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.

Chapter 7 – The Plight


It was so close. She almost had become what the Englishman’s thought her to be – a whore. Her shocked eyes were somewhat fixedly staring at the ceiling as she was trying to catch her breath. Her hands tight fisted on the sides. Obviously, she had mishandled her assessment on these matters which in her opinion was her very first failure in the name of their spying mission.

Misao tried to sit and be calm, forcing herself to take upon the current situation. Her only concern now fell on the man who almost tarnished her for eternity. Need for vengeance? For sure, she wanted it for no man had ever took advantage of her that way. The feeling for revenge somehow agitated her but logic dictated to choose otherwise. She hasn’t had a single idea or care about her appearance after that mayhem. All she wanted was to take the damn book and flee as soon as possible.

Another thing is, she also had forgotten about inquiring on how in the world she had gotten free from Henry’s lustful intent and caresses. Her mind was in a bit frantic, a certain loss for being a respectable, self-assured Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu. Maybe because this was her very first time to be tagged on this kind of spying, involving in flesh trading and gone ‘that’ far. She almost lost herself there, bitterly berating. But that was in the past now. She had to get down on the mission and finish it.

She was on the sitting position, unknowingly projected a bold and tempting image. This exotic-looking angel seemed so fragile and so open to be ravaged, he cursed. Her shapely legs and thighs were separated apart and bended; and as for her Spanish flamenco skirt, it draped low around her curvy hip and tiny waist. It almost exposed her only glorious inner treasure to the person who might have a chance to see her in such a ‘deliciously’ vulnerable state.

In this case, the tall figure in the dark got all the opportunity as havoc emotions of bliss, lusts and guilt mixed inside of him. Hands and arms supporting her upper body, making it as her lever, she still hadn’t had a single clue about her half nakedness. She was unaware of it at that time. Her full breasts were bobbing caused by her rapid breathing. It was an excruciating, tempting view. Tears of sweat rolled down on every part of her exposed body. Some came down from her flushed cheeks, forehead, slender shoulders, refined neck, and the skin between her deliciously-looking rounding twins, and also to her slim, shapely legs and thighs. Misao looked like a grand banquet ready to be taken. And because of the arousing image, it was very understandable on the Englishman’s part why his aching groins took over his stable mental state – assuming that the foreign lout has that from the start, of course.

God! Her lips were somewhat pouting and partly opened. They were so red and moist. She was unaware of her being a seductress in her current state which made Aoshi cursed even more – to her and to his own body for acting like a virgin boy who’s eagerly anticipating for his first time.

Actually, his first time to bed a woman had never been like this. He had never been so eager or frantic at the same time. He let his first woman do the initiative of ‘tangling’ before he gets on with the natural rhythm of sex. Although he was a neophyte to that pleasurable realm that time, Aoshi gradually had proven to his mate, natural as it could be, he can be a man of passion in bed by taking over the game ruling it like a king to his queen.

He is the master, not the slave. But now, after seeing their beautiful, spit-fire Okashira lying defenseless and recuperating, he was no better than a teenager lad hoping to score countless times for tonight.

Aoshi felt the shame running through his bones. He was mortified on his sudden pervert behavior and inappropriate musing. He had never done like this before, never on his whole life until now. His eyes and skin had been very much acquainted with the naked beauty of women, especially the most gorgeous ones, but none came closer to this reaction towards seeing the innocent Misao, who gloriously half naked before him.

The Okashira had definitely become a prime feast for tonight, for all of the men’s eyes inside this God-forsaken tavern. She was almost devoured because of it, particularly of her stubbornness and irresponsibility. And the other half is caused by her untamed beauty.

This will not happen again, that’s for sure for HE won’t let it. And also, he can’t wait to punch one or two scores on Okina’s wretched face for this.

“Game’s over. You had done your part, Okashira. I’ll take over.” He sounded hoarse. There’s definitely a full tint of sternness from the person’s voice, she assured. Not to mention of the person’s disrespectable regard to her as their leader.

“I beg your pardon?” Misao breathlessly uttered as her eyes blinked twice. Within several seconds, she had finally acknowledged the presence of another person inside the room. “Mind who you are giving orders, boy.”

It’s obvious that she didn’t know who she was dealing with. She’s treating him a lad, not a young, virile, capable man….capable of strangling her if he wills it.

Speaking of ‘strangling’, there are other ways this tall, handsome spy can apply such violent act into more agreeable option of punishment that both of them will find….very amusing. The most malicious one of them all is the best.

Instead of thanking him for saving her from eternal damnation, she just chided him. ‘She was still stubborn as an ox,’ Aoshi thought for himself. For the past 4 years, this little woman had never changed that irritable, silly trait of character. If she still values her being the leader of the spy group, she should accept logical ideas than entertaining those dreaded, childish feelings. A leader should not embrace emotions. It is a golden rule. And this young chit had no idea how to digest it into her system.

Instead of retorting which he rarely does except for some certain unavoidable circumstances, he closed his eyes for a moment, calming himself for that said matter. And also, it was for his way – his only option – to take his eyes off from her luscious and tempting body. He needed this small moment to contain himself. If not, he’s no better than this English lout who almost ravished her a while ago.

He had detected movements and he was sure that it came from her. The Englishman lay unconscious on the floor, very far from Misao’s body. The foreigner was thrown out from above her with unbelievable strength resided inside of him. As if an enormous power flowed and burst out in the open upon arriving inside the room in the nick of time, he acted according to his initial response – a logical one that a ‘concerned’ man could do to help a woman in distress. Not just particular man in her life, that is. His emotions were catching up on him. Did he react because of jealousy? He doesn’t know yet or maybe denying himself of that possible idea. ‘Nonsense,’ he said to himself. He is not that kind of person to harbor such petty outlook.

His eyes opened abruptly and glanced at her. Apparently, Misao was trying to stand up. As soon as she was on her feet, she had finally noticed her nakedness. Heat moved all over her body then to her face. Instinctively hiding her breasts, she anxiously looked for her white, ruffled chemise. Being naked had her so vulnerable against the world….against the man in the darkness.

Within seconds, she had found what she was searching for. From the look of her flushed and worried face, it seemed not good for her, finding where her chemise was located.

Aoshi had followed Misao’s worried and humiliated stare. Noticing a white, light material near his leather shoe, Aoshi had sensed to pick up the material and give it to the naked goddess. His mind was a bit on the messy side, having not thought of being respectable at that moment. For what reasons, he couldn’t spill it out. With the help of his kodachi’s sheath, the material was made known to exist between them, creating a palpable heat sensation. Both strongly denied it, of course. Slowly it was dragged out from the floor, dangling at the tip until it leveled along Misao’s normal perspective view and with him on his lower chest area.

With no words, it is understandable that he got her white chemise. All she needed to do was to grab it from his katana’s sheath.

Whole body trembling, she was walking towards him. She could almost hear her heart’s frantic beating. Not like this, not like this. From all the spy members of the Oni group why had to be this unbearable man? She was trap inside this room and half exposed to his view. She had instinctively cupped both of her rounding twins as if protecting herself from further embarrassment. Her cheeks began to redden as she came closer to the man whom she had had once pledge to love. Thinking about it will only make these matters worse. She had thought to leave the past between them and act like the Okashira she should be.

Having sensing his intent stare towards her, she prayed hard for the good end. Not like this. Not like this.

So close. She told herself to stop from getting any closer. If she doesn’t, her traitorous body will defile her pride for life. Just being near him makes her so anxious for the carnal fulfillment. This is not her. An Okashira in a mission should not act like this. Only a feeble-minded and yearning woman would act like this. Hesitation was unconcealed. Misao was having a hard time to get comfortable in his presence. Who would be when you happen to be on that kind of exposed state with a special man from your dark past?

“Thanks,” Misao had weakly uttered as her hands tried to take the chemise out from the tip of his katana. But Aoshi’s intention was different. As she was about to claim it, he whisked it away by resting his weapon upon his left shoulder. Her white chemise was still there, gloriously settled on the said place.

Misao gasped caused by irritation and humiliation. “Damn you….”

“Listen here,” he began with a threatening voice, “when I issued an order, and when I lead the mission, the order should be STRICTLY followed. No surprises! No unplanned role playing! There is no room for mistakes here and you know for sure that those will cause our identity to be known if we are not careful for that matter. From all the people in our group, you should be the first one to know and take that by the heart! You disappointed me, my dear Okashira.”

Was he mocking her? Was he trying to ridicule her leadership? Misao silently cursed towards him. She clenched her teeth. She remained motionless, still standing there like an exposed wild bird. But her eyes reflected anger building in.

“Didn’t you know that you may have compromise all of our identities with that of foolish behavior? You are very much out of your mind of being cajoled by that old man to do that in this mission. Why, if it hadn’t for me, your God-damned INNOCENSE may have no longer existed!” This was the first time Aoshi had yelled at her. The intensity of his speech showed so much frantic emotions. She had known Aoshi being a silent man, an impassive one who rarely gets mixed up with his sentiments – if he does have one. But it seems, as his berating to her continued to progress, he had loosen those HUMANLY emotions he had hidden all along. It was waiting to burst out like a volcano in rage.

So, he is a human also capable of feeling emotions after all. He’s not some kind of heartless fiend she had always cursed at him since the night of abandonment – his exile from his promise to be with her forever.

But Misao could not take things lightly this time. Along with his berating, her left pride was hurt and needed to be defended.

“Shut up! I haven’t asked you to help me out of this!” Misao angrily spat.

“Nor did I need you to act as a seducer to the foreigner,” he retorted.

“I told him I am not a whore.”

“Obviously, most men in this tavern wasn’t convinced, particularly this foreign bastard. Believe me, they are finding too hard to deem your words as you go parading your whole physical allure.”

She blushed at his bold statement. “I could have beaten that man easily if you have only given me a chance to fight him!” Misao abruptly added. There was an obvious glare on her eyes.

“Oh,” he sarcastically said, “I can see what you mean.” He was pertaining to her half nakedness. His stare was mixed with mischievousness and scorn.

Crimson color was enhanced on her cheeks even more as she understood his meaning. “I can take care of myself, no thanks to you. I assure you that.”

Though she angered him for being reckless, he couldn’t help but feel something as he witness Misao in this state of defending her pride with almost nothing to hide her lusciousness. And it had weakened Aoshi’s stability of being the logical one of the two.

What made him do this? Jealousy? Maybe…

“From what I saw, YOU were the one beneath him and he was on top of you. He was about to take advantage of you by ‘opening’ you up to him, to his carnal hunger. All you did was wriggled, pleaded and lamely struggled. In short, you were a very good example of a pitiful rape victim-to-be. It only shows that there is still a part of you that is still naïve and childish despite the age you have now. I wonder if you really did grow up to be rightful leader of your clan. It only proves that the old man had been too lenient on you.” His voice wasn’t raving. It was cold as an ice. His staring eyes piercing through her.

That had finally snapped Misao. Enough is enough.

“You have no right of judging me because of the failure I almost bestowed on this mission! I didn’t like what I had just done! No one will! I didn’t want that to happen to me – of almost being rape!!! I agreed to compromise myself because I also thought it is the best way to get through with our mission as fast and accurate as we can. I didn’t have time to discuss our plan further to you because we need the book as soon as possible and knowing you as a high-rated, pig-headed lout you are, you will surely, annoyingly, disregard it. ” Tears started to build up at the corners of her big, cerulean eyes.

Aoshi gave her his icy stare.

“You in the other hand should remember who you are talking to! I am your leader and the superior commander of this whole spy group. You are only under me! I demand respect!”

The Ice block snorted. “What kind of respect should I give you now?” He no longer stating about her nakedness. It was beyond. Demanding respect by words is not a proper thing to do.

“Don’t play wise on me. You’re not longer my guardian; I am no longer your ward. I was once to be your wife and I thanked God that it didn’t happen!” It came out from her like a natural caused by bruised pride. “I wouldn’t be able to live with a man that will control my life, my habits and my thoughts. And with it, I’m grateful!”

She tried to grin or at least, smile, to show him she could fight him now, not like the love struck teenager anymore. Their past was coming back to haunt them both. This was not only about the said mission; this had something large to do with their past relationship.

So it ends up with the same dreadful past they both shared. Aoshi knew it will come out sometime, sooner or later. He knew somehow that this is the root of Misao’s irrational behavior. And he was awfully right. After hearing Misao’s unbounded confession, something in him hurt instantly and badly. Learning Misao’s deep hatred to him had caught him so unaware for his next words.

“Any more sentiments left to blurt?” Aoshi coldly asked as he impassively stared at her.

“Some kind of a leader you are,” she mumbled.

“A good leader should accept her/his own faults and acknowledge them so that next time; there will be no more room for mistakes.” Aoshi sternly reminded her.

“While a gentleman, dear Senior, never let a woman left exposed as they are talking to each other,” Misao retorted. She was supposed to feel embarrassed on her half naked state but her pride wouldn’t let her to. Let him see a rough woman she had been brought up to after the awakening of her womanhood.

The chit had a point. He should have given back the chemise to Misao, never letting her left so much uncovered. His anger for her disobedience, recklessness, and stubbornness had shrouded his stable thought. And another thing, the enticing view of her hot, sweating skin and the roundness of her breasts had taken his will to be the gentleman he used to be. It was a weakness, indeed, that caught him so entranced with his betrothed’s naked form. EX-betrothed, that is.

Without a word, Aoshi lifted up his kodachi’s sheath, handling over the chemise back to Misao. She hesitated at first to get the chemise from the tip of his kodachi’s sheath. Eyes wary, she watched Aoshi’s face. His was still as an impassive as it was before. He’s gone back to be the emotionless crude he used to be.

“You should know your bounds, Shinomori-san. You hurt me before but this time, you will not. Ever again... You are not dealing with a child anymore, you monster.” She mumbled under her breath. Her dainty hand was inches away from her chemise when something had unexpectedly happened.

Aoshi snapped and lunged for Misao.

He grabbed her shoulders, letting his kodachi sheath carelessly fell on the tatami mat. His guarded actions were no more but a memory of the past. All the longing for this young minx for so many years caused him much pain. He never intended to hurt her. It was only necessary at that time to do. If she only knew what made him give up on her that fateful night, maybe she would have understand and forgive him. But Misao is so much different from all the women he had ever known. And best of all, still stubborn as an ox and has a pride of a queen as he could describe. It will take a millennium for her to reconsider even to forgive him and much less forget it.

Aoshi wanted to forget all about her for her sake but he couldn’t. HELL, HE COULDN’T! He knew deeply that she deserves to love and to be love. And he isn’t part of that fairy tale world of hers. Never will he be.

Just to hold her…to caress her...to kiss her once again…that would be enough and he will be gone….for good. Never will he ever be letting himself see her again. He had to. He had to do it for her sake.

Misao was speechless and shocked, and somewhere in between she had been a bit anticipating. Anticipating for what? Aoshi isn’t this type of person of snapping. He had a long patience and control.

“Don’t ever call me a monster,” his deep voice reflected so much anger and threat. Enough is enough as most gentle, abused people would say. Is it right for him to categorize himself on that realm?

Then he kissed her. Fierce hunger had risen out from him as his lips touched hers, almost devouring hers on the process. Misao’s hands were between them, hoping to create a barrier.

“Aoshi…..” Her voice was weak due to the rise of her own passion but she still pleaded, trying to stop what they might regret afterwards.

But her efforts were useless, and within seconds he subdued her. With his expert lips and tongue, he opened her mouth to him, gaining access what he longed for and was rightfully his. The bastard foreigner had no right to caress, kiss and devour her. Misao belongs only to him and no one else including Soujiro.

“Misao….” Aoshi huskily murmured, calling her sweet name.

Their tongues danced inside, mingling and playing like it was destined to be. Bending himself to her, his hands roamed to her naked back as if scraping away all the marks, the sinful touches the English lout had for her. She had sweetly groaned, as she finally succumbed to his seductive initiation of loving. How she waited for years to have his lips ever tasted by her very own. The night at the gathering had been so swift and bitter. Though this one was bitter too, there is a definite sweetness around it. Aoshi had loosened his guard against her. How she long to have him unbound to whatever it was that was holding him back, caging him against her, their happiness to be with each other. Hard to admit, she is still in-love with this blue-eyed lout who had once shattered her young, naïve heart.

She often asked that to herself the mystery of her emotions towards this man.

‘Control, Misao, control,’ she tried to berate herself. Or maybe yet, WAKE UP!!! She was falling to his charms again that she had promised long before not to. But here she was, mingling and enjoying his expertise. It was a shock for never had she experience Aoshi kissing her with such grave hunger. Angry kisses? Maybe half of it but she, somehow, scandalously love very bit of it. This is Aoshi…..her Aoshi…..unbound and out of control to have her.

Gone were the days with him as her guardian, and she as his ward; as of the traitor and the betrayed; as of the player and the fool.

They were just two broken souls needing to recuperate from all the years of emptiness.

He slowly removed his lips from hers as he went for one of her rounding twins. God! It had been 4 years since he saw her. Never in his imaginations will he ever lick and capture these babies of her. It was beyond his concern since he went out from her life. Now, he was sucking the hardened tip of her well-developed breast. Gone were the days where she was flat-chested. This is the new Misao, the woman of her own, but he cared naught of her physical development. That had never made him turn to like….or even loves this young minx before. It had never occurred into his mature and stable mind to think love basing on great looks and shapely bodies. It was more than that.

Misao absently raked his raven-colored hair. ‘God!!! This is so much,’ she inwardly yelled. Her emotions were wracking havoc as her head was thrown backwards to give him more access to her breasts. She also had instinctively arched her back, in an alluring stance she had never done before. A hand of his boldly captured the free one and gently squeezed it. Misao moaned out loud at the pleasure he gave, with her mouth agape. His other hand stayed on the small of her back to still her, never letting her get out of his grasp.

“Oh Misao,” he absently murmured as he sucked the rosy tip of her saliva-drenched breast. Then he licked it again…..again and again until his prey pleaded for momentarily mercy.

“Aoshi……” she only blissfully uttered. “Aoshi-sama…..Why…..”

Minutes later, he slowly led his hand from her breast to the curve of her hips, to the flatness of her smooth waist, to the main target of his desire – her maidenhood. His index finger went inside of her without any hesitation on his part. He wanted her to know how desirous she can be and no one will ever touch her like this. Only he has all the rights, Aoshi silently shouted. No man will take her but him.

He couldn’t think anymore. His passion over her had taken him almost to the edge. The barriers that had him tied into his responsibility and oath had somewhat shattered and torn because of the sweet willingness of Misao to become one with him tonight. Something told him this isn’t right but his heart, including his other parts, were demanding to go for it. Why? Did love finally conquer his solemn oath?

Jealous and very enraged. He admitted he was guilty of those crimes. After seeing the lustful hands and lips of the English lord to Misao’s almost-compromised body, taking all without any regret and care, he was so mad to the point he might kill him. He couldn’t blame the lout for he too was under her spell…a spell that he will never be getting enough of.

More! He wanted more from this.

He parted her thighs as he had gone deeper on her maidenhood’s center. He could feel the rush of her hidden natural juices. It started to fill his hands, sliming its way towards his wrists then dripping to the sides of her shapely thighs. He wanted to taste her pure passion. He wanted to lick it clean from her. Goodness!!! This is making him so much like an untried young lad for sex!

“I’ve always been here for you, Misao. Never ever doubt that.” He huskily murmured to her ear as he raised his head, leveling to hers. Aoshi began licking and nibbling her right earlobe.

She was too caught up to the passion Aoshi was instilling on her. ‘This is too much,’ she said to herself. So this is how a man loves physically a woman. All the kisses, the moans, the caress, the tasting and the sweet words from someone you love are essential to create a memory that will last a lifetime. If this could only be true, and not a momentarily release of lust……maybe…..just maybe everything would be a whole lot better. If only Aoshi opens himself more, more than this, perhaps her true happiness will be completed.

If only he loves her……tell those exact words she needed to hear…..

This craziness had to stop.

“No….” Misao’s hands finally regained its strength to push away Aoshi’s nearness. “This is all wrong….”

He still kissed her cheeks but slowly this time as if loving every surface of her smooth skin. “I know, Misao…..and yet….”

Something had stopped Aoshi to speak further as he had lately detected another movement on the room.

“I believe you have what I own, Mr. Rojo Aoi. Ain’t there other whores in this tavern that suits to your liking? Must have you get what is already been taken?”

Both of their senses were alerted. Henry had finally awakened from his forced slumber after being knocked at his head. He was on his feet now, with a dagger on his hand. Aoshi had not anticipated for this. He had been so caught up with his passion upon taking Misao as his own once again and now he would have to pay the price of being so reckless himself. It was so nice to eat the same words he had taught to his stubborn Okashira.

As Misao swiftly grabbed for her fallen chemise and Aoshi about to face the intruder, Henry had immediately struck the dagger to his opponent’s left side of the body. Blood spurt on it, gashing that had left Aoshi knelt on the tatami floor.

What a fool he had been, Aoshi cursed himself.

He tried to get up to face Henry. Even though the room was so dim, his experienced eyes searched for his kodachi. He grabbed his weapon but his hands began to numb.

Why was he too weak to move? This had never been happened to him before. Somehow, he should still have the power to swing the blade but it paralyzed some of his body parts.

“Kuso,” Aoshi cursed. He forced himself to move but the drug had a fast affect on his nerves. Still, he had to fight and rescue Misao. As he stood up, blood continued to gash up.

Thinking that he had finally wounded the man who had invaded his room and his lady, Henry reached for Aoshi’s collar and pulled him up. He was as tall and well-built as him and had definitely enough energy to drag a whole person if he wills to. Anger had brought him to this level. No one had ever stepped on his pride as a man like this. Mr. Rojo Aoi will pay for what he had done. Henry cared naught of his being a close associate of his Takeda, his business partner.

“I long to beat you before and alas, my opportunity had come.” He smiled even wider as devilishly as it seemed. “Hell, I might let the poison take over the rest of the job.”

So the dagger had poison on its blade…….

The English earl had forcefully pulled Misao away from the dying man so that he could get them both out of the premise as soon as possible. He will never leave her here, especially after seeing her in the arms of his new arch nemesis.

“Thanks for the little diversion, Seniorita,” Henry mockingly said as he smirked afterwards. “Death will be as swift as a passing storm, my friend. You will meet your creator soon enough.”

They were about at the shoji door when Misao kicked him at his manhood. Henry instinctively bent over as he wailed out of great pain.

“Bitch!” he groaned out of suffering from her unexpected retaliation.

She regained her strength to do the next move. Misao spanked him at his face with all the force she had. The rock of her knee slamming against his jaw and handsome face had ended Henry’s stability and consciousness. She wasted no time to check over Aoshi. God! He’s becoming paler.

“Get the book,” he sternly ordered Misao. His breathing was beginning to be unstable. Henry’s poisoned dagger had struck him so well.

“Ahou! Stop saying that! You are bleeding for Kami-sama’s sake!” she shouted at him as she helped him to get onto his feet.

He pressed his hand against his wound to stop the continuous bleeding. “This mission will be at lost if you…..don’t….retrieve….that….damn….Black book,” his words began to falter and his knees buckled a little bit. “Damn it.”

She helped Aoshi to lean on the wall. This shouldn’t have happened if she only ended their momentarily passion long before the foreigner awoke and did his stabbing. Hell! She shouldn’t have engaged a passionate caressing with him on the first place! She began to berate herself for that.

Finally obeying but had grudge along the way, Misao immediately went for the book on Henry’s pocket and hid it on her skirt securely. Then she went back to Aoshi, her eyes glaring at him.

“Don’t you die on me, Aoshi. I’ll kill you if you do,” she seriously warned. What an idiotic, illogical threat she had just made, Aoshi thought. But that had created a faint smile on his lips. If this is the last moment he will have from her, at least she had been the young obnoxious, demanding chit he had always cherished.

She clasped his chin with both of her hands, caging his face and his whole attention even if he’s still on weakened state. Abruptly, she kissed him with such fierceness and concern. “I won’t loose you on this, not like this. Do you hear me?! You said that you have been always been there though you kept a distance. I know it somehow for you are not an entirely horrid man I am trying to forget. Now I wanted you honor your claim. STAY ALIVE FOR ME!!!”


tbc