52. Protector
Alicia Blade
527 words

When I'm wearing the mask my existence is to protect Sailormoon. That is my one calling, my only purpose, my sole intent. Never have I become distracted or discouraged from this ultimate goal. Never have I paused or hesitated. I exist only to protect her.

But for the first time while donning the mask something else—someone else—entered the scope of my thoughts and sent my mind whirring and my heart thumping and my blood pounding, and the transition was so unusual and terrifying that I nearly lost my grip on the tree branch I clung to for balance.

Usagi was standing in the park, almost directly in the line of sight of the Negaverse monster, and seemingly had no intention whatsoever of running away. In fact, she looked downright determined to stay standing right where she was, leveling the youma with a determined glare. If I didn't know better, I'd think she was about to taunt the thing.

"Odango Atama!" I cursed beneath my breath and scanned the surrounding trees, relieved that Sailormoon hadn't yet arrived. Surely I had time to save both… didn't I? I couldn't just leave Usagi where she was.

I couldn't.

The monster turned to her just as I leaped from the tree and scooped her into my arms. She cried out in surprise, but it was only a moment before we were safely tucked behind a large hedge, out of the monster's vision.

"Tuxedo Kamen-sama!"

"Are you crazy?" I hissed. "You could get killed! Now stay here. I'll take care of the monster but you have to stay here."

But it didn't seem as though she was listening. Her gaze was glued upon my masked eyes, a look of astonished delight on her delicate features. Then she fisted the front of my shirt in her hands and leaned toward me, nuzzling her nose up against my neck and shoulder. I froze, shocked, uncomprehending, completely forgetting my one and only purpose—all at that one naïve, unpracticed touch.

"Tuxedo Kamen-sama," she said, her voice light and feathery on my throat, "I love you."

The words pushed me off balance and I stumbled away from her, holding her at arm's length until I could regain my composure. But no, looking into her intensely sparkling blue eyes would not help the regaining of any such thing, so I quickly released her and spun to leave, my cape whipping behind me, but something made me pause and hesitate.

And I never paused and hesitated.

My heartstrings pulled. My body begged. I conceded.

Turning back to the girl, I pulled her against my chest and wrapped my cape securely around her petite form, molding her to me, pressing my cheek up against her hair and feeling her heart beating strongly against my ribs. She said nothing and did nothing, just let herself be held.

It was the most heavenly moment of my life, but it only lasted a moment.

When I released her, she was smiling sweetly, and did not bid me to stay or make her any promises. She seemed to understand that I had somewhere to be, something to do.

Someone to protect.