Stepping out of the outdoor bath area, Reiko found Samickle outside the gate, waiting for her. She was certain he had stormed off, but he had actually stayed.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"Are you mad?"

"I'm not."

"Did I offend you somehow..?"

"You didn't."

"But-"

"I'm not mad. Let's just go back to our room."

"Alright." Reiko followed Samickle back to the guest rooms, her thoughts still swirling in her head. He was being distant, his replies curt and blunt, and she couldn't figure out why. He was clearly upset, but she knew she wouldn't be able to pry any further; Samickle would just immediately change the subject, and pretend like nothing had happened.

When they stepped into their room, both of them halted at instant; Chun and the other sparrows had prepared their beds for them... Two futons, in the middle of the room, right next to each other.

"Oh." That was all Reiko could say at the sight.

"Oh." Samickle repeated, his face pale.

"I think they assumed we're... umm, a couple."

"Yeah. Probably."

"Well, it's no big deal, we just can-"

Reiko was just about to suggest that they would move the beds a bit further apart, but Samickle was already working on it; She stared in silence as he grabbed the other bed, pulling it to the other side of the room. Reiko couldn't help but to furrow her brow; "And to think that we even shared a tent at some point... It's a wonder he didn't drag his futon all the way out to the garden..!" It was obvious that Samickle tried to put as much space between them as possible.

"Ummm, Samickle?"

"What?"

"It's... Okay. You don't have to..."

"We're not sharing a bed."

"I know, but you really don't have to-"

"It's fine. Really."

Reiko fell silent, not sure what to say. Then, she decided not to say anything. Instead, she just headed straight to bed, sliding under the covers. The futon was incredibly comfortable, the covers soft and fluffy. She let out a sigh, staring up at the ceiling. "That was weird." She thought to herself. "I don't get it. Why did he get so defensive..?"

She had been certain that something had been off. His sudden change of attitude had caught her completely off-guard, and now she couldn't stop wondering why. "Is it because I asked him to let me clear his chakras?" She mused, glancing over at Samickle. He had gone to bed as well; He had turned his back to her, lying completely still.

"Maybe it's best to just leave him be. For now, at least." Reiko thought, turning her gaze back to the ceiling. "He's been having a rough time lately, and this is the first chance he's gotten to relax a bit. Hopefully things will be back to normal in the morning..." With those thoughts, she finally let her eyes close, her mind drifting off.

Samickle, though, wasn't sleeping. He was still wide awake, his thoughts swirling in his mind. His chest felt tight, his pulse racing. He had been doing so well, controlling his urges, but all the talk about Reiko tending his chakras had been too much for him. He could feel it, the warmth spreading all over him, and when his hand slowly snaked under the covers, slipping down his lower abdomen, he felt his own erection, already twitching with anticipation.

While she was in the bath, Samickle had tried his best not to steal even a single glance at her. But, all it took was that one subtle, innocent side-long gaze, and the image forever burned into his memory. Her flushed cheeks, her bare skin glowing from the steam— Samickle felt his erection grow harder, his entire body aching. He had been adamant not to give in to his desires, but he had quickly realised that it would be pointless. It was impossible for him to resist her, and now, he was painfully hard, the thought of her causing him to squirm.

"Oh, hell no." Samickle quickly retracted his hand, his face red. "Damn it, why did she have to suggest it..?" He thought, letting out a frustrated sigh. Samickle closed his eyes, his breathing heavy— He could feel it again, the burning lust clouding his thoughts, the overwhelming urge to give in and satisfy himself. "I'm gonna have to do it, aren't I..?" Samickle sighed. He couldn't take it anymore. He was going to burst. He had to release the tension, somehow.

His hands slowly crept back under the covers, his fingers wrapping around his hard cock. He let out a low groan as he slowly began stroking himself, his grip firm. He was already slick with precum, his hips thrusting into his palm. Samickle moaned quietly, his eyes fluttering shut. It felt incredible. His cock was throbbing, his fingers wrapped tightly around the shaft. It had been a while since he had been this worked up; His thoughts drifted back to the garden, to the sight of Reiko's bare body, her delicate skin, the soft, plump curves, her long, black hair flowing down her back, the steam caressing her…

"F-fuck..." He whispered, his grip tightening. His breath was heavy, his body trembling, his hips rocking in rhythm with his strokes. He was already close, his balls aching, his heart pounding. With a low, raspy moan, Samickle came, his whole body tensing up as he released, his hot seed shooting onto his stomach and chest, the pleasure pulsing through him. He laid there, panting, coated in his own cum. "Damn it." He mumbled, his body limp and exhausted. "Damn it, damn it, damn it..!"

Samickle let out a shaky sigh, wiping his hand clean. He had done it, and yet, his lust hadn't faded. He glanced at Reiko, his mind still clouded with desire. He wanted her, he wanted her so bad... How would she react, if he laid there next to her? Running his hand across the curve of her hip, softly grazing his teeth against the crook of her neck… If he'd slip his hand inside her robe, fondling her breasts as he'd embrace her, grinding his hard member against her. A soft groan escaped his lips, the thought of touching her like that arousing him beyond belief. He couldn't stop imagining himself pushing her knees apart, sliding his rock hard cock inside of her, the warm, wet tightness of her womanhood engulfing him. How would she moan his name, whimpering softly as he'd thrust into her, her fingers tangled in his hair, her thighs quivering, her pussy convulsing around his length.

"No." Samickle swallowed thickly, forcing the thought out of his mind. His chest tightened, his throat aching. He felt like crying. This was unbearable. His nails clawed into the tatami mats, his jaw clenched tight; He felt sick.

Samickle sat up, his legs slightly trembling. He had to get away from her, he had to escape her presence. He was just about to slide the door open, when a soft, sleepy voice stopped him.

"Mmm... Samickle..?"

"I... I just need fresh air. Get some sleep." Samickle replied, his back turned to her. He could feel her eyes on him, her gaze making him shiver.

"Are you okay?" Reiko rubbed her eyes as she sat up on her bed, looking at him confused.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about it." He stated, his voice monotone.

"You don't look fine." Reiko pointed out. She couldn't tell in the darkness, but Samickle's face was a dark shade of red. "Are you still mad at me? Is that it?"

"I'm not."

"Samickle, come on."

"I said I'm fine."

"What is going on with you?" Reiko's brows furrowed, her tone growing a bit sharper. "You never tell me what's going on inside your head, you just act all grumpy and sulky."

"There's nothing to talk about." Samickle's claws sunk into the door frame as he spoke, his whole body tense.

"There obviously is, otherwise you wouldn't be acting like this."

"Just drop it."

"No, I won't!" Reiko had had enough; She was tired of his cold shoulder, his constant avoidance— She couldn't help but to feel hurt by it. "You can't even shift anymore, obviously something is troubling you! I could help you, but you refuse-"

"I'm in heat!" Samickle's words cut through the tense atmosphere like a knife.

Reiko, completely taken aback by his declaration, could do nothing but stare at him wide-eyed, and a pressuring silence fell between them. Samickle just stood there, motionless, his whole body tense like a bowstring. He couldn't believe he had just said what he did. He had promised himself not to tell her, but there was no going back now— The words had slipped his lips, and there was no undoing them.

Slowly, he turned to look at her. She was still sitting on her bed, staring at him in silence, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed. His throat felt dry, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm in heat." He repeated, his eyes lowered. "I'm sorry."

Reiko didn't know what to say. "You... You're in heat?"

"Yeah." Samickle gave a soft nod. He felt humiliated, and he couldn't bring himself to look her in the eye.

"Oh." Reiko nodded slowly. "I see. So… that's why you don't want me to..?" It finally cleared to her why Samickle was adamant not to let her heal his chakras; He was afraid that he'd get aroused, and he didn't want her to know. "And that's why you've been so..." Reiko muttered half to herself. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I couldn't, I just..." Samickle's voice was trembling slightly. "You're not an Oina, I was afraid that you wouldn't understand... and that... that you'd be..." His words trailed off.

Seeing him like this broke Reiko's heart; Samickle looked like he was about to burst into tears at any second, his face contorted in shame. "Samickle, no, it's okay!" Reiko quickly reassured him, her tone gentle. "It's fine, really."

"But, I..."

"I know. I understand. And, I don't think any less of you."

"You don't..?"

"No. It's nothing to be ashamed of, it's natural."

Samickle fell silent, unable to say anything. He couldn't bring himself to look at her. His whole body was aching, the burning lust making him feel sick. "I... I need to go outside." He mumbled.

"Okay. That's okay." Reiko replied. She watched as Samickle slowly slid the door open, stepping out into the night. With that, Samickle was gone. Reiko let out a shaky sigh, her cheeks red. "Damn it." She cursed under her breath, burying her face into her hands. "I'm such an idiot." She knew it wasn't her fault, but she still couldn't help but to feel like she should've noticed it sooner. His strange behaviour, the way he'd shy away from her touch— How could she not have figured it out earlier?

She glanced at the door, her heart heavy. She could only imagine how miserable he must've been, dealing with his heat alone, not being able to confide in anyone. She wasn't an Oina, but she had heard about their mating season, and the effects it had on them, but Samickle seemed to be worse off than she had imagined. She had read about male Oina getting aggressive and territorial, but Samickle seemed nothing like that; On the contrary, he seemed like he was suffering in silence, trying his best to contain his desires.

"He must be suffering so much..." Reiko thought to herself. She wasn't sure what to do— Should she try and talk to him? Or, would it just make things more awkward? She knew Samickle had a habit of closing himself off when he was upset, and the fact that he hadn't talked to her about this showed just how ashamed he was.

Reiko couldn't help but wonder why he had chosen not to talk to her; Did he really think she'd judge him? Or, did he just not trust her enough? Reiko sighed; She had no idea how she'd be able to comfort him, or if she could even do it.

"I'll just have to see how he's doing in the morning." She thought, her eyes drifting shut. She was exhausted, her eyelids heavy. She hoped Samickle would be feeling better in the morning, but for now, all she could do was try and get some rest.