Kyoko's POV

Kyoko stretched before walking into the ryokan. Quickly changing her shoes, she could not help but feel nostalgic as familiar scents hit her nose. There was so much in common yet so different with the place that she was practically raised in. It had the same level of professionalism and cleanliness with less than half the clientele and from the little she had seen the half the size as well. The lobby she was in was proof of that. It was the size of her room, and barely had a check in desk, a loveseat for the guest and a small table which was currently occupied by her foreign friend.

Natalie glared at the computer and sighed "They should have just left it at that." By the way she wrapped her arms around her body it was obvious that she was still not accustomed to the yukata.

"At what?" Kyoko asked taking the few steps from the door to the couch.

"Oh just this..." finally looking up "child what happened!?"

Kyoko jumped at the sudden loud noise and even hesitated a bit before answering, "Oh well…you see the…the dog…once Uru-chan managed to get the leash he dragged her under a bush, and I got dirty helping her."

"Doesn't she have like…. inhuman strength?"

"Yes, but she was afraid of hurting the dog, so she tried to hold back and apparently held back to much. She will meet us in the baths. How was the update?" Kyoko asked pointing to the computer.

"Ugh.." the young woman grunted and rubbed he eyes. "A waste an utter waste. He should have just ended the story with the open ending, it was very vague but its better than this atrocity. My love?"

"Yes?" Kyoko asked already used to being called that.

"Promise me that no matter what happens that you will never force yourself to be something that you are not. Change is good and fame is a poisonous drug, but don't loose yourself. Don't sell yourself to the crowd."

The young girl sat next to her and took a deep sigh. She had witnessed first hand how fame changed people for the worst.

"I promise."

With that Natalie took hold of Kyoko's hand and gave it a small squeeze. It didn't bother her much, this was another aspect that she had gotten used to as well. The eccentric trio, Jordan, Edward and Natalie, loved to use the term "my love" and were always overly familiar with just about anybody. In fact, when they had arrived, they made some very odd demands from everyone. One rule was not to use last names and the second was to always be as honest as possible. Jordan threatened to cut screen time to anyone he caught trying to butter up to him. It did not take long for the ever so professional Moko-chan to adapt to the rules and even insulted him a few times. Guess who got more screen time?

Kyoko's time was not affected as Jordan said that she was just being herself and that he admired her behavior.

The two got up and walked toward the rooms as Natalie had to leave her laptop. On the way she started to explain how the book was part of a series written by her ex-fiancé. This peaked Kyoko's curiosity and however an inn worker stopped them and offered to take the laptop instead. Once they walked in the bath area, they found a soaked yet fully dressed Uru-chan and dry and quiet Moko-chan. Kyoko and Natalia stood frozen in place.

"Hi Natalie" Uru-chan said and waved with both hands.

"Umm yes hi," Natalie looked at her companions in confusion. "Why is she soaked?"

"Well, this place is very traditional, so they don't have a modern bathroom. In order to clean her up we ended up having to use the gardening hose in the back." Moko-chan stated. "I told her to go in first, but she wanted to wait for you."

"Oh my, and you have been like this this whole time?" Before anyone could reply Natalia dragged her over and made sure she was undressed and in the shower area in a matter of minutes. They paused at the entrance of the showers admiring the showers before entering leaving Kyoko and Moko-chan by themselves in the changing rooms. Considering the situation neither were in any mood for conversation they did their best to ignore each other as they undressed and walked into the shower area as well. They to paused at the entrance as the bath, that was in the middle of the room, was humongous. I knew it was going to be big, but not this big.

To the sides there was small benches with shower rods, and the dim lights was enough to illuminate the path yet provide enough privacy that Kyoko was able to forget that she was not surrounded by strangers. After she showered, she slowly entered a small corner of the bath leaving Natalia and Uru-chan to entertain themselves.

The hot water invited her and soon enough there was no Heel-sibling scandal, no inferiority complex, no stress, no mysteries emotions for certain co-workers, no Natalia, Uru nor Moko-chan…. Just Kyoko and her water fairies.