"Hey let go!" Makoto ordered, as one of the three guards had pinned her against a nearby tree.

He went and punched her across the face, as she was glaring at him.

"How dare scum like you talk to me like that! Just because you're a royal partner doesn't mean you're above me!" The guard yelled, as Makoto kept glaring at him her once warm bluish eyes now ice cold.

"Release her…" Otoha calmly spoke, as one of the other guards looked at her and grabbed her.

He quickly put her in a headlock, as he smirked when he felt her trying to get free.

"Look at this one! This peace of scum thinks she can order us around too!" The guard smugly spoke, as his grin grew in amusement since she was trying so hard to get free.

The leader of the three guards had already pinned Himeko to the ground and was already over her.

"Hey guys this one is the newest…she's the one that belongs to that woman lover." He teased, as his face was now only inches away from Himeko's.

"That's right prince Tsume made her his partner just a few weeks ago right. Hey that must mean she hasn't been touched, after all everyone knows he's too much of a woman lover to ever do anything with one." One guard teased, as they all started laughing.

"Let go! Leave her alone!" Makoto yelled, as she was trying harder to get free.

The guard noticed that as he tighten his grip on her black cape. They all stopped laughing, as he punched Makoto across the face once again.

"Don't order us around you little bitch!" The guard yelled, as he had a small smirk of amusement on his face.

"Hey if woman lover isn't man enough to do it. Then hell why not…I could use a little fun right now." He smirked, as Himeko was trying to get free, but her wounds weren't fully healed.

So she was unable to do anything at all, as the guard was just smirking at her enjoying the pain he was causing, and he hadn't even started his 'fun' yet.

"Go ahead, it's not like anyone would know. Besides I hear the royal's pick really good women." The other two laughed.

"Well then." The guard said, as he was moving closer to Himeko.

Himeko closed her eyes tightly, as she felt his hands undoing her robes. 'No! Not again…help! Please help……Tsume!'Himeko thought, as she waited for the man to start, as well, as her pain. Himeko soon felt his weight lifted up off of her, as she slowly opened now teary violet eyes.

I looked down at my female partner and saw that her light blue chihaya was completely undone. I knelt down in front of her, as I took off my black cape and covered her in it.

"Everything's alright now…your safe." I calmly whispered with a light smile, as I saw she nodded her head to me.

I took that as a sign that she understood, so I stood up and turned to face the man I had just thrown off of her.

"Prince Tsume?" All three of them sounded so surprised, as I went over and grabbed the man and lifted him up by his neck.

"How dare you touch my partner?!" I coldly spoke, as I could see the fear growing in his brown eyes, as I was glaring at him with my now killer cold royal blue eyes.

I went and punched his stomach extremely hard, as I heard at lest two or more of his ribs crack. He closed his eyes tightly, as he was trying to get free.

"You two release them now!" I ordered, as the other two guards released both Otoha and Makoto.

Who once freed ran behind me and too Himeko's side. I threw the guard hard back on the ground and glared at the other two, as they both dropped down to one knee and lowered their heads to me.

"Take him and get out of here!" I ordered, as they both stood up and came over to collect their leader.

I went over to the three of them.

"If you ever touch any of them again I'll kill you! Understand!" I coldly whispered just loud enough for all three of them to hear me.

"Yes sire." They all answered, as a small smirk appeared on my face at the sound of the fear growing in their voices.

I backed away, as they ran off. I took a deep breath to calm down before turning around to face the three females. I went and knelt down next to them, as I saw Makoto was holding Himeko in a tight embrace.

"Are you alright?" I calmly asked, as both Otoha and Makoto looked up at me.

"Yes thank you Tsume." Otoha smiled warmly at me, as I nodded to her.

"I'm alright too…thank you Tsume." Makoto smiled, as I smirked at her.

I noticed Himeko's body was shaking, as she had her head buried into Makoto's chihaya.

"What about Himeko?" I asked now worried that I might have gotten there too late.

"I think she's just a little shaken up." Makoto calmly explained, as she was stroking her fingers through Himeko's golden blonde hair, trying to calm her down.

"I see…I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner." I lowered my head to them.

"What are you talking about Tsume; if you didn't come when you did…things would be a lot worse." Makoto said, as I could hear she was trying to sound happy like always.

"Makoto is right do not blame your self…" Otoha said, as I just kept my head down.

'Dammit! Stupid guards really pissed me off and now…..I didn't want Himeko to see me like that! Dammit!' I thought, as I soon felt something warm messing up my hair.

"Hey how come no one told me you four where having lunch out here? I would have come to join you." A soothing male voice said, as I lifted my head to see a pair of warm golden eyes staring at me.

"Kazuki? When did you get here?" I asked, as I looked to see he was kneeling at my side.

"Just right now I was talking a walk to relax when I saw all of you sitting here." Kazuki smiled, but his smile quickly went away when he noticed that everyone's mood wasn't a happy one.

"What happened?" He asked, as I sighed looking at Makoto and Otoha.

"I get the feeling I should sit down for this." Kazuki said, as both him and I sat down in the snow.

Otoha started to explain that the three of them were eating their lunch when the three guards came out of the woods. At first they where just asking them what they were doing out here in this freezing cold, but after awhile both her and Makoto started feeling uncomfortable. They both asked them to leave them alone and that's when they grabbed them. Both Kazuki and I lowered our heads to them, as Otoha finished.

"I see. I'm sorry…I thought having you wear those cloths would make sure nothing like this would happen." Kazuki calmly explained, as he looked at me.

"It's a good thing you came Tsume…but how did you know that they where in danger?" My brother asked, as I lifted my head.

"I don't really know…I just knew." I explained, as I glanced over at Himeko.

'She's still shaking…that bastard really scared her…I should have killed him.' I thought, as I lowered my head once again.

"I see well then I should go and let Tsubasa know about this…I am glad you all are unharmed." Kazuki smiled at his female partner and the partners of Souma's and mine.

I could feel all three of their eyes looking at me, as I sighed.

"I'll go with you." Otoha said, as her and Kazuki stood up and left leaving just Makoto, Himeko and me there.

"Tsume…" Makoto calmly spoke, as I lifted my head to look at her.

"Yes?" I asked keeping my eyes lowered.

I soon felt a hard smack, as I was rubbing the back of my head.

"Hey what was that for?!" I looked at Makoto who was staring at me.

"That's for blaming your self! It's no ones fault, besides you came just in time! So stop sulking like that!" Makoto yelled, as I turned away from her.

"I said cut it out! All of us are fine!" She yelled.

"Your wrong!" I yelled back, as I lowered my head.

"Not all of you are fine!" I calmly explained.

I heard Makoto sigh, as she realized who I was talking about.

"Your right…but still you saved her. Just be happy that she's safe and stop thinking of what would have happened. You came just in time and saved her…that's it end of story." Makoto explained, as I was staring at her.

"Besides Himeko's fine now she's just resting." Makoto smirked, as she slowly pulled Himeko away and lied her head down on her lap.

I looked over and saw that Himeko had fallen asleep.

"See she's just fine…I'm sure she was scared at first, but after she saw she was safe. She relaxed and ended up falling asleep, after all she is still recovering." Makoto explained.

I let out a sigh of relief, as I smirked. 'Thank the gods she's alright…well for the most part.' I thought, as I soon felt something soft and warm on my head. I looked to see it was Makoto's hand, as she was smiling at me.

"What?" I asked.

"I knew I was leaving Himeko in good hands. I picked the best man for the job of watching over her. Now then I'll leave the rest up to you." Makoto smirked, as she went and slowly moved Himeko from her lap and onto mine.

Once she had done that she stood up, and was about to leave.

"Wait a minute what do you mean by that?" I asked as I looked at her confused.

"I just said it I'm leaving her in your hands. Just keep her safe or else got it." Makoto teased, as she smiled at me and walked away.

"O and make sure to control yourself she's still recovering!" Makoto happily teased, as I felt my face heat up a little.

"For the last time I'm not a pig!" I yelled, as her laughing faded away.

I let out a light laugh, as I looked at my female partner who was fast asleep on my lap. 'Of course I will…I'll always keep her safe, but I wonder how I knew she was in danger. Could it be…?' I thought, as I placed my hand over my heart.

'Is that why my heart started to hurt…'I thought, as I soon snapped out of it and noticed that Himeko's chihaya was still undone. 'It's no wonder she's shaking…'I slowly removed my cape just enough so that I could fix her chihaya, but as I was fixing it I could feel heat burning up my face. 'Her skin has gotten a bit tanner and her wounds look like there healing nicely.' I thought as I fixed it, as fast as I could and quickly put my cape back over her.

'There she shouldn't be as cold anymore.' I smiled, as I looked up and saw that her black cape was a little ways from where we are. I sighed, as the thought of this happening again was enough to make me feel angry.

"Tsume…"

I froze, as I looked down at the sleeping Himeko who was starting to move.

'Did she just?'

"Tsume…" A smile made it's way to my face.

I couldn't hold it in even if I wanted to, as I went and lifted her up so that she was sitting in my lap. I went and lied her head against my chest, as I held her close to me in my arms. 'She's saying my name…her sweet sounding voice is saying my name.' I happily thought, as I made sure that I didn't wake her up.

'She so warm…so warm that my whole body is starting to heat up. My heart…my heart is beating so fast…could I really be.' I thought, as I closed my eyes and was enjoying this new feeling that was coming over me. I remember feeling like I didn't want that moment to end, but of course that was just foolish thinking on my part. I slowly opened my eyes, as I felt Himeko slowly moving in my arms.

I slowly pulled away enough to see that her eyes were slowly opening; it was a good thing that I had pulled away from her. Because her face turned a very dark shade of red and I think she would have been redder if she would have woken up while I was holding her so close.

"How are you Himeko?" I asked, as I felt my self warmly smile at her.

I could feel my gaze soften, as my normally cold royal blue eyes were soft and warm. She just nodded her head yes to me, as I felt a sinking feeling inside me. I was hoping she would say my name like she was while she was sleeping, since she doesn't talk to me at all. She only nods her head and the few times she does talk to me is to thank me, but she has never once said my name or called out for me like she was doing in her sleep.

"I see. I'm glad your alright. Did you enjoy your nap?" I asked, as she once again nodded yes to me.

I couldn't help but smile at her, as I noticed she had lowered her head. It was then that I remembered that I had her sitting in my lap.

"O I'm sorry…" I calmly said, as I moved my arms away and helped her out of my lap, as she was now sitting at my side.

Her face was an even darker shade of red, as I couldn't help but lightly laugh to myself.

"Sorry about that Himeko…I just didn't want you to get sick again." I explained; as I soon felt a feeling of loss now that her warmth was away from me.

I noticed she didn't move an inch, as I softly sighed.

"Well now that your awake we should return to the west wing…if you fell asleep out here it must mean you need rest." I calmly explained, as I stood up and placed my hand out in front of Himeko.

She took it, as I helped her up. That's when she noticed that she was holding my cape, as she went and was handing it back to me. I smiled, as I went and took it, and threw it around her. She looked at me with her violet eyes that were now just as warm and kind, as the day I first saw them.

"I don't want you to get cold you wear it. I'll go and get your cape and I'll just wear that one alright." I explained, as I was starting to get use to the happy tone I have while I am talking to her.

I walked over and once I put Himeko's cape on we both headed back inside the palace. I soon stopped feeling something soft and warm tightly holding onto my chihaya sleeve. I looked and saw it was Himeko's hand, as I looked over my shoulder at my partner. Himeko's beyond red face was lowered, as I felt confused.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Thank you.......for saving me. Thank you....Tsume." Himeko sweet shy voice softly whispered, as I felt my self warmly smiling at her.

"Your welcome Himeko." I answered, as we both started walking.

I kept smiling that smile until we entered the palace, after all Himeko was holding onto my sleeve still. 'She said my name! Maybe she's warming up to me.' I happily thought, as I made myself stop smiling, as we were walking through the palace and heading to the west wing.

Later.

It was now night and everyone was asleep well almost everyone.

"Alright Tsume what's so important that you couldn't wait till morning to tell me?" Makoto asked, as we both were inside her room.

I was standing at her bed side, as she was sitting on her bed covered up.

"Makoto how would you like to see Reiko?" I asked, as I noticed Makoto froze and was looking at me confusion in her warm bluish eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"You want to see her right? Well I have a way for you to do that, but you can't tell anyone about it. You have to promise not to tell anyone."

"Alright I promise now tell me how." Makoto said, as I started explaining everything to her.

The next morning.

"So how do I look?" Makoto asked, as she was wearing a light brown chihaya and a black hakuma, as she put her brown cape over.

To be more careful I had her put her hood on so she really would look like a boy, after all I only have one wig that I was wearing.

"You look great and it's a good thing you have short hair just in case anyone sees you or something happens to your hood. Now wait nearby and when Kaji leaves I'll go and get you, but remember when I say it's time to leave you have to leave." I explained once again making sure she understood the terms.

"Right I'll wait right here then." She smirked, as I nodded my head.

I put my brown cape on over my light gray chihaya and dark brown hakuma, as I left Makoto's side and headed for that huge black building. I noticed Kaji was once again standing outside, as I soon stopped in front of him.

"Hey your back…I guess I have to treat Hoshi to a meal." Kaji smirked, as I looked at him confused.

"I bet him that you wouldn't come back and well I lost. So do you need any help or have any questions?" Kaji asked with a smirk.

"Nope I'll be fine." I return his smirk, as I soon felt his huge warm hand on my head.

"You know your alright kid…I think you'll do just fine here. Anyways here are the keys and Hoshi will be back at lunch time again." Kaji handed me the keys, as he went and hit my back.

"See you later kid!" He sounded happier than the day before, as I turned to see him leaving.

I waited for him to be out of sight before I went and got Makoto.

Once I got her we entered that hell hole. I was waiting at the door, as I was trying to get use to the smell again. I looked and noticed that Makoto looked germ and really pale.

"Makoto are you alright?" I asked, before opening the door.

"Yeah it's just…being back in here brings back memories and I can't say any of them are good." Makoto calmly explained, as I waited for her to pull her self together before entering.

It took a few minutes, but once she was ready I opened the door and we entered the cells.

"Hey Tsume!" I heard Kyoko's voice, but I saw her back away into the darkness when she saw Makoto.

"Hey Kyoko…I'll be right back to clean and treat all of you, but I first have to take care of something." I smiled, as Kyoko nodded her head to me.

I looked back at Makoto and we both started walking through the cells. It didn't take us long to get through the front, as we entered the middle. I noticed Makoto looked really uncomfortable while we were walking through the middle, but I couldn't blame her. The middle is where Himeko and her spent most of their time and it's also the worse place, since if your there then you can be picked by any of those pigs.

I soon stopped, as Makoto did as well.

"I see." I said, as I opened one of the cells and entered it.

"Well well if it isn't the young guard." I looked into the darkness, as the older woman came out.

"Reiko I brought Makoto with me like I promised, but we have to act like she's a male other wise she'll have to come back here." I calmly explained, making sure to keep my voice down so that only Reiko could hear.

"I see. Alright then…" Reiko smirked, as she went and was trying to hit me.

I moved out of the way and understood what she was doing. She was making it look like I was really trying to take her and since Reiko is known for being extremely wild and hard to get. I went and tackled her to the ground and undid her wrists chains and quickly re chained her wrists, but she now had her arms behind her back.

"Your coming with me!" I ordered trying to sound, as cold as I could.

Reiko smirked, as I got up and pulled her to her feet. I opened the cell and we both left, and started walking, as Makoto was walking at my side. Making sure not to be near Reiko since she was suppose to be a male and the last thing any male wants is for a female to touch them without permission. The middle was silent, as we walked.

I had opened one of the rooms and all three of us went inside.

"Good we did it." I sighed, as I went and unchained Reiko's wrists and ankles.

"Why did you?" Reiko asked, as I was already at the door.

"I want Makoto to be able to talk with her sister, besides I think you could use a break from those chains. I'll come back later on to take you back." I explained, as I saw Makoto ran up and tightly hug the older woman.

"Neesan! I missed you…" Makoto said, as she was snuggling her face into Reiko's red chihaya.

Reiko smiled, as she went and embraced her little sister even tighter.

"I missed you too Mako." Reiko calmly said, as I decided it was time for me to leave them alone, so they could catch up.

Well now everything is falling into place, as the story continues. For the beginning I wanted to let you see what was happening to them that's why I changed my writing style a little and I might do it again from time to time, just letting you all know now.

(Please review ^-^)

Sorry for any mistakes and THANKS FOR READING ^-^