Zen sat in a chair near the bed Shuriuki laid in. His face filled with sorrow and regret.

"I'm so sorry, you were my responsibility and look what I let happen." Zen mumbled as he stared at Shirayuki.

'Knock, knock.'

Zen looked up to see Obi at the balcony door. His face covered with dirt and sweet.

"Did you find him?"

"No master, but I have a good lead I'm going to check out tomorrow." Obi grinned as he aproched the sleeping girl.

"Good I expect you back in 2 days."

"Ofcorse... so how's Miss Shirayuki?" Obi asked brushing a strand of hair out of her face.

Zen sighed, "she's fine. The sleeping erbs will be neutralized soon, but she keeps mumbling things in her sleep." Zen stood up and joined Obi at the side of the bed. "She was crying before you came in but she stoped after she said my name."

"Ooo..." Obi covered his mouth.

"What ever you're thinking stop. You know it's not like that. She probably still hates me..." Zen frowned as he hit Obi on the head. "Any way I need to go increase the guards in this wing. You stay with her. And DON'T leave."

"Yes master." Obi bowed and Zen left them alone.

Obi took a seat near the window and watched Shirayuki's chest rise and fall as she slept. He gripped the arm of the chair and frowned.

I'm soo sorry... This is all my fault... if I didn't open my mouth she wouldn't have been hurt. Obi tthought to himself. Complete guilt filled his mind. He watched as she stired under the covers.

"I wonder what your dreaming of..."

Shirayuki sat in the darkness of her mind. Her hair was drapped over her face.

"Zen, I'm soo sorry." She cried inI her arms.

The last vision of Zen played back in her mind. He had been so kind and yet she was still scared. The darkness engulfed her body and a voice rang out from the void.

"Forget him... forget the prince. He doesn't love you. No one will." The voice echoed around Shirayuki.

"Who's there?"

"What do you mean... I'm you." The voice replied. "Have you forgotten me?"

"I don't know you..."Shirayuki looked around.

"But you do. I'm the obedient slave that you are."

"I don't know what your talking about."

"Stop denying yourself. You are a slave, no one cares. Just surrender, he could never care for you. Leave the prince behind."

"You're... wrong... I... i... don't belong to anyone."

"But you do. Why can't you except that fact!" The voice screamed. "Your a slave! Don't forget."

"No... your wrong. Zen cares for me. I understand that now."

"NO!"

"YES! I'm done letting my fears take over my life. I'm going to be free... free of me..."

"You may try but you can't escape your own mind..." The voice faded out and a bright light filled Shirayuki's eyes.

Shirayuki slowly opened her eyes. Where am i? she looked around and slowly sat up. As her sight focused her eyes landed on Obi. He was asleep in a chair next to the balcony doors.

"Don't forget your a slave..." The voice repeated in her mind.

"But I want to... goodbye..." Shirayuki closes her eyes and took a deep breath. "This is the path I choose... I'm free..."

Hay! I'm soooooooooooooo sorry for not posting sooner. Im trying but you know how school can get in the way of free time.

Sorry if this chapter is to rushed but I really wanted to get a chapter in before the week end so this is it. I hope it's enough for a few days. I'll try to update soon.

Thanks for being supportive of my writings. Bye for now!