Moonlight Spring Ritual

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLY: I ABSOLUTELY DON'T own any of the characters from Rurouni Kenshin. And I DON'T make money out of this. This is for entertainment purposes only.




oic- busy, busy, and was sick.....

anyway, sorry for the grammar.

I just want to clear it out that there are Spanish dialogues in the story and the following statement in an open-close parenthesis will be its interpretation.

Saseko - prostitute.



Chapter 5 - The Mission

Dusk. Shade mixtures of red and orange had almost shrouded the vast sky as the sun finally touched the plane horizon. Nearing to the last quarter months of the year, this impending evening's temperature had gradually chilled, enough good reason for people - local and foreign - to try other ways besides the heat of the fire to gain warmth for their almost-frigid bodies. Somewhere at the outskirts of Nagasaki, a lit shabby tavern was already opened and slowly being occupied by customers - mostly weary men from work - who had come to alleviate themselves after all the day's errands. Some came from their traveling from distant places, stopping either for refreshments or available space for tonight's sleep occupation. Others can be judged as patron drinkers and gamblers of the place, wanting for tonight's round of fun. As the number of men inside the Tavern continued to increase, the possibility of good income grew bigger; along with it also is the possibility of trouble that might occur among the interaction of the male species. True to their nature, men had their ways to settle things on their own -especially when it comes to this kind of place. And about women, well, that is another story.

Liquor had been a great necessity among men who linger for a momentarily relaxation, tasting its sensual, stinging after-taste. The Tavern had them a lot, enough to supply their impending urge for their needing dry throats. Though it seemed the night was still young, most of them were already taking an avaricious gulp out from their beer mugs or Sake cups to quench their thirsts.

The smooth, heating influence of the liquors alone will not ease the men's night for leisure. As always, there is another specialty from a place like this is ‘sufficiently’ supplied to make these kinds of men to awaken their weary bodies. The call for pretty women's flesh comes in to the picture.

"Welcome to the Tavern, gentlemen," a young and good-looking, Japanese bartender behind the counter joyfully greeted in English language to the newly arrived foreigners who were, at the same time, inquiring with their perceptive eyes the whole almost-crowded interior spaces of the Tavern. "Please do come and enjoy."

"Give us the most beautiful lassies in here, lad! Then have the beers followed to our table," a green-eyed Scottish man from the newly arrived group of foreigners didn’t waste any of their time, immediately demanding for their instant need. It was clear that they were yearning for a woman's touch tonight. Mayhap, not only simple touch but all what a paid woman should do, giving in to a man's craving body. "Have them Japanese ones, lad! We heard this place offers the best of the best 'oriental lassies' in terms of satisfying a man's need of flesh. Am I right, Devlin?"

An English man, about 6-feet tall and had thick eye glasses to hid his worrying eyes, came around and gave a sarcastic wide grin to his pal and said, "You don’t have to be so blunt, McNeil. You are making all of us look so dirty in the eyes of these men.” Eyeing the rest of the people inside the tavern who were fortunately minding there own businesses, Devlin chided his companion as he shook his head in shame.

“Don’t be a hypocrite, Devlin! Everyone in here came to look for the same reason.” The brute Scottish man sneered at the Englishman, halting for a moment then allowed his eyes to scan the surrounding like he was searching for someone. “My body is already trembling in need to have those ‘oriental cunts’ to be squashed by my very own eager hands. They will surely beg me for more." He then impishly grinned.

As always, men like this brute Scottish had to be followed immediately to avoid any unnecessary commotion inside the Tavern so the young bartender immediately took his errand at haste. With a quick wave of his hand, he abruptly signaled to one of his close subordinates in the bar, telling him to prepare the saloon girls for the demanding foreigners, so as the other customers who will pay for the price of flesh. So far, everything is going smooth. "They will be ready in a minute, sirs," he spoke to them with great assurance, a smile broke out to his almost-placid face.

“We are expecting someone in the Tavern, dear boy. I assume you already knew about its setting. At least, do your blasted job as you were paid for.” Another Englishman came around, impatiently speaking with semi-arrogance wavering in his voice. Judging from the sound of his demanding voice, he was assumed to be the group’s leader, and by seeing his overall wear of magnificent and expensive clothes. A blonde man, possessing dangerous striking looks that women will surely find it amusing and seductive. He might be coming from a Royal class from Europe who could do nothing for his money but to waste on petty things such as this. He perfectly portrayed himself as a royal spoiled brat. Assuming that he is really a titled man, how could someone like him do in a place like this? Well, people do the strangest things just to satisfy their urge of pleasure. “We don’t have all the time in the world. Where is it?”

At first, the young bartender hadn’t been intimidated to his airy façade. He just smiled and work for his nod of respect yet his eyes almost betrayed some of his emotions against the arrogant man. “Ah….The other keeper sure have forgotten to mention your group’s arrival to the Tavern, your….” he humbly waited for him to give his name.

“West Craven. Lord Henry West Craven,” the airy lord finished his sentence with a disdain look in eyes towards the young Japanese bartender. Orientals! Enough information was given. Well actually, for him there is no need to mention to the oriental monkey his being the new earl of Rexford in England. So why bother?

“Hai! West Craven,” his eyes began to mellow. He had finally regained some of his control to camouflage his emotion. “Sorry for being irresponsible on not recognizing you all for that part.” How could he possibly know that they were the men that ‘the other group’ is waiting? There are so many foreigners from different races currently in the Tavern and he was still studying each of them to conclude for the next steps to be taken for the mission. He had never thought that this group will appear to be Takeda’s guests. He had underestimated the given circumstances so far but not that worst. The report given to them had been obliviously vague on the identity of the foreigners that will be meeting up with Kanryuu Takeda’s group. But that didn’t matter anymore as long as they had them at his sleeves. He quickly examined each of the foreign men who confidently stood in front of him, and were all taller and physically more enhanced than him. In matters of face values, two men from the group are worthy to be called Adonis. The arrogant royal man himself falls on that category but the young bartender didn’t care anyway. He just hated this royal bastard naturally. He exactly knew why he wanted to strangle this one or mayhap strike with his own sword. But still, he had to remain calm as ever - double time - to concentrate on his gang’s mission. “Please do have my deepest apologies, sirs.”

“Apology from an oriental monkey will just do fine for now,” the conceited bastard still had the nerve to issue his status.

Some of his limits snapped. “I am sure you are very well satisfied with it.” The young bartender couldn’t help to retort at the maddening lord from what God-forsaken country he had been spawned. No brute racist will have his nationality being mocked. If it not for the mission, he would have strangled this man with all pleasure.

The group had felt the exchanged heated gaze between the Japanese bartender and the young, arrogant earl

“We don’t need your apologies, dear boy. We need your women for Goodness sake! Enough of this crap!” McNeil came between the young Japanese bartender and the conceited lord from England. It’s time to get into business.

Finally sat at their respective seats at the special ante-room of the Tavern prepared for them as the group of Kanryuu Takeda had wanted them to stay to wait, the foreigners didn’t waste their time on the recently heated matter regarding the clash.

“Why do we have to come in to this place?” The forth person in the group had finally spoken. Armed with big, green eyes, sensual man lips and fair face, he seemed to be the group’s most trusted and timid person, unlike the crude earl who had engaged a battle of words with the oriental monkey - as they call him – a while ago. Ironically, he is the younger brother of the brute Earl of Rexford – the unfortunate one to have him as an older brother who cared for no one but himself and his assumed pleasures in life.

“Are you scared, young brother?” Earl Henry West Craven, age 27, showed no respect and love for the bastard of his family – he is his younger half brother to a chamber maid his late father had twined with. He remembered it clearly that it was 5 years ago when his father had told him the whole truth about William’s – his younger half brother – existence to the whole family. It was the very same day Henry’s mother died from a rare disease. A double pain it was for him to know that his beloved father had a son spawned from his mistress’s womb. Betrayal had been what his heart yelling since then. “I’m sure you are but I have no choice but to tag you along to this business of mine for a meantime. I don’t want to have any problems, nuisance, while I stay here in Japan.” Their late father had instilled on his will testament that he will never have the other richly inheritance – especially from his mother - if his other son, William be banished under his wing. William will have to reach the age 21 before he could have all the benefits he’s dreading to have. He has to tie his hands to ‘care’ for his bastard brother for 2 years and after that, damn with the responsibilities!

“Business in a shabby and immoral place? How suitable,” Also been equip with sarcasm in his blood, the raven-haired William scorned at his older earl brother. He is 19 now and a child no more. He won’t let his arrogant brother keep threatening him, treating him like a worthless scumbag in front of everybody else. “It shows the person you are, dear brother.”

“Don’t start on me, young boy or I will have your head stuck on this table,” Being an expert on threatening an assumed weakling like his younger half brother, Henry coldly pinpointed his violent intention. “We both know dearly what these hands are capable of.” Mocking thuds of fingers were brushed at the wooden table to remind him his ability to make him suffer.

But the young man did not show any hint of retreat on his pure threat. His bullying over him had to stop. His brother had been so sour at him at the very moment he had learn he had a bastard brother at his father’s expense. Obviously, Henry didn’t take it lightly, scorning his idolized father for doing such a betrayal to his family – especially to his beloved mother. Now that their father is dead, he had all the right to be the family’s head. The head had to be the ruler of everything, he assumed.

“Do you two have to fight on this night, gentlemen? Sure you have picked the right place for fighting, eh?” As always like a referee, McNeil came between the impending heated argument involving with the young earl. Again! Henry could not simply take off his airiness at rest. “Let me remind you all that we are on a business and any miscalculated actions will only result into our demise.”

Henry shot him a glare. “Don’t give me that bloody lecture, old man. You are not in good position of telling me what to do with my vices, even if it involves in my family ties.” For sure, Henry was not in a good mood to have a calming conversation with his acquaintances. All the travel and the business he had made in this ‘uncivilized’ country made the person he is now. And including the death of his father whom he had admired for so long and was shattered upon knowing the hidden truth to their family by bringing forth this bastard into their household gave a part on it.

Being hurt on his harsh words of reminding him again his age as an old man around 47, the Scottish man was about to utter a word to give his point of view but did not pursue more. It was best to remain silent when this spoiled Royal brat is having the worst time of his life. Same thought was flowing with the other Englishman, Devlin – West Cravens’ lawyer, who continued to elude the stare of the persons around them, mostly the Japanese.

The Saloon women, mostly Japanese, came out from the bat-wing door behind the counter as they deliberately flaunted themselves to the glad, hungry eyes of the men inside the tavern. The special foreign guest of the Tavern quickly eyed them, picking the rightful women to satisfy their needs for tonight. Surely, their Japanese associate will never let them leave the Tavern without such ‘great pleasure’ passing into their hands.

McNeil had chosen 2 pretty Saseko, one short and seemingly innocent while the other was tall and has a pair of bountiful breasts which made him notice her at first. The hypocrite Delvin took one, an ordinary looking girl but had a pair of wonderful green eyes though she’s Japanese in most of her form. She’s indeed a half-breed. While the young gun of the group, William, had a hard time to pick his Saseko for tonight. None of the girls that paraded before them had given him the arousal of his senses….down to…. So goes with his arrogant older brother, Henry, who gruffly sighed after witnessing the Tavern’s best beauties and yet none gave him the right notion to consider to bed with. They were indeed beautiful but none came to arouse his senses too. He was searching for something to ignite him and he can’t simply point it out what it is!

Henry momentarily eyed his younger brother as his left hand support his chin. He assumed William was having a hard time picking for his Saseko. Damn him! As if he cared!

Almost all the men inside the Tavern had picked their pretty women for tonight. They were still enough Saseko left at the bar counter to get by if some of the men wanted for more or had changed their carnal tastes. None of them had made any unwanted fight over picking the right Saseko girls for them. It was good indeed. No fight, no trouble for the mission. The young bartender closely scanned with his perceptive eyes the people inside the Tavern. He was searching for another group – the ones being associated to the newly arrived foreigner customers at the special ante-room. He was indeed eyeing for Kanryuu Takeda’s group to show up. They have to be for the foreign bastards would not be here in the first place if they will not have the business exchange here.

Sudden opening and closing whisks of the front shoji door were heard and a group of Japanese men haughtily entered the premise. Six tall and ferocious-looking Nihon-jins came inside the Tavern, laughing at what they were currently discussing about. The seventh man, the one with the thick eye glasses and screwy-looking, dressed in a foreign suit much like used by the Englishmen, came from behind and had searched immediately the persons whom he will have a profitable transaction. Kanryuu Takeda – the scumbag of the current Japanese government and the main supplier of dangerous guns and drugs to those who can afford to buy. The foul smell of him proved to be coming from his rotten insides.

“Ah,” Kanryuu finally grinned after having seen the group of foreigners he will have his new transaction to deal with. Money and power are all that matters to him and these foreigners will give him that. “So they are here. Come men, we have to get this done over with.”

“What about the other contact, Boss Takeda?” one of his men bluntly asked. “Should we wait for HIM?”

“Of course we do,” A wide grin was evidently on his face. “We don’t want to waste any opportunity along the way, do we?” Then he started to walk towards the table where the foreigners had been waiting and enjoying.

“I’m all for a night with a Saseko,” another of his men uttered as he picked his ears with his pinky finger.

“Me too,” then another one agreed, eyeing for the perfect Saseko for him before other men from his group have their save.

“Hush! I don’t want any of you talk while I do my business with these men. Understand?!” Halting for a moment and turned, Kanryuu chided them as he arranged his thick eyeglasses on his pointy nose with his middle finger. He then moved on as soon as he received their reluctant agree of yes. “You can have all the fun as soon as I settled this.”

All of his men grinned ears to ears, looking at each other’s stupid faces.

Obviously, they followed the scrawny yet bossy Takeda, anxiously waiting for the ending of their settlement. He is indeed their master for he governs all the important transaction and ideal moves for their business in Fire arms and drug trafficking. In short, he is the brain of this Yakuza group – the Shadows – one of the current Japanese government’s biggest problems to deal with.

“You must be Mr. Henry West Craven, I presume.” Kanryuu gave an out-stretched hand to the group’s obvious leader, the blonde man who undeniably emitted certain arrogance from his whole persona. And he had not mistaken to have taken the guess.

“That’s LORD Henry West Craven for you, Mr. Kanryuu Takeda. Take note that I prefer being called by that address.” Henry had done it again. Even in his soon-to-be associates, he will have temper as an obnoxious earl on-the-loose. “Have a sit.” No one is above him unless he comes from a blood line of the King and Queen of England. He had reluctantly taken Takeda’s welcome hand as a sign of business partnership.

“Ah! Sure do,” Luckily, Kanryuu had mastered the technique to remain polite in front of men such as Lord Henry West Craven of Rexford until he finally got what he needs from them. “Sorry from being late. I have been so busy in these past weeks,” As the young earl released his clasp; Takeda eyed them meaningfully then continued, “if you know what I mean, gentlemen.”

All Kanryuu’s men seated at the next table while he joined himself to table of the foreigners to settle their agreement on matters of fire arms coming from the young earl’s country. Big guns, better ammunition he had been waiting for a long time. This obnoxious young earl of Rexford is the best and the only way for him to have those ‘babies’ to his side.

“Let’s get into business, shall we?” McNeil gave the push for the subject. He was ailing to have this transaction to be done with, and then have his women curled up with him in his bed. His stiff member was reacting already just by thinking of it.

“Ok,” Kanryuu was also eager to have the agreement to get done with to his new associates. He had started to give the number units he wanted to purchase from the young earl, preferably the most powerful and newest ammunition. Then he arranged the figures to be paid in British money so that the foreigners won’t make an extra effort on counting his payment. The young earl was half pleased with Kanryuu’s proposal. The arrange money to be paid was sufficient for purchasing his line of guns. But there was something disturbing on his security on having Kanryuu manning on his board.

“Starting a business without me, Takeda?” a deep, manly voice had suddenly interrupted the group’s attention. He was standing behind McNeil, giving them his dark looks at each one of them especially to Kanryuu Takeda.

All of Takeda’s men at the other table were startled at his abrupt, stealthy appearance. They haven’t had detected his approach which most of them cursed for worst. What if this man is an assassin? Surely their boss would have killed and their source of income will be no more but a spec of dust.

“My, my! Sorry to let the meeting started, Rojo-san! I was so absorbed with what business I will have with these men. Please accept my apologies!” Kanryuu abruptly stood up, desperate to please this man. And why it is?

The raven-haired, tall man, suited as the same with the rest of his fellow members on the table, took the vacant seat behind him and placed it next to McNeil. He projected as a mysterious man as the foreigners would have it described. There was this aura of him that cannot be trusted. All of their senses were against him except William who cared none from his older half brother’s business.

“Pray tell that you introduced this man to us, Takeda-san,” McNeil warily spoke as he eyed the mysterious man beside him without making much of a fuss. “Another half-breed, I’m sure.”

The newly arrived man was aware for the foreigners scrutinizing gaze at him. He could tell by their looks that he was indeed judging his persona for being not good at all in their business –a lowlife. Having a hair as dark as sin and blue eyes as cold as the deep seas, he certainly gained their attention to call him a half-breed for no such native Japanese man will ever possess as such traits at the same time. Blue eyes had been the big factor. Nihon-jin had only brown or black ones.

“Half-breed, indeed. I have the best of both worlds.” Rojo gave them a sarcastic smile. He never gave a damn care about his being a half-breed.

“Ah! Sorry for not initiating the meeting well to all of you, gentlemen. I would like you to introduce to you Rojo Aoi, my newest contact to one of my bloody businesses.” Takeda tried to remain as casual as he was and succeeded.

“And what business does ‘the half-breed’ got to involve in here to? Mind telling us that so?” Henry inquisitively asked Takeda as he held his scorching gaze to the newly arrived devil.

Kanryuu eyed his newly arrived half-breed associate first hoping that he will gave him the permission to tell them their side of the story in business. Not a glint in his blue eyes behind his eye glasses had given him the thought. A tear of sweat broke off to his right temple after sensing the man’s disapproving attitude.

Finally seeing Takeda’s undeniable fear of him, Rojo had given him his approval by slightly nodding his head once. He wanted to play mean for sometime, enjoying the fear he instilled to everything in his sight.

Henry had seen on his face, the playfulness that he usually does with the lower ones. One bully is enough at this table and he didn’t want this man to take the entire role!

“Ah! Ok then,” Takeda gruffly sighed after receiving his unlikely approval. “He is my newest contact on my drug trafficking on China to Japan, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by one of my long-time business associates in Shanghai. A captain of his own ship to deliver the ‘right goods’ at the right price, he had made several businesses with some of this country’s elite scoundrel. He had already settled some of our plans to transport some of the ‘delicacies’ that will be held next week.”

“Drugs, eh?” McNeil was taken by the subject after hearing it from the lecherous lout across him. “I have heard of that. Opium. Large money is always involved after the business had settled.”

“Yes, you are right. It had given me many opportunities to reach the status that I currently have,” Takeda had to remark on that, telling them his social status after acquiring such name and richness from living into the shadows of death.

So the bastard had to be so proud of what he had attained for himself. Damn fool! In anytime sooner, he will be put down on his high pedestal and pay all the crimes he made to their country.

“Even so, I don’t want to involve myself in such a tricky scheme. I have a new name to protect, if you know what I mean.” Henry took hold of his mug and drank his beer, eyeing the newly arrived guest with full intent.

“There’s no other space for you in this transaction, English boy.” There was a relief held on his lungs. How good to feel banging the proud head of this conceited lout. “ I made myself clear to Takeda that no other ‘colleagues’ of his will enter into our agreement for it will only cause further trouble in your department.” Rojo calmly stated, seemingly having arrogance in his tune.

“Never would I be interested to be in such a lowly act,” The young earl had coldly retorted back. His eyes and tone voice were more vicious this time.

“No one is inviting you in anyway so why bother telling us?” Rojo simply had to make a rough point to defend side. Somehow, he liked to have a heated debate on this conceited man as much as his control would want him to. He wanted to lash him out but he had to abide his concerns first than anything else. But he wanted to play the last winner of the word battle before to end this game with him. “And in regards to what you have said about ‘lowly act’, I think it would be best for you to rethink about what you said earlier, English boy. Exchanging guns without any hesitance on his part for the sake of gaining richness of the world is not far from being involving with the world of drugs. Am I right about that Takeda-san?”

Kanryuu Takeda could not believe what was happening in front of his very own eyes. They were fighting indeed! His associates- the new ones! He can’t just claim one of them is right for his business will ruin. Both of them are very important for him. “I, ah…” he nervously uttered, loosening his necktie from his collar to free some of his growing tensions.

How in the world this man knew about their dealing? Takeda must have been spilling some of information of him on this wretched man.

“How did he…” McNeil had to question him first before Henry gave way to his ill temper.

The young bartender had been wary from his present stance. Surely, something was at not ease with him as he eyed Rojo Aoi with piercing looks. He should have been that man, the new contact from China on Drug Trafficking. He looked too young for the part, enabling to doubt the contacts for his purpose. Damn the old man for stopping him!

“One must not go around into his dangerous errands without knowing whom or what he will be getting involved with. In Layman’s terms, I searched and study my moves before I step into the crowd.” Acting like the wisest one from the group, Rojo gave a mocking grinned to his opponent – the earl of Rexford.

“That’s a good one,” William was happy to see his half brother being bashed from his airy side. At last! Someone in this world is cruder, equip with more sharpness of words than him. He can’t stop from laughing.

“I don’t see humor in it, you dumb bastard.” Henry took the collar of his younger brother, grabbing him forcefully. Still, the young pup went on laughing.

“Don’t mind the young fool, Henry. We still have a score to settle. So we are not going to involve ourselves to drugs and that is the end of it. Now may we continue our discussion? Shall we? Our time is very precious to waste on such nuisance.” The Scottish man had to point that out from these men. They came here to settle their business and got done with. He was dying to relieve himself with these acquired maidens beside him, tightening his grip on one of his Saseko’s thighs. The girl gasped aloud.

“Sure, sure! We still have our businesses to settle. Please be kind to each other gentlemen as we are about to have this meeting.” Takeda nervously spoke as he wiped his sweat with the back of his sleeves to his perspiring forehead. Never in his whole ‘career’ felt so trapped in this heated argument between his associates.

The warm grew warmer as each seconds passed by. Suddenly, after laughing at a strange ordeal his half brother got twined with, William’s voice had shattered their gazes at each other.

“I want her!” William yelled, unintentionally taking all the men on his table attention. He pointed at the tanned, curvy woman with long beautiful black tresses, the one who had just appeared out from the bat-wing door behind the bar counter.

Henry followed his younger brother’s gaze as it landed on the most beautiful human being his blue eyes had ever laid on. She’s a great beauty, indeed! She was a whole lot more to it! No other words can describe her. The damn young fool had already has the eye on his wanted Saseko.

The mysterious assumed captain was damn sure who the tart is. Damn her! Damn her for flaunting herself in the middle of their conversation. The plan was supposedly involving only him in this mission and the rest will be one stand by, including slickly Soujiro – the bar tender, to capture all the useful, necessary information about Kanryuu Takeda’s transactions and acquire the “Black Book” he usually hides underneath his Americana jacket. That book contains all the information the business Takeda got involved with and continued on, and the contacts he secretly wanted to hide for himself. Not even his low-life comrades knew about these things. Now that this woman had made herself known to the men on his table, this will take too much of his effort to control his anger on her for using her advantage of position. He had to for she is his Okashira. And pray tell that if he drags her out of this area, it will be the lost of their mission now that most of the lustful men had their eyes on her tempting body.

She wore a non- Japanese outfit that a typical Saseko shouldn’t. Instead, she had a white Spanish chemise top with small ruffles around the elastic neckline of it which made her cleavage and alluring shoulder blades entice the beguiled on-lookers to her. At her lower part, she wore a floral shade flamenco low-waisted skirt with two cape-cut ruffles. It had embraced the curve line of her sexy thighs. How could a Saseko like her, a Japanese whore, be fit into a sexy and scandalous dress like that? Well, she deserved to be fit on it. Compare her to the rest of her co-sex workers, she’s totally exotic. Half-breed? Possible. She’s tanned and have the deer eyes as blue as the ocean. Her eyes. Those blue eyes were staring back at him, the earl. God! They were making his groins go wild, responding automatically to her alluring, seductive stare. The beautiful woman was like a gypsy with all the right accessories and stuff – his preferable type of sex maiden, bewitching him by her charms. It was Henry’s type of woman to seduce/enslave in bed with. It was one of his bloody weaknesses from the fairer sex.

The young earl’s eyes probed at her thin chemise. Damn! He could almost sense and see the taut peak of each nipple. Oh dear! She didn’t have anything under that thin, white chemise that’s why he could see her areoles’ pinkish color! A tear sweat rolled down from his forehead. No woman in his whole popular ‘raking’ years in London and America had made him reacted this way. His whole attention to their secret transaction had sudden interrupted by this grand exotic beauty before him.

Almost all the men in the Tavern had been blown away by this exotic maiden’s seductive beauty. A half-breed? She’s indeed one beautiful half-breed! Technically, she indeed was playing it too well. Some of them crazily wailed to call her attention while some was about to come towards her to claim but was stopped along the way. Scattered Oniwabanshuu’s minions were guarding their Okashira from nuisance drunks before they get their filthy hands on their leader - their enchanting, seductive female leader - while doing her role as a half breed – Spanish/Japanese – Dancer! They made the drunks tripped or offer them a huge sum of prize money to gamble with, just to take their attention away from Misao.

The young bar tender wanted this flaunting, crazed woman back to her changing quarters, then lock her there while this mission moved on without her. Damn with the mission! He could almost see her full aroused breasts in that thin, white chemise she was wearing. As far as Soujiro knows, the lady Okashira had no part on playing the role in this round of spying. She had better things to do at the headquarters, other than this.

“I think that would not be a great idea,” a man playing to be one of the drunks on the bar counter hissed to the young bar tender to stop him from his intention to drag the young, lady Okashira from doing her work by tempting one of the foreigners to her seductive charms. “It would be best to have faith on the Okashira, Soujiro-san.”

“So you knew it too.” Soujiro seemed not surprised for Shirojou character is one of the many ones their Okashira could easily coaxed to. “You have plotted against the original plan obviously.” He had to free his disappointment and anger along with a fake smile.

“I have to follow the Okashira’s and Okina’s orders no matter what, Soujiro-san.”

He wanted to drag Misao out of the Tavern. He didn’t want any male from this room to have a look on the enticing curves of his beloved sweet dove. He tried to be calm as soon as he heard Shirojou’s quick advice. “Damn Misao! You are putting yourself into so much trouble.” he inwardly cursed as he fisted inside his trouser pockets.

“I believe you are waiting for me, my princesa.” Henry strolled up towards her, claiming her to be his. His brother was about to argue but he was hushed up by McNeil before he make things worse. They all both know how ill-tempered his older brother was. He lightly patted him at the young gun’s broad shoulder, out of sympathy.

But Henry’s younger brother didn’t set aside. He badly wanted this woman no matter what the consequences he will receive from his ingrate older brother. “What made you think that she’s yours?”

“Because she is, you meddling fool! I have all the right and money to have her.”

“I saw her first!” William exclaimed as he strolled towards her brother but was stopped by McNeil’s hard grip on his developing shoulders.

“That would not be enough for the basis, young brother! The woman will surely come to the one that will pay her good – both in money and pleasure in bed.” Henry eyed Misao with full lust. He is dying to have her tuck in to his hard shaft.

Some of the men in the Tavern were anxious to see the fight of the brothers, coaxing them to get the ramble started. Misao thought that she should do something to stop this unnecessary sibling rivalry. Think, Misao, think!

“I’ll take her.” The captain butted in. He wanted Misao to stay out of this and by claiming her to be his tonight’s Saseko will straighten the trouble she had already caused for the mission. Somehow deep inside his mind and heart, this claiming of Misao as his whore for tonight will make more trouble to his senses than he will expect. “I’m sure there will be others in the house that will have both of your tastes.”

Both brothers’ fuming eyes probed at him. Obviously, they didn’t want him to get involve on this issue.

Misao was afraid Aoshi will catch up on her as she looked at him in his glaring eyes. She could sense those icy eyes of him, piercing through her flesh. Though he remained calm as he was, there’s this fury inside of him that would likely skin her alive because of what she did to herself – her costume – as a seductive temptress dancer in front of everybody else. God! Didn’t they know that she also hated dressing herself like this? Like a whore! The old man had insisted to her that it will be better to show more skin and less cover – or better yet, tempting line of clothes - leaving them to drool instantly to make the mission faster. She had acted like a dimwitted, totally agreed to the old man to get things over with – fast! Okina wanted her help to fasten their mission. And what great HELP she did give him!

She could imagine Okina was grinning (wherever he was), simply rejoicing enough that he was indeed right on his estimation. Damn old goat! He even made her put an herbal ointment to her whole pearly-white skin to make her look like tanned! By this, she will turn out to be most distinguishable among the maidens of the Tavern. Too much distinguishable, that is!

She knew for the fact that Aoshi is angry for she appeared in the mission without telling them. She has no part in the plot but Okina had convinced her thoroughly about the need of this mission to success. Aoshi’s blue eyes were indeed fuming. Now that she’s in the game, there is no point of turning back even if Aoshi’s rage comes after her. Who cares anyway? She’s the boss, isn’t?

“I come to entertain you all by dancing, master.” Misao’s sudective voice was enough proof of her being a woman of great pleasure – bed pleasure that is.

“We don’t need a dancer, my dear. We need to know who you want to go with.” William tried to be a gentle as he was for his insides were aching to have her. Never in his whole life had seen such a temptress of sex. Oh God! This maiden was making a fool out of himself!

“I, ah…” Now that she had to pick one from her ‘suitors’, Misao decided to pick the ‘lesser evil’ in the group. But that will not solve the mission’s problem of acquiring the Black Book. She had to stay on the man that will likely have the right connection to Takeda. Aoshi. Yes, Aoshi will be the one but her other self doubted her ability to remain in his arms….those strong, manly arms…..protecting her from these babbling idiots who wanted only her flesh and….”Ah! Snapped out of it Misao! This is a mission, for Kami-sama’s sake!” she silently scolded herself.

“I go for the blond one.” Finally giving her dubious answer, the young, almost gone-berserk earl took her immaculate hand, guiding her towards their table.

It was a success. Misao had become a part of the Kanryuu Takeda’s group and their foreigners’ circle of discussion. Oh God! Aoshi is there too! The old man had never told her that he will be part of this spying. He said that all she had to do was to listen to their discussion – all their important set-ups and plans then fled from their group as soon as they finished their talking. And taking the Black Book! Simple as that! It will be very difficult to create a whole new person in front of Aoshi watching all the moves she will portray. Working with him will be great pain her ass!

“Damn it!” The young gun, William, stormed away, leaving the rest of his acquaintance inside the Tavern. He was deeply disappointed at whom Misao had chosen. Didn’t she see the blackness of his heart behind those darn good looks? Women! He curses them when they picked his older brother than him!

Misao felt sorry for the young, handsome foreigner but what can she do? This blonde had the upper hand.
She also didn’t want Aoshi to stop her from gaining the necessary talks of transactions so it is the best to side herself up with the other man that will help her purpose. Aoshi will be only a distraction to her.

She had to make things more convincing that she was indeed a half-breed dancer – not a Saseko. That was the first step. She had to perform her duties as the Okashira of Oniwabanshuu. She never did have these betwixt feelings before performing her spying and portraying. With Aoshi around, well, that is a whole new story! Misao had to relieve herself away from the irritable subject in any matter she could. She spoke in a different tongue - English, as she swerve hips readily to perform a dance, “If you think that I am a whore, Seniorito, you are deeply mistaken.” It was the truth actually.

Soujiro’s heart leaped as soon as he saw Misao enticing swerve of her buttocks. Aoshi almost choked after seeing her unexpected scene. McNeil was stopping himself from bursting to laugh as he sees all of this mayhem. Delvin paid no attention to Misao but to the green-eyed girl beside him.

Henry stopped as soon as he heard her alluring, innocent voice. Goodness! A Latina! How could a beautiful woman like her not be engaged on a matter like this? Maybe she was simply tricking him into her perfect scheme, acting like an innocent girl – a thing that was entirely different from the way she dressed herself at that moment.

He turned to her and huskily said, “I am having a hard time on convincing myself that you are no whore of this house, my prinsesa.” It was a term he used to his precious ones, his mistresses. He then eyed her from top to bottom. “Yes, indeed, you are a dancer…..but a beautiful half-Latina one. I would like you to dance to me – alone – after I make my business settled on my oriental monkey associate.”

He used that term again to mock their race. Haven’t he had the right sense that he’s surrounded by the ‘oriental monkeys’ he mocked, ready to invalid him at any time just by hearing that!? How insensible of him! She too fell on that category. If time comes, alone with him, she would like to throttle this man after acquiring from him the needed information to be brought back to the government. Alone with him? NO! That will not come to that.

“Por la mirada de sus ojos, usted no es convencido todavía que yo no soy una puta,” (By the look of your eyes, you are not still convinced that I am not a whore.) Misao had to push it, using her seductive side of hers. She was talking to him in Spanish. She was playing a dangerous game with him. Yet the young earl was pretty amused with what the young, beautiful, exotic dancer was doing unto him. “Todo usted hombres son lo mismo. Qué importa la mayoría del a ustedes son las cabezas que balancean entre muslos!” (All you men are the same. What matters most to you all are the heads dangling between your thighs!)

“Yo no soy medium en tales casos insignificantes, mi estimada chica.” (I am no psychic in such petty cases, my dear girl.) Henry came close, close enough to almost suffocate her with his spicy-sweet manly aroma, but Misao didn’t pay any attention to it. It was nothing personal but to the young earl, it was totally different. He liked playing her game. “But if you insist, I would like to ‘test’ you in some of my ‘games’ to ensure that are not indeed a prostitute.” His blue eyes gave her a dangerous, seductive look, especially to her almost visible pinkish nipples of her healthy, rounding twins.

Shock came over her. It backfired on her this time. Damn it! So he too could understand and speak Spanish. Rich, red blush was seen on her cheeks as soon as she got his idea. The young earl was very much amused.

The other two, Soujiro and Aoshi, were patiently waiting for the outcome of Misao’s disguise. How dare her react like a wanton lover in front of that Royal hoyden!

“I will not participate in any of your ‘games’ for I don’t have anything to prove to you. I just came here to dance and offer you drink.” And of course! To gain information from you and your men! Damn Okina for making me wear this crap! No bedding will be done no matter what!

“También tarde para eso, mi estimado. Usted ya ha capturado el corazón en cuanto a eso.” (Too late for that, my dear. You have already captured my heart for that matter.) “And let me remind you that you have chosen me over my young, bastard brother,” he took her to his table, placing her on his muscular lap. He brushed his blonde hair away from his blue eyes, to see her more.

He could see the sudden change of airy confidence on Rojo Aoi’s face. It was obvious that somehow he did want this woman too, eh? So be it! Now that he had the advantage of everything, he must pay this time.

Henry took the maiden’s hand and kissed it passionately in front of these men’s eyes. He could feel the scorching gaze from the half-breed’s eyes. Blue as it is now turning some of its color, its part into red. Misao felt obliged to respond on his touch so she acted like swooned by him. She giggled a bit, hoping this thing would work on him. Somehow, she couldn’t spare a gaze at Aoshi across the table. She was too ashamed to knowing his reaction to her doings might be.

“I guessed we have to continue our business some other time, Lord Henry?” Kanryuu shifted his icy stare from the young earl then towards the exotic maiden warily. He didn’t know why but there’s the uneasiness lurking inside of him intensified as she came in. The whores beside the two other gents were perfectly fine to hang around with, even if they listened to their whole conversation. There was this stinging feeling, unsure of the exotic girl intention to be here.

“Non-sense! I want it all to get over with.” The lord of Rexford meant it severely. His loins were aching to have this woman unite with his. “And besides, you are not the only one who is entitled to invite someone at our party.”

Misao suddenly gasped as she sensed the young, handsome earl’s boldness at her cute bottom. The nerve! Something was daringly poking at her….

Aoshi shifted his body into more comfortable position. He could strangle the man himself, forgetting all about the mission. He too would like to do that to his lady Okashira. If the whole spy group permits him!

Henry just gave her one of his naughty smiles he usually gives to his women as he intentionally probed with one of his manly hand inside her thin chemise.

“What are you doing?” Misao abruptly took his hand off of her top as soon as it landed on her flat belly. God! Hers was the silkiest skin he had ever touched on.

“Hush,” Henry raised an eyebrow to Misao, “we are about to start our discussion here, mi amor.”


*******

“I like your proposition, Kanryuu-san. But I don’t jumped into something without any security held on my sleeves,” Henry’s voice became low, like a ferocious feline at the position of attacking its prey.

Quite startled, Kanryuu remained as a calm businessman should be. “What do you mean by ‘security’, Lord West Craven?” His heart began to pound faster. His eyes began to wary.

“I must have something from you to conceal our agreement from public’s view, my Japanese man. I have a reputation to protect as you have already known and I don’t want any of my name being drag on your damn business of yours.”

The nerve! This is the most impossible man to deal with in the black market business Kanryuu had ever encountered. As if he was cleaning his hands in front of his partner in crime. But still, he had to succumb to his wished no matter what. The high-power guns and its tremendous amount of money it will give him are far more important than anything in his whole conceited crap.

“Hate to admit it Takeda, the English boy is right,” Aoshi had to put some points on the Earl of Rexford. And by doing this, he too would like to have something in Takeda’s that he was dying to have to the organization’s mission – Takeda Kanryuu’s Black Book.

“Long last you have come to your senses to back me up, half-breed. To the rightful master on this table.” Henry mocked Aoshi as he slid his hand to Misao’s ruffled skirt.

Misao could feel his sinful touched on her bare thighs. She reflexively gasped, looking disgusted at the young earl. But that look of hers didn’t stop him out of his lustful needs of her.

Aoshi sensed it too. Every minute she stayed on that lecherous lout’s lap, something in him wanted to snap out, taking matters on his hands damning all the consequences he will have in backing down on the mission. He couldn’t perform his duty as Kanryuu’s newest contact of drugs if he continues to see them as they touch….Jealousy had again visited his side of thinking.

“Ok, to compensate your fears from being drag into the dirt, please do tell what the young earl wanted from me?” Takeda remained as calm as he was.

Henry thought for a moment. It took him a minute to decide what he should acquire from him to silence his doubts. As he kissed and smelled Misao’s enticing slender neck, he whispered, “Do tell the oriental monkey that I want his Black Book back with me on my room after I ended this discussion with the rest of the men. I want you in my bed for I can’t have this sweet torture any longer.”

Misao’s check began to redden. Oh God! The earl wanted her so badly and she can’t just back it down! And what shocked her more was he too wanted the Black Book her spy organization wanted at first! Trying to calm herself on the situation, she arranged her black tresses, tucking some behind her ears. “Do you have to, my sire?”

“Which one do I have to answer, my prinsesa? Of the Black Book or the eagerness to bed you?” The earl had loosened his collar for heat becoming so intense on him. He also did the unexpected thing to Misao. He slowly, wetly licked the nape of her tanned throat. God, it was frightening on Misao’s behalf while on the earls, it was so arousing!

Suddenly, Henry’s tongue tasted an herb essence on this exotic woman’s slick neck. He couldn’t argue his views with the maiden for it will ruin their moment of love – as he might call it. But nevertheless, he liked her being that way, making his senses reeled up, going berserk as each minute she was above, protected on his aching groins.

This had to stop no matter what. Misao had gone too far from being the dancer, as she wanted them to believe to be. “I too want to have something from you that will likely turn our transaction greatly sealed.” As if!

The confused Takeda had no time to take amends on what was happening before him. First the fight among these two men, then the acquiring stuff they needed before they settle their business with him. He has to abide with their rules for this was so far the biggest transaction that he will ever have in his whole pathetic life!

“Tell him my dear or I will not release you from this state. I can ravish you here in this instant, in front of these men’s eyes.” Henry coldly uttered as he slipped his playing hand again to Misao’s thin chemise.

“But you said you will not do anything that will tarnish your name, my sire,” Misao nervously pointed out. Indeed, he cares lot of his new name, being the new Earl of Rexford. She moved relentlessly so that he could not capture one of her bulging breast.

“For you my dear, I will have it stained just to have you.” All was futile at Henry’s persistent touch as he grasped on of breast. Misao instantly heaved as she felt his forbidden touch on one of her rounding twins.

“A man such as your statues should not be doing that in front of his transactions,” Aoshi abruptly stated after seeing the bastard’s grasp at one of Misao’s. He wanted this man out of the picture. He wanted him to stop holding Misao – his Misao – with his lustful touches.

“I do what I want with my hands so keep your thoughts to yourself.” This time, the earl squeezed it as he sensed the tautness of his maiden’s nipples. He wanted to suck them out, savoring the richness of this exotic woman’s tastes. Mocking the half-breed is a nice game after all.

Aoshi’s eyes reflected rage inside of him. Damn the consequences! He has to take Misao away from his grasp and end this soon. With eyes glaring at him, Aoshi stood up from his chair, leaving it slumped on the floor.

Most of the people’s faces turned to them, quietly inquiring what was happening to their group.
Feeling no fear from the man who violently reacted, Henry was about to lift her thin chemise when Misao immediately snapped. “He wanted the damn Black Book!” Misao loudly told Kanryuu Takeda the young earl’s intention to end this

“The Black Book?” Takeda was startled. “How did you know about that?”

“One must not go around into his dangerous errands without knowing whom or what he will be getting involved with. In Layman’s terms, I searched and study my moves before I step into the crowd.” Henry said in the same tone as Aoshi had been earlier. He eyed him for a moment and went on his claiming. “I want that damn book of yours or a copy can do as well.”

“But this had no copy at all!” Takeda was hysterically answered. “I keep all my transactions in here!”

“That is why I wanted that damn book of yours, Takeda-san. I will have it back to you as soon as my trusted lawyer has them copied back in Shanghai, my first stop way back to England.” Henry gazed at Devlin who were at the same time paid no interest at the topic they have on the table. He was too busy kissing the Saseko at her neck.

“Why in Shanghai when you could do it in here?” Takeda tried to coax him to change his decision. “And why the book?”

“In that way, I would be long gone in this wretched country of yours before you devise some tricky terms against me.”

“I could do no such thing!” He snorted.

“I wouldn’t risk on that part for all we know that you are a lecherous hoyden by career. I wanted all these transaction we made to be safe. You need not worry for I will leave tomorrow for Shanghai. In two months time, this book will be back to you.” He gave a winning smile against Takeda’s scowling face.

“What if I wanted also of that book?” Aoshi had to step into their argument. He had no intention on letting brute earl has his way towards the book. He wanted all the necessary information to capture all the criminals that are currently enjoying the people’s money on their fat pockets without any remorse or hesitations. No soul on that part. He sat again as he picked the chair back on him, staring with heated aura to Takeda.

“I asked the book first!”

“Then the book you shall have, English boy!” Aoshi had finally snapped. It was the least Misao and the rest of them who knew him expected. “All I want is a copy. That’s all! No need to come to different place just to secure the pledge.”

Henry scowled on what the half-breed man said.

“This is too much of your asking, gentlemen…..I would not rather have this conversation with you two about this….” Kanryuu retreated himself away from the table. He couldn’t think properly when it involves the Black Book for it has stated all of his contacts and transactions of his ‘businesses’.

“There will be no transaction of guns without the Black Book, Kanryuu-san. That will be it.” Henry took the notion to leave, with the beautiful Misao tagging along by his strong grip at her small waist.

“I think this is not the part of our bargain, sire,” Misao nervously pinpointed.

“I don’t give a damn care for the transaction anyway as long as I have you, my pretty prinsesa,” Henry huskily spoke at Misao as he continued to stroll towards the Tavern’s stairs. Part of it was true. “By the way, I have missed your Spanish tongue. Mind speaking to me by that language?”

“No! You can’t, Señior Henry. I am not a….”

McNeil followed the young earl to convince him on changing his mind. Maybe there will be other things that will likely to work out between them without involving the Black Book in concealing their transaction with the oriental monkey. It was quite obvious that Takeda had no intention on giving in to his plea. But as the young earl, Misao and the brute Scottish strolled their way towards the upper deck of the Tavern, Kanryuu snapped.

“OK! You can have it!” Takeda had said it. It was the only answer Henry wanted from him. As long as he has him on the business and completely honor his side of the bargain, nothing had to fear from it.

Aoshi was shocked but not enough emotion to be seen on his face. Didn’t the man also hear his demand for the Black Book? His proposition was far better than the young, lout earl. And about Misao, where the hell is he taking her? Upstairs? Damn him!

Henry was very, very pleased. He is proud of himself of being such a good actor.

Looking back at them then eyeing the silent, angered half-breed from a far who was starting his fast walk towards them, he took the rambling Misao closer and kissed her fiercely as he rubbed one of her breast. “Then I do have another reason to celebrate this night.”


tbc


oic - yeah....it is a slow process....and I am dying to end the story too.....see yeah at the next chapter. Hoping some action in the bed of the foreigner or to.....