`'`'`'`'`'`'

Mizu sat in the room with Menori and Luna. Sharla had gone to check on Kaoru (who was late again, unsurprisingly) and the three of them were trying to make new clothes since the old ones were getting smaller.

"Mizu, while I'm at it," Menori offered. "I could cut your grey extensions."

"Look, for the last time," Mizu said with a smile, though she was a bit irritated. "I don't have grey dress extensions."

"One day I will cut them." Menori mocked. Mizu suddenly gasped with great exaggeration.

"You wanna cut these!?" she yelled, holding up the two "dresspieces" with great difficulty (since they were on her back).

"What other ones?" Menori replied, a bit puzzled by the question.

"Are you crazy!?"

"That's what I should be asking you…"

Mizu stormed off and walked away from Minna no Ie. Howard was the only one who noticed her (since the others were finishing their work) yet he thought she was just going to the bathroom. I won't be the one to interrupt. He thought, as he went to the food storage room to get some fruits.

Kaoru was returning with some fish when he saw Mizu storm away. He quickly sped up his pace and followed her, unnoticed. He seeked some answer – some secret – to how she knew about Louis.

They went through the thick forest to an area where many trees had been dug up by the root and replaced with earth to even the floor out. There was a small tunnel that could only fit one person in the very middle, and Mizu slid down it. Kaoru lost sight of her, so he jumped in as well.

At the very bottom, Kaoru found a somewhat complex hallway with many rooms. The hallways and rooms had tree trunks that were cut in half stuck to the very walls. Ht made the house quite nice.

He was able to distinguish each and every room. The bedroom, with many leaves, flowers and other plants to make a bed, a storage room, with a cabinet and food that seems to only be good in case of emergencies, a fire room, with a hole on the top to let the smoke out and some bark, and he assumed that the bathroom was outside.

Mizu sat in the smallest of all rooms, holding a necklace that he noticed she never took off. It had never been a big deal, nor was it large enough to be noticeable.

"Geez, you gotta learn how to knock." Mizu snapped, even though her back was turned to him. "But come in, I guess."

"How did you build this so fast?" Kaoru asked, looking around in amazement.

"Easy." Mizu replied, fiddling with the necklace. "Examined the architecture you used, took ideas from you, used trees as well, also used the idea of having some place that the animals wouldn't reach (I just couldn't find a tree strong enough so I built it underground) and started working."

"In, what, two days? I don't believe you."

"And Luna doesn't believe you killed someone. I guess you're just both wrong."

Mizu was being too cold all of a sudden. And only she knew the reason why – Kaoru reminded her too much and too often about disappointment in someone she knew.

"Let's just return." Kaoru said gravely, and walked out of Mizu's house.

`'`'`'`'`'`'

At nighttime, the ten were gathered around the fire.

"So, Mizu," Luna began, trying to start a conversation. "I heard you built a small house of your own. How did you do it so fast?"

"It's not hard." Mizu answered, asking herself if she should block her off or just have a conversation. She didn't want any subjects to come up about her life. "You guys finished your house pretty fast, too."

"I guess, but we had more people." Luna replied.

"But you also needed more space, because you were eight when you started."

"That's true. Either way, you work pretty fast."

"Thanks."

"Mizu, can I visit your house someday?" Adam asked happily.

"Of course!" Mizu said with a kind smile.

"We should all visit later." Luna completed. "Sharla, why don't you give it a name?"

"Hm…" Sharla began. "Mizu Toride. Mizu made it and it will be great protection in winter!"

Note: I think it means water fortress… I'm not so sure…

"It's a very good name!" Bell smiled kindly. "We should see it later."

"You might even help us build stuff later…" Howard began. "You know, your strength might be worth two people's work, ne?"

"You're still working, Howard." Menori pointed out.

"I can try, but I think it's best that you help me…" Mizu said thoughtfully.

"Why?" Howard laughed. "You want me to help you?"

"I think you would want to…" Mizu smiled. Howard blushed quite terribly, and Menori looked at Howard angrily.

"I-I don't want to… why would I?" Howard stammered nervously.

"Forget it…" Mizu said, seeming a bit uncomfortable. She suddenly looked at Adam with a confused face, and began staring at her. Luna held her head in pain.

"What?" Adam asked innocently. "Is my face dirty?" Mizu looked up at everyone and Luna suddenly looked around, realizing the pain had gone away.

"N-No… uh…" Mizu said as she somewhat returned to earth. "It was just… forget it."

"Mizu, would you like some help with the logs?" Bell asked happily. "It might be a bit hard for you."

"Sure." Mizu smiled devilishly.

"You've got a plan in mind…" Howard said suspiciously.

"Because Howard knows so much about evil plans." Luna said mockingly. Everybody but Howard joined her in laughter.

"Eh, not funny!" he said, kicking one of the logs that was near the fire.

"Anyways, let's go to sleep." Mizu said happily, looking once more at Adam and walking off to bed.

`'`'`'`'`'`'

"Minna, ikimashou!" Luna yelled (she was the first one up). "It's morning! Time to work!" Luna entered the girl's room one more time to check if Mizu was coming as well and saw Mizu holding a small object. It was like a metal stick with a wire that reached her ear and clung to it with a small claw.

"Hai. I'm working on it." She spoke into it. "I can't do it that fast. It's nine against… Luna? Is that you?"Mizu turned around as the claw pulled itself back to the metal stick, leaving three holes in Mizu's ear. Mizu suddenly ran towards Luna (who was extremely confused right now) and held her collar tight.

"Now, you listen here!" she said, fuming with anger. "If you ever tell anyone about this – and I mean anyone – heads will roll. You heard?" Luna nodded nervously, and Mizu let go and put a smile on her face. They both walked out slowly and got to work.

As Bell promised, he helped Mizu to cut the logs. She cut them and he took them to Minna no Ie.

"Are you okay?" Mizu asked kindly, noticing all of the work it was taking Bell.

"Hai!" he said with a smile. "I just wish I had some rope to tie these." He noticed a special glow in Mizu's eyes as she looked into his.

"Funny you mention it." Mizu smiled. "I was working on some before." She handed him a coil of rope and helped him tie the trunks.

"Arigato. I see you took it here to show us."

"Yeah, I wanted to show you guys."

"Well, let's show everyone your good work! It seems almost perfect handwork."

"Arigato. Let's return. Want me to take half?"

"I'd never let a lady do that!"

"You're very nice, Bell." Mizu said, walking in front of him.

`'`'`'`'`'`'

I know… not all that… but you will see! There is gonna be some suspense!