"CHEATER!"

The drunk man in front of Yamae grabbed him, his breath fetid in the boy's face.

"You're drunk. I didn't cheat. I just play better than you. I also bathe and brush my teeth. You should try it sometime." Yamae knocked his hands away, bending to collect his winnings from the table. "And now I bid you good day." He straightened and started to turn away when he felt a sharp pain in his head and the world went black.

Tet was walking toward the tavern when he glimpsed what looked like a crumpled pile of rags down a dirty side alley. His blood froze as he got closer and realized it was a person. His hands shook as he brushed the hair from its face, then he went white.

"Tet, what the hell are you doing? We're supposed to be looking for the scrounger.." Kiba slowed as he saw the body. "What's the matter?"

"Get Andy. Hell, get Yuki too. I found him."

Kiba's eyes went wide, then he ran for the castle.

Andy was in the kitchen chatting with Raj when Kiba appeared. Her eyes narrowed at his expression. "What's wrong?"

"Tet..he found Yamae. I don't know if he's alive.." Kiba panted hurriedly.

Andy cursed, "Where is he?"

"Near the tavern. It's bad, Andy."

She nodded worriedly and followed him along.

Tet met her eyes as she approached and shook his head. His clothes were heavily stained with blood, his eyes both anguished and enraged as he lay the boy down gently. He moved to her side, his voice trembling. "They beat him, stabbed him repeatedly then left him like trash. They robbed him of everything but his clothes."

Andy's eyes were filled with tears as she looked at him. She moved to Yamae, staring at him sadly. She got a better look at the wounds then ordered, "Get him to the castle. If I can revive him, he'll need blood.."

Tet nodded, lifting the body gently and moving toward his horse.

Kiba let out a growl as he watched them disappear. "If I find who did this…."

Andy nodded and headed back to the castle. When she arrived, she went to the infirmary and worked on trying to heal Yamae. She stood there for a few hours, her purple light working to close the wounds before she pushed more energy into him to attempt to revive him. They'd set up a transfusion to get more blood back in his body and she hoped it would be enough to bring him back.

It was a few minutes before he gasped for air, his eyes flying open. They darted around before focusing on Andy, then he visibly relaxed. "I thought I was a dead man…"

She gave him a sad smile, "You were. But I helped." She moved to kiss him lightly.

He returned the kiss quietly, his eyes apologetic. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright. I know it wasn't your fault. What happened?"

"Some asshole who obviously bathes in a pig pen accused me of cheating. I denied it and was leaving when he and his buddies decided to have fun with me." He sighed, putting a hand to his neck. He paled, his hand scrabbling around before letting out a tiny sob.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

"My locket...it's gone." He dropped his hand to the bed, his voice anguished.

"I'm sorry. It probably meant a lot to you, huh?"

"Our mother gave it to me before she died in the village attack.." He curled into a ball, tears streaking his cheeks.

Andy wrapped her arms around him, "If I knew who took it, you know I'd go fight them for it."

He nodded sleepily, his breathing beginning to slow.

Andy continued to hold him for a few minutes before moving to the chair by his side. She watched him for a few moments before taking his hand in hers and giving it a light squeeze.

He gave a faint smile as he slept.

Ryon entered slowly, his posture tense. "Is he alright?"

"Physically he'll be alright. He's upset, though, because his locket was taken," she sighed.

Ryon's eyes darkened and he fought the urge to hit the wall. "Bastards.. Did he say what happened?"

"Some assholes accused him of cheating, he denied it then they beat him up..."

"Anyone specific?"

She shook her head.

Tet ran in, his expression one of annoyance. "Andy, idiot is tearing apart the tavern. Want to help me talk him down before he gets himself jailed or worse?"

She took a deep breath, kissing Yamae's forehead before following Tet.

Kiba landed on the ground in front of her as they got to the tavern. He gave her a lopsided grin, one eye blackening as he wiped his lip. "Thought I was the white knight?"

She rolled her eyes, holding a hand out to him.

He took it, rising with a grimace. His other hand clutched something tight as he swayed.

She pushed purple light over him, trying to keep him well enough to stay on his feet.

"'M okay." He slurred as he handed her what he held.

She took it, glancing down at the item in her hand.

An ornate metal locket, its chain snapped lay there shining in the sunlight.

"I got it back.." Kiba whispered, his eyes rolling back as Tet caught him.

Andy gave a small smile before looking at Tet, "Let's get him back to the castle. I can heal him in the infirmary."

Tet gave a rueful grin. "What an idiot." He hefted his unconscious friend and they made their way back. He lay Kiba down on a bed before leaving.

Andy spent a while healing Kiba before moving back to Yamae's side.

He stirred, blinking his eyes at her. "Hey. Sorry for acting like a baby earlier. I mean, it's just a locket."

She took his hand and slipped the locket into it. "Kiba got it back."

His eyes filled with tears and his hand shook as it closed tightly around the locket. "Is he okay? If he got hurt because of-"

"I've already healed him up. He'll be fine," Andy assured.

"Why? Why would he do that for something that isn't his?" Yamae glanced over at Kiba in confusion. "It's not important to him."

"Probably because you're friends?" Andy gave him a small smile.

Yamae chuckled softly. "Guess I'm still not used to being anything but a slave.."

She sighed, "And you haven't even been a slave for a while now." She kissed his cheek.

He gave her a soft smile and kissed her lips. "I don't think I've said thank you lately.."

She raised an eyebrow.

He took her hand and led her out of the infirmary.