He didn't like auction nights. Usually, after spending so many days away from town, all he wanted was a good cup of sake to help him ease his tensions. But, on nights like that, when new girls arrived to the brothel and rich men would scream and dispute on their flesh with the highest bid, he felt annoyed in the middle of that tumultuous and noisy place.
He was not interested, so he just continued to enjoy his drink and the summer breeze that was blowing, until a soft touch on his shoulder made him stop his next sip and turn his face:
"Tezuka-dono." a beautiful woman kneeled by his side.
"Saya-san?" he said, politely.
"I'm really sorry to bother you, but can I have a moment of your time, please?"
"Of course"
They were on a distant and discreet part of the garden, next to a small koi pound, but they still could see inside of the house, with the screens widely open.
"Tezuka-dono, I need a favor from you." the woman look at him and he noticed her worries on the deep purple eyes.
"Is there something wrong? Any clients creating problems?" it wouldn't be the first time, as Kyoto justice officer, he would intervene on some case of alcohol and high level of arrogance that could be found on that kind of place.
"No, it's about the auction."
"What happened?"
"I need you to buy the first night of the girl who will be presented today."
The young man of light brown hair looked at her confused, but soon the excited screams coming from the main saloon caught his attention.
One of the older girls was presenting Akai Hanna's newest acquisition. A teenage girl with dark red eyes and long hair with the same color tone. She was wearing just a white yukata, showing all the curves of that young body, like a sheep about to be served to a pack of wolves.
"That is Ryuzaki Sakuno. She is 16. Her uncle sold her a few days ago."
"I'm not interested." he said, seriously. "I'm sure one of those gentlemen would easily be able to pay for her initial price."
"I am so sorry. I ask you to forgive me on this kind of pledge, but that girl seemed to suffered so much before coming here. I'm afraid that, with any of those men, she would lose her mind and could even try to put an end on her own life. You know kindness is not something common here. Even being wealthy men from noble families, everything is forgotten when they are alone in those chambers." without realizing, she held her hands tightly together, showing clearly how the situation was making her afflicted.
"So…" his free hand put some locks of the chocolate hair behind her neck, revealing the old scar that he touched gently. "…did the same happened to you?"
Suddenly she realized she had given away her secret. Even after so many years, Saya never told him to origin of that mark and what happened before meeting him. She looked down, embarrassed for showing him one more of her weakness.
"No one deserves this kind of despair." her voice was almost a whisper.
"I understand." Tezuka touched her hand softly, before he distanced himself, entered the house and crossed the crowded main room.
The screams were even louder, three rich old men were the ones who remain disputing for the teenager's first night. Tezuka looked at her, standing in silence. Her eyes and red cheeks showing that, she had probably cried for hours, maybe days before that moment.
When the young man stood in front of the stage, he tossed a small bag in front of her feet, silencing everyone. The older tayuu took the bag and opened it, her eyes wide in surprise.
"Ryuzaki Sakuno was sold to Tezuka-sama!"
The other men started to protest, but it didn't take long until Saya silenced them one more time showing herself on the stage.
"Tezuka-sama's offer for Ryuzaki-san's virginity is the double of the amount we asked for. We appreciate the participation of all the noble gentlemen, but the auction for today had already ended."
"Saya-san, what's happening?" the girl finally spoken, with a soft and tremble voice.
"Let's go, Sakuno-chan. You cannot be late." the manager said, her eyes kind. They entered one of the private rooms, before another tayuu joined them to help with the arrangements for her first night.
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Sakuno waited patiently until Tezuka entered the room. Sitting on the tatame, her gaze was on him while he opened and closed the door, before kneeling in front of her, seriously.
"I'm honored to meet you, Tezuka-sama, thank you for choo…" before she could end the respectful sentence she was taught, he kissed her, pushing the small body slowly to the futon next to them. It took a while before he abandoned her mouth and watched her. Ryuzaki's face was beautiful and delicate, pinkish cheeks and lips. The skin was flawless and pale. Her hair was long and silky, her innocent eyes were so scared.
Her young heart was tight inside of her chest from the deep brown eyes that were reading her entire soul. So, that was the man who bought her body and stole her first kiss. Saya-san said she shouldn't worry, while teaching her how to behave. Sakuno felt the tears on her eyes at the same time the young man touched her neck with his lips, trailing kisses down her neck, pushing the colar of her yukata aside revealing the skin above her breasts.
How could she not worry with that strange man exploring her body with such big hands, without saying anything?! Tezuka distanced himself and touched the frail obi of her yukata, pulling it. The white skin of the virgin body was totally exposed to his eyes and the oscillant lights of the lanterns that poorly illuminated the room.
"No!" she said, in panic, putting her arms around her frame, trying to hide herself and avoid, even for a few seconds, the inevitable. "No, please…. I beg you, please… don't look at me." her voice was humble and sad. Her eyes were closed and the warm tears falling freely down her face. The youngest tayuu of Akai Hana wanted to disappear. Sakuno wanted to run away from that room. She, once again, called for her mother on her mind, wishing for the days she would whisper everything was just a bad dream and she would be all right.
Her eyes opened wide as feeling his finger stroking her face lightly, drying her tears. Sakuno looked to Kunimitsu directly and something had change on that intimidating expression from before. His strange hands seemed much more kind, pushing her arms away from her body. Tezuka touched the naked shoulders, the chaste breasts. Even though being just a teen, he was able to feel the tightness of his pants as he touched the pink nipples with the tip of his fingers, before licking and sucking them.
"What is this?!" Sakuno arched her back and grabbed the cloth under her. He licked her ribs, her belly and reached the insides of her tights. His fingers touched the maiden flesh between them, making her moan. His long fingers entered her as the girl bit her lips in an attempt to remain quiet and silent. "What is he doing to me?!"
He kissed her one more time, deeply, touching her tongue, making a moan to get lost on her throat. Kisses were forbidden between tayuus and clients, except for the first nights and the relationship between the pleasure women and the gentlemen that paid for their expenses on the house, their danna.
Tezuka was extremely uncomfortable inside those heavy hakama. He was being slow and patient on purpose, but he couldn't deny the heat on the lower part of his body anymore. So, he started to undress himself, increasing her fears. Sakuno had never seen a naked man. He was not large and strong as the other men she observed working on the fields and with the cattle.
His body was narrow and fit. This chest and abdomen seemed so smooth, as a single drop of sweat run through his body. His long legs and arms. A particular part of his anatomy, between his legs, took her breath away and brought absolute despair to her heart. Kunimitsu was between her thighs and she could feel that strange, velvety and rigid thing on her skin.
Kisses and touches wouldn't be enough to make that fearful look disappear from her eyes. He took a deep breath and looked at her one more time.
"It will hurt a little. I know it's difficult, but, try to relax."
The teenager was surprise with his voice. It was deep and calm. She finally understood Saya-san's words. He wouldn't harm her. After such horrible days, her tired heart was calm with that small sign of kindness. That would be her life from now on. Sakuno would have to survive, there was no way out. Closing her eyes, she tried to obey him, allowing one more tear to fall, before Tezuka slowly entered her body.
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The first lights of the new morning reached the room. Kunimitsu was already fully dressed. Before leaving he observed her sleeping for a few seconds. After everything finished she slept silently on the edge of the futon and he stayed awake for some hours to make sure she wouldnt hurt herself as Saya-san was afraid of.
He silently crossed the empty hallways. The majority of clients were already gone and and the ones who stayed were on the other tayuus' rooms since it was still early.
"Tezuka-dono." hearing his name he turned his head and looked the manager calling him to her chaimbers. She silently closed the door and lean on it, when he entered. "How is she?"
"Sleeping.
"Was everything well?"
"Saya-san… I am sure you do not wish to know the details." he said, seriously.
"Ah.." she looked down, embarrassed by the choice of words. "I'm so sorry, Tezuka-dono, its just…" her words stopped as he was close and one of his hands were on her face, gently, making her eyes meet his.
"It is fine. I know you were worried." Tezuka kissed her face lightly. "I treated her like you taught me to."
"Tezuka-dono…" his name left her lips on a whisper.
"You do not have to call me like this. We are alone." he kissed her earlobe.
"Kunimitsu." her hands grabbed the cloth of his haori's back, before kissing him. That was the same clumsly and nervous boy she met years before and that was able to seduce her with simple actions now. Kunimitsu move his mouth to her neck, scaterring kisses, trying to ease, even a little, the pain he saw on her beautiful eyes as knowing the origin of that old scar.
Saya hugged him, before feeling his hands on her body. She was kissed again, forcefully, the weight of the taller and stronger form on her. He untied the obi of her yukata and touched her breasts, her tongue on his. The manager was already loosing herself on him, when they heard steps and some voices on the hallway, indicating they were not alone anymore.
The dark brown eyes looked at her, before kissing deeply one more time, as helping her clothes to be decent again.
"Could you do me a favor?"
"Of course."
"Reserve Ryuzaki-san all month trough. I will bring the payment tomorrow. Dress her with the best kimonos you can find and fed her well. I will pay for it."
"But… that is too much. The amount you paid for her on the first night was enough to put her price high. With those investments you will become her danna. She is still inexperienced for having this rank and for us to charge so much."
"Do not worry. I will teach everything she needs to know to make her price go higher. She will not be touched by ordinary men. I have to go now. Fuji is coming to town this morning."
"A lot of work to do?"
"Yes. Paperwork to fill and other things. I hope I can return soon, so..." he was caught by surprise when she gently kissed him.
"Thank you so much. Be safe, please."
He just looked at her one more time, before leaving her room and the brothel silently.