He felt much better now, with the cool medicine easing the pain. He watched Montero's carefully ready to point out any mistake. But unfortunately for him Montero made no mistakes, making the plan as clear and concise as possible.

"First Derek will enter, he will make sure that the army believes that no one is coming for them." He then eyed Rami and Jurie who sat next to each other. "Then our Assassin's will infiltrate the building to give us a signal on when to capture the enemy." Then gesturing to places on the map "All four divisions of this regiment will be hiding in the forest surrounding the fort. There are traps laden throughout the forest, so keep a sharp eye for anything suspicious. First Lieutenant Jasso's Division will attack at the Assassin's first signal. Then the left and right wings will attack at the Assassin's second signal. The army from the back will attack at the Assassin's third signal. Any questions?"

Dead silence.

Then a hand shot up "This couldn't possibly be your planning Captain!" announced one of the soldiers.

Montero smiled "You are right. This was Jurie's plan."

Loud whoops and cheers erupted from the ranks. Clearly the young Shadow Princess had won them over.

Rami looked around in a calm way. His scorching green eyes the only sign that he wasn't happy.

Despite the fact that he had developed feeling for the beautiful Japanese Ninja. He was also slightly jealous of her. He wanted to be a hero too. He was ambitious, he wanted people to cheer for him, to tell him how great he was. He wanted the respect that Jurie commanded. What had he done wrong?

He felt that maybe he just wasn't worthy of holding the family sword and shield. The Montagues had always been respected. Then he remembered what his father once said to him after a beating in a fit of anger when Rami had failed one of his missions.

"There is no respect for you Rami. It makes a man weak. And one weak link can bring down the chain of a mighty dynasty."

These thoughts developed so much in his head, that he forgot that his father had cried with him the whole night after he had said that. He forgot that he too had commanded respect, but it was through a different way. He wasn't adored like Jurie, but he was feared.

He quickly slipped away hoping that no one would notice him. Hoping no one would notice that these thoughts were gripping the very edges of his sanity.

It wasn't the first time either. Even the family doctor had warned him that he wasn't exactly mentally stable all the time. He had warned him him that too much thinking and stress would make him relapse.

But considering his line of work. It was inevitable.

~~~~~

Jurie's eyes had followed Rami's back until he left. His emerald eyes had been alight with a mysterious emotion that she hadn't been able to decipher. Was it anger? Hurt? Or was it jealousy? It couldn't have jealousy after all what did he have to be jealous of. A pang of loneliness filled her heart, and she realised that whenever Rami left her, she always felt lonely. It seemed like she needed him to feel whole. Pushing the thoughts aside Jurie watched as Montero continued to point out important tasks of the mission. Knowing that he was busy Jurie slipped out of the room, eyes searching for a "bald" head or maybe even a flash of emerald eyes.

And there he was. Sitting on a rather large rock that looked out to a cliff of endless darkness and a star studded sky. She padded quietly towards him until she was right behind him on the rock. Unconsciously she hugged her arms around his figure and felt him tense, before slowly relaxing into her embrace.

"Rami. What's wrong? You've been quiet the whole night." She asked him, a hint of concern lacing her words.

"I'm just feeling a little under the weather at the moment Angel."

"I can tell." Jurie whispered, tightening her arms around his broad chest. "Talk to me."

"Jurie..." Rami started quietly. "Am I not enough?" He buried his face in his hands. "Am I not strong enough? Am I not good enough? Am I bad at what I do?" He slumped forward. "Why do I have so little respect from people? Why do I only command the fear in people to be able to control them?"

There was silence. Jurie's arms had not left Rami's body. She snuggled closer. "I think that everyone has a way they command power and respect. Some of us do it by fear and some of us do it by bonds. Such as friendship, kinship and acquaintanceship. There are some who don't even receive respect from their kin. Who don't receive respect at all. But if you want to hold power, the greatest way to do so is through friendship and trust. Since they trust you and you trust them both parties know that they will not be betrayed."

There was silence and the two sat together quietly enjoying each others' presence. 

"Thank you Angel." Rami whispered, turning around to return the hug. "You really are an Angel aren't you?" 

Blushing, Jurie turned her face away from him. "Whatever." 

Rami chuckled before standing up, offering his hand. "Let's go Angel ."

Jurie and Rami trudged back to camp, bumping shoulders. 

The night was dark and the ground was uneven and lumpy. So lumpy that since Jurie had been too all consumed in her thoughts, she tripped and fell forwards bringing Rami down with her. Tumbling down the hill the two hit a rounded boulder with Rami on top of her. 

They groaned, as they felt for bruises on their limbs and along their body. 

"Ughhhh...Rami can you please get off me?" Jurie whispers, turning her head to hide the blush that was creeping up her cheeks.

It was at that moment when Rami realised he was on top of her. He lent down to speak, "I'm sorry am I heavy?" He asked, feeling a little self-conscious. 

"Ummm.."

Hey guys! I know we haven't updated in a long long long long long time we were both studying for our half yearly's and still have 1 to go! I was also at Duke of Edinburgh the expedition was so fun!!! Hoped you liked the chapter...things got a little awkward at the end hehehe...

Let us know what you think!