A/N: It would seem that my muse has awoken a bit more then I previously thought. So, here's another chapter. Think it's time we revisit Nagisa's struggle to maintain control shall we? I figured I'd allow a little more time for this before the story starts in earnest. Thanks once again to Elder-Master, my sempai, for beta.

(Winter Palace: Noble Apartments)

"Will you have some tea, Lady Chikaru?" The query had fallen on deaf ears. Or rather, it had fallen on uninterested ones. Chikaru had returned to her apartments rather hastily. There were things that didn't make sense, or well at least to her. There was just something of a sense that she just could not shake. It was something that stayed just out of her reach. Such as it was, there was little to attempt to contemplate, but still…

"No, no, I will have no tea. Surely you have something better to do than pester me? Hm, hm?" Chikaru's answer perplexed Kagome who then offered further chase.

"It is a sense Milady? Or is it something that you cannot see?" Kagome asked. There had been at least some normal fare to the day's actions. Kagome saw no real drastic resonances within her Lady.

"Silly, silly, silly Kagome! Worry not! I shall get to the bottom of this farce!" Chikaru declared with a strong boast. "The dog is at least being sent to where dogs should be! As for that other harlot…" Chikaru reserved herself to a wistful sigh, as if she were remembering something of personal importantace.

"Kagome! Send for Kizuna and Remon! There is much we must put into this evening! Off with you then! Go, go, go!" And with Chikaru's statement Kagome flew out of the room in a blur. Though if it was an anxious blur or a determined one was of anyone's guess.

"I will keep you busy my prized ones. Such things are the dilemma of a Lady. Not things to concern her servants with." Chikaru whispered as she moved into her study. Sitting down, she began to write.

(Winter Palace: Main Library)

"Milady, is this a … I have never seen such a large one" Chiyo stated with awe as she looked around the massive room. "Why did you not take my senior instead of taking me?" Chiyo asked as she continued to take in the room.

"Rest assured Chiyo, Tamao has already been here. She can smell out books across several miles." Nagisa jested. "I have little doubt that her quarters are not already filled to the ceiling. Back home, she used to just leave a path to her desk, sewing table and her bed." Nagisa remembered happily as Chiyo giggled. Though the happy feeling slowly dissipated on sight of the head servant, or, didn't she call herself something else? In any feeling, Nagisa did not know her well enough to wish her an earnest greeting.

"Lady Nagisa."

Though it seemed to bother Miyuki little.

"Yes? Have you more demands for me today? More informing for me I suppose?" Nagisa said in a most unwelcome fashion. Though Miyuki's face remained unchanged and unphased. Not even so much as a sigh escaped her lips.

"No demands today Milady." Miyuki said with a bow. "Her Highness is well aware of the effects of 'demands'" Miyuki stated with her normal informative tone. "As for informing Milady…"

"I supposed there would always be something to come down off of that mighty mountain." Nagisa said with a sigh. "Let us have it." Miyuki nodded and resumed her normal posture.

"Her Highness wishes to invite you to a private dinner." Miyuki seemed to shift lightly as the laughter came.

"I suppose she thinks that I will be easier to prey upon if I am alone? I refuse." Nagisa said flatly.

"Her Highness suspected you might." Miyuki stated as it was apparent that Lady Nagisa's bravado filled refusal grated on her. "Her Highness will then extend a ride across the wilds." Miyuki expected more laughter and haughtiness. But was rewarded with silence.

"Milady?" Chiyo queried as Nagisa stood silent. Indeed, this had caught Nagisa off guard. Miyuki remained as she was as Nagisa began to speak.

"I-I will grant Her Highnesses request. On one condition." Nagisa stated as she felt her heart shudder and her lungs spasm slightly. "Her Highness must join me, in this room, for a discussion." Nagisa offered her demand.

"Discussion? Of what?" Miyuki asked.

"Books of course. If Her Highness wishes to become closer to me, she must indulge my interests." Nagisa stated brazenly. Miyuki's response was one of gauged surprise.

"If you are suggesting that Her Highness does not read, that is false." Miyuki found strength to defend her master. Surprising strength at that. "Her Highness loves books; she will likely enjoy this 'arrangement'."

"I see, then I will expect her within the hour. Surely she can find time for her 'bride'" Nagisa said in part jest and part anticipation. Miyuki raised an eyebrow at the demand, but then quickly bowed and then turned smiling widely. After she departed, Nagisa too, allowed her colors to show.

"Milady?" Chiyo asked.

"She likes horses and books. Perhaps this won't be such a harsh winter after all. Chiyo, have Tamao prepare my riding things. I think I will enjoy this afternoon after all." Nagisa said with a light smile.

(Winter Palace: Noble Apartments)

My Love,

There is not an evening that goes by that I do no think of you. The stars are painful reminder of my loneliness. And often I find myself riding across the night sky in an attempt to somehow forget them. I do no wish to forget our love; I wish to forget its pain.

I have been away from you for so long. I forget the smell of your neck and the feel of your bare waist in my hands. Forgive such a thought, but I find my thoughts being of a more carnal nature when I think of you. My Love tempers My Lust however. And I think that I would be more satisfied to have you beside me as I sleep.

Hikaru, my time in these wilds is coming to an end. Slowly but surely not even the gallop of my horse can break my thoughts of you. My love of the wilderness is being eclipsed by my love for you. I wish to see your face every morning. I wish to sit beside you as we eat, ride beside you as we adventure and hold you in my arms as we make love.

With this letter as my herald. I declare to you that once I return I will never leave your side. Should I even die; my ghost will remain with you at night. I will declare this to you when I see you once more, and several times after:

My Hikaru, I love you.

- Amane

"My Amane…" Hikaru said in between tears. There was no one here to see her, no one to see the unsightliness of her selfishness as she was promised, at last, what she wanted more then anything.

"My Amane, I love you."