Orihime kept her face plainly devoid of emotions as best she could as the suitor sneered, spat on the floor, and stalked away. She knew she shouldn't let people like that get to her; he was a liar and a con artist trying to take advantage of the sheltered princess, and the advisor had called his bluff. But even so, she felt a small twist in her
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It was amazing just how well he seemed to know her innermost thoughts. She had been fretting! "You're very kind," she smiled at him gratefully, taking his open hand to step down from the dais where her shoes clicked lightly upon the marbled floors ( ... )
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"You're the best friend I've...I've ever had," she said, her voice cracking as her eyes grew damp. She wished she would have done this years ago. His chest was firm and dependable, his arms strong and protective. "It all means so much to me. Thank you."
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"And you're the only friend I need." He hadn't intended to say it quite like that, but he wasn't about to deny the truth of it now. "When I swore to protect you from whatever may seek to harm you, it was not solely for the benefit of your dying father. It was a vocalization of something I had already sworn silently to myself."
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It was a long moment before his mind kicked in again and it registered with him what he did and he reluctantly broke off the kiss and replaced his mask. "Forgive me, your majesty... I don't know what came over me..."
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Then it was over, and Orihime was kicking herself for not reacting the way she wished she would have. Her legs trembled so much from the feelings that threatened to overwhelm her, that they briefly gave out from under her and she stumbled.
Face flushed and somewhat breathless, Orihime looked up at Hanzo as her mind and body reeled.
"...Do...do you think it could come over you again...?" she asked with a faintly crooked smile as she pressed her hand against her heated cheek, struggling to catch her breath.
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"It would not be proper, your highness... someone of your stature deserves someone of equal stature. You in particular deserve your prince in shining armor..."
He trailed off for a moment before his voice came in a low whisper, almost as if it had come as a surprise to even himself that he had spoken again. "...you deserve better than a shadow..."
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Orihime wasn't going to give up so easily. Now that she knew he cared for her, enough at least that he would kiss her like that, she wasn't going to let go. He was too important to her. "My shadow knows who I am better than anyone else. Whatever I need to do, my shadow will do it with me. If I have to wave, look..." She waved her hand while looking down at the gray shadow of herself doing the same. "My shadow waves, too. My shadow is always with me, watching over me, and keeping me safe." She was looking directly at Hanzo now, her eyes searching his.
"I really love my shadow," she said gently, smiling. "More than I love a thousand shiny armors. And if stature is really so important...well..."
Orihime looked down at her feet, her fingers kneading at her skirts. She'd wanted to say it before, to invite him to court her. It hadn't seemed right at the time, but now... It was now or never. "I think a ninja king would be wonderful. Who would ever try to mess with a ninja king?"
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