We wait with worry and anxiety the morning, but in the end Sannan-san wakes up and he's still himself. he's a rasetzu, but as long he doesn't see or smell blood he can control himself. He can't also go out during the day, because the sun's light hurt him...so for hiding him and the Ochimizu from Itou, Hijikata and the others decided to tell a lie... that Sannan-san died that night, committing seppuku. It was also decided that the Shinsengumi will move to a large headquarters, to prevent Itou and his men to see Sannan-san by mistake. So everyone pack up their things and we go to the temple of Nishi Honganji, although the monks there are on Choshu's side and they are forced to host us here.

The soldiers continue to enter in the temple, ignoring the angry gazes of the monks...but when I enter I stop for a moment with surprise. There is something here...something powerful, because the city's barrier is much stronger here. Chizuru looks at me curious <<is something wrong?>> I shake my head <<ah no, I was only admiring the temple>> and then I see various monks dressing different from the others, with white haori and black kimonos. Also Okita sees them <<who are those guys?>> but then a young guy, with black hair and gray eyes comes closer, stopping in front of Kondo-san, Itou and Hijikata <<who is the commander?>> Kondo-san smiles gently at him <<me, I'm Kondo Isami, nice to meet you>> the monk nods in greeting <<i'm Yuichi Keikan, guardian of this temple>> holy shit!! every monks dressed different is an onmyoji!

Itou smiles lively <<the renowned Keikan family, it's a privilege to meet even one of his members>> Yuichi frowns <<don't flatter me, I remember you that the Shinsengumi forced the monks of this temple to host you all. So...from today me and a handful of my men will live here with those poor monks>> Hijikata frowns <<we have already agreed that we have no intention of harming the monks, even though they don't support us, you don't need so much people for defending them>> Yuichi becomes really serious <<oh, they aren't here for that. Regardless of who comes to reside in the temple we have a duty to accomplish>> Kondo-san nods <<of course, we don't want to disturb you, I'm certain that we will get along well. But if there will be any problems, I will personally answer to the head of your house, I swear>> Yuichi half smiles <<in that case you will respond to me, because...a few weeks ago the last head of the Keikan's family died, so now I am the head of my family>> and he looks strangely at me and Chizuru <<and I already see reasons why we might need to discuss>> Itou chuckles <<indeed, women aren't allowed in a temple>> Yuichi frowns <<i didn't mean that...>> oh shit! Oh shit! I have to do something now!

I step forward <<Yuichi Keikan-san, about this problem I think it's best if we discuss it before take any measures>> I feel everyone look at me, but I ignore them. Yuichi looks at me suspicious << And what could someone like you tell me to change my mind?>> I bit the inside of my cheek thinking quickly <<oh, I was rude...i have not yet introduced myself. My name is Nura Riko, nice to meet you>> Yuichi freezes <<Nura you said?>> and I nod slowly. Hijikata frowns <<oi Nura, do you know him?>> Yuichi answers before me <<not exactly, but the Keikan family and the Nura family know each other for a long time>> and he looks at Kondo-san <<you can let your men inside, but for now I have to speak alone with this woman. Follow me Nura>> and he enters in the temple. I wave at the others and follow Yuichi, ignoring their surprised and astounded faces.

We arrive in front of a big room and Yuichi opens the door, entering with a confident gaze. I follow him, but when my feet touch the tatami on the ground I stop, understanding that I can't move anymore. I look down, moving only my eyes, seeing that I'm in the center of a circle made by many ofuda. Yuichi closes the door behind me <<just in case...you won't be able to move until I decide if you're a threat or not. If I'll decide that you're a threat I will kill you of course>> I sigh, a little frighten <<i understand, but at least I can speak...so we can discuss it>> he raises an eyebrow <<you're surprisingly cooperative>> i half smile <<because I'm not your enemy>> he crosses his arms <<i will decide that, now...speak and tell me who you really are, because Nurarihyon has only a son and you're not him of course>> I became serious <<if you will let me I can tell you everything...oh, just for the record it's true that Nurarihyon has only a son, but where I'm from he has also two grandchildren>> he widens his eyes <<what?>>

...

Yuichi walks back and forth near the barrier, where I'm still prisoner inside. Fortunately for me between the explanation he let me move and sit down, as long as I throw out my katana, remaining unarmed. He stops and look at me <<let me get this straight...you're from the future, and also you're Nurarihyon's granddaughter and you don't know how to return home?>> I nod crossing my arms <<i'm surprised that grandpa is know also here, but yes, I'm his first grandchild but in this era I'm still not born>> he sighs <<you're his granddaughter but you really don't have any idea...of course we know Nurarihyon, but only a few humans know that his descents use Nura for surname...so this is a proof that you at least are part of the Nura clan...even if you're a yokai only for a quarter>> I frown <<so? It doesn't change that I have Nurarihyon's blood in my veins, I'm proud to be his granddaughter>> he sighs <<it matter because we are speaking about Nurarihyon, I bet that you have a power really big hidden inside of you. Look at his son for example, he's only a half demon but he was able to conquered Edo and rule over it for more that two centuries>> I shrug <<i know, my father was a really powerful demon, but I'm not...i can't transform in my demoniac form so I can't use the fear. I'm not a really big threat>> he closes his eyes for a moment <<well...if you were an evil yokai by now the Shinsengumi it will be long dead>> I nod <<they're my friends but...they don't know who I really am. You just need to know that I'm a threat only for my enemies...i'm not interested in killing humans indiscriminately>> he thinks about everything, but in the end he nods and comes closer, stopping in front of the barrier <<and your little oni friend? She is also a threat or not?>> I shake my head <<she doesn't even know to be a oni, she's...only a naive sweet girl>> he frowns <<this is why you take her under your protection?>> I smile <<only for a small part. In the future that woman it will be an important person to me, the least I could do is protecting her now that she's still too weak to do that herself>> he bit his nails <<i admit...with difficult...that Nurarihyon in the past demonstrated that he's capable to live with humans. You will have to do the same, and we will monitor you. If you made a mistake we will kill you immediately...understand?>> I nod standing up <<yes, I have to say that I'm quite surprised that you didn't kill me on the spot...the onmyoji hate demons>> he sighs amused <<the Yaso branch of my family use special weapons, this isn't the first time that we spare a gray existence like you. Remember only that if you or that oni girl made a mistake we will kill you>> I raise my arms <<it's fair>> he nods <<i will add two more onmyoji here, because of you...and three others in the basement>> I look at him puzzled <<basement?>> he nods really serious <<i suppose you felt a strange power when you entered in the temple>> I nod <<yes...a barrier I think. I don't really know what is it, but it's around the city and it's protect it>> he nods and made a gesture, the barrier disappeared and he opens the door <<follow me>> and I run after him taking my katana from the ground.

We arrive in a corridor with a closed end, but Yuichi takes a ofuda from his kimono and press it on the wall, making some gestures. The wall in front of us disappeared, showing a flight of stairs going down. Yuichi looks at me <<a normal human can't find this place, so you can't tell about this to anyone. If a stranger enter here we onmyoji will kill him>> I nod feeling a great power coming from the door <<what's in there?>> Yuichi frowns <<the barrier's pillar>> and he invites me to enter, then he follows me closing the door behind him.

We go down and in the end we arrive in a big hexagonal room. The walls are really tall and they're covered by many ofuda and all the rest is made of wood. There are some onmyoji near the wall, guarding the center of the room, where there is a pool of sand and a big wooden stake stuck in there. The guardians look at me suspicious, but I didn't mean to approach it anyway...because I feel a gigantic power under my feet, in the ground, surpassed only by the pillar's power.

I tremble feeling the pressure of the barrier <<wh...what the? what's this immense power? what's happening here? Who's the prisoner under us in the underground?>> Yuichi stops near me <<this Is the pillar that we Keikan protected for centuries, exactly as the others seven around the city that compose the spiral seal. It was the 13th head of the house that made them almost two centuries ago, Hidemoto Keikan. Long ago a powerful yokai had conquered the city, cowering It with darkness and fear, but another yokai defeated her, and Hidemoto for prevent that this happened again made the spiral seal...sealing eight powerful yokai under every pillars>> I turn pale and look at the ground <<i...i can feel it...the yokai here is still alive but...he can't escape, incredible>> Yuichi nods <<you and your oni friend can stay here, but the most important thing is the pillar...if you two are a danger for it we will not hesitate to kill you or your friends. it's nothing personal>> I nod slowly <<i understand, I wonder if also the rasetzu will be affected by the barrier>> Yuichi nods <<i'm surprised that you speak about them, is not a secret?>> I roll my eyes <<i already figured that you know about them, because you're an onmyoji and also because you're guarding this temple...they don't have the power to destroy the pillar but be careful. The Keikan family doesn't respond to the Shogun or the emperor, if you kill a rasetzu or two who would come to close it will not be a problem>> he chuckles <<i see that you don't like the experiments with the Ochimizu>> I snap my tongue <<of course, I can't stand it but...i wasn't able to stop those idiots...and they will surely fail, because they can't recreate an artificial gray existence like me and others. The power of fear is something that a human can't use because it can easily destroy him>> I begin to go away, but Yuichi stops me <<oh, when you will see your grandfather again tell him a message from the Keikan family>> I look at him curious <<what message?>> and Yuichi coughs a little annoyed <<don't you dare enter again in our storeroom!>> I laugh loud and go away...ah grandpa, always the same.

I found everyone in the living room, unpacking our things...expect for Itou of course, and Okita, because for a while he has a little fever and he continues to cough, so Hijikata ordered to him to rest. Chizuru sees me and comes closer <<Riko! you're back>> I nod happy <<why so worried? I'm not going anywhere>> Inoue-san comes closer <<well, that guy was a little creepy>> I raise an eyebrow curious <<Yuichi? Well, he's a really serious person>> Okita sigh annoyed, and speak with an acid tone <<well, you two get along pretty well if I have to say>> why he's so angry? I didn't do anything wrong...i don't get it.

I shrug <<our family know each other from a really long time, nothing more>> Itou shakes the fan in his hands <<funny, not everyone can say to be friends with the Keikan family, but I never heard anything about the Nura family>> I grin mischievous <<friends with the Keikan family? Oh please don't make me laugh, I needed to speak with Yuichi early about this, for avoiding useless fights>> Harada crosses his arms curious <<wait a moment, what do you mean? Your families aren't friends?>> I laugh <<of course not, you can say that they are mortal enemies>> they widen their eyes making me laugh <<my grandpa made many innocent pranks to the Keikan family when he was younger>> and I cover my mouth covering my laugh. Saito sighs <<so you take it from him>> Nagakura chuckles <<it's a family trait, but what pranks he made for making the Keikan angry so much?>> but an annoyed voice behind me answers <<first he emptied the storehouse and smoked all the tobacco in the house, then he stole a very valuable sword, created by the head of the family of that time. Then he had a party in our house, finishing the remaining supplies and stayed here for months. I can still continue, there's a whole list>> I jump in surprise turning around, finding Yuichi behind me. Okita laughs <<it's really your family Riko-chan>> I put a hand on my heart <<don't scare me like that please!>> but in the end I also begin to laugh <<well...i see that grandpa was really lively...the true is that he's still the same, the only thing is that now he's old. When I was home he often disappeared because he was in our neighbors house, stealing food and tobacco>> Itou sigh bored and annoyed <<i don't see what's so funny, he's such a barbarian...it's almost like hearing again the stories about the lord of the monsters again. I bet that your grandfather imitated his legend>> he is the legend you asshole!

I sigh annoyed and Yuichi rolled his eyes, but Kondo-san curious asks <<the lord of the monsters?>> Hijikata nods <<we already hear about his legend years ago, he's Nurarihyon>> Harada smiles amused <<i remember it, he's an old yokai who enter in the house and steals food and tobacco. He can seem harmless but he's the commander of the big pandemonium around, so everyone call him 'the lord of the monsters'>> Chizuru looks at him curious <<pandemonium? What is it?>> I chuckles and answer <<is an army of demons, Nurarihyon's pandemonium is composed by 10.000 clan of different yokai, so is the bigger>> in fact grandpa has a big tattoo on his back, because he's a chief member of the yakuza, exactly like my father when he was alive and...someday also me and Rikuo.

Inoue-san chuckles nervously <<it's only a legend but thinking about an army like that it's a little scary>> I giggle <<ohh, you're scared Inoue-san?>> Yuichi grunts exasperated <<i'll return to my work, I hate stupid stories like that>> but Okita looks at him grinning mischievous <<don't tell me that you're also scared>> Yuichi looks at him annoyed <<i memorized this legend when I was little like the others stories about yokai for being a good onmyoji leader>> they look at him in surprise so I say <<from ancient time the Keikan family is famous because they are the best exorcist in our country>> Yuichi nods <<i hate Nurarihyon, he has the ability to appear when you lest expect it>> and he looks at me. I chuckle knowing that he was talking about me, but I ignored that and he left.

Itou frowns <<imitating a stupid legend is still a stupid thing to do, only a man without personality will do something like that>> I look at him angry <<don't you dare speak bad about my grandfather! he's a great man and I have great respect for him!>> Itou avoids my gaze scared <<oh look at the time, I think that I will go to my room>> and he run away.

I groan really angry, but Harada pats my back <<calm down, you know that you have to ignore him>> I nod but begin to walk toward the exit <<i know but if he speak ill about my grandfather again I will break his nose!>> and I run away upset.

I walk in the garden covered with snow, but then a snowball hit me on the shoulder. I shiver for the cold and turn around, seeing Okita grinning <<if I can hit you so easily it will be also easy to kill you>> I shake my head founding myself smiling <<what are you doing here? You have a fever, go inside>> he frowns <<it's not your business, there is already Hijimama who is a pain in the ass, i have only a cough>> I chuckles <<sorry, you're right, Hijikata is already the best annoying mother>> but then another snowball hit me in the face. I hear his laughs and with a hand I pull away the snow on my face <<so...you asked for this!>> I catch the snow at my feet and throw another snowball at him. He dodges it with a smug grin <<you have really a bad aim Riko-chan>> and he laugh, but quickly I throw another snowball hitting him in the face. He stops and groans, but after a few second another snowball hit me on my leg and the battle begin. After some minutes also Harada, Nagakura and Chizuru begin to play with us and Saito put himself in the corner for making a bunny statue of snow. The battle continued for a long time, but then Nagakura hit Itou who was passing by and he begins to scream. Harada and Nagakura grabs Chizuru arms and run away, in the meantime Okita grabs my wrist and together we run in the opposite direction before Inoue-san arrives...leaving behind Saito, who just walk away like nothing happened.

...

A month later Hijikata finally gives me the permission to leave the headquarters with the patrols. also the onmyoji didn't bother us in the end, so I just run past some of them leaving some onigiri near the secret door for the guards in the basement and continue to run. I arrive to the headquarters' exit seeing Okita and Nagakura with their patrols waiting. Okita sighs <<another minute and I'd have left you here>> I take my breath laughing a little <<sorry sorry, Inoue-san stopped me and ask if we can buy some ink>> he shrugs <<it's not my problem if someone attack you in the store>> I roll my eyes, I've know him for more that a year now and I know that it's his way to say to be careful <<yeah yeah, I can handle myself but you have to help me if I need it, because you want to be the one that kill me>> he grins amused <<mh>> and he begins to walk with his patrols. Nagakura runs in front of everyone, complaining about his headache, because last night he was out to drink with Harada. I walk near Okita, because there are many people on the street and I don't want to get lost.

After some hours we let Nagakura continuing the patrols, but me and Okita stops because Okita has still a little fever and the cough, so Hijikata reduced his work. He takes off his haori and look at me <<you have to buy some ink for Gen-san, right?>> I nod <<yes, and you have to buy your medicine for that bad cough>> he frowns annoyed <<i see that Hijimama told you to make sure that I buy them>> I chuckles <<well...yes, if you want I can accompany you>> he glares at me <<go and buy that stupid ink, we meet back here and be quickly, if that Kazama appears just run to me...i will kill him>> and without saying anything else he turns around and go toward the store, so I do the same and begin to walk away.

I arrive at the store and i enter inside, seeing a young girl, with long brown hair and violet eyes, who is doing shopping. I walk toward the counter and the shop owner smiles at me <<welcome miss, do you need something?>> I nod and give my order to him, so he left and go in the back of the store for taking our inks. The girl smiles at me <<hello>> I look at her puzzled <<hello>> I already know that she's a yokai...her fear is not really powerful but she's too close to ignore it. She shakes his hand a little chuckling <<don't worry, I'm not an enemy. I'm Sen but please call me Osen-chan>> I nod in greeting <<Riko Nura>> and then the owner comes back with our inks, so I pay and begin to walk away, but Osen-chan takes my hand <<one moment please! Do you want to be my friend?>> I look at her surprised <<wait what? Friend?>> she nods <<i know a really good thè house nearby, do you want to eat some dango and drink a cup of thè with me?>> I drool a little thinking about the dango, but then I clear my lips and nod. She smiles happy and pull me toward the exit.

After some minutes we arrive at the thè house, and we sit inside with two cup of thè and some dango because it's cold outside. I look curious at her <<you're an oni right? I thought that every one of you were to the same side>> she shakes her head <<for us the only important thing is to protect our people, but I think that you're not a threat>> I smile happy <<i'm glad that someone here can think before acting>> she chuckles <<are you speaking about Kazama? I heard what happened in Ikedaya, but you can relax with me>> I eat a dango <<i know that not every oni is evil, exactly like the others yokai. Just like the humans, you have to know and judge the individual person, not their species>> she nods <<you're absolutely right. so...you are used to be among us demons? Usually the half demons and the gray existences are ignored by the yokai with pure blood>> I sigh placing my hands on the table <<so I've heard, but in my family there is only one human, who is my mother. Of course I learned to live with the humans too but...>> she smiles kindly <<you prefer the company of demons>> I immediately think of Okita and blush <<well...at least I thought that before coming here>> she smiles <<you're blushing, you met someone interesting?>> I nod <<the Shinsengumi. i lived with them for a year now and...they're like a big family. I still love my real family but this humans are my friends>> she nods <<well I'm happy for you, but I bet that's hard living with so many men>> I chuckles <<only a little>> she smiles happy <<and your real family? I'm really curious now, it's so rare to see demons who loves their own bloodline even when it's mixed with human blood>> I shrug <<well...i don't really know what to say, but I will tell you about me if you will do the same about yourself>> she nods <<it's a deal>> I nod, deciding to tell her only what I can because...she's really sweet and kind but I met her only earlier. I play with a piece of my hair, which got longer a bit in the last year <<my mum is human, like I said before, but my dad was a half demon so I'm a demon only for a quarter. The pure blood yokai in the family is my grandpa, who marry a human so he always loved my dad, me and my brother even if we are human for a part>> I sigh annoyed <<well...you can say that I'm like a normal human>> she raises an eyebrow <<why?>> I point to myself <<i can't transform and use my power. The only thing I can do is sense the fear>> she smiles kindly <<a normal human can't sense the fear, I'm sure that your power are only dormant. Who knows, maybe in the past something happened that blocked them, or you haven't found the right motivation for using them>> I widen my eyes shocked <<something that happened in my past? I...i never though of it in that way>> she nods <<it can happened sometimes. Your human blood is in contrast with your yokai blood for some reason. Did something happened to you that might have caused this little fight inside you?>> I bit my lip trebling a little for the anger and the sorrow, remembering that day <<yeah...when my father was killed, even If I wanted to forgot it and move on I can't, thanks to the giant scar on my back that made me think about it every single day...but I don't want to forget it, I will find that woman and kill her>> she looks at me sad <<your father? I'm really sorry for your loss. You know...it was rumored that you were Nurarihyon's daughter, but it can't be because he's alive in Edo with his only son and their pandemonium>> I widen my eyes shocked <<Nurarihyon's daughter? Why you were thinking that? I don't understand, the only think I know is that Kazama is after me, because I look like a woman named Yohime...but I don't know her>> she looks at me shocked <<you don't know who Yohime is? Oh dear...all yokai old at least a century have heard of her, she was really beautiful and kind>> I shake my head <<i'm only twenty years old, so I don't know her but Kazama said that I'm almost her copy. Can you please tell me why she was so important?>> she chuckles <<of course, she was the human girl Nurarihyon fell madly in love with, she's also the mother of Rihan, their only son. Given your extraordinary resemblance to her, Kazama mistakenly thought you were her daughter. you're a woman, so maybe Nurarihyon hidden you for all this time for protecting you. But at this point I think you're just a distant relative of her...after all, she died more that two centuries ago...mh? Riko-chan? Why are you making a face like that?>> Yohime is my grandmother! I didn't knew her name, but grandpa always said that I look like her...so this is why Kazama thought that I'm Yohime relative...well, he's right, he just got wrong one detail...i'm not her daughter but her granddaughter.

I try to hide my shock shaking my head chuckling <<no nothing, I'm just surprised that she was Nurarihyon's wife>> she nods without asking anything <<well yes. I shouldn't say it because I'm a pure demon but...they're story is so romantic. Everyone know that after her death Nurarihyon never married again, he also didn't look at other women. When he was young he was so powerful and handsome but in the end there was always only Yohime for him>> I smile happy and a little moved <<yeah...so romantic>> I already know that grandpa love really much grandma, but hearing this from others is really sweet <<now tell me about you, it's your turn>> she nods happy <<of course, what do you want to know my friend?>> I grin <<where are you from? Do you live with other oni?>> she nods <<yes, I'm the chief of my village...hidden on the mountains to the north. I was born there, so I don't really have friends and I'm happy that you're here now>> I sigh understanding her <<you also protect that village right? it's your responsibility>> she nods <<exactly like Kazama for the oni on the west. There are only a few oni left...it's important to protect the weak ones>> I look at her puzzled <<if it's a problem then why you all didn't join a pandemonium? It defends his members and make them stronger. Of course I know that here is not possible because there is the onmyoji's spiral seal, but you might as well stay on the north>> she tries to answer, but then someone really pissed off stops in front of our table. I turn pale, realizing only now that I forgot something important <<O...Okita, did you buy everything you need?>> he crosses his arms glaring at me with a cold grin <<you really want to die, who knew that you'd escape for eating some dango>> but Osen-chan coughs drawing our attention <<you're Okita Souji of the Shinsengumi right? I didn't know that Riko-chan was with you, if I knew I wouldn't never dragged her with me>> Okita looks at her suspicious <<and you are?>> I sigh <<she's obliviously my friend...idiot>> and I stand up <<i lost track of the time, sorry for that>> and I take the last dango and offer it to him, raising my arm toward him <<later I'll make this up to you, but for now accept my last sweet>> he raises an eyebrow, but then he just grins and lean forward, eating the dango from my hand. I blush hard and jump back feeling my heart beating faster <<w...w...what the hell Okita?! What the fuck was that?!>> he ignores me and look at Osen-chan, who was chuckling <<so you're Riko-chan new friend, if you're not lying then I won't need to kill her this time>> Osen-chan doesn't let herself be intimidated <<of course I'm telling the truth, and if you'll hurt Riko-chan I will make you pay. Now...i'm sorry but I have to go. To our next encounter Riko-chan>> and she goes away paying for our thè and the dango.

I look at Okita feeling sorry <<i was serious...we met at the ink shop and she dragged me here. she's so lively and kind that I lost track of time, I'm so sorry for disappearing like that>> he licks his lips <<you're lucky that dango was better that usual>> I smile embarrassed, feeling still my cheeks hot <<well...i'm happy for that. Maybe later we can make some prank to Itou or Hijikata. If they catch us I will take the blame, what do you think?>> he shrugs <<i will think about it. Come on now...if we don't go back Hijimama will become really angry and he will be a pain>> I chuckles and follow him.

It begin to rain, so we run back quickly stopping only on the entrance of the temple. Okita coughs again and I frown worried <<it's best if you change...those wet clothes...>> but he interrupts me <<i have an idea of what making you do for be forgiven, and if you'll be a good girl I won't tell to Hijikata that you escaped early>> I cross my arms <<i didn't escape and you know it. Well, what do you have in mind?>> he grins <<there are still three hours before dinner, take that ink to Gen-san and meet me after>> I grimace <<but isn't better if you rest a little?>> I raise my hand toward his face <<you look pale>> but I stop myself, blushing again...why I was doing that?

He sigh annoyed <<i will rest when I'm tired, now hurry up...or you don't want to be forgiven?>> I roll my eyes and run inside. I quickly give the ink to Inoue-san and change my wet yukata in my room. After that I run toward Okita's room, really curious of what he's gonna make me do.

I knock and i enter in the room, seeing that he's cleaning his swords. He put them away and I close the door, going toward him and sitting near <<so? We will steal again Hijikata's poetry book? Or Yamazaki's medicine book? We can also hide the sakè from the idiot trio>> he chuckles <<you really want to be forgiven do you? They are really good ideas, but mine is better>> I smile <<what is it?>> but then he just lies down, putting his head on my thighs <<that you'll be my pillow. Also your legs are soft, but not like your chest>> I freeze shocked and surprised, becoming a blushing mess <<what? why? And don't speak about that incident in the wardrobe!>> and I cross my arms. He grins <<you said that I have to rest, remember? So be quiet and help me>> I sigh and in the end i nod <<shut up and sleep smartass, or I will go away>> but he's already asleep. I smile, seeing his face without his usual grin...he's so peaceful...i never see him like this. The rain outside makes a loud relaxing noise and I begin to caress his hair humming an old lullaby from my childhood and...his hair are so soft.

I grab a blanket folded nearby and i cover him with it for the cold.

Who'd have thought...that I'd be so found of him? For the first time since I'm here...i'm happy.