Kate and Kaku returned to the Inn.
Aside from groceries-Kate had bought more clothes, while Kaku purchased some wood and carving tools.
Kate wore black culottes and a grey long sleeve. She was cooking some stew as she turned around to watch Kaku, who was seated at the small wooden table carving something that was no bigger than his hand. "What are you making?" She wiped her hands before moving closer to him.
Kaku held up the piece of wood, which now resembled a dog. "I'm craftin' some toys for those 3 kids, in case we see them again." He blew some dust off of the dog. "I think they're orphans."
Kate felt her heart drop.
They're just like him...
She gasped when she looked down under Kaku's chair. In the time she had made the stew- he had already carved over 10 different animals. "Wow, Kaku! You're pretty quick!" She knelt down and examined a horse in her hand. "Instead of hoping they find us again- how about we head over to the orphanage tomorrow?" She smiled at him sweetly.
Kaku chuckled, feeling silly for not having thought of doing that. "Yes, that'd be snazzy! I'd better finish them up by tonight!"
Kate shut off the stove, and looked at the clock. It was only 6 in the evening. "Kaku, would it be okay if I went for a walk?" She didn't have anything to do, and also didn't want to break Kaku's concentration.
The shipwright paused for a moment. "I haven't gathered enough intel yet, but by the looks of it- I think it should be safe." He looked at the clock. "Do you think you could come back by 8? That way, if you aren't back by then- I'll know to come searchin' for ya!" He rubbed a thumb over the dog, and placed it into the box before picking up a new piece of wood.
Kate nodded as she slipped on a pair of black sandals. "I'll be back soon!"
Monogatari was always beautiful, but the sun setting behind the fairy tale back drop was breath taking. Kate stood along the river, admiring the view for what seemed to be hours.
"What are you up to this time?" Cutter walked towards Kate from behind, curious as to why she was alone.
Kate's blood ran cold.
Oh shit...is he going to arrest me?!
She turned around nervously. "Oh hello, sir Cutter! I was just out for a walk." She tried to mask her fear by smiling.
Cutter looked around in case Kaku was hiding. "By yourself?" He couldn't help but feel suspicious. If he were just married, he wouldn't leave his bride alone on an island he barely knew.
Kate nodded. "Ka-my husband is busy carving some toys for the kids at the orphanage. I thought I'd go for a walk and try to see where it is..." She pulled her hair behind her ear. "He was an orphan too, so he's got a bit of a soft spot for them."
Cutter noted this fact.
An orphan, hm?
The fact that Kaku seemed familiar and was an orphan started to set off some flags in his head.
"Have you tried looking for it yet?" His shift had just ended, and he wanted to find out more about Kaku. He figured if he asked Kate the right questions- it wouldn't take long before he knew why he found them so suspicious.
Kate shook her head. "No, I was going to start walking this wa-"
Cutter huffed. "Well, you'd never find it. It's in the opposite direction." He smirked at the young woman, her obliviousness somewhat endearing.
Kate blushed. "Oh wow! That's embarrassing...could you please tell me where to go?" She searched for a pen and paper in her purse.
The knight began to walk away. "Follow me. I'll show you where it is. You wouldn't understand any of my directions since you're new here." He turned to look at her and see if she was coming.
Kate bit her lip nervously. "Thank you!" She looked at Cutter quizzically as he stopped. "Is something wrong?"
He moved behind her. "I'll walk behind you, just in case. Monogatari is generally safe, but you can never be too careful." Not only that; if Kaku and Kate were indeed up to something- at least having Kate in front would give Cutter the upper hand.
-
The walked silently to the orphanage, aside from Cutter occasionally telling Kate which way to go.
It was a small concrete building, containing no more than 5 rooms. Behind it was a courtyard, the concrete fencing broken in various spots.
This building is so old...
Cutter looked at Kate, knowing she was probably feeling even more sorry for the kids than she already did. "It's an old building, but the head of the orphanage is great at keeping the kids entertained. No need to start crying." He pointed to the front door. "The best time to visit is around 4:00PM. The head master's name is Mr. Tosechi. Check in with him first before you go giving anything to the kids." He turned to make sure Kate was following.
Kate nodded as she scribbled down the information, along with a rough map of where the orphanage was. "Got it! Thank you so much for helping me, sir Cutter!"
The General blushed. "Just Cutter is fine. Where are you staying?"
Kate went to point in the direction the Inn was in, and clenched her jaw upon realizing she had no idea where they were. "Um...it's run by this handsome old guy with green eyes and peppered hair..."
Cutter sighed. "Wow, I can't believe your husband let you out by yourself when you're so helpless." He waved his hand for Kate to walk in front of him. "I know the Inn you're talking about. I'll take you back."
Kate felt as if her nose would start bleeding from embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I'd really appreciate it...thank you."
-
As soon as they reached the Inn, Kaku ran out the door. "Kate! I'm glad you're okay!" He looked at Cutter, unsure of what was happening. "Is everything alright here?" He motioned for Kate to hide behind him.
Kate shook her head as she laughed, pulling out the piece of paper from earlier. "Everything is fine! Cutter was nice enough to show me where the orphanage is. I didn't know the way back here so he went out of his way to make sure I was safe." She smiled back at the knight. "Thanks again, Cutter!"
Kaku and Cutter looked at each other without speaking a word, before Cutter moved his gaze to Kate's. "Don't go wandering around like a lost puppy again. Good night."
The 'couple' watched as Cutter walked away. Kate took a deep breath. "Wow, why are you guys so tense?!"
Kaku held Kate's wrist as he lead her up the stairs. "You weren't back, so I thought the worst had happened..."
Kate looked at her watch. "Kaku, it's only 8:02!" She arched an eyebrow.
The shipwright could feel his CP9 tendencies emerging once again. "Yes, and we agreed that if you weren't back by 8 it meant something happened...just-" He took a deep breath as he closed the door to their suite behind them. "I'm sorry, I should have gone with you."
Kate chuckled, trying to lighten up the situation. "It's fine! At least we're in Cutter's good books, and we know where to go tomorrow!"
Kaku couldn't help but smile back at Kate. "Thanks, Kate."