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WARNING: Contains spoilers! This is a bonus story for Spirit Bound, and does not affect the main story line. Do not read until after Chapter 44, as it contains spoilers relating to the main story. It's officially tied in to the main story in Chapter 124.

Spirit Bound: Bonus Story

The Love of Takahashi Yoishi: Part Two

Ah, I apologize for the interruption.

When I was last telling you of my lost love, I had been serving him tea in a small and private room. He never did find something for me to do; he asked that I paint, but I could not just paint; I required a good view and it took me hours to properly decide the best way in which to put my vision onto canvas. He was not quite in the mood to listen to me play and preferred a better place to listen, as I would to play. He asked for suggestions, and I said I may not offer, lest the guards seek to separate my head from my body. That almost did result in the situation I sought to avoid till I said I had learned some skills in massage from the Buddhist priest that I would like to practice. We ended up merely talking for a few hours, lounging upon the cushions.

Such was my first week in the home of Ohtori Kaoru-sama. I would tease, cajole, and entertain my host, spending hours in his company each day, often just talking, and each evening I would play for his guests.

Not once did he initiate contact I could reciprocate. He would lightly touch my paw and draw away, or bump against me before ensuring suitable distance to prevent me from drawing him in. I also did not have further opportunity to show myself to him, no matter how much he seemed to enjoy the view at the time.

Each morning I would return to the training grounds and resume my exercise dressed in my travelling garb, keeping to the dance-like movements I had already demonstrated. Furthermore, I would contemplate sating my carnal urges with the Tanuki sergeant, and every time I would think of Ohtori-sama and resolve to wait another day. The decision was also made easier as it was obvious the sergeant only tolerated my presence and did not wish to aid me in...exercising.

On this day, the eighth day since I met Ohtori-sama, things proved to be different. He instructed me to meet him at the stables with my flute and painting materials after we had broken our fast, so I did.

I saw the servants preparing four horses, one of which was the lord's black steed. It was a most magnificent animal, strong and fierce, a warrior's mount. I waited at the entrance to the stables for Ohtori-sama, assuming he wished to have me accompany him on a morning ride.

Ten minutes later he approached with the Akita and Salamander guardsmen, as well as a servant who carried a few saddlebags. The servant was the shinobi who kept watch over me during my first night after Kagura-san had left. He was another Iriomote Cat, perhaps a sibling to Kagura.

Ohtori-sama strode forward, his daisho, or paired samurai swords, strapped to his waist. "We will be taking a ride, Takahashi-sensei..." He bowed his head slightly in apology. "My apologies. Good morning, I trust the day finds you in good health and better humour."

I bowed with a smile. "Good morning, Ohtori-sama. I am in good health, and my humour, while not lacking, is greatly restored by your appearance and gracious greeting." I closely followed his overly formal speech patterns before switching back to my adopted accent. "I'm guessing we're going on a ride and having a picnic? Somewhere with a nice view, perhaps? I'll accompany you, but I don't ride."

Ohtori-sama deflated. "No? I greatly desired to acquaint you with one of my favourite places upon my lands, but it is too far to walk to."

I laughed. "I never said I wouldn't go! I'm here at your pleasure, and I'd love to see it. I just don't ride. Don't worry, as long as you don't gallop I can keep up; I'm used to travel and I can cover ground very quickly if I don't have to do it over several days. Now, let's get you mounted and we can go." I walked over to his horse and stood ready to help him up.

He smiled a smile so radiant it caused the sun to shine more brightly out of jealousy, and laughed. "Very well, Takahashi-sensei. I have sought to prove you a braggart once and was forced to retract my words; we will see how you do today. I am pleased to have the opportunity to show you this." He placed a paw upon my shoulder as he climbed gracefully into the saddle of his steed, automatically moving his katana out of the way, yet keeping it within reach.

I stepped aside, then moved into a loping run at his heel as his horse set out in a canter. The guards quickly finished packing the lunch on their horses, then climbed up and kicked them into a gallop to catch up. I chuckled, then glanced up at Ohtori-sama, "You seem very comfortable wearing your daisho, but I never see you practice kenjutsu. Do you practice before breakfast like I do?"

He looked a little uncomfortable. "I...am not a warrior, Takahashi-sensei. That is Ichiru. I am trained to wear the daisho of my ancestors, but I am not skilled in their use. We were born in the wrong order; I would be a good advisor to my brother if he would listen to such, and he would be a good commander of troops with a bit of age and training."

I nodded. "We were both born at the wrong time and place, then. I wish I was born in Korea under Sejong the Great; he was a ruler who appreciated the scholars and artists of his land, like you seem to. His rule was a time of stability, where knowledge and culture flourished. Here, well, you know about that." Ohtori-sama sighed and nodded glumly. I went to pat his knee, but stopped my paw in time. "Hey, maybe we'll get an emperor, or even a shogun, who can provide a bit of stability, and maybe become Japan's Sejong."

Ohtori-sama's voice was most dry. "You have far more faith in your countrymen than I, Takahashi-sensei, perhaps because you do not know the quality of the nobility. Most of my peers are scarcely better than brigands. I despair of the thought of true peace falling upon this land. I see greater likelihood in Mount Fuji bathing the entire country in ash and fire, or perhaps Onamazu shall break free of his restraints and shake the land so violently that it sinks at last."

"Namazu" are the giant catfish of Japan, and "Onamazu" is the giant catfish. He is restrained underneath Japan by one of the gods, and whenever the god relaxes his vigilance Onamazu tries to break free. His struggles shake the very foundations of Japan and cause earthquakes upon the surface.

Ohtori-sama continued, and the grief and despair in his voice caused my own heart to cry out in sympathy. "How can there be peace when my fellow nobles constantly send out their samurai to test the borders of their neighbours and their shinobi to strike at their kin from the shadows? I almost long for one of their blades to take me that I may be free to start a new life, perhaps one after Fuji or Onamazu smite the land and let it have a new start."

I ensured I did not react to his mention of shinobi. "Hey, at least I'm here, Ohtori-sama. I hope I bring a little peace, even if it's just to your heart. I vow to be here for as long as you want me, even if it's to the end." That was a vow I could make...and keep, though not in the way I wished.

Ohtori-sama smiled down at me, a sad but genuine smile. "I may hold you to that, Takahashi-sensei. Do not make vows so recklessly."

I chuckled. "Is it reckless? I can't leave unless you give me permission, o lord of these lands. I was summoned to your castle, and your guards won't let me leave until you say I can." Ohtori-sama looked surprised and wounded. "Calm down, silly cub." I heard a sword being loosened in its scabbard behind me and smiled wryly at the sound. "I'm here because I want to be, too. Though every time I nearly lose my head I wonder why." I grinned as Ohtori-sama glanced back and shook his head at the mottled Salamander, though you could see little of his skin under all of his blue-lacquered armour and his helmet. "Perhaps it's because I just enjoy tormenting you and your guards so much. It's a pleasant change from the drudgery of life on the road."

"I find that statement so unbelievable as to be ludicrous. How can being in a castle like this be more interesting than travelling around and seeing new places?"

I smiled up at him, meeting his eyes silently until he blushed and looked away. "I can think of a reason, little Otter. Ohtori-sama." Even as he looked to the other side of the horse, I could see his whiskers twitching in excitement and nervousness. "Besides, after your fourth or fifth village, they all start looking pretty much the same. One tree looks like another, as do mountains and roads. The small details you notice when they're novel start to fade and everything just blends together. Hunger, cold, and wet also make things less interesting. I could go on for a long time, but the loneliness is the worst thing about travelling. You stay in one spot for so short a time you can't make a good friend, not like I have staying in a certain castle."

Ohtori-sama blushed fiercely and turned his head to smile at me with tears in his eyes. I stopped from adding, 'Or maybe even a lover,' as that would have ruined the mood, and would almost certainly have pushed things too far.

As it was I could hear the hiss of shocked breaths, and I could see both guards tense.

They stopped when Ohtori-sama leaned over to place his paw on my shoulder. "I am pleased...Yoishi-sensei, if I may?"

I slowly reached up, giving him time to move his paw should my touch be unwelcome, but he left it there. I placed my paw on his and squeezed it slightly. "As you will, Ohtori-sama. Thank you." I moved my paw once his twitched and he straightened up in his saddle.

His whiskers were twitching rapidly, but he just glanced down and said, "I appear to be in need to admit you are correct, again...Yoishi-sensei. You are capable of keeping up with a horse with ease; you are not even short of breath."

I merely curled the corner of my mouth into a small smile and raised an eyebrow, causing him to laugh. I then said, "You did find my endurance to be very exciting. This is only one of the ways it can be useful." He smiled slowly and looked away.

We continued for another twenty minutes, moving up a steep trail for the last ten, to reach a small clearing on the edge of a cliff. A waterfall fell from the cliffs behind, creating a sizable pool before running a short distance and spilling off the next cliff. A sward of grass covered the space around the water with bamboo, providing cover on either non-cliff side. There was also a bubbling hot spring adjacent to the cool water of the waterfall pool. It did not smell that pleasing, but it promised a most satisfying soak where the two waters joined, and the smell would only be troublesome near where the spring lay.

Ohtori-sama reigned in his horse and looked down at me, hope and fear in his eyes. I stood beside his stirrups and held my arms up. He swung his leg over the horse and I placed my paws upon his hips and lifted him from his horse.

He cried, "Oh!" in surprise, then laughed. "You are much stronger than I expected, Yoishi-sensei!" I lowered him and he placed his paws on my shoulders as his hindpaws touched ground. He stepped in to place his chin on my shoulder and hold me for a second before spinning away. "It is lovely, yes?"

The guards checked around the edge of the clearing, but found nothing dangerous.

I kept my eyes on him, and my voice was quiet. "Yes, most lovely. I'd even say stunning."

He froze and blushed, and his eyes met mine for just a second before he lowered his head and held his paws over his chest.

I kept my eyes on him as I said, "The waterfalls add a beautiful sound as they bounce off the rocks and into a pool, and the soft burble of the springs makes a good accompaniment."

He raised his eyes, a little embarrassed and unsure if I was talking about him earlier or not.

"The visual aesthetics..." My eyes ran up and down his body as I growled my words, before moving over the scenery. "...are superb." I took the saddlebags from the horses, letting the guards tether the animals away from the cliff edge. "Will we be bathing? It's a shame to come up here and not soak in the springs. Or will we bathe after eating? It's a little early to eat." He looked a little uncertain, so I smiled. "Would you mind if I rinsed, at least? I could run for a few hours yet, but that doesn't mean I'm not sweaty."

He looked ashamed and surprised. "Of course! Please, I did not even consider that. Go ahead and bathe. Are your hindpaws sore, your legs? That was a long run, and at a very fast pace." He gestured to a spot on the grass. "Place the bags there and clean up."

"As you will." I put the bags down along with my pack, and began removing my kimono, spreading it out on a rock nearby. "I'm in good condition. I'm not sore at all." I dropped my pants and removed my fundoshi, the traditional undergarments, and took care spreading it out while giving Ohtori-sama time to appreciate the view. Once I couldn't delay any longer without it being too obvious, I stood and walked over to the pool. It was deep, with black sand covering most of the bottom, and little in the way of underwater hazards. I couldn't detect any hostile magical entities or Oni, so I dove into the water. It was cold, so cold it nearly drove the air from my lungs, but I altered my chi to keep the cold from harming me and swam underwater to the crashing water of the falls. I surfaced on the far side of the cascade. I had hoped to stand beneath the falls, to feel them pound upon me, but the water was too deep at that location. I, instead, dove through the curtain of water and slowly swam toward shore.

Ohtori-sama was standing at the edge, looking out in concern, until he saw me again. He laughed in relief and amusement. "That water is freezing! I did not expect you to dive in like that! You must be a block of ice! Come out and warm yourself in the sun. If you are clean, of course."

I grinned at him and flipped onto my back. "The water's fine, Ohtori-sama. I'm not even shrivelled. I'm enjoying this, but if you don't want to join me, I'll join you in the sun."

His gaze lingered over my sheath and he said, shyly, "Perhaps you did not shrivel, but I do not have fur to protect me. I...do not wish..." He blushed and shook his head. "No, I do not care to swim in barely melted snow. I may join you in the hot spring later, should you amuse me. Come out and play your flute for me, Yoishi-sensei."

I swam to the shore by him and climbed out. "As you will, Ohtori-sama." I rubbed my paws down my body to remove most of the water, then walked over to the rock by the saddle bags and moved my clothing to sit down. I pulled my flute out and sighed as the sun's warmth penetrated my black fur. "That's nice." I half-closed my eyes as I met Ohtori-sama's and began playing an old Chinese love song.

I played for two hours and then stopped, altering my chi and making my stomach growl so I'd have an excuse to not play for a bit. "Sorry, I'm a little hungry."

Ohtori-sama looked contrite. "Then we must eat." He looked at the bags. "I...should have brought a servant. I am sorry, Yoishi-sensei, a-allow..."

I cut him off. "Don't worry; let me do it. I can't have you serving me; your guards would be very mad at me. Besides, I just thought you wanted me on my knees serving you again." I knelt by the bags and pulled out the blanket, noting the two guards were prowling around the edge of the clearing, occasionally glaring at me. I smiled inwardly as I pretended to not notice my nudity, my fur having dried off a little while ago. I spread the blanket, then placed the sake bottle in the hot spring, where I could retrieve it easily. I then began setting out the food. "I don't see any meat." Ohtori-sama smiled from his seat on the rock I vacated and blushed. I smiled back. "Thanks." I emptied the bag and reached for the other.

Ohtori-sama raised a paw. "That is the food for my guards." He called to the muscular Akita, "Masashi-san, you may eat. Once you finish, then Hamataro-san may eat."

Masashi-san looked around the clearing before walking over. "Yes, my lord." He took the bag from me and glanced down in a not-so-subtle reminder of my continued nudity. "Thank you. You look dry, Takahashi-sensei." He turned without waiting for a response and sat several paces away, between us and the bamboo thicket. He removed his red helmet and gauntlets before eating.

I glanced at Ohtori-sama, who shrugged slightly and tilted his head toward my clothes momentarily. I decided not to pretend I was unaware, merely smiling slightly as I finished laying out the food. Then I retrieved the sake as I got a jug of water from the falls before finally dressing. Ohtori-sama smiled as he watched me, a bit more openly and appreciatively than last week.

We sat and ate a little. I poured a small amount of sake for Ohtori-sama and topped his cup up with a little of my water. Hamataro-san, the Salamander, had walked over to retrieve his food and saw me adding something to the small cup. He growled and slashed at me with his sword. I just lay back on the blanket and allowed it to pass over me. "Yes?" I asked. "It's water." He pointed his sword at me as he panted angrily. I just arched an eyebrow and lifted my larger mug of water. "Ohtori-sama doesn't want undiluted sake, so I mixed it with my water."

His eyes narrowed, but he blushed. "You dare sully my lord's drink with a peasant's touch? Or worse, you may have poisoned your water with something you're immune to in order to pass it on to him."

I shrugged. "I didn't. Ohtori-sama saw me draw the water himself. I wasn't wearing anything then, so there was no way I could have a hidden poison on me."

Ohtori-sama frowned at his guard. "It is true, now put your blade away, Hamataro-san. Be glad that you missed, or I would be most upset with you."

His lip curled. "My apologies, Ohtori-sama, but I didn't miss; he dodged. He's not an ordinary travelling artist, if he's even an artist."

Ohtori-sama and I exchanged glances before looking back at him with arched eyebrows; he sheathed his sword, embarrassed. Ohtori-sama smiled. "He is an artist, there is no doubt of that. He also travels, and thus he is a travelling artist, Hamataro-san. No, he is not ordinary, which is why I enjoy his company. Go, eat, and do not disturb us with your foolish antics. You are here to guard me from outside threats; had he wished to kill me, I would already be dead. He had several opportunities before now, and poison is not something I would expect from him. He is too skilled a combatant to resort to such a fallible tactic. You are dismissed."

Hamataro-san lowered his head in shame. He bowed to Ohtori-sama and took his food away, dejected.

I felt sympathy for him. "You had a good eye, though, and your swing had a lot of power. You just need to practice drawing your sword a bit quicker."

I sat up, placed my cup down and raised his sake cup in a salute. Hamataro-san's comments did raise my suspicions, though. I sniffed the sake, causing Ohtori-sama to look at me in confusion. I frowned. "It smells...odd, but I'm not an expert on sake." I tasted my water, it seemed fine. "Hamataro-san, you might be right, in a way," I called over to him. "Do you drink sake? My vows prevent me from drinking any, but this smells funny."

Ohtori-sama sniffed the bottle and shrugged.

The Salamander walked back to me. "You want me to drink the sake after I accused you of poisoning it?"

"I want you to taste it. There's too little in here to actually hurt you, even if you drank the whole thing. It's half-water. I've very little experience with sake, so I can't tell you if you just made me very suspicious or if it smells odd."

Masashi-san stomped over, pushing Hamataro-san out of the way. "Here. I know sake. By the eight million kami, Taro, if someone says your lord's drink might be poisoned, don't argue about it, drink it and find out!"

"Kami" is the collective name, under Shinto beliefs, for all gods, goddesses, and any sort of nature spirit, excluding the physical variety.

He snatched the cup from me and sniffed it. "I smell nothing but a good sake, sadly watered-down." He lapped his tongue into it. "It could be the water I taste, but it is a little...off." I handed him my cup and he took a mouthful, swished it around, and spat it out, away from the blanket. He shrugged and took a shot of sake, also swishing it around. He spat it out with a cough, and kept coughing as he dropped to his knees.

I moved over to him and quickly began removing his armour, with Ohtori-sama and Hamataro-san hovering over me. Hamataro-san looked horrified.

I snapped at him, "Mind your duty, fool! Watch your lord; this is the perfect time for an ambush!"

He jumped up and away, drawing his sword as he stood behind Ohtori-sama.

I hissed in annoyance as his armour proved difficult to remove. "It's a good thing you don't swallow, bodyguard." I put my paws at his neck, his breathing was getting laboured as his throat constricted. "Remove his armour, Kaoru." Ohtori-sama's eyes widened momentarily, but he hastened to comply as I ran my fingers along the Akita's neck, searching for the centre of the disruptions while easing the constriction of his oesophagus.

I cursed the lack of medicines, but I found where the poison was manifesting in his chi. I soothed the disruptions in his chi and placed some of mine in him to remove the poisons. It would be much simpler with medicine, but there was very little poison in his system, so I could help him.

He gasped for air as his throat relaxed; Ohtori-sama had untied the various pieces of his body armour and placed them aside. I lifted his shirt and took it off him, discretely admiring his physique under his white belly-fur as I began to massage his tense muscles.

He sighed and opened his eyes. "Thanks, Takahashi-sensei." His open paw lashed out, striking my cheek. He was much faster than Hamataro-san. "Never address Ohtori-sama in that way again. If I didn't owe you my life I would've used my blade."

I shook my head, then smiled. "No, you wouldn't have. I'm sitting on it." I looked at Ohtori-sama. "I'm sorry, Ohtori-sama, for my disrespect. It wasn't intentional."

He smiled. "Apology accepted, Yoishi-sensei." He watched me massaging his guard for a moment. "That does look pleasant. You said a Buddhist priest showed you how to do this? He also showed you how to save someone from poison with a touch?"

I smiled. "In part. I'm a quick study, and there are many healers who appreciate my art, not just Buddhist priests."

I glanced at the bottle of poisoned sake. "Someone wants you dead, Ohtori-sama, and I think they may have wanted to frame me for it. Why would they put it in your sake here, otherwise? Why not in your castle? It was a very powerful contact poison; it survived the alcohol and acted surprisingly fast." I rolled Masashi-san over and sat on his rump as I kneaded his back.

He groaned appreciatively under my paws. "This almost makes it worth being poisoned. It's a pity you have your eye on my lord...and that I like women."

Ohtori-sama jumped, his whiskers twitching nervously as he glanced between the two of us.

I chuckled. "Masashi-san, a massage isn't sexual -- not necessarily, anyway. It isn't in this case." I sat up a little straighter, in case he felt me poking him. "If you're feeling better then I should stop and let you put your armour back on."

His eye cracked open and his voice was wry. "No, I'm on death's door, keep rubbing." I chuckled and moved off him. He sighed and stood up. "I'm going to make you finish that, 'artist,' if I'm going to have to listen to you tw..." He stopped momentarily. "...tweeting on that damned flute, um, all night. Well, I need some recompense."

Ohtori-sama's eyes flashed angrily. "You are compensated, knave. I pay you very well to guard me, and I think he plays the flute marvellously; it should be payment in its own right, not a trial to endure."

I winked at Masashi-san before addressing Ohtori-sama. "He's talking about the future; he thinks I may be playing a tune soon with you that he mightn't enjoy hearing."

"With me? I...do not... You are thinking of teaching me how to play the shakuhachi? It is a nice thought, Yoishi-sensei, but I prefer to just listen to you."

Masashi-san blushed and gathered up his armour. "I need your help with this, Taro." They moved a short distance away and Hamataro-san began tying the pieces of armour back together.

I leaned in to whisper to Ohtori-sama, "That wasn't what he was going to say, little Otter, but he is expecting to listen to some noise at night, perhaps soon." Ohtori-sama blushed fiercely and opened his mouth to yell at his guard, but I placed my finger to his lips. "Shh. We haven't been very subtle in our interest in each other. Let him be, please." His mouth closed and his eyes opened wide in surprise at my assertiveness and temerity.

He whispered back to me, "What did you call me, earlier?"

I hesitated. "Little Otter?" He shook his head, so I cautiously said, "Kaoru?" He nodded, so I leaned in such that my whiskers tickled his ear. "Kaoru-chan, the Otter lord who steals into my dreams and makes my music soar_. Waterfalls rumble/Rush by bamboo, still pale green/Music for lovers."_

His eyes widened in surprise, his voice a little louder than I wished. "Lovers? We are not lovers. Are we?"

I sat back as the guards twitched but continued to face away. I put a little sorrow into my voice and spoke at a regular volume, "No, we aren't; it was just a haiku. I'm a travelling artist. I know my place." He looked a little wounded but nodded. I poured him a glass of water and took a sip before passing it over, and his paw brushed over mine as he took the drink from me. I raised my cup in salute. "To your health, Ohtori-sama."

He smiled and raised his own, uttering the standard toast or cheer. "And to yours, Yoishi-sensei.Kampai." We drank and then ate our meal, chatting quietly.

When we finished it was just passing midday. I looked to Ohtori-sama as I observed, "We ate a little early, it seems. I don't want to return, yet. Have I amused you today?"

Ohtori-sama looked puzzled. "I enjoyed myself, yes, and you could say you have amused me. Why?"

I gave him an evil smile. "Because that means you'll join me in the hot spring. I'd prefer to swim in the waterfall with you, but I'll settle for the hot spring."

His face fell. He looked terrified, glancing at me, then the pool, then down at his lap.

I whispered, "I'll face away while you undress and get in the water, if you wish. No matter how you look at yourself, that doesn't matter to me. I just wish to sit in the warm water with you for a time. If you feel comfortable later, or even some other time, we can swim in the pool. Please."

He gulped and nodded. "If you turn away, yes, I will sit in the warmth with you. I...am not as pleasing to the eye as you, Yoishi-sensei."

I whispered a little more quietly, "Yes, you are. You please my eyes immensely, little Otter."

He smiled shakily and stood, calling out to his guards, "I wish to bathe for a time. Turn aside until I give you leave." He strode to the edge of the water and began to hesitantly undress, keeping his back resolutely to me so I could surreptitiously watch him as I began undressing. He seemed to have difficulty removing his kimono, but it eventually fell to the ground behind him. I turned my head away as he glanced back, then heard him remove his pants and undergarments. He slipped into the water, hissing slightly. "You may turn, Yoishi-sensei." I turned and saw him facing me as he sat with the water up to his neck, where the hot water met the cooler.

I strode naked toward him. His eyes travelled my form and his paws slipped into his lap to ensure I couldn't see him, even through the cloudy water of the hot spring. I dove into the chill water and swam out to the middle of the pool before swimming over to him. "Thanks, Ohtori-sama. Where do you want me to sit? Beside you or across from you?"

"A-Across, Yoishi-sensei." His arms wrapped over his soft belly; he seemed torn over which embarrassed him more.

"As you will, Ohtori-sama. Relax. Hot springs are something to enjoy. The water is cloudy enough that I can't see anything anyway."

He nodded reluctantly and moved his arms apart, then leaned his head back with a sigh. "You are very fit, Yoishi-sensei; it makes me think of how little of a warrior I am."

"We aren't back to this, are we, Ohtori-sama? You aren't your brother; I'd much rather serve under you, anyway. Warriors aren't all there is to this world; we've already talked about how cruel and dangerous this place is, and it's because the warriors have the power. If artists like us were in charge, the world would be much safer."

"But would anything get done? I have hosted many artists, and few seem to have the ability to pay attention to anything but their art. Do you wish to put the lives of so many into their paws? There are incompetent members of each class, Yoishi-sensei; the problem lies not in which class rules, but with whom the duty falls upon, regardless of temperament. Duty and honour are what is needed."

"No, duty, honour, empathy, and competence. The first two are necessary, I agree, but without the other two the leader still won't be much use. What good is a leader if he doesn't care for the people he leads? The last one can be called many things: wisdom, intelligence, competence, skill, training, and so on. What I mean is the ability to do the job. Even if he is willing to do the job, and will do the job as he's supposed to with care for the people he leads, it doesn't matter if he can't do the job properly. Or she. There are many women who could do the job too, if given the chance."

Ohtori-sama gave me a close look. "Few would agree on that last point, Yoishi-sensei. Most would say that a woman cannot have anything but the empathy you recommended. I agree on all points, however, but the chances of having a woman rule are as likely as all nobles suddenly acquiring all the qualities which you recommended. It would not be tolerated -- not by those she were to rule, nor by those who live upon her borders."

I shrugged. "That's true, but even if it takes an incredible woman, she could show that a woman can do the job, making it easier for the next. Either way, I want to enjoy this time with you, not discuss politics." I slid my hindpaw over to him and rubbed it against his.

He jumped in surprise. "I was led to believe you could not see through this water, Yoishi-sensei. I hope you have not been deceiving me." He didn't move his hindpaw away, so I gently rubbed my other hindpaw along his calf. He smiled slightly and placed his free hindpaw over mine.

I smiled, gazing at him with lowered eyelids. "I can't. I can guess where your hindpaws are, and you don't know how long I've been searching, do you?" I lowered my voice. "If I can't hold you in my arms, I'll have to settle for my hindpaws." My free hindpaw slid up to his knee. "I often say I enjoy tormenting you, but you don't know how much of a torment it is for me to sit across from you every day and be unable to so much as hold your paw."

He blushed and lowered his gaze to the steaming water of the pool. "It is wrong, Yoishi-sensei. I am to be married. I should not wish... This cannot be."

I hooked my hindpaws behind one of his legs and drew it up so his hindpaw was in my lap. I began to gently massage the soft pads, and his head tipped back to rest on the rocks behind him. He closed his eyes and softly sighed.

I kept my voice low. "You're to be married, you aren't married. You aren't violating any contracts or vows by spending time with me." I noticed the guards were prowling a little closer, but they should still be unable to hear. "You are the lord here, little Otter. I can't start anything, or stop anything. Nor can anyone else. Who says it 'cannot be'?" I lifted his other hindpaw onto my lap and began rubbing that one.

He made a soft churr noise, and I felt myself slide out of my sheath a bit.

He sounded tormented by what I had said. "Say no more. I... Just, please, be silent." But I had some hope as he continued, "But do not stop rubbing, either." There was a trace of pleading in his voice. I kept rubbing, my paws travelling up to his calves on occasion.

After ten minutes I stopped and lowered his hindpaws. He groaned and looked at me questioningly. I stuck my tongue out at him before pointing to my muzzle.

He looked even more confused. "You are thirsty?"

I pretended to be offended and answered teasingly, but quietly, "No, you dolt, you told me be to be silent." I placed my paws over my muzzle in mock horror. "Oops." He laughed, genuinely amused. I patted his knee. "There, that's what I wanted to hear. I don't like it when you're upset, Ohtori-sama. I hope you weren't mad with me, but..." I shook my head. "You should get out of the water. You must be overheating."

He looked at me, then at his clothes. "I...did not bring towels. I, um... How?"

I gave him my most predatory smile. "I know you didn't bring towels; I noticed when unpacking lunch. The sun will dry you off quickly, and it's warm." I stood; my sheath was still slightly swollen and poked above the water. His eyes drifted down to it, so I stretched my arms upward, raising my body up a little higher. "If we sit in the sun, you can look as long as you want." He blushed and looked away. I noticed the guards were facing away, so I ran my paw along his cheek. "I don't mind, little Otter. I just wish you'd return the favour." He blushed even more fiercely, so I continued jokingly, "You really look hot there, Ohtori-sama. You should get out of the water, or join me in the cooler water." I lowered myself back into the water and pushed out into the waterfall pool. "Come on, before you faint from the heat."

He stood slightly, but stopped as the water reached the top of his belly. His chest was soft, with little discernable muscle. I smiled and waved him toward me. He shook his head and looked over to his clothing. "I need a towel or something, please. Did you see anything I can use?" The guards walked closer to the saddlebags and frowned at me.

I sighed. "You could use my kimono and wear it until you dry enough to put yours on."

He hesitated but nodded.

Hamataro-san seemed indignant at the thought of his lord wearing a merchant's kimono, especially one that was just worn. Still, he picked it up, brought it to the edge of the hot spring, and turned his head toward me as he held it open. Masashi-san turned away, and Ohtori-sama looked at me as he started to climb out. I saw his chubby belly; it looked so soft and cuddly that I think I whined a bit. Ohtori-sama blushed and ducked down.

Hamataro-san's skin turned redder as he scowled, but Ohtori-sama spoke before he could. "Um, I...am not ready, Yoishi-sensei. Please, turn away."

I dove under the water and swam to the falls, letting the water batter me for a minute before rising. Ohtori-sensei was by the rock I had sat upon while playing, my kimono draped over his shoulders as he used it to rub his fur.

I swam to shore, silently climbed out of the pool, and padded over to him. "Do you need help drying, Ohtori-sama?" He jumped, the kimono slipping off one shoulder. I took it in my paw and slipped it up over his shoulder, gently digging my fingers into his fur as I went, and whispered in his ear, "You'd look better wrapped in sunlight, Kaoru-chan. Perhaps another time." I rubbed his fur through the fabric, working my digits into all the tense spots on his back.

"You did say the Buddhist monk had taught you massage, Yoishi-sensei. You..." He moaned softly as I eased a knot in his back. "...were speaking the truth, once again. Your paws work wonders. I can see why Masashi-san wished to prolong your ministrations."

Masashi-san chuckled as he walked past us to fetch some water from the pool. I smiled at him. "My paws aren't working wonders, not through this thick fabric. I still owe Masashi-san the rest of the massage, though. Thanks for reminding me. He can tell you if it's worth getting one, properly, tomorrow. Or whenever he guards you next."

Ohtori-sama glanced back at me. "Please stop pushing, Yoishi-sensei."

I took my paws from his back. "I'm sorry, was I using too much force? I didn't think I was hurting you."

He smiled. "Your touch was not the source of the pressure; it was your voice." His smile faded. "Please, do not push me into what I am not ready to do. I..." His voice faded away.

I sighed, placed my paws on his shoulders, and leaned in so my breath would tickle his small ears. "I'm sorry. I want you to get past your discomfort; I think you're incredibly attractive, even if you don't. I'll...try to not to push you, Ohtori..." I brushed my muzzle against his head as I leaned back. "...sama." I dug my thumbs into his shoulder blades and began rubbing more firmly, to coax out some deeper knots. He shrugged his shoulders away from me and let my kimono slide off his shoulders to reveal the top portion of his back. I let out a small involuntary growl and began rubbing his damp fur. I sent tiny pulses of chi into him, stimulating his nerves. He gasped and made that adorable churr noise. "See? Much better. Now, think..." I cut myself off. "Sorry, Ohtori-sama."

He hunched his shoulders up slightly and sighed. I finished rubbing his shoulders, then briskly rubbed the 'safe' areas to draw off the excess moisture. He stood and rubbed his rump and front dry. I held his tail and drew my paws down along it to squeeze the water off it. I glanced at the guards before succumbing to temptation. I stuck the tip of his tail into my mouth and gently nibbled on it. Ohtori-sama jumped and spun to face me, holding my kimono closed around him. He laughed as he saw me looking guiltily up at him with his tail in my mouth.

I let it go and smiled up at him sheepishly. "Sorry."

"You are most amusing, Yoishi-kun. A scoundrel, too." He tied the kimono shut around him and sat on the blanket in such a way that I could see no fur above his mid-thighs. "Play a song for me while we wait to dry." I took my flute from its case and played a sprightly tune.

That evening, after supper, I was meditating in my room when I smelt Masashi-san approaching. Kagura-san's presumed relative was perched in the rafters above me, so I remained seated, naked, on my mat, to give no indication I noticed company approaching. There was a tap on the frame of my door, and then it slid open.

Masashi-san stood there, amused at my nudity. "Well, hello, Takahashi-sensei. I guess your fondness for nudity isn't just to try to get our lord to jump you."

"Hello. I guess you want the rest of your massage, then?" I stood and waved him in. Masashi-san was wearing a yukata.

A "yukata," for those not familiar, is the robe portion of a kimono, but made of light fabric and was, and still is, worn as loungewear or on hot days.

He wore no leggings, but I thought it likely that he would have worn fundoshi, or undergarments, beneath. He stepped in, nodding, as he untied his yukata and let it drop. He wore nothing under it, causing my eyebrows to rise. He slid the door shut behind him. My spy quietly moved away, to my relief. My eyes travelled over Masashi-san's muscular and well-endowed form. The Akita was most confident as he strode closer, and my sheath twitched in response.

He grinned. "Yes, I want you to continue your massage. I felt you poking my ass while you rubbed my back, so I figured you might find me attractive. But keep your dick to yourself. I don't raise my tail for anyone."

I nodded. "It isn't your tail I'm after, anyway." He scowled, but I raised my paw. "If he wants mine, or wants me to have his, that's between Ohtori-sama and me. I won't force myself on him, and he's enjoying my attentions, so it's none of your business."

His scowl deepened, but he grudgingly nodded. "Yeah, it is between you. He's still young, though, and he's a virgin; I don't think he really understands what you're after."

I shrugged and pointed to the mat. "Lie down. Do you want me to rub your back or front first?"

He lay down on his stomach. "I just want my back rubbed, maybe my legs, too."

I straddled him, seated just below his rump. "He knows I want to fuck him; I've been painfully obvious on that front as soon as I was sure he liked me. Well, as obvious as I could be without getting explicit. Everyone around him knows we're interested in each other, so someone should've talked to him. Besides, rumour has it he's engaged; his virginity isn't going to last for much longer, whether or not I get his tail."

Masashi-san just grunted and moaned as I worked my paws over his back. The sounds he made and the sight of his naked form between my legs caused me to slide fully out of my sheath.

Masashi-san was not quiet but he was wordless for over a minute before saying, "No one's told him...exactly what you want. I think everyone's a bit too embarrassed."

"I'll enjoy teaching him, if I get the chance. How are people reacting? Hamataro seems to be taking it personally; if I didn't know better I'd say he's jealous. The Macaque seems torn; he's glad, to a degree, that I'm keeping his lord happy, but he also seems to act like I'm flirting with his daughter."

Masashi-san laughed. "Yeah, you got him pegged. Jinta treats him like a princess. The pup needs to toughen up. We're here to protect his life, not shelter him from stubbed toes...or hurt feelings." He growled. "Still, it's hard to watch him fall for someone who's going to leave him. I try to keep my muzzle out of this and do my job."

I sighed, my arousal dashed at the thought of the end result of this. "How do you think I feel? I know I have to leave. I can't stay after he marries, no matter what he wants. I can't leave now to try to spare both of our feelings; I'm here until he says otherwise. I try to tell myself, daily, that this is temporary, just a short affair, but..."

Masashi-san tensed beneath my paws. "Do you want me to try to convince him to let you go? I might be able to."

I laughed and it sounded sincere, but it was hollow beneath. "Before I get that tail I've been eyeing all week? No...and yes. I don't want to go; this is the happiest I've been in my whole life. It's frustrating. It's a constant dance to see how far I can push you guys while trying to flirt with him. It's driving me crazy with how shy he is of his own body, but I love every minute I spend with him. It'll hurt now or later; I may as well enjoy what I can, while I can."

Masashi-san relaxed under my paws and we kept silent as I finished his back then moved to his legs. I was working my way up the backs of his legs when he spoke. "You...love him?"

I kept quiet as I massaged the tops of his thighs, eyeing his firm, round Akita ass. The curled tail made it look so...open, so inviting, like he was begging me to jump him. I began kneading those muscles, making him groan appreciatively.

My voice was almost lost under that appreciation. "I...don't know. I've never really been in love, not really. I lust after him, but I've lusted after guys before. This is...different."

He didn't respond, other than make a slightly louder moan as I brushed my finger over his tail-hole.

I smiled. While I may have had feelings for Ohtori-sama, I still had needs that had been denied for too long. "Roll over. Time for the front of your legs."

He froze, stopping mid-moan. "Uh..." He shifted a little. "I'm rather comfortable right now, maybe in a few minutes."

I moved up and leaned across him, to whisper in his ear, and my leaking shaft ran over his ring of flesh. He shivered and bucked up slightly. I nipped his ear before whispering, "I am, too. Unless you want me to fuck you, you'll roll over." I pushed down slightly, the tip of my penis pressed against him, and a large drop of precum rolled out of me, letting me gently poke inside him.

He whimpered and pushed up a little. "Wha...? I -- fuck! -- thought you...?"

"I want Ohtori-sama, yeah, but I don't see him here, and I haven't had any action for too long. I need some. So..." I lifted up slightly then pushed in a little farther. "...roll over or stay here. I'm getting some regardless." He moaned and lowered his head. I chuckled and nipped his ear. "You want some, too, don't you? You certainly aren't objecting." I made another small thrust, leaking into him some more.

He lifted his head. "By all the kami, that feels so good. No, I'm rolling, I don't lift my tail."

I squeezed his rump and grabbed the base of his tail. He arched his rump up with a loud growl, driving me a good ways into him.

I chuckled. "You're Akita, Masashi-san, your tail doesn't need lifting. Neither does mine. I actually wanted you to take me, so..." I pulled out and rolled him over.

He whimpered slightly before he stopped and blushed. He was a good fifty percent larger than me, not surprising since he was over a head taller and much broader. He was also leaking copious amounts of pre, his reddish shaft already slick.

I growled appreciatively and positioned myself over him, my free paw pushing down on him just above his retracted sheath. I was not surprised when his hips bucked as his sensitive flesh came into contact with mine, but he merely pushed halfway into my ring, not even breaching me fully.

"Careful, soldier; you don't want to kill me. Take it slow." I hissed as I pushed down, slowly taking him in.

He whimpered, then gasped as he got past my ring. "Fuck, you're tight. Tighter than any girl I've mated with." He grabbed my hips, but just held me and let me work my way down.

It took a long time, but I didn't try to descend fully before enjoying him. I bounced as I went, coaxing out more lubricant along with vocal appreciation. I wager it took a full six minutes before I reached his knot; it had been a long time since I was the recipient, and he was quite large, but neither of us complained about the time it took, as the journey was most enjoyable.

I panted as I rested, pushing down on his hips as he attempted to buck. "No, rest a moment; I need to get used to you. By the blessed Buddha, you're big. It's...been awhile, too."

His tongue lolled out the side of his mouth, and he gazed up at me in delirious pleasure, but he nodded. He licked his nose, then lay his head back, panting, and rubbed a paw along my thigh before playing with my scrotum and testicles.

I growled softly, "Yeah, that feels good. Give them a soft tug."

He wrapped his fingers around the top of my sac and pulled down to gently stretch the skin over my orbs. I growled a little louder and lifted my hips up and back, pulling the skin a bit more and pressing his shaft against my prostate and wall. We both moaned. I began massaging him with my muscles as I rocked and gently bounced. Masashi-san took his other paw and began stroking the bottom of my scrotum; he seemed surprised when a jet of pre shot out of me and landed on his paws. He lifted his free paw and cautiously sniffed my initial offering.

I laughed. "I guarantee that's not poison. I certainly drink enough of it to know."

He licked it up, looking surprised. "It's sweet."

I smiled. "That it is. The...full drink is saltier, but I still think I'm sweeter than others I've tasted." I gently removed his paw and lifted myself up some. "Let's see what you can do, soldier. Give it to me." I squeezed around him as tightly as I could.

He groaned and immediately began thrusting up into me as hard as he could, pulling me down with his paws at the same time. I began rhythmically squeezing around him and ran my paws over his chest, gently triggering pleasurable sensations as I went. Before long I could feel him getting close, so I leaned back such that he was rubbing along my prostate with each hard thrust. I moaned involuntarily, surprised at the intense sensations he caused.

After a few more thrusts he gave his hardest one yet, and pulled down with enough force to bruise my hips with his paws. I felt a sharp pain as his knot punched into me and Masashi-san did his best to stifle a howl. He was mostly successful, and held my rump close to him as I felt him pulsing powerfully in me. I curled down and took my shaft into my muzzle and squeezed my knot with a paw. That was all it took to set me off, and I nearly choked myself with the volume of my seed. It had been a very long time since I'd gone for such an extended period without release.

Just as I finished, Masashi-san collapsed, panting in exhaustion. I kept some of my seed in my mouth as I drew off and lay on his chest. I stretched upward before wrapping my paws around his neck and drawing him into a kiss. He seemed surprised, but opened his mouth to my probing tongue. He attempted to draw away as he tasted my seed and felt me pass him some. I kept kissing him with intense passion, and he soon relaxed. We kissed for several minutes as I enjoyed lying on the larger Dog, but I could feel him begin to succumb to exhaustion. I turned around so my back was against his chest and rolled us onto our sides.

He wrapped an arm across my chest and murmured, "Yeah, saltier. That was a good fuck; I may be back if the pup doesn't smarten up."

I pulled the blanket over us, noting the shinobi had not returned, "If he doesn't, I may go find you. I really enjoyed that, soldier-boy."

He rubbed my chest, hesitating. "Uh, if that happens, well..."

"I'm taking your ass."

He chuckled. He sounded embarrassed. "Yeah, um, thanks."

"No problem. I know lots of tricks that'll have you writhing in ecstasy beneath me before my dick even touches you."

He was having trouble keeping his eyes open, but he still seemed to perk up a bit in interest.

I reached back and rubbed his head. "Later. Sleep now." I focused my chi as I said that and used a jutsu to ensure he'd sleep deeply for several hours.

Tonight I would explore the castle...once his knot shrunk.

It was a little over a half-hour before I felt his knot slip out of me. I squeezed around his shaft tightly and slowly moved away from the slumbering bodyguard. I smiled as I looked down at him, then gathered my chi again to perform another jutsu. It was a difficult one, but as I released it I could tell it worked. His shape shimmered for a moment and took on my appearance; it would last for an hour before the chi I had powered it with ran out.

I debated for a moment as to whether I should take his visage, then decided to take the form of the male shinobi who was to be watching me. He was not all that remarkable, other than being a small spotted Cat endemic to a single island in Japan, yet I did note an odd roll to his gait when moving slowly. I hid Masashi's yukata beneath my belongings, then jumped up into the rafters. I kept from smiling (my teeth would be too visible in the darkness) but I greatly enjoyed the feeling that came with prowling in the shadows.

I slid along the rafters in complete silence, following the scent of the Iriomote Cat. Finding the lair of my foes was one of the two primary objectives; the second would be revealed to me by my prey himself. My cute, sweet, innocent Ott...prey.

I pushed the thought from my head and continued on, stepping where the shinobi stepped, moving as he moved. Yet, for all I could see, there was not a single trap. I paused, brow furrowing. I carefully studied my environs; I had travelled several corridors away, crossed over a dozen empty rooms, yet not one trap? For the life of me, perhaps literally, I could not find anything untoward. No wires, no wards, no guards, magical or mundane. How could there be attempts on their lord's life and not the slightest effort made to protect him from the most likely culprit, me? I was the only stranger in the castle, as far as I knew.

It made me more nervous than finding hundreds of traps along this shinobi highway in the rafters. Perhaps they focused their efforts on the area in which he slept?

I mentally shrugged and continued to follow my quarry. He'd wound around slightly as he went toward the servants' quarters, avoiding two guard posts and the scent of a second shinobi before the Iriomote Cat left the rafters and moved along a hall. He'd paused outside a female's room before his scent was joined by the occupant's, and then my supposed guard and his female friend snuck a few hallways down to a storeroom near the kitchen. They were still there, and from the sounds of things they were engaged in amorous activity. I was almost impressed with the time and vigour they were dedicating to it, but I was furious that he would shirk his duty to do so.

I had to stop myself from bringing this supposed shinobi to task; then I had to stop myself from laughing at my own foolishness. His dereliction of duty was to my advantage. I slowly moved over to see who his mistress was, in case impersonating her could be of use. I slipped away once I identified her; I could study her with greater ease during the day. The motions she was busy performing would not help me to disguise myself. She was a small grey and white Hamster I'd seen around. I hadn't paid much attention to her, as she had always been cleaning the hallways around the kitchen and dining area.

I frowned after I spent the next twenty minutes exploring the main floor; he had not led me to a shinobi lair, and the remaining scents up in the rafters were too varied and moved in too many directions to be of much use. I did make a good mental map of the main floor, which would enable me to find my way around with greater ease on future forays.

I only detected two shinobi on patrol the whole time and several guards on watch. Nothing that would be of any true concern when I chose to fulfil my mission. My lips quirked into a smile; Ohtori-sama was doing more to stop me than those who had sworn to protect him.

I landed softly as I returned to my room and dropped my disguise. I slipped back under the covers, pressing my back into the warm fur of Masashi-san, and rubbed my backside against his groin. I could still feel the memory of him deep inside me. My chi was quite depleted; using those jutsu after healing Masashi-san had taken much, but I recovered a little as I released the two jutsu on him and took back the chi I had left to power them. It was a pity I could not take others' chi the same way, though I had heard of jutsu that could steal chi from others. Masashi-san murmured in his sleep and hugged me closer, making small humping motions against my rump as he did so. I rubbed his arm and ground against him.

He chuckled softly and nipped my ear. "Mmm. Tempting, but not now. Sleep."

I turned my head. "I could convince you to fuck me, soldier, but I'll let you be." I rolled slightly further and licked his nose before turning back over. He seemed surprised but just rubbed his muzzle against my ear before he was fast asleep again.

I was woken by the sound of Kagura-san walking toward my quarters; it was early, too early for her to be fetching me for breakfast. She was also in the company of a soldier, one I did not know. I carefully slipped out from under the covers and onto Masashi-san's yukata, then spread the one Ohtori-sama had given me over top of me as a makeshift blanket. Kagura-san tapped the frame of my door then slid it open; she looked at us as we sat up.

Masashi-san seemed slightly surprised to see me on the floor, but I knew he could feel the warmth of my body beneath his paw.

Kagura-san turned to the Akita. "Masashi-san, Ohtori-sama demands your presence. Now." She closed the door, but they stood so their shadows would be visible through the rice paper.

I had an inkling as to the reason for this early morning visitation, but just stood and passed Masashi-san his yukata after shaking the worst of the wrinkles from it. I smiled and shook my head as he returned a wry smile. I slipped the other yukata on and he left the room, the guard following him.

Kagura remained standing in the door.

I paused in the act of removing my robe. "Yes?"

"How could you?" She sounded hurt and accusatory.

I frowned and crossed my arms, my tone a bit sharp. "How could I what?"

She hissed, "Don't give me that! You know very well what!"

I curled my lip. "I haven't given anything to you, or to anyone else. Or, what, was someone spying on me last night?" She looked incredulous. "If they were they gave you wrong information. I massaged Masashi-san, and Ohtori-sama knew that I was going to."

She looked surprised and then frowned, a little confused. Her voice was quiet. "He said you seduced--" She cut herself off.

I smirked. "So you are spying on me, shinobi-san, but your spy must've left his post. Masashi-san fucked me, not the other way around. He fed you wrong information."

Her fur bristled as she growled, "You... You...man! How could you!? You've been flirting with and trying to seduce Ohtori-sama all week and the second someone else comes along you bed him? Do you know how hurt he is!?"

I rolled my eyes. "Is that what this is about? Fine, I'll talk to him."

She was still furious. "The insolence! You sound like you can just walk up to a lord and speak to him like you would some farm girl you want to charm? You'll wait until he summons you!"

I pushed past her. "Like hells. Masashi-san doesn't deserve to get put in the middle of this; it's between Kaoru and me, no one else."

She stood there, gaping, until I turned the corner. She snarled and ran after me.

I stopped just beyond the corner of the wall and spun to face her, forcing Kagura-san to halt suddenly lest she run me over. "I appreciate the escort; I have no idea how to get there. Thank you."

She was taken by surprise again but shook her head and walked in front of me. I followed, grinning. She scowled back at me. "I think I'll get to see his preferred execution method pretty soon. He's in a bad temper. I really hope you don't call him 'Kaoru' to his face or around his guards."

I lost my smile and snorted. "So, who was the fool who woke him early? if it were that spy who shirked his duty, he should be executed for feeding his lord false information, abandoning his post, and waking his lord with undue cause. It's obvious he's looking to create trouble for one of us, or all three."

Kagura-chan was silent; my words seemed to have their desired effect.

I pressed on. "And you're likely aware, shinobi-san, that someone tried to poison Ohtori-sama yesterday. It was in his sake, so I bet it was an attempt to kill him and frame me, since they likely knew I don't drink sake and his guards wouldn't drink their lord's sake, either. Masashi-san was nearly killed by it; I was thanking him for saving Ohtori-sama's life."

She became even more quiet; some of this was obviously new to her.

We ascended to the second floor before she said, "Don't call me 'shinobi-san,' Takahashi-sensei. Kagura is fine." She turned down a corridor in the direction of the quiet room where we had gone earlier in the week but turned away before getting within sight of it. It was soon after that I could hear Ohtori-sama's voice raised in anger.

Then, as we turned another corner, I saw a room with a wooden door. No other room inside a building, except perhaps a throne room, would be so extravagant as to have a wooden door. There were no guards, so they must have been inside the room. I quickened my step, taking Kagura by surprise, and flung open the door and walked in.

All eyes turned to me. Ohtori-sama wore an ornate yukata and stood beside his bed -- not a mat, but an actual bed. Masashi-san knelt before him; his head had been lowered before he raised it to stare at me in surprise. Hamataro-san stood behind him, paw on the hilt of his sword, and Tetsuo-san stood closer to the door. He drew his sword and stepped between his lord and me.

I frowned. "This is between Ohtori-sama and me; get out of my way and be quiet." His eyes narrowed and he bared his teeth. I ignored him. "Ohtori-sama, what's the meaning of this?" The young lord did not seem able to answer. He gaped a few times before I continued. "Why did you send someone to retrieve a loyal guard like a servant caught stealing?"

Tetsuo-san's red face became redder. I stepped forward quickly and placed my paw over the Monkey's as he went to draw his blade. His eyes widened momentarily, but he stopped as Ohtori-sama's voice cut in, seething with pain and anger. "Meaning? Funny thing you should be asking me such a thing, Takahashi-sensei." He glanced around the room before grimacing slightly. "Close the door Kagura-chan."

She closed the door behind her before standing next to it with her eyes on me and a paw in her sleeve. She must have had a weapon in there, and she must have been highly trusted to remain in the room in a volatile and sensitive situation.

He gestured at Masashi-san as he looked at me. "Let me pose that to you: what was the meaning of this?"

I shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."

The Otter snarled and stalked toward me; he pushed Tetsuo-san out of the way to stand in front of me, staring me in the eyes. Tetsuo-san seemed almost hurt by his lord's actions, then amused by his forcefulness.

Ohtori-sama grabbed the front of my yukata. "Do not play the fool, artist. You know perfectly well of what I speak. Akemi was in your bed. He was there all night!"

I smiled insolently. "Yes? So? You sound almost jealous, Ohtori-sama."

His eyes blazed, but I could see the pain beneath them. "So you do not deny it! You sought my attention all week, yet you dally with my guards? How could you?"

I softened my smile. "Why not?" He seemed to swell, ready to explode. I placed a paw over his mouth. "You are the one who turned me away. Repeatedly." I took on his cadence and tone. "'This cannot be,' 'I am to be wed,' 'Stop pushing me.'" I resumed my adopted accent and voice. "Do those sound familiar? You keep me away from you, Ohtori-sama, you give me no hope."

His brown eyes became wet with unshed tears. "Yet you keep pursuing me. You make me think you care only for me, and then you bed one I have given all my trust to."

I placed my paw under his chin. "I do care only for you. I don't love Masashi-san; I don't have much opinion about him at all." I glanced over at the Akita. "Sorry, we never get to talk. I can't say I know anything about you."

He shrugged, and I turned back to Ohtori-sama. "I owed him a massage, so I gave him one. Besides, it sounds like your spy lied to you. Ask Kagura-chan about that."

Ohtori-sama blinked away his tears and began to turn, but I held his chin. "We did have sex and he did share my bed, but I gave myself to him, in part to satisfy my needs since this is the longest time in years I've gone without release, and part to reward him for nearly dying in service to the one I care for. The only one I care for." Ohtori-sama smiled softly, and I leaned over to whisper in his ear, "So, while I'm getting away with this much, I'm stealing a kiss."

I moved my muzzle away from his ear and gently pressed my muzzle against his. He gave that soft churr noise and put an arm around my neck. I moved my paw from his chin and wrapped him in my arms. It was most obvious Ohtori-sama had never kissed before; he just pressed the end of his muzzle against mine and held it there, even when I licked his lips. I pulled my head back. He seemed confused and opened his mouth to ask something. I smiled as I pulled him back to me and slipped my tongue in and wrapped it around his. He started to pull away in surprise before that churr rippled through his throat and his legs weakened. I held him against me for another half-minute before releasing his mouth. "I have a lot to teach you, little Otter."

He smiled as he closed his mouth and opened his eyes. "I... Yes, you do." He frowned. "Release? You were imprisoned? I do not want you to feel as if I am imprisoning you. And what do you mean 'gave yourself'? You are his slave? What does that have to do with sex?"

Our audience turned red. Tetsuo-san was the first to react. "I'll wait outside, my lord; you don't need three guards in here."

Kagura-chan was next. "I'd better confront... I have work to do, if you'll excuse me, Ohtori-sama." She didn't wait for an answer and slipped out of the door ahead of Tetsuo-san.

Hamataro-san's mottled skin was an almost uniform red as the Salamander fled the room without saying a word.

Masashi-san remained kneeling on the floor, his ears glowing red, but he seemed torn between laughter, embarrassment, and anger.

I laughed, making Ohtori-sama blush.

He sounded nervous. "I...said something...wrong? I have never had my guards flee in such a fashion. Are they offended that you kissed me? Should I have fought you off?"

I laughed harder and pulled him into a deep kiss. He stopped worrying and tried to meld himself to me. I lifted him into my arms and carried him to his bed, winking at Masashi-san as I went. I lowered him down and put my paws on his yukata, then removed my paws. I would let him decide when to do that.

I just lay beside him and pulled his head onto my chest. "No, little Otter, you didn't do anything wrong; they just didn't want to be here when I answered your questions. Masashi-san, you can get up. Since you don't even have a sword you can go...sit over there." I waved vaguely at a chair in the middle of the room, probably where a servant brushed the Otter's fur. "Or sit on the edge of the bed and help me explain things to Ohtori-sama."

Masashi-san went to the chair in the middle of the room, but stayed quiet.

I nipped the Otter's small ear. "You may want to let him talk."

"Oh! I apologize, Akemi-san, do as you will. I...apologize for my words, as well."

Masashi-san lowered his head. "They were deserved, Ohtori-sama. I shouldn't have slept with the artist. I... His paws just..." He shook his head. "You'll find out, it looks like. He can work wonders with those paws. He made me do things and say things I thought I never would. I can't say I regret any of it, except not letting him take me later that night. He's...uh..." He trailed off, embarrassed. "Sorry, my lord."

Ohtori-sama did not appear angry anymore, just curious. "What do you mean 'take you'? Take you where?"

I laughed, happy that it looked like I would get to be with the cute Otter in a closer fashion. "What do you know about sex? Do you ever paw-off?"

He looked confused. "Paw-off?"

My grin widened. "Yes, do you ever rub your penis? And not just to bathe?" I was surprised when he blushed furiously and then shook his head. "No? Really? Never? That's...rare. I do, frequently. I just assumed that I'd be constantly watched, so I haven't since I got here. That, and I was hoping to do it with you. Well, do you ever wake up with a sticky mess around your penis?"

He blushed even more and nodded. "I, uh... My servants... They would tell me if I were ill, but I..." He trailed off, uncertain and embarrassed.

"There's nothing wrong. That's semen, your seed. That's the 'release' I was talking about. If you rub yourself or stimulate yourself enough sexually, that shoots out of your penis. Your body needs to do that frequently. If you don't do it while you're awake, it'll happen while you sleep. It feels really good, so most guys do it when they can. It's even better with help.

"I 'gave myself' to Masashi-san by letting him put his penis in me." Ohtori-sama looked confused. "Under my tail." He looked shocked and disgusted. "Hey, it feels great. He enjoyed it, and so did I. That's what I want to do with you, too. I want to rub you, lick you -- oh, and sucking on your lover's penis feels great, too -- and I want to have sex with you, place myself deep within you and give you my essence to carry around, be as close as it's possible for two people to be. I want to show you pleasure you never thought possible, little Otter."

He blushed and curled his brown paws into fists in the black fur on my chest, where the yukata had fallen open. Masashi-san looked like he was wishing he could fall deaf.

Ohtori-sama whispered, "It sounded rather...unpleasant at first, but the way you spoke of it later... I...wish to give myself to you, Yoishi-sensei. I wish to have you with me at all times. I was very jealous at the thought of Masashi-san being closer to you than I was. I am sorry."

I felt like my smile would spread such that my head would fall off, and my tail was swishing with such force that the bed was rocking slightly. "I'd like that, Kaoru-sama. But don't feel jealous. I can bed someone without loving them." I slipped my paw under his yukata to rest it in the fur of his soft stomach.

He flinched and went to pull away.

"Shh... I can't do anything if you won't let me see you or touch you. I'll just leave my paw here, little Otter, until you're comfortable." My resolve to let him move things forward did not last a whole ten minutes. I began to gently caress his stomach, drawing out a soft moan.

He pulled away slightly. "That...feels nice, Yoishi-sensei, but it is time to wake. I require a bath and you have exercise to do."

I pulled my paw away. "As you wish, Ohtori-sama." I failed to hide the disappointment in my voice but asked more hopefully, "Can I bathe with you? I'll brush your fur."

He blushed. "N-No, Yoishi-sensei. I...am not ready for you to see me. Not yet." He hesitated. "I... Do not think I reject you, please. I just need time. I wish to be with you, still." He looked at Masashi-san, then back to me. "Only you, and you only with me."

"As you wish."