HEYY!!! Thanks for the reviews!!! ^^ I love them! And they make me want to write! So the more reviews I get the more excited I get to write the next chapter (and it's easier to stay focus on the story when I know people are counting on me to write). Keep up with the reviews and the chapters will be posted faster!!!

YET! I don't know… because I'm starting a story that I want to get published so I don't know how much I'm going to working my fan fictions… IM SRY!! But I really want my own book…

ANYWAYS!!! I never played "Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance"! So, if there was a past for Ranulf that was explained… I don't know anything about it!!!!! I just made up my own past for Ranulf so HA!!! Don't like it… TOO BAD!! HAHAHA! ^^

ENJOY THIS CHAPTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(spazzing)

Remember that this is rated M!! And it's for a reason!

--s2--

"… Z…Zarack?!"

Ranulf looked at the Beorc with disbelief. "You're… alive?" Zarack nodded slowly in response. "But… I watched you die. How…" Ranulf's voice became soft whispers that not even him self could hear.

"You only saw me lose consciousness." Zarack explained as he lowered his arm. "I woke up after being in a coma for a week in a hospital across the sea south from here." Ranulf ears twitched at the news.

"Can someone fill me in on what's going on?!" Takashi pouted trying to put small pieces together.

Zarack looked over at him. He had forgotten about the teenage cat. "O-of course." He said. "Well… Ranulf and I knew each other when we where children; before the Mad King's War."

Ranulf smirked, remembering good times. "Yeah, he would sneak out of the kingdom to meet with me. We Laguz were living around the Begnion borders at the time. I can't remember what for though."

"Anyway," Zarack scratched the back of his neck. He was glad to see that Ranulf got over his small amount of shock quickly. "We were inseparable."

"He always wanted to become a Laguz cat like us." Ranulf snickered at the memory.

Zarack glared. "I was a child! I didn't know any better."

"Sure, sure!" Ranulf crossed his arms. He leaned over towards Takashi and whispered to him that Zarack had once tried to become a Laguz hawk and jumped out of a tree only to land flat on his face. Zarack heard him. Takashi and Ranulf both laughed at Zarack's embarrassment.

"You two seem to be good friends. What happened?" Takashi asked.

The room fell silent. Tension built up and Takashi was regretting asking what he did. Zarack was the first to speak. "We were friends…"

"But there where complications…" Ranulf finished. "Zarack's stepfather found out that he was hanging around with me. He didn't approve of that."

Zarack sighed. "He doesn't even approve of me. He doesn't really approve of anything… This scar, Takashi," He stuck out his left arm again. "…is the mark of people who are Branded."

"Branded…?" Takashi repeated.

"Yes." Zarack's eyed the mark and fell quiet.

"What is 'Branded', if I may ask?" Takashi chose his words carefully, not wanting an awkward silence suffocating them again.

"Branded people are people that are born from both Beorc and Laguz blood." Ranulf told the green furred Laguz. He then looked over at Zarack with concern. The Beorc noticed his friend's stare and gave a small smirk; something to tell him that he was all right, Ranulf knew the truth.

Zarack sighed. "I should be going, incase I'm needed." The Laguz nodded slowly.

As if on queue there was a knock on the door. Zarack jumped up to his feet and told Takashi and Ranulf to stand. The cats did what they were told and Zarack turned to look at the door where there was another three knocks. Zarack told the cats to bow down low and walked up to the door.

"Hold on," He said with slight hesitation. He unlocked the door and opened it wide, on the other side stood a Begnion soldier. "May I help you?" Zarack asked with a bit of attitude.

"Sir, there is an execution in a half hour." The soldier informed him with a strong voice. "Master Kinya requests that you be there with your new 'pets'." The soldier grinned under the shadows of his helmet.

Zarack glared as he thought about the 'request'. Surely it wasn't a request, it was an order. He huffed and looked back at the Laguz who were still bowing. He could tell by the twitching of Ranulf's ears that he was eavesdropping on the conversation. Turning back to the soldier he said, "Tell Master Kinya that I will be there."

"With the Sub-humans?" the soldier motioned towards the Laguz.

"Yes, now leave." Zarack closed the door rudely in the soldier's face and walked back towards the Laguz.

Ranulf was the first one to stand up straight again. "Execution…?" His multicoloured eyes narrowed with question.

Zarack bit the inner of his lower lip. "It'll be explained later…" Ranulf and Takashi looked at each other in thought. They nodded to Zarack showing that they understand.

Zarack nodded back. "You two should get ready." Again, Ranulf looked at him with question.

--s2--

Ike paced the outside Skrimir's Kingdom watching the skies for any sight of Tibarn. It has been only a day that the hawk left, but Ike couldn't wait; he had to save Ranulf as soon as possible! He thought about going through the Kauku Caves himself, but decided against it since it would be suicide. All he was able to do is linger around until Tibarn comes back with Naesala.

Sighing Ike leaned on the railing of the stairs still looking up at the sky. He hoped that Ranulf was alright. Ranulf may be a strong fighter, but he didn't know how much of those Begnion soldiers he can take.

'What if he's hurt…? What if they are torturing him? Making him a slave that works all day until he blacks out?! Or worse… dead…'

"Ike?"

The voice woke Ike from his haunting thoughts. He glanced over to the left to see an old friend.

"Zihark!"

Ike walked over to greet the blue haired swordsman. He was wearing the same outfit he had during the Mad King's War. Ike believed that it was too hot out to wear that blue coat. Even his fists were tied with tape like before.

They shook hands. "It's been awhile." Zihark smiled. "What brings you here?"

"Well…" Ike scratched the back of his neck. "We were here to meet up with old friends and stay awhile, but… things came up."

"The attacks and kidnapping of the Laguz?" Zihark guessed knowingly.

Ike nodded. "They got Ranulf."

"What!" Zihark's light blue eyes widened. "How did they get Ranulf?! He isn't someone who would go down easily!"

Ike sighed sadly. "Actually, Ranulf gave himself to them to save Sothe."

"What happened to Sothe?" Zihark asked.

"He lost control of himself when he saw Zarack." Ike told him. "Zarack almost killed Micaiah the last time they attacked here and he charged in without warning."

"Is he alright?"

"Yeah, he's fine."

There was a small silence. Both of them thought over the problem. Soon enough, Zihark asked what they where going to do about Ranulf.

Ike told him the plan they made trying to stay as calm as possible. Zihark, though, notice how worried his good friend was. "I just hope he's alright." Ike finished.

Zihark smirked. "I'm sure he will be. And since you're going after him, I would like to come along."

"That would be great." Ike said, trying to force a smile. "We can really use your skills."

Zihark's smirk never left his face. "Alright, I'll go get ready and meet you guys… where?"

"Right here." Ike answered. Zihark nodded and left, leaving Ike to his thoughts again.

'He's right…' Ike thought. 'Ranulf is strong, he'll be fine. How could I doubt him? I'm such an idiot… He'll make it through this. He will…'

Ike groaned and rested his head on stone sphere that sat proudly at the top of the stairs to the kingdom. No matter how much he repeated those words in his head he couldn't believe them. 'Uh… why am I so scared for him? He'll be FINE!'

He sighed. "Please hurry, Tibarn."

--s2--

"You have to be kidding…!"

Ranulf and Takashi looked down at themselves after they put on their new clothes that where given to them by Zarack. Ranulf glared at the outfit as did Takashi.

"What…?" Zarack asked nervously. "They don't look… that bad…"

Takashi growled. "These are… nothing!! They barely cover us!"

Ranulf agreed with Takashi, but didn't say a word. He was too busy trying to see the good in the clothes he was given. Unfortunately, he could find nothing. It was only the bottom half of a gray tunic with a hole cut in the back so their tail could poke through. It was small too, like Takashi said, they almost show what they are suppose to hide.

"Is there not anything in a bigger size?" Ranulf asked tossing his hair out of his face. Without his headband it was difficult to keep his blue locks out of his way.

"I apologize…" Zarack said. "But this is all that the people here will give to your kind. It's because of the way you all fight, I presume… Since your clothes seem to disappear when you transform."

Takashi crossed his arms and huffed. "It's not like we have a choice in that matter!"

"Yes, I know," Zarack told the angered Laguz. "But they don't care."

After a quiet moment Zarack walked over to the door. "We should get going." He announced. "If we aren't there at the right time, Master Kinya will surely blame you two for it."

The Laguz gave a fast nod. Ranulf walked out with room behind Zarack with nothing else to say. Takashi, however, mumbled under his breath all the way to the end of the hall.

--s2--

Zarack led Ranulf and Takashi all the way to the bottom of the large kingdom and near the center. It was a giant open area with booths and whole lot of benches. It was a stadium. A buzz of murmurs came from all sides of the ring that all the people, mainly Beorc, made.

The blue furred Laguz cat examined the booth they were in. There were three chairs and five beaten up crimson pillows. All the seats were empty, except for one and there was also someone sitting on the pillow on the chair's left side. When they came closer Ranulf could see that it was Yuuta, Zarack's step brother, how he got here Ranulf didn't know. Unfortunately he couldn't see the person beside him sitting on a beaten pillow.

"Ah!" Yuuta smiled and stood from his seat raising his arms out towards Zarack. "You did come! I thought you were going to stay in your room until this was over like you always do. It's good to see you here!"

Zarack glared at Yuuta for a second before taking his seat on the right side of Yuuta, it was also the middle of the three chairs. There were two pillows on either side of the chair. Ranulf took the one closes to Yuuta since it seemed that Takashi was getting ready to kill the purple haired Beorc.

"I was ordered to come." Zarack told Yuuta, as if he should of already have known that was the case. "I thought that it would also be a good thing to show the Sub-humans how things are done around here."

Ranulf frowned at Zarack's harsh words. 'Sub-human… why is he calling us by that name…?' Noting that Yuuta was in his presents Ranulf didn't really thing too much about it. He just hoped that Zarack won't use it again.

"Is he coming?" Zarack asked staring straight in the middle of the ring where there was wooden poll that was placed in the sand.

"No…" Yuuta answered. "I think he's getting bored of watching the executions, since there are so many of them these days." Yuuta sighed playfully. "I don't see why… I highly enjoy these. They are so entertaining."

Takashi could hear Zarack grinding his teeth together. Ranulf was too busy trying to see who was beside Yuuta to notice anything Zarack was doing at the moment. All he could find was that the person had black tail. It was a Laguz

"Oh, well" Yuuta stretched his arms up high in the air. "It's his loss, not mine."

Yuuta looked over at the person seated beside him and held out his hand. Ranulf watched carefully as a small and smother hand excepted Yuuta's offer and stood up. It was a woman Laguz cat. She had short black hair and violet eyes. She wore the same as he and Takashi did but with another piece on her chest that also seemed a tad too small but did cover her.

Zarack and Takashi looked over as the girl in his lap with her facing the new comers. Yuuta wrapped his arms around her waist and gazed back at Zarack. "I don't believe you've met my new pet." He smirked.

Zarack said nothing he only stared at the girl. Yuuta continued. "This is Yuki, my new slave." He kissed Yuki's cheek softly. Yuki didn't protest, nor turned her eyes away from Takashi. Takashi returned her gaze.

"Where did your other slave go?" Zarack questioned glaring at Yuuta.

"You weren't here." Yuuta told him. Ranulf looked up at Zarack and saw fear in his green eyes that he was desperately trying to hide. "She was executed two weeks ago for disobeying me too many times."

Ranulf held back a growl. He didn't like this man. Knowing better, though, he sat quietly and looked away hiding his anger. Takashi, to Ranulf's surprise, did nothing as well.

As Takashi watched Yuki as she was kissed by the Beorc, something inside him stirred. Just by the way Yuuta was holding her made him feel heated with hatred. But he said nothing, he couldn't say anything. All he could do was watch.

Yuuta looked at the center of the ring and notice the doors at the right side of the ring were opening. "It's about time they got started." He said causing Zarack and the three Laguz to look over.

From the doors came a guard that dragged a woman Laguz tiger out to the center. The crowd cheered and some rose from their seats. The tiger was a blond. Her ears where lowered and he tail flicked about as she tried to escape the guard's hold. Another guard came out of the doors and striped the girl from her clothes, the girl kicking and screaming as he did so tears streaming down her face.

Ranulf closed his eyes for a minute not wanting to watch. His hands curled up into fists and his tail twitched at every scream the woman made. Yuki saw Ranulf and felt sorry for him having to watch this for the first time. She made a face as if she was going to cry.

Zarack also noticed Ranulf. Reaching behind Ranulf he smacked the back of his head. "Watch it, Sub-human!" Zarack demanded. Ranulf looked up at him, but Zarack didn't meet his gaze. "Watch it and learn what will happen to you if you don't follow orders."

Ranulf understood that Zarack was just putting on an act for Yuuta, but his words where getting on Ranulf's nerves. Plus, the whack on the head hurt. The blue cat couldn't believe that this guy use to be one of his good friends. There was no need to hit him and the Zarack he knew would never hurt him.

Turning his attention back to the middle of the ring Ranulf saw that they already had the girl tired to the wooden pole with her blond hair managing to hide her upper body. It was then a fire sage walked out.

"What did she do?" Zarack asked Yuuta as the fire sage opened his tome.

"She's pregnant." Yuuta answered. Ranulf bit his lip and reopened the cut he made when they where piercing his ear. "She asked her where the father was, but she wouldn't say."

"Would you spare her life if she did tell you?" Ranulf questioned. He realized that he shouldn't have said anything but he couldn't help it.

Yuuta glared at Ranulf. "Zarack, did you not tell this creature he is not to speak unless spoken to?"

Zarack glared at Yuuta. "We had a little bit of trouble while placing the tracker in this one's ear." He explained, making Ranulf want to growl at him for the insult. "I never got the chance to inform them of all the rules."

The purple haired man shifted in his seat. Yuki looked worried as she glanced at her master as he told her to go sit down on the pillow beside him. He then took Ranulf by his hair and pulled him up to his knees. This time Ranulf did growl. After some time of Yuuta looking over the blue haired cat Yuuta hummed. "You didn't get them cleaned. There's dirt in this one's hair."

"Ah…" Zarack lost his voice for a moment. "I forgot about that."

Yuuta chuckled. "You can't do anything right. After this I'll take them down to get cleaned."

Ranulf and Takashi didn't like the tone in Yuuta's voice. Yuuta released Ranulf and looked back at the woman tied to the pole.

"HEY!!" There was a yell coming from inside the ring. Ranulf looked over and saw a male Laguz tiger running towards the woman knocking everyone out of his way. He too wore only what he and Takashi had. His black hair coated with blood because of a gash in the side of his head.

He made it up to the pole and started untying the girl. Yuuta smiled. "Look's like we found the father."

Just then Ranulf's, Takashi's, and Yuki's ears all twitched at the same time. There was a strange high pitch squeaking noise. The male Laguz heard it too and started shouting as he covered his ears. 'It's the ear ring…' Ranulf thought to himself.

Taking the chance they were given, the guards caught the man and took a sword and stabbed him in the neck. Takashi and Yuki both looked away as the girl screamed louder calling for her love to get up as he fell to the ground, blood staining the sand beneath him. Ranulf, however, kept watching and wondered what kind of sick Hell they were brought to.

The next thing the woman tiger knew was that she was on fire. Still screaming she struggled to untie herself. Three minutes passed and her screams had come to an end. Her body stood dead on the wooden pole that was also burning to ash.

People started to leave. Yuuta let out a happy sound. "That was fun!"

"I don't see how death is so amusing." Zarack pointed out standing.

Yuuta smirked. "Of course you wouldn't." he said. "You're too nice to enjoy this. You're missing out on a lot you know." Zarack ignored him and started walking away with Ranulf and Takashi at his heels.

"Wait!" Yuuta called. Zarack stopped dead in his tracks. "I believe I said that I would take your pets to get cleaned?"

Zarack stood still not saying a word. Ranulf looked back at Yuuta and Takashi stayed by Zarack's side wondering what he should do. Finally, Zarack spoke. "Fine… you may take them…" He turned and glared at Yuuta one last time. "If they are not back in my dorm room by nightfall I'm--"

"Yes, yes, whatever." Yuuta waved his hand as he interrupted Zarack. He grabbed Takashi by his wrist and started pulling on his arm. "Come on, Sub-human, you too." Ranulf clenched his hands into fists again, but walked over to him obediently. As Ranulf passed by Zarack he heard a small apology.

"Yuki?" Yuuta called.

"Yes, master Yuuta?" Yuki asked, her voice was sweet and calming but it also held fear in it. Takashi felt a tugging feeling inside his chest.

"Make sure the blue haired one doesn't wander off." Yuuta ordered. Yuki gave bow to show her understanding.

So they headed down the long hallway to where Takashi and Ranulf didn't know. Ranulf looked back at Zarack who was just standing there with an expression full of hatred.

--s2--

It was a five minute walk to their destination, where ever that was. Ranulf searched for details of the hallways they passed incase they needed to make a big escape. So far he could remember the way to Zarack's dorm to the stadium to where they now stood. Ranulf only wished he could remember where the way out was.

Yuuta turned around when they reached a metal door and finally released Takashi from his hold. Yuki walked over to her master and watched the two other Laguz carefully. Takashi took note of the tears in her eyes as he rubbed his sore wrist.

The purple haired Beorc sneered at Takashi and Ranulf. "This is where I leave you." He told them. "I'll send Yuki instead for I have things to tend to. She will also lead back to Zarack. If I hear that you two had caused any trouble in there I'll have you two burned, like that other Sub-human you just saw, in a blink of an eye. I will have no high tempered Sub-humans in this Kingdom and I'm sure that Master Kinya won't either." He nudged his head towards the door. "Now go."

Ranulf and Takashi looked at the door and already had a bad feeling about what was inside. Taking Yuuta's words seriously, though, they followed Yuki quickly and quietly after Yuuta unlocked the door and opened it with a long squeaking noise. Once inside Yuuta slammed the door and the three Laguz could hear it lock up again.

It was silent for a moment. Ranulf and Takashi didn't know what to do so they waited patiently for Yuki to speak first. The room was lit with candles. There was a bench on the right side that looked wet rotted. On the left there was a fireplace. Inside it seemed that clothes were burning. There was a headband that was lying on the floor so Takashi and Ranulf assumed that all the clothes in the fire were Laguz clothing.

"Uh… um…" Yuki's small voice echoed through the stone walls. Ranulf and Takashi perked to attention. "I'm… sorry about this…" She said.

Takashi stepped up to stand right beside Ranulf. "It's alright." He told her. "It's not you that we are mad at."

"He's right." Ranulf agreed. "We don't blame anything on you."

Yuki looked up at the two with her big purple eyes. After a moment she nodded slowly. "I guess I'll tell you what to expect in here…" She looked towards another metal door on the opposite side of the door they just came from. "Once you are through there… they…" She looked towards the floor. "They well remove your clothing…"

At her pause Ranulf spoke. "I figured as much… Ah well, we only have to do this once, right?" He gave a reassuring smirk to Yuki to show that it was okay.

Takashi stared at Ranulf. "I really don't see how you can be so calm all the time."

Ranulf shrugged. "It's my nature." He fixed his blue bangs, Yuki watched him as he did so.

"They will be cutting your hair..." She told them. "Yours," she gazed over at Takashi. "I don't think they will… It seems short enough to pass by without a hair cut…"

"Wait…" Takashi raised his hands a little. "Does that mean that we would be separated?"

Yuki nodded sadly. "You'll go straight over to--"

There was the squeaking sound of the metal door on the opposite side of the room that interrupted Yuki. Four guards came through the door and glowered at the three Laguz. Yuki bowed low leaving Takashi and Ranulf puzzled still standing straight behind her. Yuuta must of told them to come and get them.

Seeing Yuki bow gave the guards the information they need to know which Laguz where new. Two guards then immediately grabbed hold on both Ranulf and Takashi by their upper arms.

As they took them through the door, Ranulf looked at Takashi and mouthed the words, just obey. Takashi nodded his head once and looked back at Yuki. He eavesdropped on what the guard in front of her was saying and found out that Yuki will be waiting here for them. In some way that made him feel better.

Just like Yuki had said, as soon as the metal door was shut tight the guards were stripping them of what little clothing they had. Takashi blushed slightly in embarrassment, but Ranulf simply closed his eyes and did his best to imagine himself in a different place.

"This one will need a hair cut." One guard had said. "The other one seems to be fine, take him ahead." Two guards bowed their head and carried on with Takashi while Ranulf was forced to sit down.

Screams were coming from everywhere in the huge stone walled room. It was like when they walked in that dungeon they were sent to before Zarack had saved them. There where other sounds but Ranulf didn't take the time to register them.

Ranulf then felt someone pulling his hair roughly pulling his head back a tiny bit. He said nothing as they cut his hair. He gazed down at the locks of his hair as they fell in his lap where he had placed his hands in attempt to hide himself.

Once they were finished with his hair, a guard hoisted him up off the chair by the color around his neck. Gagging, Ranulf scrambled to his feet. He was dragged around the room until he was once again sitting in another chair. Ranulf took the time to breathe. Fear was starting to take over the blue haired Laguz.

He looked over to his left and saw a fellow Laguz just standing and being taken away. 'What now…' Ranulf thought. 'Yuki didn't get the chance to tell us what happens all the way through…'

Ranulf's question was soon answered when he saw a female Beorc walk over to him with a needle filled with some sort of drug. A small bit of panic hit Ranulf as he tried to move away. The guard holding him, however, held him in place. Ranulf took in a deep breath. 'It will all be over soon enough…'

"This one has nice eyes." The female Beorc commented with a smile. Ranulf glared up at her. Her smile only widened.

She moved around the chair that Ranulf sat in and rested her pale hand on the cat's left shoulder. At that moment Ranulf notice a guard walk in a male Laguz raven. He couldn't make out any details as the Beorc nearly stabbed him with the needle on the back left side of his neck. He hissed at the pain clenching his teeth together.

The needle was tossed away and the guard once again picked him up to his feet with his color. Before Ranulf knew it, boiling hot water was poured on top of him. He bit his tongue to stop himself from yelling. Soap was added and he was washed head to toe. His face flushed as he was touched where he didn't want to be. He was then rinsed with two more hot buckets of hot water. Ranulf couldn't hold in his screams.

Panting, Ranulf was brought to a new room. The guard shoved him to the ground and laughed. "If you thought that was hot just wait for what's to come next." With that he slammed the door of the small room.

"Are you alright?" A strong and soothing voice called. Ranulf looked up to see a hand beside him. Looking higher he found a male Laguz tiger with red hair who was staring back at him with sympathy.

Taking the hand he was offered Ranulf said that yes he was fine. "What is this?"

The red head looked around. "It's a steam room." He answered. "They plan on killing any lice we may have."

Ranulf took in his surroundings. The place was pretty dark besides for the red light that gave the room a deadly feeling to it. "And you know this how?" Ranulf asked rubbing the back of his neck when he got that shot.

"I was told by the Laguz that's being forced to serve Kinya." The tiger told him. "Evil man Kinya. He's the reason we are all here. Now I'm stuck serving him as well…"

Ranulf was silent, not know what to say. Before the silence between them was over they heard screaming coming from the steam room next to them. A sizzling sound was heard from beneath them and the room was started to get really warm. Before either one of them could curse they were screaming in agony.

It burned. That's all there was too it. How long they had to suffer through the torture they had no clue, the only thing that matter now was focusing on breathing. The scorching steam made it hard to draw in any air.

Ranulf knelt to the ground. The floor was slightly padded and the stream was coming from underneath. He held a finger under his color hoping that it will help him breathe. His skin was turning red. The cat didn't know how long he could last in here.

Everything then stopped. The door opened again and two guards came to get the Laguz. The red head tiger was the first out relieved that he was able to breathe again. Ranulf was still knelt down on the floor. The guard gave a huff in annoyance and picked the blue cat from his arms literally dragging him out.

Ranulf couldn't see straight. His head spun with lack of oxygen. When the cool air hit him outside the steam room he gasped from both need of air and the sudden change of temperature. His clothes where returned to him and he slipped the gray half tunic on quickly while trying his best to stand properly. The guard then took him by the arm for the last time and led him out the door where Yuki and Takashi where waiting. Ranulf leaned on Takashi when the guard released him and went to unlock the door. Once it was opened the three Laguz nearly ran out. The door closed and locked again behind them

Takashi examined Ranulf who was still leaning on him for support as he still gasped for air. Takashi's skin was too red and slightly dry. The steam room was difficult to go through, but it seemed that Ranulf was having a harder time.

"Ranulf…?" Takashi called. "Are you okay?"

Yuki came beside Takashi. "He should sit down…" She said.

Takashi agreed and crouched down so he could place Ranulf on the floor. Yuki sat on her legs in front of the blue Laguz. "R-Ranulf…" She soothed. Ranulf looked up at her. "How do you feel…?"

Ranulf shook his head letting Yuki know that he could talk right at the moment. He brought his hand up to his throat and focused only on breathing.

"Do you feel dizzy…?" Yuki asked. Ranulf gave a nod slowly and soon after feel against Takashi who was sitting behind him just incase of such an incident occurred.

"Ranulf?!" Takashi held the cat in his arms and shook him lightly. Yuki came closer and studied Ranulf as Takashi watched her with worry. "Is he going to be alright?"

Yuki didn't answer right away. She lifted Ranulf's head up and felt his throat. "Lay him down flat…" Yuki backed away for Takashi to do so. She placed her left hand beneath Ranulf's chin and her right on his forehead and slightly tilted his head back. She positioned her head by Ranulf's mouth facing his chest and waited. "He is breathing… I think he'll be fine… But we should get him to Master Zarack… quickly, just incase he's not…"

Takashi nodded, took hold of Ranulf's hands and sat him up standing as he did so. "Help me put him on my back."

"Okay…" she whispered and helped pull the unconscious cat on Takashi's back. Once Takashi was sure he was on he started followed Yuki running down the hallway.

--s2--

"Zarack!!!"

Takashi crashed through the doors of Zarack's dorm room. Hearing the load call Zarack came from the baloney to see what was wrong. He gasped when he saw Takashi carrying Ranulf on his back. Yuki had already left for Yuuta's dorm room.

"What happened?" Zarack questioned as he helped Takashi get Ranulf on the bed.

"I don't know exactly." Takashi said truthfully. "He came out having trouble breathing and passed out. He is breathing now, but it seems… well, barely there. Yuki checked that he was after he passed out though."

Zarack studied Ranulf and brought his head down to check for breathing as well. "He's not breathing anymore." He plugged Ranulf's nose and took a deep breath. He placed his mouth over Ranulf's and forced Ranulf to breath. He pulled away and waited for five seconds before giving Ranulf another breath. Takashi watched in silence, hoping that Ranulf will be okay.

Zarack was about to give Ranulf a fourth breath when the cat gasped and started coughing. Thinking quickly Zarack grabbed Ranulf's wrist and wrapped his arm around his back so he could sit him up right. Takashi sighed with relief.

"Its alright, Ranulf." Zarack soothed as he rubbed his friend's back to calm the cat. "You're okay. Just take deep breaths."

Ranulf's coughing stopped and was now breathing deeply like he was told too. Finally, his breathing was at a normal pace. Ranulf looked up at Zarack.

"Thanks…" He murmured, knowing what Zarack had done to save him. "Where…"

"Back in my room." Zarack answered before Ranulf could finish asking. "You safe now, but I want you to rest." Zarack pushed lightly on Ranulf's shoulder so he would lie down. "You as well Takashi." Takashi pouted but sat down on the bed as well.

"Wait, Zarack," Ranulf was silenced by Zarack raising his hand.

"Whatever you have to say, save it for later." He told the Laguz. "Some of your skin is starting to blister; I'm going to use your Vulnery to heal that."

Ranulf looked away from Zarack. He was still angry with him for calling him a Sub-human and for being so harsh back at the stadium. Zarack noticed Ranulf's hurt expression, but chose to ignore it for now. He needed to heal the two Laguz.

Ranulf hissed and winced away from Zarack as he smoothed some of the Vulnery on him completely taken by surprise. Zarack apologized and retracted his hand and waited for Ranulf to prepare himself before he continued again.

Once Zarack had cured the cats from any blisters he told them to sleep. "I have a night shift with Yuuta, unfortunately. I'll lock the door though, so you guy's will have nothing to worry about." Ranulf and Takashi gave a nod and Zarack left.

The Laguz lay on the bed on top of the covers. Ranulf was on his back while Takashi was on his side. Both were thinking about the day.

"I can't believe this is only day one here…" Takashi mused. "You know its only going to get worse."

Ranulf sighed. "I don't think it can get any worse than it already is." He rolled over to face Takashi. "Think about it. We seen two Laguz die, we've been put in horrible clothing, washed from head to toe by disgusting Begnion soldiers, burned in a steam room with me nearly dying from lack of oxygen, and now waiting for the next day to come! There is no way it can get any worse!"

Takashi stared at Ranulf. Never had he seen this guy lose his cool. He was always so carefree, now he didn't know what to think. Takashi was going to say something but closed his mouth with out a word.

Ranulf noticed his tone and glared at the bed covers. "I'm sorry, Takashi… I didn't mean to rant on you like that." He tightened his grip on the pillow. "I'm just… sort of frightened… I never felt so frightened… and I don't know what to do to get us out of here…" He huffed. "We should of escaped from the back of Zarack's cart on the way over here when we had the chance."

Takashi chucked a bit. Ranulf looked up at him in confusion. "You're an odd one, Ranulf." He said. "One moment you're so joyful and then next you're all serious." Takashi's gold eyes had a shine in them in the dark room. Ranulf guessed it was from the moonlight that was peering through the curtains.

"You'll find a way out." Takashi told him. "I trust you. You're the only one that I know will do everything in his power to do so too. I'll lend you my help and I'm positive all the other Laguz trapped in here will be more than willing to help too."

Ranulf smirked at Takashi's words. "You're right… We'll find a way to escape." Takashi smiled, happy to see Ranulf's joyful side again. "Thanks, Takashi."

"Don't mention it." Takashi closed his eyes. "If you ever need another pep talk, just give the word."

Ranulf chuckled. "I'll be sure to." His smile disappeared just after he said those words.

Takashi opened his eyes again and saw Ranulf looking concerned about something. "Is something wrong?" He asked.

Ranulf glanced over at the green haired cat. "Uh, no… its nothing. We should get some sleep." With that Ranulf turned over so his back was facing Takashi.

Takashi didn't say anything. Instead he closed his eyes and fell to sleep. Ranulf on the other hand couldn't help but think about how Ike was doing.

'You better not be worrying yourself sick…'

--s2--

Ike huffed as he still waited for Tibarn to return. Mist had brought dinner to him and talked to him about coming inside but Ike told her that he felt better waiting out here. Many have tried to get him inside and he had turned them all down. He was too worried about Ranulf to move from his spot. Now, he was asleep on the ground resting on the wall of Skrimir's Kingdom.

"Ike…" A voice called as someone kicked his foot gently.

"Don't wake him up, Naesala…!" A harsh low voice ordered.

"Well, I don't think him sleeping out here is a good idea, do you?" Naesala tilted his head at Tibarn in thought.

"No, I don't." Tibarn answered. "We'll bring him inside where he can have a somewhat proper sleep. Knowing him he would want to leave as soon as he finds out we arrived early."

"Whatever… Let's just go…" Naesala started walking inside the kingdom.

"Hold on…!" Tibarn whispered harshly as he picked up Ike in his arms. "I get to be in charge of you…! Get your ass back here…!" He ran inside after the raven king with Ike still asleep in his arms.

--s2--

OMG! FINALY!!! ITS ABOUT DAMN TIME I FINSIHED!! This chapter is 9 - 1/2 pages long with 6,442 words… that's right… long huh… I WORKED HARD!!! Yet, it was fun to write. STILL, I WANT REVIEWS! AND A WHOLE LOT OF THEM!!! Plzzzz… I worked hard for you readers…