AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am pleasantly surprised to see that this story got more hits than expected! I feel like I can never thank my readers enough, thank you guys! Please review, I'd really appreciate the feedback. Enjoy!

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"What is it that you want this time?"

The simple question struck Bowser as impossible. He stood there with the tiles beneath his feet viciously cracked and crumbled, dumbfounded. How could he tell her the truth? The question was simple enough... he just didn't know how to answer her. Blood rushing through his ears from the strain of his outburst, the steady rush of it clouded his mind. With sweat gathering on the surface of his scales he simply stared back at her.

Princess Peach's mouth pressed in to a firm line, angry and annoyed. Countless times Bowser had ripped her peaceful life away from her, and for what? She'd never truly known. Her beautiful cobalt eyes bore in to the Koopa King, their stare holding more intimidation than Bowser could ever hope to have. Breathing in a heavy portion of air, she held it in her chest then released it slowly through her nasal passage as her nerves wore dangerously thin.

The sound of her small shoe tapping on the tile was steady and precise, nearly mimicking the beat of Bowser's heart throbbing beneath his ribcage. The distinct click was impossibly loud in the empty space. Bowser would never admit it, but under the Princess's scrutiny he felt small and insignificant. Still at a loss for words, he turned away.

"You may leave." He dismissed. "Return to your quarters. Go on."

No movement was heard. Glued to where he stood, Bowser waited for the irritated steps of Peach's heels to clack along the room as she retreated back to her bedroom. But, they did not move. Peach crossed her arms glaring at the spikes on his back, refusing his dismissal.

"I deserve an answer!" She bellowed, irate. "Answer me!"

Glancing over his shoulder, Bowser peered at her from sideways eyes, unwilling to receive her scorn. His jaw remained clenched, refusing to permit him to answer. Princess Peach snapped and her shrill voice carried across the room like ignited dynamite; loud, powerful and frightening.

"ANSWER ME!" She yelled, stomping towards him.

Bowser turned to face in her, completely caught off guard. Eyes wide, he watched as the petite woman intruded his personal space and pounded on the shell of his torso, her tiny fists like mere raindrops on a rooftop to his natural armor.

"You always do this! Why!? I deserve an answer, Bowser!"

Her fists beat in to him in vain, the only real power she could exert was through her words. Face turning red with frustration as she hit him, her eyes welled with angry tears. Princess Peach lost her composure. Princess Peach never lost her composure in such a manner... it was unsettling for Bowser to watch.

"Princess I-"

"Why do you do this?" she demanded, teary eyes cast down towards their feet. " What is it that you really want!? You keep coming back here and uprooting my peaceful living and nothing ever comes of it. Do you want my Kingdom, you selfish reptile? It'll be over my dead body!"

Bowser gently reached for her shoulder but was immediately swatted away. He attempted to reach for her again but Peach was having none of it, slapping his claws away. She huffed and began stomping down the hall. Bowser easily caught her by the left wrist and held her there despite her futile squirming and attempts to escape his grip. His hold on her was firm but not at all painful.

Holding herself arm's length away from Bowser, Peach ceased her squirming and stood there silently. Bowser's hand took hers softly, rubbing the satin material of her white gloves curiously. His thumb grazed the space of her ring finger before he spoke. So lowly, he spoke.

"How long do you expect to hold down this land alone, Princess."

What he said reached her ears but had not yet set in. Slowly. the implications of his words settled in and she tried to rip her hand from him. Bowser wouldn't let go. The feeling of her hand upon his... he couldn't fathom letting that slip away.

"I don't appreciate what your implying. Kindly let go of me! Mario-" Peach started, but was cut off.

"Mario what? " Bowser asked, a nerve having been struck.

"Mario...Mario is coming for me. As always!"

Peach was insistent. Bowser's temper flared.

"Heh, I wouldn't count on it!"

Both of them turned to the intrusive voice of Bowser's assistant, Kammy. The old koopa rode in on her broomstick, cackling nefariously. The King looked at her, deeply displeased by her interruption. One glance at Peach and it was clear she felt the same.

"What do I owe this interruption, you old hag?"

Peach gasped despite herself and looked up to see the old koopa's reaction but she just laughed pleasantly and zipped closer. Hopping off her broomstick, Kammy faced the two, completely amused.

"Well, your nastiness, I came looking to tell you that Mario has mysteriously vanished from out radars, so to speak. All our checkpoints have watch towers and have failed to locate him." she stated, clearly satisfied. " It seems that our famous hero may have finally run off."

"No! That can not be so! He would never abandon this Kingdom! Mario would never!" Peach exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at Kammy. "You retched creature! You lie!"

"It seems that he's fled, Dear. He's left you and this shabby Kingdom. We can't find him anywhere. Troops and allies are out for his bounty, but nothing has turned up. Face it Princess, it's over."

Forgetting that Bowser had her restrained by the left hand, Peach flew forward to grab the elderly hag but Bowser deftly pulled her back and held her to his body.

"You are dismissed, Kammy. If any further updates I must be informed, there can be no mistakes. See to it that I am notified immediately. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly."

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