kippin / zoë

I look up from the book in my lap, words – quite literally – littering its pages offering me little to no comfort. The situation isn’t particularly dire, but I dread being stuck between those four green walls, their washed out mint-adjacent shade only reassuring me that I am indeed trapped. At least for the time being, although my stay may be extended, depending on test results and other annoyances. Sometimes I wonder, is it worse to be told that everything is within the norm, or to be smitten with a diagnosis, that which may equal to the unknown? I don’t know. And I’d rather not have to find out. Heavens, tell me why –– Answer all of my why’s, even if I can’t tell whether you’re real.

The doors here do not have locks. I understand, and although it needs no explanation, I suppose the ability to know why that much is the case is the only answer I’ll ever get from heavens, universe, or whatever power I may scream at. Deaf or mute, it doesn’t matter, my head snapping to the side as Ieyasu enters the room.

“How are you feeling?” he asks. Given the lack of any documents in his hands, I assume he does so for the sake of old friendship, rather than for his job.

“Good.”

“You only ever say ‘good’.” He pouts. Clearly, my positive attitude does not impress Mister Porcupine.

“Well, I have a book to keep me company in the dire times of no visits policy, IV is keeping me from climbing the walls Exorcist style, and the weather outside is gorgeous! So, when do you let me out?”

“I should add ‘heavy cabin fever’ to your file,” he sighs, bringing a chair to sit besides my bed. “If nothing unexpected happens, you may be out around the end of the week. Nap more until then, or something.”

“Great. Great. I can’t –” My phone rings. Ieyasu doesn’t even need to look at the screen to know who is it. He just gets up slowly, returns his seat to its place by the wall, and starts to walk towards the corridor.

“Tell Masamune not to call me in the evening,” he throws over his shoulder. The weight he added onto the word “not” could very well be enough to threaten the integrity of the ward’s floor, were it to be materialised. “Not all of us enjoy babble and yapping until sunrise.”

It is odd how natural picking up his calls feels. I don’t have to think twice, or even once – my finger simply slides over the screen by itself, and soon, voice warm like sunshine spills into my ear.

“Kitten! What took you so long?” Right. He is plenty similar to a cat. How dare I be late by a minute, Masamune? Cruel, cruel me. I suppose I shall apologise with scritches once I’m back. What’s the interest rate for a delay?

“I was talking with Ieyasu –”

“Did he say anything about when they’ll discharge you?” he asks, not even attempting to let me finish the sentence. Hope lingers in his voice, lurks just below the surface of words alongside some restless tension. I can almost picture him, strung-up and nearly ready to burst. The outside world is his cabin, and he seems to be suffering of fever too.

“Nothing’s promised, but he did say they may let me out around the end of the week.”

Masamune inhales sharply.

“Nothing more specific?”

“No,” I sigh, the word “may” hanging above my head like an axe.

“Dontcha worry, I’ll be there to pick you up no matter what.” He completely misunderstands. “You haven’t had a decent meal in days, somebody gotta serve you dinner.”

“Food really isn’t that bad –”

“I’ll tickle you for every kilogram lost if you don’t stop lying.” Something drops in the background. I can hear another voice, but nothing much past that – all sounds are muffled, sort of morphed, distorted. Masamune stays silent for a while, before returning to me with great haste. “I’ve gotta go, kitten. Hang on in there, I love you and I’ll see you soon, I promise.”

The beep accompanying the end of a call has never felt colder before. I’d shudder, had his goodbye not echoed in my mind. I trail back the tracks of our conversation, however short it was, savouring each of the exchanged words. I miss him, undeniably so – and I dread the fact that I cannot see him, right when I need it the most… Although I know it’s fairly harsh on his side too. After all, Masamune is no stranger to hospitals, and even if I have never inquired about details, it is my suspicion that he is much more familiar with the convoluted world of medical facilities. It’s unfortunate, always has been. I simply wish he didn’t worry about the food…

Another day starts. I wouldn’t wake up so early by myself, and I do take it with a hefty tablespoon of cynicism when the nurse cheerfully declares that my blood pressure is exactly as specified in books. Of course, I don’t dare inform her that usually it is much lower, and that my current state speaks of quite a bit of stress. Should I? I honestly don’t know. I’m not sure whether I care – it feels roughly as relevant as the book I’ve discarded the prior day. Just let me go. This place stinks of death.

I should rest here, but I’m restless. I know I have nothing to complain about, that my situation is exceptionally good, that I do not have to share the room with other patients… Nevertheless, I find it hard to truly ease myself out of the state of constant alertness. This isn’t my bed. The smells are unfamiliar. Whose are those steps? Even the light is wrong, the buzzing it produces slowly getting on my nerves. Snoring, people talking, the feeling on PVC stuck into my hand –-

I have to distract myself. A book will do. I truly am doing well, and they’re bound to release me soon… Soon… I’ve worried enough people already. Don’t whine, me. Don’t whine…

I’m falling in and out of sleep, the nap Ieyasu has suggested having been long overdue. Perhaps something is indeed terribly wrong with me, though, for the voices flying above my head cannot possibly be real. They just can’t be. I don’t know whether I want to stay between the reality and dreams to extend the time they’re there, or whether I wish to dispel them, to confirm that –

The door to my room closes, and so my eyes open. It is quiet at first, as I can hardly believe myself.

“I hoped I’d get to poke your cheeks before you’d wake up,” Masamune chuckles. My Masamune, flesh and bones, standing right by my bed. I open my mouth, completely dumbfounded.

“N-No visits?” is all I can say. He pulls the chair up from besides the wall.

“I promised I’d see you soon, no? I’ve already been given a lecture by Ieyasu.”

I’m crying. Heavens, his hands are divine, his thumbs brushing my tears aside. He kisses my forehead, and my heart jumps.

It was not Keiji’s birthday.

In fact, the sole reason for the banquet was because it wasn’t Keiji’s birthday. But that was the thing about Mai – she couldn’t stand to see anyone hurt. When she discovered that not only had everyone ‘Sixteen Candled’ Keiji’s birthday but also that he had never had a birthday party in his life, she had thrown herself into arranging a “Celebrate Keiji!” bash to make up for decades of neglect.

Even after two weeks of running all over town to gather supplies, staying up late to make a new kimono (in those very bright colors he loved), and serving as Masamune’s sous chef for the Feast of the Keiji, Mai hadn’t stopped to rest. Once the banquet started, she scurried from warlord to warlord, refilling sake cups, smiling, laughing, and insisting everyone put on the party hats that she and Ranmaru had made from rice paper.

So, there they all were, silly hats and all. Ok, well only Keiji, Mai, Mitsunari and Ranmaru had put on the hats. The other hats? Mysteriously vanished. No matter. They’d all eaten their fill of Masamune’s delicious multicourse meal, which meant that it was… “Game time!” Mai announced it with a look on her face that dared anyone to argue.

No one argued, although Ieyasu did roll his eyes and say “games?” with enough disbelief that Mai was forced to continue. “Yes. Games. Keiji has never had a birthday party. He’s got a lot of party experience to make up for.”

“Games are a harmless exercise,” Nobunaga said. “We might even hone skills useful in battle.”

Once the games had the Nobunaga stamp of approval, all the warlords (except one, guess who) threw themselves into the games with spirit and excitement.

A hotly contested round of musical chairs was won by Ranmaru – though he nearly did not survive the experience, as first runner up Keiji had sat upon him. Then Hideyoshi and Nobunaga easily came in first place in the three-legged race, partially because team Mai-Mitsunari had gotten tangled up and accidentally tripped Masamune-Keiji. After that, Mitsunari was elected referee of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” for all agreed that Mitsunari plus blindfold plus sharp object equaled bad idea, and once the tails were pinned, he solemnly declared Ieyasu to be the winner of that event.

Since the blindfold was already out and in use, Mai figured it made sense to move on from there to Blind Man’s Bluff. After all, making up for Keiji’s lost birthdays meant not only having children’s games but something a little more adult (but still PG). And really, it wasn’t like she was suggesting ‘Spin the Bottle’ or ‘Seven Minutes in Heaven.’ She wouldn’t dare (although deep down, she admitted to herself that the latter game would be fun – with the right warlord).

She hadn’t expected things to turn out the way they did. Nor had she realized that Blind Man’s Bluff could be so… sensual. Not that it had been when Nobunaga had caught Hideyoshi and easily deduced his identity simply from the material in the man’s collar. But when later on in the game, Mai had been caught by the blindfolded Masamune, and he’d laughingly combed his hands through her hair and pretended that maybe he’d caught Kyubei, Mai suddenly discovered that this game was more adult than she remembered.

“Hm.” Masamune trailed his fingers along the curve of her cheek. “Soft skin. Someone uses a cream of sorts… Ieyasu?”

A ‘pffffttt’ from the peanut gallery rejected that answer, and Mai found herself worried that he would feel the need to move his hands lower to determine her identity. But of course, Masamune respectfully limited his explorations to her face, and on his third and final guess, said what must have been obvious from the start, that Mai was who he had captured.

Her face a bit warm, Mai allowed him to gently tie the blindfold around her eyes, as she took his place as the blind man. “Can you see anything, Lass?”

She shook her head and the game recommenced with Mai blundering around the room, hands out in front of her like a zombie. For a while, it looked like everyone would elude her, but eventually, she cornered Keiji.

His identity was easy enough to detect – his height and physique were obvious – but Mai could be forgiven if she, like everyone else, had taken time to play out the suspense for laughs, and fondle grip his massive biceps, before declaring, “Ok, this is either a tree or Keiji.”

The only clue she had that this game had possibly gone on too long and too far was the cool voice of Mitsuhide asking her what was next on her agenda.

“Oh. Hide and Go Seek.” She tossed the blindfold on a nearby table and explained the rules, then the chosen Seeker began his countdown while everyone scattered throughout the castle.

Mai herself chose to scoot into her sewing room. She could easily hide under a pile of fabric and maybe even have a quiet moment to catch her breath. But she had barely settled in when the door slid open with a soft hiss, and sure footsteps crossed the room, stopping directly over her hiding place…

And… who just discovered Mai’s hiding place? Keiji, Masamune, or Mitsuhide?As it happens, this story has three endings. If you want the Keiji ending (sweet), read directly below. If you are curious to know what happens if Masamune finds her, then skip to the middle ending (mild). Or if your choice is Mitsuhide, read the final ending (NSFW).

Keiji's Ending:

“Hah! I knew you’d be in here!” With a laugh, Keiji plopped down next to her.

“What? Really?” She was certain that everyone would have found Mitsunari first. “Am I that predictable?”

“Nah. I peeked.” Keiji grinned down at her for a moment before his expression turned serious. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble. I don’t need this kind of fuss.”

“Oh.” Had she embarrassed him? Keiji was (usually) so boisterous, she figured that he would get a kick out of a big old party. But maybe he would have preferred something quieter. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think to ask you first.”

“Don’t apologize. Yeesh. I wasn’t complaining. I’m used to bringing the party all on my own.” He pulled her onto his lap, cradling her in against his chest. “I don’t know what to do when people make a fuss over me. But… it was kinda nice. Just don’t feel like you have to do this sort of thing, ok?”

If he thought that, he was wrong. She’d only wanted to give him a celebration. “I like making a fuss. You’d never had a party before-”

“Yeah, but I didn’t want one because you felt sorry for me.” That bitterness was back. That thing sometimes struck out like a wounded beast.

“I would have thrown a party for you no matter what. Just like I organized one for everyone else.” It felt really important for him to understand that it hadn’t been pity. “I figured that since you hadn’t had the full-on birthday experience, that you would get a kick out of having one the way we celebrated in my time. I hoped it would be fun for you.”

“Yeah. Ok. I guess I get it. And it was fun… even sitting on Ranmaru was kind of fun.” He imitated Ranmaru’s outraged squawk. “Know that I would be ok though, if it was just us, alright? Sometimes small parties are as good.” He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her head.

Yes… he was right. Smaller parties were nice too. She snuggled into his solid warmth, and closed her eyes, relaxing into the sound of his breathing.

Masamune's Ending:

“There you are, Kitten!” With a whoop, Masamune took her hands, pulled her to her feet, and swung her around in a rotational hug that ended in a softer, fuller embrace.

“What are you doing here? I thought Mitsunari was the seeker.” Which, come to think about it, might not have been the best idea.

“Yeah, but he was heading into the archives room. Odds are, he’ll start reading and forget he’s supposed to look for everyone.” He dipped his head and gave her a quick little kiss that turned into something deeper, and longer. When they finally broke apart, both were breathless. “I figure we’ve got a good chunk of time before people get bored and crawl out of hiding.”

That… was all too possible. “What do you have in mind?”

He pulled the blindfold out of his kimono and dangled it in front of her. “Do you trust me, Kitten?”

“Of course.” Masamune wouldn’t do anything to harm her – whatever he might do might be wild or exciting, but not truly dangerous. Already her heart was skittering in anticipation. Without any further questions, she turned so he could put the blindfold on her again.

“Perfect. Come on, then.” He took both her hands, and rather than pulling her down with him on the fabrics like she had expected, he led her out of the room.

“Where are we going?” She shortened her steps. Yes, of course she trusted him, but even in the best of circumstances, she could sometimes be a little clumsy, tripping over stones, cracks, and air.

“On an adventure – to say more would be to spoil the surprise.” He put his arm around her waist to better guide her.

It wasn’t too long before the warmth of the castle gave way to a cool breeze, and the hallway flooring was replaced by soft grass, still slightly damp from an early spring rain. She could hear the watch bells signal the guard change and the rush of wings as some night-hunting bird as it zipped past in search of prey. With the blindfold on, she had no sense of direction beyond the knowledge that they were somewhere outside, but eventually, the sound – and smell – of horses clued her in.

“Stay there, Kitten.” The instructions were unnecessary – Mai didn’t intend to move an inch, knowing that one wrong step could land her in horse poo. Instead, she waited calmly, rubbing her arms in the chill night air until Masamune led his horse to her, and carefully lifted her onto its back.

“I hope you’re planning on joining me, or this is going to be more adventure than I can handle.” Even without a blindfold, her riding skills, were… less than ideal.

“Not to worry.” In another moment, he had seated himself behind her. “Are you comfortable?” he added as he reached around her, his arms strong and sure.

“Mmm, yes, this is nice.” She leaned back against him, bracing herself on the saddle for balance and he took the opportunity to kiss her again, a brief brush of lips that left her aching for more.

“Good. Hang on, Kitten.” Then with a chirrup to the horse, they were off… Who cared if she couldn’t see where they were going? Masamune would never let anything happen to her. She simply lifted her face to the wind. That swallow of chill air woke up every part of her being until she felt she was buzzing with life, even as the outside world shrunk to the rhythm of hoofbeats underneath her and the hardness of Masamune’s chest, the strength of his arms, and his wild whoop of joy as they raced the night.

Mitsuhide's Ending:

“My word, what have we here? A little mouse, nesting, looking as pleased as she can be.” Mitsuhide’s golden eyes stared down at her.

She stifled the urge to throw a piece of fabric over her and pretend he wasn’t there. “How did you find me first? You know as well as I that Mitsunari would have gone right to the archives to hide.”

“I’m certain he did.” Those cool hands helped her to her feet. “But I came for you.”

Oh. She wasn’t entirely sure if … “Is that a good thing?” He had teased her so often that sometimes it was hard to tell what was going on behind that wicked smile.

“You tell me.” He reached into his kimono and withdrew the blindfold that she’d tossed aside. “You’ve been playing dangerous games.”

Whaaa…?

“You’re …jealous?” Even that word tasted strange on her tongue. Mitsuhide had to know that it had all been in fun. No one had taken those games seriously. Right?

“I am not. I trust you. Turn around.” Too dumbstruck to argue – and why would she? – Mai did as he asked and let him slip the blindfold over her eyes, his hands lingering to caress her face. “I’ve spent the better part of the night watching you dash about the, making the evening special, not just for Keiji but for everyone. I simply want some of that time alone with you.” He let those cool fingers trail down the back of her neck. “Do you have any objection to that?”

“Er, no… “ But… what if someone walked in on them?

“You hesitated.” He breathed it into her ear.

“It’s just that… could you lock the door?” If they were having their own private playtime, it ought to stay private.

“I could, if that is truly what you desire.” He raked his teeth along the side of her neck. “Or would you not agree that the potential for discovery adds a certain thrill to the proceedings?”

He shouldn’t be right, she ought to care – but already her heart was thudding faster at the idea. He hugged her closer, pulling her body in to his, as he reached up to cup her breasts, the friction caused by silk rubbing against her body making her nipples tighten instantly. She gulped a mouthful of air. “Leave it unlocked.”

“Oh dear, what a daring little mouse I’ve cornered today.” His hand slipped into the V of her clothes, his palm taking the place of the fabric, and the skin-to-skin contact had her shivering in anticipation. The blindfold had heightened her senses, intensifying the increasing rasp in his voice, a smell of incense that always clung to him, the slight coolness of his fingers, and then, when she half turned her head toward his, and he bridged the distance to capture her mouth, the taste of sake on his tongue.

The kiss wasn’t nearly long enough – just as she leaned into to it, her body flush to his, he stopped. “It was a form of torture, seeing you touch Keiji, watching Masamune touch you and knowing I would need to wait to have you to myself.”

She hadn’t known that… or maybe… she had? Was there a part of her, some previously unacknowledged part that understood she had been teasing him, just a little bit? That perhaps, when Masamune was touching her, she’d taken a quick out of the corner of her eye look to Mitsuhide to see how he was reacting? But even so… “It’s a children’s game.”

He ran his fingers through her hair, untangling the knots that an evening of hosting had created. “Masamune was, naturally, only playing the game the way it was intended. Now that it is my turn…” He paused, kissing her cheek, his lips erasing the memory of Masamune’s more playful touch. “I intend to refine the rules a bit.”

“O-o-o-kay… Mitsuhide?” He’d abruptly let go of her, his footsteps padding across the room. She turned her head toward the sound of the footsteps. “Where did you go?”

“Catch me.” His voice came from a completely different direction than she expected.

She stood still, trying to orient herself, ears alert to his breathing… was he holding his breath?

Then, the breeze as he slipped past her, letting his finger brush across her face as he did so. Had that been to tease? Or hint at where he would be next? If she stayed frozen, would he do it again, allowing her to grab him as he passed?

No… Mitsuhide would never be that predictable. But he might have edged around the perimeter of the room and outflanked her. If she hurried, she could…

With her arms outstretched, she ran full out to where he was most likely to be… and found herself in Mitsuhide’s embrace once again. “Watch your step, Little One. You nearly hit the wall.”

“You stopped me, didn’t you?” She threw her arms around his neck. “Caught you… eep!” Her words ended in a surprised squeak as he nipped at the base of her throat.

“Careful Mouse. If you truly don’t want anyone to find us here, you might want to silence your reactions. Because if that made you squeak, then what I do next…” he undid her obi, and slid her kimono off her shoulders, “might have you singing to the rafters.”

That was all the warning she had before his mouth latched on to her nipple, his tongue playfully batting at it… yes, much like a cat toying with its prey, and she slapped her hand over her mouth, but not in time to prevent another gasp from escaping.

“Who is it that just captured a kitsune? You sound like my little mouse. You feel like my little mouse.” He traced the outline of her body, worshiping the plains and valleys of her waist, caressing her hips and back.

“Who’s wearing the blindfold here anyway?” Not that she was going to object too much, but obviously the rules of the game had been thrown out the window.

Ignoring the question, he knelt before her. “But do you taste like her?” That was all the warning she had before he parted her legs and explored her with his mouth.

With a hastily muffled gasp, she swayed and would have fallen if he had not been holding her upright. She dug her fingers into his hair, hanging on, as he teased another moan from her.

“What was that? Do you want me to stop?” He paused, his breath warming the already heated skin. “I didn’t quite hear you.”

She tugged his hair. “Don’t stop.” It was hard to find the words, to form a sentence. “More.”

“More of this?” He pressed a hard kiss to her, punctuated by a swipe of his tongue.

“You. More of you.”  Especially now that he had paused, leaving her hovering on the precipice, torn between arousal and completion. Why does he always do this to me?

“Because it amuses me to see that look on your face, knowing it’s a frustration only I can satisfy.” He pulled her to the floor with him, and his voice was at her ear again. “I’m pleased to find I still can read you, even with a blindfold covering half your face.”

There was a rustling of cloth… had he stripped off his clothing?

“I did indeed.”

Argh! Stop that!

He only laughed, as he positioned himself over her, his body barely touching hers, except for his hand, alternately caressing and teasing, ensuring that she stayed in that limbo of anticipation.

She was going to kill him if he didn’t hurry up and-

“As you wish.” Finally, finally, he pushed himself inside her, but so slowly that every nerve in her body had time to message her brain with a hallelujah. “Mmm. You seem to have captured someone in this game of Blind Man’s Bluff… Any guesses as to whom?” Even joined so intimately, while he leisurely moved within her, his hand continued to tease, alternately building up then banking a fire within her.

“Mitsuhide.” It was a gasp, turning his name into nearly six syllables.

“What was that?” He stilled for a moment.

“Mitsuhide!” A growl born of frustration.

“Are you certain?” With one final thrust and a flick of his thumb, he finally allowed that fire to burn uncontrolled, flooding across the landscape, consuming all in its path in an explosion of heat and light while, just as he had warned, she screamed his name to the rafters.

… a little while later, when she had finally caught her breath, and Mitsuhide’s slick weight was half on top of her, he reached over and tickled her nose. “A highly satisfactory conclusion to the game…” Then she sensed that he turned his head, before adding, “Would you not agree, Masamune? Keiji? Did you enjoy watching us?”

WHAT?!?

With a shriek Mai sat up, dislodging Mitsuhide as she ripped the blindfold off and gazed around the … very empty room.

“Argh! Mitsuhide!” She slumped back to the floor in relief as his amused laughter covered her like a blanket.