Thanks for the Memories

This chapter contains a good bit of violence, so if you're sensitive to that sort of content this is your warning. Thank you for reading thus far and I apologize for the long time since this update. It's been a busy few weeks.

*ninjavanish*

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Exhaustion was too light a word to describe a man so drained of energy and whose body trembled for want of rest. It was nearly noon the next day and still the young man stood in the courtyard with his head bowed and his arms painfully held in front of his head, hands clasped. The cold of morning had long lifted and took with it the chill that kept him standing, but thankfully there came another distraction. His aching arms now wriggled in agony as he struggled to keep them steady, sweat tracing the crevices of his muscles.

Kazuki not only had to endure this dismal waiting, but now the monastery was bustling with its daily activities. Several people strode by, though no one came within the training grounds. All of them staring curiously, some laughing, and others blushing with embarrassment and clearing the scene. A couple even ventured to jest and mock at the poor teen’s expense. It was quite fair to say that he was in a very sour mood by the end of this pathetic endeavor.

Finally, and not a moment too soon, he caught sight of Master Tsugo out of the corner of his eye. He dared not turn to face him, but he straightened his posture subconsciously. His eyes closed and he exhaled slowly, trying his best not to move. His skin crawled as it felt the eyes of the master upon it, the older man’s gaze like a ghostly touch as it finally felt as if they were upon his face.

Tsugo’s voice boomed beside him, “Stand up straight, boy. It’s time to undergo your sentence.”

It was at this point where all of the frustrations of the past eleven hours began to coalesce. The young man paused still for a long moment, his brows slowly pulling together into a deep scowl of discontent. He could not help the way his body shifted so slowly, shuddering now not only from exhaustion but anger. He could not help how he turned his head to look up at Master Tsugo with such an impertinent glare. There had been times where he lost his demeanor for an instant, disrespecting the elders with a snide remark or witty banter, but this time he felt that he would not regain his façade.

He fixed the master with his amber eyes. All the fatigue of his body was vacant in his gaze, but his resentment was all too clear. Nothing else seemed to register to the young man. Not even the fact that the causeways had begun to fill with spectators, nor the wave of whispers that rippled from the senseless crowd.

This, of course, angered Master Tsugo very much. He scoffed indignantly and clenched his fist around the end of a long rod of bamboo he had brought with him, the tip pressing into the soft sandy ground from the pressure. He snarled, “You stand accused of desecrating these sacred grounds and you are sentenced to be beaten before the audience of this monastery. How do you plea?”

Kazuki found that he had not blinked as he stared. At the master’s words he felt a rush of hatred and unbelievable indignation. Was it not punishment enough that he had stood there for eleven hours, stark naked as if on display for the entire population of the monastery to witness? Had he not had enough embarrassment already, now that they all gazed upon his nude form? His eyes drifted down to the thick stick of bamboo in the master’s grasp and he felt his back straightening. It wasn’t going to be pleasant, he knew, but he was determined not to give Tsugo the satisfaction of fear.

His resentment rattled his voice as he stood proudly before the throng of students, “Would it make a difference, Tsugo? Just get this over with.”

Tsugo’s eyes alighted at the young man’s insulting demeanor, his words like lashes into the flesh of his pride. He took a step forward and his voice rumbled with anger, “You will not speak to your elders with such insolence! Answer my question before I break this cane over your backside!”

Kazuki scoffed and turned to Master Tsugo, cynicism written upon his face, “Weren’t you going to do that anyway?” He chuckled, many startled students exchanging looks with one another at the comment, and he eyed the master’s expression. At first he could tell nothing except utter shock, but deep within his gaze he saw such vehemence that he thought the man’s eyes would burst aflame.

But then, Tsugo did something Kazuki did not expect…

He smiled.

The young boy’s smirk faltered, a brow twitching as a hint to his confusion. He had just blatantly given the master a verbal slap in the face, and it was Master Tsugo at that! This was a man that wrought fear into the core of his students, stern and unmovable in his will. He had a prowess in his field that the gods could only match, deadly in the art of stealth and cunning in his use of surroundings.

Then, it hit him. He was playing Kazuki’s game. If he could get the master angry and out of control of the situation, then it would reveal his true colors before the entire company of the monastery. The Master was countering him by appearing at ease, though he could still see that rage glinting in his eyes despite his countenance. He was good, the student had to admit, but that was to be expected. Was it not part of his craft to be so clever? Isha had a similar talent for deception and he could now see where she had learned so well. The young man’s lips returned to his smug grin and he swept his eyes over the crowd, who had stuck to filling the walkways rather than enter the yard, before returning to the master’s.

The game was on.

Tsugo strode forward until he was standing close enough to Kazuki to whisper without being over heard. The man’s footsteps were unnaturally quiet, the sound all but inexistent, and even his attire seemed to barley shift from his dexterous movements. His smile remained, ominous paired with the malice in his cold blue eyes, and he spoke quietly, “You will bury yourself if you continue your insults, Takeda. Each word will mean another lash.”

Kazuki jeered, but he made no change in his posture so that he could keep their conversation discreet. Anything Tsugo said he could use, but to alert him prematurely would only hamper his progress. He had to choose his next words carefully, fish for something he could turn against him. Or at the very least he had to prolong this little exchange the best he could. He smirked and his voice leaked skepticism, “You intend to kill me?”

A look in his eyes flashed something sinister and his smile widened just a fraction. As he spoke his face made no change, just those cold piercing eyes, “You are lucky the answer to that is ‘no.’ If I were to do that, then you would not suspect a thing, Takeda. Do not think for a moment that I take my skills lightly. I would not be so brash as to commit murder before the whole throng of the academy.”

The young monk did his best to resist a shiver that rumbled down his spine. He was right, of course, and that was the eerie part of the man’s testimony. It did occur to Kazuki, as he stared unrelentingly into those terrible eyes, that Tsugo might just carry out that threat…just not here.

Wait.

But, why would he threaten death over anything less than murder? Well, certainly he may not have come out and warned him of such but he implied it strongly enough with his tone. Something was being hidden behind that veneer. His crime was simply put: defiling sacred grounds. He had declared to the audience neither what that entailed nor had he even mentioned Isha, or what might have happened to her for her part in it. She had confessed, and Kazuki did not know her as a liar unless it would benefit her in some way, which this certainly did not.

Two options presented themselves. What if something became of Isha that merited his threat? But, that was out simply because the lingering thoughts of ‘why’ would not justify it as a logical path. That left only one possible explanation as to why Tsugo was so fervent in his demeanor: personal emotions or attachments. Kazuki’s lip twitched as he refused to let his grin reveal his discovery and he held his stature firm. To prove this he had to push a button but not outright accuse, that would be revealing his motives too early. He knew just how to get under someone’s skin, “That is a bit extreme a measure for a night of bedroom play don’t you think?”

He purposefully leaned into a coy tone at the mention of his real crime, and putting it so nonchalantly did the trick. Tsugo’s eyes flashed a little wider and he saw the man’s jaw clamp down to grit his teeth, his silence granting Kazuki a solid victory and confirming his suspicions. Tsugo had feelings for Isha. It was a disturbing discovery to say the least. While older men taking young wives were not out of the ordinary in their culture, Isha was not the type of girl to settle down. No, a woman like her was not bound by such things as marriage or relationships in general. He gathered that almost immediately after meeting her.

The master regained his composure after a moment, his discomfort unseen by the crowd and that was the important thing. He felt no threat by this boy, who would sorely pay for his transgressions. Tsugo’s eyes narrowed dangerously and he whispered in a low growl, “You will learn proper respect by the time this is over, Takeda. Mark my words.”

Call it a gift, but Kazuki could read people very well when he had the proper incentive. When he concerned himself enough to know, he could discern a good deal from a person’s tone of voice. Most of the time he did not care at all, but this was far different. He had to get even with this man. To hell with his pride and to hell with the pain he was bound to receive. He wanted Tsugo to suffer, and he would make sure of it if it was the last thing he could ever do. He let his grin widen only slightly as he spoke a little louder, “I sincerely doubt that. You can’t force me to respect you, just like I couldn’t force myself into Isha’s bed.”

A tell tale twitch of the finger, like the twitch in the line of a fisherman’s pole. It was the only sign but it was just enough, and only Kazuki could see it. That was alright, the rest would see soon enough. The young man certainly wasn’t finished yet. A nibble meant he was on the right track, and all uncertainties were alleviated in that one little twitch.

Master Tsugo was not ready to give in just yet, but his anger was dangerously building. He set it aside and his eyes tapering just a fraction more, “I suspect otherwise. Isha is no whore.”

Kazuki bit back a chuckle, knowing that he was really getting to him. This was a touchy subject now and he intended to exploit this flaw in defense. He snickered quietly, so that only Tsugo could hear, “No, she isn’t. Just because I had her last night doesn’t mean that the whole monastery has. And, believe me, she was very willing.”

His knuckles began to turn pale white as Tsugo clenched the end of the cane in his hand. The tip shifted the sandy earth beneath it as it turned slightly in his grasp, but it was the only sign to his rising fury. Surprisingly he kept his face from distorting this time, unwilling to let the student get to him in such a way despite how those words affected him. He drew slow breath to calm his voice before daring to speak, but his volume was beginning to rise, “I saw you pinning her down with my own eyes and I will not have you speaking of her with such disregard.”

Kazuki raised his voice to match, though it was still too quiet for the eager crowd to hear despite the way they craned their heads and strained, “I am only being honest. Just like Isha was when she told you herself what happened. You disregard her by not trusting what she said.”

The master’s neck was growing red as his jaw continued to tighten, but he managed to stave off his anger again. His unoccupied hand was steadily drawing into a fist as his expression finally slipped, his brow wriggling as he was unable to resist the subtle hint to his emotions, “Silence! Do not patronize me by assuming you know my view of this subject.”

Kazuki laughed now, much to the master’s surprise, low and loud enough for most of the crowd to exchange confused looks at the sudden outburst. The young man leveled his gaze with Tsugo and could not hold back his smug grin, “I don’t assume, I know. Why else would you care so much that her and I had sex? If it’s any comfort to you, she’s really good.”

Whether from embarrassment or frothing wrath, the red hue began to seep into Tsugo’s face from his neck. He refused to believe the young man’s words, too bitter and proud to listen. He could feel his teeth grind at the thought of Isha with another man, especially someone so arrogant. The thought that she might have enjoyed it? That was worse. Even as he stood there he could not help noticing the physical attributes of the student before him, jealousy immediately weighing in his mind. He felt his teeth grind together and the strings of his resolve began to deteriorate. No longer hidden, his brows pressed together and he rumbled through his clenched teeth, “She is too good to even associate herself with trash like you.”

Now that he was speaking loudly enough for others to eavesdrop, the company of the courtyard was deathly silent. An eerie stillness pervaded the air as a shiver of tangible anticipation rippled in the absent murmur of the crowd. Kazuki found no need to raise his own voice, certain that it was likely his refusal to do so would only anger Tsugo more. He tilted his head and his tone chimed with condescension, “I would have left her alone but she couldn’t keep her hands off me. She practically begged me to follow her to her room.”

A cold snarl erupted at the end of Kazuki’s sentence and Tsugo took a step forward. The closer students reeled back, but the young man stood his ground. Fear struck him, yes, but he would not waiver before this man. Not after what he’d been through this day and not after what he was bound to suffer through soon, when the master’s anger could no longer be contained.

Tsugo lifted the cane in his hand and brought it up to the young man’s chin, stinging the skin with the force behind it. He stared directly into the student’s eyes, more anger welling as he simply refused to cower. He found himself speechless, his gums aching under the stress of his clasped jaw. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to remain immovable, but the taunting was tearing into his mind in the worst way possible.

He had an unhealthy obsession with his favored student. Isha was brilliant, the greatest student he’d ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was quick, clever, and her technique was flawless. Her movements danced like a delicate wind in early fall, just a breath over the new leaves, and her devotion to her skill was unmatched even by himself at such an age. She was certainly unruly and wild in her nature, but she could easily be tamed. It was risky to be reckless, after all, and it was a lesson she was still learning. In time she would make a fine woman, still a skilled warrior but obedient.

Tsugo had admitted the truth of it all to himself, some months previously, and was resolved to follow his wishes. It was not often that one came across such a rare find as this beautiful prize among so many failures. Suffice to say, he wanted this woman because the very thought of someone else having her was too much to bear. He had the skills to tame this maiden, no one else. Especially not this…boy. This young foolish teenager had utter disregard for foundation, getting himself into trouble just to spite the teachers. They all experienced his tendencies for mischief in one way or another, be it skipping their lessons or outright backtalk. Kazuki was unruly, a loose-cannon, and deserved nothing less than the beating he was about to receive.

After a good bit of silence, Kazuki decided that the master needed some more persuasion. He was on the brink, anyone could tell, but someone had to pick away the last bits and pieces to unleash the unbidden wrath that was desired. The young student smiled and laughed quietly, shoulders shivering with a nauseating mix of fear and amusement, “Of course, when we got to her room she was soon begging for other things. Mostly more.”

A rush of soundless motion consumed the senses, ending before the beginning had been fully realized. The cane struck Kazuki between his shoulder blades with such force that he fell to his knees without time to steady himself. The pain was the only thing he became aware of next as it flooded the area of impact. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist as he held back from voicing his pain. Another blow struck the same place, the tender wound now burning with renewed vigor as his breath flew from his lips in a silent scream.

The third impact echoed its vicious chorus, Kazuki only now becoming aware of the sound at all and he felt his entire body straining to keep from collapsing to the ground in pain and fatigue. Another sound rose into the melody, the angered growls from the master above him, and then one more, his own haggard breaths. Steadily reality began to make itself known as the pain from the fourth blow collided with his rising comprehension and he desperately clutched the sandy earth in his hands, a poor relief to the torturous suffering that had begun to consume him.

The Master relentlessly bore into the flesh of his foe, now angrier that he was not yet hearing the screams of pain from him. Like a hawk would dive from the sky upon its prey, the cane struck down with the same deadly precision. This time the young man did let forth a labored yelp, much to Tsugo’s satisfaction. The single sound began to feed the flames of his lust for the vengeance of his pride, welling within him at a maddening rate. He no longer cared for anything but this satisfaction, the surrounding people meant nothing now.

Two more lashes tore into Kazuki’s flesh, meriting full bellows of misery as the pain seemed to double in force. He could feel his own nails digging into the palms of his hands, biting his lip hard enough for blood to well against his teeth; anything at all to just distract him from the vicious blows to his back. He was expecting it after all, bringing a worse punishment upon himself but he didn’t care. It was worth it. His shoulders began to tremble and a satisfied laughter steadily rose from him, cut off by another lash only to return twice as loud. He couldn’t help it. He had truly broken Tsugo and, though this was a punishment, knowing that he had done so much to affect the man he so hated was more rewarding than all the gold in the world.

Not only taken aback by the sudden outburst of laughter, but so great did his rage escalate that Tsugo’s body shook in violent tremors. This time when he brought down his strike the last bits of reserve he had disintegrated. He not only wanted to punish this young man, he wanted to kill him.

The cane split asunder as it met flesh again, the vigor of wrath behind its wielder’s hand driving it with more force than it could stand. The shredded bamboo ripped open the hide of Kazuki’s back, spraying blood from the opened wounds. He could do nothing but scream as his skin felt aflame with sheer aguish, feeling his own blood pour down his sides. His chest heaved, struggling to stay on all fours with every ounce of will, but his laughter did not cease despite his multitude of pained cries that fragmented the sound.

The rod was now in strands of four, sharp edges and strings of loose fiber now composing a weapon more deadly than a simple bamboo cane. In a relentless torrent the master repeatedly struck the mangled form before him, the sundered cane now slicing flesh as if it were a bundle of sharp blades. Blood splattered his robes, dripped onto the ground, and still the laughing mocked him.

By some rush of hysteria, Kazuki’s voice trilled a sadistic laughter amongst screams and wails of pain as the flesh was torn from his body. He felt his wits seize, trapped in a numb state of pure insanity and he could not regain control. His arms gave and his chest slammed into the ground, his knees pressing to his gut as his body curled. Still the sharp strikes did rend his flesh, pushing him further out of his mind as his laughter fell silent from lack of voice. Shaking shoulders and hoarse, whispered chaos was the only sign that he was still clinging to consciousness.

And soon, that too fell from his grasp as the darkness enveloped him.

The audience members were fighting one another to get as far back from the madness as possible, the younger students frantic and leaving despite being told to stay. Master Inami fervently attempted to keep the masses calm but her efforts were wasted. Her eyes at last fell upon the center of the yard as the young man hit the ground, Tsugo still senselessly beating his fallen form. Such horror gripped her heart at the sight and she abandoned her duty, making a mad rush to the scene. Much to her surprise she found that she was not the only one taking action.

Grand Master Oni was already upon Tsugo, a flash of color the only indication of the old man’s movements as his bright garb whirled after him. Grand Master Dewei was not far behind, but still barking orders to panicked students and moving much slower.

Oni was a brittle, frail old man but he was still a man of enormous power and skill. He lifted his hands, two fingers extended on each, and jabbed Tsugo with a quick yet firm thrust in five places up his spine. The enraged master’s limp form plummeted to the floor, a cloud of dust bursting from him as he hit the sandy ground. Oni stood with a stoic look on his face, almost as if full of general disinterest, and pressed his hands together while Inami approached.

Master Inami knelt beside Kazuki when she reached him and lifted his face gently, feeling a faint flow of warm breath on her hand. She sighed, feeling tears well in her eyes at the thought that they had nearly lost a student that day, and looked desperately up at Oni, “We need to get him to a healer. We cannot mend this with salve and wrappings alone.”

Oni’s mouth twitched and the old man nodded before leaving, a fast pace that defied his frail visage. Inami looked over the young man’s wounds and immediately turned her head back away. The sight was beyond gruesome, the flesh no longer resembling anything like a human’s musculature and the blood was leaking in dangerous amounts.

Thankfully, Grand Master Oni had not taken long in completing his tasks. He returned with a bundle of fabric, some strips of bandages, and a small ceramic jar. Inami nodded and stood, motioning two of the less squeamish students over who had not yet cleared the scene. They were older boys, both with shaved heads and very piercing gazes, and they immediately strode to Inami’s side with a bow. She instructed them to go prepare a horse and a wagon and return immediately. They bowed once again and were off in a run to the stables.

Oni took to work immediately, pressing a thick roll of soft cloth onto Kazuki’s back and letting the blood soak within the folds. The pressure helped the bleeding lessen enough for him to apply the contents of the jar he had brought; which would help clean the wounds to avoid infection, as well as ease help reduce the flow of blood. He poured the creamy liquid onto a clean rag and began working the substance into the young man’s back. The touch was rough but it had to be so, to work quickly and make sure all the wounds were coated. He had to dab away the pooling blood on several occasions before continuing, but steadily the process did take effect. He pulled up his strips of fabric for the final step and laid them across the youth’s lesions with careful precision. The linen band adhered to the salve and the blood easily enough. It would have to do for now, they couldn’t risk turning him unless they had to.

Once complete, Oni peered up to Inami with his squinted eyes. His voice was high in pitch and fraught with trembles, but this was normal for the old master, “Won’t last. Salve will lose effect. Two hours.” With that he hobbled away, hands folded behind his back.

Master Inami nodded; relieved to hear the pattering steps of the two students she had sent on errand heading her way. They returned to the yard with obedient bows, assuring her that the task was done and a cart was ready. She sighed with relief, “Good. Now I need the two of you to carry him to the cart, make sure to lay him on his stomach. I’ll be there shortly.”

It was a touch and go situation at best. One had to drape Kazuki’s arms over his shoulders, holding him securely, while the other held his legs to keep them from dragging. The limp form was much heavier than he looked; being that he was firmly toned and only an inch shy of six feet tall. They managed it, with some discomfort, and carefully lugged him off.

Inami watched them go for a moment and then her soft brown eyes fell upon Master Tsugo’s unconscious form, lying in a heap on the ground. He was breathing steadily, his brows still crossed with an angered expression as his fingers twitched every now and then. She shook her head, feeling her eyes begin to burn with welling tears before turning away. Never had she expected such an outburst of fury and lack of control from him. Recalling the look of pure hatred in his eyes, as he tore and beat into the abused flesh of a student, made her stomach turn.

A warm hand gently pressed against Inami’s shoulder and she turned her head, her eyes falling upon Grand Master Dewei. He stood with his mouth tilted in concern, his normally sharpened gaze soft as it looked upon her face. He turned his head from her to the fallen master and sighed, “I’ll take care of everything. You just worry about getting that boy to the healers. Tsugo and I will have a very long discussion about this incident.”

Without another word Inami bowed and took her leave, Dewei watching her glide away as gracefully as a feather on the wind. He waited until she was out of sight and stooped down, grasping Tsugo by the collar to hoist him up. He threw the man over his shoulder with ease, holding his legs to keep him aloft. With a grumble he turned from the training yard, his grey eyes piercing from behind his furrowed brows, “A very long discussion indeed.”

*****

Soft voices hummed and buzzed as the veil of unconsciousness began to lift, slowly bringing Kazuki back to awareness. He found himself lying on his stomach, face pressed into a soft pillow with his arms stretched out above his head. He groaned and his weight attempted to shift but a rush of pain threw him back against the sheets with a wince. He opened his eyes leisurely, blurred vision beginning to clear as he glanced around the room. Three figures stood not far from him and, after his sight improved he could tell that they were all females and he recognized two of them.

They seemed to be in the middle of a discussion but the youngest of the three, none other than Isha, caught sight of Kazuki’s face as he turned to look in their direction and darted from her spot. She was careful not to touch him, afraid of aggravating his wounds, and knelt close, “Kazuki…”

He looked wearily up at her face, lifting his head as much as his stiff body would allow. She looked nearly in tears as she looked over him, shaking her head. He chuckled, fighting a grimace from the soreness in his back, “Hey, Isha.” He swallowed heavily, feeling his throat painfully dry when he spoke. He attempted to sit up but Isha placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, the stern look in her eye making him obey her silent command. He crossed his arms and laid his head upon them, “Where…am I?”

She sat on the floor beside him, brushing the hair out of his face as she whispered, “We had to take you to a healer, so we’re in Otaku Village.”

Kazuki nodded, “Alright, then my next question is what are you doing here?” He cleared his throat in an attempt to alleviate the roughness to his voice but it was to no avail.

Isha shot him a mockingly indignant glare, “I can see you don’t appreciate my company.”

She could not resist a snicker as his expression contorted into a small pout, “Don’t look so hurt. I was joking.” Her eyes ran over his back, now bare for the bandages would have hindered the healing process, and her smug grin faded into a worried frown, “I heard about what happened so I snuck out, and here I am. Inami’s not too happy about it, but I couldn’t stay at the monastery and wait.”

He chuckled and cleared his throat once again, “Now, isn’t that sweet. Coming all this way because you were worried about me.”

Isha crossed her arms, looking at him skeptically, “It’s not like Otaku is that far from the monastery, barely a mile total. But yes, I was worried about you.”

He chuckled and rested his head back onto the pillow. The other two women were walking towards them now and it would not be prudent to continue his little repartee with Isha. The lady he did not recognize came into view and gazed down at him with a scrutinizing stare, looking over his body with keen eyes. She was tall, pale, and worn her long brown hair in a high ponytail. Her face was sharp and, though she was obviously in her later years, very elegant and beautiful. She was dressed in simple robes, very modestly in earthy colors, and wrapped in her thin fingers she held a long wooden staff. The end of the gnarled wood woven in and out as if it was a bundle of roots laced in a mass. A necklace was braided into the thicket and its pendant hung freely; a golden flair of fire with a stoic face formed in the middle.

Kazuki did not know which god or goddess this woman followed but it was obvious enough that she was the healer of whom Isha had spoken. Her unyielding grey eyes hovered over him and she lifted her staff, letting the pendant dangle just an inch over his ravished skin. A warm glow pulsed from the necklace, coursing down the wood as her eyes flashed like a bright sun peeking from behind stormy clouds. His whole back felt dowsed in a warm sensation, followed by a burn as his gashes responded to the treatment. The less severe ones began to seal away completely, but the others still needed time. Overall it was a tremendous improvement over what it had looked like when he arrived. The sight of it made even this very seasoned cleric shiver.

She motioned for Isha to move, who did so with a small pout, and knelt next to Kazuki’s face. Her hand firmly, yet gently, grasped him by the chin and turned his face to hers. She looked deeply into his eyes, tilting her head this way and that in examination before letting it fall back to the pillow. A breath of muttered words she stood again and turned to Master Inami, who stood just a few steps away now, “He’s recovering well, but even magic has its limits. Those wounds need time for his body to naturally reform the tissue, or the speed of healing will disfigure the skin. All in all he’ll be just fine, if a little sore for a few weeks.”

Inami bowed her head, “Thank you so much for your service. We’ll make sure he gets plenty of rest, Madame Kosuke.”

The cleric bowed her head graciously, “It is a relief you got him here so quickly and please just make sure he takes the next few days easy. It would not do to aggravate the wounds. He should stay here tonight so that I can make sure they do not harbor infection and he may leave tomorrow at any time.”

Kazuki sighed into his pillow, frustrated at being talked about as if he were a child. He could take care of himself just fine and did not appreciate being ignored. Inami was not his guardian and she could not make him stay in bed, which he simply was not going to do. Be the weather stormy or pleasant, whether his body was sickly or well he trained every day. He would continue to do this despite what the healer said, for he was far too stubborn to change his mind.

Inami nodded, “Certainly.” She turned to Isha and waved her hand, “Come on. We need to get back to the temple. Kazuki will be fine here and we’ll come see him tomorrow.”

Isha did not appreciate the hint of condescendence in her voice but she got up from her seat in the corner with a nod all the same. She began to follow after Inami and the cleric as they left the room, but she glanced at Kazuki over her shoulder with a devilish little grin on her face. He smirked. It wasn’t going to be the last he saw of her it seemed. He knew exactly what that look in her eyes meant, having had it flash in his own on several occasions.

He settled back in after the three of them left, the steady throbbing in his back becoming less unbearable as he lay still. His thoughts began to pile as he stared blankly across the room, most of them lingering on the events of the day. A smirk curled on his lips. He may have nearly died but he regretting nothing of what happened. Whether the rest of the monastery realized the wrong inflicted upon him or not, he didn’t care. Whether they could see what Tsugo really was or not was irrelevant. That place no longer felt like home, and hadn’t for some time. Today he stood his ground and if his sacrifice was not enough to make things right at that place then he would rather see it all burn. Part of him knew that it would, unfortunately, turn out that way. Eventually this whole thing would blow over and Tsugo would worm his way back in the good graces of the others.

Ever since Tsugo arrived at the monastery, things began changing. He and Kazuki never saw eye to eye and the young man made sure to give him hell whenever he could. Master Yuuta would usually assist in these matters, secretly encouraging them with his favored student when the other masters were not in sight. After Yuuta left, Kazuki was on his own. But, he understood even if he never got to discuss the matter with his master. He saw it coming for several weeks, though it was still a sharp blow to his resolve. Now, laying there reflecting on his past experiences and recalling that very day in particular he could not help but wish for something more. There had to be more to the world than those walls where he had spent his entire life. Perhaps that was why he had a habit of sneaking out at night. To test the waters just to see what lay beyond the walls on his own, to witness things for himself.

Could he really go back there after all that had transpired? Now that his own heart was pleading with him to leave it behind? But, he had to admit he was afraid. He was still young and this was the only life he’d ever known. He hadn’t the first clue where to go or what to do once he left, so what choice did he really have in this matter? He was not at all sure but he was sorely tempted to jump head first into the world’s open arms. It had to be better than Tsugo’s malicious grip on the monastery, where he used to call home.

*****

Kazuki had fallen asleep amidst his thoughts but the peace did not last long enough for his liking. Two hours after he had shut his eyes he felt a delicate hand pressed his shoulder, shaking him lightly until he woke. His eyes snapped open and his body jolted as he attempted to push himself upright, only to yelp in pain as his sore back burned with the sudden movement. The hand migrated from his shoulder and cupped over his mouth to cut off the sound of his wakening.

Isha’s voice reached his ears and he calmed, “Shhh, it’s just me. Are you alright?”

He sighed and laid back down with a groan, “You have a knack for startling me, you know that right?”

She grinned, barely visible as the only lantern in the room had faded and its flame barely clung to life as it fed off the last of the oil in the lamp. She leaned close to him, brushed the stray red locks from his face, and graced his cheek with her lips before whispering in his ear, “What can I say? I’m sneaky.”

He grinned despite himself, forgetting his irritation at being woken, and turned his head so he could see her face. Finding her still leaned so close, her lips were very close to his own and he felt his cheeks grow warm. He hesitated at first but managed to speak after a moment, quietly, “That you are. You must be really worried about me then, to steal away in the night just to be at my bed side.”

A chuckle escaped him as she narrowed her eyes, a pout crossing her elegant facets, “Again, it isn’t that far and yes I am still concerned that you are not getting the proper treatment you need.” She pressed her lips against his, running her tongue over them before slipping it between.

A low croon rose from him and he relished the sweet taste of her lips, the subtle caresses of her skilled tongue. He pulled himself away, reluctant to do so, and raised an eyebrow as he met her eyes with his, “You do realize that I almost died today, right? And,” he winced as he hoisted himself up onto his elbow, “I’d have to say I’m still in a lot of pain.”

The corner of her mouth curled and she bit her lip to hold back a giggle, “Precisely why you should let me take your mind off things. After all,” her eyes shifted away from him and her smiled began to fade, “it’s partly my fault that you’re in this condition.”

Kazuki studied her face a moment in the diminishing light and lifted his left hand to gently turn her gaze back to him. He pressed his lips against hers softly and whispered, “I told you, I have no regrets for what happened. And, as for today…it was my own doing that made Tsugo angry enough to do this to me. I don’t want to hear you say that anymore, alright?” He chuckled and his thumb gently drifted over her cheek, “But, if it would make you feel better, then you may make it up to me any way you see fit.”

That devious grin of hers returned rather quickly and she tilted her head, her voice ringing coyly in his ears, “You might be in too much pain for what I have in mind.” Her hand had stealthily crept beneath the blanket that covered him from the waist down and her fingers gently ran down the length of his dick.

Kazuki had not even noticed what her hand was doing until he felt her finger’s subtle touches against his member and drew a slow breath. He knew that he would regret any vigorous activity in the morning, but he was not as well disciplined as his fellow students. Another part of him would have loved nothing more than to spite both Inami and the cleric for their condescendence. But, he would be lying to himself if he claimed that he could say no. As her fingers began to wrap around him, his body shuddered in anticipation and abandoned any denial for his need as the ache for more of her touch began to well within him.

She could feel him begin to harden in her grasp and she pressed her lips against his again, a soft moan purring against his lips. Her hand tightened to a firm hold around his shaft and she gave it a few steady strokes, massaging the tip with her thumb. Her slow pace quickly began to affect him noticeably; his soft sigh against her lips, his hand migrating to the curve of her waist, and how he seemed to sway into her every touch. Knowing how such a simple action seeming to bend his very will to hers was simply enthralling.

Kazuki pulled her body closer to his and shifted to let her lie beside him. His fingers wove themselves behind her belt with a pleading tug. As he tried to pick himself up to his knees, the slight arching motion to his back made him hiss with pain. He fell back to his side with a yelp and drew his knees inward slightly.

Isha managed to avoid being landed on and sat up next to him with her eyes wide with concern. She held his shoulder gingerly and spoke in an urgent whisper, “Are you alright, Kazuki?” Maybe this really wasn’t the best of ideas.

He groaned, partly out of pain and partly due to the absent of her touch, “I’m alright.” He uttered a swear word, in a dark language he often reserved for such things. Yuuta often ranted in abyssal, so you could say he picked it up over the years. He chuckled, pushing the soreness into the back of his mind the best he could manage.

She could not help the small grin of amusement at his expense; he had such a comical manner about him in these situations. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, whispering softly in his ear, “Lying on your back would probably be a bad idea as well.”

He nodded in response, not particularly liking the idea of accidently reopening a gash, and Isha shifted onto her knees. She pushed back a little to give him some room before whispering, “Don’t worry. Just sit on your knees, alright?” She grinned in the dim light, her teeth peeking from behind her full lips, “I’ll do all the work.”

It was far too tempting an offer to pass, especially after having her hand upon his shaft. He pushed himself up and, not without a couple surges of protest from his wounds, managed to get into a comfortable position with his legs folded to either side of him. Once he was sitting still he found that it was not too painful and he met Isha’s awaiting gaze with a smirk, “Be gentle.”

She snickered and stood in her spot, “Aww, don’t like to play rough?” Her hand pulled at the knot in her belt, letting the fabric fall away, and she let her shirt fall off her shoulders with a playful shrug. Her fingers lightly ran along the supple skin of her chest, tracing her cleavage and letting the tunic fall open as it slid down her arms.

Kazuki found himself holding his breath, his own fingers twitching with the want to do the very thing hers were doing. When she finally let the clothing fall to the floor, teasing him as she clutched her own breasts with that sly smile and that keen stare, he released his breath with a quiet groan and let his eyes wander over her as her hands had done. He followed the sleek curve of her waist and the elegant musculature of her body down until his eyes rested on the fabric of her pants, finding that her hands were already there waiting for him.

She slowly pulled at the strings that tightened the garb, unraveling the knot little by little until it finally yielded to the deft work of her fingers. Her thumbs ran along her lower abdominals, her index fingers barely holding the fabric up, and turned her body around. Her dark hair fell just past her shoulders, flowing gracefully down in well kept strands. She turned her head and peered over her shoulder as she slid the fabric to reveal only half of her plump ass.

His hands desperately clutched his knees, knuckles white with the pressure, and he felt his body growing more restless as she teased him. Oh, but was very much enjoying this show and, though he would not admit it willingly, savored the way the movements of her body toyed with him. Her hip shifted to the side, accenting the curve of her body, as she slid the pants down further but not enough to reveal that which he so truly wanted to see. His breath shuddered as it flowed over his lips, a silent whimper at her cruelty.

At last the clothing slide lower and Kazuki could just barely see the feminine folds between her legs, cursing to himself that the light was so dim. As the pants skimmed down her slender legs she bent forward, revealing her femininity in all its glory before his hungering eyes. A soft moan audibly passed from him as she stood again slowly and caressing the soft skin of her legs as she straightened her back up, once again concealing herself from his sight.

Isha turned her body, letting him get a long look at every curve as she did so, until she finally faced him with a lustful stare. She could not help but grin as she found his eyes pouring over her womanly facets, as if she were going to disappear before he could take in the entire picture. Her fingers migrated from her until her fingertips barely touched the edge of her well kept pubic hairs.

Kazuki’s deep gaze was fixated upon her hand, very eager to see her continue and she did not disappoint. Her fingers wove themselves into the dark hairs and down into the elegant creases of her intimacy. How he longed to have his hands in the place of her own, to hold her body against him and explore her with his hands rather than his eyes. But, he maintained his patience by some miracle and kept still. A faint moan issued from her lips, light and beautiful as it barely reached his ears, and he felt his cock twitch with desire. He could feel his cheeks flushing and warmth spreading from his chest and his loins, his heart beginning to race as he could think of nothing but this beautiful woman before him.

Isha continued her steady strokes, emphasizing the show of the act and was very much enjoying the reactions of her audience. She let another soft hum of pleasure rise from her and her other hand rose to grasp her own breast, rolling the nipple between her fingers. She could tell by how his body slightly shivered, the longing in his eyes, and the way his hands grasped his knees just how hard it must be for Kazuki to stay patient.

A soft sound passed his lips that altered into a whine and his shoulder shook, “Isha…” He dared not move from his seat, for fear of the pain that was sure to well from his injuries, but he felt he could not take much more.

Thankfully, Isha was merciful and closed the distance between them. She stood before him proudly, her feet just inside the gap between his knees, and whispered low and seductively, “Yes, Kazu?”

At first he could not speak, only a faint moan escaping him as the scent of her reached him. His hands moved of their own volition, trailing up her legs to ease his yearning to touch her soft skin. He fought down the tightness in his throat enough to speak, “I…,” well…at least, he tried to speak. His hands had reached her hips and he gently caressed the supple skin as his eyes gazed upon her pubic region, now that it lingered just before his face. He found his thoughts scrambled, unable to form the words to voice his longing.

He began to grow frustrated with this shyness that he found himself stewing in. He was not typically a timid person, why did this have to be any different? Sure, it was still a new experience for him but if she did not want it from him then she wouldn’t be standing right there that moment. He had heard his share of stories about bedroom play, from older students as well as a couple from Master Yuuta that he did not necessarily wish to hear, but he had an idea of how to go about what he was contemplating. A glint of determination flickered in his eyes. He swallowed the lump of hesitation in his throat before leaning forward and pulling her hips to meet him. He nuzzled against the inside of her thigh, relishing the scent of her for an instant, and then pressed his tongue against the heat where her fingers played moments ago.

Isha gasped and adjusted her feet to keep herself steady, surprise crossing her face at his sudden actions. She felt his tongue caress the bundle of sensitive nerves just before her moist opening and she shivered, her hands entwining into his lush red hair. She massaged his scalp to encourage him to continue, moaning softly in appreciation of his impulse to please her.

Her taste and aroma consumed his senses and moaned as he laved his tongue along the wet crevice. The flavor was not a thing he could entirely place and it was a slight surprise, a tang almost like spice pleasantly tingled his tongue. He did, however, know that he rather enjoyed it and he droned a pleasurable hum as he continued to savor his exploration. As he brushed against a bud of skin he could hear a sharp gasp and feel her hips twitch, a light tug from her fingers in his hair. He picked up on this reaction and caressed the bundle of nerves again, a slightly louder moan escaping her lips.

Her cheeks flushed warm and her own shoulders shuddered as she bent forward, looking down at Kazuki as he continued to pleasure her. She had not expected, nor planned, for him to do so but she was definitely not going to complain. She felt him begin to stroke her clit and her breaths faltered as her head fell back with a quivering sigh voicing her satisfaction. He groaned, the sound reverberating against her and sending more tremors up her spine. She let him continue a bit longer, enjoying the attention and enjoying how he seemed to relish the act himself, but she felt herself beginning to ache with need.

Granted, she wouldn’t mind coming like this and was sorely tempted to do so. But, she had said at the start that she was going to do the work and there she was letting him do it instead. A whine passed his lips as she began to move, her heat leaving his mouth, and he trailed his kisses up her stomach as she lowered herself down to his lap. His hands gently cradled her sides, thumbs brushing over her breasts and gently toying with her nipples, and his lips pressed against her neck as he felt her tight heat grip his aching length.

She moaned lightly into his ear and he wrapped his arms around her, desperately wishing to feel her warm body against his. She braced her knees on the floor and leaned back from him, adjusting the angle, as she pulled herself up. He reluctantly let her pull away, but the sight of her body as she began to rock against his was far more than enough to make up for it. The lantern light had faded but his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, the moonlight seeping in through the narrow opening in the window playing beautifully against her dark skin. Her breasts lightly jostled with her movements, her silken skin beginning to glisten with a light coat of sweat, and her face had written an expression of passion upon her features that made his body shiver at the sight.

As she moved her slender bodice onto his rigid cock he felt his body begin to move in response, causing his back to burn as his wounds protested the motion. However, in spite of the pain it caused him found himself continuing without regard. She drew a long breath and her hand rested on his chest lightly, a feminine gasp fleeing her lips as she whispered his name so faintly.

He groaned in response, fervent zeal coursing his body at the sound of his name, and his hands griped her sides tightly as he pulled her down onto him faster. The rush of lust came crashing against his will in waves, pushing him deeper into this world of pleasure. He could think of nothing but the beautiful curves of her body, her soft lips like silk, the incredible heat that seized his cock…and the way she spoke his name. That alone was the most arousing of all. The chime of wanting in the tremors of her voice, tolling the familiar syllables as she called out to him in recognition of what he was giving her with his body.

Her knees buckled on either side of him and he felt her muscles clamp onto him even more tightly, caressing against his firm length as she reached her climax. His shoulders launched forward at the sudden squeeze just as she pulled herself close to him, smashing her lips against his with a kiss. She moaned deeply, muffling the sound against his lips as her hips moved erratically. He could hear scarce words spoken from them both, though understanding of it all was beyond his reach.

With a gasp he lifted her off of him completely, holding her up with his left arm wrapped tightly around her, and his right hand grasped his aching dick. His body jerked and his eyes fluttered shut while his muscles quivered and convulsed in a symphony of pleasure and warmth. He moaned into the curve of her neck as he fell into the mental void of bliss, feeling nothing but the inescapable consumption.

Isha wrapped her arms around his neck, careful not to let them dangle and accidently brush the injuries on his back. She panted heavily, feeling the same deep breaths coming from him as they flowed over her. She kissed his cheek lightly, pressing her lips against his skin as her body and mind relaxed from the overwhelming pleasure. Silence befell them both for some time as they held one another.

Kazuki’s breaths slowed at last but he did not release his hold on Isha, finding that she too was still holding him tightly. His gaze dropped as his thoughts began to swarm against him as well as his fatigue and he slowly loosened his hold. She kissed his cheek again before letting go, sliding off of him to sit by his side, though he seemed to be too deep in contemplation to notice her absence. He could feel her eyes upon him and she spoke in a faint whisper, “Kazuki? Are you alright?”

He blinked and seemed to come out of his daze, but was still silent. He nodded and, after a long moment, worked up the courage to speak. His voice was somber, weighted with a detached realization, “Isha…I’m not going back to the temple.”

She sat up straight and stared at him for a moment, her lips parting agape as she ran his words over through her mind and eying him closely. His face was entirely blank, his posture loose, and his voice sounded so distant. He was serious. She placed a hand on his shoulder, “Are…you sure that’s what you want? Where will you go?”

His head lowered slightly, feeling a heavy burden lift from him. It was almost as if this was something he had wanted to say for so long but had not the nerve to do so. He shook his head, “I don’t know and I don’t care anymore. But, I can’t go back to that place.”

She bit her lip and was about to speak but he held up a hand firmly for silence. He turned to face her and brushed his touch against her cheek, a smile returning to him, “It has nothing to do with what happened with Tsugo and I. It only helped me realize that I no long belong there.”

Isha nodded, though her eyes had left his. She drew a breath and spoke quietly, “It won’t be the same without you there...but I understand.”

He lifted her face, holding her chin gently. Her glistening eyes rendered him speechless and he turned his body to face her before gathering her into his arms. She pressed her face into his chest with a light sob, warm tears sprinkling against his skin. Her shoulders quivered in his embrace and he pressed his lips against the top of her head, the need to comfort her beginning to crush him. His dear friend fell silent, though the tears continued to fall, and Kazuki whispered softly after a long pause, “I’ll miss you, Isha. You’re the only reason I’d even want to stay, but I just can’t do it anymore. I don’t know where I’ll go or what I’ll do but the world out there has to be better than what I feel ever day back at the temple. It’s never been the same since…he left.”

He felt a lump in his throat and held it down, the sorrow of it all catching up with him. Isha was his best friend and he could not deny his feelings towards her might be stronger. If he believed in such a thing as love then he might say he felt just that, but he refused to acknowledge it. Not out of stubbornness, but the simple fact that he did not know the feeling at all. He had never experienced it fully in his life, and he was alright with that. But he knew he cared for Master Yuuta and Isha both, and such a thing did not need a name. Something so trivially pursued as ‘love’ least of all.

Isha lifted her eyes, her tears finally held within though the trails they left still shimmered in the moonlight. She pressed her lips against his, whispering as she pulled away, “No. I know you can’t stay. I wouldn’t want to either if I had gone through what you did, especially after yesterday. I’ll just… I’ll just miss you.”

He pulled her closer, cradling her gently for another long moment of peace. A realization struck him coldly and he furrowed his brow. He drew a deep breath before speaking again, “I felt so…abandoned when he left. It was so sudden, without a goodbye, but part of me understood and even wanted to leave as well. Isha,” he looked down upon her with a great concern in his eyes, “I just don’t want you to feel like I did when Yuuta left. I might never see you again, but I’ll never forget you.”

She looked up for a moment and laid her head back on his chest, “We all have to leave sometime. Whether we reach the end of our training or not, eventually we all move on.”

Kazuki nodded and rested his head upon hers, his eyes falling closed as he took in the scent of her hair and enjoyed the warm embrace for what could be the last time. His voice flowed warmly and calmly, a smile gracing his lips, “But, I don’t have to leave yet.”