After the investigation, the group decided to return to the castle. Obi was delighted to have Kana ride with him back and he felt a slight churn in his stomach as her arms wrapped around his waist. The wrap wasn't too tight, but it wasn't too loose either so he could feel her head lean against his back. She was fidgeting slightly behind him though, her head turning from one side to the either. Stifling a laugh and wondering what was on her mind, Obi placed a hand on hers causing her to jerk in surprise.
"Obi.." Kana called out to him.
"Hm?"
"It looks like it's about to rain..." she told him as she glanced up at the dark clouds in the sky.
Obi gazed upwards and also noticed the dark clouds brewing.
"Huh. Looks like it is!"
As soon as he said those words, drops of rain began to fall and suddenly it was no longer a drizzle, but it was pouring rain. Obi hurried his horse beside Zen.
"Master, it's raining hard!" He called out.
"Ya think?!" Zen groaned impatiently, not anticipating the rain.
"We need to find shelter," suggested Mitsuhide.
"There's an inn nearby!" Zen called out and lead the group towards the building.
Obi lifted Kana off the horse before she could protest and pulled her into the building. Kana glanced around and everyone was completely soaked. The innkeeper offered two rooms available and a bath.
"You guys go ahead and take a bath," offered Mitsuhide. "I'll keep guard."
"I'll stay with you then," said Haru and Mitsuhide nodded.
"Let's go take a bath, Master!" Obi grinned.
"Kana, let's go," said Kiki.
"Eh? Me too?" Kana wondered.
"Of course, you too!" Mitsuhide chucked, giving her a slight nudge towards Kiki. "Go take a bath!"

Meanwhile in the Men's Bath...

Obi gazed up at the ceiling thoughtfully.
"It's nice to take a bath, Master," he said. "It's too bad Mister and the other guy couldn't join."
"Someone has to keep guard," pointed out Zen.
"Say, I bet Miss Kiki and Mistress are in the bath now too," Obi grinned.
Zen blushed and turned red. He suddenly dunked his head underwater for a few seconds and then popped up.
"Why are you bringing that up now?!" Zen cried.
"What else is there to talk about?" Obi questioned rather seriously.
Zen groaned and then realized something. He suddenly grinned at Obi. If he and Mitsuhide were right, Obi could react to what he was about to say.
"Kana's in the bath too," Zen smirked awaiting for Obi's reaction.
The dark-haired man stared at him with a blank face, but suddenly, Zen noticed his ears begin to turn pink.
"I-I've already seen her naked," Obi pointed out, avoiding Zen's gaze.
The Prince's eyes went wide-eyed in shock.
"You've what?!"
"It's not what you think, Master. Most of them were all... Accidents..."
Zen tried to stifle a laugh. Obi was red in the face.

After the bath, everyone had gathered at a table for dinner. Obi glanced around to find Kana nowhere in sight. Haru was standing by on the other side of the room, leaning against a wall to keep watch.
"He's not hungry," said Mitsuhide as he noticed Obi glancing towards Haru's way.
"I see," Obi mumbled turning towards Shirayuki and noticing the strand of wet hair falling from her hair bun.
Mitsuhide suddenly glanced up as he noticed Kana walking pass the table. He grabbed her arm quickly.
"Kana, come eat," offered Mitsuhide.
"Oh.. I'm not too hungry..." she smiled slightly.
"You should eat something," suggested Kiki worriedly. "You were rather quiet in the bath."
"M-Maybe later.."
"You okay?" Mitsuhide asked quietly with concern.
"Y-Yes I'm okay," she reassured him, catching Haru's eye from the other side of the room. "He's not eating?"
"He said he wasn't hungry," sighed Mitsuhide.
"Oh."
"Hey, your hair is down," smiled the older man. "It's been awhile."
"Oh, I didn't want to tie it up wet, so I thought I'd leave it be."
"Kana-san's jet black hair is quite pretty," complimented Shirayuki.
"Your red hair's quite unique, Mistress," pointed out Obi, causing Shirayuki to blush.
Kana rolled eyes at him. She whispered to Mitsuhide that she'd stand by and guard and quickly walked away. Obi watched her reluctantly as she stood a few feet away from Haru in obvious uncomfortableness.
'She'd rather stand by him than bear being near me, huh...?' Obi thought to himself.

Kana stared blankly at the door, not really paying attention to her surroundings as she leaned against the wall. The sound of laughter chimed around the room and she turned her head to find Obi laughing next to Shirayuki. Haru observed her demeanor as he noticed her blank, bored look turn into sadness and pain. He then turned to find her staring at the dark-haired man.
"Is it true?" Haru suddenly piped up.
"What?"
"I heard guards talking about it," he said. "That you have taken interest in that shady guy over there."
Kana froze at his words. Was it that noticeable to everyone...?
"That's not-" she hesitated and then sighed. "He's not THAT shady..."
Kana heard him let out a disappointed-sounding sigh beside her. She turned her head and found the young man's emerald eyes observing her.
"Just be careful," he suggested.
"I don't need advice from you," she told him harshly.
"Kana, I-"

"Oh my~! What a handsome man!" Kana hear a woman's voice suddenly call out.

Kana glanced up to find a rather pretty woman who seemed slightly older than her clinging to Mitsuhide.
"Are you free tonight? Let's have a drink!" she flirted.
"Kiki..." Mitsuhide whined as he looked at the blonde.
"Oh? Is he yours?" the woman asked Kiki.
"Nope, he's free tonight," muttered Kiki.
"Kiki!"
Kana bit her lip to keep yourself from laughing. The woman suddenly sat in front of Zen and asked him for a drink, but he smoothly refused. The Kana noticed her turn to Obi and Kana stiffened.
"You, sir, are far too dangerous," she pointed out.
"Am I?" Obi questioned.
"I have a good eye for men," she said ,walking away, but stopping in front of Mitsuhide and winked at him. "If you change your mind, let me know!"

"I suppose he hasn't changed much," said Haru.
"What do you mean?" Kana asked, uninterested as she watched Obi.
"Mitsuhide still catches the women."
"Ah well, he's not too happy about that fact."

"My! You're handsome too!"

Kana and Haru turned to find the strange woman from before standing in front of Haru. He slightly glanced at Kana for help.
"Oh, is he yours?" She asked.
"No way," Kana muttered, placing her attention back on the dark-haired man.
The woman watched her carefully and turned to find her eyes targeting Obi. She glanced back at Kana and then smirked.
"Hey, you. What's your name?" she asked.
"Kana," she replied.
"Well, Kana, come with me. I have something to talk to you about!"
"Eh? Wait-"
She suddenly pulled her out the door, gripping her arm tightly so she couldn't escape.
"Kana!" Haru called out.
"Don't follow us!" the woman warned him and then winked.
Haru sweat-dropped. What was he supposed to do? At the table, Obi munched on a piece of food as he watched an old acquaintance pull Kanaout the door.

My, my, what does a strange woman have to tell Kana?