Hey guys, here's the next chapter! Hope you enjoy it. Because it takes so long for me to crank these out, I really appreciate those of you who take the time to review and PM me your comments/questions. It creates a more interactive experience for everyone and makes the sometimes disheartening struggle of writing a long form story that much more rewarding.

Yuki and Beki parted ways at the village gates. It was a stark contrast to how her mother behaved outside the village. Beki was used to Yuki clinging to her defensively but while in Konoha she was comfortable turning her daughter loose. Beki wondered what that implied, whether she thought this was a safe place or if Yuki just didn't consider anyone here a threat worth defending against. Regardless of her mother's intentions, Konoha was a comforting and familiar sight. Beki enjoyed the crispness in the air that seemed to only exist near a forest. Her hometown had a similar chill to it, so thick you could almost take a bite.

As she walked through the village, the scents of nearby restaurants wafted into the streets. Beki could practically taste their trademark dishes and he stomach grumbled. They had been in such a rush to bounce Yuki and Beki had left Suna with no provisions. Yuki had proven herself a decent forager when they had to go long stretches between towns. Beki was running off wild roots and berries at the moment. She suffered one street after the other until at last Beki had crossed out of town and into the outskirts. As she made the final leg of her journey, Beki promised herself that if Hinata wasn't home and there was nothing in the fridge, she would change into something more comfortable and treat herself to a nice meal.

The gatekeeper let her inside without comment. Beki made her way up to Hinata's house, practically itching to take the armor off. She stood her kanabo up on the porch beside the door and let herself inside.

Hinata was in the laundry room preparing a load. She looked up at Beki with a broad grin on her face. The smile didn't slip but Beki saw the change in her eyes; Hinata had been hoping for someone else to come home.

"Naruto's off on a mission?" Beki began to unstrap her leg guards so she could take her shoes off.

"Yes," Hinata's expression was tinged with guilt. She hadn't meant to make Beki feel like she wasn't happy to see her. "What are you doing home so early? I thought you would be gone for another week."

Beki knew this was coming. On the walk back to Konoha she had decided on a generic response to avoid discussing the issue. "I should've known not to drop in on a kage. Gaara was too busy to see me."

"So, you gave up and came home after…" Hinata counted the days using her fingers to subtract Beki's trip out and trip back. "Two days?"

Beki shrugged, trying to keep up the lie. "He let me know there wouldn't be any openings. I have work to do here, so I don't mind." Beki snapped her fingers, remembering the upcoming festival. "And that means I'll be around for the festival next week! Why would I want to sit around Suna when I could be chowing on taiyaki?"

Hinata looked unconvinced. "You went running off to Suna to see Gaara, he was too busy, so you came home?"

"Yeah," Beki smiled. She could tell just by how her face felt it was a crappy, noncommittal attempt. When she was really, truly unhappy, it seemed it would be impossible to hide it.

Hinata narrowed her eyes. "I don't have to use the Byakugan to know you're lying through your teeth, Beki." Hinata closed the lid on the washer and started the load. She walked out into the kitchen and stared Beki down with her arms folded. "What happened?"

Beki opened her mouth, searching for a more convincing lie, when her stomach growled. Hinata's demeanor immediately softened. "You haven't eaten recently, have you?" Beki shook her head, grateful for the distraction. Hinata looked around the kitchen and rifled through the fridge. "I'm so sorry Beki, I don't have anything on hand. I could throw something together but it would take a while."

As Beki watched Hinata rummaging through the kitchen to take care of her, a pang of guilt wrenched at her gut. If no one else did, Hinata deserved the truth. Not a summary of what happened the night she'd spent with Gaara. Her friend should know everything going on in Beki's heart. She owed her that for all the love she had showered her with over the years, even when Beki was downright unlovable. Beki relented and heaved a sigh. "How about we talk over dinner? I haven't eaten anywhere but that diner Yuki likes and I'm dying for some barbecue."

"Okay," Hinata looked her over. "Do you want to go now?"

Beki shook her head and gestured at the armor. "I need to get out of this before I go anywhere."

Hinata followed her friend upstairs out of habit. "So, what happened while you were there?"

Beki opened the door to her room and started rummaging in her closet for something comfortable but mildly presentable. "I guess we can start now." She pulled out a pleated skirt and a sweater from her closet, then fished through a drawer in her dresser for a pair of thigh high socks. "So, Yuki and I head into Suna-"

"Because you were feeling like you needed to work on your relationship, if I remember correctly," Hinata tapped her chin.

Right to the heart of it as always, Beki tensed. It was scary how perceptive Hinata was when it came to the lives of her loved ones. "Yeah...so we got to Suna in the morning and I stopped by to see Gaara." Beki began to peel off the layers of her armor, stacking it on the stand she kept in her room piece by piece. She checked the armor as she placed it. There was still sand trapped in the nooks and crannies of the plates. Beki had a long night of scrubbing with a soft bristled toothbrush ahead of her. "He told me he'd move up all his appointments and get off at six to spend some time with me."

"Did he blow you off?" Hinata asked. "Work popped up and he couldn't make it?"

For a moment, Beki could have sworn Hinata was projecting. "No. He was off when he said he would be. He took me out to dinner and we talked for a long time about our relationship. You remember how he kept asking me to marry him?"

"And you kept saying no," Hinata nodded.

"I told him the reason I kept refusing was because I need to be a priority in his life." Beki was struggling with the straps on the chest piece. At times, it seemed like although the plates had conformed to her shape, some of the fasteners were still Seiichiro sized and a pain to release. Hinata stepped over without being asked and began to help. Beki kept her arms up in the air as Hinata released her from the chest pieces. "I mean, he's dumped me over his job before. I told him if we wanted to get more serious I would need him to spend some quality time with me."

Hinata nodded. "I can't imagine trying to build a relationship like that. Naruto and I were long distance for a time but we had already established ourselves."

Beki shuffled uncomfortably as Hinata raised the chest pieces over her head. "I've spent a lot of my life waiting for other people and sacrificing for my family. I had to start over here in Konoha, but at least I started getting to feel useful. If I have to give everything up for him and start over again…the least I think I deserve is more than dinner in his office."

Hinata considered Beki's words carefully. "Is that all he gave you?"

Beki turned away from Hinata and was quiet for a moment. She reached behind her back to unclasp her bra cleverly hiding her pain-twisted expression. The fabric fell to the floor and Beki felt Hinata's expectant gaze on her back. She was both physically and emotionally exposed. Her armor was in pieces around her and she could feel her inner armor crumbling as well. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she choked them down and gritted her teeth. Warriors aren't weak, she told herself as she turned to face Hinata bare breasted.

Hinata's gentle, concerned face stopped Beki in her tracts. Hinata looked hurt. She was hurting simply because her friend was hurting. For some reason, the realization shook Beki down to her core. Tears threatened to spill out once again and this time, Beki let them. Hinata was silent for a moment as Beki wept quietly. She opened her arms wide and Beki climbed into her embrace without protest.

Beki continued to cry for a small time. Hinata remained still, save for a soft hum and the gentle stroking of Beki's head. Beki swallowed the knot in her throat and tried once again to explain the situation to her friend.

"No, I got a little more time with him than that."

Hinata narrowed her eyes. Something incredibly intimate or humiliating had to have happened. She remained silent, however, until Beki could sense the expectant silence swell to crushing proportions and caved. "We, you know, did it, and then he went back to work right afterwards."

Hinata remained quiet for a moment. Beki had stilled her sobs, but Hinata could still feel some wetness through the fabric of her shirt where Beki's cheek was pressed against. "A few minutes later or…?" Hinata inquired. She and Naruto had had enough before work sessions to know that a speedy retreat was not enough to hurt Beki this bad.

"Like, pulled on his pants as soon as we were done and flew me back to my hotel at high speed. I was home by eight o'clock, Hinata. We went to dinner at six." Beki reached up to wipe her eyes. The tears had stopped and anger was quickly filling their absence. "Do you know the worst part, Hinata? He budgeted for that time! He knew he had to be back at work at eight so he knew EXACTLY how much time he could spare. But wow, he sure managed to find time to roll me over!"

Hinata winced and inhaled sharply. "That isn't right…"

"I feel like a call girl! 'Um hello, I need one big boobed blonde girl right away and she also needs to be down with banging in public! And don't worry about a tip, I'll just give her some steak! Put some meat on her bones'." Beki's voice was just short of screaming. "He could of at least paid for my hotel, you know since I'm basically just there to satisfy him." The anger in Beki was dying down pitifully and hot tears streamed down her cheeks again. "I'm starting to hate myself for loving him."

Hinata rubbed Beki's back soothingly and made shushed her softly. "Its okay, Beki. Let it out."

"I mean, can you imagine if I treated him like that? 'Oh, haha, yeah, sorry. I have better shit to do. Hope you didn't give up anything too important to be with me!'" Beki laughed bitterly. "I have caught so much shit for being with him. From my dad, from my mom, from the Raikage, I could go on." Beki rubbed her eyes and sobered, the darkness still seeping off her like a spell. "My mom said something to me the other day that summed it all up: I'm young and naïve and I thought I knew better than the adults that loved me. They were just trying to spare me this pain but oh, we were different! We were meant to be!"

Hinata winced. Ever since Seiichiro passed, Beki had a tendency to spiral. She would get caught up in her misery and tread water in it until her skin started to glow. Then she would freak out about transforming and spend the next twenty minutes deep breathing to keep herself from burning the house down. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Beki. The two of you really were good together in the beginning. It seems that ever since you were raised to a position of responsibility it changed the terms of your relationship. I think that even a well-established relationship struggles with big changes like that."

"You're sweet, Hinata," Beki shook her head and took a deep breath. "That doesn't change the fact that I've got myself in some deep shit and there's no easy way out."

Hinata pulled Beki over so her head was resting on her shoulder. "What do you mean, sweetie?"

"I'm dating the damned Kazekage," Beki puffed. "Even if I'm the most miserable person in the world and I decide we can't go on, I would need to be incredibly careful about how I broke up with him. I don't care how reformed he is, the guy used to murder for fun. I don't want to test his resolve." Beki leaned into Hinata, allowing her to support her weight. It was a relief. When she was in the armor, Beki had to have perfect posture. It put strain on every muscle in her body sustaining that weight and dealing with the restricted movements. A chance to let her muscles relax and not be a soldier for a minute meant more than anything. Beki heaved a sigh, feeling her heartbeat slow and her breath steadying. "What do you think I should do? He's three days away. I can't sit down with him and have a heart to heart over a cup of coffee."

"You should write him." Hinata laced her fingers through Beki's and gave her a squeeze. "Give yourself time to calm down and make as many drafts as you need. Lay out your feelings plainly. From what you've told me, handling this professionally might be the best way to get his attention."

Beki heaved a deep sigh, the lump in her throat dissipating. "You're right."

Hinata patted the top of her head. "Alright. Now that you're calm, put some clothes on. I'm tired of you walking around looking like a stripper."

Beki laughed and got back on her feet. She put on a fresh bra and the rest of her clothes. Hinata led the way downstairs and out the door. Beki felt relieved but also selfish. Hinata had helped Beki out with this mess of a situation, yet it was obvious she was dealing with some stuff of her own. "Hey, Hina chan. Are you doing okay?"

Hinata nodded. "Yes, I'm alright. Naruto was called away on a mission suddenly. I just miss him terribly, is all."

"Let me know if you wanna talk about it," Beki cocked her head. "I'm here for you."

Hinata smiled. "Thank you, Beki.

…

Neji spied Beki walking through town out of the corner of his eye. That's strange. Hinata said she would be gone much longer than this. Neji shook his head. It was none of his business what Beki did but old habits die hard. After he had shrugged it off, Neji continued towards the training fields to meet his team. Gai sensei had come up with some new training regimen he wanted to test on them. He removed Beki from his mind and picked up the pace towards their usual training grounds.

The training was grueling; they were out there for hours sparring and conditioning the way only Gai sensei could manage. Regardless, Tenten and Lee were as chipper as ever. Between their friendly banter and the hard physical demand Gai placed on them, Neji was able to put his mind at ease. Gai insisted they continue the regimen tomorrow. Lee had cheered this idea on, but Tenten and Neji were left grumbling.

After the training was done, Neji walked home alone with the sun setting behind him. Neji rolled his neck; it was already getting stiff. He knew he was going to be too sore to move tomorrow. When Gai pulled out all the stops, Neji could barely lift his arms high enough to take off his shirt at the end of the day.

When he reached the gates of the Hyuuga compound, Neji stopped and activated his Byakugan. Beki was sitting on Hinata's porch cleaning her armor. She was so fixated on her work that it made it easy to justify not bothering her. Neji entered the gates and started walking for his room. Now at ease about avoiding Beki, all he could think about was a shower and a hot meal. As his body complained, Neji considered the possibility of having some tea to help stave off the growing inflammation in his muscles. A familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts with a start.

"Hey Neji," Hinata said softly from beside him. "Beki's been looking for you."

"Oh, she has," Neji adjusted uncomfortably. "Thank you, Lady Hinata. I'll go find her later." He bowed and stepped away to make a swift exit.

"You can't do this, Neji," Hinata looked at him with concern.

Neji froze. Hinata was always so sensitive to the needs of others. Her superhuman sympathy and observational skills made it hard to side step once she set her sights on an issue. His best bet was to play oblivious and hope that she bought it. "What do you mean?" He asked with the most innocent expression he could muster.

Hinata sighed. "You two really are the same in a lot of ways." She took a deep breath and continued. "I know what happened between you two before Beki left. She told me as she was packing for Suna. I couldn't believe it at first because you led me to think you really liked Beki. Then I figured you must have had your reasons. I thought maybe you really did like Ren so I let it be."

Neji looked up and scanned their surroundings. As far as he could tell, Beki was still working on her armor. Assured that the coast was clear, he spoke, keeping his voice low just in case: "That wasn't it, Lady Hinata. Ren knows that I've had my eye on Beki. She was trying to help me-"

"By making Beki jealous?" Hinata shook her head in disbelief. "Isn't that a bit insensitive?"

"In retrospect, yes, it was a foolish and desperate attempt." Neji sighed. "The idea was good. Ren claimed that Beki would realize how much time she spent with me and maybe realize she had feelings for me...if she had any."

"When Beki left she was practically in tears," Hinata explained. "She's constantly surrounded by successful couples whereas her own relationship is a constant struggle. Beki can't rely on Gaara for friendship or companionship. You and Ren are two of her best friends. It wasn't that she was jealous the two of you were together, Beki was upset because she felt like she would lose the two of you." Hinata fidgeted and looked away. "I know that since Naruto came home I haven't spent as much time with her as I used to. She had shifted some of that unused attention onto you. If you got all wrapped up in Ren, Beki was scared she was going to be all alone. Normally, she would just shrug that off and deal with it. I'm afraid Beki is still processing with everything that's happened with her parents, and-"

Neji put up his hands and shook his head. "Don't worry yourself, Lady Hinata. As I said, it was a foolish move and it won't happen again. I...I don't think I can keep going on like this."

Hinata watched him carefully. "What do you mean?"

"I've accepted that if Beki and I were supposed to be together, we would be." As Neji spoke, the words came without hesitation. There was a calmness to his voice that borderlined on the casual, as if he were discussing not being able to attend a concert he'd wanted to. On the inside, however, Neji could feel his heart sinking. As he admitted this to Hinata, it was as if he were speaking it into stone. Once he said it, it became irrevocably true. He had packed all his hope in a box and each word was a nail in the lid. As painful as it was, the experience was also cathartic, and he gained strength as he forced himself through. "I still care about her immensely. I got so wrapped up in her life that I find it hard to remember what my life was like without Beki in it. That time did exist, though, and eventually she will have to leave Konoha. The sooner I start to pull away the easier it will be when that day comes."

When he finished, Neji looked Hinata in the face to see her reaction. To his surprise, she looked worried for him. "You mean you're just going to try to avoid her from now on?"

Neji looked towards Hinata's house. "That was my plan, yes."

"I agree that maybe some space will help you get some perspective on the issue, but I don't think you can just avoid someone who lives next door." Hinata spoke gently, fully aware of the raw feelings involved on both sides. "You're her friend, Neji. She trusts you and cares about you. I know that at times Beki is oblivious but she will eventually notice that your absence is intentional."

"I can't, Hinata," A lump was forming in the back of Neji's throat. "It hurts too much to be around her."

"I'm not saying you have to train with her or take her on errands with you anymore," Hinata was practically pleading. "Just please don't avoid her. It would mean a lot to me."

Neji suppressed a bitter laugh. A heat rose up inside his chest. Why was it so easy for everyone around him to just ignore his feelings? The seal on his forehead itched slightly as he focused his gaze upon Hinata. "Is that an order, Lady Hinata?"

Hinata shrunk back out of reflex. He looked just like he had before he had fought with Naruto. But she wasn't the same Hinata as before. She took a step towards Neji entering his personal bubble. "Are you giving up, Neji? That really doesn't seem like you." She met his fierce gaze with a glare as intense as she could muster.

Neji turned swiftly and walked away, his stride more hurried than it had been before. Hinata sighed and wrung her hands. Before she had a chance to recover, Beki swept up from the side.

"Hey, Hina chan. What's up?" Beki cocked her head.

"Not much." Hinata noticed Beki was dressed to go out and forced out a smile. "Where are you headed?"

"Apparently Ren and Daiske are still in town," Beki grinned. "I was going to see if I could track them down. If they're still in town for the festival I was going to ask if they wanted to go."

"When you see them, say hi for me," Hinata said. "Will you be home late?"

"Psh, knowing them, more than likely," Beki stretched. "You don't have to wait up."

"Alright, have fun," Hinata waved as Beki skipped off towards the entrance. Once she was out of sight, Hinata let out a sigh of frustration. Why didn't everyone just talk to each other? So many of their problems would be solved if they were like Naruto and spelled out how they felt.

Naruto.

Hinata's cheeks got warm and a true smile pulled at her lips. He would be home soon. Hinata tucked away her worries about Neji and headed home so she could straighten up for her fiance's return.

…

"I mean, the vacation has been nice," Daiske rubbed the back of his head.

"It wasn't a vacation," Ren bopped him on the nose. "We've been serving as Ishida's escort."

"But he doesn't want us around!" Daiske threw up his hand in exasperation. "What's going to happen to us if something happens to him?!"

"He refused our services," Ren shrugged. "He technically outranks us and is also our client. We have to do what he says unless its treasonous."

Daiske shook his head. "Doesn't it feel wrong?"

"You and your shinobi code," Ren snorted.

"Not having a code makes you no better than a bandit," Daiske grumbled.

Ren elbowed him hard as they walked, "I'll have you remember that I'm also a priestess in training. As soon as I turn 19, I retire and become a full time understudy to the head priestess. That means I only have two more years as a shinobi."

"So, you've got shinobi senior-itis." Daiske shook his head. "You were the same way at the academy."

"You bet," Ren stretched. "You'd better figure out what you're going to do with yourself, Daidai. Beki is an ambassador now and I'm going to become a priestess. Team Honey's all but moved on without you."

Daiske rolled his eyes. "Thanks for reminding me." He shook his head. "Maybe Beki will need an assistant or something. I don't know if I want to hang out around Getsu with everything going on with my parents."

"You'll have to be around Yuki all the time," Ren teased.

Daiske's horror stricken expression reduced Ren to a fit of laughter so loud people were staring at them. Within moments, Beki appeared.

"I would know that cackle anywhere," Beki grinned. "Hey, guys."

Ren turned her catlike leer on Beki. "Oh, look who came crawling back from Suna."

Beki shrugged. Hinata had talked through everything with her already and she had a plan. Ren's teasing wouldn't change that. "Yeah, I got back early. When are you guys supposed to go back to Getsu?"

"The end of next week. We're going to escort Ishida home." Daiske shuffled uncomfortably. "He was pissed you left town without saying anything."

"I'm the senior ambassador now." Beki folded her arms. "I don't have to check in with him all the time."

"I think his point was he was in town for you and you skipped out," Ren explained. "I'm pretty miffed myself, truth be told."

Beki sighed. "About that. I'm sorry. I was upset about something else and I was taking it out on you guys. It really isn't a big deal that you and Neji are dating, Ren. I'm happy for you guys. I mean, I would have never pictured you guys together, but if that's what you want I totally support you."

Ren looked Beki over for a moment before bursting out laughing. "Beki, honey. You didn't know that wasn't a serious thing?" Beki's eyes raised in surprise. Ren stifled a giggle, trying to make it look as natural as possible. "I wanted to make you jealous. You've got yourself a kage boyfriend and a new fancy job as ambassador. Just didn't want you to forget about us. Neji was just too much of a sucker to resist."

Beki puffed up. "You know, Neji is a really nice guy! It's not okay to take advantage of him like that!"

Ren smiled internally. She raised her hands in mock self-defense. "Hey, hey. He got a good smooch with a cute girl out of it. Besides, you know I only have eyes for you!" Ren smacked Beki on the rear and turned away towards Daiske. Sorry for getting you involved in all this, Neji. Hope this helps…

Daiske looked back and forth between his two friends. Beki looked flustered and kept opening her mouth like she wanted to say something, but ultimately, she just sighed and followed Ren. As they walked through town, Beki pointed out all her favorite shops. The village was preparing for the festival again and some stores and restaurants were already draped in their revelry. As fun as it was, Beki hadn't been completely derailed from the earlier conversation. There was something still nagging her.

"So, you weren't into Neji at all?" Beki looked at Ren, her brows knit in confusion. "You seemed pretty into him."

"Eh," Ren shrugged. "He was a prude."

Beki stared her down suspiciously. "Ahuh."

Ren stood at her full height, her chin barely reaching Beki's chest, and put her hands on her hips. "I don't like having my time wasted! Its not that I couldn't have won him over to the dark side, its just it would have taken way too long to seduce him for it to be satisfying!"

"Coulda fooled me," Daiske mumbled.

"What, were you jealous?!" Ren elbowed him again.

Daiske frowned. "I would just like to point out that you two-" He pointed at both girls accusingly. "Are totally cool kissing everyone, all the time. Except me."

Ren blinked. "I guess he's right."

Beki looked at Ren. "I thought kissing everyone was my thing?"

"After you left town someone had to do it," Ren sighed at the thought of her sacrifice. "Poor Daidai feels left out."

"Aw, Daidai!" Beki and Ren simultaneously threw their arms around him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. They nuzzled his neck and rocked him back and forth as his face turned scarlet.

"Alright, get off!" Daiske squirmed his way free. "You guys are humiliating, you know that?"

Beki laughed. "Okay. That's enough teasing." She looked back and forth between them and smiled. It was nice having them around. The two of them were quickly becoming the only thing she had left from her childhood. They weren't as close as they had been as kids but they had been through a lot together. Her smile wavered as Beki considered the years to come, how they would become completely different people and have their own lives to live. She had begun the process but now Ren was on her own path as well. It seemed only a matter of time until they never saw each other again. This could be their last chance to do something together as a team. "Hey, do you guys want to go to the festival with me next week?"

"I like festivals," Daiske blinked. "What kind of food are they going to have?"

"Its all good, don't worry," Beki grinned and looked at Ren. "How bout you?"

Ren shrugged. "I guess I could try my hand at the carnival games. They've banned me from ever playing again at home." She scratched her chin. "I wonder how many stalls it will take before they throw me out here?"

Beki rolled her eyes. "Are the cheap prizes really worth all that to you?"

Ren smiled wickedly. "Its more about the looks of defeat on everyone's faces around me."

"There she is, taking advantage of the fact that she looks like a minor." Daiske shook his head.

"A minor? She looks like an academy student," Beki shoved her playfully.

"It's not my fault you started leaching height off me and Daidai in the third grade," Ren stuck out her tongue. "We were both taller than you."

Daiske scoffed. "Speak for yourself. I'm still taller than Beki."

"BARELY!" Ren stared him down. "Imagine how much taller you would be if she hadn't leached it from you!"

"Okay, I think this is where I go," Beki stepped backward, laughing. "I don't know what she'll accuse me of next."

"You leached my boobs from me, too!" Ren shook her fist. "You shouldn't get to be tall and busty, Beki! Give me my boobs back!"

Daiske leaned down with his elbow on the top of Ren's head, pinning her. "You can go. I'll hold her."

"Thanks, Daidai. I'll see you guys later." Beki waved and walked away to the angry cat sounds of Ren trying to free herself from the classic "armrest" move Daiske and Beki had been using on her since the academy.

…

As Beki walked through the gates of the Hyuga compound she caught sight of Neji. He was heading back to his room and only had a small start on her, so Beki made a break for it. "Hey, Neji!" She saw him tense and slow to a stop. He's probably still hurt by how I acted the other day. That or he's upset about Ren toying with him. Or both. Neji hadn't turned to face her so Beki stepped around in front of him. "Hey."

Neji was clearly trying to keep a straight face but Beki could see the pain lurking beneath the surface. "I owe you an apology," She looked up at him with a somber expression. "The other day...I'm sorry about how I acted. I guess seeing the two of you so happy together just reminded me of how much I'm struggling. I took it out on you and that wasn't fair. I hope you can forgive me."

"Don't worry about it." Neji shook his head. "We weren't being very considerate of your feelings."

Beki could see he was still hurting. She knew that part of the reason he was suffering was her fault and Beki hated herself for it. "That doesn't make it okay, Neji. I know I haven't been so good about keeping it together when I'm upset. This…" Beki thought about the anger that welled up inside her that day, how it had made her violently sick to her stomach. That resentment she had felt had blinded her with rage, so much so she had turned on two of her best friends. And for what? She shook her head and continued. "As much as I want to blame it on the Burned Maiden, I can't keep doing that. It has made things harder for me since it woke up but I need to be stronger than this." Beki looked him straight in the eye. "I'm not going to let this win anymore. If I start acting like that again, call me on it. If I let myself treat my loved ones this way I'll become a monster."

Neji considered her carefully. "Don't worry about it, Beki. I doubt something like this will come up again."

There was a cold note in his voice as he spoke that stood out to Beki immediately. Something else must be wrong. "What's up, Neji, are you okay?"

Neji sighed impatiently. "I'm fine, Beki." He gave her a polite bow. "I'm sorry but I have to get going."

Beki was stunned. Neji hadn't bowed to her in years. "Neji!" She reached out and latched onto his arm as he turned. "Neji, what's going on?"

Neji rotated his arm and freed himself from her grasp. "I'll see you later."

For a moment Beki struggled, desperate to grab back ahold of his shirt and not let go. But something was off and she could feel it. Beki let him go. After a moment, Beki lowered her arms and watched Neji disappear into the house. Had she really hurt him that much? She stood there a few moments to see if he would come back out but he didn't. Knowing there was nothing more she could do, Beki turned and headed up to the house. She wondered if Neji needed some time to sort things out or if the other night had broken something between them.

Her armor was still sitting on the patio, less than half of it cleaned and polished. Beki sighed and plopped down on the porch. She picked up the toothbrush and one of the pauldrons and resumed the meticulous process of brushing the sand out of the crevices. As she worked, Beki noticed a slight warmth coming off the armor. The sensation was a comfort, so Beki put down the toothbrush and held the hot metal in her hands. She looked at her reflection in its dark surface. Beki's features were changing as she approached adulthood, chiseling away at the baby fat and making the soft things hard. It startled her, seeing an expression she had only ever seen on her father's face plastered across her own. Beki looked tired and not in the "haven't gotten enough sleep lately" way. She sighed and picked up her toothbrush. Tired or not, Beki had work to do.