Ryoma

"Itai!" I heard a familiar voice say and my eyes fluttered open.

Propping myself up on my elbows, I realized that I was in my own bedroom in Kuu-nii's home, along with eight others.

Kuu-chan frowned slightly when he saw I had woken up.

"Eiji! I told you to keep quiet! You've woken Ryoma up!"

"Gomen, ochibi-chan! But it hurts so much!" he wailed and I noticed that he, and all the others, were heavily bandaged.

"Daijobu?" I asked, worried.

Eiji just smiled goofily and said, "Nandemonai!"

Kuu-chan just sighed and said, "These idiots thought it would be fun to jump into the battle completely unarmed."

"Nani!" I shouted. "Why the hell would you guys do something so crazy?"

"Because we wanted to help ochibi-chan!" shouted Eiji, throwing his arms around me.

"Baka!" I shouted and Eiji fell to the floor, seeming surprised. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? You guys could have died!"

"But Fujiko and buchou were allowed to fight!" argued Momo.

"That's because they are both sky people! And they grew up learning to fight! You guys are just normal humans!"

Suddenly, Inui spoke up. "That may be true for them, but I'm one of you."

My eyes widened and I looked at him in shock. "Nani?" I asked.

Inui just got up and came to kneel before me.

Taking my hand in his, he planted a kiss on it, an overly formal gesture used usually only in court.

"I apologize for my cowardice earlier in the face of adversity, your highness. I realize that this does not excuse what I have done, but please, princess, I beg for your forgiveness."

I reeled back a little from the shock. "Y-you don't have to do that, Inui-sempai," I say. Then, looking over at the others, I asked, "Any more of you?"

They all shook their heads and Momo said, "But that was no reason for our not having interfered earlier and we're really sorry, Ryoma-chan. Will you accept our apologies?"

I shook my head in exasperation. "Really, what will I do with you guys?"

"Does that mean we're forgiven?" asks Momo quietly and I nodd.

He and Eiji envelop me in another glomp attack and I struggle for breath.

"L-let go!" I shout but of course, no one listens to me.

Ryoga

I was helping in rebuilding the castle when I heard a voice say, "Your Highness!"

Turning around, I saw a message boy run up to me.

Bowing deeply, he says, "I've got news from her Highness in the land of the landwalkers."

Hearing this, I let out a deep breath, feeling relieved. If she was well enough to send a message, then she mustn't be that injured.

"What does she say?" I prompt him and he smiles.

"Her highness says that they've survived an attack on her school and that the people responsible for the attack have been detained. The humans are to be dealt with by their own government but those of our kind that participated in the attack are being sent here for trial."

I nod. I had heard about the attack on my sister's school and had been very worried about how it had turned out. "Anything else?" I ask and the messenger boy's smile widens marginally.

"Her highness has also asked to inform you that she has gotten in contact with other tribes of our people and they are sending people to help rebuild the city," says the boy but his smile doesn't disappear.

"And?" I say, knowing there's more.

Now his grin stretches from ear to ear and he says, "The princess also says that she, and some of her friends, would be visiting the castle some time soon."

My breath catches in my throat. My little sister would be coming home?

"When?" I ask.

"In about two weeks," the boy answers obediently.

"What about Syuusuke?"

"Reunited and regained his memories."

I can hardly think straight anymore.

"Your highness?" asks the boy, sounding worried.

I shake my head absently. "All's well," I say. Then, snapping out of it, I turn back to the other workers, who were staring on curiously, and shouted, "Hurry up everyone! Get back to work! Everything has to be perfect in two weeks time! My imouto is returning to us!"

A great cheer arises from the workers and I can already sense the change in the atmosphere.

Ryoma was much loved among her subjects and each and every person here would give their lives to be of assistance to her.

Ryoma

"Where are they?" I say impatiently, looking down at my watch.

Momo and the others were supposed to be here ten minutes ago and I was starting to get really impatient.

I was excited to be going back home, but I knew I couldn't leave them behind.

"Ah, I see them!" said Syuusuke from beside me and I look at where he's pointing.

Sure enough, I see Momo, Kaido, Taka, and Inui rushing towards us.

"Hey guys! Sorry for being late!" shouted Momo.

"Whatever," I reply. "Just hurry up and let's going! We're already ten minutes late!"

Even though I hadn't been gone that long, I was so excited to be returning to the castle. I had been getting a little homesick lately…

SkyGem: *sigh* Another short chapter. I'm sorry guys, but I'm really pressed for time lately so I can't write as much as I would like to. Please forgive me!...Anyways, please do review and tell me what you thought of this chapter, ne?