Chapter Eleven: I love you always

"Ashley, it is the duty of the Hisatake Clan to protect and serve the Kenova Royal Family." A man said. "You have surpassed both your mental and physical training. You are a weapon and you must be used."

"Yes master…" I said. Then a little girl walked in the room with long white hair and red eyes.

"Oh, Princess Akira… You shouldn't be here all by yourself." The man replied.

"I am here to meet my new friend." Akira said, smiling. "Hello there, my name is Akira Regal. What is your name?"

"My name is Ashley Hisatake and I am your servant." I replied.

"You are not my servant…" Akira said, grabbing my hand. "You are my friend so stop acting like a robot and let's go play."

"Play?"

"Yes, I don't meet a lot of kids around so let's have some fun." Akira said, pulling me away. "Goodbye Mr. Hisatake…"

"Goodbye milady…"

Friend… Play…Kid… I have never known what those meant until I met her. She was my first friend, my true friend… my hero… And it is up to me to protect what she loves dearly.

Kitaru got back from Kendo practice with Mori. She was washing dishes happily and humming away. When she returned she went straight to the kitchen and started to make chocolate hearts. Ashley sat at the dining table silently along with Saul. He was napping beside the table. Akira, I am so sorry that I wasn't there to protect you on that day. Oh Akira… I regret it but I know that raising Kitaru brings me closer to you.

"Mom, are you okay? You haven't said a single word since I got back." Kitaru asked. "Are you sick?"

"I am fine Kitty. Can you stop what you are doing and come here for a moment?" Ashley asked. Kitaru turned off the sink and walked towards her mother. She sat down on the opposite side of her.

"Mom, you are making me worried. What is going on with you?" Kitaru asked.

"Kitaru, there is something I have been keeping from you for a long time and tonight I have to reveal to you." Ashley said, pulling out a necklace from her pocket. It was gold and had a crest as a pendent. "This is the crest of the royal family of Kenova. It was your mother's necklace."

"My mother's necklace but that would mean she is…" Kitaru said, staring at her with shock. "My mom is a princess?"

"Yes and the future heir." She replied. "I met your mother when I was a young girl. I thought of myself as a tool to royalty but she was not like any princess I met. She was kind and loving. She was my first friend and it was an honor to serve her."

"You knew my mother?" Kitaru asked.

"Yes and your father as well… You see, your parents met in America in an art university. They fell in love but their love cannot be approved by your grandfather. Your mother had a choice, love or the throne."

"My mom chose love, didn't she?" Kitaru asked.

"Yes and your grandfather banished her from Kenova and disowned her as his daughter. It is the same time I quit being the tool of Kenova and left. For my decision, I too was banished from Kenova. Your parents moved to Japan and live happily with their beautiful baby girl. The reason why I am telling you today is that you are the heir of Kenova and your cousin Samuel is here to take you there. Also, there have been people trying to kill you and I got rid of them. Unfortunately, they obtained information that you attend Ouran High School and attacked the Host Club. I was there of course and eliminated the threat. You were sleeping at the time and your friends found out that you were a princess." Ashley said, grabbing her hand and placing the necklace. "Your mother forced me to promise her to keep the life of Kenova a secret from you. I know this is all so sudden but I am sorry for everything. You have every right to hate me." Kitaru started to cry. "Kitty…"

"Why would I hate you?" Kitaru asked, hugging her. "You loved me all these years and you never treat me as a mission. You loved me as a mother should. Why would I hate you even for this? You loved me for me and even my friends. They didn't see me as royalty even if they knew, they loved me and treated me the same. My mother had her reasons and I know you have yours. But I thank you for everything you have done for me. You are my mom. I love you." Ashley started to cry as well.

"I love you so much my Kitty." She cried.

"I love you too Mama Cat." Kitaru said. Saul licked their faces and they giggled. "We love you too Saul." Ashley then pulled back and put the necklace around her daughter's neck.

"You can come out now." Ashley said. "I honestly can't believe you even stayed here to make sure I tell her. You can be such a pest." Allenson appeared at the window.

"Come on Ashley… You don't need to be so rude to me." He said. He entered the room and bowed. "It is please to meet you Lady Kitaru. You look so much like your mother. My name is Allenson Hisatake. I am…"

"You are my mom's younger brother and the leader of the Hisatake Clan. My mother told me so much about you." Kitaru said, hugging him.

"She has…" Allenson said, turning to his sister. Ashley mentions me to her.

"Yes, she told me that you were the only person that can stand a chance against her." Kitaru said. "Also, you two were very close."

"I see well we were always close. I guess it is because we were training to fight when we were five plus Mathew was there." Allenson answered. "Mathew secretly love your mother and did everything to impress her."

"Well, I am hungry so who wants pizza?" Ashley said, changing the subject.

"I do!" Kitaru cheered. Saul barked with agreement. "I will go get my phone. It is in my room." She left the room and the two siblings were alone.

"So you do talk about me?" Allenson teased. "I find it cute." Ashley kept silent. "What's the matter?"

"You are going to take her away from me." Ashley said.

"I have my orders." He replied.

"I guess I can't argue with that." Ashley said. Kitaru walked out of her room with her cell phone. "So are we ready to order?"

"Yup, I want pepperoni pizza." Kitaru said. "What do you want Uncle Allenson?"

"Uncle? I mean… I can't stay long. I have somewhere I have to be right now." Allenson said. Well, she may be a princess but she acts like her mother. She doesn't see us as tools but as people. Ashley you raised her well. Akira would be proud. "Maybe another time…"

"Let me escort you out. Kitty, make sure we have something cool to drink." Ashley said.

"Sure thing mom…" Kitaru said. They walked out the door and thousands of kunai raced towards them. Ashley and Allenson caught every single kunai. "MOM, WHAT WAS THAT?!"

"I'll take care of it." Allenson whispered. He disappeared and Ashley let out a smirk.

"Nothing Kitty, Uncle Allenson dropped his keys." Ashley lied. Orders? I have a feeling that I have to fight you my little brother. She entered her house once more and found Kitaru in front of her. "Kitty, is there something wrong?"

"Mom, who is Mathew?" Kitaru asked. "I know it is none of my business but I want to know who he is. I feel that he is someone important to you." Ashley paused in front of her and let out a sigh. "Mom…"

"He was my heart." Ashley replied. She grabbed her hand and pulled her into the living room. "Remember the partner I mentioned. The one that died in a mission…"

"Yes, is that his name?" Kitaru asked.

"Yes, his name is Mathew... Mathew Pua." Ashley said, smiling.

"Can you please tell me how you two met?" Kitaru begged. "Pretty please…" Saul barked as he sat next to Kitaru. "I want to know Mathew."

"I guess I have no choice." Ashley said, smiling. "When I was little, I didn't have the luxury of being a kid. My father pushed me and my brother to be the best. Mathew was just a stray. He begged my father for work. My father made him a slave to our household and would always watch me with fascination and fancy me. As we grew into teenagers, he dedicated his time and life to me. He obeyed my every order and fulfilled my every request. I secretly taught him how to fight while he taught me how to feel, to act like a human."

"So he was in love with you from the beginning." Kitaru said, smiling.

"Who knows? All I can say is that I grew fond of his company and fell in love with him." Ashley said. "When your mother left I followed her. Mathew tagged along as well. We worked for an agency but we were tricked into being experiments. I lost Mathew on that day."

"Mom, I am very sorry." Kitaru said, grabbing her hand. "I didn't mean for you to bring back painful memories. I just wanted to know more about you."

"My Kitty, don't hesitate to ask about my life. I would tell you everything." Ashley replied, hugging her.

"Mom, I am happy that you are my mom." Kitaru said. "Because you remind me of my real mom and you two are not all that different. It makes me feel that she is right here with me."

"Then I am doing great being your mother." Ashley said. Then there was a knock on the door. "Well, let's get some pizza."

Ashley sat on the roof after dinner, staring at the night sky. Mathew…

"Please sir, I would not disappoint you. Let me work here." A boy begged. He had spiky dirty blonde hair and crimson red eyes. He was on his knees and my father just let out a sigh.

"Fine but don't get in the way." My father said. "What is your name kid?"

"Mathew, my name is Mathew Pua." He answered.

"Well, you come from a samurai clan. Do you know how to fight?" My father asked.

"Yes, I do but I wasn't strong enough to save my whole clan." Mathew said.

"My daughter is the future heir to my clan. With your skills, I want you to serve her and guard her with your life. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, I do master…"

"Good… ASHLEY!" My father called. "COME HERE FOR A MOMENT." Then I entered the room in a kimono. "Ashley this will be your new bodyguard. He would guard you while you bathe and sleep." I turned to him.

"What is your name?" I asked. He kept on staring at me. "What is your name?"

"Oh sorry… My name is Mathew Pua." He said, scratching his head and blushing at the same time. He then bowed in front of me. "I will protect you with my life milady."

That is when I first met him. He was always full of energy and has a smile on his face whenever he greets me.

"Milady, I brought you your breakfast." Mathew said, entering my room with a silver tray with my breakfast. He then caught me half naked and dropped the tray. "I AM SO SORRY!" He screamed, blushing and cleaning up the mess. "I am so clumsy… please forgive me milady." I put on my robe. "I shouldn't come in without permission. I am deeply sorry." After cleaning, he caught me staring at him with curiosity. "Is there something wrong milady?"

"Why are you all red?" I asked. He turned red even more.

"Well… I… you were naked so yeah…"

"Does that mean I look disgusting?" I asked.

"NO!" He replied. "THAT IS FAR FROM THE TRUTH! It just means that… a…well.."

"There is no need to explain." I replied. "I guess it is a human thing that I would never understand."

"A human thing?"

"I was raised and taught to be a killing machine. No emotions are required." I explained.

"That explains why you are clueless about me blushing." He said. "I don't think emotionless suits you."

"Hmmm…"

"I mean, I hardly see you smile and hear you laugh." He added. "I know that you have to be tough but that doesn't mean to not be human. You are a human being after all." He walked towards me but he tripped and collided to the ground. "Today is not my day." I then started laughing and smiling. I felt something new within me that made me do these things. I was happy. "Wow, you laughed. I made you laugh." He then joined in and laughed as well. He was a weird man but he was there to keep me human. Throughout the years, he taught me how to be human and I was intact with my emotions.

She then smoothed the pendent. "Oh Mathew, I wish you were still here with me." She said, smiling in the night. "I love you always."

There was a time I was kidnapped. I let my guard down and for that, I was chained and bleeding. My clan couldn't find me. I was losing all hope until…

"Some heir you turned out to be." The bandit said. "So tell me all about your clan's secrets."

"I will never tell you." I said. He slapped me on the face. I have been tortured for three hours down and every inch of my body was in pain. I didn't know how long I would resist them.

"YOU BETTER TELL ME YOU BITCH!" He screamed. Then one of his men burst in the room."What is it?"

"We are being attacked."

"By who…"

"I don't know but he killed half of our men."

"It is probably her father. This is going to be interesting." I can here screaming and the bandit was shaking in fear. To my surprise, it wasn't my father that came to rescue me. It was him. "Who the fuck are you?"

"I am Lady Ashley's bodyguard. Give her back to me if you want to live." He snapped. I can see the anger in his eyes and blood all over his clothes. The bandit pulled me closer to him and licked my neck. "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER LIKE THAT!"

"Stay away if you want her to live." The bandit replied. Mathew then dashed behind him and kicked him hard on his side. I was separated from the bandit but he continued on beating him. He begged for mercy but Mathew didn't stop. I was scared of what I was seeing. He was turning into a killing machine. Would I be like that if I didn't meet him?

"PLEASE STOP!" I screamed. Mathew paused and the bandit was unconscious. "Please don't… Please don't…" I then did something I thought I would never do, I cried. He was shocked to see me cry and pulled me into his embrace.

"I am so sorry milady." He said, hugging me tightly. "I didn't know what came over me. It is just I was afraid to lose you. I may be your bodyguard but you are more to me than a job. I… I.. I love you Ashley. Love is something I can only give to you and only you."

"I love you too…" I replied.

Love is something I can only give to you and only you… Mathew…

"I destroyed the runts. They are still trying to kill her. I am still trying to find out who ordered the attack. They also pointed out they are after Samuel as well. I don't know what their angle is but I hope it doesn't waste my time." Allenson said, standing behind her. "The princess however, is such a dear. You raised her well."

"Thank you…"

"I will be off. Take care sis…"