They stopped for the night.

The miko had been flustered since they left the village, cheeks flushed and heartrate slightly raised as they walked in a rare silence.

It was almost unnerving given her normal chatter.

The nights grew colder, and he was accustomed to her sleeping tucked into his side for warmth, but she seemed unusually tense and bedded down away from him.

"You will be unpleasantly cold over there."

"I'm fine."

Not one to play games, he simply picked her up.

"Hey!"

He sat, tucking the mokomoko about them both. "Something bothers you."

She slowly shook her head.