Chapter 6 The Goddess of Darkness and the Prince of Darkness

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Days passed as we marched on. Word had reached us from Wassugani that the Prince of Darkness had taken Yuri as his new concubine. The news made my blood boil. And that damn Ilbani had me under watch practically 24/7. He thought I would run away and try to find Yuri on my own. He was a smart man.

We were going too slow. Again we were camping for the night. Another day was passing, time was aimlessly ticking by. Every minute that passed could be dangerous for Yuri. I grit my teeth. Then started thinking of a plan.

I got up suddenly from the fire and walked toward the forest. A soldier Ilbani had stationed to watch over me got up to follow me. He was young and new, it made me feel bad for the trick I was about to play,

"I have to pee." I say plainly turning around. "Surely I can do that without being watched?" I say sweetly. The young soldier blushed and flustered something about watching me, yet I could tell he was unsure. Hah! this was almost too easy!

Before he could make up his mind, I dashed into the forest. I whistled for Huwant. It was not yet night, so the horses were still grazing.

In moments, I was on Huwant,the wind in my hair and sand in my eyes, riding toward Wassugani. Riding towards Yuri.

Ilbani's POV

"Curses!" I shout. Yuki had escaped. The poor soldier in front of me looked like he was going to cry. He should. A 15-year-old girl outsmarted him! I wasn't really shocked, but I had hoped she would be smart enough to travel with the army for a while. She couldn't possibly think she could just charge into Wassugani…could she?

Worry plagued my mind, charging in would be suicide! her injury from Kizzuwadna had healed, but not completely. Even if she was getting better at archery and her swordsmanship was improving she couldn't take down an army! Yet it wasn't like her to charge in without a plan either.

I clenched my teeth. That woman was going to be the death of me. I relayed the news to Prince Kail. The man was already sleepless and anxious since Yuri's kidnap.

I sent a silent prayer to the gods that Yuki remain safe. When had I become so attached to her? When had I begun to look forward to her evening lessons and having my meals with her? When had I begun to make myself sick with worry whenever she was gone? I wanted to see her smile, to see her laugh and I wanted to see the guards she had behind her eyes up come down. To see more of the raw emotion in her eyes.I wanted to see what was behind her carefully constructed mask. I wanted to know the reason there was always sorrow and hurt behind her smile, why she tried so hard to hide it. When had this all happened? How had the little minx from another country snuggle her way into my every thought.

When did I begin to fall in love?

Yuki's POV

I was nearing Wassugani. I could see the gates. Ilbani was right about one thing; I couldn't just charge into a well-armed city by myself. I'll get slaughtered. I had to find a different way. I raced ideas through my mind. The scout had said that the people had accepted Yuri as Ishtar due to passing some sort of test…So they believed in the same Mythologies as Hattusa.

I had reached the gate. There was a guard standing out front, an arrow aimed at my head.

"Who goes there?" He demanded.

"Ereshkigal. I have come to reunite with my sister." I say in the most confident voice I could. Ilbani was right. I cannot just charge into Wassugani. I will be invited in.

The man's face grew pale and he sent a messenger to the palace. I would see Yuri. No matter what.

It was not long before I earned an audience with the Prince of Darkness himself. The original meeting place was to be in the palace, but I had demanded to meet him in the city square. I needed a lot of witnesses for my plan to succeed.

"The Goddess of Darkness. Yuki, if I recall. What brings you here?" The Prince demanded coldly.

"Why…I simply miss my darling sister!" I say, venom lining my words. " A certain prince had taken her away from me."

The crowd seemed restless. I was right, nobody wanted to face the wrath of a goddess of death. If I play my cards right, this will go smoothly.

"Mitanni will not be giving her back up to Hattusa. She will spread her blessings here." The prince stated. It offered no argument.

"I had not asked you to return her." I snap. "But to separate the two goddess sisters…such an awful thing to do!" I say silkily. "I merely ask…that I be welcomed to the Mitanni Empire as well. To be with my sister."

The surprise was evident on the Prince's face. Murmurs of excitement drifted through the crowd. Not one, but two goddesses? What an offer! With the excitement of the people building, declining would start a riot. I smiled knowingly. The Prince of Darkness had no choice. Checkmate.

Before I knew it, I was being escorted like royalty to the royal palace. Yuri was waiting out front with Ryui and Shala. As I walked past, I saw laborers. But… they looked familiar…when they looked up and saw me, I knew those faces immediately. They were prisoners of war from Hattusa. It seems they were put to work building and hauling heavy materials.

Yuri ran into my embrace, burying her head into my shoulder. I practically melted, this feeling of warmth and safety…only Yuri could give it to me.

"Come. I will show you to your room." The prince of darkness said monotonously. It must still rankle him that I had found my way through and into his palace. I smile inwardly at that. I may have lost to him in a sword fight, but I knew how to win a game of wits.

It was getting late; Yuri had retired to her rooms. Ryui and Shala had informed me that Yuri had been depressed since her move into the seraglio. Depressed or not, it eased my mind that she was safe…and untouched. I wondered if the prince meant what he said when he didn't take Yuri. My thoughts were interrupted as the prince himself barged into the room.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit fearful. This was his seraglio. And it was really late. I clenched my shaking hands, bunching them in in my dress. I forced a blank mask on my face and stared back at him.

Prince Mattiwaza's POV

She was afraid. No matter how many walls she puts up, no matter how strong she pretends to look, she was merely a child. A brave one, I'll admit, but a child all the same. Then how…how could this child and her sister outsmart me so easily?

"Do you have no loyalties?" I say to her. "No loyalty to the nation that has housed and fed you?"

"My l-loyalties with my sister and myself. I will not base my decisions on something as mindless as a loyalty. I act on my own, based on no nation. My decisions are based on facts and knowledge I gather, I will act on what I believe is right, if it means I must switch alliances, then so be it." Her voice was strong, but I heard it. The faint tremor. I turn distastefully. Nothing but another woman. One day she will be like all the others. Manipulative and power-hungry.

"You would switch alliances so easily? I heard you were from a different nation, did you give up your alliance to them quickly as well?" I sneered at her.

"My loyalties lie with me!" She said quietly, a bite of anger in her voice, " I do not need anyone, or any country, to make decisions for me follow mindlessly. I can think for myself."

"Loyalty in yourself, huh?" I mused out loud after the door shut behind me. These goddesses were of a different make then most women.

Yuki's POV

I fell back into the bed, practically shaking with fear. I'm scared. I'm cold. I want to go back to Hattusa! I held my head in my hands, fighting the tears. I can't cry. Crying solves nothing, crying is for the weak. I can't be weak, not here. Being weak here meant death.

No…no, Yuri was here. I came here for Yuri, and I will stay for Yuri. I have to be brave. I force myself up. I couldn't trust this place, this prince. I walk out of the bedroom and made my way to Yuri's, planting myself at the door to keep guard. Even if I was far away from Hattusa, there are still things to do. I am on the inside of the enemy base now. My mind began to formulate plans of what could be done from the inside.

Morning came as a blessing after a cold night on the stone floor. I pushed myself up and told Yuri I would be going out for the day. I trusted her safety to Ryui and Shala. I slipped off to explore the palace first. The seraglio was huge and lavishly decorated. The women…well they were mean, petty, and nasty. Just like high school! And just like back in Japan, I held my head high as I walked. If they fear you, they will leave you be. And besides, I had no use for such women.

But I had no plan either…I growled, snatching an apple from the bowl on the table. I hated sitting idly. I was going out and nothing would stop me. I was granted permission to roam the town, but only under supervision of guards. Fine. I just needed something to keep my mind busy.

On my way out, I noticed the prisoners of war toiling away in the hot sun. I had heard how Yuri had gotten the prisoners rights that they had not had before, and it is true this work was far better then what they would have gotten…but it still looked painful. I grabbed the bottom hem of my dress and tied it in a knot above my knee to keep it out of my way. I headed toward the construction sight and began hauling stones with the rest of them. This was a perfect way to train my strength and stamina.

"M'lady! You mustn't! That work is for prisoners!" one of the guards scolded me.

"He is right, Ereshkigal. You will get hurt." A prisoner said, smiling at me. I recognized him as one of Prince Zannanza's men. Dassu. That was his name.

"The prince said I could do what I wished as long as I stayed in the pre-designated area." I say mulishly. "I will help here. I am also a prisoner, am I not? So if you must work, then I shall work as well." I say, not waiting for an argument. Dassu looked at me in oddly.

By the time the sun had rose at noontime, I was hot and sweaty. We were all called in for a break and lunch. Lunch was a thin gruel and a piece of flat bread. It was disgusting compared to the food I had been used to over the months. I have been spoiled rotten. My stomach growled anyway and I was about to bite into the bread when I saw a prisoner at the food cart, begging for more, saying that it was not enough to sustain him. I looked longingly at the bread a moment, before getting up and handing the man my share of food.

"No, Princess Ereshkigal, I cannot possibly take your food. You've been working as hard as the rest of us all day!" He protested. But I saw the longing in his eyes. He was looking gaunt; I knew he needed this food. I pushed it into his hands.

" I have also had the luxury of a fine breakfast and warm bed in the palace. I will get dinner later in the palace as well. " I lie, thinking of my pathetic breakfast and long night on the floor. But I could get some food later today. He did not have that indulgence. After he accepted my food with thanks and tears, I sat back down next to Dassu. Who immediately offered me some of his bread.

I shook my head and pushed it away.

"I heard your stomach growl." He accused. "They will not be happy with us if we let one of our goddesses waste away."

"Yuri is fine, safe in the palace and I will get some food later. I have no plan on dying here." I say doggedly.

"Ilbani will have my head for this." Dassu grumbled but offered no argument.

Ilbani…I wonder if he is mad at me for running off…I wonder if he was worried about what I symbolize or me? Curses. How did that man always manage to dominate my thoughts? I missed him though. I missed the sneaky smile he would give me, I missed having aimless conversation with him over lunch, I missed his gentle hands. I even missed him being angry at me. I pushed him out of my mind and began to work again. I still needed a plan.

I came back to the seraglio dirty and tired. I went straight to the fruit on the table, snagging another apple I looked at the apple for a moment and snagged another one.

"Princess Yuki!" Ryui cried, catching sight of me, "You are a mess! What's happened to you!?"

Shala and Yuri heard Ryui and rushed out. Yuri looked different somehow, determined. She wasn't the quiet, depressed child I had left this morning.

"Ah calm down. I was just helping out some of the prisoners." I say, biting into the crisp flesh of the apple. I nearly moaned as the sweet flavor burst into my mouth and sedated my aching stomach.

"While you were gone, Yuri got a message from Prince Kail!" Shala whispered excitedly. "Her mood has greatly lifted!"

Ah so that's what had her in high spirits. I ruffled her hair playfully, "What did it say?" I ask.

"It…it was a heart." Yuri whispered.

A heart. No wonder she was so happy. That man truly knew exactly what to say.

A heart means "I love you". Love, I wondered sometimes if love is worth it. It puts complete trust into someone. Praying that they do not betray your love. I had decided a long time ago, that I would never love. I would never put myself in such a painful situation. Like Mom did. But then I met Yuri, it was like having a true sister. I love Yuri. I would never let anyone hurt her. And for years, that's how I lived. Nobody in my circle except Yuri. But lately, people have been sneaking their way into my heart. Hadi, Ryui, Shala,Kikkuri, Prince Kail, Prince Zannanza...and Ilbani.

"It's been a long day, Yuri. You should go to bed." I say, pushing her toward her room. Once she was inside, I once again planted myself outside of it.

Late that night, Prince Mattiwaza visited his seraglio again. Well…it was his seraglio, of course he'd visit at night. He caught sight of me in front of Yuri's door and came towards me. Perhaps I miscalculated. I think I just drew attention to us by sitting outside the door. Damn.

"What are you doing? Standing guard? Do you truly think you would be able to stand up to me in my own palace?" He questioned, amusement sparkling in his smile. That cursed man was making fun of me.

I glowered. "No." and it was the truth. What did I expect to do if he attacked Yuri or I? I had no weapons, and harming him would bring the royal guard on us at once. Maybe I was in checkmate…

"So why? Why subject yourself under my command? Why guard a room when you can do nothing? What's the point?" He questioned. He was trying to break me down. It won't work that easily.

"I feel safe when I am with Yuri. I feel better guarding her door. That if something happens, I can still have some control, I can still take the situation in my own hands. Even if it is pointless. Even if I can't win. I will not go down without a fight. If you plan to get through this door, you best be ready to run a sword through me first." I know this challenge was dumb on my part, but I was tired, and him mocking me had sparked my anger.

His hand reached towards me, I flinched, expecting a slap, but instead he grabbed my chin and pulled me toward him, forcing me to look at him.

"You have a fire in your eyes. I wonder what it will take to smother that fire before it rages out of control." He stated plainly before turning and leaving.

I grabbed two apples, scarfing them down as I left the palace. Days had passed here without much excitement, which was perfectly fine with me. "Dassu!" I waved at him before coming up behind him to help him heft a huge piece of wood.

"Princess! How are you?" He greeted back merrily.

"Fine, and would you quit with the 'princess'? You know I hate it." I scowl at him, both of us tossing the log in a pile with a solid 'THUMP'.

"It would be impolite to call you by any other name." He laughed, "Or would you prefer 'Holy Goddess of Wisdom'?" I shuddered at that.

"Don't you dare!" I threatened." How about you call me 'Yuki', y'know, like my name?"

"Nah. I prefer Princess." He grinned.

At lunch, I once again gave up my portion to whoever looked hungry to me. As I was sitting with Dassu, I noticed the Prince of Darkness watching me and speaking with the guards.

"What could he want?" I wondered to myself. I ignored him and looked at the house we were building. It was coming together quite nicely, all that was left was…

I gasped as I saw a pile of heavy materials teetering. It was going to fall, which would have been fine, if not for a child sitting there playing with a makeshift ball of cloth.

"Hey kid, move!" I shouted and got up. He wasn't far, and I could see the pile beginning to fall. He looked up at me questioningly; he had obviously not seen the peril he was in.

When I got there, things were beginning to fall already, I shoved the child harshly out of the way, I saw him hit the ground hard and guilt hit be, but what hit me harder was the pile of sand, rocks and wood that came crashing down on me.

Luckily, my head was not buried, but most of my body was, the pressure made it incredibly difficult to breath and I couldn't move an inch. People around me acted immediately, the men I had been working beside began to dig, the guards too. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Prince Mattiwaza shouting orders. Why was he helping me? If I died in an accident, it would be perfect for him, no? But who was I to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Slowly, I felt the pressure lighten, small puffs of air making its way into my lungs, feeling beginning to return to my body. When I was out, I had to be supported on someone. Who was supporting me? Everything was blurry but I made out long black hair. Prince Mattiwaza. I knew it was he when he scooped me up and carried me back toward the palace. Even though I was out from under the pile, why did it hurt to breath still?

Once back at the palace, Prince Mattiwaza placed me on the bed in my bedroom. I quickly did a check on my body. My right ankle wasn't moving and was sore, and I had trouble breathing and pain near my ribs. I prodded my ribs and flinched as I decided they were not just bruised as I had suspected. They were either cracked or broken. My ankle was just a sprain.

I grabbed the hem of my dress and tore it, using the fabric to tightly wrap my ankle and prevent it from moving too much. I then tore a long piece off and took off the top of my dress, beginning to wrap my ribs tightly.

"You could wait for the doctor I had requested." Prince Mattiwaza's voice reached me, reminding me I wasn't alone. I looked up in surprise. I had forgotten he was there! I had bound my chest that morning so my breasts wouldn't inhibit my work. Thank the gods for that, so I was not completely nude. I continued to wrap my ribs.

"I don't like doctors." I said truthfully. I tied the knot in front of me securely. I took a deep breath; it was painful, but bearable. I got up and found another dress, slipping it on since the first one was ruined. I cringed as I tried to raise my arms over my head to pull the dress on. the pain in my ribs was intense.

"Then let me help you" The prince reached out toward me, but I leaned back out of his reach.

"Thank you…for pulling me out of there." I say quietly, getting up to visit Yuri. I figured I couldn't do any more work for today.

Just as I walked in, the sisters and Yuri were excitedly chatting. Turns out, the Prince sent Yuri another letter, telling her to meet him in the blue deer room tonight. That didn't sound right; the blue deer room was in the middle of the castle, to difficult to get into. And how could Prince Kail know of the blue deer room anyhow? Even if he had visited this place before as a prince, I highly doubt he visited the seraglio.

Yuri was too excited to care though. She had been separated from him too long, and it seemed to have clouded her judgment. I growled. I guess I would be going to the blue deer room as well tonight.

That night, we all entered the blue deer room, something didn't bode well. The room truly looked like a girls room, nothing special. It even had a trunk of clothes. Ryui and Shala immediately began to throw the clothes on Yuri, I stayed back, this entire situation didn't feel right. It just screamed trapped.

My thoughts were confirmed as the prince of darkness burst into the room.

"Girl! You've been warned!" He shouted, drawing his sword.

"No!" I screamed, making a move forward. I hissed in pain as pain shot up my foot and my ribs protested, I tried to push away the pain, but I could see I wouldn't make it. "NO!" I scream.

His sword suddenly stopped. He looked like he saw a ghost.

"Your majesty! Why do you hesitate? She violated your law!" The woman behind him screamed. Familiar…she looked oh so familiar…

"She looks like Queen Nakia!" Yuri finally shouted.

"Princess Nadia of Babylonia…duh. "I thought, wanting to smack myself in the face. Queen Nakia's sister. Living right around the corner the entire time. But how did she know? How on Earth did Queen Nakia get a message to her in a time of war? I leaned on the wall behind me; the throbbing in my foot was steadily growing.

"Nadia! Is this true? Did you lure Yuri here with a fake message? Give it here!" Prince Mattiwaza commanded.

"It…it's your fault, My Prince! My sister went to Hattusa…and now she is the Queen! I've done everything to please you, dressed the way you like, talk the way you like, but all you think of is Princess Tatukia!" Nadia screamed in rage.

Anger clearly lined the prince's face as he reached for his sword again. I pushed myself off the wall and launched myself in front of Yuri who had decided to move in and block the prince's attack with a lamp she found.

The movement sent ripples of pain through my body and my legs shook. I bit back my voice so I wouldn't cry out. I could not seem weak. Not here.

"She only wanted to please you and didn't know how! You shouldn't punish her for that!" Yuri was trying to make peace.

The prince snatched the message from Yuri. "This does not bare the prince's seal. Did you truly think this was genuine? That our guard was so lax? Has your love blinded you?" He grabbed Yuri's face in his hand.

"Don't touch her." I rasped out. I clenched my teeth. My voice was weak; I was still reeling from the pain in my ribs caused by moving so quickly.

"And you. Why are you up and moving? Have you no sense of self preservation?" He reproached. Why was everyone scolding me lately? I had no breath left to argue.

"What's he talking about, Yuki?" Yuri demanded quietly. I didn't look at her and instead struggled to stand up straight. I hissed, my bandages had loosened since I didn't tie them tight enough. Breathing hurt, moving hurt. Everything hurt. But I did manage to look at the prince and growl at him. How dare he let my little secret out!

"This one had a recent accident that damaged her ribs and ankle. On top of that, she won't allow anyone to touch it." He said.

"Because it's nothing." I say, wrapping and arm steadily around my ribs and applying pressure.

"I've had enough. I am going to bed." The prince swept off, leaving a crying, miserable Nadia behind on the floor. Even I felt a pang of pity for the poor girl as she lay sobbing on the floor.

Back in Yuri's room, the sisters bullied their way, pulling my clothes off and checking my wounds. Turns out my ribs were merely cracked and I did sprain my ankle. They were upset to see the cut on the front of my shoulder from dueling the prince of darkness in Malatia, and the scar form Kizzuwadna. After my ribs were securely bound securely and my ankle was splint correctly I sat on the bed and Yuri and the sisters took turns scolding me.

A lot of people would be annoyed at being scolded. Many children would mope and groan when their parents scolded them. My mom never scolded me. I know it sounds like a good thing, but I wanted her to.

I wanted her to tell me that something was too dangerous, that I shouldn't skip my meals, that I shouldn't get hurt so much. People scold you when they care about you. When they are worried for your well being.I craved that, knowing that someone cared. As Yuri and the sister's reprimanded me, I couldn't help but feel warm. Warm and safe.

The next morning, I rolled out of bed, taking a deep breath and testing my foot on the ground, putting the littlest amount of pressure on my foot and cringed. Nope. Guess it's not ok to walk yet. I looked up to see Yuri getting ready to go out.

"Yuri…where are you going?" I ask, wrestling a dress over my head.

"I am going to get ready for Prince Kail's arrival." She said, smiling. It was nice to see her smile again.

"Me too." I say hobbling after her, I waived off their protests, following them outside the gates.

"The goddesses! The goddesses have come to visit us!" The prisoners looked up at us. Some bustled around Yuri, asking of her wellbeing. The one's I worked with looked at me, unsure of what to say at first. Dassu stepped up first.

"Princess Yuki, please go back to the palace and rest." He begged. The men behind him nodded in consent.

"I am fine! And I am not one of those girls who can sit around doing nothing." I say happily, trying to ease their worry. "I don't feel any pain. None at all!"

They all look to me in disbelief; Dassu suddenly grabbed my hand, kissing it. I looked at him questioningly.

"If I receive your blessing…perhaps I will also receive some of your courage and strength." He says. Before I know it, there is a line of men, waiting to receive my blessing.

"I…I'm strong? Courageous? I only do what comes naturally. How is that strong? I was weak, I made everyone worry, I could have lost Yuri yesterday in the blue dear room…but someone saw me as strong…"I saw all of the eager faces, "Thank you." I whisper.

A man, wailing about not wanting to go to a "House of Rest", interrupted our conversations?

Dassu explained that nobody who goes to the house of rest ever leaves. Seems like a pretty bad place for someone sick…

Of course, Yuri could not leave things be and went to find the house of rest for herself. I smiled and quietly followed after her. If anyone was strong, it was Yuri. She was the one that stood up for those prisoners; she was the one who stood up to the Prince of Darkness. Yuri shined like the sun. And I would do anything to have just a glimmer of that brilliance.

Once we reached the house of rest, it was obvious why nobody ever made it out. The place was dim; the air was stale and heavy with a stench that nearly knocked me over, and the laundry was dim and the bed sheets were a dingy color.

"come, let us get out of here," Shala said, pulling on Yuri's arm. She got that stubborn look on her face and grumbled something.

Before anyone could stop her, she was opening the curtains and tossing around orders, even to the guards watching us. In moments, the four of us were bustling around, cleaning up the house of rest. Because of my injuries, I was restricted to doing things that kept me off my feet, so I was on the ground, cleaning off people and checking their wounds. It was nice to work again, to be getting things done.

Days went by in this fashion. Now, the house of rest was clean, there were volunteers, and people were getting better. People were leaving the house of rest alive. My ankle was healing quickly, but my ribs still needed time, so I was still pretty restricted. I got up and rolled my shoulders after cleaning the floor.

"Yuki! Come help me with the laundry!" Yuri cried, an armful of dirty linens in her arms.

"Coming!" I say, accompanying her outside.

Shala's POV

I watched as the goddess sisters went outside to do the laundry. They were dressed in rags again. And covered in dirt. I turned to Ryui and saw her looking too. Our princesses were really something else.

"I have never seen any more beautiful then they."

"No princess is as radiant."

The people around us murmured praises for our princesses.

I looked again. They were dirty, and dressed in rags. But it was true; they were glowing.

"They are the fairest of them all." My sister said looking dreamily at them.

They were right. Even if our princesses weren't beautiful at first sight, they had a radiance that was all their own. I wonder if they themselves see it? What to they see in the mirror. I shook my head, realizing they don't see what we see. I look at them longingly, then turned to my sister.

"What do they see when they look in a mirror?" I ask my question out loud.

"They don't see what we see." Ryui said sadly. I looked at my sister. My sister was my mirror. I saw the good and I saw the bad. How lucky was I, that my mirror was so obvious, so accurate. I wish the goddesses had a mirror too. So they could see what we see.

Yuki's POV

Hattusa was advancing quickly. Much to quickly for Mitanni's liking. They all bustled around, trying to find out why and how. Only the sisters, Yuri and I share the secret: the windy season had come. The time for iron making had finally arrived.

We were in the house of rest again today, everyone was getting well. We received word of a new sick person, one who was still strong. When Yuri came to find him, she cried out as hands grasped her midsection. Ryui and Shala were quick to react, trapping the man with wooden sticks. I looked again and was pleasantly surprised.

"Prince Zannanza?" I grin, wanting to hop up and down in joy. Zannanza was here to take Yuri! She can go home! I grin giddily.

"I will stay here and open the gates for Prince Kail to be let in." Her words stopped me in my tracks.

"Yuri, You should go home!" I say desperately, but that stubborn set in her jaw gave me a bad feeling. "I'll stay behind and open the gates, you should go with Prince Zannanza and get out of here!"

"No! There is no way you are going to leave me again. Leave me like you did in Kizzuwadna! Don't you know how worried I was about you? And then you went and got injured! I know you tried to hide it from me, but I am not a child, Yuki! I saw it in the way you walked; I saw the scar! You can't keep shielding me like I am a child!" She cried in rage.

I looked at her, really looked at her. She was right. She wasn't a child; she had grown to be a strong young woman who had proven she had the brains and strength to fend for herself. Yet, I didn't want to let go. Even if I saw her strength, I still wanted her to be safe, to be in Hattusa. To be happy.

I sighed. "I know. Ok. I get it, but we will both stay" I say brokering no argument.

We sent Prince Zannanza back to Prince Kail with our plan. Now, we will have to make the necessary preparations.

I stood over the chaos as it ravaged Wassugani. Everything was going according to plan, once Wassugani falls, Mitanni will fall as well. I will never get used to the carnage of war though. I look around at all of the fallen. Perhaps I am not cut out for war. I think to myself. But then again, who is made for war?

Then, a speed bump in our plan, The Prince of Darkness had returned faster then expected. I jumped on Huwant and went out in search for Yuri. I spotted the Prince Mattiwaza, and with him, Yuri, screaming in his grasp. Across the river stood Prince Kail. I pulled a knife from it's sheathe and threw it. The knife grazed Prince Mattiwaza's arm, but he did not loosen his grip, merely turned to look at me.

"The next one won't miss." I promise him. I didn't want to kill. Not again, but I will for Yuri. He saw the hesitation in my eyes.

" You said you were loyal only to Yuri and yourself. So prove it. I offer you to come with me, stay with Yuri." He proposed.

I immediately drop the blade. "I accept your offer." I say emotionlessly.

"Yuki! What have you done?" Yuri wailed. Then we were in Carimesh. Prince Mattiwaza had used our lives and forced his way out alive. Once in Carimesh, Yuri and I were separated, much to my dismay.

I was in the room with Prince Mattiwaza, a strange smell in the room.

He suddenly grabbed my wrist, pinning it above my head. I glared at him nastily; this situation didn't bode well with me.

"Why not leave Hattusa? Be my woman. If you grant us victory, I will make you a queen." He says leaning in. Before he got close enough to kiss me, I snapped my teeth at him, causing him to draw back, giving me enough leverage to use the wall behind me and deliver a kick to his stomach. I had kicked with the wrong leg and the shock of pain that laced through my leg left me shuddering in agony. I comforted myself in knowing that my first kiss would definitely not go to someone like him!

"I understand Yuri wanting to go back, that Kail has the makings of a King, and he will take the crown one day. But you? What do you have? Will you just marry a noble and let the brilliant mind of yours go to waste?" He mocked.

I was dizzy. I couldn't see straight. He got closer. This smell. The incense! I tried to get up but stumbled.

"I was dubious of the power of this incense… but it seems quite effective. It was made for an Egyptian king to arouse women in bed." Prince Mattiwaza smiled, ripping the clothes off my body.

I snarled, pushing him away, but my strength had left me. His hands were touching me where none had before. It felt dirty, wrong.

"Stop touching me!" I screamed as his hands roamed my body. Dirty. It was all dirty. His hands, his mouth, everywhere he touched felt filthy. I howled with rage as his hands roamed lower and lower.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and a messenger was abruptly killed. The guards had rebelled; the King of Mitanni had been murdered. Seeing my chance, I kicked the incense jar over, smothering the smell wafting from it and tossed my clothes back on. Prince Mattiwaza was busy fending off the guards, Yuri came bursting in and joined the fray. I saw a man about to strike Yuri, and before I could jump block her, Prince Mattiwaza shielded her himself. But…Princess Nadia…I heard her shriek. She had taken the hit for her love. I blocked the next blow with a sword I found on the ground.

"Prince, you have someone who would give their life for you, yet you don't even see her." Yuri said sadly.

The prince looked at Nadia, "would you follow me if I lost my country and status, Nadia?" He asked.

"I would follow you anywhere." She replied longingly.

He snapped the jewel off his forehead and tossed it to Yuri. "Use that to bribe your way out. I am releasing you. Tell Kail…that I look forward to seeing how he rules the orient." With that, they were gone. We had to get out without being seen. Hiding in shadow. Now that's my specialty.

We snuck around the sidewall of the castle, the dashed out into the city, we needed to make it to the gates. I winced with the constant use of my ankle, but I pushed on. Suddenly, hands from an alleyway took out Yuri from beside me. I cried out and turned my sword only to see Prince Kail hold her possessively. I look at the couple and shrugged.

"I'll meet you on the outside." I say, granting them some time alone after all those months apart. Months…it was only three days until the star of Ishtar rose.

Ok, so this is definitely going to be an OC/ Ilbani fan fiction, so start looking forward to it! thanks for all the reviews :) See you soon for the next chapter!

~EternallySnowy