"The boat will be leaving for the continent in the morning." Setsuka explained to the others. "It wasn't easy to secure private transportation; there are a huge number of displaced refugees and deserters trying to flee the country right now. But Siegfried - why was it so necessary to make sure we got a personal ship? Why couldn't we have used a trade vessel?"
"The last time we traveled the ocean on a merchant ship, we were attacked." Siegfried said simply. "There's no need to risk any more innocent lives."
"I see." Setsuka nodded. "Shall we make camp outside the port?"
"Outside the port? Why not at an inn?" Cassandra asked. "I hate staying out in the wilderness."
"We had to spend the last of our funds to acquire passage across the ocean. We couldn't have afforded a boat for ourselves if we stayed at an inn tonight." Ivy pointed out. "Of course, we could have avoided this situation if any of us had even the tiniest iota of nautical capability..."
Siegfried ignored Ivy's remark. "Let's leave port and get the tents set up." No one raised any objection, though Cassandra, as usual, continued to vocalize her dissatisfaction.
Setsuka had the duty of gathering the necessary material for a fire. As she collected suitable pieces of wood, the sun was slowly setting into the horizon, and the clouds above her refracted a remarkable orange glow. Though she was normally first to acknowledge and admire beauty, she did not find anything appealing in the clouds today; the sight of the plummeting sun only gave her a sinking feeling.
She fought back a tear as she prepared to tell her friends her intent.
---
She approached them one at a time, as she had done when she asked their opinion on how to deal with her desire for revenge on Mitsurugi. Unlike before, she wasted no time asking them what they thought; she was frank and stated it quite simply. None of them took it too well, save possibly Taki, who'd only been traveling with them a short time. Ivy had claimed she was indifferent, but Setsuka detected the slightest trace of concern and hesitation; she just hadn't wanted to admit it. Ivy's expression alone brought a brief smile to Setsuka's face.
They'd all agreed to keep the information to themselves until Setsuka had a chance to tell Siegfried herself, though she was a bit concerned about Tira; she didn't seem to be very good at keeping information to herself, and would doubtlessly reveal it in a heartbeat if her master asked her, so Setsuka had made a point to save Tira for the very last.
As the fire was prepared, Setsuka cast a glance at all of the others, and remained quiet throughout their conversations. Their nighttime fire was a regular occurrence, and usually they'd enjoy each others' company to whatever extent they could. Even the intentionally distant like Ivy and Taki could open up and enjoy conversation. Siegfried usually just sat back and listened, and tonight, Setsuka - usually a regular conversationalist - was emulating him.
She knew the others would comply with her request, and they all went to their tents early. The only abnormality was Tira, but Sophitia took care of that by inviting the young woman to join herself and Cassandra for a while. Presuming Siegfried would take first watch, Taki and Ivy went to their tents without complaint and without concern.
Alone by the crackling flames, Setsuka searched for the right words. She was about to break the silence when Siegfried surprised her by speaking first.
"You're planning to leave us, aren't you?" His eyes were closed; he looked quite serene, but there was no mistaking that there was a hint of wistfulness in his tone.
"...Yes." Setsuka answered. "How'd you guess?"
"We only hired you to be our guide and translator during our tenure here, and now we're leaving the country." Siegfried said simply.
Setsuka knew Siegfried meant no harm, but her emotions made her defensive. "Are you implying I'd only do something if I was hired for it?"
Siegfried gave an audible sigh. "No, I'm sorry. I just...well, I didn't honestly expect you to want to stay with us. You got your revenge on the man you were hunting, leaving you with no further incentive to travel, and we didn't even bother to pay you."
"It's not too late for that." Setsuka pointed out. "We haven't parted ways yet, so there's still a chance for you to pay me for my services. ...And, if you remember, there are two ways you can pay me." She said, her voice adopting a slightly seductive tone.
"...Setsuka, please." Siegfried said, sighing and turning his head uncomfortably. "I explained my situation to you in detail. You know I'm trying to regain my self-control."
"And have you gotten anywhere with that?" Setsuka pressed.
Siegfried hesitated to answer. He'd resisted Setsuka's playful advances...but he'd sought Tira more and more often, becoming crueler to her in his pursuit of pleasure, he'd granted Sophitia 'comfort' every time she had requested, had allowed Ivy to use him for her pleasure, and had just a few days earlier coerced Cassandra to satisfy his desires...not only that, but these days, he chastised himself less and less for impure thoughts. His lustful actions and thoughts were slowly becoming acceptable to him - so commonplace it was hard to deny them anymore. During his time in Japan, he had made no progress, only steps backward. His self-restraint was almost non-existent now - thinking about it presently, he felt guilt, but most of the time, he did not even feel a drop of shame. How he had fallen...
"...Siegfried?"
He didn't want to tell her the truth, but he knew she'd detect a lie immediately. "...No, I haven't. I am still as much a slave to my desires as I was when we first met...if not more so."
Setsuka smirked. "Well, isn't it obvious how you have to pay me, then?"
"Setsuka!" Siegfried said, dismayed. "You know how much trouble I'm having, yet you would still tempt me? That would only make it worse..."
"That's not the issue anymore. You're flat broke, remember? You have no choice but to sleep with me." She said with a teasing wink. "You're not the only one who has had to show restraint during this journey. You've been just as tempting to me as I've been to you."
Siegfried gulped. Things were not looking good. At this rate...
Setsuka crept closer to him. "It's not so bad, is it? Even if you cannot control yourself, don't you enjoy giving yourself over to your desire?" She slid a hand upon his armorless torso. "You don't need something like 'love' to motivate desire; you just need the desire itself to drive your actions. The simplicity of it is what I find so appealing..."
Siegfried tried to remain resolutely quiet and keep his gaze locked on Setsuka's eyes as best he could, but this became exceedingly difficult when the hem of her kimono slipped down, revealing more of her immense bust to him.
"...I know I'm being selfish - I know I was supposed to help you overcome your problem - but tonight might be the last time we ever see each other, and I would regret it if I let you slip away without...making a nice memory to remember you by."
Setsuka lowered the hem of her kimono further. "Go ahead - use my body. I want you to lust for my body, I want you to use me for your pleasure." She smirked. "I told you before...I find it flattering."
Siegfried reached towards her, but Setsuka slinked backwards, smiling wryly at him, teasing. Siegfried's lust had already reached its peak, and now the sight of her rescinding form ignited frustration. He reached forth, with swiftness normally saved for battle, and found his hands grasping her slim waist, pulling her closer to him and kissing her savagely.
Setsuka was not surprised. She did not resist and relaxed her muscles, allowing Siegfried to roughly handle her, forcefully 'guiding' her body away from their camp and thrusting her down upon the soft grass outside of the sight of anyone who might still be awake.
Siegfried's mouth moved from her lips down her neck, wasting little time in approaching her chest. His hands shook terribly as he removed the ribbon binding her kimono together, and once he pulled the cloth apart, pressed his hands upon her massive bust, and his head between each breast, enjoying the warmth and feel of her flesh.
Setsuka had many passionate lovers, but few could boast such strength. Siegfried may not have had much tact or subtlety, but he was already showing her how badly he wanted her. As always, it was an empowering and gratifying experience.
Siegfried hastily pulled down his pants, moved his hand to the back of Setsuka's head, and guided her downwards. Setsuka took the hint, moved one hand to brush her locks away, and descended, opening her mouth wide.
He forced her down upon him before she had room to get comfortable, but Setsuka acclimated. It was clear to her that Siegfried didn't want to waste any time, and she responded appropriately...she might've been content for him to reach his climax this way, but Siegfried pushed her back down, away from him, and moved almost to sit upon her, thrusting himself between her breasts, moving back and forth, his gaze locked on her eyes.
Setsuka smiled and moved her hands to either breast, pushing both upon him as he continued to thrust at her. The head of his penis periodically brushed against her lips, and she met it with her tongue, licking it sensually. Not that she had reason to object, but if he continued so quickly, she might see the conclusion faster than she'd hoped.
Siegfried clenched his teeth, wanting badly to reach his release. It was pleasurable, to be certain, but Setsuka - while impressive - lacked the girth of Ivy or Sophitia. As the image of the other women's swaying breasts entered his mind, he grinned lecherously. His mind filled with fantasies instantly, and it was not long before he gave a deep groan and ejaculated upon Setsuka's face and breasts.
Panting, Siegfried slumped forward upon Setsuka, only to lift himself up again, eyes once more alight with unquenched desire.
"Siegfried?" Setsuka asked, surprised.
"More." Siegfried stated simply, as he continued to roam her body with his lips and hands. It was a brief period of time before he was physically "prepared" to continue. He moved towards the lower half of her body, which was covered in a pair of black undergarments that he tugged down without second thoughts.
Setsuka was impressed by Siegfried's stamina, and spread her legs for him. Siegfried wasted no time, and began thrusting quickly and recklessly within her.
Setsuka's quiet moans grew more sensual, and Siegfried's grunts grew ever more frequent. Setsuka wrapped her arms around Siegfried's neck, enjoying herself thoroughly. Unoriginal as Siegfried's positioning and movements may have been, his raw power and his obvious desire for her would lead her to her climax, only a few moments after Siegfried ejaculated as well, falling upon her with a low groan.
After briefly resting their exhausted bodies in one another's arms, Siegfried and Setsuka cleaned up and reclothed. Setsuka was walking to her tent when she felt Siegfried grasp her arm.
"...Don't leave." was Siegfried's simple request.
Setsuka raised an eyebrow. "My, you're still not satisfied?"
Siegfried paused. "I mean - don't leave our group. Continue to travel with us."
Setsuka laughed. "Tonight was fun, but you can't really expect me to just travel with you forever just for that reason, can you? I have to keep supporting myself after you complete your journey, and it'll be even harder to come all the way back here to Japan..."
"Then don't come back to Japan." Siegfried requested. "Stay with us. Stay...with me."
Setsuka raised an eyebrow. She wasn't sure what he meant, exactly, but it had sounded like -
"It's not just that I want your embrace - I...I know this will sound like a lie to convince you to stay beside me, but...You are an amazing woman, Setsuka, and I have grown fond of you. We all have. I'll keep 'paying' you this way, if you'll stay with us."
Setsuka was moved by Siegfried's words. Once again, orange light refracted through the clouds as the sun began to climb over the horizon as Setsuka was enveloped by an uplifting feeling.
It was nothing like an admission of love, but it still brought a blush to her cheeks. This man wanted her so badly...not just for the pleasure she could provide, but also to travel with him and stay with him?
Had he made the same request of the others traveling with him? Would they all stay and continue traveling together?
...Did it really matter, anyway? Before, she had no life outside her desire for vengeance. When she had defeated Mitsurugi and escaped that cycle, she found comfort in returning to her friends. She had enjoyed teasing Siegfried, and tonight, she had enjoyed pleasuring him even more. Now that he had surrendered to her and asked her to stay with him...
Setsuka smiled, and gave her reply.
That morning, Setsuka had her hands full with the job of explaining her change of heart to the others. She would not be leaving after all; after spending the night soul-searching and realizing that there was nothing left for her in Japan, she had discovered that her true place was with those who had come to be her friends. And so it came to be that Setsuka accompanied the others upon a boat crossing the sea.
Siegfried put on the façade of serenity, but was struggling within himself. I can now say that I have completely given up on what I believed in...I've sacrificed my values entirely for sinful pleasure.
He glanced at Setsuka, and she smiled warmly at him; much more so than ever before.
I can't escape now. I've lost the battle. I've given myself over to my desire completely. There's no use fighting it anymore.
He looked at Ivy, arguing about something with Sophitia and Cassandra. Taki was looking out over the ocean, and Tira was idly examining the wooden structures of the boat, pawing at them like a cat.
They're all so beautiful. I may not be able to say it, but I think...I think I might just care for them all. I can still be happy, even when enslaved for all eternity.
I'm trapped in an endless cycle that will never be broken - but that might not be so bad.