To those that read the latest chap of "Secret", I may have lied about not being able to update much, but fair warning, I really should have been doing homework instead of writing this chapter. :P

As always, I hope you all enjoy.

-Zero

Shout out to CJNOV who requested the pairing. I feel like there wasn't much of them, but I really did try my best. I might even do a continuation of this chap if it wasn't enough.

Next Pairings: Maki x Nico, Eli x Umi, Nozomi x Nico, Anju x Umi, Maki x Umi


My Princess - Ch. 7

Paring: Tsubasa x Honoka

Rating: K

xXx

"Tsubasa-chan!" The little ginger yelled out the princess's name as she ran towards the other.

"Honoka-chan!"

The said person tackled the brunette to the ground, but instead of yelling at her, they both fell into fits of giggles and laughter.

The two young girls were the age of seven. From as far as they could remember, they practically grew up together. Every day they would always play with each other. Of course, they had others who would play with them too.

"Tsubasa-chan, let's go play!"

"Honoka-chan, you know you can't today. Besides won't your father get mad if you skip out on your sword training again?" The little princess questioned her friend, earning a small grimace from the other.

Honoka's father was the kingdom, no the world's strongest swordsman, and she like to brag about that. But when it came to learning swordsmanship, even her father wouldn't go easy on her. Then sooner or later, the ginger's mother would come to her rescue saying that she is still a child and needs to enjoy time having fun. Of course, her father would try and argue, but ultimately lose when her mother makes her infamous puppy face.

"Honoka." A deep, stern voice called her name. She knew the voice well; it belonged to no other than her father. Every fiber in her body stiffened knowing that she was going to be in big trouble. "There you are, I was looking for you."

"I-I'm sorry! I'll go straight back to practicing! Please don't be mad at me!"

Amber eyes blinked at the little girl. A small smile appeared on his face for his daughter's attitude before becoming stern again.

"If you understand then let's go. We've wasted enough time already."

"I know..." Honoka became dejected knowing she had to leave Tsubasa.

"Um...is it alright if I come too." Tsubasa approached Honoka's father. She would be lying if she said she wasn't intimidated by him. His dark colored hair made his sharp citrine eyes glow with a piercing look. But behind all of that, Tsubasa knew he was a caring man who loves those he care for, including her.

Honoka's father pondered on the thought and decided there would be no harm. "If that is what you wish Princess, then you are welcomed to come and watch." There were two reasons to why he let her go. One, she was the princess. The other reason...well...he has a hard time saying no to anyone who uses a puppy face.

"Yay!" She beamed at Honoka, who was just as happy.

xXx

"Straighten up your posture." Honoka's father commanded the younger girl.

"Yes sir!" Honoka gulped before straightening up. She didn't want to make a completely fool of herself in front of her father, and definitely not in front of Tsubasa.

As the man returned to observing other students in the training room, Honoka wanted to prove Tsubasa what she was capable of.

"You're holding the sword incorrectly again Honoka." Once again (more like the tenth time), her father corrected her of her mistakes.

"I had enough! I don't want to learn swordsmanship anymore!" Honoka threw down her wooden sword and pouted. It was making her frustrated, and at the same time embarrassed.

"Honoka-"

"Captain Sonoda! Urgent news from the king!" A man dressed in the royal armor came running in the training room and saluted. "He and your father wish for you to come to the castle immediately."

"Understood." The blue haired man turned to his students. "Training for today is going to end early. You are all dismissed."

Everyone began putting up their equipment and chatted with each other. Honoka and Tsubasa, being the youngest present, weren't really aware of the situation.

"Honoka, go and find your mother. You are to not go anywhere without her. Am I understood?" Stern amber orbs met with his daughter's blue eyes. She nodded, knowing full well of the consequences if she didn't listen when he used that tone.

"Ushio-kun." A woman with ashen colored hair arrived at the scene. Her honey brown eyes full of concern for her husband.

"Kotori, please watch her, I'll return back for dinner." He gave his wife's hands a squeeze to reassure her that everything would be okay. "Princess Tsubasa, you will return with me back to the castle, the queen is probably worried about you too."

"Yes sir, bye bye Honoka-chan." She took his hand and waved goodbye to her best friend.

"Bye bye, Tsubasa-chan." The ginger returned the gesture while holding her mother's hand.


It was late when Honoka's father returned back from the castle. Throughout the day, the seven-year-old questioned her mother about why her father had to leave. After dinner, Honoka found her father alone in the dining room. He looked like he was in deep thought until he saw his little girl in the corner of his eye.

"Honoka, if you need something don't hide behind the corner." It was no surprise that she got caught. Sometimes she secretly thinks that her father has eyes in the back of his head.

"Daddy, why did you need to go to the castle? And why couldn't I come?"

Citrine met with sapphire before the older man sighed. He patted the seat beside him on the couch, gesturing for the little girl to sit beside him. When she did so, she sat close enough so she could hug him.

In truth, she wanted to apologize for throwing a tantrum during her training. Honoka knew her father was strict on her because he wanted what's best for her.

"Honoka, do you want to continue swordsmanship? If you don't, I won't make you train anymore, and you can go and play with your friends every day."

"Daddy, can you tell me why you practice swordsmanship?" The child wasn't sure why her father had asked that question, but she had always wondered what the man who raised her was thinking.

"I picked up the sword because I wanted to protect those that I love. Whether it's my king, my queen, or my princesses, I wanted to protect them from harm."

"Princesses? But Tsubasa doesn't have any sister?" Ushio chuckled at Honoka's comment and gently ruffled her hair.

"Tsubasa is not the only princess in my life. You and your mother are my princesses too. And that is why I will do whatever it takes to protect all of you."

"So does that mean if I practice enough then I can also protect Tsubasa-chan and Mommy too?"

"Yes, I'm sure if you work hard enough, you will be able to protect the ones you love too." Her father smiled softly at her. He looked up and found his wife smiling brightly at the both of them.

"Honoka-chan, it's time for you to go to bed. Go and get ready." Kotori walked in the room and asked for her daughter to prepare herself for bed.

"Okay." Their daughter gave them a toothy grin before leaving the room.

"How much did you hear?"

"Hmmm," The taupe haired woman put a finger to her chin. "all of it."

Ushio ducked his head in embarrassment as his wife hooked their arms together and leaned onto him. "I was afraid of that..."

"Hehe, you haven't changed one bit since we were young." Her smile soon turned into a frown. "Do you have to go?"

The blue haired man pulled her closer to him to feel her warmth. Taking a deep breath, the scent of cinnamon filled his lungs.

"They did enough when they crossed our boarders. Destroying a town and taking the lives of our people is going too far." He rested his head in the crook of her neck. "I have to go. For the safety of our kingdom. Our home."

Kotori pulled away and caressed her lover's cheek. "Promise me you'll return."

He pressed her hand closer and moved it towards his lips to kiss it. "I will do whatever it takes to come back to you." The bluenet removed her hand and gave her a kiss on her forehead.

The night was closing in on them. They both wished they could go back to the time of innocence like their daughter, but even then, that would do them no good it they were going to lose their home.

It was dawn when Honoka's father was to depart. She ran as fast as she could up the grassy hill; the princess was not far from behind l, chasing after her friend.

"Honoka-chan, wait for me!"

When the pair reached the top, they saw rows of soldiers being led by the swordsman.

Sapphire eyes glowed with determination as she sent off her father. The small ginger turned towards her princess.

"Tsubasa-chan, when I get older, I want to become stronger."

"What do you mean?" Emerald eyes twinkled with confusion.

"I want to be able to protect you, just like how Daddy wants to protect everyone else. So..." Honoka didn't understand why, but her cheeks began to heat up. "Will you wait for me to get stronger?"

The little princess smiled. "The only person I want to my knight is Honoka-chan."

Her words made the other feel like she was flying. "Then it's a promise. When we get older, I'll become your knight and protect you from the bad guys."

The two little girls intertwined their pinkies together. And a promise of the far future was made.