Note: I apologize if this fanfic seems to be progressing slowly,
but I have my reasons for it to move at this pace. Romance can't be rushed. ;)

Also, I now have a poll at the top of my profile page. Please vote!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bee-uty & the Beast

Kraen

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Four

Oda knocked thoughtfully on Hani's door while trying to balance a tray of hot tea. "Madam? Madam, are you awake?" He looked at his watch, "Madam? It is Oda; I am here with your morning tea."

After a few more failed attempts, Oda grew concerned.

"Oda, is everything alright?"

"Ah, My Lord," said the servant as he turned to Gai coming up the walkway. "I see you found the wardrobe." He indicated the nice kimono Gai had dressed himself in.

"Hai, Oda." He pointed a thumb at the door, "Is she alright?"

"I am not sure My Lord. She isn't responding."

Gai furrowed his brows, "Here, stand back." He moved Oda a safe distance away before sliding open Hani's door quietly. "I'll check on her -- you wait here."

Oda nodded silently.

Gai stepped into Hani's room cautiously and closed the door behind him. The room was filled with a soft orange glow from the morning sun. He peered through the haze at her bed and saw a shine of blonde hair. He crept closer quietly and found her sleeping heavily amidst numerous pillows wearing a white, silken nightgown; the straps of which had fallen down her shoulders. 'Fortunately,' he thought. 'She is at least clothed.' He placed a hand on her shoulder and shook gently, "Hani? Hani, it's time to wake up."

She didn't respond.

Gai shook harder, "Hani, wake up."

This time he received a moan in protest.

Gai huffed, 'Perhaps I should use the thousand years of death?' He considered it for a moment and thought better of it. If she was one of his students, he would bellow at the top of his lungs to wake up and enjoy the youthful, morning air! Instead, he decided to use Tenten's approach to waking a slumbering teammate. He took a finger and sucked on it briefly, then stuck it into her ear, "Wet Willy no Jutsu!"

Hani cringed in protest, "GAH! WHAT THE HELL?!" She slapped his hand a way and grabbed a blanket to wipe her ear.

"I had no choice, Hani! You wouldn't wake up!"

Hani's voice was venomous, "You seriously need a lesson on how to wake a lady, MY LORD." She roughly pulled the straps of her nightgown up and gave him a dreadful glare.

Gai recoiled slightly.

"Ah, the Madam has awoken!" interjected Oda, who had sensed her killing intent. "Madam, here is your morning tea. Please drink it before it gets cold," he talked fast, hoping his quick words would cool her fury. "Breakfast will be ready in an hour; I suggest you both take that time to make Ga – My Lord, more presentable."

Gai looked offended, "I thought I put the kimono on right?"

"Oh, you did sir! But I'm afraid there are other details in your appearance that needs to be … modified."

Gai looked to Hani for an answer, "He means your hair. We need to fix it … and probably fix your eyebrows too."

The swarthy, dark haired ninja rubbed his brows defensively.

"I will leave it to you, Madam," added Oda. "I will return for you two at breakfast. Please excuse me," he bowed and quietly left the room.

"Alright, My Lord. Take a seat and we'll do something about that hair," said Hani as she patted the end of her bed.

He complied without protest and nervously twiddled his thumbs. Hani took a moment to stretch before she slid out from the blankets and walked to a small makeup table grabbing a comb, a jar of gel and some tweezers. When she returned to Gai's side, she paused at the expression on his face. "What's wrong?"

He had a look of utter dread as he eyed her up and down. He thought she was wearing a full body gown, but instead, she was actually wearing a small nighty that came to just below her hips. When she had bent over to grab the items, he had gotten more of a backside view than he had bargained for. And when she turned – she had a body any man could worship. To make matters worst, the cool morning air was having a rather stimulating effect on her – as Kakashi would say, 'she could have cut glass'.

Hani placed a concerned hand on his forehead. "Gai, do you feel alright?" she whispered.

He felt his face flush at her touch. "I'll come back later," he said as he pulled away from her and stood.

"Gai," she grabbed his arm and yanked him back to the bed. "Don't be silly, we need to get this done before someone sees you."

He bit his lip, but maintained his silence.

"Here, hold this," said Hani as she unscrewed the jar of gel and handed it to him. She put the comb in her mouth before running her fingers through his hair. He would be lying if he said the sensation didn't cause tingling down his spine.

Hani mumbled past the comb, "You have very soft hair, Gai."

"Um, thank you," he said awkwardly.

She grinned, "Don't worry, Gai. I'll be gentle." She reached in and grabbed a handful of gel. "Your hair is so thick; it will take a lot of this to make it stay."

He cringed slightly as she put the cold goop into his hair and began to brush through it.

Five minutes later, his hair was styled flawlessly like that of Lord Hakanza. Hani clapped her hands together and gave a satisfied grin, "Perfect! Now for those eyebrows …"

Gai leaned back apprehensively. "Is that really necessary?"

Hani put a hand on her hip, "Gai, those eyebrows look like they are alive!"

He frowned, "Why do people keep saying that? Are they really that bad?"

"Gai, you're lucky you don't have caterpillars trying to have sex with them." She put a finger on his forehead and bent his head backwards, "Now -- don't squirm." She pried herself between his legs and leaned against his chest.

If Gai wasn't acutely aware of where she was standing and that her body was pressed so close against his, he may have realized how much agony this tweezing was causing him.

Just as Hani was about to finish up, she paused. "Oh, by the way Gai --" with speed only a ninja could possess -- she stuck the tweezers into his nose, pinched hold of a good chunk of hair and viciously yanked it out.

"YEEEEEEOWCH!" cried Gai.

"Next time you decide to stick anything wet in my ear," she snarled. "DON'T!"

-------------------------------------- // --------------------------------------

Upon returning, Oda found Gai standing in the garden -- gingerly rubbing his eyebrows and a bloody handkerchief stuffed in his nose. "Ah, My Lord … are you alright?"

Gai stopped himself from sheepishly scratching his head and messing up his perfectly styled hair, "Hell hath no fury, like a woman's scorn."

Oda's eyebrows rose in realization, "Ah, I see. I trust the Madam is alright?"

"I am well, Oda," came Hani's voice. She closed the door to her room and walked gracefully to their side; a serene look on her face.

"You look stunning, Madam," said Oda as he looked her up and down. She was dressed in a deep, green kimono, printed with white lotuses. He noticed she picked attire that would go well with Gai's own light green garb. He looked between the two, "As per usual, My Lord will be having his normal breakfast meeting with Captain Makoto, for the morning security report." He turned to Hani, "My Lord would prefer that Madam serves him and his guest."

Hani nodded silently. Serving the host was often the role of a geisha and wasn't an unusual request.

Gai took the handkerchief from his nose and bit his lip to keep from smirking. Hani, serve him? 'I wonder how she feels about that?'

Oda took the liberty of straightening out Gai's obi, "Now that you are put together My Lord, please follow me."

After walking through a series of hallways and bypassing numerous doors, they finally arrived to a small room. The walls were decorated with beautifully painted scrolls and the floors were lined with perfectly aligned tatami mats. In the center of the room was a low table over a recessed floor, otherwise known as a kotatsu. On one side of the table sat Captain Makoto, who stood in greeting, "My Lord Hakanza, you look well this morning!"

Gai grinned and took his place at the table, "Thank you, Captain Makoto!"

"Ha! My Lord, is this an official meeting?" he looked around the table over-exaggeratingly. "I didn't know we would be using official titles this morning!" He locked eyes with Hani, "Oh, how could I be so rude!" He jumped from his place, ran to her side and gave her a charming grin, "Where are my manners?" He took her hand and gently kissed it, "I hadn't realized I was in the presence of royalty."

Hani couldn't help but blush at his unorthodox, but charming greeting.

"I take my eyes off of you for one moment, Makoto and I find you drooling over another woman!"

Hani, Gai and Oda turned to a small servant's door to find a short, buxom woman holding a serving tray full of food. Her round, rosy face was glaring straight at Makoto, who cowered slightly. "My Lord Hakanza, you must forgive my husband. I hope he didn't offend your visitor."

Gai turned to Oda with a distressed look. He had no idea on how to address this woman.

"Ah, Umeko-san! Please meet, Hachi Hani – Lord Hakanza's guest."

Umeko sat the food tray on the table, tucked back a strand of hair and wiped her hands on her apron. "A pleasure to meet you, ma'am," said Umeko as she bowed deeply.

"The pleasure is all mine," replied Hani with a slight nod of her head.

"I trust you slept well, My Lord?" asked Umeko as she went about setting the food on the table.

"Yes, I slept very well. Thank you."

There must have been something in his voice, or perhaps it was just his response that caught Umeko's attention. She looked sharply to Gai's face and studied it; a look of confusion on her own. Fortunately Makoto caught her reaction, "Woman! Where is our tea? How could you bring our lord his food and not bring the tea?!"

Distracted, Umeko turned to Makoto and swatted at his shoulder, "I know that, husband!"

"Umeko," interrupted Oda. "I believe the master would prefer if Madam Hani served his meal." He opened the servant's door, "Let's you and I go fetch that tea."

Umeko blushed, "Yes, sir."

Makoto sighed once the coast was clear. "That was close," he whispered.

"I take it your wife doesn't know?" asked Hani in an equally hushed voice.

"No," frowned Makoto. "My wife's a terrible gossip – keeping this information from her is really for her own good." He chuckled, "To her, hell would be a place where she had to mind her own business."

Gai couldn't keep from snorting.

"So, how was the Master's bed?" asked Makoto who began picking at the food.

"Excellent," chimed Gai. "Though," he leaned into the table to whisper, "It's a bit too soft for my tastes."

"HA!" laughed Makoto. "Lord Hakanza had sent for that mattress in a town over three hundred miles away."

Both Hani and Gai's eyebrows rose.

"Hai! Made of down-feathers from the giant swans in the north."

"That's … extravagant," said Gai as he shook his head.

"Nothing but the best for Lord Hakanza," said Makoto with a grin and a wink.

After an hour of guard reports, rotation schedules and other boring topics, Makoto turned to Gai with a mischievous grin. "Now, My Lord -- since we are done with the reports, is it time for our morning training?"

Gai's ears perked up, "Training?"

Makoto's grin turned more cat-like, "Of course, My Lord. You always insist on us keeping our skills fresh!" He leaned forward, "And I'm looking forward to testing my abilities against a genuine ninja."

Gai could barely contain his excitement. He was worried this opulent position would make him fat and lazy; but the prospects of training with a captain in a militant place like this? He was almost overcome with youthful excitement!

Makoto whispered again, "Would the Madam like to join us?" He gave her an ornery grin, knowing full well she couldn't participate.

She gave him a charming smile in return and bowed her head slightly, "Another time, perhaps."

Makoto returned the smile, "I look forward to it."

Gai looked between the two and cleared his throat loudly.

"I will meet you on the eastern field in an hour, My Lord?" asked Makoto as he rose from his seat.

Gai smiled and nodded, "I will meet you there!"

-------------------------------------- // --------------------------------------

As Oda escorted both Gai and Hani back to the Lord's quarters, Hani wrapped her arm around her partner's. "I know you are excited about training with Makoto; but promise me you won't do anything over the top."

Gai chuckled, "I don't know what you mean."

"No, you know exactly what I mean."

He gave her a large, toothy grin, "I will only have a bit of fun. It's been a while since I've had a good spar. Besides, Makoto expects a demonstration –"

Hani yanked slightly on his arm, letting Oda put some distance between them. "I mean it, Lord Hakanza." She held her tongue as two giggling, servant women exited into the hallway and bowed.

To secure their status as a couple to the house staff, Hani pulled him towards her as she backed into the wall. With Gai between her and the servants, she reached up and ran a hand through the back of his hair (the less greasy part) and pulled his head down to her face; he was too stupefied to resist. "I know you better than you think," she whispered. She looked him directly in the eye, her own giving him an entrancing stare. "You are not the type to resist a challenge so easily. Please put aside any machismo urges to prove yourself, or else we may cause suspicion." She pulled his head down lower -- his nose just inches from her neck. As she spoke ever so softly, the fine hairs of his ear tickled. "Promise me," she said, in the most seductive voice Gai or any man had ever heard.

Somewhere in the back of his head, Gai knew exactly what Hani was doing. In fact, any trained ninja could spot her tactic from a mile away; but one would have to be such a distance just to resist her charm and sensual appeal.

He could feel his heart throbbing loudly, his palms beginning to sweat and the air trying to escape his lungs. The only thing his eyes could focus on was a graceful collar bone, tracing a supple line from the base of her neck to unknown territory below her gown. Like an overly curious child, he wanted to touch those contours; to feel their form and smoothness. To feel skin that would make even a peach jealous.

Her smell was as equally appealing. It was a subtle scent, like hyacinth or honeysuckle. It wasn't overwhelming – more like a hidden prize that one only received when they were allowed so close. He dared a deep breath; instinctually burning the aroma into his memory.

Any retention he had on intelligence was lost as she wrapped an arm around his waist and gently pulled him against her body; the closeness giving him a good sense of her body's forbidden treasures.

Eager for a reply, she asked again, "Do you promise me?"

He would have promised her the world if he was capable of forming the words. In fact, he had nearly lost complete control over his body. He seemed paralyzed – his knees were beginning to weaken and his arms felt as though anvils were tied to them. Was this her special jutsu or was he only doing this to himself?

"Yes," he whispered breathlessly.

Hani gave a satisfied grin that only Oda witnessed. He too, couldn't help but smile at her skills – she was a genius at seduction; far better than any true concubine Lord Hakanza had employed. If it hadn't been for his years of experience as a disinterested and obedient servant, Oda would be fighting his own masculine cravings.

"Good." Hani placed a gentle hand under Gai's chin and lifted his face to hers. She looked into his hazy eyes and smiled. "Come, you need to get ready." She took a short moment to adjust his kimono before taking his arm again and leading him (dumbfounded) back to their place behind Oda.

-------------------------------------- // --------------------------------------

"Ah, My Lord!" said a cheerful Makoto who was standing alone in the middle of a large training field.

Gai waved in returned and jogged to the Captain's side. Both wore a pair of black kung fu styled pants and a tight fitted tank top (Gai would have preferred his jumpsuit).

"Are you unwell, My Lord?" ask Makoto as he observed the frustration marking the ninja's brow.

Gai thought back on his encounter with Hani in the hallway. He felt foolish and pathetic for having fallen so easily into her charm technique. He sighed and waved a dismissive hand before Makoto, "I am feeling fit as ever!"

"I see," doubted Makoto; but as the realization dawned, he gave Gai a toothy grin. "Ahhh, now I truly see."

Gai's brows furrowed.

"Yes, I've had that same look on my face once or twice since marrying. You have a delicious strumpet that is out of your reach, don't you?"

Gai clenched his teeth in defense, "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Uh huh," grinned Makoto as he brought a finger to his chin. "Now let's see, could it be one of the serving girls? Perhaps one of the servant women who pours your bath? Or … perhaps it is the Madam Hani?" the last he said with a wiggle of an eyebrow.

Gai willed the blood away from his face, "Can we please begin our training?" He wanted to run a few hundred laps around the compound and then take a hundred cold showers to cleanse the erotic thoughts that were threatening to violate his mind.

Makoto chuckled, "Very well." He tossed Gai a practice katana who looked the weapon over apprehensively.

"I take it you don't feel like fighting with swords today, My Lord?"

Gai nodded. Originally he had hoped for some hand to hand combat. But now his frustrations made him want to reshape the landscape with his fists alone.

"That's alright, I wasn't feeling up to it myself," laughed Makoto who chucked his wooden sword to the side. With a quick rolling of the neck, he took a defensive stance; a primitive form Gai often seen soldiers use.

The ninja couldn't help but feel a bit cocky as the prospect of a fight pushed all other thoughts from his mind. He gave Makoto a beaming smile as he folded one arm behind his back and brought his other before him; the back of his hand facing his opponent. "If I lose, I will do 3000 pushups … on my thumbs!"

Makoto froze, "I beg your pardon, My Lord?"

Remembering himself, Gai blushed slightly. "Nevermind … shall we?"

"Very well! I warn you though, I fancy myself a bit of a pugilist," grinned Makoto who twirled his fists tauntingly.

"Is that so?" grinned Gai.

"Oh hai! I placed first in the boxing tournaments before I became a soldier." He paused, "Though, I was mostly fighting farm boys and the occasional army brat."

"Training is training, isn't it?"

"Too true," chuckled Makoto.

There was only a short moment of hesitation before the first punch was thrown. Gai dodged it easily and countered with a left roundhouse which was blocked by Makoto's free arm. Gai adjusted his footing as he felt Makoto grab his fist and attempt to put him into a lock by twisting Gai's arm behind his back. Makoto's valiant attempt was halted as Gai sent his right elbow backwards towards Makoto's face. The captain barely dodged the elbow by quickly snapping his head back and bending backwards at the waist. Gai took advantage of the prone position and sent his other elbow into Makoto's stomach forcing him to double over from the impact.

Makoto ignored the chuckles from the house guard. "Good strike, My Lord."

"It was a lucky shot," lied Gai.

After regaining his wind, Makoto grinned, "Let's try again."

Gai resumed his stance. With his hand extended towards Makoto, Gai bent his fingers a few times in a taunting gesture. Makoto took the bait like a half-starved flounder and the sound he made as he struck the ground seconds later resembled that of a fish out of water.

"Again!" shouted Makoto as he dusted himself off. He was clearly frustrated, but by the same token, he was enjoying the fight.

Gai smiled in return. Makoto's determination reminded him a great deal of Rock Lee – no matter how many times Gai beat Lee into the dirt, he always brought himself up and demanded another try.

An hour and many bruises later, Gai and Makoto took a seat at a small table that had been set up for them; the unusually warm, fall sun warmed their aching muscles. Makoto took a wet cloth and held it to his bruised cheek, "It's been a while since I've been schooled like that."

Gai wiped the sweat from his face and neck; not a bruise to be seen. "At least you are not a slow learner Makoto. I was only able to use a trick on you once before you learned to counter it."

"Marriage teaches you how to duck," joked Makoto. "And having three boys teaches you to be on your toes."

Gai turned in surprise, "Three boys? I didn't know you had any children."

"Before yesterday, you didn't know me at all," whispered Makoto with a grin.

Gai chuckled, "True, but you remind me of someone I know -- seems like I've known you for years."

"A compatriot?"

"No, actually one of my students."

Makoto's brows tented, "My ego has taken quite a beating today."

Gai smiled sheepishly, "He's a very gifted student …"

Makoto considered it for a moment, "That makes me feel a little better."

There was a brief silence between the men as they both took a long swill of their tea.

"Tell me about Hakanza Toki, Makoto. What kind of person is he? What is his history?"

Makoto looked into his cup as he considered his words. "He is a very skilled samurai and war leader." He hesitated, "But some will say that regardless of his worth in combat, he isn't as equally valuable as a leader of commoners."

Gai furrowed his brow, "What do you mean?"

"I respect Lord Hakanza. He lives every samurai's dream of working their way as a simple swordsman to lord of a wealthy province. He treats my family well and pays me and my men more than the average guard or soldier." He sighed, "However, anything outside this household or his army is neglected by him. While he and his military eat very well, his villagers are destitute." He pointed past the closest hill towards a small village. "That is where his vassals live. If you were to go there, you would think this province to be impoverished based on the condition of the people and the buildings."

"Why does he disregard them?" asked Gai.

"To him, there is a discernable line between his class and theirs. He is the Lord of this province and they are but farmers. In order for him to protect them in this war torn time, they must farm rice and other food to feed him and his army. He thinks of them only as a liability and feels they should be grateful for his generosity at letting them stay here."

"Why don't the people just leave?"

"Most of the villagers have had these lands passed down generation, upon generation. They would rather die than lose their family farms."

Gai shook his head slowly in disbelief. Monarchy was not a subject he was very knowledgeable in; but in Konoha -- everyone, ninjas or civilians, were considered equals and treated as such.

"That reminds me," added Makoto. "Saburo will probably come to visit you before the week is over."

"Saburo?"

"Yes, Yuuto Saburo – the village headman. He approaches Lord Hakanza at least once a week, pleading for a relief on the rice tax. He's older and set in his ways. I think he is hoping to wear Lord Hakanza down through persistence."

"How should I deal with him?" asked Gai.

"Usually, Lord Hakanza treats him to some tea and listens quietly to Saburo's requests. Then, after he's finished, Lord Hakanza tells him he will consider a decision and will send Saburo his answer. That answer never comes."

"It just doesn't seem right," sighed Gai.

"I know. But there isn't anything we can do about it."

After taking in all the information Makoto had just given him, Gai couldn't help but remember an encounter he and Kakashi had a few years ago. They were given a mission to spy on Iwagakure, a place known for not treating their citizens well.

As they were traveling through a rice field undercover, they witnessed a farmer get killed in cold blood. The people were starving and were trying to defend what little food they had left after a hard rain. When a small group of rock ninja thugs arrived to take the food, they killed an older man who had stood his ground with the only weapon he had; a pitchfork.

It took all of Kakashi's strength to keep Gai from running in and destroying those ninja whelps. The man's murder was pointless and would probably bring his family to death through starvation. "Gai," pleaded Kakashi. "We can't get involved! I don't like it any more than you do; but if we attack, then we will alert them to our presence!"

It wasn't until a few miles later that Gai took his anger out on a defenseless tree. He had ripped it from the ground -- roots and all, and flung it a good quarter of a mile away.

He was starting to get that same feeling of helplessness now … and he didn't like it at all.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for reading!