by Twisted Eternal Wolvetta

Heartfelt Daisy

Subtle Malady

This was wrong.

Tomoe knew very well that her mistress, the noble of this region played with hearts. But she couldn't help herself. There was a tugging lure which guided her towards the graceful elder, a pull.

Why? Was it the elegance, cultured intelligence, and beauty which the Fujino held? Or was it something much darker? Did Fujino Shizuru hide something behind those numerous masks of hers?

Was Tomoe's determination to stand out from the crowd going to be her downfall? There were so many questions within her heart that it confused her. Yet at the same time, she simply didn't care.

"Tomoe." Kyoto-ben trickled into her ears, and she shot her gaze towards the mistress. The elder woman was sat seiza upon a cushion. The sight in itself wasn't out of the ordinary, nor was the room's interior. Behind the Kyoto-noble was the shoji paper panelling, whilst beside her lay some necessities.

These were for tea ceremony, Tomoe noticed. Although strangely enough, it appeared Shizuru had become bored of it.

"Tomoe." Shizuru repeated, an odd smile tracing her lips. She tilted her head, regarding the servant silently. Continuing this gesture, she brushed down her black kimono, gently lifting from her cushion. "I would like a bath. Perhaps you would like to join me?"

The darkly dressed servant's heart skipped a beat, amusing Shizuru further. Her head-attendant was stuck in place. Honestly, Shizuru found it almost adorable.

"Come?" Trailing forward until she was in front of Tomoe, Shizuru guided her arms over. With both her hands, she unclenched Tomoe's hands which were cupped by the servant's waist. "Please?" She captured hold upon Tomoe's wrists gently, prying her closer. "I am not blind to your feelings, Tomoe."

In fact she knew very well of them. Whether or not if the servant had spoke about them before. Of course Tomoe hadn't told her. But nevertheless she knew.

"S-Shi-" The gliding of Shizuru's hands upon Tomoe's skin bolted up her limbs, and shot up her spine. Tomoe shuddered, her heart beating ever faster as the noble caressed her hand upon her cheek. "-zuru-sama…"

"Hush." Sliding an index finger against Tomoe's lips, Shizuru neared herself ever so slightly more. "Would you like this?"

As simplistic as the question was, Tomoe still hesitated. She opened her mouth, staring up to the taller female questionably. Feeling self-conscious from Shizuru being so close, she peered away.

Why was she stalling? Tomoe frowned, her expression twisting into bafflement. Even as she didn't look at the mistress, Tomoe knew fully well of the woman's intrigue. Shizuru was staring into her, and Tomoe shivered, dragging her focus back to her. "...Shizuru-sama, I…"

"...?"

There was that smile again. Tomoe swallowed, the woman sliding her hands further into her kimono sleeves. As the woman slid the shoji aside, a thought entered Tomoe's mind.

Who else got this treatment? Surely she wasn't the only one? She was still pretty certain the noble played with hearts.

"Come." The noble uttered, clasping her hands into Tomoe's securely. Through the shoji she had slid open, the bathing area was located here. With her back facing it, she directed the young servant further inside. "Tell me. When is your birthday?"

"...In a few months time. My twenty-fourth." Tomoe mumbled almost unconsciously. She stared at the noble's smooth hands, unsure with what to do. Even as Shizuru guided her towards the surprisingly large bath, this did nothing for her nerves.

As her heart beated quickly, Tomoe wondered whether it'd explode.

"Relax." Shizuru chuckled. She dropped her hands from Tomoe's, then drifted towards the bath. "I will not bite you. Surely you know this?" There was a brief trace of a smile evident upon Shizuru's lips. Turning her head, she fired it towards the stunned Tomoe. "No?"

"N-yes, I do."

Happy with the given response, the noble's eyes lit with amusement. Leaning down, she lowered back onto her knees. The notion was awkward, seeing as the bones of her knees grounded against the floor. But she took no mind.

"Perhaps you should have the water basin ready?" She suggested to the younger woman, jumping the servant into attention.

Twisting the taps for the bath on, she lifted a hand to her lips. She watched Tomoe within further mirth, and addressed her. "You are stalling. I am surprised, Tomoe." Continuing to watch the fellow adult for a few select moments, she returned her attention to the bath.

The water trickled into the bath, but slowly. This would make it so by the time they were finished with rinsing off, the bath wouldn't be full. But then again, would Tomoe even join her? With her ears twitching upon the water splashing, Shizuru traced her eyes across Tomoe.

Her servant was hesitant. The shoulders of the younger woman were also tensed, that weight increasing upon Shizuru's staring. From everything about this servant's form, it spoke of a paranoid confidence. Tomoe was generally trustworthy and proud, but suspicious and reckless.

Her head-attendant was definitely a handful. Yet Shizuru couldn't help but feel intrigued. This young woman of hers was dangerous, somebody who in reality she shouldn't be with. Yet there was that pull of excitement - of… something more.

It was almost like an illness which was subtly edging closer towards her heart. A malady. Yet Shizuru found herself uncaring.

"You have the basin ready?" She asked the servant, Tomoe slowly nodding. "Then come." She offered the younger female to head closer as she rose. The two of them heading towards the open shower.

The bathroom was as Japanese as any other. All except everything was a little… bigger. The bath alone could fit three people inside, nevermind one. Yet for the sake of things, Shizuru truly believed Tomoe would be stubborn about this.

Yet surely now that they had privacy Tomoe would act?

Shizuru was doubtful, honestly. It would probably take a small push to have the servant act. But once doing so? This was a question Shizuru was increasingly curious about.

"Tell me." Shizuru spoke, pausing. This caught Tomoe's attention, and their eyes locked. "Would you drop your duties for a day?"

From the dumbstruck look flashed at Shizuru, she would've thought Tomoe's grip on the basin slipped. The servant stared at the mistress, flabbergasted, and Shizuru couldn't help herself. The sleeve of her kimono greeted her lips, and she chuckled silently.

The water within the basin sploshed around noisily, Tomoe opening her mouth. She stayed like this, turning her head abruptly.

"Yes? No?" Shizuru's words spiked. Grinning, she stared at Tomoe, watching the younger woman's eyebrow twitch in response.

"J-just come over here." The attendant muttered. She directed a hand over towards the small stool by the shower. The gesture simply widened the noble's smile, and Tomoe turned her gaze away. "Please?" She added.

"A little uncharacteristic, are you not?" Shizuru uttered, mirth taking ahold of her tone. Halting by the younger woman's side, Shizuru propped her hand to Tomoe's shoulder. "Please think about it. That is all I ask."

Taking a bath together was a natural social event in their empire. It was a link between friends. But would Tomoe take the jump and follow her into this subtle malady?

AUTHOR'S NOTES

ShizTom! ShizTom! ShizTom!