Sang's POV:

I dreamed that I was in a tiny boat amid the wide sea and there was a storm going on, making the waves rise impossibly high in the sky, throwing my little boat this way and that without mercy. When I thought things couldn't get any worse, gigantic tentacles rose from the murky waters all around my boat and pulled me down into the dark and frozen sea, straight to the mouth of the monster that was hiding, right under me.

I woke up gasping for breath, my lungs burning and my throat feeling raw.

Pounding feet in the corridor and my door being flung open and hitting the wall with a bang warned me I was not alone anymore.

The mixed scents of spring soap, spice, citrus and berries assailed my nose a second before a warm hand rested against my forehead and bright green eyes met mine with concern.

"Pookie, what's wrong? What hurts?" Sean-san asked me with concern and I closed my eyes, still a little out of breath.

"Nothing." I panted, trying to control my breathing "It was just a bad dream." I added, opening my eyes to look at the worried doctor that hadn't left my side.

The sound of steps made me look beyond Sean at the other three boys in my room and I blushed in shame. "I apologize for disturbing you all. Please, go back to your rest."

Kota and Victor looked at me worriedly; Blackbourne-san had an unreadable expression on his face.

"Don't apologize, sweetie." Kota said attracting Blackbourne-san attention to himself. "Is there anything we can do for you?" he asked as he approached the bed, standing at Sean's side.

The doctor had been checking my pulse and watching my breathing, which had now normalized.

I shook my head at them, still embarrassed at having woken them up.

"Morgan-kun," Blackbourne-san suddenly called causing Victor to remove his eyes from my person to look at him. "Why don't you take Sorenson-sama to the music room for a bit and play something for her?"

His fire eyes, which had looked dark and subdued, lit up to its usual warmth and he smiled at me.

Kota didn't wait for me to nod in agreement or get out of the bed myself before removing the blankets and bending himself over my figure, scooping me up into his arms, bridal-style.

I squealed lightly and threw my arms around his neck as Sean took a step back and chuckled.

He and Blackbourne-san went back to their room and Victor went ahead to the music room to open the door for me and Kota.

Once inside, Kota sat down at the windowsill and sat me on his lap, sideways, with my head resting on his shoulder.

Victor came back with a blanket which he laid over us before moving to the piano and sitting behind it.

I glanced up at Kota from under my lashed and saw him smiling at me. I blushed at being caught and lowered my gaze to my hands which I had been twisting in my lap.

The soft melody from the piano made my head snap up and turn to Victor, the song he was playing attracting my whole attention.

The song was soft, calm and sweet; a lullaby that I had never heard before and it was beautiful.

Kota began running his hand in circles at my back, the warmth from his body and the blanket keeping me comfortable and I began to fall asleep once again.

I tried to stay awake, if only to hear Victor's playing, but my eyes felt heavy and soon I was out.

......

Victor's POV:

It didn't take long for her to fall asleep.

She was exhausted and obviously having difficulty sleeping.

When I heard her screams I had thought my heart had stopped. For a moment I felt lost and confused, not understanding how someone would have managed to get past all of us and reach her.

Then my brain shut down and my training took over, rushing out of my room with my kunai draw out and straight into her room, seeking my target.

There was no one for me to kill, however. What hurt our little princess were the ghost of the past and present.

Ghosts that I and my brothers wouldn't allow within ten feet of her.

Looking up from the piano keys I watched her face as she rested against Kota's chest.

A part of me wished I was the one holding her, but I knew it was best this way and at least now I knew there was something I could do for her.

I was happy that I could be of some use. And this was something my brothers couldn't do. Even Blackbourne-san, with his skills at the violin, couldn't play a simple lullaby. He had issues.

"She has trouble sleeping." I told Kota softly.

He nodded his head looking down at her worriedly.

"Maybe I should play more for her. Do you think it would help?" I asked him, incapable of keeping the hope from my voice.

He glanced up at me and smiled "That's actually a very good idea. Maybe we could put the piano into her room."

I looked down at the piano in front of me. I had no idea how we would fit the thing into her room but I was sure Gabe would find a way.

Looking back up, not needing to the see the keys to play my music, I watched Sang and Kota together.

My brothers were falling fast for the little princess, myself included.

Strangely the fact that they might love her didn't bother me. It actually filled me with relief.

My mother had told me to protect my heart when I was a kid, but the sweetheart lying so trustingly in my brother's arms had snuck under my defenses and stolen it before I could even think to protect myself.

She was in a dangerous position right now, just assuming her place in the world, sure to attract many enemies seeking young blood.

The knowledge that my brothers loved her too assured me that she would be safe and get through all the difficulties ahead.

"We will help her, Victor." Kota told me with the calm assurance that we'd all come to depend upon.

I nodded at him, "Yes, brother. We will."

......

Sean's POV:

As I closed the door to mine and Owen's new room I turned to observe my best friend.

Owen was calmly fluffing his pillows, getting ready to go to sleep again.

"So," I began, waiting for him to turn around and give me his attention, his hand rising to his glasses. "She is having nightmares."

He nodded his head looking thoughtful and deeply troubled "I don't think it is a recent occurrence, either, Sean. She calmed herself pretty quickly afterwards."

I agreed with him. "I don't know how to fix that Owen." I grumbled at him, feeling a little helpless.

His steel grey eyes fixed on me intently, "You are a doctor, Sean. Not a God. You can't fix everything. Besides," he smirked at me "That is what I am here for."

I smiled at him, feeling my shoulders relax as I walked toward the bed we were sharing until Gabriel could do his magic. Owen would find a way to help our little mistress.

I gave a little snort, "You just want a chance to sneak into her bed for a snuggle." I said smugly, knowing that was in truth what we all wanted when she looked so scared and tired.

He glared at me as he got under the covers. "You are an idiot, Sean."

I smiled at him, lying down myself. "I love you too, Owen. I love you too."

He growled from the other side of bed, "Shut up, Sean. Let's not speak about love when we are sleeping in the same bed, please."

I laughed and turned around to sleep, hoping I would dream about shinny blond hair and green eyes that didn't belong to myself.

......

Luke's POV:

The next morning arrived too soon and I got up from my bed slowly. After being awoken in the middle of a sweet dream I had no wish to move.

But duty called.

We had a full day ahead, planning the security around the house and going back into the village to investigate a little more.

Soon I and a few of my brothers would be leaving to search for Marie and Elise and we had to leave everything prepared here so that Sang was safe.

Stretching my arms up high I groaned at the muscles that still ached from the long trip by horse the day before.

On the other side of the room North rolled out of his bed, Silas starting to wake up as well.

"What time is it?" North asked with a grunt while he ran a hand down his tired face.

Last night they had all heard Sang's screams and run to her room, but once there Kota had signaled that there was no threat and we should return to our beds.

North hadn't liked that one bit and I knew my brother had stayed awake a good portion of the night worrying.

Walking over to the window I opened the curtains and glanced outside.

"Too early." I told him deadpan.

He grunted his agreement and moved to get ready for our day.

I followed his lead and soon Silas was up and moving as well. Walking downstairs we met with the rest of our brothers and started our morning exercise.

After two hours of grueling exercise, Blackbourne-san having decided to be a sadistic that morning, we went off to get cleaned and accompany Sang to breakfast.

She was already up and dressed by the time we got upstairs and she smiled in greeting at us.

Blackbourne-san was at her side in an instant and the two of them went to her office leaving the rest of us to get ready.

Sang had seemed a little tired and worn out still. I glanced over to my best friend in the whole world and gave him a wink.

He smirked at me and we sneaked off to the kitchen, trying to avoid attracting North's attention.

It was time to spoil my little Cupcake a little.

......

Owen's POV:

"Sorenson-sama" I greeted the young woman.

"Blackbourne-san." She answered in that sweet yet husky voice of hers.

I directed us both to sit at the couch to one side of the office before we began talking.

"There is a lot to be done, as you know, and I'd like to discuss priorities and our roles with you, mistress." I began telling her before she cringed and I paused, wondering what I had done wrong.

"Please, Blackbourne-san, don't call me "mistress". That brings bad memories." She pleaded, as if I would say "no" to anything she asked of me.

She didn't know this yet, but I felt strongly compelled to do everything in my power to ensure her continued safety and happiness.

I nodded in agreement and went on, "As I was saying, we still need to find Elise and Marie. I have a plan in place for that, but it will require that a few of the boys go away in search of them."

She nodded, an unhappy but resigned look in her eyes.

"On the other hand, most of us will stay here with you." I added, hoping that would make her happy and it did, thankfully. "Also, I've spoken with Lee-kun and we'd like to offer our help with the run of the clan. We can work as advisors or anything else you wish from us, Sorenson-sama."

Sang smiled slightly, "That would be great, Blackbourne-san. I know I've been trained for this job and I do know what needs to be done, but I am feeling a little overwhelmed right now and could use some help."

I nodded, that is what I thought and I hopped that with me and Kota helping she'd be able to rest more and get her strength back.

She stood from the couch and glanced down at me, her face serious, green eyes focused.

"I really appreciate all the help you are giving me, Blackbourne-san" she said seriously, "You are giving me the strength I need to keep standing. I'd like to assure you that soon I will be able to stand on my own and you can lean on me then."

I looked at her feeling a little shocked. My face must have shown it because her eyes softened and she raised her hand to my cheek in a soft but brief caress.

"We are family now." She said. "You can count on me too, Blackbourne-san. Believe it or not, I am on your side."

And then she was turning and walking out of the room, leaving me speechless and without knowing what to think.