DANGEROUS FEELINGS

Chapter 3

Soi woke up with her head aching, her eyes swollen, and her throat dry. Her eyes crinkled as rays of light temporarily blinded her. She thought she heard birds chirping .

The perfect morning…….how come I feel like a storm has just hit me?

It was in that instant when she remembered what happened last night. Nakago's face flashed in her mind, and her heart immediately clenched.

So this is what they call irony.

She sat on the bed for a little while. Just staring at the space in between the tent flaps. God, she was pathetic. Over the years she had become stronger, more determined, more in control.

But I also loved him more and more

That was where her weakness lay, she knew it. But she couldn't forget the man who brought her back to life. And now he was her life.

I guess all the cheesy things they say about love is true. Even I'm turning into those girls who cry all day because of unrequited love. Where's the dignity in that?

It took her several minutes to realize that she had other things to do, important things at that. Namely, go to Nakago's tent and observe the effects of last night.

I was caught unprepared yesterday and showed a tad more emotions than I should have, but now I'm ready. Time to face the music.

She took a bath, and after putting on her fighting armor, stepped out of her tent. Sunshine greeted her merrily. She felt as if it was trying to embrace her. She tried to block out the splendid view as she made her way to Nakago. She feared she would lose her composure if she let the morning get to her. Soi knew it was mocking her. Like all the rest, it too was laughing at her, simply because it had everything she didn't have. Finally she stopped in front of Nakago's tent. She hesitated for a second, but quickly went inside. She knew he already sensed her presence, and if she continued to stay outside he would think she was weaker than he already thought. She didn't want him to find out how much he pained her. He was the type of man who thrived in power, and she was positive that to get him she had to be strong, if possible, stronger than him. She didn't want to be a liability. Once she was inside she saw Nakago sitting next to a table looking at some papers.

I guess hurting me means nothing to him

Despite herself, she was once again left breathless as she looked at him. His blue eyes were emphasized by the darkness of the tent, which was sealed like a tomb, and they sparkled like gems. Yet gray clouds were blocking them from the rest of the world. From her.

"Hmmmmm……………."

Her heart stopped beating momentarily.

It figures.

She didn't need to look to find out where the sound came from.

Trying hard not to look at the bed and to steady her rising pulse, she spoke up.

"Nakago-sama, I've come for my orders."

"Good morning to you too, Soi."

He spoke without glancing at her. He was still reading the papers, but then he abruptly halted.

"I'm almost done here. As for your orders, I need to ask Suboshi something first, and then I'll tell you"

He raised his head, and caught her eyes. At that moment, she saw why she fell in love with him. She felt her mouth quiver.

No.

But it was too late, Nakago saw her reaction, and as usual, he did what he always did. His face grew stony, and he slowly raised up. She was ashamed. All the things she vowed not to do were destroyed the instant he looked at her.

You cannot make him love you like this.

She quickly hid the destruction in her, and when he looked at her again her face was a smooth stone.

"I'll wait," she replied

He nodded. Then he left the tent, leaving Soi alone to ponder on her emotions and the memory of his voice.

She didn't know what possessed her next but she just had to look at Sanumi again, who, just as she had thought, was on the bed. After several minutes, she was forced to admit what she feared most. The girl was beautiful. She had curly raven-black hair, a heart-shaped face and a spectacular figure that the thin blanket around her couldn't hide. To Soi's further dismay, she noted that the bed was a mess.

Must have been a wild night.

She looked at the ground. She felt her head spin. She had expected this, but that still didn't make her feel less worse. As she was thinking of the different ways she could kill the girl without anyone noticing, she heard Sanumi purr. Actually purr.

Can she get anymore sickening.

She prayed to the gods that the bitch wouldn't wake up. But even they were against her. At last she gave up, and finally acknowledged the woman. She looked up to see Sanumi smiling sleepily. No. Smirking. She would have given everything just to slap the whore. But instead, she smiled and greeted her.

"Good morning, Sanumi-san. I trust you slept well"

The girl's smirk deepened.

"I did. What about you?"

She said this with a hint of sarcasm, telling Soi its hidden meaning.

"The best I've had in weeks," Soi said, looking her straight in the eye in a challenge.

"Really? What was it that made you sleep so soundly?"

"The thought that you're here and how happy you'll surely make all the soldiers."

The witch got hit by that last one, her forehead creased. Soi remained passive. She could be a terrific actress when she wanted to be. But before she could rejoice in victory, Sanumi retaliated.

"I'm sure I will. Nakago sure did enjoy my services."

That stung and the bitch knew it, even if Soi didn't show it. Before she could react Nakago came back with Suboshi and Tomo. Tomo looked at Sanumi then Nakago then Soi and back again. He was smiling broadly, his eyes crinkling as he did, he knew Soi had fallen. Suboshi , meanwhile, was looking sympathetically at her, and she hated that even more.

Am I that obvious?

Nakago was looking at his papers once again and no one said anything for a long time. After checking out both Tomo and Suboshi and casting them seductive smiles, Sanumi walked over to Nakago, obviously bored with the silence. Soi clenched her fists, but quickly regained herself, remembering that Tomo was watching. His back was to the girl, and she put her arms around his neck, bent over his ear, her mouth only a few centimeters away.

"Good morning, Nakago-sama. I'm going to take a bath for a while and leave you with your soldiers."

Nakago didn't say anything. Soi inwardly sighed in relief. Maybe he wasn't into Sanumi as much as she thought he was. But her relief was short-lived.

"Rest. I'll be needing you later"

That remark gained a smile from the witch and she turned to leave, the blanket the only thing covering her. When the sataness was gone, Tomo spoke up.

"I see you've got yourself a new pastime Nakago. Well, you know what I always say, out with the old and in with the new."

He was looking directly at Soi.

She ignored him. She didn't want to humiliate herself anymore. When he saw that Soi wasn't biting the bait he finally gave up and merely smiled knowingly.

Finally, Nakago talked.

"I gathered you here to inform you of your assignments. Soi, I need you to gather information about the Suzaku warriors. There's a bar close from here that has drunk and very talkative men. Not all of them from Kutou. Mingle a bit, ask a few questions"

"Hai," she replied automatically

"When do you want this said task to be done?"

"Anytime this week."

"As you wish."

He turned his attention to Tomo and Suboshi..

"As for you two, I need you to see to it that our soldiers are getting the proper training. We will attack Konan soon."

"Hai, Nakago," the men said in unison.

Then the three of them exited the tent. Soi went instantly to her tent, hurting all over.

The next few days were hell. Sanumi was slowly taking over. She even tried making friends with Yui, but, for some strange reason, the priestess seemed to see right through her - much to Soi's delight. The witch was also flirting with every man in the camp, and, worst of all, Nakago favored her more and more each day. Which is why Soi found herself alone in her tent one day. Laying in her bed staring at the ceiling.

I'm here staring. Thinking about things.

Things I've never thought of before.

Yet I still strain my ears

Trying to hear his familiar footsteps

And I still see his blue eyes

And my body

Still craves for his wild and gentle, very gentle fingers.

But I don't hear his footsteps,

And I don't see his eyes,

And I don't feel his touch

So where does that leave me?

AUTHOR'S NOTES: HI EVERYONE. HOPE YOU LIKE THE NEW CHAPTER. DON'T WORRY THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET MORE INTERESTING IN THE FUTURE ONES. A LOT MORE INTERESTING. MEANWHILE, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR OPINIONS AND SUGGESTIONS. PLEASE HELP ME FINISH THIS STORY 'CUZ I HAVEN'T REALLY THOUGHT OF AN ENDING YET. WHO KNOWS I MIGHT FOLLOW YOUR IDEASJ