Author's Notes: Just a small note- the households of the very wealthy in Yuan dynasty China were laid out like a bunch of smaller houses connected by hallways. Around this would be walls and gardens.

That being said, enjoy!

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Chapter 2: Lead

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Hari could feel a warm presence on her forehead; the drops of heated water dripping down her temples and rousing her from her sleep. Slowly, she opened her eyes, their jade depths catching sight of the rich silks that hung above her.

Reaching up, she removed the warm cloth from its resting place on her head and sat it beside the futon on the floor. She felt it then, a chill running down her body and in habit, she clutched the sheets closer around her. That's when she noticed something else.

Why the hell am I naked? Her mind flared, all ready to accuse Menoumaru of taking advantage of them both.

"You're awake."

But that, wasn't Menoumaru's voice.

Looking to her other side, her eyes fell upon Ruri. The thin silk sheet clung lightly about her figure, it was thin yet muscular and she laid propped up on one elbow as if she'd been watching over her. Her cerulean hair was loose, cascading like a waterfall over her pale shoulders.

She's…gorgeous.

Hari's mind remarked, not knowing why this woman could stir anything within her. It wasn't that she was vain, but Hari always put her own appearance well above others. That is…aside from now.

Shaking her mind of that momentary confusion, she realized that she was still plagued with many questions but all that came out was a jumbled stammer.

"What…where…why…."

"I asked the same thing after I dozed off and woke up to this. It's beautiful isn't it?"

Hari nodded in agreement, not certain what beauty it was that she referred to. Clutching her sheet around her, she struggled to sit up.

"Don't!" The sharp voice instructed her as Ruri forcefully pushed her back down. Jade eyes widened at not only the action, but the woman above her.

The sheet Ruri had about her had fallen away, leaving naught but her hair to cover her. She seemed unfazed by this, her orchid eyes too captivated by the one pinned beneath her and her mind momentarily thrown by her own actions.

"Ruri?" She questioned, longing to end the awkward silence that fell upon them.

"You're injured. If you move it'll just…"

Hari quickly diverted her eyes, focusing them elsewhere than the nude form above her.

Quietly, she mumbled her response, "Thank you…"

The silk coverings rustled as Ruri laid herself back down, this time closer to Hari than before.

"They…took our bloody clothes to be cleaned and mended. I'd go ask for a robe but I can't exactly walk out there like this."

She seemed so confident, like she could do anything, Hari noted. Ruri was definitely stronger- perhaps both in mind and battle.

"Ruri?"

The woman cocked her head to a better angle, "Hmm? What is it Hari?"

Deep down, she knew she had to ask. It would bother her if she didn't…

"If Hyouga-sama hadn't stopped you, would you have…could you have…"

Orchid eyes widened, "Why are you thinking about that?!"

"It's just…bothering me," Hari bit her lip, "I could…I could have died today."

Ruri paused then, her blood running cold. She was used to that- the knowledge that she could die at any moment but Hari…Hari seemed to be running from it.

It was like she wanted someone to reach out a hand and save her before she spiraled down into that nothingness.

And Ruri knew that someone was going to be her.

Reaching over to and hesitating as she felt the other woman flinch, Ruri gently rested her hand over Hari's.

"Hari. I wouldn't have, okay?"

"You…mean that?"

Ruri moved closer, her other hand gently running down Hari's side and pausing over her bandaged wound.

"There was no way I could kill someone as beautiful as you."

There was a sharp intake of breath, and Hari wasn't certain if it was due to the words or the feeling of her hand resting over the very injury she herself had made. Her heart was racing at the intimacy of their positions and her mouth opened to voice a protest when she found that her face was closer to Ruri's than before.

"What are you…" She stammered, body tensing.

"I just want you to trust me. Let me be there for you when you're hurt and…and…"

"And?"

Ruri leaned forward, her mind demanding her to take only one course of action. Their lips met awkwardly at first, then slowly, they moved to meet one another.

"I see we won't have to worry about you two being agreeable," An amused voice remarked from where he leaned against the doorframe.

The two girls quickly pulled away, faces scarlet and eyes seeking anywhere to look but Menoumaru or each other.

Hari could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage, her mind racing and her body overcome with adrenaline.

Casually, as if not a thing was amiss, Menoumaru sat the two bundles of clothing by the door.

"Don't exhaust each other too much," He remarked with a wave of his hand as he turned to leave, "You never know when I'll need you for battle."

The door slid closed behind him and his light laughter echoed down the hallway.

"Hari?" Ruri questioned, her voice raspy and shaken, "Hari?" She said again, her own heart sinking at the blank expression the other woman wore.

I feel like I've already fought a great battle. My body, my heart, my mind…everything's racing, The purple haired woman thought inwardly, but she couldn't bring herself to speak.

On not getting any reaction, Ruri thought it best to just leave. Standing, she hastily made her way across the room. Quickly pulling on the ru qun Menoumaru had left, she pulled the door open and walked out.

"I'm sorry…Hari" Her faint whisper was made out through the screen and then she began to race down the hallway.

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Coming to a stop at the end of one hall, Ruri's eyes darted about- seeking out the nearest servant to question.

"Hey, you there!" She called to the elderly woman that was passing.

"Oh Ruri-sama, is something wrong?"

Ruri could see the pile of bloody clothes in her arms and knew that this must be the woman assigned to repairing them.

"I was wondering if there was someplace I could go bathe."

"Oh yes, I'm certain you must want a nice bath after that fight. I heard it was quite something," The woman replied good-naturedly, "Is Hari-sama's wound healing all right? Menoumaru-sama said I might need to bring her some medicine."

The blue-haired woman flinched at that, not sure if it was the knowledge that she had caused the injury or the fact that Hari was now ignoring her that drove the pain through her heart.

"You might…go check on her," Ruri said after a moment, "Now, which way to the baths?"

"Ah- just go down the left hallway and keep turning left until you reach the end. It's outside there, behind the screens."

She nodded in understanding and quietly went on her way.

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Back in the room, Hari slowly sat herself up against the silk pillows adorning the futon. Shakily, she brought a hand to her lips.

Ruri…she…she kissed me…

She wasn't certain how long she stayed frozen there. The whole thing replaying through her mind, and confusing her more and more as it did.

A light knock at the door startled her and she clutched the sheet against her body.

"Come…come in."

The door opened to reveal a short woman carrying some ground herbs and medicines with her.

"Ruri-sama told me to come check on you. I brought some medicine to help the pain."

Hari nodded, her mind dwelling on the fact Ruri had been the one to send the woman.

"Are you all right, Hari-sama? You seem awfully shaken."

"I'm…I'm fine," She just stammered.

The woman shook her head, "Now don't you try and tell me otherwise. That is one very specific look."

"Excuse me?"

"I'll warn you already though; falling in love with Menoumaru-sama is a waste of time. He loves nothing but his power and refuses to change."

"It's not Menoumaru-sama!"

Hari blushed at her outburst, even more perplexed as she noted how loudly she was voicing her complaints about being presumed with Menoumaru.

The servant just smiled and handed over the medicine, "Rub this in a bit, then perhaps consider joining Ruri-sama in the bath."

"Join…her?" Hari froze up.

"Yes," The woman said slowly, not sure what to take of the girl's strange reaction, "It should soothe your muscles and help it heal."

Looking down at the herbs left beside her, she slowly did as instructed.

Her mind was a mess, but sitting in this room wasn't doing anything. She knew better. Sitting around waiting for life to come and offer some excitement was never the right plan of action.

"Perhaps….I should."

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The hallways wound about like a long maze, each smaller house serving as storage rooms for weapons, kitchens or servants quarters. Ruri couldn't help but stop once or twice to admire it.

She'd seen the homes of nobles from afar- their ornate gardens and ponds decorating the landscape. But that, she thought bitterly, was before the invaders came.

Before her clan made deals with those dirty men to serve as concubines in exchange for their lives. Before she killed one in the dark night for even touching her. And before she fled towards the clan of the moth youkai near the sea she'd heard so much about.

Surely they'd treat her better than those barbarians.

"Is there something wrong, Ruri?"

Her eyes shot up from where she stood staring out towards the garden.

"Menoumaru-sama."

"I take it you two had a lovers spat?" He asked with a laugh.

She just glared as tried to force down the heat rising to her cheeks.

"You are very transparent, Ruri. You like her, do you not?"

"Just because we…" Her temper flared up, her fists clenched at her sides

He held up a hand and Ruri fell silent.

"I can see how you look at her. You look like you want to eat her."

"Menoumaru-sama!" Ruri protested, her face fully red now.

The moth youkai prince just laughed and gently placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her.

"Ruri, you left your clan because they were forced to be with foreign men, correct?"

Her face paled at the memory.

"Has it ever crossed your mind that perhaps, men just aren't suited to your attitude?"

"May I ask why you feel the need to tell me this, Menoumaru-sama?" She ground out through her teeth, her rage only kept in check by her bitter memories.

"There was a time when I was young and foolish once. I wouldn't allow myself the thing I desired most just because it seemed wrong to me. So now, I have nothing but my power to keep my company."

The hallway fell silent and Menoumaru took a step back.

"Do you understand now why?"

Ruri nodded, "Yes, Menoumaru-sama."

"Seize your desires as they appear. Don't let them retreat."

"You make it…sound like a battle," She murmured.

Menoumaru turned, a light laugh emanating from his throat as he continued on his way, "It is."

And as Ruri watched him walk away, her mind kept repeating the same question.

You want her, don't you?

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Preview for Chapter 3:

There's wanting someone and then there's LOVE…