By: Shin Sankai
XxXxXxX
Two figures dashed quickly yet silently down the bare streets of Osaka. Harsh breathing was the only sound that was heard as a tall man and a short woman; both dressed in identical uniforms yet different in colour rushed past resident homes, making quick tracks towards the red light district which would be flourishing with life.
“A-Aoshi-sama…” The young woman running full speed beside the long strides of the tall man gasped out breathlessly. “I…I…” She just couldn’t get it out. His hand was linked with hers, almost dragging her along as they legged it towards the thriving population, trying desperately to immerse themselves into the crowd so they couldn’t be detected by those that were chasing them. Shinomori Aoshi, Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu glanced down at the pained look on Misao’s face. He had known what she was trying to say to him in pants but voiced nothing in return.
Xx Past Tense Begins… xX
An anonymous parchment had been sent to Aoshi from Osaka and within that held certain information that made his blood run ice cold. A band of renegade men were using the Oniwabanshuu name and terrorising locals and foreigners in the area. As he read over the information Aoshi felt, since he was the Okashira once more that he should go to Osaka to investigate the issue and deal with those who dared to stain the Oniwabanshuu name. He knew exactly what it was like to betray those around him, to dirty the Oniwaban Group’s name, but he knew what it was like to be forgiven and welcomed back too. These ruffians who dared trample on this name, whom spat on the very lives of those he knew were the only family he had left, were going to pay dearly…and pay with their lives if Aoshi had anything to do with it.
This fake group had so unashamedly taken lives of innocent men, women and children and pinned it on the Oniwabanshuu. According to his readings, investigations had now been set up with regards to the brutal deaths of all victims. However no probing into the secret organisation of the Oniwabanshuu had been formed because a certain policeman had not warranted it as of yet, suggesting more evidence be found first to then warrant investigations of the secret organisation based in Kyoto. This cop had known straight away the Oniwabanshuu would not work in such dirty ways and therefore had sent correspondence concerning these matters to Aoshi. The cocky smoking policeman knew it wouldn’t take long for the 6-foot tall ninja to make his way to Osaka and deal with business silently and swiftly.
As Aoshi sat in the office upstairs musing over whether to go by foot or by train, he’d been interrupted by Misao as she knocked on the shoji and then entered the room to present him with steaming green tea and onigiri flavoured with salmon or umeboshi. He had nodded his head in kind thanks and went back to looking over the map of Osaka and circled a perfect outlying area near the city as to where he thought this group could very well be.
It didn’t take long for Misao to ask him what he was doing and to Aoshi’s surprise it didn’t take him long to tell her the truth of the matter either. It had surprised him, how easy it was to talk to her, catching the way her big blue eyes blinked as she stood in front of his western desk and quietly listened to him relay the matter to her. His skilled eyes had observed her right hand fist and her orbs harden as he mentioned someone was killing innocent people and using the Oniwabanshuu name. The anger in her ki was very evident as Misao looked ready to pack a sack of her belongings and run out the Aoi-ya to pin every bastard who dirtied the name of her family with dozens of kunai.
What had passed through Aoshi’s lips that morning had his eyes widen slightly behind his black bangs while witnessing Misao do exactly the same even though a big sunshine smile broke across her face. He’d asked her to accompany him and of course Misao agreed.
As Aoshi sorted out several discrepancies and the fact if anyone was watching them come into Osaka, he’d definitely need to do something about that as well. So, to blend into the flourishing life in Osaka, he had ordered the three women in the Aoi-ya to head for the markets to purchase him a western suit and a dress for Misao. The horrified look on her face at the mention she’d have to adorn a long western dress made the side of Aoshi’s mouth quirk as he looked out the window from upstairs, viewing Okon and Omasu drag the pouting Misao towards the markets.
Aoshi relayed all the details to Okina, the very next day he and Misao would be leaving and stopped in what he was saying as he listened to the voices of the three women upstairs. The four men in the Aoi-ya stopped what they were doing to move into the main entrance to observe a flustered Misao coming downstairs.
Aoshi had stood there, like the other men in the household with a look of shock written plainly on his features. If the women were paying attention they would have caught it. Instead Misao was battling Omasu and Okon away, telling them she needed to walk down the stairs on her own and once she made it to the bottom in one piece she brushed her gloved hands over the front of the billowing dress. It was deep purple in colouring with a slight frill at the bottom while the bodice drew tight against Misao’s frame. It even accentuated her usually undetected breasts, as they lay exposed; plump, soft and creamy white out the top - just a little. The sleeves of the dress were short and slightly puffy as they sat off her shoulders. The matching coloured gloves lifted up and over her elbows as she made her way to the side entrance shoji.
By the time she made it over, Okina was already in fits of tears, proclaiming how his Misao-chan had grown into such a lady and had been held off from hugging the 21 year old by Shiro and Kuro as he would have wrecked her make up and hair…and then would have had to answer to Omasu and Okon as they spent hours trying to “pretty” her up. Misao’s hair was placed in a tight bun atop her head with small ringlet type curls of her blue-black hair brushing down the sides of her face. Very light make up adorned her face and Omasu had even gone to the extent of getting a fake set of pearls and attached the earrings to Misao’s lobes while a strand of the beads rested like a choker against her thin neck.
“You look great Aoshi-sama!” Misao had so openly voiced to him with that smile across her face, those lips painted a pale glossy pink. He’d thought of saying the same thing, but with everyone around, looking at the two, he thought better of it and opened the shoji instead.
The first few steps on Misao’s new high heeled boots had the shinobi stumbling slightly and Aoshi seeing this became his ever gentlemanly self – dressed oh so gorgeously in a black suit with black tie and a crisp deep purple shirt – took her gloved arm and linked it quietly with his black coat covered arm.
In Misao’s unoccupied hand was a folded umbrella and in Aoshi’s were their belongings in two bags for the trip. Before they had ventured off, Aoshi had witnessed Misao place two-dozen kunai snugly into her satchel, wrapped in her onmitsu uniform for protection, but Aoshi had a little more difficulty in hiding his kodachi. As he had mused over the fact of how to get his kodachi to Osaka with him, he finally came to the decision to get Kuro to pack them in a long bamboo tube and addressed it to a certain police officer that was currently working in the Osaka area this morning. Since he was an officer working for the Japanese Government, no one would think to look inside the bamboo tube to really see what was there.
As time passed, they finally made it to the Osaka Train Station. As they left the carriage, Aoshi had helped Misao out and the both of them garnered stares from men and women as they headed for a horse drawn carriage. Once Aoshi occupied one, with Misao sitting in the back with him – grumbling quietly as she bunched her skirts around her – Aoshi ordered the driver to take them to Osaka Police Headquarters at once. Whence they arrived, Aoshi had asked Misao to wait for him here and made his way up the stairs and into the building to collect his package.
Instead of returning alone, Aoshi was accompanied by Fujita Goro who walked beside him and the two of them found Misao outside the carriage. The umbrella was over her head (her fingers twirling it above her) as she quietly paced back and forth in wait. As soon as Misao felt the presence of Aoshi, she turned around to explain she wanted to stretch her legs and instead narrowed her eyes at the blue uniformed man beside her Okashira.
“Weasel…” Came the cocky voice of the golden-eyed man who had been smoking a cigarette at the time.
“Bastard Wolf…” Misao had responded in kind, which received a narrowed look from Aoshi as he had felt the driver of the carriage turn to look down at them, his wide eyes blinking owlishly at Misao’s unladylike behaviour and especially to an officer of the law no less. While Misao got back into the carriage, Aoshi walked a little way from it to have words with Fujita Goro (also known as Saitou Hajime from the Shinsengumi) before returning to his transport. He once again had ordered the driver to take them to his requested inn. Of course it wasn’t the inn they were staying at, however Aoshi would ask for a room for a few hours until day turned to evening and they could move to the red light district.
Aoshi and Misao didn’t dare venture to the red light district until well past dusk. As they did, Aoshi couldn’t help but take a hold of Misao’s hand, the both of them still dressed in their western clothing as they headed towards an inn. Aoshi could feel hungry eyes on Misao and retaliated back with his own protective and yet pissed off aura, daring anyone to come close to them. No one dared. He was certain Misao would feel his angered ki, but she didn’t say a word and instead inched closer to his larger frame.
It wasn’t till around midnight did Aoshi decide to begin the reconnaissance with Misao. As they were in one room, the bathroom down the end of the hallway, Aoshi had turned away since Misao had to strip in the room with him there. However, he first had to help her out of the dress by undoing the long strand of buttons at the back, watching the folds of material pull away from Misao’s pale skin, he noticed she wasn’t wearing any binding at all.
Once Misao was dressed, Aoshi had turned around, he already in his onmitsu outfit (having changed first while Misao was out of the room) and noticed the earrings and necklace and hairstyle remained. He’d quietly stepped forward, her eyes widening slightly when she felt cool fingers remove the necklace and earrings. Because they were pressed for time as is, the hairstyle remained and while Aoshi removed his two kodachi from the tube, Misao loaded herself with kunai.
They set off, climbing out the shoji which lead to the small balcony of their room and began jumping roofs together. They’d been making there way through a lot of foliage when the residential houses stopped and came across what looked like an abandoned house in the middle of the forest. Aoshi had felt Misao stiffen against him and placed his hand calmly against her shoulder. This would bring back memories Misao would sooner rather forget about - a mission she’d gone on her own. It had tturned out quite bad which left Misao with both physical and mental scars.
It was even worse when they drew closer to the house and heard men talking inside. As soon as Misao heard those voices as they crouched by a wall where an opened window was; her behaviour changing, the green-eyed ninja knew exactly who they were. Within that abandoned house were Misao’s previous attackers, the very men who had beaten her to nearly an inch of her life.
Xx Past Tense Begins xX
She had pleaded with Aoshi to let her go on a mission alone, since it was only for reconnaissance where nothing should of gone wrong and yet…it did.
Aoshi had paced his office that afternoon when Misao had not returned at the time he specified. He waited a half an hour more before he sent new members of the Oniwaban Group to search for her, to where she should have been. All they returned with was a single kunai. The cold steel of her weapon rested in his opened palm as his icy eyes gazed down at it. This one item was trying to tell him something and when Aoshi lifted his gaze, the six ninja froze at his maddening look.
Show me… was all Aoshi had voiced and he jumped rooftops with his subordinates as they all landed without a sound into an alleyway. Aoshi had asked them to show him where the kunai laid and looked to the direction the blade was facing. Misao was showing him where she was. With his double kodachi clenched under his arm Aoshi signalled for two of the ninja to return and report to Okina of what had occurred while the other four stood by Aoshi’s side, awaiting his orders. When Aoshi felt like he had come to a dead end on his search for Misao, his ninja scanned the area and would come to inform him of another kunai and its direction.
Aoshi and his subordinates were lead to an abandoned building near the industrial side of Kyoto. Using his hands to relay orders, Aoshi and his men assaulted the building, gutting down those that got in their way. They couldn’t help the several that fled, but one ninja rushed after them while the three others investigated the lower ground. Aoshi himself took the rickety stairs, his weight making them creak beneath him and his blood boiled when he knew the faint ki practically crying out to him. On fast feet Aoshi stood in front of a door and kicked it open, wood splintering about him as he did.
When he scanned the room his eyes instantly drew to the young shinobi bound to the wall with restraints. As he stared with wide eyes, Aoshi didn’t even realise that he had dropped his weapons as they hit the floor with a loud crash. He moved instantly into the room and headed straight for Misao, not paying any attention to the fact that three of his ninja were breathing harshly at the wrecked doorway looking inside.
His hands had fisted as he looked over the beaten Misao. Her uniform was tattered and torn, slash marks reddening, cutting and bruising her usually porcelain and unharmed skin. Her head was limp and drawn to her bruised right shoulder while her blue-black hair was dirty and crusted with dry blood from wounds to her back and head area. Instantly Aoshi whipped out a kunai from the folds of his gi and cut the binding at Misao’s feet before doing each wrist. She flopped forward and right into his outstretched arms. Crouching to the dirt ridden ground, Misao lay against his firm grip, his eyes scanning over her body to see just how much damage she had taken.
Aoshi-sama… You…came…for…me…Misao had brokenly whispered, her hazy mind making out the scent of the man holding her so close. One watery blue eye had opened, the other swollen shut and her blood covered lips curled into as much of a relieved smile as she could muster. As Aoshi rested Misao against his body he undid his outer gi and slipped it off, placing the material around Misao to cover her up as modestly as he could. Looking down at her, Aoshi felt his heart clench at her bruised features and gently placed his gloved hand against her cheek, head moving down so his lips were close to her ear so he could whisper true unabashed feelings to her.
Collecting her within his arms Aoshi stood to his normal height and turned to gaze at his ninja still standing in the doorway. Barking off his orders the ninja fled to do as he asked, one taking his weapons for him since his arms were obviously full.
When Aoshi returned to the Aoi-ya, Okina and the others were waiting on the porch, all filled with worry as they watched him head up the pathway with an unconscious Misao. Not once did Aoshi look at anyone, his eyes trained on the young woman within his arms as she fidgeted and jerked slightly, bad thoughts plaguing her mind. Heading upstairs and to where he knew a doctor would be waiting in her sleeping quarters, Aoshi placed Misao gently on the floorboards, laying her flat on her back. He refused to leave the room, even when the middle-aged doctor removed his gi and Misao’s tattered clothing. Aoshi’s eyes were trained on Misao’s face, the deathly pale look and the bruising was a ghastly sight for him to comprehend. He continued to lean against the far wall, dressed in his uniform pants, the billowing white ties holding them to his hips and his mesh style undershirt. His strong muscular arms were folded over his chest and to Aoshi it felt like hours before he noticed the doctor raise her head and stand up to stare unjudging eyes at him.
I’ve done all I can for her.
I will do the rest…He confessed and watched the doctor leave the room, the shoji sliding shut and her outline disappearing down the hallway. Moving from his position Aoshi headed to Misao’s prone form. He kneeled at her side, taking a look at all the bandages covering her. There was a large one covering nearly half her face, one at her right shoulder, one on her left forearm and many more over the rest of her body as Aoshi gently shifted Misao into her already laid out futon and pulled the blanket up to her chin.
For an entire week Misao was confined to her quarters so her physical wounds could heal and Aoshi watched over her every step of the way. The emotional scars however, were still being dealt with to this day. She hadn’t spoken much about her ordeal and Aoshi never did press the matter, however he did demand her response on one single issue – whether or not she’d been raped. He hadn’t realised how much relief washed over him when Misao shook her head negatively before turning to gaze out at the overcast sky that day. He stayed with her way into the evening, drinking tea, eating a small amount of food as he watched Misao sleep and cry out in her nightmares, his eyes hardening and his teeth clenching in the dark as he took hold of Misao’s hand, she unconsciously reaching out for someone.
Those who did this to her would pay with their lives.
From then on, Aoshi never let Misao go on a single reconnaissance or mission alone.
Xx Past Tense Ends xX
As the two rushed down the dead residential streets, Misao felt Aoshi’s gloved hand tighten against her own. This wasn’t good at all. She knew instantly her smaller form was slowing down Aoshi’s fast pace.
“Aoshi-sama… Gomen!” Misao breathed harshly as she voiced those words to her leader. She could even feel tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. The men that had abused her that god awful day months ago had seriously done a number on her mental health and Misao knew she was still dealing with those demons with Aoshi’s help. And now, when she thought she had perhaps gotten over it, those men appeared again and screwed with her mind once more. Her emotions had gotten in the way of the mission as she’d totally frozen on the spot, all the memories flashing back at once. Her hands had gripped her head, to try and stop the memories assaulting her senses, but a sob had broken through her lips and that was all that was needed to give them away. And now her and Aoshi were doing the one thing she knew he loathed the most - running.
Before much of anything could be comprehended on Misao’s side, she felt a strong arm move around her waist to clench her left hip. She tried looking up as Aoshi had drawn her close, but she couldn’t even see his face as her head was pressed against the side of his chest. A rush of air escaped her lungs when she felt her feet leave the ground as Aoshi used strength she knew he had but had never truly seen a lot of. The noise of the people in the red light district had drowned their movements out and Misao remained limp as Aoshi took one final leap and caught the side of the balcony railing with his right hand and leg. His eyes voiced all as Misao scrambled over the side, helping Aoshi onto the balcony before they dove into the room and closed the shoji.
“Aoshi-sama…” A harsh shushing noise broke from Aoshi’s lips as he stood up, gliding silently over to the shoji to open it up a crack. His fierce eyes scanned the ground below as several men had run into the district, stopping instantly as they looked through the crowd, trying desperately to find those that knew of their location. Aoshi clenched his teeth hoping Saitou and his officers would be where he said they would as the murders moved about trying to locate them. By now Misao had moved over and on pure instinct Aoshi had pulled her close, either for protection or to shut her up, she wasn’t sure but instead of dwelling on the thought she slumped her exhausted body against his.
Minutes ticked by slowly as Misao listened to Aoshi’s heartbeat return to what she supposed was its normal rhythm. The warmth of his breath, which had been furiously exhaled against the side of her face, slowed down considerably as well. For now it appeared to Aoshi the coast was clear and he needn’t do more then he had for now. His grip around Misao’s shoulders loosened and to his surprise he felt a little empty when she stepped away from him.
“Aoshi-sama…” She began, but raised a hand to the side of her face, as something sticky and warm dribbled down her cheek. Wiping it away Misao moved into the dull light of the quarters and her blue eyes widened at the red against her fingertips. “You’re bleeding!” She yelled characteristically and once more received a shushing noise from Aoshi. Even though Aoshi hoped he’d drawn all those ruffians into his and Saitou’s trap, it still wasn’t overly safe for Misao to make so much noise.
The older ninja observed as the younger rushed to her belongings, bits of clothing being thrown unceremoniously about her before she collected up a small but bulky looking pouch. She walked back over, placed the pouch on the medium sized table near the wall against the closed shoji and untied it. Inside was a medical kit she constantly carried with her.
“Come on Aoshi-sama let me take a look at your wound.”
“Its nothing Misao.”
“Oh for goodness sake Aoshi-sama, don’t make me rip that gi off you.” Green eyes quietly blinked at Misao’s words as she plucked several items from the pouch. Before he could even reply Misao began to ramble. “You might not think it but I was watching and listening to when Megumi-san was treating you when you got back from defeating Shishio Makoto with Himura and the Rooster, so I know what I’m doing. Now take off that damn gi!” Aoshi quirked the side of his mouth up as Misao had looked so serious and yet she had stomped her foot childishly at the end, her bright eyes starring profusely into his own while a pout was on her lips. How could he refuse such a demand like that?
“Aa…” Came the rumbled reply from his throat as he pulled his gi from the white ties holding his pants up and let the damaged uniform fall from his muscular arms. It lay carelessly on the floor as he watched Misao’s eyes widen slightly at the mesh shirt that was also cut from the kunai that had been thrown at him. Misao stepped closer, shaky hands rising as she felt the mesh of his undershirt as she dug it out of his pants and slowly moved it up his finely muscled chest.
“You are treating me like a child.”
“Well sometimes stubborn men need to be treated like children so things can get done around here. Now shut up and let me take care of you.” Misao snapped as she observed, heart thumping in her ribcage as Aoshi let off a sigh and raised his arms towards her so she could drag the ruined article of clothing over his slouched form and along his arms. Dropping the mesh shirt with his gi, Misao motioned for Aoshi to sit on the table as she uncapped an unmarked bottle.
“You are being quite rude to your Okashira.”
“And you are being quite rude to me thinking I wouldn’t know the skills of how to treat a flesh wound.” The room fell quiet as Misao stepped between Aoshi’s parted legs and began dabbing around the cut. She had felt this stuff on her own injuries and knew it stung like hell, but a man of Aoshi’s calibre wouldn’t ever admit to its simple stinging pain.
“I can take care of the wound myself.” Aoshi spoke once more and lifted a brow when Misao made a shushing noise much like he’d done earlier. She was leaning so close that he could feel the ends of her bangs brushing against his skin and the strawberry scent wafting from her which happened to be mixed with sweat. It was sweet and tantalising the way she fussed over him and he knew now was not the time for it to mess with his senses. Cool fingers jerked him from his thoughts as icy orbs looked down at Misao, his nose taking a surprising dive into her hair as she was bent taking extra care to tape the bandage over the wound.
“There, you’re all done. That wasn’t so hard now was it?” As Misao voiced that her right hand rested accidentally against Aoshi’s thigh and the 28 year old couldn’t help but flinch, his gloved hand quickly lifting Misao’s from his firm upper leg. “Eh?” Misao stepped back, her wrist held tight in Aoshi’s grip while her eyes dived to his leg. “Aoshi-sama!” Misao burst out noticing the darkened wet patch against his trousers, but felt warm fingers against her lips quietening her down once more.
“It isn’t as bad as you think Misao. Old wounds are aching more then these minor cuts.”
“Old wounds?” Misao repeated, lips brushing softly against his fingers as she watched Aoshi stand to his feet, one hand pressed against his right leg, while his left seeped.
“I never did get proper treatment when I was injured by Kanryuu’s weapon. I ripped out the bullets with the blade of my kodachi and closed the wounds by burning them shut.” Aoshi watched the horrified look cross Misao face before she began to chew on her bottom lip. She was showing evident worry for him as he’d dove back into a past he didn’t wish to venture back into again.
“Take your pants off.”
“What?” That was definitely not what Aoshi had been expecting to escape Misao’s lips.
“I said take your pants off.”
“That’s what I thought you said.” Misao watched Aoshi stand before her with his arms crossed against his bare battle scarred chest.
“Oh come on Aoshi-sama, you can’t seriously be shy can you? I’m sure you’ve been in this situation dozens of times so why should I make any difference?” His lips thinned at her words. Aoshi never really did have an ego – not lately – but Misao was really baiting him as to whether he could strip before her and not feel…uncomfortable. After all, he’d practically raised her, was around her nearly 24 hours a day, had noticed how much she’d grown up over the years he’d been away and the two years he’d been back, so what was the problem? “We are ninja of the same clan after all so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about. Now strip!” Again there was that adorable stomp of the foot, Misao emphasising her orders and looking far too adorable in doing so.
“Aa, you are right Misao.” He watched her beam a smile in his direction before seconds passed, he loosened his ties, pants shimmering down his legs to rest at his ankles and Misao’s jaw dropped open. Masculine pride cracked against Aoshi’s lips as he observed her audibly gulp while her eyes drew down to his fundoshi.
“Ri-Right, lets see…um…about that wound ne?” She was as nervous as hell and even Aoshi would see the brightness of her cheeks and possibly hear the thumping of her heart in her chest and ears as she once again drew closer towards him. Misao kneeled between his legs, needing a closer look at his wound and not his groin area and began to bathe it with the same antiseptic she’d used for his chest injury.
Aoshi had been staring at the wall across from him like it was the most fascinating thing as he leaned against the table with Misao between his legs. The thought of that made his eyebrows furrow slightly. Just why did he answer Misao’s demands? And why for the life of him didn’t he feel any sort of discomfort with Misao’s head pretty damn close to his groin? He couldn’t ponder the thoughts for long as his eyes drew down to Misao when he felt one of her slender hands glide over his uninjured thigh.
“You make this…so difficult Aoshi-sama.” She voiced this in a breathless sort of way that made Aoshi frown slightly and yet feel something stir within him as her fingers traced over his bullet scars. His shallow wound had been bandaged up and yet Misao had not risen from her position. “How am I to resist you, when you stand here before me like this?”
“You demanded I not be a stubborn child.” Aoshi’s hand gripped the side of the table when he felt Misao’s warm breath against his thigh, her lips edging closer to place a butterfly kiss exactly where his muscles hurt. He may be a skilled ninja, but there were times when he pushed himself too much and would end up aggravating his old wounds. Tonight was one of those nights and here Misao was with her pink glossy lips brushing feathery kisses over it.
“Misao…” Aoshi began, but took a deep breath in when her hand moved up and over his fundoshi at the front, while the other took the “back way” as she stroked up and over a firm butt cheek. Aoshi had been ready to stop her and demand she tell him if she’d been spying on Okon and Hiko since he was slightly dumbfounded at her boldness and knowledge of intimacy. True, she wasn’t the young girl he had helped raise years ago, but he’d never seen her take an interest in any man nor talk about intimacy at all. Yet here they were in a red light district inn with Misao putting the advances on him. “Misao…” Aoshi voiced once more, this time it was a low rumble within his chest, his deep green eyes widening slightly as he felt material shift away from his groin. The cool draft in the room sent a shiver over his fully exposed body. His eyes had been glued to Misao’s wide blinking ones as she openly gazed at his length. The hunger and satisfaction that flashed through those expressive blue pools made Aoshi gulp before he inhaled sharply as cool fingers drew down his heated manhood.
“You’re…really warm.” Misao exhaled loudly as she couldn’t get over seeing Aoshi stark naked. She couldn’t believe her luck that she’d gotten him to take of his shirt to allow her to bandage his wound let alone his pants off and then his fundoshi! Just for a moment the shinobi had to pinch herself and then slowly, for fear of seeing anger in Aoshi’s eyes she gazed up at him through her curled bangs. He was in fact looking down at her with half lidded eyes and lips parted. Aoshi’s tongue dragging over his bottom lip, wetting it as Misao courageously took a firm hold of him with one hand.
“Do you want this?” Misao questioned in a hushed voice, heart still thumping loudly while butterflies fluttered about her stomach when a small ‘mm’ broke from Aoshi’s lips. Experimentally she decided to grip Aoshi tighter, just to test what he’d do. A throaty groan slipped past his lips, as did a breathy,
“Aa…” Aoshi griped the table he slumped against while one hand couldn’t help but dig into the top of Misao’s head as her lips brushed against his sensitive length. With her awkward jerky movements and lips parting open to partake in her actions, to taste him for the first time, Aoshi let off another groan. Misao may have been inexperienced but her curiosity to explore with her hands and lips were quickly breaking Aoshi apart. What he presumed were soft sensual lips that he hadn’t tasted were parting open, drawing him agonisingly into her wet hot mouth.
“Nn… Mi~sa~o…” Aoshi’s composure was definitely slipping fast, chest tightening and fast uneven groans escaping through his gritted teeth as one gloved hand continued to hold Misao’s head, he helping her mouth glide back and forth against his swollen length. Two hands gripped him hard, tugging and pulling, while a moan vibrated against his wet flesh as the first of his seed could be tasted against Misao’s tongue. She instinctively jerked back, but Aoshi’s clenched hand held her in check, making her take his seed. All Misao could do was close her surprised eyes and swallow what she could.
The table behind Aoshi thumped against the floorboards with his rocking hip movements before the noise quietened so all that was heard was the busy red light district crowd still milling about outside and harsh breathing coming from Aoshi. His head was tilted back; sweat prickling at his exposed skin and his hand dropped away from being tangled within Misao’s locks of hair. Her mouth slipped away from his sated manhood and once more she looked up at the wonderfully exposed ninja before her. She watched him slide to the floor, his back leaning against one of the posts of the table and her breath hitched in her throat when a deep feral look passed over his eyes as they locked with hers.
With his keen eyesight in the poorly lit room, they narrowed seductively as a dribble of semen was resting against the corner of Misao’s mouth. With eyes glinting he watched Misao’s pale slender hand reach up, ready to wipe it away even though her eyes never broke from his, but within an instant, within a flash of movement Aoshi was there, kneeling up on his knees, one hand around Misao’s shoulders while the other took firm hold of her chin. It hadn’t been long at all, but her actions had finally broken the lust filled man within as his warm wet tongue licked the side of her mouth, from chin to lips tasting himself before he pried Misao’s mouth open, wagging a heated war within her mouth. She’d stiffened instinctively and gasped at the onslaught of his bruising kisses, not being able to do much except keep her mouth open and take what he offered.
Pulling away Aoshi listened to Misao’s soft pants, her lips a swollen red as she innocently traced a finger over them, possibly implanting the feel of his lips against her own into her memories. He wouldn’t allow her to pause much this evening for she’d stirred a passion within him that he never knew he truly had. Their eyes locked again and with a not so gentleness which both surprised and excited Misao, he’d grabbed the front of her gi and yanked her towards him, once again landing a hard kiss to her mouth. Expert lips did not linger at Misao’s for long as Aoshi trailed them down her neck, nipping and sucking her pale addictive skin. A little soft moan broke from her lips, but Aoshi was not at all pleased with it. He wanted her to moan his name, to scream with desire for him…because of him.
Firm hands took a tumble down Misao’s front, groping softly at her breasts hidden beneath binding, showing her more was to come as he continued on his trail around her flat abdomen area and to the pink bow holding her onmitsu shirt closed. The knot loosened and material swished as it was cast aside, eyes drawing down to watch blue material part from Misao’s pale skin. Within seconds his hands had spread over her slender shoulders, moving under the material to pull it away from her flustered skin. It glided sensually down her arms; his orbs taking note that Misao’s were closed and her head was slightly tilted. This was a perfect advantage for him as he bit at Misao’s neck making her gasps grow in volume.
“More…” Came the breathy moan from Misao. Her blue eyes cracked open to look at Aoshi through hazy passion just as her hands lifted to cradle his perfect face. “I want more…” The ninja would certainly answer her pleas as his short fingernails scrapped up Misao’s arms, down her back making her shiver before the end tie of her binding was pulled away and Aoshi’s present began to unfold before him. As the binding was loosening inch by inch to reveal unblemished milky skin he leaned in and tasted what had never been savoured before.
Misao squealed lightly underneath Aoshi’s caresses, her foggy mind making out his lips placing feathery kisses around her plump breasts before she let out a shuddering moan when his wet tongue flickered over a hardened nipple. On pure innocent reaction Misao’s hands finally dived into Aoshi’s silky black hair, fisting clumps of strands when his entire mouth lowered over her nipple. His other magnificent hand was currently tweaking her other nipple and then the wait of his hand left as Aoshi decided to switch over so his mouth could pay homage to what was now his.
Rising to Misao’s panting lips he took claim of them once more, delving deeply within her warm depths as he allowed Misao to moan and suck feverishly on his tongue while his hands glided down the side of her body, her harsh breathing making him feel the dent of her ribs as he headed for the waistband of her impossibly small shorts. Aoshi moved his hands around to Misao’s lower back, smirking lightly as he nibbled once more against her neck as she rose her hips up, allowing him to free her of the rest of her clothing in one quick flick of his gloved hands. Aoshi leaned back on his shins, deep green eyes gazing over Misao’s flushed naked form. She was lying on her back, hair tousled, lips parted, arms slumped at her sides and legs slightly parted open for him to gaze at her womanhood.
“Aoshi…” Misao all but purred aloud as she lifted her eyelids to see her Okashira, the man she’d loved for years eyeing her off as she lay open and bare before him like he had moments ago for her. In slow sensual movements Aoshi’s hands slid up Misao’s legs, slowly and softly prying them apart even further. Lips lowered to her belly, placing butterfly kisses against her squirming stomach before dipping his tongue into her navel, making Misao swoon in anticipation as his hands crept towards her centre. He could already smell her heady musky scent, parted her more and teasingly blew cool air over her heated core making Misao shiver within his firm grip.
“Please Aoshi…” It was a half demand half whine as Misao had had enough of being played with. She wanted whatever he would give her now and shrieked lightly, hand coming up to her mouth sinking her teeth into her skin when a tongue grazed over her folds. She was drowning in pleasure as Aoshi worked her over. She withered, moaned and screeched his name in a high pitch as tongue and one single finger delved its way into her tight crevice. Aoshi couldn’t help but groan slightly himself, feeling Misao suck his single digit into her womanhood and began a slow thrusting motion, his eyes gleaming as he observed Misao trying to jerk and grind her hips in tune with his motions. Pulling his mouth away Aoshi rose over Misao, one hand near the side of her head as he lowered his lips to hers once more, making her sample herself while he slipped another finger within her wet folds. Misao bit his lip impulsively and Aoshi drew away as her eyes were scrunched tightly closed and her body began to spasm.
“Ah…Aoshi!” He found it unbelievably fascinating to watch Misao shudder before him. Her head twisted from side to side, shockwaves pulsating through her body and heading straight to her crotch as Aoshi felt her release seep over his fingers. He dived to her mouth catching the moan of his name as he sealed them possessively over Misao’s once again. “Mmmm…” Her positive moans made Aoshi continue on as he slowly removed his fingers from her slick folds, quietly tasted her essence while she got her breathing under control. He decided to lay between her spread thighs, his lower abdomen area pressing heavily against Misao’s womanhood making her shudder and arch instantly at the feel of it.
“I want you…” Misao whimpered breathlessly as she shuddered when the head of Aoshi’s penis rested at her opening. She groaned in passion for what was to come but also in annoyance as that is where he remained, his lips falling back to her chest to flick his tongue over her sensitive nipples. “Please…I want…I need…AH!” Misao squirmed beneath her soon to be lover as he pushed further into her heated core, making her muscles stretch apart to accommodate him. It was very different indeed as that was much larger, thicker and hotter then his fingers. Her legs rose off the floorboards, to clench her thighs around Aoshi’s hips as he pushed further in. Her body was on fire and before she knew it lips pressed over hers catching her half squeal and half sob of discomfort, eyes screwing shut as Aoshi drove all the way into her throbbing centre.
Something changed after that exact moment as Aoshi remained where he was situated, not moving his lower body an inch and instead pulled his lips from Misao’s trembling ones and placed soft kisses against the corners of her tightly shut eyes. He moved down, his lips caressing Misao’s cheeks before his tongue dove out to scrape over her trembling mouth. He calmly waited until Misao took in a deep breath and opened her shimmering blue orbs.
“Kami-sama…” Misao whispered out, her hand moving up to Aoshi’s face as it was situated above her and glided one hand down the side of it. “You are so beautiful.” She witnessed, while being very pleased with herself, as Aoshi’s eyes widened slightly at her pure confession before his lips broke into a slightly bewildered half smile. Raking her hands through Aoshi’s hair, watching the damn strands fall back into place against his forehead Misao locked both hands behind his neck and drew the gorgeous man towards her.
Aoshi began slowly moving out of Misao, feeling her teeth bite into his lip once more but accepted the small amount of abuse. When he glided back in, Misao’s lips parted on a soft ‘aaaah’ of breathy desire as her eyes slid closed. As Aoshi continued to stretch Misao, only when he could hear all the moans of pleasure break through her parted swollen lips did he begin to pick up the pace. His strokes drove him in deeper and they grew faster and a little harder creating the mixture of pleasure and pain. It wasn’t long before he felt Misao’s walls clamp around him, her thighs clenching around his hips as she locked her ankles in place and her fingernails which had been clutching his jet black hair scrapped seductively down his back creating scorch marks which made him shudder.
Misao arched towards Aoshi, lips parted, his name coming out in breath screechy moans as she milked his length with her release. This helped glide Aoshi along as he continuously rammed into Misao’s wet, throbbing and aching core. His lips fell upon hers, drinking her further into his orgasmic relief as his hands lifted her hips to meet his in one final hard thrust as he came within her. Her head jerked away, a sob of ecstasy breaking through the early morning air as she bit into Aoshi’s shoulder and clutched helplessly to his shaking body as he had thrown her into her third release of the evening. Her body was limp, sore and very much satisfied as Misao lay used and abused (in a good way) on the floorboards of the inn room.
Misao had been lying peacefully on the hard ground before a small sound broke through her lips as she felt Aoshi move away, but quietened down when she was pulled close, pressed into the softness of a futon and blankets had been placed over her naked flesh. Though her body was slick with hers and Aoshi’s sweat, there was a chill in the air and feeling very fulfilled Misao curled absently into the warm body beside her and drifted off to sleep.
XxXxXxX
Movement awoke Misao as she blinked tired eyes open to look around the pale sunlight room. It would be around 5:30 or 6 in the morning and instead of rising from the futon, Misao turned over to gain more warmth from the body beside her and froze instantly as she gazed with wide eyes over at the body beside her. Aoshi was sleeping on his side, right arm used as his pillow while his left rested against his lower abdomen, the blankets riding low against his hips. Misao picked up the blanket looking down at her naked self, her thighs twitching, as she felt slightly sore between them and placed it back over herself. Next she couldn’t help but pick up the blanket thrown carelessly over Aoshi’s hips and looked beneath, her face turning a shade of pink as she looked upon the naked man.
“Oh my…” Misao whispered and let off a slight giggle as she quickly placed the blanket back over Aoshi before looking up at the ceiling, her hands clenched to her chest. Her astounded blue eyes kept on glancing at the sleeping man and once more she pried the blanket from his body just to make extra sure this wasn’t a figment of her dreams.
“Misao…” Aoshi’s voice was thick with slumber and oozing sexiness as she found one perfect green eye open and looking over at her through dishevelled black bangs. “You continuously starring at me below the blanket is distracting my sleep.”
“You…I…we…”
“Mm…” Aoshi rumbled out once more as he slid a little closer to the flabbergasted and blushing Misao. “My thoughts exactly.” He felt her body mould instantly against his firm one and rested his head back against his right arm once more. Misao was snugly against him, her head just under his chin and she took hold of Aoshi’s left arm tangling her fingers with his as she looked upon her creamy skin as it contrasted perfectly with his tanned one.
“Aoshi-sama…” She smiled lightly when her leader, her new lover growled at the honorific. “I know this isn’t probably the best time, but…what about those renegade men dirtying the Oniwabanshuu name?” She listened to Aoshi sigh against her ear and she shifted around to lie on her stomach and look down at the man before her. His eyes were very much closed, a small crease furrowed his eyebrows but Aoshi replied in kind to her question.
“I would hope Saitou has dealt with it.”
“You had another plan didn’t you?” Misao voiced softly and watched Aoshi’s eyes pry open, they a deep grey in colouring as anger had flashed through them, but not because of her.
“I had suspected those bastards were perhaps the ones that kidnapped you, but had no true evidence. When you froze up at the cabin in the forest that was confirmation enough for me and so I let them chase us and led them straight into Saitou’s trap.”
“Aoshi…” Misao muttered as she watched his eyes darkened to a smouldering green, his left hand coming around to splay possessively across her back.
“I felt it was necessary for Saitou to take them down because if I got hold of any of the men, they wouldn’t be alive for what they did to you.” Misao cupped Aoshi’s face not realising how much her bloody and injured form haunted his very mind.
“Thank you for coming for me.” Misao whispered and placed her lips softly to Aoshi’s. They parted beneath hers and she gasped lightly when Aoshi rolled over so that she was beneath him and moaned when he entered her sore yet welcoming womanhood.
“Didn’t I tell you I would always come for you Misao?” Aoshi remarked throatily as his hips rolled sensually against Misao’s as he demonstrated this in another way and listened intently, heart clenching as three precious words were sighed breathlessly into his ear.
XxXxXxX
The sun was well above the horizon as Aoshi stood behind Misao and began doing up the buttons on the western dress while placing kisses against her shoulder blades.
“I never noticed how touchy feely you can be Aoshi.”
“It is in my nature.” The head ninja murmured back against Misao’s addictive skin. “Whenever I get a feel for something – and like it – it cannot escape me.” Aoshi listened to Misao hum softly.
“Like your infamous green tea?” She questioned back and felt the bodice of the dress draw tight over her chest as Aoshi was doing up the last of the buttons.
“Perhaps…” He placed a kiss at the side of Misao’s neck. “But I was referring to you.” She melted instantly as strong arms drew her back towards a bare chest as Aoshi stood behind her in nothing but his western black trousers and belt.
“Though I am a little upset.” Misao huffed lightly. “I can’t believe we finally did that but in a place like this! Its not very romantic at all.” Aoshi could see the pout against her lips as Misao stared at the wall in front of her.
“You were the forceful one that broke me Misao, so I couldn’t wait any longer.” He listened to her soft laughter as she turned around within his embrace to look up at him.
“I know, but it still wasn’t how I imagined it would come about. I guess you in your fundoshi was the last straw of resistance for me.”
“And you and that mouth of yours was the last of my resistance.” Misao flushed and stubbornly turned her head away as Aoshi had bent down to brush his lips against hers.
“No more kissing or anything else until we leave this disgusting inn!” Aoshi smirked down at Misao’s demand and stepped away from her.
“As you wish.” He went to the wooden chair that was holding his purple shirt and slipped it on, fully aware that blue eyes were watching his every movement as he clasped the buttons over his chest and was about to place his jacket on when instead he got an armful of Misao.
“You are too seductive Aoshi-sama.”
“I was getting dressed Misao.”
“Shut up. You know how gorgeous you are and what you do to me.”
“Aa, I do indeed.” The rumble vibrated against Misao as she pressed her lips to the small amount of skin that Aoshi was still showing since he hadn’t buttoned the purple shirt all the way to his neck. Misao knew it for sure now. She was in big trouble. Once she’d gotten a taste of him there was no going back or giving up at all. Her hands clenched around his back, crinkling his shirt as she spoke in a hushed voice to him.
“I’ll demand more of you Aoshi.”
“I’m sure you will.”
“And you are okay with that? You are okay with me wanting to steal you away from training, meditating and Oniwabanshuu business so I can devour you?” Aoshi stroked his fingers down the side of Misao’s face starring into ocean orbs primming with love he never thought he deserved.
“I believe I’ll be quite capable in taking what you offer and can ‘devour you’ as you place it just the same if not better.”
“Only if I demand it.”
“Is that so?” Aoshi watched Misao smile up at him, nod and then flitter away to place her belongings into her satchel. He shook his head lightly, picked up his belongings and opened the shoji. He turned to look back at his new lover, his open palm reaching out for her. “Shall we head home, now that the past can be closed and get back to devouring each other?”
“That’s the best plan you’ve ever had.” Misao voiced, a pink hue rushing across her cheeks as she entwined her fingers with Aoshi’s. They left the inn, the red light district and Osaka all together not once looking back.
XxXxXxX
Aoshi sat by the window on the train heading back to Kyoto with Misao at his side. He felt her shift slightly and was about to look down at her when instead cool lips brushed lightly against his cheek and then those same three words, which were moaned out merely an hour ago were whispered purely and lovingly into his ear.
The grip on Misao’s hand tightened as her blue eyes observed Aoshi turn to look down at her, bringing their joined hands up to his lips so he could kiss her palm lightly. A closed lipped full smile played across Aoshi’s handsome face, it exciting the young shinobi of what was to come in their new future together.
Xx The End xX
Authors Notes: For my Oneesan who sparked the idea from the beginning… I apologise profusely, like I have many times over when we chat for taking so long, but you know how I am and know how long it takes me to do a lemon. I hope you enjoy this and to everyone else who reads it: Arigatou! ^_^