My Sunshine

Fiction / Nothing In This World Is Ever Free - Haru

Haru headed to the bathroom, ready to experience something she had never experienced before: a warm, uninterrupted bath. 

She had read the occasional romance novel in the late night back on the island, but those were only fiction. And they were certainly only fiction for her. She would never get to take a long, romantic bath and pleasure herself, or have a trusted lover come to her in the night and join her passionately. Fuck, she couldn't even take a bath back at the palace; just the warm water and quiet was enough for her.

She started the water and let it run before stopping the circular tub. Sitting clumsily on the open toilet, she relieved herself as she gazed around the bathroom. This apartment was so cozy, and she loved it. Looking over, she noticed that the platform surrounding the decorated tub was decorated nicely with soft, fluffy towels and bottles full of salts and herbs. There were even a few candles and a box of matches sitting beside them, ,as well as a note with her name on it.

She wiped and stood up from the toilet, surprised when she looked down into the bowl and there was no blood. She had been pissing blood for years due to the abuse, but it looked like her kidneys were finally healing. She flushed, washed her hands, and stepped weakly into the bathtub, letting the warm water kiss her scarred skin. Reaching over, she took the note and opened it.

Haru-

Remember to soak your arm and leg daily to keep it loosened up. And please, use these herbs to try and relax. A peaceful mind will help with healing your body and your soul. One spoonful rose hips, one spoonful lavender, and one spoonful of epsom salts should relax you. And you should try the lotion in your room!

Love, Ino.

Haru couldn't help but smile; the women in the village were dedicated to helping her. She followed Ino's instructions, fumbling with the large corks on the bottles. Soon, the room was filled with fragrance and she could feel her mind beginning to calm.

After a while, she reached up, picking up a soft washcloth and a bar of orange soap. Lathering the cloth, she began to slowly clean her scarred skin. She washed her beaten body slowly with the soapy cloth, enjoying this strange moment of peace. She didn't feel afraid here, even though a man was her caregiver. She slowly ran the rag over every inch of her skin. It was strange, she didn't have any open wounds for once. Nothing stung as the water kissed her skin.

She washed her greasy hair gently, her muscles still feeling weak in her arms from underusing them for so long. Letting the water flow down the drain, she meekly called out for him.

"Iruka?"

A moment later, he was speaking to her from a crack in the door.

"Is everything okay?"

"May I run another bath?"

"Of course. Run as many baths as you want.  This is your home as well."

She let the water run as she stopped the tub again, the warmness filling around her. She laid back and relaxed for a little longer. She couldn't remember ever feeling this good.

When the water became cold, she stepped out and grabbed a towel. Before she put it around herself, she gazed at her own thin body in the mirror. Her body actually surprised her at first. She was more scarred and bruised than she had ever seen herself. The scars actually made her happy. She was less attractive and, thus, probably not as suitable to use for payment if she were forced to go back.

After drying off, she put her yukata back on and headed for her bedroom.

Despite how she looked, she knew that it really was time to pay for the care that was given to her.

***

"Iruka? Could you come in here for a moment?"

 She laid herself out on the bed as sensually as she could, the old anxiety returning to her chest as she did so. She knew that it was time to pay him back for his kindness, and there was only one way she knew how to do that.  She heard footsteps coming from his room.

"Hey is everything... okay?"

"I-I'm sure you want some kind of payment for your services.  You've been incredibly kind to me, and-"

"Payment?  I don't want any form of payment - a-are you talking about sex?"

She opened her yukata numbly, exposing her thin and scarred body as she looked away.  She couldn;t stand the thought of looking at the kind man's face when he became ravenous.  They always did.  She was used to this process.

"Nothing in this world is ever free, but it's okay. You've been very kind so I don't mind at all-"

He leaned down quickly, pulling the blankets over her bare body.  She wasn't sure if his face was red from embarassment or anger at this point.  His voice grew louder... but it sounded like panic.

"No! Absolutely not! You don't owe me anything!  Why would you even ask that?"

Still, she was surprised by his answer. He turned away from her.

"Your body is your own..."

He looked both sick and sad as he turned toward her once more, falling to his knees in front of her, his eyes level with hers.

"I would only want someone's body if it were given to me out of love. I'm not like that. And if you think everyone is like that, then you are mistaken, Haru."

His answer made her eyes burn with tears  and took her breath away. Her next words were little more than a whisper.

"Then you are the first man I have ever met who is not like that."

He looked as if he might cry. He tucked the blankets up to her shoulders, tucking her in around the sides. The bed was soft and her blanket was warm and comforting.

"I'm sorry that's your perception of the world. I believe that there are many good people out there who have no motives for their kindness.  I know quite a few myself."

He gave her a small bow.

"I'll be next door. Goodnight."

He turned and began to shut the door.

"Please, leave it open. And... can you leave yours open as well?"

He seemed a little surprised by her request.

"Of course."

"And, Iruka? I'm sorry. I hope I didn't ruin our friendship."

He smiled at her sadly.

"You didn't. I'm so sorry that you believe that all kindness requires payment."

"Until I arrived here... it did."

He watched her quietly, standing in her doorway.

"Please, if you need anything at all during the night, wake me up.  I'm happy to help in any way I can."

His voice was small and sad.

"Thank you. I will. Goodnight, Iruka."

He gave her a small smile.

"Goodnight, Haru."

But instead of returning to his room, he stepped out into the living room. She heard him rattle the handle of the front door and shut the windows before coming back down the hallway. She called out to him.

"What are you doing?"

"Checking the door and locking the windows before going to bed. I want you to feel safe. Also, shinobi patrol the streets at night, mostly just to make sure that nothing suspicious happens. No one will hurt you here, Haru."  You're safe.

With one more sad smile, he disappeared and she heard his bed squeak. She reached over and turned off her light, laying in the darkness; the only light was from the street lamp outside. 

It would've been peaceful if not for the sound of muffled crying coming from the room next door.