"Mmmmmmm!" I groaned loudly. My stomach was killing me. I opened my eyes to see that I was alone in a room. Well, I was alone until the Demon from earlier came in. I would've moved, jumped, anything, but I couldn't, so I simply glared at him.

"Don't give me that look," he said, bringing a bucket of water over, along with a towel. "I've been caring for you and your friends for the past three days. They aren't exactly the most welcoming to Demons. How'd you and your hound manage to fit in with them?"

I tensed.

He knew? I watched him, closely. Did he knew who I was? Or did he just know I had Demon blood in me?

"They don't know?"

I shook my head.

"Don't worry, I won't tell them."

He dipped the towel in the water and wiped it across my face. I hadn't noticed how hot it was in here until now.

As if reading my mind, he said, "You have as light fever, but it should die down after a day or two."

He tossed the towel back into the basin and walked towards the door.

"Akira," I said, quietly.

He stopped. "What?"

"My name's Akira."

He set the basin down, turned, and bowed to me. "Your highness, my name's Kou, it is a pleasure and an honor to meet you."

"Stand up," I said. He obeyed, keeping his eyes in his feet. "Right now, I'm no princess, just a traveler."

Concentrating, I let my wings fall out a plucked a single black feather from it. I held the feather out to him.

He simply watched me, and smiled. "I was alive long before your parents married and I remember the celebration on the day of your birth. I never though that I'd be given the chance to serve my princess."

He took the feather from my hand.

"I told you I'm not-"

"You will always be a princess to me."

Quickly, I retracted my wings.

"When were you planning on telling the humans?"

"I'm not sure."

"She's awake!" A voice yelled from outside the door. There was the pounding of footsteps and then the door burst open, all of them came in, even Zero.

"Akira!" Jessica yelled, hugging me. "I'm so glad your okay!"

"I could be better, you know, if I wasn't being chocked."

"Oh, right, sorry."

She let go of me while they all smiled at me. Zero's toothy grin made me smile.

"When can we move her?" Peter asked, keeping his eyes on me. He had bags under his eyes like he's lost sleep. Was he really that worried about me? I felt something warm inside me at the very idea. What the hell?

Kou turned to him and replied, "Well, the wound's closed, and I'd keep and eye on that, and she has a fever, but other than that I'd say she's good to go."

Peter nodded. "We'll leave as soon as possible. I wanna get back on the road again."

"What happened to the slut?" I asked.

"After she attacked you, we killed her and found Angel blood on her, proving that she was the one that killed my comrades. So, after you passed out, we got you back here and stitched up."

I nodded.

"Why don't you stay for dinner, at least," Kou offered.

"You don't know what your offering," Jessica laughed.

"Akira can eat you out of business," James said.

"We have plenty of food," Kou said, smiling now. "Eat as much as you can."

Peter and Jessica helped to lift me onto Zero's back as they carried me to a dining room. The room was relatively empty besides a few Demons coming in and out.

We were served all kinds of food and I happily finished every course. I really tried to ignore the giant whole in my stomach, but it really did hurt. I requested painkiller and was happily given some.

Afterwards, they loaded me up in the cart and leaned me against the side. With a wave goodbye, we left.

The question Kou asked still rang in the back of my head.

Should I tell them? Would they still accept me if I did? Truthfully, I liked it like this, I liked pretending I was human, no matter what they did. For the first time in a long time, I trusted someone, and they just happened to be human.

"Hey," Peter said, interrupting my thoughts, "if your tired, you can lean on me." He motioned to his shoulder. As if realizing what he said, he blushed.

Smiling, I leaned on his shoulder.

I saw Luke and Jessica smiling at me. Jessica was making a little heart with her fingers and I just rolled my eyes at her.

That made up my mind. Sooner than later, I'd defiantly tell them. These were friends who trusted me, and I'd return the favor.