Fate Entwined

This book was published by Shadowfire Press 2019 Grove Street #6 Boulder, CO 80302 Sakura Blades 2 Fate Entwined Copyr...

Author: Auburnimp | Barnette Michael

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This book was published by Shadowfire Press 2019 Grove Street #6 Boulder, CO 80302

Sakura Blades 2 Fate Entwined Copyright © 2009 Auburnimp & Michael Barnette Cover art by Dominic Cordoba Edited by Helen Ravell Book layout and Design by Coyote All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for the purpose of reviews, the reproduction of this book by any means known or devised in the future, are prohibited. Scanning, uploading, posting to the internet on any download or sharing site, making available via peer-to-peer sharing, creating print, audio or electronic versions of the book, or offering this book for distribution by any other means is illegal and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If you obtained this book from a source other than a book seller he author did not receive payment for the book. Our authors deserve to be paid for their work. You wouldn’t work for free and our authors should not be expected to work for free either. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, events and all characters are the creation of the author’s imagination. Any similarities to actual events, or persons living or dead are purely coincidental. The mention of, or reference to any product or service within this book is not intended to be a challenge to the trademarks or copyrights of those products or services.

Sakura Blades 2

Fate Entwined By Auburnimp & Michael Barnette

Authors’ Forward Sakura. The cherry tree. It has long held a place in the minds and hearts of the Japanese people. Ephemeral. Fleeting. The sakura is symbolic of change, of the uncertain nature of life, the passing of seasons. For the swordsmen, warriors of Tokugawa Era Japan, it was also symbolic of the fleeting life a warrior lived. Death could come at any moment. The beating of a heart as fragile as a sakura blossom. A swordsman’s fate was often an early death. The flower has but a few short days to live then it falls, petals coloring the ground But when a swordsman falls, it is blood that colors the ground. Brief in life, beauty lingers on in the mind long after the petals have fallen. Such is the way of the warrior. Brief and beautiful.

Sakura Blades 2: Fate Entwined

Chapter One On the Road out of Nagoya

The sun was beginning to set when Masami finally slid sideways off his horse. Luckily he slipped to the side Kiyoshi rode on so he was able to catch his lover before he hit the road and injured himself even further. It reminded Kiyoshi that he would have to teach Masami how to ride since his lover had no experience with horses. Kiyoshi halted the horses and glanced around, listening intently as he did so. There was no sound of pursuing hoof beats but there was the welcome sound of swift running water off to his left in the forest cover. Masami was at the end of his strength and will and it seemed a good place to stop for the night. Carefully easing his lover back onto his horse, he dismounted and went swiftly to Masami’s side, lifting him off his horse and half carrying him in the direction of the Page 1


running water. He found a small stream tumbling through a grassy clearing and set Masami down before going back to deal with the horses. They couldn’t keep them. The animals were too fine to belong to wandering ronin even if they did make traveling easier. He sighed slightly as he rummaged in the packs that had been put on each horse. He found more food and Masami’s sword sharpening kit, which they’d forgotten in the rush to leave his grandfather’s house. Unpacking all the provisions brought to them by his grandfather’s retainers Kiyoshi set them down in the road before turning the horses to face home. “You served us well my friends but it’s time to return to your warm stables.” He whacked both horses on the rump and yelled and had the satisfaction of seeing them canter back the way they’d come. He picked up all the items from the packs and went back to where he’d left Masami. “Kiyoshi?” his name was a quavering Page 2


whisper, the boy sounding as bad as he looked. He crossed quickly to his lover’s side and crouched down beside him. “Hush. Just stay there and rest, Masami, while I get a fire going and some food warming up.” He rose to his feet and went looking for twigs and small branches with which to light a fire. He soon found enough kindling and larger wood to make a decent sized fire and returned to the clearing with the forest’s bounty. Masami was lying on his side in the grass, the bright streaks of tears shining in the dim light. The sound of his voice brittle with fear, Masami said, “I tried to get up, but I can’t. I can’t stand up, Kiyoshi.” Kiyoshi dropped the firewood and crawled to his lover, his own exhaustion beginning to tell. “Don’t even try to stand. Just rest.” He sat down next to the frightened boy and ran a soothing hand through his hair. “Maybe we should wait until morning before we eat. I’m tired too.” Page 3


Leaving everything where he’d dumped it, Kiyoshi took off his pack and put it under Masami’s head as a pillow. “Get some sleep, Masami.” “I wanted to help you,” the boy mumbled, making it apparent to Kiyoshi that he was already falling asleep. A hand groped until it came in contact with Kiyoshi’s thigh. “I’m glad I’m with you, Kiyoshi. Thank you for last night.” The boy sighed, his breathing slowing as sleep claimed him. Smiling softly in amusement and affection, Kiyoshi settled next to his lover, draping an arm across his shoulders and closing his eyes. He wondered why he felt these strange, warm emotions for the boy by his side. He’d had lovers before, both those who had taught him what to do and how to do it and later students who looked to him to show them. None of them had affected his emotions the way the boy at his side did and he didn’t know why that was except that the boy was beautiful and, after his admission at Nagoya, painfully honest. Page 4


Unable to make any further sense of things he drifted into sleep only to jerk awake some time later to the sound of movement in the undergrowth. It was full dark by now and he peered into the gloom trying to discover what had disturbed him. The noise continued, too loud and from too many directions for it to be one animal. His hand strayed to the hilt of his katana A small shadow slipped up beside him. Masami, the boy moving as if he could see perfectly well in the darkness. He made no sound as he joined Kiyoshi, crouching down beside him. The boy leaned in close, so close his breath tickled the side of Kiyoshi’s neck. His voice was the thinnest whisper, so quiet even Kiyoshi had trouble hearing his words. “Not sure who they are, but there are at least a dozen of them.” He nodded, having come to much the same conclusion. The other conclusion was that they were more of Tokugawa’s men. It looked like they were going to die out here after all. Page 5


He pulled Masami even closer, giving him a last desperate and passionate kiss just in case. “Don’t plan to die,” the boy murmured and pressed his hand to Kiyoshi’s crotch. “I’m not done with that yet.” he whispered, and pressed his lips to Kiyoshi’s in a kiss of equal passion. “Stay here and let them come to you, Kiyoshi.” The boy pulled away and moved silent as a ghost out into the darkness. Kiyoshi reached out to grab Masami but the boy eluded his grasp. What in the seven hells is he doing? Calmed somewhat by the silence with which the boy moved, Kiyoshi stood his ground, hand firmly on the hilt of his katanawaiting for whoever was out there to show themselves. Shadows moved out in the undergrowth. Shadows that resolved themselves into the forms of men. Whispered words reached Kiyoshi. “Don’t Page 6


kill the boy, he’s worth one hundred mon to that kagema back in Nagoya.” “We only need Naito’s head, so kill him fast,” another ordered. “That’s your job, we’re after the boy.” A startled scream cut through the conversation. “What the hell was that!” “You assholes should have stayed in Nagoya,” Masami said loud and clear from somewhere out in the trees. “What the...?” a scream punctuated the unfinished question. “Get that little bitch! He just hamstrung me! Oh gods it hurts, someone get him!” Two men came charging out of the underbrush, the glint of steel catching the thin light filtering down through the trees. Kiyoshi drew his katana and took the first across the throat, almost decapitating him. The second man stopped short and started to circle him just as the moon came out from behind a cloud and revealed his face. Page 7


Kiyoshi knew that face, recognized it as belonging to one of the thugs from Nagoya. His left hand pulled his wakizashi free and he sent it spinning end over end to land with a meaty thud in the thug’s chest. A shrill cry of agony rolled through the forest from somewhere out in the dense growth. A small shadow flitted into Kiyoshi’s sight, moving at a near run as if the thick darkness were no hindrance. Three men stumbled into the clearing where Kiyoshi stood, their faces twisted with fear. “What the hell was that?” one of them murmured. “Hell if I know but I think it tore Shiro’s head off. Did you see all the blood?” “It’s forest demons. We aren’t fighting men, we...” the man stopped talking. He faced Kiyoshi now. “RUN!” he yelled and started for the trees. Now assured they weren’t facing trained samurai, Kiyoshi grinned and charged after the fleeing men, taking one in the side before he could vanish into the trees. Page 8


He returned to the centre of the clearing, retrieving his wakizashi as he went, and waited for the next bandit fool enough to face him. He didn’t have long to wait. Another pair of men bolted into the clearing. They paused, glanced at one another, grinned and charged the young ronin. Their blades flashed in the pallid light as they came for him. Bellowing like wounded bulls the two men who’d just fled came racing into the clearing, one of them stumbling and falling over the corpse of the man Kiyoshi had killed. “It’s after us! Run! RUN!” the man still on his feet screamed, voice shrill with terror. The man that had fallen scrambled, trying to regain his footing. A black twisted form came out of the bushes, grabbed his leg and pulled. “NO! NO GODS HELP ME!” His cries for help ended in a gurgling sound and his companion shrieked and collided with one of the men menacing Kiyoshi. Page 9


“Demons, they’re not men they’re demons!” he gibbered. Kiyoshi frowned at the little he could make out under the trees. It almost appeared as if there were demons in the forest. He didn’t have the time to deal with it right now as he slashed at one of the men in the clearing. Dark blood splashed across the grass. The second man shoved his panicked companion to the ground and went for Kiyoshi, a snarled, “Die you bastard,” coming from his sneering mouth. Kiyoshi side-stepped pulling his blade across the man’s belly and ribs as he did so. With a despairing wail the man went down and Kiyoshi was ready for the next, wondering just how many of these bastards there were. “Don’t kill me, please don’t kill me,” the sobbing man on the ground begged, rolling to his knees and groveling in the bloody grass. “There he is! Get him!” a voice shouted and a trio of men burst into the clearing, coming for Kiyoshi. Page 10


The small black form came out of the trees hard on their heels and a bloodcurdling scream came from the misshapen thing. The men the thing was after turned to face it. “Demon! It’s a demon!” Steel flashed, humming through the air with a sound like angry bees. One of the men went down groaning, clutching his belly. The other two lunged at the demon. Laughing, it darted back into the bushes. “After him!” “Hell no, let’s kill the ronin and collect the money!” Kiyoshi smiled at the two standing men. “You’re welcome to try.” He threw the wakizashi again, taking down one of them while he engaged the second. A swift slash from his katana finished it and he relaxed enough to catch his breath. The only warning he got was the sound of steel being drawn and he moved just in time Page 11


to have the knife slice his arm rather than bury itself in his back. Snarling he turned and sliced across the man’s throat with his bloodied katana before sinking to the ground exhausted. An echoing scream of agony reached his ears from beneath the trees. Silence thick as the gloom surrounding him descended over the forest, the only sound his own harsh breathing. * Masami ran toward the clearing ignoring everything but the need to make sure Kiyoshi had come through the fight in one piece. If anything had happened to the older man, if he’d been hurt or killed.... No he wouldn’t think about that. Kiyoshi would be just fine. He was an amazing swordsman. Better than anyone Masami had ever met so he hadn’t ever been in any real danger. Not with him terrorizing the rest Page 12


of the thugs from Nagoya with his shadow warfare tactics. But the fear that something might have happened, the ache in his heart that the beautiful man might be hurt drove him on despite weariness and pain. He ran through the trees, slipping through the brush at a pace only certain types of people could manage in such darkness. People like his Master. He found the older man kneeling in the clearing surrounded by corpses. He was so motionless that Masami feared he might be dead too, but the gasping breaths reached him. “Kiyoshi,” he said and hurried over to the man, kneeling down to touch his face. The whole clearing smelled of death and blood, “Are you wounded?” Kiyoshi glanced up and smiled as he nodded. “Tricky bastard at the end tried to stab me in the back. Cut a slice into my arm instead.” Masami reached for Kiyoshi’s arm and felt Page 13


the small branches he’d cut to alter his shape into something inhuman jab into his back and side. He yanked them out and tossed them away. “Let me see your arm. Does the wound feel deep?” Kiyoshi let the boy see his arm. “Not so much deep as long. Seemingly you’ve had special training.” “Special training? No, not really.” Masami replied, puzzled by the comment. He shoved Kiyoshi’s kimono sleeve up and peered at the shallow cut. It ran almost the entire length of his lover’s forearm but, as he’d been told, it was very shallow, little more than a scratch. “We should wash and bandage this come daylight,” he remarked. “Were you hurt anywhere else?” “No.” Kiyoshi glanced around the clearing and grimaced. “We can’t sleep in this mess. We’ll have to move.” “The ghosts of men we’ve killed aren’t good companions, I’ll agree with you on that,” Masami admitted. He was so tired already that the thought of going very far Page 14


made him sick with weariness. “We should find the pack and get moving then.” He forced himself to his feet, ignoring the blaze of agony that went through his badly strained ribs. Fighting hadn’t helped them, and this fight in particular had increased his misery several times over. “You rest, I’ll get the pack,” he told the older man as he walked to where he remembered them leaving the thing. Kiyoshi climbed to his feet. “We don’t have to go far. The stream should lead us to another clearing.” Masami grunted as he lifted the pack, shocked at how heavy it was, the weight of things in it almost more than his strained body could handle. “You lead, Kiyoshi,” he said as he hefted the thing over his shoulders. Kiyoshi frowned at him. “I could have carried the pack. All that’s wrong is a scratched arm.” “Just walk, Kiyoshi. I’ve got it for now. Page 15


Besides it will look wrong for the ronin to be burdened with a pack and for a bushi not to be. I’m going to have to carry this damn thing unless you want us to attract the kind of attention that will make us memorable.” Kiyoshi stopped arguing and headed upstream, away from the road. They hadn’t gone more than a couple of hundred yards before they found another clearing. Here the stream tumbled over some rocks to form a deep pool. “This is better than the last place.” Masami slipped the pack off and dropped to the ground, his side aflame with pain. He refused to let Kiyoshi see the weakness, refused to make a sound that would give him away. “Yes, you’re right,” he agreed, but there was a tightness in his voice that he’d been unable to overcome. Kiyoshi glanced sharply at him but made no comment. Instead he slumped to the ground next to the boy, draped the sound arm across his waist and closed his eyes. Page 16


Masami pulled his swords from Kiyoshi’s obi and lay them beside the older man. He pulled his own sheathed katana from his belt, placed it across his lap, draped his arms over it and tried to sleep sitting up. But it was no use. Giving up he pulled his scabbarded wakizashi free, lay it down beside him along with his katana and curled up close to Kiyoshi. Masami heard the soft, even breathing that told him Kiyoshi was asleep. He scooted closer to the older man, lay his head down on his arm and drifted off into a fitful sleep where blood flowed in rivers from Kiyoshi’s sword and his own blades sang death to an entire army of men. *

*

*

Masami awakened to the sound of birds’ song and a warm finger of sunlight in his eyes. He sat up, winced at the sharp pain in his side and yawned. Kiyoshi was still asleep. Leaving the older man to his rest he wandered off to relieve Page 17


himself before heading to the creek. Deep and rocky, it looked like a good place to get in a bit of fishing. Taking off his kimono and hakama he waded into the torrent, moving slowly, eyes scanning the rippling surface for any sign of his prey. There was the sound of movement from the clearing and before long a small plume of smoke rose into the chill early morning air from the fire Kiyoshi had built and lit. Masami saw the shadow of a fish and lunged, catching the hapless creature and flinging it onto shore. Moving with slow grace he searched for another one amid the rocks and fast moving water. A moment later he found an even bigger fish. He grinned and his hand darted, fingers hooking into the gill slit and hauling the fish out. Sopping wet he climbed out of the river, retrieved his other fish, crouched down to gut them with his tanto and carried them back to Kiyoshi. Page 18


“I’ll cut some sticks so we can grill them,” he said and lay the fish down on the leaves beside the older man. Kiyoshi held up ready cut sticks to grill the fish with. “Already done. I’m not completely useless you know.” His lover smiled. “With those and some rice we’ll have a good breakfast.” A blush heated Masami’s cheeks as he turned away, “Yes, I noticed you’re pretty good at a few things.” Kiyoshi wrapped the fish in dew damp leaves so it wouldn’t char or break up over the fire and set them to grill. “This is the first chance I’ve had to talk to you since we left Nagoya.” He pulled the thong holding his pony tail out of his hair and began braiding it. “I have some questions for you and I want all of them answered. First question, what did I say to you when we fought? Do you remember?” Masami frowned, thought about it. His head and side ached, but no matter how hard he tried he just couldn’t remember. “Forgive Page 19


me, Kiyoshi-san but, I don’t remember. To be honest, a lot of my memories from the last few days are, well...” he shook his head, “foggy.” “I told you that you needed to keep your temper under control when you fight. Second question, why did you decide to attack four bushi at the gate?” “That’s easy, they were about to attack us, or rather you. I thought five against one was bad odds.” He lifted his head to look at Kiyoshi. “And what the hell were you doing trying to talk to that old bastard of a samurai? I mean if you want to get yourself killed, tell me so and I’ll stay out of it. But talking to him like that, it was just stupid. He meant to kill you from the instant he approached you.” Kiyoshi stared at Masami. “I spoke to him because he very obviously did not want to kill me. He wanted the honor of taking me in alive. When we fought we were trying to make each other angry. Which brings us neatly back to my first point; fighting when Page 20


angry is one of the stupidest things you can do.” Masami’s eyes narrowed, anger simmering under the surface. He barely knows me and he’s talking to me like he’s got some right to tell me shit like this. He didn’t even know what that old bastard and those dog shit bushi were planning. Plain as the katana at his side and he didn’t see their intention. “The only person I ever fought that way was you, and it wasn’t anger, it was hate!” he stated harshly. “I spent years training to kill anyone I met who fought for the Shogun. And yes, I made a mistake fighting you with emotion. I admit it.” He stood there looking down at the seated ronin. “And for your information, what I saw and what you think happened at the gate don’t match. Those men were scared spitless of you, all five of them. And fear makes men dangerous. They weren’t intending to take you alive, they were intent on killing you,” Masami countered. Page 21


Masami was getting irritated. Sure Kiyoshi was better with a sword, but he seemed to be totally oblivious to the intent of people he faced. He’d mistaken his reaction for anger and that of the other men he’d fought as the intent to take him alive, but Masami knew better even if the former samurai didn’t. Kiyoshi leaned forward to turn the fish before pulling Masami down to sit at his side. “You really believe that?” Masami gasped as the older man’s action sent a jolt of pain through him. He wrapped an arm across his ribs and glared at Kiyoshi. “Right now what I believe is that you’re an asshole,” he snarled. Kiyoshi’s eyes narrowed. “Watch your mouth, boy.” Then he seemed to remember the injuries. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to jar your ribs like that even though you’re a mouthy little brat.” A flicker of rage was the only warning Kiyoshi got before a fist collided with his jaw. In an instant Masami was up on his feet, glaring at Kiyoshi, his heart full of hurt, his already shaky pride stung. “You arrogant son Page 22


of a bitch! Who the hell do you think you are yanking me around and speaking to me like you’re my master! Well to hell with you!” Kiyoshi put a hand to his jaw. Then, without saying a word, he snagged his pack. He pulled out Masami’s sharpening kit, some of the money and a few rice balls before closing it and lifting it onto his shoulders with a slight wince. He adjusted his swords in his obi and turned away from the fire. “Just like that? You can insult me and manhandle me like I’m some whore you picked up, but for some reason if I give back as good as I got you walk away.” He took a step after Kiyoshi, stopped himself from going any farther. “Did you recently learn to be a coward or was it always part of you, Naito?” * Kiyoshi stopped, hard put not to draw his katana and kill the boy. Instead he turned, dropped his pack and stalked towards the big-mouthed brat. Page 23


“It’s time someone taught you a lesson.” He grabbed Masami and took them both to the ground, too angry to care anymore whether he jarred the boy’s ribs. Yanking the boy’s unfastened kimono down over his shoulders as a way to keep his arms still, he wrestled Masami over his lap, pushed his kimono clear and brought his hand down hard on his naked ass. “You do not break promises. You do not call people coward.” Each word he snarled at the boy was punctuated with another slap. Masami kicked and struggled, trying to break free. “YOU BASTARD!” he shouted. “SON OF A BITCH! LET ME GO!” Kiyoshi tightened his grip and added another complaint to the list. “You do not make rude comments about people’s parents.” Again he punctuated the words with slaps trying not to become distracted when the boy’s ass turned rosy. “BASTARD LET ME GO! LET ME GO! I SWEAR I’LL KILL YOU IF YOU Page 24


DON’T STOP!” Masami screamed. Masami was kicking, and Kiyoshi could tell he was fighting with every bit of his strength to gain his freedom. Still spacing his words with slaps Kiyoshi added, “You do not refer to me as a bastard, in fact learn to keep your big mouth shut!” The boy struggled, trying to get his arms free. “DAMN YOU! STOP IT! STOP IT! YOU SHIT!” Masami’s breathing was getting ragged, a note of pain unmistakable in his angry shouting. Kiyoshi’s hand was beginning to sting but he knew if he stopped just yet the little brat would have learned nothing at all. “You do not call me any kind of bodily function.” “STOP IT! STOP!” Masami panted, the pain note in his voice becoming even more apparent. “DAMN YOU! STOP!” Kiyoshi shook his hand to try and relieve the burn a little but kept right on spanking Masami. “You do not damn people.” “I hate you!” he sobbed it out, body shuddering in Kiyoshi’s lap. “I hate you.” Page 25


Kiyoshi gave him another couple of slaps. “That I can live with as long as you do it without all the insults. Which I might add are more worthy of a fishwife than the last of a noble line.” “Bastard!” the cry Masami gave this time as Kiyoshi’s hand came down on his already reddened butt was one of pure pain. “I hate you! I’m going to kill you. I swear I am.” He tried to get away, twisted around almost breaking loose, and bit into Kiyoshi’s thigh. Kiyoshi sighed in annoyance. “You don’t learn do you? No bastards and definitely no teeth. What are you, a dog?” And despite the pain in his hand he carried on with the punishment. It was obviously long overdue. Masami’s hands were clenched into fists, and he’d gone suddenly quiet, the only sound now that of flesh striking flesh. Three more blows of Kiyoshi’s hand and Masami cried out, his whole body shuddering, a quiet hitching sob following. The boy lay there across Kiyoshi’s lap, trembling, each breath a ragged gasp. Page 26


Kiyoshi blinked. Did he just do what I think he did? With some relief, he stopped spanking Masami but he wasn’t quite sure what he should do now. Masami bolted for freedom, getting to his feet and looking at Kiyoshi with shocked, confused eyes. The tracks of tears streaked his pallid face and he wiped them away with hands that Kiyoshi could see were shaking. “Happy now? Did that make you feel more of a man?” he asked in a broken voice. The boy’s cheeks turned as red as his ass and he turned away from Kiyoshi with a quiet sob as he started walking toward the stream. Kiyoshi sighed. “It was nothing to do with making me feel more of anything,” he called after Masami. “It was to do with teaching you to think before you speak and it obviously didn’t work too well as you’re still running off at the mouth!” Which left him with a quandary. What the hell could he do now to make the boy see any sense at all? Page 27


The boy didn’t answer, he just stripped off his kimono and waded into the stream giving an audible gasp as the cold water hit his fire red behind. Kiyoshi stood up and made for the bank of the stream dangling his sore hand into the cold water. Once it had stopped smarting as much he remembered the fish and went to rescue them from the fire. Luckily they weren’t burnt and he laid them out together with a rice ball each and started to eat. A few moments later Masami came out of the stream, dressed and walked over to Kiyoshi. The boy knelt before him and bowed low. “I, Sanada Yorikane, who is called Masami, a young fool not deserving of anything, ask for the forgiveness of Naito Kiyoshi for actions unworthy of my family which I have committed on your person.” Kiyoshi’s eyes widened in surprise but he had the sense not to show it in his tone of voice or demeanor. “You have my forgiveness, Sanada-san. Now eat your breakfast.” Page 28


Masami quietly did as he was told, picking up the food and eating, his head bowed, eyes down. Not once did he look up, but Kiyoshi could still see the occasional tear slide down his cheek. When he’d finished eating he lifted Masami’s chin with strong but gentle fingers. “Stop crying now. I’m sorry too.” He leaned forward as if pulled by invisible strings and kissed Masami with gentle persuasion. The boy moaned into the kiss, eyes closing, his body responding by moving into Kiyoshi, Masami’s arms going around his neck. Kiyoshi lifted him onto his lap, deepening the kiss and running his hands over the boy’s back and sides. The boy flinched when Kiyoshi’s hand touched his right side, a soft gasp coming from him, but he didn’t try to break away from the kiss. Kiyoshi broke the kiss to gaze at him. “We need to tend to your injuries, Masami. Let me see them while we can heat some water.” Masami touched Kiyoshi’s arm where the Page 29


dried blood and the split fabric showed where he’d been injured. “What about your arm?” he asked, his voice soft, less brazen than it had been before the spanking. Kiyoshi smiled at him and tousled his hair. “We’ll deal with that too.” He rummaged in the pack and produced a small iron pan. Rising to his feet he went to the stream to fill it and placed it carefully on the embers of the fire. “I’m going to need to unwrap those bandages. They’re wet anyway.” Masami took off his kimono and turned so Kiyoshi could reach the knots holding the bandages in place. Kiyoshi frowned as he untied and unwrapped the bandages. There was still an area of heavy bruising on Masami’s right side and he wondered if the ribs might be cracked rather than sprained as the doctor had said. One thing was certain, he would need to rewrap the bandages. Dragging the pan off the fire he tested the temperature of the water with a finger. Using Page 30


the bandages as a cloth he gently bathed Masami’s side. “I really am sorry, Naito-san,” the boy whispered. “I’m so ashamed. Ashamed of how I acted, and over how I feel. I lashed out at you. Stupid I know, but...” he took a deep breath, a shudder passing through him as Kiyoshi washed his bruised side. “You scare me. You scare me in ways nothing and no one ever has because I’ve never experienced such emotions with anyone else. “I loved my Master, he was the only father I ever knew. But what I feel, what your presence makes me feel, these strange emotions, they’re different and it scares me.” Kiyoshi could only sympathize as he felt much the same way. “I understand, Masami. I think the reason I became so angry with you was because your words hurt me. Not so much by what you said but that it was you who said those things. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I’m feeling strange emotions also.” “Have you ever seen a moth circling a lamp? It gets closer and closer, as if it can’t Page 31


help itself and then it comes too close and burns. You’re that flame, Kiyoshi, and I’ve been burning since you spared my life. Why do you think I didn’t stop you when you wanted me? Why do you think I let you,” even from where he sat behind Masami Kiyoshi could see the color that flooded the boy’s face, “have me so easy? “I said those hurtful things to make you leave. And then you were leaving and I didn’t want you to go, but...” he fell silent, “instead of begging you to stay I insulted you more so you’d go away. I wanted you to leave, but I didn’t want to lose you. I’m such a fool.” Kiyoshi finished bathing the boy’s side and started rewrapping the bandages around him. “I don’t think you’re a fool, Masami. I think we’re both very confused as we’re dealing with emotions neither of us has ever felt before.” He finished wrapping the bandages and leaned back. “There, I’ve made them a little tighter so hopefully they should feel better.” “Yes, it does feel better. Thank you, Page 32


Kiyoshi-san.” He turned around, gently took hold of Kiyoshi’s arm and pushed the kimono sleeve up to look at the cut. “We should wash and bandage this. Is there anything in the pack we can use? If not you can cut a piece off the bandages around my ribs.” “There should be some cloth in there. It was in the packs from the horses.” Masami searched the pack and pulled out the rolled strip of cloth. He measured a piece, cut it off and put the rest back into Kiyoshi’s pack. Dipping some of the warm water out of the pan with his hand he washed the blood from Kiyoshi’s wounded arm which started to seep fresh blood. “It’s not deep which is good.” He smiled as the boy tended the cut and wrapped the cloth round it to keep it clean. “There’s an inn further up the road, where it divides. With any luck we’ll be there by this evening so can have a hot bath and a good meal as well as a comfortable night’s rest. Doesn’t that sound good?” Page 33


“Kiyoshi-san it sounds dangerous. To get here wouldn’t the Shogun’s men have come this way? What if they showed that woodcut around?” Masami asked as he wrapped the cleaned wound. It probably would be a risk, Kiyoshi thought but Masami needed a hot bath to ease his side at the least. “We can check it out, see if they recognize me,” he suggested. “Once we get past there it should be safer as we could have gone any one of three different ways.” “The decision is yours, of course, Kiyoshisan,” the boy replied as he finished tying off the bandage. He picked up his things from where Kiyoshi had tossed them, put his sharpening kit inside his sleeve and held the small bag of money out to him. “This is yours, Kiyoshi-san.” “Keep it. You might need some money of your own at some point. Now put that kit of yours in the pack.” When Masami showed no sign of obeying him he reached forward and snagged the kit, Page 34


tucking it into the pack and shouldering the whole. “So, let’s get moving, shall we?” Masami bowed his head and followed Kiyoshi out of the clearing and back to the road.

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Chapter Two The Inn at the Crossroads

Masami followed Kiyoshi in silence very aware of how his butt hurt, the motion of his clothing over the hot flesh a reminder to treat the older ronin with greater care and respect. He’d made a promise. Broken it. Acted the fool and gotten what he deserved for it. He’d learned that such pain delivered by the hand of the stronger man resulted in his body losing control and reacting as if it were held in the grip of intense pleasure. The same sort of pleasure he’d felt when Kiyoshi had entered his body, but somehow even more intense, though not quite as satisfying. And that further embarrassed him, and confused him too. The feel of Kiyoshi’s hand striking his bare ass, the way his cock had been driven over and over against the man’s firm thigh had combined into his undoing. And he’d shown weakness. Such terrible childish weakness. Crying like a baby— or Page 36


a woman. More embarrassment that made it hard for him to meet Kiyoshi’s knowing gaze. He’d given himself to Kiyoshi, body and soul. In addition to letting Kiyoshi show him love between men, Kiyoshi now knew the secret of making him yield. The worst thing about it all was that, try as he might, he just didn’t care that Kiyoshi had the upper hand between them. He wasn’t scared of how he felt anymore. Quite the contrary, he wanted the older man to put his cock inside him and show him the pleasure to be had in such a joining of flesh. But that was up to Kiyoshi to decide. The sun was starting to set when he saw the inn ahead, Masami finding he was very glad at the prospect of hot food, a bath and a bed to sleep in. Especially if the bed included Kiyoshi his lover. Masami felt a warmth flow through him at the thought. Page 37


Kiyoshi is my lover. Not my master, but my lover. And that made his wounded pride hurt a bit less over the spanking he’d taken at the older man’s hand. He’d deserved it for treating his lover badly and for calling him names. Two things he’d try to never do again. Kiyoshi turned a smiling face to him. “Isn’t that a welcome sight, Masami?” He kept to himself what he really thought about it. “Yes, Kiyoshi-san.” Going to an inn when the Shogun is after you is foolish. Kiyoshi headed straight for the inn, only stopping to remove his geta upon reaching the porch. Masami slipped his sandals off and followed Kiyoshi onto the porch as a young man about Kiyoshi’s age came outside to greet them. “Good afternoon. Welcome to our inn. Please come inside.” Masami darted ahead of Kiyoshi gaining Page 38


the inside of the place ahead of the older man, determined to make sure no ambush by unseen samurai awaited them. He almost knocked their host off his feet, but he didn’t even pause to apologize, more worried that there was trouble waiting than he was of being rude. “Masami!” Kiyoshi yelled after him. Masami frowned at Kiyoshi as he removed his hat. “Please, Kiyoshi, let me go into places like this first. I’m sure you know why so I won’t explain,” he told the older man hoping he did understand he was just trying to protect him. The host bowed to them both, “No harm done. Please take seats wherever you like. You are the only guests we have so far today.” That piece of news seemed to please Kiyoshi. He inclined his head to the innkeeper. “Thank you. We would appreciate a hot meal and a hot bath if that can be arranged. And a room, of course.” He glanced around the main room and Page 39


deliberately chose a table next to where the shoji was open to let in what breeze there was. It had an excellent view of the road they’d just traveled. Masami watched his lover, joined him at the table and put his hat down beside him. Removing his swords to be more comfortable he set the katana down on his left side, the wakizashi down on the right in easy reach. His mouth twisted slightly, his expression showing annoyance. He kept his silence and didn’t say anything about being there to the older man. One butt whipping was more than enough for the day. Gods how stupid can he be, coming in here when the Shogun’s men could show up? And then we’ll be fighting again. Haven’t we already killed enough people? He sighed and looked out the shoji at the road. “What would the two of you like to eat? We have fresh fish we can prepare any way you care to eat it, and a wide variety of vegetables and pickles. We also have sake, very good on such a hot day,” the host said. Page 40


Kiyoshi knelt across the table from Masami and put his own swords within easy reach before removing his hat. “I should like grilled fish, some rice, a selection of vegetables and pickles and green tea.” Masami didn’t take his eyes off the road. “The same for me please.” The man bowed, a slight frown on his face. “No sake?” Kiyoshi stopped gazing out at the road to frown up at the innkeeper. “No thank you. I’d rather keep my wits about me.” “Oh, yes, of course I ah... that is to say, umm....” Masami turned to look at the innkeeper. “Just get the food we ordered,” he grumbled and the man scurried off. He glanced at Kiyoshi, “He seemed to want us to have that sake an awful lot, don’t you think?” Kiyoshi shrugged, eyes still scanning the road. “Sake costs more than tea and probably gives him a bigger profit.” Page 41


“I hadn’t thought of that,” Masami remarked. Thinking about it Kiyoshi’s words did make sense. I’m probably just over reacting. If those samurai were coming after us they’d have long since gotten here. Kiyoshi’s right, we’re probably perfectly safe. He tried to relax and just stop worrying. A young woman in a very plain blue kimono came out with their tea, bowing to them as she set out the tea bowls and poured for them. Masami couldn’t help noticing the way she kept stealing quick glances at Kiyoshi, or the way she smiled at him. “Is there anything else I can bring you?” she asked, her eyes still on Kiyoshi. “No thank you.” His companion didn’t even glance away from the window to look at the woman. Masami waited until the woman was gone. “Kiyoshi?” “Yes?” Page 42


“Have you ever, I mean,” he blushed and lowered his head, “you know, umm.. with a woman?” Kiyoshi chuckled and turned his head enough to glance at him. “Yes. Why?” Idiot of course he’s been with women! What a stupid thing to ask him. Masami picked up his hat, playing with a loose bit of straw, embarrassed to ask what he’d really wanted to know: if it felt as good as what they’d done. “I... ah... never mind.” There was a frown on Kiyoshi’s face as he asked, “Did you want to try one?” “Me? With one of them?” Masami felt a bit ill at the very idea. He didn’t know a thing about women beyond the dim memories of his mother holding him, singing to him when he was too scared to sleep. “No, Kiyoshi. I....” he shook his head, “I wouldn’t know what to do.” “You could find one patient enough to teach you.” There was an intent look on Kiyoshi’s face as he stared at him. “Or don’t you like the thought of it?” Page 43


Masami had paled a bit. “The only woman I ever knew was my mother.” He closed his eyes, trying not to think of the last time she’d held him, told him to go with his Master and be safe. “You’re enough for me,” he finished and picked up his tea, took a sip. The intent look vanished to be replaced with a smile. “Good.” Then Kiyoshi turned his head to stare down the road again. Two women, the first who’d brought them their tea, and a slightly older woman in green entered with their meal, the innkeeper following behind them, carrying a sake bottle and cups. “Here you are, your meal and the sake that comes with it,” he told them giving them a broad, happy smile as the women put the plates and bowls down on the table between them. Masami picked up his rice as the inn keeper put down the sake cups and got ready to pour it. “I don’t want that stuff,” he told the man right before he used his chopsticks to push some rice into his mouth. Page 44


“Keep the sake,” Kiyoshi added, “if it’s part of the price of the meal we’ll pay for it but we really don’t want it.” “Well I’ll just leave it here,” the innkeeper stated. Masami stopped eating when one of the women leaned over the table to push Kiyoshi’s grilled fish closer to him. He could see inside her kimono and she had not a bit of anything under it. He started to choke, and the older woman patted him gently on the back. “Are you all right, young man?” she asked. Kiyoshi sighed. “Ladies please just leave us alone to eat.” The younger one stepped closer to Kiyoshi and pouted. “Such handsome men. Akemi and I are so lonely. Won’t you two have pity on a couple of lonely girls?” Masami put his rice down, gasping for breath as the woman beside him moved his hat and started to pat him a bit harder, but her hands were lingering on him, and he scooted away, moving closer to the open shoji screen. Page 45


He looked at Kiyoshi, pleading with his eyes for his lover to make the women go away. Kiyoshi’s eyes narrowed and he flung the woman who was all over him away. She landed on her ass on the floor. “Are you ladies or whores?” he demanded. He glared at the one who was hitting Masami. “Leave him alone unless you want the same treatment as your friend. What do we have to do to be left in peace to eat?” The woman that Kiyoshi had knocked to the floor bolted out of the room wailing, “I’m sorry!” Her friend scrambled off after her, eyes full of fear as if she were certain something worse than a shove might be coming her way. Masami gasped, picked up his tea bowl and emptied it. He had nearly choked to death on a mouthful of rice all because... He didn’t even want to think about what he’d seen, too scared of it. The innkeeper stood off to the side, face white as new fallen snow. He dropped to his knees, bowing all the way to the floor. Page 46


“Forgive them, they’re just a couple of foolish women.” * Kiyoshi eyed him for a moment before picking up a piece of the fish with his chopsticks. “Just keep them away from us. How long before the bath is ready?” “Water is being heated as we speak, honored guest.” He nodded and returned his attention to the road, wondering just how long the shogun’s men were going to take before they returned to the inn. That they’d been here was obvious. He’d stayed at this inn on his way to Nagoya and had experienced none of the behavior he was getting this evening. There had been no clinging women, no insistence on sake so he was convinced he was being softened up for the return of the shogun’s samurai. He ate the rest of his meal gaze still firmly on the road. He’d just finished when a distant Page 47


cloud of dust announced the approach of horsemen traveling at speed. “Masami, I want you to stay inside and out of sight,” he said as he reached for his swords before rising to his feet. The boy looked at Kiyoshi, glanced beyond the open shoji screen and frowned. “Those are the shogun’s men, aren’t they?” Masami asked as he picked up his own swords and stood. “Please, Masami, stay inside. If anything happens to me I want you to run.” He drew the boy close for what might be their last kiss before letting him go and striding for the door. He reached the porch just as the samurai dismounted. Two of them, I might just have a chance. The two men looked at Kiyoshi. One stepped forward, “Naito Kiyoshi, surrender to the will of the Shogun or be killed here and now as an outlaw.” There was a soft sound behind Kiyoshi, Page 48


Masami stepping out on the porch in defiance of his wishes. “That’s the boy who helped him escape,” the second samurai remarked as he moved up beside his companion. “Pretty. You have good taste in boys, Naito. Perhaps we you can convince him it’s in his best interest to stay out of this. I’d hate to spoil that face of his, or be forced to kill him for aiding you.” The younger samurai looked at Masami with a hungry intensity. “I’m sure we can grant him amnesty for a few considerations.” Masami spit in their direction. “I think I hear some curs barking, Naito-san.” “Why you little shit!” the older man said and lunged for Masami only to come face to face with Kiyoshi, his swords drawn. “I told you to stay inside,” Kiyoshi said with a sigh, “nothing to see out here except the deaths of two rather unpleasant gentlemen.” “Naito-san let me fight. There are two of them.” Page 49


“Run inside little boy,” the younger of the pair said, his dark gaze looking at Masami with the warmth of unmistakable lust. “We’ll be inside soon to teach you the way of the sword.” “You filthy pigs,” the boy snarled. “Enough talk,” the older samurai said and drew his katana, coming for Kiyoshi with a bellow. His younger companion was in motion, both of them moved on Kiyoshi. They’re good, especially the older one. He’s cold, all business. The young one can be influenced. “He’s right. You even fight like swine.” The older samurai ignored the jibe while the younger man’s face darkened in anger. He’d been right. “You even smell like pigs. Horses don’t smell that bad.” The younger samurai cursed and drove straight for him, ignoring his own guard in his fury. Kiyoshi went under the upraised Page 50


sword and swiped him across the abdomen so he had to hold his guts in. Then he turned his attention to the older samurai, the one who could easily kill him. The man didn’t even spare a glance at his companion writhing on the ground. He came in for Kiyoshi his katana a blur of motion. Kiyoshi jumped off the porch and circled the remaining warrior. He was good but his age was against him making him the slightest bit slow. If he could just wear him down he stood a chance. The samurai moved with Kiyoshi, waiting, watching. Masami stepped to the edge of the porch, his gaze full of worry. “Hurt him asshole and I’ll slice you to pieces,” Kiyoshi heard the boy snarl. The samurai ignored Masami, going at Kiyoshi fast, dust rising from his feet as he charged. Kiyoshi danced away, mentally cursing the wound the frightened bandit had given him. Page 51


It affected his sword arm to the point where his katana felt heavy. And his opponent came at him again, their blades locking, the two men struggling for supremacy. The older man who was a few inches shorter than Kiyoshi with a lower center of gravity shoved, throwing Kiyoshi to the ground. His blade flashed for Kiyoshi’s throat, but it stopped, Masami’s katana blocking the samurai’s weapon. “I warned you,” the boy growled, his blades whirling for the Shogun’s man. The man gave ground. “Fool boy, don’t make me kill you!” Kiyoshi jumped to his feet, winded but otherwise fine, just in time to see the older man knock Masami back and press him up against the inn’s steps. The grimace of pain on the boy’s face made him snarl and charge the samurai. The man turned to face Kiyoshi, barely evading his sword as he gave ground to get clear of the inn’s porch. Page 52


Masami lay where he’d fallen on the stairs, the boy not moving. Kiyoshi stormed after the samurai angry that he’d hurt Masami but not daring to express that anger in any way but his fighting. He let the rage seep into his muscles rather than his mind, the emotion giving him new strength. He slashed and parried, watching warily for his opening. The samurai was good but not quite good enough. He ran at Kiyoshi again, katana raised for a downward strike. Kiyoshi waited then brought his katana round so fast it hummed like bees. The samurai’s head went flying off into the shadows. His breath coming in short gasps, Kiyoshi went to check on Masami. Masami groaned, teeth clenched, his face pale and damp with sweat. He tried to move, gasped and lay still. “Kiyoshi,” he said voice tight with pain. “Don’t try to move yet, Masami.” He brushed his hand over the boy’s hair. “I told you to stay inside you young fool.” Page 53


But if he had you’d be lying on the ground without your head instead of that samurai. He smiled at his young lover. “Thank you.” Tears filled the boy’s eyes. “He would have killed you,” he whispered and tried to reach for Kiyoshi, gasping in pain as he did. “Hold me, please. I need to know you’re all right.” “I’m fine not even a scratch.” He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on the boy’s lips running his hand down the uninjured side as he did so. Masami’s arms went around Kiyoshi’s neck, the boy returning the kiss with urgent passion, a sign of how afraid he’d been for Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi returned the embrace gently but was happy when the boy’s arms reached up to go round his neck. It made him hopeful that no further damage had been done. “I think a nice hot soak followed by a comfortable futon is in order. Just wait here for one moment while I check something.” Page 54


He rose to his feet and entered the inn to find the innkeeper rubbing his hands together in agitation. “I’m sorry sir, but they threatened to arrest me if I didn’t help them. Please sir, forgive me.” He stared coldly at the innkeeper hand on the hilt of his katana. “Is the bath ready yet?” “Yes! Yes please come this way, it’s at the back of the inn. Nice and hot,” the innkeeper told him. “Wait. I’ll need to help my young friend first.” “Oh yes of course,” the innkeeper said, staying where he was. Kiyoshi went back into the night and crouched down by Masami. “Can you stand? There’s a hot bath ready which should help ease your side.” “I can make it,” Masami said and got to his feet, his face losing all trace of color as he did. To the boy’s credit he did remain upright and moving under his own power as they followed the innkeeper to the bath tub. Page 55


It was a large tub Kiyoshi was pleased to see, with plenty of room for them both to spread aching limbs. It was steaming merrily and there were several wooden buckets with which to wash off first. “Is this acceptable sir?” The innkeeper appeared determined to make up for earlier indiscretions and was all concern for their well-being now. “This is fine. If you could have a room prepared for us I would be grateful.” “Of course.” The innkeeper bowed again and left them to their bath. Kiyoshi removed his swords and went to Masami. “Let me help you.” Masami didn’t protest, he stood there as Kiyoshi helped him out of his clothing, his head resting on Kyoshi’s chest. “I thought I’d be able to help you, to help keep you safe, but I’m in your way. I see that clearly,” he murmured, his tone flat and dispirited. Kiyoshi unwrapped the bandages and Page 56


frowned at the extra bruises and the darkening of the original ones. “That bastard really hurt you and you were already hurting.” The boy just gave a tired sigh as Kiyoshi examine his injuries. Masami’s words sunk in then and he glanced at the unhappy boy. “You have helped me or have you forgotten the men from last night. I could not have handled all of them alone.” “And you would have been long gone from here if I wasn’t slowing you down, Kiyoshi-san. They’d have never caught up with you.” He lifted Masami’s chin until he was looking into the boy’s eyes. “Listen to me, Masami. If it hadn’t been for you we probably wouldn’t have got out of my grandfather’s house in time or out of Nagoya. And just now you saved me from having my throat cut. So I want to hear no more about your being in my way.” “All right, Kiyoshi-san.” He thought for a moment. “When we leave here tomorrow we are going to find Page 57


somewhere quiet and out of the way where you can heal up properly.” “The village where I grew up is very isolated, and there’s only one way to reach the house. But it’s a very long walk. You’d be safe there.” Kiyoshi removed his clothes and tipped water over his head to wash off with. “That sounds perfect but we need to find somewhere closer, something like an empty house.” Masami picked up some water and dumped it over himself, his expression thoughtful. “I stayed at a ruined house about two days up the north road from here. I think it was burned during the war and no one ever rebuilt it. I found it when I was fishing. Is that what you want?” “That sounds like exactly the sort of place. And I want to hear no more about you being a burden.” Especially as I don’t know what I’d do without you now.

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* “If we get an early start we should be able to reach it late tomorrow evening. I wasn’t in much of a hurry to get anywhere so I stopped a lot to catch fish.” Masami finished washing off and got to his feet, sore and aching from the beatings he’d taken. The thugs in Nagoya, the bushi at the gate, the thugs in the woods, Kiyoshi’s heavy hand, and the samurai who’d nearly killed the man who’d become so important in his life. He glanced at the handsome man, got up off the small stool where he’d sat to wash and knelt down in front of Kiyoshi. Putting his arms around the ronin’s neck, Masami set his lips to the older man’s and kissed him. Kiyoshi’s arms went round him and he returned the kiss with passion. A soft moan showed Kiyoshi how Masami felt, and if that left any doubts the way he pressed himself to the older man didn’t, his penis fully erect and nudging the ronin’s lower belly. Page 59


He broke the kiss, stared into Kiyoshi’s dark eyes. “Will you love me, Kiyoshi? I...” he rested his forehead on the man’s broad shoulder, “I saw you fall and nothing mattered to me but saving your life.” Kiyoshi smiled at him before lifting him carefully and placing him in the tub. He climbed in after and pulled him close. “Yes, I’ll love you, Masami.” “Good,” Masami said and wrapped his legs around Kiyoshi’s waist, his arms going around the older man’s neck. He pressed his mouth to the ronin’s lips. Kiyoshi kissed him, easing his tongue between his lips and into his mouth. Masami touched his tongue to Kiyoshi’s, learning how to kiss from his lover. Kiyoshi pulled him even closer and broke the kiss to run his mouth down his neck. Masami shuddered, his cock aching, wanting to be touched. He tilted his head back, giving Kiyoshi better access for more of the wonderful kisses. His body felt hot, hotter than the water they were sitting in. Page 60


“Kiyoshi, I want you,” he moaned and reached between them to touch Kiyoshi’s cock. It wasn’t fully hard, but a few slow strokes changed that. Kiyoshi shuddered at the touch. “Let me get the oil,” he whispered. Masami locked his mouth with Kiyoshi’s in a kiss full of excited anticipation. “Hurry,” he urged when he finally let the older man go. “So impatient,” Kiyoshi murmured but he smiled as he retrieved the bottle from his pack and it did not take him long to clamber back into the bath. Masami returned to his place in Kiyoshi’s lap, his hand wrapping around his lover’s cock and stroking. “I know what I want, and that is this inside me,” he said right before his mouth closed on Kiyoshi’s. Kiyoshi’s hand moved and stroked Masami’s cock in return. Masami shuddered, moaning into the kiss, the touch of his lover’s hand burned through him, and on the second stroke he gasped. Page 61


Kiyoshi broke the lip lock. “Too much?” he asked. He shook his head vehemently. “No Kiyoshi, show me more. Teach me how to pleasure you, I want to learn.” “You’re learning fast, Masami,” Kiyoshi assured him, “although I can’t teach you everything in a bathtub.” He chuckled. “At least, not without drowning.” “Drowning?” Masami asked, puzzled by Kiyoshi’s comment because he couldn’t understand what they might do that would result in either of them drowning. “I’ll show you later,” Kiyoshi promised, “but to give you some idea it involves mouths and these.” He touched Masami’s cock. Masami’s eyes widened. “Oh...” he said and looked down. “You mean put it in my mouth?” He pulled away from Kiyoshi and slipped below the surface of the water, opened his mouth and took the end of his lover’s cock inside, touching it with his tongue. Page 62


Kiyoshi grabbed him by the hair and pulled him above the surface again. “Not in the bath,” he said before laughing. “That can wait until we’re in our room.” Masami wiped water out of his eyes. “Oh!” He smiled. “So you’re going to have me now and again later too? I didn’t know it could be done more than once a night.” A small smile played round Kiyoshi’s mouth. “You’re young, Masami, you should have enough stamina.” “And what about you, Kiyoshi-san? Do you have that kind of stamina?” he asked, his face reddening. Kiyoshi’s smile widened. “Oh I think so, Masami. It helps that you’re so beautiful of course.” Masami’s face heated even more making him wish he could go back under the water to cool it. “I wish you wouldn’t say that, Kiyoshi-san. I’m not beautiful, not the way you are,” he murmured and rested his head on Kiyoshi’s chest. “Oh but you are to me. Very beautiful, Page 63


courageous and skilful. I am honored to have you as a companion on the road.” Masami held on to Kiyoshi, eyes filling with tears. He’d never had friend or any companion other than his master, a man who’d been old his entire life. “Kiyoshi the moth has burned in the heat of your fire. No matter what happens, I won’t ever leave you, not even in death.” Kiyoshi held him close, stroking his back and murmuring endearments He kissed Kiyoshi’s shoulder, reached between them and stroked his lover’s erection. “I want you Kiyoshi.” “Then we need to change positions.” Kiyoshi glanced around frowning. “Ah, perhaps if you kneel on the bench it might work.” Masami nodded and slipped off of Kiyoshi’s lap, but he didn’t relinquish his hold on the man’s hardness, his fingers stroking it. Kiyoshi opened the bottle of oil and coated Page 64


his fingers with a generous amount before inserting one of them into Masami. He gasped, letting go of Kiyoshi’s cock to grasp the side of the tub. It had hurt. Just the one finger had hurt. He hadn’t really noticed how tender his anus was after the spanking and the pain of his side, but he noticed it now. He took a deep breath and tried to relax the way Kiyoshi had told him before. Kiyoshi removed the finger and leaned close. “Are you sure about this?” he asked. Masami closed his eyes, thought about it. “I want the hurt to go away for a while, Kiyoshi. I want to feel good, so yes, I’m sure.” Kiyoshi applied more oil and inserted a second finger. Masami’s breath caught, his anus clamping down tightly on Kiyoshi’s fingers. He gripped the edge of the tub tight enough that his knuckles went white. “Kiyoooshiii,” he moaned, voice tense with pain. Page 65


Kiyoshi withdrew the fingers again. “You need to relax, Masami. You’re much too tense for this to be anything but painful and I don’t want to hurt you.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, took another one and tried to do what Kiyoshi told him. “You made it feel good last time, Kiyoshi. Please do that again, it made it a lot easier.” Kiyoshi added even more oil and another finger and Masami groaned as his lover found the spot that turned pain to pleasure. “Yes,” Masami groaned, “like that Kiyoshi. Just like that!” he cried out as Kiyoshi’s strong fingers found the same place, tense anal muscles relaxed. Kiyoshi removed his fingers again but soon returned them adding even more of the oil. “Kiyoshi,” Masami moaned rocking back on the fingers inside him, wishing they’d go deeper, reach inside him the way the man’s erection could. There was still some pain, but that Page 66


came mostly from his sore butt cheeks and especially from his ribs. Kiyoshi removed his fingers, replacing them with the head of his cock. Masami took a deep breath, closed his eyes, “Do it Kiyoshi. Please.” His hands tightened on the edge of the tub and he braced himself waiting for the rod of flesh to sink into his body. Kiyoshi sank his cock slowly into the boy. “Oh... gods...” Masami gasped, his head drooping. It hurt but it felt good too, the head of Kiyoshi’s erection brushing along that pleasure spot his lover was so good at finding inside him. Kiyoshi’s hands ran along his spine before coming to rest on his hips, his lips nuzzling at Masami’s neck. He leaned back into the touch of Kiyoshi’s lips, let go of the edge of the tub and reached back to caress his lover’s arm and shoulder. Kiyoshi kept his thrusts slow and gentle while he continued to kiss Masami’s neck. Page 67


Masami felt twinges of pain, from his ribs because of the angle of his body, and from his butt when Kiyoshi’s hips bumped it— the man had really laid into his ass earlier with that spanking— and his anus burned from being stretched but the feel inside was worth all the little twinges. “You like this don’t you Kiyoshi?” he murmured. “Very much so, Masami. I’m only sorry that I must be hurting you more than I should.” “I like it too, Kiyoshi, and doesn’t matter, if it hurts some. It feels more good than bad,” Masami told him, trying to twist around to be able to touch the older man. He put too much strain on his side and sucked in a sharp breath as a muscle tried to cramp. “Don’t wriggle about like that or you’ll make things worse. You can touch me later.” “Oh... all right, I won’t wiggle.” Masami closed his eyes and focused on the feel of Kiyoshi’s cock inside him, the warm coil Page 68


of desire heating his balls, making his own hardness ache to be touched. Kiyoshi moved one hand from Masami’s hips and gently stroked his erection in time to his thrusts. He couldn’t help it, the hand on his cock and the cock inside him brought a cry from him, the sensations getting more intense. He had to brace his forearms on the side of the tub to keep him from collapsing as the pleasure started to over ride his ability to control his body. “Kiyoshi-san,” he moaned, “thank you. It feels good. So very good.” Kiyoshi kissed his neck again before saying, “And thank you, Masami, it feels good to me too.” “I want more of it, please. Go fast, Kiyoshi, like you did last time,” Masami said, shocking himself that he could say such a thing and not be embarrassed. “Are you sure you won’t be hurt if I go faster?” Page 69


“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life,” Masami replied, the need to have a release growing with every slow stroke of the hand on him and the thrusts of the hardness filling him. Kiyoshi quickened his pace, his hand speeding up in time with the snap of his hips. Masami moaned, the pleasure making him feel weak and strong at the same time, his breath coming in harsh gasps as he got closer and closer to the release he needed so much. “Kiyoshi!” he cried out his lover’s name and rocked with the harder thrusts, helping drive the cock inside him deeper, more forcefully into his ass. “Gods gods,” he gasped as he felt the heat bloom through his lower body, his balls pulling tight, poised between earth and heaven. Kiyoshi gasped out his name and warmth filled him. Masami groaned, “Kiyoshi,” as he spilled himself into his lover’s hand, his anal muscles clenching around the ronin’s cock. Page 70


Sobbing for breath Masami pulled free of Kiyoshi’s grasp, turned around and claimed his lover’s mouth in a kiss borne of passion and the lingering knowledge that he’d almost lost something that was already precious to him. He’d almost lost Kiyoshi.

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Chapter Three Dangerous Choices

Kiyoshi had insisted they soak in the bath for a while so as to reduce some of the aches and pains in the heat of the water. After they had dried off he’d gone in search of the innkeeper who had been only too happy to show them to their room. As he put his pack down by the futon he reflected that the innkeeper was scared enough to have given them the best room he had. The thought made him smile as he lowered himself with a sigh of relief onto the comfortable futon. A good night’s sleep was exactly what he needed and if he felt that way Masami must feel the need for rest even more. “Come and sit down and I’ll rewrap your ribs.” The boy sank down in front of Kiyoshi with a sigh that carried a weight of weariness and pain in the quiet sound. Page 72


“I know how you feel, Masami. I’m tired too. I feel like I could sleep for a week.” As he spoke he wrapped the boy’s ribs with bandages. “As long as it is habitable, I think that farmhouse would be a good place to rest until you’re fully healed.” “Habitable? I’m not sure I’d call it that. One of the walls is gone and the roof is a terrible joke fate has played on me. It leaks like a cracked tea bowl and I got soaked anyway but it was better than sleeping in the mud outside.” Kiyoshi grimaced. It didn’t sound very promising but he supposed that it would be safer than the wayside inns if the events at this one were anything to go by. “We can take a look at it. We do need somewhere you can rest and heal before we go on to your old village.” “I’ll manage, Kiyoshi.” Masami turned around and crawled onto the futon as soon as he’d finished tying the bandages around his ribs. He lay down, his breath catching as he did. Page 73


“Don’t worry about me so much. I’m a lot tougher than I look.” “Perhaps, but you’re still in pain and I’d rather you be rested and at full strength before we go much further. I have a feeling we will both need all our strength and skills before we’re safe.” He lay out on the futon and put an arm round Masami’s shoulders before kissing him on the temple. The boy wiggled to get more comfortable, moving closer to Kiyoshi. “Well if the place hasn’t fallen in we should be able to stay there a few days, but we’ll need food, I never did catch any fish out of that stream. It flows too fast.” “We could always buy some provisions from the innkeeper. I think he’ll be so glad to see us leave that we’ll get a good price on anything we might want to buy.” “Hmm...” the boy murmured. His breathing had already slowed, his body relaxing in the way of someone falling asleep. Page 74


Kiyoshi didn’t remain awake long after Masami and fell into dreamless slumber. It was still full dark when he awoke to movement and instantly reached for his katana until he felt a warm tongue on his cock. The firm muscle of the boy’s tongue stroked along the soft flesh. “Masami?” Kiyoshi swallowed hard as he was engulfed in wonderful wet warmth. A hand gripped the base of his cock, the boy’s tongue lapping along the head. “Tell me what to do, Kiyoshi,” he whispered, his lips brushing along the sensitive skin, the tongue slipping over the glans between words. “Teach me how to give you pleasure with my mouth.” “Turn around so I can do the same for you and you can copy what I do,” Kiyoshi suggested after a few moments thought. “That will be the quickest way for you to learn and give you pleasure at the same time.”

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What did I do to deserve this wonderful boy as a lover? “I don’t know if that’s going to work, Kiyoshi. I might not be able to learn much if you’re touching me with your mouth,” Masami told him. The room was dark, but the open window let in enough light for Kiyoshi to see the boy take off his fundoshi. It also showed him the hard line of the boy’s erect cock. “We can try it I guess.” Masami scooted closer so his groin was near Kiyoshi’s face. “Tell me what to do, Kiyoshi.” “Just do the same as I do,” Kiyoshi said as he grasped the boy’s cock by the root. He drew closer to it and licked the head, teasing at the slit and pushing the foreskin back with his lips. The boy mimicked what Kiyoshi was doing, the tip of his tongue dipping into the slit in the head, but it was his hand that pushed the foreskin of Kiyoshi’s cock down. Kiyoshi felt the firm lips close around the head of his cock, Masami’s tongue stroking across it. Page 76


He took more of the boy’s cock into his mouth, sucking gently on it. A soft cry came from Masami, the boy’s body trembling, showing a powerful reaction to what Kiyoshi had done. Kiyoshi’s cock was treated to the same pleasurable experience, Masami mimicking him, sucking, taking more of Kiyoshi’s cock into his mouth. Kiyoshi groaned softly in appreciation but didn’t let go of his treat. He didn’t know why Masami felt he needed to learn. As far as he was concerned the boy was a natural. For all his inexperience he was the best and most satisfying lover Kiyoshi had ever had. A hand pushed at Kiyoshi’s pelvis, urging him to lie flat on his back, the boy creeping over to straddle him, his lips tightening on Kiyoshi’s erection, the suction increasing. A moan vibrated through his flesh as the boy reacted to what was being done to him. Kiyoshi decided against deep throating the boy as he didn’t want to choke him. Later perhaps when he was more sure of what he was doing. Page 77


He’d no more thought of it when something startling occurred, Masami’s jaw opened wider and he took more of Kiyoshi in, managing almost half of his full length before he had to retreat into sucking the head alone. After a few breaths Masami tried again, his tongue rolling along the underside of Kiyoshi’s erection. Dazed by this turn of events, Kiyoshi returned the favor, reflecting as he did so that he would never again need another lover. Gasping the boy stopped sucking Kiyoshi’s cock long enough to say, “Gods Kiyoshi, don’t do that. I’m going to lose it and come you do.” Done talking Masami engulfed Kiyoshi’s erection, getting half of it into his mouth. The way his tongue rolled along the underside of Kiyoshi’s cock told him the boy was struggling valiantly not to gag. Kiyoshi came away from his treat to say, “That’s not a problem, Masami. And don’t try to swallow me whole, put your hand round Page 78


the bottom and just go that far. It feels just as good, I promise you.” He returned to the delicious taste of the boy’s cock, his nose buried in the scent coming off him. Even that was sublime. A muffled groan came from the boy at what Kiyoshi was doing to him. Masami did as he’d been told, hand grasping the base of Kiyoshi’s cock, mouth and fist working in an uncertain tandem as the boy took in the new lesson and acted on it. Kiyoshi started to suck in earnest, wanting to taste Masami. It became apparent that the boy was having trouble keeping his focus on what he was doing as the pleasure he felt increased, his moans vibrating through the cock in his mouth. And those very vibrations were bringing Kiyoshi closer to orgasm too. The boy went tense, his breath stopped as he strained toward orgasm, his mouth and hand moving faster on Kiyoshi’s flesh, a tooth grazing the back edge of the glans. Page 79


The slight hint of pain made Kiyoshi arch in pleasure before he deep throated the boy, wanting to be rewarded with Masami’s taste. A harsh cry was torn from the boy as his erection spasmed in Kiyohi’s mouth, Masami’s lips and tongue working Kiyoshi’s erection his free hand grasping Kiyoshi’s balls and caressing them, a finger probing at the tight muscle of his ass. Kiyoshi swallowed finding the taste to be even better than he’d expected it to be. The sensory overload of that together with all Masami was doing to him became too much and he groaned as he climaxed. He could feel Masami choke but the boy swallowed, tongue working Kiyoshi’s cock for a few more strokes before he let the softening flesh go. The boy’s lips met Kiyoshi’s, his own taste in Masami’s mouth, his arms going around him in a tight, passionate embrace. He exchanged tastes with the boy for a while before pulling away to relax against the futon, Masami held close to his chest. Page 80


“Did you enjoy that?” he asked. “Yes,” the boy replied. “The only part that hurt me was my ribs. It’s why I moved.” Masami sighed, a hand coming to rest on Kiyoshi’s lower belly. “I like how you tasted.” Kiyoshi smiled before nuzzling at the boy’s neck. “I enjoyed the taste of you too. But we really need to let your ribs heal up properly. So, with that in mind, perhaps we should go back to sleep.” He wouldn’t really be sorry to simply lie on the futon, holding Masami gently, for whatever remained of the night. “All right, Kiyoshi. We can sleep,” the boy agreed, sounding rather sleepy. Kiyoshi felt comfortable so he let Masami drift off where he was and gradually fell asleep himself. His dreams were full of his family, his distant but fair father, his lovely mother and his younger brother Hideyoshi the laughing joyous boy they all loved. All of them were Page 81


now dead because he had been too disgusted by him to give himself to Kii-sama. He woke with a start to see the first few golden rays of the sun peeking through the window. The boy had moved at some point and lay beside him flat on his back, one hand curled gently around Kiyoshi’s wrist, the other resting on the hilt of his katana on the other side of the bed. The first glimmerings of dawn cast Masami’s peaceful face in warm light and soft shadows, highlighting the delicate cast of his features. But the bare body was all male, and no less beautiful. Kiyoshi rose up on one elbow to trace the line of the jaw with a gentle finger. Then he leaned forward and kissed his young companion and lover. He smiled when Masami’s eyes fluttered open. “Good morning.” Masami smiled, wrapped his arms around Kiyoshi and pulled him down for another Page 82


kiss, the boy’s lips parting the instant their lips touched. Kiyoshi humored him for a while, letting his tongue explore the warm cavern of the boy’s mouth, before pulling away. “We need to get moving before that damned innkeeper has the idea of sending a message to Nagoya.” “I think he’s too terrified of you to even consider that,” Masami replied as he reached for Kiyoshi’s clothes. “Let me help you dress.” Kiyoshi beat him to it. “You concentrate on getting into your clothes while I deal with mine. I really don’t want to be here any longer than I have to.” * Masami turned a sullen glower on Kiyoshi as he reached for his own clothes. He came here when we knew there were samurai after us, and now he’s in a rush to Page 83


go after we’ve been here all night. The man makes no damn sense. Putting his fundoshi on before pulling on his juban, Masami realized it had been the first time in his life he’d slept totally nude and he’d done it beside another man. I wonder what Master would think about what I’ve been doing with Kiyoshi. He never even told me about things like this. Guess he didn’t think there was much point in it all things considered. Kiyoshi packed away their few belongings in his pack once dressed and stood up ready to leave. “While our host is being so obliging we’ll see if we can buy some food from him. We may as well take the horses from those two samurai too since I had sent my grandfather’s horses back to him. If nothing else they’ll fetch a good price somewhere along the road.” Masami nodded as he finished tying his obi. He shoved his swords through it and tipped his head up to study Kiyoshi. “It’s probably not a nice thing to say considering the things that have happened, but I’m glad you didn’t Page 84


accept that pig’s offer to become his lover. If you had I’d never have met you.” Kiyoshi’s smile was forced and quickly faded. “You’re the first and only good thing that has happened to me since then.” “Well I wish I could say that meeting you has only yielded good experiences, but that wouldn’t be true.” Masami sighed and ran a hand through his hair since he didn’t have any way to comb it. “Until I met you I’d never lost a fight, since then I’ve lost two in rather spectacular and embarrassing ways.” “You were outnumbered in Nagoya so you were going to lose that one. You did very well against the bandits on the road and I think you’d have stood up to our samurai friend better if you hadn’t already been wounded.” Masami frowned and started for the door of the room. “Make that three times. The first time I ever lost was to you, Kiyoshi.” Kiyoshi joined him at the door and turned him by the shoulders until they were facing each other. “You very nearly won that one.” Masami moved closer, lay his head on Page 85


Kiyoshi’s shoulder and slipped his arms around the ronin’s narrow waist. “And I’m glad I didn’t because I would have killed you.” Kiyoshi placed a kiss on the top of his head. “I know,” he whispered. This is so strange. I’ve never wanted to touch anyone like this, I’ve never slept naked beside anyone, or kissed or had sex with anyone, but with Kiyoshi it feels like the most natural thing. “Maybe what my Master used to tell me is true. Your life is predetermined and you walk the road you were meant to be on from the moment you’re born until the moment you die.” “I think he had a very good idea there,” Kiyoshi agreed. “Let’s go and have some food and get on the road.” Masami followed Kiyoshi down the stairs. The inn was quiet, but the smell of food being prepared from the kitchen area told them the place wasn’t deserted. Page 86


They’d just reached the bottom of the stairs when the innkeeper came bustling out, smiling broadly and bowing low. “Good morning, good morning. What would you like for breakfast? We have more of the excellent grilled fish and the rice is ready.” Kiyoshi nodded. “Rice and fish with tea for me.” “I want the same, but add some vegetables too,” Masami told the innkeeper. “Good, we’ll have it ready for you soon,” the innkeeper told them and vanished into the kitchen area. The younger girl from the night before arrived with their tea, putting bowls out and pouring from the pot. She left the pot and hurried off without lifting her gaze to either of them. “I think you scared her last night,” Masami murmured as he sipped his tea. The flavorful aroma of grilling fish reached Page 87


them and Masami’s stomach growled. “Sorry, Kiyoshi. I’m always hungry.” Kiyoshi chuckled. “Of course you are. Up till a couple of years back I was always hungry too. You’re still developing, Masami. And that fish really does smell good.” “Yes it does,” Masami agreed and refilled his tea bowl. “I don’t think I’m going to get any taller, but my shoulders are wider than they were this time last year.” He took a drink of the tea and reached over to shove a shoji screen open. “Maybe we should get rice that’s not cooked to take with us. It doesn’t spoil unless you let it get wet.” Kiyoshi nodded. “I have a small bag in my pack but we will need more. What else would you like?” Masami blushed but managed a wicked grin. “Make sure we’ve got lots of oil.” Kiyoshi chuckled. “You’re insatiable. Don’t worry, I’ll ask for some oil.” “I’m not sure what you mean by insatiable, Page 88


but if it means I want more of what we’ve been doing, then yes,” Masami replied. The innkeeper and the older woman came out carrying trays. They quickly served them, the innkeeper appearing very nervous as their meal was placed on the table. The boy eyed the man, frowned and lunged to his feet, grabbing the man by the throat, almost knocking the woman to the floor. “What the hell have you done!” he demanded driving the innkeeper backward until the man collided with a support post. Kiyoshi eyed the food, then the innkeeper. “Well, you can start by eating some of this food you’ve served us.” “I ah.... that is to say....” the man went dead white as the boy’s hand closed tighter on his throat. “Why not sit down and join us, you eat first!” Masami snarled and took hold of the man’s arm and just about hurled him to the floor. “Gods help me!” the man screamed as he hit the floor an arm’s length from Kiyoshi. Page 89


Masami laughed. “No gods around to hear you, just a little mountain demon and a killer ronin.” “Oh gods...” the innkeeper moaned, his arms over his head as if that could protect him. The woman who’d served them kicked at him. “Worthless bastard. First you want us to seduce them, you risk our lives by trying to drug them with that opium you bought. If we survive I’m going home to my parents and your sister is going with me!” “That’s right, brother, I’m leaving you too!” “Opium? In that case I insist you eat it,” Kiyoshi said, hand going to the hilt of his katana. He smiled at the woman. “And if you ladies would get us an edible meal, we’ll join him.” The woman nodded abruptly and made for the kitchen with the younger woman following. “So tell us, have you already sent word to Page 90


Nagoya or were you intending to make sure of us first?” “I sent a neighbor, he’s already left.” Masami grabbed the man by the back of his kimono and yanked him over to the table. “Eat!” he snapped and shoved open a shoji screen that faced the road to Nagoya. The innkeeper stared at the food on the table as if it contained a serpent that would rear up and strike. “When did your neighbor leave?” Kiyoshi asked. The women returned with more food which, with low bows they placed on the table. “We will need rice and oil for our journey. Please put it on the horses ready for us.” The women bowed and hurried away. Masami kicked the man. “He asked you a question.” “Right after dawn.” “On foot or horseback?” Page 91


“On foot,” the man whimpered as he rubbed his knee where Masami had kicked him. The boy shoved a plate of the opium laced fish toward him. “Eat.” The man shook his head. “Please, I’m sorry. I’ll give you money just don’t hurt us.” “We never had any intention of hurting you,” Kiyoshi said in a voice like the ice from Masami’s mountain. “We would have paid for the food, the bath and the room. We’re samurai not bandits no matter what you might have been told.” “I was told you’d killed innocent men. That you were a murderer and the Shogun had a reward on your head of 60 ryo.” The innkeeper started to cry. “I just wanted the money for my family. My poor sister’s got no dowry.” “Because you squandered it gambling with those pig friends of yours that time you went to Nagoya!” the girl shouted from the kitchen. Page 92


Masami glared at the man. “You’re a real worm aren’t you?” The man just nodded. “How much do we owe you?” Kiyoshi wasn’t speaking to the innkeeper but to his wife instead. “Oh and would you add some of these fish to our packs?” The woman actually smiled at that. “If you please, sir, the two meals, hot water for the bath and your room come to four mon. I’ll add the supplies for free because of all the trouble we tried to cause you.” Kiyoshi dug into his pack and retrieved the bag of money. He extracted a gold piece and handed it to the woman. “Towards the girl’s dowry,” he said with another smile. He turned his attention back to the innkeeper. “You, eat. Who knows, your neighbor might even get sixty ryo for you.” The man paled but made no move to touch the food. Masami shoved the man backward onto the floor and grabbed a bowl of the rice Page 93


they’d first been served. He took a handful and shoved it into the man’s face, “Eat damn you!” Kiyoshi held up a hand. “Wait a moment, Masami. I’m not prepared to kill an innocent no matter how stupid. There’s enough opium in there to kill us, isn’t there?” “Yes! I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry!” the innkeeper wailed, tears flooding his eyes. “Bastard!” Masami shook the tainted rice off his hand. He’d known the man had done something to the food the instant they’d set it on the table, but he hadn’t expected an effort to murder them. Kiyoshi put a mouthful of untainted fish and rice into his mouth and chewed. “Eat your breakfast, Masami. If the neighbor went on foot it’s going to take him a day to get there.” He wiped his hand on the man’s yukata and let him go, glancing at Kiyoshi. “I can’t see how you’d think he was innocent when he planned to murder us,” Masami told his lover Page 94


and picked up the bowl of rice. He sniffed it, picked up his chopsticks and started to eat. “I don’t,” Kiyoshi said, “but the people who come after us will see only an innocent innkeeper. So as much as I’d love to kill the fool, I can’t.” Masami sighed, swallowed the mouthful of rice. “It won’t matter, Kiyoshi. Those samurai will be innocent victims too, even though they came to kill you. Don’t you understand? No matter what you do it’s going to be a crime. You’re an outlaw.” * Kiyoshi chewed on his rice as he thought about that. The boy was right whatever he did now would be wrong. When the innkeeper’s wife returned to see if they wanted anything else he took hold of her sleeve. “Do you have any use for the blithering idiot you married?” She glared at her husband and shook her head. “If you want him to eat the food I’ll Page 95


quite understand. Me and the girl are leaving here anyway.” Kiyoshi nodded and let her go. “Eat up,” he told the innkeeper. “Oh no, no please.” The innkeeper turned terrified eyes on his wife. “You can’t be serious. Don’t leave me!” he begged. Masami looked at the man. “Consider this if you will. You aided and abetted known a known criminal. You gave him food and shelter, what do you think the Shogun’s men will think about that?” The innkeeper’s mouth dropped open and he stared at the boy. “They wouldn’t think that. I’ve done everything I could to help the law.” “Except catch us or keep those samurai from dying yesterday.” Kiyoshi finished his food and gazed at the innkeeper. “The boy’s right, you know, and the Shogun’s executioners can be very inventive when it comes to drawing out pain for the longest time. Better to eat and dream your way into the next life.” Page 96


Hand shaking with the terror he felt, the innkeeper picked up the drugged rice and started eating, tears streaming down his cheeks. Masami finished his meal and stood. “I’m going to the privy, I’ll be right back.” The boy left, going out through the kitchen. “Is he an outlaw too? Has he gone to kill my wife and sister?” Kiyoshi laughed at the irony of the fool’s words. “Yes,” he said, “he’s an outlaw and he’s worth ten times more than I am. Do you want to know why? Simply because he was born in the wrong family. As for your wife and sister, they’re safe.” At least he hoped that was the case. Masami came back a few moments later. “I made sure the bodies of those samurai weren’t in sight. The horses are waiting for us out back. I told those women to get the hell out of here just in case whoever comes out of Nagoya is mounted.” He shoved Kiyoshi’s poisoned fish closer Page 97


to the innkeeper. “The more you eat the quicker you’ll die.” The innkeeper was crying by this time. “Please make it quick and painless.” Kiyoshi stood up. “Masami, go and mount your horse. I’ll be there in just a moment.” He shouldered his pack and gazed down scornfully on the weeping innkeeper who was almost choking on the poisoned fish. “I should let you die slowly the way we were supposed to die but I can’t do that.” He drew his sword and swung it all in one fluid motion and the innkeeper’s head went flying off his shoulders to come to rest in the centre of the room. Kiyoshi resheathed his blade and headed out to Masami and the waiting horses. Well, if I wasn’t deserving of the title of outlaw before, I am now. Strange, I don’t feel any different. The boy was up on the smaller of the two animals, his hands gripping the reins and a handful of mane besides. “The woman said they were going east to her parent’s home. Page 98


They took a little money and left the rest. His wife told me if they were found they’d tell the Shogun’s men they’d been so frightened by us they ran away.” He glanced down. “There’s blood on your hakama.” “Damn! Ah well, I’ll have to wash my clothes when we stop.” He mounted the other horse and smiled across at Masami. “You control a horse with your feet, not your hands. All the reins will do is let it know whether to stop or go and at what speed.” He urged his own mount to a walking pace and Masami’s horse fell in beside his. “The innkeeper wanted to die quickly and I let him. Now. Which way do we need to go?” “Up the north road. There’s an inn that way too, but I didn’t go there. We should reach the house tomorrow about mid-afternoon, or sooner since I didn’t have a horse.” The boy was quiet for a few minutes then he laughed quietly. “Kiyoshi, if it comes down to riding hard to escape the Shogun’s men, you’ll have to go on without me. I Page 99


don’t really know how to ride. I thought you realized that last night.” “I don’t think we’ll need to ride hard, Masami. For all they know we could have gone east. Now, let’s start your riding lesson by you sitting upright and holding the reins rather than your horse’s mane. We’re only going to walk, not gallop.” He was quiet for a moment, thinking. “I didn’t come down this road and the Shogun’s men will have come from the east so the inn should be safe.” Smiling at the thought of at least one comfortable night before they had to hole up in some half destroyed house for the gods knew how long he kicked his horse into motion. Masami did what Kiyoshi told him to do, letting go of the horse’s mane and trying to copy the way Kiyoshi sat. He kicked the horse, but instead of the animal walking it broke into a trot. “Kiyoshi what do I do?” “Pull back on the reins. He’ll slow down Page 100


then.” Kiyoshi was trying very hard not to laugh. It might be wise to keep the horses for a while, he thought, so he could teach Masami how to ride properly. Masami pulled and the horse came to such an abrupt stop that the boy almost fell off, grabbing the animal’s mane to keep from going down. “I think I’ll hang onto its mane,” he muttered, one hand rubbing his side. “I really don’t want to fall off.” “Give me the reins then and I’ll lead him.” Otherwise they would be here all day and that was not a good idea under the present circumstances. Masami turned over the reins, but his expression wasn’t very pleasant as he did. He looked like he wanted to say something nasty, but instead he just turned his gaze elsewhere. “We can try again, further up the road,” Kiyoshi said soothingly, “but for now I’d like to get some distance between us and this inn. Page 101


He kicked his own horse into motion again and the two animals plodded happily up the north road. They walked along until the sun was at its highest and Kiyoshi started to look around for somewhere to eat lunch. Masami hadn’t spoken to Kiyoshi once since he’d taken the reins, the boy sitting astride the horse in complete silence. Spotting a likely place just off the road, Kiyoshi brought the horses to a halt and dismounted. He glanced up at Masami. “You going to come and eat or do you want to stay up there and sulk some more?” The boy swung himself down, then stood there leaning against the horse for a while, hands gripping the saddle tight enough to turn his knuckles white. “You all right?” “Yes,” was what Masami said, but Kiyoshi was beginning to realize the signs of pain in the way the boy acted, and the tight sound his voice took on. And right now all the signs were there. Page 102


“Well we don’t need to light a fire as we still have some rice balls so make yourself comfortable while I tether the horses.” He took the horses to a lush swathe of grass and tethered them so they could graze. Masami found some shade under a tree and walked over to it, sitting down stiffly before he lay down and closed his eyes. Kiyoshi retrieved some rice balls from his pack and sat down next to his lover. “Do you want some of these?” Instead of answering Masami moved just enough to lay his head on Kiyoshi’s thigh. Kiyoshi leaned his back against the tree and ran his hand through the boy’s hair. “You only have to put up with the horse for the rest of today,” he said. “I’ll sell them at the next inn.” “No, don’t. We travel faster with them. Sell them later if you want,” Masami replied. “I should have saved a bit of that rice, it would have dulled the pain so I wouldn’t care.” “Well we’re not in such a hurry now so we Page 103


can stay here for a while and let you rest up. A pity we don’t have any willow bark tea. That would help. Perhaps they’ll have some at that inn you mentioned.” “I don’t know. I didn’t even go inside. There were a lot of men there I think.” Masami sighed and draped an arm across Kiyoshi’s lap. “And we should stay in a hurry until we’re well away from Nagoya. You were last seen there so they’ll be searching the roads in all directions.” Kiyoshi nodded. “That’s true,” he said thoughtfully. “You say there were a lot of men at this inn. What sort of men?” “I didn’t see them but I heard them laughing. I always try to avoid groups of men when I can. They always give me trouble, even if I don’t approach them, which puzzles me even now,” the boy explained. “Ah, that’s because you’re young, attractive and carry swords. It’s a challenge to some men.” He fell silent for a while, wondering if a night in the open might be safer than the inn. Page 104


They could always check it out and if it looked like trouble, move on. “How much farther up the road to the inn,” he asked. Masami sat up, winced and glanced around. “Walking at my usual pace, about three hours. With horses, about half that time.” The boy lay back down with his head on Kiyoshi’s thigh. “Do you really think that’s why I’ve had so many problems at towns and inns? I just thought maybe it was because I looked so ragged.” “The rags probably didn’t help but I think it was mostly the first two reasons.” He resumed stroking the boy’s hair. “If we get to this inn by mid afternoon we can see if it’s worth staying. If not we can keep going till we find somewhere safe to spend the night.” “I’ll do whatever you decide, Kiyoshi. You’re more knowledgeable than I am about inns. “Can I rest for a while? Just a little while. I’m so tired.” Page 105


“We can stay here for about an hour. Take a nap if you wish. I’ll keep watch.” “Thank you, Kiyoshi-san,” the boy said and drifted off to sleep.

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Chapter Four Inn Fighting

The place was just about the way he remembered it from a few days ago, but one of the shoji screens that faced the side where they sat their mounts had a big hole in it he didn’t recall being there. The noise however was pretty much the same. A woman’s terrified scream, a man’s cry of pain and raucous laughter. Not the sort of overly exited laughing he’d heard from drunken men, this had a malicious undertone. Cruel. It raised the hairs on the nape of his neck and sent a chill of unease up his spine. “I think we should just keep going, Kiyoshi. Whatever’s going on in that place doesn’t sound like anything we need to be involved with.” Kiyoshi was frowning. “I’m not so sure, Masami. It sounds like people are being hurt in there.” Masami looked at Kiyoshi. “Is that any Page 107


of our concern? There’s a price on both our heads, Kiyoshi. Is going in there worth risking our lives?” There was another scream from the inn and Kiyoshi dismounted, hand going to the hilt of his katana. “I can’t let women be tortured like that.” He tethered his horse and strode purposefully towards the inn’s entrance. Masami got down off his own horse, and followed the older man. He wasn’t really surprised when no innkeeper or hostess came to greet them. It sounded like something very unpleasant was going on, another scream coming from inside. Hurrying, Masami tried to get into the place ahead of Kiyoshi, not wanting the older man to go in first. Kiyoshi grabbed him by the shoulder and shook his head. “Together,” he whispered, “and keep your hand close to your katana.” “Right,” Masami agreed. This close to the door they could hear agonized sobbing. Page 108


This isn’t our concern, but.... Another sharp cry of suffering pierced the air and Masami ran into the room side by side with Kiyoshi. Four unemployed samurai, their clothes worn, hair unkempt, faces unshaven, watched two of their number holding a young woman down to a table. Her kimono was torn open, blood smeared her thighs and bitten breasts. To one side stood what had to be the innkeeper and his family, the man’s face bandaged, his wife’s hands wrapped. When they caught sight of Kiyoshi and Masami their eyes widened, the man gesturing frantically for them to go away. “Do you have the strength for this, Masami?” Kiyoshi asked quietly. “Should have asked that before now, don’t you think?” Masami whispered. The men saw them, a pair of the ronin got to their feet. “If you know what’s good for you, you two boys will back out and keep going,” one of Page 109


them said, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana. “Hyobe don’t chase them off so fast. It’s getting boring around here,” the other man remarked. “Yes, raping women and attacking innkeepers must be dull,” Kiyoshi said, his voice dripping with scorn. That comment got the attention of the rest of the men. They let go of the woman. Masami touched Kiyoshi’s arm, squeezed. “I think we should just go.” What he really wanted was for the men to follow them outside where they’d have more room to fight. One of the men stared at Masami. “Look, a little boy that thinks he’s a ronin. Isn’t he just precious?” The men laughed. “He’s precious to me. What do you bastards hold precious?” Kiyoshi nodded to Masami and started to back out of the door. Page 110


“Pretty boy lovers. Maybe we should make men out of them,” the one called Hyobe said. “Might be fun,” one of the others agreed. Masami backed out with Kiyoshi. “Think we can really take them or should we head for the horses?” “I can take some of them but if you’re not strong enough yet we’ll make for the horses. We can always come back when you’re stronger, although it hurts me to see those poor people suffer.” Masami didn’t give a shit about the people at the inn. They wouldn’t have given a damn about him if things had been reversed, but he wasn’t about to get into an argument with Kiyoshi. “I’m for running, Kiyoshi. But if it means we have to come back, let’s get it over with now.” “Agreed.” Kiyoshi stopped backing towards the horses and stood his ground waiting. Page 111


The six men came out and stood on the porch. They were all grinning. “Did you two little boys run away with your lord’s horses? You know he’s going to be coming after you. Stealing horses gets your heads lopped off,” the oldest of the bunch said as he stepped off the porch and came toward them, the other five following him. “Do yourselves a favor, and put your swords down. We’re not going to hurt you,” Hyobe told them, smiling. Masami moved, stepping farther away from Kiyoshi. Six sets of eyes followed him. “Please, I’ll leave, just let me go.” “Too late for that, little man.” Kiyoshi charged at the oldest ronin, drawing his katana as he went and swinging it with the sound of the wind. The older ronin evaded Kiyoshi’s attack, his own sword coming out to sweep toward Masami’s lover.

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Four of the other ronin rushed Kiyoshi, leaving one of them to charge Masami. Seeing the risk his lover was in, Masami kicked his sandal into the oncoming ronin’s face and swept his katana across the man’s throat. He didn’t even pause, his next attack humming through the air at the side of a man trying to gut his lover. The ronin turned, trying to get out of Masami’s reach, but he wasn’t going to let the man go, following and catching him on the return swing of his katana, the wakizashi following to make sure of him. Kiyoshi broke the first man’s guard and sliced downwards almost cutting him in two. He drew and threw his wakizashi taking another in the chest. Then he turned to face the last two standing ronin. In unison they came at Kiyoshi, making the mistake of not taking Masami into account. Masami rushed at one of them. The man he confronted threw a knife at him which Masami struck with his wakizashi with a Page 113


twist of his wrist that sent the blade spinning back at the man who’d thrown it. The ronin was forced to abandon his attack on Kiyoshi or risk being hit by his own blade. Alone, his partner struggled to fend off Kiyoshi’s fast moving katana. A katana that swiftly took him in the throat before Kiyoshi came to check on Masami. Masami’s sword sliced through the man’s thigh, getting the big artery. The man clutched his leg and fell screaming to the ground, bleeding to death. He turned to Kiyoshi, “Are you all right?” The older man smiled at him. “I was just about to ask you the same thing.” The ronin bleeding out on the ground grabbed his katana and went for Masami who jumped aside, the sword narrowly missing him. Kiyoshi’s eyes narrowed as he stabbed the man through the heart. “Another lesson Page 114


for you, never turn your back on a wounded snake.” Masami bowed his head to acknowledge his acceptance of Kiyoshi’s mild chastisement. He’d made an error that almost cost him his life. He’d gotten careless, mind wrapped in a layer of pain that dulled his ability to reason. He crouched down to wipe off his blades and sheathed them. When he stood he discovered that he had not, in fact, gotten to his feet. For some reason he was sitting in the dirt of the street. Kiyoshi reached down and helped him to his feet. “Food, a bath and a good night’s sleep,” he said sternly, “and don’t even think about arguing.” Masami raised his gaze to Kiyoshi and saw an odd sparkle in his lover’s eyes. “I’d be happy to stay in bed a day or two if you’re going to be there with me.” Kiyoshi chuckled. “My presence in the bed is hardly going to be conducive to you healing up. And I really think you need to do that before we go much further.” Page 115


Masami wobbled and caught at Kiyoshi. “I’ll admit I’m not at my best. Ever since those guys in Nagoya beat me I just haven’t been feeling too good.” What an understatement. I’ve felt like shit ever since then, and we keep fighting. I’m so tired, but part of me wants more of the wonderful things Kiyoshi does to my body. “I’m not surprised. They hit your head on the ground and clubbed your ribs. I think you’re doing well to be standing at all.” He placed an arm around Masami’s waist and led him toward the inn. The praise from his lover warmed Masami enough to keep him on his feet. “I just need some sleep. I’ll be well enough to travel by morning.” They hadn’t reached the porch when they saw a quintet of faces peering out at them. The innkeeper, his wife, the woman the men had raped, and two young children with bruised faces. Kiyoshi helped Masami onto the porch and entered the inn. Page 116


The pair of children watched the two of them with wide staring eyes. The innkeeper eyed them warily. “Please don’t beat us. We’ll get you food, but there’s little left because of the men you killed.” The innkeeper’s wife bowed low to them, weeping as she pulled her children close. “We’ll give you anything you want, just please don’t hurt us.” Masami looked at them. Beaten, injured, suffering from evident wounds. “You were right, Kiyoshi,” he murmured, “they needed our help.” He sagged against his lover and the innkeeper rushed forward, almost as if he wanted to help but didn’t dare set hands on him. “Please sit down over here. We’ll get you a bit food and some tea.” “Thank you,” Kiyoshi said gratefully. “Do you have a room for the night?” “They’re a mess, but we’ll get the best one cleaned up for you.” The man bowed deeply, “Thank you. We’re forever in your debt.” Page 117


Masami dropped to a floor pillow with a soft hiss at the jolt he’d given his ribs. The innkeeper’s wife appeared a bit alarmed at the sound. “If he’s injured we have bandages and a little medicine. There isn’t much left but what we have is yours.” “Yes, please, anything you need that we have we’ll give you freely,” the innkeeper added. “Thank you for killing the bad men,” the oldest of the children whispered. Kiyoshi smiled. “Right now all we need is food and sleep. If you have clean bandages for my friend they would be appreciated as would fodder for the horses.” He reached out and tousled the child’s hair. “And we will pay the usual price for everything as I think too much has already been taken from you.” The child recoiled at the touch, fleeing to the innkeeper’s wife. The whole family bowed their way to the kitchen while the woman hurried upstairs at an order from the innkeeper to clean a room for their guests. Masami looked at the table, stared. There Page 118


were deep scars in the surface, the marks of blades cut deep. “I don’t even want to think about what those men did to these people.” “No, nor I,” Kiyoshi agreed. “I know the constant wars were bad for people but leaving so many samurai with no master and nothing to do is almost as bad.” Masami looked around the room, his keen gaze took in the evidence of violence. A smear of blood on a support pillar. Stains on the tatami that could be nothing but more blood. “Men don’t behave like this. Vicious animals yes, men no.” “Even the most vicious of animals don’t turn on their own kind,” Kiyoshi said sadly. “Only men do these terrible things for their own amusement.” “It’s a terrible way to act,” Masami replied as the oldest child came out carrying a tray with a pot of tea and two bowls. The child— Masami wasn’t sure if it was a boy or girl— set the tray down, bowed to them and served the tea. “You must be great Page 119


heroes, and I thank you again for killing those men.” The child sighed. “But there are more of them scattered around the village.” * Kiyoshi glanced up from his study of the scarred table. “More of them, you say? Many more?” It was beginning to look as if they would not be able to relax just yet. Masami let out a quiet sigh. “Should we go after them now, or let them come to us?” Kiyoshi frowned as he thought about that one. He turned again to the child. “Do you know how many more of them there are?” The child nodded. “About four or five more, I think but my father would know better. Please ask him, guest-sama.” “Ask me what?” the innkeeper questioned as he came out carrying a tray on which bowls of steaming rice and some pickles were placed. Masami’s hand touched Kiyoshi’s arm. Page 120


“If you want me to fight, I can, but not if my belly’s full. I’ll be too sleepy.” Kiyoshi nodded his acknowledgement of Masami’s words before turning his attention to the innkeeper. “Your child said there were more of those men in the village. I don’t think I’m going to be able to relax until they are all gone so I wondered how many more of them there are.” The innkeeper paled. “I’d forgotten all about the rest of those murderous pigs,” he whispered. “They don’t come around here much, they’re too busy lording it over the rest of the villagers up the road.” Kiyoshi sighed in irritation. Seemingly nobody wanted to answer his question. “I will ask you again, how many more?” The man blinked and all but crumpled to his knees, abasing himself, the tray on the floor beside Masami. “Forgive me most honorable and brave guest-sama! There are five others the last time I saw them. One may have left, I’m not sure. I think he said he had family in Nagoya.” Page 121


The boy picked up the tray and put it on the table, staring at the food with a pained expression. “Thank you,” Kiyoshi said politely before turning to Masami. “What do you think? Deal with them now or give them till morning to get out of the village?” “Anyone that takes the message to men like that will be in danger. You can’t ask any of these poor people to do that.” Masami got to his feet. “So I’ll go.” Kiyoshi chuckled softly and rose to his feet also. “Can you keep our meal warm please? We will be back as soon as possible.” To Masami he said, “You’re not going alone.” He knew if he went the likelihood was that there would be bloodshed but even so he couldn’t leave the rest of the village to such monsters. Masami headed for the door, the boy’s steps much more steady than they’d been right after the fight. “You should really let me go alone. They’ll take me for what I seem Page 122


to be, a boy wearing swords I can’t use. If you’re with me, they’ll see a challenge.” “And if they attack you?” “Horses run faster than men. All I have to do is hang on,” Masami told him in a blunt tone that showed Kiyoshi he’d thought out what he intended to do. Kiyoshi shook his head in defeat. “You’re determined on this aren’t you? Very well, go alone. But if you’re not back before your rice gets cold I’ll come looking for you.” “That would be advisable,” he agreed. “Could you give me a hand up? My legs are a little stiff, and I don’t plan to dismount.” The innkeeper came outside. “Please young man, be careful. Those men are just as terrible as the men who were here.” Kiyoshi helped Masami onto his horse and stared up at him. “Be careful, Masami, I don’t want you getting even more hurt.” The boy leaned down and brushed his lips against Kiyoshi’s. “That’s the other reason I’m going. Better for me to be hurt than you Page 123


right now. One of us needs to be whole to face these guys.” “I see,” Kiyoshi said as he pulled away. His eyes narrowed slightly at the plan and to get his own back he slapped the horse’s rump quite hard, sending it cantering down the street. “One of us in one piece indeed!” Masami clung to the horse’s mane and fought to get the animal under control. “You can be such an...” Masami apparently had obviously learned restraint from the spanking because he didn’t finish the insult. “Pull on the reins, idiot!” Kiyoshi called after him before going back into the inn and resuming his seat. He eyed the rice and pickles with something akin to dislike, totally unable to eat until his lover returned in one piece. Why him? Why does he hold such power over me where others have not? He sighed and beckoned to the innkeeper. “Could I have some more tea please? This really is a superior blend.” Page 124


“Yes of course,” the innkeeper replied and went to refill the small tea pot. The child who’d brought them the tea returned and knelt beside the table before pouring the tea for Kiyoshi. “My grandfather was a samurai, but he died in the war,” the child confided. “My mother has a shrine to him, or she did until those men smashed it.” “They smashed a sacred shrine?” It was unbelievable the depravity these so-called warriors had descended to. “I wish I had been able to kill them twice over for such sacrilege.” He smiled soothingly at the child. “What was your grandfather’s name?” The child’s eyes filled with tears. “Konoe Masahisa. He was killed fighting very far away from here. His old friend brought us the news. He was staying here with us but went away with some young samurai who were looking for an outlaw the Shogun’s after. They came here a few weeks ago. If he’d been here those awful guys wouldn’t have stayed and grandfather’s shrine would still be standing.” Page 125


His old friend? Could that possibly be the man I fought at the gate? If it was, at least he won’t be coming back to tell them who I am. He spoke soothingly to the child. “Unfortunately when the Shogun demands all must obey him, no matter what the cost may be. We will stay for a while and take the place of your grandfather’s friend while we are here. Perhaps we can help rebuild the shrine.” Those samurai can’t have shown my likeness here or these people would have run screaming by now. His attention turned to the rice on the table. It was still steaming merrily so Masami hadn’t been gone very long as yet. He would need to tell him this news when he had the opportunity. The child refilled his tea, bowed and said, “I should go help my mother. They burned her hands so it’s hard for her to work.” Then the child left, but not before he gave Kiyoshi a wan shadow of a smile. “I like you, you’re a good man.” Page 126


If only that were true, my young friend. He returned the smile and sipped at his tea worrying about Masami and at just how quickly that bastard Ieyasu had spread the word. His version of it that was. “Slow down you crazy animal! Slow down!” There was no mistaking Masami’s voice, or the sound of hooves moving at a bone jarring trot on the hard packed dirt of the road. Off somewhere in the distance Kiyoshi could hear faint shouting, but even at a distance he could hear anger in the voices. “Kiyoshi! Kiyoshi we’re about to have undesired guests!” He stood up in one quick and graceful movement and headed for the door. Masami managed to pull the horse to a standstill finally and Kiyoshi strode across to assist his young lover in dismounting. “Are you all right?” “Yeah but one of them isn’t. He tried to pull me down off the horse so I kicked him Page 127


in the face. I think he’s dead, or he wishes he was,” the boy replied as the noise of the angry men came closer. Four ronin came boiling out from a narrow side path, spotted Masami and Kiyoshi and with an outraged bellow they came racing toward the two of them, their swords drawn. “Guess we’re going to be fighting now. I wanted to get to eat, but do I get to have a nice meal in peace? Of course not. I’ve got to deal with more assholes.” Masami muttered sounding more annoyed than tired. “Looks that way,” Kiyoshi said with an air of fatalism. “Best to get it over with so that everyone can relax. And I have something important to tell you later.” “So long as it doesn’t come accompanied by an ass beating,” the boy replied, drawing his swords as the screaming quartet of ronin reached them. Masami’s blades sang, twin arcs of steel that forced one of the ronin to backpedal, eyes wide with shock. “Shit!” he cried out as the end of his Page 128


topknot fell to the dirt. “The damn kid almost took off my head!” “You’re so stupid do you think it would make much difference one way or another?” Masami taunted. Grinning to himself at Masami’s smart mouth, Kiyoshi drew his own swords. “I believe you were told to leave this village and find some other poor people to torment. Of course, we could always save them the unpleasantness of having you around.” The four ronin backed off another step and stared at each other. They obviously weren’t used to real opposition. Kiyoshi sniffed dramatically. “And what is that awful stench? Don’t you idiots know what a bath is for?” “They’re all talk,’ the tallest of the four snarled. “If they’re all talk where are Hyobe and the others!” the youngest demanded. Masami grinned. “Feeding crows. My Page 129


friend here is dangerous. You really should have listened and just left town.” Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow at being called dangerous but kept his attention on the ronin. The tallest and apparently most stupid decided they were bluffing and charged him. Sighing slightly he sent the man’s head rolling. The remaining three charged en masse. The youngest of them went for Masami, his katana darting for the boy’s chest. Masami neatly sidestepped and drove his katana into the man’s side, whirling away as his opponent turned, striking out at him in desperation, the man missing and collapsing to his knees a few feet from Kiyoshi. “He said you were dangerous...” he gasped and fell face first into the dirt of the road. Kiyoshi shook his head. “Correction. We both are.” Meanwhile he was fighting the man whose topknot had been cut off by Masami. He was a better fighter but had not been training and had got too used to bullying the weak. The fool charged in, his katana swinging Page 130


wildly only to have Kiyoshi’s wakizashi slip under his guard and pierce his belly. The man Masami had taken down wasn’t dead. With a desperate effort he swung his katana at Kiyoshi’s legs and gained a katana through his spine for his trouble. “Kill the bastard and be done with this, Kiyoshi! I’m tired of killing.” The last man turned to run, the fight gone out of him. Kiyoshi sighed, and sent his wakizashi to spin end over end until it buried itself in the last ronin’s back. “You think I enjoy it?” he asked Masami. “All I want is a meal, a bath and a bed. Which reminds me, the samurai who were looking for me came here but only because they had news for one of the inn’s guests. He went with them and I don’t think they’ll be coming back this way so we can stay until you’re properly healed.” * Page 131


“No I don’t think you enjoy killing,” he snapped at Kiyoshi. “But until I’d met you I hadn’t set my feet on the road to hell and started murdering people!” He was tired, so damn tired and all he wanted to do was to lie down and sleep. Kiyoshi frowned, retrieved his wakizashi, sheathed his swords and walked stiffly back into the inn without a backward glance. Masami watched him go standing there, seeing fury in the line of the older man’s shoulders, the stiffness of his spine. He sighed. I’ve said something to anger him again, or done something, who the hell knows. He’s so touchy. Damn it I wish I’d never met him. I wish I’d never seen him. He glanced at the bodies lying in the dirt. More dead men. Our road will be paved with them. I can sense it the way you can sense a storm on the wind through the flavor of distant lightning on your tongue, or the smell of rain you cannot see. Page 132


Masami turned his face to the sky. Blue, a few clouds floating along. So serene. So clean. Fate cannot be escaped or changed. If this is my fate, so be it. He cleaned his blades with a quick flick of his wrists and sheathed them before following Kiyoshi into the inn. His lover was seated at the table and he joined him, sitting across from the older man. A quick glance told him Kiyoshi was angry. A darkness filled the other man’s eyes like the still depths of a deep pool. Something dangerous lurked in that gaze and Masami turned away, not out of fear, but to prevent himself from saying or doing anything else to anger the other man. Kiyoshi ate silently his gaze never leaving Masami. Finally he put his empty bowl down and said, “If you wish we can go our separate ways from here. Better that than I make you a murderer.” His voice was low, intense, unhappy, angry and who knew what else. Page 133


“Too late,” Masami said and immediately regretted it. He ran a hand over his hair, frowned at the feel of something sticky in it. He lowered his hand and found some blood on his palm. Bathed in blood. How appropriate that seems now that I’m with him. “Forgive me, Kiyoshi. I—” he just stared at his hand feeling a bit ill. “Before I met you I’d never killed anyone. Now it’s becoming an all too common occurrence.” He was quick to add, “I’m not blaming you. It’s just, not easy for me to accept it, even though my Master told me the day would come when I would be faced with the need to kill or die myself.” He met Kiyoshi’s gaze, “I’m not ready to die.” Kiyoshi sighed. “Masami, even if you’d never met me the day would have come when you had to kill. You carry swords and sooner or later some hothead would attempt to kill you. With those swords goes responsibility or you end up like the men who were here, arrogant and cruel. Page 134


“I promise you this. You will never see me kill anyone not deserving of their fate but better than that I cannot do.” Masami refrained from mentioning the old samurai back in Nagoya who, as far as Masami was concerned, wouldn’t be dead if Kiyoshi had just heeded his advice and run. There wasn’t any point in it, the old man was dead, and that was the sad end of that. Instead he said, “I know that, Kiyoshi. I just wish it weren’t turning into an every day thing with us.” Kiyoshi shrugged. “There’s nothing I can say to that. I think, perhaps, we should part ways from here. I’ll pay for you to stay here until you’re healed and leave you the horse and some money to help you get to wherever you want to go. I’ll go and order our rooms.” He rose to his feet. The words Kiyoshi spoke struck him hard as a sword into his body. The entire world seemed to wobble, spinning in his vision. The man who’d become his lover was going to leave. Just walk away from him. Page 135


He got to his feet and bolted out of the door. He wasn’t going to cry. He wasn’t going to be upset. But he was. Tears filled his eyes as he stumbled and fell down the stairs, hitting the ground hard. Feeling nothing but the gaping hole where the first man he’d thought of as a friend, or lover or— He didn’t know what Kiyoshi was, all he knew was that he didn’t want him to go. And he wasn’t going to ask him to stay. It was too much weakness to give anyone. Bad enough he’d seen so much already. Yes, in the end it was for the best. But if that was the case why did he feel like he was dying? Strong hands lifted him, cradled him and carried him back into the inn. Masami pressed his face into Kyoshi’s shoulder. He bit his lip trying not to act like a child, but he just couldn’t keep the pain inside. “I don’t know what I did but I’m sorry. Hit me if you want but don’t leave me, Page 136


please Kiyoshi. You’re the closest person to a friend I’ve ever had, don’t leave me.” Kiyoshi didn’t put him down until he reached their room and laid him on the futon. Then he brushed the bangs out of his eyes and smiled wryly. “We’re both tired and not stopping to think before reacting,” he said. “So you are going to stay here and rest until you are fully healed and I’m going to take the opportunity to rest also.” “I’ve got blood in my hair and I’m covered in dust. Can I have a bath first?” Masami asked, wiping at the tears that had filled his eyes. “Please Kiyoshi. I can’t stand the smell of it.” He’d forgotten about the blood and dust on his hand and when he wiped his face he’d left both smeared across his cheeks. Kiyoshi smiled at him, the expression tender. “The bath is being prepared for us, don’t fret. And the innkeeper is bringing you some food as you didn’t eat before.” Page 137


“Just don’t go, Kiyoshi. I’ll—” but he didn’t know what to say or promise, except one thing. “You can have me when you want me, I’ll do anything you want just don’t leave me. Please.” One of Kiyoshi’s mobile brows shot up at that. “Anything?” Masami blushed, but nodded. “Anything. Just—” he hated himself, hated how he sounded as he said, “don’t leave me please.” Weak so very weak. Master was right. I’m not strong enough. I won’t ever be. “Very well, I’ll stay provided you eat, take a soak to help your ribs and then rest for the night. In fact we’re going to stay here instead of that place you mentioned until you’re fully healed.” Masami nodded, admitting defeat by his own hand. He didn’t want to lose Kiyoshi, so he’d do what he had to in order to stay with the older man. There was a soft scratching at the door. “The bath is ready,” the innkeeper said. Page 138


“Thank you,” Kiyoshi called. He glanced at Masami. “Can you walk or would you like me to carry you?” Then before Masami could answer he leaned forward and kissed him. When he broke away he said, “I don’t want to leave either.” “Then tell me what I did to make you so mad?” Masami implored, grabbing Kiyoshi by the hand. “I don’t know! I don’t!” He felt tears welling up, turned away, ashamed. “Everything I do or say upsets you and I don’t even know why it matters or why I care, but I do. I don’t want you to leave, Kiyoshi!” Kiyoshi squeezed his hand gently and stared into the distance for a moment, his expression sad. “When I was growing up, all I ever wanted was to be a good samurai in the tradition of my family, and to serve the Shogun to the best of my ability. I understood I might be called upon to kill the Shogun’s enemies in wars but I never expected my first kill to be a man who had to destroy what he couldn’t have. I didn’t plan to be a wanderer with a price on my head who has to fight and Page 139


kill just to stay alive. Like you, Masami, I never wanted to be a murderer.” “When I was growing up all I wanted was a family. But the Shogun took that away from me, and nothing can change that,” Masami replied in a broken whisper. “I was trained to be a killer, Kiyoshi. Not a samurai. I was to try and find a way close and kill the Shogun myself, even if it meant my life.” He wiped the tears away with his free hand. “But I know that’s a hopeless goal. I don’t stand any chance of accomplishing a goal like that. Shit, I can’t even manage to keep myself from starving. How in hell could I hope to get close enough to the Shogun to kill him? “I’m undoubtedly stupid, but I’m not a fool. If I want to commit suicide I could do it without being tortured for days first.” Kiyoshi held him close, a soothing hand running through his hair. “Neither of us can live up to the expectations of others. All we can do is our best.” He took a deep, shuddering breath. “All I want right now is to take that bath and sleep for about a week.” Page 140


“That sounds like a very good plan,” Masami agreed and forced himself to his feet. “Let’s do just that.”

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Chapter Five Promises Made

Three days later, rested, fully-healed and feeling a lot stronger, Kiyoshi paid the innkeeper for their room, baths and meals and added a little extra for new tables. The day before he had replaced the smashed shrine, partly out of guilt over their old friend and was now ready to head north and put some distance between them and Nagoya. He also found he had a desire to see the place where Masami had lived until his master had died. Masami joined Kiyoshi in the inn’s yard where the horses stood waiting along with the entire group of farmers and their families who’d come to thank them one last time before they departed. An older woman came forward and offered Kiyoshi a very finely woven obi of dark blue. “This belonged to my father,” she said. “It’s Page 142


silk and we would like you to have it as a small token of our gratitude.” He frowned. “But this is an heirloom for your family. I couldn’t possibly take it.” “Please, if it weren’t for you I would have no family. I’m sure those men intended to kill all of us for fun before they left,” she replied. “She’s right,” an old man said. “They killed several of us before you arrived and they would have murdered all of us.” There were murmurs of agreement from the rest of the villagers. There was nothing left for him to do but bow to both the woman and the inevitable and accept the obi with good grace. The old man’s words had helped too and he no longer felt any remorse at all for killing the ronin. He hoped Masami could feel the same way. “Good men like you are rare. We all feel obligated to you for helping us,” the innkeeper said. “Ai decided her father’s obi was to be yours while this,” he pulled out a folded fan, “would be my family’s contribution. Page 143


It belonged to my father,” he explained. “I would like to say he fought in the war on the side of the Tokugawa but the truth is he fought for the Sanada clan. If you don’t want it I’ll understand.” At the mention of his own family Masami looked at Kiyoshi. Though he said nothing Kiyoshi could see the deep emotion filling the boy’s eyes. Kiyoshi nodded and accepted the fan. “I am honored to take this as I am now of the belief that your father fought on the side of right.” “Thank you again for your good and kind hospitality.” He bowed to the innkeeper resolving to let Masami have the fan, after he’d shown him what could be done with it of course. Then again, if he was trained as an assassin he probably already knows. The innkeeper’s wife came forward and presented Masami with a carefully wrapped package. “I’ve packed some food for the two Page 144


of you. Thank you for all your help young man,” she said and bowed. Masami accepted the package and bowed his head slightly in thanks. All the villagers knelt and bowed, saying, “Thank you both so much, may the gods smile on both of you.” Growing more than a little uncomfortable with all the praise and thanks, Kiyoshi mounted his horse, eager to be on the road and further from the Shogun’s influence. He felt well-rested and strong and able to deal with the world again. The fact that Masami was now completely healed made him feel even better. Masami tied the package to the back of his saddle then mounted his horse. He grabbed a handful of the animal’s mane, shook his head and let it go, taking up the reins instead. “Ready?” he asked Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi nodded and, with a final nod to the villagers, urged his horse into a walk. It was good to be on the road again. Page 145


Masami’s horse fell in beside Kiyoshi’s as the villagers got up to walk in their wake crying good lucks and blessings to them. “I think if we ever need a place hide out we could come here,” Masami said very quietly. “I bet they’d protect us from just about anyone.” “Especially as they have relatives who fought against the Shogun,” Kiyoshi replied just as quietly. “But what could they do if he sent samurai here? They’d be as helpless as they were against those ronin.” The bastard now has most of this country in a grip of steel and we’re on our own for now. Perhaps later we can head for Osaka. “They’d hide us is what,” Masami replied. “But I’d say as a last resort only. And besides, we’re heading north where I lived. An army of the Shogun’s men couldn’t reach us up that trail. It’s why I was taken there by my Master. One man can hold off an army there since they can only come up single file and not with horses.”

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Kiyoshi smiled. “I’m liking the sound of it more and more,” he said. “I won’t lie to you and say it’s much of a house. Not considering where you grew up.” The boy sighed, looking suddenly unhappy. “To you it’s going to be like living in a beggar’s hut.” Kiyoshi shook his head. “Masami, please, my grandfather’s house was the exception rather than the rule this past year. I’m perfectly capable of making myself at home in anything from an inn like the one we just left to the hard ground. I’ve worked in brothels and for daimyo and the two aren’t much different believe me.” At the mention of working in a brothel Masami’s cheeks went red. “You worked... where?” he asked. Kiyoshi chuckled mirthlessly. “You see, I’m prepared to do anything I have to. All my pride died with Kii and then my parents and youngest brother. I’ve played bodyguard for famous courtesans and I’ve played the whore. Money is money no matter how it’s earned.” Page 147


“You whored yourself for money?” Masami asked, incredulous. “I just can’t imagine it. You’re so—” he shook his head obviously at a loss for words. Kiyoshi held up a hand. “I’m not advocating it as a career path! I was desperate at the time. The price of pride, a price I’m continuing to pay. Strangely enough I don’t regret doing what I did except for the consequences to my family. If I hadn’t done it, I wouldn’t have met you, would I?” Masami’s cheeks flamed. “I didn’t say I was considering it!” he shot back then shook his head. “Sorry I just... can’t picture you doing that.” The boy was quiet for a minute then he said, “No I guess you wouldn’t have, but really, if you could change things, go back to the way things were with your family alive and you back at the dojo, you would, wouldn’t you?” Kiyoshi thought long and hard about that. My parents and brother still alive and my place in the world assured as long as I gave into this or that arrogant little lord. Would it Page 148


have been worth it? Would giving in to Kii’s demands have cost me so dearly? He would soon have tired of me when the next pretty face attracted him after all. Yet… “No.” “Maybe, having no family to call my own, I put more value on them,” Masami told Kiyoshi. “But if it had been me, I think I would have done anything to keep them safe.” The boy looked away. “It’s a terrible thing to be all alone in the world, Kiyoshi. To know that not a person in the whole world cares about you, or would care if you died is a terrible sort of loneliness.” “I would care. I know we’re not family but I feel as much for you as for any member of my family.” “But why, Kiyoshi? Have you stopped to ask yourself that?” Kiyoshi smiled. “Many times,” he said, Page 149


“and so far I’ve only come up with one answer. I must love you.” The smile died as he wondered how Masami would take that particular piece of news. “You what?” Masami asked, turning to look at Kiyoshi, his expression confused. Kiyoshi sighed and shook his head. “Just forget I said anything, all right?” “No, Kiyoshi, I won’t. I want to know what you mean by saying something like that? Not three days ago you were going to walk away and leave me at that inn. Now you tell me ‘I must love you’ then you tell me to forget it? What am I supposed to make of how you act? You confuse the hell out me, Kiyoshi. You really do.” Kiyoshi felt his temper rise at Masami’s words and started shouting. “You want to know why I was going to leave. Because you hurt me, that’s why! And I told you to forget it because it seemed like it wasn’t something you wanted to hear!” With an effort of will he forced himself to Page 150


calm down again. “I love you, Masami, even though you’re the most irritating little brat I’ve ever come across.” “Well if I’m so irritating maybe you should leave!” Masami snapped, kicking his horse. The animal leapt forward almost unseating the boy. “You make me crazy! You really do! How can you scream at me and say you love me? I don’t understand you Kiyoshi,” the boy shouted as the horse loped away. “Hell I don’t understand anything!” Kiyoshi sighed and kicked his own horse. You’re not the only one, Masami, you’re not the only one. He drew level with the boy and grabbed his reins pulling both horses up until they were back to a gently walk. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” “Never mind.” Masami ran his hand through his hair, and sighed, cheeks bright with shame. “I’m always upset or mad about something. I’ve been that way since my cock first stood up. Master said it made me lose what little bit of common sense I had.” Page 151


Kiyoshi grinned ruefully. “I think your master and I would have agreed about many things.” “I told you he would have liked you. He wanted me to be clear headed and calm, but I’m just not. My mother was—” he paused as if trying to choose his words carefully, “as passionate as she was beautiful, and I am much more like her than I am like my father.” His mouth twisted in a wry smile. “My Master said I was more suited to be a man’s companion than a warrior, but he’d never explain what he meant by that. I begin to think I understand what he meant now.” Kiyoshi shook his head. “No, Masami, you’re much more than a mere companion. You are just as much a warrior as I am, you just have different training. I believe there is much we could learn from each other. That is if you want to.” * “That’s if you don’t think trying to teach me something is a waste of time.” There was Page 152


a hurt expression on his face as he added, “The last two years my Master just stopped trying.” Masami, depressed by things that would never be part of his life like a family or someone who really loved him, tried not to think about the emptiness of his life. He wanted to believe Kiyoshi was telling the truth but they didn’t know each other, and it didn’t make any sense for the older man to love him. He’s saying that because I showed too much weakness, now he’s trying to use emotional traps to ensnare me so I’ll... what? Stay with him? Shit, I’ve given so much of myself to him now, he’s got me and he knows it. I’m such a fool. But I don’t want him to go, I... like him even if he is an asshole. Masami decided to change the subject. “With money and horses we should be able to get where I lived in under a month, so long as Page 153


we don’t have too many fights on the way,” Masami told him. Kiyoshi laughed out loud. “I don’t actually look for them you realize.” “Neither do I, but they happen anyway. Like you said, wearing swords draws trouble. At least for me.” Masami frowned. “There’s a village we’ll have to go through or try and find a way around. The people there, or rather the school of martial arts there, aren’t going to be happy to see me.” “Oh, and why is that?” Masami didn’t want to answer Kiyoshi but there was no way to avoid it. Sooner or later he’d have to tell the older man what had happened. “I was begging, asking for any scrap of food. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I was ashamed that I’d had to stoop so low then too. I was so hungry, my belly hurt and I could smell food cooking. I went through the town, begging people for anything but most of them just turned away. He looked at the neck of his horse rather than Kiyoshi as he continued. “This young Page 154


man said he’d give me food but I’d have to give him my swords. I couldn’t do that, so I offered to fight him for a meal. He laughed at me, but he agreed. We fought, he lost but then he refused to get me any food. Instead he called for help and a friend of his attacked me. I beat him too, then an older man came walking toward me. He had such an angry look on his face and they called him sensei. I thought he’d berate them for fighting, or say something to them about making a wager and reneging on it. Instead he drew his sword and came after me.” Masami glanced at Kyoshi, went back to watching the bobbing neck of the horse. “I was tired and hungry. He wasn’t. He drove me down the street and I knew he was planning to kill me. I guess the idea of two of his students losing to me angered him. But sensei or not he wasn’t good enough and I cut his arm, made him drop his katana. I ran away.” “That’s appalling! That any dojo should behave that way, it’s just horrible.” Masami stared at Kiyoshi. “Would that Page 155


fancy dojo you went to have treated me better? Would they have offered me food and a bath, shelter? Or would they have laughed at me and taunted me? Be honest with yourself, Kiyoshi. The world is a cruel place. I know.” After a moment’s silence Kiyoshi said, “Much as I hate to admit it, you’re right. They would have been no better. Another reason for being glad I’m here and not there.” “As much as it hurts to say it,” Masami murmured, “I wish you were at your dojo and with your family. Out here what do we have? Misery and hardship. That’s no life for you.” He patted the neck of his horse and went on. “I was born to this life. My first breath was drawn with a price on my head. It’s all I’ve ever known and I’ll ever have. I wouldn’t wish such a life on my worst enemy, not even that bastard Tokugawa. Treacherous dog that he is, even he deserves a clean and quick death.” “That may well be true but we’re both still alive, we have food and money, two horses Page 156


and our freedom. Hard maybe, but certainly not miserable.” “I admit, being with you has improved my life dramatically,” Masami stated, his voice still quiet. “I was getting to the end of my endurance. I don’t think I could have lived much longer. I think that might be why I think I attacked you. I wanted to die with dignity in a fight rather than by slow starvation though at the time I was sure it was just because of your name.” “Is that why you took all those thugs on, so you could die quickly?” Kiyoshi gazed off into the distance for a while. “I know it would be better for those left of my family if I were dead, but I’ve no real desire to die just yet. And, when I do die, I’d like it to be as a warrior in some big, important battle.” “The fight with the thugs was unintentional. I wasn’t feeling well most of the afternoon. I’m not used to that kind of heat, Kiyoshi. My body felt like it was on fire most of the day and the light was so bright it all but blinded me.” He lifted his gaze to the road ahead of them. “I kept wishing I’d find you. Page 157


I guess that’s what I was really doing, trying to find you. And when I heard your voice,” his throat closed up and for a moment he couldn’t speak. He wiped the dampness from his eyes. “I owe you my life, so for what it’s worth anything I have, including my life is yours.” Kiyoshi reached across and grasped Masami’s shoulder giving it a quick squeeze in thanks. “Let there be no debts between us, Masami. Your company is enough thanks for me.” “All right then, Kiyoshi. And I promise to try harder not to say or do stupid things, which isn’t easy for me because I never know when I’ve done something to upset you.” He reached up, gripped Kiyoshi’s hand, gave it a squeeze and let go. “I’m sorry about upsetting you the other day. I guess it looked like I was accusing you of making me a murderer, but really it was those men in Nagoya that put my feet on that road. And circumstances have just added to my guilt and they shouldn’t. The men we’ve killed weren’t innocent and Page 158


at the least they were trying to kill us. Or you.” Masami leaned toward Kiyoshi, grabbed his face and kissed him hungrily. He let him go and said, “I swear on my clan and the ancestors of my house that I’ll protect you to my dying breath, Kiyoshi.” Kiyoshi was silent for a moment, staring over his horse’s bobbing head. “I accept your oath,” he said finally, “and I swear on both my clan and ancestors that I will do the same by you, Masami.” He glanced up at an ominously darkening sky. “Is that abandoned house anywhere near here?” “Just over the rise ahead and then off the road to the right. You can tell there used to be a path there, but it’s over grown with weeds and young trees are coming up.” Masami looked up at the sky and frowned. “That looks like a bad blow coming up, we’re going to get wet since the roof leaks but it’s better than being out in a storm.” “I couldn’t agree more,” Kiyoshi said, Page 159


urging his horse to a trot. “Let’s get there before this lets loose on us.” Masami kicked his horse to a quicker pace and followed Kiyoshi, the brewing storm felt heavy on his skin, oppressive. “Through the trees there, Kiyoshi,” he said as they topped the rise. A barely discernable trail went off at a right angle to the road. Kiyoshi grunted his acknowledgement and turned his horse onto the trail, slowing to a walk due to all the brush and new growth along the way. The house, such as it was, soon came into view and Kiyoshi breathed a sigh. “I think we’ll make it in time.” A low rumble of thunder followed his words. “Though only just.” Masami ducked under a low hanging branch and tried to get a look at the sky through the overhanging branches, but the tree cover was too thick. “Why would anyone have a farm out here?” he asked. “What could they grow under these trees anyway?” Page 160


Above them the wind began pulling at the trees creating a low moaning sound. The distinctive scent of rain reached Masami. “That storm’s almost here.” Kiyoshi shrugged and dismounted. “Vegetables perhaps or maybe the trees weren’t here then or perhaps the trees are fruit bearing.” He removed the packs and saddle from his horse and carried them into the driest part of the ruined house before returning to help Masami. Now that his ribs didn’t hurt so much Masami found it easier to get off his horse, but he was still uneasy about it. By the time Kiyoshi came back he’d gotten down and was busy trying to get the saddle off the animal. “Damn it,” he muttered when he failed to get the girth strap to come loose. The horse looked at him as if even it knew how inept he was. “Well if you’re so damn clever you do it,” he muttered to the animal. Kiyoshi chuckled, thrust his packs at him and waved him towards the driest area. “I’ll take his saddle off.” Page 161


He did so deftly before leaving both animals to huddle in the lee of a wall. Masami sighed. “I’ll never be any good with horses. Sometimes I think they know that and are laughing at me.” He headed into the ruins of the house just as another boom of thunder, this one much closer, rolled through the forest. Kiyoshi followed him in and put his saddle next to the one he’d removed from his own horse. “They can tell you’re not used to them and being the boneheads they are tend to make life even harder.” A vivid flash of lightning followed almost instantly by loud thunder made him wince. “I don’t think we’ll be going much further today so we may as well have something to eat and rest until this passes over. “I’ll go get some water and then I’ll gather fire wood,” Masami told him as he got out the bamboo tube they used to carry water and grabbed the pot, too. “I’ll be back pretty soon.” He didn’t even give Kiyoshi a chance to Page 162


say anything, darting out into the deepening darkness as another flash and boom rocked the forest. Running Masami reached the creek he remembered from before and filled both containers running back to the house with them, spilling almost nothing from the pan despite his haste. “Be back with the firewood,” he told Kiyoshi and darted into the trees. Deadfall lay everywhere and it didn’t take long to gather up an armful as the first drops of rain came tricking down through the trees. Kiyoshi had unpacked his tinder box and was investigating the food the innkeeper’s wife had packed up for them. He grinned up at Masami. “We won’t need to cook at least, look sushi and rice balls and judging by the color of them there’s a pickled plum in there.” Masami grinned. “Pickled plums are my favorite. But I like fresh plums right off the tree. They’re the absolute best.” He dumped the wood down and dropped to the floor Page 163


with a contented sigh, happy to just be with Kiyoshi. He didn’t know why, but just being with the older man made him feel good, except when they were arguing. Just remember to keep your mouth shut more and maybe you won’t get in trouble with him. Taking heed of his own advice he dropped into silence. *

*

*

Having eaten a good meal there was nothing else to do but rest and it wasn’t long before the sound of the storm lulled him to sleep. He was hearing another storm, one that had occurred when he’d been little more than a child. Hideyoshi was still scared of them and had crawled onto his futon to lie quivering by his side. He put a comforting arm round his little brother and drifted back to sleep only to be jerked awake again by the Page 164


screen door being thrust aside and the sound of his father’s voice raised in anger. It was an anger tinged with deference. He opened his eyes to find a strange man and a boy just a little older than himself leering at him. “Is incest also a family trait, Naito?” the man asked with a smirk while the boy simply stared at him, something in his eyes disquieting. Next to him, Hideyoshi whimpered and tried to burrow under his arm in shame. He felt he had to explain. “He was frightened by the storm, father.” “Never mind that now” his father said. “Make your bows to Kii-sama and his son. They are very important people.” He clambered to his feet, drawing Hideyoshi up with him, and bowed low to the man and boy. Hideyoshi after a pause followed his example. When he raised his head again it was to Page 165


find the boy’s dark eyes still on him. He shuddered at their expression. His father and the man left them to it but the boy stayed for a moment, still staring at him. His eyes got bigger and bigger and he felt he was rushing towards them, was drowning in them. He awoke with a gasp to find the rain easing off and a concerned Masami shaking his shoulder. “Kiyoshi what’s wrong?” the boy asked, sounding more than a bit upset. “You were making terrible sounds in your sleep.” A warm hand touched his forehead. “You’re chilled. I’ll try and get a fire started so you can warm up. Places like this aren’t any good for you, from now on we stay at inns, not broken down shacks in the woods.” “It was just a nightmare. It could easily have occurred at an inn. It was the storm that awoke a memory.” He handed his tinder box to the boy and Page 166


gazed out at the falling rain. Had Hideyoshi been doomed for a child’s fear of storms? Kii Wataru’s father had probably either covered up or even instigated his brother’s murder. Was it because they’d found him in Kiyoshi’s bed? “Well if you’re sure you’re all right, other than being cold.” The boy got a fire lit with skillful efficiency. “Want me to make you some tea? I set the pan out in the rain and it’s full.” Kiyoshi leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. “That sounds wonderful.” It might just get through the chill of grief and fear that seemed to have seeped right through to his bones. Kiyoshi could hear Masami as he moved around, making tea, the quiet rustle of his clothing almost lost in the downpour and the rumble of thunder. Something was laid over him, gentle hands pressing something around him. He opened his eyes to find Masami’s Page 167


kimono wrapped around him and the boy making tea dressed only in his hakama and juban. “What about you?” he asked. “I’ll warm up with some tea inside me.” “Me? I’m hot all the time this close to the coast. You forget I lived in the mountains. You just relax. You look pale, Kiyoshi. Are you’re sure you’re okay?” He wasn’t sure how to answer that. No, he definitely was not okay. He had more questions that he wanted answered but he couldn’t drag Masami into that particular mess so it would have to wait until he got an opportunity to see his older brother, Akiyoshi, or someone else who could tell him exactly what had happened in Edo after he left. “The dream was about my younger brother, Hideyoshi. It’s left me a bit shaken is all.” Masami grunted in reply. He sat quiet, saying nothing, then rose to his feet and crossed to where Kiyoshi was sitting. He knelt close and then leaned in, bracing his hands on Kiyoshi’s shoulders, pressing his lips to Kiyoshi’s in a gentle kiss. Page 168


Kiyoshi freed one of his hands from the folds of Masami’s kimono and lifted it to tangle in the boy’s hair as he returned the kiss just as gently. There was no lust involved. The kiss was a thing of comfort and gentle companionship that helped to calm him. When it ended he was able to smile at Masami. “So, about that tea?” Masami smiled, eyes glittering with warmth, bowed and hurried off to get Kiyoshi’s tea. He was back quickly, a cup of the steaming liquid in his hand. He knelt, bowed, presented the tea cup between his hands and said, “Your tea, Kiyoshi-san.” Kiyoshi smiled back, as he accepted the tea, the moment helping to push back the nightmare even further. “Thank you Masami-kun.” He sipped at the fragrant liquid, its warmth helping to dispel the lingering chill. “I hope this passes before nightfall. I don’t much fancy the idea of spending the night Page 169


here. It’s better than the outside but only just.” And it made him realize just how difficult Masami’s journey must have been. “You’re quite the survivor,” he said appreciatively. Masami shrugged. “It’s nothing special. I almost starved to death several times. If it weren’t for the fish I caught I probably would have.” “A skill in itself,” Kiyoshi observed, “and one that I hope you’ll teach me. In exchange I’ll help you control that stubborn beast out there.” He nodded towards the horses. He remembered Masami’s tactics with the bandits in the woods and knew there was much he could learn from the boy and vice versa. “I think we should exchange as many skills as possible, don’t you? For instance,” he reached I into his pack and withdrew the fan, “did you know this innocuous looking thing is also a deadly weapon?” Masami nodded. “My Master told me that it was an excellent weapon, but wanted me to learn others first. He’d promised to teach it Page 170


to me this summer, but...” Masami looked at the floor, “he died right at the first breath of spring. He hadn’t been himself most of the winter, but he was so sure he’d be fine once the warm weather came.” Kiyoshi sighed and shook his head. “You can teach me about the things of life like fishing when all I can offer are ways to kill; unless ikebana and writing haiku interest you.” “My master had a book on ikebana, but when he saw me reading it he took it away. He told me things like that were unimportant to my life.” Masami sighed, his gaze focused on the far away past. “You could teach me about horses. Kiyoshi smiled and nodded. “Not too many secrets there. You just need to let the silly animals know who’s in charge. And look after the tack of course. I was taught to ride very young so it’s second nature to me.” He took another sip of tea. “As for ikebana, it’s a very important part of a samurai’s training as it teaches us to center our emotions as we look for the inner form of a thing, be it Page 171


flower, tree branch or opponent. It also helps with inner harmony and calm.” “Really? He seemed to think it a waste of my time.” Masami sat there watching him intently, the boy staring at Kiyoshi’s hands on the tea cup. Kiyoshi sighed not entirely sure how to say what he was thinking, that Masami’s master seemed to have been training him as a ninja assassin rather than a samurai. Aloud he said, “Whatever teaches us inner harmony is never a waste of time, Masami.” “I have no inner harmony, Kiyoshi. My soul is empty.” He lowered his head. “I’ve thought about killing myself a lot the last few weeks. It’s why I’m clinging to you so tightly. You give me a reason to stay alive.” Kiyoshi swallowed the last of his tea and set the bowl aside before lifting Masami’s chin to stare deep into his eyes. “You have a soul, Masami, I can see it in your eyes and it’s anything but empty. It’s full of life and love and passion.” He smiled. “You make me feel old.” Page 172


A mischievous glint lit the boy’s eyes. “Well you are a little old,” he teased, reaching out to brush a finger over Kiyoshi’s eyes, following the line of his eyebrows. “Your eyes are older than they should be. Sorrow does that. My mother’s eyes looked that way too.” “Sorrow, yes, there has been too much of that for both of us. Perhaps we can make the future better than the past. If you’d like us to stay together that is.” “I gave Ichiro my promise to protect you, and I made the same oath to you as well so I won’t be leaving you. But just so you understand how serious I am—” He reached over and picked up his katana, knelt and bowed formally, offering the blade to Kiyoshi. “Naito Kiyoshi, I, Sanada Masami swear to protect you and serve you in any way I may so long as I draw breath.” Kiyoshi sat in stunned silence for a moment before shaking his head. “Put away your blade, Masami. We’ve already made our oaths to each other so we need no more of them between us. I don’t want to be your Page 173


lord or master. What I want to be is your friend, companion and lover if you’ll accept me as those.” Masami lifted widened eyes to Kiyoshi. “You want to be my friend?” he asked very softly. “I thought... well you hit me to make me behave, I just naturally thought you were more interested in being my master so I offered you what I believed would make you happy.” He lay his katana down in his lap. “Another mistake. That’s what I get for thinking at all.” “Not a mistake, Masami. The mistake was mine in hitting you the way I did. It’s very tempting to take on the role of your master, believe me, but I would prefer us to be equals, partners, nakama.” He leaned forward and gently removed the katana from the boy’s lap before drawing them both to their feet. He took Masami in his arms and gazed down at him. “Can you settle for that?” “Settle for being with you? As equals?” Page 174


Masami reached up and touched Kiyoshi’s cheek and there was something tender, almost loving in the way he caressed Kiyoshi. “Yes I think I can live with that.” Something tense and almost painful eased within Kiyoshi at those words and he bent his head to kiss his beautiful lover now friend.

End

tatami san kagema seme uke nakama mon yukata

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About the Author

Auburnimp

The pen name of Tracy Boyall. She is the author of two successful series Fallen Angels and Sweepers and the co-author of the Dragonhope books. She has been writing since she was fifteen but it is only in recent years that she decided to see what publishers thought of her work. Her characters are always strong, feisty and often impetuous enough to get into dangerous situations rather like their creator. She has recently become a partner in a e-publishing house, Shadowfire Press, where she is responsible for finances and customer service. She has been a knife-thrower’s target, an exotic dancer, a drummer, a homeless wanderer and many other things due to a desire to go wherever life takes her. She now lives in a small house in a large English city with four resident cats and one frequent visitor. She is female and has blue eyes; anything else is often subject to change without notice.

About the Author

Auburnimp’s Links: author site: www.auburnimp.net myspace site: www.myspace.com/auburnimp fanfiction site: www.geocities.com/maddelena2000 live journal/blog: www.livejournal.com/auburnimp newsletter/chat group: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/auburnimp

About the Author

Michael Barnette

Michael Barnette grew up in the wilds of Miami, Florida where he enjoyed the nightlife and wide variety of cultures, but not the late night driveby shootings. Deciding on a change of pace, Michael moved to Athens, Georgia where he lived for several years before migrating west. He misses the ethnic food in Miami, he doesn’t miss the driveby shootings. The last two years he was in Miami, Michael went from being a poet to writing short stories. One of the short stories he wrote, Zoner, was also the first gay erotica he’d ever written. Set in his cyberpunk world setting--which takes place in a future variant of Miami--and using characters established from an unfinished novel he was working on, he submitted the story to Circlet Press. The story was published and has been well received in the gay community, garnering a Gaylactic Spectrum Award nomination in 2003, while the anthology, Wired Hard #3, was a finalist for the Lamda Literary award that same year. He has since been nominated for the Gaylactic Spectrum Award five more times, both for novels and short stories.

About the Author

Seeing the popularity of erotica-- and finding it much easier to sell than poetry-- Michael changed his writing focus in 2003 and started researching the types of erotica popular with readers. The rest, as they say, is history. You can visit Michael and find out about his worlds at the following places on the net. Website: http://www.michaelbarnette.com Immortal Heroes: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/immortal_heroes Kink Promo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kinkpromo/ LiveJournal: http://m-barnette.livejournal.com/ Shadowfire Press: http://www.shadowfirepress.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/michaelbarnette Insane Journal: http://m-barnette.insanejournal.com/ Blog: http://mbarnettemuse.blogspot.com/

Book Excerpts

Following are some excerpts of other hot m/m erotic romance titles from Shadowfire Press. If you enjoyed Sakura Blades 2: Fate Entwined by Auburnimp and Michael Barnettte you might also like Swordbrothers 1: Outlaw and the Brat by Auburnimp and Michael Barnette. Sometimes kidnappings don’t turn out the way the kidnapper expects. Darksky Stonetamerson is an outlaw who makes his living kidnapping watermages and selling them to the people of the City to make his living. Lakesinger Rockmanson is a very talented watermage and the biggest brat of his clan. When Lakesinger falls prey to the notorious outlaw, Darksky, the older man’s intention is to sell the spoiled young warrior to the City dwellers. But an out of season storm keeps the pair stuck in Darksky’s cave with unexpected results.

Book Excerpts

Here is a short excerpt from Swordbrothers 1: Outlaw and the Brat by Auburnimp and Michael Barnette He blinked as he recalled the firm flesh of Lakesinger’s butt. A fine, very fuckable butt. One he had no intention of keeping, despite the lure of the man’s youthful beauty. A very find ass indeed. He’ll bring a good price on the open market in the City. A better price than I’d get from any clan. Grinning, he headed for the pool. If he was going to sell him, he should get a good look at what was under those leathers and furs besides a perfect butt. You’ll be able to drive a harder bargain that way, he told himself. Clan or City, beauty is worth more than an ugly darbear of a man like me. When he reached the cave he found Lakesinger sitting in the bathing pool which was giving off steam. The boy blushed when he saw him and ducked his head.

Book Excerpts

“I hope you don’t mind me heating the water, but I really hate cold baths. They never get you really clean the way hot water does.” He stared at the slender body, the lean lines of the young mage from the sweep of his shoulders to the expanse of his nicely defined chest down to the rippling abs. His eyes swept along the sleek thighs, but soon lifted, coming to rest on the smooth shape of the cock nestled in the spun sunlight of his pubic hair. He swallowed, forced himself to stop staring, to focus on the bright blush coloring Lakesinger’s cheeks. But it was no good. His blood hammered in his veins, pulsed in the hardening flesh between his thighs. Thought deserted him and he crossed the room, mind focused on one thing and one thing only: the beauty of that sleek body. Dark virtually pounced on Lakesinger as he dropped to his knees by the pool and captured the perfect slim body in his arms. Dark set his mouth to the younger mage’s in a demanding kiss. The boy went completely still beneath him for a moment or two then, to his surprise, wet arms snaked round his neck and the kiss was returned

Book Excerpts

with an equal amount of demand and even more passion. Part of him commanded that he stop, but the louder part wanted to pick the young mage up, carry him to bed and show him why being a swordbrother was a desirable state of being. Instead he shoved the watermage into the bath he’d made for himself and stood there gazing at him, taking in the young masculine body and the upthrust cock that proved what he’d done hadn’t gone unnoticed by Lakesinger. He wanted, needed. Instead of taking Dark turned away. “That’s something else for you to think on, boy,” he growled and stalked for the exit. There was a soft groan behind him and a murmured, “Oh gods.” Darksky smirked, but the satisfied expression quickly faded. He’d kissed the brat. What had he been thinking? He had no intention of keeping the boy, none. And yet... the feel of the watermage’s lips on his lingered, as did the throbbing ache of his arousal.

Book Excerpts

Apparently they both had a few things to think about.

Or you might enjoy Vampire’s Toy by Auburnimp. There are worse places to be than a vampire’s dungeon. A Halloween trip to a haunted house turns bizarre when a vampire takes an interest in a futureless young man. Justin Maddox is barely tolerated by his so-called friends and has to keep his sexuality a secret from everyone. Samuel Foster sees something in the young man that he wants, total submission to his perverse desires. Here is a short excerpt from Vampire’s Toy by Auburnimp. His Master, and Justin had come to terms

Book Excerpts

with the fact that Samuel Foster was his Master, moved away again only to return with something else in his hands. He ran his hands across Justin’s chest, stopping at a nipple to tweak and pinch it until it stood proud. A tiny clover-shaped nipple clamp was attached to the upright nub before his Master gave the same treatment to the other nipple. It was then that Justin noticed the thin silver chain that linked the nipple clamps. His Master tugged gently on it and Justin gasped as the slight movement pulled on his over sensitised nipples. His Master smiled at him and Justin finally noticed the elongated and incredibly sharp canines. “Y...you’re a vampire?” “I was beginning to wonder how long it would take you to notice. Yes, Justin, I’m a vampire. Does that frighten or intrigue you the most?” Justin frowned as he thought about his answer. If anyone had asked him about vampires a week ago, he’d have told them he didn’t believe in them, that they were creatures of mythology invented to give people a pleasurable chill. Now he was faced with the reality and he didn’t know how to react. There was only one thing he needed

Book Excerpts

to know above all others. “Are you going to kill me?” His Master laughed. “Do you really believe I’d have gone to so much trouble just to capture a meal? No, Justin, I don’t need to kill to feed. In fact, if we please each other enough, I’m prepared to offer you immortality, as my plaything, of course.” An eternity of pleasure-laced pain, could I stand that? Justin shivered at the thought, a slight movement his Master noticed immediately. “I will ask you again; does the idea frighten or intrigue?” Justin gazed into those piercing blue eyes and swallowed hard. What is this I’m feeling? Is it fear or desire? “I find it intriguing, Master, but also scary.” The arctic blue eyes softened, just a tiny amount, but they did soften. “Excellent. I chose well. Let’s see if I can convince you even more.” He gave the chain another gentle tug, causing Justin to catch his breath as his nipples were stimulated yet again.

Book Excerpts

His Master smiled. “I do believe you like that.” Justin hung his head, aroused yet ashamed of his needs. His Master lifted his chin and forced him to look at him. “You need to stop worrying about what the mortal world might think, my pretty, and surrender to both your needs and me.”

You may also like Sweet Pet by J. Applebee. Geon is desperate to be free. Can Stephan’s love release the shapeshifter from his cage? Geon is a Shapeshifter, raised by humans, but kept like a pet. His new owner, Robert wants to use him for his own pleasure, and to entertain friends, but Geon dreams of a life beyond being Robert’s personal sex toy. As Christmas draws near, Geon escapes into the arms of a stranger named Stephan. Together they enjoy intense passionate encounters that

Book Excerpts

leave both men hungry for more. However, Robert wants his pet back, and he thinks nothing of using force and blackmail to snatch the shifter away. Stephan takes matters into his own hands when he sets out to rescue his new lover from the clutches of the powerful man. He uses an innovative and sexually charged plan to make sure that when the New Year rolls around, Geon will be free forever. Here is a short excerpt from Sweet Pet by J. Applebee Geon answered him, by removing the large coat in a single shrug. Stephan looked at the garment as it lay around Geon’s bare feet, and then he looked up, followed the sleek lines of Geon’s legs, the powerful looking muscles of his thighs, the rigid cock that pointed right at him. Stephan gulped at the sight. He returned his hands to Geon’s cool skin, stroked up and down the other man’s chest, and over the peaked points of his nipples. Geon gasped quietly, and arched

Book Excerpts

up to Stephan’s exploring fingers with a murmur of delight. The sound seemed to echo against Stephan’s own frame, and he could feel himself begin to harden. “This is all kinds of wrong,” he murmured. “This shouldn’t be happening.” “Just tell me how you feel.” Geon nuzzled the dark brown skin of Stephan’s neck, with hot breath, and he felt the other man stiffen with resistance before he finally spoke. “Good, so good,” Stephan whispered, surprised at the hoarseness in his throat. “What does it feel like--when you change I mean, do you feel the fur coming out? Does it hurt?” Stephan asked with curiosity, and Geon chuckled lightly. He stroked a gentle path over Stephan’s backside, on the skin just above his thick leather belt. “It’s ticklish; makes me want to rub myself all over,” Geon growled, and then ground his hips against Stephan. “My bedroom’s upstairs,” he whispered. Stephan climbed the stairs, not daring to look over his shoulder as he moved. He didn’t want to question what was real, and what was not.

Book Excerpts

As the door closed behind them, Stephan stepped out of his T-shirt and jeans. The warmth that had gathered now slipped away from him, and he was left feeling exposed and totally vulnerable. Geon’s arms were around him in moments, squeezing, and kneading the long muscles of his arms and his back. Each press of flesh released a soft moan of surrender, and Geon claimed that too. He crushed his lips on Stephan’s own, parted the hungry mouth beneath, and sucked on the hesitant tongue inside. Stephan felt the room tip as he fell backwards onto his small bed. He exhaled in a whoosh of forced breath as Geon landed on top of him, with those amazing green eyes open, drinking in the sight of him. All too soon the comforting weight disappeared as Geon lifted himself up on his knees and elbows. He bent his head and nipped at a spot on Stephan’s throat, then lower to his collarbone. Tiny flickers of not-quite-pain sparked wherever Geon bit and Stephan could almost imagine the little red marks that would be left in his wake. When Geon reached his purple-tinged cock, Stephan held himself rigidly, not daring to move. But Geon did not bite; he just made a low noise in

Book Excerpts

his throat that reverberated against Stephan’s balls. He swallowed him completely in a slow, wet gulp. When Geon withdrew, the empty dampness made Stephan want to howl with frustration. He felt his hands move to Geon’s hair, but his new lover batted his hand away, and kept out of reach. “Tell me what you want, Stephan,” he purred. A thousand different words battled on Stephan’s tongue, and he mouthed soundlessly until a single expression escaped into the air. “Please,” he gasped, arching off the bed. “Please, Geon.” He was shameless with desire; it had been longer than he wanted to admit since someone had done anything close to this with him. He looked up, and the evil smile on Geon’s face made him want to snarl. Geon lowered his head once more, and sucked Stephan’s dick in a noisy slurp. Geon’s tongue was longer and more agile than any that Stephan had encountered before; it seemed to wrap itself around the length of his hardness, and pull on the core of his being, until he felt himself disappear into the depths of Geon’s throat. Stephan jerked violently as he came with a muttered curse.

Book Excerpts

You may also want to read Unspoken by Katica Locke An impulsive werecat sparks a twisted game of cat and mouse he may not survive. Huntsmen kill Werefolk--it’s what they’re trained to do. Kae, a young and impetuous werecat, knows this, but it doesn’t stop him from following one surly Huntsman into the bathroom of a nightclub. One spontaneous, not completely unwanted sexual encounter later, he’s running for his life, pursued by a Huntsman bent on murder...or is it simply revenge? Or is it something else entirely? Here is a short excerpt from Unspoken by Katica Locke Hands clenched into fists, he starts to rise, but I grab him by the back of the shirt and shove him off balance, his pants tangled around his ankles. He falls against the stall wall and I twist one

Book Excerpts

arm up behind his back, pinning him there. For a moment, the only sounds are the throbbing music and our ragged breathing. “Well?” he says finally. “Go on then, kill me. Won’t your furry friends be impressed—the big bad wolf caught a retired Huntsman in the toilet with his pants down.” “Shut up,” I say, shoving him harder against the poorly painted wood. “I didn’t think Huntsmen retired,” I add, leaning against him as I dig into my pocket. “Shows what you know,” he says through his teeth. “Now what the fuck are you doing?” I smirk to myself as I open the little tube of lubricant, warmed by my body heat and slick on my fingers. “You,” I say, reaching down and pushing a single slippery finger into his ass. He jumps like he’s been shot, a surprised cry escaping between his clenched teeth, and tries to pull away from me. “Just relax, old man,” I say, adding a second finger.. “I don’t get off on hurting people.” “You fuck—I’m gonna—son-of-a-bitch, stop it—I’m gonna kill you,” he hisses, rattling the

Book Excerpts

entire set of stalls as he twists and bucks, trying to throw me off. “Don’t try to tell me you don’t want it,” I say, taking my fingers out of him and reaching around to grasp his still hard cock. He gasps, his whole body going rigid, as I let my hand slide along his shaft. “If you weren’t such a bigot, this would be deep in my ass right now.” His cock twitches in my hand and I let go of it, freeing my own growing erection instead. I slick the remaining lube across the head and then position myself at his entrance. He makes a strangled sound as I slide inside, several short thrusts burying my cock up to the hilt.

And you might also enjoy Supernatural Alliance 2: Trapped in Beauty by Michael Barnette. A tygon Protector. A vampire Prince of the Blood. Undeniable passion draws them together. Duty keeps them apart.

Book Excerpts

Protector Trevor Graham, a tygon shifter, is member of an elite military division whose job is keeping the nobles of the Supernatural Alliance safe from danger. Trevor loves his job. That is until he’s assigned to be the Protector of Alfonse Maxmillian, Prince of the Blood of Nevanar. Protecting a young and impulsive vampire Prince isn’t a duty Trevor wants, but duty takes precedence over personal desires. Alfonse Maxmillian, Prince of the Blood and newest member of the Supernatural Alliance’s ruling council doesn’t want a bodyguard. As a Prince of the Blood he feels he can protect himself without the help of any stuffed uniform. But when the Protector assigned to him turns out to be a virile tygon shifter things take a turn neither of them expect. Here is a short excerpt of Supernatural Alliance 2: Trapped in Beauty. “The train will take us to our destination.” The sound of the vampire’s voice wrapped around his

Book Excerpts

mind the way a catchy tune might invade his thoughts. Vampiric power. As a tygon warrior he was immune to such mental games. Frowning, Trevor followed him into the car, setting his duffel on a nearby seat and taking the one beside his guide. The fragrance of the vampire reached him, close proximity making it more evident. Spice. Sweet and enticing, the scent a powerful attractant that had lured Humans to their doom for thousands of years. long ages ago before any of the living vampire Families came into existence. Sitting near the vampire he discovered that even a tygon trained to war wasn’t immune to the power of the scent. Desire washed through him, and he shuddered, shocked that he could be affected by the scent of a vampire despite his training. This shouldn’t be happening to me. I’ve been trained to resist even the most insidious mental tampering of the oldest vampires, yet the mere scent of this young captain is arousing me in ways I’ve never experienced. I’ll have to let the trainers at HQ know that there are some Families our training doesn’t seem to properly protect us from.

Book Excerpts

Uneasy about the failing of the training he’d received, Trevor got up and changed seats, moving to a place across the car from the vampire captain. A tiny smirk curled the vampire’s lips, the expression quickly gone, though, from the look of the hardened flesh he couldn’t help noticing, the vampire seemed to find his own presence as enticing. He coughed, glanced around the deserted car. “How much longer until we depart?” The vampire shrugged, his too keen gaze sweeping along his body, a tiny smile playing at the corners of his sensual lips. “Any time now I’d think.” What is wrong with me? I’m here on an assignment to take care of a vampire Prince, not to get friendly with his staff. But the attraction, strange as it might be, couldn’t be denied. He wanted nothing more than to grab the vampire who sat there smirking his superiority and kiss him into submission. Oddly, he was sure that would be the end result of any sexual encounter between them.

Book Excerpts

The vampire could lure him in with his scent and the almost teasing smiles, but in the end he’d take the vampire and show him why tygons weren’t creatures to be idly toyed with. The thought sent a thrum of lust through him and he felt the ripple of a desire born shift trying to erupt, his skin tingled. A shiver rippled along his spine as fur tried to grow down his back and across both shoulders. It’s definitely time to think about something else. Anything else. You can buy all these fine m/m erotic romance titles from: Shadowfire Press Enter the Shadows... Set your imagination on Fire http://www.shadowfirepress.com

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