Haru wasn't sure, exactly, why he was, indeed, so accepting of this budding relationship. If Hotori had been his sister, he would've thought twice before allowing her to be involved with someone ten years her elder. But Hotori wasn't his sister, not really, and in the end it was up to her to decide the path that would lead to her own happiness. Perhaps it was because, like Isamu and Hotori, he found himself in a relationship that was not widely approved of. It gave him unique perspective, and as the others had accepted him and Sei, so would he accept, and indeed encourage, Hotori and Isamu. He knew their time must be short, as she was in their world on borrowed time already, and could be sent home in a moment's notice. None of them really understood the magic that brought her to their world, so there was no way of knowing when it would take her away. He was snapped out of his thoughts when Isamu spoke.

"Thank you, Haru-san, my friend. Then I will stay, and I will do my best to lead you all well and keep you all safe."

His grin returned. Perhaps Hotori was a good influence on him after all, as that was the first time he'd ever heard Isamu use the word 'friend'. He nodded, accepting the serious statement before adding in a lighter tone. "Just leave bossing Sei around to me, okay? He's as stubborn as a mule if you don't handle him just right." He couldn't resist tossing in a wink for good measure. Knowing Isamu's feelings for Hotori somehow made Haru feel closer to the other Seishi, so he felt much more at ease returning to his usual, playful persona around him.

"I feel almost fully healed, you truly have powerful skills for this. I hope it did not tire you too much though. Would it be alright for me to Spend some time on my own? I guess I only just woke up and my mind feels a bit uneasy... Thank you for also tending to getting my clothes mended and getting new ones for when I woke up."

"I'm fine." Haru assured him. "I've had to heal Sei's...blood issue..." He wasn't sure how best to explain it, so he didn't try to. "Enough times that I've gotten quite good at healing without draining myself. A good meal, and I'll be back to my old self." He grinned again. When Isamu asked for time alone, Haru nodded in agreement and was about to turn and leave when Isamu's last words caught up with him. "Like I said before...what are friends for?" He gave a small wave before he left the other man to his own thoughts, closing the door behind himself.

Habit sent him to check his room before looking for Hotori. Luckily the two happened to be one and the same, and he found his Miko sitting cross-legged on the bed next to Sei, chatting cheerfully and hugging that bear. He started to wonder if the girl would ever put it down. "Don't tell me you let her go to the market dragging that thing..." He asked Sei. "People will think something is wrong with our child..."

Hotori stuck her tongue out at Haru, back to her usual, good-natured self. "I left it in Shouri-chan's room while we went shopping." She said haughtily. An effect that was ruined, as she giggled a moment later. She opened her mouth to say something, but Haru cut her off.

"I just finished healing Isamu. He's getting his bath now, and he asked to be alone." His words were stern, but his tone gentle. "I don't even think there will be a scar once it finished the last little bit of healing."

"That's great!" Hotori's eyes brightened. Isamu would make a full recovery after all. It made her glad.

"Hey, some scars are sexy..." Haru countered with a wink, which made Hotori blush.

"I told you both before, I don't want to know that kind of stuff..." Hotori said, jokingly covering her ears.

"What did you have to buy?" Haru changed the topic abruptly, hoping it would throw her for a loop and she might actually answer him.

"Girl stuff." She said simply, her eyes daring him to pry more.

"Ah, that is why you took Mother Sei with you." He grinned, enjoying teasing them both at once. He approached the bed, and ruffled Hotori's hair before climbing on to stretch out behind her and Sei. "Be good, children. Papa Haru wants a nap..." He said with a yawn.

"I'll go to Shouri's room and read then..." Hotori offered as she started to get up.

"Nah, I can sleep through anything. You can stay and keep Sei company." Haru shot them both a grin before closing his eyes. In truth, he was usually a fairly light sleeper, and he wanted to keep Hotori near her Seishi, just to make sure she was safe. He trustes Shouri, but she was not one of the Seishi, and so it was better if Sei kept an eye on her until either Haru had finished his nap, or Isamu was ready to face them all once more, whichever came first.

"Just leave bossing Sei around to me, okay? He's as stubborn as a mule if you don't handle him just right."

He watched him wink and realised, after their conversation it seemed to Isamu that his fellow seishi trusted him more now and even allowed himself to be as playful as he truly was in front of his beloved Sei and his sisterly figure Hotori. He was truly honoured, maybe he had finally broken the ice by admitting to call him a friend. He winked and for some reason Isamu relaxed lightly and then smiled at Haru, if that was his true self he would accept him the way he was. That was what you did with friends, right? After all they all took him as he was and never questioned him. "Very well".

"I'm fine... I've had to heal Sei's...blood issue... Enough times that I've gotten quite good at healing without draining myself. A good meal, and I'll be back to my old self."

He nodded at his words and decided he would get Haru some food once he got out of his bath and dressed himself. He decided not to ask what he meant by Sei's blood problem, after all, Haru had not inquired after his own life and if he deemed Isamu had to know so he could protect the group better, then he would tell him in due time. After all, all this travelling together allowed him to learn more about the people in the group.

"Like I said before...what are friends for?"

Isamu watched him leave and smiled before he removed his trousers and remaining garments before he entered the bath. It was still warm and made him smile. He closed his eyes to relax and sighed happily feeling the water revitalise his body and he could still feel his body mending after Haru's treatment. He was relieved to be taking a bath though, he had not taken one in such a long time. Four days was just too much for a warrior like him.

He allowed the water to work through him and energise him before he finally submerged fully and cleansed his face and hair. He resurfaced and finally began to wash his body thoroughly and then he washed his hair. Once he was done he felt so much better and more presentable for his beloved Hotori.

He finally got out and dried himself with a towel and began to scan through the clothes Haru got for him. He was glad they were fairly similar to his usual attire, the trousers were black as was the sleeveless shirt. He put those on and realised his navy blue cloak and his lighter blue with white best and sleeves were clean and mended. They looked brand new. He smiled and then put on his waist belt and scabbard. He put on his boots and finally moved to dry his hair as much as possible. Outside his room he saw a maid and requested food to be brought for Haru and Sei's room. The maid nodded and went to do as requested.

He drank some more water before he finally stood on the hall unsure as to where Hotori could be and so, using his seishi skills he moved toward a door and knocked gently.

He wanted to ensure they were all fine before he returned to his room which was now clean and ordered thanks to a maid. He would then attempt to comb his hair and use Hotori's ribbon.

Hotori sensed Isamu approaching before he even knocked on the door. She stood up, and peeked down to make sure Haru was still sleeping, before starting for the door. Half-way there, the knock came, and Hotori peeked over at Haru once more. He didn't seem to stir, so she crossed the rest of the way to the door, and pulled it open. Her eyes landed on the face of the man that she loved, and she smiled. "You really are getting around better, huh?" She asked in a soft voice with a smile. She slipped out into the hall with him and closed the door so she wouldn't disturb Haru.

Back in the room, Haru cracked one eye open. He had woken as soon as he heard Isamu approaching, but had pretended to be sleeping still. "Now that our child is gone, we need to talk..." He told Sei, sitting up on the bed. Now he'd tell Sei of everything he'd learned, and get his love's opnion on how best to assist the cause of Hotori and Isamu.

Out in the hall, Hotori stood holding her bear. "Haru-kun is taking a nap, but I don't think you woke him." She said with a smile. She then looked at Isamu more closely. He was clean and dressed, but it didn't appear he'd done anything more than dry his hair. She waggled her finger at him, though she was still smiling. "Honestly, Isamu...your pretty hair will get all tangled if you don't comb it out. And after I did my best to keep it from tangling while you were resting."

Without a second thought, she caught up his hand in her free one and started for his room, where her hairbrush still waited. She shifted the bear in her arm so she could open the door and pull him inside once more. Only once they stood in his room did she release his hand. "Go sit down." She said decisively as she crossed to the bed to set down her bear and pick up her brush. She turned back to him, brush in hand and smiled. "You're too tall for me to brush out your hair standing up."

A part of her knew he was capable of tending his own hair, but she hoped he would let her do this. Once they left this room, she wasn't sure when she'd be able to touch his hair again, and the action brought as much peace to her as it seemed to him. She crossed her arms, waiting for any sort of complaint or opposition on his part. If he came and took the brush away from her, she'd let him tend to his own hair. If, instead, as she hoped, he say down, she would brush out his hair for him, being as careful not to pull or hurt as she could.

"Oh, I'll need that ribbon too." She remembered. She decided then that once Isamu's hair was taken care of, she would finally give him the little gift she had bought for him. Hopefully he would accept the simple necklace. It wasn't much, not really, but it reminded her of him, and she hoped he would like it.

Isamu sensed Hotori approaching and in a way hoped he had not woken anyone up. But he soon sensed movement after Hotori emerged from the room and closed the door behind her. Isamu looked at the door for a moment suspecting he did not even have to knock the door to make the other seishi aware of his presence. But Hotori's smile and innocent remark made him nod and it also dissuaded him from telling her that her two friends were most definitely awake. He shrugged and looked down at Hotori, she had the bear in one arm and he found it sweet and amusing and he wondered if she now carried that bear wherever she went. Just the thought of that made her much more adorable than she already was.

"You really are getting around better, huh? Haru-kun is taking a nap, but I don't think you woke him."

His eyes softened at her words and he smiled in reply to him feeling better. She also looked much better now, she was radiant like a star and her smile made her lovelier than ever. She was probably, as Haru mentioned earlier, happy because she was close to Isamu and he was feeling better.

"Honestly, Isamu...your pretty hair will get all tangled if you don't comb it out. And after I did my best to keep it from tangling while you were resting."

He blushed lightly when she spoke of his hair and stated it was beautiful and before he could say or do anything she took him by the hand and pulled him into his room. He could not even say he was about to take care of his hair after he went to check up on her. But it seemed her ordering around would not finish then...

"Go sit down... You're too tall for me to brush out your hair standing up."

He looked at her as she moved toward the brush and decided to comply with her wishes. If just this once he could enjoy the soft touch of the woman he loved on his long dark hair. There was no one to judge them not tell them that what they had between them was wrong. He moved to sit on the chair nod placed the ribbon on the nearby table and allowed for Hotori to comb his hair which was drying out quickly.

Besides, he wanted to spend some more time with her. He would let her take the reins in this situation just this once...

A maid knocked in Sei's and Haru's room bringing food for both of them and saying it had all been taken care of. Then she left them to eat in peace if they so wished.

Hotori was actually a little surprised that Isamu complied without argument. She moved up behind him and moved all of his hair behind the chair so that she could brush it easier. She ran her fingers through the drying locks to make sure the brush wouldn't snag and pull his hair before she began to brush. This was a nice feeling, allowing them to be close without being embarrassing...at least, not for Hotori. She worked slowly, partly to make sure that she did a thorough job, and partly to prolong the peaceful moment. All too soon, however, his hair was combed, and she couldn't justify continuing the motion any longer. She placed a hand on his shoulder to balance herself as she leaned forward to set the brush down and pick up the ribbon.

She hesitated for a moment, trying to remember how he tied his hair back. She wanted to do it just right, so he would not regret letting her have this small moment. Once she was sure she could picture it, she used the ribbon to tie it up as closely as she could to how he usually wore it. "Well, there you are, Isamu." She said at last, taking a step back to admire her handiwork. "Not too shabby, if I do say so myself." She nodded with a smile.

She realized that it was, as they say, now or never. She didn't need to put off giving him his little gift any longer, and his reaction to it would decide her course of action from here on out. She moved around the chair so that she was facing him. She allowed herself to look into his eyes for just a moment, still enjoying this new-found closeness they seemed to develop. She really hoped it wasn't something they would lose, now that he was recovered and they would be traveling again.

"Isamu...while I was in the market earlier..." She paused and bit her lip, feeling suddenly nervous. She hoped she wouldn't make a fool out of herself in front of the man she loved. Still, she'd never know if she didn't push forth. She continued with a faint blush. "I saw something, and it made me think of you." she pulled the amber colored stone on its leather cord from the pocket on her dress and held it up to her. "I hope you will accept this small token..." She still wasn't ready to tell him the real reason she wanted to give it to him, so instead she added. "As a thank you, for everything." Looking at him, fully recovered, she suddenly felt unsure. "I know it's not much, but..." She wasn't sure how to finish, so she trailed off and waited for his reaction. She really did hope he would like it.

Haru and Sei were deep in conversation when a maid arrived with food for them. Haru had a feeling he knew who to thank, and decided to do so after while. In the meantime, he and Sei ate as he filled his love in on Isamu's Nemesis and on the fact that the older Seishi and their young Miko seemed to be in love. Sei agreed to help him try and get the two of them to admit their feelings to one another, agreeing that Hotori and Isamu both deserved to be happy.

Isamu knew how important it was for some to brush their hair and appear as handsome and fair as possible. However, there were those like Isamu who would only comb their hair and keep it healthy but did not use it to boast around. So he probably did not appreciate a well looked after hair as some would. Hotori seemed to like his hair though, maybe he should look after it more often to please her. After all he was determined to make her happy and it seemed to him that, for some uncanny reason, Hotori really enjoyed touching his hair. And now was the best proof of that. She combed his hair ever so slowly and caressed it whenever she thought he did not realise.

He closed his eyes to feel this closeness and enjoy the touch. It relaxed him when Hotori used the brush to untangle his smooth dark hair. But then, it seemed to him she hesitated when moving to pick the ribbon. Her mind was at work and he noticed how she struggled in his mind for a bit. But then the tied the ribbon and he realised she had tied the ribbon the very same way he usually did. He was surprised to say the least but his eyes opened then and he stood up ready to thank Hotori.

But the sight that greeted him surprised him completely. Hotori was looking down as if she were struggling to find the right words or gaining courage to do or say something. Isamu knew her more closely now and this only alarmed him slightly. Could it be he did something wrong? Or was something troubling her? He was a bit confused and since he did not know the situation or reasons for acting that way he simply looked down at her hoping that she would just tell him what was the matter.

"Well, there you are, Isamu... Not too shabby, if I do say so myself."

He nodded and said, "Thank you". However, that still did not tell him why she seemed to be having an inner struggle with herself. What could be bothering her so? He rubbed the back of his neck as he felt Hotori's powerful gaze upon his amber eyes and he waited patiently again for whatever she had to say. He hoped that she would not be too worried about something or someone. She was that kind of sweet and considerate person. She moved a bit and their faces were in front of each other and their eyes met. He saw determination in her eyes.

"Isamu...while I was in the market earlier..."

He watched her bite her lower lip, she was nervous. But why would she be nervous in his company? He decided to give her space and simply nodded at her words. He would have held her hand but he did not want her to feel uneasy and so he waited a bit longer and his amber eyes showed that patience.

"I saw something, and it made me think of you."

His eyes opened widely for a moment and he held his breath without realising it. She thought about him? But she had only been gone for a couple of hours.. The more time they would spend together the more it convinced him that they were both in love. But what would they do then? Love was not an easy topic... He knew better than anyone else.

"I hope you will accept this small token... As a thank you, for everything... I know it's not much, but..."

Isamu gasped and looked at the gem in the leather necklace and realised it was the very same colour as his eyes. He slowly took the gift from her and looked at the rock for a moment before he said softly, "Hotori, you are too kind, however, you did not have to do this for I am only doing my duty as your seishi, bodyguard and friend. Yet, I am honoured you thought about me and took our time and money to get something so beautiful for me." He blushed lightly and held the necklace to his eyes before he placed it around his neck.

He looked down at it and caressed it with one finger. He then placed a hand on hers and moved closer to her, "Hotori, thank you, I will guard it and wear it... and think of you always." His heat was beating rather fast, but he managed to control the urge to kiss her soft lips and instead busied his remaining hand to close around the amber stone fondly.

"Hotori, you are too kind, however, you did not have to do this for I am only doing my duty as your seishi, bodyguard and friend. Yet, I am honoured you thought about me and took our time and money to get something so beautiful for me. Hotori, thank you, I will guard it and wear it... and think of you always."

Hotori had mixed feelings. He had accepted her gift, he even promised to guard it and think of her...but he had called himself her 'friend'. It was funny that the word, which she had wanted so badly for him to let her call him not even a week prior, now seemed to draw a definitive line. Still, she had decided already to be glad just to be near him, and so she smiled up at him cheerfully. He had accepted her gift...seemed to really like it, even, and that was more than enough to make her happy.

"I am glad you like it, Isamu..." She said sincerely. As they stood there, one of his hands covering hers as the other covered the stone, her free hand twitched at her side. She wanted to reach up and caress his cheek, perhaps even lean up and kiss him. But those were not things friends did, and now that he was recovered, she knew she probably shouldn't be so free to touch him as she had been when he was unconscious. She had stroked his hair and bathed his face, and done anything she thought might bring him some little comfort...but he was strong and healthy now, and didn't need those little gestures of comfort.

She gave him a smile as she stepped away and busied herself getting her hairbrush. She moved to the bed and began to put her few things away in her pack. "Since you've recovered...hopefully we'll be able to leave soon." She said casually, as she looked around the room to make sure nothing else of hers way laying about. "Not today, probably. It's already getting late...it will be dark soon." Seeing nothing else of hers, she turned at last to face him once more. "It might sound silly, but I know that waitress is still around here somewhere, and I can't shake the feeling she's not through causing us trouble."

It was probably just Hotori being jealous, and she realized that was probably the case, but the older woman had said and done many things that first night that unnerved her, and the sooner this place was behind them, the happier Hotori would be.

"Also, you'll be glad to know you'll get your room and your bed all to yourself tonight." She realized that made it sound as if they'd been sharing a bed up until then, and she blushed, ducking her head to try and hide it. "I mean, you can sleep in your bed, instead of on the floor. I'll be moving to Shouri-chan's room, since you don't need looking after anymore." She felt her face return to it's normal color so she looked up with a smile. "The beds are big enough for two, and Shouri-chan and I have had sleepovers loads of times before, so it'll almost be like being back home." She gave a little laugh at the thought, and a small memory of a time when Shouri had stayed the weekend at her house while her aunt was out of town.

Her thoughts returned to the present, though her smile remained just as strong. "I know you don't sleep much, Isamu, but I'm sure you'll rest much better in the bed than you did on the floor." She then realized that Isamu probably didn't know why they'd left him on the floor all that time. "Haru-kun was worried at first that you'd be too injured to move...but then once you'd recovered a little, he and Sei-kun had a hard time moving you easily, and they didn't want to jostle you around too much..." She looked a little embarrassed once more as she added. "I tried to help, but I'm afraid I just wasn't much use at all...so I settled for trying to make you as comfortable as possible on the floor."

She worried he might scold her if he found out she had slept most of that time sitting up against the wall so she could stay near him, and a lot of that time she had held his head in her lap to try and bring them both some little comfort. As with many things she tried to hide from others, she wouldn't mention it, but wouldn't lie if she was asked about it. Instead, she turned and tucked her bear into the top of her pack before picking it up and putting it over once shoulder. She should go and let him rest more, but she didn't wnat to leave...not until he was ready for her to, anyway.

"I am glad you like it, Isamu..."

He noticed how her eyes sparkled but upon hearing his words she seemed lightly sad. He almost hit himself for having said something that could have upset her. He looked at the wooden floor for a moment. In his heart it felt wrong to keep his distance and treat Hotori like the rest of her seishi and be as close to her as they all were. But he wished to protect her, what kind of a life would he be able to offer his miko? He was a wandering bodyguard, besides, once the Suzaku ritual takes place she would no longer be close to him. She would be forced to go back to her world so wouldn't this be better if it stayed as it now was? But alas, he could not bring himself to look into her eyes... There was so much love in her gaze... It was a real sacrifice to stop himself from reaching out to her and claiming her lips with his own. "And I will always treasure it, Hotori."

"Since you've recovered...hopefully we'll be able to leave soon... Not today, probably. It's already getting late...it will be dark soon."

He watched her as her eyes met his. It appeared to him as if she were forcing upon herself the very same restrain he was moments ago. It was probably unfair for the both of them to stop these emotions and distance themselves but it was also probably for the best. Surely someone that much older than Hotori would cease to shine in her heart at the sight of younger and more lively men... He watched her as she began to gather up her belongings and though he nodded to her words, in his heart he was slightly sad for that meant she would be sleeping elsewhere now that he was no longer in need of her help.

He stood in that room watching and yet he wished with all his heart that their love could be...

"It might sound silly, but I know that waitress is still around here somewhere, and I can't shake the feeling she's not through causing us trouble."

He turned to look at her and he raised an eyebrow. Was it...jealousy he sensed? Even now he found it hard to believe someone as beautiful, pure and innocent could love him. Surely he was dreaming...surely? He walked forth, finally looking his good-old healthy self and stood right in front of her at full height like that day they had first met by the oasis. "I will not let her touch you nor insult you, you deserve all the kindness and care in the world." His gloved hand longed to touch her, to caress her beautiful long green hair and he forced it shut to stop himself from being too liberal in his contact with his miko.

"Also, you'll be glad to know you'll get your room and your bed all to yourself tonight... I mean, you can sleep in your bed, instead of on the floor. I'll be moving to Shouri-chan's room, since you don't need looking after anymore... The beds are big enough for two, and Shouri-chan and I have had sleepovers loads of times before, so it'll almost be like being back home."

Isamu chuckled and noticing the blush on her cheeks he gently lifted her chin for their eyes to meet. "Hotori..." His voice sounded so soft and so full of emotion when he spoke her name. His eyes locked into hers and his heart began to beat that much faster while his mind fought between the option to simply give in to these feelings or refrain himself and as this happened he found himself leaning gently while his hand moved to her cheek and gently slid down her neck. The skin was softer than anything he hd ever touched before and he eve felt as if he shouldn't have touched her for he tainted her with his dark self.

But then, as his face was halfway through, he moved toward her cheek and kissed it lightly before he embraced and whispered in her ear, "I will never forget the time you spent sitting on the floor, allowing my head to rest in your lap and comforting me with every way you could think of. I will always remember... Hotori..."

"I know you don't sleep much, Isamu, but I'm sure you'll rest much better in the bed than you did on the floor... Haru-kun was worried at first that you'd be too injured to move...but then once you'd recovered a little, he and Sei-kun had a hard time moving you easily, and they didn't want to jostle you around too much... I tried to help, but I'm afraid I just wasn't much use at all...so I settled for trying to make you as comfortable as possible on the floor."

He smiled and gently let go of her and stood back so that he could still look down at her and said, "I understand Hotori and I hope you will finally get some proper sleep, I also worry about your health."

He would then have to look at a map and plan the next route. He would ask maids to prepare some supplies for them and then get ready to leave early the next morning. "Rest well..." His eyes softened as they looked into hers.

When Hotori told Isamu his room would be his again, he chuckled, and she wasn't sure if it was because he was amused by her little slip-up about his bed, or if it had been something else she said. Either way, that little sound warmed her heart. He lifted her chin so they could look at one another before caressing first her cheek and then her neck. It was just her neck, and yet the sensation made her want more contact. She thought, for just a moment, he had heard her thoughts and agreed, because she saw him start to lean in. Halfway there, however, he turned his head just slightly and kissed her cheek instead before embracing her.

"I will never forget the time you spent sitting on the floor, allowing my head to rest in your lap and comforting me with every way you could think of. I will always remember... Hotori..."

She felt so confused by the man who embraced her. At times, she was sure she sensed...love? Coming from him, but at other times he seemed to be doing his best to distance himself from her in every way imaginable. Perhaps he cared for her, but thought she was too young? This thought only strengthened her resolve to go through with her own plan to convince him she wasn't as young as everyone seemed to think. She was considered an adult in her own world, able-more or less-to do as she so pleased, including dating whomever she wished. Was this world really so different in that regard?

"I understand Hotori and I hope you will finally get some proper sleep, I also worry about your health. Rest well..."

He let her go and smiled. The smile brought one of her own to her lips. "Don't worry so much...my aunt always said I could fall asleep anywhere, and sleep like the dead." She gave a soft laugh at the memory. "You just...try to get some sleep too, okay? I know there's a difference between resting and being unconscious." She picked up her pack and put it over her shoulder, looking up into his eyes one last time before she would leave. Her hand lifted, almost of it's own accord, but before it could rest on his cheek, as she wanted it to, she redirected it just enough that it closed around his new pendant instead. "It is a very pretty color..." She remarked, looking from the stone to his eyes and back again before releasing it. "Sleep well, Isamu."

She pulled her hand away and turned to go, proud of herself for not looking back at him as she closed the door behind her. She was a little surprised to see Haru, who was apparently hanging out in the hall waiting for her.

"Hey, kid." He greeted with a grin, noticing the pack she carried over her shoulder. "Shouri-chan asked me to tell you she was going down to the pub for some dinner, and that she'd have a hot bath sent up for you." He lowered his voice and fell into step beside her as she walked to Shouri's room. "How did things go in there?"

"I don't know what you mean. Haru-kun." She said simply. "I got my things, and told him I'd be staying with Shouri-chan, and that we could hopefully leave tomorrow."

"No talks about feelings?" Haru made a face on that last word, just to make her laugh. They entered Shouri's room, and Hotori found the maid already setting up the bath for her.

Hotori shook her head. "Not beyond the feeling that we both hoped the other slept well." She spun to face the older Seishi, her voice dropping into a whisper. "Now could you please shut up? I don't want anyone to hear you..."

Haru knew when not to argue...not that it mattered, as he saw an opportunity to 'help', as he had promised Hotori he would. While Hotori turned her back to him, to set her pack down and apparently sort out some things for her bath, he noticed a small rat...more of a mouse, really, scurrying across the hallway outside the still open door. The maid left, and Haru made to follow, snatching up the mouse and tossing it into Hotori's room. "Enjoy your bath. Sleep tight." He called with a grin as he closed the door. He felt a little bad about what he'd just done, but surely Isamu running to her rescue would show her that he cared for her, right? He strode back to his and Sei's room, whistling cheerfully.

"Don't worry so much...my aunt always said I could fall asleep anywhere, and sleep like the dead... You just...try to get some sleep too, okay? I know there's a difference between resting and being unconscious."

He watched her as she picked her bag and spoke and nodded, "I will do my best, however, I must first see to it that everything is ready for us to leave first think in the morning. It shouldn't take long though." He knew that although he was used to sleeping little, due to the injuries and weakness of the recovering body, he would need at least a few more hours of sleep than he usually did.

He looked at her one more time. This would probably be the last time they would be alone, in each other's company and he knew he wished to embrace her, kiss her lips and love her. But he restrained himself knowing he could never possibly make her happy. Besides they would never manage to be together, that was the fate of the miko... was it not? So even if he allowed himself to love her it would only make her unhappy the moment they had to part ways. He sighed silently wen she turned around before their eyes met once more.

"It is a very pretty color."

He gasped silently when her hand lifted and just as he was about to feel her soft hand on his face it moved instead to touch the amber stone in the necklace and her eyes moved from the stone to his eyes. He could easily guess she picked that stone because it was the same colour of his eyes and to her words he blushed deeply and fought against the instinct to look away. Instead his hand closed around her own as she held his necklace still. She liked the strange colour of his eyes?

He had never had anyone compliment his eyes before. And he wanted to tell her that no gem or colour could ever be more beautiful and precious to him than her emerald eyes. But, he would be admitting he loved her then and he could not. It was best he said goodbye to this foolish idea of his and he simply did his best to protect the miko.

"Sleep well, Isamu."

Although, he could tell she missed her aunt at times he wondered if... Given the opportunity she would stay here... No, he was giving in to this feeling once more, he could not force Hotori to sacrifice her happiness for him. That would be too selfish. He let go of her hand and said, "Good night, Hotori."

Isamu watched her go and he closed the door to his room to stop himself from pulling Hotori into an embrace and kiss those lips that seemed to beg him to do so at times. He took deep breaths to regain composure. He then drew a path on the map, made lists of food and supplies they would need by the morning and he would request rested horses.

He got to work and soon enough his belongings were packed and he left to the Inn to pay the Innkeeper and to give him the list of things they would need on the long journey. Finally he realised that the annoying waitress kept looking his way but she did not approach. He was grateful for that. He finally began to climb the stairs once more and about to go to his room to sleep.

Hotori's mind kept circling through the events of the last few days. She and Isamu had grown so close, and she knew that she would lose that closeness once they left this little inn. He was recovered, and strong, and didn't need her looking after him. He wouldn't need her comforting touch or words anymore. She undressed and slipped into the bath, enjoying the warm water.

She had known it couldn't last, of course, she thought as she washed herself clean, but she was surprised that Haru and the others had let it go on as long as they had. Haru seemed accepting of her feelings and had promised to help her...but considering he and sei had bonded over a thermal bath, she was a little worried about what his form of 'help' might include. Perhaps she should go to him and ask him not to help after all...

She dunked her head under the water and then resurfaced, beginning to wash her long hair. This bath brought back memories of the one she'd taken their forst night here at the inn. Isamu had watched her, and although it still broght a faint blush to her cheeks, she found she really didn't mind. Her thought had been that he was too injured to stand there trying to preserve her modesty, espcially when he'd seen all there was to see when he rescued her. The fact that he still treated her like a lady, after seeing what she'd been through brought a smile to her lips. She rinsed her hair.

She was just reaching for the towel, and about to stand up when she was a movement nearby. Her emerald eyes focused in that direction, and she heard something move at the edge of the tub. A moment later, a small rat poked its head over the edge of the tub. It blinked at her twice, as if trying to figure out what she was. Hotori, stunned, blinked twice at the rat in return. Then her brain caught up with exactly what she was looking at. Taking a deep breath, she let out a shrill scream as she dove from the tub, putting the entire tub between herself and her ratty visitor. She clutched the towel in her hand, and only seemed to belatedly realize that scream may draw attention, so she hastily wrapped it around herself, never taking her eyes off the rodent.

In their room, Sei jumped to his feet upon hearing Hotori scream. Haru placed a hand on his arm to stop him. "She's fine." The healer promised. "She probably saw a mouse or something, These old inns have them all over the place." He grinned to himself as he heard footsteps approaching. "My family's inn even had to keep a cat to deal with them. She'll realize it's harmless soon enough." Sei gave him a wary look, and Haru had the feeling his love knew more than he let on.

Isamu was lost in though as he climbed the stairs and reached the corridor where the rooms were when a scream woke his senses and his seishi skills warned him that Hotori might be in danger for he recognised that voice quite well. He had heard her screams before and had always run to protect her. As the leader if the group and her sworn bodyguard it was his duty to ensure her safety but he also loved his miko and this added much more meaning to her well-being than it being simply duty... He no longer did this as an obligation but as something he wanted to do for the woman he loved. Perhaps he had decided not to voice his feelings to Hotori but that did not mean he would not love her, no, he had fallen too deep to deny this to himself...

Before thinking it twice he drew his blade and ran toward Hotori's room and slammed the door open while saying, "Hotori!" His amber necklace shook and shone like his fierce eyes and a gust of wind shook his long dark hair and cloak. He quickly scanned the room and his eyes suddenly stopped on a mouse that was standing to his left and then suddenly to his right...He saw Hotori.

Yes, this brought him back to the time he had saved her and even when she took a bath, he had wanted her to feel beautiful but he knew she was pretty. She was a marvellous woman inside and out and no man in his senses would ever deny that.

So seeing her wearing nothing else but a towel should be no problem to him, right? Well...it was actually a big problem. Her beautiful emerald eyes shone like precious stones just found within a mine and her long silken green hair looked radiant as water leaked down to her beautiful cheeks and down her gentle neck and even beyond.

Her skin shone still wet from her recent bath and she held the towel to herself as if to fight off the mouse. All this was too much to his heart which only beat for Hotori and he knew he truly wanted to hold her beautiful body against his and kiss her ever tempting lips.

This was some cruel joke from fate. He caught his breath and held it as he silently moved to pick the mouse and drop it outside the room. He closed the door behind him and sheathed his blade before walking toward Hotori. He leaned forth so their eyes met and he whispered as his hand touched her moist cheek, "Hotori... Did the mouse scare you?" He accidentally looked down as his free hand was looking for hers and he quickly looked back up into her eyes fighting every instinct to love the one person he had ever felt this strongly for. "Are you hurt?" He had wanted to be more distant with regards to the miko but he could not, he loved her far too much for that and this very moment was the best proof...he closed his eyes briefly as he sighed relieved to see Hotori was well. His amber eyes shone lightly as he looked into her emeralds.

Hotori stood, frozen, as Isamu burst into the room. Why did it have to be him? Why couldn't Haru or Sei have come to her rescue? Not that she didn't want to see Isamu, but it was a little embarrassing to know she'd freaked out over a little mouse. He really would think she was a silly child after this. She watched as he picked up the mouse and removed it, putting his sword away before returning to her.

"Hotori... Did the mouse scare you?"

He touched her cheek, and she had to resist the urge not to lean into that touch as she had done before. She saw his eyes glance downward and felt her cheeks warm just slightly. "Sorry, yes. It startled me. I mean, I was in the bath, and it just sort of...popped up and stared at me." Her cheeks flushed even more. "I...I overreacted again. I seem to be doing that a lot lately..." She looked up at Isamu. "The little mouse...he's not hurt, is he? I don't like them...but he was probably just looking for food or something." She couldn't help but bite her lower lip gently. "I bet I scared him as badly as he scared me..."

All of that chatter, of course, was mostly to distract Hotori from the fact that Isamu was standing very, very near, and she had very, very little on. He was so close, and it was very tempting to reach up and caress his cheek or take his hand, or something. She realized the hand not holding her towel was moving, and she consciously forced it to push some dripping hair back over her shoulder. She could feel her own heartbeat racing, and was sure it was loud enough Haru and Sei could hear it in their room, let alone Isamu standing so near.

She managed a shy smile as she took a single step back. "I'm sorry I worried you like that, Isamu. As I said, it...it just startled me." This was too hard, being so near him without being able to act as she wanted. But she really didn't think, as things stood, that he would appreciate anything of the sort from her. She kept reminding herself to take things slowly and prove to him she wasn't a child...though as far as she could see, this little event would not help her case.

She shifted her hand to get a firmer grip on the towel. "I...I should probably dry off and get dressed. I need to..." Tell him how she felt so she didn't have to wonder about his feelings anymore. But she couldn't do that, not really. "To dry my hair before it tangles..." It sounded shallow to her own ears, but it was better than the alternative.

Her eyes scanned the room, looking for a robe or something. Her hand reached up to push more wet hair back. She felt torn, really. Part of her was embarrassed at reacting as she had to a tiny mouse, but the other part of her was so glad Isamu was near, she didn't care what the reason was. Still, she kept reminding herself now was not the time to linger in his presence. If anyone else came along, and saw them as they were now, they'd most likely not realize ti was a fairly innocent encounter, and she knew the man she loved was proud, and wouldn't want such a thing to mar his reputation.

She didn't want him to feel as if he was being dismissed like hired help, though. She gave him the warmest smile she could manage, which was quite warm, and quite easy to manage whenever she looked at him. "Thank you, Isamu...but I'm okay really. I'm not hurt or anything, I was just a little startled. I'm sorry if I interrupted something important...I know you've got a lot to do before we leave tomorrow..."

"Sorry, yes. It startled me. I mean, I was in the bath, and it just sort of...popped up and stared at me...I...I overreacted again. I seem to be doing that a lot lately..."

Isamu noticed the way her cheeks turned red and he smiled. She looked so adorable when she did that, he folded his arms across his chest and grinned amused as she told him how the mouse came to frighten her so. What kind of enchantress was she that she made him feel in agony and delight at the same time? He eyed her as she finished and he shook his head, "Hotori, it is perfectly normal, I know most ladies and some men are terrified of rodents. After all, some can be quite vicious and dangerous." He did not want her to believe herself to be pathetic just because she had some small fears that made her even sweeter in his own humble opinion. He then added, "you should never feel ashamed or embarrassed of the person you are Hotori, you are so full of life and joy you give light to all the dark places and make those around you happy."

"The little mouse...he's not hurt, is he? I don't like them...but he was probably just looking for food or something."

Isamu, being a man close to the creatures of nature smiled at her words and said, "I placed him on safe ground and I am sure he will find food quite soon and maybe frighten a waitress you happen to be so fond of?" He added to lighten the mood and then rubbed the back of his neck.

"I bet I scared him as badly as he scared me..."

"Maybe, but he would have been unable to find any food in this room so he will be better off outside." He noticed then she would at times look away and her hand would move her hair away...she was nervous. Was he doing something that terrified her so? Was it...the fact that she was reliving the dark experience? He did not want her to see him as someone who would take advantage of her. He blushed lightly at the fact that she had caught him looking at her but it was unavoidable when a beautiful girl like Hotori was wearing nothing but a light towel...surely he was no despicable man...however, he still took a step back.

"I'm sorry I worried you like that, Isamu. As I said, it...it just startled me."

He shook his head, "I appreciate honesty, and I am glad you alerted me of something that caused you fear or fright so that I might be able to prevent it in the future and can also know you more in depth. Above all else, my priority is your safety and happiness." He was after all her bodyguard.

"I...I should probably dry off and get dressed. I need to... To dry my hair before it tangles..."

He blushed lightly realising he was probably making her feel uncomfortable and what would the others say or think if they saw him in Hotori's room... they would think the worst of him and then stop him from being part of the group. He gave a few more steps back, "Of course, please forgive the improper intrusion."

"Thank you, Isamu...but I'm okay really. I'm not hurt or anything, I was just a little startled. I'm sorry if I interrupted something important...I know you've got a lot to do before we leave tomorrow..."

He shook his head, "I was just heading back to my room so there is nothing to forgive. I will always be here for you no matter anything else..." He then bowed lightly and said, "Good night Hotori, sleep well and if anything happens please let me know...no matter what time it is." He then looked into her eyes one last time and walked back into his room, if he didn't know any better he would have sworn she did everything at hand to make him leave her room. So maybe she did not love him after all...at least not the way he would have liked... His heart hurt lightly but he still got ready to sleep and rested on his bed yet his eyes remained open for a couple of hours...

"Hotori, it is perfectly normal, I know most ladies and some men are terrified of rodents. After all, some can be quite vicious and dangerous. you should never feel ashamed or embarrassed of the person you are Hotori, you are so full of life and joy you give light to all the dark places and make those around you happy."

Who was this man? Hotori couldn't help but wonder. Perhaps it was a Seishi ability he had not yet told her about...how else could she explain simple words making her heart soar as it was now. She still had a hard time seeing herself as the woman he apparently did, but she couldn't help seeing him, Ice Knight or not, as the warmest, brightest thing in her world. She looked at him, and she felt like she was standing in a field on a warm, sunny day.

"I placed him on safe ground and I am sure he will find food quite soon and maybe frighten a waitress you happen to be so fond of?"

She imagined the mouse scaring that stupid red haired barmaid, and couldn't help but laugh, covering her mouth with her free hand. She secretly hoped the poor little mouse wouldn't run into that woman though...she'd probably squash it just because she could.

"I appreciate honesty, and I am glad you alerted me of something that caused you fear or fright so that I might be able to prevent it in the future and can also know you more in depth. Above all else, my priority is your safety and happiness."

Her heart did another flip-flop, and she almost said something, but then she that what he said...was simply because he was her Seishi and bodyguard, and probably not for the same reason she wished to make him happy. His next words made her realize just how she had sounded to him.

"Of course, please forgive the improper intrusion."

She wanted to say something to him, but words failed her. Anything she thought to say would probably just make the situation worse. She could feel that she had hurt him, but short of closing the distance between them and embracing him, she didn't know how to make it better...and she couldn't help but think that doing so would make things worse. Instead, she apologized for having interrupted him.

"I was just heading back to my room so there is nothing to forgive. I will always be here for you no matter anything else... Good night Hotori, sleep well and if anything happens please let me know...no matter what time it is."

Though he hadn't called her 'Hotori-sama', he seemed to have otherwise returned to his old, formal behavior, and that hurt just a little. She tried her best to hide it as she answered his last statement. "Thank you, and goodnight, Isamu..." She watched him leave before heaving a heavy, sad sigh, and setting out to dry herself off. She dressed for bed, and began to brush her hair, thinking back to just an hour or so earlier when she had used the same brush to comb Isamu's hair. "He's probably unhappy with me..." She muttered to herself as she brushed her hair, perhaps just a little more forcefully than was necessary. "I've hurt him, somehow..." She shook her head as she continued to mutter to herself. "Oh, Hotori, how could you be so dumb...you love him, but you pushed him away like he didn't matter..." Hair brushed, practiced fingers quickly braided it and tied it off with a ribbon, just to have something to do with her hands. She felt tears prick her eyes as she stood and moved to the bed. She picked up the bear and held it tightly. "Oh, Isamu...please know I didn't mean to hurt you..." She climbed under the blankets with her bear and sighed. "Well, Sir Teddy...we'll just have to make it up to him somehow..." Still, as she laid there, she cried silently, hating herself for hurting the one she loved, until some time later she finally fell asleep.

((OOC: I've given it some thought, and it's sort of easier to ignore Shouri's existence for this thread (like I somehow started doing with Felix. xD) Unlike Sei, they're not Seishi, and it's sort of hard to keep thinking of ways to move them around without playing them. xD So Haru and Sei got Hotori her own room, it's just gone unused until tonight. xD))