage, Genki and Ryu looked up when Hikari walked though the kitchen door. They looked away when she looked at them, although Ryu was a tad bit slower to take his eyes away.

"So, whadda we got here?" She sat down between Kage and Ryu, swinging her legs to and fro in a childish manner.

"Bread, juice, beef stew, melon." A maid came in and placed a large plate and goblet in front of Hikari.

"Thanks!" the maid curtsied before walking out. Hikari said a bowed her head and mumbled a prayer before immediately eating, this time less feverously and neater.

"Tomorrow the King said he's gonna hold a banquet and ball for us…" Kage sipped his juice.

"I haven't danced for awhile… I'm afraid I won't be that good." Hikari blushed, taking a gulp of juice to hide her reddening cheeks.

"I'm not that great either. I'm sure we can learn from someone, right?" Ryu pushed his late away and tore his bread into pieces, popping them into his mouth once in a while.

"I really hope I don't get stuck in a frilly puffy ball gown…" Hikari plucked at her bread before sighing and laying her had across her arms.

"They probably will you know." Genki munched on a carrot. Hikari didn't raise her head, mumbling instead.

"You okay?" Ryu asked from her left. Hikari mumbled and yawned.

"Yeah…I guess…that bath was relaxing…" She had a goofy grin on her face, sighing contently. Genki glanced at her before running a hand though his now shining and clean blonde hair.

"I agree too!" Genki waved his hand in the air, nearly clipping his brother on the head.

"Hey watch it!" Ryu swatted away Genki's hand and started on an apple. "I'll agree. Hot water is a perk."

"How long you think it will take them to repair the bridge?" Kage asked. Hikari yawned, moving a hand and waving it around.

"I'd say mebbey three…Depends on how bad they want it done." Hikari pushed back her chair and got up, stretching lazily. Kage noted how much it reminded him of a cat.

"I'm gonna go to bed. Any longer and I might fall asleep down here!" She swayed a little, her loose hair fluttering around her, before departing from the room. The others said their goodnights and decided to do the same.

"NO WAY!" Genki could hardly contain his laughter. Hikari was franticly trying to run away from the castle seamstress. Currently, Hikari was perched on a ledge a few feet above the woman's head.

"NO FRICKEN WAY!" Hikari leaped from her perch and dashed down the hall towards the gates to town. The guardsmen were in confusion over the whole mess so they didn't try to stop her, having their own fair share with seamstresses.

"What's going on?" Ryu walked down the hall, watching as a terrified Hikari once again evaded a desperate swipe from the woman.

"She refuses to wear a pink puffy ball gown." Genki explained, cheering when Hikari made it out of the castle safely. Gleeful "WHOOT!"s could be heard and this caused Genki to roll around laughing.

"I don't see what's bad about it…"

"You don't have to wear pink."

"Well, you do have a point there. I'm going to go see if there's anything I can do in town." Ryu waved over his shoulder, quietly snickering at the disparing seamstress.

"BUT IT'S MY FINEST WOOOOOOOOOOORRKKKKKKKK!"

"SAVVVVEEEEEE MEEEEEEE!" Hikari burst into Aliena's shop, diving behind the counter and peering out the window. Alyanna came out, a hammer in one hand and a sword in the other.

"What's the problem girl?" Aliena came out behind her sister, a worried frown on her face.

"The, the, the, the" Alyanna put a hand on her shoulder and lead her to the back room.

"Calm down and spit it out."

"Castle Seamstress trying to get me into a, a, a, a…A PINK PUFFY BALL GOWN! AHHH THE HORROR!" Hikari saw the deranged woman running through the town outside the window. Hikari dived behind a trunk and fully out of view.

"If that woman comes, I'm not here. You haven't seen me before. Never ever ever!" She shut up when the door opened. The seamstress walked into the shop, glancing around and peeking over the counter into the back room.

"May I help you?" Aliena came out, leaning her weight on the counter and effectively blocking the view of the back room.

"Yes, I'm looking for a white mage, long blond hair, green eyes, carrying a giant shuriken…She's missing the robe though."

"I haven't seen her…Hey, Alyanna! You seen the white mage?" Alyanna came out as well, her purple hair draping softly down her back.

"Now that you mention it…" Hikari twitched, prepared to leap and escape at sudden notice. "I bumped into her when she was running towards the Mage's library…Wonder why she was running though. Didn't even stop to say sorry! But then again I wasn't paying attention…" Alyanna shrugged, feigning innocence.

"I see. Thank you!" The touched seamstress ran out the door, banging it shut and making the shop rattle. A few minutes later, Hikari tentively crawled out of her hiding space and sighed in relief.

"I swear…That was too close. I knew I shoulda ditched the armor and crap…" Hikari placed the battered up equipment on the counter.

"I had a few run-ins with Garland and some Crazy horses or something. And I guess I tried to infuse magic in this…" there were a few scorch marks and chips, but it was still in very good condition. The twins sighed. There were a few dents in the armor, and a few scratches in the bracer.

"The bracer and shuriken we can fix, however we need to make a new Guard." Alyanna took the battered up metal and melted it down, probably to be used for some small weapon or tool. She then took out a large sheet of metal and placed it in the forge.

"Come back tomorrow, we should have the repairs done. 30gil tomorrow, okay?" Aliena took the shuriken, sighing when she heard a crack.

"On second thought, 70gil. I'll add some materials so the magic won't damage it as much." She melted down the metal and took out a new piece and drew out a chart. Hikari waved and said her thanks before peering out the door. When the cost was clear, she sprinted out and sighed when the Seamstress found her again.

"At least it's not that puffy and…ick anymore." Hikari shut up when a maid 'accidentally' pricked her with a pin. The main Seamstress did a few things before nodding in approval.

"That will do." Hikari glanced at the dress again. There were sleeves, just not as poofy as before, and there was a collar. Dark pink was the main color, weather it was the skirt part, or the top. A lighter and sparkly pink showed in the front of the skirt, the dark pink framing it so it appeared as a triangle. A pretty white bow was tied at the back around Hikari's waist, the edges dangling near the floor. Light pink gloves covered her hands, not even going past her wrist. Ribbons laced up her arms, a few ends fluttering as Hikari walked around. A few jewels and decorations were studded around her chest area, but they actually looked nice.

"I guess…this is decent…" Hikari sighed when the dress and decorations all went off again.

"Make sure you're in your room by the 5th bell. Maids will assist you in your hair and dressing. Oh you're going to be the gem of the ball!" Hikari sighed but agreed. She lazily wandered to her room, glad that she had 2 hours to burn…and knowing Genki…

"Time for training!"

On time too.

He would drag her out to the training grounds and put her though accuracy exercises…and he'd eventually get Ryu to help with hand to hand combat…

Which is why she sighed and followed him out the door of her room.