Out on the street, (Y/N) leaned against a brick wall.

Everything hurts so bad.

She was attempting to soothe her mind by giving her body a rest.

She realized it was not just the stress of the plot of her assassination, but the women around the pirates. Her heart was tightening, and she felt the salty water brim her eyes.

How selfish can I be? To feel like this for all of them... and then to have the nerve to want to keep them to myself. I am just a little girl to them, a prisoner. I have no right to be upset that they can finally relax and enjoy themselves.

She looked up to the dusty purple sky, hoping her tears would stay in.

But I cannot help it, my heart hurts thinking of them with someone else. And Leopoldo, there were so many girls all over him... was I just a one-time thing? Could he tell I was not worth his time with a kiss?

(Y/N) felt a sob climb up her throat, and she spat it out as tears fell down her (S/C) cheeks. She could not stop herself, she cried, ignoring the people passing by her. She cried for herself, for her kingdom, and for her wounded heart.

A sharp pain struck her forehead triggering her to look up.

"Momo...?" She tried looking through the blurry, teary vision. She could make out the mask he wore, and his red eyes glowing through the eye holes.

"What are you crying about, ugly?" The fox said bending down to look into her eyes.

"Ugly?" (Y/N) scoffed, giggled, and sniffled.

"If you're crying about those pirates in there, don't." His nails lifted her chin. "Only cry for me." He said proudly.

(Y/N) laughed shortly.

"Okay, Momo. I will only cry for you." She thought she was joking, but Momo took it as a serious statement.

He nodded satisfied and wiped her tears away with his thumbs, careful not to poke her eye with his claw.

"What are you doing here this time?" She asked, gently holding his wrists as he wiped.

"I heard you crying," He said. "So of course, I came to help a pitiful little thing such as yourself." He was finished with the tears but caressed her face a while longer.

"Do I really look that foolish?" She softly laughed looking down at her feet.

"As always..." Mamoru sighed causing her to laugh a little harder, but it was followed by a sniffle, causing a pang in Mamoru's chest.

"I will take you back," Mamoru said softly, lifting his princess into his arms.

Her eye's widened at his action, and she gripped his shirt in surprise.

"You- You don't have to carry me, I can walk." (Y/N) stuttered.

"You walk too slow to keep up with someone like me." Mamoru boasted.

With a quick motion, Mamoru jumped, propelling them into the air, and (Y/N) gasped sharply. She held him tighter and He smirked to himself. The girl was amazed that Mamoru could jump so high, so easily.

They landed on one roof, and he immediately took off for the other one. (Y/N) quickly got over her fright, smiling as wide as she could.

It is like we are flying! Momo is amazing!

She looked over to his mask, the wind against her face made her squint, but she looked at him adoringly.

You really have become so strong, Momo. I am so happy for you.

Mamoru's movements were light and fast, carrying (Y/N) was no feat for him, with his strength it was comparable to toting a sack of potatoes with him. Mamoru's mind was in utter euphoria caused by the embrace of (Y/N)

Mamoru sat (Y/N) on her bed, more so dropped her. He crouched and began to undo her sandals; she blushed and knew telling him not to would not stop him.

He had a lot on his mind and was being quieter than his usual self.

(Y/N) watched the red ribbon on his wrist as he worked on her sandal straps.

She figured Silas had given him that to help find her, but she was sure he did not know the story behind what seemed like an insignificant hair ribbon.

"I hate my hair..." A ten-year-old (Y/N) sighed to Silas as she brushed her exceptionally long hair.

"Princess, your hair is a symbol of your status, be proud," Silas said from his spot beside her door.

He was sixteen now and wore his chestnut brown hair shorter than he ever has.

She only sighed again at his words.

"It takes so long to brush, and it gets so hot during the night... I wish I could cut it all off." She thought eyeing the drawer where the scissors were kept.

She figured what is the worst that could happen? Her parents could not kill her for cutting her hair... right?

(Y/N) reached for the drawer, but a gentle hand landed on hers before she could touch it.

"No, princess. I love your hair." Silas said, causing the young girl to blush.

"If you dislike it so much, allow me to brush your hair." He held his hand out for her brush.

She hesitated but finally placed the brush in his hand.

"T-thank you." She said softly as Silas began to run the brush through her soft locks.

His hands were so gentle, his touch was kind and he made sure any knots were removed without pain.

When the boy had finished, he looked around for anything that would help the problem with the heat.

He caught a glimpse of their reflection in the mirror on the vanity where the princess sat.

He saw her beautiful eyes watching him, and the dark shade of pink across her features.

Silas thought before looking to himself, a shade of red caught his eye.

He wore a ribbon necktie, a crimson red ribbon that would work to tie her hair up.

He undid the knot around his neck and slipped it off easily with a slight pull.

He placed it between his lips as he gathered the princess's hair, his slim finger brushing against the back of her neck.

In no time he had her long hair in a bun on the back of her head, and she was gleaming at his work. From that night onward it was routine for Silas to put her hair up with that ribbon.

(Y/N) thought back to the last night Silas put her hair up, it had become harder as her hair grew, but he never stopped. The last time being the night before she ran away.

A single tear slipped out the corner of each of her (E/C) eyes, but the sound of her sandals hitting the ground made her look to Mamoru.

"Are you okay with it?" Mamoru muttered.

"Hm?" She asked looking at the side kitsune mask.

"I heard... what they are planning for Taycia," Mamoru spoke so softly (Y/N) could barely him through the mask.

"Oh..." (Y/N) laid back and rested her head on the pillow. "I do not wish to stop them if that is what you mean." She responded truthfully, a bit ashamed.

"They are planning on killing you," Mamoru spoke a little louder.

"No," (Y/N) retorted quickly looking back to the fox. "They want to kill the princess of Taycia... not me."

She gripped her own hands resting on the skin exposed by her blouse.

Mamoru scoffed a sarcastic laugh.

"(Y/N)..." He breathed. "I don't know who you think you are, but you will always be the princess of Taycia." He turned his mask away from her to look out the balcony windows, at the moon.

"It makes no difference..." She ignored the ache in her heart. "They are planning to attack during my birthday ball, and I do not plan on being there."

There was a pause. "So, you're okay with your parents being slaughtered by criminals?" Mamoru pondered, and she gulped.

"W-well..." She started. "My mother and father are known for their evil and corrupt rule, sooner or later they would pay for them..." (Y/N) was not sure if she meant that.

"And you are content handing your kingdom over to Bizia?" Mamoru looked down at her through his fox mask.

She thought about it, her chest ached horribly.

"No..." She finally said. "But what does it matter? Are you not going to report the plans to the Taycia officials?" She asked. Mamoru laughed dryly.

"You are stupid, you know that little flower?" Mamoru chuckled.

He leaned back watching her face blush in embarrassment, and listened to her heart rate spike, he grinned under his mask. "No, I am not reporting anything. I am not loyal to Taycia right now." He admitted, and her eyes widened.

"W-what?" She stuttered, beginning to sit up.

"Calm down..." Mamoru flicked her forehead. "I was only loyal to Taycia in the first place because the person I loved was there..." He said.

Mamoru had someone he loved? Did he meet her after he left the palace? What happened to her?

"And right now, she is loyal to some stupid pirates." Her heart dropped.

He is talking about me?

"And wherever she goes I will follow from now on, and I will be devoted to whatever cause she is." His hand reached out to her, brushing a piece of her hair behind her ear gently, cocking his head to the side to admire her beauty.

"And if she wants the King and Queen of Taycia dead... I will bring her their heads." (Y/N) could not help but cry.

Even if his words were harsh and morbid, she cried with happiness.

"Thank you... Momo... thank you." She grabbed his hand and pressed it to her cheek as a form of a hug.

Momo is amazing, he promises such things with so much courage, it makes me so happy and feels so warm. Nothing has changed since we were kids, he is still so strong and sure.

"I love you, Momo." She said finally. "I love you."

Whether she meant romantically, or just dearly, even she did not know. All she knew was this strong feeling bubbling inside her making her heart race could be nothing but love.

The fox's eyes widen, and his heart was beating hard against his ribs.

He could not control the beast inside him.

Mamoru ripped off the kitsune mask, tossing it to the side, and the bells crashed when it skidded across the floor.

(Y/N) could not grasp the situation before she felt his lips press into hers. Her eyes enlarged, but the warmth of his soft lips made her sink into the kiss with little hesitation.

His tongue licked across her full lips; she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer. She parted her lips for the fox spirit, and his tongue tasted hers in such desperation.

Mamoru thought to himself, he felt so complete, more than he has ever felt in so long.

(Y/N) broke the kiss for air and looked into his fire-like eyes.

"Momo..." She whispered so softly she could not hear it herself, and he chuckled softly seeing the expression she had just for him.

"Get some rest, ugly girl." He sat up and stood from her bed.

(Y/N) rolled her eyes. Yes, he hasn't changed at all.

"Will you always be with me? You mean it?" She asked him as he walked to where his mask laid.

He turned to her, smirking before he placed his mask back over his beautiful face.

"The biggest mistake of my life was leaving you three years ago... I vow, with every fiber in me, I will always be there. Call out to your fox, and I will appear." He jerked his thumb towards himself and made his way to the balcony as (Y/N)'s heart throbbed for him.

Momo is so sure of himself, everything he does he does with conviction. If I have someone like him around me, I am positive he will encourage me, and I will be able to overcome anything.

"Okay, Momo." She silently agreed as the fox disappeared.

She laid awake in bed for a while longer, thinking of how she will bring about the fall of the King and Queen on her own terms.