Note – For those who don't know, in Japan public baths or Sento are popular. Some are separated by gender, but a small few are mixed. Children are allowed to go into the baths of the opposite gender up to a certain age depending on where the Sento is located. Some of the older noble houses also have a private bath, and it isn't uncommon for children to bathe with their parents or siblings up until a certain age. There is also a rinsing process before and after.

Aniki
Warm Waters

The mind of a seven-year-old struggled to grasp the situation the two brother's found themselves in, but the mind of a four-year-old comprehended what was occurring even less. Shiro let his younger brother cling to him, while the servants passed by, giving the two children the same look the villagers had. Eventually, Lady Shirogane came back, her mouth twisted up into a constant frown, her arms folded across her chest. A quick glance at her told the seven-year-old she wasn't pleased, but at least his brother wasn't running around anymore. Duty meant the eldest male protected the younger siblings.

With the woman came two female servants with clean clothing in their arms. The old woman spoke. "I wish for the two of you to take a bath before the guests arise."

Shiro began to push his brother up, but the younger brother glared at the woman. "No!"

"Akira..."

"It's too early for a bath. Mama and papa also aren't here."

"I'm here."

"No..."

Shiro let out a sigh, scoping the younger child up into his arms. His younger brother wasn't light, but somehow he managed. The old woman looked at him disapprovingly. "He can very well walk on his own two feet Takashi. Set your brother down."

Shiro let his brother slide down, but kept a hand on the younger boys to prevent him from taking off. The memory of the servants mentioning sending his brother off to another family played in the back of his mind, and his hand tightened protectively around the younger's hand. The two servants led them to an old-fashioned bath, and a smile spread across Shiro's face watching his brother's eyes widen. The sound of a nearby dojo echoed across the lawn, and his brother's attention was soon drawn to that. Shiro gave a quick tug, and they were into the room, taking in the old fashioned bath setting.

The four-year-old's mouth twisted up into a pout, his hand tugging at the sleeve of his brother's clothing. His mouth opened up, his eyes showing how confused he was, but nothing came out. Shiro let out a sigh, his right hand reaching out to ruffle the younger boy's hair. "It is a bath. It's just, like the public baths." His brother's eyes blinked a couple of times. "Oh, yeah. You've never been to one."

Shiro opened his mouth, carefully explaining the process of public baths. Some things, like the fact children still bathed with adults until they were a certain age, or even could go into the bath of the opposite gender didn't matter so much as explaining the process to his younger brother, only to wonder if everything went over the boy's head. The reason for the eyes glazing over became apparent at the four-year-old's question. "What about mama and papa?"

An empty feeling hit the pit of Shiro's stomach, his mind trying to think of a time when he hadn't taken a bath with one of his parents around but shook it off. Instead, he made the choice of smiling at his brother. "You're a big boy, Akira."

The child frowned, his eyes still glazed over, his voice muttering softly. "It's Keith, Shiro."

Shiro worried his lip, wondering why his brother insisted on using the names outside of the game they played, but brushed it aside, wanting to forget that he and Keith were now orphans. The fact their parents were gone went over the younger's head, and he wasn't sure how to explain things to his brother. "Come on. You don't like smelling the way you do, do you?"

Keith raised up one arm, sniffing at his nightclothes, his small nose wrinkling up. His eyes darted over to Shiro, almost as if to ask why their clothes smelled like they did, but he then said nothing. Eventually, the boy gave in and got into the bath with him, and the smoky smell soon disappeared, replaced by the foreign smells of the shampoo and soap they were given. Somehow Shiro managed to keep soap out of his brother's eyes, the pang in his chest eating away as he felt the agonizing loss.

Getting Keith dressed was another matter, as the four-year-old gave a strange look to the black kimono's the servants prepared for them. The fingers of the four-year-old held them up, frowning. "How come?"

"A..." Shiro felt his mouth twitch slightly but shook his head. "That's what they gave us to wear." The seven-year-old felt his throat tighten, his eyes darting down remembering they never went to any of the village's festivals. As outsiders, they simply weren't welcome, but it always felt more than that. Carefully, and awkwardly he somehow managed to help Keith into the black kimono, only to find himself needing help. A hot heat rushed over his cheeks, the realization he'd need to seek help from someone who was a stranger not sitting well.

He slid the door open slightly, hoping someone was close enough to ask for help, his other hand clutching the robes tightly shut. Suddenly Keith surged forward, giggling, and tripping over his own feet as he pushed by, only to be up running around again. Shiro's eyes widened. "Akira!"

Keith crashed into the family head, causing the four-year-old to fall to the ground, his eyes wide with surprise. Shiro felt a shiver run down his spine as he looked at the man, wondering how the man thought of the two of them. The man remained silent, his arms crossed, taking in Keith's lack of sandals on his feet, but also Shiro's state of undress and the poorly tied bow on Keith's clothing. "Do you two not know how to dress yourselves."

Shiro looked down, waiting to be berated, but instead heard the head turn to the servant with him, telling him to find someone to "fix" the problem, although "fix" wasn't the word the old man used. A couple of female servants came, and began to adjust the clothing on Shiro, but unfortunately found themselves unable to touch Keith, who avoided their unfamiliar touch. Instead, the four-year-old darted behind his brother, eyeing the ladies. Shiro sighed. "You need to wear the sandals."

"Why?"

"It's a tradition."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"Why?"

"Nobody ever told me."

"Do you think the grumpy old man will tell me why?"

"No, I don't. I think he'd rather we be quiet." Shiro watched Keith let out a frustrated sigh, the idea of being quiet not settling well with the four-year-old.