Mamoru

A few minutes of silence went by after the revelation of the Princess carrying weapons, when Kenji threw Mamoru a headset, “Any news from the others?”

“Yes, good and bad,” he replied.

“What?”

“Five injured, headquarters have already been informed, and they’re sending more reinforcements there to get them, other than that everyone is okay,” Kenji replied.

“Fatal?” Mamoru asked, his heart dropping to his stomach, negligence is one thing but having a fallen soldier is another and way worse than the first.

“Nah! Just grazes, you taught them well, nothing’s gonna kill those lads,” Kenji chuckled.

“Thank God,” Mamoru breathed out in relief and removed his headset.

He rubbed the beads of sweat from his forehead and ran his hand through his hair, he should’ve been more prepared, if he had then this wouldn’t have happened! He looked at Delilah who was looking outside, her shoulders shook as she silently sobbed again.

Mamoru hooked a finger in his collar and pulled it away from his neck as if it was suffocating him, he didn’t know what to do. He never really knew how to react around crying women despite doing what he did and seeing this occasionally, he should’ve been used to it.

Except the one time when a Princess he rescued took a liking towards him and was cheering that she got to leave with him and Kenji. Both men had no clue how to react and could only try to keep their distance. However, it wasn't easy when they were in such proximity in the helicopter. Still, she tried to come onto him, and then Kenji when she concluded, he wasn’t interested. What hurt her ego was finding out neither was Kenji.

“Um,” Mamoru cleared his throat which made Delilah quickly wipe her tears.

“I’m sorry,” she let out a sad laugh.

“Don’t be!” he quickly blurted, “Are you okay?”

She nodded and grabbed a couple of tissues from the box in a small compartment next to her, dabbing her eyes.

“Where are we going?” she finally asked.

“Headquarters, you’ll be safe there,” Mamoru told her.

“Hey, Mamoru be a darlin’ and tell the little lady who I am,” Kenji spoke up in English, he removed his headset and flicked something on the central control unit, before relaxing.

Mamoru sighed rolling his eyes and making Delilah giggle, he smiled knowing his Princess wasn’t upset anymore, although deep down he felt a strange guilt overtaking him. It did something to him on the inside knowing that she was upset and there was nothing he could do to take it away forever.

“Earth to Mamoru,” Kenji poked his shoulder.

Mamoru shot him a death glare and got a grin back, “Princess, this is Kenji Kishimoto, and Kenji this is Princess Delilah of Genevia.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr Kishimoto,” Delilah nodded.

“Likewise, my lady. And call me Kenji, we’re all friends here,” he winked.

Delilah blushed a little and something in Mamoru’s stomach turned he didn’t like the Princess blushing over something that didn’t include himself. He was also desperately trying to forget what Frederick had said earlier, Mamoru had been resisting the urge to gouge the young King’s eyes out for even daring to look at her.

“Okay, Kenji, and please call me Delilah.”

Kenji looked almost as surprised as Mamoru did when she asked him to do the same thing, but the man shook his head, a smile returning on his face, “Okay if that’s what you’ll like,” he smiled.

Unlike Mamoru who had more defined features, Kenji had a rounder face, black hair and hazel eyes. Both men had a different physique as he wasn’t as built as Mamoru, but you could tell he did work out from time to time.

“Are you also a soldier as well, Kenji?” Delilah asked as she hadn’t seen him until now.

“Oh no, I’m not good at that sort of stuff, no I’m more of the tech guy,” he explained.

“Tech… guy?” Delilah repeated, confused.

“Yeah, you know; computers, helicopters, hacking, all that jazz,” he explained but Mamoru could tell it was all going over Delilah’s head, any longer and her brain would be fried.

“Okay, Kenji that’s enough now,” Mamoru rolled his eyes.

“Oh right. Sorry, once you get me started, I can’t stop! So, what did you two crazy kids get up to, huh?” his tone changed to one of a fun uncle.

“I wouldn’t call it crazy it was nice,” she smiled and Mamoru reciprocated, but that was until she continued; “Even the horse riding…”

“Wait, hold up!” Kenji cut her off.

Mamoru stiffened, he knew Kenji would disclose something personal and he didn’t want to get there just yet.

“Yes?”

“Mamoru was horse riding?” Kenji clapped and threw his head back with laughter, “No way! How did you manage to do that? He’s been scared of horses ever since… mnghghb”

Before he could yell anything embarrassing, Mamoru clamped his hand over his mouth, “Nothing, it’s nothing,” he yelped in surprise and pain when Kenji nipped his finger, “Did you just bite me?”

“You’re the one who had his hand over my mouth, you were waiting to get bitten! Anyways, I might as well tell her not like she’s gonna do anything,” he shrugged but briefly switched back to Japanese.

Mamoru sighed, “Fine.”

“Thank you, so the reason why he’s afraid of horses is because when we were training, there was a lesson on horse riding, what we didn’t know was that one of the horses was a bit… skittish. So, when Mamoru got on it…”

“No!” Delilah leaned forward a bit.

“Yup, the horse started bucking, Mamoru flew off and since then he’s been terrified of them,” Kenji chuckled, looking at his red-faced commander.

Delilah giggled a little but stopped when Mamoru glared at her and placed a finger on her mouth, but couldn’t stop the smile from appearing on her lips, “I feel guilty now.”

“Why?” Kenji asked, smiling.

“I made Mr Himeji get on the horse; I wish I knew about this before; we could have walked it to the village instead.”

“Hey, it’s okay Princess, don’t worry about it,” he placed a hand over hers as comfort.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“I’d face every fear of mine for you if it resulted in me seeing that smile,” he thought to himself.

“Yes, I’m sure,” he smiled, reassuringly.

They both stared into each other’s eyes for a few seconds before Kenji cleared his throat, “Get a room,” he mumbled making Mamoru smack him over the head.

“How far are we?”

“We’re here,” he replied.

Kenji wore his headset again and turned the aircraft off of autopilot taking things in his hands, Mamoru turned his gaze to the window and saw the sea below, a little way across was an island.

“Oh, and good luck,” Kenji gave Mamoru a thumbs up.

“…for?”

“For you fucking up,” Kenji shrugged.

“Damn it!” Mamoru face palmed, “I forgot, my head’s on the chopping block, isn’t it?”

“Yup.”

“Was Mum pissed?”

“Yup.”

“This is not good,” he shook his head, worried, the closer they got to landing the more his heartbeat increased.

“Yup.”

“Don’t you have anything else to say?” he asked, irritably.

“…nope,” Kenji flashed a charming smile.

“I am plotting your downfall,” Mamoru spoke casually, narrowing his eyes.

Kenji gasped dramatically, “Delilah, did you hear what he said.”

“That was pretty harsh,” Delilah mumbled.

“Me?! He’s the one acting like a little bitch!”

“Mr Himeji!” Delilah gasped.

“Oooooh” Kenji looked between Mamoru and Delilah.

“What?” he asked, confused.

“It’s not polite to swear in front of a lady,” she jutted her chin.

“Oh really?” Mamoru recoiled, “So when he said ‘Fuck’ that was, okay?”

“No,” she shrugged, “But I didn’t hear that,” she turned away.

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” he mumbled.

He was hoping Delilah didn’t hear but judging by the crimson colour that rose on her cheeks, he was sure she heard it. But knowing that he was the one making her blush this time made him feel good, yet he still couldn’t pinpoint why.

By the time they landed, the sun was setting making the sky turn from various shades of orange, pink and purple. If it was any other day Mamoru would find it quite beautiful, but judging by the events that took place that very same day, despite the scenery he knew back in Genevia a storm was brewing.

“This is where I leave you both,” Kenji smiled at them.

“Thanks, man you were a big help,” Mamoru nodded.

“Ah don’t sweat it,” he pulled Mamoru in a bro-hug, he turned his gaze towards Delilah an easy smile playing on his lips, “This is where we part ways.”

“Thank you, Kenji,” Delilah dipped her head slightly.

“It was a pleasure,” he held her hand and gently kissed the back of it.

Mamoru let out a low growl which surprised even him, his territorial instincts were starting to shine. It did make him wonder, if things are bad now around Kenji how are things going to be later? What was to happen to Delilah afterwards?

“Okay now, that’s enough,” Mamoru glared at his young friend who was still holding onto his Princess’s hand.

Kenji donned a smirk, “Actually, goodbyes aren’t forever. I have a feeling I might be seeing you sooner than you think,” he winked at them before departing, they watched him fly off before Mamoru turned his gaze back on Delilah.

“Ready?” he asked.

“For what?”

“Come,” he held out his hand.

Delilah slipped hers in his and let him lead her into the mouth of a cave, they walked for a bit before they stood in front of big metal doors. Mamoru raised his hand and placed it on the biometric scanner. After a few fingerprints, and iris scans the doors opened. Getting into their headquarters was like getting into Fort Knox or MI6 headquarters, Mamoru was surprised he didn’t need to give a blood sample as well in the process.

“This way,” he urged her, gently.

He could tell she was scared despite putting on a brave front, and truth be told he wasn’t looking forward to whatever his future held either.