Ninja Love Story

Chapter 5

Once we got back to base, I took a nap in the room that was prepared for me and my headache subsided. I didn't even get the shopping done. I'm such a burden to everyone: I feel so guilty... I got up quickly, wanting to help somehow. But I won't sit here and feel sorry for myself. I'll show them how helpful I can be!

As I left my room and headed towards the kitchen, I saw that the maids were in the middle of preparing supper. "I'll help, too," I told one.

"M'lady, I can't allow you to do that..." she said.

"Please, just Sheeta is fine," I smiled at her.

"Oh, I wouldn't dare be so rude!-"

"What is going on here?! There's too much noise!" Hanzo burst into the room, drawing all attention to him as he glared at us all.

The maid I'd been talking to spoke up, "Our deepest apologies, sir! Lady Sheeta requested to help... Though she may not have her memory, it's clear by her poise and actions that she is of noble birth. Doing chores like this would only spoil her beautiful hands..."

Hanzo snapped his eyes to me. "Sheeta, don't bother them. Does the phrase, 'don't overdo it' mean anything to you?"

"When I feel well enough, no, no it does not. And as long as I'm here, I want to help out however I can." I said as I stood my ground.

"...Do as you wish," he said after a long silence. With one last glance at me, Hanzo left the kitchen without waiting for the maid's response. She looked back at me and gave me a small smile.

"Well, I'll start on the vegetables then," returning her smile with one of my own, and we all set back to work on supper together. I've done housework before... My hands remember how to peel vegetables. Although it was only a fragment of a memory, I felt ecstatic at making progress.

"Man, I'm huuuuuungry! Is the food ready yet?!" groaned Hyosuke. I smiled as I walked into the room with a hot kettle of rice, the maids bringing out the rest. "Thank you guys for waiting. Everything's done now."

Enya put his nose in the air and sniffed. "Did you cook this?"

I couldn't tell if he was pleased by the aroma; his face held no sign of satisfaction. "Yes, I hope you like it..."

"Hmm, a noble princess's cooking does sound pretty unappetizing, huh?" Hyuga had a dubious expression as I filled his bowl, but after a single bite, he began to smile. "Well... It's not 'awful'."

Joy spread its warmth through me. "Really?!"

"Look at that," Enya laughed, "I guess you really can cook."

"This is great, Sheeta!" exclaimed Hyosuke through a mouthful of food. "Can I have more?"

"Here you go!" I couldn't help but smile. Everyone seemed to enjoy my cooking as they asked for more. Everyone, except...

I looked to Hanzo. Indifferent and expressionless, he ate in silence. "Um, I assume you don't want any more then?" I asked hesitantly.

"Why would you think that?" He asked as he stared at me.

"Because you aren't sharing your feelings on how it tastes."

He merely went back to his meal and quietly ate again. "Talking during a meal is a pointless waste." Geez, Sunshine. I'll remember that. "How long do you plan on standing there? Sit down and eat," he said without looking up.

I sat down quietly, not wanting to disturb him any more than I already was. My appetite gone, I just picked at my food.

"It's useless asking Kazemasa how he feels. If it's got the nutrients he needs, he couldn't care less about how it tastes." Enya spoke.