A few months came and went. Kana and Obi stealthily pretended to work together while going off alone to do individual tasks. It was okay at first, but for Kana, it started to feel a little lonely. She watched how Mitsuhide and Kiki were always together, having each others' backs. It made her feel envious, wishing that she and Obi were like that as well.
One day, Kana followed him a bit. She was curious about what he did during the days when Zen didn't need him by his side. Obi would scout the forests for suspicious activities, take naps, eat, and most of the time, Kana noticed, he would hide around as he watched Shirayuki work.
"Shirayuki, huh?" She whispered, noticing the sweet smile that develops on his face whenever he was the red head. "Lucky her."
She was surprised at her own words. "Lucky her"? Why would she say that? In fact, why was she even following Obi around all the time? Did she like- No, no way! She just met the guy!

"Kana?"
"Gah!" Kanacried, stumbling off the branch she was standing on.
"Gotcha!" Obi grinned, grabbing her arm before she fell down ten feet.
He pulled her up and let her rest against the trunk of the tree as he balanced himself on other branches. She wouldn't dare meet his eyes. He's smart enough to figure out why Kana was there.
"Why are you following me?" He asked.
Kana figured out he had to be angry. He should be right?

Kana slowly raised her eyes and to her surprise, Obi was just grinning.
"I-I was curious about what you do during these days when you don't have work," Kana explained. "Just... Curious..."
Obi's smile disappeared and he sighed as he looked out towards the castle. She looked towards the direction he was staring at and found Shirayuki sweeping the floors in the pharmacy. Kana glanced back at the dark haired man and once again found him smiling widely.
"Shirayuki is pretty, don't you think?" Kana piped up.
"Mistress is beautiful," he replied.
"She's hard-working."
"Mistress does an outstanding job."
"You like her," she pointed out.
"I like-" Obi paused and turned towards her.
Kana gave him a melancholic smile and shook her head.
"I won't say anything. After following you around, I noticed you always go and see her as often as possible and when you do see her, you're always smiling happily."
"I-"
"I-It's okay-"
Kana's eyes widened as she felt tears developing in her eyes. She swung her legs over so that her side was to Obi, hopefully hiding the tears developing in her eyes.
"Master loves Mistress," Obi told her. "I won't get between them."
"It must be hard."
"Hnn. But you don't need to cry."
Obi leaned forward and wiped her tears away. Kana turned towards him in surprise, her face inches apart. He smiled weakly.
"I'm sorry..." He said quietly.

Kana knew why he was apologizing and it was because he couldn't return the feelings she was developing for him. Kana shrugged.
"It probably wasn't going to work anyways," she laughed slightly, wiping her cheeks. "I should go. I've got training to do."
She swung herself off the branch and landed easily on the ground. She waved to Obi and ran towards the archery field. Obi watched as her raced away, leaning his head against the tree trunk.
"I'm sorry..." He whispered to himself as he watched Kana disappeared.

Several days later...

"Where is Kana?" mumbled Zen as he and his aides waited around for Kana
The branches and the leaves swayed and she jumped through the window and into the room. Mitsuhide chuckled and Zen sighed.
"Where have you been?"
Kana glanced at Obi who returned an expressionless stare.
"I-uh was just scouting around," was her answer.
Zen stared at Kana and then at Obi. He raised an eyebrow as if he knew what was going on. Kana bit her lip in anticipation.
"Obi-"
"Yes, Master?"
"Are you and Kana working together?" Zen questioned.
Obi stared at him then slightly glanced at Kana in the corner of his eye.
"Of course we are!" she piped up. "Obi scouts inside the castle, while I look outside!"
Obi gave her a look as if calling her an idiot. She tilted herr head in confusion. It was a good excuse right?
"Obi? Is that true?" demanded Zen, annoyed.
"No Master."
"Obi!" Kana whined.
"Kana, you made a stupid excuse. It's your fault. Obi likes to be outside," Zen explained, exasperated.
"Well I know that, but-"
"Master, it's not Kana's fault," said Obi. "I told her I didn't want a partner."
Zen looked at him in surprise, then looked at Kana and noticed her sad expression. He scratched the back of his head and sighed.
"Well, if that's how you guys like it. Let's go make our rounds."
The four of them followed him. Kana and Mitsuhide on Zen's left side and Kiki and Obi on the other. Obi watched as Kana and Mitsuhide conversed and laughed together. She was different with him. She seemed to be more shy and quiet. As if she was on her guard.
"Do you have something against Kana?" Kiki suddenly asked him quietly.
"Huh? Of course not, Miss Kiki," Obi replied, crossing his arms behind his head. "Kana is a very kind person."
"Not partner material?" Kiki questioned.
Obi looked at her astounded. Kiki never talked to him this much before.
"That's not it either..." he answered. "It's me, Miss Kiki. I don't work well with someone else-"
"You're already working with us as a group," she pointed out and then stopped talking.
She was right. He already had been working with them as a group so he has no problem working with others anymore. In fact, he already trusts all of them. Then why? Is it because of-

"Shirayuki!" Zen exclaimed happily as the red head approached.
"Zen! And everyone! Hello!"
They all greeted her and then dispersed so the two may talk together. Kana looked up at Mitsuhide.
"He's really fond of her huh?"
"Yeah. He's been very cheerful since he met Shirayuki," Mitsuhide grinned. "He's happy."
"That's good I suppose. Although, does she know? About me and Zen?"
"Eh?! Uh.. No I don't think so. But we shouldn't-"
"Shira-"
Before Kana could speak, a hand covered her mouth. From the corner of her eye, Kana could see Kiki giving her a death glare.
"Now is not the time to bring it up, Kana," she warned, letting her go.
"Y-Yes, Kiki..."
"Bring what up, Miss Kiki?" Obi wondered.
"Nothing."
The three of them watched Kiki walk to the other side of the hallway. That woman coud be scary when she needed to be.

"See you later, Shirayuki!" Zen waved sadly.
"Bye Mistress!" Obi called out, smiling.
He met Kana's eyes and Kana quickly turned away. She heard him let out a sigh as the group continued forward.
"Mitsuhide, isn't the ball coming up?" Kana asked the older man beside you.
"Hm? Oh yeah. That is coming up!"
"I thought so. I think father got an invitation from Prince Izana."
"Ah I suppose invites are being handed over. When is it again?"
"In a couple days," piped up Kiki.
Zen froze in his tracks.
"C-Couple days?"
"Yes."
"I-I can't bring out Shirayuki yet... What am I going to do? Should I just bring her out anyways?" Zen began to mumble to himself. "I want to take her..."
"Master? Are you okay?" Obi asked concerned.
Mitsuhide laughed.
"He's fine. He's just worried about the ball. He's supposed to escort a lady of nobility, but since Shirayuki isn't one-"
"But Master is the prince. He should be able to escort anyone right?" Obi asked.
"Not according to my brother," sighed Zen. "But I want Shirayuki to go. I have an idea!"