The hunt seemed to be going well, you stalked them for hours. A smirk ghosts your lips again as the King to be takes down another deer. He was surprisingly accurate with his bow. You would've relaxed with him but there was a bad air about his companions. Killer sensed it too from what you could tell, looking over his shoulder often.

Your frown returns and you ready your bow, aiming the arrow at Kid. Now was a perfect time to attack as he went to collect his third prize. There's movement and you pivot your bow, releasing an arrow. It pierces another arrow on its course toward Kid. They all tense at that and Kid looks to the knight that had aimed at him.

Killer moves to dispatch the knight and you nudge Nox into a gallop as the other knights move to attack Kid. Nox leaps over one of the horses, knocking off their rider as you jump off to clash swords with one of Kid's attackers. The prince blinks at you in shock.

"Who the hell are you?" He scoffs, you don't answer, taking out the knight. Kid draws his sword to block a blade from you. "Damn traitors!" He roars. You spin around him, lodging your sword into another knight's neck. Killer swiftly comes to your side. The knights back off and you nudge him and Kid toward their horses swiftly.

"Go!" You order in a low voice, though it was already muffled by the cloth over your face. Killer and Kid hurry to their steads. One of the remaining knights lunges for Kid but you swiftly move to block them. At the last moment the knight shifts his blade making it stab through your side. You exhale and swing your blade, beheading the knight.

Glancing back, you see Killer escorting Kid away swiftly. You stagger and focus an the remaining two knights. They were clearly pissed by their failed attempt on Kid's life. "Why are you trying to kill him?" You demand.

"There's a more suitable king waiting, and he'll make this kingdom a super power." One growls getting ready.

"That doesn't sound that great to me, sorry. But maybe if you tell me your king's name he can talk me onto his side." You bluff easily.

"No point in telling a corpse." The other sneers and they both lunge. You grab one of their arms and twist it to stab his comrade in the face as you shove your blade under his armor and through him.

"Long live the true king." You hiss before ripping your blade free. You stagger back as they both collapse and whistle for Nox. The black horse returns to you, snorting worriedly and nudging you. "Meh.. Find me a nice place to die." You breathe mounting him. He gallops off, snorting slightly.

You hold your side, vision blurring slightly. It bothered you how unconcerned you were about your situation. When did you become so ready to die? Before or after you fell for the snake that devoured your heart. Since when did you become so indifferent? Nox veers off the path and you try to keep from falling off.

Was there really nothing you wanted to live for?

<i> "___, please, I can't trust anyone here to help me protect him... He's not that bad of a guy... He's my friend...." </i>

There it was again, your eyes narrow but you soon fall from Nox onto the ground with a thud. You cough and try to get up, hearing Nox whine and nudge you.

<i> "Hey boss, when ya coming back?"

"Who knows..."

"We'll miss you! Come back soon!"

"I'll miss you three too. Maybe with the money we can get you guys new horses and armor? That'd put me at ease at least..."

"You need to gear up too ___..."

"I'll be fine, love you guys."

"Love you!" </i>

That's right, you had to get back to them too. Dammit. You growl and your arms give out, bringing you back to the ground. Everything around you barely recognizable as objects.

"Hello?" A familiar voice says.

"... I... Can't die here..." You murmur.

"Where is she?" Kid frowns looking around, "She knows we're back now right?" He scoffs. Killer shifts watching him.

"Maybe she went to town? I'll serve you until she returns." He offers.

"... I think she hates me." Kid admits looking down.

"I don't think so. She's just very guarded. In fact, she builds her walls with spikes so people that she gets near always get stabbed. Luckily I was already on the inside when she started building them. So don't take it personally. She's just wary." He assures thoughtfully. Kid glances at him and nods.

"So... She's lying when she insults me?" He inquires scratching his cheek.

"She stabs weak points if you startle her. Like a viper. So no its not she believes, just something she knows will make you back off." Killer informs him.

"Should you be saying so much?" Kid raises an eyebrow at him.

"Honestly, if you can survive that woman. I believe you'll be an unstoppable king." The head guard answers bluntly. Kid sweatdrops at that.

"... You two are good friends...." He murmurs sarcastically.

"We're the best of friends!"

Your eyes ease open to a star filled sky. "Holy shit Im alive..." You whisper in surprise.

"You barely made it." He breathes, leaning over you. "You're lucky this is where I gather my medical plants." You blink up at Law as he smirks lightly. "But why on earth were you dressed like a bandit?"

"Covert operation." You hum. Even if you had just woke up, you felt so drained.

"... You were tailing the prince when everyone turned on him weren't you?" He guesses. You meet his gaze and nod. "I knew something like that had happened when they nearly ran me over earlier." He sighs, changing your bandages.

"I got lucky falling here... I thought death was here to take me..." You murmur closing your eyes.

"It definitely tried... Don't fall asleep, we need to get you back to the castle." He pats your cheek. You open your eyes with a hum and nod.

"Right..." You manage as he picks you up and goes to Nox. The stallion lowers himself for Law to get on with you in his arms.

"You have a very smart horse. I must ask how you found him later." He breathes as Nox straightens and starts back with you both.

"Heh... Sorry, he found me... No one can find out what I did today. I left my clothes in Nox's stall at the stables." You whisper before drifting off again.

When you come to again you're staring at a ceiling, feeling much better. Sitting up, you peer around, recognizing the infirmary. You check your clothes that were thankfully on you before getting out of bed and glancing at the rising sun outside the window.

"You should rest more." Law tells you as he walks in.

"Sorry, but I have duties to the prince." You hum, patting his shoulder as you go past. Law smirks and watches you go.

"I would stop you, but I do enjoy watching you leave." He mutters under his breath.

You reach the prince's room as Killer reaches for the door knob. "Excuse me, that's my job." You speak up. Killer freezes before rushing over and hugging you tightly.

"I was worried when you didn't return! I thought.." He trails off as you pat his chest.

"Of course I'd return, you asked me to protect your friend." You smile. He relaxes, touching his helmet to your forehead.

"I hope that isn't the only reason you came back." He breathes.

"Well, the doctor is attractive, and this." You go past and pat his rear. Killer jumps slightly at that.

"Such a liar..." He huffs in amusement as you enter Kid's room.

"Your mages-" You pause as two forms shift under the covers. "ty..." You finish as the maid's head pops up, looking at you in alarm. Kid sits up sleepily and freezes looking at you. "... Just get up. I trust you can take care of yourself from there." You force a smile on to your lips before going out, being not very mindful of the door and pausing when it slams behind you. "Gentle ___..." You mutter to yourself.

"Um... You okay?" Killer inquires as you go past.

"I'm going to eat cake." You respond. You didn't care that he was sleeping around. Just... That's what he was doing when you were close to death last night. Even if he wasn't aware, was he even concerned when you weren't there upon their return?

"Am I really putting my life on the line for a horny prince?" You grumble going to the kitchen.

"___! I missed you last night!" Sanji greets happy to see you.

"Did you now?" You offer a smile.

"Yes! I saved you some cake." He hums.

"Thank you. I just came to look for that." You admit. He blinks and softens slightly.

"You seem unhappy, what's wrong?" He inquires with a frown.

"I may be feeling selfish suddenly." You offer a shrug as he brings you some cake.

"You can be selfish with me if you wish." He hums with a soft smile.

"You're a sweet man Sanji..." You comment, starting to eat until Kid walks in. He gives Sanji a look and the cook swiftly leaves you two alone.

"Where were you yesterday?" He inquires. So he noticed you were gone.

"I was... Free, so I took a long walk." You shrug. "I heard about the... Hunt. I'm... I'm glad you're not injured."

He pauses and shifts in surprise. "... I thought you left because of me." He admits looking to the side. Now was your turn to be surprised. You frown briefly feeling guilty.

"I'm sorry for what I said yesterday before you left... I didn't mean it. I just wanted to make you aware that there will never be anything between us besides this job." You tell him before going past.