The Knight and the Damsel by Lianne Sabrina

Disclaimer: Lianne Sabrina do not own KHR characters (…cross her heart amen...)

Pairings: Adult Basil and Adult Haru

.::LINE BREAK::.

Miura Haru closes the book she's holding entitled Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets after she heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," she said and then a click of her door was heard next. Haru glances at the man enter the room and a smile automatically appears on her lips.

The handsome young man smiles at her, his blue eyes sparkles with very distinct happiness, he leans over her, cups her face with his warm hands and gave her a kiss on the forehead, on her nose and lastly on her lips which stays a little longer before kneeling down before her.

"Hey," he said and took the young woman's hands.

"Hi," she said and smiles. "How's the meeting?"

"It went good, Master and Lal-san went to Madrid for a mission for Sawada-dono," he said. The young woman giggles and leans over to her lover, rest her forehead into his'.

"My knight in shining armor sure is humble," Haru said teasingly earning a soft smile from the young man.

"Of course but I did miss my Pretty Damsel in Distress," he whispered back before leaning to her again, close the gap between their faces.

Haru chuckles in between responding her lover's kisses to her, she felt more than satisfied when she's inside the arms of this young man, the man who saves her, the man she calls her 'Knight on Shining Armor' and of course just like every damsel in distress she's deeply and madly in love with her knight right now.

.::LINE BREAK::.

Haru is being send to Italy for protection, escorted by her sworn enemy slash best friend, Gokudera Hayato, the tenth generation Vongola Storm Guardian.

"Ne Hayato," she poke the sleeping young man beside her, she knew too well that he's actually not sleeping though. The young man with silver hair grunted.

"What?"

"Should Haru really have to stay in Italy?" she said afterwards, Haru can almost imagine Hayato rolling his green eyes even if his eyes are closed, the Storm Guardian let out an exasperated sigh before opening his emerald eyes and gave her a lazy look.

"Yes, just like what I told you before that, and before that and before that," he reply in bored tone. Haru let out a sigh.

True, she had been asking that same question to her best friend for almost a hundred times already. Haru turn her eyes back at the round window, her eyes met scenery full of white clouds. Assuming that Haru already drop the topic, Hayato leans back to the head rest and tried to have some sleep, heck he's been widely awake for almost sixteen hours already!

"Haru... doesn't want to go to Italy..." she said after awhile. Hayato gave her a side long glance and he's not that dense to realize that she's already started to cry.

"Baka," (Stupid) he said, Haru jerk her head at Hayato. "You really are stupid,"

"Hahi! Haru is not stupid!" she puffs out her cheeks and glares at her best friend.

"Then don't act stupid, stupid!" Hayato retort back glaring back his airheaded best friend.

With a trembling lower lip, Haru glares at Hayato which the Storm Guardian responds with a sullen look. Hayato sigh as Haru sobs beside him. He then grabs her hand and squeezes it gently.

"Its not as if you're staying there forever, baka, as soon as the conflict with Shimon Family is finish I'll definitely come to pick you up," Hayato said in a low voice. Haru sniff and wipes the tears from her eyes and slowly leans her head on Hayato's shoulder.

"Uhn," she hums as she nods while she buries her face on her best friend's shoulder. Hayato roll his eyes and rest his head back to the head rest with a hand still holding Haru's hand.

.::LINE BREAK::.

Hayato gracefully climb off the limousine with Haru following behind him. Men in formal suits and women in European maid suits line up to greet Haru and Hayato, they all bow down to them in unison, in the end of the line of the helpers stands an old butler in formal suits. He bows down at Haru and Hayato and adjusts his eye glasses.

"Welcome to CEDEF headquarters Lady Haru and Master Hayato," he greeted with soft respect; his Italian accent is evident though his Japanese is almost flawless. Hayato walk towards the old man and speak with a fast Italian conversation with the Master Butler of the headquarters. Haru watches them interacts with a foreign language that she's not familiar with, although Hayato has been painstainkingly teaching her some Italian language, Haru saw the old man nodded at Hayato and gestures his hand to the main door of the large mansion before them.

"Come on Haru," Hayato tug Haru inside the headquarters. Hayato and Haru followed the old butler inside the mansion in front of them.

Haru let her best friend pulls her inside the mansion though her eyes wonder around them. It's a typical European style mansion enclose by a tall and thick wall for security purposes. The main gate is automated and situated next to the gate is a medium size guard house. In front of the mansion is a large and elegant fountain which design with three statues of ladies with stone clothes covering their private parts and also holding a basin which were some of the waters is falling. Located on the left side of the mansion is seem to be the large garage which houses multiple cars that includes the limousine that Haru and Hayato used just now. The outside is a lawn garden with trees surrounding the place and bushes with red roses surrounding the mansion.

Haru and Hayato enter the mansion and Haru eyes met a high ceiling open space with an elegant staircase in the middle. The interior of the mansion is great, much like the first class mansion in Italy. Haru glances up and saw a proud chandelier hanging just above the open space. The stair is carpeted with red and long carpet that starts in front of the twin oak door to each step of the stairs to the second floor.

The butler gestures his head to the staircase. Hayato nodded and pulls the mesmerizing Haru with him. Each side of the stair is a five maid's line up and bowing at them.

"Welcome," they said in unison. Haru wanted to greet them one by one but since Hayato is pulling her upstairs she just gave them a nod and a smile, silently thanking them for their formal greetings.

Hayato stops in front of the twin oak door, the old man butler knocks and opens the door for Hayato and Haru, still pulling his best friend, the Storm Guardian walk inside the room. Haru peeks inside the room and saw a somewhat meeting room of the said headquarters.

The room is large; a long table with ten leather swivel chair on each side of the table, in the end center of the table Haru saw a man with blonde hair seated on the high back swivel chair. The young lady recognizes the man as Sawada Iemitsu, Tsuna's Otou-sama, (Father) Iemitsu offers a small smile at Hayato and Haru, while the two approaches them.

"Oh! Gokudera-kun, Haru-chan, welcome to CEDEF Headquarters! How's the trip?" Iemitsu greeted cheerfully, he pointed his hand at the chairs on his right. The Storm Guardian greeted rather politely the father of his (.ehem) boss; Haru gave Iemitsu a smile and lightly bows at him.

Hayato occupied the swivel chair next to Tsuna's father while Haru took the chair second to Hayato's. Haru was lightly surprise to see two men and one woman across them, the young lady recognize the young man with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes next to Iemitsu, Haru gave him a small smile which he responded with a light bow.

"Ahh, yes, yes, let me introduce to you my comrades. Well I do know you two already met Basil?" Iemitsu said, Hayato and Haru nodded in unison. "then that's Turmeric," the black man nodded at Hayato and Haru. "And Oregano," the lady with eye-glasses smiles at Haru and slightly bows at Hayato. "Lal is in Japan assisting my son with this dispute between Shimon Family, right, Gokudera-kun?"

Hayato nod at Iemitsu. "Iemitsu-san, I assume Jyuudaime already told you about everything?" Hayato started.

"Yes, and I already gave Tsuna my insurance that Haru-chan will be safe here with us, until he settles the conflict between Vongola and Shimon families, Haru-chan will be under CEDEF's protection." Iemitsu turn his head to Basil.

"Basil, here will be Haru-chan's guardian for all the time she will be staying in our headquarters. I'm confident to Basil's skills for Haru-chan's safety."

Hayato nodded at Iemitsu and Basil. They discuss more about mafia topic and all the while Haru listen to them although the truth their word doesn't even sink in Haru's mind. The young lady drops her head down on her lap, and quietly waited for them to finish their discussions.

.::LINE BREAK::.

Haru clutches Hayato's sleeves as the young man with silver hair stares at the sobbing young lady before him. Haru doesn't want Hayato to go but the Storm Guardian needs to fly back to Japan since his Boss,
Tsuna, needed his assistance in taking care of the Shimon Family who's left and right killing the members of the Vongola family, directly or not directly involve.

Hayato ruffles Haru's hair before tugging his sleeves away from the lady's grip. Reluctantly releasing her best friend's sleeves from her grip, Haru sobs again before meeting the green eyes before her.

"I need to go, Jyuudaime needs me," he just said earning a light nod from the lady. Hayato gave Haru a kiss on the forehead before climbing on the limousine. Hayato presses down the window of the luxurious car.

"Ittekimasu," (I'll be going,) Hayato chanted, Haru just nodded at him. The limousine started to move forward away from the CEDEF mansion, Haru watches the car drives away from her. Staring at the road which the car drive off, Haru felt the cold wind blow through her body, unconsciously wrapping her arms around her after her body shivers because of cold, Haru gave a faint 'eep' after a warm thing brace her from behind.

Haru turn and saw Basil standing inches away from her, the young blonde man smiles at Haru which she reciprocates with a smile too.

"Let's go inside Miura-dono, it's getting chilly outside. You might catch colds," he said, holding put his hand at Haru. The young lady glances back at the road before accepting Basil's hand, she let him lead inside the mansion to her room.

.::LINE BREAK::.

Haru spends her first three days inside her room, she only goes out if Basil would knock and tells her that meals are already prepared. Haru flip her cell phone and reread the messages from her friends in Japan then she flips her phone again to close it. She rolls to her back and places an arm on her forehead and stares at her room's white ceiling.

Haru heard a knock and instantly knew who's outside her door, she lazily got up from the bed and walk towards the door. She looks over her digital clock sitting on top of her bedside table, its still two hours early for breakfast. She frowns and opens the door.

"Miura-dono," Basil greeted with a light bow.

"Good morning Basil-san and please call Haru by her name," Haru said and smile, Basil gave her a reluctant nod.

"H-Haru-san,"

"Yes?"

"I heard from Hayato-dono that you love reading books, would you like to come with me for a second?" Haru nods and follows Basil.

Basil stops in front of the twin door in cream color, he smiles at Haru first before turning the knob. Basil pushes the door revealing the other side of the door, Haru's jaw drop with awe as she roams her brown eyes around the room. It's a large library. Books. Books. Everywhere inside the room is book. Haru's sparkling eyes turn left and right, she spotted the nearest book shelf in the left, her feet automatically steps forward towards the shelf.

Haru pulls from the shelf a white pocket book entitled THE BRIDE by JULIE CARWOOD, Haru flip the back portion of the book and read the summary of the story, then she started to flip the first page until she reaches the thirtieth page of the said book. Haru giggles and continue to forgetting about her guardian behind her.

Basil stretches a smile while watching Haru reads the first book she had held. Basil's been awfully worried when Haru spends her three days inside her room, he tried offering her to stroll around the Madrid's famous spot but the young lady politely turn down the CEDEF-in-training. Basil receives a call from the Vongola tenth generation Storm Guardian and gave Basil a tip on how making Haru leaves her room and that is books, Basil decided to bring the young brunette to their Headquarters' library since he himself loves book.

Haru and Basil spends the whole day inside the library, exchanging thoughts about the books they have and haven't read. Haru was surprise on how knowledgeable Basil is about literature, Hayato read books too but not as much as she does and it's a different feeling talking to someone who love books the way she does. Basil talk about OG Mandino's book entitled the Twelve Angel, Haru listens intently.

"Oh wait," Basil suddenly said and leaves the room, both young adults are seated on the chair across each other. Haru flips the pocket book she's holding while waiting for the young man. Basil return after ten minutes with a small book held on his hand.

"What is that?" Haru pointed at the small book he's holding. Basil handed her the book.

"It's that book, that's a great story of OG Mandino. I'm sure you'll like it too,"

Haru's eyes sparkle with joy and gave the young man her sweetest smile. Basil felt his face heat up as Haru smiles at him, he timidly gave the young a lady a shy smile and scratches the back of his blonde head.

"Haru will sure read this book," Basil nodded.

.::LINE BREAK::.

Basil and Haru spends their time together, reading books, exchanging thought and critics. Most of their time they spend it either inside the library or in the gazebo on the Headquarters' garden with Haru seating on the swing with Basil beside her.

The smile on Basil's face plastered on his face throughout the CEDEF meeting. Last night while Haru reads the book to Basil, about a princess being saved by the handsome young Prince while riding his horse, Haru dreams about her own Knight in Shining Armor making the young man chuckles.

"Haru sure wants to meet her knight in shining armor," she mumbles with stars around her eyes, clasping her hands together. Basil's eyes soften as he watches the young lady dreams about her future savior.

"I'm sure you'll meet him soon. He must be handsome," he said.

"Haru doesn't need him to be handsome, he can be... uhh... he can be just Basil-san!" Haru blurted out, Basil blink twice, sinking in what she just said, Haru's face immediately turn red.

"W-well, I... I m-mean... that is... uhh..." Haru drops her head, fringes covering her red face. What is Haru's thinking? Haru started to play with her index fingers, twirling them in front of her while looking embarrass.

"Well if I'm gonna be the knight, will Haru-san be the princess whom I'm destined to save?" Haru giggles as blush creep across her face.

"Haru doesn't think she's suitable to be a princess. She's klutzy and unlady-like,"

"I won't say that, Haru-san is kind and sweet just like a princess should be," he said.

Haru squealed like a teen age girl while covering her red face. Basil chuckles at Haru while the lady hides away her shyness. Haru continues to read the story for Basil, all the while she imagines the two lovers are both her and Basil.

.::LINE BREAK::.

Haru groan, she suddenly felt a shot of headache, she tried to move her arms and legs but something restraining her. She moans again before she slowly opens her eyes, hey brown eyes met a dark room, she's currently laying down the dirty floor of the room with hands tied painfully behind her back, her feet is tightly tied with rope too, a cloth tied around her mouth preventing her from screaming, all she can do is muffles a desperate sound of help. She felt a stinging pain all over her body specially her left forearm. Flashes of hard wood that hits her forearms and then follow by a scream.

In great difficulty, she tried to get up, panting hard with cloth between her lips, Haru glances at her left forearm, she tried to move it only to moan because of pain. She remembers what happen last night after her abductor took her from the CEDEF mansion.

.::LINE BREAK::.

She's having a nap on the hammock Basil made for her while her guardian is on the meeting, apparently men of rival mafia family trespass the mansion but effortlessly stop by the expert members of the outside advisory group of the Vongola family and in desperation, seeing her sleeping defenseless on the hammock, they hastily grab her as a hostage to get away from the mansion and they succeeded.

One of the men, who are holding Haru, throws the young lady inside the room. Haru hits the wall of the room, she whimpers as her body collided to the wall. She slides down her body trying not to cry, she glares at the three men surrounding her. One of them, with muscular built and tattoos all over his arms, smirk maliciously at Haru, sending shivers through her spine. She crawls away from the muscular man, who bent down and leans his ugly face to Haru.

"Hey, this lady sure is cute, why not play with her first?" he said not leaving his malicious stares at Haru. The tallest among the three smirk.

"You can do anything to her since we don't be needing her anymore," he said and turn his back to the two leaving Haru with the two men alone.

"Hear the boss? Let's play along first. I promise I will be gentle to you," he said and hold out his hand to Haru, the young lady started to panic as she watches the hand of the man before her slowly approaching
her, in an instant she brushes off the hand before it touches her then her hand flew towards the face of the muscular man.

"Don't touch Haru!" she exclaims in between her anger and fear, the muscular man glares dangerously at Haru, and he abruptly grabs Haru by hair and pulls her closer to him.

"You bitch! That hurt!" he yells he tried to give Haru a rude kiss on the lips but the young lady gave him another painful slap through his face. He unconsciously let go of Haru's hair in shock. The young lady took the opportunity to crawl away from him with a trembling body.

"You mother f*cking bitch!" he angrily grabs her face before slapping her in return sending the young lady down the ground of the floor. Not satisfied with his revenge, he grabs Haru's face and threaten the young lady to cooperate with him of she will have a painful death.

Eyes swimming with tears, a blood rolls down from the corner of her lips, Haru tasted the blood from her wounded lips, she gave the man with a disgusting look.

"Haru would rather die than to let you touch her! Go to hell!" she yells back, furious with her attitude, the man sends Haru to the wall again. Haru hits her head on the wall after the man throws her, she struggle to get up, with trembling body she slowly move her body up and gave the man with a death glare only to be surprise at what he is holding.

Haru gave the man with mixtures of fear and surprise look then her brown constricted eyes travel to what he is holding. A wood. Wood that is lying down in one corner of the room just a while ago. Haru pretty sure knew what will happen next as the muscular man maneuver the wood and swings it harshly at Haru.

Using her forearms as her shield, the wood painfully hits her left arm, Haru howls out the pain that exploded in her left arms, she crouch down the ground clutching her injured body part while she wails
out the pain. The two men inside the room smirk at Haru. The muscular man was about to give Haru another shot of the wood but they were suddenly interrupted by their comrades.

"What? I was just having fun now geez!"

Their comrade gave a panic look. "S-someone trespass our hideout, boss wants all of us inside the meeting room."

The muscular man grunted and throws the wood beside. "Fine, you go and tied that bitch," he said then he throws the rope to the newly arrive man.

Haru, who is still crying because of pain, didn't move to stop the man from entangling her arms, legs and mouth. She sobs as the man tied the cloth around her mouth. Haru is slowly fading out while she's sobbing and then darkness.

Haru leans her head on the wall. The place is utterly quiet, pain from the hit she got, Haru tried to think of a plan on how she will escape this place. Her eyelid started to get heavy again, she blink twice and tried to concentrate on planning things out. She hastily drops her head down and stares on her lap. Tears started to form from her eyes, she wanted to go back home, a certain blonde young man flitted through her head and the sob she's trapping inside her throat suddenly escape.

"Basil-san..." she muffled in between the cloth. Will he save her from here?

"Haru-san...?" a voice said the voice that is so familiar to Haru. The young lady jerks her head at the door across her. Her lips are trembling with joy as her eyes uncontrollably pours down the tears, her face lit up as Haru stared at the blue eyes in front of her.

Basil walks with side steps towards Haru and kneels down the ground beside her. The young CEDEF member immediately removes the cloth from her mouth and the ropes around her wrist and feet.

In an instant, after releasing the last rope, his quivering arms wrap around Haru, the girl heard a faint sob from Basil. Haru was stun at the pair of warm arms enclosing her body, she slowly let the warm travel to her own body.

"B-Basil-san..." she said then hugs back the young man with her right arms since her left forearm is still in pain.

"Oh my god... thank goodness you're okay," he said while he strokes Haru's hair, Haru in return buried her pale face on Basil's neck and squishes her body inside his arms.

"Itte!" (Ouch!) Haru cried out after Basil accidentally hits her injured forearm. Basil jerks his body away from Haru after he heard Haru cried out of pain. He carefully examines her swollen forearm with a grim face.

"Who did this to you?"

"The muscular man, he tried to molest Haru but Haru brushes him off, he got angry then he hit Haru with that wood," Haru gestures her head the wood laying few inches away from them.

Basil gritted her teeth, he slowly slides his arms under Haru's knee and behind Haru's back. He carefully carries Haru out of the room. Haru let Basil carry her, she's too tired to argue that she only injure her arms not her legs, she too is doubting her knees too, she knows that she doesn't have any strength left to walk. Haru leans her head on Basil's wide and warm chest before falling on deep slumber.

.::LINE BREAK::.

It has been three months since the kidnapping incident, Haru's cast over her broken foreman has been remove one week ago and change into bandages. She has been successfully copping from the terrible experience she had been through with the help of her far away friend and of course Basil.

In an instant that Tsuna receives a call from his father that Haru has been kidnap, he immediately gathers a search party group to locate Haru. Slightly disappointed at his father's security, Tsuna tried to get Haru back to Vongola's base in Japan but Haru politely declines him. The young lady explains and defends the CEDEF members from Tsuna.

.::LINE BREAK::.

"It's not their fault Tsuna-san," she said. Tsuna fly from Japan to Italy the moment he learn the news about Haru being kidnap, now two days after Haru's been released from the hospital, the Vongola Boss is seating with her and Basil inside the meeting room of the CEDEF mansion.

"It's nobody's fault, so please don't be mad at them. They did try to protect Haru too," she said softly. Tsuna presses his lips together before giving Haru a warm smile. He cups the hand of Haru and squeezes it gently. Guilt crosses his brown eyes as he glances at Haru's newly attach cast around her arm.

"Okay, I just don't want this thing happen again, or I will seriously take you back to Japan," he said as his eyes laid on her cast, Haru smiles and nodded at him.

Tsuna ended the meeting, he orders Haru to go to her room and rest, not bothering her to send him to his car. Basil, on the other hand, sends Tsuna on the large garage house of the mansion. Tsuna waited for his chauffeur to open the door of his car.

"Sawada-dono..." he said, Tsuna raises his eyebrows at Basil and was surprise to watch Basil bows his head down at him exaggeratedly. "I am terribly sorry about Haru-san, it's my entire fault. I'm supposed her guardian but I let bad things happen to her. I am very sorry!" he said while bowing his head at Tsuna. Basil felt someone taps his shoulder, he slowly raises his head up at the smiling Tsuna.

"I know you're doing your best to protect Haru," Tsuna said. "I just don't want these things happen to Haru again, Basil-kun. Haru is important to us, so in behalf of my family," Basil was shock when Tsuna bows his head at him. He started to panic, a boss of the most feared and respected family underground is bowing his head at the mere trainer like him.

"S-Sawada-dono..."

"In behalf of my family Basil-kun, please protect Haru for us, she's part of my family too," Tsuna said.

"Don't worry Sawada-dono I will from now on protect Haru from any danger, please set your mind at peace now," Basil replied. Tsuna raise his head at Basil and taps his shoulder again.

"Thank you Basil-kun, it means a lot to me,"

.::LINE BREAK::.

Haru went to the infirmary room for her daily check up, the bandage on her forearm has been release as the doctor said that her arms is now fully heal, with Basil following her from behind. Basil has been following her more often than before but Haru is not complaining, she's happy to be with Basil all the time.

"Haru-san," Haru spun around. She saw Basil standing behind her. "Are you doing anything today?" Haru frowns and shook her head.

"Nothing. Why?"

Basil grabs her hands and smiles. "Come on, we're going somewhere," Haru let her take somewhere.

Haru saw a cottage like house located behind the mansion. She had never been in this place. Basil pushes the door of the stable located behind the CEDEF mansion, Haru heard whining of horses and was surprise to see at least six different breeds of horses inside the stable.

Haru, with slightly open jaw, walk inside the stable and looks around the stable. She walk towards the first horse and patted carefully the nose of the horse. She chuckles as the horse brushes its tongue through Haru's hand. Haru fully approach the black horse and while giggling she let it lick Haru's cheeks. She glances around the stable and saw Basil walk towards the horse with white skin and silver hair and tail.

"There, there Arabica," he said and patted the nose of the horse. The horse whines with pleasure and affectionately brushes its nose to Basil's cheeks. Haru giggles, she gave the black horse with one last stroke in the nose before she walk towards him.

"What's its name?"

"Arabica, that one you're playing with before is Firebolt,"

"Haru didn't know that there would be horses here,"

"Turmeric-san loves to collect rare species of horse; Firebolt is the newest here while Arabica is the oldest." Basil walk towards the closet in the end of the stable and took out gears for horse riding, put it on Arabica, Basil lightly tighten the harness of the seat before pulling the white horse outside the stable.

Outside the stable, Basil hold put his hand to Haru, the young woman instantly understanding Basil's intention; she felt her body freezes for a second and shook her head and hands at Basil.

"No, no, Haru doesn't know how to ride horses," she said backing away from Basil, the latter just smile at her.

"Don't worry, Arabica is a good horse,"

"That's not what Haru wanted to say but—,"

"Trust me," Basil said. Haru turns her scared looking eyes at Arabica then back to Basil. The young lady sighs of defeat before walking towards Basil.

"Now, put your left foot here, and then push yourself up to sit on top of Arabica," Basil said, Haru with trembling hand nodded at Basil's explanation. "Ready?" Haru nodded again and swallow nervously.
"One... two... three..."

Haru pushes her body up using her left leg and swing her right leg to Arabica's right side, she automatically grabs Arabica's string tightly and didn't dare to move in fear of falling down. Second pass, Haru sigh of relief because Arabica didn't move an inch, she successfully ride on top of Arabica. She gleefully turns her smiling face at Basil below her.

"Great!" Basil thumbs up at Haru. The young woman giggles and tried to stroke Arabica's hairy head.

"Good boy Arabica..." she affectionately said then she felt Basil riding the horse and seated behind her. Haru's face turns lightly red as she felt the warm body of Basil from behind her. She gave Basil a side along glance and was surprise to see his face closer to Haru, she immediately turn her head on the other side and blushes even more.

"Now, I will teach you how to move Arabica," he said, he grabs the string and puts his hands on tops of Haru's hand. "This is how to move a horse," Basil moves her arms that holding the string and lightly whipping Arabica with the string. The horse instantly moves forward.

Haru ignores the warm hand on top of her and she concentrated in moving Arabica. Basil pulls the string making the horse stop.

"There, now it's your turn, just lightly whips the horse with the string and it'll move of its own," he said as he releases Haru's hand. Haru, secretly pouts after he releases his hand on her but still she nodded at Basil, she gently whip the horse with the string and the horse started to move again.

"Good job, now pull the string to make it stop," Haru does what Basil told her and pull the string and Arabica automatically stops from Haru's command.

Haru giggles; it's her first time riding and learning how to ride a horse. It's a very good experience to her.

"Now, make Arabica move, I will teach you how to make the horse turn right or left," Haru nodded again and hit Arabica with the string. "To make the horse turn just tug the string to left or right. Tug the string to he left to make Arabica turn to the left too," Haru lightly tug the string to the left and then Arabica turn to the left too. Haru giggles and claps her hands together.

"Wow! Haru make Arabica turn!" she said in happiness, she automatically turns her head behind her only to blush in deep red. Basil's face is way closer than before, Haru accidentally brushes her lips into Basil's lips making the young man pulls his head slightly away from Haru.

Both young adults turn their faces in deep red that could rival a fresh tomato. Haru turns her head back in front and bite her lower lip. Basil on the other hand turns his red face to his left and scratches his cheek with one finger. Basil clears his throat making Haru twitch, she gave him a side along glance careful not to accidentally kiss Basil again.

"Well now that you know how to ride horses, shall we go my secret haven?" Basil said and smiles at Haru, the young woman blink twice at Basil with confused brown eyes. Basil just wider his grin and grabs Haru's hand, who's still holding the horse string, and whip Arabica a little harder making the horse gallop and runs. Haru shrieks for a second.

"Not so fast! Haru can't control Arabica if he's running too fast!" Haru said slightly raising her panicking voice.

"Don't worry, I got your back!" Basil said. Haru eventually nodded at Basil and let him control the horse.

.::LINE BREAK::.

Haru and Basil enters a somewhat forest looking place. Basil expertly maneuvers Arabica through the large roots blocking their way. Haru swear she saw a doe somewhere in their right, she shrieks and presses her back at Basil when suddenly birds make a sound and fly away from the forest.

"Basil-san, where are we going?" Haru ask in scared looking expression.

"To a place where I usually train or just seat to calm myself," he said. Haru was to answer back when she heard sounds. Sounds of rushing water, sounds that looks like a waterfall. Soon enough Haru and Basil ended up in a place that looms just like a secret paradise.

Haru eyes grew wider as she looks around her, a waterfall that looks just like a five storey building in height, water rushing down the body of water that looks like a river that connects to the sea. The fall is surrounded by trees and Haru saw some animals drinking from the river few meters away from the fall. The doe and it's family that Haru saw is now drinking some water along with its family and when it heard Basil and Haru approaching it suddenly runs with its family following it behind.

"Wow!" Haru admires the scenery before her; Basil rides off from Arabica and grabs Haru on the waist helping the lady to get down the white horse. Haru after touching the ground runs towards the river and soak her hand into the water. The water is cold, she happily watch some fishes swimming on the river while Basil tied Arabica's string around the closest tree and approach the young lady.

"You're always here?" Haru asks not removing her sparkling eyes at the water. Basil nods at her.

"Yep, always. I used to train here with my master,"

"So do you meditate under the waterfalls or do you fight with bears in sumo wrestling?" Haru asks and clasps her hand in front of her. Basil blink twice and sweat drop before laughing out loud earning a pout from the lady.

"No, no, I do not fight bears Haru," he said while wiping off the tears from the corner of his eyes. "I just train here with Master not meditating under the fall,"

"Ehh? But in movies, heroes train by meditating under the fall and they even fight bears!" Haru said with twinkling eyes, Basil just watch her day dream with a smile across his lips.

"Want to swim before going back? Water here is clean and don't worry it's safe," he said. Haru enthusiastically nods at Basil but her eyes grew wider when Basil strip off his clothes in front of Haru, the young lady averts her red face away from Basil. Minute later, Haru glances at Basil, she thought that Basil would strip off his entire clothing but to Haru's (pervert Haru haha!) dismay Basil only took off his t-shirt and shoes leaving his pants still on his body.

"Come on," he said before he walks towards the waterfall. Haru animatedly pouts her lips and took off her sandals and jacket leaving her tank top and her shorts on. She watches Basil climb on the rock just side of the water fall. Haru finally notice a rope tied on the branch of the tree.

Basil waves his hand at Haru gesturing her to come up with him. She reluctantly looks at the rock but Basil keeps on waving at her, she sigh before walking towards the rock.

"Careful!" Basil said while he watches Haru climb on the rock, he grabs Haru's hands and pulls her on top of the rock.

"What are we gonna do here?" she asks then she suddenly wanted to climb down the rock when Basil grabs the rope all of the sudden and gave her a wide grin. "Don't tell me—!"

"We'll jump to the water with this," he finally said. Haru's face suddenly drains off with color when she tried to peek down the rock. It's not particularly high but Haru can't do something extreme without injuring herself. She lightly shook her head at Basil.

"No... I don't think,"

"Don't worry; I'll be down there while you jump..." he said giving Haru an encouraging smile. Haru bite her lower lip and watch Basil swing through the rope and jumps down the water. Haru gave a weak chuckle as Basil drops his body into the water, second later Basil's head resurface again and look at the nervous Haru.

"Come on! It's your turn!" he calls out waving his hand Haru. Haru nervously grabs the rope with trembling hands, she calculate her timing, jumps in one place. She utter a short prayer and close her eyes before she swing her body off the rock, she scream on top of her lungs as she felt her body swing forwards. She heard Basil said to let go of the rope and so her hand automatically releases the rope. Waiting for her body to collide with the water, Haru shivers when cold water hits her, she wags her arms to swim up the surface when pair of arms grabs her waist and then she felt her body moving above the water. Haru gasp in some air while wrapping her around Basil's neck.

Panting Haru rested her head on Basil's shoulder first before she let out a small giggles.

"How was it?"

Haru's giggles turn into laughter before tightly wrapping her arms around Basil. "That was fun!" she said. Basil joins her in laughing and releases Haru's waist. Their met when Haru pulls her body away from Basil and they felt time freezes at that moment.

Haru stares at the blueness of Basil's eyes and only hears her heart's pace slowly accelerating, Basil can hear Haru's slow breathing while he gaze at the beautiful chocolate brown eyes before him. He unconsciously pulls Haru closer to him on her waist and felt Haru's warm breathing hitting his face. His eyes trail down from her eyes down to her nose then stops in Haru's slightly open lips. Haru stares down at Basil's lips too and instantly, they move their head closer to each other closing the gap between them.

Basil occupies Haru lips and hungrily kisses her, the young woman kiss him back as eager as him. Basil brushes his tongue through Haru's lips asking for entrance which the young lady opens for his thrust. Their tongue dances inside Haru's wet cavern, a moan escape from Haru's throat when she felt Basil's hand move to her neck slowly making its way down to her breast. Basil instantly move his face away from Haru when he felt the soft body of Haru, with a red face he releases the young lady. Haru tried not to register the disappointment on her face when Basil stops their intimate kiss.

"L-let's go back," he said, fringes covering his face. Haru nodded at him. "It's getting late," he grabs Haru's hand and swim towards the land. They were quiet all the way back to the mansion.

.::LINE BREAK::.

It was too quick to Haru, she remembers that after they arrive on the mansion, Haru was about to turn the knob of her room when a pair of arms grabs her, twirl her body and cover his mouth into hers. Now, inside her room, Basil and Haru lying on the bed both half naked, Basil took off his wet clothes and pants leaving his boxer short. Haru has still her bra and panties on when she slowly removes them while Basil kissing her lips.

Basil mover his lips Haru's neck making the young lady groan, she play the blonde lock of Basil with her hand, massaging his scalp.

"Haru..." Basil croak while his hand slowly making its way behind her back and unhook Haru's bra, Haru help him slide off the straps of the bra from her shoulders. Basil drew his lips back to hers, her hands are busy removing Basil's boxers and brief. Basil leaves Haru's lips and hastily removes his lower clothes and then he's back to explore Haru's lips again.

His warm hand passionately and slowly grabs the garter of her panties then he slowly removes the only garment of Haru. The young lady felt her face heat up as Basil stares at her naked body. She was about to cover her body when Basil grabs her hand and shook his head gently.

"Let me see you..." he said, then his lips slowly making its way down to her neck to her chest. He explores her further. He seemed surprise upon discovering that she's wonderfully sensitive everywhere he touches her with her fingers or his lips or his tongue. His tongue brushes Haru's breastbone futherly igniting the fire inside Haru and then everything happens rather slowly and painfully.

Haru finally realizes that she fell madly in love with her Knight, Basil claps his hands together with Haru's hand, finally making a conclusion that he's in love with his damsel on distress.

.::LINE BREAK::.

Haru heard birds singing outside her window, she felt the pain between her legs and instantly a blush creep her cheek after remember what happen last night. She immediately turns her body to her side but pouts when she finds it empty. Haru runs a hand through her hair after she sits up on her bed. Haru arch an eyebrow when a piece of paper attract her attention, she slowly smiles when she read an elegant note coming from her lover.

Haru

Didn't wake you up. You're sleeping so peacefully. Just gone out to have a meeting with Master and Lal-san. See you later. I Love you.

-Basil

Haru stares at the words I LOVE YOU at the end of the letter. So Basil feels the same way as she does. She squealed like a teen age girl and decided to take a bath before going down to have her breakfast. Wrapping the comforter around her, Haru make her way towards the bathroom.

.::LINE BREAK::.

"Hey, what are you thinking?" Basil interrupted her from reminiscing what happened these couple of weeks. Happy weeks with Basil. Her smiles grew wider then shook her head at him.

"Nothing, Haru is just thinking on making a call to Hayato,"

Basil frowns at her. "Why?"

Haru shrug her shoulder casually. "Oh nothing. Might want to tell him that he doesn't need to get Haru here." Haru wrap her arms around Basil's neck and kiss him deeply. "Haru decided to stay here in Italy with her Knight you know," he whispers in between kissing her lover. She felt Basil chuckles then he kisses her back.

"I love you Haru,"

"I love you more Basil,"

.::L'estremità::. (THE END)

.::LINE BREAK::.

Lianne Sabrina' angolo di s: (Lianne Sabrina's corner)

XP Jan-jararaaan! Here comes Basil and Haru's pairings. Hhmmmmmm… I really don't like my story… how about you people? Amp… well its kinda Rated M with slight lemon (…again…)

XP I am speechless hehehe doesn't know what to say… thank you for all the reviews for my story oh yeah… I forgot to tell you… Uhm notice that I didn't use the old English that Basil uses? I suck using it, believe me when I say I tried composing a sentence with an old English but it sucks with a capital 'S'… so I didn't bother myself translating it in old English.. Hope you people don't mind though…

XP anyways highways please read and review Thank You… see you next time ciao!