A/N: This is a short chapter, but please bear with me, as exams are breathing down my neck... I promise you that chapter 8 will be more action filled and lengthy :D Please read and review!

The Complications of Friendship

Chapter 7

Jealousy

Tana slumped against the fountain in the courtyard, aching with fatigue, her voice hoarse from yelling for a certain someone to come out. The sun hung high in the sky, nearing its peak. By now, the entire castle would have heard of Tana's adventures, how she had spent nearly an hour screaming in the courtyard, down the halls and so on and so forth. However, despite popular belief among castle servants, the Princess had not gone mad. She was simply irate over the fact that her personal guard had disappeared from her sight. That left her with no protection from the bane of her existence, a strange man called Geoffrey who had rudely interrupted her life. Now, she was stuck with him for the afternoon.

"My, my…Tana…you should really put a stop to your fool attempts to draw that woman out of hiding. She's clearly been shown her place." The uptight man crossed his across his chest, sticking his heavily bandaged nose high into the air.

Tana paid no heed to her hindrance as she continued her search throughout the castle. She had searched all of Marisa's favourite spots. There was the apple orchard out back, the balconies on the third floor, and the turrets above the main gate. Wait…she was missing one. Suddenly, she knew where her target was as she dashed off, leaving her 'fiancé' to critique the size of the garden ornaments. The princess leapt up the stairs three at a time and bent over panting and wheezing when she reached the top of the north tower. She walked over to the edge, poking her head out as she looked up at the roof. Surely enough, Marisa sat precariously on the red shingles, her legs crossed, her chin propped up on her hand. She stared out into the countryside, a sour look on her face.

"T-there…you…are….ahem-" Tana could barely get the words out as her throat was sore and dry from its overuse. Still, she gestured frantically with her hands for the swordswoman to get down.

Sighing, Marisa complied as she swung herself in from the veranda type ceiling, landing gracefully on her feet. "Was there…something you needed, Princess Tana?"

"I-I-w-wan…ha...ahem-" The princess' mouth was moving, but nothing intelligible came out, only the sounds of hoarse grating and coughing escaped her throat.

Though the swordsmaster was clearly sulking, the amusing scene brought a wide smile to her lips and soon, as Tana continued to try and communicate, Marisa's laughter filled the tower. It was clear and bell-like, something Tana didn't get to hear often, which was sad in itself. Walking over to the literally speechless princess, Marisa looked her in the eyes, smiling widely. "You. Are going to do what I want today. There are no objections I hope?"

Tana waved her hands around wildly, trying to tell Marisa that she indeed had some objections. However, the mercenary decided to be cruel today as she feigned ignorance. "What's that, your highness? I'm sorry…I didn't catch that. That was a yes wasn't it?"

More squeaks from Tana.

"Yes, I'd gladly do that for you." Before Tana could complain any further, Marisa had her pinned up against the stone wall, her lips pressed aggressively to the princess'. Marisa's crimson eyes burned with fervour as she nibbled on Tana's lower lip, making the princess moan with pleasure.

Tana could tell that something was off with Marisa today, but she wasn't complaining, not when the consequences had these kinds of drawbacks.

Then, she could feel Marisa's nimble fingers pull at the clasps of her skirt, her other hand inching under the folds of her top. The alarm bells went off at this point, because she knew that whenever things got this heated, that they would end up having…well you get the point... Considering the location, it didn't seem to be very considerate. Especially when the Pegasus knight bruised easily. Pushing herself away from her hungry attacker, Tana clutched her shirt closed, pleading with Marisa to maybe…change their setting.

The princess' sign language was more than understandable, but something really seemed to be strange about Marisa today, as she decided that she was going to be a little bit selfish. Selfishness was something the selfless Marisa had never even contemplated. Until now that is. "Fine. We'll do that after we're finished here."

Tana paled as she spotted the feral look in her lover's eyes and swallowed. Hard.

Since that particular tower was rarely occupied and since the pair was so high up, no one heard Tana's mixed cries of pain, pleasure and help.

Three hours later, bruised, tired, and completely worn out, Tana descended the stairs dishevelled, alone, and without Marisa. The princess' guard had apparently felt more comfortable up on the tower and refused to come down until things didn't seem so chaotic down on earth anymore.

"S-stupid…Marisa…" Tana had finally gotten her voice back, although her throat was still sore from screaming for help and amongst other things…

Avoiding Geoffrey by hiding behind pillars, doors and people on the way to the castle's third floor, Tana reached her room. Opening the door and locking it behind her, she then collapsed onto her featherbed mattress, sighing with relief. She rolled on her side, wincing as she did so. She lay there, resting peacefully until she heard the faint click as one of her large windows swung open. Tana didn't even have enough energy or enthusiasm to roll over to see who had intruded on her haven.

"I'm sorry."

That sweet sultry voice floated past her ear, playing softly against her skin as a second later, she felt the swordswoman's slender body sidle up against her back, wrapping her arms gently around the princess' waist.

"Hmm…Marisa…" Tana's words slurred out as she closed her eyes, purring gently as the mercenary gently stroked her long raven locks.

"I'm sorry about earlier…Did I hurt you anywhere…?" Marisa nestled closer to the princess, caressing her cheek tenderly.

"Why don't you see for yourself….?" Tana rolled over to face Marisa, staring into unfathomable pools of lavender.

Marisa sat Tana up as she slowly peeled off the garments of clothes she hungrily tore off only hours prior. Stricken with deep guilt, the swordsmaster kissed each mark softly, making Tana gasp with contentment. "I'm so sorry, my princess…"

Giggling as Marisa had kissed her a little too lightly and a little too fleetingly, Tana grinned lazily as she reached out to cup Marisa's reddening cheeks. "Despite the pain…today was worth it."

With that, the princess drifted off to sleep, her face a portrait of serenity. Gently tucking the sleeping beauty in, Marisa just watched as Tana's breaths slowly made her chest rise and fall, and how her perfect lips were parted slightly as she slept.

The swordsmaster passed the time in her thoughts and when the sun had sunken into the horizon, when night time had fallen upon Frelia, two sharp raps came at the door, a pompous voice echoing out. "Tana! Tana, I need to speak with you! Tis' I, Geoffrey, your love!"

Marisa sneered in disgust, getting up quickly as she padded noiselessly to the door, careful not to wake the slumbering princess. She nearly ripped the door open as she came face to face with the annoying lord and his black-blue face. "What is it that you wish to speak to the princess about?" She stared callously at him, her air of authority and intimidation flattened his ego but a bit.

"I need to speak with the princess. Where is she?" He seemed anxious, trying to push his way past the slender woman in front of him.

A gloved hand pushed back on his chest and the man was surprised at how much force the general put into that slight action. Despite her sleight stature, the swordswoman was not one to be reckoned with. "You do not set foot in her chambers without her permission. The princess is feeling ill at the moment and is resting. Please address her with your concerns at some other time if you will."

Just as Marisa was going to slam the door in his face, Geoffrey held it open, a glare in his black coal eyes. "I don't know if you think you can get away with speaking to me like this just because you are Princess Tana's attendant, but I promise you that if you cause me anymore trouble, I will have you stripped of your position and power."

The swordswoman almost laughed, and she scoffed at his words. "I care not about power or position. You certainly don't know who I am if you believe you can make idle threats. Just stay away from me and the princess. If you want to keep your life, please do not cause us anymore trouble. You are nothing but an eyesore."

Then door closed, leaving Geoffrey outside to recover from the shock and Marisa retreated back into the room as she undressed herself and climbed in next to the slumbering princess. As the mercenary slept, jealousy coursed through her veins, fabricating strange dreams that were simply not suited to her character. However, these human emotions affected the stoic woman in ways she couldn't possibly comprehend.