There were those eyes again, different than those of the eyes she remembered looking into the night before, when both women had moved as one. What was with those eyes? They had appeared before, when Ariiko was first thinking of leaving, of leaving Noriaki behind alone and unsatisfied. It was because of those eyes that Noriaki fought so vehemently to keep Ariiko from departing…and now, here they were again, toying around, toying with the young princess, but more importantly – toying with Noriaki’s expectations, to say nothing of her feelings. 

The whisper spoken to Noriaki caused the poet to glance towards the princes and then back to the crimson gaze of Ariiko. What kind of offer was that? Such language, so foul and forward. Noriaki was not one for defilement, despite having been with her share of pre-bloomed flowers, and she had a suspicion that until the night prior Ariiko was one of those, but she never considered it defiling. Such negative connotations that word held, and Noriaki found herself shaking her head. 

“If what you speak is true, Ariiko, about my pleasure being only for you,” Noriaki cared not that she was speaking aloud, “then why do you need the princess as well? I was willing, I still am willing, to turn my back on an assignment from the top, all for you. That’s akin to desertion, that’s akin to signing my death warrant. I am willing to give my life away, all for you, for you are my muse. And this is how you think it best to treat me? To instead offer a chance for both of us to bed the princess? No. No, I’m not going to play this game, Ariiko, and if you were not serious in your words the last night as I was, then say so now. Say so now, so I will not be hurt down the line. Say so now, so that I may continue to long for Kaede or Akane or Asuka in good conscience. It is Starlight, or it is darkness.” 

Noriaki’s eyes were narrowed, showing a hint of anger that, until now, had not been seen by any, least of all Noriaki.