Assassin's Curse

The song does NOT belong to me.  It is a Japanese folk song titled "Takeda Lullaby".  It can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B27yQMuTHWc.

    The next two weeks past quickly.  Kyoshi and Selena spent much of their time together, the rogue determined to teach the assassin how to hunt, both animals and edible vegetation.  In between survival skills, Kyoshi began teaching Selena his native tongue.  She found the language beautiful when she heard him speaking it to Kira, and asked if he could teach her. He obliged enthusiastically but warned her she would probably never be able to use it except with him. She seemed to enjoy that thought immensely.



    Ash appeared distracted. The mage never mentioned his disapproval of the time Kyoshi spent with Selena and after a while, the boy grew complacent.  His feelings for Selena grew and he suspected she felt the same way. She never brought up the sensitive subject of Kyoshi’s “service” again, something the assassin was extremely grateful for. As their third week together rolled around, Kyoshi reached a bold decision.



    Selena perched behind him on his horse, as had been the norm for the last two weeks.  Her hands rested lightly on his hips and her head pressed against his back.  He suspected she had drifted off to sleep but dared not turn around to check.  When Ash called a halt, Kyoshi felt it was a godsend.  He carefully turned in his saddle, wrapping an arm around Selena to keep her from slipping off the horse.  The action was moot as she woke a moment later.  Kyoshi smiled at her.



    “Kyoshi, go get dinner,” Ash called, oblivious to the drama going on around him.



    “Yes, master,” the assassin said, barely concealing his sarcasm.



    Kyoshi waved to Selena and they disappeared into the trees. Selena shook off her drowsiness, confirming the assassin’s earlier suspicions.   Twenty minutes later, Kyoshi found the courage to act on his desires.  Selena was bent over a set of deer tracks, calculating the best way to track the animal.  Kyoshi nervously approached her, his fingers twisting around themselves within his sleeves.  Selena, noticing his discomfort, stood and reached out to him.  Before she could react, he leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers.  Her eyes widened in surprise.



    The assassin closed his own orbs slowly and weaved his fingers into her hair, tilting her head for better access.  The softness of her lips was euphoric and Kyoshi ran his tongue along them, begging for entrance.  She obliged, opening up and he delved in.  He thrust into her warm cavern, stroking her tongue with his and eliciting a moan from deep within her throat.  



    Her arms wrapped around him and she gripped the back of his robes tightly, pulling him against her.  For several minutes, their tongues jousted, fighting for dominance and Kyoshi’s moans echoed hers.  Panting, they finally pulled apart.  Kyoshi rested his forehead against hers and chuckled.  Curious, Selena pulled back and looked at him, an unfamiliar heat filling her cheeks.



    “That went better than I expected,” he said, choosing to ignore her blush.  “I was so nervous that I wouldn’t be able to go through with it, or that I wouldn’t be any good.  Worse than that, I was afraid you’d hit me, or decapitate me.”



    Selena chuckled.  “Silly,” she said, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his shoulder.  “You were perfect.”



    They stood like that for several minutes before getting back to the hunt.



    “I should probably let you in on one of my secrets,” she said, as they jogged their way down an animal trail.



    “Only one?” he asked, teasingly.



    “For now,” she answered.  “I have a companion unlike any other in your party.”



    “What...like...an animal?”



    “Not quite,” she said, and stopped.  She turned to him, slightly out of breath from running along the trail.  “Her name is Eboney.  And she’s not from this plane of existence.”



    Suddenly, next to Selena appeared a creature the size of a house cat.  She appeared to be a fey of some type, with large iridescent wings.  Her skin glowed softly and sparkled, as though sprinkled with pixie dust and a halo of golden curls cascaded around her shoulders and down her completely nude frame.  Kyoshi blushed in embarrassment. 



    “A Fairy! Eboney is an interesting name for something so...bright,” he said turning away.



    “Eboney is just showing off,” Selena said, rolling her eyes.  “She is an imp, a minor demon from one of the nine layers of Hell, not a fairy.  I think she likes you.”



    Kyoshi, as though witnessing a train wreck, turned his head back around despite the refusal from the rest of his body to follow.  Eboney was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.  The little imp smirked at his reaction, an expression completely out of place on such an angelic face.



    “Eboney, that’s enough,” Selena said, as if speaking to an errant child.



    The imp pouted a moment before disappearing.  In her place stood a grey fox, the overly intelligent eyes boring into the assassin.  Kyoshi blinked the image away and turned his attention to Selena.  The rogue smirked and turned away from him, resuming her hunt.



 



    A couple days later, they reached the next town.  This was the third race Selena’s squirrel would compete it.  The tiny animal had done surprisingly well so far.  Selena had done a fabulous job training the rodent. Of course, it probably helped that the invisible Eboney redirected it the few times it strayed.   Kyoshi and Selena had decided to keep the little demon’s existence a secret from Nerra and Ash.  Selena stressed how bad of an idea it would be if Ash, a mage with an undesired familiar, were to find out about the imp.  While the little creature currently called Selena master, it was not beyond the realm of possibility for Ash to gain control of her.



    As it was, when Eboney wished to be seen, she chose the form of the grey fox and hovered near the group.  Kyoshi preferred her in her animal form.  More than once, he had to stop himself from petting the canine, reminding himself that she wasn’t really an animal.  Selena often laughed at him in these instances and the assassin couldn’t help but join in.



    



    The town of Darrian sat nestled between two massive lakes.  A swath of fertile land, about a quarter of a mile wide, separated the two bodies of water making it the perfect place for the small merchant town.  A narrow land bridge on either side of the town, wide enough for only two horses abreast, gave the illusion of Darrian as an island.  As Kyoshi looked across the water on either side, he noticed the far bank disappeared beyond the horizon, adding to the effect.  The land bridge they traveled down stretched more than two miles before reaching the town and he suspected it was manmade.



    “It’s beautiful,” Selena said behind him.



    They were half-way to the town and the sun was just setting, stretching golden fingers of light across the crystalline water.  Above them, wisps of pink, orange, and purple clouds streaked the sky.



    “Yeah, it is,” Kyoshi said, following her line of sight.



    The assassin’s horse nickered and Kyoshi realized they had stopped.  Clicking to his horse, he caught up to the rest of the party.  Selena, her arms wrapped around his waist, squeezed gently.  The show of affection brought a smile to the assassin’s face that he hid just as Ash turned to face him.  The mage narrowed his eyes at his charge.



    “I think Kira’s in Celestia,” Kyoshi dodged.



    Sure enough, the raptor seemed exhilarated as he flew out over the water, twisting and twirling in the air, his soft clicking calls echoing back to the party.



    “What is he saying?” Selena asked.



    Kyoshi shrugged his shoulders and laughed.  “Nothing really,” he said.  “It’s kind of like...standing on a hilltop and yelling, just for the fun of it.”



    Ash did his usual “humph” and turned back around.  Kyoshi, with his eyes still on his enraptured friend, signaled his horse to follow the mage.  Sasha, to the assassin’s surprise, had sat on his haunches and watched Kira.  For a moment, Kyoshi thought the cat might have been envious.  It didn’t take long to realize what was happening.



    Kira suddenly dived for the water, grabbed a silver fish in his talons, and flew back to the land bridge directly in line with Sasha.  At the last minute, Kira released the fish and Sasha jumped, catching it in his mouth.  Kyoshi stared, dumbstruck, as Kira flew back out over the water, his calls sounding like laughter.



    “Would you look at that!” Kyoshi exclaimed.



    Selena chuckled.  “I think Kira has a new friend,” she said.



    Kyoshi nodded and turned his eyes to Nerra.  The senari had the most beautiful smile plastered across her face.  Kyoshi had noticed a dramatic change to her since she had found Sasha.  She seemed happier, from the inside.  Her god’s favor had a big impact on her and Kyoshi liked who the senari was becoming.  She even had a calming effect on Ash, whose temper had calmed considerably.



    As they approached the low walls of the town, Kyoshi focused on what lay ahead of them.  Selena hopped down from the assassin’s horse and approached the guard.  In low tones, too soft for Kyoshi’s ears, she told the man of their purpose in Darrian.  She lifted her cloak and showed him her squirrel.  The guard smiled brightly and stepped aside.  As Kyoshi moved forward to collect her, he noticed a bright blush on the man’s face and a glassy film over his dark eyes.  A wave of jealousy rolled over the assassin and he worked furiously to tamp it down.  It would not do for him to lose his temper now.  Selena mounted up behind Kyoshi with one fluid movement and surreptitiously squeezed his hip. Reassured, he moved his horse forward through the gate and into the town.



    Ash took the lead as soon as they entered and led them to the stables.  He boarded the horses and the four of them, with Sasha in tow, headed for the inn.  



    Since meeting Selena, Kyoshi had started to change his appearance.  At first, it was just little things.  He wore slightly less jewelry and less hair ornaments: things that Ash wasn’t likely to notice.  As the weeks progressed, the assassin left off more and more.  Now, making their way through the streets of Darrian, Kyoshi looked more like the young boy he was and less like the woman he once pretended to be.  Thus, he didn’t draw the same stares he once had.



    The kimono he wore was almost plain compared to his usual trappings, partly because his “scuffles” had left him with a limited choice.  He had removed all his kanzashi, the ornamental hair sticks a defining part of his femininity, and replaced them with a simple, yet ornate “crown” that slipped over his topknot.  The black leather blended in with his hair but the gold etching and precious stones sown in to it spoke of elegance.



    Kyoshi had also grown into his manhood a bit.  He still moved with fluid grace but his hips no longer swayed as they once had.  He walked with his head held high and his hands at his side, instead of intertwined within his robes.  Of course, with Selena at his side, he didn’t realize how much he had changed.



    “Kyoshi,” Ash called, pulling the assassin from his conversation with his amour.  “When we get to the inn, I want you to order dinner.  You’ll be staying with Nerra and me during our stay, so order the food and take it to our room.”



    “Yes, master,” Kyoshi said, hiding his disappointment.



    He understood why Ash wanted him in their room.  The mage wasn’t blind to what was happening between Selena and the assassin.  Kyoshi knew his master would never give him the opportunity to be alone with Selena.  She leaned into him after Ash had turned around, her lips nearly brushing against the assassin’s ear.



    “Meet me on the rooftop at midnight,” she whispered barely loud enough for him to hear.



    He nodded almost imperceptibly, keeping his eyes forward.  A few minutes later, they were at the inn.  Ash got a room and, with Nerra at his hip, made his way to the stairs.  Selena got herself a room as well but stayed back while Kyoshi ordered dinner for them.  They spent the next few minutes in quiet conversation before the food came and Kyoshi headed for his room, wishing her a good-night.  Before turning away, he reached over and crushed his lips to hers.  Surprised, Selena returned his affection, a light blush fanning her cheeks.



    “I’ll see you in a bit,” he whispered against her lips.  Before she could gather her wits enough to respond, he disappeared up the stairs. 



 



    Dinner proved a silent affair. Ash had claimed the table, spreading his and Nerra’s food across its worn surface.  He seemed distracted, even with the senari rubbing against him.  Sasha sat beside his master, accepting what tidbits of food she passed to him.  Normally, he hunted on the trail but there had been precious little prey as they approached Darrian.  The fish Kira had gifted the cheetah with was probably the best meal the cat had had in days.



    Kyoshi sat across the room with Kira, eating his own meager meal.  In some part of his mind, the assassin felt lonely.  He never noticed before how much his other companions dismissed him, as though he were invisible.  If not for Kira, Kyoshi may have become bitter.  But now, there was Selena.  Kyoshi’s cheeks grew warm at the thought of her and he threw a quick glance at Ash, hoping the mage hadn’t noticed his reddening face in his distracted state.  Nerra had captured the man’s attention with whatever she was whispering in his ear.  Kyoshi, let out a breath and returned his thoughts to Selena.



    Ever since meeting her, the young assassin’s hormones had been in turmoil.  She was beautiful, unnaturally so, but that didn’t account completely for the assassin’s reaction to her.  His rebelling body acted on its own more times than Kyoshi wanted to admit.  No, it was her mind, more than anything, that fascinated him.  She hadn’t really said much about herself, at least not anything about her past, but she pulled him into conversations he’d never had before.  Kyoshi felt like she really cared about what he had to say and more than once, she had asked his opinion on a small decision she had to make.  It made him feel alive: a part of something.  



    Sasha, feeling left out himself, stood and walked over to Kyoshi and Kira, curling around himself at the assassin’s side.  Kyoshi reached out a hand and scratched the big cat behind his ear.  He was rewarded with a purr, deep from within the cheetah’s chest.  Kira nudged Kyoshi’s other hand until he regained the assassin’s attention.



    “Yoshi, shitto shite,” Kyoshi said, softly, chuckling at his companion’s jealousy.  



    Ash suddenly stood and, without even looking in the assassin’s direction, scooped Nerra up into his arms and headed for the bed.  Kyoshi glanced over at the table and noticed most of the food had been eaten.  He sighed and got to his feet.



    “Looks like it’s time to get to bed,” he whispered to Kira and Sasha.  The bird cooed softly and silently flew out the window.  Sasha watched him go a moment before turning his golden eyes on Kyoshi.  “It’s alright.  You can sleep with me.”



    This seemed to satisfy the cat and he lowered his head back down to his paws.  Kyoshi chuckled to himself and began clearing away the dinner dishes.  ‘How do I manage to befriend all the animals?’ he thought, as he set the trays outside the door.  He averted his eyes from the bed as he made his way to his bedroll on the other end of the room.  After tucking beneath the covers, he lifted them to make room for the large cat.  Sasha chirped his approval, crawled in, and promptly fell asleep.  Kyoshi rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling, impatient for midnight to come.



     



    A half hour before midnight, Kyoshi lay in his bedroll on the floor tossing with impatience.  Nerra and Ash had been asleep for well over an hour, the mage’s soft snores evidence of his slumber.  Sasha, ever vigilant, turned his head at the assassin’s restlessness. Kyoshi enjoyed the cat’s company, Sasha’s warmth a good buffer against the nighttime chill.  He cooed softly to the cat not wanting him to alert Nerra.



    Taking a deep breath, he sat up, throwing the blankets from his body.  Sasha sat up as well and cocked his head to the side.  Kyoshi fought a chuckle.



    “I need to go out for a little while,” he whispered, running his long fingers through Sasha’s silky fur.  “Can you keep quite and not tell Nerra?  Kira will keep you company while I’m gone, okay?”



    Sasha opened his mouth in a quiet meow and Kyoshi smiled, scratching him behind his ear. 



    “Thanks, pal.”



    Kyoshi leaned forward and squeezed Sasha in a light hug.  The big cat purred in his ear before the assassin pulled away and slipped out the window.  He made his way easily to the roof, where Kira sat, pruning his feathers.



    “Ohayō, shin'yū.”  Kyoshi greeted his friend as he settled down next to him.  “I told Sasha you’d keep him company while I was with Selena.  Do you mind?”



    Kira rubbed against his master and cooed.  “Sing to me,” he said, in the clipped chirps of his avian language.  “Then I go.”



    “Yoshi,” Kyoshi said, agreeing with a chuckle.  He stroked Kira absently as he lifted his eyes to the full moon and began to sing.



 



 



    



Mori mo iyagaru, Bon kara saki-nya



 (I would hate baby-sitting beyond Bon Festival,)



Yuki mo chiratsuku-shi, Ko mo naku-shi



(The snow begins to fall, and the baby cries.)







Bon ga kita-tote, Nani ureshi-karo



 (How can I be happy even when Bon Festival is here?)



Katabira wa nashi, Obi wa nashi



(I don't have nice clothes or a sash to wear.)



Kono ko you naku, Mori wo ba ijiru



(This child continues to cry and is mean to me.)



Mori mo ichi-nichi, Yaseru-yara



(I get thinner because the baby cries all day.)







Hayo-mo yuki-taya, Kono zaisho koete



(I would quickly quit here and go back)



Mukou ni mieru wa, Oya no uchi



(To my parents' home over there,)



Mukou ni mieru wa, Oya no uchi



 (To my parents' home over there.)



 



    “That is very beautiful,” Selena said behind them.  



    Kyoshi jumped and spun around.  Kira squawked and flew off the roof at his sudden movement.  A second later, Kyoshi relaxed.  He held out his hand to his companion and Kira settled lightly on the leather bracer.



    “Iku, shin'yū,” Kyoshi prodded, telling his friend to go.  “I’ll be down before long.”



    Kira “purred” his acknowledgement and with a final face rub, launched off the assassin’s arm and disappeared over the side of the building.  Finally alone, Kyoshi turned to Selena.



    She was as beautiful as ever, a thin, silk night robe draped over her lithe frame.  Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, free of its band and teased her swaying hips.  To his surprise, her feet were bare, the blood-red tips of her perfectly manicured toenails peeking from beneath the silk.  The young assassin swallowed past the lump in his throat.



    “Are you trying to seduce me, vixen?” he asked, only half-serious.



    “Are you seducible?” she asked in answer, continuing to approach him.



    “Where you’re concerned, very much so.”



    He reached out and grabbed her around her waist when she was within distance, pulling her flush against his hard body.  Without pause, he bent down and covered her lips with his.  She weaved her fingers through his hair, tangling them in his long locks and opened to him.  He accepted her invitation and plunged his tongue past her lips and into the warmth of her mouth.  Exploring every contour of her inner cavern only left him wanting more.  Tilting her head back, he trailed soft, featherlight kisses down her jaw and neck, threading his own hands into the hair at the back of her head.



    Selena gripped his robes, fumbling with the obi that tied them shut.  Unsuccessful at freeing his robes, she wove her hands under the folds, searching for warm flesh.  When she found his firm abs, Kyoshi squealed and jumped back.



    “Gods, woman!” he cried, scrambling to re-secure his obi.  “Your hands are freezing!”



    “Well, something needed to cool you down,” she said, straightening out her own garment.



    “For your information, I was in perfect control until you came out here wearing that,” he huffed, dropping to his haunches on the roof.  He was painfully aware of his body’s response to her.



    Selena chuckled and sat next to him, weaving her arm through his and leaning her head against his shoulder.  Kyoshi sighed and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.  For several minutes they sat in silence, just enjoying each others’ company.  Kyoshi turned to her and kissed her on the top of her head.



    “What were you singing,” she asked.  “It really was very beautiful.”



    Kyoshi chuckled before answering.  “I’ll admit, for those who only hear the melody, it would seem quite beautiful, unless you knew the words that went along with it.”



    “What do you mean?”



    “It’s a lullaby about a girl who is resentful at having to watch a baby instead of going to a festival.  I sing it because it is one of the few songs I remember from my childhood and Kira likes it when I sing.”



    “I like it when you sing, too,” she said.  “Your voice is beautiful, even if it is feminine.”



    “Are you making fun of me?” he asked, pretending to be hurt.



    She chuckled.  “At your angelic voice?” she said.  “Never.”



    Kyoshi pulled her against him and held her tightly a moment before leaning back on his hand.  A comfortable silence followed as they stared out at the night.



    “I wish we didn’t have to hide,” he said, finally.



    “We don’t,” she said, pulling back and looking up at him.  “We could leave, just the two of us.  I could keep Ash from finding you.”



    Kyoshi was shaking his head even before she finished her thought.  “I can’t run away.”



    She placed a hand against his cheek and stared into his aquamarine eyes.  “You can with my help.  I hate that you’re a slave to another.”



    Kyoshi rested his hand over hers and closed his eyes.  “I can’t explain it, but believe me, there is no way.  Not yet, anyway.  Maybe after this assignment...”



    He leaned down and kissed her, hoping to distract her from the many questions he saw swirling in her eyes.  Intoxicating as she was, he found that kissing her was the greatest pleasure he’d ever experienced.  His ploy worked, somewhat.



    “One of these days, you’re going to have to explain it to me,” she said, curling back against him, the now familiar blush staining her flawless skin.



    After several moments of contemplation, Kyoshi sighed, coming to a decision.  "I will tell you a little about me and maybe then you will better understand my position.” 



    He took a deep breath and tucked Selena more securely against him.  Perhaps if he didn’t look at her, he would be able to get through what he had to say.  She deserved to know what she was getting into, after all.  The young assassin just hoped he didn’t chase her away by exposing his demons.



    “I don't remember my parents,” he began.  “Although, I was told I was from somewhere exotic and my parents were very important people.  My earliest memories were growing up in the ryuha, a place for ninja in training.  There was a girl, Himiko, who was several years older than me but not yet a woman.  She came from the same homeland as me and was taken at the same time.  She would be the one who raised me and tried to protect me the best she could; she was the only form of comfort I had or could ever remember having.  She was always so pure and innocent and even the way we were forced to live never changed that.  Through the stories she told all through my early years, she taught me about our people's traditions and the language.  Things I never would have known without her.  She was the only mother I ever knew.



    "From the time I arrived at the ryuha as a toddler, the master, Talos, took a special interest in me.  First it was my beauty and bloodline, although I never discovered what that entailed; the girl would never tell me why I was so special although I suspect she knew.  Talos trained me personally.  As I grew, my natural talent became apparent.  Even before I could walk, I was being groomed to be an assassin.  I learned not to cry, even at night, but to express my need in other, nonverbal ways.  Master was a hard teacher.  He was tougher on me than anyone else he trained.



    "My 'mother' disliked the man with a passion.  He was corrupting me and his influence was turning me into something she did not like.  Trying to impress her own values and beliefs on me, she taught me about honor and duty but was often punished harshly for interfering.  I would plead with her to do as they said, her pain affecting me more than the training.  But she was stubborn.  I learned that her way only brought pain and I started to resent her for putting me through the torture of watching her punishments.  My master saw my reaction as well and used it as a learning tool, often punishing her when I didn’t act as he willed.  I learned that honor got you nowhere.”  



    He paused in his story, needing to steel himself for what he was about to reveal.  His heart still ached from the worst pain he’d ever felt; from the sacrifice that had been made for him to live.



    “I killed my first person nine years ago, when I was six,” he continued.  “My eyes still held a touch of defiance that my master took personally.  In the same voice one used to soothe an infant, he ordered me to kill my 'mother'.  The thought was revolting to me and I hesitated for just a second.  I received the worst lashing I'd ever had, or would ever have again. Himiko’s screams, as she was forced to watch, still haunt me. I was barely breathing when my master  finished with me: my back, legs, torso...ripped open by his spiked whip.  If not for the quick intervention of the healers, I would have died.  As it was, they stopped the bleeding and sealed the surface of the wounds, preventing scarring.  But the pain and damage of my injuries was still very real, the damage to deep tissues extensive.  I could barely walk as I completed the mission I had hesitated on: taking the life of the person closer to me than anyone I’d ever known. Her eyes haunt me to this day, as does the knowledge that she let me win, when she could have easily killed me.  But, I never hesitated again.  From then on, the life has left my eyes when I am fighting.  I don’t want to see the life leaving my victims as I take it.”



    Selena sat like a statue in his arms and for a moment, Kyoshi thought he’d said too much.  When his hesitation lingered, she wrapped her arms around him.  That was encouragement enough and he continued with his tale.    



    "After my 'mother' was killed, my master took me under his wing.  I served no one but him and as I grew older, my beauty became more apparent.  He saw potential and began training me in the arts of a kunoichi: a female ninja.  I learned to appreciate the feel of the heavy, expensive robes from my native homeland and I let my hair grow long.  He taught me the art of seduction, a training I hated worse than anything as I began to lose my identity.  I proved so adept at it, many of the men in the ryuha began to favor me.  My master was a good teacher and I was a quick learner.  I never forgot the beating I received so no matter how much I despised the training, I did not cross him again.  



    "By the time I was twelve, I was the best assassin in the ryuha.  I had more kills than most of my fellow ninja.  The favoritism of my master, and the majority of the other older ninja, made me arrogant and I began looking down on those beneath me, even though most of them were actually taller than I was.  They ran to my master with complaints.  He had no choice but to send me to the monastery.  He said I needed to learn humility.  I disagreed but went anyway.  It wasn’t like I had a choice.”



    Kyoshi paused again, debating whether to tell her the rest of his story.  Shame colored his cheeks and his heartbeat raced.  He knew she could feel it, or at the very least, hear it.  Sure enough, at his hesitation, she looked up into his eyes.



    “You can tell me,” she prompted.  “I won’t judge you.”



    Deciding to gloss over the details, he finished his story. "The monastery was worse than the ryuha, and there, I didn't have anyone on my side.  The head monk often sold me off to patrons to ease their boredom.  I fought back once, and only once, learning quickly that my life would always be one of servitude.  I lived there for two years before Ash came along and was sold to him by the head monk for my “services,” I assume.  Although, Ash never really demanded that from me. As unbelievable as it may seem, Ash has been the kindest master I've had.  I owe him much.  But, when he frees me, I am duty bound to return to the ryuha.  While I learned a lot at the monastery, I still have an arrogant streak in me.  My master will not be pleased to see that."



    He smiled sadly down at her.    "So you see, I cannot disobey Ash.  It is ingrained in me to do his will.  This is the first time I have acted on my own.  And that is probably more to due with wishing to feel like a man and the emotions I feel that have always been buried so deeply within me. You make me wish to be free of this life, even if I know it is impossible."



    For a moment, his guard fell and she read the raw pain in his eyes that he usually kept hidden.  He turned away, fighting his emotions.  A moment later, she rested her head back down on his chest and squeezed him.



    “Thank you for your honesty and for your faith in me that allowed you to confide in me so much about your past, Kyoshi,” she said, her words muffled in his robes.  “It means a great deal to me and I know it couldn’t have been easy.”



    “Selena, I...” he said, stumbling over his thoughts.  “I feel something for you I’ve never felt better.  More whole and alive than I believed possible.  Does that make sense?”



    Selena nodded but didn’t raise her head.



    “I think...is it even possible for me to love?” he asked, changing his thought midway through.  “After all the pain I’ve caused, all the people I’ve hurt. Is it even allowed? If so, then...I think I’m in love with you.”



    “Everyone has the capacity to love, Kyoshi,” she said, pulling away and looking into his confused eyes.  “Even though you’ve caused pain and suffering, which wasn’t your fault, by the way.  If you think what you feel is love, then find out.  See if it grows and consumes you.  I’ll give you a bit of advice as you explore your feelings.  There is a thin line between love and lust.  Love lives, grows, and dies here,” she said, placing a hand over his heart.  “When someone you love is hurt, you’ll feel it here.  If you are separated from that person, you’ll feel a longing, here.  But if lust rules your emotions, you’ll only feel it here.”



    She snaked her hand down through his robes and cupped his naked genitalia.  He jerked back and gasped, her hands tightening down on him momentarily.  A groan escaped his lips and his eyes rolled shut.  She chuckled and removed her hand.  Kyoshi opened his eyes and glared at her.



    “What?” she asked.  “At least now you know the difference.”



    Defeated, he laughed along with her.  “Okay, so now it’s your turn,” he said.  “Tell me about you.”



    “Next time, loverboy,” she said.  “Unless you want to get caught fraternizing with me, you’d better head back down.  Eboney says Ash is moving around.”



    Kyoshi jumped up and started for the edge of the roof.  Before he reached it, he turned back and bent down, kissing Selena passionately and leaving her breathless.



    “Good-night, koishī,” he said and darted for the edge of the roof.



    “Wait a minute,” she yelled.  “What did you call me?”



    “Ask me next time,” he chuckled, and disappeared over the side.



    Eboney had been right, Ash was tossing in the bed.  From what the assassin could tell, he still slept, if not peacefully.  Nerra reached out and grabbed her squirming companion and after a few more seconds, Ash calmed.  As he turned away, Kyoshi noticed a set of softly glowing eyes peeking out from beneath the covers.  Silt watched the assassin quietly, still engulfed in his mostly hibernative state.  Kyoshi wasn’t really concerned about the familiar ratting him out to Ash and turned from them, slipping into his bedroll.  Sasha and Kira had kept it nice and warm for him.  The assassin ignored the discomfort of his body and slipped off into oblivion, his mind full of the lithe, dark beauty that had hijacked his heart.



 



    The next morning dawn bright and cold.  Kyoshi reluctantly rolled out of his bedroll and donned his warmest robes.  Ash and Nerra were still encased under their mountain of blankets.  The assassin shook his head and headed for the door.  If he was lucky, he’d be able to have breakfast with Selena before Ash woke.  He closed the door quietly and made his way downstairs.  



    A quick scan of the empty lobby revealed the absence of his amour.  He decided to work on his morning routines while he waited as he had been neglecting them lately.  Stepping out into the subfreezing morning, he suppressed a shiver and made his way to the courtyard.  He slipped into his meditative state, the cold forgotten as he moved through his forms.  Kira perched on the roof above him, tucked tightly into his feathers to ward off the cold.



    The assassin’s breath fogged around him as his body moved fluidly across the courtyard, the dance of his trade evidence of his grace.  His heavy robes billowed around him and the thick frost crunched beneath his feet, creating slick and treacherous footing.  This didn’t bother Kyoshi, who had been trained on every kind of surface. However, when his eyes caught Selena, his concentration broke and he slipped, falling hard on his behind.  A soft chuckle bubbled from her chest and the assassin’s face turned bright red.



    “Well, that’s never happened before,” he said, turning his face away.



    “Uh-huh,” Selena said, her amethyst eyes glowing with mirth.  “Sure.”



    Kyoshi struggled to his feet, brushing ice and dirt from his robes.  “It’s all your fault,” he admonished, still refusing to meet her gaze.



    “Oh really?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning against the building.



    “Yes, really.  You...unsettle me.”  He finally lifted bewildered eyes to her.  “You make me feel things I’ve never felt before and that leaves me confused and...uncoordinated.”



    He jumped at her bark of laughter.  “Don’t blame your lack of coordination on me,” she said, spreading her arms wide.



    Hurt by her teasing, he pushed past her into the building.  Her sigh reached his ears but his embarrassment would not allow him to stop.  He made his way through the empty dining hall and collapsed on a barstool.  A moment later, Selena joined him, staring at him in silent amusement.



    “You know, you’re really cute when you pout,” she whispered against his ear.  “It makes you actually look your age.”



    “I am not pouting,” he snapped, and turned to glare at her.



    “Okay.”  



    The humor in her eyes proved too much and the ice around Kyoshi melted.  He chuckled at his own expense, finding the whole episode silly.  Reaching over, he landed a quick kiss on Selena’s surprised lips.



    “I take it I’m forgiven?” she asked.



    “Mmm...I could never stay mad at you,” he said.



    They ordered breakfast and carried their plates to a nearby table.  Soon, the room was filled with their playful banter and laughter.  They were nearly finished when Selena’s eyes locked on something behind Kyoshi.  The assassin knew from her sudden serious expression that Ash and Nerra had joined them.



    “Party’s over,” she whispered.



    “Kyoshi,” Ash called from the stairway.  “Order breakfast and then pack up our things.”



    “Yes, Master,” he said, picking up his half-finished plate and headed for the bar.  He briefly noticed the irritation in Selena’s eyes before turning away.



    “Is your rodent ready for the race?” Kyoshi heard Ash ask her.  



    Ignoring the rest of the conversation, Kyoshi ordered food for Ash and Nerra and made his way upstairs.  He packed their things in a disconnected manner, his thoughts focused on Selena.  If only he could persuade Ash to allow them to be together.  He made up his mind to try everything he could to convince the mage that he could both serve him and be with Selena.  Ash could be reasonable if only Kyoshi could prove it to him.  In a better frame of mind, he finished the packing and headed back downstairs.



    No one greeted him as he entered the lobby and he searched the empty room for his companions.  Thinking they waited for him outside, he stepped through the door and into the frigid morning air.  Again, silence greeted him.  Irritation narrowed his eyes and he hefted the heavy bags over his shoulders, making his way to the stables.  Kira chirped above him and Kyoshi dropped one of the bags, lifting his arm for his friend.



    “Well, at least you didn’t abandon me,” he said to the bird.



    “Selena...sorry,” Kira chirped.  “Playing with food.”  Kira ruffled his feathers and Kyoshi chuckled, understanding the bird’s bewilderment.



    “That’s alright, Kira,” he reassured.  “Thanks for telling me.”



    Kira chirped and flew off toward the arena.  Kyoshi shook his head and chuckled again.  ‘Poor Kira!’ he thought.  ‘It must be torture watching the squirrel races.’  Picking up Ash’s discarded bag, he followed after his friend.  



 



    Selena’s squirrel won the race way ahead of the others.  The arena echoed with applause and cheers as the vermilion rodent crossed the finish line.  Ash nodded his head in approval as Selena made her way to the winner’s stand.  The mayor of Darrian presented her with a large bag of gold and a hand-stamped letter.



    “Congratulations!” he said.  “This is a royal invitation from His Majesty, King Carridon.  As the winner of this race, you are invited to travel to Miralax, capital city of Taliven, to participate in the national squirrel races taking place one month hence.  Good luck and safe travels.”



    “Thank-you,” Selena said, accepting the envelope.  “I don’t need luck, however.  I make my own.”



    The mayor chuckled and stepped aside, allowing Selena to show off her squirrel.  Kyoshi leaned against the arena wall, silently basking in her glory.  Ash barely acknowledged the assassin when he had dropped off the bags but Nerra gave him a cryptic look.  Kyoshi had been trying to decipher the expression all morning, to no avail.  Had Ash said something to her?  Shrugging the thought away, he pushed away from the wall and started out to meet Selena.  A firm voice stopped him in his tracks.



    “Kyoshi,” Ash called from the tunnel under the arena.  “Stay here.”



    Before he could stop himself, Kyoshi’s irritation flashed in his eyes.  Ash arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms. The assassin bowed slightly and stepped back, closing his eyes to hide his anger.



    “Go pack the horses,” Ash said, moving past Kyoshi.  “We’ll leave as soon as Selena is finished.”  Without a word, Kyoshi turned and started toward the stables.  “And I suggest you not forget my warning, pet.  You are getting far too friendly with the rogue.”



    Kyoshi didn’t even grace the mage with a backhanded glance.  He knew if he met the man’s eyes, Ash would see the fire burning in the assassin’s aquamarine orbs.  Fighting to control his anger, Kyoshi stormed off to do as bid.  So much for trying to convince the man to change his mind.  Kyoshi kept forgetting that, ultimately, he was a slave.  How he had ever thought otherwise baffled him.  Ignoring the sudden ache in his chest, the assassin focused on getting things ready to leave Darrian.



 



    That evening, the party camped well away from the island city.  They’d made good time, despite the blast of cold air that greeted them at dusk.  Selena huddled against Kyoshi’s back, the assassin’s body blocking the freezing wind.  For his part, Kyoshi kept silent.  Even if he’d been able, he didn’t know what he could say to her.  The busy-work of packing up the animals saved him from conversation when the rest of the party had reached the stables and Selena drifted off to sleep soon after mounting up behind him.  He knew, however, that at some point he would have to face her and tell her that they could not be together.  That thought haunted him throughout the day and a dull ache settled deep in his chest.



    Just after sunset, when the cold proved too much, Ash called a halt.  Without being told, Kyoshi slipped from his saddle and began collecting firewood.  He could feel Selena’s eyes on him but did not turn to meet them.  Working quickly, he gathered as much dry wood as he could find and deposited it in the center of the camp.  Nerra had already coaxed a blaze into existence and Ash huddled near it, buried under his many blankets.  Kyoshi moved the horses closer to the warmth and draped heavy blankets over their backs.  As he was working on the last one, Selena came up behind him.



    “What happened?” she asked softly, aware of Ash on the other side of the animals.



    “Nothing,” Kyoshi answered, his eyes on his work.



    “You’re a terrible liar,” she whispered behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.



    He sucked in a stuttered breath and tilted his head back.  Reflexively, he placed his hands over hers.  Her warmth seeped into him and he was loathed to move.



    “We can’t do this,” he cried, the pain raw in his voice.



    “It’s just for a moment.  Ash is too preoccupied to notice.”



    Kyoshi turned in her arms and pulled her against him, burying his nose in her neck.  He knew it was wrong; that he was only making it worse.  But he couldn’t stop himself.  Pulling away slightly, he threaded a hand into the hair at the back of her neck and kissed her.  She opened immediately, her tongue jousting with his.  The forbidden act had an instant affect on Kyoshi and he squirmed uncomfortably.  With their close proximity, he knew she could feel his arousal, even through the thick robes.



    She chuckled lightly as she pulled away and rested her forehead on his.  “One of these days,” she panted.  “We’re going to have to take care of that.”



    He gasped and felt his knees go weak.  “Don’t promise what you can’t deliver,” he warned.



    “Who says I can’t deliver.”



    He bent down to kiss her again.



    “KYOSHI!!  How long does it take to secure three horses?” Ash called.



    “I feel like a teenage boy being scolded by an overbearing parent,” Kyoshi said, shaking his head.



    “You’re not too far off.”  Selena gave him one last quick kiss and stepped to the side so he could pass.



    



    That night, and all the others after while on the road, the bitter cold forced the party into tight quarters.  Ash shared his bedroll with both Nerra and Sasha while Kyoshi, Selena, and Kira shared his.  The squirrel also slept with them but it had entered a sort of hibernated state, much like Silt who spent most of his time curled in the mage’s bag. The assassin knew Ash disapproved of the sleeping arrangements but without another option, the mage kept quiet.  Kyoshi relished those nights.  As it was, he and Selena continued to keep their relationship secret, only expressing their feelings while hunting.  



    In the bedroll, however, Kyoshi held her tightly, occasionally peppering her neck with soft kisses.  Although fully clothed, it did not stop his hands from wandering, or hers.  At times, Kyoshi feared their love play had caught the attention of the mage but each time, Ash simply rolled over and resumed his soft snoring.  This emboldened Selena, secure in the knowledge that Ash would remain clueless.  One particularly freezing night, Selena took their foreplay to a higher, much riskier level.



    Kyoshi, nimble fingers teasing her taut nipples, had slipped his hand through the ties of her top.  His nose nuzzled her neck as he left a trail of kisses across her collarbone.  Selena arched into him, her body aching for more contact.  As she did, his hard erection rubbed against her thigh.  Since they began sharing a bedroll, she had become painfully aware of his “condition.”  On this day, she decided to do something about it.



    Threading her hand through his robe, she trailed her fingers up his thigh, leaving goosebumps in her wake. The assassin hissed against her neck as she cupped his arousal, kneading him.  A whimper escaped his lips as she began to stroke his shaft, the constant discomfort of the last several days forgotten.  Lost in the euphoric feeling, he bit down on her shoulder, his teeth closing just shy of being painful.  He twisted her nipple with merciless abandon, causing her to stroke faster, her hand tightening relentlessly on his shaft.  Their pants echoed loud in their ears and they feared, in the back of their minds, that the whole camp could hear them.  Luckily, a blistery wind whipping through the camp hid their secret.



    Kyoshi, abandoning Selena’s nipple, ran his hand down her body and into her pants, finding the folds of her sex.  He began to return the favor she was giving him.  Shortly after, their cries of release came together, muffled by the blankets.  Kyoshi gathered Selena into his arms, overcome by an emotion so intense, he was left speechless.  He knew at that moment, he’d never be able to live without her.  Given her desperate clinging, he knew that she most likely felt the same.  



 



    Over the next few weeks, the party made good time, arriving at the capital city of Miralax a week ahead of schedule.  The weather had not relented its icy grip and a deep layer of snow covered their path. Luckily, the horses were able to navigate the snowy terrain without too much trouble.  Everyone was grateful, however, when the city gates came into view.



    “Finally, a warm bed and warm food,” Nerra said, visibly slouching in her saddle.  



    The rest of the party remained silent, although they shared her sentiment.  They entered the gates of Miralax, bedecked for the coming festivities.  Exhausted, they headed for the crowded inn.