Capturing the Butterfly

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.


author's notes:
It had been such a long time since I posted a chapter for this fic. 8 months as one of the reviewers said. thanks for reminding it for me again, kookoo. Oh....i have been very busy on reviewing for the board exams and work. and also,there had been a downtime for the site. Can't have enough time and inspiration to take on the challenge to continue this abruptly. sorry for that. I'll try my best to finish this one for all of you. Then again, thanks for the support, guys.

gomen for the grammar. this will be a long one, the longest I made so far....just to make up for the lost times.

warning as always, some of the characters here are not in there original self. One good example is Aoshi. I have my reasons why I did that.


enjoy!!!

Chapter 6 – Red Thin Line

An amused smirked had languidly etched on his fair face as the Maiden of Oniwabanshuu continued stating her proposal to him, as he still ‘pretended’ to be the Earl of Easterby. Good thing that the room was dark enough to conceal his identity from her. If not, what great mayhem will bestow upon them. Heaven forbid!

Obviously, she sees this idea – her proposal - as an easy way out from things that were settling between their narrow-minded, traditional families. Her impassive yet sultry presence did amaze the young earl. Despite being alone with her husband-to-be, she had contained herself with unreadable composure, leaving no clue of weakness towards the enemy. The setting was like being trapped in a Lion’s dungeon. He is the fierce Lion while she is the poor prey. But in this kind of situation, it was more like the prey gives all the straight demands, turning the world up side down.

Then again, what else would he expect from a spitfire, strong-headed minx like her? A challenge? Yes. It is a damn good excuse to take the offer.

But this kind of proposal is not what he entirely seeks. He preferred her asking – or better yet, begging him in many possible pleasurable ways to take her in his arms and get down in the futon, finally ending his longing miseries of her. But then again, he wouldn’t want it to happen thinking that it is Shirojou that she had known to be her better half, not him. Slowly, his smile died like a withering plant. He didn’t like that to think. Not at all.

Nevertheless, it’s good that she hadn’t done that. His charming and devious smile came back with a vengeance.

“So, are we settled? May I have your word, sir?” Misao asked Aoshi in a serious tone as if she were settling a business or a mission. Young and child-like as she is, deep core she can handle things on her own. She spoke in English language, which she strongly assured to use to communicate with him, in order to take his full attention and make known that this woman means straight business and also to keep their agreement between themselves, leaving most of the unwanted ears very much clueless about their plan.

She’s capable in handling serious matters like any man in governing big responsibilities such as this. A great plus from all of her previously marked assets – her slender form, her beautiful face, her shiny black hair, her ample bosom, her curvy hips and thighs, her smooth skin, her luscious pinkish lips, her feminine scent….goodness….all are so good to devour but not this one for it is about her intellectual, bossy spirit that made her more visible to his senses. That gave Aoshi something to more grin about.

So the young minx had a strong persona after all. He should have expected that from a Makimachi heir….and his bride.

Is it a good one or a bad one? he thought for himself. He better not assess it more. When it comes to the fairer sex, they are very hard to understand, particularly this one.

But when it comes to ‘another’ need of the Eve’s lines, hell, he is too adept on that kind of field. He wasn’t called a ‘rakehell’ for nothing.

Because of his untimely musing, Aoshi hadn’t heard most of the stated issues of her proposal. He was suppose to ask her to repeat it but knowing that she might recognize his voice if he happens to speak, he disregarded the thought. He remained on his position, standing in the dark corner of the room near the shoji door. Reflexively, he crossed his arms above his chest and eventually leaned his well-shaped body against the wooden wall.

There is no mistake – in Misao’s opinion – that this man didn’t like her proposal. His offending body language told her so. It showed its honesty. One of her eyebrows twitched, taking his quiet reaction as an insult.

“So, is that a big NO then?” Misao asked him once again. One, two, three; inhale then exhale – she had to count and breathe. She had to win this one and get over with it. This is crucial. Her freedom is at stake. She had to make him believe that this is the best possible solution to get out from this damned arrangement. And loosing one’s temper is not a great idea at this time of the hour.

Still, Aoshi didn’t answer. He backed away, one step at a time. It was slowly but surely.

“Are you leaving me?” It was Misao’s third question. She couldn’t see why this man still made no effort to answer her.

First he had no spine, and now he got no voice? What’s with him anyway?! Is this the man she will have to live the rest of her life?! HELL NO!!!

Misao looked at him, examining him in the clutches of semi-darkness. Had he grown taller in one day? Had his body changed into a leaner and better figure in a short period of time? His bold silhouette in the mantle of darkness had somehow played tricks of her ninja eyes. She wasn’t sure why. Ah. In the end, Misao greatly assumed that the darkness and the shadows had definitely done the awry effect for his ‘strong’ features. As if someone lesser in both clans will dare enter this room reserved only for the “Breeder”!

Knowing the leaving effect a while ago to the young, unsuspecting maiden, Aoshi wanted her to see by his body language that he didn’t like her ludicrous idea of escape at all. By leaving her inside the dark room was the best chance – the only chance to keep them both safe. Safe from what?

“STATE YOUR PRICE!!!! Since I have no idea what ELSE I could offer you to back out on our upcoming wedding, might as well state it. I promise I’ll give you what you demand as long as it can be reach within my power of course. ” All she had cried out before the irritable, gutless fool gets out of the room, fleeing back to his bastard cousin of his to rescue himself from being manipulated by his future, demented better half.

At least, according to Misao, in their relationship she’s the one who has the spine.

A bell rang to his ears. There was something about she had just said that really caught his entire attention back to the naïve maiden. It shouted excitement. It rings pure bliss of adventure of taking control of this particular situation. It will be a matter of time before he could grasp at that present. He just had to wait a little longer.

But patience is not one of his great virtues, so as his many close friends said. Funny, for this woman in front of him, he might practice a little more of it. Something tells him that it will be worth the damn effort.

Strange. Since when did he become a different person for the sake of this tanuki?

Little she did realize that she is the one who needed some rescuing rather than him. She had no idea what she had just said. Poor, dumb prey she is. Sometimes, even the most conniving beings can be a fool without them knowing or realizing.

This was one of the best examples of desperate measures she had to take since he had gotten to know her. Two days of full of surprises and it keeps getting better and better. What more for a lifetime living together?

State your price. Aoshi held his backing steps as soon as he heard Misao’s uncalled-for, desperate demand. His whole attention was captured. His heart skipped a beat or two. A momentarily silence was at held. His breathing started to fasten as soon as his heart recovered. To think of it, he hates surprises. But now, hell, he loves a welcoming, unexpected battle from her.

Aoshi wanted to talk. He wanted to tell her his own demands in exchange for the freedom she will never get from him. Who does she think she is?! No woman on Earth will jilt him on his wedding, even if it is only a force marriage. He eagerly wanted to clear that to her who should be followed in this union.

Good vengeance is what he needs to do to straighten this crazy woman out. By what? By keeping the promise of marrying her. HA! Including of seducing her to the death until she begs him to take her whole body to the rutting he usually does to his countless, very much satiated beautiful women from all over the globe. He is so much of a bad person right now for his male pride was stepped on, over and over by this Japanese chit.

In some parts of his brain, he couldn’t stop being scared and amazed at the same time of his reaction towards his union with the Japanese chit. From all the damned people, a womanizer hell spawn like him and a walking destruction of the fairer sex, he should be the one who should strongly refused and stopped this force marriage. But his sense of adventure and willing to take on any challenge had caught him so well. And some of his good side had pushed him to honor the said abandoned contract between the Makimachi’s and the Shinomori’s. He groaned inwardly. What a good yet pathetic excuse! Why is it that life so complicated…….particularly his?

He had stopped from backing away. At least there is some hope seeping through. Misao assumed that the spineless lout had come to his senses. Half smiled, she wondered what will be this man have to say for her proposal. But there was definitely strange feeling in the atmosphere and she couldn’t spell it. Money and great influences hadn’t convinced him first to take the said offer. What then would he say for himself?!

There had been a full minute of silence before Aoshi came to his senses, came to make an answer. How could he state his demand without jeopardizing his identity by speaking? After all, speaking is definitely out of the option. Body language? But how? Yet one, short sound….few words….abruptly telling her….maybe….maybe…..

His own voice is sounded deeper than of Shirojou’s. He wouldn’t risk it. But come to think of it, his friend hadn’t been given an opportunity to speak up in the meeting at Old Okina’s room so which means Misao hadn’t heard his voice at all. Possible. It might do the trick. He will just change the treble of his voice, almost imitating Shirojou’s voice or any other man’s voice as long as it was not his own.

Inwardly smiling, he thought that it might work.

“A Kiss,” Aoshi plainly and abruptly said. It was so quick Misao hadn’t heard his demand. His voice was changed according to his plan.

“What? Come again?” Misao wanted him to repeat it. Her facial features couldn’t be painted.

And it worked.

There had been no sign that she had recognized his voice. Good. At least, they were getting somewhere. But why does he have to repeat it? Oh well.

“A kiss,” Aoshi emphasized as he repeated it. There had been no respond from the other party. He only waited, hoping that he had secured his voice to the right, same level of intonation.

A kiss? A single touch of each other’s lips in exchange of Misao’s everlasting freedom from the ritual marriage between Shinomori and Makimachi clans is not so bad.
But still, something was suspicious to her. A mere and hopeful modest kiss will change both of their lives forever is definitely should be suspected.

And come to think of it, the kiss will come from an English rake. No wonder he got the perverted idea blurted out to make amends.

He is indeed related to that bastard, roguish, scoundrel cousin of his. Somehow, they think the same. Does this silly trait of perversion go in all the lines of male Shinomoris? She better not make any crude judgments towards their long time ally in spy missions.

It had been a full 20 seconds of silence before Aoshi made known once again of his simple demand. His blood started to heat. This time, he was without a sound. He moved towards her but not near enough for her to be recognized. Eventually, he bent low, sitting on his ankles and leveling on her eye stare but only his lips were visible on the thin, linear light that passed through between them.

Once again, he silently thanked the darkness for concealing his true identity from her.

The maiden had felt his sudden presence. Her surrounding began to shrink and warm air suddenly became dense. The affect of his nearness had made her so alert to the things around them, particularly her own body reactions. A tear of sweat from her right temple rolled down to her check. Not a good sign, she said to herself. How come she had been so translucent to this man’s sudden appearance? Never in her life had she been so open to any man…..until yesterday. Darn it, she cursed to herself.

Was it fear? Well, no. Was it nervousness? Perhaps. Was it an uncalled for jolt of intimacy? Probably……yes.

A movement was done in the darkness that had caught Misao’s trance. Only one hand came to a view in the linear light along with the set of lips – his delicious, pinkish lips. The upper lip was thinner than the other yet the whole attribute of its sexiness wasn’t lost. Her eyes followed the slow, fluid motion of his manly fingers across his face until it hit the main target – his sexy, succulent-looking lips.

Hell! Why didn’t she notice his damn sinful lips before?! Ah. It all ends up again to his arrogant cousin. Why is it always has to be him when sex involved? Sex? Oh dear…

Aoshi lightly touched his lips with his point finger, almost playing with it in the process. But he had to regulate it low so that she may not be offended or get the ‘real’ message of his demand. There was definitely maliciousness on his part of the bargain and he can’t wait to show it to her. Another kiss from the vamp will likely reheat his blood for tonight.

Talk about reheating his blood! Now he was on the mood on taking the sport he dearly loves – taking the enemy hard-to-get queen down until she succumbs and begs for his mercy. He suddenly felt he is Achilles against the Amazon queen from the Greek stories his father had told him almost two decades ago.

Misao was half-entranced by the shape of his lips. His manly fingers had only caught some of her eye attention. They moved like waves, lathering on the seashore. One kiss. Yes. One kiss will end it all. At least, she will be kissing a good set of sexy lips.

Berating herself for being wanton like a love sick fool, she winced, forcing herself to get on the said bargaining.

“OK,” she snapped, breaking the silence. “You win.”

Aoshi wanted to smile to her final succumb but he couldn’t because of obvious and logical reasons.

There had been a few seconds before the maiden spoke again. She stared at him again, wanting to see his whole face but somehow, it didn’t matter anyway for she will only have a brief kiss from this earl and soon she will be free.

“I intent this will be brief. SO NO TAKING ADVANTAGES!” she gravely warned him.

For a scoundrel like him, pre-warnings for the coming play are not meant to be followed. That is why he was called like that.

She was dealing to the wrong person. Poor lamb. Her ‘noble’ sacrifice will not go in vain, Aoshi thought as he secretly smiled.

She leaned over, almost crawling towards the other party so that she could honor her part of the bargain. The other patiently remained on his position, letting the unsuspecting prey sacrifices herself. Slowly, their lips were about to meet. Both could feel the sudden rise of the temperature around them. Misao’s face was on the linear light, confirming that she’s definitely the one he had been anticipating. Her eyes were closed and her red, luscious lips were pouting, ready for the taking. God! They were red. He had thought they were pinkish before. This is too much, Aoshi told himself. The heat between them was continuing arising. As if the heaven was playing on his left sanity, her kimono’s collar went slightly agape, exposing the perfect roundness of her twin babies. They are not so large like most of his women he had subdued on his countless nights of liaisons but they are at enough size for a lustful man like him to go insane and prematurely demand his husbandry rights. They bounced healthy in front of his view without a single hint from the woman. Had she gone mad? If she continue doing this, he will not be responsible for the upcoming intention of his ‘subtle’ kiss.

Then their lips met. It had been 5 seconds before she was about to remove her stiff lips from his warm ones when suddenly he opened up for her. He did the unthinkable, ruining her perfect control and guard of herself. He slipped his tongue to her pretty, small mouth. Not only that, his hands grabbed her shoulders, pulling her to him. Then one of his manly hands moved to her nape, trying to steady her head for not backing away for the sudden fight. It was so much to Misao to digest in a small span of time. Her defenses were down for the moment because of this man’s oh-so-super-new-experiencing-and-overwhelming kiss.

She tasted like apples. Did Misao eat one before she entered and waited like a preying wolf inside his chamber? Likely yes for he could still taste the sweet juices from her stunned tongue. If this is what he will be getting from his honeymoon, he’ll probably starve himself more to establish the right amount of appetite for the said anticipated feast night – their honeymoon.

Misao could feel his tongue playing hers. Trying to push him away, she had sensed that it was a futile effort. His hands and arms began to coil to her back, locking her in an embarrassing ride-me posture. She was so stunned at first but as soon as he carefully glided his onto hers, and with the hands that kept her secured to him, she reluctantly came playing with him.

It started to scare her that she was beginning to liken this mingling of their tongues. She felt wicked and so much opened which she had been trying to diminish as an heir and descent leader of the much feared and respected Oniwabanshuu.

He tasted like Sake. The English lout had a good taste for liquor. It seemed that he never intended to be rude to his mother’s customs and traditions instead of demanding for any good foreign wine to satisfy his urge, his thirst. Was it a good sign for the man caring for his other self inherited from his mother? For now, it wasn’t for it only means that this man is not easily to be swayed with when it comes on honoring her mother. Something in her deep senses told her that. This is getting dangerous…..yet exciting.

Had she made the grievous mistake to come in here and persuade him to her proposal of leaving the country for good?

“You taste so good, little minx,” he groaned out, but not enough sound to be heard. His mind, including his lips was pretty busy pleasuring them both. In and out, up and down it went, their lips were dancing as one. This chit could definitely take any kind of challenges. She can be too adept in this matter of pleasuring when taught by an expert…preferably him – only him. She can be molded into an enchanting temptress from a spitfire prick he had known for of her just in one night of smoldering, unbounded sex.

It surpassed his expectations, actually. Tasting her in many ways will be one of his goals these coming beautiful days.

Honestly, he too tasted so good, according to her traitorous lips and tongue. She hadn’t had a single thought how men who drank Sake taste so good until now, at this very moment. Well, for sure not all of them. This one definitely would top them all. Are there more surprisingly features to come?

Slowly, his hands roamed downward, sliding to the small of her back. As sensing the intimate touch, she instantly arched her back without taking off her lips from their ‘play’. She was now kneeling against him and hands on his well-built chest. This is getting good, Aoshi muttered to himself. At least by this kind of position, he could better assimilate his moves to her, turning all of her insides go raving for him. Getting laid with the obnoxious yet beautiful spitfire-prick on his engagement night will be one hell of a worth-it experience he will never forget.

The lion is dictating the demands now. And this king of jungle will not sleep until he gets what he wants from his prey. Yeah. The meat had to be thawed to the core this time around.

Locking his prey to the position he wanted from her, his other free hand snaked towards one of her ample breasts. Oh. He had felt something. Her nipple from the captured rounding twin was at its shameless peak. If he moves his hand to the other one, without a doubt it will be as attentive and alert. He cupped her breast and received a gifted moan out from her. Wouldn’t it be the sexiest sound that had escaped from her since he got to know her?

Roaming upwards until his bold hand entered the hem of her slightly-agape kimono’s collar, he finally cupped it in bare skin, no more cloth to hinder his pure caress. He played with her nipple by twitching it with his thumb and then circling it continuously. More groans came out from her. God! If she only knew how her moans was making him an eager boy wanting to taste a wanton woman the first time.

He asked himself if he’s still capable to be patient on carrying all the seduction he will have to do until she fully succumbs to his will – whether she thought of him as Shirojou the earl she had known or the thief of the night. One thing was for sure, Aoshi enjoyed every unexpected moment of bliss, sensual caresses and purring moans he gets from this little woman.

He had expected a cold, traditional Japanese female to be wedded with but instead, he had found a natural temptress waiting to unfold by his touch….only his.

Her hands began to move as well. It was the least that he expected from their ‘play’. Had her immunity to his charms began to crumble as the ‘play’ progressed further?

The smell of Sake emitting from him imposed as an aphrodisiac she had never known before. She could no longer control her hands to stay docile since she also had gotten to taste its very scrap essence from his lips that make her go wild.

Wickedness she might call it. She had least expected to react such helplessly wanton to the plain good-looking man whom she was bounded to be married with. Married. In an instant, the word screamed like hell, pounding numerously inside her head for her to realize what she was suppose to do.

Misao did try to push him away but her hands had life of its own. They searched and molded every curves of his upper limbs’ muscle, so as with his well-built chest. She hadn’t had the thought of this man will have these kinds of gifts underneath these plain façade for she is normally not after the physical side.

His kiss was a pure bliss. Just like what she had at the Sacred Temple of the Shinomori’s. Deep inside, she wanted to admit that she too would want to taste his cousin’s lips again. As she got more open to the earl’s invasion to her mouth, she was somewhat a little bit baffled to compare this to the one she firstly had to his cousin. It was like…..somewhat identical…..the taste of him….somewhat could make her insides go berserk, screaming for more retaliation.

“My little war minx,” he murmured as he took a short breath and continued the passionate invasion.

Hearing it had stopped Misao’s passion a bit. She had heard the endearing before from someone she knew she had to hate. From all the people, not once did she hear the earl named her that in such a low life, awkward endearing.

Eyes abruptly opened, she also distanced herself to the man she was passionately kissing in the dark. She tried to steady herself to regain her Omitsu composure which is to be ready and alert to her surroundings. The dark had complemented so well to hide the man’s identity. Only his ravaging lips and smooth chin and cheeks had been a vision to see in the path of the linear light. She started to frown as she also regarded her eyes to see further more into the shadows. Something tells her that she was played fool.

Then came the sign she was searching for. Those very set of luscious lips that had almost devoured her straight senses had slowly smiled, showing a mocking amusement she couldn’t miss. Then unexpectedly, its tongue got loose to lick the very same pinkish lips. It movement was slow and deliberate. A horrible gasped escaped from Misao’s already devoured ones.

“Taste likes apples – one of my favorites, I should say. How much more if you had in your lips and tongue the one I favored the most – HONEY? Whether it be natural or coming from…..”

Misao recognized that voice. Never would she ever miss such arrogance from the man’s voice. Without finishing his wicked speech, she slapped whole-heartedly his face.

“Why you!!!! This is so unforgivable!!!! You tricked me!!! You desecrate the room that is installed only for the breeder!!! You have mocked me and all of our clans!!! You must pay for your insolence!!!!” Hurriedly, the victim tried to get-up so that she could separate herself from the assailant. But unfortunately, due to her anger, she just stumbled on her back, almost leaving her more defenseless against him.

“And then what? Tell them that you came into his room to propose your vicious plan of breaking the union and then found out that you had been a little bit compromise by his breeder’s cousin by a….mere….kiss? Think what will be their reaction upon knowing that you, a woman of great stature, came into his room that is as far as I know is also forbidden for you to enter until the ceremony of marriage had been dealt with.” He then chuckled.

“You are the most incorrigible, vile person I’ve ever met!” she angrily hissed.

“I guess I should take that as a complement. I should say it’s a not new one but I’ll keep it in mind.” Aoshi teased as he finally stood up from the tatami floor. His full, very tall height should have intimidated her but it didn’t.

“You have your laughs as of now, Shinomori-san. I’ll take it from you as soon as I get my revenge!!!” She angrily spat.

Aoshi looked at her in her tumbled presence. Such an exposed view should not go to waste. Without her knowing, her open-like posture had driven his man-pride on a jolt. Nice legs and shapely thighs, the ones he had yearned to caress with last night had once again bemoaned to be touched by his hands. He was hoping that her pretty nest between her thighs were as eager as his. In her case, he was expecting it already in wet state. That he truly love to see…..and taste.

He was not moved by the tanuki’s blatant warnings but instead he got naughtier to spat sexy words at her. Just to mock her….or so to say part of truth from his heart.

“I do hope you could also take my cock by using those pretty lips of yours that I had just enjoyed devouring a while ago. Revenge is just s waste of time. Why don’t we just enjoy ourselves in pleasuring each of our bodies? If you don’t know how to pleasure a man, I’ll be gladly to teach every delicious detail I know.”

Another gasped escaped from her lips as soon as she heard it from Aoshi. “Have you no shame! You are molesting your breeder’s soon-to-be wife! Sounds like you are offering to test me before the earl gets his husbandry rights.”

“Soon to be molested if you don’t stand up and leave this premise as soon as somebody came into this area.” He instantly snapped, warning. “As far as I know, I don’t have any shame when it comes to lust. It is nature to have lust. You, my dear, are among the fairer batch and very tempting. It isn’t a man’s fault to take the offer that is very much enticing not to resist and looks very freely to give. ”

“I am not a loose woman!” She abruptly stood up and straightened her kimono. Her hair was disheveled. Her eyes are fuming with great anger.

She was always on the fighting mode when he is involved. He wondered since when did he start to like that wild side of her personality.

He remained cool and in control. “And so you are. I already tested that at the Sacred Garden yesterday, remember. But that might not be the case if somebody finds out that you are still here, breaking the rules and so alone with me. I am not afraid of the consequence for some reasons I hold their necks. But in your case, there is no other option but to flee and forget what non-sense you got for conspiracy on breaking the marriage by my cousin’s a little weak personality. Sometimes, I do think he had inherited that to his other half race.”

“You hold their necks?” Suddenly, Misao curiously asked.

“Metaphorically speaking,” He hoped she believed. What a loose tongue he got!

Misao hysterically laughed. “You think that using those wise words on me could make me cower and back down! You don’t know me, Shinomori. I don’t care if they find out! I had enough of your maliciousness and callous treatment! I am a Makimachi! I never bow to anyone, to any man!”

“Including your father? It seems that your late father had over spoiled you.”

Her laughter died that instant.

“Don’t you dare soil the name of my late father if you still value your life,” she hissed again.

“While on the other hand, you can freely mock my mother….my cousin’s mother’s name by cajoling the earl to do what was done before. That wouldn’t be fair.”

“You don’t know what fair really means, Shinomori-san. You never know what feels to be driven and pushed so far.” Tears started to form at each corners of her cerulean eyes. She hated to be so vulnerable especially from people like him but she could not help it.

“I lived a life being as a puppet – a pampered, guarded Maiden whose sole purpose is to breed for the coming heir for our clans. Mind you, until I produce not just an heir….a male heir for no woman is entitled to rule the organizations. I just don’t know why it has to be this way! And why is it so special for our clans to be reunited in every next generation?! Not only that, it irritates me to know my only importance to this blasted clan is because of that backward way of thinking. I was never treated as a person as I am. I am no more than a person who had lost her own identity, her own dignity.” She began to sob as she revealed more of what she felt, of what she had hidden for so long inside her heart. “Do you know what it is like to be treated that way? Do you know how it hurts to be manipulated just like that through all these years I was being raised by my clan, the elders and my loving late father? I feel no different from a broodmare.”

She absently wiped the tears that had rolled down from her eyes. She also turned to her back, murmuring what is left to be told. She was somewhat ashamed to reveal this final truth. “I oftentimes doubt if they see me as I am….also, I often doubt if they ever loved me at all.”

Now it was his turn to be surprised. He hadn’t expected this to happen, neither to know the reason behind the marriage between the clans. All he knew was to produce an heir for the sake of satisfying both of the clans’ whims. He hadn’t expected to see the other side of the story, especially from this crying Japanese chit. Somehow, he felt guilty about it. Twice he made her cry; twice he acted like a monster, a fool.

Had the maiden been telling the truth? Was this just part of the lies that Misao had to convincingly tell to make him take side on her?

One thing is for sure, after all what had just transpired; he didn’t want to be the cause of the maiden’s sorrow. The rake began to see the light of what some women feel about being used and taken for granted. He didn’t want to make her cry but he couldn’t just let go of himself, to be given away easily. His heart was what’s left and he had no plans of giving it up, ever again. It was a dilemma for sure.

“I thought a Makimachi never bows to anyone. Just by crying, you are showing that you really are stepping on the said level.” Aoshi had to lighten up the mood of the sobbing maiden. He preferred her being fiery than pitying herself.

He sauntered towards her, somehow wanting to give his arms for comfort but they were both alarm after hearing some tapping of footsteps coming towards the Breeder’s room.

Aoshi silently cursed for the perfect timing of destroying the mood which he could have used to get close to the vulnerable maiden. He had pure intentions to relieve the sorrow and anger she had been trying to lock away.

He gently took Misao’s arm and led her to the other shoji door across the room. It connects to a certain garden where the moon was always visibly seen.

“All I know that you mustn’t be seen in this room. We must leave this instant for someone is coming,” he warily watched and sensed the surrounding to be sure of everything that was needed to know. He had to estimate their distance so that he could time the appropriate escape for the both of them.

Finally regaining her old self again, she jerked her arm away from his tender hold and instead of being cooperative, she berated him. “I don’t need your help, you mongrel,”

“As of now, you do. You are the one who will be compromised if they find you here,” he warningly hissed.

“And so you do. You won’t escape from the punishment they will about to issue as soon as they get to know what you did,” Misao retorted back as she tried to regain her arms from his hold.

Finally found the perfect place to hide, Aoshi led the reluctant Misao towards the huge trunk of Sakura tree. It was their only hope for sanctuary. He hid themselves behind the tree in the nick of time.

“My crime is of little because I just entered the wrong room in a heated moment while you, my princess, got the nerve to enter the forbidden room with a vicious plan of breaking up the marriage. What will you say on that, my minx? Have I hit the target?”

But before Misao about to argue again, 5 people suddenly went out from the shoji door as if they were searching for someone. Unfortunately, Misao didn’t know that. Aoshi, knowing the true dilemma, kissed her again to make her silent. Shock and helpless, Misao was entranced again hoping by twisting away her body from his could make her release from his current hold. But Aoshi didn’t want that to happen. To steady her moves, he leaned more towards her and caught bought of her hands then raised it above her head. With one hand caught both of hers, his other hand began to be busy roaming to her chest area, preferably to her rounding twins.

“Just for this time, Misao, for once relieve yourself from pain and worries. We have to work this out.” Aoshi murmured against her ear then recaptured her moist lips.

By molesting her again? She didn’t know if it’s right to be kissed by the Breeder’s own cousin and the representative initiator of the Shinomori’s for the bonding. But everything she worried had stopped as soon as she began to taste and enjoy his lips again. She began to like the moves of his daring hands towards her pair of breasts as sinful as it can be. She hadn’t known this kind of bodily pleasure until now. No wonder Megumi Takani had been so liberated in matters of gaining favors of men, preferably the handsome ones, and used it. The power it does to women like her will surely marked terribly her soon-to-be willingness.

She hated to be vulnerable. She hated to be a play thing. She hated this man’s power to make her weak and yet……the taste of him was already addicting like opium.

Just enjoy for a while of what he currently offers. Take whatever he can give but after this, there will be no more bonds between them. Escape is what her heart really shouted at that time.

She tasted so sweet and inviting. He might go over to the edge of revealing his true identity and then make her his eternally. He had never felt this way before. This maiden had somehow grown into his senses which did irritate him. Enough about that brooding! He wanted to savor the sweet taste of apples from her mouth. He wanted to teach, tell her how right for her to open up, loosen up for him. He wanted her to be his but he couldn’t. Not yet.

“There’s no one in here, Megumi! You said that there are people in this room. We see no one!” one of the people arrived complained.

So it was that saucy wench that had plotted this revelation. But what is her motive? Aoshi thought for himself. Ah. Jealousy and anger towards the maiden of the Oniwabanshuu. That woman is a dangerous one as far as he could asses.

“I just heard someone near the Earl’s room. I was on my way back to the party when I sensed someone presence back here,” Megumi convincingly reasoned.

What a good liar she is. Perhaps one day, he could teach her a lesson, or two, about the consequences of being a liar. He inwardly laughed as he found himself at this very ironic dilemma. He too is a liar – that he admits - yet he hated liars the most.

“I see no other people in here. Might as well give it a call off, men. An attempt of assassination for the Breeder is out of the question. That I know for no one besides the clans knew about this.” The head of the 5 guards bluntly told Megumi.

“Unless someone in the clan wanted to desecrate this place,” Megumi just couldn’t give it up.

“And who will it be?” asked the other.

“Why….be creative, my man. Maybe our Maiden. She hadn’t showed up to the feast.”

All the men scowled at her.

“Non-sense. She knows the rules.” The head of the guards defensively retorted. “I won’t be able to base your accusation for the mere substantial fact of her being not in the party and your hearing of callous noise around the earl’s designated room. We don’t see any other people here besides us, and that is final.” He waved to his men a dismissal. “Let’s go back to the light of the celebration.”

“Idiot,” Megumi cursed to herself, referring it to the head guard.

5 men began to work their feet to move again, indicating they were finally leaving the issue at hand.

“Sake must have taken its toll over you, Megumi. You might need a rest….or better yet, a good tumble in the dark.” All the men laughed as they headed towards the party place.

But the head of the guard stopped from walking further, completely stilled to get Megumi’s attention. “I will be willing to take the said proposal, if you know what I mean.”

“Baka,” she hissed. “I choose my men, Hanya. It never occurred to my mind to consider you as one of them.”

Chortling, Hanya resumed his walk towards the party while he spoke. “If you got the lustful itch, don’t hesitate to call me. I’ll make you eat the words you said.”

*******

His kiss began to subdue as soon as the guards of the Maiden and Megumi left the Earl’s room. He checked twice without leaving Misao if they were really gone. He used his amazing sensory abilities to detect their move. And the result was good. The pesky people who had almost discovered them were finally gone back to the party.

He then looked down at Misao, cupping her face with one of his hands. “They’re gone, Misao.”

There had been several moments before she could reply. She had lost so many of her control back then. She was almost entranced of the beauty and pleasure Aoshi Shinomori had adeptly shared and taught to her. Her breathing began to normalize. Her old self was back again.

“I know. Will you please let me go?!” She shoved him hard, hard enough to back him two steps behind. “Your nearness irritates and puked me!”

Aoshi smiled despite the total rejection and the sudden fiery mood of the princess of this mansion. “I did’t sense it while I was kissing you a while ago.”

“I was told to stay put, am I right?” she reminded him.

“Stay put and enjoyed everything I am sharing to you? You don’t need to lie on this, Misao.”

“I didn’t like your caresses and kisses!!! It makes me so filthy!” She began to move, as to escape from this new awkward debate.

“Oh come on. You liked and craved for it. It is not a shame to be honest with that side of personality. People sometimes do crave for sexual pleasure. It’s only natural. Deny it further then you are no better than that woman who had almost pushed us to hell.” Aoshi unrepentantly teased. His arms crossed on his chest. There was an amused smirk on his handsome face.

She looked at him, her eyes narrowing. “I somehow misjudge you, Shinomori-san. I had thought you often times think with your cock. That proves to be false, I see. You ALWAYS think with it!” Then she finally fled from their hiding place not before she gave him a sounding slap on his right cheek. He was so pre-occupied on teasing the lovely maiden. He hadn’t seen her swift hand coming. But nevertheless, it’s good for it shook away the remaining lust that had been there a while ago. If not, he might not be able to sleep soundly tonight – again!

*******

Three hours past midnight, she was still trying to get some sleep. She was trashing over the covers of her sleeping mat. Sleep simply eluded her. It was very understandable because of what had just happened a while ago with the Earl’s cousin.

She felt she had betrayed her fiancé by kissing back his cousin. She felt like a tramp while he took his liberties on her. She felt like desecrated, no longer clean yet…..yet she felt priced and loved. No man ever stirred her senses until he came into her life. It was like magic and everything in her world began to tumble up-side-down. This feeling must be stopped as soon as possible. She couldn’t afford to create another problem. She just couldn’t afford to loose her heart in this moment of battle.

One thing is for certain, she had to forget what sudden feelings that were already creeping inside her heart. No more of it.

She rolled away from her futon and blankly stared up to the ceiling again, the same way she had done hours ago before she unexpectedly crossed Aoshi instead of his cousin earl in the Breeder’s room. She should think of a solution that will solve her old problem, so as with the new one. Moments passed by, only one possible remedy for the both. She had to get away, escape for the last time. And this time, she had to sacrifice everything that she loves by leaving them here. As much as possible, she might even went out of this country just to compensate with her lose.

Loosing another battle will wound her now fragmented pride. She had to do this to continue to live, if not, she may die.

*******

“Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, Master Malory!” Shirojou desperately tried to awaken his master by shaking him hard. Yahiko was on the other side of the room, searching for Aoshi’s day clothes to prepare.

“What?!” Aoshi angrily mumbled in his sleep.

“You have to get up, Master!” Shirojou continued to be hysterical. “There is a problem for you to see.”

“Baka! Are you daft? You know that I am not an early riser. I need to sleep some more!” He lazily drawled as he rolled on to his stomach, away from the pesky lawyer.

“You don’t understand, Master Aoshi. Everyone in this mansion is panicking!”

“Still that doesn’t give me enough reason to rise up and go with the flow of the trend. What if they are panicking?” He then yawned and put an arm over his forehead. “Is the mansion got on fire?”

“No, Master. Much worse than you think.” He shook his wary head.

“An unexpected invasion of an enemy perhaps,” he yawned again as he stretched out sluggishly. “Let them handle their own affairs for the mean time. They are experts on this.”

“Then again, Master. It is much, much worse than that,” Sweat began to roll down from his temples. His eyes couldn’t straightly contact with Aoshi’s questioning ones.

“Then what is it that makes you so edgy and pesky?! If there’s none, I’ll just go back to sleep then! I need no more of your nuisance excuses! Get the hell out of my room! All of you!” He wanted to sleep for he was dreaming of Misao – his naked Misao - underneath him, cajoling him all the nasty acts of sex she was dying to know. He already felt the stiffness of his rod that is why he had to roll away from his assistant just to hide the ‘straight’ truth from them.

Yahiko had finally prepared his Master’s day clothes as a Japanese man. He went close to them as he carried the pile to his indisposed lord. “Why don’t you tell him straight, Shirojou-kun, that his intended-bride-to-be is no where to be found? As in vanished into thin air.”

Eyes snapped open, senses began to renew itself, Aoshi cursed after hearing the said dilemma. He abruptly sat up, stood and quickly gets dressed. “Kuso! Why didn’t you say this from the very beginning?! You wasted my time for stalling!”

“I’m not stalling! Excuse me!” he defensively replied as he stood up away from his lord.

“Yes, you are, Shirojou-kun. Well, not intentionally. You were just afraid for the Master’s reaction.” Yahiko proudly protested.

“Do you blame me for it?”

“Let just cut the chase. Since when did she leave?” He dressed himself faster than usual.

“A maid checked her room two hours ago and found the princess is not there. The room was tidy and some of her clothes were not there. It was likely that the Maiden of the Oniwabanhuu had escaped for the sixth time. This time, for good. There had been no traces to look for. No clues to help us.” Shirojou told the news.

“Kuso!” Aoshi finally finished donning his Japanese clothes up on his. “Where is my kodachi, Shirojou?”

“Why need it?” his friend inquisitively asked. Something tells him that his master is not in good mental state.

“I’ll help to search for the maiden. I have this feeling that she will not go with me in peace.”

“And by using your kodachi will lessen her idea of retaliation? You must be mad!”

“I expect you to know me better than that, Shirojou. I won’t use it to hurt her.”

“Then what is it for?” he demanded.

Confidently, he strode towards the shoji door of his room as a smirk came out from his lips. “You will know when I get back.”



tbc


author's notes:
thanks again for the comments. it will be sometime before i do the next chap for i am doing the next chap of the other stories as well.

thanks again to you all.