Dainty but strong, trained fingers danced across the expanse of Akira's broad, tanned shoulders. The woman's hands were educated, knowing enough to zero in on a pressure point with just a simple small reaction from him - like a small exhale from his lips or a stiffening of his back. It unclogged knotted muscles, slowly but gradually erasing physical stress. It made life a bit simpler if only for a moment, and the world a bit clearer than other times. With his closed eyes, in this peaceful place where he was escaping the summer heat by sitting inside the pool of cool water, he could almost envision himself on a spring in the middle of a rain forest. In his imagination, he could almost hear the sound of water trickling from tree leaves up above. Aftermath of a summer rain...

The air inside the bath smelled of the peach-scented soap that he had used to lather himself, earlier on. The mere scent brought him back to reality. Akira cracked his eyelids open slowly, taking in the sight of his surroundings, and paying attention to the appearance of the bath for the first time since he had arrived in this brothel. One day in the future, he would remember this peaceful setting amidst this bloody era. And on that day, he would be able to look back and laugh at memories such as these, just because he would still be alive...

Marble flooring the colour of ivory stretched far and wide inside this elegantly designed bath. In the back area of the bath, where Akira was now, there were two large pools. One was a hot spring and the other, an indoor pool filled with cool water. Japan was known for its many hot springs. Kyoto had its own share and in turn, Shidareyanagi too had its own. The hot spring in this brothel was innate in the estate's grounds. It had been here since the mountains near Shidareyanagi had existed. The pool of cool water, meanwhile, had been cleverly engineered and constructed. Water, clear and pure, had been from the river. It was directed to the bath of the brothel using a small man-made stream and to make sure that it was always fresh, it had been designed to be drained by using a sloping ground just outside the bath. It was another small stream that led to the opposite side of the flowing river so that the used water would drain towards the sea.

Among the two pools, Akira had chosen to soak in the cool one. It was only natural. As it was hot in this early afternoon, the choice had been the cold water. So now, in the pool, he was immersed until the base of his neck as he leaned back against the constructed marble surface built around the man-made indoor pool. Around Akira were the three beautiful and naked prostitutes, two at his sides chatting with him, and the other sitting outside the spring, right behind him as she massaged his shoulder muscles. Akira remembered that the two of the ladies where with the manager earlier on when the man had fetched Kaede. The other lady had come at a later time.

After the manager had left, the two had stayed behind, telling him that they were instructed by Hirohito himself to serve as company to him while the man borrowed Kaede. Akira had trained some more, practicing sword techniques, martial arts and even chi manipulation. All through it, the women had stayed at the sidelines like Kaede had, clapping their small hands whenever they were impressed by his moves. At the end of the practice session, he had been panting and sweaty. He had gone to lean on a tree and the women had neared him. But instead of just two, there were instead three. All beautiful whores who had smiles upon their painted faces...

The third woman had brought a bento box from the mansion. The manager himself had instructed her. Because it was lunchtime, the four of them had opted to stay there for awhile. The ladies had accompanied Akira while he ate a delicious lunch that consisted of traditional Japanese food: egg and fish sushi, cold soba, and spring rolls. There had been enough to fill his hungry belly. Whilst eating, so that there was no uncomfortable silence between him and the women who refused to share his meal, there had been small talk. They talked about the most mundane of things like how this brothel was more than half a century in its existence, what his favorite food was, did he not consider any of them as pretty... But most importantly, they had spoken about the person that sparked Akira's curiosity the most: Kaede.

Like Kaede's attitude. Was he always silent? Did he have no friends? Is he truly just fourteen years young? Had any of them known him since he was a child in this high-class brothel? To which they answered, yes, yes, yes, and no. The three of them were mostly new. Two of them were born and raised in Kyoto, once living in the poor back streets with their large families. One came from a small village in the Kansai area, forced to go to the capital so as to find money to help her old parents. They all shared one thing in common. They resorted to selling their bodies so as to help the loved-ones in their lives. Akira had admired them in that way although he could not really help but silently question why they had to choose their line of profession. There were people out there who had the same vocation as them, but had no freedom to choose like them... Shackled people who longed for a better life or at least a choice - something they had, yet something they took for granted. Shackled people who were...slaves...

Like Kaede...

After lunch, they had walked on back to the mansion, still exchanging small talk. Although Akira spoke with the beautiful women about the arts, the kabuki theater, and some current events, his mind was somewhere else. He was thinking of someone else - one who needed him, though was not aware that he did. Someone he wanted to witness as a free person instead of a caged slave. Kaede...

He had not been able to save the boy from his master Hirohito when the man had summoned Kaede. During those moments of walking back to the mansion, he could not help but clench his fists on his sides, face looking normal but insides feeling bitter. Although he was aware that Kaede was used to serving men, he couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to stop the boy from doing his job. He knew it was out of his hands, especially since the man that Kaede was serving was his very own master Hirohito, but he couldn't help what he felt...

To perhaps distract him, the ladies had advised him to bathe so as to help him cool down. His clothes had been soaked with sweat then, as caused by the rigorous training that he had just done. At first, Akira had declined when they suggested that they go with him in the bath. But after they stopped in the dining room where the women deposited the empty bento box to a servant and after he had drank some green tea, the manager had come to him. And that man had been persuasive, telling him about the benefits of massage and whatnot. He truly didn't need the women but after much insisting on their part that the bath would not mean anything unless he wanted it to, he finally agreed.

Four of them then moved on to this large bath, and they had all taken their clothes off. They all lathered together, white suds on their bodies smelling of sweet, ripe peaches. The women gave him teasing touches once in awhile, coating his hard muscles with white foam, and it had been almost fun if only he was /that/ type of person. After washing themselves, they all had opted to soak in the cold pool, just to cool themselves down. And now, he was in this situation of bliss where pretty things were surrounding him, almost making him forget about his beliefs just because there was nothing malicious happening yet.

Akira closed his eyes again, the darkness behind his lids a welcome respite. Skilled fingers continued to nudge the flesh of his shoulders and the back of his neck. It made him sigh in pleasure. The two women were sitting next to him, their soft bodies pressed against his sides. It was a relaxing early afternoon in this place and he could almost rest and forget everything else. The manager had been right about the effects of human touch - that it could soothe something in you. A moment of connection, the man had said. A time to pause life, and to just enjoy small basic things like breathing and feeling. Akira felt himself letting go of his alertness, knowing that mere women prostitutes were not a threat to him as a person. All he felt now was calmness, pleasure and stillness. And so his consciousness was slowly beginning to falter as so many feminine hands were caressing the hardness of his shoulders, arms, chest and abdomen...

And then something wayward suddenly happened.

Akira's eyes snapped open in surprise, his blue gaze zeroing in on the sight of a delicate hand that circled his length under the clear spring water. Looking immediately sideward, he saw one of the pretty prostitutes smiling coyly at him as she began to run the pads of her fingers across the length of his manhood. Akira hissed and he felt his stomach knotting as heat centred on his groin, waking him up completely from the daze that he had been in while he was relaxing himself. He reached down below the water immediately and pulled the hand away from him, his gaze towards the woman becoming stern. The woman frowned slightly, looking, for one moment, disappointed. She quickly masked her emotions though as a pleasant smile touched her lips.

"Lord Akira, do you not want us to...?" she asked, her voice soft and seductive. The long black wet hair that framed her delicate face caressed her pale skin, and her lips were pink and soft. Her large brown eyes gleamed with unsuppressed lust and Akira almost sighed if he was incapable of controlling himself.

"Please leave me." Akira commanded, trying not to look at the woman's large breasts. Behind him, he could feel the other two women pressing their fronts to his back and sides. He gritted his teeth as he felt a sharp tingle in his groin. If he could control himself, he wouldn't have to use these women. Although he could just do it... do them... There was a part of him that did not want to do so. It related to his humanity and his creed as an honourable swordsman. To pay for services based on pleasures of the flesh was, in his opinion, low and unrighteous. Although he was acquainted with many men who liked these kinds of things, he was different...

"Are you truly sure that you don't want us or perhaps one of us, Lord Akira?" came a warm and breathy whisper to the shell of his ear. It came from behind him, words accompanied by the action of a large breast pressing against the side of his right arm.

"Your body craves for release. We are only here to help..."

And he almost felt as if he could no longer resist as one of the women reached for his hardening manhood once again, her delicate hands circling around it, flesh against sensitized flesh. A mouth bit into his ear, suckling playfully as hands began to knead his hard, tanned abdominal muscles. Soon, one of the women was in his lap, ready to -

And that was when the door opened with a whoosh, wood smoothly moving against wood, surprising the four of them into looking towards the person who had arrived...

Akira turned his head sharply towards the direction of the bath's door, which was located a few feet away - towards the front of the bath where some stalls were. His eyes looked from the expanse of white marble floor, towards the pale feet, upward to the long slender legs, the black fall of a silk kimono until the waist where the folds of the kimono began to part. The beginning of a smooth torso was located there. Gazing higher, his blue eyes travelled to the slightly-exposed flat chest, the carved collar bones, the long and slender swan neck, and then... His eyes caught the sight of the face.

Those features...

Eyes the colour of a dark azure night and black silk hair framing a beautiful boy's face...

Akira knew that face. And he gasped in surprise as he saw the beginning of recognition in the boy's eyes. It was none other than a person he had vowed to save from this brothel. It was Kaede, looking blankly ahead of him, emotionless face reminiscent of when they had first looked closely at each other. But now, Kaede had just seen him in the company of...

"I'm sorry." the boy said immediately, politely, as he bowed his head in apology. "I'll come back later. I didn't mean to disturb..."

As Kaede turned away from the sight of what seemed like a coition, Akira found himself standing immediately from the cool spring water, his feet planting on the floor of the pool. The woman in his lap fell unceremoniously from his lap at his actions, emitting a soft yelp. She landed back on the water with a splash. Akira was only focused on the sight of the boy who was moving a leg, ready to leave. "Kaede, no!"

The boy immediately paused, feet planted obediently on the smooth white marble floor. His rigid clothed back faced Akira. He said nothing but stood still, as if he was a statue.

"Please..." And Akira looked at the ladies that surrounded him, his blue eyes looking very serious. "Please leave me, ladies. I'm sorry but please leave."

For one moment, they almost looked affronted, but they quickly veiled their features, standing too from the spring. They came to stand below his shoulders - small Japanese women that they were. And bowing their elegant heads politely at him, they moved to get out of the pool, their movements awkwardly graceful - not naturally graceful like Kaede. Naked, they began to walk soundlessly towards the front of the bath where they had hung fresh kimonos. Akira watched them as they hastily wiped themselves dry and wrapped their silk kimonos around their bare feminine bodies. They did not bother to finish wrapping their obi around their waists as they quickly moved to leave, passing around Kaede's still form, moving out to the hallway, then closing the bathroom door with a small clicking sound.

And then there were just the two of them.

"Kaede, please come..." Akira asked, lifting a hand, palm-up, as if in invitation.

In slow movements, Kaede did as he was told, turning smoothly on his heels, his gaze cast down in respect. With liquid grace, he moved, long legs making their way across the space that separated him from Akira. His black kimono had not been bound by the sash. He had left it with Hirohito. With each step, the kimono parted, revealing his smooth and slender body. It slowly fell off his shoulders and arms because of his movements and because of gravity, although it looked more like it had a life of its own. The silk cloth shifted, inch by inch, revealing more and more of him. Only when he was before the pool did the silk fall in a heap on the white marble behind him, showing all of his body to the naked and aroused man who stood looking at him with appraisal.

"Join me?" Akira asked, hand reaching forward towards Kaede automatically, even without him thinking.

The boy's fringe was long, covering his eyes, as he nodded his head. He placed his own hand on Akira's, easily figuring out that the swordsman needed one thing from him right now, as based on the swordsman's disposition. It was something he had expected since the swordsman and the politician had arrived yesterday morning. No amount of hesitation on Akira's part would ever change the fact that in the end, the swordsman would be like every other man who longed only to consume him.

Kaede entered the water, its coolness wrapping around his legs like a blanket. Heat of summer slowly faded, replaced by a soothing and cleansing feeling. He descended towards the constructed pool, flesh connecting with its floor. The marble under the pads of his feet was smooth. His hand was still in Akira's grip, their flesh never breaking apart. His gaze never lifted, as he looked only at the surface of the water. The water that shifted upon his entry slowly stilled until it was tranquil and clear again, like that of a mirror. He saw himself and the swordsman reflected there.

"How would you like for me to relieve you, Akira-san?" he asked, his voice low. His words were a soft seduction that he was trained to say and he had to speak them no matter how much he hated to say such obscene things. They were fabricated lies that he was taught to utter because if he did not, the consequences were very dire indeed.

"Is that what you really want?" Akira asked, needing to let this young creature understand something about him in this early afternoon - to teach an unforgettable lesson. His gaze was directed only on the black fringe that covered the boy's eyes. His hand shifted against Kaede's, their fingers slowly becoming entwined. A silent connection�

"What you want is what I want, Akira-san. Your pleasure is my pleasure." Spoken in a soft but sure tone.

"But if you had a choice, would you still serve me that way?"

"You're not forcing me. I am what I am. I do this because this is who I am..."

"Do you really believe that?"

Kaede's lips trembled slightly but he firmed his jaw, needing only to be strong. Of course, he did not believe that but for now, he had to survive. "...Yes."

"Then serve me, Kaede. Lay on the marble floor and spread your legs far apart. Look into my eyes and beg me to claim you. Hear me taunt that you are merely a whore and that I'm only pitying you. That I don't really want to touch you... And lay there passively, wantonly... You are that kind of person, aren't you?"

Kaede was silent, and his eyes suddenly felt prickly from hearing the calm words spilling out from the kind swordsman's lips. He'd always known that each man who neared him always had a malicious intent. And now, Akira...

To hear such words that defined him - words that clearly described what kind of person he was. Kaede felt his heart clenching in immense ache, as if Akira's own hand had grabbed it in a cruel fist. The pain was even more intensified because the man before him was unlike other men, in that he was righteous and clean - something Kaede will never be. But he knew that no matter what he heard, he must remain calm and patient. He had to be determined to fight off the words that threatened to break him.

The swordsman continued.

"You could choose to be that way, Kaede. But then... you could also be yourself. You could allow yourself, for one moment, to be free from the cruel world that had enslaved you. Act as who you are. Act as who you would have been if you were free. Break away from your bonds and taunt those who had been cruel to you by experiencing life even through all your sufferings. Stand next to a person and, for once, do not be degraded in any way... Do you know what I truly want from you, Kaede?"

With a voice that barely restrained the ache, Kaede whispered, "What?"

Akira's hand unconsciously tightened around Kaede's as he said nothing at first. He looked only at the boy whose head was bowed in seeming respect. They were before each other, two individuals separated by class, distinction, vocation and many other things. But right now, they were only separated by a mere physical step. Akira felt the world grow smaller in that instant as if Japan ceased to exist and Kyoto was just another word. In the narrowing world he was witnessing, there was no longer any ninja nearby to guard Kaede. Even the elegant bath around them was slowly fading. Everything was slowly being reduced to something his quickly beating heart deemed as very significant. Reduced to two people who were like that of heaven and hell...

A balance...

A stillness between breaths...

And before Akira knew it, he closed the small distance between him and the boy and he repeated his action from this morning, one arm reaching forward to pull Kaede to him. The arm wrapped around Kaede's waist as he pressed his chin on top of the boy's head, their hands still entwined.

"To hold you, Kaede." he whispered against the boy's hair. "Just to hold you."

***

Sound of thunder was an unexpected thing to be heard in the afternoon on that summer day. It rarely rained in summer, but when it did, it was seen as a blessing. Even through the humidity and the sticky feeling that would be felt when hot sun and sudden rain would mix, people still liked it when heaven opened its arms and cried. Those who had farms liked it as it nourished their crops and land. Others liked it because rain refreshed the otherwise dry surroundings. Children and the young at heart liked it because it was an excuse to forget their worries and to just stand or play under the pouring rain. To let themselves become soaked through their clothes, and let the heat be washed away by heaven's waters...

It wasn't raining yet though. At that moment in mid-afternoon, the sky had just darkened, formerly cerulean horizons from that morning turning to a grey hue. Clouds hung low and covered the sky, the colour of dark ash. Sun was not visible as well. The only light in the sky came from the occasional flashes of lightning which were followed by loud sounds of thunderclaps. Rain would be the canopy of Kyoto soon.

Even though the afternoon had darkened, two youths walked side by side, saying not a word to each other. They were both dressed in identical yukatas, white cloth printed with small blue sparrows, although one was larger in size than the other. A servant had brought their clothing after they had bathed.

During the bath earlier on, there were not many words exchanged. They had just sat side by side, soaked in the pool, their sides pressing against each other. The only significant interactions that they shared had been physical ones like when Akira chose to touch Kaede's bowed head, to look at Kaede's limp hand, to marvel at the smoothness of a shoulder and to caress the softness of Kaede's lips. But Akira hadn't done anything else; he was too righteous to do so. He'd always held back even though his desire for the boy had been creating physical effects on him. Kaede had silently just let him touch him, obviously expecting more as based on his experiences. But when Akira had done nothing during the entire twenty minutes that they were together, Kaede couldn't help but look surprised, for the briefest of moments. They'd dressed in the delivered yukatas after that and Akira had lead Kaede to the manager's office where he had told the man that he would hire Kaede for the rest of his stay here. The manager had nodded his head and smiled but there seemed a secret meaning behind the gaze that he had given to Akira. Akira quickly shoved off the dread he felt at that moment as he asked Kaede to walk with him outdoors.

Now, outside the mansion, they walked with a slow and relaxed pace, not at the back where the lake was at, but rather, on the sides of the mansion. Flora and fruit trees dominated this place, a prism of colours, highlighted even more because of the darkness of the afternoon. Sweet scent of the garden was strong as they took their silent steps, the feeling of thin grass blades brushing against the sides of their slippered feet...

Suddenly, the swordsman paused, lifting his gaze. Across the garden, right at the back of the front red, wooden fence, was a small building. It only had one story and was as cleverly designed as the fences and the mansion in this estate, with red-tiled roofs and an oriental design. The front doors were open and servants in simple clothes were carrying sacks inside. A soft animal sound was heard from the inside and almost immediately, Akira recognized what kind of animal it was.

It was a horse... Or rather, horses. And the small building right before the high red fence was a stable.

Akira spoke, wishing to visit that place at that moment, "Do you visit the stable sometimes, Kaede?"

Next to him, the boy had suddenly paused upon realization that he was no longer walking behind Akira, as was expected of a lower class person like him. He stopped his silent footsteps once he was next to the swordsman and lifted his gaze, looking towards the stable. What had the swordsman asked of him? Did he visit the stable? The swordsman asked the oddest of questions sometimes. But he answered nonetheless, "Yes, Akira."

"Ah, so you like horses too? I like them very much. I've begun to learn riding when I was six... Though, of course, I had to ride ponies at first. Ever ridden one, Kaede?" Akira started to move his feet again, towards the direction of the stable. Beside him, Kaede echoed his actions, head bowing down to look at the grassy ground once more.

Kaede was silent at first as he tried to recall his past - if he'd ever ridden a horse before. When he was a small child, not knowing of sin, he remembered that he hadn't. His father never took him out when he rode. That was only reserved for his real children; Kaede had been illegitimate. Maybe during a time when he was still unable to keep memories, he had. Maybe, before migrating to Japan with his mother, he'd had an uncle or grandfather who had held him while he was placed on a horse. Maybe... but he didn't remember it now. The first and only significant memory he had of riding and travelling by a horse was on that heartbreaking day when his family's blood had spilled and he was whisked away to the Imperial Palace where he had been...

Unconsciously, Kaede shook his head minimally so as to clear his mind. It didn't work. What distracted him though was a sudden, almost wayward touch to his left shoulder and when he looked at the hand, he almost knew who it belonged to, just basing from the tanned complexion and the weight. Kaede lifted his gaze and through his long fringe, he saw Akira looking at him with concern. Kaede wanted to look away from the mere kind gaze but stopped himself even though the look that the swordsman was giving him caused ache in his chest. It provoked guilt and the knowledge that he could never deserve something so warm and so gentle - whether it was real or not. So instead, as always, Kaede strengthened himself, needing such an attribute in every second that he was still breathing.

"Are you okay?" Akira asked, seeing the struggle in the boy's gaze. His hand upon the boy's shoulder tightened, gentle but secure. "I hope I didn't say anything offensive..."

"No... It's nothing, my lor... I mean, Akira." Kaede answered, voice as soft as the wind.

Akira barely heard the words but nodded nonetheless. His gaze was still concerned but he shrugged anyway, dropping his supporting hand from the boy's shoulder and letting it fall to his side. Almost reluctant, he turned instead to the sight of the stable, which was situated a few steps away. To anyone else, it would have loomed large even though it only had one floor, but to Akira who was very tall indeed, the top of the door was nearly his height.

"Would you like to go to the stable, Kaede? It's right before us. There is no harm in seeing the horses, don't you think so?"

The boy shrugged his shoulders, printed yukata shifting against his skin. The cotton of the fabric felt soft against his body. There was truly no harm in going to the stable. He'd done so in the past. He'd just look at the large creatures, hear them neigh softly, watch them eat grasses, smell the scent of the stable. The stable didn't smell as fresh and as sweet as the garden that surrounded the mansion but it had its own unique scent. Scent of fresh grass and horses...

They walked the rest of the way, around seven more steps, until they reached the doorway to the stable. Akira passed through the door first. Japanese custom dictated that the higher in status would always walk first before the lower one. Upon entry, he immediately met the sight of one of the servants who was distributing portions of grasses to the horses inside. It was an old man who had smiling eyes, proof that he was contented with his job. It was a good thing to see such lustrous eyes in this time and age - to see the hint that someone somewhere in this brutal Japan would still feel seemingly unattainable peace. The man had such an attribute. It could be seen in the gentle way he placed his hand on a horse's head, stroking it between its ears. It could be witnessed in the way he placed blades of grasses under its mouth with utmost care, feeding it intimately.

"Good afternoon, my lord and Kaede-kun." the man greeted, smiling then bowing his head politely. He bent down after that and picked up a sack of cut grasses. His old body moved to the next stall where a white horse was looking expectantly at him. The man then began to place the horse's share of grasses in the wooden container that was located in front of the stall. From the sack, thin, fresh, green leaves fluttered to the container and soon, the horse was happily consuming its dinner. The man stroked the horse between its ears like he did the previous horse then went on to the next stall.

"Interesting creatures, they are." Akira muttered as he walked towards the nearest stall, Kaede right behind him. Scent of freshly cut grass and stable assaulted them as they walked through the floor that was partly covered with strands of hay. "Don't you think so, Kaede?"

Initially, Kaede said nothing as he moved towards the first stall as well, where Akira had paused. Akira was reaching out to touch a tall black horse, one that was large enough to be used for transportation or maybe even fighting. Kaede's mind immediately analyzed the creature's kind and he spoke his thoughts, just because Akira was the kind of client who wanted to hear his views and opinions always. "They are... And, by the way... That is the Mizaki Horse."

Akira couldn't help but turn the direction of his head towards Kaede. He looked down at the younger boy as a curious look fell upon his eyes. The corners of his lips tugged up in interest as he longed to hear Kaede's voice. "Very smart. I know of the name but not of the history. I'm assuming you've been taught the various breeds?"

The boy nodded his head in the smallest of actions as he looked only at the wise glossy black eyes of the horse. The black beauty was looking back at him as if it understood him. Kaede suspected that it actually did. It was best not to underestimate anyone, whether they were humans or even animals. "Servants teach me. I suppose because I listen, they speak to me..."

"Then tell me about these kinds of horses. No. Tell me the kinds of horses in this stable. I want to know. I'm curious."

Kaede did.

"The horse before us is the Mizaki Horse." Kaede spoke in an even tone, clear enough to be heard over the sound of soft neighs and speaking servants. He reached out unconsciously and touched the tall horse's head. His thumb grazed over the point between the ears before it glided towards the soft black mane. It made the horse sigh in pleasure. The horse was a beauty despite the fact that it was black. In fact, perhaps the colour of black even accentuated its attractiveness for the dark colour made you strive hard to look closer. And when you did, you would see kind and old eyes - eyes that had seen the brutality of this country when it trotted with a rider across lands filled with murderers... Murderers like him. "This breed has it origins in Miyazaki Prefecture. They average 130 to 135 centimetres in height. They first appear in history in 1697 when the Akizuki family of the Takanabe Clan took animals - then grazing wild - under its protection and created a stud farm. The system was based on giving the breeding stock full freedom. The horses were rounded up once a year, presumably to select horses for training, as well as to check on health and perhaps castrate males thought unfit for breeding."

"Wow... is that so? I should have paid more attention when they were teaching me such things. But sometimes, I liked lazing around more. I guess I couldn't help it. I was just a kid when they taught me the Japanese horse breeds. Back then, I had even preferred fishing, did you know?" Akira chuckled softly to himself, recalling times when he took off from his practices when he was a young boy, grabbing a line and going to his home's pond in the backyard. There were stepping stones there. One time, he had played with a small sad boy there but he could barely remember that child now.

"What else would you like information about, Akira?" the young prostitute asked, not really knowing how to react to Akira's blissful words and recollection. Whenever a client laughed at something funny, Kaede never did know how to react. Most of the time, he'd instruct his face to be serene, as if he too was enjoying the lame jokes of his customers. But somehow, during this moment, he felt as though to do such a thing was deceiving and very improper. The young man by his side would be able to read him, something that not so many men could do. So instead, Kaede changed the subject with discretion.

It worked.

Akira was already moving his slippered feet through the hay on the floor, moving to the next stall where a small white horse was grazing on the fresh blades of grasses, which were on the wooden container before it. "How about this one, Kaede? It's small. I know that it's called the Noma Horse but do you know more details about it? And if it wouldn't be such a bother to you, would you tell me about it, please?"

With small movements, Kaede pulled his hand back from petting the head of the black Mizaki Horse. The horse nudged the side of its head against the inside of his thin wrist, making Kaede look at it for a moment. There was almost compassion in the horse's eyes, as if it sympathized with Kaede. If Kaede had been capable, he would have smiled at the silent reassurance from the creature. Instead, he merely nodded his head at it. It neighed softly in response.

Kaede moved his feet towards the next stall, standing near Akira once more. Lifting his gaze, he saw that the swordsman had an interested look upon his eyes, as if he was a child discovering horses for the first time. The young man experienced simple joy upon the sight of tall roans the colour of black, white or brown. It said a lot about what kind of person Akira was, despite the fact that he worked as a guard to a Tokugawa government official and the fact that he was a swordsman who was capable of ending the life of anyone. It made Kaede turn his head away from the young man, to look instead at the small white horse before him, who was oblivious to Akira and himself. The horse was busily eating its dinner.

Trying to block out the thought that he would betray Akira's trust later on when he would have to murder Hirohito, Kaede tried instead to recall the details about the Noma Horse. He had to drift away from these bothering emotions that were coursing inside him with tumultuous intensity. He had to, lest it would cost him hesitation later on. No person should ever be worth a brief moment of hesitation on his part. Because if there was hesitation when it was time for him to murder a shogun's lackey, the consequences were truly very dire� He could get caught. He could die. He could be given a very cruel punishment. Or he could even be sent to the shogun, to be judged by the powerful man.

How could he ever risk all those things for anyone even if that man was a kind and noble swordsman?

"Kaede?"

The sound of his name being uttered by a concerned voice brought Kaede back to reality. He swallowed immediately, realizing suddenly one small fact. He had been thinking too much lately. He worried himself to no end. He questioned himself. He felt odd emotions coursing through his veins. And one of the reasons was because of the tall man who stood beside him.

Silent guilt made Kaede clench his fists tightly as he took in a calming breath. He almost closed his eyes but stopped himself immediately once he realized that he was about to do so. If he closed his eyes, Akira would know that there was something wrong with him once more. The swordsman almost always knew when he wasn't feeling well and didn't hesitate to try to comfort him. It was painful to Kaede whenever that happened because he was aware that he didn't deserve such a thing - despite it being a genuine gesture or not. It made his heart clench as it pounded so harshly against his chest, as if it was a tiny creature full of ache and fear. He didn't like the feeling at all.

Finally, he just concentrated on answering Akira's question.

"The smallest of Japanese local breeds is the Noma horse, native to the Noma region of Imabari in Ehime Prefecture." Kaede said, his throat tight. He breathed deeply but quietly, needing to control himself as his fists shook on his sides. "It stands only 110 centimetres. It is said that in the 17th century, Lord Hisamatsu of Matsuyama Han charged local farmers with the breeding of horses. The smallest of these, the ancestors of the present breed, were particularly useful as packhorses on steep mountainsides and on remote islands--"

Kaede didn't get to finish his explanation as a very loud sound of thunder clapped with force. Horses were suddenly neighing, some lifting their front feet from the ground in sudden panic at the startling sound. The three servants who were inside the stable were immediately trying to calm the horses. Outside, sound of heavy rain was suddenly heard. There was a downpour, summer rain bathing the beautiful but sinful estate of Shidareyanagi. It made Akira suddenly look towards the doorway, his blue eyes catching the sight of silver rain amidst a dark afternoon, falling like small straight threads from the skies.

"Kaede, let's go!" Akira exclaimed, looking at the younger boy as he rushed towards the door of the stable. He gestured with his hand for the boy to follow, watching as Kaede did as he was told, moving his feet briskly so as to stand beside him. For awhile they looked at the rain that canopied the gardens - the place where they would have to travel. The rain could get harsher. They shouldn't be stuck in the stable... So then, suddenly, Akira looked at Kaede and cocked his head to the side, a gesture that said that they should run for it.

And they suddenly did. Amidst the summer rain, they ran like boys. Everything was forgotten momentarily. For a few seconds, Akira was not a swordsman and Kaede was not a prostitute. They were just two youths who had to run through the pouring rain, their slippered feet being drenched in mud, and their yukatas and hair being soaked in rainwater.

Across the garden, they ran, its beauty forgotten. Across the lawn, they travelled quickly, scent of grass intensifying as provoked by the rain. Towards the front door of the mansion, they rushed, warm steam from the formerly heated ground rising towards the sky. A few more quick steps, a bit more energy exerted and then...

The mansion's front door suddenly slid open with a loud thud as Akira moved it causing a young maid who had been walking on the hallway inside to jump in surprise. She clutched the front of her kimono in her hands for one moment, an almost defensive gesture, as she squinted at Akira and Kaede. When she noticed who they were, she immediately composed herself, bowing her head lowly in greeting.

"Sorry." Akira said immediately, lifting a hand and rubbing the back of his head, a sign that he felt sheepish about his recent action. Drops of water and stains of mud from their slippers and clothes littered the polished mahogany floor below him and Kaede, making the maid, in discretion, look towards the mess that they had done. Akira cast his gaze downward to the dirt that stained the formerly shiny mahogany floor. And then Akira realized it...

"I'm sorry!" He immediately backed away towards the outside of the front door. He pulled his feet from the slippers he wore, taking note that the young prostitute Kaede was copying his actions. Sound of slippers clacking against wood was heard as they removed them from their feet. Beside him, Kaede was silent, head bowed, only waiting for the next command to be given to him. Akira looked up once more at the maid. "That was careless of me. I hope that you would not take offense in my insolence."

The maid was already smiling in silent amusement, young brown eyes looking very vibrant even in this rainy afternoon. "It's not a problem, my lord. Please do enter lest you get even wetter. And please rise to your room. I will bring some towels and new yukatas for the both of you."

"Thank you." Akira nodded his head, seeing another pleasant smile from the young maid.

Before matters could become worse, Akira turned his gaze towards Kaede and inclined his head downward to nod at the boy. It was meant to communicate his desire to do what the maid had advised - to run towards his room upstairs so that they could immediately change and flee from the possibility of sickness. And so, together, they entered the mansion and rushed past the maid, water dripping from them to the once-clean wooden floor. They travelled through the hallways, slowly drying pads of their feet sliding against the mahogany wooden floor. They ascended up the stairs to the second floor, with soft but quick footsteps, until they reached the first door from the stairs. With a thud, the panelled door slid open upon Akira's manipulation and the room was revealed. It was Akira's room, one that he had rented during his three-day stay in this place.

Akira entered first, immediately moving to peel away the soaked yukata that he wore. His hands undid the sash around his waist as he looked towards Kaede who had his back turned to him. The younger boy was closing the door in near-silent movements, the only sound coming from his direction, that of the sliding door clicking close - wood against wood. The boy just stood in his place, his hands in front of him, perhaps undoing his sash. The sash soon loosened and was let go by graceful hands, falling to the floor with a wet noise. Akira echoed the motions, dropping his own sash on the tatami flooring. And then, concurrently, Akira and Kaede peeled off their sopping wet yukatas, pulling them from their arms then letting them fall to the floor.

Once the swordsman was done, he just stood in the centre of the room where his feet had lead him to, earlier on. His eyes were cast only on the boy who stood as naked as him, a few steps away. Kaede's back was stiff, as he was only looking at the door of Akira's rented room. Akira was not sure if the boy was waiting for his command or invitation to come inside the room or if there was anything else...

But suddenly, a sudden movement from the young prostitute alerted him that something was perhaps wrong. Kaede's stiff shoulders had suddenly moved, beginning to shake as if it was cold even on this rainy summer afternoon. It made Akira worried as he planted his foot on the tatami floor, wondering what was the matter. There was a sudden desire to come closer, to touch a shaking shoulder, as if to make the boy realize that from today on, he was no longer alone. But Akira hesitated for one moment, as he just watched the boy's back...

Kaede had such a beautiful back. It was white, like a canvas waiting to be painted upon. It was slender, bones and skin creating a perfect symphony. It felt so smooth too, as Akira had been able to touch it earlier in the day when he had shared a bath with the younger boy. The mere curve of the spine from the neck to the buttocks looked almost artistic, supporting a body that looked holy. Akira's eyes traced every ridge of the spine as if his fingers or his lips were the one doing so. If he was not so hesitant, he would just near the boy and -

But he was righteous and he had a creed. How could he ever just let himself go? How could he just...?

Despite Akira's dilemma however, his feet had already started to move, gliding smoothly against the tatami. Air shifted against his wet muscled body, the mere movement of his limbs dictating muscles to ripple. Each step seemed like a mile and each breath that he took seemed like a lifetime. Even though there were barely six steps that separated him from Kaede, it seemed so far away. Akira's arms moved against his sides as he continued the last few steps that lead towards the young prostitute. And soon, he found that he could no longer walk on further as the front of his body had pressed against Kaede's wet and naked back.

For the briefest of moments, Akira just stood there, letting his senses and instincts control him. He felt warmth mingled through their wet skin; Kaede's shaking had suddenly ceased. He smelled the scent of rain and garden from Kaede's wet hair, which was right under his nose. He heard a soft intake of breath from the boy, as if Kaede had not expected him to come near him. He could taste rainwater as his tongue unconsciously licked his lips. And finally, he saw Kaede slowly turning his head towards his direction, the boy's blue eyes looking partly lifeless as he gazed expectantly up at him...

And Akira felt that he couldn't hold it in anymore.

With a sudden movement, he wrapped his left arm around Kaede's waist, the inside of that arm caressing Kaede's side and belly, hand circling around Kaede's right waist. The other hand lifted from his side and moved towards the back of Kaede's head, making it stay in place. As Kaede looked up at him with an expression of blankness, only expecting what he expected from every other man who hired him, Akira instead did something that the boy did not expect...

This was going to be different because it would actually mean something...

Akira's face descended towards Kaede's suddenly, head leaning downward, actions becoming more aggressive than the last few hours that he had stayed in this brothel. His eyes slowly slid close as he tilted his head to the side, letting the distance between his lips and Kaede's close. His heart was beating so strongly inside the cage of his body. The sound of rain was fading. Everything else was disappearing. And his lips...

His lips touched Kaede's pliant ones, but did not move as quickly as the boy expected. There was self-control within the kiss and despite the demanding need he was feeling in his body, what followed instead was gentle coaxing as lips moved against lips.

The swordsman tilted his head further to find the perfect position, still cradling the back of Kaede's head and still holding Kaede's waist securely from behind. His lips parted and his wet tongue darted out so as to connect with the younger boy's lips. He licked the boy's lips with the smallest of touches, tasting, experimenting. Kaede was already opening his lips from instinct and Akira advanced even further. Akira made love to Kaede's lips as he slowly entered the boy's mouth with his exploratory tongue. It felt warm and wet, sweet even, like honey. Akira began to move his tongue inside the boy, touching the smoothness of front teeth, then delving further, seeking Kaede's own tongue. His arm around Kaede's waist tightened as he felt the beginning of heat gathering on his groin. The hand on Kaede's head began to move through wet silken locks, tightening once in awhile, in gentle possession. When his tongue found Kaede's, he stroked his own against it, the mere action sending jolts of excitement that travelled from his lips to the back of his eyelids. It moved on further down his spine like a web spreading outward, to his limbs, the centre of his belly and to the sensitive flesh of his groin. He felt the beginning of arousal...

Everything felt so good as pleasure of the flesh nearly consumed him, trapping him into worldly desire. He wanted to consume this boy despite his morals. He wanted to touch the boy even more. He wanted more than just to kiss him. He wanted to place the boy on a futon and spread him, watch all of him, take all of him. He wanted... so much...

Harsh struggle for right and wrong warred inside his mind despite the intense kiss that he was sharing with Kaede. He wanted to do one thing and yet, he needed to do another. He wanted to silence his conscience. He wanted more of this heat and this pleasure. He wanted to do so many things and he suffered inside for what he should do.

But Akira suddenly found that he didn't have to struggle inside himself, as the moment was broken for him.

By someone...

"I'm sorry, my lord!"

Akira's eyes opened immediately as his lips and jaw went slack against Kaede's, the kiss pausing. In front of them, when he focused his gaze, he was just in time to see and hear the door closing with a firm click. Someone had just opened the door and, upon the sight of Akira and Kaede kissing so intimately, the person with a feminine voice had immediately closed the door....

Akira looked down from the sight of the panelled door upon instinct, towards the tatami flooring in front of Kaede's feet. He saw that Kaede's wet yukata had already been collected. Instead, located on the tatami floor were two fresh white yukatas, neatly folded and ready to be used. There was also a stack of white towels for them to dry themselves with. The mere sight of the distracting white cloths on the tatami made Akira feel suddenly sheepish as he loosened his arm around Kaede's waist, the hand that had buried on the back of Kaede's head, releasing then dropping to his side. He saw Kaede lowering his gaze, long wet fringe covering the emotions of his eyes as the boy slowly turned his head away from Akira towards the door of the room. Their lips parted upon Kaede's escaping motions, almost heartbreakingly, as if what they shared was nothing more than a meaningless game. Akira felt himself backing away from Kaede's body, as if stung by what had just occurred. His lips still tingled from the kiss they shared. With each backward step, he watched the younger boy as Kaede leaned down to take the yukatas and towels into his arms. Soon, Akira travelled across the room, only one thing making him pause�

It was the feeling of something wet under his feet and when he looked down, he saw that it was his sopping wet yukata. Just the mere sight of it made him realize what he had been about to do. He had wanted Kaede. Akira crouched and picked up his yukata and the sash that had been buried beneath it. He had wanted to touch Kaede in the same manner that paying customers had touched the prostitute. He had been about to disrespect Kaede, hadn't he? Because the boy was without freedom in this place, forced only to work, what Akira had been about to do would have been a /wrong/ thing... right?

Bowing his head, Akira stood and moved across the room once more, scent of tatami and rain assaulting him. He did not meet Kaede's gaze as he moved towards him. After a few steps, he found himself near Kaede once more. The boy was holding on to the white cloths, looking towards his direction, but doing nothing else. But instead of Akira's earlier actions wherein he let his primal instincts take over him, this time, he circled around the younger boy, hand reaching out to the door to his room. He placed a palm against the rough panel and slid it open with a slight sound, his blue eyes looking immediately out into the hallway.

The maid from earlier on was still outside, obviously still waiting for Akira's own wet yukata. Respectfully, she knelt before the sliding door to Akira's room, her eyes cast down. Akira placed his wet yukata in front of the young lady and, in turn, she took it from him. Bowing her head lower in politeness, she uttered a soft 'thank you', before Akira closed the door with a click once again.

When Akira turned towards the inside of his rented room, he saw that Kaede had placed the towels on the low table next to the window. The white stacks of cloth were stark against the low oak table. Akira saw that through the open window above the table, silver rain continued to bathe outdoor Kyoto. Sound of the downpour was loud, as the rain was heavy on this summer afternoon. Clouds the colour of ash still hung low as occasional flashes of lightning cut through the sky. Thunder rumbled occasionally, some so loud that Akira could almost feel dread swimming in the pits of his stomach. There was a silent fear that he was feeling as if something bad was going to happen. There was a silent apprehension as he felt his heart beating so quickly against his upper left ribcage. His lips suddenly felt dry...

Breaking away from almost-morbid thoughts, Akira instead decided to focus on someone aesthetic and interesting. Turning his head from the window, he moved his gaze across the expanse of the room, searching for a familiar pale figure whose lips he had just ravished. And then, he found him.

Half-kneeling on the futon with his back to Akira, Kaede's thighs were slightly spread so that one could be able to look through them. His fringe fell gracefully over his eyes as his head was tilted towards Akira's direction. He was looking expectantly at Akira from underneath his eyelashes. His reddened lips were slightly open as he breathed softly through them. There was a seductive look from his mere pose and from the look upon his face.

And Akira knew then that he could barely control himself.

Barely... but a certain percentage of control remained. This was the time when Akira's control was tested to the limits as he looked at the /trained/ seductive pose by the prostitute. Kaede expected him now to do something. And by the gods, Akira /wanted/ Kaede. He wanted to possess the white flesh, to claim him, to mark him, to do what his instincts demanded of him. He wanted to just be another human in this era, allowing his base instincts to rule over him...

Akira took a step from where he was standing. It was hard to control the longings of his flesh. It was so very hard for Akira to not tip the boy's head forward so that Kaede's head was pressed against the futon. So very hard...

A few more steps and soon Akira found himself before Kaede's half-kneeling form. His own manhood was a hard painful thing in front of him. The last of his control was nearly leaving him...

Falling down on his knees, Akira looked at Kaede's expectant smouldered blue gaze.

And amidst expectations of both the boy and of himself, he did the most unlikely thing.

Akira's tanned arms wrapped around Kaede's form. He buried his face on Kaede's white nape, the soft hairs there tickling his nose. His actions were almost odd, especially since they were in a brothel and the era that they lived in was known more for the bad side of humans than the good.

The intensity of emotions behind Akira's action made the boy look instead forward, blankly, into the sight of the open window where rain continued to fall. Kaede's eyes were emotionless as he felt uncomfortable warmth settling on his back, wrapping like a cocoon around his heart. He tried to ignore the feeling of nostalgia and longing and ache but...

Unconscious tears made his gaze blurry, but he did not allow them to spill on his cheeks.

His heart hurt so much as he heard a warm whisper from the swordsman...

Words that nearly broke him�

"I respect you, Kaede."

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