I can't sleep. Nakago-sama is in another one of his moods, so I'm alone 
tonight. Honestly, I love that man, but I'm getting a bit tired of his 
mood swings. But he wouldn't be Nakago-sama without them, I guess.

I get up out of my bed, deciding to go for a walk. Quietly, I throw a robe 
on and slip out of my room. Fortunately, everyone's dead to the world.

As I walk through the halls, thoughts of Nakago-sama continue to occupy 
me.

Gods, I love him. I've loved him ever since he saved me from being 
raped...I shudder as I remember that day.

My family was very poor, so they sold me to a brothel when I was twelve. 
For some reason I don't hate them as much as I should...anyway, I refused 
to serve my customer, so the guy started beating me. Nakago-sama showed 
up, fixed the bastard, and...the rest is history, I guess.

I've been his lover for a few years now. I still love him with all my 
heart, and I'd give my life for him.

But lately, he's been giving me the cold shoulder so much. I suppose I 
could blame the new girl who arrived awhile ago.

Yui Hongo. Seiryuu no Miko.

I hate that girl.

...No, hate is a strong word.

I resent her. I resent her showing up out of nowhere and Nakago-sama 
immediately turning all his attention to her. He'll still have sex with 
me, but I know it's only to raise his ki levels.

I've known for awhile now. But I don't care.

I do it anyway. Because I love him.

Does he love me?

He told Yui he loved her.

I still remember that night. Hearing him say those words...kissing her...
if he wasn't so hellbent on her summoning Seiryuu he probably would've 
done her right then and there. Damn it!

My hands clench into fists as I stop and lean against a wall for a second. 
Calm down, Soi, I tell myself, remembering why I was wandering the halls 
at this hour anyway.

It isn't working. I don't feel any more tired than I did when I got up.

As I resume my walk, my thoughts drift to Yui.

I resent her. There's no denying it.

But maybe she isn't as bad as I think she is. After all, who knows how she 
really feels about Nakago-sama?

Or anyone, for that matter. She never talks to anyone that much...Suboshi 
and Nakago-sama are the only ones who spend much time with her. I can't 
ever recall seeing her smile...she always seems angry, or just troubled 
about something.

Why did she come here anyway?

I resent her. But I can't help being...almost intrigued by her.

I stop walking when I realize I'm approaching her bedroom.

That's when I notice something strange.

The door is wide open.

'Why would she leave it like that?' I wonder. Given her secretive nature 
that seems like the last thing she'd do.

What could she be hiding, if she is hiding anything? Was she always this 
solemn, or did something happen to make her that way?

Without thinking, I find myself walking into her room.

She lies on her side, slightly curled under her blankets. I walk over to 
her bed and study the expression on her face. It's not too different from 
her everday expression, of course. Her breathing is steady and quiet...one 
hand grips the edge of the blanket to her...her short blonde hair is a bit 
mussed, a few wisps falling across her cheek. I reach out to smooth back 
those wisps...

'What am I doing?!'

It hits me then how ridiculous this scenario is. I'm standing in the 
bedroom of a girl I hardly ever talk to and I'm obsessing over her hair! 
Well, maybe not obsessing, but...

I have to admit, though. She's very pretty.

As I continue to gaze at her sleeping form, she suddenly begins to stir. I 
panic-has she somehow figured out I'm here?! I begin to back away from the 
bed, praying I can get out before she notices me...

But she doesn't wake up. She only mumbles something and curls up tighter. 

Yeah. She really is beautiful...while I see her on a day-to-day basis, I 
never really noticed her until now.

Again, I reach out to brush away the wisps of hair in her face. This time, 
I don't hesistate...her hair feels so soft, almost like silk against my 
fingers.

She looks so peaceful...I wonder what she's dreaming about. Her home...her 
family...a person she loves?