Enjoy Chapter four.

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Kyo's POV

My first impression of Shigure's room, it's not what I was expecting. Once he closed the door and flipped on the light, I couldn't believe it. Instead of finding a dungeon or a hidden torture chamber of some kind, it looks perfectly normal.

The walls are three different colors. The one across from us is green. The same color as leaves in the spring. The one we're walking through is white. There's a huge sliding door to my right, leading to a small balcony with an incredible looking view of the land surrounding the house even at night. The last wall is the one his bed is up against, it's a darker gray. I pick up on the sound of trickling water.

"Come on in, Kyo," Shigure invites, "there's nothing in here that's going to jump out and bite."

"Yeah, except maybe the few dozen or so skeletons that may or may not be located inside your closet" I reply, taking another step in, The flooring against my feet is the same one on the first floor, so it's nothing new. Shigure gets a humorous look in his eye.

"Well, I can't promise they won't take a bite out of you." He chuckles.

I look around some more. His desk sits up against the green wall. Surprisingly, there's not much on it, apart from his computer, a stack of paper, and a really weird looking thing that I can't make out sitting on the corner. I walk closer, Shigure following close behind. As I approach, the sound of trickling water gets louder. Looking at it closely, I realize, it's a desk fountain with a small stream of water going down. I turn to face him.

"You have a small water fountain on your desk?" He nods

"Yes," Shigure replies, "It sometimes helps me while I'm writing, if the house is too quiet too or too hectic like when you and Yuki would get into your daily squabbles I'd turn this on and get back to work." He points at it with his finger. "That little gadget also helps me sometimes in falling asleep." I raise a brow at this.

"You have trouble sleeping, why?"

"Because being an author is a lot more stressful at times than a lot of people think," he replies. "I mean there's brainstorming, the outlining, the actual writing of the book and putting it on paper. All of that would be fine if I also didn't have to worry about deadlines. Once I go to lay my head down, my head won't turn off. The sound of running water helps me turn off my brain, it relieves my stress." Shigure's eyes go misty "However, that sound doesn't just help me with stress from my career, it helps me when problems in my life become too much. Like having to deal with Kureno and the thought of him and..."

"And what?" He shakes his head.

"It's nothing Kyo," he replies, glancing towards a door to my left. "But speaking of stress relief, my bathroom's right through there, come on." I nod and follow.

As we go by the wall his bed's against, I notice Shigure's bookshelves are lined with books, all in alphabetical order. Also unlike Touru and I, Shigure's the only one of us who has a bed instead of a futon, he has a white sheet and black comforter.

He slides the door back. My eyes widen again, mouth falling open slightly. If I was a bit taken aback by the look of Shigure's bedroom, only one word describes my response to his bathroom. Stunned.

White marble makes up the surface so clean it shines. It has white walls on all four sides, the lighting dim. There's a counter with a double sink, with a towel rack on both sides. The crown jewels of the space are a large walk-in shower, so big I can't see where it ends from here, and a large white bathtub. I take a step back.

Wow, Shigure's books are selling better than I thought, I smugly think to myself. I turn to face him.

"So I'd take it this is where you really go when the writing gets tough."

"Yes," he admits, "This is where I come to recharge and get away from it all. I can spend hours in here, it's my private little oasis, my sacred space," he then looks towards me. "But for tonight, you can use it." I bow slightly in gratitude

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I take a few steps forward and turn around, watching as the threshold slides shut. Once the door's all the way closed, I walk over towards the sink, the stone feeling smooth under my feet, but also warm to the touch. It's probably heated as well. The space smells of toothpaste and mouthwash, the scent of the alcohol burning the inside of my nostrils a bit.

I catch sight of myself in the mirror, flinching at the reflection looking back at me. Like my Master, there're dark circles and bags under my eyes, although mine are a bit more sunken in. The skin covering my face is very pale, almost milk-white. It would appear my cheekbones are more hollow than they used to be. Who wants to bet all my other muscles have started atrophying as well.

Continuing to stare into the mirror, my eyes catch sight of something in the reflection. Not in the foreground but from behind me, there's something appearing to be translucent seeming to be coming out from the bathtub.

I walk over, that's when I notice a cloud of smoke in the tub. I shake my head. No, that's not it, it's steam. I get to the tub and realize it's been filled to the brim with water, warm steamy water by the looks of it. I see there's a note taped to the head of the tub. I pull it away, careful not to get it wet.

Dear Kyo, just so you know this was all Tohru's idea, she asked my permission immediately after we received Kazuma's phone call. Though Ayame recommended some oil be put in, she decided to keep it simple. Hatori said you got your shower yesterday, so there shouldn't be a need for you to scrub off first.

P.S The tub has built-in heaters, so there won't be any cold surprises when you enter. Get in and enjoy it.

Shigure.

Tohru, she drew this for me? A smile spreads its way across my face. That girl, she always knew what I needed when I needed it,

Walking back over towards the sink for a moment, I place the note on the counter. Getting back to the tub, I start to strip down, the aches in my back and neck sharpen from no longer being covered. I hesitate for a second, bringing my leg up slowly and placing it down. I wince slightly, my normal reaction to water. Though a second later, the water begins to soothe my leg.

The temperature's perfect.

My legs and hands both start to tremble, it actually hurts a bit. Carefully, trying hard not to fall I step in fully. I slowly sink under the surface, being sure to keep my head and nose out. The water engulfs me, the heat from it dabbing at my neck and back making the pain subside. My sore body relaxes instantly, my muscles releasing all the tension I've stored there over the past three months. Without meaning to, a groan passes through my lips.

Though I don't usually like baths, right now I could care less. Leaning back and resting my head. I close my eyes and let the warm water start to calm my mind. Even the warm shower I had while I was sick can't compare.

After about five minutes of relaxing, I hear the door slide open and someone enter the bathroom, judging from the footsteps on the stone. I pull myself up in order to see who it is, only to find a cotton bathrobe folded neatly on the counter. I turn to find out who's deed this is, but the door's already shut. I look between the robe and the door for a moment.

Wonder who that could have been?

Leaning back against the front of the tub, I close my eyes and allow the water to calm my mind for at least a few more minutes, not having a care or pain in the world.   

***

A/N Thank you all for reading the fourth chapter of Locked up But Not Locked Away, hoped you like it. Writing that Bath scene was so relaxing, this chapter proves we should all have a chance to relax every once in a while.

Who do you think brought Kyo the bathrobe?

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