Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Of Legendary Creatures and Mystical Beasts ❯ Dreaming of Jinn ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: No, pals... I do not own RK... I only borrowed the characters for a while, I swear it!

Hi! I couldn't believe I am over the 50 reviews! Thanks a lot!

I started to feel a little depressed for the lack of reviews but you were kind to me and raised my spirit. Than you again for your kindness.

Anyway, August is the month I was born (August 5), so give me a good birthday gift and leave me a review…

I've updated my site (AT LAST!). Take a look at it at: http://crouchingtiger.scriptamania.com/

(I must warn you though that it's almost an exclusive Tiger's hunt spot, so it's mostly for Enishi-sama fans, BUT I added a new section, a zone for RK general fics involving other characters than my beloved Enishi-sama)

Thanks and a deep bow to Susan, Midori, Kurue Zoaldyeck, tweese-chan, Hana Himura, Jo-chan and Javier Caine.

To Gracey; GO AHEAD WITH 'MY ANSWER'! Please, those who are reading this, don't miss that WONDERFUL PIECE!

To Mara, my dear partner in crime an ultra especial hug.

Visit her new site . Mara's Fan Taverne at http://www.geocities.com/mara_amber1/ .

You won't regret it.

To Mir : my deepest thanks as always. Visit her site, it includes as a new addition a useful Mailing List and don't forget to check the rules for the new fic contest. It ends on September 1. Tales of the Meiji era can be found here http://ellone-loire.net/tfme/

And extra especial hug and my deepest thanks for your help with suggestions and corrections in this chapter to Wombat. If you want some action, go and read that wonderful Buffy/RK fusion that is Edodale. And I ULTRA recommend to read her 'In the Forest of the Night' fic (an Edodale spinnoff), described as a smut biscuit in her own words (that is: it's A LEMON). Hey, you! Yes, you, E/K rabid fans, this is a MUST for you... (K+K impressionable fans, I would suggest to have someone by your side to help you for any possible faintings)

Another site you should visit? Yeah, you can also go to Fujifunmum's Shades of the Revolution (Hey, you Enishi's fans… you'll find there 'When she smiles', involving the White Haired sexy ex-Triads' boss) The address: http://geocities.com/shades_of_revolution

Mara, Mir, Wombat and Fujifunmum had been helping a LOT with the pre-reading of this chapter, so a deep bow to them, and those who actually enjoy this chapter, give them their credits in your fun.

Take a look on this new version of Asiyah/Enishi portrait made by Guadalupe Angelica Langarica. To her my deepest thanks!

http://www.mediaminer.org/fanart/view.php?id=44747

Chapter 9: Dreaming of Jinni.

As she and Enishi began breakfast with their guests, Asiyah leaned her head forward, shielding her embarrassed features beneath the loose dupatta she was wearing. Her cheeks flushed deep red when she remembered last night's activities.

He had been faithful to his word, making the night a long and exhausting one, and she regretted deeply not to have rested as he had advised her to do. Asiyah was tired and sore... but extremely

satisfied in every sense she could think of.

He had been careful and gentle, for which she was truly grateful, but she had felt a bit awkward at walking, and therefore she opted to reduce her incommodity by easing the unpleasant after effects of her lost maidenhood. However, the muscles of the rest of her body were aching... and a collection of teeth marks was spread all over her skin. He had told her that he had made them to let her remember that from that night on, he was her owner thus she had kept them.

The marks were meant to be territorial imprints. Like big cats made... He was pleased to see them on her, so it was of no use to erase them. As it was to be expected, she had also left hers on him... and almost in the same extent and number as the ones he'd made on her.

It had been a strange awakening. She had been dragged from her slumber by Enishi's voice whispering orders to the maids and the room's door closing quietly. She vaguely registered that she was not in her bed, but she was too sleepy to distinguish reality from fantasy, not knowing if she was still dreaming. A brief glimpse of her surroundings reminded her that she was lying on the XVI century French bed in Enishi's room. The velvet curtains that surrounded the princely bed were tastefully closed, protecting her from the maids' curious prying eyes.

The soft rustle of fabric falling to the floor, the rising sun's light filtering briefly through the curtains when he returned to her side, kept her anchored to reality, but she still was too tired to move, even to say a single word. Then she felt Enishi's warm body snuggling against hers, skin against skin, and his musky, deeply masculine scent enveloped her again as during the night. Exactly as he'd done just after they'd finished their lovemaking earlier, he embraced her possessively, entangling his legs with hers under the sheets, burying his face in her hair, whispering to her tender words in that unreal moment between dreams and reality, words she had never believed him capable of saying...

However, a long day of work still awaited them, as exhausting as the night they'd just shared. Thus, despite their weariness, they said goodbye to Enishi's bed at a very early hour before their customers awoke.

Their usual morning rituals were different that day, though. Normally they took their first cups of tea in their own rooms before meeting in the dining room for breakfast, as well as discussion of the latest news from the organization, the Settlement, and Europe. However, this morning, they shared tea and the news still sitting in his bed together, like the lovers they had become. After his usual sword practice in the basement and their first hot bath together, they met with Seta and Sadoshima for breakfast.

Finally here they were, sharing a full breakfast with their guests. Though Asiyah's sight was not as obsessively fixed on Seta as it had been during last night's supper, her senses were sharpened to their limits. She was tense, ready to jump on the boy at the first signal of danger.

If Enishi had still any doubts concerning her former behavior on the dinner, now they were completely erased from his mind, looking amusedly at her protective concern.

Anyway, the day was developing according to what she had planned. Enishi would inspect the ship with Sadoshima. But unexpectedly, and to Asiyah's great relief, Seta would remain on the estate. The youngest guest excused himself from the excursion on the pretext of feeling tired from the long

trip. After all, Sadoshima was the one in charge of economic affairs, while the young man was more related to the security and strategic aspects of Shishio's organization. Therefore, he would stay in the house in Asiyah's company, without being a significant loss on the visit to the yards. Seta Soujirou was the one who worried her more, so she was glad to keep him here under her watchful eye. With all the hard work she still had ahead, it would have been a major inconvenience to leave the estate to follow and protect Enishi, hidden from view by her abilities. Besides, Enishi would have known anyway, as possibly the intended target of her watch.

Her fears were not associated to any real physical threat from Seta. She was fully aware Enishi would dispose quickly of him no matter how skilled the young man actually was. But Seta was pouring another kind of threat through his very skin, one not related with her lover's commercial affairs, but to Enishi's magical condition.

The boy was under the shadow of a wicked and powerful presence. That meant that he could only be an emissary of a sorcerer or a wizard... or perhaps something even worse. A chill run through her spine at the mere thought of purple-reddish, blazing eyes. Demon's eyes.

Therefore, from that moment on, she had to sharpen her senses to her full capacity, tensely waiting for the arrival of the man called Shishio Makoto who might be the wizard behind Seta's hand.

She wondered if Shishio had perceived Enishi's true nature and was coming to put him under his command through the much-mentioned beautiful woman who accompanied him. Perhaps that woman could be the one manipulating the man, but through the pieces of information Enishi's

assistants had collected about him, she doubted it greatly.

The man had been almost burnt to death by his own bosses, the Meiji officials who had just won the war. But despite the grave injuries he sustained, he had survived to haunt their former employees during the past years, though Asiyah learnt that he was terribly disfigured and his skin

was so sensitive to external harm that he only could move around entirely covered in bandages

Magic could explain his survival of such extensive damage. His necessity of protecting his scars without the possibility of healing them completely, but yet being strong enough to pose such a threat to the Meiji government, plus the unmistakable marks of evil on the boy, were clear signals to her that Shishio was not just a simple human being.

That was enough reason to rouse her suspicions about the real motives for Shishio's trip. He could very well be looking forward to having a hold on 'her' Great Tiger.

Anyway, Enishi was not ready to know about his hidden nature, so the most she could do was to protect him and repel any attempts to take him from her.

- Be careful - she barely whispered before he left the house with Sadoshima, pretending to cleanse an invisible speck of dust from Enishi's blue Chinese jacket - Remember our conversation last night.

He had smiled, slightly amused at her concern, but gave her a reassuring nod.

When he went off to the yards, she was left alone in the boy's company. They were still at the breakfast table, when they soon engaged in polite, innocent conversation. At least it seemed so. She was amazed at the young man's naiveté. It was clear to her that Seta was trying to extract every little piece of information about her that could turn her against Enishi. Now she had no doubts about the ones behind Heishin's treason...

She analyzed the boy's behavior at the light of Wu Heishin's past attitudes. Asiyah recalled fragments of old conversations with her lover. Enishi had pointed then to the changes he had found on his formerly relatively reliable partner after his first meeting with Shishio and his people in Japan. Hence, after all, they might be interested in getting rid of Enishi instead of controlling him as the Tiger he was... If circumstances were different, she would have played the old cat and mouse game with the boy for a while, before killing him slowly for his offensive boldness, but her spirit was not in the mood for it now. Enishi would be very annoyed at her if she amused herself by destroying his customer's right hand. Her lover still couldn't understand the game he was unwittingly involved in...

Therefore, Seta was safe as long as he kept his hands off Enishi. But the moment she felt that the kid was more than a simple threat, she would dispose of him, with or without Enishi's approval.

She even had some ideas about what to do with him... He had obviously misunderstood her smile, taking it as an encouraging response to his chat. If he were only able to read her thoughts, he would be utterly surprised, Asiyah reflected, highly amused by the prospect.

- Oh, yes, Shanghai is a very interesting place for business! I found many opportunities to trade here, more than in Persia.- her polite conversation was miles away from her real thoughts- By the way, have you ever been in Persia, Seta-san?

- To be honest, I traveled abroad on very few occasions; all errands for Shishio-sama, and my trips were always to China..- he told her, with the annoying eternal smile he had worn since his arrival still plastered on his face. -

- You should try to expand your views. The world is a wide place, and you are still young, Seta-san. You'd find many, many surprising, unexpected things out there. Even myths can become reality if you dig deep enough...- Asiyah still wondered how aware the boy was about all the magical things, and she tried to trick him to get some hints, but he wasn't responding as she had expected.

- Oh, you sound as if you were older than me! - The boy laughed heartily.

- Maybe I am... Maybe not... Anyway, you should know this is one of those things never asked of a woman... At least from where I come from.[i]

He peeked into her gaze looking for any signs of interest in him as Houji-san had suggested last night, but all he could find was that mesmerizing pair of green eyes piercing his very soul. He was not the most experienced man on that field (in fact he was trying this by first time…), but he was trying to follow Houji and Yumi-neesan's advices the best he could. It was evident he was a very bad apprentice…

Oddly, the strange golden specks behind the emerald of her orbs seemed to dance in these hypnotizing depths, even eating the original color of her irises sometimes, as they were doing at that precise moment.

In the course of their conversation, he even got the distinct, disturbing feeling she was playing with him. That was not the young nervous girl Houji-san and he had met the night before. She was a chillingly similar but younger version of Yumi-neesan... but worse. There was something wrong with her. Her ki could be felt easily, as the night before, but this time it did not jump in uneasiness or fear. It was full of suppressed rage, almost a perfect killing ki. Had it came from Yukishiro, he would not have entertained a doubt about his intentions and he would have killed the man in the blink of an eye. But he was utterly thrown off balance by the girl who emitted it. Could she be annoyed at him? Could she be aware of his intentions? She was evidently too young to play the games Yumi had mastered so wonderfully for Shishio-sama, but the contrast between the girl they met at supper and the uncommonly cunning woman he was facing was too obvious to be overlooked.

- Anyway, if an opportunity arises, do not miss a visit to Isfahan. It's my city. I'm sure you'll find it fascinating.

His answer was only looking at her widening his smile.

Asiyah sighed. Things were getting worse by the minute. It was apparent he was trying to flirt with her now... She barely suppressed the urge to crush his bones, literally speaking, after taking all his flesh off them... without killing him in the process. She would tell Enishi. Maybe then he would let her have the young human as a pet, to play with for a while before giving the assassin boy a not-too-swift ticket to the afterlife... She narrowed her eyes, assessing the situation, while she tried to put the gold in them back in check.

On the other hand, she thought, it might be wiser to keep her mouth shut about his little attempts, at least for a while, until she could have a glimpse of his master.

The quick surge of rage in her ki and the glinting eyes' sudden strange golden hue told him he had just made a mistake, despite the smile embellishing her face after his words. He knew pretty well from his own experience that smiles could hide deceitful, deadly intentions sometimes. And he also had seen Shishio-sama's eyes changing when he was enraged...or amused when he was out to kill.

- Well, I think I will let you take a rest from my boring female chat. Besides, I have some tasks I have to take care of. You know, the usual female stuff, arrange the lunch and the dinner, run after the maids to keep their work tidy and neat, look after the lists of supplies for the house, those annoying employees' little complaints and quarrels, their payments... A woman's work running a house never ends...- she sighed - Anyway, please treat this house as if this were your own home. Servants are at your service for whatever you might need. Yukishiro-sama arranged a room as a Japanese bathhouse in the yard, so if you feel more comfortable with that arrangement than with the European-style bathtubs inside the house, you can make use of it. You need only ask Mei Lin- Asiyah pointed to Enishi's old Chinese housekeeper- and she will order the water to be heated for you. We will see each other again at lunch, I think. But if you need me before that, call Mei Lin and she will bring you to me.

Asiyah bowed lightly and left the place in a graceful display of casual elegance, leaving the boy puzzled, and wondering. Physically, she resembled the little insecure girl they had met the night before, but the woman who had just left was cunning, elegant and as dangerous as Yumi-neesan, though in a very different way. It would be interesting to see them both interacting. Fortunately, he wouldn't have to wait too long for such a sight, since Shishio- sama's arrival was arranged for the following day.

Then it would be Yumi who'd take care of the strange woman.

In the meantime, he still had a mission to accomplish. The direct approach hadn't revealed anything substantial, though through his perceptions he was left with many more questions about Yukishiro's woman than when they arrived in Shanghai.

Maybe if he followed her, he could find something useful to give to Yumi.

Feigning an innocent walk in the estate's ample gardens, he slipped to the place where she was working with a huge pile of documents by her side.

He was dumbfounded. From the paperwork she was going through, it was apparent that her work went beyond the supervision of the house affairs.

He wondered if they were related only to her jewel business or if they had anything to do with Yukishiro's activities. That last option seemed almost impossible to him. Even Yumi, who was highly appreciated by Shishio-sama and held high status and esteem at his side, wasn't allowed to participate directly in his affairs.

Well, there was only one way to find out. He found a nearby tree and climbed into it without being noticed by the girl. Then, taking his telescope, he started his vigilance routine on her. Maybe he could pick up something valuable from there...

888888888888

To all his employees and servants it was obvious that he was unusually happy that morning. The brief, astonished stares directed at him told him so. Sadoshima, on the other hand, couldn't notice his change.

They were traveling to the shipyards, and after a little convenient chitchat, each one of them settled on their own thoughts.

His obviously went directly to the recollection of last night's events...

His back hurt like hell, the fabric of his silk shirt was killing him every time it brushed against the burning marks of Asiyah's nails and teeth over his skin, and he was tired beyond anything he had experienced before with a woman, but he didn't care at all. It was worth the feeling of odd calm, complete satisfaction, and comfort he was experiencing right then.

It had been years since he could feel like that. Since Tomoe left from Edo, to be precise.

He had had many women, but once his desire was fulfilled, he left them to continue with his work or even do some training. Once he had used them, he felt they were filth, and they were usually discarded quickly afterwards, sending them off with the usual presents. None of them usually came back. He once asked for one of them twice, but the stupid bitch had strange ideas concerning her place in his life, so from then on he decided he would never take the same woman twice. And after the incident of the attack in his estate and the attempt to murder him, he had stopped receiving or seeking them.

But everything had been different with Asiyah. It had felt so right to make love to her...

He knew it would be different from the beginning (after all, she was nothing like a whore. She was close to him, she was his associate and only friend, and they already made a strange couple in some sense), but he wasn't sure in how many ways it could be. Though he had had no doubts concerning her human figure (he had taken the precaution of being punctiliously informed by her maids about it shortly after the chat in the Clinic), he was certainly curious how it would turn out once they were engaged in intimacy. After all, she was not human at all, and he had no parameters to compare her with... However, she was as gloriously shaped as any delectable, exquisite human female, responding even more sensitively to his touch than most women he had met, as he discovered during the night

As he'd expected, it turned out to be very different from everything he had experienced before... but not in the way he had expected it to be. Enishi had shared his bed with the best, well trained and exquisitely refined courtesans, the most expensive and exclusive ones of Shanghai. However, none of them could make him as crazy and wild with desire as she did, despite her lack of experience.

< We can solve that very easily... I will teach you, little one, I will mold you to my likings... and you'll find them very pleasurable for you too, my dear>, he thought, smirking, while the road passed by the carriage he shared with Sadoshima

Anyway, it was not her passionate surrender, or her eagerness to please that had surprised him, but her tenderness. Nobody had told him before the warm endearments she whispered to him in the aftermath, nobody had hugged him as she did, comforting lovingly, cherishing his presence by her side.

Everything she had done had shaken him to his very core. The way she called his name in the throes of passion, as if she were reciting some precious holy formula (none of his abundantly paid lovers said his name even once, only how good he was at what he was doing... as they were accustomed to say to all their customers. He was not a naïve fool to be deceived by the sluts' words.), her warm embrace, the tender touch of her hands on his face while she was in his hold, the loving care she put into wrapping him in the blankets when she thought he was already asleep... but foremost, the way she had cradled him in her arms. Putting aside the kind of powerful being she actually was, the obvious contrasts between them made the situation kind of... odd. He was almost twice her weight; she barely attained his shoulders' level in height, and looked frail and delicate as a redheaded porcelain doll. Still, when she had him cuddled in her arms she made him feel again like the contented, protected, happy child he once was.

It'd been years since he felt the caring, protecting embrace of another human being (though she was not, technically speaking, a human, she treated him more humanly than most people he had met through the years). He felt comforted as never before, and as strange as it was for him, a powerful Triad boss, a fearless, undefeated assassin, he felt secure for the very first time in more than fifteen years. Actually, it was the very first time in all those years that he could dream again. Good dreams, without blood, without bodies being pierced by him, or Tomoe dying on the white snow at her merciless killer's hands. Dreams of a happiness lost a long time ago.

If he ever had doubts concerning the strange being sharing his life for the past months, those doubts had vanished totally after that night together. Now he had understood. Tomoe's choice of Asiyah for him was a clear encouragement from his sister. She was rewarding him for his efforts in going ahead with his plans to avenge her. Asiyah was his prize for his devotion to his Earthly Justice and the pains he had endured for all those years. He had that certainty when Asiyah awakened in his arms that morning, and he realized that the bliss, the peace he had experienced that night was real. That little redhead was given to him for that purpose: to support and help him to stay focused on his mission. He was sure that after his victory, her own mission would be to help him forget, to help him to live again.

Yes. Tomoe had smiled back to him wider than ever that morning when he had opened his eyes... She was happy for him. And he was grateful to her.

When the time came to get up, he felt the urge as never before in his whole life to shut the world out from his door and stay there, secluded with her as his only company. It was an oddly comforting situation to wake up hugging someone close to himself, and he couldn't help then but tell her how he was feeling.

Fortunately, she was still asleep, so he was sure she hadn't heard his whispers muffled against the hair of her nape. It would have been an utterly embarrassing situation otherwise.

Nevertheless, the timing for the consummation of their relationship was not the best one, and there were many things that couldn't wait for any whimsical child's love play. There was a lot of work to do yet, and business was waiting for them, so not without reluctance, they left the bed, and started the day as usual.

After reading and discussing some reports and the newspaper while still in bed and drinking a light cup of tea, Enishi helped her to dress herself.

She was really a mess, all sore and walking with clear awkwardness and discomfort, but not a single word of complaint escaped her lips. He felt guilty to some extent, but she stopped his apologies with a kiss, even before he could pronounce them.

He tried to convince her to stay in bed during his morning practice, but she refused, eager to spend as much time with him as possible before their customers were awakened, so he took her with him to the little dojo in the basement, and afterwards he offered to share his bath with her, using the excuse of saving time. He wanted to prevent her from the embarrassing experience of the maids' giggles and comments on her state, which left no doubts about the last night's events. It was obvious that she would require some help to undress and clean herself. When he ordered the servants to leave them alone in the bathhouse, he took his housekeeper aside and ordered her to move Asiyah's belongings to his room before dusk.

The old woman said nothing but her gaze couldn't hide her surprise or even her disapproval. Mei Lin was certainly invaluable, but sometimes she could be annoying, Enishi thought. Asiyah would have a hard time with her. He would have to talk to both, especially to Asiyah, who didn't bother hiding her temper anymore once he found out her true nature. She would obey him while he was around, yet she certainly was dangerous to those bold enough to provoke her wrath.

The move to his quarters was something to be expected, but he had had his doubts. He was not used to sharing his room since he first had one to himself, in the house of that Japanese family who had adopted him during his early days in this corrupt city. He never had spent a complete night with any courtesan; he felt disgusted at their mere presence after enjoying them.

Enishi knew things with Asiyah would be utterly different, but until halfway through the night, he still considered it wiser to keep a certain amount of privacy, staying in contiguous but separate rooms. In fact, he had been preparing the room next door for her in advance, expecting that eventually she would become his woman, thus it was convenient to be ready for such an event.

However, as things had changed during the last hours, he didn't want to spend one more night alone.

He gave her a few moments of privacy in the bathhouse to cleanse herself from the traces of their union without embarrassing herself in front of him, while he left everything ready in the outer room, with the towels and clothes neatly ordered at their convenience. Then he joined her, and he found himself grinning at her recovery. She had used her magic to ease the sting when walking, but without erasing his marks on her skin. She helped him to wash himself and then they both entered the bathtub.

Again, he was surprised at her caring touch, which he eagerly emulated. His only regret was that they were short of time and their customers would be probably already awakened to join them in the full breakfast she had planned by that hour. It was a pity, but he made a mental note to spend a more private and enjoyable time with her there in the very near future. He remembered questioning her while helping her to dress

- Could you tell me again, little one, why we waited for so long to do this?

- Don't you tell me that you haven't enjoyed it even more for this same delay, dear...- she laughed kissing him briefly on his lips

- Perhaps... but now we'll lose so much time on our customers, time that we could be enjoying together...

- Ah, you are a greedy boy... - she smiled brightly at him, caressing his face tenderly- We still have the nights for us...

- Of course, we will... However, I would have liked to spend some time with you alone, in your company, little one, and I don't mean only in bed.

The voice of Sadoshima brought him back to the present.

- It's a pity that the shipyards are so far away

- Yes, it really is. - Sadoshima didn't know how much he regretted that fact - But It's more secure this way.

- I understand... Security is never enough...

The last thing he wanted at that moment was to stay there with this shadowy character. He only was a pawn, and though he was the one who made all the negotiations with Heishin, it would be his boss and he in whose hands rested the final decisions. Anyway, he would show him the newest products and the possible improvements to be made to his boss' acquisition. He could catch a few assorted blueprints from American and British navies, and he was including those new specifications on the new models, which would render those ships almost unbeatable even by the powerful British warships.

The price, however, escalated to three times the original one. Now it was a question of negotiation. Nevertheless, why play with the puppet when the master puppeteer was near? He only brought Sadoshima to his shipyards to tempt him with the unlimited possibilities that could be achieved by the new improvements...

- I hope you had found everything at your convenience

- Oh yes, everything was perfect. We enjoyed a sound and peaceful sleep and were awakened at the time we requested. Your servants are quite efficient.

He only smirked. Asiyah had everything working as neatly as clockwork, and his employees knew the risks of making mistakes. It wasn't surprising that everything was in order.

After the attack in his old estate, they had moved inside the Settlement.

Though Enishi didn't like to share the company of Westerners, it was without a doubt more secure to stay in the European-inhabited part of the city. He had a smaller house there, and his first arrangements were to stay in that place, but he soon found it more satisfactory to occupy the ample palace Heishin had bought from a Frenchman some months ago, probably with money stolen from himself.

That allowed Asiyah to house the guests in a completely separate wing of the enormous estate, leaving Enishi in absolute privacy from any visitors' curious eyes. He found the fact amusingly useful, considering last night's activities. He was aware they were not discreet and it would have been embarrassing to face their guests otherwise. However, they were far enough away and he was sure then that their private meeting went unnoticed by them.

He couldn't help but think about her. After all, Sadoshima wasn't the liveliest travel companion one could ask for... It was inevitable then that his mind turned to Asiyah.

- Be careful- she barely whispered to him, pretending to remove an invisible speck of dust from his jacket before he left the house in Sadoshima's company- Remember our conversation last night

She was still worried about any 'magical' threats that might be made by the boy and Sadoshima. While he knew Seta was a formidable manslayer, Sadoshima was only a 'middle man' a negotiator and organizer. They were no threat at all to him, however. He was ready for any move they could try. Besides, Enishi was absolutely sure that those men had nothing to do with magic. She simply needed a rest. Those last weeks had been too much of a strain for her nerves, and she surely was seeing ghosts were there were none. She was too young and inexperienced in these matters.

He would make sure that after Shishio's departure, they would share a good and relaxing time together on a green, wonderful, and isolated place he knew. It was his favorite spot to hunt. He used to go there, all alone, occasionally, with nothing else but a handful of weapons, a horse, and a light blanket. It was necessary for him not to become bland and soft, and a few days out on the wilderness, exposed to the elements and living only on what he could provide for himself, served to sharpen his senses again when needed before they went dull.

He could imagine her there, lying on the forest's earth, her hair surrounding her snow-white form like a blanket of wild, untamed fire. He would be then above her like a falcon on the hunt, making love to her with the rough passion the environment would bring to burn in them, over the wet grass, as green as her mystifying eyes... Enishi kept his eyes closed, sighing at the thoughts and the images spinning in his head.

The hut was small and barely furnished (he needed nothing else there...), but at least they would be completely alone. No maids, no servants, no guests, no business. She would be able to relax as much as she might need (and a simple snap of her fingers would solve any little inconvenience or need she could have). In the meantime, he would have time to redraw his strategies with the new information his contacts in Japan were collecting about the location of the man who haunted his life, the cruel Hitokiri who threw him into this awful existence.

Now that he knew for certain that Tomoe has given him Asiyah as his shelter and strength to finish his task on her behalf, he would make sure to draw plans for their future together after carrying out his Earthly Justice.

Yes, that would be a relaxing time for her and of careful planning and strategies for him, enjoying mutual company in the meantime.

- Ah! Here we are...- he exclaimed, when the carriage stopped at last.

He felt somewhat relieved. His travel companion wasn't eliciting any warm feelings from him.

Two of his subordinates approached them. They guided them to the ship as planned while tea and snacks were being served on a little tent nearby. He smiled, making a mental note to thank Asiyah for her watchful sense of organization...

She was excellent in these details. She knew the trip would be long and tiresome, and he would need a comfortable place to discuss the possible new additions, a smooth environment where things could be agreed upon in a satisfying and quick way. He had brought the blueprints with him. They were too precious to be left in other hands... Yes, they would do a brief inspection and then he would bring the other man to the tent, to explain him the advantages of the new improvements... And after a (hopefully) short exposition, they'd be on their way home.

The sooner they could finish their inspection, the sooner they would be back on his estate, and the sooner he would get rid of Sadoshima's unwanted company. The guy was a pompous bastard. But a loyal one too. He felt the pang of jealousy. If only Heishin... Never mind, he had Asiyah now, and as chosen by his own sister, she would follow him without hesitation. That Shishio must be a very special guy to obtain the unconcealed admiration and blind loyalty for him that poured from a guy like Sadoshima. Enishi found himself eager to know such a man. Not that he would follow him too, he only had one single concern in life, and he only pursued that goal: to avenge his sister's blood and destroy everyone who made her death possible. Shishio's aims helped him to achieve part of his own, so he was quite satisfied in offering his services and finest products to him and his cause... for a very convenient price, that is, he thought, a lopsided smirk crossing his features. As much as he hated the Meiji government, he didn't work for free...

- I'm absolutely convinced Shishio-sama will find everything according to our agreement.- said Sadoshima after visiting the ship and examining carefully even the smaller details- I'm completely satisfied with the quality of your products and the excellent craftsmanship. This might become the first of a long list of many 'special' shipments.

- I only provide my customers with the best, which reminds me... Have you considered carefully the issue regarding the engine room shields?

- Oh, yes... That. As I previously mentioned to your associate Wu-san, Shishio-sama has established a deadline for the beginning of our 'operation'. Meiji officials have been incredibly annoying lately, since a former Miburo was put in charge of Japanese Intelligence. The time is right, since the latest riots in the Southwest only happened a year and a half ago. The Japanese government can't afford to use their army now; they'd be revealing their internal unrest to the Western powers. This would be a costly mistake. This means that, as much as we could want to add those improvements you are so eager to talk to us about, we are on a tight schedule and we need the ship without further delays.

- I see... - well, he would make the revisit to the yards even briefer then. Only minor equipment that wouldn't require detailed alignment - But I need remind you of the dangers this weakness might imply...

- We are fully aware of them, and we are ready and eager to take the risk. We are confidant of the firepower and efficiency of such a masterpiece of modern warfare.

- In that case, it's settled. But perhaps you wouldn't mind signing a document taking the full responsibility for any damages caused to the ship due to the lack of the shields. You know, like your own boss, I earned my reputation with my own hands, and I'm very concerned to protect it.

- I will sign it. I accept full responsibility.

- Well, then, let's go to the tent, and you will be able to read the documents before signing them. Meanwhile, we'll take some tea and snacks or even a light lunch if you prefer it. The trip back home is a long one...

- I would prefer a light lunch, if you don't mind. I would like it if you could take me to your arsenal or armory. I would like to choose some new equipment for a strike force I have been preparing.

- Oh, I'd just arranged for an exhibition to be held after your boss's arrival, but if you insist...

- I only want a regular shipment, you can carry on with the exhibition where I suppose you'll tempt us with much more sophisticated merchandise than what I have in mind for my troops. These are common troopers. Nevertheless, I'm sure Shishio-sama will follow the exposition with great interest anyway: He has great plans for the future...

<I bet he has...>-Enishi only smirked, while conducting the other man to the tent.

His business went well... but he had lost any hope of a quick return home. He suppressed a groan at the thought of sharing more time with the boring, pompous intermediary. He wondered whether Sadoshima would notice if he tried to catch some sleep while keeping his eyes open...

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She was trying to concentrate on the documents in front of her, but she was really annoyed at the young man peeping at her from the tree nearby. She couldn't read ki like Enishi, but her senses were a hundred times more developed and sharper than any human's, so she could see the stupid boy and his telescope trying to peek at the papers around her. From the moment she realized his presence, she kept Enishi's documents out of his sight. Now she was working on some letters and issues related to her own jewel business. Harmless stuff, she thought.

Anyway, his bold insolence couldn't be overlooked this time. He needed a lesson in politeness and courtesy. And she would make sure he learned it...

She got up, pretending to take a break from her job to clarify her mind. Then feigning innocence, she approached to where the young man was standing...

Soujirou knew that he was well hidden by the tree's leaves, but he decided to avoid any risks. Her closeness was too 'spontaneous' for his taste, so he flattened himself against the trunk, trying to be as still as possible, waiting for her to move to her place again soon. Then, he decided, he would go down from his makeshift observatory and would return to the house's safety, unnoticed. He wanted to avoid any awkward situation as much as possible, since he was sure the girl already suspected him. After waiting for a few minutes, he peeked again over the place where Yukishiro's woman should be.

Then, trying to remain calm and still he looked for her on her former spot. Maybe she was back at the house...

Then, the sudden surge of ki from beneath the tree he was sitting at, made him jump in surprise. He would have fallen to the grass had he not hold on the branch firmly. Because the girl was just there, looking at him from beneath with a dark expression of rage all over her face...

His eyes widened in complete surprise first and in absolute uneasiness later, at the golden eyes looking sharply at him. No trace of the original green was there; the golden speckles had engulfed the whole irises. A chill ran through his spine. Who or what the hell was that woman?

- It seems you still enjoy your childhood games, Seta-san.- she said, an amused smile crossing her face, a smile which contrasted deeply with her frightening stare.

- I...

- Though I also enjoy climbing trees as much as when I was a child, I think it's a bit dangerous for you to stay there. Get down. I have a Russian samovar where I was working. A warm cup of tea will suit you well. Since you are shuddering, you must be feeling a bit cold.

Never before, in all the years he had working for Shishio-sama, he had been caught by anyone as the girl had just done to him. He was well aware that the usual reading of ki didn't work with him, and he was well trained in the art of seeing without being seen.

It had been ages since he had really felt as nervous as he was at that disconcerting young lady's company. But the bigger problem he was facing at the moment was how to explain his presence at the top of the tree.

- I will assume you were not spying on me. It would be a rude display of impoliteness on your part otherwise, but as I'm sure you would be never such a fool to endanger your boss' business at this stage of the deal, I will take it as simple excess of zeal on your duties as Shishio-san's protector. I understand you might be concerned about your employer's safety, but I'm also aware that neither Yukishiro-sama nor his former associate nor even myself haven't given you any reason to suspect any duplicity on our side. Besides, I take for granted that Shishio-san is a man as honorable on his business intentions as Yukishiro-sama is and he is not trying to deceive us in our transaction. Oh, yes, I know about these affairs. After the sudden retirement of Mr Wu from the syndicate, I've taken his place. Now I'm in charge of his former work area, let's call it that. Please, let Shishio-san know these words. Now, I think we have just solved this little misunderstanding. You can stay here with me for the rest of the morning if you want

Soujirou widened his eyes in disbelief at the explicit mention of business and transactions by that woman who was supposedly a mere companion (as much as Yumi-neesan was for Shishio-sama). A woman was not meant to be involved on such serious matters, at least that was what Houji-san always had said.

As for precaution and to avoid any further tension on an already compromised situation, he sat back with her. She was clever, now she would have him under observation until her master arrived, when she surely would inform him about the incident.

He was in deep trouble… What would he say to Houji-san and most importantly, to Shishio-sama?

- Well, at least you are a lot more comfortable down here than up in the branch, aren't you?- the young woman said casually, serving two cups of smoky tea-

It was apparent she was enjoying the whole situation and now Soujirou was convinced she was playing the cat and mouse game with him. He was grateful it was his last day being alone with that woman, reveling in the knowledge Yumi-nesaan would be taking care of her soon.

The rest of the morning went by amid polite conversation, though he was clueless about half the subjects she brought into the chat. Besides, he dared not to question again, either subtly or openly. Soujirou was fully aware now that she was not a woman to be taken lightly. In the process, he couldn't fail to notice she was an odd combination of Yumi-neesan and Houji-san's characters, looking at her carefully while she was talking to him and working on her paperwork at the same time. After a princely lunch, he found a way to excuse himself, making his way to his quarters wondering at his own misjudgment over the situation. He still had to think about his explanations of the events to Houji-san and Shishio-sama… He gulped at the image displayed in his mind of a pair of dangerous, gleaming red eyes he would meet the next day.

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Sadoshima and Enishi came back from the shipyards just at dinnertime. She was a little worried at the delay, but it was not entirely unexpected. After all, they were discussing business and sometimes these meetings could take more time than intended originally. Besides, she carefully watched the reunion occasionally, through her magical mirror, after Seta left her alone. Though Seta's companion did not seem a threat by himself, it was convenient to be ready for the unexpected.

However, the dinner elapsed in complete calm to Enishi's utter satisfaction. She even engaged herself with Sadoshima in the kind of chat her lover was expecting from her.

Later, when they were resting on his bed, they discussed the experiences they went through with their respective guests.

Enishi went on with his account first. Everything worked as he had expected with Sadoshima. The ship would be ready by the time they had already agreed, and the modifications suggested by Shishio's lap dog were minor ones. Those shouldn't delay the scheduled delivery.

He also narrated how Sadoshima had agreed in signing the document Wu had prepared beforehand (dutifully revised and amended by Asiyah), covering the shielding issue. Now Shishio and his party had taken full responsibility concerning any possible damage in the hull or the ship itself related to the lack of shielding around the engine room. Enishi worked very had to build his own organization and had a reputation to uphold. He didn't want it stained by a reckless buyer's mistake.

They also agreed in an exterior coverage for the hull, which would let the ship make the trip freely to Osaka, without any unwanted 'receptions' by British, Russian or Japanese fleets. As they had already suggested such an idea to Heishin, he had taken the precaution of buying an old wooden clipper of the appropriate dimensions. Enishi had already had it disarmed, waiting to serve in hiding the actual warship behind the innocent appearance of a cargo ship. They would make the delivery in one of the many islands used by Enishi's organization as relay stations in his activities of smuggling weapons. There, a trained crew of Shishio's underlings would take the ship to the Japanese port of Osaka, where it would remain hidden among the commercial ships anchored there till the precise moment of Shishio's uprising.

Then Asiyah told him about Seta's behavior that day.

- While I can't say I'm pleased, I wouldn't blame him. If I were Shishio, I would have sent someone to do such things for me. They are in a very delicate point in their plans. He has to make sure nobody would betray him. It would be easier for the Japanese government to finish him off outside Japan during an obscure dealing than to face him with his men ready for battle. That was one of the main reasons he chose me instead of that fucking bastard Glover[ii]. It was easier for Shishio to trade with him, but his former associations with the Ishin and his mercenary nature made him very unreliable… On the other hand, my personal hate towards the Ishin and the Meiji government is not a secret…

- Are you meaning Thomas Blake Glover?

- Yep

- I thought he had left the business…

- He had… However, he heard of Shishio and he was in need of cash badly … Besides, the English would do anything to justify an invasion of Japan… He was supposed to infiltrate Shishio's headquarters and give the British a way to get him once the revolution was settled…

- Did Shishio tell this to Heishin?

- No… In fact, it was me who provided Shishio with such reports…- he laughed quietly- For free…

- I have the impression that you made up the plot only to convince Shishio to make the deal with you…

- I have always held that you are very, very, very smart, little one…- he passed his hand fleetingly over the exposed skin of her flank, making her shivering in the process

Enishi was fascinated at the creamy whiteness of her soft skin. He smiled. The irony of having a perfectly gaijin resembling woman lying by his side didn't go unnoticed to him. Despite the fact that American, French, and Russian women were quite popular (and very expensive indeed) in the Shanghai high-class brothels, he had never tasted white flesh before due to his personal hatred for gaijin. Though Asiyah could hardly be considered as a gaijin (not being human in first place), he knew his association with her had created a wave of comments inside the underworld. He shrugged mentally at the fact, letting a soft sigh escape form him.

- Dear, I think we should stay focused…

- Yes, I suppose so…- he sighed again, setting his eyes on hers slowly, while he let a smirk flourish on his lips- Anyway, I don't see all this as more than natural though sloppy behavior from the boy and his boss. Believe me, I would have done the same, though I would have been a lot more careful. So, stop worrying, little one, just relax. Everything is under my control, don't be afraid. I have my people working on this.

- Whatever. However, I can't help but have an odd feeling… Something is not quite right with them. And I'm sure that they were involved behind Heishin's affair.

- Tomorrow is the big event. I expect that you got everything arranged at their request.

Enishi chose to close the matter. She had proven to be really thickheaded in the past. Therefore, it was of no use to argue with her, especially since he expected to share some more fun with her later. And he wanted her in a good mood for that. Shishio's men didn't make anything out the ordinary, and concerning Heishin… the worm only got too much greedy and impatient for his own good.

- Unless they had forgotten something in the list they had handed to Heishin, everything is ready and installed to their complete satisfaction. However, I'll double-check every detail before their arrival. Don't worry.

- I'm not worried at all. I know you are the most perfect aide I will ever find. Therefore, I know that everything will go fine. Well, as far I'm concerned, the time for business is over. I think we could go on with the mutual enjoyment we were having a while ago…

His wide wicked smile and the mischief shining on his irises made her shiver and purr in anticipation.

- That would be just … perfect- she said, moving to a sitting position by his side, while her hands traveled over his chest

She got a heartfelt laugh as his only answer.

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The boy shook his head again. His companion looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance.

- Shishio-sama will be very upset…

- Most surely. I still can't believe that the girl caught you.

- Believe me, she is not an ordinary girl.

- Well, I admit she acted rather differently today, yet…

- There is something…odd about her. The worst thing though is that she is already in full alert. Yukishiro should be warned by now…

- Anyway, it's my entire fault I misjudged the situation. I thought that as you were around the same age, and as she looked at you so insistently during yesterday's supper…

- I know why she looked at me. She knows. She knows we are trying to take Yukishiro down.

- She knows nothing. She is only a woman!

- Do not underestimate her. I told you, she is not an ordinary girl…. Her eyes… they were almost as scary as Shishio-sama's when he is upset. I know she suspects that we were behind Heishin's attempts on her man.

- Do you think so? I somewhat believe you are giving her too much credit… I told you, she is nothing but a criminal's whore

- I don't think so. Anyway, I feel relieved at the thought of Yumi's arrival. I know she will manage that woman accordingly.

- It's time.- said Houji, looking at the small clock he had just take out of his pocket- Now I'll send my report to Shishio-sama

- I'd better go to my bedroom. I already raised too many suspicions about me today…

Soujirou couldn't sleep that night thinking on the explanations that Shishio-sama would ask from him. A pair of red gleaming eyes emerged in his mind every time he shut his eyelids, and those images were not the best ones to help good dreams…

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Grey images mixed with the red of blood were flooding her mind… Asiyah writhed anguished amid the blankets.

A skinny scared boy was running… there were bloodied bodies and scattered limbs spread all over the roadside he ran by… Some little girls were protecting the child from the brutal slayers… but they also fell under the merciless sharp edge of the swords… Something white was floating in the background with such speed that it was almost a blur… silvery arcs flourished in red fountains without staining the perfect whiteness in motion… A broad shouldered giant wrapped in a floating white cape stood, towering over the little boy…

Now the giant was arguing heatedly with the boy… no, he was not a little boy anymore, he was a frail, tiny pubescent youth, almost feminine in his delicate face. The man turned his back on him, and the boy offered a little bow, leaving the place.

Darkness… a hot, sticky, pungent darkness… Asiyah looked at herself… she was soaked in blood…Others' blood. The carnage was unbelievable. She had seen death, she also had killed, but what she was facing was beyond all her previous experiences… She was too young, she did not witness any of the terrible wars of her people, however, she knew she was looking at battle scenery.

Color exploded in front of her eyes. The images aren't in shades of gray anymore.

Again, bodies litter the roads and scattered limbs form a gruesome carpet under her feet. There he was, the boy of the mountain, the boy who left the white caped giant. He had turned, facing her or the first time. She could se him from top to bottom for the first time: his hair was as bloody red, long, and wild as hers, the skin of his face was not soft any longer. An angry, unhealed scar runs almost from his temple to his chin. He snapped his eyes open looking deeply into hers. And then Asiyah backed away, utterly shocked.

Gold and blood…

Eyes glowing melted gold, flaming hair dancing around his angry features as fateful as a rain of blood.

Gold and blood

Could it be…?

A Jinn?

One of her own kind moving like herself among humans?

Who the Hell was the boy?

The Hell… what a surprisingly right use of words, she thought.

Because Hell was being brought to Earth by the Jinni boy and his sword…

There was a shifting in the image. Now she was in another place, another street in that city, the unbearable metallic stench punched her guts, and soon she fell to the ground, retching violently. In front of her eyes men were running. Some more were following them, these last ones all dressed alike, blue jacket with a yellow pattern on the hems, and floating brown pants. Suddenly, they had stopped. The fiery golden eyes are just there, scary, terrible, beautifully threatening… He was still the young troubled jinni man, but something had changed his insides… The flaring unfathomable anger had subsided; only self-loathing lingered on the hole in his soul. He seemed wrapped in an air of tragedy, despair, and loss. Another angry unhealed scar crossed the first one on his left cheek. He assumed his fighting stance and a young man, almost as young as him stepped out from the group. However, a taller, older man, though still young, glowing amber eyes burning intensely on an angular sharp edged face, stopped him and took his place in front of the young Jinni. She knew the result beforehand: the young with the demon spirit inside would cut him down mercilessly…

However, nothing like that happens. The other man stood his ground, as menacing and terrible as the young Jinn, enveloped in the same killing madness, strong, ferocious. Another hunter…

Suddenly in a burst of blinding light, they are no longer two men fighting. A dragon soaring the skies plunged in a mad race to the ground. A huge wolf, fur standing angrily on his back, leaps in the air trying to tear him apart. The claws of the dragon cut deeply on the amber eyed canine while the wolf's fangs sink on the reptilian-scaled skin… Earth fighting Fire… an impossible battle which should never have been occurring…[iii]

The scene had shifted again.

A dark alley once again, and the red-haired boy had become a man. His hair is no longer in a high topknot. He held the wild mane down tied at his nape. He moved quietly, elegantly, and gracefully, as the deadly killer he is. He still carried a sword. Only one this time, instead the two usually showing at his side on the others vision Asiyah was having. Suddenly someone stopped in front of him, someone even more petite than the jinn, a high topknot containing a mane of dark hair, he seemed a young boy, no… no quite a boy… A girl? Yes… It was a girl, glaring angrily at the Jinn in front of her while words of obvious bitter censure floated between the two.

She was obviously too young to have met him during the carnage of his younger times…

Boldly the girl charged at him a wooden sword on her hand, he leaps to the side to land ungracefully amid a pile of rubble. His swirly eyes are not golden any longer, but of strange hue of amethyst

In another shift of scenery, Asiyah found herself looking at the same young girl. Now she was facing a brute giant, who sliced her wooden sword, seizing her by her collar. He laughed showing his teeth in a sinister hyena-like gesture. Many men were laughing around him, looking with lustful eyes at the young woman, an unspoken promise of violent pleasure to come leering from their eyes. Tears streamed down her face, when suddenly all the looks turned to the door. The Jinn is there, standing on the doorframe, his eyes turned to dangerous slits, furious gold sparkles dancing on amethyst pools.

The men on the room thought of him as an easy prey… how wrong they were.

Silver arcs shone all around him once again, like in the streets that he used to soak in blood, and nobody was on their feet anymore. Only the brute giant and he were standing now, the girl was thrown to the side, injured. As expected, everything ends at the very beginning. The giant is no match for the skilled killer in front of him… he as the others was now another body on his bloodied path…

Suddenly Asiyah found herself in a yard. Sun shinning brightly high in the sky, the warm coursing through her skin… she can even smell…she can even smell… rice being burnt? She shrugged her nose at the stench

The sound of children laughing caught her attention. Two little girls were playing with a ball. In the background, she noticed the unexpected small figure of the Jinn, his arms soaked, not in blood this time but in a soapy solution, smiling goofily at the children in a shocking contrast with his amethyst irises full of sadness. The girl he saved from the giant is standing, now all dressed in woman's clothes, looking at the redhead man with shinning devotion pouring from her whole being, her raven black hair blowing in the mild breeze. Her emotions were displayed plainly on her face. The scene was so shockingly surprising to Asiyah, used seeing the man dripping blood that she couldn't believe her eyes.

The family scene was thoroughly replaced by the dark shadows of a forest at night. The Jinn was attacking someone, someone with strange eyes glimmering through the shadows. The girl from before was on her knees, silent tears rolling on her eyes. The redhead's eyes had lost all the warm, sad kindness. Melted gold screaming death burned on the Jinn's sockets, his features contorted by wild rage. He took the deadly stance and soon the other man is sprawled on the ground. Then the Jinn's sword moved forward for the killing blow… A scream piercing the silent night, a name she couldn't quite hear and Asiyah felt consuming anguish burning through her heart. She closed her eyes tightly.

Asiyah was now aware for the first time that the Jinn was not using his magic. Too young, too young for even that, he was a child by her people's standards, he was not a fully-grown Jinn… However, it was not necessary. He was deadly and brutal enough with the sole swing of his sword…

When she opened her eyes Asiyah found herself amid a gigantic pile of human bones. The stench of death, burning flesh, rotten corpses start to choke her. Blood was starting to flood the place. It was on her ankles, now on her knees… She tried to run, but there was no place to go, to avoid being drowned on the sticky, coagulated, rotten smelling liquid. It entered her mouth, her nose… she chokes, and her lungs were burning, full to the top of the warm disgusting, substance…

- Hush, hush, little one…- a deep voice startled her

She found herself sat on Enishi's bed, he being by her side, embracing her. Asiyah found herself trembling violently, and soon she was throwing her arms around him, feeling afraid, confused, and shaken as never in her whole life.

Asiyah felt the sound of the door being opened, but he made a gesture with his hand, and whoever had entered the room (probably his guards) had swiftly left at his command.

- It was nothing… only a nightmare, little one…

Enishi had his own share of experience with those, having suffered them for quite some time, but luckily, he had stopped dreaming many years before. His mind found a way to keep working devoted to the goal of his life, while his body rested, and in the process, he had been relieved of any unwanted bad dreams. Anyway, he knew petty well how disturbing and painful those could be, so he held her tightly trying to calm and comfort her.

- What happened?- he asked in a soothing voice

- I… I don't know… I can't quite remember…

- You started to scream in your sleep…- he loosened his embrace to look at her deeply

- Oh, my God! I should have awakened the whole house! - She blushed deep red, remembering the door being opened and her own state of undress.

- I don't think so… Half the house perhaps, but surely not the entire estate…- he tried to humor her- what do you remember?

- Bodies, rotten corpses, bones, hills made of human bones, blood soaking me, choking me, burning on my lungs…

- It was only a dream… Don't be so upset… Dear, it's worse when you actually live it…- he truly meant it. Then he wrapped her tightly again, comfortingly. - We'll face a very busy schedule tomorrow, so we'd better go back to sleep again, little one.

Enishi made her lie again between the sheets, holding her tightly against him. He knew how good a warm embrace was in such a situation. She had made him feel it the night before and he obligingly returned the gesture, one he had missed sorely since Tomoe had died... A sad smile crossed his face, and a fleeting emotion that Asiyah had never seen settled on his turquoise eyes.

- I solemnly promise you, little one, I will guard you against any oni beneath the bed or in your dreams- he chuckled lightly after a while, slightly amused at his own joke. After all, she was acting like any other woman, he thought amid yawnings just before falling into sleep again.

Despite all, despite his mocking attitude, she was aware that those were signs, signs that shouldn't be disregarded. She knew she had to be on her guard.

She couldn't regain her sleep for the remnant of the night, her mind racing wildly wondering who was the younger Jinn and where he was. One thing was certain.

He was a dangerous killer.

However, she was also certain of one thing: she wouldn't let him even approach Enishi.

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Author note:

At this point, Asiyah is not aware about Kenshin's identity as Enishi's Nemesis.

She only saw him killing and her dreams were manipulated in a way that she believes he had killed Gohei and Jin'e.

As it is suggested in this chapter, red hair and golden eyes are distinctive signs/characteristics of Jinni along the Universe I made for this fic.

I want to add something for those unaware. Though Jinn are used on some RPG games, they are not characters from ANY of these games. They are part of the Middle East Mythology/beliefs . The characteristics mentioned (except the hair and the eyes, which I used only to match Kenshin's red hair and Battousai's golden eyes) which I discovered are used on these games, are taken from the actual mythology and the religious sources. You can consult Koran and books as famous as the Arabian Nights (I personally recommend Sir Richard Burton's translation, which is way longer the most popular versions and certainly it's not suitable to younger readers for its high erotic contend, but whose notes are superb), where you'll find the Jinni tribes named by their right names and with their given characteristics and story.

Briefly, I mean that Jinni aren't taken from any game, games took the mythological beings… I use the mythological beings, for those who could be asking themselves.

The same could be said of Elves and other beings used on those games.