Nate: The next day wasn't extraordinarily eventful. Daisuke Tetsuken and Abari Rizuka had to rest, and that was that. Chizu Tetsuken was extremely adament that both their guest and her son use every second they had in the house to rest and regain their strength. Abari, after all, had expressed a desire to leave at some juncture--which wasn't a problem at all, as Chizu, regardless of the size of her estate, didn't quite have the money to support this many mouths at once for any great length of time. Daisuke, Yuuka, Faisung, Mizu, Taniko, and herself was just fine, but adding any more would become a strain after a month or so (not so much, actually; Chizu underestimated her funding, but she still didn't want her house to become a hotel or anything!). Likewise, Daisuke had expressed a sincere wish to leave--to where, he wasn't clear on, but somewhere. She wasn't going to stop her son from leaving, but she didn't want him to run out weak to somewhere dangerous. Of course he was going somewhere dangerous, what with everything he explained to her--but he'd be worse off if he was still hurt! While Chizu tended to her son (a story Daisuke would never speak of), Yuuka took to entertaining Daisuke's female guest. She was shocked to see her brother in such a state, of course, and being with someone else would likely help.

Mandaz: The young guest still felt a little awkward residing in such a grand estate. She had kept to herself mostly, killing time by rummaging through Daisuke’s things. Taniko knew it was rude and forbidden, but she was too afraid to leave the small room and become lost in the grand twisting hallways. At first she tried to restrain herself by staying in bed. But when her legs began to twitch from restlessness she had to get up, dress herself, and re-make the bed to keep things looking tidy. Then she started to sporadically fold clothes and put things into order, all while looking through what trinkets Daisuke kept. She had gotten so use to being alone and comfortable with her little misdeed that when Yuuka had come to keep her company, Taniko had immediately panicked. Caught red-handed with her fingers in a stranger’s things, surely she’d be punished or accused of stealing. She quickly stopped dead in her tracks and flushed, scared to death of what Yuuka would do now that she was caught.

Nayt: Fortunately for Taniko, it didn't bother Yuuka nearly as much as the sight of her brother as a bruised, cut up, and bloody mess! This didn't mean she was going to refrain from teasing Daisuke's guest, though. Yuuka, dressed down in a boy's kimono (herself much of a tomboy!), grinned in spite of herself. "Heeeeey, Taniko, what are you doing, looking through onii-san's things? Looking for love letters from other girls, maaaaybe?" She had to keep herself occupied, or else Yuuka knew damn well that she was going to crack under pressure and go running to Daisuke in tears, and the last person she wanted to see her cry was that idiot big brother of hers!

Mandaz: “N-no no! Nothing like that!” Taniko squealed nervously, she quickly realized that she had to defend herself before any terrible rumors started. “I-i-i-i- was tr-trying to tidy the place. I’m so sorry. So sorry I’m disrespected your house Yuuka-san, please!” Taniko got to her knees and pleaded to the girl desperately. Hands held together tightly in a praying position. “I meant no harm” whispered the girl, finding a voice was difficult when one was so scared.

Nait: Of course, had Taniko been looking for love letters or anything of the sort, she'd have not found a single one. Daisuke had a million and one trinkets all stored within his room, with just the candles and fairly [immature and very adolescent] angsty-demonic decor in his room. Prior decors had been put away, which generally comprised the other items he had stashed away. His tastes had likely changed, though, given the time that had passed since he last stayed in his house, but Taniko certainly wouldn't know that. Yuuka was certainly surprised by Taniko's reaction, almost jumping back. The girl waved her hands in front of her frantically. "N-no, uh, it's fine, Taniko!” Yuuka exclaimed, “D-don’t worry so much! I used to go through onii-san’s things all the time, you know! It’s no disrespect, I swear!” Well, it was no disrespect to the household itself, but to Daisuke . . . well . . . he didn’t really need to know, anyways.

Mandaz: Taniko held her breath while Yuuka forgave her of her undoing. It felt good to be off the hook, and even to know that she wasn’t alone in guilt of the crime. However she would be sure not to do it ever again. Not just out of fear of the consequences, but out of being a little disturbed on what she found in Daisuke’s room. Her theory of him being a hidden demon was only strengthened by seeing some of the items he kept. She wondered if he knew how to perform magic, what with all of the seemingly demonic trinkets lying about. “I am sorry again.” She said once more, standing to her feet again, and making sure to keep her hands at her sides. “Is he doing well? Your brother?”

Gnate: Yuuka slipped into the room for the sake of Daisuke’s bed. She sat upon it, leaned back, and lounged, showing absolutely no respect for her older brother’s personal space. After all, she had rummaged through his room before, and probably would again if he lived there. What if he did have love letters from girls hidden away in there? It was a little sister’s duty to know! “Yes, he’s okay. Well . . . about as fine as someone beat up like him can be. Mom told me that you helped him out--um, I really appreciate it. You helping my brother and all,” it was her way of saying thanks. Sort of. Yuuka and Daisuke actually had much more in common than both of them would ever want to admit--and voicing appreciation was part of that. “But yeah!” she started quickly, “Mom is stitching him up as we speak. He’s crying like a baby down there! It’s actually kind of funny. It isn’t like the stuff he’s getting stitched up is even that bad.”

Mandaz: “Oh” Taniko said solemnly. She couldn’t imagine Daisuke crying, such a thing seemed impossible. Daisuke was her great and powerful hero from another realm. A mystical creature, possibly some sort of great spirit hiding in human form on earth. Just the notion of something being too painful for him to handle sent shivers down her spine. Her eyes were downcast for a long time, staring off at her feet and thinking. It took a moment for Yuuka’s other sentiment to reach her fantasy filled mind, but when it did her head popped up in surprise and she stared at the girl with wide eyed curiosity. “M-Me?” she peeped. “But I hadn’t done anything. Dai-kun saved me!”

Knate: Damn! Yuuka didn’t necessarily want to focus on this subject, primarily because she had much thanks to give to it. She, like Daisuke, generally showed her appreciation quickly to get it out of the way--and left it at that. Yuuka coughed awkwardly. “I heard about that, too, but you helped him to the bathroom and cleaned him up, right?” Yuuka asked, “Mizu is really bad at that sort of thing, you know? I heard she bandaged him up good last night, but then this morning mom went and redid them. Besides! Mom said she thinks you were probably better company for him than Mizu.” Which was true. Daisuke didn’t have a lot of contact with the maids; he knew them, he talked to them every so often, but he had no personal relationship with them.

Mandaz: “I-I’m not very good with it either.” Taniko admitted, nervously rubbing her hands together. “I wasn’t much help I’m afraid. I…did a lot of…yelling.” It was only a few hours ago, and to Taniko it seemed like just seconds. She was so afraid of Daisuke, and his pain, and the blood. There must have been a better way to handle it than she did, but was done was done. Still, Taniko was afraid of what would happen to Daisuke, worried about his health. She was glad she couldn’t hear his screams, just knowing he was in agony made her want to cry. “But..your brother.” She began, carefully choosing each word. “He is very strong.” A little tint of pink his her pale cheeks whole she turned her head off to the side.

"I think I would have been doing a lot of yelling," Yuuka remarked under her breath.

And crying, probably. More than likely, actually. But she'd never admit to that. Not in this lifetime, at least. Were she to have been awake last night, she'd have probably gone off on her own somewhere and cried--then later refused to admit it to anyone else, regardless of how much evidence there was against her.

At the mention of Daisuke being a strong person, Yuuka sat up on her older brother's bed. Truth be told, her mother often talked about Daisuke reminding her of Yuuka and Daisuke's father, both in attitude and appearance. The difference, however, was purely a matter of maturity, and Chizu often remarked that Daisuke would grow up someday--at which time, he'd still hold the world in contempt, but at least have a couple of people that lived in it to look forward to seeing, enough that they could get him to smile. That's how Uematsu Tetsuken had been.

"Onii-san?" asked Yuuka, breaking away from her thoughts, "He's as dumb as he is strong, then."

She folded her arms over her chest and nodded firmly.

"But, um, hey--enough about him, right?" Yuuka said with a cough, "Are you busy today?"

“Busy?” Taniko perked up her head in confusion, as if the word were a strange creature on her tongue. It wrinkled her nose and scrunched her eyebrows in confusion. What she was suggesting was very odd, so much so that it took her a moment to contemplate the answer.

“N-No Yuuka-san.” She slowly began. Taniko felt awful having to correct her hostess like this. It seemed very rude to do so. She was in no place to tell someone who had a hand in letting her stay whether they were right or wrong. But honest answers were the best answers, and respectful as well. So she was at an impasse. Disrespect in truth or disrespect in lies. It was all very confusing and troublesome, which caused her voice to dip down to a whisper once more.

“I have…I have nothing to do. I am a guest in your home. I can only do what you wish of me.”

"That's great!" Yuuka cheered.

What to do, then?! She essentially had the clear with Taniko to go out and do something--it was just a matter of figuring out what. Yuuka was actually short on ideas for once. It was as if her mind turned off for a moment as she stood there cheerily staring at Taniko. Her expression, however, continued to fall back to neutral and stoic as she thought more and more, and continued to draw a blank . . .

Then, it hit her. An entire schedule of events that could work absolutely perfectly. It was just a matter of organizing them in her head and-- NO TIME FOR THAT!

Yuuka brightened up immediately before she started talking again--at about a mile a minute, with a completely unorganized plan of events that really just mirrored her everyday life. "Hmmm, okay! How about this? We can go outside and I can show you around the estate outside-- there used to be rice fields outside and stuff and other buildings that are all run down now anymore but really neat-- and we could maybe explore around in the woods a little with some bokkens just in case! and come back in time for us to get a bath and by the time we've taken our bath dinner will be done!"

Yuuka stood with her hands on her hips and nodded proudly at her genius plan.

“O-outside.” She repeated, twittering nervously. The word resonated in her head. Going around rundown fields and buildings didn’t sound safe at all. And the fact that she mentioned needing weapons just in case was twice as frightening. But Taniko couldn’t deny the request of her hostess! What was she supposed to do? The little adventure Yuuka had in mind sounded really dangerous and frightening. But she had to. She wanted to be a respectful guest.

“Outs-sideeee. Oh Yuuka-san. I don’t know. That sounds very dangerous and….scary.” her voice was nearly inaudible as she ended her sentence, bringing her sleeves up to her face to hide. “I-I’ve nev-never even held a bokken before. I woul-I wouldn’t know how or what to..to do! Oooh please Yuuka-san. Reconsider! Do you at least have a bodyguard that can escort us? Or-or what if we played a quiet game inside?”

"Ehhhh?" Yuuka nearly stumbled back in surprise; she had put one foot back and leaned on it, even. Who didn't want to go outside and have a good time?!

That was problematic. Taniko was scared. Well, maybe it made sense. At least a little. This was a new place to her, and she didn't seem like the type to really go out and enjoy the outdoors-- no, that was completely wrong! Everyone had in them the potential to go out and love the outdoors; all it took was the right convincing!

Taniko's issue was fear, it seemed, but that was fine! After all, who was she going to be going out there with? None other than Yuuka herself, and her opinion, she made Daisuke look like a chump!

"Awww, come on! Don't you know about onii-san and my father? They're legendary warriors, you know! Onii-san even went to school to learn how to fight! He was so good, they kicked him out! And my father . . . he used to be one of the greatest samurai in all of Cizok," finished with these proud declarations, Yuuka put her hand flat upon the middle of her chest and stood proudly, practically posing, as she declared with a proud nod, "I've learned more than just a thing or two from them! I probably take on a dozen guys at once if I really tried! So don't worry, Taniko-san, I can protect you."

“R-really Yuuka-san? Strength like your brother’s just runs in your family?” Taniko looked up to Yuuka with newfound trust and admiration. For a girl so small to be so strong and quick willed was a real inspiration. Taniko didn’t go outside much on her own. Her delicate, unmarked, pale skin was testament enough to that. She seemed very fragile, like the slightest touch would crack her. A girl who was to be displayed and not handled. She was also very naïve and would believe anything anyone told her if they said it with enough confidence. Like Yuuka. She looked serious enough. She must have been telling the truth! Even if now, who was she to doubt the words of her hostess?

“O-O-Okay Yuuka-san” she stammered, still nervous. Taniko got to her feet, brushing off her clothes and standing upright. She was the perfect example of a lady. Clean cut and proper, quiet and shy, but attractive as a growing girl could be. She twisted her fingers around each other, regretting ever agreeing to such an adventure.

“I am ready.”

"All right!" Yuuka cheered.

Yuuka's idea of fun was clean in no way, shape, or form. She was the polar opposite of a perfect lady; she liked to go out and run just for the sake of running, explore, and trudge through dirt and mud if had to. She liked to go to dust and dirt filled placed like the old abandoned rice shacks, that used to run years ago when the Tetsuken clan was much more than just a few people (as Yuuka would later explain, when they were actually crossing the old overgrown field behind the main house, rice farming stopped being profitable after awhile, and the Tetsuken clan moved on to different economic ventures).

Unlike Taniko, Yuuka actually had a bit of a tan. She was outside as much as she possibly could be, activities which Chizu absolutely allowed. Her and Uematsu both had disagreed with gender roles quite a bit, amongst other traditional Cizokian values. It was no wonder that Uematsu Tetsuken was such a big part of Gardini's regime.

There were some of those, too! Guard posts, back when the Tetsuken family was in the good graces of the Shogun, all abandoned years ago when Uematsu was ordered to take his own life--but falling from grace didn't necessarily mean they were bad off! Nonetheless, were it dark or early in the morning, everything outside of the house would've looked ghostly and haunted, run down and abandoned . . .

But all was not lost! Even if Taniko had a horrible time with all the misplaced adventuring the dirty and muddy areas, there was a light of hope at the end of it all: a bath, and then supper.

A bath with Yuuka.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh, that was a great day . . ." Yuuka declared with a sigh.

The bath was only big enough for two, and that was if both parties didn't mind being close together. Yuuka didn't care; they were both girls, it didn't matter to her. She just wanted to enjoy a nice hot bath, heated like some sort of hot spring as Yuuka always loved, after a nice, exhilarating day . . .

Taniko did not do as well outdoors as Yuuka did. She took dainty steps, slowing the two down considerably as she tip toed over every obstacle, ditch, and puddle to be seen. She was worried about staining her clothes, or her skin with the forces of nature. She did her best to keep up wit Yuuka, though. After all she was her only protection in this frightening wilderness. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, Taniko was easily scared. She nearly clung to Yuuka several times as they journeyed, and had no greater relief hit her than when she was told they could return.

So she stood, sweaty and incrusted with dirt, but a small smile on her flushed cheeks. It actually was a little exciting. But she was glad to be back in a safe environment.

“Thank you Yuuka-san for protecting me in out outing.” She twittered. “But I would much appreciate a bath if you don’t mind, please. You promised!”

As dirty as Taniko was by the end of it all, Yuuka was at least twice as bad. She had dirt smudges on her cheeks and in her hair, making her look like a natural brunette, rather than a red head. It wasn't disconcerting for her in the least, though. In fact, this was the entire reason she always had her hair cut this short. It always got in the way if it was any longer than her shoulders--and right now, she had her hair at length with her chin. Her bangs were the longest strands, and generally pushed back behind her ears--and paired with the way she wore boys' kimonos outside at the ripe age of twelve, altogether made her appear more boyish than anything else, especially when she was covered and dirt and grinning about it from ear to ear.

"Yeeeaah, the sun's just going down--dinner will be in a little while. I'll go heat up the bath!" she declared as she stretched her arms out and started down the hall.

They had just come in through the front entrance, and Yuuka headed off down the right wing, where Taniko had gone once before, to get a bath herself. Yuuka stopped at the door. It was an outside bath, but it was surrounded by walls, and had one entrance--and no windows. The lack of ceiling and roof just made it cozier. Stepping stones crossed well trimmed grass to get to the tub, which could be heated any number of ways, either by pouring in hot water--which the maids generally did--or by going to the basement and heating up some coals under it. Since there was already water in it, that seemed to be the best possible option.

"You~ can get ready, if you want. I'm just going to heat the water up and be right up to join, okay?" Yuuka asked rhetorically--unless, of course, Taniko would have rather gone down to the basement with her--

--a place which was actually a little creepy to Yuuka, let alone someone like Taniko. Testament to this was the very fact that Yuuka was still bringing a bokken along with her.

“Of course Yuuka-san. Thank you.” Taniko bowed and excused herself to the bathing room, following the stepping stones to the bath. She pulled off her shoes and socks slowly, folding the fabric neatly on top of the shoes and setting them aside. Then she undid her sash, making sure to fold it care as well, best to prevent wrinkling. That sat perfectly next to her shoes in a neat pile. Her undergarments were next. Carefully pulled off of her body and placed with extra care alongside her other items. The kimono was last, slowly tugged off of her flesh as if it were a dangerous endeavor.

Taniko quickly turned around, sensing that there was someone behind him. But nothing was there, just a towel pushed by the wafting breeze. The walked up to it slowly, replacing her kimono with the towel. Now it was just a matter of waiting for Yuuka to join her. The water should have been warm enough by then.

It wasn't long after Taniko undressed that the water started to warm up. It was going to be a little while before it was warm to Yuuka's like, but that was fine by her. She habitually took needlessly long baths. Daisuke generally remarked that it was the only feminine thing about her--usually prior to her smacking him with something.

Yuuka returned just minutes after Taniko had undressed, herself already clad in a towel. She had undressed elsewhere and wrapped herself up in a towel-- the bathroom, specifically. It was on the way, and it wasn't like she hadn't walked around in a towel before. Or that there was all that much to see which would've been embarrassing. There were only two boys (men, actually, but Yuuka called them boys) in the house, now, both of which were preoccupied, and as far as she was concerned, she could pass as a boy of the same age if it weren't for the fact that she was missing some hardware. Though, over the last year, Yuuka had actually started to grow into feminine curves, subtly, but she failed to notice this.

The door slid open in an instant, with Yuuka standing within the doorway in some sort of pseudo-pride pose, as if posing in pride was, in fact, something she did regularly-- upon entering rooms, for example. Or she just felt a little happier with the freedom of a lack of clothes, and she was more prone to posing when happy. Neither were entirely out of the realm of reality.

"Hey~," she chimed happily as she slid the door closed behind her, "How's the water?"

And nothing less than "like a hot-spring" or "like a hot-tub" was going to be acceptable.

Taniko watched as steam began to rise up from the water. Still she waited, not wanting to be rude and bathe before her hostess. It didn’t take long for the girl to arrive, which was good, as Taniko was beginning to shiver covered only by her towel. The heat of the water looked so inviting; she ran her fingers along the water to feel that soft kiss of warmth.

“Hello Yuuka-san. The water feels perfect.” She smiled, undoing her towel to dip in. It was very warm, instantly blushing her flesh as she sunk into the water. Taniko slowly submerged herself, trying to adjust to the drastic change in temperature.

“Mmh. Yuuka-san. Thank you so much.” She breathed a heavy sigh of relief, and sunk into the water up to her chin. “It’s fantastic.”

"Well, that's good," Yuuka thought aloud.

She'd have to be the judge of that, though. If it was too cold, she'd just have to go throw in some more coal on the fire--which was below all of this, in the basement, right beneath the tub. Its edges were at ground level; there was no climbing into it, just slipping in. This let access to the fire under the tub reside in the basement. Very efficient, and it looked nice--and felt just about as nice as it looked. It seemed to be much more pleasant to take a bath outside in private than it did to take one inside, under the same conditions. Just remove the roof, and voila! Instant additional comfort!

Yuuka knelt down to dip her foot it. It was a perfect temperature! Soothing, relaxing, and hot-- but not boiling. It didn't cause any pain to the touch, just added comfort . . .

"Oh, that's great," she hummed contently.

But Yuuka didn't get in just yet. She kept her towel on and took her foot out of the water. The towel rack was nearby, where rags could also be found--and soap. Soap was also a great addition. This was a bath, after all!, and the both of them were quite bogged down with mud, either dried to their faces or still moist on their feet. This was actually a rarity, as Taniko might notice. Soap was uncommon in Cizok--well, in the middle class and below. It might not have been foreign, but it still cost a lot of money. Ninety percent of non-noble families just sufficed with water.

When she returned, she dipped both feet in, set a bar of soap between two white wash-rags, and slipped her towel off. She hadn't paid much mind to Taniko's appearance just yet--but it was a guarantee later. After she'd relaxed a little. Yuuka put her arms around the edges of the tub, sprawled her legs forward (likely to interject into Taniko's space, at which Yuuka wouldn't think twice about wrapping a leg around Taniko's, to conserve space and still sprawl out), and leaned her head back, all the while releasing a contented sigh.

"Yeeeaaah . . . this is how a bath is supposed to be . . ."

It was possibly the most impressive bath Taniko had ever taken. Not only was it large enough for more than one person, she could dip her entire body underwater. And it was warmed from underneath, so one never had to worry about drawing heavy buckets of boiling water only to have it cool down just moments later. Soap too! It was like a luxury that she had only heard about. Yuuka and her family enjoyed riches like this every day! It made her feel so important and special to be a guest in this home. She smiled contently, not even minding that Yuuka’s feet were swimming in her space. This was as close to heaven as she could imagine.

“You’re so lucky Yuuka-san.” She sighed “You live such a wonderful life. I wish I could have been raised in such a lovely home.”

Taniko began to gently pull the knots that wound her short, dull black hair. She’d run it through her fingers over and over like a comb until it was straight and smooth again. She closed her eyes and drifted off into daydreams as she did so, feeling completely relaxed and content.