Kagura slid open the paper slides. "Soyo-chan, I brought some te-"

A sudden blur slashed before her, a sharp graze of the wind.

Her cerulean eyes widened.

But to Kagura it was slow, too slow.

She lunged forward as the tea slowly crashed to the ground.

Her outstretched hand connected, and she snapped the kunai. The slender metal resoundly shattered.

"A… are you alright, Soyo-chan…?" Kagura breathed shakily, her fingers trembling and the kunai clattering.

Soyo's eyes shimmered, unshed tears like fat drops of dew. "I-I'm fine, it's already...already been the fifth time," she hoarsely replied.

Soyo tried to stand but her knees gave away. She looked back up at Kagura with a watery smile. "No, really, I'm ok. Really."

"I never asked that," Kagura said as she threw away the kunai and grabbed Soyo's arm. "Come on now, we need to report this to Sadasada-sama…" Her words trailed away as Soyo slumped in her arms, unconscious. Kagura's eyes softened before coldly hardening, glinting ice-fire.

It was indeed the fifth time and she wasn't going to stand for this bullshit anymore.

~o~

"...Why did you tell him? Why do we need to go away," Soyo whispered, hurt scratching in her throat. She buried her face into the pillow.

Kagura sighed.

"Soyo-chan, even you admitted it; five times is five times too many. We can't stay here anymore, we need to move to somewhere safe. If I didn't happen to come by for tea… You could've... " Her words choked into silence.

"But you were there! You'll always be there for me!" Soyo cried, sitting upright. Betrayal glinted in her eyes as she stared at the bundle of blankets laying beside her. "Kagura-chan, you know I've, we've, never even left this castle before. How could…in just two days… " The princess tiredly sank back into her blankets.

Kagura tried to reason again. "Don't you remember what your uncle said? The approaching Joui and the 'Generation of Miracles', the five genius swordsmen born in this era… they're coming to attack Edo. Meaning we're screwed if we stay and get caught in crossfires. We have to run to Kyoto."

No response came back.

Kagura wearily closed her eyes. She felt a headache like someone was banging a gong inside her brain.

Soyo gave a small exhausted sigh and screwed shut her eyes. Forget Edo; I've never even taken a step out the castle! My entire life is tied down here! I can't just… just… She was drowning in waves of despair and shock and she couldn't see land nor lifeline. There's nothing in Kyoto. I won't even be with Onii-sama anymore. It'll be just like back then… Bleakly, she began reminiscing, and her head went deeper and deeper under the crushing depths.

Something poked her hand. Soyo blinked out of her reverie as a hand clasped her own.

"...I'm sorry. I just… I can't trust myself to protect you… I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry for being a worthless, useless guard, I'm sorry I can't… I can't protect you…" Soyo's eyes widened as she heard a sniffle in the darkness.

To think I forgot something so important and took it for granted. I should be ashamed.

"...Kagura-chan! I love youuu!" Kagura yelped as Soyo suddenly crashed into her with an enormous bear hug. "I love you, I love you, I love youuu!"

"Wha- Don't surprise me like that! That really scared me, did'ya know?! God, you're always so… so…"

"Absolutely lovable, huggable, always the cute little cuddly princess?"

"No, that was not the word I was looking for … but that's not wrong either," Kagura said with a grin. She ruffled the ebony head.

Soyo serenely smiled as her eyes closed, and sleep came peacefully.

~o~

The next day arrived with a gale of chaos.

Kagura barely had time to don her clothes and grab her umbrella before she was rushed away by several maids. By the time she had finished organizing the basic needs of the trip and essentially running ten laps around the castle, it was already afternoon.

Kagura groaned as her stomach gurgled obnoxiously loudly, attracting a couple glances. Her umbrella became a makeshift cane as she dragged herself to Soyo's room. Maybe Soyo-chan saved me some breakfast, Kagura thought hopefully and slid away the screen without bothering to announce herself.

A person was sitting across Soyo at the low table, back facing Kagura. Strangely, the usual bamboo screen separating the princess from her guests was absent. The outer screens were ajar, enough to let in a breeze or two. Kagura cocked her head thoughtfully. There shouldn't be anyone here when we're this busy right now…?

The stranger had the broad back of a man. He had long, tawny hair that was tied back and flowed down. Wearing a traditional hakama, the bottom pleated half was stark white whereas the top was unusually carmine. Oddly, he also wore a flowing white scarf.

Guess I should leave them and beg for food elsewher- "Ka-Kagura-chan! He-here, come sit down and have tea with us!" Soyo squeaked in a high pitched voice as she spotted Kagura inching her way out. The princess's face flushed further when she heard her own voice.

"Um, are you sure you want me to be here your Highne-"

"N-no, of course I don't want you to not be here!" Soyo cried.

Kagura blinked, but slowly nodded. Her eyes narrowed at the guest. Though scatterbrained, Soyo was still a princess well-acquainted with the toxic nature of the royal court, and held herself with elegant poise in front of guests. Well, most of them. This guy can't be anyone good. Kagura internally snarled as she walked over to sit beside Soyo.

As she strode by the guest, time grinded to a gritty halt. The past and present overlapped for one, brief second. As Kagura haughtily peered into the person's face, he had also glanced up towards hers.

Both of their eyes widened. Although it had been thirteen years, although they had grown older and weren't the same anymore…

Those softly burning eyes managed to lure Kagura once again.