Yuki can feel the blood on her bare arm. It's sticky and mudgy. Why is she always getting stained with blood? Especially Seoknim's blood. First is the overflowing blood from his legs, and now is the blood from his hand.

But whatever, it doesn't matter. Blood stains is much better than being a hostage.

But being an obedient hostage seems... useless! She doesn't care anymore if she's hurt once she resisted. Since Seoknim will hurt her either ways, it's much better than doing nothing!

"Fuck!!!" Seoknim cursed in sudden pain which made his grip loosen up. So Yuki took the opportunity to pull her arms away from him!

However, Seoknim looked at her as if his strength already returned. He is about to open his mouth and attack her, however she gave him a back kick on his groin. His movement stopped but he is still standing so she used the tip handle of the scythe, to push his side and hoping to dig its way to his internal organs. So that, he will need for time to recover.

Due to that, Seoknim bends his knees but refused to kneel on the ground. Before Seoknim could move again, she plans to run away immediately. However, she saw Jason behind him and snatched his hand to run away together.

This time, Seoknim will not be safe from Shou's bullet. Gunshots can be heard, however Yuki didn't mind it one bit, instead she is looking something among the crowd.

"H-Hey! Where are we going?!"

There she found him, Matthew, Jason's partner. She dragged Jason beside him and bowed down immediately. "Thank you!"

She knew Jason is going to say something however, she continued to speak.

"I really appreciate you for helping me but please don't do that again! Please! I don't want to involve anyone here." She looked at Jasom's eyes before smiling.

Yuki was about to step on Seoknim's foot and kick his groin despite of awkward position however before she could do that, Seoknim already cursed in pain which made her escape. The only person who can inflict pain on Seoknim was the nearest person from them, which is Jason, who Yuki caught walking behind Seoknim.

"Thank you again." After giving her thanks, she went towards Shou.

Shou already puts his gun down while staring at Seoknim, who is already lying down on the floor. His limbs are full of holes that let blood slowly seeps out and flow on the floor. No wonder he can't move anymore.

Despite of the distance between her and Seoknim, she saw how his jaw tightened.

"--you pay... I'll make you pay! Both of you and your shithole prince! Fucking remember that! Ugly bitch!"

His angry voice echoed in the canteen, no one dares to create a noise. And Seoknim can even clenched his hand despite of his current condition.

Their weapon disappeared. "Bring him to the clinic." Shou commanded among those people surrounding them. They are group of four men but they didn't move.

"You did this! Stop pitying me asshole!" Despite of Seoknim's loud disagreement, Shou is catching their eyes, instead of waiting for them to move. However, they are avoiding his eyes, it's obvious they are hesitating.

"I said, bring him to the clinic." Shou repeated however, in a more serious tone. The group of men, flinched on his voice and immediately approached Seoknim. They are helping each other to carry him.

"Hands off! I can handle myself! I don't need your help! Don't touch me!" The four men are trembling due to fear, maybe from Shou or Seoknim. They slowly lift his body by holding his damaged limbs. However, Seoknim is still struggling but barely, which the men can handle him at the moment.

"Let's go."

Yuki followed Shou, the crowd cleared the path on the exit and along the way, she noticed Jason's sight on their direction. However, she could be imagining it.

Regardless if Jason is looking at her, Yuki gave him a slight smile with her sight in their path.

The show begins! The whole arena is occupied by today's battle. Hundreds of people are watching only one small platform; anticipating it! For the fight to be visible by everyone, there are 4 large screens above the combat zone on each side of the arena. While other fights are momentarily cancelled until this anticipated battle is over.

A pair of girls is approaching the platform at the very center while a pair of girl and guy is coming from the opposite side.

Shou Suzuki and Franchesca Scarlett Baskerville have their icy cold eyes on each other. People are excited to witness the showdown of the Prince and the Princess! A ranked 1 and a ranked 2-- who will win?

A rumour has been going around that, the prince has weakened, incapable of the bond which is supposedly the basic step of things! Will this be the prince's fall?

It's stupid! Did he really insist his title of being the ice prince even in his bond? Or was his partner a defect and can't fight?

But she showed a great comeback last time! Her name is Yuki Domingo, who is currently walking behind Shou. Her expressionless face make it the existing proof that she is indeed the prince's partner! But did what happened in their last battle, a mere luck of her?

While Baskerville's partner is Maddison Weatherford. She walked beside her partner with seriousness.

"Prepare your weapons!"

Two guns appeared on Shou's hands and a scythe on Yuki's. With same strategy, Yuki obediently stayed behind him.

While Scarlett laid her eyes on Shou as her sword appeared on her hand.

It is a silver white great sword. It looked really heavy but Scarlett is holding it one-handed. How incredible! While Maddison readied her golden Bow and arrow directed at Shou?

"Readyyyyyyy..."

No--

"Go!"

The arrow is directed at the person behind him, Yuki! Shou knew very well that he cannot take them both but as possible he want to!

The arrow flew towards Shou & Yuki and, they dodged it! But wrong move.

They dodged on the opposite side! Scarlett's pair successfully separated them. The people cheered!

Shou and Yuki looked at each other before the opponent dived in and blocked the both of them. The battle is now a one on one fight!

Shou versus Scarlett

and

Yuki versus Maddison

Shou started to release the bullets directed to Scarlett as he ran backwards to widen the distance from Yuki and Maddison so that, no one but Scarlett will suffer from his attacks.

At that moment Shou and Yuki dodged at opposite direction, he knew by then, Yuki will have to fight alone and hope her success.

Scarlett on the other hand, is on defensive by dodging his bullets without breaking her attention on him. Their fight officially starts!

Maddison is elegantly standing in front of Yuki and slowly lowered her aim. She is indicating that, she will not attack yet.

Yuki understood her signal, so she holds her scythe still on the floor. "I didn't formally introduced myself. I am Maddison Weatherford."

Maddison brought her aim back to Yuki.

"Your opponent."

Maddison released an arrow towards her. At that moment, Yuki dodged the first arrow. And their fight officially starts.

The match is intense.

Scarlett is breaking through the rain of bullets by dodging and repelling using her sword. She successfully passed through and now, it's her turn to attack!

She swung and swung her large sword to his direction as she stepped forward, which makes his guns sealed. She's fast! And all he can do for now, is to focus on avoiding this combos of attack.

When Shou reached the barricade, he lowered his guns and prepared for a strategy to avoid the upcoming attack and escape. Scarlett took a step forward to launch an attack on him while blocking his way for escape. However, Shou blocked her sword directly with his gun! He is only using one hand to stop her attack but Scarlett is insisting to overcome his strength, comparing the strength she used by her two hands. Their hands are trembling as they are both struggling to surpassed each other's side.

However, Shou is not planning to continue that for too long because he has his other hand lowered, and directed at Scarlett's foot!

Scarlett almost fell to his trap and jumped in time to avoid the bullet he released! In the midst of her jump, she lowered her sword on the floor and used it as support to launch a drop kick on him!

Shou's reflex is also good so he took that opportunity to escape away from the barricade and gave her series of gunshots. Then, Scarlett forcefully dragged her sword as she maintained her momentum to run on the barricade itself!

His bullets followed her and she made another attempt to pushed through the rain of bullets. Their battle continues without a moment of rest!

Meanwhile, Maddison followed Yuki with her arrows that keeps appearing as a new one whenever the arrows hit the floor. Yuki is running around as she charged on Maddison!

Yuki is passing through the arrows and prepared her scythe to make a large swing! And Maddison, as if waiting for Yuki to do it, she didn't dare to look away even for a split second.

Yuki took a step forward, holding her scythe to cut Maddison in half however, instead of avoiding the attack, Maddison is pointing her bow on Yuki's shoulder!

Who's going to attack first? Is it Yuki or Maddison?

Maddison launched an attack first! But Yuki's attack is a feint! She used her other feet to land beside her. While her scythe is in mid air and, switched on her other hand to use the back of the blade and injure Maddison's foot!

Yuki can still remember the training of Shou and it didn't betray her! Maddison's foot got injured! The bleeding is not obvious due to her leather boots, but that certain footwear has been cut! Moreover, Maddison's expression showed she is in pain! If this keeps going, it is obvious who's going to win!

Now let us look at the audience. Ohhhh-- Matthew and Jason are watching Shou and Yuki's match.

"Why their match is taking so sloooow..." Jason complained while complete sight on Yuki. He is really worried for her, isn't it?

It only has been 6 minutes but it is already long. Using these weapons will drain your energy, and moreover, the physical activity in these battles are exhausting the body real time.

"It seemed, like they are taking the exhausting way rather than the quick pain."

What is Matthew thinking behind that serious face? Is it about his enemy? Or maybe...

...the expressionless Yuki?

"Shit! What just happened?! Why had their weapons suddenly disappear?!" Jason panicked. Yes, what he said is true.

Shou's movement became slower as time passes by. The other three are still fine not compared to him. He's currently panting heavy but without that much fatal wounds. The audience became noisy from their endless whispers.

Shou was waiting for the right time to change his pace since Scarlett has her eyes focused on his guns. That was the reason why, Scarlett can managed on avoiding his attacks. Because she was watching the guns' direction and predicting the trajectory of bullets.

Shou was obviously getting exhausted and this made Scarlett lower her guard. This moment was his target to win on the battle. He widened the gap between the position of his guns. And his one gun was waiting for her to step on a certain location. Shou released his bullets to pierce into her thigh. Scarlett realized his attacks late, so she cannot change her momentum in time and expecting a stinging hard sensation on her body but, the bullets disappeared midway.

Yuki successfuly injured both of her ankles and Maddison fell on the floor. What made her survived all this time, is her barrier of arrows. Maddison is sitting on the floor helplessly. If her wrist got injured, she will not be able to fight anymore.

Yuki dodged the upcoming arrow and charged forward to slashed her hand.

But her scythe disappeared! And followed by a loud thug! Yuki got distracted and turned her head to check on Shou. But Maddison didn't waste the opportunity and attacked Yuki's feet!

This made Yuki fall on the ground. Her palms landed after her knees and she is making suppressed sounds as her eyes are on the floor.  She is sweating due to pain and her feet are tremedously aching.

But she still managed to turn her hands into fist like she is getting more strength to slowly turned her head to check on Shou and ignore the pain. 

His chest is lying on the ground and keeps moving up and down due to panting. Shou is still conscious, but too weak to move.

"Stoooop! The winner is Baskerville-Weatherford!" The referee announced and stood up. Then, their weapons disappeared along with the arrows piercing Yuki's feet. Yuki can feel how her blood is tainting the inside and outside of her shoes.

Scarlett approached Maddison. And Maddison looked up at her, she felt not good enough. If their weapons didn't disappeared, Maddison would be useless in the battle. While Yuki would be able to help his partner and fight Scarlett.

Scarlett would have to fight alone if that ever happened.

"You did a good job, Maddison." Scarlett smiled at her.

Then, Maddison looked down and one drop of tears escaped from her eyes. Maddison secretly smiled, not allowing any tears to flow and, softly thanked Scarlett.

Then, Scarlett turned her head to the referee, who is about to heal her partner's wounds.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Jojo. It's not our responsibility if our enemy dried out his energy and..." She paused and glanced at Shou's body.

"...Died, right?" She continued.

Yuki heard that but she didn't dare to move. "Yes, you're correct." The referee named Jojo, wrapped its tentacle on Maddison's wounded body part. Her wounds are actually easy to heal because it was only a shallow cut on her tendon but not on her bone.

So Maddison is able to stand up again less than a minute while Scarlett stares at Shou's weak body.

"I thought we are the same... This is not the Suzuki I know. The one who defeated me." Her eyes are cold.

Her voice sounds...

"You're pathetic."

...utter disappointment.

Shou looked really helpless. No one is sure if he can still hear her. However, Yuki clearly heard that.

Then, Scarlett suddenly looked behind her. She felt an aura surging towards her. But it already disappeared.

Scarlett, since she was a child, is sensitive to aura of people. It shows their strength and intent. Not only she can feel it, but she can also see it.

And in that split second, she saw it and its source.

It's been awhile since she felt such things directed at her. And it is definitely not a good feeling.

Meanwhile, Yuki opened her palm and struggles to stand up. Scarlett looked away, maybe because she can't bear to look at her anymore and so, she called Maddison.

"O-Okay, Princess Scarlett!" All this time, Maddison is staring at Yuki. She was caught off guard when Scarlett called her.

Maddison witnessed her frustration and her endurance to withstand the pain as she stood up.

While Yuki's wound aches like it rides along with the sound of her heartbeat.

And whenever her feet met the floor, it gave her short sharp pain.

And the blood flowing out, makes her feet slowly get numb.

Actually, she can't move her feet anymore however, her thighs can still be lifted and used for walking.

Before Maddison left with Scarlett, she said a few sentences that made Yuki stopped walking.

"As a partner of the top hunters, I'm advising you, Ms. Yuki. If you don't want him to die..."

"Get stronger."

Jason is worried on motionless Yuki. Maddison is getting treated first before Yuki, which made Jason irritated. "Why the referee isn't doing his work?!"

Yuki is injured and looked frustrated, judging from her hand clenched into fist.

However, Jason is surprised when Yuki is slowly standing up on her own. "I thought she can't walk?" Then, the screen shuts down.

Realizing that he can't know what happened in the combat area anymore, Jason immediately squinted his eyes on the platform.

He found Yuki crouching beside Shou and touching his face. As for her facial expression, he can't see it.

Shou felt helpless as he laid down on the floor. He hate this feeling, his energy is draining out.

But the strange feeling is coming again. It felt like something seeps inside him. He doesn't know what is this. However, this is supporting him when he was fighting especially whenever his energy is running out.

Honestly, he should be dead right now. Their weapons disappeared unintentionally. This means his energy reached zero.

Due to exhaustion, he barely see his surrounding. His vision is blurry. However, familiar shoes are getting nearer to his sight. His eyes slowly move up. All are familiar. Her clothes, her hair and her face.

She crouched down and her face became less blurry. She has a similar expression on her face when he confronted her in Risa's incident. Why is she showing such face?

Then, something warm caressed his face and his hair. Her mouth is moving. She is saying something.

But he can't hear her. His eyes are giving up.

What is she saying?

The only thing he know was the warmth she left on his face.

~'Always saved but can't protect' ends~

***

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