Toshi bowed as he walked in "You are most welcome Kaito San" her voice was polite and quiet as not to alert Ai to her presence within the household, though then again she couldn't fault her as there was someone else "Would you care for something to eat or drink... perhaps a bath or would you care just to go rest" she say her voice showing nothing but warmth towards this evil creature.

Her eyes moved to Yuu's room and closed 'I'm sorry Yuu but we turn away no one in need, even if they are cruel... but I'll protect you like you protected me' she thought to her self her eyes opening once more

"A room, please. Sleep is something I have been derived of for the past few days," Kaito said with a normal tone, though he was still very upset from earlier. He didn't know if he would even get a good night's rest when there was that thing that was still out and about. Though a nice, warm bed was incredibly tempting.

-------------

Yuu flopped onto the top of the futon, still wet from the rain. He lifted the pillow and then hid his head under it. Out of all the chances, how would it have been possible that Kaito found the place? He was bewildered and frightened at the same time. Just how many more will come over?

Toshi bowed her head to his request "Okay follow me" she say moving towards the steps she really wanted to keep hhim away from Ai but even more so away from Yuu "By the way, Like I told Yuu... nothing can harm you within the house" with those words she moved up the steps and stopped out side a room sliding it open "Have a plesent evening Kaito San... I have to tend to Yuu" she would say bowing once more before heading down the steps to Yuu's room

The room would be lavishly furnished just as Ai's was, with silk blankets over the futon, a beautiful red oak table, chair and desk. It's what any noble would expect really


moving to Yuu's room she knocked lightly "Yuu Are you awake or even in there?" she asked her voice showing concern "Yuu, you are safe here, you can't be harmed in the household" she say her hand going to the rice paper door "I'll leave you to rest... Sleep well" with that she turned from the door and moved to the room next door to his own

Again, Kaito failed at expressing himself. He felt like he was ready to explode, but refrained from doing so and quietly went into his room. He would sit down and talk with her later.

------------------

Yuu could only hope so. Toshi was more familiar with being here and knew well about what to expect, so he knew at least she might get a better rest than he probably would. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

Moved into her room and closed the door behind her, her hand going to a light crystal on the wall, her room was basic like Yuu's but had a wall scroll above her bed, looking at it she bowed "Thank you for bringing me Yuu" she whispered before standing

slowly she removed the wet clothes she was wearing and folded them neatly placing them by the door, she forgot that she had company next door and that he could likely see her silouett through the door. Moving quickly she went to the walk in wardrope and brought out a baby pink night kimono with white flowers at the bottom, with a sigh she moved onto her futon "Tomorrow is going to be an intreasting day for us both Yuu" she mumbled as she closed her eyes

================================================== ========================

Next morning Toshi woke up at four A.M as she did every morning. picking up her own dirty clothes she slid her door open and moved out sliding it closed quietly as not to wake the rest of the house. placing the clothing in the basket she moved to the bathing room that she had shown Yuu. slowly she took off her night kimono and with the same care folded it placing it to one side she moved to the closet and took a towel and wrapped it around her slender frame before moving into the water in case Yuu decided he was an early riser and wanted a bath too

Yuu was restless throughout the whole night. He took emergency measures, just in case Kaito was still around, and flew out the open window and landed on the ground. Even if he was in the crow family, the thought of eating bugs made him feel squeamish, but getting punished by Kaito was much worse. His eyes were indeed built for bug hunting, since he saw a buffet of insects around the area. He cawed out several times before picking the meaty nuggets off the ground and downing them. ((x'D yummeh xD))

Hearing the cawing Toshi's eyes darted open, she instantly moved out a bath her eyes showing distress "Yuu!" she called out, she was worried for his safty draging up her night kimmono she got rid of the towl she was wearing wrapping herself as she went.

Opening the door she ran to where she heard the noise, she was so worried she hadn't even worried about her shoes of that she was soaking wet, seeing him eatting bugs she winced "Yuu, if you where hungry you just had to ask I could have made breakfast" she say moving to him taking his hand "You had me worried" she say as she moved into the house once more "The house is safe... Lets go have a bath before the evil ones wake up" she would give a nervous chuckle as she spoke about Kaito and Ai

Yuu was perplexed when Toshi picked him off the ground by his wing. But still, even if Toshi tried to give him food or a bath, he would refuse it so long as Kaito was there, which he wasn't entirely sure about. If Kaito was indeed there, and saw Toshi carrying him like that, he was almost sure that Kaito would approve of it and then leave him alone for a while, so he didn't struggle to get away.

((It was by the hand not the wing >.<))

Toshi moved into the hand "Yuu, is Kaito related to you?" she ask moving to the bathing chamber. entering it she helped him out of the wet clothing he was wearing "Did you go for a bath with your clothes on again" she chuckled hoping to lighten the mood, a light blush in her cheeks as she seen his form compleatly for the first time "please take a bath while they are asleep" she say moving back to the closet to take out another towel, she once again removed her now muddy night kimono and replaced it with a towel slipping into the water once again

((he was a crow when Toshi did that xD;;))

((toshi would have taken him by the shoulder gently but never by the wing))

((That's a bbq wing, I'll have you know x'D. Fingers, you have to put a little extra work into and dip it in sauce instead.))

((post -.- i'll nibble your bbq wings later))

((Oh snap! D8 Don't eat them!

Is...Yuu now very naked? x'D Does Toshi like his man parts? x'D))

Yuu shook his head and backed off, "Really, I can live without the bath." Yuu looked back at the entrance nervously, and then back again. He appeared very fidgety, "He's one of my half siblings. We have the same father.." Yuu looked back at the door again.

((Snaps kami's wing >.< no speakie like that))

Toshi looked to him when he backed away her eyes seemed hurt that he did so "It is just gone four in the morning, besided the highers can take the otherside" she say moving out if the bath water moving to the door moving her hand in a few movements a golden light tied the door shut, after which she moved back to the water "They can't get in now... please relax" she say with a sigh, she hated seeing him like this

hearing his reply she blinked "Half sibling? Then how did you get marked and he didn't" she ask, she was curious about his kind, though looked down the blush returning once more as she seen his form once more

((X____x Nuuuu...

Did she take off the body bandages too? xD))

Yuu, after seeing the spell, moved his way into the water. He appeared a little more relaxed now, "I'm not too sure myself. I only heard it was my mother's fault for my mark." He shifted uncomfortably. Everyone had refused to explain it to him, and now they were all dead except for Kaito, from what he was aware of. But asking those sort of questions to him could mean getting broken bones in several more places.

((yup she removed everything ^^;))

Moved oppisite him a warm smile on her face as she closed her eyes "Your mother done something wrong?" she said sounding confused, but it was soon replaced with a happy smile "I think he thinks you've twisted me against him... I could enquire out of genuine curiosity and give you the answers you are wanting" her voice sounded excited, but she wanted to know what he thought about the idea "this way you can find out and he can't hurt you as you didn't ask" she giggled and splashed some water at Yuu in a playful manner

((xDDDD Well he should have freaked out. He likes to keep his bandages on his fingers lol xD. *too lazy to fix*))

Yuu winced when the water made contact with him, "Be careful with him..I don't really know how he acts towards people outside the family.." Then he gave a weak smile and returned the fire. Then he blinked, "Are you able to travel? Like..go to different lands?"

Nodded to what was said "i'll be careful... but you have a right to know, why you are treated so badly" she say splashing him a little more, laughing and giggling as Yuu splashed back it was the most fun she had in her after-life. On hearing his question though she stopped splashing placing her finger to her mouth and looked to the celing in wonder "Ai sempai can... I'm not sure about me, I've never tried" she say, the smile returning to her face as she began to splash again

Yuu felt territorial suddenly, wanting to take the bath to himself. Instead he playfully nudged her and splashed her again, "Is this a sort of human game?" He was glad the foxes weren't around. If they were present, they probably would have made it an unbearably chaotic experience.

Toshi guarded herself her arm and splashed back "Got you" she say giggling as she nodded a little "yes... they are known as water fights, it doesn't disrupt the harmony of the household as it is purly fun" she giggle splashing him once more "Are you having fun" she say with a wide gring making one mighty splash into the water over to him

"Ahh!" Yuu tried to dodge but ended up landing sideways into the water. He scrambled to get back up, using much of his arm to heave the water up at Toshi. A mischievous grin spread on his face, "Yes, I think I'm having fun."

---------------

Kaito slept well, since he was a heavy sleeper, but he woke up earlier than usual and stretched himself out. He lifted his hands a foot in front of his eyes, and even that was unusual. The tengu tribe either stayed in a fully human form or the crow form, and with his case he was used to staying in his crow form and hitching rides on his younger, weaker siblings. He could feel his arms aching from using them so much for flight after years of just being lazy.

she giggled happily as she seen him go sideways "woops" she say laughing but dipped under the water to avoid his counter attack but after a second she shot up bringing alot of water up with her to splash down on him "heehee... Sneek attack!" she say tackling him slightly only to move back blushing after feeling his semi toned form

"Sneak attack?! I can be sneaky too!" Yuu hopped forward, changing into his crow form within a second and smashed himself into the side of Toshi's head. One foot ended up on an ear and the other ended up on Toshi's nose, making himself look like an awkward head decoration unintentionally.

Blinked not expecting what he ment by sneek attack but seeing him lunge forwards and land on her head like some weird hood orniment see decided to fall backswards making a big splash in the water only to shoot up a few seconds later. She was having so much fun she actually forgot the time "gah! Breakfast!" she exclaimed moving to the side of the pool

Yuu cawed once, clinging onto Toshi's hair and using his wings to balance himself as she moved forward, then hopped to perch on Toshi's shoulder. Yuu ran his beak through a bit of Toshi's hair, "If you're going to make breakfast, please don't make any for me. I already ate a while ago, so I'm already filled up."

TSmiled nodding slightly to what he said "Okay Yuu, but please change to your humanoid form" she say moving out of the bath and towards the closet; opening the closet she took two towels, placing one on the ground for yuu, she removed the wet towel and used the dry one to taske off the moister of her moist form.

Goins back into the closet she brought out a three layer kimono and began to dress herself, bringing out some clothes and bandages awaiting him to change to help bandage it's wounds once more

Yuu flew down to the towel, and used it. He was quite proud of himself for a successful drying job.

((Noooo..xD))

((=O one liner))

Watched as he dried himself her hand coming up to cover her mouth as she chuckled "A towel dried crow" she giggled, slowly she moved to the door and felt the energy's of the house "Ai is out eaarly so it will be myself, yourself and Kaito... remember no harm can befall you within the house" she say she felt like she had to remind him more than ever now Kaito was around

After saying the sentance, she moved up to the kitchen and began to make breakfast with the ingredients she brough in before she was kicked out for the evening. roughly hald an hour afterwards she would begin placing bowls on the table before bringing in the food. with a gentle sigh she moved up stairs and knocked on Kaito's door "Good morning, breakfast is ready if you would care to join Yuu and myself for something to eat" she say quietly but enough to be heard if he was indeed awake, with that she walked back downstairs and knelt at the table awaiting Yuu and Kaito's arrival

Yuu had come out of the bath, dried and dressed up in his human form and he went into his room, not expecting that Toshi would likely want him to be around at the time. He thought it was probably best if he wasn't around when she tried to ask Kaito anything.

-------------------

Kaito heard and made his way downstairs, where he sat at the table. Normally there were specially crafted perches on the table for the crow-shaped tengu to sit at, but there were none here. He knew he wasn't going to adjust 'that' easily to the foreign environment. He bowed his head slightly, "How do you fare this morning?"

Toshi watched as Yuu walked past and into his room, standing she knocked on the door "Yuu are you okay? Well if you feel better please come join us" she say gently a touch of love in her voice

moving back to the table only to see Kaito taking his place "You seem uncomfortable would you like me to make you a perch?" she asked hoping it wouldn't be taken as an insult. a smile came to her face as she was asked a question "I rested well and yourself Kaito San" she said moving her hand to the teapot as to offer him some tea

"please forgive my rudeness last night Kaito san, Yuu reqired my attention because of the harm you befell him. My name is Toshi" she say bowing her head in apology "I am curious about your kind as you must be curious about myself... Yuu didn't tell me much I would love to learn" she say her voice showing eagerness for the knowledge

"I rested well, and I would like the perch, thank you," Kaito lifted his tea and took a sip, a bit surprised that Toshi managed to at least guess he was troubled by the lack of accommodations for birds and even more surprised that she even had a perch somewhere. He was a bit curious to see what it looked like.

Kaito grinned from knowing that Yuu didn't tell her much, and was happy to know that he was given a chance to explain himself in such a relaxed atmosphere. He sipped his tea again, "We can learn much from each other. Mmm..you said you were human, but as I recall..humans don't normally live so long. I assumed you were some sort of avatar, spirit, or possessed. Maybe you can clarify?"

-----------

Yuu was happy where he was at, at least for now. He could hear them from behind the door and he wasn't in a place where he would upset the flow of the conversation, which he though was going smoothly so far. He was grateful that Kaito wasn't being too much of a big threat to Toshi, and he sighed in relief.

Smiled nodding to Kaito "I'll make a perch for you today then between my chores" she say contently placing some rice onto a plate, with some steamed fish, though hearing him state on how long she lived she quirked an eye brow. She knew Yuu hadn't said anything, he hadn't met Ai and she herself had said nothing so she found herself being extreamly curious on the matter at hand "How do you know how long I have lived?" she would say placing down the spoon she used for the rice and picking up her own cup "But you are correct in believing I am a spirit, but I am still human in the sence that was my race when I was breathing and that I still keep my human emotions even though I am dead" with that she took a sip of her tea

Tafter taking the sip she tilted her head "You have asked a question, I believe it only right I am allowed to ask one now" she say smiling show it would be one question each "Yuu said he was a marked, what does 'marked' mean within your kind?" she say her voice showed a hint of sorrow as she thought about the condition Yuu had arrived in

Kaito laughed, covering his mouth when he did so. Then he leaned forward, "Pardon me, Ms. Toshi, but you asked two questions." He sat in a proper position again, clearing his throat and then grabbing the utensils, and having some difficulties getting used to tools he didn't have to use with his claws. He made an attempt to make it look like he was experienced with using the chopsticks.

"I'll answer your last question, since that one sounds like it is more of a curiosity to you," Kaito jabbed at the rice playfully, "Each tribe is made up of several families, and each tribe governs a territory. Us tengu are very territorial and will seek out to obtain more land, and that means conquering other tribes to get what we want. But several years ago, from what I have heard, my tribe and two others came together to unite rather than fight each other. Two heirs from each tribe were exchanged to the others, and those were paired with more heirs or high-ranking warriors." He stopped playing with his rice and sipped some more tea before continuing, "It was a trick by the other two tribes. Instead of two heirs, they sent two slaves, so that our tribe mingled royal blood with the blood of filth. And because of that, the other two tribes had no true bond with our tribe and attacked when the defenses were lowered. It was just a tactic to gain more territory and slaves, and the spoils of the battle would have been split between the two...if they had been successful. My tribe would have killed the bastard children along with their bastard lower-class parents if they could, but whatever the other two tribes did...it made it so that it was impossible for my tribe to get rid of the children, so they live as constant reminders within our land of how our gullibility almost brought our downfall. So instead of just calling them something like 'the tribe's mistake', we just call them 'marked'. They're dirty people, so they don't get the same privileges that the rest of us tengu do. I don't know why they didn't just toss them in the dungeons."

Kaito finally started eating, "This is good! You are a good cook Toshi. Anyways, the marked are easy to spot. In their human forms, they're supposed to wear dull colors, since normal tengu wear vivid colors. As crows, they have abnormal coloration. One is even completely lime-colored! She's so funny to look at!" He laughed out loud just thinking about it. Now he wasn't as upset with Toshi anymore, "I sensed another presence here. I didn't bother to get a good look, but he or she is similar to you, correct?"

Toshi listened to everything that was said and tilted her head "So Yuu's mother was of lower blood of another tribe, that mingled with the royal blood of the Tengu, am I correct" she say wanting to get the story right so she could tell Yuu later.

Bringing up her kimono sleeve she giggled behind it as only polite, she thought how Yuu was now wearing bright colors, but then she believed that world was bright and beautiful and wanted nothing dull within it, stopping her laugh hearing his compliment she bowed her head "I am unworthy of such kind words" her voice modest as she spoke

"Yes there is another, My brother Ai" she answered, she looked down and closed her eyes for a moment before looking back to him a smile returning to her face "Why do you tread Yuu so bad... marked or not he's still family" she say her voice sounding hurt at the thought of Yuu being hurt

"That is correct, she was of a lower standing from another tribe, disguised to be royalty. And everyone has their reasons, but I just want to to make sure our tribe's laws and wishes are respected, even if it means hurting someone to do it," he stabbed a piece of the fish and ate it. He savored it as looked around. Kaito wasn't paying attention before, but now he had brought his sensing ability back up and found that Yuu was not too far off. He froze, turning pale rather quickly. He had broken one of the laws without even knowing until it was too late. He glared at Toshi, "You...you and that marked planned this, didn't you?"

Listened once again a sighed deeply "it's cruel to hurt your own family even if they are diffrent" sher eyes closed once more "Sometimes rules and traditions should be broken to protect another life" she say her voice though quiet showed her conviction in her words

Her eyes darted open as he spoke suddenly "I told you I was curious! Yuu couldn't give me the answers... besides..." her hand pointed to Yuu's door "That is Yuu's room... this house is our sanctuary" she say gently pouring more tea "it is also your's or would you like to go back to where you came from and be hurt" she say clenching her eyes, she wasn't a cruel person and in saying those words a blood tear fell from her right eye

"I want to learn so I am not ignorant of your kind... Yuu wants to learn so he knows why he is treated like he is lower dirt, why he is tortured by most likely his only living relitive... I'm sorry, but, the way yourself and Yuu have spoken you are the only two remaining of your tribe making you equils... " she stopped to take a breath "you where born into nature equils as nature doesn't see one person above another... it nurtures all... perhaps that is why your kind was destroyed, because you showed no kindness to those who needed help" slowly she stood and moved towards Yuu's door

"I will not judge you or your kind, as I have to live the life of a marked myself... though I have the exact same blood as my brother." she say sliding Yuu's room door open "This is why we say on the bottom floor, after all we are nothing but slaves to you both" with that she walked in and closed the door behind her.

Falling to her knees she closed her eyes and hugged into herself she just wanted to cry

Kaito was shaken by the response, thinking that she would finally understand his point of view after his explanation. Instead, it was the exact opposite, and it angered him. Once again, he held it back and continued eating since he knew trying to talk some sense into her when she was clearly upset would have made no progress.

--------

Yuu was startled and scurried to the far opposite end from the door, never having expected Toshi to come into his room. He watched as Toshi fell to the floor, making it apparent that she wasn't too happy. He moved closer to her and whispered as he put a hand on Toshi's shoulder, "Are you going to be okay?"

Toshi shook her head, bringing her kimono sleeve up she wiped the blood tear away "He is exactly like Ai!" she say gently "You are marked because your mother was a slave to another clan, instead of killing 'marked' they keep you as a reminder not to be so gullable" she say clenching her hands, she was so angry at how they where treated

sighing she stood up and looked to him "Though this is sanctuary to us both... perhaps we should run" she say, her voice wobbled as she suggested running, this was her home in life and in death, the thought of leaving it scared her, but perhaps they could be safer away from those who harmed them, that being prisoners within a guilded cage

"he doesn't understand... he is safe here, within balance he is the same as you... in the eyes of death you will be claimed equilly" a white glow came from around her, bringing up her hand she smiled slightly "Thank you" she say with a warm smiled "But what would that prove" she say gently the glow fading as quickly as it had came

Yuu shuddered about now knowing that a slave's blood ran through him, and he could understand why they would hate him so much. The tengu were usually people who carried their pride up high, and having their pride broken must have been a huge blow to them. So no matter what he could have done in the village, he never would have received peace.

Staying with Toshi, he learned that she still loved Ai, despite what happened. However, he wondered just how she would feel if she had separated from Ai. He assumed that she would most likely miss Ai, and would probably want to return if she started feeling homesick, "Toshi, will you really be alright with that? I thought you wanted to remain close to Ai."