His voice was shaky. An unfamiliar feeling stirred in the pit of her stomach at the tone. Given the circumstances however she chose to ignore it for the time being. She focused her attention on the man that held the sword to her throat.

"Tell him. Tell him what you did." He hissed, pressing the sword further. She felt a slow wet trail of blood escape from the puncture. She's going to need a good bath after this, she thought.

"If you must know, I had a little fun with him." She finally replied, making her tone as light with amusement as she possibly could. "Would you like more details?" From the a few feet away she heard her King laugh.

"It wasn't just you, love." The King said.

She had a little fun with him? What is that supposed to mean? Uruha swallowed, a lump developing in his and curiosity was creeping into his skull again and Uruha had no patience for it.

"I don't have time for you toy with me," he said, trying to sound as firm as possible, "Someone had better explain."

"Such impatience." She commented wryly glancing at this Uruha man. A stray thought of how shiny his hair looked entered her mind before she banished it.

"Well usually we keep him in the dungeons. Unless...I feel like using him for target practice." Kiera continued. She grinned at her attacker. Her grin only grew wider when the King decided to add a little more information.

"Or when one of the ladies of my court need him."

It was almost comical how every one of the assassins wore the same stunned expression on their faces.

"He's alive?" one of them voiced out in a whisper.

"Death is not always the best punishment for rebellion. It is just too quick and easy." She told them.

"She's lying," spat Hiroto, his face red with anger, joining Shou.

Whether he really was dead or not, Nao's fate seemed horrible. Uruha wished Kiera was telling the truth. Will he be able to see him again? And with another pang of discomfort, Uruha thought... will Nao be the same Nao he knows?

"Something's not right," Saga said suddenly, his hands clasping his weapons instinctively.

"What?" Shou turned to Saga impatiently, his sword still hanging dangerously at Kiera's neck.

Uruha could be wrong, but he thought he saw a hint of a smile on both Kiera and the King's faces.

No sooner than the words were out of his mouth, footsteps and unmistakable sound of weapons could be heard from the hall outside the room.

"I suggest you start running." the King said, all traces of mirth gone from his face. Judging by the noise it was more or less a whole camp of soldiers that was marching towards them. They knew as well as she does, if they stayed to fight it would only lead to their doom. Her beautiful attacker made to retreat his sword. His mistake.

Before he had even withdrawn the weapon completely she had taken her twin swords crossing them over with his pale throat dangerously at the crossing.

"Leaving so soon?" she mocked as the doors burst open and soldiers crowded in. A flash of uncertainty flitted through his large doe like eyes.

"Let them go for now, Kiera. I've had enough of them." the King commanded. Kiera pressed the swords against the vulnerable throat drawing blood.

"Now we're even." She said, withdrawing. She surveyed the room, her soldiers had all the assassins and Uruha surrounded completely outnumbered. His eyes wide and confusion apparent on his face, he reminded her of a caged bird. "What of him, your Grace?"

The King sent him an appraising look, "I see no threat from him. Quite the opposite really. You can keep him. You need a slave do you not Kiera?"

The guards had poured in out of nowhere. They were even burlier and more menacing than the ones before. Uruha gulped as they surround him. Unlike Shou and the others, he was completely defenceless.

"Uruha, come," Shou yelled, grabbing his arm without asking. He fends off the guards advancing, easily hurting them without even flinching. There was a crazy look in his eyes that sent chills down Uruha's spine. He felt unnerved, uncomfortable near this dangerous man. Still, Shou's fingers were tightly clasped around Uruha's arm.

"Shou, hurry up!" Hiroto shouted back at them as he had already reached the doors, Saga and Tora fighting the guards, clearing a path for them.

Suddenly a guard tried to cut in between Shou and Uruha. Shou let go of Uruha's arm in a flash, using his free hand to punch the guard squarely up his jaw, sending him toppling onto the other soldiers.

Shou scoffed at the guards' misery, smirking. He stretched his arm out, "Take my hand," he said to Uruha.

Uruha stuck out his hand but retreated it immediately. Shou's confident face changed to one of confusion. "Uruha," he said, his voice commanding, "Take. My. Hand."

Amidst the fight that was going on around them, Uruha felt that for a minute, time had stopped for him. A million thoughts ran through his mind. He didn't fully understand his actions. Shou had helped him countless times before. He trusted him, they were good friends among friends. He should trust him now too right?

But at that moment, staring into Shou's unfamiliar eyes filled with so much anger and hatred, Uruha couldn't see his friend at all.

Putting down his hand, Shou scoffed in disbelief, understanding the situation. Without a word, he backed off from Uruha, the disappointment clearly written across his face.

"We're leaving," Shou said to the others, "Uruha's not coming."

"What!" Hiroto asked, staring at Uruha, "You don't trust us? We're friends, Uruha!"

Saga and Tora took a second from fighting to momentarily glance at him in surprise.

Uruha panted, not sure what to say. His heart was racing; he felt guilty, saddened, confused. The emotions he hated... he was feeling them all at once. Uruha opened his mouth to answer Hiroto's question, but before he could speak a word, Shou cut him off.

"No we're not." Shou said coldly.

"We never were," he added, before turning his back to Uruha. They left without another word, leaving Uruha with his own thoughts as he mulled over whether he had made the right decision.

Uruha heaved a sigh, his heart sinking deep. What have I done, he thought to himself. He turned around to see the King and Kiera staring back at him. They must be just as surprised as Shou about why he had decided he wanted to be.

Why? That was the question Kiera was burning with curiosity to ask. Even after the King has suggested his fate. She glanced at her king silently questioning "Now what?"

He seemed thoughtful. Uruha stood near the huge doors, shoulders hunched as though in defeat. Kiera was not one to indulge in beliefs of reading auras and superstitions but watching him walk back into the room, she felt if she reached out she could touch the sadness that was enamating from him in waves. Her stomach reeled with strange emotions she could not fathom. She prayed silently Aphrodite has not chosen to toy around with her.

The stench of blood soiling the rugs hit her nostrils. She frowned. She would have to pick and train a more superior band of guards. These went down too easily, she thought with disdain.

"Clear off the dead. Take the wounded to the infirmary." She barked at the soldiers milling around the room. "And get the cleaners."

"Kiera." The King called quietly. "Perhaps you should take him under your care." At his words, she eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets. Under her care!

"I beg you to be more specific, sire."

A sweet smile decorated his face. The one he knew would get her to obey his every request for him. She could sense her defeat looming.

"He is obviously not dangerous Kiera and it would seem that he knows our enemy quite well. It would be to our advantage to have him on our side. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." She swallowed uncomfortably. She was a warrior not a nurse maid. It would be burdensome to have him trailing after her. The King held up a hand halting her oncoming argument.

"Obviously he has taken a liking to you. And you are a lovely creature, if I do say so myself." He said grinning widely. Kiera shot him a dirty glare at his implication but admitted defeat. She could never disobey her King.

"If that is your wish, your Grace. I will do ask you command." She said glumly, "But I do not trust him."

She curtsied then walking away towards Uruha. A sudden shrill noise erupted from somewhere in the hall, interrupting her steps. Purely out of reflex, her swords were in her hands and she was fronting Uruha in a heartbeat.

The high pitched ringing echoed across the halls. The guards and the cleaners all had looks of absolute shock on their faces. Kiera's swords were directed at Uruha, her eyes cautious.

The sound was oddly familiar and yet sounded very out of place. Uruha himself was taken aback by it. It took him a few seconds to realize that it was his phone. His phone was ringing!

Joy erupted in his head as he fumbled to reach it, aware that everybody in the hall was gawking at his actions.

The caller ID showed Kai's smiling face staring up at him. He answered it without missing a beat. "Uruha? Where are you?" Kai's worried voice flowed pleasantly into his ears.

"Kai! Oh thank God!" Uruha said hurriedly, "You will not believe what's happening right now! I-" Before he could continue, the guards have surrounded him again.

"What is that device? Drop it immediately!" one of the guards said, pointing his spear at Uruha's ear.

"Uruha?" Kai's voice yelled from the receiver, "Who was that?"

"Is he in trouble?" came another voice from the phone, it sounded like Ruki.

"Show's about to start!" Aoi's impatient tone joined in.

As glad as he was to hear his band members' voices, the rest of the people in the hall seemed absolutely horrified at the communication.

"Drop it!" the guard repeated as Uruha obeyed, setting the phone carefully on the phone, his friends' chatter indistinct.

The guards surround the phone, pointing their weapons at it idiotically, as if expecting people to spring out of it any second. Uruha glanced nervously at Kiera to see her reaction.

She schooled her face into an emotionless mask. It was strangest thing she had ever seen in her life, which was saying something considering she had seen extremely strange happenings. Voices came out of the device as it lay innocently on the floor. Was this sorcery? Magic? She kept her swords firmly pointed at Uruha.

"Its glowing." One of the soldiers said in wonder, kneeling beside it. He made to touch the thing.

"Leave it." she commanded. Directing her gaze back on Uruha, "Would you care to explain?"

Once again, despite them being entirely serious about this situation, Uruha couldn't help but find it comical. They were all terrified about this simple phone.

"It's a phone," Uruha elaborated, "It's used to communicate among... people." He has never been asked what a phone was so it was really quite strange to define it.

There was no response to his words. It seems they didn't understand it. He needs to tell them this is completely harmless or they'll keep shoving sharp objects in his face every time the phone is near.

But all of a sudden, the realization dawned on Uruha. He's being held captive here. In the eyes of the people in this room, he was defenceless. A hostage. Someone they can easily overpower. Weaponless. They might treat him like he's scum and force him to do slavery or something. Perhaps he should change that?

"That's just one of its uses though," Uruha said, trying to sound as convincing as he could, "This is a very... VERY powerful device that only I can control. Th-those voices belong to my servants... from the underworld. I can call them here and make them do whatever I want. It's a very dangerous weapon and I'm not afraid to use it!"

Silence enveloped the room. Most of the guards seemed to have bought his obviously ridiculous lie. They were eying the phone with fear.

"The glow has stopped!" one guard gasped, as the phone turns black, Kai's call has been dropped.

Uruha felt his mood drop along with it. It was such a comfort to hear their voices. But right now he needs to make the phone look lethal.

"Y-yes," Uruha continued his improvisation, aware that the spears surrounding him are now lowering gradually, "I stopped it. But if you treat me lightly again, I will not hesitate to turn this device into a weapon of mass destruction!"

Is he going too overboard with this? Kiera, for one, does not seem amused or even slightly convinced.

"I don't believe him," one of the burlier guards said, glaring at Uruha.

As if fate was on his side, the minute the guard uttered those words, the phone rang once more, Kai's face appearing on the screen. They're calling Uruha again! The loud ringing sound reverberated across the hall as the guards all step away from the phone in panicked mutters.

Kiera was the only one who didn't move from her spot.

She was in dilemma. Her brain was screaming at her to destroy the thing and yet her instincts tell her otherwise. Sometimes it was wise to follow her instincts. Sometimes. Her king saved her from making a decision though. His voice rang out from whence he stood silhouetted against the window.

"Conjure the voice again. I wish to know whom it is you communicate with."

Kiera lowered her weapons slightly giving Uruha room to retrieve his device. She caught a glimpse of a beautiful smile on its surface. She blinked. It does not look threatening at all but she knew appearances can be deceiving.

As soon as the King said it, Uruha's heart fell six feet under. Now he's done for. Kai is not menacing at all. He might start his goofy laughter too and that'd be the end of Uruha. But they were all serious, waiting for him to obey the King.

Gulping, Uruha did as he was told, picking up the phone from the floor and answering it.

"Hey what was that just now?" Kai's voice asked him, "Seriously, are you alright?"

"I am now going to... speak some sacred words of the spirits.. softly... to my servants so that they will communicate with you," Uruha announced pathetically.

Hurriedly, he turned his back on the King, cupping his hands around the phone so that nobody can hear his conversation. "Kai, you have to help me right now," Uruha whispered, "I'm in this really weird world. I don't know how I got here or how I can return to you but I'm freaking out! You need to help me! Call the police or something!"

"Wait, what? Are you drunk or something?" Kai laughed.

"No!" Uruha hissed, his eyes darting around him, afraid the King will lose his patience, "I'm dead serious. I'm in this world called Chrysanthelia or Chrysanlia or something!"

"Chrysanthemum? That's a flower."

"No, no, listen to me!" Uruha was losing patience, together with the King as he can sense him behind getting irritated, "Right now I'm in grave danger! There's this King Sondalle and this really dangerous woman called Kiera, and they have me surrounded with weapons and-"

"Uruha, what the hell?" Kai's voice sounded concerned now, "Are you ok? What are you talking about? King Sondalle what?"

Before Uruha could respond, the King commanded, "I cannot hear clearly, make him speak louder!"

Reluctantly, defeatedly, Uruha clicked the speakerphone button.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Uruha," Kai sighed, his voice now loudly filling the room. The guards all stared at the phone in awe.

"Give me the phone," Reita's voice came in. It sounded anxious and yet oddly determined.

The King raised his eyebrows questioningly at Reita's voice.

"Kiki," Reita said fluidly, "You're not treating my friend Uruha here as a prisoner, are you? Because if you are... I really wouldn't like that."

Who on earth is Kiki? What is Reita doing? Uruha's eyes landed on Kiera's face which had turned pale. Kiki... it can't be right?

It was at times like this she wished she had the ability to turn invisible or quite frankly be swallowed up by the earth. Uruha's wide eyes were staring at her and even without looking she knew the King was barely holding in his laughter. Only one person ever calls her by that infernal name; Reita. With a sigh she sheathed her swords.

Unable to bear the thought of her soldiers ogling at their Marshal being made to sound like a silly bird, she dismissed them. She fidgeted slightly desperately praying he would not call her Kiki again at least until the men had left the room.

"Leave us. Get back to your posts. I shall take care of this."

"He is not a prisoner nor are we treating him as one, Lord Rei." She told him neutrally.

"Awesome! Then sweetheart would you mind taking care of him for me?" Reita's voice floated eerily out of the device on Uruha's palm. "By your leave of course my King." He added. Kiera gripped the hilt of her sword tightly; she could look at neither the king nor Uruha. This was utterly humiliating, she screamed in her head.

It seems the King could no longer hold in his amusement, he burst out in loud ringing laughter. "Oh dear, I do miss having your presence at my court Lord Rei. Kiki here gets utterly boring without you."

Kiera closed her eyes with another sigh. Evidently the name was going to stick to her like a leech. She could only pray mercy from the spirits her men does not hear of it.

"Does my Kiki miss me too?" came Reita's teasing voice.

Choosing to ignore his teasing, "Lord Rei, I assure you of your friend's safety. The King and I need to discuss some important matters of the kingdom."

"Fine fine. I know when I'm being told to sod off. Uruha don't worry, you'll be fine. She's a darling...just don't annoy her then she'll probably kill you."

Kiera watched as the device's glow faded still refusing to look at the owner's face.

Uruha could do nothing but stare at his phone blankly. Did that just happen?

Not only does Reita know these people, he actually called the warrior Kiera a name like "Kiki", although Kai and the rest don't seem to have a clue. He seemed to be a formidable person over in this world too. This day was getting weirder and weirder.

Uruha wondered if he should call back or something. What was he supposed to do now?

"Uruha, you didn't mention you were acquainted with Lord Rei," the King's voice was now filled with cheerfulness, as if his strict demeanour earlier hadn't happened.

"Um..." Uruha started, unsure of the degree of Reita's influence here, "He's..a friend."

In her embarrassment she had failed to register that Reita had indeed called Uruha his friend.

"Perhaps I should set up a room for him, your Grace?" she questioned the King.

"By all means. Just make sure it is near your own quarters." He gave her a meaningful look, "You can keep your...what did you call it...a phone? With you." With that the king gestured to a servant nearby signalling for a bath.

Kiera walked towards Uruha, "You have been announced as a guest of the king. I shall find you quarters as befitting a friend of Lord Rei. In the meantime, you can use mine. I shall call for food and clothing."

She indicated for him to follow her. She led them down the familiar halls leading to her suite.

Uruha walked with Kiera down the halls. He was absolutely exhausted after everything that happened today. His head was literally spinning. Well at least he's being treated nicely now and not like a prisoner, with all the weapons pointed at his face.

Speaking of prisoners... "Hey," Uruha started, stopping dead in his tracks, "Where's Nao?"

Before she could reply, Uruha decided he needed answers to not just that question. "I'm going to be completely honest" Uruha said, "I have no idea what's happening here. Why are you calling Reita 'Lord Rei'? And... why is Shou trying to kill you? Explain it all to me."

Uruha stared deep into her eyes, deciding that being genuine is the key here. She doesn't seem so scary now that it's just the two of them.