"Sumiko, wake up. We're here."

I mumbled, "Five more minutes, please?" I went to grab a blanket, and ended up grabbing onto someone's haori!

My eyes shot open...and I was met with a smile bathed in the sunlight. Kyojuro beamed down at me as he spoke, "Did you sleep well?"

"No nightmares...how is this possible?"

"I scared all of your demons away?"

"Maybe I just felt at peace for once." I looked around and spoke softly, "You sure you don't mind taking care of me?"

"Absolutely. Just forgive the size of my home. It's...unique."

"Let me guess- large area for training, large kitchen for food, and a small bedroom."

"How did you-"

"I just guessed." We stepped into the front yard, and I was right. I looked around and saw charred training dummies, a small gym area, and some trees. In front of me was a modest size home that seemed simple.

Kyojuro brought me into the home, and I saw the large kitchen on the left side, and on the right side...a small bedroom. We were standing in a small common area that had some mats to lay on. He sighed, "Sorry I don't have a lot of chairs or benches..."

I smiled up at him, "I'll adjust, don't worry!"

"Anyhow, you need to rest up." He brought me into the bedroom and placed me on a futon there. Once I was placed, he went out into the kitchen, and I heard banging around.

I couldn't resist it- so I started to pull myself up by holding onto the futon's railings and started to force myself to hop towards the kitchen. I had made it to the door when I heard a sigh, "You're really stubborn, aren't you?"

"I'm typically doing chores at this time...so any noise like that, and I know I must help."

"And here I thought you snoozed the day away." Kyojuro started to laugh a bit, "I kid, but you do need to take it easy."

"But what were you looking for?"

"A pot to put cool water to place a cloth on your leg. After all, that does help with injury, right? Along with rest."

I nodded, "Yes. Wait...are you saying that you don't know everything?"

"I know enough to treat minor injuries, now go lay back down!"

I put my left foot forward...and stopped. There was not much for me to grab on, so I placed a hand on the wall and was about to continue onwards towards him. However, I saw a grin on his face as he came over in the blink of an eye and picked me up. My face instantly face his, and a blush rose onto my face as I quickly spoke, "What did I do wrong?"

"Not listening to the master of the house." He then carried me back to the bedroom to place me back on the futon again. Once I was placed there, I tried to sit up to get out of the futon once more, but I was pushed back down...with Kyojuro hovering above me. His arms were to the sides of my body, and he spoke softly, "Remember, you're a guest at my place, and so, you're supposed to respect my commands."

"However, I know what I want to do and need to know my surroundings in order to take care of myself-"

"You'll have plenty of time to explore, but you can't explore when you're hurt. You don't want to get hurt more, right?"

I feebly nodded, and this made Kyojuro smile. He removed his arms from the bed as he spoke, "So please, let me help you, and please rest."

He then walked back out into the kitchen to continue preparing a cold soak for me. I gasped for fresh air...that was something! But I didn't argue anymore as I stared at the ceiling. Why would he care about me so much...and be willing to do this? Shinobu-sama could have helped me!

He's a functional Pillar, and then there's me...a shattered Pillar who can't even walk around a house. I wanted to be me again...independent too! Not reliant on anyone, but I doubt that would happen...

"Sumiko? Can you please roll up your kimono so then I can see your right leg?" I was snapped out of my pity party by Kyojuro sitting on the bed, waiting for me to listen.

"Sorry...was lost in my head. You can just hand me the cloth, and I can do it, honest-"

"I'll need to inspect for any other damage that you can't see. After all...you can only see so much from your perspective."

"Fine, you win." I took my kimono and rolled it up to the middle of my thighs. I looked down and saw one normal leg where I could flex my toes...and the other, just a stump. I sighed as I spoke, "Shinbou-sama managed to save me by some miracle, but the cost was steep. I'm so sorry for placing this burden on you."

Kyojuro's fiery eyes looked at mine as he ruffled my hair quickly, "We all need help in different ways. Besides, once you feel better...can you please just cook for me? Or teach me your breathing style?"

I couldn't help but laugh as I spoke, "That's all you want from me in exchange for you taking care of-shit!" I hissed as I felt the cold water go on the wounds.

Kyojuro sighed, "Sorry, Sumiko...I don't mean to hurt you, but you somehow cut yourself yesterday. I'm just going to clean it out."

"I can at least do that..."

"You would not be able to reach the damage, it is where you put on Shinobu-sama's apparatus."

"How bad?"

Kyojuro looked at me, a frown on his face. I couldn't help but reach out to him and carefully touch his cheek. Just as I was about to pull my hand back, it was grabbed and I heard Kyojuro say, "I'll kill him."

"Kyojuro...please don't run off. I've come to terms and accepted it- this is my life now." I wrapped my small hand around his and smiled softly, "If anything...it's made me more grateful for the gift of being human. I'm grateful to be here today, after all...I can live to fight another battle. While it may not be the one I am used to, my proof of being here shows that demons don't stand a chance. So please- be careful around them and always come home, no matter what. Can you please promise me that?"

Kyojuro's smile came back as he engulfed me in a hug. I went to go lay my head on his shoulder, but my chin was caught by a strong hand, the same one that just a few minutes ago, was wrapped in mine. My pale eyes met his golden eyes as he whispered to me, "I'll keep that promise, so as long as we seal it properly."

"Seal it-" I was abruptly cut off by his lips catching my own. My face heated up as I realized what was occurring. As abruptly as he had kissed me, he pulled away, leaving me in shock.

Kyojuro started to chuckle as our foreheads connected, "I'll be happy to hold that promise now."

"You jerk!" I tried to push him away, but he did not move at all. Instead, two arms wrapped around me, and my arms were now pinned against his chest. I gripped onto his uniform and spoke, "What was that for?"

"To seal our promise...but I've got to ask, was that your first kiss?"

"I'm not telling you." I turned my face away, but was only forced to face him again.

Before I could protest, Kyojuro captured my lips once more. I was so mad, but I couldn't fight back! He was too strong.

He then walked out of the room and spoke softly, "Then I guess I'll just have to take the rest of them from you. Stay still, so then I can treat you."

Maybe...being watched over by him won't be so bad.