Chapter 6: Love
...

Both healers were hard at work while Kazuha provided Shinobu with the only fruits on the island he could find on short notice. It was enough and she took a break, eating while a slowly growing number of onlookers had formed around them.

General Kujou was one of them and ordered all official Tenryou Officers to work while they took in those that they had captured and brought them back with them to Inazuma City. Beidou had also joined them, though she kept her distance and he noticed she and the General spoke for a time before the first departed.

Heizou never looked any better, no matter how much or how long either of the healers were working.

"Give us time. We're working on a life or death injury here." Shinobu finished eating, not caring that her hands were stained with blood and she'd likely ingested some of it. "While I won't tell you not to worry, he's out of the worst of it. The wound that was causing the bleeding in his stomach isn't leaking his insides everywhere anymore. There's still risk for infection and I'm more than sure he'll be sick after this, but alive to be sick. We'll need to get him to eat something, even if it doesn't feel great. You can handle that, right Kazuha?"

Kazuha nodded. "I need to eat as well so I can prepare something when we return to the city. It'll be better than the fast food he normally only fills himself with." Though Kazuha wouldn't say he didn't also enjoy the same meals. He and Heizou had a lot of similar tastes as far as what was edible or not. "Can I ask something?"

"I'm not one to stop you. What's weighing on your mind?" Shinobu watched Sayu a moment, as if judging how well she could handle things on her own for a bit, before her eyes focused on him.

"Why was Heizou here alone and fighting them? I'll admit to having a terrible memory of people while my Vision was gone, but I didn't lose the memories of what happened while it wasn't in my possession. I know what I saw. Were you all more worried about my safety?"

"Hmm. Yes."

Shinobu said nothing more and Kazuha winced. He had thought so but it didn't help the guilt. Being unarmed, restrained, and held prison – he was the one in danger. He could understand that. But there were so many enemies that stood between them… Anyone – one other person by Heizou's side – might have made a difference. He might have made a difference, if he could have been there.

"Don't get yourself too wrapped up in your thoughts. We wouldn't have gone along with the detective's plan if we thought he was throwing his life away for yours. He's a good fighter and we're good at what we do. The battle went badly and he was injured. It was a chance we were all willing to take, and he'll live through it. It's why we came. I doubt I was invited for my looks."

Kazuha had to breathe a laugh. Shinobu knew they were together, so the joke was a bit funny. It also made sense that Heizou would invite a healer if something like this were to happen.

"But the only reason he's alright and everything worked out was due to General Kujou acting."

Shinobu laughed. It was rare to hear from her. "General Kujou told you why she was here, didn't she?"

Kazuha frowned for a moment. "Mm. A lost pet I believe was the excuse, but she said something about Heizou resigning."

"Mmhm. A lost pet. And this whole plan with them." Shinobu tilted her head upwards. "Who spoke to you about this in advance, Heizou or General Kujou?"

"Huh? Detective Shikanoin spoke with me." The man who owned the bookshop answered her, since it appeared she had glanced at him first. Then he turned to the blacksmith apprentice to his side. "He spoke to all of us I think, right? It wasn't like he gave us details or anything, just spoke and told me that something might happen and that he may need my help. He's helped me in the past and I felt like I should do the same so I closed early today. A few places did. I was asking around because… I must admit I got curious about what was going to happen."

Shinobu raised her hand, silencing the conversation near them from spreading. "Heizou, resigning? After everything you know about him? I doubt it. It feels like a cover story. My guess is that he got word to her somehow and had his 'resignation' as a ploy to allow General Kujou to act. It's not like it can't get him kicked out, and if it does we'll all be paying for it. He could have disguised it better than as one of his side jobs though. Maybe he did it on purpose, so that we'd know, or maybe he was just in a rush. It's a small point that really doesn't matter. All that does is that his fingerprints are all over this little act and anyone who tries to look will see it. So, Kazuha, he really did try to ensure everyone's safety, even when we couldn't see it." Shinobu reached out and touched his hand. "Even his own. He was injured saving you, but I know he'd never want you to feel badly about it."

There was so much Heizou had planned for, so much it sounded like he told no one about. It was amazing, really. Stupid but yet so ingenious at the same time. Shinobu was right, he had to stop this self-pity. "Thank you. You know Heizou so well."

"Mmm. More that I know Gerneral Kujou wouldn't use the excuse that she was off looking for a stray pet and it sounded fishy to me, so I went about asking what was going on, out of my own curiosity. But I'll take the compliment." Shinobu released him, returning to Heizou's side and started healing again. "This will still take some time. Hey, everyone who's still here, if you want to set up a small camp for us, I don't think we should move him tonight and food would be great. If you've got the time and the resources to spare, all of us would be grateful."

People scattered and Kazuha smiled, taking a seat to wait while the world swayed a bit too unsteadily for him to risk climbing the steep cliffs in the area for anything to find. "Heizou has a lot more friends than he realizes, doesn't he?"

"I'm sure he's aware of it. That doesn't stop him from taking a back seat in his own life to his dreams and to you. Both of those are time consuming, hardly giving him opportunities to do stuff like attendant parties or socialize often. I doubt he cares much either. As long as it 'gets the job done' he seems satisfied. You and he aren't all that similar, but that's a good thing. You're easier to sit with when I have time and want to relax, and he's easier to seek out when I want to feel pressured, more stressful conversations. It's nice to have someone who wants to speak on those kinds of topics, so don't think I'm saying that as a negative thing."

Kazuha understood what she meant. He also enjoyed being able to speak on any conversation with Heizou for similar reasons. They could have serious or playful topics come up at any given second, depending upon which one of them was speaking and how they felt. It was nice, calming, to know that there were no restrictions between them – nothing off-limits to discuss.

Today would be something he wanted to talk about, and though he knew Heizou was bothered by speaking of his own injuries when plans went wrong, he knew that their conversation would be a clear, honest one.

Kazuha rested a hand on Heizou's shoulder, hating the chill of his skin through the thin fabric. The ghostly pallor of his skin was a stark difference to the dried blood that had caked onto it. "Heizou, if you can hear me, I'm here."

…

Night fell and everyone was asleep. Kazuha had drifted off after someone provided him a meal around dinner time, waking soon after the moon had risen. He was the only one that remained awake and was one of the few to be conscious when Heizou stirred at drawn with the morning conversations and rising sun.

"Heizou." Kazuha helped him sit up, providing him water. "How are you feeling?'

"Awful." Heizou drank slowly, his eyes mostly closed and protecting themselves against the daylight. His arm was wrapped around the bandages around his midsection. Though Shinobu and Saya had done what they could, there was still a significant amount of bruising and fragile tissue there that could be torn if Heizou stressed it too much. The bandaging was a precaution. "Glad I'm alive though. Shinobu?"

"And Sayu. You truly plan for the–"

Kazuha was silenced as Heizou grabbed him and kissed him. Those that noticed him wake and were worried all went back to what they had been doing, smiling and a few laughing to themselves at the open display of love in front of them.

Kazuha blushed as Heizou let him go, falling back into his arms.

"Heizou…"

"I'm glad you're safe, Kazuha. I was so worried. I'm sorry I couldn't have come sooner. I tried. I swear I tried."

Kazuha wrapped his arms around the person so dear to him, burying his face in the deep red hair and doing his best not to shed tears over the guilt-filled words that Heizou had no right to speak. Kazuha didn't want to hear them to know that Heizou had done everything to get him back. Risking his life or not – if he had done that for some sort of atonement, Kazuha was going to make sure he never had such foolish thoughts again – he would have known Heizou cared deeping for him and would have done all he could.

"I'm glad you're safe as well, and you're the most foolish, intelligent man I've met. If you think for a second that I thought you were idling by while you could have done something, I would be a fool. Thank you, for everything you've done. And do not apologize for any action you've taken except for getting yourself so injured. I thought I might lose you. I never want to fear that again, as selfish a request as it is."

Heizou was forced beside his ear as Kazuha held him in that position, no way of moving except to brush his hand through his hair, nearly breaking loose the tie that held it back. With how knotted and unkempt it was from his kidnapping, Kazuha wouldn't have minded. Those men tore at his hair enough he was sure he looked half crazed. "You waited for me and stayed alive, the least I could do was not die on you. I had to go alone or they would have killed you. I thought it though time and time again. I knew the risks and I'm sorry– no, I mean, I suppose I still am sorry that I was hurt. I did try my best."

"And it was good enough. Forgive all the worrying, I just wanted you to know how I felt and how grateful I am to you." Kazuha stopped speaking into his ear, backing off so he could return the kiss. His own lips were chapped from his period of capture but neither of them cared, breaking apart and reunited a few times before Heizou tired.

"Let's get you something to eat. Do you think you can sit up?"

Heizou nodded, though he took his time getting out of his arms and made sure they had a lot of contact as Heizou brushed his forearm against where Kazuha's own was exposed, then down his leg, getting himself sitting up and smirking at the blush it caused him. "I'm so happy, Kazuha. I really am. We should have a party or something, just because. And just the two of us."

Kazuha had no problem with that. He was glad too, more than he could express, and realized he wanted to touch Heizou too as he got up, pressing his hand against his shoulder before going off to find something for him to eat. "That sounds lovely."

…

Though neither he nor Heizou were really better, both were able to get on a boat and Captain Beidou got them back to the other shore and insisted that she walk them back home. She stated that 'as cute as it is seeing you both act like schoolchildren in love, watching you fall off a cliff and die after you've just been rescued is one sad headline I don't want to read.'

Kazuha couldn't argue with her on that. He was exhausted and tired and Heizou was no better off. Limping badly and refusing help, Heizou insisted it was best they get back home quickly and being carried would slow them all down. Kazuha would have fought him on that but he found he was too weak to do more than press on and Beidou approaching flipped a switch that flung Heizou into a fighting stance for no reason other than his irrational decision making.

When they finally arrived at the city, Kazuha nearly collapsed at its boundary before making it to Heizou's place. There was safety here and it didn't matter to him if he was under a roof. Only Captain Beidou's hand on his shoulder and a look from her kept his feet moving.

Heizou was well ahead of them and fished around for his spare key that he left for when Kazuha visited. He wondered where the detective placed his own before realizing he likely hadn't taken it with for fear of losing it to those samurai. Door unlocked, Heizou entered first and found his way to the couch in the main room before laying down and immediately closing his eyes upon contact.

"Kazuha, I know you have to be tired and we both only ate a sparse meal, so I'll need to get something more substantial for you as well, but these days have been rather stressful on me. I need to rest, if only for a little. If you wouldn't mind the delay, I'll fix something when I wake. You can have the bed."

"You're more injured than I am." Kazuha leaned against the couch. He had waved to Captain Beidou and bid her goodbye for now while he was at the door. He'd be in contact with her in a few days. "I'll admit that being held prisoner wasn't the most pleasant experience of my life, but you had a severe injury to your midsection and lost a lot of blood. I heard Shinobu say you may be ill afterwards. I'll fix something instead, once I've rested as well, but I'd feel better if you take the bed."

"We can both take the bed if you're so interested in me resting there. The issue is it's far and I chose here because everything hurts, not because I don't want to rest there." Heizou didn't get up or open his eyes. "Seriously. I'll sleep in there with you once I've had at least enough sleep to want to move again."

Kazuha had to smile at those words. Heizou was like an exhausted child. It was heartwarming, in a way, to see how much he had expended to rescue him. "You're too kind. I will be missing you every second you are away from me. These days have been hard without you. I came to visit and yet I have been restricted from doing so."

It didn't matter if it was a bed. Kazuha had grown used to sleeping anywhere while he traveled. Going over to the couch, he was careful as he sat before leaning over and curling up beside it.

"Kazuha…"

"I've missed you, Heizou."

A hand reached down, brushing his hair and nearly striking him in the eyes as he shut them. Soon those fingers were brushing through the thin strands, taking them in and out of his face. It was nice, the dance of Heizou's fingertips playing with the texture, even as it tickled against his skin. It let him know he was there.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Kazuha. I'm so glad… I'm so glad you're alive."

"I didn't fear for your life until I saw you on the ground and bleeding. I should have. When you knew I was in danger, it would not have taken someone of your level of intelligence to realize you would have come for me. Forgive me. I am grateful that you are not among the dead. My heart ache just thinking of it." Kazuha would never wish Heizou to die rescuing him. That would be far worse than to die a the hands of criminals like those. Heizou was so important to him and to others. "You frightened me."

"I'll try not to do it again, but I can't guarantee that I won't. My job is dangerous and I'm a bit of a risk taker if I have to and there's no one else that can. It's only when I have to, and you know that better than anyone." Heizou's fingers stilled but they didn't remove themselves from his hair. "I'm tired. I need sleep."

"Then sleep. Don't let me keep you."

Heizou's breathing evened out. Kazuha hadn't realized how sporadic it had become while they were talking. It was good that Heizou was able to rest with his injuries.

Kazuha was handling it well, but he needed to join him. The world was full of sounds and scents and he was too tired to sort them out, his body aching and his mind a mess of memories and fuzzy feelings as he shut his eyes and closed off his senses for some time to rest and relax. Finally, he could sleep. And not only sleep, but he was with the man he loved as well. It left a warm feeling in his heart.

…

Heizou woke to pain and an upset stomach, which was better than how he'd fallen asleep. He thought he might throw up as they'd been walking back home and had resisted the urge to do it. It looked like things inside him had settled, though the world spun and, as he reached up instinctively to the familiar foggy feeling, a warmth gracing his wrist as he held it to his forehead.

"Fever?"

"Yeah, looks like." Huh? Heizou looked behind him where Kazuha was in the kitchen, already awake. The smell of rice and fish was in the air. "You're quick on the uptake."

"I'm hungry. Besides, though I enjoy the way you season fish better than I do, it's been a while since I was able to use your kitchen. I've missed the oils and full use of a pantry. You're running low on a few items. Remind me to go shopping while I'm here. I've also thrown out a few things in your ice box that went stale. I'm now under the impression that you've focused only on my rescue the last few days. I don't blame you. I would have done the same if you were in trouble. I love you all the more for it." The smile on Kazuha's face made Heizou blush. "It's endearing. And cooking for my rescuer is a privilege."

"I wasn't alone in that rescue but I appreciate it." Heizou got up slowly, feeling his one leg strike pain up the nerves of his body as he put weight on it. It wasn't enough to do more than force his mind to know it was injured, the bones set, but it would take a while to heal. He wouldn't be running anywhere for at least a week. "Is the rice still cooking?"

"No, I finished that first. Don't eat before the fish is ready. Oh, and I have something I want to talk to you about first. Here. I haven't started frying yet so give me a moment." Kazuha put out the fire and set the fish that he had been prepping aside, washing his hands and coming to stand beside him. Heizou hadn't reached the tablet yet so they were standing in between both rooms. "Sit first. Your leg is injured, right?"

Heizou nodded. Kazuha sounded pleasant but he wasn't smiling. "Is something wrong?"

"Perhaps. We'll see in a few moments."

Heizou gave him a side eye and sat, still recovering himself and half wanting to ask for a bit of the rice before any long conversations were going to occur. He was starving.

They knew each other too well, or his eyes rested on the steamer too long. Kazuha got a bowl and handed him chopsticks and a bit of food. "Eat first then. I had some myself so that I wasn't ill while I was making it. Have you been overly focused on my rescue that you haven't been caring for yourself?"

"Only a bit. You can't argue the fact that you would too, and I had a lot of things to handle that food wasn't much of a priority." Heizou ate, though he watched Kazuha who was still standing beside him. Eventually, the samurai became just as uncomfortable as he was with the silence that settled and took the seat next to his. Heizou ate the rest of the rice in peace and pushed the dish aside. "Did something happen while they had you? I was worried…"

"Nothing you could fear happened to me more than some issues with lack of food, water, and some unwanted pain that will leave very few scars." Kazuha waved him off. "I'll tell you in detail if you'd like later, but at the moment it's not an issue. I was injured, tired, and hungry. Nothing more. You overworked, overstressed, and nearly got yourself killed doing the above. You are aware I would never want you to die for my sake, right Heizou?"

Heizou let out a heavy breath. "Yeah, yeah I know. Trust me, I'm well aware neither of us would want that of the other, but I had to weigh my options. There was only so much I could hold back and there came risk with what I had to put forward to ensure that you weren't killed behind the scenes so that there was a chance I could save you. Give me some credit, Kazuha. I would give my life to save you, but I wouldn't do it without putting up one hell of a fight."

A flicker of a smile made its way to that far too passive expression before it was gone. "I noticed. You are one impressive fighter if anyone were to inspire such a response out of you. Thank you, though I know you wouldn't want me to thank you. I do appreciate how much you've done." Kazuha reached forward, grabbing his hand and holding it tightly. It was warm and it felt like forever since they'd been alone together like this. "Heizou… you know I love you. I'll love you until the day one of us dies and beyond that. At this point something in my heart would have already told me if I was or was not meant to be with you. I know you as you know me. Would you agree with that?"

"Yes." Heizou didn't hesitate. He loved Kazuha, even if there may be little things in his life or past he hasn't been told about. As a person, there wasn't anything that he would doubt about him. "Why?"

"I found the letter you had hidden in the front room."

Heizou winced, pulling his hand back. Kazuha tried to tighten his grip but wasn't fast enough as he became a tightly knit ball of regret and worry. "I'm sorry about that. You weren't supposed to see that."

"I wasn't supposed to see it if you had lived, you mean."

Heizou said nothing. That was true.

"I wish I had written about how much I loved you now, and how much I regretted not being able to return… Ah, Kazuha, I'm sorry. I know I can say that was supposed to make you feel better, and I still think I wrote it– would write something like that again, with those intentions, but I know how you're probably feeling right now. You're pretty ticked off at me, aren't you?"

"Fairly angry, yes." Kazuha reached into what was left of his kimono, pulling out the innocent looking note and placed it between them. Heizou looked away from both of them. "You wanted me to believe that you were angry I was used against you? That you were some vindictive soul who would never forgive me and had never loved me? This is hateful and untrue to such a degree it's laughable, though I'd never find this kind of subject funny. Heizou, did you think I'd believe these words, and did you think that being told you were spiteful of me would help me move on more than being told that the person I held most dearest to my heart was happy to see me return safely while he could not would have done less damage to my heart if such a thing had happened?"

"I didn't want you to pine over me if I died. Kazuha… I mean, you have little attachments but the ones you do have matter. If you were going to be stuck with the pain, I wanted you stuck with something that at least opened a few doors." Heizou had trouble explaining it, and didn't want to bring up how much Kazuha still visited Tomo's grave, with the two of them having been friends for so long. Heizou was no stranger to gravesites, but he limited his visits to once a year. Kazuha didn't miss a trip every time he was in the city. That was the kind of pain he didn't want him living with.

"Heizou… For once you have me lacking the worst I wish to express. I don't believe they exist for the kind of stupidity I'm hearing from you. It's not as if it's quite that, it's more that fact that you think– you think so wrongly of me and yet you do so on levels that I don't–" Kazuha took in and let out a breath. "This will get us nowhere if you do not understand that the thought of what could have happened is painful to me."

"I know it is. I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention. I promise, if I risk my life for you again, I'll confess every ounce of love and affection I feel for you before rushing off into whatever plan I've derived."

That small flicker was back and gone, Kazuha resting his head in his hand as he leaned on the table. "Imagine for a moment that I had done this." Kazuha placed his fingertips lightly on the note and slid it towards him. "And then died while attempting to rescue you from any of the many people who would wish you harm. Tell me what your first response would be?"

Heizou knew what he'd written, though not word for word. He'd jotted it down quickly with the intent of pushing Kazuha away. He knew there was a chance that Kazuha wouldn't believe his words, but there was a higher chance he'd keep the note and ponder over it long enough he'd start to believe it.

There was a difference if their roles were reversed.

"I would think someone made you write it before figuring you must have had the same agenda I had, and wanted to spare my feelings. I probably would have ripped it up and thrown it away and yelled at you or something about it."

The smile stayed on his face this time. It was just the corner but Kazuha was starting to look more like his usual self. "Oh? And you think that shouldn't have been mine? The only reason it's not in pieces is because a certain detective likes to have proof and I'd rather have your direct wording if needed than trying to cite you." Kazuha picked up the letter and ripped it up. "Now, as much as I feel upset and more than a little angered by the fact that you think that such a thing would ever salve any wound of mine, I'd like you to consider your own feelings next time. You love me as I love you, and no false words would ever sway you from that. Don't think so little of me to believe that they'd change my thoughts either."

Heizou stood, wincing. Kazuha was right. That letter should have been either written differently or not at all. "Do you want me to profess again of my regret that it wasn't filled with my undying love for you? Because that's not a tease."

"I know it's not, at least, I know it's not now that we've spoken." Kazuha stood and shoved the chair back so that they were staring at one another before he leaned in and kissed him.

Alone and without the weight of either fear or the crisis over their heads, it was by far the most relaxing thing they had done – even more than the rest he had gotten. Heizou pulled him in, finding the position uncomfortable and knowing it had to be more so for Kazuha, bent over as he was. He should have cared but the bliss of smelling the sweat that was just Kazuha mingling with his own, the dirty hair besides his own as it fell into his face, and the warmth that was almost too warm of the person he had waited far too long to see was an intoxicant.

Here, the kisses could grow deeper, unrestrained by thoughts of decency. Heizou could taste little on Kazuha's lips, though he could feel where they were cracked and had likely bled in the past. Thank Shinobu and her kind heart for dealing with all the little things.

Kazuha shoved the chair down, almost stopping his heart as Heizou would have smashed his head into the floor if not for the last second feel of flesh and the unnatural wind that rose around them.

The limits of the human body were no longer an issue as Kazuha wrapped him up in ever way he could, his legs tangled as their arms grew so in a desperate attempt to pull at one another's hair and clothing – which both kept them apart and drew them closer at different intervals so there was space to breath.

It was almost sad that such a thing was a necessity with how much Heizou wanted Kazuha. They both had control of the air, why not the ability to deny themselves it for a short time so they could exist so completely with one another that there was nothing between them or to have to part their lips for. Breathing heavy, at least it gave another sensation, another 'this is Kazuha. He's home. He's here' sensation to ingrain into himself.

Heizou wasn't sure how long they both lay there on the floor, drinking in each other. It was Kazuha that eventually stopped and lay next to him, his hair rarely falling so freely as it was around his shoulders. It was kind of cute, if Heizou didn't think too hard on what reasons there could be for him missing his hair tie.

"If only healing powers could replace energy loss."

"You were cooking, weren't you?" Heizou smirked. "I can finish it. I said I would, hurt or not. It's just a leg injury. The other one is closed up and a bruise. As long as a certain someone doesn't attack me while I'm not looking, I'll be fine."

"Oh, right. You're wound. I'd almost forgotten about it. I didn't worsen it, did I?" Kazuha's eyes suddenly opened and Heizou had to reach over and place a hand on his shoulder. He was tired himself but reassurance first, then dinner, then rest.

"Kazuha, if you had, I'd have yelled at you, smacked you, and then made out with you. Stay. Rest." Heizou got himself up with the help of the table and minimal pain, unsure if he could be happier than he was at this moment. "Man alive, I'm not sure if I could say 'I love you' enough."

"I won't get tired of hearing it, though this is not the most comfortable position, nor the best area to be eating dinner. I'll rest at the table, if you don't mind." Kazuha got himself up as well, leaning over a chair and watching him with a light smile. "I will also never tire of it. I love you, my brave, foolhardy hero."

'Hero' was not something Heizou was commonly… no, not commonly. Heizou didn't think he'd ever been called that. And was rescuing Kazuha really heroic? He would have let a murder go free if it would have saved his life. Kazuha didn't need to know that but the thought had been there. It was still there.

Turning to the fish and starting up the fire must not have been enough to hide his response from the wording. Those warm hands were back around him, only protective and soft – like a blanket. "You're a hero, Heizou."

"If you say so. I don't mind it so much when you say it. Being your hero sounds lovely, though undeserved."

Kazuha's hold tightened and this time Heizou did feel pain. He winced, letting out a small sound of discomfort which was where Kazuha stopped. There was no apology.

"Heizou, listen. I understand it's hard for you to take praise like that. There are many reasons I can see someone like you having considered that the road to success is far off, and what you've done so far feels like little steps up a very large mountain. That doesn't mean they aren't successes or you aren't the great person that others see you as – or don't see you as. You deserve far more recognition and the lack of it has… not provided your confidence much support. I want you to know you are what I say you are. I do not lie and those around you would not. You are a hero, Heizou."

Heizou knew his thoughts were dragging him down a hole he shouldn't go down. He didn't do what he had feared he would do. His actions were what Kazuha saw, and there were very few that hadn't made it before those red, deep, understanding eyes that he couldn't be judged for. So the truth had to be what he was hearing. It was a nice warmth, even if it was hard. Kazuha was right. Heizou acted confident, but there were parts of him that were still growing into this role.

And that metaphorical mountain he spoke of was still so tall. "Thank you. It means a lot. Hero, huh? Does it come with any rewards?"

Kazuha smirked. "Not until you're well."

Heizou reached around him, taking Kazuha's hand and bringing it to his lips before leaving a small kiss on the dirtied fingers. They would both need to bathe at dinner. "I look forward to it."