Disclaimer : I don't own Detective Conan

Apologize for any grammatical errors

"Pack your things and get out of here!".

Two pairs of wide-eyed eyes staring back at him, one shocked and one in disbelief, heard the unexpected sentence coming from his lips, who always known as a polite and gentle man.

"Ke-Kenshin?" Kaoru might be very surprised, but Kazuha's face was as white as paper.

Did Kenshin just ... throw her out?

No, that's impossible! Kenshin is not such a rude man!

Refusing to believe, Kazuha looked carefully at his handsome face and she found what she was looking for. His purple eyes, though they seemed cold and seemingly indifferent, but no doubt, she saw a flash of worry in there.

"Well?" He asked while raising an eyebrow impatiently when the princess didn't even move from her place. "What are you waiting for? Didn't you hear what I just said?".

"Uh, Kenshin, stop yelling at her! She just experienced a traumatic thing!" Awkwardly, Kaoru tried to break the tension.

"Yeah? As if I'm going to feel sorry for her!" Now Kaoru stared in horror at Kenshin, while Kazuha looked down, but said nothing. Maybe there was a part of Kazuha who was sure that Kenshin was worried about her, but, if she continued to be treated like this, especially in front of Kaoru ...

Kazuha swallowed hard while continuing to blink her eyes. No! She can't cry now! But, these damn tears keep threatening to flow, like a broken dam.

These three were trapped in a strange and awkward situation, no one knew what they had to say or do next, until ...

TING-TONG!

Saved by the bell!

"Hai!" Instead of being trapped for longer, Kaoru chose to 'run away' to open the door.

Now only Kenshin and Kazuha remained in the same room. His eyes were still staring intently, watching and waiting for the reaction of his former boss, especially now that they're alone, which turned out to be exactly beyond his expectations.

Usually she's an active attacker, talkative and clearly doesn't want to budge. In short, she's truly 'alive'. But now, she was more like a trapped animal who was just waiting to die, voluntarily, with no intention to defend her life anymore.

Though actually Kenshin also felt sorry and couldn't bear to keep to corner her, but, he knew he couldn't treat her softly. How she would survive against all her enemies, if she just so easily kidnapped and deceived by a jerk? She must be better than this! No, he knew that she was better than this. And she could. Kenshin didn't doubt that in the slightest.

"He's just a jerk" Kenshin could see her head rising slightly, but just like that. She still looked down. "You know, your kidnapper. He's just a jerk. One person!" Kenshin intentionally repeated his words, emphasizing in particular the number of her captors, hoping that he would wake the sleeping tiger or dragon in her.

"You really disappointed me!".

That's it. There's a twitch in her forehead and Kenshin knew he had succeeded, uh and also, probably he'll die. Earlier he had said, if his former boss wasn't just an ordinary human girl. She has intelligence and skills that are far beyond something you can even think about, she could even kill in a way that was unthinkable at all.

Not yet recovered from her shock, Kenshin threw a small object on her lap. Something that she was very familiar with even if she only glanced at it. The protective alarm that Kenshin always carries, thing that saved her earlier.

"Since I no longer work as your protector, I don't need it anymore. I won't save you in the future, you have to protect yourself!".

In the end, the princess lifted her head, now looking at him with the eyes he was looking for. But, it seems still not enough.

"Why are you only staring at me? Get up quickly and pack your things yourself! I'm no longer your slave!".

Like someone squeezing her heart, Kazuha looked up in disbelief at Kenshin.

Slave? So all this time, Kenshin felt she had treated him like a slave?

Sighed in defeat, Kazuha knew there's no point for her to lingering here. Of course she catches what Kenshin really wants to say, it's just ... Damn! She's still a girl, she couldn't deny that she felt hurt.

Biting her lower lip so she wouldn't shed tears in front of this man who had just broken her heart, Kazuha had just intended to stand up, when the footsteps could be heard approaching and suddenly a group of men, led by the Prince of Osaka (somehow, she wasn't surprised) appeared at the door.

Kazuha's mood instantly became super bad. Prince Heiji Hattori was clearly the last person she wanted to meet at this time.

"Kazuha!" Ignoring Kenshin who was standing next to the door and just passing by, Heiji half-ran toward Kazuha who was now sullen. Kenshin himself, being accustomed to working for the nobles, automatically stepped aside, giving the prince a way while bowing.

"Are you okay? Did you hurt?".

Feeling uncomfortable with the over attention from Heiji and, of course, because it was witnessed by many people, including Kenshin and Kaoru, though they didn't say anything, Kazuha cleared her throat awkwardly and answered weakly "I-I want to go home".

"Huh? Oh, yes. Yes, of course! Let's go home!".

Thankfully at that time, Otaki, who Kazuha knew as one of the heads of royal guards, chose the right moment to ask Kenshin "Where did you find Her Highness? Is it true that she was kidnapped? How do you know?", because that was enough to distract the attention of the few people there, since Heiji was trying to pull her up, even half intending to carry her, or she could die of shame.

"Hai. Somehow, Her Highness pressed the emergency alarm button which could tell me if she's in danger and where she was".

"I see. Then, where's the kidnapper now?".

"He's ..."

Kenshin's answer was interrupted when the pair of royals in front of them began to fuss, as usual.

"I told you I can walk! No need to pull me!".

"You're still as weak as jelly! Look, you're still staggering!". Well yeah, right now she really looks like a drunk person.

"Come on! Here, let me bring your bag!". Heiji insisted on holding Kazuha with his left hand, while his right hand carried her bag.

Otaki and several bodyguards looked at their prince with a look that said 'oh', because it turns out that does not happen often. To be precise, this was the first time their Prince Heiji seemed to care deeply about a girl.

Already feeling super embarrassed, Kazuha didn't want to embarrass herself more and let Heiji pull her.

When they reached the threshold, Heiji once again made a surprise. He turned towards Kenshin who bowed respectfully to him "I ... E-erhm ... I just want to thank you for saving her!".

Now Otaki and the guards looked at each other. Prince Heiji Hattori knows to thank someone? Though it was very clear that he was not comfortable doing it. Oh wow! What a surprise!

Answering the prince, Kenshin smiled faintly "The pleasure is mine, Your Highness!".

Prince Heiji nodded "I truly appreciate that. Otaki?!" He turned to his bodyguard.

"Yes, my prince?".

"Make sure Princess Kazuha's kidnapper rot in prison forever!".

Otaki bowed once more in response.

After getting an answer from Otaki, Heiji intended to pull Kazuha away, but instead she held his hand tightly, holding him to stay in place.

Heiji was just about to ask what's wrong, when Kazuha opened her mouth, "Kenshin?".

Her former bodyguard did not answer. He just bowed, but Kazuha knew that he was listening.

"I won't just die easily. Don't underestimate me!".

Kenshin still did not answer, but he looked up to look at the princess's face, and he was satisfied with what he saw.

Her eyes now shone with confidence and determination.

Yes, she really can't give up and certainly can't be underestimated. She has a tough duty to do! And even though he could no longer be her guardian, Kenshin certainly hoped that the princess he had protected well since she was a little girl, wouldn't lose to her enemies, for he believes, she can protect herself.

Meanwhile with Heiji, he doesn't like secret talks, where he doesn't know anything. Kazuha and her red-haired former bodyguard, had been together for much longer compared to him and her.

What are they talking about?

Why does Kazuha mention that she won't die easily?

Is anyone still aiming for her life?

Moving based on his instincts, Heiji's hand which had been holding Kazuha's hand, now wrapped around her shoulder. "Don't worry. She'll be fine, for I'll protect her from now on!".

Of course, the unexpected statement from that Prince of Osaka again caused a variety of different opinions.

For Heiji himself, who had just realized what he had just said but it was too late to take it back, he could only look away in embarrassment, while still pulling Kazuha.

Whereas Kazuha, who was actually being serious when she talked to Kenshin, instead turned her head between confused and embarrassed towards Heiji. 'What the heck? Should he suddenly say such a shameful thing? Are they even talking about the same thing?'.

Otaki and the other guards smiled with amusement. Yep, there's no mistaking it! Their prince, is in love!

As for Kenshin, he smiled with relief, like a father who had just released his daughter to marry a man who truly loved her.

He was still watching, until the troupe of prince who brought his former princess, disappear from view.

"Let's go in, Kenshin!" Kaoru asked him gently, while tucking her tiny delicate hand into Kenshin's rough and muscular one.

Kenshin still waited a while longer, when he finally held Kaoru's hand while smiling.

Yes, he doesn't need to worry anymore.