• The day passed by uneventfully, and at dinner, the lord asked Robert to talk with him away from everyone else.

    “Robert, I want you to guard Yuuki on the trip at night.”

    Robert started to blush at the mention of sleeping in the same room as Yuuki alone. “You seem to have a lot of trust in me sir, but why not Tenten?” Robert asked in the most respectful way he could in this situation.

    “I trust in your skills more, and I think you two need to talk with each other.” the lord said without realizing Robert’s blushing or change in tone.

    “Yes sir. I’ll be sure to keep her safe.” Robert said with his voice almost trembling.

    “Thank you so much.” The lord responded in a nonchalant way.

    Just keep yourself calm and make sure nothing happens to her.

    That night, Robert was in the top corner cleaning a ruby katana when Yuuki entered the room.

    “Good evening, Robert.” Yuuki said as she walked towards him. “I’m gonna get ready for bed, okay?”

    Robert responded with a grunt. Yuuki never saw his face because he was turned towards the corner. He was tying to keep some thoughts of his head with a nosebleed going down his face.

    ‘Just stay calm.’ She is making this too hard for me. I’m so much trouble if I have to deal with all the temptation for the next three weeks. Robert thought trying to stay calm.

    Robert, where are you sleeping?” Yuuki asked in the most alluring voice he ever heard.

    “I’ll sleep right here with my sword. You want me to protect you, don’t you?” Robert said without turning around.

    You’ll be awfully lonely.” Yuuki said trying to tempt him more.

    “Thanks, but no thanks. This is part of my training.”

    “Alright then, I’ll be lonely then.”

    Ignore it, Robert. Ignore it. Its just instinct. Ignore it.

    “Fine, I’ll leave you to your training, then. I’m headed to bed.”

    After Robert was sure that Yuuki was asleep, he let out a long sigh of relief.

    “Now, I can get to sleep.” Robert then bowed his head, and fell asleep almost instantly.

    In Robert’s Dream

    It was a very rainy day in the Land of Fire after a ninja team had just fended off an attack from enemy ninja. The team’s sensei was injured and Naome was unconscious with Robert and another boy standing, facing each other with Robert holding a katana and the other boy, a kunai knife.

    “You are not the one I want to kill. Step out of the way Robert.”

    “I will not allow you to kill our sensei, Kagemaru!”

    “Come on, it is the only thing I had planned for these past five years, how can you stop me with your love for our sensei? He was the one who planned the destruction if our tribe! You got to help me, if you’re my true brother, that is.”

    “You’re wrong! Killing him won’t bring the clan back! I have given up on avenging the clan a long time ago! Now, hand me the knife and we will put this all behind us. No one will have to know about this.” Robert said with tears in his eyes. The fourteen-year-old boy just wanted his older brother to listen and comply.

    “You were gifted! Tsunade always was proud of you and Naome, but never to me! I am the only one on the team still a genin, while you are a jounin, and Naome, a chuunin. Tell me,” the boy yelled at the top of his lungs, “why did she never acknowledge me the way she did you, or her?”

    “I don’t know. Please, just give me the …” Robert was cut off by his brother.

    “You want the knife so badly, why don’t I just give it to you?!” He said in a crazed tone then threw the knife into Robert’s heart. “Now, then, time for sensei. Good bye Jiraiya-sensei.” Kagemaru then lifted his sword , but never was able to kill him, Robert got Kagemaru first.

    “I’m sorry brother, but you brought judgment upon yourself.” Robert said with two swords in his brother, one in each kidney, then he did a spin, cutting Kagemaru in half.

    After that, Jiraiya woke up only to find Robert about ten feet away crying over a corpse. He then learned of the events that transpired while he was unconscious and put in a pardon for Robert’s actions.

    Robert then shot awake from his dream, causing Yuuki to wake up and ask him numerous questions that he didn’t answer.

    “I’ll tell you in the morning. Get some sleep.”

    “Awwww, I wanted you to have me cuddle up to you and tell you that everything will be aright.” She said in her pouty voice. “You’re no fun.”

    As soon as Robert woke up that morning, the first thing he saw was Yuuki’s face about an inch from his own.

    “Will you tell me now? I promise to stay quiet while you talk.” Yuuki said in her little kid voice.

    “Fine, I’ll tell you once we get the caravan moving today, okay?”

    “‘K. Promise now..” She said looking Robert in the eyes.

    It’s a promise.”

    “YAAY! I get a story!”

    God, I’ve met Shikamaru’s mom, and right now, I’d rather deal with her.

    Robert assumed his position at the lead cart and signaled for them to move. Yuuki sitting on the cart next to him, was very impatient and was fidgeting with Robert’s equipment that he had set down next to him.

    “Yuuki, please stop that.” Robert said in a very annoyed voice.

    “But you promised to…”

    Robert held his hand up to stop her and said,” Yes, yes, I remember. Now, about six-seven years ago, I was on a training team with Naome and my older brother .”

    “You had an older brother, I’ve never heard of him.”

    “He was one of my cousins that I was close to. Anyway, we were on a border patrol mission and Jiraiya–sensei was unconscious because he used up a lot of chakra and Naome was injured. That day, my brother, Kagemaru, was possessed by something that made him think that or sensei was the one who organized the assault on our tribe. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen to reason and tried to kill Jiraiya–sama. Defending my unconscious sensei, I ended up killing Kagemaru. Every year, I have the same dream of that night and it causes me so much emotional stress. It’s like losing a love one over and over again. I’ve told you part of my past as return for you telling me part of your past.” When he was finished, Yuuki looked up at his face and noticed that he was crying. She then realized how hard it was for him to show such scars.

    “I’m so sorry that I made you bring up those wounds just to reopen them and throw salt in the wound.” She then threw herself on him in a hug and whispered in his ear “I’m sorry.” Robert felt tears land on his shoulder and held her close to himself.

    That was the only event that was worthy of recording in this. This moment only strengthened the bond between the two to where they were unafraid of showing their emotions in public. The lord enjoyed seeing Yuuki so happy that he did not say anything to them about relationships between clans in the Oni Tribe.