A/N: It's long overdue but it's time to spoil a bit since my boy Akusetsu will be making his first official appearance in HK2. I told myself "Self, it's time to spoil, after all compilation readers get sweet spoilers for such sour times to come in HK." Enjoy :D

[Insert Disclaimer]

STORY TWO: A TALE OF THREE BROTHERS PT.3 – Jealousy, Love and Rivalries

Ages: Jun [19], Mori and Mi-hi [18], Akusetsu and Inhyeon [17], Himitsu [15]

Akusetsu sat in the middle of a clearing trying to get the hang tree walking. While it wasn't easy, Akusetsu wouldn't give up. He had acquired a scroll on basic chakra exercises from a cargo ship that came in from Kiri about a year ago. He had worked hard to find his chakra and manipulate it, which had been very difficult but he was proud that now at least he had some sort of grasp of it. Sure he'd never learn any jutsu but at least he'd have an advantage over others and because he was a part of the Hachimitsu Guard, it would definitely come in handy, not to mention his latest discovery, which he need to perfect but first, he had to have better chakra control.

"Akusetsu!" Akusetsu jumped down from the tree branch he stood on and grinned as he surprised Mi-hi and Inhyeon. He gave both teens a wide smirk. Mi-hi rolled her hazel eyes knowing he was showing off. Inhyeon calmed her self and blushed. She always blushed around him. He wasn't stupid; Akusetsu knew very well she had some sort of crush on him. Ever since Akusetsu met the thin but pretty girl, she tagged along with Mi-hi whenever she came over to his clearing.

"Mi-hi, Inhyeon. What brings you two here with the black bee of the Hachimitsu?" Akusetsu asked and crossed his arms. His upper body was bare as he had discarded his vest to the side. Mi-hi grabbed his black vest and threw it at him, which he easily caught.

"You're inappropriate and with two young women, it's very obscene." Akuzetsu raised an eyebrow at Mi-hi. She never minded him bare from his upper body, but she had a point, Inhyeon wasn't use to him like Mi-hi. He reluctantly put on the black vest.

"We came to bring you a bento. Mi-hi and I made them for the guard." Inhyeon informed him and held out a fine black polished bento box. Akuzetsu raised an eyebrow at Inhyeon. This girl always wore bright pastels. Her hands fiddled with her light pink tying ribbon that kept her pistachio green jeogori shirt closed and matched her chima skirt. Mi-hi beside her was the complete opposite. Mi-hi wore a dark purple jeogori shirt with a teal tying ribbon that matched her chima skrit. Sometimes Akusetsu wondered how the two teens were friends. Where Inhyeon cared about her looks and wore silk plus gold hairpin's and clips in her hair, Mi-hi wore ribbons in her braid and was rather more about comfort than looks.

"Thank you." Akusetsu took the bento box and bowed. Inhyeon's cheeks seemed to bet redder as he accepted the box.

"Well you two enjoy yourselves. I've got to go see my father." Mi-hi announced and before Akusetsu could protest, she ran off leaving him alone with Inhyeon.

'Well this will be awkward.' Akusetsu thought and he sighed but sat down and opened the bento. He noted that Inhyeon carefully eyed him for his reaction. There was rice to one side and Kimbap, his favorite.

'She probably made this herself and I bet Mi-hi told her what I like.' He noted and he pulled out the chopsticks and took Kimbap roll.

"I-Is it good?" Inhyeon asked and Akusetsu nodded honestly. It was good and it seemed she had even put some grilled beef in them. As he finished chewing he noted she came prepared with a black canteen.

"It's black tea." Inhyeon added and Akusetsu took it and as he drank he began to wonder.

'She's going above and beyond with all my favorites.'

"What do you want from me?" He boldly asked and Inhyeon blushed heavily and looked away from him.

"J-Just your friendship. I," She paused and her face-hardened as did her soft voice.

"I know you'll never see me the way you see Mi-hi and to be honest, it angers me to no end." Akusetsu raised an eyebrow and his yellow eyes searched for an signs that she was lying but she was not. Her face was concentrated and she stared out into the tree line. Her hands weren't fiddling with anything and instead she clenched her fists.

"Why? Because I don't see you?" He asked and Inhyeon turned and he saw in her for the first time some sort of fire in her dark orbs.

"No, because you're heart is invested in the wrong person and you're going to get hurt more than you can imagine." Akusetsu wasn't sure what to make out of Inhyeon's words. She was so sure of what she said that it made him a little uncomfortable.

"You care that much over me and you don't even know me." Akusetsu commented and Inhyeon smiled a little but not to him, more like to herself.

"I believe in love at first sight. I don't have to know you, I just have to believe in you despite all the things that are said about you." Once more Inhyeon's words disarmed him. Akusetsu knew what she was referring to.

For the past year, Akusetsu's name taken a slight change; the civilian fodder now called him Akuzetsu, evil tongue. He made it seem like their words didn't bother him but they did. He was considered the Black Bee of the Clan and now, because of his sudden interest in chakra, not to mention that he kept pressing for the creation of a hidden village. However, that wasn't the worst part of the rumors, now murmurs circulated that he wished to take over the Clan and that he was aiming to become the first Patriarch in full control of the clan. That rumor was the worse as he now came off as an ambitious power hungry son and his position as the youngest son didn't help his situation. Not only that but because his only associates in the courts were Joon of the Min Clan and a few minor noble families with heavy ties to the elemental countries, there was talk that he was planning on siding with one of the Big 5 to start a coup.

"You should mark my words. In your darkest hour, Mi-hi will abandon you." Akusetsu growled and jumped up dropping the bento's contents on the ground. Inheyon gaped and her fists shook.

"Mi-hi will never. She's my best friend and if you talk of her like this… You are no friend of hers." Akusetsu stomped out of the clearing but he couldn't shake away how confidently Inheyon had spoken nor could he forget how hurt her face had been at his rudeness.

'I'm Akuzetsu the black bee of the Clan… As if I'd feel guilty when she dared speak of Mi-hi that way.'

-Months Later with Jun-

Jun easily blocked Mi-hi's attack. He smiled softly at how hard she had been attacking him and how cute she had looked as she tried to concentrate and find an opening. She easily learned the art of the sword, she found it similar to a dance but her biggest problem, always had been attacking. She could defend herself well but her attacks were weak. As she dodged his attack and her dark blue chima rustled with her movement's Jun tried again and his daito bokken gently touched a part of the loose fabric from her dark green jeogori shirt. Mi-hi aimed her next attack at his side but missed as Jun backed up and put down his daito bokken. Mi-hi followed suit and set her down too.

"You're still weak in your attacks." Jun informed her. Mi-hi stuck her tongue out and looked down at her reflection in the river next to their practice area. As of late she'd always try and act in her usual non-regal childish way but sometimes and randomly, she'd get lost staring out into nothing. Jun approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Mi-hi had lost her mother and father not too long ago. Both had traveled out to Kiri and on the way back, the ship they had been aboard got plundered and not a single person had survived. Mi-hi currently lived with her Uncle and Aunt but as of late, she'd been less frequent in their secret meetings.

"They want to find me husband." Mi-hi said out of nowhere. Jun's eyes widen and his body automatically moved. His arms wrapped around her and his head rested a-top hers.

"No. Hold them off, I, I'll have a word with mother. You, there's no one else I want but you." Mi-hi froze in his arms. Jun had never out right said 'I Love You' and he knew that but he just couldn't, by the gods, find the right time, the right moment to say them to their full extent.

"Jun?" Mi-hi turned to face him and her hazel eyes pleaded as they met his dark brown eyes. He leaned in and her eyes slowly shut. Just as his lips were about to meet here's there was a rustle and they both let go and looked around. Jun from the corner of his eye saw something black but he was unsure as to what exactly it was but he had a hunch. Mi-hi's soft hand clasped onto his rough hand and he turned his eyes back to her. She looked worried.

"It was 'Setsu, wasn't it?" Mi-hi asked and Jun couldn't lie to her. He nodded and Mi-hi's face fell.

"He's my best friend. I should've told him instead of him finding out like this." Jun lifted Mi-hi's chin and he saw how hurt her eyes were because of his insistence to keep their relationship hidden.

"No. I'll take responsibility for it. After all if I'm going to ask for you're hand," Mi-hi gasped as Jun took out from the inside pocket of his grey jokki vest pocket a gold binyeo. It was decorated in turquoise gems that were shaped like little flowers on one end. He bowed deeply and Mi-hi followed the custom as she curtsied and turned. She couldn't believe this was happening to her.

Jun expertly rolled up Mi-hi's braid behind her head and put the binyeo in place to hold the bun. Mi-hi turned slowly and her hazel eyes were moist with tears of joy. Jun wiped her tears aside and slowly leaned forward, he was determined to seal the deal. His arms wrapped around her waist and just as his lips brushed against her, he gave away to the passionate moment kissing Mi-hi deeper, making he gasp and taking advantage of the moment to slip his tongue in and completely sweep her off her feet. They had always met in secret and not once had they ever kissed until now. He wanted it to be a memorable that they'd both cherish.

-The Next Day in the Training Field-

"Come on, get your ass up! Move, Move, Move! You're not touching a sword, let alone a bokken with those sluggish moves. Hustle!" Mori was having too much fun getting the new guard trainees into shape. Just as Jun arrived with the morning guard to take a break, Akusetsu barged in surprising everyone. Mori let out a sigh as he noted Akusetsu stuck to wearing black baji pants and just a black jokki vest with no shirt underneath. Customs claimed that all the guard wear dark blue or at least the long dark blue jokki and cloth headband. Akusetsu's yellow eyes searched the grounds until they landed on Jun who was glaring at Akusetsu and his lack of training attire, but Jun didn't say anything and chose to ignore 'Setsu.

Mori, unlike Jun, didn't shut out 'Setsu completely. Sure his little brother was a bit different and had a dark sense of humor and personality but Mori had treated 'Setsu like what he was, his brother. Jun though, he had refused to even be within the same area as 'Setsu. The two still hadn't worked out their issues. In ways, Mori couldn't blame 'Setsu for feeling the way he did. Jun had always been the favorite hands down but what 'Setsu didn't see was that Jun had never asked for it and Jun was always, well he use to, when he was Clan Head of Internal Affairs, stressed beyond belief. Kisaki-mama had put so much on Jun, that it made Mori feel tired, but 'Setsu, he couldn't see beyond his disappointment and his repressed anger that built up over the years didn't help either.

"JUN. I CHALLENGE FOR THE TITLE OF COMMANDER OF THE HACHIMITSU GUARD, BOUND BY THE CODE OF HONOR OF TRADITIONS PAST." Akusetsu loudly exclaimed. Mori gaped.

"THAT'S MY POSITION AKUSETSU! YOU CAN'T CHALLENGE JUN, IT HAS TO BE ME!" Mori yelled and Akusetsu darkly smirked. Mori knew something was wrong just by seeing that smirk.

"Oh, I can't? Well you can't hold that position. As Head of Internal Affairs, you're not allowed to hold a position beyond Captain within the guard unless you're the only son within the clan. Accumulation of power is forbidden when there are more than two sons in the current main line. Right Jun?" Akusetsu looked to Jun who was frowning but nodded. Mori couldn't believe it.

"That is, if you want to resign you're position of Head of Internal Affairs and hand it to me to continue your Commander position, I don't mind." Jun stepped in and placed and a hand on Mori's shoulder. Mori was in incredulous. He couldn't believe what he was hearing from Akusetsu. The rumors couldn't be true. His little brother wasn't like that. He wasn't… Akusetsu would never covet political power with the intention to take over the clan as patriarch. There was no way and yet, here he was using the Hachimitsu Clan Laws and Protocol.

"I'll accept." Jun gritted out and Mori turned and stared at Jun.

"You don't have to do this. Kisaki-mama can easily-"

"She can't. The Matriarch can only choose the Head of Internal Affiars, The Commander Title is one that is earned through the guard ranks itself, the sons of the Hachimitsu, particularly those closest to the Matriarch get first picks through the Honor Bound Code of Traditions Past; Damn it's too lengthy, they really need to shorten out the name for it." Akusetsu piped in rather happily. Too happy. Mori really wished he had read through all the Hachimitsu Clan Protocol and Laws and not skimmed it. If Mori recalled, one of the two had to die but that didn't sound right.

"The Honor Bound Code of Traditions Past is forbidden." Mori tried and Akusetsu shook his head and darkly chuckled.

"You really need to study more. The Honor Bound Code of Death is no more. In the olden days, the loser would die at the hands of the winner but Banishment has replaced the archaic tradition of death, hence Honor Bound Code of Traditions Past." Akusetsu clarified and the guards that were standing to the sides overhearing and seeing listening started to talk amongst each other.

"Very well. Let's get started then." Jun simply said and Mori gaped. Akusetsu grinned darkly as he walked off the appropriate distance opposite of Jun. Mori stood at a loss. He stepped back and wondered what the hell had gotten into Akusetsu. Mori turned to one of the trainees.

"Get Kisaki-mama. Now." The Trainee nodded and left running. Mori stared as his brothers began with the formal bow and unsheathed their swords.

'Kami help me. What do I do? What can I do at this point? Jun's already accepted. I need to think. There has to be some sort of catch to this. Why would 'Setsu set himself up for banishment? Jun's the best swordsman in the guard, as much as I hate to admit, but he is. 'Setsu is good but not as good as Jun. 'Setsu, what are you up to?'

As Jun and Akusetsu began exchanging blows. Akusetsu being on the defense constantly, as Jun had much more experience, Mori noted the dark glare in Akusetsu's yellow eyes. Jun's dark brown eyes remained cold and stoic.

"I'm not going to lose. No matter the outcome, I'll get my way." Akusetsu gritted as he defended another blow, one aimed at his left side. Jun jumped back and analyzed Akusetsu's technique.

"Fight back, don't just block or you'll lose. Is banishment what you truly want brother?" Jun asked and Akusetsu shrugged.

"Like I said. No matter the result, I end up winning." Akusetsu replied and instead of charging in like he typically did. Akusetsu waited. Mori's brow furrowed as he saw Akusetsu not taking the duel too serious.

"Is this because of Mi-hi." Mori saw it, a dark flash behind Akusetsu's eyes. Jun had just touched on a sensitive topic.

"Because I proposed and she said 'Yes', or is it because being her best friend is all you'd ever amount to." And that had done it. Akusetsu's defensive approach shattered and he rushed in blinded by his anger and jealousy. Madness was written behind his eyes, a type of madness Mori had never seen in his little brother.

"SHUT UP YOU BASTARD!" Akusetsu was moving faster than before and it took everyone by surprise. Jun was left blocking blow after blow. Sparks from their swords clashing only further confirmed that Akusetsu was attacking with his all.

"YOU'VE GOTTEN EVERYTHING HANDED TO YOU. NEVER DID YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR SOMETHING. 'JUN IS THE BEST', 'OH, HWAN WONJA IS THE BETTER SON OF THE THREE'. I'M SICK OF BEING LAST, SICK OF BEING OVERLOOKED. YOU MAY HAVE HER HEART, YOU MAY BE THE ONE SHE CHOSE BUT AFTER WE'RE THROUGH HERE, YOU'LL BE LEAVING WITH NOTHING AND I'LL BE THE ONE TO MEND HER BROKEN HEART, EVEN IF I HAVE TO DO IT BY FORCE."

Akusetsu didn't realize what he had said, at least to Mori it appeared that way, nor did he realize that Kisaki-mama had arrived and Himitsu too. Both stared in shock as Jun's stoic mask broke and a dark glare and KI exploded out. Akusetsu didn't even see when Jun had moved close in and with one swing with full of power managed to disarm him. The guardsmen cheered but not the Hachimitsu family members present.

"Oh no." Kisaki-mama gasped and Himitsu's face broke into tears. All Mori could to was stare at the thin slash on Akusetsu's cheek that ran from the corner of his left eye curved on his cheek and ended at the corner of his mouth. Blood began to seep out and run down the left side of Akusetsu's face. Jun stepped back and dropped his katana as he realized he had physically injured his little brother. Jun paled and Mori saw how distressed Kisaki-mama and Himitsu were. Akusetsu though, he had a satisfied dark smile.

"You won but so did I." Akusetsu darkly commented and a medic rushed forward from the sidelines to tend to Akusetsu's bleeding face.

"Jun?" Mori approached his older brother who fell to his knees and bowed his head. Kisaki-mama approached with Himitsu at her side.

"I have won dishonorably by shedding the blood of my brother, my family." Jun managed to say through deep breaths. Mori half berated himself for not having paid attention to the stupid Clan Protocol lessons as a child. He looked at Kisaki-mama who held back her tears and tried her hardest to hide her discontent.

"Given that this Duel was upheld by the Honor Bound Code of Traditions Past, I, Kisaki-mama, the current matriarch hereby give you 8 hours till your banishment is in full effect." Mori was about to protest as he was lost but Himitsu beat him to it as she yelled loudly, not caring who heard as she hugged Jun.

"You're so stupid! That what he wanted all along! He knows the clan rules, word for word. He knew what he was saying to get you to lose your temper! It's not fair!" Himitsu broke out in hiccupped tears and Jun petted her head. Himitsu was attached to Jun on a level that pained Mori to watch. Ever since she was born, Jun had watched over her. Heck, her first word had been his name, Jun. Now at 15, Himitsu heavily relied on Jun since she was to be matriarch after Kisaki-mama. Jun, she had selected to be her mentor and now, he was to leave before his banishment was in full effect.

"Mori, you take care of Himitsu and Mother... Something is different about Akusetsu. It's like… He's someone else. You're going to have to curb him as he's now Commander of the Guard by default… I'm sorry I failed you brother. I knew what he was up to and, in my fury I slipped. I'm so sorry big brother can't be around to help you anymore." Jun bowed to Mori frowned, not at Jun but at the entire situation.

"I'll get you're sword so you can take it with you. You may not be able to take anything from home but what you have on you, however, I can give you this." Mori took out of his pocket a map and a satchel of gold.

"Promise me you'll watch over Mi-hi for me." Jun asked and Mori nodded. Jun stood up, put the gold Mori had gifted him in his baji pants pocket, tucked the map into his dark blue jokki pocket and sheathed his sword. He turned to Kisaki-mama and bowed as he got up she pulled him into a tight hug.

"Go to Konoha," Jun frowned but listened to his mother.

"I'll send a message to Hiruzen. I need someone to represent the Clan. You can reside within the Estate there." Jun shook his head and replied.

"You know as well as I do that my banishment means I'm removed from the Clan until I have a daughter in my line that's chosen as matriarch and since Himi is heiress, I'm officially and completely out." He whispered and pulled away. Jun knew the rules well and he knew very well, that he could no longer claim to hail from the Main Hachimitsu Line, as now he was reduced to a regular Hachimitsu civilian with not honorifics and no more gold embroidered hanbok.

"Go to Young Ji's, she'll give you a change of clothes since you can no longer wear gold. You many not be a main line Hachimitsu anymore but as a Hachimitsu of civilian status, you can still represent the Clan in Konoha by starting up a shop there and running it yourself. Just because you can't wear gold and can't claim to be of the main family, doesn't mean I'll abandon you." Kisaki-mama assured Jun. Mori nodded as well.

"I'll get the paperwork sent ahead of time… You should go now before the rumors start and people start approaching you and well, you know how the gossips are and the gawking. The faster you get out of here, the less people will be aware of where you're going." Jun nodded and hugged Himitsu one last time.

"I'll write if that makes you feel better." Jun consoled Himitsu who nodded. Mori watched his brother walk away with his head held up high but with such heavy steps.

-Mi-hi-

Mi-hi had heard of what happened. She clenched her fists at her side and her eyes watered. Her fiancé was banished, her best friend had just barged in dressed in his finest commander guard battle hanbok and arranged a wedding contract for her, a wedding contract she had refused but her Aunt and Uncle kept pressing. All this in a matter of 2 days.

-Flashback-

"You're going to marry me, so you might as well remove that binyeo. Jun's gone and he's never coming back." Akusetsu simply said as the two strolled the small garden in her Uncle's home. Mi-hi didn't want to stroll next to the man that had her fiancé banished; next to her ex-best friend. She turned and her hazel eyes connected with his yellow cold eyes.

"You cannot tell me what to do. I haven't accepted and never will. Are you really so blind to your jealousy that you can't see that I don't love you and the more you push the more I'll pull away." She was about to turn away and stomp when his hand latched on tightly to her wrist and she hissed. Mi-hi found in his eyes, in his brutish way, that he was no more the little boy that she had befriended long ago. Her best friend, he was gone.

"No one said marriage had to be about love. Let me remind you that you chose this path for us. I became this way because of you. You were my only light in this dark place. Heh, but it seems that your light casted a shadow darker than where I stood before. You have no one to blame but yourself." Mi-hi's eyes had went wide as his lips crashed upon hers. In her shock and with the training she had done with Jun, by instinct she quickly drew his sword as he was distracted tyring to get her to part her lips. He froze and backed off.

"MI-hi put it down, you don't' know what you're doing." He attempted to reason and held his hands up but MI-hi she knew better and pressed the hilt to his side tearing a little into the fabric of his jokki vest.

"I know what I'm doing. Assaulting a Commander of the Guard is punishable by death but because I'm a woman, it's banishment." Akusetsu then laughed. Mi-hi couldn't believe he was laughing even when she had the upper hand.

"You know I'd never report it. You're not leaving Honey and I'll make damn sure of that. Since I proposed an arranged marriage and the contract has yet to be formally rejected, you can't leave. Sen Mi-hi can't leave the Land of Honey. Oh and good luck trying to formally reject the contract. I have the Registrar in my pocket, not to mention more than a few of the council members. You're stuck with me Mi-hi so you best get use to it… You can keep the sword, consider it an early wedding gift from me."

-End Flashback-

Mi-hi glared at the sword that her Uncle had decided to have on display in the main foyer.

"Mi-hi!" Turning around Mi-hi spotted Inhyeon. Her only friend in this mess that understood perfectly well what was going on.

"Is it true, you and Aku-" Mi-hi shook her head and dragged her friend away to a private area.

"I'm running away." Mi-hi declared and Inhyeon gaped.

"B-But, where to? How? You can't leave, you know that. He'll only get the guard to drag you back." Inhyeon worriedly pestered. Mi-hi shook her head.

"You're going to help me. Kisaki-mama is aware that Jun's proposed and I accepted. No one else knows, everyone assumed it was Akuzetsu who gave me the binyeo. I need you to give her this." Mi-hi pulled from within her yellow Jeogori pocket a thick letter. Mi-hi's eyes firmed up as she spoke once more.

"You can't be caught by anyone. If you can't get it to Kisaki-mama, get it to Mori." Inhyeon took the letter and nodded. Unbeknownst to Mi-hi, Inheyon was quite happy on the inside.

"You can count on my support."

-With Akuzetsu-

Everything was going perfect for Akuzetsu. Mi-hi hadn't made any attempts to runaway. He had a guard tail her everywhere under the guise that he wanted to protect his intended. Then there was Mori, stupid Mori was easy to deal with but as of late, he started to spend a lot of time brushing up on laws, and although it was worrying, Mori never had the mind for studying. As Akuzetsu counted his lucky stars, Lady Inhyeon passed by with his mother. His mother, she nodded but didn't smile, clearly still pissed over her favorite son getting banished.

'Oh mother, it's not my fault Jun fell for my impromptu plan. Though I admit banishment by spilling Hachimitsu blood wasn't what I had mind at first, I had planned to use my iron sand to win... No matter, at least I still have my ace up my sleeve and he's gone.'

He was pulled out of his thoughts as Lady Inhyeon sent him a flirtatious smile and a small nod. As of late she had been around the compound a lot, then again, she was probably trying to secure a marriage with Mori but he knew Mori would never be interested.

Lady Inhyeon was pretty. Very pretty but not Mi-hi pretty. No one would be like Mi-hi but even still an idea surged.

'Perhaps after marrying Mi-hi… I should take Inhyeon as a mistress. Nothing like making Mi-hi miserable at my side after she broke my hear and with Jun of all people.'

Akuzetsu, yes, Akuzetsu, not Akusetsu. He had accepted everything everyone had ever said about him. They wanted him to be the bad guy, oh he'd be that and so much more. He stared at the documents to official change his first name.

'I'd rather bare the name that reflects who I am, a wicked tongue, that rather than the name Mother wished I'd be like, me, Open and Kind? Never.'

Akuzetsu was a very happy man at the moment. Nothing could ruin this and this was just the first step. Next would be Himitsu. That little bitch would get what was coming. She wouldn't last as heiress and then once he bore a daughter with Mi-hi to the Clan… Everything would be in place for a total take over and he'd go down in Honey History as the best Daimyo since Seondeok-mama.

-Land of Waves-

Jun had stayed out here for two weeks. He had yet to receive his documents from Konoha to allow him residency. Not that he didn't mind, he still held a heavy heart after leaving the place he called home. Leaving behind his family, friends, his fiancée. Jun let out a heavy sigh as he stared out into the misty sea in the general direction of where the Land of Honey should be.

'This is my fault. I practically self exiled myself, I knew what he was up to and didn't think he'd say that to get me to lose control, still, I shouldn't have lost my temper, but Mi-hi…'

Jun let out a frustrated huff as he tugged at his long golden hair. When he left the Land of Honey, he lost his will to even bother with his hair. When he had faced Akuzetsu. Only a ribbon held his hair up but upon banishment he had to give that up as it had gold embroidery on it. Jun shook his head as he started thinking about everything he lost, but mostly about Mi-hi, who he didn't get to say goodbye to.

"You're not thinking of me are you?" Jun froze.

'No? But, How?'

He slowly turned and his brown eyes watered at seeing her, his Mi-hi. She looked different. Instead of her hanbok, she wore a dark blue kimono with a white obi. Her hair was out of its braid as her wavy dark brown locks cascaded around her. He wondered where the binyeo he gave her was. He noted she held a small bundle in her hands. He got up and approached her. He touched her face to make sure she was real. Her eyes were bright but she slightly frowned.

"You left me behind. Why would you leave me and not say 'Come with me'? You're stupid if you think I would've said 'No.'" Mi-hi wrapped her arms around his torso and buried her head into his black jeogori shirt.

"Mi-hi I," He shut up as she lifted her head and he saw her tear filled eyes.

"I gave up my name to come." Jun blinked and Mi-hi pulled out from her kimono sleeve a document. Jun stared at it. He name was no longer Sen Mi-hi.

"Akusetsu used a formal marriage contract to keep me from leaving and that bastard dared to pay off the registrar to withhold my decline. I ran away with your mother, Lady Inhyeon and Mori's help. Since Sen Mi-hi couldn't leave, I had to become just Mimori." Mi-hi pulled away and Jun clenched his fists at his side. She opened her bundle up and pulled out two gold binyeo. One was the one he gave her and the other… It was gold, with an amber stone.

"You gave me an engagement binyeo, it's only right I have yours ready." Jun looked away from the binyeo and into Himitsu's hazel eyes.

"Y-You still want to marry me? Even if I have nothing but my name and even then, I-I don't have a title or wealth. I just have a few pieces of gold." Jun asked and Mi-hi let out small warm smile.

"I don't need anything as long as it's you. I love you and that's enough for me." Jun grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her fervently. He might of lost so much but at least Kami had allowed for Mi-hi, no Mimori to be at his side.

A/N: Just do as I did. Let it all sink it. The drama, the struggle. Love is a scary thing guys. That's the entire point of this chapter. It can make us stronger or destroy us completely until we become someone else completely.

Seriously though, I love Mi-hi/Mimori. In her youth she was such a badass, doing as she pleased taking nothing from her Aunt and Uncle; Doing what she felt in her heart she had to do instead of sulking (FK yeah, Bella Swan should take notes). For those of you who remember from HK I when Mim told Hachiko she knew what it was like to leave everyone behind… Yeah, this was meant to cover that one part mentioned long, long ago in HK.

Jun though, now you all know why I call it a self-imposed exile, he knew what Akuzetsu was up to and thought he could deal with it but damn Akuzetsu doesn't play fair now does he? I suppose the saying "All's fair in love and war" applies to Akuzetsu, but he just takes it to a whole new level. So this marks the end of Story 2 but the beginning of Story 3 – The Rise and Falls of the Hachimitsu Heiress, Himitsu

Questions or Comments leave them in a review, until next post.

BTW, those of you who don't know, there's a Lemon Scented NaruHachi Easter Egg hidden in the links on my profile page. Interested? Then Good Luck Hunting!

-Anbu