Toris' POV

There were very few reasons a man would kiss another man. Currently, I was trying to figure out why my best friend-who I had always thought liked women- had kissed Eli. I mean, sure, Eli did look a bit girlish with those big eyes and long hair of his, but he was still a man.

I squirmed a little and risked a glance at Feliks, who was walking next to me on the trail. We hadn't discussed the uh, kissing incident, in the forest. None of our group had. I guess it was just too awkward, and the others assumed a supposed affair would be handled by the three involved. But I had been too nervous to even ask Feliks yet, and he hadn't volunteered any information. Neither had Eli.

On the bright side we had finally gotten out of that dreaded forest. That encounter with the demons had greatly unsettled all of us, and the tension surrounding us could be cut with a knife. And according to what Eli had told us, the demons had wanted to eat Feliciano in preparation of something called 'Kyron's Reign'. I didn't know what that could possibly be, but my skin broke out in shiver-flesh whenever I contemplated it. I sighed. What a coward I was. It was ironic how I was afraid of pretty much everything all while I kept company with so many brave souls. Hell, Alfred wouldn't be afraid! He'd beat whatever had him worried senseless.

His Majesty too! Just a few days ago he had walked calmly into a throng of demons, magic blazing, without even batting an eyelash. He really was so regal and calm, even when not in the face of danger. Meanwhile, I was just a twitching, weak, ambassador, not even able to talk to my best friend about- about whatever happened back there. Shame and anger at myself welled up inside me. Why was I so afraid!? This didn't change anything between Feliks and me! And yet I couldn't say anything!

Speak of the devil, Feliks tapped on my shoulder making me jump. "Toris? I, um, like have to tell you something about Eli and me." I froze. I didn't even know what to think of Eli. Did he think Feliks really was 'Felina' and had fallen for 'her'? Or had Feliks told him the truth and it turned out he liked men?

I straightened my shoulders, sick of being too weak to say anything. I gathered my shame into any feelings of courage I could muster. This one small time, I would man up. "Feliks!" I grasped my best friend's hands, suddenly interrupting him. He halted in surprise.

"I don't care if you do like men! You're my best friend and nothing will ever change that! I-I-I don't even c-care if you want a relationship with Eli!" I declared my feelings in a low voice, face flushed. Feliks' jaw dropped, and his face turned red. For a moment he tried to sputter a response but then his mouth clamped shut. Then, stumbling a little in his high heels, Feliks walked off in a daze, too stunned to respond.

I blinked as he walked away. "He must be too overcome with emotion to speak..."

"Still dealing with your breakup?" A cold voice asked suddenly. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized it.

"Oh! H-hello Miss Natalya!" I stuttered quickly. She gazed back at me, her platinum blonde hair held securely with her bow. I suddenly realized she'd asked me a question. "W-well, sort of. It's a bit complicated."

Miss Natalya's eyes narrowed. "No. You two are done." It was a statement, not a question.

"Huh?"

"As I said, Toris, you two are done. That-that girl is not worth it. You should be with somebody else." Her voice was filled with venom. Something dawned on me and a smile warmed my face.

"What?" Miss Natalya asked.

"That's the first time you've ever said my name!" I cried. Hehe, maybe she was starting warming up to me! Just a little? A look of surprise crossed her face, before she nodded curtly.

"Were you two...intending to marry?" Miss Natalya asked quietly. What? Why would she be asking something like that!? My face flushed red.

"Uh, it never really came up. W-we weren't really ready to talk about that. I mean- Felina's not really that kind of-well it's not- ugh!" It wasn't as though I could tell her of course we weren't planning to get married, that Feliks was really just my best friend and that I certainly didn't feel for him like that, or that he was a boy for that matter(And that he actually liked one of the men among us...)! It didn't help that I couldn't think straight thanks to her question. J-just that she asked me something like that made my heart do jumping jacks. The thought of marriage when I was right next to Miss Natalya-Oh wow. Whoever ended up with her would be a very lucky man! W-wait, I shouldn't be thinking things like that!

Miss Natalya obviously took notice of my spacing out. "I apologize. I asked too much."

''N-no! Not at all! You can ask me anything anytime! I mean- I trust you- I don't mind telling you that sort of thing!" My heart pounded so loud I wondered if she could hear it. Suddenly she was much closer to me, so much so that our noses were almost touching. I swallowed noisily. "Did you mean it...?" Natalya demanded.

"What?"

"Did you mean it!?" Natalya cried, this time seemingly angry.

"W-what did I mean, Miss Natalya?"

"That you'd help me! That we'd find out my past together!" I was shocked by her question. Of course I would help her! Not knowing was obviously causing her terrible pain, and it was now etched on her face. My heart ached for her.

"Yes. After we rescue Matthew I'll do whatever it takes to find your past. I would do it now if I could! But right now King Arthur needs our help and so does Matthew, and the minute our mission is complete, I promise I will do whatever it takes to find your memories!"

Her dark eyes stared back into mine, as though searching for lies. There were none.

"Felina does not deserve you." The tension broke as Miss Natalya repeated this. Her anger was still there, but a different kind, hard as rock, instead of tremulous and fragile.

"You're not angry at Felina, are you?" I asked worriedly. I wouldn't understand why though, Miss Natalya had no reason to be.

"Yes." The young girl stated darkly.

"Why?" I asked.

Miss Natalya started walking quickly ahead of me to catch up with the rest of the group. I heard it though, her answer as she passed me.

"You." Her voice, soft as silk, lingered for a moment.

Me? My head ached as I tried to puzzle through what Miss Natalya meant. It just didn't make any sense.

"Hey! We're here!" I blinked out of my stupor at Alfred's voice. Above the trees and forest path I spotted the ocean line.

"Yay! Gil, we finally made it!" Feliciano jumped up and down happily. Gilbert shot him a grin, but cast a more serious gaze at the ports ahead of us. What was that about? He'd seemed very uncharacteristically quiet ever since we'd gotten out of the forest.

But then again, maybe it wasn't just him. King Arthur hadn't been himself either I'd noticed. His face had become pale and he walked as though he was balancing himself. Alfred stayed close to him, but didn't seemed worried, which was a mystery in itself.

"Maybe there's seafood pasta Feli." Eli ruffled Feliciano's hair affectionately.

''I'm sorry Feliciano, but I'm afraid we don't have time for a meal. A friend of mine has offered to take us from the coast to Reenson. We're leaving tonight, and we must be sure to thank him, he's risking a lot for us." His Majesty looked quite anxious to make it to the ships in the ports.

"Ve..."Feliciano's smile faded.

"Oh man, that guy? Come on, Artie! He hates me!" Alfred looked dismayed at the mention of His Majesty's 'friend'.

"Perhaps you have a better idea? Alfred.'' King Arthur glared at Alfred, but a kind of understanding seemed to pass between them both.

"Fine." Alfred straightened his armbands and looked away.

"Aw come on! You didn't tell me you were bringing him along! He's nothing but a puta grande!" That was the greeting we received from King Arthur's friend, as he pointed an accusatory finger at Alfred.

"Like I wanted to come! I'm only using your crapsack little boat to get to my little brother! You freakin' pansy!" Alfred shot back, and I could've sworn sparks flashed between their eyes.

"Now, now! We all want to help Matthew here, so stow the arguments until we get to shore, all right!?" King Arthur's stern tone was electrifying. Both stiffened and sighed, glaring in opposite direction.

King Arthur cleared his throat. "Ahem." He gestured to the captain of the ship La Soltera Deslumbrante. "This is Captain Carlos Machado, he'll be voyaging us to Reenson's only open port, he's a Drimad native, and a good friend of Matthew's and has offered to give us a lift." Carlos had tan skin, and wore a bright floral tunic. He was a stocky fellow, and blew cigar smoke away from us as he shook each of our hands.

"Nice to meet you. Mucho gusto. You're all friends of Matthew are you? Great guy, unlike the idiot here!" Carlos grinned cheekily at Alfred, who silently fumed as the big man shook hands with each of us. "We'll be leaving soon, but feel free to check out the surrounding shops while my crew sets up, just don't stray too far."

We took off in twos and threes, but King Arthur and Alfred(oddly enough) stayed behind. I glimpsed His Majesty clutching Alfred's arm for support as they went into the ship and my worry intensified. I walked along with Eli, Gilbert, and Feliciano as we looked about the fancy ships in the port, and paused for a snack at a tomato restaurant. We ate outside, at stone tables. In Clorence, tomatoes were something exotic, rarely eaten, but I personally didn't have a preference for them anyway. Feli, on the other hand, immensely enjoyed his. It was cut to look like a rose and placed on a stick, which he devoured making happy sounds.

"Haha, enjoying that aren't you Feli?" Eli smiled at him from around his own tomato, while Gilbert picked at his.

"Ooh, he's so cute!"

"Aw!"

"Look at him!" I looked up in surprise at a couple of waitresses cooing and pointing at Feliciano. Feliciano stiffened and hid under the table.

"Feliciano?" I stared down at him in surprise.

"I shouldn't flirt." Is all he replied.

Suddenly Gilbert got a wicked grin on his face, for the first time in days. "Don't worry Feli, I'll take care of this." The albino leaned back in his seat and blew a kiss in the direction of the women. Several of them blushed or shrieked in happiness. Eli rolled his eyes in disgust.

"You've really got them around your little finger don't you? Must think a lot of yourself having a ton of girls falling over themselves for a kiss from you." He commented snidely.

Gilbert suddenly scowled at his friend. "You're one to talk! Slobbering all over Toris' girlfriend! You shouldn't be dating her! That's so uncool!"

Uh-oh. They'd both evidently forgotten I was here. That was never a good thing. Both stared back at each other, anger in their eyes.

"Yeah? I can do whatever I want you 2nd rate trinket chaser!" Eli had gotten to his feet.

"What!? Says the ninny warrior wannabe!" Gilbert rose as well.

"Skirt-chaser! You're just like every other conceited creep!" That comment made Gilbert even more furious, leaning over the table and grabbing Eli by the shirt.

"At least I don't betray my friends!" Gilbert hissed. Eli's expression wavered for a split second, then he shoved Gilbert's hand away and slumped back into his seat. Gilbert sat back down as well. The silence following was tense. Feliciano popped back up from under the table, his tomato eaten and a sad expression on his face. What had just happened? I coughed quietly. All three looked back at me.

"We should, uh, go back before it gets too late."

I stumbled along the ship's wooden planks floor and struggled not to sprawl across the hall. One of the crewmen had pointed me in the direction of my quarters, which I would be sharing with Feliks. Everybody had a roommate, and all of our quarters were grouped in the same area of the ship. Was this it? The door was slightly cracked, and I heard voices.

"Please Eli! I've got to tell him! He said it's okay that I like men! What does that tell you!?" Feliks' voice, slightly hysterical.

"I don't know..."Eli's voice, skeptical and unsure. I shook my head. I already told him it was okay! Enough with this nonsense. I pushed the door opened, and very unlike myself, barged in.

"I was serious when I told Feliks I'm fine with your relationship! Eli, you two don't have to hide it! It's not an issue! Although...you might want to keep it quiet around other people. Who knows how they might react..." Eli looked dumbstruck.

Feliks shot him a desperate look. "See?" He asked helplessly. I walked back into the hallway, aiming for the next door over, this one shut, so I assumed it was mine.

"Hello?" I called cautiously. I was met with giggling. Huh?

"Hullo Flying Mint Bunny! It's wonderful to see you again!" HUH? I peeked out from behind the door. There in one of the hammocks King Arthur lay, his face flushed and feverish, and laughing to himself. My concern was increasing on so many levels.

"I hate it when you get magic-drunk..." Alfred muttered, his back to me, and placed a wet cloth on His Majesty's forehead.

"Oohoh...Alfred leave Mister Leprechaun alone! Heshanot dooing anything!" King Arthur's speech had become more slurred, and his eyes were bloodshot. He looked dazed.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." Alfred sighed. Thinking that maybe I had seen something I shouldn't have, and that it was prudent to leave I started to pull the door shut. Alfred's head shot up at the sound of it creaking. "HEY!" He cried, his voice hard and frightening the way it only was in battle. I gulped and opened the door again, letting him see me.

"Toris?" His shoulders relaxed. Then a sheepish look came upon his face. I closed the door behind me. "Oh, um...you saw this?" Al asked weakly. I squeaked a 'yes'.

"Um, is he...all right? What happened to him?" I took note that King Arthur had slipped into sleep now. Alfred looked tired and adjusted his glasses on his face.

"He's...magic drunk. He always gets like this." Al muttered. Magic drunk?

"What does that mean?" I asked worriedly.

"This is Artie's weakest state Toris. You can't tell anyone. If the wrong person found out, it could be a complete disaster!" Alfred walked up to me and grasped me firmly by the shoulders.

"Most people don't know this, but any warlock or sorcerer as powerful as Artie has to deal with repercussions for large spells. The strain of large magic on the body can be terrible. That torrent spell he used to save Eli, Felina, and Feli? This is the cost for that." He continued on. I felt a chill come over me. So even someone like King Arthur...had weak spots. The man giggling like he was a drunkard just minutes before was really a great authority, but every time he used large magic this happened to him? How awful.

"I'm the Head Knight of the Royal Guard Knights. It's my job to protect him Toris. I've seen him in worse states than this, deathly sick and incoherent. Why do you think a man like him would even need guards? Well, this is the reason. You're my friend Toris, but don't think for a moment I won't beat you black and blue for blabbing! Don't tell anyone, I mean it dude!" Alfred's blue eyes burned fiercely.

I swallowed loudly. "I won't. I swear." I nodded. Alfred then smiled at me, and slapped me on the back.

"Thanks, but hey, there's some stuff we need to go over before we go out to sea."

"All right guys! Listen to the hero!" Alfred slammed his hand against the table, making us jump. "Once we get to Reenson, act natural! Carlos," Here Alfred rolled his eyes irritably. "will have fake Drimad identification for each of us. "Once we get into the country, we track down Tao Kaoru. He'll know where Mattie is, probably in a prison camp. If we can, we'll take Tao as our prisoner and take him back to Regnoc along with us and my brother. We'll get out before the counterattack of Regnoc and our allies. Clorence is backing us, but guess what? Artie's other self told him(in some kind of weird telepathic link) that a 'General Ivan Braginski' from Siensia is bringing his forces to fight." Eli gasped when he said this, probably because he was from Siensia and General Ivan must've been well-known there.

"I'll probably go right back to fighting the Wang once Mattie's home safe and sound. But dudes, we have to be careful!" Alfred folded his arms over his chest in a militaristic pose. "The Wang Empire is merciless, and their leader is insane. They enslaved the country of Baaz. The island nations are on their knees because of them. They burnt all of Espron to the ground and murdered its entire Royal family! Even the little prince and his sisters-the princesses. They were just kids! Remember that, and never let your guard down!"

I'd was thinking on Alfred's words earlier that day, before we'd set out to sea. Even though I was suppose to be asleep in my quarters, I'd been restless and had come up on deck. It was frightening, there was definitely going to be bloodshed and war. Even if I was just on a rescue mission and wouldn't be directly involved with the battles later on, if my country lost, my people would pay terribly for it! My stomach was twisted up in knots just thinking about it.

"Toris." I smiled faintly. She had a knack for sneaking up on me.

"Hello Miss Natalya, what are you doing up?" She stared at me grimly, and placed her arms on the side of the ship's railing beside me.

"I heard you get up. Are you worried?" I smiled at her.

"Actually, I'm terrified." I admitted quietly. "My country's going to be at war soon, and we're barging into a country occupied by enemies who can tear me apart if they want." I bowed my head. "But no one else is afraid, I guess it just goes to show how weak I am."

"No. You're wrong." Miss Natalya's response made me stare at her in shock.

"You are stronger than you think. It takes strength to admit your fear, and it takes courage to help a friend in danger." She turned and leaned her back against the railing, staring up at the bright stars above us.

"I also owe you the biggest thank you of my life." Miss Natalya murmured.

"What? What're you talking about?" I took my arms off the railing. Her beautiful dark eyes stared into mine, and my heart was going into overdrive again. Every time I was around her it did.

"You were the first person ever kind to me. You helped me with a simple warm smile when I tried to kill you and your friends. You have know idea how much that means to me, and I thank you so much for it." She faced me.

"Thank you so much." She repeated Miss Natalya's expression didn't change, but I thought her eyes seemed a little happier than usual. It made me glad, and I rubbed the back of my head, blushing happily.

"I'm sure you're exaggerating, I mean...I didn't do much...really."

"Wrong, again. As kind as you are, you don't catch on very quickly." I frowned in embarrassment. Miss Natalya casually flicked the neck of her robe away a bit, revealing her neck more. "When I was a child I was beaten again and again at the orphanage I lived in. My scars cross over my other scars." My heart dropped when I saw the crisscross of cuts along her shoulders. I felt numb.

"That place was terrible, on the outskirts of Baaz before it was conquered. I saw many children my age die from illness, and the so-called caretakers refused to purchase food or medicine for us. It infuriated me. So one day, when I was 10, I stole the lash used on me so often and took revenge on the caretakers. Now they carry scars. But I was thrown into the street, which was really better than the orphanage now that I reflect on it. I was taken in by a gang of mercenaries. They taught me to fight, steal, kill, win at any cost. But never did I once see kindness or love. Never did I see it or give it to anyone." She took a breath and looked at me again.

"All the time I didn't know where I came from. Who my family might've been. My only memories were that from the age of 7 and older. Did they abandon me? Was I that worthless? Did they hate me? Was something wrong with me? I didn't know, but I believed it. Then the Wang offered to find me answers in exchange for delivering you to them. But you offered me the same thing, without a price. You didn't even ask me to help you with this mission, the king of Regnoc did. The only reason you helped a worthless girl like me, was because of your good heart..." Miss Natalya trailed off.

The dam broke on my feelings that had started rising since she began talking. I was enraged.

"NO!" I cried angrily, gripping the handrails. She started and looked at me in shock. "Those sorry bastards...beating you! Starving you! You didn't deserve any of that Natalya! You don't deserve to think of yourself as worthless! You're not! YOU'RE NOT! Natalya, you're a good person, who's been through a lot of pain. I will do anything to help you because I know you're NOT worthless! You're a good, kind, smart, graceful, young woman! And if I could, I'd find every person who hurt you and make them regret it! Natalya, I-!" I broke off suddenly, realizing how informal I was being.

"O-oh, Miss Natalya, I'm sorry. I shouldn't just call you just by your name, how rude. I-I apologize Miss Natalya." My breath caught in my throat. She'd leaned very close to me. I couldn't think around her, as usual.

"Toris, you really are the most wonderful person I've ever met." A hint of a smile tugged at her lips. My brain seemed to stop working completely.

The next thing I knew, I was in my quarters, with the faint memory of bidding Miss Natalya a quick goodnight and sprinting down below the deck. Feliks rolled over in one of the hammocks and eyed me. He'd been snoring when I left. "What are you doing up? Secret rendezvous with your girlfriend?" He grinned at me smugly.

I quickly climbed into my own hammock. "Shut up Feliks! She's not my girlfriend anymore than you are!" I rolled over, trying to get comfortable. "Speaking of relationships, how are things between you and Eli?" Sudden footsteps alerted me to Feliks right beside me. I gazed up at him. He'd washed his makeup off and his hair was a mess. Instead of the normal pink nightdress he was wearing a lacy purple top and bottom pair of pajamas. He looked more like he did in Clorence before he'd been arrested than he had in a long time. His expression was one of extreme irritation.

He held up a finger in front of my face. "One: Eli isn't my boyfriend," He held up a second finger. "two: Eli does like men, but we are not in a relationship." My eyebrows raised in surprise. He raised third finger. "Three: Eli isn't a boy, she's a girl!"

"WHAT!?" I jerked up and fell face-flat on the floor. Feliks clapped a hand over my mouth. "Be quiet! You'll wake everyone!" He whispered.

"B-but, Eli's fighting! A-and, why isn't, agh,you know, her body more..." I clawed at my hair in frustration.

"Yeah, her best friend's brother taught her how to fight. She wears bindings over her chest to hide anything that would give her away. The other night in the forest, they came loose because of the water so I kissed her to hide anything that would give her away. And her real name's Elizaveta! I had to push a lot to get her to be okay with me telling you. She's been helping me hide my secret and vice-versa. You happy? Okay!? You understand I don't have a boyfriend or any other kind of relation like that!? And she wanted me to tell you that if you tell anyone she would personally keelhaul you, given that we're on a ship equipped for it!" His nostrils flared and he stomped back to his hammock and curled up in a ball, closing the discussion. Wow...he was really mad.

I laid out in my own hammock, stunned. Well...this certainly explained a lot.

The next few days were as ordinary as could be expected on the sea, given that I had two crossdressers on board the ship with me. I had to wonder if I was born under some kind of cursed star that caused so many strange things to happen to me. King Arthur had recovered, and was now greatly enjoying the seas, breathing in the salty air. Alfred was more relaxed now that his king was on his feet, but fought with Captain Carlos at every turn. Since their argument, Gilbert and Eli-Elizaveta hadn't been speaking like they normally would, and I worried about that. For the first few days following the revelation about Elizaveta I discovered I got terribly seasick, and Berwald gave me a remedy to settle my stomach. He muttered something about it being a gift from his wife. I wondered how someone as gentle as Berwald could end up as a mercenary, but I didn't ask. I also knew that despite his antics Matthias really wasn't a bad guy, not the kind I thought should be a mercenary either. He was just trying to fit in better with us I guess, although he often kept to himself. It seemed none of the former mercenaries on board should ever really be in that occupation. As for Miss Natalya, I now found myself too shy to speak to her.

One night however, it seemed the calm before the storm, the trip before the mission itself, would have a storm of its own. Literally.

BANG BANG BANG

The pounding on the door woke me from sound sleep.

"Hey! You in there! Get up! Major storm's brewin' and you'd better brace yourself!" The voice cut off. "Wait! Miss! You can't go up on deck!" That shook the drowsiness from me instantly. The only 'Miss' on this ship (At least that they knew about) other than 'Felina' was...

"Miss Natalya! Wait!" I threw off my blankets and burst through my door, chasing her up the stairs.

A/N: Poor Toris, he can never catch a break, can he? Sorry that Berwald, Matthias, and Feliciano had minor roles in this chapter. In the next one, believe me, they're going to be a LOT more involved! Can't wait for it! See you then! Thank you to all who reviewed! :D