Benimaru's hands were surprisingly rough for a young boy. When he brushed his ointment-covered finger over a cut on Atsuhi'scheek she could feel the thick callouses that covered his finger pads. Rough scratchy skin left from the fire and all the woodworking the Hikeshi did to repair damaged homes.

"Do you want me to do you?"

Benimaru blinked, flinching ever so slightly, "What?"

Atsuhi twisted, hovering her finger over the bruise she'd left on his cheek, "Do you want me to put medicine on your spots?"

He huffed, glancing away and busying himself with packing up the supplies he'd strewn out in front of himself, "Nah, I'm used to it."

Atsuhi rolled her eyes, sitting up on her knees and grabbing his wrist before he could put ointment away in the bag, "Don't be such a stupid boy about it. Give it."

Benimaru tried to pull himself free weakly, "It's fine."

Atsuhi huffed, yanking the ointment from his hand and slapping his hands away as he tried to grab it, "Just let me!"

He frowned, glaring up at her from under his brow. Maybe if he had an older face the expression would be scary; his red mismatched eyes glowering out from under his mop of black hair. For now, his boyish round face and big eyes made him look like an upset puppy. The thought made her smile slightly to herself as she squeezed ointment to her finger and reached out to pat it onto his cheek. Under her touch, his face felt incredibly warm, though she couldn't see much through his hair hanging over his face.

"Hey, can you look up, I can't see what I'm doing," Atsuhi said.

In response Benimaru lifting his arm, pressing the back of his wrist against her arm, gently pushing his hand out and away from his face, "'s fine. Just leave it."

"Well, I've started now so just look up! Geeze!"

Benimaru didn't speak for a moment though his breathing seemed to quicken. Atsuhi frowned. She was at the end of her patience so she reached out with her other hand and grabbed Benimaru's chin swiftly lifting it.

Benimaru's eyes went wide. Staring at her in shock at being grabbed. A deep blush has bloomed over his face, no doubt the source of the heat she'd felt a moment ago. Atsuhi blinked, dumbfounded by the bashful expression on the face of the brash boy that had just been knocking her all over the training yard.

Benimaru seemed to snap back to his senses, his mouth wobbled for a moment in embarrassment before his eyebrows knit down and a frown broke onto his lips. He knocked her hand from his chin, "Don't just grab me, ya stupid girl."

Atsuhi grabbed her ointment-covered finger against his bruised cheek making him hiss in pain, "Well I'm trying to help so don't be a jerk."

Though the innocent expression of shock was replaced by his normal sour expression the deep blush stayed on his face as Atsuhi smoothed ointment against his cheek. She decided not to mention it, in fact, she tried to act like she didn't even notice even though she knew he wasn't dumb enough to believe that. Above all else the hikeshi valued strength, she figured he didn't have many opportunities to feel softer emotions like embarrassment or to have his wounds treated by someone else. She didn't want to shame him for having feelings, even if she didn't understand why getting his bruise treated was so embarrassing for him.

"Hey, Benimaru," she muttered softly, dolloping more ointment on her finger as she tried to treat a small scuff on his nose.

"What."

"Thanks."

Benimaru was quiet for a moment, eyes studying her seriously before he nodded, "Whatever. If I fought you seriously I'd probably kill you."

"Still…" she sighed, brushing his hair away from his forehead as she continued treating his cut, trying to act like she didn't notice how he flinched when she did, "I know Captain Shinmon is probably gonna kick you around, right? For helping me? So...thanks."

She thought she saw his expression soften for a moment, his lips parted before he spoke, "He'd kick me around anyway. Figured I might as well keep you a little safer at the same time."

She smiled softly. The door slid open and Benimaru shot back, head turning quickly to the door where Konro stood with an eyebrow arched high on his forehead.

"Uh...everything okay?"

Atsuhi put her hands in her lap. She could feel a blush spreading on her cheeks though she wasn't sure why. Something back Konro's suspicious expression embarrassed her, "We were just putting medicine on."

"I told her I didn't need help," Benimaru added, head turned so far to the side Atsuhi couldn't see her face when she frowned at him.

Konro smiled awkwardly, "All right well….Atsuhi why don't you head on home. Just go in your uniform. I think if you changed back to your kimono you'd just get it dirty."

Atsuhi nodded, "Okay I…" she paused, looking at Benimaru who didn't look at her, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah…" Benimaru breathed.

Atsuhi lingered for a moment. She thought maybe he'd say more. Thought they were maybe making progress. Even if he was the most arrogant boy in Asakusa maybe they could be friends and it wouldn't be so awful to come and train but he didn't speak again. She sighed, bundling up her things, "Bye Konro."

He nodded, smiling at her kindly, "Be safe going home."

"I will!" she called as she rushed from the door and into the bright blue early night.

"Shut up," Benimaru said as soon as the sound of Atsuhi's feet faded away.

"I haven't said anything!"

"Well go ahead and shut up," Benimaru spat, frustrated by the heat that refused to drain from his face, "don't say anything."

"She was awful close," Konro said, an annoying teasing edge to his voice, "You don't normally let people put medicine on you unless you're really messed up."

"I said shut up!"

"Feelin' a little weaker today? Or is there another reason?"

Benimaru snapped up to glare and Konro who's grin twisted wider as soon as he had a clear view of Benimaru's face, "Oooooh," he laughed, "I see."

Benimaru turned his head to the side quickly. Atsuhi was probably far up the street but he could still smell the faint notes of jasmine left by the swish of her ponytail. He could feel her fingers gently patting against his face. His stomach knotted and twisted. It was foreign and infuriating.

Konro laughed gently, in such a goodnatured way that it didn't really annoy Benimaru so much as further embarrass him, "I suppose it was gonna happen eventually. You are getting older, after all."

"I don't know what you're talking about. She's annoying. She complained and flinched and pouted the whole time I put medicine on her and then she forced me to let her put some on my stupid cheek. It's not even like she hurt me that bad."

Konro smiled, "Maybe she just wanted to return the favor. It was nice of you to help her, after all."

Benimaru pressed his lips together, "Whatever," he muttered.

"Or," Konro drawled, "she wanted to touch your face too."

"Shut up!" Benimaru yelled, flinging a roll of bandages at Konro before hopping to his feet and heading for the door.

"I'd stay clear of the master for now!" Konro called after him, "And get some rest!"

Benimaru smalled the sliding door behind him. Determined to get away from Konro's teasing. He climbed up the side of the building and laid his back against the cold tile of the roof. He hoped the burn sensation Atsuhi left behind would fade in the bright moonlight.

Benimaru was by the gate when she got out of school like he always was. Back casually pressed against the walls, eyes lazily cast toward the sky. Atsuhi smiled, pulling her kimono tighter around her chest as she tried to adjust to the fall chill that hung in the air. It had been weeks of training with the hikeshi now. Her thick indigo uniform was no longer stiff and scratchy against her skin. Her body no longer ached when she sparred and her lungs didn't prickle into violent coughs when she used her ability. Most of all she didn't dread going anymore or frown at the sight of Benimaru lazily waiting for her. She tossed her books at his chest, pouting slightly when he easily caught the cloth she tied them in.

He frowned, "What's wrong with you."

"Carry my books for me it's been such a hard day," she whined, pretending to collapse against his shoulder. She could feel him stiffen beneath her but he didn't knock her off. He shifted her books to his hand, finally shrugging her off and starting to slowly walk toward the guardhouse.

"What was so hard about school today?" he asked, raising his eyebrow at her, "Or did you rebuild an entire house today too?"

Atsuhi rolled her eyes, "I'd rather build a house than learn complex math equations."

Benimaru paused for a moment, "yeah...me too."

"It's getting pretty cold, isn't it? We should swim sometime. Before it's too cold."

Benimaru frowned at her, "Gonna add time to the day so we can do that?"

"What?"

"You go to school during the day, then we train, then you go home."

"Well let's skip today."

Benimaru laughed, sharp and cruel, "Yeah. The old grump will go for that."

"Skipping doesn't mean we tell him. It means we just do it."

"So you want to get us in trouble again, huh? No way."

She stopped in the street, frowning at him. He walked for a while, knowing she wasn't beside him. Slowly he came to a stop, dropping his head back before turning around and looking at her, "Atsuhi."

"Beni!" she drawled out, rushing up to him, "Let's skip! Have some fun before winter!"

Benimaru leaned in, nose hovering inches from hers, "No."

She pouted but he turned away, grabbing her sleeve and tugging her along, "Come on, we've gotta go."

"You're no fun!"

Benimaru huffed but pulled her sleeve, forcing her to stumble forward until she was walking beside him again, "And you're a whiny brat."

Before she could say anything she heard Konro call out from the other side of the guardhouse wall, "About time! Atsuhi go get changed into your uniform we're running drills today!"

Atsuhi groaned, snatching her books from Benimaru's hand, "We'll just have to go swimming later," she whispered quickly before rushing back to her room.

It was dark by the time they were done for the day and with the cold settling into the streets the city had already gone quiet. Benimaru frowned. It was pretty late for Atsuhi to be walking home by herself. He sighed, rubbing his neck. He might as well walk her home, he walked her to the guardhouse from the school after all. It wouldn't be weird to walk her home at night too. Especially now that it's dark.

When Atsuhi came out she blinked at him, "Oh hey, why are you sitting here alone like a weirdo?"

He frowned, "'s dark. I'm gonna walk you home."

Her eyes widened and she straightened up slightly, blinking at him, "Oh...yeah?"

"Yeah," he felt a tense lurch in his stomach, "Something wrong with that?"

She laughed then, a soft breathy sound as she hopped down the steps, "No you can. You just haven't before so-"

"Yeah well...now it's dark."

She smiled at him. In the soft light of the lanterns on the porch, he thought he could see a hint of pink brushed over her face, "Yeah. I guess it is."

She turned and walked slowly, lingering until he pushed himself up from the steps and walked beside her. For a while, they walked through the streets in silence. The only noise around was the babbling of the Sumida river and the occasional cricket lingering despite the chill in the air.

"Do you like the fall, Beni?"

"Hmm? Yeah. I guess. I don't have a favorite season though."

"Really? I took you for a summer person."

"Why's that?"

"Oh well...you like festivals. And you like sparring and sitting on the porch. There are more festivals in summer and the porch is probably cold in the winter, isn't it?"

She'd thought about it more than he had. They were little things she'd noticed about him. Things she'd bothered to remember. It made his stomach feel strangely tight and uncomfortable. But at the same time it filled him with a strange sense of pride, he was aware of the heartbeat in his chest and the heavy footfalls of his sandals as he walked ever so slightly closer to her side.

"It's not too bad. You'll see."

She laughed, "I like the fall. I like the float pulling festival and Kamiari the best."

"So I can expect you to skip training those days."

"No," she said, bumping her shoulder against his, "but you can expect me to drag you to the festival with me."

"Why me?" He didn't dare look at her.

"Who," she said, grabbing his wrist and swinging his arm back and forth making her bundle of school books that he'd taken from her earlier in the walk swing wildly, "will carry all of my things if you aren't there."

He frowned at her sharply, snatching his arm free and trying to push the books back into her arms. She laughed, pushing back, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I mean. I might hand you things but," she smiled, looking at him with surprising seriousness as they held the books between them, "I think it would be fun to go together."

She looked lovely. He'd never thought of her that way before. Or, if he had he hadn't thought of her as beautiful consciously. There was still a thin sheen of sweat over her face, her hair was frizzed out of her ponytail forming a fine halo around her head in the dim light coming from her grandparent's house. She looked at him but her expression seemed nervous, a hopeful glitter in her eyes.

He let go of the books, making her yelp and jump back to avoid the bundle as it crashed to the ground, "yeah right you just want me to carry your shit."

"Benimaru!" she shouted, swatting at him as she picked up her books.

"Atsuhi?" her grandmother called as she opened the door, "Oh! Beni," she smiled at him warmly. She was a sweet old woman. She always asked how Atsuhi was doing when she ran into him on the street, shoved sweets he didn't want into his hands whenever she happened to have them.

"Hey, ya old bat," Benimaru called, "can you teach Atsuhi here to be more respectful?"

"Hey!" Atsuhi grumbled, trying to punch his shoulder but not fast enough before Benimaru caught her fist in his hand.

"What has she done?"

"She's making me carry all her stuff for her," Benimaru grumbled.

Slowly a smile spread on the old lady's face, "Well a polite young man would carry a girl's parcels wouldn't he?" There was a glint in her eyes, apparently, a family trait, that made it clear she was teasing him. Made it seem like she knew about the twists in his stomach. He flustered and looked away.

"Yeah," Atsuhi said, snatching her hand from his.

"Whatever," Benimaru muttered, annoyed that she pulled free from him. More annoyed that it bothered him, he turned around, "see you tomorrow."

"Ah. Beni!" the old woman called from the porch, "why don't you eat with us?"

He froze, turning and blinking at her in confusion.

"Dinner? Have you eaten?"

"N-No…"

"Then come eat here, I'm sure Konro and Hibachi won't mind. It's the least I can do for walking Atsuhi home and helping her with training," she smiled, turning back into the house not waiting for his response.

Atsuhi smiled, taking a hold of his wrist, "come on, Obaba is a great cook. You shouldn't turn her down."

He paused. The Hikeshi ate together all the time but it was raucous and messy if he stayed with them, more often than not he'd take his plate to the porch to eat in peace. He hadn't had a real family meal since before his folks died. He was nervous as he followed Atsuhi into the house but as the smell from the kitchen wafted over him he settled, sitting at the open seat at the table just beside Atsuhi.

Benimaru looked uncharacteristically stiff. He sat more politely and he was more attentive to his surroundings than she'd ever noticed him be before. Atsuhi tried to suppress her grin. The last thing she wanted was for Benimaru to get annoyed and storm out. No doubt, if he did, Obaba would blame her. When all the food was set on the table Oji finally came in from the back garden.

"Oh," he grinned, brushing his hands together over the porch as he looked over his shoulder, "Waka! What a nice surprise."

"Hey, old man," Beni nodded, "What are you doing in that garden so late? Trying to break your back?"

Her grandfather laughed, "No just trying to fix a bed. Don't wanna leave it broken all winter, the ice will settle in and it'll be harder to fix come spring."

Benimaru started to push up from his seat, "I can fix it."

"No, no," Obaba tutted, waving her hand at him, "It's not time to work on the garden it's time to eat."

Oji smiled, ducking into the kitchen to wash his hands, "Maybe tomorrow you could help. You know if you really wanted to."

"Yeah, I can come by in the morning," Benimaru said.

Oji smiled and sat at the table by his wife, "It looks delicious, let's eat."

They all nodded, thanking her grandmother for her hard work as they spooned out the food. Benimaru was quiet. Almost reverent in the way he portioned his food. He seemed to be taking it very seriously for some reason. Like it was a ritual rather than a simple family dinner. He noticed her and frowned, "What?"

"I can't look at my guest?"

"I'm not your guest, the old bat invited me," Benimaru said, glancing away again so his face was lost to her in his black hair.

"How was school today, Atsuhi?"

"Ugh!" Atsuhi made a show of her disappointment, hanging her head toward her plate, "Terrible. Math was so hard. Everything else was boring. Then I got out and Benimaru said he didn't want to go to the fall festivals with me!"

Her grandparents jumped glancing at each other quickly before looking at Benimaru who stared at her with his mouth hung open in shock, eyebrows knitted together, "Shut up and quit trying to tease me it's not funny."

Atsuhi blinked, "I'm not teasing you! Or, I guess I was. But just about carrying stuff. I think we should go to the festivals together!"

Oji laughed, "You ask the same way your mother does."

Atsuhi blinked at him, tilting her head to the side.

Obaba took a long sip of her drink, muttering into the cup, "by telling."

Atsuhi felt a heated blush burst over her cheeks. When she looked back at Benimaru he was smirking at her, "Whatever. Don't go to the festival with me."

"No, no," Benimaru teased, "It would be mean not to go with you after you asked so nice."

Her grandparents' gentle laughter made her blush worsen. She hung her head shoveling food in her mouth to try and drown out the sound of blood rushing in her ears.

"So tell us, Waka," Oji grinned, he always called Benimaru 'waka,' Atsuhi wondered if it made him feel cool. Like he was in with the hikeshi, "is Atsuhi doing well? I just hope she's not a burden on Shinmon or Konro."

"Oji!" Atsuhi cried. She frowned at him but he didn't seem to understand how embarrassing it was for him to ask something like that. Or how her chest tightened as she waited for Benimaru to share all the things she was doing wrong.

"Eh," Benimaru shrugged, pushing rice around on his plate, "she's nowhere near my level and I'm nowhere near Master or Konro but...she could probably beat most of the guys."

She sat up, turning to him so quickly he jumped and looked back at her, "What?"

"I said you could probably kick the ass of most of the newer recruits. Shinbeita would probably beat you too. But...you're good. You don't know shit about fighting but...," he shrugged, "you've got a powerful ability and you're thinking more out of the box when you use it. You're gonna be fine with us."

"Oh!" Obaba exclaimed, happy tears pricking her eyes that she quickly dabbed at, "the first female hikeshi in...oh how long?"

"Maybe ever?" Oji quickly added.

"I dunno," Benimaru said, "who cares anyway. Boy, girl. Whatever. Strong is strong."

"And...you think...I'm strong?" Atsuhi muttered, still in a state of shock.

Benimaru rolled his eyes, "Quit fishing for a compliment."

"I'm not!"

"Sounds like it."

Atsuhi huffed, shoving food in her mouth again. Infuriated by the proud look that spread on Benimaru's face.

"Why'd you join us tonight, Waka?"

Now Benimaru fell silent. He stared at her grandfather for a moment before looking down at his food, "Jus' dark, is all. Thought I'd keep Atsuhi from getting in trouble since the streets so empty."

"I'm so strong I can't walk myself home, huh?"

Benimaru cut his eyes at her, a sharp look that said, 'shut up' even though he didn't speak.

"Well," Obaba smiled, "Join us for dinner whenever you want, Beni. We appreciate you helping us around the house. And helping Atsuhi with her hikeshi training."

"Yes, of course," Oji smiled, "you're always welcome here, Benimaru."

Atsuhi and her grandmother were shuffling dishes into the kitchen inside. Benimaru could hear them through the open back door as he and her grandfather looking into the garden.

Benimaru frowned at the rotting wood wall along the side of the garden bed, "Probably better to just replace it."

The old man sighed, rubbing the side of his hip, "I was afraid of that."

"I can bring one. Won't be a big deal so don't worry about it."

The old man didn't respond and for a moment Benimaru thought he just not have heard him but when he turned the old man was smiling at him kindly, "You know I remember the day Hibachi took you in. You've grown a lot since then. I hope you're proud of yourself."

Benimaru frowned. Not because what the old man said was upsetting. Actually, it made him feel happy. He rarely knew when he was doing a good job and he struggled to feel satisfied with his work. But he got complimented so rarely he didn't know how to respond. The old man seemed to understand, clapping his hand on Benimaru's shoulder, "Well I'll be around her closing things up for the summer so come by whenever you can. If nothing comes up, of course. Don't worry yourself with us. Atsuhi likes to pout of goof around, always putting on a show like she's a lazy bum but she's a big help to us. I hate asking so much of her while she's young but I guess it is Asakusa's way. You know that better than anyone."

"Hey, Oji," Atsuhi spoke loudly coming around the corner and quieting her volume when she realized how close they were to the door, "oh... uh Obaba wants you. Something about the vegetables and how you put them away?"

The old man sighed, looking at Benimaru, "Always in trouble." Then he shuffled pasted Atsuhi and into the kitchen.

Atsuhi smiled softly, the sleeves of her kimono were tied back and she'd put an apron that was already waterlogged on, "I've gotta do my chores no so unless you want to hel-"

"Absolutely not."

She smiled, "Oh here," she helped out another carefully tied cloth like the one she kept around her books, "Obaba wanted me to give these to you."

"What is it?"

"Manju."

Benimaru scowled, "I don't li-"

"Sweets."

He blinked at her.

"I've heard you try to reject Obaba's candy before and I've seen you fail every time so just take the stupid things so she doesn't think I just didn't give them to you. Okay?"

He sighed, taking the heavy parcel from her hands, "Fine."

He lingered for a moment. Stupidly, he knew because she blinked at him, then glanced between him and the door. He knew she needed to get to things around the house. That he was probably going to be in trouble at the guardhouse, that they all needed sleep. But he wished he could stay. Their house was so warm. So lively and happy. Covered in photos of them and Atsuhi's father. Things their family had passed down. It was so different from being in his sterile room; a long pallet on the floor, a few hikeshi related scrolls hung around the wall. It felt right to eat dinner with Atsuhi's family and he realized he wanted to stay.

"Beni?"

He snapped out of it. Feeling like Atsuhi had been peering into his thoughts, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"O-Okay!" Atsuhi called after him, "Be careful helping Oji tomorrow!"

He nodded curtly before hurrying to the street, the chilled autumn wind doing nothing to cool the burning sensation in his chest as he walked home on the lonely streets.