That night, the two friends built a warm fire. As Senjo threw the last bit of wood into the fire, Nicholas motioned for her to sit next to him. She smiled and plopped down infront of him, blocking the heat from reaching him. Nicholas laughed, shook his head, and wrapped his arms about her waist.

Senjo looked back at him. "I do not believe it is proper for a lady to let a man other than her husband or fiance to lay a hand on her," she mocked playfully.

Nicholas laughed and started to tickle beneath her ribs. "Since when have you cared about being proper?"

As she giggled, Senjo tried to wriggle out of his grasp. "Never!"

He smiled and gave her a small kiss on the cheek as he ceased to tickle her.

Senjo suddenly stopped squirming and stared at the flames, dazed.

Nicholas sighed slightly as he laid his chin upon Senjo's shoulder. "Sen... do you think it coul happen again?"

Senjo blinked and tried to look at him. "Could what happen?"

"You know... like when we were younger," he said as he twirled some of her white hair hanging around her upper stomach.

Senjo's insides lurched. He did still have some of those childhood feelings. She let out a sigh, unable to find the words to reply.

Nicholas echoed her sigh. "I'm sorry Sen. I just have this really odd feeling that this next trip you're going to take is... well... like it's going to change us." He softly turned her so that he could look into her eyes. "I just want to know that I'll always still have you," he said as he ran a finger across her cheek.

Senjo closed her eyes, enjoying his touch. But her mind was racing. They had just made a vow that they would be the closest of friends and now this was happening. But then again, she could feel that spark she had felt those four years ago. She opened her eyes and looked up at Nicholas. The fire reflected in his soft blue eyes. She put her hand atop his.

"Nicholas..."

He put a finger against her lips, silencing her. "I know that this voyage is going to be unlike any other that you've ever had. But right now, I want us to live tonight as if nothing is holding us back."

Slowly, he pulled her close to him and soon their lips met. Senjo's mind started to race again, but all thoughts fell back to Nicholas: when they had first met, that day at the beach, when Nicholas had become a carriage driver, and all the times they had spent together. Without her knowledge, Senjo's eyelids drooped to a close as she placed her arms over his shoulders. She could feel him pulling her closer to him; his hands on her waist. Senjo had never been held like this before. In a way it felt awkward, but this new sensation and feeling washed away every thought. As her chest pressed against his, Senjo could feel his heart pounding.

Gently, Nicholas lowered Senjo to the ground. He slowly pulled out of the kiss and looked down at her, his blue eyes shimmering like Senjo had never seen them before.

"Promise you'll come back to me," he whispered as he bent down and gently kissed her neck.

Senjo took one of his hands and held it against her heart. "I swear on my life," she replied; and she meant it.

Nichols looked down into her emerald eyes and smiled softly. He brushed back a loose strand of white hair that had fallen over Senjo's face. Once again, he leaned foward to kiss her.

Senjo could feel his passion flowing through the kiss. This was the best feeling she had ever experianced and she would never forget this night.