[A/N: I've read that every mirror page (except for one) has been taken down and I must admit that I miss posting here (I was really sad about it; bugged my best friends about it :'D) still I am uncertain but my gut instinct told me to continue posting here. I reacted out of panic due to the circumstances of that awful discovery :/ *Yes I can be a dramaqueen :P* I will put a message on my stories and profile my fics are only published on FFnet, AO3 and my tumblr. So if the web address they are using is not listed above then they should leave the site immediately. I am sorry you have to put up with me for being back again (after 9 days :'D). Either way I have written a new chapter :) ]

Arthur

Every limp hurt; the pain felt like thousand stabs, my breathing was weak and my lungs were burning. Unfortunately, my throbbing head prevented me from moving and analysing my surroundings.

Still, the memory of the moment I was stabbed was very clear; I thought I would have died under that condition. My lungs were pierced, I felt extremely weak due the blood loss. So how was it possible that I was still breathing – although with difficulty – and felt every single nerve twitching in my body?

"I hope he will get well soon."

Someone next to me spoke in a very softly voice. It had to be one of the two boys who were with us before we got surprised by that bloody Captain Roberts and his henchmen.

"Miss Sakura said we must take care of him."

"W-what . . ."

The voices of the boys ceased as they noticed my attempt to talk.

"What d-did s-she say?" I whispered. It was too hoarse and quietly to be heard, but the two boys let out loud gasps. My eyes still refused to open, but after hearing the two little pirates talking about Sakura, I had to react. Questions over questions filled my head but my throat was not prepared to utter them. What has happened to her? Why did she tell them to take care of me? When she was not here, where was she then?

"H-he is awake."

I successfully opened my eyes, seeing that Noah had a bottle of water in his hands. He helped me drinking it; I felt too weak to stand up or drinking it on my own. I would never let anyone assist me with such fundamental needs, but under these conditions, I appreciated every hand. "Do you feel all right, Sir?"

"S-Still a little weak," I murmured, focusing on the surroundings which were extremely unfamiliar, although the crest of the Kingdom of Borussia was visible on the wall. "A cell?"

The three of us were definitely in the hold of the Marine ship. So they had succeeded in catching us. The next thought that haunted my mind was spoken out without me realising it. "W-where is Sakura? I-is she h-hurt?"

Despite the pain which prevented me to do any proper movements without feeling anguish, I tried to steady myself on my arms. It was at that moment when I saw a patch on my wound. The symbol of the amulet; it must have been Sakura's doing. The boys noticed the way I was staring at the mark. "M-miss Sakura used magic to heal you. H-her spell formed a patch and kept you from . . . "

Raivis did not dare to speak out what would have happened, had she not saved me; I would be dead if Sakura had not done her spell to heal me.

"She told us to take care of you, while we are staying here."

The mark lighted up which made me feel better. A weird energy was running through my veins. Was she performing magic through it right now?

So she had to be safe which caused my mouth to create a smile.

"Colonel Toris had come down yesterday evening to see if you and your allies have recovered," Noah spoke softly, eyeing me with a caring expression. "It seems that Miss Elizabeta has not woken up yet, the blow on her head was graver than we thought."

The hit had been far more hazardous as it first appeared, I concluded, assuming the same as Noah and Toris.

After Elizabeta's father was saved, I decided to look for Gilbert and Sakura in the woods, leaving the rest of the group behind. I wanted to have an overview of the battles – and of course to see if the Borussian and mermaid were all right. Knowing Roberts, he would have loitered in the woods like a coward. And I was right; the bastard had stayed in the forest, leaving his lackeys on the field to fight. I was glad to have arrived on time to stop the attack on Sakura. If he had succeeded in killing her; I would have done far worse to him and his crew than hurting them.

My eyes wandered to Elizabeta who lay in the arms of her father. The unconsciousness female looked peacefully; after the past week, she had witnessed enough and it was the first time her face was not adorned with an expression of stress or worry.

"You mentioned the Commander?"

"Yes, yesterday, after the guard refused to let Miss Sakura and Prince Gilbert in the hold, he accessed it due to his rank in the royal military."

So I had been in this state for more than twenty-four hours… It won't take a day to arrive at the Borussian port. "So, we will – "

A booming argument sounded from upstairs; Gilbert's voice and another one I did not recognised; probably the annoying guard who denied him and Sakura their entry in the hold. My head's throbbing increased and I flinched at the raising voices. "God forbid, can't they be quiet for a second," I murmured to myself. This Beilschmidt's voice was one of a kind. When he would succeed his father and become King, the neighbouring countries won't risk declaring a war on him; his boisterous voice was certainly one of his strongest arguments to force them to give in. And I would understand them. I closed my eyes again; feeling too weak to analyse the row between him and the guard.

"Natalya."

It was Toris' voice and my eyes immediately reopened again, focussing on the new source of sound. The man stood a few metres away from me, kneeling next to Natalya. When had he come down? He seemed to be aware of my thoughts as he turned around and approached me calmly. "I am glad you have gained a little energy," he confided, his green eyes mustering me –especially the patch on my wound. "Sakura's powers are really impressive."

Against my own will, my heartrate increased and caused my face to warm up. "Y-yes," I whispered," indeed they are very impressive."

He smiled at me before his facial features changed dramatically, "We will arrive tomorrow."

I knew what that meant. We would be taken down to the Borussian dungeon. But I knew Gilbert would try to free us; Sakura would do anything for the little boys to have them in a safe place. My hand wandered to the patch – while ignoring the pain in my moving arm; I hoped she did care for me too; her actions towards me proved that I had a spot in her heart. I shook my head lightly; there was no time for such thoughts. My eyes focussed again on Toris who had noticed my absent staring on my wound.

"She told me that she has control over the healing process of your wound."

That's why I felt this strange, but warm flow in my arm. It was her; her magic. It was a comforting feeling.

"Move!"

Gilbert's voice was booming through the ship again. Was he still arguing?

A loud crash and fast steps could be heard. His voice grew louder as nervous sounded. Had he succeeded in threatening the guard?

I watched as a shadow descended the stairs; during my observation, my heart felt warmer. The patch on my injury glowed stronger and the relaxing feeling of comfort flowed through my body. Although I had not seen the person, I knew who it was. The patch seemed to, not only allow Sakura to watch over me. But I felt her response too; we were bonded. I was capable of sensing her.

Within a few seconds, my eyes caught the sight of the petite woman. She stepped towards me quickly when she found me, looking at my patch before gazing into my face. The two boys next to me stilled and greeted her. I tried to steady myself on my arms, to have a better look at her, but she stopped my movement with her soft hands. "Please stay down," she whispered, her beautiful brown eyes filled with worry. "It's still too painful for you to sit up."

"Sakura," my voice was faint, but she listened nonetheless. "You saved me."

Her reply was a smile as she laid her hand on mine, "You saved me twice within a few minutes." She closed her eyes and her smile ceased. "No one had ever done something of that kind for me. I have been mistreated for such a long time and this was a wonderful gesture from you –"

"I would do it again," I stopped her abruptly, sounding serious. "I would do it every time danger would face you. It is only natural to defend someone who is in danger."

Her sad expression changed into an astonished one. Her rosy cheeks and blinking eyes were adorable to witness and I assured her that she should not thank me for something that was taken for granted.

"And if I see anyone looking at you the wrong way or threatening you, I will take matters in my own hands."

I felt how she took a proper hold on my hand and averted her sight to the floor. Undoubtedly, I was enjoying this moment… Until Gilbert's voice interrupted it. He had just entered the hold – the guard had probably given in to his demanding voice – and enquired after Elizabeta who was still unconscious. Upon seeing her, his eyes softened and he approached her and Nikolas. The white-haired man murmured several words of encouragement for her to wake up.

Unfortunately, her eyes remained close.

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DragonPancakes673: Yes :O unfortunately some people are so insufferable and I cannot fathom how they could do such things.