Con Fuoco

It was a beautiful afternoon at the Awataguchi Palace. Perfect for sword duelling.

After a seemingly endless clash of swords, Tsurumaru and Honebami finally parted to return to their duel stance. Both were heaving but were generally calm and composed.

"Your style has improved. But don't just focus on my left. There may come a time when you will fight against a (double hand?) swordsman. Make sure you can deflect and counteract their attacks from different angles. Surprise them-"

"-don't let the enemy surprise you." Honebami finished.

Tsurumaru smirked, "That's right. Now-" He lifted his sword in a threatening manner, "Again."

Ichigo had just finished cleaning after his younger brothers when he heard the maids arrive. They were always on time to help with the dishes of their breakfast meals.

The maids were kind middle aged women. Although they were sweet and helpful, they never once got too smitten with the younger princes. On the contrary, they always treated the princes with respect. If Ichigo could describe it, their relationship with the princes could be depicted as tutors and students instead of mothers and sons.

They never once looked at the princes as their children despite the four youngest princes being too young to remember their mother's touch. Ichigo respected that. Because Hakata, Akita, Gokotai, Maeda and Hirano often referred to Ichigo as their mother. If the maids were to act motherly towards them, perhaps the younger princes wouldn't defer to Ichigo for everything. It made the eldest prince quite happy.

"We're here to assist you, Ichigo. Please, leave it to us."

Ichigo could never resist a helping hand, "Thank you so much."

He had a lot to do after all.

Once he was dressed for his princely duties, he started moving around the palace. They needed new beddings and curtains. Invitations had to be sent out for the royal ball to be held in 4 months. He had to request their tailor for new attires. And basically the planning of the ball. He could entrust some of the tasks to his brothers but he would still have to see through it till the end.

Ichigo walked by the corridors when he heard the clashing of swords. He walked to the nearest balcony and peeked over the stone edge. He smiled at the sight of his partner sparring with his brothers. It seemed they were taking turns fighting the white-haired prince when Yagen voiced how unfair it was that they were challenging someone as good as Ichigo himself. It was certain they would lose to Tsurumaru.

"Alright fine. Since you said it's not fair, why don't all of you come at me at once?"

Ichigo watched his brothers shrug. They always loved to gang up on him anyway. Tsurumaru wouldn't be such a different target. Tsurumaru's smug face was annoying them enough. Just as the proud prince was puffing out his chest, two of Gokotai's cubs ran through his legs, knocking him off his feet.

"GET HIM!" screamed Midare.

"Wait wait wait!" panicked the fallen prince.

Of course, his little brother-in-laws had no mercy. While Gokotai ran past them to chase after his cubs, Tsurumaru was tickled without pity on the soft grass. His laughter put a smile on Ichigo's face.

All of a sudden, there was a knock on the balcony glass door.

"Yes, Mary?" Ichigo greeted the maid out of the corner of his eye.

"An urgent letter arrived."

The maid passed him a red envelope with a shiny gold seal.

"Thank you."

She bowed politely and left.

Ichigo studied the gold seal, fingers tracing its shape. It was the United Allies' seal. Ichigo got slightly distracted by Midare's squeal and Atsu's shouts. It seemed Tsurumaru had gained the upper hand and was chasing his younger brothers around the garden. He watched them for a short while longer before he left the premises. The letter needed to be opened in his father's presence.

Unbeknownst to Ichigo, Tsurumaru saw him. And the letter.

Two knocks were heard by the king, along with the voice of his first born, "Father, the allies have sent us a letter."

"Come in Ichigo."

The eldest prince welcomed himself and went to stand by his father's desk. He cautiously opened the letter and read its contents, "It seems there is to be another strategical gathering regarding our new defence system. There are kingdoms that wish to provide a… 'better' solution."

The king beckoned for the letter from his son. And surely, what he read was a much complicated and a rather unpleasing arrangement of words compared to how Ichigo had sugar-coated it when he summarized the contents.

The king sighed, "I am no longer fit to attend these gatherings."

He caught the slight discomfort in his son's stance and the expression on his face. He could read all his sons like a book with Ichigo having the easiest story.

"I know how things went down a few times before but you are more than ready Ichigo."

Usually, Ichigo would reply with 'I understand' but….he just stood there looking uneasy instead. Ichigo even turned his head to look away. It was the first time the eldest prince ever showed a hint of rebel.

They were disturbed by the door creaking open and a sheepishly smiling Tsurumaru peeking his head through the gap, "…Sorry I overheard and I was wondering if I could intrude."

Ichigo's face immediately light up at the sight of his knightly prince, "You're always welcome to intrude."

Tsurumaru came in and kissed Ichigo casually on the cheek before he faced the king, "Permission to speak freely, father."

"Granted."

"I could go in your place."

"What?" synced Ichigo and his father.

Tsurumaru shrugged, "I've never attended the United Allies meetings but I have attended other strategical meetings with my brother. Heck we even replaced our dad most of the time. That old man is lazy as hell."

"Tsurumaru..!" scolded Ichigo.

"What? It's true. Just tell me the original defence system and I can conclude whether the changes they suggest will enhance the chances of success or bring the whole team down. Easy peasy."

The king rubbed his chin, "Well he is an Awataguchi now."

"You are serious." Concluded Ichigo.

"Very much so. Do you have faith in him?" asked the king.

Ichigo looked into Tsurumaru's excited eyes, "…yes."

"Good. Then, it's settled. Let's go to the archives." The King stood up from his seat and made his way out.

"Wait, the archives?"

Ichigo chuckled, "If you're going to speak on our behalf, you have to know the defence system from the inside out."

"But I thought the defence system was subdivided into divisions. Shouldn't I just memorize 'our' division?"

The king bellowed with laughter, "Tsurumaru, what do you think the creator of the defence system has to know before the meeting tomorrow evening?"

"The whole defence system? And how everyone's opinion will affect it?"

"Exactly. That's your task."

Tsurumaru's eyes widened. He turned to Ichigo, "I'm going to be sitting on the high chair tomorrow?"

"Yes." Ichigo nodded.

"No wonder you didn't want to go."

Ichigo's smiled fell, "That's…not exactly my reason…"

"Then why?"

"…I-"

"We're here!" interrupted the king.

The archives was just a few rooms away from the king's favourite study.

He pushed both his son and his son-in-law into the musky brown room filled with valuable maps and layouts of the United Allies' kingdoms, books of their history and lineage, and lastly, the endless war strategies that were passed down from kingdom to kingdom.

"Have a good time studying."

"You won't be joining us?" Tsurumaru asked curiously.

"Ichigo can teach you better than I can."

"Right. Old age and stuff. I understand."

After the king left them, Ichigo started taking out various large scrolls of paper from the shelves. He found everything so effortlessly that it only took a few seconds before he had all that they needed.

Tsurumaru cleared out the large brown table in the middle of the room to help Ichigo lay out the scrolls.

"There are 12 kingdoms in the United Allies. Each of them were assigned with a different strategy. I'll prepare you only for tomorrow's meeting because if you wanted to learn the whole 37 variation, it would take you at least a few weeks."

Tsurumaru breathed in and out to clear his mind, "How does your father even memorize all this?"

Ichigo smiled warmly, "More like how could he not."

Tsurumaru was a little taken aback. There was something behind those words. But before he could pry, something caught his sight at the edge of the first scroll.

"Is that…. A doodle?"

Ichigo turned to where Tsurumaru was pointing, "Oh that. Yes. Yagen drew on the scroll when he was just 8. Atsu joined him too as you can see."

"That's adorable oh my god." Tsurumaru traced the small drawings. He could tell them apart by the colour and style of drawing.

"Shall we begin?"

"Bring it on."

Tsurumaru had to try his hardest not to suddenly retreat from the United Allies gathering. There were so many strategies. And after memorizing each division, he had to memorize how the kingdoms' troops would act cohesively if an enemy attacked. That was all he had to do which was easy compared to learning all 37 variations of it. There were other strategies including natural disasters, treason in the troops, aerial attacks, and many more situations.

Ichigo's explanations were thorough and clear. It would actually be hard NOT to memorize. Tsurumaru was just scared he would confuse one kingdom from the other. Hakata and Akita sent their lunch while Nakigitsune and Namazuo sent them dinner. The two married princes never left the archives.

A few hours after the Sun went down, Ichigo quietly fell asleep on one of the chairs in the room. Tsurumaru was too busy rolling up and laying out scroll after scroll to realize that Ichigo had dozed off. Eventually, when it got too quiet, Tsurumaru looked around for his prince.

He smiled at Ichigo's bopping head as he slept in a sitting position.

Tsurumaru chuckled. He gently lifted Ichigo into his arms and did his best to not jerk the sleeping prince too hard. Luckily, he didn't encounter much trouble carrying the prince to their room. He expected Ichigo to rouse when Tsurumaru undressed him but the eldest prince was out like a light.

With Tsurumaru around, none of the younger brothers dared to come into their room since Tsurumaru was 'sleeping' with him, so Ichigo started the habit of sleeping half naked. He liked it. And so did Tsurumaru. Ichigo's skin was nice to draw on when Tsurumaru held him in his sleep.

With a final tug, Tsurumaru managed to take off all of Ichigo's clothes, leaving on only his undergarment. He pulled the blanket over his resting prince and kissed his forehead goodnight.

Back at the archives, Tsurumaru was surprised to see the king himself looking over the scrolls.

"Not sleeping tonight?" asked the king.

Tsurumaru laughed, "No I guess not. It's not that much but I want to master it on my fingertips."

"That's good."

"How do you still memorize all these anyway?"

"I don't."

"Wait. What."

The king pulled the 12th scroll that had Midare's cute scribbles and Honebami's detailed war plans at the top.

"Only Ichigo knows each of these scrolls. He followed me to almost every United Allies' gatherings. He prepares proper notes and visual aids to help me determine whether the new input is worth adding to our near perfect system."

Tsurumaru looked confused, "Then…why is he so adamant not to go?"

The king's expression turned dark, "A few years ago, when the defence system was first introduced, I was praised with great honour. And when the kings added suggestions, it was hard for me to keep up. That's when Ichigo voiced out whose idea was worthy and whose were pointless or degrading to the system."

The king sighed, "He was only 15 at the time. In a room of 12 kings, 11 of them scrutinized him, raised their voices at him for his immature opinion and insolence. I defended him but I could only go so far. They do not know that Ichigo was responsible for the system. But he knew it better than anyone."

Tsurumaru was stunned, "Why didn't you just tell them?!"

"Would you, as a king, have believed me?"

Tsurumaru froze.

"If you didn't know my sons, would you believe that my 15-year-old son could design a whole defence system for 12 kingdoms with 37 different strategies?"

Tsurumaru looked down in shame and shook his head. Of course he wouldn't.

"Ichigo has been wary to attend the meeting ever since. He believes they still see him as an immature prince who cannot wait to overthrow me."

"That's awful…"

The king nodded solemnly. But at the sight of the tiny drawings and scribbles on the scroll, he smiled, "Did Ichigo tell you what these drawings are?"

"Pfft yeah. The little ones drew that huh?"

"Yes. But did he tell you why they were never erased?"

Tsurumaru's eyes widened.

Ichigo helped Tsurumaru put on his coat outside his waiting carriage, "Have a safe journey."

"Oh no, you're coming with me."

"…what? No I'm not. They only asked for one representative."

"And as the speaker for the creator of the defence system, I have the right to bring an escort."

"Yes, but I thought you didn't want me- Wait. No. I don't want to go." Ichigo crossed his arms.

"Ichigo. You're coming with me."

"No."

"Last chance."

"No-"

Before Ichigo could argue, Tsurumaru bent down and hoisted Ichigo over his shoulder.

"Tsurumaru! PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!"

Tsurumaru waved to his brother-in-laws who happily stood at the bottom of the staircase despite their brother's reluctance to attend the meeting.

Gokotai tugged Nakigitsune's pants, "Is Ichi-nii going to be alright?"

Maeda tilted his head, "Doesn't he need our help?"

Hirano shrugged, "Nah, they're just joking around."

The brothers saw Ichigo flail in the carriage.

"…I think." Hirano finished.

The great 12 kings of the United Allies all had their own personality and…charisma. In the 15 years of their alliance, the latest meeting would be the first meeting where 2 of the original kings were replaced by their eldest prince; Mikazuki Munechika and Ichigo Hitofuri.

….sort of.

The kings were seated, ready for the meeting to start but until the 'king' in the high chair said they could start, none of them had a say in it.

In the meeting room, Tsurumaru sat casually on his chair, flipping through papers. Nothing unusual there except there was a fuming flustered Ichigo standing beside him, whispering, "Tsurumaru! Stop being so childish! Just start already!"

Tsurumaru on the other hand, had no problem with voicing out, "Well, until you do as I say, it seems this meeting will start later than expected."

"You wouldn't dare hold these kings here for too long."

Tsurumaru put the papers down and smirked at Ichigo, "Try me."

Mikazuki who sat on the first seat on Tsurumaru's right, merely smiled when Ichigo's pout was replaced with a face of defeat.

Everyone watched as Ichigo Hitofuri, eldest prince of the Awataguchi kingdom, sit on Tsurumaru's lap awkwardly. His face was cherry red from embarrassment.

"That won't do, you'll be uncomfortable."

Tsurumaru maneuvered Ichigo on his lap so that Ichigo's legs were dangled over his left arm rest and his lower back was leaning on the right arm rest. Tsurumaru's hands wrapped around Ichigo's back and over his knees, just as he originally wanted his prince to sit.

"There. Now we can start."

Tsurumaru professionally handled the introduction and addressing the matters that were to be discussed that evening.

And before things got serious, one of the kings politely inquired, "May I know which of you is the qualified speaker on King Awataguchi's behalf?"

Tsurumaru scoffed, "What do you mean which? There's only me. I'm his son-in-law, Prince Tsurumaru Kuninaga and I will speak in my father-in-law's place as his eldest prince."

"But what about Prince Ichigo?"

"What Prince Ichigo?" Tsurumaru questioned back.

The room was as confused as Prince Ichigo himself. Ichigo looked to Tsurumaru but the prince showed no signs of joking around. He was deadly serious.

"Now then, we are gathered here to discuss the new arrangements. Fire away. Start with the first seat on my left."

Seat after seat, the kings voiced their dissatisfaction and new ideas to improve the system. Tsurumaru diligently noted each opinion. Ichigo seemed reluctant at first but he eventually participated by correcting some of Tsurumaru's points.

He even whispered, "That's not what he meant." Ichigo scribbled new points to which Tsurumaru tilted his head at.

"That makes more sense."

"Mm."

It was a complete two hours when all the kings had finished. It ended with Mikazuki who simply suggested new weaponry for five kingdoms that had requested a change of position during an enemy attack.

"They would do better with light but useful weapons if they want to move quickly enough to set up the first line of defence." Mikazuki voiced.

"Noted." Tsurumaru assured.

With all the kings done, Tsurumaru sat back and looked over his and Ichigo's scribbles. He had his own opinions regarding the new changes and whether or not they were possible but before he put in his say, he wrapped his arm around Ichigo's torso, "What say you, Ichigo?"

"…what?"

"What's your opinion on the changes?" Tsurumaru asked, genuinely seeking his input.

Ichigo gulped. He turned to the kings. Some of them rolled their eyes but half the room seemed eager to hear his opinion; at least he think they did.

Tsurumaru nudged Ichigo's face with his own, a comforting gesture for the prince to speak his mind.

With another gulp, Ichigo began, "The idea to change the weaponry is good. It should be accompanied with a change of light armoury as well. Then,… King Samonji suggested his men to defend the right wing of the land but that will clash with King Horikawa's aerial attack, so that idea will be declined."

King Samonji looked furious and was about to burst but Tsurumaru raised his palm at the man with a dark glint in his eyes; daring the king to rage.

He nudged Ichigo to continue. Tsurumaru knew Ichigo had more to say.

"As I was saying," Ichigo breathed in to steady himself, "-that idea will be declined. But King Aoe's suggestions of increasing aerial counters in the left wing would allow King Horikawa to move his men there instead, thus allowing King Samonji to handle the right wing." Ichigo turned to King Horikawa, "You also suggested that your division be moved closer to the left wing for faster access. If I am correct, this is due to the mountain path to the right wing being destroyed during last month's snowstorm, is it not?"

"That is correct." Nodded King Horikawa.

The kings were speechless. King Horikawa never once mentioned it. But Ichigo simply 'predicted' it. Some of them didn't even know the path was destroyed.

Tsurumaru chuckled, "Well, King Horikawa, King Aoe and King Samonji. Does the exchange in position satisfy your argument and suggestions?"

The three kings glanced at each other with satisfied faces, "Yes."

"Hahahaha! That's very surprising!" Tsurumaru sarcastically laughed. He gained all the kings' attention.

"You were listening to this person on my lap? I could've sworn Ichigo Hitofuri wasn't here today! That's how it's always been right?"

"Where are you getting at, Prince Tsurumaru? You are sounding awfully rude." Scolded King Osafune.

"I'm rude?" Tsurumaru rolled his eyes, "I thought none of you would listen to him! As far as I'm concerned, Ichigo Hitofuri is a merely immature prince whom you all failed to give attention to all these years, no?"

By their expression, he knew he had hit the nail on the head. They knew what event he was referring to.

King Horikawa waved his hand in their defence, "That was different-"

"How so? Enlighten me." Tsurumaru cut him off.

King Rai scoffed, "That happened years ago. Of course he was still immature. Now-"

"He's just as mature as he was when all of you cornered him. Did any of you even bothered listening to what he had to say that time like you did today?" Tsurumaru finished in a deadly tone.

At their silence, Tsurumaru suddenly slammed his balled fist on the table, channeling his anger through the table's vibrations, "King Awataguchi never said it out loud because he believed NONE of you would believe what I'm about to say."

Tsurumaru turned to Ichigo. The eldest prince was looking at him with awe and appreciation.

"I'll do for you what your father never did." Whispered Tsurumaru to Ichigo alone.

"Do you know the names of the people who designed the defence system you have all been diligently abiding to all these years?" Tsurumaru asked out loud.

There were no answers.

"It was not King Awataguchi." Tsurumaru smiled, "Defence System Division 1, designed by Yagen Toushirou and Atsushi Toushirou, aged 8. Defence System Division 2, designed by Midare Toushirou, aged 8. Defence System Division 3, designed by Maeda Toushirou, aged 5. Defence System Division 4, designed by Honebami Toushirou, aged 12. Defence system…." He went on and on with accurate names and ages of the Awataguchi brothers when they first doodled on the scrolls just as how King Awataguchi had told him the night before.

All of them had designed it. Each drawing and scribbles on the scrolls were kept because it was their bright ideas that inspired each strategy. Ichigo had simply asked them what they would do if they were engaged in war. The younger ones didn't even know what it meant but joined their brothers in drawing on the scrolls anyway.

"…and lastly," Tsurumaru took a breath, ", the one who compiled all these ideas and designs, turning them into impenetrable defence forces is..."

Tsurumaru turned to Ichigo with proud eyes and a gentle smile, "The charming prince on my lap, Ichigo Hitofuri Toushirou, when he was 15 years old."

He then turned to the room of baffled kings, "If you don't believe me, ask him anything about your division. I guarantee you he can answer better than his own father whom has been referring to him for pointers. So the next time you want to question a prince's immaturity, get your sources right. Ichigo knows everything that is going on in your kingdoms through word of mouth from his village and grocers. Unlike any of you who don't even bother with other kingdoms' problems unless it threatens you."

Satisfied by the shameful looks on the kings' faces, Tsurumaru happily hugged Ichigo, "Glad that's over and clarified with! So, can we continue with the other suggestions, Ichigo?"

Tsurumaru didn't notice that Ichigo was blushing and had shrunk his body on Tsurumaru's lap due to the generous credit he had finally gotten for his hard work.

Ichigo looked up at Tsurumaru and smiled sweetly with a light red tinge on his cheeks. He took one of the papers to hide the kings' view of them as he leaned up to give his partner a full kiss on the lips much to Tsurumaru's surprise.

"..thank you." Ichigo said breathlessly after parting from their slightly-longer-than-expected public kiss.

It was Tsurumaru's turn to blush furiously. To think his cute little prince had the guts to kiss him in the presence of the Kings of the United Allies. It's not like the meeting was their wedding or something for such an open kiss.

Ichigo cleared his throat and put the paper down. The kings were blushing too but Ichigo ignored them and sorted the papers in front of him to continue with the suggestions. As Ichigo spoke, Mikazuki nudged Tsurumaru's leg with a smug look on his face. Tsurumaru kicked him back.

It took at least 4 hours to sort everything out. By the last hour, Tsurumaru handled it alone because Ichigo was already sleeping on his lap. He fought to stay awake so hard but Ichigo couldn't stand how comfortable Tsurumaru's body was. Tsurumaru didn't mind. And the kings that did mind, merely turned a blind eye.

Some of the kings still fought for their suggestions even when Ichigo said so otherwise. Those were put aside for later. And that's what was happening during the final hour before the meeting ended.

Tsurumaru properly debated in a civilized manner but when King Kanesada started raising his voice and stirring Ichigo awake, Tsurumaru knew he had gone too far. Out of anger, Tsurumaru expertly threw a coin to his head without waking the sleeping prince on his lap, "Be quiet and start maturing up. You're a king for crying out loud, please at least pretend I'm the same status as you. Your suggestion WILL drive the North West wing to suicide. That's what Ichigo didn't want to say. Now sit down, think about whether what Ichigo said is valid and come talk again when you think so otherwise."

The king slowly sat down. It seemed realization had struck him when he thought about the consequences of moving his troops and changing his division.

Tsurumaru sighed and moved on to the next recurring issue with King Kotetsu.

While the king argued with his own points, Mikazuki whispered to his younger brother, "Why throw a coin? You have other tid bits to throw."

Tsurumaru whispered back, "It was actually bribe to shut him up. It seems to be working."

The two brothers shared a chuckle or two as the meeting went on for another 45 minutes.

By the end of it, everyone had reach to a consensus and the new defence system designs would be delivered properly to each kingdom after Tsurumaru had compiled all recent changes.

"This gathering is adjourned." Ended the young prince.

He carefully carried Ichigo as they all stood up to bow to each other.

On the way back home, Tsurumaru still had Ichigo on his lap in the carriage. He smiled at his sleeping prince. King Awataguchi had informed him that ever since the meetings were moved to the evenings, Ichigo had been reluctant to go because once midnight strike, he would be fast asleep.

Tsurumaru told the king not to worry anymore. Because in the coming meetings, two people would sit in the high chair whether the kings of the United Allies liked it or not. Tsurumaru kissed Ichigo's forehead, letting out his proudness and awe in that audible kiss. Ichigo was spectacular that day. His authority and confidence boosted in just a split second after their embarrassing open kiss. Ichigo's voice and calculative face was also a bonus compared to having Ichigo sit on his lap for 6 hours straight.

Tsurumaru hugged Ichigo in a precious hold. He couldn't wait for the next meeting.

Author's Note:

Ichigo totally scolded his dad for telling Tsurumaru about the origin of the designs but kisses him on the cheek later on as thank you.

The only thing Tsurumaru enjoyed about the meeting was having Ichigo's butt on his lap + Ichigo's kiss + Ichigo's expressions + Ichigo's authority voice. That's it.