A/N: Hello dear readers. Well, I've started a twitter after not starting a twitter for many years.

You can follow me @tellmea49320955. Handle is Tell Me A Story. I'll update it with news about my upcoming podcast as well as whatever pops into my head.

I made an account on ko-fi. It will be on there I will open commissions when I am ready to accept them as well as blog posts and other blurbs and short stories.

Just go to ko-fi dot com / Mayuna

Thank you all for you support and I hope to see some of you following me on the other sites.

Enjoy!

Kino arrived back at the compound with a large wooden chest she had secured and carried on her back.

Rin and Izumi watched her approach noting she had a change of clothes on adorning blue hakamas and a white kimono top secured under her chest armor with her sword strapped to her side.

"Isn't that heavy?" Rin asked as she came closer.

"No." Kino shook her head stopping at the front.

"What is all of that?" Izumi asked curiously.

"Items for Chiase. She requested some things, I found more things, and I hope she likes the things I have acquired." Kino said with a small smirk.

"I am sure she will be very appreciative and love everything you have brought Kino." Rin chimed. "I believe she is in the back."

"Thank you." With a nod Kino made her way to the other domiciles. Placing the chest down on the ground in front of Chiases she saw Emi approach. "Hello Emi."

"Hey Kino." The bird chirped. "What do you have there?"

"Things for Chiase. Have you seen her around?"

"She was with Iku and Sana last I saw. Iku has become very protective of her now that she may be with child and it does Chiase good to be with others." Emi replied.

"Good." Looking around she didn't know what to do with herself. She had been excited to bring the items back but supposed she would have to wait for Chiases reaction.

"Do you want me to get her for you?" Emi offered.

"I don't want to take her away from the others." She said shaking her head.

"I am quite certain Chiase will be happy to greet you."

"Oh?" Kino wondered glancing at Emi. Nodding Emi made a wait gesture with her hand. Going towards Sanas hut Kino felt her stomach suddenly go into small knots.

Feeling her sudden need to flee she leapt onto the roof of Chiases hut and sat down with her arms and legs crossed. Watching from above she saw both Sana and Chiase exit Ikus hut.

Sana went to Nen and Jin's while Chiase made her way to her own. Swallowing down her nervousness she felt insecure that what she had brought wouldn't be welcomed just as it had been in the past winter.

She didn't know if the food, water, blankets, or wood had ever been used by Chiase that she had left for her. She had hoped it had been put to use when she saw they were gone from where she had left them close to the shelter Chiase had hid in.

Gritting her teeth and glancing up at the partly cloudy sky she berated herself for going overboard only now realizing she had set herself up for disappointment.

"Kino. Will you come down so I can thank you properly?" Chiase requested. Taking a deep breath she leapt down landing in a kneeling position in front of the other. "This is more than I expected…"

"Too much. Apologies Lady Chiase." Kino replied quickly.

"No, not at all. I was wondering if you would carry the chest in so I may go through its contents." She said reassuringly.

"Of course." Standing she picked up the wooden chest by the straps she had secured around it and followed Chiase in.

"My son is with Iku to play with her pup so this is the best time to go through your gifts." Chiase said as she knelt down. "He has taken to running off with his blanket and my obi to try to bury it."

Handing Chiase the key to open it she held her breath as she undid the straps around it and opened the lid. Putting the key in her pocket she began to go through the contents.

Taking out the linens and fabrics she could use to make clothing or whatever else she fancied she came to what she had initially asked for.

Combs, brushes, glass beads and other ornaments for hair were wrapped and secured aside from a kettle and tea set with parcels of different infusions.

Examining the cups she set them down carefully arranging them properly on the floor. Pulling out a pot as well as cooking chopsticks she looked up at Kino with a small smile.

"Thank you very much for your thoughtful gifts." Bowing to her slightly made Kino relax a bit as she had sat on edge the entire time she went through the chest.

"You are most welcome my lady." She replied.

"I have told you Kino, please just call me Chiase. I am not a lady anymore." She said.

"That is not true at all. You came here to be Lady Izumis attending as you were before, right?"

"Officially…yes."

"Then that's it." Kino shrugged as if the matter were closed.

"Still, call me Chiase. I prefer it here with how relaxed the formalities are."

"Alright." Looking through the combs, clips and other things she absently placed a hand to her own tangled mess of braids.

"I can fix your hair, if you like." Chiase offered.

"Don't like how I did it?" Kino smirked at her.

"I never said that. I noticed some of them are coming undone towards your head and the ends. You must have had them in for a long time."

"Since I left the eastern house. It was in my way but I couldn't bring myself to cut it." Letting them down where she tied her hair atop her head they fell in a tangled cascade down her back and shoulders.

"I regret cutting mine. I was emotional and in a sorry state." Running a hand through her shorter hair she sighed. Standing she stood behind Kino inspecting hers. "Did you put resin in? Your hair is so stiff."

"Yes. It would not stay braided otherwise." Kino shrugged again.

"We will have to soak your hair in hot water first before I can even attempt to untangle it. This could take a while and would be better to do indoors."

"Um, I can try, but I will not make any promises. Try not to hold it against me if I run out of here at some point like a scalded dog." Hearing the unease in her voice Chiase gave a nod.

Grabbing her new pot she filled it with water and set to start a fire in the hearth. Once it was set over the flame she knelt again beside Kino this time.

"I wouldn't mind if you stayed here." Chiase said. "My door is open to you whenever you may need or wish to have somewhere to stay."

"That isn't necessary Chiase. This is your home and I would not want to infringe on your space."

"Kino, I should never have discouraged your help. I am sorry. I know that my rejection of your assistance wounded you. The aid that you gave me was what helped us to survive for as long as we did." Chiase said turning her head to look at the other female.

"Besides, my son likes you and would love it if you came by more often. It made me glad when you said he is like a son, given your shared blood. He needs another parent, other than me."

"Thank you Chiase." Kino said gratefully. "No one has ever offered me a place to lay my head or to join their pack. I thought coming here I would be just making sure you were secure and safe before I left again."

"Well, I am glad you have decided to stay on, for however long that may be." Kino glanced at her noticing Chiase was smiling at her softly.