Turned Table of the Phoenix

Behind the Mask

"Sorry I should be allowing you to sleep".

Katashi laid there on the blanket covered ground next to me. He sat up on his forearm and went to get up. I stopped him, placing my hand on his arm.

"Wait".

He lied down and waited for me to continue talking.

"Tell me, what happened"?

"Princess, soldiers don't worry about the dead, they care about the living who want them dead. I was leading the army of reinforcements when one of your men ran up to me calling for help, saying that you were injured. I ran over to where you were and carried you all the way here to camp".

"Wait why are you laying down... here... next to me"?

Katashi rolled his eyes and grabbed my cheek, juggling them as I scrunched up my face in pain. Finally Katashi stopped and spoke again.

"Well if someone didn't eat both a full grown man's portion and their own I think you'd be a lot easier to carry".

I didn't want to move to slap the jerk, it was too much effort. I simply glared in protest.

"Well if someone would actually work out... oh that's right! Oh my goodness, you'd actually be fit, able to lift a little weight. Look at those stringy arms, it looks like they'd blow away in the wind".

Katashi grumbled and tugged at my cheek once more.

" I am very fit you're just very..."

"Say it... I dare you and they may be the last words you speak".

"You're very intrigued with food"...

"I thought so... now continue".

"Anyway so both you and I will finish out this war together, as soon as you get better. For now you will stay here with me and I will make sure you get the best care that can be offered".

"What about K... what about my servant"?

"You brought a servant? I haven't seen any servants around here. Sorry your highness".

Where was Katsuro? He couldn't possibly be that far and I can't even go look for him...

"You'll be bed ridden for a few days and then I'm sure you will be able to be back on the field. It's a good thing this war is almost over. We have regained the area originally lost".

I nodded and smiled. For an odd reason I grabbed his hand and scooted closer to him.

Is this what war does to someone?

Why did it feel so nice to be with him, why was it so warm and comforting?

"Katashi... I need you to find me the soldier who saved me".

"You're looking at him".

"No! The one who got you. It's not like you would have deliberately looked out for me".

Katashi chuckled and whispered, "Princess, you'd be surprised at the things people do for those they love. I would have searched the world if you were lost".

Katsuro had also said the word "love", but what was it truly. If I had ever believed in love when I was younger, it was gone now.

"Well that would be a very long search, thank you for the concern".

By his facial expression, I could tell that I had ruined the moment.

Katashi got up, I was too used to seeing him in the dress of royalty. He managed a smile and walked towards the exit.

"Be careful what you say princess. Your letter did not seem too apologetic".

My eyes grew twice the size when those words escaped his mouth.

"What... what do you mean," I stammered.

"I simply had to read your letter. I mean someone who went from death sentence to an apology letter".

I couldn't say anything. The letter was to frame the queen.

"Your highness, I don't care why you dislike the queen, but you must know that as soon as you take a seat in a throne, you are the target of many. Even when you are in the palace you are always in danger".

"Wait! Katashi...".

He paused, holding the flaps of the tent open.

"Eu-meh... I'm trying to keep you safe. You do not understand my actions or reasons, just please do not try to pull off such a silly stunt next time. Now I will go fetch your "hero" that wasn't me".

Katashi closed the flaps of the tent, leaving me all alone.

I waited in the tent, closing my eyes and resting. I then heard the flaps of the tent open again. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, watching Sanyu enter along with Katashi.

"Princess, you wished to see me"?

I smiled and patted towards me.

"Please sit".

He looked uncomfortable, but sat anyway.

"I will guarantee you, that your dreams will come true, but I also want you to be my personal cook. You will be known and I will see it through".
Sanyu nodded and smiled, his eyes started to water as he gave thanks.

"Will you please cook for me".

He smiled and nodded, running out of the tent to start preparation with the chef.

"As for you come, keep me company".

Katashi laid with me until dinner, when we had soup. It was unlike anything I had ever tasted at the palace, rather my mother's own cooking.

After the nice supper, I fell asleep in Katashi's arms.

Katashi would not hold Eu-meh all night long.

............................

Outside of the tent as Eu-meh slept soundly, there stood two men corralling.

"What are you doing here... "?!

"I could ask you the same thing... I swear if you touch her... I will end you".

"It's too late, I already have touched her. Her lips are so delicate aren't they"?

There was a loud thud as a body was thrown to the ground outside of the tent.

"Watch your tongue brother...".

"I should say that to you... unless you would like to see your mother dead".

There was the sound of feet shuffling across the dirt as the two men parted ways.

"I will always protect you", he whispered as he kissed Eu-meh.