"You know what the problem here is? You're refusing to understand , you feel like you're the only one who's right, and that you don't need to listen to other people."

The Ninja leaned back against his chair, then sat back up again and drilled into the Sage's ebony eyes with his scarlet ones.

"I never cared about that job, that's why I gave it up, remember? And then you came bursting in here screaming expletives and cursing me all to hell –"

"Because you just HAD to make write that article published in the newspaper yesterday! What, you want people to join you against me?That's what you resort to, writing an article about betrayal, and everyone would think that it was about me? Pathetic! Just because I could do that job bet-" came the retort, but it was quickly cut off.

"Get this into your head. Not everyone's like you, Kriya! I've told you so many times now: That article was not about you! You're acting like a child! Weren't you the one who started all this? The one who slammed the door in my face when I came to ask you why you were mad at me?"

Flashing dark eyes met flaring red ones, one with anger, the other with exasperation.

"You didn't take my suggestions on what to do! You think that your own ideas are above mine, that you're better! Then you make that article, talking about loyalty and trust, what, was I supposed to swear an oath of loyalty to you? You think we're that close? Dream on, Rakario!"

Rakario's eyes blazed as he stood up abruptly, knocking his chair to the floor. "This is utter nonsense. I'm done begging and crawling to you for forgiveness, like the last two times we fought like this." His voice was dripping with venom, contempt and irritation the only things he currently felt for the beautiful Sage sitting down in one of his chairs in his room in the guild headquarters.

"I don't know why you even came here, if you're only going to rant and rail at me for something that I've already told you doesn't concern you! If you felt hurt by that article, then it's your own damn fault!"

"Simple. Because this whole fight of yours is affecting the whole guild." Interjected a new voice, lower than Kriya's but higher than Rakario's.

"Rock, this is all because of a misunderstanding. Kri thinks that you're bitter because she took over the job –"

"I know what she thinks, Shi, and you know as well that it's wrong, what she thinks. I'm bitter? Over a job I never wanted anyway?"

Shimao, the tall Paladin leaned back against the wall, evidently wanting to patch these two up again. Well, their seeing Rock with Rei last night wasn't helping Kriya's mood anyway. Rei was younger than them, vivacious and as much a beauty as Kri, but in a different way.

Listening to the two quarrel and argue, he smiled at the thought his fellow Paladin, Jakadi, once said out loud. Jack said the two acted like a couple who've been married for years, even though they weren't together. Well, it was common knowledge, at least among their friends, that Rock was a little bit in love with Kri once, and that Kri was still a tiny bit in love with Rock, which was probably why she reacted so much to whatever he did. This was their third giant fight, and if you counted all the minor ones….whoa.

Listening to Kriya's retorts, he realized that Rock was right – she was being childish. Then he couldn't help but start to compare her to Rei, because if rumors were true, Kri might just lose her chance with Rock, since everyone had seen Rei and him last night, being cozy – too cozy for people who were just friends.

Unconsciously, he kept comparing the two girls. Kri was extremely intelligent, her beauty apparent in the waves of her cascading black hair and her deep eyes. She was usually serious, but laughed when the need arose. She was the person people came to ask things, and everyone (including herself) acknowledged her intelligence and wit. However, she was very emotional and sensitive where certain things were concerned (her family and Rock being among those things).

Now, Rei. She was, of course a few years younger than they were, and he didn't know her that well. He was never like Rock, who could strike up a conversation immediately with anyone, an odd trait in a Ninja, but maybe that's something that helps him with his role as the occasional spy. After all, Assassin Crosses weren't the only ones veiled in shadow. Anyway, from what he had seen, Rei was as beautiful as their Kriya, but her beauty resided in her dazzling green eyes and viridian hair, as well as the full body that Assassin Cross wear couldn't hide. She, too was intelligent, but nowhere near Kriya's level of intelligence – for that matter ,who was, except for Rock and himself? He could see why people would naturally think Rock and Rei were together - they would be a striking pair, and gossip said they were sitting pretty close, almost entwined, and Rei was leaning into the curve of Rock's body as his arm was around her….

An explosion shook Shi from his reverie. He looked at the two alarmed, then noticed Rock wasn't there, and Kri had her arms outstretched… Oh Good Lord, she cast a spell at him, probably Fire Ball. Where was Rock?

"Tsk, tsk." Came the comment, and Shi knew it had been pointless to worry about Rock, he was one of the best, after all. "Attacking me in my own room? Kriya, grow up, and realize that not everything's about you." He reappeared near the door, opened it, and walked out.

Shi gave Kriya a scathing look. Was Rock right? Was she really so immature, despite her intelligence and skill?

Kriya couldn't bear to see the disappointment in Shi's gaze. She looked down at the floor, and when the door slammed, she knew he had left, too.

She tried to pull herself together, but instead, fell to the ground sobbing. Was this what they turned out to become?