My, my, my...I didn't think the King would be this careless.

I know, right? Having an illegitimate child with a peasant and letting him live in the palace? It's scandalous.

Perhaps he pitied the thing. Maybe even the mother didn't want him.

I believe so. It doesn't make sense as to why he would bring a child in nonetheless.

I think it's because the Queen hasn't produced an heir yet.

Still, to have a child of inferior birth as a prince is ridiculous. I hear even the servants won't talk to him.

Haha, well why would they? He's a mean little thing. Always giving everyone the evil eye.

Well if I were in his position I would be bitter too. After all if the Queen has another child, especially a son, then who will love the poor bastard then?...

Haruhiko shook his head, gripping the reigns of the horse tighter as he made his way through the forest, dodging trees and branches. It had been half an hour since he left and by this rate he should be able to catch up to Akihiko soon. Or at least he hoped so. If the servants took the path they usually did then things should go as planned. Although it was a longer path, it was safer. He should know. He had gone down these paths many times when he went in and out of the kingdom.

But catching up to Akihiko was easy, it was getting the idiot to listen that was going to be difficult. Even if they were brothers, it didn't change a damn thing that happened between them. There was too much between them to make them like each other that easily. Hopefully Misaki would be enough to bring their fighting to an end. Even if momentarily.

Haruhiko's eyes widened as he saw the distant glimmer of lights up ahead. That had to be them! He hit his heels against his horse's side and made it speed up slightly before jumping out onto the path, making the other horses pulling the carriage come to a halt. Ignoring the guards, he straightened up a bit. "Akihiko!" he called out, knowing his brother could hear him through the carriage. "Get out here!"

After a few seconds Akihiko opened the door of the carriage and stepped out. Haruhiko noticed how dejected the other looked, his face pale and cold. But he pushed the observation aside, hopping off his own horse so the two were face to face. "Akihiko, I need you to come back to the palace."

Akihiko snorted, "Did father send you to bring me back?"

"Father doesn't know I'm here." he frowned, "You need to come back."

"Why?"

"It's about Misaki."

At the mention of him, Akihiko's expression became more cold and defensive, "What about him? Did he give up more valuable information?"

"Do you honestly believe that Misaki's a spy?"

"He said he was."

Haruhiko shook his head in disbelief, "Well he was lying. You know he was lying. Does he even look like a spy to you?"

"I wouldn't know what a spy looked like."

Haruhiko thought for a moment before sighing, "Akihiko, I know why Misaki is really here...about his brother."

"You heard what he said! He was lying-"

"Akihiko stop being stubborn! I talked to him and-"

"You talked to him? When?"

"Not that long ago. While you ran off to go and brood I went to speak to him and I know he's being honest."

"Honest about what?"

"Honest about what he said, why he was here...and how he feels about you." he said the last part with a hint of bitterness.

Akihiko remained silent, looking away from Haruhiko and into the forest. "It's a lie...you said so yourself! How could someone like me, being the way I am?"

Haruhiko shook his head, "I don't know. I don't know why Misaki chose you with all your flaws, all your problems and wrong doings...I don't know. But he does care about you and if you care about him I need you to come back to the palace."

Akihiko stared at him, expression turning from anger to confusion. "...Why are you doing this for me?"

At that Haruhiko laughed, shaking his head, "Oh no, little brother, I'm not doing this for you. If I could, I would have let you leave and handled things on my own…" his expression softened and he sighed, looking down, "I'm doing this for Misaki. Because I care about him too."

The two shared a moment of silence, nodding at the temporary truce. However the silence was short lived when another rider suddenly came from the forest. The two brothers jumped back, hands resting on their swords but they stopped when they noticed who was riding.

"Sumi? I thought I said-"

"Prince Haruhiko I had to come and get the two of you. It's about Misaki…"

"What about him?" Akihiko asked, concerned.

Sumi looked at the two of them, a look of worry on his face. "He…"

Sumi, Akihiko and Haruhiko rode quickly through the forest, having left the servants behind. Akihiko had made them keep on the path to deliver the papers, threatening to blame the papers' tardiness on them if they didn't. Was it unfair? Yes but Akihiko couldn't bring himself to care. Misaki was his top priority and he wasn't going to let him die down there.

Once they got close enough to the borders they kept low, circling a bit to find a way inside. "If they see us they are going to stop us." Haruhiko muttered, looking at the guards.

"Don't worry. Miss Aikawa should be around here. She's going to let us in through the servant's passage near the lake." Sumi whispered, keeping his head close to his own horse as they made their way around.

In any other circumstance this might not have worked but with the blizzard nearing its peak and visibility dropping they managed to make their way unseen. Once they got to the lake, sure enough, Aikawa was quick to open the gates, allowing them to slip through.

"Thank goodness you made it back soon. But there are still guards in front of the dungeon doors...how are you going to get through?" Aikawa said as she followed the three inside.

"I'll tell them to move-" Haruhiko started but was cut off by Sumi shaking his head.

"The King specifically ordered that no one pass but him."

Akihiko put a hand on his sword. "Then we force our way through."

"Are you crazy?" Aikawa hissed, "We're already going to be in trouble for treason, do we really need to add assault to the list?"

The four bickered among themselves for a moment before a small cough broke their chatter. They turned to see all of the princesses standing by. One of them, Sakura, Haruhiko noted, stepped forward and smiled sheepishly, "Maybe we can help?"

The four looked at each other before Haruhiko spoke, "How?"

"Well, the guards are meant to watch the dungeon but the King said so himself-The Princesses' safety is top priority. If we are 'in danger' then I'm sure they'll rush to our aid."

"But why?" Akihiko asked, frowning, "Why help us?"

"Well, we all know that neither of you two like us." One of the Princesses said. "It's fairly obvious."

"Plus this whole 'game' is kind of sexist don't you think? We all just want to go back home too. We're only here because they forced us to participate." Another said, crossing her arms.

"Besides, I know how it feels like to fall for someone people say you can't be with." Sakura added, smiling at Akihiko. "So, do you want our help or not?"

After some discussion they came up with a plan. Haruhiko and Akihiko stood behind the wall while Sumi and Aikawa gathered supplies, waiting for the Princesses' signal. After a few seconds of silence the Princesses came screaming and running down the stairs, all acting frantic and alarmed.

"What? What is it?" The guards at the door asked, seeming panicked.

"There are rats in our rooms! Please come and get them out!"

At this the guards chuckled, seeming amused by the girls' antics. However the girls kept hanging on their arms and looking up at them pleadingly. Sure enough, the two soldiers looked at each other and shrugged. "A few minutes away won't hurt. Come on, princesses, where are the rats?" they asked, laughing as the girls thanked them and led them to their rooms. All the while praising them for helping.

Sakura looked back towards Akihiko and Haruhiko, giving them a wink before they went up the stairs. Aikawa and Sumi rushed down once the coast was clear, holding blankets, a new set of clothes and some of Misaki's belongings since they knew he wouldn't be allowed back. Hell, they didn't know if any of them were going to come back anytime soon.

Akihiko was the first to open the door, practically throwing himself down the stairs as he ran down, followed by the rest of the three. The room was pitch black and hard to see in, even with a torch. However Akihiko knew where his cell was and sure enough there Misaki was.

He almost cried seeing the state Misaki was in. His skin was pale and beginning to turn blue. He wasn't even shivering anymore, instead leaning against the wall with his head hanging down. They all would have thought Misaki was dead if it wasn't for his weak and ragged breathing.

"Misaki!" Akihiko cried, barely able to wait as Haruhiko fumbled with the lock. Once it swung open Akihiko was inside, kneeling next to him. He cradled Misaki's face and gently lifted his head. His skin felt like ice. "Misaki please open your eyes. Misaki! Misaki!"

After a few seconds Misaki opened his eyes a bit, frost on his eyelashes. "A-A…" he tried to speak but he couldn't. His voice was dry and scratchy but he was alive, nonetheless. Barely.

Akihiko let out a sigh of relief, his breath turning into a cloud of white smoke, "You're going to be alright, Misaki. Y-you're going to be fine." he promised, kissing Misaki's forehead softly.

Haruhiko undid his chains one by one, soon setting Misaki free although the other couldn't move on his own. Haruhiko and Akihiko took the blanket from Aikawa and quickly wrapped Misaki in it, though he weakly tried to push them away. Why? They had no idea but they didn't have time to argue. Once he was snug Akihiko carried him close to his body, resting Misaki's head on his shoulder.

As they were making their way up the stairs they heard the distant chatter of the guards. "We need to leave now!" Sumi hissed as they all began to run up the stairs. But just as they exited the guards came down the stairs, the Princesses following behind.

"Hey! Stop right there!" the guards yelled, all grabbing for their swords. They didn't get the chance to charge at them since the Princesses all jumped on them, keeping them back.

"Run!" Sakura cried out, holding onto one of the guards' arm.

So they did. Akihiko held Misaki tight, Haruhiko ran behind him, Sumi had given Aikawa the spare clothes and Aikawa was quickly stuffing them in the bag. The rest of the guards were soon drawn to the commotion and began to chase them.

"Where do we go?" Akihiko asked.

Sumi looked around before he pointed ahead, "We need to get to the horses!" They made a right and pushed their way past the staff before they went back the way they came. But there was only three horses. Not four.

Akihiko and Misaki went on one, Haruhiko on another. Sumi looked at the last horse before he turned to Aikawa, "Go with them. I'll buy you some time."

"What? But they'll get you and the King will kill you!" Aikawa protested.

Sumi shook his head, "It'd be better if you left. I'm a Scribe and my father is a nobel. I won't be punished as badly as you. No go! There's no time!" he said, pushing her towards the horse as he drew out his own sword.

Aikawa hesitated but soon climbed on, holding Misaki's things tight. Akihiko looked back at him and gave him a nod. "Thank you, for everything."

"Anything for a friend." he said, motioning to Misaki. "Now go!"

The three left and Sumi stayed back to fight off the horde of guards. Once outside the blizzard was in full swing, making it almost impossible to see. Though Haruhiko hoped this would be to their advantage. They ran through the gate and through the forest, leaving the castle behind in the distance. But they were soon being followed by guards on horses and they all knew they were going to be catched up to soon. There was little to go in a blizzard and even if they could stay ahead, they would be forced back soon if they couldn't shake them off.

Haruhiko thought for a moment, glancing over at Misaki who seemed to be drifting in and out of consciousness. "...Do you know where you're going Akihiko?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"The outskirts of the village. I can get him help there."

"Then go there. Me and Aikawa will get them off your tail."

"What?" Akihiko glanced at him. "But-"

"If they catch us, Misaki dies. If they find you, he dies. If we keep up this chase, we all die in this blizzard." Haruhiko looked at Misak one more time. "Just keep him safe."

Akihiko looked back at Aikawa, then his brother before nodding. And with that it was decided. Aikawa quickly handed him the bag before they all made a sharp right. Akihiko went to the side though and jumped off his horse, leading it behind some thick bushes. Just as he crouched down the guards ran past, following Aikawa and Haruhiko. Akihiko stayed there for a few seconds, watching them fade into the distance. He then looked down at Misaki, who was sleeping again. He kissed his forehead and held him close for a moment, "Just hold on a bit longer. We'll be there soon." he muttered against his hair before standing up.

Now back on his horse he cut through the forest, nearly crashing a few times because of the low visibility. But even in the blizzard he knew where he was going. He had followed the same path as a child nearly a thousand times. Past the lake, through the trees that lean left, over the log…

Soon the forest cleared up and a house came into view. Bigger than most but still a typical nobel home. The lights were lit and he knew there had to be at least two people home right now. At least he hoped so.

He snuck around the back and through the gap in the side of the fence. One inside he jumped off his horse, careful not to jostle Misaki much before he ran to the door, knocking on it loudly. One, two, three, four, five, sixseveneightnineten-

"What? Who the hell-...Akihiko?" Hiroki's anger disappeared when he saw him. "What happened?"

"Hiroki, is your lover here?"

"Huh? Y-you mean Nowaki?"

"I need him. Please! I need his help!" he said, holding Misaki closer.

"But-"

"Hiro? What's going on? Who's at the door…" Nowaki appeared behind him though his smile soon faded when he saw the state Misaki was in. It only took him a second before Nowaki soon became serious. "Bring him inside quick! Hiroki have the servants put away his horse. You, hand him to me."

Akihiko didn't even have time to complain about the improperness or his rashness. He handed Misaki over without a word and Nowaki went to the living room where the fireplace was going. He laid Misaki down and undid the blanket. "He's not shivering, that's not good. His clothes are damp. They need to be taken off. Do you have spares?" Nowaki asked, though was for the most part talking to himself as he ran to the kitchen, not even caring that the man was in a dress. When Akihiko nodded and held up the clothes, Nowaki began to cut them away with a knife. "Dry him off then dress him in the new ones. I'll be right back. Hiroki!" he called out to the older male.

"What? What's going on?" Hiroki asked, walking over.

"I need blankets and all the bed warmers in this place. Now!" he said, running to get a few blankets.

Hiroki hesitated before running to do just that, yelling at his servants in the process to hurry it up.

After Akihiko dried and dressed him he looked down at him, feeling his heart ache at how still Misaki was. He reached over and carefully plucked the hairclip from his head and set it aside. Even when Nowaki came back and began to get to work or when Hiroki kept trying to ask him questions Akihiko couldn't do anything. He was in shock; worried sick for Misaki and wondering if he would ever be able to see him open his eyes again, smile or hear his voice.

'You're going to make it. You need to. Please.'

((A/N: Here's the new chapter! Thanks for the kind words you guys and btw my tumblr is inconsistentenigma in case you guys have any questions! I do take requests for the time being!))