Kumiko let out a sigh as she immersed herself in the hot spring and found comfort in the warm water that surrounded her chest and legs. It made her muscles more relaxed, which was a good thing when she was still aching from her night with Ichiro.

A smile inched across her face as she remembered how he had become bolder as the evening went on, kissing her deeper and with more passion while holding her tight like she was a treasure to be protected at all costs.

She placed one hand above her breasts with a sigh, catching the attention of Tsuneko.

"Enjoying yourself, are you? You sound quite content."

Kumiko was startled by the nekomata's melodic voice. She lowered her hand in haste and pressed both legs together despite the discomfort it brought. "Yes, I am. This is heavenly..."

Tsuneko smiled and nodded. "I didn't understand the joys of bathing until I lost my fur and transformed into a human, but I'm glad it happened. Nothing satisfies me more than this warm feeling against my skin."

"Of course," Kumiko murmured as her lips began to feel dry. She shifted her feet and found that whilst sitting in a hot spring was nice, she also craved the pleasure felt when Ichiro had looked at her with desire and uttered her name ever so softly.

It had been like he was truly in love with her, which was absurd when she'd known him for only two days, and their night of intimacy was supposed to be nothing more than a business exchange.

Yet, she could not deny that he was almost everything she wanted in a man - handsome with a pleasing body while possessing fine manners and admirable restraint. The only fault was his lack of experience, but like with all things, she knew this would diminish over time. Ichiro was bound to become an ideal husband for any woman, though Kumiko found that this brought her sorrow for some reason.

I can't be falling in love with him. He's a mortal...

Kumiko drew both knees close to her chest while watching Tsuneko wade around without a care. No, it's just fondness. Any woman would feel the same in my place.

She glanced at the empty bucket that needed to be filled. If Ichiro was willing, then she would have a chance to watch him bathe upon returning home. They were doomed to part ways soon, so perhaps she could satisfy herself by admiring his naked form one last time. With a splash, she stood up to clamber out of the hot spring and reach for the bucket.

As she scooped up enough water to fill it to the brim, Tsuneko turned to stare at her in confusion. "What are you doing? You can't keep this water for yourself!"

"I'm not," Kumiko replied with haste. "I can assure you..."

Tsuneko frowned, clearly unable to believe her. She searched her mind for a proper excuse and remembered that Ichiro's clothes needed washing.

"It might surprise you, but hot spring water is good for laundry. The heat removes stains like nothing else."

"Oh. Is that true?" Tsuneko appeared amazed.

"Yes, but don't tell anyone this secret. Do you understand?"

Tsuneko nodded again. "Of course. You can trust me."

Kumiko exhaled in relief. "Good, because I must be going." She hastily got dressed in her clean kosode, then grabbed the bucket. "Farewell, Tsuneko!"

She hobbled away from the hot spring and back towards her house while coming to terms with how foolish it was to expect Ichiro to defend himself against a possible supernatural threat.

I'm sorry! I'll protect you from now on, I swear!

******

Ichiro sat upon the foot of the bed, turning Kumiko's sword in his hands while studying the ornate hilt and scabbard. He could not bring himself to unsheathe the weapon when there was no apparent danger, so he put it aside with a sigh.

If I am in as much peril as you say, please come back soon. I'd be helpless on my own...

He turned his attention back towards himself and his mostly naked state. A faint scar upon the left side of his abdomen was all that remained of his wound, which he found surprising. Until today, he had never thought it possible to recover so quickly from being stabbed, so he was impressed that Kumiko had been able to make such a thing happen.

I suppose she is just that good. Both as a physician and...

Ichiro's breath caught in his throat as he remembered the warmth and tenderness of Kumiko's body and how eagerly she had returned his affections. It would be a joy like no other if he could marry her and be the only man she'd ever need, but reason soon reminded him that this was an impossible dream. As close as they had been last night, he was still a merchant, and she was of the samurai class. The world would never accept them as a couple, and life would become an endless struggle.

Yet, he found it difficult to imagine being happy with another woman. It was like Kumiko had bewitched him, and for this reason, Ichiro knew that he had been nothing short of foolish to sleep with her in the first place.

She was now all he wanted, and he was bound to suffer whether they stayed together or not.