Kana leaned against the railings and stared out towards the East garden after changing back into her guard clothes. She was still fuming with rage because of Izana. Shuuto, who was also unhappy about the situation, leaned against a pillar as he watched her. She heard footsteps approaching loudly in the hallway, but she was too preoccupied to care.

"Kana."

She turned to find Zen and the others standing before her. The Prince had a contemplating look on his face. Behind them was Haru who stood quietly by avoiding her glare.
"Are you okay?" Zen asked her worriedly.
"Fine," Kana mumbled then pointed at Haru. "What's he doing here?"
The young man glanced up at her but didn't utter a word.
"Well, uh.. I tried talking to Brother-"
"He's not letting it go, is he?" Kana sighed.
"I tried..." apologized Zen. "But listen, I have a proposal for you."
"And what's that?" Kana asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Now Kana, keep in mind, Zen thought really carefully about this," Mitsuhide told her.
"Yeah, Master was racking his brain about it," chuckled Obi.
"Shut up, you two!" hissed Zen. "Anyways, we're heading to a city to do some investigating. Shirayuki's coming with. I figured you can tag along with Haru-"
"HUH?!"
"Hear me out!" Zen continued. "You two have to cooperate somehow, right? At least this way, since you're not comfortable, we'll be around so you two aren't alone together. What do you say?"
Kana frowned at him, glanced at Haru, and then glanced at Shuuto.
"Shuu...?"
The said man thought about it carefully and sighed.
"There's nothing you can do if you have to answer to His Majesty. Might as well take the Prince's offer," Shuuto told her. "I can't tag along though..."
She smiled at him slightly.
"I suppose I'll be okay since I'll be with everyone..."

"Is this guy really that dangerous?" Obi whispered to Mitsuhide.
"Well, we don't know what he's planning.." Mitsuhide replied back.
"I'm right here you know," mumbled Haru. "And I'm not planning anything..."

"Obi!" Shuuto called out to Kana's surprise.
"Yeah?" the dark-haired man glanced up.
"Watch over, Lady Kana," Shuuto asked sincerely with a bow.
"Sh-Shuu..?" Kana gaped at him.
"I know now that he won't let anything happen to you," Shuuto told her as he eyed Obi. "I at least trust him with your safety."
"But-"
"It would be my honor," Obi suddenly replied with a bow.
They all stared at him in astonishment. What was going on?
"A-Anyways," sweat-dropped Zen. "I'm going to get Shirayuki and we'll head out."
"Okay," Kana told him and turned to Shuuto. "Take care of Ryuu?"
"Always," he smiled causing her to blush.
"Well, Lady Kana, off we go!" Obi cried out enthusiastically as he grabbed her arm.
"Eh? Wait, Obi-"
Before she could protest, Obi had already began pulling her towards the castle entrance. Mitsuhide and Kiki glanced at one another and beckoned Haru to come along to follow them. Once Kana and Obi created some distance between the others, Obi slowed down his pace and gripped her arm tightly.
"O-Ow..." Kana muttered, glancing at him. "What...?"
"What he did, is it true?" Obi asked in a more serious tone.
"Haru? Yeah, he stabbed me when we were little..." Kana whispered shakily, trying not to remember.
Obi loosened his grip but kept his hand around her wrist. Kana stared at him, bemused.
"What is it?"
"The scar on your back, is that where it was from?"
"Y-Yes... Why are you so curious?" she wondered.
"It's just that..." Obi hesitated, finally letting hergo. "When I heard about it... I felt so... Angry? I-I don't want him around you, that's all..."
Kana blushed and quickly glanced away from him.
"There's nothing I can do," she told him. "I'll just have to toughen it out! I'm a strong girl after all!"
Kana chuckled as she turned back to him with a smile. Obi stared at her with frustration, but let out a sigh.
"I'm not your partner anymore, Obi," she reminded him.
"I know, but-"

"Hey, you guys!" Mitsuhide shouted. "Why'd you ran off so fast? Zen got Shirayuki. They're waiting for you two!"

"Coming Mister!" Obi shouted, not taking his eyes off of her. "Just call for me if you need me... I'll be there for you."
Kana smiled slightly as she stared at the ground.
"Yeah, okay..." Kana whispered. "C'mon they're waiting for us."
The two of them finally met up with the others who were already on horses.
"Eh? Mistress is riding with Master?" Obi wondered out loud.
Shirayuki and Zen blushed.
"Shut up, Obi," Zen mumbled. "I finally get to ride with Shirayuki, so don't make it a big deal..."
Kana tried to stifle a laugh, but couldn't hold it in. Obi glanced down at her and smiled.
"If you say so, Master."
Zen sighed.
"Just get on a horse you two."
"Eh?"
"Looks like you're riding with me," Obi grinned.
He pulled up the horse and climbed up first. He then reached out his hand for her to take. Kana gave him an unsure look then glanced at Mitsuhide who was riding alone. She was about to take a step towards the other man, but Obi grabbed her arm quickly.
"Ride with me, Kana," he told her with a sincere smile.
Kana blushed.
"O-Okay..."
She grabbed Obi's hand and allowed him to pull her up behind him. She reluctantly wrapped her hands around his waist, but he suddenly grabbed her arms to wrap them tighter around him.
"Hold on tight," he told her, still keeping one hand on hers. "We're ready, Master!"
"Great, let's go!"

Aww, could it be that Obi was kind of jealous? *_* my babies, they grow up so quickly T_T