The bath house was full, sounds of water dripping, men and women whispering and giggling, a few moans here and there..but rather than that, it was quite peaceful.

Mizu entered in search of a private room. Her mission had given her a much-needed night of relaxation. Once the door slid shut behind her, and Mizu was alone, she removed her haori, pants, and then her bindings. The wrappings around her chest withheld her greatest secret—her womanhood.

In order to maintain a samurai, along with the respect of others, she needed to be a man. At least on the outside.

Once fully nude, Mizu stepped slowly into the bubbling waters of the large pool-like bath, her shoulders immediately un-tensing. She sat down, the water up to her collarbones as she tilted her head back with a heavy sigh. These were the times that she felt truly at peace. Alone.

She sat there for a good hour, just listening to the sounds from rooms beside hers and her own breathing. Sometimes, if she listened close enough, she could hear her own heart beat. The one that was fleeting with every breath, every draw of a sword, ever splash of water…

She heard the door slide open.

In a blink of an eye, Mizu was standing up in the bath, sword drawn and pointed straight at whoever now stood in her room. She knew the person would see her body one way or another—she didn’t care for hiding her gender right now.

Her breathing was ragged as she stared at the woman across the room, her icy blue eyes never leaving the other woman’s.

“This is a private room.” Mizu spoke clearly and directly, her guard clear in her voice.