It was a castle.

A castle towering over the dry and barren land.

A real castle.

She heard stories spoken in the Uchiha compound about some being lucky enough to enter them. Some even infiltrated them, they were kind of famous for doing that. Shinobi and kunoichi could run a muck. In any case and point, this was the first time she was seeing one for herself. She was equally amazed and surprised, the castle was huge looming in the distance as a solid fortress. Maybe this wasn't the ones she heard her kinsmen speaking about, but in any case it was a castle, and she would be entering it. She'd just focus on the certainties.

Yuko took a deep breath, grimacing from the dry air, it was like sandpaper on her throat. The castle was like a typical castle. Two huge steel doors shut off the inside from the rest of the world, there were markings and engravings on the massive doors as well. There were four guard posts going in each cardinal direction and four more on each corner, totaling eight in all, the towers loomed over the barren and desolate landscape casting mammoth shadows the closer you got. They were all interconnected with pathways made of cement, brick, and stone. The castle had to tower at least three hundred feet into the sky and was made with thick and dense cement and stones, there seemed to be a type of hard and thick sand that sealed all of it together.

Somebody just wasn't going to bust in that was for certain, this place wasn't built like a fortress, it was a fortress. Yuko honed in on several chakra signatures, they weren't massive, but they were well above average. Nothing to worry about. Her eyes finally flicked to two men advancing towards them covered head to toe in armor one clasping a rather intimidating spear, she tensed for a moment, ready for a fight, but more alert than anything. "State your business." The tallest guard spoke, his voice rumbling through his armor, it was direct and emotionless. Judging from his posture he'd have no problem killing them both and dumping their bodies off somewhere.

"The damiyo has contracted my clan. I am here." Ahiko replied, keeping it short and simple. If she got into details it'd just bog down the process and worse yet cause suspicion, but she was certain telling them this would ease them-if only slightly. Unfortunately it wasn't to be, their postures turned even more rigid and the shorter one focused his gaze onto Yuko, making the red haired girl uncomfortable though she did her best not to show it.

"State your names." The shorter guard tore his gaze from Yuko, setting it onto Ahiko.

"Ahiko Domou." She replied. "She is Yuko Uchiha."

"Ahiko..." The guards nodded to each other in confirmation and then scrutinized Yuko with hard looks. "And, she is to you?"

"My comrade in arms and right hand. She is also my student!" Ahiko replied without a moment of hesitation, adding on the last part at the last second. She saw mild surprise flash through Yuko's face, hearing such a declaration touched her on a level. She wasn't soft, but... She pushed the thought away, turning to watch Ahiko. "The Sarutobi are hassling the merchants and traders coming through and into this area. It is urgent we speak to your lord right now. I commend you for being so thorough, but we are here to help."

The silence was tense. The only sound being the arid wind gusting around them. Finally the two guards nodded at Ahiko looking at Yuko and gave small nods in her direction as well before turning and pacing back towards the castle. Ahiko followed after them wordlessly, gesturing for Yuko to follow. Ahiko figured telling them Yuko was her student, which she was in truth depending on how you looked at it, they would just nod in acceptance. It just wasn't Yuko being a student, but it also meant that she wasn't of any danger.

Yuko stayed silent as they got closer to their destination. The way the guards looked at her, well it made her spine shiver for a second, nobody had given her such a direct and cold gaze barring Izuna who's gazes were always direct and intense. Oddly enough they were never cold, not like these two guards. They looked her as if she were a mere target, not even a person. On some level she could sympathize they were being tormented by the Sarutobi and possibly more clans, but she could still hardly tolerate it. As Ahiko said they were here to help! She brought herself to a stop at Ahiko's side as they waited while two guards shouted at a man on the watch tower, and with a loud and painful groan the giant gates slowly opened creaking and groaning incessantly it was almost deafening and nerve wracking-it was slow and tedious the sand didn't make it any easier, and as they opened they kept billowing sand every which way in whirlwinds.

Yuko shielded her face from the harsh grains. She was regretting taking off the cloth Ahiko bought for her.

"Come." The tall guard told them, putting his right arm out and making a sweeping motion. The gesture was somewhat odd for both of the girls, but nonetheless they followed after the armor clad man. The first place their eyes shot towards was a training area just a few hundred feet away from them, there were men going over moves while others sparred, swords and spears were situated off to the side in rather compact and expensive looking wooden shelves. There were about two thousand men in total all of them following a strict routine, it was almost like they were dancing in a sense. Every step was even and done in sync, every sweep and turn was done with aggression and strict form, they were definitely one of the stronger groups.

The second places their eyes flicked towards as they made their way deeper into the castle were the surroundings themselves. The ceiling was about fifty feet above them. There were dimly lit lanterns hanging on said ceiling illuminating the dark and somewhat dingy pathway they were currently walking on, it wasn't very trashy but there was definitely age to this place. Left. Right. Up. Down. Bank to the right. Left. Up another floor. It was like a huge maze as time progressed, they were led passed trap doors and storage rooms, spiraling through a maze of staircases that only went up, they even passed what would be considered the library. That was another sight to behold there had to be at least thousands of scrolls containing information from at least three centuries ago judging by the appearance of some of the scrolls and books. To some it was just a junk area, but for Ahiko it was a fountain of knowledge just waiting to be tapped in and studied. Souji would have a field day in there.

"Ahiko-san." The tall guard spoke, the short having left a short while ago to go back on guard duty. Ahiko gave him a glance, her focus somewhat still pointed onto the library which had to be two floors below them at this point. Seeing her attention was focused on him, he continued to speak. "You have my apologies for our... Skepticism, it wasn't proper of us to hassle you and your student as such when you came forth, but..." He paused to take a breath, he didn't feel completely bad about it, but his lord wouldn't be happy about the treatment Ahiko and Yuko received, they were here to get rid of the Sarutobi and he almost chased them off before they even got the chance.

"It's okay, I understand." Ahiko smiled softly at him. If he hadn't been on guard, and if it wasn't her and Yuko that were advancing on the castle the shinobi could have busted his way in had he actually try and in the process kill at least two hundred guards in the time span. It was rud, technically, the way she and Yuko were treated, but she could understand as to why the guard was so careful and hesitant in his decision. Shinobi and kunoichi, well they were a rough and rowdy bunch, and not a great deal of people liked them, they weren't even considered people or human... They were animals, demons with no emotion. Laughing the thought away, and getting a weird look from Yuko in the process, Ahiko picked up where she left off smiling at Yuko waving her hand dismissively. "You're only doing what your lord commands of you, sir. There has been a severe problem of shinobi hassling the merchants and traders that come through here, I wouldn't doubt they've actually made their way into this village to further harass people. We don't taking your actions to heart, right Yuko-chan?" She smiled at the guard again, before turning her eyes onto Yuko.

"Erm..." The red haired kunoichi cleared her throat softly. She was a little irked being scrutinized, but she couldn't let such things bother her. "It's no problem, sir. It's better to be alert than lax." That's what her dad said anyways, or something very close it whenever they were sparring. It was also a life lesson he taught her before her passed away, one that saved her life.

It seemed he was placated enough to nod in agreement, though it was still a hesitant nod. "You are most kind, Ahiko-san."

"Now, now..." Ahiko waved off his praise. She wasn't used to being complimented as such, she was never one to brag or take praise. Even if it was given to her. "I'm just doing what anyone else would do, I understand your actions." Thankfully she didn't have to experience this flustering moment as they came to a stop in front of a wooden door, it was much larger than the other doors they had seen on the way here, and was that gold...? Yes, gold was lining the edges and ends of the door, Ahiko just sighed at that. Nobles sure knew how to be lavish.

"My lord, Ahiko Domou is here along with her student, Yuko Uchiha." The guard called from outside, giving a small but loud knock to alert him to his presence.

"You may enter."

Without another word spoken the guard opened the door gesturing for Ahiko and Yuko to enter. Ahiko entered first keeping her spear against her shoulder lightly resting it followed by Yuko who gave the room a once over. Saying she was surprised by now would be redundant, but nonetheless she found her herself once again, first by the echo of the door closing, and then by the interior. Unlike where she had seen and glimpsed into, this room was more 'modern' in a sense there was a large desk just in front of a large window overlooking the entire landscape, including the village just a few miles out. Of course she couldn't see the village, but it was unfathomable to see just how arid and dry this place truly was.

Behind the desk, sat a man. A tall man standing around six foot six, he had a slightly tan complexion, his most noticeable features were his eyes which seemed heavy and pointed all at once, his sharp jaw and bushy light brown hair. His attire consisted of white, silk hakama that reached well passed his ankles, a light blue obi, his kimono was a distinctive red with an intricate pattern running down the hem of it where it closed off at the chest. Over his kimono he wore a large black jacket-like top with pointed shoulder guards and his family crest stitched on the left side. His composure and calmness was welcoming, but also eerie. Most damiyo would be busy showing off their wealth, but this man sat with a blank-emotionless gaze. "Ahiko-san, it's been a while." His voice was smooth, but also light, not gruff, but eloquent. "Please, take a seat. We can get right down to business, I've always known you to be guileless and direct. And... I don't believe I've had the chance." It was amazing how eloquent he sounded, he paused looking at Yuko eyes crucial and observing. "Yuko Uchiha?"

"Yes, sir." Yuko nodded, meeting his crucial gaze. He didn't seem like a bad person, his eyes weren't like those Kagyua she encountered some time ago. But, he didn't seem like he was a good person either.

"Mmmmm." He nodded grunting softly. "So, the rumors are true then... The Uchiha and Domou have allied with each other." This was interesting. Naturally the news traveled far and wide, he heard rumors of it of course, being in charge of the entire Sand country itself he had a wealth of information from his infantry, but also the people coming and going on the daily basis. "Which means the Subatsu and Senju allying themselves with each is true as well..." This was even more interesting considering these four clans clashed with each other, but have rarely crossed paths in recent time-Uchiha and Subatsu, and Domou and Senju. That was centuries ago. "

"Yes." Ahiko nodded in kind, finding no reason to lie about the topic. The whole world had to know, saying they didn't would just look foolish.

"My, aren't the times changing?" The damiyo asked, smirking slightly for a few seconds before he exhaled slowly. "Well, now that we've got introductions and such finished, now we can move onto business. As you already know the Sarutobi-those pests... They've been causing me severe trouble they're harassing the merchants and traders, stealing their goods, they even kill them if they feel like it. It has long been passed the point of ridiculous with their escapades, but that's just the beginning of it."

Oh boy. Yuko didn't speak out loud, or sigh like she wanted to, but she wasn't very surprised. "So, there's more than just the Sarutobi Clan hassling the merchants and traders..."

"I'm afraid so." The damiyo's voice turned grim. "In addition the Sarutobi... There are the Shimura and Akimichi, they've now situated camps along the routes. The merchants and traders are too afraid to travel down them now, these three clans fight amongst themselves as well dragging them into it... There have been many deaths, non-shinobi deaths, the village isn't getting the supplies that it most crucially needs..." He paused. "I was hoping you'd have more people with you, Souji and Mikito, and the Uchiha brothers but I know you're talents and skills are peerless, so I trust you will get this taken care of."

Yuko scowled just slightly, what was this guy trying to say?

"I will see to it." Ahiko looked the tall man in the eyes giving a small and firm nod. I'll send a message to sister and brother, better safe than sorry. Having the Shimura and Sarutobi here was something I was expecting, but not the Akimichi.

"Do you think we should sent for help?" Yuko asked.

"That's a good idea." Ahiko nodded at Yuko, turning her eyes back onto the damiyo. "If you don't mind?"

The Damiyo nodded, inclining his chin. "Maiden!" He shouted. A few seconds later a woman with raven-black hair and matching eyes, of average height came in through one of the side doors, bowing her head deeply as she stopped a few inches from the damiyo. "Aya. See to it that they are comfortable." He instructed, his tone mild and lucid.

"Yes, my lord." Aya nodded in compliance, turning towards the two girls standing before her. "Please, come with me."

"Kay!" Ahiko chirped stepping in stride.

Yuko suppressed a giggle. It'd be rude to laugh while they were still in the damiyo's presence.

She woke with a start. Her eyes snapped open, and faster than a bolt she shot up hunching over taking heavy breaths. Where am I? Hitomi gathered herself, lifting her head high enough to gaze around the room. Her heart sank. She had no idea where she was, and no recollection of what transpired before. She was running, running from Cho, and then she was being carried away somewhere. Her eyes snapped towards her hand, realization finally dawning, as fast as they darted they widened. Huh? My hands... They're healed, but how? She checked over herself. When did I wear this?

A normal princess would sit and wait in the room, perhaps cause a ruckus and start banging on something to get someone to serve her. Well, that just wasn't in Hitomi, if she was confused, like now, she could only do one thing, and only did one thing. Investigate and figure it out, she knew at the very least she wasn't outside and she wasn't captured, and Cho along with everyone else at that compound is now dead.

Hitomi took a slow breath, bracing herself for whoever or whatever was waiting for her on the other side. She didn't care if she was weaker in comparison she was going hit whoever tried to attack her, she just wouldn't surrender! She clasped the door, slowly, very slowly sliding it open peering out as if her head would be swept off in the next second. Clear. A smile crossed her face, she turned slowly shutting the door, and as quiet as possible took off into a mild sprint cursing the blue yukata she was currently wearing-she loved the color and it fit her snugly, but this wasn't something you run in.

"Where do you think you're going?" A baritone voice halted her in her steps. She felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up, and her heart raced. She dared to turn her head, she did, and her eyes widened just a bit as a pair of ruby eyes bored into her own. She wanted to stand still, she could feel something crushing down on her, not sure what, but she wouldn't be idle. "I don't know who you are, but am not a toy!" Hitomi yelled, charging right towards Tobirama swinging her left fist straight at him.

"Agghhh! No!" Hitomi wailed in pain as Tobirama pinned her arm behind her back just applying enough pressure to keep her from trying to thrash. If she did anything of the sort she'd only be hurting herself. "Let me go!"

"Tobirama, what's going on!?" Hashirama asked, having come to investigate the sudden outburst. His eyes widened when he spotted Hitomi's arm pinned behind her back and a pained expression on her face. "Brother!"

"Would you shut up! She attacked me first!" Tobirama barked.

"What!? That's impossible." Hashirama shook his head. Nobody just attacked his brother.

"You had better let me go or else I'll!" Hitomi knew well enough to start thrashing around. If she started doing that she'd dislocate her shoulder faster than she would ever dream of escaping. Damn... This guy is strong! Testing the waters, she tried to move her wrist just an inch. Nothing. Therefore the rest of her shout was halted, she couldn't get away and twisting herself free wasn't going to work. "Let me go, please."

Tobirama scowled. "Not a chance." He replied bluntly.

"Woman, you're always causing me trouble." Haji spoke up making his presence known to Hitomi-everyone else knew he was present. He was more than content to watch her kick and scream, she got herself into the most downright stupid scenarios and could do downright stupid things. Like attacking Tobirama. "Do you think before you act? Why are you attacking Tobirama?" He gave her a pointed look, and Hitomi immediately lowered her gaze, a very small scowl gracing her face.

"I didn't know." She reasoned.

"No harm no foul!" Hashirama laughed, hoping to lighten the mood. "Brother, let her go. We have something we need to talk to her about." He scratched his cheek. "If you don't mind, Haji."

Tobirama released without saying a word. He crossed his arms over his chest pointedly turning away from her.

"What's going on?" Hitomi interrogated.

"Just be quiet and sit down." Haji ordered with a firm tone, not going to take no for an answer. He opened the door to his room gesturing for her to enter first. She gave him a look that contained about ten emotions at once, but she sighed stepping into her room. She was exhausted. Haji entered next, followed by Hashirama, then Tobirama who stood at the corner of the room, and finally Syrus who entered last with an impassive look on his face his long and wild hair down rather than in the neat high ponytail. It was pretty early, and he had been sleeping.

Hitomi took a seat on the bed. Feeling very funny, now that she knew she had been sleeping in the same spot where Haji was. Sleeping on his bed. She blinked pitching her gaze up being met by four direct stares though Tobirama's and Syrus's were a bit, well intense. Haji looked like he usually did except very annoyed, Hashirama had the most passive expression, he was even smiling. This must be good news then, well that was great, she had been dealing with enough negatives, it was time to get back to the positive. "Okay..." She spoke, her voice coming out in a squeak. She couldn't help it.

"Don't worry." Hashirama sensed her fear. "We're not going to hurt you, quite the opposite in fact. We know you come from a family in the Lightning country."

"I do." Hitomi nodded. It had been so long since she'd been home, but she doubted her parents even cared. She was the rebellious daughter, the one that didn't saturate herself in make up. But, despite that, she hoped, a small part of her hoped they were worried and missed her. She wasn't hated by them, it was more she was a disappointment and a great part of that had to do with her being more giving and not as pompous. She may have been born with a high status, but she didn't feel she was better than anyone else.

"We're going to be escorting you back." Syrus told her very bluntly.

"Wait!" Hitomi said quickly. She wouldn't normally care, but the way she left her parents hadn't been on good terms. And, there was the incident with Haji. She always felt that they couldn't care less, they were in a hurry to marry her off-to a brute of a man that killed his brides. She wasn't stupid enough to believe that just disappeared without a trace, they were killed and abused by that drunken brute. She was next, she would have been next in fact, but she ran away taking her chances in the wilderness. Those chances weren't good at all, but now she was well away from him and her family. If she went back now they could put up a front, then she'd be forced to marry that man, and she'd end up dead sooner or later. "I don't agree with that, for starters I didn't have a say nor did you care to mention it to me. Secondly, I doubt my family honestly gives a damn whether I'm dead or alive, they were rushing to marry me off to some drunken brute who can't keep his hands to himself... If they did that, they don't care now, for all they know I'm dead."

"Don't say that!" Hashirama felt nothing but aghast as the words left her mouth. The world was cruel, it was a turbulent era, but people still loved their own, valued each other's lives. He would like to believe so anyway. "I'm sure they're worried sick about you, Hitomi-hime-chan. You've been gone for months! You were captured by the Inuzuka! You should go and see them, tell them you're okay, let them see that you are." He was almost pleading, it was odd that she'd say such things. Nobles took care of their own before anyone, this just didn't make any sense.

Hitomi smiled sadly. Hashirama was so... Sincere. "May I ask your name?"

"You can call me Hashirama." The tanned skin man said with an easy smile.

"I really appreciate this Hashirama, honestly I do." Hitomi sighed sadly, it was wishful thinking on her part to believe her parents felt this way. Maybe it was different for shinobi. "But, I've come to terms with it a long time ago. I may not like it, but it's how things are."

Hashirama was about to start sulking. "Don't even start." Syrus warned him already spotting the dejected expression making its way rapidly onto his face. Haji told him Hitomi was a bit rebellious, not like the typical noble in most regards, but this was well beyond what he anticipated. She attacked Tobirama which was literal suicide. Now she was really trying to talk her way out of this, as if she had a choice in the matter. That just wasn't the case. If they kept her here, and word got out she was here that could lead to so much conflict... They still needed to deal with the two tails. "We are escorting you back, you will be leaving whether you want to or not. This goes beyond just your family folly, if they catch word that you're with us they could spark many conflicts with us out of sheer spite. Nobody slights the Subatsu, nobody slights the Senju..." His tone turned into a low growl at the end. "Do you understand?"

"I do." Hitomi nodded. "But, I'm not going."

Haji raked a hand through his hair.

"Give me one good reason why I should keep you here." Syrus said pointedly leveling a glare with her.

"Well..." Hitomi pursed her lips. Man who knew Haji's brother was such a mean ass!? Haji was so calm and he had a patience to him that was well, attractive and made him mysterious. But, Syrus he was the complete opposite. "What if he contracted more than three clans to attacks us once we get to the borders?"

"What?" Tobirama narrowed his eyes to slits.

"That man is spiteful. You were probably the cause of it, Tobirama. You basically shut down the entire wedding and made him soil his pants."

"Tobirama..." Hashirama looked at him. "You can't just-"

"There are more important things to be taken care of!" Tobirama snapped his reason, he was getting annoyed. He took a slow breath, flicking his eyes onto Hitomi. "You said three clans?"

"Could be more."

Haji sighed. "This is troubling either way."

Silence.

"I got an idea!" Hashirama spoke up, smiling widely as he clapped his hands together. "Hitomi-hime-chan, you can marry Haji." Hashirama indicated the two of them. Hitomi visibly blushed, truthfully she was thinking about it, the possibility of marrying him. She was attracted to him in more ways than one. Haji visibly shook before tearing his gaze away from everyone. Leave it to Hashirama to take it from awkward to VERY awkward. But, the suggestion wasn't far fetched.

"That could work." Syrus nodded, his expression not lightening any from before. "Or it could completely backfire. We'll be leaving today."

"But, Syrus-"

"At least if we go there and have to fight through hordes of shinobi we accomplish something in the end." Syrus reasoned.

"It can work. Hitomi would need to take your surname, though." Hashirama continued. If there was a way to solve this without violence, well he was going to do everything he possibly could to see to it that it was resolved without any bloodshed. He turned to Haji, who was starting to look uncomfortable though he didn't visibly show it. "Haji, you'd have no problem marrying her, right?"

"What kind of question is that!?" Haji barked.

"I'll marry Ji-san!" Hitomi spoke up.

Haji scowled at her so deeply he was almost clenching his teeth. He had told her not to call him that in front of other people! "Then it is decided, Haji and Hitomi will get married." Hashirama clapped his hands.

"Damn it, now just hold on." Haji glared at Hashirama, damn this eccentric man and how emotional he could get. This was his choice damn it! Hitomi was beautiful, a very beautiful woman inside and out, she wasn't pompous and was completely enthralled by him and his stories. But, it was his choice to marry her, and he wasn't going to be shoved into it.

"Would you marry her, brother?" Syrus asked.

"Well, I don't have a problem with it-"

"Good." Syrus cut him off, standing up from his seat and heading towards the door. "You two will get married. I'm going back to my room. Keep your hands to yourself." Syrus glared at Hitomi on the last part. He didn't want another incident like her taking a swing on Tobirama happen again.

"This is just too great." Hashirama couldn't be any happier than he was at this moment. "Three marriages!"

"Three?" Syrus and Haji asked, both completely at a loss. Tobirama disappeared.

"There's Hesui and Toka." Hashirama said.

"We know about that." Syrus replied.

"Hitomi and Haji."

"Five seconds ago." Haji replied.

"And, my brother. Tobirama and your sister, Usagi!" Hashirama beamed a smile at both of them. However Syrus and Haji weren't smiling, they both traded looks, both narrowing their eyes. Syrus let out a low hiss, exiting the room before Hashirama could even finish, Hashirama chased after him.

"Don't give your sister a hard time." Hitomi said, trying to speak louder than she had been. Haji's posture was rigid and there was an aura of anger and annoyance radiating from him in coiling waves. She didn't have an older brother, but she could only imagine what was running through his mind at this moment, it wasn't a secret he was protective of Usagi. Her words seemed to encourage Haji, he stood up to his feet making his way towards the door. Hitomi gasped diving for him, managing to grab his sleeve. "Haji, she was going to tell you. She just needed to figure out a way to put it. She's your little sister, but she's still a woman."

"I forgot just how much you talk." Haji quipped. "This isn't a fairy tale! She just can't go making these decisions on her own!" He snapped. It was the fact Tobirama would be well, having sex with his sister. That was a major point, but before and after that there was the council of elders. If they weren't informed it'd be insulting first and foremost and second well Tobirama would be having sex with her. "We have rules when it comes to this sort of thing, especially when it pertains to another clan."

"You're kidding?!" Hitomi was in disbelief.

"I am not. There could be consequences!"

"It's her private life, though." Hitomi reasoned. "You're her brother, more than anything she wants you to accept it and be okay with it. If you go in there now angry and screaming at her..."

"Woman..." Haji sighed. This romance talk that was coming out of her mouth was making him nauseous.

"You're marrying me and she isn't grilling you about it." Hitomi pointed out.

"Hnn..." Haji exhaled, nostrils flaring as he forced himself to sit down. Hitomi made good points, good arguments... It was his sister's private life, but they should have been informed right away. But, Hitomi was right, she wasn't grilling him about marrying her, there was no need for him to do it. Syrus would be doing it soon enough, and Usagi didn't need to fend herself from both of them.

"Listen to your wife." Hitomi said with a triumphant smirk. "Soon to be." She quickly added.

"Hush." Haji put a finger over her lips, like he would when she'd be bugging him about leaving her compound to climb the mountains. It was his time to smirk, seeing her pout at his actions. "You shouldn't talk back to your husband." He wasn't going to say to be, because they were in fact getting married. Hopefully this will all be settled the way Hashirama sees it.

Hitomi took a deep breath and nodded once. She couldn't argue against that point. It was rude. "We're still going to have to go to the Lightning country."

"But-"

"You're going to inform your parents of this. You will also let them see that you are okay and well." Haji told her, fixing her with a stern gaze. Syrus wasn't kidding when he said they would be heading out that way today, in any case or event Hitomi would be taking the trip. "They will hear it from your mouth and not a letter. You are mine now, whether they like that or not I couldn't care less." He said this dryly. It was enough to knock the wind from Hitomi, hearing such a declaration she could be somewhat of a hopeless romantic. She was Haji's. Only his.

"Okay." Hitomi beamed a smile at him. "Just let me know whenever you're ready."

"That was a quick turn around." Haji commented.

"You've talked sense into me." Hitomi told him. "I just have one question before you leave."

"This is my room." Haji told her pointedly.

"Do you like this yukata on me, or would you prefer... Yellow? Light blue? Or light green?" Hitomi asked, her golden eyes beaming with excitement. Haji took a steady breath standing up for a moment, Hitomi could get awfully close when she was excited.

"Does it matter? They're all the same."

"Ji-san!" Hitomi frowned at him. "You can't talk like that! For a girl, it's a story!"

"I'm afraid I don't understand..." Haji frowned, actually confused.

He's protected me from getting killed and kidnapped, and he's confused about this... Hitomi giggled lightly. Men. She shook her head, whether they could shot lightning from their hands or roll a cart, all men were alike. They could be so oblivious. Were so oblivious. "Never mind. Just pick one." Explaining it wouldn't do any good since he wouldn't understand it. How could a Yukata have a story? That's what he'd ask.

"Light blue." Haji replied, sighing in exasperation. Never before had he felt so much suspense and importance over picking a color. Women... He shook his head.

"Kay! Now if you'll excuse me."

I'm not leaving." Haji told her. "This is my room."

"But, you can't see me naked!"

"I'm not going to look!" Haji barked, outraged at her insinuation. "I'm not a pervert! And, besides we're going to be married. I'll see you naked everyday anyways, what's this matter?"

"Ugh." Hitomi exhaled. There he went again using logic! Now she seen what Usagi meant. "Fine, stay... J-Just don't turn around. Okay?"

"Fine." Haji nodded, shaking his head as he did. He turned himself farther away from her so he couldn't see her naked body, not even a glimpse of it. He was tempted to turn around and look, he was still a man after all, and Hitomi was beautiful. But, he held firm he gave her his word and that was that. This was going to be very interesting with Hitomi, she never ceased to surprise him. And, now they'd be married soon enough. "Are you done?"

"Now, don't start rushing."

Definitely am going to make a schedule. Haji thought. She won't be taking up three hours of time every morning or occasion.