A/N: Another chapter of wholesome content. The kids are probably about 5 or 6 in this since I loosely based the imagination scene on my son's daily whirlwind of destruction through the house.
They played together every day, but that was expected for children born so close together and isolated from the world, their family. Each day, one could be found at the other's house creating some mischief and mess before a harried mother ushered her child back home. But they liked it, playing together, even if Kisa only ever wanted to play "dumb, girly games."
"Hiro, what if today we played Knight and Princess?" Kisa asked, hopefully holding out both a toy sword and tiara.
"Why do you always want to play such boring games? Isn't there something more creative you could come up with?" accused the small boy, scowling at the offered toys.
"So, you don't want to play with me?" Her arms dropped limply to her side, still loosely holding the tiara and sword. He caught a glimpse of tears just before she turned her gaze to the floor.
"I didn't say that," Hiro backpedaled, his tough guy routine breaking down in the face of his best friend's sadness. It would be several more years before he honed his edge of preteen angst that would vex his extended family. "I just want to be able to fight more monsters this time."
"That's ok then," Kisa forgave him. "I'll be the Princess and you can be the Knight. The monsters have taken me to the castle and you have to battle them to rescue me." Kisa firmly shove the tiara on her head, making sure it didn't slip down and become a necklace, while she and Hiro set up numerous stuffed animals and blocks as the monsters surrounding her. When everything was set, Kisa took her places in the corner of the "castle" and looked suitably frightened of the horde of "monsters" surrounding her, keeping her prisoner.
"My room is the castle, so you can't start the battle in here." Hiro sighed at the familiar set up and left the room with the toy sword to begin his fight down the hallway.
He looked around as the familiar surroundings of the hallway melted away and became a dense forest. In front of him a broad path wound through the trees leading to his destination. He could see it on a rocky outcropping in the distance, the castle. He knew his Princess was held captive there by monsters and his quest wouldn't be complete until he had rescued her. Unsheathing his sword, he carefully made his way down the path, on guard from any evil demons that could be lurking in the woods. Surely they wouldn't leave the path to the castle unmanned, without sentinels. That would be foolish in the extreme. A rustle of leaves and a snapping twig caught his attention. Hiro whirled around just in time to meet the monster head on.
"Hyah!" Slam. Bang. Crash. Kisa giggled behind her hand. Hiro was always the best at playing the Knight. She always got scared of the monsters in the hallway when she was the Knight and the Prince had to ride forth to rescue her.
At last the castle door was in sight. He cautiously pushed it open and was met with a wide, empty courtyard. He knew the Princess was hidden somewhere deeper within the walls and that she would be heavily guarded by monsters. He flitted around the edges of the courtyard and was met with no adversaries as he made his way into the main castle and headed toward the banquet hall.
With the element of surprise on his side, he threw open the door and was met with a battalion of demons. The brave knight Hiro nearly ran away from so many enemies, but the sight of the Princess, with her shimmering amber eyes and long ginger hair, held captive in the corner, gave him strength.
"Do your worst, you monsters!" he cried, and the battle began in earnest.
Monsters toppled left and right. Some fell to the ground dismembered. Others flew into the far walls and landed crumpled on the ground. None rose again after they face the Knight. Hiro swung his sword this way and that and charged through the fight without even earning a scratch. At the end of it all, he was face to face with his Princess. She had swooned during the battle and lay on the ground in a faint.
The Knight was suddenly overcome by her beauty. He had heard tales of her sweet disposition, her gentle manners, as well as her quiet temper, but no one had mentioned her beauty. He admired her long eyelashes resting on her cheeks and the way her tiara was just slightly crooked as it slipped out of her hair. He knew, in his heart of hearts, that this Princess could be his true love. He wanted to wake her, to see her smile, to have her look on him with favor. So, using all the knowledge he had from books and movies, he leaned down to give her a careful kiss on the cheek.
Kisa's eyes blinked open. He had kissed her. That wasn't how they usually played the game. Her eyes met his, a question forming on her brow. Hiro looked back, sheepish, with a small blush staining his cheeks. He scooted backwards, looking away, and giving her space to sit up and adjust her tiara.
"Kisa! Hiro! Would you like a snack before Mogeta begins?" Kisa's mother stood in the doorway, surveying the toppled blocks and scattered stuffed animals. "Oh, the mess you two have made! No Mogeta until this is picked up. Understand?"
"Yes Mama." "Sorry, Auntie." The children spoke at the same time. Kisa's mother gave them her tired smile, before heading back to the kitchen to make the rambunctious children a snack.
"Thank you for rescuing, brave Knight Hiro! Now let's clean up like Mama asked." Awkwardness forgotten, Kisa turned to beam at Hiro as she began to gather the stuffed animals closest to her.
Hiro just scoffed and scooped up blocks. But he wondered, in his heart of hearts, could she really be his Princess?