Sakura was uncharacteristically quiet as they made their way toward their next destination. She wasn't overly chatty per nature, but she wasn't all that fond of prolonged silence, so she often initiated small talk every few minutes (the silence reminded her too much of that time spent locked up in her room, she told him once). Of course, there were times when she was simply too tired to say anything, or too awed by whatever sight they stumbled upon to utter a single word, but Doma knew for a fact that neither was the case right at this moment.
He could feel it crawling under his skin—a weight in his stomach and an ache in his heart.
"Whatever troubles you, Little Blossom?" he finally dared to ask.
She startled, apparently snapped out of her thoughts.
"It- it's nothing. Don't mind me."
Unfortunately for her, she was a very bad liar, even more so when she unconsciously shared her emotions with the demon. Heaving out a small sigh, Doma stopped walking and unceremoniously dropped her on the ground.
"Oof!"
She groaned, rubbing her sore butt. She hadn't expected the move, but the numerous layers of clothes along with the soft grass had softened her landing. Before she could snap and ask why he dropped her, though, Doma crouched before her and grabbed her chin so she'd look at him (even if he knew she couldn't see him, it was a little unnerving to talk to someone without them looking at you).
"While I'm usually quite fond of playing, Little Blossom, I'm not particularly in the mood for guessing games right now," he stated, a tad more harshly than he intended.
But who could blame him, really? Because of their sudden flight from the last city, he hadn't been able to eat for three days, now, and his hunger was beginning to show. He felt a little more irritable than usual, and his Little Blossom's continued silence and disagreeable feelings didn't help in making him feel any better.
After another moment of silence, Sakura cracked.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
He paused, now unsure. "What for?"
"For making you leave like that. For making you give up your prey. For- for making you go hungry." Her head instinctively lowered, but his grip tightened ever so slightly, forcing her to keep on staring at him. "What- what you're feeling is my guilt. I'm- I'm sorry, for being in your way…"
He frowned, releasing her. "Why would you think such a thing?"
"Aren't- aren't you mad at me?"
"Mad? I haven't had the opportunity to feel quite that way, I'm afraid." Shaking his head, he instinctively wrapped his arms around her, bringing her into a hug. "Why, I could never be mad at you, dearest Sakura. True, I am quite hungry right now, but I would have been a fool to ignore the warnings of a Seer." Without really thinking, he placed a light kiss on her forehead. "You have saved my life, Little Blossom, and I feel… grateful? Yes, I think that is what you called it before." Sensing her doubt, he grabbed her hand, smiling lightly. "You can tell, can't you?"
After a few seconds, she finally relaxed, smiling back. "I can. Thank you, Doma."
"Why, I believe I should be the one thanking you, Little Blossom."