A/N: This is for Misa-chan's birthday week! Where I will try to appreciate her as much as I can! I am late but I'm here! Shoutout to SakKim98 for asking me to write a medieval AU although this is not exactly what they had in mind. This is basically a few short chapters exploring Misaki's strengths.

Enjoy!

RxR!

...

She doubts herself…..

"Hah!" the man gasped as he thrust his sword at her stomach; his face scrunched with focus and energy. He groaned when his sword was parried before it met its target and another 'clang!" resounded through the castle's training room.

She pushed his sword away, spinning around and landing the tip of her blade against his throat. He arched his neck; looking at her with some amount of trepidation in his brown eyes. The locked eyes for a full second before the man let go; and his weapon clanked on the floor with an air of finality.

The woman sighed and stepped away putting her own sword aside and wiping some sweat off of her brow. She placed a hand on her hip and smiled at him.

"Your reflexes are getting better Shin." she nodded, "The King will be impressed."

The brown-haired man sighed and returned her smile, tilting her head toward her.

"It's still not enough to beat you, though…" he said, his smile widening into a grin.

MIsaki's smile froze for a second before she gave him a nonchalant grimace; shrugging slightly; and turned away. Compliments like these had been thrown around a lot ever since she had become the Head of the palace guard; and she was still in the process of finding out a proper response. Mostly; she would change the subject, or ignore them. Ignoring made her feel the worst, of course. She did not want to ignore anybody.

And not her childhood friend of all people.

She heard him chuckle as she slipped her sword back into its sheath; which hung from the belt at her uniform's waist.

"At times I think that you've become more bold...you know like the soldiers we read about…..all stone-faced and emotionless. Dignified people who do not panic at all…." Shintani started ranting. Misaki looked at him; feeling her heart thump in anticipation. Was he going to tell her that she was not dignified and calm enough to be the Head?

Shintani rubbed his face, looking at some obscure point in the room. He took a deep breathe; apparently struggling to find the right words.

"...You've always been cool, Misa-chan. I have known it ever since I met you." He smiled and looked at her; his gaze loving but sheepish. "..But I think you're cool as you are….I'd be so much more uncomfortable if you became someone with no emotions….I'm not too bright anyway, so I barely can read people….but simply watching you being….you know….natural, it makes me feel at ease."

He looked directly at her; his warm brown eyes sparkling as they usually did when he was talking to the people he loved. Misaki felt like a great weight was removed from her shoulders. She grinned at him; fully and appreciatively, trying to tell all that his words had done for her.

He shook his head and pointed to her.

"See? Just like that. I'm not an expert….but I think other people would trust you better this way too."

She frowned for a moment. Would they? Would they trust her better if she showed her emotions openly? Would they depend on her? It was important that they depended on her. She was the one responsible. Shintani aside, would the other guards see her being silly, open and embarrassed; and then take her seriously?

She gulped and bit her lip. When she looked back her childhood friend his face was concerned; but also resigned, as if he was not entirely sure of his words either.

"I guess….It won't be that easy, will it?" he added, scratching his head.

Misaki looked away from him, despair washing over her again.

"BUT!..." he continued in a stronger voice, "I know I'm right. I haven't figured out exactly how…..but I know Misa-chan is better off just being herself….that would be the best she would be."

He was standing with his hands on his hips, his gaze determined. He nodded at her to emphasize his point.

Misaki giggled.

"Okay…...your point is quite obscure but I understand it." she finally said. Shintani beamed. "I'll have to consider other things of course…..this position is something I've worked very hard for….." her tone had turned somber.

Shintani mirrored her expression and began nodding again.

"Of course….." he agreed, and then added with a smile, "...Dame."

MIsaki acknowledged the use of her new title with a mature smile. Her problems had not been solved yet; but her friend had given her hope, and the thought of even one person just supporting her made Misaki feel confident. Most people would say that betrayal was common in the kingdom; and that such a naive Knight should not be allowed to lead at all; but Misaki felt it was better to trust and be betrayed, rather than to never trust at all, and remain in confusion. Slipping back her sword from its sheath, she pointed it towards Shintani.

"Another round?" she asked, her amber eyes already glowing with excitement.

Shintani gave a loud sigh but readied his weapon, and the training room was filled with the cacophony of blades again.