Yakeru knocks on the bedroom door, opening it enough to peek his head through to see Kotaro reading a book with Fuyuko sleeping in the futon next to him. Kotaro takes his eyes off of the book and looks up at the trainee, sitting up straight and keeping a sharp eye on the kid as he walks in with his head down.

"Yakeru," Kotaro barely gets a word out before the redhead gets down on his knees and bows to the floor, showing submission to the heir of the Fumma clan.

"Fumma-san, please accept my apology." Yakeru begins, "It was a selfish act for me to do and drag Fuyuko-chan with me. I realize how much danger I put the both of us in and I am deeply sorry for my behavior. I will accept any form of punishment without hesitation. Please, please, forgive me."

Kotaro took in what the boy said, hearing the quiver and desperation in his voice as it was pointed towards the ground but aimed for him. He's never begged so much. And he sounded as though he would even commit seppuku just to be forgiven. Yakeru was like a son to him. He is close with Fuyuko so much so that he had a feeling that they might get together in the future. What happened was completely stupid and reckless, he knew that; but would Yakeru ever do it again? Maybe. But, if he were, he would be smart and do it without endangering Kotaro's only child.

Kotaro stood from his spot, watching Yakeru tense in his bowed position before walking past him and towards the sliding door. Yakeru looks back in surprise, dumbfounded at the sudden exit.

"Watch Fuyuko while I go out." He simply says before closing the door behind him.

Yakeru looks back at the sleeping girl, a sad smile appearing on his lips before making his way next to her. Her breathing was still ragged but improved from the first night, from what he remembered. Using his arm as a pillow for his head, Yakeru lies down in front of Fuyuko and featherly caresses her round cheek with his casted hand.

What was he thinking, when he roped in Fuyuko on that dumb stunt to try to impress his mentor. Putting her in danger. Nearly killing her. He kicked himself at that thought. That panic crushed him as he remembered watching the building collapse, thinking that she was still inside without him. His throat going dry and his soul falling into the pit of his stomach. He still feels that deep stabbing pain in his heart at the memory of that night.

His eyes shift to the cast on his hand. It was going to take a few weeks to partially heal with the cast before he could take it off and allow it to heal without it, but Rennoshin did warn him that even if he does everything right, his wrist would be slightly out of place and look a bit off if someone were to notice. But to him, it was a reminder. He could only be young and dumb for so long.

Looking back at Fuyuko, he swears to himself, that no matter how bad the punishment is that Kotaro gives him, he won't be a little bitch and just take it like a man. No fighting... maybe a little resistance, but even if it was as bad as sleeping in the same room as Goemon, he will do it.

~PYRODYNASTY~

Goemon finishes the letter and adds it to the package after letting it dry, wrapping it up before having it shipped in the morning. In the middle of tying the knot, a knock is heard on his door, and walking into his room is the albino with his nightly yukata on and a small smile of achievement on his lips.

"What?" Goemon gives his friend a suspicious glance, finishing up the knot and setting the package aside.

"Yakeru just came by my room to negotiate." Kotaro begins as he sat across from the redhead.

"What's he negotiating?" He growls.

"His punishment."

Goemon pauses, taking in the statement that just came from his albino friend.

"His punishment?" He repeats.

Kotaro nods, "It means we can help secure your training with him and Fuyuko for good. Give him a set time that he will be under your watch and mentorship and he has no choice but to follow our orders in the matter."

"Wait… are you saying Yakeru went to see you tonight just to get a punishment out of you for the whole ordeal and he will follow that punishment, no matter what it is?" Goemon asks, still trying to take in that Yakeru put himself under this pressure and probably knows fully well that Goemon will have a say in his punishment. Just the night before, Yakeru went to argue with Goemon about getting his money back for buying him food and he had to believe that now Yakeru went straight into the slaughter to take a punishment without hesitation? He was about to ask if he really meant Yakeru and not someone else who looked like him.

"In the time that it would take to build and move into a home for the three of you, Fuyuko would be completely over the inflamed lungs and Yakeru would be off his cast and nearly healed." Kotaro continues as he completely ignores the redhead's question. "In that time too, I believe partially releasing them from the suspension would be good in a way that they would only focus more on their abilities than the full training. No weapons or agility training, but to help continue to build a solid foundation for their abilities would benefit them so much more than worrying about everything at once."

"I see what you're getting at, Kotaro," Goemon sighs, "but what Yakeru did, I want him to really experience this setback. With no training or practice whatsoever, he will be going crazy before being able to pick up a katana again."

"I'm less worried about his weapon skills than the ability to control the fire." Kotaro states.

"You and me both."

"I think we need to secure it." Goemon looks back at the albino, catching his gaze and sharing the contact. "Their training is important. You working with Yakeru and Fuyuko means a lot, not just to me and the others. They won't admit it, but the kids love you. You've really helped them get further in their skills than anyone else had."

Kotaro leans in and places a hand on Goemon's shoulder, squeezing it firmly to convey his desperation to him.

"I am indebted to you. Please, do me this one thing."

Goemon's eyes soften on Kotaro, a relaxed smile appearing on his lips as he felt his heart flutter at this rare sight of Kotaro: the usual very composed and uptight guy showing how desperate he is. He loves Kotaro. He was his first true best friend and they have done so much together. For him to beg him, lower his guard, and show vulnerability, Goemon knew he couldn't be defeated.

He lets out a sigh, "I'll ask around about some land and see if they can get started building soon." Kotaro smiles his tight smile and nods. "But I still want Yakeru's punishment to go on for another week before I lift the suspension."

Kotaro gives Goemon's shoulder one last squeeze before backing away from him. As he settles, he glances and notices the package that Goemon was working on as he entered the room to talk to him.

"Koya…" Kotaro says the name out loud before it was able to register. "The former ninja who castrated 6 men?!"

"That's the one." Goemon nods, pulling the package in front of him to give Kotaro a better look at it.

"What are you sending her?" He asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Fabric," Goemon explains when he sees Kotaro's face twist in confusion. "After Koya was kicked out of the clan, she went behind their backs and found the man who worked on tailoring ninja attire, especially the elite ninja attire." Goemon nods towards his hanging kimono that he usually wore on top of his bodysuit. "He took her in and since she already had the passion for creating outfits and costumes, she took over the role pretty quick. I'm sending her some fabric and a letter describing Yakeru and Fuyuko so that she got the idea of what to create for them."

"But why? They have their own attire already."

Goemon cringes.

"But they are tacky and they won't be taken seriously if they appear as amateur as they are."

Kotaro nods in agreement.

"Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, she will have them done and we can get them to the kids before they are put into any missions."

"So, you are taking into consideration my proposition of the suspension."

Goemon sighs again.

"Yeah. And I think you're right. I don't think it's the fighting or physical training that needs the work. Yakeru looked so envious when he saw me yesterday during meditation. I need to be careful what I do around him, cause then he might hurt himself trying to recreate the maneuver."

"Why not the opposite?"

"Hm?" Goemon raises an eyebrow.

"Show Yakeru what you can do. Show off. Then he might actually be motivated to try to work hard to get to your level."

Goemon sat in silence, taking in what Kotaro was saying, and maybe actually agreeing with him. Yakeru was an arrogant brat. Anything that Goemon did, he tried to outdo him. Yakeru wanted to be better than Goemon, he just doesn't have the experience. If Goemon does show all that he can do, then maybe it would motivate him to take his ability training seriously. God only knew how much longer Goemon would have his full ability or how long he would still be healthy enough to train them.

"So did you have anywhere in mind to live?"

Goemon changes subjects, resulting in a quick flash of surprise before a smile settles on Kotaro's lips.

~PYRODYNASTY~

Kuma strolled down the corridor towards the kitchen to grab a midnight snack when some footsteps slowed her and made her curiously turn the corner cautiously. She expected a maid, only to be surprised by a dark figure of Yakeru taking calculated steps in the hallway. He didn't seem to have a destination, mostly using the quiet hall to use as practice for the stealth walk. But every step seemed heavy, the floorboards creaking as he shifted his weight onto his foot and almost catching off balance as he tried to balance on one foot.

Kuma watches in the dark for a minute before debating if she should interfere and help the poor boy. It took a few moments before completely pulling herself away from the scene. Yakeru wasn't her pupil. She will just need to inform Goemon about the scene she just watched.