Once I started kissing Kai I couldn’t stop. We clung onto each other, desperately terrified somebody might come and tear us apart. We knew what we were doing was foolish, if Reita found out… No, I won’t think about that. Instead I think about Kai and how soft his lips are, how warm his body feels against mine. How possessively he’s holding onto me, the good kind of possessiveness that makes you feel loved and wanted and like you have no need to worry anymore as they will make everything all right.

            Could Kai make everything alright? Could this rebellion really succeed? I realise I’ve put all my faith in something that might never happen. That couldn’t happen. We would both end up dead if we were classed as rebels. Well maybe not me, not yet. I hadn’t done anything except think about joining. But Kai? He would have a serious beating just for kissing me. No way would he be let off the hook.

            I could sense Kai knew that. He didn’t care and to me that was the ultimate compliment. He was risking his very life for me. It was intoxicating, exciting and incredibly sexy. He was like some hero in a book who despite his position in life would end up riding in on a white horse to save the day. How could I not fall in love with that?

            I want more from Kai. The kiss isn’t enough. I pull of his shirt and pull back to admire his chest. He’s panting now, we both are. I hungrily take in what I can see while he waits for my next move. I’ve never been in charge of a situation like this before. The power thrills me and we’re kissing again, only this time I pull him down onto my bed. I feel my shirt been pulled up and break the kiss long enough to let Kai pull it over my head.

            Once again the kiss is hungry and demanding. I have Kai pinned on my bed with my own body. I’m straddling him, bent over him, kissing him. If anyone walked in they’d probably assume I was molesting him. But I wasn’t. His hands stroking my back in such a caring way told me that. The way he kissed me as desperately as I’m kissing him.

            Kai reaches for the top button on my trousers and reality hits me.

            “No. We can’t.” I gasp, pulling back. I need to get away from him. I can’t control myself. I practically dive off him and stand with my arms crossed against my naked chest. He’s staring at me, confused. Well why shouldn’t he be? I pretty much lead him on. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have… I wasn’t thinking.”

            “It’s okay.” Kai replied pulling himself up into a sitting position. “I know you’re scared of him. I don’t blame you.”

            “You have no idea what he’s capable of.” I whisper.

            “I do. Why do you think I joined the rebellion?” Kai asks. “I’ve seen what he’s done. He’s burnt down peoples homes because they can’t pay their taxes, he mocks other lords for treating their servants with respect. He’s angering the neighbouring countries. If this rebellion fails there will be a war. Thousands of people will die. Lords and peasants alike. Nobody wants that. I think that was the final straw for our leader. He wants to protect his people more than anything.”

            “You mean the rebels?” I ask confused.

            “No. Our leader is one of them.” Kai informs me and I gasp shocked.

            “So it’s not Toshi?” I ask.

            “No.” Kai laughs. “It’s not Toshi. But he is one of us.”

            “Then who?” I demand. Who could the rebel leader be? Yoshiki or Kamijo? It had to be one of them. They were the only lords too arrive today.

            “I think it’ll be more fun if you find out for yourself.” Kai teases.

            “That’s not fair!” I complain and Kai just laughs.

            “You’re so mean. You should be nice to me. I decided to join you.” I inform him. “I want us to be together, and if this is the only way…”

            “It is.” Kai says suddenly serious. “I’ll inform our leader and arrange a meeting.”

            “Okay.” I agree. “But what happens to us when we rebel? I mean if we win?”

            “You will be rewarded for your help.” Kai replies cryptically.

            “And Uruha, don’t hurt him.” I announce. “Please don’t hurt him.”

            “We’ll see.” Kai replies.

            “No we will not see. He hasn’t done anything wrong and Aoi loves him and I’m starting to think that maybe the feelings are returned. Don’t you dare punish him for crimes he might commit in the future.” I announce angrily.

            “Okay. Calm down.” Kai replies. “I’ll make sure nobody hurts Uruha.”

            “You’d better.” I announce fully aware that he’s in charge of judging which nobles to be saved.

            “I better go. I don’t want to be caught in here.” Kai announces and I nod as I let him go. I need time to think over what I’ve just committed myself to anyway. “Thank you for choosing me.” Kai whispers before picking up his fallen clothes. He dresses quickly and gives me a quick kiss before leaving me alone to think over everything that has just happened.

            I spend the next day trying to figure out who the leader is. I am certain it’s Kamijo or Yoshiki; there are no other options. But which?

            First you have Kamijo who’s married to Juka who may or may not be one of us. But even if Juka had been one of us it says nothing. Juka isn’t here so I can’t ask him if Kamijo generally loves him. Asking around I find mixed feelings among the servants. Some think he’s okay while others hate him. As the day progresses I spot a trend. Kamijo is only nice around the prettier of the servants. It kind of reminds me of Reita really.

            So Yoshiki? There is Toshi. He is a rebel like Kai. Kai has confirmed that. It makes sense that the leader’s servants would all be rebels too. In fact it’d be strange for them not to be. But could Toshi be a rebel because of something Yoshiki had done to him? Once again asking about confirmed one thing, Yoshiki was an idiot. Nice but stupid seemed to be the overall consensus.

            So an idiot and a vain man. One of them was obviously acting but which one? I was no closer than where I started. Even searching there rooms while I cleaned them proved nothing. There were no clues. On the surface they both appeared to be perfectly normal nobles. Had I overlooked something? Had I missed someone arriving? No. I was sure I hadn’t. I doubted Kai had been lying. It just had to be one of them. I just couldn’t tell who.

            That night I was called for by Reita and I went in a mood as I still didn’t know who it was. To my dismay Reita didn’t look particularly happy either. I knew what this meant and sure enough, Reita took out his anger on me.

            I lay, sore and exhausted, on the bed as he left and prayed this would be the last time. Surely the rebellion would be soon? If Reita was in a good mood until then I’d be fine.

            It was heading back to my room trying to ignore the pain when I spot Kai. He knows what’s happened and says nothing as he helps me back to my room. A servant spots us but I don’t care. Kai is only helping me. It’s hardly worth reporting to the king or even mentioning. He isn’t the first to take pity on me and help me back.

            I’m so glad he’s here when I see Aoi’s empty bed. I don’t really want to be alone tonight. I feel like crying. I never cry anymore. Is it because I have hope once again? When I gave up on hope I gave up on the tears.

            I can feel them streaming down my face. I don’t want Kai to see me like this. So weak and helpless. I wanted him to see me as strong and in control. He holds me as I cry and I’m so grateful for his strength. But it makes me cry harder. The harder I cry the nicer he is to me and it just makes it worse.

            “The rebellion is soon.” Kai promises and I nod. “You’re to meet up with the leader tomorrow. Just go to clean his room, he’ll be there. It’s probably going to be tomorrow night. This won’t happen again.”

            “And Uruha?” I demand. “I can’t join anything that will hurt Uruha. I can’t destroy my friendship with Aoi.”

            “I’ve told him that Uruha appears good.” Kai responds. Which doesn’t answer my question. Maybe I should ask the leader directly? That would make more sense.

            “Thank you” I whisper holding onto Kai tightly. He stays with me for awhile but too soon he has to go and I fall asleep, barely registering Aoi’s return.

            The next day I’m cleaning the noble’s rooms as normal. Kai told me not to clean the leader’s room until after lunch so I avoid those rooms. But my excitement is too much and I hurry up the stairs wondering which room to clean. Both Kamijo and Yoshiki are in their rooms, which makes it worse. In the end I pick Kamijo’s and knock nervously.

            “Can I clean your room now?” I ask.

            “Sure.” Kamijo agrees friendly enough. I start cleaning and he’s watching me. Is it him? Is he trying to judge me?

            “You have a pretty face.” Kamijo remarks and I nod before getting back to work. “I bet all the nobles like to get a piece of you.”

            “Only one.” I mutter embarrassed.

            “How about making it two?” Kamijo asks.

            “The one is the King.” I mutter.

            “He’s always been so selfish.” Kamijo complains. “Come on, one time with me. He’ll never know.”

            “He will. He always knows.” I remark.

            “Not if you don’t tell him.” Kamijo replies and I glare at him. It’s bad enough having one noble after me. I won’t let him touch me too.

            “I’ll tell.” I threaten. “Lay one hand on me and the king will hear about it.”

            “Like he’d believe you.” Kamijo snapped.

            “Oh he’ll believe me.” I snap. There is only one advantage to my situation and that’s Reita’s special treatment. He always believes me when I complain about people touching me. I’ve always been more or less honest with him.

            “Whatever.” Kamijo sighed. “I don’t think I like you anymore anyway. I don’t want the king’s spoilt goods.” I glare at him and he leaves muttering something about finding somebody clean.

            I’m so angry that it takes me a moment to realise what this means. Kamijo is certainly not the leader. He’s clearly one of them. Which can only mean one think. Yoshiki is the leader. I can only hope he’s smarter than he acts or we’re all doomed.