The fight with Livid had left Yuuka annoyed above all else. To discover someone she had known from so long ago had fallen so far... it was disheartening, to say the least.

She was walking through the Former Capitol, passing many watching Youkai and Oni. Yuuka ignored their stares, instead focusing her gaze ahead. However, something soon caught her attention; it was a faint, sweet smell, something quite uncommon here in the Underground. It stood out above everything else, and lured the Gardener's attention. Closer she moved towards it, and it soon became clear what the source was. On the side of the street, in the wall of buildings that made up the market wall, was a small bakery.

"A bakery? Here, in the Underground? This I simply must see..."

Upon this spoken conviction, Yuuka passed through the bamboo screen door, entering the establishment's dark interior. Inside she was met with the sweetest of aromas of freshly baked bread of all kinds, piled high on shelves and the single long counter adjacent to the entrance. Behind the counter, with his back towards his guest, was a large reptilian Youkai - easilly twice Yuuka's height, even while sitting. A muscular tail swayed to and fro, and his even larger shadow was cast across the entire room thanks to the small clay oven he sat in front of. He seemed to barely acknowledge Yuuka's presence, even as she came to sit on one of the many bar stools that were aligned in front of the counter.

"Greetings, shopkeeper. You have a fi-"
"Look. Don't ttttouch. Buy... or leave."

Yuuka smiled. She rested her chin upon her hand, and her elbow upon the counter. "As I was saying, you have a fine establishment. Do you run it yourself?" The Reptilian nodded silently.

"Don't worry, he's not much of a talker, but he's a sweetheart." A young woman said, entering behind Yuuka. The gardener turned to see a short, white-haired girl dressed in a similarly white summer dress, and vibrant red headscarf and shoulder wrap. The young woman sat a chair away from Yuuka, smiling at the creature's back. "Aren't you, Godfrey?"
"Zzzillazzztant, Kaibutsssu...Zzillazzztant." She reached out and patted Zillaztant's tail; it flexed nervously, but allowed her contact. "See?" She turned to Yuuka, a small smile upon her face. "Yes, I see... You must know a lot about this person, Miss...Kaibutsu, was it?"
"Kind of... I mean, he doesn't talk much, but I guess I do know a lot about him. Oh, and my name is Sabitsuki."

Sabitsuki? That name was familiar. Yuuka turned to the wall beside Zillaztant; it was alive with shadows and glowing light from the clay stove. She searched her memories for the source of the feeling. Slowly, Yuuka recalled a young child, from decades ago...the child was sad, but loving. That's right, the last time she saw Sabitsuki, the Youkai child was crying, terrified of a hornless Oni's rampage, and fearful for her friend's life. It was the night the Human Village vanished for a second time. It was the night Yuuka swore an oath.
Yuuka smiled a knowing smile, raising the attention of Sabitsuki sitting beside her. "Miss? Are you okay?"
"Yes, Sabitsuki. Tell me, how is Yasashii these days?" The girl looked shocked, taken aback by the question. "Sh-she is fine," Sabitsuki replied, turning to stare at the counter. "She takes care of me...and, I guess I take care of her, too." The girl couldn't help a smile, despite her confusion. "Do you know her, Miss?" She questioned, looking to Yuuka once more. "No. I can't say that I do."

"Kaibutsssu."

Sabitsuki's attention was stolen by Zillaztant. He held a small basket (well, small in his hands) of freshly baked bread in an outstretched hand, though still facing the fire. "Your...order." Sabitsuki took the basket. "Thank you, friend. I'll pay you at the end of the week, as usual." Zillaztant nodded, silent once more. "Here, Miss. You should try some." Sabitsuki reached into the blanket-covered basket, retrieving a small loaf of bread that was still hot from the oven. She offered it to Yuuka, whom took it with gratitude. "Thank you, Sabitsuki. You're too kind." The Mirror Youkai blushed slightly, turning her attention to the basket. "That's what big si- I mean, Yasashii always says...Um, Miss? You're...bleeding." Curious, Yuuka turned to inspect her should, to which Sabitsuki was referring to. Indeed, she was bleeding; it seems one of Livid's attacks seems to have grazed her. A strange aura seemed to emanate from the wound - perhaps it was residual emotional magic? Yuuka's eyes narrowed in annoyance. "It...must have been that demon..." Sabitsuki tilted her head inquisitively. "Demon?" She had a knowing look in her eyes. "Do you mean...the woman who lives across the blackened waters? Did she attack you too?"

It was Yuuka's turn to remain silent. Sabitsuki's eyes fell upon the basket. She wore a sorrowful look on her face. "I...I don't know what she did to you...but she can't help it. I've seen...inside her. Somewhere within that black and vulgar heart, there is an ember...but it's almost snuffed out." A wetness gathered in the corners of Sabitsuki's eyes as she recalled what Livid's shadow felt like. "Alone...so alone. And scared. How could something...someone... become so dark? I want to believe there's still some good in her, but I-"
"She's dead."
"Wh...what?"
"I killed her. Whatever you felt is gone."
Sabitsuki was at a loss for words. Yuuka swiveled in her bar stool, leaving its comfort and stepping onto the warm wooden floor. "Thank you for the bread, Sabitsuki. I'll enjoy it when I return home. Take care of yourself, and tell Yasashii that Yuuka Kazami sends her greetings." With that, the Gardener left the bakery, leaving a confused Sabitsuki to wonder in silence.

"Mister Zillaztant... I think I know her." Zillaztant mumbled in vague agreement.

((Small epilogue that I ended up writing last night xP Nothing else to see here, move along...))