Bankotsu slowly opened his eyes. His body felt stiff and his head pounded. He groaned as he slowly lifted his upper body. His eyesight blurred slightly before focusing. Riza slept next to him, her plump lips parted softly as she breathed in deeply. A blanket covered the both of them. Bankotsu quickly felt his chest and lifted the blanket to see that his clothes were still on. His armor, shoes and arm guards had been removed and placed next to him.
He lifted the blanket over Riza, somewhat relieved to see her dress still on.
She moaned rubbing her eyes.
Riza sat up and stretched her arms above her head letting out a content sigh before turning her head towards Bankotsu.
She turns back to her side, making sure her items were still with her before reality hit her that her bag was missing and her room looked different. She quickly snapped back at Bankotsu with wide eyes.
"What are you doing here? In bed with me? D-did you take advantage of me?!" She accuses pointing her finger at him.
"What?! No! You stupid bitch! You're in my room, in my bed!" He barked back.
"Huh." She glanced around the room to see the floor littered with empty bottles. "Guess we drank all the booze left in the world and passed out." She giggled.
Bankotsu smiled softly at her cute giggles.
"Sooo..since I have you here in my bed.." Bankotsu trailed his fingertips up her arm and through her long hair.
"Is something lewd on your mind?" She asked with a sly smirk.
He pushed her down and climbed over her. His mind clouded by lust.
"Very lewd." He whispered leaning down, his gaze fixated on her plump pink lips.
"Mistress! I finally found you!" Mamo slide the door open with panic.
"Fuck off!" Bankotsu shouted.
Mamo gasped and jumped onto his back pulling his hair back.
"What are you doing to my mistress?! You pervert!" He yelled as he started hitting Bankotsu in the head.
Riza stood up and stretched out her body.
Bankotsu couldn't help but stare at her. His cobalt blue gaze drinking in every curve, dip and hallow that her thin dress covered.
His own body tightened in response. She felt so perfect in his arms, in his bed.
"Stop staring at her like that!" Mamo protested, jumping between his mistress and Bankotsu's hungry gaze.
"Come, Mamo. We have things to do besides have a jealous feud." She was already out the door not even giving Bankotsu a glance.
Riza hurried to her room, Mamo close behind her.
Her heart was beating so loud in her ears. How could she have been so stupid?
She could not, would not get too close. She'll get close enough to steer them away from Katsu and retreat back to him.
Mamo slammed the door to her room and turned to glare at his mistress.
"What do you think you're doing?!" He snapped.
"What ever do you mean?" She glided across the room to pull out her signature black kimono.
"You know what I mean! You're flirting with that-that animal! I know you went to bed with every intention of sleeping with him!" He accused.
"We both fell asleep! Nothing happened! An occasional bump of the leg or arm during the night but other than that, NOTHING! Not until we woke up.. that..I don't know. Heat of moment." She yelled but ended with a mumble.
"Riza, you can't get with him. You know Katsu will lose his shit! And plus the guy is a total barbarian! You deserve a king or lord or something.."
"Kings and lords are nothing but jackasses with stolen power. Not like him, or Katsu. They are men of true power. One earned with blood and steel. A kind of power I thrive on, we thrive on." She walked to the window, her bright blue eyes watching the townsfolk come to life in the early hours of the day.
"I'm well aware of the consequences if I indulge in my impulses. I will keep my distance from him for the time being if it will calm you down." She closed her eyes, her expression obvious annoyance.
"Just don't flirt with him. We can be friends with them but let's keep from fucking."
"I won't fuck him, but I'm not going to stop flirting. He's just too cute." She added with a smirk.
"Hhmp! Well anyways, you're services have been requested. You can say your goodbyes to the brute and his friends and we must be on our way." Mamo said as he watched Riza leave their room at the inn and head towards the tavern where the band of Seven rested.
Riza held her breath at the sight in front of her.
Bankotsu has spent the morning training and lifted his halberd with his hoari around his waist.
His muscles rippled with power as he swung and spun his great halberd.
His stomach ridged and tight and his waist small. His legs covered by his hakamas were columns of steel flesh.
"Riza!" He called out to her, snapping her from her hypnotic stance.
She walked over to him. Bankotsu watched as her curved hips swayed with each graceful step, her bosom bouncing softly, her long and wild blonde hair flowing around her like a blanket of white gold.
His stomach flutter when she smiled and his heart raced as she stood in front of him. Her head cranked up to look him directly in his eyes. Her mysteriously sexy half smile had drawn his full attention.
Her soft plump lips moved gently.
"Monsieur." She greeted.
Her black kimono hung slightly off her slim shoulders, the red obi tied tightly around her narrow rib cage and tucked in waist.
The opening showed a peak of her long slender leg.
Never had he seen a woman as exotic, sinful and breathtaking as her.
Bankotsu cursed himself for his growing infatuation for the deadly warrior woman. When he thought of her, he could think of nothing but hot, steamy nights. Nights lite by candlelight, his body blanketing her, taking what he wants from her. Drowning in her sweet scent.
"Bankotsu?" She tilted her head.
God, he loved the way she said his name.
"Uh.." he hesitated, "whats um.. what's up?" He asked nonchalant.
"Not much. We're about to leave." She answered walking past him to the tavern.
"Where to?" He asked following her.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" She giggled nudging him.
He chuckled softly. Watching her from the corner of his eye.
In the short time they had known each other he could feel his heart, his very soul reach out to her. He felt annoyed and angry with his reactions when she was near.
His heart races, his stomach flips and flutters, his hands get clammy and his mind seems to turn into chaos. He could feel that his tiny crush was turning into an obsession.
"I wonder if our paths will cross." He mumbled.
"I hope they do." She said softly.
Her smile was soft, her lips plump and pink.
His cheeks heated up.
"Big brother! Riza!" Jakotsu waved with a big smile on his face.
Jakotsu was the only one who knew of his attraction to Riza. Everyone else knew but only knew of it as a sexual attraction, which isn't wrong, but Jakotsu knew the attraction was more than sex. Way more.
"Oh? Were you two enjoy a nice private walk?" He cooed.
Bankotsu's face turned red.
"Shut it." He growled to his best friend, "So Riza, when are you leaving?" He asked changing the subject.
"Hm. Probably in the next hour. I'd like to get a drink in me first!"
What should have been an hour of drinking quickly drifted into nighttime. The stars were bright and the sake was hot.
Riza laughed with Suikotsu and Mukotsu. She distracted herself with the other to keep from Bankotsu. Riza watched from afar as Bankotsu talked and flirted with a random bar wench.
She felt flames in the pit of her stomach. She tried to ignore it but since the first time they crossed blades she had fallen for him. And the more time she spent with him, getting to know him, the farther she fell.
With the alcohol taking control she shoved her way over to him and slid her body between him and the table separating the bar wench and Bankotsu.
"You shouldn't wonder away." She whispered in his ear. Her body rubbed against his and instantly he had forgotten who he was speaking with.
He clutched the table, his arms caging her in. Never breaking eye contact he reached behind her, pushing his hard chest against her soft breasts and grabbed the bottle of sake.
He could smell her. Sweet vanilla and fresh water. An intoxicating smell. He shoved his face into her neck, stepping closer to her. He took a swig of the sake and bunched her silky hair in his hand.
He yanked her head to the side and deeply inhaled her scent.
"Fuck..." he growled, "You smell so good." He nipped at her creamy skin.
Her hands gripped his haori tightly. Her hold on him was the only thing keeping her from falling. She shook her head and pushed him back. His eyes were dark and clouded by his lust, her cheeks were bright pink and her eyes dark and lustful as well.
"Let's fuck, Riza. Before you leave. We may never see each other again." He suggested.
"You're drunk." She said shyly.
"I may be but I'm sober enough to know I've been wanting to lay you down since we met. I know you want to." His hand crept up and cupped the back of her neck.
"Bankotsu.." she breathed. Her knees felt weak and he was looking at her with such hunger.
"C'mon.." he ran his hands down her arms and clutched her wrists behind her back and slowly walked her backwards to the exit.
"Ill give you a night you'll never forget." His voice was low and husky.
'Sorry Mamo. I just can't help myself.'
Bankotsu grabbed her hand and walked them away from the tavern. His eyes darted around for a private place where the two of them could be alone for hours.
His eyes landed on an empty dojo. The master and students had left for the day, and to Bankotsu's excitement, left the entrance open for anyone to enter.
"We'll be alone in here." He said walking into the dark entrance of the dojo.
Riza took a deep breath and followed. Excitement raced through her blood. She was not pure. Having lost her virginity years ago. Yet the wild search for a place to have sex made her restless with anticipation.
Bankotsu pushed open a wide door and entered the large empty room. Wooden to steel swords and other weapons hung all over the walls. Riza found a small candle and lit it. The candle was bright enough to cast a seductive red hue to the dark room but with the candle being small only really lit a portion of the room. Everything else was covered in a dark red shadow.
This was it. He was alone with her and no one would disturb them for hours.