Soul Bound

Mikan and...Water?!?

   Chiaki awoke groggily, his body aching from his wounds. His stomach especially stung. He rubbed his eyes and looked around, adjusting to the sunlight shining in the little room.
   "Where...?" He felt something shift on his legs. He looked down, seeing a girl with long brown hair. She was asleep, resting her head on his legs. The memories quickly flooded back. Right, he was attacked by a wolf when he was protecting that goes, and then he was taken in by that priest guy...what was his name? This was his daughter, Emiko. Chiaki's cheeks flushed.
   "Time to go-" He said. He slowly and carefully slid out from under her head, standing up and stretching. He figured it would be good to let her sleep after all that crying. He walked around for a moment, taking in the sights. He realized he hadn't even looked around the place he would now be staying at. He walked out of the first building onto the wooden pathway.
   "Whoah." The place was huge, and really beautiful. Way too big. He would explore, but he didn't really feel like getting lost today.
   "U-um..." He heard a voice behind him and jumped slightly. He turned. It was one of the shrine maidens. She looked a little younger than the priest. She had dark brown hair cut into a short style and brown eyes that shone with an orange tinge. She was pretty.
   "My name is Mikan. I couldn't really introduce myself to you because you were unconscious...but I am Emiko's caretaker and Master Shigure's top shrine maiden!" She said nervously.
So that was his name, Master Shigure.
   Chiaki stared up at her. He tended to give the silent treatment to strangers. She cleared her throat.
   "Anyway, Master sent me to, uh, get you for a bath." She said. She shifted on her feet uncomfortably. Chiaki took a step toward her. She made a noise and took a step back. Was sje scared of him? He took another step forward. She in turn took one back.
   "Boo." He said. She squealed quietly, almost falling over. Yup, she was scared.
   "I greatly apologize if I am offending you, I am not very keen on demons..." She said with a nervous smile.
   Chiaki shrugged. Of course she'd be scared. He was a kitsune, one of the most powerful demons after all. She took a deep breath.
   "Shall we?" She asked.
   "...Yes." Chiaki said, startling Mikan.
   "Um, this way." She smiled at him, turning around. She began walking, Chiaki following behind her.
   "My name is Chiaki, by the way." He said. "And I can't hurt you. I'm pretty much powerless." She turned to look at him and he showed her his necklace.
   "I-I see! That's a bit of a relief! Not to say you would hurt me or anything!" She fussed. Chiaki chuckled.
   "It's okay. It's nice to meet you, Mikan." Mikan paused, a calm smile spreading across her face.
   "Nice to meet you as well, Chiaki." She said. She continued to lead him, her demeanor a lot calmer now.
   "Here we are!" She sang.
   "So uh....what is a bath, exactly?" Chiaki asked. Milan gave him a strange look.
   "You don't know?" Chiaki shook his head no. Milan sighed.
   "Well, a bath is when you use water to clean yourself! It's already drawn for you." She said, gesturing towards the tub.
   Chiaki's ears stood on edge and his eyes widened. "Water?"
   Mikan rubbed the back of her head.
   "Well, yeah, water...and since you've never had a bath before, I'll be here to help you!" She said, confused but cheerful.
   "Oh no. No way." Chiaki said, backing up against the door.
   "What's the problem?" Mikan asked.
   "I do not do water." He said firmly, looking terrified.
   "Oh please, you'll be okay! I'm gonna be here!" Mikan said. She inched closer slowly and patted his head. Seemed she was getting more comfortable around the young kitsune.
   Chiaki gulped. "A-and I have to?" He squeaked.
   "Indeed, I'm sorry!" Mikan chuckled. Chiaki stepped forward slowly, his ears down in fear.
   "I'm scared." He grumbled under his breath. Mikan knelt down, helping him with his bandages.
   "The water won't hurt you, I  promise!" She reassured. "Hey, your wounds are healing nicely! As expected from Master Shigure!" Chiaki looked down. It was looking a lot better than the day before. He would have to thank Shigure.
   "These tattoos are interesting too, are they here for a reason?" Mikan asked.
   "I have no idea...I've had them for as long as I remember." He repeated. He undressed the rest of the way, taking a big gulp of air.
   "A-and I really have to?" He asked again.
   "Just gooo!" Mikan urged. He stepped in slowly, breathing heavily. As soon as the water his his tail, he yelped.
   "Whoah! You're alright, it's just water!" Mikan reassured him again. Chiaki took another deep breath and dat, glaring at her. She just laughed.