Never had the thought of being with another woman crossed his mind. Sure, he had a harem of women at his home, but at a certain point in his life he had long stopped having them entertain him. Instead, he prioritized himself by trying to benefit his land and his people as well as search for Mishiko. When he had returned to the mansion, she was nowhere to be found. It had seemed like no one had heard from her or had even seen her. For the longest time, he had thought she had abandoned him. After a certain point, Chikage had regretted his actions against her. He’d left her, without giving her the choice to come with him and he knew that it had been a grave mistake.<br/><br/>Again, he felt empty without her. But somehow, he even felt emptier with her by his side. Things were a little different at the moment. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he felt that maybe if he lightened the mood, then perhaps things would change.<br/><br/>But he was wrong. And somehow he’d hit a mark on her.<br/><br/>Her words struck him. They struck him right in his chest and as he tried to recover, somehow his mind wouldn’t will it. He was baffled really. To think, that someone like Natsu, someone so beneath Mishiko, could break her in such a way. The jealousy that Natsu held within her was much too great. It was greater than he could withstand. Not only was she wrong for turning her away, but ultimately turning away his mate, meant that she was turning her back on him.<br/>And he would have none of it.<br/><br/>He clenched his teeth and tried to hold in his anger. His blood was now boiling. When he got back to his estate, he would be sure to allow her to feel his wrath. As Mishiko spilled out her feelings and described how Natsu did nothing but allowed her to nearly die out on her own, he could feel himself shaking with fury. Slowly he inhaled, and then gradually exhaled. Now was not the time to lash out. For now, he was actually going to let her say what she had to and then try to console her.<br/>He didn’t know how much he could do, but for her he was willing to try anything.<br/><br/>As the succubus stalked away, her back facing him, he watched her for a while before glancing down at the ground. Then, he gathered himself together and stood tall and walked after her before grabbing her arm. “Listen to me, Mishiko. I apologize for what I said earlier. I don’t—I didn’t mean to say anything to harm you. I never mean to do anything to harm you.” Chikage chose his words carefully. He didn’t want her to explode on him again and he didn’t want them to fight all the way back.<br/><br/>He promised himself he would take care of it. He would take care of it anyway that she liked. Just as long as…As long as she didn’t change her mind about how she felt and as long as she remained by his side. He was always uncertain as to how to approach her with certain subjects. He wasn’t a man of many feelings or really he wasn’t a man that knew how to express them. So when he was hesitant, he was always trying to find the right words to say. The blond cared not what others thought of him, only her.<br/><br/>“Hearing that you were so hurt and that….wench didn’t aid you infuriates me. You know how I feel when it comes to matters about you. I killed a man over you and when I get back it will take everything in my power not to kill that woman. Whatever you want and whatever you decide, I will do. I wish…that you would’ve told me sooner. Right now, we’re not at where we should be and I understand why.” The oni loosened his grip on her arm when he realized that he’d been clutching it fairly tightly. When he spoke of her being in danger and her being hurt, he just…lost it.<br/><br/>He turned his head from her and exhaled. The main thing right now was for him to keep calm.<br/>“My love, look at me.” He said as crimson orbs bore into her. He wanted her to understand and Chikage wanted to understand her as well. “I don’t want us to be like this. I don’t want us to be distant. If there is anything that you want to say, say it now before we continue on like this. I know this is a new feeling. I know it’s almost like starting over. I have to admit that I am not used to being around you either, but I also know that I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel as though we are as strong as ever. And right now, after the mistakes that I have made, I know that I will not make them again. And I will especially take care not to leave you behind or allow you to be in harm’s way. In all my years of living, I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy. I don’t particularly care about what anyone else thinks or how anyone else feels about what happens between you and I. As long as we communicate, I am fine.” For once, he felt content with what he had said.<br/><br/>In the past, he was always direct, but very authoritative with his words. He didn’t want that anymore. What he truly wanted was for them to find their center and become one being. Every problem that may have been ahead of them, he wanted to be able to sort it out together. And every step that each of them made, he wanted to be able to be behind her and vice versa. No more of this leaving behinds and fears.<br/><br/>Chikage would do anything to show how much he loved and cared for her.