Disclaimer: I own nothing

'Thinking'

"Speaking"

SPELL/ABILITY

(********) = Scene/Location/Time Change

Chapter 7: Good to see you again.

Sienna eyed the man that had just called her new friend "Darling" suspiciously. Something about him told her not to trust him, but knowing how that could affect her friend she decided not to voice her concern. The other girls in the class were stunned that such a high ranking noble would have any sort of feelings toward Louise of all people. The guys were thrilled that a Griffin Knight was visiting their class. Louise stood to leave the class room, but looked back at her friend before turning to Wardes.

"May I bring a friend to accompany us?" Louise asked the man.

"Of course," Wardes replied having anticipated this, "Anything for my fiancé."

This caused an outburst in the class. Sienna and Aria stood to exit with Louise. As they left the room they could hear the outburst of the other students. Sienna ignored them, more focused on the suspicious man.

"What exactly is this mission?" Sienna asked the man with her arms crossed, "And why are we being sent on it?"

"The princess would like to prove that she still has trust in the Valliere Family." Wardes replied to the suspicious. 'I'll have to get rid of that one fast. Good thing I broke Fouquet out before leaving.' He thought to himself.

"Why does she need to do that?" Louise asked also confused as to why they were being sent.

"I suppose I can tell you," Wardes sighed, "it shall soon be common knowledge that the Queen and Princess are looking after the boy named Saito, whom your family wishes to kill, and have been training him to become a soldier for the princess."

Louise went ghostly white as she heard this news and mumbled, "Saito is with Henrietta… she didn't even tell me…"

"I'm sure she had her reasons," Sienna assured, "maybe she didn't want to let the news out until Saito's safety was guaranteed."

"It also probably has to do with the fact that the princess didn't want you to go get him and give him away." Aria added as Louise regained her cool.

"You still have neglected to tell us what this mission is." Sienna reminded Wardes.

"My apologies," the silver haired man replied, "I'm not to speak of the details until we reach our first location."

"Then I suppose we shouldn't waste any time." Sienna concluded with a sigh as they followed the man down the hall.

Sienna put a hand on Louise's shoulder to qualm any remaining shock in the girl. The short pink haired girl smiled at her new friend as they followed the man out. Aria and Sienna exchanged glances to confirm that they both had a bad feeling about the man.

"We should wait and see how this plays out." Aria whispered.

"Just what I was thinking," the fiery haired girl replied, "And if he does turn out to be a good guy then we just gain a chance to find my friends at the castle."'

(********)

Saito shut his door quietly as to not disturb Leon in the room across the hall. In the other room Leon lay on his bed with Vandal curled up in his side. The window was open allowing the light of the moon to drift into the dark unlit room.

'Should I go see Jessica? ´ Leon wondered to himself.

'Yes.' replied the voice of Vandal in Leon's head.

'What? How are you in my head?' the boy thought wondering if it work again or if had just imagined it.

'You're insane,' Vandal joked before answering, 'I can do this because I'm your sword spirit. Derflinger and Saito can do it too, but Derf prefers to speak.'

'Oh,' the dark haired boy replied, 'by the way why doesn't Derflinger have a sword spirit form similar to yours?'

'It all goes back to Saito.' the wolf pup responded, 'He still has the Gandalfr title restricting him from being able to walk his new path.'

'But isn't Derflinger a sword for the Gandalfr?' Leon questioned.

'Yes and No.' Vandal replied thoughtfully, 'It is true he was created by the void mages for the use of a Gandalfr, but the truth is he lost that connection years ago. He's a free blade now. He was replaced by a different sword. This sword can't talk, but it changes form to suit its current master making it more suitable for the job.'

'So why didn't Saito aquire that sword?' Leon inquired already assuming the answer.

'Because that's not where this world wants him. It was just convenient to summon him that way.' Vandal replied, 'Shouldn't you be going to see Jessica though? You should talk to her before we leave.'

"I suppose you're right." Leon spoke as he stood up, "If I'm not back in time to leave come get me."

"Will do." The wolf replied before returning to his nap.

(********)

Saito walked around the castle silently. He knew he had to talk to Henrietta before he left. The boy eventually found himself at the throne room. He entered silently and shut the door behind him. When he looked around he saw no one, but he noticed that the door to the balcony was open. The boy walked over and stepped out into the night air. When he looked around he saw the figure of a girl in a tiara starring out over the city that surrounded them. As he approached the girl turned to face him. In the moon light the princess's eyes sparkled and the light breeze blew her hair perfectly.

'Has she always been this beautiful?' Saito thought as he looked upon the beautiful girl in front of him.

"Good evening," Henrietta said quietly, "my mother has turned in for the night if you had any questions for her."

"I came looking for you." Saito replied shortly.

"Really?" Henrietta replied looking surprised and slightly happy, "After you stormed out this morning I didn't think we'd talk until you got back. What is it you wanted to talk about?"

"I came to apologize." Saito said, "That's all."

"Oh, if that's all then I accept your apology." Henrietta said dejectedly as she began to walk away. Saito grabbed her and stopped her.

"That's not all… sorry I lied…" Saito said averting his gaze, "About this morning… I was angry… I want you to be able to choose who you marry… whether it is your cousin Wales… the Prince of Germania… anyone… I just want it to be your choice."

He looked up to see the princess blushing slightly at what he had said. Her slightly rosy cheeks were accented by the moonlight making her even more beautiful. They held each other's gaze before Henrietta averted her eyes. He let go of her arm realizing how close he had gotten to her.

"How do you plan on doing that?" Henrietta said in a hush.

"I have a secret," Saito said with the hint of a smile, "I didn't know when it would be a good idea to tell you, but since the world will know soon I figure I should tell you first."

"What is it?" the purple haired princess asked turning to face him.

"I'm a Blade Master." Saito told the princess, "Leon is too. We know the very fact that we exist has the power to prevent, or start, a war."

"Saito…" Henrietta said awestruck by the news the young boy had just given her.

"Our families were the surviving blood lines." Saito informed her.

"So you're planning on using yourself as a chip to keep other countries from attacking us?" Henrietta asked the boy.

"Yes." The young dark haired blade master confirmed.

"I can't let you do that," The princess blurted out putting her hands on the boy's chest and looking up at him, "You'll be targeted, you'll never be able to live a normal life, please don't do that."

"Henrietta," Saito said calmly, "Leon and I are both aware of the repercussions this will have on our lives, but you saved my life so I could do what I want with it. I want to return the favor. The gain in power would give you the freedom to do as you please."

"You can't do this." Henrietta said burying her face in the boy's chest, "I can't let you give up your life for mine. I'm the future Queen of Tristain; I'm prepared to make sacrifices for my people."

Saito smiled and wrapped his arms around the girl drawing her gaze as he held close he could feel his pulse slowly quicken. He knew he should be embarrassed at how close she was to him, but right now he didn't care he had to be there for her.

"Then let me do this for you." The boy said at last.

"Is there any way I can get you to change your mind?" Henrietta responded still embracing him.

"No," Saito responded, "I didn't choose to be a blade master, but I'm not going to avoid it for the sake of leading a normal life. Especially if it means someone close to me has to suffer."

"Just come back," Henrietta said, "Your whole plan hinges for my freedom to choose relies on you being alive."

"Yeah…" Saito said blushing as she had just said something similar to what a girl would tell her lover before he left for war.

Before they could continue Agnes rushed out onto the balcony. She was out of breath as she found the two in each other's arms. They quickly separated making Agnes wonder what she had just interrupted. She decided that she'd beat it out of Saito when he got back, but for now there were more pressing matters.

"Princess," The blonde guard began, "Fouquet has escaped."

"That's impossible." Henrietta said stunned at the news her closest guard had just given her.

"It's true," Agnes replied, "We believe she may have had help in her escape."

"A spy?" Saito asked.

"Yes," Agnes replied, "we don't know whether or not her escape has anything to do with your mission but…"

"Be careful." Henrietta finished for her friend.

"I will." Saito said as he rushed from the balcony back to his room.

"Time to go, partner?" Derf asked as he swung him over his back.

"Yeah," Saito replied, "Time to step into our new life.

(********)

Leon had been searching for Jessica when he found Siesta peeking through a cracked door to the throne room. He leaned over her shoulder in time to see Saito walk out onto the room's balcony. He took a step back and cleared his through to gain her full attention.

"I don't know what you're up to, and I don't particularly care because it's not my business, but I need to know where your cousin is." Leon said to the maid.

"I don't know what she sees in you." Siesta said coldly.

"I'm not going to pretend to understand either." Leon said flatly surprising the girl.

"You're less of an ass than you seem." Siesta replied with a smirk.

"I'm not sure how I should take that," Leon responded, "but I'll take it as a compliment and return the favor by saying you aren't as friendly as you seem. That's fine; I'll find her on my own. Good luck trying to steal Saito's heart."

Leon turned to leave, but she grabbed his arm. When the boy turned around he saw how sad she looked as she spoke to him without the usual venom, "Sorry, it's just that… I thought maybe if I called the princess he'd thank me, and maybe he and I would have a chance…"

'She really likes him.' Leon thought as he looked in the direction of the door.

"The princess got the credit," Leon said not making eye contact, "so what, are you just going to give up? If so then you didn't deserve him anyway."

Leon broke away from her grasp leaving the girl standing there stunned. As he rounded the corner he was almost taken down by a female guard. She side stepped and quickly moved around him. Leon figured she must've been in a hurry. He decided that he'd probably be leaving soon, and he should find Jessica quickly. He quickly made his way to her room.

"I should probably have checked here first." Leon mumbled as he knocked on the door.

"Hey…" Jessica said as she answered the door.

"Hey…" Leon replied not knowing what to say.

"What is it?" Jessica asked the boy.

"Saito and I are leaving soon…" Leon said

"When will you be back?" Jessica questioned.

"Soon is all I can say," Leon said, "but when I get back would you want to celebrate successful mission with me?"

"Are you inviting me on a date?" Jessica responded with a slight smile, "And it sounds to me like you already think you won."

"I don't intend to lose." Leon replied also smiling.

"Come back to me and we'll see." Jessica teased.

Before Leon had the chance to respond Saito rounded the corner carrying the gun-blade. He was followed by Vandal. They both held a serious gaze as their faces were lit by the light by Jessica's room. Without another word Jessica leaned over and gave Leon a kiss on the cheek before shutting her door.

"Time to go?" Leon asked a bit shocked by the kiss.

"Yeah," Saito said handing Leon his sword, "time to go…"

(…)

Hey guys Lion here. Sorry this upload is a bit late, but I had family come over so I couldn't get to my computer. Hope you guys are enjoying the story. In this chapter I set the text left bound so you guys could compare. There's a poll on my profile for you to vote on which you like more. Stay tuned. (I'll take official results on 8/27/14 but until then I shall keep the story centered. If it's not your preference please bear with it.)

UPDATE 8/24/14:

Sorry guys but I've hit a small bit of writers block concerning the next chapter on how I want to present some of the other characters so it might take a little longer to get the next chapter out. I can promise a deadline of 8/27/14.