6

I was back in the room and this time it wasn't so bad. I guess not being punished by Ujio encouraged me to want to go further out. Maybe I could somehow get on his good side and somehow if possible make him trust me enough to see Nathan again. Taka came over and I was allowed to leave with her to the springs. She didn't say anything to me except motion me to bathe.

"How is Nathan?" I asked worriedly, and she just glanced over at me and nodded giving a pleasant but unconvincing smile. I knew that was all I was going to get, so I just stripped and got inside the warm water. I had to believe that Nathan would not be hurt. I wondered when I could see him again. I wondered why Taka was here anyways and not Ujio. I got inside the springs and just let the warm water wash over me. I dipped my hair back and let my curls disappear into the water. I glanced back at Taka to see her just watching me and I didn't know what to do really with her there. She just stood there watching me.

Ujio's POV

I had decided to prepare a simple meal of rice and fish. In doing so, I was able to take my mind somewhat off of the American dog that was still being allowed to breathe our air. I would not deny it if asked, but if I was commanded to kill the ugly coward, I would do so without question. It would take one clean cut of my blade and his head would roll. But of course, the dog's slave would be gravely upset. I growled at the thoughts of why I even cared… oh that's right. It's the same reason why I made Taka take her to the springs to wash up instead of taking her myself. I had never seen a woman with such curve and color before.

When she bent over, I could feel my throat immediately close up and small knots form in my stomach. I was proud that I held my composure. She had quite a round bottom and her skin was very smooth that I wanted to touch it. I wanted to touch all of her, her round breasts and the warm opening between her legs. Even when she looked at me, I could see the innocence in her. Her eyes told a story of her imprisonment and freedom. She had courage and strength in her eyes. I had never felt such raw emotion. If she had kept looking at me any longer with those eyes, I was sure to show discomfort, but it would have been a good discomfort.

I noticed my hand was shaking as I was preparing the hashi to put by the bowls of food. Did she like rice and fish? Had she even had it? I scoffed and threw them the sticks down and huffed at the immature thoughts I was having. There was no way I could find attraction in the dog of a dog. But she was not a dog. She is just a victim in this as all were her kind their putrid America. I was surprised at myself for even telling her to eat with me. I am even preparing dinner for her. I shook my head. She is a guest and my lord has put her in my care and I would do my duties.

Grace's POV

Once I felt clean enough, I stood up and she drew close with a white robe, and I just nodded my thanks and smiled politely before placing the robe around my body. She nodded back and motioned for me to follow her. I did and just moved back to the village with her. Many stares came my way, but I did my best to ignore them. I even saw the woman who struck me earlier. My face burned at the thought of it, but I just looked away. When I was back at Ujio's lodge, Taka just bowed her head at me and left. I was unsure of what to do now, but I knew I would need to go back inside. I heard noise coming from a room in the lodge and assumed it was Ujio. I didn't want to bother him so I returned to my room. Once I closed the door behind me, I noticed there was a faded red kimono, as I remember it was called, folded in front of the blankets I slept on. I was not expecting this at all.

I moved over to the dress observed the dress. It was a beautiful red. I got down on my knees and was a bit cold since I was very much wet. I decided to remove the robe and use it as a towel to dry my body off. I squeezed my hair out on the floor and was just doing my best to get dry so I could warm myself. Before I could really think however, the door suddenly slid open and I yelped and turned with the robe covering my body and now Ujio was just covering his eyes and shouting something. I was in complete panic.

"Oh my god! Haven't you been taught to knock!" I shouted.

"So sorry! So sorry!" he said and closed the door quickly. I was panting quickly unsure of what just happened. It was so quick I could hardly comprehend what had just happened. Lord have mercy, he saw me naked again. I groaned wondering how awkward it was going to be between us now at dinner whenever that was.

The moon was coming up and I hadn't left my room. I was starting to hate this room and I was starting to see it like a prison. Was this torture, I would have to say so. I didn't have Nathan and I was starting to miss and want to be with him. I had no idea how his condition really was. I had to get out of this house- well this room really! So I put on the red kimono finally and it was not on correctly that much I knew. It felt weird and tight. I ignored it however and placed my hair back and placed all the correct pins inside to hold it up.

I had no idea if Ujio was going to come for me so we could eat, so I guess I had to come to him. I moved to the door and just slid it open loud enough so he knew I had made a move. There were candles lit in some of the rooms. I just slowly and carefully move down the halls and looked for the rough samurai before I found him sitting at a small table that was way too close to the ground and I saw him sitting on a small pillow on his knees. He was on the other side and I couldn't help but look at the bowls of rice and what looked like fish and other small cups on the table. I swallowed some and looked up at the man who finally looked at me.

"Grace." he said with respect and bowed his head at me and lifted his hand for me to sit on the other side of him. I looked down for a moment before slowly moving into the room and I wanted to sit, but I felt way to constricted in this kimono. I wasn't sure if I could sit. I blinked and made small attempts to sit, but when I felt places on my body tighten, I felt I would rip the dress and offend him so, I stood back up.

"I think- uh. I put the kimono on wrong." I said nervously and Ujio looked a bit stunned, his dark eyes blinking a bit before nodding and standing up.

"Let me help you." he said speaking better English than before and I just stood there watching as he moved behind me and started to do something to the dress. I flinched once I felt his hands on my body, but slowly the kimono felt looser and I could breathe and I couldn't help but exhale some.

"I'm sorry. For entering your room without properly asking." he said lowly. I was stiff now, but I nodded and said nothing else. He walked back around me and bowed his entire body now low to the ground. "Forgive me." I blinked not expecting all of that, but I just nodded again, but he was not bending back up and I just looked around and then nodded one more time.

"It's okay." I replied shyly and now he leaned back up and nodded before moving back to sit down and this time I was able to comfortably join him. He just nodded and raised his hand.

"Eat whatever you like." he said. I swallowed some and tilted my head.

"You speak…better now." I said and immediately averted my eyes to the table as if waiting to be heavily scolded and maybe hit.

"I can speak English very well. I just choose to let that side of me remain silent. My lord taught me, and I continued to speak it when around other English speaking samurai. But it is only if it is greatly needed." he said and I looked back up at him slowly to see him picking up a bowl of rice and then motioning for me to do the same. I blinked and finally looked down at the bowl in front of me. I didn't want to be rude. So I picked up the bowl and then…the two sticks beside it? I tilted my head and slowly picked the two sticks up and just moved them in my hand. What did he want me to do with this?

I heard him laugh lowly, and I looked up at him to see him holding up the sticks and moving them between his fingers.

"Hashi." he said and I tilted my head again. "Eat. Hashi." He was trying to show me how to hold the two sticks in his fingers and slowly I began to mimic his movements until I had the stick securely in my fingers. Slowly I began to pick at the rice until I finally had enough of it to put in my mouth. It wasn't bad, but plain and simple and right now I did not mind that at all. I glanced up at Ujio to see him laughing a bit. I couldn't help but smile slowly and giggle a bit. I knew I would not spoil this night by asking about Nathan. Maybe tomorrow.

Author's Notes

So here's an update to this. I will be working on Forbidden Desires and other fics very soon!