Johnnie grunted as Katrina's fist landed on his chin. He slid backwards across the arena floor, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Katrina watched him, hands on her hips. Her golden eyes were ablaze with confidence.
     "Are you giving up?" Katrina teased.
     Johnnie wiped the blood from his lip, feeling the bruises rising on his face as he did.  She had pounded him fairly hard, while he had not landed a single blow. He knew that, in his current state, he couldn't keep up with her.
     "Yeah," he said, straightening up, "I concede this spar."
     Katrina stared at him.
     "Has the time in the other realm made you soft?" she mocked.
     "No, but this cursed wound has."
     "Oh!" Katrina said, recoiling, "I'm sorry! I forgot about that entirely!"
     "It's alright. You would still have had the edge if I didn't have this. You've grown so much stronger since last time," he replied, smiling.
     She returned his smile, saying nothing and blushing heavily.
     "Well," he said, "let's head back to our room. I could use some rest."
     Katrina nodded in silent agreement, leading the way out of the room. Johnnie, however, rushed and overtook her, wrenching the double doors open before she could reach them. She stopped, looking at him in confusion.
     "It's more proper this way," he responded to her look.
     "Thank you!" she said, hurrying past him so that he wouldn't see her cheeks burn brighter.
     Johnnie watched her rush down the corridor, smirking as she ran into an open door. He followed slowly, allowing the arena's heavy stone doors to slam shut as he went.
     It was a short walk down the hall to the room Johnnie and Katrina shared. Two small beds were the only furnishing, and Johnnie was sure that it had once been a weapons closet, but it was large enough for the two to rest comfortably.
     Johnnie was still unsure of the new living arrangements, but Katrina convinced him that it was helpful to spend as much time with a training partner as possible.
     Katrina bolted though the door, throwing herself on her bed and burying her face in a pillow. Johnnie entered moments later, glancing at his sparring partner before seating himself on the end of his own bed. Katrina uncovered her face and stared at his back, her face a delicate shade of pink.
     "You're acting strange," Johnnie said.
     "What?" Katrina asked.
     "You act as though you're embarrassed to be around me," he replied, turning himself so he was facing her, sitting on the edge of the bed closest to hers.
     "N...no," she stammered, "I'm just a bit... flustered."
     "Why are you flustered? Is it sleeping in the same room as me?"
     "Not exactly..."
     "Then what's up?"
     "Umm..." Katrina blushed.
     Johnnie stared at her in curiousity, unable to understand. Katrina stared back, her face scarlet.
     "Katrina?"
     She hesitated.
     "Katrina, what's wrong?"
     "I... I love you!"
     The words seemed to linger in the air, wrapping around the two as they stared at each other, both now identical shades of red. Time ceased to flow, it felt, as neither seemed to even breathe. Finally, Johnnie controlled his blush and cleared his throat.
     "I... don't really know what to say..."
     Katrina shook her head, tears in her eyes.
     "I'm sorry. I've... just been thinking about it since you came back. I thought I had put my feelings about you to rest when you left three years ago. I didn't expect to see you again. But when you returned, everything came rushing back, and now... I felt it would be too painful for me to keep it inside again... I'm so sorry..."
     She dropped her head, trying to stifle the tears. Johnnie continued to watch her, his face devoid of all expression. Katrina shook, a quiet sob escaping her, followed by a sigh.
     "I'm..."
     Johnnie lifted her head gently with two fingersm so that her eyes stared into his.
     "Johnnie..."
     "I love you to, Katrina," he said softly.
     He leaned in, his ruby eyes glowing like flames, and kissed her gently. She recoiled slightly, shocked, then leaned into his kiss. The world seemed to fall away, the two entwined as one in a black void. For eons, it seemed, they kissed, scarely breathing. Finally they parted. Johnnie's eyes stopped glowing, and he stared at Katrina as though he had just realized who she was.
     "N... What have I done?!" he exclaimed, burying his face in his hands.
     "What do you mean?" Katrina asked, shocked.
     "I'm... married to Amanda... but I just admitted I love you and kissed you... Agh... Damn this Soul Merger!" His voice cracked with tears.
     "You mean Blood Merger?" Katrina asked.
     He shook his head.
     "Soul Merger. Two souls in one body."