Hii! Okay yeah, I know, I know, I'll update Dual Blade soon. I have it all written in paper, but not typed...So that could take a while. Now, before we begin this chapter, I know many of you guys will find it odd, or annoying that one of the characters has a...well...strange name. BUT! The name that this character is using is ONLY a NICKNAME that was given to him at a young age. Because of that nickname, people grew used to calling him that. His real name will forever be a mystery...until it's revealed in a much later chapter.

A personal thanks to SpringStars for helping me come up with a name for Sinon's horse! :D

Anyway! Thank you to Fundindar, SpringStars, Mayuko-chan, Draco38, SwordsOverLord, DragonBaka2406, AW27, SnowConeAdict, anomonist, Sn0wk1tty, Faliara, Kanrei, Cotton Cloud, and ArthursShadow for reviewing last chapter! You guys are awesome! :D


Chapter 8: The Bound

*Two days before Asuna was appointed*

It was a peaceful day in the Kingdom of Gale. The skies were clear and the wind was perfectly easy-going today. All in all, it was just another normal day in the kingdom. Well, would've been normal if the Prince never received a letter from his father while on his little hunting escapade in the northern region. They weren't even able to hunt down a small little rabbit!

"Wait a whole Goddess-damn minute... Are you telling me that I, the Prince of Gale, and my sister, Sinon, are invited to the masquerade ball in time for their annual birthday celebration for a Prince that's too damn scared to face his own people in the place of my own Goddess-damn Father?!" asked a sky blue-haired seventeen-year-old, his voice raising. The servant nodded wordlessly, shaking in fear of the Prince's temper. His little sister looked up from her crossbow with a slightly interested look as her brother sighed heavily. "Fine. But tell my Father that this is the last time I am ever going to some lame noble-or royal party!"

Sinon frowned and shook her head, silently praying to Etra for safety on their way to Aincrad, because she knew she'd be damned if she didn't.

The Prince of Gale haphazardly tossed the letter back to the poor servant, who scrambled to catch it, and dismissed him with a single flick of his wrist. The servant bowed his head low and hurried off to the horse he rode upon. Sinon quietly watched the servant ride off from her makeshift seat (which was a dark blue cloak that the prince wore before they left the castle). Her brother took a seat next to her and scowled.

"I swear, Father would do anything to get rid of us. I mean, aren't we already out of his way? This is why we go monster hunting every Goddess-damn afternoon." the Prince grumbled. Sinon shook her head, her light-blue hair swaying with her as she rested a hand on her brother's shoulder.

"You know, Yu-" she began but the glare from her brother made her quickly change her next choice of words. "I mean, Scary, I have a feeling that maybe this will be a great opportunity to make some friends that are...alive."

"I don't befriend the dead!" the Prince, Scary, defended himself with his arms crossing across his chest. "They start talking to me."

The Princess sighed and shook her head as she stood up, clutching her precious crossbow, Hecate. She didn't have to name it, but since it was the only thing she had since their mother died, she did anyway. It was the only thing that didn't break on her through her brother's aggressive training.

"I suppose. But try to give this Prince a chance. I think you two might actually get along." she stated rather bluntly. She checked to see if Hecate was loaded as Scary sighed. Sinon glanced at her brother and rolled her teal eyes.

"Fine. I'll give it a try." he reluctantly admitted as he got up and flapped his cloak, getting rid of any dead leaves and dirt. He swung it over his shoulders and clasped it back on with his usual scowl on his face. "But if that Prince turns out to be some kind of spoiled brat, I am so outta there."

Scary walked up to his grey horse, Stardust, and mounted him with ease. He led his horse by his sister and held out a hand. Sinon took his hand and he lifted her with little to no difficulty in behind him. She secured her hands around his waist and held on tightly as Scary snapped the reins, ushering Stardust toward the castle.

The horse neighed and reared back before dashing forward. Sinon could faintly hear her brother muttering under his breath as Stardust's galloping filled the forest air around them. "Goddess-damn Father. Making us do his political stuff. I bet he's trying to get us both killed somehow..."

She sighed as she clung to her brother, trying to give him some sort of comfort. Scary never liked their father, but he had a good reason. Ever since the Queen of Gale died, the King changed from a loving father and King into a harsh, calculating, aging man who sat on a seat called a "throne". He no longer showed love to his people and destroyed many villages who dared to oppose him.

Scary had no choice but to take up his father's neglected duties to his people and ease the hatred that flared across the country. Of course, the people, at first, hated their Prince because he was the son of that King. But with Sinon, who gave an aura of reassurance, at his side, he was able to gain his people's trust once more.

As they galloped past the castle town gates, people seemed to stop for a moment to either wave, or shout a late afternoon greeting. Sinon responded back with a bright smile and small waves, while her brother gave quick nods and small grins. Much like the people of Aincrad, they loved their Prince and Princess, but were always delighted to see them, unlike the Aincrad people who were desperate to see their Prince.

As Scary led Stardust though the large town, he began to wonder if Aincrad was any different from his own country. If anything, he just hoped that their King was better than his own Goddess-damn father.

._._._._._.

"You leave tonight."

The Prince sighed and shifted his weight into one leg, irritation clear on his face.

"I'm sorry? I didn't quite catch that." Scary said as he glared at his father. The King was sitting on his throne with a hard stare in his dark green eyes, slightly annoyed with his son's attitude. His head was a mass of grey hair connected to one big beard that grew to his upper stomach. He face was full of wrinkles that it was hard to believe that this man was not seventy, even though he was only forty-nine. But, he was no burly man with huge muscles or anything like that. He was of an average build but was growing weaker every day with stress that hid away behind his eyes. Of course, only Scary and Sinon had actually noticed since they were the only ones who could stare directly into their father's eyes for a whole conversation.

"I have prepared a carriage for you and your sister. I expect the two of you to be on your way by tonight." came his father's booming voice. Scary crossed his arms and held his father's gaze.

"Ahhh, I see," he drawled in mock understanding, "You just want to get rid of us, don't you, father?"

The King narrowed his eyes. "No, I'm making sure you get there on time, because I know you'll get side tracked."

Scary huffed and smirked. "Yeah, yeah, don't worry. Sinon and I will be out of your hair before you know it."

"Child!" His father snapped. Scary only waved his hand dismissively and excused himself. He deliberately ignored his father's commands to come back, but what was the point? That King had abandoned them, disowned them the moment the Queen died, so he didn't care.

"Child, come back here!" yelled the King. The Prince closed his eyes and muttered a few words to himself as he kept walking, holding back the fury that clawed him.

"'The hardest person to awaken is the person already awake.'" he whispered under his breath. Scary reached the huge double doors and turned to face him with an utterly fake smile. He slowly bowed mockingly at his father and rose a few seconds later.

"It was wonderful speak to you again, Your Majesty, but I must be on my way. Night is nearly here." Scary said with sarcasm laced in his tone. He turned his back to his father and opened one side of the door. He missed the King hurriedly stand and reach for the Prince, but it was too late.

The door slammed shut and he was already walking down the hall. Little did he know, that was the last time he'll ever speak to his father.

Ever again.

._._._._._.

Sinon looked up when her door to her room suddenly opened. Her brother marched in wearing his dark blue cloak with his normal gray tunic and ocean blue slack like pants. His hands were covered with hazel fingerless gloves and matching brown bracers on his lower arms. Sinon caught a glimpse of her brother's birthmark beneath his sleeve as he raised his left arm to subconsciously touch the quiver of arrows strapped to his back. The shimmer of a silver-blue curved line seemed to glow in the setting sunlight shining through her room.

"Scary? What's going on?" she asked as he briskly bypassed her and grabbed her cloak in her wardrobe and her back up sword. He tossed them toward her and began packing up the little amount of books she had. Sinon caught her cloak on the crook of her arm and grabbed the sword with both hands.

"Get whatever you consider necessary and things to keep you entertained. We're leaving now." Scary said without looking up. Sinon tilted her head in surprise.

"Wait, what? We're leaving now?" she asked as she threw on her light brown cloak over her light blue knee-length dress. The cloak reached to her ankles. She strapped her steel sword at her side and slipped on her knee-high boots. Scary grabbed the closest satchel and handed it to Sinon. She took it and gave her brother a worried look.

Usually, her brother wouldn't barge into her room without permission unless he was distressed about something. But, barging in and packing her things? He was more than distressed.

"Once you're done, meet me at the bridge. The carriage is already prepared for us." Scary said as he began to leave. Sinon dropped the bag to the floor and forced him to stop with a firm hand grabbing his upper arm.

"Scary, wait! What's with the sudden-" she began, but silenced herself as her brother turned to look at her. His teal eyes were shining with hidden emotions, but she could see the dying anger fading away, and the stress that he had hidden through random outbursts began to leak. Her grip tightened on his arm as he placed a hand on hers.

"We need to leave. Don't worry, we should be back soon." he said with a forced smile as he turned to leave. Sinon allowed her brother's hand to slip away. She stood there for a moment, watching Scary leave her room. Biting the back of her lip, she shook her head and began to pack.

Half an hour later, she was settling herself in the seat across from her brother. The carriage that waited for her was pulled by two horses. She found it odd that her personal light brown horse, Aries, and Scary's Stardust were attached to the carriage, pulling at the reins.

She turned to face her brother with a small tilt of her head. "Why are our horses pulling the carriage? Those two aren't raised to do this."

Scary glanced at her and gave a shrug. "I didn't want Stardust and Aries to stay behind. Father only allowed two horses, anyway."

Sinon took a deep breath and sighed quietly. Her brother called up to the driver and told him that they were ready. The carriage began to roll noisily as Stardust and Aries pulled it. The sun above them was nearly set as they crossed the bridge into town. Several of the town people watched in wonder as they either stood by or waved their good byes to the Prince and Princess. Very few guards followed the carriage: two in the front and two behind, each with a sword tied to their side and the Galian flag held proudly in their left hands.

Scary avoided looking out of the window as he leaned back and gazed at the twilight sky. Sinon twisted her hands bitterly in her lap as her eyes caught a father hold his children close, gesturing at the carriage as it passed. The small girl at his left gasped in awe and her eyes watched in amazement. The boy at his right perked up and waved frantically at her. Sinon mustered a smile as she gingerly waved back.

Her heart twisted when the children's father held their hands. It reminded her of the old days when her mother was still alive. Her father could never stopped smiling, and there was never a day without him teasing Scary about him being a little brat of trouble and for turning her into a bookworm. She longed for the day her old father would come back. With one glance at Scary, she knew he wanted the same thing. But, of course, fate was never fair.

Without the Queen, the Kingdom of Gale had fallen quite far. The army practically dispersed; the Council overlooked important decisions. The people had lost their hope and peace with each reckless and pointless choice made by the King. If Scary hadn't stepped in, then she was sure that her Kingdom would've fallen apart from the inside out. Pushing her memories aside, she held her head high and cleared her throat. The Prince looked away from the window and acknowledged her with a blink.

"Scary," she began with a soft voice that could be heard over the rattling of the carriage, "Do you think we will ever see our father again?"

"Of course, we will. It will only be a few weeks, Sinon." Scary responded with a dismissive wave. The Princess shook her head.

"No. I mean, will we ever see our father again?" she asked again with a stronger voice. A long silence stretched between them as the carriage strolled out of the castle town and into the grassy road toward the forest. Sinon was about to ask again, but Scary gave her a smile.

"'The hardest person to awaken is the person already awake.'"

There was nothing in that smile. No hidden anger, no sadness. Just…

Nothing.

._._._._._.

*The day Asuna was appointed*

Kazuto waited for his new bodyguard to take his hand, but she just stood there for a long moment, staring at his hand. He blinked as he looked back and forth between his hand and Asuna's stunned hazel eyes. He saw nothing wrong with his hand.

"Um...Asuna?" he asked cautiously as he leaned in slightly to study her closer. Her eyes were distant, but he could pick out the hints of fear and guilt. She was stiff. Kazuto frowned and reached toward her.

"Hey, are you-" he began, but Asuna was quick to back away several steps and bow again, not daring to look up at him. The Prince drew his hand back in surprise. "A-"

"Forgive me, My Prince, but I cannot allow you to touch me." she said suddenly. Kazuto stared at her in surprise as she continued. "I have killed more than I can remember with these hands. I cannot taint the hands of a Prince who has never taken the life of someone; even the life of animal. No, I cannot bear to ruin you. I ask you that you reconsider your choice of choosing me."

Kazuto kept silent as she spoke. His footsteps were barely heard as he I approached her. By the time she finished, he was less than a foot away. He took one look at his hand and knelt to the floor. Without any hesitation, he cupped her cheeks and lifted her face up. He stared directly into her eyes.

"I am surrounded by many who have taken at least a life. Even my own personal servant has killed before. You cannot taint me, for I have already been tainted." Kazuto said with a slight note of irritation in his voice.

"Lies."

He nearly jumped out of his skin when that same voice echoed in his head again, but he kept himself composed, even as he felt an oncoming headache. The voice kept talking to him, echoing in his head.

"You were never tainted in the first place. Your hands may have spilt the blood of others, but they remain clean. I will never allow anyone to destroy your untouched soul." It hissed. Kazuto inwardly flinched at the harsh tone. He didn't wait for Asuna to answer as he slowly drew his hands away from her face. He stood up as he tried to cover up his shock.

"Asuna, please excuse me. It's almost time for my afternoon lessons. But, in the mean time, go and find a woman named Yulier. She will explain your duty in full detail. After that, I wish to meet you in the library before dinner." Kazuto instructed with a slightly stressed voice. He was pretty sure Asuna detected it, but did he care?

...Not with a Goddess-damn voice talking to him in his head.

Asuna bowed her head and answered with a subdued tone. "Yes, Your Highness."

The Prince nodded curtly and turned on his heel. He held a hand for Yume and whispered to the bird.

"Accompany her. There's something I need to do." he told her. The bluejay chirped in reply and took off. He heard Asuna get up and leave with Yume, greeting the bird with curiosity and surprise. He smiled to himself. He just knew that Asuna and Yume will get along quite nicely.

As he climbed up the spiral staircase, several shivers ran down his back. He could faintly feel something wrapped around his arms, like a ribbon, but stronger. It was cold and harsh, as if he was chained. When he reached the top he caught a glimpse of something at the edge of his sight. Thin white-blue locks of hair swept past him. Kazuto bit back a cry as he felt a flare of pain bloom in his marking. He crossed his arms, clutched his shoulders, and knelt on the stone floor with his head bowed, trying to ignore the pain. He could hear faint sounds of a clock ticking endlessly in his head as the pain crawled from his back to his arms and chest.

"You are bound to me."

Before he could even question the voice's meaning, Kazuto's world slowly faded away.


Amyra Silverheart: Yay! Scary appears!

Me: ...

Amyra Silverheart: what?

Me: nevermind...

Okay, you guys must be wondering who was that?! But I can assure you guys that Amyra is my friend in real life and she begged me to put her in the end notes. Agh, it still took up space... Oh, well. Anyway, tell me what you guys thought of this chapter! and yeah, sorry for leaving a cliffhanger (If you guys would even call that a cliffhanger.) Oh, and if you guys have anything better than "Galians" for the people of Gale...PLEASE TELL ME! I, uh, obviously suck at that.

And one last thing, Yeah, "Scary" is NOT the Prince of Gale's real name. Again, it's only a nickname given to him at an early age. Originally, he was a character that was created by a friend of mine and he originally is a teenage boy who lived in a family of police officers. He was allowed to have a gun on him at all times because of the bad things that somehow manage to happen in his "peaceful" city. The name "Scary" was given to him because he was...well, scary to the kids even though he was innocent looking...ish.

That was long... Okay, Preview!

Scary blinked as the girl turned heel and rushed out of the room Shrugging, he looked underneath the desk that the small teenager hid. He stared at the teen's midnight blue eyes in confusion. He took one quick look and noted that he was wearing a white overcoat and brown buckle-up boots. The teen was naturally pale and...well, small.

"Alright, who are you and what do you do in this castle?" he asked rather bluntly. The teen seemed to panic at the sudden questions as his eyes looked anywhere but him.

"Aaaahhhh...I-I-I'm Kazuuumi! A student here! Yeah! A-and, uh, my teacher is, ahhhhh, that girl who was just here!" came the response. Scary stared at him incredulously. That...was the lamest lie he ever heard. But, for the sake of the teen, he decided to play along. He just knew that this day was just going to be stranger and stranger by the hour.

Later!

-CloudyLightning (I promise I won't do a long one again...Well, THIS long...)