Merry Christmas Eve everybody!

Sorry I've been gone so long. I've been studying for my exams and just finished them not too long ago. Now I've been panicking over the results ever since I've finished. Even as I write this XD.

Please read and review! You can be harsh in your reviews if you want, it'll help me become a better writer.

There she was, standing by the meadow. While the image of wind curving the blades of grass was certainly a beautiful sight, her swaying dark purple locks easily put those blades to shame.

Hayato watched as she stood still, the wind waving her hair and robes, her hand moving across her face to brush away the strands that entered her field of vision.

He approached her slowly and nervously, in hopes she wouldn't be able to hear his steps over the sounds of wind and grass. Seeing as how she made no movements as he inched closer, he felt he was doing it right. After a few more steps he stopped short of her, standing a few feet away, scared to approach too close.

"Kanna…" he whispered, allowing the wind to carry his voice over to her ears.

The once still woman turned her head slightly, but not enough to bring him in her field of vision before turning her head back to the plains.

Unable to bear it any longer, the samurai cleared his throat and bowed.

"I'm sorry...for whatever it is I did."

He had spoken a little faster than usual, worried he'd stutter if he had dragged it out longer. He was never one who claimed to be a master of apologies

To his dismay, Kanna didn't respond.

After a few minutes of silence Hayato raised his head curious to see if she had reacted, only to have it forcefully pushed back down.

"Don't get back up." the woman said in a stern albeit shaking voice. "I have not yet forgiven you."

Hayato complied, thankful she had even acknowledged him.

"You do not know why you are apologizing, yet you do so regardless. Why?" she asked, her tone making it seem like one wrong word would have her sending angry spirits his way.

"Ever since that time we've never really talked and lately…" Hayato mustered up some strength to move his torso up, only to be forced back down my Kanna's strong hands.

"I noticed you had been avoiding me. You're right, while I don't know what I did wrong I just don't want us to live the rest of our lives with this rift between us. I want us to go back to when we were comfortable in each other's arms again." he finished.

The weight on his head suddenly disappeared, and immediately Kanna fell to her knees, her hands covering her face as she sobbed.

"You're so selfish Hayato." she said between sobs. "Our soldiers are more than capable of handling themselves on the battlefield, yet you always throw yourself out on the front lines, uncaring for your own well being."

"Kanna…"

"You always place a huge burden on yourself...and sacrifice only yourself in battle. Why do you never stop to consider how others might feel? How I might feel? We need you, Hayato."

Tears streamed down Kanna's face as she spoke, her voice becoming quieter as she went on.

"I need you. What am I supposed to do when you won't let me fight by your side?"

"I'm sorry." Hayato bent down and slowly moved closer, cautiously enclosing her within his arms, afraid she'd smack him away. When his hands had finally touched her back, he breathed a sigh of relief, feeling her lean into his chest for comfort.

"I'm sorry for being selfish. I'm sorry for leaving you behind. I just…"

Hayato felt a lump in his throat. Coincidentally, his eyes suddenly became watery. Why was sucking up your pride and admitting you were wrong so difficult?

"I just couldn't bear seeing you hurt." he finished in a shaky voice. "Thank you...thank you for being by my side. I love you, Kanna."

He then lifted her chin up to kiss her forehead. Before he had the chance to look her in the eye he felt Kanna's hands behind his head, pushing him in for an urgent kiss. Kanna turned her head to the side to deepen the contact, pouring all her love into a single kiss and only let go when she felt her lungs cry out for oxygen.

Kanna then sat up, allowing their foreheads to touch. "I know you're stronger than any man on this camp. I know you tell me not to worry about you, but for me that's never an option. When I heard you volunteer to take on Princess Sakuno alone I was so scared I..."

Hayato put a finger to his lover's lips, silently telling her she no longer needed to worry

"Please...please don't scare me like that again."

"I won't. I promise."