So sorry for the late update! But here's a longer chapter than the previous one. I hope you guys like it!


Mai woke up after hearing someone talking in the background. 'I know that voice' she thought. She wanted to open her eyes but at the same time she didn't want to. 'What if I'm dreaming? What if I'm already dead?' she thought once again. She then heard another person talking joined by another one. She knows two of the voices but the other one sounded older and colder. She waited a few more minutes, wanting to hear what they were talking about.

"She's been asleep for almost a week now, Noll. Something's wrong with her" Gene informed his younger brother. Noll, who was currently reading something didn't bother answering him. "Oliver, are you even listening to me?" Gene asked. He earned a slight nod and he sighed in defeat. "We arrived too late, Noll, maybe if you weren't rude to her then maybe she wouldn't be in this position" Gene told his brother, who is now getting impatient. "Look, I know you're worried about our little princess here but she is fine. Lin told you that she only suffered minor injuries" Noll told him. A man entered with a letter on his hand, he was wearing a white button down shirt with black trousers. His hair was black, covering half of his face. "Oliver, I've received a message from your father" he said. "Lin!" Gene chimed. "How's Mai doing?" he asked. "Mai-san is alright, Eugene, she needs to rest" the informed the older brother. Before Gene could answer, they heard a small groan coming from Mai. "She's waking up!" Gene almost yelled.

Mai opened her heavy eyelids and she immediately closed them when she was blinded by the sunlight coming from a window nearby. She opened them again, this time taking precautions. She was greeted by a warm smile from Gene who was towering over her. She noticed Noll right next to him who, as usual, have his cold look. Behind them was a tall man who she remembered seeing in her hometown once. "Mai! You're awake!" Gene said. "No need to state the obvious, Gene" Noll told him. "How are you feeling, Mai?" Noll asked, beating Gene to the question. "I feel… sore" she muttered and tried to swallow but found that her lips were drying and so were her throat. Gene went outside to fetch her a glass of water while Noll and Lin helped her sit up. "This is Lin" Noll told her, introducing the tall man beside him. "Mmm, I've seen him before" she smiled. "Really?" Lin asked, no hint of any emotion in his voice. Mai nodded. Gene arrived with a glass of water and helped her drink it. He set it down on a small table nearby before sitting next to her. "Once, in a small town miles from the city. You were there to meet Noll" she said. "Ah, of course" Lin replied. After checking Mai's vital signs, he left Noll and Gene with the girl.

"Where am I?" she asked.

"You're in Lin's house" Gene informed as he brush Mai's hair away from her face.

"Where exactly is that?" she asked again.

"On a small island near the Eastern Lands" Gene answered.

Noll was now on a chair, reading the letter, trying to ignore the small chit-chat the two were making.

"The Mirage Island?" she asked again, Gene nodded.

"I heard this place is beautiful" she said, imagining what kind of beauty a small island possess.

"Well, it was" Gene answered.

"Huh?"

"You see, there are soldiers stationed in the island, both from the West and the East. There's a small war going on here, but not here-here of course. A few miles away is the battlefield, it was once called The Valley of Tulips but it's The Valley of the Dead now" he said. Before Gene could continue explaining, Noll interrupted.

"We have to head to the Western Lands as soon as possible" he informed the two. "Already?" Gene asked.

"Father sent a letter informing us that we have to get there before the West and the East go to war"

"But aren't they already in war?"" I meant the big war, Gene"

"Oh, well we can't travel now, Mai's just recovering"

"It's alright, Gene, I can manage" she smiled. "When are we leaving?" she asked.

"Tomorrow"

When sunrise broke, the trio fled the safe haven, leaving Lin behind. The headed to the docks and boarded the last ferry to the West. Once inside the ferry, Mai wondered how they got the tickets and documentation in less than 24 hours. Their room is even first class. 'They must be rich' she thought as she wondered around the big sleeping quarters for them. The bed was big enough to fit 5 people and the covers were satin, they were two of them. The furniture were made by some expensive tree only found in the South and Marbles from the North. The bathroom was big as well. She plopped down on the bed and stared at the well decorated ceiling. Gene and Noll left not long ago to get some food and gather information from other passengers. She was bored and there was nothing to do. She then noticed a long curtain on the other side of the room, across from the main door. She peered through it and saw a balcony. She opened it stared at the beauty of the ocean. Birds were flying from the distant and she saw the sun rising to it's peak. She looked at the locket on her neck and thought about the only living relative has. 'What if he doesn't recognize me? What if he doesn't take me in? I don't have proof that I am the real daughter of the deceased Taniyama couple except for this locket' she thought.

It was in the afternoon when the trio decided to go to the deck. Noll, as always, was reading something while Gene was teaching Mai some self defense. In the beginning, Mai was afraid to hit Gene or even learn some techniques, but after she remembered the incident not long ago she was determined to learn as much as she can to protect herself.

"Okay, Mai, you're punches are improving but your legs are a little wobbly and unstable. Make sure you have one foot on the back, like you're standing side ways, like a boxer" Gene said as he helped her get in position. "Ok, now, make sure your weaker hand is always up, ready to protect your head just in case someone wants to punch you" he told her as he raised her weaker hand, left, to her fist, inches away. "And your right hand on the side, ready to punch" he said as he placed her right arm on the side. Eugene taught her some basic punching strategies and kicking as well. In less than an hour, Mai and Eugene were in sparring mode. Of course, Gene was being easy on her but Mai still find it difficult.

"Remember, Mai, don't get distracted by anything and never avert your eyes from the opponent" Gene informed Mai, who was now on the floor panting heavily.

"Maybe if you stop smirking then I wouldn't be distracted!" Mai told him as she got up and took her stance.

"Oh, so no smiles? I can't do that. I always smile. How about you take on Noll" Gene smirked.

"Noll?"

"Yes, he's very good at martial arts if I must say" he said.

Noll was enjoying himself on the chair reading a book when his brother stood over him. "What?" he asked, not looking away from his book.

"Mai needs a serious sparring partner"

"Then be serious"

"Come on, Noll!"

"I am busy"

"I can see that bu-"

"Good, I thought you lost your eyesight"

"Please Noll! It's for sake"

Noll sighed, knowing his brother he knows that he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants and in this case, be Mai's sparring partner.

"Alright"

Gene jump in delight and gave Mai a smirk.

Noll took off his black jacket and folded the sleeves of his dark shirt and readied himself. He noticed Mai's expression, she was scared, but only because it was Noll and his seriousness. "Alright, on three" Gene said. He counted down, "3... 2... 1... Go!"

Noll ran up to Mai, ready to strike. Mai backed away from him, almost tripping. "Woah!" she yelped. Noll missed just inches from her face, he noticed her running from him. Without wasting time, he grabbed her shirt and flung her back on the ground.

"Imagine, I was the soldier, Mai" Noll said.

Mai trembled underneath him and her determination grew. She swung her legs and tripped Noll over. She stood up and got ready. She saw Noll smirked when he fell and knew that this was going to be a good spar. Gene watch the two throw punches and kicks at each other, Mai was quicker than Noll, giving her the chance to avoid some hard punches. Gene knew that Noll was going easy on her, easy in a sense of a black belt level in taekwondo. "Noll, take it easy on her" Gene yelled but doubted that Noll heard him.

Mai dodged one of Noll's punches and she leg swept him. He fell hard on his back and Mai towered over her. "Game over" she said and turned away from him. Gene saw Noll smirked and knew he was up to something. Noll saw that Mai was still near his feet and decided that he's not going to get beaten by some beginner. So he tripped her and he in turn got top of her, pinning both of her hands above her head and trapping her legs. Their faces were less than 2 inches apart and both were staring at each other's eyes. Mai was panting and so was Noll. Both were mesmerized and they almost forgot that Gene was there. "Ehem" Gene fake coughed. Mai and Noll snapped from their small daydream. "Don't let your guard down" he said before he withdrew from the now blushing Mai. She was on the floor for about 20 seconds staring at the now darkening sky.

"You alright?" Gene asked as he stood above her.

"Yeah… I actually… feel great" she said in between her pants.

"Looks like it, come on, it's time for dinner" he gave her a hand and helped her stand up. She looked around and saw Noll waiting for them by the door. Gene followed Noll while Mai stared at Noll for a second and smiled. 'I think I'm in love' she thought to herself and smiled.

"Smiling doesn't help fill your stomach, Mai" Noll smirked. Just on cue, Mai's stomach grumbled and she sweat dropped. "I'm coming, Mr. I'm-so-good-at-everything!" she yelled at him and jogged towards the twins.


Awww, Mai's in love with our narcissistic jerk.

So, the dancing scene in the Anastasia movie became a sparring scene here. I hope it's good.

Reviews? Comments? Ideas? Corrections? Suggestions? Please do so!

OHHHH!

A one-shot song fic will be up in a few. The title will be Someone Like You.