There was nothing orderly about the evacuation. Throngs of people had come streaming from the palace into the grounds, only to be ushered into safe areas where the guards could protect them. The sheer number of people was causing problems. Not to mention the sight of the injured sending the citizens into a panic. It was a miracle the captains could assess anything from the chaos. Or maybe they had a more practiced eye to this type of situation than Yukihito did.

He sighed, pressing his glasses higher up on his nose as he continued pacing. He was a safe distance from the entrance of the palace, but close enough that he could make out the faces of those leaving. They were being ushered along by the other troops.

Hiou stood close by, grumbling as he allowed a physician to nurse one of him many injuries. The champion had done his job of protecting the people as they fled, only now earning a break from the madness.

"Still no sign of them?" said Hiou.

"No." said Yukihito. "Knowing the prince and his father, they're probably still fighting inside."

"Probably. Along with Duke Takarada and his men."

They'd felt the inhibitor go back up earlier. It had all but destroyed the other monsters, especially those that had been wounded. It had made the fighting a lot easier.

Yukihito kept pacing. He was worried about the prince. And Kyoko. Where were those two? He had a soft spot for his charge and the women Kuon loved. He prayed again for the thousandth time that they were safe.

Yukihito felt a chill.

Like death had grazed its icy hand across his heart.

Hiou suddenly clutched his chest in pain, face whiter than the sands.

"Are you alright?" the physician asked. "Where does it hurt?"

"The phoenix…" said Hiou softly, eyes turning to stare at Yukihito. Hiou had felt it as well. Even more then him. The light magic inside of him was responding to something that had happened. Something terrible.

Yukihito whipped his head back and forth, searching frantically, hoping to find something that could tell him what had happened. He saw some people had stopped. Hands at their hearts. A few nobles had even fallen down.

"Rosa." Said Hiou. "She's… gone. I can't feel her anymore."

"What do you mean she's gone?" said Yukihito, feeling panicky.

Hiou shook his head, dazed. "We can always feel our connection to her. Through our contract, but no longer. It's like she vanished…"

A chill ran through Yukihito. Rosa? Gone? How was that possible? What in the light had happened to her?

Then his eyes caught something else. Something strange in all the mess.

Someone was running back into the palace. Forcing their way through the mass still exiting the castle. Even from this distance Yukihito could identify the head of short raven hair and small lithe body. Why was Kyoko running back into the palace?

Did she know something?

"I'll be back." Said Yukihito to Hiou.

He left the champion and civilians to race after Kyoko.

The dark stone slid across Kuon's body, covering him. Each layer sprouted beneath the other, settling into place with a puff of smoke. A helmet covered his face completely, eerily reminiscent of the army's uniform. A black cloak unfurled behind him with a flourish, almost made of shadows itself.

Then there was nothing. Kuon wasn't moving, one knee bent to the ground.

Lory pressed his hands into the king's side, stemming a wound with magic. Their worst nightmare had happened. Kuon had become an accursed. After everything they had tried to do, it had all come to nothing.

Then Kuon moved.

His form was a blur, barely visible to Lory. His sword slashed through the air, intermingled with darkness. It tore through the Djinn's body, splitting the hooded figure in two. Both ends disappeared in a swirl, leaving behind only the Djinn's maddening laughter.

Another copy. The Djinn was too devious to use his real body here.

Kuon bent forward, a loud roar pouring from him. The sound gripped Lory's heart, fear instantly flooding through him. He could physically feel the anger and power in that voice. In that moment, something else gripped him. The horrible knowledge that Kuon was truly gone. An accursed. There was no returning from what he had become.

Lory shifted his weight, gripping the hilt of his sword.

"Please forgive me your majesty." He thought.

Kuon wasn't paying attention, still howling with anger. He would never see it coming.

Lory charged, his light sword spinning into existence as he threw everything he had into the attack.

His sword jerked to a stop. Lory's eyes widened. There was no way… this was too absurd.

Kuon was still hunched over, a single hand raised towards Lory. The point of the light sword was pressed into the palm of Kuon's black gauntlets. The light magic, so strong and vibrant left no mark on the armor. None of the spells woven into Lory's gems had any effect.

Fingers closed over the blade. It shattered, lights scattering the floor as the pieces disappeared. Lory staggered backward from the blast, drawing up different defensive spells. He could do this. As long as he could defend against Kuon and find a weakness in the armor, he could end it all. He wouldn't let Kuon carry on as a dark creature.

Pain suddenly blossomed on his side. He reacted instinctively, pulling away and drawing up his shield. It managed to block several other dark spears careening his direction. His side throbbed as he danced backward, feeling the slick wetness of blood slide down his side.

The next second, the floor and ceiling swapped places. He hit the floor, his shoulder giving a sound pop. He ground his teeth, rolling over to see what had happened.

Kuon was a few feet from him. How was he so fast! Lory hadn't seen any of the attacks coming.

The accursed launched forward to attack again.

A spell hit Kuon from the side. It halted Kuon's progress as the accursed slowed to a stop.

The magic had come from one of Lory's men. None of them were weak, but compared to the accursed, it was as effective as wind on a mountain. It managed to change Kuon's attention, the accursed now flinging itself at the man who had attacked.

"No! Kuon stop!" yelled Lory struggling to his feet. He was too late. The man was impaled by Kuon a second later.

The other soldiers started attacking Kuon, trying to help their friends. All it did was increase Kuon's anger. The accursed hollered with every swipe of his blade in a frenzy that rattled the nerves.

"Everyone get out of here!" roared Lory, pulling out his hilt again. He created another light sword, trying to get Kuon's attention back on him. "Leave! That's an order! You can't take him."

But they weren't fast enough. Two more men fell to the accursed before Lory got to him. Lory swung his sword, Kuon's own catching it before it fell. Lory was pushed back, creating some distance between him and Kuon, but that was what he had wanted.

Hundreds of cords shot from the ground. They wrapped around Kuon, managing to keep the accursed in place. It wouldn't hold out for long, but Lory would only need a few seconds.

Spells shone around him, the air vibrating with his power. The light nearly blinded him, ascending as high as the ceiling. Lory didn't hold anything back. He was going to kill Kuon and end all this madness in one shot.

Lory raised his sword, blinking tears from his eyes.

"I'm sorry Kuon." He whispered.

Then he swung his sword.

Orbs of light pelted Kuon. The area exploded, the blast whipping Lory's hair and cloak about him. He stood, hand pressed to his side as he watched. There was no way Kuon could have survived that.

The smoke cleared. Lory's eyes widened. He was hit with a wave of dizziness, legs giving out from under him.

Dear gods… the magic he radiated. It was as if the world around him had blackened, devouring the light around it. Tangible and endless. Kuon stood in the center of it, towering over Lory who was crouched on the ground. Kuon let out another howl of rage, renewing the fear in Lory's heart.

No wonder both sides wanted him, thought Lory weakly, looking at Kuon. He knew this was the end. Nothing could stop the prince now. No power on earth was strong enough to contend with Kuon's fury.

The accursed stepped towards Lory, looking like the devil himself had come to drag him to hell.

The remains of the battle were everywhere. Bodies of monsters and unfortunate soldiers littered several corridors as Kyoko stumbled through the mess. She climbed over the remains of a pillar, not questioning how she knew where to go. It was as if something was pulling her towards her destination, urging her to hurry.

Something dark was up ahead. She could feel it. With each step, she got closer and the area around her seemed to grow dim. Yet that was where she needed to be.

She turned the corner, gazing upon the huge double doors of the throne room. Sounds of battle drifted through the opening. She approached quickly, peaking inside.

Several bodies lay on the floor. She instantly recognized the king and Lory, the latter appearing to be the only one conscious. A single figure stood in the center of the room, slowly approaching Lory where he sat, clutching his side. The creature was coated in dark marble, covered from head to foot in its deadly armor. This was where the overwhelming power of darkness was coming from.

Kuon.

She knew it was him. She could feel it somehow. Hidden behind the armor and sickening aura. He was there, and he was in pain.

She stepped forward.

Someone grabbed her arm. They wheeled her around, trying to pull her from the wreckage. Kyoko instantly fought the fingers that kept her bound.

"Kyoko, what are you doing?" said Yukihito. "Don't go in there."

"Let me go." Said Kyoko. There were soldiers approaching, having followed Yukihito. "I have to go to him. I can't lose him."

"Lory will be fine." Said Yukihito. "Please, we need to keep you safe, we-"

Kyoko channeled. She shoved Yukihito away from her, his grip loosening. He cried out to her. She didn't listen, chasing after Kuon. He was almost upon Lory. Rocks blackened beneath his feet as he raised a dark blade.

No!

Kyoko flung herself in front of Lory, arms spread wide as tears spilled from her eyes.

"Stop this Kuon!" she called. "Don't let your anger control you. You can beat this."

"Kyoko! What are you doing." Yelled Lory, struggling to stand. "You foolish girl, run. He's gone."

The monster grabbed her harshly by the shoulder. For a moment, for one heart beat she thought she had gotten through. He recognized her, he had to.

Kyoko was flung aside. Her body crashed into the rubble. Her shoulder stung where he had touched her, but she didn't cry out. Not in fear or pain. Her tears fell from the terrible aching in her heart.

She scrambled up. Bits of rubble falling from her arms and legs where she'd skid, and a sharp rock had pierced through the sole of her shoe. It throbbed as she put her weight on the injury, running again toward Kuon.

He backhanded her, sending her tumbling even farther through the room.

"Kyoko, ru-!"

The cry was cut short. Kyoko raised her head to see Lory, suspended by his neck as the accursed held him. The duke was trying to fight, but he was clearly exhausted. Even as Kyoko watched, the spells around him fizzled and died. The accursed brought Lory closer, it's dark helm peering at the duke. This time it was dark runes that appeared around them. Runes that would bring Lory's death.

If that happened, Kuon would not come back.

She couldn't let him kill Lory.

As Kyoko stood, her body swayed, and vision blurred, but she wouldn't rest, couldn't rest. Running towards Kuon once again, she flung her arms around his neck. The glassy surface of the armor seared her skin in an unpleasant heat.

"Kuon! Please, come back." she said. "Please, Ren. Don't leave me again-"

Her voice cracked. She was now hanging against Kuon, wanting nothing more than to sob her heart out. But she didn't. She was no longer that little girl in the oasis. He had given her more courage than that.

She felt something drop behind her. Kuon had dropped Lory. She peered up at him just in time to see his hands descend upon her. She quickly channeled.

The hands stopped, just inches above her shoulders. A barrier hummed around her, arcane magic straining to hold him back. It worked for a moment, then his hand pressed closer, clothed in gauntlets of cold metal.

Kyoko ignored his descending hands. Her own reached up, cradling his head in her small palms as she gazed in the cracks of his visor. Searching for those memorizing green eyes.

"I pushed you away once." She whispered. "Never again. Kuon. Come back to me please. I'm scared to lose you too."

The shield around her broke. His hands grabbed her shoulder, metal digging into her skin. She winced at the pain, preparing to be thrown again.

He didn't move.

Slowly, Kyoko opened one eye, then the other. She peered up at the silent mask before her, her heart barely able to hope.

"Kuon?"

Blood was trickling down her elbows from the puncture wounds. Her hands were burning, but she didn't remove them. Was it possible - had she managed to stop him?

There was a loud crack, making Kyoko squeak. Her eyes widened before misting with tears as the visor fell from Kuon's face. The rest of his armor soon followed, releasing the man within from their dark prison. The hands on her shoulders softened. The burn from the armor was gone. Kuon stood before her, dazed, but whole.

The man moved a hand, slowly, as if unable to believe what he was seeing. Kyoko didn't move, fighting to keep down her hiccups as he gently brushed the necklace. The blue sapphire glinted in his eyes as he gently nudged it.

"You're wearing the necklace." Said Kuon, finally raising his eyes to Kyoko. "I thought…"

"I'm here Kuon." Said Kyoko, her smile trembling. "And I'm not going anywhere."

Realization started to spread. His expression was clearing, as if finally seeing what was in front of him.

A shout jerked Kyoko from her moment. The world came back in a rush, and she was instantly aware of those around her; The blood and chaos that surrounded them. The group of men at the entrance, and the soldiers leveling their swords at her and Kuon.

This was not good. She knew at a glance that Kuon had caused some of this. When this curse or whatever it was had taken him. Everyone here now saw him as an enemy. Her eyes found Lory, and she saw it in his expression. He was solemn, still hunched over from his wound. In that expression, she saw the answer.

"We have to go." Said Kyoko, grabbing hold of Kuon.

He barely moved.

"Kuon!" His name jerked her attention to her, eyes still lost. "We have to move, now!"

He followed her, almost lifeless. Kyoko tugged his hand to the servant's exits at the back of the room. She heard the shouts following after them. Angry and scared shouts.

"Accursed!"

"Murder!"

"The prince has betrayed us all!"

Kyoko kept running, running through corridor after corridor to escape their cries. She didn't know what else to do. The last will of the phoenix thumped in tandem with her own heart.

Save him.

Her hand tightened around Kuon's hand.

They were nearing the end of a hall. The sounds of armored footfalls echoed from around the corner. She slowed, glancing back at Kuon as she considered being able to run past them.

The band on Kuon's arm was a deathly black color. Dark vapor issued from cracks snaking up his arm. It was impossible not to spot the dark magic at a glance. They couldn't go that way.

She stopped, meaning to double back. Except she could hear people in that corridor as well. Where should they go?

"In here."

Kuon finally took some initiative. He twisted a glowing lantern, the wall beside it sliding away seamlessly. Kyoko hurried inside the space, Kuon following behind. The wall slid shut, and a second later she heard the guards pass their hiding space.

Kyoko gave a breath of relief, sliding down the wall to take a seat. She felt exhausted. Varies cuts and bruises were starting to remind her of their existence. Especially the claw marks on her shoulder she hadn't treated. Her sleeves were sticky with blood and sweat.

In the dim light, she could just make out Kuon across from her. The space was big enough to allow them to sit opposite each other, but small enough that their legs crossed, bumping knees. She waved a hand, a smattering of lights appearing to hover above their heads. It wasn't too bright to hurt their eyes, but it did allow her to see…

Oh Kuon.

He was slumped against the wall as if dead. There wasn't an inch of him that wasn't either covered in dirt or blood. His torn clothes trailed pieces of string. Blood-stained hair covered his eyes, and that sickening darkness swirled across his arm. She watched as the cracks expanded, their process visible to her unaided eye.

She was still holding his hand. The left one. The one that didn't have a black band wound around the wrist. She tightened her grip on that hand, trying to get his attention on her instead of the ground.

"Kuon?" she said, her voice soft. She shifted to her knees, extending her unoccupied fingers to brush aside his bangs.

"You're hurt."

Kyoko froze, her hand inches from his face. He lifted his eyes.

And Kyoko saw the depths of his despair.

There was no light. A corpse had more energy than the person before her. The magic on his arm was his only sign of life, the tendrils weaving and curving around his arm. This wasn't Kuon. It was if some dark specter had taken over his body.

The sight terrified her.

Kuon abruptly pulled his hand from her grasp.

"I hurt you. I remember doing it." He said it matter of flatly. Distant, almost cruel in his apathy. The tone hurt more than the wounds.

"It wasn't your fault." Said Kyoko. "You didn't know what you were doing."

"I did." Said Kuon. "And I didn't care."

Not true. She screamed in her head. He wasn't like Sho. He cared about her. He worried about her safety. Falling to the curse couldn't take that away from him… could it?

"Kuon…"

His name fell from her lips, somehow conveying all her uncertainty and worry. Her concern and terrible fear at what he was saying. He held her gaze with the same indifference as his voice before he lowered his eyes, bangs covering his face.

"This is me Kyoko." He said. "No one made me do anything. It was my anger, my choice to lash out and kill all those men. To attack and try to kill Lory. To kill you. I was so damn angry at everyone for everything to the point that I just wanted to kill."

"You didn't try to kill me." Said Kyoko. "You pushed me out of the way. You didn't want me in the fight."

His eyes appeared through his blonde fringe. Peering up at her, finally showing an emotion. Annoyance.

"I'm an accursed, Kyoko." He said, the words hard. Harsh. As if he wanted to hurt her. "In case you were wondering what that curse was, here it is. Manifested in its entirety. I made a wish with the Dark Djinn, and I have now become my anger."

Kyoko stiffened, her hands bawling into fists. He had confirmed her suspicions of what he now was. Of what that curse had been. Curiously enough, she wasn't scared of that in the slightest. She was insulted.

"Did you think me blind Kuon?" she said, her own tone sharpening. "Ignorant to what I was seeing? I've treated a few curses in my time as a physician, and there was never anything that was like this. I knew Kuon. I knew you had a dark side. I knew something like this would happen if you fell… I just never considered it was a contract."

Which meant he had been fighting this for the past years. How had he managed to hold it off for so long? A contract with the Djinn! It was nothing short of a miracle. It renewed the ache in her heart, knowing he had been suffering. Her irritation bled away, turning to sorrow.

Oh, how she just wanted to cry. She lowered her head, brushing away a few traitorous tears that had escaped. She couldn't break down now. She had to help.

She heard Kuon shifting in front of her.

"You need to leave." He said.

"No."

"Kyoko…" he growled in irritation.

Kyoko shook her head, her throat too tight to answer.

"I'm an accursed." He repeated, that anger rising again. "I'm dangerous. Evil. An abomination. A creature of nightmares." He was so dark, so angry. So… not him

"No." she repeated, finally peaking up at him. "You're not."

"How can you say that!" he yelled, jerking with a sudden violence toward her. "I killed those people Kyoko. Without a single thought." His eyes fell to his right arm. The one growing with power. He gazed upon it with a memorizing fascination, a smile creeping up his lips.

"Even now, I can feel it growing within me again." He whispered. "The power and desire to destroy. I want to kill them Kyoko. The Djinn. Hirotaka. Everyone. I want to make them suffer for their crimes."

As she watched Kuon, a sudden panic flooded into her. An overwhelming fear that chilled her bones and stopped her heart.

She was losing him. Like she had lost her father. Like she had lost Ren as a child. Like she had lost her mother's love. She remembered all the things in her life that she had lost, even the imagined ones like Sho's love. That was how she could recognize this now. The horrible crushing feeling as she watched the world around her crumble in the form of a broken man.

She couldn't let this happen. Not again. She wasn't going to let anything stop her from saving him. Not her hesitance. Not her past. Not even Kuon and what he had become. For she knew who he truly was. She knew he didn't want this. Didn't want to become a slave to his anger. He may be an accursed, bound now and forever with the Dark Djinn, but he was still Kuon. Her wonderfully, frustratingly brilliant prince.

Kyoko peered at him through her lashes, watching as he tore himself apart from the inside.

"You are not evil, Kuon." She said. "And I'll prove it."

She reached for his hand.

The right one.

The one with the relic on his wrist.

Kuon caught what she was doing. He jerked away, eyes widening as fear replaced his anger.

"Kyoko, don't-!"

Her fingers circled around his hand.

Immediately her stomach flipped, threatening to spew its contents. Damn. It physically hurt to hold his hand. There was so much power. So much darkness near that relic.

She adjusted her grip, cupping his hand firmly between her own as her face twisted in pain. Slowly, carefully, she pulled his hand toward her. Kuon's eyes were fixed on her face, stunned into silence. She held his gaze, observing how dull his green eyes had become. How tangled and lost. A crack suddenly split through his face, like the ones on his arm, creating smaller branches in its wake. He was still falling.

Kyoko didn't flinch. She didn't look away. Not for a single second. If she did, then she didn't deserve to save him.

She had managed to pull his hand to her. She held it against her heart.

The same searing pain blossomed there, making it hard to breathe. It was ignored as she allowed a different emotion to show. One she had been hiding ever since she had discovered its existence. No longer. She let the smile spread unfiltered on her face as she exposed herself to him.

"You said you tried to kill me." She said. "Then do it. I've caused a lot of problems for the Dark Djinn. He'd be happy I was gone."

His eyes, already so wide managed to widen a fraction more. He didn't more, frozen in front of her.

"You are not evil Kuon." She repeated softly. "Yes, you are flawed, but you will not succumb to the darkness. I won't let you."

Kuon swallowed. "It's a little late for that."

"No, it's not. Your anger is heightened, but it can be controlled. You just need someone to lead you to the light."

I just hope I can be worthy enough to help.

Ren had saved her when she was a little girl, lost in her sadness and despair. He had been the only one to reach out to her. To take her hand and pull her from her own darkness. Now it was time for her to return the favor. To start giving back everything Kuon had given her.

The tears were flowing now. She didn't bother fighting them as they splashed onto her collar.

"I pledge to you Kuon, to try and be that light." She choked. "I may not be noble born. Or pretty. Or terribly useful, but I want to help. I want to spend every moment from here on out to bring you happiness, so that you never feel the need to descend back into darkness."

Kuon breathed in sharply, leaning away from her.

She continued to hold his hand to her heart, unwavering as she waited. Watched, and hoped that it would be enough. That she would be enough to help him.

"Why would you…" he trailed off.

"Because I love you Kuon." She said, the words coming more easily than she would have though possible. "And I can't bear the thought of you suffering."

His suffering was her own. His descent into darkness would ruin her. It was for her own selfishness that she wanted him to be happy. To give up everything for him. Her revenge against Sho was so inconsequential compared to how she felt about the man in front of her. Her pride and anger had blinded her to something so much more wonderful, but no longer.

Kuon was still staring at her, not moving an inch. No, that wasn't right. His hand was trembling against her skin. Kyoko gave it a squeeze, unable to help the small butterflies of doubt fluttering in her stomach. That sickening fear of rejection. Of him pushing her away what that same hand she held against her heart. The longer Kuon stayed silent, the worse the butterflies grew until she felt ill.

Then something moved. Something changed. She wasn't sure what, but something inside Kuon was shifted.

Slowly, the cracks that had been creeping up Kuon's body began to recede, revealing the normal smooth skin beneath. They went slowly, disappearing into the relic close to Kyoko's heart until nothing but the band remained.

And then there he was. The Kuon she knew. The one she had fallen for, kneeling in front of her. It was as if he had removed a cloak, finally revealing himself as he continued to stare, dumbstruck at her. Years had been removed from his face, smoothing out the dark circles and wrinkles created from misery.

Kyoko's chest swelled at the sight, refilling her eyes with tears.

"You love me?" he said, breathless. "How? Why? When I've become…"

Kyoko gave a shaky laugh, unable to help herself. He looked so lost and confused. The darkness had abated and Kuon didn't hate her. Oh, how she had agonized at his reaction to her declaration, and this was what it was? Granted he had just turned into an accursed and they'd both gone through hell in the last hour or so. Gosh, she was still laughing, though it felt more like she was crying.

She dropped his hand, scooting closer to Kuon as she gave him a soft kiss on the forehead. Right where he had kissed her a dozen times. She sat back, faces inches apart as she gazed lovingly at Kuon. It felt liberating to do so.

"You're amazing Kuon." Said Kyoko. "I don't know where to start…"

She brushed his bangs from his eyes, wanting to better see his face. Every bit of unfiltered love and adoration she had kept hidden flowed out, locks shattered beyond repair.

"I can start with the things that annoy me." she said, giving a light chuckle. "You can be petty, irritating, and you have a strange fascination with teasing me. You don't take care of your own health and I have a suspicion your eating habits need help. And then you lied to me about Ren…"

Emotions flashed in Kuon's eyes. He moved as if to look away, but she didn't let him. She cupped his face, forcing him to look into her eyes. To see the sincerity of everything she felt. His eyes wavered between her own, as if afraid of what she may say next.

"But you were the first person to believe me when I said I created a new medicine." She said. "And you continued to believe in me. You provided me with a home, a place to improve my career. And you are the only person who can scold me properly when I'm being silly. You're always moving forward, carrying the weight of your responsibilities with the grace of a king… You continue to inspire me."

She paused, feeling ashamed of her next words.

"I thought sealing my heart away was the smart choice." She said. "The only way to prevent it from being hurt again. But I was wrong. It wasn't smart. It wasn't safe. And I wasn't happy. You destroyed my locks and made me want to love again. So you have to take responsibility Kuon. You have to let me return every bit of happiness you've given me back to you. So please… let me help you."

As she traced his face with a finger, she noticed he was watching her. His attention so absolute it was almost unnerving. He seemed to catch every twitch, every breath she took.

And suddenly she was aware of how close they had become. How intimate their position was with her nestled between his legs, almost pressed up against him. She'd been so, oh gosh how shameless… and yet she couldn't make herself care. It all felt so right.

Kuon finally moved. It was slow, as if he were afraid she might run. His arms lifted, head descending onto her shoulder as his arms wound around her small waist.

Her heart swelled as she returned the hug. Her touch was an unsaid permission, and Kuon's hold on her tightened. There was no hesitance. No anger or fear. He had accepted her confession in that gesture. Accepted her pledge, and she hugged him back wanting nothing more than to let this moment last forever.

Kuon exhaled slowly, his breath ghosting across her shoulder.

"I don't deserve you." His voice nearly broke.

Kyoko pressed her eyes into the crook of his neck, her grip tightening.

"Overruled." She muttered into his shoulder. "You deserve everything I can give you."

She was unsure how long they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms. It left like seconds, yet also forever. Eventually her body started to ache from her injuries. The sounds outside were getting louder and she knew they had to move.

"Kuon." She said, her voice breaking the silence between them. "We can't stay here."

He nodded, then pulled back almost abruptly. "You're right." He said. "They'll find us here eventually. We need to find a-"

"I meant the capital." She interrupted. "We have to leave."

He stopped, mulling over her words. It was impossible for Kuon to stay. He was now an accursed. Even if he could control his anger, others would not trust him to do so. They would call for his blood, and the king would be faced with a horrible decision. Execute his own son, or ignore his people and risk violence and protests against the monarchy.

"You're not running away Kuon." Said Kyoko, knowing he would hate the idea. She understood that feeling all too well herself. "We can't accomplish anything if we stay here. It's not as if we won't return. We will come back, and we will find a way to destroy the Djinn."

Kuon eyed her, his expression hardening. "We?" he said. "You're not coming with me."

"I am."

"Kyoko…"

"They saw me leave with you Kuon." She said, choosing this route for her argument. "I can't stay now that I've been implicated. You're stuck with me whether you like it or not."

Her cheeks warmed at the bold attitude. Their proximity probably didn't help. A part of her wanted to dive back into his chest to hide, but she bit her tongue and kept her head held high.

Kuon's expression softened, obvious amusement on his face. He was amused by her embarrassment!

"What about your friends?" he said, apparently still not reassured. "Your career? You could say I threatened you. Lory would back you up and you could stay here."

"Everything I need is right here Kuon." Her cheeks turned a shade darker. Probably coloring her entire body at this point.

Kuon's arms, which were still wound loosely around her waist, tightened slightly. He leaned his head forward so that their foreheads touched. His eyes closed as he took a deep long breath.

"Alright." He said. "I… Thank you Kyoko. I don't think I could make it without you."

His statement warmed her, the smile on her face of wide it almost hurt. He could have kept protesting, saying she would slow him down or make it harder for him to hide. But he hadn't. He had all but said he needed her help. Her. Kyoko! She would help him.

Kuon pulled his legs under him, taking Kyoko with him as he stood up. His hand interlocked with her own, as if he wished to keep her close, a desire Kyoko had no problem fulfilling.

"This tunnel intersects with others." Said Kuon, starting to walk through the hidden passage. "We'll get to the stables and take a horse. We can trade it for a camel at the next village, but for now we need speed."

"Okay." Said Kyoko, trusting him to know what they needed to do. The lights she had created followed them overhead, giving her enough light so she didn't trip on the occasional step or smack her forehead on the low ceiling. Kuon continued to hold her hand, guiding her through the tunnels and pointing out different obstacles.

After several minutes, they reached the end of a passage. Kuon pressed on the wall, and it opened to reveal a storage room. There were shelves of different crates and items, mostly having to do with horsemanship. Saddles and reins hung along the walls.

"The stables are just out this door." Said Kuon, walking with Kyoko to the end of the room. "We'll need some other supplies before we-"

The door opened.

Kuon stepped in front of Kyoko, arm held out protectively. It wasn't needed. The man that walked through the room made Kyoko relax in relief.

"Yukihito." Said Kyoko, coming to stand next to Kuon. The prince had relaxed, but only a little. He still held himself as if he were ready to grab Kyoko and run at any second.

Yukihito shut the door behind them, also looking tense.

"While that glare still isn't as terrifying as your smile Prince Kuon," Said Yukihito, adjusting his glasses nervously. "I haven't done anything to deserve such ire, despite all the ammo you are giving me by finding you with Kyoko alone in a storage room."

Kuon raised an eyebrow. "You do realize that saying such constitutes as you giving me grief, with then invalidates your statement."

Yukihito smiled, his demeanor becoming his usual good natured ease. He held a hand to his heart as he gave a relived sigh.

"The two of you are leaving." He said. It wasn't a question.

"We can't stay here." Said Kyoko.

"No, you can't." agree Yukihito. "Which is why we've got everything prepared for you two to leave."

Kyoko exchanged a look with Kuon. We? Who had come to help them? Especially after Kuon had become an accursed?

Yukihito opened the door again, peering left and right before motioning to Kyoko and Kuon. They followed, walking briskly down a hall to enter a second door. This one was unmistakably the stables. There were horses fenced in on each side, an assortment of chestnut and dark brown coats. Near the other end of the stables, Shadow was tying a pack to the back of a horse. Beside it was another horse, similarly strapped with a saddle and pack.

The man still looked a mess, covered in dried crusted blood and bandages wound tightly around his arms. His usual head wrap had been pushed aside, revealing his tired stubble. He looked both terrifying and exhausted all at once.

Kyoko hurried forward, hugging Shadow around his leather clad middle. The man let go of the reins, placing a hand on her shoulder. It was the closest thing to a hug Shadow could do. She released the man.

"Thank you." She said, both to Shadow and Yukihito. "but… how did you two know we were going to leave?"

"Lory predicted it." Said Yukihito. "Told me to get everything prepared with your shadow guard."

"Yukihito." Said Kuon. "My father…"

"He's alive." Said Shadow. "As well as the queen. I made sure she was stable before going after Kyoko. Shin is with her now."

"My mother…?" said Kuon, his expression hardening, reminiscent of that darkness he had become in the secret passage.

Kyoko hurried over to Kuon, placing a calming hand on his arm. "She'll be fine Kuon." She said. "Both me and Shadow were able to help her. She's strong."

Kuon took a breath, clasping hands with Kyoko as if to lean on her strength. With an obvious effort, his expression cleared again. The other two watched the exchange with apprehension.

Shadow suddenly turned his head sharply, eyes narrowing.

"You both need to leave." He said, pulling the gray pony toward them. "There are guards coming this way."

Shadow handed Kyoko a brown traveling cloak. She quickly threw it over herself, pulling the hood over her head. She then took Shadow's offered hand so her could help her onto the horse. She nearly fell, swallowing as she remembered she'd only ridden a horse a few times in her life.

"Uhh." She said, looking down at Shadow. "Any tips before I leave?"

The man grabbed the reins, showing her how to hold them. His hands closed over her own.

"Keep them lose, if you tighten them constantly you'll confuse the horse." He said. "Don't worry about directing it so much. It should follow Kuon's horse naturally."

"Alright." Swallowed Kyoko as the horse shifted beneath her. She forgot how high up these things were! Shadow patted its neck soothingly.

"Take care of yourself Kyoko." Said Shadow, his voice that same deep and calming timbre. "Your life isn't just your own anymore."

Kyoko smiled. "You're right. It's not."

Kuon trotted up beside her on his own brown horse, wearing his own battered traveling cloak. His attention was on her, and she knew he was giving her one last chance to stay. To turn around. From here on out, there would be no going back.

What Kuon didn't know was that the point of no return had long passed. She was in one hundred percent. She was determined to follow Kuon, to keep him safe.

He gave her a small smile, turning back to the other two. "Words are inaccurate to express my thanks." Said Kuon. "And please… tell Lory and my father that I'm sorry."

Yukihito gave a salute, fist across heart. "We'll await your return my prince." Said Yukihito.

Shadow gave the same salute. The sight of them both brought tears to Kyoko's eyes.

"We'll come back one day." she called. "I promise."

There were sounds from the other side of the door. The guards were getting closer to the room.

Kuon turned his horse about, and Kyoko tried her best to do the same. Her horse thankfully knew what to do, and it followed Kuon as they dashed out of the stables and into the bright sun, leaving the palace behind.

Thanks for reading!

And many thanks to those that took the time to review! It really helps me determine the general reaction of my writing and if I was able to create the reaction that was intended. And it helps motivate me a ton because you guys are so awesome!

In answer to Pamela's question, there will be one more arc after this one. And then we are done!

Next chapter will be in two weeks. It will (probably) be the last chapter before I go on another break. More information to follow.

For any of you wondering if certain characters from Skip Beat will show up or will reappear in the next arc, I can't say for multiple reasons. The only two that will definitely come back are Sho and Kyoko's mother. Everyone else is up in the air.

Thanks again!

-Blushweaver

I want ya'll to know I edited this at 3 AM so Blushweaver could get it to you at a reasonable time. Hope you liked it! See you next arc

-Im0ut0