Ryu's POV
"...yu... Ryu! Wake up!" As I carefully and cautiously open my eyes, I saw the gang besides me with worried faces. Shirayuki was tending to my bruises and the agony I felt was mostly coming from my heart.

"How are you doing there pipsqueak? Are you hurting anywhere else?" As Obi's voice of concern overlapped the calls of soldiers to remove the corpses from the ballroom, I nodded as tears flooded my face and eyes of pain. The gang was taken aback since it was their first time seeing me cry, but they all knew I was crying because of Kiroyuki's gone existence.

".... S-she's gone! I failed to save her! It hurts!....it hurts so bad...." Shirayuki embraced me into a warm hug as I too felt her shiver and sob with me. Kiki, Mitsuhide, Obi, and Zen all held a grim face of lost and hatred. We never would have thought that the intruders would come after Kiroyuki again. Especially since the news of Kiroyuki attending the ball was private, they would have never guessed that there would have been a two face.

"I know its hard knowing that Kiroyuki is gone... I know that you're scared for her...but... We will find her! Clarines will never leave Kiroyuki!" With Shirayuki's determined expression that held a few more stray tears, the rest of the gang nodded their heads in agreement with serious expressions. I stared at them all and changed my pitiful expression to a determined one and wiped away my tears. I stood up and immediately, Izana came towards us.

"I'm glad to see that your wounds are being taken care of. I also need to declare something I've not told you all..." With confused ezpressions, the gang hardened their eyes in caution of Izana's words. "I knew that Kiroyuki would be attacked."

With eyes of shock, the whole gang shouted in questioning as anger filled them all. I stayes silent but was confused and furious. I couldn't believe that Izana, whom Kiroyuki calls older brother, would betray her like this-

"What are you saying lord brother!? You knew and let this slide-" I still held a hardened expression, but Zen was shut from talking by Izana's glare. His eyes too shows pain, anger, and regret.

"I am also furious." Everyone including myself was shock at the hateful and grim expression that Izana held. His blue eyes were so dull and cold. "The king himself told me of this. He knew that his kingdom would be attacked and he knew he would have died. He knew that Kiroyuki would be chased again because of her special abilities. He knew so much yet he wanted me for this to happen... The king of Hyoushou claimed for this to be the best for the world or else furthermore will be worse than now."

As everyone stared at Izana in shock, I too was surprised that Kiroyuki's father would know of this. A question popped through my head and I solidly piped up.

"What did you mean by this being better for the world? What could have happened to Kiroyuki if she never came to Clarines and gotten kidnapped?"

"She would have a higher possibility of ending of her life. This right now makes Kiroyuki and majority of the world have a higher chance of survival." We were all so shocked that Kiroyuki could change or destroy the world. We always knew she had great abilities, but we couldn't even think or imagine that it can affect the world.

"I have a question first Prince Izana... Did you know that prince Neil of Utopian would have planned all of this and kidnap Kiroyuki?" I turned towards Obi and saw the curious eyes of anger. His golden eyes gleamed in this dim ballroom as Izana shook his head solemnly.

"... No. I did have a suspicion with their history together as they are close and Hyoushou being more powerful, I did have a theory to why they weren't attended to the ball on the day of the massacre. Looks like the king knew about this and didn't tell me or he was clueless. I have set out a search party and I'll be going myself. Zen, Kiki, Mitsuhide, and Shirayuki, you'll all come with us."

Gasping in unison, I stood a step forward which stopped Obi and Zen from speaking back themselves. I fiercely held a serious expression in my eyes and bowed with respect. I can hear the gasps of shock from the gang and I can only imagine the shocked look on Izana's face.

"Let me help with the search party! Kiroyuki is special to me and I too want to save her! I don't want to sit here and let everyone else save her while I do nothing for her safety! I saw the fear and agony in her eyes when she was taken away.... I don't want to see her in such pain... Please! Let me help!" As I shouted with all of my heart, I tightened my eyes and held back the tears as the memory of Kiroyuki being stabbed and taken away replayed in my head. I felt a pat on my head which surprised me, so I looked up and straightened my back.

"Ryu... Tell me. What do you think of Kiroyuki? What is she to you?" With Izana's dull eyes that can't be read as cleaverky, I hesitated for only a second.

"I love Kiroyuki with all of my heart." I saw the change in Izana's eye as they widened and returned back to normal. He slowly nodded his head with his eyes closed and reopened them to stare intensely at me.

"You may join this search party. Just know that it your life may be on the line." I nodded my head in understanding as Izana left to give orders to the soldiers. I sighed and turned around to see the gang with huge shocked faces. I raised a brow in questioning and they all bursted at me.

"SINCE WHEN WERE YOU SO TALKATIVE AND BRAVE TO TALK SO LOUD!? YOU'VE SURE CHANGED A LOT!" I  back away and clasped my hands over my precious ears and shrugged my shoulders.

"I guess that's just how much Kiroyuki has changed me." They all stopped with their small foolishness and chuckled softly. I smirked and immediately remembered something which made me lose the smirk as I ran up the steps to where Kiroyuki was last at in this room. The gang called for me in question, but I ignored them.

'It should be here somewhere! I don't think the guards could have taken it away already! She dropped it somewhere around here-'

"Found it! I found Kiroyuki's sword!" Raising up the magnificent and light sword of strength, I dusted off the rubbish and trotted down the stairs back to the group.

"I think Kiroyuki's sheath should be in her room since she summoned it. Mitsuhide and I will take a guard to search for it." Zen and Mitsuhide left the group with a soldier and went on to search for the sheath as the soldiers all were preparing for a long journey.

"Come on. We all need to prepare too. We don't want to waste time. Kiki, you'll take Shirayuki and I'll take Ryu. We'll meet at the gates right before the soldiers assemble for departure. We need to be at the front lines too." Kiki nodded in agreement and took Shirayuki with her as Obi led me to his room where he would lend me some equipment.

"Hey Ryu... I'm actually surprised that you confessed your love in front of everyone." Blushing, I stayed silent to myself in embarrassment. "That's good. I'll help you save Kiroyuki so she could actually get to hear it herself." Staring in awe of Obi's sense of justice towards his friends, I smiled and grunted in response. We quickly made it to ibis room for we had speed walked over.

"Here. You'll need proper clothing when going out to fight. I think these combat boots will fit you too. I was planning on giving them to you later but now seems to be a better time. You'll also need this fingerless gloves to get better grip on a weapon. Hide some bandages under your shirt too. You never know when you'll need them. Oh, take this knife too, just in case you need it for emergencies. Just don't ever lose the sword."

"I promise to take good care of the sword. Thank you Obi." Bowing, Obi ruffled my hair and scoffed.

"No worries kiddo. Im just glad that you learned and improved on your fighting skills. I can be less worry but still, please be safe. The outside world isn't warm. You don't know what to expect. We'll save her."

"Yeah. We'll definitely save her. I'll go change in the bathroom." I walked with the pile of cloths and boots to the restroom and closed the door. I took off my sweater and realized that this is the first I've ever worn clothes like this.

I quickly slipped on the clothes and went outside back to Obi for him to hide the bandages and knife in my clothing. He gave me a light and comfortable jacket and handed me back Kiroyuki's sword. Obi too looked ready to enter a battle right now.

We walked out of his room and speed walked through the rushing halls. I could only except thousands of soldiers getting ready to depart for the search.

The ball was cancelled and the guests are safe and secured here in the Clarines castle, now that the intruders are gone. Lord Haruka was appointed to take care of the castle here since he's the most trusted noble here that Izana can leave hands into.

My heart rate is beating steadily yet loudly in anxious cries. I took a deep breath and walked with broad shoulders with my chin held high and walked side by side with Obi. As we made way to the gates, I was taken aback with the amount of soldiers ready to depart.

Obi waved his hand in front of me and signaled me to follow him. We kept walking towards the frontline as we received serious looks from the soldiers. We kept speed walking with elegant strides and I could spot out Shirayuki, Kiki, Zen, and Mitsuhide. Izana was also there at the very front on his majestic white horse and wore an outfit most fit for a prince that would enter war.

"Good. You two made it. Ryu, are you able to ride a horse yourself?" I nodded my head remembering Kiroyuki's lessons on how to properly ride a horse. Especially since she made me ride one with a wooden sword for practice. The sweet yet bitter memory made me mentally smile as we quickly disband to our horses. Obi helped me up on the horse and got on one himself right next to mines.

Izana turned his horse around to face the troops and used his loud and powerful voice to speak. "Soldiers. I had set out a group of my best trackers and while on our way, we shall meet them soon. Know that you will go into war with enemies that will have intentions of killing. Leave now if you shall, but do know that this is to protect our futures and a child princess. We will depart in five minutes."

Turning his horse back to the front with two soldiers on each of his side, and two slightly in front, Zen and Raji were behind Izana and his superior men with Kiki and Mitsuhide besides him. I suppose that Raji would have wanted to join to help aid which I have no complaints, but to feel gratitude. Shirayuki and I were in-between Obi and another soldier as the rest of the men trailed behind.

"Hey Ryu." I looked to my left and nodded my head as Shirayuki's bright emerald eyes held determination and hope. "Your hands trembling... Don't worry. We will get Kiroyuki back safe and sound."

"Yeah. No need to worry squirt. Clarines has Kiroyuki's back! You will always be her knight! Just remember your training and to stay alert when the atmosphere changes."

I felt relived after having Obi and Shirayuki talk to me. I'm worried sick about Kiroyuki, but they're right that I need to calm down. I won't be able to save Kiroyuki if I'm trembling right now. I need to stay calm and hope for her safety.

"Yeah. Thanks. We'll definitely get her back." They nodded their heads and gave a small smile in assurance.

"Alright me! We are departing! Stay in formation until commanded to spilt! Move out!" Izana and the superior guards darted off first as each row moved forward in unison like a chain. I was fascinated with this new experience of going far away from the castle. Especially since I'll be going to war and possibly out of Clarines.

'Please be safe Kiroyuki! I'm coming to save you! Just be strong and wait for me! Clarines and I will be there for you!'
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"...please....stop...." With a ragged and low voice of a hurting child, it could never be heard form the likes of evil of this distant and cold room.

A/N
This chapter is kinda lame with no huge, huge action, but I tried updating and things are just getting busier. I'm just hoping for this year to end so I can have fun in thaaaa summerrrr! I hope you liked this chapter and feel free to comment! Have a lovely day!

(Unedited)