Blade Of The Immortal Fan Fiction ❯ Abstinence Education ❯ Part Twenty-Four ( Chapter 24 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Madame Manga 
Better than to say things like a wise man, it seems,
is to drink sake, get drunk, and weep.
Otomo-no-Tobito
Anime/Manga: Blade Of The Immortal Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Drama / Samurai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 06.13.2006 | Updated On: 06.13.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 887 | Status: Completed
Better than to say things like a wise man, it seems,
is to drink sake, get drunk, and weep.
Otomo-no-Tobito
Anime/Manga: Blade Of The Immortal Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Drama / Samurai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 06.13.2006 | Updated On: 06.13.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 887 | Status: Completed
Better than to say things like a wise man, it seems,
is to drink sake, get drunk, and weep.
Otomo-no-Tabito (665-731); tr. Sato Hiroaki and Burton Watson
The characters and universe of Blade of the Immortal/Mugen no Junin are copyright by Hiroaki Samura and do not belong to me. Not one sen will come into my hands in consequence of this story.
Warnings for sex in various forms, including quasi-incestuous themes and a sixteen-year-old female paired with an adult male. Violence and dismemberment are legally required in any BotI fic, so be prepared.
Manji's haiku is an anonymous eighteenth-century piece.
Abstinence Education
by Madame Manga
Part Twenty-Four
“Are you sure you're feeling well now, my dear?”
Rin stepped down from the polished wooden floor of the corridor leading to the private rooms and slipped her feet into her geta.
“You still look quite pale...” Makie touched Rin's hair away from her forehead and peered solicitously into her face.
“I'm...I'm OK. It's all right.” Rin rubbed her lips with the back of her hand, moved out into the open public section of the teahouse and bumped into the corner of a table. Cups and bottles rattled and the sake drinkers threw her annoyed looks. “Sorry...”
Makie shook her head. “Perhaps you'd like to rest for a while in my room before we go in search of your guardian.”
“No...it's been ages since I left him...” Rin wobbled and clutched a hand over her stomach; Makie put an arm around her. “I'm sorry...”
“I'm the one who should apologize, child.”
“Makie-sensei, you're not leaving so early?” The inn landlord shoved through a group of chattering customers and bowed his way towards Makie, fawning and smiling. “You will come back again? I long to hear you just once more!”
“Yes, Takanaga-san, you will hear me sing tonight.” Makie returned the bow with professional grace. “I have an errand, but I will return soon.”
“Your view of the garden is satisfactory? May I send up a dish of our persimmons with your evening meal? They are at their perfect peak of ripeness now, and you must sample them before you go.” The man's admiring gaze lingered on Makie's bosom. “Perhaps you will wish to return to taste them again next year?”
“Thank you, Takanaga-san. You are very kind.” She bowed again and discreetly glanced towards the exit.
“Of course, of course, my humble pleasure–I beg you, don't let me detain you.” He grinned and bobbed up and down as they moved away. Makie guided Rin through the busy room again, slowly working her way around the crowded tables.
“Rin-chan...when we locate your guardian, what do you intend to tell him?”
The question seemed to be meant as a discreet warning. Rin grimaced and shrugged her shoulders; she hardly needed reminding that Manji obviously disliked all mention of Anotsu. “I don't know yet.”
“Of course this news has disoriented you somewhat. It may take some time before you regain a calm mind and can weigh your alternatives.”
“Yes...” Anotsu. Anotsu Kagehisa was her alternative. Rin cast her eyes from side to side so as not to look straight ahead. She had a heavy, obsessive sense of her enemy, of his cool girlish face and the hard shock of his narrow-eyed gaze. His slim hands reaching out for hers... She tucked them deep inside her sleeves.
“If I may offer a small word of advice...? Don't feel compelled to open your heart to anyone yet, and don't force yourself to conclusions. Perhaps a week or two of quiet meditation, or prayer–”
“Hey, lady! You lookin' to return something of mine?”
Rin's spine stiffened. No more than a couple of tables away... She stopped short and lurched against Makie, who steadied her.
“Manji-san.” The swordswoman shifted her clasp on Rin and bowed in greeting.
“So–what was that about gettin' her back to me before nightfall?”
“I humbly beg your pardon. Our talk took longer than I had anticipated.”
“Oh, no shit? I was about ready to start cuttin' holes in the walls.”
Rough and sarcastic, with a careless slur to his voice. Rin found it difficult to breathe for a moment; the memory of their passionate afternoon pressed on her chest like a stone. She'd longed to bring some happiness into his life; now she dreaded even seeing his face. She dragged in a deep gulp of air to steady herself and turned around.
Her bodyguard looked red-faced and a little sweaty; he didn't meet her gaze right away, but glared at Makie instead. He banged his cup down, kicked back his bench and rose. Six or seven sake bottles littered the table in front of him–had he finished them all? Jolted, the other drinkers at the table looked up.
“I apologize if I caused you any worry, though I see you have already tracked down your charge's whereabouts.” Makie spoke soothingly, but with a bantering smile.
“Ya think I wouldn't?”
Makie inclined her head. “You have saved us the trouble of seeking you out, at least.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Manji pulled one hand from the overlap of his kosode and beckoned across the table. “Gimme.”
“Manji...are you drunk?” Rin burst out.
“Am I drunk?” He gave her an incredulous stare and stabbed a finger at the bottles. “I'd frickin' well better be drunk, after how much I've been payin' for this frickin' watered-down horse piss! What'cha askin' stupid questions for?”
“Oh...big brother!” She put a hand to her burning cheek and looked away. “Please don't talk so loud...”
She felt a slight hesitation in the supporting arc of Makie's arm, as if before handing Rin over she wondered about Manji's fitness to receive again what he had so grudgingly let go. To whom did the daughter of Asano Takayoshi belong? Right now she didn't seem to own herself; her whole life was a promise made to ghosts...
Manji moved around the table and approached with a swaggering, lurching gait; Rin quivered and Makie again steadied her. The figures of swordsman and swordswoman seemed to close her in. Like tall dark spirits looming in her blurred vision: Rin tried to hide her rising distress.
“C'mon, woman.” Manji strode right up to them and grabbed Rin under the armpit. “Let's get the hell out of this dump–it's yer bedtime.”
Her mouth dropped open–was he drunk enough to announce his intentions to the whole teahouse? Heads seemed to turn towards them from all directions.
Makie gave a nearly inaudible sigh, released Rin and gave her a gentle touch on the shoulder. “My blessings go with you, child.”
Rin looked back at her, pulse throbbing in her throat and her stomach cramping. Makie had cradled her for a long time after she had collapsed in the private room, stroking her hair and humming until she felt well enough to sit up. Her mind had wandered in a queer dream of infancy: a tiny girl carried on a bigger girl's back and softly jiggled to sleep. For a wrenching moment she wanted only to retreat to that dream again, be soothed and cuddled and told that everything would be all right. No conflicts, no responsibilities, no sense of the future. Nothing she tried to do ever turned out right anyway, because she was only a silly little girl with an exaggerated idea of her own maturity. She almost hoped that tomorrow she might wake to the sunrise and discover that she had never left her bodyguard's all-enveloping embrace...
Manji yanked her to him and locked her to his side with one arm, squeezing the air from her lungs. “Do I get to know what th' hell this was about?” He might have addressed either or both of them, but he looked at Makie.
“It is not my place to say, I think.” Makie's bow seemed perfunctory. “She is safely returned to you, as I promised–”
“What, you want thanks? She ain't gettin' out of my sight again. No matter what she says–or you!”
Makie moved her head back and blinked in the blast of Manji's alcohol-laden spittle. “...You are her yojimbo.”
“Damn straight I am!” Manji's face turned even redder and he pointed at his chest. “So you're gonna tell me just why you and yer goddamn boss are sneakin' around my–”
“I spoke to Rin-chan on my own initiative, Manji-san, as I told you.” Makie's voice sounded colder though still polite. “No other person joined our conversation.”
“She's telling the truth, Manji-san...” Rin tugged on the front of Manji's clothing; she felt a crackle in the air between the swordsman and swordswoman. The landlord peered at the three of them from across the noisy room; he beckoned to a thick-necked young man in a server's apron and pointed at Manji. “Please, let's just go back to our room and–”
“Whatever she's tellin', Anotsu's near. I swear, I can almost smell the bastard.” Manji wrinkled his nose and lifted his lip from his teeth.
“Indeed? You claim a special intuition?” Makie might still have been bantering with him, except for a thin tense line that appeared low on her forehead.
“Don't take any sixth sense to figure you ain't givin' up the whole story.” He aimed a finger straight at Makie's face. “It's in the eyes.”
Her brows twitched slightly, but then she gave a musical laugh. “Your senses are obviously dulled, bodyguard, and you would do better not to put too much trust in your current powers of reasoning...if any remain to you.”
Manji flushed. “You think a few drinks are gonna blunt my sword? Take another guess, lady.” He seemed to register that he was holding Rin both too tightly and too intimately for a public place, and awkwardly released her.
Makie smiled at Rin and slightly rolled her eyes. Rin halfheartedly returned the smile, and Makie's broadened. “This is a familiar state of affairs, child?”
“Well...um, yes, I guess so...”
Manji made a growling sound in his throat and folded his arms. Rin recalled the last time he had drunk a lot of sake, blushed hot and looked at the ground in confusion. How could she think clearly about her situation if he insisted on having her again tonight? Unmistakably her bodyguard wanted to reassert his claim on her. Her heartbeat accelerating, Rin wondered if the limits he had set for himself still had any force. Nothing could repair a broken promise...
Makie raised her brows in sympathetic inquiry; Rin threw her an involuntary look of appeal, though of course Makie couldn't possibly help. “I'm sorry he's acting like this,” she said in a low voice. “He can be awfully rude to people sometimes...even if...”
“Whatcha talkin' about me right under my nose? You want rude? I'll give you–”
“So I see. May I ask if he's given to snoring in his cups?” Makie seemed to suppress a laugh.
“Um, yes...pretty loud.”
Makie touched Rin's arm. “Then if you would prefer to sleep undisturbed tonight–”
“HEY!” Manji shoved himself in front of Rin before she could reply and made an aggressive gesture as if to give Makie the back of his hand. “Get yer claws OFF MY WOMAN!”
All through the teahouse, cups stopped halfway and conversations cut off in mid-sentence. Makie took a step backwards and stared at Rin in startlement. Rin covered her mouth in sudden panic. If Makie realized the truth–
“Um–of course I'll stay under your protection, Manji-san!” She nervously patted his shoulder. “Please don't shout, big brother. I always feel s-safe when you're near...”
He reached out to pull her to him again, pressed her face to the side of his chest and took a few deep breaths of gradually diminishing force. “You got that right, little sister.” He ruffled her hair, then glared at Makie. The landlord approached with an officious air and his bouncer in tow.
“Let's leave now, please? I'm really tired.” Rin gave Makie as much of a bow as she could manage while Manji held her. There didn't seem to be any way to avoid going back to the room without both arousing Manji's anger and suggesting his true motives to Makie. Tension whined in her ears. “Good night, Makie-san.”
Makie quirked her lips and searched Rin's face. “If you are fully satisfied that your bodyguard is capable of carrying out his duty...”
“Still singin' that tune, huh?”
Makie raised her chin, her expression cool. “Then I will bid you good night too, child.”
“I'm still right here, you--” Manji bared his teeth.
“But if you change your mind at any time, you need only ask the maids to direct you to my room. No harm will come to you–you have my solemn word.”
Rin gave her an awkward grimace of acknowledgement and tried to urge Manji towards the exit, but he planted his feet and shouted at Makie again.
“Aw, whatta steaming load of bullshit! Don't gimme that goddamn innocent face, you fucking two-bit ass peddler!”
“You! Fellow!” The landlord shook his finger at Manji. Makie's cheeks paled and her hand tightened on the neck of her samisen, like an unthinking reflex.
“Yeah, that's more like it, whore.“ Manji grinned at Makie and raised his left arm, his hand curled in preparation to receive a weapon. “Now we're talkin' the same language!“
Rin gasped. “Manji–no!”
The landlord broke in again. “This behavior...this profanity...”
“Ahh, stuff it up your–”
The landlord huffed and blew, his cheeks expanding. “Vile insults to a person of such talent! Kindly take your possessions and leave my establishment.” He gestured dramatically at the exit. “No, I'll have them fetched–I want you outside my doors this moment!”
“Screw you.” Manji swiveled to face the thick-necked young man, who was maneuvering to approach him from behind. “Keep sneakin' around, jackass–” He reached into his sleeve.
“Manji! Stop it now!” Rin clamped her toes around the thong of one geta and stomped on his sandaled foot as hard as she could.
“Ow! Shit!” He let go of the knife hilt he had touched and grabbed his big toe. “What's the matter with you, ya crazy kid?”
She aimed a kick at his shins. “Oh, be quiet, you unbelievable jerk! I've had it up to here with you!”
“Hey!” Manji tried to avoid Rin while hopping on one foot; she stomped his other big toe. “OW! She's cripplin' me!”
“Manji-san.” Makie approached, gave the landlord a dazzling smile and extended a hand to Manji. “I'm afraid that drink has gained the better of you this evening, my friend. Please allow me and Rin-chan to put you to bed.”
Manji broke off a yelp of pain, leaned against a table with one foot in his hand and stared at her.
Makie turned and bowed to the landlord. “I'm so sorry, Takanaga-san...this young lady is the granddaughter of my father's former sensei, and this man is her bodyguard. He's a brave and loyal samurai of good family, but as you can see, he is indisposed.”
“What the hell?” Manji massaged his foot and snarled. “Keep yer goddamn brown-nose out of my business, woman!”
Rin looked at Makie with wide eyes, as did the landlord. “You know this man?”
“Takanaga-san, he usually conducts himself in a manner beyond reproach. So overindulgence must explain and excuse him tonight. I take no offense at anything he says, so please do not worry yourself on my behalf.”
“OK, what's your game?”
“But Makie-sensei...it's not just when he's been drinking. I've been told he's drawn weapons in public and behaved like an animal in my bathhouse!” The landlord mopped his sweating face with a cloth. “I'm very sorry that I must inconvenience your friends, but this is the last straw. My guests have been complaining ever since this barbarian arrived!”
“They can kiss my ass...” Manji swayed and looked around for a seat.
“His profession is a hard one, Takanaga-san.” Makie spoke in a sweet and melancholy tone. “If he drowns his sorrows–his pain–in drink, how can we find fault? He has done great and terrible things in service of his duty, and his wounds penetrate far deeper than his visible scars...disfiguring as they are.”
“The fuck?” muttered Manji.
The landlord gazed at Makie with confused adoration. She smiled sadly and touched her breast. “What can we, whose lives are untroubled and comfortable, know of such a man's trials? His sword must be kept ready, his guardian vigilance remain ever alert...”
“I don't need your goddamn character references!” Manji's feet tangled with a stool and with a grunt he sat hard on the floor. Rin knelt beside him and seized his arm, intending to keep him down rather than help him up.
“Makie-sensei, your appeal strikes me to the quick...but he's caused so much disturbance already...and he only arrived at noon today!” The landlord's chin wobbled. “If I could be assured that he won't annoy anyone else–but look at him!”
“Then think of the young lady, sir. She is innocent of blame. She cannot sleep in the forest without shelter tonight. Nor can she remain here without her protector, for she has...powerful enemies. For her sake, Takanaga-san?”
“I don't know...” He scratched the back of his head. “What if the police come to arrest him? Such a scandal...and who knows what else he'll do?”
“I will be responsible for him. If he causes any trouble, I will take care of the problem myself. Please don't hesitate to summon me.”
Manji struggled to rise as Rin clung to him. “What are you, my goddamn nursemaid?”
“You...?” The landlord looked at Makie's slim arms and delicate figure, then back at Manji grumbling on the floor. “You have some influence over this fellow?”
She smiled and brushed the strings of her samisen. “When given space to exert it...I have.”
Manji's nose twitched and he narrowed his eyes.
“Well...well, if anyone else were to say so...but I must believe you.” The landlord waved off the bouncer and gestured to Makie. “Please, get him out of here quickly. Tell him to stay in his room!”
“With pleasure, Takanaga-san.” Makie picked up the stool Manji had tripped over and gave a meaningful look to Rin. She took the hint and scrambled to her feet, then offered both hands to Manji. He stared blearily at both women for a few moments, then got up with the aid of the stool.
“Aww, fuck it. I got drunk so I could push this useless crap off my mind in th' first place.” He rolled his shoulders and gave a one-sided grin to Makie. “Yeah, I gotcha. You want to keep tabs on us, an' that's gonna be hard to do if we get tossed out of this dump. Where's my goddamn sword?”
He wandered towards the exit with Makie, Rin and the landlord right behind him and took his katana from a rack on the wall. He thrust the weapon back into his obi with a automatic gesture, but fumbled with the scabbard cords. He made a face at the clumsy knot and tucked the ends away. “Shit. That horse piss mighta went to my head a little...”
“Do you refer to my sake?”
“No, I'm talkin' about warm piss in a bottle at twenty mon a pop.” Manji made a vaguely obscene gesture in the landlord's direction. “I drank enough of it–I oughta know.”
“Did your mistress pick you up from a dunghill?“ The landlord stuck out his jaw and turned red. “Without Makie-sensei vouching for you, I'd have taken you for some uncouth farmer! How can you call yourself a samurai?”
“Beats me.” He pointed at Makie. “But I guess she's the goddamn authority on that, because no one gives a crap what I say. So now I'm wounded and troubled and drownin' my sorrows. How freakin' poetic.” He gave a harsh laugh. “God, I hate that shit.”
“I can't say that I'm surprised!”
“Yeah, it's all lies and word games and beatin' around the bush–hey, wait a minute. I remember one haiku I ran across somewhere that kinda struck a nerve.” Manji tapped his forehead with a sly grin. “Gosh, maybe I learned me some culture after all.”
“Ha! I'll believe that when I see–”
“Then shuddup and listen.”
Haiku? Rin put a hand over her mouth. Manji cleared his throat.
“Laying a fart–
no humor in it
when you live alone.”
He guffawed, gave the landlord his middle finger and left the teahouse.
Continued...
is to drink sake, get drunk, and weep.
Otomo-no-Tabito (665-731); tr. Sato Hiroaki and Burton Watson
The characters and universe of Blade of the Immortal/Mugen no Junin are copyright by Hiroaki Samura and do not belong to me. Not one sen will come into my hands in consequence of this story.
Warnings for sex in various forms, including quasi-incestuous themes and a sixteen-year-old female paired with an adult male. Violence and dismemberment are legally required in any BotI fic, so be prepared.
Manji's haiku is an anonymous eighteenth-century piece.
Abstinence Education
by Madame Manga
Part Twenty-Four
“Are you sure you're feeling well now, my dear?”
Rin stepped down from the polished wooden floor of the corridor leading to the private rooms and slipped her feet into her geta.
“You still look quite pale...” Makie touched Rin's hair away from her forehead and peered solicitously into her face.
“I'm...I'm OK. It's all right.” Rin rubbed her lips with the back of her hand, moved out into the open public section of the teahouse and bumped into the corner of a table. Cups and bottles rattled and the sake drinkers threw her annoyed looks. “Sorry...”
Makie shook her head. “Perhaps you'd like to rest for a while in my room before we go in search of your guardian.”
“No...it's been ages since I left him...” Rin wobbled and clutched a hand over her stomach; Makie put an arm around her. “I'm sorry...”
“I'm the one who should apologize, child.”
“Makie-sensei, you're not leaving so early?” The inn landlord shoved through a group of chattering customers and bowed his way towards Makie, fawning and smiling. “You will come back again? I long to hear you just once more!”
“Yes, Takanaga-san, you will hear me sing tonight.” Makie returned the bow with professional grace. “I have an errand, but I will return soon.”
“Your view of the garden is satisfactory? May I send up a dish of our persimmons with your evening meal? They are at their perfect peak of ripeness now, and you must sample them before you go.” The man's admiring gaze lingered on Makie's bosom. “Perhaps you will wish to return to taste them again next year?”
“Thank you, Takanaga-san. You are very kind.” She bowed again and discreetly glanced towards the exit.
“Of course, of course, my humble pleasure–I beg you, don't let me detain you.” He grinned and bobbed up and down as they moved away. Makie guided Rin through the busy room again, slowly working her way around the crowded tables.
“Rin-chan...when we locate your guardian, what do you intend to tell him?”
The question seemed to be meant as a discreet warning. Rin grimaced and shrugged her shoulders; she hardly needed reminding that Manji obviously disliked all mention of Anotsu. “I don't know yet.”
“Of course this news has disoriented you somewhat. It may take some time before you regain a calm mind and can weigh your alternatives.”
“Yes...” Anotsu. Anotsu Kagehisa was her alternative. Rin cast her eyes from side to side so as not to look straight ahead. She had a heavy, obsessive sense of her enemy, of his cool girlish face and the hard shock of his narrow-eyed gaze. His slim hands reaching out for hers... She tucked them deep inside her sleeves.
“If I may offer a small word of advice...? Don't feel compelled to open your heart to anyone yet, and don't force yourself to conclusions. Perhaps a week or two of quiet meditation, or prayer–”
“Hey, lady! You lookin' to return something of mine?”
Rin's spine stiffened. No more than a couple of tables away... She stopped short and lurched against Makie, who steadied her.
“Manji-san.” The swordswoman shifted her clasp on Rin and bowed in greeting.
“So–what was that about gettin' her back to me before nightfall?”
“I humbly beg your pardon. Our talk took longer than I had anticipated.”
“Oh, no shit? I was about ready to start cuttin' holes in the walls.”
Rough and sarcastic, with a careless slur to his voice. Rin found it difficult to breathe for a moment; the memory of their passionate afternoon pressed on her chest like a stone. She'd longed to bring some happiness into his life; now she dreaded even seeing his face. She dragged in a deep gulp of air to steady herself and turned around.
Her bodyguard looked red-faced and a little sweaty; he didn't meet her gaze right away, but glared at Makie instead. He banged his cup down, kicked back his bench and rose. Six or seven sake bottles littered the table in front of him–had he finished them all? Jolted, the other drinkers at the table looked up.
“I apologize if I caused you any worry, though I see you have already tracked down your charge's whereabouts.” Makie spoke soothingly, but with a bantering smile.
“Ya think I wouldn't?”
Makie inclined her head. “You have saved us the trouble of seeking you out, at least.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Manji pulled one hand from the overlap of his kosode and beckoned across the table. “Gimme.”
“Manji...are you drunk?” Rin burst out.
“Am I drunk?” He gave her an incredulous stare and stabbed a finger at the bottles. “I'd frickin' well better be drunk, after how much I've been payin' for this frickin' watered-down horse piss! What'cha askin' stupid questions for?”
“Oh...big brother!” She put a hand to her burning cheek and looked away. “Please don't talk so loud...”
She felt a slight hesitation in the supporting arc of Makie's arm, as if before handing Rin over she wondered about Manji's fitness to receive again what he had so grudgingly let go. To whom did the daughter of Asano Takayoshi belong? Right now she didn't seem to own herself; her whole life was a promise made to ghosts...
Manji moved around the table and approached with a swaggering, lurching gait; Rin quivered and Makie again steadied her. The figures of swordsman and swordswoman seemed to close her in. Like tall dark spirits looming in her blurred vision: Rin tried to hide her rising distress.
“C'mon, woman.” Manji strode right up to them and grabbed Rin under the armpit. “Let's get the hell out of this dump–it's yer bedtime.”
Her mouth dropped open–was he drunk enough to announce his intentions to the whole teahouse? Heads seemed to turn towards them from all directions.
Makie gave a nearly inaudible sigh, released Rin and gave her a gentle touch on the shoulder. “My blessings go with you, child.”
Rin looked back at her, pulse throbbing in her throat and her stomach cramping. Makie had cradled her for a long time after she had collapsed in the private room, stroking her hair and humming until she felt well enough to sit up. Her mind had wandered in a queer dream of infancy: a tiny girl carried on a bigger girl's back and softly jiggled to sleep. For a wrenching moment she wanted only to retreat to that dream again, be soothed and cuddled and told that everything would be all right. No conflicts, no responsibilities, no sense of the future. Nothing she tried to do ever turned out right anyway, because she was only a silly little girl with an exaggerated idea of her own maturity. She almost hoped that tomorrow she might wake to the sunrise and discover that she had never left her bodyguard's all-enveloping embrace...
Manji yanked her to him and locked her to his side with one arm, squeezing the air from her lungs. “Do I get to know what th' hell this was about?” He might have addressed either or both of them, but he looked at Makie.
“It is not my place to say, I think.” Makie's bow seemed perfunctory. “She is safely returned to you, as I promised–”
“What, you want thanks? She ain't gettin' out of my sight again. No matter what she says–or you!”
Makie moved her head back and blinked in the blast of Manji's alcohol-laden spittle. “...You are her yojimbo.”
“Damn straight I am!” Manji's face turned even redder and he pointed at his chest. “So you're gonna tell me just why you and yer goddamn boss are sneakin' around my–”
“I spoke to Rin-chan on my own initiative, Manji-san, as I told you.” Makie's voice sounded colder though still polite. “No other person joined our conversation.”
“She's telling the truth, Manji-san...” Rin tugged on the front of Manji's clothing; she felt a crackle in the air between the swordsman and swordswoman. The landlord peered at the three of them from across the noisy room; he beckoned to a thick-necked young man in a server's apron and pointed at Manji. “Please, let's just go back to our room and–”
“Whatever she's tellin', Anotsu's near. I swear, I can almost smell the bastard.” Manji wrinkled his nose and lifted his lip from his teeth.
“Indeed? You claim a special intuition?” Makie might still have been bantering with him, except for a thin tense line that appeared low on her forehead.
“Don't take any sixth sense to figure you ain't givin' up the whole story.” He aimed a finger straight at Makie's face. “It's in the eyes.”
Her brows twitched slightly, but then she gave a musical laugh. “Your senses are obviously dulled, bodyguard, and you would do better not to put too much trust in your current powers of reasoning...if any remain to you.”
Manji flushed. “You think a few drinks are gonna blunt my sword? Take another guess, lady.” He seemed to register that he was holding Rin both too tightly and too intimately for a public place, and awkwardly released her.
Makie smiled at Rin and slightly rolled her eyes. Rin halfheartedly returned the smile, and Makie's broadened. “This is a familiar state of affairs, child?”
“Well...um, yes, I guess so...”
Manji made a growling sound in his throat and folded his arms. Rin recalled the last time he had drunk a lot of sake, blushed hot and looked at the ground in confusion. How could she think clearly about her situation if he insisted on having her again tonight? Unmistakably her bodyguard wanted to reassert his claim on her. Her heartbeat accelerating, Rin wondered if the limits he had set for himself still had any force. Nothing could repair a broken promise...
Makie raised her brows in sympathetic inquiry; Rin threw her an involuntary look of appeal, though of course Makie couldn't possibly help. “I'm sorry he's acting like this,” she said in a low voice. “He can be awfully rude to people sometimes...even if...”
“Whatcha talkin' about me right under my nose? You want rude? I'll give you–”
“So I see. May I ask if he's given to snoring in his cups?” Makie seemed to suppress a laugh.
“Um, yes...pretty loud.”
Makie touched Rin's arm. “Then if you would prefer to sleep undisturbed tonight–”
“HEY!” Manji shoved himself in front of Rin before she could reply and made an aggressive gesture as if to give Makie the back of his hand. “Get yer claws OFF MY WOMAN!”
All through the teahouse, cups stopped halfway and conversations cut off in mid-sentence. Makie took a step backwards and stared at Rin in startlement. Rin covered her mouth in sudden panic. If Makie realized the truth–
“Um–of course I'll stay under your protection, Manji-san!” She nervously patted his shoulder. “Please don't shout, big brother. I always feel s-safe when you're near...”
He reached out to pull her to him again, pressed her face to the side of his chest and took a few deep breaths of gradually diminishing force. “You got that right, little sister.” He ruffled her hair, then glared at Makie. The landlord approached with an officious air and his bouncer in tow.
“Let's leave now, please? I'm really tired.” Rin gave Makie as much of a bow as she could manage while Manji held her. There didn't seem to be any way to avoid going back to the room without both arousing Manji's anger and suggesting his true motives to Makie. Tension whined in her ears. “Good night, Makie-san.”
Makie quirked her lips and searched Rin's face. “If you are fully satisfied that your bodyguard is capable of carrying out his duty...”
“Still singin' that tune, huh?”
Makie raised her chin, her expression cool. “Then I will bid you good night too, child.”
“I'm still right here, you--” Manji bared his teeth.
“But if you change your mind at any time, you need only ask the maids to direct you to my room. No harm will come to you–you have my solemn word.”
Rin gave her an awkward grimace of acknowledgement and tried to urge Manji towards the exit, but he planted his feet and shouted at Makie again.
“Aw, whatta steaming load of bullshit! Don't gimme that goddamn innocent face, you fucking two-bit ass peddler!”
“You! Fellow!” The landlord shook his finger at Manji. Makie's cheeks paled and her hand tightened on the neck of her samisen, like an unthinking reflex.
“Yeah, that's more like it, whore.“ Manji grinned at Makie and raised his left arm, his hand curled in preparation to receive a weapon. “Now we're talkin' the same language!“
Rin gasped. “Manji–no!”
The landlord broke in again. “This behavior...this profanity...”
“Ahh, stuff it up your–”
The landlord huffed and blew, his cheeks expanding. “Vile insults to a person of such talent! Kindly take your possessions and leave my establishment.” He gestured dramatically at the exit. “No, I'll have them fetched–I want you outside my doors this moment!”
“Screw you.” Manji swiveled to face the thick-necked young man, who was maneuvering to approach him from behind. “Keep sneakin' around, jackass–” He reached into his sleeve.
“Manji! Stop it now!” Rin clamped her toes around the thong of one geta and stomped on his sandaled foot as hard as she could.
“Ow! Shit!” He let go of the knife hilt he had touched and grabbed his big toe. “What's the matter with you, ya crazy kid?”
She aimed a kick at his shins. “Oh, be quiet, you unbelievable jerk! I've had it up to here with you!”
“Hey!” Manji tried to avoid Rin while hopping on one foot; she stomped his other big toe. “OW! She's cripplin' me!”
“Manji-san.” Makie approached, gave the landlord a dazzling smile and extended a hand to Manji. “I'm afraid that drink has gained the better of you this evening, my friend. Please allow me and Rin-chan to put you to bed.”
Manji broke off a yelp of pain, leaned against a table with one foot in his hand and stared at her.
Makie turned and bowed to the landlord. “I'm so sorry, Takanaga-san...this young lady is the granddaughter of my father's former sensei, and this man is her bodyguard. He's a brave and loyal samurai of good family, but as you can see, he is indisposed.”
“What the hell?” Manji massaged his foot and snarled. “Keep yer goddamn brown-nose out of my business, woman!”
Rin looked at Makie with wide eyes, as did the landlord. “You know this man?”
“Takanaga-san, he usually conducts himself in a manner beyond reproach. So overindulgence must explain and excuse him tonight. I take no offense at anything he says, so please do not worry yourself on my behalf.”
“OK, what's your game?”
“But Makie-sensei...it's not just when he's been drinking. I've been told he's drawn weapons in public and behaved like an animal in my bathhouse!” The landlord mopped his sweating face with a cloth. “I'm very sorry that I must inconvenience your friends, but this is the last straw. My guests have been complaining ever since this barbarian arrived!”
“They can kiss my ass...” Manji swayed and looked around for a seat.
“His profession is a hard one, Takanaga-san.” Makie spoke in a sweet and melancholy tone. “If he drowns his sorrows–his pain–in drink, how can we find fault? He has done great and terrible things in service of his duty, and his wounds penetrate far deeper than his visible scars...disfiguring as they are.”
“The fuck?” muttered Manji.
The landlord gazed at Makie with confused adoration. She smiled sadly and touched her breast. “What can we, whose lives are untroubled and comfortable, know of such a man's trials? His sword must be kept ready, his guardian vigilance remain ever alert...”
“I don't need your goddamn character references!” Manji's feet tangled with a stool and with a grunt he sat hard on the floor. Rin knelt beside him and seized his arm, intending to keep him down rather than help him up.
“Makie-sensei, your appeal strikes me to the quick...but he's caused so much disturbance already...and he only arrived at noon today!” The landlord's chin wobbled. “If I could be assured that he won't annoy anyone else–but look at him!”
“Then think of the young lady, sir. She is innocent of blame. She cannot sleep in the forest without shelter tonight. Nor can she remain here without her protector, for she has...powerful enemies. For her sake, Takanaga-san?”
“I don't know...” He scratched the back of his head. “What if the police come to arrest him? Such a scandal...and who knows what else he'll do?”
“I will be responsible for him. If he causes any trouble, I will take care of the problem myself. Please don't hesitate to summon me.”
Manji struggled to rise as Rin clung to him. “What are you, my goddamn nursemaid?”
“You...?” The landlord looked at Makie's slim arms and delicate figure, then back at Manji grumbling on the floor. “You have some influence over this fellow?”
She smiled and brushed the strings of her samisen. “When given space to exert it...I have.”
Manji's nose twitched and he narrowed his eyes.
“Well...well, if anyone else were to say so...but I must believe you.” The landlord waved off the bouncer and gestured to Makie. “Please, get him out of here quickly. Tell him to stay in his room!”
“With pleasure, Takanaga-san.” Makie picked up the stool Manji had tripped over and gave a meaningful look to Rin. She took the hint and scrambled to her feet, then offered both hands to Manji. He stared blearily at both women for a few moments, then got up with the aid of the stool.
“Aww, fuck it. I got drunk so I could push this useless crap off my mind in th' first place.” He rolled his shoulders and gave a one-sided grin to Makie. “Yeah, I gotcha. You want to keep tabs on us, an' that's gonna be hard to do if we get tossed out of this dump. Where's my goddamn sword?”
He wandered towards the exit with Makie, Rin and the landlord right behind him and took his katana from a rack on the wall. He thrust the weapon back into his obi with a automatic gesture, but fumbled with the scabbard cords. He made a face at the clumsy knot and tucked the ends away. “Shit. That horse piss mighta went to my head a little...”
“Do you refer to my sake?”
“No, I'm talkin' about warm piss in a bottle at twenty mon a pop.” Manji made a vaguely obscene gesture in the landlord's direction. “I drank enough of it–I oughta know.”
“Did your mistress pick you up from a dunghill?“ The landlord stuck out his jaw and turned red. “Without Makie-sensei vouching for you, I'd have taken you for some uncouth farmer! How can you call yourself a samurai?”
“Beats me.” He pointed at Makie. “But I guess she's the goddamn authority on that, because no one gives a crap what I say. So now I'm wounded and troubled and drownin' my sorrows. How freakin' poetic.” He gave a harsh laugh. “God, I hate that shit.”
“I can't say that I'm surprised!”
“Yeah, it's all lies and word games and beatin' around the bush–hey, wait a minute. I remember one haiku I ran across somewhere that kinda struck a nerve.” Manji tapped his forehead with a sly grin. “Gosh, maybe I learned me some culture after all.”
“Ha! I'll believe that when I see–”
“Then shuddup and listen.”
Haiku? Rin put a hand over her mouth. Manji cleared his throat.
“Laying a fart–
no humor in it
when you live alone.”
He guffawed, gave the landlord his middle finger and left the teahouse.
Continued...