Morning was Kagami's favorite time of the day. Even now, when he felt like he'd been run over by a herd of Worm he still felt refreshed. He had woken up slowly, eyes still closed and enjoying the sensation of the sunlight filtering from the curtains against his eyelids. It was the stillness in the birth of a new day. It was almost…sacred. Opening his eyes finally, he was happy to see his vision was entirely clear. His head still felt a bit muggy, but at least he could think a bit more clearly now. The events of last night seemed to blur together. He remembered Tendou had dragged him here and that a doctor had checked his injuries, but after that…

He decided to sit up. Achingly slow, Kagami attempted to tilt his body into a more upright position. There were more pillows on the other side of the bed, if he could manage to grab them he could prop himself up better. A sudden cramp in his back made him pause, breath coming out in a slow hiss. Take it slow, take it slow. There wasn't any reason for rushing in a lovely morning like this, right? He managed to finally prop himself up on his elbows before his sides started arguing with him. The muscles were stiff but Kagami was sure if he took it easy the tenseness would melt away eventually. Lying in the somewhat awkward position, Kagami looked around his temporary bedroom.

It was what one should expect from Tendou's house. The furniture in the room was simple but elegant. There were two bedside tables and a dresser on the wall opposite the bed. The bedroom door seemed to be right in front of him and there was what looked like a closet to the left. One could tell by looking that the person who had decorated the room had done so in a thoughtful manner, taking advantage of the big window behind the bed. It was the perfect room for a morning person like Kagami. The light paint on the walls and furniture just made the room seem brighter and fuller. Feeling a bit cheered, Kagami started to sit more upright, encouraging himself.

"Right, right. Just a bit more, Arata. You can do it…" There! He had finally sat up in an almost-straight manner. He didn't want to try any sudden movements, but this was definitely an improvement.

The door suddenly burst open. Kagami made a surprised noise and lifted up the sheets to shield himself.

"GOOOD MOOORRNING, KAGAMI-SAN!" said the young girl cheerful. Gently placing the tray she was carrying on the dresser next to the door, she posed dramatically.

"G-good morning, Jyuka-chan" he croaked, dropping the sheets he had grabbed to shield himself. It wasn't as if he was embarrassed but…she had come in so suddenly! He just reacted, naturally, right? I mean, sure, sheets wouldn't protect him from a Worm attack and now his chest sore from his sudden movements…well, at least Tendou hadn't seen it.

"Yo"

AH! WHY WAS HE ALWAYS THERE?!

"Tendou!" Apparently both brother and sister had the power to speed his heart rate up just by making an entrance. He stared at Tendou, feeling a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. He was just starting to form words to express this when he was distracted by a touch on his back. He flinched, surprised, turning to look at Tendou's little sister.

"Mooou, Kagami-san! You should take it easy! Here, let me help you!" Kagami was too stunned by her incredibly cheery behavior to really move against her. She had propped more pillows behind him and had even gone so far as to pat his back, easing the tension from his shoulders enough for him to lie back comfortably against the head of the bed.

"Thank you, Jyuka-chan. I'm grateful" He was a bit stunned at the efficiency of her movements. So all the Tendous were gifted?

"It's the least I can do for Onii-chan's bestest friend!" she chirped cheerfully. Kagami didn't have the heart to disagree with her but cast a glance at the man still standing in the doorway. He seemed a bit distracted. Jyuka breezed over to the dresser to retrieve the tray.

"Obaachan said that the best remedy is usually a home cooked meal! So I made her special soup for you Kagami-kun!"

That seemed to snap Tendou out of whatever thoughts he was having.

"Oh? You cooked it by yourself, Jyuka?" His voice had an odd sound to it.

Jyuka looked a bit mortified holding the tray of guilty goods. "I'm sorry, Oniichan! I wanted to ask you for help, but you were gone!"

Tendou didn't answer. He smoothly picked up the spoon from the tray and, after stirring it a bit, dipped up some of the broth and tasted it.

There was silence for a few seconds.

"It's very good, little sister. You did the seasoning very well" Tendou was wearing a smile Kagami hadn't seen before. Jyuka squealed and probably would have posed dramatically again if she hadn't still been holding the tray. Tendou made an amused sound and placed the spoon back on the tray. Jyuka spun around, almost sloshing the soup out of the bowl, and walked over to give it to Kagami.

"Oh, Kagami-san! Are you feeling all right?"

"O-oh. It's nothing, Jyuka-chan. I'm just a bit sore," said Kagami as he half-grinned at her. But, the ache that had suddenly bloomed in his chest had nothing to do with his injuries. The closeness between the siblings had reminded him of his relationship with Ryou. Shaking his head to clear it of darker thoughts, he concentrated on the delicious smell coming from the bowl on the tray being placed on his lap. He clapped his hands together and murmured "Itadakimasu". Picking up the spoon, Kagami immersed it into the colorful liquid and raised it to his mouth. His arm paused just before it reached his mouth.

Tendou was watching him very closely with a guarded expression on his face. What was going on behind those half-lidded eyes? Mentally shrugging, Kagami opened his mouth to have his own taste of the soup. Jyuka was beaming at him expectantly.

"Delicious!" Kagami praised. Tendou had blinked out of whatever mental stupor he'd slipped into and took on his more usual aloof gaze that seemed to say 'Of course, my little sister can do anything'.

"Really?! I'm so happy!" Jyuka was half dancing around. She was just so pleased with herself that Kagami couldn't help but feel his spirits being lifted. How could anyone be depressed with a girl like this for a little sister? No wonder he rarely saw Tendou in a bad mood. Jyuka was now talking animatedly to her big brother about how she had flavored the soup with different herbs. Tendou looked delighted at her interest in cooking. Kagami tucked into the meal with more enthusiasm, grinning to himself.

He was just scooping up the last bite of the yummy soup when there came a light rapping at the window from behind him. He couldn't turn his head fast enough to see exactly what had made it, but the flash of red as it zipped away had been enough information. The "message" hadn't been for him anyway. Tendou was already excusing himself, promising to have Jyuka's favorite dinner ready for her when she came back from school. Jyuka, who hadn't even seen the Kabuto Zector at the window, cheerfully wished him a safe trip as she took Kagami's empty bowl.

Kagami, a bit forlorn at watching his fellow Rider off to battle the evil Worms, was surprised when Tendou paused at the doorway. Turning to look at Kagami, the Man Who Walked Heaven's Path seemed to have trouble deciding what to say. Kagami looked at him curiously.

"..What is it?"

Tendou's features suddenly cleared. It was like watching the ripples on a pond suddenly disappear. As if he hadn't been troubled at all. Kagami's eyes widened. Ah! Was something wrong?! He had a natural distrust of people who didn't state their feelings out loud. He couldn't help but immediately suspect things!

Tendou shook his head while walking back to the doorway. Allowing Jyuka to walk ahead of him, he closed the door quietly. Kagami stared at the door for a few minutes, confused and a bit troubled.

Well! At least his stomach was happy! Easing himself back into the pillows, Kagami looked up at the ceiling, pondering the strange behavior of the mightier-than-thou men. At least Tsurugi was only half as complicated.