Brothel Boogaloo

BROTHEL BOOGALOO

CHAPTER TWO: AFTERMATH OF THE ROOSTER
17 June 2005 12:20AM FRI.

\"You\'re awake!\" The young boy exclaimed snapping out of a daydream.

The pale ronin laying on a small futon blinked his eyes a few times.
\"Where am I?\"

\"Oh, we\'re in a small hut outside of town. The man who lives here knows me well, he won\'t rat us out. There were too many Kowata outside my Father\'s house.\"

No matter how hard he tried to remember, he couldn\'t think of what happened after they snuck through the front gate. Flashes of memories came in little waves over a confused consciousness.
\"How long have we been here?\" He still did not move.

\"I got us here that night, so it\'s been three days, this is the fourth night.\"

Impulse made him try to sit up and a sharp pain revolved around his hips. He did not cry out but hissed slightly.

\"You shouldn\'t try to move. The man took care of your injuries, but he said some are really bad. Your wrist was broken, he wrapped it as best he could. I, uh I sewed your shoulder up. Otsuzu had shown me how when I was smaller. A lot of people with wounds were around me growing up..I-\"

\"Please, could you stop talking?\" Taking more care he sat up slowly.

\"Sorry, when I get nervous that happens.\" The boy cleared his throat and looked away shyly.

Jin got to his feet and shakily headed for the door.

\"Wait...\"

\"I\'ll return. I need to get out of this small room.\" Not turning to look at Sousuke, he exited.

Sousuke just sighed and laid down, he was very tired. He didn\'t tell the ronin; but while he was sleeping, he suffered many nightmares. It kept the boy up almost all night. Nothing coherent escaped the quiet mans lips, mostly crying and babble.
//I hope he\'ll be all right for a while...//
Sleepy eyelids blinked, in a last ditch attempt to fight the sleep that overtook.

- - - - -

//How did I receive these injuries?//
Feelings of anger and hopelessness swam through his ki. Anger that he couldn\'t do something as simple as remember a few nights ago. Hopelessness because he had a feeling something bad happened.
//Was the girl ever saved? How did I get into my normal clothing?//
Giving up the battle, he sat painfully in a meadow outside the hut. It was night, but the moon was half full and bright. Fireflies danced among the wafting grasses, blowing in the gentle breeze.

Everything was at peace, but him. He felt so out of place it almost repulsed him. It was as if he was tainting the area by being near it.
//Why am I feeling this sudden immense hatred for myself?//
It was almost frightening, but he dare not say it. He cleared his throat when he felt tears try to pull it closed. The feeling of not knowing what was going on around him was very upsetting for him.
//You could ask the boy...//
His mind was trying to reason with his panicking spirit. Something was wrong, there was a misbalance in his ki. A big part of the story was missing and he needed to know about it.

- - - - -

\"Damn...\" Jin sighed, as he seen the sleeping form of the boy in question laying on the floor.
//You should wait till morning. He\'ll be more credible that way.//
He wanted to tell himself \'Why are you always so damn reasonable?\', but was too tired to fight. He barely made it to the futon before passing out.

- - - - -

\"Please wake up...\" Sousuke shook the ronin hard, finally causing him to snap open his tear stained eyes.

\"W-hat?!...\" He looked around breathing heavily, touching his eyes in shock of the wetness there. He sat up quickly and scooted back a few inches.

\"It\'s okay, calm down. You\'re awake now.\"

The boys words didn\'t have meaning. There was someone behind him, he was sure of it. His life was in danger, but he didn\'t know why or by who.
//You were having a nightmare baka yarou...//
The ronin clutched the front of his gi, trying to understand what was going on. He jumped when he felt a hand on his left shoulder, crying out in suprise.

\"Shh..Look, you\'re okay I swear, it\'s just a dream...Okay?\"

Something about seeing Sousuke\'s eyes that close made him relax enough to breathe. If there had been someone else there, the child wouldn\'t be so calm.

\"Forgive me but I didn\'t tell you, you\'ve been having these dreams since that night we got here. I didn\'t say anything because I didn\'t know if it always happened or not. I didn\'t want to be rude if it was a usual occurrence. But I can\'t sit here and watch you like this. Can I do anything?\" Sousuke had tears fighting to fall.

\"The...instrument...My katana and four smoke bombs...\"

\"What?\"

\"Where did they go?\" He turned his eyes to the boys warmer ones.

\"I\'m sorry, I don\'t know. When I came to you, you had nothing with you.\" He looked away shamefully.

//Fuck...//
\"Did I, say anything...About anything?\" He was sure he\'d never asked a more idiotic question.

\"No, that night you just said we should go. In your sleep you spoke some, but I couldn\'t understand any of it. I guess it seems I\'m not much help after all.\"

They both avoided each others eyes in silence. Sousuke was about to speak when the hut door opened.

\"Two voices so I guess your crossdressing friend is awake.\" A somewhat gruff voice came before the figure appeared.

The man was tall, taller than Jin. Long blonde hair pulled back under a black bandana. A narrow pair of crystal blue eyes smiled almost as much as the full lips below them. This man obviously wasn\'t Japanese.

Jin found himself staring at the man, half out of curiosity and half out of something else he didn\'t understand. He had forgotten about being referred to as \'crossdressing friend\'.

His clothes seemed as strange as his appearance to the ronin. Black hakama, and white gi, but his shoes were large clunky European boots. As well as the leather gloves he wore. He carried no sword but had a small firearm in holster on his hip.

\"Oh, Gashi-san!\" Sousuke got to his feet and bowed formally.

\"Don\'t start with that shit. You know I told you we\'re friends, right? Your dad saved my life more times than I can count. I\'d do anything for him or any of his kin in confidentiality.\" The blonde laughed in a happy way. \"So, you survived, ne?\" His eyes focused on Jin who was still staring at him.

\"I take it you\'re the owner of this place?\" He regained his senses.

\"Yep, It\'s not much but it keeps ya dry. You did lose a lot of blood, I\'m talking one or two drops from death, so take it slow right?\"

The ronin nodded. He still didn\'t even know the extent of his injuries, only about his wrist and shoulder. But something else was wrong too. His neck, hips...other than bruises he had no other leads as to how they got there. Maybe this man would be of more help than Sousuke in that department.

Gashi was amazed, he didn\'t expect the ronin to be awake so soon. He could easily tell he had been crying, and was visibly shaken.
//Must have been another dream, eh?//

\"Gashi-san, may I go to check for Otsuzu? The Nagatomi don\'t know my face in this part of town, and I\'ll be discreet. I will not lead anyone back here. Will you watch him, please?\" Sousuke pleaded.

\"I\'m not a child or invalid. I do not require watching.\"

\"Oh yeah? And if someone comes in here swinging can you hold a sword? Or are you a kung fu master or something too?\"

The man\'s crude version cleared up one of the reasons he was feeling so anxious. He was a swordsman, with one arm and a wakizashi. Swallowing nervously he looked away at the small fire in the corner.

\"Don\'t worry kid, you\'re a damn good sneak, I trust ya. You look kinda tired though, if ya want you can sleep in my hut, I\'ll stay here tonight.\"

Jin looked up with an annoyed look. He hated feeling this way.

\"Thank you Gashi-san!\" Sousuke smiled and bowed.

\"Stop with all this \'Mr.\' business now!\" He playfully threatened as the boy left.

\"Your kindness is truly not needed. I\'ll recover from the shoulder and tend to my wrist on my own time. Sousuke\'s plan will have to wait until then unfortunately.\" The ronin kept his eyes away.

Gashi didn\'t respond, just continued to stare at Jin, looking at him up and down. The mans gaze made the ronin uncomfortable.

\"What are you doing?\" His annoyance showed through his voice.

\"Just wondering how something as tiny as you can be so damn durable. Most people wouldn\'t have survived all that you know.\"

\"You said that. I won\'t acknowledge the tiny comment out of it\'s ignorance and stupidity.\" His eyebrow twitched.
//All what?//

\"Sorry, I don\'t mean anything bad by it. Just how I talk. Why don\'t we head out to the hot springs to take a bath?\"

\"What?\" The implications were flying.

\"I mean, well I want to and I\'d rather be with you than that babbling kid. I love him to death, but he can talk you into a nervous breakdown.\" Gashi laughed rubbing the back of his head. \" It will be good for your wounds.\"

He felt a little creeped out, but could also feel dry blood making his body at unease. \"Fine then.\" He stood up and stumbled a little at the sudden lightheadedness. Steadying himself against the wall.

\"I told you to be careful. Blood loss is not to be messed around with. I\'ve watched people get stitched up and die a week later. Most weren\'t as bad as you were.\"

\"And I told you your kindness is unnecessary. Just lead the damn way.\" He walked toward the door, thoroughly disgusted at his own weakness.

//What an iceblock...Hell...//

- - - - -

\"What?!\" Jin glared.

\"Well, do you want to ruin the poultice and cast on your arm? You have to let me help.\"

\"Never mind. I can find my way back to the hut.\" The turned around and started to walk back when a firm hand on his good wrist stopped him.

\"Just calm the hell down and get in the damn spring. I\'m not getting anything out of this, and not cleaning your wounds can only hurt Sousuke\'s plan more.\" Gashi tried to play the guilt card.

\"Close your eyes and look away. I mean it.\" His eyes shot daggers deep into Gashi\'s soul.

\"S-sure thing.\" He sighed and closed his eyes, turning his back to the pale one.

A little awkward at first, but somehow he managed to undress himself with one hand. Carefully trying to lower himself into the spring without getting the other wrist wet.

\"Ahh...\" He yelped then bit his tongue in anger at his cry. The hot water stung him badly, in some places he didn\'t realize had injuries.

\"You okay?\" Gashi opened his eyes but didn\'t turn around.

\"F-fine. You can turn around now.\" He breathed deep to get control over the pain, closing his eyes.

\"Good, I don\'t care if ya look at me or not, I\'m coming in.\" The blonde immediately began to disrobe. Jin kept his eyes closed. He only opened them when he felt ripples of the water brushing against him.

\"It\'s fuckin hot.\" Gashi sighed.

\"That is why they call them hot springs.\"

\"I bet it stings...\"

\"It\'s bearable.\"

\"Okay tough guy. Why don\'t you turn around and let me wash your hair? There\'s a lot of blood in it still.\"

It was something he definitely couldn\'t do with one hand. Before he could say anything Gashi was very close to him. He motioned for him to turn around and the ronin complied. He did want all traces of the blood gone, until he knew how it got there. The blonde undid the ponytail and shook the hair free.

\"Close your eyes and lean your head back.\"

He did so, but winced as the bruises on his neck screamed back.

\"You know, I don\'t know how you got hurt like this.\" He began to pour water onto the dirty ebony locks.

\"I...I don\'t either...\" He admitted somehow.

\"Huh? Really? That\'s too bad...\" Gashi started to rub soap into the hair.
//Or maybe not considering.//

Jin sighed some. It felt strange having someone do something like this for him. Not really a bad strange though. He closed his eyes and tried to enjoy the first peace he had felt since waking up.

\"When I first seen the bruises they were fresh. Looked like to me someone tried to break your neck or something.\"

//
\"Shut up...You bite me and I\'ll break your fucking neck right now.\"
//

Jin froze, his blood turned to ice. Something about Gashi\'s words, and the feeling of hands in his hair caused that phrase to repeat loudly over and over. So loudly, he couldn\'t hear the other man speaking as the hands left his hair. There was no air in his lungs, his heart felt as if it had stopped beating.
//T-those words...Whose voice is that?! I know I know it...//
His mind was racing to match a face with the rough voice but nothing registered. Lungs began to scream for air and he gasped loudly. An image of red fabric flashed into his mind, before a large hand shook him out of the trance.

\"Jin? Please, say something.\" Gashi was very worried. All of a sudden the pale man had froze up and stopped breathing.

\"I...I\'m s-sorry. I don\'t know what-\"

\"It\'s all right, really. You scared the hell out of me though...What was that all about?\" The blonde took note to the panicked look on the ronin\'s face.

\"Nothing. We should...hurry and go back, okay?\"

Gashi was a little alarmed at the tone of his voice when he asked. It almost sounded like he was afraid of something.
\"Sure. Let me finish your hair, and we can go. I\'m good.\"

Jin reluctantly turned back around and let Gashi finish working the soap through his hair. He jumped at the first contact, then calmed a little. Gashi noticed this, and the fact that he was shaking even though the water was so warm.
//Whoever raped him must have done something with his hair...Or he really was trying to break his neck.//
Gashi finished quickly, rinsing the soap off. The water tinted red slightly from the dried blood.
\"All finished here. Let me get out first and I\'ll help you out.\"

Jin nodded. He didn\'t care if anyone saw him naked, he just wanted to be back inside somewhere. The openness of this place echoed the strange frightening feeling that voice in his head caused. All of a sudden it felt like the woods had eyes.

- - - - -

\"I don\'t suppose you feel like eating right now?\" Blue eyes smiled with concern.

Jin shook his head no. Standing slowly he made his way to the futon and lay down, keeping his back to Gashi. He was lost trying to figure out the owner of the voice. What scared him the most was when he thought he almost had it, his body felt more anxious. Like something didn\'t want him to know. In all he had experienced in his life; no matter how horrible, his mind had never kept anything from him.
//What could be that bad? The placement of the injuries, the threats...Something happened in that whore house. Obviously, you baka...Just shut up...//
His mind had betrayed him, it was no longer safe to trust it. He took a deep breath and tried to remain calm.
//You\'re in an unknown place, surrounded by unknown people. You have injuries and no knowledge of how they happened. At the moment you\'re at the mercy of those around you...Not that bad in terms of the whole picture. You can actually make it through this, you know. You\'ve been through worse.//
All his attempts to make everything feel right again were in vain. Crying, such a pathetic emotion. Yet that\'s all his body felt like doing.
//Why though?//
It was thoughts like that that seem to make it worse. It\'s one thing to cry but to cry for no reason was borderlining on madness. He would not allow it, so he bit his tongue instead, trying to focus on it.

\"Are you all right over there?\" Gashi looked up from the fish he put on the fire.

Jin felt his heart jump. He was trying so damn hard not to make a sound.
\"None of your concern.\" He used his uninjured hard to quickly wipe the few tears that forced themselves out.

\"If you say so.\" Gashi rolled his eyes and returned to his cooking.
//Should I tell him what happened?//
The blonde began to feel guilt. It was obviously bothering the ronin not knowing what happened. All Gashi knew for sure anyway was that his injuries looked like he had been raped. The blood down the thighs, and handmarks on the hips. Didn\'t take a genius.
//I\'ll give him a few weeks to remember on his own. That is the best way.//
He sighed hoping he was right.

- - - - -

ONE WEEK

\"Sousuke is looking for a way to purchase Otsuzu for a night. Then he can take her off the grounds. Hopefully she can escape. I think he\'s in the next town over looking for ways to earn money.\"

\"Is that wise? For him to be alone.\"

\"Yeah, it\'s a small town, no gangs. He\'ll be working in the fields if anything. He must really care for that poor girl. I\'d help, but as you can tell I\'m not in the Kings court myself.\" Gashi laughed.

Both of them were sitting out under a large lace-leaf maple tree, the stars were brighter than usual tonight. Jin had originally come out to be alone, but the blonde followed him, sake jug in tow. He had to admit, at first the other man bothered him. He was very loud and off beat. Somehow now though the blonde ones presence brought a feeling of security.
//It\'s better than being completely alone.//
Jin motioned for the sake jug.

\"I didn\'t know you drank. I only brought one cup, you\'ll have to use mine.\"

\"I\'m not above that.\"

Gashi smiled and filled the tiny black cup, passing it carefully to him.

\"I don\'t normally drink. Your assumption was correct.\" He turned his gaze to the cup before drinking it slowly.

\"Why tonight?\"

\"It was in sight.\" He handed the cup back, looking back at the heavens.

\"Do you ever talk?\" The blonde kept his gaze on the ronin, who to him was far more beautiful than the sky.

\"What do you mean? I\'m talking now.\"

\"No, you ask questions, or respond. That\'s not talking.\"

Jin smiled slightly. \"You are very strange.\"

\"That was known as a comment.\" He filled the glass and passed it to Jin again.

Onyx eyes stared quizzically before taking the cup. He didn\'t say anything just drank the bitter liquid faster this time.
\"What would you want me to talk about?\"

\"I don\'t know...You\'re supposed to think of that.\" He took the cup, brushing his hand against the pale one \'accidentally\'.

Jin blinked a few times, but let it go.
//He didn\'t mean to do that, he\'s just intoxicated.//

Gashi filled another cup and offered it, but Jin declined. The blonde shrugged and drank it himself.

\"Okay, so now it\'s silence.\"

\"I\'m thinking.\"

Gashi laughed quietly. \"Ya have such a sense of humor, but it\'s hidden. You\'re starting to show more of it each day. I hope that\'s a sign you\'re warming up to me.\"

\"I have killed many people, some of which were very important to me. Sometimes I try to meditate and count them, but there are too many faceless souls. I made it to 73 once but that was only a few years...\" Jin blurted out, looking down at the blue beads on his wrist.

Now Gashi blinked in shock.
//Where did that come from?//
\"Um, okay...\"

\"You said talk about anything, correct?\" Now he felt awkward.

\"Yes, So...Why do you kill then?\"

\"Most of the time it\'s because if I don\'t they will kill me. Other times it just seems that battle has followed me and calls for it. I truly don\'t hold noble purposes when helping others. If someone else gains from what I do then that\'s just what happens...I don\'t plan too much ahead. I try to live each day as if it were my last, because that is the one unavoidable truth to life on all levels of being.\" His voice lowered to almost a whisper toward the end.

\"I know what you mean about battle calling for you. Seems like no matter where I go, I end up in a deathmatch somehow. Its just a part of day to day life. Unless I\'m here. This land we sit on holds all my sins and protects me from them. That\'s why I came here, I\'m American. I came here about 5 years ago as a trader. Now I just live here off what I make selling medicine. I told my family I\'d rather die in the roughest alley of Japan than live in the land where I had sinned so much. Met a few alleys but I sold my ship and got enough to buy this place. I made the huts. I just wanted this spot.\"

\"You sold your ship? But that meant you couldn\'t go back...\"

\"That was the idea. So even if I couldn\'t trust myself to stick to my plan, I had no way. I regretted it a lot, but each night I come out here I know I did the right thing.\"

Jin nodded. It seemed this man had wisdom after all.
\"Gashi...Something happened to me before I came here. I have tried desperately to remember it, but I can\'t. When you washed my hair I remembered someone saying something about breaking my neck. That and red, is all I have to go on. I can no longer trust myself to help me find out what happened.\"

\"I knew something was wrong...I hope you can find what you need to have peace. I can\'t stand seeing you so upset, you\'re much to beautiful for that.\" Gashi slapped a hand to his mouth. He was buzzing and the comment slipped out subconsciously.

Jin starred at him with an eyebrow raised. That, and the hand rub.
\"I need to leave now.\" He tried to sit up, but Gashi held onto his ankle.

\"Wait, please forgive me. It wasn\'t supposed to come out like that...I\'ve been drinking. Please, don\'t be mad.\" His blue eyes pleaded.

Jin sighed in frustration but for some reason didn\'t move.
\"Anything like that happens again, and I\'m leaving. Not just going inside, I\'m walking down that path and never looking back. I\'ll find Sousuke when I have use of my wrist again.\" He closed his eyes and turned his head towards the field.

\"Right...\" He laughed very nervously.

- - - - -

TWO WEEKS

\"Now, this time don\'t think of anything bad. Try to blank your mind.\"

\"Please just get it over with.\" Jin said coldly. Once again he required Gashi to help him bathe.

\"It wouldn\'t kill you to relax, you\'re way too high-strung to get better.\" Gashi let Jin\'s hair down. This time he ran his fingers through it slowly. \"Your hair is amazingly soft...\"

Jin cleared his throat, \"You\'re doing it again, Gashi.\" His eyes closed in an angered scowl.

\"Sorry...\" The blonde took the small wooden bowl and began to pour water onto the silky strands.
//He\'s healing quickly. If I don\'t make a move soon, I\'ll never know.//

The pale one took a deep breath. Water flowing over him always brought a sense of calm. He could lie to himself no longer. Recently, Gashi\'s comments only made him mad on the outside. Inside it made him curious, curious at the hinted meanings behind them. He opened his eyes in shock when Gashi began to wash his hair.

He was using more pressure, it felt very different from last time. The foreigner continued working the hair rhythmically for a while, before sliding his hands down to the shoulders. Taking extra care to avoid the healing wounds.

Jin wanted to say something, but took another deep breath instead. There was so much tension there and the mans hands dulled it greatly.

\"See, it\'s not that bad...\" Gashi spoke in a low voice.

\"Hm.\" Jin gave an indiscernible answer.

Not taking it as a \'yes it is\' he added a little more pressure. Sliding slowly down the curve of Jin\'s back.

The ronin bit his tongue.
\"S-stop...\"

\"Why?\"

\"I don\'t know, it\'s wrong.\"

\"Oh, that\'s what it is. So, you think it\'s wrong for another man to caress and hold another?\" Gashi removed his hands.

\"Isn\'t it?\" Jin didn\'t turn around.

\"Only you can decide that. Either way, I have to finish here.\" He continued to rinse the hair.

- - - - -

The ronin sat beside the maple the two frequented. He was starring intently at the field yet his mind was miles away. He kept playing last night\'s events over and over.

//
\"...So, you think it\'s wrong for another man to caress and hold another?\"
//

//Of course that was his intention last night. Don\'t be naive. He only wishes to bed you, and you thought about it, you ecchi!//

As he mocked himself more, he didn\'t realize this was the first time he had stopped worrying about his injuries. The pale ones mind was more concerned at the moment with Gashi. Or how the spot on his back he touched, still tingled. He chewed on the inside of his mouth.

//No. That is just carnal desire. You are above that by now...Aren\'t you?//
His eyes drifted down to his uninjured wrist, as the sun began to set.

- - - - -

The two ate silently, Jin never looking up once. Gashi kept his crystal blue eyes on Jin.
//Did I go to fast with him?//

When it came time to sleep, Gashi stared as Jin sat in the corner, back to the wall.

\"Oi, what the hell are ya doing?\" He had to smile. Jin looked so cute that way to him.

\"I\'m sleeping...\" There was no emotion in the ronin\'s voice.

\"No shit, but why not in bed?\"

He gave no answer.

\"Fine...\" Gashi lay, back to him, blowing out the candle.

The only light now was the low fire burning softly in the middle of the hut. Jin focused his eyes on that. Maybe he was being childish but he couldn\'t trust himself to be that close to the blonde. Giving in to his body, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

- - - - -

//
\"You\'re waaaay too tight to be a whore...Is this your first day or something?\"

\"Mmm...Your ugly little mouth is finally good for something...\"

\"Did I break that? Sorry, I must have lost control...\"
//

Jin screamed and snapped awake, crying. He had seen and felt himself being raped and attacked. But the man\'s face was blurred. The gritty voice was the same that he heard that day.
//Who is it?!//

\"Jin?!\" Gashi sat up instantly.

\"I...I seen...it...I mean...\" His voice was small and shattered.

\"Seen what?\" The blonde moved sitting close in front of Jin.

\"He...rape...\" He stopped and choked, rubbing his eyes nervously. He was so furious he let that happen. It was too real to be a dream.

\"Shh, it\'s okay.\" Gashi tried to embrace him but Jin held his arm between them.

\"No. No it\'s not okay. How could I let that happen?! I\'ve devoted my life to battle...I should have been able...\" He began crying again against his will. \"I hate myself!\" He almost screamed, covering his face with his hands. \"Please Gashi, kill me...I cannot live knowing...Knowing that happened...\" He leaned his head down in a begging manner.

Gashi stared shocked and angry.
\"Hell no! I\'ll kill the son of a bitch who did it. You\'ve done nothing wrong. You\'re the victim here!\"

\"I am not a victim! Never.\" He shouted, not looking up. \"I will not be...I am pathetic and barely deserve death. I\'d rather be dead than a victim.\"

\"Well, I\'ll tie you up if you\'re cracking up on me. You won\'t off yourself if I can help it.\"

\"Then I\'ll kill you, you pervert!\" His eyes shot up in a death glare.

\"You\'re welcome to try, lefty...\" Gashi smiled evilly, motioning to the wrapped arm and his gun.

Jin growled, but began to sob again, looking down shamefully.
\"What can I live for now? I cannot even wield a blade...\"

\"Live till you can, and kill that bastard.\"

\"I don\'t even know what he looks like yet.\"

\"It will come to you, Just don\'t try so hard to remember.\"

Jin nodded weakly. He was so disgusted at himself, he could barely breathe. Now he was pitied, which was worse.
\"Sousuke is not here, will you sleep in your hut? I wish to be alone.\"

\"Oh no; if you think I\'m leaving someone suicidal by themselves, you are crazy.\"

\"I\'m not suicidal.\"

\"Right.\"

They both were silent for a long time, neither moved. Then Jin began crying softly again.

\"What\'s wrong?\" There was so much more than concern in Gashi\'s voice.

\"I don\'t know.\" He was being honest. Never in his existence did he feel like this.

Gashi advanced this time, despite Jin\'s attempts to push him away. The blonde wrapped his arms around the shaking form. \"Shh...\"

Jin continued to struggle against him, but stopped when a large hand began rubbing his back.

\"Don\'t die. You\'re the only thing I\'ve cared about except this land in a long time.\"

The ronin\'s eyes widened.
\"But why?\"

\"Hell if I know. Maybe because you\'re so damn beautiful.

Jin looked away. \"Don\'t lie out of pity.\"

\"Lie? You\'re nuts, you\'re amazingly gorgeous, especially without those glasses blocking your eyes.\"

\"You are a very strange man.\"

\"Please, let me kiss you...\"

Jin felt his face heating. \"No, I mean why?\" Panic rose.

\"It will make you relax. You\'ve been a wreck ever since you arrived, reasonably so. I only wish to ease your suffering...\" Gashi looked as deeply at the ronin\'s eyes as he could.

\"Part of me does want to kiss you, but I\'m not entirely sure. Especially now...But...\"

\"You must make a decision. Just try, if you don\'t like it we will never speak of it again. I promise.\"

Reluctantly the ronin nodded.
//I trust you.//

Gashi smiled warmly and stroked Jin\'s face with the back of his hand. Moving it up again to brush away his bangs. The blonde loved the way the soft blush stood out on his pale face.

\"You are truly beautiful...\" Gashi spoke before laying his lips lightly on Jin\'s.

The ronin froze, all of this seemed surreal. For a moments he wondered if he was still dreaming. Gashi cupped Jin\'s face, with his hands. Letting his tongue beg the lips for entrance.

Understanding what he wanted, the ronin slowly opened his mouth. Almost gasping in shock of the silky feel. As Gashi explored the hot cavern, he used his hands to free the ronin\'s hair of it\'s bonds. Ebony locks fell around his shoulders.

Not wanting it to end yet, the blonde began softly sucking on Jin\'s tongue.
This caused a small moan to try to escape, but the pale one stopped it in his throat.

Gashi pulled back now.
\"So...You like it?\"

Jin touched his lips, out of breath.
//Amazing...//
He nodded.

\"See, told you. Now, let\'s go back to sleep.\" Gashi smiled before returning to his futon.

Jin blinked a few times, before making his way to his bed. Laying down he still touched his lips.
//Did you want him to keep going?//

- - - - -

THREE WEEKS

The two sat under the maple outside. Neither had spoke of the kiss, or Jin\'s liking it. But it was all the ronin could think of. He wanted to be kissed again, held and touched like that. For all his willpower he couldn\'t ask, or even say it aloud.

\"Your shoulder looks good. I\'m suprised how much it\'s healed.\"

\"Your medicine is what has quickened the healing process.\"

\"Maybe.\" The blonde laughed.

\"Have you heard anything from Sousuke?\"

\"A while ago. He said he almost had enough money. I hope he\'s all right.\"

\"He should be fine.\"

\"You\'re right...\"

Silence.
It seemed both had much to say and no idea how.

\"The sunset is quite beautiful.\" Gashi broke the quiet.

\"It\'s most likely going to rain.\"

\"Yep.\"

More silence.

//I can\'t take this, I\'m going in...//
The blonde crawled over to Jin and placed a hand on his thigh.

\"Gashi?!\" He looked confused behind his glasses.

\"I need to touch you again...I\'m sorry.\" He brushed the dark bangs away. Jin closed his eyes and leaned into the touch.

\"Huh?\" Gashi gasped.

\"I need you to touch me...It...Helps.\" He kept his eyes closed.

\"I would touch you all you wanted. You\'re the most lovely treasure I\'ve found in all my journeys. I thank the Gods Heitaro saved me, so I could meet Sousuke. He brought you to me.\"

Jin stared in disbelief he could find no words. No one had ever said such things to him. He felt very vulnerable since he learned the truth about his wounds. Gashi made him feel cared for and protected.

\"Please, allow me to show you pleasure you have never know?\"

\"Nani?\" A blush formed on the pale cheeks.

The blonde laughed.
\"I will not go fast, nothing major. I will not hurt you, I promise.\"

\"Wait...I\'m not ready to have sex with a man yet.\" He put a hand up.

\"Of course, I would not make love to you in your current state. You\'re too injured...I mean oral pleasure.\"

\"Oh...With your mouth?\" He looked down nervously. Images of the rape graced his thoughts and he shuddered.

\"If you don\'t want to, we can kiss. You seemed to like that...\"

\"I don\'t know, what about you?\"

\"Seeing you in pleasure is enough for this one.\"

Jin bit his lip, looking away from Gashi\'s deep gaze.

\"You will not regret it...Please?\" Gashi took Jin\'s hand.

\"O-okay. But, if I say stop, you must...\"

\"Thank you.\" With that said Gashi tilted Jin\'s chin up and began to kiss his slender neck.

The ronin hissed, subconsciously grabbing Gashi\'s shoulders. His heart began to quicken. Large tanned hands began to open the blue gi, rubbing the pale flesh it exposed.

Jin took a deep breath, it felt like tiny jolts of electric. All bad thoughts were slowly melting away. Soon Gashi had the gi slid down revealing the uninjured left shoulder.

\"Your skin is so beautiful. So milky and soft.\" He placed his lips on the shoulder and made his way to the neck, sucking softly.

Jin felt another moan wanting to escape, and swallowed hard. Gashi kissed the adams apple, as it rose and fell. Kissing a torturously slow trail up his throat; he took an earlobe into his mouth, nibbling gently. His hand found a small light pink nipple.

\"Hh...\" A soft exhale broke the lips barrier. The ronin swallowed again, trying to calm himself.

\"Just let it go...\"

\"I...I can\'t.\" Jin sighed. Restraint was more instinct than habit.

\"You will learn to.\" Gashi smiled, tracing his kisses down. Pass the neck to the collarbone. Down to the small nipple.

\"Mm.\" Jin clenched his teeth, shutting his eyes. That jolt went down his spine, and up again.

The blonde smiled into his ministrations. Just those two sounds had done wonders for him. Slowly in small licks; Gashi\'s tongue inched a trail down the slender, yet toned stomach, dipping into the exposed navel. Sliding the gi out of the hakama, and brushing it to either side.

Jin\'s breath and pulse quickened yet again, a deep maroon adorning his face.

\"I will free you of a little of your pain.\" Gashi spoke breathlessly settling behind Jin.

He held him tenderly and kissed his shoulders and neck again. His hand settled on the ronin\'s thigh, fingers petting it slowly. Jin held his breath as Gashi slid his hand through the hakamas leg opening.

\"Ah...\" He made a barely audible whimper, before biting his lip.
//Gods!//

Gashi firmly grabbed the already hard and slick organ. He did not move only held it and felt it\'s warmth. After a few minutes, he rubbed his thumb over the tip. Jin inhaled sharply and Gashi felt him lean against him more.

//I can almost feel his heartbeat...//
Smiling, he pumped the shaft a few times.

\"Uhh...\" Jin could not stop the small sound from rising. Immediately he covered his mouth with his good hand.

Gashi tightened his grip and the pale one held his breath again.
//This is...//
He was not coherent enough to think at the moment. With great dismay Gashi removed his, now sticky, hand from the other man\'s hakama.

Jin used this as a chance to regain his breath.

\"I cannot stop marveling at your beauty...\" Gashi kissed him on the lips sweetly, letting the black hair down with his clean hand.

//What the hell is going on?//
Jin meekly attempted to kiss back when Gashi pulled away.

\"Now...I shall show you my love.\" The blonde stated with a kiss; before setting down on the grass, to untie Jin\'s hakama.

//Love?!//
The ronin looked genuinely shocked. He looked down slowly to see Gashi lick the tip of his dick.
\"Ahh!\" He arched his back.
//What was that?!//

//So nice.//
Gashi thought before circling the head with his wet mouth.

\"Oohhh...\" Jin\'s hand shot to his mouth. He couldn\'t balance with the other, so he had to lay back on the grass.

Gashi began to slowly, teasingly, slide his lips down farther. Keeping his tongue away for now. The ronin jerked upward subconsciously. Taking that as a red flag, he slithered his tongue down the underside of the shaft.

\"S-stop!\" Jin clenched his eyes shut.

Gashi lifted his head, eyebrow raised, as the pale one sat up.

\"I, I can\'t take anymore.\"

\"No, you haven\'t cum yet. You\'re about to and you\'re scared.\"

Jin looked away, nearly panting. \"I\'m not afraid.\"

\"Then trust me and let me finish. You\'ll be happy you did.\"

\"It\'s okay, really.\" He seemed nervous.

Gashi sighed and looked away sad. \"Fine, sorry I bothered you.\"

\"Gashi wait! You didn\'t bother me.\" Jin looked up at him panicked.

\"Please let me do this for you.\" The blue eyes were pleading.

Jin looked away, adjusting his glasses. \"Fine. I\'m sorry I\'m like this...\"

\"Oi, don\'t be sorry, be happy you said yes.\" Gashi kissed his forehead quickly before returning to his earlier position. Jin lay back, chewing on the inside of his mouth.

The blonde took no time and began to suckle the semi erect member back to life.
Jin felt a hand roaming and pushing his thigh to the side. It changed it\'s position to his sac, fingers kneading it gently.

The ronin hissed again.

It dipped lower and pressed on a spot under them. Jin arched far; inhaling deeply, his eyes briefly rolling back. \"What was that?!\" He said breathless and in shock.

Gashi began to taste a sweet salty hint, but only a drop. The staff was back at full attention.

\"That was a taste of future joys. But for now, relax.\" A blue eye winked.

\"Uh huh...\"

Gashi ran his tongue over the underbelly again. He held Jin\'s leg down as it began to lightly shake.

\"W-wait...\"

\"No.\" Gashi said muffled. The vibration caused Jin to wither under him.

Panic infused through the ronin, but it was flooded by something else. Something that wanted to let go. To be in control was valued above all, this was very different though.

The blonde ran his tongue over the head and in the small opening.
\"Hnh...\" Jin dug his good hand into the grass. He knew how loud that was, but couldn\'t help it. White began to line his vision.

Gashi lavishly licked the two more drops of sweet nectar. Knowing how stubborn the ronin could be, Gashi took pride knowing he got what he got from him.

\"Please...I shouldn\'t...\" Jin was arguing with himself more than his newfound lover.

Gashi once again raised his head and Jin sat up.
\"But why shouldn\'t you? What\'s so bad? Even the best will not last longer than a minute. You worry too much.\" A laugh hinted the last words.

The ronin briefly smiled.
\'I\'m sorry again, I do trust my life in your hands. If you wanted to kill me, you would have done so by now.\"

\"Worry, worry, worry. No one\'s killing or dying. Please don\'t stop me again, this is all for your benefit.\" He sat up and brushed the slightly damp bangs back, taking the glasses off carefully. \"Look at me.\"

\"I am.\" There was nervousness in his eyes, not his voice.

\"I want to see the real you, and not this tension and strife filled form before me.\" He took the pale chin into his hand. \"I would never wish to take your life or hurt you. I want to protect you.\" A small kiss to the forehead.

\'I shouldn\'t need protection.\"

\"Soon you won\'t.\" Gashi continued to caress the still flushed cheeks and neck.

\"You touch me so much, why?\"

\"Because you\'re so beautiful...And you let me now.\"

The blush worsened.
\"I wish you\'d stop that.\"

\"Nope...Now,\" He spoke close to Jin\'s ear, \"Lay back and this time really relax.\"

The ronin nodded and lay back slowly. A soft kiss to his inner thigh let him know Gashi was ready. He closed his eyes and took a long breath.
\"Okay.\"

Almost instantly, hot suction encircled his core again. His heart jumped in reaction.
//How can anything feel this good?//

Gashi\'s tongue traced the ridge of the head, and Jin\'s leg shook again.

//I love it when that happens...//
The blonde remarked proudly. Bringing his hand back to play with his lovers balls.

\"Gashi...\" Jin moaned quietly. He was becoming lost in the feeling, and could no longer control his voice.

//That\'s it...//
Gashi was about to push the magic spot again, but he felt Jin grow tense.

\"Uh...I, I\'m gonna...\" Jin stuttered grabbing the grass again.

Gashi continued his steady pace. When he felt the object in his mouth shake, he pressed hard.

\"Gashi!\" The ronin screamed jerking up, arching his back high. The blonde eagerly drank the spurting release.

Jin was trying to let go, but not truly able. He was cumming in erratic waves.

//You\'re so beautiful when you cum for me.//
Soon the flows stopped and Gashi sat up, kissing the tip once more.

\"You almost let go.\" Blonde hair hung down as he looked over Jin.

The ronin did his best to calm his rampaging heart. It was the most intense feeling he had ever known. He could not speak, so he reached up to touch the blondes stubbly face.

\"Heh.\" Gashi smiled huge, then leaned in and kissed the ronin deeply.

//Is that what I taste like?//
Jin wondered as a briny sweet flavor flooded his mouth. He did not care at the moment, right now all that mattered was Gashi\'s tongue against his.

The blonde broke the kiss and laid on the grass next to him. Jin immediately turned and clung to the wide frame.

\"Thank you.\" He managed to speak, closing his eyes.

\"No prob, anytime...Heh.\" Gashi slid his arm under Jin\'s neck and held him close. Pulling his gi over so it was covering him loosely.

The ronin sighed deeply, sleepiness was growing by the second. Gashi played with a few strands of hair.
\"You\'re much better off this way, than so tense.\"

\"Mmm hmm...\"

\"Oh, here.\" The blonde fished something from his gi sleeve.

Jin smelt something burning and looked up, curious.

\"Want one?\" Gashi offered a white paper stick with a filter.

\"Is that tobacco?\" He took it timidly.

\"Yeah, that\'s American. Hell of a lot easier than a pipe.\"

Jin nodded; taking an awkward drag, but adjusting very soon.

The two lay looking up at the sky. It was dark now, and their smoke danced around the stars in view.

\"I have bedded a few women, but never done anything like that. Or felt like that. It\'s easy to please a woman without ever having release. Sex is a carnal desire that breaks focus and dedication, or at least that\'s what I thought. I only bedded them to prove I was not as the others said I was. Always taunting and saying I was bishonen, or odd. I wanted to prove I could please a woman too, but I never truly gained anything from it. Just more proof to myself that women did nothing for me.\" Jin sighed taking another drag.

//He\'s rambling...How cute.//
\"I think that\'s more than you\'ve said the whole time you\'ve been here. If that was all it took to make you talk...\" Gashi laughed. Jin smiled, a little embarrassed now.

\"We should go in, it\'s starting to rain.\"

END CHAPTER TWO

((Hey, sorry it took so long to do something with this. I was a little rough on Jin, ne? ^_^U But I love him, and he gets bigger and better things soon. Many times I wanted to just give up on this piece and count my losses...Did my attempt to save it make it worse? Slight episode #11 spoiler in the upcoming, and last chapter. Heh, thanks. *pats Jin\'s head*))