*grumble* *grumble**grumble*
(B)"…"
Bowser awoke with a very big yawn. As he did, he recalled all that happened the previous day…it sort of kept replaying in his mind. He looked down and the sleeping Peach; it looked like she still hadn't moved yet. Bowser stroked Peach's hair with his claw as he stared outside of the cave. It was still very cloudy and rainy outside, except that it wasn't raining as hard as yesterday, but still hard. Bowser knew that he had to go back out and try to find some more useful items since by the looks of it, they could be here for a while… After a bit of food, Bowser was ready to go, but first he couldn't help but stare down at Peach. He then began to stroke her long golden hair…
(B)*sigh*
Unknown to Bowser, Peach was actually coming to…but she only slightly opened her eyes…
As she did, she caught sight of the fact that someone was curled around her…and by the looks of that familiar tail, she could tell it was Bowser…thus she decided not to move at all. She also noticed that she had spots on her body that hurt as if wounded…but they were all bandaged and treated… She lay there with fear as many questions rushed through her mind: where was she? Why was Bowser curled up around her? How did she get these wounds and who treated them? and many other questions. Her thoughts were disrupted when she all of a sudden heard Bowser begin to speak. He had begun to talk to Peach…but he had no idea that she was aware of him and every word he said…
(B)"*sigh*…wow princess…as I watch you lay here…I can't help but notice how beautiful you…but then again, it's hard for me not to notice…you look so peaceful right now…it would be hard for someone to believe what you just went through after that explosion on the ship…"
Peach then begins to recall what he was talking about, and then it struck her! She remembered that he had kidnapped her again and that they were on his ship. He was about to get away when Mario and Luigi appeared. She also remembered the dreaded T-Bo-omb that was after the two brothers and the fact she was screaming at Bowser. All she recalls after that was seeing a flash of light followed by the feeling something very hot pushing her away and having the feeling of falling while she screamed…but after that, everything went black…
(B)"*sigh*…considering all those injuries you had all over you…I could tell that you got the worst...of…the…explosion-"
Peach wondered why Bowser had stopped so abruptly, but then she felt something land on her cheek…it was something wet…like a teardrop! Was Bowser crying? Peach didn't know what to think…
(B)"RRRRRAAAAAWWWWWRRRRRR!"
Peach almost jumped at the sudden roar from Bowser, but was able to remain still.
(B)"I'm sorry Peach!…I didn't mean for this to happen to you…I never meant for you get hurt…especially not this bad…I could never allow that…because…I…I...BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!"
Peach couldn't believe what she had just heard….did Bowser just say he loved her? Peach was confused and wondered if she really heard what she thought she heard…but Bowser only confirmed what she heard.
(B)"…Yes princess…I admit that I have feelings for you…in fact, since the first time I saw you, I knew there was something about you that gave me a strange feeling inside…a happy feeling…"
Even more questions came to Peach's mind…but Bowser answered them as he went on…
(B)"…these feelings that I have for you are the reasons I continue to kidnap you…not because I wanted to cause you pain, misery, or I hated you…no!…I…I just wanted you to be mine…I wanted to love you and hoped that you could love me in return… I could never tell you because…I feared rejection …because of what I am…*quietly*a monster…and I didn't even have the courage to tell you...*chuckle* Wow…me…of all people…not having courage…seems ridiculous now that I think about it."
As Bowser went on, more questions and thoughts filled Peach's head as she lay there shocked…yet amazed by Bowser's expression of his feelings.
(B)"Even as I lay here with you…I still am a coward…since I 'm expressing my true feelings for you…but I know you're probably in deep sleep and won't hear me…*sigh*…I hope that one day soon…I can confess my true feel towards you…when I'll be able to look into your eyes as you stare into mine…and to say I love you without fear…but…until that day…I must contain my feelings within the confines of my heart….while I make sure that no one knows of their existence…until the time comes…"
Bowser stroked Peach's hair once more, and then softly kissed her on her cheek. He got up and stretched a bit, but before he headed out… he looked back at Peach… he was hoping that she would awaken soon…so he would know that she was okay. With that, Bowser rushed out of the cave, entering the confines of the forest once more, leaving Peach to deal with the many thoughts that were swirling around in her mind.
…
End Chapter 3