By the time Hoshiko had traveled up the hill and through the forest to the old house, the sun was already about to set. She turned and paused for a moment to admire the view, then continued to the house itself.

She set the rice keg down on the floor of what was once a pantry, and rested the basket of fish on her hip.

The moans from the pit in the backyard had intensified during her absence and Hoshiko shivered. She walked daintily and carefully to the edge.

"One moment," she called. "I'll have some nice fish and rice for you in just a minute."

With that, she walked back over to grab a bowl-full of rice and some fish. In a few minutes, she had a fairly sizeable platter of sushi in her hands and was walking back down to the pit.

She opened the top carefully and tossed the dreamers three pieces each. Some didn't eat, but instead reached towards her, begging, pleading, crying, and threatening.

"I'm sorry," she whispered and closed the top. She always hated having to feed them. If she pretended that they weren't people, that they were monsters of some sort, she could tune them out and be fine. But sometimes, they spoke to her with real words in real voices, and she couldn't help but feel like she was the monster instead.

She stood up and went to wash her hands and put the rest of the fish away.

Now the sun was just barely dipping under the horizon, and Hoshiko thought she'd sit on the porch and watch it go down. She sighed at the beauty of it all. The setting sun bathed the forest in colors mankind had no names for, and it reflected off of the trees, the rocks, and the water, until it appeared that the whole world was glowing.

When the sun gave up with a sigh and fell to night, Hoshiko got back up and stretched. It was time to wake Tsukishiro up.

She tiptoed lightly to his door and tapped on it gently.

"Tsukishiro-sama," she crooned. "It's nighttime."

There was silence.

She tapped again, a little louder. "Tsukishiro-sama. Wake up, please."

Again, there was no reply from the other side of the door.

Hoshiko took a deep breath and opened the door softly so it wouldn't creak. The room was so dark, it made it hard to see, but the light from the hallway was enough to illuminate his silvery hair and reassure Hoshiko that he was in there. As she stepped in, she resisted the urge to laugh.

He was sprawled out on top of the covers, on his back, his hands curled around his cane as though it were a precious toy. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was ever-so quiet, his mouth slightly open. One leg dangled off the bed comically and the other lay tangled up in sheets.

He looked innocent. Peaceful, even.

"Tsukishiro-sama?" she whispered, creeping close. "Wake up, please..."

She didn't go any closer than about two feet from the bed, aware that if he awoke in anger, it would be in her best interest to stay out of arm's reach.

She knew he could hear her, then, and that he was only partially asleep; his breathing had changed slightly. She settled down on the floor and bowed, her forehead touching the floor.

"Good night, Tsukishiro-sama," she greeted.

His eyes opened slowly, and he stared at the ceiling, his lids half-lowered.

"How did you know I was awake, Hoshiko?" he asked, his tone suprisingly calm.

"Your breathing," she replied, sitting back up. "It changes when you do that."

He chuckled breathily and closed his eyes again. "I don't want to get up."

"You must be hungry," she said respectfully. "You should get up, Tsukishiro-sama."

He was quiet for so long, Hoshiko had to strain her hearing and see if his breathing had changed again. However, it was the same, steady rhythm that he adopted once awake.

"Hoshiko..." he mumbled. "What do you think of me?"

Hoshiko was suprised at such an odd question. What did she think of him? She wasn't here to think. She fumbled for a response, and finally, hesitantly, replied; "You are my master."

"Tch." he made a face and rolled over so he was on his stomach, gazing at her intently from on top of the sheets. "That doesn't answer my question."

"I am sorry," she bowed again. "I'm not sure how to answer."

"Answer honestly," was the reply. "Am I a monster to you? Do I scare you?"

Hoshiko thought hard. Was he? "No, Tsukishiro-sama. You don't scare me."

He gave her an odd look. "You don't get it, do you?" he asked finally.

"Get what?"

"I'm not asking for you to answer yes-or-no questions. I want you to answer what you think," he insisted, "stupid girl."

Hoshiko paused again, staring at the floor. What did she think? He was her master, after all. What did she feel?

"Ahm..." she shifted her legs. "I think...I think that you're just different." she managed to get out. "Different from everyone else. And just because you're different, it doesn't mean you're a monster. You have your reasons for what you do, Tsukishiro-sama. So no, I don't think you're a monster. I do respect you, though."

Tsukishiro stared at her for a moment, then sighed and rolled so he was sitting upright.

"My ribbon," he said. "Help me find it."

"Yes, Tsukishiro-sama." Hoshiko helped him rummage through the tangled mess of sheets until they found his black ribbon that he used to pull his hair back.

He tied his hair up, found his cloak, and put it on.

"I'm going to get something to eat," he stated, walking out the door. "Get some sleep."

Hoshiko stood up and bowed. "Good night, Tsukishiro-sama." she said gently.

He paused for a minute, then waved and smiled cheekily. "Good night, Hoshiko-chan."