A/N: Moshi Moshi.

I'm back- I was in a weird mood last time I posted- Sorry if I came off kind of like a review obsessed writer - the numbers really don't matter- but I enjoy them greatly ^_^ and they make my day a little better hearing from people who are enjoying my fics.

Anyway- Kate has her copy of the English version of CB now and she is calmer now… so that in itself is a good thing- no sugar induced banter here. Just on to the story.

-

Chapter 2

"Will you stop whining?" She asked the older looking man. "You're lucky you escaped with only a broken leg and some scrapes dad."

"Sora, what are you doing here?" Another man asked as he limped into a small building inside the prisoner's containment area.

"What does it look like Rowan? I'm here helping my idiots of family members. Why can't you stand to have your baby sister help you?"

"It's dangerous in here… you should have stayed hidden with the others. Dad don't you agree?" The dark haired man asked.

"Rowan, you know just as I do that Sora won't listen to any one but herself. Besides I'm just glad to see she's safe." Her father said as he gave his daughter a kiss on the forehead.

"I had to come." Sora said as she finished wrapping her father's injured leg. "You wouldn't let me fight with the men, so the least I can do is help now."

"But you're going to get into deep trouble if you keep your tongue as loose as you did with those men. Sora that was the elite squadron, their commanding officer and the prince no less that you mouthed off to!"

"Sora is this true?" Her father asked as he took her hand away from cleaning a wound.

"Daddy, they wouldn't let me in… all I did was protect myself like you taught me."

"Really Sora, you're going to get us all killed with that temper!" Her brother said. Sora went silent at this comment. She hadn't thought of endangering the others through her actions. Looking to her father she realized that she couldn't risk his life like that. Ever since their mother's death she had relied on him the most. Both brother's dealt with the loss better than she had. It was because of him that she had survived and become such a strong person.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled.

"Sora, I want you to remember, what ever happens, always be true to your heart." Her father said. "You listened to your heart and it told you that you were needed. You've helped us a great deal. And I'm proud of you."

"Thank you father." Sora replied wiping a single tear from her eye. It had been a long time since they had been able to see each other for this long and she was glad to hear his voice. She hugged her father tightly and then continued to treat the remainder of his wounds. Before she had finished treating the rest of her family's wounds a loud knock came from the door of the house.

Two figures entered initially, several others had tried to enter, but the prince had dismissed them.

"You are the mayor of this city?" He asked looking at Sora's father.

"I am. I am Takenouchi. Hota Takenouchi."

"I wish we could have met under different circumstances. My father had always held you and your ways in the highest regards." Prince Taichi continued.

"Then why slaughter innocent people and cause pain and destruction." Sora muttered to herself, but loud enough for them to hear.

"Ah yes, this charming creature again." Matt smiled. "It's good to see you too my dear." Rowan was about to get up and punch the blonde man for talking to his little sister like that and staring at her with those cool, lustful blue eyes.

Luckily the elder Takenouchi stopped his son from making a fatal mistake.

"Sora, will you help Rowan leave please? I wish to discuss with the good prince several things."

"Shouldn't I help you father?" Rowan asked.

"No- I need to do this alone."

"But…" Both the siblings said in unison.

"Go and keep Sora from getting into trouble." Rowan got his father's hidden message. He was to get Sora out of the city. Surely the prince would take her and several of the town's women when they left…

"Yes sir, Sora come on." He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out with him.

"Amusing creature." Matt smiled. Hota Takenouchi tried his best to show no emotion at the immoral look and comment.

"Now, good sir, I will be frank. Your town is very important to the prosperity and survival of the Kamiya kingdom. We are prepared to let your town continue as before, except we will receive a percentage of the profits of the port in exchange for more security. You may still keep your position as mayor on two conditions." Tai said sitting down next to the injured man.

"May I inquire as to what those are... good prince?" Takenouchi asked.

"That your swear loyalty and obedience to the Kamiya house. And as a show of your loyalty and our commitment to your town- your daughter is to join us at the capital as my wife, and queen."

The words he had feared hit- the thought of loosing his daughter to some thing like this was in the back of his mind as he surrendered- and now it was coming true…

"You assume my daughter still lives. She might have perished like so many others in the attacks led by your armies."

"That would be unfortunate, but our sources tell us she has not." Matt interrupted the man. "It would be wise of you to not lie to us Mayor Takenouchi. It was your army that surrendered to us. And the old sayings go: To the victor go the spoils."

"My daughter is not some spoil of war. She is a human being that deserves rights and dignity like all people do."

"Then she had survived. If you will not tell us then we will find other sources of information." Matt said as he and Tai stood.

"We will finish this discussion later. First we need to find what we seek." Tai said as both exited the house.

As they exited Matt looked around quickly. Tai knew what he was looking for.

"Where did that fiery red head go?" Matt questioned. I was looking forward to extinguishing her fire."

"I will never understand your thirst for women my friend. One would think one woman was enough, but you are never satisfied, are you?"

"That's not all I'm interested in. She did disrespect our men and your family name. She must be taught some respect."

"Well look for her later, we need to find this daughter- my father wished to see my wedding day before he passes." Tai said with a sigh. He hated to act like such a jerk, but these were his father's orders.

"Right my friend, one bride coming up." Matt said as he raised his arm calling his men to come. "Men we need to find the mayor's daughter. There's no leads so we need a sweep of the village for information."

"Yes sir!" The men said as they went off in all directions.

-

"Sora- we need to hurry."

"Rowan but why? Shouldn't we be helping father and not running?" Sora asked as she looked back on the town that she grew up in. They had taken off on two horses and were leaving their homes at a fast pace.

"Father wanted me to get you away from there."

"But why?"

"Sora- use your head. You're a woman- I know you've been raised like a boy with out mother here- but those men will do horrible things to women."

"Then what about the rest of the town?" Sora inquired.

"Sora- since father is the leader we're both special cases. They specifically targeted Aki because he was thought to hold power. The townspeople will be cared for. Father will see to it." Nudging his horse to speed up more he motioned for Sora to follow. "I'll go back and help father as soon as I get you to a safe place, ok?'

"Alight." Sora conceded and matched her brother's speed.

-

"WHAT!?" Matt almost screamed.

"That's right sir. The townspeople told us she is a red headed girl with crimson eyes." A guard informed matt.

"Damn it! She was in our grasp and we let her escape!"

"She was last seen laving with her brother on horseback." Another added.

"Well, go after her! And bring her back alive."

"Yes sir." They said as they left.

"I can't believe this!" Matt yelled kicking the ground. Tai could only smile and laugh at his friend.

"What makes you so mad- the fact she slipped away or the fact you will not be able to claim her yourself?"

"I wouldn't be so smug dear prince, for you will have to tame the girl now."

"All will be done in time dear friend. They couldn't have gotten far either. Your reputation of never failing will continue on." Tai said as he walked off back towards the mayor's location.

-

"Rowan!" Sora screamed as she saw her brother's horse fall to the ground. A barrage of arrows had hit the animal in the back leg- causing both rider and animal to crash to the ground.

"Sora!" He cried as the animal crushed his legs. She quickly dismounted and tried to see if he was badly injured. "Keep going Sora. Run!"

"And leave you? Never your leg is in worse shape than before I can' leave you like this." She said as she tore her pant leg to use as a bandage.

Suddenly numerous warriors surrounded them. Drawing her badly bleeding brother in her arms, she waited for their ends to come quickly by the squad of guards sent after them.