Disclaimer: I don't own FY or any of the characters, but I do own Tansho
and all the other people of the Black Dove.
Warning: The alcohol really sets in the last part of this chapter, so naturally the eloquence of the character's dialogue will diminish and will be quickly replaced with strong vulgarity. ^_^ Basically, a lot of "f*ck's".etc.!! Enjoy! ^_^
Chapter 8 The Iron Fan
"I'm drunk," I say, "I should be numb to a damn headache." I rub at my temples, then press my fingertips between my eyes. My rubbing soon produces the actual beginnings of a real headache, so I stop.
"Maybe you should go lie down?" Tasuki tries, resting his forearms on the table and leaning toward me.
"No," I quickly reply, "We're having too much fun." I grin at him, then lean on the table as well, aware of my breasts straining against the loose fabric of my gown. I may be drunk, but my goal is still hot on my mind. I search his face for any sign that he is aware of my assets as well. His eyes show his drunkenness; they're unfocused. I laugh at my own drunken foolishness. His eyes suddenly awaken and I see him question me with them.
"What's so funny?" he asks, removing his elbows from the table and resuming his previous position, arm slung over the back of the chair and opposite hand resting on his thigh. I feel my stomach tighten as I realize how alluring his body language is.
"Nothing," I say, answering his question. "You ask me that too much..." For a while I thought my desires for him might have quenched; it would be best, for him as well for me. But no. He had to make himself appear beautiful, had to make my mind and my heart flare. All my thoughts about that word come rushing back. That goddamned word. Love. I smile a sad yet determined smile.
Hey! I think, Don't get upset! You of all people should know how to fuck without loving. That's your trade, you silly chit!
"Well," he protests, "You're always laughing at me..."
I ignore his last comment and settle back in my chair. I am interested in him, his life, who he really is. "So tell me more about yourself," I ask him, cocking my head.
"What do you want to know?" he retorts.
"Anything," I answer truthfully, "Any family? Any occupation?"
He grins at the mention of the last word, and I wonder why. "Family," he repeats, "Yeah, I have family. A Ma, a Pa, and five older sisters."
"Five?!" I cry. He nods almost pitifully, but seems somewhat proud of it. "You poor thing, no wonder you hate women." He scowls at me.
"Who says I hate women?"
"Well, Nuriko told me that you weren't too fond of my gender. Is he incorrect?" I ask.
"Well, not really. Women just get on my nerves; I don't really hate them. They're high-maintenance and moody. Or maybe just my sisters are; maybe there are women out there who are not obsessed with their hair and clothes and men..." He seems hopeful, and I hate to burst his bubble. "Not to mention the damn trouble they can get you into."
"There may be a couple who wouldn't," I say encouragingly. "So, what did you do at Mount Reikaku? Are you a farmer, a blacksmith...a tavern master, perhaps?" I smile and he smiles back.
"Actually, I was a thief."
I shoot him a skeptical look. "A thief? Are you serious?" I ask, leaning towards him. He nods and I lift my eyebrows. "Wow," is all I can say.
"I am the leader of a group of thieves to be exact," he continues, "I didn't get to be leader very long, though, before I had to leave to come here. And before that, I was kinda' on my own. I had gone away for a while, and when I got back, I discovered that the old boss had died and that some asshole and taken over the group. I later found out that the old boss had wanted me to be his heir, so I beat up the imposter and took back what was rightful mine. But less than a day later, I left the position to my right hand man, and came here."
"Why did you have to leave?" I ask.
"I can't really tell you that," he answers, "Sorry..."
"Oh, that's okay," I assure him, "You hardly know me after all." I try not to appear hurt by his refusal; I spoke the truth after all. He doesn't know me. I don't know him. Or at least not yet.
My eyes wander to his shoulder, where the mystery silver object pokes out. My eyebrows meet as I get out of my seat and walk around the table to stand in front of him. He looks up at me in surprise, but I avert my eyes to the weapon behind him. I still have no idea what the damn thing is.
Before I realize what I am doing, my legs are straddling him and my thighs are wrapped tightly around his hips. He reacts as he did before when I sat in his lap, only this time his actions are slowed by the amount of sake pooled in his body. I position myself slightly above him, moving my right leg upward to allow my shin to rest on his thigh, nudging his hand away to give me room. I lean an elbow on his shoulder, nudging the hard curve of his coat slightly.
"Uhhh, what are you doing?" he asks groggily. I laugh at the slowness of his words.
"Oh, Tasuki dear, don't tell me that you're drunk too!! Don't get nervous, just looking!" I laugh, my body rocking against him with each breath. "Oh," I gasp, realizing that I didn't use his other name, "Would you like it better if I called you 'Genro'?" I smile and press into his warm chest alluringly. Even though I've done it many times before, his body against mine still causes my womanhood to quake in desire.
"No," he answers, "You can call me what you want. I don't really care." He fumbles for his cup and brings it to his mouth, draining it in one toss.
"Good!" I chime, "But tell me something..." His eyebrows rise in encouragement as he sets the cup on the table again. I am enjoying how comfortable he has become with me nestled in his lap. He seems to enjoy our position as much as I do.
"Why are you called 'Tasuki' here? Couldn't people here call you by your true name?"
I feel his body tense violently as he shifts beneath me. I move with him, surprisement at his sudden uncomfort evident on my flushed face. He clears his throat quietly, but I feel his discomfort.
"Is something wrong, my darling?" I ask gently, "Can you really not tell me why you're here?"
"Actually...no, I can't," he says, "I would like to...but..."
"You don't trust me?"
"No...It's just that...I can't go around announcing who I am, Tansho," he replies a little coldly. "It's not just for my safety, but for the safety of many others...my friends."
I no longer feel the need to probe. His eyes are far too sincere, far too soft, and far too anxious. I decide to leave it be; perhaps one day he'll tell.
Then my attention returns to the object of my interest, the metal weapon he keeps so close. I run a hand along the length of his arm, up to his shoulder, and around his upper back until I have the cool handle clasped in my palm. Somehow, he senses my hand on his weapon and jerks a little.
"What are you doing?" he demands loudly, squirming beneath me, causing me to release the weapon in order to hold onto him so as not to fall from his lap onto the floor. I pat his chest softly with my hand.
"Calm down now," I say, slowly rubbing the heel of my hand and my fingertips into his chest, and then parting the opening of his black coat to slip inside. The memories of our first encounter spill into my mind, enticing me to continue. "I'm just looking at your strange weapon. It is surely not a dagger of some sort...what is it, my dear?"
The wildness of his eyes dies down, and I take the opportunity to hook my fingers over the top of his soft cotton shirt. I rub my knuckles against the soft skin on his chest, then lift my hand and trace the line of this collarbone with my fingertips.
"What is that?" I whisper, inclining my head over his shoulder.
"A fan," he answers nonchalantly.
"You carry a metal fan around with you?" I ask, though not in a degrading tone.
He nods, almost proudly.
"And just what can a fan do as weapon?" I ask, my fingers still massaging against his bare skin.
"Well, I don't know about other fans...but his one throws fire."
"Oh, is that right?" I say, now allowing my voice to show a bit of amusement. How ludicrous! A fire-throwing fan! I almost laugh, but I don't want him to become upset with me. But though I try, my lips spread and my teeth emerge in a wild grin.
"You don't believe me, do you?" he asks with an uncaring tone of voice, reclining his head against my arm when I snake it over his shoulders. I smile wider at his obvious acceptance of my presence--so close to him.
"Not really, my dear," I answer truthfully, leaning harder against him, "Why don't you prove it to me?"
**************************************************************************** ***************************
We have to lean on each other heavily to get out of the tavern. I can feel the eyes of the men and whores on mine and Tasuki's backs, but I'm far too drunk to care. I've spent far too much of the night in his company, and I find myself hoping the other whores think I'm finally about to bed him...even though my victory would mean an entire month's wages taken from their greedy hands. I am laughing loudly when we finally reach the latrines, the site I picked for him to prove to me that fire comes out of his fan.
I find that I enjoy the feeling of his arm pressed against my back, his other wrapped firmly around the front of my waist to support himself. I press one hand to his chest to keep him from toppling over and I wrap my arm around his back as well. I find that I need his support as well as my own balance if I wish to walk somewhat straight.
I release him and watch in amusement as he staggers, trying desperately to stand on his own. Unfortunately, I do no better when I try to move away in order to give him room for his demonstration. My left foot catches my right as only a drunk's foot could, and I stumble, somehow being sober enough to outstretch my arms to brace myself for the fall.
But I don't fall. I open my eyes and see that I'm still standing, and I also see that Tasuki's arm is wrapped so tightly around my waist that I fear I'll vomit from its pressure on my sake-filled stomach. I feel it rising in my throat, but, thankfully, he releases his tight hold on me in time and it subsides. I sigh and lean my back against his chest, for even though he no longer grips me as if I could float away, his arm is still very present on my body.
"Thank you," I say, turning to look at him. He smiles giddily, then stumbles even though he is standing still, causing us both to burst into a chorus of laughter. I've forgotten how fun it is to be drunk.
"Well, go on!" I cry, flinging my hand at him. "You said you'd prove it to me!"
He gives me a slight frown, but moves a few yards away before taking on a battle stance and unsheathing the iron fan from behind him. He holds it in front of him, then slings it behind one shoulder. "It'll be hot," he warns me. I pretend that I didn't hear.
"Fine!" he calls in my direction, "Don't say I didn't warn you!"
"REKKA...SHINEN!!!!" he cries out as he flings the fan down over his shoulder, then upward towards the opposite one.
Suddenly, a stream of glowing red flames leap from the folds of the fan and toward a tree a good distance away. My mouth falls open as my drunkenness wears off momentarily at the spectacular sight. Red fills my eyes as the flames roar past me, but then I feel heat on my face, my chest, my entire body. A burst of scorching heat and air is suddenly lifting me into the contrasting coolness of the air. My soberness wears off as I watch my feet leave the ground. I am so fascinated that I don't even feel myself sail backwards, even though I now see the blackness of the sky above me as if I were reclining on the grass. I feel like I'm floating in water, and I smile at how enjoyable it is. But then I feel such a pain in my spine and on the back of my head that I open my mouth to scream, but am surprised to hear only air hissing from my lungs. I am still looking at the sky, but my eyes are so unfocused that I can only see blackness. No stars. No moon. Nothing.
The pain in my back and head eases as the alcohol in my blood tricks my mind into thinking there is no pain, but then it suddenly begins again in my ankle. I lift my head to see my ankle twisted rather oddly, and I try to sit up.
"No, Tansho," a voice says, "Don't move."
My eyes wander from the blackness to see red. Red. I gasp, thinking the fire has returned, but I am stopped by a pair of warm hands on my upper arms before I even have a chance to thrash.
"Tansho, it's okay," the voice says. I finally regain my senses and realize that the voice belongs to Tasuki.
"Oh, hi Tasuki!" I chime as his face comes into view above mine, "You really can throw fire from that fan, can't you?" I grin and pat his cheek softly. "That was so beautiful!" I know that my foolishness must appear as insanity to him, but I don't care.
I see his nod and his small smile, but his eyes are filled with so much worry that I can hardly see anything else. Worry. Why would he be worried? What in hell has happened?
"What's wrong?" I ask, my drunken words barely audible.
"I'm so sorry," he says breathlessly, "I shouldn't have tried to do it when I was drunk. My aim was a little off." Then I realize. He nearly hit me with the fire blast. He nearly killed me. But I am unnerved. I'm not even annoyed, much less angry.
"Don't worry," I say. "I'm alright."
He snakes an arm around my back and gently moves my body upward into a sitting position. I plant my arms at my sides to try to shift myself onto my knees to stand. But my right leg only drags, and I scream as I put pressure on my ankle.
"Tansho!" Tasuki yells, "Stay there!"
"But I have to go back to the tavern," I protest, "Or else Shingen will wonder where I'm at." I try to push his hand away, but he grabs my shoulders and gives me a hard shake, sobering me for another moment.
"You're hurt, so calm down," he tells me.
I frown at his seriousness, and look at him hard. "Don't be so fucking serious!" I whisper coldly, slurring my words yet again.
"It's cold out here. You're hurt. I need to get you inside," he says.
"And just how the hell are you going to do that?" I ask. I can feel the sake settling in for the night. I know that it's what's causing me to suddenly be so irritable, but I'm too far gone to give a damn.
"Carry you, of course. I'm the one who hurt you." I howl with laughter at the idea of him attempting to haul me upstairs while trying to keep himself from falling over backwards due to his own drunken state.
"What the hell is so funny?!" he yells, turning an irritated glance my way.
"You're drunk! How the fuck are you going to carry me upstairs to my room?" I'm becoming equally irritated at his determination to act the hero.
"Shut up!" he retorts. "You're drunk too! And you have a hurt ankle. How the fuck are you gonna get up there on your own?!"
Before I can protest further, one of his arms is curled around my back and the other is hooked under my knees. Then I am hovering in the air, the warmth of his chest pressed firmly against my shoulder and arm.
Oh, fuck it all, my drunken mind hisses at me, It's a free ride...and at least you don't have to sleep with any more customers tonight. Be thankful you little idiot.
Well, they're on their way to Tansho's room. Maybe they'll be a nice juicy lemon in the next chapter...maybe not!! ^_^ You'll have to wait and see!!
Reply to reviewers:
Adriana1210: Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I'm really behind in my e-mails, but I have something rather important that I would like to ask you.so expect one from me soon, OK?! ^_^
Torrent: I'm glad that my writing encourages you! But you know.writer's practice in order to hone their skills, that means they write as much as they possibly can (like me.I've been writing since I was 12). You can't not want to be a writer just because you think you're not good enough. You might be better than you think!! ^_^
Frenchiecangal: Well, I'm not sure this is where everything goes out of whack.but it is where the limes and lemons start falling from the trees, if ya know what I mean!! ^_^
Blah blah: Thank you so much for the tip on that website. I'll visit it as soon as I get a chance.
Cascading Hope: Thanks for the compliments! And thanks even more for putting me on your fav stories list!! *blushes*
Emerin Mornlight: Ooooh! Is that one of the OAVs??!! I've got 2 and I'm looking for the others (how many more are there?) And are they already available in the U.S??? Ooooh, I gotta know I gotta know!!! *Iseult starts foaming at the mouth*
*Ahem* Anyways.thank you all for your reviews!!!
Warning: The alcohol really sets in the last part of this chapter, so naturally the eloquence of the character's dialogue will diminish and will be quickly replaced with strong vulgarity. ^_^ Basically, a lot of "f*ck's".etc.!! Enjoy! ^_^
Chapter 8 The Iron Fan
"I'm drunk," I say, "I should be numb to a damn headache." I rub at my temples, then press my fingertips between my eyes. My rubbing soon produces the actual beginnings of a real headache, so I stop.
"Maybe you should go lie down?" Tasuki tries, resting his forearms on the table and leaning toward me.
"No," I quickly reply, "We're having too much fun." I grin at him, then lean on the table as well, aware of my breasts straining against the loose fabric of my gown. I may be drunk, but my goal is still hot on my mind. I search his face for any sign that he is aware of my assets as well. His eyes show his drunkenness; they're unfocused. I laugh at my own drunken foolishness. His eyes suddenly awaken and I see him question me with them.
"What's so funny?" he asks, removing his elbows from the table and resuming his previous position, arm slung over the back of the chair and opposite hand resting on his thigh. I feel my stomach tighten as I realize how alluring his body language is.
"Nothing," I say, answering his question. "You ask me that too much..." For a while I thought my desires for him might have quenched; it would be best, for him as well for me. But no. He had to make himself appear beautiful, had to make my mind and my heart flare. All my thoughts about that word come rushing back. That goddamned word. Love. I smile a sad yet determined smile.
Hey! I think, Don't get upset! You of all people should know how to fuck without loving. That's your trade, you silly chit!
"Well," he protests, "You're always laughing at me..."
I ignore his last comment and settle back in my chair. I am interested in him, his life, who he really is. "So tell me more about yourself," I ask him, cocking my head.
"What do you want to know?" he retorts.
"Anything," I answer truthfully, "Any family? Any occupation?"
He grins at the mention of the last word, and I wonder why. "Family," he repeats, "Yeah, I have family. A Ma, a Pa, and five older sisters."
"Five?!" I cry. He nods almost pitifully, but seems somewhat proud of it. "You poor thing, no wonder you hate women." He scowls at me.
"Who says I hate women?"
"Well, Nuriko told me that you weren't too fond of my gender. Is he incorrect?" I ask.
"Well, not really. Women just get on my nerves; I don't really hate them. They're high-maintenance and moody. Or maybe just my sisters are; maybe there are women out there who are not obsessed with their hair and clothes and men..." He seems hopeful, and I hate to burst his bubble. "Not to mention the damn trouble they can get you into."
"There may be a couple who wouldn't," I say encouragingly. "So, what did you do at Mount Reikaku? Are you a farmer, a blacksmith...a tavern master, perhaps?" I smile and he smiles back.
"Actually, I was a thief."
I shoot him a skeptical look. "A thief? Are you serious?" I ask, leaning towards him. He nods and I lift my eyebrows. "Wow," is all I can say.
"I am the leader of a group of thieves to be exact," he continues, "I didn't get to be leader very long, though, before I had to leave to come here. And before that, I was kinda' on my own. I had gone away for a while, and when I got back, I discovered that the old boss had died and that some asshole and taken over the group. I later found out that the old boss had wanted me to be his heir, so I beat up the imposter and took back what was rightful mine. But less than a day later, I left the position to my right hand man, and came here."
"Why did you have to leave?" I ask.
"I can't really tell you that," he answers, "Sorry..."
"Oh, that's okay," I assure him, "You hardly know me after all." I try not to appear hurt by his refusal; I spoke the truth after all. He doesn't know me. I don't know him. Or at least not yet.
My eyes wander to his shoulder, where the mystery silver object pokes out. My eyebrows meet as I get out of my seat and walk around the table to stand in front of him. He looks up at me in surprise, but I avert my eyes to the weapon behind him. I still have no idea what the damn thing is.
Before I realize what I am doing, my legs are straddling him and my thighs are wrapped tightly around his hips. He reacts as he did before when I sat in his lap, only this time his actions are slowed by the amount of sake pooled in his body. I position myself slightly above him, moving my right leg upward to allow my shin to rest on his thigh, nudging his hand away to give me room. I lean an elbow on his shoulder, nudging the hard curve of his coat slightly.
"Uhhh, what are you doing?" he asks groggily. I laugh at the slowness of his words.
"Oh, Tasuki dear, don't tell me that you're drunk too!! Don't get nervous, just looking!" I laugh, my body rocking against him with each breath. "Oh," I gasp, realizing that I didn't use his other name, "Would you like it better if I called you 'Genro'?" I smile and press into his warm chest alluringly. Even though I've done it many times before, his body against mine still causes my womanhood to quake in desire.
"No," he answers, "You can call me what you want. I don't really care." He fumbles for his cup and brings it to his mouth, draining it in one toss.
"Good!" I chime, "But tell me something..." His eyebrows rise in encouragement as he sets the cup on the table again. I am enjoying how comfortable he has become with me nestled in his lap. He seems to enjoy our position as much as I do.
"Why are you called 'Tasuki' here? Couldn't people here call you by your true name?"
I feel his body tense violently as he shifts beneath me. I move with him, surprisement at his sudden uncomfort evident on my flushed face. He clears his throat quietly, but I feel his discomfort.
"Is something wrong, my darling?" I ask gently, "Can you really not tell me why you're here?"
"Actually...no, I can't," he says, "I would like to...but..."
"You don't trust me?"
"No...It's just that...I can't go around announcing who I am, Tansho," he replies a little coldly. "It's not just for my safety, but for the safety of many others...my friends."
I no longer feel the need to probe. His eyes are far too sincere, far too soft, and far too anxious. I decide to leave it be; perhaps one day he'll tell.
Then my attention returns to the object of my interest, the metal weapon he keeps so close. I run a hand along the length of his arm, up to his shoulder, and around his upper back until I have the cool handle clasped in my palm. Somehow, he senses my hand on his weapon and jerks a little.
"What are you doing?" he demands loudly, squirming beneath me, causing me to release the weapon in order to hold onto him so as not to fall from his lap onto the floor. I pat his chest softly with my hand.
"Calm down now," I say, slowly rubbing the heel of my hand and my fingertips into his chest, and then parting the opening of his black coat to slip inside. The memories of our first encounter spill into my mind, enticing me to continue. "I'm just looking at your strange weapon. It is surely not a dagger of some sort...what is it, my dear?"
The wildness of his eyes dies down, and I take the opportunity to hook my fingers over the top of his soft cotton shirt. I rub my knuckles against the soft skin on his chest, then lift my hand and trace the line of this collarbone with my fingertips.
"What is that?" I whisper, inclining my head over his shoulder.
"A fan," he answers nonchalantly.
"You carry a metal fan around with you?" I ask, though not in a degrading tone.
He nods, almost proudly.
"And just what can a fan do as weapon?" I ask, my fingers still massaging against his bare skin.
"Well, I don't know about other fans...but his one throws fire."
"Oh, is that right?" I say, now allowing my voice to show a bit of amusement. How ludicrous! A fire-throwing fan! I almost laugh, but I don't want him to become upset with me. But though I try, my lips spread and my teeth emerge in a wild grin.
"You don't believe me, do you?" he asks with an uncaring tone of voice, reclining his head against my arm when I snake it over his shoulders. I smile wider at his obvious acceptance of my presence--so close to him.
"Not really, my dear," I answer truthfully, leaning harder against him, "Why don't you prove it to me?"
**************************************************************************** ***************************
We have to lean on each other heavily to get out of the tavern. I can feel the eyes of the men and whores on mine and Tasuki's backs, but I'm far too drunk to care. I've spent far too much of the night in his company, and I find myself hoping the other whores think I'm finally about to bed him...even though my victory would mean an entire month's wages taken from their greedy hands. I am laughing loudly when we finally reach the latrines, the site I picked for him to prove to me that fire comes out of his fan.
I find that I enjoy the feeling of his arm pressed against my back, his other wrapped firmly around the front of my waist to support himself. I press one hand to his chest to keep him from toppling over and I wrap my arm around his back as well. I find that I need his support as well as my own balance if I wish to walk somewhat straight.
I release him and watch in amusement as he staggers, trying desperately to stand on his own. Unfortunately, I do no better when I try to move away in order to give him room for his demonstration. My left foot catches my right as only a drunk's foot could, and I stumble, somehow being sober enough to outstretch my arms to brace myself for the fall.
But I don't fall. I open my eyes and see that I'm still standing, and I also see that Tasuki's arm is wrapped so tightly around my waist that I fear I'll vomit from its pressure on my sake-filled stomach. I feel it rising in my throat, but, thankfully, he releases his tight hold on me in time and it subsides. I sigh and lean my back against his chest, for even though he no longer grips me as if I could float away, his arm is still very present on my body.
"Thank you," I say, turning to look at him. He smiles giddily, then stumbles even though he is standing still, causing us both to burst into a chorus of laughter. I've forgotten how fun it is to be drunk.
"Well, go on!" I cry, flinging my hand at him. "You said you'd prove it to me!"
He gives me a slight frown, but moves a few yards away before taking on a battle stance and unsheathing the iron fan from behind him. He holds it in front of him, then slings it behind one shoulder. "It'll be hot," he warns me. I pretend that I didn't hear.
"Fine!" he calls in my direction, "Don't say I didn't warn you!"
"REKKA...SHINEN!!!!" he cries out as he flings the fan down over his shoulder, then upward towards the opposite one.
Suddenly, a stream of glowing red flames leap from the folds of the fan and toward a tree a good distance away. My mouth falls open as my drunkenness wears off momentarily at the spectacular sight. Red fills my eyes as the flames roar past me, but then I feel heat on my face, my chest, my entire body. A burst of scorching heat and air is suddenly lifting me into the contrasting coolness of the air. My soberness wears off as I watch my feet leave the ground. I am so fascinated that I don't even feel myself sail backwards, even though I now see the blackness of the sky above me as if I were reclining on the grass. I feel like I'm floating in water, and I smile at how enjoyable it is. But then I feel such a pain in my spine and on the back of my head that I open my mouth to scream, but am surprised to hear only air hissing from my lungs. I am still looking at the sky, but my eyes are so unfocused that I can only see blackness. No stars. No moon. Nothing.
The pain in my back and head eases as the alcohol in my blood tricks my mind into thinking there is no pain, but then it suddenly begins again in my ankle. I lift my head to see my ankle twisted rather oddly, and I try to sit up.
"No, Tansho," a voice says, "Don't move."
My eyes wander from the blackness to see red. Red. I gasp, thinking the fire has returned, but I am stopped by a pair of warm hands on my upper arms before I even have a chance to thrash.
"Tansho, it's okay," the voice says. I finally regain my senses and realize that the voice belongs to Tasuki.
"Oh, hi Tasuki!" I chime as his face comes into view above mine, "You really can throw fire from that fan, can't you?" I grin and pat his cheek softly. "That was so beautiful!" I know that my foolishness must appear as insanity to him, but I don't care.
I see his nod and his small smile, but his eyes are filled with so much worry that I can hardly see anything else. Worry. Why would he be worried? What in hell has happened?
"What's wrong?" I ask, my drunken words barely audible.
"I'm so sorry," he says breathlessly, "I shouldn't have tried to do it when I was drunk. My aim was a little off." Then I realize. He nearly hit me with the fire blast. He nearly killed me. But I am unnerved. I'm not even annoyed, much less angry.
"Don't worry," I say. "I'm alright."
He snakes an arm around my back and gently moves my body upward into a sitting position. I plant my arms at my sides to try to shift myself onto my knees to stand. But my right leg only drags, and I scream as I put pressure on my ankle.
"Tansho!" Tasuki yells, "Stay there!"
"But I have to go back to the tavern," I protest, "Or else Shingen will wonder where I'm at." I try to push his hand away, but he grabs my shoulders and gives me a hard shake, sobering me for another moment.
"You're hurt, so calm down," he tells me.
I frown at his seriousness, and look at him hard. "Don't be so fucking serious!" I whisper coldly, slurring my words yet again.
"It's cold out here. You're hurt. I need to get you inside," he says.
"And just how the hell are you going to do that?" I ask. I can feel the sake settling in for the night. I know that it's what's causing me to suddenly be so irritable, but I'm too far gone to give a damn.
"Carry you, of course. I'm the one who hurt you." I howl with laughter at the idea of him attempting to haul me upstairs while trying to keep himself from falling over backwards due to his own drunken state.
"What the hell is so funny?!" he yells, turning an irritated glance my way.
"You're drunk! How the fuck are you going to carry me upstairs to my room?" I'm becoming equally irritated at his determination to act the hero.
"Shut up!" he retorts. "You're drunk too! And you have a hurt ankle. How the fuck are you gonna get up there on your own?!"
Before I can protest further, one of his arms is curled around my back and the other is hooked under my knees. Then I am hovering in the air, the warmth of his chest pressed firmly against my shoulder and arm.
Oh, fuck it all, my drunken mind hisses at me, It's a free ride...and at least you don't have to sleep with any more customers tonight. Be thankful you little idiot.
Well, they're on their way to Tansho's room. Maybe they'll be a nice juicy lemon in the next chapter...maybe not!! ^_^ You'll have to wait and see!!
Reply to reviewers:
Adriana1210: Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I'm really behind in my e-mails, but I have something rather important that I would like to ask you.so expect one from me soon, OK?! ^_^
Torrent: I'm glad that my writing encourages you! But you know.writer's practice in order to hone their skills, that means they write as much as they possibly can (like me.I've been writing since I was 12). You can't not want to be a writer just because you think you're not good enough. You might be better than you think!! ^_^
Frenchiecangal: Well, I'm not sure this is where everything goes out of whack.but it is where the limes and lemons start falling from the trees, if ya know what I mean!! ^_^
Blah blah: Thank you so much for the tip on that website. I'll visit it as soon as I get a chance.
Cascading Hope: Thanks for the compliments! And thanks even more for putting me on your fav stories list!! *blushes*
Emerin Mornlight: Ooooh! Is that one of the OAVs??!! I've got 2 and I'm looking for the others (how many more are there?) And are they already available in the U.S??? Ooooh, I gotta know I gotta know!!! *Iseult starts foaming at the mouth*
*Ahem* Anyways.thank you all for your reviews!!!