Claribella's PoV

After Yamazaki emerged from the hot spring, adorning his new garbs we walked back to the mansion for dinner. On the way Shiranui made light banta with us yet he quieted down once he realised we weren't in a joyous mood.

I was still enraged that Yamazaki had been treated the way he was and Yamazaki was still in shock over the whole ordeal.

Upon reaching the doors to the house's entrance the brunette ninja froze in his tracks as his eyes became glossy. The devil gave him a empathetic look as the latter was undoubtedly reliving the days of torture he had had inflicted upon him.

Sighing I took his limp hand and when he glanced at me I nodded my head as a silent promise.

He was still uncertain but his stomach growled loudly and so we continued towards the dinning room.

"Shiranui, could you escort my friend to the dinning hall please. I have a quick errand to run."

"Sure, see you at dinner."

I went to the maids quarters and found the maids sat around a pine low table eating. I cleared my throats making several of them jump in the process. The head maid jumped up and quickly hurried to my side at the door post.

"I have a friend who will be staying here with me and I would like for them to have a room near mine and Kazama's room. If possible."

The matron repeatedly nodded her head and bowed deeply as I turned to leave. Having half completed my errand I gained toward the kitchen.

This time the cooks immediately noticed my arrival and bowed deeply. I turned my gaze to the chef and backtracked to the corridor.

"Is there something you need my lady?"

"Yes, I have a friend who has not been eating very well the last few weeks and I fear that they have lost some weight. I trust that you can help win back their appetite?" I said matter of factly to him. He bowed in response and said that he would give my 'friend' more than their fair share of food. And with that I continued to the dining hall.

Sliding the screen open I was met with the usual seating plan around the circular table that consisted of Kazama to my right, Shiranui to my left along with Kyuujiu opposite the blunette and the brown haired ninja opposite Kazama.

I sat on the cushion with my legs beneath me as there was timid call from behind the shoji door. Soon the table was filled with food and I tucked in with out regret, from the corner of my eye I noticed Yamazaki doing the same and a small grin stretched my lips. Maybe things would be okay from here on out.

After dinner I informed Kazama that I would be going into the next town to buy Yamazaki some necessities and departed from the dining room with Yamazaki and both demon companions trailing behind like lost puppies.

It took half an hour on horseback to reach the town but I was glad to be off the beast; I hadn't ridden on one before and so Yamazaki and the two devils had to help me onto the stallion's back. While Kyuujiu sat behind me he held the horse's reins in one hand and around my waist with the other.

As I was scanning around for the best quality kimonos were I was roughly bumped into from the side.

"Hey watch it wench!"

Immediately after there was a loud bang and the man collapsed backwards with a bullet in his head.

Gasps were heard throughout the crowds of people nearby and I spun around to face Shiranui. I lowered my eyebrows at him in question.

"He insulted you milady and to insult someone of your caliber would be worse than to betray the bakofu itself.

Despite not liking the fact that a human was dead I understood his thoughts. Devils were above humans, even a single life of a devil who had so little devil blood in them that they couldn't transform held as much value as ten or more humans.

Two hours later we were back at the mansion.

"Goodnight Shiranui. Goodnight Kyuujiu."

"Goodnight milady."

"G'night milady."

I waved to them and retreated towards my room.

Arriving at my room I pointed towards the room next to mine

"This is your room, if you need anything I'll be next door." He nodded and went a inside with the numerous bags we had brought back from the market.

I opened my bedroom door and closed it behind me. I saw Kazama reading in our bed, he placed the book down and looked up at me.

"I take it you got what you needed?"

"Mmh, he should have everything he needs now."

He blinked and he narrowed his eyes at me, abruptly he stood up and walked towards me.

He seemed to be studying me.

"What?"

"What is the human to you?"

"Yamazaki? He's my friend, I knew him since I was a baby."

Kazama seemed satisfied with my answer as nodded to himself and went back to his book.

'What was that about?!'