chapter 6

Shiro finds himself helping Misas staff organize supplies for the town, at most, in the past he had seen the nobles sell supplies to the public but not freely distribute them. In his mind he quickly calculated the astronomical costs of this supply mission. The thought of all the wasted funds spun in his head. He is broken from his thoughts by the sight of a woman reaching for the crates at the top. Her highly visible belly suggesting that she is heavily pregnant. The box at the top begins to topple and she losses her balance. Springing to his feet Shiro runs to help her he catches her in one hand and the box in the other

"Mama!" Misa shouts running to them the king swiftly behind her

"Jiyu, what are you doing here?!" The king says

Shiro lifts her back to her feet she waddles to her husband

"That's how you catch someone" shiro whispers to Misa with an arrogant smirk

" thank you for helping my mother" she whispers to him before going to her. "Mama, you're are supposed to be in bed!"

The queen waves her hand. "I'll be gone and resting soon enough, just let me work while I'm here"

"You make it sound like you're dying, you're just giving birth…" the king says. Awkward silence ensuing as the two women glare at him "i'll just be quiet now"

"Thank you,"the queen starts, extending her hand to shiro. He approaches and kissed her hand bowing "Are you prince subarashii?" She asks as the king makes a sour face.

"No you're majesty. I am Shiro his attendant" he says

"Well that's too bad" she says "but i'm sure the prince is a nice lad as well"

She rubs her belly top to bottom, "I'm afraid he and I will only have a little amount of time to get to know each other, my doctor is sending me to the countryside to rest until the child is here" she looks at her stomach "or more likely, children. I'm convinced it's twins again" she sighs exasperated. "Well anyhow i'll be leaving tonight so do ask price subarashii to visit me in the afternoon for tea" she bows as much as her belly allows and turns to leave

"Wait" the king says catching her hand " I'm hungry" he says in a michivous tone

"HUNGRY? I'm 8 months pregnant, make you're own-"

The king tugs her to him kissing her passionately "all better," he says "how about a little something sweet later?"

"No cake till this ones done baking" she says coldly putting her palm on his face

He pulls her hand down kissing her fingertips "I guess I'm on a diet then… I'll miss you when you're gone"

Her face flushes red and she looks away "I-I'll miss you too…" she mumbles.

"Go get some rest" he says kissing her forehead and sending her away. The king turns to Misa frowning before brushing past her

"Is you're father that upset with you?" Shiro asks

Misa sighs nodding "he doesn't want me to marry for the sake of the kingdom, but that's selfish…"

It was true, as a king making decisions for their family's Benefit was selfish. It often led to corruption, but for the first time Shiro felt like he could see the reasoning why a ruler would make a selfish decision. He thought how hard it must be to choose between you're child's happiness and you're country.

"He knows that I'm just doing what's best for the people, every minute our kingdom goes without a strong ally, is another minute that the black and white legion could swarm us"

"Maybe… it won't matter what you do…" she glances at him concerned "maybe they will come no mater what you do." Shiro says with meaning.

Her smile turns weak "It doesn't matter what I do… either way my life will end"

Before he can ask her meaning behind that statement she is called by one of her staff and dashes off to help. Shiro continues to assist with distribution until his help is no longer needed, after which he decides to survey the palace for their attack. Walking the perimeter he notes several weak points, too many in fact. Stories of the kings superior battle form and strength had always filled the air. Maybe the king himself was a picture of strength, but his security could easily be his downfall.

There was just one question remaining in Shiro's mind; exactly how strong is the king? He had heard talk that in his youth he single handedly defeated hundreds of troops. Whether it was true or not, Shiro was always one to err on the side of caution. The black and white legion could defeat the south shima army. No question. But could shiro and kuro defeat the king… he stops walking as he passes a courtyard where prince Souma practices with a bow staff.

His timing, his technique, his form, and especially his strength was flawless. Shiro grew concerned about his ability to fight him as well as the king, he could find no weakness in his movement whatsoever. A battle with him may be one of stamina rather than skill. Shiro continues to observe him from the shadows before the princesses voice startles him

"What are you doing here?" she shouts. Shiro nearly answers before realizing she was not speaking to him "why are you practicing alone?" She says

"Misako" he starts, wiping the sweat from his brow " did you feel anything strange from you're betrothed?"

Misa nods "you sensed it too?"

"There's more to him than just being spoiled and overconfident, he's… planning something" souma crosses his arms looking to the sky

"I have to agree, Shiro said it was just his manner but I'm not so sure" she says

"Do you trust his companion?' He asks

Misa thinks for a moment "I'm not sure, my heart is telling me yes, but my head is telling me no… whether he is trustworthy or not I still think he is a good person at heart…"

Shiro had never actually thought about whether he was a good person or not, but logic told him he was not a good person. So he could not understand why she would say such a thing.

"I'm glad mother is leaving tonight, you mustn't tell you're fiancé where she is going, on the chance that hi is up to no good"

She nods "I agree and in the meantime I will get to know more of him."

Souma stretches his arm exaggeratedly "well then , all this serious talk is making me itchy, do you wanna spar a little?"

Misa nods, kicking up another staff. She spins it with great speed readying herself. Holding up her arms Misa is halted by her sleeves

"One minute souma, I can't fight in this" she says unbuttoning her dress

"Gross, you're gonna fight me in your underwear?" He shouts

She tosses a rock at his head "shh! I'm wearing something loose under this you moron"

Before the match even began shiro could see that her strength in and of itself was nothing to scoff at. He recalled the first meeting in the forest, where she disarmed the hunters. Even then for a woman so small it was impressive. Now in the daylight and with more revealing clothing he could truly see that her stature was small but her muscles were strongly fortified.

The match begins and her expression becomes completely different from Shiro's expectations, her intensity shining through. Souma goes on the offensive and she expertly dodges each move of his staff, she doesn't use the staff at all except to block him. Instead she evades, patiently waiting for a mistake

"Come on Misa! Stop dodging."

She laughs slinging the staff behind her arm "heh try telling that to an enemy on the battlefield.. but alright if you insist"

Misa plants her staff into the ground spinning around with a kick both feet land directly in his chest. She continues to reign blows on Souma, some connecting some not. Shiro watches her determining that she primarily attacks with her legs. Not once in holding the staff did she use it to attack, always to block or as a tool of leverage. He notes that her ability to evade attacks was impressive but if caught off guard she could be hit. And she definitely used her small size to her advantage, her agility was wholly impressive. The match ends when she runs up the side of the wall, pouncing onto souma and pinning him to the ground and Wrapping her arm around his throat

"Ah! you smell" he shrieks

"I do not!' She argues

"Yeah you do! you smell like flowers and lady things"

She releases his neck his face plopping in the dirt "well take a good whiff because you're probably never going to smell a lady"

Sitting up he wipes the dirt from his face "if I get a lady I probably won't sniff her"

"Really? I saw you sniffing lady Anko's hair just the other day" she teases

"But that's only because she smells so pretty!" He shouts

Misa pats souma shoulder "feeling better brother?"

He looks at her sadly and hugs her tightly " I love you misa, I swear I'll never let anything happen to you"

Tousling his hair she hugs him back "silly… don't make promises you can't keep"

Having seen enough, Shiro creeps away silently.