Hearing the boy's questioning tone Tatsuki turns with a smile and gives him a little bow. “Indeed, I shall take stock of the place, maybe get a feel for it. Then I shall be off to the town.” He rises from his bow, still smiling wide. “Thanks you again Shigetoshi-san. Despite what you believe, what is nothing to one, can mean the world to another.” He closes his eyes into the smile then turns to the kitchen at large. He moves through the opens space between the outer appliances and the large central preparation table. Despite breakfast happening not too long ago, the area is surprisingly clean. [i]'I wonder how he keeps things so tidy with so little time to do everything. Perhaps he cleans as he goes?'[/i] He smirks at a vision in his head of Shigetoshi, several extra arms coming out of him at odd angles to do all of his work at once.

Shaking his head he moves over to the fridge and pulls it open. The cool are sends a chill down his spine and his brows furrow while he examines the contents. [i]'More than enough for everybody. He must have someone deliver his goods. I don't see young Shigetoshi hauling back huge bulging sacks of food on his back every time he gets a sudden influx of guests'[/i] He takes stock of the veggies and meats, mostly fish, and with a nod he decides what he wants to cook. Decision made he swings the door closed and makes his way out of the kitchen. Moving in long strides he turns slightly as he passes the older man from earlier. With a little smile he breezes past and ducks into his room. Staying only long enough to scoop up his money purse, he's soon outside and on the road to the town.

The fresh cool air ruffles his hair as he makes his way out of sight of the Inn. As soon as he's sure no one can see him he walks off the road and into a stand of bamboo. “This stuff is so nostalgic.” he mutters before opening a rip in space and walks through. The roadways between spaces in the world are rather dull and colorless, stretching on for miles in every direction. The only thing breaking the endless horizon is the occasional sign post. Placed there for beginners, Tatsuki ignores them as he walks down one of the droll paths until he reaches where he wants to go. [i]'The walk to town on the real road would have been prettier, but I don't want to be rushed, or miss dinner all together'[/i] Reminding himself not to get back too early he raises his hand.

Pressing his fingers to the air in front of him as if there's something invisible to touch there he looks out into the world to check for anyone around. Once the way is clear he steps out into another stand of bamboo. However this particular patch is less than a five minute casual walk from the village. Stepping out from between the tall stalks he smirks as a passing group of village girls let out a series of yelps of dismay at his sudden appearance and rush past him. Following their path as they snuffle off his gaze moves past them, trailing up over the trees, and finally settling on the mountain barely visible over the canopy. [i]'I don't know why, but a part of me weeps when I think of how what I did is just part of my every day life, while a little boy at the foot of a mountain, having lived his life never going further than his feet can take him, would be overjoyed to see even two more towns over'[/i] The faint tug in his chest makes him sigh. Turning away from the mountain, he tucks his hands in his sleeves across his chest and walks slowly into town.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The first touches of twilight begin to set in as Tatsuki returns to the Inn with his groceries. Not wanting to run into either the sister or the young Innkeeper, he waits until he's sure the kitchen is completely clear before walking strait in from the roadways. [i]'I don't need those sisters delaying me. I want to get some spring time in before dinner, and Shigetoshi would probably want to help me carry this stuff. He's busy enough as it is'[/i] He tries to reason with himself as he slides up to the fridge with several bags attached to one arm and a several large wrapped pork strips in the other. Placing most of the stuff in the fridge, he puts the rest in the pantry. [i]'This should be tasty tonight. I hope they like it'[/i] Hunting down a sheet of paper and writing utensil, most likely used to write down what the inn needs when the keeper took stoke he guessed, Tatsuki writes a little note that he'll be going to the hot spring, and that Shigetoshi should come get him there when it's time to start cooking dinner.

Tacking it to the prep table with a small cooking knife the Shinigami makes his way back to his room to change into a soaking towel. As soon as he's ready he snatches up a drying towel and makes his way tot he hot spring. His eyes narrow and he peeks in to check for other bathers. Spying none he relaxes, a faint smile on his lips. [i]'Thank the gods that those women aren't about. I can see the whole mess now'[/i] Looking down at his fit, attractive body, Tatsuki considers making himself look older or more homely. After a second of contemplation he casts the idea aside and sets his towel on a rock at the edge of the area. [i]'Nah, I'm comfortable in this. Most Shinigami have fun messing with their looks for each case. I like the way I looked in life'[/i] With a nod to nobody about his decision he moves past the lush foliage around the spring and sits down beside it. As his legs slide into the steamy waters he lets out a long sigh and his eye flutter shut. A faint moan escapes his lips as he slips slowly into the water, coming to settle atop a fairly flat stone right along the edge beneath the surface. Leaning back, he lets the spring work it's magic.