Leena blushed a bright pink color and said, "Everybody needs someone to care for them. And how couldn't I be in love with you? Your so easy to like." She looked up at Jake, staring into his eyed, and marveling at how he could be surprised at her for liking him. What's not to like?

Maybell nodded, resting her chin on JAyy' shoulder, a tear flowing down her cheek. "It does.", she whispered, "You have no idea."

Jake looked back at her and smiled sweetly. For some reason, Jake felt his heart race. HIs blood was red hot and he looked away. What the hell?? He's never felt this before and was very surprised.

Rukiea made it to the others. She made her eyes red so the red background of her eyes looked white compared to her eye color. "So.... I made it.... Zane is dead."

"What is it?", Maybell asked, quickly wiping her eyes and looking at Rukiea.

"Was it something I said?", Leena asked as Jake looked away, appearing to be embarased.

((I'm off~)) 

Jake shook his head. "Its n-nothing...." Why do I feel like this?!! I've never felt like this since a whikle now! He looked at Leena and smiled.

Rukiea replied with the somewhat usual answer. "They are coming from the northwest about by the tower area. There are 2 objects. I can't tell what they are. They are moving to quickly,"

Rukiea nodded. "1/2 a mile!" She ran quickly and through the trees. "No way... Jake's partners? They have the same clothes..." She was struck with something on her head. She fell to the floor. All she felt was her hands being tied and her being carried.

"Man... Girls are really stupid at times." He ran again and ended up stopping justa few feet from Jay.

"Jake, are you-", Leena began, stopping abruptly when she heard shouting from outside. "What's that?", she cried out, alarmed, "Jake, there's someone outside yelling, and it doesn't sound like Jay or your sister." ((She heard the noise cause Jake left the door open. XD )) "Let's go see what all the fuss is about.", she continued, standing and tentatively walking to the door, peeking outside, gasping at what she saw. Two men in the same uniform that Jake wore were standing by Jay and Maybell, one obviously less-than pleased. Rukiea was uncontscious by Jay's feet. "You'd better come see this...", she said, motioning for Jake to come to her side.

Maybell glared at the two men, and said, "Jake needs time to rest before he leaves again. He was in horrible condition when he arrived here. Besides, he doesn't deserve to be punished. He has done nothing to merit that." 

Jake walked outside and faced the two men. His comrads a bit surprised by the cleaned condition he was in. Jake looked at Jay and Rukiea, Maybell and Leena. He sighed. "So, Josh, Zack... I'm guessing master is upset with me for not coming back at the scheduled time?"

"Yeah. And boy is he pissed at you. He said at least a hundred lashings and a week in the holding box.." He laughed. "Sucks to be our leader huh? And we screwed up again that's another 50 lashings."

Jake winced and drew his sword. "Leave now or meet the same fate my other subordinates did..."

A horrible, gut-wrenching feeling filled Leena's body, a lump growing in her throat. She followed Jake, and stood a few feet behind him, a frightened ex
pression on her face. Jake was wanted by his master, and would be horribly punished upon his return. She would not let that happen. She would not let him be punished one more time.

Maybell looked over at Leena, and saw the ex
pression on her face. She shook her head sadly, well recognizing her ex
pression. She had fallen in love with Jake. She clenched her teeth, determined to not let these two men take Jake to where he would be harmed. She didn't want another to feel the same pain as she had. "Stop, the two of you.", she said, walking in front of Jake, "Did your master not order for me to be taken back to your kingdom? If you let Jake stay, I will willingly go with you. If you insist on punishing him for something that you messed up on, than I will not come along, unless you kidnap me. And Jay would not allow that."