Serenity quickened her pace as Yukimura followed closely behind. She did not know how long he would continue to follow her, but she was determined not to let her feelings for the man show. She had been in love with Yukimura for several years now, but she could not tell him how she felt. He was nothing but a womanizer. She might even go so far as to call him a pervert, but his skills as a samurai shone the brightest in her eyes against all of his faults.

"You don't have to walk so fast Serenity. The tournament will only get under way in two days. That's more then enough time for us to get there," Yukimura said lightly.

"I want to catch up to Kyo and Miss Yuya," Serenity stated keeping her eyes forward.

Yukimura laughed, "Demon Eyes Kyo won't harm Miss Yuya. Kiyoshiro will make sure of that."

Yukimura's laughed echoed through Serenity's mind. She adored how he laughed, and had to be very careful not to get lost in it. She knew Kyo would never hurt Yuya. Kiyoshiro was not the reason for her guaranteed safety, and Yukimura knew that, but he still relished the idea of it. Lightning lit up the sky above them, and soon a loud rumble of thunder followed.

"We better find shelter," Yukimura stated coming up beside her, "I wouldn't want to catch a cold going into the tournament."

Nodding Serenity pointed to a group of lights further ahead, "We'll stop there, but as soon as the storm passes we're leaving."

"Fine, fine, what ever you say," he replied with a smile.

The two walked on in silence once more. The one thing Serenity loved more then Yukimura's laugh was his smile. He was always smiling, even during battle. Just as the first drops of rain fell from the sky the two arrived at an inn. Yukimura paid for the room as always, and asked Serenity if she wanted a room to herself.

"Don't be ridiculous," she replied flushed, "we won't be here long enough for it to matter."

Her words came out harsher then she had intended, but he still smiled and happily took the key to their room. Being on the road with him alone was bad enough, but now she would have to share a room with him for Gods knew how long. She cursed herself for not taking her own room when she was offered.

"I'm going to rest for a bit," Yukimura said slipping into the futon on the floor, "care to join me Serenity?"

Serenity flushed an even brighter red and stammered, "Of…of course not Lord Yukimura. How absurd…"

Laughing again he replied, "Oh well, if the rain stops before morning wake me up and we'll be on our way."

Before she could reply he rolled over in the futon. She watched his back rise and fall for a few moments before walking to the window. Thankfully the wind was very mild as she pushed open the door and walked out onto the balcony. Stealing a glance at Yukimura Serenity sat down and let her legs hang over the beams of the balcony.

The smell of the rain calmed her. She watched streaks of lightning dance across the sky, followed by mild rumbles of thunder. However in her heart a much fiercer storm was raging. She lost track of how long she had been watching the storm as her thoughts raced. Sighing she turned her head back to look at Yukimura, only to find that he was looking right back at her.

"Oh…I'm sorry," she stammered as she got to her feet, "the storm must be keeping you awake."

He remained silent as she came into the room and lightly closed the door. She waited for him to reply, but he did not say a word. Afraid that she had angered him in some way she began to speak, but he cut her off.

"The storm wasn't keeping me awake," he stated quietly.

Serenity fumbled with her fingers nervously before she finally sat down across from him. He continued staring at her through the slowly darkening of the room. Every few minutes lightning illuminated the room, but it always returned to almost darkness.

"You are keeping me awake," he said finally after a full five minutes had passed.

Serenity was flustered by the suddenness of his voice, and how serious he sounded. He rarely spoke to her in such a manner. When he spoke that way to other men a cold sweat would break from their brow, and he never spoke that way to a woman.

"Forgive me, Lord Yukimura," she began, "I can leave, if that's what you want."

Yukimura sat up and reached out, taking her arm, "I don't want you to leave."

Before she could reply Yukimura came forward and pressed his lips against hers. Her heart quickened as a bolt of lightning lit up the room. She saw his eyes closed, and his face was in a state of perfect peace. She felt his arms wrap around her waist as he deepened their kiss. Yukimura brought her around and forced her gently back on the futon. His hand slowly inched its way inside her kimono and softly cupped her breast. He could feel her heart beat within her chest and a smile played at his lips.

"This is what I want," he whispered into her ear.

She was about to reply when his mouth closed over hers once more. Yukimura's free hand traveled painfully slow down her waist and by her thighs coming to a stop at the delicate material covering her flesh inside her kimono. Pressing against it gently his smile deepened as his fingers soon grew moist. He moved his mouth away from Serenity's and licked at her neck. She opened her mouth to protest, but was horrified to hear a moan escape her throat instead.

Taking his hands away from her he trapped her mouth with his again. Working with the speed and delicacy of a samurai he freed Serenity's upper body of her kimono. Her breasts glimmered with a thin layer of sweat as another bolt of lightning streaked across the sky. He pressed himself against her, and she could feel his hardness through her clothes. His hands went to her again, and he felt her soft skin ablaze with desire. Kissing her again Yukimura lowered himself next to her so they were lying side by side.

A few minutes later the rain stopped, and soon after the lightning and thunder died away.

Yukimura pulled himself away from Serenity and stated simply, "The storm has passed."

"Yes," she breathed heavily.

"Should we be on our way then?" he questioned.

Serenity shook her head, "No, I want to stay here for a little while longer."

"As you wish, my lady," he replied smiling.

Yukimura brought his lips against Serenity's as her arms wrapped around the man she had loved for years.