A/N: This is a series of one-shots based on the 7 deadly sins which I have been working on for the last two days, first one being Pride. So expect more in the coming two weeks. More of it can be found on my writing journal in LJ.

Disclaimer: TRC and all of its characters belong to CLAMP. The titles of each chapter are the latin version of each sin. Also, the interpretation of each sin is mine so I apologize if it might not make sense. I usually clear it up in my writing journal.

Superbia

Pride (n.) Perhaps considered as the original and most serious of the deadly sins, it is a desire to be more important, failing to give compliment to others who might deserve them.

The caramel-skinned ninja cleared her throat softly, her dark eyes flickering anxiously over the two parties involved. Never had she seen such fiery emotions swirling in the lavender orbs of the Princess. Her slender hands clenching into fists on her side, her slim dark brows furrowing over her narrowed eyes, her small body shaking in suppressed anger, a seemingly dark aura surrounding her… It was a sight to see, an incensed Tomoyo. Such a rare occasion that it frightened at the consequences. She then turned to the sole source of the Princess's anger. The news of an unwarranted death of yet another person, assassin he might be, was already enough; an apathetic Kurogane, once more stained and smelled of blood, simply added more fuel to the raging fire.

"I do not want to repeat myself for the millionth time, Kurogane," came the soft but obviously sharp voice of Tomoyo.

"Then don't," the black ninja muttered, swinging Ginryuu upward until it rested on his shoulders. "I don't need to hear it again anyway."

"The man whom you killed—" Tomoyo tried again.

"Wanted to kill you. Simple as that."

Even with the number of death threats held upon her neck, Tomoyo was never the type who had no regard for life. A life was still a life, whether it was lived in fear, anger, sorrow or joy. It was a gift, not a curse, and she believed that no human being had the right to take another human being's life unless there was a grave reason for it. But Kurogane did not seem to share her sentiments, much to her dismay.

"However time and time again, I would insist that you do not perform pointless killings—"

"My orders were to protect you. Nothing more."

It was not new, Kurogane's defiance and his disdainful way of speaking to the Princess. More often than not, Tomoyo would simply wave it away, dismiss it without a single word of protest or complain. Although he had great respect for Tomoyo and her sister, the Empress, it did not mean that he had high regard for any command or order given, be bound by a vow or not. He would act to and on his own accord. His bloodlust was a proof of that, one pointed out several times by the Princess herself.

Still, it was a careless reply, Kurogane's, and it made Souma sigh inwardly.

"Apologize to the Princess." She had to do something before tensions rose high and more unnecessary words were said.

"I will only apologize for overlooking an instruction," the younger ninja claimed, his chin raised defiantly as always. "And I will apologize for nothing else as I have done nothing wrong."

"That is unreasonable!" she retorted, only to be dismissed by the wave of a hand. "Princess—"

Tomoyo closed her eyes for a moment, a peaceful look settling on her face. However, Souma could see another expression taking place, as if she was making terrible peace to herself, coming to a terrible decision. When she had opened her eyes, her amethystine orbs darker than usual, she had lightly stepped forward and advanced towards her ninja, a determined look on her face. Kurogane managed to stay on his spot, his gaze trained on Tomoyo.

Souma held her breath. Was she going to cast a spell on him? Was she going to curse him? Perhaps banish him, exile him from Nihon? There were a number of possibilities as to what the Tsukiyomi had the power to do, each one worse than the last. However, none of them was anything Tomoyo had planned all along.

A sharp sound echoed in the hall and a loud gasp was elicited from Souma's lips when Tomoyo's outstretched hand, so seemingly gentle and soft, collided hard with Kurogane's cheek. The ninja stumbled back at the action, clutching his painful cheek, his face a mixture of pain, disbelief and anger. She had slapped him across the face. It was less painful than a curse yet a blow on Kurogane's ego all the same.

Souma, realizing what might happen next, had quickly rushed to the Princess's side, ready to intervene at any moment. However, it seemed that Kurogane didn't wish to lay a hand on Tomoyo. Either that, or he was still too startled at what had just happened. Souma could not blame him; even she had never seen Tomoyo make such a rash choice. A moment of silence had fallen between them, the tension so thick and suffocating, and then without another word, Tomoyo pulled her arm back and walked past them to leave the hall, her eyes closed and her face wiped blank of any emotion whatsoever. Her light footsteps quickly disappeared upon the closing of the doors.

Souma was gazing over Kurogane's shoulder; she had been following the Tsukiyomi's retreating back, confused and helpless as to what she would do next. Her eyes quickly moved to Kurogane, wanting to give him a piece of her mind as to disobeying the princess yet again, when she froze at the sight of his face, his eyes filled with unmistakable regret and pain. It was an emotion she had never seen him express as an adult.

"Kurogane…" she had started but stopped in mid-sentence when the ninja turned heel, pausing for a moment or two.

"The princess, she would need you right now, Souma. Go after her."

Souma stared blankly at his shoulders, words dying on her lips. All her questions were already dismissed, even before she could ask them. He sounded so sure, so certain of the princess that it almost scared her.

"Why don't you go instead?" she blurted out, a hand quickly covering her mouth.

She saw him turn his head slightly to her direction, his eyes shaded by his headpiece. There was apprehension and hesitation in his action, almost fear. Again, unmistakable and unfamiliar.

"Because then I would be forced to apologize."

The dull thud of his boots reverberated across the hall and in Souma's chest as she watched him leave, the door closing noiselessly.