8: Aoi

My body ached as he took his time trailing whatever sharp things he had over my skin.

I was so utterly exhausted, but my body continued to react to every touch of his. The pain was unpleasant, to say the least, but if it meant that he was touching me then I didn't care. If it meant his hands would be on me for just a moment longer than I would grin and bear it.

I was so happy he brought me out of that dungeon. He even gave me medicine that seemed to work at a miracles pace. He had fed me and pleasured me in the way we were familiar with and I knew he still cared. He had to.

His aura was shining that excellent pink again. At first it had been red, but as it faded I was elated to know he was back to a better mood.

He could've broken every bone in my body and I would've thanked him. I didn't care what happened to me as long as he was satisfied. There were so many worse things I had come up in my mind that he was going to do to me, yet he hadn't even breached the surface.

Whatever he had me wrapped in felt horrible as it seemed to tighten with every breath I took, but I had to remind myself that I was expecting worse.

"Beg for my forgiveness little wife. Beg with everything you have."

"Yes master. Please forgive me. Please keep me, I want to stay with you. I want to please you. You could do anything to me and I would accept it greatly."

"Good girl," he said while flipping me over. He whipped me and I cried out. My pussy tightened at the feeling and I felt a liquid rushing down my legs. I didn't know if it was from pleasure or if it was from blood, but I didn't care.

He whipped me again, and again, and again. It was so unrelenting and he went for far longer than I was expecting. It hurt so bad but my body was inflamed and confused after all the pleasure he had given me earlier.

While I accepted the punishment fully, it was beginning to become too much. The pain was swelling inside my entire body and the tears fell from my eyes freely. I choked back sobs but with each whip it became harder and harder to ignore.

"Ah, master please..."

I heard him chuckle darkly, "Please what my little wife?"
"P-please forgive me. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I-it's too much.."

"Too much? Oh my, whatever happened to letting me do whatever I wanted?"

The ropes around me tightened again, "Please, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I want your forgiveness more than anything but it – it hurts so much."

The whips slowed, and he smacked me twice more extra hard before stopping. I was so relieved when I felt his hands caressing my new marks. The ropes released me and I collapsed on the bed with all of my energy completely sapped.

He kneaded my burning backside and while it hurt, his hands on me made me happy. I reached my hand out until I felt him and I curled my fingers into the fabric of his clothes.

"Master… thank you. Even if you never forgive me I am sorry. I really, truly am." I felt tears welling in my eyes as I was flooded with emotions. I really thought he was going to leave me to die down in that basement. I believed I would never see him again. My heart ached at the thought of such a fate.

"Hush now. You will rest."

The back of his hand touched my face and I leaned into it, "Thank you master. Thank you for keeping me. Thank you for choosing me. I – I really..."

I stopped myself. I was sure he didn't want to hear those words.

Instead of reprimanding me he pressed his mouth to my temple in that familiar way and whispered in my ear, "I know," once more in response to my almost confession.

With that my body gave out as I slept more peacefully than I had in forever.

My head was hazy as I began to wake. I don't know how long I was out but I was still absolutely buzzing. When I opened my eyes I was so elated to see my masters pink aura next to me. I thought perhaps he was sleeping because he was so still and I could hear his quiet breath, so I took the opportunity to run my hand through his hair.

I pushed a lock behind his ear, and then took my time to explore him while I could. His skin was so smooth and a little cool. I was sure it had something to do with him being a demon, but the coolness felt nice as I was a little warm at the moment.

I jumped when he took my hand suddenly and I felt him press his lips against my fingertips. I blushed and so desperately wanted to kiss him but I didn't dare to do so or even ask. I would have to settle for lying next to him.

"Good morning master. I'm sorry if I woke you."

"You did not," I watched as he got out of the bed and stretched his arms high above his head. For once in my life I wished I could see. I would give anything to see what kind of his face he was making as he looked down at me.

He helped me out of the bed and I was grateful as he led me downstairs and into the kitchen. He silently made me breakfast. I thanked him as I ate and he sat across the table watching me.

"Tonight we will return to the house little wife. I would like to leave the bitter memories of this place behind."

I was surprised that our vacation was over, although it had been about two weeks or so. It's not like I had anything waiting for me, but that meant he was probably going to be leaving me alone again more often. As if he could read my mind he started speaking.

"When we return, I will need to leave you for a time to take care of some business. Your new rules are you will stay at home and I will have someone watch over you. So do not be alarmed if you see a presence lurking around outside."

I felt embarrassed at the idea of being babysat but I supposed it was for my own good. He was in a good mood so I didn't want to ruin it by arguing. Instead I lowered my head and accepted my fate, "Yes master. I understand."

He chuckled, "Don't look so down little wife. It's for your own safety. I can't have you dying on me now after all."

With a finger on my chin he raised my head and kissed me on the cheek before clearing away the plates and getting us all packed up.

When we stepped outside the wind was particularly strong. I shivered and bundled myself against him. There was a small hike down the mountain and by the time we got to the carriage my feet were frozen.

The carriage was much warmer but I was still so cold. I tried to stop my teeth from chattering but had no such luck. I squeaked when I felt him move to my side and pull me into his lap, facing him. He felt warm for a change and I buried my head into his shoulder.

His hands slid up my back and I sighed happily. It would seem that he had forgiven me at least a little and I was glad. I couldn't have been happier being in his arms like this.

"You're shaking little wife," his voice was low and teasing. His hand wandered under my kimono so he could trail his nails along my thighs. I shook again and this time it wasn't from the cold. His breath was hot on my neck and I opened myself to him.

I was still very sore and in pain from the night before, but despite that I was aching for him. I could feel myself pulsing at the thought of his fingers in me, or his tongue, or better yet his cock. From what I could gauge when he was in my mouth I was sure he was a satisfactory size and I hoped that one day I would feel it inside of me.

As it was I couldn't stop myself from grinding on him when he licked my neck. It was just too easy being seated on him like this.

He chuckled, "Are you that desperate for my touch little wife? I've never seen you act up like this."

I forced myself to still. I was breathing hard and I was sure my skin was completely flushed, but I wanted to be held by him. I wanted so much more. The chill was in my bones and he was just so warm that I wanted to be wrapped up in his embrace.

His aura went mute for a second and I lowered my head. It took me a second to gather my thoughts and I wondered why I was so out of breath.

"S-sorry master. I was so cold and you are so warm."

I could feel myself growing faint and I found that I could no longer support myself.

"You are warm too," he said in a slightly concerned tone. He touched my forehead with the back of his head and I heard him sigh, "I believe you've gotten sick little wife."

My breaths turned ragged and I shut my eyes as even his aura seemed too bright for my suddenly pounding head. I had gotten sick a few times before, but Lady Hina made me work through the sickness. With that in mind I forced myself to sit up and try to please my master.

"What are you doing?" he said when I moved myself across him limply.

"I can still be of use. It's not… that bad..."

I heard him scoff, "No. You will rest now. We will be home before you know it." He laid my head against his chest and I fell into a light sleep at the soft swaying of the carriage.

I don't know how long I had been out for, but it felt like it had only been a few minutes. I thought we were still in the carriage but beneath me I could hear a gentle mechanical whirring. My master was sitting across from me and I was glad he did not appear angry. However, he wasn't exactly pleased either as he appeared a deep gray.

"Are we back on the train master?"

"Yes. You slept for some time little wife, would you care for some food?"
I nodded and he got the attention of our waiter. I started to sit up and something fell off my head. His hand on my shoulder gently pushed me back down and he replaced the cool towel on my head as well as readjusting the blankets layered on top of me.

I smiled up at him. Despite his temper he was kind to me. He had hurt me sure, but unlike any of the cruel men of he entertainment district he took care of me. He fed me, clothed me, and occasionally he had bathed me too.

His touch was the only thing I ever wanted in this world from now on. I wasn't feeling great but I refused to let a simple cold be the thing that ended me. Not when I had so much more time with him. I felt delirious from all the heat but the only thing running through my mind was how badly I wanted to tell him that I cared, that I wanted him more than anything in this world.

"Here you are sir," a woman's voice interrupted my thoughts and I heard the soft clinking of ceramic. My master helped me to sit up and it felt like everything was spinning. I couldn't imagine what this would have felt like if I could see.

"Open," my jaw fell open more loosely than I meant for it to and he had to help me close it around the spoon. I felt so terribly weak and it only seemed to get worse by the second. I took in several bites of the hot soup but I couldn't seem to keep it down because I was beginning to grow nauseous.

He tried to feed me again but I shook my head, "I-I'm sorry master. I don't mean to disobey you, but if I take another bite it might come back up." I hiccuped and he sighed. I heard the clinking of the spoon as he put it down.

"Very well."

He kissed me on my temple and laid me back down when I was ready. It was getting harder to breath and despite being covered in a fine sheen of sweat I was freezing.

"I'm sorry master..." I mumbled as the sounds of the world faded in and out.

"Sleep now. You will heal faster with rest."

"What about the medicine you gave me before?" it was not like me to be so bold, but I was curious.

He made a surprised sound in the back of his throat as he answered, "Unfortunately it does not work for illness. Only physical pains."

"Oh. Well that's okay. I have my kind and wonderful master taking care of me." I reached out for him even though I had my eyes closed and couldn't see. Eventually I found his knee and I just held my hand there.

"Will you hold my hand?" I asked. I felt his fingers slip between mine and I giggled a little, "Thank you master."

"Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm just happy to have you, my master. I really am."

"Your cold must be worse than I thought."

Even through my delirium I felt nothing but love for him. I rubbed my thumb over his gloved hand and felt the corners of my mouth rise in a small smile.

"Maybe. Master if I die then-"

"Enough. You do not speak of death around me understand?"

"But master..."

He put his finger to my mouth, "I said enough. You do not know what you speak of in your illness. I will let it slide only this once but don't you dare ever speak back to me. Don't ever question me."

I could feel my mood shift to sadness but I obeyed anyway, "Yes. I apologize master. I will not do it again."

His thumb brushed over my cheek, "Good. Now rest."

I let sleep claim me once more.

My sleep was long and dreamless. I felt paralyzed and I had nightmare after nightmare. Every time I thought I had escaped I found myself somewhere worse.

It started with me thinking I was back at Lady Hina's. She was there along with every man who had ever marked me and they all stared down at me with glowing eyes and evil expressions. I was bent over a glass table and whipped and used until they were satisfied.

The feeling of cigarette ends in my arms was all too familiar and I opened my mouth to scream but I no longer had a voice. Even my sobs were silent as I shook with each new burn mark they bestowed upon my body. My master was nowhere in sight, no one would save me now.

I thought I had escaped when the scenery changed, but then I found myself in a field of dead flowers. Lady Hina was there again, her voice a disturbed echo in my head, and she was telling me that I didn't deserve my master so she was going to take him for herself.

The face I had made up to be my master's loomed in my minds vision. It was clear yet fuzzy and he had taken Lady Hina in as his lover. I was forced to watch as he took to his bed and she screamed in pleasure as he came inside her again and again. What was even worse was I pictured her as a beautiful young women in her prime once more. This version of her could have pleased even the gruffest of men.

He pleasured her with his talented tongue and between licks told me he didn't want me and that he never had. The tears that streamed from my face burned my skin and it felt as if I were being doused with acid. I begged for him to stop, for him to come back to me, but he just laughed cruelly.

My screams fell on deaf ears because every time I called out for him I was whipped with something sharp. The physical pain hardly effected me however, because the thought of him wanting someone else destroyed every part of me to my core.

Someone was grabbing my shoulders, trying to pull me away from the scene. They were trying to drag me to the next nightmare but I fought back with all my strength. I couldn't imagine a worse hell then this.

"No! No I can win him back! Don't make me leave he's mine! He's my master, I will not lose him please!"

"Little wife,"

"No, NO!"

"Aoi!"

A slap to my face startled me and I sat up. I was breathing hard and was relieved that my headache and nausea was gone, but my body felt heavy. As if I had been weighed down and unable to move. My masters aura was shining just in front of me and it was a deep purple, a color I had not seen before. Was he worried about me?

"Wh-what happened?"
"It appears you had a nightmare little wife."

I looked at him, and the concern he showed melted my heart. I was still flustered from the dream but at the sight of him I threw myself into his arms and cried. He was surprised, but I was overjoyed when I felt him slowly wrap his arms around me.

"I apologize, but I have to hold you master. Please indulge me even for just a moment in this. I dreamt that I lost you to another. I know it's silly for me to hope you would keep me forever, but I couldn't handle it. It felt like my entire world was coming undone. All I could think was 'I have to get him back,' I had to, no matter what."

My shoulders shook with my sobs. I could feel his breath in my ear and I apologized over and over again. His hand rubbed my back and I was grateful for his generosity. I was squeezing him so tightly that I was sure if he were anything less than what he was I would've been hurting him.

I cried until my energy was gone and I had finally calmed. I don't know how long we had been embracing one another, but I knew that I did not want to let go.

"Little wife," his voice was quiet in my ear, "I would not trade you for anything in the world. Take solace in that fact. Rest your mind."

I sniffed and he brought me into the bathroom and drew me a hot bath. His bare hands on my skin soothed me as he undressed me and I almost cried again at his soft touch. He nipped gently at my nipple and I felt myself begin to spring to life at his touch. I was aching for it, yearning for any kind of attention he would give me.

"Master..."

He silenced me, "No more talking. You do not belong to anyone else but me, just as I want no one else. You will cease this nonsense and crying over the imaginations in your head. I forbid you from even thinking such appalling thoughts. We focus on the here and now."

He ran his fingers over me and I shivered when he placed a kiss down my collarbone and chest. He had never kissed me so gently before, usually it was all bite marks and bruises. I reveled at his touch and opened myself for more.

My master then proceeded to show me just how much he cared for the rest of the night.