On High Guard
Aspirator
SEVEN
Koko wore out the grass as he paced to and fro behind Mikan's tent. He felt somewhat ridiculous for putting so much mental power into the events of another's relationship. But at the same time, he felt almost responsible for their progress - at least, somewhat involved.
The pair had their first kiss, then their first fight, and now what? Mikan had steadfastly avoided looking at Natsume. It was partly in shame, partly in frustration at his refusal to allow her closer to him, but mostly - and Koko knew this for certain from the longing looks she'd shoot at his back, then the way she averted her eyes quickly boring a confused expression - Mikan didn't know how to deal with the myriad of emotions she had for him.
Natsume, on the other hand, acted normal. His statements were more clipped, but he has always been blunt. He doesn't attempt to avoid looking at her. In fact, his scarlet gaze flitted over to her several times, not in blatant staring but in a passing acknowledgment of her presence. But Koko knew better. At times, especially in meals and free times, the advisor felt a sense of loneliness from the man, even if there were no indications towards it.
Koko had to fix this.
He moved to circle around to the front of the tent -
The advisor quickly ducked back behind Mikan's tent, smiling slightly at the flash of raven hair and stiff shoulders he had just witnessed entering. For the sake of his curiosity, and even perhaps his own sanity, the advisor lingered.
"Wha-Nats-" Mikan's voice came out strangled. Then a yelp, "ACK!"
There was a grunt.
Koko grinned to himself, of course Mikan would trip. Of course. He could imagine Natsume thinking the same thing and giving her a dry look.
"Um," Mikan continued sputtering, now probably upright and flustered. "I - uh - this is my tent."
"Yes," came Natsume's dry voice, "I know."
There was a second, only a brief second, of tense silence. Then Mikan spoke up again, her words almost melding together at the speed they were tumbling out of her mouth. "I was just - I was packing. We're moving again, and I - well, you're - you make my bed look small." Then she gasped, "I mean, tent! It's suffocating when you're here - inside my tent - I mean, you're not suffocating! That's not what I - you're just - you're so tall and...um, big..." Her voice trailed off. "I wasn't supposed to say any of that, when I - when we finally...I was supposed to apologize. I wanted to say sorry for pushing - I should've respected your privacy and I know you must have a reason for everything - I just care, and I'm stupid." Quietly, she muttered, "Oh, I ruined it, didn't I? I'm sor -"
"It's fine." He cut in. Koko could detect a small level of amusement in his voice.
Mikan's startled silence followed, her breathing was heard shallowly but no words came from her mouth. A few minutes passed and Koko almost thought they had left the tent.
"It's fine." Natsume repeated, slowly, gently this time. He voice dropped just above a whisper so that Koko almost had to strain himself to hear him. "You're fine."
Still, no sounds from Mikan.
"Are you mad at me?" The Commander's voice again, this time a little sharper.
That brought out a reaction; "I - You should be mad at me!"
"I said -"
"I know what you said!" The sorceress snapped. "You shouldn't forgive me!"
"Only I decide what I should or should not do."
There was an aggravated sigh, definitely Mikan's. "I crossed a line. I shouldn't have."
"And I said it's fine." Natsume responded patiently.
There was a pause then, "what does that mean?"
The Commander didn't answer for a minute. Perhaps it was hard to communicate the meaning of those two words, and how it may well redefine their relationship. Koko himself knew what it meant, but it was most important that Mikan understood.
Finally, Natsume found the simplest way to explain it. "You can cross lines." Then added, "Only you." To drive in his point, Koko presumed.
"Only...me." Mikan repeated slowly, processing his words. "Am I..." her voice came out tentative, as if afraid to ask the question, "special to you?"
Koko didn't hear him answer, perhaps shocked speechless by her forwardness.
"Because you are." Mikan continued after a long bout of silence. "I care about everyone, but I care about you...a lot."
Koko still couldn't hear Natsume's voice. Perhaps he is truly frozen on the spot. The advisor was sad to leave, called by Yuu with a summons from the Queen, without hearing the Commander's reply.
The fastest path to Aqalia required the troops to pass through the Ibaragi lands, in which Natsume was adamantly against. He and Hotaru argued until she, who rarely had to do this, commanded him with her status as Queen to obey her plans. He expressed his disapproval one last time, then prepared for their journey with tight lips.
Of course, in a tactical decision (aided by Koko's advice based on his knowledge of those rumors) Hotaru made their presence known - heeding Prince Nogi's warnings and extinguishing any possibility of being caught and making enemies of the Ibaragi's.
They were welcomed by the Lady Ibaragi, flanked by her only daughter, Nobara, and several of their top Alice female soldiers. One of which seemed to send a wink Natsume's way, but Koko might've just been imagining it.
After the formal introductions, in which Koko noticed the tension that Natsume bore, they were shown to private quarters. In no time, Natsume had sent a blue halo of magic around the room. His first - of many, they were to find out - displays of magic.
They were all surprised by his open display, but no one commented on it. Not even Mikan. Koko knew, however, that she was still hurting from the Nogi Palace Courtyard incident. In fact, they were all still wary of that incident, so they kept their mouths shut.
Hotaru commented to her Commander, acting casual despite also noting his tense attitude, "her act does not fool me." She folded her hands in her lap casually. "It is the daughter Nobara who is in charge. And she had meant for us to come. She is far more clever than she acts."
"It is not her act that is dangerous." Natsume responded coldly, "it is her plans."
The Queen frowned, "And what, do you suppose, are her plans?"
For a long minute, the Commander remained stoic, obviously choosing not to respond.
Impatiently, Hotaru tapped her finger against her knee, leaning forward, "I command you to answer."
He frowned. "To draw out your magic."
Hotaru didn't respond at first, taken aback. After searching his stoic face, she asked the question on everyone's minds, "Why?"
"It is better you do not know." He snapped, then bowed his head in apology for his disrespect. Hotaru, showing her own respect for him, did not push him knowing he rarely kept information from her. He then tilted his upper body forward slightly in a different sort of bow than his usual. "I will be taking my leave. My second in command, Youichi Hijiri, will be taking my place in your protection." They had a feeling he alluded to something bigger than he suggested. He glanced at his second in command, who marched forward to stand by his side. He muttered to him, "you know what to do."
"Commander," the Guard looked too alarmed for this to be a normal command, "I request-"
"Denied."
"Sir-"
"Stand down."
"Commander," the Guard was almost begging now, "you need assistance."
Before the Commander could respond, the Queen interrupted furiously. She, too, was confused by how quickly the banter escalated and only wished to know the subject of their argument. And she said so; "I demand to know what is going on."
Natsume gazed at her evenly, his lips set to a grim line. "I will be protecting you, Queen, and your people from the cunning Ibaragi. That is all you need to know."
Hotaru frowned, not used to his sudden secrecy. "Tell me how you plan to do that."
He was not fazed. He looked a little defeated, as if he knew that it would come to this despite hoping that it wouldn't have to. He let out a long breath, then state clearly, "I invoke Mission Protocol."
Never had he invoked Mission Protocol, a rare instance in which he is allowed to carry on a lone mission in protection of the kingdom but kept secret from the Court (and the Queen) for their safety.
For the second time that night, they were shocked into stunned silence.
Mikan spoke up for the first time that night, concern lacing her voice, "Natsume -"
"Listen to me," He didn't look at her, but his commanding voice caught their attention. "No matter what happens, do not come to my aid. Do NOT use magic, no matter how little or veiled. Do not attack or retaliate any attacks. Only defend when necessary. Do not, at any costs, reveal yourself and your magic - " This time, he finally looked at her, their eyes locking briefly before he turned to address the room. "- at any cost. Including my life."
At that last sentence, both Mikan and Youichi interrupted him with protests but they were quelled with a single look.
"If that were to happen, if I were to die, run. Flee immediately. I have given Youichi instructions. If you do not follow my instructions, you will put the entire kingdom in danger. Do you understand me? Do not reveal your magic. I have your word," he nodded at Hotaru, "protect your magic..." He let the word hang as they knew who he was referring to, and Hotaru understood that he meant for her to keep an eye on Mikan, "at all costs. That is the highest priority." He turned to the door, "Acting Commander Hijiri and five of my most skilled High Guard will be with you at all times."
They were all struck speechless by his commands, weighed down by the meaning behind them. Then, to everyone's surprise, Natsume sidetracked on his path to the door.
He marched toward Mikan without much preamble. With a yelp from the handmaiden, he had grabbed her waist and planted a deep, emotional kiss. In a snap, he was back in character and striding across the floor to the door. Mikan barely recovered before he was already in the hallway.
The blue light that protected the room faded in the same way his footsteps did. The occupants of the room stared helplessly out the door.
"That was rather dramatic, wasn't it?" Tsubasa muttered sideways to Yuu, who only sputtered in response.
Koko thought, at that moment, that perhaps he was able to witness the Commander's response to Mikan's forward question after all.