Kita smiled as she listed to Wooyoung's song. They had found a small clearing where they could let the horses graze. He was sitting against a tree and Kita had her head resting in his lap. His voice always had the ability to relax her. And she loved the feeling of his fingers as he played with her now unbraided hair.

This was one of her favorite things about their friendship. They could sit for hours and not speak or do anything, but still be perfectly happy.

They didn't know how long they sat there, but it was long enough that Kita had started to doze off.

Wooyoung found himself watching her as she slept. She had to be dreaming because her eyes moved a little and a small smile tugged at her lips. He continued singing, leaning his head against the tree.

Then there was an explosion that shook the trees around them

Kita sat up and looked around. The horses reared and bolted, tearing their halters as they broke free.

Another explosion sounded nearby. Wooyoung threw himself over Kita to protect her, looking around for the source.

"We have to get back." He said, taking her hand and pulling her through the trees. When they caught a glimpse of the beach, the found what was causing the chaos.

A pirate ship was anchored just offshore. Several smaller boats were making their way to the beach, cannon fire covering their trip. They could hear the men shouting as they rowed quickly.

Wooyoung tightened his grip on Kita's hand and pulled her to the shadows of the cliff. There was only one way back up to the palace, and it was across this beach. It might have been possible if they had the horses, but he could see them already running up the path to safety.

Looking around, he pulled the princess behind a large boulder, hiding them from view. He pinned her to the rock, shielding her with his body.

Kita clung to his shirt, shaking slightly. "What do we do?"

"I don't know. If we stay quiet, maybe they won't notice us." He peeked around boulder and watched as a few of the pirates pulled their boats up onto the beach and took off up the path. A few stayed behind on the beach to keep watch. There was no way they'd get by unnoticed.

Gunfire could be heard above them, indicating the guards had spotted the pirates. A horn sounded in warning.

They could hear archers calling from above, sending arrows down to the beach. Wooyoung took that as their chance. "Stay close to the wall and keep your head down." He pulled Kita behind him and they started running like mad.

Kita tightened her grip on his hand and used her other to hold her dress up so she didn't trip on it.

They could hear the pirates calling out and taking cover to dodge the arrows.

"Captain! Look!" They heard someone shout, but they didn't dare stop running.

When they reached the path, Wooyoung picked up the pace, looking for any sign of the palace guards. The sounds of fighting grew louder. When a group appeared in front of them, he pulled Kita off to the side and they hid behind a bush.

Another explosion sounded and Kita screamed.

"Come on." She followed Wooyoung again as he took a door that acted as a servant's entrance. Everyone was in a panic, no one really noticed when their princess ran by them.

The stairs to the main hall came into view and the couple slowed, moving as quietly as they could up the stone steps. It sounded like fighting had broken out there as well, which was a problem, because the only safe room in the palace was located at the back of the ballroom on the other side of the main hall.

"Ready?" Wooyoung whispered, turning to study Kita's face. She looked terrified, but she nodded once, readjusting her grip on her dress. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then bent over and entered the main hall.

Royal guards and pirates were engaged in hand to hand combat. The sounds of metal clashing and screams were coming from everywhere.

The couple crept along the back hall, watching the fighting carefully.

Then Kita stopped when she saw her brother run down the stairs, swinging his sword at a pirate that had just walked through the front door. His hear was slightly waving, dyed a shade of red orange. The man held up his sword and blocked the attack easily.

Kita started to call out but Wooyoung pulled her back into him and placed a hand over her mouth. "Hwa will be fine. He's a good fighter. We need to keep going." She knew he was right, so she nodded and followed him across the back of the room.

They reached the corner by the ballroom and were about to run forward when someone shouted, "MOVE!"

The room instantly began to heat up. Kita looked up. At the top of the stairs stood King San. He had his hands raised above his head and hovering above them was a giant fireball.

Several of the guards jumped out of the way, some pulling Seonghwa with them. The pirates turned and tried to flee from the room, but when the King flung his hands forward, the fireball engulfed anyone in its path.

Kita's instinct took over and she ran to the closest fallen guard, placing her hands over his wound and called upon her healing gift. Her hands glowed a soft blue and the slash across his side closed. She repeated the same thing to anyone she could reach while King San drove the pirates from the room.

When she lifted her head to look the next person, she saw the red-haired pirate staring at her. His eyes narrowed, then he stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled before running from the room, his men following him.

Kita felt a hand on her shoulder, and she looked up to see Wooyoung staring after the pirates, holding a sword in his other hand. He followed behind her as she tended to the other wounded.

When the commotion had died down, her brother ran over to her and pulled her into a hug. "Are you ok?" He grabbed her shoulders.

"Yes, just a little tired." She said, starting to feel the toll of healing everyone.

"Where were you? I had people searching all over the palace." His gaze turned a little sharp, his eyes flicked to Wooyoung, who was shifting a little, and then fell to the sword in his hand. "What happened?" He said, lowering his voice as a few guards walked by.

"We just went for a ride and found a little clearing to stop at. When the pirates attacked, Wooyoung protected me and helped me get back here." Kita said, wishing she could take Wooyoung's hand. She did feel him shift a little closer to her though.

Seonghwa didn't doubt her words. He knew their friend had a good heart and cared for his sister deeply.

"Where are Mother and Father?" Kita asked.

"In the safe room with Yeosang." Seonghwa said, then he stood up straight, tensing a little.

King San was walking over to him, a few beads of sweat clinging to his forehead. He was rolling up his sleeves and examining the burned corpses by the entrance of the room.

"Thank you for your help, Your Majesty." Seonghwa said, bowing fully out of respect.

"Oh, it was nothing. I couldn't let those filthy pirates destroy my hosts' home." He smiled and cocked his head to the side, eyes flashing between the group of three. "I hope your men got out of the way in time."

"I don't think any of my guards got hurt. I should go find Mingi so we can do a full sweep of the grounds." Seonghwa nodded to the other, kissed Kita on the forehead and left the room.

It suddenly felt very awkward.

"Thank you again, Your Majesty." Kita bowed her head. "But I should go find my parents." Kita started walking away, Wooyoung moving to follow her when the king reached out and grabbed her upper arm.

Wooyoung tightened his grip on the sword.

"Please, before you go," the King held out his hand. Kita knew what he wanted so she took his hand in hers and felt a little of her energy flow to him, even though he showed no signs of physical wounds. "Ah," he sighed, tilting his head back and looking down his nose at her. "Thank you, Princess."

Kita nodded her head once, then took her hand back and walked to the back of the ballroom, Wooyoung following close behind.

She was immediately embraced by her mother, who sobbed into her hair as she squeezed tighter. "Mother... I'm fine, please..." Kita gasped. The queen let her go, smiling slightly.

"Where have you been? What happened to you?" Her father approached; eyes filled with concern.

"I was visiting with Wooyoung." Kita said, motioning to the boy still standing behind her. "He protected me when bringing me back to the palace."

"Thank you, Son." The king bowed his head. Wooyoung bent all the way over in a low bow in return, then made to leave the room. "No, stay." The King smiled softly and turned to speak with some of the nobles gathered in the room.

Wooyoung hesitated for a second, then came to stand close to Kita. Even if they had to stay formal, just being near each other was a comfort.

Kita could sense that he felt a little uncomfortable being here, so she turned slightly to face him. Then Yeosang came over to join them. "I'm glad you are safe, Princess. Is...?"

"Yes, my brother is fine. He wasn't hurt either." Kita smiled when he saw the relief pass through the other's eyes. "He should be returning soon; he went to find Mingi."

Then the room started to heat up. They turned to see King San following Seonghwa and another, taller man into the room, his energy still radiated off him. His eyes flashed to Kita and he smirked before returning his attention to the king and queen.

Now that attention would be focused elsewhere, Wooyoung reached over and took Kita's hand in his. Both hands trembled slightly as they watched Seonghwa tell the king and queen what the other king had done to help with the pirates.

"Thank you, what can we do to repay you?"

"Well, I do have one request."

"Name it." Kita's father said, bowing his head.

"I wish to join our kingdoms. I would like to marry Princess Lakita."