Shadewood I remember when

for @Higoro

"Do you, Minori Matsuyo take Higoro Nakamura as your life mate, as your other half, your equal? Do you promise to cherish him forever? And Higoro, do you promise the same?" 

Her father spoke in his usual firm tone though there was a warmth she had rarely ever heard in his tone. She nodded feeling for the first time like a shy virginal young girl and earned a sharp look from her father "Yes, I take him as my soulmate and I promise to cherish him forever" she corrected herself in a whisper, glancing up at Higoro as he repeated the same while smiling intently at her. "Then I declare you soulmates, bound for life. Where one goes the other shall follow even in death"  the words were spoken seriously, for such a matter was the most serious of things. In her homeland mateship was the ultimate show of devotion. She stepped forward and pressed her nose to Higoro's chest right where his heart was. She was his and she knew he would never harm her. 

She woke with a gasp, her eyes tearing up and tears falling down her fur. It was a drugged dream of what had happened only weeks before he betrayed her. But why would she dream of it now while her newborn son slept soundly against her breast? Suddenly she felt the need to escape and called Issun who readily took over, asking what was wrong. She remained silent and ignored his presence, kissing Deku goodbye and running off. Why did she dream of these things when despite how much she currently disliked her mate, she still loved him?

Perhaps it was because his betrayal had caused her to hesitate in her love. She had almost told him they were through and ever since she had harbored doubts about Issun.