21 CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

"Stop being a princess and strip, Ivy Moore."

I sighed, lowering my body and hugging myself tightly. "What if someone comes? They... they will see me naked!"

She rolled her eyes, getting into the hot tub with her white and flat body completely naked. "I think you should be more worried about your face rather than your body. I mean yeah, they might have a shock if they see your big boobs, but besides this, they won't care as long as you're not a prostitute. And if they do..." She grinned, lowering her body, the water covering it until her neck. "I will cut their thingies off."

I sighed, not changing my position at all. "You said it yourself. You can't use your powers or the hell hounds will come after you. I'd rather stink than live my whole life in the Edo period."

She shrugged, swimming from a corner to another. "It's not that bad. You have to know how to intimidate them. They want stupid women, who have no idea how to defend themselves. If you start talking about politics they will leave you alone or they'll try to kill you. Simple."

"For you. I might die in a second. I have no skills at all." I sighed again, realizing that if I was truly alone I couldn't have done anything. I was completely useless without Jessica. And she knew it. She sighed, letting her body float, staring at the ceiling.

"Then get your hands dirty, princess. If you don't do something on yourself, you will never learn how to defend yourself. Do you think demons are born with kung fu skills? No, they are not. We are learning it because we're always fighting each other when we meet. It's a necessary skill, I suppose."

I inhaled deeply. She didn't seem to be bothered by it, but for me... it sounded horrible. Maybe that's why she was so emotionless in general. Other times, her empathy made me almost forget she was a bad creature because of her nature. But when she was telling me things like those... like how the demons attack each other... it made me pity her, even though it shouldn't. "For you, it might be something... usual. Like football. But for humans is terrific and outrageous. Our dream is to live in a society in which self-defense won't be ever used."

"Humans and their stupid ideals. You can't have everything. At least you don't kill each other when you meet. You should be grateful for that. Anyways, enough small talking. Strip or I'm gonna rip off your clothes."

I jumped to my feet, showing her a scandalized expression, which made her grin like a maniac. "This is my single piece of clothing suitable for this era!"

She shrugged, raising her head so she can make better eye contact with me. "Exactly." Her voice was so determined and low that I just sighed and got undressed in a few seconds.

As fast as I could, I got in the hot tub and hugged myself under the water, scared that anyone could've entered the room. Jessica sighed, swimming around. "Chill, Ivy Moore. No one will come. The head of the prostitutes assured me."

"The way you're saying it doesn't inspire me much trust."

She snorted, coming closer to me and driving me into a corner. "Stop being such a princess, Ivy Moore. In this era, you can't be picky, nor disgusted by anything you see. This is how we'll live for at least 12 more days. Get used to it."

"At least?" I asked her, as she got out of the hot tub.

She turned her head a bit in my direction and smiled. "If we fail, do you want to go back? Because I don't. I'm more than happy to live as a damned demon, to party hard, and to get mixed with the humans. I don't hate humans. They are my food. Yes, I can't eat their energy as much as I want because of those hell hounds, but, at least, I can live. You can live as well. I can teach you Japanese. We can find a story for you and, with a bit of luck, you might even become a real princess..." I grimaced and she sighed. "... or not. Your bad luck is in the way. My bad, I totally forgot. Then... it's better to live hidden than to not live at all, right?"

I straighten my body, the water touching softly my belly. I started walking towards Jessica, as she was putting her clothes on. "I'd rather not think about that. We need to do this. I need to do this. We'll get the sword and Caiden will cry with bloody tears. Else... everything will be ruined. We can't fail."

I put my brown robe on me, even though I was still wet. Jessica turned her body towards me and smiled. Everything was exposed because of her wet body and the white robe's thin material didn't help much. She didn't seem bothered by it.

"I like your determination, Ivy Moore. Hell, yeah, let's do this!"

I smiled as we walked out of the room.

***

"I won't do this." I said, looking down at the beautiful, white kimono which Jessica put on the chair, in front of me.

We were in a beautiful, red room, discussing a possible "job" for me and Jessica. We weren't guests anymore. We had to pay for food, shelter, and hot tub.

We need only 12 days. Why can't she leave us like this for only 12 days?

Jessica told me she tried to explain it. But...

"The head of prostitutes likes your face too much. She said you will be very popular here." Jessica said, grimacing and shrugging like it wasn't her fault and she couldn't do much about it.

I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest. It was so good to not have my face covered, but I didn't consider the possibility of being recruited by the head of prostitutes. "Doesn't she think I might be a spy from another country or something?"

Jessica gave me a dismissive wave of her hand. "Prostitutes don't think too much. They only care about money and, well, men. So, your face can bring them both. She'll make up a story about you being a foreigner sexual slave. Men love slave stories."

I frowned. "Do they?"

"I'm not sure. They love everything as long as it has a hole. You have one. And a nice, exotic face. It's a bonus."

"Can't we figure something out so I don't need to do this?"

She pursued her lips, crossing her leg over the other one. "The only thing I can do is to make you an exclusive guest of hers so you don't need to actually have sex with these guys. Well, unless if you want to..."

I narrowed my eyes, throwing her a deadly glare. She grinned. "Got ya, sweetheart. Only talking and pouring tea... actually only pouring tea. The head of prostitutes will come with you at each party so you'll never be touched more than you want. Is it fine like this?"

"Acceptable." I replied, sipping from my teacup and eyeing the gorgeous kimono, specially made for me.

I didn't want to attend any parties. I wanted to hide until I came with a good plan for Caiden and his sword. I didn't want to interact with anyone from that era. I sighed. Guess I couldn't live even three days without food and shelter. The woman who gave us the necessary things was kind of reasonable. She didn't ask for much, especially in that era in which women were easily seen as sexual toys. I should've been grateful because she only wanted me to pour tea and stay like a doll in a room.

"Okay, then. Your first tea-pouring will be in like... five hours? Something like that. The head of prostitutes said this is your room from now on and you can use it to change your clothes, sleep, eat, etc. Of course, I'm gonna stay here as well because why would your bodyguard leave you alone, right?"

She winked at me and I pursued my lips. A shy voice behind the closed door of our room made me flinch surprised.

"It's the head of prostitutes. If you excuse me, princess, I'm gonna confirm her you're going to do it. Cya later." She said, opening the door and closing behind her, leaving me alone in the room.

I sighed, placing the cup on the small, black table.

I entered the room, full of people. The huge table in middle of it was topped up with bottles of alcohol, teacups, and food. There were approximately ten men and nine women. The single man who wasn't accompanied by a woman was sitting across the table, silently sipping from his cup and listening to the discussion which I couldn't understand. The head of prostitutes saw me hesitating, frozen with my hand still on the door, and she rose from the pillow, approaching me with a huge smile on her small, white face. She grabbed gently my hand and nodded at me, telling me non-verbally that it was okay to come. With a forced smile plastered on my face, I took a few steps, when the men noticed me. They turned their head towards me and I blushed, flustered by everybody's attention. The head of prostitutes squeezed my hand and smiled brightly, as we passed by all of them and stopped in front of the single man, who seemed to be the quietest one from that room.

The head of prostitutes said something to him and he nodded, without throwing any glances in my direction. She nodded as well, let my hand go and went back to her original position, on the right of an old man who was very happy to have her back.

I sat down on the yellow pillow, next to the quiet man. He seemed kind of old, but he was still looking quite good. His black beard made his features look harsh and intimidating, but maybe this thing was also helped by the fact that he didn't seem to smile. He barely talked. He just drank and ate. He totally ignored me and I was fine with that. I had to admit, I was confused and curious about his behaviour, but not enough to ask him directly – even though I had no idea how to speak Japanese and probably he didn't even know what language I was speaking. I shook my head, trying to get rid of this kind of thought. There was no point in over-thinking.

A few hours passed by and I almost fell asleep. It was boring to be at a party where I couldn't talk with anyone, do anything, or leave if I wanted. The best thing that happened that night was a guy walking on the table and falling on another man. I couldn't resist – I cracked up, receiving a deadly glare from the quiet man next to me. I gulped and lowered my eyes.

Finally, the party was over and, happily, there were no incidents involving my bad luck. The men gathered outside the tea house and started talking loudly, while the women were cleaning the room. The head of prostitutes came at me and nodded enthusiastically. I smiled and bent over to take the pillow, knowing I had to clean as well.

But, the head of prostitutes grabbed my arm and shook her head. I frowned, not understanding what she wanted me to do. She dragged me after her, going out in the chilly night. I hugged myself, my naked shoulders being exposed to the furious wind. She started walking towards a smaller tea house and I followed her, still confused by her actions.

As we reached it, she hesitated to open the door.

What's there? What does she want me to do? Who's there?

I couldn't ask her these questions even if I wanted to. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, kneeled and bowed towards the single person who was inside. He was sitting with his back at us, smoking from a long, wooden stick. It looked like a pipe, but much longer. The guy said something in Japanese and the color drained out of the woman's face. She got to her feet, nodded at me, while forcing a smile and left, leaving me alone in front of the door.

Something is not right.

But I couldn't leave. Jessica and I needed shelter. I had to... well... pour tea.

I bowed, not sure if he could see me or not, entered the room and closed the door behind me. I sat on the pillow in front of me and waited for him to turn around.

"How have you been, human?"

My blood froze in my veins. My heart was hammering in my chest, as I realized he spoke in English.

I raised my head towards him and he turned around, his red eyes staring at me with a terrifying intensity. The demon. Caiden's right hand. He was there, in front of me, watching me as I was trying to breathe normally.

I was totally exposed. He was staring at my face, at my bare face, which was not protected by that stupid cloth. I resisted the urge to grimace and turn my face and he laughed, making me flinch.

"Did you think you could've run away from me? You seemed smarter than that."

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I didn't know what to say. He got me. "How?" I forced myself to say, with a shaky and low voice.

He lifted an eyebrow. "An exotic face. Foreigner consort. Not a prostitute. You can just stare at her, to admire her beauty. The women here know how to attract clients, even though they might not become theirs. I sent someone to the party before. He described me your eyes. It was you, indeed."

I blinked twice and took a deep breath. "I wasn't expecting an explanation. Why did you tell me everything? Why would you tell me so much if you're planning to kill me?"

He laughed, taking another puff on the weird pipe. He exhaled in my face, making me cough. "I'm not planning to kill you, honey. You're too interesting to be killed."

I knew he was planning something. I knew he was suspecting me of not being just a normal human. My story was too lacking. Plus... Jessica coming like a storm and saving me from him... And him, not talking about it...

He was clearly planning something and I was terrified by his sweet words. He was sly and mysterious. And I had no idea what to do. "Then what do you want to do with me? If not killing?"

He grinned. I could see clearly his white and sharp teeth, even within the darkness of the room. I couldn't see any candles and the lack of light made me even more scared of what he wanted to do to me.

"I don't know. Play around? Oh, but you're just a consort, not a prostitute, my bad. But... maybe you'll make an exception for me."

He bent over the table and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look straight into his eyes. I tried to make him release me, but his grasp got stronger and I grimaced, in pain. He yanked me towards him and whispered into my ear, tickling it: "Don't resist. It will only hurt you."

He placed his hand on my waist, dragging me over the table, and put me on his lap.

My heart was hammering in my chest and I knew my face was completely red. I lowered my eyes, staring at his white chest covered by a black kimono. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to find a way to escape from him. But, without Jessica's help or anyone's help, I was lost. I couldn't fight him. I couldn't run. I couldn't do anything.

He grabbed my waist, getting closer to me and I heard him laughing slowly, as he started kissing my neck.

This is not good. This is not good. This is not good, dammit!

The door opening made him stop abruptly, his lips still touching my skin. He chuckled softly and rose his head towards the door. I didn't turn around. I was petrified, but at the same time relieved someone interrupted us.

"Kasho."

I froze completely. I stopped breathing. I knew that voice. It was familiar. I squeezed my eyes shut.

Please... please... don't tell me he is...

"Satoshi-san." Kasho answered and chuckled again, pressing his hand on my back.

A phrase in Japanese came to my ears and I realized how different he sounded speaking in another language. Also, his voice seemed harsher. My brows furrowed. Why was he like that?

Because he's trying to be cold, to not trust anyone. He's gonna fail, thou.

I almost sighed but I bit my tongue, trying to be as silent as possible.

"As you can see, I'm having fun. We can talk about that later." Kasho said in English.

"Why are you talking in English?" Caiden replied, mirroring my thoughts.

I sensed him getting closer to us, even though I couldn't hear his steps. Because the door was still open, I could catch a glimpse of light, but I had no courage to look up at his face.

"It's disrespectful to talk in Japanese. This lady doesn't understand it. She might think we're talking about her, right honey?" He said, caressing my hair and I just nodded, turning my head on the right, so I couldn't see Caiden at all.

"She's a mere human, why would I bother?"

I heard him sitting on the pillow and I realized he had no wish to leave at that moment. I was doomed. Kasho seemed to think the same, because his body tensed suddenly, his chest muscles becoming hard as rocks.

If I'm caught in the middle of two demons fighting, I'm so screwed up.

"Then why are you still talking in English?" Kasho said, trying to keep his voice calm and friendly.

He seemed to have some problems with his nerves. That was not good at all for me.

"Because I want to ask this human how she came here. Are you a spy?"

I sighed. "No..." I answered, but Kasho grabbed my wrist, making me wince.

"Why are you interrogating her? Do you think I'm that stupid? Don't you think I checked her before I came here?"

His tone became furious and I gulped. God knew what he could've done to me if I said one more thing.

Caiden snorted and I bit my lips. Why is he teasing him with his superior air?!

"I'm not doubting your incredibly searching skills, but there is always a glitch which can't be seen. I thought I learned you that already, Kasho."

His voice was calm, cold, and low. It was harsher than the present Caiden's. I almost shook my head, but I stopped myself. I sighed softly. I had to stop comparing him with the Caiden I knew. There was no point in doing that. I just needed his sword and him crying.

The sword could've been easier to steal. But what about the tears? How could've I made him cry with bloody tears? How could I make him remember me?

"I think you should leave unless it's something important you want to discuss." Kasho said, releasing my wrist and I grimaced, massaging it.

Caiden didn't say a thing for a few seconds. I bet he was doing a staring contest with Kasho. He was pretty good at staring.

"It's important. I need to talk with you in private." He insisted, his voice becoming even harsher.

"You can tell me in Japanese. She doesn't understand it." Kasho replied, playing with my hair and lowering his head.

"Does she?" Caiden asked, his doubtful voice making Kasho's hand freeze. Caiden observed his subtle change of spirit and chuckled. "You said you have everything in control. That you looked into it. And you have no idea if she speaks or not Japanese?"

Kasho sighed. He pushed me, making me fall on the floor and jumped to his feet, facing Caiden.

This is bad. This is bad. This is bad.

Kasho started speaking in Japanese and I bit my lips again, squeezing my eyes shut. I lowered my head and pressed my hands on the floor. Please, ignore me. Let me go. Ignore me, for God's sake!

Their discussion became louder and Kasho was emanating furious vibes from head to toe. I was so sure he wanted to fight him that I opened my eyes and I prepared myself to run if I heard any swords coming out of their scabbards.

But, after a few minutes, they suddenly stopped talking and I resisted the urge to look up at them. I frowned, waiting anxiously.

"What a waste. I really wanted to have fun tonight. I guess you have to wait a while, my dear. See you soon." Kasho said to me and I only nodded, not looking at him.

His feet disappeared from my visual area and I finally raised my head. They were gone. The full moon was staring at me, making me feel lonelier than I already was. I sighed in relief, not believing how close I was to ruin everything.