Travel The Distance

Chapter 27

After the meeting between Hatsume and I concluded, I didn't really have anything to do for the rest of the day. With nothing better to do, I started forming a war plan which I would run through, alter and finalise with my advisors. My mind raced with ideas and strategies for facing either the full force of Endeavour or the unknown variables of the trespassers. The uncertainty which loomed over me like a phantom was disconcerting. I had no way of knowing which side would emerge victorious in the battle which was soon to commence in Endeavour. I also couldn't say with certainty whether Crepitus truly would be attacked. The many 'what ifs' and uncertainties which circled me did nothing to calm my raging nerves. I wasn't one to work themselves up about meaningless things, I never displayed my nerves for others to see. I had to learn early that letting those who look up to you see your hesitance and fear was a grave mistake. A mistake which could cost you a battle, or even lives.

What concerned me, even more, was the fact that it was no longer just me and my band of misfits running from one village to another, occasionally facing off with the rarely skilled hunter. I was responsible for the entire Kingdom. So many lives were in my hands, one mistake could send countless people tumbling into the desparingly dark depths of death. I knew that I couldn't crack under the pressure of the situation, but that didn't stop my mind from tricking me into worrying damn near constantly.

*Shoto's POV*

My chest was still aflutter and my head still felt dangerously light after my impromptu 'date' with Katsuki, if you could really call it that. I had been cruising along on cloud nine since the previous evening. When twilight light had trickled through the dense tree branches and Katsuki had confessed his love to me. At that moment, he had looked angelic. Katsuki always looked ethereal and like he was a creature not of this earth, and yet the silver and gold light which had painted streaks across his face only managed to enhance his already godly appearance. His blond head wreathed in a halo and his crimson eye burning with more passion than I had ever seen present in Katsuki before. It was breathtaking.

"Shoto! There you are!" a familiarly stern voice hollered from the other end of the hall. I quickly did my best to wipe all obvious traces of my jubilance from my face. It certainly would be out of character for me to have a loving twinkle in my eyes and a dopey smile on my face. It seemed as though everyone was right when they said love changed you as a person.

"Hello, Tenya. How can I help you?" I asked monotonously, striving my hardest to keep all emotion from my face.

"Prince Shoto, would you do me the honours of facing me in a sparring session?" Tenya asked as he fell into his signature 90-degree bow. I felt a smile twitch at my lips at the hilarity of Tenya's unnecessary formal predeposition. It seemed as though being raised as a high ranking noble had cultured Tenya into the perfectly well-mannered man he was.

"Of course, Tenya, I would be honoured to spar with you again." I intoned. Tenya nodded his head, an emotion akin to excitement glimmering behind his deep blue irises.

We were stood in the training arena within minutes, both of us practically buzzing in place, anticipation hummed like electricity in the air as we both stretched. I watched out of the corner of my eye as Tenya stretched his calf muscles, his magic caused him to be able to move extremely fast. Whilst his branch of magic didn't seem particularly interesting or useful, Tenya had managed to shape his power into a tool which aided him in battle. There was a reason why he was a mid-ranking knight at such a young age.

My eyes strayed away from Tenya and towards the assembled crowd who always gathered to watch spars between my friends and me. Of course, Momo, Ochako and Izuku were present. They were always there to cheer on the two fighters, though they were never biased. It was extremely peculiar seeing Izuku with pointed ears. Also, the knowledge that he had an extremely long life-span made me feel a bit odd.