Once Upon Cinderella's Lost Hope


Guys I hope you like this chapter! I started writing this as soon as I posted the last chapter and with work I managed although my writing device had been dead for three days because I couldn't find the charger. And I just finished it so here it is!

There was something I was meant to explain but I can't remember at the moment so if you have any questions, you know what to do but I would like to hear from you more. I do love reviews...


I blinked away the cloudiness behind my eyes and shook away the dizziness that threatened to make me vomit. My stomach churned and my body felt heavy. Did they drug me? I looked the room but my head was spinning and I couldn't tell left from right and it made me even more dizzy. I pulled at my hands but they were bound above my head by chains and cuffs.

"Oh? It seems like our little one has awoken." I tried to focus on the shadowed figure that approached me but I only saw double. My face was grabbed harshly and I cried out. "Yes, cry and scream but there is no one coming to save you. Your escape was by pure chance little Yuusei but you will make up for your freedom."

"Where am I?"

"You're home and you will never leave again."

I leaned my head back and sighed, the fog in my head still thick. "Looks like I've been caught."

There was a zipping sound and a whoosh of air. "You don't seem to be scared."

"I am. Just not as much as I should be." Sharp, white hot pain ran across my chest and I screamed.

"I'll break your soul and kill that cockiness that lies inside of you." The pain came again. "And when I'm done with you, not even you yourself will know who you are anymore."

I didn't know know how long ago it was since it was the whipping stopped but the pain was intensifying as the drugs wore off. I couldn't help but to wonder if I hadn't fought with Jack on going into town by myself maybe I wouldn't be in this situation. I laughed and wondered, was Jack killing the town in worry? Did he kill Bruno for not watching me? Has he sent a search party out? And then I realized, I didn't deserve it because I wasn't that important. My vision was clearing up and I knew this room. I had been contained here a few times before for sleeping in or the one time I thought it would be smart to defy stepmother. The door opened and I squinted at the bright light that obstructed my view. I focused quickly on the red hair of my stepmother and tensed defensively.

"It's great to see you back Yuusei." She drawled out carefully.

"I wish I could say the same stepmother, although I can't so I won't."

"You insolent little brat." She nearly hit me but seemed to decide against it. She 'hmph'd like Carly and turned on her heel. "Your father was a fool, it's just a shame. I have another injured."

She left the room and I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. "No stepmother, it is you who is the fool."

I was awoken again with ice and cold water thrown on me. "Wake up!"

I was hit multiple times and a kick was aimed at my chest. I coughed, the energy to move depleted and my lack of eating forcing my body into near shutdown. I swallowed dryly, dehydration and famine no longer a problem as I had to get my body used to it again. Jack wasn't coming and I knew that. I couldn't cry out in pain anymore and I couldn't scream for help.

After awhile my body became numb to the routine beatings, the vomiting, the dehydration and famine and I wondered how I still lived, how I got through this torture of life for finding happiness for one time in my life. How many seconds have I counted since I woke up? Three thousand eight hundred seventy two, three thousand eight hundred seventy three, three thousand eight hundred seventy four.

The sweat and grime and humiliation of soiling myself, it was all routine now. Who knows how many days I've been here in this cellar, if I've missed my own wedding, but then I felt like I was forgetting something and as time passed I continued to feel like that. I was awakened again and I tried to remember what I had forgotten. I began counting again when the beatings were over; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, and I as I got tired I would lose count, one thousand three hundred two, one thousand three hundred thirty five, one thousand eight hundred ninety eight, and then I would pass out again. And I couldn't even remember what I was there for. But one day the routine was broken.

The door opened and I lifted my head weakly. The cuffs around my wrists were released and I fell over. I looked at the crusted over blood and the whitish fluid underneath along with the swelling. That must be the constant pain I'm feeling. Infection on my chest, on my wrists, and it's attacking my body. I looked up at the guard who released me and he lifted me up by my dirty shirt. He dragged me into a small bathroom and threw me into the tub. "The mistress said to clean yourself up and brush your teeth and hair. His majesty is coming today and you must look presentable as he has requested to see you."

I sat up. "How long has it been?"

He paused and sighed, "seventeen days." He left, the door slamming behind him.

What did the king want from me? Did I do something wrong? I turned on the tap and the hot shower water ran over my clothes. I watched the dirt flow down the drain and I slowly and painfully removed my clothes. Bright red welts covered my arms, legs, and chest. I grabbed the cloth next to me and slowly washed away the dirt and blood from my body. The king wanted to see me, and I tried so hard to remember what I had done.

Blonde hair, soft kisses, dresses, what exactly had I done?

I got most of the blood and filth off of myself and started on my hair when a knock came to the door. "Hurry up, the king's horses can be seen from the distance."

I washed out my hair a few times before I turned off the shower. I touched every bruise that laid on my body and like the seconds passing I counted them; one, two, three...twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven...thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-three and a few cuts. And then I realized what I was doing. I got out of the tub and held up the trousers and shirt laid out for me to put on. I toweled my hair dry and it stuck up in its normal style. I slipped on the loose shirt and too big pants and left the bathroom.

"Hurry hurry, the king and his son are here." He pushed me along toward the drawing room and inside sat the two blonde royals, stepmother, and a wide eyed, red-headed little boy in an oversized shirt.

"Well then? Don't stand there like a zombie, come and sit." I walked over to stepmother and sat on the settee with her but as far as I could possibly get.

"Hello Yuusei, are you well?" I looked at the king in shock and blinked.

"Yes, more or less."

"I see you didn't bring your lovely fiance with you today Jack, how is she?" I gave a look to stepmother and the entire room seemed cold with tension.

"Yes, she has a high fever and a painful cough but she will be fine."

"Oh that's terrible to hear, well I give her my prayers."

"Well, Lady Aki, I have some important business dealing with your stepson, I would appreciate if you entertained my son in a different room."

"Oh, of course, come now Prince Jack, I would like you to see my latest antique collection."

I was left in this room with the king of Neo Domino but it seemed so weird. "Yuusei."

"Ah, uh, yes sir?"

"Do you remember me?"

"Remember you? This is the first time I've met you."

"What is the last thing you remember?"

"I, uh. . ." I couldn't lie to the king, "had gotten in trouble for something."

"What was it?"

"I don't remember. . ." I thought about it long and hard but it wasn't sparking.

"I knew this would come to happen. Do you know this boy?"

I gave a look to the quivering little boy and smiled, "I'm sorry, my king, I don't know."

"But you played with me!" The little boy bursted out. "I saw you get taken away!"

"Taken away? What are you talking about?"

"Rally, go find Prince Jack, tell him I need the thing you found."

"Yes sir." The little boy left the room and his name seemed so familiar. Rally, where had I heard that from before?

"How is your life here Yuusei?"

I swallowed, how could I lie to the king? He seemed to know something I didn't. "It's fine."

"Oh? Well that's great." It became silent and the door opened breaking the tension.

"Father, I will be exchanging with you. Lady Aki, I may want another of your horses for Yuui, if you wouldn't mind letting me have Yuusei for a few moments."

"Of course not, Yuusei, go escort Prince Jack to the stables."

"Yes stepmother. Come with me please." I walked past him and suddenly I got a strange feeling. I stopped walking and he walked into me.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm sorry." I took another step and he grabbed me around my waist. "Um, my prince?"

"It makes me sad, that you've forgotten me Yuusei."

"What are you saying? I can't forget someone I've never met."

"Of course you can't, but I suppose you are still a child at heart, you can't defend yourself yet." He spun me around and just so suddenly his lips were on mine, the rush making my heart pound, and I couldn't push away. My back hit the wall and he put something on my finger. And everything came back to me, the wedding, the horses, the memories, the love and affection and Jack...

I blanked out for a second as all of the images flashed behind my eyes and I felt stupid for a second.

"What. . .?"

He embraced me again and I looked at my hand. He put my engagement back on my finger and it seemed to glow with this eerie brightness. "It seems like someone is after you, if they had a cause to tamper with your memories."

"After me?"

"It's nothing to worry about, I'll protect you. Your memories of your childhood have been suppressed for a reason Yuusei, and I don't want you to worry about them because if you do then the one after you will catch you and steal you away from me again."

"Again? Jack before this time have we met?"

"I can't tell you, because you already know, you just have to find it. Come, we'll figure out how to get you back home."

"Why did you come here?"

"For you of course, did you think I wouldn't come?"

"Yes." I murmured softly. "I had lost hope and then I had forgotten everything."

"They took advantage of your weak heart, you should've known that I would come for you, that I would always come for you."

"I'm sorry, I just had this feeling. It wasn't a good feeling, it just made me think you weren't coming for me."

"Oh no, it's okay. I just don't want you to ever think I won't be there that I won't let anything happen to you."

"Please take me away from here, that woman is deranged, I can't take it. I can't stay here."

"What did she do to you?"

I pulled him into the stables and began unbuttoning my shirt. I took it off and he gasped. He ran his fingers over the welts and bruises on my chest and arms. "She did this to you?"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have fought with you about going to find Rally and this would've never happened."

"It seems that Rally found you."

"What do you mean?"

"He says that he saw you get taken away by someone when you went looking for him. He brought me back your ring and I completely lost it. Bruno came back injured and Rally had gotten beaten by guards under theft charges before he was brought to me. Only a few people in the castle know you're missing otherwise everyone thinks you have a terrible cough and a high fever."

"I might," I showed his my swollen cut wrists, "I think they might be infected, and some of the cuts on me."

"She had you chained up?"

"The guard told me seventeen days, I had been underground in the cellar. The whipped me everyday Jack, and soon enough I couldn't cry anymore, I couldn't scream."

"You look terrible Yuusei, I need to get you home."

"How?"

"Father and I will get you out. He promised me and he is allowing Rally to stay with us as the castle. He admitted about his parents dying and father is allowing us to adopt him."

I jumped with joy and kissed Jack with happiness. "Does Rally know?"

"No, I wanted you to be the one to tell him. I just didn't expect them to mess with your head."

"I hope he's not hurt..."

"He's six, he probably thinks you hit your head and can't remember. It's amazing he knew who you were."

"I love him Jack, he seems different, more so than anyone in the town or the castle, I just don't understand."

"Of course, but we should head back before anyone gets suspicious. Is there any horse you would like to have?"

"No, I'm fine with Midnight and Raven. You spoil me too much Jack."

"That's my job." I grinned and put my shirt back on.

"How will I get out?"

"You just leave that to me. She will pay for all she has done but we will concentrate on getting you away from here and get you much needed medical attention. When is the last time you've eaten?"

"The last time you saw me eat."

"You're dehydrated." He rubbed my cheek. "How could I have let this happen?"

I kissed him and buttoned up my shirt. "It's not your fault, I just want to go home."

"You'll be back in our bed tonight, I promise."

As I had knew, Jack and his father had gone back to the castle, dragging a kicking and screaming Rally with them. Jack had threatened to spank him and he shut up. I had to suppress a laugh and think about what a good father he would be. Then that happy moment ended. "You little whore!"

Carly stepped up to me and slapped me. "Why were you in the stables for so long? The prince was to be married to that bitch today but she ended getting sick with a life-threatening virus, thank heavens, but then you seduced him in the stables."

"I did not! How did you come to that assumption?"

"Why else were you in there for that long?"

"Carly, do you not know how many horses there are in the stables? We have seventeen horses, the prince seems to be very picky and wanted a thorough history check of each one. It's not easy trying to decide the perfect horse for the future princess." I sighed, I thought she had seen us or something.

"Don't act all high and mighty boy." Stepmother interfered and grabbed my hair. She dragged me away from her miracle child and back toward the cellar until there was a change in direction. I looked around me and I realized we were heading toward the back door. She jerked me and another pair of arms had me. "You know what to do with him, stay out there until nightfall. I don't care."

"Yes ma'am."

I was dragged again and thrown to the ground by lake. "Strip."

"What?"

He pulled out his whip and gave a warning snap. "Now."

I unbuttoned my shirt and became afraid of what this man was going to do to me. I took off my pants and stood in my shorts and he gave me a glazed over look. I swallowed and he told me to get on the wood boat. He got in after me and paddled us out to the middle. He grabbed my arms and put them behind me, he tied my wrists and threw my legs over the edge.

"Wait! What are you—" He threw me out of the boat into the near freezing water but grabbed the rope he tied and placed it on a hook on the side of the boat.

"You get to stay there until nightfall."

I shivered and my teeth began chattering. I looked over my shoulder at the sun and sighed. I had another three or so hours before sunset. Is this my punishment for living?

My toes were going numb and I couldn't try to escape because I would slip under and really be frozen and drown. I tried to relax but the cold made my muscles tense and painful. I shifted my arms and the dirty ropes bit into my already injured wrists.

"You know, the boy you used to hang out with, he's gone."

"What?" I knew what he was getting at.

"What was his name? Red-head—"

"Crow?"

"Yeah! That's it. The king's bratty son took him because his pretty fianceé wanted him to be her wall art."

"If you're trying to add to my suffering then your attempts are futile."

"Your ugly horse got taken too. Don't you just despise that wench for taking everything you love?"

"Better there than here. I'm glad they're gone. You people are idiotic and insane."

He got quiet after that and I tried to settle into the freezing water. I closed my eyes hoping I wouldn't die before Jack could save me.

"Oi, wake up." I was smacked in the face a few times and I grimaced, a dull, slimy feeling in my mouth.

"He's alive."

"Good. Take him to the cellar. His arms are stiff and he's probably got hypothermia. That person will find a way to break his soul tonight while his body is still weak. Let him awaken and then wipe his memories or something. I'm going to bed."

"Yes ma'am."

I felt a jerk around my arms and the cold gravel under my back. The person dragging me suddenly picked me up and I was being carried down the stairs toward the cellar.

The hard ground felt like painful relief under my back and I sighed. I waited for the sound of the door shutting before I tried to move. Sure enough, my arms were stiff and I couldn't move them without pain accompanying it. I couldn't move my legs and my toes were blue from what I could see in the dark. I couldn't feel anything from my chest down and my arms were immobile. I shivered and my body spasmed painfully and I bit my lip to keep from screaming.

I laid there, not moving, barely breathing to lower the pain and because it was hard to anyway and suddenly the silence ended. I closed my eyes and I heard about three pairs of feet come down the wooden stairs, heavy boots landing on the solid rock basement.

"She wants us to wipe him? You think she'd be angry if I got a piece of him?"

I stiffened and another spoke. "It wouldn't be her that would kill you, most likely that person, the kid needs to be a virgin for the thing to work right?"

"Hey, how 'bout we stop wit' da chit-chat an' do wat da lady asked us ta do."

"But I just want a piece of him!" Boots lined my vision and I swallowed. Gloved hands found their way on the hems my soaking shorts and I tightened my body. I closed my eyes tight and suddenly the hands weren't there anymore.

There was grunting and then sudden screaming and yelling and I heard the ring of clashing metal before the sound of wet, squelching noise of blood and flesh being run through with a sword.

I held my breath and didn't dare open my eyes because I didn't want to see the face of my killer, the faces of the ones already dead, or the blood.

"Are you alright?" I nearly died in relief although my heart knew that I couldn't relax yet.

"N-no. . ." I replied softly, my teeth still chattering and my voice cracking.

"My master has sent me for you, I will take you to him. Can you walk?"

"I can't feel my legs, and I can't move my arms. I'm sorry." I tried to swallow so my voice wasn't so raspy but my mouth was dry and it felt like I had powder in the back of my throat.

"Please don't apologize, I'll help you." He picked me and shifted me into a comfortable position before walking up the stairs. "Are you afraid?"

"No, not of you. Why?"

"You haven't opened your eyes yet."

"I don't want to, I don't want to see the blood. I'll wait until we leave this place."

"You are bleeding though."

"I know, and I don't mind if it's me but I don't want to see anyone else."

"I understand."

"What is your name?" I asked.

"My master is awaiting, we must hurry." He put something warm around me and I understood when I felt the bite of the cold evening air. He held me tightly as he mounted his horse and we took off.

I opened my eyes and looked at the face of my savior, his brown eyes shining, brown hair flying, and the scar across his cheek standing out against his pale skin.

I reached up and traced his scar with my fingers and he looked at me with surprise. "What happened?"

"I'd rather not talk about it." He replied turning his eyes back to the road.

I retracted my hand and closed my eyes again. I was still cold, I needed to rest just a little. . .

"Wake up!"

I opened my eyes wide and my heart jumped. "I need you to stay awake for me please. If you sleep you might die. Your body temperature is extremely low, and your body may shut down. So stay awake."

I nodded sleepily and laid my head back, the rhythmic gallop of the horse and the warmth surrounding me sending me straight into oblivion.

". . .up. Wake up!"

I turned my head away from the loud noise in my ear and snuggled deeper into the warmth I felt.

". . .body temperature low, but steadily rising. . .circulating blood again and injuries bandaged. . .fever from infection. . .postpone it longer. . ."

I heard bits and pieces of talk and I felt something soft and warm under me, which meant it wasn't a dream and I was safe.

"Jack. . ." I whispered softly and a hand enclosed mine.

"I've got you." I smiled softly before being dragged roughly under again.

"Yuusei, I need you to stay hidden and whatever you see or hear, don't make a sound."

"Daddy, what's going on? Why are there people outside of the house? I'm scared. Our house is on fire!"

"You have to be strong Yuusei, because one day something good will happen to you." A huge bang hit the door. "Be strong Yuusei."

The door opened and Aki stepped in. "Fudo-san."

"Aki. I married you because I thought I could change the fate of our enmity, and you agreed to it."

"Feh. Your wife was a fool, just as my brother is a fool. I was banished from my family as a traitor and I made it worse by marrying you. You took my kin over me and she bore you that filthy child and died a death she deserved. Then you turn around and marry me to keep the so-called peace between our families. I've been waiting for this moment since then. Where is he?"

"You will not have my son. I will never tell you."

"My men are scouring this house. They will find him and keep him until I get that person to deal with him."

"I will never let you have him. He's protected by my seal. If you kill me, you can find him."

"I can arrange that."

Fudo stood with open arms as Aki struck him through with his own sword. "I never loved you Fudo-san. I've been waiting for this moment, to see you bleeding out at my feet."

"There is a- catch Aki." Fudo coughed out blood. "When I die, Yuusei will be eternally protected by my seal. You nor that person will be able to touch him. He will be erased of this horrible life and he will live on."

"You bastard, you wanted me to kill you."

Fudo smirked and coughed out more blood. "Of course."

Aki glared with hate. "I'll fufill your wish Fudo, and break his soul for having the most stubborn father. Enjoy burning in hell." She severed his head and mutilated his body, throwing his blood and flesh around the room. A sadistic and grin of glee plastered on her face.

"Lady Aki."

Aki turned around and glared at a the person who disrupted her fun. "Why are you here?"

"I didn't expect you to kill him so brutally."

"Why are you here?" She asked again.

"I've come for the boy."

"My men can't find him, what makes you can? His father probably already shipped him back to enemy territory."

"He's coming back with me."

"No, I'm giving him to that person so we won't die. When I find him, you'll thank me for saving your life."

"Your senses have become dull Aki, he's been right under your nose the whole time."

The light shined and the terrorized boy had been found.

"I'm taking him with me. You've frightened him."

I opened my eyes and the dream ended. I felt so scared but I felt paralyzed, my heart wasn't pounding like I thought it would be. My eyes teared but I couldn't cry. I wanted to scream but I felt like a deadweight laid on my chest. I laid there for a second before I registered the hand stroking my hair.

"Jack. . ." The hand continued to stroke my hair and I looked up at him, his eyes closed, a peaceful smile on his lips. He was sleeping. I leaned up and kissed the under side of his jaw, the rough stubble tickling my nose.

I tried to move the rest of my body but I was sore and just getting my arms to move was a chore but somehow I managed to get half my body over his and my head in the crook of his neck. I settled myself and tried to go back to sleep, pushing the dream to the back of my mind.

Two little boys were in a garden and one sat in the grass while the other hid behind a tree. The one behind the tree tiptoed to the other and just as he pounced the other moved and grinned at his younger friend. "Nice try."

"How did you know?" The younger friend pouted.

"How could I not? Contrary to your popular belief, you're not as quiet as you think."

"But I didn't make any noise!"

"You breathe too hard. When you get excited your breathing increases and gets louder because you think you've won."

"Wow, how did you know that?"

"You're easy to read."

"Boys!"

The two little boys turned at the call and scrambled to get back to the garden entrance.

"Say your goodbyes. This man has come to take you home."

"No, I don't want to go! I want to stay here!" The younger friend hid behind his taller friend.

"You must go, you aren't safe here."

"No!" The man grabbed the little boy and carried him away from his best friend. "No! Help me! Please! Please help me!"

"Please help me! Please!" I sat up quickly and rolled off the bed, the vase on the bedside table falling with me, flowers, water, and glass raining all around me. I gripped my head, my head throbbing and the sore pain from every limb in my body making moving very hard.

"Are you okay?" Bruno's familiar shoes appeared in my vision and I shook my head, glass shards falling from my hair.

"What happened?" My voice couldn't seem to form words and I just allowed him to help me up.

"I can't move." I whispered, my throat dry.

"I'll help you. You need to get cleaned up because you're covered in glass. Stay in the bathroom and I'll find Marika to help you."

"I need Jack." I replied as he helped me to the bathroom.

"I'll find him for you. I'm sure he's with his father."

"Thank you Bruno."

He sat me up on the sink and began running bath water. He left out of the room for a moment and only a minute later Marika came into the bathroom, a relieved look on her face. She checked the water and let it continue to fill up. I looked at the water wearily, the fear rising in the pit of my stomach. "Are you ready to go in?"

I looked at Marika and shook my head.

"Why not?"

I gave her a scary look and she looked away.

"Fine. You can wait until Prince Jack get's in here and he can deal with you."

She left the bathroom but I knew she didn't leave the room, probably because she and Bruno were ordered to never leave me alone if he wasn't there. I sighed. I didn't mean to be so hard on Marika but she wanted me to do things I couldn't do sometimes and for that I had to reject and refuse and that's probably what pissed her off the most.

A door banged open and there were voices outside of the bathroom and based on the rapid speaking, Jack was back.

The bathroom door opened up and Jack's tall figure came in, his entire body relaxing. "Yuusei."

"Jack. . ." I rasped out and he grinned and ran to me. He picked me up from the bathroom sink and spun me around.

"You're okay!"

"Yes, but I won't be if you keep spinning me."

He put my feet on the ground but I held onto him for dear life as I couldn't support my own weight. "Are you alright?"

"No. I can't move so if you let me go I'm going to fall."

"Is that why you refused to get in the water?"

"No, it's just that your bath is huge and I didn't want to get in by myself."

"That's never stopped you before."

I looked at him and frowned. "You know what she did to me."

"I do, but I want you to start telling me things, because it makes me worry when you keep important things from me."

I swallowed and I knew what event he was referring to. "I hate it when you worry about me, I hate being a burden and I hate being weak. I always feel like I have to rely on you to make me feel safe, to make me feel better. It makes me feel weak. I just don't like it." He embraced me and I felt like I would pass out at any moment. "You always make me feel like this. Like I couldn't possibly live without you."

"I want you to depend on me love, and when you don't depend on me anymore, that's when I'll know you don't love me anymore. You won't leave me, will you Yuusei?"

"I'll always love you Jack," I whispered, reality slowly slipping away, "I would die first, before I left you."

"So you are alright Yuui?" I smiled at the king as he seemed to enjoy calling me by the nickname he gave me.

"Yes, it took awhile to get the feeling back in my body though. I believe Jack enjoyed carrying me to every place I needed to go. It was quite embarrassing."

"You're as light as a child, you were very easy to hold. You really need to eat more." He rubbed my stomach and I giggled.

"So tell me what happened, I still haven't heard the story yet." I smiled.

The king chuckled and cleared his throat and I leaned back into Jack. "Well I suppose after you were kidnapped, Bruno wobbled back here because he had also been attacked and collapsed in the foyer. He told us that you had been ambushed and someone took you away. Oh lord, Jack threw a fit and nearly destroyed half of my study. He gave a tongue lashing to Bruno and threatened to kill him."

"You did what now?" I turned to Jack and he kissed my nose.

"I apologize love, I was panicking and he was the closest person to take my anger out on. I didn't know who had taken you or what they were doing to you. I'm so sorry."

I rubbed his cheek. "It's okay, I was so scared and when I couldn't remember anything I became more afraid. How did you guys find me?"

"Well the day after you disappeared, my guards brought Rally to me and your ring claiming him a thief. He was terribly beaten and was so scared he wouldn't let me touch him. I finally got him to calm down enough to tell me what happened. He told me that you had chased him and a man came and attacked you and in the struggle your ring came off and he brought it to me. It took him a few days to recover and I'm sorry for not coming to you sooner." He explained kissing my cheek.

"No, I understand. You didn't want to blow our cover by coming right after I was kidnapped. It's fine, I was unconscious most of the time."

"That's not fine Yuu, you looked terrible when I saw you. Not to offend or anything, but you still look pretty bad now."

"Yes, I understand."

"Now it's your turn." The king stated. "Tell us what she did to you."

"She had me chained and beaten the entire time until you came to visit and then she let me get cleaned up. And after you left, she had me dipped in the lake."

"The lake? It had to be below freezing the water because it wasn't that warm that day."

"That was the point I guess. And I was saved, just in time. They were going to rape me. I was down and defenseless and I thought I would die."

Jack tightened his grip around me and I kissed the underside of his jaw.

"Has she been starving you as well?"

I looked away and nodded. "I ate for the first time this morning. It's just really hard."

"You won't have to worry about anything anymore Yuui, you just let us take care of you and get you strong again, okay?"

I looked at the king and nodded. "Alright."

"Now onto a better subject. Your wedding. We obviously had to postpone it until you were returned to us and better so now we must come up with a date."

"How late is it?" I asked.

"You were missing for the seventeen days prior, we visited you the day the ceremony was meant to be held and you were returned to us that night. You were asleep for six days recovering and awake this morning so it has been one week since the day today."

"I was out that long?"

"Yes. The doctor was afraid you wouldn't wake up. Jack was so distraught. We all were."

I could hear Jack's heart racing and I knew how much I had scared everyone. "I thought that you were going to die Yuu. I sent the lieutenant general of my army, Saiga, to save you and when he brought you back to me, you were unconscious and not responding. I could barely contain my despair." Jack said softly.

"I'm so sorry I worried everyone. I thought I was stronger than I am."

"You are strong; because if you weren't we wouldn't be together right now. You've endured so much and I admire you for that." I grinned up at my fiance and kissed him.

"I'm glad."

"I understand you love each other but we must get to a conclusion on a date to reschedule the wedding."

"How about the day after tomorrow?"

"The day after tomorrow? You want it so soon?"

"Jack, I've waited a month, I'm ready. Do you not want to marry me?"

"Of course I do love, I just want to make sure you want it this way."

"Never ever," I gave him a cold look, "doubt my love for you Jack, because then I'll know, you don't love me anymore."

He gave me a soft smile and nuzzled my cheek. "I won't because in 48 hours, we'll be forever tied and I'll never let you go then."

"I'll be happy to stay with you forever Jack."


Yay guys! I got it done! And now I'm exhausted, so for those of you that made it to the end without getting bored get a preview of the next chappie!

"Rally!" I fell to my knees and embraced the little boy as he ran into my arms.

"Are you okay now?" He asked kissing my cheek.

"Oh Rally." I hugged him tighter and started crying. "I needed you Rally, you were so hurt and alone and you reminded me of myself."

"I'm sorry I lied to you, neesan, but I didn't want you to worry about me." He whispered.

I pulled back and looked over him. He was wearing a cleaner version of the same orange dress and dark jacket I saw him in when I first saw him. His hair was clean and brushed and he didn't have any dirt marks anywhere. "Do you like to wear dresses Rally?"

"I guess I do, I've always had the same one."

"Would you like new ones? You can throw flowers at the wedding the day after tomorrow. I'll get you fitted for formal and casual dresses. Would you like that?"

"I would love that neesan!" He jumped with joy and it was official. I loved this kid.

Alright It's officially 1:11 a.m and I'm tired and it's also a new day so:

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!