Guest room

"It is, isn't it." A small giggle left her lips as she was enjoying the surprised reactions on Ketsueki. She placed her down on the futon bed. "Now get some rest Akiyama-san. You were almost falling asleep in the bath after all. I will make preparation for your dinner and bring it to you in an hour. Would you also like some tea with your meal? Or would you prefer something else to drink?"

Nakatani would leave the room statisfied. She believed she had been succesful in making Ketsueki feel safe and partly at home. She knew there was still a long way to go before she would be recovered, physically and mentally. Only time would tell if Ketsueki could bring up enough trust in the Hizashi house to let them help her, just like Nakatani herself had.

In the hour that followed Nakatani did simple house chores with the other servants and prepared the meal for Ketsueki herself. After an hour had passed she knocked on the door of the guest room and let herself inside. In that moment Ketsueki looked peaceful and serene.

She placed down the plate with the meal on the table. She had made a big portion of cooked rice and different vegetables and a miso soup to the side. Judging on the way that Ketsueki had looked she figured she hadn't eaten in a while and had chosen easily digestible and chewable food so she could get it down.

"Your meal is ready Akiyama-san. It is time to wake up." She again shook her very gently, trying to mostly wake her up by her voice.

"You are very welcome Akiyama-san." Nakatani said to her. She would help her to consume the meal. Being patient with her all the way through.

Once she was finished Nakatani put all the plates together and got ready to clear them from the room. "What would you like to do now Akiyama-san? You could get some more sleep until the morning. We could also sit in the courtyard to enjoy some fresh air. The sakura trees are very beautiful this time a year."

"Of course Akiyama-san." she said kindly. She was still holding up to her etiquettes, but the woman was feeling more and more like more then just a guest. Her need for care had sparked Nakatani's reasons for being a servant once agian and it had been a great experience to have her as the first guest she tended to.

She got up and walked to the draped to close them so the room would become slightly darker. She then picked up the plates and made her way to the door. "If there is anything you need, just call for me Akiyama-san. I will be glad to help you with anything." she said before she bowed towards her and exited the door.

The next morning, @ketsueki would hear a gentle knocking on a wood support beam outside her room. There was a male voice, indicating why the door did not open and someone did not come to wake her in person. The thin screens of the door allowed the sound to easily travel, however.

"Akiyama-san? If you are in there and can hear me, lord Genji has said you have his express permission to go out into the courtyard and move around freely. I do suggest you come enjoy the sun and breeze when you can. He says there is to be a festival tonight."

Ketsueki returned to her temporary stay, sliding the door shut as quietly as she could muster once inside. At the moment, she felt very much lost. Her steps brought her near the lovely windows, where she stooped down to her knees and stared out at the gardens beyond the barrier.

It might seem clear to regain her footing in her shinobi training to anyone else, but... she was hesitant. Did she even want to return to that? Everything was still a jumbled mess - granted, she was in the palace of a Katashima lord now a man of Tawakoshi. But she was so unfamiliar with her surroundings. And every time she closed her eyes, she visited vibrant memories that were anything but pleasant.

She looked over her hands again, tugging up the sleeves of her kimono to look at them further - noting that the magicks from earlier also had cleared up the cruel marks of binding on her wrists. At least she wouldn't have to see them anymore.

No, wait - that wasn't true. Her seating shifted, bringing her legs to the side and she would tug down one of her tabi socks to find... yes, there were still marks there. She quickly covered them. The thoughts of being back in that dark room, those painfully tight ropes holding her down to the table - she had to shut them out. She tried to focus on the gardens outside her window. Anything. Just shut it out.

You always said you couldn't train me for that possible outcome of a shinobi. You hit me twice, and couldn't do it again. Uncle, he couldn't even fathom doing that. You two trained me hard so it wouldn't happen... but it did. How do I deal with this...?

Setoku was slowly ushered into the room, his mind racing. He could tell she wasn't that type, but it did throw him off. But at the same time, he thought he understood. Groups, crowds, drunks... They weren't his thing, regardless of his past. He quickly gave the room a once over, and gave her a sort of sideways glance.

"Fancier than I'd expect..."

He murmured more to himself. After a moment, he took his seat, and watched her go find a maid, the whole time he merely looked around, stopping only to gaze at the massive window. The girl returned, and offered him an explanation. He raised an eyebrow, not speaking for a moment, merely observing her.

"I see. You are correct, in both counts. So, tell me, Akiyama-dono, why is it you actually brought me here?"

Either his samurai nature of distrust was prevalent, or he was over thinking things, but he kept his eyes on her. Not sternly, but more... Longingly? Or was it comfortingly? It was hard to say.

"Either way, I am flattered... But you strike me as the more... Inquisitive type, but maybe I am over analyzing things... That Haori looks good on you, by the way."

He offered, smiling still. Clearly, this whole thing confused him.

Setoku turned his head to the side slightly. Thinking. He was over thinking things - And he no doubt came off wrong. He closed his eyes a moment, letting out a breath.

"Forgive me, Akiyama-dono. It's... Been quite sometime since so much interest has really been wasted on this one."

He half opened his eyes, letting them fall only on her again. His smile slowly turning more bashful. His life... His pain, he was sure it was much different than her own. It wasn't any worse, but it was different. He let his hands rest on the table, close to her own.

"I lived on the warriors path, but it was not the honorable path. Assassination, corruption... My former lord had much to contend with... He was too honorable. And now, this one, the last remaining samurai of akimatsu."

His features didn't change. He didn't look any happier or sadder.

"But that was in the past. In a time I keep forgetting is over. My only focus, and worry at the moment... Is you, Akiyama-dono. I had almost forgotten that."

Nakatani would soon hear that Ketsueki had requested service. She had told the servants that she had wanted to provide any service asked as she felt like it was important for the woman to be treated by someone she trusted instead of finding strangers all the time. She would nod her head and make her way to the kitchens.

She filled a plate with different small snacks as the time of day didn't call for a meal. She choose carefully between sweet and salty flavored treats and then prepared the boiling water for the tea. The only thing that concerned her slightly was the fact that she was making tea for two. Who was in there with her? Had Ketsueki made a friend? If so, Nakatani would feel relieved.

Once she finished, she made her way to the guest room and made her presence known before sliding the door open en bowing. When she reached her head back up to look at the two on the room she visibly shook, something they should have noticed as well. Setoku was the last person she had expected here and she was immediately alarmed and on guard. What did this man want from Ketsueki-san?
"I heard you required some snacks and tea Ketsueki-san." she smiled at the woman before making her way towards her, ignoring Setoku for now. While she placed the tray on the table and served them both tea in their cups she couldn't help but feel the need to find out what was going on. "So I see that you have found her Setoku-san. I am sorry I could not be of use before. Ketsueki-san her privacy is a big concern of mine as I am under her service. I beg your understanding in the matter." she would bow towards him. Taking a bit longer to serve to tea to judge Ketsueki her reaction.