It was still early in the morning, he knows. However, his whole body was filled with unknown heat which was most definitely not because of his temperature. He tightly clutched his sleepwear and breathes out excessively, as if it was going to help him. It had been at least three hours and he still couldn't sleep. He looked at himself in the mirror and it was like he didn't even know who it was staring back at him.

He looked horrible. With eye bags, messy pyjama and muddled hair.

That's right. Maybe a cold shower would help me to calm down, he thought. Although it was still so early, he jumped out of his bed and snatched the towel from inside the wardrobe before entering the bathroom.

Slowly stripping one article of clothing at a time, he turned the tap on and water with freezing temperature streamed over him. He shivered due to the contact but soon he adapted with the coolness.

Mori stood still in the middle of the shower area, casting his gaze downwards so the water would not enter his eyes. There, he clenched both of his fists and teeth gritted against each other. He usually avoids doing so, since constant grinding of teeth would wear them down eventually. However, at that time, he stopped caring. He was too utterly confused with the sudden heat.

It's not going away.

Why… is it so hot?

He placed both of his thin hands to cover his face in distress. He wasn't about to look at the mirror. He would just get another unreal reflection of himself. He didn't know what's gotten into him, but it was definitely not the stupid pirate! Even though it actually is, he would still refuse it until the end of his life.

His hands glided down until they were on the opposite side of his slender waist. It was… very frustrating to not know the reason for anxiety. He had never experienced such a thing before. It was downright befuddling that he would go through it now, of all time. Now; when he had enough in his mind. Now; when he was reaching his breaking point. Now; when he desperately needed a helping hand which he usually would consider as a weakling's cry for remedy.

Why was it happening to him now, when he thought he was the strongest, the most independent?

It suddenly came to him just how fragile a human's life is. He realised that all soaring birds would fall down one day. And it was definitely his time. As much as he tried to deny it, he knew he couldn't. He was not just in the process of plummeting, he was already broken. He was already on the ground, watching other birds flying gracefully on the sky above him. And he couldn't do anything because his wings were already crushed.

And just next to him was a hawk with its elegant brown fur, watching him. His wings were perfectly healthy, but he wasn't flying with the other birds. He was there. He was watching him. His eyes drilled right through him. He had never felt so exposed and weak in his life. Ever.

"Damn it…" Mori managed a croak, tears washed out by the streaming water.

"Pirate!" Mori smashed the door to Motochika's room open, eyes so very slanted and face fuming with jumbles of emotion—embarrassment, anger… "I can't hold it anymore!"

"W-whoa, what?" Motochika stuttered, still half asleep. He looked to the side just to discover that it was five in the morning, for goodness sake! "It's still five!" He complained, pulling up his blanket to cover his face once more.

Mori made a huge sigh and ripped the blanket away from him, throwing it to the floor. "Since when are you more important than me?" He inquired narcissistically. "You're of a lower status than I am, so know your place!"

"Fine, fine! Calm down, okay? It's still five in the morning, damn it! Not everyone's an early bird like you!" He cried out, forcing himself to sit up. "What do you want?"

"I'm honestly and truly aggravated!" He brought his face closer to Motochika's, hissing right in front of him. "Why is it not going away… why is this heat… not leaving?!"

"Huh? What are you babbling about? And what's that under your eyes?" The older male asked absent-mindedly.

"My chest… it hurts! It's like the surface is being pierced by a lance, slowly but surely, killing me!" His voice was brittle, and it sounded pathetic. Although he wanted to hide it, he saw no point in attempting task that most likely wouldn't succeed. "It's like… I'm being torn apart…" He cried out in a tremulous manner, slowly climbing onto Motochika's bed and punched his chest lightly. "It's all your fault!"

"Mori…?" Motochika stammered, looking flabbergasted to see his master so close.

"Make it stop…" He cried out. "I don't want this… Make it go away!" He screamed, vision suddenly blurred due to the tears which decide to flow out in the most inappropriate timing. It trickled down his chin, dropping onto his bodyguard's bare chest.

"H-hey…" The silver-haired male stuttered, his muscular arms floating mid-air just near his master. "That's so uncool." He whispered, using his index finger to wipe the droplets of water on Mori's cheek. "You know I'm a bit dense. I might need some explanation here…"

"Dense enough to sink a ship…" Mori replied curtly, although it came out as no more than a pitiable croak.

Motochika placed his eye on his master's teary face; he was biting his lips, both hands on his chest. He slowly pulled on one of Mori's hands and yanked him closer until he fell. His head dropped nicely to his neck, and he rounded his arms around his master's back.

"I don't know what exactly is going on but…" He whispered. "You're broken, Mori." He continued. "All those emotions you have bottled up just came gushing out when the container's cracked, right?"

"Don't touch me…" Mori sobbed.

"Even the strongest has a breaking point, Mori. When that time arrives, you have no choice but to rely on others before you do stupid thing. This is why I told you… you can't live your life alone. When you are blinded with overwhelming emotion, you will choose the wrong path."

"You sound so lame… stop… get away from me…"

"I have more life experience than you do. I know how it feels to have a teenage angst like this."

"It's not a teenage angst!"

"Shesh, you know I'm not good with my words! You know what I mean." Motochika retorted, blushing slightly. "Damn it… you picked a good timing to fall down. Me too… I'm still emotional too over my separation with Ieyasu." He said softly, slowly releasing Mori from his clutch.

Mori, still sobbing, sat up.

"I guess I was just too focused on finding an important person to me. When that person cut off the intimate connection between us, I found it difficult to cope with." He sighed. "Mori… your dad called."

He looked at Motochika questioningly, tears slowing down.

"Your parent's coming back tomorrow."

"W-what?" He staggered.

"They originally planned it as a one-month trip, but seemed like they have found a good replacement to take over their position. So they will be coming back tomorrow." He explained.

"That means… you're leaving?" The brunette asked softly.

Motochika looked deep into Mori's eyes to see a mix of emotion, and he wasn't sure how to react. "Yes."

"Oh." Was all he said.

"Will you be lonely without me?" The one-eyed male inquired, raising his hand to stroke the side of Mori's smooth hair. He looked surprised to see such intimate contact. "I know I'll miss you. Funny, isn't it? All we do is fight. But, I still think that you are a sweet person, Mori."

Yes, I'll miss you.

"I wasn't planning to tell you this after the fight. Because I thought it would be a good way to separate. No biggies, right?" He chuckled bitterly. "But… I guess there's no helping it now, hmm?"

What are you talking about?

"My presence has definitely changed you, right? You just gotta admit it! I remember that time when we first met. Oh boy, you were a dick, I'd give you that. If there's an award for the biggest shithead, you would be the winner." Motochika grinned playfully. "But not now. Looking at you… you look so fragile, and sweet."

This sounds like a farewell… I don't want it… not after I finally found someone who views me as important…

"If you keep going like this, I'm sure… I'm sure you will one day find someone who will love every essence of you and will cherish your existence as if you are a precious jewel."

I don't want anyone else but you, stupid pirate!

"Now, go back to sleep. You haven't had much of that."

Don't you dare shut me out…

"What's with that look? I thought you'd be happy that I'm leaving."

I won't be!

"Whatever. Now shoo! I need my sleep!" He exclaimed. When he saw that his master was not making any significant reaction or attempt to leave him alone, he sighed. "If you're just gonna keep being difficult…" He stood up so suddenly and he grabbed Mori by his back and underneath his knees, lifting him up into the air so effortlessly. "I'll help you with that!"

"W-what are you doing!"

"What does it seem like I'm doing? I'm taking you to your bedroom! I don't want you to get sick tomorrow or your parents will kill me! I'm supposed to watch over you, brat!" He said rather cheerfully before he walked out of his room, taking the route to his master's grand bedroom.

Mori, however, did not resist any longer.

"What about the school play?" The slim figure asked. "Are you going to leave?"

"I'm a man of my action! I'll finish what I've started!" He smirked. "So I'll be seeing you in school anyway, although I won't constantly be all over you anymore. That's something to be thankful of, right? For you, at least!"

"Tch," Mori sneered upon the expected response. He closed both of his eyes inside the warm embrace of his bodyguard, and before he knew it he had fallen asleep.

"Brat…" Motochika smiled gently, placing his delicate-looking master onto his bed and covered him with the soft blanket. Mori shifted slightly, and Motochika was afraid that he woke him up. But he didn't.

So, he smiled and whispered into his ear, "Sleep tight, Motonari."

Author's note: LIKE WHOA I DECIDED TO UPDATE. I'm here just to finish what I've started too muahahaha! Well, I don't ship them anymore, but I'll do my best... don't wanna leave you guys hanging! Sorry if the story will be a bit more fast paced from now! It's probably going to end in the next chapter or two! Please review!