Tenko slept fitfully that night plagued by nightmares he wound up sleeping in late and still woke up exhausted. His eyes red from tears and lack of sleep. Seeing the way he looked the next day Magne was concerned and pitied him so she arranged a bath for him.

"You look exhausted maybe a nice warm bath will make you feel better?" she proposed.

"You don't have to worry about me I'll be fine." he said slumping into a chair by the fire. Despite the fact he had not added any logs to the fire it was still going. Perhaps one of the "enchanted" household objects had taken care of it for him?

"Oh, I insist it has been so long since we have had a guest to wait upon the bath is already prepared you don't want it to go cold now do you?" she asked.

"Well if you put it like that then I guess I could use a bath." Tenko shrugged standing up and walking towards the open door which Magne had been gesturing him towards.

He stepped in the room seeing it was once again a large room, bigger then the bathhouse he shared with Kurogiri back home, for a bathroom. A large, white porcelain claw foot tub was situated in the center he could see the steam rising from the water to show it was warm. A fluffy dusty pink rug was laid on the floor before the tub which looked very welcoming and cozy. There was a full dressing table covered in bottles and grooming accessories with a large mirror. A cabinet filled with fluffy white towels and soaps was also included.

He looked around nervously at the objects hoping none were sentient as he really didn't want an audience when he disrobed. Upon finding nothing moved or spoke he decided he was safe from prying eyes and disrobed behind a folding screen before sitting upon a stool where he took to cleansing and scrubbing himself down. The brush provided felt like gentle fingers rubbing his skin. When finished he stepped up from the stool and checked the water finding it at a hot yet comfortable temperature and he sunk into the water feeling the tension leave his body at once.

He laid back and closing his eyes it was more than tempting to sleep there but he kept awake as not wanting to accidentally drown. He remained in the tub till the water began to cool down and he was almost wrinkled and then heaved himself up and out of the tub standing on the rug. He grabbed a large fluffy white towel which had been left for him and dried himself off and then put his clothes back on feeling perfectly content.

He strode out of the room and decided to take a nap as he felt more than relaxed. Magne had offered him different clothes once again but he preferred his own right now. She also asked if he enjoyed the bath and he said "yes, he had and thank you it was just what he needed but if it was alright he would take a nap now."

He slept most of the day away until mid afternoon.

He went back to work plotting his escape plan tying the fabric together till he had finished tying it all together he tested out the strength once more finding it sturdy enough.

Magne had been watching over him as he worked on his plans. She had tried asking him what he was up to but he refused to share.

She watched him now as he tied the end of the fabric to the leg of the bed when it was tight he opened the window. He dropped the length of fabric from the window and watched over how far it went. I it wound up falling short by two stories if he jumped from that height he would definitely break something. Which would hamper his escape.

With a curse he pulled the makeshift rope back in and shut the window. Then he slumped in a chair before the fire once again plotting out alternate escape routes till it was evening once again. Magne had attempted at polite conversation but had given up after awhile and was quiet.

He then realized he was feeling hungry as he hadn't eaten since yesterday morning before everything had happened. His stomach made sounds. He thought about asking Magne for help in obtaining food but then he remembered the beasts words "If he doesn't eat with me then he doesn't eat at all." Frowning he decided to ignore what the beast had said and would try to avoid him and sneak his way to the kitchen.

Taking note that Magne had gone into some form of hibernation he opened the door quietly and slipped out of his chamber and started walking the halls. Thankfully he didn't run into the beast but he also didn't see any of the object/servants about either. He decided to go to the main level and see if he could find the kitchen from there.

He'd been looking and going about in circles for awhile now and started to wonder if he was lost till he heard sounds and voices. He followed the voices till he took note of light spilling out of a door opened ajar and peered inside.

"It really was a shame the dinner did not happen I had so looked forward to cooking for someone again." Toga said forlornly in the kitchen sharpening herself on the whetstone.

"But you cook all the time? No you don't you lazy." Jin said. "I adore your cooking, Toga."

"Well cooking for someone else who might actually appreciate it." Toga corrected with a blush.

"Neither of them handled that well if you ask me. At least the Master was making an effort he did ask him politely." Spinner muttered.

"Come now that isn't fair. The poor boy doesn't know the Master as well as we do. That and he lost his father and his freedom all at the same time." Toga argued.

"Rest assured this is merely a setback." Sako said determined. "I am already plotting out another plan."

"Yeah, a setback to be disappointed again." muttered Hawks.

The door creaked open wider and Tenko appeared in the kitchen. The servants were taken aback and shocked hoping he hadn't overheard everything. Sako unflappable as always went dashing up to the blue haired young man.

"So good to see you once again, Tenko." replied Sako with a bow.

Tenko bowed in greeting as well and was then confronted by a kitchen knife?

"Ah, you must be Tenko I am so excited to meet you." Cried an excited kitchen knife. "Oh, you are cute." she squealed further causing Tenko to flinch at the noise as well as a knife coming at him.

"Uh, yes I am Tenko. Nice to meet you?" Tenko said anxiously avoiding the knifes sharp blade.

"Toga hold back your enthusiasm." said the coat rack. "And hello."

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Who's this loser? No, I am so sorry." cried a panicked mantle clock.

"Hey" replied Hawks simply.

"How might we be of service?" asked an anxious coat rack.

"Well, I am kind of hungry...I was wondering if I might have something to eat?" Tenko asked cautiously yet hopefully rubbing his hand behind his neck self-consciously.

"Oh, your hungry! This is excellent news quick wake up the china and get the cutlery out. Start the stove." cried the overzealous kitchen knife causing the kitchen to spring to life.

"Are you sure it's alright?" Tenko asked nervously worried about his beastly jailer. He watched as dishes, kitchen utensils, and even the stove sprang to life and ran about the kitchen preparing food.

"Oh, if you mean what the Master said "If he doesn't eat with me he doesn't eat all." Don't be silly we won't let you starve." replied Sako excitedly giving as close to an impersonation to the beast as he could.

"Won't the Master be angry?" asked the nervous coatrack.

"Just so you know the Master will flip his shit if he knows about this." said Hawks.

"I don't like it when the masters angry." replied a mustard jar.

"I hope I'm not causing any problems." Tenko said awkwardly upon hearing some of the chatter.

"Don't be silly." cried Toga "No one goes hungry on my watch. I'll stab him."

Tenko paused at this statement.

"Never mind her Toga has a sick sense of humor. Isn't that right, Toga. My name is Iguchi but I go by Spinner by the way." muttered the coatrack by way of introduction.

"Yes, please forgive the rudeness of my fellows for not introducing themselves but allow me to do so for them." Sako said clearing his throat. "You've met Twice and Hawks already. The "spirited" kitchen knife is Toga, and the mustard pot is named Mustard of all things."

"It's nice to meet you all. I don't want to make a lot of work for you if you just want to point out some bread I can make a sandwich." Tenko said feeling awkward at being the center of attention.

"None at all my dear, sir. Please if you would take a seat and well have dinner brought to you at once." Sako said escorting him to the dining room.

"Jin why don't you ask Sceptic to play some music to accompany the dinner?" Sako called out.

"Make me do it old man. Sure thing Mr." Twice said as he left the kitchen to the ballroom where Skeptic resided under a layer of dust.

"It would be a disgrace to have a guest prepare their own food and we can do much better then a mere sandwich." said Toga from behind.

As Tenko sat at the table he laid a napkin on his lap which was presented to him and he watched as his place setting sat down in front of him. Then the food slowly began trickling in from the kitchen on service carts. He watched in disbelief as trays and platters of food began walking on the table and offering to him to select from the delicacies available. If he hadn't seen enough odd things the night before he might have thought he had begun to go mad.

Hawks flew about the table writing out each menu item onto a menu which was presented to Tenko to look over.

"Isn't this a bit excessive?" Tenko asked upon seeing the amount of food before him there was no way he could eat all of what was available let alone half of it.

"I suppose we did get a bit carried away but it has been so long since we entertained a guest and the master hates fish. So I was so excited to work on my sashimi skills." Toga said excited.

True, to what Toga said various platters of sushi, cuts of meats and fish were on the table in addition to miso soup and onigiri. Tea, saki, and rice wine was poured for him to drink. Even deserts of taiyaki and mochi were available. All the enchanted objects seemed excited to have him around as dishes and plates were paraded before him offering the various foods.

Mustard walked up to him and politely offered him mustard to accompany his meal. 

Sako was over eager to have an audience once more and began recruiting members of the staff to assist him with his "illusions" which he was able to perform still. Tenko watched in disbelief at first but after awhile he began to applaud and laugh at the spectacles before him. Especially when he caused Toga to levitate above the table with the use of a napkin. All the while a piano played in the background.

Finally, Tenko was more then sated and thanked the servants for the meal and their hospitality. He applauded Sako for his act as well.

"That was delicious I couldn't eat another bite." Tenko said laying back in his chair. "And thank you for the entertainment it was...unique."

"You are most welcome my dear boy. You can expect more of that during your stay." Sako said pleased with himself.

A look flashed across Tenko's face before it left him. The servants picked up on this at once.

"Well what would you like to do now?" Toga asked attempting to keep the mood light.

"Well I've never been to a castle before let alone an enchanted one so it would be nice to look around and walk off dinner a little." Tenko said. He decided he would case out the joint so to speak. He had not given up on his escape just yet.

"Enchanted? This castle ain't enchanted. Yes, it is." replied Jin

"Ah, of course let us give you a tour. Come follow us we will give you a complete tour." Sako said enthusiastically.

And so it was half an hour later Tenko was being escorted about the castle by Sako, Twice, and Hawks. He was being told all about it's history and the previous rulers. Tenko took it all in as he walked across scarlet carpets, admiring tapestries, and seeing the various decorated wall paper and paintings adorn the walls. He admired the samurai suits of armor and various katana's on the walls. Sako excitedly providing the tour with his own dialogue ever the showman.

All the while Tenko kept an eye out for potential escape routes.

"This vase was imported specifically for the fourth rulers wife on her birthday." Sako said eagerly.

"I doubt he really cares about that." Hawks said giving a bored eye role.

"Well, I find it fascinating. No, I don't. Your boring old man. Eh, sorry Mr." Twice apologized as his personalities clashed once more.

They'd walked along till they reached a darker portion of the castle Tenko took note of it and the servants walked by ignoring it completely even speeding up their movement a bit.

"What's up there?" Tenko asked curiously when he noticed how quiet the servants were. He was also feeling a strange pull from this particular section of the castle.

"Oh, that's the west wing. I mean no it's not don't listen to me." cried Jin the arms oh his clock face waving wildly.

"Nice going, Jin." Hawks said drily.

"I didn't mean it. It was an accident. I did it on purpose and I'd do it again. Sorry guys." the mantle clock replied sheepishly.

"The west wing?" replied Tenko looking up towards it curiously. Perhaps an escape route as it sounded like the servants didn't want him to know about it.

"Yeah, but it's dull and boring nothing to see their." Hawks said quickly.

"Nobody uses it anymore it's just a storage area basically." Sako added.

"We could take you to the conservatory, the ballroom, or-or the library instead. Those are equally just as boring." Jin said.

Hawks shot him a look but was relieved when Tenko spoke.

"You have a library!" Tenko asked interested.

"With books." Jin said stating the obvious.

"Oh, yes, we do my dear boy. We have books that go up to the ceiling." Sako said eagerly happy to distract their new charge from the west wing.

"Yeah, books from all four corners of the globe." Hawks said getting on board to attract Tenko's attention.

"Oh, I'd love to see it." Tenko said eagerly.

Sako, Hawks, and JIn began eagerly strolling down the hallway bragging about the library and the literature held within. Tenko was prepared to follow them when he felt the strange pull towards the forbidden wing. He knows the servants had told him not to go there but he never really liked being told what to do. That and the strange trancelike sensation would not leave him. Also, if it would leave him to an escape all the better.

Tenko went off the path, abandoning his oblivious tour guides in favor of quietly heading up the castle stairs to the west wing. It was darker and dingier here as if the servants avoided it all together because while the castle was uninhabited for the most part it was kept somewhat clean and well maintained. Still Tenko continued onwards the strange pull towards whatever was up their calling him like a siren to a pirate ship.

He soon came upon a large set of doors which looked in worn condition as though they were constantly slammed and abused on a regular basis. Claw marks as well scorch marks adorned them. This should have been a warning but the pull was to strong. Tenko went through the doors a part of him telling him he shouldn't do this but it was as if he was having an out of body experience.

He walked further in taking note of how dark it was and looking at what lay beyond the other side of the door. Moving on Tenko entered what must have been a bedchamber had it not been completely wrecked. The curtain rods had been ripped down and lay on the floor amongst shredded fabric. Broken pieces of glass and porcelain were everywhere. The bed appeared to be in somewhat usable condition but had been similarly abused torn curtains and feathers from destroyed pillows all about. A smashed mirror, broken bits of the glass littering the floor. He took note of the torn wall paper which had been clawed and scorched, with broken paintings hung haphazardly on the walls. Furniture which had been taken and smashed to pieces lay scattered about. Ripped and torn curtains billowed by the windows.

Then he saw a particularly large painting which had been torn apart as if by sharp claws. Tenko looked at it picking up the torn bits to make out what he was seeing. It appeared to be a portrait of a richly dressed young boy with snow white hair and a pair of familiar turquoise eyes staring back him at with a frown.

Next was what must have been a family portrait save two of the figures were scratched out. The painting contained: A beautiful yet melancholic woman with white hair in a grey silk gown, a girl with white and red hair in a pink dress, a boy with white hair like the woman in a powder blue suit, and a baby sat upon the woman's lap having white and red hair split down the middle.

The clawed out bits of the painting as Tenko squinted at it contained an opposing looking man who loomed above the rest of family. Next to him was what looked like the boy from the separate painting though it was hard to tell with the painting so damaged.

Tenko wondered if this family had been the previous inhabitants of the castle and what had become of them. None of them looked very happy in the paintings he could see the looks in their eyes and stiffness of posture. He wondered why the man who he assumed was the father and the boy were the only ones clawed out. He decided he no longer wanted to view the paintings as it was probably not a happy story.

Tenko was about tempted to tuck tail and run at the amount of damage he was seeing in the room and he did not wish to encounter who had been responsible for the mess at all. As he had his suspicions as to the culprit. He was about ready to turn and abandon his search when an ethereal light caught his attention. He looked towards the light, taken by surprise when he saw a small table which had been left untouched. On the table was the object which had captured his attention. A glass cloche sat with a single red rose suspended in midair which provided an ethereal glow about it.

The trancelike feeling befell him once more as he moved over to see it. Upon closer inspection he saw the rose while beautiful and breathtaking was slowly wilting and deteriorating as a few petals lay beneath. Tenko looked at it completely transfixed he felt his arm unconsciously lifting up until his arm was roughly grabbed and he was spun about coming face to face with a murderous set of cobalt blue eyes glowing with a deep seated rage. The face that housed the eyes looked equally murderous. 

"GET AWAY FROM THAT." a beastly shout followed by a roar shattered the stillness of the air.

The arms which had grabbed Tenko shoved him away roughly. Tenko caught himself before he fell.

Tenko crimson eyes wide in panic backed away in fright watching as the beast's massive paws clutched the cloche, examining the flower held within with worried blue eyes.

"I'm sorry." Tenko said in shock not expecting reaction from the beast.

"What are you DOING HERE? Do you have any idea what you COULD HAVE DONE? You could have damned us all." the beast growled voice raising in anger more and more. Blue flames ignited about the beast only adding to his terrifying appearance. 

Tenko shook his head feeling the trance fall away as he was confronted with the beast. "I-I'm sorry. I was only looking." he said weakly.

"YOU'RE SORRY, YOU'RE SORRY? WELL SORRY ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH. I thought you were to remain in your room." the beast shouted steam escaping his body and nostrils as the flames ebbed and flowed.

"I meant no harm. I-" Tenko was harshly cut off from his apologies causing him to wince in fear.

"I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU ARE. GET OUT OF HERE! GET OUT RIGHT NOW!" the beast started screaming and yelling once more while brilliant blue flames ignited about his body, licking at the walls.

Tenko could feel the heat of the flames causing him to further retreat from the beast in fear of being burned alive. Then he turned and ran in a blind panic taking a hold of him as he ran for his life from the west wing tears stinging his eyes.

Tenko decided then and their to leave the castle at once and return home to Kurogiri. To hell with the arrangement he had made.

"Oh, Tenko good we wondered where you had wondered off to." Spoke a relieved Sako when he saw Tenko running towards him. When he saw him running and with a spooked expression on his face his relief faded.

"What is the matter? Sako asked surprised as Tenko ran past him.

"I-I can't stay here anymore. I'm leaving and going home." Tenko cried as he continued running for the staircase to lead him to the front doors.

"No, you can't leave!" Sako cried out in shock.

Tenko ran down the stairs ignoring him altogether.

"QUICK STOP HIM AT ONCE." Sako called down to the other servants.

"Don't let him leave." cried Toga joining the call. She hurled herself to stop him only to become embedded into the wooden banister.

"Tenko stop. Run you coward." shouted Jin. "Bye thanks for coming."

"No, don't leave." Hawks said fluttering about Tenko but being blown back by the force of his running.

He ran past various household object servants calling his name after him and attempting to stop his hasty retreat. He could feel his heart hammering against his rib cage as he ran the adrenaline fueling him on. He snatched his cloak from the dumbstruck coatrack named Spinner, who had attempted to block his path only to be knocked aside, and bolted from the door of the castle. Tenko ignoring the swirling snow through his cloak around himself and ran towards the stables.

Once in the stables he grabbed ahold of Nomu's reins and slipped his foot into the stirrup mounting his back and picking up the reins and giving them a crack and a "Hi-ya, Nomu." He left the castle in hopes never to return. He whipped Nomu on trying to see through the increasing snow fall. They ran past the gates which had been left wide open and dashed away from the castle grounds stirring up white powder in their wake.

The servants were all in a panic after Tenko had rushed out the door.

"What the hell happened?" a dumb founded Spinner asked. as he righted himself 

"We were merely giving Tenko a tour and we lost track of him. We had assumed he retreated back to his chambers but were sorely mistaken." a stunned Sako replied.

"Well someone better do something it looks like a blizzard is on the horizon and the woods are full of wolves." said Hawks who had fluttered up to look out the window.

"Sir what on earth happened?" Toga asked as she pried herself loose from the banister. 

"I'll handle this let me speak with the master." Sako spoke. He then rushed towards the west wing to find his Master as he had a feeling who was responsible for scaring the boy away.

Sako finally burst through the doors of the Master's chamber which had been left open. He raced in nearly out of breath.

"Milord! This is urgent the boy has escaped. You must come quickly." Sako cried out in a panic.

"So what if he left. I told him to leave and he left." grumbled an annoyed Dabi who was to busy feeling sorry for himself as he sat in a broken chair.

"Master what did you do?" Sako asked.

"Nothing he came into my private chambers and almost damaged the enchanted rose. I simply told him to leave." Dabi grumbled.

"Well you did more than tell him to leave he ran out of here like he was being chased by the hounds of hell. Please Master you have to go after him." Sako implored.

"Why should I? It was never going to work anyway I am damned to be this...this monster for eternity." Dabi growled angrily wanting to be left alone.

"Master we don't have time for this a blizzard is starting up and aren't the woods full of wolves?  Well do you think he stands a chance under these circumstances? He could be killed or harmed." Sako said frustrated with his stubborn master.

A hard look came over Dabi's face then and he leaped up to his feet and then dashed out of the west wing and out the door after Tenko. Taking his servants by surprise.

Tenko dashed into the woods astride Nomu and rode past his father's crashed wagon. Snow flew in his face and he squinted but Nomu seemed to know where he was going. White powder was disturbed and kicked up by the horses hooves as they rode onwards. The mournful sounds of howling wolves filled the air. Nomu panicked but Tenko remained in control fending off his own fear to keep moving on. After all he had encountered something worse then a pack of wolves. 

The wolves soon burst from the woods all about them chasing them onwards they ran past a frozen stream Nomu breaking up the ice with his hooves in a panic. Tenko ducked out of the way of tree branches losing track of where his horse was headed.

It seemed as if the wolves were luring them away towards an objective Tenko noted as Nomu frantically rode on his hooves kicking up the white powder to reveal the frozen earth below. 

In all the confusion Tenko soon found that Nomu had ran out onto a frozen lake the horses great hooves slipping upon the ice as they ran from the wolves who were hot on their trail.

Thinking they had out run the wolves Tenko was sorely mistaken when a particularly large wolf cut off their escape. He leapt from nowhere causing Nomu to rile up on his hind legs. Tenko tried tugging on the reins to calm the panicked horse but was thrown from it's back into a snow bank. Tenko laid stunned for a moment after being thrown but snapped out of it when he heard the whinnies and screams of Nomu. He looked up crimson orbs wide eyed as they were completely surrounded by wolves. He fetched a nearby fallen tree branch in hopes of defending himself. The wind howled sending his angel blue hair flying wildly.

A wolf lunged at him and he managed to strike the beast aside as he went down with a whimper. All the while Nomu was neighing in a panic and bucking at the air as he riled up. Tenko went to swing his makeshift club when another wolf latched onto the branch snarling. Tenko cried out as he attempted to wrench the branch from the creatures jaws but he only latched on harder till he broke the branch in two pieces.

Tenko was left nearly weaponless and defenseless and he saw a wolf coming at him all he could do was hold out the sad bit of branch with his bare arm and close his eyes awaiting impact. But it never came as a force leapt out of nowhere breezing by Tenko causing his eyes to snap open wide. He saw the beast had followed after him and was now engaged in fighting off the pack of wolves snarling and roaring in a rage. Flames and steam coming off the beast in waves.

The beast threw the wolves aside as though they were rag dolls but more kept coming back. He picked one up by the throat and roared in it's face blue flames igniting along his back. The wolves ceased their pursuit of prey and went to defend their packmates from this new threat. One wolf was slammed into a tree giving off a high pitched whimper. A few ran off fur alit with flames.

Their were so many Tenko couldn't keep count as the relentless battle continued wolves attacking the beast.  The smell of singed and burning fur filled the air. He seemed to hold his own till one leaped on his back and bit into his shoulder. A roar of pain filled rage filled the air as he was surrounded but kept his fight. One bit his left hind leg another leaped at him clawing and biting his side. The beast a lit with blue flames letting out a deathly roar as he continued to fight. Finally the wolves found they were no match and ran off some enflamed with tails between their legs whimpering.

Tenko was left facing the beast alone. The beast had bite and claw marks all over, his clothes were further torn and stained red with his own blood. He extinguished his flames, and was huffing and gasping for air. The steam rising from his mouth and nostrils. He looked at Tenko but it as was though he didn't see him as his eyes looked vacant. He took a few clumsy steps forward. Finally his blue eyes rolled in the back of his head as he collapsed into the snow staining it red with his own blood.

Tenko had finally come back to his senses and managed to grab ahold of Nomu's reins. He was calming the spooked horse down and when Nomu was calm and on all fours. Tenko was tempted to remount and abandon the beast but then he had a change of heart. The beast had come to his rescue even though he didn't have to and Tenko felt a little guilty for enraging the beast in the first place. He pulled the reins of Nomu along and cautiously approached the beast removing his cloak and laying it upon him.

"I'm taking you back to the castle but I need you to help me and to get up." Tenko said as calmly as he could his voice and hands shook with the cold and the shock wearing off.

The beast gave off a pained growl but struggled to his feet with the assistance of Tenko he hefted himself onto the horse. Tenko took hold of the the reins and led his horse along. Returning back to the castle which he had fled earlier with the injured beast in tow.