The Hanagumi let out a collective breath as they settled into the hot water. After the hectic activities of the past few days, they were extremely grateful for the small opportunity to relax.

Most of the soldiers had left the village that spring morning, leaving only a relatively small number of men to help keep an eye on the area until the Teikoku Kagekidan's investigating team arrived. As predicted, Shinagawa was not pleased with Maria's disclosure regarding the actual number of demons that might be present in the area, but he kept his protests to himself until Ootani and the others were out of earshot. Though Maria revealed nothing about what had been said between the two commanders, it was obvious that the exchange had not been a very friendly one.

The Hanagumi were finally able to return to the training facility on the afternoon of their ninth day there. Even though they were all in pretty good shape compared to how they had been upon exiting the mine two days before, none of them were in any frame of mind to even consider finishing up their training schedule. Most of their time was spent recovering.

It was the evening of their tenth and final day of their stay there. Tomorrow, they would load the koubu onto their transports and make their return to the capital. The prospect of going home was paramount in everybody's minds, and there was a palpable air of impatience and anticipation running throughout the facility.

Still, when Sumire suggested a brief excursion to the hot springs, none of the others made any protests. Recalling Kohran's words the other day, and knowing that it would be better for their morale if they had at least one successfully non-demonic day out by themselves, Maria agreed.

The pools weren't all that large, but no one was complaining. They had the entire place to themselves that night, and they were determined to make the best of it.

Sumire sighed contentedly as she soaked. "Ah, this is heavenly," she purred. "Finally, after that nightmare..."

"I most definitely agree, Sumire-san," Orihime said.

"Nee, Kohran," Iris said concernedly, "are you sure you're feeling okay?"

"I'm all right, Iris," the inventor assured her. The bindings for her ribs had come off, but she was still feeling a little discomfort. "Yamaguchi-ojiji said it was all right to take the bandages off for a short while. Besides, there's no way I'd miss a chance to take a dip in the springs."

"That reminds me," Sumire said. "How is your head feeling?" she asked Kanna.

The redhead shrugged. "No problems. Thanks for askin'."

"Sumire-han," said Kohran, impressed, "you sounded like you were actually worried about Kanna-han."

The aristocrat waved it off. "Truly, your imagination does you credit, Kohran," she said, "but I merely asked out of simple courtesy. After all, Kanna-san is not the type of person to be taken out quite so easily by any manner of foe."

Everyone else gaped at hearing her words. Sakura gushed, "Sumire-san! That's the nicest compliment I've ever heard you say about anyone!"

"Yeah," Kanna agreed, the amazement on her face very much evident. "I-I don't know what to say."

Sumire laughed. "So you are struck dumb by the sheer power of my words!"

"Hey, don't go flattering yourself any more than usual, rich girl."

"It is not flattery, Kanna-san. That stupefied reaction is only typical for a backwards, uncultured brute such as yourself," Sumire said, smirking.

"Uh-oh," Kohran muttered.

Kanna's eyebrows beetled dangerously close to one another. "Just when I think that there might actually be a human being underneath all that horrible fashion sense, you always set the record straight."

"'Horrible fashion sense'?" Sumire echoed, immediately outraged. "I hardly think that a musclebound gorilla like you has any eye for the finer things in life!"

"Hah! Musclebound gorilla?" Kanna laughed. "Is that the best you can do, you fork-tongued, two-faced serpent woman?"

"What did you call me?!"

Sakura winced as things degenerated further. Both Kanna and Sumire were snarling in each other's faces now, and the situation threatened to spill over into even more violent territory. The swordswoman turned to Maria, expecting to find the blonde ready to step in and break it up. To her surprise, the Russian was casually lounging near the edge of the spring with her eyes closed.

Worried, Sakura shifted closer to the older woman. Maria showed no sign of registering her presence and, for a brief moment, Sakura wondered if she had fallen asleep. "Uhm, Maria-san...?"

"Mmm?" Maria said simply.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" she asked.

"In a while."

The swordswoman could only look in confusion as her team leader settled herself into a more comfortable position. "Is this wise?" she said finally.

The corners of Maria's mouth twitched slightly. "Probably not."

"Then..."

"Leave them alone for a bit," Maria interrupted. "I think this is just the kind of outlet they need."

Sakura listened to the rising noise behind her. "They sound very serious," she said cautiously.

"They'll stop before it gets out of hand."

For a moment, Sakura was tempted to ask what in the world would have given Maria that idea. Biting off the impulse, she stammered, "I... If you're sure..."

"I'm not."

Silence reigned between the two for several heartbeats following that admission. Even with her eyes closed, Maria could well imagine the younger woman's bewilderment. She cracked open her eyelids and then gave Sakura a private smile.

"Let's just enjoy the moment," she said softly.

Sakura gave another concerned look at the arguing group. In addition to Kanna and Sumire, Orihime had also somehow gotten involved by then. The exuberant manner in which the three were currently engaged in their shouting match was already making Iris steaming mad and Kohran was trying to calm the girl down without much success. Leni was nowhere near the fray, having wisely moved off a safe distance away in the face of the impending fireworks.

Sakura turned urgently to Maria once again and was astonished to see the amused look on her friend's face as she sat listening to the racket. Aware of her gaze, Maria deliberately returned the younger woman's stare.

After several moments, Sakura hesitantly smiled back. "As you say, Maria-san," she conceded and, leaning back beside her, steeled herself for what was to come.

Starting point | Chapter 8 | Credits