Author's Note: Chapter 15 is up, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Kyou Kara Maou or any of its characters but the OC and plot are mine… xD silver lining…

Chapter 15

A little boy, looking not much older than ten, peeked over the shrubs encircling a square, his eye glistening in awe and wonder. Why? Well, the sandy haired youth enjoying the highlight of his commoners' life: watching sword duels.

True, Logan had snuck into the Military Academy for commoners. Yes, he knew it was illegal and that he'd probably be punished if he was caught. And yup, he knew how hard it was to get past all the security, more so than others considering he, himself, broke in as often as he could. It wasn't easy but it was worth the effort.

Logan watched as the soon-to-be graduates of the academy exchange limitless blows. He felt his fingers close in on an imaginary hilt. Oh how he longed to be able to hold a sword himself. He sighed to himself. The application age requirement was still a long ways away. He'd probably die of impatience before he got anywhere near that age.

Of course, there was always that Young Soldiers' program or whatever they called it. An order where they gathered youths that showed talent and potential. Logan mentally kicked himself. Why was he even considering that? Everyone knew that the scouts only looked towards the upperclassman. Either that or a commoner having the recommendations of a noble. Heh, what nobles did he know? Also, there was also the talent bit of it all…

All of a sudden, the sound of bells ringing floated through the clashing of swords. His time was up. Damn! he thought. And he had only been here for ten minutes or so…

Crouching down, he gathered his makeshift sling bag and slung it over his head and onto his opposite shoulder. Looking left and right to make sure no one was snooping around (except him, of course), he moved towards the exit.

As you've guessed, sneaking in wasn't the only hard part. Sneaking out was equally frustrating. It was just a Military Academy but they were patrols everywhere. It was alright though. After sneaking in the a few times, he was able to memorize all the patrol times and rosters. Hiding was pretty easy too. Well, actually it depended on the people who were on patrol. People don't usually notice but they always have a blind spot or somewhere where they never take the time to look.

That's right, Logan found hiding more of a game than anything else. What could he say, it was fun knowing that you could outsmart adults!

But even with that in mind, Logan had a limitless respect for the people that resided within the walls of the academy. It was his own personal vow that he'd be standing among them one day.

Logan's exit was somewhat different than the ones normal people use. Honestly, he was surprised the inhabitants of the academy hadn't found out yet. Well, it was their fault for planting shrubs near a fence that was older than it looked. With Logan's smaller than average frame, squeezing through the hole in the fence was a piece of cake.

It was getting late, he had to get back home. But before that, he had to get dinner. He frowned. That was going to be… tricky. He reached into his sling bag and fished out all the coins he had gained today. His spirits dropped. There wasn't even enough for half a loaf of bread. He'd have to resort to that again.

I have to do it, whether I like it or not… Sighing, he made his way to the marketplace.

Pant… pant… pant…

Logan ran as fast as he could. The cries from the local guard could be heard from behind him. Sweat dripped from his brow. Apparently, he had gotten too well known. They were ready for him today. They struck the moment he lifted the loaf of bread into his sling. Damn… He was doomed.

Logan turned a sharp corner and slipped in a pile of mud. His hands instinctively reached out to break his fall. Mud splattered all over his face. How did he get here? As in in this situation? One minute he was imagining himself a member of the military and the next he was running away from them. An image of a girl flashed in his head. He gritted his teeth. No, he needed to get away.

Picking himself up, he ran. Since his body was small, he could run faster. Logan had cleared the alley into a square before the guards arrived at the mouth.

Logan couldn't keep this up. He could feel his stamina failing with every step he took. The guards were gaining. People in the crowded square were pushed to the sides as the game of cat and mouse continued. Logan tried every trick in the book to shake them off but it wasn't working.

"You're coming back right, Logan?" her voice sounded in his ear.

"Of course, I promised I'd never leave you alone remember?"

That's right. He made a promise. He needed to get back. At that moment, Logan looked up and realized him mistake. His heart skipped a beat. Dead end. He turned around immediately but it was too late, the guards had already cornered. All this for a stupid loaf of bread?

"Give it up, kid," one of the guards said. "Just come quietly." Logan's heartbeat quickened.

Three were approaching him from different angles while the remaining guards keep the spectators in check. What was he going to do? They were going to capture him! Cold sweat ran down his brow. His breathing became labored and his heart threatened to jump right out of his chest.

"Don't steal today, kay?"

"Hm? Why?"

"If you don't sell enough things to buy dinner, it's okay cause I'm not that hungry anyway."

She had always been a poor liar. The truth was, she, they, were always hungry. Logan's daily routine would be going around the city collecting things to sell. Some days were better than others but they rarely made enough for one meal. Therefore, they had to sink to the level of lowly thieves.

Just then, something moved at the corner of his sight. A little girl had pushed her way to the front of the crowd on his right side. What happened next was a large blur. One moment he was looking for a way to escape and the next he was holding a rusted knife at her throat. Chaos erupted. The three guards' eye widened. Logan guessed it was because they never thought that the boy thief would make as bold a move as that. Logan didn't either.

"Now, calm down," the guard said with a forced smile. "Let's not do anything rash." He took a step forward.

"GET BACK!" Logan cried. Panic was slowly consuming him.

"Why are you doing this?" the girl asked, completely unfazed by the blade. Logan, unfortunately, had better things to do than wonder why.

"I need to," he shot his answer at her.

"MY DAUGHTER!" someone in the crowd cried in dismay. A woman with soft brown hair squeezed to the front. Her face was lined with worry, her eyes clearly showed she was near tears of horror.

"I'm alright, Mother," the girl said, trying to reassure her mother.

"Now, lad," the second guard said. "Let the young miss go."

"I don't know why you're doing this," the girl said in a low tone, "but this is wrong. Let go."

"Let my daughter go, I'll do anything!" her mother cried.

"You're in no position to tell me what to do," Logan shot back, panic turning into anger and frustration. "I know this is wrong. You know what else is wrong? That people like Alice have to starve everyday!"

The girl was taken aback by his sudden action? Hell, Logan was surprised at his own sudden action but it wasn't like he could apologize now, especially in this situation.

"I see," the girl said slowly after awhile. "They won't forgive you for taking me hostage so… wait."

Logan blinked. "Wait?"

She nodded. Then, with surprising strength, she twisted herself out of his grasp, skillfully dodging under his blade. Before he could react, he felt a pressure being applied to the back of his neck before darkness swarmed in from all sides.

"Lady Ysabel!"

Logan let out a groan. A dull pain rebounded endlessly off the side of his head. His blurry vision took a while to clear. He propped himself up with one hand and braced the side of his head with the other.

"What happened?" he heard himself murmur.

Then, he remembered. The memories of today's event rushed back into his head. Watching the academy at practice, stealing the loaf of bread, being chased by the local guard, then…

Logan's eyes widened. He. Did. Not! He mentally slapped himself. He took a innocent bystander hostage! What had he done? What had made him do such a stupid thing? He shut his eyes as tightly as he could as he felt guilt ooze throughout him.

"Lady Ysabel!"

Logan's eyes shot open. Ysabel? Lady? Then it hit him like a ton of bricks. Of all people to take hostage at the scene. The Edel's treasured daughter?

Logan blinked again before digesting what he, himself, had thought. He mentally slapped himself again. What was wrong with him? It was wrong to take anyone hostage! This event was going to be an invisible scar for the rest of his life. Logan instantly felt disgusted with himself.

Then, quite unconsciously, he wondered how long 'the rest of his life' was going to be. He drew his knees up to his chin and buried his face in his arms. He felt hot tears gather in his eyes. He bit his lower lip. He wouldn't allow himself to cry. But what was he going to do? What was going to happen to Alice?

Alice!

"They won't forgive you for taking me hostage so… wait."

That was what the girl from before, Ysabel, he shook his head, Lady Ysabel said. What was she going to do? Asking him to wait like this, was she going to help him? He could only hope. Looking towards the overhead window, where the sun was roughly one hour away from setting, he waited.

Logan didn't have to wait very long. Lady Ysabel had come back with two swords in hand. Logan finally had his chance to hold a real sword! Not some long stick decorated with imagination. To his disbelief, she had asked him for a duel. He felt he… held himself pretty well… he hoped. Since he had no idea exactly how to use one, he had to fall back on images he had gained from the Military Academy.

It wasn't much of a duel. He had the upper hand in brute strength but she had the advantage of knowing proper swordplay. Basically, it ended up with him being outsmarted.

Much to his dismay, Lady Ysabel left without a word before he could say anything. This time, he knew he was doomed. But the last person he was worrying about at the moment was himself.

"You're coming back right, Logan?"

Frustration and anger flooded his entire being in an instant. Without thinking, he lashed out and struck the stone wall. Biting back a cry of pain, he sank down and sat on the floor. Great… He was now tired, hungry, worried, helpless and in pain.

"Damn," he said through clenched teeth. Silent tears of infuriation flowed.

It was dark. The sun had set a long time ago and there was still no sign of the double black noble. He had waited like she told him to so why hadn't she done anything yet?

Why am I whining? It's my own fault I'm in this mess… He balled his fist. It's my fault Alice is alone right now.

The silence of the cellblock was broken by the sound of incoming footsteps. A person… no, two people were approaching. Then it occurred to Logan. Usually, when the guards came down to patrol, their footsteps were cupped with the rattling of armor. These, however, sounded like riding boots so that meant either a noble or… he gulped, the Royal Garrison.

All of a sudden, Logan was momentarily blinded by a bright light. It took him a while to adjust his eyes to the sudden light. The iron bars squeaked open and Logan found himself starring face to face with Lord Charles von Edel himself! His heart started to beat wildly. What was the noble going to do to the person who held his daughter hostage?

"I'll give you a chance to atone for your past crime," Lord Charles said. He threw something in Logan's direction. The item skidded to a halt at his feet. Logan inhaled. It was a sword but not just any sword. It had the seal of the Young Soldiers' engraved on it's scabbard. "Will you take it?" the lord asked.

It couldn't be true! Did the lord know what he was doing?

Just then, a familiar little girl with black hair and eyes stepped out from behind her father and smiled at him. Words couldn't describe the gratitude that ran through his body at that moment. Well, if fate was giving him a chance, he was going to make the best of it. He was going to work hard and one day, just maybe, he might show them that they made the right choice in giving a street rat like him a chance.

Logan stood up and picked up the sword. That was his answer.

Lord Charles smiled. "Good lad. We'll make a soldier out of you yet, young Logan." He turned around and moved towards the iron grill, his daughter in hand. "Oh, and due to your… special origins, I want to keep an eye on you for awhile."

Did he mean what Logan thought he meant?

"So I'm having you and whatever family you have move into the castle, temporarily of course, until I'm sure you've erased that trouble making side of you. After that, you can move into the barracks." With that he left, leaving behind a speechless Mazoku.

Logan's grip on the sword tightened. Words had no place here. Logan bowed after their retreating figures.

Logan kept his grip on the sword tight as if afraid it would disappear or taken away at any given moment. He raced through the near empty streets of the city, taking as many short cuts as possible. After a good ten minute sprint, his destination was in sight: an abandoned church.

Logan rushed inside and raced up the stairs. He didn't stop until he reached a wooden door on the fifth floor. Before he could knock on the bolted door, the door swung inward and a four year old Mazoku girl jump out and tackled him to the floor.

"Logan!" she cried.

"Alice?"

"I thought you weren't coming back, just like papa and mama…" she said.

Logan propped himself up. "I told you I'd come back. I promised, didn't I?"

She gave a tiny nod.

Logan stood up and lead her inside. "What are you doing out of bed anyway? Do you want your fever to get wors--" He stopped short when he saw that their belongings had been packed into two small boxes. "What's this?"

Alice's face brightened. "You see, a nice big sister came and told me to pack up our stuffs cause she said we're going to move to a better place! Is it true, Logan?"

At a loss for words, he nodded.

"Yay!" Alice cried while jumping around for joy.

"Oi!" Logan said worriedly. He pulled her wrist to prevent her from jumping around anymore. That was when he noticed that her pulse was normal. Logan's brow creased. "Come here," he said. Logan place his hand on her forehead and counted to seven. He blinked in disbelief. Alice's fever was gone!

"Oh yea," she said. "That big sister I told you about. She brought me to the castle to see this lady. Then the lady made me all better!"

"This girl, what did she look like?"

"Um…" Alice pursed her lips before describing the person Logan was infinitely indebted to.

For the years to follow, Logan served as Ysabel's 'partner in crime'. So if put in simple English, Logan never really erased the trouble making side of himself.

Till now, watching the double black exchanging words with his second and third in command, Logan had yet to repay that debt. He faintly wondered if there was really anything he could do to repay all that she had done for him.

Logan smiled to himself. Probably… not.

Logan turned to the person beside him: Lady Ysabel's closest friend. "Conrad," he said, "I know how hard it must have been for you to stand on the sidelines just now. You have my gratitude."

Conrad nodded in acknowledgment. "It's hard for us all," he said. Though it was unsaid, both veterans knew the second part to that sentence: "Knowing that someone important in your life had forgotten you."

For the Lady to remember his name was enough for him. He'd remember everything else for her.

A/n:

First off, an addition to the last chapter: OMG sooooo many typos in important lines. Well… I can only remember two at the moment. It's 'stopped short' in paragraph 7 and 'owe her my allegiance and my life' in the last line.

Phew! Long chapter. Sorry all, I was planning on finishing this sooner but Logan's past turned out to be longer than I expected. It took a longer time for me to write and an even longer time to abbreviate it. Yes, Logan's past is abbreviated hence the somewhat new writing style.

Okay, okay, you've guessed it. This chapter is influenced by episode 10 (officially my fav episode) in the third season. Let's just say that Edel has a commoners' military academy inside the city. Alright, fine, it's a loophole but for the sake of the story, overlook it please! Lol.

O.O Was the last chapter really that bad? I only got 1 review for it. Not that I don't appreciate it Twilight Vixen ) Come on, I need motivation! Review pleeeeease…

FAQ

1. What's Logan's relationship with Alice?

A. Logan is Alice's older brother. Yes, they're orphans.

2. Will we be seeing more of Alice?

A. I might mention her briefly but she won't be a main character. At least, I have no plans in making her one.

3. I see potential for a love triangle! Wanna give us a hint?

A. No comment, I'll keep you guessing. )

4. Fine! Then how about telling us how close Logan is going to get with Ysabel?

A. No comment. )

5. How long are Conrad and Logan going to stay civil to each other?

A. No comment. )

6. Everything is a 'no comment'! What kind of FAQ are you writing?!

A. No comment. )

Reader: … I give up.

Lol, okay, want to know all the answers? Then stay tuned for further updates as KKM REWRITE unfolds.

Until my next update,

Forever,

Val.