I awoke the next morning to find myself curled around Akisame. He didn't wear a shirt and my head was pillowed on his chest. I smiled and sat up, feeling my bladder demand my attention. As I moved, Akisame's hand shot out and grabbed my wrist.

"Where are you going?" he asked, half asleep.

"Bathroom," I said. "Go back to sleep." I smoothed my hand over his chest and he made a noise and released my wrist. I stood, feeling my leg muscles ach from disuse. I walked carefully down the hall to the bathroom where I relieved myself. It was early and everyone was still asleep. Glancing at the clock, I guessed that they would be up soon. I was feeling better, stronger than I had been, though I was still a bit weak. I could feed myself and bathe myself, though Akisame still waited nearby, ready to help if my legs or arms gave out. I walked over to the steps and looked down. I glanced toward the room where Akisame lay sleeping. I didn't hear any noise. I grabbed the rope and quickly shimmied down it, stopping at the bottom to stretch and catch my breath.

I quietly crept into the kitchen and looked around. Everyone had been so nice to me, helping to take care of me and get me anything I needed. I wanted to do something for them. I quickly found some pots and pans and pulled them out as quietly as I could. I then found a massive number of eggs, flour, milk, bacon, butter and some fresh fruit. I would give Miu the money later to replenish whatever I used. I began making breakfast. Bacon, strawberry pancakes, blueberry pancakes, and a massive pile of sunny side up eggs. I sung softly to myself, making careful steps around the kitchen so that I didn't collapse.

"You don't have to do that!"

I spun around and hushed Miu quickly.

"I want to," I said. "You have all been so nice to me. I want to do this." She smiled and came up beside me.

"Oh, it smells good," she said. "Oooh, strawberry pancakes! Yummy! I wander if we have syrup." She went and rummaged through the cupboards, huffing when she didn't find anything.

"Guess I'll have to go out," she said.

"Can you bring me my purse?" I asked. She looked confused, but did as I asked. I fished in my bag for my wallet and pulled it out, opening it and pulling out two 2,000 yen bills. ($40.00usd) and handing them to her.

"Here," I said. She looked at me wide-eyed.

"Oh no!" she began. "I couldn't!"

"If you don't take it now, I'll just sneak it into your purse later," I told her. "So you may as well take it. Get syrup and whatever else you need. I'll give you more after I go to the bank to replace what I've used here."

"I really…"

"Taaaake iiiiiiiitttt," I urged, grinning. "You'll hurt my feelings if you don't." She sighed and took it. I smiled and leaned over, kissing her cheek in a sisterly way. She blushed and smiled at me.

"Well, thank you," she said, then went to get her purse and shoes. She paused in the doorway, before she left.

"Do you want to come with?" she asked.

"Akisame is going to kill me as is," I said. "I better not chance a more horrible death." She giggled and nodded, running out the door. I returned to my cooking, singing to myself the whole time. While the bacon was cooking, I went and found the tableware and set the dining room table. I returned to the kitchen and began making coffee and tea, putting warming covers over the food I had already cooked.

"Somethin' smells good!" I looked up and saw Sakaki making his way towards the kitchen. "Hey, Miu did you put the coffee…oh…"

"Miu went out to grab some things," I told him with a smile. He eyed me suspiciously.

"Does your boyfriend know you're up?" he asked. I blinked at him, confused.

"My…boy…friend…?" I asked.

"Akisame," he said.

"Akisame's not my boyfriend," I said.

"Well, whatever," he said. "Does he know you're up and doing…" he made a gesture to the kitchen. "…this?"

"No, but he'll find out soon enough," I said. "And if you get him up I'll smack you with a frying pan."

"No need to get violent," he said, holding up his hands. "I won't get him up."

"Good," I said. "And the coffee should be ready if you want to grab a cup." He walked over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup, leaning against the counter and taking a sip.

"So, did Miu help you downstairs?" he asked.

"No, I made it by myself," I said. Sakaki choked on his coffee and looked at me wide-eyed.

"But you can barely walk!" he said.

"Shhh!" I hissed. "You'll wake the rest of the house. And it's not that hard to slide down a rope. I did have to catch my breath though, but I was determined to do this."

"You're determined to be a pain in the ass," Sakaki muttered. I smiled at him sweetly. He rolled his eyes and swatted at me playfully.

"I'm not covering for your ass when Akisame finds out," he warned. "I'll hold ya down while he spanks ya."

"Kinky," I deadpanned. I heard Sakaki choke again.

"Dammit, girl," he said. I giggled and smiled at him.

"Since you're going to bug me and bitch, why don't you take some of those plates out to the table," I said, shooing him. He rolled his eyes again and grabbed two of the massive stacks of pancakes in one wide hand and carried them out to the table.

"I'm back," came Miu's voice. "Oh Sakaki…uhm…I…."

I stuck my head out of the kitchen and smiled at her.

"I already had this discussion with him Miu, don't worry," I assured her. She shuffled her feet while Sakaki leveled her with a hard look.

"By the way, if you couldn't stop me, Sakaki, what makes you think Miu could?" I asked. He sighed and looked at me.

"Yeah, yeah," he said. "You're as stubborn as Akisame." I smiled and winked at him, ducking back in the kitchen.

"Apachi smells something yummy!"

"Blueberry pancakes. That looks…good…"

I giggled and turned the stove off, bringing out the plate of bacon and putting it on the table.

"Ah you are feeling better, yes?" Apachai asked.

"I am," I said.

"That makes Apachai happy! You were very sick!" he beamed. I smiled at him sweetly.

"I'm glad," I said. "Let me get the rest."

I went back into the kitchen and with Miu's help brought out the eggs, coffee and teapot as well as the bottle of syrup and some more fresh fruit she had picked up.

"Ooo, pancakes!" cried Kenichi.

"Oh ho, I see you're feeling better!" the Elder said, smiling at me. "And you made breakfast! Does Akisame know?" I bit my lip and went to answer when a harsh voice cut me off.

"No, he doesn't. And he isn't happy about it!" I looked and saw Akisame standing in the doorway, glaring at me with his arms crossed.

"Uhm, good morning?" I tried.

"I thought you were just going to the bathroom," he said.

"I did," I said. "Then I figured I'd make breakfast."

"How did you get downstairs?" he asked, his voice like ice.

"I climbed," I answered. The room was silent. Akisame's scowl deepened and he walked over to me.

"I should confine you to the bed for the rest of the day," he said.

"I'll just sneak out," I replied, honestly.

"I know, you're stubborn," he said.

"So I've been told," I commented.

"Guess I'll just have to keep you with me so you stay out of trouble," he sighed.

"Trouble?" I asked. "You make it sound like I was selling meth out the kitchen window." Sakaki and Kensei snorted at this but quickly clammed up when Akisame glared at them. I sighed and moved closer to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and laying my head on his chest.

"I just wanted to do something nice for everyone," I said. "You've all been so nice to me." Akisame sighed and wrapped his arms around my back.

"You could have just said something," he said. "I would have helped."

"That would have defeated the purpose!" I replied with a smile. I pulled away from him and took his hand, pulling him to the table.

"Sit down and eat," I said. "You can spank me later."

"Spank you?!"

"It's what Sakaki said."

"Hey!"

DHMB: Blegh. I mean to post this chapter up when I updated before but for some reason forgot. Anyway, Reviews mean chapters go up faster!