Makoto moves the screen back and informs the lady, “Here he is, our king.”
Kayoko sits up a little more in bed and waits for the doctor to step away. Then she grabs a cloth and wipes it over her upper left arm to partly remove the makeup. “You know this dragon? You know what it represents, right?”
Yūrei can hear the ladies voice is full of fear, he carefully takes hold of her bare shoulder and nods. “It means you are a member of the Sasaki royal family.”
“It represents a hunted family to the point of death. Why? What did we do to the Bitō Clan to turn them against us?”
The Masked Warrior folds his arms and explains, “They do not like to embrace anything that is not normal. They fear their own sexuality, which has driven them to kill anyone who… Well, I think you will get the picture, when say, same sex couples.”
The young lady’s hands grip the blanket and she realises an angry sigh. “That is just stupid… Than again that Fukuda family, some of them were like that. My pretend parents, I am afraid to say, hated you because you have a husband. Why is that such a crime?”
“Mainly because most people just cannot understand that those same feelings they have for the opposite sex is the exact same feelings we get for the same sex. What I do not understand is when a straight man has, what is considered a man crush, on another man. The same could be said for a girl admiring a girl, is all totally fine. Yet when one of us does it, it is not acceptable, yet it is the same thing. I had a man crush on Einar, long before he became my husband. I admired him for what he could do, summon a titan, a colossal creature that could kill him every time he brought it to life. I admired him for his devotion, his courage and above all his sacrifice. For he was younger than you when stood up and thew his life on the line, and that is why I fell in love with him. Another thing when someone does end up with the same sex, it could be merely curiosity to discover their own sexuality. I myself am in to both sex. And I will say this, my husband had those same urges to be with a lady in order to have children.”
“You are so right, all of us get those urges that symbolises that we just admire or desire the person and there is nothing sexual about it. I mean I admired my music teacher because her playing of the Koto is exquisite. I wish I could perform like her and I do enjoy her company. I cannot believe just one clan could be so cruel and all they are doing is miss interpreting love.”
The Great Warrior sighs and nods. “That is it, they themselves just do not seem to see that they too must have the same desires as everyone else. Now, tell me, my dear, who told you to find me?”
Kayoko leans forward to see past the screen to see they are alone and whispers, “Daigo told me everything and he told me no matter what I should find you. This is because the Yamato are in danger. Their own Captain is providing a group of Bitō information to where members of the Sasaki family are hiding. He is also giving them Saké, plum wine and weapons, that are consoled inside the crates of drink. He also told me if I were not able to find you, that I should look for the Lán lǐyú.”
“Odd he is using their Chinese name for their real name is Aoi koi. That means he did not know, this time of year they are normally way down south, because that is where their leader Yamato Tenjō is in winter.”
The lady begins to frown and enquires, “There is a leader?”
“Yes, Tenjō has been in charge of the Yamato since his father past away. You are still looking very confused. Never mind. If you did manage to find a Aoi koi what would you have told him?”
Kayoko slightly lifts the blanket off her chest and answers in a soft voice, “Well, give them the evidence Daigo gave to me. Emm… I need you to step out whilst I retrieve it.”
Yūrei watches the girl clutch the blanket back to her chest. It prompts him to question, “Retrieve it from where exactly?”
The lady gasps and tells him, “Out!” pointing her hand at the screen.
The Great Warrior slightly raises his hands in front of his chest before he turns on his heel and walks out pulling the screen a little more across.
Doctor Okamoto comes trotting over and whispers, “Why did she demeaned you to get out?”
When the god explains Guāngxiàn points two fingers towards his abdomen and tells them, “There is a foreign body between her breasts. I was not going to say anything for it is not the first time I have seen a woman keep something personal there. It is a little harder to hide something when you only have the one.”
Makoto nods in agreement and goes to see if the girl needs help unbinding her chest.
The Healer moves the king over to the Elemental and informs them in Chinese, “It looks like a seal.”
“What is a seal?” Chūnfēng asks a little confused.
“An Hanko, it is a stamp that will have the family name. Or in this case it will have his rank, then the family name and the Yamato crest which is an orchid. They use it to mark documents for they are convinced it is safer than a signature. The problem is it does not work, for stamps can be stolen or forged.”
The Elemental does a casual nod. “Oh, now I understand. Yes, my world used to use them and gave up on them for that exact same reasons. The only one we use is to symbolise we are royalty.”
“Same here,” responds the king.
Suddenly Doctor Okamoto emits a painful, “Ooh!” And she calls, “Healer, could you past me the breast cream. Small tub with a blue and white lid.”
“I am on it,” answers Guāngxiàn and walks over to the shelves that lie towards the back of the room.
“I cannot believe you have had this rubbing against your left breast all this time,” says the doctor with a voice full of concern.
“I had to hide it somewhere,” implies the young lady as she examines the inside of her breasts. “Damn! It is with the paper being so thick and scratchy.”
“Well, it is a delicate place to be stuffing paper,” states the Healer as he walks over to them, making the woman quickly hide her exposed chest.
Makoto laughs at her reaction and points her hand at the tall man with long white hair and stunning blue eyes. “He is a woman as well. His breast may not be in the same place as ours, it still produced milk to feed his sons.”
Guāngxiàn opens the front of his Hanfu and undergarment to expose a nipple that lies just above his birth canal that could resemble a navel. “See she is not making it up. Mine might be small and easy to conceal, however, it can still be irritated by clothing.”
“Another thing, Kayoko, he is a Healer and those lovely eyes of his can see everything and I mean everything,” expresses Yūrei, from the other side of the screen. “I let you in on a secret, I feel naked all the time when I am with one, because with just one look they know everything from inside to out.”
The Healer pokes his head around the side of the screen and apologises, “I am so sorry I make you feel that way.”
“Well, think of it another way, it is good to have you on hand when I am suffering and refuse to say I need help.”
“Yes, I concur, your highness. Now, young lady, put that on as it should help to sooth your breast. Tell us why you were keeping this seal and letter in your cleavage?”
“Daigo gave them to me on strict instructions to give them to the Aoi koi.”
The Healer picks them up and posts his hand around the side of the screen so that his dear friend can take them. “That still not really explain why you risked your life to find the king.”
Kayoko opens the pot of cream and places some of the mint butter-like cream over the red area on the inside of her left breast. “The truth is I was afraid if I did not reach his town then all the evidence we have would be lost. I am sorry I did not revel in my letter who I really was. I just could not risk exposing my true identity. Your highness, Daigo will be waiting for you at the Dancing Dragon to tell you more than that letter provides the Aoi koi.”
Yūrei notices the seal upon the skilfully folded piece of paper is of a rabbit holding a flower which means the Sasaki royal guard. “All right, I will take these to Commander Ōtomo of the Aoi koi.”
“Thank you, your highness.”
The Masked Warrior informs Chūnfēng what he is doing and shows him the wax seal. “Mèng, I thought they were all dead.”
“So did I. If he is one of them, I do not blame him hiding in plain sight. Well, I will see what the commander has to say.”
Together they leave the doctors and make their way over to the inn where Kiko comes to help them remove their boots. She goes on to escort the king to Commander Ōtomo’s room. On the way she informs him, “Let you in on a secret Haruki likes him,” whispers Kiko with a slight giggle to her voice.
“Oh, been listening have we?”
“Hmm, just a little a bit. And I have to say it is sweet to hear the boss chatting up a gust, he sounds really awkward. Please do not tell Haruki I said that.”
“My lips are sealed, my sweet. Have any been sweet talking you?”
Kiko taps him on the arm and her face turns a lovely shade of pink as she giggles.
The Great Warrior takes her into a side corridor. “What? Tell me, have you been having fun with one? I will not tell Haruki.”
“Yes, I do not know what rank he is, he just told me his first name, Yousuke. He was a perfect gentleman and made it clear to me he could not get me with child no matter how many times we did it. Are all the Aoi koi without their balls?”
“No, he must have worked for a noble house and I’m afraid lost them. It is an abolished practice, however, it still happens.”
“That is awful.”
“I know. So he showed you a card from a Healer?”
Kiko nods and answers, “He even showed me they were missing before we had sex. Good sex. I am even thinking about returning to him for the night.”
“Why not have some fun whilst they are here, for all you are doing is making his stay a nice relaxing one.”
They softly laugh and the lady informs him, “He is still no replacement for you. I think I will always prefer a big one inside me as it reaches all the right spots.”
The Masked Warrior pulls her close and whispers, “That’s the problem of having sex with me, once you get used to him, going back to a normal size is just not enough. Perhaps try getting him to take you the way I do. Let him see those lovely breasts of yours bounce.”
Kiko places his hand to her right breast. “No, that move is only to be done with you.”
They kiss and Yūrei whispers in her ear, “I am pleased to hear you say that. Go, on you get some more fun before Yousuke turns in.”
The lady gives him a passionate kiss before she leaves him. The Great Warrior returns to the main corridor and knocks on the door that is slightly open.
A moment later it opens and the Commander allows the king to enter. “Please sit, your highness.”
The Masked Warrior takes a seat and holds up the letter and seal. “Please call me Yūrei. Here this is for you, from the girl.”
Commander Ōtomo takes a seat beside him and takes the items. “Wait, I though all of the royal guard were killed.”
“You are not the only one. I should leave you to your letter.”
The Commoner stops him from rising and expresses, “I feel you should also see what is contained within.”
The legend sits back down and pours them both a tea as Commander Ōtomo breaks the seal and unfolds the letter. A light piece of paper flutters down to his knee. “A receipt?” He places it on the table and looks at the letter only to find he is unable to read it. “Wait, that has been written backwards, right?”
Yūrei has a look and answers, “Yes, which proves Daigo was a royal guard, they were trained to write their messages this way.”
The Commander sets the letter down on the table, he then reaches for a small bag, pulls open the gathered top. He starts to remove neatly folded clothes until he brings out a round mirror and stands it on the table at the head of the letter:
I am Lieutenant Miura Genji, of the Sasaki royal army.
All of my men were put to sleep and driven miles from the castle, so by the time we awakened the castle was lost and I do not know how many were killed. I have been posing as Tamura Daigo for the past eighteen years, after we met and his staff thought we were twins. We decided to work together and grow profits for his business. I was not expecting to discover in Hatsugano, Izumi, my sweet Princess Mieko was there. She is known as Kuru and runs both the Dancing Dragon and the White Phoenix. I have warned her not to reveal our true identities, even if we are at the Yamato Court for there are Bitō spies everywhere. It is all Major Kikuchi Shouji’s doing. He is helping them to find anyone who is hiding a Sasaki or in this case who has taken a member of that family into their home. Of course he has no idea who it was and all he was able to give them was the last name. This is why the Fukuda family is being targeted. We fear though for any other members of the family who are still out there. This is why we have sent the girl to you for Kuru knew she was her cousin’s daughter. I hope by the time we meet, that is either with a Lán lǐyú or King Mèngjiàn I will know more.
Lieutenant Miura Genji
“So that is what happened to the guard. I am right to suspect, just like Tenjō the fall of that castle was an inside job,” expresses Commander Ōtomo. “There is no other way someone from the outside would know their way around that place and able to drug the guard so eailsy. Another thing we have been discussing, in order for the Bitō Clan to discover the princess was a man one of them must have got a little too close… if you understand what I mean?”
“I do indeed. And now I know why General Ōtomo was assigned to Kuru. I also understand why Genji could not be with her. It was not because she is not a real woman, it is because she is royalty. It is clear though they are truly in love with each other.”
“Who is going to know if they did have fun, hmm?”
They both giggle and the Great Warrior nods in agreement. “He should watch it, he might lose her to your family member.”
“Oh no, my brother would never take a member of the Sasaki family… However, if he was here, he might have fun with some of the ladies. Where I have always preferred a strong man between my legs. I would say the boys here are nice, they are just a little too feminine for me.”
“I understand that. Besides we all have our own tastes. I will be meeting Lieutenant Miura Genji tomorrow morning, you are welcome to join me?”
“Very much for this letter is a little vague. What did the girl say to you? Forgive me I should not have—”
Yūrei places his left index finger to the man’s painted pink lips and goes on to tell him everything the lady told him. They both look at the seal to discover it is indeed Major Kikuchi Shouji’s seal.
“Well, that proves he stamped the receipt of, forty crates of wine and sixty barrels of Saké,” says the Commander, giving the thin piece of paper another look. “Destination, unknown… What? How can it be unknown?”
“Unless the Captain is delivering them himself. Hmm, that also explains how the Bitō obtain the barrels to place the oil in.”
“You’re right. Wait these men would stink of that oil, right?”
The Great Warrior nods. “Yes, it is pretty potent stuff. Why have you smelt it on someone?”
Commander Ōtomo shakes his head. “No, I was just thinking a Dragon’s sense of smell is far superior to ours. If they are hiding in the nearby forest that lies between us and the village, will they not smell them?”
“Yes… The thing is an Ice Dragon is not that easy to approach. It is not just their bad mood, it is their breath. You would be frozen to death the moment they breathed out.
“Oh I see. Wait, why you are smirking," says the Commander, pointing a hand at his face. "You forget your nice mouth is exposed. Come on now tell me the truth why are they in the mountain near your town.”
The Masked Warrior smiles and explains, “Years ago a young Ice Dragon was caught in strong winds. When I say strong, the wind had taken roofs off houses and even half destroyed this very inn. He had been slammed down hard into the road outside town. The poor Dragon was hurt badly. His front left paw was broken in two places, he had cracked ribs and mussels in his lovely long tail had been torn. Despite the Healers help it still took him months to recover. The towns people proved to him that not all mortals should be feared. Especially those who brought him delicious meals and the freshest water they could find. As a result for their kindness he granted the children their wish and gave them snow every winter.”
The Commander places a hand to his chest. “Ooh, that was so lovely. What a kind Ice Dragon and all because you proved to him he had nothing to fear. I would say that has made me feel very cold.” He notices the king is looking to the window and he stands up.
“That was an ice blast,” he states, rubbing his hands together. “Something must be wrong.”
Commander Ōtomo quickly follows him down to the entrance where they go to slip on their boots before heading outside into the freezing air.
Chūnfēng comes running over and informs them, “I have put up a shield to protect the east side of town, for that ice blast originated from the forest.”
Yūrei gives him a pat on the arm. “Well done. Let’s just hope he does not release another one.”
“Do not worry I will do all I can to protect the town.”
“Thanks, my good man. Come, Commander, let’s go and see what is wrong.”
They run out of town to the forest discover in the fading light steam is rising above the trees into the air, which also seems a lot colder to the point it makes them cough. They follow the ice trail to come to a massive wall of shear ice, that is unlike any ice Commander Ōtomo has ever seen. “It is perfect, flourless ice," he gasps as he admires it.
Then a man on the other side wilding an axe, slimes it in to the hard ice, only to have the blade shatter and the man holds his throbbing hands as he stumbles away.
The Great Warrior point his hands at the sheet of ice. “See it is unbreakable even though it appears quite thin. This is Ice Dragon ice, one of the hardest ice you will ever encounter. And here comes our man who produced this.”
A man dressed in a white Hanfu with white hair flowing over his shoulders appears and they notice he is limping.
ns 15.158.61.20da2
