AN: In case anyone reads this, I'm so sorry I disappeared. I will never leave a story unfinished. I actually found some chapters that were partially or almost entirely written, so I'm going to try to wrap this up so I can leave this story complete.

I'm not even sure how to add a line break anymore...hahaha...

I'm so sorry. If anyone does read this, I deeply apologize for leaving this story for so long...

-o-

YUKI

"My Lady! My Lord!" the cry that greeted her ears came from one of the guards positioned outside the medical tents. Although Yuki knew their forces were currently moving into the city and establishing their victory, she still required some stitches where Shizuka's magical ice had pierced her. Her injuries did not seem fatal, but neither did she want to risk infection after she and Zero had come so far. After they had finally taken back Ashgate…

"Yes, we're alright," she reassured the young man.

"You're injured!"

"That is exactly why I'm here." She had to smile. The boy's concern was touching. She was surprised he had any left after such a long battle.

With Zero at her side, she approached the tent. Two long days before, she had left Yori in charge here. She wondered how the archer had fared. Most likely, she was utterly exhausted from tending the wounded. The princess was sure that there was no shortage of them. Regardless, she knew her friend would be relieved to see her alive and relatively well. No doubt she was worried sick about them, and Hanabusa, as well. She hoped he'd made it back alright, although it was far more likely that he was still in the city.

Pushing open the flap, what Yuki found inside was nothing like she'd expected. No, it was worse. Far, far worse than she'd ever imagined. Her blood iced over, and instinctively she reached out to grasp Zero's hand, fighting to accept the sobering reality of the situation before her.

On a nearby cot, Yori lay pale and unconscious, wrapped in thick bandages about her torso. Across the room, Akatsuki's face was barely familiar beneath the extensive wrappings on his face, arm and hand. And at the far end of the tent, a single pall covered in a white sheet lay on the ground. Its mere presence told her that whoever lay beneath was someone of importance. Yuki swallowed hard, turning to the pair of mages who seemed to have taken charge for the time being.

"What happened?" she asked, mouth gone dry.

Rima gestured for a healer to come and take a look at the princess as she merely replied, "A lot."

Two of the medics ushered the princess off to one side, where they immediately began tending her wounds. Zero remained with her, face as blank as the city wall. Yet, Yuki could read the underlying worry and tension in his eyes.

"Lady Sayori will make a full recovery," one of the doctors told her. "Lord Senri healed her...with magic!" This last bit was said with awe. Hearing that Yori would be alright significantly lifted some of the weight from her shoulders.

"Lord Senri?" Yuki managed a thin smile of amusement. She wondered how the seer would feel about such a title. "Akatsuki?" Zero asked then.

"We have to wait and see," the doctor answered. "The cut on his face may have affected his vision, so we can't be sure until he's awake. And then...he lost two fingers in the battle, my Lord."

"He'll live?" the silver-haired knight pressed.

A nod. "He'll live."

More relief washed through her. "Thank goodness."

"My Lord, my Lady!" came the words once again, this time from a messenger who rushed into the tent.

"Yes?" Yuki inquired, gritting her teeth as the doctor began stitching together one of her deeper wounds.

"Sorry for the intrusion, I saw you enter. I come bearing news."

When the messenger paused, Zero folded his arms and demanded, "What is it?"

"The enemy is withdrawing, either fleeing or surrendering. The city is ours."

"We knew as much."

"Yes. However...some of the Touma guard escaped, along with the heir, Rei Touma."

Rei… Yuki had heard that name before from Yori and Hanabusa. She didn't want to wish ill on anyone, but...if only they had been able to capture him, and make him answer for his crimes…

Suddenly puzzled, Yuki asked, "I thought the Toumas weren't taking part in this?"

"They came out of nowhere, my Lady! If it weren't for the Ichijou and Shirabuki cavalry, we'd all be dead!"

"The Ichijous and Shirabukis?" Zero questioned now.

"Yes, my Lord. They swept across from the west and engaged the Touma forces. They're still out there now, rounding up prisoners and wounded."

How long had they been inside the city? It seemed a lot had happened during their absence. Yuki sighed and nodded, "Thank you. Anything else?"

"No, my Lady." The messenger bowed, then departed as quickly as he'd come.

The princess turned back to the doctor now, who was finishing with the last bandage. "Who is the person on the pall?"

The medic swallowed, shook her head. "I think you should see for yourself, my Lady," was her response as she gathered her bag and moved on to another patient.

Yuki could feel her heart gathering speed. Someone they knew, then… Who? She and Zero approached the still form beneath the sheet. Like this, it was entirely unfamiliar, entirely strange and removed from their lives. Yet, as Zero crouched down and pulled back the sheet from that face, Yuki could already feel her legs sinking to the ground.

"No," she whispered in denial. Her tongue felt heavy, other. Not hers. Beside her, Zero had gone completely still, a statue staring down at the person who had once probably been his closest friend.

The doctor approached again now, timid. "He was brought in close to death. There was no way to save him… Considering his injuries...he must have died honorably. A warrior's death." She gave a slight bow and moved away once more.

"We left him to die," Zero murmured. His voice sounded a million miles away.

"No," another voice refuted. Yuki looked up through misting eyes to see Rima. "He is the reason you live. The reason you won this battle."

The Kuran nodded slowly. "He gave us the time we needed to win…" she said thickly.

Zero shook his head, fingers tightening into a fist. "It should have been me…"

"Tsk." The druid shook her head. "Who would have cut through Shizuka's magic if not you? The fact you are here now tells me your blade was successful against her power."

The Bloodguard fell silent. Yuki sniffled, wiping away hot tears as they streamed down her face. "Thank you, Hanabusa," she whispered to his cold, still form. "Thank you for everything…" Her voice cracked at the end, and for a moment she remained beside the pall, head in her hands, too exhausted to do more than weakly sob.

"Yu…ki..?" a faint voice sounded behind her, and Yuki turned her head to see Yori's eyes open.

The princess quickly wiped away her tears and rose to move to her friend's side, clasping one of her hands tightly. "I'm glad you're alright." Yes, right now, it was better to focus on the living. Later...later they would have time to mourn the dead...

Nevertheless, her heart felt as though it would burst from grief.

"I'm relieved you are, too…" the archer murmured, her words heavy with fatigue.

"You should rest more," Yuki urged. "We've won the battle. You can heal in the castle, where it's more comfortable."

"Yes…" Already, the Wakaba noble was drifting back into slumber.

Yagari Touma's familiar, eye-patched face poked into the tent now. "Hey, Princess. There are some matters you need to attend to. Zero, too."

Yuki sighed, her shoulders slumping. Already? They'd only just won… Beside her, Zero at last pulled himself away from Hanabusa's body and gave her a sympathetic smile, raising his hand to lightly touch her cheek. "The real work begins now," he told her gently.

"Let's work to rebuild this kingdom…together."

Despite everything, despite all the sorrow and loss...at least she still had this man by her side. She smiled, slipping her hand into his, and the two of them exited the tent to face the struggles of the battle's aftermath with fingers intertwined.