- Aphmau's POV-

I was washing my hands getting ready to eat, when the door creaked open to reveal Ross, Adam, Red, and Barney.

But what surprised me, was the fact Ross was drenched from head to toe, and his eyes were wide in surprise.

"Ross what happened??" I asked setting the hand towel down on the counter.

   Ross shifted looking down at his feet in embarrassment. "I-uh, accidentally fell in the w-well." His face flushed with shame.

   Sensei glided over to us. "Oh dear, if you stay in those clothes, you'll get a cold." He looked at all of us. "You all should get cleaned up before we eat, you all will feel much better if you do so."

   We all exchanged faces of a mix of confusion and awe. Adam seemed to regain his wits first.

  "Umm... Sensei, none of us brought a change of clothes, what are you implying?" Adam said while shifting his feet.

  Sensei turned and looked over his shoulder. A surprised and confused expression replaced his calm one. He sighed in exasperation.

  "Come, follow me!" He motioned for us to come. He stopped in his tracks and turned. "Oh and shoes off too!" He smiled while continuing.

  We all took our shoes off, and followed Sensei down a hallway. The hallway was lined with pictures and scrolls of drawings and stories of myths and legends of Japanese culture.

  We stopped at a small but wide door. Sensei turned and smiled.

  "Behind this door is a bathing room for you all to wash up, gentleman on one side, and ladies on another." He smiled at our surprised and in awe expressions, and continued. "And, there are kimonos in both rooms for you all to wear, you may keep them if you wish, I have extras if any of you need one."

  He received a mix of surprised and pleased responses. I squealed in happiness, you would have to if you saw the bathrooms!

  The walls were stone and bamboo mixed, waterproof, and smooth. There were indents in the floor, around five, creating small tubs in the stone.
  
   A small waterfall flowed fresh, clean water towards the baths, making the room gleam from the ripples of water. Small red and gold lanterns hung from the ceiling, giving off a luminescent light, and giving a warm and comforting feel to the room.

   The water was preheated, no doubt from a hot spring, steam gently rising off the water. Candles were placed around the room, giving off a vanilla aroma to the atmosphere.

  Across the room, changing stalls made out of bamboo stood. Hooks lined the inside of them, brass by the color of them. There was a shelf full of folded towels and wash clothes, some freshly steamed, others fluffy and cold.

  On the other side of the room, stood sinks and a wardrobe of Kimonos and Ao-Dai attire, some folded, others hanging pressed and clean. An assortment of colors were there, and some were made out of various fabrics. Silk, cotton, a few velvet ones too!

   The guys all rushed forward and started looking through the clothes trying to find something else to wear. Sensei chuckled at the excitement of each of them find one they liked. Sensei gestured me to pick an outfit and go get cleaned up.

   I bowed slightly. "Thank you Sensei, your generosity in us using your home and sanctuary is much appreciated, as a training ground and a second home." I smiled looking up at him.

  "RIGHT you guys?" I said looking over my shoulder getting their attention. They stopped mid actions and looked over with wide eyes and flushed cheeks of embarrassment. Adam scratched the back of his neck in and chuckled awkwardly.

  Adam, Jin, Ross, Max, Red, and Barney turned and bowed in respect to Sensei. Sensei smiled and nodded, welcoming us and turning out of the room.

  "When you are all ready, come find me, alright?" He smiled. A smile of pure happiness and care for us.

  "Hai Sensei!" We all agreed in unison.

  I walked over to the female side to bath, and picked a kimono to wear. I wore one similar when I was younger, for Halloween, my mother helping me tie the back. I widened my eyes.

  Mom... I've haven't been spending much time with her, I've been so busy training and hanging out with the guys, that I haven't given her proper mother and daughter time... I feel guilty.

  A tear leaks at the corner of my eye and I rub it away. Another comes, but I let it fall. I should make it up to her, she's done so much for me, and I haven't done much in return.

  I sighed and started getting cleaned up. I should think about this later...

Ross's POV-

   I sighed in content enjoying the warm water. Everyone else was doing the same, relaxing and enjoying the calm atmosphere. I opened one of my eyes since I had them closed in relaxation.

Oh my gosh...

  Max was sitting on the edge of the tub in front of me, leaning up against the wall relaxed and peaceful... But he only had a towel covering his lower extremities. Oh lord have mercy on my soul!

  His muscles were visible, along with a six pack in the mix too. My face was burning up at the guy before me. It should be illegal to be that hot!

   I turned my face away to calm myself, knowing that my face was probably a bright scarlet. Cool it Ross, look at something or someone else!

  I quickly advert my eyes towards Red, and realize his face is bright red too. Is it too hot in here or something?

  I follow his unbroken gaze to land on a certain green haired boy sitting across from him. I smirked knowing all too well what was going on. I was surprised though, I didn't know Red was gay, I mean I would be a hypocrite if I said I didn't support him.

  Red looked away for a second and caught my eye. His blushing face deepened in embarrassment, probably from being caught staring at the shirtless guy in front of him. Barney that is, not me. Don't get me wrong, Red is a great guy, but I'm not interested in him like I'm into Max. Plus I can tell he already has someone going on for him. :3

  He furiously shook his head trying to say he wasn't staring, and I gave him a 'chill dude' look, and gave him a thumbs up. He stopped and sat dumbstruck that I wasn't saying anything. But soon smiled, and went back to staring- I mean relaxing.

   Today has been a long but enjoyable day, besides hearing the news about... Shelby...

  I felt a tear leak down my cheek, and I quickly rubbed it away, not wanting the other guys to see me crying. 

  Why is the situation so bad you may ask? Well... I was sitting with Jin one day, studying some homework, and he brought up a question that was on his mind. He mentioned the 'evil leader' and Zander. That guys name gets my blood boiling.

  He had asked me since our gems are powerful, couldn't they also be used for evil if fallen into the wrong hands. I responded with a sure, knowing that are gems have an extraordinary amount of power. Then Jin sat for a moment, and then looked at me realizing something.

  *flashback*

"What if an evil force gets ahold of our gems? Wouldn't they be able to control and manipulate us?" Jin said with wide eyes. That would make a lot of sense, since Sensei doesn't want us to show our gems, two of the reasons I can guess because of evil forces and normal people seeing them and panicking.

  I sat shocked. I shuddered. "Yeah, it probably does, I hope that doesn't happen to any of us..." I recalled saying in return.

*End of Flashback*

I internally groan. I wish I could have done more to protect the ones I care about around me... If the    Bad guys like Zander can control us with our gems, I would think they could do the same with family members and people we love most. I shuddered. I hated the thought of that, but I knew that something like that would happen. One way or another...

  I close my eyes and continue to enjoy the calm atmosphere, even while my thoughts were jumbled, like the knot tightening in my stomach thinking of things that I wish wouldn't come to be...

------------------------------------------------------------
- Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait, hope you enjoyed! Luv you all! Bye!

-Crystal 💎