[Rurouni Kenshin] Tale of Lust 5
Title: Tale of Lust
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: Rurouni Kenshin (also known as Samurai X)
Pairing: AoshixSoujiro, SaitoxSoujiro and all three characters together
Summary: A page. A bussinessman. A police officer. Fate decided to entwine their lives and now they're tangled in a web of compassion and lust.
Disclaimer: RK isn't mine
The Seductions
“How were you doing these past few days, Seta-kun?” Aoshi asked politely when they were inside the carriage, on their way to Shinomori residence across the town.
“I’ve been doing quite well, thank you.” Soujiro tried to answer as politely as possible. “Ano… Shinomori-san?” He said after a moment of hesitancy.
“Yes?”
Their proximity in the carriage was so distracting. Aoshi sat next to Soujiro, his intense blue eyes stared right into Soujiro, his scent filling Soujiro’s lungs. The boy found it difficult to form a proper sentence to express what he had in mind. Soujiro looked up and gave Aoshi his most harmless smile.
“I’m sorry for being such a bother. You must have other, more important things to attend to. It’s unnecessary for you to pick me up every time. I can ask Shishio-san to order some people to accompany me to your place. I’m sure he won’t mind.”
Soujiro ducked his head to escape Aoshi’s acquiescing gaze. This was the only way he could do in this situation. He had a feeling that no fake smile could fool this man’s keen eyes and he was afraid of what Aoshi would found in him… And he was more afraid of what he would find in himself through Aoshi.
Soujiro tensed slightly when long elegant fingers touched his face. Those fingers tilted his head up gently so that he looked straight into Aoshi’s surprisingly gentle eyes. His heart thundered in his chest when Aoshi leaned closer.
“No, you’re not a bother. Not a bother at all.” Aoshi said softly. His thumb caressed Soujiro’s jaw lightly, causing the boy’s breath to hitch. His eyes flickered down to Soujiro’s lips. His breath was caught when Soujiro licked his dry lips in an unconscious gesture of seduction. He forced himself to clamp down his urges for the time being. This was not the time yet. “You’re not a bother at all, Seta-kun. In fact you are the best pupil I’ve ever known.” He said softly before releasing his hold on Soujiro’s chin.
The spell broken, Soujiro inhaled the much-needed air. “You’re flattering me, Shinomori-san.”
“I am, but that’s the truth.” Aoshi raked his gaze on Soujiro’s body though not in an intimate manner. “You’ve taken the lessons well and faster than I have predicted. And today I have a special plan for you.”
“A special plan?”
Aoshi nodded shortly. It was clear that he wasn’t inclined to spoil this special plan to Soujiro, so the boy remained silent the rest of the way to Shinomori’s residence. He kept glancing out of the window to hide his nervousness. Yet he caught himself staring at Aoshi’s reflection on the glass and several times, their eyes would meet on the glass, causing Soujiro to lower his eyes shyly.
Aoshi found this adorable, but kept the thought to himself. He said nothing until they arrived in his residence. There he motioned Soujiro to follow him into the main house, where Soujiro never went into before. He was surprised when Aoshi gave him blue silk kimono. When he looked at Aoshi in askance, Aoshi only told him to put it on, silently.
Soujiro did so obediently. The kimono was ornamented with golden spheres with a black obi tied the clothes together. Soujiro had never worn anything as luxurious as this before. The silk felt cold on his skin, contrasting against the heat of the summer day. The clothes fitted his perfectly, too, both in color and in size. After admiring himself on the mirror, Soujiro quickly went to find Aoshi to express his gratitude. He was shocked to find the man standing guard in front of the door leading to the room in which Soujiro changed.
“Are you ready?” Aoshi asked coolly.
“Ready? For what?”
Aoshi said nothing and only led him out of the house and into the carriage, once again. Inside the carriage, some boxes of bento had been prepared.
“Are you taking me somewhere?” Soujiro asked once Aoshi was seated.
“Yes.”
Soujiro knew that Aoshi wanted to give him a surprise. He wouldn’t tell him no matter how hard he pressed. Soujiro didn’t want to risk angering Aoshi, anyway. As Shishio had said, Aoshi had been so kind to him and he should only give him the best of him. Minding his master’s order, Soujiro refrained from asking further.
Soujiro busied himself playing with his new kimono, touching the expensive fabric as if in entrance. He traced the gold and black design with his finger, marveling how lucky he was to receive such kindness from a person like Aoshi. He was startled when Aoshi suddenly touched his shoulder gently.
“We’ve arrived.” Aoshi said softly.
Soujiro nodded quietly and followed Aoshi out of the carriage. He stopped abruptly when he finally realized here Aoshi had taken him. It was a public park he had heard of but never visited. It was said to be one of the most beautiful gardens in the city. And now, in the beautiful season of summer, Soujiro couldn’t help but agree. Colors blossom all around the park as voices of animals fill the atmosphere with symphony of the nature.
Aoshi hid his smile as he led Soujiro into the park. The boy was so obviously taken by the beauty of the place, carrying the boxes of bento so absentmindedly Aoshi was worried he’d trip over and drop their lunch. He was still continually amazed by this boy’s innocence and childishness, something mostly lost when a boy turned that age.
Finally they arrived in a quiet spot overlooking a man-made lake in the middle of the park. Aoshi laid a blanket he’d been carrying onto the ground and motioned Soujiro to sit there with him.
Aoshi let Soujiro serve them their meals. It was rather odd to have a male serving you meal for it was usually a female who served him. But Aoshi decided that he enjoyed it even more when Soujiro served him. Quietly, with a grateful nod, he took a plate of many kinds of dishes that Soujiro offered.
Hesitantly, Soujiro took his own plate that he had filled with some of the dishes himself. Carefully, he lifted the chopsticks with one hand and started to eat slowly. A shy glance to his companion proved his suspicion true. This was as much recreation as this was a test. Aoshi wanted to see him practice the lessons he had taught and Soujiro couldn’t help but become nervous with it.
He seemed to do it well, though, for Aoshi didn’t criticize him at all through the meal. The only things the young man said were kind opinions about the food and the weather. Soujiro replied to them politely, perfectly masking his nervousness.
“I’m glad to see you practice your lessons well.” Aoshi said after their meal was finished.
Soujiro bowed with a polite smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re an excellent pupil, Seta-kun. The best I’ve ever known.” Aoshi complimented.
Soujiro’s cheeks flushed pink enticingly. “Thank you.” He said again. Then, to distract Aoshi from his reaction, he offered Aoshi drink. “Would you like to have the tea now?”
“Aa. Yes, please.” Aoshi answered. He smiled slightly upon seeing the flush on his pupil’s cheeks.
Soujiro poured them tea and they drank together in silence while watching the lake. They had chosen the right place it seemed, because the other part of the embankment was full of families having short refreshing vacations, having fun in the park. In contrast to that, they were surrounded by silence. The only noises other than their breathing were the chippers of birds. Soujiro couldn’t help but be reminded of the night he first met Aoshi in the summer festival. The situation was almost the same then; they were separated from the crowded world and stayed in their own little sanctuary of peace and serenity.
“It’s a very beautiful place, Shinomori-san. Thank you for taking me here.” Soujiro said with a polite bow after setting down his empty cup of tea.
“You deserve your present after a month of being a good pupil. I thought you’d enjoy this place.”
“I do, Shinomori-san. These flowers and trees and everything… They’re wonderful. Don’t you think it’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?” Soujiro said cheerily.
“I can think of something… or rather someone… even more beautiful…”
Soujiro was stunned to see Aoshi’s sharp gaze directed to him. The young man’s eyes were soft and kind as they locked onto his. His cheeks heated under the intense stare but Soujiro couldn’t bring himself to avert his gaze elsewhere. Was Aoshi talking about him?
Soft breeze caressed them, causing Soujiro’s hair to flew and tickled his face lightly. But still, Soujiro did nothing. His muscle refused to move as he drowned in Aoshi’s deep blue eyes.
It was Aoshi who made the first move. He leaned forward to Soujiro and tucked soft strands of hair that tickled Soujiro previously, behind his ear. But he didn’t withdraw his hand immediately. Instead his fingers lingered, caressing Soujiro’s cheek gently. Unconsciously Soujiro leaned to the touch and Aoshi’s eyes twinkled with hidden smile. Then Aoshi’s fingers traveled lower to his slender pale neck, his finger tips grazing the skin lightly. Soujiro gasped as his spine tingled with unknown sensation.
Aoshi looked at him in something akin to awe and adoration for a while before withdrawing his hand and leaning back. His kind eyes banished the thought that perhaps Aoshi was displeased of his action from Soujiro’s mind.
“Come. We must leave. Your master will be searching you.”
*
Soujiro stopped sweeping the yard and bent down to retrieve a fallen camellia on the ground. He smiled as he twirled the pretty flower around, admiring it from every angle. He wouldn’t have considered it a beauty a month ago; he wouldn’t have considered it an addition to his chore to clean the yard. But now, after the lessons with Aoshi, many things changed. He started to notice little things, like the beauty in the motion of a feather carried by the wind, the silence of the gardens in Shishio’s residence or a fallen flower.
His heart fluttered when he remembered Aoshi. Soujiro sighed dreamily and leaned onto his broomstick. He recalled what Aoshi had said to him the previous day.
I can think of something… or rather someone… even more beautiful.
Was it true? Did Aoshi mean what he said? Did Aoshi really consider him beautiful? Because for Soujiro Aoshi was beauty. Such a handsome, kind, and powerful man was nothing if not beauty. Yet Aoshi called him beautiful. Why?
“You’re daydreaming, bouya.”
Soujiro was startled out of his reverie by the cold calm voice which he hadn’t heard for so long. He looked up to see Saito leaning on the wall opposite to him a few feet away, looking coolly at him. Pink flush started to crawl to his cheeks.
“Saito-san!” He exclaimed softly as an expression of annoyance, surprise and longing.
“I see you’ve neglected your duty.” Saito said as he slowly approached the boy. His eyes raked Soujiro’s body predatorily. He wondered how far the young Shinomori had gone with his pupil. They had gone for quite a while to who-knows-where the day before. Had Shinomori taken him to his residence? Had he indulged this boy’s sweet innocence?
“I see you have, too.”
Saito raised an eyebrow. Soujiro smiled to see this and continued. “How is the investigation going? It seemed to be a difficult case. I haven’t seen you for a while.”
“It progresses well.” Saito replied coldly. He didn’t miss the implied longing in Soujiro’s voice, however. Immediately, he remembered the plan he had devised since he saw Soujiro with Aoshi the day before. A small smirk crept to his face. “But what about you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Have your skill rusted during the time you didn’t train?”
“… I don’t know.” Soujiro said honestly.
“We shall see, then.” Without another word, Saito walked away, forcing Soujiro to follow him. The boy glanced at his unfinished work, then at Saito’s retreating figure. Making a decision, he hid his broomstick behind the camellia tree and followed Saito.
Saito’s long strides made it difficult for Soujiro to catch up with him. When he turned to a corner, he suddenly found himself alone in one of the quietest of Shishio’s gardens. The blue-eyed boy looked around him in confusion. Where had Saito gone to?
Suddenly darkness covered his sight, making Soujiro gasped in surprise. Something settled over his eyes, blocking his sight. Panic settled over the boy and he struggled slightly to remove the blindfold from his eyes. But powerful hands caught his wrists before his hand could remove the cloth. Soujiro shuddered when he felt breath caressed his ear.
“We might not have much time.” He heard Saito speak. His body relaxed immediately to hear the familiar voice. He knew he was safe with this man. “There is something I want to teach you.”
The hilt of a shinai was put into his hands. His fingers hesitate only for a moment before his body could recall how to wield the sword. Saito’s hands leave when his grip on the sword strengthened yet his body’s warmth still lingered on Soujiro’s skin.
“The objective of this practice is to train your other senses. You can’t always rely on your sight. I will attack you and you must block my attacks without seeing me directly.”
“But Saito-san…” Soujiro protested.
The boy’s body jerked when long fingers moved the cloth that slightly covered his ear and slipped it behind his ear. “Use your other senses.”
That said, the finger withdrew and the voice disappeared. Soujiro shifted in his spot nervously. He tried to sharpen his ears, trying to hear any kind of sound from around him. The rustling of leaves caught his attention, but then he heard the sound of gravel knocking onto each other and became distracted. Every sound became extra loud for him, alerting him of possible opponent’s presence. His ears became extra sensitive, listening to every gush of wind, every rustling of plants. His body tensed as he turned from side to side, expecting his opponent/master to attack him.
The light smack on his hips startled Soujiro. He turned to the direction where the attack seemed to come from and swung his sword wildly. But it seemed like his mentor had moved from that spot. Soujiro’s breathing grew ragged as his senses strained to locate Saito.
For a very long moment there was not the faintest of sound. Yet Soujiro knew that Saito was still there with him. He was sure Saito wouldn’t just leave him unannounced. The older man was still around, waiting for him to lower his guard. But Soujiro had no intention of doing so. He would master this lesson as he had with the previous ones. He wouldn’t disappoint his master now of all time.
But there are things that Soujiro had yet to know from Saito. That was the man’s ability to mold into silence and darkness, something he took up during his days as the guardian of the city of Kyoto. The man effortlessly moved around Soujiro noiselessly, watching as his pupil struggled to find him. He wondered when to make a move, when his patience would pay off. His lips twisted into a small smirk as Soujiro turned his back on him.
A surprised gasp escaped Soujiro’s lips as a long arm circled his waist. His grip on the kunai slackened but a hand closed over his to strengthen the grip as a tall body pressed closely against his from behind.
“S-Saito-san!” He stuttered.
Suddenly he became very aware of flex of muscle of the body behind him, every intake of breath, every soft exhalation caressing his face. His spine tingled and his body weakened suddenly. Saito must’ve noticed his tremor because he tightened his hold around him.
“Hmm? Is it too early for this lesson?” He said to Soujiro’s ear. The combination of his tickling breath, rough voice and intoxication scent made Soujiro trembled even worse. Unconsciously, as his body grew weaker, Soujiro rested his head on Saito’s shoulder, revealing pale column of flesh begging to be marked.
Saito was not an impulsive man. But he couldn’t fight the strong urge to taste the virgin beauty for the very first time.
“Yes. Too early, indeed.” He murmured as he ran his thin lips slowly down Soujiro’s jugular, before ending the burning path with a light nip.
The soft moan that trickled out of Soujiro’s mouth was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. His body immediately demanded more, but his consciousness told him otherwise. Sharp amber eyes glanced to one side of the silent garden and stayed there for a moment. Apparently he had too little time to succumb to his body’s wishes. But there’s still enough time to etch this event in the folds of the boy’s memory.
“Would still like to learn more?” He whispered softly against the mark he just left on the boy’s previously unmarred skin.
Silence. He could sense confusion and doubt in the boy’s mind but gave him no pity.
“Would you like a repeat of this lesson?” He said as a hand that previously secured the boy’s waist slid down to the juncture between his hip and thigh. “Hmm?”
“Y-yes, please.” Soujiro fought to say.
Saito’s lips curved into a smirk. Slowly, he released Soujiro and took a step back before taking off the blindfold. His smirk was still in place when Soujiro turned to him. He wanted to caress that flushed face and wipe away the innocent confusion from the boy’s expression, but his duty demanded his immediate attention and SAito always prided himself as a responsible man.
“Then I shall see you the day after tomorrow.” The old wolf said before taking his leave quietly, leaving Soujiro lost in his body’s demands.
*
Saito wasn’t some power-obsessed person, but he did expect some respect from his subordinates. Respect wasn’t so difficult for him to achieve for he possessed his own brand of charisma. He projected an air of pleasantness to those of his superior and his equals, and deadly experience to his subordinates. They all respected him, perhaps begrudgingly, and tended to deal with him cautiously for they mostly sensed the sleeping wolf behind the polite façade.
But this was the one person who stubbornly refused to admit his respect and admiration to him. A proud fool, Saito secretly called him. Perhaps Saito himself admired the young man’s bravery to defy him. But he wouldn’t dare to speculate that far.
Chicken head was how Chou would call him, a nickname that earned the blond a mocking nickname of broom head. Together, they could cause Saito greater headaches only a full box of cigarettes could cure; a mystery Saito couldn’t fully comprehend because an acquaintance once told him of the danger those thin sticks have to one’s health. But as a professional, he must admit that together, they worked very well and most of the times, the headache worth the information they gained.
The first thing that greeted Saito when he exited the compound was a thick cloud of dust, courtesy of his subordinates’ short tempers. Briefly, he considered practicing his gatotsu on them but decided that whatever information they carried worth more than short satisfaction of eliminating his sources of nuisances. Though he’d better not be interrupted just to watch this stupid, pointless fight another ten seconds.
“There’s no point in fighting a loser.” Chou insulted his opponent openly after seeing Saito.
“You just don’t want to admit defeat!” Sagara Sanosuke barked, raising his fist to launch another attack.
“Fools.” Saito sneered just loud enough to be heard by Sanosuke.
Finally noticing his presence, Sanosuke turned angry eyes to him. “What did you say? Temee!!”
Saito ignored the slight threat the boy offered. They both knew he could take him down in a second and though Sanosuke never got tired of trying, Saito had long since lost his interest in dealing with his bruised young pride. So he came to the more sensible of the duo.
“What did you get?” Saito asked, ignoring the knowing glint in Chou’s eyes.
“There has been at least twenty known victim of Jine Udo. They all came from different fields but had one similarity. All were at the height of their careers before they died, or working to one of such.”
This confirmed his theory that this death threat was not for Jine’s personal grudges against Shishio. But this would only make things more complicated because he now had two targets to capture.
“Why is this the first time such case comes to surface?”
“Death threats are regular occurrences to these kinds of people and when they realized this was serious, it’s far too late. Shishio is lucky he’d heard of this guy before and contacted the police. Our presences here impede Jine’s actions, obviously. In other cases, the target died as early as a week after the threat first arrived.”
“Have any of his employer ever been found?”
“No.”
“And there have been rumors, too.” Sanosuke said from behind him. Apparently, the young man had calmed his uncontrollable temper. “It’s said that if you want to hire him you should come to a small shrine in the wood just outside of Kyoto. I’ve gone there and found nothing.”
“Of course. He’s a professional assassin. Do you expect to catch him while he dallies around in his hiding place?”
“Temee!!”
“And as for the list of Shishio’s current partners and probable rivals; it’s endless. That man gained quite a number of them.”
“Did any stood out among the rest?”
“No. All of them were powerful men in business and politic and all could have a connection to Jine. But,” Chou smirked in a mixture of triumph and challenge. ”if there’s anyone really worth mentioning, it’ll be the young Shinomori heir.”
Saito didn’t react to hear that and merely looked at the smirking blond coolly. It’s at these moments that he knew he had made the right choice when he accepted Chou into his small team. Now if only he could make him put that curiosity into a good, proper use.
“Yeah. He probably has the motives and he certainly has the resources.” Sanosuke piped in, unaware of the exchange between his companions.
“What motives?” Saito asked, turning to the young brute.
“We haven’t gotten that far. There are still so many to investigate upon.” Sanosuke shrugged. But then he hastily added, as to not be underestimated yet again. “Well, he’s in trading business and politic, right? Could be one of the two, or both.”
Sighing softly as if in exasperation, Saito calmly walked away. “Contact me when you have more information.”
“Hey! It’s not easy investigating a hundred people in a month time. You should be grateful that we’ve got so much information!” Sanosuke yelled behind his back.
“Those information you got me are nothing I couldn’t find on my own.” Saito replied coldly. “And about this Shinomori… I’ll handle him myself.”
With that Saito returned to Shishio’s residence, ignoring three pair of eyes watching his proud back retreating from view. He would forever regret not paying closer attention to his surrounding that day.
^_^
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: Rurouni Kenshin (also known as Samurai X)
Pairing: AoshixSoujiro, SaitoxSoujiro and all three characters together
Summary: A page. A bussinessman. A police officer. Fate decided to entwine their lives and now they're tangled in a web of compassion and lust.
Disclaimer: RK isn't mine
The Seductions
“How were you doing these past few days, Seta-kun?” Aoshi asked politely when they were inside the carriage, on their way to Shinomori residence across the town.
“I’ve been doing quite well, thank you.” Soujiro tried to answer as politely as possible. “Ano… Shinomori-san?” He said after a moment of hesitancy.
“Yes?”
Their proximity in the carriage was so distracting. Aoshi sat next to Soujiro, his intense blue eyes stared right into Soujiro, his scent filling Soujiro’s lungs. The boy found it difficult to form a proper sentence to express what he had in mind. Soujiro looked up and gave Aoshi his most harmless smile.
“I’m sorry for being such a bother. You must have other, more important things to attend to. It’s unnecessary for you to pick me up every time. I can ask Shishio-san to order some people to accompany me to your place. I’m sure he won’t mind.”
Soujiro ducked his head to escape Aoshi’s acquiescing gaze. This was the only way he could do in this situation. He had a feeling that no fake smile could fool this man’s keen eyes and he was afraid of what Aoshi would found in him… And he was more afraid of what he would find in himself through Aoshi.
Soujiro tensed slightly when long elegant fingers touched his face. Those fingers tilted his head up gently so that he looked straight into Aoshi’s surprisingly gentle eyes. His heart thundered in his chest when Aoshi leaned closer.
“No, you’re not a bother. Not a bother at all.” Aoshi said softly. His thumb caressed Soujiro’s jaw lightly, causing the boy’s breath to hitch. His eyes flickered down to Soujiro’s lips. His breath was caught when Soujiro licked his dry lips in an unconscious gesture of seduction. He forced himself to clamp down his urges for the time being. This was not the time yet. “You’re not a bother at all, Seta-kun. In fact you are the best pupil I’ve ever known.” He said softly before releasing his hold on Soujiro’s chin.
The spell broken, Soujiro inhaled the much-needed air. “You’re flattering me, Shinomori-san.”
“I am, but that’s the truth.” Aoshi raked his gaze on Soujiro’s body though not in an intimate manner. “You’ve taken the lessons well and faster than I have predicted. And today I have a special plan for you.”
“A special plan?”
Aoshi nodded shortly. It was clear that he wasn’t inclined to spoil this special plan to Soujiro, so the boy remained silent the rest of the way to Shinomori’s residence. He kept glancing out of the window to hide his nervousness. Yet he caught himself staring at Aoshi’s reflection on the glass and several times, their eyes would meet on the glass, causing Soujiro to lower his eyes shyly.
Aoshi found this adorable, but kept the thought to himself. He said nothing until they arrived in his residence. There he motioned Soujiro to follow him into the main house, where Soujiro never went into before. He was surprised when Aoshi gave him blue silk kimono. When he looked at Aoshi in askance, Aoshi only told him to put it on, silently.
Soujiro did so obediently. The kimono was ornamented with golden spheres with a black obi tied the clothes together. Soujiro had never worn anything as luxurious as this before. The silk felt cold on his skin, contrasting against the heat of the summer day. The clothes fitted his perfectly, too, both in color and in size. After admiring himself on the mirror, Soujiro quickly went to find Aoshi to express his gratitude. He was shocked to find the man standing guard in front of the door leading to the room in which Soujiro changed.
“Are you ready?” Aoshi asked coolly.
“Ready? For what?”
Aoshi said nothing and only led him out of the house and into the carriage, once again. Inside the carriage, some boxes of bento had been prepared.
“Are you taking me somewhere?” Soujiro asked once Aoshi was seated.
“Yes.”
Soujiro knew that Aoshi wanted to give him a surprise. He wouldn’t tell him no matter how hard he pressed. Soujiro didn’t want to risk angering Aoshi, anyway. As Shishio had said, Aoshi had been so kind to him and he should only give him the best of him. Minding his master’s order, Soujiro refrained from asking further.
Soujiro busied himself playing with his new kimono, touching the expensive fabric as if in entrance. He traced the gold and black design with his finger, marveling how lucky he was to receive such kindness from a person like Aoshi. He was startled when Aoshi suddenly touched his shoulder gently.
“We’ve arrived.” Aoshi said softly.
Soujiro nodded quietly and followed Aoshi out of the carriage. He stopped abruptly when he finally realized here Aoshi had taken him. It was a public park he had heard of but never visited. It was said to be one of the most beautiful gardens in the city. And now, in the beautiful season of summer, Soujiro couldn’t help but agree. Colors blossom all around the park as voices of animals fill the atmosphere with symphony of the nature.
Aoshi hid his smile as he led Soujiro into the park. The boy was so obviously taken by the beauty of the place, carrying the boxes of bento so absentmindedly Aoshi was worried he’d trip over and drop their lunch. He was still continually amazed by this boy’s innocence and childishness, something mostly lost when a boy turned that age.
Finally they arrived in a quiet spot overlooking a man-made lake in the middle of the park. Aoshi laid a blanket he’d been carrying onto the ground and motioned Soujiro to sit there with him.
Aoshi let Soujiro serve them their meals. It was rather odd to have a male serving you meal for it was usually a female who served him. But Aoshi decided that he enjoyed it even more when Soujiro served him. Quietly, with a grateful nod, he took a plate of many kinds of dishes that Soujiro offered.
Hesitantly, Soujiro took his own plate that he had filled with some of the dishes himself. Carefully, he lifted the chopsticks with one hand and started to eat slowly. A shy glance to his companion proved his suspicion true. This was as much recreation as this was a test. Aoshi wanted to see him practice the lessons he had taught and Soujiro couldn’t help but become nervous with it.
He seemed to do it well, though, for Aoshi didn’t criticize him at all through the meal. The only things the young man said were kind opinions about the food and the weather. Soujiro replied to them politely, perfectly masking his nervousness.
“I’m glad to see you practice your lessons well.” Aoshi said after their meal was finished.
Soujiro bowed with a polite smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re an excellent pupil, Seta-kun. The best I’ve ever known.” Aoshi complimented.
Soujiro’s cheeks flushed pink enticingly. “Thank you.” He said again. Then, to distract Aoshi from his reaction, he offered Aoshi drink. “Would you like to have the tea now?”
“Aa. Yes, please.” Aoshi answered. He smiled slightly upon seeing the flush on his pupil’s cheeks.
Soujiro poured them tea and they drank together in silence while watching the lake. They had chosen the right place it seemed, because the other part of the embankment was full of families having short refreshing vacations, having fun in the park. In contrast to that, they were surrounded by silence. The only noises other than their breathing were the chippers of birds. Soujiro couldn’t help but be reminded of the night he first met Aoshi in the summer festival. The situation was almost the same then; they were separated from the crowded world and stayed in their own little sanctuary of peace and serenity.
“It’s a very beautiful place, Shinomori-san. Thank you for taking me here.” Soujiro said with a polite bow after setting down his empty cup of tea.
“You deserve your present after a month of being a good pupil. I thought you’d enjoy this place.”
“I do, Shinomori-san. These flowers and trees and everything… They’re wonderful. Don’t you think it’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?” Soujiro said cheerily.
“I can think of something… or rather someone… even more beautiful…”
Soujiro was stunned to see Aoshi’s sharp gaze directed to him. The young man’s eyes were soft and kind as they locked onto his. His cheeks heated under the intense stare but Soujiro couldn’t bring himself to avert his gaze elsewhere. Was Aoshi talking about him?
Soft breeze caressed them, causing Soujiro’s hair to flew and tickled his face lightly. But still, Soujiro did nothing. His muscle refused to move as he drowned in Aoshi’s deep blue eyes.
It was Aoshi who made the first move. He leaned forward to Soujiro and tucked soft strands of hair that tickled Soujiro previously, behind his ear. But he didn’t withdraw his hand immediately. Instead his fingers lingered, caressing Soujiro’s cheek gently. Unconsciously Soujiro leaned to the touch and Aoshi’s eyes twinkled with hidden smile. Then Aoshi’s fingers traveled lower to his slender pale neck, his finger tips grazing the skin lightly. Soujiro gasped as his spine tingled with unknown sensation.
Aoshi looked at him in something akin to awe and adoration for a while before withdrawing his hand and leaning back. His kind eyes banished the thought that perhaps Aoshi was displeased of his action from Soujiro’s mind.
“Come. We must leave. Your master will be searching you.”
*
Soujiro stopped sweeping the yard and bent down to retrieve a fallen camellia on the ground. He smiled as he twirled the pretty flower around, admiring it from every angle. He wouldn’t have considered it a beauty a month ago; he wouldn’t have considered it an addition to his chore to clean the yard. But now, after the lessons with Aoshi, many things changed. He started to notice little things, like the beauty in the motion of a feather carried by the wind, the silence of the gardens in Shishio’s residence or a fallen flower.
His heart fluttered when he remembered Aoshi. Soujiro sighed dreamily and leaned onto his broomstick. He recalled what Aoshi had said to him the previous day.
I can think of something… or rather someone… even more beautiful.
Was it true? Did Aoshi mean what he said? Did Aoshi really consider him beautiful? Because for Soujiro Aoshi was beauty. Such a handsome, kind, and powerful man was nothing if not beauty. Yet Aoshi called him beautiful. Why?
“You’re daydreaming, bouya.”
Soujiro was startled out of his reverie by the cold calm voice which he hadn’t heard for so long. He looked up to see Saito leaning on the wall opposite to him a few feet away, looking coolly at him. Pink flush started to crawl to his cheeks.
“Saito-san!” He exclaimed softly as an expression of annoyance, surprise and longing.
“I see you’ve neglected your duty.” Saito said as he slowly approached the boy. His eyes raked Soujiro’s body predatorily. He wondered how far the young Shinomori had gone with his pupil. They had gone for quite a while to who-knows-where the day before. Had Shinomori taken him to his residence? Had he indulged this boy’s sweet innocence?
“I see you have, too.”
Saito raised an eyebrow. Soujiro smiled to see this and continued. “How is the investigation going? It seemed to be a difficult case. I haven’t seen you for a while.”
“It progresses well.” Saito replied coldly. He didn’t miss the implied longing in Soujiro’s voice, however. Immediately, he remembered the plan he had devised since he saw Soujiro with Aoshi the day before. A small smirk crept to his face. “But what about you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Have your skill rusted during the time you didn’t train?”
“… I don’t know.” Soujiro said honestly.
“We shall see, then.” Without another word, Saito walked away, forcing Soujiro to follow him. The boy glanced at his unfinished work, then at Saito’s retreating figure. Making a decision, he hid his broomstick behind the camellia tree and followed Saito.
Saito’s long strides made it difficult for Soujiro to catch up with him. When he turned to a corner, he suddenly found himself alone in one of the quietest of Shishio’s gardens. The blue-eyed boy looked around him in confusion. Where had Saito gone to?
Suddenly darkness covered his sight, making Soujiro gasped in surprise. Something settled over his eyes, blocking his sight. Panic settled over the boy and he struggled slightly to remove the blindfold from his eyes. But powerful hands caught his wrists before his hand could remove the cloth. Soujiro shuddered when he felt breath caressed his ear.
“We might not have much time.” He heard Saito speak. His body relaxed immediately to hear the familiar voice. He knew he was safe with this man. “There is something I want to teach you.”
The hilt of a shinai was put into his hands. His fingers hesitate only for a moment before his body could recall how to wield the sword. Saito’s hands leave when his grip on the sword strengthened yet his body’s warmth still lingered on Soujiro’s skin.
“The objective of this practice is to train your other senses. You can’t always rely on your sight. I will attack you and you must block my attacks without seeing me directly.”
“But Saito-san…” Soujiro protested.
The boy’s body jerked when long fingers moved the cloth that slightly covered his ear and slipped it behind his ear. “Use your other senses.”
That said, the finger withdrew and the voice disappeared. Soujiro shifted in his spot nervously. He tried to sharpen his ears, trying to hear any kind of sound from around him. The rustling of leaves caught his attention, but then he heard the sound of gravel knocking onto each other and became distracted. Every sound became extra loud for him, alerting him of possible opponent’s presence. His ears became extra sensitive, listening to every gush of wind, every rustling of plants. His body tensed as he turned from side to side, expecting his opponent/master to attack him.
The light smack on his hips startled Soujiro. He turned to the direction where the attack seemed to come from and swung his sword wildly. But it seemed like his mentor had moved from that spot. Soujiro’s breathing grew ragged as his senses strained to locate Saito.
For a very long moment there was not the faintest of sound. Yet Soujiro knew that Saito was still there with him. He was sure Saito wouldn’t just leave him unannounced. The older man was still around, waiting for him to lower his guard. But Soujiro had no intention of doing so. He would master this lesson as he had with the previous ones. He wouldn’t disappoint his master now of all time.
But there are things that Soujiro had yet to know from Saito. That was the man’s ability to mold into silence and darkness, something he took up during his days as the guardian of the city of Kyoto. The man effortlessly moved around Soujiro noiselessly, watching as his pupil struggled to find him. He wondered when to make a move, when his patience would pay off. His lips twisted into a small smirk as Soujiro turned his back on him.
A surprised gasp escaped Soujiro’s lips as a long arm circled his waist. His grip on the kunai slackened but a hand closed over his to strengthen the grip as a tall body pressed closely against his from behind.
“S-Saito-san!” He stuttered.
Suddenly he became very aware of flex of muscle of the body behind him, every intake of breath, every soft exhalation caressing his face. His spine tingled and his body weakened suddenly. Saito must’ve noticed his tremor because he tightened his hold around him.
“Hmm? Is it too early for this lesson?” He said to Soujiro’s ear. The combination of his tickling breath, rough voice and intoxication scent made Soujiro trembled even worse. Unconsciously, as his body grew weaker, Soujiro rested his head on Saito’s shoulder, revealing pale column of flesh begging to be marked.
Saito was not an impulsive man. But he couldn’t fight the strong urge to taste the virgin beauty for the very first time.
“Yes. Too early, indeed.” He murmured as he ran his thin lips slowly down Soujiro’s jugular, before ending the burning path with a light nip.
The soft moan that trickled out of Soujiro’s mouth was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. His body immediately demanded more, but his consciousness told him otherwise. Sharp amber eyes glanced to one side of the silent garden and stayed there for a moment. Apparently he had too little time to succumb to his body’s wishes. But there’s still enough time to etch this event in the folds of the boy’s memory.
“Would still like to learn more?” He whispered softly against the mark he just left on the boy’s previously unmarred skin.
Silence. He could sense confusion and doubt in the boy’s mind but gave him no pity.
“Would you like a repeat of this lesson?” He said as a hand that previously secured the boy’s waist slid down to the juncture between his hip and thigh. “Hmm?”
“Y-yes, please.” Soujiro fought to say.
Saito’s lips curved into a smirk. Slowly, he released Soujiro and took a step back before taking off the blindfold. His smirk was still in place when Soujiro turned to him. He wanted to caress that flushed face and wipe away the innocent confusion from the boy’s expression, but his duty demanded his immediate attention and SAito always prided himself as a responsible man.
“Then I shall see you the day after tomorrow.” The old wolf said before taking his leave quietly, leaving Soujiro lost in his body’s demands.
*
Saito wasn’t some power-obsessed person, but he did expect some respect from his subordinates. Respect wasn’t so difficult for him to achieve for he possessed his own brand of charisma. He projected an air of pleasantness to those of his superior and his equals, and deadly experience to his subordinates. They all respected him, perhaps begrudgingly, and tended to deal with him cautiously for they mostly sensed the sleeping wolf behind the polite façade.
But this was the one person who stubbornly refused to admit his respect and admiration to him. A proud fool, Saito secretly called him. Perhaps Saito himself admired the young man’s bravery to defy him. But he wouldn’t dare to speculate that far.
Chicken head was how Chou would call him, a nickname that earned the blond a mocking nickname of broom head. Together, they could cause Saito greater headaches only a full box of cigarettes could cure; a mystery Saito couldn’t fully comprehend because an acquaintance once told him of the danger those thin sticks have to one’s health. But as a professional, he must admit that together, they worked very well and most of the times, the headache worth the information they gained.
The first thing that greeted Saito when he exited the compound was a thick cloud of dust, courtesy of his subordinates’ short tempers. Briefly, he considered practicing his gatotsu on them but decided that whatever information they carried worth more than short satisfaction of eliminating his sources of nuisances. Though he’d better not be interrupted just to watch this stupid, pointless fight another ten seconds.
“There’s no point in fighting a loser.” Chou insulted his opponent openly after seeing Saito.
“You just don’t want to admit defeat!” Sagara Sanosuke barked, raising his fist to launch another attack.
“Fools.” Saito sneered just loud enough to be heard by Sanosuke.
Finally noticing his presence, Sanosuke turned angry eyes to him. “What did you say? Temee!!”
Saito ignored the slight threat the boy offered. They both knew he could take him down in a second and though Sanosuke never got tired of trying, Saito had long since lost his interest in dealing with his bruised young pride. So he came to the more sensible of the duo.
“What did you get?” Saito asked, ignoring the knowing glint in Chou’s eyes.
“There has been at least twenty known victim of Jine Udo. They all came from different fields but had one similarity. All were at the height of their careers before they died, or working to one of such.”
This confirmed his theory that this death threat was not for Jine’s personal grudges against Shishio. But this would only make things more complicated because he now had two targets to capture.
“Why is this the first time such case comes to surface?”
“Death threats are regular occurrences to these kinds of people and when they realized this was serious, it’s far too late. Shishio is lucky he’d heard of this guy before and contacted the police. Our presences here impede Jine’s actions, obviously. In other cases, the target died as early as a week after the threat first arrived.”
“Have any of his employer ever been found?”
“No.”
“And there have been rumors, too.” Sanosuke said from behind him. Apparently, the young man had calmed his uncontrollable temper. “It’s said that if you want to hire him you should come to a small shrine in the wood just outside of Kyoto. I’ve gone there and found nothing.”
“Of course. He’s a professional assassin. Do you expect to catch him while he dallies around in his hiding place?”
“Temee!!”
“And as for the list of Shishio’s current partners and probable rivals; it’s endless. That man gained quite a number of them.”
“Did any stood out among the rest?”
“No. All of them were powerful men in business and politic and all could have a connection to Jine. But,” Chou smirked in a mixture of triumph and challenge. ”if there’s anyone really worth mentioning, it’ll be the young Shinomori heir.”
Saito didn’t react to hear that and merely looked at the smirking blond coolly. It’s at these moments that he knew he had made the right choice when he accepted Chou into his small team. Now if only he could make him put that curiosity into a good, proper use.
“Yeah. He probably has the motives and he certainly has the resources.” Sanosuke piped in, unaware of the exchange between his companions.
“What motives?” Saito asked, turning to the young brute.
“We haven’t gotten that far. There are still so many to investigate upon.” Sanosuke shrugged. But then he hastily added, as to not be underestimated yet again. “Well, he’s in trading business and politic, right? Could be one of the two, or both.”
Sighing softly as if in exasperation, Saito calmly walked away. “Contact me when you have more information.”
“Hey! It’s not easy investigating a hundred people in a month time. You should be grateful that we’ve got so much information!” Sanosuke yelled behind his back.
“Those information you got me are nothing I couldn’t find on my own.” Saito replied coldly. “And about this Shinomori… I’ll handle him myself.”
With that Saito returned to Shishio’s residence, ignoring three pair of eyes watching his proud back retreating from view. He would forever regret not paying closer attention to his surrounding that day.
^_^