As his feet stepped one after another in a determined stride towards his destination, the Stranger couldn't help but notice the cold harshness of the weather of this country, this foul city. Scoffing to himself, he realized that no matter how much he tried to run from his despair, it chased him just like this dreary season, from one location to the next. There was no country, no town, no alternate place in human civilization that would ever provide him reprieve from the grief and hatred that stewed within his heart. The water like needles with the burden of a thousand corpses, plastered his body from head to toe, drenching him with its arctic judgment. The skies as dark as the clouds that flowed through his veins, roared with disappointment at what was to come.

Lowering his gaze from the putrid skies, the Stranger looked onward. His eye became steady, focused. Thick brows remained neutral as the transformation from his true identity into the character that was chosen for the task at hand began to awake. The calm that surrounded him began to swirl like smoke from the earth that burned. He straightened his shoulders automatically as his eyes became lidded with malevolence. Soft lips turned up in a smirk laced with deadly sin. Within the damp pockets of his wool coat, his hands tightened into fists before unraveling momentary. This routine continued until his booted feet came to a staggering halt at the very end of a lengthy, narrowed street. The buildings became fewer along the trek until an expanse of barren loneliness led to an extraordinarily large and old manor.

Allowing the façade of emerald eyes to take in the sight, inwardly the Stranger was impressed. The building was large enough to rival Himeji. Yet the design was far less inviting than the ancient royal estate. The walls were painted a dark brown, mahogany, with black trim. The roofs were tiled in classical Japanese architectural style exhuming elegance and sophistication of the highest order.

Gritting his teeth, the Stranger felt his blood beginning to boil with hatred so profound, it threatened to expose him. But her face appeared before him. Her large hazel eyes and flowing flaxen tresses, a smile amidst painted pink lips, and laughter to summon the serenity of spring—it assailed him like a storm, baptizing him of any personal afflictions that would hinder his assignment. Taking a breath, he deliberately exhaled forcing his composure to a calm. I can do this, he thought as another deep breath filled his lungs. I will do what is needed of me and I shall avenge you. I swear to you. With his emotions under control, he pulled his hands from their confines, cracked his knuckles one last time to finalize his mutation and then strode to the double doors of Fuwa Oiran Manor.


"You summoned me, Fuwa-san?" Kyoko asked upon entering the man-made onsen. Briefly lifting her eyes to him, her face flushed with heat. Hastily dropping her chin to her chest, she swallowed an uncomfortable lump and forced her heart to slow its dangerous pacing.

"That will be all, Liang," Sho replied to the young girl standing by the entrance. She was an older woman who was deathly loyal only to the young heir. Bowing gracefully, she slid the doors closed and took her leave from the family's private hot spring.

The area was in a private location on the same land as the oiran, but in the private housing of the Fuwa family. The onsen was custom build by Fuwa Sho for whenever a mood for the relaxation of the hot waters called out to him. There was a stretched pebbled path leading up to the steaming bath, which was surrounded by natural rock and beautiful plants with white flowers. The bath itself was large enough to house the pleasures of twenty men, but was reserved strictly for Fuwa-san. Every detail was carefully chosen with sophistication in mind, as well as the interests of a certain housemaid that had attracted the young heir's affections.

Attired only in a short white towel, his body glistening with moisture, the tall Fuwa walked up to meet the young lady. "Kyoko, look at me," he asked with a low voice. When she didn't move, he slipped his fingertips beneath her chin and forced her to oblige. Velvet lids painted lightly with a golden shimmer fell over her ochre eyes. "Why do you deny me?" He inquired, hurt.

"You know I cannot be here, Fuwa-san!" Kyoko answered with more vehemence than intended. Turning her face from his gesture, she stepped around him and took a profound breath to still her erratic nerves. "It is inappropriate. If anyone saw me here, if your father—"

"I don't care what my father thinks!" Sho yelled. Moving towards her, he reached out and grasped her elbow, pulling her to him. "Kyoko…" Seeing the anguish on her splendid complexion broke his heart. Licking his lips, Sho knew that she was a proper woman. A woman who would never willingly disobey his family, more for his sake than her own. He loved her even more for it. With a newfound resolve, he promised himself that he would not falter in this, he could not for his love was too much to sacrifice for the whims of an old man.

"Please, let me go," Kyoko pleaded.

Dropping his hands to his side, Sho walked around the housemaid to the bath. Climbing the four wooden steps, he sat along the stone edge and eyed her carefully. "I have summoned you here to help me with my bath, Miss Kyoko."

Gasping, she spun to face him. Her small mouth formed an O as her thin brows furrowed with an expression begging his mercy. Clutching the silken fabrics of her kimono that covered her heart, she shook her head lightly.

"You work for the Fuwa family and you will do as you're told. You have a task to complete, I suggest you complete it." Swinging his legs into the torrid water, he pulled the towel from his waist and slipped further into the bath. "I will keep my gaze averted. Please, change and join me. I have a meeting with my father later this evening and I'm expected to look my best."

Knowing that she would not be able to deny him, Kyoko lowered her hands and took the deepest breath she could muster. Her heart thundered beneath the soft skin and bone-cage that housed it. With trembling fingers she gingerly unfastened her obi. Walking to the left, she hung it with great care and then proceeded to remove her kimono, which she also hung on the area provided. Taking a neatly folded white sheet to protect it from the humidity, she draped it over the material. Her breathing grew heavier as she fetched a white towel and wrapped it securely around her body. Seeing that it only reached her thighs, her entire complexion blossomed with a veil of cerise, flowing down her neck and shoulders. Looking up towards the man she had grown to love, a man who was so far beyond her reach that she had resigned herself to accepting life without him… her heart skipped. His strong back kissed by the humid air, looked tense and just as nervous as she was feeling.

Sho could hear her delicate footsteps approaching from behind. His hands buried just beneath the surface of the water formed small balls with anticipation. Inside of himself he knew that what he was asking of her was vastly incongruous, but his desire for her was overwhelming his rationale. For once, he just wanted to touch her, to feel her hands upon him. Coming from one of the wealthiest families in the nation, Sho was accustomed to having women flaunt themselves before him, but they failed in comparison to Kyoko. She was the most stunning, the kindest, the only one whom he had ever wanted to share a life with.

The water rippled around his body as her legs dipped into it. Swallowing aside his regrets and his doubt, he spoke, voice hoarse from shyness. "Can I turn around, Kyoko?"

"A-as you wish, Fuwa-san," Kyoko stammered, her chest rising and falling quickly.

The piping liquid hugged her legs just below her knees. She sat upon the stone edge, the towel up to her thighs as her slender fingers held the knot on her chest tightly. Knuckles changed colors with the security of her grasp. Her face was turned to the side, lashes united as lids kept cover over her large eyes. Her breathtaking ebon hair was still in a lovely yet simple bun. Sho could see a light screen of dew upon her bare shoulders and thin neck.

Approaching her, he licked his lips once again. Stretching out his hand, he tenderly pulled the thin, black lacquered stick that held it together and tossed it aside. Flowing like ribbons her hair fell around her, elongated bangs framing her face sensuously. Sinking his hands into her hair, he stroked the strands affectionately. "You're so beautiful," he whispered, mesmerized.

Teeth grazed her natural lips as her desire for him to continue began to swell. This is wrong, she thought. This is taboo. If he finds us like this, God only know what will happen to Sho, but how can something that feels so right… be so wrong…?

Sliding his palm against her cheek, Sho forced their eyes to meet. Glazed with desire, she stared back with unfaltering determination. She didn't blink. She only gazed longingly into the vast depth of brown that admired her as if she was the single most precious thing alive. "What are you thinking?" he asked softly.

"That I wish I could kiss you," she replied honestly, surprising them both. "I mean… I should—"

Sho pressed his lips to her, silencing her prattles momentarily. Her hesitation was apparent yet fleeting. Parting her mouth to his she accepted him and reciprocated with mirrored yearning. His tongue danced against hers, his strong fingers drowning in her hair while his other caressed the curves of her shoulder, pulling her to him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she held him, terrified that this was nothing more than a torturous dream.

As the two basked in each other's company, they did not hear the steps that stomped towards the doors of the onsen. While young love blossomed beneath the skies of a desolate season, so did the tempers of a ruthless tyrant. The double doors slid violently open, startling the couple.

Fuwa-sama stepped into the room, two handmaidens and two guards in tow. "Sho, what the hell are you doing?!" He shouted.

Grabbing her arm, Sho hid Kyoko behind him protectively. "What are you doing here, father?" He asked, defiantly.

"I'm here to collect my virgin property!" He shouted back. Raising his right hand, he signaled for the guards to proceed. "You have disobeyed me for the last time, boy."

"No!" Sho yelled. "You can't have her! She's not your fucking property!" Placing his hands against her towel-clad legs, Sho led her back a few steps. "Just leave her alone, father! I'm begging you! You can any of the others!"

"I will take her, even if I have to break your legs to do it." Fuwa-sama replied tersely, stepping further into the room. "I paid a pretty penny for her beauty and I will collect on it. Besides, how dare you frolic with the help?! You should know better than to disgrace us like that!"

"It's not like that, we weren't frolicking! I fucking love her!"

Kyoko's eyes fell on the tense muscles of his back. Recognizing that this was not the moment for it, she simply could not stop herself. Leaning forward, she pressed her head against his skin and slipped her arms around his body. Holding him tight, she pressed her lips to him and whispered, "I love you, Sho."

Glancing over his shoulder, Sho shook his head. "Don't you dare do that, I won't allow that to be your goodbye!"

"I'm sorry, Sho."

"Hmph," the elder scoffed. "She's nothing more than a whore who is incapable of knowing love, just like you, an immature brat who feels love for the first pair of breasts he sees."

The guards stormed up to the duo, yanking a rebellious Fuwa Sho from his beloved. Amidst the splashing and thrashing, the smoke continued to swirl up into nothing. As an armored fist met the jaw of an over-privileged heir, while the beautiful Kyoko was dragged away, and the water changed from crystal clear to faded crimson—the world kept spinning and time moved forward. Life went on while hearts broke into a million pieces.


"They have been placed accordingly," Sawara spoke discreetly into the cell phone from the tight space of the linen room. "When you are finished, just give me the signal and I will trigger them. You will only have one chance, so please take great care."

"I will not fail," the throaty voice replied.

"Understood." Pulling the device from his ear, he ended the call, flipped it shut, and then stuffed it in between two stacks of towels.

Carefully exiting the room, he looked about to ensure that he had not been found. Straightening his black yukata, he strode to the second floor of the manor. Reaching the paper door at the end, he knelt and knocked upon the frame. Hearing the vocal admission for his entrance, he stood stepped into the room, and then closed the doors behind him. Turning about, he approached his boss and knelt again, into a full dogeza. "I apologize for my delay, sir."

Waving his hand uninterestedly, Fuwa-sama replied, "It is okay Sawara, you are within the time limitations."

Sitting back into a formal pose, Sawara nodded acknowledgement. "What time is our guest supposed to arrive?"

"He will be here any moment now," the older man answered as he found his feet. He paced the space as he pondered just how much this transaction was going to profit him.

Meanwhile, Sawara admired the surroundings of the private quarters. The room was exquisitely large with a simple table on one end of the room and a large futon with thick blankets on the other side. The smell of perfume, specifically the perfume of one of their most popular ladies, still hung in the air. Keenly aware of the Lord's lecherous activities, he sighed with disgust and felt pity for Lady Fuwa.

"Did you hear about the commotion that occurred earlier?" Fuwa asked, his voice taking on an air of dangerous inquisition.

Lowering his chin, Sawara shook his head. "I did not."

"Really, you did not catch ear of what my son was up to today, with our most prized and well-disciplined product no less?"

Sawara gulped nervously. He must be referring to Kyoko… he thought. This cannot be good. If she is deemed unsellable, then our entire plan will fall to pieces.

"Are you listening to me?!" Fuwa shouted.

Sawara suddenly found the superior to be in his face. One swift move and his neck could be snapped like a meaningless branch in the streets. "I am sorry, Fuwa-sama, but I have not heard anything! I have been busy today conducting the preparations necessary to fulfill the request of our most-awaited guest."

"I see," Fuwa answered, unconvinced. Sitting back, he stroked the neat, elongated goatee that hung from his thin chin. "I found him with her in the onsen this morning. They were in quite the predicament. I will have him severely punished for his insolence."

"And the girl? Is she still…usable?"

"I had her examined very carefully. According to our doctors, she remains pure," the Lord answered with great agitation. "You were supposed to keep watch over her, how could you allow this to happen?!"

Flinching as he rose his voice, Sawara remained silent. He knew that if he spoke up now, no good would come of it. He could feel the rage emanating from the short, older man before him and it sent terrifyingly icy chills down his spine.

Quiet knocks at the door wrought both men's' attention.

"What?" Fuwa snapped.

The doors slid to reveal the lady Liang. "He has arrived, sir." Then she closed the doors and returned down the stairs.

"If this deal goes through and we are able to sell her for what was discussed, I shall forgive you and allow you to live," Fuwa-sama mumbled, glaring at the pest before him.


I'm sorry the story is slow at first, but I want to give attention to the important details and not rush anything. Thank you for reading my story.