Kota's POV:

There was something wrong with Sang-chan. Her movements, which were usually fluid and graceful, were now stiff and she seemed even quieter than usual.

Me and my brothers had invited her to eat breakfast with us, separately from the rest of the household, but thought she still smiled and joked with us you could see her smile didn't reach her eyes.

Some of the guys saw it too and went out of their way to pull a smile out of her, but it didn't seem to be working.

Luke and North were both distracted. I knew the reason for North's distraction, but Luke's was a mystery to me. He wasn't being his usual, happy day-dreamer self.

I also noticed that Blackbourne-san was watching Sang intensely and that Sean-san spent a great deal of time glaring daggers at him.

I didn't understand what was going on within my family and that bothered me deeply. It was my job to always know.

Later in the day, after lunch time, I was walking through the house distractedly when I bumped into one of the Sorenson's servants causing her to drop the tea' kettle she'd been carrying.

The kettle fell to the ground before I could catch it and broke, the ceramic pieces spreading on the ground.

Looking up at the girl I saw that she was really young, no more than a child, maybe ten years old. The girl paled. "Oh...my...the mistress will be furious." She whimpered.

I was about to try and offer my help when Sang appeared, taking in the situation with a single glance she smiled at the distraught girl.

"Mi-chan, why don't you go fetch something to clean this up? I will prepare more tea and take it to the mistress." She asked, her voice soft and soothing.

The girl, Mi-chan, smiled in thanks at Sang-chan, an apologetic look in her eyes before she ran off to fetch whatever she'd need to clean up the mess.

"Kota-san." Sang greeted me with a smile. It was still a fake, polite one and I didn't like it.

"Sang-chan, how are you?" I asked politely and observed as her eyes gave the smallest of flinches before she resumed her fake smile.

"I'm fine. Thank you for asking." She answered smoothly, but I knew it was a lie.

I narrowed my eyes at her, but before I could call her on it a screech caught our attention.

"Sang!" It was the mistress of the Sorenson clan, Elise Sorenson-sama.

The woman was marching in their direction with an unholy glint in her eyes that spelled trouble and her hand fisted in rage, her gaze fixed in Sang.

I felt compelled to step in her way, but knew better than to interfere between a servant and their mistress. Especially from another clan. Our laws dictated that I had no saying in what happened between the Sorensons.

Besides, if I interfered right now, the woman might just punish Sang worse later on, when they were back at their clan, far away from me.

I felt my heart squeeze at the prospect, my blood running cold in my veins as my palms became sweaty.

From the corner of my eye I saw Mi-chan approaching the scene, her steps hesitant and scared.

Without taking her eyes from her mistress Sang-chan stepped a little to the side, standing between her mistress and the younger girl.

"I apologize for breaking your kettle, mistress." Sang said quietly, her eyes focused on the floor.

I was stunned. She clearly knew what her mistress was planning, but she still took the blame for the other girl. Her kindness and protectiveness over the child was surprising and still, in a way, expected.

I had seen before, in her eyes, that she was a good person. Someone who cared for her people.

The thought passed through my head that she had a leader's most important quality. She was a protector.

Before I could do anything Elise-sama was upon Sang and slapped her soundly in the face, the red imprint of her hand shinning against Sang's pale skin.

I gritted my teeth to stop myself from protesting.

"You useless girl!" The woman spat.

I opened my mouth automatically, ready to argue, to try to stop what I knew was about to happen, but before I could say anything Sang shot me a quelling look.

I kept my mouth shut even as my blood boiled and I felt my hands shacking in fury.

The woman grabbed Sang by the arm and dragged her away, Mi-chan immediately moving to clean the mess in the floor as I stood there just watching, guilty and apprehension churning in my stomach.

But I didn't interfere.

"What is going to happen with her?" I murmured quietly to the tiny girl kneeling in the floor.

The child looked up at me, her eyes clearly scared, her skin still pale from fright.

She glanced down the corridor, where her mistress and her fellow servant had disappeared and looked back up at me, gulping nervously.

"Probably a lashing, sir." She muttered.

I internally cursed and started counting.

One, one-thousand...

Two, one-thousand...

Three, one-thousand...

I couldn't just stand here and do nothing. There had to be something I could do.

There had to be a way.

But how? I couldn't just take her away, she was out of my jurisdiction.

Anything else might delay the punishment but I had no guarantee that the mistress wouldn't come after her in a later time.

"Shit!" I muttered out loud before turning in my heel and walking in the direction of the infirmary, my steps heavy and purposeful.

I couldn't rescue her.

She'd throw herself at the danger in order to protect that child, her courage shining clearly in her strong gaze, but I wouldn't leave her alone.

I would bring Sean to her and then my team and I would try to find a way to help her.

We had to. I couldn't stand to see the light leaving those gorgeous eyes every time she looked at her lord and mistress.

......

Sang's POV:

As I put my kimono back on I bit back a sob at the pain in my back, but I didn't regret this pain. I had protected that child from this suffering and I would do it a thousand more times if needed.

A child should never know so much pain.

Taking a last look at my mistress I saw she was leaning against the wall, her shoulders shaking as she struggled to drawn a breath, her face pale and sweat beading her skin.

I pursed my lips. This woman was paying for her crimes even if she didn't realize it.

Closing my eyes against the pain I stepped out of the room, closing the door behind myself before leaning against the closest wall. I took a deep breath, my nose suddenly filling with the mixed scents of spice, ginger and citrus.

My eyes snapped open and there they stood, frowns marring their beautiful faces, two pairs of green eyes full of concern and barely controlled fury.

"Kota-san, Sean-san..." my voice sounded weak and breathy. My surprise at seeing them here was no doubt showing clearly in my face.

I struggled to control my feelings, wanting nothing more than to beg them for help.

But this wasn't their fight. The problems going on inside my clan were my responsibility alone, I couldn't involve them.

"Pookie," Sean-san began, his voice gentle. "Come on, let's go to the infirmary so that I can take a look."

He extended his hand to me, palm up, offering his help.

My mistress would be furious if she saw me talking with them again, but their pleading eyes, begging me to let them help me convinced me to take the risk.

I raised my chin, threw my shoulders back and put my hand in his. He interlaced our fingers together and tugged me close to his side.

Kota took my other hand, his gaze avoiding mine as he stepped to my other side and we walked together to the infirmary.

Sean-san ushered the two of us inside and locked the door after we entered. He had me kneel in one of the cots, with my back to them and demanded that I remove the upper part of my clothes so they could look at my back.

I didn't have the energy, or even the urge, to slap him this time, and from his serious tone of voice I knew he wasn't even thinking about the last time he'd told me to strip.

I pulled at the sides of my kimono, slipping my arms from the sleeves and let the cloth pool around my waist.

My arms rose to cover my breasts even though they couldn't see anything with my back to them.

Someone hissed a quiet "shit!" in the background before I felt Sean moving in behind me.

"Oh, Pookie." He murmured, his voice full of regret.

"I'm fine, Sean-san." I told him firmly, my heart beating at a fast pace.

"This is not fine, Sang-chan." He argued with me, his voice uncharacteristically serious.

I nodded. "Maybe not. But in our society it happens a lot. You know that."

"It doesn't make this sort of thing "alright", Pookie." He said and I felt something wet being applied to the welts in my skin. His touch hurt, no matter how gentle he was being, but whatever he was putting in my skin soothed the burning so I didn't protest.

I couldn't argue with his reasoning, either, as I tended to agree with him so I remained silent.

"This cream will help with the healing and diminish the pain." Sean said in full doctor-mode. "You will need to come to me at least twice in the day so I can apply this to your back."

I nodded my agreement but didn't say anything. What was there to say, after all?

"Sang?" Kota's unsure voice caused me startle a bit. I had kind of forgotten he was in room with us and I glanced over my shoulder at him.

He was still avoiding my gaze and as I studied his face I thought I saw... was that guilt on his face?

"I am sorry." He said, his usually confident and commanding voice sounding soft and subdued. It made my heart squeeze painfully. Seeing him so sad was oddly disturbing.

"For what?" I asked him, puzzled.

His eyes finally met mine then, the regret and guilt in them making me want to go to him and give him a hug.

Where did that come from? I don't hug people! That is inappropriate! I couldn't understand my own feelings.

"I was the one who caused that mess in the first place, and I did nothing to help you." he said.

I frowned at him, "There is nothing to forgive, Kota. The mess was an accident and as for my punishment... there is nothing you could do about that, as you know. You can't help me."

The door to the infirmary suddenly opened, causing me to yelp and the boys to turn to the door, moving between me and the intruder before I could see who it was.

"Maybe he can't. But I can." Said a familiar voice.

......

Kota's POV

I can't believe this girl.

As soon as Sean and I arrived at the corridor outside of the mistress from the Sorenson clan' rooms we could hear the sound of the whip striking against flesh.

We'd both stood there, fuming and knowing there was nothing we could do while she got hurt.

And yet, not once had she cried in pain. They didn't hear a single whimper from her, and they both knew how much a whipping hurt.

Their childhoods had been less than stellar.

When she left the room and Sean offered a hand to her I watched, transfixed as she threw her shoulders back in a proud countenance and lifted her chin, accepting his help.

This was most definitely not a woman who had been beaten into submission.

No, she was a woman who had withstood the fires of hell and come back stronger. She bore her pain and kept fighting.

Now I observed as she sat there quietly, her spine rigid as Sean applied the cream to her back which was covered in angry welts and old scars.

She didn't wince even once though the both of us knew this process had to be painful even if necessary.

She had such an inner strength, a powerful sense of justice and in that moment, the proud countenance of a true leader.

I was completely amazed. How could a servant be so... so noble?

She didn't accuse me of causing her pain or of not helping her.

She didn't ask us for help or beg for solace.

She didn't complain about her pain, she dealt with it and went on with her life.

When I apologized to her she just brushed me off as if she'd never expected any help. She acted as if she carried the weight of the world in her shoulders and she had no intention of sharing the burden.

I wanted desperately to help her. I felt the need to help her burning in my blood.

It was something that I hadn't felt in a long time, this sense of purpose.

I suddenly realized that I had become a ghoul, mechanically going through my days, following my orders without thought or feeling.

This girl brought me alive and made me wish to fight for her cause, whatever it might be.

It was the same feeling I had when I first met my lord as a child. The sense of finding a true leader and the need to follow him, or her.

Then he appeared, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Maybe he can't. But I can."

......

Wil's POV:

I could feel my heart twisting and shriveling in my chest when I found out what was happening with Sang.

What must have been happening for years without my notice.

For years I had lived a life of lies, pretending to be a spoiled brat in front of those from my own clan and playing the part of humble servant among the Sorenson clan so I could protect those I loved.

But I never could protect her.

Now, I would forever carry the guilt of allowing her to feel such a pain.

But I wouldn't allow this to continue. She was the sister I never had, my companion, my best friend. And she was finally at my home, under my roof and my protection.

No one was going to hurt her here and escape my wrath.

I entered the infirmary, watching as the two trained ninjas jumped between me and her, startled at my presence.

The sight would've made me smile if the situation wasn't such a grim one. I had trained very hard to be better than my father's killers.

I had nothing against these boys. Quite the contrary, I highly respected them for what they managed to do of themselves.

I knew they all believed that they needed to be loyal to my father for taking them from the streets and giving them a chance at a better future, but in truth my dad had only been doing his duty as a clan head at the time.

He wouldn't care less about the boys he'd saved and he only became interested in them when he found out how useful they could be for him.

"Wil-sama" Sean-san greeted me, a polite smile on his face, a guarded look on his eyes.

I felt regret bloom in my chest. I wished I could have been friends with these guys.

But that wouldn't have gone well with my plans.

Besides, I knew someone who needed them more than me.

Turning my gaze to Sang I saw her watching me with wide, startled eyes.

I gave her my most stern glare, "You've been keeping things from me, Sang-chan."

She blushed and ducked her head guiltily. She didn't stay like that for long, thought.

Not even a second after she'd lowered her head she raised it again, her jaw tight, eyes flashing that inner fire that told me she would be a great leader some day.

"I am not the only one." She said, voice clipped.

I pursed my lips and nodded at her. Indeed, she wasn't, and I still had many secrets to reveal to her.

Such as the fact I knew who her father was.

She would birth a cow when she heard about that one, and then proceed to slit my throat for keeping it from her.

But it had to be done, I hadn't thought her situation with the Sorenson's was as bad as it was. I thought the man would offer at least a little protection to his daughter and heir.

Turns out he is crazier than my own father. I needed to take her from him, now.

"Is there something you need, Wil-sama?" Kota's clipped voice brought me back to present. The boy watched me with a mixture of wariness and curiosity on his face.

Kota had always been a curious boy, and a very smart one too. I had no doubt he was currently studying my every motion to analyze later on.

"Indeed, there is; I am in need of a new maid." I told them.

Sang looked at me puzzled for a moment, but the boys had comprehension and hope in their gazes.

They might not like me, but they clearly preferred to have me as Sang's master than that woman.

"So?" Sang asked.

I turned to her, the look in my eyes saying "you better not argue with me about this" to her.

"So I am going to ask your lord to give me yourself, as a wedding gift." I told her, simply.

She looked stunned for a moment before she completely disregarded my warning and started to sputter her protests.

She'd always been so stubborn.

"You can't! How am I going to help my people from here?" she said.

I walked over to her, standing a bit to her side so she could look at me. I kept my eyes on her face, knowing that if I looked at her back right now I wouldn't be able to stop myself from killing Elise, the bitch.

"Sang. I need you to trust me. I will help your people." I told her the half-lie.

Her people would be helped. But by herself, not me.

As soon as I assured the cooperation of my father's ninjas I would kill him, assuming my place as leader of the Academy clan and then I would help Sang to attain her birthright.

She could do whatever she wished with her clan, then and with an alliance between me and her, peace would be acquired for both clans.

It was the only way to stop the coming war.

She gazed into my eyes for a long moment, weighing my sincerity and her options. After a minute she nodded and said, "I will consider it, Wil. But don't assume I am staying with you. I can afford to wait until you marry Marie and starts to help my people before moving here."

She was so stubborn!

I pursed my lips but nodded in agreement. I knew there was no hope of arguing with her. She'd make her decision on her own and nothing I said or did would change it.

I left the infirmary without another word, my head swimming with plans and the need to accelerate my mission.

My father's death would have to come sooner rather than later.

Distracted with these thoughts I entered my room without taking notice of my surroundings and the sudden pain at the back of my head warned me too late to my impending doom.