The mouse, the tiger and the Palaquin Captain

Chapter 4: Peaceful rest

Shou's face flushed even harder and she looked down. Was that a yes? I couldn't tell. "Well... I'm just saying you can... if you want to..." She started fiddling with the fabric of her sleeves nervously. I heard quiet whispering coming from the door and gave the others a glare. They didn't really need to see this, did they? I grabbed a book that I found on the table next to my bed and threw it towards the doorway, making the others leave quickly. I then looked at Shou. "You're saying I can, I know, but I want to know if you want that..." She didn't answer me. Why didn't she answer me? She knew she could say anything and I would neither laugh nor be mad or something like that. "Please, Shou, your silence doesn't make me any wiser." She looked back at me. "You see... we promised each other to spend some time alone every day and... today we hardly spent ten minutes alone... so I thought... you might at least stay for a while..."

It was all about that promise, of course, why didn't I think of that before? We did spend almost the entire day with the others. "Oh, it's about that promise...? But um... why do you want me to sleep in your bed, not just your room?" "Because the mattress doesn't fit on the ground, we don't have any futons and I don't want you to just sleep on the floor." She explained to me. So she didn't actually want the bed thing, but just to spend time with me. I smiled at her and nodded. "Alright." I said blushing. I could tell this was going to be very weird and awkward, but if my sweet Shou wanted something I would do anything to make her happy. "Awwww!" I heard from outside, apparently the others didn't quit witnessing our conversation. "Really?" Shou said happily. She smiled brightly as I nodded, holding my arms out to receive a hug from her, which I did.

I yawned noisily. Shou then looked at me and smiled. "You're tired, aren't you? I'll get the bed ready immediately." She smiled. I blushed a little and nodded. It was going to happen, I was going to share a bed with her, with my beautiful Shou. I didn't know how to feel at that moment. Sure I was happy that we'd spend some time together, but like this it would be very awkward and it was still too soon for my taste. I know that I said yes, but in all truth it was just to make Shou happy. As I said before I'd do anything to make her happy. Anything. "Alright." I finally answered. "Thank you very much for letting me stay there." I stood up, followed by Shou, who took the key from behind the photo, where I had put it before. I walked towards her room, glancing at the others, who were hiding outside mine, giving me different expressions. Hijiri smiled happily and it was really starting to creep me out. Ichirin looked like she was wishing me luck and I didn't even want to know what for. Murasa grinned as if she was saying. "Success!" Kogasa looked at me confused and Nue wasn't there.

I ignored them and went to Shou's room. I was about to open the door when someone grabbed my wrist, holding me back. I looked up and saw that it was my girlfriend. "Um... my room is … really messy! Please let me clean it up first!" She let my wrist go, giving me a begging look. "Of course." I answered briefly, stepping away from the door. She unlocked the door and opened it, went inside the room and closed the door before I could see anything behind it. I really wondered what was wrong with her. She had been acting strange all day. I considered asking her about it but decided not to unless there was the perfect moment. These kinds of questions should not be asked out of the blue and I knew it. While waiting I heard a lot of noise coming out of the room in front of me. I would've loved to know what was going on in there. But I didn't and so I continued to wait and wait... this was getting ridiculous. Did she also change into her pajamas? I looked down at the clothing I was wearing at that time. Changing wasn't that much of a bad idea and it looked like she was going to take a while to finish whatever she was doing in there.

So I left to my room and got into my pajamas. I couldn't stop looking at my broken bed, trying to find out how the heck it broke like that. Instead of wondering about that, I should rather wrap my mind around the event that was ahead of me. I went back to Shou's room and knocked at the door. "Hey, are you done in there any time soon?" I asked. As response the door opened. "Yes! I'm done! Sorry it took so long, but it was a real mess in here! Oh, you changed as well?" She said looking at me in my pajamas. I just nodded. "Well then, make yourself comfortable in the bed already while I go brush my teeth. You've brushed yours, already, correct?" I just made another nod. "Okay then. You get comfortable." She told me and left to the bathroom. She seemed very enthusiastic about sharing a bed with me. I told myself that it was all because of the promise, not more.

I walked into her room and looked around like this was the first time I saw it. Of course it wasn't, but I tried to find out that way if she really just cleaned up a mess in there, because I remembered that the room seemed normal earlier that day. I shook my head, pushing that thought out. I decided that I didn't have enough trust in Shou. She said she cleaned up a mess, so that's what she did. Nothing more. Nothing else. Confident about my new trust I glanced at the bed and sighed a little. I didn't know if I should just lie down. She had told me to get comfortable in there, so that's what I should do, right? But why did it feel so strange? Why would I rather go hiding like a coward instead of spending the night with Shou? I loved her. I knew I did. So this shouldn't be hard. I climbed into the bed and realized that I neither had my own pillow, nor my bedspread. I was about to stand up again, but Shou entered the room, smiling at me, closing the door. "Uhm... Master, I forgot my bedspread and pillow, may I-?" "You did it again." She sighed while entering the bed as well, looking at me with a harsh gaze. "... what?..." I asked, wondering, had I forgotten to turn off the lights outside or something?

"You called me 'master', even though I thought you'd use my name permanently now." She looked away, but I could tell that she was sad and disappointed. I cursed myself for my stupidity. "I'm sorry, Shou... It's not like I don't want to call you by your first name, it's just still very hard for me..." I explained, rubbing her back, this seemed to really get to her. "Still? But, Nazu-chan, it's been months since we started to have this kind of relationship!" Why did I have to make that mistake in exactly that moment? Right now when everything was going smoothly and I just had gotten over the fact that I crawled into Shou's bed. I didn't know what to say anymore, she was right it had been months, but what was I supposed to do? "Shou, please, don't be sad or mad... I want to call you by your name, really and I'm doing my best to do so! I promise I'll always call you by your name from now on, okay?" She looked at me. "You promise?" She asked me, making sure she had understood. "Yes, I promise." She smiled at me, hugged me and lay down in the bed, covering herself with her bedspread.

"Um, Shou, as I was saying, I don't have my bedspread or pillow here, if I could just-" "Oh, of course, how stupid of me!" She said and giggled. Then she started to tuck me in her bedspread as well, causing my cheeks to redden. She also made enough space for my head on her pillow. "There you go." She smiled brightly, blushing a little bit. "Actually, this wasn't exactly what-" "Warm and cuddly!" She exclaimed, it was like she wasn't even listening to me or ignoring my very words. I lay my head on her pillow, knowing that trying to get my own stuff was no use. "Thank you." I said, she just smiled and turned off the light. She was right, this was warm and cuddly. I was so close to her body, I felt her warmth and I could hear her quiet breath. This moment was great. Not that I had much space or anything, but I didn't need it in that moment, all I needed was the warmth and love of Shou to be happy. The lights outside of the room turned off as well, as everyone went to rest. I counted the sounds of closing doors until I was sure everyone was in their own room.

Shou was apparently asleep already, her breath seemed very calm and she wasn't saying anything or moving. I held that thought until I noticed two golden eyes staring at me from the darkness. This reminded me so much of a particular situation some time in the past. I started to whisper to her. "Shou, you're still awake? I thought you were asleep." She whispered back. "Why did you think that? I couldn't just fall asleep when I have you in my bed the first time. No, wait... the second time." She giggled as she obviously remembered the same event as me, causing me to blush. "How did you end up here that time, actually?" she asked, chuckling warmly. "Geez. That you have to remember this of all things!" I cursed quietly. "You pulled me in, remember?" She shook her head. My eyes started to get used to the darkness as I could recognize more of her face now. "I don't remember that, sorry." There was silence for a moment as I felt her grab my hand, holding it tightly. "What was that thing today, actually?" I suddenly broke the soft silence. "Huh? What are you talking about? There were many things today." She wondered as if about to start counting all the special or not so special things that happened that day. "I mean... well, when we were out in the human village and I hugged you... you... started purring. Is it that I've just never noticed this before or did you do it for the first time?" I asked her while gently stroking her hand with my thumb.

"Oh, you actually heard that?" There was embarrassment in her voice. "Yes, it was really cute." I said, feeling more blood rising to my cheeks. Apparently that made Shou's embarrassment even bigger as she started to stutter. "y-You think s-so? Well... i-it was nothing..." Of course it wasn't nothing. "Alright if you say so." But I didn't want to force her to say anything she didn't want to say. In that moment, she pulled me closer to her, making my head rest on her chest, I didn't know for sure, but I think my head was as red as a tomato again. I heard her heart beat and closed my eyes. It was the best melody I've ever heard. Shou seemed to notice how I heard that sound. "It's beating just for you, Nazrin." I looked at her, seeing a very sweet and calming smile. She leaned forward and brushed her lips against mines, her eyes closing in enjoyment and her arms wrapping themselves around my body, keeping me close to her, giving me a feeling of tenderness and protection. I kissed her back lovingly, my eyes closing as well. How could I just love her this much? I wondered jokingly as we parted, staring into each other's eyes.

"Can I ask you something else?" I wrecked the sweet moment. "Sure, what is it?" She asked, giving me a curious look. "You didn't let my hand go after we kissed. Not for one moment. It's not like I didn't like it or anything, but why exactly did you do so? I mean, after we agreed not to act like a couple in public." I asked her. "Well, you were the one starting it, weren't you? I just thought... that … um... it was good? Yes, right, I thought that it was nice holding hands like that!" Have I mentioned that Shou was a terrible liar? "Shou, please tell me the truth, I can read in your eyes that what you just told me is not really it. You can tell me whatever it is. I won't be mad." She seemed shocked. "You really think I'd lie to you? I'm hurt, Nazrin. I thought you'd trust me." "O-of course I do! Forget what I just said! It was... stupid, nothing more." I saw her nodding and then I looked away from her. That was it. No more questions. I would only hurt her more if I continued like that. I went back to resting my head on her chest. She ran her fingers through my hair and I closed my eyes. I started to fall asleep as her heartbeat was by bedtime song, and the movement of her chest as she breathed rocked me into slumber.

I had a very peaceful rest. In the dreams I had that night was Shou's heart beat all the time. It didn't bother me, no, actually I loved hearing it all the time. After what only seemed like a few minutes I regained consciousness, my tired eyes opened slowly. At first everything I saw was just a blur, but slowly I was able to recognize the room and the different things within it. I looked at the space beside me and saw that Shou was still asleep, I would give my best not to wake her up. This night hadn't been as bad as I thought it was going to be. And it wasn't as awkward waking up next to her as I thought it was going to be. A quiet squeaking noise pulled me out of my train of thought. I noticed my companion, sitting on my leg, greeting me. I smiled and ran a finger over the mouse's head. "Good morning to you ,too." I whispered, making sure not to wake up Shou. I didn't even know where I left off my companion the other day and I didn't feel to good about it. Someone would get an extra amount of cheese as an apology.

"Naz! Shou! Breakfast is ready!" A familiar voice outside called. I cursed Hijiri for yelling, because I saw how Shou opened her eyes and immediately closed them again. I could tell that she has already been annoyed. "Go, get yourself some food." I told my companion, who hopped off my leg and ran off immediately. I would just get Shou out of her bed, so we could eat together. "Shou, are you awake?" I asked quietly and sweetly. I received a grumble as an answer. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close to me, causing her eyes to shoot open immediately. "Don't you wanna get breakfast together?" I asked while making a fake pout. "Nazrin..." She started seriously. I really wondered what she was going to say. Was she going to be mad at me for waking her up, even though Hijiri did it? "You're so cute!" She screamed, before she fell all over me. That was definitely not what I had expected, even though I should be used to her sudden and strange actions by now. "But you're right, let's go get breakfast!" She said, letting me go and standing up. I chuckled at her strange behavior and stood up as well. "Let me just get dressed in my room, I'll wait for you afterward." I told her, opening the door of her room. "Who says that I don't have to be the one waiting?" She asked confused. "I just know." I said, smiled at her and left, leaving her behind in confusion.

I was faster than her, I have always been faster than her. Not only because she was a complete klutz and would take forever with her clothing, but because she had a lot more and more difficult things to get into. As a disciple of Bishamonten, she shouldn't run around looking like a mess, even though as I mentioned, she didn't really care. I got into my room and closed the door behind me. It felt good to have some space for one's self after that kind of night, still, it had been great. I opened my wardrobe and picked out some of my usual clothing. Honestly, I wondered why I didn't have any more interesting things. While getting dressed I left the wardrobe open and saw my red kimono hanging in there. I smiled, remembering that one fateful celebration I had worn it to. "Nazrin, you ready?" A voice outside my room asked. It was Shou's. I was confused how she could be done already, closed my wardrobe and opened my door, putting my capelet around my shoulders. The sight I was met with was sort of amusing. There was Shou in all of her clothes, but it didn't take a genius to see that she had hurried. Nothing was in place or order. "Um, Shou, did you hurry while getting dressed?" I asked her politely, fighting laughter that was desperately trying to get out.

"No, what are you talking about? I didn't hurry at all, I took my time." I gave her a really special gaze, which got her to spill the beans. "You said you'd have to wait for me and I just wanted to prove you wrong." She pouted a little, I chuckled. "You don't have to prove me wrong, I know that you need your time, now why don't you go and get yourself organized?" I suggested. "No, I think I look fine and I want to go eat now. I'm starving." She told me, starting to walk. I followed her. If that was what she thought and wanted then that was the way it was going to be. "Good morning." I said as I entered the room, the others greeted me and Shou back. She really was an eye catcher. Everyone looked at her, obviously trying to fight back comments and laughter. They actually did good on not saying anything about her appearance. "How did you sleep?" Ichirin asked. I wasn't sure if she was referring to us sharing a bed or not. "I slept good, thanks." I knelt down, next to Shou. "Itadakimasu." Both of us said at the same time and started to eat. I saw my companion eating as well.

"Anyway, as I was saying." Hijiri probably had been talking and we interrupted. "We still need to pay the rest of the food at that eel cart, I promised I'd do it today, does anyone wanna come along? "Actually I wanted to do some training with Unzan right after breakfast, I didn't do that in quite some time." Ichirin explained before continuing to eat. "Nue-senpai told me to practice danmaku with her today." Kogasa said and Nue nodded. "Even though you're an extra-stage midboss, your also just a stage two boss, we need to change that." Kogasa pouted. "I won't come along, either, I wanted to take a bath after breakfast." I explained. "And I have stuff to do." Shou said, sounding important and serious. Whatever that stuff was, it seemed to really matter to her. Hijiri looked at Murasa, who was the only one with no explanation for not going. "There still seem to be some technical problems with the ship. I really want to fix it while the weather is good."

Hijiri nodded and sighed. "I'll go alone then, I guess." She said. After we were all done eating I made my way to the bathroom. I turned on the water and checked for towels. I saw that there still were plenty so I didn't have to get any others. Then I went to get myself some new clothing for after the bath, I didn't need a new dress or capelet, but underwear would be nice. I couldn't wait for a nice relaxing bath and got even more happy about it when I reentered the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I got undressed and put my clothing aside, right before climbing into the bathtub. I let out a relaxing. "aaaaah~" while entering the warm water. I looked around, searching for the soap and found out that there was none. I cursed and reached out for a towel, right before gasping.

Wow, this took a while. Sorry for the huge delay, I just couldn't get my lazy ass into writing this. Anyway, yep. That's what happened so far. Not much of an interesting chapter I guess.

To Anonymous Pyramid Head: Hehe, glad that you didn't expect it and thank you for calling me a genius, I'm used to people calling me the opposite ^^;

R&R or... I dunno.