"What do you mean Irene got drunk and you had to help?" Mitsuki asked. She was sitting cross-legged on her bed with her arms crossed across her chest as she stared angrily at Lillian. It was taking all her might to remain calm. How could she believe Lillian wouldn't cheat on her when she went off to Irene's room for hours, like this? 

"I've been waiting forever for you to come cuddle me to sleep," Mitsuki said, continuing to pout.

"Aw, come on, don't act so upset. You would help, wouldn't you? You're already so good at taking care of someone when they're drunk," Lillian said, reaching a hand forward to touch Mitsuki's face.

Mitsuki pushed it away and glanced to the side. "Yeah, if it was you. Why do you have to keep caring for that brat? She got herself into that mess."

"You're telling me you wouldn't help Irene if you two were the only ones alone in the house?"

"No," Mitsuki said firmly.

Lillian sighed and sat down on the edge of Mitsuki's bed. "What are we going to do with you? You have such a poor attitude. Give Irene a chance."

"No," Mitsuki stated again. In the course of love, she'd do practically anything for Lillian besides that.

Lillian frowned. "Why do you have to be so sour? She's not a bad person. She's very nice once you get to know her."

"I don't want to know her. I'm not going to be best friends with your ex," Mitsuki growled. "Why do you have to be so damn nice, Lillian? You make everyone fall in love with you."

"Is that how you fell in love with me?" Lillian teased, reaching forward to gently tap her nose.

Mitsuki could feel her anger diminishing slightly. Her cheeks grew warm as she recounted the fairly short and easy process of falling in love with Lillian. She'd barely known her six months before she began developing feelings toward her.

"I...yeah, maybe. You're so stupidly sweet, but I also found it really attractive—" Mitsuki let out a gasp as Lillian pressed her lips against Mitsuki's. As Mitsuki kissed her back and placed her arms on Lillian's waist, she began to forget what she had even been arguing about.

Lillian pushed her body against Mitsuki's smaller one, causing Mitsuki to fall flat on her back. Lillian giggled and shoved her head on the other side of Mitsuki's. Mitsuki was giggling slightly too, keeping a careful arm around her girlfriend.

"What do you say we do more than cuddle?" Lillian suggested as she pulled her head up to look at Mitsuki.

"S-Sure," Mitsuki stammered, staring into Lillian's shining green eyes.

...

Mitsuki slept in late the next morning, finding Lillian already gone when she awoke. She slowly sat up, finding Lillian had picked her clothes off the floor and folded them. Mitsuki grinned slightly, wanting to scream to the world how kind and loving her girlfriend was, or at least to Irene anyway.

After getting ready for the day, she found that the others were scattered about, training, babysitting, or doing other duties. Mitsuki's stomach let out a rumble. As she headed downstairs, she wondered whether she should eat breakfast or lunch.

Humming happily to herself, she stepped into the kitchen, finding it already occupied. Mitsuki narrowed her eyes. With any other member of the cabin, she would be fine to share the company of the kitchen, but there was a particular blonde that she would rather avoid.

Mitsuki was tempted to turn and walk away, but her growling stomach told her otherwise. Irene was sitting and eating a sandwich at the table, at a bit of a distance, but not far enough for Mitsuki's liking.

Mitsuki opened the fridge, beginning to quickly grab sandwich ingredients. She assembled her lunch quickly and put the ingredients away just as fast. She was tempted to quickly carry her food away to her room, but this was her kitchen, not Irene's. She had lived here much longer. She wouldn't walk away like a frightened cat. That would only play into Irene's teasing. Mitsuki leaned against the counter and nibbled on her sandwich, spotting Irene staring at her out of the corner of her eye.

"There's a perfectly good table right here," Irene said at last, pointing to the array of empty seats.

"I don't like to sit down when I eat," Mitsuki argued.

"Bullshit. You sit down to eat dinner every night," Irene said in a tone that made Mitsuki clench her teeth in annoyance. What was the point of trying to play nice if both were aware of their disdain toward each other?

"I just don't want to sit," Mitsuki stated, taking another bite.

"Yeah, you don't want to sit next to me," Irene grumbled, continuing to eat her own food.

Mitsuki clenched her fist but continued eating, trying not to become annoyed with Irene. She couldn't show her how easily upset she got. That would only come off as a weakness. She hated the way Irene looked at her though, like a predator hunting its prey.

"You sure slept in late. Lillian wasn't sure when you'd wake up," Irene stated.

"Yeah, because we were making love all night," Mitsuki said, staring directly at Irene.

The blonde suddenly stood up and slammed her chair into the table, a look of fury on her face.

"Why the hell do you feel the need to do that?!" Irene exclaimed.

"Do what?" Mitsuki asked innocently. Mitsuki backed up slightly as Irene marched over to her. Looking down at the girl's fists, Mitsuki noticed they were clenched. Her hands were larger than Mitsuki's and could certainly cause more damage. That didn't matter. Mitsuki had combat training. She could take Irene. The two were more or less the same size.

"You think I don't pick up on your little game? You have your hands all over Lillian every time I walk by and shout your sexual endeavors down the hall just so I can hear them. I'm not a dumbass. I ignore it because I want to be the bigger person, but it doesn't like that's going to teach you a lesson," Irene growled.

"You think I like having you here?!" Mitsuki complained. This was the most she had talked to Irene since she had arrived. "Do you know what I had to hear for the past two years? It was 'Irene this,' 'Irene that.' I spent years listening to Lillian sing praises about you while I pined over her. I hated hearing about you."

"That was your fault. You should have told Lillian how you felt," Irene stated.

"It also comes down to the fact that you betrayed everyone here, including Lillian herself. They can forgive you and go on and on about how you never meant it, but I don't know you, so I can still be angry about it," Mitsuki said. "I wish you would just get out of this cabin."

"Looks like I'm stuck here for good," Irene sneered, shoving her face close to Mitsuki's. "What does Lillian even see in a girl like you who has the maturity of a ten-year-old?"

Mitsuki clenched her fists. "I swore I'd punch you if I ever saw you, but for Lillian's sake, I've been holding back. But I'm about ready to swing," she warned.

Irene laughed. "Go ahead. You think I don't have any combat training? You think you're so high and mighty because you're a courage spiritkeeper, but you forget I've had basic training too."

"Want to test that?" Mitsuki asked, standing her ground and holding her fists forward.

Irene backed up some. "Oh, with pleasure. I'd love to kick that ass of yours. You're annoying as hell."

"So are you," Mitsuki growled. "Are we doing this, sweetheart? Or are you going to keep standing here calling me names?"

"You're the one hesitating," Irene stated.

Mitsuki huffed and was about ready to spring her leg forward when rapid footsteps echoed on the kitchen floor.

"Mitsuki, what are you doing?!" Lillian exclaimed, rushing to her side.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" Mitsuki asked, about ready to swing forward when Lillian stepped in front of her and grasped her wrists. Mitsuki let out an annoyed groan and pulled on Lillian's grasp. Leaning her head to the side, she noticed Marc had grabbed ahold of Irene and had hoisted her up. Irene was kicking relentlessly, trying to free herself.

"Just let me have at her for five minutes," Mitsuki said, continuing to push against Lillian.

"No! What the hell is wrong with you?! You're a grown woman!" Lillian exclaimed.

"Come on, Marc! Let me down!" Irene complained. "Someone's got to teach her a lesson."

"I'll teach you one!" Mitsuki shouted at the top of her lungs, still struggling to break free of Lillian's grasp as she led her out of the room. Lillian held tightly onto her wrist as she marched up the stairs, practically dragging Mitsuki with her.

"God, Lillian, loosen you grip!" Mitsuki exclaimed, her wrist beginning to burn.

As soon as Lillian led her into her bedroom, she shut the door with a slam and faced Mitsuki. Mitsuki jumped, never having seen her look so furious. Her eyes shined with ire, and her face was contorted oddly into one of frustration.

"What is wrong with you?!" Lillian exclaimed, beginning to jab her finger at her girlfriend. "I can't leave you alone for ten minutes without you picking a fight with Irene!"

"Isn't it good we get some steam out?" Mitsuki suggested.

"No! Why can't you just act like a civilized human being and deal with her?!" Lillian complained.

"I hate her, Lillian! I hate her! She said nasty things about me," Mitsuki complained.

"Only because you've been doing nasty things to her," Lillian said, poking Mitsuki's shoulder. "Why can't you just be nice? You don't have to like her. You can just ignore her if you want to. I've had it up to here with you, and Irene, and everyone! I don't know what else I can do!"

"Lillian, I—"

"I don't want to hear it. You need to pull your act together. I can't keep doing this if you're going to try to kill Irene every time you see her. Just get out," Lillian said, pointing to the door.

Mitsuki slowly spun around and walked sadly to the door like a dog with its tail between its legs. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but she had never seen Lillian so visibly upset before. She had never made Lillian that upset before. Mitsuki let out a sigh and retreated to her room, where she hid for the remainder of the evening.

After the sun had long gone down, Mitsuki had finally gathered the courage to speak to Lillian. She had felt poor all afternoon and thought deeply about her actions, and now, she hoped she could make it up to Lillian. She shyly exited her bedroom and knocked on that familiar door.

She heard footsteps trudging to the door and found a very exhausted Lillian opening it.

"Oh, it's you," she murmured, stepping away from the door as Mitsuki walked in.

"Lillian, I'm sorry, I—"

"I don't want to hear it from you," Lillian grumbled. 

"Then, what do you want?" Mitsuki asked, at a loss of what to say or do.

"I think you owe Irene an apology," Lillian stated. "Otherwise, don't talk to me."

"But—"

Lillian said nothing in response, only laid back down in bed. Mitsuki sighed and stepped out of the bedroom. The last thing she wanted to do was apologize to that blonde menace, but if Lillian wouldn't talk to her until she did so...

Mitsuki paused at the shut door of Irene's room. Sighing, she let out a breath and knocked on the door.

"Irene? It's me," she said.

The door slowly opened. Irene was peeking from behind the door, narrowing her eyes as soon as they fell on Mitsuki.

"Come for a rematch?" Irene asked.

"No punching here, unfortunately."

"Then what do you want?" Irene wondered.

"To apologize," Mitsuki murmured, staring down at her feet.

"That's your version of an apology? You're going to stare down at your feet and mumble without even making eye contact with me?" Irene asked, crossing her arms.

Sighing, Mitsuki lifted her head up to look at Irene. "Fine! I'm sorry for trying to fight you earlier today. And I'm sorry for rubbing my relationship into your face."

"That all?" Irene asked. "You're very bad at these things, you know."

"Well, what else do you want me to say?!" Mitsuki complained.

"Here, step inside," Irene said.

Mitsuki reluctantly shut the door behind her, wondering if that was her only escape option. Perhaps Irene intended to fight her in here instead. Though then again, judging by the way Irene stood off to the side, looking fairly unbothered, she didn't think that would be the outcome of her visit.

"Anyway, you were saying?" Irene asked.

"Was the first apology not enough?" Mitsuki grumbled.

"Listen, I called you some nasty things too, but you brought this situation onto yourself. I'm not telling you how to apologize. I'm not your mother. But I didn't find it very satisfactory," Irene said.

Mitsuki let out a sigh. "I'm sorry I haven't been able to get along with you. I'm jealous. I'm jealous Lillian shows you attention because she already gave you so much attention even when you weren't here. I was afraid she might leave me once you arrived, but...Anyway, I'm sorry for trying to make you jealous in return. I won't try to fight you again or call you names, and...I'll stop making out with Lillian every time you pass by."

"That would be nice," Irene said, crossing her arms. "I know you two just recently made your relationship public, so it's okay if you do some couple things in public, but it would be nice if you, in particular, died it down a bit. In return, I won't try to fight you or call you names. I don't want to be friends though."

"Me either. Can we try to tolerate each other, even if it means ignoring each other?" Mitsuki asked.

"Agreed," Irene said, reaching her hand forward.

Mitsuki hesitated on grabbing it.

"What? Do you think I've got a knife hidden in my sleeve?" Irene asked.

Mitsuki grasped onto her hand and shook it. "I'm sorry," she said.

"I'm sorry, too," Irene returned.

Mitsuki let go and turned toward the door when Irene spoke again.

"I hope you're being the best girlfriend you can be to Lillian. She's a very kind and gentle person, and I want to make sure she's with the best person, second to me of course. You have the looks down, but I hope your personality compliments hers as well," Irene stated.

"Did you just call me pretty?" Mitsuki teased.

"Yes, yes, you're very attractive. Please leave before I do decide to punch you," Irene growled.

"Wow. I can see us becoming friends already," Mitsuki said as she skipped out the door. Though she felt glad to have that conversation over with, she felt her heart seize as she walked to Lillian's door again. She had never seen Lillian so upset with her before. She hated feeling responsible for Lillian's own suffering.

Mitsuki knocked on the door, but no sound came within.

"Lillian?" she asked outside, reluctantly opening it. The inside of her room was dark. Mitsuki shut the door and quietly crept to the bed, finding Lillian already asleep. She let out a sigh, guessing she'd just have to talk in the morning, when a hand gently grasped her wrist.

"Jesus, don't do that!" Mitsuki exclaimed, pulling her arm away and staring at a very clearly awake Lillian.

"Did you talk to Irene?" Lillian asked tiredly, slowly sitting up and turning on her lamp.

"Yes. I apologized," Mitsuki grumbled. "We've agreed to barely tolerate each other."

"Wow. I'm so proud," Lillian muttered.

"I told her I wouldn't...I wouldn't try to make her jealous anymore," Mitsuki said, wringing her hands together. "Even though it brings me unspeakable amounts of joy."

"Will you please? You don't understand what Irene's been through. She's taken my rejection harder than I intended her to. I'd appreciate it if you stopped," Lillian said quietly.

"I will," Mitsuki promised. "I told Irene that as well. I won't try to fight her either, as much as I'd..." Her voice trailed off at Lillian's annoyed glance. "We won't be best friends, but I guess this is an okay compromise," Mitsuki guessed. "And you're talking to me, so I guess that's good. I'm so sorry, Lillian. I've never seen you that angry before. I really wasn't trying to upset you. I'm very rash, I know, and—" She paused her speech when she felt Lillian grab onto her hand and squeeze it.

"It's okay. I've cooled down. I'm sure Irene helped egg you on as well. You two are too similar for you own good."

"I'm nothing like her!" Mitsuki argued.

Lillian chuckled and pulled the other side of her bedsheet to the side for Mitsuki to climb into.

"For me?" Mitsuki asked.

"As much as you annoyed me this afternoon, it was harder being mad at you than I thought," Lillian said. "Come cuddle with me?"

"Yes, please," Mitsuki said, climbing over Lillian onto the other side of her. She snuggled up close to Lillian's side, feeling at ease.

"Keep up that poor attitude around Irene and I'll revoke cuddling privileges," Lillian warned.

"You monster!" Mitsuki gasped.

Lillian pressed a gentle kiss against Mitsuki's forehead and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I'm really, really sorry," Mitsuki said again. "I love you. I won't ever hurt you again."

"I know," Lillian said, leaning forward to kiss Mitsuki on the lips this time. Mitsuki shut her eyes as Lillian's lips met hers and felt herself melting around Lillian. If she still had the chance to lay here close to Lillian at night, then she supposed she could work on getting along with Irene for the time being.