While Nekozawa finished cleaning up the kitchen area, Haruhi disappeared behind the bedroom's blanket door and had pulled the rucksack containing all of her clothes out from under the bed. She dumped the contents out onto her comforter and began sifting through the various textiles. There were a few small things Haruhi wanted to keep, like her mother's scarf and her deceased grandmother's pendant so, taking Nekozawa seriously, she set them aside to be incorporated with whichever dress she decided to wear. And let's just say there wasn't much of a selection. She pulled on her most decent set of undergarments followed by a light blue dress with white trimming and matching blue polka dots. She tied the apron she sewed herself around her waist and, since it wasn't cold enough to wear the scarf properly, she looped and knotted it around the belt of her apron. Finally, she clasped the pendant securely around her neck and slipped on her only pair of shoes, and to top it all off she tied that all too familiar handkerchief onto her head to keep her hair back. Satisfied with her appearance Haruhi bid farewell to the rest of her garments and exited the room. Nekozawa was waiting for her by the front door dressed in his hooded cloak and ready to go.

He gave her a scrutinizing gaze up and down before helping her put on one of his older cloaks. The once black garment had faded into a subtle shade of gray and seemed to engulf the small girl and was bound to drag all over the ground, but since it was one he didn't wear anymore Nekozawa didn't mind how overwhelmingly dirty it would soon become. Nekozawa had with him a rucksack that was slung over his shoulder and as the two of them exited the house he had grabbed a tall walking staff that was previously leaned up against the doorframe. The two of them then set off into the direction of a town Haruhi had never been to, let alone heard of, before. Apparently it was one of the ritzier towns run by the nobles of the central kingdom. Once they set foot off of his property Nekozawa wrapped his free arm around Haruhi's shoulders and pulled her in so that their sides were pressed fully against one another. Haruhi made no comment at this as she followed his lead out of the swampy terrain. After a while she let her eyes sweep around and take in the surroundings.

At a reasonable pace it took them twenty minutes to get out of the swampland and cut through the forest that would lead them to a road. Nekozawa had relinquished his arm from around Haruhi's shoulders in order to help lift her across the uneven forest ground. This path in the forest took another fifteen minutes out of their time.

"Neko-sensei?" she asked once they were walking on the main road, "Wouldn't it be easier to ride a horse rather than walking all of this way?" Nekozawa looked thoughtful for a moment and put his fingers on his chin.

"I suppose, but you know, I've never been really fond of the beasts and in return have never learned to ride one. Besides, I've just been walking so much over the years that I've gotten used to it, but I didn't think about you at all, did I? Would you like a break?"

"No, thank you. I can manage."

Nekozawa smiled and placed his arm around her shoulders once more. He seemed a little too comfortable with this position, and Haruhi wasn't sure what to make of it. Another thirty minutes and the two of them found themselves at the city gates. Nekozawa showed something to the guards and they were then allowed passage.

The city was unlike anything Haruhi had ever seen. Compared to it her village held the aesthetics of a pile of old rags. There were shops everywhere with colorful signs and pristine glass windows; carriages cruising about the paved roads were being pulled by majestic and well-cared-for horses. Everything was clean as far as she could tell and the lords and ladies of the land walked about in the happy sunshine seeming without a care in the world, very much matching the glow in which their children carried. Looking at all of the light and colors and the many people that populated the area, Haruhi started realizing how out of place Nekozawa, especially, and she must have looked; but, the city-dwellers paid no mind as the two of them went about their business.

Nekozawa first led Haruhi into a furniture store where they were greeted by a stout and robust man.

"Ah, Umehito-chan! It's nice to see you again. Has the Father Superior been keeping you busy? It's been a while since we've seen you in these parts."

"Ah, yes. I've been traveling and conducting some missionary work as of late. Father Superior only let me out of the monasteries today so I could spend time with my little sister," explained Nekozawa; with his arm still wrapped around her shoulders he squeezed Haruhi in a brief half-hug for emphasis. Haruhi was about to unveil an expression of confusion until she glanced down and caught sight of rosary beads looped around his belt and dangling down the front of his robes. Haruhi remained suspicious, but said nothing of the matter in front of the storekeeper.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, miss," He said, "Your brother is very famous 'round these parts; I've never met someone so dedicated to the Book that he would travel to such great lengths as to spread the word. Now, what can I do for you?"

"My sister has been promised to a prominent young lad across the Aisles and our father has set us out in his place to build up a suitable dowry, and I immediately thought that the fine craftsmanship of one of your masterpieces would be undoubtedly suitable, indeed."

"I am flattered that you think so highly of my skills, and all the luck to you, miss. I hope your betrothed treats you well. Now, were you thinking of anything in particular?"

"A nice wooden trunk - one with a heavy lock."

"Ah, a fine memento for storing all of your precious keepsakes," said the shopkeeper addressing Haruhi, "right this way." The shopkeeper turned around and headed towards the back of the room and Nekozawa and Haruhi followed him. He led them to a section dedicated entirely to trunks and Nekozawa finally let go of Haruhi's shoulders in order to stoop down and inspect them.

"We'll take this one in the middle," he said. Haruhi looked at the one he selected as he and the storekeeper began negotiating a price. The dark wood was smooth and polished and was lined with heavy, yet very decorative, iron. The top was rounded and overall the piece looked rather stable. When the storekeeper left to retrieve the key, Nekozawa turned and smiled at Haruhi. "It's yours," he said, "We'll be putting your new clothes in it for the journey home, but after that you may use it as you please." Footsteps could be heard approaching and Nekozawa returned his attention to the storekeeper once more.

"Here you are, Umehito-chan," he said while handing over a medium sized matching key.

"Thank you," replied Nekozawa, and in return he gave him four gold coins. Nekozawa dropped the key in his rucksack and motioned for Haruhi to help him carry the trunk by grabbing the handle on the other side. The two men bid each other a cheerful farewell and the young couple left the store to journey to the tailor. Haruhi returned her attention to all the various shops up and down the streets.

"Neko-sensei, if this town is closer to your home than mine, why not travel here to buy your goods?"

"Ah, well, as you may have noticed I'm known as a monk in this area. I can't drop by too often, and I can't very well be buying things left and right; monks are supposed to live in poverty. People get suspicious. Besides, I like the long journey, and the goods are cheaper compared to here." Haruhi nodded in understanding and he continued. "Wait until you see the town where people know the truth about me and everyone is my friend." He grinned evilly and the sight frightened her, even if he didn't mean for it to. They stopped in front of the tailor's and let themselves in, trunk and all.

The tailor was a man considerably older than the man in the furniture store and Nekozawa retold the tale of her dowry. The tailor didn't so much as glance at Haruhi as he asked Nekozawa what her husband-to-be would like her to be seen in. Haruhi was offended but didn't let it show, and instead, opted for blocking out the two men's conversation and looking at the different patterns on the bolts of fabric. It seemed like a good while until Haruhi was thrust up onto a stool and the old man was taking all sorts of tedious measurements. Once he recorded them, he ushered Haruhi and Nekozawa out the door.

"My sons and I will have your order finished this evening. I expect your father gave you enough money to afford this?" the tailor said rather rudely.

"Indeed he has," replied Nekozawa. He and Haruhi then picked the trunk up, again, and left the store.

"Ooh, Nekozawa-san, is that you?" asked a voice from behind. Nekozawa turned and smiled at the middle-aged woman. Haruhi followed his lead and circled around with the other side of the trunk.

"Indeed it is," he replied, "and how are you this fine day, Kaede-sama?"

"Oh, just splendid! I'm only doing a bit of window shopping," said Kaede, "and who is this young lady?"

"This is my sister; my father requested me in his stead to build a suitable dowry for her."

"Well, congratulations, young miss! I see you've already selected a few things; tell me, is there anything I can do to help?"

"Well, actually," said Nekozawa, "I'd actually like to visit the pastor for a while, but my sister still needs a few private things, if you catch my drift, and being not only a man, but a man of my profession, it would be utterly inappropriate for me to accompany her to such a shop."

"Oh, yes, of course! I would be happy to help," smiled Kaede.

"Thank you, then," said Nekozawa, then he turned to Haruhi, "Haruhi, this is Takahashi Kaede, and she's the councilman's wife, she'll take good care of you…" Kaede was so busy smiling she paid no attention to when Nekozawa lowered his voice and spat in Haruhi's ear, "If you so much as utter a word about me or who you really are I'll throw that baby to the gators and make you slit your parents' throats!" Haruhi had a sharp intake of breath and her eyes felt like they had popped out of her skull as she looked at Nekozawa in pure fear. He raised his voice again and replaced his pleasant demeanor, "Ah, don't worry, dear sister, I won't be long. Kaede-sama has had three daughters of her own, so she'll be sure to get you everything you need." Nekozawa retrieved a purse full of coins and handed it to Kaede, "These are the funds our father handed over for the materialistic portion of the dowry. I trust you will look after it?"

Kaede blushed and accepted the purse, "Of course! Oh, dear," she said to Haruhi, "you look pale, have you eaten, yet?" she returned her attention back to Nekozawa, "You don't mind if we take a little detour to my house first, do you?"

"Not at all," said Nekozawa. He then relinquished Haruhi's hold on the trunk and hefted it up so that he was carrying it one-handed on his shoulder. Kaede marveled at his strength and looked very appreciative at the muscles of his forearm when the sleeve of his cloak slipped down. "I'll see you ladies later this evening, then."

Nekozawa parted and Haruhi had to take a few moments to regain her composure. Kaede paid no heed to this and merely dragged Haruhi to her house where they ate lunch. After that the two women walked back to town and Haruhi discovered what Nekozawa meant by private things. Kaede had led her into a store that sold undergarments. They bought various petticoats and slips and, much to Haruhi's embarrassment, Kaede had insisted they buy a few sets of bridal undergarments for the groom's viewing pleasure. Haruhi reluctantly allowed the old woman to purchase these things, not wanting to blow her and Nekozawa's cover. At the next store they purchased a fully stocked sewing kit and a plain whicker basket which they took to the open market and filled with various fruits. The fruit was a frivolous venture, but when Haruhi mentioned she had never tasted an orange before, Kaede insisted that she take some back home with her. At the sight of her shoes Haruhi was immediately whisked away to the cobbler to have some new ones fashioned for her. She ended up with some outdoor boots that extended over her ankle, two pairs of dainty heels with buckles, house shoes, and a pair of black knee-high boots that pointed at the toe and lifted the heel and inch or so. They bought more aprons and handkerchiefs and other accessories here and there. When they were finished they waited for Nekozawa outside the door of the church, and Haruhi was actually surprised when he emerged from the entrance ten minutes later, trunk in tow.

The sky had darkened by that point and Kaede handed over Nekozawa's change while Haruhi began packing the trunk with their purchases – it was almost stuffed full by the time she was finished. Kaede bid her goodnights and the small group separated with Haruhi and Nekozawa heading towards the tailor's again. Her dresses were wrapped in brown paper and Nekozawa idly stuffed them on top of everything in the trunk. The tailor grunted thanks when Nekozawa handed him the gold and the pair left for the streets again. Instead of walking back to Nekozawa's house like Haruhi had dreaded, they hitched a ride in a hay wagon that was going to be passing by near the swamp. The trunk was secured neatly behind them and Haruhi and Nekozawa sat next to each other with their legs dangling over the rear. The wagon started moving, and Nekozawa took the opportunity to start a conversation.

"I'm very pleased that you kept your promise, Haruhi. I'll have to give you a treat when we get home." He smiled and Haruhi swallowed.

"It wasn't," she began, and Nekozawa looked at her stoically, "It wasn't really necessary to make such a vivid threat," she trembled, "I gave my person to you willingly and have already agreed to abide by your rules." Much to Haruhi's distaste, Nekozawa wrapped his arm around her shoulders again and pulled her to lean in his chest.

"I'm sorry, that was incredibly rude of me. Sometimes my Specter can't control itself. Bereznoff can be quite the pain."

"Bereznoff?"

"Yes," replied Nekozawa, "He shares my soul. I'll tell you more about him another time. Just know I'll do better to control him, especially tomorrow night."

"What's happening tomorrow night?"

"Shh…go to sleep, now," cooed Nekozawa softly, "I'll wake you when we get there."