Blade Of The Immortal Fan Fiction ❯ Abstinence Education ❯ Part Twenty-Two ( Chapter 22 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Madame Manga 
A bodyguard without a cause--at least he's got that pipe to keep him company...
Anime/Manga: Blade Of The Immortal Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Drama / Samurai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 04.18.2006 | Updated On: 06.13.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.5K | Visits: 847 | Status: Completed
A bodyguard without a cause--at least he's got that pipe to keep him company...
Anime/Manga: Blade Of The Immortal Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Drama / Samurai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 04.18.2006 | Updated On: 06.13.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.5K | Visits: 847 | Status: Completed
A bodyguard without a cause; at least he's got that pipe to keep him company...
The characters and universe of Blade of the Immortal/Mugen no Junin are copyrighted by Hiroaki Samura and do not belong to me. Not one sen will come into my hands in consequence of this story.
Feedback, crit, bitter complaints and offers of smutty fanfic gratefully received! Send 'em all to MmeManga@aol.com or put them up for public viewing on the one, the only, this very Livejournal.
Warnings for sex in various forms, including quasi-incestuous themes and a 16-year-old female paired with an adult male. Violence and dismemberment are legally required in any Blade of the Immortal fic, so be prepared.
Abstinence Education
by Madame Manga
Part Twenty-Two
The desire Rin had seen in Manji’s face a few minutes before seemed to pass over him and fade into memory. He had never looked at her the way he was looking at Makie.
Rin felt an echo of a previous meeting, when she had thought Manji wanted to buy Makie's body for his satisfaction. She had realized by envious comparison how young and awkward her own body still remained. Over these last few weeks she’d gained new confidence in her ripening sexuality, but when struck against Makie's mature beauty at a moment like this, all her illusions of adulthood seemed to shatter. She was an angry little girl again, eating herself heartsick on sweets.
Rin trembled and bit her lips. Maybe Manji had meant it when he said she was pretty and that he felt lucky to hold her. At least at the moment he had said it, he might not have exaggerated; why would he? He knew he could coax her to bed without sweet talk, and Manji wasn’t the kind of man to say things he didn’t believe just to make a girl feel a little more grown up.
He looked at a grown woman now. His equal or his better in many ways: in age, in warrior’s skill and cunning. Probably Manji had never met anyone like Makie, nor even imagined before their blades had clashed that a mere female could come so close to relieving him of his curse. She would have killed him at that fateful meeting–she nearly had, and at her hands he had been willing to accept death. With admiration warming his scarred face as he lay in a pool of his own blood and looked up at that angelic figure. Hovering on fast-whirring wings of bright steel, an ultimate release from pain.
Jealousy sickened Rin. Why couldn’t she be the one to ease his suffering?
The appraisal had turned into a staring match. Manji’s smile broadened; Makie sighed and lowered her lids before gazing off into the distance. Rin noted a faint flush on her cheeks.
“I am disarmed by your potency, Manji-san.”
He chuckled. “Sure you are, ma’am.” He looked at her a moment longer, then gave her a nod like a respectful challenge and pointed his chin at a nearby alleyway. “Let’s get out of the street and take care of business.”
Makie smiled without glancing back at him and briefly closed her eyes. “Do you hope to die for your charge today?”
Manji gripped the top of his scabbard and pushed a thumb against the sword guard to break the blade’s seal to the mouth. A soft, deliberate click that reverberated through Rin like a blow; she snapped her head around to see Makie’s reaction.
Cold as new snow: she had seen that expression before. With a storm of blood raging around her, Makie rose above it untouched. Pure, in a strange way: a clean swift death, even for an immortal. Rin choked. Manji laid hold of his sword hilt, steady and balanced as he had never seemed when he clutched his 'little sister' in his arms.
“No, please! Big brother–” She tried to grab his wrist.
He pivoted to avoid her, staying focused on Makie. “I thought I told you to run.”
“She’ll kill you!”
“Don’t be so fucking sure about that.” He grinned at Makie; his muscles tensed in a slight crouch. “I’ll give you a minute to unlimber that pike, ma’am. Then all bets are off.”
“You haven’t even asked her why–”
“I will not draw first, Manji-san.” Makie sat on the bench Rin had vacated and put down her samisen. “I do not intend violence.”
“Do tell.” Manji’s shoulders twitched; he didn’t relax. “So where's your man waiting? Maybe I oughta go inquire about his intentions.”
“Ah.” Her delicate brows arched. “You assume I’m here under instructions from Anotsu Kagehisa-sama?”
“You’re back in the Itto-ryu. That’s good enough for me.”
She slightly shook her head. “I am my own master.”
“Yeah? Then you taking a stroll up this street just now makes for one hell of a coincidence, lady.”
“I have not sought you out by design in this town.” Makie let her gaze drift across the sky and the buildings; a knot of curious spectators had formed across the street, probably wondering why a swordsman was challenging a seemingly unarmed woman. “After all, your home is a day’s journey to the east…or so I am informed.”
The Itto-ryu had tracked down the location of Manji's hut? Rin clapped a hand over her mouth. Manji’s face didn’t change, but he looked at Makie’s samisen.
She drew a whisper of a touch across the strings. “Perhaps we are here for similar reasons, driven by the caprice of heaven. Weather brings us together now…or fate.”
“No bullshit, ma’am. If ya don’t mind.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Manji checked the street in both directions without turning away from Makie. “Maybe you had to stop here because the bridge is out. Fair enough–this town's cram-full of travelers waiting for the rivers to go down. But don't tell me ya spotted an old acquaintance and fancied a pleasant chat.” He glanced over his shoulder again.
“In a manner of speaking, yes. I do have something to say...and to ask.”
Manji looked back at her in surprise. “You? Ask me what?”
“It is not you I would speak with, Manji-san.”
“Huh?”
Makie bowed in Rin’s direction. Rin jumped; Manji gave her an incredulous, almost suspicious stare. She shook her head, bewildered.
“Anotsu-sama is well and able to walk again, though he has not recovered his full strength. He has regained the power of speech, and has been eating heartily.” Makie seemed to expect a response.
“Uh, that’s nice…um, I mean…” Rin caught a flare in Manji’s eye and stammered to a halt. Expressing interest in Anotsu’s health seemed only polite under the circumstances. Polite? Wasn’t he her worst enemy? She lowered her gaze to the shattered bowl and the splash of sweet noodles on the ground beside her.
“Will you allow us privacy for a few moments?” Makie addressed Manji, who frowned. Her tone grew light and disarming. “A talk between women. Nothing to concern a man of the sword.”
“Think I’ll be the judge of that.” He snorted, but finally let go of his hilt. “There’s no weapon deadlier than a woman’s tongue.”
“You…you must have nursed him, right?” Rin blurted it out and flinched at another bristle from Manji. “So you heard what happened. In the mountains?”
“I know that you and Anotsu-sama traveled together for several days, and allied against a common enemy.” Makie gave Rin another graceful bow from her seat. “Thank you, Rin, for saving his life.”
“Uh…” Rin blanched and scooted backwards. “Well, I guess you could sort of put it that way…but…”
“The fuck?” Manji turned on her. “Is she crazy, or dreamin’?”
She shook her head, unable to meet his gaze.
“Then how the hell–”
“I tried to tell you–you didn’t want to hear about it!”
Makie alternately watched the two of them, brows raised.
Manji snarled. “‘He was being so human’? All that crap?”
“It’s not crap! It’s how I felt–what kind of person would leave a helpless man to die? He was so sick…” Rin started to cry.
“Just like a goddamn woman!” Manji’s face turned red. “You talk yourself hoarse about this pretty-ass son of a whore, you even ditch me to run after him, and then–”
“I beg your indulgence, Manji-san.” Both of them looked at Makie. Startled out of her tears, Rin wiped her face on her sleeve. “You are her valiant guardian, and of course you are anxious for her welfare. But I intend no harm, and none will come to her while she accompanies me. No one lies in wait, and I will pledge myself to return her safely to you before nightfall.”
Manji breathed hard for a moment, then made a stiff nod of acknowledgement. “I guess you’re no liar, ma’am.”
She gave him a charming, almost seductive smile. “You have divined that Anotsu Kagehisa-sama is a great concern of mine. I crave the smallest scraps of news about his doings and the state of his thoughts…such as only another woman would notice.” Makie held out her hand. “Will you come with me, Rin?”
Manji took Rin by the shoulder and kept her from rising. “Anywhere she goes...”
“Women may find it difficult to speak freely in the presence of a man, even on subjects of no importance.” Again Makie's tone was sweet, but with an underlying hardness.
“Lady, you ain’t the kind for girl gossip.” They locked gazes. A couple of street urchins sidled over with grins and bows and offered Manji his dropped pipe and cash. He released Rin to claim his possessions and flipped a few small coins in the air. The ragged children scrabbled for the money and ran off.
“Um…Manji? It’s all right, I’m not scared to go alone.” Rin got up and dusted her clothes.
“Like you got any idea what you can handle, you little idiot?” He shook his head. “You don't even know what this is really about.”
“So I’ll talk to her and find out. What's so–?”
“I got a feeling you don’t need to know.”
“Why wouldn’t I? Anyway, I can take care of–"
"When the hell have you ever taken care of yourself, kid? Who's the damn yojimbo around here?"
Rin's mouth dropped open. "I'm not a baby! I walked all the way to–”
"Gimme a break." Manji took her wrist and nodded at Makie. "Pleasant day, ma'am. Tell your danna we're sorry we missed him." He yanked Rin closer and got an arm around her waist; though his hold was firm and he wore a cynical smile, the core of his body quivered. Angry? Manji turned to propel her down the street in the direction of their inn.
“Let go, you jerk!” Rin struggled to break his grip, but he only hardened it. "I don't need you to protect me!”
Manji went pale and released her. “Huh?”
“Uh...I meant, not this much...just wait here for me, OK?” She put out a hand, but withdrew it before she touched him. “Don't be so worried. Gosh, what could–”
His mouth twitched to show his teeth; with shock she saw unmasked fear. He wasn't simply trying to enforce his will or scoff at her bravado–he was terrified of something he couldn't voice. Unfamiliar, insidious, subtle. Even if Makie hadn't been listening, he might not have been able to give form to this menace. “Rin-chan–”
Rin blushed; the naked entreaty in his voice embarrassed her even more than the public reminder of their afternoon's pillowing. “Please, Manji-san! I’ll tell you what’s going on when I get back. Just a little while...”
Manji compressed his lips until they went white. His shoulders rolled and his hands flexed as if he wanted to seize weapons, but he obviously had none that could defend against his fears. Maybe he also saw cherished illusions thrown into the dirt. What was his phantom rival? He looked at her with fists clenched and his mouth pulled into a downward curve. Something he had fought to gain and jealously protect, slipping from his grasp. His throat tightened as he swallowed, but he said nothing.
Makie rose and took Rin’s hand. “Thank you.”
“Um...” Rin felt the prickle of tears and wished for a moment that she could take back her resolution. “It's OK.”
Guided by Makie, Rin moved down the street with her eyes fixed on her abandoned bodyguard. The old noodle vendor bobbed around Manji’s unmoving feet as she picked up the pieces of the broken bowl and tossed them clattering into a rubbish basket. He took no notice, standing with arms folded and head lowered. The man he had knocked down on his way across the street approached to remonstrate. Manji whipped a glare at him and replied; Rin caught the tone but not the words. The complainer backed up and scurried away. Manji sat heavily on the bench and took out his tobacco pouch.
Before Makie directed her around a corner and she lost sight of him, Manji lay half-reclined on one elbow, a thin trail of smoke wandering from his pipe and his face tilted up to the aching blue of the sky.
Continued...
The characters and universe of Blade of the Immortal/Mugen no Junin are copyrighted by Hiroaki Samura and do not belong to me. Not one sen will come into my hands in consequence of this story.
Feedback, crit, bitter complaints and offers of smutty fanfic gratefully received! Send 'em all to MmeManga@aol.com or put them up for public viewing on the one, the only, this very Livejournal.
Warnings for sex in various forms, including quasi-incestuous themes and a 16-year-old female paired with an adult male. Violence and dismemberment are legally required in any Blade of the Immortal fic, so be prepared.
Abstinence Education
by Madame Manga
Part Twenty-Two
The desire Rin had seen in Manji’s face a few minutes before seemed to pass over him and fade into memory. He had never looked at her the way he was looking at Makie.
Rin felt an echo of a previous meeting, when she had thought Manji wanted to buy Makie's body for his satisfaction. She had realized by envious comparison how young and awkward her own body still remained. Over these last few weeks she’d gained new confidence in her ripening sexuality, but when struck against Makie's mature beauty at a moment like this, all her illusions of adulthood seemed to shatter. She was an angry little girl again, eating herself heartsick on sweets.
Rin trembled and bit her lips. Maybe Manji had meant it when he said she was pretty and that he felt lucky to hold her. At least at the moment he had said it, he might not have exaggerated; why would he? He knew he could coax her to bed without sweet talk, and Manji wasn’t the kind of man to say things he didn’t believe just to make a girl feel a little more grown up.
He looked at a grown woman now. His equal or his better in many ways: in age, in warrior’s skill and cunning. Probably Manji had never met anyone like Makie, nor even imagined before their blades had clashed that a mere female could come so close to relieving him of his curse. She would have killed him at that fateful meeting–she nearly had, and at her hands he had been willing to accept death. With admiration warming his scarred face as he lay in a pool of his own blood and looked up at that angelic figure. Hovering on fast-whirring wings of bright steel, an ultimate release from pain.
Jealousy sickened Rin. Why couldn’t she be the one to ease his suffering?
The appraisal had turned into a staring match. Manji’s smile broadened; Makie sighed and lowered her lids before gazing off into the distance. Rin noted a faint flush on her cheeks.
“I am disarmed by your potency, Manji-san.”
He chuckled. “Sure you are, ma’am.” He looked at her a moment longer, then gave her a nod like a respectful challenge and pointed his chin at a nearby alleyway. “Let’s get out of the street and take care of business.”
Makie smiled without glancing back at him and briefly closed her eyes. “Do you hope to die for your charge today?”
Manji gripped the top of his scabbard and pushed a thumb against the sword guard to break the blade’s seal to the mouth. A soft, deliberate click that reverberated through Rin like a blow; she snapped her head around to see Makie’s reaction.
Cold as new snow: she had seen that expression before. With a storm of blood raging around her, Makie rose above it untouched. Pure, in a strange way: a clean swift death, even for an immortal. Rin choked. Manji laid hold of his sword hilt, steady and balanced as he had never seemed when he clutched his 'little sister' in his arms.
“No, please! Big brother–” She tried to grab his wrist.
He pivoted to avoid her, staying focused on Makie. “I thought I told you to run.”
“She’ll kill you!”
“Don’t be so fucking sure about that.” He grinned at Makie; his muscles tensed in a slight crouch. “I’ll give you a minute to unlimber that pike, ma’am. Then all bets are off.”
“You haven’t even asked her why–”
“I will not draw first, Manji-san.” Makie sat on the bench Rin had vacated and put down her samisen. “I do not intend violence.”
“Do tell.” Manji’s shoulders twitched; he didn’t relax. “So where's your man waiting? Maybe I oughta go inquire about his intentions.”
“Ah.” Her delicate brows arched. “You assume I’m here under instructions from Anotsu Kagehisa-sama?”
“You’re back in the Itto-ryu. That’s good enough for me.”
She slightly shook her head. “I am my own master.”
“Yeah? Then you taking a stroll up this street just now makes for one hell of a coincidence, lady.”
“I have not sought you out by design in this town.” Makie let her gaze drift across the sky and the buildings; a knot of curious spectators had formed across the street, probably wondering why a swordsman was challenging a seemingly unarmed woman. “After all, your home is a day’s journey to the east…or so I am informed.”
The Itto-ryu had tracked down the location of Manji's hut? Rin clapped a hand over her mouth. Manji’s face didn’t change, but he looked at Makie’s samisen.
She drew a whisper of a touch across the strings. “Perhaps we are here for similar reasons, driven by the caprice of heaven. Weather brings us together now…or fate.”
“No bullshit, ma’am. If ya don’t mind.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Manji checked the street in both directions without turning away from Makie. “Maybe you had to stop here because the bridge is out. Fair enough–this town's cram-full of travelers waiting for the rivers to go down. But don't tell me ya spotted an old acquaintance and fancied a pleasant chat.” He glanced over his shoulder again.
“In a manner of speaking, yes. I do have something to say...and to ask.”
Manji looked back at her in surprise. “You? Ask me what?”
“It is not you I would speak with, Manji-san.”
“Huh?”
Makie bowed in Rin’s direction. Rin jumped; Manji gave her an incredulous, almost suspicious stare. She shook her head, bewildered.
“Anotsu-sama is well and able to walk again, though he has not recovered his full strength. He has regained the power of speech, and has been eating heartily.” Makie seemed to expect a response.
“Uh, that’s nice…um, I mean…” Rin caught a flare in Manji’s eye and stammered to a halt. Expressing interest in Anotsu’s health seemed only polite under the circumstances. Polite? Wasn’t he her worst enemy? She lowered her gaze to the shattered bowl and the splash of sweet noodles on the ground beside her.
“Will you allow us privacy for a few moments?” Makie addressed Manji, who frowned. Her tone grew light and disarming. “A talk between women. Nothing to concern a man of the sword.”
“Think I’ll be the judge of that.” He snorted, but finally let go of his hilt. “There’s no weapon deadlier than a woman’s tongue.”
“You…you must have nursed him, right?” Rin blurted it out and flinched at another bristle from Manji. “So you heard what happened. In the mountains?”
“I know that you and Anotsu-sama traveled together for several days, and allied against a common enemy.” Makie gave Rin another graceful bow from her seat. “Thank you, Rin, for saving his life.”
“Uh…” Rin blanched and scooted backwards. “Well, I guess you could sort of put it that way…but…”
“The fuck?” Manji turned on her. “Is she crazy, or dreamin’?”
She shook her head, unable to meet his gaze.
“Then how the hell–”
“I tried to tell you–you didn’t want to hear about it!”
Makie alternately watched the two of them, brows raised.
Manji snarled. “‘He was being so human’? All that crap?”
“It’s not crap! It’s how I felt–what kind of person would leave a helpless man to die? He was so sick…” Rin started to cry.
“Just like a goddamn woman!” Manji’s face turned red. “You talk yourself hoarse about this pretty-ass son of a whore, you even ditch me to run after him, and then–”
“I beg your indulgence, Manji-san.” Both of them looked at Makie. Startled out of her tears, Rin wiped her face on her sleeve. “You are her valiant guardian, and of course you are anxious for her welfare. But I intend no harm, and none will come to her while she accompanies me. No one lies in wait, and I will pledge myself to return her safely to you before nightfall.”
Manji breathed hard for a moment, then made a stiff nod of acknowledgement. “I guess you’re no liar, ma’am.”
She gave him a charming, almost seductive smile. “You have divined that Anotsu Kagehisa-sama is a great concern of mine. I crave the smallest scraps of news about his doings and the state of his thoughts…such as only another woman would notice.” Makie held out her hand. “Will you come with me, Rin?”
Manji took Rin by the shoulder and kept her from rising. “Anywhere she goes...”
“Women may find it difficult to speak freely in the presence of a man, even on subjects of no importance.” Again Makie's tone was sweet, but with an underlying hardness.
“Lady, you ain’t the kind for girl gossip.” They locked gazes. A couple of street urchins sidled over with grins and bows and offered Manji his dropped pipe and cash. He released Rin to claim his possessions and flipped a few small coins in the air. The ragged children scrabbled for the money and ran off.
“Um…Manji? It’s all right, I’m not scared to go alone.” Rin got up and dusted her clothes.
“Like you got any idea what you can handle, you little idiot?” He shook his head. “You don't even know what this is really about.”
“So I’ll talk to her and find out. What's so–?”
“I got a feeling you don’t need to know.”
“Why wouldn’t I? Anyway, I can take care of–"
"When the hell have you ever taken care of yourself, kid? Who's the damn yojimbo around here?"
Rin's mouth dropped open. "I'm not a baby! I walked all the way to–”
"Gimme a break." Manji took her wrist and nodded at Makie. "Pleasant day, ma'am. Tell your danna we're sorry we missed him." He yanked Rin closer and got an arm around her waist; though his hold was firm and he wore a cynical smile, the core of his body quivered. Angry? Manji turned to propel her down the street in the direction of their inn.
“Let go, you jerk!” Rin struggled to break his grip, but he only hardened it. "I don't need you to protect me!”
Manji went pale and released her. “Huh?”
“Uh...I meant, not this much...just wait here for me, OK?” She put out a hand, but withdrew it before she touched him. “Don't be so worried. Gosh, what could–”
His mouth twitched to show his teeth; with shock she saw unmasked fear. He wasn't simply trying to enforce his will or scoff at her bravado–he was terrified of something he couldn't voice. Unfamiliar, insidious, subtle. Even if Makie hadn't been listening, he might not have been able to give form to this menace. “Rin-chan–”
Rin blushed; the naked entreaty in his voice embarrassed her even more than the public reminder of their afternoon's pillowing. “Please, Manji-san! I’ll tell you what’s going on when I get back. Just a little while...”
Manji compressed his lips until they went white. His shoulders rolled and his hands flexed as if he wanted to seize weapons, but he obviously had none that could defend against his fears. Maybe he also saw cherished illusions thrown into the dirt. What was his phantom rival? He looked at her with fists clenched and his mouth pulled into a downward curve. Something he had fought to gain and jealously protect, slipping from his grasp. His throat tightened as he swallowed, but he said nothing.
Makie rose and took Rin’s hand. “Thank you.”
“Um...” Rin felt the prickle of tears and wished for a moment that she could take back her resolution. “It's OK.”
Guided by Makie, Rin moved down the street with her eyes fixed on her abandoned bodyguard. The old noodle vendor bobbed around Manji’s unmoving feet as she picked up the pieces of the broken bowl and tossed them clattering into a rubbish basket. He took no notice, standing with arms folded and head lowered. The man he had knocked down on his way across the street approached to remonstrate. Manji whipped a glare at him and replied; Rin caught the tone but not the words. The complainer backed up and scurried away. Manji sat heavily on the bench and took out his tobacco pouch.
Before Makie directed her around a corner and she lost sight of him, Manji lay half-reclined on one elbow, a thin trail of smoke wandering from his pipe and his face tilted up to the aching blue of the sky.
Continued...