First off I want to thank God again for creating me and my co-writer StormWolf77415 and for giving us whatever talent we have.
"Oh look, it's the little mouse again," the raven haired one said.
"Afternoon ladies," Momo said politely as she passed.
"Ah, so what do you want?" Caroline asked in a snooty tone.
"Just on my way to the king's chambers to deliver these pastries and extra setting," Momo said.
"Humph, like the king would want a little plain thing like you. He wants a real woman" Catherine purred, squeezing her breasts for emphasis, making Momo just a little uncomfortable.
"Actually he is having tea with his sister and this time his brother-in-law, which is why they need an extra setting," Momo said trying to scoot past the women.
"Fine then, be gone!" Caroline snapped.
Momo left and made it back to the king's chambers, knocking on the door.
"Come in," Sousuke called out.
Momo entered with the tray. "I brought the pastries you like, sorry for my lateness," Momo apologized.
"It's quite alright," Masaki smiled.
"I got the impression that your suitors don't like me or seem to have the wrong idea about me," Momo commented setting up the extra setting.
"What idea is that?" Isshin asked.
"They seem to think I'm a rival," Momo said.
"That's silly," Masaki replied.
"I know. Is there anything else you all need?" Momo asked.
"I don't believe so," Sousuke replied, "and don't worry about the suitors. I'll keep them off your back."
"Thank you, sire," Momo said curtsying and leaving to finish her chores.
Dressed in her warm winter clothes Orihime stood in front of a stall containing a white horse with gray speckles feeding her a few sugar cubes and stroking her mane. "There, there, girl. Did you miss me? I missed you too," she said when the horse grunted and nodded her head.
"You ready?" Ichigo asked, leading the reins of his black horse, Zangetsu.
"Ready, when she is," Orihime answered, when the horse nodded her head again and neighed, Orihime lead her out. "I guess Silver and I are ready," Orihime answered.
"Then let's go!" Ichigo said, mounting Zangetsu.
"OK, then," Orihime said doing the same. The two rode through the snowy forest. Not saying much. Zangetsu stamped its foot and grunted.
"There, there, girl," Orihime said soothingly petting Silver when they stopped.
"It's alright, Zangetsu's just a little eager to get out." Ichigo replied.
"That, is understandable," Orihime said continuing to stroke Silver.
"The old man and I have been through a lot together. He's brought me home when any other horse would have killed me." Ichigo showed some genuine love for the black quarter horse.
"I see that. I know the feeling, Silver is the same way with me," Orihime admitted.
"Shall we run?" Ichigo asked.
"I don't know if that is a good idea with all these patches of ice," Orihime reasoned.
"Never mind then," Ichigo replied, as an icy wind blew through the woods.
"Let's get back to the palace. See Momo about some hot chocolate."
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Orihime answered.
Once back at the palace, they returned their horses to the stables, and went back into the castle and into the kitchen where Momo was already preparing some hot chocolate.
"You read our minds!" Ichigo replied.
"Lucky guess, I was told by your uncle that you two probably wouldn't be gone too long since there is snow on the ground, and that when you guys did you would probably want something warm. And also the suitors were complaining about the cold, but I am happy to serve you two first," Momo answered.
"What are the suitors like?" Orihime asked.
"Pretty, but mean," Momo answered serving the teens.
"I best get them their drinks now. Have a nice time," Momo said dismissing herself and leaving with the three drinks.
"Good luck!" Orihime called out. "So, shall we go to the library?"
"Sure," he said.
Momo entered the library where the three women were waiting for her in front of the fireplace, Caroline was dressed in red, Catherine in green, and Jessica in dark blue.
"Finally! it took you long enough to get here!" Jessica scowled as usual.
"I apologize, my lady," Momo said her cheeks going pink like her outer wear.
"Let it go, Jessica. She's here," Caroline said, "Ah, you're an Inoue, aren't you"?"
"Yes I am," Orihime answered.
"Hmm, you look like your mother. She was quite the charmer," Catherine added.
"Thank you," Orihime said blushing.
"Are you all well ladies?" Sousuke asked, and all three women immediately set their hungry eyes on the king.
"Majesty," Momo greeted curtsying politely.
"Your majesty" Orihime added.
"Is there anything I can get for you?" Momo offered.
"No, we're fine." Catherine cut in.
"Majesty?" Momo asked a little taken aback by the redhead's reaction to the simple question.
"We'll speak later," Sousuke said.
"OK, sire, what time would you like to speak and where?" Momo asked.
"Perhaps tomorrow."
"Yes sire," Momo said dismissing herself.
"Your majesty, can we discuss serious matters now?" Caroline asked.
"Perhaps, we should leave," Orihime said getting up. Ichigo and Orihime excused themselves quietly.
"Shall we go see how the birds are doing?" Orihime asked.
"Sure" Ichigo replied. "Momo, like to join us?"
"Oh, I would love to but I have to tend to some more rooms since we are expecting some more nobles and their servants, sorry," Momo informed declining apologetically.
"I think you can take a day off," Masaki said. "Go and have fun."
"Are you sure about that, ma'am?" Momo asked.
Masaki nodded, "go," she said.
"Thank you ma'am," Momo said joining the other two teens.
"Hey, pal." Ichigo picked up a peregrine falcon on the perch, stroking the feathers.
"Hello Kitty," Orihime said addressing her hawk.
"Hello, sir and my lady," Momo said respectfully as she curtsied and entered.
"Hi Momo." Ichigo replied before speaking to his falcon, "Hey Dack, ready to go hunt."
"Ichigo, are you sure that's such a good idea in this weather?" Orihime asked.
"I was kidding."
"Well some fresh air may do them some good and if there is a blizzard they may not have a chance for exercise in a long while," Momo pointed out politely.
"Thanks," Ichigo said, just a little smug.
"I suppose you're right," Orihime agreed.
"Shall we take them hunting then?" Momo asked.
"Sure."
So the three teens went out to the forest with the two game birds.
Dack squawked as Ichigo let him chase after a squirrel.
Kitty cried out as she went after a rabbit.
"Nice job, Dack. You almost had him," Ichigo commented to his partner.
"Good girl, Kitty. Maybe next time," Orihime said stroking her bird.
Dack cocked its head, flaring wings slightly, as if wanting something from Momo.
"What's the matter?" Momo asked.
"I think he's hungry," Ichigo frowned, "I knew I forgot to bring some treats with us."
"No problem, I brought some," Orihime said getting out her pouch.
"Thanks Hime," he said affectionately.
"It was nothing," Orihime said blushing.
"I have a tendency to forget little things like that."
"It's alright, that's why I'm around," Orihime said handing him a treat.
"Here, Momo. I think Dack wants you to feed him anyway." Momo took the treat and fed it to the bird who took it happily.
"I think he likes you." Ichigo said.
"Really?" Momo asked.
"He's picky about whom he lets handle him." Ichigo commented.
"I see," Momo said looking at the bird. Dack bobbed his head in comical fashion.
"He's quite comedian, aren't you?" Ichigo said. Making the girls laugh. Dack playfully nipped his finger.
The snow started falling. "We should get back" Orihime noted.
"Well at least both Dack and Kitty got some exercise," Momo said.
"You were right that was a good idea, Momo," Orihime said as they were heading back to the castle.
"Thank you," Momo said.
The snow fall increased into a blizzard causing everyone in the castle to need more wood and blankets. The lady suitors gave Momo a particularly hard time.
"These blankets are too thin and scratchy! Get me some new ones!" Jessica snapped. "And bring us some food and wine as well."
"Yes ma'am," Momo said rushing off to get the blankets, returning with them before rushing off to get the food and wine that was requested.
"Anything else you need ma'am?" Momo asked.
"No, just get them," Catherine added, "Make my mine some Zinfandel."
"Yes, ma'am, Momo said rushing off to get the wine and bringing it back. "Anything else?" Momo asked politely.
"Just be quick!" Caroline replied.
"Yes ma'am," Momo said, rushing off and getting the requested items and returning with them.
"Hmph, not the best, but it'll do," Jessica scowled, "Now get out of my sight."
"Yes, ma'am," Momo said leaving.
"Those three really get on my nerves." Ichigo muttered.
"I know, but they do keep me busy, and that's what I'm here for," Momo said trying to sound cheery.
"My uncle wants to see you. Don't ask me why?" the prince replied.
"OK, thank you sir," Momo said rushing off to see what the king needed. She knocked on the door to the king's chambers.
"Come in," Sousuke replied.
"You wanted to see me sire?" Momo asked a little shakily as she entered.
"I just wanted to see if you were well."
"Thank you sire, I am well. Why wouldn't I be?" Momo asked.
"I know the suitors have been giving you trouble. I was going to offer to let you stay here for the night."
"Well they do keep me on my toes, but that's what I'm here for. That is very kind of you but why is that?" Momo asked a little confused.
"I know those three have been overwhelming you lately. I was making sure you didn't want to regress again."
"That is very kind of you sire, but I don't want to be a burden," Momo said.
"I insist," Sousuke said.
"If that is an order..." Momo said trailing off.
"No, just a request."
"Thank you sire, that is very kind of you. If it will make you feel more at ease than I shall stay," Momo answered.
"Thank you for that," Sousuke replied.
"I have some tea, if you're interested," Sousuke offered.
"Thank you, sire," Momo said as the king poured them each a cup.
"May I ask you a question, sire?" Momo asked.
"Of course," Sousuke replied.
"What did the lady suitors want to talk to you about earlier?" Momo asked.
"They were pleading their cases for why I should choose them. It's nothing new to me."
"I see. What did you think of them?" Momo asked.
"Jessica is too loud for my taste. Catherine...she's interesting. Caroline's got something planned. I know women like her."
"Well maybe things will change and you will see a side to one of them that you like," Momo said taking a sip of tea.
"I don't know. I think I'd have to find someone better."
"With all due respect sire, we all have our faults, you can't expect to find someone flawless with the exception of Jesus and Mary," Momo pointed out taking another sip of her tea.
"If I had to pick someone. I'd want a woman like you," Sousuke said.
Momo was so taken aback by this that she found herself choking on her tea, Sousuke moved to help her.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"That is quite alright thank you sire. It's just that..." Momo trailed off coughing.
"In the time we've met. I've felt myself grow to you of all people. You remind me so much of my late wife when she was young."
"Thank you sire, that is very kind of you. But aren't there rules? Isn't a king suppose to marry either a virgin or a widow of noble birth?" Momo asked.
"I AM the king. I think I could bend the rules as I see fit."
Momo was so taken aback by what he was saying.
"Even so sire, shouldn't you at least give these women a chance, get to know them individually before you make any decisions?" Momo asked once she finally got her voice back.
"Perhaps, but, I think they'll have some competition now."
Momo blushed deeply at this.
"From a commoner? Who has nothing to offer?" Momo pointed out.
"You have more than you realize, little one. You'll understand when the time comes. Now it's time for bed." Sousuke said.
"Yes sire," Momo said. As she was getting ready for bed the king took a peak at her, taking pleasure in watching as she let her hair down and watching as it cascaded down her back.
"You can have the bed, as before."
"Thank you sire. Won't you be taking the other side?" Momo asked.
"If you wish me to."
"Yes, I do since I don't want my king to be tired the next day," Momo stated getting on her knees beside the bed. After they said their prayers they both crawled into bed on their respective sides.
"Good night, Momo."
"Good night, sire," Momo said in reply, and with that they both went to sleep.
Thank you for reading. Please review and God bless.
