Disclaimer: I really feel for Nakago and Yui. So much conflict between them...-sigh-

Pretty short chapter. Running out of ideas...But now, it's closer to the summoning of Seiryuu.

Propping his head on one hand, Nakago watched his priestess sleep. The even rise and fall of her breast made the corners of his lips turned upward. No, it was sexual interest he had for a little girl. Of course not, he was concerned for his priestess. Oh wait...Since when had it been his priestess? It must have slipped his mind but it's true. He should be most loyal, most understanding, most protective...but that still didn't explain why he had claimed her as his priestess.

Fantasies started to blur in his mind. They blurred and slowly focused into images. It wasn't naughty...oh Nakago is definitely not one to entertain himself with such fantasies. Those images started to get really clear, and a certain tightness pulled on his loins. No, he would not admit...because there simply nothing to admit, yet...

Gritting his teeth together, Nakago rolled over and faced the other side of the bed. It didn't help since he could practically feel the warmth radiated by her. Should he move just slightly, maybe about a full-turn or so, his skin would definitely be in touch with hers. "Damn it..." Nakago swore and quickly scrambled out of his bed.

Anyone seeing him now would probably name him mad. He was practically scrambling out of his bed as if he were some terrified little boy who just realized he was in bed with something...ugly. Of course, Yui wasn't ugly in that sense. Growling in his throat, he glared down on his priestess.

Never had he felt this mad electrifying feeling, until he met her. Until his skin touched hers. Until his male protective instincts were awaken by her. All because of her, he wasn't feeling himself. It was as if his 'true self' had ebbed away and laid a gentle, sentimental man in its wake. Hence, it is crystal clear he had to maintain distance; shut her out, and try to find the cold beast again.

Shaking with rage and resolve, he approached the priestess carefully. Savagery and viciousness stung the air as he strolled towards her. Each step, a maddening step. Finally, close by her side, he stared down onto her peaceful face and clenched his jaws angrily. Breathing in harshly while he closed his misty cerulean eyes, he controlled his breathing and stop his anger from further surfacing to the top.

While he controlled, he kept his bare back at her at which time, Yui chose to wake up. Spinning around, to show a very calm Nakago, he met her curious gaze. His already tired and angry mind could not be any angrier and crazier when she asked the most silly and outstanding question.

"Nakago? What're you doing in my tent?" An innocent question asked by a naive girl. Could anything else go crazier?

"You're in my tent, priestess," he snarled quietly and stormed over to his side side of the bed. Lying down as casually and gracefully as he could, he turned his attention to his still curious priestess. "Can I help you, dear..." Nakago's heart intended for the question to stop there but his brain, being the more sensible organ continued, "priestess?"

He didn't miss the surge of hope that shined through her clear blue eyes but when the word 'priestess' ended the question, the hope disappeared and disappointment filled those eyes. Guilt ate at him since he presumed she was upset because of him...but he would not; could not care.

"Uh, nothing...I guess," Yui fell back onto the shared pillow and stared at the ceiling of the tent while Nakago closed his eyes. A few seconds passed by and Yui shot out of bed just like her warrior had done.

"Something the matter?" Nakago raised and sat upright. 'This is going to be one long night,' he thought soberly.

"Me in your tent?" Yui screamed at the realization as she stood opposite him, her face flushed, "Me and you...in one bed?"

"So...?" Nakago tried to be calm which seemed to be a success, "I see nothing wrong. It's not as if I'm going to bed you."

So simple...yet the hurt when way deeper. Yui averted her gaze so that he wouldn't see the tears that shimmered in those eyes. She stood rigidly and clenched her fist tightly till the knuckles were turning snow white. She gritted her teeth and tried to stop her lower lips from trembling.

God, she look so small. So vulnerably small and helpless. Nakago thought and fought the urge to comfort her. He calls that urge the warrior instinct. No way would he admit he has certain interests in her, it would only thwart his plans.

"I think I'll walk outside for a breather," Yui stammered and shakily turned to open the flap to leave.

"I'll walk with you," Nakago swung out of bed, put on a suitable top and stood just a few centimeteres away from her. Oh the heat from her...Again his loins hardened, his muscles taut and fantasies started to form hazily inside his mind. Blinking once, he ignored the tears and continued as if he didn't feel the sensation between them, "Who knows what kind of trouble would greet you? You wouldn't want us to be in a hectic situation to seek you out, now would you?"

That hit home. She would always be a burden. Always be a trouble to him...and the rest. Gritting her teeth, Yui realized the futile attempts to refrain from allowing the tears to flow. It was over. It was clear he held no interest in her...This was the first ever male to reject her, to show clearly he was disinterested in her.

Needless to say, her pride was blown into the nothingness and her ego had shattered into a million. Was this a way of saying she was not good enough? That she was simply naive girl to think she had enough to at least have him interested. That the only ones interested in her were...silly childish boys? Yui hung her head in shame, not able to look at the man.

"I would always be a burden to you, wouldn't I?" she cried, her tears coming down and Nakago stood emotionlessly before her, unbidden by the sadness that engulfed her, "I'm nothing but trouble! Always a bother and a burden!"

Nakago continued to be silent. He wasn't afraid of letting out a few more hurting words but he didn't think she would survive another cut. "You can wipe your hands off your 'duty' to protect my well-being!" Yui continued harshly. Long were the moments of vulnerability and the moments of childish sadness and rejection. Now in her place stood a woman, so fiercely protective of her pride as a female. This somehow...excite Nakago, not that he had control over it. Wrong, of course he did...he just chose not to be in control.

"I don't need you to protect me and I don't need your constant fuss over me!" That was the finale. The final sharp jab at his ego as a male, and pride as a warrior. She turned over her heel, threw the flap open and disappeared into the night.

Nakago, on the other hand, stood there surprised and silent. He, for one, didn't know his priestess had such a volatile temper in her. He crossed his arms over his chest and watched his priestess storming angrily away. A sigh and Nakago muttered, "I'll just follow her trail."

Just as he was about to catch up with her, Tomo sprung out of nowhere and joined her. Jealousy rippled below the calm mask of the shogun who continued to silently follow her. He was not only following but he was listening intently to their conversation.

He was of course not eavesdropping, he was simply curious. And definitely not worried about Tomo's pranks, he was simply concern of his priestess.

"I'm just a burden to him," she began as the duos sat by a river; both dipping their feet into the cold water, "He just wouldn't see pass the priestess status..."

"He wouldn't because he can't," Tomo replied, focusing his attention to the beautiful reflection of the full moon, "Cos, he's in love with someone. Nakago's loyal in that sense."

"Nakago in love?" an exclamation and Nakago frowned as he sat under a tree, close by, "If I've known..."

"You'd still ask for his affections won't you?" he chuckled after continuing the priestess' line, "he's never going to be in love with anyone. Soi was the only one who came close enough to receiving a partial part of his affections."

"Soi...oh..." a tone so sad echoed through the dense forest, "she must be really something then. Really outstandingly beautiful and amazingly special..."

"Yup. She is Nakago's best friend," Tomo laughed without mirth and Nakago's heart took a dip, "she's...I don't know."

"She's your best friend too?" Yui asked curious to understand her best friend's sadness, "You sound as if she's someone really close to your heart." At this, Yui raised her feet and dropped them with a splash.

"She's my wife." That alone struck Yui hard and Nakago, in his hiding spot, flinched. "She's my wife but she's in love with Nakago, too. She couldn't get him so she settled for his best friend, me."

"How could she?" Yui raised her voice, angry and put on her shoes determinedly, "I'll talk to both Soi and Nakago! How could they do this to you?"

"Why do you care?"

"Because you're my friend...My best friend in this world! I can't leave my best friend alone, damn it!"

"I appreciate you trying to fix it...but you can do nothing about it."

"I promise you, I'll make sure you won't hurt anymore." It was a promise, a commitment. A very dangerous promise.

"But assuming you're going to do something about it...let me hear about it?"

"I...I'll try, no. I'll convince her your love for her is true and if it doesn't work...I'll plan for Nakago's death."

Nakago controlled his breathing. The threat meant nothing to him since many had always desired to kill him but...it was the fact that she wasn't bluffing that was scary. He could very well feel her chi, rising angrily and it...was overwhelming. It obviously didn't feel like a priestess', it felt like a god's.

"Plan for Nakago's death?" Tomo sputtered each word carefully, not believing his priestess and friend, "Are you mad?"

"I'm not mad. If Nakago's out of the picture, she would have no one and therefore would have to depend on you."

"But...what about your love for him?"

Immediately, the overwhelming chi was gone and Nakago could breathe normally again if not for Tomo's question. Nakago frowned and strained his ears to listen once more for he was sure, Yui would reply softly.

"I'll sacrifice it for you, my friend," Yui spoke softly and walked off, unconsciously pausing beside a nearby spying Nakago, "because my love for him...is never going to be reciprocated. As for your question that other time, I'm putting it at 10." That said, she continued walking off and Nakago's heart palpitated.

"Yui..." Tomo placed a hand against the bark of the tree and if he had looked down, he would be staring into Nakago's eyes. "People who make sacrifices as drastic as that...they're now a minority."

After that, he too followed his priestess back to the camp while Nakago shakily took short cuts back to his tent. It wouldn't do if he arrived later than them...

Quickly tucking himself in bed, Nakago feigned sleep. He heard the light footsteps of his priestess and he took extra control to even his breathing. "This is good bye then, Nakago. Thank you." A voice so soft, a caress so tender rang in his ears. Unbelievable.

'Good bye? Does that mean she's leaving...me? Does that mean she refuse her post as Seiryuu no miko?' Thoughts ran hectic in his mind and his eyes shot open. To hell with feigning sleep but...Ironically, she was sleeping beside him, in the same bed. Just futher away than before. "Your Eminence?" Nakago started, unsure if she was still wide awake, "Are you still awake?"

She sat up and turned to face him. Gone were the bashfulness that clouded her eyes, and gone, too, were the blush that usually rose when he captured her gaze. "Can I help you, Nakago?" It was formal, way too formal. Formal and emotionless. Was it really gone, her love for him that she spoke of with Tomo?

Nakago gathered some coherent thoughts and started slowly, "Are you unharmed? I apolo-"

"I'm fine so there's no need for an apology." So formal, so harsh and so cold. Nakago breathed in sharply, and exhaled it in one breath. "If there's nothing else, I would like to try to turn in."

"No, there's nothing else," Nakago fell back into the bed, and turned his back on her. Staring at the side of the tent, he couldn't help but miss the old naive Yui. Sure, she was a pain and trouble but she was never a burden. Why hadn't he told her that previously...Maybe if he had, this new, matured Yui wouldn't have been forced to surface.

Oh what the hell was he taking the 'blame' for? He had no interest and definetely, no sexual liking to her. Therefore, this equates to not caring about the new or old Yui...right? God forbid, he's acting like some brat who just broke up with his girlfriend! Damn, he shouldn't be feeling this way. He was no brat and Yui is in no way, his girlfriend. It's outrageously stupid to think of it that way!

Shaking his head, he took a plunge into his mind to meet his other half. He must have this sorted out.

"Why welcome back."

"I want this sorted out once and for all."

"Fine by me. I miss the girl, Yui though."

"I've had it. I'm reverting back to the cold me."

"Really? You've always been cold. Always distancing yourself from the world."

"No, my mind's bugged. It's in a mad frenzy and I don't like it."

"Then by all means, shut the world out. Be by yourself once more."

"I can't..."

"That's because you love her!"

"Shut your trap up! I don't love her. I'm only her warrior."

"Then what's with 'my priestess'?"

Nakago resurfaced, angrier than before. Not only had he been weak in that conversation, he had been forced to admit that he loved his priestess! Had he been right? Had he really been keeping everyone at a distance that made Yui feel neglected? God...Seiryuu...

He turned and saw his priestess sleeping peacefully. Why was she acting as if nothing was going on between them? Why was she acting like she had never loved him? Why?

Please leave a comment or two with suggestions if possible.

It would motivate me to continue. =D