Tell Me You Love Me

Tell Me You Love Me 5

Obvious

Kureha's heart turned with an almost painful lurch. Sakura told her that the samurai Kyuzo had not left the town as she had feared, but was in the inn. He said he would protect the town until Gorobei returned. Kureha sighed a smile on her face as she rejoiced that Kyuzo was near. She dragged her towel over the surface of the table oblivious to the man watching her. “You will be happy to see your brother returned.” Rikichi commented gaining her attention. “So will I.”

A frown covered Kureha's features. She looked at Rikichi his homespun, simple clothing was clean and well tended, he was not horrid to look upon and yet she would say no to what he would ask of her even though she feared she would never hear the words from the one she loved. “You miss my brother, I know he is amusing and he tells the best jokes...”

“I will ask him for permission to wed you.” Rikichi stated proud of his own boldness.

“Do my wishes not matter?” Kureha took the towel to the large bowl of warm water. Kureha picked up the soiled water and tossed it out of the window before upending the dripping bowl laying the towel flat across it's bottom to dry.

“You must understand,” Rikichi reached out a hand to halt her leaving the kitchen. Kureha paused by the door the fresh breezes of the beach washing through the yard lifted the loose strands of her hair and the soft fabrics of her clothing. “I have been wed before,” Rikichi paused the pain of his wife's willing abduction renewed as Kambei had conveyed her wish to remain in the easy life of a rich man's concubine than a poor rice farmer's wife. “I know I can make you happy. Gorobei will see that I am the best for you. I can offer you a home, security. I am not a wanderer who would rather spend my days killing than...”

“How do you say that?” Kureha backed away. “No one is that vicious and you are petty to say so.”

“I know what I saw.” Rikichi spat his anger at her defense of Kyuzo blinding him to his raising voice. “I am sure he does not have an inkling of emotions for you, in fact the only thing he feels is the need to bed you. Once he is satisfied he will leave, your brother's honor nothing but a memory for him.”

“How can you be so hateful?” Kureha whispered tears brimming and overflowing.

“I am telling you the truth.” Rikichi softened his voice. In her upset the corner of her shirt had slid down revealing a caramel colored shoulder to his hungry eyes. “Listen,” Rikichi placed his hand on her exposed skin in a facade of comfort allowing his thumb to trail over the soft as silk flesh. “When we met Kyuzo, he was working for Iomaro, and he only joined the group for the chance to kill Kambei.”

“But he did not.” Kureha affirmed a smile creeping over her face. She looked up at Rikichi and he was struck by the beauty of her smile through her tears.

“He did, he said so. Because Kambei is a samurai.” Rikichi nodded glad that he had found something that would show Kureha the kind of man Kyuzo truly was.

Kureha inhaled deeply the scent of the salt in the fresh air stimulating making her wish she were alone and could dance with the shifting waters and warm sand. “He may have joined for such nefarious reasons, but I do believe the great samurai Kambei is still in possession of his life. You can not take a man's past and look to his future.” Kureha stepped away from Rikichi causing his hand to drift down her arm. Her soft top was snagged on his rough hand and it slid further down revealing the smooth top of her left bosom. “Can you tell me who will dishonor my brother?” Kureha asked watching his eyes light with desire.

Kureha turned leaving the house to go collect her now dry laundry. “Wait!” Rikichi grabbed her arm but paused as the sound of cold steel leaving leather was heard. He had not even noticed Kyuzo standing leaning against the house.

“Answer the lady's question.” Kyuzo had sat on the roof hearing them speak. It had flattered him to hear the innocent young girl defend him while he was infuriated with Rikichi he could not blame him. This girl was like no other, she made Kyuzo wish he owned something, anything to offer her. Even the small scrap of land his parents had owned before their death's had been destroyed in the fires of the war. This world was run on money and all he had was the clothes on his back and his sword. Sure working for Iomaro had been lucrative but when he had left the service, and the manner that he had left, assured that his assets would no longer exist. He could not say that he would be a better choice for Kureha. Kyuzo gripped his sword waiting.

“It will not be me.” Rikichi dropped his hand to his side glaring in open hostility at Kyuzo as the blade was put away. “Gorobei will see clearly,” Rikichi nodded sure that Gorobei would want a home for his sister and a livelihood. Now that the Nobuseri were disbanded their village could prosper. Rikichi nodded taking his leave. The other village girls had all been vying for his favor, but it was Kureha who had snared him and it was Kureha he would have.

Kureha stood feeling the heat of the day fade as the heat of Kyuzo's gaze bored into her. With trembling hands she straightened her loose fitting garments. “I am always a mess.” Kureha tried to laugh through the pain of realizing that her brother might indeed consent to Rikichi's request. A large tear left a wet gleam on her cheek. “I am sorry,” She apologized bringing her sleeve up to wipe the moisture away. “But... For the first time in six years... I wish my brother would not return. Not if it means he will give me to him. He is not a bad man, in fact I would say he is kind and any girl would be proud to wed him but... It is not him that I love.”

Kyuzo wanted to walk away. Every bone in his body was screaming for him to leave. He took a step towards her and knew he had lost. Kureha gasped to feel the strong, gentle grip on her arm as she was pulled against the taught frame of Kyuzo. He raised a hand to tilt her head back before his lips descended. Kureha gasped then melted her bones felt scorched by his heat as he held her. Kureha whimpered making Kyuzo feel like a wild beast for he was unable to cease his current madness. Shock enveloped Kureha when she could feel the warm moistness of his tongue licking her lips. She gasped opening her mouth in innocent invitation and Kyuzo plundered.

His arms tightened around her bringing her body flush with his. Kureha gasped never having imagined such heat and passion as flared within her at his touch. Kyuzo's hands wandered lower on her back he paused before he gave in to the urge and cupped her firm bottom. He would not violate her this way, not where anyone walking by could see and damage her reputation. Reigning in his desire he stilled his hands. Breathing ragged he pushed her back. “Now I truly own nothing.” Kyuzo whispered for strength had left his voice. He allowed his hand to caress her cheek his gaze softened as he looked at her. “Not even my heart.” Kureha stood weeping her fingers pressed to her tingling lips long after Kyuzo was no more that footprints leading down the beach.

-

The day arrived. The day that Kureha both longed for and dreaded. The samurai including Gorobei were sighted. They would be in the village just in time for the afternoon meal. Kureha's heart broke for Rikichi had perked up at the news sure that Gorobei would hear his plea and consent. Kureha took her time dressing wanting not a pin out of place. Sakura helped piling her lush locks of sable hair high and securing the waving mass with many pins. Kureha winced in pain at the scraping of the pins across her scalp. “Mother says that you will wed soon.” Sakura encouraged with a smile looking at the transformed beauty. “I am happy for you. But I will miss you when you leave.”

“Leave?” Kureha asked the white and gold of her clothing highlighting the golden tan of her skin.

“The farmer will ask for you. So will Du-an, the village clerk. Either one will make a good match. If you marry Du-an we will be neighbors.” Kureha's heart sank as Sakura continued to ramble about her own upcoming nuptials to the village leader's son. Kureha heard the drums beating and new that it was over. Her dreams of happiness as her brother set foot in the village. She pasted her best rendition of a smile on and left the room. Sakura paused, puzzled at Kureha's stricken features before she followed her friend from the room.

Gorobei grinned as the town followed him to the rather large spread of land that belonged to his family. He smelled the ocean closing his eyes as memories of frolicking on this beach with his parents and little Ku-Chan swamped his senses. “Glad to be home,” Heihachi commented seeing the older man close his eyes and inhale with a smile on his face. Is that your sister?” Heihachi asked seeing the tumble of cloth rushing to meet them. Gorobei smiled throwing his arms wide to catch her. He winced when Kureha stumbled landing on her face in the soft sand.

“Clumsy again,” Gorobei whispered an indulgent grin on his face as he moved to help her stand. Before he reached her side he was blinded by heavy red canvas. Kyuzo pulled Kureha to her feet helping. His eyes roving to make sure she was not injured. Gorobei raised his brows as Kyuzo inclined his head and stepped aside. “Ku-Chan,” Gorobei pulled the blushing girl in his arms wincing only a little as she discovered the silk covered wooden appendage that was now his right arm.

“Goro-Kun!” Kureha gasped ashamed that she had selfishly wished for him to delay his return so that she could have more time with Kyuzo. “I am glad you are home at last.”

“I missed you, my little one.” Gorobei returned her embrace. The village Chief shooed the villagers to their homes allowing Gorobei a private moment with his young sister. “How have things been here?”

“Lonesome, without you.” Kureha tried to quell the urge but her eyes strayed to Kyuzo and stayed before she forced herself to turn back to her brother. “ You look well, oh forgive me,” Kureha dropped into a feminine bow. “You and your friends must be famished, allow me to get the table ready.” Kureha skipped away from her brother she missed a root of a tree and landed on her bottom. Kyuzo was there before the other samurai had even registered that the girl had fallen. “Oops,” Kureha giggled taking his hand to get her feet unable to meet his or anyone else's eyes she whispered quite breathless. “Clumsy again,” Kureha gasped as Gorobei and Kyuzo both spoke simultaneously with her.

Gorobei watched as his sister skipped into the house, he was not blind to the fact that he was not the only one. “A word... Gorobei-Dono.” Rikichi said appearing at Gorobei's side a smile on his face. Kyuzo looked with disgust at the farmer as he inclined his head to Gorobei and turned to the house where the other Samurai were being seated.

“Do you not think it prudent to allow him a meal after such a long journey before you beg to bed...I mean wed his sister?” Kyuzo smirked leaving both men embarrassed.

“He has been impossible. I wish Kambei had sent another. You know he almost killed me.” Rikichi complained looking after the retreating figure of Kyuzo.

“If he meant to kill you, you would be dead,” Gorobei laughed thinking that things were certainly interesting. If he had known the kind of mischief that would get underway, he would have asked Heihachi to go along as well. Gorobei could not say that he had ever enjoyed a more entertaining lunch. Between Kureha and Kyuzo's failed attempts not to look at one another and Rikichi's glowering at the samurai. Heihachi filled the table with his chatter as he regaled them all with tales of Kirara and Katsushiro's wedding.

“It sounds lovely.” Kureha sighed her eyes again traveling to the red clad figure sitting silently at the end of the table.

Rikichi could not ignore the wishful gaze he saw the first pin fall from her hair as she turned away in haste a curl dropped to dangle past her shoulder into her lap. His eyes roved the length of the shining tendril lingering on the supple curve of her firm, round bosom. “Kyuzo-Dono,” Rikichi asked his voice slick with the venom of his burning jealousy. “Now that Gorobei has returned and the Nobuseri are no threat to anyone but themselves, you will wander off to your own amusements I am sure.”

Kyuzo raised his eyes from his dinner. He took the last sip from his glass before meeting Rikichi's gaze with a bland stare. Gorobei watched as his sister moved to refill the glass with spiced cider. The loose tendril of hair fell into his lap followed by several more pulled free by the weight of her mass of hair too much for the small pins. Kyuzo displayed a small smile despite his best efforts. He handed her the hair reminded of their first meal that she had served. “Kyuzo, might I ask,” Kyuzo's eyes were drawn to Gorobei. “How old are you?”

“Why do you ask such a question?” Rikichi asked Gorobei before Kyuzo could answer.

“I simply wondered, he looks so young, yet his skills are so great as to make the great Kambei sweat to come up against him. It is rare to see such skill with Battojutsu.”

“Twenty-four,” Kyuzo's words were terse.

“You had to have joined the army as a child,”Heihachi commented his eyes rounded as he realized that the great samurai was indeed younger than he.

“My father was a samurai of the old order, he followed the rules of Bushido with his dying breath. My mother was a ninja of the highest caliber they trained me to the best of both of their skills. Though it was not enough to save them when our home was razed. I wandered until found, it was then that Iomaro bought me.”

“So young,” Mistress Akane looked at the samurai in a new light. “Just a child really.” Rikichi frowned thinking of Kyuzo as a younger man heightened his sense of competition. Perhaps Gorobei would think twice before handing his sister over to him.

“Such is life,” Kyuzo shrugged raising his glass in thanks to Kureha. Gorobei nodded never having heard Kyuzo speak so much at one time.

“Surely you have nothing now,” Rikichi commented with a sympathetic sigh.

“I have only recently had my last possession, aside from my blades, stolen from me by a most beguiling thief.” Kyuzo smirked surprising all around as his cheeks tinted red. Gorobei could not help the delighted laugh, the answer to his problem of finding a mate for his sister was so glaring, so...Obvious as to be comical. Let the clerk come, the farmers, the crofters, it was the samurai, silent, strong and full of honor. So, Gorobei gazed at Kyuzo as the meal ended and they were all shown into rooms inside the large manor for their stay, this is who his sister wanted.

Kambei was not surprised at the wealth that Gorobei's family claimed, his manner was too well-bred for it to be otherwise. Gorobei's movements too fluid, full of grace that proclaimed his dance skills. Sakura grinned suggesting that Kureha perform the flower rites, a haunting song and dance in celebration of nature. “What better way to celebrate the long awaited return of your brother?” Sakura urged.

“I would love to see you dance,” Rikichi said smiling. Kureha looked to see if Kyuzo was still among the guests she walked over to him feeling tears as she saw the bag he carried.

“It will be my parting gift to you. Though the dance of life is a bit inappropriate when I feel as if my heart is dying.” Kyuzo sat his bag down sitting near the door to watch the performance. “The sun rises on another day,” Kureha began to sing raising her arms high the soft fabric of her clothing falling around her. “Glory abounds as the queens of dawn open their eyes tears of dew fall in happiness rejoice,” The small audience was transfixed as Kureha twirled.

Gorobei sidled over to Kyuzo a smile on his face. “She always was a beautiful dancer, I never could understand her clumsiness. I guess music lives within her.” Kyuzo waited, wondering what the older man wanted. “I will not begrudge you my sister's affections for whether I like it or not it is you she has chosen. But,” Gorobei paused and waited for Kyuzo's amber eyes to meet his own. “If you take her, do so with honor. I know you have nothing of your own, but such is the way of the young. This house is now mine, seeing as how my parents are dead. I have a home on these lands further in on the beach surrounded by trees it is quite lovely, you may have it. It is small, only three rooms, but you can build it as you would. It is a start...”

He had a home, Kyuzo thought his heart beating a frantic pace. He stared so hard at Gorobei that he did not notice Kureha finishing the dance. The one reason he had forsaken any thought to asking for her hand was that he had nothing to give her. But a home, near her kin... when he had none. “Do not allow your past to steal your future.” Gorobei planted his wooden arm on Kyuzo's shoulder. “Go take your lady, you have won this war.” In that moment, Gorobei understood why Kyuzo never smiled. What enemy would take him seriously when he resembled a cherub. “Love will take the greatest warrior and turn him into a sniveling baby.” Gorobei laughed as Kyuzo nodded. The great samurai clasped his hands in front of his body and bowed to Kyuzo before turning on his heel. Rikichi stood by his eyes narrowed as Kyuzo knelt in front of Kureha.

“I do not relinquish my possessions so easily lady,” Kyuzo said taking her hand. “Since you have seen fit to take my heart, I have decided to take you.” Kureha gasped looking to her brother. At the smile on Gorobei's face she laughed tripping over the hem of her skirt she fell into Kyuzo wrapping her arms around his neck. Kyuzo held her close marveling at he scent of wild flowers and fresh sea air that clung to her skin bathing him in a refreshing haze of delight.

“Dawn,” Gorobei announced it being tradition for his family to wed at the earliest part of morn when the sun greeted the world. “You had best get to sleep, and may it be a sound one. For Dawn marks the day of your wedding.” Kyuzo smiled holding Kureha for a moment more before releasing her for the night.

“Til dawn,” He promised her and she had never known a happier moment in her life. The very same day she had dreaded, her brother returning and Kyuzo leaving, had become the happiest day she could yet remember.

Kureha turned hurrying to the door to search out her mother's wedding ensemble. “Til dawn,” She promised rushing out. Rikichi swallowed his bitterness never having thought to witness the great Samurai Kyuzo in such a state. He bowed accepting his defeat wishing the younger man well he went off to find his own bed. Gorobei took Kyuzo to the house that was not far from the main one his parents had lived in. Kyuzo looked around at the modest home. The wood used to build it was strong. The place was immaculate. He could imagine that just as Kureha had seen her brother's clothes cleaned every week, she took just as much care of his home.

“Treat her well,” Gorobei demanded leaving Kyuzo in his new home for the night. Kyuzo looked at Gorobei seeing his apprehension at trusting the former guard of their enemy. Kyuzo nodded formally he tried to think of words to say, but Gorobei had already left him alone.

To Be Continued?

Author's notes: THE WHITE LION is now available for purchase, check out my website and pick up a copy. Help support your Author, Lots of love and hugs to all you out there who already have. Thanks a million I hope you enjoy it. Never be afraid to let me know what you think. I appreciate all comments. You can address all comments to me here or my other websites, or my email. Thank you for reading my series of Fan works.

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