Chapter 4

Kuro wipes the blood from his mouth. Shiro stood, ready for all hell to break loose. There was one thing that brought pure rage to Kuro, that being strikes to his face. His face was, after all, his own most prized possession.

Shiro recalled the instance where one of his men had mistakenly struck Kuros face. Without warning kuro attacked the unwitting man, to this day he is still scared from the onslaught, missing an eye, a hand and an ear. had it not been for Shiro's presence to stop him the man would have surely lost his life.

And now Shiro watches nervously on the scene unfolding. As strong as the two men were they could likely defeat the soldiers present for the meal, but coupled with the king whose strength was unbeknownst to them… Shiro quickly routed a plan for escape in his mind in case things got out of hand.

"Oh dear, dad really couldn't have waited till I finished my food to start something" Souma says

"I fear that Subarashii will take this fight too far" shiro says

"I wouldn't worry, my father won't kill your prince. Even he has limits"souma say unconcerned

"Unfortunately, I don't think <i>prince Subarashii</i> will share that sentiment" Shiro says to himself

"Father, wait! I called him here" Misa pleads grasping her fathers arm.

Her father , the king, scowls at her. "I specifically ordered you not to accept the proposal!" He shouts, causing her to flinch. To Shiro's surprise ,Kuro doesn't retaliate as angry as he looks.

Misas face twists from hurt to anger "you're being unreasonable! You have no say in who I marry, and I will marry him with or without you're approval! You can either accept the dowry and I'll stay here or you won't and i'll go to the <i>Shinku</i> empire with him"

The stubborn girl helps the pseudo prince to his feet. "I'll take you to the baths"she says escorting Kuro out of the hall, a complete mess.

Shiro breathes a sigh of relief , thanking the heavens that Kuro did not loose his temper. Souma laughs "I guess that's that" he says, "she's so headstrong just like mother, once she decides something it would take heaven and earth to stop her."

"I've never seen a princess speak so boldly" shiro says in wonder

Souma pats his back "well, that's one word for it, tell you the truth, misa is just concerned about the <i>Black and White legion</i>"

Shiro is quite familiar with the name, being the co-founder to the <i>Black and White legion</i>, the princess was right to be concerned , more than she knew. Shiro tries not to imagine what she would think of him should she discover his true self.

Feeling anxious he takes a big mouthful of the food before him. Quite surprised at the great taste "This is excellent, you're chef is very talented"he says

"Yep that's my mama, she always has been a good cook"Souma says slinging his chopsticks about .

"The queen is the cook?" Shiro asks

"Yeah she likes to treat the town to the morning meal twice a week, she has a staff to help her of course."

Shiro found himself baffled, in all his years that he spent conquering kingdoms, he had never seen a royal lift a finger to cook for themselves, much less others. The nobles and royals he had met had nearly always been self centered or corrupt, those who weren't were fools who we're weak leaders.

"Please excuse me" he says bowing to Souma as he stands "I'm going to go find the prince"

"Oh, sure" Souma says

Shiro exits the dining hall passing the king who sits angrily nearer the center of the table. In the hall a few soldiers and townspeople stand chatting away. He approaches a few conversing soildiers .

"Pardon, a man just left here covered in food, did you see where he went ?"

The soldier sights " yeah he's that foreign prince, it's unfair. I've been in love with the princess since I was 12. And this guy gets her just because he's rich"

The man he's talking to rolls his eyes " he asked directions, not you're life story. The princess mentioned taking the prince tho the bath house. Follow this hall to the end. Then it's left and two rights." He says

" thank you" he says

Meanwhile Misa guides Kuro through the halls by the wrist like she's scolding a child. "I told you not to provoke him!"

"I simply greeted him politely as any son in law would"he says

Sighing she drops his wrist, "I'm sorry i haven't been very hospitable, after you've come all this way…"

"Well i think i know how you can make it up to me" Kuro says yanking her to him "maybe you can help me get cleaned up" Tsuki clicks violently at kuro, moving his head in a circle.

"Quiet pest" he shouts causing the bird to fly to the rafters

"Tsuki!" She shouts reaching to him, only to be pulled back

"Forget that bird, focus on me" Kuro commands

Misa could sense that he was the sort of man who if given an inch would take a mile. Absolutely encouragable and he definitely possessed the power to impose his will on others. That she could sense by his grip, it made her feel affraid of what he would do should he decide to use his strength Against her and the ones she loves. She attempts to yank her wrist away but kuros Grips it tighter causing her to bruise.

"You're hurting me." She says trying not to show fear to him.

"Not yet" he whispers with a soulless grin.

For the first time in her life Misa felt terror when looking into the eyes of another. She could tell the man held a dark soul. As his eyes punctured the wall she had protecting herself, her face fell to fear. Misa realized that she was completley powerless against his strength, a feeling she had never experienced. Kuro grips her chin, her body frozen in fear, he pulls her close to him. Her hand losing feeling from the power of his grip. Her face marked red where his strong fingers clutch. She feels herself shiver, her lips tremble, her eyes quiver, And her heart races.

"There you are" Shiro says, his voice breaks Kuros concentration.

Once his grip is loosened she takes the opportunity to push him away. Her heart still full of fear she covers her wrist from Shiros veiw, looking to the ground. Even though she tries to hide the marks on her face they don't escape Shiros observation.

"I told you not to provoke the king" Shiro says

Kuros eyebrow twitches "I didn't, he just attacked me, actually considering that he dared lay a hand on my perfect face, I remained rather calm wouldn't you agree dearest?" he says patting the princesses head

She looks up from her frightful trance, startled "what? Oh yes, that's right he did not provoke my father."

Shiro glances over him "get you're self cleaned up, you look like hell" he says

"We can't have that can we? Well darling, care to join me?" He replies.

"I-" she starts still shaken from the moments proceeding.

Shiro grasps her wrist as Kuro did, the difference being his gentle grip. " you mustn't get dirstracted from you're task "Shiro says hinting to greater meaning.

Kuro nods "alright I get it. Well then see you a little later princess" he says with a bow, sauce dripping from his hair.

He saunters on down the hall, once he is gone Shiro releases her arm and whistles to Tsuki hiding in the ceilings "did he hurt you?" He asks as the great white bird lands

"N-no just a little sore" she says

"I was talking to the bird" he lies, stroking it's snowy cheeks

"S-sorry I -" she starts but her voice cracks before she can continue. She stares to the ground with a hollow expression as tears form tracks down her cheeks.

For reasons he could not figure, Shiro despised seeing her in such a state. Especially when evoked by Kuro.

"Pay no mind to him, he's very a very spoiled boy"

She looks at Shiro teary eyed "What is he going to do?" She says.

"What?" Shiro looks at her baffled by the question, could she tell by just the little time they we're together? Did he tell her?

"Who is that man planning to kill?"

"I don't understand-" Shiro starts

"I saw bloodlust in his eyes, who is he going to kill? My father? Me? All of us?"She shouts, gripping his robe and yanking him to her.

Shiro was surprised by her perceptive skills. But for some foolish reason she had decided to trust him, that's what he could read from her, with such sweet bait for deception he couldn't possibly miss this oportunity. And so, he lied to her

"Don't be afraid, I swear, he's only a spoiled fool who talks big."

With that she looks back to the ground "truly?"

Every word he said for some reason was trusted by her. Shiro felt a tugging at his heart each time she fell for his words, and each time he lied it drained away a bit of his soul