Chapter 29
Sakura and Moritaka were standing in the lower right area of the Astral Plan like fortress as the princess watched the beastman during his training. And while she saw the sweat fall down his brow she also noticed that his breathing was starting to become quite heavy. This caused her to become worried as she suggested, "M-Moritaka, I think you've trained enough for today? B-Besides it wouldn't be good for you to take part in the upcoming battles while being exhausted."
The girl was a bit surprised when she saw the anthro dog abruptly stop swinging his sword mid swing. He then looked over at her with a reassuring smile and replied, "Hmm, perhaps you're right, Sakura. And even though I do not normally cut my training short. I'll make the exception...for you." Upon saying this though a determined look crossed his features when he added, "But before I stop training for the day, there is something I need to do."
"U-Um, and what exactly would that be?" Sakura asked before she saw the beastman remove his jacket.
The healer's magenta colored eyes widen a little when she could see his chest and stomach a bit more clearly since the white shirt was a bit wet due to the sweat. She quickly broke away from staring when Moritaka walked up to her and placed his jacket over her shoulders. She then saw a big smile on the anthro dog's face as he told her, "Well, honestly it'll be better to show you then trying to explain it. But please keep my jacket on since it is about to get cold around us." A embarrassed expression soon showed on his face while he continued, "...And I'm sorry if my jacket smells."
Hearing this caused the princess to give her own reassuring smile when she responded back, "Don't worry Moritaka, I don't think your jacket smells bad at all." She then lightly blushed when her nose caught the scent of the anthro dog from the inner part of the jacket. She then added, "In fact it smells nice..."
Once she had uttered these words though she saw a light blush spread across his face as he replied, "Y-You like my scent?..." He quickly shook his head from side to side while he told himself out loud, "No, I must not lose focus right now."
After he had said this Sakura saw the anthro swordsman walk back to where he was standing before. Once he did this he raised his katana slightly upward to where it was level with his neck. Upon doing this the healer's eyes widen in shock when she noticed a cold mist had started to surround the beastman. The princess was caught by surprise when she saw the tip of the ice katana begin to look as if it was melting into water. When this happened she watched in amazement when she saw the water flow in the air before Moritaka thrust his sword arm forward. Doing this caused the water to go shooting forward about three feet in length impressing Sakura as she muttered out loud, "W-Wow, I had no idea his katana could manipulate water like that. ...What a truly amazing ability."
At first Sakura figured her words would have been quiet enough to not distract the beastman's training. However, she noticed the brown and white furred dog's left ear twitch before he swung his blade a few more times causing the water to move along with his sword arm. He then proceeded to do one final thrust with his sword before he swung it downward. Doing this caused the water to fall onto the ground once he had put his katana away in it's sheath.
Upon doing this the girl saw the high school student smile in her direction while he commented, "There. Now I am finished for the day. And thank you Sakura for those kind words about my families sacred blade." He then blushed a little when he added, "And now I feel confident enough to duel either one of your older brothers to prove I am worthy enough to be with you."
"O-Oh, I guess I shouldn't be surprised to hear you say that. But I'm glad my words made you happy." Sakura said as she walked up to the beastman and removed his jacket from her shoulders. But as she handed it back to him she kept on going, "But I must ask why do you feel you have to prove your worthy to be with me? We're already boyfriend and girlfriend..." A blush showed on the girl's face as she continued, "Unless, are you talking about when we get married?"
The princes watched as the beastman's blush darken in color once he had put his jacket back on and confessed, "Um...well I suppose I was. But I just figured if I accomplished this goal now. Then we wouldn't have to worry about me proving my worth to you and your family at a later time."
"Oh Moritaka, you don't have to prove yourself to my family. I'm sure my older siblings will see and acknowledge your strength and resolve." Sakura reassured the anthro dog before she felt one of his hands take a hold of both of hers.
After he did this she saw him place his other hand on the other side while he stated, "I'm certain they will. But if your eldest brother is as great a samurai as I've been told. Then I'm certain he would understand why I wish to duel with him."
"Yes, I'm certain if Ryoma wasn't fighting our enemies with Takumi, and Prince Xander and Prince Leo right now. Then he would most likely take you up on your challenge. ...But just know when that day comes I-I'll be cheering you on." Sakura said before she leaned upward and kissed his right cheek.
Once she had moved away from his face Sakura felt the beastman let go of her hands as a surprised expression formed on his face. Within seconds though that expression was changed to that of joy when he gave her a big smile and pulled her into a hug. She then felt his chin rest against the top of her head while he replied, "Thank you, Sakura. That means the world to me to hear you say such things."
Upon hearing this the princess leaned her head against the middle of the beastman's chest as she softly responded back, "You're very welcome, Moritaka. And if you ever need support, please know I'll always be supporting you. Whether you're here in our world, or if you're back in Tokyo."
After she had spoken these words the princess felt Moritaka let go of her and as she straightened her posture he told her, "Thank you once again for those kinds words, Sakura. But if you will excuse me I should go clean myself up and change into my kendo practice uniform."
Once he had said this though the princess noticed a scar on the anthro dog's left forearm. Seeing this caused her to reach out and touch the scar while she softly asked, "Moritaka, do any of the scars you have ever bother you or cause you any pain?"
"Hmm? No, I can't say that they do..." The brown and white furred beastman responded back before Sakura let go of his forearm and look back at him.
"That's good... B-But do you have any other scars that I should know about? I-I know that I can't heal them... But I just want to make sure they haven't caused you to suffer at all." Sakura pleaded as she looked up at the anthro dog.
She saw the swordsman blush a little as he nodded in understanding before the healer saw him remove the damp white short sleeve shirt from his body. Once he had done so the girl's eyes widen in shock upon seeing two scars on the right side of his body with one small scar on the top part of his right pectoral, and a decent sized scar on the upper right part of his stomach below his pectoral muscle. Sakura did her best to calm herself as she moved her hands that were now shaking towards Moritaka's body. And once she had placed one of her hands onto the scar on his right pectoral she could feel how much in shape Moritaka truly was in as the muscle felt hard and firm. She quickly moved her hand away from that part of his body and gently placed both of her hands onto the anthro dog's stomach as she realized that, that part of his body was also hard with muscle despite the slight gut he had.
The pink haired girl quickly moved both of her hands away before she felt some tears start to build up in her eyes. But when the tears started to fall down her face she felt Moritaka place a hand onto her right shoulder as he asked, "Sakura, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
The princess let out a few sniffles as she rubbed her eyes and answered, "I-I'm sorry, Moritaka. I guess seeing these scars makes me worry about the upcoming battles. I-I'm afraid something might happen to you regardless how careful you'll be." She then looked up at him and added, "S-So that's why I'll do my best to make sure your body does not suffer any new scars from my world's war."
To the healer's relief she saw a look of understanding appear on the anthro swordsman's face when he said, "I understand." Within a few seconds though the girl saw a big grin spread across the dog's face along with a light blush as he conitnued, "But for now I really should go get cleaned up and change my clothes."
"O-Oh yes, of course. Please follow me and I'll take you to the bathing area right away." Sakura told him before the two began to walk together hand in hand.
