Over a Winters Season

Bonding

After a quick dinner of leftovers Hinata excitedly started gathering things to take to the hot springs and putting them in a small skin bag. It was decided that Kenma would hold the bag and the two towels so Hinata could focus on not dropping him. The poor Bakeneko was shaking as they stepped outside the tree house and glanced at the cliffs edge, his heart pounding like a dozen drums. "A-Are you sure about this? We couldn't walk?"

"No, it's to dangerous and the snow is to deep. But if you don't want to go you don't have to." Kenma looked back at the house then to Hinata's slightly disappointed eyes he tried to hide behind a smile. "N-No i-i want to. I-I'm just n-nervous, how is this going to w-work?"

"Well you have to options, one you can ride on my back or two, I can carry you bridal style. You can choose whatever makes you more comfortable." Kenma settled on being carried bridal style as to not interfere with Hinata's wings while they fly. And thankfully Hinata didnt jump off the side of the cliff instead deciding to take the take off nice and slow. "Hang on tight." He chuckled, letting out a louder laugh as Kenma dug his head into his neck and clung onto him like a vice. Hinata ran his hand over Kenma's ear to calm the boys shaking as he evened out in a slow dissent, giving soft encouraging words to keep him calm. Kenma did manage to stop shaking but he refused to pull away from Hinata's neck no matter how much Hinata tried.

Kenma felt it even before they landed, warm waves washed over them, a stark contrast from the cold that had been nipping at his ears. He felt Hinata straighten out and come to a soft landing, "Where here! See that wasn't so bad! And now we can get in the bath!" He let Kenma down finally letting him opening his eyes. They were surrounded by several hot steaming pools of water, beautifully carved into the smooth grey stone under their feet. An in the center just below them was the largest pool surrounded by thick steam and strangely of lavender. "Is that lavender?"

"Ah yes, we often bring down lavedner bags and put it in this pool to help relax. Luckily no one really comes down here during the early winter so we should be safe from other tengu. Come on!" Hinata jogged down the small slope and changed behind the rocks and stepped out in only a towel around his waist. He sat down on the edge and put his feet in sighing in relief, "Ah. . . I haven't been here in forever." he sighed. Kenma slowly inched out in his own towel on the other side of the pool and slowly slip into the water until just his head remained above water. "This is nice." he whispered wistfully. He did like hot springs, not having been to one since he was very young since there weren't any around the bamboo forest where he lived. He could feel all the tension and built up stress leave his muscles. When he herd the water shift he peeked over to watch Hinata sit down next to one of the stone walls that had water streaming down like a waterfall. "Are you not getting in Shouyou?"

"Not yet, I cant get in until I finish preening."

"Preening?"

"I have to clean my wings to keep them healthy, not to mention how uncomfortable all these needles and sap are." He grimaced as he pulled out a handful of pine needles. He reached into the small began pulled out a comb and brush and started combing out the end of his wing. But he only got half way up before it became obvious he was struggling to reach the rest. "D-Do you want some help?"

"What? Oh no, it's fine. Your relaxing right now, it just takes me a little bit harder since they're so large." He nervously chuckled but Kenma waded across the pool anyway and sat behind him. Taking the comb he followed Hinata's instructions, taking one feather into his hand at a time and gently combing out the needles and picking the other stuff from it. Kenma worked from the top down as Hinata worked from the bottom until they met in the middle, hands brushed against each other quickly before switching to the other wing. The once sticky and matted feather were now fluffed any shiny, looking smooth and healthy after it had been rinsed in the waterfall. Happily fluffy his wings now clean and light he offered to brush Kenma's hair and ears. Kenma blushed as he sunk back into the water Hinata placing himself behind with his soft brush. He gingerly took his blonde and brown locks between his fingers, detangling the kinks and smoothing it down. He then moved onto his ears and was surprised when Kenma practically melted into a purring mess as he ran the brush over his ear. "I'm guessing you like this?"

"I-I cant help i-it." Kenma stuttered, a deep blush covering his cheeks. After a few more minutes of brushing Hinata finally sunk into the spring, dunking himself under the warm water. The two then fell into a comfortable silence as they sat next to each other. The troubles of the passed month just melted away from their thoughts leaving it just them sitting next to each other, finger tips brushing under the water. "Thank you," Kenma muttered, "For bringing me down here. This is what I needed."

"Your welcome Kenma, we can come down here more if you'd like."

"That sounds nice." They settled back into silence as Hinata silently slide his hand closer so their fingers touched, squeezing against each other has both of their faces burned bright. Before either of them could say anything they were startled by the sound of the nearby bushes rustling and two figures coming out. Kenma ducked behind one of the rocks, both frowning when their hands were ripped apart. The two figures came closer when they both stopped at the sight of Hinata, "Hey! If it isnt our favorite tengu."the blonde cheered. "Atsumu? Osamu? You scared us!"

"Us?" Osamu asked. Kenma peeked out at the two guests, finding two tall kitsune standing at the brush's edge. They were practically identical aside from their blonde and grey coats, the grey fox actually missing part of his tail and ear. "Kenma these are the Miya twins, the blonde is Atsumu and the grey is Osamu. Guys this is my friend Kenma."

"Another rescue i see, mind if we join you for a bit? Hunting's been rough lately, i dont remeber dear being so fast." Atsumu groaned dramatically as he plopped down heavily into the water while his brother sat down calmly. Hinata got into a conversation with Atsumu about their previous hunting session while Kenma continued to watch Osamu through the curtain of his hair. "It was the poachers."

"What?"

"The reason my tail is missing, it got caught in a poachers trap when we were captured last year during our hunt. We were lucky that Hinata found us a few days later and managed to save me from a dangerous infection from my wound. We're in his debt- no matter how much he denies it." The grey fox explained, hand instinctively brushing over the nip in his ear. Before he could say anything else his head was pushed into the water by his cackling brother, "Don't get all poetic and sentimental on me bro!"

"Astumu get off my you idiot, are you trying to drown me?"

"Chill bro it's just a joke!"

"Get over here!" The two foxes tackled each other, splashing the water violently on the other two yokai. Hinata had been chivalrous and pulled Kenma behind him to block from the watery onslaught. "We should probably finish up, knowing them this could last a little while. And we better go before it escalates."

"G-Good idea." The two quickly got out to change, throwing their wet towels back into a bag and changing back into their clothes. They gathered the rest of their things and Kenma put the bag over his shoulder. He shakily wrapped his arms around Hinata's neck as the ginger picked him up off the ground. "Bring the coat by anytime Atsumu! See you guys later!" Hinata called, getting a small call before the arguing continued in the pools. "Coat?" 

"Atsumu mentioned that they had a really good hunt and got some super nice furs, so i asked if they could make you a proper winter coat. It's still early winter and it's going to get way colder then it is right now." 

"You did that? T-Thank you." 

"Your welcome! Can't have one of my best friends freezing!"