Back to ze past

"Then who would cook?" Elizabeth asked, giving a small laugh. "Wait, why would I want you in here?"

Shade rose an eyebrow. "Well... You really weren't very subtle, I mean, if one of the kids were to walk out you'd have a bit of trouble explaining." He said, shaking his head.

"Oh god." Elizabeth said, looking away. "Oh god!" She repeated. She was disgusted with herself. "I don't remember any of that- Oh god. If the kids saw!"

"Well they didn't, just don't try that again, or pass out again. What happened? Can you honestly not remember any of it?" He asked.

"I remember talking to Taro then... Falling." Elizabeth said, running a hand through her hair.

---

Yuki left his hut and made for the road to the nearest biggest village.

Shade lifted ELizabeth and sat her down on the edge of the bed, eyes narrowed. "Taro's been gone for ages now. That was quite a while ago." He said, voice serious.

"Really?" Elizabeth asked. "Well, that is not very good is it now." She looked away.

He frowned and shook his head. "Okay, healer's orders, stay put. I'll try and make something edible and you're going to rest."

"Honey, you don't know how to cook." Elizabeth said, touching his cheek. "I'll be fine. I've been cooking and look at my stomach. I'll be fine." She stood.

Shade scowled. "If you can cook, I'm sure I can think of some way to make something! Wait, Me and the kids can be inventive! Just have a nap or something!" He crossed his arms. "Be selfish, please? I don't want you to start getting sick, god knows we've had enough of that."

Right at this moment, Taro wandered into the house, drenched and hair dripping water. "You know, I can cook." He said cheerfully. "What's happening?"

"She had a black out and still wants to cook."

Elizabeth stood up. "I'm not sitting around and being usless." She said, amking her wy to the kitchen.

"Just take it easy." Shade said wearily, following her out.

"You haven't eaten yet?" Taro quizzed. "Sorry I'm late back, by the way."

"Thats ok." Elizabeth smiled. "I presumed you were getting lost in your own thoughts."

"I might go to bed, unless you need help to make something? I'm sure that won't take long if you wanted me to give you a hand?" The blonde asked, leaning against the wall.

"You seem cheerier." Elizabeth commented slyly. "Meet up with someone?"

Taro shook his head, smiling wryly. "I went to visit Yuki, see how he's doing."

Shade went about cleaning up his medical items, humming and ignoring their conversation. Generally, nothing that came out of Taro's mouth was on his 'need to know' basis, and this didn't quite make it.

"How is he?" Elizabeth asked. "I havn't seen him around in awhile."

"He's... not doing very well. Doesn't seem to have much interest in some things he used to do, it's like he's trying to shut himself in." He frowned and folded his arms. "So I don't know."

"So your not letting him?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'll try and make him come out and do something every now and again. Might do him some good." He said with a light shrug. "Do you want a hand? I'm a little worn out is all."

"I'm going to presume you ate." Elizabeth said. "Alright, go to bed."

He smiled in thanks and wearily walked into his room, closing the door behind him.

----

"Ma~" Rhun whined, making his way into the main room. "I'm hungry. And I wanna be a demonslayer now" He grinned suddenly "So I can kill the bad ones."

"No... Blood and guts till after dinner." Elizabeth said slowly, and slightly confused. "Ok?"

"I didn't mean now, I meant when I was older!" He said, brandishing a wooden sword. "Cause there are bad demons!" Shade confiscated the toy weapon and put it down on the table.

"Alright, so long as you do it when your older." Elizabeth said, checking on the food as it cooked. "And look after your sister."