Author Notes: Here is the next update. Thank you so much for the amazing reviews.

Chapter Twelve

Everyone except for Mayu, Rena, and Niki were gathering in the main room eating dinner that Ji and the Kurkos had prepared from them. The room was in silent.

Chiaki and Kotoha was glancing at each wondering if one of them has spoken to Mako and Takeru while Ryunosuke and Genta were trying figure out what to say to Takeru.

"What's going on here?" Ji asked, noticing the uncomfortable silence in the room. Chiaki had already filled in what happened between Takeru and Mako to Ryunosuke and Genta, but didn't get a tell Ji.

"Why don't you ask our leader," Mako said, refusing to look at Takeru in the eyes. She and Takeru had avoided eyes contact since they sat down to eat dinner.

"If you want to argue then wait until after dinner," Takeru suggests and Mako immediately got up, staring at him.

"Oh, now you think I want to start a fight with you!" she assumed

"I never said that!" Takeru also got up and stares at her.

Chiaki sighs. "Here we go again," he muttered before he got up along with the others.

"Tono-sama, Mako-chan," Kotoha said, trying to stopped her Lord and Mako from fighting, but she was ignored.

"If you would just listen..." Mako shouted but got cut off.

"Mako, you have to think before doing something crazy," Takeru shouted.

"What, like you don't do something crazy," Mako said, giving up trying to explain to him seeing as he wouldn't listen. "And it's not like they never do crazy thing either. I don't see you getting angry with them!" She points to the others, who were slowly back away when Takeru turned to them.

Takeru then looked back at Mako "At least they follow order, you don't!"

"I would follow orders depending on the situation at hand!" She argued back.

"You went against my orders!" Takeru bellowed.

"I wouldn't have to if I wasn't worried for you and the others!"

"I think both of you should calm down," Ji said as he tried to intervene, but was ignored. The others watch as if it was a tennis match, looking back and forth.

"You guys need to stop this nonsense," Genta walked up and puts his arms around Takeru and Mako. "Both of you bickering like a married couple," he joked.

"WE ARE NOT!" They both shouted and Chiaki pulled Genta away from them.

"Now is not the time for jokes"

"You don't care about your self or anyone else!" Takeru retorted, knowing as he said it that it wasn't true. She was probably the most caring person he knew beside Kotoha, but occasionally the anger overcame him.

"That's not true!" Mako exclaimed. Hearing those words coming from him, hurt her so much that her hands are trembling and tears were slightly forming in her eyes. "My life is devoted to fight by your side and to save you and the others lives".

"Well maybe you should stop," Takeru said before he turned and looked away from her.

"If that's what you want, then fine," Mako stormed out the room.

"Mako-chan!" Kotoha ran after her.

Ryunosuke and Genta turned to follow to convince Mako to come back, but Chiaki stopped them.

"I think it's better if Kotoha talk to Mako alone," Chiaki said, sending a glare in Takeru's direction and strode out.

"Take-chan, that was not right of you to say that to her," Genta spokes and Ryunosuke nodded.

Takeru turned and left out of the room.

"TONO!" Ji was about to go after Takeru when Genta stopped.

"Let me talk to him," he suggests and Ji agreed. Then Genta went after his best friend.

"I'll help you clean up here," Ryunosuke offered.

Ji nodded.

"What was that commotion about?" Mayu questioned Rena, who has just walked in the room.

Rena sighs and sat down beside Mayu, who was sitting down eating her soup that Mako brought into her earlier. She then explains to Mayu what was happening in the main room.

A moment later, Mayu finish her soup and turned to Rena. "They must be very angry at each other". She said, worrying for Takeru and Mako.

"They are," Rena nodded "but, it's not our business, you need get better so you, Niki and I can go back to your mother before Toshi arrived to pick you up".

"Niki is here?" Mayu blinks her eyes confused.

Rena nodded. "She thinks Mako is you. I don't want to keep her thinking that Mako is you".

"I will find a way to tell her," Mayu said, thinking about Niki, how she missed her.

"We need to start leaving early and soon," Rena told her.

"I know," Mayu looked down her hands. Immediately, Rena knew what Mayu was thinking about.

"Don't tell me, that you want to stay".

Mayu looked up at Rena. "Rena I…" she begins to say, but Rena interrupted her.

"I know what you thinking, but you can't stay. This isn't your home at all".

"I know it isn't, but I just want to…" She hesitates to continue.

"You want to what?" Rena stares at Mayu. Even though, Mayu never say why she wants to stay, she already knew what the reason was.

"Is it because of that Lord," she presumed and Mayu looked away nervously. "You like him don't you?"

"I don't," Mayu quickly denied and shook her head.

Rena wrapped her arms around Mayu. "I can tell when you are lying. You can't fool me. I can see it through your eyes that you having feeling for him".

Mayu puts her head on Rena's shoulder. "I know that I can't stay here, but I just want to spend more time here to get to know him".

"Mayu you…"

"Please Rena," Mayu lifts her head off of Rena's shoulder and touches her hands. "All I'm asking is to spend a little more time here with Takeru. I promise that I will return back to mom and Toshi with no argument. I would even agree with the marriage that Toshi want me too".

Rena shook hear head. "I know you wouldn't go through with that marriage and even if you would, I wouldn't let you because I don't that marriage is right for you".

"Wish Toshi would understand like you do," Mayu sighs, thinking about her brother. Even though she said that she hate him, she never meant it. She just wishes her brother would know what kind of person that he arranged for her to married.

"I'm sure your brother would understand," Rena reassured. "Maybe, there's a misunderstanding between you and brother".

"I hope so," Mayu muttered as she wonders if there was a possibility of a misunderstanding that she doesn't know about.

It was silent in the room for a few minute when Rena spokes.

"You do know that he might not have feeling for you," She pointed out, referring to Takeru.

"I know. That's why I'm asking to just be friend with him and nothing more". Mayu sadly said.

Rena sighs, knowing that she has no choice, but to agree for the sake of Mayu's health. "Okay, only a few days and we go home. I will phone your mother to let her know that you are staying at a friend house so she doesn't worry".

"Thank you, Rena," Mayu beamed and hugs her nanny.

"Must I remind that you have a charity dance to attend," Rena added.

Mayu nodded.

Mako ran to her room and sat down on the floor wiping her tears.

"Mayu, what's wrong?" a soft voice asked and she looked up to see Niki kneels down in front of her, rubbing her tired eyes. Then she gave Mako a comfort hug.

"It's nothing, I got dirt in my eyes," Mako gave her a smiles. "Go back to sleep". She tucked Niki back in bed.

"Are you sure you okay?" Niki asked with concern in her voice.

"I'm sure," Mako kissed Niki's forehead. "Go back to sleep".

Niki closes her eyes and went back to sleep. Then Mako got up and turned around to see Kotoha, who was standing behind her.

Kotoha slightly smiles," Can we talk outside?" She whispered quietly.

Mako nodded and follows Kotoha out of the room. They went into Kotoha's room.

"Do you want to talk about what happen between you and Tono-sama?" Kotoha asked once they were in her room.

"Not really, but," Mako sighs. "I mean I didn't want to get angry, but he made so furious. I get that he's the lord and we are the retainer, but why can't he understand and why does he have to be so stubborn? God I hate him!" The anger was building up inside her.

Kotoha placed her hands on Mako's hand. "We both know that what you are saying is not true. You really don't hate Tono-sama. You are just saying that because you are angry with him". She said, trying her best to calm her down.

"It true that I don't hate him," Mako looked down at hands. "But he really hurt me a lot when he said those mean words".

"I'm sure that Tono-sama didn't mean to said those words, he was angry when he said it," Kotoha explained. Tono-sama care for you and worried for you after what happen to you".

"After what happen to me?" Mako stared at Kotoha confused. Realization hits her when she realizes what Kotoha meant. "You mean that incident". She said, thinking about how she almost drowns because she was saving Niki.

Kotoha nodded. "I had never seen Tono-sama that worried before".

"Takeru worried about me," Mako muttered as she looked down at her hands.

"Tono-sama was only trying to protect you, he's very concern about you, Mako," Ji's voice echoed in her mind.

"Why would he care for me? Is it because I'm his comrades or is there more to it?" She thought. "No way, there would be more. Impossible!" She shook her head and tries to clear the thoughts out of her mind.

"Mako-chan?"

Mako smiles and turned to Kotoha. "Thanks for talking to me, but I need to think some time to think. Even though he didn't mean it, it still hurt me".

Kotoha sighs as she watches Mako. This is going to be a lot harder than she expected.

Takeru was in his room practicing his Mojikara, but having trouble concentrating because he kept thinking about Mako in his mind.

He felt awful for saying those words to her. Seeing her ran off made he want to follow, but he didn't.

He mentally slaps himself for choosing his pride over Mako.

"Take-chan?" He looked up to see his best friend walked in the room.

"Genta," he said with a surprised look.

"What?" Genta smirked. "Did you think I was Mako coming to apology," he joked.

"No," Takeru looked away annoyed. "What do you want?" He asked, changing the subject.

"To talk about Mako," He folds his arms. "Are you going to sit down moping or you going to apology?"

"Why should I?"

Genta shook his head at his best friend stubbornness. He walked over to Takeru and grabbed his arm, making him get up.

"You are the one who said those harsh words. Now get your stupid butt out of this door and give her a heartfelt apology and if you want to confess your enduring love to her, that would be great as well," He said, joking with the last sentence.

"I don't have any enduring love for Mako," Takeru denied it even though it was true and he was hiding it.

"Whatever," Genta said, clearly not believing him. "Just go apologize to her and stop being stubborn. Unless, you don't regret about what you said".

"Of course, I regret saying it," He admitted out loud. "But why did she disobey my orders?" he questioned.

"Same reason you would if you found out that we were in trouble," Genta answered. "She obviously cares about you. That was probably why she refused to stay behind her despite her injury".

Takeru thought what Genta said and knew that his friend was right. He should apologize and talked to Mako.

"What if she doesn't want to see me?"

"You won't know unless you try. Now get going!" Genta said, trying to usher Takeru out the door. "Good luck".

"Arigato Genta," Takeru nodded with a smile and left the room.

Mayu was walking down the hallway alone. After she and Rena were done talking, Rena had gone to sleep while she left out of the room quietly. She was looking around when she bump into someone.

"Gomenasai," She quickly apologizes, bowing her head down.

"Nessan?" a voice spokes back.

"Eh?" She looked up confused to see the person face "Hi Chiaki, I'm not…"

"Oh, sorry, "Chiaki quickly apologizes when he realizes that he just mistaken Mayu for Mako. "I thought you were Nessan" He said, scratching his head. "You two really look the same".

"It's okay," She slightly chuckles. "Um, I was looking for Niki and I don't know where she is". She admitted.

"Niki?" Chiaki stares at her confused, but then realizes who Mayu referring to. "Oh her," he laughed. "She's in Mako's room. I can show you where it is if you like," he offered.

"Arigato," She bows her head down.

Chiaki smiles "You really don't have to bow you her head down everything you apologizes or say thank you". He said, not comfortable with it.

"It's a habit that I'm used to," She told him before she follows him down the hallway.

"So, how long are you planning on staying here," Chiaki asked a moment later.

"Just a few more days then Rena and I are leaving," Mayu stopped walking and looked down at her feet. "Gomenasai," she muttered and Chiaki turned and looked at her.

"Why are you apologizing again?"

"For lying to everyone," she said, feeling awful about it.

Chiaki walked over and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it; we are not angry at you. We know why you did it. Rena told us everything about you".

"She did?"

Chiaki nodded and they continue to walk. "I was angry at first, but after I heard about your life, I stop being angry at you".

"Arigato," she said with a smile, feeling relieve to hear that.

"Again," Chiaki laughed. "Seriously"

They finally made it Mako's room.

"She's in there," He told her.

"Arigato Chiaki," Mayu nodded and then Chiaki shook his head and chuckles.

"You're welcome," he replied before he walked away.

Mayu walked in the room and saw Niki asleep with the blanket down her waist. Quietly, she walked and pulled the blanket up to Niki's neck.

She smiles at that little girl, thinking how much she misses her and felt bad for leaving. Just when she was about to leave, she heard Niki cry.

Worried, she gently grabs Niki's hand. "Niki?"

Niki was tossing around in her sleep viciously. "Mayu!" She shouted.

"Niki, I am right here! Wake up!" Mayu grabs Niki's shoulder and shook her.

Niki's eyes snap open and were staring at Mayu.

"Mayu," she sobbed. "I was chase by a monster and I didn't see you".

"Niki," Mayu grabs Niki up and held her in her arms. "It's okay, I'm here now, and I'm not going to leave you". She assured.

"Promise," she heard Niki muttered.

"I promise," Mayu replied and this time she means it. She rubs Niki's back and notices that her body was burning up.

"Niki, are you feeling okay?"

"I feel cold," Niki replied.

Mayu quickly feel Niki's head and it was burning hot. "You're hot!"

Without thinking, she got up with Niki in her arms and ran out of the room and almost collides into Takeru, who was heading toward Mako's room.

TBC: I did said that Takeru and Mako won't be mad that long. They are not angry at each other, they just haven't talk to each other. Hopefully next chapter they would talk to each other. Hate to leave this as a cliffhanger. Niki is sick. The next chapter she should be fine.

Questions

1. Does Takeru think Mayu is Mako?

2. Does Takeru know its Mayu?

Review and tell me what you think.