[.A relaxed state.] (Open)

[[.Kayne.]]

His bath had just been filled for him, aromatic, and comfortable. Kayne, the Karion River spirit was still hanging around the Bathhouse. Sighing, the tiger-form scrambled into the small tub and went just below the water, his black nose poking out so he could breathe. He shifted to his humanly form, and surfaced, leaning against the left side of the tub, his bright amber gaze half-shut in his relaxed state.

"This feels so good.." He murmured, and opened his eyes fully, staring up above him in thought.

[~*~Chihiro~*~]

Chihiro gave a long sigh,she had been working all day and needed a rest.But because of that stupid contract,she hadn't been able to sleep a wink.And now the spirit's who came at night we're here,to rest up and then leave when the rush was over.As she checked up on some of the spirit's in the bath,her head popped in to check on one that seemed to be enjoying themselves but it was a little steamy.

"Um excuse me,is everything to your liking".

She moved in abit more,but slipped and fell on her butt.Still after all this time she was clumsy,mumbling something she stood up and looked at one of her knees it had been scratched from the way she fell.Grumbling she ignored it and went to the bath,the steam cleared up as she saw the human form of a spirit and blushed.

"I'M SORRY FORGIVE ME,I didn't mean to........".

She turned away her face beet red,some of the other workers nearby looked in but shook they're head and carried on.Oh that was stupid,so stupid she only hoped he wouldn't tell Yu-Baaba about her rude behavior she didn't want anymore chores.

[[.Kayne.]]

Kayne burst out laughing at her "don't worry about it" He said light-heartedly "I'm clothed from the waist down" He winked at her playfully "I don't go into baths naked...not even when I was a spirit of the Karion River.." Then, he blinked, his amber gaze flashing a moment "You're..Chihiro aren't you? That human I met when I first got here" He stated "And everything's fine little human" he stated cheerfully "However, company would be nice, and you look exausted, come in for a few minutes, so that I can talk to you" He said, the smile never leaving his face.

"If you get into trouble, I'll defend you" He offered after a moment "after all, it was my idea"

[~*~Chihiro~*~]

She hesitated for a momment,before inching her way over to the tub.She took a seat at the edge,it was true she was really tired.After this Chihiro wanted to sleep,even for a few hours she was really sleepy.Fixing her uniform,and making sure her hair looked presentable her chin looked up towards the bath.

"Yes i'm Chihiro,I didn't recognize you".

Bringing her knees up to her chest,she gazed to the floor.Haku thought she should just go back home,but she already knew that wasn't going to be so simple.If possible she was going to save money,then get two tickets and head to the end of the train line.Chihiro wasn't a spirit,but she didn't want to be seperated from Haku again.Why couldn't he understand,she loved him with all her heart and would give anything to be with him.

[[.Kayne.]]

He noticed a troubled aura around the girl, and, grinning playfully, like the cat he truly was, he pulled her into the tub "I said come in..not sit on the edge" He said cheerfully, grinning at Chihiro "You've grown a lot little human, it's good to see you" He stated, ruffling her hair like a father would to a daughter. Kayne, was a very, very friendly spirit, and usually made friends with humans, but the thought of his home village betraying him usually kept him down, but for some reason, he cheered right up around Chihiro.

[~*~Chihiro~*~]

"GAH.......".

Chihiro felt herself lifted up,then into the bath.With a splash she surfaced,spitting out some bath water.This was wrong so wrong,she was worker and not suppose to be splashing around in a bath with a spirit.She knew he would defend her if Yu-Baaba found out about this,but he really didn't know what that old witch was like......did he.

"You think so,well it's good to see you too........WAIT THIS IS WRONG".

She ducked down so only her eyes remained above the water,defending her or not she was sure one of the workers must have told the old witch by now about this.

[[.Kayne.]]

"Calm down Chihiro-chan" Kayne said softly "I know Yuubaba, and I'm a regular customer here, so don't worry so much about it, I've done this to a lot of the staff, so Yuu-baba's come to expect it, and I don't think she cares anymore" He said, smirking at the girl.

[~*~Chihiro~*~]

"You don't understand,she seems to pay strict attention to me".

Reason for her being tired all the time,doing alot of chores and being scolded.She didn't have a chance to read that contract,maybe that was her mistake. But she agreed to it,and in her heart she had that sinking feeling Yu-Baaba wasn't going to let her go so easily this time.

[[.Kayne.]]

"Chihiro..." Kayne shifted into his tiger form and got out of the bath, and padded over to her, nuzzling her lightly "..All I can say is that Yuu-baba doesn't like you because you're human and were very rude on your first visit...she doesn't like rude people..." He sighed.

[~*~Chihiro~*~]

"I was not rude,I was scared....".

Chihiro got out of the bath,soaked to the bone she sighed.What was she suppose to do back then,she was a little girl and had been thrown into this spirit world with her parents.She had to watch them as they scarfed down food of the spirits then we're turned into pigs,many times she thought she was going to lose them forever and never see them again.

"I was only ten,but now i'm older".

She may be human but she has a strong will,there was no way she was going to let Yu-Baaba run her life.But then again she was under contract,so Chihiro had to obey whatever that witch said to her even if she didn't like it.

[[.Kayne.]]

Kayne returned to his human form and got back into the bath, feeling a bit stressed all of a sudden. His golden-hued gaze narrowed ever so slightly, as he stared into the herb-rich water. "I do wonder...where that spirit named Kero went..." He murmured thoughtfully. Shrugging it off, he looked down at Chihiro "could you fill my bath up a bit more please? it seems to be draining rather quickly" He stated, not really wanting to bother her, but, it was her job after all. Kayne needed to relax, it was apparent he needed it, a lot. He could even be seen during the day, helping the workers clean up after the night before. He had no contract with Yuu-baba, but he stuck around to help, because the workload for the workers seemed too much at times, and he pitied them. At night, however, he was relaxing in the baths. It seemed he never rested.

[Kero]

No sooner had his name been mentioned,that the little fuzzball himself was darting down the halls.He had been up to no good again,after all he was one of those spirit's that loved to cause trouble and steal food now and then.Kero darted away from the angry kitchen workers,skidding into the bath where Kayne and Chihiro we're.He smacked into the tub,but managed to hang onto the food he had in his little arms.

"HIDE ME.......".

He then flew behind the tub,sitting there and hoping he was not found.The workers came in and looked around,when they caught that little theif they we're going to hang him by the wings and turn him into a morsel for the spirits to dine on.

"Sorry to intrude,but have you see where that little thief went".

Chihiro glared down at Kero,but then looked to the kitchen workers.She had to make somesort of excuse up,as much as she despised the little spirit she didn't want to see him turned into a meal for the spirits.

"I'm sorry no,he went down the other hall".

They quickly left.

[[.Kayne.]]

Kayne sighed heavily "Alright you little furball, come on out, they left" He turned in the tub, glancing down at Kero with his penetrating golden gaze. So he had been up to no good again had he?. He blinked, as the last of the water drained from the bath. "..Chihiro-chan, could you please go get a bath-token and refill my bath?" He asked the human politely "It seems leaving my bath made it drain." He pouted a bit, the warm water had felt SO good, now it was gone.

[Sayu]

Sayu came running down the hall. She among with kitchen staff was chasing something soft and furry. However she was not stupid and waited for the fuzzball to come out. When he did sayu did a running jump with a flip and yelled: "SUPER SAYU ATTACK HA!" and landed on the fuzzball head. "That 'll teach you from stealing food." she said as she jumped up and licked out her tongue. Out of the side of her eyes she notice Chihiro and immediately started pulling at her head. "Hey Seito(elementary student) were is Hakuniisan?" asked Sayu rudely. "I have not seen him all day you better not have hurt him." She sat on the tub side and threw Chihiro a horrid look as she stuck her tongue out.

[ratt]

A large, black rat walked into the room, her tattered clothes clinging tight to her slim form. A small bag was hanging from her mouth as she padded about on all fours. She gave a warry glare at the human-looking thing in the tub, smelling tiger on him, then she stood on her hind legs and put the bag over her shoulder. "Are....any of you Chihiro-chan? Kamaji sent me to find you to take my bath, he says I stink and my fur`s all burnt and sooty. He even gave me a token. He also told me to bring my ratlings and wash them too, so he gave me another token for them. He said you`d be the most understanding and the kindest....so...here I am."She said, removing two tokens from her bag, one was for a heavy duty mix, another for a very mild mix of herbs.

From the bag, about ten small rat faces poked out. They were mostly blue-grey, but small differences in color showed where their fur would be a different hue. Their eyes were just starting to open, and they had a tiny layer of peach fuzz-like fur. A worried expression crossed the rat spirit`s face as she quickly shut the bag, and once again watched the spirit in the bath warily. Her long rat tail swayed, the bitten off end often pointing to the spirit in the bath as if reminding her of his presance.

Ratt wasn`t allowed up here often, when she was, it was usually after most of the night guests were gone to take a bath, and that was only once every couple months. Also, if she came up earlier in the day, the staff would often chase her and attack her, as she wasn`t recognized as a worker or a patron, even though she was the one who kept the old boiler working day in and day out.