Shishio and Yumi: An Infernal Romance

Chapter 2



“What happened?! What went wrong?! What the hell did you do?!” Haruka screeched as soon as the door of the courtesan house slid shut behind Yumi.



Yumi closed her eyes in annoyance as young Shiko took her long opulent coat from her shoulders and immediately began walking towards her room. “Nothing,” she answered absentmindedly.



“Nothing?!” Haruka scoffed and grabbed Yumi’s arm to hold her back, “Then why have your clothes not been removed?! You couldn’t have put yourself back together so precisely!”



“He just wished to converse on the first visit! I am to see him again tomorrow, satisfied?” Yumi asked before violently pulling her arm out of Haruka’s grasp. The two glared angrily at one other in detestation. Each woman secretly envied something about the other. Haruka, who had once been Kyoto’s supreme beauty, was now an old hag, bitter that she had to watch Yumi stand in her spotlight. Yumi, on the other hand, wanted Haruka’s power over the courtesan house. Indeed, power had always been the most attractive entity to Komagata Yumi. Groaning in irritation and frustration, the younger woman stomped off towards her quarters.



“I see the devil works in mysterious ways…” Haruka chuckled, displaying a toothy grin.



…



“Mister Shishio, I escorted Miss Yumi home safely,” Soujiro informed the bandaged warrior, who had resumed his position in front of the window.



“Good.” Shishio closed his eyes, savoring Yumi’s lingering scent. Such a mystifying woman… She has absolutely no physical strength and yet she sat before him with no fear. “That is until I moved in to make her mine. Interesting… the one thing that scares her is supposedly what she is best at.” Turning towards his young protégé, Shishio asked with a smirk, “What did you think of her Soujiro?”



“Oh Miss Yumi seems like a very nice young woman, Mister Shishio,” The younger warrior responded cheerfully. “Still I don’t quite understand why you requested her presence – not that I am questioning your judgement!”



Shishio chuckled and turned away from the window, he was in need of fresh bandages. “I see you are still too young to understand women, Soujiro. And here I was thinking of sending for another girl to warm your bones.”



Soujiro scratched his head, puzzled, but kept on his smile. “Well I don’t think that would be necessary, Mister Shishio, since Miss Yumi seems to be quite a handful herself.”



Unraveling his dressings, Shishio’s red eyes looked right at Soujiro. “I have another lesson to teach you today.”



“Yes, Mister Shishio?”



“So far I have already told you that only the fittest survive in the world – if you trust, you will be betrayed; if you are careless, you will die; and kill, or be killed. But the final lesson I have to teach you is that a good man is never far from a woman, Soujiro.” His sinister grin could be seen even in the darkness that shrouded the room. The young boy, although outwardly smiling, was quite surprised at his mentor’s behavior. Never had he seen Shishio so excited about a person before, especially one without any fighting skills.



“But what if the woman is weak, Mister Shishio?” Soujiro inquired innocently, “Miss Yumi did not seem to possess any physical capability.”



“I am not saying that Miss Yumi is strong like you and I, however, this does not take away from the fact that she could give me, the strong, much nourishment,” Shishio explained, tying off his last bandage.



“I guess I will understand this woman-thing in time,” Soujiro laughed, turning towards the door, “Goodnight Mister Shishio!”



He merely nodded. His burns tingled at the realization that he might have just discovered another peculiar soul to join his crew. Seta Soujiro, alone, was quite an amazing find to be his second in command, but he had practically given up hope of finding a woman to bring along as well due to his charred appearance. “I guess a man doesn’t need looks to attract beautiful women after all… It only proves that my motto of strength is once again correct.”



…



The next afternoon, Yumi desperately tried to cover the fresh bruises on her cheeks with white powder. Just as she had expected, her prestige was fading… This morning she had once again found herself at the mercy of a cruel man. She would never get used to the feeling, no matter how many times it happened. She had spent an entire 2 hours in the bath, but the man’s stench and touch still tainted her fair skin. Still, she did not cry. Her eyes must not be red for Lord Shishio. “He must not see what I went through today. Last night was a mistake. I should have never showed him my true self…”



…



Shishio’s brow twitched irritably for a moment. The woman pouring him sake tonight was not the same. It was Komagata Yumi, but it was the oiran not the woman. Her speech, etiquette, and poised gestures were all flawless and it vexed him to no end. Where was the brave woman he had spoken with last night? The woman who had made his blood hot and heart beat with passionate desire. “Why do you play your games tonight, Yumi?” He asked in a dangerous tone.



However, she stared back at him with un-phased eyes. The atrocity of the morning still pained her mind and body. “Whatever do you mean, Lord Shishio?”



She sipped her sake slowly, but the small cup nicked her wounded lip, causing a bit of blood to trickle into her mouth. In a panic, Yumi tried to discretely lick away the crimson liquid before it became apparent to her client. But it was in vain; for Makoto Shishio could smell blood the instant it touched air. “I see,” he whispered gravely, “You did not enjoy being an oiran today, did you Yumi?” His red eyes stared straight into her, scorching her soul.



Yumi felt a bead of cold nervous sweat drip slowly down her back as her face seemed to light on fire. She tried to open her mouth to give him an answer – one that Haruka would be proud of – but found her throat chalk dry. Why was this happening?! She had never been so thrown off by a man before! It wasn’t like this was the first time she had been raped before seeing another client. She had always kept her composure! They had never even suspected the horrors she had lived through! But not him… Not Lord Shishio. His eyes were practically all knowing. Just at the slightest hint of blood, he had guessed what had happened and it had increased her feelings of shame ten-fold.



He frowned deeply. His guess had been right on target. The sudden tenseness in her body had given him his answer. “Bastards,” he thought inwardly before taking another sip of sake. Once again Meiji government officials had shown the former assassin their true colors. He could practically hear his blood curdling, but if she could live through this and remain the strong woman that she had been last night then it would prove that she could, indeed, be as useful to him as he had once thought. “Show me what he did to you, Yumi.”



Her lavender eyes widened for a split second. It was a command, not a request. She was in no position to protest his order, but it was seriously the last thing she wanted to do at this moment. If those eyes could see what she had been through and how it was affecting her, then why couldn’t they also see how much shame such a command would bring her? “They can, Yumi… He is testing you.” Without another thought or even so much a blink, the most famous oiran in all Japan began to untie her obi.



Shishio’s breath caught in his throat as he watched the silky fabric slowly fall from her shoulders, revealing her soft naked flesh. It was taking all of the self control he possessed not to ram his own body against hers. She was the very personification of sensuality. Her body was curvy but petite, her beasts large but firm, her face beautiful but unordinary. The only flaw Yumi’s body had were the grotesque blue, black, and purple bruises that resembled the shape of a man’s fingers. They were everywhere, especially on her hips and wrists. Obviously, the man had held her down to do his dirty work and judging by the color it hadn’t been that long ago.



“Are you satisfied now?” Yumi spat, “Have I passed your ridiculous test?” She no longer felt like playing games. If he insisted on her being herself then she would give him exactly what he wanted.



Shishio cocked an eyebrow at her sudden change in temperament but smirked slightly. “Yes, to the latter,” he goaded.



Yumi’s cheeks flushed with anger and humiliation. This day – no this life – was just becoming too much to handle! And this man’s irritating smirk was driving her insane! Here she stood, stark naked, showing him the aftermath of the hell she had just experienced and he still had the gall to say he was not satisfied! But she held her tongue, having not lost her sense completely.



Sensing her abrupt feelings of anger, he sighed, “Yumi, you miss understand me.” Shishio stood and although he walked towards her, she stood her ground, her piercing eyes never leaving his own. Once again, he let his searing fingers roam her shoulders. “I cannot be satisfied until I have you,” he whispered huskily into her ear.



Boldly, Yumi clasped his hand and led it to her robust bosom. “Then take me now and be done with it!” She hissed, before planting soft kisses upon his covered neck.



The burned warrior closed his eyes and swallowed hard. With each little touch, he could feel his desire grow stiff and his mind began to fill up with images of her beneath him, clawing at his back in pleasure. But he would not be moved yet. Gently grasping her shoulders he pulled Yumi back away from him. “I told you already, Yumi, I will not take you until you fully give yourself to me.”



Knitting her brows in frustration, Yumi cried, “But I am giving myself to you!” Shishio frowned slightly and she gasped at her own impudence. Immediately, she bowed her head in apology, desperately trying to push back the tears forming behind her eyes. “Forgive me, Lord Shishio, I-”



“Silence…” He whispered, burying his nose in her soft tresses, “I am not going to harm you, Yumi.” Raising her head in shock, their eyes connected with each other for an instant before Shishio turned away from her and ordered, “Put your clothes back on. I’ll call on you again tomorrow.” Without waiting for her reply, he left the room.



“Thank you, Lord Shishio,” She whispered with a smile.



…



The next morning, Yumi’s eyelids unwillingly fluttered open. Like so many days before, the morning sun had wondered into her bedchamber thus awaking her from a sound and pleasant dream world. Usually her dreams were devoid of men but last night he had been there. The burnt man with the incredible voice… there was no denying that he was unique. Perhaps if another girl – a more naïve girl – had been in Yumi’s place, she would have been fantasizing about Lord Shishio avenging her and taking her away to a little cottage on the coast. But Yumi was no fool. Just because Lord Shishio was not a raping scoundrel did not mean that he was a good man. He was not the heroic type nor did he want to be. However, the young beauty had to admit that she was a little more than infatuated with the mysterious rebel. “This is getting too dangerous Yumi,” She sighed inwardly before rolling to her other side, trying to get back to sleep.



About an hour later there was a light knock at the door, after a brief pause, Shiko entered the room with a breakfast tray. “Good morning, Miss Yumi,” she greeted the oiran sweetly.



Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Yumi yawned softly and sat up. “If you say so, Shiko. What is all this?” She asked, pointing a suspicious finger at the tray of food.



“Oh! Um, breakfast,” She stammered, nervously.



“I can see that kiddo, but why am I being served in bed?” Yumi said as she ran her fingers through her long auburn locks.



“Haruka didn’t say but…” Shiko looked both ways cautiously before continuing, “Ever since that young boy arrived with a message this morning she has been acting strangely.”



Yumi’s mouth dropped slightly. “It couldn’t be...” She beckoned Shiko to come closer and whispered, “What did this young boy look like? And how is Haruka acting strangely?”



“Well he was kind of small and thin, but he wasn’t ugly or anything,” She blushed slightly but shook her head and resumed her description, “He wore a light teal jacket and he carried a sword.”



“Soujiro,” Yumi whispered affirmatively.



“Yes, I think that is what Haruka called him too now that I think of it. But anyways, ever since he showed up with some letter Haruka has been running all about the house, sending out her own messages, telling me to let you sleep in and to bring your breakfast in here.” She looked longingly at the delicious steamy food next to Yumi.



“Hmm… That is strange, indeed,” Yumi murmured. “It must be something from Lord Shishio – but what?” Her train of thought was broken by the hungry look in the little girl’s eyes. Poor Shiko, she had quite the life a head of her. Her lips forming into a sympathetic smile, Yumi pushed the tray between the two of them and said, “I can’t possibly eat all of this. Would you like to share it with me?”



Shiko’s eyes swelled with joy and after nodding her head eagerly, she began to stuff her little hands with his much food as she could carry. Yumi, on the other hand, ate slowly and stared off into space. She was absolutely positive that Lord Shishio was behind Haruka’s sudden change in mood but what exactly had been in his message? Since she was having breakfast in bed it couldn’t have been bad – but still she was quite curious to see what the former assassin had to say about her. “Oh I almost forgot!” Shiko exclaimed loudly, her mouth full of rice, “All of your clients have been dismissed for the time being.”



“What?!” Yumi practically yelled.



The shy girl winced at her outburst but continued, “All except for the man you visited last night. You are supposed to see him again tonight.”



Yumi fell back on her futon bewildered. No wonder Haruka had been sending messengers out… but then why the breakfast in bed? The loss of clients would be a bad thing, right? “Unless Lord Shishio offered to pay a sum greater than the money I am currently racking in,” Yumi thought, “But that would be absurd! Why would he spend so much money on an oiran?” She sighed heavily. Then suddenly it hit her. If she did not have to see any other client than Lord Shishio then she would not be raped. But, of course, he wasn’t just protecting her out of the kind of his heart. Obviously, he hoped that without the distraction of other men it would speed up the process of her voluntarily giving herself to him. “He is a clever man, I’ll give him that,” Yumi admitted inwardly. A part of her commanded that she take advantage of this opportunity and prolong the arrangement for as long as possible. However, the other half was eternally grateful to Shishio even if he had done it with his own benefit in mind. Either way, their visit for that night was bound to be an interesting one.



Author’s Note: Second chapter – Yay! I hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter should be a steamy one. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my story thus far and especially the two who reviewed! I love reviews!

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